The slums are a rundown, old heap of a town tucked deep in the jungles, with townsfolk consisting mostly of poachers, black marketeers, thieves, and fugitives. While the ideal tourist spot, some travel to the Slums to make use of the black markets. (+2 Defense, +2 Speed)

Moderator: Retired Staff

Return to The Slums

Love Isn't All It's Cracked Up To Be [Lifemating,P][M]

Postby Elektra » 02/13/2011 10:41 PM

Image











April walked quietly through the Slums, trying to figure out what she should say to him. Gripped tightly in her hand was a small necklace that she had bought a few weeks ago. She planned on giving it to him on their first anniversery, which was today. Finally, she recognized the old building that she normally found him in, and pushed open the door, flinching at the screaching sound the rusted hinges made.

Normally, she would find him on the old loveseat, waiting for her arrival. Of course, when he wasn't there, she began to wonder. Pushing such thoughts out of her mind, she headed to the guest bedroom, but he wasn't there either. That left the master bedroom, as they both called it, although it wasn't much bigger than the guest. Heading that way, she could've sworn that she heard giggling, and quickened her pace.

At first, she couldn't see anything, but once her eyes adjusted, she gasped. Zeru was on the king size bed, ginning as if he weren't quite sober. Beside him lay a young woman, almost naked as well. It was obvious what was happening, but it was as if her voice was trapped, and all she could do was watch. They leaned in for a kiss, but that was all she could take. "Zeru!" she shouted, almost in tears. The young human form Lucain looked up, a look of shock and guilt flashing across his face, but just as quickly replaced with that familiar calm expression he almost always seemed to have. "Oh. Heya April. I didn't know you were coming by...." He seemed to grope for the words, and that was all she needed to hear. She threw the box at him, hitting his temple. He winced in visible pain, and watched as she stormed out, trying to hide the tears that had begun to stream down her face.

~~~~~~~~~~

That was about a week ago.  Since then, she had wandered around the Slums, trying out different bars and their specialties.  Trying to drink away her sorrows, the pain, the horror.  They had seemed to perfect.  But no, he wasn't near perfection.  Of course, no one was, but he was further from it then most.  She mulled it over in her head, trying to figure out how she went wrong.  How she could be so naive as to five her heart to a man that was known around the Slums as one of the big bosses.  Even when she had learned of this, she stayed with him.  She should have known it was coming.  But no, his charm, his ways kept her, and then he broke her.  

She strode into yet another bar, unsure of what she should do.  With Zeru, there had been an infinite amount of money; she hadn't needed a job, for he had supported her.  But now, she was on her own.  No one to support her, to shower her in useless objects.  Pushing open the bar doors, she morphed, somewhat self-conscious of what she was wearing, and what she was about to do.  This would affect everything.  But she didn't want to have to live off of someone else, especially someone like Zeru.  And to avoid that, this was the only way.

There were small, barely noticeable bags under her eyes, for she hadn't slept in the past days.  The event she had witnessed was just to much; the alcohol got rid of such pain, but at a cost.  She still wept whenever she thought of that flee-ridden beast, and still wondered how she could've been so stupid.  But it didn't matter.  He had tricked her, and she had payed for it.

Pushing her way through the drunken crowd, April decided to have a drink or two before asking the big question.  Sitting herself up on one of the bar stools, she rested her chin in her hands, and waited for the tender to come around to her.  "A mug of your strongest if ya'd please." she said blatantly, as if it was perfectly normal for a young girl to come in and order such.  As he walked off, she waited, trying to figure out who exactly owned the place.  


You see, her plan was to see if the bar owner would employ her as, well, as a entertainer, per say.  That was why she kept looking down at her attire, unsure of whether this was the right decision.  But at the end of the day, if this was what would get her payed, she have to work with it for now.


If you knew knew what the bluebirds sang at you
You would never sing along
Cast them out cause this is our culture
These new flocks are nothing but vultures

Because they took our love and they filled it up
Filled it up with Novocaine and now Im just numb
And don't mind me, Im just a son of a gun
So dont stop, dont stop until your heart goes numb
I dont feel a thing for you

User avatar
Elektra
Ultimate Specialist
Ultimate Specialist
Pets | Items
Keystones: 5
Donate
Joined: 11/21/2009 12:12 AM
Location: Let's not go there right now

0.1

Postby Remedy » 04/25/2011 3:50 PM

Image


Ze'el stood quietly, cleaning a mug with a dish towel and looking around the room.  Cortona had just come in.   She was one of his regular customers, one of those "meet me half way" type of girls that came through the back door of his bar to meet up with her lover, who was also a good friend of his.  He didn't know the full story of why they were so secretive about it, though, but he didn't need to.  He'd just let them be and hoped the best for the two of them.

Not much was happening, even though his bar was pretty much full.  A few guys had filled themselves up on booze and were now arguing, but that wouldn't cause too much of a problem.  They had been in there before and still had their battle scars from last time they disrupted the peace- and they hadn't gotten them from each other.  Sober or drunk, they probably had enough sense to behave around Ze'el.

Finally, something interesting walked through the door.  A nice young lady stepped in, dressed quite boldly, but not unusual for women hanging around the slums.  Ze'el morphed a bit to seem more of her age type.  He literally morphed; it was a special gift he had been born with, the ability to change his looks to a different age.

She slid up to the counter and asked, quite nicely for a woman of her kind, for some booze.  
"But of course, miss."   Ze'el said with that teasing tone in his voice that always seemed to be there.  He mixed her up something fruity but strong, and slid it across the counter in front of her.  
"So what brings you here?" he asked.  He watched her expression carefully, noting that she didn't seem to really be the type of woman she was trying to portray.  He wanted to know her real story, but he might have to get her pretty drunk before she would spill.  Who knows, though.  She could be one of those emotional types that would just break down on the first sip.  Everyone he had seen come into his bar started with a different story, but they always ended up to be the same, in the end.  Still, it was interesting to listen.


I think back to the time when my search first began,
I left behind those shores of sand
For the endless everlasting world out there.

I know that with this burning passion driving me
Someday, somewhere I'll finally see
The light I have searched for everywhere!

-One Piece, "Hikari E"

HomeLogWishTradeImp. Docs
User avatar
Remedy
Ultimate Explorer
Ultimate Explorer
Pets | Items
Keystones: 1982
Donate
Joined: 11/18/2009 6:26 PM
Location: Somewhere in the Southwest

Re: Love Isn't All It's Cracked Up To Be [Lifemating,P]

Postby Elektra » 04/25/2011 4:13 PM

A man around her own age came over, sliding a drink over to her.  Picking it up, she downed half of it in a minute, enjoying the bang it had.  "Thanks." she said, looking up at him.  He was actually quite cute, but she couldn't really bring herself to think anything like that.  It had only been a week since that low down idiot had cheated on her, and jumping into another love was just stupid.  

"Huh?" she said, looking up again.  "Well, I caught my son of a bitch boyfriend in bed with a tramp, threw a box at him, and left.  I've been to every bar in town now, drinking and drinking.  I can't even get drunk after all this..."  She was so fed up with her life that she didn't even really care who the hell she told her lifestory to...  "Name's April though.  I've...  Been looking for a job lately, and figured I could look here for one."


(Fail post, it'll get better though...)


If you knew knew what the bluebirds sang at you
You would never sing along
Cast them out cause this is our culture
These new flocks are nothing but vultures

Because they took our love and they filled it up
Filled it up with Novocaine and now Im just numb
And don't mind me, Im just a son of a gun
So dont stop, dont stop until your heart goes numb
I dont feel a thing for you

User avatar
Elektra
Ultimate Specialist
Ultimate Specialist
Pets | Items
Keystones: 5
Donate
Joined: 11/21/2009 12:12 AM
Location: Let's not go there right now

0.2

Postby Remedy » 04/25/2011 4:35 PM

Hm.  So it didn't take too much to get her to tell her story, even if it was short and to the point.  He was sure that later she may go into more detail, if asked and if she had a few more drinks.  
A job.  She was asking for a job.  That was a new one.  Sure, he wouldn't mind having an extra hand around, and a nice little lady like herself would probably bring in more customers.  He glanced at her clothing again.  

After about a minute, he said, "...Sorry to hear about you're boyfriend.  He seems like a real ass..."  

He was still thinking about the job.  Obviously she wasn't to experienced on her own, so there was no telling where she may go if she didn't end up here.  He had an extra room in the back that she could stay in if she didn't have a place on her own...

Ze'el normally didn't get too attached to his customers, but it had happened before with Crein and Cortona, and it could happen again.  however, he didn't know her too well, and it could be a scam.  He knew how to track, though, so if she tried to steal anything he'd probably not have a hard time finding her.

"I... think I've got an open spot for a job here.  You'll have to be patient, though, since working at a bar isn't as easy as it seems." he finally said.  He wasn't kidding.  She would have to be careful, and work on her self defense a bit.  Some drunks won't miss a chance to grab at a lady if they aren't sober.


I think back to the time when my search first began,
I left behind those shores of sand
For the endless everlasting world out there.

I know that with this burning passion driving me
Someday, somewhere I'll finally see
The light I have searched for everywhere!

-One Piece, "Hikari E"

HomeLogWishTradeImp. Docs
User avatar
Remedy
Ultimate Explorer
Ultimate Explorer
Pets | Items
Keystones: 1982
Donate
Joined: 11/18/2009 6:26 PM
Location: Somewhere in the Southwest

Re: Love Isn't All It's Cracked Up To Be [Lifemating,P][M]

Postby Elektra » 04/25/2011 6:31 PM

Smiling a bit more, she hoped that he wasn't joking about being able to offer her a job.  "Thanks a bunch, uh...  Well, I don't happen to know your name yet, so it's kinda hard to thank you." she said awkwardly.  She set the empty glass back down after finishing the rest off, and wiped her lips with the back of her hand.  Looking up again at him, she couldn't help but feel something for him.  But at the same time, she still had that feeling of unease, not neccessarily because she thought he was a bad man, but simply because she didn't want to go and get hurt again.  

"I know how to be careful, I've been living here for a while, and I also know how to slap a man when he tries to make a move, so that shouldn't be a problem.  But...  I don't really have a place to stay."  She knew it was a long shot, but this man seemed nice enough, and considering the size of the bar, it made sense that there would be room in the back, even if all she had was a cot to sleep on.


If you knew knew what the bluebirds sang at you
You would never sing along
Cast them out cause this is our culture
These new flocks are nothing but vultures

Because they took our love and they filled it up
Filled it up with Novocaine and now Im just numb
And don't mind me, Im just a son of a gun
So dont stop, dont stop until your heart goes numb
I dont feel a thing for you

User avatar
Elektra
Ultimate Specialist
Ultimate Specialist
Pets | Items
Keystones: 5
Donate
Joined: 11/21/2009 12:12 AM
Location: Let's not go there right now

0.3

Postby Remedy » 04/25/2011 7:02 PM

"No problem, miss.  And my name is Ze'el; sorry I forgot to mention that before."  he said, smiling.  Just then he realized that she hadn't given her name either, and he silently scolded himself for accepting her job offer so early when he didn't even know her name.  There was just something about that girl...  

Oh wait... She had mentioned it...  Yes, it was April.  Now he was just embarrassed with himself for forgetting that, since he was usually very observant.


Ze'el raised an eyebrow at her inquiring for a place to stay.  Yes, he had already been considering to offer, but he wasn't expecting her to ask.  She's a bold one, he thought to himself.  I like that.

"I've got a room in the back you can stay in.  I'll have to show it to you after closing hours; If I leave my stand for a second I guarrentee every single person in this room is going to grab the booze and the money and get out before I get back.  I hope you won't mind waiting until then..."  
He checked his watch.  It was eleven o'clock; closing time was at one in the morning.  "It'll be a few more hours.  Would you like a refill?"  He asked, picking up her empty glass and cleaning it off.


Ze'el turned his head to see Cortona and Crein slip out the back.  It was the first time he had seen the two of them sneak out together; maybe they're problems were improving.  He certainly hoped so, since he wanted the best for the two of them.


I think back to the time when my search first began,
I left behind those shores of sand
For the endless everlasting world out there.

I know that with this burning passion driving me
Someday, somewhere I'll finally see
The light I have searched for everywhere!

-One Piece, "Hikari E"

HomeLogWishTradeImp. Docs
User avatar
Remedy
Ultimate Explorer
Ultimate Explorer
Pets | Items
Keystones: 1982
Donate
Joined: 11/18/2009 6:26 PM
Location: Somewhere in the Southwest

Re: Love Isn't All It's Cracked Up To Be [Lifemating,P][M]

Postby Elektra » 04/25/2011 7:48 PM

"Nah, I think I'm good." April said, surprised that for once in the past month, she didn't have the urge to drink.  Though, that got her to wondering whether it was due to him, or to the fact that her life seemed to be taking a turn for the better.  Looking around the bar, she figured that the wait would give her time to get to know a few of the dumber drunk-heads in the bar, which would be useful information if she was going to be working there.  There were a few men in the corner that kept staring at her with odd looks on there face, and she figured that they were going to be the ones she's need to look out for.  Especially considering the scars on them.

She turned to Ze'el, and asked, "So I'm guessing that those are the troublesome guys over there?  But where'd they get all those scars?"  If it was from fights in the bar, then she might be in a bit of trouble, since she never was the strong girl.  

Looking in the direction he was staring, she saw a couple slip out a back door, and got the idea that they were some of his friends.  "You know them well, I take it?"


If you knew knew what the bluebirds sang at you
You would never sing along
Cast them out cause this is our culture
These new flocks are nothing but vultures

Because they took our love and they filled it up
Filled it up with Novocaine and now Im just numb
And don't mind me, Im just a son of a gun
So dont stop, dont stop until your heart goes numb
I dont feel a thing for you

User avatar
Elektra
Ultimate Specialist
Ultimate Specialist
Pets | Items
Keystones: 5
Donate
Joined: 11/21/2009 12:12 AM
Location: Let's not go there right now

0.4

Postby Remedy » 04/25/2011 10:54 PM

Ze'el didn't even have to look at the guys to know who she was asking about.  "Yeah, they always cause trouble.  It's the ones that cause the most trouble that pay the most, though."  he wouldn't explain to her how or why they payed the most yet, though.  That would come later, when he trained her for the job.  

"Those scars?  A good deal of them came from me.  Gotta keep order."  he said.  Just then, one of the guys in that group that had been checking April out stumbled his way over after being encouraged by his friends.  He clumsily plopped down in a stool beside April and smiled at her.

"Can I...  Can get you... a drank, darlin' ?"  he asked, obviously so drunk it was hard for him to talk correctly.  This man was one of those that still had a purple and blue eye from the last fight, as well as other obvious injuries.  He leaned a little closer to her.   Ze'el frowned.   Before the man could say any more to April, he was hurrying back to the table he had been at before, his friends laughing at him.  Ze'el had just smacked him pretty hard over the head with the dish towel he had been using to clean the glasses.

"Yeah, watch out for... that."  he told April, picking up a different glass to clean even though it already was.  He always kept his hands full, and there was a reason for it; a dish towel in one for whipping and a glass in the other for throwing.

He then acknowledged April's question about Crein and Cortona.  "Yeah, Crein, the guy that just walked out, is an old bud of mine.  I used to work with him.  He just left with his girlfriend, Cortona.  You'll see them around here a bit."


I think back to the time when my search first began,
I left behind those shores of sand
For the endless everlasting world out there.

I know that with this burning passion driving me
Someday, somewhere I'll finally see
The light I have searched for everywhere!

-One Piece, "Hikari E"

HomeLogWishTradeImp. Docs
User avatar
Remedy
Ultimate Explorer
Ultimate Explorer
Pets | Items
Keystones: 1982
Donate
Joined: 11/18/2009 6:26 PM
Location: Somewhere in the Southwest

Re: Love Isn't All It's Cracked Up To Be [Lifemating,P][M]

Postby Elektra » 04/26/2011 5:04 PM

As the one drunk waltzed over to her, she reeled back a bit, and was about to punch him right in the face when Ze'el smacked him with a towel.  Snickering a bit as he walked away, she turned toward him again.  "That was pretty good." she said with a smile.  Back at that corner table, yet another man was coming up, but this time he didn't look so good humored.  Taking a seat right beside April, he put a tight arm around her, and squeezed her shoulder somewhat painfully.  "So baby, you don't seem to like that other boy, do ya now?  Well, I'm sure you'll like m-"  Crack  With a howl, the man's hands flew up to his now bleeding and oddly placed nose, and as he stomped away, she stuck out a heel and managed to trip him.  "Call me baby again and I'll break more than your nose you stinking drunk."


Suddenly she whirled around with a pleasant smile on her face, and continued with her conversation as if nothing at all had happened.  "So I take it they aren't really supposed to be together?" she asked, referring to the couple that had just snuck out.  They looked happy together, and suddenly that brought back memories of how she and Zeru had been before.  She felt her eyes become a bit watery, and immediately blinked a few times.  "So anywho..."


If you knew knew what the bluebirds sang at you
You would never sing along
Cast them out cause this is our culture
These new flocks are nothing but vultures

Because they took our love and they filled it up
Filled it up with Novocaine and now Im just numb
And don't mind me, Im just a son of a gun
So dont stop, dont stop until your heart goes numb
I dont feel a thing for you

User avatar
Elektra
Ultimate Specialist
Ultimate Specialist
Pets | Items
Keystones: 5
Donate
Joined: 11/21/2009 12:12 AM
Location: Let's not go there right now

1.0

Postby Remedy » 04/26/2011 8:44 PM

Ze'el just nodded slightly as response to her compliment.  When the second man came over, Ze'el was about to smack him to... a bit harder than he had the other guy.  He knew how to make a simple washcloth whip hurt like hell with his many years of practice.  Before he could do anything, though, April punched the man pretty damn hard in the nose.  

"Nice throw,"  he commented, "but you might want to be a bit more careful with your violence.  One drop of blood could cause a riot throughout the bar, whether it was a worker or a customer that threw the first punch.  Luckily, though, that guy doesn't have too many friends to back him up, so I think we'll be fine."  He didn't recognise the man that came up to her as someone who had come in before.  He was sure that if he had, that man would know better than to touch a girl Ze'el had just defended.


He looked back at April.  "Hm?  Oh yes, I think something must be going on that has to do with their relationship.  I don't know the full story, but it's not like I really need to.  Crein's a smart guy.  He'll work it out..."  Ze'el said in response to her question.  He noticed her eyes were tearing up but didn't say anything about.  It always seems to embarrass girls if you point out that they're crying.


I think back to the time when my search first began,
I left behind those shores of sand
For the endless everlasting world out there.

I know that with this burning passion driving me
Someday, somewhere I'll finally see
The light I have searched for everywhere!

-One Piece, "Hikari E"

HomeLogWishTradeImp. Docs
User avatar
Remedy
Ultimate Explorer
Ultimate Explorer
Pets | Items
Keystones: 1982
Donate
Joined: 11/18/2009 6:26 PM
Location: Somewhere in the Southwest

Re: Love Isn't All It's Cracked Up To Be [Lifemating,P][M]

Postby Elektra » 04/26/2011 9:58 PM

April noticed that he didn't point out the tears that had appeared for a few seconds in her eyes, and really did begin thinking that she might be able to get along with the man.  She couldn't actually not smile around him, even though she'd just met him.  Of course, there was still that part of her that told her it could end just like her last relationship did, or even worse.  Nevertheless, the side that told her he was the one won over, and she decided to let it play out.

She noted was Ze'el had told her about bloodshed, and made a mental note, though she certainly didn't think she'd do it any other way if the situation had been done over.  "I can see why he doesn't have that many friends though, I mean, who would want to be friends with that?"

"So anyway, almost closing time." she said, pointing to the clock behind him.  It seemed that they'd managed to pass a lot of the time with a simply conversation, since the clock on the wall behind him said it was five minutes till one.  Suddenly, a yawn escaped her, and she let out a quick giggle.  Perhaps that drink was getting to her after all...


If you knew knew what the bluebirds sang at you
You would never sing along
Cast them out cause this is our culture
These new flocks are nothing but vultures

Because they took our love and they filled it up
Filled it up with Novocaine and now Im just numb
And don't mind me, Im just a son of a gun
So dont stop, dont stop until your heart goes numb
I dont feel a thing for you

User avatar
Elektra
Ultimate Specialist
Ultimate Specialist
Pets | Items
Keystones: 5
Donate
Joined: 11/21/2009 12:12 AM
Location: Let's not go there right now

1.1

Postby Remedy » 06/02/2011 3:21 PM

Ze'el nodded and looked back at the clock.  "Time flies when you're having fun," he said jokingly.  Most of the men had already cleared out, though there were still a few left.  Ze'el stepped out from behind the counter and silently began to place the chairs upside down above the tables so he could sweep; that was the suttle sign that it was time for everyone else to get the hell out.  They all did, except for one man who had fallen asleep in one of the back booths.  Ze'el ignored him for the time being, and continued wiping off the tables and putting chairs on them.  

"You can help, if you want to.  You don't have to, though; tomorrow will be your first day."  He said to April.  

Once he finished setting up the tables, he walked back behind the counter, pulled out a broom, and swept.  There were a few broken glass shards from much earlier, before April came.  He made the man who broke the glass pay double the price of it, but didn't bother cleaning it up until now.  Once he finished with that and the rest of his normal cleaning routine, he locked up the licker cabinet and emptied the register.
Only then did he pay attention to the man sleeping in the booth.  

Instead of waking him up and kicking him out, which was probably expected, Ze'el reached behind the counter and pulled out a blanket and pillow.  "I'm not a very cold hearted man,"  he explained to April as he covered the man with the blanket and proped his head up with a pillow.

"He won't try to steal if he knows what's good for him,"  he said.  

"Alright, Miss April.  I'll show you to your room."


I think back to the time when my search first began,
I left behind those shores of sand
For the endless everlasting world out there.

I know that with this burning passion driving me
Someday, somewhere I'll finally see
The light I have searched for everywhere!

-One Piece, "Hikari E"

HomeLogWishTradeImp. Docs
User avatar
Remedy
Ultimate Explorer
Ultimate Explorer
Pets | Items
Keystones: 1982
Donate
Joined: 11/18/2009 6:26 PM
Location: Somewhere in the Southwest

Re: Love Isn't All It's Cracked Up To Be [Lifemating,P][M]

Postby Elektra » 12/11/2011 11:51 PM

April smiled, and got up from the stool she'd occupied for the last hour or so.  She stifled a yawn, though the bags under her eyes weren't really so much from the make up, at least not any more.  Dwelling on it further, she realized she hadn't really even gotten a real good night's sleep for quite a while. "So, how long you been in the business?  You don't seem to old." she asked, hoping to learn more about her new boss.  

As the walked toward the back, she could've sworn that she'd seen a shadow or two along the front window, but when she took a closer look, it seemed that it was just something being blown about in the wind.  You really need a good sleep, April...  You're seeing things for god's sake! she said to herself.  A small smile played across her face once again, and she felt her whole body relax.  Sure, she wasn't going to be totally open with Ze'el at first, but something about the man was different from a lot of the others.  He seemed to have experience, the experience that took others countless years to learn.  Experience with people, experience in bussiness, experience in life.  And that all led her to think on thing in particular.  Maybe I could get along with this man.


If you knew knew what the bluebirds sang at you
You would never sing along
Cast them out cause this is our culture
These new flocks are nothing but vultures

Because they took our love and they filled it up
Filled it up with Novocaine and now Im just numb
And don't mind me, Im just a son of a gun
So dont stop, dont stop until your heart goes numb
I dont feel a thing for you

User avatar
Elektra
Ultimate Specialist
Ultimate Specialist
Pets | Items
Keystones: 5
Donate
Joined: 11/21/2009 12:12 AM
Location: Let's not go there right now


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest