[Dane Wayland]

Of all the unlikely situations Dane had ever imagined himself in, he'd never once contemplated something as simple, boring, and horribly domestic and mundane as... being seated at a too-small table before a "cozy and quaint" flowershop. He'd been there for an hour already, waiting for the store's florist to unpack and cut the morning's delivery, then create the orders he'd received the night before. The middle-aged, skittish storeowner (obviously not expecting someone so early) had been flustered by Dane's presence and even brought him a fudge brownie on a cheap pink plate with a pink, kid-sized fork. An "apology for the wait".

Dane knew his mother had sent him here early on purpose, knowing full well he would have to wait to pick up the displays she'd called in. The woman — in Los Eurosia for a visit to see the new place he'd rented — had sent him on a handful of idiotic errands with the overly-stressed instruction that he be at the flowershop before 10:30. And Dane, operating under the assumption that the shop closed at 10:30, had made a vegetable merchant at the farmers' market nearly piss himself by rushing his every movement. He was sure his mother just wanted him to be on his toes throughout the list of tasks so he'd actually get them done. And to simply accentuate the day's misery, or maybe to ensure he had a "relaxing hour" to "cool down", instructed him to be at the florist before the store was even open.

This had always been Dino's job. Or, more like... Dino volunteered for these silly, trivial errand runs. Knowing his too-soft brother, the big dope had probably reveled in the simplicity and sheer insignificance of it all. Would have pored delightedly over heads of lettuce... while humming some cheery tune! Took the time to actually compare prices and quality between every type of apple. Chatted up each merchant, asked about their kids, and learned all their names. Hell, he'd probably help the florists set up their flower displays every day.

God... Dane could barely stomach the imaginings and couldn't wait until his mother was done with her vacation and went back home. As much as he loved her and her company, she wore him out quickly. His feet had been itching restlessly in his shoes all morning. Leaned back in the chair with an ankle hooked over his knee, he shifted the pink fork from one side of his mouth to the other. He didn't really like fudge but chewing on the utensil at least gave him something to do. Underneath the table, he was scuffling with a young puppy; using the toe of his shoe to poke at her playfully as she gnawed at him with growing agitation. She was a new summon; not yet familiar, smartened, and obedient. Half an hour earlier, she'd all but flown across the street at a young girl walking her own dog, yipping playfully at its paws and bouncing around with the fierce want to play. The other dog had responded with a fitful of furious snaps and the young girl had to drag him away on his leash while Dane scooped his summon up and apologized.

Glancing into the window of the shop with a long, exaggerated sigh, wishing the man would hurry his ass up, Dane continued to shove lightly at the puppy and was surprised when she actually toppled over his ankle and face-planted on the concrete. Glancing at her, it was obvious the dog's attention had been caught by something, and she didn't even seem to notice she'd fallen as she scrambled back up. Just as Dane was beginning to form an inquiry, she shot away from the table like a bullet from a gun and he almost fell backward out of the chair in an attempt to turn to see what she was so fixated on and simultaneously scramble after her. "You little...!" Again!?

- - - -- - -

OOC: Dane breaking out all these new threads lmaooo. If anyone's interested and wants to reply, feel free to god-mod the heckie out of the rambunctious puppy.

[Deleted]

it was a bright, sunny morning out - and quite early. the perfect time to take fury walking without any protestors putting up a fuss - so what if he was an apex predator? Mayvis had paid a very large sum to have him imported, and to be frank - Fury was one of the only things she actually cared about in the world. fury, macon, and carmina. no one else had been able to claim her tainted heart, and she didn't plan on letting anyone anytime soon.

they had strolled only along a few streets - mayv's security detail trailing close enough to react if help was needed, but far enough to grant her and her pet some privacy - when suddenly fury let out a hiss, and swatted at a small puppy that had eagerly approached. mayvis rolled her eyes, "shh, I suppose I shouldn't let you eat that." she waved her hand and the bobcat reluctantly sat next to her.

it didn't take long for a man to come barreling after the small dog. he came to an abrupt stop in front of them while the puppy yapped and jumped beneath them. "my god, will you control that rodent?" she crossed her arms and threw up her nose, making sure her disgust was clear.

TAG: Dane Wayland • NOTES: LMFAO not mayv just casually walking her bobcat xD

[Dane Wayland]

look at you, just havin' a ball
making all of the thin cards fall

Dane skittered after the energetic puppy, mouth tucking with irritation while he grumbled. It was obvious what had captured its attention now — a brightly-haired woman walking down the street with her own pet (smartly) on a leash. He quickened his stride as he watched his puppy be bowled effortlessly to the side, tumbling head over paws into the street before leaping back to its pestering with undampened enthusiasm. As Dane approached, he didn't even attempt to hide his surprise as he realized the lady's pet was a fucking bobcat.

The woman herself was not amused.

"Sorry! Sorry! Ah, sorry!" He laughed out with a hint of breathless nervousness, deciding to play the apologetic angle and falling seamlessly into character — the type of person who had a cute, squirrely puppy and waited patiently outside floral shops. A hapless idiot. As he knelt to scoop up his wriggly summon and tuck it to his chest, he eyed the bobcat with level, calculating interest. He had a soft spot for summoning big cats. Though, admittedly, he wasn't as practiced with them as he was with canines. There was something about felines he hadn't yet mastered — they possessed a sort of fluidness and grace to them that dogs simply didn't and that he had trouble imitating in his creations.

With the creature in front of him, he had to stifle his hungering urge to study. To reach out and lift a paw, make it flex and unsheathe its claws, run his fingers along its bone structure, tug on its limbs, and poke about its mouth. But the cat regarded him reproachfully, a guttural warning low in its throat, and he smiled thinly as he stood and pretended to give his puppy a concerned glance-over. Of course, the summon was fine — as fresh and untested as it was, he was surprised (and grateful) that the swipe from the bobcat hadn't been enough to make it disappear. That would have been a little difficult to explain.

"You're alright, little guy. Yeah, you're not a rodent are ya? Are ya? Tell the lady you're just a dumb, silly billy who don't know no better. Say you're sorry, come on." The puppy gnawed at his fingers and he gave a soft chuckle before shooting the woman a sheepish smile, laying on the facade a little thick for good measure. "That's a cute kitty cat." He grinned with shining friendliness, eyes bright with innocent interest while he gestured to the bobcat. He meant it to be a little condescending — she seemed like a snob and he was more than happy to prod her a little, hoping she'd bristle a bit at her exotic animal being called 'cute'. But he dressed the words in unassuming amiability, completely prepared to play the part and feign ignorance and apologize profusely if she took offense.

"Do you... collect... them?" If she had a whole store of other exotic beasts, Dane was definitely interested in stalking her down and staking out her whereabouts, if just to add more beasts to his summoning catalog.

@mayvis
Lemme know if you need/want any tweaks. c:
♩ ♪ ♫ ♬

[googlefont=Roboto Slab]

[Deleted]

she was almost physically sick at the man's reply. not a rodent? most certainly the pesky ball of fluff was to mayv. she preferred her pets to be at a higher, more exotic level - hence fury.

she scoffed, "cute? fury would not be classified as cute," she saturated her voice with offense - if nothing else, she was determined to get a rise out of the man now that he had disturbed her day. Mayvis preferred to do things on her own, without the company of others. the general population was more of an annoyance to her than anything, and she was not looking for new friends.

she smirked at his interest, "no, no collection. fury cost me enough as it is," she shot a loving look at her companion, reaching down to scratch the big cat's ears, "and none other could be as special as he." 

the reality was that once she had taken over the family business and generated wealth, mayv had wanted a protector. however, miniscule dogs wouldn't do the trick. no, she wanted an animal that would win. but also not one that would eat her immediately upon meeting her. so, she had asked around and taken in information, and a bobcat was seemingly the best choice. she obtained an exotic animal permit, and had fury imported all within a week. fortunately for her, the predator had taken nearly an instant liking to her, so the two got along swell.

she paused as her cat let out a low growl and lowered his head, "fury, stop." fury reluctantly quieted and straightened himself - much like it's owner, the cat wasn't fond of meeting new people.

TAG: Dane Wayland • NOTES:

[Dane Wayland]

look at you, just havin' a ball
making all of the thin cards fall

As intended, the woman didn't appear too pleased with her bobcat being called cute. Even as Dane allowed his lips to part and his eyes to widen slightly, preparing to stammer out some stupid apology for offending, he inwardly wanted to purr. There was just something so delightful about pushing buttons and making people bristle, only slightly more so when they couldn't realize it was intentional. Only slightly, because it was almost always just as fun to be direct and unapologetic.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend," he smiled in a manner intended to appear mollifying and offered another sheepish chuckle, giving the cat a second look. "My bad, Mr. Scary Kitty, you're not cute. You're so very fierce and proud and everyone should tremble at the sight of you." His grin tipped into something slightly more genuine as he imagined the much scarier animals he could pit against the cat. He'd look so dwarfed and pitiful next to a cougar, panther, or even its slightly larger relative, the lynx. Appear so horribly domesticated with his collar and leash next to the rage of some of Dane's more feral summons. Amused by the imaginings, he couldn't help but add with a laugh: "I bet you really show those couches at home the what-for, huh, big guy?"

He nodded as if pleased with his amendments, then his gaze drew from the feline to the number of men lingering a couple of paces away, suspended in obvious wait for the woman to move on. He could recognize the look in their eyes, sternly astute and observing, prepared to leap into action at the drop of a hat. Bodyguards, perhaps? Just who was this lady? The cat gave a low growl, earning a demand from its owner to which it responded with reluctant obedience. Dane shifted his weight more comfortably on one leg and waved a hand at them. "Sorry ma'am for disturbing you, I wouldn't want to keep you from what you're doing." He chanced another courteous chuckle, lifted a paw of the puppy in his arms to wave at the bobcat, and then stepped out of her path.

@mayvis
♩ ♪ ♫ ♬

[googlefont=Roboto Slab]

[Deleted]

mayv's blood boiled at the man's jokes. she had not adopted such a ferocious animal for someone to make fun of. however, she was determined not to show her emotions, she would never allow anyone to catch even a glimpse of reaction from her - especially a stranger.

as the man stepped aside, mayv's eyes followed and assessed him. if he only knew of fury's habitat - a custom built "cage", like one from a zoo. even fully equipped with a glass window for mayv to watch - she usually had the help set free smaller animals, like rabbits, into the enclosure - however sometimes she liked to watch the large cat hunt down deer for larger prey. at the current moment, she was considering letting fury after the man, however he seemed built enough to get away or even hurt her precious pet.

she crossed her arms once more, turning up her nose again. "I have a name," she spat the words out, dripping in satire. "it's mayvis falcon, and you'd be wise to remember." it took effort to reign in her anger - to prevent herself from digging for the stranger's deepest fear, and making it a reality. she smirked, quietly appreciating her power - mayvis enjoyed watching others unravel by her doing, and so much restraint was usually not her case. today, however, it seemed to be working - much to the man's favor.

TAG: Dane Wayland • NOTES:

[Dane Wayland]

look at you, just havin' a ball
making all of the thin cards fall

Dane expected the woman to throw up her nose and continue on her way. He'd watch her and her entourage leave and then, once they turned the corner, let the facade fall away and continue to kick stones and twiddle his thumbs about the florist front. He would tell his Mama all about it when he got back to his apartment with her flowers and her treats. She'd laugh and poke fun at him as they tucked into breakfast. But instead, the woman threw up her nose, settled her weight more decidedly on one hip and crossed her arms. When she spoke, she was so obviously angry and possibly trying to threaten or frighten him.

Dane huffed a suffering breath through his nose, feeling distaste crop in his throat like bile and pull at the corners of his complacent smile. His mother would like it less if he came back all worked up and bitching, but — fuck it. He frowned, his lids falling half over his eyes while they flickered to the big brutes lingering down the sidewalk. "I didn't ask your name, nor do I fucking care who you are. I was just being nice." Gone was the pitch of apology and cheer and his eyes were no longer bright and friendly when he drug them back to her. He gave her a good look up and down and his lip twitched. He shrugged his shoulders, propped his puppy over one arm, and lifted the other to shoo the woman along. "Now go on, leave me alone, I'm waiting for my mother's flowers. You'll make them wilt. Don't forget your dogs."

@mayvis
♩ ♪ ♫ ♬

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[Deleted]

mayvis was uninclined to give up before getting her expected reaction out of the stranger - however, he was creating quite an annoyance for her. she felt fury's hair bristle next to her, the predator let out another low growl. warning the man, do not touch her. her faithful companion always had her back. mayvis knew it would not even need to be fury - at one quick look back over her shoulder, her body guards (who had been ever slowly closing the space between herself and them) and the man would be swept away.

ah - there is was. the disdain in his voice, his words saturated in hate as he spat them towards her. mayvis smirked - this was her purpose. she enjoyed pushing everyone around her until they hit the point of loathing her, just to see their spiteful reactions. she made her posture as formidable and big as she could. "down, rover," she purred in a teasing sort of way, "i'm only kidding," mayvis pretended to be offended at his comment, though she would enjoy watching something so bright and cheerful such as flowers wilt away into a dark pile of crumbs.

TAG: Dane Wayland • NOTES: literally these two are the perfect pissing match lol, 
neither will ever concede

[Dane Wayland]

look at you, just havin' a ball
making all of the thin cards fall

The woman puffed up, trying to make herself more significant than she was, but her answer was teasing. A lilting purr of satisfied mockery. The bobcat at her feet — sensing its owner's growing distaste or perhaps Dane's flagging friendliness — began a low, dangerous growl in its throat. He cast its bristling form a look markedly less interested than before, wondering how it'd react to a boot kicked fast and hard in its face. Or he could poof the puppy in his arms away, summon Snowcone instead, and leave the stupid cat a yowling, flailing mess of limbs and flying fur.

His lip tugged slightly and his gaze flickered again to the group of men sifting ever closer to them, their shadowed gazes watchful and discerning; obviously sensing (and, judging by the woman's attitude, very likely used to) trouble. They were big and burly, suited to their profession, and Dane didn't entertain any delusion they wouldn't very quickly beat him to a pretty, red pulp if he tried anything.

But still — unafraid of the consequences, more than willing to suffer them, and convinced he'd at least get a couple of good shots off before they had him pinned and squirming — he considered it. He lifted his eyes back to Mayvis, gaze flickering tellingly to the arms still crossed over her chest. He could reach for her. Wrench her to him. Sneer something nasty, dark, and promising. He had a feeling she wouldn't be used to it. Would be taken aback by his audacity, especially when she surrounded herself with protectors much more alarming than he appeared to be.

He snorted derisively, thinking of his mother poking about his apartment, looking out his windows, and going through his things. Did he really want to ruin the morning by showing back up battered and broken? While he wasn't afraid of a fight, even a losing one, he decided the woman was very much not worth it.

"Okay, bye." He offered another smile (this one feeling much more like a baring of teeth), turned away from her after another openly-disapproving lookover, and stepped down the sidewalk. He shook his head as he walked and — ultimately unable to be a prick who got the last word in — lifted his hand in a dismissive wave before folding all fingers into his palm except the middle.

@mayvis
♩ ♪ ♫ ♬

[googlefont=Roboto Slab]

[Deleted]

She gave a satisfactory smile as he looked her up and down, ultimately offering her a weak goodbye, but a strong middle finger. she motioned for her bodyguards, and one approached. more like servants - they did whatever mayv asked, whenever they were summoned. the perks of being wealthy. "please attend to fury - it's time for some fun." the words spilled from her mouth with such excitement.

mayv didn't exactly know what had made her this way. her father's murder had contributed, but long before that she had been a terror. it was possible most of it was due to her gift - a personal almost had to be a stain on society's normal kindness to show people what they most feared. she quickly skipped up behind the man, preparing herself for the perfect opportunity.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be a brat," she fell into step beside him, "I'm not completely keen on strangers is all. I deserved the universal fuck you, how about we sum it up to 'we're even' and I'll play nicely," she dramatically batted her eyes, she was searching now, focusing hard. she grabbed the moment as soon as she caught another spiteful glance - ONE LOOK IN THE EYES WAS ALL IT TOOK. she wasn't sure what reaction she would get from the man - he didn't seem the type to spook so easily. but sometimes those were the best. her eyes flashed red, with pure, utter joy. she let his mind do most of the work, to create whatever illusion would be his worst fear.

the saddest part - at least to mayvis - about her gift, was that she couldn't create something her victim would fear. instead, she simply forced them into an illusion and watched their reaction as they experienced it. which, in this case, had been thus far unentertaining - the man seemed to be fighting her gift, and had only given a few twitches. she wondered what she had shown him inside of his head.

TAG: Dane Wayland • NOTES: let me know if you would like anything changed - mayv sort of sprung that on dane here lol. xd LIKE "YOU FLICKED ME OFF? HERE HAVE YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE" LOL

[Dane Wayland]

look at you, just havin' a ball
making all of the thin cards fall

Behind him, Dane could hear the woman beckon for her bodyguards. He rolled his eyes and shucked a quiet, suffering sigh. He expected her to sic them on him. To order that he be pulled into the nearest alleyway and beaten for his disrespect. He kept walking, pace leisurely and untroubled, and waited for a thick-fingered hand to fall on his shoulder.

But it was the woman that skipped up behind him, spewing apologies as she fell in step next to him. Inwardly, he groaned. He'd much rather have taken the beating than have to entertain her for another moment. He thought he'd made it quite clear their little encounter was over and he drug his cold gaze to her to prepare another dismissal. Perhaps one that was nastier and more direct than the middle finger had been. Just to insure she got the fucking hint.

But when his eyes found hers, he saw a flash of malicious joy flit across her features. Then she was gone. He continued walking, but the morning was darker. The streets were empty. The puppy cradled against his chest, nibbling at his fingers, was gone. He cast his gaze about his changed surroundings, eyes narrowing. And then a familiar pain exploded across his back, unexpected and merciless. His knees struck the pavement and he doubled over himself, teeth gnashing to keep an agonized outcry stubbornly behind his lips.

His tattoo writhed under his skin, quick and cruel in a way Antonio had never done before. At least, not immediately. Not unprompted. Dane shook and clenched, face twisted in an ugly, pained scowl as spit gathered at the corners of his mouth and he clawed at the concrete under him, breaking his nails against the grit. Blood pounded in his head. And he watched as inky blackness crawled its fast, painful way down his arms. Across his hands. His fingers. Spreading fire and agony everywhere it touched — enveloping the entirety of him. Consuming him. His vision blackened, body unable to reconcile with what felt like a hungry flame licking greedily at every inch of him.

Another blink and the morning returned. The puppy once more in his arms bore a tooth down hard into the pad of his thumb and he winced, pulling his hand away with a shuddering gasp. He was still walking. As if the entire thing had been an imaginative daydream, despite how vivid and corporeal it had all felt. Understanding followed the surprise immediately. Illusionists weren't anything new to him.

Sweat beaded at Dane's temple, rolling from his hairline to cling at the hinge of his jaw. He turned. The puppy disappeared entirely in a blink of blinding light. Moving quick, with a definitive lack of hesitance, he shoved Mayvis against the building beside them, pinning her there with a forearm braced across her collarbones. "That wasn't very nice," he snarled quietly, tipped forward so his breath was in her ear while he kept his eyes trained anywhere else but her face — a practice he knew well from his many years sparring with Grace. His lip twitched over his teeth and he pulled back, letting her fall for a moment, only to shove her back harder. "Bad move. My tricks you don't snap out of."

@mayvis
♩ ♪ ♫ ♬

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[Deleted]

Mayvis let him toss her around a bit, only when he pinned her the second time did she react - her training in the guild (a group of hunters who preyed on the gifted) had taught her well. In one fell swoop, she managed to reach up and twist his arm backwards - at least enough for him to release her. She'd had years of experience, and her father had been one of the best fighters. He had taught Mayvis and her brother Macon well - self defense, and even offensive moves. Plus, she would be damned if a man was going to beat her.

Her lip curled as she let his arm go, "You like a fight, hey?" Mayvis never backed down from a challenge, she was the sorest loser around - and the simple temptation to hinder on someone's plans was enough to give her a jolt of excitement. "Guess what? Me too!" She faked a 'karate kid' sort of stance, waving her hand in a 'bring it on' motion.

She assumed he'd either lunge at her - in which case her body guards would approach and end the fight before it began. They had grown use to Mayv's mischief and at first let her have her fun, but when things further escalated, they stepped in. Not to mention she could she Fury lunging at his leash.  Half of her was curious about this man though - the moves he'd used on her were nearly as smooth and automatic as the one's engraved her mind - where had he learned them, and what else did he know? 

TAG: Dane Wayland • NOTES: sorry this took ions & it was very short!! xd

[Dane Wayland]

look at you, just havin' a ball
making all of the thin cards fall

In his periphery, Dane could see the woman's threatening entourage startle closer and, when Mayvis forced her fingers under the arm he braced against her and tugged, he stepped off. Snorted with a mix of annoyance and hatred as she fell into some silly fighting stance and quipped at him. Egged him on. Invited a fight like it would be some inconsequential game. To him, she looked laughable. Like she'd watched a lot of movies. Or was used to talking shit and having her goons step in once the other person got off one good hit. It was annoying. And it didn't sound like fun. In another mood — or if she were another person — he'd have been happy to play rough and nice. Exchange jabs and barbs. Maim only a little. But he could feel the disdain for her twitch at his fingers. Knew it wouldn't be that kind of brawl. Knew she wasn't the type he would enjoy bantering with. He wondered if she'd still be eager to play once he slipped a blade free and, with no fanfare or teasing, knifed it between her ribs before her men could reach them.

But where would that leave him? The florist knew his face. Had his mother's name, her phone number, and Dane's address. And he liked his new apartment. He liked Los Eurosia for what it was and what it had to offer him. As attractive as the notion was, he didn't feel like ruining the morning or jeopardizing everything for the brief moment of satisfaction it would bring him to see the haughty grin slip from her mouth. He would have to make his way home and usher his mother from his apartment. She wouldn't be surprised. But she'd huff. Call him some choice names that he'd heard hundreds of times before. And, worst of all, she'd brood about it for days. And yeah, Mayvis was Gifted. Antonio probably wouldn't mind enough about his killing her to punish him. But he'd have some things to say about the way he'd gone about it and the mess he'd made. Lecture him for the umpteenth time and in just the way he knew would invite Dane's ire and snarky rebuttals; to goad a reaction he could be punished for.

And... above all... a fight was what Mayvis wanted. He loathed the idea of playing into her hands the most — far more than a ruined morning, his mother's bitching, his father's wrath, or a skipped town. He wasn't about to play on her terms. To step to her invitation when she held all the cards and would throw him to her dogs as soon as he played a little too rough. It wasn't worth it.

"Real cute," he seethed, taking another step backward and angling so he could place the whole lot of them — the woman, her approaching bodyguards, and the stupid, overgrown house-cat — before him, knowing better than to give them the chance to flank or get behind him. He slipped a blade from his belt and flicked it open, keeping it low, parallel to his thigh; held there as a threat, a promise, and not a spectacle (not yet desiring to make a scene for the whole Downtown street to witness). "But I'm not feeling very performative at the moment."

He continued to step back, eyes flitting to the men who appeared to be waiting on some sort of signal from her. Or a bolder move from him. "I like a fight that's fun. And a fun fight would be a little more evenly matched." He shrugged a shoulder and tipped his mouth into a nonchalant frown. "And if the fight's not fun, it's usually not worth it." He knew there was an alley just a little further back. Had glimpsed it on his jog to retrieve the puppy and instinctively noted it again when he'd expected her bodyguards to apprehend him as he walked away. He could make the match more even. Step into the relative seclusion and summon a pack of dogs to keep her irrelevant pets occupied. She'd made no comment on his own gift or questioned it but she must have noted the disappeared puppy. Heard the insinuation in his words when he alluded to his own tricks. She'd suspect something. And it would be her fault for not backing down when he'd given her the chance to. Had given her more warning than he would offer most. "I'll ask nicely one more time — leave me alone, you prissy cunt."

The alley mouth opened beside him and he cast her a dark, disdainful look (careful not to meet her eyes) before turning and taking a couple of strides down it, shaking his head and blowing out an exasperated breath. He waited for the woman — or more likely, he suspected, her men — to follow. Invited the familiar, comforting warmth into his palms that would precede his first, snarling summon if they dared. And if they didn't? Well, he'd circle the block. Pick up his flowers, return to his mother, and pretend the whole thing hadn't happened. Perhaps leave her name, which she'd so freely given, with his father and see what came of it. Perhaps he'd be allowed to hunt her. Kill her as he seemed fit. Antonio would be pleased — surprised, for sure — that he'd asked permission. And Dane would be given the discretion to do what he wanted. It was a win-win, in any case.

@mayvis
♩ ♪ ♫ ♬

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[Deleted]

It took everything in her not to chuckle at the man. Nothing really intimidated her - not even the blade he'd eventually drawn out near his side. Mayv had always viewed fear as a weakness - partially due to her gifts, and weaknesses were things she had long ago promised herself not to show others.

It wasn't until the man once more warned her off and headed towards the alley that she noticed it. Just a small piece slightly peeking out around his neck and upper shoulder, before his clothing once again hid it. She had heard rumors, but had never met him in person. She tugged her long shirt down near her wrist, moving the skin back and forth - she nearly felt remorse for plunging the man into his worst fear - after all, they were technically "team mates."

Mayv once again skipped after the man, "Oof, I just realized - I've heard of you. Sad I didn't recognize you before - you should've let that peek out to begin with." She nodded her head to his back as she fell into step once more beside him, "Mine's a snake down my left arm - rather fitting if I do say so myself." She imagined not many guild members enjoyed their tattoos, mostly of the fact they were used for pain and control against their owners. She'd heard of "the wolf" tattoo, the artist's own son who rebelled against the traditional ways of the guild, though she had never before had the opportunity to meet him - until now. Her eyes flickered with a sadness for the briefest of moments, "You may not know me, but I'm willing to bet you've heard of Magnus Falcon? He was quite good at hunting, before he was ambushed." 

TAG: Dane Wayland • NOTES: let me know if you'd like anything changed, I tried to go based on both of their historys in their appS to bring some sort of common link between them besides all this random brawling lol

[Dane Wayland]

look at you, just havin' a ball
making all of the thin cards fall

The woman skipped after him and Dane invited the warmth into his palms, lids shuttering over his eyes with weary resignation. He supposed there was no way around it. He prepared a nasty summon; something with slathering jaws, tearing teeth, and a marked lack of restraint or care. But when Mayvis spoke, her tone was decidedly changed. It gave him pause and the light flickering in his palm stuttered to nothing. It took a moment for him to realize what she was trying to say but, when she mentioned the snake on her arm, understanding seeped through him.

She was a Guild member.

He could have chortled coldly. Laughed derisively. She said she'd heard of him? Dane knew just what type of stories circulated around the organization in regards to Antonio's bastard brute of a second son, passed about by sneering mouths that were, too often, unwilling to say the same things to him directly.

Most of it was true. Acts of unwarranted brutality (only somewhat exaggerated). Tales of continued disobedience and disrespect. Butchered assignments, infamous failures, and always a messy clean-up. Some of it was untrue — other people's failures pinned on him because Dane Wayland gloriously fucking something up was decidedly credible and convenient. Bloodbaths he'd taken no part in but that seemed just his type of overindulgence. Unnecessary quarrels with people he'd never even met. He'd long ago stopped trying to defend himself or to correct the inaccuracies. It didn't matter and there was no changing what people thought of him. So now he bore each tale proudly, true or false. Tipped his chin when he was confronted with them and grinned. Leaned into people's preconceptions of him and leaned in hard.

But... among the majority of the rank and file, Dane was a pariah. An outcast. Someone to avoid not only because being associated him looked bad but because working with him tended to be lethal. Had Mayvis heard that? Did she expect them to be friends now? Rubbing shoulders and paling around, simply because of their shared allegiance? Or had she not been present when those particular stories were told; of killed partners and suspected sabotage? Had no one told her that he couldn't be trusted? That working him, more often than not, was a punishment?

For a moment, he considered whirling on her; shoving his blade somewhere critical and leaving her to bleed in the shadows. It would be her own fault. He'd warned her plenty of times. More times than he would normally. And she'd made dangerous assumptions. Claimed to know who he was and still pressed on. It'd make a good lesson. And more so, a good story about him to be passed about. Maybe the next Guild member would decide to steer clear when they recognized who he was.

But then she mentioned her father and Dane snorted harshly. "If he was so good, then why'd he end up dead, hmm?" He chirped, voice coarse and pointed. He'd heard of Magnus. But he didn't care who her father was. Things would be so much nicer, so much simpler, if no one cared who anyone's father was. Warrick. Antonio. Magnus. Names wielded like threats or some sort of protective charms. It was stupid. "Why should I care whose daughter you are? And are you really that eager to join your dear Daddy? I don't wanna be your friend, Mayvis. Can we stop?"

@mayvis
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Aaaah, I just really don't think Dane's gonna warm up to her tbh lolol
He's just a belligerent butt~

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