<Tigra> Smoke slowly streamed from the small, fierce woman’s nose as she rested quietly against her car. The thin plumes curled in their nonchalant travel from her narrow nostrils before she sighed, exhaling all at once with a quiet, pleased roll of her eyes to the skies. Her deep, hazel gaze watched the winking lights as she flicked the cigarette once, sending the ash falling to the asphalt. She hadn’t been sure about this, joining back up with the group so soon after dying. It was the only thing to call it, really. Death is what it was.These events transpired in March 2015. They are currently being written.
Summary: These are the events leading up to, and the foundation of the relationship between Alton LeBlanc and Charisma St.Claire prior to, and leading up to his turning.
Edited for clarification in the ooc tag.
Second Edit/Repost per moderator request.
What she was.
She chuckled at the thought and turned, tipping her head back to meet her wife’s lips as she leaned against her. She hadn’t seen the thin blonde for days. She had missed her. Her arm circled her taut hips as Felicia growled at her again, explaining for what had to be the thousandth time that just standing here on the docks with these lunatics was enough to put Chasity in danger, that one of these idiots would end up killing her. It took immense amounts of control to leave her throat still inside her scrawny neck. It was moments like these that she was eternally grateful that she had met Rain.
She had provided the most amazing feeding ground, crawling with half-drunk, sex-crazed humans that were already half out of their wits. It made her work so much easier, and she was thankful for it. She was still so new to the whole… biting someone for sustenance ordeal. She still wasn’t very good at it, if she was honest, and had nearly had to dispose of a body once already. It didn’t bode well for her future.
She quickly grew tired of the good doctor, and gently tugged at Chasity’s hips, guiding her away mid-lecture and leaving Felicity to fume. The blonde’s sharp, obvious limp still plagued her, as it likely would the rest of her life. Tigra helped her move as much as she could, supporting most of her weight with her arm around her. As they moved, Ouragan sauntered into stride, hooking his stepmother’s arm over his shoulders and nearly lifting her off the ground with a smile.
“Having trouble, Belle?” he asked with a mildly teasing tone. He tried to keep her situation light, even if he knew that it was killing her to know she wouldn’t ever drive again. Not on a level like she had before. She’d even requested they remove her numbers from the board. Everyone had cried that night. Even Luca. He would have put money on it.
The pier was crowded tonight, most of the crew arriving early to welcome Ouragan and Tigra back after the accident. All of them talked easy around them, telling them how glad they were that they were back, while glossing quietly over the details of the incident after just one mention of the horrific scene had the small woman ready to rip into the large, broad mountain of man that Luca had always been. Tonight, he was more an anthill.
Together, mother and son settled the thin blonde against the door of her silver Mercedes so that she might look on the handiwork that her money had purchased. Tigra’s car had been utterly destroyed in the crash. Thanks to Chasity and her immense sense of charity and caring for the woman, the car had been rebuilt and was whole, in better shape than it had ever been. Just looking at the machine made Tigra turn to kiss the woman’s jaw. “Thank you, baby… you are too good to me.” she whispered softly, nuzzling her cheek with her nose and causing Ouragan to gag quietly.
“Please. Get a room.” he muttered, and pushed himself from his stepmother’s car. His tone was indignant, though the smile across his lips and the look in his eyes was caring endearment. He thought Chasity was a wonderful match for his mother. He gave them another grin and ducked aside to check with Butterfly, her slender figure dipped deep into the engine of his GT-R, her long toned legs lifted high in the air as she worked a hose. A dozen cars parked along the pier, half with some portion or another of a body hanging out of them as they were each given a last once-over.
His eyes moved to the small, bright pink of the Honda S-2000, the tiny Asian girl leaning against it staring at him with such an intensity, he felt like her eyes would burn holes into him. He rubbed a hand along the back of his neck and looked away as the young man under her hood lifted his head and saying something to her, earned a quick, sharp glare and went back to work.
His eyes moved to the fair redhead that had pulled in late, last in fact, her voice raised over the low roar of the high-powered machinery that surrounded her as she shouted at the much taller, slender blonde that had been sent from Germany to help maintain her sponsored vehicle. He could see the fire in her eyes and looked away just a second before her hand met the blonde’s cheek. He would never understand why anyone could stand Lucille. He refused to give her the courtesy of her handle.
A cool breeze worked its way through the night air, the misty cold sweeping across the small knot of heat that the engines had made around them, Tigra shrugging from her jacket to drape the fine leather over Chasity’s shoulders. Ouragan remained quiet, watching patiently at the gate of the docks for the newcomers.
<Charisma> Quietly stepping from the garage, Lora pulled her jacket tighter around her thick frame as she studied the chaos. It was hard to believe that the garage had been as quiet as a church mouse just the night before. Now it was filled with the sound of laughter and the delectable roar of engines as the guys tried to show off for whatever groupies they had picked up along the way. Shaking her head, she laughed under her breath as she weaved her way through the crowd towards the low hum of Ouragan voice. She tried to calm the racing of her heart as she neared the trio, and forced her smile into place. It was a perfect mask, one she had grown so accustomed to since Tigra had called it quits.
She hid every emotion she ever felt for the woman with that simple smile, but she swore that her son saw straight through her. “Hey, Tigger. I’m glad to see you’re doing better,” she grinned, leaning up on her tip toes to press a swift kiss to her jaw. Before the other could say anything, she fell back onto the balls of her feet and glanced towards the gates. “Uh, I wasn’t expecting you back, honestly. I have a friend coming over. They should be here any minute, actually.” Her teeth sank into her lower lip as she glanced nervously back to the brunette, offering her that same sweet, innocent smile she used to diffuse her irritation in the past.
As if on cue, the low purr of an engine filled the roads outside the garage and brought the steady bass of a rock song with it. The vibrant blue paint sparkled beneath the cool light of the moon, and as she peeled in past the gates, the tires kicked up dust before the car rolled to a gentle stop. Inside, the blonde casually turned her rearview mirror to face her as she brushed her pinky across her lower lip, using the pad to carefully smooth out the shimmering pink gloss she always wore. A quick glance to the digital numbers on the clock signaled she was late – something that was rather unusual for the Frenchwoman. She hadn’t exactly been looking forward to this event, and her mind briefly traveled back to the pile of books and papers she had left at the apartment. Honestly, I should have told her I was sick, she chided herself as she gave herself one last glance over.
It’s now or never, Melody. You need friends. Really, stop stalling before they think you’re troubled. “Oh, shut up, mother. It is not as if you really care,” the Killer muttered beneath her breath as she narrowed her eyes. Over the bass, she could make out a handful of steady heartbeats, the sound setting her on edge as realization struck her. “Merde. Lor, I am going to kill you,” she hissed as she bowed her head and closed her eyes. She couldn’t back out now, nor could she pull away without being noticed. She had no choice. Shaking her head, she swiftly turned the key in the ignition, killing the music and the engine simultaneously before she threw open the door. Her blue heel pressed into the cool asphalt, and she applied weight to her slender leg to help maneuver herself out of the vehicle without bunching up the tight leather material of her skirt.
Casually, she brought her hand up and slid her sunglasses through her hair, her moss green eyes adjusting to the glare of the moonlight as she slowly took in the crowd. Her golden curls fell in soft waves over her shoulders, and she nervously tugged at her cotton t-shirt as Lora ducked beneath a large man’s arm and hurried to her side. “I’m sorry, Chari. I didn’t realize they were doing this tonight,” she hissed under her breath, and the blonde gave her a tight smile as she slowly shut her door behind her. “You could have called and warned me,” she replied bluntly, her distress evident as the brunette hooked an arm casually around her toned middle and began to walk them towards the garage. “Guys, this is Charisma. She attends HRU with me.” Her voice was cheerful, even as she felt the blonde’s muscles tense against her side. Worry flashed in her honey gaze as she glanced to Tigra, the sound of Charisma’s keys jingling together filling the silence as she twisted them nervously around her finger.
<Tigra> Watching as the shorter, much curvier frame of her friend approached, she saw that same, strange smile she had taken to wearing so often lately. Lora was a beautiful young woman, even if she didn’t believe it. She was a sweet, gentle heart and a better woman than Tigra would ever be, sticking around to be her friend even after the end of what they had endured together. She returned Lora’s grin, and tipped her cheek to accept the girl’s kiss. Her lips were a familiar warmth against her skin, her arm sliding around the soft curve of her hips, pulling her into a taut hug and pressing the soft, pliable body against her toned frame.
“I’m glad to see you, too, Couer.” she whispered, and lifted a hand to push a dark chocolate curl from the plump girl’s tanned face. She felt a pang of guilt, looking down into those soft eyes and she quickly covered with a smile. “I was hoping you would be here tonight.” Her smile quickly evaporated however, with Lora’s next words. A wave of anger surged in her chest like a white hot rage. She felt her nails bite into her palm as she fought for calm, entirely unsure of where the sudden assault of emotion had come from, until she flashed that smile. That damned smile. She felt that frustration, that anger melt away, leaving her insides churning lightly and her head feeling light. She just nodded her head, her hand sliding into Chasity’s back pocket.
As her nails found the toned muscle they sought, the whining purr of the car at the gates heralded this “friend”’s arrival. Fighting that same surge of frustration that seemed to lodge itself into her throat, Tigra pulled herself against the silver car they had sat against, her eyes watching the car weave its way through the docks, catching quick glimpses of it as it passed through. Her son had moved closer to her side, his hand rising to rest on her shoulder, holding her back. He could see the way her teeth were set on edge, her body poised to rush the vampiress as soon as she opened the door.
The second the sharp blue of the heel clicked against the wooden pier, the low din of voices hushed, leaving only the purr of several engines, a mechanical chorus singing in a perfect and uninterrupted harmony. A sharp whistle cut through the silence and the booming laughter of Luca and Alton filled the air about the two massive frames of the muscle cars and their drivers, the tall, thin, but muscle-bound Victoire the object of their amusement as Alton clapped a heavy hand across his back, nearly sending him to the ground. Ouragan’s grip on his mother’s shoulder tightened when she tensed, watching the blonde slowly rise from the car.
She was stunning. Breathtakingly beautiful, but something about a vampire, another vampire near her crew had her ready to rip the blonde’s pretty head from her shoulders. It would have been a shame, too. She was so gorgeous. She clenched her fists until her nails began to cut into her palms as she calmed herself. She hadn’t done anything wrong. Not yet. Her eyes cut to Lora as she started to move and she gave a hiss beneath her breath. She was not pleased with the curvy girl, her eyes glowering into the back of her head and ignoring the sway of her hips as she advanced on the blonde.
She took a slow, steadying breath, and closed her eyes for but a moment. When they opened again, she was calm. She gave a bright, welcoming smile to the blonde. “Pleased to meet you, Charisma.” she said flatly, evenly, maintaining control of the desire to protect her crew. Ouragan pulled her back, and offered his own nod. “I’m Ouragan, and this is Tigra, my mother. You’ll have to excuse her, she’s still a little under the weather.” the small brunette snapped her head up to him and scowled, her look ignored for the time being. “We’ll be classmates at HRU.” he said quietly, stepping to put himself between her and his mother.
In the same breath, Victoire pushed himself from his car and advanced. “I’m Sadique. That there is Cendre…” he pointed to a scowling redhead, her arms crossed over her firm breasts as her brows knit tightly in a hostile glare levelled at nearly everyone in the direction. “Ignore her. She’s always sour. And the big lug over there is Luca.” he said jutting his thumb to the tall, muscular man standing next to a smaller, though more toned man, both resting against their cars. The one addressed gave a nod and a half-hearted salute.
“We are the Q5.” he said with a smile, holding out his hands to the rest of the group gathered on the dock. “And this is our crew.”
<Charisma> The whistle pierced through her skull, and for a brief moment, she felt the urge to vomit. Her fingers curled into her palms, the muscles of her biceps twitching as she took unsteady breaths into her useless lungs. The presence of so many humans caused that familiar panic to fill her chest, and she slowly turned her gaze to the curvaceous brunette at her side. The glare in her eyes was evident, and the girl quickly ducked her head, torn between two of her dearest friends. “What do you plan to study?” The question slipped past her lips in a voice so soft, she was certain it would go missing over the quiet hum of the engines. Her accent was thick and seductive, and she felt Lora tremble at her side. She knew the affect she had on the woman, though she could tell that it went no further than physical attraction.
As she spoke, she glanced towards the small brunette poised at his side. She knew instantly that they shared a kinship, and she tilted her head to the side. Before she had a chance to subtly inform her she meant her kindred no harm, another man stepped into her line of sight. She could tell by his voice that he was the one that whistled, and instantly she felt a strong sense of dislike for him for that action alone. “Bonjour, monsieur. I must say, I prefer you using actual words to your catcalling. It is less torture on my ears, and far less desperate of you.” As the words tumbled from her lips, Lora quickly wrapped her arm around her middle and gave a choked laugh. “I guess I should have mentioned she doesn’t have much of a filter,” the brunette laughed, causing the blonde to crinkle her nose as she tugged at her tank once again. The fabric pulled tight over her breasts, dipping low enough to show off the top of her bra.
“I just do not like to dance around the truth. Games are quite boring, are they not?” The question was directed to her friend, even as her eyes traveled from face to face. She could feel the hostility coming off of the redhead in waves, and she had to agree with the man - she was quite sour. It looked as if she had sucked on a lemon for days. As her gaze moved from her to the woman at her side, she narrowed her eyes at the small imprint on her cheek. A tremble rushed up her spine, and she quickly tore her gaze away when she felt a growl threaten to vibrate from her throat. “How would you know, beautiful? You never play them,” she teased, giving her finger a pinch as she tipped her head to her crew. “I see you casually forgot to mention the rest of the guys around here, Sadique. Trying to keep all this hot *** for yourself?” She teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement as Charisma’s nose scrunched up adorably once more. As she spoke, though, she cast her ex-girlfriend another innocent smile, pleading with her with her eyes to forgive her and accept the blonde she held pinned to her side.
<Tigra> A quiet sigh left Tigra’s chest, rising and falling with the heavy breath as she shook her head. She shot Lora one last glare before putting a hand up. “Fine.” she mouthed to the curvy girl, and let her eyes move once more to the blonde. “Try to cut the guy some slack. He’s got it pretty rough.” she said with a coy smirk, painted thumb jutting in Sadique’s direction. “Though you seem to have snapped him out of his twenty-one year slump.” she chuckled amusedly at the inside joke, the others in on the take burst into laughter, the slight man in the center deflating, his jaw set and brows drawn together as he shot her a glare.
She snickered, and gave a light wiggle of her fingers before turning back to the woman again. “I’m going to have to punish Couer for being so rude. We would normally be much more welcoming to a newcomer. Isn’t that right, Newbie?” a beautiful, tall blonde snapped her attention to the tiny brunette at the address and quickly nodded her head. “Oui, mademoiselle.” she said quickly in immaculate, articulated French as she lifted her hand to nervously twist a curl around her forefinger. Her eyes rested on the woman now, afraid to look away.
“Kissass.” Tigra muttered, before she shifted to sit on the hood of the Mercedes. She watched, intently, as Alton pat his wife’s rear before he stepped forward and offered an enormous hand to the small, curvy blonde. “Le Mur.” he said quietly, inclining his head. “I will have to ask Couer in private why it is she’s hidden such a beauty from the rest of us, though I imagine it would be because she was quite content with keeping you to herself.”
Over his shoulder, his wife watched, a look between a glare and an amused smile on her features. Cendre still glowered, the more attention the new Barbiedoll acquired, the more disdain she could feel in her chest. She turned to the tall blonde at her side, the urge to slap her again for her frustration rising. It was quiet now, though. People reacted poorly to how she treated the useless slut. She rolled her eyes, and turned back to the blonde, resting her body back against her Porsche, her back arching over its curve to lift her shirt over her taut abdomen. She was sizing up the woman, her glowering gaze scrutinizing every minute detail of the girl.
Quietly, the rest of the group watched as she interacted with those introducing themselves, either gauging her personality or going back to work before they pulled anything tonight. None of them wanted to waste any of the time they had been given to prepare.
<Charisma> The faces began to blur together as they stepped into her line of sight, a soft pulse of pain working its way behind her eye. Next to her, Lora dug her nails into her side and leaned up, whispering something quietly into her ear. Her muscles slowly uncoiled as the group laughed, her pale gaze turning back towards the male in the middle. “I apologize. I did not realize he was sexually challenged,” she said, sincerity in her voice as Lora doubled over with laughter, nearly taking the blonde down with her. As the brunette’s form trembled with her amusement, Charisma patted at her back with a gentle hand. Slowly, her gaze traveled around the room, taking in each of the faces and trying to remember the names that she had been given. The panic inside of her swirled out of control, and as she continue to pat at her friend’s back, her hands started to shake as she kept a serene smile in place.
When the larger of the men stepped into her view, she took a subtle step back and tipped her head to gaze up at him. He was well filled out, muscles rippling beneath his shirt. For a brief moment, she felt a flutter of… something. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but as quick as it had come, it had disappeared. Shaking her head as if to clear it, she slowly lifted her hand and hooked her fingers beneath his shirt. “You are referred to as the Wall? It is a strange name, though with these muscles, I can understand,” she chuckled as she lifted his shirt high enough to tap at his abs with a French tipped nail. She dropped his shirt instantly and gave him another smile, her eyes holding honesty and warmth despite the anxiety dancing throughout her entire form. “She has never shown any interest towards me. Unless, of course, I speak in French. She has simply sought to protect me.” She knew how strange her words must sound, but she didn’t dwell on them as she let her gaze roam past him to the redhead.
“Excuse me,” she said sweetly as she stepped past him, hips swaying wickedly as her heels clicked across the asphalt. “Cendre, is it? I do not understand why you must glare. You will get more wrinkles than you already have. Is there a problem?” No sooner had the words left her lips than the redhead’s eyes flashed. As if she had been waiting to lash out, her hand went flying through the air. Behind her, Lora gasped a strangled ‘no’, and Charisma’s hands lifted, fingers curling around the fist before it could make contact. It smacked into her palm, the force jarring the redhead’s arm. Pain crossed her features as she simply twisted her hand, the sound of her wrist snapping echoing through the garage. Slowly, she lowered the redhead to her knees, her own body bent at the waist, leather of her skirt hugging her ***. “That was not polite. You should work on your manners,” she growled, releasing her hand.
As she moved to step back, the redhead lunged, desperation and pride warring with her common sense. Her nails raked out, tearing into the flesh at her thigh. “Oh ****,” Lora whispered, her fingers pressing to her trembling lips as she watched the scene. “Charisma.” The soft warning tone was all she needed to control the rage boiling inside of her. As the woman moved to attack her again, she curled her fingers into her red curls and brought her knee up, shattering her nose and sending her crumpling into a heap on the ground. Taking a moment to collect herself, she calmly brushed off the front of her shirt and pivoted on her heel, making her way quickly back to Lora’s side. “I apologize, Tigre. I had hoped to handle that more delicately, but I do not handle abusers well. I can leave, if you wish.”
<Alton> Laughing quietly, Alton shook his head as he flexed when she prodded at his abdomen. He gave her a wry grin that set his wife’s teeth on edge. She was the jealous type, he knew, and he knew that he had never given her reason to be so hostile. He lifted a shoulder and rolled his neck. “Well, that, and the way that I drive the track. You’ll just have to see that little bit for yourself in action.” he gave her a wink as she dropped his shirt. “As for this one here…” he reached over, gently patting the chubby little brunette’s straight, chocolate strands with a large, strong hand. “She has always been good at hiding her affection. It took Tigra some time to figure out her little crush.” he couldn’t help but grin when the small brunette behind him shot him a glare.
Quietly, he stepped aside as she excused herself, and took her spot next to Lora. He watched as the curvy blonde advanced on Cendre, the redhead physically recoiling from her as she approached, like she was something unsavory that she didn’t want to touch. When she came close enough to speak, the redhead didn’t respond with words, but threw a fist as hard and fast as she could, straight for the blonde’s gorgeous face. The way she caught the fist elicited a laugh from the tall man, his hand clapping over Lora’s shoulder and pulling her soft body into his side. “You picked a real winner.” he muttered into her ear.
His wife frowned as she watched, wincing when the girl’s wrist snapped, sending her to her knees with a cry of pain. It didn’t stop her. Nothing stopped Cendre. Blood splashed against the ground when her nails found flesh, ready to tear her leg apart as best she could from her position on her knees. She was at a disadvantage, her hair easily grasped, twisted and nearly yanked from her scalp with a yelp. The sharp crunch of her nose shattering against Charisma’s knee only added to the worry of those hoping the best for her when her head snapped back, sending her falling flat on her back, legs bent beneath her.
Her hair splayed in a fiery fan against the dark wood, the redhead lay unconscious, twisted into the uncomfortable position with her thighs taut from the bent legs. She breathed easy, evenly, as her head rolled to the side and she simply groaned in subconscious pain. The tall, slender blonde with her rushed forward, and knelt down beside her, lifting her head delicately to brush the scarlet locks from her sealed, sage eyes.
When she returned, her words only brought laughter from Tigra. She laughed hard, her hands wrapping around her thin abdomen as she nearly doubled over at her apology. She looked up at her, tears in her eyes she laughed so hard. “Leave? We should throw you a ******* party.” she said through the fits, shaking her head as she gave the girl a smile. “Anyone with enough sense to put that filthy whore on her back is good in my book.” she said with a smile. She moved forward, and slipped an arm around the woman’s neck, kissing her cheek. “Welcome to Q5, honey. You keep putting the little tart in her place like that, and you’re going to become my favorite, really fast.”
<Charisma> Taking advantage of the blonde’s distraction with her ex-girlfriend, Lora slowly turned to cast that angelic smile up at Alton. “Are you sure it’s me that has the crush, Le Mur?” The question was followed up with a fluttering of her lashes, and she patted her small hand against his chest as she turned to watch her friend. The expression on her face was priceless. Her pale eyes were wide, confusion dancing in the depth and her glossed lips only slightly parted. She was beautiful, there was no denying it. Every single one of her crew members knew it. The way she held her body with such poise, yet managed to also give off the air of pure seduction was enough to drive even the straight women a little while. It was one of the reasons she had been so drawn to her - that, and her smart mouth. “There is no need for a party,” the blonde replied, her teeth worrying on her lower lip. Slowly, she turned to glance back at the brunette and gave a subtle tap of her fingers against her wounded leg.
“Oh, ****, honey. She got you good, didn’t she? Here, let’s go get you patched right on up,” she replied hurriedly, her small form ducking from beneath Alton’s arm. Her fingers curled around the blonde’s wrist, and with a quick tug, she had her out of the middle of the group. By the time they reached her car, Charisma’s leg was nearly healed. “I’m sorry, babe. I really am, but you seem to be fitting in just fine,” she sighed, watching as the blonde opened the door and bent at the waist to rummage around in the console. She couldn’t help it - and she had a feeling a few behind her couldn’t, either. Her gaze was drawn to her *** as it swayed back and forth, the soft and steady string of fluent french rising from inside. When she saw her begin to pull back, she quickly snapped her gaze to her face, a lazy grin tugging at her lips.
“Do not apologize. It is fine. I just… I have very little control over my actions. I do not wish to hurt anyone else.” Dropping to her knees in front of the blonde, she slipped her skirt a tad higher on her thigh as she shook her head, her chocolate eyes narrowing. “You won’t, and if you do, Ouragan and Tigre will have your back. You’ve won them over. Look, you’re going to need to do something about this leg. People are going to want to see it…” She trailed off as she frowned, her fingertips brushing over the quickly healing cuts. Charisma carefully pressed her hand to the other’s body and pushed her back. Without a warning, her nails morphed to claws and she dug them into her soft skin, her breath hissing in between her teeth as her blood trickled from the freshly cut wounds. “They are much deeper. They will take longer to heal.”
Shaking her head, the brunette didn’t say a single thing as she began to wrap the bandage around her thigh, the crimson staining the white cloth. “I have a feeling a few certain people are going to be highly pissed she dared to mar your skin,” she chuckled, a mischievous glint flashing in her eyes as she jumped back to her feet. Before Charisma could even begin to question what she meant, she had her fingers laced with hers and was tugging her back to the garage, her curved form nearly bouncing with excitement. How could the blonde stay in a panicked slump when her best friend was so full of life? Sinking her teeth into her lower lip once again, she did her best to push aside the uneasy feeling as she ran her fingers through her hair.
She could do this. She had to.
<Tigra> “Well, I for one, couldn’t disagree more.” Tigra said with a quiet chuckle, a low purr of amusement as she moved to where the redhead lay sprawled across the ground. She shooed the tall blonde away for a moment as she bent low, taking a fistful of the unconscious girl’s shirt and lifting her off the ground, her body dangling limply from the captured fabric stretched taut across her chest. She pulled her close, and whispered into the sleeping woman’s ear.
“I will do so much worse to you, if you take another swing at her without a damn good ******* reason, Putain.” with that, she tossed the unconscious woman to the ground, and spat into her sleeping face. Her absolute disdain for the downed woman clear in the tight frown on her features as the blonde retook her place at the woman’s side, pulling her injured head into her lap. “You could do so much better, Asche. I just don’t understand you.” the tall, foreign woman just frowned up at her and shook her head, before she pushed red curls from the woman’s face, wiping the spit from her cheek.
Tigra sighed, shaking her head as she turned on a heel and moved to hop up onto the hood of Lora’s car. She treated the machine like it was her own. In a sense, it was. She had bought it for the curvy girl, and still thought of her as her own. “She going to be okay? The *****’s venom isn’t going to rot her leg off or anything, is it?”
Ouragan and Alton both could be heard chuckling at the jab to Lucille. The taller, broader man waited until the blonde was patched up before approaching. He hadn’t want to intrude on her as she was getting cleaned up, and had barely found it within his capacity to keep from staring at the leather strained across the full curve of her ***. He’d seen Tigra, and several of the others doing the same. His own wife had watched, before shooting him a glare of ice and fire. He turned to her as he approached the blonde, and gave the tall brunette a disarming smile. He cant his head, inviting her to come with him. She refused, and he shrugged.
“Joking aside, looked like she got you a lot worse than it appeared. That’s a lot of blood.” he said with a nod to the already bloodied bandage. “Like her or not, guess we all have to admit she can do some damage.” he smirked, then, and rested against the side of Lora’s Impala. He admired the car. He had applauded Tigra for her choice, too. It fit the little chubby girl, so broad and powerful, beautiful in its solidity and elegance. He had admired Lora, too, taking what many girls thought a disadvantage, or a flaw, and turning it to beauty. He gave the short woman a smile, before turned to his cousin, the Tiger. She was one of the shortest of the group, but the savagery within her was clear in the way her eyes moved over the crew, sweeping to the newcomer.
She was watching her, closely.
Ouragan remained against Chasity’s car, resting against its side with the slender blonde as he watched the small knot gather around the newcomer. He turned to his stepmother, then, and smiled. He was curious about her thoughts as he put an arm around her shoulders. “What do you think about little Couer’s friend?”
<Charisma> As the group began to gather around her, each talking over the other, she felt the panic rise to new heights. Her eyes quickly roamed from face to face in a feeble attempt to keep up with what was happening, and slowly, the simply focused on the taller of the group. The Wall. The name really was a rather peculiar one, and yet it seemed so fitting for him. She knew he claimed it had more to do with his driving skill than his actually frame, but by the way he stood between her and most of the crew, she couldn’t be more thankful that it was both. At his words, she glanced down to her leg, the dark stain of blood causing her to crinkle her nose. “My kitten has done more damage to me than that,” she replied with an off-handed tone, as her lips curled into a soft smile.
Beside her, Lora gave another knowing laugh as she nudged the man, before leaning up to whisper quietly into his ear. “Perhaps you should take her for a show of the grounds. I know you have a few… secret… spots you might want to show off,” she teased, before patting his arm and flouncing over to Tigre before he could react. As she neared the brunette, she wrapped her arms around her middle and dropped her chin to her shoulder. “Thanks for giving her a chance. I know you don’t understand, and I know it’s way out of character for me, but she needs… she needs people, Tigger. Her life has been a really, really shitty one. Her mother killed herself when she was a kid. Drove her and Charisma off a bridge, nearly took her down with her. She has no one.” Her breath was warm against her ear as she whispered into her, chocolate eyes focusing on the blonde as she watched her with Alton. She could feel his wife’s glare, and it took everything she had not to knock her out then and there. She had never believed the woman good enough for him. Choosing to ignore her, she let her gaze move towards Belle, her head tilting as she watched Ouragan pull her in. Fighting her own wave of jealousy, she gave Tigger another squeeze as Belle dropped her head to his shoulder.
“I see loss in her eyes. She looks like a caged rabbit,” she admitted quietly, the pain in her leg shooting through her back. She felt her knee buckle, and careful not to alert her wife of the agony, she quickly gripped his shirt to hold herself upright. Felicia’s predator gaze snapped to her, missing nothing as her eyes narrowed and her lip curled in distaste. “I like her, though. She’s got strength. Reminds me a lot of you and Tigre. I think she’ll fit in well here, and I know you’ll treat her right,” she chuckled as she pressed a kiss to his cheek. He was strong against her, and though he was focusing on the newcomer, she could tell his attention was elsewhere. With that knowing smile, she rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes. “Someone’s got you in knots, Ouragan. Is she pretty?”
<Alton> “That little frumpet.” Alton muttered, watching the chubby girl flounce to his cousin, sitting on the hood of Couer’s Impala. He shook his head, chuckling quietly as he turned to the blonde at his side. He lifted a shoulder and nodded to the bloody bandage on her leg again. “If your kitten can do more damage than that, you’ve got one dangerous cat.” He said with a smirk. Lucille was known to fight dirty and desperate. He was amused and, frankly, glad to see someone besides Tigra put her down so easy. He pushed from the side of the car and turned to take a step back, toward the trembling, idling frame of his ’69 charger. It dwarfed the Impala, and the raw power beneath the hood made the very pier beneath their feet quake with the resonance of its muscle.
“Though, I suppose that someone should give you the tour. If you don’t mind?” he lifted his hand, offering to guide her to his car. Cherise glowered from next to her car, turning to slam her fist into the big offroad truck’s hood. She instantly regretted it, shaking out her small, stinging fist with a hiss. Ouragan watched from his place beside his stepmother, seeing the discord sown among the couple and he shook his head. “I never really took them for a happy marriage.” He muttered beneath his breath before he turned back to Belle, frowning at the way her body tensed with the sudden pain. His eyes shot a glare to Felicia, warning her to keep her mouth shut, if she knew what was good for her as he wrapped his arm around the small, frail woman’s shoulders and hugged her gently.
“Pretty would be an insult. She is… stunning, Belle. You would like her, but I’m afraid if I bring her out here, the whole lot of you would be on her like… well…” he nodded to Charisma, and then gestured to the prying eyes all around. His point was made for him. He shook his head, and gave a sly smirk. “You’ll meet her, though. Don’t worry.”
On the hood of Lora’s car, Tigra gently leaned back into the woman’s soft body as she held her. She loved the embrace, the warm feeling of her strong arms around her as she closed her eyes. The soft, warm breath against her ear caused a tremor to shoot down her spine and a soft sound choked in her throat. Her ears were a most sensitive hotspot she had, and she was sure the woman knew it. She all but melted into her soft arms and shook her head, her chest full of emotion, and not the least directed for the heart-wrenching story that Lora weaved on Charisma’s behalf. She sighed quietly, and rested her head against the woman’s warm cheek.
“You know how hard it is for me to tell you ‘no,’ Couer.” She said quietly, her fingers picking idly at the hot pink hem of her shirt. “You don’t have to add guilt on top. She’s fine to stay with us as long as she likes. As long as she keeps out of too much trouble.” She added, resting into the woman. “No girl should be without a mother.”
<Charisma> Carefully pulling her glasses from her hair, she brought the earpiece down to her mouth and began to absently chew on the plastic as her gaze moved from the Wall towards her friend. “… Frumpet? Is that her pet name among the crew?” Her eyes danced with amusement as she teased the male, and Lora turned after whispering into Tigre’s ear to blow her a kiss. Deciding it was best to leave the two to their conversation, she nervously wrapped her arms around her middle, though her hand still kept her glasses tucked between her perfect teeth. She knew she should call it quits and head home, but she found the thought of her essays to be rather dreadful as her attention snapped towards the car he walked to. The beast roared loud in her ears, though it didn’t cause her pain. Instead, she found herself rather comforted as she followed behind him, the growl of the engine drowning out the sound of her stilettos against the asphalt.
“There is more to this place?” Her words were filled with a touch of wonderment, though her attention was once again snagged by something other than him. This time, it was the sound of skin slamming into metal, and for a brief second, her entire form tensed. She waited for the scent of blood to fill her senses, but when it didn’t come, she slowly allowed her body to relax. She couldn’t afford to lose her control, not here. Never here. “And my cat is as dangerous as I am,” she said with a quiet laugh, her chest tightening as another foreign emotion clouded her thoughts for a brief moment. Shaking her head to clear it once again, she cast Lora one last fleeting glance before turning her entire focus on Alton. His wife was something she should worry about, and she knew she should back away and go in the other direction – but his warm eyes invited her in, and she found herself waiting for him to lead her away.
Belle watched quietly as the scene unfolded in front of them, her attention bouncing between Alton, his wife and the newcomer to her wife and her ex-girlfriend. If anyone should be acting as if they marriage was about to end, it should have been her, and yet – she couldn’t fathom why.
She trusted Tigre completely, and it wasn’t as if their marriage wasn’t exactly an open one. They were allowed to do what they pleased, because they both knew that neither would stray. The day they did, it would be for a damned good reason. Catching her wife’s eye, she gave her a tender smile before pressing her lips to Jacque’s cheek. “You should bring her around here, love. The only reason they are acting as they are is because it’s an unclaimed, ******* sexy woman walking in. You know none of them would be stupid enough to remotely try to score on your girl. Besides, if she couldn’t handle it, she’s not for you.” She added the last with a grin, though she was more than happy to hear that he found someone to catch his eye, even if for the moment. Releasing a quiet breath, she pressed her lips together in a tight smile as pain radiated up her back again. “Lift me onto the hood of the car, will you? I can’t stand anymore.”
Laughing quietly at the pout in Tigre’s voice, Lora gave her a gentle nudge and shook her head. “I can’t help but guilt you, Tigger. You make it way too easy,” she smiled, a twinkle in her eye. She moved to say something more, but a unfamiliar purr took her attention back to the gates. Snapping her fingers, she ordered some of the newbies to pull open the metal, just as a brilliant pink car flew in. This entrance was similar to the one Charisma had made, except for where her friend had precision – the driver of this car was a danger to them all. It skidded to a stop, the light reflecting off the front bumper, the word ‘Lorraine’ written in calligraphy. She felt Tigre almost bounce at her side as the door swung open, revealing a shock of dirty blonde hair. When she caught sight of the car – the full body – her mouth fell open. “Is that a… Hellcat? Holy ****, they cancelled the delivery on them. Who the hell is she and how the **** did she score that beauty?” Her excitement outweighed her shock, and she couldn’t tear her gaze away as the woman unfolded herself from the interior of her car.
She was fashionably late as always, and she blamed it partly on her best friend. Having to force feed the woman like she was a child was weighing heavily on her mind, and she was more than thankful for Bambi. The little slut was proving to be a real trooper through the entire ordeal, and had promised to keep a close eye on Freyja. She knew without a doubt she would follow through, the memory of her terror filled eyes still fresh in her mind. As she shoved open the door to her stolen car, a hush fell over the garage. It was a welcoming she was used to, and yet, someone spoke. Laughing quietly, she ran her fingers through her hair as she tossed her jacket into the car and slammed the door behind her, unique amber eyes dancing with mischief and mirth as she winked at her friend. “This? Nothing a little quick wit and fast fingers can’t accomplish. You can check it out, but be careful of the paint. I just got it re-done.”
The leather of her pants tightened around her thighs as she made her way across the ground, confidence pouring from each step as she lifted her hands to pull her hair up into a messy ponytail. “Sorry for missing the party, Kitten. I had business to take care of back at my apartment. I hope you didn’t miss me too much,” she laughed as she leaned over to brush a kiss to her cheekbone.
<Alton> Laughing quietly, he shook his head as he waved his hand at the back of the retreating woman. “No, no. They call her Couer. Our little Heart. She just is a little frumpet.” He chuckled, taking her hand and guiding her to the car, pulling open the passenger side door for her to inspect the interior. He smiled, and pulled her close to the black beast, letting her rest against its trembling side. He gave her a wink, and pushed the door open further to let her have a look if she chose, before diving into the heart of the rumbling giant.
“There is a lot to this place. And we don’t stop here, we drive through town, the outskirts, and into the open portions of the Provence. But this garage here, these docks, they’re like our… hangout. Our rendezvous.” He shrugged, resting against the car as he gave another chuckle and shook his head. “I would say I’d take back what I said about your cat, but after seeing you put Cendre down, I think I’ll steer clear of your feline companion.” He smirked, and gestured to the car. “If you would like, I can show you around.”
Ouragan watched quietly as the tall, muscle-bound man led the newcomer away. He was certain she could handle herself. Now, once he’d been embraced by the night, he could see from a mile away that she was a vampire. He feared more for his safety than for hers. He smirked, and shook his head as he turned to the woman at his side. “Trust me, Belle. She can handle this.” He said quietly, watching the blonde move with Alton’s tall, mountainous frame guiding her. “I’m worried about the rest of you handling her.” He said with that same wry smirk. He turned at her request, and frowned. “Do you need your medication?” he asked in a hushed tone, his hands moving to gently grasp her waist.
In one, fluid motion he lifted her slight frame from the ground. She was practically weightless in his powerful arms, setting her on the hood with tremendous care. He treated her like she was made of glass, his hands holding her waist to be certain she was steady before he pulled his grip away. “You just say the word, and I’ll get it for you. You stay right here, and don’t move an inch.” He said quietly, before moving to settle against the car next to her. He watched as she gave his mother that loving, tender smile even as the other brunette practically crawled over her. He wouldn’t ever be able to understand that love, and he admired the both of them for that, to look past everything and just see each other. He smiled, and turned as the low rumble of an engine announced a new arrival at the dock gate.
<Tigra> Tigra, nestled easily against the tall, curvy woman at her back, nuzzled her cheek gently against the woman’s silky shoulder. “Well, I can’t help that I’m so vulnerable with people I actually trust. There aren’t many of you left.” She said quietly, before her head turned in the same direction that Lora’s had. Her eyes lit up and her face twisted into an almost uncontrollable smile. She almost wiggled in the big woman’s lap. As her good friend tore into the dock, her heavy car swinging around into the spot she’d clearly decided was hers, the tires wailed with protest against the asphalt until the large body of the car rocked on its suspension.
The long, toned legs peeked beneath the door before Lorraine pulled herself from the cab. It was a matching fit for her. The car was rare. Beautiful. Just like she was, a unique gem. The curvy brunette beneath her almost squirmed with her excitement, gushing over the car that only made Tigra laugh. “Oh, honey, she probably stole it.” She grinned, like she had made an enormous joke. Only the two of them would know that she was being entirely serious. She chuckled, and kissed at Lora’s jaw. “You’re drooling, Couer. You should pick up your jaw.”
She laughed, the sound light and ringing like a cheerful chime as she slowly stood from her perch on the curvy woman’s thighs and moved to ring her arms around Lorraine’s neck. “I thought you might have been too busy to come see me. I was going to be so hurt.” She said with a feigned sense of pouting, like she had spent the past few hours sulking rather than excitedly anticipating her arrival. She couldn’t hide the amused pleasure she gathered from the woman’s nickname for her. She enjoyed the title. She picked herself up onto the tips of her toes and tipped her head, letting the woman kiss her cheek as she smiled.
She turned, her slender arm resting across the blonde’s curvy waist as she presented her to the group. “This is Lorraine, everyone.” She said with a bright smile to her crew. “She’s a really, really close friend of mine. That’ll be your only warning.” She turned to the woman at her side, then, and smirked. “Glad you made it.”
As the tiny brunette rested into her side, the man that had been watching her from the spot next to his car stood, moving to them in a slow, sweeping glide. His movements were fluid and even, balanced and smooth as silk. He slipped to the pair and offered the new woman a wide smile. “Lorraine? An exotic name.” he said in his quiet tone, his hand taking hers. “And an exotic beauty the name is paired with. Please, call me Sadique.” He said quietly, pushing a kiss to the woman’s knuckles as Tigra fought to keep from bursting into laughter. She turned, and buried her face against Lorraine’s shoulder for just a moment as she regained her composure.
She turned again and wore her amusement on a grin. “Slow down, Victoire, or I might think you’re actually over me.” She chuckled, and squeezed Lorraine’s waist. “Go ahead. Say hi to everyone else.”
<Charisma> When she felt the warmth of his large hand engulf hers, it took all of her willpower to not instantly pull away. She wasn’t entirely used to such familiarity, especially from a man that was married. Worriedly, she cast a look over her shoulder to his wife, watching as she all but glared holes into the side of her truck. “I know what the definition is,” she chuckled as she raised a brow. “Or have you not paid enough attention to me to realize my accent is French?” She gave a playful purse of her glossed lips, before tossing her hair over her shoulder as he pressed into the car. Ducking her head, she gripped the door with one hand while the other pressed to the headrest, her *** once again in the air as she examined the interior. She hadn’t know what to expect, but the fact it was immaculate wasn’t even close.
“It is quite the man’s car,” she said over her shoulder, flashing him another smile before straightening back up. “Where are you planning on taking me, then?” Carefully grabbing the door once again, she slid inside, the seat cupping her shapely *** perfectly as she rested back and peeked up at him from beneath her lashes. She, in all honesty, wasn’t even aware of how she must come across. She was being purely natural, but as her gaze traveled past him towards Lora, she narrowed her eyes as the woman mouthed the word ‘flirt’ and gave her a thumbs up. Muttering a quick string of oaths under her breath – along with how she was going to find a way to make the brunette’s life hell when they returned to school – she stretched out in the car and rested her hands on her bare thighs.
Oblivious to the interaction between the newcomer and Alton, Belle rested back against the car after Ouragan easily landed her on the hood. As the pain continued to pulse up her leg and through her back, she knew that she had pushed herself too far. “The medication won’t help me now, sweetness,” she smiled, though her skin had begun to pale. Clearing her throat, she looked past him towards her wife, and watched with a frown as the woman bounced towards another stranger. This one, though, she had heard about. Choosing to wait until she introduced them, she gave a weak laugh at Sadique’s actions. “Trying to strike out twice in one night, killer?” She taunted, her fingers pressing to her son’s shoulder before she moved her attention back to Tigre. “Baby, I’m sorry, but… can you get me upstairs?” The words were spoken with such distress, her voice quivered and dropped to a whisper. Sweat dotted her forehead, and Lorraine gave a frown as she narrowed her eyes in concern.
“Go on, beautiful. I can handle my own out here,” she promised as she gave her friend a quick pat on her back. Knowing that the woman wouldn’t wait another moment to take care of her wife, the Allurist turned her attention to the man who had jumped the line in introducing himself. Raising a brow, she crossed her arms over her chest and gave him a flirtatious smile. “You’re going to have to do better than that if you think you’re going to score with me, amore.” The Italian rolled easily from her tongue as she laughed, the sound clearly infectious as some of the people around her joined in. She made note of those who seemed to be strong enough to resist her charms – the man in front of her one of them – and filed it away for later. “Why would I call you Sadique? I’m sure that’s not the name your mother gave you,” she said quietly as she tapped a sparkled gold nail against her bicep.
<Alton> “Ah, but ma amie, there is so much more that I want to do with you than simply ‘score.’ Ma petit chou, there is a whole world of things I would rather enjoy exploring with you.” The tall, pale man chuckled as his thin frame swept low in a gentle bow. He let the others, including herself, laugh. He was who he was, and there wasn’t any changing it. He gave her a wink before he stood, and eyed Tigra as she departed from the woman’s side. The brunette turned, and gave Lorraine an apologetic look. “Désolé, amour. Please be careful.” He could see the laughter etched into her face only moments ago had evaporated into worry for the blonde draped over the hood of the Mercedes. It would be a very unusual night, without their street queen here to run the show, and with so many new faces. Such lovely new faces.
He turned to Lorraine again and smiled. “I think we should call you ‘Audaciuex.’ Non?” he asked as he glanced over his shoulder to the laughter of the rest of the crew. He chuckled, and returned his eyes to her with a sly smirk. “Sadique is what my friends call me, amour. My name, however, is Victoire. You may call me whatever you wish.” As he spoke, Tigra had moved to her wife, gently lifting the taller, slender woman to her feet before she carefully guided her into her arms. Lips found hers gently as she lifted her from the ground, cradling her to her chest. “Adieu, mes amis. Please, don’t kill each other. I should be back in…” she glanced down to her wife, and with a smile, pecked the space between her eyes. “We will say an hour.”
A small knot of laughter accompanied a couple of whistles as Tigra laughed, turning to carry the frail woman up the stairs of the garage, to the small apartment they kept there. It was a nice, cozy place to get away from things when either of them needed space from the group, without straying too far from the garage.
Alton watched quietly as the curvy blonde peered into his car. He chuckled at her words, watching as her hips swayed in the air before he turned with her standing again, eyes quickly moving to where Tigra and Belle had disappeared. He laughed with the group, and shook his head as he leaned against the car once she had climbed in. “Merci. I do try and keep a good appearance.” He chuckled, and leaned down to watch as she glared at the woman behind them. He turned, glancing over his shoulder at the curvy brunette as he lifted a brow, jutting his jaw toward the door to the apartment. “Don’t you have somewhere else to be, Couer?” he asked with a sly smile. He knew she hated that people knew. It didn’t help that she was so obvious.
He chuckled again, turning back to the blonde seated neatly in his car. “I have noticed of course.” He said with a grin. “But an accent does not make you a user of the language, amie.” He said as he stepped back, shutting the door and enclosing her in the dark of the cab. The sound of the engine was almost entirely muted, to just a gentle thrum before the driver’s door opened and he slid inside, resting against the seat. “I thought we could at least take a look at the rest of the docks. Get you a little more acquainted with them.”
