stuff us in boxes that's where you want us

cardboard is boring, we brought our matches - look how it burns

Being compared to an armory seemed entirely pleasing to Harley. Just the idea alone of being compared to sharp objects meant she was a force not to be tampered with. If only she was the weapon she was now when she was younger, if only she knew then what she knows now. But isn't hind sight always 20/20? The idea the she was stronger than what she was, was merely a comfort in a cold in this ruthless world. It was why she never shied from a vampire, never feared to leave her home with all the knowledge she knew that existed just outside her door. It would appear that not even her own abode was a sanctuary and yet she hardly let that stop her. She was done running.

The words Mina tahdon left his lips and with his accent it certainly sounded... sexy. Now the meaning of those words, well that was the part that left that perfectly perplexed look upon her feminine features. She took a moment as if to try and figure out what it could mean, as though there was a clue within the letters themselves. She repeats it, a mantra in her head. And it was a whole load of nada.. Well fuck. A small frown etched its way upon her face from concentrating too damn hard on what it was, she only got frustrated with a whole lot of nothing as though her mind failed her in some way that was entirely unfair to expect of it. To be fair she totally asked for it and she was not fully prepared for the curiosity she was left with. Did she actually know whatever language that he taunts her with? Most certainly not, but she was hoping for a clue, a sliver of one to stare blatantly in the face and the obsidian haired woman found none. But those two words almost sounded like they could be a name in itself, a pretty badass name she decided. She toyed with it in her mind as if it unfolded a scene.

It sounded like a name of a woman who would wear a trench coat, she decided. This fictional character could also very well be a witch.. A woman detective with all kinds of tricks up her sleeve, oh and she only came out at night. The last name, or so she thought was the last name almost sounded like TADA in her head. But what in the actual fuck did that have to do with her? In actuality, Harley was dying inside, dying to know what it meant. For all she knew it was some made up word intended to drive the woman insane, now that would have been just cruel. Maybe that is what this was about and yet. She thought about cheating, punching the exotic words on her phone... not that she would have spelled them right. "Sounds pretty.. but I don't suppose you'll humour me with a translation?" She didn't want to let on too much just how not knowing... was driving her insane. That really she was entirely ready to shake him down just to find out. Who would have thought, two little words would be the very thing that got underneath her skin?

Their conversation shifted, getting lost in a tangle of innuendo and daring that neither seemed to waver from. That daring look entered her eye as she gloats from her feeble victory. But also giving him a way out, if the man just gave into her. Although part of her would be a tad disappointed to give up this little engaging tryst. Instead of admitting defeat, he met her with that grin she was beginning to learn was very much him. A grin that said he was not finished yet. He laughed, that rich sound that flooded the room with that sound, she could practically feel it as it were tangible, that sound she could pinpoint in a crowd. His words that followed, however, made her stand up straighter and get that look of utter defiance within her electric eyes. While she had to give him credit, most back down before she even gave them an out. And it truly was a rarity if she gave an out at all. These words only fueled a whole new desire to not back down, even if partially was driven by her own twisted curiosity. "You underestimate me, but that's ok. Most do." A small knowing smirk found her own lips. But his words that were clearly meant to be a compliment as if to let her down easily that she could not have this victory. How insulting. He obviously was going to be educated by the unique creature that was Harley. Besides, what the fuck did that mean?? Of course, she could. "You will see." She enjoyed how perfectly ominous that sounded, probably even more than she intended. She does not miss a step or even falter a fraction of a breath. After all, she was still alive, even after all those odds that were stacked against her.

Matteo went on to explain into further detail than she thought he would offer the curious Harley. "It seems turning anyone into anything is shitty situation. A vampire needs to drain you dry, getting mauled by a raging animal on steroids doesn't seem all that warm and fuzzy either. I honestly can't tell you what it takes to make someone a witch... but I don't think its all holding hands and going koombya by the campfire." Maybe she would need to pester Sterling about it one of these days. It was probably a ritual that needed blood, lots and lots of blood and knives. She doubted the process included wiggling their nose just right like in Bewitched. She attempted that feat of wiggling her nose and all she ended up was with a wrinkled one. Why was it that everything required so much blood??? Why not chocolate? Why couldn't it be chocolate just for once!

The thought of being part of a dying breed, now that seemed awful. It felt lonely enough without a family, but to lose everything, to not even have others like you and to possibly spend forever living in that solitude... well, that just seemed miserable. There is no sarcasm or humour laced within her words as she spoke. "That seems so sad. Hardly a fair fight. How did you survive this long?" How old was her really? She hadn't the faintest idea beyond old. But as one that knew enough hardship in this world.. there was no such thing as a fair fight. What did Matteo have to become to survive a world that was stacked against him? Harley had armoured herself with that sharpened wit and calloused demeanor, she became a raging storm trapped beneath the skin of a mortal. When life pushed, she pushed right back with such force, even if it meant her own downfall.

He claimed he only had one fae born son, but didn't he have two? "I thought you had two?" such complicated matters. It was difficult when looking at the youthful fae as he was now, only to find out he was old as fuck. Corpses in the ground rotted into dust and here he was looking youthful like he was her age.

She couldn't help but laugh at his comment about Antarctica, it entirely caught her off guard. "Yeah I think I can accept that. No one fucks with Antarctica. I suppose I am a little on the pale side.." But white as snow? No, that was more of a vampire thing. "Hostile? Who me?" A little wicked grin played on her lips as that iconic sarcasm that was very much Harley. She knew better to know she could come off on the abrasive side, her walls were certainly as thick as the ice shield of Antarctica. "So you think I'm beeeautiful and cold, huh?" That was an odd combination. She nudged him, deciding to see if she could get him to squirm just a little bit. No one really called anyone beautiful.. It was always.. hot... or that ass though, or various other colourful terms.

He claimed both his sons were in the city.. She didn't think that would ever sound..... normal to her considering they were fully grown men. "Lots of family bonding time then.. You can show off your new ink. Although just to fuck with them... you can ask them to find their names within in it." Just how long would they be caught staring at his feet for? She wouldn't even know what family bonding time would even entail. So much time had passed since her own parent's death she was beginning to forget what they smelled like, their quirks were becoming hazier. She wasn't ready to forget them and perhaps she never would.


She did try to rid herself from that random topic of cats from her mind, it only made her think of a time she wished to erase from her own mind. She tucked her long black hair behind her ear as she began to work, work was at least something she could control. She hated putting her hair up, even if the long hair could get in the way during long sessions.


There was that topic of the world being far too complacent. There was also that Cherie again and she glowered at him even though it was short lived because the compliment of her tenacity seemed to sate her. "Don't you worry about me, I tend to get worse as I age. I am a resilient little thing." Far fewer shits to give and more reasons to keep that fire lit. There wasn't a damn thing she hadn't overcome. Those odds against her could go fuck themselves.

There was something about the way he said that last part, it took a second before it clicks. Her eyes narrowed in that assessing way before that recognition sparks within them. She may have been assuming a little too much here, but when did that ever stop her? " Oh, I see what you did there.. Well if you're going to do that, you better make damn sure to make me look good." That thought alone would be enough to make most people shy and embarrassed.. But not Harley, all she could care about was that she looked drop dead sexy in those visions. Surely there could be far worse people imagining her without a dress on.


He claimed he was always a good boy. She actually had to give him a wry look with the full weight of those vibrant eyes. "Always? I suppose it's your turn to lie." She replied cheekily.

She began her process, preparing the area upon his feet. It wasn't exactly that complex a tattoo that would leave him perched in her chair for hours upon hours. But she would still make it a masterpiece. He did his best to remain still, the foot that was doing a thing had successfully stopped and she could easily work on those lines. "Perfect." she complimented as she continued on Greenland.

"Greenland thinks it's being so crafty saying its all green. Someone must have truly taken serious pleasure in naming it." Who knows.. maybe they were fae or maybe they just had a really good sense of humour.

Harley then taunted him with his looming loss, simply because she could, as if the rile the man while she continued that tattoo. When he spoke with that smile dancing across his lips, he didn't hold any doubt in his words. Such confidence rivaling her own, perhaps it was enough to question it, but she did not. "ooo. Fighting words, I look forward to it. My knees are quaking, really, you just can't see it because I'm sitting. " Mischievous sarcasm laced her words. "Going for silver isn't that bad.. it will match your eyes." Those violet eyes interlock with his, his eyes almost seemed metallic, especially when the light hit them just right.

Matteo suddenly twitched his hands, it was a graceful movement and caught the corner of her eye while she worked. She paused, curious what the gesture was for. She raised her gaze to peer at him to see the shot glass suddenly in his hand he drank. Disbelief spread across her face. "Woah. Where the hell were you hiding that? Actually... don't tell me.. wait.. no.. please do." She raised a brow, seriously perplexed as to where he could have hidden the glass, much less the alcohol inside of it. She had seen him topless not all that long ago and his pants really didn't really look like it possessed any glassware, they weren't exactly baggy. Yes, she noticed. He exclaimed she was working on South America. He then went on to boast about his powers. "Have any more??" she asked, she had to stop herself from her jaw from hanging wide open in disbelief. Ever heard of the term starving artist. Perhaps the same applied to thirst, if not more.

A smile seemed to spread across her lips in utter fascination. Was this some kind of trick? That was when it filled up right before her very eyes.. What in the hell? "That is the most trippy shit I have ever seen in my life." Her eyes were the widest they've ever been. She had seen a lot, but nothing like that. Definitely nothing like that.. "Do it again... but slowly. So I can see everything." She demanded, her gemstone eyes seemed to light up, as mischief danced within them, leaning closer. She wanted a taste of that strange magical brew that he claimed was tequila. She had a magical plant at home, she clearly knew her magic. Yet clearly, it hardly stopped the sheer fascination of it all the same.

"Does it even taste like Tequila? Are you seriously not going to let me try some while you sit here drinking for two?" She huffed. Then again was it such a wise idea to drink a magical drink from a fae who even admitted himself of the trickery they were capable of. Yet, she really couldn't find enough reason to give a damn and perhaps she should, but this raven-haired spitfire embraced her reckless nature. If only for the reason that it hadn't killed her yet.

He queried if she was almost done, was someone getting impatient? Using Cherie yet again. She was quite confident he wouldn't be capable to use another word even if he tried. If only they were playing a drinking game every time he said the word, they would be rip-roaring drunk before she even knew it. "Prepare yourself... almost finished." She declared, hoping he could just hold out for a moment or two longer, she saved the worst for last. She knew it hurt like a bitch, she saw how red his skin was. "I told you new Zealand was going to give you trouble." She said with a smirk, wiping down the remaining ink and blood so he could view her own impressive handy work. "Feast your eyes, for the first time, you now have the world at your feet." She suspected if anyone could, it was probably him. She stood up from her chair, stretching, feeling it from her fingers all the way down into her toes, relieving of herself from all that leaning over him. It felt delicious to finally stand. She hadn't been sitting all that long but her body ached like she had, probably because she had a client before him that took more than a handful of hours. He was most certainly not nearly as entertaining as the man before her. Her hands drop to her side, watching his expression. "I hope you like it.. because it's kind of permanent." That teasing sarcasm flowing easily from her lips, along with the subtle grin that remained there.

Harley Westward