stuff us in boxes that's where you want us

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

It was funny how when someone surrounded themselves with a pleasant force of nostalgia that it could be enough to trick the brain into thinking that everything had returned to what it once was. At least for a few cherished moments. Especially when she looked into the eyes of those familiar faces she could already feel those barbed realities deceptively start to relinquish their hold. It felt like old times, simpler times. Before everything went and decided to upturn and fuck itself right up, every which way into the distant future, like an orgy of fuckery. Fucked up long before there was anything she could do about it.

Jason with more exuberance than even she could remember, hugged both women soundly, as if no time had passed between them. But that was Jason. He had that uncanny gift to spread his contagiously good mood where ever he went. Even though Harley knew better, as she somehow found that hidden snag in his usual light disposition. Perhaps, some part of him needed this night too. At least until she had him in her tattoo chair the following day. Then all bets were off.

It took no time at all before all that light-hearted banter had Harley smirking with a flash of deviltry within her purple eyes. Oh, Jason seemed unable to hide those shameless flirtations at bay. His crush on Isolt could have lasted eons, Harley was certain. He knew the woman was engaged in matrimonial bliss and yet he hardly stopped those harmless compliments. He did little to hide that all too convincing pout as Isolt let him down gentler than Harley would have. His retort was apparently crafted as a threat, stating that apparently both women would suddenly fall madly for him one day. What the hell was he smoking? Harley did little to contain what she though about that. "You are so full of shit, Jason." Harley scoffed as she rose a hand to poke soundly at his chest and bully him backwards for a few shuffling steps. "You couldn't even handle it anyways."

Jason's pity party pout turned into a grin that showed off every last tooth in the process, a brow rose which alluded to his own antics. "Oh I don't know about that... You know what they say about the crazy ones." Please. He didn't know the first thing about crazy.

One did not need super hearing to practically hear Harley's eyes rolling or that potent sarcasm within her words. "I am aware, just as I am aware of what they say about drummers."

"Great in bed?" The man couldn't even look any more smug than he did than that very moment.

" I was going to say quick off the mark." Harley quipped, causing that brilliant smile to falter momentarily. Harley swore she could hear him muttering beneath his breath, only picking out the odd words... not and true... All before that conversation mercifully shifted to that typical form of catching up.

Harley caught glimpses of a thin smile that drew across Isolt's fair features as if she somehow seemed a little lighter than before and yet she knew better. If there was anything that girl could fake.. it was a smile. How Harley could not deny that there was a giant, elephant in the room, one she suspected would be there for quite some time. How glad she was that her friend's attempt to leave this world had failed.. but damn Harley was still claws out, pissed off that she was so willing to consider it an option. They were supposed to go out fighting. They weren't supposed to just raise a pitiful white flag and end it before it was all said and done. They were supposed to see that shit through, no matter how tough it got. Or maybe that had been her own mantra all along?

The ever oblivious man, in true Jason fashion hardly stopped him from offering that flirtatious wink. "You wear it well..." He said honestly, in regards to her vampirism. Isolt in turn, spoke of her own sage wisdom with a tangible sorrow even if she had tried to keep her tone light. Harley refused to lose that night to sorrow. Hadn't they lost enough? "Is, come on, you are too damn young to be giving anyone sage wisdom." The tease was potent and yet somehow gentle even with that iconic sarcasm that peeked through her words.

Jason hadn't even missed a single beat as he soon chimed in that offer they truly couldn't refuse. An offer that admittedly Harley was already privy to. Isolt, in spite of her how she felt agreed without any arm twisting.

"Training wheels tonight... considering its your first time, Redhot." Jason beamed but resumed before Isolt could counter with even a single word. "With that settled.. Come on, follow me ladies.. Your VIP experience awaits you."

The lanky, tattooed drummer led the women swiftly beyond the security checkpoint and right by the lady at the ticket booth who practically eye fucked him thoroughly and twice over. Jason never missed out on an open opportunity, gave the woman a charming grin and uttered a few words Harley couldn't quite make out. It didn't seem to matter as he was on the move again, both girls struggling to keep up as he his long legged gait and chosen path was like a pinball as he wove and cut through the crowd that began to accumulate for that opening act.

"We already had soundcheck.. and there is an opening band before we go on. This means we have time for some drinks. Then I will show you your VIP access.. Let's just say I got you the best seats in the house.. I only have one stipulation and its tradition so you can't say no... Harley." Hey.. she hadn't even said a word and he pre-emptively managed to Harley her!"We all need to down 2 shots of.." Harley content to cut off her lanky companion even as they b-lined it to the bar.

"Oh no, you don't still drink that shit do you?" She could not help that disgusted wrinkling of her petite nose as she recalled the last time she drank it. That terrible night where she vowed to never drink another drop Fireball again. It was impressive she even remembered it at all. But best be sure that there wasn't a damned soul that truly forgot a single bad night of Fireball. One night was all that was needed to leave a lasting impression.

"I do." He stated proudly, the drummer's eyes practically sparkling without a single ounce of shame.

An all too dramatic groan left the raven-haired woman's lips as she lingered near Isolt's side and rested her hip upon the bar for support, her gaze shifted to Isolt once more."He wants to do shots of Fireball. Why, I will never understand why he likes that shit so much... I guess at the very least its not Tequila. You know what happens to me with Tequila." Her voice was still lined with with a touch of humour even as she attempted not to broad cast that last bit to the entire bar. A task she seemed to fail in as Jason laughed whole heartedly before he leaned in and uttered a few words to the grinning bartender who quickly went to his task.

The bartender executed the drummer's wishes in record time and in but a few short moments he was placing those shots of that dreadful form of whiskey before each willing victim, keeping the iconic bottle out for that following round.. The distinct familiar scent of cinnamon hearts assaulted Harley's poor nostrils as she eyed her filled shot glass with the weight of a vow that was made so many years ago to herself... one that was apparently about to be broken.

Harley Westward