stuff us in boxes that's where you want us

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

That hastily mention of Tetradore's baggage was met with nothing more than a simple shrug from Sterling's shoulders. It was hypocritical of her to point fingers when she herself had her own mountain of shit to contend with. Who didn't? In this city, that was a very potent question. It echoed resiliently within her mind, it was a strong dose of truth, at least an unbiased one at best. Even still she remained unconvinced. There was too much history, etched within the sands of time that stretched out between her and Tetradore. Such concrete line that even her close companion had been left out in the dark of. She frowned deeply as if for a moment so fleeting it held the weight of her burdens. Her eyes narrowed. "This is different. Besides, I don't think he plays for your team. But you never know. My gaydar is just as good as my choice in men." She spoke with such certainty, yet it bothered her that her companion seemed to bat on team Tetradore, even if only for a fraction of a moment. He was supposed to not think with his dick on this one.

But what made Tetradore any worse than even her? The choices she had made in her own life had been questionable. But it would forever be difficult to look at the face of her tormentor even if he was nothing more than a puppet on a string. She was grateful for that shift in the conversation, not that matters of the pack were much better. She wanted just as much to do with them as she did with the continual vampire melodrama.

That warning of staying far away from Tetradore was once again reiterated. There wasn't a damn thing he could do or say to him that would possibly change anything. Especially on her behalf. She couldn't have him wrapped up in any of this. She couldn't bear the thought of what Darcy or even Risque would do to him for the simple guilt of knowing her, let alone being wrapped up in any of Tetradore's bullshit. After all, anything attached to him was dooming yourself to be sucked into the vortex of his hell. Her hell.

She saw the frown on Sterling's face, he was trying to understand an impossibility, it could not be understood. It pained her to keep him out. But it was for the better. She told herself hoping that morsel of a lie was enough to carry her through and if not that sheer stubborn resolve would. Sterling attempted to console her, it was sweet. Yet he didn't know a fraction of the ugly reality of it. What she would have given to believe those words if only for the moment. While her gaydar was questionable, her bullshit meter was in prime working older. She could smell that stink a mile away. She was willing to appease him in this at the very least. After all, it wasn't her own story she was after. If this was the last time she had with her friend, perhaps there was something she could do for him.

Ace happily chewed on his squeaky toy loudly in that room, that sound overpowering in that very moment, she could have sworn he chewed it to some kind of dramatic melody of his own creation. He paused finally as if only long enough to give permission to the warlock to continue. Sterling waited only so long before that weary sigh escaped him. Anger for her companion welled within her chest. Henry was a fucking idiot as far as she was concerned. She could feel her own feline slide down the metaphysical tunnel inside of her. 'She' was just about as pleased about it as Harley was. Or perhaps that feline was her in a way? Fuck if she knew. The raven-haired woman hardly wished to waste time considering what was and wasn't for her. It wasn't like she had anyone to ask or at the very least cared to know. She would figure this out in her own way. Time had way of revealing all. The time was certainly not now, not while the hurt that was evident within his eyes. She knew Sterling and Henry had their fair share of ups and downs but this was all kinds of fucked up. Not even she was sure if they could come back from it. But love had a way of defying better logic.

That curse hissed from her lips, those words to comfort him seemed to do very little just as his own to hers had. Words could only do so much in times such as this. She shook her head with vehemence. What was this world when not even the few sacred things could prevail? She was sure Henry and Sterling had been one of those things. How could she be so wrong? Maybe leaving this piss poor town wasn't the worst thing for him. "You know none of this is your fault. You aren't the one with the wandering dick." She rose her hand to as if she waved away an irritation.

She fell silent after that, a clear indicator that the woman had an up to no good idea brewing up her sleeve. It wasn't long before that mischevious spark flashed within the storm of vibrant eyes.

"My plan my dear friend is for you to grab some clothes and whatever you need. You are coming with me. Also, bring a few things of Henry's too. Get your shit and meet me back here. I think we can both agree we are done with this bullshit town, yeah? So come with me. We are going on a road trip." Fuck this place.

There was a lot of obscurity in their lives. Especially her own. If she was going to die by the hand of these vampires. If her fate was already sealed. Then fuck it. She was going to drag her friend on an impromptu trip that would serve to heal Sterling's wounded heart and if this was how he was going to remember her, it might as well be a damn good memory. "I have someone who owes me one. They will look after Ace. All we have to do is drop him off. Is Fiddy going to be ok without you? She can come too. There is always sky to roam. I swear I see her flying sometimes just so she could give me a dirty look. I suspect she will like me even less now that I am a cat." How weird that was to say out loud.

The look on Sterling's face was enough to make her genuinely laugh. Sure... he didn't think she was serious and yet he should have known better than to think otherwise. She all but shoved him outside of her door before gathering a few things of her own in a hastily packed duffel bag. A second bag was packed, bigger than her own because it carried everything Ace needed and then some. She all but dragged all her stuff into her car. She was probably missing shit but she could hardly care. She dug into the top-secret cash fund she had stashed away in some incredibly obscure spot underneath her bed under the floorboard. All of that tip money would finally get put to good use. She paused as she remembered something. She texted a few of her clients some obscure text that stated some emergency came up and she would reschedule. They were quick to cancel with her the moment something went awry, a bad hair day, their dog caught a sniffle. Ah, the beauty of making your own hours. She was sure her grumpy as fuck boss (was he even her boss?) wouldn't appreciate it, but how little she cared, she had masterfully done a wonderful job at avoiding him anyways. He wouldn't notice her disappearance for a few days.

After Sterling finally finished his end of things, the duo were off... Well, not without dropping off Ace at the Ark first. Maybe this part needed a little explaining. "I know what you are thinking. Tetradore owes me. He has.... A soft spot for pups of all things. He will keep him alive until we get back." This was the best possible situation given the amount of time she had to prepare. Plus she knew someone on that ship would not let an adorable dog her Ace suffer.

Harley the whirlwind that she was brazenly walked into that massive sketchy ship with Ace and all his stuff. It was busy, surely she could make it in undetected. She moved through that ship all the way to Tetradore's room. Sure she got a few strange looks but that hardly stopped her. She hadn't planned on if she actually bumped into Tetradore himself. Fortunately, his room was blissfully empty. Woah, this room was insane. She almost wished she had a moment to rifle through it. Her gaze cast curiously over the lego model.... She didn't pin him as the collector type, let alone possess the capability to put a lego car together. She set up Ace's bed neatly to the side along with dumping out all his favourite toys, a massive bag of dog food and treats before placing that signed obscure note upon Tetradore's bed.

'Puppy lover,

I have entrusted with you with Ace. I will be back in a few days.
-Harley
p.s. Food and everything he needs is there including his leash for walks. They will do you some good... it's a good time for self-reflection on all your poor life choices. You are welcome.'

She felt bad leaving him there... it felt wrong in so many ways she could count. On her way out...she heard that familiar voice of the she-wolf she had thrown a glass at when she came over to check on her. "Harley? What the..." The golden-eyed woman called out, she knew damn well the woman heard her and purposely ignored her. Harley caught sight of her, moving around the bar to go after her. Harley swore under her breath before attempting to lose her. Harley fled with Mira hot on her trail. It was a damn good thing she had the car running because that particular conversation was something she didn't want to have at that current moment. In a mad rush, dodging people as if her life depended on it. Harley sped up her gait, jumping off the steps that trailed off into the parking lot, landing on her feet successfully with feline-like reflexes she ran the final steps toward the car. She opened it with purpose, sliding into the driver's seat. There was no time for seatbelts as she pressed that car into driving gear without a word to Sterling. The car tires let off a dramatic squeal as she pressed that pedal to the floor but not without blowing a kiss which was all acerbic sarcasm and little else. Once she peeled out of the parking lot with far less ease of either Tetradore or Darcy, she flashed Sterling an up to no good grin as if nothing happened. "All good?" The mischievious spitfire inquired as she turned left and soon onto the main street. The note was enough and she was sure those texts would eventually follow. Harley eyed her phone that was placed beside her in the cupholder almost warily. Perhaps she should turn it off she contemplated. It wasn't like anyone was bound to miss her. Deciding against it, her grip tightened on that wheel with a renewed spirit, purposely avoiding any streets that lead remotely close to Syn. "You will be my navigation system. I keep meaning to buy a gps... I need you to google maps this.... Where in the world is Carmen San Diego?" Surely he would get the reference. She kept her eye on the road ahead, there was no desire to run off the road. She could practically feel his utter confusion."The answer is California." She responded wryly a smirk on her face. She was pleased with her own joke to indicate just where they were going.

"The best revenge you can have on your ex Sterling. Is not sitting at home moping like an emo kid in high school waiting to hear from them. It's having a damn good time with your bestie and not being afraid to show how blissfully unaffected you are. Ex-boyfriends are like self-absorbed narcissists expecting you to suffer in the wake of their own mistakes. Oh, and whatever you do, do not text back."

Harley Westward