stuff us in boxes that's where you want us

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

The show, if one could call it that, it was more like a fully immersive experience of fire. Harley was certain she would not soon forget the feel of the heat on her skin. The fire creatures were as detailed and life-like as fire could be. There had been more than one moment where Harley had wondered if they had taken on a mind of their own. Because their eyes... well she saw more than fire in them? Or was that her own imagination, feeding into into it? The mind was a wizard when it wanted to be. What was more interesting was how one man could somehow manage to orchestrate so many working parts into one figurative well-practiced machine. His uniquely accented voice suited the story, embellishing parts at just the right moments that truly displayed his showmanship. So well in fact that the raven-haired woman certainly didn't feel like she was in an isolated park. No. She felt transported to whatever world that he had crafted.

Sly stepped into his role entirely, especially as that story progressed, she couldn't help that her heartbeat elevated the moment his vampire creation began to stalk toward her. It felt so lifelike even within the fire that seemed to take on a sinister edge. She knew it was not real, or at least only as real as fire could be. That look in the vampire's eye was enough to tug at the sense of unease. After all, she knew all too well of the knowledge of what happens when a vampire possessed that predatory gleam. She could hardly help the way her eyes narrowed on it as it stalked forward, just before Sly appeared to shatter that vision in an exploding burst of ash, slaying one of her veritable demons right before her very eyes. Nothing but a burst of ash remained raining down like glowing confetti just as Sly stepped forward with confident calm, cupping her hand in his to turn her palm skyward to collect some of what was left of his vampire into the centre of her hand, the only proof of the monster's existence. Even though she couldn't help but be aware of how that ash, even the particles that were still aglow, did not burn her, even against bare skin she was ever aware of Sly's touch.

Harley's bright violet eyes peered into his own before he continued. It was meant to be a part of the story and yet... how she couldn't help but be equally immersed with him as much as she was with his tale in that moment. How unlike her. Yet that contact between their hands was maybe like a tether, and the heat of his hand seemed to linger before Sly leaned in and blew the ash that had accumulated from her hand. Was it actually getting hotter or was it just him? Regardless of what it was, it was something she almost wanted to trace with traitorous fingers. It was really working for him. That was when he stepped away, leaving her in the dark once more when suddenly the wolves came. Yes, fire wolves.

A pack of them, from what she could see. One by one the wolves moved forward as Sly once more seemed to melt into his environment. Harley was left unable to focus on anything else, lifting her feet to allow the one below her space to move.. It was larger than the rest, the way it stood reminded her of an alpha, even as he explored those ashes... It would have been interesting just to watch that pack.... Yup. It would have been more than enough for her. But that's when that lull was shattered when that wolf turned into a thing of nightmares. Something went very wrong. Was it the ashes? The hair upon the back of her neck raised even though she remained on that bench, leaning forward. The story hit a crescendo, a grand battle was fought before ending with Mihai saving the day in a blazing display of power. Like it was a stand of good vs. evil. But in this story, good prevailed. If only the real world could feel so satisfying as this.

Damn, this was good. Sly was damn good. That wasn't every day... normally she found things.... Predictable.. Cheesy. But not this. But her eyes tracked around, to find him.. But he had once more snuck up on her. Surprising her as she jolted to awareness. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the darkness.

Adrenaline still thrummed in her veins, so much so that she could not quite remain on that bench. The blond warlock seemed all too focused on her, regarding her as if looking for her reaction. She faced him, inquiring if hybrids were real and not a thing of myth. Could she turn into some.... Unfeeling, monstrosity hybrid if she accidentally came into contact with the ash remains vampire? Bleh, gross. She could not imagine that tasting good either.... and the idea of long-dead charred flesh on her tongue was enough to make her gag. Maybe she would take extra care in keeping her mouth shut... if she ever encountered it... again. She swore she could see the amusement on his face. Claiming that all stories had some truth but it was impossible to know if such a creature existed. She dipped her head in a nod of understanding. Perhaps it was the believability of a well-told story that made it so good. Her date then went on to explain that in Romania, Weres were rare. Even rarer that they would be anything other than a wolf. "Huh, I wonder why that is." Harley mused out loud, she was certainly no wolf. "Do Romanians have something against other species or something?" Her lips tipped up in a feline smirk. "Inquiring minds want to know." She didn't hint at anything else. Didn't expand on what she was. After all, she was no wolf, surely he could tell at least that much. She wondered if Sly had any inkling about what creature lived beneath her skin. If he could tell. Not many ever brought it up. Such a thing was actually kind of private unless you offered it willingly. Yet it seemed to be the first thing that anyone wanted to know. Yet not many seemed to look beyond the superficial anyway.

Sly revealed that he believed that the hybrid was designed to keep children out of the woods at night. To keep them close. Funny. She heard variations of that throughout her entire life. Different creatively made-up grotesque beasts in an attempt to strike fear in the hearts of the young rather than earning their respect enough to do so. However, those stories never worked on her though. If anything it gave her ideas. Which shouldn't have been surprising. Even in her youth. Arguably that very thing was what saved her life and ruined it all in one blow. Well.. maybe if she had seen what Sly had shown her. Maybe just maybe it would have made her think twice about her rule-breaking ways... Yeah right, well maybe at least for a night.. maybe two.

Sly grinned, genuinely at her. Was that relief in his eyes, that she liked his performance? He was a tough cookie to read but the guy seemed pleased, it felt endearing like somehow her thoughts actually mattered. There was no point bullshiting or lying to the guy. There was never any need to lie about this sort of thing. It was clear Sly had true talent with or without her approval. Even though in this world, it often didn't matter what talent you possessed... it was all about who you knew, timing, perseverance, hard work and luck. Yet it hardly stopped her from asking that question about what he was doing fixing AC units and bathrooms. He leaned back into the bench he casually sat on, running a hand through his locks in contemplation. A gesture she had already seen him do a handful of times already. It only seemed to further rough up his blond locks, although, she liked that thoroughly mused look he sported. He claimed that he didn't make nearly enough from his Saturday shows. Sly admitted that he once got a twenty as a tip. Yeah, definitely not enough to call it a living and yet it was still something. Her date claimed that it was just something to do on a Saturday night. His shoulders lifted in a dismissive shrug as if this was truly no big deal at all.

She understood, at least. Performing was not easy in terms of making a lot unless you were popular and selling out shows to the masses. It was far from steady work and wholly at the mercy of countless outside forces that had only a little to do with how talented you were. It was then that the blond warlock rose to his feet, looking taller than he had before. Harley teased what else he had up his sleeve. But in truth, she hadn't expected anything else. Not truly. How could you follow up after a show like that?

It was then Mihai bounced forward, taking on a feline form with fluidity. He ended up by her feet, peering up at her before his flaming body began to press against her legs. She could feel the pressure of his body, could feel the heat. Admittedly she was distracted by Mihai and the way he seemed to want to be near her. A cat. She wondered if he subconsciously knew. If Sly knew. She was certain that a normal person would have flinched away from the fire. She was not that woman. She looked down at him feeling the rumbling purr against her leg. "I think he likes me." Harley admitted as she took Mihai's interest and practically wrapped himself around her legs as an invitation. She bent her knees and lowered just a little, to let her fingers reach out to allow Mihai to brush into it if he wanted. What a strange feeling, to feel fire that did not burn when it didn't wish to. It almost felt like a dream. Like being underwater and not suffocating. Although Sly stepped closer too. It was that moment he moved that she rose as she heard his revelation. He didn't do the shows for money. Now that stole her curiousity and her attention. "Then why?" She questioned, genuinely wondering what that was. She could only guess that it was because he loved it.. How she secretly loved seeing someone talk about their own passions. Mihai seemed to linger, the heat of him still against her leg.

Sly's grin turned teasing, aware of the shift in his demeanour before he claimed that he did it to pick up girls. That woman just flocked to him, entire groups... and how he was near drowning in the women he gets. " Here I thought you were going to say it was a passion project, casanova.."She thoroughly rolled her eyes with a scoff. He chuckled as if he found himself so funny. But he hardly seemed deterred, not even a little as he stepped into her... His confident hand was at her hip. It was a soft but bold kiss, somewhat lingering. A guy who went for what he wanted. It succeeded in stilling those words for the moment. It was a simple press of their lips. She hadn't expected them to feel so soft. She hadn't expected him to kiss her. He then pulled his lips away, but his hand remained. Once more only proving to be unexpecting in every regard. It was frustrating... when it was entirely impossible to figure the guy out. Or maybe that was exactly it. Only he started to speak. Shaped, dark brows that matched ther raven hue of her locks furrowed as she regarded him, glaring, even though she absolutely kissed him back. She nearly growled just as he asked her about the tiles in her apartment that still needed fixing. Wow. This man either didn't get it or he was seriously messing with her. Either way, she couldn't help that her hand pushed him back only she pushed him steadily into that lamppost just a few strides away.

She was a lit bundle of dynamite. Those eyes turned into a near-violet fire that rose from within. "I don't know what's worse. The fact that you admitted it before you kissed me or the fact while you kissed me, you were thinking about my bathroom. That's a new one.." She huffed a short laugh.

Throwing caution to the wind. Carpe diem and all that. She pressed her lips to his teasing mouth, her hand at his chest pushing as if trying to push him away even though there was a post at his back. If his kiss was like dipping a toe into the water to see if felt nice... She was a whole freaking cannonball. She put probably more than she should into that bold kiss before it was also her body pressing into him like he could be the flames that could engulf her.

She pulled away, chin tipped up in some display of defiance, but not before making a sound that was a lot like a hmph. As if she had somehow shown him. Pretty sure he wasn't thinking about her bathroom now or the apparent copious women he collected on Saturday nights. Despite what possessed her her mouth now tasted of him and liked the way that he felt. She didn't step away just yet, lingering just as he had. "Hmm. You are right about something though." She tapped a finger on her lips, looking up into his pretty blue eyes. "I think my bathroom could use a multiversitle handyman like yourself right about now.." All tileless and sad, it definitely did. With that, she turned away and left him there, pulling at the bottom corners of her leather jacket as if to straighten herself out. Two could play at that. She took a few steps toward the way they had come before the spitfire tossed words over her shoulder, shoving her hands into her pockets. She gave him a look as if to ask if he was coming or not. " Although, I find it odd, come to think of it. That you would reveal your hand before you have played it. It kind of sounds a little counterproductive doesn't it?" She challenged with her iconic sarcasm, flipping her silken raven-black hair behind her shoulder as she stepped onto the concrete sidewalk.

Harley Westward