stuff us in boxes that's where you want us

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

Harley was quite proud of herself, pilfering that unwatched beer for herself. Committing petty larceny wasn't exactly the most common of occurrences for Harley, but in this case, in this bar, with all those trigger-happy-wannabe-cowboys that seemed far too wound up for their own good, it didn't seem like the worst idea she ever had. Plus, those jackasses refused to serve them, which Harley suspected was because of the notorious vampire at her side. His rotten reputation seemed to proceed him far and wide. Judging him alone, based on being disposed to those violent tendencies along with being pinned to Risque herself, it was no wonder he was met with such hostility. Harley hardly cared that she wasn't welcomed in this kitschy vampire bar anyways. She would hardly choose a vampire bar to grab a drink and lose some time in and this garbage dump was swimming with leaches. They strode around looking like country folk but truly they were all nothing but sharks waiting for the next feeding frenzy. It was no surprise that some of those dancing women were in fact human, as if to tease and taunt those vampire patrons with the potential of a meal as well as the illusion of sex. Hell, for all she knew they did that here too. It wouldn't be that farfetched considering half naked cowgirls were apparently a desired fantasy in a bar like this. She could see it in their lust filled eyes.

She hardly cared for the conflicting scents swirling in a smoky mix of heightened emotions and booze. It assaulted that woman more than she would care to admit, finding it both distracting and nauseating. Thankfully, that bottle of beer clutched within her grasp was a much-needed distraction, nursing it only to give those heightened senses something else to do, rather than focusing on that sensory overload whirling about her. All in all, everyone here, seemed to be enjoying themselves except for the suspicious men that eyed Darcy with those harsh disapproving glances. Yet she wasn't surprised by any of it, that gunslinging vampire seemed exactly the type to collect enemies like it was his hobby. Harley was blissfully forgotten in those sparse moments, content to be forgotten amongst the droning bustle of that bar, watching with near delight as a man got lurched from that bull with a near volatile jerk. At least until the bruising grip of those two shady vampire shits seemed content to think they could touch her. Why the fuck did everyone feel the need to manhandle her? She could feel her own makeshift resolve start to wane like a light switch going off, announcing that clear displeasure by insulting those burly cowboys with clear verbal lacerations. How easy it was to wield her most prized weapon, her scalpel peaked tongue. Yet it wasn't her own words that seem to free her, but that commanding presence of Darcy behind her that saw to her release. That exchange quickly over which lead them down that short trip to Tybalt's cigar smoke-filled office. It nearly made her choke.

Even despite Darcy's careful, near apathetic resolve seem to tumble downhill fast in the company of that spur clad vampire, that tension was like a dam groaning against that pressure. Harley seemed content enough to watch this engagement while nursing that bottle of hers until she no longer could take the bullshit. How much willpower it took to allow Tybalt his little predatory tango around her and not snap while his greedy eyes seem to drink her in. That warning growl, daring a low resonates through chest a sound that was far from human or friendly. Her body was practically twitching, itching for some release from being pent up and beat down by Darcy countless times. If it weren't for that beer in her clutching fingertips, she was positive she would have lost it then, needing a target for that wavering resolve.

Thankfully, that attention hardly lingered upon her as Tybalt so boldly moved to where Darcy sat, toying with that silver chain around his neck like he was entirely too comfortable with the man who could rip him to shreds. It was like she could hear that timebomb ticking ominously away. That sound of displeasure rippled through that tension filled room, that sound belonging to Darcy. It was when that offer hung like bait before them that she could no longer be silent, no longer keep those words restrained in that feeble pen she had forged for them. Once she started, she simply could not stop running her mouth. She moved to position herself behind Tybalt's desk, eyeing the two men with that confident fire she so wielded so well. Tybalt's expression was damn near priceless as she watched that dangerous anger start to fester and boil within his eyes and that clenching jaw that could have shattered teeth. What? That undead cowboy never had a woman call him out before? Harley places that beer on Tybalt's desk that she stood behind, like she owned it. It was her sudden declaration that his beer sucked that had Darcy barking out that laugh, what a strange sound it was. It sounded almost grating from lack of use, rusty. It was enough to break Harley's piercing, glaring gaze to shift from Tybalt to Darcy then in an almost curious fashion, yet that glance was so very short lived as Tybalt unleashed his rage upon her. How easy it was to urge that undoing, as those threats easily spill from him them. "Oh please.." Harley scoffed suddenly interrupting the tyrant's poorly thought out speech before Darcy's voice cut through that room. Which only caused a shocked silence then, you could hear a pin drop if it wasn't for the muffled out music thudding away just outside the thick wooden door. She was sure she needed a shovel to scrape her jaw off the floor in that moment as she could do nothing but gape at him. What in the flying fuck?

Harley was stifled to silence as if unable to fully comprehend what he just said, apparently Tybalt was just as clusterfucked as he issued that singular dumbfounded word.

What happened next had left Harley filled with near shocked horror. Risque was going to fucking kill them both. She knew it.. she was going to take this place by storm and rain hellfire to all in her path, there was no Nathaniel to block that fire this time. They both were going to be dismembered piece by piece because Darcy decided to flip at the last fucking moment? How convincing he was, he even fooled her. Harley should have saw through it, but her heated words apparently made her more suspectable to that Oscar winning performance. Damn, she would never make that same mistake not ever again after tonight. Harley almost interjected on more than one occasion, she did not need another job. She had one, one she actually liked and didn't have to parade half naked shaking her ass for tips at some sticky hell hole. She was an artist, not a fucking stripper.

The raven-haired woman could not help that scoff that escapes her then, those vibrant violet eyes filled with fire. They were talking about her future like she wasn't even there, like she hadn't a single opinion on the matter. YEAH, I have conditions too. Harley thought, fiddling with the papers on that desk, leaning against it then so that she half sat on it. This was total bullshit. What made her skin crawl was that mention of ownership.. Another fucking vampire wanting to own her, to control her, she was over it. Harley wanting nothing more to check out of this nightmare. She wanted to knock this desk over in a fit of her own anger, wanted to take it out on something and yet she has no choice but to do... nothing.

"Fuck this shit. I'm not signing your stupid contract." Ever the foolish defiant creature when backed into the corner, she could feel those walls close in around her and she had no where to go. She kicks Tybalt's rolly chair having it hit against the wall behind it with a force."It's your funeral.." She spat that frown marring her face, looking down at that table then.

As if on cue, that burly cowboy seemed to walk in like the trained monkey he was, producing that contract and pen for Darcy to sign. Harley felt that unnerving need to pace, wanting out of this office that felt more akin to a small cage with too many predators dwelling inside of it. How she peered at that contract as if curious of what a contract for a vampire even looked like. Did it even hold up in court? Was she included in it as part of his property? Did she not have a fucking right as an individual anymore? She shuddered at the thought. It was then that Darcy's gaze caught her own and she met it fearlessly, until he smiled. How she was quickly growing to hate that smile, it fucking terrified her as it would anyone with half a sense for survival. She seemed to stiffen at that very minute but telling expression, as if it said everything she needed to know. She wanted to b-line it straight for the airport and fly to some obscure place and never look back. Yet it was a driving curiosity that has her leaning over just a little to catch a glimpse of that bold number of that yearly salary. Holy fuck.. she couldn't even dream of money like that. She was almost sure she could live off that sum for the rest of life comfortably in her tiny little one-bedroom with Ace.

Harley's presence was once again no more than an insect on that wall. She grabs that beer again, a sigh escaping her. This was going to be a long night. She hardly seemed to care what else transpired at this point as that question escaped the southern vampire who seemed so very casual about this, like this was just another transaction. That burly guy known as Cowboy Ray leaned in close to examine that clause that he questioned before that lightning quick motion had Ray by the hair before he violently slammed his head onto that pen. Harley jumped to her feet faster than she could even recall doing so, pivoting to watch that blood splattering everywhere, that sharp sound of surprise leaving her lips then. "Fuck." she said with distinct feeling. Some of Ray even sprayed upon her as that scream escaped that man... That random brutal act sent her on high alert as if that violence would soon be shifted upon her. It was in that flash Darcy's placid mask was removed and that brutal menace was here to stay. It was unnerving to see that shift, it was undeniable that he enjoyed this carnage. Enjoyed the reaction to it, enjoyed the unrestrained violence.

It was not long before Darcy had slammed Ray's head down on that pen over and over again with every letter of his named uttered in some sick little game of his own making. Harley refused to look away, this was one hell of a learning experience right here and now. Even though those sickening sounds made her stomach lurch and left her wincing, she didn't dare turn her cheek or dare to blink even once. She needed to see this, needed this reminder of what she dealt with, who she dealt with. These were no ordinary monsters, they were so much more than that, they were cunning and deceptive masterminds with all the time in the world to hone their craft. It made Ryker seem like elementary school. This was the big kids playground now.

That wicked grin could not be mistaken on Darcy's face as he held up that bloodied contract as Ray fell to the floor, as if it wasn't enough, his head made a loud cracking sound as it hit. It all happened so quickly, that careful bait and switch that even Tybalt himself wasn't anticipating it.

That tension had finally met its breaking point and those harsh words exchanged were actually surprising. Why Tybalt didn't outright attack Darcy now, Harley hadn't the faintest idea. He had to be scared. Scared of the man he wanted to control with money and promises. He was no better than Risque, but he acted like he was. In an instant, the time for words was over and those two vampires launched themselves toward each other with inhuman breakneck speed, how Harley could not hide that awe on her face watching that battle unfold. That collision of the two men was like watching two mac trucks speeding head-on at each other before obliterating one another. The raven-haired woman seemed to brace herself for action, eyes watching as both vampires were hurled away from each other. Good, maybe they could kill each other and Harley could slip away free from her binds, that would be too convenient and the world was not filled with that. While that building seemed to shake and crumble underneath that exceptional crashing force. Darcy ended up thrown onto Tybalt's desk, making a terrible screeching sound as those legs dragged along the floor. She winced at the sound, peering down at him. Darcy however was quick to recover, faster than Tybalt as he crouched upon that desk looking completely the inhuman beast that he was. She would not soon forget that image that already burned itself in her head. That growl pierces the room like a battle cry before that mismatched gaze snapped into place upon Harley, it was miracle she didn't jump out of her skin. He muttered that order and at least this was something she could do, she didn't dare argue, nodding her head in agreeance. "Shit.. you don't have to ask me twice."

But those words were most likely unheard as Tybalt nearly obliterated that chair before declaring his deadly intentions, like they needed an introduction. The bar owner in a flash had Darcy on the ground, pinned beneath him. It was in that one moment that Harley found herself at a loss either way. Harley peered from around that desk to sneak a peek before quickly moving to her task at hand, placing her beer bottle upon the desk once more before ransacking those drawers. She would be lying if she didn't see some interesting shit in there. There was a thick stack of money too, she easily swiped it, placing it within her deep leather jacket pockets. There was also a leather-bound book with a star on it, it looked well worn. She opened it quickly seeing a whole bunch of numbers along with dates and names. Yup, that looked about right. The clashing sound of vampires was almost like background noise to her now until that smell of fresh blood permeated the air. She looked once more to see Darcy had his mouth snapped tightly around the other vampire's arm, blood spilling from that severe serrated bite.

Harley quickly sifted through those drawers stuffing any papers that could have seemed important within that leather bound book as quickly as possible. It was Darcy's yelp that had her freezing as if ready for Tybalt's wrath to descend upon her next. It was then that she heard that singular French word leave Darcy's vicious mouth, apparently the other vampire shared Harley's distinct surprise before Princess burst from Darcy's leather jacket like a rabid creature from hell. If Harley didn't see it herself, she would have hardly believed that near comical action. How that little feline attached herself to Tybalt's face then with no hope of letting him go, that very action had sent his hat flying off him. Of all the things to do so.

There was another commotion that had the thick door obliterated with the three of them tumbling outside, that trio was nothing more than a blur of claws, gnashing teeth and snarls. A true vampire brawl on crack. Well she certainly couldn't say this night was boring. That door was reduced to nothing but woodchips, that catchy but irritating song flooded her ears along with the symphony of chaos and screaming. Well so much for discreetly leaving. A sigh escapes her as she took that bottle of beer, smashing it upon that desk to create that makeshift weapon, the shattered glass scattered in a disarray upon the floor below. She had chipped that desk in the process, leaving was not going to be easy considering those waiting for them on the other side.

There was an eagerness that seemed to flood through her then, maybe it was that stupid catchy song or the scent of blood in the air that taunts her. Or maybe it was the panic outside, the screams and the uproar. Or maybe it was just her sick and fucking tired of being useless for too damn long. The commotion only intensified when she heard that splitting sound of a gunshot firing. That was definitely the signal that shit was hitting the fan. Regardless, Harley heard those two girls clamoring along before they entered that ruined office. Harley placed that valuable book on the table, lifting her makeshift weapon in an effort to keep them at bay, entirely as ready as possible for that fight that was sure to come. They filed in not a moment later, one of them clutching her heels like an assault weapon. Harley could hardly help the sound of amusement that escaped her. "A heel really? That's the best you could come up with?" One of them had a gun, a really small one of polished chrome, it glint from the light of that office. Where the fuck did she have room to tuck away a gun.. nope she did not want to know.

Harley had her eyes on her, the woman firing that first shot which caused her to duck before that other woman was at her back with lightning vampiric speed. Harley was much too slow for that blatant attack, turning around only to get stabbed in the arm with that heel, that vampiric force embedding it in deep. It ripped her leather jacket and it hurt like hell. "You stupid bitch." She yelled, snarling like something feral... However, despite that potent pain, she used that closeness and the momentum to her advantage, impaling that sharpened jagged glass bottle right in her eye socket. That sound would not be one she would forget anytime soon, that sickening crunching sound as it reluctantly slid inside her skull.

That shrill scream that left that cowgirl vampire sounded like that of a dying cat, she only shoved it in further and twisting it with a ruthlessness that surprised her. Harley was almost surprised by her own strength, but she had no time to react as that gun was fired again, just barely missing her head, hitting the wall just behind her. She let go of that neck of that bottle leaving it embedded in her socket as she fell in a heap similar to good ol' cowboy Ray who... may have actually been very dead. Harley whirled to face that other opponent, not bothering removing that heel protruding from her like she wore it like some form of sick fashion statement.

"Using guns because your too afraid to break a nail?" She hissed, pacing, becoming a moving target using that adrenaline alone to fuel her, desperately hoping no one else came through that door. The bimbo from hell began yelling at her, like a berating lunatic... "Come on boot scootin' baby.. do it. I think I hear Tybalt's dying screams as we speak." She smiles, that bitter smile that hardly felt like her. She felt that inner feline wanting to come out, felt her right there as if she might burst through at any second. But she would be damned if she let her out. No. It was like she was fighting two wars at once. One trying to keep that cat at bay and the other trying not to get shot.

Harley was weaponless, but she goaded her all the same, her violet eyes trained upon her, waiting for any sign that she was going to pull that trigger. The desk in-between them was a problem, she was unable to launch at her and tackle her to the ground risking that chance getting shot, hopefully dislodging that tiny gun from her hand in time. No such luck.. She fired the last of her rounds at her, screaming something incoherent, the only word she could make out was bitch and killing Tiffany. That gun fired again.. and again.. and again...

She swore the last thing she saw was those bullet flying right for her.. felt that metal slicing through the air when... suddenly she felt like something strange inside of her went off. She opened her eyes to see those three bullets suspended in the air inches away from her face before they were sent outward, right for that bimbo cowgirl.. She could feel that metal like it was apart of her, feel it rip through the womans heart, through her spine and lastly, right through her hollow little head. What in the actual fuck... happened? She watched as that vampire slid down, with so much as a final whimper and Harley could barely tame her thunderous heartbeat. She hardly heard that sound change, backing up so she could grab those items from Tybalt's desk along with some expensive mahogany box. She hardly knew why she took it but she did anyway.. Her free hand pushes those sunglasses back into place, hardly thinking about what just transpired while tucking those pilfered goods protectively under her arm. She knew very well that she would relive it all.. again and again.. later.. not now.. now was not the time. Her violet gaze peers down at the wreckage of that office, the carnage left behind one last time before reaching to pick up Tybalt's bloodied hat from the ground placing it on her head.

Storming out of that office she felt like she could breath again but didn't know what she was going to face when she made it out. That song assaults her the moment she heard it. "OH COME ON.. who is DJ-ing this shit..." Blasting in that club was 'Save a Horse.. Ride a Cowboy.." She could not eyeroll any harder than she did now. Angrily, she grabbed that heel still sticking out of her arm, yelling out one last curse as that pain assaulted her worse than it going in. "Motherfucker." She tossed that heel before she met what waited for her within that bar. Oh, she hated this place.

Harley Westward