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Mr. Blue Sky
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2008 19:08:43 GMT -5
Just about one of the worst things that could happen to Tobias were fleas. It was early in the afternoon, just after lunch, when every businessperson that had just crowded the market streets vanished. It was after those power-suit power-lunches were abandoned that the more delicate came out to socialize. Older couples and their bridge-club friends, young singles enjoying the rare day off of work, and single mothers strolling in tight groups as they pushed their baby buggies along.
Tobias was single, it seemed inevitably, but he didn’t consider himself on the prowl. He sat outside enjoying the partly cloudy and breezy day and trying to get used to the off-white flea collar hanging around his neck. He wore a white button down shirt, a black undershirt, jeans and leather sandals. So, the collar looked more like an accessory, in addition to the nose ring, accenting his scraggly unshaved look, rather than distracting from it.
After the incident in the gym, he had withdrawn even further keeping only to himself, his office, late night trips to the weight room and those with scheduled appointments. It didn’t seem fair that Caroline should have all the glory and gratification of having arguments. She didn’t even give time for Tobias to make his rebuttal and constantly played the victim. What was that anyway, the victim role, if not self-righteous woe-is-me propaganda?
He lit a cigarette and watched a few women, some mothers, walk by. A few caught his eye and giggled as they passed. He had smiled back and relaxed in his seat, one arm hung behind the chair’s back, the other resting on the armrest, his legs were crossed. He looked approachable, but just barely.
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Post by Tempest on Jul 9, 2008 19:32:25 GMT -5
It was a pleasant day. Good for taking a walk through the area near her apartment and getting some fresh air. Caroline was as close to happy as she felt she could ever get. There was a very normal, sane, good-looking man attracted to her, she had made friends... things were looking up in general.
Spanish guitar flowed through her head as she almost danced through the marketplace. Her tasteful white dress contrasted wonderfully with her skin tone and turquoise jewelry. Her hair was down today, so that the breeze could tug at it as it felt like it.
It would have been perfect, save for one thing. Caroline froze when she saw him, but decided to continue walking. She was angry at him, angry at herself, and deciding that she really didn't miss his company as much as her heart (and the little voice in the back of her head) said she did. He was an unstable, inconsistant, confusing sort, and she didn't have the time or energy to sort out what was between them.
Besides, she had hopes for Hector. At least she could avoid thinking about Tobias when he was around.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2008 19:47:18 GMT -5
Tobias’s eyes locked with hers. His jaw set, but he said nothing and didn’t even acknowledge her beyond the fixated glance. A leggy brunette, that couldn’t have been older than seventeen, walked by him on her way into the bistro. As she passed him, she tossed her hair back and slowed, so that he could get a good look at her ass…ets.
He followed her briefly with those hungry, icy-blues, but immediately turned back toward Caroline. Tobias jerked his head back slightly, a signal for her to come join him. He prepared himself to get an earful of being a pig. Caroline was sure to pick on him for looking at the brunette, but he was getting in shape again. He actually wasn’t far from being in his doctor prescribed weight-range. In all honesty, he couldn’t help that women were starting to notice him more than they had. Tobias grinned to himself, considering how life would be if he were a little less arrogant but found himself not carrying either way.
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Post by Tempest on Jul 9, 2008 20:05:23 GMT -5
Caroline's nostrils flared a little when she saw his unspoken invitation to join him. What was this, some psuedo-masochistic urge to be yelled at again? She had TOLD him that she was angry with him. Was this man so incapable of listening that he would ignore something even as it was yelled at him?
Caroline was so tempted to flick him off and continue walking. But she didn't. Instead, she watched as what looked like an underage girl flaunted herself in front of him. And she saw a grin on his face. Then she realized that she shouldn't care so much. Still, jealousy raised its sleepy head and she frowned. The frown was mostly directed at herself for feeling that when she had a very hot man in her future.
She walked up to Tobias and said lightly, "A little young for you, don't you think?" Caroline didn't bother to sit. She knew that he would probably say something that would set her off again and she just didn't want to talk to him. He complicated things and she had just found a non-complicated guy for herself and she didn't want him to ruin it for her.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2008 20:16:26 GMT -5
Tobias shrugged. “The saying goes that love doesn’t have an age, but I’m certain lust does.” He placed the cigarette to his lips and tilted his shaggy head back, blowing smoke rings into the sky. He scratched at a painful fleabite behind his ear with a free hand and kicked the seat in front of him, a nonverbal gesture for Caroline to sit.
“So what’s new? What do you say? What do you know?” He gave himself a good doggy-like scratch on that spot behind his ear until he felt satisfied. The brunette came outside again, sandwich in hand, and looking a little disappointed to see Caroline standing there with the offered seat. The girl chose an open table near them and situated herself to look as daintily as possible as she chewed her food and sent texts to her friends.
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Post by Tempest on Jul 9, 2008 20:31:43 GMT -5
"While that might be the saying, I'm fairly certain there's a legal age limit too. Interesting fashion statement, by the way." She wasn't stupid. She knew a flea collar when she saw one, no matter how it meshed with Tobias's style.
She sat down too, but on the edge of the chair. There was little she wanted to talk to Tobias about and the reemergence of the brunette was going to be bothersome. Distracting. Caroline was a jealous woman, it came with the blood. There was a passion in herself and her brother- they fell hard and often violently. Even though Caroline was dragging herself out of it, this still made her angry.
And she hated to be angry all the time. This was why she allowed herself a condescending smile and shrug. "Nothing much. Went to a festival last night. Had fun, met some people. Found a guy. Same old, same old. Yourself?" She didn't quite understand the intent behind the last two questions he'd asked, so she paid them no mind.
She folded her hands in her lap, but made no other move. Idly, the breeze shifted her hair and the hem of her dress.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2008 20:51:40 GMT -5
Tobias let her words swirl around his head for a moment. “A new guy? Lets hear the details while we’re on the subject shall we?” Tobias wasn’t bothered that she was seeing other people, a little hurt that their relationship would never work out. That much had been clear since he had manhandled her that dark day. He too was a jealous man, but until he actually saw the two of them swapping spit, the jealousy stayed in quiet hibernation.
“I thought so,” he said giving a tug at his collar. “I’ve been working on bettering myself. And frankly that’s all anyone should be concerned with. Better yourself before you can help others, right? Maybe not.” He laughed a little then, a rough and deep laugh. “You look well Caroline. You look happy. Or you did, until you saw me?” Another smile and another puff of smoke.
The brunette’s body language was changing. It was as if she suddenly realized that this was one of those dreadful break-up meetings. She would swoop in for the kill once that scared woman left the scene. She wanted other women to notice she was talking to him, and that he was enjoying it. She didn’t much care about who he was or what he did or why he existed, but inside the cafe they were talking about him…a Zeitgeist.
Any werefolk or halfbeast was a product of sexuality, and depending on how well they took care of themselves were often irresistible. An otherwise unattractive, pudgy and balding male would be sought after in a crowded room if bitten. Most of it was the confidence and adrenaline that being inhuman provided.
Tobias was no exception and it made his eyes roll.
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Post by Tempest on Jul 9, 2008 21:13:01 GMT -5
Caroline shrugged. "His name is Hector. And he's safe. That's all you really need to know."
She absentmindedly played with the turquoise stones on her necklace, her long fingers winding the chain around them before releasing it and starting over again. Perhaps it was an involuntary response to her distraction, or her latent attraction to this man when she knew she had somebody else. It was maddening, giving Tobias up for a consolation prize. But it had to be done for it was equally maddening to be with him.
"I am happy," she said dully, her eyes flicking towards the brunette. She repeated it more forcefully, as though trying to prove it to herself, "I am happy."
She tightened her jaw and came back into focus. "It shows. You look a lot better than you did whe- than you did. Oh, I met Amy Riddell recently. You two know each other, right?"
Yes, they knew each other. Caroline was just making conversation. And getting more and more bothered. Soon enough, she'd have to go over there and slap that girl and tell her to go turn in some college applications or something.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2008 21:36:50 GMT -5
“Um, yeah. We know each other,” Tobias said nodding a little to vigorously. Amy had experienced only the worst of him. It seemed Tobias was destined to be a loner. He couldn’t make friends with anyone, either by freaking them out or not opening quick enough. "Safe is good for you, huh?"
He smiled and scratched at his stubble. “I’m just really glad I kept most of my old clothes.” He was going to say something else, but was suddenly distracted by the disgusting feeling of those creepy little bloodsuckers crawling between his strands of hair. They were slowly leaving, thanks to the collar, but not soon enough. Tobias scratched at the spot behind his ear. The brunette found it adorable, but thankfully became distracted by the appearance of two of her friends (also brunette).
Tobias lit another cigarette. “Do you want me to get you a sandwich or something? I was thinking about going in to see what they had.”
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Post by Tempest on Jul 9, 2008 22:01:57 GMT -5
Caroline shrugged again, wondering if it was getting to be a habit. "Safe is safe. I don't suggest thinking about it in terms of 'good enough'. Just... my mother once told me something when I was young. She told me, 'Caroline, it's better to be loved than to love. Find somebody who's devoted to you, puts you up on a pedestal, if you can.' At the time, I did not agree with her. Now, I see her point. If you find somebody like that, you're less likely to get hurt."
Caroline shook her head. "No thanks. I-" At this point, she was saved from making an excuse by the unexpected arrival of a blonde man with almost-colorless blue eyes. He was a little shorter than Tobias, but his lines were fairly lean and he was fairly handsome. His features were somewhat brooding, but at least his smile was open and amiable.
He put his hands over her eyes and said a low, "Guess who?"
Caroline's lips spread into a smile and she pushed his hands away. "Hector!" She rose to her feet and gave him a quick hug before remembering whose company they kept. "Oh, Hector, this is Tobias, a coworker of mine. I might have mentioned him once or twice."
Hector nodded and held a hand out to Tobias and said, "Once or twice. It's a pleasure."
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2008 22:25:29 GMT -5
Tobias laughed a little. “I have to disagree with you. If one were to get used to that treatment, it would only be more damaging when the man acted humanly and … well… failed. Men make horrible idols Caroline. I thought you were smart enough to know that.” He paused, his glance shifting the stranger before him.
Tobias shook Hector’s hand firmly, giving it a little squeeze with this large square paw. His palms had calloused since he began weight lifting. “I was just hearing about you, though I admit she didn’t go into much detail so I was looking at smoke.” He lit another cigarette, and tugged at the buttons on his shirt. He was starting to feel nervous and big, as in ‘you’re in the way’ since, but he always felt that way no mater what his weight.
Tobias raised a brow at the colour of Hector’s eyes. He thought he wouldn’t see any paler than his, but he’d been wrong before. “I was just about to invite Caroline to lunch. Just to catch up. You’re welcome to join, but I fear the two of you have other plans.” He had stood in the introductions and remained standing. Purple-blue smoke puffed out of his mouth when he spoke, and seeped out through the sides when he shut his mouth. The wolf thought ‘I could take this guy, easy,’ before going back to sleep. The brunette and her friends were arguing over who was more attractive, the tall dark and handsome or the pristine blond. Either way they were envious of the girl between the two men.
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Post by Tempest on Jul 9, 2008 22:55:52 GMT -5
Caroline gave Tobias a blank look in a belated response to his comment about her mother's advice. She didn't bother replying to it, though, for she knew she would not be able to keep her temper about it and that was something she didn't want to show Hector. Hector, who had been so kind from the very beginning. He'd danced with her without even knowing her name.
Hector slipped an arm around Caroline's shoulders and said, "Actually, seeing her here was quite a surprise. We're not supposed to meet up until later." He looked at Caroline and asked her, "If you want to catch up with Tobias, I'll leave. I wouldn't want to get in the way..."
Caroline shook her head. "No, Hector, it's okay. You'll be fine.... right, Tobias?" She didn't want to seem ashamed of Hector nor afraid of Tobias, so she didn't just make up some excuse to prevent the lunch. Technically, though, she had already eaten. Oh well. She could get some tea or something.
Unfortunately, Hector's phone went off and he had to answer it. He politely excused himself to stand a few yards away after answering, "Asher? Yeah, that's my shipment..."
Caroline watched him walk away, a small smile curving her lips. "I really do like him," she said softly. "He's been amazing..."
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2008 23:10:08 GMT -5
Tobias offered her a soft smile. “Good…you know all I’ve ever wanted for you was to be happy,” he cleared his throat, what a cliché line. “Well I uh…I’ll go get us a place inside.” He tugged at his flea collar again, wondering what once or twice had meant. Did Hector know that Tobias wasn’t all human? Caroline wouldn’t be so uncouth to divulge that nasty secret on the first meeting would she? No, he didn’t think she would. Still Tobias had to be careful around new people.
Eyes were on him, and he wondered maybe it wasn’t that genetic zeitgeist-like quirk. Maybe people were actually seeing his wolf side, and he couldn’t tell. Like if his fly were open…like in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, when Hunter S. Thompson went on a thought rant, but then wondered if he had spoken the words out loud…and if, just maybe…the other people around him had heard. Would he ever know for sure? Could they, like those in Thompson’s novel, ‘hear’ him?
Paranoia doesn’t leave when a man stops snorting coke.
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Post by Tempest on Jul 9, 2008 23:39:29 GMT -5
Caroline nodded, but didn't say anything. There was nothing to say, really. If he really felt that way, then he'd- no, she couldn't dwell on it. Caroline waited outside for Hector so they could walk in together. Her expression went a little unhappy at the sight of his own apologetic one. Words were exchanged and he gave her a sweetly-performed kiss goodbye. Caroline watched him walking away again, this time only coming to herself when he turned a corner.
She entered the cafe and her brown eyes searched for Tobias. She spotted him and made her way over and sat down, feeling oddly subdued for a woman who'd just been kissed by a very nice man who she had good feelings about.
At length she said, "I'm not really hungry. I'll just have tea."
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2008 23:52:36 GMT -5
Tobias raised at thick brow. “Hector not coming?” he asked ordering Caroline tea and getting a sandwich for himself. “No cheese. Extra meat,” he told the cashier. There was easiness in the moment with Caroline that he hadn’t felt in a long while. He assumed it came with the relaxed acceptance that they were not dating, nor should Tobias even try.
The whole idea of starting over had happened and failed numerously in the weeks since they had crossed paths in the meadow. To accept things as they were, Tobias as Tobias, isolated and content, and Caroline as Caroline, and enchanting and engaging woman that could to so much better than he…in every since, was so much easier than putting a name to their relationship. They were just two people who co-stared in each other’s lives every now and again.
“You want to pick the place to sit or shall I?” he asked coolly, as he handed her the tea.
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