[IC] Trigger Finger

[Nevermind]

Bradley blinked open. He sat up in his bed and glanced around. He was a little nervous. He was supposed to be meeting with a contact this afternoon - a supplier. If things went well, he could considerably enhance his profits. He was sort of low on money, himself, most of his money had gone to either his mother's healthcare or the supply of his products.

He wasn't sure what to expect from his contact. He'd heard very little. In fact all he had really heard was that they were elusive and pretty serious and that they could make a considerable difference to the amount of money he was making, and what his colleagues were making.

He stood up and approached his windows and drew back the curtains. It was early. Maybe 5AM. He hadn't really slept. Maybe he was overthinking it. Maybe he just needed some coffee. He got up, washed and changed and headed to the kitchen. He couldn't see Cat anywhere. She was probably still in bed. He made himself a coffee before walking over to the rusty old balcony on the exterior of his apartment, pushing open the glass doors to get there.

Digging in to his pocket, he found a lighter and a pack of cigarettes. He lit one and put it to his mouth, sighing through each puff of smoke, taking a sip of coffee every now and then as he gazed over the cityskape. It was early, but as busy as ever.

Who knee what would take place today. All Brad could hope was it would go well.

[QT]

Team Tooke MMA

At about an hour before the gym officially opened, the doors to Team Tooke MMA we're let open by trainer and mixed martial arts legend, Edgar Sully. Now at the age of 53, Edgar trained what he described as the next generation of fighters. The man was an enthusiast, taking on the roll of a coach right after retiring from the octagon. He was in a bloodline of fighters, ranging back to his great grandfather, a boxing champion. But with an evolving culture, so did the sport.

Boxing was still a very high impact ticket in the world, but UFC and MMA were seat-fillers. It came into society like a gold mine, everyone wanted a piece of it. Edgar's father was the first to take on the new sport, not getting too far in his career, but able to do the exact opposite for his son. Edgar Sully became the world heavyweight champion. His record was buried with his legend though, since it seems not too many remember him.

But anyway, the doors to the gym were opened early by Edgar so an old friend of his could train before any other students showed up - Nate "Destroyer" Tucker. After being released from confinement not too long ago, Nate had to return to his roots in attempt to have some sort of release. Only place he felt at peace was in Sully's gym. Some would agree that going back there would only bring back old memories, but for Nate, Team Tooke had been his real home. Nate's lady therapist didn't believe it's be the best choice to return to a place that helped him commit the crime, but that didn't coincide with Nate. But regardless his thoughts, Nate did take precautions.

For one, he asked Sully if he could train an hour before the gym opened and an hour after it closed. Because of a mutual trust, Edgar agreed. In the condition that Sully himself would be present during his workout. The coach wanted Nate to start fighting in the octagon again like when he was a kid. He believed that the best way to get away from his past was to create a formidable future. Sully believed in Nate's talent, he had the wits to win them all. But it was clear in the way he trained and his distant personality that something was still bothering him. There was this unclear mental strain in him that wouldn't let him free and it was obvious.

But despite that, and despite their relationship, money had become a factor for Sully. If Nate didn't want to fight and make the gym and himself some money, he would have to start paying just like everyone else who trained there.

And on this day it was all the same. Nate showed up at the doors at six in the morning to have Sully open the gym just for him. Nate - in addition to all his other requests - wanted to be alone while training, hence the time of his workouts. Anyway, after doing his hour long workout, he showered and was just about to leave before Coach Sully caught up to him and stopped his forward process. "I need to talk to you kid, so hold up a second before you dash right out of here. You're two weeks behind on your payments. I know were family, but I'm runnin' a business here. If I don't get this money, I'm not sure you'll even have a gym to work at in the next month or so" Sully explained to Nate.

The fighter stared at the mats below him, feeling a little guilty for not paying up already. "I'll get your money by the end of this week Coach. I promise" he responded, now staring at the man's eyes instead. His determination shined a bright green aura in his pupils. He knew Sully wasn't joking about his hard time with keeping the gym running, it had happened before. So though Nate was having his own money problems, he had to manage. His first plan was to leave the motel he was staying at, sleep on the streets for a while so he wouldn't have to spend so much. Secondly he would have to talk with Bradley, possibly get some quick jobs - Nate was t the guy to ask for loans. He didn't want to depend on other people's money. He was done being helpless.

[Whirlwind]

Cat rolled over and over in bed. She was trying to bury herself under mounds of white comforter to hide the sun shining through the window and into her face. But it was no use. When it was light outside and she was awake, she couldn’t go back to sleep. A whimper left the huddled form of white lumps before she tossed off the blanket. She sat on the bed, short dark hair messy and all around her face so that only one eye, the tip of her nose, and her lips and chin were clearly visible. She wore some baggy sweatpants with some brand name stamped across the side and a cami with a built in bra that did little good.

Giving the window an annoyed glare, she slid out of bed, bare feet padding towards the kitchen. One hand was rubbing her visible eye, and the other hit things to her side lightly to make sure she was going the right way without having to look.

She finally made her way to the kitchen and stopped rubbing her eye, finding a bowl, milk, and box of cereal. She went to pour the contents of the box, only for maybe 5 pieces to clink in the ceramic, making her frown heavily. Sighing, she put the milk back up and turned to see coffee sitting there. So, Brad was already up. She made herself a cup and ran a hand through her hair, getting it away from her vision before heading out on the balcony where Bradley was smoking. She stood next to him and poked his side with one finger while drinking her coffee. ”Did you eat my cereal, huh?” she asked, raising an eyebrow, but looking out at the city and not Bradley.