Pilatus

SOL CITY - Modern Slice of Life - Chapter 2 - Completed & archived. 2/2

Paige Kennedy

Paige thought about his question. He was right. Those involved in their mess were tending to have shorter lifespans recently. She still wasn't sure what Elvin was being hauled off for, but could rest assured it wasn't because Nikki planned to congratulate him on a job well done in acquiring more property for the Syndicate. She still didn't trust him, but by experience she knew his type. He was an opportunist and she knew no matter how much she may have saved his backside, he would not hesitate to stab her in the back if it suited his interests. Shaking her head a little, she thought about Dustynn and not putting her in danger any more than she unknowingly was already. “I don't think we’ll have to coach her.” She said still looking away and thinking, considering how many ways circumstances could play out. “I will bet you Elvin is trying to buy up the Club and set it up as another racket job for Nikki. Shannon told me Sol is his big move to take over and he's puttin’ down roots.”

She glanced back over at Milo. “Losing Jackie was only a speed bump for him.” Paige knew he already knew what she was going on about, but was only thinking out loud. “We just need Dustynn to tell us what's happening from the inside and not ask too many questions.” She said. “She's close with the owner of the Club too… If they made an offer and he turned it down, then they're just gonna try harder until they can get him to budge. They've already bought up most of The Run already.” She reached and straightened the collar of Milo's shirt with one hand and met his eyes. “Notice all the bad press that place has been getting lately?” It suddenly dawned on her that she hadn't even told him about the visit from Agent Barrett earlier that day. “I know we're getting close… Some Fed from Detroit dropped by this morning and tried to threaten me to get off the case.”

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SOL CITY - Modern Slice of Life - Chapter 2 - Completed & archived. 2/2

Joel Nicolosi

Ugh… Here comes the baggage cart. Joel thought to himself as Sio confirmed that she did indeed have what could be referred to as a stalker. He scratched at his healthy stubble as she explained and let his mind wander on the fact that he hadn’t really shaved in a considerable amount of time. She seemed to like it though and shaving was a pain in the ass so it was a win-win. He liked win-wins. What he didn’t like was the name, Bradley and for some reason couldn’t stop picturing some fresh, scarf wearing hipster with rich parents and skinny jeans. Whatever disagreement that prompted this apparenting stalking was auto related which was amusing in a way. Joel found it comical when people who knew nothing about a given subject got into arguments.

Glancing around as the meal came to a close, Joel remembered it was Tuesday night which in some circles meant Tipsy Tuesday, but around Western Shore meant most people would be headed home for bed and work the next day. The restaurant was easily attending to its ever- decreasing, weekday evening clientele and there were no live sports on any of the networks which meant the atmosphere was mostly subdued. He didn’t particularly want to go back to the shop, but wasn’t really in a mood to party either. He couldn’t stand to be bored though his bizarre schedule often clashed with the regular inhabitants of Sol City. To her credit, Sio was doing a good job of keeping up and he allowed himself to look over at her figure in the booth next to him before considering her question with a light shrug. “I dunno,” He said looking away at one of the televisions hanging above the bar area. “I don’t really wanna go back across the bridge yet.”

After any good meal, like clockwork, he had a strong hankering for a good cup of coffee and it would be a little drive up to Riverside to really get a cup of something other than the big chains. He was wide awake though and was pretty much up for anything. Having her along on his regular late-night wanderings felt strangely welcome, like she’d always been there. “I could go for a good cup of coffee, and you can tell me about how you wound up with a stalker.” He said nonchalantly indicating he was more entertained by her story than at all worried.

@Almalthia

SOL CITY - Modern Slice of Life - Chapter 2 - Completed & archived. 2/2

Joel Nicolosi

Normally a phone call at the dinner table would have been enough to pluck Joel’s nerves more than a little, but considering that he was the one who brought it up, he had to let it pass and as she talked he perused the rest of the motorsports news from around the world while listening in on her conversation. He let his mind drift, thinking about the race team and all the traveling that was in front of him. Jamaica was just the first stop. Kenya, Turkey, Monte Carlo, Nepal and others would follow. The distance felt exhausting, but the driving was like a medicine for his soul and it came very natural to him even more so than GT racing. The cars were simpler and the controls were quick making pushing the envelope easy and downright exhilarating. The shift and balance of the weight against the grip of the tires, controlling the drift and using the torque of the engine to point the nose. The rally felt more about finesse and technique while the track was all about discipline and consistency. The little VW Polo was a blast to drive. Joel had never been a dancer nor had any desire, but throwing that little car through the woods sideways or swinging the tail around a hairpin turn felt like it must be something close.

“Yeah, you’ve told me about her before.” Joel said bringing his mind back to the present as she finished her phone call. “Shooting people seems to be one of her favorite activities.” He saved a small story about Le Mans on his phone for later as he spoke, turning back to her as she again focused her attention towards him. He snorted a little in amusement at her tale of “Bradley”. Here’s the baggage. He thought to himself and gave a light shrug and small grin thinking about how funny it was for an apparently grown man to keep going by the full name of Bradley instead of just Brad or something less pretentious sounding. Bradley sounded like someone who fell out of J. Crew catalogue. He shook his head. “So you’re saying you have a stalker? Is that it?” He chuckled. “I take it young Bradley is not a fan?”

@Almalthia

SOL CITY - Modern Slice of Life - Chapter 2 - Completed & archived. 2/2

Joel Nicolosi

Joel shrugged at Sio’s question. “Beats me,” He said referring to the swirling glass. “The point is to drink it, not to look at it.” He gave her a smartass smirk as he tipped the glass back and killed it in one swig finding her pushing his leg away and resuming her previous position next to him as he sat the glass down. Her possessiveness was cute and he liked that she went after what she wanted with vigor making it easy for her slide under his extended arm. He’d never dated a redhead, but it seemed most of what he heard over the years was turning out to be true. It’d been several years since he had a “girlfriend”, but figured things were about as official as they were going to get, particularly after Sio was also mentioned in the gossip column. The more he thought about it, the more he regretted doing the interview, but he couldn’t deny that a small part of him really did like the limelight.

As she continued talking about her art show he found it interesting that she automatically assumed he’d turn it down. Right out of the gate, he wanted to say, “Yeah, I’m down for it” just for fun though he reasoned with himself that she was likely crafty enough to present the showing in such a way to get him to do what she wanted- which would be massively attractive. Before he could say anything however, a slight memory from earlier blipped through his mind of an alert that popped up on his phone while they were at the shop. It was something about the museum and he tapped on his phone briefly looking for the news alerts. “Yea, what’s the deal with that anyway?” He said glancing down at the screen where the story was displayed, “They had some kinda shooting down there today.” He slid the screen over for her to take a look. “I’m surprised your agent didn’t call you, didn’t they have a bunch of your stuff staged down there?”

@Almalthia

SOL CITY - Modern Slice of Life - Chapter 2 - Completed & archived. 2/2

Paige Kennedy

Paige crossed her arms and leaned against the table next to him using her sleeve to dry her eyes slightly. I can’t believe I’m crying over a man. A voice spoke up in her mind. And of all people, I never thought it would be this one. She shook her head, only slightly as he sat down seeing the distress on his face coming forth more clearly and Sio’s words from weeks ago echoed in the back her mind as she looked at him: ...You don't want to share the details because you barely believe it is real…. She rubbed a hand over her face and glanced around outside the conference room seeing a few heads quickly turn away as her glance surveyed the room like a sentinel.

She knew he didn’t want or need the counseling that was offered to her and her fellow Marshals whenever they were forced to take a life in the line of duty and it reminded her there would be a mountain of paperwork for her to complete after the incident earlier. Then there was Sio’s painting that she felt partially responsible for ruining. She didn’t think Sio would be upset, conversely, she would probably find it cool or amusing, but the principle of it bothered Paige. It was indeed an all-around, shitty day. “The best thing…” She started to answer him and considered her words knowing she was not the best counselor, but also remembering who it was sitting in front of her. “...is to just talk about it…” The piercing green of her eyes found his and there was no malice or fire behind them, only openness.

Seeing the vulnerability in him undeniably took her back to their days in Delta City. He may have moved on from those times, but the good man she had known then was back in Sol City. There was a twinge of guilt still in the feeling and somewhere, deep-down, she dreamed in the blink of an eye that they could just run-away, though the fleeting thought was soon overshadowed with the firm desire to finish what they had started together. “We can keep you out of jail,” She said, her thoughts returning to the present and glance turning towards the floor in thought. “They’re watching the club though, I’m afraid if we go there it’ll tip’em off.” She said looking back at him. “We have someone on the inside over there though, remember?”

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SOL CITY - Modern Slice of Life - Chapter 2 - Completed & archived. 2/2

Paige Kennedy

Paige kept her hold firm as he spoke. Sweetheart. He never called her that and the way the words came off his lips she could sense something in him that she’d never seen before. Or rather, It was two things. One she wasn’t sure of, or wouldn’t let herself be sure, the other was more obvious: fear. She knew he wasn’t scared of anyone. He was afraid of what he’d done. What he’d found himself capable of in the heat of the moment. It wasn’t the same as it had been for her. She was a sworn, Federal officer, the danger came with the job, but for him, he was just a man. She knew it frustrated him that he didn’t have the same access she did especially when what they were facing together knew no boundaries. When they came for him, he’d done what he had to do, but things were more complicated now. She let the tears that escaped her be absorbed in his shirt and exhaled letting her shoulders drop before looking up at him then back at his cuffed hands remembering she had the key.

“I’m sorry I took so long.” She said trying not to let herself sniffle and failing. Retrieving the key from her back pocket, she removed the cuffs as he spoke and rubbed his wrists where the metal was tightened over them. He was straight to business and she knew he was doing it because he didn’t want her to worry, just to get her mind on task. He knew her that well. The cuffs clamored on the hardwood conference table as she tossed them aside. When he asked the question, she thought he was referring to Elvin. “We can only hold him for a while,” She said. “I think he might be a little bit grateful, but that’s sure to dry up soon.” His confused look at the response puzzled her a bit and she explained further knowing he wasn’t aware of what she’d done and what caused her delay: “I kinda shot somebody at the museum…” In her mind the scene was reenacted and how quick she’d been on the pull. The shocked look on the imposter’s face gave her a dark satisfaction, but she hadn’t had time to figure out the reason for the confrontation and their was a note of perplexity in her voice. “I don’t know why Nikki would have sent someone after him in broad daylight and in a public place, it doesn’t make sense.” She shook her head slowly. “But I think it has something to do with that nightclub.”

@RoccanIronclad

SOL CITY - Modern Slice of Life - Chapter 2 - Completed & archived. 2/2

Joel Nicolosi

Joel wasn’t sure about whatever reference she was making. He figured it was anime related based on the title and what he knew about her interests, but he was only really familiar with the classics: Cowboy Bebop, Gundam, Dragonball and a few others here and there. What he did pick up on, however, was one word in particular: restrictions. He rolled his eyes a little as she talked on about boundaries and rules, but then came and sat down in the booth right next to him. “Yeah, I think we are gonna need some ground rules...” He said in agreeance. “...for you.” With the leggings she was wearing against the seat’s vinyl cloth, it was very easy for him to put his hand on her hip and very comically and deliberately, slide her slowly to the other end of the booth. He turned and put his back against the wall with a smirk of pretend-satisfaction and rested one leg between them in a mock defense as the server returned for their orders.

A few moments later the waitress returned with a small glass of very dark liquor. “Here, I’m gonna show you somethin’ I invented.” He said digging into his jacket pocket and pulling out one of the small, Rebellion, energy shots, the same ones he’d sent Marlin as a gag. The logo simply read, Within Treason in an old world font and the container itself was very cleverly designed to look like a musket cartridge with a distressed colonial flag. “Everybody’s heard of a Jaeger-bomb,” He said twisting the top off. “And I don’t even like Jaeger that much.” He poured the contents into the glass and the two drinks instantly reacted with one another turning solidly black with a dark red swirling wave that ebbed and flowed creating a spectacle within itself. “I’m gonna call it a Black Flag.” He said with some amusement looking down at the glass as the two drinks rolled against one another inside the glass almost as if they were fighting. “Seems to fit,” He shrugged. “Maybe it’ll catch on and be a thing.”

@Almalthia

SOL CITY - Modern Slice of Life - Chapter 2 - Completed & archived. 2/2

Joel Nicolosi

Joel snickered a little at her comment. “I mean, I can still turn around if that’s how you feel.” He said double-clutching the shifts to save on the Jeep’s old transmission as they moved along. Glancing over he couldn’t help but let himself laugh at the news of his little naming contest win with the Sol City Zoo. “Someone at the zoo apparently has a sense of humor.” He said with a chuckle. “I won some kind of private tour, but I think I’m gonna just donate it to the Y or something, let them take the kiddies.” He turned into a fairly low-key, chain restaurant that his parents liked to frequent and he knew would be clean and prompt. “Me and you will never have time to get over there anyway.” Joel glanced around as he got out. He liked Western Shore. It was peaceful and free of drama. The Jeep blended in well with the other common vehicles and he helped her jump down steadying her against a slick spot in the parking lot.

Joel tossed his black team jacket into the booth as they were seated. Thermal lined and with the neon-orange R, the Volkswagen logo and a few others, it was nicer than any of his other mix of branded apparel, but he had to admit to himself that he was a little proud to wear it. It felt good to be a part of something bigger for a change. He thought a few people recognized him as they walked in, but no one had said anything and he was thankful. Since the gossip column he’d reluctantly decided to indulge had put him back in the media again. Rally racing wasn’t that popular in the US, which was one of the things that made it appealing to him, but for the rest of the world, it was a major form of motorsport, which was also appealing. He pushed the menu aside already knowing what he wanted and glanced over at Sio in the dim evening ambient light. “So, the first race is gonna be in Jamaica.” He said speaking casually as if he were talking about the weather. He rested one arm up on his side of the booth. “You wanna come with, or are you gonna hang out here in the slush while I’m gone?”

@Almalthia

SOL CITY - Modern Slice of Life - Chapter 2 - Completed & archived. 2/2

Joel Nicolosi

Joel scratched at his unshaven face as the Jeep trundled over to the exit lane on the Matthews Bridge and into Western Shore. In the far distance to the north, the glowing skyscrapers of downtown could be seen and the gentle white-caps of the river speckled in the dim light of the evening. It was still cold as hell, but at least not snowing. The sides of the roads were lined by heavy piles of dirty, chemical and sand treated snow that had turned a mostly nasty gray as traffic resumed somewhat normally in the days following the epic blizzard. “What’re you in the mood for?” Joel asked over the steady hum of the heater. As soon as the words came out, he was pretty much anticipating some blatant innuendo from her in relation to the question.

The moment only an hour or so before felt more like a confirmation of the past few weeks and a release of the tension that had built up. Joel knew full well she liked him, but was curious just how long she could hold out before she’d admit it or walk away. Chasing after women was not his style. He tested them and cared little for how he was evaluated in their eyes. Sio was the first one that he could remember, in a long time, that understood the game and played it back usually as good as himself and he liked the challenge of it. For being nearly ten years younger, she had strong aura about her and a wild nature that he found alluring even when he knew she was talking above what she was capable.

A few other thoughts crossed his mind as they took the ramp towards one main drags inside Western Shore. He needed to finish writing a thank-you letter to Marlin’s granddad for the gift he’d sent and he wasn’t sure how Sio felt about it. In the course of the last few weeks, she’d become his de facto secretary in a sense and basically knew all of his business and he wasn’t sure how he felt about that, but it was done. There was nothing wrong with the letter or the gift, but he was not looking to stir up more drama and wouldn’t put it past Marlin or the rest of her nutty family to use as a hook. Joel shook his head slightly at the thought, he did want to keep the old man as a contact and sending a letter back felt like the classy thing to do.

Then there was the matter of the contract with the rally team. He’d never “worked” for anyone other than himself for somewhere around a decade. They’d certainly gone out of their way to court him and he knew it was the right choice. At thirty-three, he knew he only had, at best, ten to fifteen more decent years in him as a driver. He knew Sio would have kicked him for not taking the deal, but again, she was young he wasn’t sure she knew entirely what it meant from a career standpoint. Joining the team was going to take him away from Sol a lot more often. The next rally was in Jamaica. Maybe it was a little soon to ask her to come, not really knowing what commitments she had or if they could even tolerate each other for a solid week in another country, but he was going to tell her about it anyway and just let the chips fall.

He let those burdens pass as they sat at a stoplight when another memory hit him and he thumbed quickly through his phone as they waited for the light to change. “Oh, I meant to show you this before.” He said, suddenly snickering to himself as recalled the night they came up with their little contest entry for the Sol City Zoo. “Remember when we named that rhino at zoo? Yea, read that email.” He handed her the phone with the email from the Zoo’s director and tried his best to contain himself from laughing aloud before she had a chance to read it.

@PrinceAlexus@Almalthia

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