Ravewicked

Ezekiel blushed and stumbled backa step, is hip pressing against the booth. " wow.. kae.. hi." he said with a sheepish smile, then slowly, he returned her embrace, wrapping his armas around her torso.

"Hehe. nice to se you missed me." he said simply, patting her head. he smelled like gunpowder and iron. the blood on his bandaged hand was still fresh and there was dirt on his pants.

his new strange attire might have caught Kaera off guard if she wasn't so upset over all this business.

there was something lurking in teh shadows, bigger than both of them. the plot thickens.
 
Kaera didn't move for several moments. The embrace oddly comforting, though she didn't know why. She could question it later, when there weren't more important things going on.

"Someone poked me with a knife and said--" He smelled strange... not the usual scent she always recognized from him. But it wasn't the smell that made her pause, but the small stains of blood he hadn't quite gotten washed out. Kaera leaned back, spotting the still bleeding cut at his wrist and hand. There was no hiding it either, as Blanche returned with some clean paper towels, the first aid kit from the back and a box of band-ads. The waitress clucked her teeth at him a bit before setting them down on the table.

"Something for you Kaera?" she asked.

Kaera shook her head slowly. Waiting until Blanche was gone before she looked up at Ezekiel again. She didn't know if she were going to hit him or hug him again. She hadn't yet moved away from him. Still one arm around him and her hand clinging in to the back of the strange coat her wore.

"You have to stop. ...I don't even know what you have to stop. But you have to, Ezekiel."
 
"Yeah.. i've been betrayed three times ina row. theres somethgin bigger than me happening here.. i don't think taking contracts from my normal contact is... safe." he said, sitting down and begining to doctor his wound himself.

" Now tell me again what happened last night." he breathed silently.
 
Kaera must have realized she was clinging, for she finally let go when he slid in to a seat. Instead of sitting across from him like she usually did, she sat beside him. Taking the first aid box from him and swatting at his hands so she could tend to his wound herself. There was that grim frown on her face. The one that suggested she wanted to give him a lecture. But she was biting her bottom lip and letting it slide just that once.

"I turned off my alarm and was about to get up and dressed to meet you, but someone was in the room. Pounced on me in the dark, so I really couldn't see them. But I could feel the knife they poked me with." she explained, cleaning away the blood on his wrist and hand with an alcohol pad. She was frowning again.

"Sometimes people make threats about venues. I've gotten strange calls all week where no one says anything too. But I don't think it was about that... they said Tell him to quit. Back off or there will be consequences." Threats were all part of the business when people were all fighting for the same job. Kaera usually just ignored them. But then, most threads didn't involve someone breaking in to her motel room and pressing a knife to her throat.

"I thought I was over reacting, but now that I look at you, maybe not."
 
(me! XD)

"your not.. my target last night was a mafia man.. but somethgin went wrong. there was another vendetta goign on.. i think they mightbe makeing me the 'fall guy' he whispered.

Ezekiel was worried. REALLY worried. he had always been ont eh right path. why woudl somebody set him up? why would... it didn't matter, somethign had to be done.

" you need to do everythign like usual.. I wont take anymroe contracts, i need to investigate, so lets get on with the sow and have a good performance tonight.. alright Kae/" he said, finishign bandaging his wrist.

"It's time i took control of this." he said, reassuringly.
 
(Aaaawww yeah. >:3 That's what big momma likes.)

"So I can't come stay with you for the day and hide from scary people with knives?" Kaera tried to play it off like she was joking, but the tone of her voice gave her away. She finally huffed, stealing his coffee to take a sip and then making a face and placing it back on the table.

Her mouth was twisted up in the frustrated, thoughtful look she always acquired while wrestling over a big decision. "You didn't get sleep and you'll need rest for the show. Especially if you are hiding stab woods or worse under that -- What are you wearing?" Kaera finally took note of it, reaching out her hands to touch and move bits of fabric to see what it was made of. It was also her sneaky way of seeing if there were any more blood stains or slashes hidden away on him besides the cut on his wrist.

"There's nothing else you need to do for the show besides show up. So you SHOULD sleep. I'll just... I guess I will get my things from the motel and find myself another room." There was no way she was staying there when the windows were so easily opened!
 
(gods, but your horrible! XD)

"fine then.. I'll sleep at your place." he said, smiling. "kevlar/polypropolene styrate... stops almost everything.. but bruises." he scoffed.

"seriously, kae.. I am REALLY tired, and i DO need to sleep but.. pssshh.. okay okay." he stopped pondering.


"At the performance tonight... you and my retainer are going to watching for assasins.. we'll find out if this is a setup.. if it is.. I'll be wearing this underneath my outfit." he smiled.

"we'll get throught his kae." he smile,d winking at her. " I promise."
 
(DID IT HURT WHEN YOU FELL FROM HEAVEN, DES? DID IT?)

The last thing she expected was Ezekiel offering to stay with her. Her first instinct was to pitch and fit and insist she didn't need or want him there. But she quickly decided not only was that stupid, because she had no desire for any more assassin's popping out and surprising her, she really would feel a lot better having someone with her.

She leaned forward to kiss his cheek before sliding out of her seat. Her frantic panic had worn off by now, leaving her just feeling weary and completely annoyed with the day. Kaera moved to pull out cash for the coffee, but it seemed in her mad dash to flee she had forgotten that too. So she had to wait for Ezekiel to settle the bill.

"Sleeping at my place it is then! ...which is a pretty good idea. Now I can make sure you get to the venue on time and alive."
 
(it did... i landed on my funny bone, it's been aching ever since.)

Ezekiel put ten dollars and soem change ont eh tabel and stood up, stretchign and walked normally out the door with Kae, his clothes flipped backwards and down, makign it look mostly like he had a sweater wrapped around his waist.

"Sounds fun to me... My clothes for the show are at your place anyways right?" he asked her.

There really wasn't much unsaid in crude jokes betweent hem. they might as well have been living together the past two years, but as they walked, Ezekiel felt eyes upnon him, but didn't want to pause.


He had no idea what was coming.
 
(funny "bone". *SNICKERSNICKERSNICKER*)


Getting back to her motel room was quick work. Kaera having set the pace at a speed walk once she realized that her night gown was clearly swishing at her knees from underneath her dress skirt. She really had went tearing out without thinking about how she'd look in public.

Once they arrived, she was very wary about stepping in the room. Like a skittish cat, peering around the doorframe after she unlocked the door and flicking on the light before she even stepped in to the room. Aside from her bedcovers still being on the floor from where she rolled out of bed an hour ago, everything was still in place.

Kaera ushered Ezekiel in through the door, closing it quickly and locking it. Then she double checked the single window, also making sure it was locked, and closed up the curtains so they'd block out the sun that was sure to be rising before long.

When she turned back to the room, she was rubbing the back of her head with that frown on her face again. "Sleeping arrangements..." she muttered out loud. Ezekiel needed the most rest, seeing as he would carry the show as lead singer. Kaera just needed to be there to charm the Casino manager -- and keep an eye out for assassins.

"All right, you in bed and I will do something about this chair."
 
(snicker? id LOVE a candybar!)

"Alright, Kae." he smiled, picking at her waist. " Hey.. nice nightgown." he smiled, pulling off his overcoat, then his undershirt, and the police vest beneath it.

He was stretching again, and twisted his body, bones popping as he put down a set of knives on the table, two pistols, and a strange leather sheath with many flaps.

"man it's gonna be a long night." he sighed, smiling still at Kaera's clothing.
 
Kaera swatted his hand away, that flush of embarrassment across her face. "Stop that.. and don't look! I was scared and busy fleeing." She shouldn't of been looking herself. She could see scars here and there all over his skin. Some must have been barely old and some rather fresh. There was that wave of concern from her again, but she only clamped her mouth shut and crossed the room.

She pulled the blankets off the floor and arranged the bed neatly. "If you sleep, it won't be." she muttered crossly at him. Once she was sure he wasn't glancing in her direction, she stepped away to pull off her dress. Leaving only that simple gown. It wasn't elaborate or particularly sexy. Just simple satin in a dark peach. But it wasn't as if she had planned on letting anyone see it!

Taking one of the sheets off the bed, she held it up carefully like a curtain to keep Ezekiel from spying, so she could inch around the room and plop in to the chair. It was funny how the room seemed so much smaller now that it was in it and half dressed. It really was going to be hard getting sleep!
 
"right.. scared. I'm sure you were, Kae." he smiled sincerely.

"It's been a long haul. you rest too." he said, plopping onto the bed in jeans and a t-shirt. he was out cold quickly.
 
Morning... or rather evening arrived so much faster than Kaera wanted. She had intended to sleep in the chair and leave Ezekiel to the bed, but the blasted thing had been so cold and uncomfortable, she eventually snuck in to the bed with Ezekiel. He was so exhausted he didn't seem to notice and she was very careful to wake before he did. Trying to explain what she was doing would have been a nightmare!

Before waking him, she showered and dressed. The band had their intricate costumes and would be the star of the evening. So Kaera choose something more subtle. A simple modern venetian style, gold dress. Her hair was curled and pulled over one shoulder. She didn't wear any jewelry. Her phone was tucked away neatly in to a small clutch she could wear at her wrist. She was going to need it in case she had to call and harass someone.

Kaera nudged Ezekiel's shoulder and poked gently at his face. "Zeke..." she murmured softly. "Ezekiel... I let you sleep late. You have to get up and get dressed now. I can meet you at the Casino." She prodded at him a bit more. He had to at least be -awake- before she could leave.
 
He popped up and looked around, then at his watch AAAAH!!!" he yelled running into the bathroom, he started gettign ready emmediately, fussign over thigns.. then he stopped.

" uhm... hold off on that... stay here." he said, grabbing his phone and makeing a call.

"selene.. yeah.. yeah i know.. hey, fuck you, i did my job, it's not my fault someone's been screwing us!" He yelled at her. " Yeah, Casera's casino on walt street, you've got an hour..uhm.. wear some gold and stuff." he hung up the phone.


"selene is my liasona nd partner in crime. someone tried to kill her last night. they died trying." he smiled, throwing his phone ont eh bed and hopping in the shower.
 
"Ezekiel, you have a horrible habit of telling me half-pieces of things and leaving me startled and pissed off!" she shouted in to the bathroom, not daring to take a step inside.

...Actually, she needed something from the bathroom. She had to take a step inside.

As casually as possible, and trying not to look at the clouded glass shower door, Kaera dashed in to the bathroom and fumbled at the sink trying to grab her compact as quickly as possible. Where she should have left the room immediately, she lingered instead. Primping her hair in the mirror and casting side-long glances towards the shower.

"I really don't have the time to wait for you! I need to be there to make sure everything is going well. I've got to make sure they have the right music and then talk to the manager."
 
"selene willmeet you there." he said, unstartled. had this situation been backwards.. he woudl have appreciated it too. he was a muscular guy, and with not a tattoo in sight, he was pristine behind the shower.

He stopped teh shower before she was done and poked his head out. " I.. need my clothes, kae." he said blushing a little, staring at her ass momentarily before she turned to face him.
 
"Whomever Selene is, I doubt she knows anything of the music business." When she turned his face was red, but that wasn't quite what was giving her the eye full. Despite most of him being shielded by the shower door there was quite a bit of exposed skin from shoulder down to toe. Kaera squeezed her eyes shut and backed up. Hitting the wall, then the door in an awkward stumbled on her heels to exit the bathroom.

Muttering under her breath, she fetched the garment bag with his clothes from the hanging closet. Kaera marched back to the bathroom, eyes still closed, though now she was pretending she didn't previous stumble out, and hung the clothes up on the towel bar.

"I'm going, then. And I'll see you in an hour. No later, Ezekiel. You have to be on time." With that she backed out of the bathroom again and fled before any more strange ideas popped in to her head.
 
"forty five minutes tops." he smiled, popping out of the shower after she left. He smiled a bit and looked in the mirror.

" long day, long day..." he sighed heavily, he pulled on the venetian outfit, and trimmed his hair, he put on teh wide brimmed hat and mask, then took them off and stuffed them into his bag, aswell as his weapons, and assasin outfit.

" and an even longer night. he said. he stepped out of the hotel room and pointed his figners up at a buildign across teh way like a gun, he smile real big and pulled his thumb down.

" bang bang, fucker." he said as a big explosion came fromt eh rooftop. another assasin dead, selene shoved the rocketlauncher intot eh airvent and walked off intot eh building to the right, only then making her way to the concert.


THings were about to tilt into full sway.
 
Kaera had no idea who that Selene person was supposed to be. Had she been thinking clearly and not cursing the existence of clouded glass doors, she might have remembered to ask Ezekiel about the woman. And why was she all of a sudden being such an addled headed twit over Ezekiel?! She didn't like him. Well, she liked him, but she didn't even think of him in that way before. ...not that she was right that moment!

"Hellfire!" she grumbled to herself, exiting the small taxi she took to the Casino. There was a loud boom across town... something that Kaera thought might have been an explosion. She could hear sirens in the distance too. Don't panic. Things like that happen in the city all the time. She rushed inside.

The Casino was a beautiful Venice theme, with tall ivory columns, fold fountains and fantastic fabrics. Kaera loved the place and was so glad they managed to get a venue there! She forced herself not to linger too long in the lobby. Heading straight for the concert hall. She was pleased to see that the lighting was already up, the instruments in place, and stage props were also ready and well. There was more relief when the rest of the band also seemed to be there in one piece. Though, she suspected half of them were drunk, and quite possibly high...

Kaera spared them the lecture, as she spotted the Casino's manager. "Mister Bianicci! It's a pleasure!" She held out her hand, taking his to shake.

Mr. Bianicci was a tall, dark haired and dark skinned man with a strong jaw and a love for fine Italian suits. He looked smooth and polished, as if he had stepped off a runway in Rome. His hair was slightly peppered with grey, but that was the only hint that he might've been an older gentlemen. He leaned to kiss the knuckles of Kaera's hand, offering her a warm smile.

"La mia bellezza! You look quite becoming. I trust everything is in order? It is a great risk to allow a unknown to play in our Casino."

"Thank you! Yes! Everything is going exactly as planned. Our lead singer is due here any moment and the show will start as scheduled." she answered quickly, returning his smile with her usual charming grin. Of course, the confidence she displayed wasn't how she actually felt. Kaera had that sensation of dread, as if everything was a single push away from tumbling off a cliff.

"Excellente. Please, allow me to escort you to the special viewing room. It is reserved for the highest of clientele and provides a perfect view of the stage. I am sure with everything under control you would enjoy a moment to appreciate your hard work, Madam Matshida. Perhaps a drink of champagne as well." Mr. Bianicci offered her his arm.

Kaera took it gladly, almost blushing at the compliments. "That would be wonderful, thank you. I feel like I've been running in circles for days." Casting only a quick look over her shoulder to make sure things were still going all right, Kaera allowed Mr. Bianicci to lead her away to the stairs that led to the upper viewing box rooms.