Castiel opened the door to his small apartment, trying to squeeze his way through the doorframe, plastic bags crinkled in each hand. After getting through he kicked the door closed muffling the sounds of a couples dispute once more into an indistinguishable hum. He placed the bags on the table in his kitchen to the left. On his right was his living room and two doors with led to a bedroom and bathroom. The table, like the rest of his furniture was pre owned but sturdy, only the occasional scratch or discoloring revealed the life it had before. Castiel stored away the perishables before going towards the back of his flat. His pushed aside the curtains and revealed a balcony with a stunning view of another brick building. One floor up and he would have been able to see the city beyond. But from his cheap third story flat he only had the view of a window in a brick building, complete with a dying flower bed and snoozing alley cat.
Castiel peered down at a trio of thugs huddling near a dumpster. Splashed of blue marked them as members of the Rollerz. Castiel wasn't the biggest fan of the gang activity but the Rollerz were far from the worst ones out there. Besides, Castiel was lucky, being best friends with a Rollerz lieutenant meant that that he was left alone.
Not recognizing any of the heads below him Castiel leaned back from the balcony railing. Pulling the violin case from his back Castiel began to play. It was an upbeat piece from the theater's last play. The building was under renovations this week so it will be a while before the orchestra would get any new songs to practice. Finishing the song with one long note he strung it into a cover of some recent pop song. Castiel smiled, he loved to "sing" with his violin like this.
Castiel peered down at a trio of thugs huddling near a dumpster. Splashed of blue marked them as members of the Rollerz. Castiel wasn't the biggest fan of the gang activity but the Rollerz were far from the worst ones out there. Besides, Castiel was lucky, being best friends with a Rollerz lieutenant meant that that he was left alone.
Not recognizing any of the heads below him Castiel leaned back from the balcony railing. Pulling the violin case from his back Castiel began to play. It was an upbeat piece from the theater's last play. The building was under renovations this week so it will be a while before the orchestra would get any new songs to practice. Finishing the song with one long note he strung it into a cover of some recent pop song. Castiel smiled, he loved to "sing" with his violin like this.
After spending the last hour shouting at him, Tristen’s soon-to-be-ex stormed out. Tristen saw his opportunity. He had to get away. He didn’t know where, but it didn’t matter as long as it was away. Tristen grabbed his backpack and stuffed it full of clothes, hygiene products, and anything else he thought he might need. He even stole some cash his ex kept in his nightstand. He wrote a note and left on their bed- it simply said, I’m not coming back this time.
He took the stairs down and walked out of the building, taking a left onto a narrow alley way between his apartment building and the one next door. He froze when he noticed the men handing out by the dumpster. They looked familar. He’d bought from them before, maybe. Before he’d started trying to get his life together. If they recognized him…
A sound distracted him. Music? He glanced up. He saw the young man in the third story window. One of his neighbors- he’d listened to the guy’s music through the walls, but Tristen had never actually talked to him. Tristen stopped and leaned against the wall, listening. He focused on the violin music and tried to tune everything else out. He grimaced when he remembered he’d left his own instrument- his old guitar- in his ex’s apartment. Well, he wasn’t going back no matter what. He’d just have to save for a new one. The music helped calm him down, helping him think a little more clearly. He could come up with a plan.
He opened his eyes, looking up towards his long-haired neighbor, watching him play. Even if he didn’t know much about violin, he could tell the young man was talented. More talented than he’d ever be, but that was okay. It was a shame Tristen had never really talked to him. He could try now, though. The balcony wasn’t that far up and he’d probably hear if Tristen shouted. He almost did it, too, until he realized he didn’t know what to say.
He took the stairs down and walked out of the building, taking a left onto a narrow alley way between his apartment building and the one next door. He froze when he noticed the men handing out by the dumpster. They looked familar. He’d bought from them before, maybe. Before he’d started trying to get his life together. If they recognized him…
A sound distracted him. Music? He glanced up. He saw the young man in the third story window. One of his neighbors- he’d listened to the guy’s music through the walls, but Tristen had never actually talked to him. Tristen stopped and leaned against the wall, listening. He focused on the violin music and tried to tune everything else out. He grimaced when he remembered he’d left his own instrument- his old guitar- in his ex’s apartment. Well, he wasn’t going back no matter what. He’d just have to save for a new one. The music helped calm him down, helping him think a little more clearly. He could come up with a plan.
He opened his eyes, looking up towards his long-haired neighbor, watching him play. Even if he didn’t know much about violin, he could tell the young man was talented. More talented than he’d ever be, but that was okay. It was a shame Tristen had never really talked to him. He could try now, though. The balcony wasn’t that far up and he’d probably hear if Tristen shouted. He almost did it, too, until he realized he didn’t know what to say.
Castiel continued to play, the bow hair slid back and forth across the steel strings. Fingers slid up and down the neck. As he finished the song the hum of city life returned. Some small part of his subconscious noted the loss of arguing but Castiel moved on, adjusting the pegs and applying a new layer of rosin to his bow. Across from him the cat yawned and below him the thugs laughed at some unheard joke. The blur of an angry man streaked past the head of the alley.
Castiel played again, violin returned to it's place below his chin. He enjoyed playing. He could forget his troubles, his worries, his doubts. This hollow instrument of wood and metal could sing when he could barely speak. When he played he was entranced.
Finishing his song Castiel lowered the violin and sighed, lowering the instrument. I should go back to putting away those groceries.He looked back towards the alley and froze when he noticed his impromptu audience. He wasn't surprised that someone was listening but it was unusual that someone had noticed him. Most listeners nearly moved on, ignoring him. But, the man in the alley was looking at him. Castiel recognized him, one of the neighbors from downstairs. His boy friend gave Castiel a weird vibe. Castiel didn't know what he should do. He could talk to them but he didn't know what to say. He could run back into his apartment but he didn’t want to leave a bad impression.
((ps. feel free to take over the thugs if you want. Their npcs so it's not godmodding. You just can't take over michael if he shows up.))
Castiel played again, violin returned to it's place below his chin. He enjoyed playing. He could forget his troubles, his worries, his doubts. This hollow instrument of wood and metal could sing when he could barely speak. When he played he was entranced.
Finishing his song Castiel lowered the violin and sighed, lowering the instrument. I should go back to putting away those groceries.He looked back towards the alley and froze when he noticed his impromptu audience. He wasn't surprised that someone was listening but it was unusual that someone had noticed him. Most listeners nearly moved on, ignoring him. But, the man in the alley was looking at him. Castiel recognized him, one of the neighbors from downstairs. His boy friend gave Castiel a weird vibe. Castiel didn't know what he should do. He could talk to them but he didn't know what to say. He could run back into his apartment but he didn’t want to leave a bad impression.
((ps. feel free to take over the thugs if you want. Their npcs so it's not godmodding. You just can't take over michael if he shows up.))
Tristen realized his neighbor had saw him looking at him and felt his face heat up. The guy probably thought Tristen was spying on him or something. And he supposed he was, but this was the first time he'd actually looked at his neighbor and considered talking to him. Before, he would've been too worried about his ex going off on him for talking to someone else.
Well, screw him. I can talk to whoever I want, Tristen thought with a scowl. He lifted his hand to wave and started to say something, but a voice interrupted before he could get out a single word of greeting.
"Hey!" Tristen turned to look and grimaced. The guys hanging out the alley- the Rollers, whatever the hell they called themselves- were looking over towards him. Already, Tristen's guard was going up. He tensed like he was getting ready to run. His ex complained about these guys all the time, since he'd been the only dealer working this block until they moved in.
"Whatever it is, I'm not interested," Tristen snapped. He was staying clean and he wasn't going to let them mess that up. One of them, a big guy with a shaved blonde hair, started towards him. The guy was holding a cigarette and Tristen crinkled his nose at the smell.
"I've seen you around with that Grant guy. The moron that lives up there," the blonde said, "We don't appreciate the competition, y'know." Oh, fantastic, Tristen thought, stepping back.
"That doesn't have shit to do with me. I'm just trying to get out of here," Tristen grumbled. He took another step back, and another, until he'd unintentionally backed himself into the wall. The group stood in a half-circle around him, trapping him there.
Well, screw him. I can talk to whoever I want, Tristen thought with a scowl. He lifted his hand to wave and started to say something, but a voice interrupted before he could get out a single word of greeting.
"Hey!" Tristen turned to look and grimaced. The guys hanging out the alley- the Rollers, whatever the hell they called themselves- were looking over towards him. Already, Tristen's guard was going up. He tensed like he was getting ready to run. His ex complained about these guys all the time, since he'd been the only dealer working this block until they moved in.
"Whatever it is, I'm not interested," Tristen snapped. He was staying clean and he wasn't going to let them mess that up. One of them, a big guy with a shaved blonde hair, started towards him. The guy was holding a cigarette and Tristen crinkled his nose at the smell.
"I've seen you around with that Grant guy. The moron that lives up there," the blonde said, "We don't appreciate the competition, y'know." Oh, fantastic, Tristen thought, stepping back.
"That doesn't have shit to do with me. I'm just trying to get out of here," Tristen grumbled. He took another step back, and another, until he'd unintentionally backed himself into the wall. The group stood in a half-circle around him, trapping him there.
Before Castiel could make up his mind, his curious neighbor made a move. Castiel realized that the guy was planning to talk to him and grew hopeful. Castiel was never the best socially, he always grew nervous in crowds or when meeting new people. But that didn’t mean he was opposed to meeting people, for all his nervousness he enjoyed talking to people. Though this time it wasn’t his neighbor that made him nervous. One of the Rollerz had recognized the guy, and he wasn’t happy.
The trio had moved into this section of Rollerz turf not long ago. Michael had moved them there when he heard of a dealer that was working on this block. Castiel never found out who the dealer was, he didn’t want to know, but when Micheal started visiting more often Castiel figured that the dealer must have lived nearby. That’s when Castiel noticed the thugs cornering his neighbor and remember the boyfriend.
Shit! The guy in the alley probably wasn’t the dealer, Castiel had seen enough dealers to know, but the boyfriend very much could be. Shit! What was he gonna do, Michael had already visited yesterday and by the time Castiel could call him and get him to call off his subordinates it might be too late. But he couldn’t just sit there and do nothing. Castiel dropped his violin on the couch and grabbed his phone from among the bags on the dining room table. dealer by my place are after some guy, can u call them off? –C He sent the text off to Michael as he left his flat and passed the busted elevator. His phone vibrated when he reached the stairs. friend? not colorless dealer is he? -M sort of no not dealer–C Castiel left out of the front door of the building and paused, reading the latest message. Meeting w/ Boss cant leave ill see what I can do fam but no prom -M Shit! Castiel headed towards the alley, hoping that his word was enough and swallowing his nerves.
As he turned the corner he surveyed the scene. His neighbor was against the wall, the three thugs surrounding him. The middle thug was blonde and probably the dealer. Gathering his courage Castiel began to walk towards the group. “H-Hey” Castiel spoke, trying his best to sound authoritive. The group turned their attention towards him and the dealer nodded at one of the other thugs. The man, a tall Hispanic guy with dark hair and a wife beater on, began to walk towards Castiel and cracking his knuckles. “I suggest you move on compadre, else I might think you belong with the gringo over there.” The thug spoke, trying, and succeeding, to intimidate Castiel. Castiel stopped but didn’t back up, trying to imitate what Micheal would do when talking to other Rollerz. “T-that’s my friend you’re messing with and I suggest you let him go.” The Hispanic chuckled, stopping a little too close for Castiel’s liking. “What are you gonna do ‘bout it? Play us some music? We heard you up there, and I suggest you go back to playin’ you’re doohickey else you won’t have no fingers to play with.” Castiel had to strain his neck to maintain eye contact but he knew better then to look away. “Y-you’ll hear from Michael, he’ll pull your colors if he hears that you messed with me.” The thug grabbed his arm roughly, “you’re the one who’s ‘bout to be colorless.”
The trio had moved into this section of Rollerz turf not long ago. Michael had moved them there when he heard of a dealer that was working on this block. Castiel never found out who the dealer was, he didn’t want to know, but when Micheal started visiting more often Castiel figured that the dealer must have lived nearby. That’s when Castiel noticed the thugs cornering his neighbor and remember the boyfriend.
Shit! The guy in the alley probably wasn’t the dealer, Castiel had seen enough dealers to know, but the boyfriend very much could be. Shit! What was he gonna do, Michael had already visited yesterday and by the time Castiel could call him and get him to call off his subordinates it might be too late. But he couldn’t just sit there and do nothing. Castiel dropped his violin on the couch and grabbed his phone from among the bags on the dining room table. dealer by my place are after some guy, can u call them off? –C He sent the text off to Michael as he left his flat and passed the busted elevator. His phone vibrated when he reached the stairs. friend? not colorless dealer is he? -M sort of no not dealer–C Castiel left out of the front door of the building and paused, reading the latest message. Meeting w/ Boss cant leave ill see what I can do fam but no prom -M Shit! Castiel headed towards the alley, hoping that his word was enough and swallowing his nerves.
As he turned the corner he surveyed the scene. His neighbor was against the wall, the three thugs surrounding him. The middle thug was blonde and probably the dealer. Gathering his courage Castiel began to walk towards the group. “H-Hey” Castiel spoke, trying his best to sound authoritive. The group turned their attention towards him and the dealer nodded at one of the other thugs. The man, a tall Hispanic guy with dark hair and a wife beater on, began to walk towards Castiel and cracking his knuckles. “I suggest you move on compadre, else I might think you belong with the gringo over there.” The thug spoke, trying, and succeeding, to intimidate Castiel. Castiel stopped but didn’t back up, trying to imitate what Micheal would do when talking to other Rollerz. “T-that’s my friend you’re messing with and I suggest you let him go.” The Hispanic chuckled, stopping a little too close for Castiel’s liking. “What are you gonna do ‘bout it? Play us some music? We heard you up there, and I suggest you go back to playin’ you’re doohickey else you won’t have no fingers to play with.” Castiel had to strain his neck to maintain eye contact but he knew better then to look away. “Y-you’ll hear from Michael, he’ll pull your colors if he hears that you messed with me.” The thug grabbed his arm roughly, “you’re the one who’s ‘bout to be colorless.”
Tristen's attention shifted towards his neighbor. He frowned, giving a slight shake of his head. The guy was trying to help, but it seemed like he was just going to make things worse. These guys either thought he was lying about knowing "Michael" or they just didn't care.
"Just listen to me," Tristen said, managing to sound a lot less afraid than he felt. He crossed his arms over his chest. "The guy you're talking about- he lives right up there. You want him to move or stop dealing or whatever, you go talk to him. As of today, I've got nothing to do with him. Neither does... my friend there." He looked at his neighbor, realizing he didn't even know the guy's name. That sort of put a damper on the lie about them being friends.
"We could use you to send a little message," the blonde dealer said, smirking at Tristen. "A few broken ribs outta be loud and clear." Tristen swallowed the lump that formed in his throat. He scowled, crossing his arms over his chest- trying to look tough when he really just looked insecure. "He wouldn't care, y'know," Tristen said.
The blonde dealer squinted at him, eyeing the backpack on his back. "You a dealer too?" he asked. Tristen scoffed. "Of course not!" he snapped. If he was, he wouldn't be dumb enough to carry his wares around in a backpack. "I just-" He fell silent the moment he saw one of the men grab his neighbor's arm. His heart dropped into his stomach. It was one thing to get himself hurt, but to let someone else get hurt for him...No. Tristen stepped closer, trying to push himself between them.
"O-okay, really, there's no need to go cutting off anyone's fingers," Tristen said, "What do you want me to do, huh? Go talk to him- try to warn him off? He's not gonna listen to me, but I'll give it a shot if it gets you to leave us alone." Not only would it not work, it would also probably end with Tristen getting the shit kicked out of him. Right now, though, he was willing to say just about anything to keep the situation from descending into violence.
"Just listen to me," Tristen said, managing to sound a lot less afraid than he felt. He crossed his arms over his chest. "The guy you're talking about- he lives right up there. You want him to move or stop dealing or whatever, you go talk to him. As of today, I've got nothing to do with him. Neither does... my friend there." He looked at his neighbor, realizing he didn't even know the guy's name. That sort of put a damper on the lie about them being friends.
"We could use you to send a little message," the blonde dealer said, smirking at Tristen. "A few broken ribs outta be loud and clear." Tristen swallowed the lump that formed in his throat. He scowled, crossing his arms over his chest- trying to look tough when he really just looked insecure. "He wouldn't care, y'know," Tristen said.
The blonde dealer squinted at him, eyeing the backpack on his back. "You a dealer too?" he asked. Tristen scoffed. "Of course not!" he snapped. If he was, he wouldn't be dumb enough to carry his wares around in a backpack. "I just-" He fell silent the moment he saw one of the men grab his neighbor's arm. His heart dropped into his stomach. It was one thing to get himself hurt, but to let someone else get hurt for him...No. Tristen stepped closer, trying to push himself between them.
"O-okay, really, there's no need to go cutting off anyone's fingers," Tristen said, "What do you want me to do, huh? Go talk to him- try to warn him off? He's not gonna listen to me, but I'll give it a shot if it gets you to leave us alone." Not only would it not work, it would also probably end with Tristen getting the shit kicked out of him. Right now, though, he was willing to say just about anything to keep the situation from descending into violence.
Shit! It seemed that Castiel's vigilante rescue mission had backfired. Not surprising considering that few of the Rollerz besides Michael knew who he was. Castiel always kept himself separate from Michael's "side job" but now he was powerless to stop them on his own. Michael, now would be the time to step in if you could. Castiel hated fighting, it helped that he wasn't very good at it. But now that seemed almost inevitable. That's when the guy stepped in between him and the thug. Castiel was surprised that he was so willing to step into the crossfire. He heard what the neighbor said but knew it wasn't going to work. People like these thugs don't send messengers, they send messages.
The thug holding Castiel grinned. "Like my friend said, couple of broken bones and you wouldn't have to even say a word." the thug grunted as he reached for the neighbor, " Your Punk boyfriend or ex or whatever, he'll probably listen to you when..." The Dealer's phone vibrated and lit up. "Hold up Diego, looks like we got a call from up top." The Dealer shouted as he answered the phone. The alley settled into a tense silence as the Dealer mumbled into his phone. The two other thugs glowered at Castiel and his neighbor, daring them to move a muscle.
"Hell! Let those punks go." The dealer turned back to the group gesturing at the pair. "Come on, man. We're here to help you take out that dealer and you want us to let go of the guy's boy toy just like that!?" Castiel flinched as the Hispanic thug shouted at the dealer, obviously even more pissed then before. "I don't want to do it either but apparently fiddle fingers over here wasn't talking out his ass and unless you want to get us all skinned I suggest you settle for finishing this some other time." The dealer shouted back, staring down his underlings. Eventually they relented, releasing Castiel and his neighbor and backing off.
The Hispanic thug was still staring daggers at the two of them. Castiel reached for his neighbor trying to pull him towards the alley exit. His phone vibrated and Castiel pulled it out. U owe me 1 -M I know I do thnx a ton -C Castiel turned to his neighbor as soon as they were safely away from the thugs. "Um, are you ok?" he stammered, his heart was still hammering after the event.
The thug holding Castiel grinned. "Like my friend said, couple of broken bones and you wouldn't have to even say a word." the thug grunted as he reached for the neighbor, " Your Punk boyfriend or ex or whatever, he'll probably listen to you when..." The Dealer's phone vibrated and lit up. "Hold up Diego, looks like we got a call from up top." The Dealer shouted as he answered the phone. The alley settled into a tense silence as the Dealer mumbled into his phone. The two other thugs glowered at Castiel and his neighbor, daring them to move a muscle.
"Hell! Let those punks go." The dealer turned back to the group gesturing at the pair. "Come on, man. We're here to help you take out that dealer and you want us to let go of the guy's boy toy just like that!?" Castiel flinched as the Hispanic thug shouted at the dealer, obviously even more pissed then before. "I don't want to do it either but apparently fiddle fingers over here wasn't talking out his ass and unless you want to get us all skinned I suggest you settle for finishing this some other time." The dealer shouted back, staring down his underlings. Eventually they relented, releasing Castiel and his neighbor and backing off.
The Hispanic thug was still staring daggers at the two of them. Castiel reached for his neighbor trying to pull him towards the alley exit. His phone vibrated and Castiel pulled it out. U owe me 1 -M I know I do thnx a ton -C Castiel turned to his neighbor as soon as they were safely away from the thugs. "Um, are you ok?" he stammered, his heart was still hammering after the event.
Tristen narrowed his eyes and let out a huff of air. "You're even stupider than you look if you think he's going to give a shit,"
Tristen snapped, too annoyed to keep trying to play nice. Broken bones, like that would warn him off, Tristen thought, He does that sort of thing himself, why would he care if anyone else did it? When the guy reached for him, Tristen ducked away from his touch. He clenched his hands into fists. He didn't like fighting much either, but he wasn't going to let them beat him up without at least trying to defend himself.
Turns out, he needn't have bothered. His eyes went wide as the guy started talking on his phone. He scoffed and shook his head at being called a 'boy toy.' These guys were always so brave when they were in groups. He didn't pull away when his neighbor started to pull him away. He turned and followed him out of the alley, shoving his hands into his pockets and scowling as he walked. Once they were a safe distance away, Tristen stopped and glanced over his shoulder. No one was following him.
"Yeah, I'm good. It's not a big deal," Tristen said, "What about you?" He studied the neighbor's face for a moment. It occurred to him that this was the first time he'd actually looked at the guy, despite having lived next to him for quite some time. He supposed they weren't really neighbors anymore. He didn't know where he was going to live now, but it sure wasn't here.
"You're the guy from next door, right?" he asked. "Sorry. I don't think I ever got your name." Tristen felt a twinge of guilt, that he'd never even bothered to ask the guy his name. Wanting to avoid eye contact, he looked up towards the windows on the buildings above them. "I'm, um, Tristen, by the way," he added, still looking up at the windows.
Tristen snapped, too annoyed to keep trying to play nice. Broken bones, like that would warn him off, Tristen thought, He does that sort of thing himself, why would he care if anyone else did it? When the guy reached for him, Tristen ducked away from his touch. He clenched his hands into fists. He didn't like fighting much either, but he wasn't going to let them beat him up without at least trying to defend himself.
Turns out, he needn't have bothered. His eyes went wide as the guy started talking on his phone. He scoffed and shook his head at being called a 'boy toy.' These guys were always so brave when they were in groups. He didn't pull away when his neighbor started to pull him away. He turned and followed him out of the alley, shoving his hands into his pockets and scowling as he walked. Once they were a safe distance away, Tristen stopped and glanced over his shoulder. No one was following him.
"Yeah, I'm good. It's not a big deal," Tristen said, "What about you?" He studied the neighbor's face for a moment. It occurred to him that this was the first time he'd actually looked at the guy, despite having lived next to him for quite some time. He supposed they weren't really neighbors anymore. He didn't know where he was going to live now, but it sure wasn't here.
"You're the guy from next door, right?" he asked. "Sorry. I don't think I ever got your name." Tristen felt a twinge of guilt, that he'd never even bothered to ask the guy his name. Wanting to avoid eye contact, he looked up towards the windows on the buildings above them. "I'm, um, Tristen, by the way," he added, still looking up at the windows.
((And here is where posts become shorter for conversation. Sorry if you prefer really long posts like we've been doing. But I can't do really long posts while doing convo without making a lot of assumptions or 'if they say this then this'))
Castiel was happy that it didn't come down to violence. He wasn't much of a fighter. But he couldn't have just left the guy to his fate. He ran his fingers through his hair, brushing some errant hairs back into place. "I'm alright. Just happy that Michael came through."
Castiel caught his breath. "Castiel" He thought for a moment, equally as against making eye contact. He couldn't believe he was considering it but it seemed the best option. "I got the impression that you can't,... you can't go back. To your ex. So, if you need a place to stay, at least for the night, my couch can open up into a bed. Your welcome to sleep there. Unless of course, if you have, other plans?"
Castiel was happy that it didn't come down to violence. He wasn't much of a fighter. But he couldn't have just left the guy to his fate. He ran his fingers through his hair, brushing some errant hairs back into place. "I'm alright. Just happy that Michael came through."
Castiel caught his breath. "Castiel" He thought for a moment, equally as against making eye contact. He couldn't believe he was considering it but it seemed the best option. "I got the impression that you can't,... you can't go back. To your ex. So, if you need a place to stay, at least for the night, my couch can open up into a bed. Your welcome to sleep there. Unless of course, if you have, other plans?"
{No problem- I'm not super picky on length anyway. Tristen's pretty talkative so sometimes his dialogue posts might be longer, but don't worry about matching it. Not everyone's a chatterbox like this guy}}
Tristen looked back at Castiel and offered a small, tired smile. The smiled faded after a second and he tilted his head to one side, sort of like a curious puppy. " 'Michael,' " he echoed, "So, um- you're actually friends with one of those guys?" He sounded surprised and curious, but there was no hostility in his tone. Until recently, he was dating a drug dealer, so he figured he had no room to judge.
Tristen's eyes widened at Castiel's offer and he looked away again. He was silent for a few moments before he cleared his throat and spoke again. "I, uh- wow, man. That's really nice of you." Tristen paused, reaching up to rub the back of his neck. "But, well... you live kinda close to him, y'know, and it might be bad for you if he caught me there," Tristen said. The offer was tempting, though. At least more tempting than the shelter that he'd been thinking of going to.
"And, anyway, aren't you afraid I'd rob you in your sleep or something?" Tristen added, letting out a laugh.
Tristen looked back at Castiel and offered a small, tired smile. The smiled faded after a second and he tilted his head to one side, sort of like a curious puppy. " 'Michael,' " he echoed, "So, um- you're actually friends with one of those guys?" He sounded surprised and curious, but there was no hostility in his tone. Until recently, he was dating a drug dealer, so he figured he had no room to judge.
Tristen's eyes widened at Castiel's offer and he looked away again. He was silent for a few moments before he cleared his throat and spoke again. "I, uh- wow, man. That's really nice of you." Tristen paused, reaching up to rub the back of his neck. "But, well... you live kinda close to him, y'know, and it might be bad for you if he caught me there," Tristen said. The offer was tempting, though. At least more tempting than the shelter that he'd been thinking of going to.
"And, anyway, aren't you afraid I'd rob you in your sleep or something?" Tristen added, letting out a laugh.
((Cool, Castiel can talk a bit as well, but it's usually because he rambles nervously rather then from talkativeness.))
Castiel blushed and rubbed the back of his neck in slight embarrassment, it didn't look good did it. "Well, sorta. I grew up with Michael, he's not a bad guy. A bit rough around the edges sure but he's loyal and trustworthy. He didn't start hanging out with guys in the Rollers till high school, and even then he didn't join till I was away at college." Castiel had gathered that Tristen's ex was a drug dealer but he didn't judge him for it. After all, he was a violinist, his best friend is a gang lieutenant, and his other friend was the daughter of a rich family. He was the last person to judge someone off of first impressions.
Castiel chuckled nervously. "Well now I am. But there's not much to steal anyways. The only things I own of amy real value is my tv and my violin. The tv can be replaced, and I'll just have to keep an eye on my violin. Plus you don't look like the type to steal if you don't have to. But then again I've heard of a priest that launders money so I guess there's no way to know for sure. Anyways I get if you want to avoid your ex, I don't mind taking the risk, so the offer still stands if you want it." He was afraid of what the ex might do, especially after Tristen confirmed it was a possibility. But just like before, Castiel would rather be scared and run the risk of being hurt then feel guilty for not lifting a finger.
Castiel blushed and rubbed the back of his neck in slight embarrassment, it didn't look good did it. "Well, sorta. I grew up with Michael, he's not a bad guy. A bit rough around the edges sure but he's loyal and trustworthy. He didn't start hanging out with guys in the Rollers till high school, and even then he didn't join till I was away at college." Castiel had gathered that Tristen's ex was a drug dealer but he didn't judge him for it. After all, he was a violinist, his best friend is a gang lieutenant, and his other friend was the daughter of a rich family. He was the last person to judge someone off of first impressions.
Castiel chuckled nervously. "Well now I am. But there's not much to steal anyways. The only things I own of amy real value is my tv and my violin. The tv can be replaced, and I'll just have to keep an eye on my violin. Plus you don't look like the type to steal if you don't have to. But then again I've heard of a priest that launders money so I guess there's no way to know for sure. Anyways I get if you want to avoid your ex, I don't mind taking the risk, so the offer still stands if you want it." He was afraid of what the ex might do, especially after Tristen confirmed it was a possibility. But just like before, Castiel would rather be scared and run the risk of being hurt then feel guilty for not lifting a finger.
{Yeah, Tristen does the nervous talking thing too but he usually doesn't shut up even when he's not nervous}
Tristen bit his lip, looking a little uncertain. "He's not a bad guy" and "a bit rough around the edges" sounded exactly what Tristen himself used to say about a certain someone. But it wasn't his place to judge. He barely knew Castiel and didn't know this Michael guy at all, so he wasn't about to stick his nose in their business. He gave a half shrug. "Well, seems like he's got your back," he said, "That's good, at least."
Tristen laughed at the thought of stealing the guy's violin. "Oh, I wouldn't do that. A man's instrument is sacred," he said, "Besides, even if I wanted to, I'm pretty sure you'd notice me trying to smuggle it out. What would I do, hide it under my shirt?" He grinned at the mental image that created. He fell silent for a moment, considering.
"Well, one night wouldn't be bad, I guess. Gives me some time to get in touch with a friend or something and find a place to go," Tristen said, "That is, if you really don't mind?"
Tristen bit his lip, looking a little uncertain. "He's not a bad guy" and "a bit rough around the edges" sounded exactly what Tristen himself used to say about a certain someone. But it wasn't his place to judge. He barely knew Castiel and didn't know this Michael guy at all, so he wasn't about to stick his nose in their business. He gave a half shrug. "Well, seems like he's got your back," he said, "That's good, at least."
Tristen laughed at the thought of stealing the guy's violin. "Oh, I wouldn't do that. A man's instrument is sacred," he said, "Besides, even if I wanted to, I'm pretty sure you'd notice me trying to smuggle it out. What would I do, hide it under my shirt?" He grinned at the mental image that created. He fell silent for a moment, considering.
"Well, one night wouldn't be bad, I guess. Gives me some time to get in touch with a friend or something and find a place to go," Tristen said, "That is, if you really don't mind?"
Castiel chuckled at the mental image of Tristen stealing away with the too familiar shaped bulge under his shirt. "Yeah, you're right. And yeah, I guess scared is a good way to put it." The violin would definitely fit the bill. Besides being his means of making money the violin was his way of coping. He didn't need drugs or alcohol or internet to escape the troubles of life. All he needed was his violin. Not to mention he would probably die if he had to admit to Claire that the violin she gave him was stolen.
"It's fine, I've had people stay at my house overnight before." Of course those 'people' were usually Michael being too lazy or drunk to go home but that wasn't the point. "You want to head on up or do you need to get something first?"
((If Tristen agrees to go up: ))
Castiel lead Tristen up the stairs, past the broken elevator. He could have sworn there were few steps going down before then there are now. "So, ummm, you know I'm a violinist. Can I ask what you do?" He fumbled for his keys a moment before realizing he had left the door unlocked in his haste. Blushing a bit he entered the flat and held the door open for Tristen to enter. "Well, welcome to 'castle de Castiel' I guess. It's not much but it's home and it's livable. This is the kitchen, those two doors are the bedroom and bathroom respectively, and as you can probably guess that's the living room in the middle."
"It's fine, I've had people stay at my house overnight before." Of course those 'people' were usually Michael being too lazy or drunk to go home but that wasn't the point. "You want to head on up or do you need to get something first?"
((If Tristen agrees to go up: ))
Castiel lead Tristen up the stairs, past the broken elevator. He could have sworn there were few steps going down before then there are now. "So, ummm, you know I'm a violinist. Can I ask what you do?" He fumbled for his keys a moment before realizing he had left the door unlocked in his haste. Blushing a bit he entered the flat and held the door open for Tristen to enter. "Well, welcome to 'castle de Castiel' I guess. It's not much but it's home and it's livable. This is the kitchen, those two doors are the bedroom and bathroom respectively, and as you can probably guess that's the living room in the middle."
"Oh, um..." Tristen paused to check his bag, "I think I've got everything. Well, all the necessities, at least." He grimaced. He'd left most of his clothes and his guitar- his own sacred instrument- in his apartment, but the thought of going back in there made his stomach churn. He wouldn't put it past his ex to hold his poor guitar hostage or break it out of spite. Tristen bit back a sigh and followed after Castiel.
When they got to Castiel's door, Tristen watched him with mild curiosity. The way he fumbled with his keys and blushed made Tristen wonder if he was nervous. He seemed more introverted, so Tristen made a mental note to try and tone down his own excitability and talkativeness. He could be a bit much sometimes- or at least, he'd been told that before.
"Looks good to me," Tristen said, glancing around the apartment. Mostly he was just checking for anything creepy, like an excessive amount of taxidermy pets or something, but all in all, it seemed like a normal apartment. He blinked when he realized Castiel had asked him a question. "Oh, me? Um, I actually just got a job at a bookstore," he answered, "Not exactly a lucrative career but I like it enough." He grinned sheepishly. He'd only recently reached a point where he could work again, so he counted himself lucky he could find any job at all. "So you play professionally? That's pretty incredible," he added.
When they got to Castiel's door, Tristen watched him with mild curiosity. The way he fumbled with his keys and blushed made Tristen wonder if he was nervous. He seemed more introverted, so Tristen made a mental note to try and tone down his own excitability and talkativeness. He could be a bit much sometimes- or at least, he'd been told that before.
"Looks good to me," Tristen said, glancing around the apartment. Mostly he was just checking for anything creepy, like an excessive amount of taxidermy pets or something, but all in all, it seemed like a normal apartment. He blinked when he realized Castiel had asked him a question. "Oh, me? Um, I actually just got a job at a bookstore," he answered, "Not exactly a lucrative career but I like it enough." He grinned sheepishly. He'd only recently reached a point where he could work again, so he counted himself lucky he could find any job at all. "So you play professionally? That's pretty incredible," he added.
((PS I am not against time skips so if you want we can either do a day by day case or skip to important days. Either is ok with me))
Castiel was nervous, this was the first time he had ever brought a relative stranger home. But he wasn't afraid of Tristen, he was nice and seemed like a good guy. If anything he was afraid of what Tristen might think. He never really had a lot of self confidence, even at college. As much as he was willing to help and support his friends he never seemed to be able to support himself. It wasn't uncommon for him to second guess himself. But here at home there was nothing to guess. He didn't have to worry about messing up because the only on he would effect here is himself. And he had known Micheal long enough to know that he wouldn't care about the fact that most of his furniture was from a thrift store or that none of them matched. He always chose things that had stories and character over new things. Justin was a wild card though. Castiel had no idea what he would think.
"Yeah, well I work at the theater by china town if you heard of it. It's not huge but it gets good revenue and the money is enough to live comfortably so no complaints." He turned and began to put away the dry goods that he had left on the table earlier, mostly to give him something to do. "It's under renovations right now but in about a week it will be up and running again." He turned around, after putting away the last thing, and leaned against the counter. He looked towards his violin which was still half hazard on the couch. "Do you.. play anything?"
Castiel was nervous, this was the first time he had ever brought a relative stranger home. But he wasn't afraid of Tristen, he was nice and seemed like a good guy. If anything he was afraid of what Tristen might think. He never really had a lot of self confidence, even at college. As much as he was willing to help and support his friends he never seemed to be able to support himself. It wasn't uncommon for him to second guess himself. But here at home there was nothing to guess. He didn't have to worry about messing up because the only on he would effect here is himself. And he had known Micheal long enough to know that he wouldn't care about the fact that most of his furniture was from a thrift store or that none of them matched. He always chose things that had stories and character over new things. Justin was a wild card though. Castiel had no idea what he would think.
"Yeah, well I work at the theater by china town if you heard of it. It's not huge but it gets good revenue and the money is enough to live comfortably so no complaints." He turned and began to put away the dry goods that he had left on the table earlier, mostly to give him something to do. "It's under renovations right now but in about a week it will be up and running again." He turned around, after putting away the last thing, and leaned against the counter. He looked towards his violin which was still half hazard on the couch. "Do you.. play anything?"
After looking around a bit, Tristen was satisfied that there wasn't anything amiss. He put his stuff away, tucking his back into a corner so it would be out of the way. He sat on the edge of the couch, looking stiff and awkward. He glanced towards the violin sitting next to him and made sure to keep his distance from it, as if he was afraid he'd somehow break it just by being too close. He felt like he was a kid caught somewhere he wasn't supposed to be. He was intruding, even if Castiel didn't seem to mind. He reminded himself that it was only for a night.
"I know that place," he said, brightening up a little. He turned to look over the back of the couch at Castiel. "Never been there, though. I wanted to, but... well, I'll get there eventually." Between his bad habits and his controlling now-ex, Tristen had never really had the time or money for theater tickets. Maybe he could now, though, if he set aside some money for it. It was a comforting thought. "Maybe I'll come by when the renovations are done," he said.
Tristen smiled a little when asked if he played anything. "I play guitar," he said, "Not professionally, of course, but I've been doing it since I was a kid so I like to think I'm pretty okay at it."
"I know that place," he said, brightening up a little. He turned to look over the back of the couch at Castiel. "Never been there, though. I wanted to, but... well, I'll get there eventually." Between his bad habits and his controlling now-ex, Tristen had never really had the time or money for theater tickets. Maybe he could now, though, if he set aside some money for it. It was a comforting thought. "Maybe I'll come by when the renovations are done," he said.
Tristen smiled a little when asked if he played anything. "I play guitar," he said, "Not professionally, of course, but I've been doing it since I was a kid so I like to think I'm pretty okay at it."
((Question: Do you have a schedule on when you reply? I noticed that you reply around the same time each week. I don't mind I'm just curious.))
Castiel perked up when he heard that Tristen could play guitar. It meant that they had something in common, something that he could talk about. "Really? I learned a bit of guitar when I went to college. I wasn't great at it though." He notice that Tristen had positioned himself away from his violin and he appreciated that he was careful. He walked over to where he had left his violin case by the small balcony and brought it over to the couch. He opened it up on the coffee table and carefully picked up the violin and bow. He placed them both in their padded recesses and checked to make sure that the rosin and tuner were in their respective slots.
He shut the case and slid the whole thing between the couch and a side table. Later he'll move it to his bedroom but for now it would be safe from any wandering feet. He sat down on the couch where his violin was. One leg dangled over the edge while the other was tucked under his thigh. "I could get you a ticket to the theater. Since I'm technically a performer there we're allowed to give two tickets away. Just not opening night of course. Usually I let Michael have them but he isn't that into it." Castiel smiled, he was starting to warm up to Tristen a bit. It had been a while since someone was interested in him playing. Micheal was more into rap and R&B and Claire was all the way in Paris. "So umm... you mentioned that you worked at a bookstore? Do you like to read or is it just a job?"
Castiel perked up when he heard that Tristen could play guitar. It meant that they had something in common, something that he could talk about. "Really? I learned a bit of guitar when I went to college. I wasn't great at it though." He notice that Tristen had positioned himself away from his violin and he appreciated that he was careful. He walked over to where he had left his violin case by the small balcony and brought it over to the couch. He opened it up on the coffee table and carefully picked up the violin and bow. He placed them both in their padded recesses and checked to make sure that the rosin and tuner were in their respective slots.
He shut the case and slid the whole thing between the couch and a side table. Later he'll move it to his bedroom but for now it would be safe from any wandering feet. He sat down on the couch where his violin was. One leg dangled over the edge while the other was tucked under his thigh. "I could get you a ticket to the theater. Since I'm technically a performer there we're allowed to give two tickets away. Just not opening night of course. Usually I let Michael have them but he isn't that into it." Castiel smiled, he was starting to warm up to Tristen a bit. It had been a while since someone was interested in him playing. Micheal was more into rap and R&B and Claire was all the way in Paris. "So umm... you mentioned that you worked at a bookstore? Do you like to read or is it just a job?"
Tristen grinned back. "You probably just need more practice is all," Tristen said, "No one's good when they start off. Except like, prodigies I guess." Tristen remembered when he was first learning and laughed at the memory of his parents sitting through discordant renditions of "Smoke on the Water." Tristen was by no means a master, but he thought about offering to give Castiel some pointers on guitar until he remembered that he no longer had a guitar for Castiel to practice on. He was silent for a moment, trying not to frown as he thought about it. Then the conversation rolled on.
Tristen leaned over, resting his arm on the arm of the chair. He smiled at Castiel while the other man spoke. "I'd like that," he said, "I've never been to a show like that, you know. Never really had the money for a ticket. But I think it'd be fun." Tristen enjoyed most kinds of music, though he had little experience with classical and orchestral. It was never too late to take an interest in new kinds of music, though. At the question about his job, Tristen paused and blinked at Castiel.
"I...well, I used to like to read," he said a little sheepishly. "Haven't done much reading the past few years, though. A friend of mind helped me get the job at he book store. I've been thinking about trying to pick up reading again, y'know, as a hobby. Do you like reading?"
Tristen leaned over, resting his arm on the arm of the chair. He smiled at Castiel while the other man spoke. "I'd like that," he said, "I've never been to a show like that, you know. Never really had the money for a ticket. But I think it'd be fun." Tristen enjoyed most kinds of music, though he had little experience with classical and orchestral. It was never too late to take an interest in new kinds of music, though. At the question about his job, Tristen paused and blinked at Castiel.
"I...well, I used to like to read," he said a little sheepishly. "Haven't done much reading the past few years, though. A friend of mind helped me get the job at he book store. I've been thinking about trying to pick up reading again, y'know, as a hobby. Do you like reading?"
Castiel laced his finger together while he spoke. He had pulled his leg up soon after he sat down, now the ankle was slipped under his thigh, creating a sort of half Indian style pose. He would switch back and forth between looking at Tristen and looking at his hands, though not often enough to be annoying.
"Umm, Yeah, I like to read. Surprisingly I'm not exactly a social butterfly so I read books instead. I read less when I started learning the violin but I still read relatively often. Right now I'm reading The Gunslinger." Back at school Castiel didn't have many friends, he had Micheal and that's it. So often times he would spend his lunch hour at the school library, reading all the age appropriate and school board accepted books he could get his hands on. Of course like any good nerd he preferred fiction.When he fell in love with the violin he began to spend more and more time practicing in the orchestra room. Eventually he stopped spending lunch in the library all together.But when his arms were sore and his finger were numb with practice he still enjoyed the literary escape. He even preferred it over tv or movies.
"So umm, what kind of music do you like? Is there anything you like to do in your free time?" He raked his brain for some of the conversation topics he'd memorize. Occasionally he tried to break out of his social barrier, reading tips from online to try and aid his social ineptitude. They rarely actually helped but anything was better than awkward silence and he didn't think it was right to bring up the boyfriend. Castiel shrugged. "What weird or useless talent do you have?"
"Umm, Yeah, I like to read. Surprisingly I'm not exactly a social butterfly so I read books instead. I read less when I started learning the violin but I still read relatively often. Right now I'm reading The Gunslinger." Back at school Castiel didn't have many friends, he had Micheal and that's it. So often times he would spend his lunch hour at the school library, reading all the age appropriate and school board accepted books he could get his hands on. Of course like any good nerd he preferred fiction.When he fell in love with the violin he began to spend more and more time practicing in the orchestra room. Eventually he stopped spending lunch in the library all together.But when his arms were sore and his finger were numb with practice he still enjoyed the literary escape. He even preferred it over tv or movies.
"So umm, what kind of music do you like? Is there anything you like to do in your free time?" He raked his brain for some of the conversation topics he'd memorize. Occasionally he tried to break out of his social barrier, reading tips from online to try and aid his social ineptitude. They rarely actually helped but anything was better than awkward silence and he didn't think it was right to bring up the boyfriend. Castiel shrugged. "What weird or useless talent do you have?"
Castiel sounded like he was reading right out of a "How to Make Friends" web article and Tristen couldn't help but grin at the young man. Still, he appreciated the effort Castiel was making. If anything, it was endearing. "That's a lot of questions," he said, "You conducting an interview?" There was no malice in his voice, only a light teasing.
Tristen shifted positions again, leaning against the back of Castiel's couch and stretching his legs out in front of him. He tilted his head up, looking towards the ceiling as he considered his answers. "Well, music- I like a lot of stuff and if I haven't heard it before, I'm willing to give it a chance. But I end up listening to a lot of indie, grunge, a little punk- stuff like that," he said, wondering how Castiel would react to that. Hopefully he wasn't one of those people who thought their genre was superior to every other genre. "And as for free time, well...apart from music, I like to watch movies, documentaries, that sort of thing," he said, "And I go out with friends sometimes." When Eric lets me, he added silently. "And, um.... I started jogging again recently. Usually just around the park."
Tristen couldn't really think of any other hobbies. Until about a year ago, when he started his recovery, his favorite and only "hobby" involved needles. But he wasn't going to tell a guy he just met about that. "And as for a useless talent... well, I'm weirdly good at remember important dates in American history. Ask me about some historical event and there's a decent chance I can tell you the exact day it happened." Tristen was sort of a history buff, though he was usually embarrassed to admit that out loud because he remembered his ex calling him a geek all the time. His grin became a little sheepish.
"How about you?" he said, changing the subject. "I know you must have some weird talents up your sleeve- besides thinking of questions to ask people, of course."
Tristen shifted positions again, leaning against the back of Castiel's couch and stretching his legs out in front of him. He tilted his head up, looking towards the ceiling as he considered his answers. "Well, music- I like a lot of stuff and if I haven't heard it before, I'm willing to give it a chance. But I end up listening to a lot of indie, grunge, a little punk- stuff like that," he said, wondering how Castiel would react to that. Hopefully he wasn't one of those people who thought their genre was superior to every other genre. "And as for free time, well...apart from music, I like to watch movies, documentaries, that sort of thing," he said, "And I go out with friends sometimes." When Eric lets me, he added silently. "And, um.... I started jogging again recently. Usually just around the park."
Tristen couldn't really think of any other hobbies. Until about a year ago, when he started his recovery, his favorite and only "hobby" involved needles. But he wasn't going to tell a guy he just met about that. "And as for a useless talent... well, I'm weirdly good at remember important dates in American history. Ask me about some historical event and there's a decent chance I can tell you the exact day it happened." Tristen was sort of a history buff, though he was usually embarrassed to admit that out loud because he remembered his ex calling him a geek all the time. His grin became a little sheepish.
"How about you?" he said, changing the subject. "I know you must have some weird talents up your sleeve- besides thinking of questions to ask people, of course."
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