Farren's Beach Bungalow

[Farren]

It was a weird thing, all this sand and surf, sunshine and freedom. Having grown up in the mountains of West Virginia and spending the last five years in New York City, I wasn't exactly accustomed to the beach bum/California lifestyle. But, what the hell I thought, let's give it a try.

That's where I find myself today, on a remote stretch of the coast a few minutes outside San Diego. I'd bought an old single room structure from some failed millionaire and had it moved to its current location by the beach. A few weeks of self-made repairs and some ingenuity and viola, a home fit for a king. Or at least a twenty year old wanderer with little money and no direction in life.

But the simplicity of the whole thing was what I loved. And sitting here on the ground, dressed in only swim trunks, feeling the warm sun on my face and listening to the waves lap against the sand, I can almost find peace in my life. Almost. I look down and see the huge white scar down the middle of my bare chest and instantly I'm back in NYC, staring at ceiling tiles while crackpot doctors root around inside my guts. Instantly I'm back in the blood stained halls of PHS #552, fighting for my life and watching friends fall all around me. Instantly I'm back on the road, the bad part of traveling, hiding in barns and starving, with only enough money to fuel my motorcycle and keep moving.

I hear the shifting of sand down off to my right and I'm drawn back out of my mind. Not many people come out to these parts, despite how crowded the city is, because the nearby hills make the trek too long. The sun is bright and without sunglasses I can't make out who or what it is. I stand up and shade my eyes with a hand, trying to get an idea of who it could be.

"Hello there! What brings you out so far from town?"

[Ceraphine Davis]

Sand and all the other lovely things that filled this putrid city. She was sick of it all, she needed more than happy go lucky emotions and twisted little "i love yous" that didnt mean a damn thing. She was constantly surrounded by the onslaught of emotions that flooded the area around her wherever she went, so, it was not unsual for her to be doing her daily running away from the rest of the world, or at least so she thought.

Dressed in a sports bra and a pair of black workout pants, she ran without her shoes on, cause yeah, ever try to get sand out of a sneaker.

NOT HAPPENING!!!

But then, just as she was lost in her own emotional and mental war once more the sound of a voice interrupted her thoughts. Her initial instinct was to growl and tell the guy to fuck off, but that other part of her that was growing stronger and stronger each day had different ideas as icy hues spotted him from behind those shades she wore....

Coming to a stop she bent over slightly, her hands resting just above her knees as she drew in a few deep breaths, her long black hair pulled back though a few strands had broken free to cling to the thin layer of sweat that covered her body.....Finally she looked up toward the figure again, that charming smile of her's lighting her face as she tilted her head lightly and pushed her shades back up onto the top of her head, giving off a show of those startling blue eyes.

"Just thought I would get away from the rest of the world for a bit, or at least as far from it as I could given the population."

She then laughed, not the HAHAHAHA laugh but the soft, somewhat flirty laugh that she had perfected down to an art form over the years. It was like second nature now and though she really was not looking to flirt, apparently the other part of her had different ideas. Gods this thing was annoying. But, she just blew it off and continued to let her gaze meet his own.

"Nice place you got here. Of course I am assuming it is your's and not some pour sucker who went on va-ca and left you the keys."

The corner of her lips turning up just slightly in a teasing grin, though for all she knew she could be right. People were funny like that....Says the girl with voices in her head. Heh.

[Farren]

Initial thought: oh damn, it's a woman!

Second thought: oh DAMN! What a fine looking woman!

Third thought: *censored for matters of decency*

With the typical male thoughts out of the way, I managed to pay attention to what she was saying but crossed my arms over my chest, suddenly self-conscious about the huge scar on my chest and all the other marks that adorned my body. I smiled at her comments though. It was nice to meet someone with a sense of humor. Most people were so serious these days. Of course, I also noticed her flirty attitude right off the bat but that was because I'd used the same motions and tones many times myself. I glanced back at my single room hut and said with a just hint of pride "Nah, she's mine. Ain't much but it's home, for now at least. Not that I'd need keys to get in anyway; I'm still fixing a hole in the back corner of the roof."

It was nearing noon and the sun was high in the sky, beating hard. Noticing her tired state, I continued on saying "You look beat. Would you like a drink? I don't get visitors often but I'll do my best." I turned and started walking toward the hut, using an old technique I'd learned which was 'don't give the girl time to rethink your offer.' As I stepped away, feeling the sand shift between my bare toes, I said "My name's Farren by the way. What's yours?"

[Ceraphine Davis]

She brushed her tongue over her lips as she continued to look at him, noting the scar and only having one single thought run through her little mind....

~Hawt~

Yeah she was so not the normal girl, even if she looked it from the small figure and the well defined features. Then he offered her something to drink and though she thought maybe she should just go on about her business, she shrugged....

"I guess I can take a drink. Not like you are some serial killer held up in a hut on the beach....If you are...well then I guess I am screwed...."

She laughed softly as she followed behind him, those icy hues looking about the ....um...establishment....Noting the hole in the roof he had spoken of and shrugging once more....

"Well ya know if you don't get it fixed at least you have a place to shower when it rains."

A grin still playing at the corner of her lips as she sighed softly and reached up pushing some of her hair that had fallen loose away from her face......

[Farren]

"And I won't have to wash the floors either." I replied.

I'd only met the girl a moment ago but already she was starting to grow on me. Looks sure helped but the personality was fun too, though a little...uneven. Or incomplete. I couldn't think of the word. But I shrugged off the thought and led the dark haired girl to the front porch of the hut, wiping off a homemade lounge chair for her to sit in. "Have a seat if you'd like, I'll be right back out. But if you wanna come in that's good too."

I stepped through the open doorway and went to the small dining table against the left wall that had a pitcher of water sitting atop it. I grabbed the jug and went to the cupboard in the corner, pulling out a small plastic glass and blowing off some of the dust that was on it. I poured the liquid and set the jug back on the table, turning around and heading back to wherever the girl was, inside or out. I'd hand her the glass saying,

"Sorry there's no ice, I'm still working on getting electricity out here."

After that I'd grab a tank top from a pile of clothes near the door and slip it on, trying to hide my scars. They weren't exactly a source of pride for me at the moment, not like they used to be. I'd step out onto the porch and hop up onto the wooden railing, taking a seat on the thin barrier. Looking back at the girl, I'd playfully say "You still haven't told me your name. If you don't I'll have to come up with one for you...I'm thinking Princess Blue Eyes."

[Ceraphine Davis]

Oh, he was good. That smile turning up on her lips as he spoke. That drink now in her grasp and a drink taken.....Noting the shirt he now wore....

"MY names Kevala, most just call me Kev......"

She nodded as she let those eyes fall over him, a little sigh as she leaned back in the chair she had taken a seat within. She liked it here, it was nice, quiet and yeah, soo not like what she was used to. Yet she did not really do anything other than sit there for a moment eyes drifting away from him as she looked out over the scenery and just took it all in. It was really just.....nice....Finally she spoke, even though her eyes had yet to return to him.......

"You know...You don't have to hide scars from me. I have my own that I am not too proud of, only difference is I cant walk around without a shirt."

She turned her eyes back to him, just slightly, a grin playing on her lips once more as she took another long drink out of her the glass he had given her. It was not as good as it could have been with ice but it was better than what she had....which was nothing. Heh...

[Farren]

Ooohhh, now it's getting interesting. I rocked back slightly on the railing and laughed softly under my breath. That sounded like a comment I might have made. I leaned my head back with a grin on my face, looking up at the cloudless. I probably shouldn't be flirting with a girl I met five minutes ago, but then again, that's what you'd do in a bar anyway, right? With my head still tilted back I said plainly "Well, you've only got that bra on now. Wouldn't be too much of a stretch to go the whole way."

I brought my eyes back down and caught her gaze quick enough to say "Kidding, just a joke." I hopped off the railing and pulled up the tank top just enough to show a few of the more faded burn marks and slashes, the ones that were almost blended into the skin tone. The big one down my chest I kept hidden still. "It's not so much that I regret them...they just remind me of some bad times. Stuff I've been trying to put behind me." I dropped the hem of the tank top and finished saying "Without much luck."

I chuckled a little and leaned back against the railing. Things were getting serious again. I tried to lighten the mood. "Tell you what. You show me yours and tell the story behind it and I'll show you mine." Was that a devious twinkle in me eye? I think it was...

[Ceraphine Davis]

She grinned as she thought over his words, honestly she was really not wearing all that much, but he had been in front of her the whole time, her back out of his line of sight, and her wrists, well the scars there were faded and light....

Finally with a light shrug she flicked her wrists over so that the scars were more easily seen.

"Well a few years ago I tried to kill myself over a guy that I thought loved me and at the very least would not leave me like everyone else has."

She then stood up, turning so that she could show the series of obvious stab wounds on her back that were faded in some spots and rather ragged in others....

"When I was a kid, my birth family, Father's side, paid my foster family to try and kill me. I do not know how I got away, apparently the neighbors heard me screaming and by the time I reached the door they were they and saved me."

She sighed as she turned around and took a seat once more, her eyes falling to her glass for a moment as she shrugged, trying to blow it off as nothing. They had gotten what they deserved some time later when she grew up enough. But yeah, Gabriel was another matter entirely.

"Then there is one on my hip, a brand..."

That one she did not go into detail on, the memory of it still fresh in her mind and still a shameful thing to her. Why that above all others bothered her she did not know. But it did.

"Your turn."

She forced a smile once more as those eyes looked up at him, awaiting his reply.

[Farren]

I watched and listened quietly as Kev detailed the more impressive vestiges of her past. And I was honestly impressed, not just with the collection but with the nonchalant way she talked about them. Either she was forcing the pain of them away or she was completely at ease. It's funny how those two things get mixed up so easily. I almost didn't want to ruin the moment and was about to ask some more about her but a promise is a promise.

I pushed off the railing and took a step forward. Pulling the edges of the tank top up I peeled off the thin fabric and draped it over the rail behind me. I stretched out my arms and cracked my neck, saying "Okay, where to begin." I held up my right hand, palm toward Kev and showcased the raggedy-edged circular scar. I said "Gunshot wound to the hand, straight through and out the other side, Jesus style."

I then pointed to the left corner of my mouth at the almost vanished white line that creeped out an inch from my lips. "Got a guy's fist stuck in my mouth and I tried to cut my mouth open wider to get it out. Sorta worked, but I lost a tooth in the process." I turned around and bared my back, saying over my shoulder "Knife slash to the right upper back. Took sixteen stitches to close that one."

I turned back around and dragged a finger along the center of my chest, giving her full view for the first time of the wide, blaring white scar that stretched from just below my clavicle to almost the center of my abdomen. I said in a mock-proud tone "And the piece-de-resistance, ten-inch surgical scar. I had lung cancer, stage IV the worst kind, considered terminal. I got experimented on without consent using a technique where they literally cut you open, take out your organs, and clean them like a dishwasher. Then they put 'em back in and run so much radiation and drugs through your system they had to keep me in a coma for over a year or else I'd die of shock from the pain. They gave me a 2% chance of surviving." I leaned back against the railing and rested my hands on the wood behind me. "I got better."

I let that final statement linger for a moment. Then I said "So what are you doing tonight? I was planning to take a ride out to a new bar I'd heard about. Interested?"

[Ceraphine Davis]

She listened to his words as he described the scars and how each one came to stake a claim to his body. Her eyes intent upon each as he motioned toward it.

She had to admit that none of it sounded all to pleasant to her and yeah....she would take her own any day. But as he finished up, she let her eyes once more return to his own. A smile curling upon her lips as she shrugged and leaned back into the chair she was seated in.

Another drink taken, thinking over his words before she spoke up once more.

"As far as I know I am not doing anything."

She raised her brow slightly, having never really had anyone but Victor ask her to go somewhere....and in her mind....it was a strictly you know.....friendly gesture...she was somewhat dense like that......

"Sure. Sounds fun."

She let that smile brighten up some before she brushed her tongue over her lips and reached up to push back a stray lock of hair......Eyes lingering on his own for now.

[Farren]

I smiled, a big goofy smile. "Excellent. The name of the place is Ramblin' Man, it's on the corner of 7th and Island Avenues." I pushed off the railing and stepped passed Kevala, walking inside the hut. I grabbed a flyer and a set of keys from the end table next to my bed and also a faded canvas backpack from inside the door as I came back out. I handed the flyer to her and slung my bag over my shoulder, the keys jingling in between my fingers.

"All the info's there. It opened last week, some kind of fake Western-roadhouse thing. I prefer the real kind but it still looks entertaining. I was planning to go around 10 o'clock, if that was fine with you."

I reached back and closed the hut door, not bothering to lock it because, well, there was no lock. I walked down my porch steps and around the side of the tiny bungalow. I stopped in front of a formless lump and pulled off the sandy plastic tarp, revealing a pristine, black and white, 1973 Triumph TR5T Adventurer, specifically outfitted for the dirt trails surrounding the beach. I knocked the kickstand up and grabbed hold of the handlebars, pushing it back around to the front of my hut.

I rested it against my hip and called back to Kevala on the porch "I've gotta head into town for a few errands before tonight. I'll give you a lift back to the main road if you'd like. Otherwise you're welcome to hang around here as long as you like. There's not much to steal anyway." I grinned again impishly. It more of a dare than anything. I swung my leg over the seat and sat down with a heavy thump, slipping the keys into the ignition. (Yes, I drove barefoot.)

"Coming?

[Ceraphine Davis]

She listened to him as he spoke and moved, those icy hues following his movements. Ah...Secrets...Tsk tsk...A grin spreading across her lips as she stood up, setting the glass down and then moving to stand beside said car, her hand reaching out and tracing over it slowly as she cut her eyes to him once more.

"Nice ride..."

Not really bothering to answer his questions as she climbed in. Why? Well....she was in the car...sooooo yeah...Duh!

Sitting back she placed her hands in her lap and reached up, pulling her long ponytail over one shoulder cause honestly whens he sat back on it, it was just uncomfy.

"So what should I wear tonight?"

It was not a really hard question, and one she honestly did not have to ask, BUT it was a play at finding out what he might prefer. Cause yeah, that is just what women did and Kev was one of the worlds worst at the moment.

Her hand coming up to slip her shades back down over her eyes as she sighed softly and turned to look out the window of the car. Bad habit for anytime she got into one of these damn things. Fucking Gabriel! One day she would kick his ass for all these bad habits he gave her. Her mind wandering for a bit though managing to draw itself back to the present. Yes, okay, hot guy in car next to her and she was thinking about Gabriel. Seriously?!

UGH!!!!!!

Forcing a smile once more she looked back to Farren as she shifted a bit within the seat, only to allow her self more room to lean back and relax, figuring after her workout she had earned it.

"And you can drop me off at the main road. I do not live far from there."

Nodding once more before falling silent as she waited to get dropped off.