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Scully 'Spitz' Rollins

"You're gonna' need to put up more cash than that homie."

0 · 683 views · located in New York City, US

a character in “The Wild & The Wicked”, originally authored by hoodrattt, as played by RolePlayGateway

Description

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▌Full name▌
Scully Rakeem Rollins

▌Nickname▌
Spitz

▌Age▌
24

▌Eye color▌
Chestnut

▌Height▌
5'11"

▌Weight▌
157 lbs.

▌Occupation▌
Part time mechanic/full time dealer



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The Rollins family was more of a gypsy family if Scully had to be honest. Mom was always moving from place to place, trying to keep her three kids out of trouble and just trying to make it. Scully, being the oldest, always tried to help his moms out, whether that meant finding a means of earning more money on the side or watching his kid brothers for her.

Up until his late teens, Scully didn't really get into much trouble. He was so busy keeping his younger siblings out of it that he didn't really have the time. Between being a full time babysitter and student, the routine started to get real old. His tolerance grew dim as his mother started to stray away from her family. Boyfriend after boyfriend kept her out of the house for days at a time. The only good thing about this point in Scully's life was that the family finally settled into a place for more than a year. And even though it was Canada, it wasn't as bad as Americans made it out to be. Josh, the second oldest Rollins boy was about to turn sixteen, and to Scully that meant he could take on the role of babysitting. Aside from that, someone had to put food on the table and it didn't look like Athea Rollins was going to be doing anything of the sort.

From the poverty the Rollins' experienced grew a darker side of Scully. After making a new group of friends and being initiated into a sort of gang, he was deemed 'Spitz' the drug dealer from the south side. It started out just being small business, a few dime bags here and there, then molly, then the occasional prescription drug sale. When it came to cocaine, he was unstoppable. He worked his way all over town, in and out of other counties and clubs all over the place. Life became a perpetual party and the money was good. Not only did he spoil himself from his earnings but he made damn sure his little brothers were always wearing at least some polo and retros. And among all of clientele and friends, he met some good people (ironically enough). One thing he did learn, however, right away, was that dipping into his product more than occasionally was a bad idea.

The amount of teenage girls that flocked to him for what he was selling was often laughable. Little, buck wild things waving around mommy and daddy's money, desperate for a bump or two. He didn't enjoy a lot of them personally too much, only the guap they provided, willing to pay almost any price. There were a few here and there that weren't like the rest, the main one being a blond wild child named Jaylene that was definitely not born Canadian. Her friends kept up with Spitz and he hooked them up, got them into parties and dispensed them with all the dope they needed, which was admittedly a lot. Brooding on the edge of twenty and feeling like a millionaire compared to other kids his age, Spitz sometimes let his ego run away with him.

But the party did fade. Kids grew up, moved out of Belleville. His younger brothers took up real jobs flipping burgers or mowing lawns. Making honest livings. He figured on them doing pretty alright, so decided to pack up and move to New York where he was sure he'd never run out of business.

The first year wasn't hard at all, not with all the connections he'd made over the past two years. Scored himself a job really quick with some baseline mechanic work, which ended up being easier than it sounds being that he trained more than he really worked. Every new grease monkey that came in had to learn the ropes from Spitz. And usually he'd keep them separate from his personal life. But he was known to take more than a few under his wing for drug deals and underground racing.

He kept his real friends separate from his dealing life. He at least had the dignity and grew up since Canada. But thinking he left it all behind was a sore mistake, considering he bumped heads with a curvier Jaylene than he remembered from Belleville. At first he couldn't believe it, seeing her at a subversive party donned in Gucci and clutching a file under her arm.

Damn, New York was getting crazier by the minute.

So begins...

Scully 'Spitz' Rollins's Story

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Amil Sheffield Character Portrait: Kaleb Dean Sivaj Character Portrait: Elliot Monroe Character Portrait: Alexandra Kaersson Character Portrait: Jaylene Sullivan Character Portrait: Dominique Norwood
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ImageThe distant violin, a component of one of Lana Del Rey's songs, hummed airlessly from an ajar window on the seventh floor. Jaylene, the occupant of 7C, laughed in spite of the wintry mix that danced among the maximum height of the complex in which she lived. Heat would always ardently rise regardless of the seasons, causing her to irritably jam her fingers under the small window helve and crack it wide open. Faint tottering resounded on the floor she shared with other tenants. An oversized, black polished clock above her kitchen sink read '10:37AM'. Still 'Born to Die' looped from the night before, whirling from the bedroom door where a sleepy, blond-haired woman growled into her pillow then turned and threw her wrist over face.

The young woman's jade eyes glistened like fatigue smeared on glass. Her abundant mess of blond hair was tied wickedly to one side of her head, stray tresses here and there. After pulling together about two centimeters worth of motivation, she got out of bed. An unorthodox ache in her long fingers had them craned, pointed acrylics close to her palm. It was always the winter that had her so sore and exhausted, but she did a damn good job of waxing all of the above clear from view with cosmetics and a smile. Her slightly tanned skin glowed under the soft luminescence of her energy-efficient bulbs. The foot of her cotton pajama pants dragged on the linoleum as she drudged towards her coffee maker, turning over the itinerary for the day in her mind. In less than an hour she'd have a small complex assembly to attend on the second floor - something about new residents and potential upgrading, reconditioning and reiteration of 'house regulations'. The concept so often made her ironically amused but she did keep in mind that the building was absolutely filled to the brim with twenty-something's and addicts. They did need to be reminded how normal human beings worked and lived to coexist fittingly.

After a quick shower and a black coffee with a pinch of espresso, Jaylene seated herself comfortably in front of her vanity. But the look on her face was less than enthused as she pressed the pads of her index fingers to skin just below her eyes. To her, bags were setting in deep. To everyone else they weren't visible. And she knew it wasn't the makeup - it was more of a placebo effect sort of thing. She believed they were there, so it appeared that way. With hesitation she dabbed her finger into some tinted moisturizer, only slightly applying it to her naturally aglow face. She put in a quick set of rollers, only held for maybe twenty minutes before she worked in about five different hair products and pulled them out again.

The rest of her process went by in a blur. After the meeting she'd return to her apartment and throw herself together proper. For now, supple nude lips rolled leisurely to spread chapstick. Flowing waves of blond hair stopped at her waist which significantly narrowed before widening again just at her hips. Her unadorned eyes were wide, radiant and emerald with newfound energy. Lack of interest led her directly to faded floral leggings, knee-high leather boots and an oversized cream-colored cardigan. She knew Elliot would say some sideways remark about the absence of her false eyelashes when entering a room full of people, then follow it up with some 'you're beautiful without it' save line. His turnaround humor never failed to enliven otherwise boring events. Since their first encounter, dappled occasions brought them closer over time. He was easily her best friend in the city, if not her only best friend at all. The solidity that came enclosed was something Jaylene always needed. Especially while living in the same complex as Kaleb. One could say that Elliot was Mr. Right - just more in the context of unfaltering friendship. Walking arm-in-arm so often had a lot of questions popping into the air. Elliot and Jaylene always giggled about it quietly. They enjoyed the suffering curiosity they imposed on their audiences.

'How long have you two been together?'
'Such a sweet couple!'


A small smirk spread across her lips as she stepped into the hallway, locking her door and leaning against the aged frame. Just across the way, Elliot lived in 7D. He'd be out any minute. When he finally emerged, Jaylene padded across the foyer and immediately melted into him, her head pressed to his chest as she made some unearthly, grumbling noises, "Haven't we been living here long enough to be excused from these shitfest meetings?" With an exaggerated sigh, she softly beat on his chest like a tantrum driven child and added innocently, "Also, heh. Would you kill me if I told you I needed last minute party favors for an event at Manhattan Tower tonight?" She simpered sweetly up at him. After a drawn out silence, and him staring back down at her in a sort of scolding way, she countered, "Okay, listen. I'll throw in some Herrera goodie bags for little Marie, and a new Valentino suit for you. Please?"

In the back of her mind flickered the last chance meeting with Kaleb where they directly interacted. Mick's bar, editorial celebration and model recruits. His band played and he was way less than pleased to have run into a ghost from his past. Especially since she was the one paying out. Seeing him wasn't so painful anymore but, knowing that he was so close yet completely intangible caused a perpetual ache in her soul. And she was sure that the drugs he pumped himself with only escalated his hatred for her. So to be put plainly, she kept her distance. Who knows if he'd even show up to the little 'union' on the second floor.






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"Ayo Banks!"

A thundering string of pounds on Adam's already rickety door sent his bloodshot eyes shooting open. Another connection with someone's fist would probably split the damn thing in half. A large palm slapped across his face, dragging downward and pulling his lower lip away from mostly straight teeth. He sat up, half expecting to see a random curled up next to him. But the only thing in sight was a roll of hundred dollar bills, rubber banded and tucked slightly under his pillow. That alone was enough incitement to spin a grin and get him to his feet to answer the door.

Another day, another dollar. Though his stage of life and sufferings circulated in cold azure eyes, his face was younger than his factual age itself. He still looked like he belonged in a juvenile correctional facility with the exception of his looming height and well spoken intellect. Unfortunately for most circumstances he involved himself in, not many got to see the intellect part of his personality. Sometimes he partially wanted to get to know some of the females from the complex just to lay his insight bare. So they knew he wasn't just a drug dealing, silent but violent type. But as it were, Adam never felt like he had to prove shit to anyone. Especially girls. Besides, he pulled enough into bed with him without having to so much as recite a hook line. The only thing that bothered him was that for whatever reason, he went to bed alone the night before.

Unlike other tenants, Adam pulled open his door without indecision or curiosity as to who was on the other side. The building had good enough security and well, he was always prepared to say the very least. As expected, the outside margin presented his good friend and technical 'business' partner. Still shirtless, Adam itched tiredly at his right shoulder and grunted, "Wassup man?" The two exchanged a quick handshake before Spitz strolled in casually, sinking into the couch like it was his own house. Adam crossed the distance of the compact living room. He kicked open the bathroom door, sweatpants half sagging off of him to show a pair of symmetry lines at the extremity of his toned abdomen. The sink needed to be cleaned, it was obvious that a woman's touch was never at hand. Drops of water rolled from the rusty faucet which was turned off. Lazily he jammed a toothbrush loaded with paste into his mouth and unintelligibly called to Spitz, "Is that deal at Manhattan tower still on tonight or what?" Next, he spit out a wad of bloody phlegm and toothpaste to repeat slightly, "That thing your girl on the seventh floor is doing
 some fashion shit." Momentarily he peered into the mirror, met with a yawning face that couldn't be bothered to take orders from anyone or anything.

"Yeah she puttin' on some party for an editor or whatever she do." Spitz lit a blunt.
"Alright alright." Adam beamed and rubbed his hands together, "After party?"
"True. Get a new whip up in that old ass garage."
"I'm saying!" Adam acclaimed.
"Finna see if I can get shorty from my floor to come kick it, uuuuuuh uh."
"Got a mouth on her."

The two men laughed. Adam snagged the blunt from Spitz to take a hit, letting the stimulant dilate in his abused lungs. He held his breath, passing the joint back to his friend and finally letting out an abrading cough. Hopping up and down, Adam shook his shoulders and hawked, "Train wreck sweet? Damn, good shit. I'm gonna' need that for this fuckin' council shit they have going on on the second floor." For a moment the two got quiet, looking at each other and realizing it was a mandatory meeting. Spitz held the joint in his mouth, eyes wide as he rushed towards the door and called out, "I'll see you up there bruh!"

Adam was left to hastily wash himself, throw on a spray of Axe which, normally he wouldn't do but, he was too lazy for anything else. The landlord would watch him with her bird ass, beady eyes when he snuck in late. But it wasn't too big of a deal, Adam had lived at Empire Heights for more than six months. He knew how everything worked. He fought his way into a Supreme hood and a pair of khakis, almost forgetting his Airmax 90's on his way out the door. As he jogged down the stairs he near tripped as he blew past a blond from the third floor, someone he'd seen a few times but never caught her name. He knew she was kush friendly. At least, that's what he heard. She looked younger than himself but he never got the chance to really converse with her. Maybe her name was Alex? Ally? Something like that.

When he finally spilled through the double doors into the lounge area, half of the complex was already seated. Eyes shifted towards him, some with disapproval and some with amusement. With a straight face, the young man shrugged and loudly yanked a chair to sit besides the light-skinned girl he had stolen more than a few glances at in the past. As surmised, the landlord looked ready to snap at the sight of Adam. Without shame he raised his hand high and called out, "Don't worry Ms. Furman, I'm here. You look stunning." He heard Spitz hoot in response, followed by a few chuckles.






What was left of Spitz' little treat from the deal he had the night before was almost gone already. At the crack of dawn he always had a wake and bake session, but cut back on this particular morning so he had some left. 'Train Wreck Sweet', one of the most intense mental highs he ever felt. He usually kept his hands out of the coke and various narcotics he dealt anymore. Only once in a blue moon would he dabble for fun. Besides, he was more than capable of attaining any type of weed he wanted at a great price if not for free. With the assistance of Banksy, another Empire Heights resident, Spitz never went without good kush. The connections the two had gave them the eligibility of king pins. And life was good.

ImageSpitz didn't have any complaints anymore. He was at a steady place in a secure home, mostly surrounded by friends and good business. Whatever came in never left without him getting a good look, which was the pleasure and mass of his income while living on the first floor. Wasn't a bad gig at all. He had a spacious place, two bedrooms and a large bathroom. The only drab thing about it was the white walls which were strictly forbidden from being painted, part of EH edict. A black and white scheme of contemporary portraits and photos were methodically hung from his walls. Reflection of brisk sunlight scattered across their surfaces from large windows. In the center of the living room was a large LED flatscreen, just adjacent to a black leather sofa that Spitz sat on to play some video games and make phone calls in the early morning.

After making more than enough business calls, Spitz tucked his iPhone into the pocket of black slim jeans. He kicked down at the heel of his Vans, securing them and deciding to get a coffee from the second floor before all the bullshit started on it during the meeting.

Snugly perched in plain view was Amil, another EH tenant he had the satisfaction of knowing and bumping heads with. Something about her outstanding wits and sailor's mouth always had him peeping her but never getting too close. He figured she was smart enough not to fuck around with his type, what with her nose in books and her priorities seemingly together. The only problem with the equation was that she was exactly his type. The length of her lean body was graced with perennial artwork, her skin taut and tawny. He was always fighting the urge to lick his lips like some animal in her presence. He simply nodded towards her, unsure if she acknowledged him or not as he made his way to order a coffee from the regular cafe counter attendant.

A short distance away was another local, Patrick or something was his name, as Spitz vaguely remembered. He was looking tired as usual, typing away on his computer like all he knew was work. Spitz looked down into his wallet at the counter, minding his own business and smirking slightly. After tipping the barista he peeled the lid off of his coffee and tossed it into the trashcan. He hated the taste of plastic. As he sat down he looked around the second floor lounge area. Not many people inhabited it despite the space being actually pretty affluent. There was a coffee area, couches, two TVs and a dart board. The other half of the room was bare, usually utilized for meetings. He knew mostly everyone from the building by heart and was sociable with all of them, so sometimes meetings weren't half bad. Some people just didn't want to be within so much as hearing distance of him. And he got it, he understood. He never took it as disrespect. It was all good with him no matter what.

The warmth from the coffee filled his body to the point that his camo jacket and hoodie almost had him sweating. "Ooowee," he mumbled, grasping the cup with one hand and straightening the bill of his hat with the other. He finished off the liquid and made his way to the fifth floor to wake Banksy's lazy ass up.

After beating on the door for five minutes straight the fool finally got up and answered the door without a shirt like some crack fiend. Spitz strolled in and plopped right onto the couch and lit up a joint to unwind for a little before he had sit and listen to Furman ramble on and on about keeping the halls clean and not filing complaints about construction noise. Banksy's living room was dark, the curtains were pulled shut haphazardly and the walls were bare. Things weren't utterly disorganized but the dude definitely could have used a morning maid or something. Everyone lived differently, but sometimes Spitz just didn't understand how.

After sharing his blunt with Banksy he suddenly remembered that it wasn't so early anymore. The two of them seemed to conclude it at the same time which had Spitz power hitting the train wreck sweet and running out of the door to make it to the meeting at a punctual time. Only a few minutes before it began he was snagging a seat in the center row of carelessly placed chairs, waiting for the rest of the crowd to arrive. And one by one they made their way in, some looking asleep still, others like Jaylene and Elliot looking like they were ready to go shopping or some shit. He saluted the two, walking in the way they always did, while Ms. Furman stood in front of all of them, beginning humorlessly, "I don't want to have to hold these meetings anymore, so I'll make it quick."

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Juliet James Character Portrait: Scully 'Spitz' Rollins Character Portrait: Adam Banksys
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Juliet stared lazily at the ceiling, waiting for any feeling of guilt or self-loathing to sink in, but it never did. She squinted slightly at the glued on stars decorating the area above her, something that would have made her laugh if she didn't know the person they belonged to. Quirkiness was a trait she could admire, she supposed. Which meant she wasn't numb to feelings...she just didn't feel...gross. Didn't someone once tell her whores were filthy and degradable? Huh.

With a sigh, she finally heaved herself out of bed, missing the comfort and the warmth already, even if it wasn't her own...actually, it was better than her own, she couldn't afford anything that nice. Finding her clothes was a harder feat, she found her underwear over the dresser, shorts on the ground next to it, bra hanging off the ceiling fan, and tugged on her favorite over sized plaid shirt after that. "Fuck," she muttered softly, realizing one of the buttons were broken...she'd have to fix that.

"Leaving already?"

She looked up at the soft voice, smiling at the girl that sat up in the bed, sheets drawn to her chest, brown hair in complete disarray. She crossed the room as she tugged buttons back into place and gently grasped the girls chin, pulling her close before their lips met. It wasn't a soft, good morning kiss, but much more passionate, one that left the girl stary eyed and probably weak kneed. "I'll be back, Ali, you know I always am."

Alison smiled at her before falling back into bed, cuddling up to the warm male body still beside her. Juliet couldn't remember his name, but she didn't feel like she needed to nor did she care. She found her boots relatively close to each other, and smiled when Alison mumbled a weak, "I really wish you could stay."

"I know," Juliet replied as she stepped into one shoe after the other, not bothering with socks. She ran both of her hands through her hair before stepping into the bathroom. The only make-up she'd worn the night before was around her eyes, which was still mostly in place, and with a little work from Ali's own supply she managed to fix away any signs of how tired she actually was. She figured she got maybe an hour two of sleep? Work consisted of her staying up all night long, then play time had taken up most of the day. She could sleep it away if it wasn't for that damned meeting.

Juliet stepped out of the room running both hands through her messy hair before letting it fall where she pleased, and leaned over the bed to steal one last, soft kiss with Alison before she grabbed her keys of the nightstand and made her way out of the building.

It was already eleven by the time she got in her car, which was way too fucking early for her taste. She sighed as she closed her eyes for a moment, resting her forehead on the steering wheel, then made the decision to go grab some coffee before she had to get back to Empire Heights. Thankfully, both were fairly close, and no one was going to like her if she didn't get some Starbucks.

Thanks to being an off time of the day, she made it to her own building by 11:15, and sighed as she drug herself upstairs. Juliet had lived there for a little over two years now, and she'd decided the meetings were always pointless. Always about new residents, the same potential upgrading they'd been discussing since she moved in, and more 'house regulations'. It really never seemed any different, and she hated them all. But no matter how many times she tried to find an excuse--even trying her work schedual once--it never worked. Mandatory meant mandatory.

She made it to the second floor lounge by the time a couple of tenants were already seated. She picked a red chair, the bowl type, and fell into it comfortably, resting her head on one of her palms.

Spitz walked in right after she did, saluting those he knew before sitting down. She only recognized him because he frequented the club alot, and she'd heard his name one too many times to really forget it. After that was a kid she'd decided was always late, brown haired and blue eyed -- he was cute, and probably her type, not that she'd ever find the energy to get up and seek that option out. "Don't worry Ms. Furman, I'm here. You look stunning."

Juliet snorted, along with a woot from Spitz and a collective chuckle from some of the others. She shook her head, dropping her hand and pulling her feet up into the chair with her as she sunk down a little lower.

"I don't want to have to hold these meetings anymore, so I'll make it quick."

"Hood," she muttered under her breath, "because the rest of us are sick of being here."

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Amil Sheffield Character Portrait: Kaleb Dean Sivaj Character Portrait: Elliot Monroe Character Portrait: Jaylene Sullivan Character Portrait: Juliet James Character Portrait: Patrick Murphy
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Kaleb Dean Sivaj
Most people were just waking up, but Kaleb had to be at the record shop at the crack of dawn to open the record shop until one of the associates made it in to hold down the fort. The owner of the store had grown to be a father figure of sorts to Kaleb, having been the man to take Kaleb under his wing a couple years back, giving him a job and a cot to crash on for $35 a month - it was a sweet deal compared to being homeless. Dan was probably the only person that Kaleb still associated with from his days as a vagabond. After so long of seeing Kaleb grow as a person, and offering guidance along the way, Dan had basically left his store in the hands of the young man. He had a wife, although they didn’t have any children, and they were currently in California visiting family. In the meantime Kaleb had to open and close every day, since he was the only one with keys to the store. It was cool because he only had to work 3 hours at a time, twice a day, but it sucked because every day he had to wake up at 5 AM. Admittedly he had already called the other workers a couple of times to say the shop would be closed for the day, but hangovers were a bitch to battle.

“Dueces.” He said on his way out to Mitchell, throwing up a peace sign on his way out.

Unlike most people his age, Kaleb still hadn’t owned a car. Even when he lived in Canada in the posh side of Belleville in a spacious 4 bedroom home with his father, the surgeon, he had never been allowed to drive. Mr. Sivaj was a man of very strict standards, but unfortunately he never had the time to implement his discipline, and Mrs. Sivaj had died during child birth. So instead Kaleb would be grounded, left alone in the house, with his friends living only minutes away - his best friend being his neighbor - and access to vast amounts of money. Needless to say Kaleb was a bit of a wild card, which was half of the reason why he ran away. Now, Kaleb only contacted his father and sister on holidays and birthdays, they always asked if he was doing well but never asked for details. His father definitely never offered any kind of financial support, so until he could save up, he would take the bus as usual. Luckily this time he didn’t have to wait long for the bus to arrive.

He chose to stand, the only seats available blocked by grocery bags or purses of unwelcoming neighbors. He took out his phone, seeing he had missed a call from Kaycee, sighing heavily as he deliberated wether he should call her back or not. Kaycee was undoubtedly the most important person in his life right now, but she was so terribly insecure and never gave him any trust, it seemed - although thinking back he hadn’t done much to deserve it either. Frowning, he punched the call back key, waiting three rings until she picked up.
”Hey hott stuff.” she answered.
“Hey, what’s up?”
”Just wanted to chat...” He could imagine her scrunching her short hair, as she would usually do when she was on the phone, maybe leaning across the counter of the trendy boutique she worked at as costumers browsed over priced jewelry. ”what are you up to?
In reality Kaleb knew she had waited until the exact moment she thought he would get off work to know exactly what her plans for the day was, she did the same thing every time, so predictable and not the least bit slick in her tactics. He shrugged her shoulders as if she could see him, glancing around at the strange faces as he thought up an answer. “Just on my way back to my place, there’s some weird meeting for all the tenants...then I’ll probably just kick it at Patrick’s until I have to swing back to the shop.” It wasn’t entirely a lie, it probably would end up being true, but he didn’t have any set plans really. So long as Kaycee thought she knew what was going on, she’d be happy. “How about you?” He added, for good boyfriend affect.
”Here until 7, wanted to see if you’d be up for thai..”
“Sorry babe, I go in at 7.”
”Yea I know, but I could bring it to you...”
He couldn’t help but to smirk, despite her annoying quirks, the girl was undeniably cute. The familiar store fronts and buildings passed by, signaling to Kaleb. “I’ll text you later, babe, I’m at my stop.”
She sighed with disappointment, ”Okay...love you.”
“Love you, too. I’ll text you, promise.”

ImageThe bus stop was only a block down from Empire Heights, a minute walk at most. Glancing at the face of his phone, he saw that he was late, picking up his pace to a slow jog as he neared his building. It seemed a bit ridiculous that their landlord would be having a mandatory meeting as if they were students at some weird boarding institute. However Ms. Furman was obviously a control freak, and wanted to keep her tenants in line. It was strange how most of the tenants were in their twenties, but considering that Empire Heights was one of the few places that didn’t run a background check and offered moderate security and luxuries that may have had something to do with it. He took the stairs to the cafe, seeing it was already pretty cramped. Amil and Patrick had taken refuge on one of the couches, but all the other plush seating was taken. A quick scan told him that Jaylene had managed to make it, hanging off that stocky little mother fucker from 7D.

One of the few spots left was next to Juliet, a girl Amil had brought around a couple times. “What did I miss?” He asked, smirking with mild curiousity.





Image Amil had a problem with being alone, she hated sitting on her own in her apartment unless she was burnt out after traveling or being drowned with back to back shoots. Although the past few days spent in solitude had been nice, sitting in the cafe with Patrick in the corner and the barista behind the counter was fulfilling. Her latte was warming and tasty, filled with all the festive cheer she needed in her life at the moment. Setting down her book momentarily, she cupped her drink with both hands as she finished the last of it, savoring the beverage. It was still some time before their mandatory meeting started, which she had forgotten about until the woman behind the counter mentioned it, yet Spitz rolled in much earlier than she would’ve suspected. He nodded to her in greeting, and she smiled warmly back, although he didn’t seem to let his eyes linger long enough to see if she would respond at all. A facetious smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she brought her book back up, watching him with mild amusement.

Amil was no dummy, she could tell when someone was physically attracted to her. In actuality, all egoism aside, most people were on some level attracted to her, it was her job to attract people to her. Despite her and Spitz never having spent much time together, they had crossed paths numerous times. He would usually run his eyes down her shape, pausing twice if her clothing was provocative enough. It was no secret he was a dealer, he and Bansky ran a fine operation together. Not much of a partier, however, Amil rarely dabbled in drugs. Occasionally if she was running low she’d take a bump off of some other model’s stash, or if she felt especially high strung she’d smoke a joint - but she never actually bought any drugs. She figured the only reason she hadn’t hung out with the residential drug dealers was because she never needed their services, and it seemed like that was all they really cared about. They were both appealing in her eyes, luckily neither of them had encountered her drunk - Kaleb was always around for that.

Yet instead of lingering, Spitz disappeared and Amil buried herself back into her book, lost in the pages until she felt someone sit on the left of her, leaving her in the middle. She looked up to Patrick, who had gotten comfy beside her, his mug in one hand and his other protectively shielding his laptop that sat, closed, on his lap. “People are starting to filter in, out of the lot I’d rather be next to you.” He said, the usual bitter edge to his tone.

Amil rolled her eyes, dog earing her place in her book and going to the cafe counter once again to this time order a tea and a delicious pastry, taking both back with her to her spot. “You can have some if you’d like.” She said, motioning to the pastry.

Patrick looked at her with a deadpan expression, “I’d really prefer not to get herpes.”

She punched his arm, tugged his ear and lightly smacked his face. “Don’t be a jack ass.” She said simply, pointing a finger in his face. Anyone else, Patrick might’ve began a verbal slaughtering of a lifetime, but his comment had been severely crude - and the fact that he felt oddly aroused was a bit off putting. So instead he smirked mischievously, taking a piece of her pastry and slowly putting it into his mouth. She nodded with approval, “Much better.”

By then a couple people had begun to stare at the two, although most were probably surprised that Patrick was being friendly with anyone at all. It seemed like a good percentage of the tenants had actually shown, although a couple were late. It was no surprise that Bansky was among them, adding a snide comment to counter Ms. Furmans surly attitude. She couldn’t help but to laugh a little, receiving a stare from Patrick of course who didn’t find it the least bit entertaining. Amil rolled her eyes, Patrick had listened too much to Kaleb, who outrightly slandered Spitz as well as Bansky, especially the pretty blonde from 7C. Amil preferred to make judgements on her own though instead of listening to others. Luckily Ms. Furman promised to be quick, carrying on with her point to the meeting. Kaleb drifted in belatedly, taking a spot next to Juliet, as Amil locked eyes with the girl across the room she smiled and waved excitedly, earning yet another stare from Patrick. Frowning she nudged Patrick with her elbow, huffing dramatically.

Ms. Furman cleared her throat, looking down to Amil and Patrick both with obvious disapproval. The two took humbled expressions, waiting until she looked away to glance at each other from the corner of their eyes, resisting the urge to laugh. Patrick opened his laptop, pulling up a text document and typing out the word HEATHENS, making it harder for Amil not to laugh. She could just imagine their landlord referring to them all in such a way. Before Amil could respond, Ms. Furman’s stern voice brought her attention back to the woman that stood before them all in a meeting that seemed to be so urgent.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Amil Sheffield Character Portrait: Kaleb Dean Sivaj Character Portrait: Elliot Monroe Character Portrait: Jaylene Sullivan Character Portrait: Juliet James Character Portrait: Patrick Murphy
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The music that blasted from the surround system that was placed methodically around Noellen's room made his whole body and the desk he was seated at reverberated to the beats and strums of Atreyu's mix of heavy metal, rock and scremo, though not the type of person to chose the former or latter genre, the band blended the three well enough for him to enjoy the music. The black velvet drapes were pushed back, leaving only the shades to filter the early rays in an ethereal orange glow in his room, a bright change compared to the usual dark morning Noellen would be having if he didn't have the mandatory meeting the landlord sprung up from time to time, though he was used to it after god-knows how long he had been here. Now plague with the forgotten period of his arrival to the present moment, he sat back in his seat with narrowed eyes that gazed over his laptop screen, words and numbers blur into each other as he tried to hot-wire his brain into remembering. Unsuccessful after racking his brains for the answer, he gave up on the search but left it to fester in the back of his mind, unnecessary thoughts were of no importance as last night activities surfaced for the first time since he had woken, his rendezvous was only a mere three hours ago and he shook the thought away.

Shutting down his device that held information that could shame any government records on underground activities and subject records, he took his time to freshen up for the day, which wasn't much but occupy the bathroom for hygienic reasons seeing as he was already up and would most likely not get the chance to sleep till late afternoon. A short rinse, dental care and fingers raking through his hair, Noellen picked up one of the few shirts that found their place on the floor, a grey mid-sleeve v-neck, and a very worn and very faded pair of jeans, the mocking oil stains lied to anyone of its true nature. Thank god it didn't smell though, he didn't want to smell like cooper to anyone and giving them a chance to guess why.

It was still early, much too early to walk down to the meeting, considering having a short nap but knew if he did, he wouldn't wake up till later. Cursing to himself and the landlord for messing his sleep, he lowered the sound system enough that it didn't shook throughout his place and went about checking his security as to assure his belongings safety from prying hands and eyes. It was a chore but he didn't get this far in life slacking off and using shortcuts, even if he wished he could, there was too much at stake for half-ass attempts.

Not knowing what else he could do in this morning hour, Noellen gave a tired sigh as he left the comfort of his room and headed down to the second floor. "Might as well sleep a little when I get there," he grumbled to himself.

Preferring the stairs over elevator so he didn't have to pass by anyone, it gave him time to think if this was it. Was he stuck here? Was he ever going to reach his goal? Was he going to finally find what he had been looking for? All these questions had settled themselves heavily in his mind and life, all he want is to get back to a normal life but he knew he couldn't if he didn't do this, all the things he did would've been for nothing if he quit now. Goddamn was his life depressing, shaking the unsettling feeling off him as the smell of coffee catches his scent and couldn't understand how people could stand the morning, it was horrible and boring as hell.

Glad that there was a few couches were placed around the place, Noellen unsuspectingly choose one near the back corner as not to bring too much attention to himself when he laid down on the seat, one arm over his eyes but kept his auditory senses on high alert since being one to collect information and secrets, he learned how to listen for things and one of them was identifying whoever is coming in and out of the room, if he knew them well enough that is. There was of course voices themselves, especially one of the teal model and the writer that could be heard over every other noises here. It wasn't long until he began to drift in and out of consciousness, eavesdropping a bit when he was aware of new footstep entering and then going back under.

When people began to pour in and taking up the seats, Noellen stayed as he were, not caring about those who wanted a seat and not being able to drift off again, just laid there listening to conversations and and identifying people he had significant interest in though not long until the ungodly voice of Ms.Furman grated through his concentration, wanting her to get to the point already.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Amil Sheffield Character Portrait: Corey A. Delgado Character Portrait: Kaleb Dean Sivaj Character Portrait: Elliot Monroe Character Portrait: Alexandra Kaersson Character Portrait: Jaylene Sullivan
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The woman’s deteriorating height, a product of age and unyielding scoliosis, stiffened when one of the newer tenants commented on her appearance. Maybe inwardly she welled with strange pride, but her near black eyes twitched at his cry for attention. At least, that’s how she saw it. Adam picked up on it straight away, sagging in his seat with his knees wide and his hands folded between them. A satisfied smirk beset slightly dried lips only to briefly flash a pair of canines. Elise Furman narrowed her gaze, briefly touching a hand to silver hair by her ear as she waited for the evident amusement in her audience to fade away. She was by no means humored by tawdry young men that lived in the complex. But they all paid their rent on time, which only left her to remind them of their place in the world, rules and common courtesy.

Adam tilted his head at the mirth escaping a nearby femme’s throat. This widened his gratified smile, but he looked straight ahead to maintain at least a sense of false attention. He knew her. Juliet. Platinum hair framed her round face and unceasingly blue eyes that peered out like toxin dripping away from shadows. She probably looked down on him; a girl who regularly worked behind a bar and dealt with shit slinging from junkies and alcoholics might not have the tolerance for his type. On top of his less than admirable ways, he was a new tenant. A young one at that. He already knew most of the other residents thought he was brazen. He couldn’t be fucked to give a damn about any of them - with a slivering exclusion where tail was involved. Luckily for Adam, he didn’t have a type. He just liked women. And the building was full of them. Beautiful, all of them. None of them a day over twenty five. But there were always those few diamonds in the rough. The ones that meant or shone a little more than the others. Truly, he had trouble identifying if anyone from Empire Heights fit into that tier, but he never necessarily bothered trying to find out either. Life had become less of a romantic conquest and more of a crooked hustle.

Or, life had never yielded any real romance to begin with.

After sweeping his gaze shamelessly over the girl next to him, Moni - something or another, Amil, and Juliet once again, Adam smugly tuned into Furman’s speech. It droned. Furman stood, a curving spine making her look ready to drop like a fly. She fought the urge to take a seat as she paced across the anterior of the room. Her creaking voice stuck to stoic walls, causing the uninterested turnout to groan and shift in their chairs like sophomores listening to scientific theory.

“I know we’ve been talking renovations for months but in a few days painters are coming in to fix up the main foyers. Some drywall construction will follow, so I’ll need you all to be patient with the noise and temporary chaos. As per usual you’re expected to abide by EH regulations, your leases
”

A distinct shuffling noise was heard as Spitz grabbed his snapback and twisted it in his hands, rocking on his chair. They’d all grown bored. Behind Spitz, the diva from the seventh floor hung her head back and closed her catlike eyes. Her arm was rested behind Monroe’s neck who was equally as passionless about the meeting as anyone else. Adam slipped away from his position in the back and crept towards the couple, making his presence known once he threw himself between them, half on each of their laps. Furman finally rolled her eyes and threw her hands up, “Just pay your rent okay?”

Before they could throw him off, he grabbed both of their faces and smeared a sloppy kiss on their cheeks, “Beautiful couple. Really.” With a mock tipoff, he turned his focus to Jaylene whose cheeks had significantly drawn in with disapproval. “So, Jasmine, what kind of treats you got planned for me and my friends tonight? I’m sure good old Monroe will help you fix everything up real nice.”

“It’s Jaylene, moron.” She sighed.
“Jaylene Monroe you said? See that’s what I thought I heard.”
“Soon to be.” She countered, batting long lashes at Elliot with mock adoration.
“Go getting married to strangers you find in the big city and you might end up on dateline. You never really know anyone.” Adam messed up Elliot’s hair and got to his feet again.
“Just be at Manhattan Tower around nine, that’s when shit will get real, so to speak.” Jaylene drawled, interest lost on whatever Adam had to ramble about.
“Should I wear a tux to compliment your Dior, barbie?”
“You’d have to know what Dior is in order to compliment it, grease monkey.”
“I’ll keep that in mind when your BMW needs a tune up.”

The blond shrugged, playfully rubbing at Monroe’s shoulder before she stretched her long legs and slithered away from Adam. All the while she still wore this convincing smile as though she were talking her way through a business meeting and not a cat-and-mouse conversation. She made quick work of scuttling towards the front of the room, straightening her unduly large cardigan and wrapping it around herself for a moment. Adam raised his brows, ultramarine eyes feigning interest. He glimpsed towards Monroe, “You’re fucked up, b. Leading a pretty thing on like that. She has no idea what she’s gotten into.” Clownishly the young man showed a few teeth to signify slim sarcasm. Spitz and Adam had a bad habit of heckling the guy, but if Monroe knew anything, he knew that they meant no harm. If anything they had his back.

Adam dug his hands into the pockets of his khakis. His weight rocked back and forth from his knees as he peered toward Jaylene and then back down at her consort, nodding in preparation to roam lazily back to Spitz. He’d only looked over his shoulder once or twice in delay to glance at the selection of femmes in the room.





It wasn’t long before the room filled. Amil was already present, bantering with Patrick which made the slumlord at the head of her EH circus sighed with irritation. Spitz sympathized with the senescent woman. She bit off maybe more than she could chew, welcoming a swarm of young adults with the gleaming luxury of no background checks. All in all, the old broad wasn’t so bad. She was subtly maternal. She gave homes to the desperate and the crestfallen. When her speech concluded, she’d risen her white flag with her arthritic hands and disappeared.


ImageSpitz glanced around, expecting an applause to commence. Instead he heard sighs of relief and a few explicits, all together mashing up in his brain like cerebral stuffing. The train wreck sweet had his mind flying and his face eternally glazed with this ridiculous, smitten look. Cocoa eyes seemed to squint as they took in his surroundings. Natural light flooded the open room to forcefully push tired tenants into its submission. Meanwhile he sat kind of slouched, his hat in his hands, simpering. Behind him he could hear Banksy harassing Jaylene and Elliot about the party at Manhattan Tower, which honestly didn’t actually need to be discussed. Once the sun dipped down, it was all gonna’ pop off like the party of the century and everything else would fall into place. Banksy’s main mannerism was always needing to know precise details. But Spitz was never easily irritated at irrelevant matters. Usually he’d smirk and listen to the bullshit, nodding absentmindedly. Because it was, and would continue to be, all good.

Finally he let out a yawn that he’d been squashing for the past hour. New breath stretched in his sternum and was just in the midst of encouraging him to stand up when Jaylene was evidently preparing for a small speech. So, Spitz adjusted his posture even if only a little and gave her his full attention while Banksy shamelessly yanked a metal chair across the floor and plopped into it beside his partner in crime. Giving him a sideways look of fraud disapproval, Spitz mumbled, “Ain’t you got manners homie?” In response, glassy blue eyes narrowed and Banksy just shrugged looking out of his mind.


Despite wanting to take a better inspection of the room and its inhabitants, only because he expected Kaleb to exit as soon as he saw Jaylene prepared to talk to EH leaseholders, Spitz stayed in place and maintained focus. He still got guilty pleasure out of watching men squirm around his homegirl he met back in Canada. It was funny they’d all bumped heads in a sort of lamentable coincidence. She’d grown significantly since then but Spitz was always a maddening reminder of what she used to be, do, and play. He respected that she was a strictly business type anymore, but he knew how fiends were even after some time off. Underneath they were just dying for a hit. Thinking about it, Spitz grinned and lowered his eyes as she started to speak, itching at his braids.

Alexandra had taken a seat far from the EH crew, blatantly occupying the last couch and claiming it as her own. One of the new tenants Spitz regretfully didn’t know too well took a seat betwixt other residents. Corey, was his name. He seemed perplexed most times, or intrigued. Something in Spitz’ intuition screamed, ’Red flag!’ every time he saw him though. But he was willing to give the benefit of the doubt.

Faintly drifting off he contemplated potential risks of the night. He’d have to worry about undercovers who were always trailing him in some way. To date none of them quite caught on. Rookies from the local department would get close, find some contacts, but never get to the overlord, so to speak. The cycle was unending and fruitless for law enforcement. Spitz was a proud, cocky man at times. But he wasn’t stupid, and he stopped leaving his tracks a long time ago. He could pawn off a lot of business as friendships effortlessly anymore. They could try as hard as they wanted, that shit always went cold.

When Jaylene finished, he became vertical and called out loudly, “Bring your girls, bring your girl’s girlfriends. Lessssss be honnnnest. We’ll treat y’all real good.” The feedback he got was under-the-breath laughs and a few of his neighbors blushing and beaming.




Image

”Come on, we wouldn't want to be late."

Though Jaylene picked up on the apparent dismay in Elliot’s face at the thought of having to ‘work’ on his one day off, he didn’t have to be wooed too meticulously. At least not when it came to her. She could chalk it up to her charming personality if she was feeling narcissistic but
 She wasn’t going to give herself that much credit. And if anyone knew that the young woman wasn’t so truly charming and well-mannered, it was Elliot. Indicting the young woman with being a maneater was a knee-slapper. In fact sometimes she felt more than a little rusty at the dating game. Of course rumors circulated. But she hadn’t taken anyone home in a long time. The truth of the matter was, Elliot was her second self. People could believe what they wanted and, at the end of the day, the two were just great friends who had trouble saying no to each other. Being worn on his arm gave her a sense of pride and vindication.

Throughout their wait during the elevator’s descent, Jaylene flexed her fingers with disappointment. Her joints were sore. Mildly she muttered, “I’m catching up with Furman.” She drew in deep breaths through the nostrils of her straight nose, trying to work with what caffeine was in her body.

A somehow pleasant ‘ding!’ welcomed the duo to the second floor. The pleasantry however was vastly overshadowed by the frayed subject matter that would be vomited onto EH renter’s in just a few moments. But by this time, Elliot and Jaylene were regular equerries of Elise Furman and almost like teacher’s pets. They’d held up their ends, kept tidy, didn’t complain and stayed to themselves for the most part. Jaylene couldn’t necessarily speak for her friend, but she knew that she hardly mingled with her neighbors. Quiet and observant suited her best. In addition to less than kind vices, she wasn’t just going to dive headfirst back into her history. It was an ongoing battle within herself. Maybe it was better to be looked at as the stuckup bitch than the coke whore? She almost laughed when the designations resounded in her head. Nope, she wasn’t going back to that persona any time soon. Clean for four years, give or take. Soda Pop was a ghost. A memory floating in Belleville, Canada. Where teens were so bored that they hit lines endlessly, fucked the friends they’d grown up alongside, and shot cops that tried to tell them they had a substance problem.

Jaylene strolled into the cafeteria area, towards the side of the room that was designated for gatherings. The poise she corroborated with Elliot was almost laughable considering the two were by no means a couple or nimble. Spitz was already seated a few rows ahead, and the seizure of plush seating was clutched by the pretty alternative model, Amil, and Patrick. The way the two got on kind of reminded Jaylene of Elliot and herself but tweaked in more ways than one. As expected the last couch was snagged by Alexandra, a young beautiful woman. Jaylene commonly recognized her as the blond head that bobbed down the hallways with Beats in her ears.

The walls were painfully bare, an uncanny reflection of the color in nearly every apartment in the building. Because of the size of the room, the air was a little more brisk than anywhere else in Empire Heights. Jaylene wrapped herself in the cardigan as she took a seat beside Elliot. After a while, she sluggishly slung her arm around his shoulder and zeroed in on Furman’s diction. It all pulped up after a while, it was all the same. So far the Sullivan girl had no problem following the rules and keeping her land lady happy, so she confidently let the meeting fade from emphasis.

Its conclusion was ungracefully brought to hand when Adam, a prior delinquent, fell right into Jaylene and Elliot’s lap. His Supreme hoodie was thick with the scent of body spray. He rambled about Jaylene being Elliot’s fiancee, the event at Manhattan Tower, and some other completely insignificant shit that the young woman didn’t care to read into. She batted her dark lashes, rolled her green eyes and affirmed the time and the place to Spitz’ protege. Shortly thereafter she politely excused herself, wearing a twinkle that could fool America’s greatest conartist. Before anyone could escape she cleared her throat and slid into place at the head of the room. She could feel the irritation of bored and exasperated young adults, but what she had to say, she felt, was worth it for them to stay.

“Hey, guys,” she began, her voice pygmy in the room, “I’m Jaylene. Seventh floor.” Her eyes grazed the audience and skittered over Kaleb which made her swing her focus back onto anyone else. “I usually don’t do this kind of thing, but I’m busting open a huge deal for my agency and we’re having a banger at Manhattan Tower tonight. Everyone has to pay a cover charge but I’ll let you all in for free because honestly, I’d just love not to be surrounded by anorexic models all night. And, Elliot is going to be helping with the catering - he’s a great chef as some of you may already know. Listen, if nothing else, the bar will be loaded and you’ll get party favors. Everyone is seriously welcome. Like I mentioned, your cover charge is on me. Just come out and have a good time. Oh and Hudson, we would kill for a live act. I’d pay you. So, yeah. Thanks.”

Awkwardly she side stepped, ran a hand through her wavy blond hair and weaved her way back to Elliot. With a groan she continued, “Jesus Christ, the way some of them looked at me you’d think they wanted me dead.” She screwed up her face, squinting over her shoulder at Corey and then Lee. The two were so unearthly and quiet. Rolling her shoulders, she looked at Elliot and proposed, “Shall we?”

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Alexandra Kaersson Character Portrait: Jaylene Sullivan Character Portrait: Hudson Hawthorn Character Portrait: Scully 'Spitz' Rollins Character Portrait: Adam Banksys
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Alexandra sighed and lifted herself up from the couch when she sensed the last sentence of Jaylene's short and sweet speech inviting them all to her... whatever one might call it. Party, gathering, banger. Her eyes flashed over to the dark-haired Hawthorn as Jaylene mentioned her and more or less signed off with a little thank you. She chuckled at Spitz' promise to them. As the congregation of Empire residents began to rise and exit the lounge, Alex took the chance to snag an apple from one of several in a bowl sitting on a table off to the side.

She flipped out her knife, the blade locking into place to cleanly slice off a thin piece of apple from the whole. Alex popped the slice into her mouth as she walked over towards Spitz. Scully was someone that she knew on a mostly business level. They offered two different products to the same customers. It was a win-win for both of them. Though she'd yet to secure him to buy one of her top-notch firearms despite her promising to snatch up some grass from him in return. He looked about ready to tell something to Adam, who she hadn't yet had the pleasure of conversing with and due to his reputation, preferred to keep it that way simply because his attitude wasn't the sort she liked to work with.

Regardless, she always gave herself a pat on the back over the dealers. Running and dealing guns seemed like a much more satisfying job, and it also required a much more organizational and multitasking touch. It had also become one of the ways she had the almost laughable pleasure to meet Spitz. Drugs were a competitive business. And nothing says "Don't fuck with me" more than an AK. That was where she came in, and she had never failed to satisfy and then some.

Slicing off a smaller chunk of apple, she lightly tossed it at Spitz' head.

"Spitz Rollins," She began in an almost playful tone of voice. She sat her lithe form in a chair right next to him, brandishing her knife once more to cut off another thin slice from her apple. "I was hoping you might have something a little fun in stock for me. Are you going to her party?"

With the last statement she gestured with the tip of her knife in the general direction of where she assumed Jaylene to be. She twisted her body around into a more comfortable and rather provocative position, looking at Spitz with her signature sultry smirk.














Characters Present

Character Portrait: Amil Sheffield Character Portrait: Corey A. Delgado Character Portrait: Kaleb Dean Sivaj Character Portrait: Elliot Monroe Character Portrait: Alexandra Kaersson Character Portrait: Jaylene Sullivan
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#, as written by Jaybt9
Next to a queen sized-bed, a loud buzzing sound of a cell phone on a dark cherry stained night stand. The stereotypical introduction of an proactive city's morning. The calls of roosters couldn't strike one's ears in New York since they migrated to the South. The alarm boosted his ego during the winters, lasting longer than rooster calls. An irritant sound that could continue unless it's purpose was achieved, which was catching the attention of a person, forcing them out of the subliminal cloud above them and into the real world.

The phone continued its vibrating hum until a tan-shade hand with white nail polish came forth from under a fluffed white comforter, quickly grabbing the phone to silence it. Whose hand was this? It was not soon after that the covers folded outwards to reveal, from the waist up, a young woman as complected as the hand. A black scarf was tied her head, covering the majority of her hair, but blonde and black peeked above her forehead. Her eyes felt like they were freed from being glued together.

She figured she would listen to some rhythmic therapy to shake the cobwebs away. The volume taking a break away from silent. From a playlist of random selections, the first song to makes it way to the top was an alternative Szjerdene. The dark ethereal introduction began as she strolled towards the small bathroom by the balls of her feet. She lifted her arms to the ceiling. Her clavicle getting a soft pop to relax after 7 hours of stiff tension and busy work, and if stretching didn't work, then the warm shower would.

However, the warm shower had to be brief. Why? A mandatory meeting at 11:30 am, and it was less than an hour and a half away. The landlady could have arranged a better time. Work was at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, and Dee couldn't afford to miss even a second of it from her landlady talking on and on in her “Mob Wives” Brooklyn accent. For her third day in the apartment, Dee figured her landlady wasn't lenient, or assumed that all of her tenants were young and wild. With her wide curves and large eyes, this gave off the semblance of a daunting predator, and Dee was already one of her prey who made the first mistake checking out the apartments and signing her blood on the lease.

Because of the predator, Dee couldn't be belated to the mandatory meeting either, especially when it was 10 seconds of walking distance. Why make an excuse to be late or absent? Why even attempt it? Why already start the many days in Empire Heights on a negative note? Dee had to make this meeting on time. Even with the thought of boarding a subway in order to get to work. The time to walk and take the subway felt like eternity.

But until then, she had to start the day. She traveled to her scarlet hued curtains to separate them, lifting the blinds and her lips for a wide yawn. Chilly and snow white were the characteristics of New York's November through February days and nights. The large hot ball of plasma tried it's best to shine in the apartment, only for clouds to block its way. Instead, the wintery mix dominating the city the night before caused the aftermath. The entire setting illuminating in bright honeydew hue. Dee's apartment affected by this brightness, and also nearly blinded her. Her eyes squinting, but her raising hand saved the moment by blocking her view. Once her eyes began to adjust to the abrupt transition in lightness, she witnessed every second of life outside her window. People socializing as they dug their boots into the white layer above the sidewalks. Some sidewalks covered in dirty snow from being plowed to the side by a plowing machine, while what was left on the roads melted from the large packs of organically shaped Sodium Chloride thrown around. Since they didn't have machines for sidewalks, residents had to shovel a pathway from their doorsteps. The landlady was no different. A heavily-built man of middle age decked in flannel did the heavy work for her, pushing the shovel with ease as the landlady stood at the stoop with a cigarette in one hand and a grip of her long black coat with the other, trying to keep warm from the freezing climate.

Dee's nose felt the cold winds freezing her window, attempting to slither inside of her apartment and snatch all of the moisture from her clean body. Fortunately, it fell submissive to the knob-controlled heat circulating in the homely air, mixed with warm cinnamon apple pie fresh out of the oven. This was an illusion, and the Glade plug-in beside the window was the magician. However, a chill pierced at Dee's collar, and a reminder that Dee's belt was loosening from her waist.

But all Dee would hope for was the meeting to equate to skimming the many pages of a novel until the main points were discovered. After lowering the shades to prevent any lewd public acts, she practiced her morning ritual, like any female. It was prepared and unluckily long: Aloe Vera moisturizer on her limbs and face, winter clothing with undergarments underneath, ample pink plushgloss on her lips, black eye liner, and others in between that can't be mentioned. Her five10-hour long braids loosened from her fingers, flowing curly and wild above her chest. Her appearance was finished, but later than her expected time. 11: 10 am, which she proceeded to sigh over. The thought of her landlady being a rather strict woman over lateness of any kind. Dee couldn't let that strict side emerge, so her gait began to quicken.

Her breakfast had to be quick, so a banana, two slices of toasted cinnamon bread, and a cup of orange juice could fill her up temporarily to prevent the lion in her stomach to growl at the meeting. The plate and glass cup was empty. This time? 11: 24 am. She was ready to go to the meeting....

Wait...she had to brush her teeth, but the meeting was getting closer. She couldn't brush her teeth in time, but she couldn't cause a gas of “food and morning” breath to smother the room. People may think she's exaggerating, but she was a woman. That was more than enough.

Instead of brushing her teeth, she ran to her bathroom to search for mint mouthwash under the sink, rushing to pour a dose into her cup and pour into her mouth. The gargling wasn't as directed because of the time, but it got the job done. Spitting the mouthwash into the sink, she exited the bathroom to see how many minutes left until the meeting. 2 minutes.

What was left? Leather boots, purse, money, identification, keys. She thought this would take 30 seconds because of her rushed pace.

Now she was ready for her day. She snatched a black coat from her closet, turned her music off, and headed towards the door.

Behind the stairway, she could see people already sitting in the lounge, but no heavy lady in a gown. Dee didn't have to experience her strict landlady, or so she thought......

“11: 32 am. Fashionably late aren't you?”, a voice crept behind Dee. A voice that suffered from mucus down her neck, or future throat cancer.

The fear was beginning to happen. Only because Dee was two minutes late, she had to endure being thrown under a bus, or a finger bit off. Dee just had to deal with the pressure and reply with a nod.

“Hmmm..” the landlady continued as she scanned Dee's neutral winter style,“Since this is your first meeting, I'll be easy on you this time, but do not be late again.”

Dee's heart quickly dropped. In her mind, she was shocked over the landlady giving her a warning. Just a warning for being a new tenant. To prevent judging her landlady, she couldn't express it with her face. A warning. This thought conflicted with her motor skills. She wanted to freeze like a snowman at the door.

“Go ahead and a take a seat.”, the landlady quickly commanded Dee, causing her nerves to function again. Dee left her a grinning nod before heading to her seat. An improvised seat near a window, since the other seats were taken.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Amil Sheffield Character Portrait: Corey A. Delgado Character Portrait: Kaleb Dean Sivaj Character Portrait: Elliot Monroe Character Portrait: Alexandra Kaersson Character Portrait: Jaylene Sullivan
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While Ms. Furman continued, Kaleb’s mind drifted before he could even realize it was happening. His eyes kept scanning over the crowd, jumping across all the faces. There was Juliet beside him, the bar vixen. He had played at a couple gigs she’d tended, and she had always slipped him a few drinks now and again. She always seemed to have someone tailing behind her, like a lost puppy begging for attention. They had never fooled around, much to his own surprise seeing that if given the opportunity he would probably do so. He had a soft spot for blondes though.

Especially a specific blonde that lived on floor 7. As much as he would resist, Kaleb time and time again found himself stealing glances at Jaylene. Kaleb didn’t see her as often as he had initially feared, now when he did find himself around her, he’d often find himself hiding from her, peeking through much like an amazed explorer. Everything about her had changed, the way she carried herself, the way she talked. Perfectly manicured head to toe, dressed like New York Barbie. It was freaky.

Plus he felt a twist in her gut every time he saw her.

He forced his mind to wander, his gaze following. A pair of full lips immediately distracted him. Her dark, full eyes read BORED in bold font and her body language mirrored the message. There was something familiar about the girl, a memory stirring in the back of his mind, framed in filtered sunlight from where she sat, making herself comfortable in a makeshift seat in the window. She was gorgeous, creamy mocha skin and a full shape. He entirely blocked out anything Ms. Furman could be saying, enraptured by the pretty young thing before him. He narrowed his gaze, sure that he knew who she was. It was on the tip of his tongue, he could taste it.

He was digging through his memory, watching the young woman, just on the edge of making the final connection. Just as he could feel her name crawl out of his mind, the startling interjection of a much too familiar voice spoke. Where his landlady had just stood, instead it was the devil herself, poised and perfect. Despite his usual urge to leave as fast as possible, seeing her so open and vulnerable to the stares of others left him enraptured. It was funny to him how despite how much she had changed, he could still read her like a book. Standing tall and confident before them all, Kaleb saw her squirming from within. She looked onto the faces of each one of the EH tenants, skipping over Kaleb’s curious eyes, it was like he didn’t exist. ”...listen, if nothing else, the bar will be loaded and you’ll get party favors. Everyone is seriously welcome. Like I mentioned, your cover charge is on me. Just come out and have a good time. Oh and Hudson, we would kill for a live act. I’d pay you. So, yeah. Thanks.”

He chuckled to himself, ‘You mean you don’t want my band to play?’ He thought to himself, resisting yelling the question across the room to her, put her on the spot, make everyone else see her squirm like he could.

Then he rethought, startled by his malicious thoughts. It had been years since Kaleb had been visited by the darkness, somehow going through the struggle of homelessness and finding a way back on his feet had given him a sense of wholeness and happiness. There was something about having Jaylene around that made him feel like the ghost of his demons fought to resurface, rekindling old emotions and inner rage. Of course she couldn’t have meant that he was invited as well, or she could just be just assuming he wouldn’t shown even if given the opportunity. Throwing his arms over the back of his chair, he leaned back, glancing to Juliet beside him who’s reaction to the invite had been comical enough to warrant a chuckle.

“Yea, I don’t know how I feel about being around that crowd, free drinks or not.” He mumbled, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees, clasping his hands together as if in deep thought. His eyes watched as Jaylene walked off the stage and wrapped her arm through Monroe’s once again. “Shiesty people, you think that they’d be above pettiness but most of the time that’s how they trick you.” He left his words hanging in the air, his dry tone letting his quip be interpreted as either a joke or insight. Getting to his feet, he slung his knapsack over his shoulder, walking to where the light skinned shapely vixen had remained, by the window.

He couldn’t help but to run through a variety of greeting, scratching one after another. It almost felt like a movie, his mind in frenzy as he approached the pretty girl, going to overdrive in the last few seconds. Finally he stopped before her, feeling his charm turn on like a switch. He felt smooth, relaxed, pushing his hair back from his face and a handsome smirk lighting his features. He pointed a finger to her as he spoke, “Don’t I know you?” He asked, and as he spoke the words, her face flashed in his mind once again, but instead this time it was in a sketchbook, drawn with charcoal. It had been in the hands of his beloved friend Mordy once when they had spent a night in the cove after a night of doing drugs and drinking too much.

“Dee?” He said, more in a tone of recognition than as a question, a dark shadow passing his expression briefly as he felt the loss of an old friend tug at his heart. He had only met Dee once, after Mordy’s funeral Kaleb had invited her to the cove with him and their friends to mourn for their loved one together in a place where he had been for so many great memories. Even with only having met the girl that one night, Kaleb understood why Mordy had fallen so deeply in love with her. She was beautiful and down to earth, and her smile lit everything up. Was it strange that Kaleb felt a connection with her when he recognized her grief from hopelessly lost love?


He set down his bag, gesturing to himself, “I’m Kaleb, remember I invited you out after Mordy’s...erm..yea.” For some reason he couldn’t spit out the words, then shuffling his feet and looking around as if to find the words to say hanging before him. “Sorry, I just...I knew that I knew you, I just couldn’t figure out how.” He laughed awkwardly. Silence hung between them briefly before he asked, “What are you doing in America?”

ImageIn any other circumstances, Patrick would have completely disregarded Barbie’s offer, even if Amil or Kaleb would beg him for hours, but feeling the weight of the unwritten article burdening his beloved laptop, Patrick found the idea of a distraction enticing. Amil finished her pastry beside him, watching Kaleb and Juliet exchange words and then Kaleb straggle to the new tenant that had caught his eye. It was obvious she had to resist rolling her eyes, the same for Patrick. For claiming to love his girlfriend enough to consider proposing to her, he sure sought out other girls often. Amil never minded being a casual fling, there was absolutely nothing romantic between the two. However after the second week Amil had been at EH and Kaleb took her out for drinks, the two would occasionally wake up in one another’s bed. The first month the boundaries were a little fuzzy, but they had worked everything out and considered each other’s friends first. Now and days their encounters happened as few as once every one or two months. The only downside was that Patrick always knew when something had happened between them, somehow sensing it in the air, often calling them out on it. It had become a bit of a joke between them.

“Whore.” Patrick said to Amil, gesturing to Kaleb. Mouth full of pastries, she stifled a laugh, shoving him gently. She nodded in agreement, finishing her tea and taking her dirty dishes to the counter, Patrick following suit. Watching as she walked, Patrick asked himself why he seemed the only one that hadn’t submitted to Amil’s charm. He watched her deep teal hair, slicked into a high ponytail, swish in count with her hips, the tip of her mane tickling the tawny divot along her back from where her slouchy knit sweater had slid. Her mannerisms were endearing, and her crude sense of humor was refreshing. Perhaps it was just that they had never been in a situation to find sexual interest in one another, Amil always seemed to have someone else in her paws, Patrick would usually play the role of wingman.

Tugging her arm, he swerved her in the direction of a mutual friend, Corey. Perhaps it was slight egoism, but he enjoyed having Amil at his side, so that everyone else could see that the pretty tattooed asian girl had decided to hang with the craze haired cynic from 2C. It was like he was sporting the jewel of the ball, anyone who knew Amil liked her, she was friendly and easy going - for her to choose to stick by him over anyone else made Patrick feel just a few ranks higher than the other tenants in a almost humorous way. “What do you think?” He said once they came to Corey, Patrick leaning against the table and holding his laptop under his arm like a book.

Amil plopped in a seat across from Corey, looking to Patrick with an annoyed expression, “You can’t just start a conversation like that, idiot. You’re a writer, use complete sentences.” she bitched, rolling her eyes.

Narrowing his eyes, Patrick stared her down briefly before looking back to Corey with exasperation.”What do you think - about the invitation to the banger?” he said, almost mocking Amil.

Amil crossed her legs delicately, answering before Corey could. “I don’t see why we shouldn’t go, I never go out with people from Empire Heights besides the recluses that barely venture to a dive bar.. oh, and Juliet.” She said with mild humor, referring to Patrick, Kaleb and Corey, all either very busy or a bit of a homebody, although Amil wasn’t sure what Corey would be doing most of the time. She watched him from the corner of her eye, the way the fabric would stretch across his muscles. Smirking, she rested her elbows on the table and leaned forward, folding her hands together like a hammock to prop her chin up. Corey had never been dissapointing to Amil, although the whole act of mystery got old quick.

“Well I wasn’t asking you Amil.” Patrick said as she batted her eyelashes at him playfully. Throwing up her hands in exasperation, Amil stood, backing away from the pair.

“Stop talking shit, man.” She said simply, turning on her heel as she walked away, Patrick then taking her spot. He gestured over his shoulder, shrugging mildly, “Always has shit to say.” He joked, remembering why Amil and himself hadn’t been intimate, ever. They’d probably end up killing each other in the process. Shaking his head, Patrick set up his laptop as he peeked back at Corey. “So what’s the verdict, are you going?” He asked.


ImageAmil was planning on swing back to Juliet, maybe the two could help each other pick out outfits and how to do their hair. Out of the lot, Juliet probably was the only one who had similar taste in fashion, so Amil knew if she couldn’t find anything in her own closet, she probably could in Juliet’s. However she had to walk past the notorious dealers of the complex, and in passing it was difficult to avoid eye contact with either boys, although it was when she locked eyes with Spitz a smile cracked across her lips. The blonde who’s name Amil always forgot sat nearby, twisting seductively from where she lain, looking over to Spitz. Turning a chair, Amil sat facing the two, sitting sideways on the seat so that one arm could go over the back of the chair while her legs crossed over one another. “What’s wrong, you can’t say hi to me anymore or something? Your boy got you on a leash that’s too short?” She joked, gesturing to Banksy and winking playfully.

She stuck her thumbs through the holes of her sweater, folding her elbows against her side and gently cupping her own face delicately as she leaned forward with obvious amusement. “So when you say you’ll treat us good...” So close to the two, she playfully trekked her finger tips along Spitz’ leg, mocking foot steps across his jeans. “Does that mean your own product is in the goodie bags as well?” She joked, looking between the two. At the moment of silence, she leaned back in her chair. Aware that as far as they knew, she was clean cut, but she wondered if they would take her words as a joke as she intended. Although depending on how the night went, she wouldn’t exactly turn down a bump or two.

Amil hadn’t gotten on the level of comfortability with Banksy as she had with Spitz, something about his cold eyes left her a little at ill ease. She had heard enough about his violent history and tendencies that had left him with a cloud of danger that was both alluring and left her cautious. Still despite his somewhat friendly demeanor, Amil had played it safe and normally did her share of joking around with Spitz.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Amil Sheffield Character Portrait: Kaleb Dean Sivaj Character Portrait: Elliot Monroe Character Portrait: Alexandra Kaersson Character Portrait: Jaylene Sullivan Character Portrait: Juliet James
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Notable agitation lingered in the air of the cafe. Spitz didn't give a fuck, and he knew Banksy didn't either. But Jaylene, despite the swing in her hips and the confidence in her smile, probably felt a twinge of self consciousness. Spitz never pegged her for the insecure type. If anything she was the exact opposite, even when she was a teenager back in Belleville. Her slip-ups were few and far between. Since reaching adulthood the only thing that changed was the height of the heels she wore, the amount of words she spoke freely and the termination of her drug use. From where she stood at the front of the room, all eyes on her, she seemed to speak softly. It wasn't like she wasn't used to public speaking, Spitz had seen her give spiels about everything from political campaigns to fabric tailoring. But she didn't really socialize with many of the residents and she was unrehearsed at best. Spitz heard Juliet shifting when Jaylene spoke, like the sound of her voice was making the bartender see red. One quick peep at Elliot confirmed the substance of Juliet's pique.

Part of Spitz wanted to laugh at the common resentful female psyche. Another part of him wanted to shake his head and mutter something along the lines of, 'Aye, if you wanna' trade off Monroe
' But that thought in itself made him want to be rolling on the floor.

Putting the thoughts of bedding Jaylene to rest, Spitz pushed off of his seat and turned around to face Elliot. The dude looked pleased to have his usual company. And what man wouldn't? Spitz guessed that he garnered more than just a little envy wherever he went with Jaylene. In spite of that, though, Monroe wore twenty six years like a champ. Especially in her presence. Otherwise arcane and malicious activity was more than likely a well kept secret where she was concerned. Best friend or girlfriend, there wasn't a shot in hell Jaylene knew what was really pooling in Monroe's dark eyes. What went on in that dude's top would blow Spitz's highest thoughts out of the water. But he still worked his ass off and kept a potent disposition. Spitz had a high opinion of that. That's why Spitz and his crew backed Monroe so hard.

"Aye man," Spitz began, "You need any help with anything let me know. We got all day."
"Can't cook for shit though." Banksy admitted.
"This bull will burn cereal." He pointed to the tall malefactor a short distance away.
"It's true but uh, if you need assistance with alcohol." He winked towards Juliet.
"Chill with that, thirsty."

Spitz's head dipped as he pulled his snapback on again. He gently moved past Jaylene who was returning to Monroe and approached the couch where Amil and Patrick sat, rubbing his hands together with a plotting smirk on his lips. The sunlight caught his eyes and lit up the mischief enclosed. He ran his hands down the length of his camo jacket and glanced back and forth between the two, "So maybe y'all can take some time off from work and come party tonight?" Before they could answer, Spitz pivoted to the side of the loveseat that Amil occupied, lowering himself and whispering in her ear, "I'd spoil you rotten, bae." His voice was resonant and toothsome. He could have scooped her up right there. But he didn't. And just like that, he opened the distance between them again, always respecting a woman's space. Not to be taken as contempt in any way, Spitz followed up his own comment and pointed towards Patrick's computer, "Man everybody need to take a break once in a while. You finna' get spoiled by some of these females if you show up tonight, boooooooy!" Quickly Spitz let his eyes dart back to Amil, curious about her reaction. He could still smell the eggnog coming off of her supple lips even with the breadth between them. And those dusky eyes just about had him grabbing her up.

But he relinquished the forethought. He had to commemorate himself on his amount of control. Even if Kaleb hit, it didn't really keep Spitz at bay. Certainly didn't when it came to Jaylene, either. In a way maybe it was some sick competition to see who was alpha. In that field, Kaleb was a fierce challenger. Moments of recollection confirmed that much. Kaleb was never gonna' let someone swoop in on any of his ladies, not without a fight at least. Spitz had a lot of it in the bag, though, most of the time. Jaylene wasn’t a match anymore, not for either of them. But Amil. Amil was shrewd. She might have needed a little work and courting than most girls. Good thing Spitz had no intention of treating her like most girls. He still wanted to make Kaleb sweat.

"Spitz Rollins..."

Spitz whipped his head in the direction of an opposite couch, where Alex was getting up from her position with an apple in one hand, a blade in the other. The girl was dangerous. But she pulled his attention right from the goal at hand. Money was money; contacts were more important when there were events with potential for trafficking. Alex was just the right girl to talk to. She slung a slice of fruit towards his head, only allowing his slow and under-the-influence reaction in response. He watched it bounce off of the bill of his hat. His point of convergence caused black pupils to swell and eclipse what color was in his eyes before he haphazardly caught the apple in his hand, wearing a dumb grin as he padded towards her, “My homie.” The apple disappeared into his mouth while he snaked his arm around Alexandra’s shoulders and kissed her hair, “Where else would I be? Come on, you know me better than that.” For a moment he pulled her tight to his chest, then messed with her hair and countered, “Hol’ up, who said it’s all about you? What’s in it for me ma?”

He peered suspiciously into her cyan eyes. Alex was in the springtime of her life. The wage labors were just the icing on the cake for her. With her wild mind, her effectiveness in the legal and illegal, and the looks of a French mannequin, she was integral in nearly any situation. Not just dealings with Spitz. With that being said, she was the only female he dealt with in an ex cathedra way. She was real about her business and she wasn’t a fuckaround.

The sweet rescinded its high. Full color was less vibrant now. Unaffected and unfazed at the end of his altered state of mind, Spitz adjusted his sobering eyes to the light. “Let’s talk to the director,” he toyed and started towards Jaylene.

The first thing out of her mouth was partially expected. One thing Spitz learned from his mother was to never doubt a woman’s intuition. As the conversation carried on, he was pressed to interrogate about other company showing up at the party. But it was Jaylene’s gig, not his. He kept comments and unecessary questions to himself, looking to Alex from time to time and finishing off the account by letting Jaylene know he’d have her back and help out with some goodies. He started towards the door, wearing Alex like a pretty trinket from his arm and inquiring, “When you gonna’ come through about buying some sweet, huh?” He grinned an ivory smile.







ImageThe espresso had worn thin and filtered itself out of Jaylene's brain as much as it had her blood pressure. An unforgiving headache ensued as she rubbed a palm to her forehead, exhaling smoothly. Dips in her cheeks amplified as she shook her head back and forth with the theories on how her evening would go. She wondered what the turnout would yield as far as inviting neighbors and randoms she'd yet to even shake hands with at Empire Heights. It was her fault for lack of planning, and she knew that. Deadlines were getting more and more sloppy where her work was concerned but somehow she just kept moving up at the agency. Even if the majority of agenda planning and design went to her, she couldn't ever take full credit. Elliot was always there to underpin the final workings and come through for her. If she were an attendant and had to choose between his nutriments and her rambling on stage and payout - she'd totally take the food and run. She owed him big time. No Herrera, Gucci or Valentino was ever going to properly do him justice for his work and unwavering friendship.

There was slight friction amid Jaylene and Juliet with Mr. Monroe, though. Juliet was another friend of Elliot's, a pretty girl that worked at the bar and seemed to have a strong hand. If it weren't for the comfortable silence, maybe either one would have snapped at each other. Luckily Jaylene was mostly negligent to the same sex, but was known for cutthroat bitchcraft when fucked with to a certain degree. And if anyone heard about the little run-in that wound up in Jaylene shattering a cop's kneecap back in Canada she was sure most people would steer clear. As luck would have it, no one but Kaleb and Spitz seemed to know about that. Even if she didn't necessarily keep either of them close, anymore, she could count on some of the uglier parts of her maturation being kept hush-hush. Juliet seemed to have some poise as well. Besides, Jaylene was more than likely to dust off any animosity and just carry on because she figured on life being too short. She just wished she was stronger with that philosophy when it came to other people, ones who had dappled her past and changed who she was forever. He swam in the marrow of her bones.

From her peripherals she could see Spitz putting the mack, or trying to, on Amil. She was foreign and exotic looking, painted in beautiful body work that Jaylene would otherwise cringe at. But somehow, it worked for her. Jaylene could appreciate beauty in most shapes, variations, and colors. Amil was no exception. In fact, she could have been just the right candidate to change things up and diversify the agency. Jaylene zoned for a moment, contemplating a new method of comeup. Patrick who sat beside Amil also could have assisted Jaylene's stratagem for increase in vendings and rag trade. He had great eyes. If only she could peel him away from the computer and get him to agree. Somehow she knew it wasn't going to happen though. Kaleb and Amil weren’t a secret and it had all the promise in the world to go horribly wrong.

But she wasn’t bitter anymore, not the way people probably thought. In fact, she thought so little of it. Unfortunately faculty of sight kept her a prisoner. Burnt sienna eyes. The unforgotten lines of a consummate body, fashioned by God himself, if he were really extant. Protracted redolence of ash and flame. He was a hybrid, an alloy of the things she feared most and loved dearly. But beautiful creations rarely had more virtues than vices. A weathered history landed him in her lap emblematically and with denial and unease, dumped him right off again. He could have been her soul mate, something tailored by fate. She shouldn’t have left the way she did. Remorseful or not, Jaylene’s position on the matter wouldn’t make him any less angry or tepid. They were two completely different souls now.

Acceptance of the karma slammed into Jaylene’s brain. She sighed unhappily, green eyes following Kaleb for a moment where he was speaking to the second floor resident until Spitz broke the foreground with Alex close in tow. And so the woman slid back into her cordial skin, beaming a certain warmth as they approached.

“Tonight the night?” Jaylene prodded with humor.
“Just might.” Spitz looked over his shoulder at Amil and gave Jaylene a shrug.
“If you get a chance to snag her, bring her my way, I have a proposition.”
“That’s some messy business.” Spitz subtly added with a shake of his head.
“So, Alex, are you coming?” She plainly dismissed Spitz’s caution. Life was about risks.
“Hell yeah she comin’,” the handsome devil stated further, “gonna’ turn up.”
“I can drink to that.”
“I’ll pull together some treats for you, Jay. I’ma catch up with you later.” He wrapped an arm around Alex and strolled toward the exit.

Jaylene stood in his wake, watching him go and waiting for Elliot. Sangfroid began to waver as she contemplated her next bold move. Inviting residents was a huge step - a huge risk, even. And as much as she was sure that she made herself clear about anyone being welcome, she wasn’t positive that Kaleb saw it that way. She glanced at Elliot, the cry for advice digging from behind her teeth. Pulling the fabric of her cardigan tight to fluid curves of her frame, she winced in anticipation of his reaction, “Do you think I should tell him it’s okay? To come?” Her tone was hushed, the look on her face muddled with concern and daze. Elliot knew enough, maybe not all of the story, but, enough. Enough, that he may encourage her to keep the silent treaty consistent and just move along with original plans.





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The room drained slowly as though something were clogging the channel. That something in question was Jaylene, AKA 'Barbie', AKA 'Bitchface Syndrome'. The last nickname, Adam knew, was a complete contradiction due to her changeless smile. Behind her straight grin her knew there was a sensation of ongoing irritation. Call it whatever one will, but it was a gift of instinct that Adam always had about people. Which, was also always ironic considering the crowd he so commonly ran with. With the exception of the first two epithets, Adam would never call Jaylene anything else to her face. Or even anyone in the building. She was an adult, carried herself as such, and he wasn't gonna' fuck with her. Even if she did call him a grease monkey, insult his intelligence plainly, and roll her eyes when he spoke. She had every reason to feel the way she did. He didn't know her and the feeling was mutual with just a little more inhumanity on her end.

Abusive and thuggish were not short-handed ways when it came to the young man. One thing he wasn't was an abuser of women. Fuck that. Never in his life would he lay his hand on a female. He'd had hundreds of tempting moments but always at least acted in accordance with the bodily respect of a woman's well being. Punishment in the clink had no sympathy for a man who'd beat on the opposite sex. Because of the stipulated jailhouse scripture, Adam got himself into more than a few optional fights. Zero tolerance.

By the time he'd made it over to his colleague, Spitz was still in a momentary vegetative state. Until Alex chucked fruit at his face and it sprung back from the bill of his hat. Adam watched it all in half-time, used to the effect but, a little more sentient than Spitz. Even if the dude was a big time dealer, he hadn't seen or dealt with half the shit that Adam had. It showed in their contrast of resilience to narcotics and stimulants. Adam would shake it off sooner than Spitz would take his eyes off a black and white painting he'd been staring at for hours. Most of the time it was funny, other times it was grating when they had shit to get done. Faced with a few small discords, they were still pretty good friends and business partners. If a situation got sticky neither of them would go in on the matter single-handed. That's what they maintained above sphere.

Adam's indigo gaze followed the path from which the apple came and landed right on the bewitching figure of Alexandra. She was a regular with Spitz, not so much Adam. He didn't play with the girls of any trade unless it were to buy a coffee or getting assistance at the Supreme shop on Lafayette Street. In her expression and delivery, it was unmissable that she didn't care to deal with too many people either. That's the way the transactions typically went in a more professional style of street exchange. Only stupid kids freely sold their merchandise to people they didn't really know, roaming alleyways with one hand in their pocket and the other with the index finger extended to strangers. There wasn't time for premature bullshit in Adam's world and it was refreshing to know that other people carried themselves in the same sense. In wake of the disinclination of breaking bread with strangers, Adam kept Spitz's company in silence, following him for further detail about Jaylene's carouse.

But it yielded nothing of much importance. At least not to Adam. Just the typical rambling of promise, inebriation, chasing tail and who else would be coming. Spitz yawned and wrapped his arm around the blond arms dealer, esoteric as always. Adam cracked his knuckles, lack of bias dancing on the tip of his tongue. He rubbed one hand against his chiseled jawline, noting to himself that a visit to the barber wouldn't be such a bad idea. Still unmoved in a sort of awkward lingering, he could hear the whispers of Jaylene a small distance away, slightly arched over Monroe.

“Do you think I should tell him it’s okay? To come?”

Spitz had disappeared through open double doors. Adam remained, a-flicker with curiosity and halfassed interest as he took visual catalog of the room before deciding to speak again. He glanced downward at his leggy shadow.d His concrete jowl softened as he tugged softly at the neck of his hoodie, electing his venerated soundlessness. It would have been fun to stir things up and loudly get a fix on who she was talking about, but for once, he decided against fanning the flames of stupidity. Even if he was comfortable making some sideways remark with Monroe around, it just wasn't appropriate and he'd keep the water under boiling until at least Barbie's party was over. The road less traveled could sometimes prove to be a little safer.

Juliet had gone to Amil, where a lot of ribbing was sounding from. Patrick sat somehow comfortably in the depths of it, joking with the tattooed goddess. It was a rare sight to Adam. He didn't fraternize a lot, but had picked up on the common behaviors of most of EH. Seeing the severely assignment brain-washed computer hugger enjoying a joke or two with some beautiful girls was unusual. Of course, stranger things had happened in Adam's dust devil of a life.

He snorted, suddenly bored by it all. Despite living moderately in his friend's shadow, he wasn't that kind of lost puppy dog. In fact he really preferred to do things on his own. If everyone was else was doing their own thing, strange or not, he figured he deserved some excitement too what with going to bed alone the night before and all. He slunk towards Hudson, the sable-haired virtuoso that Jaylene had sought out for party entertainment. The girl sat alone, preoccupied by her phone and nothing or anyone else in the room. The way he saw it, his pursuit could just help Jaylene out so that he could be on her good books. Also, it could help him out too. A smirk tugged at the crook of his mouth. He saw everything in his life as a fleeting moment filled with opportunities.

Shamelessly he pulled up a chair beside her, sinking into it and glancing over at her with the constitution of a harmless neighbor. He'd seen her around before, trademarked her as the bright smile of the building. As far as memorizing her, he mentally noted the nose ring and the development of her sleeve. He waited for her to pull her attention from her phone and notice him then began, "Hey I've seen you around at some bars, haven't I? You play guitar?" For once he sounded maybe genuinely interested in what someone else had to say, not a hint of sarcasm or detachment in his voice. He ran his hands down the length of his straightlegged khakis, mentioning, "Man if you decide to play for the party tonight your band will make big stacks. That girl can pay out. Plus she'll put your band up anywhere she can."

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Alexandra Kaersson Character Portrait: Jaylene Sullivan Character Portrait: Scully 'Spitz' Rollins
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Alex broke out into an almost smug sort of smile as Spitz wrapped his arm around her shoulders, his lips touching the top of her head. She ended her sentence as he pulled her tight to him and tussled her smooth hair.

"... something a little in stock for me."

“Hol’ up, who said it’s all about you? What’s in it for me ma?”

The only thing that had her attention for the next few moments was the half-questioning, half-amused stare of his dark eyes piercing into her bright baby blues. The next thought that crossed her mind was that he was high, at least somewhat. It really wasn't that hard to tell. She couldn't see herself, but Alexandra supposed that her expression was somewhere in between amused and curious. One of her eyebrows was raised and she held back a chuckle. As his eyes cleared up, Spitz suddenly drew her towards the direction of the resident barbie.

“Let’s talk to the director."

And with his arm wrapped tightly around her torso, Alex couldn't do anything but follow along.

“Tonight the night?”
“Just might.”
“If you get a chance to snag her, bring her my way, I have a proposition.”
“That’s some messy business.”


Any attempt to understand their conversation was lost on Alexandra. She had failed to catch Spitz' glance over his shoulder at another occupant of the room. Seeming to disregard Spitz, Jaylene caught Alex off guard with her question. Though, as she opened her mouth to answer, the man who's arm was was wrapped snugly around her waist answered for her.

"Hell yeah she comin’,”

The young blonde sighed to herself, unintentionally missing the rest of what Spitz and Jaylene said to each other. With the last words shared between the two friends, Alex was once more pulled along Spitz' path. He looked only slightly down at her, seeing as she was only a few inches shorter, and flashed her one of his bright white smiles.

“When you gonna’ come through about buying some sweet, huh?”

"When you come through about buying some heat," She replied smoothly, smiling at the rhyme she'd made. It was an honest answer. They'd yet to push their relationship past business and close acquaintance, and so she would keep her answer to that. It's not that she was against smoking or sex, or even both at the same time; she just tended to be picky about who and where she did either with. Not that she had as much experience with the former. As every Arms Dealer villain and target on TV and in the movies would suggest, they preferred to stick to their high-end expensive cigars, expensive clothes, and aged alcohol. Which was partly true, simply because they were able to afford all those things. As Alex liked to think, guns were a much more lucrative business than drugs for the individual. Which wasn't always true. She'd met some very wealthy dealers in her relatively short life. Her looks, guns, money, and contacts were what made her such a popular, beloved, profitable, and sought-after business partner in the underworld.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Amil Sheffield Character Portrait: Corey A. Delgado Character Portrait: Kaleb Dean Sivaj Character Portrait: Elliot Monroe Character Portrait: Alexandra Kaersson Character Portrait: Jaylene Sullivan
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After Dee settled for a wide window sill as her seat at the tenants meeting, the landlady decided to start with a cut short introduction about how blunt her words would be, since she understood that many of these young adults had jobs to keep. Dee grabbed the edge of the sill to keep her balance, and resist laying her back onto the cold glass pane. Her long legs pressed together.
“I know we’ve been talking renovations for months but in a few days painters are coming in to fix up the main foyers. Some drywall construction will follow, so I’ll need you all to be patient with the noise and temporary chaos. As per usual you’re expected to abide by EH regulations, your leases
”

Furman paused after witnessing what she knew she was going to see in front of her. Few individuals causing a scene to express how uninterested they were. A rather bold move on their part, but she tolerated it. This may have not been their first tenant meeting since they've been here. Since she was new, Dee was trying her best to listen to the landlady's plans to improve the apartments, but she also had dancing on her mind. A recital coming next Saturday and she had to practice all she could since she reduced her daily work hours for this day. She couldn't practice consecutive mornings last weekend because of moving to Empire Heights.

Dee used her 20/20 vision to glance around the room, observing the new tenants of the house. A colorful crew the Empire Heights had under its roof, including Dee herself, and a variety of body languages. Dee's “judging the book by its cover” habits were kicking in the double doors. She could honestly see herself communicating with them, but not on a friendly basis. Some seemed too flamboyant. Others seemed too cynic and anti-social, especially one of them, sitting with a cold blank look on his face. His entire frame was small. His medium brown hair combed to the back of his head. Dee wondered who this individual was. He seemed like someone from a glooming background.

Dee, however, shifted her attention from him to everyone else, trying to seek for comparisons. The obvious one being ethnicity. Only very few minorities within this group of career and thrill seekers. One man in particular, with a darker skin complexion than Dee, pushed his way onto a pair of women sitting on the couch together. Ever since Dee went to New York she had seen many men like him flirting with the blondes who could make it in a covergirl commercial. Not that Dee actually minded this behavior. She just found this amusing, since this wasn't such mainstream activity in Belleville. Everyone liked anyone they could connect to. The hair and skin color was never a preference. In New York, or better yet U.S.A., statistics were involved. She didn't understand this until her sorority sisters educated her. Bad idea. Let's just say that the word “privileges” are involved.

And this girl he was pushing his appeal on was not the only blonde in the lounge area. The majority of girls were blonde, whether born or dyed. Even bleached to rich platinum. One of the blondes in the back of the lounge had a boyfriend she was clinging to. So much that she could constrict him if he ever mistreated her, but from how much of a gentleman he seemed by the way he looked into her eyes before going in for a quick kiss, arguments would never occur between them. How this blonde stuck out to Dee? Her extravagant fashion sense. Name brand clothing from all around Europe. With how this blonde carried herself into the front of the lounge, Dee would assume that she took a trip or two there.

This woman and her boyfriend went up to the front of the room to introduce themselves to the new tenants, but based on some of their reactions, they were familiar with her. Some more than others. Dee reminded her of a blonde in Belleville who was at a house party once for one of the football players. The dirty blonde was slipping and falling in every room that day, including their garage. She remembered a brunette hanging around with her. The brunette was at a worse drunk state than she was. She wondered what ever happened to them.

Back to the tenants meeting, this particular blonde, who Dee now knew as Jaylene, invited the new tenants to a party she was hosting with her boyfriend that the new tenants, including Dee, could be interested in attending.

“I usually don’t do this kind of thing, but I’m busting open a huge deal for my agency and we’re having a banger at Manhattan Tower tonight. Everyone has to pay a cover charge but I’ll let you all in for free because honestly, I’d just love not to be surrounded by anorexic models all night.......”

By that time, Dee's cellular phone vibrated on her palm, nearly causing her to jump in fright. She wondered who would give her a message at this time, but since her friends and sorority sisters are all working in jobs or careers in the morning, it was no surprise that one of them would contact her. She proceeded to investigate, needing her ears to multitask.

“You've received a video message from: Erica”

Dee smiled to herself in delight. Her best friend from high school. The one that was cautious about her little “cave trip” in honor of Mordicai. After high school graduation, they split separate ways: Dee heading to the United States, and Erica moved to Toronto to pursue a career in Criminal Justice. Dee hadn't heard from her best friend until her senior year, thanks to social media. After giving Erica her number, they talked for three hours that day, reminiscing on old memories and sharing new ones.

Ironically, Erica had married a Muslim Physical Therapist at the college she went to, and she was expecting a baby boy soon. The same month of graduation to be exact. The husband wanted to name the boy Kareem, which Erica found to be intriguing. She thought it was named after a grandfather of his, but it was actually named after the American basketball legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabar.

Now to present time, Dee wondered what the video sent from Erica could be. She opened the small envelope icon. A video of baby Kareem in Erica's living room. The climax was Kareem already walking, adding his own manner of communication by waving to the camera with only his fingers. Not even a year old and he's already moving his legs. Dee's smile lit even more. Who knew something so enlightening could control her emotions, and have her day at a great start? It even calmed her tensions of potentially being late for work.

“.....would kill for a live act. I’d pay you. So, yeah. Thanks.”

That was the last she could hear from the blonde in front of her, but at least Dee got the location. She wasn't so sure about the time, since she had to work the whole afternoon to closing at night, but the day was on a weekend.

She could see a slim lower body heading her way. Someone wanting to speak to her? Who knew what this persona wanted to say? She didn't know the tenants too well, so she couldn't have them in her personal business just yet. She closed the video of Baby Kareem on her cellular phone before turning it around. Once the person was finally standing across from her, she lifted her head with a warm smile to whoever the lower body belonged to.

A young man piercing her with his dark eyes. His handsome face surpassed his eccentric sense of clothing. Comparing him to the blonde from earlier, they were complete opposites, further complimenting the varieties of Empire Heights, and after brushing his dark hair back with his fingers, he had a coolheaded charm that many women loved. He proceeded to speak to Dee, and she was curious over what he would begin the conversation with.

“Don’t I know you?”

A rather odd introduction. She quickly wanted to respond with a shaking head, but then it got even more strange when he said her name.

“Dee?”

Her narrowly gazing eyes began to widen, and by the way she had responded, this man was right. How did this man know her name? Better yet, her nickname. Only friends and family know her by “Dee” rather than “Dominique”. Maybe she had seen this man in a distant memory. The more her eyes was drawn to him, the more his appearance seemed acquainted to her. His black strands of hair sprouting wildly from his scalp, and above his eyes. The light fawn shaded skin, with hints of stubble on his chin. Before she could ask him the obvious “how do you know my name?”, he quickly gave her the answer after placing his bags down to the crowd.

“I’m Kaleb, remember I invited you out after Mordy’s...erm..yea.”

His name was only said once, and Dee felt gravely affected by it. A soft catch of her breath. Her eyes widening more. She didn't know whether to feel dumbfounded, or ecstatic over a long-lost mutual friend reuniting with her after only hearing about him once, and seeing him from time to time in high school. These past few years have been a trip to the past for Dee. First her best friend, and now her beloved and dearly departed Love and what was left of his legacy. Was this fate wanting her not to forget about Mordicai? No, Kaleb staying in the same apartment building had to be a coincidence.

These many thoughts couldn't distract her for long. She had to respond to Kaleb.

“Kaleb! Hey! It's nice to see you again.”, Dee responded in her distinctively light, raspy tone, greeting him with a handshake. From what Dee could remember of Kaleb, every part of him remained the same. Even his stubby facial hair. Only exception was his height, which was a slight upgrade. Dee was, regardless, still shorter than him.

“Sorry, I just...I knew that I knew you, I just couldn’t figure out how.” He added a laugh into the sentence that he may judge as awkward and timid. Dee could imagine how he still felt that way. Even after meeting each other for the first time, their diaries were still locked tightly to their hearts. They were not as open to each other as they were with Mordicai, and since they lived in Empire Heights together, the cliffhanger had another opportunity to raise itself up to the ground.

“What are you doing in America?”, he finally asked after a moment of muteness to gather up the letters in the alphabet to form words, and finally a sentence. That was an excellent question to ask. Of all places, they both managed to migrate to the United States. What was the fascination over the United States?

“I go to college here in NYU.”, Dee easily responded. “I've been here for more than four years now, and I'm working on getting my graduate degree.

Dee's future in dance had to involve one of the greatest schools in the country. In a location where many aspiring dancers lived, wanting to compete to the lead roles on stage, or the television screens.

So how about yourself?, Dee questioned in turn, I didn't think America was such a common place for Canadians to live.”
Dee sneaked in a lighthearted joke to mellow their awkward encounter, and secretly Kaleb's diffident mannerisms. His current status after mourning Mordicai's death was still a mystery to her. even the other friends Mordicai left behind, or rather joined him in the case of the student who allegedly succumbed to a terminal disease. From Kaleb's warm skin complexion, Dee assumed that he moved on from the past like Dee had to.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Amil Sheffield Character Portrait: Corey A. Delgado Character Portrait: Kaleb Dean Sivaj Character Portrait: Alexandra Kaersson Character Portrait: Jaylene Sullivan Character Portrait: Dominique Norwood
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Dominique could feel some tension reaching Kaleb's nervous system and frequent eye contact to her left. In her mind, she wondered what was disturbing him. Was this disturbance outside of the glass window? Was a pedestrian passing by that he was familiar with, or was there someone in the room that Kaleb felt uncomfortable with? Did he hear this person's voice resonating to his ears.

Of course these questions were all based on Dee's own assumption, but once Kaleb began his response with a mumbling “oh,” with his eyes to his worn off shoes, this proved that Dee's assumption was correct. Something, or someone, was bothering his aura.
Dee didn't want to display her curiosity in an obvious manner by following his focus. She just met the man after many life changes. Their relationships and mindsets of life have developed since the adolescent years. Secrets revealed to the public or added and locked into their mental journals. She didn't want to drive straight on to the personal questions full speed like most women do.
After some hesitation, continuing his uneasy habits, he finally came up with the answer to Dee's question involving migrating to the Bald Eagle country. Opening his mouth, Dee's speculative thoughts took a break.

“I was actually born in New York, I moved to Belleville in middle school. So, I’m actually American.”

“Really?” Dee thought internally, but only nodding to surprise externally. This man was American? She couldn't tell, but who really can when Canada and United States are two big melting pots? The ingredients being descendants from other continents. They can, however, tell by accents.

Dee still spoke her native dialect, which was a subject for New Yorkers to ask about. She wasn't short or thick with her vowels, or creaky with her consonants, so it wasn't rare for someone to ask where she was from. She couldn't answer that to strangers, but her dialect was a dead giveaway that she wasn't from New York.

Kaleb, while he lived in When she first met Kaleb, he had a clear Canadian accent. One that could exaggerate the “o” in “sorry”, but talking to him now, it was different. It was like his Canadian heritage was snatched away from him once he reached the border. Even with his body language, he was well adjusted to the New York Urban scene. Much quicker than the 4-year New York citizen in front of him. This no longer drew questions as to whether he was lying or not.
Kaleb drew more of his adapting skills, asking Dee about another subject.

“Are you going to that party you think?”

This was when Dee's conscience kicked in. The party that the well-dressed blonde was hosting this weekend? A party that may be filled with young adults that knew each other, but didn't know Dee? Dee felt hesitance over attending a party full of strangers. Watching as boys and girls perform various acts that may be comedic or crude.

On the other hand, this is the beginning of where social connections happen. Dee could get a chance to communicate with more people. Even those who may be her tenants. Even those who were mutually friends with someone Dee knew from work or college. The chances of meeting new friends were wide and open with an invitation.
When she came up with her answer to Kaleb, she wanted to display confidence in her body language, but her conscience still didn't want to leave her.

“I'm not sure with my work schedule, but I can change things around.”

Since Kaleb was the one to address if she was going to Jaylene's fiesta, this implied that he would be doing the same, but Dee proceeded to ask him anyways.

“So how about you?”

Hopefully, he could attend. So far, Kaleb was the only tenant she was closer to, and this was their second time communicating together. Nonetheless, she felt more at ease with him around, since he may know the neighbors living in Empires Heights.