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Post by Atlas on Feb 18, 2011 9:10:30 GMT -8
Time: Day 4, Late Evening
Weather: Cloudy
Warnings: Initial Depression, Guns, Children's Trading Cards, Shadows outside the door, Possible UST
Characters: Tamika Weir, Atticus "Atlas" Lasseter
Atlas had spent most of the day sitting on his couch, with a hurt stomach, aching head and regrets about the previous night. Despite the fact that Tamika said that nothing too bad happened, he couldn't help but feel he did a bunch of stupid stuff. "Last time I got that drunk, I woke up wearing a g-string loaded with $20 bills. The money was good, but I was the laughing stock for days..." he thought. He made a mental note to drink less next time.
Atlas was still on his couch, eating a slice of pizza that was ordered out. He glanced over at the table in front of him containing his latest purchases: two Colt 1911 pistols. He had stopped by Panda Bear earlier, and gone shopping for him and Tamika. "I'll have to remember to get one of those to her tomorrow." he thought.
But that wasn't the only thing he walked away with. It turns out the guy in charge was really into trading cards. He looked at the box containing a deck, reading the words "Spellcaster's Judgement". "Kind of odd that I was able to get a discount for beating him in a card game, but I won't complain." He thought. The man had also mentioned that if he found any rare cards, that Atlas should stop by and trade with him.
"Fine by me. I don't really have the time to play around with children's trading cards anyways."
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Post by Tamika Weir on Feb 18, 2011 11:11:52 GMT -8
Tamika pulled her Celica once again into Atlas's driveway. To her relief, his Baja sat in the driveway when she got there. "Well, at least he got home." Once she had turned of the engine, she glanced at her jacket for a second, tempted to take her knife with her. "Nah, I won't need it if I'm quick. Besides, I could use these damn shoes as weapons if I need to. They sure cause me more than enough pain."
Stepping outside of her car, she made her way to Atlas's Baja, taking a moment to check for dents or any sign that he crashed into anything. "Ugh, why am I worrying about him so much? He's just a bit hungover. No reason to be checking to see if he got home alright, and no reason to be heading to his house so late." Tamika was tempted to just leave and head home. She could get some sleep for once, maybe, and he'd probably be fine. Yet...she still wanted to see him. Her concern seemed stupid, even to her, yet she for some reason couldn't help it. "Well, he's my friend, so he'll understand, right. Anyways, I'm wasting time."
With her mind set, she headed to his front door, and after a short pause rang the doorbell. "I just hope the sparkles don't blind him," Tamika thought, while idly tugging the edge of her dress with her left hand, still wishing her dress was longer.
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Post by Atlas on Feb 18, 2011 11:40:21 GMT -8
Atlas was surprised to hear his doorbell ring a second time. "Hmm, my pizza's already here, so who could that be?" he wondered. He thought briefly about taking his gun with him, but decided against it. "Naww, no reason to alarm anyone at the door." he thought.
He opened the door to reveal Tamika. "Hey Tamika." he greeted with a wave. However, once he had glanced at her a bit more, he saw her attire, causing him to look surprised, and blush a little bit. "Hmm? What's with the dress? Did she go someplace fancy tonight?" he wondered. "Come on in." he offered to Tamika.
He took another look at the outfit. "Hmm, now that I think about it, she does look kinda sexy in that outfit. Shows off the legs quite nicely. And she does have nice legs...nooo, bad Atlas. She's only your investigation partner." he thought, trying to keep himself under control.
"So what brings you here?"
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Post by Tamika Weir on Feb 18, 2011 16:56:29 GMT -8
"Hey Atlas," Tamika replied. Once she saw his surprised look, she wondered if she should have changed into something different before coming her. "Nah, I wouldn't have had enough time. He'll just have to deal with the sparkles." When he told her to come in, she thanked him and walked inside.
Atlas's house seemed pretty normal on the inside. At least, she thought it was normal. Since she had stayed in hotels for the last while, and before that she stay in an apartment full of garbage, beer bottles, and a complete deadbeat, she wasn't entirely sure what normal looked like. Yet, the room she was in was clean and didn't smell horrible so she supposed it was "normal". Then she saw the two pistols lying oh so casually on the table in front of his couch. Tamika was surprised and a bit nervous, yet she managed to not freak out, which she considered a success. "Well, he DID say he was going to buy us some guns at a place...what was it called again? The Panda Bear? Isn't that a Chinese restaurant?" The shock of finding the guns almost caused her to miss Atlas's question.
"Oh, um, I was reading your blog today and I already knew that you hadn't had a great time yesterday, and I guess today probably hasn't been much better for you, considering how hungover you looked this morning. I just wanted to make sure you were alright." "That sounded...REALLY stupid. Go find distraction." Tamika looked back at the table and said, "I see you went gun shopping today." She walked over to the table and was about to pick up one of the guns, when a small box caught her eye. "What's this?" she asked as she picked the box up. "A children's card game's structure deck box? And it feels like there are cards inside. Does Atlas play children's card games? To each his own, I guess."
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Post by Atlas on Feb 18, 2011 18:02:14 GMT -8
"Ohh, so you read that." Atlas asked Tamika. "You're right, it wasn't. Let me tell you. You know how bad daytime television usually is? It's ten times more unbearable in Greenvale." he said, sounding like he read the Necronomicon from cover to cover. "After about a hour, I decided to dig through my DVD collection and treat myself to a Star Wars marathon. That helped...a little. Though I still insist that Han shot first!"
He led her into the living room, where she noticed the guns. "Probably shouldn't have left them in plain sight like that, but then again, I was not ready to have company." he thought.
"Yep, I did. Next time our pale-faced friends pay us a visit, we'll be ready." He said, and gestured to one of the pistols. "I got one for you. Feel free to pick one out." he offered, though her eye was on the deck box.
"That. I got it with the guns. The owner of the shop was really into card games, and challenged me to a game. I won, so he gave me a discount. Kind of odd, but at the same time, I wish more places were like that." he replied. "Imagine a society where every thing was based on card games. Absurd, isn't it."
he decided to switch topics. "By the way. I like your dress. I think it looks cute on you." he complimented her. "But, I assume you didn't dress up like this just to see me?"
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Post by Tamika Weir on Feb 18, 2011 19:38:48 GMT -8
"Thanks," Tamika replied smiling. "And no. I was actually at the Galaxy of Terror just before coming here. Kevin had bought the dress and asked me out earlier today." She sat down on the couch and continued, "The date itself wasn't that bad, though I swear I think Kevin may have been a bit gender confused, since he wore a ton of make-up and hair extensions. I swear, he looked more like a woman than I did."
Her smile diminished slightly as she went on, "Unfortunately, it seemed like pretty much all the rest of the town had the same idea, including Agent York, who was all dressed up in a fabulous pink suit and tie with little hearts on it." Her face had an annoyed look for a few seconds, and than Tamika said, "Anyway, I'm sorry that you've had such a dull day. I wish I could have come here earlier, but..." She sighed and didn't finish that sentence. She didn't really know what to do now, sadly not really having thought anything through before coming. "Well, if I thought everything through, I probably would still be back in Philadelphia," her mind chimed in unhelpfully. Tamika then leaned back into the couch, sad that she had come here all she had probably done is waste Atlas's time.
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Post by Atlas on Feb 19, 2011 6:59:39 GMT -8
Atlas couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that Tamika was on a date with another guy, thought he had chastised himself in his head for thinking that way. "Stop this. Tamika's your friend. Nothing more. Who cares if she goes out with other men..." he thought, though he still couldn't help it.
"Well, I suppose in this day and age, more people are defying traditional gender roles. Though in all honesty, I wouldn't be caught dead wearing makeup. In my opinion, I feel it is a waste of time..." he said to her.
Atlas took a seat next to her and look over at her. He chuckled at her description of York's suit, then turned more serious at the next thing she said. Tamika hadn't finished herself off and instead started to look rather depressed herself. "No, I'm glad you came right now." he said, and took her hands in his. "It's nice to know that you care about me. In fact, you made me feel a lot better just by showing up." he added. He meant it. Usually, the only people who would seek him out are clients, and he would have to arrange thing with the few friends he had. However, seeing a friend come to him with his well being in mind touched Atlas, and made him want to help her out as well.
"Tamika, you're always welcome in my home, no matter what..."
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Post by Tamika Weir on Feb 19, 2011 9:05:31 GMT -8
Tamika was surprised when Atlas held her hands. She hadn't expected him to do so, nor was she expecting him to say that her just being there made him feel better. Yet, it wasn't like she didn't like it. In fact, Tamika smiled back at Atlas and wrapped her hands around his.
"Thanks Atlas. I'm glad you feel better, even though I didn't really do much." Then she blushed and said, "Maybe sometime we could go to the Galaxy of Terror together sometime. Er, as friends though." "Friends go out for dinner together sometimes, right? Ash and Emily went there together. Though of course they're both women. And why am I blushing so much?" Tamika gave a small laugh and added, "It would probably be better than going out with a gender confused guy or sitting at home watching daytime TV."
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Post by Atlas on Feb 19, 2011 9:43:56 GMT -8
"The truth is, Tamika, you didn't have to do much. I know it sounds a bit cheesy, but having you around to talk about stuff with makes me feel a whole lot better. Ever try confiding to a pillow? It doesn't quite work. Then again, maybe if it had eyes and hair, it might be different..." Atlas said to Tamika.
Her cheeks were becoming red, causing Atlas to smile. "Truth is, she is kind of cute when she blushes." he thought. "I'd like that. It would certainly give us a chance to get to know each other a bit better. Plus anything is better than daytime television in Greenvale." he laughed.
He paused for a bit and blushed heavily, trying to think of what to say. "Uhh...Thanks Tamika!" he said and then did something so suddenly that he himself couldn't anticipate: he hugged her tightly. He didn't quite know why, but it felt so good, he didn't want to stop...
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Post by Tamika Weir on Feb 19, 2011 11:04:09 GMT -8
"What?" His sudden hug caught Tamika completely off guard, yet just like him holding her hands, she didn't not like it. Her blush deepened as she hugged him back and said, "N-no problem Atlas. You're my friend, right?" "He's a friend. Just a friend." "So I'll be here for you, okay?" Then she sat there holding him for a bit while her cheeks refused to stop blushing.
When Tamika finally did pull away from Atlas, she leaned back into the couch and smiled at Atlas. "He sure enjoys hugging me a lot. Not like I'm complaining. He's probably one of the kindest people I've ever met." Tamika then, without thinking, gently rested against Atlas and said, "I'm glad that I met you."
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Post by Atlas on Feb 19, 2011 12:33:37 GMT -8
Atlas was pleased to see Tamika return the hug. He held onto her tightly and heard her words touch him. It was good for him to know that, despite the recent weirdness going on as well as the uncertainty behind it, at least he'd have a friend beside him. "Even behind her impulsive nature, I know that deep down, she is a caring individual..." he thought.
Atlas sat back, thinking about him and Tamika. He was really starting to like her. Was is as just a really good friend, or something more. "It keeps coming back. But, every relationship I've tried to have fails in the end. But then again, it never hurts to try again. Something about Tamika feels different." he thought. He smiled when Tamika rested her head against him, causing him to blush. "I'm glad I met you too." he replied, and put an arm around her shoulder.
He sat with her quietly in the room for a bit. He didn't expect this, but at the same time, enjoys having Tamika close to him like this. His fingers spent time either rubbing her shoulder or stroking her hair idly. Atlas decided to break the silence afterwards.
"So how was your day after meeting Brian?"
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Post by Tamika Weir on Feb 19, 2011 17:59:47 GMT -8
Tamika smiled at Atlas's response and relaxed against him as he stroked her hair. To her slight surprise, she found herself feeling more at peace sitting next to Atlas than she had for most of the last few years of her life. She at first supposed it was because of the comfort of having a friend to talk with, yet it felt a bit different than that. Emily was her friend and talking to her didn't make her feel very relaxed. Was Atlas something different than a friend?
"No. There's no way he could be more than a friend. He probably just thinks your a cute friend who is fun to hug. Besides, even if he liked you, he wouldn't once he found out what you've done." This thought depressed Tamika. Yet she still kept wondering if maybe he liked her as more than a friend, and if she like him as more than a friend too. "Well, I guess the best thing I can do is just see what happens."
When Atlas spoke up, Tamika idly fiddled with the edge of her dress and answered, "Oh, not much more interesting than yours. Well, besides going to a bar that about half the town also decided to go to with a gender-confused Kevinita. Mostly I just surfed the internet and listened to music." After a few moments of silence she suddenly asked him, "Atlas, can I ask you something?" When he replied she sat up and turned to look at him. Then she looked away and said, "Let's just say, hypothetically, you were supposed to defend...your brother in a murder trial. Right before the trial, your brother tells you that he is actually guilty. Would you still defend him?" "How willing are you to accept that someone you like is a murderer, Atlas?"
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Post by Atlas on Feb 19, 2011 18:45:05 GMT -8
"Sounds pretty typical, though you were smart enough not to get drunk the night before. I'll have to follow your example next time." Atlas responded. "Well, except for the part about going to a bar with a makeup wearing guy. I think I'd prefer you as a companion any day."
He continued stroking her hair in silence. Probably a lot longer than he would have if she was just a friend, but he couldn't help but want to help her out. She didn't seem like much of a social butterfly and many times seem a tad depressed, even when he complimented her. Whatever it was, though, he'd help her as best as possible.
Tamika broke the silence a bit later with a question. "Of course you may." he replied. However, the next question seemed to come out of nowhere. "A hypothetical? Kind of odd. Was she involved in a murder?" he wondered. There had to be an explanation, though he didn't feel like ruining the moment he had. "Yes, yes I would. It is a difficult question. As a defense attorney, I defend the accused. Now there are cases where the defendant is guilty. But I believe that not all criminals are complete monsters bent on the destruction of mankind. Sure, there are an odd few, but those are rare. It takes a special kind of evil for them. For the rest, they deserve the same defense as anyone else. I can't lie for anyone in the court room, but I can at least speak on their behalf." He responded. He did, however, remember his final case before coming to Greenvale, as well as the aftermath. The images show across the news that night: the work of a psycho who stuck a middle finger up at the world. Intellectually, he know people like those were a rare and disturbed bunch, but emotionally, it shook him.
He held her around him a bit more tightly and began to massage her shoulder with one hand. No matter what happened, he thought, she would still be his friend.
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Post by Tamika Weir on Feb 19, 2011 19:38:53 GMT -8
"I see..." Tamika was a bit relieved by his answer. "So maybe he'd understand. Maybe. Still, the less he knows, the better everything will probably be. I hope." Yet, doubts still ran around in her mind and her face looked uneasy for a while. "He only said he would help his brother. That doesn't mean anything about me. And how the hell am I supposed to know what really is going through his head? For all I know, he's just trying to say what he thinks I want to hear."
Then it dawned on her how ridiculous she was being. Tamika could feel how he held her tighter after he answered her question and how he was now massaging one of her shoulders. And she could remember how he had hugged her before and how he had saved her life the night before, even though he had been completely wasted at the time. It was bloody obvious that he did care about her and was doing all he could to try and help her. And all she had done is bug him with a ridiculous question. Tamika then turned toward Atlas, gave him a small, reassuring smile and said, "Thank you Atlas. That was just something random I was wondering." She then slipped her feet out of her torture shoes and curled them up next to her while she once again rested against Atlas. "Whether he stays my friend or becomes something more, I'll try to make sure he stays safe and happy. Always."
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Post by Atlas on Feb 19, 2011 20:13:52 GMT -8
"No problem." Atlas replied, still holding Tamika. He didn't know if she would be alright, as she looked a bit uneasy for a bit. "I hope that worked." he thought. He was relieved to note that she at least gave him a smile. It was enough for now.
She had allowed herself to become a bit more relaxed by removing her shoes. "As long as I live, I never quite understand how women are able to wear those kind of shoes, let alone shop for them in mass quantities." he thought. Atlas remembed that Kevinella had picked out the dress for her and wondered if the shoes were his idea as well. Tamika seemed the more practical type in terms of dress. Still, she did look gorgeous in that dress and every now and then, he would steal a glance at her legs.
He smiled at the girl relaxing against him. After today, it definitely was a much better way to spend the evening than with a DVD. As he continued to massage her shoulders, he bent down and pecked the top of her head.
"Huh? Why did I just do that?" he wondered.
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