Sticks and Stones... [Victor Creed]

[mero]

It had been several weeks since Merfonde’s last encounter with the man known as Victor Creed. During that time in Canada, things had almost reached the point of the two ending up in bed together, when suddenly, with no warning, Merfonde had left, using his own line against him, saying he’d have to ‘earn it’. She knew it’d irritate him, but keep him somewhat interested. He seemed like the type to lose interest in a woman after he’d had his fun. Still, there’d been no sign of him, and she had no desire to go find him for a third time. No, if he wanted to see her, it was up to him this time.

In those weeks, the woman had taken only a handful of jobs, only a third of what she usually took. Even stranger was she didn’t seem to care what the jobs were at the moment, her thoughts elsewhere. She was more concerned with what Victor Creed had said the last time they were together. Why was it, that he made her doubt what she’d been taught since she was able to walk? The whole thing left her frustrated and easily provoked.

Either way, today was another off day, the woman fuming as she braced herself against a tree in Central park, eyes closed as she ‘relaxed’. Suddenly, her eyes shot open, adrenaline coursing through her body. She wasn’t alone….

[/justify]

[Victor Creed]

Creed had been spending a lot of time in New York lately. Far more than he usually did. Sure he had his fun with Logan and whatever else to entertain himself. But for some reason he remained in New York. Why didn't he just go back home? Was it because it still smelled like her? No...Victor wasn't that sentimental...was he?

And the closest thing to nature Victor could get in this concrete jungle was the park. It was funny how large the place was. Humans were so pathetic as to build a littel piece of natural paradise smack dab in the middle of towering buildings. He probably would have liked it more if it wasn't so fake. Everything planted and tended to...everything was too symetrical.

His disgust for the planning of the park had shifted as the wind brought an all too familiar scent to his nose. Merfonde. What was she doing here? Had she found him again? Well if she was looking for him surely she would have said something by now. He followed the scent slightly, just walking with his hands in his pockets. It wasn't until he reached the tree that he realized that for once he found her. A smirk crossed his lips before he spoke up. "You know, you're pretty easy to sneak up on."

[mero]

For once, Merfonde hadn't looked to see who it was that had somehow managed to sneak up on her with out her realizing. It couldn't have been unintentional, it took an incredibly amount of skill to sneak up on her! Instead, she decided to wait and see just who this person was, and what they were hoping to accomplish... Or if they knew what they were getting themselves into. After all, Merfonde didn't play nice with strangers...

Hearing that all to familiar voice, she slowly lifted her gaze, finding Victor instantly... and smirking softly. "Only by you." She didn't try to defend her slow response to picking him up, as he could probably guess that she'd been lost in thought up until his appearance. She also didn't add that she was able to sneak up on him to a certain point as well.

Of course, after only a few moments, the woman started to wonder if he'd actually been looking for her, or if this meeting had been by coincidence. He didn't give anything away with his body language, leaving her guessing. Finally she smirked, unfolding her arms from across her chest and running her fingers through her hair. "So? Just decided to stop by and say hello?"

[/justify]

[Victor Creed]

Did it matter if he sought her out or not? The fact was that when he smelled her he found her. That should count enough. He also wasn't the type to admit that he had been thinking about her.

He smirked as he saw her react so calmly to his presense. Well she knew there was a high chance he wasn't there to hurt her. "Well you stop by and say hello, is there something against me doing the same? " Victor took a moment to give her a look over, mainly to see what she had been up to since last he saw her. It seemed to be the same, no real evidence to contradict that. "Though a merc like you lounging out in the open seems to be a little odd." He chuckled slightly but maybe it was her day off. Hell if he knew what she liked to do on her days off.

"There has to be better places for you to relax. Like a bar. A nice drink might do ya some good in untensing those muscles." He chuckled darkly again. Mostly he was testing her, seeing how much the weeks they hadn't seen each other had treated her.

[mero]

Merfonde didn’t care what his reasoning for finding her was, it was more of an attempt to make conversation. Since a fight between them was unlikely, there was no reason for not being her definition of friendly. Not to mention, she was actually quite fond of the mad man. He was interesting.

”Of course not. You just never did it before now. I was beginning to think you’d lost interest in me.” Just like him, she made her own quick examination. Absolutely no different than before. But his healing, played a big factor. Even if he had been in any fights, there would be absolutely no sign of it. And seeing as none of her work had gotten her injured, the woman was in one piece, with absolutely no injuries.

His comment made her laugh, she had to admit he was right. It was a bit odd for her to be out here. ”Maybe I’m just changing my behavior so I don’t get predictable.” She wasn’t saying she was predictable, it was more of an excuse for finding a quiet spot to think.

She smirked mischievously at his suggestion. ”Oh? And are you offering, or just suggesting?” She knew the game he was playing, so, might as well play back.

[/justify]

[Victor Creed]

Victor moved closer to the woman then. He stood right beside her while he braced a hand up against the trunk of that tree. That familiar wicked smirk crossing his lips. Oh it was fun watching her react to his closeness. It wasn't something she outright reacted to, no it was a subtle barely noticeable twitch. He had gotten used to seeing it and it amused him. Merfonde didn't like people in her personal space bubble. And Victor liked making people uncomfortable. Even if he was uncomfortable with his inability to take the chances he's had to kill her. "Lost interest?" That smirk remained as he leaned his head in close to her own. His voice was dark and rumbled with a growl as he spoke again. "You stay alive because of that interest. Don't forget that...Bunny." Creed took a moment to take a deep inhale of her scent while he lingered so close, hoping that this little moment would drive a shiver up her spine.

And in the next moment he pushed himself from the tree and took a few steps away from her. "Everyone is predictable, whether they show it outwardly or not."

That smirk returned with her own as she mentioned his drinking comment. "Suggest, offer...what's the difference? I know a good bar nearby.." Now that he thought of it he wanted a drink. Victor started to walk away then, now it was her choice. Would she follow him to the bar or remain there to think of...whatever she was thinking of.

[mero]

Anyone passing the pair might think the two were a couple, dangerously close to locking lips. If only they knew the relationship between these two. They were just as likely to kiss as they were to try and kill each other. It made Merfonde wonder… What would you call the relationship between them? She finally decided… With just Complicated.

As expected, there was that subtle twitch to his entering her bubble, but nothing more than that. It put her on edge, because his motives could be vastly different. He could try to kill her, and seeing as his reaction time was faster than hers she’d be on the losing end if that happened. He could try to kiss her, which he was likely to get stabbed (or kissed in return if she was in the mood) for. Or, he could just be doing it purely for reaction. Either way, she wouldn’t hold it against him if he took advantage of her dropping her guard just because she was convinced he was only going for a reaction. ”So you would hunt me down if you ever lost interest..?” Her own voice lowered to a soft, but dangerous whisper, an amused smirk touching the corners of her lips.

You wouldn’t say she was ‘used’ to his constantly reminding himself what she smelled like, but it wasn’t something foreign either. Either way, it still made the hairs on the back of her neck stand. And it wasn’t until he put those few steps between them that she relaxed just a touch… Well, enough that she knew he wasn’t going to try to kill her this time.

She chuckled softly at what he said, shrugging away from the tree. ”Well, I suppose I’ll keep you company.” Without missing a beat, she caught up to him, making sure to keep just a small distance between them in case one of them decided it’d be more entertaining to attack the other. Close enough to defend.. Or attack.

[/justify]

[Victor Creed]

"I would kill you if I ever lost interest." Victor stated it plainly and put it on the playing board so to speak. She would have no doubt now that their relationship was....complicated. While Victor felt no blood lust to rip her open, he had no problems with the idea of it.

As they walked in silence towards the bar Victor knew of a slight smirk came to his lips. He just got an idea that could be fairly entertaining...at least for him. "All right, you can keep me company. But if you are going to do so, yer going to have to keep up. And that means drink by drink little girl." Those eyes turned to look at her and show that wicked smirk of his. Oh he could drink a lot...a lot. But if she agreed to his little game he would have to go easy on her, lest she pass out or worse die from alcohol poisoning.

"And just to make it a little more interesting. I'll let you make the wager." Now the real question was, if she agreed to all of this that is, would Victor let her win...or not?

[mero]

Merfonde smirked softly. "I better not get boring anytime soon then." She did know he was a little more careful with her, just so he didn't do any serious damage during any of their games, just as he knew she had no problem doing as much damage as physically possible... All because he'd heal. To bad she couldn't...

Seeing that smirk out of the corner of her eyes made her glance towards him, her wild eyes watching him intently, waiting for whatever he was planning. Hearing his demands made her laugh. "Why does it sound like you don't think I can? I'm hurt." She put on a fake, wounded expression. He was probably right. Actually, she knew he was right, to assume she wouldn't be able to drink as much as him. But considering the man was a giant, it took quite a bit more alcohol to intoxicate him then her. But at least some of her training would actually help in the current situation.

"Oh really? And what would be a good wager?" She was smirking as she watched him. She was more or less asking what wager he'd make if it were up to him.

[/justify]

[Victor Creed]

"Depends on what you're into Darlin'." Victor smirked still in an amused fashion. "You could turn the tables and say..if you win I'll have to be your body guard until I save your life or..something." He shrugged a bit, having just come up with something out of no where. "Or if I win I get to do...unspeakable naughty things to you."

Creed laughed a bit, knowing that had they had a more normal relationship...and perhaps more normal personalities. That joke would get him a punch in the arm and they'd move on. But while he laughed, he wasn't really kidding in that suggestion.

It wasn't too much longer until they were down an alley in the cities streets. Further and further they went into that narrow passage way before finally reaching a door with a neon sign above it. He went inside without much of a ceremony in the matter, though he did leave the door open for her. "Running out of time, pick our terms." That playful sadistic smirk reappeared. Well it was playful for Victor.

The bar was...obviously a bar Victor enjoyed being in. It was run down and full of the 'biker' type of men. And everyone noticed their entrance. They seemed to quietly accept Victor just from the look of him but Merfonde got a good amount of stares.

[mero]

Both Merfonde’s eyebrows raised at his suggestion. The idea of having Victor as a ‘bodyguard’ was both appealing… and terrifying. Of course, that was probably what would make it so much fun. And, of course, his idea for his victory was completely expected. Of course he’d choose something like that. Considering he’d let her escape both previous encounters, with thoughts of doing exactly that, she was a little surprised he’d lasted this long. ”Hmmmm. I’ve always wanted a bodyguard. But would you make a good one?”

Merfonde wasn’t worried about the area they were heading into. The only thing she was worried about, was memorizing her surroundings if she had to make a quick mistake, and as it was, she had the place completely mapped out on sight. ”Maybe we’ll go with your terms. Unless you have second thoughts about what you want.” She knew he wouldn’t. Without any hesitation at all, she followed the giant of a man into the biker bar.

And it really was a biker bar. 90 percent of the occupants were similar builds to Victor, well built men with rugged, dangerous looks to them. Obviously Merfonde stuck out, quite a bit. Not just because she was a woman, but she didn’t appear to be ‘well built’, very wiry in her frame. Seeing the first stare, the woman glared daggers, silently daring them to keep looking. That any more staring, and she’d have no problem stabbing their eyes out.

[/justify]

[Victor Creed]

Victor had to do his best not to look absolutely shocked that she agreed to his terms. The bodyguard thing...whatever...it was the fact that if he won that he was surprised about. Interesting...

He led the way through the bar, letting her follow close behind. Though she could take care of herself he noticed those looks as well. But once they found the bar there didn't seem to be any stools that were next to each other. Easily remedied, especially as one particular man was staring at Merfonde. He smirked as he moved within a foot of the man before he flat out decked him. The man barely knew what hit him before he was on the ground. He shoved the unconscious body over a bit as he offered her the stool. "What was that about being a good body guard?" He chuckled slightly then gestured the bartender over as he sat upon his own stool. "We need one shot of everything each." If they were going to do this, they were going to do it right. Of course with this kind of bar the bartender was irritated at having to do so much work, but he begrudgingly took the time and started to lay out the shots before them. All kinds of liquors from rum to vodka were there.