InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Take me out tonight!"

Starbuck (starbucky) wrote in halcyon_halls,
@ 2008-07-02 14:36:00

Entry tags:

starbuck, wes

Week Thirteen: Monday, June 24th
Who: Starbuck and Wes (maybe Jake and/or Kat at some point if they're interested)
Where: the tattoo parlor
When: around 8:00pm

Starbuck felt a lot better about the whole situation with Wes. The two weeks away from school had helped him clear his head of a lot of the negativity that had been residing there. Plus, it seemed Kat and Wes were getting along better, so what reason did Starbuck have to stay mad at the guy?

Wes and Starbuck had somewhat made amends before the break, but Starbuck still felt it was only right to talk man to man and level with one another. Wes seemed like a cool guy, Starbuck had thought so from the start, and he wanted to get back into that mind set. He also kinda missed his art lessons, and part of his reason for meeting with Wes tonight was to ask if they could resume those.

Starbuck also wanted to talk to Wes about his son, and what the new arrival would do to the already rocky relationship with Kat. If Kat was gonna try to make things work with Wes, it would likely be made more difficult with a half-brother now in the picture as well. Starbuck just wanted to prepare himself in case she decided to push him away again.

But he didn't want to think about that right now. He was feeling great, better than he had felt at school in a long time. His first day of classes had gone well, and he was actually looking forward to going to the shop. Kat was probably gonna be around, so that was a perk, even if she was too busy to talk to him. He also just really liked tattoo parlors. There was something about them he'd always enjoyed. His mom always said it was a career he should consider, but Starbuck brushed off such ideas. He wasn't good enough, not in his mind anyway. Seemed there were people who would argue with him on that one.

Walking into the shop, he looked around for Wes and/or Kat. "Hello?"

Ads by Project Wonderful! Your ad here, right now: $0

(Post a new comment)

tattooed_skin
2008-07-02 06:30 pm UTC (link)

"Yup." Wes called, from... somewhere. "You are capable of verbal greeting, and you should be proud. Congratulations." The once silent shop, then filled with music. That certain selection of cds had been on rotation since before break, it was time for a change. He was far from an egomaniac, but he tended to listen to his own music while working. Rough cuts of songs, that had been recorded in the back studio of the shop. Sometimes you had to hear it from a spectators point of view, before you noticed all the little points, where the song didn't work. Hell, it had only been on for a few seconds, and he could all ready say that his voice sounded off, and the bass line was too light. Hopefully it didn't continue out through the whole thing... fuck it, they would record it again anyway.

When he did appear, it was obvious there was a change in him. No, Wes was no ball of fucking sunshine, but he didn't look down, as he had for weeks before. Things were looking up, granted his youngest kids were less than happy with him, but just having told them, being that honest, took a lot of the weight from his shoulders. Plus, being clean for nearly a month didn't hurt either. Dressed in his usual fashion, old ratty jeans, patched in some places, a white ringer t-shirt, and a rolling stones cap pulled down over his wild hair, he approached Starbuck, "Didn't know it was you." Would his greeting have been any less... Wes like? Probably not, he was normally rude, but not. If his mood hadn't improved so much, he might have felt slightly awkward talking to the kid. Hell, the last time they were in the same room, both had lost their tempers.

A brow shot up, at the cry of pain that admitted from Jake's station. "You're supposed to buy him a drink first, Mac." One liners, and grunts, that was about the normal conversation that passed between the two. Which worked fine for them, neither were big on talking, which was probably why they had hit it off in the first place. "So, you wanted to talk." He said, his attention returning to Starbuck. "Let's cut the foreplay, and get down to it, yeah?" He gave his head a slight nod, before crossing his arms over his chest.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

starbucky
2008-07-02 06:45 pm UTC (link)

Starbuck had to laugh at little at Wes' reply, even if Starbuck couldn't figure out where it was coming from. He meandered through the shop, looking at the familiar surroundings, the pictures that hung on the walls showing off the sort of work Wes did. His steps were unconsciously in time with the music. "What's that you've got playing?" he asked, as he continued to head toward the direction of Wes' voice from just moments before.

Wes came out from a back room, and Starbuck stopped in his tracks, smiling at the guy. "Yeah, it's me. Told ya I'd be coming by around this time. You too busy? We could talk some other night if you want." Starbuck wasn't in any hurry. He could wait if Wes had better things to do. Tonight was just good for Starbuck because it was very early in the school week. He had plenty of time to get all his work done and handed in on schedule.

Starbuck was in a damn good mood. Things were great with Kat, he'd spent some quality time with his mom, and classes were off to a good start. His improved attitude showed in his appearance just as it did in Wes'. And Wes' visible vitality didn't go unnoticed. "Looks like your trip went alright," Starbuck commented with a nod toward the hairy man. Starbuck himself looked as clean cut as always. His hair was trimmed short, his face only showing it's normal stubble, and his clothes consisted of the usual loose jeans, a random graphic t-shirt, and the always reliable flip flops.

Wes cut right to the chase, which was expected, but still a bit abrupt. Then there were the crossed arms across the chest. It all screamed annoyance and maybe even arrogance. The posturing was more than a little unsettling to Starbuck. "Ok... well... I just wanted to see if you and I were cool. I mean... things didn't go so well last time we talked in person. I'm sorry for some of the shit I said. Just worried about Kat is all. She means a lot to me, and I wanna make sure she's safe and happy. When you got here, it fucked shit up. Looks like that's improving now though, so yeah. I think I misjudged you."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

tattooed_skin
2008-07-03 03:58 pm UTC (link)

"Some stuff that we recorded, while my brothers were here." The band hadn't toured in years, but they still recorded music, produced the albums. That was one reason Wes had been sure to put a recording studio in the back of the song. Sometimes going into the booth, and laying down tracks was just as therapeutic, as painting. Thom ran their web site, and they still sold music on the underground scene. There wasn't much profit to be made, but it was something they all enjoyed, so why stop? "That kid, Rufus, he has been helping me through some stuff together. Bringing in new elements." The kid could play guitar nearly as well as Alex, and that was saying something. Alex had been playing for nearly sixty years. Rufus... Wes still couldn't believe he ran off, and got married.

He gave his head a little shake. Yeah, they had been busy, that was too be expected after being closed for two weeks, but they had arranged to talk, and he has some time to do so. "It's fine." Which it was, he'd been anticipating this talk, since he'd requested it. There were a few ideas floating around in his head, as to what it could be about. Kat's new job, her brother even. It was likely that those issues would come up.

Reaching up, he gave his beard a scratch, trying to decided whether he could call it a good trip, or not. "Not sure I would call it good. It was what I had been expecting. I'm just glad that everything is out there in the open, and I'm not keeping anyone in the dark any more." Yeah, the kids were still pissed, as was Piper, but he couldn't blame them. The biggest obstacle was out of the way, and now the healing could began. If they ever decided that he deserved to be forgiven. Considering how close they had been, he was optimistic about it. Plus, with things looking up with Kat, it had improved his mood. "You? How was home?"

He had never been one for beating around the bush, nor small talk. Seeing that he didn't talk all that much anyway, when he did, it had purpose... or a smart ass comment, which ever was needed more in the moment. Annoyance? No, arrogance, no? A bit defensive, maybe. After all, the last time they had talked, things had gotten ugly. Wes was prepared for whatever might happen, and determined not to lose his temper again. Wes listened to the kid, his eyes resting on him, just visible under the brim of his hat. "Yeah, we're cool. I have no good reason to hold a grudge with you." Wes was used to people misjudging him. Even those who claimed to be open minded, often took him at face value. Or judged him by his past. Yeah, he had fucked up, a lot. Didn't mean he hadn't learned from his mistakes. You do a lot of learning, when you've lived for centuries.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

starbucky
2008-07-03 07:40 pm UTC (link)

"Rufus, eh? Did ya hear he got hitched over the break? Crazy shit." Starbuck didn't know the guy all that well, but he'd still been surprised by the news. It was a good surprise though, and Starbuck was really happy for Rufus and Kate. It was nice to see two people fall in love and commit like that to one another. He didn't have anything against marriage, though he also didn't think it was necessary as a way to bond two souls. Your hearts could easily be married without any sort of legal document. The paperwork only helped with taxes and immigration. That was basically it.

Starbuck could understand how it would be a difficult trip but still good. Success was what mattered, and Starbuck was glad that Wes had gotten the chance to clear the air with everyone. Holding onto a secret like that had to have been stressful for the guy, though confessing something like that wasn't exactly easy either. When Wes left and Stabuck had wished him luck, he'd meant it. Hopefully the entire family would be able to forgive and embrace one another, accepting the changes. Accepting Kat. She needed a family, and Starbuck really thought she'd benefit from having a good one. "I'm glad to hear it, man... seriously. Hope everything improves from here on out." His words reflected his genuine wish for Wes and all those involved.

"My trip home was great. Kat and I had an awesome time the first week... then she came back to school, and I stayed behind to spend more time with my mom. I couldn't have asked for a better two weeks. It was exactly what I needed. I think Kat needed it too, and pretty sure she enjoyed herself. Her and Mom even got on alright," he said with some surprise. Starbuck had been concerned, but his mother was as accommodating and adaptive as always. She could put anyone at ease. It was one of the many things he adored about her.

Starbuck felt relief when Wes said they were cool. "Good. Because, I thought you were cool from the start, then things just got all fucked up... and I shouldn't have doubted my initial opinion of you. I hope you know I was only looking out for Kat. I don't think she's had many people looking out for her over the years. I'm glad she's got both of us now."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

tattooed_skin
2008-07-05 08:29 pm UTC (link)

There was a very dramatic rolling of the eyes from him at that moment. "Yeah, I heard. Crazy kid." The two had spoken about it the previous day, and Wes, well he'd been shocked. Married at nineteen, to a girl he had only known for a couple of months.... who he hadn't slept with. Right, that was a good idea. Wes had attempted to give him some advice about the bedroom, but the kid had turned so red, that he couldn't do so without laughing. Maybe it was best they figured things out on their own, hell it might even work. He didn't know Kate, but he'd heard nothing but praise for her, from Rufus. "He seems happy, a bit in over his head, but happy." Wes shrugged then.

Wes had always been fairly open. If someone asked him, he told them what they wanted to know. Never once had he tried to make himself out to look like this great guy, because really, he wasn't, and he knew that. He'd done a lot of confessing in his life, and always felt better after it... well, normally. He hadn't felt better after tell Kat, but that was a lot different, than telling someone you cheated, or that you fell off the wagon. Telling someone you were there dad, after being absent for nearly twenty years... nothing could compare. Now, it was a worry of whether everyone would come around, or not. His brother were willing to accept her, but his other kids... not just yet. They would need time. He hoped that one day, they would all consider one another family. "Thanks." He gave a small nod to show his appreciation. He knew the kid had Kat's best interest at heart.

When he first found out that the two were going together, he'd been thankful. Especially after his run in with her the Monday before break. Kat had been a complete wreck, and admitted that it hadn't been her first night that way. Truth was, he couldn't blame her, but he still worried. It was a bit like playing with a loaded gun for her, given her parents history. Wes knew that if she was off with Starbuck, he'd keep an eye on her. Wouldn't stop her from using if she wanted to, but he'd at least take care of her if things got too bad. He cast his eyes around the shop, making sure the blond wasn't in hearing range, "She didn't give you too much of a hard time then?" There might have been the faintest of grins on his face. He had to wonder about those two sometimes... Kat wasn't obviously nice to Starbuck most of the time.

Having someone apologize, wasn't something he was used to. It was normally the other way around, and he was used to the reaction he usually got. Nah, he wasn't going to be that way. Not for an instant. Unfolding his arms, he held his hand out to him. "Don't sweat it, kid. I know your heart is in the right place." With him, more than most people, it was really obvious. "So am I."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

starbucky
2008-07-07 08:35 am UTC (link)

Starbuck gave a nod at the 'thanks'. Seemed like he and Wes really were cool again, which was great. Starbuck wanted a fresh start in all sorts of ways. He'd had a fantastic vacation, and now he was back at school with an improved outlook on life. He hoped it would last, though life was unpredictable, and who knew what it had in store for him. He figured the best he could do was try to learn from the past, enjoy the present, and hope for the best in the future. Maybe Wes was looking at things in the same way.

Damn right Starbuck would keep an eye on her, well, as much as she'd allow it. But with it only being the two of them, and her being stuck in his element, she'd been more easy going. It was funny, a bit like those reality dating shows. Everything's great when you're in paradise, but the real world has a way of ending all that. Starbuck prayed their return to Halcyon wouldn't undo what he felt was progress made on their trip.

At Wes' grin, Starbuck couldn't help but give a shy one of his own and look down at the floor for a moment. It was a bit weird talking to Wes about such things. "Nah. We really had a great time. Hung out at the beach a lot, I took her to some of my favorite places... even hopped around to some of the other islands. She got to meet Henri... he's my best friend, a manta ray. So, yeah, it was awesome." Made him all the more worried that such a dream vacation was just that. A dream. Now they were awake again, aware of all the problems that existed. Starbuck had noticed the flirting going on via the journals, and he tried his best to dismiss it. Every time he felt himself getting jealous, he forced himself to remember what Kat had told him. The other guys weren't the same. She'd compared it to someone who cheats on a spouse. Doesn't mean they don't still love the person they're with, they just have other needs... stuff that's out of their control. He tried to tell himself that Kat didn't care about anyone else, it was just... whatever it was. She was real with Starbuck, and at times he felt she loved him too, but was too afraid to show it or say it. Maybe if he stayed patient, stayed by her side no matter what, she'd eventually realize how good he was for her and be able to walk away from everything else to be with him alone.

Starbuck smiled broadly and took Wes' hand, giving it a firm shake. "It is. Thanks." He felt a great sense of relief having officially cleared the air with Wes. Maybe now they could try and be friends.

Which made Starbuck remember his other reason for coming. "So... now that you and I don't loathe each other anymore. You think we could pick up with my lessons again? I want to learn more about painting, and you're a good teacher."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

tattooed_skin
2008-07-08 02:25 pm UTC (link)

Life had a way of being a tricky little fucker. Shit often had a way of coming around full circle, and biting you in the ass. In his life, he'd come to find out that everything you did, had a consequence, and on a long enough time line they would find a place in your life. Kat, was a perfect example of that. He'd whored it up, when he should have been at home with his ex. The result of course was a nineteen year old daughter, that he barely knew. It was also amazing how some consequences could stem other problems. Like the disruption with his other kids, it would be a long while, before everything went back to normal... if it ever did. But really, you couldn't change what was in the past, or what it might bring about. You had to deal with it, face it, and move along. When you had near immortality to look forward to, you couldn't let little shit beat you down. That would just result in a long ass time of being walked on.

"Oh right, I forgot you can talk to sea creatures. I bet they more interesting than some people." Hell, if given the choice, Wes would probably talk to a fish, than some people. People just had a way of getting on his last nerve, which was easy to do, seeing that he found a lot of things annoying. There were a few he could stand though... a very few. And most seemed to be some what like him, so it worked. "Sounds like a bitchin' trip. That one of the few places I've never been, I think I should now." He wished he had gone before it became such a well known place, so heavily occupied by tourist, and what not. Though, there was no doubt it would be beautiful still. Hmm, maybe he'd take the kids, might be a good bribing trip, to help when back some of that forgiveness.

A brow rose then. "Loathe... really? Can't say I ever loathed you, I was just annoyed." Annoyed that he kept being called the bad guy, and no one saw his point of view. But he hadn't hated the kid. In truth, he didn't really blame anyone for their parts in this... drama. It was all justified to a point. "Yeah, we can pick up lessons again. Though, any reason you didn't take any of my classes this semester?" He asked with a knowing look. Of course he knew why, but he would have still liked to see the kid on his roster. "Eh, nevermind, don't have to answer. I'll just do a high lighted course with you, teach you the stuff that I think is cool... well, everything I teach is cool, but you have to do the basics still." Yeah, some people didn't have the first clue when it came to painting. But, that was what he was there for.

(Reply to this) (Parent)