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Tweak says, "Do the funky chicken!"

Elliot Ashford (bound_elliot) wrote in bound_rp,
@ 2013-10-11 20:32:00

Entry tags:

aiden teague, elliot ashford, in progress, private, valerian alexander

the music gets into me
Date:September 29, 2012
Time: 10:00 p.m.
Location: Wider Country, Crescent Cove
Characters: Elliot Ashford, Valerian Alexander, (~~Aiden Teague~~)
Description: Having tracked down a location to check for answers to the mysteries surrounding the deaths in his family, Elliot runs into an old acquiantance that has more in common with him than they knew before.
Status: Private, In Progress

The darkness of the night allowed little slivers of moonlight past the grand clouds hanging high in the sky, though none of the light had much illumination on the streets below. From its place above, the moon hid carefully beneath the fullness of the fluffed wisps, making it hard for Elliot to see much of where he was going. He hadn’t been on this side of town for quite some time, though much seemed the same. It was easier that way, having a hint of what to expect. He did have a flashlight just in case, but the streetlights were doing decently by providing light that the moon denied.

His shadow extended further into the darkness beyond the streets with each step he took away from the lamps, coming to stand in front of drive of his destination. Elliot had heard rumors that he might be able to find what he was looking for beyond his stop, and his eyes searched the darkness in front of him for some sign of what was hidden. With one glance cast back at the empty way he’d come, he stepped off-road and began trekking the drive, going further from society with each step.

He walked for some time; the overdramatic child inside told him it must have been for miles, but he knew it hadn’t been that long when he finally arrived. The old shack in front of him stood alone within the middle of the area, trees on either side of it standing proud and tall. A tiny light inside flickered, but revealed nothing of what waited inside. Elliot swallowed, trying to muster up the courage to continue.

He’d been told that the person he sought would be able to tell him something about what had killed his grandfather, but if he was honest, he was just looking for any clue at all – it didn’t have to be specifically about his grandfather, he just needed something more than the nothingness he had to go on already.

He didn’t know what – or who – he’d find inside. But then, there was a lot that he didn’t know these days, when it came to Crescent Cove. So much had changed; he wasn’t entirely confident it was for the better, either.

Fingers gripped loosely on the doorknob, and swallowing one last breath for courage, he pushed gripped tight and twisted, pushing open the door. The tiny light illuminated a face of someone he’d not seen in years, though it hadn’t aged a bit since their first encounter.

He was quiet, lips tight as he assessed the being in front of him. Eyes trailed over the familiar body, brown irises finally setting on the man’s face.

“Hang out in creepy shacks often?”

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bound_valerian
2013-10-12 07:09 am UTC (link)

Valerian's brilliance knew no limit, or rather his penchant for brilliant theatrics knew no limit. Why else would he lead a young man on a wild goose chase, to the middle of nowhere. That isn't even mentioning the shack he found, and cleaned. As if he was going to be found in some dirty shack. It at least had to be cleaned. He had sent his 'gophers' to clean it before anyone's arrival. Valerian leaned back in his chair, and delicately balanced it on one leg as he waited. "Step into my parlor, said the spider to the fly." He mused out loud as he waited for the young man to show up.

They had met before years ago, but it wasn't as if he was going to change. The 'immortal' life had been incredibly kind to him. He had known vampires who had grown uglier in their age. He was thankful he was not one of those. He perked up a little when he heard footsteps outside of the little shack. He knew without a doubt who it was, for his beloved Olshenkas, and his trusted Takeshi had instructions to slaughter anyone who wasn't Elliot, that was headed to the shack. It was private property afterall.

He watched as the door was opened with what seemed to be trepidation and grinned when he saw the silhouette walk into illumination. Valerian wore a white leather vest that looked as if it's purpose was to keep him from breathing. The bottom points ended almost even with his bellybutton. His pants were fashioned similarly. They were made of white leather, and tight as they could get without cutting off circulation. It left very little to the imagination, which didn't bother him at all. He was rather proud of his flawless body. Valerian wore a sly and impish grin before he hopped out of the chair gracefully. He bit his finger for a moment before he replied. "You mean, you don't like the decor?"

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bound_elliot
2013-10-12 11:02 am UTC (link)

Taking in the sight of the man in front of him, Elliot held back the urge to roll his eyes far enough into the back of his head that he’d be blinded. The outfit was a little over the top in comparison to Elliot’s own: a simple pair of grey jeans topped with a navy tee and covered by a hoodie. A nightly stroll didn’t call for much more, in his opinion.

“It could use some work,” he mused, still stood in the doorway. His eyes were still trained on the form of the man, quietly assessing just what was going on. He’d been led to the shack by being told that someone inside would fill him in on his grandfather’s death; how would Valerian be able to do that? The last time they’d met, it had been at the top of his senior year of high school, and had mostly been a chance encounter. One drink after another after a lackluster prom, and one thing led to – well, years of not thinking of the other, to be frank.

“Perhaps I have the wrong abandoned cabin.” For the first time, Elliot looked away, going to turn around. He released the door as he did so, going to re-grab the knob and pull it closed on his way out. Yet he stopped in the doorway, curiosity getting the best of him. He could feel that something wasn’t right, but couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

“Do you know?” It was vague, but it was still hard for him to talk about, to actually admit what he was seeking. “About my grandfather?”

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bound_valerian
2013-10-12 05:28 pm UTC (link)

Everything about Valerian was a little over the top. At least he wasn't wearing the shiny hooker leather. He was classy enough to wear leather with a sort of matte finish to it. Sure, it was a little risque, but it was not stripper slutty. He was a very monochromatic person. When he dressed, it was typically in one color, and nearly always matched the vehicle he drove in. He had a lot of black, a lot of red, and some white. It had been a white day apparently. His white motorcycle was parked out back, behind the shed. It wasn't the bulky sort of hog-motorcycle, but more of a 'rice burner', which was what the man at the motorcycle company he ordered it from described it. He loved it immensely, and took it out whenever he felt the need to feel the wind on his face.

"You mean to say, these aren't the accommodations you were looking for?" He said with a smile, not even realizing that he had very nearly quoted a line from a Star Wars movie. He wouldn't even know what Star Wars was.

Valerian smiled as he watched Elliot turn to walk away. How disappointing. You dangle a worm in the water, and the fish aren't hungry. He smiled as he leaned against one of the walls and kicked the chair in Elliot's direction. It slid across the floor and stopped right at his feet. "Please, have a seat. Perhaps we can, come to an arrangement about the information concerning your grandfather's untimely death." He crooned as the light painted shadows on his almost completely exposed abdomen. Then, his face shifted in the dim light, and it appeared as if the pain of death was apparent on his face. "I really am very sorry about your grandfather, Elliot." And as quickly as his concern manifested itself, it had disappeared. A true moment of empathy, and sadness for another. It was a rare glimpse of who he was on the inside. A rare glimpse past the mask he wrapped himself in.

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bound_elliot
2013-10-17 07:55 pm UTC (link)

"Is this kind of thing actually up anyone's alley, V?" Elliot held back the urge to roll his eyes, but he gave a quick look-over to the decorations that the other had strung up. Sure, it seemed elaborate enough to have taken quite some time, but the brunet doubted that it had actually taken more than an hour. It was just a shack in the woods, after all.

When the other mentioned the word 'death' in terms of his grandfather, his skin prickled, goose feathers sliding right up along the tanned surface. His body ached to a slow tensity, though just as quick as it appeared, it was gone. He knew there was no use in getting riled up.

After all, it wasn't like Valerian had anything to do with the matter.

His eyes cast downwards before the apology slipped past Valerian's lips, and brown hues seemed to shine golden as they met his company's eyes. He nodded in acceptance, not bothering to look away. There was a history there, perhaps something unspoken, that meant Elliot would take the condolences and leave them at that. Once upon a time back in high school, he wouldn't have minded being in a creepy shack with the other; but this was beyond high school, and he was beyond that infatuation .. well, maybe.

"I found a note directing me out here. I'm guessing you're the one that planted it."

He'd finally returned to the estate left in his father's name to find a sealed envelope directing him to the very shack he stood in. The note promised an answer, though how Valerian could have any ties or information to his grandfather's death was a mystery to the Ashford boy.

"If you know anything, just come out and say it. I don't need to be pitied, I just need to know what to do next."

As far as Elliot knew, Valerian was just a common guy - sure, one that hadn't aged a bit since his senior year, but he didn't jump to assumptions. There was a lot being left unsaid between the two, with the blood running through their veins being a topic hitherto undiscussed.

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bound_valerian
2013-10-18 03:33 am UTC (link)

He wanted to say that this was actually up his alley. This was his forte, fortunately for him. True, the decorations were a little over the top, but he had other plans for the little shack, after their business was done. It had taken about thirty minutes, and he hadn't done it alone. Takeshi was lingering about somewhere. Probably with one of his informants.

He hated seeing Elliot so upset. Sure they had something when he was in high school, but Valerian doubted there would be any rekindling of that old flame, if that was even what one would call it. Valerian gazed at the young man with intensity.

"Well, I had someone plant it, whom isn't really an important detail." He said as he sat down on top of the wooden rectangular table, and swung his legs around the front so he could face Elliot. "I'm sure you know that getting this information came at a great cost to me." Was this the right card to play? "I can give you that which you seek, but I'd like something in return." He said softly, his voice soothing and almost commanding at the same time. "And, I assure you, I do not pity you. I know you're a tough boy." Memories flooded his head for a moment. Good memories.

"I'll let you talk to my informant, if you'll agree to..." How could he convey his want without revealing too much? "If you'll agree to join my consortium of sorts. Don't be fooled though. I have a lead that I will share with you, but as to what I share and what extend that I share, is up to you, El." He had every right to demand things of the young man. He tried to be tactful, though.

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bound_elliot
2013-10-21 08:49 pm UTC (link)

"Of course; nothing ever comes free with you," he spoke, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. He recalled quite well the rapport between the both of them all those years ago. The flame hadn't burned very bright, no, but every flicker had been a flux and flow of energy - some well spent, some what seemed to be wasted. Elliot had learned the hard way not to expect anything without a catch to it.

He let his shoulders roll back, as if shrugging some of the tension off. Elliot took a step forward, closer within the space of the other man, his eyes dancing with the light of the room. You don't know the half of it, Valerian. His thoughts held back the power coursing inside of him, though it tingled beneath his skin as a vibrant agreement to the other's statement.

"A consortium? Hm." The flashbacks within his mind immediately flooded with memories way back when, days when the two had a tug-of-war with what had been between them. Elliot had many a time fallen a victim to the concupiscence that had been between them, agreeing to do many a thing he'd normally have not signed up for. However, he'd not been entirely innocent; there'd been many a time when Elliot had been the mastermind behind manipulating Valerian into giving him what he desired.

"Consider me in." That was Elliot when it came to his family: jumping in before he knew what it entailed. Normally he took the time to think through things, weigh all of his options, but he was at a crossroads now with information dangling just past his fingertips. This was the first lead he'd gotten that didn't stop at a dead end. He was damn well going to take it.

"What do you have in mind?"

He was close now, the light of the room sparkling brilliantly in golden hues that were set on Valerian. It was time for answers, no matter the cost.

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bound_valerian
2013-10-22 07:02 am UTC (link)

"And why should it? I've spent my entire life gathering information. I use my resources and I must pay them in kind." He said as-a-matter-of-factly. He made sure that his tone wasn't rude. "However, I suspect that you'll find this arrangement will help the both of us." He said with a grin. Valerian had a secret, and so did Elliot. Neither of them knew the other's secret, although Eliot probably had a good idea of what Valerian's could be. "Yes, a consortium." Those days of tug-of-war had been good ones, and as brilliant and cunning as Valerian was, he definitely did not get everything he wanted in their arrangement long ago. Elliot gave as good as he took when it came to getting the things he wanted. He was a smart young man, and Valerian prized intellect above most all things.

"Fantastic." He barely whispered and smiled devilishly. "I have lots of things in mind..." Valerian replied as he reached a hand out and traced the contour of Elliot's jawline gently with his index finger. "However, they are things I wouldn't want to do in a shack, in the middle of nowhere." His eyes sparkled and burned with desire. He touched the piece in his ear, that was hidden by his brown hair. "Go ahead. Send him in, and bring the extra chair."

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bound_elliot
2013-10-22 08:35 pm UTC (link)

"Do pray tell, I'm on the edge of my seat here." He didn't dare look away, eyes still matching Valerian's as he stood in front of the other. He had been a stubborn individual, and that wasn't changing anytime soon; his grandfather had always said that looking away first showed a sign of weakness, and while this situation wasn't exactly threatening, Elliot had a sense of competitiveness instilled within.

As the finger traced along his jaw, he couldn't hold back the unintentional shift his head made, following the trail. If there was anything to take away from the past between the two people in the shack, it was the level of understanding that they'd had between them; what one gave, the other would match. Elliot knew he could trust Valerian, knew that hadn't changed; in fact, the only thing that had changed with Val was the longer length of his hair.

The synapses in his mind were sparking with information as Elliot pieced together the puzzle in front of him. He knew he could trust Val, sure, but there seemed to be much that he didn't know. The pieces were coming together quickly, and as each piece assembled, the witch knew he was coming to a conclusion that meant he and Valerian had much more in common than they'd originally thought.

"Don't go gathering standards on me now," he smirked, though it was mostly to himself. As the other pressed a hand to his ear, Elliot could hear the door being opened behind him. He turned on his heel, anxious to see just what cards Valerian had up his sleeve.

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bound_valerian
2013-10-23 05:41 am UTC (link)

Valerian hopped of the table as Elliot turned towards the door, and quickly rushed past him, leaving a little wind in his wake. He met the opening door with a smile and offered a hand to escort another young man into the dimly lit shack. The man took Valerian's hand and was led into the shack, with a rather peeved look on his face. "Now now, Aiden, don't be cross. You know I wouldn't call you out here to the middle of nowhere, unless it was important." Valerian said, with a grin, which was met with a scowl. "Oh, you're right, I absolutely would." Valerian replied with a giggle, clearly enjoying himself. "Now, Aiden here, has some information that you might consider useful, and seeing as Aiden is working for me, I am offering you this information as well." He said with a bow, as he gently escorted Aiden to a chair, and motioned for him to sit down.

Once again, he touched the piece in his ear. "Go ahead and bring in the food, wine, and whatever else you managed to pick up. Sorry, but I didn't quite know how long this would take, and far be it from me to be a bad host." Sure, he was taunting them in his own way, but it was likely that neither of them would understand the slight because neither one of them knew that had he not cared for Elliot in some way, or had he not needed Aiden, he could have made meals out of them. One of his assistants brought in a basket of food, and a bottle of wine, and set it on the table in front of them.

"Now, let's get down to brass tacks, shall we? I hope I need not say how top secret this information is, and that it is for your disposal Elliot. Yours only, not the police, and certainly not the press. Should you renege on this agreement, not even our friendship would be able to aid you." He said more stern than he had ever been with him. "Making any of this information public will risk the lives of innocent people, but also Aiden, who has so generously allowed himself to be abducted to come here to share information with you." He wasn't trying to be an ass, but merely to explain the risks to Elliot. "Now, I have something to attend to, and I will return shortly." He said before he strolled out into the darkness, leaving the two of them alone in the shack.

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bound_elliot
2013-10-23 08:04 pm UTC (link)

Brown hues settled on the doorframe as the entrance opened wide, Valerian brushing by his form quickly. The anxiety rushing on his skin sped up as a familiar face was led into the tiny cabin. He had schooled himself long ago to keep his emotions from showing on his features should he need to keep them at bay, and this was already shaping up to be one of those times. The person being led in looked familiar, too familiar to be coincidental; he'd seen the guy in his lab back at school many times before, having bumped into him on many occasions during meetings with his leading professor.

If memory served right, the guy's name was Aiden, and he was a bit older and working underneath his professor as a coordinator or something. All Elliot knew was that he wasn't in the grad program, and they worked together, so he'd been written off as "untouchable"; the guy never seemed particularly gay or straight, but Elliot hadn't even entertained the idea. He was there for the studies, he'd always told himself. But now, with the guy being right in front of him, Elliot mentally kicked himself for not getting to know him at least a bit more professionally. Perhaps then he wouldn't be as surprised to see him walking through the door.

Valerian's quick response and explanation left more questions than it did answers, but for a moment Elliot was silent. Temporarily, the witch turned away from the two older men and faced the window; what the hell was going on? As Valerian finished up, Elliot turned back, no longer biting his tongue.

"Who am I going to run to? The police? Just what would I tell them, that you've kidnapped someone from my school? They'd probably tack me on as conspiracy or some shit, V."

But before he got an explanation, Valerian had taken a temporary leave - that left Aiden and Elliot, the latter of which was watching the abducted with a curious eye. He could demand answers now as to what information he was going to share with Val, or he could settle a few other things first. It was his pick, really.

"Just why the hell are you in Crescent Cove? Who are you, really?"

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bound_aiden
2013-10-25 11:04 am UTC (link)

Aiden was already in a fairly agitated mood. He had been 'abducted' from his business, for lack of a better word, and taken to a shack in the middle of nowhere to meet one of his least favourite people in the world. It was true that he was one of Valerian's informants, but he absolutely abhorred him. Over time though, his abhorrence of him had lessened somewhat, but not enough to be anything other than incredibly agitated. Still, he wasn't one to lose his cool without thinking about his actions and weighing them carefully. He was a hunter afterall, although once reluctant, he was now dedicated. He didn't care who he had to work with, or what he had to do to reach his goal. The end would have to justify the means.

Aiden jerked away from Takeshi as he entered the small shack, and glared at Valerian. There weren't many people who had the nerve to do such a thing. Valerian had a beautiful face, but a terrible temper at times, that few had seen, fortunately for Aiden. He rolled his eyes as Valerian left the shack, and left the two of them alone. He was careful to not let any sign of their prior meeting make itself known until Valerian was gone. He like to keep some cards breasted just in case.

He sat down in the chair across from Elliot, and scanned him with his eyes carefully. What was his name?! He thought to himself frantically. He knew he should have made more of an effort to blend in. He was guilty in this case, of not being able to see the forest for the trees. Aiden ran a hand through his hair and thought about his answer before he offered it to Elliot. Valerian trusted him, so he was able to be trusted. Right?

He sighed, unsure exactly where to start, or how to answer such a seemingly simple question. "My name is Aiden, and I'm in Crescent Cove investigating a murder. Your turn." He said as he watched the young man across from him, carefully. Unsure of whether or not he really could trust him. Trust was a hard concept for Aiden, it didn't come easily to him. Once one possessed his trust, they'd better be willing to take care of it. He wasn't one to offer second chances to people very often.

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bound_elliot
2013-10-30 07:29 pm UTC (link)

"Woah, buddy, slow down; information overload much?" The snark rolled off the tip of his tongue just as fast as his eyes rolled, his body finding the nearest table to lean back on. He studied the older man for a moment, carefully thinking about the thoughts overturning in his mind. Aiden - at least he wasn't lying, but investigating a murder? Whose? Did it have anything to do with his grandfather's?

"If you actually paid attention at work, you'd know I'm Elliot. A little hurt over here, but no big deal, don't sweat it," he murmured, half-joking. He pushed off of the table and walked a bit closer, though turned to toy with one of the decorations that Valerian had set up around the place. "I'm in Crescent Cove because my grandfather's a little .. expired, in a manner of speaking. It's technically home, but more of a loose translation."

He turned back to face Aiden, an eyebrow raised as he watched the other. "Are you like an undercover cop or something? Or do you just willingly get kidnapped while doing the good neighborly watch routine? .. in neighborhoods that aren't your own."

Obviously there was more Aiden would be wanting to know, but Elliot never did reveal all of his cards. He was quite certain even Valerian hadn't caught on to all of the skills he possessed, so he wasn't about to go willy-nilly revealing all the tricks of his trade. "What's the beef V has with you? Must be something of the extraordinary variety if he took the time to basically cuff ya."

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bound_aiden
2013-11-26 07:29 am UTC (link)

Aiden shot the younger man a glare, not necessarily a harsh one, but a glare to indicate that he wasn't just going to let the cat out of the bag. Not so easily, anyway. "I pay attention at work. If I didn't, I wouldn't be at the top of my class." He quipped as he stared at Elliot carefully, head tilted to the side ever so slightly. "Look Elliot, I have met quite a few people. I'm great with faces, but terrible with names. It's the truth. I remembered your face." He replied, honestly. It was as if a light went off in his head at the moment he mentioned his grandfather. "Ahhh. That's why he wanted us to meet." He murmured as he rubbed his forehead with his hand. "Why didn't I see that before?" He murmured to himself, again.

"No, I am not an undercover cop, and how do you know what neighborhoods are mine?" He asked curiously. "You didn't google me, did you?" His mouth upturned ever so slightly at the corner. "Like I said, I'm investigating a murder, but it just so happens that I think I'm investigating the murder...of your grandfather. I've compiled quite a bit of data, and I've gone undercover, for the lack of a better term, to get some answers." He said bluntly.

"You two looked pretty chummy." Aiden added, a little flatly.

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