¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (chakram) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2016-03-02 15:39:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, callisto, logan howlett (wolverine), xena |
Well, what do you say? We help your friend get the surgery he needs, and you sign up with us.
Who: Xena, Callisto, and Logan
What: Xena muscles in on the gun running trade, then they go and have drinks with Logan
When: Late Feb, after the HG plot
status: complete
rating: PG-13 for violence and bloow
Xena’s condo already looked like it was well lived in. There was lavishly upholstered couch and chairs, motorcycle memorabilia everywhere, an expensive looking sword mounted over the fire place and an honest to god bear skin rug.
Xena didn’t believe in half measures. She got off the phone with Ares, satisfied he’d actually listen for once and keep people in line back in Colorado. She had her sights set on the docks. She knew there were people running guns out there and she wanted a piece of the action.
The woman paced around, paging through her phone’s screen as she waited for Callisto. The blonde had been with her longer than anyone except for Ares. Ares went back to the day she’d manipulated two clubs into obliterating each other, and she’d picked up Callisto not long after that.
To say that Callisto was more than excited to be in Orange County was an understatement. Already she could tell there was much to gain here. And she well knew Xena wouldn’t waste any time making some moves. Which was why she’d been behaving since arriving here. She didn’t need to draw any unwarranted attention until Xena was ready to make some noise.
So of course when Xena told her to meet her, Callisto complied happily. And promptly. She was not one to dilly dally when Xena said to be somewhere. She had a job to do, and she was one who worked to keep Xena’s favor. And she continuously wanted to prove herself worthy of the trust and favor.
Upon arrival, Callisto waltzed over to Xena, a dangerous grin on her face to match the gleam in her dark eyes. “So what do you have in mind?” There seemed to be a few places that could be of interest. “The docks?” She liked to think she’d come to know how Xena’s mind worked in the years she’d spent with her. The docks seemed a logical starting place if she wanted to get in on the guns. Because of course Callisto had sniffed out places in the county that were of potential interest to them.
It wasn’t like Callisto didn’t pretty much live there anyway. Another special privilege she’d earned. Xena grinned right back, that mad sort of smile she got when she was thinking about making a lot of noise. “The docks. Got word there’s a local gang running guns. We’re going to put them out of business and take it all for ourselves.”
The Godslayers needed to make a move, and what better opening gambit?
She more than treasured being able to live with Xena, and she certainly didn’t squander it. It would be stupid of her to squander it. Though upon seeing that grin, she knew that grin. And hearing what she’d planned, Callisto grinned wider, a gleam in her eyes.
“Oh I do love making noise and making a statement.” And profit, of course, but Callisto tended to like the making a noise parts better than the money. She could take or leave money, really. She didn’t need much in the way of material possessions. But causing mayhem? That is what she lived off of. It was one of the few things that actually made her feel alive. Truly alive.
There was a gun safe hidden behind an elaborate hanging tapestry (Xena had picked it up in some weird mystical shop in Arizona), and Xena opened it. She pulled out her favorite piece and stuck that in her belt. She had a butterfly knife in the pocket of her jeans in case things got real personal, too. “Want your favorite piece?”
She didn’t expect this to be without bloodshed. But she wasn’t intending to actually fire a shot if she could help it. It was much better to intimidate people - or just stab them. Less risk of police that way.
The places to stash a store of guns that Xena made were ingenious in Callisto’s mind. Hidden in plain sight, as it were. Not that they needed to worry about police and the like poking through their strongholds when people did their jobs correctly.
“Oh yes, best to not change it up just yet. Why mess with what already works?” Callisto said, moving closer to claim her favorite piece. She also had a switchblade knife already tucked into her belt and a bowie knife concealed in her boot. She never went anywhere with only one blade on her.
And if people didn’t do their jobs correctly they quickly found themselves minus a finger or two, and that was if they were lucky. There were three unwritten rules. Don’t be an idiot, don’t harm women and don’t harm children.
She nodded at Callisto, a wicked smile on her face. “Lets go.”
Luckily for Callisto, she’d always done her job well. She still had all of her fingers, after all. She could follow the three unwritten rules easily enough. While she may not like children, she wouldn’t harm any. Perhaps because any time she saw little girls with blonde ponytails she thought of her sister.
“Lead the way,” she responded with a wicked grin of her own. Properly armed, now it was time make some noise.
Xena’s bike was a newer Harley softtail, with a dark blue paint scheme. She’d been intending to get a custom paint job on it. Something dark, and epic. Something with personality. And probably skulls. Not fire though, or Callisto would never ride behind her again.
It made a lot of noise when revved up, and Xena waited for Callisto to mount her own bike before taking off at unsafe speeds.
If Xena ever put flames on her bike, Callisto would be so far away from that shit. She at least wasn’t triggered as badly by artwork flames, but it was still very bad. She slid onto her own bike, a 2011 Yamaha Stryker in black with some detailing. She got some teasing for having gotten a Japanese bike a few years earlier, but she could take it. Callisto wanted what she wanted, and right now it was the Stryker.
Revving her motor into life, Callisto smirked at Xena before she took off after her. The adrenaline was already starting to build up within her as the wind whipped by her, and thinking of what would be coming once they reached the docks. She hoped to do some ass kicking. She liked beating people up. She was good at it. Many people under-estimated her. She wasn’t short, but she was on the skinnier side, but she packed quite the punch and was a lot tougher than she looked.
Luckily the Stryker was fast and stylish, which earned her some points. Except from Ares. Ares was just a dick to everyone, just less of one to Xena. Unluckily for him she’d never given into his so-called charms.
The tone for the negotiations was pretty obviously set as they pulled up to a warehouse near the docks. They were greeted by six large men. Conspicuously, they weren’t armed with guns, just pipes and chains. It told Xena that there was something flammable or explosive in the warehouse. Good to know. She shot a look at Callisto, hoping she realized the danger (or the potential) too.
“Hello boys.” She swung off her bike. “I’d like to talk to your boss.” Xena swung her arms out widely. “Why don’t you bring us to him and I’ll let you keep your teeth.”
Upon arrival, Callisto was quick to note the chains and pipes. Which clearly meant flammable or explosive. She felt a little pit form in her stomach, but she kept it together. There were no flames yet, only the potential for them. She glanced back to Xena, giving a slight little nod, telling her she saw the situation.
“It would really be best for your health if you listen and take us to your leader. If you don’t, well, some of you may not parent any children. Or any more if you’ve already spawned.” Yep Callisto was starting with that in play. “So, what’ll it be, boys?” She leaned her forearms on the handlebars of her bike, but she was more than ready to break some faces. Maybe even render a couple of these idiots impotent in the process.
The men exchanged looks, then the smallest of them stepped forward. “You’re outnumbered three to one, so I don’t know what you’re going to do about it. But the boss is busy. Maybe you should come again during normal business hours.”
This seemed to get a laugh out of the men, and Xena’s grin turned nasty. She sashayed up to him. “We just want to talk, nothing fancy. But you’ve got a nice operation going here. I just want a cut. Nothing too big. Where’s your boss, huh?”
He folded his arms. Xena was taller than him but he wasn’t the type to back down. “First you’ll want a cut, then you’ll want more, and more. Then you’ll try to take it all. I know your type.”
She leaned forward. “Guess I’m already meeting with the boss. Am I right?”
Callisto had to laugh. She was laughing both at the way the little man acted like a brick wall, and at how Xena was taller than him.
“Please, being outnumbered doesn’t mean anything.” Callisto eyed the other five men while Xena’s attention was on the little man. She watched their body language, how they seemed to get more anxious. Twitchy, even, to use those pipes and chains they were armed with. Callisto started to walk around one of them, giving him a slightly wide berth as she made mental notes of his size.
“He sounds like a boss to me, and the type that likes to share,” she said, moving around another of the men. She seemed to almost be stalking them like some wild cat sizing up its prey before striking.
“You’ve got no business being here, so I suggest you two get lost before we make you regret stopping here.” The guy Callisto was currently circling and sizing up said, obviously a little unnerved by the blonde’s movements. She could already tell these guys could be taken down by her and Xena if need be, but it would be a bit of a fight.
Xena liked it when Callisto got all stalkery. It was one of her better qualities. But Xena kept her focus all on the little guy. “So what’s it gonna be? Ya gonna share or am I going to have to show you why I’m gonna be your new boss.”
The little guy snorted. “Stupid bitch. Take them!”
Her fist snapped out as Xena backhanded him, sending him stumbling off to the side. She wriggled her fingers and gave the other men a ‘come at me bro’ motion, the biggest, most enthusiastic smile on her face.
Oh excellent, they chose to fight. A wild grin crossed her face, and the guy she was currently stalking turned and swung his pipe at her. Callisto ducked, then caught his arm when he brought it around to hit her again, and she smirked at him. Keeping a grip on his arm, she kicked him in the stomach, her heavy boots providing a bit more of a hefty kick to him and he stumbled backwards.
“Come on, show me what you’re made of,” Callisto said. It could’ve been a double meaning as she was armed with blades, she could easily stab someone and gut them with her bowie knife. But she was going for non-lethal methods at the moment. She knew better than to kill without reason when these guys could be potentially absorbed into their gang.
Unless they proved themselves stupid during this fight, then anything went.
Plus, killing just brought cops sniffing around where no one wanted them to be. Xena dodged the swipe of a chain, swinging her foot out to trip the man up. Someone grabbed her from behind and she snapped her head back, breaking his nose and sending him sprawling. Little guy was up and thrust a knife towards her. She dodged back, twisting around to avoid getting stabbed and in the same smooth motion drew her butterfly knife and spun it open.
Xena grinned at him, tilting her head and mock jabbing. “Come on. Come on.”
Meanwhile, one of the other big men charged at Callisto from behind.
While Callisto may enjoy fights and mayhem more than most other things in life, she was more than happy to not get the cops involved if it could be helped. Callisto was going to make another attack on the guy she’d just kicked when she was grabbed from behind. She snapped her head back, landing a second broken nose, then she whirled around and kicked the man square in the nuts. He sank to the ground like a sack of bloody potatoes.
However, turning to kick the second guy allowed the first one to attack. The pipe swung out, but Callisto moved and caught it in her shoulder. She grunted in pain. She’d have a nice bruise, but that was it.
“Oh, you’re going to pay for that,” she said and threw a couple punches. He dodged the first, but the second caught him square in the jaw. He swung the pipe again, but she blocked his arm, then twisted it, disarming him. She then picked up the pipe and cracked him in the head with it, and down he went.
Laughter rang out as Xena caught Little Guy’s wrist. She broke it with a quick twist of her hand, then flipped him over and onto the ground. She smashed her heel into his knee, then darted towards another target. “Hyah!!”
Nothing fancy this time, just a good old punch to the throat. He went down choking. She turned, hair whipping behind her and on instinct she threw her knife. It sank into a man’s shoulder as he came up behind Callisto, the blade narrowly missing the blonde’s face.
Callisto didn’t even flinch as the knife whizzed right by her face. She was more than trusting of Xena’s aim and knew she’d never hit her with a knife. So of course after the knife sunk into the man’s shoulder, Callisto spun on heel and jabbed the hilt of the knife with her palm, driving it a bit deeper as the man sunk down.
“That’s for good measure,” she said. “Coming up on a woman from behind?” She tsk-tsk’ed him and wagged a finger at him. “Were you born in a barn to have such horrible manners?” She then grinned, grabbing hold of the hilt of the knife and gripped his shoulder with her other hand. “Do you wanna cry uncle now?” She was more holding the guy in place, giving Xena the chance to talk with the short man. Each of the guys were down and out of the fight now, so it was now time to claim the prize.
Little Guy tried to pick himself up, but Xena had done a number on his knee. He looked up at the woman as Xena stretched languidely and gave her a pained smile. “I’m guessing it’s too late to negotiate a better deal, yeah?”
Xena leaned down, smiling a crazed smile. “Oh, that ship sailed. So here’s what’s gonna happen. Imagine there’s a whole bunch of people like me and her. Imagine what would happen if we came around with the whole gang.” She swung her arm out. “This is Godslayer territory now. You can work for me, or, well….” She glanced at Callisto, hoping she was doing something particularly disturbing at the moment. “Unemployment will be the least of your problems.”
Alright so that knife in the guy’s shoulder was all too tempting to play with. He was trying to pull away from her, away from the pain.
“Oh no no no! No you’re not going anywhere. You see, you made the mistake of angering us. Now you have to pay the consequences.” Callisto smirked a bit and she started to pull up on the knife, causing the blade to cut downwards at an agonizingly slow pace. The man started to cry out. A bit of a crazed grin crossed her face.
“Do I hear an uncle, yet?” She asked, leaning closer to him, listening. All she got in response was spit in her face. “Well, don’t say I didn’t give you an out.” Gripping the hilt of the knife tightly, she twisted it hard, the blade turning inside the man’s shoulder. And he more or less squealed like a stuck pig. Blood was starting to pour out of his shoulder more profusely the more damage Callisto did to it. It was definitely a grotesque sight, one the Little Man could easily see. This guy was going to need some serious surgery to repair the damage Callisto was doing to his shoulder.
Xena looked back to the Little Guy. “Well, what do you say? We help your friend get the surgery he needs, and you sign up with us. Now, I got a few rules, and we’ll have to go over them.” She started to tick off on her fingers. “We don’t hurt women, or kids. That means if there’s more than just gun trafficking we’re gonna have a problem.”
“What’s the last rule?”
“Don’t be an idiot.” She thwacked him upside the head.
As much as Callisto was beginning to wonder if she could cut the man’s arm off with a knife, as she heard Xena give Little Guy the ultimatum, she backed off doing further damage. She pulled the knife out of the guy’s shoulder and let him wallow in pain. She then wiped the blood off of the knife using his shirt, then she walked over to join Xena. She looked at Little Guy, then glanced at the heaps that were the other five men and smirked a bit.
“Definitely don’t be an idiot.” Callisto reiterated, handing Xena her knife back, handle first.
Cleaning the blade on Little Guy’s shirt, Xena offered him a hand up. He stared at her hand, then at Callisto, then at Xena, before taking it and letting Xena pull him up. “Glad we could make an arrangement,” Xena said. She flashed him a grin. “I’ll drop by next week, see how my operation is going.”
She jerked her head at the injured man. “Irvine General. Ask for Marguerite. She’ll get you patched up.” Xena rolled her shoulders. “No charge.”
Callisto grinned, pleased by this outcome. Plus she’d gotten to do some damage in the process. And look, no fire had occurred! That was the best outcome, really. Callisto didn’t want to be chased away by fire. That would’ve been some major damage control for Xena to deal with.
“Good boy, I knew you had it in you,” she said, reaching out and patting Little Guy’s cheek.
“Come on.” Xena threw her arm around Callisto and squeezed. “You did good, kiddo. What do you want for lunch?”
Little Guy looked at them like they were crazy. Who could eat after a display like that?
Who couldn’t eat after something like that? The exertion had worked up an appetite for her, as it usually did. She grinned at Xena.
“I’m thinking a nice slab of steak.”
“Steak, I like the sound of that.” Xena sauntered her way towards their bikes. “I think I saw a place on the way here. We could drop in, try it out. We need a good hangout anyway.”
“Yes, let’s try it out. Doesn’t hurt anything to see if the food’s good and where we can hangout.” Callisto did like a good place for their hangouts. Pool tables, good food, good drink selection, that was all she needed, aside from Xena and the rest of the Godslayers who had become her family over the last several years. While she didn’t get along with some of them, they were still family. And really, the person who mattered the most to her was Xena.
Revving her bike into life, she looked over at Xena. She did so love cracking heads with her. Now they needed to celebrate their victory and new business acquisition.
Xena gave Little Guy a mock salute, then took off. She settled into her bike’s seat. Xena looked good in profile. Or head on, or from behind. It was like she was born to have a powerful machine between her legs. And one time that pick-up line had actually worked on her.
The joint they’d passed was kind of like a pub, a bit of a dive bar, but the food smelled good, there were pool tables, and beer on tap.
Xena pulled her helmet off and looked at it. “The best food is usually in the shittiest places.”
Callisto always admired Xena’s profile. She also admired her head on and from behind. All angles, really. Callisto wasn’t picky about that. She also looked good, probably with more of a bite to her appearance than Xena. There was an edge there, suggested with the visible tattoos she had combined with the leather she wore and the detail on her bike. The blonde was definitely much, much harder to get in the sack. In fact, she could count the partners she’d had on one hand. Two fingers, to be precise.
Pulling her helmet off and shaking her hair out, Callisto eyed the place. Definitely looked like a bit of a dive bar, but she didn’t really care much about that.
“I’ll go anywhere so long as the food’s good.” Even alone, she’d walk into a dive bar without fear. She could easily handle anyone trying to get frisky with her. She’d broken more wrists and forearms than she could count in just that way. Many of them Xena had borne witness to.
Callisto had edge and a bite to her, though Xena was more likely to glare at someone behind her friend’s back in a pre-emptive protective strike. Callisto was...unstable at best and she didn't’ need to have her heart or body toyed with. Callisto had suffered enough in her life.
“Yeah, this place don’t look half bad.” Xena planted one hand on a hip, then headed inside. It wasn’t a bad place. Your average decor, good smelling food, and the beer on tap looked like it might even be local.
There was a scruffy man sitting at the bar, a whole bottle of whiskey to himself. It was half-drunk and yet it didn’t look at all like it had an effect on him.
“Huh, wasn’t expecting to see a familiar face,” Xena muttered.
Meandering inside, Callisto took in the sight of the place. It certainly looked better than she’d anticipated it looking like. Definitely better quality than some places they’d been in before. Though Xena’s mutter caught her attention and she looked up at her, then followed her gaze to the scruffy man at the bar.
“Someone you know?” She was curious.
“You could say that. Come on.” She jerked her head, then headed over to the bar. The man glanced at her, nodded his head and smirked. Xena clapped him on the back. “Logan. If I didn’t know better I’d think you were stalking me.”
“I was here first,” Logan pointed out. He glanced at Callisto. “Hey,darlin’.”
Ah. So it was that kind of knowing someone. Fair enough. Callisto followed Xena over and looked the man over a bit. He definitely looked like he could be a biker if he wanted to be. He’d probably make one hell of a frightening one at that.
“Hey yourself,” she replied with a smile.
Logan could smell blood, but he couldn’t see it. He looked between the women, trying to figure out what the hell they’d been up to. Something exciting. Both women were a little aroused. There’d been violence. He decided it wasn’t worth pursuing. “Why don’t I buy you both a drink.”
“Logan, Callisto. Callisto, Logan.” Xena gestured between them.
“Find the network fine?”
“Yeah,” Xena breathed. “It’s been real helpful.”
Something exciting was an accurate statement. Callisto loved the rush she got from aggressive negotiations like that. It always left her a bit aroused and high on adrenaline. She tilted her head, eyeing Logan a bit.
“So you were the one who told her about that network.” It all made sense now. At least as far as the getting to the network aspect. The blood rain and shit? That didn’t make sense at all.
“Yep,” Logan said, a smirk briefly crossing his face.
Xena just shrugged. “Since you’re paying, I want the top shelf stuff.”
“Make that two for the top shelf. Go big or go home, right?” Callisto said with a grin. And it would no doubt pair well with that steak she wanted. Yep, this was definitely a day’s work well done, and it was time to celebrate.