Post by Craven on Nov 6, 2015 21:28:34 GMT -6
Craven sits in his office in the Pleasure Dome, making sure everything is ready for his younger brother, Merlyn “Rocket” Harper, to run things in his absence over the weekend. This was only supposed to be three day trip that started on Sunday, but Fraser Freeman’s troubles had caused the trip to be elongated so that he and their boss, the Silver Baron, could go bail Freeman out in time to make his own match on Monday.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: So, where are you going?
Craven barely glances up, his attention staying on the papers he’s desperately trying to organize together.
Craven: Iowa.
Rocket stares at him, a frown of confusion and worry falling across the younger man’s face.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: Already?
Craven nods, sitting back in his chair and sighing heavily, the weight of current events clearly weighing on him. He looks up, knowing full well this is going to distress a few people in the Pleasure Dome.
Craven: I don’t know what’s gonna happen there, Merl. Fraser’s lost his fucking mind just as Vega’s seemingly gained his, so…
Rocket nods, managing to look both calm and worried simultaneously. Craven takes in the sight and stands up, walking over to his brother. Rocket just stands there, seemingly unable to find the words. Craven puts his hands on the young man’s shoulders.
Craven: What’s wrong, Merl?
Rocket looks down for a second and then manages to bring his eyes back up.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: Some of the girls…
Craven nods even as Rocket seems to lose his train of thought and trail off into silence.
Craven: By “some,” does this mean Brit and Sin?
Rocket nods ashamedly.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: Brit was already cooking over Ember and thinking Fraser hates her…
Caught off-guard by this comment, Craven frowns, his hands falling to his sides.
Craven: Wait, slow down… Brittany thinks Fraser hates her?
Rocket nods in an almost matter-of-fact manner.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: Yeah…
Craven’s frown deepens.
Craven: Why?
All Rocket can do for an answer is shrug.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: Why does she think anything right now? She’s paranoid, scared and waiting for the other shoe to drop. I honestly think she’s waiting for Sin to get grabbed and leave her all alone again.
Craven nods understandingly.
Craven: I spose that would be her worst nightmare, wouldn’t it?
Rocket nods and Craven
Craven: How is Sin doing?
Rocket stares at his brother for a second, searching for the right words to describe the situation.When the wit is longer than three seconds, Craven just nods.
Craven: She feels like her parents just died all over again, doesn’t she?
Rocket nods, looking almost timid, childlike, seemingly afraid this answer will upset Craven. Seeing this, Craven hugs him tightly.
Craven: It’s gonna be ok, Merl.
Rocket nods, hugging back.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: I want our family back, Dub.
Craven nods as he continues to embrace his brother.
Craven: Me too, Merl, me too.
Craven pats him on the back and Rocket steps back.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: So, Iowa…
Craven nods, grateful for the subject change.
Craven: Yeah, Fraser beat some random bastard up and got himself arrested. Vega wants to go get him out so he has time to cool off, dry out, whatever before the show on Monday because Fraser’s fighting the World Champion and after what happened at the end of the last one, we know shit’s gonna be on. So…
Exhaling heavily, Craven nods acknowledging that he knows that Rocket doesn’t like this idea and isn’t gonna like this idea at all.
Craven: So, yeah, we’re going to Iowa and I really have no earthly idea what is gonna happen. Knowing Vega, he’s gonna motherfuck Fraser and get all overlordly on him for this.
Rocket nods knowingly.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: And knowing Fraser...
Craven nods, looking almost exhausted by the very idea.
Craven: He’s not gonna like a word Vega says, might not hear him at all. At best, he just walks off and leaves us standing there like a pair of idiots who’ve come all the way to Iowa for no reason. At worst…
Rocket nods as Craven trails off.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: You’re peeling Vega off the sidewalk?
Craven sorta nods, trying not to look anticipatory about it at all.
Craven: At worst, they’re peeling both of us off the sidewalk and Fraser ends up with a face full of police lead.
Rocket stares at him, shock evident on the younger man’s face.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: You think he’d go there?
Craven nods, putting his hand on Rocket’s shoulder again.
Craven: Right now, I think not only is he capable of going there, I think he wouldn’t care if somebody put him down and there’s a decent chance he might actually want somebody to and think he deserves it for Ember.
Rocket stares at the back wall, realization washing over him.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: You think he’s got a death wish?
Craven shakes his head.
Craven: I wouldn’t necessarily call it a death wish so much as a lack of a give a shit if he lives or dies. His little girl is in the hands of people who want to see him suffer and right now, whether any of us like it or not… they’re getting exactly what they wanted. Fraser is suffering and he’s passing it on to others…
Rocket shakes his head.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: I hope you take these fuckers down for what they’ve done, Dub. Taking Brittany, taking Ember, attacking all three of you, taking Skylar, doing this to Fraser…
Craven nods slowly.
Craven: I’m not sure they took Sky, but the other stuff…
Rocket frowns.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: Why not, they took everybody else.
Craven shrugs.
Craven: It just… doesn’t seem to be Cole’s style.
Rocket’s frown deepens, incredulousness adding itself to the equation.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: How is kidnapping not his style?
Craven shakes his head.
Craven: That’s not what I mean. When Cole takes somebody, he waves it in everybody’s faces. Jade went with him, he made sure everybody saw her with them, even if it was a misdirection on what was really going on. Brittany and Ember have both been the exact same thing. He made damn sure we all saw them every chance he got because he knew it would drive us all crazy. Skylar’s been gone for long enough now that if he had her, he’d have given us a hint at least. By the way he usually does things, you’d think he’d have sent us a video of her having things done to her just so he could laugh at us and watch us squirm.
Rocket nods slightly as Craven steps back to the desk and finishes moving all the papers.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: So, who then?
Craven slips them all into a drawer, neatly pushed together in a single pile and then closes the drawer.
Craven: I don’t know, that’s kind of the problem. This new guy, Cain, seems to like to take people but he looks like he doesn’t play with his food that much and you’d think if he was gonna do that, we’d know because it’d be a helluva way to make a name for himself on his first week in a new job. That being said, if he did take her, I don’t know that we’d ever know or find her.
Rocket’s eyes go wide with terror.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: You think the new guy k… killed her?
Craven takes a second to reflect.
Craven: I don’t think so, no, but, if he did, I have a feeling we’d be looking forever but he’s not the only other candidate besides Cole. Ashley Kenyon is using a new behemoth as her own personal pit bull and it’s entirely possible that she needed a practice punching bag. She IS the type to be secretive about stuff like that. It used to be her career and she made a lot of money keeping a lot of secrets for people way above our pay grades. Gealtachta live in Las Vegas and you never know what the crazy people involved in that group might do to try and remind everybody they’re still alive while Aerynn Donnelly is out on maternity leave. The Children have taken people before and who knows, maybe somebody else local had a beef with Vega or just thought she was hot and wanted a piece. We just have to keep looking.
Rocket starts to nod slowly.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: Right, no assumptions, no stone unturned…
Craven nods, a smile starting on his face.
Craven: Now, you know what to do if there’s a problem, right?
Rocket nods.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: Yeah, we’ll be good. Nicole has most things set up so they’ll run automatically and you and Fraser made sure the guys know the deal. Don’t have to worry, Dub, I got this.
Craven smiles, nodding happily.
Craven: Ok, then I’ll just have to see about Fraser and then get ready to stand up to the Mark of Cain.
Rocket nods again almost absently.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: Do you think that guy’s legit?
Craven shrugs.
Craven: The guy is either a crazy complete fraud or he’s the real shit and we’re all in for an interesting ride what with multiple guys in our sphere claiming to be the devil and now this. Either way, the guy probably should be in jail for committing a live broadcast murder on camera but that’s not for me to decide.
Rocket nods.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: Just make sure you come home, Dub. I don’t know how much more we can all take.
Craven nods and hugs his brother again.
Craven: Me either.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: So, where are you going?
Craven barely glances up, his attention staying on the papers he’s desperately trying to organize together.
Craven: Iowa.
Rocket stares at him, a frown of confusion and worry falling across the younger man’s face.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: Already?
Craven nods, sitting back in his chair and sighing heavily, the weight of current events clearly weighing on him. He looks up, knowing full well this is going to distress a few people in the Pleasure Dome.
Craven: I don’t know what’s gonna happen there, Merl. Fraser’s lost his fucking mind just as Vega’s seemingly gained his, so…
Rocket nods, managing to look both calm and worried simultaneously. Craven takes in the sight and stands up, walking over to his brother. Rocket just stands there, seemingly unable to find the words. Craven puts his hands on the young man’s shoulders.
Craven: What’s wrong, Merl?
Rocket looks down for a second and then manages to bring his eyes back up.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: Some of the girls…
Craven nods even as Rocket seems to lose his train of thought and trail off into silence.
Craven: By “some,” does this mean Brit and Sin?
Rocket nods ashamedly.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: Brit was already cooking over Ember and thinking Fraser hates her…
Caught off-guard by this comment, Craven frowns, his hands falling to his sides.
Craven: Wait, slow down… Brittany thinks Fraser hates her?
Rocket nods in an almost matter-of-fact manner.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: Yeah…
Craven’s frown deepens.
Craven: Why?
All Rocket can do for an answer is shrug.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: Why does she think anything right now? She’s paranoid, scared and waiting for the other shoe to drop. I honestly think she’s waiting for Sin to get grabbed and leave her all alone again.
Craven nods understandingly.
Craven: I spose that would be her worst nightmare, wouldn’t it?
Rocket nods and Craven
Craven: How is Sin doing?
Rocket stares at his brother for a second, searching for the right words to describe the situation.When the wit is longer than three seconds, Craven just nods.
Craven: She feels like her parents just died all over again, doesn’t she?
Rocket nods, looking almost timid, childlike, seemingly afraid this answer will upset Craven. Seeing this, Craven hugs him tightly.
Craven: It’s gonna be ok, Merl.
Rocket nods, hugging back.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: I want our family back, Dub.
Craven nods as he continues to embrace his brother.
Craven: Me too, Merl, me too.
Craven pats him on the back and Rocket steps back.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: So, Iowa…
Craven nods, grateful for the subject change.
Craven: Yeah, Fraser beat some random bastard up and got himself arrested. Vega wants to go get him out so he has time to cool off, dry out, whatever before the show on Monday because Fraser’s fighting the World Champion and after what happened at the end of the last one, we know shit’s gonna be on. So…
Exhaling heavily, Craven nods acknowledging that he knows that Rocket doesn’t like this idea and isn’t gonna like this idea at all.
Craven: So, yeah, we’re going to Iowa and I really have no earthly idea what is gonna happen. Knowing Vega, he’s gonna motherfuck Fraser and get all overlordly on him for this.
Rocket nods knowingly.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: And knowing Fraser...
Craven nods, looking almost exhausted by the very idea.
Craven: He’s not gonna like a word Vega says, might not hear him at all. At best, he just walks off and leaves us standing there like a pair of idiots who’ve come all the way to Iowa for no reason. At worst…
Rocket nods as Craven trails off.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: You’re peeling Vega off the sidewalk?
Craven sorta nods, trying not to look anticipatory about it at all.
Craven: At worst, they’re peeling both of us off the sidewalk and Fraser ends up with a face full of police lead.
Rocket stares at him, shock evident on the younger man’s face.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: You think he’d go there?
Craven nods, putting his hand on Rocket’s shoulder again.
Craven: Right now, I think not only is he capable of going there, I think he wouldn’t care if somebody put him down and there’s a decent chance he might actually want somebody to and think he deserves it for Ember.
Rocket stares at the back wall, realization washing over him.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: You think he’s got a death wish?
Craven shakes his head.
Craven: I wouldn’t necessarily call it a death wish so much as a lack of a give a shit if he lives or dies. His little girl is in the hands of people who want to see him suffer and right now, whether any of us like it or not… they’re getting exactly what they wanted. Fraser is suffering and he’s passing it on to others…
Rocket shakes his head.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: I hope you take these fuckers down for what they’ve done, Dub. Taking Brittany, taking Ember, attacking all three of you, taking Skylar, doing this to Fraser…
Craven nods slowly.
Craven: I’m not sure they took Sky, but the other stuff…
Rocket frowns.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: Why not, they took everybody else.
Craven shrugs.
Craven: It just… doesn’t seem to be Cole’s style.
Rocket’s frown deepens, incredulousness adding itself to the equation.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: How is kidnapping not his style?
Craven shakes his head.
Craven: That’s not what I mean. When Cole takes somebody, he waves it in everybody’s faces. Jade went with him, he made sure everybody saw her with them, even if it was a misdirection on what was really going on. Brittany and Ember have both been the exact same thing. He made damn sure we all saw them every chance he got because he knew it would drive us all crazy. Skylar’s been gone for long enough now that if he had her, he’d have given us a hint at least. By the way he usually does things, you’d think he’d have sent us a video of her having things done to her just so he could laugh at us and watch us squirm.
Rocket nods slightly as Craven steps back to the desk and finishes moving all the papers.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: So, who then?
Craven slips them all into a drawer, neatly pushed together in a single pile and then closes the drawer.
Craven: I don’t know, that’s kind of the problem. This new guy, Cain, seems to like to take people but he looks like he doesn’t play with his food that much and you’d think if he was gonna do that, we’d know because it’d be a helluva way to make a name for himself on his first week in a new job. That being said, if he did take her, I don’t know that we’d ever know or find her.
Rocket’s eyes go wide with terror.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: You think the new guy k… killed her?
Craven takes a second to reflect.
Craven: I don’t think so, no, but, if he did, I have a feeling we’d be looking forever but he’s not the only other candidate besides Cole. Ashley Kenyon is using a new behemoth as her own personal pit bull and it’s entirely possible that she needed a practice punching bag. She IS the type to be secretive about stuff like that. It used to be her career and she made a lot of money keeping a lot of secrets for people way above our pay grades. Gealtachta live in Las Vegas and you never know what the crazy people involved in that group might do to try and remind everybody they’re still alive while Aerynn Donnelly is out on maternity leave. The Children have taken people before and who knows, maybe somebody else local had a beef with Vega or just thought she was hot and wanted a piece. We just have to keep looking.
Rocket starts to nod slowly.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: Right, no assumptions, no stone unturned…
Craven nods, a smile starting on his face.
Craven: Now, you know what to do if there’s a problem, right?
Rocket nods.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: Yeah, we’ll be good. Nicole has most things set up so they’ll run automatically and you and Fraser made sure the guys know the deal. Don’t have to worry, Dub, I got this.
Craven smiles, nodding happily.
Craven: Ok, then I’ll just have to see about Fraser and then get ready to stand up to the Mark of Cain.
Rocket nods again almost absently.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: Do you think that guy’s legit?
Craven shrugs.
Craven: The guy is either a crazy complete fraud or he’s the real shit and we’re all in for an interesting ride what with multiple guys in our sphere claiming to be the devil and now this. Either way, the guy probably should be in jail for committing a live broadcast murder on camera but that’s not for me to decide.
Rocket nods.
Merlyn "Rocket" Harper: Just make sure you come home, Dub. I don’t know how much more we can all take.
Craven nods and hugs his brother again.
Craven: Me either.
