heathens

There is ONE simple truth to man: that he longs to be something else. He craves what he cannot have, wishes for what will NEVER come, and yearns for what shall NEVER be. Man is in love with the beauty of impossibility because it created him.

[noahxbaxter]

Noah was cleaning up the Grind because he felt bad that he had left Maya in charge for as long as he did, she was an amazing employee and he couldn’t have asked for a better person to be working for him. The Grind was in top shape but he felt that because of his absence he had to make it even better, he stood from putting away cups and he smiled at the person in front of him “good afternoon.” 

[armanidevine]

Armani either needed to open a tab or to stop using his coffee runs as an excuse to put off writing when he could easily sit down and write at one of the tables. The latter clearly wasn’t in his cards for the day as he approached the counter with a lazy stroll. “Good morning, mate. I’d ask for my usual but you’re not Maya,” he commented offhandedly.

[armanidevine]

lilyxxdoe:

“I swear we’re not doing a sale for Mother’s Day because that’s weird. But we do have a sale right now. Buy one get one free on any lingerie sets! Everyone has a special someone they can buy for right? Or just to make yourself feel sexy, any reason.” she offered with a smile, greeting customers at the entrance of Fleur de lis.

“Right now you’re breaking the heart of all mama’s boys out there,” he spoke, feigning a slight swoon. Armani was clearly teasing and in the next moment he stood tall, glancing around the shop. “I’m looking for a friend. This is more of a joke if I’m honest so I need the most revealing set you have.”

[armanidevine]

josephinexblake:

“In your dreams …” Josephine huffed, smirking in amusement when being met with his broad signature grin, one that promised that he was up to no good. “Oh please, as if you would stand a chance against me.” the brunette said, actually counting on him feeling provoked because a drunk Armani was always a lot of fun. Which seemed almost impossible, considering his already quite unique personality that most people couldn’t even reach remotely when they were shitfaced. “And it will be. I, on the other hand, will most likely end up in a ditch somewhere.” Not that she really cared. After all it seemed fitting.

“Oh, in many dreams.” Armani grinned never deterred by his friend’s pessimism because he knew she was along for the ride no matter what. “Milady! You dare challenge this knight’s honor?” He exclaimed with a horrified look of betrayal, full of dramatics, always. If the two of them ever went at it in a real drinking competition he feared for the countries alcohol supply. “Now, now, Jojo. You have to strive for better than that. Make it a snow day. Nothing spells death and tragedy better than a cold winter night.” The teasing may seem insensitive but if he thought his words could actually hurt Josephine they would be nowhere near friends. It was just his unique brand of humor that let him mock the reality.

[armanidevine]

mayaburke:

She didn’t know why but something about his words bothered her even though she didn’t show it. She knew that she wasn’t like Lola or some of her friends, that people always thought of her as the good girl that could do nothing wrong. She was constantly underestimated. In fact, at times she believed that people thought that her illness was the only thing that made her remotely interesting. Her gaze lowered to her drink again once he said those last couple sentences. Not about the taste, huh … Once again she took a sip, this time determined to control her expression as she downed it all at once before slamming the empty glass back on the counter. “Another.” she demanded when the barkeeper came to take the glass before turning her attention back to Armani. “What were you saying?”

Armani watched as an array of unreadable emotions flickered across her eyes before she finally downed the admittedly foul tasting drink. “Slow down, love. I know it takes a few to deal with this morally depraved lot but you don’t want your choice for the night dragging you home, literally.” He continued to sip at his drink, giving her a shrug. “Don’t remember. Short attention span,” he answered with a playful grin.

[armanidevine]

mayaburke:

“Excuse you?! What led you to believe that? I know how to have fun, whether you believe me or not.” she said, even though she assumed that he was very much aware that usually her idea of fun didn’t include the strongest booze that got served by an establishment. Still, tonight seemed like the occasion for it and she didn’t even worry about the horrible hangover that was most likely to follow. Once the drink arrived she looked at it with slight suspicion but didn’t allow herself to reconsider her choice, instead taking a long swig from her glass followed by a violent cough. To say that it burned was an understatement. “What is this? Tastes like nail polish remover smells.”

“Good girl barista clings to you just a tiny bit too much.” He held his thumb and pointer finger less than an inch apart to enunciate his point. The violent coughing further solidified his point. After years of hanging out with Josephine and being, well, himself. Armani was well versed in spotting the difference between the rebels and the good girls. Not that he minded either personality, he just knew which one he fit in better with. “S’not about the taste, love. It’s about getting so pissed of your arse that you’ll damn yourself in the morning for it. And well, I might partially be an alcoholic so it’s one of the only things that can give me a proper buzz when I want it right away.”

[armanidevine]

slavejameswalsh:

“Thank you.” James sat with a little bow beforehand, his hands folded in his lap as he eyed the other closely. “Y-you’ve been here b-before - I saw you .. write?” He wasn’t sure, but it looked like he was reading and writing. Maybe an actor - he’d seen someone similar around, or a writer? Maybe a teacher like he used to be, he wasn’t sure. 

Armani shrugged, sipping at his coffee as he thought it over. “Didn’t realize I had been here so many times already. I was working on a novel and I had a deadline coming up. Must have been one of my shittier days if I made an impression,” he admitted. Days like today when he didn’t bring his supplies, he was much calmer and less chaotic, simply trying to enjoy a good cup of coffee.

[armanidevine]

masterthomasrichter:

Thomas listened carefully, letting his eyes roam the other’s eyes first, then they settled on the papers spread all over the table. He caught bits and pieces, then crossed his arms against his chest, giving a little nod. “Doesn’t sound too bad, smart even.” He cracked a smile, then leaned back in his chair. “So, what have you got so far?”

“If only everyone could recognize my genius,” he responded with a grin, grabbing a few of the scattered papers to start the process he had just explained. Adjusting his glasses, he set to work on deciphering his awful handwriting as he spoke with the man. “This is the fifth book in my main series. I’ve got other projects but my editor is likely to commit murder if I miss another deadline.”

[armanidevine]

masterthomasrichter:

Thomas watched him for a little longer, eyes slipping onto the papers for a short moment before they were back on the young man. Writers didn’t have it easy, he knew. “What’s your grand plan, then? You seem to be quite sure whatever you’ll write down next is going to be better. I’m curious.” And keeping the guy from writing, but he couldn’t start talking like that and then expect Thomas to just turn away. He was an actor, maybe one day he’d get to star in that story he was going to write down. Who knew?

No one ever really asked about his writing process. The ones that had didn’t care enough to actually keep up with chaotic system but maybe the man would be different. Something in his eyes told him that his curiosity was genuine. “Hm, you see, this looks like a mess because I’m just putting thoughts on paper. My thoughts they’re... unorganized.” He shrugged. The author didn’t believe that anyone really thought in an organized manner. “Anyways, so I’ve got it all on paper now I can organize, put it together like a puzzle, then reshape the pieces that don’t fit.”

[armanidevine]

slavejameswalsh:

“J-just wondering if you’d like s-some company.” James smiled a little nervously, shifting from one foot to the other. He .. wasn’t quite sure how to do this, but he was trying. Offering company surely didn’t seem like a bad idea, right? 

“Well, I suppose I won’t deny it. Take a seat, mate.” Armani could use a new friend. Even if the guy seemed hopelessly timid if he was willing to stay regardless of that then he was willing to give him a chance. It was hard to find people that would tolerate the author for long so he couldn’t pass up opportunities when they knocked him in the face.

[armanidevine]

shanesx:

Smiling, the blonde looked up from the flask set down on the table and met the eyes of the young man. “If it’s got actual alcohol in it and you’re not just tryin’ to look badass here,” she teased and let her smile grow as he sat with her. Slender fingers lightly grasped the flask, “You are plannin’ on sharin’ this, yeah?” Maybe it was a bad thing she was in such need of a drink but Shane was heavily stressed, though she didn’t want to show that. “Ya got a name, sweetheart?”

“We may be strangers but not even I can forgive such an unfathomable accusation. It’s near blasphemy to think that I would use the name of alcohol in vain to look like some shithead punk.” He waved he flask forward, he wouldn’t have mentioned it if he was going to be selfish. “Armani Devine. Part time alcoholic and full time author. Yourself?”

[armanidevine]

xjadedx:

Straightening up behind the counter, she glanced over at the guy occasionally, in case he was looking for any refills. The place was fairly quiet which she actually enjoyed a bit, even if it meant less tips. Pouring herself a coffee, she sipped it as he moved up to the counter. A light smile formed, taking the offered bills, “Thanks for cleaning it up, and no problem,” she offered with a nod. “More coffee?” she offered .

Armani grinned, giving a mock solute before he shook his head. “No, I’ll be going now but expect me to come again soon. I promise it will be just as bad if not worse,” he declared with a short laugh. Besides, if he drank anymore coffee today he might actually turn into a coffee bean.

[armanidevine]

nate-cohen:

“U-Uh…Yeah? I-I guess…Are you?” Nathan fumbled with his hands, trying to make himself seem small and out of sight. God, he just wanted to run away and never be found. This city was just a luxurious version of jail to him, where morals and basic human rights were nonexistent. “W-Wait, I’m sorry I forgot to ask if you’re okay”.

Armani waved his hand not actually serious about being delicate. The kid looked like he might faint fom worry if he actually was hurt. “Right as rain and all that shit.” He shrugged. “I haven’t been here long but I can’t call myself new anymore since I’ve stopped getting lost. Everywhere you go is like a damn maze.”

[armanidevine]

mayaburke:

Maya liked to believe that she was good at reading people and as far as she could tell Armani wasn’t a huge fan of the whole idea despite what he was saying. She watched him for a moment, pressing her lips together before deciding to maybe follow his lead. “I want what he has.” she said to the bartender, deciding that liquid courage was exactly what she needed now.

Armani grinned when Maya ordered his drink, giving her an encouraging thumbs up as the bartender prepared it. “Didn’t know you had it in you but I’ll warn ya, this burns like a bitch on the way down.” If the alcohol wasn’t strong then it was alcohol. His tolerance was too high for him to enjoy the weak stuff and especially for this event, he was trying to get at least a nice buzz going.

[armanidevine]

shanesx:

“I know it’s still the beginning of the week but I could use a strong cup of coffee—and by strong I mean spiked with enough bourbon to drown an Irishman.” 

“You mean like this?” He asked, setting down a small flask of very strong liquor as he took a seat across from the woman. It was either risk being judged for early morning drinking or dealing with a skull splitting headache. It was a good thing Armani didn’t care about the opinions of others.

[chiefcloudbeard-blog1]

Dean fiddled with the tie around his neck, how he heated these things. Always they felt like they were chocking him, no matter how loose they were worn. Which is why he never wore them but they insisted that he did. The stylist fussed over his look, especially the light bruising on his face as well as the slightly split lip. Things were healing well since his arrival but he still looked like he got into a fight. Letting out a sigh he glanced around before making his way over to the bar for a drink.

[armanidevine]

“I never understood why ties were such a necessity when you can look proper without one.” Armani declared to make conversation as he approached the bar. The author was mostly here to watch, keep an eye out for his friend and whomever else if he could help them. He ordered a beer, smirking at the bartender who rolled their eyes at him for ordering such a drink when they had so many fancy things to choose from.

[mayaburke]

“This is strange, isn’t it? The fact that people here attend for the sole purpose to buy other people?” Maya asked, still suspicious of the entire concept. And yet she was attending herself despite her rejection for the system. She liked to think that her reason was good enough but deep inside there still was a part that tried to convince her to leave and head home before the auction even started. But with Lola by her side, Maya felt at least a little more at ease. Besides … she really hoped to be able to win Thomas.

[armanidevine]

Armani shrugged, sipping at the random drink he had ordered. He figured a light buzz would make this whole thing seem more hilarious when it came time for the actual auctions. “Not really. Just a bunch of wankers, including us, using money to get whatever we want. I say cheers and good luck to the ladies and lads that get bought tonight.” He lifted his glass in a mock toast before downing the rest. The whole idea of owning another person disgusted him as much as the next guy but he preferred to hide his real feelings about it behind jokes and a positive attitude.

[armanidevine]

nate-cohen:

Time seemed to stand still for Nathan in this place. He was still in shock over what had happened to him. His goddamned best friend betrayed him, and now he was a slave. A slave. He didn’t even think that was a thing anymore. Nathan hated this, he hated everything about this, but he needed to survive still. It was easy to fake a smile, even easier to pretend everything was alright. He would dip his head down and smile at any higher up looked at him, giving them respect as if he were lower than them. It made his gut twist. Be good, just be good. All of this was so tiring. Nathan made his way out of his living areas and walked around, trying to find something to get his mind off of everything. He wasn’t paying full attention until he walked right into someone. He jumped back and held his hands up, “Holy-…I am so sorry! Are you alright?”

Armani figured he should probably try to find some steady friends beyond Josephine since he was actually beginning to like Sterling. The Grind was his first go to place to meet people who were more on the normal side even if he was anything but. However, his curiosity got the better of him and he realized, he hadn’t explored much of the slave house which his friend lived in. The author barely made it down a few halls before some skittish bastard ran into him. “Watch out, mate. I’m delicate,” he exclaimed, giving the kid a pointed look. Jeez, he practically looked like jail bait but he was wearing cuffs so he knew he had to be at least eighteen. Armani still found it hilarious that after kidnapping and basically torture, that’s where the House decided to draw the line on their moral code. “But don’t worry. I suppose I’ll survive. You new or something?”