Charles Heart

Call me Charlie. Twenty-three. Red Clubs. Thief. Hush, now. Better a starry-eyed raccoon than a rabid one.

[whiskey-auden-blog]

"Well lookie who’s trying to get on my good side! Maybe I can get you that drink anyway."

"Ugh… You have no idea Charlie, I’ve had the day of a lifetime."

[charles-heart]

"You always say that. I think a day in the life of Whiskey would exhaust lesser beings."

"If anybody's giving you a hard time, you know I'm always here to tell them off."

Of course, he doesn't mean this. The only bar fight he's ever been in, he's lost, completely covered in bruises the next day. His shoulders were built for consoling, not tackling people.

[whiskey-auden-blog]

"Did ya need something?"

[charles-heart]

"I'd like a cup of holiday spirit, please. Shaken or stirred, your call."

"But you'll do. Your presence is refreshing enough! Any stories for me today?"

[dodger-flynn]

Heartburn || Dodger & Charlie

[dodger-flynn]

Dodger couldn’t hide his anger as he looked at the picture. “Humans are the worst kind of animal, Charlie. They kill for fun more than any other creature on Earth. Your mother is a shinning example of that.” He scoffed and turned away. “Humanity at its best.” 

There wasn’t anything that Charlie could say that would make him change his mind. Of course the man had a different opinion of her, she was his mother. Dodger had a soft spot for his own even though he hadn’t seen her since the day she left him waiting on the street. There was no force in existence more powerful than the bond between a mother and son. 

[charles-heart]

Charlie pocketed his phone and shrugged. He didn't like the hatred, but he could see where it was coming from. The world revolved around the delicate balance between predator and prey, and as much as he felt for the prey, he'd rather laugh than suffer.

"I don't think people kill for fun. Maybe for revenge, or for justice, or maybe just to spread the pain they feel. I don't want to believe that people kill for nothing, Dodge. It's too depressing."

Placing the now empty beer on the coaster, he waved for another one.

"I mean, I'm no saint, but that doesn't mean I can't believe in them."

He would never dare to utter these words in front of other hitmen, but he wanted to see how Dodge felt. The sudden anger in his eyes did alarm him though, and his jaw clenched tight, ready for a sudden punch in the face.

[deactivated-blog]

[tigerxheart]

"Actually, Charlie, they do, you are just delusional. And you are not getting Radiohead. Fleetwood Mac maybe, but you’re pushing it with Radiohead."

[charles-heart]

"God, it's so hard to negotiate with you. But fine. Just because I'm a nostalgic guy, I'll take your offer."

"Now here. Take your damn albums and wipe that smirk off your face."

He stepped away from the collection, a wistful look in his eyes. He chose not to tell her that some of the CDs had been mixed up and were not in their original cases. Ignorance is bliss, after all.

"I suppose you want your books back too? You can have them. I've never been much of a reader."

It was strange how he was the one who ended up taking most of her things. But he could not bear the thought of parting with them, as they were all that was left of her after the unfortunate incident.

[catecheshire]

She noticed his displeasure at the idea and she frowned. Sometimes she forgot that most people weren’t like her, that they hadn’t gotten used to the idea of death being a constant thing. It was no big deal to her now and she forgot that it wasn’t the norm for everyone. “If you keep weapons against them at all times to threaten them, it’s unlikely they will end up dead unless they are absolute fucking idiots.” It was the best she could do to reassure him. 

"You’re welcome." She smirked slightly and tilted her head. "Bring it here and I can show you."

[charles-heart]

Her offer had taken him slightly off-guard, but it was a pleasant surprise. His eyes brightened considerably; the chance of being spared close contact with hitmen was something he took pleasure in. The only one he trusted so far was Dodger, but the rest seemed to have a violent streak. Perhaps Cate did, too, yet his gut told him he could trust her–she seemed close enough with his father, at the very least.

"Sure. I'll borrow one from Dodge soon. I've got a utility knife with me now, but I think it's different from the ones used in combat. It's sharp enough to cut glass though."

Charlie wondered whether he would be going home needing stitches today. The smirk on Cate's face seemed dangerous.

[magdalenrhodes-deactivated20150]

Don’t worry. I never partake in the eateries when it comes to parties.

[charles-heart]

True. I always eat dinner first, that way I'll avoid having to eat dirty peanuts or something like that.

Oh, I'm Charlie by the way. It's supposed to be Charles, but that sounds too regal for a guy who spends his time picking up after drunk guests.

[rebeccasheart-blog]

         Rebecca’s brow rose as she looked at him over her shoulder. Her eyes narrowed slightly before she scoffed, stood, and turned to him. "Alphabetically arranged? They were all over the floor, Charlie! Honestly, your room is a mess and you’re worse than your father…"

[charles-heart]

"But I was just about to put them in the shelf, mum," Charlie sighed and clapped his dusty hands together. He had no idea how she had snuck into the room, but she certainly could not come at a worse time. His method to cleaning was less a method than just dumping things in a pile and throwing them out later.

"And that's not fair, comparing my mess to dad's. The only neat thing about him are his suits and that brandy collection he's got lined up in there somewhere behind the bar. At least I iron my own shirts!"

He crossed his arms and stood stiffly, trying to hide other messes form her line of sight. It was fortunate that he had yet to clean out his stash of old magazines from under the bed.

"Besides, don't you have a meeting or something? I promise, I'll get everything clean before you come back home. Please don't get all riled up this early in the morning."

[tigerxheart]

Caroline raised an eyebrow at him. “Charles Heart, I have waited a year to get my albums back and you will not come between us a moment longer.”

[charles-heart]

"Those albums don't take care of themselves, Caroline. I deserve a portion of the shares."

"And as your big brother, I am entitled to your Radiohead collection. You can't refuse."

[charles-heart]

"What in the world do you think you're doing?"

"I just finished cleaning that corner and you're messing things up again! Do you know how hard it was to get my album collection alphabetically arranged?"

[catecheshire]

"If someone fights back, of course you must. If the security is as high as you think, take eight men, namely some collectors or hitmen. If you think it won’t be as highly guarded, four of you will suffice. Keep a knife on the guards throat and a gun pointed at him at all times if they see you. Other than that, it should be fine."

[charles-heart]

His heart sank when he heard her talk about bloodshed. Charlie certainly did not relish taking a life or making another trip to the ICU. But somebody had to do the dirty work, after all. Cate's probably seen worse things; her face is so blase about things like this that he begins to wonder if something's wrong with him for even feeling squeamish.

"Alright. Eight, should be enough. Thank you for the tip, Miss Cate. I'll get one of the hitmen to teach me how to use a semi-auto properly. Might as well learn something useful..."

[tink-bell]

  They are not my guests. I don’t give a shit about any of them. I can think of plenty things wrong with red. It’s only good when it’s dripping off the edge of a blade, or so I hear. As if I want to spend my evening at a dinner party that is more pathetic than this. I try my hardest not to associate with filth anyways.

I could think of a few ways. None of which involve rubbery fillets. Maybe once they’re done with you they could drop you off at your mother’s and let her know that we don’t tolerate trespassers.

[charles-heart]

Hey, hey. Don't knock it if you haven't tried it. And it's funny, because black's the color of dirt, not red.

Oh dear. I've heard rumors, but I didn't know you were this kinky. Well, I'll take that as a cue to leave, then. She's probably already looking for me, anyway.

[maddoxhare-blog]

Like so many others, silence had always been a symptom of March’s usage since his first joint. It used to be something of a reassuring habit, sharing a comfortable, speechless moment among a friend— or stranger, even. The green took away any nagging feelings that might have arisen in a sober silence. On any other day he would have allowed himself to sink into fleeting thoughts, forgetting it all, but not even the most mental of strains could numb the need for deep conversation.

After twisting the roll a few times between his fingers, he turned to his company and waited for them to look him in the eyes. They seemed vacant enough, but March could tell they weren’t too far gone. “Can I ask you something?” he began, pulling his arms to his chest.

"Are you happy? Like, in general?"

[charles-heart]

Charlie rarely indulged in the goods, but today, the world felt bleak enough for him to make an exception. Besides, it would be rude to turn down a gift. He placed his half-finished joint on his lips and took one long drag. The smoke brought a hazy calmness to his mind. Her turned to the man beside him, almost reluctant to break the amicable silence between them.

"Happy?" he laughed, unsure of what the word meant anymore. "Right now, I guess I am."

"Why are we talking about this, March - do you need a shoulder to cry on? Lots of prettier shoulders, I must say. We can call one of the girls over, if you like."

He grinned at one of the Hearts sitting in the shadows of the room.

[babyspade]

          “Whatever it is, no: I’m not helping you — if you can’t find your mommy or whatever, go dumpster dive for a map with the tourists.”

[babyspade]

[charles-heart]

"Jeez, Bree. Are you the hostess or the bouncer?"

"Give him a break. He's probably just had his first beer."

Charlie winked at the guest; he looked rather underage and slightly frightened by Bree's hostility.

[catecheshire]

"Depends. Who is the target?"

[charles-heart]

"Just a drugstore. It's supposed to have some black market stuff in it, so security's been tight lately."

"We're not going to actually shoot anyone, right? I mean, that would attract attention to ourselves. Cleaning up would also be a nightmare."

[blueeyesofmanynames]

————≺♣≻—————

              ’ I’m on watch. It’s part of, you know,                  figuring out people’s schedules. —                 What the Hell do you mean your kind?  ‘

[charles-heart]

"The kind of people who to try to sell you something."

"Just so you know, this was supposed to be my spot, but I guess you beat me to it. I hate going home empty handed, so we're just going to have to share this corner."

[deactivated-blog]