This Is A State of Grace

Farah Crutchfield. 22. "New to town with a made up name, In the Angel City, chasing fortune and fame And the camera flashes make it look like a dream You had it figured out since you were in school Everybody loves pretty, everybody loves cool So overnight, you look like a Sixties Queen"

[fontanarat]

Well I’ve already praised your Aunt for teaching you right. Am I going to have blame it on her, or the folks? [Nodding at her list of cities, Grayson chuckled lightly] I wouldn’t go for New York if you’re looking for hospitality. Almost sounds too good to be true. [Raising a brow, the man studied her gaze as if trying to determine whether or not she was serious] Well, nothing, if you want to be some biker’s old lady, and get sucked into the gang wars going on around here. 

[farah-crutchfield]

My parents are to blame for that one. And I love New York, but I don’t know how long I could handle living there. The sun goes away for months at a time, and I’m too West Coast to deal with that. [She looks at him.] Sometimes a bike is just a bike. I’m not going to get roped into all of that stupid gang stuff. No way, that’s just...not who I am.

[fykatgraham]

[fontanarat]

You have a very… rare way of viewing things, don’t you? [The man’s gaze directed towards the young singer, his brow raising slightly.] What, are you heading back to LA so soon? I mean, I know Fontana sucks and all, but jeez. If you do stick around long enough though, maybe just don’t date anyone that rides a motorcycle, and you’ll be a step in the right direction. 

[farah-crutchfield]

Blame it on my upbringing. I do. [She grins.] Hey, I’ve got to make my own luck in this life. Maybe I won’t try LA right away again. New York, or Toronto, or London this time, maybe. That could work. I’ll finish my album and head out to the great unknown. A fresh start, clean slate. [She hears his advice, and laughs.] What’s wrong with motorcycles?

[nikitaoflightning-deactivated20]

Rochelle's eyebrows lift impossibly high as this girl tries to talk her way out of trouble. And the story would be funny if she was already at her limit for annoyance with her. "How about this, you tell my why you were vandalizing that particular building and I'll consider not charging you and holding you overnight until we can get a judge magistrate to give you bail in the morning." She finished off her threat with a fake smile, letting the girl before her know that her limit had been well reached.

[farah-crutchfield]

Farah gulps nervously at the mention of being held overnight, running a hand through her hair. "No, Officer, you don't understand. I can't spend the night in jail. I...I have...accommodations that need to be met. I need my Neutrogena Wave, and my Sensodyne, and...and my retainer." She shakes her head now, sighs, and tries to start over remaining calm. "Like I said, I found the spray can. I picked it up because littering is bad, and realized it was like...half-full. Or half-empty, depending on your outlook on life. And then I zoned out for a minute wondering what I should do, and that's when you came by." She laughs now, leaning forward earnestly. "Officer, I shop on Sunset Boulevard when I'm in LA. I wear Prada. And I'm a musician. Of all the people in the world with pent-up emotions looking for an outlet that takes on the form of vandalizing public property, well I just don't fit the bill." She pauses, distraught now. "You have to believe me."

[fontanarat]

What, you have a whole experiment going or something? Trial and error kind of shit? [The man gave a small huff, narrowing his eyes at the path ahead as he thought over her words. Sounded like someone else he knew, honestly.] I think I get what you’re saying though. Regardless, you should still probably stray clear of an egotistical asshole. It’s probably not worth the risk of finding out if he has a good heart…

No. That’s not the reason, I just don’t really have restrictions, or my restrictions would not be the ones other men in this town would have. I’m sure there are plenty of others to ask in that case. 

[farah-crutchfield]

Everything in life is kind of an experiment, Mr. Porter. Whether or not we choose to view it that way. [She listens to his explanation, nods.] I see. Well, it doesn't really matter anyhow. I don't think I'll be in Fontana long enough to get into trouble this time around.

[fontanarat]

So you’d be willing to date anyone, as long as they had a good heart? [He watches her curiously as she speaks, his eyes narrowing slightly. An egotistical asshole still had a good heart to her?] How exactly do you define a good heart though? 

Oh, Sweetheart. I think you’re asking the wrong guy for that bit of information. You might want to save that question for Andy. 

[farah-crutchfield]

It's not an exact science. [She laughs, shrugs.] I don't know, really. I'm still fine-tuning the theory, I guess. But mostly you can sense it in someone. People aren't the sum total of their mistakes and sometimes it just...it helps to have someone believe in you, someone who can help bring out your good qualities. Someone with a good heart may do or say the wrong things, but it's not who they are, not really. Not that you can really fix or change people, but just that people are more complicated than we give them credit for being. Sorry, sometimes I think like my dad.

Why are you the wrong guy? Are you not into girls? That's totally cool, I'm not into girls either. I'll have to ask someone else, though. Andy doesn't date. Or have feelings.

[fontanarat]

That’s a lot of restrictions to put on the male population in a town like this, or if you say so, anywhere. But okay, what about someone who has a legal, by-the-book job, and isn’t a compulsive liar, but they’re an egotistical asshole? Because you’re going to find a lot of that as well… [The man gave a small laugh. Even if he knew about 98% of the population, he didn’t think he could think of a single man who fit her criteria, obviously not even himself.]

[farah-crutchfield]

No, no, I'm a lot easier to please than Andy. I think almost anything can be ignored if you've got a good heart. But I mean, my less than impressive list of exes speaks for itself. [She shakes her head at his hypothetical question.] But that still allows for a good heart, you see? Because egotism is, in its way, a defence mechanism. Meant to protect a good heart.

What are the restrictions on the female population like? I'm curious now.

[rlchardgecko]

[liquidlightandrunningtrees]

I want a trouble-maker for a lover, blood spiller, blood drinker, a heart of flame, who quarrels with the sky and fights with fate, who burns like fire on the rushing sea.

Rumi  (via brotherswinchesthair)

[honeysighs]

I don’t want a lukewarm love. I want it to burn my lips and engulf my soul.

Woori   (via fuckinq)

[fontanarat]

The wrong type? I’m not sure I realized there was even a right type in this town. But, I guess we’ll just have to see then. I told you I grew up on the bad side though, that might set off his ‘little shit’ detector. [He shared her laugh, though his tapered off as he ran a hand through his hair, silently hoping Andy didn’t actually know him, or if he did he kept his damn mouth shut.] Same boring stuff I mentioned earlier. Clients enjoy the atmosphere there…. 

[farah-crutchfield]

The right type pretty much consists of anyone who has a legal, by-the-book job and...well, isn't a compulsive liar. But your right, it's Fontana. I'm still not quite sure I believe that exists here. [She pauses, reflects.] Or anywhere, actually. LA wasn't much better in that department. 

[fontanarat]

[Returning her smile, Grayson fell in step beside the shorter woman, his hands immediately curling up into his pockets as he listened to her words.] I’m usually at Devil’s pit, I’ve only ever really been to Flicker’s Tap for work… [He pulled a skeptical face, biting his lip slightly.] But now I’m curious, how exactly does he treat your boyfriends?…  

[farah-crutchfield]

Given my track record, I mean, I'd say...fairly. I kind of have the tendency to fall for...what would be considered the wrong type. Andy's kind of protective so he calls them as he sees them. It's fine, honestly, he'll probably know you're not my boyfriend because you're a good person. [She laughs and shakes her head.] What kind of work do you do at Flicker's?

[officertorres]

Even though Warren knew the woman didn’t know his sister personally, it felt good to hear her agree. Some sort of validation that after all this time he was allowed to be upset. That his anger, guilt, sadness was acceptable. He appreciated it, knowing not too many others would of even carried on the conversation after he even mentioned death. Or probably would of made the situation about them. Growing up in a shit town with a lot of violence, everyone was bound to loose someone. 

"Thank you" He said sincerely. He nodded his head and pushed away his glass. "I really do wish you good luck"

[farah-crutchfield]

It takes Farah a moment to remember the direction of the conversation before he'd dropped the bombshell on her. She'd been talking about auditioning, of course. She glances around her as if just noticing the setting for the first time and smiles softly, adding a quiet "Thank you". She has a sip of her drink and then sets it down, attempts to clear her mind for her performance. Thoughts of the man next to her kept interrupting, clouding her mind and filling it with questions.

"How did she...?" Farah begins, fading off and avoiding the word that would close the sentence properly. Thoughts so dark rarely entered Farah's mind, let alone left her lips.

[fontanarat]

Alright. Say no more, Miss Crutchfield. You had me at free alcohol. Though I am certainly not complaining about the company either. Everyone could use a determined ray of sunshine every now and again. 

[farah-crutchfield]

I agree. [She smiles as they start to walk towards their destination.]

I think I should warn you that my boss, Andy, is going to think you're my boyfriend. I'll set him straight but just get ready to be treated like...well, like one of my boyfriends. [She pauses.] Unless you hang at Flicker's Tap a lot and he already knows you, of course.

[nikitaoflightning-deactivated20]

"That’s the story you’re going to go with really?" The dark haired officer looked at the person opposite from her, while she wondered to herself how anyone could possibly be so fucking stupid.

[farah-crutchfield]

"Well I...umm..." Farah stammers, trying to find a better explanation for her actions, one that would appease the woman before her. "I saw the spray can on the ground and I was going to throw it out. How was I supposed to know someone was vandalizing property with it?" She pauses, adds hastily, "Ma'am?"

[fontanarat]

I’m always in a bad mood. Besides, it’s not like you knew, we don’t come with warning labels after all. [He gives a small laugh, a smile returning to his lips] Either way, I get the feeling I don’t really have much of a choice in the matter, seems like you’re pretty intent on buying me a drink. 

[farah-crutchfield]

Well, Grumpy, I'm not going to let you stay here and sulk by yourself. I will be a determined ray of sunshine on your cloudy, cloudy day and you know, free alcohol, so I think that's a pretty good deal.

[oh-teen-posts]