The truth of the matter was this — things were much more easily said than done.
He knew that applied to Hayley, and how easy it would be for her to find her footing in the bayou - let alone in the high-politics of his deceptive Quarter. But it also applied to himself; to how feasible it’d be for him to actually cede that trust that he spoke of so easily - over to the wolves. Even if it was only a boon reserved for the bouncing bundle of misfortune he’d saved so many years ago. He hadn’t so much as tried trusting any of them since the attack, since the betrayal that had brought hatred to his doorstep. He’d kept the lot of them at an arm’s length, with a bunch of new, tyrannical rules between them and himself - and it was easier that way. How easy would it be to change?…
“Ohoh… Well I’m a L e o . Not sure if that dooms this whole thing, or seals the deal for ya.” Marcel grinned, knowing precious little of star-signs but recognizing dry humour as soon as he heard it. “I’m with you on coffee and bourbon though, here’s hoping we can make use of both for future conversations.” Though it was delivered nonchalantly enough, there was promise to his words. It implied there would be a future conversation, more than one if she was lucky. It hinted at a c h a n c e, though not one he was inclined to give any more clearly. He snorted when she admitted that she didn’t know what to do with the life that was granted her, “That makes two of us, Hayley. Hell, I’m still stuck on what t’ call you. Andrea? Hayley? Pain in the ass?” Marcel teased right back. Apparently, she was the latter for Jackson as well, though he didn’t know if that was good news for him, or whether it merely implied more trouble from the Bayou at his backdoor. But Hayley was fierce and loyal too, if she was to be believed. To pack, to new family. Maybe they shared that in common.
“Pleasantly surprised is good. If the rumours were to be believed you’d be having this conversation with the Devil, and I — with a ragtag usurper.” She wasn’t the only one who lent an ear to the many rumours floating around the Crescent City.
The line between friend and foe was blurring before her eyes; an unsure feeling of re-building, or even establishing as it were, bridges that would take them to some form of camaraderie. She could imagine, she could hope that being on Marcel’s good side would do wonders for her wolves, but in reality, the outcome was far off from being understood. She wasn’t the baby whisked from the cradle, and surprisingly, he wasn’t as tyrannous as she had initially was led to believe.
But she was learning. And maybe that was his whole point. Maybe, he could teach her a thing or two.
She nodded her head, the acquiescent agreement fresh in her mind that the two zodiacs would either bump heads or build bridges. “Oh, well if we’re talking claws, I’m pretty sure I got a one-up on the scenario here.” Her words were cavalier with an air of teasing, her reaction the same, but she was just as feisty as a Leo, so they had their work cut out for them.
But she would play, and in time, she would fall on one side of his trust spectrum or the other. And thanks to him, that was a decision mostly balanced in her own hands, with her own wit, and her own willingness to see what all the fuss was about when Davina talked of him so fondly. “You might be a vamp, but you can count me in for a good shot at it, this, whatever it is. If it can help my wolves, I’m ready to scale any ivory tower you throw at me” she smiled, taking a sip of the offered bourbon before deciding to down the entirety of the glass.
She stood, sliding from the bar stool as she pulled her leather jacket tight, flipping her hair out from its’ collar, “Let’s hold off on the usurper, I ain’t stealing anyone’s title I’ve got my own, and it is 2016, so ....” She couldn’t help but get one last shot in before she began her exit. “The women can rule just as ruthless as their King counterparts.” And she would, for if it was for her wolves and her family, Hayley would do just about anything she needed to.
With a roll of her eyes and a small chuckle at how odd this unexpected visit had become, she set the money on the table to cover the drinks and tip - it was a small gesture, but a thank you for the discussion, and the enlightenment. She had a feeling it wouldn’t be long until she saw him again, but this time, she would keep the snarling at bay.
“It’s Hayley - just... Hayley.... and thank you... for the drinks.”
It was the most she could say. She was never a girl to rely on others, her survival instincts still keeping a hold on her pride, but her light smile before exiting spoke volumes that the ‘thank you’ meant more than drinks.
It was a thank you for a potential new beginning... as long as she grasped it with a whole and willing heart.