hunter grey

[huntergreyisanasshole]

▶ NOEL ENRIQUEZ

They’re in a standstill, the awkwardness stretching into what seems like infinity until the stranger puts him out of his misery. Agonizingly slowly but he’ll take what mercy he can get. She looks a mixture of confused and something else like she has gone off into her own world for a second to ponder his question. Through the haze of embarrassment, he finds it in himself to be just as confused because from what he remembers of her Winifred Snow looks almost eerily like the woman standing before him. Dark hair, bright eyes, alabaster skin. If she’s as direct as this Hunter though he figures he’s in a world of trouble if he decides to do business with her again. “No name really rings any bells, no. Not ones that I’ve heard anytime in the last past five years at least.” He shrugs. There’s really no use sugarcoating it. So far he has yet to find any words to replace amnesia with, none that make the reality of the situation any less shitty at least. “Doc called it retrograde amnesia. I’m sure we must have met though at least in passing. I used to work for Miss Snow’s father.”

She looks at him and waits to see if there is a sign of recognition. Some type of spark. There does not seem to be any but she is not really disappointed. It’s not like they were buddies or anything of the sort. Did they ever exchange words before? He tries to explain his condition and she gives him a nod.  ❛ Yeah dude, I know who you are. I’m not the one with amnesia. ❜ She clarifies. She read it in the paper. A shooting of some kind?  ❛ So the last five years of your life are gone? Guess it could be worse, right? At least you still remember your name. ❜ Of course, she wonders who did it out of curiosity. This town was such a cesspool for violence.  ❛ Winifred is currently busy but you’re welcome to wait inside if you need to talk to her. ❜  

[huntergreyisanasshole]

▶ LUKE MASON

Luke had always liked Hunter. Sam may have been closer to her, Sam was always the one people saw first and connected to better, but Luke had gotten to know and understand her a little bit, he felt. Scooting over so she could have room on the crate, he eyed the cigarette in her hand and lamented the fact that he’d run out of money to buy his own smokes. He contented himself with continuing to destroy the funnel cake in his lap and shrugged, “Yeah, but people keep on kicking, don’t they.” He sent her a quick look and a grin before shrugging again as he looked out over the crowd. He had to admit, he had already clocked a few people that would be easy pickings, old habits died hard, but that’s why he was sitting here, and not out there working the crowd. “I’m trying, at least.” Luke’s reasoning to go straight didn’t make sense to a lot of people, most especially his family, but that was his own damn fault for never explaining the reason why. And he really never intended to tell them about why he needed this, why the thought of being caught again made him break out in cold sweats. “I’ve been fine.” He could only shrug again as he tore off a piece of the cake and popped it into his mouth, stomach twisting at the reality she was one of the only people that had asked him that in a long time. “Making things work, at least.” He nudged her boot with his own, “How about you? Still kicking ass?”

Even though she met Samuel first and they were closer, she and Luke had some time to bond over the last two years. It was not easy for the guy when he learned that his brother had taken the fall for him and Danielle and that he was going to be spending time locked up. He never really said anything or opened up to her, its not like they fucking cried together. Still, she could tell that he was struggling with it and when she lost her father he was also there for her. Which is why she understands where he is coming from with this whole going straight thing. She’s not going to judge him, but at the same time she can see how Sam might feel a little butt hurt over losing his brother to the blue collar lifestyle. ❛ Yeah, I imagine it hasn’t been a walk in the park. You seem pretty determined though. ❜ Not when you have such a bad reputation in town. ❛ Sam mentioned something about you getting a job at the local flower shop, that true? ❜ Really it was hard to picture Luke working there but it was an honest job and the thing he wanted to do. There are times when she wonders if getting out of this life is something she’d be capable of doing but really she can’t imagine doing anything else. ❛ Oh you know me. As long as there are asses in need of kicking, I’m there, ready to deliver. It’s a tough job but someone’s gotta do it. ❜

[huntergreyisanasshole]

▶ SAMUEL MASON

“I don’t think you’d manage it out there, you’d beat every dude up that would try to pick you up. Unless that’s what they wanted,” He chuckled. Sam frowned as they spoke about his brother. It was disappointing, to say the least. “Be a flower boy, I dunno, it’s fuckin’ weird. Does he forget that he’s a born criminal? No one can stay away from this life,” Unlike him, Sam had accepted his fate. He had a lot of time on his hands in prison, more than any person could want, and that just caused him to realize that all he was ever going to be was a criminal. Which he gladly accepted, honestly. “Fuck no, I need you to put in a good word for me.” 

She takes another drink, already dreading the fact that more than half is gone and now she has to share it. Her own fault really. And since it’s Mason she is not completely flipping her shit. ❛ Hey, some people like it rough. ❜ Hunter shrugs, then listens to Sam describe Luke’s future plans which doesn’t sound all too promising. ❛ Is that a euphemism for something else? ❜ It is a little hard to picture Luke leading a norma life. To be one of those people who dresses up for a regular 9-5 job and a steady paycheck. ❛ I’m sensing that you hate that idea? ❜ Funny how two people could look exactly alike and be so completely different. The favor comes along and she snorts, chuckles, hands him the bottle. ❛ So - you want me to lie? ❜ After sighing she takes a more serious tone. ❛ You know if I do this and you fuck Winifred over I will personally kill you, right? ❜

[huntergreyisanasshole]

▶ CARRIE POPE

Carrie peers over the other and lets a mischievous grin curl at her lips. A hand rises to push a strand of raven hair from Hunter’s neck but it falls almost immediately. Probably because she fears that she’s seconds away from leaving with a black eye. “You’re hot when you get angry.” Carrie speaks softly, raising her brow. Despite it being true, she also hopes they’re shocking enough to destabilize her momentarily. At least long enough that the anger that’s welled up as a chance to subside. After all, she’d rather not have to go back for a second nose job. “I’ve lost someone too.” She says softly, attempting to hold back the smile from curling upon her lips. It’s different and they both know it. With a click of her tongue, Carrie shakes her head slightly when Hunter has no qualms about calling her out on her bullshit. It’s quite refreshing, as opposed to her meek step-daughter who doesn’t seem to have much of a backbone to stand on. “i know you’re angry. Maybe you even blame me but I assure you that no one swallows a bullet at the drop of an hat. Are you sure you didn’t see the signs before it happened? It’s sad to think that perhaps there was something we — you — could have done.”

You really had to admire her patience at this point. Her will power. Since she was not swinging towards her face. Especially when she dares to stretch her hand to push a hair from her neck. Oh, her blood does boil then. So much so that she bites her cheeks until the skin breaks and she can taste blood in her mouth. ❛ Yeah, like I haven’t heard that before. ❜ Jesus, she’s so obnoxious. How is it that people seem to fall for her charm every time? No, not people. Men. Men were so easy to drop to their knees and turn into useless puppets. Hunter listens to her words, and even though they may sound sincere, she knows better than to trust them. No amount of charm is going to make her forget that she murdered Montgomery Snow and that she let her father take the fall for it. That she is responsible for her father’s depression that eventually led to his suicide. Hunter stands there, clenching her jaw, her fists, every part of her is stiff. The words that are coming out of Carrie’s mouth ring in her ears. She says that of all things and it's like flood gates being released in her head. She has no words. Couldn’t find any word in any language that could have been uttered to make her feel even an ounce less angry or upset or pissed at Carrie right now. Feels like lava is running through her veins; tasted bile in her throat. And the next thing she knows, her hand curls into a fist and—Crack!. She isn’t sure if it’s her fist breaking against Carrie’s cheek bone or Carrie’s face breaking under her fist, but either way, Hunter doesn’t care. Only stumbles forward as her fist makes contact with the woman’s face, and then waits for any return fire. ❛ Don’t say I didn’t warn you. ❜

[huntergreyisanasshole]

▶ JOSEPH MADDOX

He felt like he needed to start keeping a list of everyone in the town who hated him. It seemed he wasn’t destined to have any friends, at least not for long. What she said stopped him dead in his tracks. She couldn’t know, could she? They had been discreete. They’d been keeping it a secret. There was no way she could know. She didn’t say Carrie’s name. There was still a chance he could play it off. Joseph looked at Hunter with a furrowed brow, doing his best to look confused. “What are you talking about?” He silently pleaded that Hunter was confused or something. She was one of the last people he wanted to know about this. He would never come back from this if she did. He was good at acting. He’d been pretending he was okay for long enough that he could pretend that he wasn’t screwing Carrie. He didn’t want to lie to her but he would do whatever it took to salvage her respect. 

For the record, Hunter does not hate Joseph. The circumstances of late have made her feel somewhat betrayed but she doesn’t hate him. She wants to smack him but she doesn’t hate him. When he starts to act aloof about the whole Carrie situation it just makes her gums ache. ❛ What am I talking about? ❜ God, she doesn’t want to say it. Not out loud. Feels like if she says it out loud then its out there in the open which makes it actually real. Does she want to know the truth? The answer is obviously yes, and yet, the prospect of Joseph admitting to sleeping with a woman like Carrie Pope makes her all sorts of angry. ❛ You really want me to say it? Because I might puke in my mouth. ❜ Fine - fuck. ❛ I’m talking about you and - Carrie Pope. ❜ To be fair she didn’t exactly see them fucking because her eyes have not melted out of her face. Still, Hunter is pretty good at connecting the dots and what she saw looked pretty damn suspicious. Because she actually liked Joseph she’s ready to give him the benefit of the doubt. ❛ I saw her coming out of the shop. What was she doing there after hours? ❜

[huntergreyisanasshole]

▶ DANIELLE MASON

          “Yeah, but your way of making a living could hurt my way of living too,” she replied with a slight raise of her shoulder before it fell back down again. Even if she wanted to throw a punch at the one talking down to her like she was nothing more than an object to stare at and hope to play with one day, Danielle knew that she had to have a softer touch when it came to the patrons and clients that went through Fairy Tails. It was what the bouncers and security were for, like Paul, even if she hated feeling helpless. “As much as I would love to throw a punch, it’s better for everyone if I just let it go. Not to mention that knowing my luck, I’d break my hand before I’d break their nose.” Though she couldn’t help the way that she smiled back at the other. “Maybe get a mask too and protect your identity.” At least they were gone, and it was time to order up as she slipped the person behind the table enough money for the both of them and they stood to the side as they waited for their drinks. “So if you don’t like coming to these things, then why come at all?” She already knew that she was there because someone invited her, giving her an excuse to step outside her house for something other than work and errands. The beers showed up and she handed one over to the other.

❛ Fair enough. ❜ Hunter could never see herself doing what Danielle did for a living. Not because she found it to be wrong or because she looked down on it. On the contrary, she thinks that it takes a lot of guts to walk up on a stage and dance for strangers. Not only that, but do it with very little clothing. Now, Hunter is not a prude and she doesn’t mind nudity, but she figures that doing something like that would make her feel rather exposed. At the same time she has to admit that there is a lot of power in what she does. The way she can captivate the male audience and make them all want her just with the swing of her hips. No, Hunter could never do what she does. ❛ Hey, I could teach you some things - if you’d like. Self defense and shit. It could come in handy if any of these fuckers tries to get too personal. ❜ Not an offer she trows around often but Danielle is a friend and if that keeps her from getting pushed around then - ❛ Oh, like a superhero costume? Become some vigilante? I can dig that. I’d need a code name though. ❜ Her question makes her sigh, because she really has no answer for it. ❛ I don’t know. Maybe it’s the cheap food and beer. I also have a hard time backing off from a job and Winifred is here somewhere. I wanna be close by in case I need to swoop in and save the day. ❜

[huntergreyisanasshole]

▶ WINIFRED SNOW

Winnie laughed softly at Hunter’s words. As strange is it may have seemed to an outside observer, she appreciated Hunter’s company and wry sense of humor more than she did most people’s. Maybe it was because she could trust her bodyguard not to bullshit her and that was more than she could say for everyone else. “Well, don’t jump out of your pants just yet –– it’s, unsurprisingly, as sweet as it sounds.” And adding some alcohol didn’t change that. Though, she supposed if you were looking to get wasted at the festival, that was a pretty covert way to go about doing it. “I mean, unless a bunch fo twelve and thirteen year olds decided to become felons instead of raise money for a telescope, then, sure, it probably does. Otherwise, I think they just dumped the entire mix in with a little bit of water.” It was too sweet that it was bitter to taste. Hunter’s expression both confirmed that and amused Winnie. “I was going to the gardens again, if you wanted to come.” She offered, not wanting to obligate Hunter to follow her, but finding that the gardens were still quieter than the main street where the bulk of the festival was taking place. She’d gone through them earlier and wanted to return before they closed. She’d been interrupted in her walk earlier, and figured it was a good time to go back, when most people were doing other things now. 

It really is quite funny how fast the weather can change. Hunter spent most of her childhood resenting Winifred for things she really had no control over. She envied her because she was rich and had everything she could ever want. She always saw her as this entitled princess who was spoiled and knew nothing of the world. She hated the fact that her father risked his life for Montgomery Snow and she especially hated that when the man died her father was blamed for it and Winifred didn’t have her back. Like she owed her something. Like she was not preoccupied with mourning her loss. So yeah, she has been a bitch to the woman, disliking her for ridiculous reasons. Perhaps because she really wanted to find reasons to hate her and the fact that she actually didn’t made it worse? Who knows. Now that she’s working with her she finds it difficult to keep up that facade. Finds herself becoming softer, which really pisses her off. ❛ I don’t jump out of my pants for just anyone. ❜ She mocks, giving the cup back to her since there is no way in hell she is taking another drink. ❛ Well just have to wait and see if we both drop dead soon. ❜ She still had that horrible taste in her mouth so she figures a cigarette might wash it away, so she pulls out her pack and places one in her mouth.  ❛ What is it with you and flowers? I mean yeah, I guess they’re nice to look at but - ❜

[huntergreyisanasshole]

▶ CARRIE POPE

Carrie can’t help but smile during her conversation with Hunter because the woman is a glass window. There’s no hiding the hatred she holds and that’s something that the brunette can respect. There were no games or hidden agenda, just pure hatred. “Well, I want to say that I’ve had my fair share of relationships and despite my last ending in tragedy, we were quite the pair.” An easy smile falls upon her lips as they both know her relationship with Montgomery was a far cry from great. She nods her head but barely has the time to make a retort when she notes a shift in the other. Her head tilts as she peers over the other, making a show of giving little in return. “There’s no need to get all up in our emotions, Hunter. We’ve both lost people recently and if anything, I can understand the pain that comes from that.” She says, her tone light and devoid of any sympathy. “I just wanted to say that he was very loved while he was with us, and to extend my sympathies. You did receive my card, did you? I was worried it would get lost in the mail.”

Hunter is no stranger to nightmares. They don’t put that in the Murder for Dummies book—that killing someone comes with a lifetime of intolerable guilt and frequent bouts of insomnia. They always had a common theme. The person she used to be, working with her father, shooting someone; the person she was now trying desperately to make her old self pull back, make her realize what she's doing is wrong. It never worked. She’d watched each scene play out hundreds of times, but nothing changed. She always wakes up alone, drenched in a cold sweat with the stale tang of blood lingering in her memory. She has to believe she’s having one now because she is seeing red. Because right now he wants to give Carrie a black eye that will last her a lifetime.  ❛ Are you shitting me, lady? ❜ Her entire attitude is unnerving. Nothing that comes from Carrie sounds genuine. Hunter might be an asshole but he is definitely not a hypocrite. She doesn’t stand there and smile and talk bullshit when she doesn’t mean a word of it.  ❛ You understand? That’s hilarious. ❜ Remember your breathing exercises.  ❛ Sure, yeah. I got your card. ❜ And then burned it.  ❛ Can you save the act for someone who might actually believe it? I know you don’t give a shit. ❜

[huntergreyisanasshole]

▶ DANIELLE MASON

Danielle did her best to minimize looking in the direction of the outspoken voice, the one that poked and prodded in hopes of what – seeing her in her lingerie in the middle of the line for beer? She did better to ignore them, choosing to leave them to their shit talking until one nearly touched her and Danielle felt her entire body flinch out of the way. If it weren’t for Hunter, they would have been able to grab her, force her around, and say what they wanted to her face while she would have at best; barely survived it. The whites in her eyes shown brighter than usual as she stared at Hunter’s face, trying not to give them any reaction at all until they were gone and back in their group of friends as they shuffled off enough that she could see their retreating backs. They weren’t gone, but gave the two of them enough space that she could breathe again. “I’m okay, you don’t… no, don’t do that.” If the other did, then it would only make matters worse for her especially if they put two and two together and visited her at the club. She adjusted her jacket, covering her shoulder back up again as she shot the other a timid twist on her lips. “Thanks, you’re my hero,” her voice was a touch flat, but she meant the thank you for stepping in. “You wouldn’t believe how often that happens and people wonder why I don’t go to these things alone.”

She had to commend Danielle for being so chill about this whole thing because had she been in her shoes this guy would be on his way to the emergency room right now. He is lucky that Dani is not a violent person and that she is asking her not to engage. ❛ Just because you ask. I got no problem beating him to a pulp. You know I do this for a living, right? ❜ Alright, maybe less beating and more watching lately. Who knew being a bodyguard would be so boring. Not that she wanted anyone to attempt hurting Winifred for her entertainment but a little danger wouldn’t hurt. ❛ Me? A hero? Should I start wearing a cape? ❜ They are getting closer to the counter, which was good thing because her mouth was starting to feel dry. The guys get their beers and start to walk away, probably whispering things to each other about the both of them. Losers. ❛ People suck, that’s no surprise. I’m not a fan of coming to these things either but - for different reasons. ❜

[huntergreyisanasshole]

▶ SAMUEL MASON

He laughed when she pointed out his talent, “It’s one of my many gifts,” He noted, “I’m sure I’ve even pissed you off once or twice,” If he did though, it was definitely on accident, “A working girl. That’s hot,” He could never make an honest living, even if he wanted to. There was no work ethic in him. He took another sip, swirling the bottle around as he did so, “What’s new with me? Uh, gettin’ back into the stealing game, and tryna get my brother back into it. He’s like a new man or somethin’, like a new Jesus, I dunno,” He shrugged, taking another sip before passing it back to Hunter, “I got a favor, though, if you’re down.”

❛ Trust me, it’s fully appreciated. By me at least. ❜ Not many people did. Some people looked at Sam and saw some worthless criminal who deserved to be locked up. The didn’t get it. Didn’t get how fucking hard life was for some people.  ❛ Fuck you. ❜ She smacks his arm after he says that, still holding a chuckle.  ❛ Although, I always wondered if I’d make a decent living selling my shit on the streets. ❜ She’d make a terrible hooker. Hunter pauses and gives Sam the floor. Of course he’s trying to get back in the game but she is a little surprised to hear that Luke has decided to go straight.  ❛ Seriously? What is he gonna do? Please don’t say janitor cause I might cry. ❜ A favor? Her ears perk up but she has a feeling that what Sam’s about to ask her could get her in some shit and she’s not sure if she wants to risk her new lucrative job. ❛ If its a blowjob you can fuck right off. ❜

[huntergreyisanasshole]

▶ DANIELLE MASON

Hunter might have been right, but Danielle preferred their antics to the ones that she dealt with nightly with grown ass adults who behaved worse than children sometimes. But she wasn’t likely to bring that point up, choosing to leave work where it belonged and get a drink instead as they head towards the beer garden tent. “Well, just make sure you don’t send them my way because hand eye coordination has never been my strong suit and I don’t want to be hit in the face by a flying kid,” she commented with a light touch to her tone as they stepped into the line as they waited for it to be their time to order a couple drinks. Though as they stood, Danielle couldn’t help but overhear those near them who recognized her ( even with her clothes on ) as she turned the other cheek so they wouldn’t see the red flush that burned by their words. Guilty as charged, she wanted to say but it struck too close to home as she kept her lips closed and barely flickered a gaze in their direction or Hunter for the moment.

The truth is Hunter doesn’t have a problem with just kids but people in general. Every single person she meets, with few exceptions, seem to possess some quality that rubs her the wrong way. Like these idiots for example. Who in the right mind thinks it’s a appropriate to approach a complete stranger and ask them if they worked as a stripper? Who thinks, yeah, this is a good question to ask? Of course she notices Danielle’s discomfort in all of this which sends alarms all over. “Hey, I’m talking to you.” He says, and was about to reach out and grab her by the shoulder when Hunter snatches his hand in mid air. ❛ Try doing that again and you’ll pull back a stump. ❜ The guy snorts, mutters something that sounds like whatever bitch and then returns to laugh it off with his buddies. Frankly, Hunter has no problem getting into a fist fight with this guy and embarrass him in front of his friends but at the same time she is glad it doesn’t come to that - for Dani’s sake and for her job’s sake. Last thing she needs is for word to get out that she is starting fights again and for Winifred to fire her . ❛ You alright? ❜ She asks, even though she knows that Danielle is very good at brushing this kind of shit off.  ❛ I can still kick his ass if you want me to. ❜

[huntergreyisanasshole]

▶ JAVIER MORENO

Despite a few friendly faces he had seen around, so far, beer had been his only entertainment. There hadn’t been any fights nor scandals to make this day interesting, so coming to the festival really seemed like a waste of his time. It had been enough socializing for one day, he thought, but he spotted yet another familiar face and hell, he couldn’t just leave without saying something at least. “Well, I didn’t peg you as a massive social events person,” he commented jokingly as he approached her, considering he wasn’t a fan either. He didn’t know much about Hunter, other than she was incredibly good at kicking asses at The Cage, and by the brief conversations they had had, he assumed she would be just like him. “I’m afraid none of these activities can really compare to the thrill of beating up someone, but I guess some people like this shit.”

She should leave. Hunter is not even sure why she decided to come here in the first place since she is not the type of person who enjoyed being surrounded by people. At least not in this type of events. The type of crowds she enjoys are usually sweaty and vulgar. Speaking of sweaty and vulgar. ❛ That’s because I’m not. ❜ She points out, knowing perfectly well that being her acts as a contradiction to her statement. ❛ I’m just here for the cheap beer. ❜ She likes Javier. Which says a lot when you considered the fact that Hunter doesn’t like most people. She likes the no bullshit approach to things he has going on. She likes that he came to town and provided people, her especially, a place where she could let go of all her frustrations and release all that anger into someone’s face. ❛ You sure? Cause that mine tour looks really fucking thrilling. ❜ She snorts, rolls her eyes at how stupid everything is. ❛ Why are you here? Lost a bet? ❜

[huntergreyisanasshole]

▶ SAMUEL MASON

“I don’t always piss someone off,” He insisted, “Just the people that make me mad,” Which were a lot of people, unfortunately. “Shit, you’ve been busy. Maybe even busier than me, and that’s sayin’ something,” He chuckled, sort of proud of her. The vodka was probably to clean out his bruises, or something, right? He just took a swig anyway, handing it back to her. “Now you realize you’re gonna have to share that bottle till it’s finished?”

❛ Oh, c’mon dude, who do you think you’re talking to? i know how talented you are. ❜ She offers him a smile. One of the very few people who gets that from her with minimal effort. When he mentions that she has been busy she shrugs because he’s not lying. Not only with the whole arguing with people thing, but with her actual job. ❛ I know, I’m a busy gal these days. A working gal. ❜ She looks at him as he grabs the bottle, taking a hit of it and handing it back her way. She kicks it back, feeling the liquid burn all the way down her throat. ❛ Hey, I can share. ❜ She chuckles, takes another and then passes the bottle. ❛ So what’s new with you? Feel like I haven’t seen you in forever. ❜

[huntergreyisanasshole]

▶ DANIELLE MASON

           “You look like someone who would have made most places a kid free zone by way of fencing them into a small area,” she commented with a hint of a laugh in her words. It didn’t look like the other was alone when the kids bumped and knocked into people, but Danielle took advantage. With every kid that knocked into someone, they were less likely to think she was the one that took their wallets when they noticed them gone later. She dumped them here and there, even leaving one near where some of the kids were lingering before she turned away and left it and them behind. “I offered, did I not? Plus, even if it’s not me buying then it’s bound to be someone else buying.” As long as there were lonely and desperate people hovering near the bar in hopes of striking up a conversation with someone, then there was plenty of ways to get a free drink or two. “But yes, I’m buying. Come on, let’s get you something to drink before you punt one of the kids for looking at you funny.”

Honestly, who in their right mind would think having a kid was a good idea. Just look at them. Dirty, loud, full of germs. Hunter can’t think of a single reason why she’d ever want to have this type of responsibility in her life. She figures it’s a good thing that she knows this about herself since there is plenty of people who have no fucking clue how to be a parent but they do it anyway because #yolo. ❛ Can you blame me? They’re so - animated. ❜ She did smile when Danielle confirms that she is the one paying for the beers or someone else is - not her. Good cause she hates paying for stuff. She can see how it would be easy for someone like Dani to flirt her way into getting free drinks, not something she was excelled at. The whole flirting thing is not her forte. ❛ Can't make promises that it won’t happen regardless but it seems like a good start.❜ Hunter follows the blonde to the beer garden, standing behind a couple of college kids who seem to recognize Danielle from her line of work. “Hey, aren’t you that stripper chick?” One of them says with a smile from ear to ear. Gross. Men are just fucking gross.

[huntergreyisanasshole]

▶ NOEL ENRIQUEZ

Noel feels as though he’s been having the same stupid conversation on a loop since he got shot. In reality, he’s probably had it a total of three times but those were three times too many and even today, as the town is celebrating and he’s made the effort to get out of the house in something that isn’t flannels or his work suits that argument has come back to haunt him and he paces back and forth in front of a bar which front vaguely awakes a memory in him as Ursula Gallegos asks him once again if he’s planning to come back to work any time soon. Something about the woman’s words just doesn’t sound true to him. She tells him Miss Gallegos is very worried about him and all he can think is that maybe Ursula just wants an opportunity to assess the damage. “Just as I’ve told you and Ursula, I need some time to recover at home. I can still work cases just fine from my home office.” He continues, eyes kept firmly on the concrete and as he whirls into a wall of flesh, he lets out a string of curses. He’s pretty sure he saw a cigarette butt flying off but he doesn’t have time to process that or the commotion before the woman he inadvertently bumped into starts talking. Straight to the point he can appreciate that. More importantly, though she knows who he is and he has no clue who she is. A reoccurring these days that he really is starting to loathe. “I’ll call you back.” He mutters before hanging up and turning to the raven-haired woman. “Came close. Who are you?” He asks abruptly, brows furrowed. He can think of at least one other woman in town who looks strikingly similar. “Miss Snow?” He guesses, scratching at his beard pensively.

He looks at her like she has grown a second head or something equally disturbing but it is his question that causes her to stare back. Really? Hunter does not know if she should feel flattered, insulted or what. Surely there are worse people one could be confused with but still.  ❛ Not exactly. ❜ Yeah, he looks confused to hell and back and Hunter can’t help but feel a bit sorry for the guy. She can only imagine how awful things would be if she woke up one day with no memories. Ok, so there is a part of her who thinks that it would be kinda cool to start over cause god only knows that there are a few things she'd like to forget. Then again, is it really starting over when you don’t know why the fuck you’re started over for in the first place? Aren’t you bound to make the same mistakes again since you don’t remember ever learning from them? All this philosophical shit starts to give her a headache.  ❛ I work for her, the name’s Hunter? Ring any bells? ❜ She doubts it.

[huntergreyisanasshole]

▶ CARRIE POPE

Carrie could taste the loathing that exuded from the other. It wasn’t hard considering most of the population of Grimmbrook hated her. Half of them suspected she was behind the death of her husband while the other half pitied it for her. What they all agreed on was that she was after his money. “A hot date? That’s a little far-fetched,” Carrie said with a laugh as she peered over the other. “But I guess some people are into odd things.” While she wasn’t so much saying that Hunter would be into odd things but that those interested in her would be. When her hues halted on the piece of food in her hand, she clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. “Ah, you’ve come to eat. Despite how delicious that may be, I think you could do without. Especially if you are hoping for a real hot date.” Despite the insults that slid across her tongue, her tone remained light and airy as if she was speaking to a friend or loved one. “At the restaurant? I’m surprised to see that you’re able to do things on your own. For the last few months, you’ve been a constant shadow.” She smirked then, “I’m sure your father would be proud to know you’ve returned. Did Winifred reach out or did you be-—-—- ask?”

Carrie’s voice sounds like a woodchipper to her and everything she said makes her blood boil in her veins. Of course she is doing what she can to provoke her, see how much she can push before Hunter decides to push back. Only her conversations usually start and end with her fists.  ❛ What are you, a fucking date guru? Thanks for the tip. ❜  She shoves the last piece of the bear claw in her mouth, crumpling the paper and tossing it in the nearest dust bin. And she’s still talking. You know those annoying birds that just won't shut the fuck up?  ❛ Yeah well, it’s my job so - ❜ She bites the inside of her mouth to keep herself from saying something she might regret later but when she mentions her father it’s like a bomb has gone off in her head. Movies and books like to play up the cliché of time stopping when a bomb is dropped; where all you can focus on is a person’s lips moving, and you either can’t catch a goddamn word of what they’re saying, or you hear every syllable as if they are spilling from a surround sound system.   ❛ Mention my father again and I’ll shove my foot down your throat. ❜

[huntergreyisanasshole]

▶ WINIFRED SNOW

“You know,” Winnie began, taking a sip of the lemonade she’d been coerced into buying from the middle school stand, how could she say no to them raising money for the astronomy club to get a new telescope? “When I gave you the day off, I didn’t expect you to use it to come here.” She’d figured that her bodyguard would use the day to sleep off an epic hangover or any other number of things. Not attend the towns annual spring festival. Winifred couldn’t say she was disappointed to see Hunter, though. She knew that despite being off duty, if they were in the same place, Hunter would watch her back. There was something invaluable about having someone on your side like that and in the recent months since the other woman had worked for her, Winnie had come to appreciate Hunter’s candor and unfuckwithable-ness. “Lemonade?” She proffered her cup in offering with a slight twitch of her lip. “

Winifred’s voice resonates behind her and when she turns around and she sees her standing there looking flawless Hunter feels like she has just been caught with her hand in the cookie jar.  ❛ What can I say? I’m full of surprises. ‘Sides, this is the one time of the year that I get to try that maple booze - yum. ❜  Her face remains static, flat, like it usually is. The truth is that she is here because of Winifred. Because there is no such thing as the day off when your job is to watch someone’s back. Because if for some reason she gets hurt today and she’s off in la-la land, she’d never forgive herself. She’s not about to give people the satisfaction of saying, yeah there goes another Grey fucking up. Not because she cares or anything, that’s ridiculous.  ❛ What? ❜ She makes a face when Winifred hands her a cup and she grabs it with some hesitation. Pauses for a second, brings it to her nose to smell it hoping that maybe it had some alcohol in it but she can’t smell anything other than lemon. When she tries it her face twists in a disgusted grimace.  ❛ This is fucking disgusting. You sure there’s no cyanide in this? ❜