graham conan rhodes

You can call me Gray. 36 // criminal defence attorney an irish enigma I promise you I don't bite.

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[rhodetojustice]

INSTAGRAM 002: ‘Thursday Evening, 6:30pm’

“i don’t think i’ve been on a date in years and yet here i am, dressed to impress. do you think i will impress him on Irish accent alone?

[rhodetojustice]

aaronhirsch​ & rhodetojustice

The truth of it was that Aaron was still not the greatest when it came to dating. He didn’t go on all that many and the last one he had gone on, had been with Teddy, which in itself had been kind of ridiculous, considering everything. Not that it was a bad thing, he just didn’t think pinning any hope on anyone from years gone by was necessarily the best thing unless he was certain about things. So looking was definitely a thing that was happening, it wasn’t as thought he’d ever had much of a chance to live when he’d been chained to his family.

This had all started from a few messages back and forth on Grindr, some guy who had recently moved to the island he’d found himself unable to stop replying to. Well, it’s not as though Graham wasn’t easy on the eyes, not as though he could say no really. The invitation of a date had taken him by surprise, but he’d jumped at the chance to go.

Naturally when it had come to the night they were meeting things had gone wrong and he’d found himself detained at school longer than he’d have liked, a couple of the boys ‘causing chaos. When he’d finally escaped he’d found himself rushing around, and then rushing across the island to make it to the Bar At the Atwater on time. He spotted Graham up ahead almost immediately, a smile crossing his features as he glanced down at his watch. “I’m not late am I?” He probably was, but still, too late now. 

Graham’s eyes nearly burst from their sockets at the sight of the young man walking towards him. He was just as handsome as the photos he had seen of him on Grindr, if not better. Graham mimicked him and checked his watch: “I can allow a minute or so when you arrive looking like that.” He grinned, his eyes flicking back up to him. 

It was a cool evening and so Graham was dressed in an almost grey to the eye, yet navy blue suit, matching waistcoat and a pristine white shirt that unbuttoned at the top. He topped off his look with some black suede shoes and a flash of colour from his sky blue eyes. “It’s chilly out all things considered, looks like not even California can escape the brisk winter nights.” He said, awkwardly looking down, almost nervous like. “Look, our dinner reservation was for 7:15 so, how about a quick drink at the bar prior to the dinner?” He smiled, stepping forward a little in Aaron’s direction. “Oh and now that I can see you with my own eyes, I’m Graham.” His grin widened as he held his hand out, not breaking eye contact with Aaron. “Thought I’d reintroduce myself considering Grindr never really leads to anything like a date normally.” He finished. 

“So, what do you drink?” He said, placing his hand on the other’s lower back as if to usher him up the stairs and into the bar.

[rhodetojustice]

nathedelstein​ & rhodetojustice

Nath’s ears immediately pick up on the other’s accent and words, a clear indication that he was not a local of the island. He watches the other and his red wine, waiting for that familiar pang in his stomach whenever he saw alcohol — but today, the feeling subsides quicker than expected. 

“Alcopop,” Nath repeats, smiling. Though he’s mimicked it in the other’s accent, it’s hardly said in a mocking tone. “Guessing you’re here for work?” Their eyebrows knit together, though they can’t place exactly how or why they would come by the island for anything other than a short vacation. “It’s all good,” he continues, holding up his hand. “I don’t drink.” 

It feels strange, coming out of their mouth like that, even though it’s true. he quickly skates over his alcohol issues and onto a more interesting topic: the subject of his complaints. “That doesn’t sound too fun,” they say. “Care to explain?” 

“You could say I’m here for work, I see it as an extended vacation when in actual reality, it’s both.” He said, a smile forming. Graham noticed a slight change in their body language, but dismissed it entirely upon possible outcomes. It was normal for Graham to often think about scenarios in his head, even with strangers. The mystery behind why they act the way they act in conversation or what prompted them to say what they said was fascinating in a weird way and worked well in his line of work. “Okay, you’re choice. You can stick with your ummm---” He pauses before forming a smirk. “Spindrift?” He said, also mimicking the other in what could only be described as a terrible impersonation.

Graham usually didn’t discuss his work as such with anybody, let alone strangers-- however, this technically wasn’t discussing his work so allowances could be made and who better than a stranger for that matter. “Oh, the assholes?” He said, looking back over to the them. “It’s nothing more than just typical college students who think they are going to have everything handed over to them on a plate and in reality, it doesn’t work like that.” He sighed once more.

“I’m Graham by the way, you can call me Gray. Just moved here about a month ago to Avalon. You’re local?” 

[rhodetojustice]

della-slade​ & rhodetojustice

Della only had one tour that day and that was an early morning one since the people apparently wanted to see the sun as it came up over the ocean. Even though she had seen it a million times the sight of it was something she could never get tired of. It was one of the things she loved most about being a boat captain.. 

Finishing for the day, she locked up her boat for the day. Her mother was after her to get something appropriate to wear to the dinner they were having with some of her parents’ friends. Last time she showed up in ripped jeans and an old shirt. Her mother had been speechless when she saw that. This time she promised she would actually wear a dress and not one of the sun dresses she wore on her days off. 

Throwing an old sweater over her bikini top, she tossed her sandals in her bag for when she entered a store. Ripped shorts, barefoot and hair in a messy bun. But that was just how she normally looked. 

Glancing up when she heard someone speaking, she grinned at the accent. She only heard that from one other person. “It’s your lucky day. I’m actually buying formal wear myself. There’s a place just across from here. Probably the only formal place on the island. You only sound a bit like a snob but I think it’s the accent. What is it? Irish? Bit too thick to be English. Definitely not American.”

“That is lucky. This must be what they are on about when they say that we Irish are lucky.” He grinned as he glanced out the window to see if he could spot the shop that she had just mentioned. He eyed the girl up and down as if trying to create a picture in his head about her, something he was more than familiar with doing - it just came natural at this point. “You been out enjoying the weather by the look of it?” He said, his eyes landing on her bare feet before returning them back up to her. “Oh, I’m Graham by the way, you can call me Gray.” He said, offering his hand out, gesturing a handshake. 

“So it turns out I could probably use a women’s advice actually.” He shrugged as he took a step to the door, holding it open for her. “You see, the suit isn’t for anything grand or special, but it also isn’t for a funeral, so I have a particular style I’m looking for, y’know?” He continued.  

[chrishemsworht]

[rhodetojustice]

CLOSED  ➜ @aaronhirsch​

Location: Bar At The Atwater

Time: 7pm on the dot. Thursday Evening

It wasn’t so much that men were an issue for Graham to find, God know--- quite the opposite actually, he had quite a lot of interest, but never really let it get any further than your casual Grindr hook-up. Catalina was a new beginning so to speak, it was a chance for ‘conan the wolf’ to be left behind and Graham to establish himself as a more grown-up version of the man he’d left behind in London and that meant exploring parts of his life that he may not have been willing to explore before.

Having explored the local talent on the app, Graham had found himself talking to a new guy, Aaron. He was handsome, local and they seemed to get on fine over instant messages, but this is where the hard part started. He was used to casual flirting which would result in some sort of one night stand, but nothing that involved anything more than that, so when Graham found himself asking Aaron out on date-- even he was shocked. 

Bar At The Atwater seemed like a bit of an overstretch for a date with someone he had met over an app, but it was in his nature to try and impress with anybody so you can only imagine that this was extremely heightened by the prospect of going on his first date in years. 

“If he doesn’t show up-- shrug it off, be the big guy and don’t sent hateful messages.” Graham mouthed to himself as he waited on the corner, checking his watch in anticipation as the clock struck 7pm. Not a minute had gone by before Graham sighed deeply, grunting to himself as he prepared to up and walk away before spotting a familiar face walking up to him.

[rhodetojustice]

What fictional character do you most relate to?

“Oh, you’ve really got me there.” He brings his hand up to his chin before scratching his head. “Have you ever watched Dragonball Z or Dragonball Super? Yeah, definitely Gohan. His Dad - Goku - wants him to train and fight to become the best fighter in the world and his Mom - ChiChi - wants him to study and become the best doctor in the world when really, nobody is asking Gohan what he wants and you end up with a successful fighter and academic, but a lacklustre character in later seasons and that’s where he and I differ because I refuse to become lacklustre. 

[rhodetojustice]

What’s the one thing you would like to change about yourself?

“Change? Nah. I call it growth. I wouldn’t change anything because everyday I am changing.”

[rhodetojustice]

Can you remember a time in your life you felt the most alive? Tell me everything about that memory.

“The first case I actually won after the devastating loss of my first was a moment I’ll never forget. I failed my parents, my teacher Miranda and worst of all---- myself. However, to bounce back and go on to redeem myself was something extraordinary.”

[rhodetojustice]

if you could have one person to play you in a movie about yourself, who would it be?

“I mean come on, it’s gotta’ be James McAvoy right? The resemblance is uncanny if I do say so myself.” 

[rhodetojustice]

What is your top three favorite songs and why?

“Okay, so number three is Doin’ Time by Lana Del Rey.” He laughs. “Sure, it’s a surprise, but even a gay man can appreciate a beautiful woman with an even more beautiful voice. She is so beautiful, damnnnn.” 

“Number two is Hysteria by Def Leppard. Iconic, there are no other words.” 

“--annnnnd number one would probably be Your Love by The Outfield because you know that one song that comes on and you just want to dance like nobody is watching, express yourself and move? Yeah, I’m not usually one for that sort of thing, but that song gets me up everytime.”

[rhodetojustice]

If you had to cut one friend out of your life, who would it be?

“Friends? I don’t have too many of those in the first place.” He shrugs, grimacing.

[rhodetojustice]

What’s the one thing that people always misunderstand about you?

“Where do I begin? It’s never so much a single thing with me as I can put myself out there and I know exactly who I am and what I want. Yet, to my detriment this can make people think that I am just some heartless twat that doesn’t give a care in the world because he defends murderers and other criminals for a living, when infact, there is a lot more to me than just my steller career.”

[rhodetojustice]

An epic feast is held in your honor, what’s on the table?

“You know, it’s probably going to be some sort of pub grub that I miss from back home. You can’t beat a fish and chip dinner on a winter’s night in some bullshit pub in the middle of London. McFlannagan’s, step your game up.”

[rhodetojustice]

what makes you feel accomplished?

Being successful in my job and knowing I’m making my mother and father proud. If there are at least two people in my life I want to impress, it will always be them despite my father being the weaker of the two people in this answer.

[rhodetojustice]

What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve done lately?

In the last month or so? I think moving to Catalina counts as spontaneous. I was comfortable in London, but not comfortable enough and going back to Derry was not an option. The question is what haven’t I done that’s spontaneous lately aside from my job.