FuckinSurreal And FuckinLucid
Vane Everett @FuckinSurreal
/The thunderheads were growing in size in the distance, discomfort strong in the tendons of my hands. Restlessness in full drive as I toss in my sheets, my bones weary but wouldn’t rest. The impending storm had my hard body tense and shaking almost expecting the dreaded dream episodes from before. I needed to keep awake.
I sit up with a harsh exhale. The clock is blaring red bright numbers, the time five in the morning as a tired groan rushes past my firm lips. I’d had a busy day working on a twelve hour sitting, the client holding strong like a fuckin’ trooper, my knuckles blasted from the long session.
I knead over them in the low room’s light, my eyes catching on @FuckinLucid’s nap sack. I’d yet to be able to return it, or see @FuckinLucid again after the expo. I push my palms off the edge of my mattress, my body rising upright to lift up the bag. I had no idea where to find @FuckinLucid.
The club where @FuckinSway performed was a bust. For now. I turn my attention back to the bag, unzipping slowly to rummage through quickly and only seeing some of her personal belongings.
Looking in the front zipper compartment I find something that may work. A pay check stub for a coffee shop. The address not far from where the shop is located.
I pull on some loose fitting, low hip hanging black sweats, a grey sweat hoodie, and my sneaks to sprint out the door. It was a long shot, but maybe a coffee run would be just the answer.
I swing the strap of @FuckinLucid’s bag over my shoulder, small drizzling drops starting to fall as I tug up the hood on my sweater with my hands thrusting into the side pockets/
⌘ ☯ Aleva ☮ ⌘ @FuckinLucid
[As I leave @FuckinSway’s apartment, a sense of relief lifts from my shoulders at the awkward tension which was bearing down on me. Oh shit. Did we actually… sleep together? I try to push away memories. Not sure whether I want to think about it right at this moment. I needed to get to work.
It was so early, but the manager had asked me to open up today as she wasn’t going to be around. I’d stupidly agreed to it. Why? Why did I drink the night before? It was taking a while for the painkillers I took from @FuckinSway’s cabinet to kick in. But one thing I was certain of… No nightmares. No feeding. I slept. And I didn’t feel shitty.]
[As I walk to work, deep in thought, I fail to notice the light drizzle that’s soaking through the already dirty clothes I’m wearing. I also don’t happen to see @FuckinSurreal as I walk straight into his back, almost knocking us both over.]
[I grab onto him to balance myself.]
Vane Everett @FuckinSurreal
/I stumble forward with a high squeak of my sneaks, palms reaching out and back to steady both myself and the clumsy fucker behind me./
/I growl, @FuckinLucid face blurring as we straighten up/
/I push down the hood on my sweater, allowing myself to take in @FuckinLucid fully once I’ve gained my wits some. She looked a bit disheveled and beat with heavy bags under her eyes/
⌘ ☯ Aleva ☮ ⌘ @FuckinLucid
[I hear @FuckinSurreal curse and I wince. It’s not like I meant to crash into him. I scrub my hands over my face before giving him a sheepish smile.]
Hey there, @FuckinSurreal. Long time no see.
[I look up to see him standing outside of the coffee-shop.]
Vane Everett @FuckinSurreal
@FuckinLucid /I shake my head, my rusty hair falling forward somewhat damp from the drizzles/
I was stopping in for a cup of Joe. Are you okay? I didn’t knock anything loose, did I?
/Jacks a brow down at you while moving to the front door to open for us/
⌘ ☯ Aleva ☮ ⌘ @FuckinLucid
[My eyes widen at hearing @FuckinSway’s name… or what I thought was his name…]
Joe? What did he say? I haven’t seen him since…
[I don’t want to admit that I just came from his place. I clear my throat.]
[I wave my hand dismissively and laugh nervously before pulling out the keys to the shop and dropping them on the floor. I bend down to pick them up and sigh at my obvious clumsiness.]
[I mutter under my breath]
Vane Everett @FuckinSurreal
@FuckinLucid /My brows draw inward at how jittery and nervous you’ve suddenly become. Joe? Who’s Joe?
I vaguely remember you calling @FuckinSway Joe at the expo, chuckling low while I swoop forward to snatch up the wet keys from the rain slick concrete.
Why was @FuckinLucid suddenly acting nervous and confused when I mention @FuckinSway? I hand her the keys, shaking my head thinking there was definitely something up. @FuckinLucid’s attempt at fibbing about @FuckinSway falling flat/
Right. You sure about that, Aleva?
/I chuckle low adjusting the strap of @FuckinLucid’s bag on my shoulder/
Oh hey, you forgot this before.
/Trails off as I pass you the lightly rain covered bag while @FuckinLucid fumbled with the shop lock/
⌘ ☯ Aleva ☮ ⌘ @FuckinLucid
[My eyes dart between the door I’m unlocking and something @FuckinSurreal is holding in his hand. My backpack.]
Oh, damn. I’d forgotten about that…
[Which was unusual as it had my iPod, my beloved blanket that I carried everywhere and a couple of other personal possessions. The door clicks open and I hold it open whilst holding my hand out for the bag.]
Thanks. Step in. @FuckinSurreal
Vane Everett @FuckinSurreal
@FuckinLucid /I tick my head down, stepping quickly through the doorway when a loud rumble of thunder rolls through, the rain drops growing in size. I brush off the tops of my sweater/
You are welcome. How has your tattoo healed?
⌘ ☯ Aleva ☮ ⌘ @FuckinLucid
[I follow @FuckinSurreal inside the shop and make my way over to the alarm. Keying in the code and setting the bag down on the nearest table. I switch the power to the building on, waiting for the lights to slowly brighten the dim room.]
[I walk over to @FuckinSurreal and hold out my arm for him to see. Running my finger over the bumpy inked skin.]
All is good. Sorry about almost passing out by the way. I’m not sure what came over me. It’s the first time that’s happened. Can I get you something to drink? I’m guessing you didn’t come to chit-chat at 5am…
Vane Everett @FuckinSurreal
/I run the pads of my fingers over the inside of @FuckinLucid’s forearm, nodding in approval at how well it was healing. The ink taking well./
I could use some caffeine, @FuckinLucid. I’m glad to see you’re doing better after. You had me concerned when you stumbled off.
⌘ ☯ Aleva ☮ ⌘ @FuckinLucid
[I pull my arm away from @FuckinSurreal and walk over to the coffee machine, setting everything up and filling it up with fresh coffee beans.]
How did the rest of the Expo go? Get your name out a bit?
[I grab a couple of clean cups and the milk from the fridge.]
What kinda coffee do you want? I’m making myself a latte.
Vane Everett @FuckinSurreal
@FuckinLucid /My firm lips turn down, palms scrubbing over the scruff of my cheeks while you start your set up/
It went well. It boosted the shops traffic that’s for sure.
/Shakes my head, folding onto one of the tall stools/
Don’t give me none of that foamy fru fru ladies coffee. I’ll take a dark roasted blend of anything you got.
/Turning back to your ink/
Do you usually have those type of reactions while having ink done?
/Shifts my feet to rest over the stools bottom rail, waiting/
⌘ ☯ Aleva ☮ ⌘ @FuckinLucid
[I chuckle as I pour steaming dark liquid into a cup for @FuckinSurreal, handing the drink over.]
Nope. I’ve got many tats and never have I experienced something like that.
[But I can’t tell you it was due to my lack of sleep and need to have a fix.]
I must have forgotten to eat or something.
[I shrug it off, pouring the hot milk and coffee shot into my own cup before joining @FuckinSurreal at a table.]
Vane Everett @FuckinSurreal
/I pour a small amount of cream, adding some sugar with a hard stir before slipping my rear from the stool to join @FuckinLucid. I wasn’t buying her story, @FuckinLucid’s gaze shifting away hesitantly some when I asked about her reaction, remembering that look of utter bliss cracking her features while my guns brazed the ink into her skin.
I settle down into the seat across from @FuckinLucid, blunt nails tapping over the ceramic sides of the coffee mug as I steel my gaze over to @FuckinLucid/
What about them moving? You mind sharing what that was all about, @FuckinLucid?
/I stare down into the steaming dark contents of my coffee mug/
I know I wasn’t imagining that, was I?
⌘ ☯ Aleva ☮ ⌘ @FuckinLucid
[The coffee mug I’m holding slips from my hands as an image of ink shifting across my skin flashes through my mind. A customer chooses that moment to walk in and I move away from @FuckinSurreal, not knowing how to respond to his query.
I’d thought it was a dream, or I’d imagined it in my sleepy haze. But if two of us had seen it, then surely it had to be more than that. I serve the customer, frothy milk is still hot from the latte I made myself so I can serve her fairly quickly. But before I can talk to @FuckinSurreal, another customer comes in. My hands are shaking and I’m not sure if it’s from the caffeine already hitting my system or the shock of the question @FuckinSurreal just posed.
By the time I’ve finished with the flurry of customers… I realise @FuckinSurreal has left the shop. I bite my lip nervously. Thrusting my hands into my hair and not knowing what to do except keep serving and keep working. For now that is.]