Blood Binds (IC)

[Mephistophelily]

"Jus' keep practicin' that chord, Danny. Ya almost got it. Jus' keep yer thumb down." Brianna gave the younger boy a smile as she paced the lesson room, dialing into her cell as she nodded at him. "That's it. Good... Try th' scales now."

She turned away as the voicemail picked up on the other end of her cell phone, hearing Victor's outgoing message. She smirked, rubbing her back with her hand as she started to pace again. "Hey Victor. Its Bri... Gregory 'n' I should be there 'round 6. Have some beers ready, right? Sooner we get 'im drunk, the happier he'll be... See ya then, love." She clicked the phone shut, glancing behind her as she realized the scales had stopped.

"Danny? What gives?," She asked, frowning. Her back really felt... weird. That odd pain didn't seem to be going away. In fact, it felt worse now, like little needles jamming into her back.

"You're... you're bleeding." Danny's voice sounded rather meek as he set his guitar down. "Its coming through your shirt. You're bleeding!"

Brianna gave him a confused look, then tried to see what he was talking about in the window of the room. Sure enough, a rather bloody spot was forming on the back of her white shirt. "What'n the hell?!" She gave a groan, opening her cell once again as she pointed at Danny. "Keep practicin'. I'm goin' outside fer a sec."

Dialing her brother as she stepped through the door, she was already cursing under her breath. "'Gory...? Mind tellin' me what yer doin'?," she asked with forced sweetness as her brother answered his phone. "Lil Danny's freakin' out on me cuz I'm bleedin'. Any clues on what might be doin' that?"

 

[LitShark]

Vic

Vic leaned over and kissed the ring of the overweight Italian who was shrugging his coat back on. "Thank you for understanding Mr. Stanalucci." The big man just waived his hand dismissively as he and his crew left Briarton's pub, the last table of the day. Vic let the cooks finish cleaning up the kitchen and sent them home early, leaving the pub empty except for him and his best bartender Angela.

“Ready for another night with the O’Connors?” Vic asked Angela with a knowing smile. Their old friends the O’Connor twins had a special talent for attracting (causing) trouble. The last time Vic had been out drinking with Greg and Brianna, Greg had walked up to a group of 5 gang members and gave a speech on how gay it was for men to dress alike. The ensuing fight lasted about 20 minutes. Within that time Vic managed to defend himself from his attacker long enough to seize an opportunity to throw a Muay Thai elbow into the gang bangers jaw and knock him out cold. Meanwhile Greg had punched 3 guys into submission. Brianna had the 5th man laying on the ground in agony, clutching his groin and bleeding from long scratches over his face. When partying with the O’Connors Vic knew he had to be ready for anything, especially a fight.

Tonight was to be a big blow out celebration for the twins’ birthdays. The bar was fully stocked, with plenty of cold kegs waiting in the back. Vic had hung up party lights and a few decorative posters for them.

Vic got Bri’s message that afternoon and smiled to himself. ‘Yep, it’s going to be a wild night for sure.’ He reopened the doors to start letting in guests who might arrive early. Vic was anxious, he’d been looking forward to this night for some time. He hoped that tonight he might find an opportunity to have a few moments alone with Bri, away from her overprotective and short-tempered brother. He prayed that things would go smoothly, but knew better deep down.

 

[wrytersyren]

"As ready as I'll ever be." Angela said on a laugh, wiping a now damp rag along the bar top. Both she and Vic knew there was no way to prepare for the whirlwind of trouble that followed the twins where ever they went.

Tonight was gonna be one to remember, Angela thought to herself. Looking around she made sure she had everything she needed in place. Beer, alcohol and more alcohol, yep thats just about all they ever needed to have a good time in this neighborhood. Pausing for a quick second she looked at her reflection in the large gilded mirror behind the shelves that held the speciality liquor, and absently brushed a lock of hair from her forehead. Wiping her hands against the short black apron tied tightly around her waist, she inspected her reflection again patting the pad of one finger over the glossy smoothness of her full lower lip. She wasn't normal this overly preoccupied with her looks but tonight was different, Gregory was going to be there. Since it was his night she wanted to make sure she looked special for him, to make sure he'd take notice.

With one final adjustment of her breasts she turned her attention back to Vic. "Alright boss, let's get this party started." she called, clapping her hands together.

 

[LitShark]

Vic tried to call Bri on her cell to find out what time her guitar lesson was going to be finished. The line was busy.

"Damn!" Vic sighed as he snapped his phone shut. He really hoped that Greg was not causing trouble already.

 

[Mephistophelily]

Gory had hung up on her! Bri wasn't sure if it was just bad reception, or her brother being an ass... She'd blame the latter.

"Headin' out, bossman." She shot a smirk to the blond guy behind the register, her guitarcase slung over her shoulder. "See ya at the Pub? The ol' birthday ritual..."

"That's quite alright, Brianna. I've heard enough stories on what happens when you and that brother of yours get drunk." He grinned, waving her out. "Go on.. I bet your friends are waiting."

Bri gave a laugh, winking at him as she headed down the street. It wasn't much of a walk to Briarton's from the shop, but the starting drizzle didn't help. Running down the street and avoiding the developing puddles, she pushed open the door of the bar and shook off like a dog, laughing as she left a few wetspots on the wall beside her. Dropping the guitar beside the bar, she shot a grin to Victor as she spotted him. "Got anythin' that'll warm a gal up back there, darlin'? Best start the drinkin' before 'Gory gets here. I already got a bone t' pick with 'em. Should at least be in the proper mindset fer arguin'."

 

[LitShark]

Vic’s face lit up when Bri walked through the door. He’d been worried about her since he tried calling her again and her phone was busy. He walked over to her side of the bar and hugged her warmly. He had to catch himself before he held on too long.

“Well... If I’da know you were coming I’d have saved something special.” Vic winked at her, still regaining his composure. He lifted up the wooden partition and stepped behind the bar, pressing the combination on the wall safe below the register he pulled out a tall bottle of “Midleton Very Rare” Irish Whiskey with a red bow tied around the neck. He slid a crystal glass in front of her and poured a generous taste of the expensive collector’s whiskey into the glass.

“Happy birthday Bri.” Vic said as he poured a taste for himself. He raised his glass, “To the twins O’Connor! May they never want as long as they live, and live as long as they want!” Vic shared an intimate smile with Bri, clinking his glass against hers and drinking deeply of the smooth liquor.

After a slight twitch of his lip swallowing the drink, he exhaled sharply. "I hope your brother isn't getting himself in trouble again."

 

[Mephistophelily]

"This'll do quite nicely." Bri grinned at the drink poured before her, a soft blush coming to her cheeks as she laughed with his toast. Downing her drink, she gave a soft cough, nodding at him as she tapped the side of the glass. "Hoo... Gory'll be wantin' some'a that. As fer him in trouble... When isn't he? Even when he's tryin' t' behave himself, he ends up with some nasty bruises. Jus' wish that if he's plannin' on doin' it today, he at least wait fer me. Not all that fair fer him t' be havin' all the fun."

She glanced over her shoulder to the door, looking for Gregory... still no sign of him. "Hmmm. Wonder if that whole thing earlier's got somethin' t' do with all this?" That got her thinking. "Would ya be able t' do me a favor, Vic? M' back's been feelin' real odd this afternoon. Could y' peek at it fer me?"

 

[wrytersyren]

"Ha!! The day Gory stops getting into trouble, is the day I become Queen of England." Angela said laughing. Since she never drank while on the job, she raised an unfortunately empty glass in Bri's direction and saluted her long time friend. "Happy Birthday, Bri."

Angela saw the way Vic was looking at Bri and couldn't help but smile. Whenever she was around his face lit up, gone was the cold hard demeanor he often had on a regular basis.

"Would ya be able t' do me a favor, Vic? M' back's been feelin' real odd this afternoon. Could y' peek at it fer me?"

Seeing the somewhat sly grin that spread across Brianna face, Angela turned around quickly pretending to be concerned with a stubborn watermark on the glass in her hand. She didnt want to intrude on the obvious moment that was about to pass between two of her oldest friends. A miserable sigh escaped her and went unnoticed, as she wondered just what was keeping Gregory. From the look of the bloodstains she had seen on Brianna's blouse a second ago, it wasnt anything good, nothing good at all. She said a quick prayer, hoping he was alright.

 

[LitShark]

Vic’s face melted to a serious and concerned stare. He raised his eyebrows.

“Your back? Yeah, let me look” Vic walked around to Bri’s side of the bar. He helped her out of the black and gold leather jacket she often wore. As soon as her jacket was off, the massive blood stain on the small of her back. “Holy shit Bri! What the fuck is he getting into?”

Vic was very careful as he lifted up Bri’s T-shirt being very gentle and careful, not wanting to drag the shirt over whatever wound lay beneath.

 

[Mephistophelily]

"I dunno. I tried t' call 'em, but I couldn't hear a damned thing from his end. Back's been feelin' kinda... tingly." Brianna glanced over her shoulder to peer at it, a confused look on her face as she caught sight of the mirror. When Victor tugged her shirt up, she spotted a reddened design on her shoulder... A celtic cross, which seemed branded into her skin. No wonder her back felt odd!

"What'n the hell is THAT!? He- The bastard got a damn tattoo?! He can't get a tattoo without tellin' me! That's jus'... That's a permanent thing... I should'a known about this..." She gave a soft groan, running a hand through her hair. "I think I'm gon' need another drink, Vic. I ain't jus' yellin' at him. I'm gonna kill that asshole."

 

[LitShark]

Vic laughed at the sight of the tattoo slowly appearing on Bri’s skin, but mostly he was laughing with relief. He had fully expected to see a knife wound or some other such horror under Bri’s shirt by how much blood had soaked through the cloth of her shirt. He grabbed the bottle of the bar and filled up her glass and his own. He nodded at Angela indicating for her to grab a glass as well. Once all three had their drinks they toasted again, this time though, it was a silent toast. Bri downed her full glass of whiskey in 3 gulps and slammed down her glass. Vic barely swallowed a quarter of his glass before he had to bow out. He passed the bottle to Bri, allowing her to fill at will.

 

[Mephistophelily]

"Should ram a damn knife in m' leg fer that, the bastard..." Bri scowled, pouring out another glass for herself and downing it just as quickly. She kept it up with her drinking like this, the alochol poisoning she was headed for would be payback enough...

She give a grin to Victor as he laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, that's funny? Ya like an inked gal, huh? Maybe that's what I should do. Get one m'self... a big one, sayin' 'I Love the Fellas' on m' arm..." Peering around the room, she gave another grin to Victor. "Hey... Think Angela'd mind if y' stepped outside with m' fer a sec?"

 

[wrytersyren]

At the sound of Vics voice, Angela spun around quickly. Her eyes almost popped out of her head when she saw the reddened patch of skin at on Bri's back. Part of her sighed in relief that Gory wasnt truly hurt, but another part of her went out to Bri who now had to deal with a permanent tattoo which she may not have wanted. She accepted Vics silent offer of a drink and poured herself a glass of the whiskey, and for the first time drank to her friends health.

"Not at all darlin', take him where you will." she said smiling at the pair.

"Just so you know, I got a blouse in my bag in the back you can change into if you want Bri." Angela offered, know she and Bri were just about the same size. "I'm sure you don't wanna stay in that bloody thing all night." she added with a smile.

 

[FenixZero]

The tavern door swung open with a loud creek, announcing Gregory's arrival. The young Irishman was wearing a wide grin across his face, his short cropped hair sticking out erratically from his head.

"Alright ye basterds stop talkin 'bout me" He announced in a warm and friendly voice.

This pub was special to him and his sister. They had roots here and entering the pub always had the feeling of coming home.

"Well since this bein a special day an all, I decided to mark it. So to speak" He grinned giving his sister a broad wink. His arms came around her in a powerful bear hug, almost crushing her against him. As always their strange bond gave him her feelings, as if a pair of strong arms were gripping him as well. Their bond never lost any potency, but always seemed so much more powerful when they were together.

Releasing his twin and letting her drop to the floor, Gregory turned and offered a broad smile to Angela. He had been looking foreword to seeing her almost as much as his beloved twin.

"And a g'evening to you as well Angela"

 

[Mephistophelily]

"I'd appreciate the shirt, Ange- Hggrnf!" The wind was knocked out of Brianna as her brother grabbed her in a bearhug, weezing as he held her. "Y' could'a warned me before ya went 'n' did it!," she snapped as he let her go, shoving him. "Ya scared the hell outta one of m' students! How'm I supposed to explain that to him?"

She smirked, her anger dropping just as quickly as it had come as she the bottle of whiskey off to him. "Here. Already took my fill of it. Consider it a gift from Vic." She glanced to Victor as she spoke, winking at him. "He always does know the perfect present fer us, don't he?"

 

[wrytersyren]

"Hi" Angela smiled whispering softly. She felt a bright blush rise in her cheeks and quickly turned her back to Gregory, not wanting him to see her reaction to him. She quickly grabbed another glass, then turned back to him, pouring a glassful of the rich amber liquid of Vic's specialty whiskey.

"Here you go, Gory." she said handing him the glass, almost letting go too soon as his fingers brushed hers sending a spark of electricity up her arm. She poured another round for the others as well, then said, "Right, now we can do this thing right. To Gory and Bri, and to a Happy Birthday"

 

[LitShark]

Gory always had a way of bursting in at just the right moment to prevent Vic from having time alone with Bri. Perhaps their bizarre connection left him equipped with some internal, sibling “Cock-Block” alarm that went off any time his sister’s chastity was threatened. As long as he’d know the twins it had always been that way, they were almost never seen apart and any time they were apart, the other would not be far behind. Vic forced a smile, for though he had been looking forward to seeing his old friend, the timing was terrible as always.

“What, you get a “hard” looking tat and now you don’t know me anymore?” Vic joked as he clapped his pal on the back and gave him a quick hug. “Tell me if that good Irish whiskey don’t pus some color in your cheeks.”

 

[FenixZero]

Gregory allowed himself a good long while to look at Angela, holding her gaze with his own for what felt like hours. Taking the glass from her with a grateful bow of his head, he raised the cup high as she made her toast.

Downing his drink, he smiled wide.

"Ya truly are an angel, Angela" He chuckled, "Havin a place t'come to like this....well it meas alot".

“What, you get a “hard” looking tat and now you don’t know me anymore?” Vic joked as he clapped his pal on the back and gave him a quick hug. “Tell me if that good Irish whiskey don’t pus some color in your cheeks.”

"Ahhh I didn't fergit ya. I been tryin like 'ell but I still canna find a drink strong enough" He joked back, returning the hug.

Leaning across the bar, Gregory's eyeline came just past Angela's collarbone, giving him an ample view of all the curves of her body. Snapping his gaze away before it became obvious, he snatched the bottle and took a long pull.

Turning back to his sister and Vic he grinned wide, "Now if I remeber correctly, last year Bri beat ye 8 times outta 10 in arm wrestelin las' year. Am I remeberin that right Bri?"

 

[Mephistophelily]

"Ey, it was closer on a few of 'em. Besides, I think I got a lil outside help..." Brianna shot a smirk to Gregory, then winked at Victor. "Don't worry, darlin'. I'm sure ya can get me down this year." She grinned, laughing as she realized how that could be taken.
She glanced over her shoulder to the other room, raising an eyebrow as some of the guys playing pool seemed to be getting a bit... louder. "Those fellas been drinkin' awhile, Vic? Gettin' a wee bit rowdy.."

 

[wrytersyren]

"Ya truly are an angel, Angela" he said on a chuckle, causing her earlier blush to flood her cheeks once more. For a brief moment Angela could have sworn Gory was staring at her chest and she suddenly found it very difficult to breathe. But then he turned away and she realized she must have been imagining things.

"Those fellas been drinkin' awhile, Vic? Gettin' a wee bit rowdy.." Bri asked and Angela turned her head to see who she was talking about. When she saw the four guys in the corner of the room, she was a bit shocked. She could have sworn Vic had gotten rid of all their earlier customers, seeing as only close friends of the twins were invited to tonights bash.

"What the hell are they still doing here?" she asked sending a confused glance in Vic's direction.

 

[LitShark]

“Those guys over there?” Vic looked into the pool room, “I thought they were with you, they said the got invited by the hot Irish girl so I figured you knew them.” Vic noticed Gory starting to get agitated, “I think if we just tell ‘em to leave they’ll get outa our hair.” Vic hoped he could put an end to this conflict before things got too out of control.

 

[wrytersyren]

Angela saw the look that passed over gory's face too and prayed there would be no trouble tonight.

"Hey Bri, why dont you come in the back with me and get changed? And i'll see if i can find something to back that spot on your back ok?" She said the last part with a glance at Gregory. She lifted up the partition waiting for Bri to follow her. "Keep an eye on the bar for me will you Gory?" she asked smiling. She knew that logically he wasn't be the best person to leave in charge of a fully stocked bar, but she figured the alcohol was there for their enjoyment anyway so he was free to get as shitfaced as he wanted.

 

[FenixZero]

Gregory frowned for a moment as he shot the pool players a glare. He didn't like the sound of the "hot Irish girl" comment. He didn't tolerate that sort of talk from anyone let alone some drunk pricks in his pub. Well not his exactly but he did spend a lot of time here.

He watched Angela exit with his sister, entrusting him with the bar. He shook off any angry feelings he was harboring and slid behind the bar. A chance to mix your own drink was something not to be passed up. And besides, Jesus had a whole thing about hitting people.

"Well'en Vic. What're ye doin with yerself these days?" He asked as he poured another drink.

 

[Mephistophelily]

"A'right." Brianna frowned to her brother, giving him a quick shake of her head. She could see it in his eyes already- he was getting pissed. "Easy, 'Gory. Jus' get yerself a few drinks and cool down."

She followed Angela into the back room, sighing as she tugged off the shirt. "Thanks fer this. Funny- I can get a broken nose or a twisted ankle from some'a the stuff he does... and I get most upset with him gettin' a tattoo. Some sense'a priority with us, ain't there?," She laughed, folding up the shirt so the stain was on top.

-------------
Back up front, the men at the pool table caught the conversations from the group. One of the 4 walked over to the bar, giving a grunt and nod to Gregory. "Hey. Gimme a beer. Put it on the Irish chick's tab. Said I could have whatever I wanted tonight... Hope she holds up to that one later too." As he spoke, he made a sort of grinding motion against the bar, causing a roar of laughter from his friends back at the pool table.

 

[wrytersyren]

Angela smiled as she rummaged through her backpack in search of her spare blouse. "Nah you had right to be mad, broken noses and stuff like that can heal. That there..." she said pointing to Briannas back "That's permanent. Most I can tell you is thank God it aint some chicks name you got scrawled across your back." On the last bit she gave a forced laugh, though she knew Gory had had his fair share of women, she didnt like to think of them.

"Ah ha!" she exclaimed proudly pulling the blouse from her pack, handing it to Bri. "Here it is, I think that should do well. And from what I can see the bleeding stopped. looks like yer all set kid."