Johnnie Redmayne (
phantomrider) wrote in
beyondtheline2023-05-22 08:56 pm
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Tornadoes and skeletons and nacho dogs, oh my
[So this is how he gets away with it, then. Cruz, a skeleton, with a skeleton horse, lives in a skeleton of a house with a skeletal barn attached - and he remains unseen, his home apparently abandoned, all the way on the outskirts of this thing that's barely a town.
Well, you do what you gotta do, and Johnnie won't turn down a kind offer of a safe place to stay the night. He can't help but grin at Chrissy having such a good time riding that bony horse as he pulls the bike in through the barn door and parks it to the side, then hops off.]
Hey man, we owe ya for this. Here.
[See, this is yet another reason it's good to stock up on alcohol. He finds their most recent stolen bottle of tequila and pulls it out as he saunters over to their host and offers it in an outstretched hand.]
On us. Uh, if you drink, that is. You do drink, right?
[Normally that would be a dumb question to ask but the guy appears to be actual bones. But, bones that can smoke, without lungs, so he can probably drink without a mouth, right?
That earns a laugh from Cruz.]
I sure do, fella. You don't have to, though. I'm not looking for any kind of repayment, just helping out a couple folks in need.
[Johnnie shakes his head and waves that attempt off.]
Nah, it's all yours. Or if you really insist, we can all split it tomorrow, the three of us an' the rest of your crew. Can't wait to meet 'em. They all skeletons too?
Well, you do what you gotta do, and Johnnie won't turn down a kind offer of a safe place to stay the night. He can't help but grin at Chrissy having such a good time riding that bony horse as he pulls the bike in through the barn door and parks it to the side, then hops off.]
Hey man, we owe ya for this. Here.
[See, this is yet another reason it's good to stock up on alcohol. He finds their most recent stolen bottle of tequila and pulls it out as he saunters over to their host and offers it in an outstretched hand.]
On us. Uh, if you drink, that is. You do drink, right?
[Normally that would be a dumb question to ask but the guy appears to be actual bones. But, bones that can smoke, without lungs, so he can probably drink without a mouth, right?
That earns a laugh from Cruz.]
I sure do, fella. You don't have to, though. I'm not looking for any kind of repayment, just helping out a couple folks in need.
[Johnnie shakes his head and waves that attempt off.]
Nah, it's all yours. Or if you really insist, we can all split it tomorrow, the three of us an' the rest of your crew. Can't wait to meet 'em. They all skeletons too?
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[Chrissy doesn't have any method for choosing one over the other. It just sounds fancier somehow. It's not an inn. It's a resort. Very fancy. She'd be happy anywhere though, and hopes he knows that.
As they pull up in front of the Riverway Resort, Chrissy's so excited just to be here in this time and place that she leaps right off the back of the bike and practically drags Johnnie off the bike. They've got to get their things, but first she presses both hands to his cheeks and pulls him in for a kiss.]
We're going to have so much fun here.
[She's ignoring the few looks they're getting from people that pass them by and notice them. It's easy to imagine they look like they've been through hell. But that's just amusing to her, and she's left smiling as she pulls back from the kiss to grab one of their bags.]
Do you want to see if you can find a key? Or should we just try breaking into one of the rooms?
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Rather have the key just so they're less likely to rent the place out with us in it, but then again who knows how gettin' hands on those will go. It's late enough, maybe someone won't have their eyes completely open. Lemme go look, okay?
[She gets another kiss, and then he trots off toward the concierge to scope the place out and see what their key system is like.
Security here is a little tighter than your average highway motel, that's for sure. He doesn't see keys on a wall inside anywhere, but the slow pace of the front desk at this time means he doesn't see anyone come in and get one, either. Leaves him with a few guesses - those locked drawers at the front desk, maybe, or behind another door past that desk. He slinks toward the door, trying to be unobtrusive, but -]
... C-can I help you?
[The young woman who has just emerged from that door in some sort of resort staff uniform looks shocked, like any moment she might retreat back into that room and lock the door. Quickly, he crafts a shaky half-assed plan and hopes it works.]
Yeah! Shit, yeah, you can, thank the Balancer someone's here. My girl an' I were caught in a huge storm, an' there was this fire, an' the fire department is clearing everyone outta the block an' putting people up in hotels for the night until they get it all sorted out. They said they'd cover our room here so we can get cleaned up an' figure out a more permanent spot to stay. Can you help us?
[This may not be as trusting a time as the thirties or the fifties or any number of places they've wound up, but it's still not too hard to con your way into something if you're convincing enough. The concierge nods her head, looking worried, and withdraws some kind of master key from a breast pocket to get at the room keys.]
Yes, oh heavens, I'm so sorry, you must be so distressed. Is your... Significant other? Around?
[While she's hurriedly filling out a form, Johnnie nods and jogs over to the front door, then waves toward Chrissy and the bike.]
Hey babe! She says she'll get us a room while the fire department figures out a better spot for us!
[She's smart, she'll catch on, he decides, and then heads back inside so he can sign whatever garbage he's supposed to put some ink on.]
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You poor thing, you look like you've been through so much tonight. We'll get you taken care of, dears. Don't worry!
[Chrissy hasn't even had to lay on a sympathetic story yet, but she's sure going to test out her acting chops now.]
The fire department said you'd be able to help us. We were so worried we'd have to sleep on the streets tonight, but you'll help us? Really?
[Okay, so maybe acting isn't her thing. But she sounds genuinely happy that they're getting a room. Which seems to make the woman happy in return, even as she keeps glancing up at them in concern.]
Of course. You'll be in room two-twenty for the night. I'm going to have to ask you to come down first thing tomorrow so we can ensure the fire department has made the payment for you to stay longer if you need to.
[Although she's friendly, the concierge starts to sound hesitant, like she doesn't want to hand over the key. So she doesn't, instead she places it down on the countertop and studies them.]
What did you say your name was, sir?
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[See, this is where the fake ID comes in handy. He digs his wallet out and slips the fake out of its pocket for her, like she might need it for something. Who knows.
If she wants them out of the room first thing in the morning, well, he can conveniently forget. They'll eventually send a note up or call or whatever but until then they have time to figure out an alternative. Should be no sweat to take the key to a locksmith and have a copy made.
So as she takes his ID and studies it, he slides his hand over the key because obviously that's his now.]
Thanks again, you've really been a big help. I'll come on down tomorrow, all right? Really appreciate it.
[Well, the key is in his hand now, and the concierge briefly looks at his grungy fingernails, then gives a firm nod and a practiced smile.]
Of course. We're happy to help out and I hope you two can get a good night's sleep. Please call down to the desk here if you need anything!
[Johnnie nods and retrieves his fake ID, then shoulders one of the bags as well as his guitar to take it all up to the room.]
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Oh, and Mrs.Garcia!
[The concierge calls out, stopping Chrissy dead in her tracks. She mulls over being a Mrs.Garcia before realizing she has to play the part. Her head turns and she gives a little nod of her head.]
Yeah?
[The concierge runs over with a little paper sack that she hands over to Chrissy.]
There's some toiletries in there for you. In case you need them.
[Taken by the kindness of that, she just smiles for a few seconds. She's completely stunned to silence. They've met so many exhausting people on this trip that it's nice to run into someone that genuinely wants to help.]
Thank you. We'll see you in the morning.
[As soon as they're out of earshot and are walking down the hallway toward the rooms, she laughs under her breath and adds on-]
Or see you never.
[She prefers it to be that way. Less explaining they'll have to do.]
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Eventually though they find their room, and he turns the key in the lock.]
Here we go, home sweet cleanup time. Goddamn I need a fuckin' shower so bad.
[Guitar tossed on the bed and bag tossed on the floor, he scopes the place out. For a "resort" it sure looks a lot like a usual, though nice, hotel room. Probably the resort part means restaurants and a pool and other fancy shit. Massage parlor or something. Hell, he hopes so, he could go for a massage.
But first thing is to strip down and get that shower running, and he does so in near record time, only to notice there's also a huge tub with a jacuzzi.]
Oh, shit - well, that's gonna be for after the shower.
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After, huh? It sounds like you have big plans.
[Which she is all for, but first? She steps into the shower and gets under the water. There's no soap or shampoo in here, so she peeks out and gives him her best smile. One that's extra charming and sweet.]
Hey, baby? Do you think you can grab all my strawberry stuff from our bag?
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Have your pick of what you want. I just gotta scrub all this off.
[Starting by grabbing a washcloth. Streaks of black and gray and red will probably mark up its white fabric forever now.]
Ugh. Makeup is worse than mud for gettin' it off though.
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Here.
[She takes the washcloth from him, and gets some soap on there.]
Keep your eyes closed for a while. I'll get this.
[Even with as filthy as she still is, she takes great care to gently scrub his face clean. He's left with a little redness thanks to her scrubbing, but that'll go away soon. She smiles at her handiwork before kissing him.]
Do you think you can get your hair while I work on my face?
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Yeah, of course. You think I can't wash my own hair?
[He grins teasingly and reaches for... Yeah he's just going to smell like strawberry because that's the only shampoo on hand. Oh well. He has his work cut out for him with the combination of dirt and grease, but considering that's not that unusual for him, he can figure it out.]
Goddamn that feels better already. Hey, you think this place has an open bar? That's a resort thing for sure, right? Especially for a couple who just lost all their stuff in a fire.
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I mean, it's a resort. It should have a bar and a pool. We should really play up the starving, sad angle. I bet they'd give us all kinds of free stuff if I cried and you couldn't console me.
[She makes a show of wibbling her lower lip and looking like she's about to cry, which actually is very different from her genuinely sad face which is far more depressing to look at. But suds from shampoo fall down into her face, and she curses beneath her breath as her eyes burn. Her feet stomp a little as she bounces in place and wipes at her eyes. What do they put in that stuff, arsenic?]
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[He laughs at her acting and then realizes some of it's real, thanks to that shampoo. But that just makes him laugh more, since it sucks but is ultimately harmless anyway, and then he steps back to rinse all the junk out of his hair and lets the water plaster it to the sides of his head.
Then it's her turn to get to rinse off, and she needs it anyway, so he scoots around her and guides her under the stream with his hands on her waist.]
Need me to kiss it better?
[He snickers, and playfully places a kiss on each eyelid. There, fixed, for sure.]
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Do you really think they'd buy an act like that?
[Her nose scrunches up, because she feels so weird pretending to be that sad just to get some drinks. But if it means getting him things he wants, she's all for it. Besides, a big fancy hotel like this won't hurt if they give away some free drinks and food.]
Maybe I should learn how to cry without actually being sad so it looks more convincing.
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Mm, sounds like a good idea to me. Could be real useful.
[He's more invested in touching her than talking about crying, though. He trails hands from her hair down over her back, then pulls her snug against him. Yeah, so maybe every time they shower together he gets to wanting her, but why wouldn't he?]
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Are you already clean?
[Not like she'll tell him to stop what he's doing, even if he says no. But she feels like maybe she should try at least a little to pretend like she's keeping them on track. That idea is abandoned in about two seconds, in favor of teasing him a little.]
Or did you decide to stay dirty?
[He can take that in whatever way he wants, but she's laughing as she leans in to kiss him.]
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Get too clean an' you never have any fun.
[He keeps one hand at the small of her back, holding her close, then tips his head down to kiss at her throat as his other hand strokes her side and cups her breast.]
Always thought "good clean fun" was fuckin' bullshit anyway, those people are too afraid of livin' life.
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We have plenty of good clean fun.
[Their playing music is good clean fun. Dancing usually is too. But he's right, their dirty fun is a lot more enjoyable. Like this, she can always enjoy it when they're naked and grinding against one another and working up toward friction and heat and feeling nothing but pleasure.]
But this kind of fun is my favorite.
[She laughs, already breathless as his lips graze across a sensitive spot on her neck. It makes her squirm in her arms, even as she tries to grind against him.]
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[Once again he has to wonder how he got so damned lucky. It feels so good to grind against her, to murmur words against her skin as he backs her against the shower wall and drags his hips against hers while rolling her nipple in his fingers. She's so perfect, the way she molds against his body and responds to every touch.]
Though if you think we're rinsed off enough, we could always move over to that jacuzzi. Take a little more space to stretch our limbs.
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We can move over in a minute.
[She promises, her hand slowly touching and teasing at him. Her thumb grazes against the tip right as she nibbles at his neck.]
I've got an idea for a game. Do you want to play?
[Seeming to change her mind about getting over into the tub, she turns the water off and gently nudges him out of the shower.]
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Sure babe, I'll play. What's your game?
[He lets her guide him at first, stepping out of the shower and dripping water as he goes. Before he gets too far away from her he leans in for a kiss, passionate and firm, as he digs nails into her hips as just the slightest assertion that he isn't completely pliable here. A game sounds fun, but he's bound to play it on his own terms.]
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Let's play rock, paper, scissors. If I get best two out of three, you have to watch me come first before you can touch me or anything. And if you win...
[She pauses, leaning back enough that he can see her arched eyebrows. Since she's already tipping away, she might as well pull out of his hold completely so she can turn on the tub. That needs to fill up before they can get in. ]
What would you want to win, babe?
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[Because why wait, when immediate indulgence is his favorite option? Her teasing little game makes him want nearly the opposite of her choice, and he's ready to find out who gets their wish.
The tub is filling, his skin aches to be pressed against her, and he readies his hands and watches her with a grin.]
You ready?
[One, two, three, scissors.]
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[A little sass tries to throw him off his groove, but he's not so easily swayed. He throws out scissors, and she laughs as she does as well. Okay, a tie for the first round. Not bad, not bad.]
Maybe if we tie, we could do both.
[Because why wait and deny themselves, when they can have everything they want and then some?
One, two, three - and this time she does rock, assuming he'll do scissors again.]
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[This dilemma doesn't mean he's going to wait to throw down his choice, though. Scissors again, Which she's picked as well, and it makes him laugh.]
Some kinda fate, I guess. What are we gonna do about that?
[She hasn't said when her no touching thing is supposed to start, either, so he grins and goes to capture her around the waist and pull her in for a fierce kiss. That'll sure make it hard for her to think about an answer to that question.]
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Well, you could bend me over the tub first.
[She softly offers, cheeks turning pink as she flushes with warmth at the thought of that.]
And then I can tease you and make you watch me come again after.
[Maybe she isn't the smartest person in the world, but she can have a good idea every now and then. It's her groove that's thrown off though, as she misses her chance to throw out a sign after counting to three, and has to scramble to hold out her hand with something.
It's paper.
Yeah, he has her nice and flustered.]
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