Thread: Against the Ropes [ Sigr & Captain Brandeau ]

Vinny was actually excited about the arrangements since he would be actively involved in what he loved most and among things he was familiar with. It was the opportunity he'd been waiting for so when it was there he grabbed it and it was like once again, his life had purpose and he could take back control. Anya did not share his enthusiasm, he noted, remaining silent and cold through the last of her meal. When she stood, he felt threatened by her intimidating size, if this were to end in a brawl her youth and new style would best the retiree. What she did say felt like a direct punch to the stomach and was the most painful hit he ever received despite his fighting career. His hopes were high and she knocked him down to eye level, literally, but he had no words. All he could think was how this was what he deserved all along and if she was going to hit him, he wouldn't do a thing to stop her. This was the side of Ayna he created when he disappeared, it was what he assumed everyone felt towards him and he could see that through her behavior. But Vinny would never raise his hands against Ayna, even in self-defense. This is what he deserves. This is what he deserves. He frowned, unable to answer her question in a way that could reassure her and change her mind about him. And just as he braced himself, she backed off and before he could think about sighing in relief he cringed, actually knowing their phone numbers and address by heart but never once calling or visiting as often as he used to. She may not have hit him, but she left him feeling twice more worse than before. Then he silently gathered her dishes and caught up on his work load in the kitchen. The weight of guilt dragged him down the rest of the work day after she left. His peers and boss noticed his changed mood and asked if everything was alright, to which he answered solemnly, I'm fine. I just don't wanna talk about it... Chicago Gold closes at 9pm on the weekdays. And on the hour, Marina let Vinny go and thanked him again for his hard work today. He worked the full open to close shift, she did not think it necessary to have him stay another hour behind to clean. He only made it as far as the sidewalk before he heard his name being called from inside the restaurant. The much younger part-timers, a group of a 16, two 17, and an 18 year old had just clocked out as well and approached him. They asked if he had plans to go to the Downtown Underground tonight for the fights they've seen him there plenty of times before and offered to walk with him if he did. It was a very tempting offer to take his mind off of his encounter with Ayna and he did not want to be left alone with his dark thoughts for too long so he agreed. It was a better plan than going up to his apartment to watch tv all night. But before he could walk anywhere with them, he had to ask if they had a way in. The illegal gathering only allowed in people age 18 and if he was seen walking with them and it's discovered that only one of them is legal, those were not charges he wanted on his record. The 16 year old boy and the two 17 year old girls had fake ID's and the 18 year old male carried a legit driver's license. It did very little to ease his worries. Vinny led the way and the teenagers lagged behind, whispering, laughing, calling out crude things in the silence of the night to embarrass each other like teenagers do. He wondered what Ayna was like when she hung out with her friends. Then he remembered when she told him there were no boys chasing after her so he thought maybe it would be a good idea to introduce her to the 18 year old, Danny. He was overly fun in and out of work, very annoying at times, in fact, all Vinny knew about his personal life when he was paying attention was that Danny wanted to go to school to be a physical trainer. Maybe they have a lot in common somewhere in that. It was someone he could approve of. Does Ayna even like white guys? The thought led him to look back at the goofball and examine him more closely. He was tall and lean with classic pretty boy looks. Blonde hair cut simple, soft blue eyes, and always smiling. The kids had caught up to Vinny at the final traffic light before the pub and when the streets were bare and safe to cross, the excitement got to them and they ran ahead while Vinny briskly walked. He stood behind them in the line they formed on the way into the building, staring off into the distance behind them while wishing he had brought a jacket to protect him from the cold weather. There were plenty of people outside smoking, clearing their heads from the overwhelming noise coming from inside. A car pulled up behind them, their headlights creating a fuss, but Vinny simply turned the other way, his I.D in hand for when his turn came.