Thread: Against the Ropes [ Sigr & Captain Brandeau ]

Ayna. His voice dragged out the vowels of her name like an echo while carefully typing the four letters into the computer and properly placing the 'y' where it belonged. He accepted the cash payment and handed her the receipt and change in her cupped palm. Crouching down to reach under the counter, he grabbed an ice cold cola beverage and placed it in front of her. The eye contact shared after was brief, then she turned away to catch a seat before they were all taken. Vinny had watched her do so while taking a step to turn around and nearly collided into his boss when their paths crossed. It was a close call, but they laughed it off. She took the opportunity to praise him for first, coming in on his day off when another coworker called in sick and then, keeping cool when handling the crowds at the register. It was worth mentioning how his work ethic had come a long way since he first started. When showing his face again in the streets became inevitable, the people would openly gawk and whisper to one another about his business. Everyone knew his face and everyone knew his story. He found it difficult to ignore their obvious stares and would often fail to show for work. Then when he did, there were times his temper or anxiety would best him and he would storm out mid shift. Marina instructed him to verify that there were enough clean soup spoons before his break, while the fuss was dying. Just as he complied to her demands, he kept special attention to the food Ayna ordered so when the time came, he insisted to his coworker that he be the one to bring it out. It would be another seven minutes exactly before the entire order was prepared but by then, Vinny was caught up on all the dishes and was free to take fifteen minutes to himself. All three dishes were balanced on one arm alone while his free hand would deal them onto the table in front of her like poker cards. Porchetta, Italian wedding, and a deep dish style pizza for Ms. Ayna. He announced to her each decorated recipe in the order that he lined them up. The porchetta was sliced down the center, neatly held by a toothpick in each half and served with a quarter-sized container of spicy brown mustard. In the wedding soup, meatballs soaked in a well-seasoned broth with spinach and carrots. The deep dish pizza was a rectangular shape cut into three slices with hot, gooey cheese nearly sliding down its crispy crust. He stole another glance at her, noticing the way her tall and muscular frame filled out her seat. Her arms were most impressive yet intimidating in that blouse, one step in her radius and Vinny could feel the confidence residing within her hard work. He caught himself staring, but that photograph, taking place at a New Year's Eve Party, was definitely the last time he had seen her. But not once in the time that he had known her did he think she would grow into this fighting machine before him. Or maybe she wasn't a fighter, maybe she was a tennis player. All he knew was that you don't waste a body like that on basketball. Ayna Omarov was indeed beautiful, but under his green gaze, she was a masterpiece. You don't remember me do you? he whispered and, without asking permission, grasped at the empty chair across from her, flipping it backwards so he could comfortably sit with his arms resting on the crest rail. He looked straight ahead into the deepest points of her brilliant eyes and let her get a good look at him. His dark brown curly hair had not been treated or cut in awhile, freely reaching the back of his neck when it was down. Nor had he bothered shaving. His mustache was thin and his beard only coated his chin, still his cleft was prominent. It's me, it's Vinny. he offered a small, toothless smile. His body was all lean muscle now, no where near as toned as he used to be. He did not have the motivation to exercise as often but he did have a few weights at his place and a pull up bar mounted in the kitchen. How's your pops' health? And your mother?