Breathing new life into lost eyes ||{Nikki}||

[Drake Constantine]

It was finally time to go taste fresh air, the fleeting moments of freedom weighed down by high walls topped with a barbed wire crown. Drake paid no mind to these restrictions, instead focusing on the fact that he wasn't confined to a small room or being raked over the coals by doctors further trying to diagnose him or get a grasp on his mind so they can sleep easier at night. Out in the yard the babysitters seemed to be slightly more relaxed, most of the patients who needed to be watched over couldn't stand or trust other people so there was very little chance of them trying to overthrow the guards and even less chance of them making a run for it. The patients seemed to be more relaxed as most of them relished the open sky, the shining sun, a change from the hell they called life. They would spread out or gather together in groups of two or three while their guards stood idly by, chatting amongst themselves.

Drake stood for a moment with his eyes closed, head turned up towards the sky, absorbing everything around him. Birds chirped off in the distance, the scent of freshly blooming flowers lingering in the air, the sun penetrating his eyelids turning everything red. Bringing himself back to his surroundings his eyes opened and he began scanning the yard, trying to find a way to amuse himself. A few of the recent arrivals gathering together, presumably trying to find someone similar enough to themselves, someone that they can spill their guts to, that will provide a caring shoulder to lean on. "Fools" he thought to himself, knowing full well that the more you relied on people like that, the more they would prey upon you. Hell, he himself had done it numerous times just to break up the monotony of life in the Manor.

Still looking around he noticed a single raven sitting atop the wall, placed in between the barbed wire rolls, happy as could be. Drake's eyes dropped from the bird and saw her, his neighbor of sorts and the girl he was most interested in because of her eyes. Whether it was something he saw in them or something that was missing, he couldn't help but be drawn to her, Miss Nicolette Gladieus. Putting on his most charming smile he casually strolled over to where she was sitting, positioning himself between her and the guards.

'ello love, how've you been? I know, I know Cupcake it's been far too long since we've spoke, it's entirely my fault.

He stood, staring down, still flashing his pearly whites, not entirely sure which Nikki would respond.

[Nicolette V. Gladieus]

Lazy days. That's all this joint consisted of to be honest, you just sat around doped up unless you took the initiative to cause trouble or stir some shit up. But no, today she made an oath to her dedicated little guard DJ that she would behave and in return he took her outside to the yard which was pretty much a certified prison yard when you looked around at cement walls and floors not to mention the barbed wire looped dangerously high up above.

Eyes danced around at the meager groupings of guards and patients segregating themselves off for a little outside time, while she herself wandered to one of the walls and sat upon hardened surface while sun's rays stroked her cheek lovingly. What hell else was there to do besides catch some sun while in a loony bin? She made a good time of it though, Dj himself wandered over to the guards to bullshit while she eaves dropped on their mundane conversation along with the chatter of mindless patients be it with others or to themselves. Some of it almost cracked her up into a fit of laughter as one particular girl blabbered on to herself in a full blown conversation about kittens. Damn lunatics.

A shadow draped itself over her scrubbed figure though causing glance to move form other parties and form into a scowl as an decent looking older man sidled up next to her, his words hitting her like a slap in the face.

"If you just called me cupcake or love i will castrate you and keep your testicles as a souvenir beside my bed."

Words came out in a damn near growl as visage formed in to an outraged sneer. She had NO idea who in the bloody hell this guy was let alone how he thought he could get off calling her little pet names that were used for small children. not to mention he had called her love to begin with, she wasn't his wife girl friend or even fuck buddy. He really was asking for a knee to the gonads, not a good start for him.

^{TAG - Drake
WORDS - didn't check
NOTES - =]
TUNES - the comedown, bring me the horizon
CREDIT - MUNZTAR * of caution 2.0}

[Drake Constantine]

Drake, somewhat expecting a violent response, just shrugged at the threat and responded as though it was a simple joke as opposed to an all too realistic threat.

Woah, woah, didn't you hear? The war is over, we're allies now. You know, English and America, friends? Love is simply a saying back home and I called you cupcake because of your tattoo, it's nothing personal, no need to pull out the claws. I just happen to think you're incredibly interesting, something that you don't run into too often in this place. Besides, I could be your new best friend and with you'd never even know it.

Nikki glared at Drake, the kind of stare that if looks could kill it would have wiped out more people than both world wars combined. Drake's hand dropped into his pocket as Nikki's body tensed, the hair trigger for violence in her brain coming closer to firing off. Drake noticed this new reaction, his smile fading, his body unmoving.

Let's relax just a little bit, I said I'm a friend didn't I? As a friend I come bearing gifts...[/color]

Slowly Drake's hand crept out of his pocket, revealing his gift, part of the reason behind his cocky swagger and fearlessness, the pills he was supposed to have swallowed prior to coming out to the yard. The ability to use sleight of hand coupled with a charming smile and compliment ensured that the head nurse hadn't noticed the fact that he hadn't actually taken his meds.

Now normally I'd be keeping these for meself, helps to sleep through the nutters screeching and howling like wild bleedin' animals all night but I've heard around the ol' Lucid Resort that you've got a bit of a taste for these. While they might not be your exact poison I'm sure but they're yours nonetheless if you'd like 'em.[/color]

And with that he extended his hand, the trademark Constantine smile returned to his face.

[TABZ ?!]

Body was a throbbing mass of muscles as tendons, a small form the picture perfect image of a panther ready to spring and take down it's prey. She may be small but the girl could do work and throw punches like no other, growing up on the streets taught her well along with growing up in a drug lord's house. For the moment she just watched him, eyes slanted into slits of a glare while even breathe or slight movement he made she caught and noted. She dared him to try anything, he may be bigger and stronger but she was quicker and sly.

She listened intently as he began talking, as if he were trying to soothe her as jokes clipped from his lungs and smiles full of charm danced off lips. She was wary none the less. She is in a joint filled to the brim with lunatics and they just kept piling in. Who was she to know if he wasn't some child molester? And by the way he was watched by guards and his get up he was on her list, the high profile list. The cool kids of this place pretty much.

She bristled though when he mentioned he could be her best friend, that itself tore a laugh from her vocals in a harsh tone. She had no friends. She had fuck buddies, playthings and that was pretty much it besides the people she used to get things. Contacts that didn't know she was using them. Only one person blipped on her radar as almost being a friend and that was Jamie. A quick witted girl dubbed as medium profile she had coke across in the library.

He then said something that caught her interest, it clearly crossed her face as she looked into his hand which he had protruded with little capsules. Eye brows quirked heavenward with a judging glance.

"What do you want for them?"

It was as simple as that, nothing was free here, you had to work for what you got, and usually meant giving more than it was worth but it was all the same. You had to dow hat ever to get by.

^{TAG - Drake
WORDS - didn't check
NOTES - =]
TUNES - the comedown, bring me the horizon
CREDIT - MUNZTAR * of caution 2.0}

[Drake Constantine]

Want? That's funny... What I want is the same thing everyone here wants, to be free, to leave this god forsaken prison. I'm not so naive to think that I can just waltz out the front door, happy as I'd please so I'll take the next best option, an escape. I'm a junkie in my own right... You've been here for what, half a year or so?

Nikki responded with something somewhere between a grunt and a guttural growl, confirming what Drake already knew.

I've been here for over two, TWO YEARS of absolutely no decent conversations, no interesting individuals, no mysteries hiding behind cloudy eyes. Not a single visitor has come, though I can't blame them, everyone that I know here I sort of used, little bit of sex, got myself some money, whether they wanted me to have it or not mind you, then made my way to the next person. Christ, I've had to rely on a dimwit security guard for most of my conversation since I've gotten here. And like I said, I could be your new best friend. I could give you more gifts when I've got something to spare. All I'd really need from you, not to sound like a complete bastard, is for you to keep me amused when our paths cross. Chat me up, let me pick your brain, I'm incredibly intrigued by you and I could tell with just one look that you wouldn't be the type to break easily. I don't expect you're the type to keep many friends so let's just say we'd have a relationship beneficial to us both.

[/color]

Drake stared at Nikki, with the eyes of a cat who just got the canary while she appeared to be a cornered fox, despite her small frame being coiled up, her eyes still full of light almost burning a hole through him. High on the wall above, the lone raven using some primal sense noticing the tension, caused it to let loose a "caw" despite no other birds around to take heed of the warning.[/blockquote]