Realistic or Modern .: Dancing With Danger :.

[Keylyn May]

{{ private thread between Walliver and I. I'll start us off, friend~ }}
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Indiana Gravano
20 | 5'5" | naturally thin | smells like vanilla

Indiana sat on the window sill of her father's home, a book in her hands and her feet propped up for comfort. However, her mind was hardly in the book anymore, and she had long since stopped reading to simply stare out of the window. The world outside the window was busy beyond the panes of glace. Cars moved about on the streets, people rushed constantly, and there was noise on every corner. Yet there was silence within the house. She sighed softly, getting tired of seeing the same things every day while left with nothing else to see.

Today was a day that would change how her time was spent. At least for a while. Her father had hired yet another bodyguard for her since her last one didn't... measure up to his standards. Once again, she would have constant eyes upon her so her father would know exactly where she was and what she was doing. And while Indiana rather enjoyed having another body within these walls, a hovering nanny was hardly something that was very welcomed. Once again, she would hardly have a life of her own. And even though this current existence was lonely and quiet, it was better than being smothered.

She supposed she should be happy. She needed nothing, wanted for nothing, was always well cared for, and no one ever caused her any real troubles. Yet everywhere she went she had to be careful and had to have some company with her. Her father had a lot of enemies and she was his 'prized possession'... Sort of. Indiana felt her eyes roll at her own thoughts, laughing softly to herself. Prized possess were hardly the words for it really...

India closed her book and set it to the side, hugging her knees gently. Her father would be here soon with the new bodyguard and this day would change into something different for sure. She allowed her hair fall into her face as she continued to watch the world beyond her window. Why couldn't I have been born to a normal family?

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[Walliver]

(Mine is nowhere near as elegant, bear with me)

Elliot Black
“Nightingale”​

Elliot, the man that he was, the life that he led, was always rather anxious about all things. What he wore, how he hid his weapons, who he was around. Everyone was an enemy unless they were a client, and even then it was rather sketchy. But this....his heart was racing, hands twitching where they rested at his sides. Boss’s daughter, good money. Keep the other groups off his back for a while.

But that did raise the question: how long would he be allowed to stay? A day? A week? Months? Years? Nothing was ever a guarantee, especially not his safety. Learning to forage had been a useful skill. Learning what was poisonous, what wasn’t. Anything edible, things that were good for medicine. Anything and everything he could learn, he did. Including how to kill.

Contract killer, practically. Except for this time. This time, there had been a gun to his head, a knife slice to his cheek. Threatening to skin him alive, or until he begged for mercy. So, of course, he came to work for them. The elevator ground to a halt, and his heartbeat skyrocketed.

‘Not another stuck up, fake, plastic girl. Not another stuck up, fake, plastic girl.’ Elliot internally pleaded. The elevator door opened. He was led down a hall to a room, given clear instructions.

“Wait outside. We will let her know you are here.”

 

[Keylyn May]

Indiana Gravano
20 | 5'5" | naturally thin | smells like vanilla

{{ you're perfectly fine darling~ }}

Indiana lifted her head as she heard the sing of the elevator, sighing internally. Here we go... She watched the door as it opened, seeing two of her father's men enter before the man himself made his appearance. Indiana shifted to swing her legs down from the window sill, sitting back as her father approached her. As usual, his gaze was serious, cool, and slightly distant. "Indiana." His greeting was business-like, stiff. Hardly the greeting you would expect from a father to a daughter, but such was what Indiana had long come to expect.

Indiana crossed her arms as well as one leg over the other at the knees. "I'm guessing your new lap dog is here," she said as she motioned to the door. Her father glared lightly, a hand coming to rub his temple. Indiana knew he didn't like when she referred to his men as such, but Indiana nearly didn't care.

"It would do you good," her father said slowly, "if you cooperated for once. You know that your protection is essential." Indiana rolled her eyes but kept quiet as her father continued, both hands returning to his pockets. "Your new bodyguard is just outside. You know the rules, and now so does he." Indiana simply nodded before her father turned away, no more words being said.

Indiana felt a twinge in her chest that she quickly pushed aside. Like every other encounter, she wished they could be like every other father and daughter that she seen. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt a huge from the man... Regardless, she sat straighter as her father's men made their way to tell her new bodyguard it was okay to enter now.

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[Walliver]

Elliot Black
“Nightingale”​

He could come in. He. Could. Come. In. That meant he would have a job for the next 24 hours at least. Off to an amazing start. Other than the fact that men had grabbed him by the biceps and dragged him into the room. ‘Could have walked in myself.’ he thought bitterly.

The men left, leaving bruises in their wake. Elliot rubbed his arm, gently, in a non-threatening way. Feeling for the knife tucked up into his sleeve. As he scanned the room, his eyes fell on the woman he was assigned to protect. “Good day, madam.” he gave a curt bow, mentally cursing his lack of proper clothes. No tuxedo, no tie, nothing fit for the heiress of an urban kingdom. His black sweater, black leggings. Their fault, grabbed him off the street.

“I’m assuming you don’t know my name, as I do not know yours. Your father and his men-” he thought back to the cold weapon against his head, the sharp sting from his cheek. “-have made it very clear that I am to treat you with care. And that I can prevent you from going where you wish to if your father says so.” with that, his short introduction was finished. If she asked for his name, he would give her what he used. If she asked for his real name, well, that was teetering on the edge of “too much information” or “a personal attachment”.

“It is nice to meet you, ma’am.”

 

[Keylyn May]

Indiana Gravano
20 | 5'5" | naturally thin | smells like vanilla

Indiana studied the man that was practically dragged into the room, her dark eyes raking over his form for a moment. He was definitely not like the men her father had selected before. She heard the phrase 'madam' on his voice as he offered her a bow, resisting the eager to laugh slightly. No, this one was definitely different from the others.

She remained silent as he spoke of the rules handed to him, what he was to do and how he was to treat her. Indiana waited until he had ended, leaning back lightly upon the window sill. "Yes, I imagine my father made his intentions of you being her very clear." Her voice was soft, but laced with boredom. She knew her father could be quite brutish at times, knowing he most likely scared this young man into submission somehow. She moved from her perch, stepping closer to him. "You are my father's new eyes to watch where I go and who I'm with. You're another lap dog for him to command."

She came before the man, stopping just inches before him as a small smile began to grow on her lips. "We'll see how long you last." Her eyes gave off a mischievous glint as she then stepped back, turning to walk back to the window. "And if you truly don't know my name yet, then I'll guess I'll keep that to myself for now. That would make things rather interesting, wouldn't it?" Truly, Indiana liked to make this as a game. It gave her something to do other then try to act pleasant and nice to those who wouldn't be around long anyways.

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[Walliver]

Elliot Black
“Nightingale”
​

Elliot didn’t like being looked at. Especially not by people like- well, people like this woman and her father. Like she was polishing a trophy. Objectified, intimidating stare. ‘We’ll see how long you last’. The words lingered, sinking into his bones like the cold breeze.

Just another lap dog, like his old job. And the job before that. Do what they ask, when they ask, or suffer the consequences. Usually it meant a few nicks. Torture. This time, it would mean death if he failed. He felt it hanging in the air. The threat on the tip of everyones’ tongue. Do it or die, slowly and painfully.

“I’m not sure.” he responded simply. “But I am in your service. Is there anything you require at the moment?” he inquired, hands still clasped at his front. No confidence. Calculated submission. What she asks, do. What she asks to do, deny.

 

[Keylyn May]

Indiana Gravano
20 | 5'5" | naturally thin | smells like vanilla

Indiana leaned against the sill once more, her arms crossed over her chest as she looked at the man before her. He seemed so... polite. It was as if he was pulling out all the stops on his etiquette and manners. Shaking her head, she looked out the window once more. "My first test for you isn't ready yet," she said with a slight shrug. "So, no. I don't need anything yet."

She looked back at him, her gaze turning slightly studious. "So what did my father do this time? Threaten your life? Threaten a loved one? The promise of pain?" Her tone turned colder with each sentence, though her position remained as once of complete relaxation. "Surely he spoke harshly if your treating me like a princess in a castle."

Of course, she didn't blame him. She never asked for this and she imagined he didn't either. And due to her father's standing in these streets, she might as well have been some sort of royalty of this street corner kingdom. The image, however, left a very sour taste in Indiana's mouth that she rather not have any part of.

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[Walliver]

Elliot Black
“Nightingale”​

Elliot knew he must answer carefully. Don’t make a big deal out of it. You’re fine, be fine. No trembling, no mumbling. Absolutely no tears because if you cry- well, he knew what would happen if he even so much as shed a tear in her presence. “Nothing major,” he began, turning his gaze to the floor.

“A gun to my head, slit open my cheek. Not much in the realm of physical threats.” Elliot forced his expression to remain blank. Emotionless, expressionless. “Verbally, threatened to skin me alive if I did anything you disliked. If I violated the rules of my contract.”

“Flogging was included as a method of torture if I were to disobey you or your father. Or if I was to allow harm to come to you. So no, nothing major.” he bowed to her once more. “I will be waiting outside if there is anything you require. You may call me Nightingale.”

 

[Keylyn May]

Indiana Gravano
20 | 5'5" | naturally thin | smells like vanilla

Indiana listened silently as the man seemed to list out what her father's steps had been towards him. Of course, she wasn't surprised. She made a habit, however, of asking each man what her father had done to them. He had the respect of most of his men, but her new bodyguards were always hesitant and figuring out where the lines and boundaries were. It was through this that she had become as distant towards her father as he was to her. She knew how dangerous he was and preferred not to get close to the man. He wasn't the same anymore...

As the man spoke of going outside, Indiana nodded slightly. He was rather composed for someone who just listened his threats. And the name that she was given... "Nightingale..." She tried the name on her own tongue, almost weighing against the man that stood before her. A small smile came to her lips. He's certainly mysterious enough for it. "Alright, do as you wish," she said almost dismissively. "I'll be calling on you skin though," she added.

She was almost excited to see how this 'Nightingal' would react to the coming events. Of course, if it didn't go her way, she would not be very happy. But this was a way she could figure out how much fun she could have with this new bodyguard. Its also a way of softly defying her father without causing too much trouble.

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[Walliver]

Elliot Black
“Nightingale”​

Elliot bowed again, noting that he would not get much time to himself. He slipped out of the room silently, into the hallway. The door shut, giving a quiet click. Elliot sat down against the wall outside and put his head in his hands. What had he gotten himself into? His cheek throbbed, his heart pounded. Hyperventilating.

“Pull it together, man. Not to say you’ve survived worse, but one girl isn’t gonna kill you just yet.” he whispered to himself, tucking his head between his knees. “You’re okay man, you’re alright. Just a while, just a while. With your luck, you’ll be dead in a week.”

With that on his mind, he stood up, dusting himself off. Keep it together, no emotional outbursts. No tears, no screams. No anger. Submission, sternness. That is all. Elliot took a deep breath and straightened up, standing at attention by the door.

 

[Keylyn May]

Indiana Gravano
20 | 5'5" | naturally thin | smells like vanilla

(( I'm going to time skip just a few hours ))

Indiana had remained inside the room since Nightingale left. She had remained by the window and read a bit more, or simply got lost in her thoughts again. Whatever she could do to bide her time she did until her phone lit up with a text.

'Its on.'

These two simple words cause excitement to race through the previously mellow girl as she flew from her window perch. She began to dash about the room, gathering different variations of clothing to find out what she wanted to wear. She didn't bother being quiet considering her bodyguard was going to be helping her out anyways. Grinning to herself, Indiana ducked into the bathroom connected with her room with clothes in her grasp.

There was a party going down tonight and Indiana had every intention to be there. Her father didn't care much for these parties, mostly because it was filled with young adults getting drunk and giving into unwise decisions. He also had expressed many times how he hated her attending them. But it has been quite some time since Indiana had been to one and quite some time since she's had any fun.

Indiana worked with her makeup and making sure her hair looked good as she appraised herself in the mirror. Her outfit of choice consisted of dark skinny jeans that hugged the curve of her hips nicely. She paired this was a low-cut maroon blouse that also hugged her curves. Her hair hung loose in its soft waves. She slipped on some wedges and grinned at her reflection. Attractive was what she was going for. She stepped out of the bathroom once more.

"Hey, Nightingale!" She looked to the door, knowing he was no doubt just beyond it. "Come back in her a moment."

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[Walliver]

Elliot Black
“Nightingale”​

Elliot had, of course, came when she called him into the room. He had been given a few hours to freshen up, eat something. There was now a bandage over his cheek, and he was no longer dressed in civilian clothing. Pressed suit and dress shirt, dress pants, and a shorter pair of his heels. “You called, madam?” he bowed as he entered the room.

She was a beautiful woman, he’d give her that. But, though beautiful in body, he could not help but think her spirit was dreadfully ugly. No doubt she was attempting something. A rebellion against her father? Trying to seduce her own bodyguard into letting her break the rules? Elliot smirked internally. ‘Not going to happen, miss.’ Sometimes, his orientation did come in handy.

“Going out I see?” though he wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, he was plenty smart. Smart enough to kill a man in two seconds with his bare hands. Smart enough to know that there was someone she had dressed up for. “One would hope that you are not trying to break the rules of our contract.”

 

[Keylyn May]

Indiana Gravano
20 | 5'5" | naturally thin | smells like vanilla

Indiana looked over as she heard Nightingale entered, taking in his change for just a moment. It seemed he had traded in his previous attire for a suit. She had to admit that she rather liked the sight of a man in a suit, but she averted her gaze once more as he asked if she was going out. This, of course, was followed by his words of not breaking any rules of the contract. A mischievous smile came to her light lips as she brushed her wavy out once more in the mirror. "No rules will be broken," she said, her voice dancing with entertainment.

"And I am not the only one going out." She turned to face him, her hands coming to land upon her hips. "You are coming with me." A grin danced on her features as she motioned to the door. "I am going to a party, and you will act as my father wishes you to by being there to keep the 'ever-watchful eye' over me. Father doesn't like these parties, of course, but he also knows that it's useless to tell me no. One way or another, I always end up going." She gave a shrug and reached for her phone, slipping it into her back pocket.

"Now, you can either come with me and enjoy a night of fun or simply sit there like a good dog to my father. Of course, then a rule would be broken, wouldn't it? Because then you won't be watching me." She gave a light laugh. "Oh, what will you do?"

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[Walliver]

Elliot Black
“Nightingale”​

That stupid grin. He knew it meant trouble. Yet, he could see the logic in her statements. “Fine then. I will escort you to this club, or wherever you’re going, but I am setting up a few parameters of my own, in accordance to what I have been told by your father.”

“Rule number one: you will have no alcohol. I have been told you can not be trusted once you have had such a thing. Rule number two: you are not to accept any rides or going anywhere without me, excluding the bathroom.”

He paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. “And rule number three: there shall be no flings or canoodling while you are out. I’d hate to have to kill someone tonight. If all rules can be agreed upon, we will be going.”

 

[Keylyn May]

Indiana Gravano
20 | 5'5" | naturally thin | smells like vanilla

Indiana listened as he listed his own rules, crossing her arms over her chest lightly. The fact that he took out alcohol did not surprise her, though she sighed in dissatisfaction. Alcohol always made the night so much more fun. She rolled her eyes lightly as he said the word 'canoodling'. Whatever. She could still have fun flirting around anyways.

"Fine," she said, believing that she could almost completely sneak around his rules anyways. "Just don't hover. It will be so much less fun if everyone figures out you're there to guard me." While she would accept him being nearby, scaring off any guys would really be a downer. Besides, the whole point of going was to have a bit of fun instead of being locked away in this house all night.

Moving towards the door, she waved over to him. "Then let's get going," she said as she turned the doorknob. "So, Nightingale, do you have a ride? Or are we going to walk like I originally thought?" Half the time when she snuck out for these things, she ended up walking. Of course, this kept her out a bit later, but she didn't mind that. If anything, it just proved to annoy her father more and she didn't mind that at all.

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[Walliver]

Elliot Black
“Nightingale”
​

“I was told to provide whichever method of transportation you prefer. I have, however, heard from other sources that you like to walk. Makes the party last longer, I presume?” he strode over to her, pushing the door open. “I believe walking would be adequate, and it would give you a decent test run. After this walk, you could choose to have me killed.”

Elliot held the door open for her, slipping on a black mask to cover up the lower half of his face. “Your father has informed me that there are trained assassins out for your head, and that he has stationed guards to test my ability. Be prepared and do not be frightened.”

 

[Keylyn May]

Indiana Gravano
20 | 5'5" | naturally thin | smells like vanilla

Indiana listened as NIghtingale spoke of walking being what she preferred. She simply lifted her shoulder in response as she walked through the door that he held open for her. "Normally I walk because it's the only way to get where I want to go," she offered, "but it does make things last longer." She paused as he spoke of a 'test run', not surprised that her father would set up such a thing. He was a very particular guy and had to make sure all things he 'owned' worked to near perfection.

"I'm not easily frightened," she offered him quickly, a light glare of determination lighting her gaze. "Any traces of a scared girl were long ago abandoned." Truthfully, Indiana hardly ever found herself scared of anything. In this life, she had to prepare and expect the worse. Turning away from Nightingale, Indiana let her hair sway behind her as she walked. "I don't get scared." And while she didn't say so, Indiana truly didn't have much control over who lived or died. The final say always came from her father. Yet having this man believe her words held such weight could help her in the long haul she guessed.

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[Walliver]

Elliot Black
“Nightingale”
​

“Very well then.” Elliot kept an even pace with her. If it were anyone else, he’d make small talk. ‘How’s your day been?’ Well, mine was great, thanks for asking. He wanted to laugh. The only person he could talk to was himself. Oh how sad.

Most of the attacks were quite unexpected, but that itself was to be expected. A few of her father’s lackeys, nothing more. None of them carried any blades or guns, so quite clearly they didn’t want him killed. They still hit hard, ouch. He nudged one of them with his foot. Good, unconscious but not dead.

He looked to Indiana. “Shall we continue?” not impressive words at all. Eliot held his side. No doubt there would be bruising, but he had won. Hooray, he got to live.

 

[Keylyn May]

Indiana Gravano
20 | 5'5" | naturally thin | smells like vanilla

Indiana rolled her eyes as she heard 'Nightingale' talk to himself, though she didn't speak up much. What she offered him during their walk were short answers and practically nothing more. As far as she was concerned, whatever information he got from her or about her would have to be earned. She didn't like all of her father's men to know so much about her. Took most of the fun away when that happened.

When the attacks came, Indiana hung back slightly with an expression that resembled boredom half of the time. Her father always went to so many lengths to test out these bodyguards. However, that wasn't to say that she didn't have some of her own fun with this. Any one of the "attackers" that got too close had to deal with herself. A few swift kicks and throws made small smiles come to her face. Her father made sure that she took self-defense when she was younger, and excelled greatly at it. This was how she had earned plenty of respect amongst her father's men, though fear of him usually kept all away too.

As Nightingale asked about continuing on, Indiana gave a small shrug as she tossed her hair over one of her shoulders after having landed a punch to one man's gut. "I guess," she sighed, straightening her shirt. "At least I know you're not all boring though," she added as she passed by him. Surely tonight would be entertaining for her.

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