What a Horrible Night to Have a Curse

[scrambles]

His foot tapped lightly to beat of the drum that came blaring from the old radio. Sitting atop his rickety wooden table, the cassette blared loudly through the radio's speakers, his feet propped up on the very same table as he leaned back in his seat, his battered plastic chair in just about the same shape as his table. Here sat EHWF's resident masked madman, nuzzled within the sanctity of the arena boiler room, where he always chose to take refuge, truly being content in his existence at this moment.

Slow ride, take it easy...
Slow ride, take it easy...

His head bobed back and forth as Foghat continued to fill the air, the mouth of his mask moving as he mouthed the lyrics from underneath the garment along with the tune. Soon, however, the mask seemed to become irritating, pulling and scratching at the constricting material as he groaned in irritation. He paused for a moment, tilting his head back as he attempted to peer at the door behind him, firmly closed, just as he had left it. His head hanging upside down, he pondered for a moment, reaching up to rub his chin. It was a risk to do what he was considering... although he did scribble "KNOCK OR DIE" across the outside of the door. Easy enough instructions to follow...right?

With an almost child like giggle, he raised his head back up, grasping the bottom of his mask as he began to peel the garment from his face. Feeling the somewhat fresh air come splashing onto his smothered skin felt almost like a god send, beginning to pull the mask up over his nose. He suddenly jumped, however, as the sounds of someones fist pounding down on the boiler room door came echoing through, causing him to jump slightly as he released his mask, the fabric almost snapping perfectly back into place.

"IT'S OPEN!"

He shouted back at the door with a bit of a snarl, obviously less than happy about his personal time being interrupted. But, when duty calls, he must answer. Taking the moment to adjust his mask as he heard the heavy door creak open, he kept his back to who ever was entering as he took his feet off of the table, the chair almost seeming like it was going to give way as it came back down onto all 4 legs. Clearing his throat, he held up his fist, counting off his list of items as he spoke.

"I'm going to need their name, their place of residence, and any preferably their work schedule. If you have any requests about the execution of the....execution, don't hesitate."

TBC: They know -_o

[tristain]

Few hours earlier....

When Tristain went out for her night time stroll she wasn't expecting Scrambles to appear from the trees, pouncing down like some wild cat as he took the but end of his shot gun and hit her square in the nose with it. The attack it self was enough to make her nose bleed and cause some blurry-ness but it wasn't enough force to knock her out let alone kill her which made her believe it wasn't him at all just some copy cat or an apprentice.

Narrowing her eyes it didn't take her long to knock the man out taking his mask as a suveniour but what she id notice was that his fighting skills was a lot like Scrambles, the man. Making him an apprentice. Looking at the mask in her hand, her han tightened around the fabric before she went out on her mission to find the death dealer.

Present.....

Tristain Stood in front of Scrambles desk looking at him, burning a hole in his back as he listed off the information he needed, though it fell on def ears as she reached over, grabbing his shoulder, turning him around before slamming his head against the warn wooden table top.

When his head bounced back up it was obvious he was a bit dazed but he quickly recovered as he stood up, throwing a right handed punch that was caught in mid swing as she head butted him. Twisting his arm behind his back, Tristain Slammed him back down on his desk as she showed him the mask in her hand.

Tristain: If you want me dead so bad Raylan, I suggest you do the dirty work your self. If that is really you under there...

Setting the mask down beside his head, she ripped his mask off as blood from her nose dribbles own on the desk filling in the wood grain.

Tristain: Ah it is you, good I rather tell you this face to face then threw a messenger. If any more of your apprentices come after me? I will not hesitate to kill them or you for that matter do you understand?

Leaning down she heard him groan slightly as she finally let go of him.

Tristain: Glad we could come to an understanding

Taking the back of her hand she wipes the blood off her face before wiping it on Scrambles shoulder. She almost wanted to spit on him but instead she just shook her head as she went to leave his office.

[scrambles]

His arm now being freed, he lets out a groan as he pushes himself up from his table, staggering a little as he desperately tried to clear the fog in his mind, little black spots even starting to become evident in his vision. Between his head pounding from being slammed on the table, and him eating a headbutt from her, he managed to pull himself together enough to dart his head toward her as she began to take her leave. He was having none of it however. Baring his teeth in anger he reached out and grasped her shoulder, his grip being a little less than friendly. He began to speak out even, just to make her he had her attention, but before a single syllable left his mouth he felt something slam into his jaw, jerking his head. His eyes managing to focus on her once again, he discovered Tristain had already turned to face him, his hand still latched to her shoulder like a vice grip. It took him a moment longer to realize she had her hand balled into a fist, a moment that would cost him as she slammed her knuckles into his jaw once again.

::Scrambles the Death Dealer::
STOP HITTING M--FUGH

He didn't even manage to finish his sentence before she stuffed her fist into his mouth this go round, this time however, Scrambles actually managed to catch her by the wrist. This only seemed to drive her to get away from him even more as he almost doubled over for a moment to collect himself, only to have her knee shoved into his jaw. In almost a burst of clarity he quickly managed to bind his arm around her, holding her against him just to trap her other arm. This seemed to send her into a rage as he felt her fighting to get free with all her might, her knee constantly colliding with his leg as it got dangerously close to the oh so sensitive area no man wants to have a knee shoved in.

::Scrambles the Death Dealer::
JUST-FUCKING-STOP!

Eventually, he felt her relax somewhat as she ceased her frantic squirms, his knees however, finally buckling as he fell back first onto the cold concrete floor, dragging her down with him as he still held her against him to keep that one arm trapped, the other still trapped by the wrist in his grasp. Letting out another groan as the back of his head met the concrete. He let out a few heavy breaths as he attempting to once again get a barring on his surroundings, finally picking his head up to look at her pinned on top of him, only to see the sharpest of daggers being stared at him. His nose crinkled back as he appeared to be none the more happy with her.

::Scrambles the Death Dealer::
What the....FUCK ARE YOU TALKIN' ABOUT?! I didn't try to kill you--I DIDN'T SEND ANYONE TO KILL YOU!!! Why would I send someone dressed up as me after you..? If I'm gonna take someone out, I'm gonna do it my goddamn self... You idiot..... Where the fuck did you get that mask?!

His speech was almost slurred as he spoke, his head still scrambled (heh) from all these constant rocking blows, not even giving her time to answer before laying his head back down, letting out another pained grunt as the back of his head smacked the concrete again.

[tristain]

In the position she was in she couldn't head but him but she could knee him really good especially after he called her an idiot. But in stead she did what every cornered venomous creature would do and that was literally spit the venom on his face.

Struggling a bit she grit her teeth together as she leaned forward to get closer to his face...

Tristain: because you can't kill me Raylan, even when you had the chance you couldn't....

She stopped struggling as she exhaled in frustration.

Tristain: but to answer your previous question I was attacked today by a man who was the same height and built as you and not only that but they have your same fashion sense, same handy dandy shotgun, and fighting style. A style you can't learn by just watching some one....

Breathing heavily she stares in to his blue eyes as her nostrils flare.

Tristain: So why don't you start explaining your self or do you....

She began to trail off as she felt something on her thigh. Looking own in between them she looks back up at Raylan with an arced eyebrow an a not so pleasant look on her face as she spoke threw tight lips.

Tristain: That better be the end of your blade or a flashlight because I am so not in the mood....

[scrambles]

He picked up his head just as he felt her saliva splatter onto his face, causing his head to jerk slightly, his eyes suddenly snapping shut upon impact. As he eyes crept open, his expression only read his growing frustration and anger even more, his nose crinkling once again as his lips curled back into a snarl, now finding her getting into his face as well as his upper lip started to twitch slightly. Listening to her words, everything in him was screaming to just give her a good knock. Return that head butt, or just lurch forward and bite her nose off. Something.

But the more she spoke, the more his expression gradually began to soften. Not only could he not deny the truth of that he never truly could bring himself to kill her, but it didn't take him long to piece together in his head what exactly had happened. Inquisitively, he attempted to look behind him at his rickety table as she continued to speak, and indeed, his handy dandy shotgun was indeed missing. You think he would miss that....

She recaptured his attention, however, as his eyes returned to hers, his snarl twisting into a bit of a grin as she pondered what was currently pressed against her thigh. It was then that he felt a bit of her saliva come trickling down his cheek as it began to irk him all over again that she just hawked one in his face, flaring his nostrils right back at her.

::Scrambles the Death Dealer::
Your hand is closer to it than mine... Why don't you reach down there and find out what it is.

He saw her expression begin to sour further as his words must have not struck the sweetest of cords with her, his own eyes reading his regret in saying what he did. He felt her starting to squirm again, probably in attempt to try and hit him again. Scrambles instead, suddenly shifted his body weight to roll over, now putting Tristain on her back as he now held both of her arms by their wrists, pinning them to her collar bone as he trapped her legs underneath him to keep from any rouge knees finding their way to his crotch as he felt her starting to fight his grasp once again.

::Scrambles the Death Dealer::
Listen--LISTEN!! I know who you're talkin' about, but I didn't send him to kill you. I gave you my word a long time ago that no matter what happened between us that I wouldn't come after you in anyway shape or form... My word may not amount to anything to you anymore, but if I tell someone I'm not gonna stab 'em in the fuckin' back, I'm not gonna do it.

He began to put more of his body weight on her arms as he leaned down slightly, now looming over her as he neared his face toward hers, almost coming nose to nose with her as he kept their eyes locked, his voice lower now in attempt to calm things down as he spoke.

::Scrambles the Death Dealer::
Now, I'd be more than happy to elaborate on this funny little pickle we seem to find ourselves in, but you are going to have to look me in the eye and promise me... If I let you go you will calm your ass down, sit down, and TALK TO ME instead of coming in here and trying to beat my head in. Because, quite frankly little lady, I got about 100 pounds on you, and I'm happy in this position either way... and no, that's not a flashlight.

[tristain]

Tristain looks at him the tension in her face not fading. She wasn't a bit surprised he liked the position he was in, though she thought he preferred the other way better. Taking a few breather her eyes stared into his....

Tristain: Good to know...

As they stare at each other for awhile neither of them blinking. Tristain finally began to relax her breathing slowing as her fist became open so Raylan could see the palms of her hands.

Tristain: Fine lets talk civil like the good ol' days.

Smiling not so pleasantly Scrambles stared own at her as he was cautious as he stood up. He went to help her up but she moved away from his hand as she got up her self an brushed off.

Folding her arms over her chest she leaned against the wall obviously not wanting to sit down.

Tristain: So talk, explain the "pickle" we find our selves in...

[scrambles]

He let out a bit of a groan as he took his seat back at his wooden table, rubbing his still throbbing head a little before running his gloved hand over his face, wiping her spit off and rubbing it onto his leg. Rubbing his temple as he leaned his elbow on the table, he closed his eyes with another pained grunt as he spoke.

::Scrambles the Death Dealer::
The man who went after you was indeed my apprentice. I don't ever remember talkin' to him, but apparently he heard my rambling on my...particular view of the world and suppose he wanted to enter further into my realm. Over the past month or so, I've dragged him through the absolute hell that is my training. He's done...alright for the most part, I suppose... He seems a bit off though, god knows what walk of life he came from. I don't do background checks on this sort of thing. I wasn't even here half an hour before you came marchin' your pretty ass in here. I don't hang around 'em 24/7, half the time I just tell them to fuck off, and when I call for them, they come.

He snarled again as he finally opened his eyes, looking over at the radio on the table still blaring its tunes, now nearly sitting right next to his ear. So, Scrambles did what he always does in his infinite patience and manageable, sensible attitude: He shoved it off the table as hard as he could, sending the old cassette player bouncing across the concrete as the music came to an abrupt stop before he continued.

::Scrambles the Death Dealer::
Why he went after you, I dunno. I didn't even realize the damn gun was missing.... Yeah, I misplace guns, sue me. Hell, I don't even know why he would want to go after you. I mean, there was one night I was talking with all of em... shootin' the shit... They asked if I ever had a family, and I told em 'almost.' Didn't go into much detail other than that. Who knows, maybe that little fucker was better at diggin' up dirt than I thought. Or who knows, maybe he felt a little blood thirsty, and you were just wrong place, wrong time... Ya gotta admit, we're kinda good at that.

It was then that he felt something warm trickle down his chin, also being reminded of how much his bottom lip was throbbing as well. He gathered up a wad in his mouth before spitting his crimson stained saliva onto the ground, wiping the blood from his busted lip on the back of his glove. It was then that a sly sneers spread across his lips, his gaze now drifting over toward her as she leaned against the wall, still staring at him with that hardened glare.

::Scrambles the Death Dealer::
So....you gonna stitch me up with some of that tender lovin' care of yours just like the good ol' days too?

[tristain]

Tristain: It's only a flesh wound you'll get over it. Besides you know were I stand with the friends and benefits thing and right now I wouldn't really call us friends...

Her voice was cold a bit callus if you will making it obvious she wasn't going to play nice at this point in time. It was one thing to have apprentices its was another to let them do as they pleased though Raylan would, example her kitchen....

Tristain: So do you think that he dug deeper? or maybe.. I don't know some one hired him assuming it was you to kill me? Seeing how you've gotten lazy in your line of work. Teaching guys have assed, miss placing your favorite shot gun, giving out to much information, letting others do your dirty work.

Laughing a bit she shook her head as her arms fell to her side as she began to walk to his desk. Placing her hands on the desk surface she looked him in the eye and spoke in a low tone.

Tristain: You did have a family Raylan you just thought your job was more important. In fact the only time you wanted a family is when it was convinent for you or if it benefited you in some way. Hell you use your brother to clean up your dirty work...

Even with her cold stare her eyes began to tear.

Tristain: Keep your men off me or you'll see my pretty little ass in here more often and trust me it won't be pleasant. You may have a hundred pounds over me but that won't stop me from kicking your ass you got me?

[scrambles]

His sly little grin quickly faded as she continued on with her sour attitude, quickly shutting down even the slightest bit of humor he may have attempted. He now even shifted a little, now resting his cheek on his fist as he continued to let her list down the possible reasons as to why his rouge little doppelganger went after her. Honestly, they were all viable, believable reasons, although the line about him getting "lazy" didn't exactly strike a cord with him to well.

::Scrambles the Death Dealer::
They've all been specifically ordered not to take any sort of assignments under any circumstances, and consequences for breaking any of my rules are quite....high. I made sure to enforce that much. Then again, I suppose someone going out and acting on their own isn't completely out of the question... But I have yet to send anyone in my place.

He perked up slightly when he heard her laugh slightly, even going as far as to sit up as she started to make her way toward him, more standing on guard now if she suddenly felt the urge to start attempting to break his jaw again. What she did instead nearly shook him to his very core. Her words burned in him, like venom in his veins, each one pushing that knife in his belly even deeper. As he let her words slowly sink in, he felt that painful burning start to become a fire of rage all over again. His brow furrowed as the duos unblinking eyes stayed locked, baring his teeth with such pressure he felt like they were going to crack and break. His hand even grasped onto the edge of the table as it started to rattle slightly as he was near shaking in anger. Just as soon as she finished dishing out her little warning however, he bolted to his feet, keeping his eyes locked with hers, even advancing a step or two as they were once again near nose to nose with each other.

::Scrambles the Death Dealer::
Don't you dare get in my face and tell me I only used you for my own gain! I did everything for YOU! I broke every rule I ever had for you! I've got bullet holes in my fuckin' back; I've took men's lives just to protect you, and you want to sit here, and look me in the fuckin' eye and dare to say I did it all in an effort to gain something?! WHAT?! What selfish motive could I have possible had?! So I could feel alive? So I could feel human?! EVERYTHING I did was for my family... I did it for you, because I lo--

He swallowed hard as his words got caught in his throat, pursing his lips together as he took a moment to recollect himself, even taking a step back, his fists still trembling slightly as their eyes continues to bore into each other.

::Scrambles the Death Dealer::
I did it because compared to you; compared to my family, everything else was expendable... I would have given anything just to make sure you were happy. Maybe my methods don't make sense even now, but EVERYTHING I DID WAS-FOR-YOU!

[tristain]

Taking a step forward towards him her breath became hardened as her eyes were locked on his like a predator on its prey. Opening her mouth she stopped for a moment before swallowing and shaking her head.

Tristain: No... every thing you have done was for your self. Your life was a bout killing and lucky for you I brought you kills. You weren't protecting me, you were just satisfying your desire. I was just the icing on the cake right? The girl that understands that would always stay by you no matter what. With me you got every thing that you ever wanted cause I satisfied your every need.

Smirking again she laughed slightly as she began to back away from him.

Tristain: You would have given anything just to make sure I was happy? Don't fool your self Raylan cause I even know that isn't true cause the one thing that would have made me happy you wouldn't even give up...

She was done, looking at him, smelling him, just every thing. Turning around she walked out of his office.

[scrambles]

::Scrambles the Death Dealer::
BULL-SHIT!

His voice echoed after her as she exited the door into the wall way, his sudden outcry even echoing within' the room itself. He wasn't letting it end. Not like this. Not this time. He didn't hesitate any further as he instantly went following in her footsteps, not even giving a second thought to grab his mask as he slammed the door open with his shoulder, not missing a step as it went swinging into the wall. The noise seemed to catch her attention enough for her to stop and turn, just as he managed to catch up to her, quickly circling around her to block any further advancement down the hallway, now starting to poke her in the chest as he spoke.

::Scrambles the Death Dealer::
You don't get to sit here and fuckin' tell me what I was willing to give up for you. You honestly believe that all those times I left; all that time I was gone was just to quench some insatiable blood lust? You think I only came back to you to use you to satisfy my needs..? Every word I ever uttered, were they nothing more than hollow sweet nothings, Tristain? Tell me, let me know now, since you seem to have me so figured the fuck out....

His anger seemed to start to subside now, his express softening as even his stance started to relax now. But he was not regressing back into a calm state, no. As the rage and frustration in his eyes died, it started to become replaced by something else. Something he use to drink to try and keep at bay.

::Scrambles the Death Dealer::
I dropped to my knees in our home, and openly wept for the lost of a human life for the first time in my life, because I thought I lost you. Not because I thought I lost some girl who was foolish enough to fall for false words. But, because I thought the one thing I was willing to die for was taken from me...God forbid if it was done by my own hands in some blind rage.

His gaze fell wayside for a moment, bringing his hand up to rub his muzzle. He seemed to have trouble collecting himself once again. He knew what he wanted to say, but he also knew he probably shouldn't say it. But, in the end, he always did listen to his heart before his head as his eyes found hers once again.

::Scrambles the Death Dealer::
I didn't leave so I could take out some skid mark of a human being that didn't pay his debt to the loan sharks... When I left, it was so I could prepare myself... So that I could come back and be the man my family needed me to be... so that I could be a father if I needed to be. I wanted to come back and finally, with confidence, be the person you always hoped I could become... For the longest time, I questioned myself, was I really Raylan Davidson, or was I the Death Dealer? And it was your words that finally lead me to the answer. I am whoever I chose to be. That's what you said to me when we first met... The night I came back, I came back to you as Raylan Davidson... and I had no intentions of ever going back... Now all I have left is...this... and I don't even want it...

He grabbed the fabric that hugged his chest in his fist as he spoke before releasing it, letting it snap back into place.

::Scrambles the Death Dealer::
Now if you want to be angry at me because I wasn't there for you, that's fine, I can't fault you for that.... But, don't you ever dare to question my heart in the matter.

[tristain]

Tristain just stared at him as he spoke progressively just getting angrier with each word he spat. Her hands became tightened fists and he wanted to punch him right out. Not only did he admit that he thought she was a lost girl who was foolish enough to fall for false words but he can't just come at her and say that he came back to be ....normal what the hell was he thinking?

In a burst of rage she pushed him away from her making him stumble back wards.

Tristain: YOU CANT DO THAT! you can't tell me now that you came back to be Raylan....

she pushed him again with more force.

Tristain: AND don't you dare tell me you didn't have time to tell me cause there was plenty of time and opportunities to tell me. Like after i hit you with a baseball bat, OR when we were having dinner or you could have interrupted me when you came out to the porch to talk to me.

Now her shoves became nothing more then punches to the chest as tears ran down her face.

Tristain: I may have been some foolish girl listening to the bullshit you spewed out at me but at least I loved you, I was there every time when you needed me, I was there to patch you up when needed, and I looked past all the shit you did especially when you remodeled my kitchen. So for you to say....

She was just frustrated now as her hands faded out around her head.

Tristain: ARG! you have the worst timing ever and you still have a choice Raylan. You don't have to wear that suit, your just using it as a crutch because your scared shit less to be something your not used to. All you are is a scared little man who is afraid of change. SO why don't you grow a set and grow the fuck up.

Her voice was stern as she turned away from him and started walking back up the hall way.

[scrambles]

He felt his heart sink as he watched those tears stream down her cheeks, feeling her fists pound on his chest only communicating her frustration further as his expression saddened slightly. Even in the heat of an argument, no matter how angry he could be at her, seeing any sorrow in her eyes could stop him in an instant. Her words didn't make things any easier as he listened to how her mind twisted his words further,being reminded of what they once had, and that dreaded word that just felt like a knife in his belly just to hear. Not even insulting his manhood hit quite as hard as that word. He even stood stunned for a moment as she began to take her leave once again, only to have him follow up shortly after, now attempting to walk beside her instead of impede her path as he spoke to her.

::Scrambles the Death Dealer::
I'm not saying you're a fool for believing me, Tristain. Hell, I wish you'd believe me now.... and I've always been appreciative for everything you've done for me. You we're always there for me...no matter what I did, you looked past it... and you did always make me feel...loved... I wish I could say the same. Lookin' back now, I guess good intentions aren't an excuse for my absence... and, I'm sorry Tristain. I don't that doesn't mean anything now, and I can't do anything to make up for what I did... but, I am sorry... because, I... loved you too. I loved you too...

He cleared his throat slightly as his eyes drifted away from her as he spoke. It wasn't quite what he really wanted to say, but he still couldn't bring himself to say it. Especially not now, and at the rate they seemed to be going, he probably never would. But, there were more pressing matters to attend to.

::Scrambles the Death Dealers::
I tried to tell you that night, Tristain, I really did. All I did that night was ask you to just stop and talk to me... I begged you, to sit down and talk things out with me. But instead, every chance you had, you chose to question my motives, or just flat out berate me in front of everyone; in front of...Jonah. And whether you realize it or not, your words cut pretty damn deep. But, I know what I did wrong now. When you left me on that porch, I got up and I walked away. I just accepted it and walked away from everything that night, and I regret it every fuckin' day.

He placed a hand on her shoulder now, definitely making sure in a much more non threatening manner this time as he stopped, turning her to look at him as their eyes met once again.

::Scrambles the Death Dealer::
That's why I'm fighting with you so goddamn hard now... because I do want change... I don't want to do this for the rest of my life. I've battled through withdraws and relapses, and through it all, I haven't had a drop of alcohol in 3 months... and I'm not going to be the one wearing this uniform for much longer. I want a normal fuckin' life, Tristain... and, yeah, maybe I am a little afraid of the unknown, but that's not going to stop me. Don't tell me I'm to scared to change, especially right after what I just told you, because I wanted change a long time ago; I wanted change with you.

[tristain]

Tristain just brushed him off, moving away from his touch. She couldn't look at him any more, so much anger, regret. Shaking her head she moved past him and when he turned around she just wasn't there any more...