"Huh... Real nice place" Said Claire as she pulled her car into Tristan's driveway. She stepped out and adjusted her blue jeans and her Voyage Burger T-shirt that read 'A feast to ravage, eat like a savage!' She walked up to the door and rang the bell. "Alright, Claire! You already apologized to Deimos, how hard can THIS be?" She asked confidently. The Door opened and Ivy narrowed her eyes at Claire, "What do YOU Want?" Asked Ivy defensively. Claire already felt all that building confidence leaving her body. "Would you uh... Believe I'm here to formally apologize for making an ass of myself at the beach earlier?" She asked with a shrug. Ivy read her mind and was pleased to learn Claire was telling the truth. "....Tristan still needs to finish his work, but you may enter and wait since he should only be a few moments anyway." She said softly. Claire nodded and slid off her shoes and socks and into a pair of Flip Flops she used for visiting while following Ivy to the living room. Claire sat down on the assigned couch and looked across at Ivy, who had her arms lightly crossed. "I um... don't suppose I could just start with my apology to you?" offered Claire, but Ivy put her hand up. "No, I'd prefer Tristan be here since we are both in HIS home after all."
"Fair enough." Replied Claire as she crossed her foot over her knee while admiring some of the artwork design. "He certainly has some good art pieces, very nice taste!" She said with a light smile, one that Ivy returned. "Thank you! I actually did some of them myself!" She exclaimed proudly. Claire smiled back at her, "You're an artist too? I'm a Tattoo artist myself! I do design work from time to time for people who need it as well!" She said as she showed her some pictures of works she both drew and inked onto people's skin. Ivy admired some of the pieces and nodded as she leaned back a bit more comfortably. Claire skillfully used the icebreaker to talk about other things to pass the time. She was a bit surprised to learn that they both liked various forms of rock and metal, Claire noted she was a bit more extroverted than Ivy, but it was nothing she couldn't handle. Ivy was a lot more calm with Claire now that they understood each other much better.
"I see I missed a few things," said a voice at the door. Ivy quickly jumped up to greet Tristan "Welcome home!" She exclaimed as she hugged him tight, he gave a brief smile to her but turned his eyes back to Claire. "What can I help you with Claire?" He asked with a smile, although it didn't reach his ears like a genuine one. Claire lowered her head and let out a hard sigh. "I owe you an apology, and not just you, I owe Ivy and Deimos one as well... It was not my place to-"
"I know you already said this to Deimos so you can stop right there, I for one know how annoying it can be to repeat yourself." Said Tristan as he looked at her. "I'll accept that you SAID it, but if you want me to accept that you mean it, you and I are going to have quite a conversation." He said as he sat down with Ivy at his side. "Now... I wish to hear a bit more than what you've told Deimos about yourself.. And if you think he's a hard sell, wait until I'm done... You see after that incident I talked to Blake, and then I talked to Makayla... You go a bit back with someone from my past, did you know that?" He asked with narrowed eyes. Claire raised a brow at him in return. "I believe you are familiar with Craig?" He asked. Causing her to nod. "Now if you are curious as to why I'M going to be more firm with you. It's because your little outburst reminded me oh so much of his constant ones." He said while crossing his legs and folding his arms. "Now tell me Miss Beckett, WHY should I treat you any differently than how I treat him.?"
Claire gulped a bit at Tristan's words. Deimos was blunt like a brick, but Tristan's words were razor sharp! "Wow... That uh... Put it a bit into persepective." She started with a nervous chuckle, but Tristan was unamused. "I'm definitely not like Craig though, I KNOW when I mess up. Craig has what I'm calling Sisyphus syndrome, he'll use what charisma or charm he has to work his way to the top of a hill, only to let his idiotic impulses help him kick it back to the bottom... His rock band should be a good indication of that." She answered firmly. Tristan just raised a brow at her response. He had to admit he was a bit impressed with her reasoning. "Good answer... I let him into my life only to be hurt immensely in response... Because of your apology to Deimos, and your follow through to apologize to both Ivy and I... I am going to take a gamble here and Forgive you..." He said simply. Claire relaxed a bit and let out a sigh of Relief.
Ivy just looked at them both and nodded "I'll take that gamble too, I gave Larry too many chances, so I won't make that same mistake twice either." She responded. At the mention of Larry's name. Claire's eyes narrowed, and her thoughts became harsh and hate filled, causing Ivy to recoil. Tristan looked at Claire. "Not a fan of his I presume?" He asked while clearing his throat. Claire just shook her head "a while back he showed up drunk as a skunk while demanding a tattoo... I told him no because I warned him earlier I can't do it if he's intoxicated... So he burned my shop to the ground." She answered. Tristan looked to Ivy and back to Claire. "My apologies... If you ever wish to persue legal Action, you have my Address." He said, causing Claire to light up. "Thank you so much! I'll keep you in mind!" She said happily.
Ivy sighed snd looked at them both. "Before we are done here, I have a request of you Claire." She stated. Claire raised a brow, and at Ivy's beckon, followed her to the pool. "Show me your other form please... And don't try to deny it, I'll know!" She demanded. Claire raised her brows for a bit before stripping down to her bikini and walking in the pool. Her body grew shining rainbow scales, her feet curved a bit, and her hair turned glowing white. "Please don't... Judge me" she said shyly. Ivy just sighed "I wasn't going to... But I do want to ask... Does Blake know?" Claire shook her hed "I just don't want him to think I'm some freak or weirdo." She answered. Ivy rubbed her temples. "I KNOW Blake, and if you think he'll believe that at all, it's clear YOU don't." She answered. Claire just got out of the pool and redressed. "You should tell him... Just a bit of advice." Finished Ivy. Claire nodded snd smiled at her and Tristan. "Thank you, Both of you." She told them as she took her leave.
Tristan sighed. "Very brave of her to follow through on her apology... I just hope she sticks with it." He said as he had dinner with Ivy. She just smiled. "True, one Craig is bad enough! But I think she'll follow through...I'm more curious as to how that talk with Blake will go." She told of them. Both of them just smiled and ended their night with a nice dinner conversation.
I really enjoyed reading this and I do appreciate the direction where this is headed. I do like the attention to details and how this all paints of vivid picture of the atmosphere and the setting. I do like that and Claire's shirt is a nice touch. I did smile a bit when Ivy was adamant that Tristan be present when Claire apologizes since it's his home.
ReplyDeleteI do love how you write Tristan. Tristan can be gentle and kind but razor sharp when you cross him and/or if you're associated with people who hurt him. I know I can be like this, especially if I know the person likes my former master. Certain things trigger him and I can certainly relate to that.
It's nice to see both Tristan and Ivy forgive her, even if Tristan is skeptical. I love how Ivy pressed her on her EP and implored her to show it. Her sea EP varies from Craig's, who just has gills on his neck. It's like Ivy for her to advise Claire to tell Blake because one lie leads to more lies. It's not a big deal and he has seen far, far worse.
This is off to a good start and I did enjoy reading this a lot! Thank you very much!
I love Claire's Voyage Burger shirt with the slogan you came up with! Ivy is understandbly defensive at first, but she soon yields when she sees her intentions are sincere. I love how she insists on waiting for Tristan to be there, too! It is his home and they're partners and a team! I totally understand that!
ReplyDeleteI love your portrayal of Tristan here. Yes, he's patient and gentle, but he has claws and he will draw them out when he needs to. I understand his triggers, too. Craig is a buffoon, yes, but he also did a lot of damage to him, too.
It was nice to see Claire set the record straight with Ivy and Tristan and to see them forgive her, even if Tristan is skeptical, which is very much like him. Ivy is also stingey with her chances too, due to giving Larry too many, but is willing to give Claire a chance!
I love how Claire's EP is better than Craig's lol. She should tell Blake though, it's not a big deal as she thinks it is and only causing stress for herself over this. One Craig is enough, lol, yes!
I enjoyed reading this and this is off to a great start! I look forward to seeing where things go from here! Thank you so much!