I still wish you the best//Closed:Kay//

[Ashton Wentworth]

The doors had been locked, vines grew over the windows and the grass was far overgrown. He couldn't even drive up the path it was so unkempt. He had expected some sort of rundown, but nothing like this. He had grown accustomed to driving while he was away in Holland. During training he had been undercover so of course no magic allowed. All in all it wasn't too bad but he missed the liquor. Nothing packed a punch quiet like what you could buy in the wizarding world. Parking his rental car on the side of the street next to the eight foot stone walls it took his first bit of magic in a long time to open the damn lock keeping the gates shut. Such a simple little muggle contraption but it was still quiet effective in most cases. The loud creak echoed as the gate was forced open. Out of respect, he dropped his cigarette into the weeds and stamped it out with the toe of his boot. The wind was at a standstill, like the world was waiting with baited breath, his own felt like it had been caught in his chest. There was a reason that he had avoided this place, he hadn't ever wanted to come back here. There was a reason that he had taken the job in the first place, to get out of, and stay out of this awful country. Granted, being sent to Holland wasn't exactly the change of scenery that he had wanted, that was filled with just as many, if not more memories than Austria was. But, he had really been quiet the perfect choice for the position after all. No attachments, great cover story. He would have been an idiot to refuse. Much like how much of an idiot he would have been to not return whenever he was offered his promotion. After all, chasing coin was all he lived for anymore.

But that had landed him here. Walking up the path the breezed seemed to pick up more, the smell of rust, and mildew was almost overwhelming. He could almost feel himself sinking into the ground as he forced himself higher and closer to the house. The once well lit and inviting house where he had lived for a short while after graduation stood at the top of the drive. Weeds and the sparse flower in the folded over grass, the trees were horribly in need of some trimming. The gate to the backyard revealed a pool full of dead bugs and twigs. The awful green color of a neglected pool glistened up at the sky, the lawn chairs were misplaced and strewn across the deck, upturned and covered in bits. The fountain had long ago been clogged and the shed had been broken into, the contents emptied out and left as they were of no use. The once alabaster walls of the house itself covered in branches and moss, vines twisting their way up to the roof which was covered in leaves. It was just as breathtaking as he remembered.

Now, Ashton was not a sentimental man by any means, he had no regard for most peoples feelings, so whenever he approached the three steps that would take him into the foyer of the house and couldn't lift a foot, it was more than a little frightening for him. His feet felt like lead, the mahogany had started to crack under the weather, but neglect can have that effect. There used to be a team of people who would attend to this house, it was no slight task t undertake. One for the house, pool and lawns. Whenever Georgie had inherited the house it had been almost too much for her to handle on her own, luckily the help had come with the estate, until the medical bills got too much out of hand. Everything seemed to fall apart after that.

Sinking to the bottom step he tossed his bag into the dirt next to him, a small cloud rose up and made him gag, the smell was definitely unpleasant. Abandonment seeped out of every orifice the house possessed. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he extracted what was left of a cigarette from the pack, crumpled it and littered it into the lawn. Feeling around for a lighter, only to find that he didn't have one he left the filter dangling from him lips and allowed his forearms to rest on his bent knees and sighed. Matches, there were matches in the hallway. In the drawer next to the coat rack. It all came flooding back to him, Exasperated he tugged his hands through his hair and rose, leaving his pack behind him. He didn't feel the need to find his key, the lock would let him pass, he'd never could remember to lock the doors behind him anyway, and since he was the last one to leave through these doors alive, chances were it was still open. Shaking, he fingered the doorknob, and it gave way. The musk of dust and old carpet met him first, the memories second. Stepping one foot into the threshold was enough to do it, to the left was the living room, the old couch where she had told him that she had cancer. The stairs ahead of him and to the left of the hallway, where he had disrobed her countless times while they made their way up to one of their bedrooms. To the right the sitting room where they had their engagement tea, the stupidest tradition he could remember sitting through. Down the hall would be the kitchen and the dining room, where there would still be traces of rose petals, and remnants of candles littering the floor and walls. If he strained, he could still smell traces of raspberry and vanilla, Just the way that Georgie had insisted that everything smell. Or was it strawberries? It was almost gone now, or maybe it was. Opening the drawer, the box of fireplace matches still sat, striking one, Georgie's no smoking rule be damned, he lit the stick that caused the end of his wife's life. Karma be damned.

Running his palm down his face he didn't dare head to the kitchen, there the water would run brown and the rotting contents of the fridge would assault his nose he headed up the stairs, somehow the power was still on. and lit the electronic candelabras spaced along the wall. It was like a damned movie flashback, he could see glimpses of the two of them, pressed up against the stairwell, arching her backward and raking his lips across the nape of her neck, sliding her blouse down her shoulders, and true to the movie flashback, he could see her shoulders becoming thinner, her hairline receding. Closing his eyes he jogged up the rest of the stairs. One would think that after going through rigorous training for the ministry that he would be in better shape. Drinking and chain smoking does that to you.

Upstairs wasn't any better, if he went left, it would be there at the end of the hallway, a little room decorated in yellow and green. A pram and rocket pushed up against the wall. TIny bookcases and tiny shelves. Tiny shoes and tiny pants. Little toys and even smaller socks. The smalled leather jacket he had ever seen in his life. Hanging in the closet gathering dust. He should have put it away, but he never could bring himself to enter that room. A small little bed for a small little person, a person that never had entered in to this world. So he went right, past the giant bathroom with the extended shower for the two of their escapades. Her silken robe hanging from the back of her vanity chair, the closet agape from the last time he was here. Whenever he tore out his cloths and slammed the door so hard it had broken one of the hinges, forever to hang there in his anger. He didn't go into his room, with the underwear still scattered across the floor, the sheets undone and the pillows scattered across the floor. Thinking about her he could hear her laughter as he chased her down the hall to her room and flung her over his shoulder. They really hadn't had too many good times in this house, but he was thinking about the few. He could hear doors slamming and yelling too.

Leaning against the peeling wallpaper as he inhaled deeply he let his hands fall down to his sides, feeling around for the cracks and indents in the walls from the dozens of things she had thrown at him out of anger. The reason he had the scar on his bicep, from when she hurled the blender at him for once again being unfaithful. It was an never ending battle in this house. Looking back, it had been stupid, on both of their parts. She never should have married him. He was the worst husband a woman could ask for, but she was never much of a wife either. Oddly enough, the cancer had made their short marriage better if anything. While he had long since removed the wedding ring, sometimes he could see the outline of a small silver band where it used to be. Deciding it best not to attempt a trip into her bedroom, with their 'marital bed' he eased off the wall and ventured into his room, just as he had expected with the clothing all over the place. Drawers upturned and lingerie everywhere. Smirking he extinguished the remnants of his cigarette on his chest of drawers, leaving a black stain on the otherwise purified wood. The carpet was stained from countless nights of drinking and clumsiness. Laughing softly he eased himself onto the bed and sighed. Maybe he could do it after all, rather than attempt to find another apartment and deal with renting maybe he could stay here. It was his house now after all. That is, until he saw the window.

He couldn't even dare to step into the backyard. Not with the plot, the two headstones in perfect alignment. One the perfect smaller replica of the other, just names and dates. The dust of the flowers he had placed above them would be long gone by now. The ceremony had been in Holland, her birthplace, but he had her moved here before she was ever placed in the ground, this was right. Where she belonged. She belonged with their son. The son she had murdered. A son that he would never get to meet because of her and her damned illness. He'd never managed to forgive her. But for what, he wasn't sure. Some days it was for leaving him, others it was for getting sick in the first place. More often than not it was for not giving his son a chance at life. Not that he had ever wanted kids, he still didn't. Some people were meant to be parents but he definitely wasn't one of them. Bouncing a child on his knee and playing ball, teaching somebody their first spell and how to take a shot were not things that he had ever wanted in his life. He hadn't wanted to become attached to any mortal thing, but she had never let him go. Even now, he could feel her calling him. The glass on the window had cracked and turned green from lack of washing. If he was brave enough, they would be right there, just out the window, calling to him.

Over the years he'd gotten numerous offers for the house, it sat on a good plot of land and in it's hay day was one o the more beautiful estates this side of the country, but he never could bring himself to sell. He couldn't stay, originally he was going to just live here until he was reassigned. After all, it was his damn house why shouldn't he be allowed to stay here? Just needed a small sprucing, he'd lived in worse conditions before. He just needed a shower. Just wanted to rest his eyes, but not here. Never here, it would just have to stay and rot for all he cared. With that, he gathered his bag from the lawn and put the damned house in his rear view as quickly as possible. He would just have to find somewhere else to go until he could find more permanent lodging. That really only left one place. He even got a ministry discount.

Honestly, he should have gone here first, saved himself the trip down memory lane but then he would be the same self-flagellating Ashton. Strutting up to the check in desk he requested the room he had called in a reservation for on the drive over, and got the keys. He couldn't have eaten despite the growling from his stomach. Far too much on his mind. He also didn't have to be at work until day after tomorrow, so it was drink or be alone with his thoughts. Sadly, the bar wasn't going to be open for another couple of hours. Something the he really should have put into his plans and timing. Or at least brought something with him. As it was, he had time to kill, and sitting alone in a room that was far too clean wasn't on the list of possibilities. Changing out of his boots and leather jacket for a clean black t-shirt and more comfortable shoes he pocketed his cigarettes and went for something to do. He didn't much like to ski, in fact his only real physical activity was limited to one subject. And he hadn't done that in a good while, something he definitely wasn't proud of. Lighting yet another cigarette he headed out of the room, tucking his room key into the back pocket. And found his feet heading toward the lobby, when something caught his eye, and the feeling of breathlessness as he ascended the stairs at the estate catching up with him. To the Gym it was. It wasn't long before he found himself on a treadmill, still smoking away. Irony be damned.

[Kaydence Morgan]

][ This is no way did yours justice, but hopefully gave you something to ork with! ][

The nightmare was always the same. Memories from previous years of her life managing to weave their way into the dark abyss of her mind. One after another, they would fade in and then fade back out again. Evan…Doyle…the baby…they all made themselves known. All the suppressed images and memories that had caused her life to downward spiral for nearly a year came back and with a vengeance. Kaydence Morgan would never be able to get rid of them. While she was awake, they would never be as prominent. She could always find some way to get her mind off of them whenever they tried to reappear. But at night, well that was a different story.

As the memories disappeared, the nightmare would dwell down into an even deeper level. Kaydence would find herself surrounded by darkness. She was alone. Calling out for help did no good. A dark green light would suddenly appear down the long alley in front of her. The light would begin to glow and glow and glow until it was almost blinding. She would cover her eyes with her hands to shield herself from the bright light. But then it would disappear. As she lowered her hands, Kaydence stared towards the space where the light had once been. It would take a few seconds, but then suddenly the light came back. However, this time there was the silhouette of a man standing in front of it. As the light grew brighter again, the figure would walk closer to her. The man got closer and closer until his face was revealed.

It was her brother. ”Hello Kaydence,” he said, in a menacing tone, “You’ve been able to keep yourself under the radar for this long, but I’m afraid your time has finally run out. You see, I had great expectations for you. But you’ve ruined it. You destroyed everything you had worked for in the matter of a year. I hope you’re pleased with yourself. You’ve dug your grave and now you need to lie in it.” And that was it. Darren disappeared with the light. The darkness immersed Kaydence in itself once more. Then, out of nowhere, the blinding green light reappeared as well as the sound of her brother’s voice. ”AVADA KEDAVRA!”

Kaydence woke up gasping for air. Even though this frequently happened, she never got used to it. She never got used to the cold beads of sweat rolling down her body. She never got used to the fear that instilled itself in her heart. Worst of all, she never got used to waking up in the darkness, feeling as if she were still stuck in the nightmare.

Her chest rose up and down heavily. It was difficult to get her heart beating back at a normal pace. “Merlin,” she mumbled, raising her hand to her forehead. She leaned towards the right to turn on the lamp that sat on her nightstand. Light instantly filled the room causing her eyelids to start blinking uncontrollably. It took a few seconds, but shortly her eyes adjusted to the color change. Her hand slid down to her cheek. Her breathing had finally begun to stabilize.

Laying back onto her pillows, Kaydence turned her head in the direction of her nightstand. 4:00. She sighed and shook her head. What was supposed to have been a cat nap had turned into a three hour nap. Kaydence hadn’t been getting very much sleep lately so her sleeping schedule had been way off. It wasn’t uncommon, as today showed, for her to stay up all night, sleep for a few hours at the crack of dawn, wake up and cat nap several hours later. It was a tragic way to live, but since she was at a standstill in her quest for Darren, there was really not much else for her to do right now.

Grumbling, Kaydence pushed herself from her bed. She needed to get out of her house for a bit. It had been days since she had last left the condo. She wasn’t going through some sort of depression. There was just nothing to do, no one interesting to interact herself with. Where had they all gone? Kaydence found it hard to believe that all of her previous associates had upped and left when she did. Not that she could blame there. She was sure it was hard to fill the void that Kaydence Morgan left in people’s lives. She was one in a million.

Now the question was, what was she going to do with herself? Did she feel like venturing outside of Ilfracombe or hitting up the Resort to see what the places there had to offer? It was when her eyes landed on a headband on her dresser top that it came to her. There was nothing to take her mind off of things more than a good workout. Kaydence frequented the gym since she had moved to the island and had often found herself there after waking up the way she just did. She quickly changed into a pair of pink gym shorts and a white razorback tank top. Her running shoes were waiting for her by her bedroom door. She slid into them and opened the bedroom door.

She didn’t have to walk very far to the kitchen. Her keys were waiting for her on the counter. Grabbing them, Kaydence made her way to her front door and let herself out, locking the two locks behind her. The resort was only a five minute walk from her door. To get herself in the mood for her workout, she began jogging and continued to do so until the entrance of the resort came into view. The gym was only another minute or two away from the door and she found herself there in no time. The glass doors slid open as she approached them. Before heading over to the cardio section, Kaydence grabbed a towel, slung it over her shoulder and placed the headband over her head to keep any stray hairs out of her face.

The smell of cigarette smoke filled her nostrils as she walked closer to the room. Puzzled, Kaydence heard the sound of a treadmill already running as she entered the room. From there, she saw a bulky male running and who was surrounded in smoke. She raised her eyebrow in question. Was that really what she thought it was? She took a treadmill four down from him. Chuckling to herself, she put her towel over the right handle of the treadmill. Her new view of the male made it even clearer to see him then before and she liked it. Not only was he built, but he had a face that did his body even more justice.

“I think you may be contradicting yourself,” she playfully called with a cute smirk on her face.

[Ashton Wentworth]

+More than enough :]

Now, a couple minutes in started to feel the burn deep in his lungs, and his eyes started to water, but it didn't really matter. His mind wasn't on the fact that the ashes from his cigarette were falling all over his shirt and treadmill, leaving a black line across the floor behind the treadmill. Nor the fact that jeans were definitely not conducive to running in any way shape or form. He could feel the heat from moving quickly moving up his legs and fine beads of sweat starting to form across his forehead, but he wasn't yet breathing so heavy as to distract from his smoking or to inhale too deeply as to where he would start coughing. It was still just a moderate jog as far as he was concerned, weather or not he was going to be able to keep this pace for too much longer he wasn't sure yet. Time would tell. He was glad that he changed his shoes, but it wasn't going to be long before he lost the pants. Friction leads to chafing, and chafing is not something that he was willing to tolerate since he was already stuck back in this forsaken country.

He had honestly thought that after graduation that he was going to go off and work somewhere, or end up dead in a ditch from alcohol poisoning. The latter being the more likely. Some how, after that stupid incident and he had ended up stuck in a room with none other than Starvos for over a week getting his limbs stuck back on right whenever his roommate was the one who put him there. Granted, the true was the same for Starvos but that seemed hardly relevant. But, he was recruited shortly after his leaving the hospital. That was the one thing that he was looking forward to whenever he returned to the office. Was the smug look on that bastards face for him having a better job. Far better. The mental image caused him to stumble forward a little with laughter and to adjust his cigarette. Righting himself, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. His 6'2 frame could definitely stand to gain some weight. During the muggle doctor-healer debate and after he had lost a lot of weight with her. Not on purpose but just from stress and being busy. Combing the countryside for illegals wasn't exactly a walk in the park either. But, it did keep one busy. And busy was what he had been needing.

He was still muscular, which was just from the physical activity, but he had become much leaner over the course of the past year, lost a little bit of the cushioning and beer gut around the middle, but gained in his back and arms. His hair still stuck up in whichever direction that it wished too, he was keeping his beard a little shorter than it used to be in school but not much. Besides the frequent bags under his eyes and some more pronounced lines, he felt that he still looked about the same that he did shortly after graduation. Sure, now he tended to need to wear belts around his faded jeans but that wasn't too big of a deal. Luckily, he had worn shorts under his jeans this day due to the fact that he had been traveling muggle style, and this particular pair of jeans had some oddly placed holes from wear and tear. Only, the shorts were a bit shorter than he normally would have picked.

The cigarette was dwindling down to the filter little by little but he hardly noticed, one foot in front of the other. He hated to admit it, but he could totally see why some people did this on a semi-regular basis, it was mostly productive, quiet for the most part and you didn't have to think if you were a normal person. At least he wasn't doing something like yoga. He wasn't sure exactly how long he had been down there, and he knew that the numbers on the display pad of the treadmill probably told him, but he didn't want to risk some sort of motion sickness by looking whilst jogging. So he just stared ahead. One foot in front of the other, then the thoughts started to creep back up. Certain people wouldn't be running any more, nor would they ever be running. Not given the opportunity. In an attempt to squash thought thoughts he started to pick up the pace and had to laugh, look at Ashton, running away from his metaphorical problems.

He heard a door click shut, but was surrounded by a haze, with his luck it would be some annoying resort worked with a 'no smoking' right, and he had left his 'Do-whatever-I-want-want-and-get-away-with-it' ministry badge in his jacket pocket back up in his room. Go figure, it didn't help that he belonged to a department that practically nobody had ever heard of before. Everybody always thought that he as lying whenever he mentioned anything about his job or what he did. The fact that he was usually drinking whenever he did so couldn't have been helping his honestly credit much either. Glancing over he thought that he could make out a slender frame in shorts and some sort of shirt and his mind instantly started playing tricks on him. "Geor-" He started to himself before clamping his teeth down around his tongue. Of course it wasn't her, just because he was back didn't mean that she was. Kicking his pace up one more notch he was starting to border on an uncomfortable pace, and he was almost out of cigarette. Besides, it couldn't be her anyway, Georgie wouldn't have been caught dead in pink. Which actually would have been an interesting choice of burial dress come to think of it.

“I think you may be contradicting yourself,”

Stepping onto the side footpaths for a brisk moment to exchange his filter for a new cigarette he un-did the clasp on his belt and started to fumble with the notch on his belt. Was she referring to his choice of running in something as unforgiving as jeans? Or the fact that he was smoking? Allowing his pants to drop around his ankles he kicked off his jeans with some difficulty due to his shoes and winked at the woman four treadmills down and placed his index and middle finger around his cigarette and hopped back onto the treadmill. His now mostly bare strong legs visible and smiled at her. Something he hadn't done in quiet some time. Then again, it had been quiet a long time since a living female had given him positive attention. It seemed to be positive anyway. Unless he really was just that out of touch. Resuming his pace he took another drag and stated "Better?" As he exhaled.

[Kaydence Morgan]

Kaydence was intrigued by the male four treadmills down from her. She couldn’t help but to allow herself to watch him. From his movement towards the side of the machine to his…pant dropping that undoubtedly gave him more flexibility. She wasn’t quite sure what he was going for. He could have been doing this all to simply put on a show. Whatever it was he was doing well. Kaydence kept her focus on him until he hopped back onto the moving lining of the treadmill. If she kept this up, this workout was going to prove a very long and tedious one. Plus, she was never a fan of making herself look like an idiot. The last thing she needed is to fall and have the treadmill fling her off.

It was when he had responded that Kaydence turned her head in his direction once more. He was looking at her now. Her side view had done him no justice. He was very attractive, well from what she could see in the grey haze surrounding him. His hair looked as if it hadn’t been brushed in days. His eyes were a piercing blue, the same color as her own. His legs were lean but still had traces of the muscles that she was sure had once made his legs resemble tree trunks. His physical attributes plus the smoking and pantless treadmill running were the ingredients mixed together to form the ideal bad boy. Shown by her past relationships, Kaydence was drawn to them. How could a witch not be?

“I was more concerned for you then I was myself,” she finally responded as she began messing with the buttons on the display, “though I sincerely appreciate the view you’ve given me as a result of your adjusting.” The display began blinking red letters and numbers at her. Her treadmill workout consisted of walking, then jogging and then finally a full pace run. Her jog to the resort had inspired her to eliminate the first step and go straight to the second. It was a good idea considering that waking up to her nightmare again had stirred up old thoughts she cared not to think about.

Her manicured nail kept pressing the up arrow of the speed box. When she the number finally reached 5.5, Kaydence was ready to begin running. She pressed the enter button. Her legs began moving with the motion of the treadmill. It only took a few seconds before she broke into a jog.

As she jogged, Kaydence began recalling the events of the past week and a half. A few days after returning to Austria, she had met Joshua. The only thing that had changed about him had been his appearance. His features had hardened, but his personality had remained the same. She was still not sure what to think of him. Their meeting had proved that he had not been sent to kill her, but Kaydence was still weary that he was perhaps sent to spy. After all, it was the only logical reason she could come up with. Why else would he, of all people, be the one to meet Kaydence at her own brother’s manor? She was convinced that he was up to no good but as of now had no proof. Hopefully they would meet again soon so she could try to read into his intents further.

The other notable meeting had been with Centara Zealon.
Centara was the oldest acquaintance that Kaydence had in Austria besides her brother. The relationship had suffered when she had begun dating Evan McBain. The love the two girls once had for another had turned into pure hatred. Nothing about that had changed after their meeting. Nothing bad was actually spoken, just a bunch of smartass remarks thrown back and forth. However, Centara’s demeanor through their interaction had been suspicious. Although never outwardly saying anything, her mannerisms and constant searching of the DE Training camp grounds had taken hold of Kaydence’s curiosity. She was sure the girl had some sort of agenda. Kaydence had no doubt about it. She had a feeling deep within her gut that she needed to find out what it was. The problem that arose was how to go about it without Centara getting suspicious.

When she realized she had been jogging for five minutes, Kaydence briefly snapped out of her thoughts to increase the speed of the treadmill. The box now showed the speed at 7.5. She began feeling the effects instantly. It was just what she needed. A rush of adrenaline suddenly hit her and she began to run.

[Ashton Wentworth]

There had been a point, earlier today whenever he had been standing outside the gates of their home. When the wind was slowing down to a chill, and his heart felt like it was about the leap out of his chest and stand on on it's own feet next to him. Where his knees felt like they were about to buckle, he wobbled from side to side softly. Everything was so loud blood had been screaming from his years. He could hear everything, amplified a dozen times. Her small clammy hand reaching for his, entertwining their fingers ever so gently as she stood next to him. He could imagine the sea, water misting against his face. Flexing his fingers, he didn't want her to be gone. The ache was hollow now, Her name had been engraved against his ribs, sheltering his bitter heart. But, she was gone. As quickly as it had come, she was gone. It was a fact that he often refused to recognize. It was a rare moment of bliss for him.

After she had passed, he had taken up drinking again, with fervor. Talking to walls and photographs, throwing chairs. Anger flooding over his skin as he relived every fight, every putrid glance. He was so angry. It had almost cost him his job more than once. But, as everybody grieves, he had moved on. Passed the hours, took as many assignments as he possibly could to move from one day to another. Everybody hurts, he knew he wasn't better than anybody else is, no more important. But it didn't hurt to imagine her face on each and every body he captured. Turned over to the ministry he imagined he was forcing her to get the help that she had so greatly needed, yet stubbornly avoided. If only, If only. That path would have killed him, he had subconsciously shoved the longing and ebb of loneliness behind all of the anger and mistrust. He hadn't yet seen anybody from school that he had recognized. Then again, he was proof that three years can do a lot to a person. If he closed his eyes he slipped right back to then, so he chose to keep them open as much as possible, but that can make a man so very tired.

It was strange to him how much he was enjoying this change in his physical activity. Not to surprising was how great it felt to be noticed. Really noticed, with no repercussions. After all, a stranger is only what he appears to another person. He could jog his merry way and not have to worry about anybody finding out and catching him. It was incredibly freeing. His skin was tingling, and it wasn't from the sweat or the burn in his lungs, it was from anticipation. It was almost strange how long she was looking at him, but it wasn't unwelcome. She was really moving, obviously somebody who was in shape, and didn't mind it in the least bit. It made him wonder why she was here, was it part of her daily habit or was it a random occurrence like himself? Admittedly, not quiet as random, she was at least dressed properly. He definitely wasn't going to complain. He had more than his share of experience admiring the female form. While in motion no less. She definitely was easy to look at.

“I was more concerned for you then I was myself,” At least she wasn't one of those anti-smoking nuts. Granted he should have been one himself, he couldn't ever bring himself to put the pack down. Even against his better judgement. What could he say, addition was a horrible thing. But, as long as he was smoking then somebody else wasn't. He had seen first hand what lung cancer can do to a person, and while it didn't look like a walk in the park. It was avoidable. What reason did a wizard have to be afraid of medical issues? Taking a moment to appreciate the sheen of sweat glistening forming on her skin. He noticed her hair swaying back and forth in rhythm to her footsteps but for some reason couldn't focus on her face. Either old habits die hard, or old habits were resurfacing. “though I sincerely appreciate the view you’ve given me as a result of your adjusting.” Suddenly, his face felt stiff. There was an almost foreign tug coming from the sides of his face and hurt his cheeks. A heat flooded out of nowhere and it had nothing to do with activity. Smothering it as quickly as possible just as he did most of his other external emotions he chuckled under his breath. There was that feeling again, yet all he could manage was a wink.

Jamming his thumb down on the 'up' arrow on the treadmill he urged his feet to go a little faster, breaking into a sprint that he was positive wasn't going to keep very long. He managed to keep up for another three minutes before stopping again. Frustrated, the old Ashton never would have let such a blatant flirt pass by him, he really was just that out of practice. Pinching the cherry out of his cigarette between his roughened fingers he extended an arm towards her with the pack. Sarcastically he offered. "If you think it burns now, you should try smoking" If not, he was content to watch her move, running moved her hips in an enticing way. He had no way of knowing now similar traits of his past were to hers. He would never know that if they had met a few years earlier under different circumstances they never would have spoken. Or, in best case scenario ended up on the morning end of a very interesting night. They had lived in two completely separate words adjacent to another. Strange how two people could live and function in such close proximity for such a long time and not interact on an at least semi-regular basis. But today is a different time, and given recent events was indeed a different world. They were definitely talking now.

[Kaydence Morgan]

She could feel the sweat forming at the top of her brow. Her hand moved towards the up arrow of the speed box. Kaydence needed more speed. It felt as if the faster she ran, the quicker those depressing memories faded from her mind. That’s all she wanted right now. She wanted to get her mind back to what was most important and that was Darren. She had allowed herself to stray off the path to him these past few days. Yet that wasn’t entirely her fault. No one, and there had only been a few she had seen, was giving up any information. If they knew his whereabouts then they were doing a damn good job of keeping it a secret.

Where could he be? The last time Darren had kept his whereabouts unknown he had been planning the masquerade attack. He made sure to get his affairs in order, kept his appointments with important witches and wizards met and battle plans written and rewritten again until everything was perfect. Nothing was fully set in stone until he had gone through all the obstacles and potential problems that could arise from doing this or that. When he was finally fully satisfied that everything was air tight, he would then reveal his plans to everyone. Kaydence had a feeling that’s what was going on now. Besides, it had been three years since he had last done anything. It was time for him to make his presence known in Austria once more.

Her heart was beating faster now, just as it had done when she had woken up earlier. Except now the feeling was much more satisfying. A few beads of sweat rolled down the side of her cheeks. She felt exhilarated. A smile formed from the corner of her lips. With the exception of one other thing that got her blood pumping and involved another person, there was no better way to get this sort of feeling.

"If you think it burns now, you should try smoking.” Kaydence once again turned her attention to the man down from her. He was extending the pack in her direction. A laugh escaped from her. She needed to be careful. If she lost her focus for even a second, the possibility of flying into the wall behind her was extremely likely. “No…thanks,” she responded through short breaths, “I’ve…got a…figure…to keep…as…pristine…as…possible.” She was almost there. Thirty more seconds and she’d be done. Kaydence kept up a full sprint, pumping her arms to accelerate herself further. Twenty. She could almost hear the beats of her hearts in her ears. Ten. Her legs were beginning to wear out. Five. Each breath was only a second apart. Zero.

The machine began its cool down. The speed slowed instantly. Kaydence brought her arms to her head, folding her hands at the top. She forced herself to breathe deeper. Closing her eyes, she felt her body temperature begin to lower. After a few more seconds, it lowered even more. Her heart had even begun to lessen its heavy beating. She opened her eyes as she released a long sigh. Only two minutes stood between her and brief relaxation before picking her next area of attack. Before she knew it, the minutes had past and Kaydence allowed the treadmill to move her backwards so she could step off. She grabbed her towel and patted her face dry. Cardio was always the best way to begin her workout.

Once she finished drying her face off, she peered over at the male once more. He was still running. The muscles in his back rippled as his arms moved back and forth with the pace of his running. Kaydence bit her lip and she shook her head and covered her eyes with the towel. He was going to make this workout very difficult if he kept ensnaring her like this. Making the decision to do what she could to somewhat get her focus back in order, Kaydence walked over to his treadmill. She rested her arm on one of the handles, peering at his display screen. “Impressive,” she remarked, noticing his speed and time he had spent, “I like a man who can keep up the pace for lengths of time.” She wondered if he had picked up on the innuendo. It wasn’t that hard to miss.

[Ashton Wentworth]

Weather she knew it or not she had sparked his sense of competition. His need to impress and show off. Not quiet as much as some of the other boys he could remember going to school with, but just as arrogant. In this place, go big or go home took on a whole new number. She was running a lot faster than he was, while he could pretend it was because she was smaller and thus wind resistant he somehow doubted it. It was strange, Georgie had been a dancer, she was always thin but never very strong. She didn't like to do anything that didn't require a horizontal move at some point. She had probably never run a day before in her life. This, athleticism impressed him so. Something that he had never even considered doing with a partner, much less a female partner would be this right here. This girl's clean was bright and glistening she seemed alive, at least externally. She had tone to her legs, it was like damn art. “No…thanks,” Shrugging his shoulders and retracting the pack he dropped them atop of the pile of denim that was his jeans. Maybe she didn't smoke. Wasn't exactly a healthy habit. As long as she wasn't one of those dressing on the side types.

He didn't mind if girls ate what they wanted, he didn't care if they didn't eat or followed diets. As long as they ate whenever they like the right way. No of the 'soy milkshakes' or 'dressing on the side' of salads. 'patchouli burgers'. Leave already good food alone. Don't modify things because you don't want to eat fat. It just wasn't right, meant that you were bat shit crazy. He didn't need any more crazy in his life than there already was. “I’ve…got a…figure…to keep…as…pristine…as…possible.” Her voice was labored as her breathing he couldn't help but glance down and take note of the number on the screen of her machine. A number and a half higher than what he was doing. Well, currently he was just standing there, punching the 8.5 number on his monitor an nervously clipping the safety strap onto his waistband he eyeballed the track as it started to zoom past under foot. Inhaling deeply he let his foot get a feel for the speed before hopping back on with vigor. It took all of 30 seconds for him to realize this was far too fast for him to be going. Right about the time that she was finishing was about the time he wanted to die. Damn pride.

He was starting to get a stitch in his side, it definitely wasn't comfortable and he didn't want to be running anymore. Attempting to control his labored breathing his shirt was clinging to his body. Uncomfortable. “Impressive,” His body tensed as he skipped a breath, he hadn't noticed that she was now standing right next to him, her arm resting on the handle of his machine. Last he had looked, she was on the other side of the gym. “I like a man who can keep up the pace for lengths of time.” He couldn't help but laugh a little at her comment. Shy she was not. "You make a habit of talking to strangers in gyms like that often?" he stated sarcastically. However he wasn't one to leave a girl wanting. He was hot anyway. Lifting his shirt up by crossing his arms in front of him and grasping the corners he attempted what he thought to be a 'suggestive' move. Luckily he wasn't entirely clumsy, while his feet may have fumbled a little over his shoes. He was used to walking in boots and that limited the motion of ones foot. These shoes didn't. He did manage to pull the shirt over his head in time to catch himself with his hands on the heart beat monitors. He had really picked the wrong order in which to do things. Sliding his shirt the rest of the way down his arms he balled it up and used it to mat down the rest of his face and torso, he wasn't the smart one who had the over sight to grab a towel on the way in the door. Perhaps it was obvious that he really didn't do this all that often.

Taking it as a cue to stop he pressed the cool down option of his program. Slowing to a very slow walk. Tossing the spent shirt on top of his other clothing in the heap at the end of his treadmill he came to the end of his walk. Stepping down off of the treadmill he took a moment to really see her. She was absolutely beautiful. Her features were sharp and angular but not in a scary way. Her skin soft, lips pale. His instinct was to touch her, but then again he didn't know her, she was just a girl with no name. Closing his eyes for a second he smiled. "Listen" He said, the words coming out heavily on his lips. His deep husky voice echoing because it was the only other sound in the room. Tilting his head down to look at her she let forth his most winning smile. Placing a tired hand against her slender hip, his finger brushing across the slight gap in fabric between her shirt and her shorts before lowering it. Invasive yes, he was already beyond being in her personal space. Leaning down to look her right in her own set of blue eyes he whispered "you really don't want to get yourself into trouble here" and removed his hands from her body quickly. It was easy to slip back into his mind and allow his hormones to take control. The fact that he had an appetite wasn't exactly unknown to those who had heard of him. Arrogant as it may be, he often thought of himself in reference to Hercules. Not the puffed up movie version of him either. The legend that he had heard about on one of the off days that he had actually gone to school. The man had been a lethario before he was forced to settle down and pop out some kids. The pressure ended up driving him bat shit crazy and he went on a huge murdering spree. The more he thought about it, the more similar he found himself to those legends. Granted, he wasn't the one who had killed his wife, but he had led to the deaths of other people in his time. He couldn't help it if the way he pictured the situation was like she had already warmed up for him. To say that his words had a double meaning was putting it simply. Of course he wanted her to get into trouble, preferably a situation he would feel no need to talk his way out of. He just wanted to do something, and if she was going to turn out to be his thing so be it. Hell, his pants were already off. He was only two articles away from being completely naked. And on his first day back no less. Flashing his teeth his eyes lit up, ah to feel new again. Touching his fist gently to her chin his smile widened as he sauntered off to another station.

[Kaydence Morgan]

His reaction had been what she expected. “Not necessarily,” she answered, watching him as he finished his run on the treadmill. Before she could continue, his shirt was up and over his head. Kaydence quirked her eyebrow. She had a much better response than what she was going to say previously. “And do you make a habit of stripping down nearly naked in front of strangers?” She wasn’t complaining, not nearly in the slightest. Kaydence was simply surprised by the man’s…openness. She bit down on her bottom lip as he stepped off the treadmill. Using his sweaty shirt as a towel, Kaydence was momentarily disgusted and considered going to get him a towel, but quickly thought against it. The last thing she needed was for this man to think she was some sort of fan girl. He was attractive, but she was not one to do the fawning. She was to be fawned.

She nearly gasped when he got right up against her. His touch nearly made her jump. Although she had long gotten over the night that Doyle had raped her, unprovoked touch from any male briefly made her feel uneasy. Kaydence had known that night how it felt to be vulnerable and she had hated it. Her clothes had been nearly ripped off of her body. They laid in shreds, barely covering the most personal aspects of her body. Evan had found her alone in the woods. The only sounds that could be heard were her hysterical crying. He had attempted to approach her and she had scrambled back until she was up against a large tree trunk. Even then Kaydence had tried to curl herself up as best as possible. She had vowed to never allow herself to be put in that position again. Kaydence knew that this was not how the situation would pan itself out. He was merely flirting. She should have been ecstatic to receive such attention from him instead of some ugly lowlife.

”Listen, you really don’t want to get yourself into trouble here.” Kaydence stared at his retreating back. Trouble? She wasn’t sure what he meant. If anyone would be getting in trouble, it would be him. Kaydence knew the game of cat and mouse. She considered herself to be very good at the game. However, she was always the cat. Never the mouse. With his last comment, she had a very strong feeling that’s what he was trying to get at. He wanted her to follow him. Even if he didn’t know it. Kaydence was not about to change her ways. She had met, and bedded, more attractive guys then him, even if they were rare.

Her pride was going to get in the way of this one. “Enjoy your workout,” she called to him making her way over to a water fountain. “Try not to strip down any further. They might actually kick you out for that one.” She pressed the button down and water began rising from the spout. She lowered her head and let the water flow up to her and down her throat. Kaydence remained there for a few more seconds before letting go and rising back up. Using her towel to wipe off her mouth, she looked around the room to figure out what her workout was going to be today. Abs? Legs? Arms? She brought her finger to her lips and bounced it up and down in thought. Her eyes wandering back over to the man. Kaydence was going to continue playing this game with her rules. She knew just what to do to get his attention.

Smirking, Kaydence walked over to a space filled with jump ropes, weight balls, light weights and things of the sort. She made her way over to a large medicine ball. Sitting down on it, she lowered herself back until the ball was in the curve of her back. Her arms moved towards her head. Placing the tips of her fingers lightly on the back of her head, Kaydence breathed in and began doing crunches. Over and over she would lift herself up halfway and then back down again. Up and down. Up and down. Kaydence continued to this until she got to ten. Then she’d take a break and start over. She’d keep doing this for twenty more reps and then move on to something else.

[Ashton Wentworth]

“And do you make a habit of stripping down nearly naked in front of strangers?” He took a moment to consider, weighing his response in his mind "With the pretty ones? Yes actually" he hadn't meant anything negative or derogatory by his comments or actions, he was acting this way for a purpose, 1) was to test her limits, see how close he physically could get. Normally standing that close got him a drink in the face. 2) Was honestly to warn her, nobody needed that much baggage even near them. It polluted the air, especially today. 3) because it felt good. She didn't seem to object, but he didn't get the impression that she was easy, moreover that she didn't feel the need to move, but she still seemed hesitant, he had felt her skin tighten when he touched her. As he had stepped back and away from her he had honestly expected some sort of reaction, even if it was just a subtle lean into his frame, but she stood still. Interesting, he had forgotten that there were still self respecting women left in this damn country. Much less in this area. “Enjoy your workout" Well fine, he wasn't going to pout about it. He was used to the kind of girl that was a much easier mark, generally took some well placed comments, a touch or two and a dazzling smile. Apparently that wasn't going to work. He hadn't had to work for a girl since....and he wasn't sure that he wanted to.

There hadn't been very many women in the last two years, it was shameful. He couldn't have even attempted to count the women that had come and gone during his seven years here. Well, to be honest 5 because he had gotten a bit of a late start. Not that that information was anybody's business. As far as the world was concerned it was seven. He had been definitely been keeping busy. He had seen more of Azkaban and the species registration office in two years than he had ever honestly wanted. He had never bothered to put anything other than the essentials in his apartment and that did most of the work for him whenever he came to nightly company. The absolute last thing that he had wanted was a relationship, and that was exactly what he had managed to avoid. “Try not to strip down any further. They might actually kick you out for that one.” realizing that she was speaking to him again made him smile, he couldn't help but laugh at the thought. There were worse things, he had nothing to be ashamed of. "Well, seeing as we are the only ones here, you would have to be the one to do the kicking. I know I defiantly don't have to worry about that." Since she was not exactly being subtle before, he was fairly sure that she was pushing a little harder than she normally would have if she were alone, maybe she liked the company.

He had chosen the only machine that looked self explanatory. He really didn't come into gyms very often, the one he picked had a padded seat and a bar hanging directly above it. He hoped it didn't take a genius to figure it out. He assumed that you just pulled the bar down in front or in back of you, it seemed as if this part was just a small bit of a larger apparatus but he wasn't going to attempt to figure out exactly how to work all the other little bits and pieces. Grasping his shorts at the top of the thigh and lifting the soft black material a bit as he sat down and wiggled into place he raised his arms up, grasping the bar with ease. It wasn't until he pulled that he realized it came down far too easily. The weight in front of him lifted up, he returned it to place with a soft thunk and removed the pin to set it in a lower group, the process was repeated until he had rested on what he felt he could reasonably guess that the girl in the room with him weighted. The resistance felt good against his tired arms. Maybe people who came here often really were onto something. He craned his neck to see if she was still looking at him, since he was no longer near a mirror, which was just as well, he didn't want to look and see the scars that littered his body, and really preferred not to have to look at all of his worn tattoos any longer. It wasn't that he didn't like the way he looked, he was just enjoying the present and each and every mark on his skin would bring back memories.

But it did feel better. She had moved to a station where she was placed directly in his view. He could think of quiet a few better positions for her to be in, and a few more that he would be glad to dream up if given the opportunity. As much as he fought it, a memory came floating to the surface. The damn woman was haunting him, why he had ever said yes to that infernal woman he would never know. Long auburn locks had been hanging tenderly off of the side of their new bed, the one that she had insisted upon purchasing and throwing out all of the other mattresses in the whole house. Merlin forbid they use one of the 'pre-marriage' mattresses to 'consummate' their union. They had finally settled on this one, and the second it had been delivered she had levitated it to the bedroom and summoned him. At the time, he had been more than happy to comply, before they even had time to pull the plastic cover off. It had proved to be quiet the formidable opponent that plastic, hard to move somebody about whenever any bare skin that was exposed kept sticking to the surface. Even somebody as light as she, but he had managed. Never one to back down from a challenge, she had ended up sideways and hanging off the edge of the bed. The comparison was vivid enough to make him drop the weights suddenly, to which they fell down with a very loud cracking noise.

His head hung low and he struggled for a moment to suppress the memory, it embarrassed him to realize just how long it took before he was back in the gym again. Refusing to look up at hat was probably a very startled woman, he hoped that she would just think that she was the one that was causing the lapse in his concentration but didn't have the wits about him to pass it off as such so he just didn't look. Running a hand down his face in an effort to calm himself down he took a deep breath. He never should have gone to that damned house. Wiping his hands down his thighs he adjusted the weight to something a little heavier and solemnly raised his arms for a few more reps. He knew that her attention had to be on him now, hopefully he looked good and she was admiring his arms and not looking at his face, the light heartened smile their banter had brought about was definitely gone. He would muster it again as soon as possible, he much preferred for it instead of what he had now. Eyes focused on the weights in front of him as he pushed the infernal ghost away. He couldn't do it. Lowering the weights gently he rose to his feet again and turned his back away from her, dammit ash this isn't you, get rid of her Moving to what seemed to be another sitting machine he lowered himself down and placed his feet in the holds. Grasping the bar with both hands he wasn't sure what to do to get the thing working again and pulled, it felt like rowing. Simple enough, the irony of the motion while he glanced at her frame wasn't lost on him. "Want a ride?" he called with the cheesiest tone he could muster. Probably the worst line he had uttered to date, and there were a bunch of them, but his heart just wasn't in it.

[Kaydence Morgan]

The sound of weights dropping broke her concentration. Kaydence stopped mid crunch and peered over at the man. His slumped form showed the frustration of a broken man. She wondered what it could have been that appeared to trouble him. If there was anyone to swap stories of terror and depression with, he certainly looked as if he could be the one. She was sure that he would not want to catch her staring at him in this clear moment of vulnerability. If only he knew how well she could relate. Kaydence was not about to approach him to share life stories though. There were still things she had no desire recollecting by choice.

Kaydence zoned back into her own workout. Five minutes after she restarted she had finished. Her stomach burned. She put her hands flat on her stomach as if hoping the motion would make the burn go away. It didn’t, but did lessen after a few seconds of no activity. Pushing herself up from the ball, Kaydence kicked it over to the corner. She made a face while putting her hands on her hips. What to do next? Biting down on her lip was an involuntary quirk of hers. She found herself doing it again as she looked around. Kaydence also found herself looking back over in the man’s direction.

It had been a very long time since a man had been able to capture her interest so. The baffling thing was that he wasn’t even doing anything to really stand out. He had returned her advances when she had extended them towards him. No big deal. He looked good while working out. Also not a big deal. There was something about him and it drove her crazy that she couldn’t put her finger on it. Maybe it was the way his skin was worn and looked roughened as if he had been through a fight or two. Or maybe it was the fact that his lack of concern for authority with his blatant smoking while exercising was, for lack of a better word, sexy. His bad boy demeanor was appealing. That was the type that Kaydence always fell for.

Her eyes followed him as he moved towards the next machine. The rowing motion he was performing was fun to watch. ”Want a ride?” Kaydence laughed a genuine laugh. If his intent was to be funny, then he had succeeded. She loved the attention that she was receiving from him. It may not have been much but was enough to keep her satisfied. The muscles in his arm protruded with every motion causing a rippling effect. Kaydence was convinced that she could stay in this same spot watching him for hours. Merlin she sounded pathetic. She sighed. The game of cat and mouse was still very much being played, but she would permit her guard to go down momentarily.

She walked over to the man. “I appreciate the offer, but my mother always told me not to take rides from strangers.” Kaydence took a few steps over to the front of machine so he could look at her face-to-face. Bending over conveniently enough to get him a peek, she smiled. “So why don’t we fix that so I can accept?” Oh she was terrible. “I’m Kaydence.”

[Ashton Wentworth]

Why couldn't he just snap out of this? Why was this so damned hard? He had expected a small footpath across memory lane, not to be tossed head first into oncoming traffic. He had been doing so damned well these fast few months, he was really moving up ranks in his job. Not that it was all that important, but there could only be more many more 'illegals' out there? Then again, with their rate of population one never really knows. He wanted nothing more than to get up on his tired bones and walk over to that woman, and treat her just as such. A woman, a very attractive woman with little, thin clothing on. Was that so much to ask for? It was like Georgie was holding an invisible bubble around him, just whenever his thoughts turned to something else, she would throw a metaphorical item right into his thoughts. Just as annoying in death as she was in life. If possible, she was more so.

At least she laughed at his jokes, maybe she hadn't seen earlier. So far he had been lucky, that she was a stranger and that she didn't know of him. Then again, she didn't know his name yet. The last thing he could handle right now was sympathy. It was enough to make him vomit. People talking down to him with their heads tilted to the side, "Don't worry, you will love again" and the like. He had heard it so much and so often he was beginning to wonder weather he was ever really in love with Georgie or if he was just obsessed with her. The latter seemed far more likely, he was an addict who had yet to kick the habit, despite being three years sober. So damn pathetic. If she had been here, he would kick her, well shake her at least. Kick something, and possibly break yet another toe. Then he would feel better, but for now the rowing would just have to do. He liked this a lot more than the lifting, it incorporated his whole body which was a nice change. The running was similar, if he wasn't so distracted by his thoughts he probably would be bored out of his mind just working one part of his body. He didn't even do that for pleasure. He was watching her closely to keep his attention focused. He had meant his offer, she was small, she would fit. Granted with her warm body that close he was hoping that he would be distracted at all. That was something he could do on auto pilot and still thoroughly enjoy himself.

“I appreciate the offer, but my mother always told me not to take rides from strangers.” He missed a stroke, as a curt laugh left him. With the pace he was rowing he needed all the breath he could get so instead he slowed, she was moving closer to him now anyway. It felt so good to laugh., even if it made his face feel like rubber. There was no mistaking that she knew exactly the effect that she was having on him, he was only human after all, and bending like that was just a tease. He didn't have patience for being teased. Well, he didn't really have patience for much of anything. Whenever it came to matters of the flesh, he had paid for dozens of irreparably torn garments time and time again due to his lack of patience, he couldn't help it, his temper did have some positive outlets. “So why don’t we fix that so I can accept?” Smirking he nodded, waiting for her to go first, still getting a feel for whatever game she was playing. He was still a big out of touch. “I’m Kaydence.” The name certainly sounded familiar, but he didn't know where from. It certainly wasn't a common name by any stretch, even with all of the strange names people were naming their children now a days, bookcase and the like. Horrible. What was wrong with normal names?

"Ashton" he said with a nod before slowing to a complete stop. His legs were burning, his lungs aching. He wanted another damned cigarette. There was a fine coating of sweat covering his body but he didn't much care since it was helping him cool off, at least he didn't have his shirt sticking to him. He was just so used to physical activity like this being naked, clothing felt strange on his body at a time like this. The shorts were bad enough. Dropping his feet out of the holds and onto the floor he exhaled. His hands were resting on his bent knees as he worked to control his breathing. He met her blue eyes with his own and flashed her another wink, his smile expanding "So, what do you say? Wanna give it a go?" He rose to his feet, once again looking down at her. Leaning down no more than an inch to just be closer to her. Giving his statement just a moment to sink in before stepping to the side of the machine and gesturing to it "It gives your legs a hell of a burn" the grin never leaving his face.

[/size]

[Kaydence Morgan]

Kaydence couldn’t help but to smile herself as Ashton’s face broke into one. His smile only brightened his features making him that much more appealing to look at. She really was making herself out to look like damn fan girl. She couldn’t help it. It was a rare thing for someone to intrigue Kaydence as much as he did. This was not an opportunity that she could pass up. The thing about Kaydence was that when she saw something she wanted, she went after it. Normally, Kaydence was not one to be so forward. She enjoyed being courted. She loved being the center of someone’s attention. This was an odd feeling to be on the opposite side.

She had no interest in fitness machines anymore. “I want to give it go, but I wonder if you think that I’d be good at it?” A quizzical look appeared on her face. Crossing her arms, Kaydence began to slowly walk in a circle around him. “Or do you think that you may need to teach me a thing or two about how to use this thing?” She stopped once she had returned to where she started. Sighing lightly, she shrugged her shoulders. Kaydence brought her left hand up to her head and scratched at the back of it. “The good news is that I’m a fairly fast learner. What do you think I should do?”

Kaydence wasn’t quite sure of what she was going to do if her forwardness went rejected. She had never really experienced the bitter taste of defeat. Instantly, she began regretting the words that came from her mouth. Her years away from the country had given her ego quite the boost. In many of the countries that she visited, Kaydence was a goddess. The males flocked to her. All she had to do was pick the cream of the crop the night had to offer and she had her way. The next night, she’d do it all over again. It was a cycle that had been repeated often. It was when she started growing bored of it that she would move on, wait for some time and then start over again. She never had an explanation for it. Perhaps the company was to fill some sense of loneliness in her life. Thinking of it that way always caused her to laugh. Kaydence Morgan lonely? Highly unlikely.

She was a strong woman. The past experiences of her life had made her one. They had taken away one thing from her though. Friends. There was not a single person in Austria who she still had close contact with. If they were even still in the country, Kaydence had no idea where they were hiding. She had made no effort to keep in contact with them. That would undoubtedly cause some ill feelings on their part. Kaydence couldn’t blame then. She had done what she thought was best. She was convinced that Darren would seek them out in order to find out where she was hiding. Keeping out of contact was the best thing that she could do for them and for her. Maybe one day she would be given the opportunity to tell them. Until she got what she came back for she would make no effort to do so.

When the fact dawned on her that she really didn’t have anyone here a wave of sadness washed over her. Was she lonely? If so, she had a hard time admitting the truth to herself. Kaydence was suddenly very embarrassed. The last thing she wanted to do was convey to this man that she was a lonely witch in dire need of some company for the night. She didn’t need anyone to make her happy. “On second thought, I learn better by teaching myself.” He could take that whatever way he wanted. She turned on her heel and walked over to a machine that was completely on the other side of the room. It was obstructed enough so he couldn’t get a good glimpse of her. For that she was thankful. Kaydence had come down here for one reason and one reason only. Having a roommate for the night had not been that reason.

The machine she found herself at was something called assisted dip and chin. She had no idea how this thing worked, but she was going to find out. Anything to take her mind off of the embarrassing encounter. Her eyes found the graph and looked it over. It didn’t seem too hard. Kaydence used the platforms to step up and put her knees on the soft padding. The weight was at 85. Hopefully that was reasonable. Gripping the handles that were turned inward, she began to force herself down until her shoulders were almost even with her ears and then pulled herself back up. Her muscles burned in a way that she thought they were going to catch on fire, but this was a good thing. Kaydence needed to focus her energy on this instead of anything else.

[Ashton Wentworth]

"Well then get the fuck out of my apartment Georgina!" Ducking out of the way of a flying sauce pan as the contents spilled across the wall behind him. Red and bits to tomato were now clinging to the few pictures behind him and all over the cracked wall paper. It might have even been an improvement, the smell certainly had been. He never was one to take very good car of his things. She was yelling once again about some strange garment that he had tucked away in a drawer some place. He hadn't gone though and cleaned out just because she wanted to stay over. He hadn't asked her too, just because he hadn't forced her to leave didn't meant that she was welcome to just sift through his shit whenever she felt like it. Running his palm down his face he let out a frustrated growl. "Its my fucking stuff! I Don't go through your things!" To which she started going on and on about how it wouldn't have mattered even if he had, and dropping Jackson's name once again. To which his blood started to boil, that night had started out as one of the last ones he was going to have alone in such a long time. Grasping her by the arm he petaled her to the door, wooden spoon still in hand, dressed in not much more than an apron he grasped the door firmly once she was out of his apartment. "Its my last night alone! Maybe I don't want to see your face ALL THE TIME" were the last words he had spoken before she had disappeared for the first time. Dramatic woman.

Somehow, every time that he slept alone, either by choice or by not he kept replaying that night in his mind. He didn't regret his choices, but he was starting to wonder exactly how many of those choices had been completely his. He hadn't lived an easy life by any stretch, but it hadn't been unbearable either. His adopted 'mother' had treated him right and raised him the best that she knew how to. He knew the right and wrong way to treat a woman, weather or not he actually treated them that way was a different story. Looking into the smiling eyes of the woman in front of him he was conflicted. He had an auto pilot to where he would just buy drink after drink, fake a smile or two and show her an at least decent time, but he never knew her name. The fact that he had cared to take a listen to her name meant something to him, weather she knew it or not. Maybe it was just the timing or the fact that it was impossible to buy her a drink at this moment and there was a strict lack of alcohol he was being genuine. Most of her reactions were just as he was used to, until she kept walking away, it pleaded with the hollow part of his chest. He wasn't the pathetic man to try to 'save' her or keep her from walking away, he was best just not even trying, because if he did try and fail again it was quiet possible he would end up walking into a minotaur den unescorted. He hadn't come here looking for company, but no that he had it, he would like to keep it.
“I want to give it go, but I wonder if you think that I’d be good at it?” Standing to the side of the machine he lowered his head to suppress a childish snicker from emitting. Oh, he didn't have a doubt that she would be good at it, that really wasn't a question. But he didn't want to step into that trap either.

His eyes followed her as she walked in a circle around him, he liked looking at her. She was definitely an interesting specimen. “Or do you think that you may need to teach me a thing or two about how to use this thing?” Covering his mouth with his hand he suppressed another laugh. "Well, why don't you hop on, and we'll see if I can give you a few pointers." Hop on, indeed. Shameful. When she stopped moving, he took the opportunity to really get a good look at her, she was definitely womanly, there was no doubt about that but she looked strong, which was new for him. He was used to much softer women, both mentally and physically. “The good news is that I’m a fairly fast learner. What do you think I should do?” "I can think of a few things I would suggest" He said deeply, he left his mouth before he had a chance to stop it, literally slipped right through his fingers. Lowering his hand from his mouth he couldn't control his smirk.

“On second thought, I learn better by teaching myself.” As quickly as it had come, it was passed. The back and forth was such a nice change of pace. It was strange how good it felt to be smiling. Even if it was obscuring his vision. Why? Why would she start and then just leave, obviously he was interested. It seemed like they were both going through things tonight, he briefly wondered if they were the same. "Well, I have no doubt about that" he said, mostly to himself even if she could hear him. Picking his head up to look in the direction that she had just left too "but its always better with a partner!" Now, he wasn't talking about exercise, or life in general he didn't think, he hoped it sounded like he was just talking about the evening. Dropping his shoulders he spun to take a good look around the gym, apparently he wasn't the only one who was having a bit of trouble living in the now. Somehow, that thought made him feel better. There were so many machines around him, most of which he didn't dare attempt to try. The one with the most obvious diagram was closer to where she had started out their little evening. From what he could make out, it was like a reverse sit up, only this one you leaned against while hugging a weight and leaned up and down. It took only about two reps before he decided that he was done. Enough of this.

Walking over to where she was located he leaned up against the machine directly next to her. Folding his arms across his chest with a somber look they could play at this game all night, forcing a smile that didn't meet his eyes he watched her for just a moment, she was so focused. "So, wanna hit the showers? I've got one conveniently located not far from here. Hot water and everything" he wasn't sure if he really wanted her to accept or not, he hadn't had a woman anywhere near a place that he considered his, even if it was a room in a resort in a long time, not since....he had always gone back to their place. Shrugging he rolled his head to one side, where there seemed to be the most overused weight lifting machine. "Or you can spot me. Your choice." he didn't leave her with an option that left her where she was. Shuffling his feet he headed over to the bench press and applied the appropriate amounts to either end before laying back and running his hands down his face, hands resting on the bar waiting for her answer.

[Kaydence Morgan]

When the burn was this intense, it took an extraordinary amount of focus to keep going. Fortunately for her, focus was all she had. If she concentrated on doing one pull-up at a time then surely she would lose interest in the man sharing the room with her. “Down,” she breathed, “Up.” Her arms felt like they were going to be pulled loose from their sockets. This was harder than she thought. Only one more to go. Forcing her weight down, Kaydence squeezed her eyes shut. Halfway done. The pain intensified as she slowly pulled herself up. She had to keep going. To give up now when she was nearly done would be a weakness and unacceptable. When she started something Kaydence made damn sure to finish it. She finally lifted herself all the way up and opened her eyes as she did so.

There he was again. Ashton was leaning against the machine next to hers just staring. Getting away from him was damn impossible. For the first time since their meeting, Kaydence was irritated. The only way she was going to get away from him would be to leave. She wasn’t sure what she could do otherwise. She really wasn’t in the mood for drinking. After exercising, drinking seemed to cancel out everything she had done today, even if it hadn’t been that much. Kaydence didn’t really feel like eating either. A protein shake would be the most she’d have until later on tonight. There was always the Waterfront. She always seemed to turn to the Waterfront when nothing else stood out to her. The beach it would be.

She maneuvered herself off of the machine and stood up. Before she could tell him to bugger off, he spoke up before her. "So, wanna hit the showers? I've got one conveniently located not far from here. Hot water and everything." Their meeting had once again taken an interesting turn. Kaydence felt her mouth drop open. This is what things had come too. He had given her an ultimatum. Either take things back to his room or leave. He never explicitly came out and said the latter, but that’s what she would have to do. The good thing about option number one was that not only would her evening be spent in a much more enjoyable fashion, but if he turned out to be a psycho at least he wouldn’t know where she lived.

If she expected, would that contradict everything she had thought about earlier? She’d still be a strong woman. Kaydence thrived off having a dominant aura about herself in the bedroom. She didn’t need anyone to keep her happy, but it was nice. This would probably go no further than a one night stand so any awkwardness in the morning would be nonexistent. For all she knew she’d probably never see him again. The benefits of choosing option one seemed to outweigh those of number two. Besides spending time on the beach, were there any real benefits? A night spent with Ashton would be sure to prevent any nightmares when she inevitably fell asleep. So actually she’d be helping herself out if she said yes instead of just walking away.

Screw it. She walked over to the bench he laid down on. Crawling on top of him, Kaydence felt it necessary to give him a preview of what to expect if he chose to follow through with his offer. Lowering her face down to his, she cocked an eyebrow. “Whirlpool tub?”

[Ashton Wentworth]

If she said no, he supposed it wouldn't be the end of the world, he could finish up here, grab his cloths and something to eat and go back up to his room to sleep. He only had a few more days before he was due to start work, and at some point he really should gather up the nerve to go back to the house to start cleaning it out, if he could. But, that he would put off for as long as he possibly could. He might even end up passing the duties off to somebody else entirely. Grasping the bar ahead of him firmly he attempted to get a realistic feel for the weight before lifting it up, or attempting any repetitions with it. Worst case scenario, he went up to bed and collapsed on the flood or fell asleep in the shower again, he really needed t establish a realistic sort of bedtime, staying awake until he passed out wasn't going to work for him any longer. He was just so used to setting his own hours, this schedule was new for him.

The pressure of her body on top of his was not what he had expected, not in the least little bit, but it Definitely wasn't unwelcome. He had almost forgotten what it felt like, and it all came flooding back, he was using every ounce of self control to keep the dam in his mind up, keeping memories repressed was key. Especially now whenever he had a brand new thing to experience. He could smell her, the sweat and faint hints of her shampoo the fabric softener she used on her cloths. How was it that no matter what girls always managed to smell good? Sure, he was clean but he was still sweaty and she had to smell twenty times better than he did. "Whirlpool tub?" A lazy smile lit his features "Of course" letting go of the bar above his head he slid his hands along the backs of her thighs, just as firm as they had looked. Grasping them firmly he held her in place as he moved to a sitting place, she was lighter than he had expected, easier to move. That was good for him. Lightly running his hands up her sides until they landed against the small of her back he smiled then grasped her waist, moving her body off of his and sliding out from underneath her.

Making his wake over to his clothing he extracted his room key and placed it between his teeth and tucked his clothing under one arm. Walking back over to where he had left Kaydence he extended a hand for her to use to help herself up. Once he felt her hand in his he lifted her body up and over his shoulder with ease. He hated feeling awkward, and this seemed the easiest way for him to avoid that. This was at least he didn't have to try to hold her hand, which was the worst and he didn't have to stumble next to her or attempt to make small talk while they went up to his room. Kicking the door to the gym open he moved forward, careful to avoid letting the door hit her in the head and thumbed the button for the elevator. Removing the plastic key from its sheath he waited for the elevator and stepped inside, he was lucky to have a room very close to where this elevator let out so he shifted her weight a bit as the seconds ticked by to arrive at the appropriate floor and headed out. Upon reaching his room he slid the key into the slot and set her down gently on her feet as he waited for the little indicator to turn green.

Smiling at her he wanted to make a dumb 'swept you off your feet' joke but he couldn't, it had only taken all of no more than 5 minutes to get to the door anyway. Given the amount of time he really didn't figure it counted for much. Opening the door he gestured for her to move inside as the lights were already on. Tossing his clothing on the floor just inside of the door he would stuff them into one of those little dry cleaning bags whenever he got the chance. He wasn't allowing himself to think much about what he was doing, and as always didn't bother thinking about the repercussions. It was a wonderful feeling, not wondering about the morning of it anything were to happen. With any luck, she would be gone before he woke up and he wouldn't have to deal with any small talk. The less talking he id the better in his opinion. He didn't mind lying to himself, It was almost second nature at this point. He had never once enjoyed sleeping with a woman, sure the sex was always interesting but the actual sleeping part? Was something he had always detested, but having somebody there wasn't entirely horrible. Closing the door behind him he turned on the light to the bathroom. Luckily it hadn't been used in the time that he had been at the resort, all fresh clean towels and floor mats. Toilet paper still folded at the corner, shower still shiney. Obviously he hadn't been here for very long and he didn't feel like explaining, she didn't seem the type to be asking questions anyway.

Smiling he attempted to break the silence "So, this is me" He gestured to the hotel suite, knowing that a tour of this open space would be completely pointless. Placing one hand on the wall to steady himself as he kicked off his shoes next to the only other pair in the room, his worn down boots. Taking a moment to reach into his pile of cloths and extract the almost full pack of cigarettes before tossing them and the lighter onto the bed he didn't plan on using before shimming out of his black shorts, leaving himself in just boxers. Obviously he wasn't modest. "Need any help?" He offered gesturing to her own top. If she had wanted romance and the like this really was the wrong place for her to be, he was intent on showing her the best time he possibly could if given the chance to, but he wasn't going to bother sugar coating anything or whispering pointless nothings in her ear.