Tori Ashwood
Criminal
Black Thorns Leader
"Crave my heart, and it's bleeding in your hand. I can't say no to you."
Posts: 107
|
Post by Tori Ashwood on Sept 4, 2010 0:44:52 GMT -5
Hello my friend we meet again It's been a while where should we begin, feels like forever Within my heart are memories, a perfect love that you gave to me Oh, I remember
There was a good reason people advised avoiding dark alleyways at night. Tori Ashwood was, unknowingly, one of those reasons, as much as she tried to deny it. She was a woman who held power, and authority, and the lives of several in the palm of her hand. She was the leader of a gang, the head of a group that was more than willing to take on the mafias and the government all at once. She was also a woman who was terrified of the dark. For reasons she had never explained to another living soul, Tori hated the dark. She was terrified of it, and the shadows that stemmed from it. Normally, you wouldn't have been able to get her onto the streets (alone) at night, but this was a special case. She had been released from her shift at the Twisted Sister late, and had to head home. Shoving her hands into her pocket, Tori gave a quick glance behind her, shivering. Even though she knew she was alone, she couldn't help but have the feeling that someone was there. It was the same feeling she always got when she was surrounded by the shadows. It made her morph into the child she had once been, pressed up against the door wailing for her mother to come and rescue her from her father's ever-watching eyes. He had always been there. No. No. He was gone. Dead, his own temper and quick hand to blame. He wasn't watching her; he couldn't hurt her anymore. There was nothing in the shadows that could possibly hurt her. Not when she bore the tattoo of the Black Thorns right on the back of her neck, a symbol to all of her status. "You're losing it, Tor..."
|
|
|
Post by Solid Snake on Sept 4, 2010 0:57:23 GMT -5
Snake was off duty, but patrolling none the less.
He couldn't help himself. He didn't have anywhere to be at the moment, and the area brought back memories. It had been a while, but Snake still remembered his Black Thorn days. And he remembered how good it had been, fighting to take the streets back from the mob. "Something the damn police can't seem to do," he muttered to himself.
Already in this area he had encountered trouble twice. The first time, he'd had to disperse a fistfight between two youth and a jeering group of teens surrounding them. And while they didn't have much respect for his badge, they sure as hell respected the gun. The second time, Snake had run into two underage boys, clearly drunk out of their senses. There hadn't been much he could have done about that, but it had only made him more upset. <What is this place coming to?>
Lost in his own thoughts, he wasn't paying attention as he walked down the dark alleyway. He accidentally bumped into a woman he didn't recognize and stumbled a little. "Sorry miss," Snake apologized. "I didn't see you. Won't happen again." Smiling a little, he turned to continue back on his way.
|
|
Tori Ashwood
Criminal
Black Thorns Leader
"Crave my heart, and it's bleeding in your hand. I can't say no to you."
Posts: 107
|
Post by Tori Ashwood on Sept 4, 2010 1:04:57 GMT -5
Tori was halfway home when someone bumped into her, sending her leaping into the air. Her lips parted in what was almost a scream, before she bit it back, giving into the white-hot anger that flared whenever she was frightened. Even as her heart pounded in her chest, so loud she swore the man could hear it, Tori let her eyes flash.
She refused to let anyone see her fear. Not her father, not her gang... and especially not this guy. Even if he had apologized after bumping into her, that did not excuse his actions. He was the one who should have been watching where he was going. At least that was the excuses she used to add fuel to her fire.
"It'll do you good to watch where you're going," she hissed, shrugging her bag back onto her shoulder. It had been knocked down to her elbow when she had stumbled. Tori hugged it closer, not willing to let its precious cargo spill out into the open. "Otherwise, you might find yourself with a knife in the back one day, officer."
|
|
|
Post by Solid Snake on Sept 4, 2010 1:24:14 GMT -5
Snake was shocked by the woman's violent reaction, so much so that he was startled out of his wits. He turned back to face the lady, worried for a moment that she had fallen over and hurt herself. However, he realized that she had just been shocked, which was a semi relief for him. Still, he wasn't very impressed by her retort though, although it fit the attitude of the area.
"And you'd be good to watch your mouth," Snake said coldly. "In a place like this, a mouth like that isn't gonna do you any good. Then again, when have any of you people listened to the advice of a police officer anyways? Shaking his head, he was about to turn around again and make his way down the alley and away from this woman.
But something caught his eye. Squinting a little, he could make out a tattoo on the back of her neck. And it looked... <No, it can't be,> Snake thought, moving a hand to the back of his neck, where he bore the old gang tattoo. He just stood there and stared at it, slowly realizing that this woman must be a part of the Black Thorn, his old gang
|
|
Tori Ashwood
Criminal
Black Thorns Leader
"Crave my heart, and it's bleeding in your hand. I can't say no to you."
Posts: 107
|
Post by Tori Ashwood on Sept 4, 2010 1:31:39 GMT -5
Tori realized that the officer had spotted her tattoo, and reached up, slapping her hand over it. She narrowed her eyes, taking a step back. Her heart was pounding so hard it hurt now, but she refused to let this cop see it. Anger; that was the way to go. It always provoked an expected reaction.
"'You people'? So we're some sort of different race now?" She let out a snort, narrowing her eyes, "That's why 'my people' talk like we do to you, because you see us as lessers. So learn to watch your footing and your words, officer, or things might end up nasty for you. And no one around here really wants to watch after a Hylian lapdog."
|
|
|
Post by Solid Snake on Sept 4, 2010 2:23:21 GMT -5
Snake laughed bitterly. "That's how this all starts. Them vs me vs you, eh?" he said. "When I say 'you people', I mean members of gangs. Yeah, I know what that tattoo you just covered up is. I know all about it. It's a tattoo for the Black Thorn gang."
Snake took a step forward and continued to speak. "I used to be a part of that gang. Might surprise you, but it's true," he chuckled, exposing the back of his neck so she could see. "But they're just a group of misguided criminals now. Do you know what we used to stand for? Peace on the streets. Taking back territory from the mafia dons. Those were the days, let me tell you. And it looked like we were on our way to success. It looked like we were gonna win against those dons."
"So what happened?" Snake asked rhetorically. "They lost sight of what we were fighting for. Too many in the group aren't in it for the ideals anymore. Instead, a lot of them are there just for the money. But that's not what our main cause was supposed to be. Sure, one needs money to live, and we took it when we did, but we had a goal, a primary objective."
"All I can say is I hope your leader is still holding things together. Last time we spoke, things were starting to fall apart," Snake concluded. "She of all people stuck to what we were originally supposed to be doing."
|
|
Tori Ashwood
Criminal
Black Thorns Leader
"Crave my heart, and it's bleeding in your hand. I can't say no to you."
Posts: 107
|
Post by Tori Ashwood on Sept 4, 2010 12:29:39 GMT -5
Tori bristled when she realized this officer, this... lapdog of the law was talking about her like he knew her. Granted, he didn't realize that she was Rose, leader of the Black Thorns, but... That was really beyond the point. He acted as if he knew her, as if they had once known each other.
The realization made her lips curve upwards, the beginning of a bitterly dry smile forming on her face.
"Believe me, I'm holding things together quite well, Snake." She said, reaching up to casually run her fingers through her hair.
It had been too long - far too long, actually - since she had seen Snake, much less spoken to him. By her calculations, it had been about two years, and since then her gang had grown substansially. She had gained a little bit of weight, just enough to take her bony appearance and flesh it out into that of a healthy-looking female. Her hair, which had once been long, was now gone, chopped off carelessly. Yeah, she had changed quite a bit...
And apparently so had he.
|
|
|
Post by Solid Snake on Sept 4, 2010 21:15:25 GMT -5
Snake was taken aback when the woman spoke and addressed him by name. For a moment, he thought quickly to remember if he had for whatever reason had given her his name. It was almost funny that it took him a few moments to eventually realize who he was talking to.
Then again, she had changed, and so had he. It had been over two years, and Snake wasn't exactly recognizable either. Since he didn't wear his bandanna any more, his hair had grown longer, and he had the beginnings of a beard now. Still, he was surprised they had not recognized each other sooner. <Then again, when I was part of the gang, I didn't exactly stop to ask questions with the police either,> he chuckled
"I'm damn sure you are Tor," Snake smiled. "It's been a while since we last spoke... Too long... Life sorta got in the way, and... yeah, I'm not exactly on best terms in these parts anymore. How's the Black Thorn doing? And Michael, how's he handling my job?" Snake winked at that.
|
|
Tori Ashwood
Criminal
Black Thorns Leader
"Crave my heart, and it's bleeding in your hand. I can't say no to you."
Posts: 107
|
Post by Tori Ashwood on Sept 4, 2010 21:25:22 GMT -5
Tori smiled lightly, her stance relaxing slightly. Now that she was sure this man was Snake, she could let her fear and tension ease away. There was no reason to be afraid; no reason to flinch or cringe away. Or lash out in anger, like she had done merely moments before.
"Michael... Michael's doing all right. He's distant, has been since I gave him back his position, but... He's doing well." She nodded her head, though the motion seemed almost awkward. Michael hadn't been the same boy she had met all those years ago. But then again... She wasn't the same girl, either. So maybe it was a fair trade off.
"The gang's doing well, actually. We've gathered up a few new blocks of territory. I've got a group of informant/suppliers now." Suddenly, her voice changed. She seemed to take on a Russian accent, "They are being a group of interesting foreigners."
|
|
|
Post by Solid Snake on Sept 6, 2010 0:45:01 GMT -5
Snake nodded at the news about the gang, smiling a little. It was nice to hear that Tori and the gang were getting stronger. He knew that she of all people would hold her people accountable, and the gang was probably still developing quite quickly and flourishing. <It gives us an edge over those mob bosses, something that the police still hasn't been able to get.
"I'm not too surprised about Michael. He's changed quite a bit since we all started... Then again, haven't we all?" he chuckled. "Time works it's wonders in interesting ways... Still, I'm sure he's doing a good job for ya. He's always been a good guy, and things like that don't change so easily."
Snake thought a little about the second part, thinking back to his encounter with a certain anthro fox who had an extremely similar accent. "I may have met your informant before, a while back, but that's another story," he sighed. "Although, things don't always go over so well with people any more, not with the badge. Then again, I myself never had much respect for them when I was still working with you in the Black Thorn..."
|
|
Tori Ashwood
Criminal
Black Thorns Leader
"Crave my heart, and it's bleeding in your hand. I can't say no to you."
Posts: 107
|
Post by Tori Ashwood on Sept 6, 2010 1:30:12 GMT -5
Tori nodded, "Mike's still the same guy, just... different. If that makes sense. He means well; I'm sure of that. He's just a bit distant, but I'm sure that's because piglets-" She broke off then, pressing her lips together before sighing through her nose. There was an annoyed, albeit slightly amused, look on her face, "I'm sure that's because the police are getting too close to our operations."
The young woman gave Snake a smile, reaching up to brush a strand of hair from her face. She had been hanging out with Fox and his group far too much, if the change in her diction was any indication. She just hoped Snake would understand.
But then the ex-soldier mentioned Fox (at least indirectly), and Tori felt herself shift slightly. She glanced up at him, "You be careful with my informant, Snake. He's..."
My buddy; my best friend; a genuinely good guy...
"Valuable to me."
|
|
|
Post by Solid Snake on Sept 6, 2010 2:17:22 GMT -5
Snake couldn't help it. He chuckled when Tori called the police 'piglets', confirming just exactly who her informant was. "Yeah, I think you've been spending a lot of time with that informant of yours," he smiled. "And hey, I've tried to get the police of your back, not that I can do much. Still, I don't forget about my friends, ever." Snake winked at that.
Still, he wondered how close she was with that Fox character. <It's not that I'm jeal- Okay, maybe a little,> he sighed inwardly. Snake just wished he could spent time with Tori. It had been rough, these two years. And he missed her bright personality. And he did envy this man for being able to spend time freely with her. <Granted, I could if I wanted. But that'd involve leaving the force, and that doesn't come easily...>
At the mention of leaving Fox alone, he bristled a little. "I'm not gonna do anything to your informant Tor. I'm just saying, we didn't have the best of encounters," Snake commented. "I can see you like him a lot, so no problems from my side of things... Not that there were going to be any anyways..."
|
|
Tori Ashwood
Criminal
Black Thorns Leader
"Crave my heart, and it's bleeding in your hand. I can't say no to you."
Posts: 107
|
Post by Tori Ashwood on Sept 6, 2010 14:13:46 GMT -5
Tori let out a soft laugh, her eyes twinkling with amusement at Snake's observation. "Yeah, we, uh... We kinda hang out - a lot. Not too many people in this world that I am-- I mean..." She reached up, rubbing a hand down her face. Her lips twitched slightly, "There aren't too many people I can hang out with in this city; he's one of them. The only one, really. Except for Mike."
Actually, she hadn't really been hanging out with Michael since Snake had left her gang two years earlier. He had become cold, distant... She no longer felt as safe with him as she had when the gang was formed. It was an odd feeling, and Tori realized how stupid she was for feeling that way, but she couldn't change it. Maybe if she gave him more say in the gang, he would brighten up. Or at least smile.
Tori, however, did brighten when Snake agreed that he would not be going after Fox. "Thanking yo-- GodDammitFox." This time, she laughed. "Thanks, Snake. I'm sorry if he caused you any trouble, but... He really is a good guy. Please don't shoot him." Her eyes twinkled.
|
|
|
Post by Solid Snake on Sept 6, 2010 20:26:44 GMT -5
Snake could see Tori didn't mean to come off as abrasive, and dropped the bristling tone. "Hey, it's no problem. A friend of yours is always in my good books," he smiled. "And if he's helping you bring order back to the streets, all the power to him. It's more than the force seems to be capable of these days... But that's just my gripe with the police. We all have quite a few."
Snake fell quiet for a moment, as he thought about what he did now. It usually was comprised of hunting down some illegal Pokemon battles and patroling the slums. <What good is in that shit?> he sighed. In fact, it had started to become more apparent in recent days how pointless this all was starting to seem. <But I have to stick to it... I can't leave now,> he thought.
"I'm sorry I haven't managed to talk to you since I left..." Snake said a little quietly. "I wasn't sure how you reacted to the, um, message I left. I hope you'll forgive me for that... I realize now I should've... told you myself."
|
|
Tori Ashwood
Criminal
Black Thorns Leader
"Crave my heart, and it's bleeding in your hand. I can't say no to you."
Posts: 107
|
Post by Tori Ashwood on Sept 6, 2010 21:05:14 GMT -5
Tori couldn't help it. She laughed softly at the thought of Fox trying to help her restore order to the streets. The poor guy was already in over his head trying to provide for his kids and wife and keep them safe from the hell their world had become. She just couldn't see him aiding her in her quest to take back the streets from the dons, though that was, oddly enough, what he was doing. Just indirectly.
"He's a good friend," she agreed, nodding her head. The ghost of a smile formed on her lips at the thought, though it faultered, eventually disappearing, when he mentioned the "message" he had left her two years earlier. The message that had told her he was leaving her gang. The message that had forced her to go through a month of odd looks and weird whispers.
The message that had torn her heart from her chest and left it, bleeding, where all could see.
Still, she couldn't allow Snake to see even a shadow of the pain his message had caused her. Whenever she expressed pain or fear, someone always seemed to lash out at her. Okay, so it had always been her father who had lashed out at her, but he was also the only one she had ever attempted to show the results of his actions to.
"It's...fine," she smiled slightly, the light not quite reaching her eyes. "I understand why you did it."
No she didn't.
|
|