The Gill-Man/ Devon Arnold
Junior Member
They call it "The Black Lagoon"; a paradise. Only they say nobody has ever come back to prove it.
Posts: 60
|
Post by The Gill-Man/ Devon Arnold on Apr 8, 2013 20:14:46 GMT -5
Devon looked down at the address that was written in his chicken scratch on the slip of paper in his hands. Then he looked up at the sign of the building. 'High Tide Portraits' it read. This was the place alright.
He swallowed.
Now... he just had to work up the nerve to got in. He wasn't good with people. Unless he was swimming after them to save them from a strong current, but people weren't usually talkative when they are being saved from drowning. The lean, lanky lifeguard STILL couldn't figure out WHY the Visitors Bureau had contacted him to set up this little business transaction. Probably because he was the only one that was still hanging around the shores during the off season. He couldn't HELP it... his home was on the beach...well... the supply shack with his cot in it was on the beach. He didn't mind it... heck... he didn't even realize that everyone thought he was a lifeguard until the mayor decided to slap some red trunks on him and give him somewhat of a payroll for his services... that's what happens when you have a soft spot for not wanting anything to die out in the water... but being put on a high chair, center of attention was the LAST thing that he wanted... that's way he almost PREFERRED the off season: no one on the beach... AT ALL.
All of this was going through his mind when he could hear yelling from inside the studio. He came a little ways towards the door, peering through the window. There was a man, raising his voice at a woman, grabbing her arm. Without stopping to think about how it was none of his damn business and he should just turn and walk away instead of getting tangled up in it... he went in through the door.
"Sir... is everything alright?" he looked at the blonde woman, dark eyes meeting her crystal blue. "Are we alright, miss?"
|
|
Arista/Rita Hawthorne
Full Member
"This is the most exciting thing that happen to me of my whole life!"
Posts: 133
|
Post by Arista/Rita Hawthorne on Apr 8, 2013 20:27:46 GMT -5
"She is fine!" The man yelled at him. Arista pulled her arm away from James.
"I'm okay, thanks James was just leaving!" Arista told him. She walked away from James to talk to the man who just entered.
"Can I help you with any thing?" She asked him, James came up behind her and pulled her hair hard dropping Arista to her knees.
"I said we weren't done bitch!" He yelled at her.
|
|
The Gill-Man/ Devon Arnold
Junior Member
They call it "The Black Lagoon"; a paradise. Only they say nobody has ever come back to prove it.
Posts: 60
|
Post by The Gill-Man/ Devon Arnold on Apr 8, 2013 20:43:59 GMT -5
Devon's pupils dilated. Something in that violent gesture made a memory flood to his mind, and then snap like a dried twig. His hands went out at the man as he lunged. 'James' let go of the girl, startled, as Devon seized a wrist and the athlete's thick neck. He slammed his back into the sharp edge of a display counter and then dragged him towards the door.
Out he flung James, the dumb brute landing with a thud against creaking wood. Devon pointed at him sharply, baring his teeth as if to hiss. "You.... Stay. Down." It wasn't a command... it was a warning. Which James did not heed. The asshole scrambled to his feet to get at the lifeguard.
Devon took the lid off of a nearby barrel, used to catch rainwater, and rammed it's edge into the attacker's stomach. As James staggered back, Devon dropped the lid, then grabbed the jerk by his belt and a leg... lifting him up until he was face first being plunged down into the barrel of water. The man struggled in his watery container, trying to kick his legs, but Devon held them firm with one strong arm. He lifted him out so the man could breath... before plunging him back in again one more time... just for good measure. Perhaps the man deserved a more severe punishment... but it wasn't in the lifeguard to kill any living thing... especially by drowning it...
He lifted the man out by the legs again. "You cooled down yet?" James nodded his head, sputtering water. "Good... now get the hell out of here." He dropped the man on his ass. He watched, MAKING SURE that the man was walking AWAY...
|
|
Arista/Rita Hawthorne
Full Member
"This is the most exciting thing that happen to me of my whole life!"
Posts: 133
|
Post by Arista/Rita Hawthorne on Apr 8, 2013 20:55:05 GMT -5
Arista watched in shock she wouldn't stop the man from beating James that was sure. James deserved it and Arista had never seen him running in fear before.
"Wow, thanks. That was pretty impressive." Arista stood up and shook out her hair. "So what can I help you with? Now that you have so helpfully taken out the trash." Arista smiled at her own joke.
|
|
The Gill-Man/ Devon Arnold
Junior Member
They call it "The Black Lagoon"; a paradise. Only they say nobody has ever come back to prove it.
Posts: 60
|
Post by The Gill-Man/ Devon Arnold on Apr 9, 2013 9:53:10 GMT -5
He was still shaking with the adrenaline that was pumping, about to ask her if she was okay... but she totally brushed it off as if it was a normal occurrence, being man-handled like that. That was both very odd... and incredibly tragic to him. Such a nice, pretty woman... and to live with THAT kind of...
He regulated his breathing, his eyes meeting her dazzling smile. "Um... oh, nothing. I'm just glad you're okay, miss....bye..." He turned and walked out the door quickly. He was a few steps away, shoving his hands in his pockets, when he felt that piece of paper again, reminding him of his mission.
Shit.
He went back in, slightly embarrassed, as the bell above him rang once again at his entrance. "Actually... yes... I'm sorry... there is something that I need. Um... are you the photographer?"
|
|
Arista/Rita Hawthorne
Full Member
"This is the most exciting thing that happen to me of my whole life!"
Posts: 133
|
Post by Arista/Rita Hawthorne on Apr 9, 2013 16:02:03 GMT -5
"Yes, I am actually. Please don't worry about being sorry, I am sure its not everyday you walk into a place and see that. Sorry its an ex boyfriend thing I been trying to get rid of him but he keeps coming back. Ah sorry I got distracted anyway, what can I do for you?"
Arista was wondering why she was so flustered, spilling out her life story wasn't like her. She went behind the desk and took a deep breath. Still trembling from the encounter.
|
|
The Gill-Man/ Devon Arnold
Junior Member
They call it "The Black Lagoon"; a paradise. Only they say nobody has ever come back to prove it.
Posts: 60
|
Post by The Gill-Man/ Devon Arnold on Apr 9, 2013 18:37:49 GMT -5
He listened, concern showed on his face, but he kept his hands to himself. Shit, what she must think of him, after whaling on that guy like that. HE certainly wouldn't want to help someone that had just beat the tar out of someone. But she didn't seem frightened at all...
Then again, he looked human right now. It would be a completely different tale if she KNEW what he was...
"Yeah... so....um... the Visitors Bureau wants some beach shots for the new... uh... brochure, I guess? I'm not really good at this stuff... I'm just... always AROUND, so I guess they thought I should be the one to head this up..." He scratched the back of his neck nervously. "We... they... would pay you for it... it's not volunteer... it's a paid gig." He looked down at the floor. He sucked at this.
|
|
Arista/Rita Hawthorne
Full Member
"This is the most exciting thing that happen to me of my whole life!"
Posts: 133
|
Post by Arista/Rita Hawthorne on Apr 9, 2013 18:50:52 GMT -5
Arista smiled at him, "Oh, so your a life guard? Will you be the model? I'll need you to sign a release form if so. I would love to do the shoot I am always willing to go to the beach." Arista shot him another smile.
He seemed so nice, pretty shy but so very nice.
"So can I ask you to fill out this form for me, its dates and times? Then we can talk about what they are looking for in this brochure." Arista went behind her desk handing him a form and a pen.
|
|
The Gill-Man/ Devon Arnold
Junior Member
They call it "The Black Lagoon"; a paradise. Only they say nobody has ever come back to prove it.
Posts: 60
|
Post by The Gill-Man/ Devon Arnold on Apr 9, 2013 19:46:14 GMT -5
"I... model?" He blinked. The Bureau had not filled him in on THIS. "So I take it they've already contacted you... about what they expect." Because they sure as hell didn't fill HIM in on it. "I thought they wanted some... you know... uh... scenic shots?" But perhaps because it was the off season, they needed SOMEONE in the pictures? "You don't need ME, right? Don't you have people that model for you? Or something..."
|
|
Arista/Rita Hawthorne
Full Member
"This is the most exciting thing that happen to me of my whole life!"
Posts: 133
|
Post by Arista/Rita Hawthorne on Apr 9, 2013 19:54:45 GMT -5
"Well they filled me in a bit, I don't actually have models working for me right now and your the real thing an actual life guard so that would be much better. You don't have to worry, there wont be much posing I'll just take a few shots with you in the background." Arista told him, he seemed worried.
"Come on it will be fun? I can meet you at the beach and then we can break for lunch. I usually take my models out for lunch but I can just bring something to the beach if you would prefer. Anyway say around 4 tomorrow, the sun is at a good height then its perfect for beach shots." Arista explained.
|
|
The Gill-Man/ Devon Arnold
Junior Member
They call it "The Black Lagoon"; a paradise. Only they say nobody has ever come back to prove it.
Posts: 60
|
Post by The Gill-Man/ Devon Arnold on Apr 9, 2013 20:10:47 GMT -5
She was talking so fast, so chipper, he could barely keep up. "Ugh... either is fine." Lunch? Like a date? No, no of course not... it was business.
"Okay... 4." He nodded, until he remembered something else. "Oh...here's the advance for the pictures, and also a copy of the old brochure and notes written on it by the board." He took it out of his jean back pocket, unfolding the two items. "Sorry it's folded. I'll... see you later... tomorrow... 4..." He turned for the last time... then remembered the form on the counter that he had set down. Eyes averted, he picked them up, murmured another goodbye and left out the door.
|
|
Arista/Rita Hawthorne
Full Member
"This is the most exciting thing that happen to me of my whole life!"
Posts: 133
|
Post by Arista/Rita Hawthorne on Apr 10, 2013 0:26:33 GMT -5
Arista bid him a goodbye, she grabbed the papers and got things together.
The next day at 3:30 she was on her way to the beach. Arista packed a lunch and her camera bag hung over her shoulder. She was actually excited about this shoot. It would be fun and she was looking forward to spending a bit more time with this man. Arista didn't even ask him his name. She felt like a fool for that but he dodged out of her studio so fast. She found a place and started taking some test shots.
|
|
The Gill-Man/ Devon Arnold
Junior Member
They call it "The Black Lagoon"; a paradise. Only they say nobody has ever come back to prove it.
Posts: 60
|
Post by The Gill-Man/ Devon Arnold on Apr 10, 2013 7:13:44 GMT -5
Strong, chilling currents, but he pushed through them expertly. He kicked his powerful legs and then broke through the surface. It was the off season, freezing cold water, but no one was around. So he liked it.
Besides, it was almost as if the cold was COMFORTING to him, didn't bother him a bit. He was smiling to himself, feeling perhaps he had time for one more lap before the photographer came, when he saw her on the beach. She waved over at him, taking pictures. Devon felt the heat rise to his cheeks.
"Sorry... I thought you said 4:00pm..." he stumbled getting out of the water, coming over to her. "I was just... yeah..."
|
|
Arista/Rita Hawthorne
Full Member
"This is the most exciting thing that happen to me of my whole life!"
Posts: 133
|
Post by Arista/Rita Hawthorne on Apr 10, 2013 15:48:47 GMT -5
Arista smiled, "Oh I did sorry I always show up early to take some test shots. So I can't imagine that water is very warm how do you stand it?" Arista asked him.
She could always stand cold water it never bothered mermaids they could heat their bodies in any type of water.
|
|
The Gill-Man/ Devon Arnold
Junior Member
They call it "The Black Lagoon"; a paradise. Only they say nobody has ever come back to prove it.
Posts: 60
|
Post by The Gill-Man/ Devon Arnold on Apr 10, 2013 17:12:33 GMT -5
"I..." Devon stammered. He REALLY didn't want to start this new acquaintanceship of with the fact that he was a MONSTER in another life... so he went for something that COULD be believable... for a town filled with mystical creatures. Obviously. "...Suppose it's because of my former life. I was... of the aquatic variety. Like a... merman?" With all the mermaids popping up in town, what was one more in the chaos?
He cleared his throat, feeling bad for lying to this beautiful, sincere soul before him. "I'm sorry... I never got your name." He diverted the conversation back to her. "I'm Devon. Devon Arnold."
|
|