West Richland Tavern.

[Wolfias]

Eric ate grilled chicken with Macaroni cheese and steamed veggies, greasy foods he'd avoid if he could help it. ''You're welcome Tess..sorry you thought I was slamming you. I just know what drugs do up close and personal.'' He stood up and walks her to the couch, kneeling down on the floor looking almost eye level. ''I'm going to remove your shoes and sock Ok? Beginning with your feet and ankles..lower and upper calves. Knees and lower thigh..then the upper thighs last. Now it's going to hurt at first I won't lie..but it will do you good.''

 

[feistyphoenix]

She nodded as he spoke and wondered if he would be able to keep his hands and mind on the task at hand and not undressing her. She regretted wearing a midriff top and hip hugging black workout capris that exposed her skin from her hip bones to the bottom of her rib cage but she had originally intended this to be a short errand. These were her dancing clothes for the day.

Tess slid her delicate but long feet out of her flip flops and watched Eric intently. She considered his hands up close since he was so near to her now. They looked capable, strong, and they were much bigger than hers. She'd tried massaging her own legs before but was never able to put enough pressure or get the best sort of leverage. She lifted her right foot off the floor for him, the pain shot up to her hip immediately making her jaw clench. He said it would be painful at first, and she was dreading that part, she just wanted to get it over with.

 

[raiguy]

DJ woke up in a cold sweat, tangled in his sheets. He gasped for breath as his dreams came back to him. He tried to shake them away, before he sat back, letting them take him. He had graduated high school early, at 14, and gone on to college. While there, his brother got into trouble, and as a result, DJ had to take out money from shady people. It meant that he owed them, substantially by the end of the two years it took for him to get his Comp. Sci. Degree. A year later, the men came to collect. Instead of making DJ pay with beatings, they sold him into a fighting ring.

At 17, DJ witnessed his first death. The reigning "champion" had put someone in a chokehold, and at the request of one of the guys who was paying for this, killed his opponent. From there, DJ was trained as a cage fighter. He fought professionally, but behind the scenes, he was also forced into fighting to the death. His training became his sole focus, as DJ just got better and better, incorporating different styles into his fighting. Unfortunately, when he was 24 and had paid off his debts with blood and money, he had no options. He was dirt poor, in a foreign country, and the plane ticket cost him too much to get home. He had to turn to the two things he knew, hustle pool and fight. After being the reigning champion of a major overseas fighting championship, the cage fights were nothing. The purses were extreme though, usually because the "promoters" saw how good DJ was, and stuck him with 2-4 people at a time. He finally made enough to get home, and at 28, stepped onto US soil for the first time in a decade.

DJ opened his eyes slowly. He took a deep breath. Since then, he had hit it big in the stock market, getting lucky. He started his own computer software company, was the CEO, and still consulted from time to time. He just wished that he could get over the past, and his bloody history.

 

[Wolfias]

He was definitely going the keep this non sexual, Tess was tan and a beautiful woman. He kept his mind off of that fact, taking her slender dancers foot gently. ''I don't want you to move just breath and relax, I'd like you to close your eyes and find a peaceful place. Getting the warming oil from Eugene's desk, He'd use when he pulled a muscle working. Popping the cap open squirts a little on his hands, rubbing one against the other slowly. Gently caressing her right foot and ankle, then very gradually deepening the massage. His long strong fingers loosening tight muscles, after awhile and the right foot the left was next. ''Doing Ok Tess? Remember breath and relax.''

 

[feistyphoenix]

The first few strokes of his hands on her feet were heavenly. She found it easy to relax, stroking Sadie's head and little furry body. But then Eric increased the pressure making her want to yank out of his grasp. She breathed deeply as he suggested but it only helped so much. Eventually the taut muscles u ntangled themselves under his expert touch and she was able to relax again. Tess knew it was going to get worse as he worked over the more fleshy parts of her legs.

When he asked her how she was doing she opened her eyes and looked at him, he was leaning in so closely to get the right leverage he was almost on top of her.

She managed a tense, "Mmhmm..." in response.

 

[Wolfias]

Eric would wince as he could feel her feet want to yank away, as her eyes open with a tense affirmation. ''Sorry it hurts...I really wish it didn't at all.'' Working past your right ankle now both feet finished, slowly caressing each calve alternately. Then very gradually when the muscle softens, deeper tissue massage begins again, he has to stay close or it's pointless. Keeping her shapely legs close together this way, his hands are big enough to massage both calves easily. Easing into the upper calve just as slowly, the larger the muscle the deeper the massage. ''You'll appreciate this later in the tub...hopefully Hannah has a Jacuzzi.''

 

[feistyphoenix]

"I dont know if she does, I doubt it." Tess answered him quietly. As his hands glided over the smooth skin on her calves he had to sit up, now almost face to face with her. She turned her head to the side, it wasn't as awkward as when hed started although the pain was steadily growing.

Tess breathing was quickening slightly but she tried to keep it under control. The warmth from his torso was radiating over her body comfortably. Sadie wiggled out from between them to go lounge on the other end of the couch. Tess pursed her lips together as Eric's hands dug into her muscles. She closed her hands into fists but her nails started digging into her palms painfully. One particularly painful stroke caused her eyelids to fly open and her hands to grip Eric's solid shoulders. She pressed herself into the back of the couch but Eric didn't let up on the pressure. Tears filled her eyes and she looked at him, furrowing her light eyebrows together and resisting the urge to ask him to stop.

 

[Wolfias]

Tess smelled really good to the point of distraction, as her body tensed suddenly he knew he'd dug too deep. A few seconds longer and her calves would be finished, but feeling her grab his shoulders in pain. He gazed into her suddenly open tearfully painful eyes, his softened into earnestly saddened eyes for hurting her. ''Tess...I'm terribly sorry I've hurt you..I really didn't mean to dig in that far.''

 

[1millionsecrets]

Hannah left her lover boy in her.room, to rise and check on everyone. Nearly all the rooms were empty. She sighed softly feeling lonely and tightened the ribbon around her waist. Her sage green dress fit her in just the right places and she loved it.
Her bare feet padded down the hall to Kit's room. She rapped her knuckles on the door but it swung open to reveal a barely slept in bed and an empty room. She shrugged her shoulders in a silently defeated way and never once.noticed his money left behind.

 

[feistyphoenix]

Tess smelled really good to the point of distraction, as her body tensed suddenly he knew he'd dug too deep. A few seconds longer and her calves would be finished, but feeling her grab his shoulders in pain. He gazed into her suddenly open tearfully painful eyes, his softened into earnestly saddened eyes for hurting her. ''Tess...I'm terribly sorry I've hurt you..I really didn't mean to dig in that far.''

Tess was all but crying from the pain, "Please just hurry."

She sniffled and tried to hold back, knowing he wasn't causing her pain on purpose. She hoped all this was worth it in the end, she could have taken a pill and been fine but Eric had insisted on the hard way. She tried to slow her breathing but it was getting more difficult. As his hands moved up her legs she clutched his shoulders and leaned in, resting her forehead against his collarbone. She hated it when people saw her cry.

She wasn't even paying attention to how good he smelled or his taut shoulder muscles. She was just ready for the pain to be over.

 

[Wolfias]

Eric didn't want to continue but Tess asked that asked ''Please just hurry.'' So he continued on to deeply massage her thighs, it was only for ten minutes but had to seem like thirty. "'This is all I dare put you through..stopping he reaches back with drawing out a bottle. Opening the bottle tapping out two strong painkillers, commonly prescribed for easing back pain inducing sleep. Tess's bottle of water sat on the desk, bringing it to her lips with the two tablets. ''I just found Eugene's emergency back pain..I didn't even know where he kept this. Please take this I can't deal with you in pain..I'll help with physical therapy. Swimming exercising diet natural supplements healing herbal tea..all this for nothing except the chance to help someone needing it.''

 

[feistyphoenix]

Tess felt like she couldn't move. When Eric pulled away she shivered, her body had become used to his warmth. As he handed her the pills and water she took them, realizing her hands were sore from gripping him. She hoped his shoulders didn't hurt but after the pain he had inflicted she thought he almost deserved it.

She tossed back the pills with her water and waited for the pain to subside.

"I'd thank you but im not sure yet if it worked," she told him. She could tell he was upset by her reaction, and if this was going to be a regular occurence for the two of them they had both better get used to it.

"How often am I going to need this?"

 

[1millionsecrets]

Hannah abruptly turned, and made her way to the front door, seeing Dee heading to the door she smiled and started towards the kitchen.
Dee unlocked the door and stepped into the sun as before stated, and let eugene in as he arrived.

 

[Wolfias]

Eric gave a simple shrug of his broad shoulders, rising to his knees before joining Tess on the couch. ''I doubt the second will be as bad, and each time it'll get easier little by little. Seeing she seemed cold when he on the couch, putting his arm around her in a friendly manner. ''C'mere Sadie cuddle with Tess she's cold.'' She got up and stretched with a big yawn, and with her tail wagging crawls into her lap.

 

[Kit_Cartaii]

It was a long morning before Kit had finally managed to find his way back and by now he was sure they had forgotten about him. He checked his wallet and sighed. 2 thousand ldft from his shopping. It wouldn't last very long. He needed to get a job. He silently waljed into the inn and without a word he went up to the bar and sat down, putting his bags on the floor.

"Hey." He said simply.

 

[feistyphoenix]

Normally Tess wouldn't have let a man she barely knew cuddle up to her like this but this situation was not normal. She checked the clock and saw it was almost 1pm. She couldn't stay much longer. The pain was gradually subsiding and she felt like she would be able to stand and walk normally soon. She sighed and relaxed into Eric's shoulder, realizing for the first time how good he smelled and how small she seemed in comparison. She folded her legs under herself, minimal pain shot through her thighs.

"Thank you Eric, I think its working," she looked up at him and smiled weakly realizing how close they were but not feeling awkward or tense by it.

 

[Wolfias]

Eric drew Tess a little closer but not in a pushy way, as she was gradually feeling much better. ''You're welcome Tess.. that's great I really hated causing you so much pain.'' Giving her shoulder a comforting squeeze, looking at her with a wink and a grin like Wolf. He was very relieved at his massage helped her.

 

[feistyphoenix]

Tess sighed absently as Eric pulled her in closer. She found she enjoyed him touching her this way, it was much better than wincing in pain. She had almost dozed off when she realized she had to get back. She looked at the clock and it was going on 1:15, all she really wanted to do was stay here with Eric's arm around her and take a nap.

She begrudgingly unfolded her legs and paused before standing up. The pain was minimal in her thighs, non existent in her calves, and only a dull ache in her feet; she was elated. She stretched to her full 5'8" height and reached for the ceiling, letting out a small squeal of delight as she rose up to the balls of her feet and felt almost no pain at all.

"Eric, this is perfect," she turned to him and leaned in very close considering kissing him before just wrapping her arms around his shoulders and hugging him tightly, half kneeling over his lap.

"You have no idea what this means to me," she whispered.

 

[Wolfias]

Eric grins up at her from the couch watching and chuckling as she squeals. Wrapping his arms around her returning the hug, sighing softly as she whispers how she felt into his ear. ''Always was good with my hands..back in College they called me Dr. Hands on the court.

 

[feistyphoenix]

Tess pulled back slowly, she had the intense urge to kiss Eric especially after what he'd done for her but she held back.

"I want to hear more about that, but I have to go. The girls are going to kill me if we don't get started on this dance thing today," she rolled her eyes and removed herself from his lap, slipped on her flip flops, and walked to the desk where her small bag was. She slung it around her shoulders and grabbed her water bottle again.

"You should come by tonight during dinner, only if you want to though, I mean," she sighed. She was really not good at this. She realized she didn't want him to think she was too into him, "you know the place just got renovated, you should see the inside of it sometime," there, that was better.

"I'll see you soon, and have a good day today." She slipped out of the office and went out the front show room door. She walked confidently across the street to the Tavern and inside. Everyone seemed to just be hanging out.

"Hey girls, are you ready to dance?" she called out loudly.

She made her way up to the stage and kicked off her shoes again before turning around to face the entire room, waiting on her "students" to arrive.

 

[Wolfias]

Eric stood to walk Tess to shop door watching the way she walked without pain. ''I just may do that Tess, don't be surprised if I you see me there.'' With a smile and a wave he watched her cross the street, the confidence she walked with something to see. Eric that girl needs your help don't you dare hurt her. This is what he told himself as Tess disappeared into Hannah's Place. Stepping back into the office, gathering up the the diner plates. Walking to the back of the shop with them, tossing the trash into the dumpster. He went back to the file cabinet for DJ's file, stepping over to the shop computer. Typing up part names and numbers, entering what they didn't have on hand. ''Big Wolf 2 is now the works Sadie.''

 

[BreezySnow]

(This happened while Tess was at the bike shop)

Raven was finishing her second cup of coffee when she heard someone knock at the tavern door. Hanah had just come downstair and was heading towards the door but Dee was already there opening it and letting Eugene enter. It was about 11:15. Alexa was finishing up her breakfast burrito, she had come downstairs just as the foffee finished brewing. She offered to make one for Raven also, but she politely declined. Raven watched as Eugene entered the tavern with Dee.

Just then some kid came into the tavern, walked over to the bar and sat down. Hannah looked up and smiled so Raven figured he must be okay to be here.

 

[1millionsecrets]

Hannah smiled dimly at the young man and shook her head. "Thought you skipped out on me kid." She was wiping down the bar and refacing before she did anything else for the day.

 

[Kit_Cartaii]

"Did you S-see the way I-I was dressed?" Kit asked softly. "I-I had B-Been wearing those C-clothes since I L-left" He looked down and grabbed his bags. Kit would put these away, but then he had to go on a job hundred. Kit sighed and started towards his room with all the bags. "That and I needed to g-g-g-g...." Kit frozen angrily his constant stutter getting the best of him, making him mad. "I had t-t-t-to G-g-get away from your Boyf-f-fr-fr-friend" The last part of the word was almost yelled out as Kit shook with anger, but instead of saying anything more he turned and walked swiftly away, quickly going into his room and closing the door. He couldn't breath and needed to calm down.

Kit dispised the stuttering and it only got worse when he was stressed. Unfortunately the stutter stresses him out and doesn't help anything. He decided he would go back to just being silent. The fewer words spoken by him, the better.

 

[wombat9966]

Troy got up and showered in Hannah's bathroom before heading upstairs. All he had to wear was yesterdays clothes and if Hannah was going to drag him to bed every so often he would have to think about leaving a few items downstairs for emergencies.

As he emerged the kid from last night was just heading upstairs. "Hey Kid, If your planning on staying, you better leave that knife of yours behind the bar. I won't have armed people in the Tavern so it's your choice."

Warning given he walked over to Hannah and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Morning beautiful. Anything you need done before we open today? Hey Eugene how are you this morning?"