***
Friday early afternoon
***Off Camera (sorta)***
In an effort to try to find a deeper connection with Kristjan, Ty invited him to a group, picking him up on the motorcycle, Effie had gifted to him. One blonde eyebrow went up at the shiny, new toy.
Ty: An early birthday gift from Effie. She said and I quote, “I am tired of driving your ass everywhere.” I got a motorcycle license when I was a teenager, just never really could afford one.
Krisjan is quick to examine the red beast, nodding his head in what seemed to be approval. Ty wondered if it impressed him, if it did though, he didn't reveal it it verbally. Instead he climbed on behind Ty, putting his arms around his waist.
Ty: Do you want my helmet?
Krisjan chuckles, saying something equivalent in Iceland to, ‘Let's not risk your pretty face’.
Fen: Where are we going?
Ty smiles under the visor, even though Kristjan can't see it.
Ty: You don't trust me?
This was a loaded question and Kristjan, for how obtuse he could be on some subjects, actually recognized how this could be taken the wrong way. He sighs and the responds in Icelandic.
Fen: I trust you on certain matters but not with surprise trips.
Ty nods. He understands his lover's hesitation better than he rightfully should. Aron had told him about Jokull in an effort to help him understand Fen better but Ty also felt guilty knowing something so private that he wasn't able to talk about it himself. Still, it had helped in how he handled the man now riding behind him.
It doesn't take long before he is parking the bike outside a local community center. Fen once again is raising an eyebrow.
Fen: What class are you bringing me too? One with old women?
He says this as a gaggle of older women walk by them. They instantly giggle and talk quietly as they all peer back at the two good looking men. A smile crosses Fen's face as he grabs Ty by the collar and kisses him full on the lips. The women's smiles drop as they speed up in their journey to the sliding doors. He lingers a second longer and pulls away, leaving the roulette champ breathless. Of course Fen is quite proud of himself. Ty is unable to think straight to chastise him for his PDA.
Fen: So where is this group?
Ty shakes himself back to reality and Fenris can only smile and shake his head, not shy on how much pride he has in his ability to woo the taller man.
Ty: Yeah. Follow me.
After changing, Fen is still hesitant when they get to the class. It is mostly full of young women, some are obviously young mothers as a row of diaper bags line the outside walls. Fen stops short and points.
Ty: Don't worry. No babies here. Young moms convert their purses to diaper bags because it's easier.
Fen gives an over exaggerated sigh but still seems irritated when he is made to sit on a pink yoga mat on the floor. He crosses his arms over his chest.
Fen: Yoga is for women.
There are a few raised eyebrows before Ty explains.
Ty: He's pretty chauvinistic. Don't mind him ladies. Just trying to expand his mind.
Fen grumbles under his breath:
Fen: Ég mun auka hnefuna í andliti þínu
Ty is still smiling at the women as he punches Fen in the ribs. He lets out a gasp at the unexpected action.
A few minutes later, a middle aged man in blue spandex walks onto the raised platform in front of them. He claps his hands together and bows his head.
Instructor: Namaste
The class repeats it back, except Fen of course who is leaning his head to one side with a look of clear confusion.
Fen: What the fuck is Namstay?
Ty shushes him but the instructor heard.
Instructor: I see we have a new face in class today. What brings you to the group?
Fen immediately looks at Ty with an amused half smile. Putting Ty on the spot made him laugh, especially at how flustered it made him when trying to answer.
Fen: Yeah, Ty, what brings me here?
Ty takes a deep breath. He knew Fen was purposely trying to irritate him so Ty would excuse him from the class.
Ty: Forgive him. English is a second language. Kristjan is here because he has issues controlling his anger and I thought some meditation techniques might help him refocus. It helped me when I lost my last match with him.
Fen starts chuckling and Ty is trying even harder to remain patient.
Fen: This was your life changing event... Yoga and meditation? You can close your eyes and dream all you want, you will not beat me a third time.
Ty shakes his head. Despite how stubborn and purposely irritating the champion was, Ty saw the softer side. He knew that this was just a wall he put up to keep people out. What Fen didn't know was that Ty was already in.
Ty: See?
The instructor nods in understanding and once again Fen is utterly confused, feeling like the two men had communicated telepathically.
Instructor: Don't worry Kristjan, I know it all seems new and overwhelming but after a while, it will all seem second nature to you.
He begins the class, having everyone lay on their backs, placing their hands on their diaphragm. He talks calmly, asking the participants to concentrate on their breathing, deep breaths in, long breathes out. Ty found that these classes helped him to center and calm his racing mind. It seemed to be going well until a loud snort filled the room. Ty opens his eyes and looking beside him sees that Fen does seem rather relaxed. He goes to close his eyes again before the familiar buzz of snoring fills the room. Ty knew that snore. He runs a hand down his face in embarrassment.
More of the young women are sitting up to look at the Icelandic man. He starts talking in Icelandic and Ty's face starts going red. He was glad that it seemed that no one in the room but him understood the words or the type of dream Fen was having. Ty, having heard enough and not wanting him to start saying things in English leans over him, giving him a gentle shake. His eyes flutter open slowly.
Fen: Aftur? þú ert fús
Ty’s eyes sort of bug out. And that is when Fen reaches out a hand to his face, pulling him down for a kiss. There is a longing collective sigh in the room and that's when Fen realizes they are not at home in bed, but rather in a room of hormonally unbalanced women who probably thought they were seeing a Soap in live action. Fen pushes Ty so he can sit up and quickly regains his composure.
The instructor smiles at him and as he looks around, the women were all awestruck in a crowd around him. This instantly made him feel uncomfortable and he stands. Without a word he walks quickly from the room. Ty tries to keep the disappointment off his face as he thanks the instructor and follows Fen to the change room. He can instantly tell the man is irritated by how he is throwing his stuff into the backpack Ty had brought.
Ty: Are you okay?
Knowing that asking Fen to talk about his feelings was not going to happen he opts instead to try and calm the anger stirring in the wolf.
Fen: I don't like this class. Do not ask me again.
Ty nods. He didn't want to force him to do anything he didn't want. He holds up his hands before sitting beside him.
Ty: Fair enough. Are you hungry? Wanna go grab some food?
Fen shakes his head.
Fen: Nei, bara heima
Ty was disappointed but obliged. Soon he was once again pulling up in front of Fen's building. He is quick to jump off and without so much as a goodbye is opening the keyed entry door and entering. Ty clenches the handles of the bike before trying to center himself. He wasn't giving up on his wolf, he was determined to get through to him.
***
The West-Ward Blogicles
Season 3, Entry #7 -- “Chip Shot”
Ty west is seen eating a bag of chips. He is staring straight ahead. He then pretends to be startled.
Ty: “Oh! Didn't see you guys there. I was just sitting here enjoying ‘It's a wonderful life’ and eating some chips.”
He shakes the bag.
Ty: “When it comes to chips, these are the best but you know what sucks? The chips that accumulate on people's shoulders. Such as Jon Dough. Jon is not only immature in the worse way but he got beat up by a doll. His arrogance is laughable, especially coming from a man with a split personality. Yes Jon, we all know your name is actually Matt Spears. Why you continue to wear that ridiculous rubber mask is beyond me but... whatever floats your boat.”
He gives a nonchalant shrug.
Ty: “So it feels like my boycott of facing him when he held the Roulette title has really made him mad. He can play that anyway he pleases. He can stand there and talk about my losses. He can claim that facing me is an easy win. Honestly, he couldn't beat Ben when he put the title on the line. A title he only got because he used a briefcase his alter ego actually won and then... the icing on the cake... was that he did it all to get a match with Ben. He can claim the title had nothing to do with it but it is convenient that after the ‘ben deserves better’ movement was when all of this went down. And then! The cherry on top! He lost this title twice. Once was via me distracting him from the crowd. To Caleb of all people.”
He can't help chuckling at that. Ty never had high regards for either of the two men.
Ty: “So please, spare me the talk of being easy to beat. All it takes to beat Jon is to cause a ruckus in the crowd. Not exactly title quality skills.”
He eats a mouthful of his chips, chewing obnoxiously on purpose. He then talks with his mouthful on purpose.
Ty: “som ya get im poimt right?”
Valora, Ty's doting aunt speaks from behind the camera.
Valora: Sweetie, no one can understand you with food in your mouth.
Ty swallows and holds up a finger. He smiles.
Ty: Fair point Auntie. No one understands Jon with his foot in his mouth and come Sunday, he can go ahead and shove it down a little further. I have worked hard. I earned this.
He pats the title on the couch beside him.
Ty: So he can take his opinion and shove it right up his green rubber as...
Valora: Tyler West! You watch your language. You were not raised to be one of those hoodlums with a potty mouth.
Ty bites his lip and nods. He gets quickly back to his point
Ty: So on that note, let me end with this. Come time for the supershow, it will me standing across from Blasted Monk. And then, I will be the one to unite the two titles once and for all. But that is a story for another time, another place. My first defence, my first objective is doing what I should have done a long while ago and that is putting that green muppet in his place.
Ty blows a kiss to the audience before he turns back to the screen just in time to see the last scene. Ty recites in unison with the little girl.
“Everytime a bell rings, an angel gets its wings.”
***
***Off Camera***
Still Friday
Ty returned to his empty condo not long after the trip with Fen. He jumped into a cold shower to calm his raised desire and frustration. It was not how he wanted that to end. He had been hoping for a way to connect with him. To maybe help him find a way to release his anger. He was disappointed for sure.
As he walks into the kitchen a few minutes later, his phone rings in the bedroom and he has to detour. Answering it on the last ring.
Ty: “Hello?”
The unknown numbers worried him but Kristjan’s number came up unknown... or even if it was Courtney for some kind of closure there.
Voice: “Tyler West?”
Ty: “That's me.”
Voice: “This is officer Jamison for the LVPD. I'm afraid I have some bad news. I hate to do this over the phone but we need someone to identify the body.”
Ty's body fills with panic.
Ty: “What body?”
Fear and dread rose in him. His immediate thought was his best friend who had a penchant for getting herself into trouble. But then Valora popped into his head. A naive, middle aged sweetheart in Sin City, a mugging gone wrong?
Jamison: “It appears that we may have found your father's body last night. Would you be able to come in right away?”
He breathed a sigh of relief that it wasn't either of those two ladies but then a different feeling settled on his chest like a weight.
His father was dead?
***
***Off Camera***
Still Friday, only later
“So this is the fucker that abandoned you?”
Effie had no fear of anything, including a dead, bloated body. When he had phoned Effie, she was at his apartment in minutes. She was good like that, always there when he needed her support. Even if it was twisted sometimes.
She had driven him to identify the body and now here she was, staring down at it with curiosity that was akin to that of a psychologically stunted individual. There was no real emotion there, not even fear. Effie looked at Fear right in the eyes and laughed in its face almost daring the grim reaper to take her soul.
She poked the dead man's face with the end of a pencil and Ty had to slap her hand away. Although it was hard to look at it, Ty could easily identify the body of his biological father. His face was purple, mouth slightly open. The marks around his neck looked like he was strangled, ten distinct bruises that looked like fingers. Again, it didn't surprise Ty in the least.
Jamison: “Is this indeed, your father, Michael Carlos Ricci?”
Ty nods but the officer presses him for a verbal answer, staring him down with a wide eyed expression. He taps his pen on an open notepad in his hand. Ty senses the officer's irritation and quietly responds with:
Ty: Yes, it's him.
The officer is satisfied and walks to the door, as he’s almost through the door, he says over his shoulder:
Jamison: We have a bag of his personal effects for you when you're done. Also let the coroner know once you have funeral arrangements made.
Effie watches him leave then turns back to Ty, who just stares at the lifeless body of his father. Ty had noticed that her empathy had improved in the last week or two and attributed it to her sleeping with the Monk that was staying at her place. A monk that Ty had spoken to only a few days ago because the man was head over heels for Ty's best friend in the world. But at this present juncture his mind was more on this man on the cold slab in front of him. She puts a comforting hand on his shoulder and squeezes firmly.
Effie: You okay, Muscles?
Ty doesn't know how to answer her. On one end, he was relieved that he was gone and it gave him a terrible guilty feeling in the pit of his stomach. Then part him him mourned for all that he didn't get with this man. A chance to have a real father-son relationship. It was the thing that made him doubt his ability to be a father himself in the future.
Ty just nods his head and walks the same way the officer had gone, Effie follows along behind him and he hears her say to the coroner:
Effie: I'm keeping this pencil as a souvenir, capice?
Ty was judging, based on the coroner's expression of utter awe at seeing Effie when they entered, that not only had the man not gotten female attention in a while but that Effie's au naturale charm was awe inspiring to the point of rendering him speechless.
On the drive home, Ty looks through the paper envelope containing his father's possessions. A match book for a seedy strip joint, a set of keys that he had no idea what they were for and a passcard for the motel his father stayed at. One of the keys looked to be for a safety deposit box. Effie looks over at him from the driver's seat and nods at it. Her experience with those sort of things was far more than his.
Effie: You know what bank that's for?
After trying several banks, they finally found a match for what appeared to be a higher class bank that Effie had said was for rich assholes.
She took a seat in the waiting area and grabbed a home renovation magazine, citing that she would wait for him and then finding herself fully engrossed in an article about wainscotting.
Ty was alone in the room when the bank clerk brought in the small metal box. She smiled at Ty, a smile that indicated that she found him attractive but Ty doesn't even notice. His mind was elsewhere. The contents were a complete mystery to him. He had no idea what he was going to find.
Lifting the lid, he finds an ancient looking gun. A Baretta he thinks. Probably the one his father had told him about as having been in the Ricci family since they had come to America from Italy over five generations ago. A true western ancestry. There was no serial number and it made him nervous to have it in his possession at all. He didn't like guns.
Setting it aside, he finds the deed to some land. This surprises him too since his father sold anything with value to pay his gambling debts. The land is in California.
He sets it aside as well with plans to investigate it further. The last thing in the box is an old bankbook. He found it funny considering no one used them anymore but when he opens it up, he is surprised to see that not only is the card for the account inside, but the account had roughly 300,000 dollars in it, but also that the Account was opened the day he was born. There was never a line item indicating he had ever withdrawn any money from it either. It takes everything for the big man not to faint in shock. Why didn't his father ever tell him about any of this before?
