2019-04-03 - Ink It Up

Geoff is leaning against the bar this evening, a half finished pint before him and his phone in his hand as he idly messes with it. Despite the smattering of other patrons at the bar, the man seems to be keeping relatively to himself. He's dressed this evening in a simple pair of jeans that have either been fashionably distressed or have just seen significant use, an old iron maiden tee and an unzipped hoodie to help fight off the chill.

One bar was as good as the other and usually with all that were available in the town Erin could be found at least in one of them in the span of an evening. Usually where the biggest party was. Not a solo drinker really, she does look for someone to drink with as soon as she enters the pub. A nose wrinkle later has her approaching the bar and leaning a hip against it. For now, she doesn't order a thing, but she does recognize at least one of the townsfolks there. Brows lift and she takes in a former school mate. A few years older than her, at least, but familiar all the same. "Parole or did you serve your time already?" At least she has the decency to keep her voice low and lean in a little so her voice doesn't carry.

Geoff looks up from his device, slipping it into his pocket and taking stock of which of his old schoolmates he's run into now. With a wry grin he shares "I did my time and managed not to rack up any additional time, a shocker, I know." Running his fingers back through his hair he says "Actually been out for a bit now, keeping my nose clean and just carrying on." A solitary eyebrow cocking up he asks "What have you been up to?"

The news really does surprise her, but not in any insulting way. It registers on her face though and her brows arch a touch higher. "Out after time served. I still think you should have got a better lawyer, really." It had been her opinion all along, apparently. "So what are you doing with yourself now?" A motion to the barseats available beside them. "Join me for a drink?" Without waiting for his response, she slips into the stool. Erin almost always got her way, she just assumes he'll follow suit it seemed. Tapping a well manicured fingernail on the bar she awaits the bartender. "This town is still the same, mostly. I guess you know that though."

Geoff doesn't seem to have much of an issue with this as he takes a seat "Better lawyers are for folks with money, and if you got money you /usually/ don't find yourself in a liquor store with a gun on graduation day." shaking his head he seems to banish the emerging memory of that day from his mind "Though I have a decent job now. I've got a chair down at Pens and Needles, probably one of the best tattoo artists you'll find around." He does seem to have picked up a number of tattoos himself since they last met in highschool "You know, after prison it's refreshing to be able to come back to find the town much the way I left it for better or worse."

"I suppose you are right. Better lawyers usually keep you out of trouble in the first place. I've had my fair share of trouble. I just manage to keep it from the courts so far." Erin reaches for a drink after it's delivered and turns more to face him, and less towards the rest of those in the bar. "You're a tattoo artist?" Musing over that one, she allows herself to drop her eyes to his artwork that is on display on his skin. "I've been thinking of getting some art but I've not decided what and where. I definitely don't want a tag on my back." Eye roll. "That is way too cliche and usually I don't follow the rules. What would you suggest for me?" Lips quirk in response about the town, but she makes no further mention of it.

Geoff digs his phone out and flips to the gallery going through several pics before he finds the one he's looking for and turns it so that Erin can see. On the screen is a woman's bare back that's been inked with a gray scale cherry blossom tree up along the left side with petals falling from the branches and sweeping over the back, the further they go the more color and shape they take till they are butterflies flitting away "A bit extreme there, but I think for a beauty like you something feminine yet strong would be good, definitely more on the artsy side. I don't think you're going to go punk pin up anytime soon." with a click of his tongue he muses "As for where, something that's only hinted at in what you normally wear so as to be a bit mysterious and leave people curious."

Not exactly expecting something so exquisite, Erin gasps softly, forgetting to be her normal uppity self as she takes in the detail that makes up the artwork. "That's beautiful and very feminine." A hooded look falls into place as he reads her well. "A bit extreme, but I've always lived my life by extremes. My grandmother, on the other hand, would dispwn me if she saw it so definitely hinted at and not blatant." Falling silent a moment, she sips at her drink before regarding him again, "You learned how to do all of this while you were.. away?" deliberately giving him the courtesy of not mentioning prison again. "I think I'd like to get something small, something for myself, that only I would know was there. Well me and of course the artist. But I can trust you to it, right?"

Geoff can't help but show a bit of pride as his art is appreciated "Yeah, it's a bit bold and I could definitely see your family being scandalized by even a hint of it." picking his glass up he takes a swig from the beer within "Yeah, I learned to do all this while I had that nice retreat and time to reflect on what mattered in life. Had to throw myself into /something/ fighting was just going to throw me in a spiral to spend the rest of my life there at club fed. So I decided to better myself and actually pick up a skill I could do something with." with a wink and dip of his head "As for keeping it between us, I'm no snitch. If you wanted it a secret I'd carry it to the grave before I gave away something that wasn't mine."

Noting the pride there, Erin smiles in response. Not her usual 'better than everyone' look but a genuine one. "I guess there's no better time to find out what you are good at. Looks like everything worked out great for you. I'm impressed, bad boy done good." Ah, now there's a hint of it, but it holds a little self mockery at the same time. With a light laugh, she adds in, "Snitches get stitches, grrr." Using a fingernail to trace stitches on the bar top in the condensation from her drink for good measure. "Then if you have after hours consultations at the shop, let me know. I'd rather not have a ton of people around when I make such a permanent decision."

Geoff grabs a cocktail napkin and jots down his number before sliding it over to Erin, his tone holding a bit of that self mockery as well "Well I found out I wasn't great at armed robbery, at least this skill isn't liable to end me back in the clink." with an amused grin he dips his head towards the napkin "I'm usually wrapping up around nine, shoot me a text the day you want to swing by and we can do a discrete consultation." leaning against the bar he gives Erin a once over in a way she's probably never quite been looked at, less as a woman and definitely more an artist might look at a blank canvass.

Watches as he writes down the number, Erin takes out her cell phone and just types it in along with his name then holds up her phone. "Say cheese." She hits the capture button before he can protest, hopefully, then saves it to the number. "I like to see who is calling me at any given time." It's the only explanation she gives before sliding her phone back into her pocket unless he objected to the photo. "I will do that, thank you for being discreet." The look isn't missed and she shifts a little, leaning back in her seat. "I wonder if this is how a butcher looks at meat." Another eye roll. "I should wear dresses. Little short dresses." Of course with the amusement dancing in her expression, she's definitely teasing now. "I guess I should be going anyway. Grandmother is expecting me for some help in planning some little soiree or something she's wanting."

Geoff rolls his shoulders as he begins to stand "Please, I think the butcher is a little hungrier when he appraises a side of beef." his lips curling up in a ghost of a grin for a moment before it is gone "I was just about to head out when you came by. Want me to walk you to your car? You never know what kind of rough ex-cons lurk around these types of places." the offer is proffered up just like that without Geoff seeming to care which way she decides on it

"I hate it when you guys are immune to the Addington charms. It's a kick in the ego, you know?" Laughing softly in a more self deprecating manner, Erin pays for her drink and deliberately takes his arm as if he's escorting her in the country club or something. "I would adore an escort to my car, Geoff, thank you." She ponders a moment as they walk towards the door, "So you were leaving until I showed up. I wonder if you'll at least let me have that as a win for the night?" Again, the soft laughter, letting him lead the way to her Maserati.

Geoff easily lets Erin take his arm, commenting as they head for the exit "I can be a gentleman on occasion, I think I can afford you this win." A roguish grin pulling at his features at that "Maybe the next time you go slumming again we can catch a drink and you can catch me up on what you've been up to out here in the free world." Somewhere, somehow Geoff Turner had acquired at least some passing semblance of manners, seeing Erin to her car and even getting the door for her once they reached it, seeing her off before hopping onto his bike to head off to his own destination.