New Shoes and Old Friends ::Preston::

[Katerina Jamison]

She was new to town, so that meant a fresh start. The term having several new meanings to the hunter as she was now out from under Garth's wing and on her own. She left with his knowledge and his contacts, many of them being a guy she had formed a bond of friendship with on a hunt. He had come calling for information and Garth sent her out to meet him and help however she could. That's how she met Preston. A cool guy and a goo hunter who had the potential to be something great but instead he chose this life, then again she had too. One of the many reasons the two got along so well. She sent a text to him indicating that she was here in the mall and while she waited she was going to do some browsing. A new start meant she would need an entirely new wardrobe, whoever said flannel was the new prada for hunters was sorrily mistaken. Then again the ones who did were legends in the trade, the exact reason why those comments stayed up in the vault where they belonged.

A few eyes gazed her way as she made her way down the corridor but she didn't mind. She knew she was alright in the looks department. It helped her out of rough spots from time to time. And clothing would help maintain that look. Eyes peered into the first shop and she walked in to what appeared to be a bath works shop. The various scents filling her nose caused her to draw in a deep breath of satisfaction. Nothing wrong with smelling good. She began by browsing the shelves, looking over the various items and opening the lids and smelling them. Some of them causing her to wrinkle her nose and others to indulge in. She grabbed a body butter and some candles then headed out on to the next one.

A coffee stand caught her eye and she strode over, looking over the menu she made her choice. But before she would order something she would wait for her friend to come, some time had passed and she wondered if he had changed, or if she had changed to him. Great thing about catching up. Looking around, she spotted him coming down and she gave him a wave, a smile on her face.

 

[Preston James]

Coffee. It was the motivation that Preston always required to just about anything. It was like his gasoline that kept him going, past the point of sleep deprivation. But his drug of choice kept him from having to sleep, which in turn kept away the bad dreams, so he didn't mind it too much. He felt is phone buzz in his pocket, so he took it out to see who might have been contacting him. Only one person in town had his number, which was Pedro, and the rest, well they had all been hunting contacts. And if one of them were reaching out, it either meant one of two things. That there was a job that needed doing, or the end was already coming.

To his delightful surprise, it was Katerina. One of the few people that he had gotten close to as a hunter. She was just a year older than him, and still he admired her. She was strong, witty, and just the right amount of sassy. She had kept him grounded way back when, and it was when he needed it the most. He smiled reading the text saying that she was in Beacon Hills and wanted to meet up at the mall. He didn't really have plans, so he said that he would meet up with her.

He sighed when he thought about the clothes that he had a choice of. The only thing that was decent was his purple v-neck, which he threw on, and his jeans. Boots were the only thing in the shoe department that he owned, so perhaps he could take his trust fund on little trip. He snagged his credit card, and headed out on his bike.

Preston hated malls growing up. They were filled with people who focused too much on what they looked like and what labels that they wore. Growing up poor and orphaned made him appreciated the simpler things. He had been walking around a few places, trying to get a feel for the mall. It was ridden with teens, spending their parents earned money, and the occasional crying baby, which he prayed would shut up before he became a murderer. He made his way towards their meeting place. The coffee stand.

He made a simple wave as he walked up to her. "You would think that with all of these shops, they would have a higher demand for less tragic people." It was only with Kat that he could be the sassy gay that he kept hidden from most. It was good to see her. She looked like nothing had changed at all. He went in for a hug. "Its great to see you hun."

[Katerina Jamison]

A smile grew on her face as she heard him talking about having tragic people in here, she smirked and said holding her arms out "Yet here we are babe, oh my god you look great" She then went in for the hug and after it was released she looked him up and down. "You haven't aged a day what the hell? I can already feel the wrinkles coming my way" She then turned and fixed her top that shifted a bit, she cared every much about her appearance if she wasn't out hunting. Being at the mall was a vacation compared to the years spent in seedy hotel rooms with Garth training her and the other half of the time him asking her if she wanted to get in the hot tub. After about the 30th time asking she caved. She laughed everytime she remembered that poor little man fainting. She then brushed a curled lock to the side and said "So I know you hate these malls but you know me, can't resist em, so do your tragic friend a favor? Help her get her glam on?" Her outfit today was her favorite. All black right down to the black stiletto ankle boots that cost her quite a bit more than she wanted but all in the service of a good look. Besides she would wear these buggers till they wore out.

She could fee eyes on her, but she ignored them and locked her arm in his and asked "So what's good here?" She couldn't wait to reconnect with her closest hunting friend besides Garth, she wanted to know everything about the place she would be calling home until it was time to move on, which meant one of two things, the world was in deep shit and someone needed some help or the danger had died down. Neither looked like it would be happening anytime soon. There was a tap on her shoulder and it was some guy that took the Ambercrombie magazine way to seriously said "Why don't you let me get your coffee?" She let go of Preston's arm for a minute and said "I don't remember waving you over, but seeing as your so desperate to talk to me without knowing previously means one of two things considering I'm here with a friend.. you are bored and want a lay..not gonna get it or you are in need of some serious tutelage on how to pick up women and I'm sorry I don't have the patience for idiots right now..so do me a favor take a walk" She then smiled and looked back to Preston, "So coffee?"

[Preston James]

Preston was intoxicated by the coffee smells, but resisted buying one for the moment. It had been at least 4 years since he had seen Kat, and he didn't want to be rude and mow her down just for his java fix. He looked her over, feeling like he was failing in the capacity of the established gay man, but he did alright. "And you! You lie with that smile in your eyes." Sure they were only in their mid twenties, but Kat made him feel like he was 18 again. Shopping, and for once not for rock salt and gun powder.

He felt more relaxed in the mall, knowing that he had good company by his side. And just as he was about to answer her question, she was tapped on the shoulder, by the gorgeous looking, probably too dumb to count to ten guy that looked like he had found his future ex wife.

Preston laughed as she turned him down, and she didn't do so gently in the slightest bit. He would have died if it were him, hating rejection himself. But seeing the glimmer in her eyes as she was interrupted from talking to a good friends was enough to pretty much anyone speechless.

She mentioned coffee, and Preston beamed at her. "You know me too well Kitty Kat. Throw coffee at me, and I'll do just about anything." He thought about Pedro. It was pretty much true. Coffee was his downfall. He moved to the counter and ordered. "I'll take two large non-fat, extra shot espresso, vanilla lattes"

[Katerina Jamison]

Preston was the only man on this planet that could hall her kitty kat without them being pummelled to a pulp. When he ordered their coffee's she said "Vanilla," she then clasped her hands together and pretended to look at him all dreamy eyed, "a man after my own heart..now if only you were straight" She chuckled. As the coffees were ordered, she took hers gratefully and took a sip. "Yum, ugh it has been way too long since I've had a latte, Garth had me drinking the crappy motel coffee which I don't need to tell you tastes like crap..no matter how much irish crème you throw in there" She then relinked her arm in his and started down the corridors with him, happy to have her old and one of her closest friends back at her side again. Taking in another sip, she could already feel the delicious beverage warming her up. Not that she needed the warming in this climate but still.

"So what do you have to tell me? Anything new since we last saw one another?" She wished that she had something remotely exciting to share with him but the truth was life had been pretty much about work and nothing else. Having him here would be a good thing, it would help her unwind and if he had friends here it would give her the opportunity to meet new people. Nothing wrong with that..unless they were like coffee shop boy. Her shoes clicked on the tiled flooring as they walked in stride, her eyes focused solely on her friend and nothing else. Men would come and go for both of them but when it got rough,she always knew she could count on him.

[Preston James]

Hunters came in all sorts of shapes, colors and backgrounds. He had lost his family. Some did the job, just for a sense of self and meaning in the world. It was thankless work, as most people were happy to have the closure, or to see their loved ones again. Shopping on the other hand, was just plain evil. He could already feel the headache coming on as the mall go louder the more people showed up. He sipped his coffee, letting the warmth spread through him. Cold was the enemy. And it was winning.

He shuddered at the mention of hotel coffee. "Rule number one: Garth knows NOTHING when it comes to decent coffee." He and't seen that man in ages, and was glad to hear that the nerdy goofy man child was still alive and kicking. It was easy just falling back into place of such a strong friendship, it was almost as if the two had never been separated.

They walked toward one of the shops, it was alternative, but trendy, and that is what caught his eye. "Well there is this super sexy cop that I've already met. But other than that, not too much trouble around town so far, and we both know that its the quiet before the storm." He started to drag her towards the store that had caught is eye, seeing a pair of pants that he just had to have, along with several shirts that would make his already bombshell best-friend stick out.

"This place has promise."

[Katerina Jamison]

Katerina chuckled when Preston mentioned Garth knew nothing about good coffee n"Isn;t that the truth? but he wouldn't know, he can't have to much or he gets even gitterier..if that's even a word. but you know what I mean and trust me you do not want to see that man on a caffine high..its scary but drunk Garth..is hilarious." She then guffed in annoyance when he mentioned that he had a super sexy cop "Ugh where's my sexy cop? nevermind so tell me more about this guy who I have to meet or at least look at from a distance which I totally plan on doing once you tell me his name" She mentioned as she looked through the racks and found a couple of tops that would no doubt get her some attention, not that she had trouble with that.

Hmm maybe something more comfortable and less ridiculous. She grabbed a couple of tanks tops, plain colors with no prints and a couple of t-shirts to match. They would go with anything. "So about this cop? just starting something or already been something for a while? In which case I'm going to be pissed at you in about t minus 3 seconds" She gave him a smile, she could never stay mad at him but she could throw empty threats in the air knowing he would just fire back at her, and she loved it.

Since he mentioned that it was quiet meant one thing to her, she wasn't going anywhere until the proverbial shit hit the fan. She would keep her eyes open for anything gbut for right now she was curious about her best friend's new man. If he hurt Preston then he would have to deal with her, if so..heaven or hell help him.

[Preston James]

Preston thought that it was weird to just fall back into step with someone that you had not seen for a while without missing a beat. It was great that the two of them could just be, without ever having to try so hard. They didnt have to talk about hunting, unless they were both working the same job, and he had a shopping buddy, which he was desperately in need of since all of his stuff had still not come in the mail.

"It is very new, with the cop that is."

He didn't want to tell her about him and all that it implied, because he would be putting Pedro and his kids in danger, but he could cover the bases, just to curb her curiosity. "But he does have some kids, and works a lot to make sure that they are taken care of, which I respect."

He saw a few mens clothing items, and pulled a few of the rack in an outfit, while she digested the fact that he was seeing someone that had kids. It was a new thing for him, to be drawn to someone that already had roots. But Pedro was stable, and Preston needed that stability in his life. Everything else, would just fall into place