Intaglio Dragons All The Way Down

Chapter 1: Unexpected Advice

In the aftermath of the explosive New Year’s fight that had nearly destroyed their relationship, things between Ava and Cole had settled into a new balance. The altered equilibrium had its own challenges, but their time together held a promise of more… things once static, now pushed into motion. Sometimes, Ava believed it was because of her father’s acceptance of their relationship. Oliver asked about Cole and Chim in the same breath now. Other times, she believed it was because they’d survived a f*ck-up where both of them had been involved. The recovery from the turmoil that seemed almost too good to believe. On rare occasions, Ava mused if it was because they were planning their first trip back to Cole’s parents after the first visit's trial by fire. No matter the reason, things had shifted, the two of them drifting into new territory; one where the foundation was built on stone rather than sand.

They were settled together now. No questions asked.

Today was the day before the Spring semester began and the four of them – Cole, Chim, Suzanne and Ava – were downtown in the street-side shops frequented by the university crowd. Ava needed some new clothes before classes began. She’d destroyed her last good pair of jeans in the New Year’s Eve painting session and needed a business outfit as well. The Director of the National Gallery had invited her to attend a visioning meeting later that Spring. The graffiti show scheduled for the following summer was quickly moving into the realm of reality.

Ava had nothing appropriate to wear.

Suzanne offered to go with Ava while Cole and Chim wandered off together to check out the hardware store. As every art student knew, there was always opportunity to pick up cheap art supplies there. Ava was glad Chim had suggested it. There had been a stiffness between Marcus and Cole since the events of New Year’s. Ava knew Chim tended to be overly protective of her... and while she loved that aspect of his character most times, it bothered her to see her oldest friend holding out on Cole. The two men left the store arguing over the inherent value of art versus art as an agent of change, laughter audible long after the door banged shut.

Two hours later, Ava and Suzanne were in one of the larger consignment shops, looking for Ava’s meeting-wear. The Director had assured her everything was set, but she still needed to attend the meeting and present her portfolio. The entire Board and the show's curator would be there; high heels and a dress seemed like a small fee to pay for being taken seriously. While Ava and Suzanne pulled dresses off the rack, someone called out to her from the men’s section.

“Oh, for god’s sake,” Suzanne groaned. “It’s Kip F*cking Chambers.”

Ava turned in surprise. Suzanne had a very Chim expression on her face right now; her nostrils were flared, lips pursed. She looked like a pit bull about to attack.

“Be nice, Suzanne,” Ava hissed. “He’s alright. Just being friendly.”

Suzanne’s hand snaked out, wrapping painfully around her wrist. Ava’s eyes widened.

“Don’t be stupid,” she warned, “anyone who looks at you the way that guy looks at you is NOT trying to be your friend.”

Ava tugged her hand away, turning back as Kip neared. She was suddenly aware of all the unconscious details suggesting Suzanne was right. Kip was smiling, for one, but his eyes were on Ava alone. There was something about the way he ignored everything else around him, moving around people and objects as if caught in an undertow that had Ava’s nervousness re-emerging.

“No...” Ava said slowly, shifting guiltily. “He’s just like that. Kip’s used to getting his own way. He’s famous.”

She wondered if her words sounded as lame to Suzanne as they did to her. The answer came half a second later as her friend spun on her.

“Are you trying to f*ck things up with Cole on purpose?!” she snapped.

Ava stepped back in shock.

“N-no,” she answered shakily, lifting her chin. “I’m not.” Then again, more forcefully. “Honestly, Sue, I’m NOT!”

Suzanne sneered.

“Glad to hear it... because Cole deserves better than that.”

She had no time to respond as Kip arrived. Suzanne muttered something that sounded like ‘a*shole’ before pasting on a fake smile and sticking out her hand.

“Why, Mr. Chambers,” she drawled. “To what do we owe the honour of your company?”

Ava elbowed her but Kip just laughed. He reached out, shaking Suzanne’s hand quickly before positioning himself nearer to Ava than needed.

“Nothing special. Just saw you guys, and uh... thought I’d come over and say hi.”

Suzanne made a rude noise in the back of her throat, and Ava took a step away from Kip. Without seeming to notice, he mirrored her movement. Apprehension rose under Ava’s skin.

This wasn’t helping the situation.

“So what’re you guys up to today?” Kip asked, shoving his hands in his pockets and grinning.

“Shopping, as you can see.” Suzanne said dryly. She looked like she was about to throw a punch or a Molotov cocktail under a bus.

“Yes, shopping,” Ava added, falsely bright. “I have a meeting and needed to pick up some clothes. So how about you?” she asked, her words tumbling faster and faster. “You here shopping with Raya? This store seems very… her.”

Ava glanced over to Suzanne. ‘That’s right, Suzanne, Kip has a girlfriend – ha! Score one point...’

“No... no...” he muttered, dropping his eyes in embarrassment, “Raya headed back to her place on the Coast a few days early. I have a show coming up in Japan this summer, and I’ll be moving on after that, although I’ll be coming back in the summer, of course, for the film.”

“And you didn’t go with Raya?” Suzanne taunted. “That’s interesting.” Ava glared at her.

Kip laughed, boyishly ducking his chin.

“Raya and me, we kind of do our own thing. She wanted to visit her folks. I thought I'd party a bit here.” His voice dropped slightly. “Hang out with friends.”

His eyes were on Ava again: scrutinizing her. The whole conversation was making her increasingly edgy.

“Cool… that uh… that sounds fun,” Ava answered, aware of how trite it sounded. “Well, when you see Raya, thank her for the cheque. It was really generous to hold up her side of the agreement.”

“Sorry, thank her for what?” Kip asked.

“The cheque,” Ava answered. When he didn’t respond, she added, “you know, given that I hadn’t actually done any of the work for the film.”

Kip’s expression shifted like dark clouds coming in from the horizon.

“You’re not gonna be part of the film at all now?” he asked curtly.

Suzanne stepped between the two of them, interrupting the conversation with her physical presence. She was a full head shorter than Kip Chambers, but she more than made up for it with attitude. He retreated back a step.

“No,” Suzanne snarled. “Ava’s not on the film anymore. Your girlfriend, Raya, paid her off. Ava’s done.”

Chambers looked perplexed by the news. He looked over at Ava for confirmation. She shrugged.

“It’s fine. She was really generous in paying me out,” she explained. “To be honest, I don’t mind. I’ll be busy this summer anyhow.”

Kip stared out the front windows for a long moment, as if considering her words. The darkness of his expression seemed poised to turn into something else, but when he turned back, he seemed to be in control. He smiled tightly at Suzanne before shifting his attention entirely to Ava. His voice was low, apprehensive.

“Look... I’m sure you’ve already thought of all this, Ava, but uh... make sure you send an official invoice to Raya, with the exact amount on that cheque. It’ll take a couple days for the bank to process it and unless she has your invoice in hand, she might um... put a hold on the money and—”

“Screw you over,” Suzanne ground out. “Well, you two are quite the pair, aren’t you?” She was seething, her hands in fists.

“Suzanne!” Ava yelped, face aghast. Kip's hand went to Ava’s arm, and she shrugged it off irritably. “Please,” she pleaded, “don’t start!”

“God, Ava, I don’t even understand you sometimes,” Suzanne said through clenched teeth. She turned on the man next to her. “So tell me, Kip Chambers... is your girlfriend always this much of a bitch?”

The blood drained from Ava’s face. Horrified, her mouth opened, but nothing came out.

“Raya’s got her moments,” Kip growled, “but I really don’t like your tone. She is an excellent agent and she has done an amazing job in promoting my career in the last—”

“Well that’s all fine and dandy,” Suzanne hissed. “But she’s got a huge f*cking problem with Ava here, and that makes Raya my problem.”

Kip’s mouth twisted in disgust, but he didn’t respond. No one spoke. Ava had a sudden, desperate wish that she could just spontaneously combust, right here in Aisle C. It struck her that unless Cole barged in from the street, drunk and looking for a fight, there was no f*cking way this scene could get any worse.

“Look,” Kip finally said. “I don’t think Ry’ means to be like that. She’s protective of me... and when she sees someone with talent, she gets defensive. I think with Ava here, she’s just a little bit... ”

He paused. Both Suzanne and Ava stared at him, waiting for him to acknowledge what they all knew. The thing which made Cole hate this man as much as he did.

“Jealous?” It was Ava who answered for all of them. Kip caught her eyes as she said it.

“Yeah.” His voice was sincere.

Suzanne swore under her breath, jaw clenched.

“Ava,” Kip said, reaching out again, “I really hope this doesn’t affect our—”

She tore her arm away.

“Just stop!” she snapped angrily, “I don’t want you touching me! Alright?!”

In two steps she was back next to Suzanne, whose arms were crossed on her chest, smirking. Ava held back the urge to slap her, too, just for being right!

“Sorry,” Kip muttered, shoving his hands into his pockets again. The protectiveness that Ava felt for him began to rise.

“It’s fine,” Ava grumbled. “It’s me, okay? Not you,” she mumbled, guilt warring with annoyance. “So yeah... thanks for the headed-up on Raya’s invoice.”

“No problem,” Kip said quietly. He wanted to say something else, she could tell, but Suzanne’s presence at her side held him back.

“Look, Qaletaqa, I don’t mean this to sound harsh,” Ava continued, feeling Suzanne’s gaze flicker over to her at the sound of Kip's full name. “But I think it’s probably better if we just don’t... don’t talk any more. All right? It’s just too weird for me.”

Kip stepped back forward. His face was anguished, hands raised imploringly.

“But my dream, Ava... It had to mean somethi—”

“No it doesn’t,” she interrupted. “Not to me, anyhow.”

“But when I’m around you,” he insisted, “I just can’t help but wonder if things had been different… if we could’ve figured it out. Me ’n you, you know?”

Suzanne snorted, and Ava glared at her in frustration. She could tell that her friend was just barely holding back from laying into Chambers here and now. She had the same look on her face that she’d had right before she and Chim had marched on City Hall last summer.

Suzanne was absolutely livid.

“Kip, I just...” Ava frowned. “I can’t do this with you, okay?”

“Alright,” he said quietly. “But if you ever need anything... or if you want to talk... ever... I, uh... I’ll be away in Japan, for a while, then on the Coast. But you can always call me... okay, Ava? Anytime.”

She nodded, extending her hand.

“It was good meeting you, Kip,” she said. “I wish you all the best.”

He nodded, taking her palm in his own. There was a sense of familiarity to the gesture; settling them as friends and nothing else. No snap of connection, just warmth.

It felt good.

“You too, Booker.”