prodigal_emotions_return
unhinged the party at the edge of the forest was in full swing. the bonfires created eerie shadows against the canvas of the trees. the commune had thrived under jordan's leadership.

they had profited enough in the past few harvests to build new cabins and invite more people to live and work. the boom of the organic movement was a boon for him and everyone he brought into his self made family. the community was expanding. it was everything jordan wished and hoped. it was the exact opposite of his life before. days would pass without even a thought of the valley, all that he left behind.

people close to him knew jordan's past was like a deep wound in his soul. it was not something he talked about; it was off limits. it was the source of his tough fairness, his sad eyes, the tattoos that covered his skin like a tapestry. he kept them covered most of the time because if someone looked closely enough, the story was plain. names, dates, kabuki masks, the caricatured faces of warriors like totems on his skin. visual reminders that the face you showed to the world could protect you. if it was the right one. the tough bad ass one. even if, especially if, that protected the soft insides of your heart.

he sat at the head of the fire playing a guitar a thankful member had gifted to them when they decided to leave the commune. his commune was famous or notorious depending on who you asked for putting criminals back on the straight and narrow. jordan had the heart and the muscle to keep everyone in line. besides, his stringent interview process weeded out the truly evil people just looking to take advantage. he knew that felons and addicts were not necessarily bad people. sometimes desperation just pushed people to do horrible things. everyone deserved a second chance.

jordan started strumming the opening of 'wish you were here' and a lot of people gathered closer around the fire. he thought of tom for the first time in weeks. he thought of his sister who he hadn't talked to in months. his usually tentative singing voice cracked as he tried to sing and play at the same time. moon reached down and put a hand on his shoulder. her voice soared above his and everyone joined in.

just as the party really got going and the home grown smoke and the home pressed wine were taking hold, jordan got up and started to walk towards his cabin.

'jordan!' he heard moon call out for him, but he kept walking.

mike walked up to her and handed her a joint. 'he's been having a rough time lately. you know jordan. when everything is going well, that's when he worries the most.' 		090209
...
unhinged jordan wandered into the tattoo shop by the river. he had only been in portland for a few months. something about the name of it attracted him more than any of the others. 'cutthroat tattoo' it just sounded like the place where he should get his ink.

the artists and receptionists were typically pierced and tattooed in highly visible places.

a compact hispanic guy with a james dean vibe gave him the barest of head nods. 'hey.'

jordan approached the the counter. 'do you know anything about kabuki masks?'

'japanese theater masks?'

'yeah.'

'you want some?'

'i want a leg sleeve. mostly kabuki masks.'

'do you have any other tats?'

'just this one.' jordan pulled down his bottom lip to reveal the word relentless.

'hey, that's not bad for a lip tat. where'd you get that?'

'at a shop across the river. called body ritual. the guys there seemed to be more into traditional biker style. do you have any of your color work i can look at?'

'yeah, the guys over there are....'

'mooks?'

'ha. yeah. hey dude, my name is manuel. why don't you flip through my book. i do have a book on japanese symbology laying around here somewhere. might be in the back. here you go.'

jordan sat at the counter and flipped through manuel's brag book. the blue and green jumped out at him.

'i found it. you mean something like this?' manuel held up the book open to pages of traditional masks.

'yeah, like that but....' jordan held up manuel's brag book 'mixed with this street/tag kinda style.'

'a leg sleeve huh? that's gonna hurt.'

'all tattoos hurt. the more pain the better.' 		090213
...
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