Over the dinner table.

Tensions rise at Juan Verde's house.

Dan Livingstone sat on the leather sofa that melted into the wall behind his rested head seamlessly while before him lay the plush red carpet staring forlornly up at his carved face. The room’s texture provoked Livingstone to feel sick. Across from Livingstone the T.V sat solidly above a fire place that Livingstone thought was so purposeful and tacky that he should like to buy his friend a new one. Compared to his company Livingstone’s weak body seemed to lightly fit on the sofa and his body relaxed into the dusty bronze. Around him the intoxicating smell of Verde’s cooking swarmed around Livingstone’s face and his mouth twitched nervously. Across the room Nick Denver sat bored with his permanent nonchalant grimace, his chiselled cheeks standing profoundly around his shallow eyes and skyward eyebrows.

Denver now standing rolled his eyes tiredly and began inspecting his face in the mirror with careful analysis. His mind wandering in attempts to recall what he had formerly looked like just a few months ago but to no avail, he re-seated himself and the room’s stale atmosphere was retained. To the left of Livingstone lay Zoe Woods, whose legs started to spread teasingly over Livingstone’s own legs, Denver’s eyes narrowed and sharpened. Woods just titled her head questioningly at Denver, Livingstone couldn’t help but laugh.

“You two are a mess aren’t you?” Woods quickly retracted her legs and frowned.

“What do you mean by that?” Her eyes now alight with interest.

“Oh come on don’t pretend like nothing’s going on between you two! It disappoints me that you would regard my intelligence so poorly.” He smirked as Denver stood abruptly and pointed his finger at Livingstone threateningly.

“Now listen here you little…..” Verde burst through the door exclaiming in his perfectly practiced English but with the full extent of his Spanish layers.

“She is done! What a thing of beauty! You will enjoy this very much, I am sure.” His smile brightened the room and Denver’s pointed finger adjusted into an open hand that pulled Livingstone up and patted his back lightly.

Around the careful, shining table the four sat compactly and regarded each other cautiously. By this point Verde had caught on that there had previously been an altercation between Woods and Denver but he was yet to piece Livingstone into the jigsaw. His wild tanned face, fresh with his thinly stripped beard, frowned. He did not particularly care for his company’s argument but he was disappointed that it outweighed his delightful cooking. Finally and aggressively he confronted them.

“What is the problem! I have cooked you my finest food and you sit here moping about some fall out? Why? I ask you over to my house and all you do is sit here with sadness! It is ridiculous! After all the effort I put into this? Nick my friend I believed you enjoyed my cooking so why the hateful face?” His cheeks a faded red stood clearly amongst his hard tanned face and his hands moved with powerful European manners. Nick felt anger surge within him and spat across at the Spaniard.  

“No you know what Juan? I don’t like your food or your house, I mean how plastic do you want this place? Now, if you don’t mind I’ll be going.” Nick’s usually calm and sweet face was strained, bulging and bitter. The table sat in shock, never before had they seen their golden boy so furiously attack any of them. Nick’s presence seemed to linger for many moments after he left creating a ghostly shadow that clung to them and no matter how hard they shook he would linger. 

Author's Note

Just trying out character ideas, not my best. Sorry if the writing jars (as I feel it does), I don't believe the writing reflects my usual style but the intention was to try for new characters so i'd prefer comments on them. And of course excuse any grammar of spelling mistakes.