<div class="floatright">(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b52/jotunusmc/36827_421832359861_518524861_4822950_3819136_n.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong>Taras Ivan Markovski (Pronunciation: Ta-<em>rr</em>oss Ee-von Mar-Kovf-skee)<br/><strong>Title:</strong>Co-Leader / The Muscle<br/><strong>Location:</strong>In the open Dining Room<br/><strong>Tags:</strong>Nicholas Trent, Allison Saurer, Clara Tang<br/><br/><hr/><br/><div style="text-align: justify;">As the coals continued to burn and slowly whiten, Taras occasionally applied more lighter fluid - not really that the grill needed it... he just liked to watch the flames jump up hungrily out of the hot metal container. He was always a bit of a pyro when he was a younger kid but almost starting his adopted parents apartment on fire had quickly gotten most of that out of his system.  He was having so much fun playing with the grill and the flames inside it that he hadn't even heard Allison walk up behind him. Luckily she had warned him of her presence with a simple "Hey" just before she touched his shoulder - he had never really been a big fan of surprises.<br/>     He glanced slightly over his shoulder at the young woman an nodded - it was about as close to a smile as one would get out of him without a fair amount of alcohol in his system. Several members of the crew frequently offered him drinks - preferring his more light-hearted and friendly persona that a few cold ones always seemed to inspire. He never turned down those offers either; so when Allison asked if she could get him something he responded right away. <strong>"Yeah, just the usual is fine. There's a fifth of 'Stoli' tucked under the bar in there I was saving for today."</strong> Allison knew that he was a vodka man, true to his slovak roots. When he wasn't drinking it straight, he usually mixed it with orange juice or any form of soda. Normally he just drank cheaper brands of vodka, but 'Stoli' or Stolichnaya as it was properly called... was his favorite and he liked to save it for special occasions. Today was one of those time.<br/>      Allison lingered for just a moment, he wasn't quite sure why... he figured maybe she was waiting for him to say 'thanks' so he obliged her just before she headed for the bar, <strong>"Thanks, Ally."</strong> Taras still hadn't quite caught on to her subtle hints. It wasn't that he wasn't keen enough to pick up on them - he had just been so busy lately, and since he viewed her so much as a younger sister... his mind never really made the connection that her admiration went beyond just sibling-esque respect. Before he had the chance to even begin to think more about Allison, the doorbell buzzed loudly and Claire's voice came through the PA. <br/>     Taras just shook his head in amusement, she always rang in - even though this was almost more of a home for her than half the crew members. Anyhow he quickly bounced over to the nearest touchscreen panel that operated the loft's sound, securty, and other internal systems. He swung the display over to the exterior door camera just so he could get a look at her impatient form waiting on the doorstep. Then he pushed down the 'speak' button that was hovering in the corner of the screen and replied. <strong>"Get your butt in here then."</strong> After he let go of the button he slid that screen to the right and brought up the security panel, and touched a few more things to unlock the back door for her.<br/>     He was excited that Claire was coming - he figured she would come, she always made it for most of their big get-togethers - she had been so bogged down by finals that he hadn't really seen her in about a month. That was a bit too long for him. He had a thing for Claire, he always had, and even he didn't know exactly why. She had just always been around, so perhaps she'd had the opportunity to tempt him the longest. Most of the reason he hadn't really pursued a relationship with her yet was the fact that he didn't believe he really had much to offer her. His job was dangerous and illegal, and so far Claire had managed to avoid getting involved - even though her brother was the real ring leader of it all. Chris tried hard to make sure Claire wasn't put at risk, and if Taras started a serious relationship with her, that would be practically impossible to avoid. <br/>     Taras had just made his way back over to the grill as Allison returned and Claire finally made it inside. He tossed a bit more lighter fluid on the simmering coals just as Nick entered the room. The engineer offered the three of them a pleasant greeting and pulled up a chair to tilt back against the wall in his favorite spot. Taras turned his back to the grill to face the wider side of the open room and nodded to the other man. <strong>"I'll be better after I've eaten"</strong> he said plainly, but not in an unpleasant tone. It was just a fact. He had been working in the garage all day and hadn't stopped for lunch... and a guy his size... well he was <em>VERY</em> hungry. He crossed his arms and leaned against the makeshift brick counter next to the grill that lined that wall of the room. <br/></div>