The sweet sounds of engines purring, the scents of adrenaline and octane in the air tinged with excitement from all over. Things like that(along with a certain woman named Letty) put a smile upon the male's face as he exited his own vehicle, giving the other racers a quick glance over before closing the door with a soft thud. Many familiar faces were seen in the massive crowd, though there were some new faces too - new racers ready and eager to prove themselves out there. So far, none had impressed him. Racing could be cruel as well as liberating, those that were doing it for the sake of it, didn't mesh well with him. Racing was a way of life. Natural as breathing.

There was one racer that he'd wanted to go tire to tire against, one who was quickly making a name for himself. So far, Dom had been impressed with him, though he wasn't one to show it. Searching for the man in this crowd would take time, if one didn't know where to look. Fortunately, this was his scene, slipping through without too much hassle, pausing only when others tried pulling him into conversation. Once he was free, Dom moved lithely, like a panther, all movements fluid - for such a tall, muscular guy, he wasn't ungainly. Much like his cars, fluid, graceful, powerful. One of the girls told him that, many months ago. While he never agreed or disagreed, he did smile towards the words.

Finding his target, Dom moved in swiftly, hoping Shawn wouldn't leave his sights before he got there. Time was ticking down for the next race, and soon the racers themselves would be in their cars, lining up. If they were unlucky, cops would arrive and bust anyone not quick enough to get the hell outta dodge. Nearing the car itself, Dom lifted a finger, running above the engine without touching the vehicle itself. A racer didn't touch anothers car without permission. "You know what's under the hood?" Dom asked, his voice husky and full of seriousness as he over towards him.

"You are Shawn right?" Dom arched an eye, knowing damn well he'd gotten the right guy but some enjoyed playing games and spinning out names that weren't their own. Depending on how Shawn answered would be how Dominic played his next move. Everyone who knew him, knew that Dom didn't take kindly to racers who knew nothing about their cars or what was under the hood. So important to know least another try and sabotage. Another reason why he was always checking the engine and all parts. That way he'd know if anything was tampered with. "They say you're making quite the name for yourself. And quickly." Dom was itching to see just how good the rumors were, though there was time enough before challenging him to a race. Well, more to see how he handled himself but still. No-one needed to know that little detail.


Tag: Shawn
Notes: First Dom post ever(apart from the sample). Forgive the belatedness of this post. And forgive the crappiness xD really hope I can do this character justice

((OOC- No problem, but now its my turn to apologize for my lateness. Just had a lot of crap going on lately. BTW, so far so good. I like the way your Dom post came out. I'm a big Dom fan, and I approve this so far. LOL)) 

So far Shanw had met Brian, met Letty even though it was briefly and not many words spoken, and had met a few other racers along the way. Some were friendlies to the Toretto crew, some weren't but knew of them. Also in the process, Shawn had been arrested but that wasn't as difficult to get out of as he thought. Sure the record of him being arrested would stay with him forever because being caught was never a good thing, but none the less it would get him the attention he wanted. His name for racing and now the arrest would be a little blip on the radar that would help him find who he was looking for. He wasn't one to say when that would happen thought since the man he was looking for was known for being anti social after his big moves in and out of state as of recently. It wasn't until after Moraco that he gained his immunity and was able to return State side free of any charges against him. He earned it after his last endeavor with Hobbes and that's how Shawn knew he could find him here, back in L.A. It was Dom's home and nothing could ever replace that. It's where his heart was left and where it would forever be. It was just a matter of time and how much of a name Shawn wanted for himself before the legend would investigate and come finding him.

One thing he knew about Dom, is that his heart was in racing. He liked that his name was out there and well respected. What he didn't like, was when someone else came out of the woodwork to challenge him. Shawn may not have challenged him directly face to face, but his driving made the challenge for him. His name getting big out here in the race world is what would challenge the legend at his own game. None could drive like Dom, not that they couldn't, but they didn't dare too. It was too dangerous, too risky and none had the guts to do what Dom challenged himself to do. But Shawn, Shawn was like Dom. Racing was in his blood, it was his life to live, his breathing source and what drove him strive harder and push himself to his limits or past them to find new limits. Part of that he owed to being in the Marines. The few, the proud, the insane was a little motto that went around about the military branch because they were sent in to do the things no else could or wanted to. So that strive to go beyond, was installed in him even deeper when he enlisted. His father was the one who taught him to do whatever it takes to win. Unfortunately, that's what killed his father in the end and that's what was going to kill Shawn as well. At least that's what his mother always tells him.

Either way, Cops or no cops, getting or not getting arrested, wasn't going to stop him from being in his natural habitat. Not tonight, not ever. Shawn was dressed in a military green deigo T and a pair of semi torn blue jeans with his Marine dog tags hanging off his neck. The reflection of lights off his platinum watch gleamed in every direction with his movements when he was talking to some chick next to his car. Tonight was a night of just chilling. No racing unless something worthy came up. He got his money back from Tess and he had earned a little cash on the side over the course of a few nights ago. Financially he was good in the eye of other racers but he was still missing something internally. What that was, he couldn't necessarily say but he would find it eventually. Maybe it was love, maybe it wasn't, but if all things went well, love wouldn't be a problem in about 20 minutes or so.

Shawn backed the chick up into his car, which by the way was fixed up with the exception of painting. He had replaced the tire, the rim, the rear lights, and the window. He pulled the bullet holes out of the rear fender and had it already patched with bondo and primered, ready to paint, but hadn't gotten to that just yet. All in all, his ride was ready for racing, but just didn't look good doing it. Maybe that was what bothered him even though it couldn't be seen. Maybe Shawn liked his ride to be in pristine condition and because it wasn't, maybe that irked him. Either way, Shawn was just about ready to lean in to kiss the girl when someone walked up on them,

"You know what's under the hood?"

Shawn turned to see Dom of all people running his hands along side the hood of the car without actually touching it. Now that was respect. That was the same respect Shawn was taught. It was old school, but still used to this day, well by some, not most. He looked to Dom with a smile, "Depends on if your talking about the car or the girl. Gimme about 20 minutes and I'll let you know." he said he said jokingly.

"You are Shawn right?"

"Depends on who's asking and what day of the week it is. But for you, yeah, The names Shawn, Shawn Rhodes." he said casually as he finally pushed himself from the girl and held out a hand to Dom to shake. "Dominic Toretto, right? I've heard all about you." he said attempting to shake his hand and then retract it. "I know what's under my hood, the question, is, do you?" he challenged him. Dom knew a lot of shit and if Dom was anything like what he had heard, he'd be able to tell just by the sound of the car. He tossed Dom the keys. "....without looking under the hood." he winked playfully.

"They say you're making quite the name for yourself. And quickly."

"Hopefully its all good." Shawn replied. "A name is only as good as it's worth. Ain't that right?" he said hinting at Dom as if their was some underlying meaning to that. Shawn looked to the chick he was hanging with, putting an arm around her, "Can you go find us some drinks while the gents have a little heart to heart." he asked the beautiful brunette. She forced a smile to both men and nodded as she walked off. Shawn couldn't help but stare at her ass a bit as it finally left his view around a car. "Well, so much for another twenty minutes....." he commented as he said his goodbyes mentally to the chick who probably wouldn't return. His attention was then turned back to Dom. "So what do I owe this honor?" he asked to Dom's presence. Not that he wasn't excited or joyed as squirrel finding its winter stash, but he wasn't going to show it either. Apparently he did something right to get Dom to come out and play, now that he accomplished that, how was he going to get him to stay?

Cars were his forte, along with racing, easily able to rattle off information just by the sound. All his life he'd been around vehicles, working under the hoods and being drilled by his father. Both the Toretto children were smart, both on and off the street, though by his actions, one would assume Dom wasn't all that intelligent. Brawns were factored in life more than brains, and thus he often got into trouble that could have easily been avoided by talking. Instead of slowing to a halt and getting a ticket, or his beloved car impounded and a potential jail stint, Dominic tended to drive. Knowing his cars, knowing these streets, outrunning cops was easy. Second nature, like breathing was, like knowing what type of engine rested in a particular racers car. A low hum vibrated in his throat, watching with eagle-trained eyes - condition was top notch, not a dent or a speck of rust. Racers who neglected their cars weren't racers. A race was perilious at best, no need to add more danger like that.

A voice, obviously male, spoke into the air, as he glanced towards Shawn, and then towards the brunette that forced his brain to bring up the image of Letty. After tonight, he'd spend some time with her, make sure everything was as it should be. He'd lost her once, when he thought she was murdered, it had felt like a piece of him was shattered, destroyed. Losing himself in more races, more dangerous races with higher stakes, he was all reckless and no brain. "The car." Dom replied, the corners of his lips twitching upwards, a half smile at best, not at all fazed by the joke. "I've got time." Dom added - not like he had to rush. Tonight was all about Dom racing Shawn, the plan was all there, formed in his head. He just needed to see if Shawn would accept. Though he wasn't going to tell the other racer the potential prize for the race. That was something he'd find out on his own, not wanting such a prize to influence natural instincts or to goad him into doing something he normally wouldn't do.

Extending his hand, Dom shook Shawn's offered hand, giving him a nod. "Figured as much." Oh he saw so much in the other male it was like looking into a mirror. "That's me." Dom had nothing to hide by not saying who he was. Hell, most of Los Angeles knew, from racers to the police. One step ahead most times, keeping just out of reach. It was a thrilling way to live, not as much as driving full speed, knowing there wasn't anything on the asphalt except you and your vehicle. He caught the keys as Shawn challenged him, and Dom couldn't help but chuckle, ivory teeth flashing in the roaming lights of where they were situated. "This'll be easy." His way of accepting the challenge, walking around the car to the main drivers door, pulling it open and setting the keys into the ignition. There was more to starting up a vehicle than just turning the key, sitting himself into the drivers seat, giving a glance towards the interior. Everything seemed okay, and with that, he twisted the key, letting it purr to life. Eyes closed partway, letting each click, each rumble, reverberate in his ears.

Shawn knew how to take care of such a beauty, and it showed. Nothing sounded out of place or sounded like it was going to break. That same smile played across his features as he spun the key back, effectively killing the engine, pulling himself out of the car and tossing the keys back. Dom began speaking, words he knew tumbled from his tongue as he spoke about what was underneath the hood. Once he had finished, it was back to replying to what was being said. "That is correct. You got to be prepared to back it up - otherwise, you're not worth shit." Dom wasn't calling Shawn, shit. And since they thought the same way, he figured Shawn would know that. Names came and went in this world, those that remained often were because the players themselves were able to back it up. One could claim they were the best, spread that story through the ring, but if they couldn't back it up, well, you could easily see where that line of thought was heading.

"They say you're becoming a top racer." Dominic began, and even though he was going to wait before the challenge, he'd seen enough on this front. He wanted to see him race. "I'd like to see that for myself. What do you say to a one-on-one race? Just me, you and the road ahead." Dom tilted his head towards the roads behind him, and if Shawn was the racer Dom was lead to believe, he didn't have to tell him to do his best - he knew he would do his best.

((Ooc// it's all good! And thank you, that means a lot since I love Dom myself, and didn't want to butcher him D: and I didn't say what was under the hood because, I don't know xD I'm not hugely knowing of cars. Well, not like Dom so, xDD))

He watched as Dom caught the keys and opened up the door to the Dodge Challenger. Not watched as in he thought Dom would try to take off with it because God knew the man could get any car he wanted, much more something a little more worthy of stealing. Not that Shawn's ridfe was not worthy, but why steal an american made car worth only about eighty grand when they're were super cars here, like Ferrari's and Lambo's? They were worth more as trade in than say a simple souped up Challenger. No, he watched Dom because he wanted to not only see the reaction on his face but watch how he studied what was under the hood without being able to see it. Just like Shawn, he listened and one was taught this method, it showed. Although the reaction he was waiting for was nothing what he thought it would be. Instead, it was the typical reaction that he had always heard about Dom. He was not one to get excited and throw all his cards on the table before the bet was made. Shawn was the same way, but in a different way. Dom was more in tune with himself, casual, calm and laid back. Whereas Shawn was more the obnoxious sarcastic type. Different ways of bluffing what they actually thought inside, but still effective none the less. Dom may have played the cool nonchalant attitude, whereas Shawn would have probably come off with some smart ass comment, like 'that ain't shit' or 'I've seen better' or something along those lines. Instead, he got nothing except the description and that was it. No nice work, no expression of any kind. This was definitely the Dom he heard about. The one who kept his feelings inside of him rather than letting them known. It was a nice tactic to keep people guessing and He liked that about Dom. He was already proving to be a cool cat.

But just the expression he seen on Dom;s face when he first started her up, he could tell Dom approved. Shawn had put a lot of work and money into this thing and it may not show on the outside like some of these newer spiffed up paint jobs, but this is what Shawn liked. He liked them dark, flat and fast, and no he wasn't talking about his women either. The way Dom described his ride, it was pro. Not a piece missing to the description and considering all the long nights in the garage, under the hood, Shawn could honestly take the credit with a smile.

"That is correct. You got to be prepared to back it up - otherwise, you're not worth shit."

He knew exactly where Dom was going with that and only nodded in approval. It was true, anyone could say they were the best, but it had to be earned. That was exactly what Shawn was trying to do and so far, his plan had worked in order to attract the biggest name in street racing. Toretto's name was all over the place, the only thing missing, was the perfect embodiment to the name and now, here he was, standing right in front of him. Shawn didn't have to claim to be the best, his driving showed it all. It spoke volumes where words didn't have to be used. Shawn never claimed to be the best anywhere, never once were those words ever spilled from his mouth and never once did he ever brag about his winning. He just didn't have to. And one thing about Shawn, there was no such thing as almost winning. You either won or you didn't. Like Dom said a few years back here in L.A. when he first met Brian, "Winning is winning, no matter by an inch or a mile." Yeah Brian could have almost had him, but almost doesn't count.

"They say you're becoming a top racer.....I'd like to see that for myself. What do you say to a one-on-one race? Just me, you and the road ahead."

"Just for fun?" he questioned with a raised brow. "I know you haven't been out of it that long to forget the rules." Shawn protested as he pulled a wad of cash from his pocket. "There's five G's there. You wanna race, then we race, but not for free." he shook a finger and smiled with a semi cocky smile, but not that it meant anything. He knew Dom had a motive so something was involved here, he just didn't know what. Dom never raced for free unless it was with friends. Shawn didn't have the privilege of that....yet, he hoped as long as things went right. "Are you against a sprint to Santa Monica?" Since he had Dom in front of him now, he needed to talk to him and here wasn't the place. At Least Santa Monica Beach this late at night would be semi clear and give them some privacy. What Shawn had to say was important and he may not get another chance if he let this pass him by. The only thing was, that he had to be delicate about what he wanted to talk to him about. the wrong thing and Dom would either lose it or leave him in the dust. Either one, Shawn couldn't afford it, so that being said, he had to put on a good enough show for Dom while keeping him in his sights.

((I hope that isn't too much rambling, I kinda got sidetracked while posting. Also, don't worry about the description of things but for future reference, it's all posted in my app under my choice of car. I'm not all that big on engines and so forth, but Google is. LOL That's where I got my information and just copied and pasted. I know, I know, I cheated.  ))