we will be unstoppable{tag the elementals}

[Lucy]

"Touch me again you little punk." I dared the boy with blond spikey hair, his voice trembled and I swear he had wet his pants if the dark wet stain was anything to go by. So he damn well should be! No one ever touches me like that, not so intimately anyway. No, I had enough with my ex being the fucktard that he was. Being a scientist, keeping me tested upon and raped me. His excuse? He wanted to build a better race, just the two of us. Come on, him? He was a degenerate parasite. I was no ones toy, not to be used for anything. And this little creep thought he could push my boundaries? MINE? I don't think so. Stalking closer, my pink hair flew gently in the breeze, my clothing consisted of a tee-shirt and shorts, no shoes. Blame the hot weather for that. I disliked shoes anyway so the less I had to wear them the better. "Please, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." The pathetic excuse kept on saying he was sorry, sorry my ass. Anger sparked within me like wildfire, raising my hands.

Ground trembled underneath our feet, the boy dropped to his knees, still begging. I could rip his head off and not have to listen, or make him scream. Hand like vectors shot from my sides, grabbing his arms and ripping them off violently. His screams of agony filled the air while a smirk formed upon my lips. Upon his knees, armless as he tried getting words out, pain clearly on his face, my foot snapped out, kicking him to the ground. Crimson blood pooled at our feet, soaking into the asphalt. Standing in the sticky liquid, this turned into something boring, my hand flicked up, vectors tore off his head, leaving him dead in the streets. Well empty streets. This part was slightly abandoned, yet I had no illusions about what was coming. Someone was bound to hear and call the cops, so I had better high tail it outta there. I wasn't going to kill everyone that crossed my path, even though I wanted too. "Told you." Snarling at the dead corpse, I easily melted into the shadow, disappearing into the back alleyways.

From here I could easily get back into other streets, my thoughts were that of Dante. He normally got me to calm down, more so than anyone, but still, even I didn't listen to him sometimes. We are friends, which is good, cos being more of a mutant than anyone else tended to make people forget about being a friend. Well duh, along with earth elemental abilities, I had the telekinetic vectors. But eh, what could you do? Some people complained about their own powers, but at least they didn't, or couldn't, rip people in half with their vectors, or be murderous because of it. The strain it can cause is enough to make anyone go mad. Crazy mad, not anger made. "Stupid." Kicking a stone with my foot, I paused in my wanderings, tilting my head back to look at the sky. The blue sky with white clouds reflected within my pink colored eyes. And yes, I did say pink colored eyes.

[Dante]

Peru sucked the big one. Not only was it a fucking drug smuggling gig, but the drugs were for mutants. A highly sophisticated strain of cocaine laced with pharmecuticals that cut right to the heart of a mutant and gave them the feeling of invincibility. Hey, we may be stronger, faster, and have different abilities, but we're still mortal. Most of us anyway. No way was I working this gig. I'd taken out the people who'd called me in for the job, stole my payment, and blew up the shipment of drugs. I may be a merc, but I'm not fucking stupid. How long would it take until that drug reached my sister, Astear, or worse, me? It was better off blown to bits, and we would all be better off without it. I'd hopped onto a cruise line and rode partway home before the crew was alerted to an extra passenger. That meant it was time to fly, my way.

I summoned the wind, letting them lift me up and carry me to the mainland. I landed in New York, not a bad place to be. It was also where my sister was currently working, and last I heard Astear and Lucy were in the area too. One thing about being a mutant, it was fairly easy to find others, especially if you were close to them. Lucy's scent drifted to me as I wandered down some nameless street. Without thinking about it, I turned to follow the scent. Soon enough, as I gained ground in a less populated area, I was hit with the scent of blood. I found the corpse, armless, headless, and knew it was Lucy's work. Or rather, the work of her vectors. Seeing as he was now armless, I suspected he tried to cop a feel. "Dipshit." I mumbled before walking away, intent on following Lucy's trail.

I let a small breeze come forth and blow her hair back as I approached from behind her. She'd know it was me, and not just the weather. "Been a while Lucy. See you're still making good on your threats." I smirked as she turned around. "Yeah, I saw the ex back there. Let me guess? He get a little fresh?" I made grabbing motions with one hand, but was well out of her reach. Her reach, not her vectors. But I wasn't a threat to her, she knew that much. Hell I'd only hugged her a few times, and that was when she needed it most. Other than that, I stayed clear of setting her off. Mostly because I needed my arms, or more so my hands. I was attached to them, to say the least. "Uh, you got a little....right there." I started to reach out, but instead pointed just under my own eye, where she had a spot of blood. "Seen my sister lately?" I asked as I looked around. If I wasn't on the move, or working, I got restless awfully quick.

[Lucy]

I stretched my sore limbs, allowing my breathing to become regular and the anger to abate from my system. When I got mad, heads rolled and I'm being literal. Sniffing the air, I stiffened as wind breezed past, bringing with it a scent I knew so well. Pink hair tickled skin as the breeze moved past, even without that scent, I would know it was him. "It has hasn't it?" Turning around, I caught the sight of Dante and smiled softly. "Of course. Some people just need to be taught the lesson of don't take me as a joker." When I said threats, I damn well backed them up. I wasn't some big talker and no action kinda gal. If you could talk the talk and walk the walk, then good. At least back up your words, don't let people walk all over you. Taking another breathe to calm down, I was getting angry again just thinking about those thoughts, so I had to take it easy. I really didn't want to rip Dante into pieces. I liked him being whole.

"After Silas and his dreams of building the perfect race, no one touches me. He deserved it. And I warned him." Shivering at the memory of Silas, I laughed softly at his imitations. When he pointed and spoke, I brought my fingers to my lips, licking before wiping the blood from underneath my eye, sure enough when I pulled back, my fingers were tinged light pink, color of blood. "Thanks." My voice was grateful, sure I liked blood but I didn't want to go around with blood under my eye. "Your sister? Shes probably in a club." Grumbling to myself mostly, we did get along, it was just strained sometimes. Don't ask me why, I don't want to know what goes in her mind. "Speaking of clubs." I whistled, a thing I did when thinking of places. Looking around, my eyes came across the club she normally was in, which hopefully she was there today. I didn't want to look all over the place for Pyretta, no way. I didn't like being bored. "Okay, over there. See that club? She, hopefully, will be there."

With that said and done, I began to trot over, the bouncer glanced my way before looking away, allowing us to slip in. I knew him and helped him out a few times, guy needed to repay me. "Think if I whistle for her, she may come?" Grinning, I didn't try it though. I would probably get fired upon for even thinking that. And I hated being hit with fire. "Go, look for her. I'll be at the bar." Striding through the people, I took a seat, ordered a vodka tonic. I was old enough to drink so the guy didn't even blink as he set my drink up. Good, now we were getting somewhere. I was odd, dressed in minimal clothing, but still, these people knew me. Mainly because I came in either looking for Pyretta or just wanting a good time, away from others. As you could probably guess, I am not much of a people person.

[Pyretta Blaze]

Got to LOVE having days off!
I may be good at my job, but that doesn't mean it's all I do.
Dressing up for a night of clubbing, I make sure I wear a nice, yet revealing dress... the kind that's so form fitting you would swear I used latex.
And my good shoes, not really flats, but definitely not stilettos, comfortable so I can dance as long as I want without having to take them off for sore feet.
When my dark, red Camaro pulls in, I see the club is already hopping, dance music thumping, people all around. My kind of club really. It's no fun unless it's busy enough to get lost in the crowd.
I go up to the bar first, ordering a Vodka and Cranberry, downing the first, as usual, before ordering another, taking that one to walk around with.
I survey the crowd, checking out the dancefloor last, seeing a spot just right for me to join.
I down the drink in my hand, leaving the glass on someone else's table as I step down to the dancefloor, sifting through the bodies on my way to the spot I noticed before.
I manage to get caught up a moment, face to face with some random guy, who tries to dance with me while I'm here.
I don't even pretend to dance back, just smile as I try to move further in, I hear him shout, "You're HOT." and I laugh,

You have NO idea!

Taking his cue to mind, I lift the temperature around me enough to make people move out of my way. They do it unconsciously, of course... nice how subtlety works on the masses.
FINALLY making my way to the spot, I have enough room to breath, and to move, so I lose myself in the music, enjoying the flow as I dance.
I notice a recognizable puff of pink hair, but it doesn't make me leave the dancefloor right away.
Lucy's O.K. for a psychopath. My Bro says she's a friend, so I try my best to get used to her, but she doesn't make it easy.
It doesn't help that I can't approve of the way she's so violent... but that's a whole nother story.
I try my best to see her side of it. I know she's had a rough life... but you know what they say, Violence breeds more of the same, and she should stop the cycle instead of claiming victim to cover up how she seems to just draw that kind of element to her...
I'll buy her a drink, after this next song.

[Dante]

"Fuck Silas." I walked up to stand next to Lucy, now that her anger had ebbed a bit. I stood with my hands on my hips, feet planted at shoulder width. "Well, can't say you didn't warn him. He deserved what he got." Unlike my sister, I wasn't opposed to using violence. "Hey, no problem." I smiled at her as she wiped the blood off her face. "Yeah, should have known. If she's not working, she's working the dancefloor." I smirked as Lucy pinpointed the club in the distance.

We walked in like we owned the joint, and I chuckled at Lucy's quip. "Nice, but if she doesn't know it's you right away, she might light your pants on fire for whistling at her." It had happened before, more than once, in high school. It taught most of the boys around not to go whistling at her, or any other random girl for that matter. Gotta love how she has a way of instilling manners. "Sounds good." Lucy was plenty capable of taking care of herself, so as she headed for the bar, I stood back and scanned the crowd.

Near the center of the dancefloor, the throngs of people started backing away. Away from a familiar red-head. I knew this trick too. She upped the ambient temperature around her, using the heat as a way to get folks to back off unintentionally. Maybe it's because she's my little sister, or maybe I just felt a little snarky, but I had to fuck with her. Pooling a jet of air into my palms I raised both hands and aimed for Pyretta. A gush of wind rushed up her skirt, giving those who were looking at her a quick Marilyn Monroe glimpse. I chuckled to myself as she turned and spotted me. With a wink, I wove through the crowd down to the dance floor and joined her. "Hey little sister. Miss me?" I asked, smiling while I grabbed one of her hands and spun her under my arm.

[Astear]

Standing atop the building, I could see far and wide. The blood that pooled into the asphalt was easily stopped from spreading as I sent a jet of ice towards it, stopping it in its path. Walking calmly across the rooftops, I saw Dante with another girl, they were talking and I didn't like to eavesdrop so I made my way to the other end, crouching down and letting my fingers trail along the rooftops ground. My different colored eyes stared downwards, looking to stop any trouble. One eye was red, the other green because of some accident, I was too little to remember most of it. After a while, when I couldn't hear Dante and the pink haired girl, that was when I stood up, shooting ice from my hands and stepping onto it, spiraling downwards on ice towards the ground. There was nothing happening, which was good, shutting off my power, my feet began moving until I heard screams. Defensive instinct kicked in as I took off, running towards the screamer.

A thug had stolen a womans purse, and a smirk formed upon my lips. "I'll get it." Winking I began moving, putting my hands forward, left over right, sending a blast of ice right towards his feet, making him stumble and fall, letting the purse go as it cluttered away from his reach. Slowing my own pace, I reached him, tapping the ice with one booted foot. "That will teach you to steal from a woman. Now, either apologize, or be fully encased in ice." Normally I wasn't very violent, but some people deserved it. In a way, I shared the same views as Lucy(not that I knew her name, just stories) except I didn't kill everyone I came across. The woman neared us, picking up her purse quickly and clutching it to her chest. "Ma'am, its okay." "It's not. You freak." She emphasized the word freak and my eyes narrowed. "Fine, next time you need help, don't scream." I snapped back, heading away from the thug encased in ice and the woman who wasn't grateful.

Entering the club, I twitched my ears at the music, wanting to order a drink for my hard work, but then again, I didn't. Feeling a disturbance in the club, it didn't take long to pinpoint where it came from, and a true, bigger smile was upon my face. Dante, my best friend since, well forever really. As I walked, the pink haired girl was beside me, her eyes locked in with mine. "We are going to the same guy." Not a question, a statement. "Yea, Dante. You know him." From that all I got was a curt nod, before we were both standing near Dante, and his sister, catching the last of his words. The pink haired girl was lurking back a little, close enough to be part of the group, far enough to not go insane without personal space. That, and she mouthed those words when I gave her a questioning look. Shrugging, I turned back to Dante and his sister. "Everything alright?" I asked before shoving my hands into my pockets, looking at each group member.

[Pyretta Blaze]

Some people come to clubs, and dance, to get noticed. Myself, on the other hand, just do it to enjoy the throb of the crowd, the beat of the music, and the exhilaration of the physical.
Just as I turn into another move, a familiar gust of wind hits my legs, and my hands automatically go down to hold my skirt in place, years of experience telling me my Brother must be back in town.
I look up just in time to catch him winking, asking me if I missed him before spinning me under his arm.
I can't help but grin, moving with him, not skipping a beat,

Dante! of course I missed you!

Of course, Dante isn't much of a dancer, well, unless you give him enough alcohol I imagine, so after the move's finished I come to a stop before him, just in time to see Lucy, and some other guy step up to us.
I give the new guy an appreciative glance, noticing just how easy on the eyes he is.
He asks if everything's alright, and I gotta assume he's a friend of Dante's, or he wouldn't act so familiar.

So Big Brother, who's your friend here?

I have to shout it, the music getting louder, and I noticed the dancers are really closing in. Fearing Lucy going berserk over the lack of personal space issue, I start to motion them all off the dancefloor, over to a booth toward the back, where the music wasn't so loud, and the space was much more accommodating.
Taking a seat, I smile at a barmaid, and order another drink, motioning to the others to do the same,

First rounds on me guys, any friend of Dante's is a friend of mine.

[Lucy]

Since I had finished my drink, I wandered with a guy, speaking only a few words before he spoke, and giving him a curt nod, I stand back away from them, yet close enough so I could still participate in any conversations. "Yes, you didn't mention your name." I twisted my body so the guy was in plain view, ignoring everything else except for those that were around me. The new guy, Dante, and Pyretta. "The name is Astear." He dipped his head and I fought back a laugh. What a gentleman. Yet, something was hidden within his eyes, ducking my head slightly I looked at him, as he looked back at me. "Something happen to you?" I asked, not really caring, it just seemed like the right thing to say. Then again, I kinda should have let someone else say it, not someone like me. Eh, whatever, it was said and done so I couldn't really take my words back now. Folding my arms across my chest, I breathed out a puff of air, waiting for the others.

Following silently towards the booth as Pyretta motions, I guess she knew about my freak outs when people get close to me, smart of her, "warning you now, you touch, you lose a limb." Before Astear could say or do anything, I powered ahead, taking a seat across from Pyretta while Astear stood, waiting for Dante. "Look, is there any point to this?" I didn't know really where I was going with this, but I was bored. And boredom never suited well with me. Though glancing over at Dante, my breathe managed to catch in my throat, the light in the dance floor hit him in a way that, well, I didn't want to risk ruining our friendship so I stopped the thoughts right there. A few other girls tried fawning over him, earning a growl from me. "Sluts." I sneered, ready to tear them into pieces if they ever tried anything on Dante. Yes, I was protective over him, he was the only guy I would trust being so damn close to me. Leaning back, I half closed my eyes.

[Dante]

"Hey, Astear! Good to see you!" I clapped him on the back. Before I could introduce him to my sister, and judging by her look, she was all too curious, he took the liberty of introducing himself. Apparently, though he and Lucy weren't aquianted, she'd walked over with him without knowing his name. I smiled at her, the cute little (deadly, I might add), thing that she is. I slipped an arm over Pyretta's shoulders as she lead us to a booth near the back. I stood while the ladies slid in, smirking to myself as I heard Lucy warn Astear about touching her. Being the gentleman that he was, her warning wasn't needed, but it's best to be safe.

I motioned for Astear to sit next to my sister, smiling casually at the barflies who vied for my attention. Lucy's comment under her breath ripped a burst of laughter from me as I slipped into the booth beside her, flinging my arm up to rest along the top of the booth behind her. Close, but not quite touching Lucy. She knew that I wouldn't take any liberties without her permission. Like I said before, I liked keeping my limbs intact. I used them, not only to focus my powers, but what good would swordplay do me without arms? Better yet, try firing a modified shotgun without limbs. I'd have to get creative, to say the least.

I ordered a jack & coke from the barmaid, and turned my attention back to my 2 closest friends, and my sister. "No point Lucy, I just got back in town is all. Wanted to see my sister. Got a bonus in that I see my best girl and my best mate all in one go." If only. If only Lucy was my girl, instead of just a friend. With her temperment, believe it or not, worse than my red-haired sister, I had no clue how to go about asking her out on an actual date. If I approached it wrong, I'd be one dead merc. As everyone ordered their drinks I stopped the barmaid with a gentle hand on her arm. "A some wings. Honey bbq."

I stretched my arms up and back, then flopped them back down, one at my side, the other behind Lucy. "So what's new around here? I gotta tell you, Peru sucked the big one. That's the last time I'm going on a job without having all the details first." I shrugged. "Money talks, but the chinks are always in the fine print." Our drinks arrived, and the waitress told us that it would be a few more minutes for the wings. I lifted my glass in a toast. "To friends, old & new." I never thought I'd see the day when we were all in the same room, let alone at the same table. At least, without some scientist monkeys poking at us.

[Astear]

"Course its good to see you too mate!" Clapping Dante on the back, we began making our way back to the booth where Pyretta had sat down. Lucy was next, her words of touching her and losing a limb, I raised my hands. "Not gonna happen, ever, promise. And Dante knows I keep my promises." I liked my limbs and having them gone wouldn't be the same. "As for the something happened? Yea, saved someone who didn't exactly deserve it." A shrug of my shoulders at the end, as if it didn't bother me, there were people like that in the world, so that was okay. But it was calling me a freak that was what got me upset. I didn't know why, but it really bothered me. Maybe it was because I wasn't used to it, yea, that was it. Probably. Hopefully.

"I think we should do this more often. You know, get together." It was nice to catch up with my best mate, and meeting his sister and other best friend was, interesting to say the least. "Hmmm, straight vodka thanks." Taking a seat, finally, next to Pyretta since Dante did motion me to, I began to relax a little, feeling the strain and tension leave my body. "Can't forget food." I laughed at that, shaking my head slightly at passed memories. Food was definitely good if you didn't want to get drunk off your ass too quickly. Trust me on that, having food in you before you drink is a good idea. Unless you get too drunk and, erh, lets just forget I even thought of that.

"Man, I hate those." I sympathized with Dante, "me? I've been hanging out, more or less." I took to the rooftops to watch over others in case trouble broke out. Sometimes the police couldn't make it fast enough to get to where the trouble was, and things happened that should be able to be prevented. "I'll toast to that." I grinned, lifting up the glass, high above our heads. "Definitely to old friends and new." From the corner of me eye, I saw Lucy as well, not using her hands but the glass was still above us. Note to self, whatever she was using, I hoped to hell I didn't make her mad.

[Pyretta Blaze]

Everyone sits, my bro and his buddy to the sides, Lucy in front of me.
It's nice actually, to get to sit with a few people to just hang out.
I hang out with my bro whenever I can, but in my line of work, I don't take the time to really make real friends.
Hearing Lucy call the girls checking my brother out Sluts cracks me up. I love my bro to death, but I'm not possessive, I also know he needs all the help he can get watching his back. And Gods help whoever goes for his back if Lucy's the one on the job!
Everyone orders, even adding wings to the deal.
I figure I'm the only one with an actual 9-5 type job and a steady flow of income, and I really don't mind if we run up the tab, all in good fun, it would be worth it.
I don't get much time to actually spend the money I make as it is, and I can think of no better way to do it.
Lucy looking bored really freaks me out some. I don't want a scene here... but how do you keep someone like her occupied for any amount of time? I don't really know her well enough to tell.
Dante asks what's been going on, and I have to shrug and smirk,

You know me Bro, anything I'm up to is classified.
Though, between us, I have to say, there are a TON more New Mutants popping out of the wood work everyday! It's amazing.
But, Other than the regular grind stone, and dancing it up in joints like this, there hasn't been a whole lot going on for me.
Oh, well, I did get myself a souped up ride, you'll have to check it out when we leave!


The drinks show up, and Dante starts a toast, and I join in with a happy enthusiasm,

To friends, old and new!

I gulp half the mixed drink in one drought, hoping the barmaid's handy enough to bring us rounds in time.
After the toast, there's a small moment of uneasiness, at least for me... unfamiliar group and all... I doubt we all know how to interact.
Dante's lucky, he's the one tie we all have and know here, and he's always so layed back when not 'working', seems as cool as a cucumber.
Running ideas for conversation through my mind, I find my eyes lingering on Astear, and have to look away before it becomes embarrassing.
I give Lucy a curios look instead,

So, if just sitting around bores you, what DO you do to keep occupied? Anything that's not illegal?

For once, I'm not trying to patronize her, I really am curios.

[Lucy]

Hearing the burst of laughter from Dante made my head twist around, a curving smile began to play along my features. "Well, they are." If one came and tried getting his attention, I swear she will be in pain. Sometimes I was too protective over Dante, but really, there were other things lingering, more so than friendship. He was the only guy I ever truly trusted and truly cared for in a way more than friendship. I wanted more, but how could I say that to him? There was no way in hell I was planning on saying a thing, least it ruin our friendship we had now. Half ignoring Astear who was speaking, I stared at Dante's arm that was behind me, close enough so it didn't freak me out, spying a small bit of dust which I carefully picked up, flicking it away from us. A small shrug and I was back into paying actual attention to the group.

"Well screw her than. Someone like that should be thankful for the intervene. Stupid fuck." Leaning back, I ordered another vodka tonic and smirked as Dante put in an order for wings. Truth be told, I was a little hungry. "Classified? What are you a spy for the C.I.A or something?" I asked, curious, but then, it was classified so she may not say. "Nevermind. It's classified right?" The drinks arrived, I took mine and took a large gulp, feeling the liquid burn down my throat. "Peru huh? Is it really as nice as they say?" I mused, leaning half forwards so I could toast as well. "Ditto here." Now, normally I wasn't too talky with others, but this group, it felt safe, familiar like I'd been here before. Perhaps in a past life. Maybe. Eh, I didn't need to keep thinking on it.

Hearing Pyretta's question, I turned my stare onto her, noting that she wasn't trying to be mean, she was just curious. "Hey, I like doing stuff. I'd done enough sitting around and doing jack shit with Silas thank you, so anything not involving them makes me happy." Being chained to a wall while your poked and prodded with needles, showing off your vector power, it wasn't that great. It was awful. "I wander, I half fly, I write and draw, surprised?" I arched my eye. "Look, anything that does keep me occupied, like now for instance, its all good and I won't resort to crude violence. Though if I am touched, I will warn you in case theres bloodshed." Half glancing at Dante, I point at him with my glass. "Hes the only one that can stop me." Nothing but the truth that was.

[Dante]

I smirked in Astear's direction. "See, that's why I only do paying gigs. A thanks doesn't pay the bills. And being unappreciated is just not my style." Not that I wouldn't help someone in need if I felt like it, I just didn't make a habit out of it. I may have super mutant powers, but I ain't Superman. I only look out for number one. I don't have to worry one lick about my sister, she's got balls as big as mine, and her's are on fire. That's no joke. I waved a hand as if to say that Pyretta was full of crap. "Yeah, yeah classified. When are you gonna let those GSA goons do their own work? You're better than that Pyretta, you know it, and I know it." I never could pass up a chance to rag on the organization. "Hey, I won't complain about the tab. As far as I'm concerned, all the needle poking and tests Genomex ran on us, they owe me more than a few drinks and some wings." I chuckled.

I nodded to her, definitely planning on checking out her new rig before the night was up, maybe having her take me on a nice little cruise just to see how it handled. When she turned the conversation to Lucy, my eyebrows rose. Oh, this was about to get interesting. I never really understood why Lucy and Pyretta didn't get along better. Must be a woman thing. I leaned a bit closer to Lucy, still careful not to touch her. "My darling sister here works for the GSA, also known as The Genetic Security Agency. Just about everything they do is classified. It's like the mutant version of the CIA. They work with the capture, excuse me, rescue and integration of New Mutants." Or so they say. I didn't buy it, but I had yet to see otherwise. And I didn't care to go looking. Pyretta did a good enough job for them that they left me alone, and that was fine by me. I sipped my drink before saying more about the GSA than would be good for my health. Luckily, I hadn't let anything out of the bag that they couldn't have found on by googling it.

I looked at Lucy and smiled. "Peru, yeah. It might be nice, I wouldn't know. Didn't have much time to look around and enjoy the scenery, if you know what I mean. Found out partway through the deal that I'd be running drugs back into the US. Some kinda of suped up cocaine that worked on mutants. The last thing we need is junkie mutants. I may be a merc, but I'm a reputable one, dammit. I roasted the entire shipment, shot the assholes who hired me, and still got paid." I pulled a massive roll of bills from my pocket. "So I took the money from their pockets, but I wasn't leaving without my due." I grinned, stuffing the money back in my pocket and adjusting my red leather duster. I looked back at Lucy, giving her a wink. "Maybe someday we'll go back, just me and you." Hell, at least with her along, it'd be a lot more fun. She's unpredictable, and I like that.

The wings came and I dove into them while Lucy answered Pyretta. So far, so good. No flying fireballs or vectors ripping people up yet, and that was a good thing. I dropped my wing and held both hands up. "Hey now, I don't know about that Luc. One of these days, you might well rip me in half when I try to calm you down." Another reason why I'd never asked her out. How do you approach a girl that could tear your head from your body without moving a muscle? Shit, one wrong move, one wrong word and I was a goner. I wiped the bbq sauce on a napkin and laid my hand on the table by Lucy. It was my offer to take her hand, leaving the choice up to her. If she would allow me to touch her, she'd put her hand in mine, if not, no harm, no foul. I played by her rules, just to stay alive. That, and I liked danger, so my attraction to her was a given. "I have my ways though. It's always worked with Sis." I winked at Pyretta before turning back to Lucy.