[b]Cordelia "Susanna Blue" Murphy
Fairbank[/b]

“Well then guess I’m not just wandering around aimlessly. Maybe I’m here to meet you or maybe I’m here to murder your bosses. Take ‘yer pick.” The mysterious stranger whispered, before musing that he didn't deserve a queen and that freedom wasn't all that - while taking Cordelia's hand and leaning in closer to her. She looked directly at him, as his nose almost touched hers, surprised. She got the feeling that the guy was the distant type, so why was he suddenly making moves on her now? Perhaps he was just like the others, but Cordelia did not want to think that way anymore, not when she just saw things that said otherwise about him. Murder her bosses? Meet her? Exactly what were his motives? These thoughts raced through Cordelia's mind at that moment.

“Queen of Hearts, hu? Never met a romantic woman but she sure as hell sounds like one. So tell me, Miss Cordelia just how romantic is this fabled Queen of Hearts?” He then asked, his intense eyes never leaving hers. Cordelia nearly snickered, but controlled herself. It appeared that this stranger was a closet romantic after all. Her eyes couldn't hide their smile, however. More than ever, she felt like this was her chance.

"Likely the most beautiful of the four Queens. She isn't one to hide her emotions, lad. Water can be gentle, like a calm lake, and clear too. She could see right through yer heart, and what ya feel. She won't mess around, and she'll love ya for who ya are. But water can also be rough like a stormy sea, and hard as ice. One must never, ever think that the Queen of Hearts cannot become this way once she's broken and betrayed. Her love runs deep, that's for sure," She said, tapping a finger on the card. "Trust me fella, girls...usually are a combination of two or three Queens. All I can tell you is...I ain't got Diamonds, somebody told me once upon a Boston winter. As for the price of freedom...I'd sell me soul to the Devil if I had to. You really think I can't handle such a thing?" She asserted, emphasizing each word of her last two sentences, showing that she wasn't at all kidding.

“Name’s Colt, Colt Jackson although you might hear people refer to me by lots of different names depending on the region just comes with the territory of being a wanderer. You don’t really belong anywhere so you don’t really have a name…and yes, it gets lonesome.” The man, Colt, finally gave his name, as well as admitted that Cordelia was at least half right with her suspicions. She could tell that much from the way he looked after all. 

“I can offer you that freedom you seem to want…but I must ask for something in return. That light at the end of the tunnel. Promise me you’ll help me search.” He continued, proposing that he could somehow get her out of the hell she was living in. Cordelia's heart nearly stopped. It sounded too good to be true. Even though she saw that she wasn't like other guys, her pessimistic side was telling her that there had to be a catch. The way he spoke however, and her own optimism, made her want to believe him. If there really was a light at the end of the tunnel, she had to move towards it, and not just stay where she was. Any chance was better than no chance, and she was going to move towards that end, and having someone along the way wasn't going to hurt, especially if the things Starr and Martin said were all true.

"Listen to me, there always is that light, no matter what. Ya better reach for it. I'll go wherever, if it helps us find it!" She whispered determinedly. Two years did not break her spirit and sense of adventure, and she still longed to be outside, facing the unknown but free, rather than stay with the monsters she knew. Maybe the Death card wasn't only referring to Colt, but also to herself - a new beginning. 

“Miss Cordelia, don’t suppose there’s somewhere private where we can be a little loud? Don’t like the way that big, ugly fella’ over there is looking at us. The kitchen, perhaps?” He lowered his voice even more, referring to the pale, burly man standing at the corner not so far away, eyeing the two of them. Cordelia quickly looked to her side, then back again.

"'Tis Mario. I don't know what the hell's with him, but that eejit can't seem to mind his own business. Now, the kitchen, for god knows what reason, is kinda off-limits to everyone, 'cept for the cook, the guards, Sophia, and Starr and Martin. Only been there once, and got it bad from Martin. Makes me think that something's in there, lad. We're in luck...too many drunken morons to attend to." She confided with him as she slid herself off the counter and beckoned for him to follow. She saw the cook walking up the stairs carrying two covered plates. Colt and Cordelia were lucky, very lucky at that moment. The redhead pointed towards the wooden swinging doors that led to the kitchen, and signalled for Dante to make a run for it before anyone noticed. She followed, dashing through the doors.

The kitchen was cleaner than the bar was, and a lot more private as well. Cordelia looked towards Colt, nodding as she saw that the coast seemed clear. "Now, why exactly did you come here? Are you...hiding? On the lam? Not that it would stop me from going with you, my mind's set, Desperado." She asked, assuring that she wasn't even thinking of changing her mind. Suddenly, a new voice from behind Cordelia asked an accusing question.

"What the hell are you doing here, [i]cagna[/i]? Boy, Wyatt and Alexander are sure going to enjoy this!" Sophia smirked as she emerged. As if things couldn't get any worse, heavy footsteps neared the wooden doors, and after a few moments, Mario lumbered through, his facial expression cocky, as if he knew what they were up to.

"This is dumb! Tell me, what the hell is wrong with going inside a damn [i]kitchen[/i] anyway?" Cordelia snarled as she swept the roses decorating her hair. She had had enough of this treatment, and she was not going to sit there and allow it. Hell, even a stranger treated her better than this! She cracked her knuckles, getting ready to handle the bitch. Walking up to her, deliberately allowing her high heels to knock loudly on the floor, she grabbed the older woman by the front of her red silk dress.

"Sophia, I'm through with all this, and I'm [i]fucking through with you[/i]!" She snarled, before punching Sophia on her left eye, then following it with one on her nose.