[center]Ali's palm loosened around the object concealed within her coat pocket as the man's shoulders tensed in front of her. Perhaps he was no threat, but Ali wouldn't risk her odds. Her blue eyes thinned into slits, and she raised one eyebrow at his accusatory tone. Ali began to open her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by another woman. The woman introduced herself forthrightly as Kimberly and seemed to have appeared out of thin air. Alison took a step backwards towards the door, carefully positioning her foot in a toe to heel fashion to eliminate any alert to her departure. She couldn't help the feelings of uneasiness coursing rapidly through her small body. [i]Maybe it was a mistake to come here unaccompanied and unannounced. Maybe I should have waited for the Profe...[/i] 

Alison's thoughts were abruptly cut off by the scream of the old door's hinges. She whipped her head around, her curls now cascading down one shoulder, and tensed every muscle in her body. Her hands were now balled into fists at her side and her heart beat quickly within her chest. A gust of cold wind caused her eyes to water, and she blinked away the tears in an effort to refocus. She watched as two newcomers sauntered into the scene, one seemingly following the other as a lost puppy does. 

Ali couldn't help but drop her jaw a little while examining the new male specimen. He definitely stood out like a sore thumb among the rest of them. For one, he was noticeably older. The deep creases above his brow made the rest of his facial features more menacing as well. His gruff movements and tone spoke well enough for his apparent character. Ali instinctively moved closer to the other man and Kimberly in front of her. She was smart enough to realize the strength in numbers. Then Ali noticed the oriental woman behind the bulky brute. She seemed complete opposite of her counterpart. Small in stature and seemingly quiet, as well as obedient. She trailed the large figure closely and didn't seem startled at all by his brashness.

Ali watched the end of his cigar alight the dark room and crumpled her nose. Although she had performed in many gentleman's clubs, she still could not stand the smell of smoke. She had it set in her mind to walk forward and take it from the man's mouth, but he took on a hostile posture and narrowed his eyes at the group of three suspiciously. At the same time the blades appeared from his knuckles, Ali inhaled audibly. Her eyes fixated on the killer weapons, gazing upon them in a horrified awe, and her pulse froze momentarily. Her eyes slowly scanned upward to his own as he addressed them. 

Ali cocked her head to one side and crooked her lips into a curious smile. The shock fading from her demeanor now, she boldly stepped forward. 

"We're acquainted, but I'm afraid I've never had the distinct pleasure of meeting you."

Sarcasm dripped playfully from her tongue, and she turned to look at the others. Her dazzling smile now shone brightly, even in the dimly lit room. She crossed her arms snugly against her chest and leaned back casually on her heels.[/center]