Looking down from an apartment in the city she could see the hustle of the people. Everyone scurrying one way or another, passing by wothout a thought. These people were oblivious to the world she lived in. In her world people made their way by taking what you need to survive because no one would think twice about passing you by. You had to take care of yourself or you'd end up in some ditch behind a bar. That didn't mean that you couldn't enjoy life however, especially if it was at some one else's expense. Tonight was one of those nights where she'd be cutting lose on someone else's dime. 

Rezzo, a local dealer whose apartment she happened to be in, was talking about hitting a party at St. Elizabeth. It was an old abandoned hospital that was converted into a rave spot a few weeks ago. It was a good opportunity to score some free booze and maybe a few wallets. Mika had been running low on cash of late anyway and stealing a drunk guy's wallet was easier than getting him out of his pants. Rezzo kept bragging to his friends about how much tail he would get at the party so Mika let herself out. It was already getting close to party time so she started to make her way back to her old man's gym to change into something with more pockets. 

It used to be that they had an apartment in a decent part of the city but that went bottoms up when the old man couldn't pay his loans and now they had loanshark goons making weekly visits. Speaking of which, just as she walked in the door of 'The Iron Pit' she saw that the local 'tax collectors' had come for their weekly appointment. Mika did her best to ignore them. 

[b]Frank Harding: "I told your boss he'll get his money alright? I just ain't got it yet."[/b]

[b]LoanShark Goon: "Yeah we heard that story plenty o' times Frank. Listen, the boss don't like waitin' on washed up schmucks like you to pony up but you're in luck 'cause he's in a good mood lately. So you got until the end o' the month or the Boss might not be in such a good mood later."[/b]

Mika passed them by and headed for the stairs leading up to their bedroom, well it was technically an office but she and her dad had been living at the gym since they lost their apartment. She could hear them still talking as she made her way up. 

[b]Loanshark Goon: "That's you're daughter right? Cute girl. You know, Frank, if you ain't got no money we may be conviced to accept an [i]alternative[/i] method o' payment."[/b]

[b]Frank Harding: "You watch your mouth. I'll get your damn money, now kindly get the fuck outta my gym."[/b]

[b]Loanshark Goon: "All we're saying is you got options Frank. See ya 'round."[/b]

It was the same conversation as last time. Mika wasn't too bothered about it. At the end of the day loansharks needed people like her old man to keep making payments since loansharks never actually made any money themselves, relying on muscle and intimidation to keep the money flowing. Everybody knows that you don't slaughter your milking cow for a few prime cuts. The goons would show up, make some noise, and piss off. Every now and then they might slash a punching bag or bust up a locker but in the end they needed her old man a lot more than he needed them. It was too bad for her old man that he was too blinded with fear to realize it. 

Mika used to be afraid as well, admittedly. That is, until she discovered her power. She had something that no one else had. Mika could control fire. It was raw power manifested in reality. All she had to do was think it and flames would appear. She could even become the flames. She'd spent many nights practicing in abandoned buildings honing her skills. Her flames gave her a confidence that she otherwise wouldn't have had. 

Snapping back out of her thoughts she started perusing her wardrobe. Despite living in poverty Mika had more clothes than she knew what to do with and she always had an outfit for any occasion. After sifting through her entire wardrobe several times she finally settled on a grey and black striped T-shirt with a matching sleeve on her right arm, a black sleeve on her left arm, black trousers with big cargo pockets and plenty of straps down the legs, a studded leather belt, and a sleeveless black leather jacket. Having finally decided on her outfit she moved on to her make-up, going with a smoky grey theme, and putting her hair up in two high ponytails. About an hour had passed and Mika was ready to free drunks and addicts of their dilema of what to do with all their money. Just as she's leaving her old man speaks up. 

[b]Frank Harding: "You going somewhere?"[/b]

[b]Mika Harding: "Rave."[/b]

[b]Frank Harding: "Don't get caught stealin' again!"[/b]

Mika rushed out of the gym as fast as her platform boots would allow. She was at the party in no time. The DJ was doing a good job of pretending to be skrillex's more talented twin and the music was intense. There were already plenty of people at the party depite the fact that Mika had shown up early. Finally, it was time to work her magic and make some money. She moved around the crowd, slipping her hands in pockets whenever the opportunity presented itself. One mark even thought he was being hit on and didn't even realize that his wallet had dissapeared. Mika emptied a few wallets and nonchalantly left them on the dance floor for others to find. Any good samaritans would have the fun of explaining the missing cash to the person they returned it to. All in all the night was going smoothly and if it kept going that way Mika was going to come home with plenty of pocket money.