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After ordering an old cuban, Brianna had taken a seat in one of the few unoccupied booths, where she could see most of the room but also remain reasonably hidden. It was busier than she'd expected in here so it was going to be difficult to keep track of the others. She was lifting up her drink to take a sip when suddenly she felt a pair of hands clamp down on her shoulders. Startled, Brie only just managed to not spill her drink as she turned to see what asshole had come over to annoy her. [color=00aeef]"I'm not interes-..."[/color] She trailed off as she saw who it was, her eyes widening at the skinny, although significantly less raggedy than she remembered, guy. [color=00aeef]"Lucas!? What're you doing here? Didn't think that club 21 was your scene...always pegged you as more of a back alley bar type..."[/color] 

"I should ask the same about you B-..." Before he could say her name, Brie had clamped her hand over his mouth, shaking her head at him. She didn't want her real name to be tossed around here of all places, especially if Guglianos men might be hanging around. Brie was considering what to say to him, when she abruptly moved her hand away, pulling a face of disgust. [color=00aeef]"Did you just lick my hand?"[/color] She frowned as she picked up a napkin. [color=00aeef]"You're so gross..."[/color]

Lucas just shrugged, a playful look in his dark eyes, seemingly unperturbed by her strange behaviour. "Anyway where you been B? Everyone's been lookin' for you! Thought you were dead or summin."

[color=00aeef]"Just laying low."[/color] She repeated the same lie as earlier. [color=00aeef]"Thought I'd keep out of Brookside for a few months, wait till things had settled down."[/color]

Lucas picked up his beer, slamming his free hand down on the table as he began to laugh. "What!? As if you left! Everyone knows the rest of Castleburg is just full of uptight assholes. I went to New Athens once and nearly got arrested for dropping a damn cigarette on the ground." 

Smiling back, she shrugged her shoulders lightly. His expression was lighthearted and casual but she knew better than to trust any of her old friends in Brookside with the truth. [color=00aeef]"Eh, it's not that bad. And it's not exactly like I've been partying it up in Kingsdale."[/color] Taking another sip of her old cuban; it really was a great drink, she took a momentary glance around the room, trying to find the others. [color=00aeef]"So, you stolen anything good recently?"[/color] She grinned as she turned back to him. Lucas didn't have any superpowers but he could pretty much break into anything, and steal anything from anyone. It really was impressive.

"Oh, you gotta hear about this one!" Lucas began, a wide and infectious smile spreading across his face. "So this [i]weird[/i] ass recluse in Watervale puts an alert out right...saying that he wants a shark. A goddamn shark B! Like one of those killer ones...the great white, that's it!" He took a sip from his beer, before continuing on eagerly. "And the only place I knew where to get a shark was the aquarium, obviously...so I damn well went and got him one didn't I! Nearly got an arm and a leg bit off for my effort, but he paid me a shitton, so I figured it was worth it!"

[color=00aeef]"But...how did you do it?"[/color] Brie questioned, looking extremely puzzled as she tried to figure it out. She'd never been able to guess how he'd done it either. Part of her wondered if he really did have a power but was just hiding it for some reason.

"Now, you know a good criminal never reveals his secrets!" He grinned as he looked around the room, his eyes focusing on the mens bathroom as a couple of others began to make their way through the door. "Anyway, I gotta go! I've already lost half of my money on this damn game but I'm hoping I can win it back..." Brie was about to open her mouth to question him about how he'd gotten into the poker game when she saw Patricia heading over, looking pretty pissed off.

[color=00aeef]"Sure, nice catching up with you!"[/color] She quickly replied as she walked back to the bar, taking a seat next to Tom. Listening to what Patricia said, she nodded slowly. It hadn't exactly been her plan... Brie had hoped that they'd be able to get some intel on what the Guglianos were up to during the poker game; from her experience drunk, gambling men were often quick to spill their guts. Shrugging her shoulders, she quickly finished off the rest of her drink.

[color=00aeef]"Well, just don't sleep with him. I'm sure he's had plenty of experience being rejected by women. And worst comes to worst, use your powers!"[/color] Placing her glass back down on the table, she tucked a 10 dollar bill under it. [color=00aeef]"I guess me and Tom can take the car closer to Watervale then, and wait till we hear from you. Although I do wonder why he would invite a random girl to one of their meetings...seems a bit odd."[/color] She muttered quietly as she smiled at the bartender, shaking her head to let him know that she didn't need the change. [color=00aeef]"Well...just be careful!"[/color] This whole thing set off alarm bells but Brie wasn't one to dwell on such thoughts and quickly pushed it aside. After all, what was the worst that could happen?

[@canaryrose] [@amethyst] [@kaijubaragon]