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“I take offense to that, Cat. I’ll have you know that all my goods I’ve acquired today were legitimately obtained,” Angelli said, taking a bite from one of her “legitimately obtained” chips.

“Also, I didn’t know your store had a mascot,” she added, meeting the dirty stares of Julie through the windowpane. “What’s your new slogan? ‘Welcome to SuperLife, home of the smoking cow?’ I gotta say, it’s not a good look for business if she’s just going to be mean-mugging customers when they pull up. Tell her if she’s got something to say to me, she can say it to my face.” She sighed and patted the saddlebag holding the microwave. “Good thing we can finally replace that piece o’ shit back at the apartment after the ‘incident-we-will-never-speak-of.’”

The “piece o’ shit” in question was a story all its own, told by the various scorch marks permanently imprinted in the kitchen. Though they had guests over who would ask, the two never explained the origin of the marks. Having nicer things never hurt. Angelli switched on her ignition, while the thought still lingered. “While we’re on the topic,” she continued. “I’m gonna head down to the Galleria. Mama’s got some actual shopping to do—feel free to meet me there. By the way, I fed Zeke and put him back in his cage earlier, so you don’t have to worry about him.”

Angie stopped herself from taking off, the red sunset over Lucetius Peak causing her to pause. The rare moments she chose in silence spoke louder than those she didn’t. Like a fleeting whirlwind chasing cheap thrills, she spent her days loading up on adrenaline and owning the roads, never slowing down. She sat in place, a breeze briefly gusting through her hair before her mind snapped to reality. “On second thought, Cat,” she said. “I think I’m gonna make a quick detour.” Angelli released her kickstand and roared off.

With that, she was gone again.[hr][center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/588497364382253189/973050509562875924/Circle_Cherry.png[/img][/center][center][sub][@Sniblet][/sub][/center][hr]
“Morning?” the figure repeated, glancing around. “For me, it’s hard to tell. Don’t own a watch, y’know. Can’t even hold one. Last I looked at a clock was the old tower we passed… and that one’s only right twice a day.”

He fixed his gaze back onto Cherry and paced around her as if he was sizing her up. In return, she kept her eyes locked onto him. The figure decided to amuse himself further. “You look a little nervous there. I get it, I am pretty gorgeous after all. Or maybe… you’re thinking about hitting me. That scowl you got says it all. Won’t do you any good, I’m afraid. Trust me, I’ve tried. If it makes you feel better, you’re more than welcome to do it anyway. Go on, I won’t get hurt physically nor emotionally. I pass through everything except solid ground.”

The figure squat down, leaving himself open to whatever would happen. “Enough about me,” he went on. “Why don’t we talk about you? You’re the only person that’s ever been able to see me since I got like this, and I’d hate to squander the moment. Odds are I’ve completely gone off the deep end and you’re just a figment of my decaying psyche, or you’re real and this is no mere coincidence. I won’t rule out the former, but for now, I think I’ll take my chances. So just who are you? What makes you so different that you can see me?”

A beat. Seconds passed like there was rot in the air.

“Oh, how rude of me,” he said. “Poor manners to ask about you when I haven’t even given a proper introduction, right? Wish I had a name to give you, but I’m afraid I can’t remember anything before my… ascension. Gazed a bit too long into the abyss, you see. In fact, I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Why don’t you just call me… John. John Doe. I’ve been wandering around this city for God knows how long without anyone to talk to. That is, until now.” John Doe, as he called himself, stood up and took a step forward.

“Now this is the part where you tell me about you.”[hr][center][img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/588497364382253189/976666609051643994/Circle_Isaac.png[/img][/center][center][sub][@Guppy Franz][/sub][/center][center][hr][h3][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g102FVPFKI]♫[/url][/h3][/center]
Lights. Music. Drinks.

The Heritage never failed to keep the three coming. Despite sitting in the middle of Carme, anyone could feel like a Chaldene high roller for a night without breaking the bank. Several patrons lined the barstools with undone ties and loosened collars, losing themselves in the intoxicating air of the nightclub. Others made fools of themselves on the dance floor, moving to the beats blasted by the DJ. The bartender left her nest of beer taps and liquor display shelves to Isaac’s booth and set down a plate of the club’s famous steak burger and a new mug.

“Star says this one’s on the house,” she said, her soft voice rendered almost inaudible by the music. “She wants to talk to you.”  The bartender was an odd sort, sporting albino hair and a personality a little too reserved for someone in her profession. The nametag on her lapel read “Aurora.” Aurora noticed Isaac clutching his ribs and picked up the serving tray with the empty mug.

“I’ll go get an ice pack.”

Moments later, a different woman approached the booth, dressed in a track jacket with her chestnut ponytail peeking out of her snapback. The hat’s bill hid her eyes, but everyone in The Heritage recognized the owner. It was common knowledge that she only let those she liked call her "Star"—to everyone else she was just “the owner.” Isaac was one of the lucky few. Those she passed avoided meeting her gaze directly, as to meet her gaze was to risk her displeasure. And nobody wanted to risk her displeasure.

“Hey Otto, take a hike for a bit,” she said, her voice exuding authority. “I need to have a little chat with your homeboy over here.” With Otto shooed away, Star sat opposite Isaac. “So,” she went on. “How’d you get from cleaning my tables to spilling blood on them? This isn’t what I imagined when you said you were quitting for better pastures. You should know better by now, Isaac, if you’re gonna bring your work here, you either take it off the premises or you give me my cut.” Star eyed the ashtray and the colony of cigarettes accrued there. “Between your new bosses and your smoking habits, you’ll lose your good looks a hell of a lot sooner than you’d think.”

Star rested her hand on her chin and gave Isaac’s injuries a once over. She didn’t have more than a few years on him, but it didn’t stop her from treating him like a kid. Aurora returned, setting an ice pack and bandages on the table, only for Star to grab them before Isaac could. “I want you to hold onto that pain you’re feeling for a minute. Really stew on it for a while and think about what you’re doing. Remember that pain.”

Once she was satisfied, Star slid the ice pack and supplies to Isaac.