[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/588497364382253189/973050494442409994/Circle_Cat.png[/img][/center][center][sub][@Zerflah][/sub][/center][hr]Angelli sipped her drink until the straw rattled from the last drops, watching intently at what Cat was showing her. More importantly, she was watching Cat. “That’s not what I meant,” Angie said, her eyes moving away from the phone and to Cat. “There’s a difference between loving yourself and falling in love with yourself, it’s not that deep. ’Course, if you really wanna blow up, then consider incorporating a pole into your act.”

A beat.

“Ha ha, sorry. Couldn’t help but read off one of the comments,” Angie went on. “Seriously though, I don’t see the big deal about giving a shit what others think about you. Here you are saying you love yourself and yet you’re trying to be someone else. Is being popular that big a deal?” She looked off to the side as she took a bite of her pizza. “High school was ages ago. Guess some people stay addicted to the attention.”

True, yet poignant. She hated lingering on being a downer, so Angelli reached into her jacket pocket. “While we’re doing show-and-tell,” she said, placing her phone on the table and bringing up a list of emails. “I ever tell you what I did before I became a Valk? Bunch of shitty office jobs. I tried being the person everyone wanted me to be. The person they expected me to be.” She flipped through the emails one by one through her cracked screen, a smile forming on her face. “You know what these are? Termination letters. I collected them like trophies. I thought I had it all figured out a couple of years ago. ‘Be professional, work hard.’ It’s what I was told to get ahead in life. My bosses would make your manager look like a damn saint if you ever met them. Look at this one, it’s my favorite. I’ve got it memorized word for word.”

Angie cleared her throat and put on her best snob voice. “Dear Miss Angelli Moreno, we regret to inform you that your employment at Stevens & Stephens Acquisitions ends as of the date of this email. The reasons for your termination are listed below. As of the end of the quarter, you have failed to meet your productivity quota by a staggering four percent. A client contacted higher management when you refused to volunteer extra hours onto their project, in which you cited that you were not authorized to distribute that time. If you referred to the employee manual section 87A, you would know that you are not authorized to disclose to clients what you are authorized to do within your position. Your attendance has also been unsatisfactory, as you have only arrived every day on time while ignoring the company half-hour early guideline. Lastly, the other employees in your department have submitted reports of unsavory behavior. Referring to Assistant Supervisor Daniels as a ‘limp-dicked cocksucker’ is beyond unprofessional and unacceptable. If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact our Human Resources Manager.”

She was proud of herself, without a shadow of a doubt. Her grin broadened as she reached the bottom of the list and shut her phone off with a contented sigh.

“You wanna know how it felt to finally stop giving a shit and live life by my rules? Liberating. To each their own, though. You do you, Bestie.”
[hr][center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/588497364382253189/973050509562875924/Circle_Cherry.png[/img][/center][center][sub][@Sniblet][/sub][/center][hr]John gave a look of surprise, if only his face could be read. “This is progress. Good, good,” he said. “Nice to meet you, Cherry. Officially.” He placed his hand over Cherry’s, with no touch felt and only the intent of returning a gesture. “Now, we could spend the next couple of minutes talking about each other, but I’m afraid it’d be one-sided. I wouldn’t have much to say about myself in return so let’s leave some of the answers up to the journey, yeah? At the very least, you can tell me what you’re looking for, and I might be able to help.”

The break of dawn had made its arrival with the sun peeking over the horizon. There was a silence again, but not the same desolate silence that wracked John’s mind. There was a tinge of genuine calm in this one. Only in the endless solitude did he learn the subtle flavors of it. Like bitter wine.

“Sun’s up,” John said, well-disposed in the outcome of the fateful encounter. “Might want to get moving before the ‘wolves’ wake.” With the light of dawn, Herse’s sins were once again laid bare. Small spots of blood flashed from parts of pavement and partitions in the street. Every road sign had its own special arrangement of dents and bullet holes. No other place was as poisoned and devoid of friendly faces.

“Y’know Cherry, I think we’ll get along just fine. Now, I don’t want to get into all that ‘destiny’ crap—and you don’t look the type to believe in it, but I’m thinking this isn’t a mere coincidence. I mean, what are the odds, right? Well, I’ve been around the city practically a hundred times over, so if I were to meet someone that could see me then it would have to happen by matter of statistics. Still, it’s almost unreal. By the way, let me know if I’m talking too much. I tend to ramble on when I have a captive audience, and up until now that’s just been me. So… what’s on the agenda for today?”
[hr][center][img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/588497364382253189/976666609051643994/Circle_Isaac.png[/img][/center][center][sub][@Guppy Franz][/sub][/center][hr]Light filtered through the windows of the subway car as it made its way out of the terminal. The night had come to a close, and Isaac would have naught but his own wounds to keep him company. The train’s rumbling across the rails was the only audible sound, as many other passengers were fixated on their phones. Everyone minded their own business, with more words being exchanged through text than with each other. So close, and yet worlds apart.

Isaac had his moment of rest, too bad it would be short-lived. The life of a mercenary had a glamorous allure, promising many excitement and a fat bank. What the stories neglected to tell was that it also came with unwanted baggage. The pay could afford many things, but never the right to get careless nor ignore loose ends. For a mercenary, there was one lesson that each eventually learned.

Peace had to be earned.

Several of the passengers rose from their seats and gathered around Isaac halfway through the ride when he closed his eyes. A swift hook was delivered to his already bruised jaw and served as the only greeting he would get from these men. “Get up, asshole,” one of them sneered. Two of the assailants picked Isaac up by the arms and brought him face to face with a man patched up with bandages of his own—one of the thugs Isaac had paid a visit to prior that night. His fists worked Isaac’s ribs while the other bystanders in the car avoided getting involved. They shuffled over to the other end of the car with some of them recording the incident on their phones—not to report evidence to the police, but rather filming content for Pasithee.

“First, you’re gonna tell me where my package is. Then, you’re gonna tell me who put you up to this,” the thug ordered. One of the others swiped Isaac’s wallet while he was being held.

“No hard cash on this guy,” the lackey said, pulling out the contents. “Looks like he’s creds only. Pfft, wow. This guy actually has his own business cards. You sure got balls to be doing public merc work when you’re riding solo.”

“Or he’s stupid,” another lackey chimed in.

“Or he’s stupid, ha ha!”

“Both of you shut the hell up,” said the ringleader. “I’ll do the talking here. Well, tough guy? My package. Your boss. You tell me what I wanna know and you might make it to your stop.”

It was going to be a long train ride.