[color=lightgray][right][sub]TIMESTAMP: Monday at 12 PM[/sub][/right]
[center][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/aces-away][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220626/fe2d9304a6eaff80a4d45d6ff074a27f.png[/img][/url]  [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220626/20e4a27e1adc68a5da4e5e803a955a8e.png[/img]  [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/lovelycomplex][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220626/22d3f6d4b12b79b1c1bf810756ff3845.png[/img][/url]
[color=black]____________________________________________________________________

[img]https://i.imgur.com/FqAOPXi.png[/img]
____________________________________________________________________[/color]

[img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220807/5ee83f0918eb78329be8073c2d754ae5.png[/img][/center]
[indent][indent]Allegra glanced down at her phone impatiently while she waited in a booth with her children. She was dressed nicer than her friend had ever seen her, and was even putting on healthy weight alongside Mordechai; she was wearing a [url=https://i.pinimg.com/550x/64/34/54/643454a2e159a40fd3ad1a3cd11693e4.jpg]lightweight, black mini-summer dress[/url] with white flower designs thrown across it like polkadots. She had silver bangles on her wrists that matched the chains around her neck and the hoops in her ears. She had her right leg flung over her left knee, exposing her black cut out heels to the diner as a whole. 
 
The street walker was very used to the cryptic texts she got from her friend- in the form of an unknown sender, of course- and [i]Dollys 12[/i] was probably the easiest text from her that she'd ever had to decipher given that a quick Google search showed a diner by that name in town. When she packed everything up in New York, she hadn't even told the other woman where she'd gone, planning on sending a similarly vague text once they had settled down in their own place, but moving in with the James family instead of some random apartment changed that. Still it looks like the dangerous blonde found her in yet another city without even trying. So now, with Chai in her lap and Viva excitedly drinking her chocolate milkshake, Allegra waited for the clock to strike noon and for the other woman to arrive punctually as always. 

Usually, Anya tried to dress to impress, with business casual. That was her token wear. Always ready to get [i]something[/i] done and look classy while doing it. Unfortunately from the time Hyde left the library to the fire she had to put out, and the reprimanding she got from the librarian, she had no time whatsoever. Instead she quickly washed last night’s job off and threw on more casual [url=https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/NINTCHDBPICT000562258934-e1581448236815.jpg?strip=all&w=688]wear[/url]. A style she wore when she knew she had time to relax. Jumper pants, a tee,  and sneaks.  Something the kids would love, she was sure. Her hair was in a messy bun and there was a hop in her step, purely from exhaustion. There was no sleep for the wicked. 

When she stood in front of Dolly’s, the Basilisk stood there and moved her neck in circles, going round and round, slowly. She had back to back to back jobs and now it was all catching up with her. She was only human after all and even people like Anya Kamensky needed sleep. As a habit and precaution she searched her surroundings before making her way inside, causing the doorbell to sound. 

She looked at the man behind the bar, gave him knowing eyes and a nod. It didn’t take long for her to find her friend with her children. Hooking her thumbs in her pants pocket, she strolled to the table. The corner of her mouth slid upward and her eyes sparkled, which she hoped would ease her resting bitch face, especially to the little ones, [color=56877b]“So you come see the place your jew from?”[/color] Her eyes went from the older woman to the children, [color=56877b]“They get so big, crazy.”[/color] 

[color=910bf4]"'Course ya knew where he was from,"[/color] a light scoff and shake of the head followed that statement, but no surprise showed on her face. [color=910bf4]"And y'know, I'm pretty sure he ain't just my jew, especially in this town. [i]But[/i] I came to get him sober,"[/color] Allegra amended with an eye roll, pushing the milkahake further onto the table and standing up to get herself and Chai out of Viva's way once the girl recognized the other woman at the table. With an excited, [color=da9df4]"Auntie Bass!"[/color] Viva threw herself at the blonde while Allegra settled back down in the booth with her son. [color=910bf4]"Or, y'know, sober-ish. He can't deal with all the shit this town has piled up while he's still fucked up on H. You helped me with my shit, it's high time I passed on the favor right?"[/color]

Because Allegra was all types of messed up the first time she met Bassy, under the influence of her pimp Leo and whatever he was pumping through her system at the time. At fifteen years old she didn't think much when, after a little heart to heart on a swing set in the middle of the night, the blonde with eyes caged like her own handed over a burner cell and told her to call if she needed help. By the time she really needed that phone call she was barely 16, pregnant, and bruised in a Longwood alleyway with Leo's corpse weighing her down, but Bassy came through despite the months in between. The woman gave her a stack of cash and pointed Allegra in a good direction, and she was even there for the birth of Viva, allowing Allegra to grasp her hand through the painful hours with no outward reaction to the vice-like grip that had been grinding the bones of her hand. It had been Bassy's kindness and sudden existence in her life that had left Allegra so open to a corner partner when a certain scarred and burdened Southie had wandered into her turf with dead eyes and visible ribs.

Holding Viva in her arms, Anya gave a genuine, warm smile at the little girl, even softening her razor-sharp eyes. Brushing her nose against her’s, Basilisk gave a heartfelt compliment, [color=56877b]“I see you, Kukolka. You still pretty girl. So pretty.”[/color] Taking a seat across Allegra, the woman's shoulders eased. Basilisk, someone that could kill everyone in this diner without batting an eye, kept the child in her embrace. She was calm and at peace. She was in family mode. 

There was an obvious hold children had over the Basilisk that made her come across more human than a weapon. Kids were innocent and still saw magic. Children knew so much and spoke what was on their mind and heart. No restraints. They knew that love was not an emotion, it was behavior. Children were treasures. If she could, she would protect every single child. A protector wasn’t something she had but she certainly could be for them. 

In her safe haven, Anya felt at home. Even if Hyde liked to stalk her, this was still a place she called her own and now she shared it with Jade. [color=56877b]“I get where you come from. Family for me lives here too. I try to work job and spend time with my brothers. I worry, though. Little brother is not like you and me… he too good to live in dark.”[/color] 

After speaking, the Russian woman noticed something new. She noticed the change in Allegra, not only with the determination written on her face that felt deeper than just Decky’s issues but the clothing. Very becoming of her. Raising her eyebrows, the Basilisk praised Allegra, her friend, while talking to sweet little Viva, her little doll, [color=56877b]“Your mama is so pretty. You think she pretty? I know I think she pretty.”[/color]

Allegra saw the once over and grinned brightly at the praise from Anya, all but glowing as she said, [color=910bf4]“Thanks Bassy, the airport lost my clothes so the James’ family gave me a lot of their older daughter’s stuff. She had a good style, and I’ve never had clothes this nice,”[/color] She played with the hem of the dress, feeling the fabric between her fingers and thinking about how sad it was that so many siblings in this town were now the only children of their line. It had been rough, watching Sly and Poppy bring out Max’s old clothes when everyone realized there would be no retrieving Allegra’s luggage, and their faces told entire stories as they left her alone to look through the outfits. She couldn't even begin to express how grateful she was for their kindness. She thought of some of the people she knows in this town and her smile lessened. [color=910bf4]“Anyway, I know a few of those people stuck in the dark when they deserve better. The problem is usually that they don't know it. Sometimes we need 'em in the dark with us, though, because we can't be with 'em in the light,"[/color] the smile was sad now as she looked at her daughter in her friend's lap and then her son in her own. [color=910bf4]"Hopefully, these little brats’ll grow up aware of the dark but not get stuck in it. Being a good parent is a step in that direction."[/color]

Chai pat his hands against his mother's arms as she held him close, the young boy currently wide-eyed enamored with the shiny, reflective surface of the napkin dispenser and unaware of the weight of the conversation. Viva was staring at Allegra’s face and sitting very still in Anya's comforting hold, head cocked to the side as she saw the sad look she couldn't yet understand in her mother’s eyes. She tilted her head back until it hit her Aunty Bass' chest and she was staring upwards at the blonde.

[color=910bf4]"I didn't know you had brothers from here, what are the odds,"[/color] Allegra added after a moment of silence, looking back up and across the table at the other woman. [color=910bf4]"Talk about the web of fate, huh?"[/color]

The mention of trapping those meant for the light, keeping them close for their safety caused Anya’s heart to grow heavy. She was trained to not feel but ever since she started having weekly ‘coincidental’ dates with Jade, she was learning that she still had a heart. That she wasn’t just a killing machine. Part of her wished that people like her, like Allegra, like Hyde were only lost in a dark place. But the Basilisk knew better, the dark place was part of who they were.

When Viva glanced up at her, Anya kissed her forehead while pensively stewing at Legs’ words. The waiter did come and Legs ordered a shortstack with fruit on the side to split with her kids while Anya shook her head, not hungry. She had her breakfast hours ago and now if she was being honest with herself, all she wanted was sleep but she would not be getting that anytime soon. After this, she had a job for the Fallen Angels to run. Being the enforcer for the MC definitely kept her busy, on top of her already busy schedule. One could say that the Basilisk did not know the concept of what a vacation was. 

When the waiter left, Bassy bounced her legs to distract Viva from the gravity of the conversation and [i]finally[/i] responded, but going back to an earlier statement Allegra had said, [color=56877b]“You with good people. They hurt. A lot. The James but they strong like bull.”[/color] Absentmindedly, Anya found herself running her fingers through her Kukolka’s hair before asking, [color=56877b]“You good? Why you here I get, but I want you to take care yourself. This place, my home, is not like where you come from. It’s not like many places. OK?”[/color]  

Allegra sent Anya a smirk, teasing her with a small, [color=910bf4]“Aw, Bassy, you do care!”[/color] before it became a more genuine smile. She was always honest with Bassy. [color=910bf4]“I’ll be ok, we may have lived through different tragedies in our lives but I feel like I’ve really found my people. Aside from you and the other girls at the diner back in Brownsville I’ve never had people, I kinda like it. But Mordechai needs more. He’s got us, he’s got Poppy, Mika, [i]and[/i] Jade,”[/color] She listed, twirling her fork around in her fingers while they waited for the food to be delivered. [color=910bf4]“But he needs all his brothers and sisters. He’s gonna go back to the Serpents soon, I [i]know[/i] that, and I’ll be damned if I let him go alone. I’m not gonna let him get lost again, and if that means cuttin' off the balls of every friend that offers him a needle then so be it. I kept him away from them when he was gettin’ sober but I’m not gonna keep him locked down forever. He’s back here for good, so I’m just gonna stop him from makin’ some of the same mistakes he did before, like leavin’ his friends and family out of things as though it actually protected them,”[/color] An eyeroll followed that statement as Poppy came to mind. [color=910bf4]“Or shootin’ up when he can’t handle shit,”[/color] She looked down at her own track marked scarring on the inside of her arms and shrugged. [color=910bf4]“I definitely keep busy, but I think it’s good for all of us. What about you? I know you’re always busy, but are ya doin’ good?”[/color]

The lethal woman didn’t answer that question. Not right away at least. The Basilisk sat there listening to this woman (who she met as a girl) realizing that she went out of her way to meet up with her, shortly after finding out she was in town. Bassy thought of their time in New York and the lengths she went to get Allegra out of her horrible situation, even going out of her way to aid her during the birth of Viva. 

Oh how she’s grown since the last time she saw her. 

Against all adversaries, the young woman that was Allegra Cardenas pulled through it all and now was considered a pillar. A force to be reckoned with, a compass for the lost souls, and a beautiful spirit that feels the empty hearts of those that don’t realize what they need. She’s full of drive and ambition for her kids’ futures and for their father, who she still loved even if not in the textbook way. To show for it? A testimony of her journey; Legs had two beautiful children. They were her strength incarnated. 

[color=56877b]“Anya,”[/color] the mysterious enigma who went by both the Basilisk and Jane, formally introduced herself. In the clutter that was her employer’s demands, her older brother’s scorn, and the unamused facial expression of Ivan Zima -- the man she blamed for the death of her mother, her birth father that didn’t give a damn for the prostitute he knocked up -- Anya saw Jade. She saw Mika. And she saw Allegra. 

[i][color=63773B]You’re losing your touch.[/color][/i] The Devil’s voice echoed in her head. With her arms wrapped around Viva like a comfort doll, Bassy let his voice get buried with all the things that brought her joy. All the people that made her smile. [color=56877b]“Anya Kamensky,”[/color] she stated, soft enough so that only Allegra could hear but clear enough so Legs knew the value of this gesture. 

Allegra let the shock color her features as she heard a new name be given to her. The woman who had simply introduced herself as Basilisk going on four years ago was finally gifting Allegra the knowledge of her real name, and the younger woman couldn't even begin to express the level of warmth and happiness that crashed over her at the gesture. She smiled so brightly you could barely see her eyes and nodded to the other woman, also understanding that this was not a name to be used lightly. Reaching across the table and holding her hand out for the other woman to take, Allegra spoke back in a tone just as soft as the one that had delivered the name.

[color=910bf4]"Nice to truly see ya, Anya,"[/color] she tilted her head and her smile softened. Not letting go of the question she'd posed before Anya's reveal, she then asked, [color=910bf4]"Now, how are ya doin'?"[/color]

Bashful and shy, Anya took a moment to look away from Allegra, as she grabbed onto the other woman’s hand now finding comfort in two things. Viva and Allegra’s hand. She made sure her other arm and hand was holding onto the little girl on her lap. To say this was foreign territory for Anya was an understatement. 

Chemistry wasn’t something she had with many, which meant she didn’t get intimate, close, and affectionate with anyone. She could still have sex if the job permitted her to do so, but this was different. There was something very real with holding Allegra’s hand and she wondered if this would be a similar feeling if she held Jade’s.  

Feeling anything but numbness wasn’t something she was used to though it wasn’t necessarily something she disliked either. Clearing her throat, she brought her attention back to the caring soul in front of her and answered her question, finally, [color=56877b]“I used to not care. Not worry. Now I do those things and more. I think I like a person but I… what that saying go? A fish… out the water. It's like my little brother. He too good to live in the dark and all I know is the dark. It’s… confusing. I don’t know if I like to feel.”[/color] Temptation was in the form of a blonde bombshell and Anya knew the closer she got to her, the more dangerous things would become to her. But there was part of her who felt like she could protect her better by being right at her side. Was that her being selfish? She didn’t know. 

[color=910bf4]"From what I know of this town, even the most innocent have ta at least learn ta live with the dark. It's everywhere here, Mordechai was talkin' about how most people here believe in bloodline curses or some shit, but I think it's just that y'all got a very potent concentration of shitty situations in such a small area,"[/color] she rolled her eyes as she thought of the father of her children, and everything she knew about the lives of him and his loved ones. [color=910bf4]"But tryin'a keep them completely out of it? Learn from Mordechai, Jade, an' Poppy...it just ends up hurtin' them some other way down the line, it ain't worth it. And hey, welcome to emotional connections! Imma let you in on a little secret; [i]no one[/i] likes their feelings when they can't understand 'em. No one likes bein' confused, it's just that it's a little more dangerous for you than most. Usually handling feelin's and emotions is somethin' a parent is supposed to teach a child when they're young but as you well know not all of us get that privilege,"[/color] She squeezed her friend's hand here, giving her friend every bit of her attention that wasn't already on making sure Chai was secured in her lap. [color=910bf4]"I figured it out with a lot of trial 'n' error and a hell of a lot of support from all the girls back in Brownsville. I made use of free resources where I could, but a lotta it's just leanin' on the people you've learned to trust seein' ya vulnerable."[/color]

She thought about that dark night in the alley, weak and hiding under a tarp all bloody and shaking and waiting for her blonde savior to come swooping in to tell her what to do. Anya had been her first touchpoint to kindness and sympathy since Allegra was eleven years old and given away to Leo to pay off her father's debts to him. Coming down from a high he'd kept her on for five years, shivering and tired and then looking up into those jade green eyes, Allegra had let the Basilisk see how shattered she was, all her broken pieces laid out bare on the sludge covered alley ground, meeting the gaze with her hollow brown eyes. She always knew she could pick herself back up and put herself together, she just needed someone to hand her that [i]first piece[/i], and Anya had been that person. Allegra was happy to finally have a chance to return the favor.

[color=910bf4]"Lean on me, find me when you're confused and we can figure it out together. Talk ta your bro or your little crush,"[/color] she winked, letting the other woman know she was just teasing. [color=910bf4]"Isn't the best way to protect people by bein' at their side?"[/color]

[color=56877b]“Yes,”[/color] Anya answered, and followed up by giving Viva another kiss on her head. She was learning that she might not be as invincible as her guardian wanted her to be. She had at least a handful of people she cared about and that was enough weaknesses for someone to take her down if they wanted to. [color=56877b]“I will say this, you live here from now on, you believe in curses and ghosts. Trust in me. Edenridge not like any other place.”[/color] It really wasn’t and those that came from the outside either immersed themselves in the many webs of the town or got eaten by the spider. 

Unfortunately for the two friends, Anya’s phone began to vibrate which caused her to release Legs’ hand, take it out of her pants pocket and glance at who was calling her. When she saw the number, the Basilisk’s emotions completely vanished from her face, turning her back to the cold bitch she trained herself to be. [color=56877b]“I go now,”[/color] she stood up, with Viva in her arms, making her way to Allegra and offering the little girl back, [color=56877b]“Sorry I don’t stay but work calls.”[/color]  There were some things she could not fight like her work. That wasn’t a bridge she could cross yet. Not while there were many things left for her to do. 

[color=910bf4]"Stay alive, Bassy,"[/color] Allegra replied to the woman as she received her older child, knowing that to tell the blonde to [i]stay safe[/i] would be absolutely ridiculous. She settled Viva down next to her and held onto her arm as the girl pouted and attempted to follow her aunt, who was headed to the door and speaking rapid-fire Russian into her phone. [color=910bf4]"Not now baby, Auntie Bass has ta go back to work."[/color]

The waiter came back just as Viva had calmed down again, setting the plate in front of the mother and her child before heading to the next table. She popped a grape into her daughter's mouth and then held a slice of strawberry up to Chai's for him to nibble on while she began cutting up the shortstack with a fork. When she had felt her friend's presence disappear completely, she allowed her shoulders to sag a bit as she stared at her plate and contemplated Anya's parting words. Sure, she believed in things that weren't easily explained, but she has a habit of taking the most rational approach or explaination first before defaulting to anything metaphysical. Still…if it had her Bassy worried enough to warn her, she'd keep her mind as open as needed.

[color=910bf4]"Curses and ghosts huh? As if this town didn't already have a shitton of demons ta deal with…"[/color]
[/indent][/indent][/color]