[h2][center][b][color=00aeef][i]Vivian's[/i] - Part 2[/color][/b][/center][/h2] Chandi looked up and smiled at the newcomers. It was a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. If she had to be nice to strangers she’d let Alese get so drunk as to puke on them. She knew who they were but they were virtual strangers. They presumed to know her. She let them. It was always cute when people outside a company hierarchy thought she had a full run of the company. Smiling still that media smile, Chandi indicated the stools that the other older woman had just occupied. Ever the lady, she waited for the ladies to pass around the glasses of wine. Ah Riesling. Not the finest wine and rather not something one should really choose to present to someone who they were wanting to corporately or politically wine and dine. Maybe she wasn’t serious about this? Or perhaps she just did not know the appropriate wine. That was likely what it was. Chandi held out her hand so that they had to move closer and it was the same gesture that ancient ladies and royalty made so that their suitor or subject could kiss their hand. . Alese’s eyes looked up at the strangers from behind another large sip through the straw, already a hint of a glaze forming over her sapphire glance. The two that approached were the same she had just noticed sitting at the bar. Randos normally didn’t have the chance to get this close to Chandi, but at least they seemed to have dropped the melancholy in favor of being more than a little over the top, at least for the blonde, and upon closer inspection both were [i]significantly[/i] older which was a bit uncouth for what she knew about Spire etiquette. Alese blinked back at the girl as she was ignored completely; the sound of her straw emptying the bottom of the glass amidst crushed ice just as Xiang finished her introduction reminded the “humble representative” that there were indeed [i]two[/i] people at the table. Milo arrived in a flash, almost sensing the glass being empty and exchanged it for a second, moving smoothly between the two visitors with a colorfully arranged tray of fruit, what looked like dumplings, elegantly braised cutlets with a sauce and rice balls. [i][color=magenta]Oh thank God…[/color][/i] She thought, reaching for the accompanying chopsticks and trying not to laugh at the wine offering- Chandi could have anything she wanted in Vivian’s. However her expression faded as the first round of shots were also placed. The neon liquor swirled fearsomely in challenge and she looked at the small glass somewhat reluctant like a child having to gulp a particularly unpleasant medicine. This was even more potent than what Chandi had ordered, a compliment from the House. “Compliments of Miss Vivian.” Milo said, deftly making his exit again. [i][color=magenta]Alright, Alese, just [u]one[/u], you can handle it. We got some food now…[/color][/i] Her internal monologue reasoned with an edge of doubt creeping. She winced as it went down and having no chaser, had to immediately go back to her regular drink. As the heat washed over her, she shook her head to get her composure back while the other woman, who had yet to be introduced, poured a measure of wine. Alese cocked her head slightly to read the label. “[color=magenta]Oh hey, my mom loves that wine.[/color]” She said, cordially enough. It was evident the older woman was most definitely, [i]not[/i] an heir. Not because of her clothing or any other Spire social marker, but because she smiled politely. Alese watched the movements of what was visible of the woman’s mechanical arm for a moment and the halo around her head shifted and changed from a hesitant red, yellow and pink to a curious hue of blue-green amidst runes, numbers and designs that peeled and dissolved into the air. She didn’t want to be rude and ask probing questions to a stranger, but returned the same genial smile back while Xiang attempted to talk business. . Xiang couldn’t help but smile at the duo. These two women are definitely here for recreation and fun, and judging by Alese’s excited reaction to the Riesling, and Chandi’s seeming aloofness, they were a sort of foil for each other. Sort of like the ‘good cop bad cop’ routine she studied about in 20th century America. Alright then, might as well entertain them while she’s here. For Chandi. Xiang Min stepped out of her seat, and bowed as well as taking the hand of the CybertronRX Heir and not exactly kissing it, but, in true Xiang Min fashion, she only said [color=FFCE00]“M’lady.”[/color] As she gracefully bowed her head below Chandi’s hands, one leg on the ground, and one leg supporting it. She hoped Chandi understands the symbolism, it is a scene seen in many period pieces Xiang Min watched throughout her childhood, where dashing men and beautiful women graced each other in dance and balls in the Europe of old. This is not exactly reverence, but a graceful sign of respect from an age long past. If Chandi is as knowledgeable as the data terms she read about her is. She would definitely know the meaning of this too. She would also figure that the red-haired woman would have some comments regarding the choice of liquor she made for the occasion. Her facial expression is evidence enough of her disappointment. Might as well put out the fire before it turned into a conflagration. [color=FFCE00]“I know I know, I have to address the elephant in the room. I am aware Riesling is not exactly a Wine for formal occasions.”[/color] She commented on her choice of alcohol. [color=FFCE00]“But I figured that, since we are in a club, something sweeter and more lighthearted would be appropriate. After all, I think a Pinot Noir would be more appropriate for candle-lit dinners than an EDM-filled club no?”[/color] [color=FFCE00]“Your friend over there seems to enjoy the Riesling I bought over.”[/color] Xiang Min said, noticing the blonde woman’s fascination with the bottle, and she could only smile at her genuine reaction. [color=FFCE00][i]Definitely not an heir[/i][/color] she thought as she studied her facial expression. It’s a bit too on the nose for someone that has lived on the Spire, unlike Chandi here who exhibited all the restraint and refinement even within the confines of a club out of all places. Deciding to end on a lighter note. Xiang Min changed the subject a little bit. [color=FFCE00]“Well, if you are not satisfied with the alcohol I bought. Perhaps I can bring to you something a bit different? Moutai Baiju perhaps? Shochu? Sake? Perhaps even Arak? My family was historically from that region. So I was taught on the different types of alcohol from there.”[/color] She could only chuckle at the thought of Chandi trying Arak. [color=FFCE00][i]It’s not every day that I would see an heir like her try alcohol only Mingfan enjoys drinking[/i][/color]. The heir mused. Safe to say, she would probably have to house both Chandi and her blonde friend in the house’s guestroom if they were serious about trying [i]those[/i] types of alcohol. . The gesture to dance was not lost on Chandi. It would be a way to avoid speaking about business so this all seemed odd. Xiang Min had invited them to try different alcohol if the wine wasn’t pleasing. Chandi smiled.[color=HotPink] “My someone knows ancient customs. Tell me does that come as an etiquette lesson or did you research it because you have a flair for the dramatic?”[/color] She sipped the wine. It was decent and it was cold. [color=HotPink]“You wanted to speak about something? Perhaps a boyfriend or a girlfriend? I don’t judge.”[/color] Chandi looked the other woman up and down then her gaze flicked to that of the older woman.[color=HotPink] “Perhaps your paramore is looking for consideration in my art designs? Or perhaps looking for some art connections only I can help with?”[/color] Chandi raised her eyebrow.[color=HotPink] “Oh you can speak freely around Alese. She and I have been friends for years.”[/color] . Xiang Min giggled as Chandi seemingly guessed kinda correctly at her gesture. [color=FFCE00]“While I have my fair share of etiquette lessons as a child. This one comes from my interest in history, I do appreciate that you recognize the gesture I am using. Not many people, less so people younger than me, would understand the gesture I just gave.”[/color] She also proceeded to smile as Chandi asked her what was with her interest in meeting with her. It’s nothing major, but she would like to confirm some initial interest with Chandi first, before going in to talk details later on. [color=FFCE00]“I wish I was looking for your art designs or fashion suggestions Ms Chandrilla. I’m here more to talk about CybertronRX, and specifically, creating a fruitful partnership where we can benefit each other in the long run.”[/color] [color=FFCE00]“Now. I am not interested in talking details in a [i]club[/i] out of all things, but, well. I am the co-CEO of a company that specializes in defense, and we have some sensitive cybernetics that need testing. I am willing to discuss an exclusive contract to have our more sensitive cybernetic equipment stress tested within your company, but I would need some… guarantees, and examples on how you wouldn’t abuse that trust SDS would be giving you with this equipment.”[/color] The woman summoned a local bartender and ordered a glass of water, and drank it once the bartender gave it to her. Now patiently waiting for Chandi’s response. . Alese had already downed several dumplings just in the time that Chandi and Xiang were talking, but it wasn’t working. Like trying to soak up a chemical spill with a pillow case. Her mind wandered absently as Xiang continued to yammer on about business and contracts and other very dry subjects. It was making her tired. [i][color=magenta]God, does she ever shut up?[/color][/i] Another voice protested from the back of her mind. The thought gave her a little smirk and she noticed that her head was bobbing a bit from the haze so she made a conscious effort to stop. Having nothing to add to this haughty deal making, she thought about other things that bobbed and were not dry, like ducks or buoys in the ocean. She had never seen either one, but if you went to the right place in MegaCity-01 you could see the ocean, at least in the distance. Seals were cute. Never seen one of those either and she wondered if somewhere they still existed. That made her smile and her mouth opened slightly like she was going to make some profound point until another bright revelation flashed forward: [i][color=magenta]I wonder if they have Ducks and Seals in the Badger Sett??[/color][/i]. She looked for her hand terminal to send a message to Badger, eyes brightening at the thought. [i][color=magenta]Oh, I bet they do![/color][/i] She thought, legitimately excited. Her thumb flicked rapidly to the message screen and she picked up her glass with the other hand, taking another sip. Something didn’t taste right and she looked at the glass she was holding in puzzlement, then she looked up and saw that it belonged to the other woman that had so far been silent. “[color=magenta]Oh…[/color]” She flushed with embarrassment. “[color=magenta]Sorry…[/color]” She added, attempting to reach for an unused glass to correct this error, however Milo was there instantly and nearly swatted her hand away to take over. Alese looked up at him adoringly as he poured a new measure for Julia. “[color=magenta]Thank you, Milo.[/color]” She swooned. His stoic, professional demeanor never flinching while her halo warmed into pink and red as he filled the glass and deftly resettled the table before smoothly leaving again. Alese sighed wistfully and glanced back over to Chandi, not the least bit cognisant of all the shop talk. There was a lisp starting to form on the edge of her words: “[color=magenta]I really wanna dance now. Can you tell Vivian to make Milo dance with me? It won’t be like the last time, I promise.[/color]” . Up until now, Julia had been silently watching the conversation unfold. It was not the role of a bodyguard to get involved in affairs. Besides, Julia had to admit to herself that the conversation was well out of her depth. She wasn’t getting paid to understand Heir business talk and chime in. She was getting paid to keep Xiang safe. E-Street business talks tended to be a lot simpler, if less casual; ‘I have drugs. You have money. Give me enough money for the drugs or I shoot you’. The girl in the bright clothes who’d come with the other Heir didn’t have the refined sense of decorum the other two had. Or maybe she was just that drunk. Julia watched the girl like a hawk as she drank Julia’s drink, looked puzzled and then apologised. The waiter then topped up Julia’s drink. All before she had the chance to get mad. The service here sure was impressive. The wasted girl was bugging her friend to let her dance with the waiter. That she needed to borrow clout confirmed to Julia what she suspected; this girl wasn’t an Heir. Still, you needed money or connections to get up here if you didn’t live here, so who exactly was this girl? Her name was Alese, but that meant nothing to Julia. [color=7893E7]"You want to dance, but can you walk straight?"[/color] Julia asked Alese directly. Now she was speaking more, it was clear from her accent that she was no Heir, if her lack of makeup or elegance in her prosthetics hadn’t already made that obvious. . [color=FFCE00]“Hmmm.”[/color] Xiang Min was busy analysing the situation unfolding before her. The offer for an exclusive contract with CybertronRX is still within her mind. But the conversation between Alese and Julia is slowly spiraling out of casual business discussion into casual weekend discussion. Not necessarily a bad avenue to branch off of, considering that this is Friday after all, but she was still a bit sad that they wouldn’t have the opportunity to talk tonight. Oh well. Not a big deal, there’s always tomorrow. [color=FFCE00]“How about I dance with you instead?”[/color] She offered to Alese. [color=FFCE00]“I would like to see your dancing moves if I may say so myself. I trust that your… condition right now wouldn’t affect your dancing abilities, no?”[/color] In truth. She also sucked at dancing. But she’s always interested to see drunkards dancing around the dance floor like some ancient angry spirit. It’s one of her favourite pastimes whenever she’s out late at a club, usually discussing some stuff either with her sister or someone else. . “[color=magenta]Don’t need to walk straight to dance.[/color]” Alese said slyly and peeled off her jacket, tossing it aside with a suave flourish and exposing her bare arms to the shifting currents of neon light on her skin. The sweet air felt invigorating and though her head swam when she stood up it didn’t matter. She let her balance roll through it as if she were newly animated. The [url=https://youtu.be/KBtJZnadKgE?si=6vF7zlPCgaHA35jF] music[/url] was changing again and the energy pulled at her steps. She breathed in deeply and closed her eyes for a brief second, gathering herself like she was fluttering to the edge of a diving board before looking back at Xiang Min, a hint of challenge in her glance- She flicked her hair and set off to the center of the floor. It was ironic that right in the middle of MegaCity-01’s most opulent structure was a place where all could be equal. Contracts, profits, plans, social structures and speculations didn’t matter: You could either dance or you couldn’t and in her sneakers, she glided on the wave of liquid carelessness with total confidence, clapping in time as the tempo picked up and finding a place in the crowd just big enough for the both of them. She knew this song, and lead off by spinning on her heel nearly three full rotations, her skirt forming into a smooth disc as the angelic hologram followed over her head before she stopped, facing Xiang Min again, her hands coming together clapping again right in time with the beat. The move instantly drew attention and she got a few whoops and cheers that she didn’t even notice. The lights pulsed hard in sync with the beat making a fleeting snapshot of each motion like a camera shutter. Alese’s movements were both sensual and strong. Inhibitions lost, her hands sank around her hips and in the next frame pulled up through her hair and out again. Each frame a flowing picture of seduction, power, vulnerability, and freedom. Her eyes blazed back towards her new dance partner and just for sharp, fleeting instances the lyrics could be seen on her lips while her hair flowed behind in a mane of neon fire. In the back of her mind she could sense the energy and rhythm infecting the clubgoers around them as she peeled around others that joined, arching her back, side-stepping and clapping overhead. It was easy not to notice the subtle rumble in the floor at first. No one on the dance floor would have likely felt it, at least not those under the same spell of intoxication and zeal as Alese. Hearing it was certainly out of the question, however at some point a glass fell, quickly followed by another, then a whole bottle from the bar area before the lights strobed once more and did not come back on. When the music cut out it took a moment for actual panic to set in as most were too far into the spirits to realize something was wrong and considered the sudden, total darkness to be some kind of fun trick by Vivian to spice up the night even more. However as the backup generators, which had never actually been used, continued to glitch in their automated startup cycles, the elation rapidly shifted to confusion and then outright pandemonium Alese stood still, completely disoriented and having no artificial enhancements that helped her night vision, finding herself in the middle of a near complete blackout with only the dim light of her halo rotating above her, illuminating her bare shoulders. Frightened voices clamored and augmented eyes hovered in disembodied movements pressing frantically around her. A cold hand of synthetic skin touched her thigh and started up her skirt before she screamed like an absolute banshee, blindly kicking hard at whatever she could connect with. Wild cursing followed, but the hand was gone, instead followed by a powerful shove that took her off her feet and sent her careening into what felt like a female figure that she could only hope was Xiang Min. . The blonde woman was more than happy to entertain Alese. She seems decent enough in a dance and she’s happy to play the part of the fool for a little bit. It’s ultimately harmless and she gets to lay her hair down if only for a moment, a reprieve from the drudgery of her work life. And damn can this woman dance, she moved through the dance floor like it’s nothing, dancing moves only she could dream of, quite ironic considering that she is quite adept in reading the battlefield and moving through it like its muscle memory. Nontransferable skills are a bitch sometimes, but no matter, it’s not like she’s dancing as if the world’s about to end. It’s just a quaint social dance, just a little bit of fun to start the weekend and a way to ingratiate herself with Chandi considering how close Chandi and Alese seem to be with each other. But, she did notice when the rumbling started, she ignored it at first, thinking that it was just some localized freak accident, but the rumbling got larger, and larger, and larger, eventually culminating in a straight-up earthquake that rocked the club and most likely the wider city outside of it. Xiang Min was shocked, the area they were in was tectonically stable, and as the merry atmosphere of the club turned into pandemonium. The lights went out, only adding to the confusion as clubgoers then decided this would be the time to do a stampede, running and pushing everyone aside in a desperate bid to escape the club. [color=FFCE00]“Julia!”[/color] Xiang Min screamed. [color=FFCE00]“Meet me outside!!!”[/color] Her Warpath neural enhancer activated after she said that. Significantly improving her vision, allowing her limited vision in the dark, there was someone who seemed to have grabbed Alese in the chaos, and somehow the person decided this would be the time to harass Alese? Really? A quick shove to the person sent him careening to the edge, as she grabbed Alese’s hands as the neural enhancer deactivated. In a split second, Xiang Min was on one side of the club, and the next? She was escorting Alese to the exit way of the club, eventually reaching the outside as both figures breathed a sigh of relief that they exited the chaos. [color=FFCE00]“Damn… That was close.”[/color] Xiang Min said to Alese. [color=FFCE00]“Could’ve gone really bad down there. Crap! Where’s Chandi?”[/color] She said, accessing Geonet but somehow the devices were non-functional, a first in her life to see the error screen for Geonet flash through her phone screen. [color=FFCE00]“Geonet’s… down. Wow.”[/color] [color=FFCE00]“Uhh, Alese. Do you where Chandi is?”[/color] Xiang Min asked. [color=FFCE00]“I lost her in the escape and now I’m kinda worried about her.”[/color] [color=FFCE00]“Also, where in the world is Julia? Couldn’t see her from here. Did she escape?”[/color] She wondered. . Julia had watched both Alese and Xiang head to the dance floor. Julia had never been great at dancing without drugs. The drugs didn’t help her dance better, in fact the opposite, but they’d get her onto the floor, at least. By the time she could pass for an age to legally attend clubs, she was already too senior a member of E-Street to feel like she could shed her responsibility. And here, too, she felt like she couldn’t get *too* drunk, as she still needed to guard Xiang. So, she turned her attention to Chandi, the only other woman now sitting at their table. While Xiang had piqued Julia’s interest by not exactly being your textbook Heiress, she could not say the same for Chandi. This glamorous woman probably got her picture taken to be placed in the dictionary next to the definition of Heiress. Even talking to her benefactors had intimidated Julia back in the day. She wasn’t sure what she was nervous about here, however. She wasn’t street trash in her early 20’s anymore. She was a Spire resident. [color=7893E7]"You sure you don’t want to join them?"[/color] Julia asked Chandi, projecting her voice to be heard over the music. [color=7893E7]"I’ll watch the table."[/color] Before Chandi could answer, Julia felt something. The expression on her face changed to one of concern and her eyes dilated. Her instincts were never wrong. Something was happening right now. Barely a second after the change in Julia’s face, the table and drinks started to noticeably shake, and Julia stood up from her chair, looking around frantically with manic, wild eyes for any sign of danger. Her organic hand had instinctively crept up to the side of her belt, grabbing at empty space that might be where somebody would clip a gun holster too. The shaking was definite now. Some of the empty glasses on the table had fallen over, and the full ones were spilling their contents. When the power went out, Julia placed her hand on Chandi’s shoulder before most of the dancers had even realised something was wrong. [color=7893E7]"I don’t like this,"[/color] Julia spoke to Chandi, with an anxious voice.[color=7893E7]"Let’s get out of here. Don’t let go of me."[/color] . Chandi had with a smirk watched Alese and Xiang head out to the dance floor. Alese was always fun to watch when she’d had enough to dance. Chandi swore that a belly dancing prima ballerina was reincarnated in the tiny mechanic. The last time she got drunk enough to have this much fun she had done ancient earth songs at karaoke. Something like Murriah Carry “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and Sindee Lawper “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”. Chandi had been convinced that it couldn’t get better but Alese had trapped Milo into singing some weird mating chant called “Summer Lovin’” and then kissed him at the end. Then threw up on his shoes. Chandi had to buy him a whole new outfit. Chuckling at the thought, Chandi heard the glasses rattling and looked around in curiosity. Which was when she saw it. Glasses falling then the crash of crystal and glass. Lights went out and Chandi watched the chaos happening outside the Spire as the whole place went dark and she heard Alese scream. Rage white hot and unchecked passed through her. Her best friend was in that mass of bodies and people were going to die if they didn't move. The touch on her shoulder was responded to with a glare from blue eyes that looked murderous.[color=HotPink] “That was Alese. They will all move out of my way or I will break them.”[/color] Chandi said flatly as she turned and began wading into the mass of bodies. People who baulked at moving were physically thrown. She made her way across the floor only to find that Alese wasn't there where she predicted. Looking around she went back to Julia and nodded to her.[color=HotPink] “Let's go.”[/color] Since Chandi being over six feet in her heels had been throwing people in said stilettos and a miniskirt people gave them a bubble of space. The fact that Chandi looked murderous didn't hurt. .Julia had followed Chandi up to a point, because she remembered that Alese had been wearing a glowing halo, and in the darkness, there was no glowing halo. She scanned the crowd for any sign of Xiang, and couldn’t see her either. The most likely explanation was that Xiang was with Alese. They were dancing together, after all. Julia wasn’t worried this was a targeted assassination or kidnapping attempt. The scale was too large and the result was too chaotic. When Chandi returned to Julia, Julia nodded and started to head to the main entrance. That was likely where the other two were, either by their own volition or the force of the crowd. . Alese slid down with her back against the wall until she sat on the floor while Xiang Min stood like a sentinel. In the wide open foyer outside of Vivian’s the air was again clear and fresh and there was a lot more room for the panicked clubgoers to disperse as the lights flickered back on. She overheard what sounded like someone saying GeoNet had gone down, but amazing as that may have sounded, she just felt indifferent. Undeniably still intoxicated as she may have been however, her mind felt like it had rapidly broken out of the cloud of alcohol in the excitement and was now just a passenger in her drunken frame. Things happened a lot faster than she could follow, but thanks to Xiang Min, she knew she avoided what could have been a lot worse. She stared ahead for a moment at her sneakers, then curled her legs beneath her to cover as much of her skin as possible with her skirt. Cold, crisply conditioned air brushed against her shoulders and she realized she left her bag, jacket and hand terminal behind, though she didn’t particularly care at the moment. Seeing the bracelets on her wrists also reminded her that her halo was still on and she switched it off immediately as if it had instantly become a symbol of shame. The previous few minutes played behind her eyes again and she edged further behind Xiang Min like she wanted to disappear. She hadn’t left home in days after what happened on the expressway and now this... Alese crossed her arms as the PSA sounded around them and the commotion seemed to ebb momentarily as everyone stopped to listen. Chandi would be looking for her and she just wanted to go home or back to the apartment. It felt good to think about the high powered redhead though she quickly felt guilty for her disparaging thoughts towards Xiang Min earlier and it made her feel like an even worse person. She leaned her head against the wall and rotated another bracelet on her wrist, carefully trying to focus her thoughts against her swimming consciousness. A tiny light activated at her touch and she knew Chandi would get the very short range radio burst that they usually used when riding and know she was closeby, then just follow the signal. Sometimes low-tech could be an asset in MegaCity. “[color=magenta]She’ll find us in a minute,[/color]” Alese answered, not looking up at Xiang Min though. Very badly, she wanted to thank the other woman profusely, but in the moment felt too embarrassed of herself to even make eye contact. “[color=magenta]Please just don’t leave me here by myself until she finds us.[/color]” . The blonde woman simply nodded at Alese’s request. Standing still, guarding the mechanic woman as the chaos ebbed and flowed elsewhere outside of Vivian’s. [color=FFCE00]“Don’t worry. I’ll stand here for as long as I have to Alese.”[/color] She replied. Knowing that right now, security and certainty is of utmost certainty. Of course, assuming things go all right, she would probably get some marketing material from this little kerfuffle, already she have seen some drones flying in the distance, definitely Stalwart make, protecting Tranche 3 or 4 clients from possible attacks of opportunity now that Geonet is down. It was shortly after Chandi and Julia exited the club that Xiang Min relaxed her stance. Her body significantly relaxed as the group made contact once more. [color=FFCE00]“I don’t know about you. But I think I want to retire for the night. Too much action for me today, and especially on a Friday out of all days.”[/color] [color=FFCE00]“Hey.”[/color] She turned her head towards Julia and Alese. [color=FFCE00]“Since the city’s most likely in Chaos. Why don’t you two stay with me for the night? I have some guestrooms that will take care of both of you, and the security of our house is unlike anything you’ll ever see. And considering Chandi stays in the same building as Vivian’s, and the lowlifes might be out and about doing whatever they’re doing now that Geonet is down. I think it would be best for the two of you to join me for the night. What do you think?”[/color] The offer is pretty straightforward, stay with her for the night, and then maybe have breakfast with her and her sister once morning comes tomorrow. Considering the distance from Julia’s apartment, and Alese’s… rather drunken stupor at the moment, it is the most logical solution at the moment. . The physicality of the route that Chandi took out of Vivian’s was not important to her. Nor was the time it took. It was infinitely too long in her opinion and her opinion was the only one that mattered. Her head on a swivel she scanned the crowd quickly as her bracelet chirped at her. She strode to the right a few feet and as a muscle bound thug sneered at Chandi there was suddenly a blur of movement and a razor sharp sai was against his Adam’s apple.[color=HotPink] “By all means please push me.”[/color] Chandi grinned with feral malice. The thug to his credit retreated.[color=HotPink] “Fucking dirty bourgy gonk.”[/color] She tossed after him and he just moved faster. She spun the sai and raised her skirt on her left side clean up to her hip flashing her black leather thigh holster missing the sai that lived there and holstered the sai then let the skirt fall over it again. Seeing Alese and Xiang Min she stalked over to them. Chandi glared daggers at Xiang Min but her face changed to a soft worry when she looked at Alese.[color=HotPink] “Alese?”[/color] Not caring about her outfit she knelt down and reached out for Alese’s hands and pulled her into a hug.[color=HotPink] “Dearest? Want to go up to the apartment?”[/color] Her words were soft and full of concern. Looking over at Xiang Min her lips thinned.[color=HotPink] “Not that I don’t appreciate that you’re being generous but it would be dumb to move. There is a higher concentration of authority here and we all know it will stay that way.”[/color] She stroked Alese’s blonde hair and rested her chin on top of the other girl’s head.[color=HotPink] “Let’s be reasonable, you don’t know me and I don't really know you. I only stay at my place or my parent’s place. Alese either stays with me or at her place. Which, sorry dearest, has been on lock down since she got it. She’s practically family.”[/color] She just told Xiang Min and Julia more about the salacious relationship between the two women than Chandi had ever told the tabloids. The tabloids that Chandi played to and it was blatantly obvious in this instance that the person in the tabloids was not Chandi, or rather it was a very shallow version of the woman kneeling in the dirt comforting the other woman. This would be very apparent to Julia because she had seen yet another side of Chandi. . Julia liked this one. She had spunk. Between the way she threatened the asshole earlier, to the fact she wasn’t afraid to get dirty, Julia wasn’t afraid to admit her preconception of Chandi had been way off. Alese would be in safer hands with Chandi if that fiery look in the Heir’s eye was anything to go by. Julia shrugged and turned her attention to Xiang. [color=7893E7]”That’s a smart idea. I’m not walking back or driving back in this mess. I’ll stay at your house tonight, Xiang. At least until tomorrow, where I’ll probably need to run some errands.”[/color] [@Silver Carrot] [@Kumbaris] [@Almalthia]