Starfire's listened carefully. The Scar. That must be that wasteland filled with horrible, cruel, and comparitively disfigured people she had arrived on. This Earth is a troubled one. Starfire's homeworld was untouched by war when she left it...well, that wasn't true. For the most of her life it was untouched by war. They never had vast fields full of death and decay. What a horrible feeling of dread that must instill, to glance over the horizon and know that way lies only wickedness and suffering.
These thoughts vanished when Rayner mentioned he was interested in joining her with the others. She smiled brightly. "Rayner, I believe that is a wonderful idea. I too believe in meeting people." She stood from the table and took Rayner's hand, offering to guide him over to her other allies.
"Clio, V, Karen, Jerome, this is my friend Rayner." She introduced him. "Rayner, that is Jerome, Karen, V, and Clio." She pointed to each of them in turn. "I spilt Rayner's food. He was very nice about it. I am back from the bathroom, and I am sorry about my rude exit." That being said, Starfire took a chair from a nearby empty table and set it down on the edge of the table. Then she sat down in her old chair, scooting it closer.
I'm still here. I've just been posting a lot so I'm waiting on someone else. There's kind of like four people that doing a majority of the posting. I can go again tomorrow to keep the momentum up. I've got stuff to write and say I just don't want to leave anyone behind
Dareen opened her mouth and palm as if to say something back, but it was clear her sardonic ways went over his head. Her humor was as dry as the sands of Pruul. The law is what the Queens said. Well yes, Bellinar, she quipped silently. 'At least I have the Queen's word on my side'? Whatever.
Then she looked over at Mikhail, who offered one of those hollow platitudes that didn't help anyone ever. The problem with that advice is that it was going to eventually be under her control, so naturally she was trying to think of what she might do or say in any hypothetical scenario. Yes, it was pointless, yes, it was stressing her out, and no, being aware of these facts didn't mean she wasn't going to do it! It was either that or look at the flowers!
Bellinar was his name, apparently. She looked between the two men and then rested her head on her palm. Oh, great. They're bantering. It seemed Bellinar had shifted his attention to something as mundane as Mihkail's pointy ears. So Dareen just sank a little further into the furniture, content to let the conversation pass her by. The witch had exactly zero interest in learning about Mikail's pointy ears.
January , 8:44 PM Chipotle Mexican Grill, West 34th Street, New York City
Starfire's smile fell from her face when Rayner asked about her homeworld. She loved Tamaran. But now, the mere thought of her homeworld felt like someone was attacking her on the inside. Like her heart was plucked. She would rather eat some more food and choke again than talk about that. It's why she considered herself a little lucky that it happened right when Karen was asking about what they were all doing there. She wore her heart on her sleeve and someone as observant as Rayner would notice the guilt in Starfire's face.
"My homeworld is Tamaran. I am not allowed there anymore." She managed. Before Rayner could say anything, she continued. "But enough about that!" Starfire raised her voice. "I want to learn more about this planet Earth. You say it has troubles and scars?" Starfire rocked on her heels again. Clearly she was interested in learning more about this planet and those who live on it. She knew practically nothing about the state of affairs on Earth. Starfire slid into the booth across from Rayner, but then seemed hesitant.
"Oh, but I do not want to disturb your meal. Perhaps we could meet again when the time is more appropriate. If you want too. Or we could just keep talking now. On my...homeworld we did not talk to each other nearly as much as you all do here. There is so much noise on Earth." Starfire wasn't sure what to do at this point. She was curious, easily distracted and entirely amiable. Still, there was a lot of stimuli and the alien was overwhelmed. There was a lot to piece together- everything from the culture to the geography of this planet was entirely unlike her own.
that would match her personality. As in, beautiful. Kilroy had complained it was waste of money, but Bloodrose knew differently. How was she going to get anything done dressed with regular old clothes? She had to be attractive! Eye-catching! Otherwise no one would care.
This was all theory, of course. This was the first time Bloodrose had been let off the leash as it were. Purse slung over her shoulder, her high heels clacked along the concrete as she searched her phone for nearby nightclubs. None were really catching her eye. Boring, boring, boring. Too much dancing. Dancing was for fun, and as much as Bloodrose liked fun, she was out here on business. Ah. What's this? Wonderland? Variants welcome. Looked like a good a place to start as any. The makeup she had on this morning still worked, and worked even better now that she had a glamorous outfit to match. Deep red lips and shadowed eyes. Oh yeah, she could chat up anyone.
The sun was almost all the way gone, and the lights of the Bywater district began to come to life. New Haven looked beautiful at night. Approaching the nightclub, she showed her fake ID Kilroy made for everyone and got inside. Bloodrose didn't know exactly how the ID magic worked, but basically it prevented the same name from coming up all over town over and over again. The name said "Ellen Zhang." Sauntering up to the countertop, she sat cross legged upon a barstool. Whenever the barkeep went by, she would ask loudly. "I'll have...ooh...I dunno. A dry martini. Extra dry..." she smiled, lowering her voice and morphing into an appalling british accent, "Shaken, not stirred."
Straighting her back, she tapped the counter top with her fingernails, smiling at the barkeep. "Thanks, sweetheart." She turned and scanned the club for anyone interesting, perking up her ears aswell. It was going to be a long night, full of adventure and good times for all. Oh, yeah, and maybe she'd learn something useful.
---
Abi was waiting for Phoebe and Jassaliah and whey returned. "How did it go?" She asked, sitting on the bed of the second apartment the Epsilons owned.
"You already know, idiot." Phoebe said, chucking a duffelbag full of money at Abi. Abi caught it and began counting it. "Wow. This is our biggest haul yet."
"Yes, it is. Too bad Jericho is a dumbass and is totally overextending. I bet we could bump him off and fill the vacuum, easy. Everyone there respects us way more than they do that twitchy idiot." Jassaliah said, pulling the balaclava off her face.
The two hitwomen changed into more comfortable clothinging and lay down on the bed together. "I'm exhausted..." Phoebe mumbled, yawning. Her legs ached somehow.
"What are Plinko and Layna up too?" Jassaliah asked, looking over at Abi, who shrugged. "The worker bees? I dunno. Probably boring legal stuff. Making just above minimum wage."
"Let's check in." Hey, Layna, how you doin'? Layna? She was there, but everything was dark.
Oh, I see what's going on here. WAKE UP IDIOT
---
New Haven Library, Downtown
Layna's eyes flew open. She snorted and awoke with a start, adjusting her glass and hair after she peeled her cheek from the wooden desk. "Wha- what? What?"
Hey there, sleepyhead. We were just wondering how you were doing.
Uh, fine, just fine. You guys kill all the people you needed to kill?
Yup! Everything went swimmingly.
Swimmingly? Who says swimmingly?
Is that you, Phoebe?
No, this is Jassaliah.
I'm here, too.
Hey, Abi.
I'm not Abi, I'm Plinko.
Plinko?
I'm also here. Abi.
Hold on, hold on.
Can you guys all shut the fuck up?
For real. No, you shut up. Excuse me? It's pretty fucking hard to tell everyone apart when we all have yeah no shit, no shit that's the problem here. Plinko why are you even here Wow really glad you guys woke me up for this shit. Good lord.
Layna lost track of what thoughts were her own. It was impossible to block out the other girls. Everyone just had to agree to shut up and leave.
Abi, Phoebe, Jassaliah. You guys are all in the same room. So please shut up and leave me alone. I'm trying to work!
You were trying to work? You were asleep when we got here.
Well, that's none of your business. Phoebe's asleep too, she fell asleep right next to you guys.
Well, Phoebe is actually doing stuff. Like making money.
Well, whatever. I'm doing fine. Thanks for checking in.
You're welcome.
Suddenly, everyone was gone. Layna dropped her head in her hands and rubbed her hair. She had died her hair blonde, and she wore thick, black rimmed glasses. The library didn't pay too much. Infact, she was it's only permanent employee. Ever since she was born, (created?) she'd always loved books and knowledge. She loved her sisters (and they were sisters, as much as Bloodrose insisted they weren't) but they could be intrusive.
There was no one else at the library. All Layna had left to do was get the books back into proper place.
---
The Shanty
Plinko loved stealing.
Okay, out of context, that might sound bad- but think of it this way: They were just going to spend it anyway. Might as well give it to her! The restaraunt she worked at made for some easy marks. No one suspected the waitress. Who would suspect the waitress! She kept the money to herself most of the time- the other Epsilon's didn't need to know. Even if they were watching her, they wouldn't notice. She was so sneaky she didn't even need to look. There was a thrill in pick-pocketing, something she couldn't get anywhere else. She wanted oh so badly to go along with the Twin Sisters, but they already had Abi and always accused Plinko of being a loose cannon. Loose cannon? Loose cannon!? Maybe. But she deserved better than working at this stupid spaghetti joint. Linguini's? It was pretty fancy, she guessed.
Shift complete, she took off her apron and took to the streets. Loose cannon.
You think I'm a loose cannon, V? There was a brief silence as Veronica pondered the question.
Yes. But, I think that's what makes you special. You always think outside the box.
If I'm so special, than why don't I get to do more?
Because you're a loose cannon.
What!?-
There's a time and a place for loose cannons. Trust me, Plinko. You'll get your time in the spotlight. We're laying low right now. Things are about to heat up. I promise.
If Plinko could give a frustrated telepathic sigh, she would. She didn't think anything more of it. Loose cannon...she would shake things up, alright.
Reika eyes went wide as Vinnie wrapped his arm around her neck and put a gun to her head. Vinnie? Vinnie was the mole? This whole time? Her trembling hand still held the gun out towards Alice. Apparently Lucia was the other mole. This was confirmed went a dart hit her in the thigh. Where did that come from? What was going on? The gun fell from her hand and clattered against the floor.
"Alice?" She asked with a pleading, regretful tone in her voice staring over at her long time enemy and only ally. Her legs went jelly and when the traitorous woman pushed her to the ground she hit the floor with a meaty thud. She didn't put her hands out to prevent herself from falling and thus her temple smacked against the concrete. Lucia's taunt was muffled and sounded like it came from underwater.
"Sumimasen..." The japanese woman mumbled to no one in the room. The head trauma, tranquilizer dart, and total, utter defeat took the fight out of her. A tranquilizer dart, head trauma, and total utter defeat dragged with woman into oblviion. Darkness nipped at the edges of her vision and her body betrayed her. Eyes closing, she went limp in Lucia's grasp. It made for an easy handcuffing. Reika was still alive but unconscious, and would have to answer for her crimes. A fate worse than death.
Reika's make-up was smeared and her hair was tied up into a frazzled bun. Her tea set was almost empty, and she downed the liquid like it was life saving medicine, only today it didn't seem to help. There were bags under her eyes- she hadn't slept. Rachel was dead. She was the rat, right? Who was left? Leonardo was gone, too. Sweat gathered on her brow and as she went to dab it off she realized her hands were shaking.
"You fucking rat." She cursed, grinding her teeth. "Which one of you is it?" She glared between Lucia and Alice. "I know it's one of you." She glanced over at Vinnie. She placed the tea up to her lips and gulped it down. It tasted bitter. It tasted like nothing! Screaming, she threw the porcelain cup across the room and exploded to her feet. Reaching into her jacket she pulled out a beretta and leveled it at Lucia and Alice. She focused on Alice.
"It was you, wasn't it!? It always was you! Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you!" Her hands were shaking and there was a wild look in her eye.
"Do you know how long I worked for this!? My father died for this! For me! You fucking rat!" There was one thing holding her back. Alice might not be the rat. If Reika fired and was wrong, she would be dead. She quickly pointed it back at Lucia, and then back to Alice. Glancing over her shoulder at Vinnie she tried to gauge his reaction. Was he going to surrender? She focused her eyes back on the women on the other side of the table.
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