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Cory did not like that look, the look that was searching, pressing against her like she was some book to open or a safe to unlock. Sorry, it ain't that easy, buddy, she thought to herself. So she deflected, looking at anything but Kale. The girls on the stage, strutting and moving like they owned every man in the building. And really, they pretty much did, what with their sex appeal, their charm, their ability to get men drooling at the thought of them... But Cory pushed the thought aside. She wasn't jealous, no. That would be silly. Besides, if she wanted she could shed her clothes and do the exact same thing, right? Right? Show a little skin, get paid to make men want her... but now, Cordelia knew the truth. Her tiny body was barely developed enough to call herself a woman. She looked more childlike than anything, with her narrow hips, her nonexistent curves. But that was fine. She didn't have to sell her body to make money, and she should be proud, rather than envious.

Cordelia visibly scoffed, and feigned gagging at the joke Kale made. Really? He was going there? "Nothin' dirty is gettin' anywhere near me, so you better watch out," she laughed, rolling her eyes once more. So like a man, really, to bring up sex jokes. That certainly wasn't seducing her, and if he kept up those antics, he wouldn't get anywhere with Cory. Not that she expected him to try or anything, Cory knew she was no pole dancer and that Kale had plenty of fish to choose from, but regardless, she wasn't an easy catch. She didn't fall into sex as a vice, and she expected it to be special every time. Unless, of course, she got too drunk and her body got the best of her. But Cordelia didn't let that happen often.

"Alright, Badass, then let's see what you're up to!" she challenged, tilting her head ever so slightly as her eyebrows raised. She walked confidently towards the stage, and found the girl who'd been eyeing Kale from the beginning. Red underwear, sexy walk, the woman had it down definitely, but Cordelia could be an actress when need be. She bent over, leaning her arms against the stage as her body pushed out provocatively. She gave the girl a wink as she approached, and slid the note into her panty line, before she turned and strutted back to her seat. Cory draped one leg over the other and waited for Kale to return, her face smug from her accomplishment. Cory was a lot of things, but she wasn't afraid of strippers or challenges. 

Cory's hand found the top of the bottle as it was placed before her, and she unscrewed the cap, pouring each of them a hearty drink. She leaned back against the firm wooden seat, cradling her newly acquired alcohol and swirling it against the glass before she took a sip, her eyes never leaving Kale, challenging him as a smirk appeared across her face. "Alright, Superman, truth or dare?" she asked.

The Lucky one | Kale & Cory

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Oh, the smug grin, one Cory was so familiar with on the street. Guys who knew they were the shit, who knew they were attractive and had women falling all over their feet like puppy dogs. How much was bull shit and how much was true, unadulterated egoticism she couldn't be quite sure, but he played the part well. There had to be something beyond that meathead attitude and devil-may-care attitude though, right? Something beneath the muscle, the bruises, the scars of battles won and pain inflicted. A real person, perhaps? Someone with dreams and aspirations outside of the ring? Hell, she'd settle just for him having a personality and a sense of humor. 

Cory wasn't entirely sure whether the two could be friends or not, since he was oh so closely tied with Asmodeus, but perhaps a good acquaintanceship. Provided of course he never got her home address or anything that could get her imprisoned and/or murdered. That was the trick with pets; they were in so far over their heads they could rarely even see it, how they'd traded their freedom for favor. Those who would give up Essential Liberty, to purchase a little Temporary safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. She couldn't help but identify with Benjamin Franklin on that one. When people gave up their identity to be tied to some angel, just to get power, or ready food on the table, or whatever perks it seemed they found, Cory felt almost like it was cheating. Of course, they did have better medical assistance, were never hungry, and got pretty much whatever they wanted...

She started, nearly sloshing some whiskey out of her glass at the mention of the word thief. "I, uh.. I prefer 'relocator'. Or trader. But I am in no way dirty, so you can shove that little adjective right up your ass, buddy," she retorted, though she kept a playful tone in her voice as she replied. She may not live the best, and didn't have much to spare, but Cordelia was proud of the life she'd made for herself in Purgatory. She was better off than many, had a shitty apartment of her own, and most of the time had something to eat, and always something strong in a glass to drink.

Yeah, yeah, yeah... she thought to herself. Like anyone's say-so would keep her from lifting if she had a golden opportunity. She rolled her eyes in response, conveying effectively what she thought of the statement.  Another sip of her drink, and burning dark liquid fell sweetly down her throat to bubble in her stomach. Cory felt the need to be much more intoxicated than she was now, that was certain. And now he was handing her some bill to give to a stripper? Well, there was a first time for everything, she supposed. "You tryin'a bait me?" she grinned, snatching the paper from his hand.  She'd do it. Cory wasn't shy. 

But she'd stay and here him out first. He wasn't exactly overflowing with information, but she supposed he couldn't be blamed much. "Tell ya what..." she began, placing her hands firmly on the table. She squinted slightly at him, mulling over her proposition, before she reached her open hand down to her pocket and pulled out some more bills. "You get us a bottle and some glasses," she began, shoving the paper towards him so she could stand up straight. Cory lifted the bill he'd given her and pretended to examine it lightly, like it had suddenly completely captured her interest. "I'll take care of this," she grinned, "and we can play a little truth or truth. How's that sound?" The girl had yet to decide just how truthful she'd be, but regardless it would definitely require a lot more alcohol.

The Lucky one | Kale & Cory

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Boom

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At first, Cordelia just thought this guy was friendly; after all, who turned down a free shot ever? And he could handle whiskey, so that was definitely a plus in her books. But all she could think as he walked around the bar was oh shit oh shit oh shit. This guy worked here. Hell, he probably owned the place, and Cory usually tried to keep as low a profile as possible, despite having a reputation around Six for being a bit rambunctious after a few drinks. 

So she cast him a wary glance when he slid her refilled shot back to her. "I'm nobody's pet," she replied, a bite in her words, but she lifted the glass anyway and tossed the dark liquid back to her throat, enjoying the slow burn on its way down. She did have to grin in spite of herself though, the guy had balls to throw up a challenge like that, and make himself so obviously known.

Cory felt her eyes narrow when he leaned towards her, and the boiling alcohol in her stomach mixed with a twinge of uneasiness. She felt the need to do something with her hands, so she spun the glass around on the scarred wooden countertop, avoiding eye contact as much as she possible could. What was he going to do? Throw her out? Report her? Get her thrown in jail or the arena? Cory was fairly certain she could handle most punishments, but getting banned from the bar and getting thrown in amongst the angels were two things she would not tolerate. Drinking at home alone simply wouldn't be fun, and would turn her into even more of an alcoholic, and Cory hated angels with a fiery passion, since she somewhat blamed them for her predicament, both being in purgatory and the hell it was to live there.

"I never take from the house, man," she grinned, giving her best attempt to remain aloof in the situation. She could deny the stealing, of course, but then she'd just look stupid, and Cordelia was anything but that. Besides, if worse came to worst, she could just make a run for it. Hiding in crowds was easy enough with her small stature.  "And a girl's gotta drink. You gonna kick me out or something?"

Well, this definitely wasn't the conversation she had planned to be having tonight. Her blue eyes wandered around to see if anyone was listening to the conversation; that would certainly ruin her game, even if he was kind enough to let her stay. So far, it seemed like everyone was absorbed in their own lives, just as they always were. That was what made her job so easy, really. In purgatory, everyone had their vices, and that was one constant she could count on.

A Drink and Hello || Cordelia and Kieran

  He recognized her immediately, though he didn’t know her name. All he knew was that she was in the place often enough to be considered a regular, and that it wasn’t the first time he had noticed her. Kieran wasn’t exactly the type to watch people from afar… at least, not on his own turf… but this one was an exception, as it was far more entertaining to simply admire her work than call her out on it. Hustling, swindling, blatant thievery… truly, it was an amusing sight to behold.

Or maybe he just thought so because it was a case of like recognizing like… one con artist observing the work of another. But the way Kier figured it, it wasn’t like she impeded on his game in any way, and if the morons she pilfered from were idiot enough to get hustled — or even better, blindly robbed — then they deserved exactly what was coming to them. Besides, she had a knack for spending a good part of her take before she even left, and he wasn’t about to complain about loyal patronage like that. Steal from the others, and end up giving half right to him? Now that was a working relationship that he could really get behind.

Still, if she was going to make a personal hobby out of ripping off his other customers, the barkeep figured he should at least introduce himself properly, so he moved to slide into the seat next to the woman, taking the shot from her without hesitation as she passed it over to him. “It’d be my pleasure,” he told her, proffering a grin of his own before he lifted his glass in cheers and knocked back the liquor effortlessly. 

Setting it down on the bar top with a thunk of glass against wood, he waved his bartender off to take care of other guests and then pushed himself out of his chair, walking around the end of the counter and coming up the other side to stand across from the woman. Grabbing the bottle up off the ledge where Casey had left it, Kieran poured them both another shot, sliding one glass toward his raven haired companion before he picked up his own, raising the shot with another flash of teeth in her direction.

"Cheers, pet." And with that, he drained the finger of liquid in his glass before sliding it off to the side to join his other empty, immediately turning his attention to the woman sitting across from him again. Leaning forward on his folded arms against the bar counter, a knowing smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth as he looked the raven haired thief over. "Yeh know, I hafta say, I’m surprised to see yeh spending money instead of stealing it for a change. What’s the matter, love? Cramp in those sticky fingers of yers?"

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Cordelia found Kale again, but she felt as though she were interrupting something. He was watching the girls- the dancers she had not even spared a glance. She took a beat to scan and watch the other patrons; most also had eyes only for the dancers, and while she felt a bit of respect for the women for doing their jobs so well, for capturing their attention and no doubt their wallets, she felt a drop of disgust begin to boil in her stomach for the men. She knew everybody needed something to distract them in this dismal place, but really? Why was it that people fell so heavily into lust? She probably wouldn't ever understand. It just wasn't one of her vices.

"Oh Kale, you're just such a superhero, so strong and powerful," she teased, as she lifted her hand to her heart and pretended to be faint from his proximity. Of course, it was immediately accompanied by an eye roll. Cory swirled the liquid in her glass and stared as the dark amber swished in little circles. She sighed slightly. Of course he had noticed, and then he'd gone and called her out for it. Really Cory wasn't all too surprised; Kale seemed like he didn't care what he said to people, or how they would react. 

"Do I want these people to know me for realsies? Not on your life," she answered. Cordelia lifted the glass to her lips and tossed back half of her drink. She enjoyed the burn of whiskey in her throat, the way she could feel it for minutes afterward as it boiled around her stomach and the alcohol seeped into her veins. Booze definitely was one of her vices. She pointed at the waitresses that kept casting glances towards her, then at some of the female patrons, who also kept giving her the eye. "Please. All these people know I don't belong here, and can't figure a single reason why I'm here," she noted calmly, again rolling her eyes in disdain. She handed Kale his drink firmly, made sure it was securely in his hand, before she leaned against a nearby chair. "You stay under the radar by being obvious. Nobody questions an adoring fan around here, but a little street rat like me just walking in for kicks? That would make people wonder. And I don't want that attention on me. Hard to believe, right? Since I'm such a diva." She flashed Kale a grin to let him know she was joking on the last bit. 

Cordelia treated Luxe the way she did Gomorrah; If she had to go inside, she made sure people thought she had a reason to be there, and usually left as quickly as possible. Places like this were covered in angels, arcs, and their pets, whether they were well known or not, and the entire situation made her uncomfortable. She very much weighed risks and rewards when it came to being around them, since they made her so nervous. But the way the guys just stared longingly at the scantily clad women, they were practically begging her to pick their pockets and make out better than she'd come in. Risks and rewards.

She turned back to him, and let her pale eyes fall onto his face. She couldn't decide exactly how to feel about Kale, what with his strong ties to Asmodeus and his gifts, but he was pretty entertaining. "So what's your story, Superman?"

The Lucky one | Kale & Cory

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dxprxssxdbby:

I. Love. This. 💀

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Chatters. Well, that was an interesting nickname. She wondered if she'd get annoyed by it... Yes, probably, but it was better than having her true name floating around, so really, what could it matter? She'd just have to remember to respond to it, should Kale decide to talk to her once they were in the bar. It seemed quite likely that he could just up and leave her, and then Cory would be completely out of her element, waiting around Luxe like a completely sore thumb. She wouldn't be inconspicuous if she hung around by herself long, that was certain.

And wow, this guy seemed to have some sort of superiority complex, eh? Not that he couldn't afford one, considering the guns behind the brawn. Asmodeus... well, he wasn't someone Cordelia ever wanted to see face to face, nor did she ever want her name on his lips. That just spelled trouble, and while Cory was a bit of a troublemaker herself, she liked deciding the terms. And dealing with someone like that, well, it wasn't exactly on her bucket list.

She followed Kale dutifully, knowing people would suspect much less of her if she acted like an adoring fan. "Oh yes, he just won the most inspiring fight!" she gushed, laying on sarcastic undertones that this buff guy wouldn't notice. "He's just so strong and wow, you should see him in the ring! I couldn't help but offer to buy him a drink, you know. I'm sure you'd do the same!" There we go, seem as stupid and gullible as possible. That kept suspicion away easily enough. She had to hold back a laugh when she was let in, since this guy couldn't hide his look of disgust when Cory walked by. Perfect.

"Alright, alright," she agreed, and sauntered over to the bar. She took a long look around. This definitely wasn't Cory's scene. But still, as she approached the wooden frame of the bar, she managed to sneak a couple bucks from a guy's pocket as he waited for his drink. 

"Neat scotch and some whiskey, bar man!" she called, and laid her money on the table. "Make the second a double, I gotta feeling I'm gonna need it in this place." She spared another look around to find Kale- she couldn't exactly lose him, the way people stared, but she didn't feel like wandering around like an idiot looking for him.

The Lucky one | Kale & Cory

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See? He was totally nice. Why had she ever been so guarded? She felt so silly now. He was obviously just a regular guy, getting on with his life. So silly, she thought, shaking her head at herself. 

"So sad, that people are so scared of niceness, ya know? It's such a shame. I'm sorry I was so rude earlier, really. You're obviously not a junkie or anything. I always seem to piss off the wrong people, so I just kinda.. I guess I always gotta wait and see with people, ya know?" She answered him honestly. And really, it was such a shame. Even the people she'd call friends- when she'd met them, it was usually under the worst kind of circumstance, and life shouldn't be that way, right? People should be able to trust others and just go on with living, maybe even be happy. He made that seem almost possible, despite the impossibility in Purgatory.

"I look like a woman who can run pretty quickly," she corrected him with a shy smile. Cordelia was more than aware that her smallness made people underestimate her, and worse, she was acutely aware of the disadvantages it gave her around her. She carried a knife to be safe, but still. If confronted in hostility, she'd most likely turn tail and run.

"But thanks, I- I'm just headed a bit aways, got some people I'm trying to meet. But it's nice to make your acquaintance, Noah. I'm Annie. You got a thing for animals the way the story goes?" she smiled. Maybe she could let him walk her there. After all, he was so nice and friendly... but then, that'd put everyone at risk. Really, she shouldn't. She should just leave and get her errands done. Should.

Strangers In The Night [Gareth&Cordelia]

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Cory watched Gage maneuver around the bus, and she laughed quietly, wondering exactly how he lived in here when he didn't just didn't quite fit the height requirements. While Cordelia's small stature didn't help on the intimidation front one bit, nor the fighting, she could easily slip in and out of places and hide where others couldn't go, so she'd never really had cause for complaint. Besides, she was way more likely to run from a fight than try to hold her own- she couldn't exactly afford to get hurt around here, that much was certain.

She let him take hold as much as he needed to. For some reason, she was highly doubtful the stuttering man would attempt to steal it; it wasn't exactly like he could go far with it, from within the bus, anyway. She felt her face soften while she looked at it again, this time in his hands. She still couldn't put a finger on why it was so comforting to her. Maybe it lingered over from her past outside of Purgatory. No one could really know, and after all, Cordelia wasn't even really sure how long she'd been here.

"it's cool, though, right? When I found it I just couldn't part with it for some reason. It's like, ancient and familiar all at the same time, ya know?" she grinned, easing herself into the situation as she let her guard drop. She fiddled with the chain in her hand, running her small fingers across the cool metal. She found warmth where it had been against her neck. At least she knew she wasn't allergic to the metal, now, since no rash or anything had come from it. Cool.

"And that, Gadget Gage, is why I came and found you," she replied, giving him a wide smile as she let the chain fall from her fingers. "Word on the street is that you're the best, and it wasn't exactly easy to find anyone who knew where you were. Luckily, the right people trust me, so here I am."

Got a Minute? || Cordelia and Gage

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"Nice to meet ya, Noah. You got an ark around here to float us away from this place?" she joked, shrugging slightly. The way she figured, if she couldn't be honest about who she was, simply because of her own reflexes, she could at least act like herself and extend whatever kindness she could. "Hey, hugs are great for both parties, so there's no need for a thank you! I promise. Seriously."

Cordelia wasn't entirely certain why she talked so much, but it was an impulsive habit, not even based out of nerves, really. She just talked a lot, and without filter. It wasn't always appreciated, but in Cory's opinion it was far better than being shy. Just as in action, Cordelia was forward and unafraid in words. She may hide behind different names and shadiness regarding her line of work, but her personality, so long as she wasn't threatened, was quite genuine, and she liked it that way. She had friends all around, friends she could care about, but no one she'd take to see her apartment or who knew her full name. It was a paradox, a strange situation indeed, but it kept her safe in Purgatory and that was her first priority.

Cordelia decided she liked this Noah's smile. It seemed genuine and kind, and even brought about a bit of guilt in the back of her mind as she imagined she'd sold more than one knife that had landed someone or other in the hospital. Perhaps she had inadvertently contributed to one or more people that Noah hadn't been able to save? She couldn't feel too bad about it though. A girl had to eat and make a living, had to keep that roof over her head. There was absolutely no way in Purgatory that Cordelia was going back to being homeless. The thought of it alone made her shutter; the tunnels were not to be trifled with, and the fear of never knowing when you'd have your next meal was too much to bear.

"Dude, I feel ya. I know you have like nothing to work with, and that really sucks. Kinda why I avoid this place, ya know? If I'm ever on that table, I probably won't be comin' out, ya know?" she replied quietly, taking on a serious tone. Poor Noah. He must really, really try in there. She doubted she could sneak into the other clinic and get herself out without detection, let alone bring anything of use back with her, and she didn't even know if she would want to; but that look in her eyes struck at something in her gut, which made her wish she could help. "I... uh..." oh Lord, Cory was about to make a huge leap for her, and she prayed she wouldn't regret it. She scrounged around in her backpack and grabbed out an old pen and some scrap paper. She pressed the paper against her thigh carefully, and scratched out her cell phone number- one she gave to clients and anybody who needed to contact her.

"If ya find out you need anything you can't really get across the counter, you, uh..." She began, and held the paper out to Noah decidedly. "You can give me a call. I have a knack for finding things people need." 

Welcome to the World, Kid || Noah and Cordelia

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Cory had pushed herself behind a grimy dumpster as soon as she'd seen the girl approaching, and admittedly, watching was more out of entertainment then for gaining information, but still. It was more than interesting to see a fellow thief discover exactly what she had, though Cory hadn't tried to touch the place yet. She preferred surveillance for awhile first, to get the regular habits of owners down so she'd know exactly when to make her move.

She watched the girl get burned, and gasped slightly. Someone really didn't want people in there, eh? Well, that just made the game -and the reward- all the more fun.

Cordelia had a decision to make: either try the handle herself, or go after the girl and see what she knew. She weighed her options carefully. Though it was difficult to negotiate with a thief when it came to spoils, she at least knew the girl wouldn't narc on her, and that seemed to be good enough reason to Cory.

"Hey, wait!" she called, as she scrambled up from the dirty ground. She brushed herself off carefully, but her legs took off as quickly as they could without running towards the girl.  "You in the market for a trade?" she called, a grin splitting wide against her features.

Once Burned Twice Shy :: Cordelia and Katerina

Katerina hissed through her teeth and pulled back sharply. Already the skin on the palm of her hand and wrist was turning an angry red. She glared at the metal latch that had dared to burn her. It was trapped and she should have realized it. There would be no stealing whatever was held in this basement. Standing and stomping on the old metal cellar door she glared over her shoulder. The coast was, thankfully, still clear. The fact that someone had taken the time to booby trap an old cellar door meant that her instinct was correct about it holding more than it appeared to. Deciding that she would try again with a plan, Kitty turned her attention to the current situation. The sun was setting and she was far from home and without anything to show for a days work. Head hung low, nursing her badly burnt hand she began to trudge down the narrow street. 

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"Not injured. Not hurt. Scaret. Ya eedu damoy," she answered, but she allowed herself to sit up, to almost stand. The longer she stayed here, the more danger she was in of being caught. Get out get out get out.  Cory wiped at her face, getting all fake tears off of her, to show she really was okay, she'd recovered from her panic attack. Her character would be comforted by this girl, wouldn't she? Happy someone seemed to care so much. But internally, she was growing more panicky. She didn't want attention, she wanted the boot out of there. 

"Not guards, I go home alone, ees fine. Not worry head ov me, no," she insisted. She let the girl pull away, and Cory herself stood up and brushed her clothes back into place. Gomorrah wasn't a place she'd like to be for any length of time. The club was used for sex, after all, and while Cory made her living selling things, her body certainly wasn't one of them. But getting caught might mean slavery in a place like this, and the idea of strange men or women wanting to crawl into bed with her made her itch, longing to throw up at the thought. 

"I vas, uh... Soup Kitchen. I go back to kitchen, people ze are zere for me, I must go, tank you for hospitality," she mumbled, keeping her eyes on the ground. "But in hurry, must leave."

How may I help you? || Elisa & Cordelia

  As the girl wrapped her arms around her Elisa had to fight her instinct to grimace. She wasn’t all too fond of physical contact such as this, not when it was unexpected and especially hugs had always seemed rather odd to her. A handshake was easier, cleaner and more professional. Unlike most of the other women who worked under the roof of Gomorrah being touched wasn’t part of her contract. She listened to the girl, trying to comprehend her words. “Yes blood.” Elisa repeated, that’s what she was saying; right? “But you’re not injured, are you?” 

Trying to pull herself away Elisa was even more puzzled by the stranger. Maybe it was because things had been rather uneventful in the house lately. Not that she minded, predictability made her life and running things a lot easier, not to mention safer. She’s talking about her family, a sister? Elisa thought catching a word here and another there. And demons, well they were a hazard the people of purgatory had to deal with… Herself included. Granted that within the walls of Gomorrah she was safe and her connections to men such as Asmodeus gave her a little more security outside the house. She was more than aware that many didn’t have the luxuries she did and that some people outside the safety of their walls were hunted and prayed upon.

The look in the girls eyes was filled with fear, but there was something behind it. Perhaps she wasn’t quite as helpless as she claimed. “You want me to tell the guards to escort you out?” Elisa asked calmly, she didn’t want the girl to stay in the lobby, but there was no way she’d let her out her sight. People forced to roam the streets of Purgatory had quick fingers and she wanted to deal with this without confrontation. Giving her a reassuring smile, Elisa removed herself from the girl’s grasp, she didn’t want blood on her dress but refrained from looking down. “If your actually bleeding you should let me help you.” She was used to dealing with cuts and bruises, especially after a few rougher clients.

Taking a step back she eyed the stranger from head to toe. She couldn’t be much older than Elisa, and human. She was almost certain about it. Pretty, some of their clients would most certainly find her intriguing and might pay a decent price for a night. Curving her lips into a smile she tilted her head to the side. ”Perhaps I could point you to the right direction. Where was it that you said you were going?”

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Cordelia almost grimaced when he dropped the cigarette. Didn't he know how hard they were to come by for some people? She herself had been wanting one right about then, but she had given herself an allowance of three a day so she wouldn't waste too much money on them.  But there he was, just tossing them aside. Was he better off than she was? Almost definitely; a thief's allowance wasn't much, but it gave her a life she could enjoy. Money for drinking and food and rent. At least she wasn't homeless- Cory had electricity she rarely used and water for showers, and that was pretty much all she needed.

She couldn't tell if she'd seen this guy before, since he looked very... well, somewhat plain. Like any other person she could see on the street. She couldn't see scars, which was a bit unusual, since most who lived around here had been in a scrap or two, but that probably meant he was just in a better position. Was he gifted? If so, she needed to stay away. Her trust of anyone that had contact with angels had bottomed out a long time ago, and generally she avoided them and their pets like the plague. The Illegals were slightly better, but more dangerous in her opinion. She still didn't like them. 

And now he was walking towards her. He shouldn't do that, that wasn't okay. But she felt... almost okay with it? His body language spoke of security, of being nonthreatening. But how much was that worth? Cordelia found herself almost.. confused by it. But what threat could he possess, really? He was nice, right? A sweet smile, a kind demeanor. What had she been thinking before, anyway? How could he be a threat at all?

"Not a very common drug, life," she answered. "Not too much to be happy about around here I don't think."

There was a flicker, though. A sneer. She felt another wave of discomfort in his presence, but his laugh washed it away.  It was almost dizzying, how her perception of him kept fighting her natural distrustfulness. 

"Sorry, habit..." she answered, smiling softly. Of course he wouldn't rob her, he was nicer than that. She felt sure of it now. Her body relaxed slightly as she got more comfortable. "So what are you doing around here, anyway? I'm just off to work, so... don't usually see many nice people around here, ya know?"

  He snickered and dropped the cigarette to the floor, crushing the remains beneath the sole of a cuban heeled cowboy boot. The last traces of smoke whispered from his lips as he got a good look at her. As with everyone he met, his gift altered her perception of him. Ever so slightly. Can’t have people being able to describe him exactly. Would be bad for business… And life expectancy.

Gareth pushed himself away from the wall and dusted his hands off on a ever so slightly worse for wear suit jacket. The classier things in life were hard to come by these days. But still, he made this look good.

Giving his most charming grin, the man shrugged his shoulders before slipping his hands into his pockets. A brief look around and he was slowly approaching her. Shoulders rolled slightly inwards making him look a little shorter. Less of a threat.

"No dirty needles or back alley shit for me, love. High on life, I am."

He noticed her movements and sneered. A roll of his eyes and he was laughing again.

"Not gonna rob you, sweetheart. Don’t look like you have much worth nothing on you anyways."

[whatsin-aname]

Cordelia watched him, and felt a pang of pity. The guy was a nurse, and obviously something had gone wrong, otherwise he'd be inside. He obviously wasn't on a cigarette break. She wanted to help- her friendly nature meant she didn't like seeing people hurt, but at the moment she didn't know what to do. She wasn't some shrink or anything, and wasn't gifted in the slightest, so really, what could she do? Well, perhaps one thing...

Cory ran over and wrapped her arms around the guy, despite him being much taller and broader than she was, and she gave him a quick, tight hug. "I'm Carrie. And so long as you're not beating up patients, I don't see any reason why your reputation would be on the line," she answered against his chest, before she stepped back. She had made certain not to burn him with her cigarette, and with the added distance, she took another drag with a sad smile on her face. Poor guy. There was a reason Cordelia never came to the clinic; no matter how good their intentions were, there simply wasn't much anyone could do for illness or injury in these parts. That was reserved for the wealthy. If Cordelia wasn't so determined to keep herself alive and fed, she'd give money to the clinic from her dealing on the black market. But, as it were, she was, and simply stayed away from the house of misery.

"You don't have to help with anything, I'm just strollin' around, you know, looking for trouble," she replied, giving him a small, short laugh. But then she realized he probably wouldn't want to hear someone was actually looking for trouble, and it was just a figure of speech. She was just looking for things to sell. "Well, not looking for trouble, I'm just looking around. Don't come 'round here very often, it kinda gives me the creeps, this place. Like, How many people actually come out of here alive?" she asked, her lack of tact showing obviously. "Not that it's your fault-" Cordelia groaned. Well, she had probably really offended him now. Oops. 

Welcome to the World, Kid || Noah and Cordelia

[whatsin-aname]

Cory needed to find the Black Market, and for some reason, the code was especially tricky today. Like, c'mon, she was a regular vendor, didn't she deserve some concrete information for once? Though really, it was comforting; that meant everyone was looking after themselves, and in association, her as well, by keeping the market as secret as possible. It was a pretty shady place to be, in all honesty. Tattoo artists, blood dealers, drug dealers, arms dealers, mercenaries for hire, and thieves like herself set up shop to sell and trade goods. Cory usually only traded for cash, alcohol, or weapons, considering she'd never gotten mixed up in drugs or blood.

The whole blood thing, she was decidedly against. Gifted or not, getting addicted to the red shit meant dependency, and that was something she would never, ever, succumb to, not in this lifetime. She'd seen addicts, she'd seen them dying for another shot, one more injection. It was sickening, really, utterly repulsive.

She was interrupted on her search, though, by somebody who she deemed rather rude upon first meeting. Her mind flickered through her aliases quickly. Whom should she be, how should she react? A perfect stranger, he was, and she didn't know who to be just yet. So perhaps a moment of herself would do until she figured it out.

"Lemme guess- dirty needles and back alley shit. Didn't mum ever tell you 'Hugs not Drugs'?" she answered hotly, attempting to sidestep around him. She hugged her backpack tightly to her side. She certainly wasn't going to get robbed this close to payday. 

He’d just taken a shot. Taken the slip. The trip. The dive. Sipped from the crimson cup of the Divine and that age old rush was coming on again. His toes curled and his breath hissed out from between clenched teeth. The sharp tang of red slicked over the roof of his mouth. Eyes clouded with vermillion.

The spark of flame illuminated his ruddy cheeks as he took a drag and watched the greying blue spiral drift up…up…up. 

It wasn’t like being alive. Not like getting high in your best friend’s basement and flinching when you heard his mum coming down the stairs. It wasn’t the cocaine parties with the beautiful and the decadent draped over you. it wasn’t the desperate tap of the needle in a dirty back alley-way on a cold winter’s night.

No.

This was so much more. This was taking the blood of a Divine Being into yourself. This was feeding from the great and powerful and taking some of that power for yourself. It was screaming adrenaline and surging energy. After a while it calmed down a bit. But that first rush? There was really nothing to compare it to.

He sighed and took another drag on the rumpled cigarette which dangled idly between his fingertips. Someone was interrupting his moment of quiet. And he really wasn’t in the mood. But, time to put on your happy face.

"Didn’t your Mum ever tell you it was rude to sneak up on people?"