[Atoli01]

I walked slowly down the damp street; it must've just stopped raining minutes ago. The added water dripping from the roofs of stores didn't quite add to the beauty of the town - not like it had any, though. Despite the depressing atmosphere, residents of the town were already resuming their work at their sales booths, yelling out what I assumed must've been attempts to attract customers. Anyone in their right mind however, wouldn't go anywhere near them, with their shady looks and items. I wasn't paying much attention and found my foot in a giant puddle of mud, much to my dismay.

"Solty! Solty! Hey, Solty!" I jumped in front of the purple haired girl, waving my hand around in front of her face. I sighed at the sight of her simply walking past me, as if I wasn't there. I looked at her Ballama, Hiikai, with an eyebrow raised; as if on cue, Hiikai flew in front of Solty, trying to catch her attention for me.

Solty sighed and glanced back at me, "What is it? What do you want now?" Hiikai made a noise quite similar to a meow and contently sat on my head.

"Would ya give me a piggyback ride? ...I got mud on my shoe and it feels gross," I replied, making a pouting face. Solty sighed, kneeling down so I could get onto her back. Once I did, she looked back at me again, saying, "You're a little old for this, I think... But let's get going. We hafta find some hotel to spend the night in tonight."

{{Alice: 1; Solty: 1}}

[auntslappy282]

A peculiar man stood at a shop on the corner, fidora dripping with the recent pour of water. He looked rather different from the others. Clad in black and a blood red tie. A cigarette in his mouth. The smoke bellowed of slowly in a stream that thinned continuously.

I glared at the person running the stand. I didn't want to start a scene or nothin' but unfortunately, that might be the last resort. "Now listen 'ere wise guy. I'm not gonna do this 'ere for cheap, hear me?" The Brooklyn accent heavy. The person behind the stand smirked. "You think its that easy Slick? I know we've been friends for awhile, but I can't go lettin' you get things for cheap."

"Fine, you lost your customer." I turned from the stand and walked back into the streets. I noticed two people heading down the street. They stopped and talked and I made sure to keep  my distance. I was heading toward the bar and nothing was gonna stop me. All I wanted was for these idiots, and the rest of the idiots around town, to leave me in peace.

[Atoli01]

That guy sure stood out. I mean, for one, you didn't hear many accents like that around. And two, most of the people in The Slums were dressed in quite possibly the worst clothes I had ever seen, not in suits and fedoras. 'Maybe we should check him out, right?' I heard from Hiikai.

I nodded my head and tapped Solty on the shoulder, whispering in her ear, "Hey, Solty? What do you think of that guy over there? He has kind of a weird vibe, don't'cha think?" She nodded slowly, cautiously glancing back behind her. She knelt down again, letting me get off of her back. I followed her lead to the corner of a nearby building. If we were going to spy on somebody, we might as well make it look cool, right?

I stuck my hand into my pocket, making sure that my cards were there. He might not be dangerous, but you just never knew these days, especially considering who and where we were.

((Yeah, Hiikai actually has telepathy and doesn't really talk, except for a couple sounds here and there.))

{{Alice: 2; Solty: 2}}

[auntslappy282]

I kept my eye out on the trio. I muttered a slight cuss under my breath. Their was no time to shift through my piles of junk to get my weapon out of my massive trunk. (Don't ask) I just made my stride slightly quicker and slightly larger with out looking like I was running for my life. I saw them make their way toward a corner. With my good eye, ((Forgot to mention his left eye is stitched shut)) I watched them as I made my way closer to the bar. Only a few bounds till I was there.

I walked into the bar, a dirty old rickety one. I made a last glance behind me and then closed the door. I walked in, the bar tender saying hello. I nodded to him and made my way to the piano. My job other then being a Mafia War leader and kicking the utter crap out of the opposite group I was against. I sat down on the piano and began to play. The handful of people turned to listen, and the bartender brought me my usual drink.

((I'm a failure and forgot to mention things. Herpa Derp. XD))

[Atoli01]

Me, Solty, and Hiikai stayed at the corner of the building as he walked in. Before I even had any time to say anything to either of the two, there was music streaming out of the nearby bar. Surely he had noticed us, considering he had quickened his pace when we ran to the side of the building. I motioned for Solty to follow me as I ran over to the window of the bar, sliding it open just a bit and sending Hiikai in.

I slowly shut the window again as me and Solty watched Hiikai stealthily sneak over to the piano. I noticed just a moment after that it was indeed that strange man playing on the piano. So... weird accent, fancy suit, fedora, knows how to play piano... It also seemed he had connections with some of the people around town. Dangerous much? Maybe not. But either way, he certainly was someone that we had to watch out for.

{{Alice: 3; Solty: 3}}

[auntslappy282]

The piano was my soul and my heart. I played it and closed my eyes. I barely recognized the faint sound of the window creaking open. But just barely. I stopped my song and walked up to the bar tender, ignoring the blue animal thing that was with the others, that though trying to be stealth, made it into my line of vision and caught my attention. "I'll be right back. I've gotta take a step outside for a quick breather." The bartender nodded and smiled. "Take as long as you need Slick."

I opened the door and looked at the two from earlier staring at the window trying to be stealthy. A bunch of kids. I sighed and then lite a cigarette acting like the kids weren't even there. I didn't want to start anything and I was in no mood for it due to the fact I had clocks to destroy later tonight. Through a breath of smoke, I said,"If ya kids wanna start somethin' do it now an' get out of my life. I've got bigger fish to fry." I puffed the smoke and snarled.

[Atoli01]

I jumped back a little when he started speaking - seemed Hiikai didn't do that good of a job at being stealthy this time around. Either that or this guy had some serious skills in observing things. "We're not kids," I muttered under my breath, sliding the window back open to let Hiikai fly back out. She flew right into my open palm, making a rather depressed squeak.

"I believe it would be better to ask what your business is here, sir," I heard Solty say calmly, staring right at the man. The unmistakable smell of smoke drifted to my nose, and I didn't like it in the least. I walked right over to him, pulling the cigarette out of his mouth, saying, "Hmph, its not good to smoke, plus its gross! What, do you wanna die ten years early?"

{{Alice: 4; Solty: 4}}

[auntslappy282]

I kept my rage in when the kid grabbed the cigarette right out of my mouth. I coughed the remainder of smoke in the girls face. "What's it to ya if I want to die in ten years? Its not like a kid like you can do anything to me and make it keep an impression in my mind." I smirked. "Better watch who you're messin' with round 'ere in the Slums. Dangerous place."

I made my way towards another cigarette because the last one was so rudely taken away from me. I snickered slightly before answering the other kids question. "I think you should know who your messin' with before you act like your high and mighty. It ain't your place to talk. Now if you excuse me, I have things I need to do after this last cigarette." I closed my good eye and just let the wind blow, and the rain from earlier drip.

[Atoli01]

"Geez, is it a crime being the least bit concerned about people? And anyways, I know my fair share of danger... My parents died because of it... I'm here right now because of it. I've grown up around nothing but danger my entire life. So I think you should also know who you're talking to, first," I replied rather annoyed. Hiikai floated over onto my shoulder and nudged my cheek before flying back over to Solty.

I looked at him rather annoyed when he reached for his next cigarette. I was about to take that one away as well, however, Solty placed her hand on my shoulder, obviously telling me to calm down. "Like she said, you should know who you're dealing with too. Just because we might be a little younger than you doesn't mean you can go acting all high and mighty either," she said calmly, obviously trying go get both of us to stop our bickering. I stepped on his foot angrily before walking back behind Solty.

{{Alice: 5; Solty: 5}}

[auntslappy282]

That struck a note. I burst into laughter. It echoed along the streets and through the alleys. It was a disturbing laugh. Not like a happy one, but an evil, "I'm gonna murder you kid," laugh. I finally caught myself and whipped a tear from my eye. I took another puff of my cigarette and then threw it on the ground. It promptly was put out into a wet shrivel.

"I like you kids style. Not afraid to stand up to a man who looks like me. Rather tough of you. How about this, I'll break you with a deal. I'll buy you some food and drinks, play some games of cards, and then I'll buy you a hotel room for the night. Hows that sound?" It was great being around kids like that. Gave me hope that maybe people wouldn't turn out like the Felt. Leaders of the world to be made. I smiled. It was going to be a good night.

[Atoli01]

I smirked at Solty, that kind of smirk that obviously said 'you're welcome'. Solty smiled and nodded at the man, replying, "Deal. And just saying, we've met men much scarier than you. You were just... different compared to the others around these parts."

I saw Hiikai fly over to the man, turning into her human form. She must not have been any taller than 4'5, so granted, we were all taller than her. Well, not that much taller for me, only being 5'1. "My name is Alice! That's Solty, and the little one by you is Hiikai. She kind of has telepathy, so don't be surprised if you hear voices in you head, okay?" I laughed a little as I gestured to the two. "What's your name?"

((Ehhhh, I'll go post their human forms when I get home. :3 Yeah, just click on Alice and Solty at the top to see their human forms~ ^^ Oh, and since I didn't know where the heck to put it, this is Hiikai's human form.))

{{Alice: 6; Solty: 6}}

[auntslappy282]

I smirked. "Names  Spades Slick. I'd perfer if you called me Slick." I turned toward the bars door and walked in, beckoning the others to follow me. "Hey tender, I've brought some kids in. Treat 'em nice and don't be givin' them none of that beer." I continued to smirked. "Don't want to deal with drunk kids." The bartender raised and eyebrow. "You've got yourself some kids do ya? Congrats!"

"Hehe. Like she would have anything to do with me in that way. Her boss would have her killed in the blink of an eye." "True that Slick. I'll make these kids some sandwiches and drinks. This'll cost ya extra Slick." I nodded. "Catch ya drift there. I've got plenty of the bucks to spare some for you." I smiled then turned to the kids. "Order what ever you want, just not the alcohol, or nothin' to expensive." I walked over to the piano and set myself down on the stool and began to play once again.

((Pardon me for being so late. XD))

[Atoli01]

Hiikai smiled and nodded at the man, all of us following him as he instructed. I'm guessing that it might have in fact been a good thing that we followed him around earlier. And thank god, it appeared he didn't have a cigarette in his mouth for the moment either. I swear, if he wasn't being so nice to use, I would burn that whole pack now.

As we walked into the bar, I glanced around; as expected there were no little kids here, the youngest ones looking like they were in their early twenties. Almost Solty's age, I thought idly. Well, she was only two years away from being able to legally drink.

After Slick got done talking to the bartender, me, Solty and Hiikai walked up to the counter. "Me and the little girl will just have a glass of water. And a chicken sandwich for me, please!" I said smiling. "I'll have a chicken sandwich too, but could I have a coke instead please?" Solty said happily. Behind me, I saw Hiikai transform back into her human form and float over to where Slick was sitting, laying down on the piano looking at him play.

{{Its okies~ :3}}

{{Alice: 7; Solty: 7}}

[auntslappy282]

"Of course. Comin' right up." The bartender left to make the food. He brought back a water and a coke. After a while he brought back some chicken sandwiches to eat. He smiled. "So how'd you run into a guy like Slick anyways? Normally he murders anyone who gets close to him." He chuckled a little bit.

I swayed to the music. Listening to the conversation at the bar. I had half a mind to say something, but I would much rather play my music and forget the world. I saw Hiikai fly over to the piano. It was nice to know that at least someone likes my music every once and a while.

[Atoli01]

"Thank you~" I said, as he brought our sandwiches out. Me and Solty took a seat at the seats right at the counter. Both of us looked up at the bartender when he started talking; I was about to open my mouth to reply, but Solty had apparently beat me to the punch, saying, "Long story short, he kinda stood out, so we followed him." "And he saw us." "And she ripped his cigarette out of his mouth as soon as he came out," Solty said gesturing to me. "And then he started lecturing us about being careful around these parts." "But I bet we've been in a lot more dangerous situations than him! My parents died because they were involved with the mafia. And I'm kinda on the run so I don't get toasted either."

Before I even got done talking, Solty was already hungrily eating her sandwich. Well, we hadn't eaten anything since yesterday. Hiikai flew back over to us, turning back into a human and taking a few sips out of her glass of water. Before she could get a weird stare from the bartender, she explained, 'Its easier to move around in Ballama form. But I feel like a dog when I eat or drink in that form.'

{{Alice: 8; Solty: 8}}