7/21


After the girls had finally gotten out of the Arena, after her first shift of calling, Gabby had to run several steps to catch up to King. Fingerless gloved hand grabbed ahold of the other girl?s hoodie to try to gently drag her back or at least stop her progression.

?Yo, Kingly...wait up. What?d I do? I didn? mean nothin? by it when I said that...aww don? be mad at me, wench! You still goin? to my place??

"I ain't mad.." Though she was a little mad at getting grabbed and tugged back. She had been in mid-step when it happened, and she almost lost her balance all together if it wasn't for that quick step back to keep her in place.

The teen snorted back and tugged a few times at the hoodie to fix it. "Huh?" That had her shrugging. "Yeah, plannin' to." Hands shoved themselves into hoodie pockets.

"Rememberin' someone sayin' something about body painting with glitter.. I'm not going to pass that up." Trying to hide a grin while looking away.

?You look mad...? Gabby gave her a light swat to the shoulder before stepping past her with that typical energetic gait. ?Best get o?er it or you gonna be sleepin? alone....unless Mikey decides to have mercy on ya..? Cackling a little, the girl quickened her pace.

Hearing King mention the body glitter made Gabby stop in her tracks. ?Hells yeah. I love me some glitter. I?ll let ya paint me...? King might not have seen the silly wink the girl gave before she took off again.

A few minutes later they were thumping up the rickety steps to get to the hallway leading to Gabby?s apartment. At the door, she could hear the party going on inside and rolled her eyes. ?Never a quiet moment ?round here. Wanna come in and hang out or go throw rocks and drink our bottle? We can body paint wherever.?

Hearing some shouting and the crashing of glass, the girl didn?t wait for King to answer but shoved the door open, yelling as she ran down the hallway, leaving that door open if King wanted to follow. ?God, Noah...if you broke my sh*t again, I swear I?mma break your face and throw you the f*ck out. Why you always gotta be such a d*ck??

Apparently Little Miss Sunshine had a less cheerful side.

That sound of shattering glass stopped Terry in her tracks. Having lit up a cigarette on the way to the apartment; the girl was pretty much forced to hold in a breath upon reaction, but let loose that smoke off to the side before speaking out. ".. He-, hey!" It wasn't much of a yell, more like a loud sort of whisper -- but Gabby was already leaving her side.

".. Dammit." She lingered in the hall. Was it the cowards way? Yes - but it kept a person safe. King began to mumble lightly to herself. Talks of not exactly liking the situation that was going on.. but, she did finally just throw down the cig, stomping down on it while she stepped, and made her way into the apartment.

When they were a couple of blocks from the apartment, Gabby tossed the bags down and leaned over with her palms pressed to her thighs, gasping for air. ?Holy sh*t. When he gets up, he gonna come for me. I gotta go to the cops in person so they can see the marks or they gonna go in there and see his face and think he did it in self defense.? She was nodding at her own words.

?You comin? with me to back up my story?? Though she wasn?t quite sure what to do with the duffel bags since she couldn?t exactly take them into the police station with her.

?Sh*t, girl. What?d I do that for?? Gabby finally straightened and was looking around, paranoid that someone was already coming for them.

King on the other hand was coughing when she came to a stop. Back of her wrist pressed roughly against her lips while opposite hand propped against bent knee while she continued to cough. ".. Ugh." Snorting back, taking in a quick intake of air, then looking to the other girl. ".. In person?" There was a groan. She couldn't help it. Not with the bags she -- and now King included, `stole`.

When Gabby asked if she'd come, King fell silent. Everything in her mind was telling her no - but that beaten, yet still somehow sweet face pulled her in a different direction. ".. Yeah, I'm comin'." she said while nodding. King then closed her eyes and took in and let loose a few more deep breaths.

"Hey, hey.." She'd finally say while straightening up. The tanned girl stepped closer and reached out, looking to take Gabby into those arms for a hug. "Calm down, alright..? He got what was comin'."

Gabby breathed out a sigh of relief when King agreed to go with her, not because she had doubted the girl would, but because maybe everything was going to be okay. She was still paranoid, on the verge of shedding a few tears as the weight of reality bore down upon her but then there was King, offering her that strength that Gabby admired her so much for.

Gabby burrowed against the other girl?s shoulder as her arms slipped around King?s waist and raised so that her palms were flat against her shoulder blades. ?Kingly, I think I broke my hand on his nose...? she whined, as if there weren?t bigger problems to worry about.

"Kisss the booboo!"

"You sure..? Pretty sure the crack I heard was his nose.." King said in perhaps the smallest attempt to bring some humor into something that could be the farthest from it. While one arm wrapped about her shoulders, the other rose up to press a palm against the back of her head. Fingers brushing through short strands of hair while she just held her for the time being.

"Eh..? Kiss it?" She leaned away. Taking a better look at her. ".. Alright, let me see."

Gabby was more than happy to have someone interject some humor, she preferred to laugh than to be that violent person she had been in her apartment. She giggled against King?s shoulder and relaxed against her with a sigh.

?Yeah, I?m sure. It hurrrrts!? Her gloved left hand slid slowly down King?s back then was brought up so she could inspect it, though Gabby was pouting a little at the separation from that spot of comfort she had taken up.

There was a small sniff back of a snort then. Looking to inspect the hand - all while making sure to do it as careful as possible. She took hold of her wrist, and then brought up a hand to gently feel about that gloved hand. The first sign of wincing or anything of the sort got her to stop, and so she'd instead lean forward to press lips for the softest of kisses to the hurt hand. Not only that, she'd guide it away by the wrist and press those lips to that poor beaten face for a kiss to the cheek.

"There.." King leaned away then. A glance over her shoulder, then setting sights back on Gabby. ".. Keep it up." Still holding onto that wrist, she'd raise it up some to show Gabby what she meant. "I'll carry the bags.. there's a park around here, we can ditch them in some bushes and come back later."

?Awww, Kinnnng~! You aren?t so tough after all, are ya?? Giggling a little after that cheek kiss. Gabby wasn?t overly accustomed to affection without a price, so King just being nice had the other girl?s spirits a little higher. When King leaned away and looked over her shoulder, Gabby ducked her head in to kiss her cheek in return. ?Thanks for not leavin? me back there. You are nuts for it, but thanks.?

The next day--7/22

G writes a note to Gabby including a bottle of cherry rum and a box of chocolates. The note says "Dear Gabby, Welcome to the employment of the Arena. As the person in charge, feel free to come to me with any questions or problems whatsoever, and I will do my best to take care of them for you. -- G" He then had one of the boys send it off to her.

When the boy showed up at her apartment, Gabby answered the door, blinking sleepily and pushing her hair out of her eyes. ?Hmmwhat? From who?? The boy said G's name again and the girl just shrugged. ?I dunno a G'nort or G. Maybe you got the wrong address, kid? Be careful on this end of town by yourself.?

She was getting ready to shut the door when the kid stuck his foot between it and the door jam. ?No lady, I can't leave without giving you this. The boss has this scary ass assistant...please don't get me eaten.? It was those imploring eyes that made the girl stop and usher the kid inside, her heart was bigger than her common sense usually. ?First off, yo...you gotta stop cursin' like that. Betcha parents gotta beat on you for that sh*t.?

She took the note and opened it, brows arching skyward as she read it. ?So the boss man is named G. Oookay, I got it now. He is so so so sweet. Kinda cute too for an old dude.? She pointed at the kid before starting to open the package. ?Don' you be tellin' him I said that either, kid.? The wrapping came off and Gabby just sat there and grinned like the little loon she was. ?Oh hell yeah...I love my job?.

Looks back at the kid, who is looking around the ruined room, and grins. ?So, were you told to wait for a response?? Moves over to a messy table filled with paints and charcoal pencils and picks one up. Scrawls on the back of the wrapping paper from the chocolates.

?You are the most awesome boss EVAR! I have some questions, I'll be at Break Time pool hall in about an hour. If you can find it, you can buy me a drink.
<3<3 ~Gabby~<3<3?

The kid returned back about 15-20 minutes after delivery, and G was still at the Arena when he arrived. "Well, I wasn't expecting so quick a response." The boy just shrugged and handed the note to him and waited for a tip, which caused G to roll his eyes and pull out a few silver, which was more than the kid had expected.

"The girl said some things, too, that she loved her job and.. you were sweet and generous." Which was added by the boy himself. "Oh, and that you were pretty hot. If you don't mind me sayin' so sir, I think you got a chance." The boy chuckled and waggled his brows before G sent him off.

G read the note and chuckled, thinking about what the boy said. But, he did have a bit of free time this afternoon. Why not have some leisure time. Buy the girl a drink and answer her questions. May be relaxing. So, he stopped what he was doing, left the Arena after locking the offices, stuck his hands in his pockets and wandered casually towards this Pool Hall. Which he needed to get directions to, first.

When he finally arrived and walked through the door of Break Time, G would see a long bar directly to the left of the centralized walkway. There was plenty of space for tables and then neat rows of pool tables to the right of the massive room. The air was smoky and the music was loud. The general feel of the place was fun and upbeat, however. It was nicely furnished and everything was clean and in good working order, despite the rough clientele that frequented the place.

G would see Gabby with a round tray balanced on one of her hands, above the height of her shoulder, filled with beer bottles and a couple of plates of bar food. The barely there jean skirt was tattered and frayed along the hemline and reached just past the curve of her rear end. A pair of black leggings that ended just below the knee kept the goodies covered from all of those eyes that were seriously trying to catch a peek. Loose black tank top was pulled up and tied just under her ribcage, pulled over a sports bra, with the words Break Time -- We Break Balls written in bold white lettering. That colorful tatt and piercing were on full display upon her athletically toned torso.

Over the music and general din of roughneck bikers and a few other types, Gabby could be heard half shouting, in her sweet singsong voice, "Yo, Marty. Got your burger and beer. Quitcha bitchin' and hold up a sec!" To which the scary man that towered over a foot taller than the girl laughed heartily. "Gabbs, when you gonna marry me, babe?" She shook her head, laughing, and G wouldn't be able to hear the rest of the conversation as she was now at Marty's table whispering in his ear and ruffling his hair before turning around to leave. Whatever she had said had caused the roughneck to look completely demure, which was curious considering Gabby had continued to smile as sweet as pie while she had spoken to him.

Welcome to Gabby's second job!

In Gabby?s defense, she had forgotten to tell Moe that her other boss was showing up. She had just told him to watch out for a well dressed, red haired man so that nothing would happen to him. Moe had just spoken out of hope that Gabby had gotten rid of Noah and had found someone a little less...Noah-like. Since G hadn?t heard the exchange, then all was well.

?You are gonna buy me a drink. I was just doin? my job here, tryin? to get you to buy the booze.? She suddenly stood up on the rungs of the barstool and leaned way over the bar to try to look beneath the counter. Of course, this was quite a precarious position and had the bartender rushing over, chastising her like a father would. ?Goin? tae break ye fool neck, darlin? girl. What ye needin? tha? ye can? ask me fer??

?Where is Donnie?s good stuff, Moe? My boss is wantin? some.? Moe looked G over for a moment before grabbing a bottle directly under where Gabby was sprawled over the bar. Apparently she had known exactly where it was. A tumbler was filled as the girl slipped backwards off of the bar and resumed her seating arrangements while tugging down her tank top so that it was resting at her ribcage again. She tapped a fingertip upon the rim of her nearly empty glass to indicate that Moe should refill. Both glasses were placed before them and Moe moved away so the two could talk.

G might be surprised to find that ?Donnie?s good stuff? was actually exquisite. The man might own a biker hangout, among other things, but he owned a very busy biker hangout and his profit margins were the stuff all businessmen dreamed of. He could afford this and afford to leave it out in the open behind the bar.

?Yeah, I got some questions. You...uh..you said if I had any problems I could come to you? I got a big problem, really and nobody to help me out. I can?t go to Donnie or Moe or none of these guys or somebody gonna go to jail. Since you don? know me and therefore don? love me...maybe you can help me out??

He leaned back quickly enough as she jumped up to lean over the counter. Of course, the precarious position left him with a good view of her backside, but at the moment it was more of a 'Should I hold her so she doesn't fall over' sort of view to him. As it was, her feet were up in the air high enough, at that, so he could have grabbed one of her ankles.

Apparently, though, it was in search of a good drink that she was in search of. Of course, when she called him her boss, the look Moe gave him was a rather curious one. He filled the tumbler as she slid back down into her seat and rearranged herself in the previous position. He waited patiently for both glasses to be filled and the tender moved away. He took his and rolled it around in the glass for a few moments before saying anything. He took a slow sip, and was pleased to find that for a dive such as this, there was a good drink to be found here.

He smiled and leans back against the bar, looking her over appraisingly as she started to her list of people she couldn't go to. He was judging how much help he should be to the girl.

It was curious that she was asking him for help, while in the same breath saying that he doesn't know or love her. What does either of those have to do with him helping an employee? He was, after all, reasonable, and let's face it, he has an extremely soft spot and weakness for young, attractive women. If there was a failing in him, it'd be that. 'What a sexist pig sometimes.' he snorted to himself. But then, he agreed with it, so he immediately was okay with that. So he smiled and waited for her to finish.

"All right. You have me curious. What kind of help is it you're requiring?"

He reached up and traced a finger over where she kissed him, thoughtfully and politely not making too big a deal out of it, and giving her a smile while he licked the tip of his finger a moment. The surprise from the initial grab had passed and he had recognized it as a sensation of gratitude. Still, He'd think about that one a bit later.

He held his hand out with the glass to allow Moe to refill the glass. He gives the tender a smile as he does that and then brings the glass to his lips to sip and gives her a smile. He was glad about the reassurance that there wouldn't be any trouble caused, but still he was still a little concerned about that. If a guy wanted to look for his girlfriend, usually they found a way to get to them. The Tavern was as good a place as any for her, though, given that not too many used it often.

He was questioning one thing. "How can pay for the room not be enough? That's all that anyone who rents a room there does. They come in, ask for a room, get the rates, get a key, go to their room and rest." He chuckles and swivels back and forth on the stool, flashing his eyes at her again.

"Still.. " He thinks for a moment. "Nah, don't worry about anything extra. At least not yet."

Moe noticed that Gabby had kissed the guy was still smiling so had decided the stranger was alright for now. Thus he received a nod and the bottle was left next to the glass. G might find it curious that he didn?t do the same for Gabby.

?I doubt anyone that just rents a room is asking for a favor when they rent it, like I am. Asking for the protection and safety of your establishment..? She shrugged a little.

"Not often, no. But it has been done before. So, ahh, it's not unheard of." He grinned. The thought of her being in the GIT, perhaps there could be something she could do for him, but he shook that idea right out of his head, he was committed and this was an act of kindness. He gave her a polite smile once more.

He didn't think much of the fact that the bottle wasn't left for Gabby, as for him, two drinks was enough for him and he appreciated the gesture of the bottle, but would not go for any more. He gave a nod to Moe, and returned his gaze upon the girl. "Well, Perhaps later we can work something out, or we can just say you owe me one. Either way, we'll be sure you're as safe as we can make you, and if, in the Arena, you need help, then you'll get it there, too."

She nodded lightly, giving a frown to Moe. She knew why he wouldn't leave the bottle...they had all been watching how much she drank ever since she quit using, afraid she would substitute one for the other...which she had, really.

"I'll owe you one. But what if you ain' at the arena if he shows up...how'll I get help?"

"Well, you'll be calling for a shift, you'll hardly be alone, even if I am not there. I have no doubt that other patrons of the Arena will help you. Otherwise, anyone who breaks the sanctity of the unspoken rule of protection in the Arena will face a hell of which they hath no idea. I take it very seriously that nothing, especially not slavery or abuse, occurs outside of those rings. So, if he has a problem with you, he needs to take it in the ring, or through legal issues. For as long as you're in the Arena or the Ivy, you should be protected."

He finished off his drink and set the glass next to the bottle. "Of course, I could always lend you a dagger, or find out where you can get a hold of one of those 'fire-arms' I hear so much about. Surely you know how to use one of those." He chuckles. Apparently his opinion of people who might have used drugs or work in a place like this, he would assume that they all knew how to use weapons of a sort.

?I do not know how to use one of those firearms, no. I prefer not to touch those distasteful things.?

As for the place she worked...it was clean, there were no fights, and it wasn?t rowdy. The Arena had more riff-raff than Break Time. Of course, if the appearances of the clientele were what the place was judged by...then the establishment could definitely be called a dive, regardless of how nice the pool tables, bar, and other furnishings were.

?I can prolly play around with some weapons with King and figure out what I like. Thanks, though.?

He nods, understanding how she wouldn't want to use a gun. He disliked them, too, and they feel like cheating to him. Where was the sport in firing a weapon from a distance? No, he preferred the in close and personal form of violence if need be. "I recommend brass knuckles, a knife of some sort, or pepper spray. Pepper spray works wonders, trust me." He chuckles, not going into details with that.

"So, when should I set up a time to have you come in and get your room, do you have a room number you prefer? They're air conditioned, thanks to the freezer and what's in there. And any other arrangements you may need?" He smiled at her with one of his more disarming, trust inducing smiles as he set the glass down. He also took a look around the place they were at.

"This seems cozy. Nice, and.. homely. I bet they have good burgers." He wasn't above a good burger, that's for sure. "How long have you been working here?"

Fully agreeing that he is the best, of course, he chuckles and returns the hug pleasantly. Always did enjoy making new friends! He leaned back and watched as she put her apron back on, unaware that he was actually staring. He blinked and realized the trap he nearly fell into there, and shook it out of his head. He was going to have to be careful around this one. She knew how to get the right kind of attention. He could respect that and it even brought that clever, impressed grin across his mouth.

"Oh, it's been a while since I had to give directions to the Tavern. Let me think." This was actually true. For a while, there, everyone knew how to get to the GIT, it used to be one of the biggest hangouts after dueling hours, and everyone would go there for late night drinks. "Let's see, you come out of the Arena and Red Dragon and take a left along that main road and then cross that bridge into the Old Temple district. Then you take the first left after crossing it, and head down towards the end of that road. The Ivy will be on your right. I have a tower across the road, too. My assistant, Mai, knows how to get a hold of me if you ever need to. I'll leave your name with her so she knows to contact me."

He nodded, satisfied that he gave the correct directions. And don't think he didn't notice the rolling of the eyes. He figured that there was a reason she was cut off, likely cause of work. He wanted her sober for whatever he was going to help her with, though, and hey, he did send her that bottle of cherry rum, so it's not like he was that concerned about her drinking. He thought about the rate of pay and nodded. "We can work the full details out, I'm not going to break your bank, not in a situation like this. Shouldn't be more than a few silver per day."

"Donnie sounds like a good enough fellow, not having you locked up for that. It's a rare thing to have someone set you on the more honest path. Sounds a lot like me." He chuckles softly, brushing his fingers through his hair. "Just a good thing it hasn't backfired on us, eh?"

She noticed him staring and swatted at him with the bar rag that had been over her shoulder. ?Should take a picture, boss...then ya don? have to rely on your memory later. Some people your age start gettin? senile and stuff.?

Hands were placed at the curve of her waist as she listened to his directions, frowning the entire time. ?Eh, I will try not to get lost. So, if I am late or somethin? please don?t run off without lettin? me find the place and get my key. Or, if you have enough time, I can be done here in prolly fifteen and I just live a couple blocks away...? Nibbling at her lip ring again. ?You could come to my place and then walk me to that tavern. Shouldn? take me long to get my stuff together.?

She turned then, blowing him an innocent air kiss in thanks, and went back to work.

"My age? I'm thirty five! That's not old." Rather than focus on the implications of taking a picture of her, and everything that entailed, he opted to give her the feigned insulted act. After all, he wasn't -That- old. He was a good, respectable age, still with plenty of youth on his side. Of course, he has an excellent outlet for that sort of feeling.

He watched her listen and nibble on her lip again, and he had to chuckle quietly. "I have the time, yes. If it's not going to be long, then I can help out." He took it as an actual innocent suggestion. He may be a bit on guard for the server tactics of showing some skin for better tips, but she was still a girl in some trouble. He knew that what she asked him for was genuine help, the place to stay, and with some of her things.

He felt a bit saddened. She was far too young to be dealing with these sorts of problems. Did she ever have time to be a girl? To just have fun and be young? But no, she had a jerk boyfriend who didn't treat her right, lost her parents at a young age, caught committing a crime as well. Just the good fortune of a man taking pity on her saved her from a worse life. How things come to this. He shook his head as he watched her finish waiting tables. He'd help her out with what she needed. He could at least do that. He caught her eye again and smiled, blowing that return kiss, however belatedly. Hopefully his current view would change.

?Mm that?s not too old I s?pose. Experience can be good.? Gabby called from two tables over as she was leaning over it, washing the various spills away vigorously. She gave him a once over before her attention returned to her work and she was straightening everything on the table before moving to the next empty one.

?Nah, the rush is over...just gonna be a few more minutes and we can go.? She continued working methodically, taking drink orders as she cleaned up the empty tables, not bothering to write them down since she could effortlessly remember everything.

When she was done cleaning up she moved back to the bar and told Moe the orders, glancing over at G while she waited, head tilting as that ever present smile widened when he blew the belated kiss.

?If you don? wanna go to my place and wait around on me to get cleaned up and get a bag packed, you can stay here and play pool and shoot the breeze with Moe or some of the boys over there.? Pointing at a group of rough looking men that Gabby would usually refer to as teddy bears.

Moe had her tray loaded down and she was moving away, snickering good naturedly.

He couldn't help but notice the once over given, so he took the pose against the bar as if he was in a commercial or an advertisement for some sort of sophisticated product, flashing his charming smile. He watched her work, noting that there was an efficiency in which she performed her duties, quick, accurate, and well practiced. That she didn't write orders down told him that her memory was excellent. That was an admirable trait.

She had a cute smile, that much was sure. Ahh, to be that young again, too bad. Maybe he should introduce her to his son. Though he probably wouldn't take to that idea too well, as independent as he was. G smiled at her while she offered for him to stay and shoot pool or talk to Moe, yet shook his head. It might be safer to stay with her, if she was that worried about her boyfriend. Who knew who was watching her. "That's okay, I really don't mind. Besides, you can carry more with two, than you can with one."

She went off with that last tray and he turned to Moe, giving him a genial smile. "She's a pleasant girl, isn't she." Tilts his head towards her. "Think she'll be all right?"