It was a long day to say the least. Aden had to take care of a couple deals with some people, and most of them ended up in a fight. She didn't feel like walking to her own place, so she crashed at the hangout. It was pretty nice so it made sense to stop there and sleep for the night. Rolling over, Dezari ended up falling off of the couch landing with a loud thud. "Oww." She moaned rubbing her head. Using the couch as some support, she stood up and walked into the kitchen. Zu-Zu grabbed a glass of water and a bottle of pills.

Her head was killing her from fighting last night and falling just now didn't help either. Sighing she walked back to the living area and remembered she dropped her headphones in an alley last night. "How could I forget those?!" She questioned grabbing her stuff and going out the door. As she walked down the street, Aden looked around seeing not one single soul. The people who were still alive on earth were terrified to actually come out even in the daytime. In a way it was kinda sad, but honestly she didn't care.

She saw everyone else as weak people who can't handle the new world per say. Aden stopped walking and looked down the alley where she lost her headphones. She started to walk down it but stopped when she heard a rattling noise. Quickly she grabbed onto her mace gun. Out of nowhere a man came up behind her and kicked her in her back causing her to fall on the ground. Rolling onto her back she saw it was a man from Poison. He grabbed her by her collar and pulled her off of the ground.

"So you're a Siren huh?" He questioned seeing the tattoo on her right shoulder blade from when she fell earlier. "What's it to you sweetie?" She teased him with a smirk growing on her lips. "Well I don't like you simple as that." He replied with an agitated voice. Aden scanned his body looking to make sure he was part of Poison, but there was no tattoo. "I'm from Poison so it's only natural I kill you." His grip on her collar became tighter now. Dezari couldn't help but to burst out into laughter causing the man to look curiously at her.

"Sweetie you wish you were a part of them." She laughed before her face fell into a straight line. Quickly she pulled out her gun and aimed at his eyes before pulling the trigger. The man fell to the ground in pain as he felt mace being sprayed straight into his eyes. "I won't kill you cause you're not worth my time, but at least get a tattoo so people will actually believe you." Aden laughed at the man one more time before retrieving her headphones. Sliding them back onto her head, Zu-Zu stepped on top the man who was still rolling in pain, and walked out of the alley. "People are so pathetic these days." She chuckled resting her hands on her hips and walking back to the hangout to wait for the other two to arrive.

While he wasn't protecting his gang members, Michael was usually doing something else involving the Keys. Whether it was finding new members, training others, or making sure people realized that the Keys were people you couldn't mess with, Michael wasn't a guy with a lot of free time. Free time meant you had nothing else to do, which was usually not the case. It seemed to be, recently, that he couldn't go two feet without some kind of problem popping up. Whether he was just becoming slower in his work (hopefully not) or there was just more of it (hopefully not), he couldn't tell. All he knew was that, as he walked over to his hangout, he was up for another long day at his job.

At least you get an excuse to kick some butt, he thought to himself. But I'd rather just relax to the sound of string instruments in my ears, he added somewhat bitterly. It wasn't this hard when he wasn't the leader, of course. Much more time for himself. And while he would go on the occasionally deadly raid or two, at least that was interesting. He'd rather be doing that then sitting behind a desk, sorting through supply lists and problems that needed fixing. But now, he was too important for things like that. Like he'd get killed if he tried doing anything. That was how he was treated. I thought I was supposed to be the leader... Tch, stupid, really. I'm as good a fighter as any of them, probably better. I don't need their stinking protection....

This was what Michael Williams, twenty years old and leader of the Key gang, was thinking when he was attacked. Uttering curses at the two muggers, Michael was able to elbow one of them in the gut, letting the arm that had snaked its way around his throat release him. The second person made the mistake of taunting him.

"Ha, and I thought they said it would be hard to nab yah," he said, leering at Michael. He was shorter, but didn't seem to realize that until Michael stood up to his full height. The man reached for something in his pocket, face panicked, but wasn't fast enough or skilled enough. From his pants pocket Michael pulled out his dagger, carefully encased in its sheath. "N-No, don't kill me, please-" The man fell silent when the dagger stabbed him in the heart. The first man, Michael noted, had disappeared. Tch. Weaklings, barely worth my time, Michael thought sourly. He looked at his (now bloody) dagger and shook his head.

"Now it's a mess. All because of you." Shaking his head again, Michael pulled out a cloth he kept in his suit pocket, just for this kind of occasion. At least my suit is clean; Stella would have a heart attack if I got something on it. Again. With that, Michael readjusted his fedora and continued on his way to the hangout. It was always a good start of the day, when you won a fight, he thought.

Ugh. Kitten definitely wasn't thrilled about waking up that morning. After staying up twenty four hours straight she had to force herself to lay down and get some rest. She honestly did try to fall asleep, but of course she was experiencing some insomnia after signing that peace treaty. She wasn't losing her precious sleep over the Siren's new partnerships with the other gangs, her overactive imagination wouldn't let her rest for two seconds without coming up with some bizarre scenario in her head about the day they actually faced Grant Richards, if they ever miraculously got the chance to even do such a thing. Oh the thought was so exciting though, taking part in the take down of a man with such a powerful influence over the entire world. It was a daunting task, but from her optimistic viewpoint it was just one big journey that was sure to be one hell of an adventure. The possibility of dying didn't faze her the slightest bit, she already knew that it was a dangerous mission--suicide in some cowardly opinions. But where would the fun be if they could just waltz into his mansion and blow the place up? Sure it would be a whole lot easier that way, but a lot less entertaining.

She was drifting in and out of consciousness, vaguely she could remember Aden crashing at the hangout for the night. How did she know? Kitten lived there. Since she pretty much grew up with the Sirens, and was now their leader, she didn't see a point in taking on the hassle of finding some place else to live and keeping an eye on their hangout too. She was stretched out on the couch, her stockinged legs crossed and propped up against the back, while she rest her head on the armrest. Her silky, and vibrantly pink, hair fell over the side unrestrained by any hair accessories for once. She yawned loudly, melodramatically was a better way to describe the sound. Kitten sat up and looked around, she hadn't slept much but she was feeling as energized as ever. "Ah, another wonderful day for mankind! Let's see that bright shining sun." She jumped over the back of the couch and instantly went for the large hot pink curtains that covered the windows. "Gooooodmorning all of you lovely peoples!"

Kitten pulled the curtains back with a large smile on her face, but instead of seeing the sun or any other sign of life outside, she was greeted by a dull, gray sky and empty streets. "Oh, well it was worth a try." She shrugged off her disappointment. Sometimes she forgot people didn't just go around humming a merry tune these days, unless they wanted to get mugged or murdered. "Hmm, well I wonder where the others have gone off to." She tapped her chin twice, recalling Aden had left sometime that morning, and she didn't know where Jasmine was--which made her a little nervous. "They're both big girls, I know they can handle themselves." In the small room, Kitten suddenly broke out in a run for the bathroom. She swung the door open, almost breaking it off the hinges in her haste, and stood with wide eyes in front of the mirror. "Hello gorgeous, if I wasn't you I'd wanna have your babies." She giggled to herself at the both impossible and utterly insane comment.

"Today you're going to meet the others and get to work on your super secret, mega awesome plan. Got that?" She stared back at herself before giving her reflection a cheesy wink. After her little conversation with...well herself, she made herself busy with getting dressed. Naturally she wore a ruffly pink dress, a few pieces of accenting jewelry, and of course she couldn't forget her cat ears. She pulled her hair back into one large ponytail and yes, meowed at herself in the mirror. "Laaadies, are you back yet? Today is gonna be a big one!" She came walking out of the bathroom and poked her head around every corner of the room before settling down in the kitchen with a hot cup of black vanilla tea, her favorite. The door open and instinctively Kitten was poised to fight, but it was just Aden coming back from wherever she had gone.

"Zu-Zu, my lovely Siren!" Kitten hopped up and wrapped Aden up in what was probably a hug that risked cracking her ribs and squeezing the life out of her. "Dear do you have any idea where Jazz has gone off to?" She let go after a second and went to sit back down with her tea. "We've got a lot of work to do, soon we'll be leaving out and going on the hunt for that madman Grant. I wonder if he likes tea?" The last bit was completely random, but she did wonder about it anyway.

Stella was in the kitchen cleaning up, since there was a recruiting party last night, hosted by Michael. I can’t believe he thinks these kids are good potential. All it does is give me more work, plus these kids are like 10 years younger than me. Stella sighed as she finished putting the dishes away, the kitchen was finally clean, the kitchen was the last part of the house she had to clean. As Stella walked out of the kitchen, you could hear her heels hitting the wooded floor basically through the whole house, but it wasn’t annoying as much as a warning, but she never wore this pair of heels out, they were just used around the house. People knew if you heard heels walking, Emily Post the Second is coming, since Stella was all about manners and how to act and talk to people, how to sit properly and to always say please and thank you.

Two guys were at the living room, talking about random stuff, but because how loud they were talking, they didn’t hear Stella coming. ”Hey, so you want to go to the store after this, show off our fancy clothes, maybe have them give us stuff or threaten to kill them. Ha!” One of them said, having his feet on the table. The only guy saw Stella coming, and just stayed quiet, keeping her drink on the coaster. “Ahem! Now, what did i say last night about manners, no feet on the table, and no stealing unless you have too.” This guy laughed, he was brand new and didn’t think of anything of Stella. “Ha, who are you? The second-in-command? Psh, now why don’t you go clean something.” The boy said with a laugh, and the other guy trying to keep from laughing her knew what was about to happen.

“I am the second-in-command, and to be a Key, you need to be well-mannered young man. Now come with me.” Stella said, pulling the boy into a near bedroom. The boy winking back to the other guy on the couch, thinking he’ll get some action. ”I knew you couldn’t resist me!” The boy said, before getting smacked in the face with a book. “Read the book, I’ll be back in 30 minutes, and if you don’t know how to act...” Stella said before leaning in for a whisper. “I’ll let out muscle teach you instead of me.” Stella said, walking out of the room and locking the door behind her, and then looking outside for a second to see Michael coming. She then walked over and opened the door, and waited for him.

“Michael, welcome back. I’m teaching one of the new kids about etiquette.” Stella said, showing her smile, and then checking if Michael had gotten in a fight, at first she didn’t see anything, but his shoes had some blood on them. “Michael, please stay out of danger, ok? I’m not just saying that because you’re the leader, because i raised you, and care for you.” Stella said, in a nice sweet tone. “Ok, now please take those shoes off, i just got done cleaning.” Stella said as Michael got to her, and then blocking the way in so he couldn’t come in till his shoes were off.

Michael yawned as he walked into the hangout, not at all surprised to see Stella there. She was probably cleaning up from the party last night, he thought. While a lot of the kids were useless, Michael knew they'd need new blood to keep everything going... Besides, the younger you started to train them, the better. And it wasn't like it was too much work. Oh, who was he kidding. Teaching hyperactive teenagers how to use a sword (and a rapier, now less) was hell. Only a few could even be trusted with live steel, and those kids were few and far between. “Michael, welcome back. I’m teaching one of the new kids about etiquette." Ah. No surprise there, Michael thought. The new recruits were always idiots, but they generally learned after a few 'lessons' with the Key's muscle, Rin. She was pretty damn good, Michael knew, at keeping everyone in place. “Michael, please stay out of danger, ok? I’m not just saying that because you’re the leader, because i raised you, and care for you. Ok, now please take those shoes off, i just got done cleaning.” She said it in a sweet tone, but blocked his way instead. Michael nodded and kicked his shoes off.

"Ok, mother," he said smiling. He didn't really consider Stella his mother, more of an older sister figure, but they were pretty much the same anyway. "I suppose the new recruits need to get some manners pounded into 'em, eh?" Michael asked, moving past Stella. Looking around, the place was (of course) spotless. "You don't need to clean, yah know. Get one of the kids to do it, teach 'em cleanliness or something." Michael sighed and walked into the kitchen, looking over the recruits as he passed them. Fifteen kids at the party last night, not counting all the current members of the Keys who had stuck around, and a lot of supplies lost. We can always get them... Besides, once the government is down we'll be fine.

He hadn't been certain about the peace, but it seemed to be working. No more gang fights, and only the unconnected muggers you had to worry about. The police didn't reach this far, anyway. Looking in the fridge, Michael pulled out a bottle of (clean) water and walked back out to head to his office, where he could start going through all of the daily crap that was involved with running a gang. In all honesty, though, he wouldn't trade it for anything. He loved his gang, and he knew they loved him back (mostly). It was worth it all, to be able to keep some of them safe... He wouldn't let them go through the life he had, before he met Stella. He wasn't an idiot. If he hadn't met the woman he'd probably be dead.

All the stars are dying...

Slowly, like candles being snuffed out one by one, the stars faded in the purple dawn. Here and there, a shooting star streaked past trying to avoid the wasteland that had become Earth. Orange blossomed on the horizon as the sun rose. The city, even though shrouded in a smog of pollution and dust, was still beautiful in the morning. Everything was still beautiful in the morning.

"It looks... holy," Jesse muttered to himself. Sitting atop the abandoned skyscraper that was the Poison's hideout, he reflected on what it all meant. As always, the conclusion and revelation came washing over him yet again. It didn't mean anything; it just was. He scratched his dreadlocks with a calloused hand and smiled as the sun finally crept over the horizon's windowsill. It was all so... narrow, and he loved it. The sun rose, the sun set, and that's all she wrote. The cement was cold beneath him so he stood, pulling the sleeves of his hoodie down over his tattooed arms. In the back of his mind the shadows stirred and he found himself frowning, muscles tense. This peace treaty was narrow, too. All the narrow people with their narrow minds and narrow aspirations... It made him want to laugh. So he laughed, loud and unashamedly, demonstrating why his nickname was Mockingbird. His laugh had a strange, cawing quality to it that seemed to creep inside everyone's head and piss them off. He laughed out all of his anger, all of his fears and his worry and his loneliness. And once it was all out, he stopped and walked through the rusted metal door leading into the base.

What bothered him about the peace treaty was not the fact that the violence would stop; he enjoyed the violence. It was the fact that eventually, someone would fuck things up for the rest of them by saying the wrong thing to the wrong person, someone would die, then the gangs would be back at each others' throats. Stupidity really pissed him off, and in this case, all of the leaders were pissing him off. But then again, he was only the Tactician. What he thought didn't matter. Right?

He pushed all of the thoughts to the back of his mind and studied the cracked, peeling cement walls as he walked towards the common area. The base was old and holes gaped in the walls from mortars or whatever the hell happened back then. Everywhere there was graffiti and people's names carved into the walls like gravemarkers. Jesse called this place the Tomb. It suited it well. As he neared the common area the intro of Stevie Ray Vaughn's Little Wing swept down the halls. The stereo was always on and gang members were able to change the music whenever they felt like it. Jesse just hoped no one was around. He liked being alone.

Just as he had hoped, the common area was empty save the ratty couches lining the walls, the stereo in the corner, and the trash littering the floor. Several brown bottles that were recycled to hold their home brewed liquor littered the floor. Must have been some party last night. Some of the members lived at the base, Jesse included. His room was a small office on the top floor with a plastic tarp covering the hole where the windows used to be. The higherups all got their own rooms if they so chose, but the regular members had common rooms with makeshift bunk beds or hammocks. They did what they had to do to survive. Everyone did.

Not knowing what the plan was for today, Jesse sat on a couch and pulled out his leather case of cigarettes. Leather was a rarity nowadays, unless you used human skin. He found this case in an old pile of rubble on the outskirts of the city. It was wide and thin with little slots for each cigarette. Using his trademark Poison zippo, he lit up and felt the smoke fill his lungs. He closed his eyes. Felt the nicotine and tar enter his lungs. Exhaled slowly and watched as the smoke hung above him like a ghost for a brief moment before fading. God damn, he loved smoking. Jesse leaned back into the couch and relaxed to the music, waiting for someone to come in.

Joey tumbled out of bed once the sun fought its way through the blinds in his ‘room’. Room had to be taken lightly, since Joey’s living space consisted of an entire office space, crisscrossed with cubicle walls, pushed around, some knocked down and propped up to create a fortified shelter, practically a labyrinth to come to the center where Joey slept on an old mattress with pages from old music magazines stuck to the walls and his crowning glory, his faithful Gibson laid in the corner. Scattered through his labyrinth was evidence of his packrat tendencies, little trinkets and scavenged pieces of furniture, signs, eclectic little things he’d picked up on his travels across the destroyed metropolis and the surrounding wastelands.

“Hmmnghnr....fine, I’m up.” He muttered to nobody, standing up and popping his back. He grabbed the towel that was hanging over the wall of the divider, a different tee-shirt, and he was out his room and headed for the stairwell. He moved like an automaton, having fallen into habit completely. Not a lot shook him out of his rut, not even the new recruits they’d brought in last night: fresh-faced boys who couldn’t have been more than sixteen at best. Joey felt jaded and old, and why not? In this dystopian future, you were lucky to live past age 30, you either got capped by raiders or other gangs, or you died from infection or radiation. At 24, he felt like his clock was ticking.

This peace treaty wouldn’t last, and he’d had to keep himself from laughing when the boss announced that his ‘secret meetings’ were for negotiations between the Big 4. It wouldn’t be a month before they were at each others’ throats again. Those poor new kids, they were basically tossing them into a dangerous brew, a bomb waiting to explode. He contemplated this, listening to his bare feet descend the 5 flights of stairs. Slap. Slap. Slap.

He pushed open the firedoor onto the second level. The decor here was less utilitarian and more modern and peppy, completely redecorated. An escape to times past, before the wars, before Grant Richards, before everything went downhill. An oasis in this shithole they called home, and even then it was kind of pathetic with the bad furniture they’d salvaged. The smell of smoke and nicotine hung in the air, and he found himself longing for a cigarette like Jesse was helping himself to. As he passed the relaxing Tactitian, he shot him a grin.

“Oi, when I get out of the shower you wanna go wake the newbies up?” His eyes glinted mischievously from behind his shades. “There’s a couple of airhorns lyin’ around with their names on ‘em.”
Never let it be said that Joey Napalm didn’t like to have fun every once in a while.

The shower, of course, was a utility shower in the basement of the building. Thankfully, the building ran on a generator, or else the basement would be a LOT creepier. And the water would be a LOT colder....
The steam bit against his skin and he sighed in release, the hot water running through his hair, his fingers soon to follow. Paradise.

Rin sighed and shook her head at the noise coming from the new recruits. She was safely hidden in her room, her music playing softly from an older radio, filling the silent air with its soft and eerie violin notes.

“Ha, who are you? The second-in-command? Psh, now why don’t you go clean something.” One of the boys said with a rude laugh, causing Rin to give a tiny smirk. He had to have been an idiot; no one was rude to Stella. First off she was one of the nicest people in the gang, according to Rin, and manners was her life. You are rude; she will teach you a lesson.

Or have me teach it for her, it gives me an excellent reason to beat someone up. Rin’s smirk grew, and though she was alone, it vanished in case she was caught; hurting someone in the name of manners….well isn’t that just something.

Rin heard more shuffling around from the recruits, and changed the song with her bare foot, her toes a nice aqua blue. One of her more favorite songs Pandora’s Music Box by Nox Arcana, sang out from the radio. It was not classical, but she couldn’t find another name to fit it into. The sweet, gentle notes accompanied by what sounded like a ghostly sigh had calmed her nerves since the day she found it.

All too soon the song ended, replaced with a much more upbeat and energetic classical piece that she didn’t care much for. Over the louder music she heard Michael come home and couldn’t help the happy grin that split her face. Michael, the leader of the group, someone she wanted to be. He was a bit, narcissistic at the best of times but he did care for them, all of them. It had to have been tough for him, and she did anything she could, without seeming too eager, to please him and make his work load easier. She didn’t mind if he made her help with the paperwork, she loved to read.

Rin let out a yawn and the grin was gone, replaced with her customary scowl. She stood off from the floor and stretched her back popping in several places. She walked out of the room, her feet bare, in case Stella had cleaned. Judging by the wonderful smell of bleach, she had guessed right. She thought she smelled a hint of Pine Sol, but she was sure her mind was just playing pranks on her once again.

She passed the group of recruits and her lip pulled back, letting out a soft growl. She never liked the newbies. Sure she got to hurt them, and it was enjoyable at first, but teaching these dumb, idiotic new kids was something she did not take delight in. Teach this guy how to do whatever. Go through the stupid and meaningless motions of showing him, yelling at him, telling him to repeat the process, show him again, yell at him again, it was extremely boring and she gained nothing from the experience.

Her eyes were narrowed as she entered the kitchen, grabbing water from the fridge and took a small sip. Slowly and steadily she drained the bottle and tossed it into the trash can. She sat on one of the stainless steel barstools and looked over at Stella.

She had always been beautiful in Rin’s eyes. Her hair was slightly longer than Rin’s and platinum blonde in color. Her eyes were of the darkest blues, unlike Rin’s childish baby blue. Where Rin’s skin was pale and milky white, Stella’s was tan, giving her a wonderful sun-kissed look. Stella’s breast was size was more than a whole cup bigger than hers, causing Rin to envy her greatly. Her 36B was flat in comparison to Stella’s bust of 38C, which were much more appealing to the opposite sex.

She let out a long sigh, a small, almost undetectable frown gracing her lips.

Great, another thing that differentiates us is her lips. They look soft, and are full and plump. Mine are bloodied and cracked from numerous fights and the nervous habit I have to bite them, causing them to bleed more. Compared to hers, my lips are lifeless.

Rin’s frown morphed into a full blown scowl and her forced herself to not glare darkly at Stella, opting to instead, glare at the boys sitting on the couch, causing them to glance away from the two ladies nervously.

“Hello Stella, how are you?” Rin’s tone was polite, and you could barely detect any strain in it what-so-ever. She wished she could be back in her room, or with the Leader, helping him.

Why did she have the feeling this was going to be a long day?

Firo lit up a match and lit the cigarette up, a wisp of smoke escaping the cigarette, and a puff of the poisonous fog escaped his lips.
It helped to ignore the empty streets. Ignore the dissapearence of humanity. Ignore the rubble and the crazzies.
Though he was a hypocrite. There were times when he had wanted to forget everything and go insane but that'd just be too easy.
He had a responsibility for the Keys and they above all else, were probaby the only reason that he was still alive, and wanted to be alive. While Firo walkd the desolate streets he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small flask. It was dirty on the outside, silver coloured, and filled with a fine colourless "Pisco" that had been an early scavange, the bottle it had originally came in boasted a 90% alcohol level.

The poison helped to drown out just about anything. Thoughts, feelings, and everything in between.
It was only perhaps when Firo was a block away from headquarters did the piercing scream slice the air into his ears. His soft walking pace turned to a full run as he turned the corner and witnessed the first horrid sight of the day.
Cannibalism.
The cannibal turned his head, face drawn with the look of an animal and body poised with the instincts of one, hunching over its prey. The man was only half clothed (Bottom clothed, of course) and the sight of blood splattered all over him. It only took one second as each of the parties inspected each other before the cannibal sprinted with inhuman speed. Firo, only paralyzed by the sight and agility took the full force of the tackle, fedora and the cig in his mouth flew as his wind was knocked out and taken down to the ground.

Eyes dazed and blacking out for the briefest of time, he was jolted awake and outstretched his hand to hold back the face of the cannibal, who snapped his teeth in gluttony and had the slober of saliva all over his face. Firo took his other hand and jabbed his thumb to the cannibals eye and twisted, who promptly leapt away in pain as it rolled around in the ground and groveled.
Firo took his chance and immediatly picked himself off the floor with only a second of relief before he kicked him square in the gut. Then again and again and again, until the Keys member worked up a sweat. The disgusting thing was howling, cringing and hissing.
It needed to be put down.
Firo took out the same flask and poured (most) of the Pisco all over the unmannered thing; then looked left and right and picked something right off the ground. It was the cigarette. With one more hit of it's precious poison filling Firo's lungs and back out again in the air, he flicked it at the cringed cannibal, curled up in a ball, who was set ablaze with a great orange flame and who's death screams filled the air with music.

It sorta made Firo chuckle. Cooking a cannibal.

Though the irony was something to think about, when he picked up his green fedora before it had blew away any further, he turned his head to the slow raspy weezing.
It was a surprise to see her still alive. She had a chunk of her neck from the side missing but was breathing somehow. She was young too, probably no older then 16 or 17 at most and she was a Siren. The cat ears around her neck had said it all along with her particular style of clothing yet her eyes were wide open staring directly at Firo from her accumilating blod circle.
It was obvious she saw everything.

******************

A small trail of blood followed Firo as he dragged the young lady by her arms, behind her to the base and since she didn't have the voice nor the strength to argue she didn't. Of course he sanitized the neck bite with what was left of his alcohol. He'd covered the wound by tying his green coat around her throat, not too hard that she'd choke, but not too soft that it'd fall off. Naturally the blood just soaked right through but she was still somehow weezing. Breathing. Alive.
He continued to shuffle and backed himself inside, kicking off his black dress shoes at the door automatically, for the wrath of Stella knows no bonds, even then and now where he makes mistakes he'll get the book to the head.
Actually, he'd completely forget how she'd react in bringing in a wounded rival gang member to their hideout...

There were new guys for some reason in the hideout and one of them, oh so classily thought, this was some sort of a regular thing, strolling up to Firo.
"Alright! More ladies?" He said with some type of sexual innuendo.
Of course, Firo, was dumbstruck because he must not have actually seen the blood on the girl, and if he did. was some sort of sicko.
"There's no more faith in thee than in a stewed prune." Firo grunted as he walked backwards into the hideout, still dragging the siren, which seemed to be recuperating from a party.
"Oh Stella, I don't think it's proper etiquette for a guest to die is it? Rin, may you please help me with this young lady here?" Firo called out again, not going to trust one of the newcomers so easily. Afterall Rin and Stella and Red too were the only people that he could trust.

“Ok, mother” Stella heard Michael say after taking his shoes off and walking inside, Stella closed the door behind him, all the way to the kitchen, to get out a bottle of wine "I suppose the new recruits need to get some manners pounded into 'em, eh?" Stella smiled, she knew what Michael said was true, but he could’ve said it in a better way. “Yes, if you want to say it like that.” She said, pouring the wine into a glass. Stella liked wine over most drinks, but the wine had to have little alcohol in it. "You don't need to clean, yah know. Get one of the kids to do it, teach 'em cleanliness or something." Stella giggled at this, she cleaned because she wanted to and had to be done, “Michael, I like to clean, that's why. Now please, get to work, I know you have lots of it.” Stella said as she took a sip, seeing Michael go to his room.

Stella probably got was about to leave the kitchen when she heard her muscle talk to her, Rin Roux. “Hello Stella, how are you?” Stella looked and saw Rin sitting on a barstool. “Hello Rin. I've been doing good, trying to teach these boys some manners. And how are you?” Stella said, making eye contact as she drank slowly. Waiting for a response before talking again. “Also, I’ll need you probably teach a kid some manners, my way usually doesn’t work right away, he should be in the room to the basement." Stella was going to keep on talking before seeing Firo walk in the door, holding a girl in is hands, and could tell she was injured in some way. "Oh Stella, I don't think it's proper etiquette for a guest to die is it? For once Stella didn’t respond to being talked too, but from Firo, she knew it was a ritorical question.

“Get her to my room; I have some medical supplies in there.” Stella said going to her room, which was the closest to the front door, and opening the door to allow Firo in first, and got a look at the girl. Bleeding from the neck, had to be cannibalism, it’ll be hard to pull her through... Stella thought as she quickly tossed a towel on the bed for Firo to put the girl on, then noticing her tattoo. Siren... Stella went into her bathroom and grabbed an upgraded version of a first aid kit, having more medical supplies in it. “So how bad is the bleeding Firo.” She said as she put the first aid kit down by the girl, seeing that she was scared by her eyes. “Hun, don’t worry, you’re ok now, you are going to live” Stella said looking at Firo and Rin. “Fix her up, I’ll keep her calm.” Stella said as she sat down next to the girl, saying soothing words to her and brushing her hair back.

Michael was inside his office, going through paperwork. Despite the fact that actual working computers were rare (and weren't that important, since there was no real 'internet'), he still had mounds and mounds of papers on his desk, every single morning. Whether there were supply lists, recruit reports, or just general complains about Stella working them all too hard (which he usually used as fire tinder, since that was the only use for them), he read them all. That was more then he probably needed to actually do, since most of it wasn't even needed, but he liked to make sure. And since Michael got very concentrated in his work, it actually took him a few moments to realize there was a commotion going on outside his door. Frowning, Michael stood up and walked out to see what was going on. He saw Stella, Firo, and Rin bring a girl into Stella's bedroom. What is this? Someone get hurt? Michael quickly walked over, walking into Stella's room without his usual knock. He figured that he was allowed in.

"What happened?" He asked, looking around with his piercing eyes. He stepped forward, opening up the first aid kit easily, from years of practice. He was no doctor, but he certainly knew how to patch up wounds. Though this was something far more serious then usual, and he knew they'd have to work fast. Pulling out some gauze and some kind of antibacterial spray, Michael walked over to the girl and frowned. A siren.... Damn, they really had to save this girl, or they could be blamed for her death. And while there was currently some peace going around, all the gangs knew they treaded on a thin line.

"Firo, get some kind of doctor. Tell them anything, just get them here," Michael said, cleaning the wound carefully. The girl let out a whimper of pain, but Stella was calming her down. The wound wasn't too deep, luckily, but she had lost a lot of blood and would probably need stitches. Luckily there only seemed to be this one major wound on her... But if she died from this that would be pathetic, especially since she was found by a major gang. Now that the wound was cleaned (as well as Michael was going to be able to), he carefully unwound some of the gauze and started to wrap it around the girl's throat. As he put the layers on, the blood started to clot. Thank God, he thought. She actually has a chance of surviving. Biting his lip Michael looked at Rin.

"Rin, can you go see if we have any other medical supplies? Also, make sure the new recruits are behaving themselves." He mentally went through the (ever growing) list of things he needed to do. First, make sure this girl is stable. Second, wash up and get a change of non-bloody clothes. Third, make sure the new recruits realize who they need to listen to and behave themselves. Fourth, make sure the Sirens know that we've got their girl and are taking care of here. Fifth, get something for the headache that's starting. This was going to be a long day.

Aden walked into the house and wondered if anyone was there yet. She couldn't have been early right? No, there usually are always people in and out of their hangout. Looking around she didn't see Kitten anywhere and she lived here, so either she was sleep or was out. Most likely sleep still. Sighing she walked farther in until she heard her name being called. Turning around she was taken aback when Kitten came up behind her and gave her a huge hug. She thought she heard one of her ribs cracking, but she was probably just imagining it.

Though with Kitten anything was possible. She stood there and listened to her talk about the big day today. Zu-Zu had forgotten today was when they were supposed to meet with the other gangs and set up a plan to get Grant. It sounded easier than what it actually going to be. Dezari's biggest fear is the new recruits. They don't have good control over themselves, which makes things even more difficult. Stretching her arms out she smiled at Kitten. "Well I'm sure he probably likes tea. Everyone likes it."

She replied to the girl's rather random question. That was Kitten just being Kitten. She was a wild and spontaneous girl, but you honestly have to love her, of at least if you're a Siren you do. "Well we should get going to meet the other gang leaders, I'm sure they haven't forgotten that we are supposed to be meeting today." Honestly Zu-Zu didn't put a whole lot of trust in them, but she put just enough to deal with them. Still if it was up to her she wouldn't even being doing any of this. But she must to make things better for her and the other Sirens.

"I have to go and get my bag before we go. I can't go looking a mess can I?" Let's just say if you were a Siren you were concerned about how you looked all the time. Not in a clean sense but more in a fashionable sense. Going upstairs she changed into her normal attire before running back down next to Kitten. "Well let's go meet the other s and discuss our plan to take out Grant shall we? Oh wait I just remembered where is Jazz? If she doesn't hurry then she will have to catch up later." Pouting her lips, she wrapped her arm around Kittens and smiled at her. She decided to let Kitten lead the way. Dezari knew they were meeting the other gangs in some old abandoned building in town, but she wasn't sure exactly were it was.

Rin shrugged Stella’s question. There wasn’t much she had been doing, if you count sleeping and listening to her music. And of course the occasional book here and there.

I’ve been comparing you to me, sad life I have right? Rin thought with an inward groan, not something you would say to make conversation.

Before she could think of an acceptable answer to the question, Stella had continued, “Also, I’ll need you probably teach a kid some manners, my way usually doesn’t work right away, he should be in the room to the basement-

She stopped, her attention drawn to the door, a quick look of horror flickering in her dark blue eyes. Curious to what Stella was looking at, turned to gaze at Firo, who was holding a girl, most likely from the Sirens, in his arms. She had a neck wound that was bleeding heavily, presumably from the outrageous acts of cannibalism that were going on.

“Get her to my room; I have some medical supplies in there.” Stella ordered both her and Frio, since her room was closer.

Without a word Rin followed them, her mind blank of anything except how to safe this girl. She would need stitches, but Rin wasn’t good at that, she could barely stitch herself up, why test out her lack of skills on a different person, from a totally different gang? She could clean the wound but what if she made it worse? Rin froze, unable to think of how to help.

Luckily for her Michael came in, effectively scaring the life out of Rin. She jumping ever so slightly and let of a long awaited breath she hadn’t known she was holding in for so long. She was relieved that Michael was going to patch her up, Rin’s hands were shaking so bad at the thought of her messing up that there was no way she was going to go near her.

Rin closed her eyes, concentrating on getting her body back to normal. She took slow, deep breathes and willed her hands to stop shaking. It wasn’t the first time that someone has been brought to the hang out that was on the verge of dying. Rin didn’t know why she was freaking out now of all things. She needed to have her music. Her songs always helped her out; she should leave and let the others take care of this, saying she had better things to do then safe a Siren.

"Firo, get some kind of doctor. Tell them anything, just get them here," Michael told Firo, and Rin was startled once again. Her eyes slowly opened and say that Michael was cleaning the wound as much as he could. She could tell it wasn’t a deep wound, but stitches were going to be needed.

"Rin, can you go see if we have any other medical supplies? Also, make sure the new recruits are behaving themselves." With a short, tense nod, Rin fled from the room, deciding the supplies in her room should be good enough. It had more gaze if needed and she had picked up some stitching things along the way.

Her room was on the other side of the hang out, and she quickened her pace over there, her gaze flicking to the horror stricken recruits. She paused and looked at them, her eyes free from any anger or loathing. They looked about as terrified as she felt. So with a soft sigh, she walked over to them, scowling when the cringed away from her. She was the Muscle after all.

“Listen, that girl…the ones you all just saw bleeding,” she stared at them until they nodded, “She’s going to be alright, she won’t die. But if any of you idiots were scared of that, then I suggest you leave. This gang, and I’m sure all the others have zero tolerance with stupid pansy who freak out at the sight of cannibalism and blood. That is now the state of the world. Deal with it or die.” Rin’s eyes narrowed, her gaze flicking to each one of them. If she was being truthful, they would make fine members of this gang, once properly trained. But she hated training them, so with a final glare sent their way she left to get the supplies, hoping she didn’t take too long.

She swung her bedroom’s door open, and was hit with the wonderful smell of Rin, along with her music still playing. Without a second thought she shut off the music and plunged the room into darkness. It seemed cold and distant without her music, and the smell of Rin had vanished into the air. Rin stood next to her radio and wondered where she had last put the case of supplies. If she couldn’t find it them she wasn’t sure where another one was. Sure she was almost positive that each member had a case of supplies, but she was not one to snoop into peoples rooms to find it.

It won’t be under my bed, if it was it would be seen from here….maybe next to the desk…its somewhere here I know it!

Rin searched her room, going as far as to throwing the pillows off her bed, which she later found was stupid and not going to help with anything. After a while she was getting worried, the girl could be dead because she wasn’t quick enough. She looked at the clock; she had been in here for 3 minutes. With a long stream of curses, Rin heaved her closet door open, revealing a dark blue case with the words, Medical Supplies

She rushed back to Michael and handed him the case, her face broken of her disinterested mask, showing her concern for the Siren girl. “She will be okay right?” she said to more herself then any of them.

She stood back and watched the scene unfold in front of her, and with a startled blink, she looked back at Stella, “Stel? Wasn’t there a meeting today? She frowned, she could have been wrong, she was counting on it, but it just seemed like today was the day for that stupid meeting with all the other gangs.

Rin hated to mingle with the other gangs, and preferred to stick close to Stella in anything that did not involve fighting. Rin grimaced, today wasn’t looking so good, why did Frio have to bring her home again?

This really and truly was going to be a long day. Great, just great.

Ryley opened the door to their run-down place and marched inside like a man on a mission. The door opened and slammed into the wall, stopping him in his walk to wince and go back to check if made a hole of any sort. There was. A small one, but there was still an indent in the wall. He glared at it and closed the door gently this time. Turning back around, a little upset that his 'grand entrance' had been screwed up, he straightened himself up and puffed himself out to try and make up for it. He took the cell phone he'd had in his hand and flipped it shut, spinning it by the string attached to the charm on it and placing it back in his pocket.

He looked over the room, pausing and frowning at what he saw as if the sight disappointed him in many ways. Soul crossed his arms and pointed a finger at Jesse, just lazing around there, as if he were accusing the guy for his disappointment. "Slacker! Get your lazy butt up and wake the others." He paused for a moment and listened, hearing the sounds of a shower in the distance down the hall. "Who's in the shower?" he asked, going over and sitting on the end of the couch where the arm rest is. He leaned back and put his hands behind his head, crossing one leg over the other. "We gotta go somewhere important. Pronto. Don't make me wait. Hurry it up." He closed his eyes for a minute, wondering if he should tell exactly where they were going, but decided against it. Surprises were always more enjoyable. He opened one eye and looked Jesse over. "And make yourself look good, will ya?"

Sniffing, Soul shut his eyes again, not at all bothered by the fact that he'd just ordered around and insulted a guy with twice the amount of muscle that he had. His gang members should be used to his attitude by now. He was the boss and he sure as hell was going to act like it. Besides, being younger than the rest of them made it that much more difficult to keep his place, so he found himself frequently buckling down and trying to be as intimidating as possible at all times. He was secretly afraid if he let himself slip just a little, just once, he'd be taken over. There was no way he was going to allow that to happen. He was the boss here. The leader. The best. He planned to keep it that way.

After waiting a few minutes in silence, Soul began to get impatient. He opened his eyes and stood up from the couch, leaning against it to wait for the others that he'd sent for. The phone call he received telling him about how the gangs were gathering together unnerved him a little. It wasn't like he was scared or anything, but they were all in separate gangs for a reason--they hated each other. He had next to no desire to see any of their prissy faces or listen to their dumb ideas. But he had to admit, this Richards guy was giving him more trouble than he'd like to think about, and it was obvious the Poisons weren't the only ones. Maybe taking him over would be a good thing.

Working together with those chumps was his issue. Soul didn't like the idea of taking orders from somebody else or others ordering his gang around. Just because the other gang members were all older than him too might make them think he can be taken advantage of. If that was what they were thinking, they were going to be highly disappointed when he shot them to the ground. "Stupid rats," he grumbled under his breath. Then again, he could just be really paranoid. He growled and glared at the wall. "What's taking so long!?" he shouted.

It shocked Firo and made him jump the exact same way that Rin did when Micheal appeared from his office but luckily he didn't see a rival gang member in his base. Instead he just saw a person that needed help.
Firo straightened up when he was ordered to find a docter and grabbed his bloody green coat from the floor when Micheal had took it off her neck and actually got some gauze. The coat jacket was sticky and reeked of the rust-metallic blood of the girl and with a sigh he stepped out of the Stella's room to the kitchen where he saw Rin discipline some of the newblood who were terrified.

It's good to see them terrified. Innocence.

When Rin exited to her room for supplies, Firo went in the fridge and grabbed a bottle of vodka, then grabbed a couple of the newblood soldiers.
"Hurry up, the both of you, we're going to pay the doctor a visit." Firo called out, already out into the streets, taking a swig of vodka as his soldiers followed up behind him.
Firo knew everything there was on the streets and the closest docter was nearly a couple of blocks away. He and the other two worked up a jog then a run until they reached the Docter's house. Panting and tired Firo, brought up his hand and knocked at the door of the seemingly abandoned store, windows and glass painted over the black paint and "GET OUT!" written in blood.

The door creaked open, and there was the doctor in his white dirty coat, holding a double barreled shotgun to the Keys.
"Why are you here?" He said meekly, gun shaking, and wavering. He knew what they are. Everyone knew of the Keys.
"There's a girl who's going to die soon if she doesn't get medical attention." Firo said interrupting himself; now taking a swig of the hard liquor and grabbed a cig from his other coat pocket.

"You are a doctor aren't you?" Firo said once more then placed the cig in his mouth and manouvered his hand to his pants pocket for a match to light as a long silence ensued and neither side made a noise. After lighting the cigarette, Firo threw the match down and inhaled deeply for the tar in his lungs before exhaling it out the side of his mouth
"I believe you as a doctor know too well the sin of omission." He said holding the smouldering cigarette with two fingers.
"Do you want to be a murderer?" Firo pressed on taking advantage of the devastated look in his eyes as he lowered the shotgun.
"We also have water and food."

The Doctor, a middle aged man with a small beard, eventually agreed and they escorted him back to the hideout.
"She's in that room." Firo pointed then pushed him forward inside. Before going inside himself, Firo refilled his flask with some of the vodka, then put the bottle back in the fridge, half empty before reilizing the rest of the glances of the kiddies that were the new guys.
It was also that he reilized that he reeked of blood, alcohol and smoke.

Firo sighed, tapping the cigarette on an ashtry, before he journeyed to his room. It was something akin to a library and as much as Firo wanted to sit down for a few minutes and listen to Borodin Polovstian Dances on the vinyl player but that had to wait.
Instead he picked up a small paperback book that he'd been reading recently and proceeded back to Stellas room where the doctor was now taking care of the Siren girl.
"I believe it's time for the four of us to attend to other pressing matters, Red?" Firo announced, readjusting the fedora on his head and taking another puff of nicotine, then dispelling it back in the air.
The doctor would be able to take care of the girl and even the new guys can keep watch on one unarmed man.

Stella was talking to the girl when she noticed Michael walk in. "What happened?" Stella looked back down at the girl, making sure she was staying calm. “Siren case of Cannibalism.” Stella said, gently rubbing her hand across the girl’s forehead and through her hair. The girl yelped when Michael went to clean the wound. “Shh shh, quiet, it’s going to be ok.” Stella whispered into the girl’s ear, hearing Michael telling Firo to get a doctor and Rin to get some more medical supplies, and them leaving to go do it. Stella just talked to the girl while they were gone, and Michael was wrapping some gauze around her neck.

Stella heard Rin come in after a couple minutes, and seemed to have talked to herself, asking if the girl would be ok, and if they had a meeting. “Yes Rin, she is going to be ok. And yes we do have a meeting, but somebody’s life is more important. Sirens will understand, even though I don’t like being late…” Stella said, and then shortly Firo coming back with a doctor, dragging dirt and stuff into her room, but now wasn’t a time for that. The doctor got to work; Firo left and grabbed a book, and then spoke. "I believe it's time for the four of us to attend to other pressing matters, Red?" Stella looked back down at the girl and kissed her on the forehead. “Hey, just stay calm, and ignore the recruits. You’re going to be ok.” Stella said with a smile and got up and walked to the others.

“Firo, please change, you don’t look proper for a meeting, then we will be on our way.” Stella said looking back in her room, worrying about the girl, and just sighed. Then turning and looking back at the others. “Hey Michael, go with Firo to the meeting, I’m going to go with Rin and talk to Ms. Gangjeon, and her second-in-command.” Stella said, handing a paper over to Michael and looking over to Rin. “Let’s go, I really don’t want to be late.” Stella said for the second time, she hated being late, even by a minute, she just hated it; it was a sign of irresponsibility and laziness. She rather be really early then a second late any day of her life.

Stella quickly changed her heels, grabbed her fedora, roses and her scarf, and waited for Rin and started to leave. Stella didn’t run exactly, not wanting to mess up her appearance, nor wanting to waste energy, so she just walked, with Rin either next to her or behind her. “Hey Rin, stay on guard at all times please, I don’t trust the other gangs, plus you know I am one of the weaker people around here, and you are pretty strong, but I just don’t know what to expect.” Stella talked to Rin as they walked, hoping Firo did change his clothing, and he was the only one with blood on him that was really noticeable. Michael had some on him too, but not as much as Firo, mostly just on his hands, which he could just easily wash off.

Michael let the doctor do what he had to do, making a mental note to offer the man a permeant position among the Keys. It was a good offer, he thought. Protection, food, water, a family, all for one's skills. Besides, good doctors were hard to find, nowadays. Most of them had nothing more then a basic knowledge of medical science, but this man clearly knew what he was doing. “Hey Michael, go with Firo to the meeting, I’m going to go with Rin and talk to Ms. Gangjeon, and her second-in-command.” He nodded at Stella and walked off into his office, locking the door easily. It had no windows, so he was able to get off all the blood inside the room and come out with a fresh suit on. It wasn't as comfortable as his other, but it would work. Fixing the black bandana around his neck, Michael walked out of the room. He looked skeptically at a few recruits, just standing around.

"You three, get to work," he ordered. His sharp gaze and appearance made them disappear faster then roaches. They'd find something productive to do, he figured. And there were still a few older members around who could always keep things on track. Deciding that Firo knew where they were going, and that the man would be fine on his own, Michael left and started to walk to the meeting point. His rapier was kept securely on his belt, and his dagger was on the side opposite to it. And while there were several attempts made to steal the dagger, after a few broken fingers given out no one thought it was worth the trouble. Seeing as he walked with longer stride then both Stella and Rin, he eventually caught up to them. "Stella, Rin. Let's talk," he said as he caught up.

"Listen, I know we have a peace deal with these people, but always be on alert. Especially about the Poison; their leader is a hard nut and a little unpredictable. If things go south, I'm ordering you, Rin, to protect Stella with your life and escape. Firo and I can handle ourselves," he told them. He looked around, seeing no one near them. Not even a rat or a bird... Michael sighed and yawned. "I doubt anything will happen, but you never know. Oh, and let me do some talking this time, Stell. They're gonna think that I'm just a puppet leader," he told his 'sister'.

Firo nodded to Stella about her comment about changing. You can't expect to meet your enemies with blood all over your self or keep a truce with behavior like that.
The italian went back to his room of a library, books neatly placed on the walls in alphabetical order, and a closet with only two more green suits inside.
A long time ago when people had every luxury this would be the equivalent to nothing but now all of this was the pinnacle of riches.

He hoped it was right, teaming up with the three other gangs, in order to bring down Richards. To Firo this wasn't the problem. Oh no, that was the easiest part. What would happen, that Firo would guess is the aftermath, after Richards death.
It wasn't something that he'd like to think of or anything that anyone would like to think of. He went to the closet and quickly changed his bloody coat and dress shirt for another of the same colour, the new clothes feeling somewhat smoother then the old ones.

Before Firo could leave his room he transfered some of the weapons from his old jacket, the butterfly knife, grenados, and dynamite to his new one. They all fit snug away from sight and after he went outside the base. He knew where everyone was going to be meeting of course, he had to know these things as the brains of the Keys.
So he walked out with a cigarette in his mouth and A Clockwork Orange in his hand. It was a good read, that it was, but slightly hard for the regular person to read. There was Russian-American slang to the words that the teens would use. Droogies were friends, devotchkas were woman, millicents were policeman, and horrorshow was good. (Firo liked that specific one quite a bit)

He came up behind Red, Stella and Rin just as they were talking about the young leader of Poison: Soul, more popularly known. He reminded him of Alex; the protgonist in A Clockwork Orange. They were both leaders of gangs, young, foolish and both needed to grow.
"Time will make her toll on that child." Firo said, referring to Poisons leader, and with a wonder why Micheal wanted to protect Stella.
Now of all times of course wasn't a good time to ask.
"Now we shall adjourn. Red?" Firo said wanting to get this meeting done and over with; knowing all too well from too many books that when great leaders came around certain things would happen.

(Damn double posts!)

“Hey Michael, go with Firo to the meeting, I’m going to go with Rin and talk to Ms. Gangjeon, and her second-in-command.” Rin glanced back at Stella when she looked over at her, “Let’s go, I really don’t want to be late.” With that said, Stella turned and left to find a change of clothes.

Rin nodded in affirmative, “Let me change.” She said, looking down at her black shorts and a baggy t-shirt. Without waiting for her to answer her, Rin took off to her room, her strides becoming longer as she tried to hurry up. Once again, she opened her closest door and looked at the dresses that hung from the hangers, falling gently to the floor, hovering just above it so they weren’t ruined.

Seeing that her favorite indigo dress was too long for the event, Rin chose a royal blue dress that came to just above her knees in the front, and just below her knees in the back. The softness of the silk crepe chiffon caressed her hands as she took it off the hanger, slipping off her shorts and shirt in the process. Standing in her bra and panties, Rin untied the back of the dress and slipped into it easily, the fabric gilding across her skin smoothly. Her hands rose to slide behind her neck, tying the small string that held the front of the dress together. Rin turned to the mirror that doubled as the back of her closet door, staring at herself in the dress. The royal blue didn’t quite match her bright sea blue eyes, instead, they made them stand out more. The plunging neckline gave her just a bit of cleavage, enough to satisfy the men, but not enough to make the dress appear slutty on her. Her hair was still pinned back with the simple clips, so Rin slowly pulled them out, ruffling her hair to give it a messier, yet sexy look. With a small smile, she closed the door to her closet and grabbed three sliver bracelets from her desk, slipping them onto her slim wrist with ease. Finding her black, leather, fingerless gloves, she slid them onto her thin hands, just in case a fight broke out. She then pulled the bow headband from her head and grabbed her blue fedora from atop her lamp, placing it on her head.

With a sigh she walked over to her bed and grabbed a pair of white heels, and walked out, catching up to Stella, her feet bare, shoes in her hand.

“Could you walk any faster?” she snapped at Stella, trying to put her shoes on while walking. She followed a good deal behind Stella, hobbling to put her heels on her feet without falling face first into the street. When she managed to put them on, her heels clicked quickly as she caught up with Stella, a frown on her face, “Thank you for waiting for me, Stell.” She growled darkly, sarcasm dripping from every word.

Her mood quickly changed when she heard the sound of the Leader behind them, catching with every step he took, "Stella, Rin. Let's talk," he finally said when he was stepping in time with them, "Listen, I know we have a peace deal with these people, but always be on alert. Especially about the Poison; their leader is a hard nut and a little unpredictable. If things go south, I'm ordering you, Rin, to protect Stella with your life and escape. Firo and I can handle ourselves," He sighed and let out a yawn as he looked around the area, "I doubt anything will happen, but you never know. Oh, and let me do some talking this time, Stell. They're gonna think that I'm just a puppet leader,"

Rin had to laugh, though it was quiet, at the last part. It was true, Stella was more of a leader than the Leader was at times. It was amusing to say the least when Stella did all the talking, leaving Michael standing next to her looking like a fish out of water.

Rin heard the last notable member of their gang fall into step with them, and her smile grew on her face. This was her family, the people that had saved her in a not so distant past. She was thankful to them, no matter how much it seemed that she wasn’t. With a graceful flick of her wrist, she brushed her hair out of her face, her smile disappearing and her eyes determined. She heard what Leader had said. There was a good possibility that this meeting was going to break out in a fight.

"Time will make her toll on that child." Firo said as he walked behind them. Rin moved over slightly, letting him walk beside her. He was a decent looking man, dirty blond hair that hung to his to around the middle of his neck, his eyes dark hazel in color. He was thicker than she was, which wasn’t saying much considering she was a thin as one could be, packed with abnormally strong muscles from her years of training. Firo’s skin was an ashy tan, or so Rin thought. It was much different from Stella’s sun kissed skin or Michael’s rich olive tone.

"Now we shall adjourn. Red?" Firo said, snapping Rin from her daydream.
They were much closer to the building now, and Rin could see that it was falling apart. Windows were broken, the doors were missing, it looked horrible. But if you thought about it, it reflected well on how the world was. The people were broken, missing. They were lost. This Richards that she had heard bits and pieces about had done this. Sure, he wasn’t the cause, Man did this to himself. But those remaining should have stepped forward, and promised to restart, make the world the way it once was. Instead Grant Richard was the one who took the lead, giving false promises to the people, who followed him without a second thought. Now, some are saying that they have gotten word that he is a dictator, something they should have known all along.

She looked up to see they had stopped in front of the building, and she quickly looked around to make sure there was no threat to them, “Are we planning on going in?” she said softly, glancing at Stella and Michael.

She didn’t like this meeting, she felt something was about to happen, something that would change her forever.

Stella walked towards the meeting location, totally thinking Rin was behind her the whole time, not knowing she was going too fast. “Could you walk any faster?” Stella looked back and started to slow down; feeling bad for not knowing that she was way ahead of Rin. “Oh, I'm sorry, I didn’t know, I just thought you were behind me.” Stella said, stopping so Rin could put her heels on, which with her blue dress made her look beautiful, especially the touch with the neckline. “Thank you for waiting for me, Stell.” Stella didn’t respond to this, all she did was just change the subject, “You looked beautiful Rin, I'm jealous.” Stella said with a smile, before hearing Michael come up.

"Listen, I know we have a peace deal with these people, but always be on alert. Especially about the Poison; their leader is a hard nut and a little unpredictable. If things go south, I'm ordering you, Rin, to protect Stella with your life and escape. Firo and I can handle ourselves," Stella minorly blushed. “Michael, you have to think about yourself sometimes...” Stella said slowly down so Michael would be infront. "I doubt anything will happen, but you never know. Oh, and let me do some talking this time, Stell. They're gonna think that I'm just a puppet leader," Stella let out a laugh, she would admit that she did do most of the talking, but if Michael wanted to do it, she wasn’t going to stop him. “Ok, just tell me when you need some help, ok?” Stella said, sounding like she was joking, but she would know Michael knew she was serious.

Stella looked back to see Firo catching up, and a smile on Rin’s face, which Stella loved about her, reminded her of when she found Rin on the street, and took her in, which was a little bit after taking Michael in. Rin was probably the closest thing Stella had to a daughter, even though she didn’t raise her. Stella heard Firo, but just thought he was talking to Michael, since he said Red. Stella then looked up, seeing the building for the meeting and could tell the other gangs weren’t here, so that meant Stella and them weren’t late, good. As they got to the building, Rin spoke up. “Are we planning on going in?” Seeing Rin glance at her, then looking over at Michael. “Good question, so what do you think Michael, wait out here, or go inside?” Stella said, letting Michael decide, going inside being the smartest answer, since they would be safer in there.

Stella then started to think how this meeting would go, usually they did go well, but Stella had a bad feeling about this one meeting, Ryley Solarus would be here, and he wasn’t mentally fit as a leader. The Sirens might go off about the Keys having one of their members, plus that she's injured. And hopefully Michael would be able to stay calm, and be well-mannered as he talked, being one of the first time he would talk for something important, recruitment parties not counting.

Michael smiled as the others laughed about his leader comment. They all knew that he wasn't exactly a natural born leader, and it took a lot of work for someone like him to get the job done. It wasn't even like he was terrible at it, just, sometimes, the whole thing got to be a little too much for him. He hadn't cracked, though, and he wasn't exactly expecting to ever do so. He was stronger then that. He had suffered a lot worse then a mountain load of paperwork, unhelpful people, and major headaches brought on by incompetence in the ranks below him. "Time will make her toll on that child." Michael nodded at Firo, completely agreeing. After a few years, the Poison leader could be a mentally deranged lunatic, or some kind of Sun Tzu with more experience then a lot of the other leaders (his youth was somewhat helpful, at times). Michael doubted that either would happen. More likely then not, the Poison leader would get killed doing something stupid. But, seeing as they were in a somewhat-rocky alliance, Michael needed the leader to stay alive. If just for now, of course.

“Are we planning on going in?” Rin asked, looking over at Michael. You could tell they were the first gang there, and Michael knew that could come in handy... “Good question, so what do you think Michael, wait out here, or go inside?” Stella asked. Seeing that getting inside first would be the most helpful, Michael motioned for them to all walk inside, not bothering to speak. They would be able to get a secure position before the other gangs, plus they would look more organized then the others. Seeing as manners and being polite were everything for the Keys, it wasn't all the surprising that they came in first. Let's see, I need to make sure the Sirens realize we are giving medical care to one of their's. We also need to figure out our plans for Richards. We also need to keep looking strong, which wouldn't be that hard at all...

"Rin, Firo, find out if there are any lights in this dump," Michael said, looking around. It was dark inside, but he reached for a light switch and turned it on, revealing the inside. It looked like an old boxing ring, but inside the ring were four tables with four chairs each. Obviously they had been put there ahead of time, though Michael wasn't sure who did it. There didn't seem to be any traps, but Michael looked carefully at his seat before sitting down anyway. Nothing. Good. Since there was only one entrance to the place (the one the Keys had come from, of course), Michael chose the table that faced the entrance. Might as well be able to stare down whatever gang came in next. "Stella, to my right. Rin, next to her. Firo, to my left," Michael said calmly, even leaning back a little against the old ropes of the boxing ring. He figured they might as well get comfortable. Who knew how long it would be until the next gang came.

"Hmm, I suppose you're right. Who couldn't resist the wonderful taste of tea? I bet his favorite is Earl Grey, I don't know why, but I imagine he sits behind a giant desk and drinks loads of the stuff all day!" Kitten talked with her hands dramatically and acted out almost every word she said like a mime. "I have a whole drawer filled with different flavors, maybe we could give Grant some tea with poison in it! Then he would be all 'Oh my God I'm dying! Ack...ack...bleeeeeh.' Kitten fell over sideways and pulled herself along the floor as if all of her energy had suddenly been drained. "Men...my good men, help me you blasted fools! I feel faint...I feel so gravely ill...I-I, ugh." She fell over and her face was completely covered by her pink hair. If nothing else, she might've made an entertaining actress. "Whataya think?" She jumped up and took a deep bow, tipping her head in multiple directions to thank her pretend audience.

Kitten fell back onto the couch and kicked her legs back up, her head hung over the side and she idly started playing with her ponytails. "Swish swish, oh wait! We should get going, I do hate being late for stuff. It's so unattractive." The word rolled off of her tongue like a curse and she visibly cringed at the adjective. She was always all over the place and sometimes it was easy to forget what she was supposed to be doing. "I wonder if we'll all get along, mmm probably not. Oh well, it wouldn't hurt to bring a gift along!" The girl sprang up from the couch like she just got shot out of a cannon and disappeared into a side room no bigger than a closet. She retrieved a few things from the space, first her handy whip which she attached to her hip, a pair of white angel wings that she wore out in public for no apparent reason, and yes, a pink basket of freshly baked cookies complete with pink netting to keep them sealed inside.

"I just made these last night since I couldn't sleep, had to hide them from myself for a while because I was going to eat every last one myself. Good thing I went back in there, think they'll like 'em? I don't mean to be so sure of myself...well no I do, but these taste great." Kitten smiled widely, almost every even tooth in her mouth on display. "If we don't get along right off the bat, these babies outta lighten things up!" Again, that eerie, childlike giggle left her mouth and echoed throughout the entire building. "Jazz knows where we're supposed to be going, and she's probably the strongest--physically out of all of us, if anyone gets in her way I'm sure she'll have them beaten into a bloody pulp in no time. Onward to victory!" Well equipped with both her weapons and the arrangement of cookies, Kitten grabbed onto to Aden's wrist and practically started dragging her out of the building.

Outside it was quiet like always, dusty and dull, such a huge contrast from the very-pink interior of the hangout. "Gross. It's so bland out here, you'd think we were the last people on earth. I know a lot of the population got knocked off and everything, but come on doesn't anyone step outside anymore?" Kitten proceeded to have an entire conversation with herself about how she would literally redecorate the entire world should she ever become it's new ruler. "Everyone would have to wear pink or die, okay maybe not die but pay a fine! Frowning wouldn't be allowed, and every Friday would be National Kitten day, everyone will have to bow down and kiss a picture of me. Ooh I like that." She snapped her glittery painted fingers and looked back at Aden. "Zu-Zu you would still be my second-in-command, like a vice president!" The wheels were turning in her mind and it was obvious she was already planning out how she would rule the world.

"Hmm, rough on the eyes, this must be the place!" Kitten readjusted the basket on her arm and pushed open the doors to what she knew was an old facility used for boxing. "Hellooo beautiful people! The Sirens have arrived!" Kitten's free hand waved frantically in a greeting and she strolled into the building confidently. "Kitten Gangjeon, it's truly a treat to be here," for a second she stopped to show off her best pageant wave, then she extended her arm back towards Aden. "Zu-Zu here is my second-in-command, the eyes in the back of my head, the cherry to top my sundae!" She made her way inside of the ring, skillfully balancing the basket in her hands without disheveling a single cookie. "The others haven't arrived yet, but they'll just have to be out of luck I guess. Help yourselves to some of my world famous cookies! Trust me, they aren't poisoned or anything, it would be so rude to try and kill everyone right now." Another wide grin. Kitten sat cross-legged on an on top one of the tables and dug in to her own creation.

Aden couldn't help but laugh at Kitten and her theatrics. She was a funny girl, but also a great leader to have. No one would suspect such a thing cause of how she acts. "That was great Kitten. Maybe a little more drama though next time." She teased her watching her get up. She was so hyper and chipper today. She wondered if she had always been this hyper? Of course she has. it was just cause she hadn't seen her in a while, so it was a bit new at first. Shrugging it off, she looked at her cookies. They did look pretty good.

"Well I'll try one out." She smiled devilishly before snatching a cookie. it was just as she suspected of Kitten. Pure perfection. Smiling at her, she walked out of the hangout after her. She wasn't thrilled about meeting the others but she had to. Crossing her arms, she looked up at the blank sky full of only gray. It was so boring looking. Zu-Zu was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Kitten speaking again. Looking at the girl she just shook her head in agreement. "Everything should be pink. It's so boring and lame this way. I'm sure if you ruled everything would be much better."

She laughed a little at the actual thought of Kitten ruling the world. It was quite amusing to her but everyone else would probably try to kill her. If you didn't know Kitten it would be hard to get to know her at first. You have to be an easy going person to deal with her type of character. Resting her hands behind her head, she looked back up at the lifeless sky. There was a time when she could remember all of the life this earth used to have. Now it was like a ghost town, and what people were alive were scared of the ghost.

Cracking her knuckles Dezari looked at the building they were approaching. "This place looks like a dump." She glared at the building as they walked into it. Once they were in she took a look at the gang who was already there. From their demeanor, they were definitely Keys. Zu-Zu had a disgusted look as she glanced over the gang. Even when Kitten introduced her she still looked evil at them. She hated them so much, but she has to deal for now. Walking over to the table she sat on top of it with no intentions in talking to anyone there except for Kitten.

While Michael had heard rumors and stories about the Sirens (and especially about their energetic leader), he had dismissed most of them as mere rumors. After all, there was no way the Sirens could have lived for so long if they were so hyper and completely loud and didn't know about things like 'subtly'. Well, his thoughts were just blown to pieces, especially since their leader (who everyone called Kitten) pretty much jumped into the old boxing arena, shooting words out of her mouth faster then a machine gun shot bullets. "Hellooo beautiful people! The Sirens have arrived! Kitten Gangjeon, it's truly a treat to be here! Zu-Zu here is my second-in-command, the eyes in the back of my head, the cherry to top my sundae! The others haven't arrived yet, but they'll just have to be out of luck I guess. Help yourselves to some of my world famous cookies! Trust me, they aren't poisoned or anything, it would be so rude to try and kill everyone right now." Michael wasn't sure whether to throw up from disgust or just sit there in shock. But, remembering that he had things to do, Michael nodded as he eyed the cookies. Eh, I'll wait for someone else to eat them, he thought.

"Hello... Kitten. I'm Michael, leader of the Keys. That's Stella, my second in command and the most polite and rule-following one of us all." Hey, if the girl was allowed to talk about how her second was 'the cherry on top of her sundae', Michael was allowed to add a few little comments about his own gang members. "That's Rin, the muscle and overall strength and powerhouse," Michael continued, pointing to Rin. "And that's Firo, our tactician... He's a slippery one," Michael said with a small smile. Clapping his hands together, Michael stood and took a cookie. Might as well pretend that we completely trust them, Michael thought. "I'm actually glad you came first, Kitten. Today Firo was walking around and he found one of your girls being attacked by a cannibal. We have her in our base and she is receiving as much medical attention as we can give her. As soon as she is recovered I will be more than happy to release her to your care once more... If that is fine with you, of course," Michael said. The cookie, to Michael's slight surprise, was quite good. "On another note, whoever cooked these deserves to be thanked on my behalf." Hey, he might as well compliment the other gang. You never knew when good relations with another gang could become useful, after all.