---

Ashton's gaze blinked with a bit of a dumbfounded expression as the woman she had interacted with had at first spoken in Russian before switching to English. Both sounding pretty fluent and spot on. The firefighter had known some Russian thanks to the army, but it had been years and that time of learning the language had become a bit rusty. So she could only get a couple of words, which didn't really help with the whole thing so one could say it was a bit worthless. Language was funny like that, it usually took a constant use to actually keep it. The blonde was sure that if she had spoke herself, her own English would be slurred or broken. Considering she hadn't spoken in probably four years or so. Quite amazing that this woman could switch between two languages though!

Giving a ever so bright cheerful smile at okay to sit, the tall androgynous woman sat down beside the tiny but more elegant woman. Shuffling her firefighter jacket from around her waist while stretching out her arms and upper body. The faded white shirt a bit loose and wrinkled from overuse and her suspenders snug against her strong shoulder blades. At the whining complaint of someone behind however, Ashton soon hunched over so her height didn't bother folks behind her as much. Arms resting lazily over her legs and hanging down in the middle relaxed.

Blinking her amethyst gaze more curiously as this woman seemed to plea not to call the ambulance before motioning to her walking stick, Ashton gave a nervous smile and scratched her cheek with her left index finger. Should she be ashamed that wasn't the first thing that came to mind? Was she staring and make this girl uncomfortable? She didn't mean to, she just thought the girl was pretty.

Quickly Ashton shook her head and waved her hand, trying to convey that she wasn't going to do such a thing... well unless it truly needed to happen but so far this girl wasn't fainting or anything. Rubbing the back of her messy dirty blonde hair, fingers gingerly ruffling the strands for a moment in some embarrassment, Ashton gave a silent chuckle before giving a thoughtful expression. Before looking straight at this woman before pointing at herself, then tapping at her own head, then pointing to the white haired woman before drawing her finger toward the horizon of the dazzling water.

It was her own way of trying to say she was thought this woman was pretty, not that she was looking at how sick she looked or anything. Of course, Ashton wasn't sure this woman would quite understand since everyone had a different sense of 'beauty' and all. Despite that, the tall firefighter smiled before reaching into her pockets and pulling out her badge. Slipping off her right glove to set her calloused hand free, she held that hand out for a handshake while holding her badge out with the other hand to show her name Ashton Griffone.

A bright cheerful smile still upon her face while taking a few glances at the race as it roared to life. Seemed it was already going well. That was good.

Paige Kennedy

A little old to be selling girl scout cookies aren't we?

"Maybe, but you don't look like you've missed many girl scout cookies lately." Paige said quick as a whip and patted him firmly on the belly as she stepped past him through the doorway. It may have been a little bit of a low blow, but he started it when he called her "Princess" and now they were even. Milo wasn't exactly in bad shape as it were, though not nearly as lean as he had once been in Delta. She had the photo evidence to prove it and knew that after she left, he'd be looking himself over thoroughly in the mirror. She put her bag down on the table and proceeded to move her star back to her belt and gun to it's rightful place on her hip.

"Aw, did you get me something for our 'date'?" She said slyly reminding him of his earlier choice of words. Though she had thrown it back at him as a jab, the fact of the matter was that she hadn't gone on an actual "date" in years. Nor, as Milo well knew, did she have the greatest track record of keeping men. Once they learned of her profession or got a dose of her attitude, the conversation normally ended shortly thereafter as they ran for the hills. Even since she was old enough to date, her father hadn't ever needed the shotgun, Paige was perfectly capable on her own. Most of the time it didn't bother her that much, but occasionally it still crept up on her.

"We took care of that guy who assaulted your girlfriend's sister early this morning." She said nonchalantly changing the subject and again turned to raid his refrigerator the same as she had done before. It wasn't hard to connect the dots between the victim of the infamous jazz night and Milo, but it all amounted to an afterthought compared to what she'd discovered while digging around in Bob's past. She lifted another one of his sports drinks from its plastic casing and turned back to see what manner of gift he'd produced for her. "I didn't get to bed until after three," She ssid, "And I didn't wake up until you called."

@PrinceAlexus@RoccanIronclad

Old Harbour. Main stands, Race day.

---

Victoria calmy switched between the languages, growing up speeking both had set them solidly into her mind, fluent speeking both, though her written and read Russian was weaker than her English. A British father, and a Russian mother she had grown up a somewhat mixed house, a Russian godfather and eventually meeting her half sister. Victoria had to think abit to make sense of it all.

A warm mid lengh coat and belt hung loosely open, ernough to keep warm despite the racing cars so close by, yet not boil during the gaps. Her slim figure obviously, almost dangerously thin to more panicky people, though much as she tried, Victoria was as she was. Winter in Sol still was not the Bahamas. Despite her Russian blood she hated the cold. Thanking the fates that she was not gonna call ambulance, too many people had assumed her pale skin tone was a matter of illness, and emergency not a aftereffect of a illness. The second half was slightly more a confusing gesture but seemed to be implied posetively. At least she thought so anyway.

Thanks, im just abit less steady on my feet. I spent too long in hospitals, around doctors.

Shaking her long white hair out her face a second, she saw the fighter show a small metal SCFD badge with her name. Obviously the silence was for a reason and not some strange form of a insults. She must be mute for some reason unknown to the world. Extending a much smaller and ghostly pale hand in return, a pale blue ring glittering away in ice blue from the bright sunlight.

Victoria Darya, Romus, should be a fun afternoon, if a little loud.

Nice to meet you Ashton

Feeling fairly relaxed and the knot in her stomach easing a little, Milo should have received the message and at least he not rejected her out of hand. There was hope she could try and undo the damage, eventually. Having a car of her own woukd atleast give her a a little more freedom to get about. Once she remembered that they drove on the wrong side of the road!

The woman next to her was certainly a mystery, tall, mute and scarred. Somthing told Victoria she had had a somewhat intresting life to day the least. It was definitely not uneventful.

Turning back to the race as another car boomed down the straight, passing a slower car dramatically to a loud applause. Breaking harshly into the corner though the first car pushed a tight line and barely had any road left before retaking the position. On the screens the next few turns where a tense battle of possioning until thr second driver backed off waiting for a new opertunity.

She knew why Marla had decided to leave, but it certainly was shaping up to be a exciting afternoon though.

---

@Silver Fox

---

---

---

Milo laughed a bit at the comment about him and girl scout cookies, to be fair, there was a box of samoas in the cupboard, but he wasn't gonna say it now. She patted his stomach, he had actually gained back a significant amount of mass since the accident, his upper body mostly, he probably had gained ten pounds or so from when he was last in competition, however it was muscle from his labor intensive job as well as his still ever present training, of all the things his physique was the last thing he was worried about yet still the blow landed all the same, "Ow, my pride." He groaned sarcastically, as he pulled a drink out of the case as well before shutting the fridge.

Milo took a decent drink before setting down the bottle and taking out the knife, still placed within a leather sheathe, "Yeah, I figured you would likely come with out one of these, so I figured this one would be a good one to have just in case."

Milo had been an apprentice smith for much of his childhood, originally from Texas his family had a horse ranch and smithing was just a trait that was needed on it, when they moved to Delta, they may not have needed to forge shoes and nails but the trade had stuck for him and he had been making blades for years. He and Ana had always had a love for the artistry of bladesmithing, and had tried to get Paige to take a knife as well, though it never took, but he never stopped trying. He held out the knife by the blade so she could take the handle if she wanted.

@Pilatus

---

Ashton gave a brighter smile in return, her strong hand squeezing gently but firmly against the tiny pale hand and giving it a good shake. Nodding and gingerly putting her own left pair fingers and made a tipping of the hat motion in order to return the 'nice to meet you' before returning her gaze to the race with interest. It seemed it really was going to be a exciting race! Some of the drivers were already making daring moves on the track. Must be pretty fun and thrilling to race like this. Although she hoped no one got hurt, since it didn't take much for a accident to occur.

It was a fun day so far, and she met someone new!

Glancing toward the woman named Victoria, if the woman turned toward the tall blonde, Ashton would give another smile, amethyst eyes wide and full of curiosity as she gingerly pointed toward the race cars in a questioning manner. Wondering if perhaps Victoria had any friends competing in the race today. Personally Ashton didn't really recall anyone she knew herself who was entering or anything. But it was something to... discuss at least.

Joel Nicolosi

It’s the Grand Prix of Sol City, present to you by… The commentator went on through a short list of the major sponsors for the race including everything from large banks to tire companies as the broadcast returned from commercial. The logos faded in and out along with a montage of events from the day: The flyover, the grid girls standing in front of the cars, cheering spectators and a barrage of flags arrayed down the pit lane. The live shot came back up as the helicopter hovered over the river looking towards Old Harbor where the cars wound their way around the chicanes from out of the tunnel. As the race had settled in for a few laps, the spacing between some of the cars had expanded to a safer distance. The black GT-R still led the race and Joel was behind him by about three car lengths between the turns.

We should be coming up on the first round of pit-stops any time now, Rob. The drivers names, positions and time off the leader were scrolling across the bottom of the screen. That’s right, it’ll be interesting to see if Joel takes another run at it before they come in, The second commentator replied. He was absolutely hounding the GT-R of Sato for the first ten laps, but seems to have mellowed a bit now. Another montage played of some of Joel’s passing attempts and the black GT-R’s successful countermoves. He gave it another go after that spin on lap fifteen grouped the field back together, but hasn’t given it another try since. The live shot changed from the helicopter to a stationary shot of the front straightaway as the lead GT-R flashed by. Joel was about a second behind him. Both of them are on the super-soft compound which are good for about thirty laps here, The man continued in a very sporting British accent, The advantage of being in the lead is that you can set the pace for the first round of stops, especially if the chap behind you has already wrung out his tires, you can string him out, build your lead and force him to pit first, The camera shifted once again, this time to a view down the pit stalls where there was typical movement about, but no teams had tires and men out ready for a stop, Let’s go down to pit lane and check in with David who’s outside the OHI pit, go ahead David…

Yes Rob, I’ve spoken with Team Nismo and just now got a chance to talk to Lou Grego and Tommy Lomax of OHI, The polo shirted reporter, also British, shouted over the sound of the paddock behind him and the continual sound engines from the spread out field, Obviously both teams keeping it VERY close to the cuff right now, Team Nismo tell me they hope to gain a significant lead by keeping their second car on the harder compound today while Lou and Tommy are both confident they can leapfrog the GT-R in the pits much like they did last year...

Lou’s nose curled slightly as he watched the readouts and telemetry the car sent back to the hauler mounted crew-chief station. He was mildly concerned that Joel had not been able to get in the lead. No one expected it to be easy, though. The Japanese were a world-class team. He balanced the pros and cons in his head of calling Joel in now or waiting. Joel was enough of a driver that he knew he could keep him out there even as the tires grip faded, but then there was the second GT-R on the harder compound; they would make a quicker stop without having to change tires, then he had to think about Tommy’s run which would mostly be in a mixed field of traffic and then what the hell was that smell???

Lou looked back from the monitors at Marinalia and Tommy who were standing behind them, “Tommy, whadda hell is that smell?”

“Smells like burnt antifreeze,” Joel’s dad said. He glanced back from his seat and looked down at Marlin’s coffee cup, “I think it’s Joel’s girlfriend’s coffee.” He said with a chuckle.

Tommy burst into laughter, “Now that is funny, ‘Joel’s girlfriend’” He howled. The three men all laughed.

“You really drinkin’ that?” Lou said looking at Marlin with a grin. He shook his head.

“He’s goin for it!” Tommy said pointing at the television monitor. Everyone turned back to look at the coverage feed: Joel was again tucked in on the bumper of the GT-R as they came off the first turn into the narrowest street section, not normally used for passing and barely able to fit two cars in line abreast. He didn’t back off this time and jinked to the inside drawing a block from the Japanese driver then quickly cut back to the right, however this time it was a fake and as the black car swung to block yet again, Joel crossed back behind him and got the nose of the 300 to the inside line for the hairpin. For a brief moment both cars occupied the width of the track. Joel could see the rivets in the metal barrier he was so close, but the way ahead was for once, wide open. He thought he could hear a shout go up from the stands as he dug hard into the inside of the turn and the now second-place GT-R was forced to concede the line.

Everyone in the hauler seemed to exhale at once and Joel crackled over the radio, “’Bout damn time wasn’t it?” He said, “Gimmie about three more laps and tell Tommy not to forget his purse when I come in.”

@PrinceAlexus

Old Harbour . Sunday Lunchtime, Race main stands, Pit lane, Lunch time.

---

Marilania watched the screens seeing the cars jockeying and moving, the commentary was extensive ans yet the important part remained. They never managed to get past the factory car up front that seemed to be there maim rival. The one car they could not pass... Was the one car the men so wanted to beat. The spacing and the places In the race began to switch less and settle down alot more than they had. The problem for the obviously concerned men was they where second and the plan they talked about required the OHI car to be ahead of the Nissan.

Marilania had smiled and made small talk with the British press present at the time, seemed things where busy in the other teams too, and alot of smaller stories where playing out across the pits, many rivalries and racers competing to end the season on a high in Sol.

Lou and Tommy seemed too busy up front, talking there race plan for Tommy's run and Joels dad also kept a eye on things and his mind on planning the race leaving Marinalia the quiet companion in the back of the hauler, watching and waiting for somthing to happen, slowly Sipping her coffee glad of the chance to have a little peace before the busy and socialy heavy going gala. Being one of the family she had her part to play.

Soon she felt there notice turn to her and her coffee, all 3 seemed to disagree with her and girlfriend... Sure they got on well, but that was a quite the interlectual jump from a few caught kisses, and a little tension. They had not even been on a date, not even asked on one. Unless this counted as a date but she was rather confused if it did or not.

Turning to lou and deliberately drinking from her coffee with a smile and deliberately raising her dark sunglasses to show she did mean it with a pair of rather distinct grey eyes with a firm hint of icey confidence, tinged with a remaining worries and fears from the whole capture of Bob. The incident had been brought to the front of her mind by thr mornings news coverage.

Well that is my call sign on the cup hon, unless you think you can manage to drive in heals, fly a plane and helicopter?

Turning to Joels dad and giving him a joking tone despite his comments, girlfriend was not a word that Joel had even used, sure she liked him but was definitely a a little off saying she was a girlfriend...

sugar and spice and all things nice boys, though they may have to amend the rhyme to track raiks and car car airodymanic tails.

Girlfriend, I think il have to get him to break up with that car first!

Seeming slightly curious, they where so joking about Joel and the idea he could even have a girlfriend. Was it his whole lack of any social graces or just he and Tommy where really partners in more than business. Maybe giving them a a little stick mixed with curiosity. Joel wasc a riddle she may need help solving.

what's so funny, unless I was accurate and you and Joel are partners in bedroom too? Or are you adventurous and like to dress up abit?

Maybe if Joel comes to his senses il remember my ever so skimpy air hostess uniform. And steal him from you. Did I mention the micro skirt...

Laughing and giving the guys a cheeky smile, she smdid genuinely have one made by a company back in England, though it was somewhat less regulation and alot more chance of being arrested if she wore it in public. Sure she was maybe pushing the lines a a little but it seemed that there was ernough leeway with the guys to get away with it.

Suddenly distracted by the screens she saw Joel move positions and suddenly make a right pass on the Nissan, nervously watching the screen as tension hit a breaking point. Would the pass stick... Would he make it... The pass stuck and the team attitude switched almost instantly to thr next plans, the driver swap, tyres, refuel and more.

Things where definitely going to be a intresting race, they had the lead but if the race would be won would be only decided of the plan worked and Joel managed to start in a position to take them in the last stint. Listioning quietly in the back had begun to pay off, and it was atleast distracting her mind from going back to the jazz night.

---

Victoria relaxed, the woman seems to be strangely kind if not a a little awkward, but being a fair sized tree would do that to you, and her mute nature. She must have been as nervous as Victoria was as times as equally self critical her hand was much rougher than Victoria's though the energetic shake inadvertently extended her arm revealing a serris of IV line scars on her lower arm. and monitor marks as slightly darker areas on her pale as snow skin. Some things left permanent reminders.

Taking her self out of her own head and watching the placings. Joel was still unable to pass the car and that seemed acording to the commentary to make or break his race this afternoon. Not of it she understood but relised that holding first Ment you could dominate the race stratagy and set the pace.

Slightly unwilling to completely reveal she was linked so closely to the cars and the amounts of money pounding round the race track, her badge might give her away if she knew with its distinct colours and Polar Star logo prominently on display.

we'd like to see Joel win, my sisters down at pit lane closer to action. Good view... You alright? I'm hardly scary!

That ones we wstching!

Pointing to the screen showing a replay of the daring pass by Joel across the big screen tv's with someone prattling on about various things like tyres and stratages.

yes! A good choice Maxamillion, he can drive!

Somewhere, somehow only a true Russian could know Ivan arrived sharing out some small glasses of vodka they had got from the sponsors bar and a large bottle of premium vodka from a brand she knew to have a good kick. Raising a toast, and swapping languages. Ivan had taught her a few traditional and regularly used toasts, though she never had mentioned the underage drinking. Standing up and leaning on her stick to toast Ivan and her father. She had grown up in two cultures, two nations, two languages though those two had become rather interconnected.

Выпьем за то, что мы здесь собрались, и чтобы чаще собирались!(To our get-together! May we meet up more often!)

Met with several enthusiastic toasts of Various kinds, a second glass was soon poured and one offered to Ashton sharing the celebration. Copying the others she raised a glass and downed it in one. Ivan and her father replying in kind, others mixing in from others some more reserved than others.

First place!

The harsh liquid going down her throat sharply and feeling the strong taste of alcohol and spirits. The hot taste soon hit her stomach though it would definitely keep her warm!

Several tuts and frowns from those behind the party who seemed to be making the best of it, though one Bready eyed camera man behind capturing the race noticed the logos of Olympus Heavy Industries and Polar Star. There car just had taken pole thanks to the local hero driver electing cheers down the stands.

Snapping a picture without others noticing he saw a few faces he reconise. That was Romus, she must be his daughter, the press had found his wife had died some years before. It seemed they had decided to go hide in America until things calmed down. Some of the more inclined papers might find that intresting. Yes, it had to be, she was impossible to miss, alongside the Ceo and owner of Olympus heavy Engineering no less!

---

@Pilatus@Silver Fox

---

Paige Kennedy

Paige regarded Milo carefully as he ducked into the refrigerator behind her. She'd floated a few things out there, but he didn't seem that concerned. He didn't say a word about her shirt, nor about her date-night jab and when she mentioned Victoria's sister, he was unphased. She could guess the reason for the latter. Judging by his reaction to the girl's pop-in visit the other day, they were on the outs and the text she'd later sent him with the damage to the BMW may have sunk it completely. Oh well... She thought. The girl had keyed her car. Now Tiny-Tina was out of a boyfriend. Tough shit, bitch.

What he seemed most excited about was again trying to get her to take one of his handmade knives... which was also strange. Just a week ago, he was ready to kill her when he got all huffy puffy at the Winter Party and now he was giving her gifts. Sure, they were nice and all and she loved the ornate details, but a knife was never really her style. The visceral nature of it turned her stomach. Aside from that though was again the fact that he was giving her a gift, one that he'd spent time to make hinself. Which really meant one thing to Paige: He was thinking about her.

She took the handle and felt the gentle weight of it in her hand. Like everything he made, it had a certain natural balance to it. She looked at the intricate metalwork and engraving. How he, of all people, had the patience for it was a mystery itself. She glanced up at him and then back down at the blade. There felt like some growing uneasiness about him, but she doubted it was from the company they were soon to have. She hadn't really observed him ever being afraid of anyone. It was something else.

"If I take this one," She said breaking up the pause in the air, "Are you gonna get off my back about it?"

@RoccanIronclad

The trio sat quietly in the stands for all of five minutes when Snap's stomach rumbled. She put a hand to her pocket and frowned, discovering it was empty. She glanced up at the sky, then stood to her feet.

"I'm going to go get some food from my car. I'm going to grab my jacket too, it's too cold to sit out here in a polo. You want yours, Allison?"

Allison nodded quickly. She had crossed her arms and was beginning to squeeze them against her stomach to retain warmth.

"Kriss, how about you?"

"I'm fine."

"Alright, fine with me. Keep an eye on things," she said, rising and heading back to the parking lot. Soon the two of them were left alone. Allison looked over at Kriss, who was staring blankly in the direction of the track. It was difficult to tell with the aviators covering his eyes. She thought for a moment about what she knew about him and realized she knew almost nothing. He was very reserved and never made conversation with her unless she instigated it, and even then he only gave short answers. She hadn't really considered it before, but now that the two of them were in a casual environment with free time she decided to investigate a little.

"Having fun?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"There is nothing to do here besides sit and watch. If I wanted to spend my day doing that, I would be at the squad watching television."

"You're not interested in motorsports, are you?"

"No."

She looked away as a pack of cars whizzed by, temporarily making conversation impossible.

"You're not interested in much at all, are you?"

The question annoyed him, but he answered it anyway.

"I am interested in things. Medicine, exercise, puzzles,..."

"Family?"

Now she was beginning to pry. Kriss's jaw tightened, but he maintained a lack of eye contact.

"No."

"You're not interested in your family?"

"My family is not interested in me." That was a lie, and he knew it. His family was concerned about him. Unfortunately, they expressed their concern through pressure rather than encouragement. The only reason he had taken up EMT work in the first place was spite. His father had said that he'd rather put Kriss through med school than see him join the military, something he had been considering. It was one of the few times he had been legitimately angry at his father. A rift between them had been forming even since Kriss had fallen short of his parents' expectations of his school work. General education was just not a strong suit, and, though he put effort into it, he was never far above average. When it came time to apply for universities, he was rejected. Tension only increased from that point. As of now, he lived outside of his home to help ease that pressure. The less he thought about it, the better.

Allison cocked her head, giving him a look of sympathy.

"I know what that's like."

Kriss turned to look at her for the first time since the small talk began. It seemed a little too convenient of a reply, as though she was just trying to make him feel better. She was looking down at her knees, now squeezed together to try and stay warm, though it seemed as though she was looking back through time.

"I mean...my step-dad is interested in me. I'm not even his actual daughter. My real dad, though...I haven't seen him in years. I was only four when my mom divorced him, if you could call it a divorce. She said she took him to court and he lost hard. He's not even allowed to see me."

A look of anger passed over her face. "Good thing, too."

"You don't want to see him anymore?" Kriss asked, suddenly curious. He understood not wanting to meet with a father, but not avoiding them for the rest of one's life. Sure, there was trouble between his father and himself, but that didn't stop him from calling home every week.

"The next time I see his name had better be in the obituaries," she said, her cheeks burning red. "I hope to God I never see him alive again."

"That doesn't seem fair."

"He almost killed my mom! And he almost killed me!" she shouted at him. There was a fire in her eyes that made Kriss uncomfortable. Fortunately for him, Snap appeared in the stands again, shuffling over to them. She was wearing a blue reflective fire and rescue jacket and carrying a second in her arms. A package of some kind of snack food was visible in one of the front pockets.

"Did I miss anything?" she asked, sitting back down and passing the coat to Allison, who was already calming down. Neither of them responded. Snap glanced at Allison and caught sight of a tear in her eye that she hadn't wiped away.

"Kriss..."

"It's nothing, Snap," Allison said hastily, wiping her face and smiling. "He didn't do anything. I just got a little choked up. Did you find the sunglasses?"

The CO nodded, sliding them from another pocket and onto her face as she loaded her other hand with trail mix. She grunted and pointed towards two women not far off.

"Ashton's here."

"I see that."

"Which one is Ashton?" Allison asked, following the direction of Snap's finger.

"The tall one," she said before inhaling a handful of food.

Ordinarily, that wouldn't have been of much help, but Ashton's 7-foot frame was absolutely impossible to miss. Allison's eyes widened in surprise.

"Who is she??"

"Firefighter," Snap mumbled, trying not to talk with her mouth full.

"Can she even get into buildings?" Allison asked, as that was the first thing she thought of.

"You should ask her," Snap replied with a grin. Allison looked back at her, then at Ashton, unsure of whether she should actually get up. Snap motioned for her to comply.

"Go ahead, go talk to her. You ought to get to know the firefighters around here anyway. They might be working with us."

"Oh. Okay," the girl muttered, standing and awkwardly making her way down the stands. Kriss glanced at Snap, raising an eyebrow.

"Does she know that Ashton doesn't talk?"

"She'll find out."

He turned to watch the exchange. Allison's head was still visible in the crowd, slowly making its way to the firefighter. "You set her up."

Snap chuckled, grabbing another handful of trail mix. "Maybe you should go down there too, since you don't talk either."

"No thanks."

--

@Silver Fox

---

Ashton's amethyst eyes looked at Victoria before looking toward where the pale girl pointed in order to examine the car. Joel huh? He indeed seemed to be doing quite well in the race. So the tall blonde gave a cheerful smile, glad it seemed the woman's choice of cheering was going well. Ashton didn't particularly have any certain one to root for, just it was nice to watch. Victoria... at the feel of her hand and on closer inspection, it did seem this woman seemed to be on the frailer side. Or at least quite more delicate in comparison to Ashton. The pale woman's skin was soft while Ashton's was calloused and rougher. Some scars glittered in the upper arms of Victoria, but they at least required more closer inspection.

Scars littered Ashton's tall frame, and the most obvious one wasn't as easy to hide without wearing a mask and looking like someone straight out of a horror flick. Her toned arms had some cuts and perhaps some burns, though nothing she was ashamed of hiding. She knew that she wasn't in any shape or form.... have that much girly looks. It sometimes was a shame, but Ashton wasn't disappointed. She was herself and that was okay.

Blinking a little in confusion at the sudden cheering from Victoria and her peers, Ashton gave a silent smile in return as Victoria offered a drink. Generally, the firefighter didn't care for alcohol. Although she did enjoy the really sweet ones like frilly martini's. If she wasn't technically possibly required to go on a rescue, Ashton would of accepted the gesture out of politeness. Of course, since Marine probably wouldn't mind since she didn't like Ashton being back on the job, feeling as if since the accident Ashton should take some extra rest. But it was fine, her back wasn't that bad.

Instead though, the tall woman politely smiled and shook her head while waving her hands gingerly in order to decline the offer and giving a soft bow in thanks before tapping her badge to notify that it was probably for the best that the firefighter did not ingest alcohol. Although she did wave cheerfully to Victoria's other companions, be it friends or family.

Not long however, someone else approached her that managed to catch Ashton's attention. Mostly for the fact that the red haired woman had purposely seemed to walk right to her. Amethyst gaze blinking curiously at the red haired woman, the dirty blonde gave another bright friendly smile and waved her right hand in a cheerful greeting. Doing a similar introduction as she did with Victoria, Ashton held her badge up with one hand before holding her other hand out for a handshake.

Tilting her head to the side in a questioning and curious manner of who this was and why it seemed she was interested in seeking her out in the sea of people. Not that she minded, Ashton welcomed all the friends.

---

---

Milo smiled a bit at Paiges eventual forfeit on the whole aversion to carrying a knife, "At least for now."

He chuckled a bit as he set the sheathe down while she looked at the blade. Milo knew that time was starting to run a bit thin, so he looked at his clock, four forty, twenty minutes til Jackie said he would arrive, and twenty minutes til showtime. Milo wasn't sure how well he was gonna do at keeping cool, he knew he had to get Jackie to do something that would incriminate himself, talk about something that he shouldn't. Milo looked back to Paige.

"Alright, I think it's showtime, I need to get out to the shop, you just wait here and try not to drink all my sports drinks." as he grabbed his own bottle and started to walk out to the shop floor. The shop was still warm and smelled of fire and steel, Milo sat at his table and pulled out his longsword, he set himself to engraving the blade with intricate design, the light ping of this hammer and chisel the next twenty minutes pass by without a sound other than his own and soon the trance like state is broken by the sound of the door.

"Milo! Hey buddy, man I am so glad you decided to keep going man, my employers really want to keep you around, I mean come on, they gave you the deal of a lifetime." Jackie said as he entered the room, he turned the open sign to closed and moved toward Milo, "Buddy, I have this girl back at HQ she makes up some coke that gets shit done, I mean, come on, we are going to be like co workers now for real." Jackie always had this super jovial attitude and as he sat on the stool opposite the table, "Ah but anyway, I need to get a new handgun from you."

Milo set his hammer and chisel down and looked up at the greasy mobster, Milo was already feeling his skin burn with anticipation, this was not going to be easy, but he felt that he had to do this, there was no other way to move past it if he didn't. "Jackie, I'm not sure what I'm being offered is a job, I think it is more like slavery."

Jackie put his hand to his chest and feigned insult, "Milo, come on, look, I know you have been pretty staunch on this but I told you before, you get a lot out of this, more than just a little protection, you come back with me and we get you set up with the best tools, none of this junkyard scrap you have been working with" he made wide gestures to all of Milos tools as he spoke. "I mean you could put out really good stuff, no need for licensing, nothing, I know guys like you, you want to get further, prove how good you are, you could be the next Samuel Colt, design something really effective, change the whole game."

Milo tried to hide that he really did want all of that, his tools weren't the best, he could buy new stuff but he always worried about using the money Jackie gave him, but it was the challenge at the end, you could be, Milo was sure that was true, but what he could also become was a criminal, a murderer, a monster, what good would come from making his name like that. "I can do all that myself, I don't need a criminal organization squeezing me for all I have, so I am not making this gun, or anymore for them."

Jackie closed his eyes for a second, "Come on Milo, you know that isn't gonna fly, we need the guns, you make the guns, and really I have been your biggest advocate here, as much as the big wigs like your products, they really hate this attitude, they just wanted to beat you into this but I kept saying you would come around, don't make me a liar." Jackie looked at Milo with a sarcastically concerned look.

Milo knew something like that would come up, of course they would threaten to rough him up until he caved, but he wasn't going to let it happen that way, that is why Paige was here, to end this, to show them he wasn't running. "listen to me Jackie, I am not going to do it, you and your bosses, can shove it."

Jackie just shook his head, "Man Milo, I really liked you man, and you go and treat me this way. I am pretty disappointed, cause now I gotta make you pay for the protection you had so far."

"You wouldn't dare." Milo said as he took the hilt of his sword in hand and looked him over.

Jackie set his hand on the table and revealed a small handgun "Don't make this hard Milo, just take it all back, we can forget this ever happened, and you get to live the easy life, come on man."

Milo felt his heart sink, he knew it was coming but you never handle it well, he looked down the barrel of this gun, he dug his own proverbial grave and potentially his real one, but he had to keep going, Paige didn't have anything yet to come in on yet. "What? you think that shooting me is gonna make me help, it will make me dead."

"Well Milo, I don't want to kill you, but I sure as hell will if you don't work with me here, I really would rather just put a couple holes in you spots that you can fix, that won't hinder you from working too long, but if you decide to make this hard, well, I am not going to try and have a real fight."

Milo kept his hand on the sword, but soon the crack of the gun and the burning pain in his right arm nearly made him drop it, Jackie had took a shot and grazed his arm, "I'm fucking serious Milo, you hard headed bastard, you just needed to play ball, now put the fucking sword down, didn't anyone ever tell you not to bring a sword to a gun fight." Jackie snapped as Milo looked past Jackie to where the door that Paige was behind was, but he reached under his table for the hand cannon just in case.

@Pilatus

Old Harbour. Main stands, Race day.

---

Victoria was quite abit smaller and somewhat more frail than she should be it was true, the illness had took its tole and glittering in the light a range of scars and marks all from various IV, monitors and sensors for blood pressure, nervous systems and other vitals. In for so long and a few changes and treatments had meant she had aclumulated a few collection of scarred marks that never had quite healed properly. The time in hospital had left a few across her body though her weakness to cold and sunburn often kept them more hidden.

Pulling her sleave down a little layer feeling the wind from the cars speeding by on her skin, she downed the shot in one and saw Ashton refuse the drink. Later tapping the badge and seeming in to imply she was on duty, a previous gesture of thanks... Thanks but no thanks? Wracking her brain to try and translate a situation she had never thought that would occur. Shrugging and waving it off, she must have been on duty so that was that. Though a mute firefighter was a riddle in itself.

your welcome, on duty then, though hopefully it's a boring shift. Extended family.

Ummm, hospital, treatements, etc... Nothing like dodgy. I was in for over a year.


Rubbing her lower arm slightly and just confirming it was not somthing like drug use, some people had mistakenly assumed the reason even though they where entirely innocent. 18 months in and out, and then follow ups had left her getting to know hospital menus off by heart. Her cells had merely decided to break and stop working properly, whatever had caused it was unknown to most sense but they just did not work as expected by most people, the doe effects had been her being more frail, and a extremely pale complexion.

Her wave returned by a few of the family casually celebrating, laughing thr the guys sharing a few beers. Maria and Vesarian had managed to fail so misarbley at hiding there feelings, now Maria's head was resting on his shoulder holding hands watching the race. Victoria smiled somewhat, losing her mother he had never found anyone else that had lasted, she knew they had a past to say thr least and Maria and Bormir had ended sadly. It seemed the universe meant them to be together... Once they eventually relised any stopped fighting it anyway!

Nothing the newcomer arrive she watched her wave and saw the logo and Ids that's matched a medical symbol, it had to be as this part of the stand was for sponsors and others with track side tixkets, closest to the race, various sections had various colour codes in a slightly complex but working system depending on which area, stand and level of access you had paid for or been give. A woman with red hair and sunglasses came up and she looked back noting a man and woman stood behind in similar outfits. Maybe there where, maybe they where not. Who knew. Nothing the woman seemed to be zeroing in on Ashton, she have her a once over with cooler grey eyes, somewhat contrasting as one of her few areas of uneffected natural pigments.

With a softer British accent she saw the woman approach the stands.

Hello, im quite alright really. Please Don't go all medical!

I'm Victoria Romus, you picked good seats anyway, you can practically see inside the cars.

With a slight smile brushing her long white hair slightly out her face as it was bugging her, and watching the race below as a car raced by electing a loud cheer from a group of red clad fans as a car in matching livery sped by at pace followed by a serris of other drivers in thr middle of the pack. The lead was more static but it seems those in the middle where more intensely fighting for places when the race deciding first pit stops came in.

Looking across the pits, various crews huddled and talking, the big moments when they played there part. Various black clad rounds of tyres sat in warmers, some paced in suits and seemed to test helmets. Some teams must be getting ready to make there forst driver swaps.

Looking back she checked her phone a second wondering if Milo replied to the message reply. No reply as yet but he did say he was busy and it only was her confirming she was busy on Tuesday afternoon and wensday morning. If he wanted to plan a time to talk the least she could do after ghosting him was make it easier.

Maybe if later she could drive over, which would be a fun difference and she did want to get used to the new car before she started driving further and for more strict deadlines.

---

@RoccanIronclad@Silver Fox@Mattchstick

---

Paige Kennedy

"It's okay, Jackie," Paige said cocking the hammer back. "I didn't forget mine." She met Milo's gaze as soon as he looked up. Her words were like ice-water, but her olive eyes held back a flaming rage that only few still living would recognise. When the shot went off she came around the corner hoping not to find Milo on the floor. She hadn't been able to see the gun pulled. She'd waited, listening. They needed more. The metalsmith remained cool though, and managed to get the greasy mobster to really put it all on the table. She could see the blood staining his torn shirt-sleeve from what looked like a grazing shot... Now they'd be able to put him away for a very long time. "US Marshals- Put the gun down," She commanded. "Hands up, nice and slow." Her SiG was pointed firmly at his back.

After she had their tech experts trace every possible connection to the burner phone number, she next pulled the public traffic cameras near Milo's shop and looked for anyone that matched the description. License plates and rental car records were all back-checked thoroughly. When she arrived at Final Round Armory, Paige had a firm understanding of with whom and what they were going to be facing: Jackie Costa had a wrap-sheet that weighed about ten pounds, had been in and out of prison multiple times, but like most of the pros, never on anything that really stuck. He'd filled his niche in numerous cities brokering guns and money for his Detroit bosses and always preying on the same small shops that no one would notice disappear if things went awry in his racket. Milo was just the next in line.

Paige nodded slightly, motioning for Milo to get out of the way. She was sure it wasn't the first time Jackie pulled that glancing trickshot only this time the joke was on him. Typical asshole. It was fitting his sleazeball game would be what put him away for good.

@RoccanIronclad

Joel Nicolosi

Joel whipped swiftly into the pit stall where the rest of the team was waiting, tires out, fuel can and air hose ready. In a flash the air jacks went up and he was out of the car swapping places with Tommy in a carefully choreographed dance with the crew. If nothing else, they could do a very fast pit stop. It was almost comical and one of the greatest assets for which the team was known. Tommy’s former teammates towered over many of the rest of the crews and they moved with experienced NFL precision though not over a field with a ball, but with wheels and tires and an air ratchet. Joel checked Tommy’s harness just as the car settled back on its fresh tires. A race marshal watched carefully. The penalty for leaving the pit stall without being properly restrained was automatic disqualification. He patted his co-driver firmly on the helmet and rolled over the wall with the rest of the crew. Tommy was out of the paddock and on the track when Joel looked up. The entire stop lasted about twelve seconds.

High-fives went around the pit area. It was a clean stop and Tommy was in good position. The former quarterback actually preferred the middle section of the race. Whereas Joel preferred belting out fast laps from the front, Tommy liked the strategic nature of navigating the field mixed up in the first round of stops and driver changes. No lap was ever the same and a driver had to be patient and think several moves ahead. It reminded him of his NFL days in a way. The ball in his hands fresh out of the grip of the center, the anticipation of the defense, the sixth-sense of danger from a blitz, scrambling out of the pocket or launching a bullet pass over the middle between two defenders. His hands worked the wheel and paddles while his feet danced between the brake and accelerator. A slower car came up and he pirouetted around working the next car in the process. Eyes darted across the mirrors as the RPMs roared. He had one of Joel’s metalcore songs stuck in his head and nodded in rhythm.

The fresh air tasted sweet and clean as Joel removed his helmet and ran a hand through matted, sweaty hair. He cleared the steps to the top of the hauler in a few wide bounds finding Lou and his dad occupying their regular positions and Marlin in Tommy’s spot behind them. “Damn, I love that car.” He said stepping up behind them.

“Nice pass.” Joel’s dad said. He was busy spotting for Tommy now. With the 300 working its way through traffic, his job had quickly become more exciting.

“Nice job, dude.” Lou said glancing back and giving an affirmative fist bump. In the heat of the crowd, the car’s computer reported it was running slightly hotter, but everything remained within acceptable tolerance.

Joel was feeling good. One section down and they were in it. Tommy was good in traffic and he drove the car just like he was out on the 923 beating rush hour in a Ferrari. He glanced up at the live feed from the local station, but caught a whiff of something vaguely familiar across his nostrils making his nose curl slightly. “What the hell is that smell?” He said looking around, “Smells like burnt antifreeze.”

“That’s miss Marlin’s coffee,” Joel’s dad said not looking back, “She’s not your girlfriend.”

Joel looked slightly confused.

“I thought she was a pilot based on what we saw back at the airport the other day,” Lou said with a broad, white toothed grin, “Now she tells us she’s an air hostess, got the uniform and everything. You should ask about it sometime, yea?”

Joel looked over Marlin, then down at the coffee cup and back up again catching the glance of her grey eyes, “I don’t even want to know what you all have been talking about.” He said shaking his head.

@PrinceAlexus

Kriss watched a pack of cars whiz by again with the same lack of enthusiasm as before. Really, what was the point of this? You don't gain any practical knowledge or strength from driving very quickly in an oblong shape dozens of times. He supposed it must take some kind of intelligence, knowing when to speed up and slow down and how to turn a wheel to move your very fast vehicle in a different direction, though he didn't see any real bragging rights in that. It was a race, after all. Besides, they were all using different cars. If they were athletes on a level playing field and you were the best of them, there would logically be one who was better than the rest. But it isn't exactly fair if your fast car is the fastest car. Then you just happened to be the person driving the best car, rather than being the best driver.

Judging from the crowd, it must involve more than that, but he couldn't imagine how. He turned to Snap, who was still working on her trail mix. She noticed and turned to face him.

"You alright?"

"Why exactly did you bring me here? You knew I would rather be at the squad."

She looked back down through the stands and nodded at the still visible head of Allison.

"Wanted to get you to spend more time around the new EMT."

He blinked a few times. "You dragged me all the way out here just to be withing speaking distance of her."

"Look, Kriss," she said with a sigh. "I know you don't approve of her. I know you would be happier if she didn't volunteer at all. But this is my squad, and we're a team. I want us to treat each other like a team, and I'm not going to sit back and let two perfectly capable people try to avoid each other. Live are depending on us, and if you don't learn to treat her like anyone else, it's going to affect your work. I don't care how talented and focused you are. A little problem like this will turn into a big one if you don't deal with it."

She paused for effect before grabbing more trail mix. Unsure of what to say, Kriss returned his focus to the track.

"Hey," Snap said, removing her aviators. "Take your sunglasses off and look at me."

He complied. She had a look of genuine concern on her face.

"I mean it, Kriss. Lives depend on us working together. I don't know what you said to her to make her cry but you'd better not do it again."

Kriss swallowed. That wasn't his fault. She wouldn't have been upset at all if she hadn't brought it up. But after Snap's speech he decided to just accept responsibility. He knew she would drop it if he did. But no promises.

He nodded. "I will try to not offend her in the future."

"Mmmm," she responded, turning away. The duo put their sunglasses back on in unison and returned their attention to the track.

---

Hopping carefully down one of the sets of stairs, Allison paused a moment as she neared the woman. She seemed to grow taller the closer she got to her and was beginning to become uneasy about how far up she would have to look to make eye contact. She really had no idea how she was going to start the conversation, but standing awkwardly beside someone and waiting for them to notice you is rather rude. Fortunately, Ashton seemed to notice her coming and was already facing her. The woman was smiling brightly, which was a good start. Allison would not have lasted long if the other woman was irritated or grumpy. Nearing her destination, she raised a hand and flicked her fingers to give the impression of a wave. She found herself face to face with a standard-issue firefighter badge, featuring the name ASHTON GRIFFONE. Allison wasn't wearing a name tag, so she would have to introduce herself formally. The badge was accompanied by an outstretched hand. Apparently she wanted to shake.

Allison snapped herself back to reality, allowing her warm personality to shine through. Smiling, she gave Ashton a brief handshake.

"Hi, I'm Allison. Hawthorne. Snap said I should come talk to you," she said, forgetting that Ashton might not be familiar with Kelly Snapdragon's nickname. "You're really tall."

The girl winced. That was definitely not a good way to make an introduction. As though the seven-foot-tall individual was not aware of their height. She noticed another woman nearby with white hair, who called out to her. She released Ashton's hand and stared at the other woman, unsure of what 'all medical' was supposed to mean. Fortunately for the three of them, the sunglasses masked her confusion.

"Don't worry, I won't," she replied, glossing over her ignorance. "We are pretty far back, so we can't see the cars all that great unless they're not moving. You should see Snap's car though, it's probably the coolest one here."

--

@Silver Fox @PrinceAlexus

Old Harbour . Sunday Lunchtime, Race main stands, Pit lane, Lunch time.

---

Marilania watched the pit crew suddenly jump into action as the car prepared to arrive in, tyres places and ready alongside lines of fuel cans and pre set places long practiced, perfected and prepared ready to jump thr momment thr cars brakes stopped. Joel and Tommy soon swapped places and jumped both seemed to mechanically slot into the clockwork below and in less time than she could type a face book status or check her makeup in a mirror. Below the car soon sped out its slot when a high vis clad marshal gave a exaggerated thumbs up to the driver as a all clear when things where safe and the put lane was clear.

Tommy soon joined the mid pack and the screens bliped across the change of driver graphics and a crisply British voiced presenter seemed to cut to a short slot describing the swap and the potential tactics that the lead car had just used. They waffled abit but she could understand them better than some of the other Europeen segments. Watching it cut to Tommy passing one of slower cars and the places swap, it seemed Tommey was a natural in the mid pack, dancing the car about in thr jumbled groupings of racers.

Smiling as Joel came up and hearing the familiar comments about her coffee and rolling her eyes a tiny bit at it. She merely responded by Sipping her overly sweet coffee. Burnt Anti freeze, father and son seemed to be a hive mind.

No one seems to agree with me on coffee... Only a White Choclate mocha, extra shot, vanilla, cream and mini marshemmlows topped with some Choclate sprinkles.

I swim like multi km a time so. Treats.

Looking over to Lou, and Joels dad who seemed determined to make things difficult or at least have a joke. They all seemed to be cut from the same sheet metal. The air hostess comment seemed to be one determined to get her into a hole. Not understanding some of the race data and bars on the system she had kept with the main cameras and broadcasts. The purples and time splits where obvious but the graphs soon dissolved into gibberish.

The Air hostess uniform had been made by a small tailors in London, Madame Parfits Tailoring, specialising in custom and one offs hand made. Hers had original badges, logos and genuine accessories sourced from wherever contacts the skilled owner had. A BA uniform replica restyled to be rather less appropriate for work, hand fitted, perfectly accurate colours and even down.

hey, you wish not Joels dad.

Would you like your mango, passion fruit and vanilla frapachino with cream sir, alongside your eye mask or when we taking off?

Laughing and giving joels dad a relaxed smile as she put on a very crisp queen's English accent. Noticing Joel her grey eyes did not hide the emotional impact of the morning, the jokes where partly distracting her from the problems and issues lieing deeper underneath. Her was was always to throw somthing between her and problems. That and her dark aviators.

hey, great race there! Seems you can drive dear.

Ummm, things escalated quickly? How's the race going, outside the bullshit for the TV?

Standing and hugging Joel rather impulsively without thinking, not wanting to explain to everyone but quietly so Joel could only hear as best possible given the slightly crowded hauler. Deciding she could trust Joel she shook her aviators a tiny bit lower revealing her eyes telling a slightly diffrent story to her presented image.

Ummm, I was joking... But I do have a custom BA style uniform that might get me fired if I wore it to work... Not just for the wrong company.

Giving a slightly cheeky smile that contrasted with her eyes version of her, still concerned and somewhat still processing events. The little jokes and stuff helping keeping the Jazz night away from the front of her mind.

---

Victoria looked over seeing Allison and her brushed off response at forst section moving to snall talk and somthing about a car. Snaps? Must be someone's name. Maybe they liked Coco pops? Or there parents did. Allison reminded her a second of the woman who was with Milo bringing the memory harshly back to her minds eye. She was not the same but the hair clour linked the two events in her mind.

Hey, Ummm I have spent too long with doctors... Sorry... Ii just... Defensive.

Looking at the race cars below the IHI car was racing out of the pit lane and sped out into the race track. Cameras panned and followed the car as it weaved into the traffic of the mid pack. The race there was agreesive and at most heated, thr danger of a crash was high and everyone was weaving aggressively trying to best position to get a good pit lane slot and prepare well for there final driver changes.

yeah, we got good seats... My sisters freind is driving, and other things... We got ringside.

Her race pass ID with a distinct Polar star logo on the facing side brushed aside a second she turned to back of stand wondering why such a car would be off the track. No cars where retired or failed to make the race, maybe it was one of the former race cars?

oh, you know someone racing? Or one of thr past winners? Snap is a driver? The Nissan down there might be challenging you.

I'm just a tad slower on my feet, and stairs not exactly freinds! Long as I Don t miss the race end. I wanna see if our guy wins.

Gesturing to a walking stick next to her and placing a hand on her arm rest, her Oposites ring finger glittering with a pale blue gem stoned ring. Deciding she could, if it was not far away and easy ernough maybe with someone to give her a hand on the worst part of the metal steps potentially.

Generally relaxed she looked back watching the race below, the first pit stops kicking in and graphics showing multiple driver swaps, cars and potential positions post pull ins. The first swap would be the deciding one to see how the next phase and planned swaps later would play out. It was all on Tommy to place well so Joel could make his run for the podium places.

Glancing over she saw Ashton watching the race. And seeming to enjoy it. She seemed to know or know of Ashton. But the emergency services community probbly was a small one.

Galnacing she saw no messages of Milo or missed calls off any note. One from Cardinal via one of her encrypted Voip apps, he tended not to mind and she would pick up later. If it was work related that could waiting till Monday afternoon.

---

@Mattchstick@Pilatus@Silver Fox

---

---

---

Milo stood and pulled the revolver from under the table, as it came into view of everyone, Jackie began to lower his gun, and set it on the table. "So, that's where that got off to, my guy in the department couldn't find that." Jackie chuckled a bit, "A marshal stealing evidence, that's pretty ballsy. Not as ballsy as this though Milo, ratting me out, setting me up, you're a dead man, you and sheriff Barbie here."

Milo walked slowly around the table and used the pommel of his sword to slide Jackie's gun further away before bringing it back around to slam into the center of Jackie's chest. Jackie crumpled instantly to the ground and Milo stood over him. "I wanted to do that for a while. You couldn't handle her if you tried Jackie, besides, she is the only thing stopping me from beating you bloody for the whole shooting me thing." Milo stepped back from him and checked his arm, it was only a graze but it was bleeding pretty good, got a bit more meat than was probably good, "Go ahead, do your cop thing, I'm probably gonna have to hit an urgent care or something to stitch this. I can't see it." Milo grabbed a nearby scrap of cloth and tried to staunch the bleeding.

@Pilatus

---

Sebastian sat back in his chair looking at the new shades of eye shadow he had just made. He sighed before checking his watch and see that it s already around noon. He grabbed his jacket and smoothed out his shirt before heading out to find a place to eat. Sebastian smiled sweetly as he looked up into the sky, seeing a plane flying throigh a clump of clouds.

He walked for a little bit before coming to a place named, Old Starboard, so he stepped in, taking off his jacket and smoothing his pigment covered shirt before sitting done at a table. He flipped open his phone and played a gamenor two of snake before being greater by a waiter and ordering.

The waiter came back with a plate stacked full of chili fries with extra cheese and glasses of whiskey to help come his nerves. He told them thank you as they walked off before munching on the fries as they typed away om their phone taking notes on the place and the people in it.

Paige Kennedy

Paige watched the man crumple over to the floor not unlike the little street thug from whom she pulled Milo's revolver. He hit the floor hard with a gasping huff. The blow had taken the wind out of his lungs and he fought with straining breaths for oxygen. Her face was cold and discerning as she looked down on him. Milo thought she was keeping him from pummeling the man further, but it was actually he that was keeping her from taking it a step further. Jackie was getting off easy, for now. She put her knee on his back and proceeded to cuff him. He grumbled something and she tightened the metal rings down hard into his wrists with a ratcheting click. "Oh, Jackie," She said with feigned empathy. "When this is over with you're gonna wish I'd blacked you out with a bullet." She moved on searching his pockets and his jacket, putting everything he had on the table: A phone, his wallet, a few loose business cards and a set of keys to a Lincoln. "You're not going back to some country-club lockup this time," She continued, "No, this time it's the Federal Pen." She pulled a larger handgun from the small of his back and then another light caliber from an ankle holster, removing the magazines and racking the slides so he could see himself being completely disarmed as the chambered rounds bounced away in his view. "I figure after you get tossed around like a pool toy for a few weeks you'll come around, maybe even make a good Barbie doll yourself."

Satisfied with her search she got up and wiped her hands with one of Milo's shop cloths. She looked carefully at his wound as she took out her phone and sent out a prepared call. In less than a minute a cadre of unmarked Marshal Service vehicles and State Police were at Milo's doorstep to haul away Jackie Costa. In her checking-into of Jackie, Paige had run across some vague connections to SCPD, something he'd inadvertently confirmed when Milo revealed the large revolver she recovered. Consequently, they hadn't informed the City Police of being on the gangster's trail. She suspected long ago that some of them were dirty. It was the same anywhere.

"He gonna need an ambulance?" A fairly tall and fit State Trooper said looking at Milo patting his wound.

"Dont waste your time," Paige replied, "He's too stubborn for that. I'll patch him up. I need the practice, it's been a while."

"Heard this was your second one today?" The Trooper said.

"Yea, we got that little puke at the Ritz early this morning." Paige said.

"Where're you from?" The man asked. His stony features became more quizzical.

"Delta City."

The Trooper nodded, "I like that accent," He produced a business card and handed it to her. Looking around briefly, everyone had what they had come for and he nodded lightly in satisfaction that Jackie was in custody. "Well if you've got King Aragon here taken care of we're gonna be on our way. Gimmie a call if you need anything." He tipped the brim of his crisp campaign hat in old west style and Paige gave him a little smirk. She had no idea who King Aragon was.

After they were gone, she rummaged through a few drawers in the kitchen and came back with a small first aid kit, a bottle half-full of clear liquid, a wooden spoon and a couple glasses. "Alright, I'm not promising it will be pretty," She proclaimed, setting everything down next to Jackie's captured treasure-trove of items. She couldn't wait to look through his phone or see where the car's GPS had gone. "But I promise it will hold." She pulled a chair up and sat on the table to get an easier angle to work. Pushing her sleeves back she poured him a small glass and slid it over along with the spoon as she began setting everything out to stitch up his arm.

@RoccanIronclad

---

---

Milo watched as all of the officers came in and took Jackie away, he overheard a lot of conversations but the one that got him a bit riled was the suit talking to Paige, he must find Milo pretty funny, calling him Aragorn like that, not like Milo faced down a mobster with nothing more than the sword. Milo however kept it all to himself, no need to draw attention to himself, it wasn't like he was squeaky clean at the end of all this anyway, there was still a stockpile of cash in the back bedroom from illegal gun sales as well as his own involvement. The suits all dragged away Jackie and left him and Paige alone in the now quiet shop, Paige stepped away and dug out Milo's first aid kit, and a spoon, he could see where this was going and was already not happy about it.

Milo grabbed the glass and threw it back, downing the contents, then grabbed the spoon. "Let's just get this over with." Milo bit down on the spoon, took the bottle and splashed a bit on the wound, he contemplated, as the burning sensation reminded him of the gunshot, why it was that he couldn't for the life of him get out of a single week without burning, cutting or otherwise injuring himself. As Paige finished stitching up the wound Milo let the spoon drop, "Dear God, I hope it looks better than it felt." Milo stood and looked it over, it looked pretty good, not a bad job, much better than he does after drinking. "Well this has been a day, I don't know about you but I am hungry now." Milo looked at his shirt and at Paige, both of them had blood on them. "I don't know about you, but I need to get cleaned up. Think I might hit up that nice Japanese place downtown before that race lets up." Milo wiped away some of the blood and smiled a bit. "Despite it all things went well, congrats on bringing in a big fish." Milo was actually happy about it, even though he wasn't out of the woods himself, he had a good feeling that at least he was making the kind of change in his life he wanted, and this time it was thanks to Paige, he really owed her one. "Hey look, I appreciate you helping me with all this, if you want, meet me at the restaurant and I treat you, alright?"

@Pilatus