Marcus kicked his legs back lightly, giving way to a peal of screeches and moans from the crickity old 'table' which was supposed to be some form of a formal service. He gave a small yawn and smacked his lips slightly, blinking a few times to shake the feeling of sleep off.

He was waiting here for a drug deal-- a trade of information. He wriggled his nose slightly, disgusted by the surroundings. He sat in a condemned building- and there was a good reason as to why it was being condemned. It was bloody falling apart! He placed his arm behind his head and waited patiently- probably should've come by now, but hey, what can ya do.

He looked down towards his Walkie Talkie, fiddling around with the buttons for a bit, yawning again as he listened to the slight werving and static that immited from the transmition device.

Of all places she could be, it had to be here. She'd never had to watch her step so carefully before. Not to mention the fact that Zeir wasn't one to frequent condemmed buildings and the like. But why was she here now? ... No reason really, maybe call it a hunch.

Zeir ... she never gave her real name. It was always "Renegade" ... Seemed a bit childish to call herself such, but it did make her seem like ... someone more.

"Damn, damn, damn ... I'm lost again"

She muttered, never knowing why she explored this building in the first place. of course, Zeir ... Renegade, wouldn't have minded so much, if only she had some cash to line her pockets.

Not knowing anyone else was here, and certainly no one important; Zeir wasn't being a cautious sort as of now. She should have been, for luck wasn't with her at the moment. For Zeir was only a floor above, and her footsteps could be heard clearly as she slowly tread upon it.

Marcus was quick to grab his gun-- he looked up and towards the ceiling, eyes following the sound that tuned into his ears. His intense blue eyes narrowed as his brow creased in suspicion. It was then that he pulled out his gun hesitantly, looking down at it slightly, then quickly looking back up as he unlocked the safty clip and put in a new round as silently as he could. He bit at his lip, waiting for another sound before he did anything.

Zeir stopped, and listened for a moment. Hearing nothing, she resumed her slow tread across the room.

Might wanna be a bit careful ... more so.

But even with that forewarning thought, Zeir continued searching the place. What was she looking for exactly? She didn't know, nothing of value at least. This place, condemned as it was. Reminded her of a distressing event of her past.

Perhaps I ought to leave ...

A floorboard creaked, Zeir flinched. But it was her own footsteps that such a sound emitted from the rotting floors. Finally deciding to go back, Zeir swiftly turned upon her heel. Only to have the next step she took, result in her foot crashing through the floor.

"G'damn rotten floor!"

Zeir cursed aloud, and instantly regretted it. She hadn't doubted that someone else was in this building. And now she'd certainly announced her presence. Taking a step back to dislodge her ankle from the hole she'd made, Zeir almost fell backwards. But she regained her balance, at the same time taking a knife from her boot.

She cautiously edged to the door, peered out, and saw no one. But Zeir was ever careful now, pausing at the stairs ... No doubt whoever else was in this building, was near the most convenient exit.

What pitiful luck I have ....

Marcus quickly pointed his gun upwards, towards the newly bore hole in the ceiling- somebody was definatly up there.
"Shit." he muttered, chewing at the inside of his cheek lightly-- eyes wide and always moving as he thought quickly. He then took a quick swallow, and looked from side to side, spotting the stairs.
He didn't trust them at all, they were rotting, and old- but anybody who had to get down from upstairs had to take the stairs to do so. He drew his gun up slowly, pointing it towards the stairs and walking hesitantly towards the spiraling steps, taking extreme caution just as his father showed him. He looked down towards the steps, deciding which ones would make less noise if he, infact, needed to make a book up them.

Renegade sighed in exasperation, she had nothing really to arm herself with. And she was in quite a tight spot right now. The only exit of this building was blocked. ... What else was there to do?

"Seems you've got me cornered here ..."

A cautious venture, Renegade hoped that person down there didn't have an itchy trigger finger. That would be most .... unsatisfactory. So Renegade, with her own best interest in mind, decided to come out of hiding.

"So .... what say I come down, unarmed. And you not kill me?"

Damn ... Renegade was sure wishing for a drink right about now.



((Sorreh for not replying sooner. Had a spot of computer trouble. But its fixed now ^^))

Oh, good. It's only a girl. He gave a short sigh of reliefe and shook his head,
"Hey-- would you mind tellin' be who da' FUCK you are?!" Marcus shouted up the stairs, still holding the gun it it's general direction. He then decided that since the person wasn't comming out right away, and was giving the white flag, that she must not be armed or really dangerous for that matter.

((ooc: It's ok :D ))

Hostility ... Renegade expected just as much. For a moment, she wondered if she could get out of this building, through a window. But the thought was quickly tossed aside, as Renegade never ran from anything.

"Me? I'm nobody really. Just happening to be in the wrong place and the wrong time appearantly."

She leaned back against the wall, just around the corner. Idly picking at her fingernails with the knife she carried. Obviously, this was going to be a long day.

"Bad luck ... always follows me."

She muttered with a scowl, not moving from her present location. At least, not until whoever was down there, became a bit less hostile or ... something.

"..apparently.." Marcus exaggerated. "Ok, nobody-- WHY are you here?" he decided to ask, seeing as talking seemed the best way to get satisfaction.

"I have nothin else to do, no real goals in life. So I was just wanderering about and came to this place. Decided to explore."

She shivered slightly, out of nothing more than cold. Renegade put her knife away for the time being; and flipped up the collar of her shirt, an old habit.

"Not the best of ideas, I suppose."

Marcus stayed silent as he slowly crept up the stairs, careful not to make a sound. He decided to continue to talk, seeing as it might distract her from listening to closly to hear his footsteps.
"So, what's your name, miss."

Despite her usual laid-back demeanor, Renegade wasn't so easily distracted.

"Name? Z- ... Renegade."

If it weren't for her serious tone, no one would have thought she was telling the truth. But she was ... that was her name now. After .. certain events, she'd made it a habit not to give her real name. Though it was never officially changed, Zeir liked her new title better. Made her feel somehow different, and also helped to forget the past.

"What about you, eh?"

Feeling like it was her turn to ask a question or two. Renegade inched further from the corner, and with luck, her footsteps wouldn't make a sound. But retreat? ... She supposed if things came to that, she'd have to. But ... something prevented her from running awawy just yet. Then again ... could just be her own pride.

"Hello Renegade- -I'm Marcus Laertes." He fully introduced. He figured he had nothing to hide, the girl was probably as good as dead once he go through with her, or if she tired to pull any dodgey moves.

He slowly lurked forth up the stairs, making no noise.

"Well then, Marcus Laertes. Under other circumstances, I would say 'nice to meet you'. But ...."

Zeir drew her knife again, feeling only a tad bit safer with the small blade in hand. She glanced back and forth, looking for shadows or perhaps a suitable room to conceal herself. There was none close at hand.

"I wonder what you're doing here, that makes my presence such a threat."

Zeir really didn't care about that, never cared what others did as long as it didn't affect her. She took a few steps back, if only to put more distance between herself and the corner that the other would soon turn.

Laertes gave a slight laugh.

"If I told you, I'd have to kill you." He replied.

"I see ..."

Though she really didn't, as well as didn't actually care.

"So you are, I suppose. A business man of sorts?

She waited for an answer to that: if yes .. .then Renegade might just have an idea...

She could tell, by his voice, that he was indeed getting closer, walking up the stairs right now.

"Of sorts." Marcus nodded with a small grin, turning the corner to reach the doorframe.
"You?"

"Hmm ... I figured as much."

Renegade gave a soft laugh, leaned against the wall. With no other plan in mind other than to wait.

"Me? I do everything ... Though currently unemployed."

A hint of distaste at that last word. Seemed to her that work was hard to come by in this city. But having no money to go anyplace else, she was basically stuck here.

"Ooo. So you're not working for anyone?" Marcus reiterated, a grin forming on his features, stopping in steps slightly, lowering his gun for a second or so.

"Not at the moment. If I were then I wouldn't be here."

Fingers idly ran over the blade of the knife she held, not having anything better to do with it anyway.

"At any rate, I could use some work ..."

"Mm." Marcus gave a deciding hum, then walked the rest of the way, comming in view of the door.

"How would you like to get some work?" he questioned lightly.

For a moment, she just stood there; brow raised in curiosity. Exactly who was this guy? If he was about to offer a job, Renegade supposed it didn't really matter much.

"If it pays in cash, I'll take whatever work I can get."

She straightened, put the knife away. It wouldn't be of much use to her right now, anyway.

"We only pay in cash." Marcus replied, which was perfectly true. Cash was so much safer than a check or any other system.

We? Ah, whatever. Jobs a job ... But Renegade liked the idea of cash being the only option. She'd learned long ago that checks could be easily traced, credit just as much so.

"Thats always the best method ..."

Was this his way of offering work? Renegade wasn't complettely certain. Wasn't sure if this guy was just playing games with her.

"Whatjyou say your name was again?" Marcus reiterated, taking his final steps to be up the stairs and at the door.

"It's Ren."

Renegade wasn't sure if he'd forgotten. Or was just trying to see if she'd give a different name. So she'd shortened her little self-given nickname. Besides, most people called her 'Ren' anyways. She'd never give her real name, real names were easy to trace. Especially when the real names are unusual as hers. Zeir was not at all a common name, and most certainly she was the only one named so in this city.

"Why don't ya come outta there, Ren." Marcus stated. Well, the name test was over or else she knew what game he was playing. But anyways, the fact was that he got a new member.

He lowered his gun, incase she came out and it was pointed at her.

Renegade thought for a moment, finally decided to 'come out of hiding'. After all, standing around here wasn't doing much good of anything. Bootheels dully clicked on the decaying, wood floor; a moment's hesitation before she turned the corner.
Right then... Ren didn't make any sort of "grand entrance" or anything. Just pulled herself around the corner and leaned back against the doorframe once she was around it. Without comment she studied her "new employer" for a moment.

"So ... what kind of work you need done?"

"What kind of work do you do?" he asked with a cocky grin, shoving his gun into the back of his belt and out of her sight.

A shrug, Ren slowly place her hands in pockets.

"Anything and everything."

Ren could do more than most people thought upon looking at her. (Looks can be decieving and all that ....) As she gave another shrug, a smirk appeared and quickly faded.

"Whatever's needed, whatever's wanted."

"You're hired," Marcus said with a quick grin and an offering of his hand. "My name's Marcus if I hadn't said it before, head worker of Ismarus Cicones Underground."