Aldonza laughed openly as Sarah nudged her under the table. The group of giggling girls chorused in their laughter, happy to escape life for just one moment- happy to bathe in each others company.
"Benny the Bastard!" they shouted in unison, chinking their shot glasses together in a toast that ended in fits of laughter.

Among the girls were Sarah; a blonde-haired-blue-eyed-prefect-little-angel, Keisha; almond skinned and thoughtful-looking, Kathleen; an athletic looking redhead with firey brown eyes, and Aldonza; a dark-haired almond-eyed red-lipped beauty.

After a few more laughs, the girls started to leave. Aldonza was left alone with her cellphone at the table. She groaned and leaned back in her chair, giggling slightly. She was drunk. Yeah... Felt good. Until tomorrow. She was going to be in hell tomorrow. Which meant she'd probably see Benny since he was the equivlant of Lucifer in her book.

Al, as she was called by the girls, sighed.
"I'll call a cab when I can see straight enough to count how much money I gotta pay 'em" she murmured to herself.
She shook her head, smiling slightly with the buzz. Aldonza began to look through her cell phone contacts- thinking about texting someone for a ride. Why waste money on a cab when she had connections.

Benny
Barb
Carlos
Carli
David.....

The list kept going. Some names she knew: faithful clients. And some numbers she didn't know: new clients and prospectives. Some numbers were that of her friends and coworkers- the only people who truly cared about her, truly loved her.
They stood together in the face of adversity- and that adversity was their job. God she knew what she was doing was wrong- but it was better than where she had been before.
The thoughts of love stuck with her- pricking at her like a needle- annoying her. She closed her phone instead of calling or texting anyone. She'd just black out here. Al felt hervision going in and out of focus and she had to set her head down on the table. The pounding music was making her head hurt. If only there was someone... someone to take this all away.... take this whole life away from her- from her and her friends.

They'd never get out alone. They'd never get out alive. A tear stung Al's face. She wiped it away roughly, anger stirring in her bosom- amplified by the alcohol.

Chi was at a bar, she didn't go out often, but when she did, it was done deliberately. She looked older and more sophisticated. Well she always looked sophisticated that wasn't hard to do, with millenias of practice. She looked older, despite her small size, she looked mature and beautiful. She was different, that would be proper word, dangerous, beautiful and old.

She was wearing her silver hair in a high ponytail, smoky eyeshadow that emphasized her dark eyes. She looked delicate, but the short blue pleated jean skirt, the blood red tank top and black mesh over top. To some she would look like a woman with style, to others, most likely mortal drunk men, she would look like a woman that would be fun to be with. She wouldn't take that kind of nonsense of course.

Right now she was headed directly to the woman that seemed more drunk that she obviously needed to be. There was also a kind of despair and a kind of hope of leaving everything she knew behind. She must have been lonely or desperate. Chi walked straight up to her and stood at the table. "You okay, sugar?"

"Mmmmm" Aldonza murmured as she looked up. "Just a few more minutes Sarah- I'm so tired. I'll go to work when I wake up... Benny can get as mad as he wants- I'm tired- I'm sick- You know that Sarah." Suddenly Al blinked and realized she wasn't talking to Sarah.

She couldn't shake her head fast enough and when she did, it hurt. Her brain rattled inside her head like a nut in a shell. Ouch!
"God, I'm sorry" she apoligized, her mouth having trouble forming the words. "I though you were- someone else- but you're.... not."

She was gorgeous. Even drunk, Al could see it. She was perfect- definitely someone to envy or want. But Aldonza was too drunk to care. She just stared.
Was she okay? Was that what the woman had asked.
"Uh- no. I'm not- I'm not okay. she said, her voice flat. Al had always admitted her problems- but really.... was this a problem. Well, she was quite drunk. That had to be something.

Aldonza watched the other woman with a fuzzy interest. Her eyes couldn't focus on that beautiful face. Everything spun. It was a horrible and wonderful merry go round of alcohol. Good thing being dizzy never made her puke. She was good at not vomiting. The girls back at the house had made her a medal out of gum wrappers for being the best at holding her own guts when wasted out of her mind.

What an accomplishment.

"Aw, come on Brock. You know you're number one," Cassidy wheedled, flashing her trademark devil-may-care (but I sure as hell don't) grin at him. "All I'm sayin' is, a little grin here, a quick wink there... some fat drunk as shit exec will fall all over his Gucci loafers for a shot," she added, grinding her hips suggestively against his crotch, unmindful of the two women at a nearby table. Hey it was a club. Crotch-grinding was hardly out of place.

Besides, subtlety was not a talent Cassidy nurtured.

Brock, a slick-looking giant of a man, let a little grin play briefly over his stubbled face and gave her rear a quick squeeze. "I wantchoo all t' myself, CC. We can pick mister e-zec's pocket as easily as you can bounce him."

Cassidy frowned. She curled her hands in Brock's shirt, pulling him down to her height. Still speaking loudly to be heard over the driving music, she said, "Don't be so jealous, big boy... I'll let you watch." Biting her lip, she pulled back a little, trying hard to look sultry for him.

Sooner or later Brock'd have to let her do something more interesting than piddling around picking pockets or passing out dime bags.

Chi's eyes went to the couple and she rolled her eyes. Mortals were so obvious it was almost disgusting, actually it was disgusting and it made her almost weep. Women used to have more pride than this, a lot more pride and she was disappointed. Women used to be emblems of power, being the ones that gave birth to children. Of course there was a time where she had done the same, but that had been during the Roman Empire, almost 4000 years after her birth. She had to do something with her life to keep it interesting.

Chi motioned to a bartender and got a glass of water for the girl and a rum and coke for herself. She sat across from her and frowned almost thoughtfully. "I know that sometimes drinking a lot is a good idea, but you don't look so good right now." She paused and hesitated. "I'm sure that you had a reason for it."

Chi crossed her legs and had one had delicately tapping the table. It was something that she did out of habit, she didn't like to have both her hands motionless, they were usually always doing something. The drinks got there and she pushed the water towards the girl across from her. "I'm Chi and drink this glass of water, it'll help clear your mind."

Aldonza blinked and nodded as the woman ordered the drinks. She tried to keep her eyes focused on the other's face. She tried so hard. The woman was right. She didn't look good right now.

Al could feel it. Usually when you feel like shit- you look like shit- so she wasn't surprised when the stranger commented on her appearence. "I'm sure I'm a wreck." She forced her mouth to form a very small smile, trying to make light of the situation. But this wasn't a light situation at all- this was a disease- and a habit- thrown together in one giant complication to Al's life. Aldonza's life couldn't get any more complicated- and now it was. "I got a reason.." she murmured, closing her eyes for a split second and then opening them again. She must not pass out. She must not pass out. She'd be okay. She could still think. That was good.

The drinks arrived and Aldonza did as Chi said. She drank the water. It did help a bit, she admitted.
"I'm Aldonza." she replied after sipping more of the water. "And thanks- it is helping a bit I think." Al nodded. She could think a little more clearly now- yeah- a little. She turned her head slightly and noticed a young girl- about fifteen- grinding against a twenty yearold drug dealer. Aldonza could practically SMELL drug dealers. She had met enough of them- but Al wasn't into drugs. She had a fear of needles.
That girl was wasting her life on that man- ah well, her loss. She'd learn in her own time. Besides- who was Aldonza to judge. She was no better. She might even be worse. She sighed and continued to drink her water. She wasn't quite sure what to say to Chi and since she was having trouble forming a few sounds- she decided not to say anything at all.

Brock glanced at the girl touching his tongue to his upper lip thoughtfully. The kid was green, but not too green. Light-fingered and a quick thinker. Hell, she'd talked her way outta being arrested last week, so maybe he oughta toss her in the proverbial pool. She'd either sink or swim... or be eaten by sharks.

"You sure, kiddo? There's plenty a people here lookin' for a fun time. We could hit them, easy, turn a few hundred," Brock feigned reluctance, having already made his mind up. All a game. Make the kid work for it.

Cassidy felt his position weakening and grinned. "Am I never not sure?" she asked, pouting playfully. "Come on... I'll do good. 'Sides, I know you wanted to go see Hammer. You go, I stay." Pulling him down again, she gave his lower lip a nip and added, "You don't have to hang around and waste your time."

Brock shrugged. "Fine. Go find a sucker." There was one born every minute so it shouldn't be too hard.

His quote unquote protege grinned, watching him go with a measure of success. Finally. She could more than handle herself. Walking up to the bar, she flashed the fake as hell ID. The tender didn't even look twice, just passed her her order--a G and T, heavy on the G. Cassidy lifted it in a victory toast.

It was right about then that some clumsy fuck slammed into her back, knocking her forward and sending the contents of her glass all over one of the women at the table--the one with the sure-to-dyed silver hair. "Son of a fucking bitch," Cassidy snarled, but the offender was already halfway to the door.

Chi figured that she would let the woman across from her drink the water and sober up. She wasn't very far gone, but she definitely needed to drink as much water as possible. She took her drink took a sip out of it. A lady always sipped and never downed or gulped, like manners were useful in a place like this. Well it might make her seem like an easy target and then she could get her food easily. She didn't often go for live prey, but she needed to keep her hunting skills up to par.

She simply froze as some alcoholic beverage poured on her shirt, splashing her skirt. She didn't care much for the skirt, but the black mesh she had got in Spain, a few years ago and it had been expensive. Well at least her hair and face hadn't been touched, but that didn't matter. She didn't know if the alcohol would ever come out of the mesh, but right now it didn't matter, she was soaked.

She stood up and glared at the woman. "Do you have any idea what this black top cost me? This top is irreplaceable." She could probably make one, she was handy with her powers, but it wouldn't be the same. She grabbed the woman top, dragging her so they were eye to eye. "You own me a top, an expensive one." She paused, looking at the woman. "I don't care how you do it, I don't even care if you didn't spill the drink on me,
I don't even care if it's your fault. You will still own me a top."

Al's eyes got very wide as the drink spilled. She hadn't seen it coming for the simple reason that she was drunk. And also because she wasn't really watching.
Aldonza looked up to see Chi grab the girl- for she was not a woman.

It was the girl from before- the grinding one. Oh- well.... that girl had no chance. Aldonza had a strange feeling about Chi. There was something very-- strong about her. Al liked it- liked her. She seemed nice enough. She siped her water miserably- watching the drama unfold before her dark almond eyes.

"You stupid shit," Cassidy spat disgustedly at the back of the patron who had slammed into her. Not that it mattered, the jackhole couldn't hear her over the crap this club called music anyway. Looking down, the teen added a furious, "Dammit," when she noticed that some of her G&T had gotten on her shoes.

She'd put good effort into lifting those shoes too.

Then the woman over whom the drink had mostly spilled, and who Cassidy hadn't really noticed, grabbed her. Shoving angrily as the woman and her damn dyed hair grabbed her, the little delinquent narrowed her eyes at Chi, saying, "Crazy bitch. Get off me."

Not the smartest thing to say, certainly.

Chi's eyes narrowed at being called a bitch. Her a bitch? The other one had no idea who she was talking to. Calling her a bitch was the only thing that drove her to actually kill anybody. Chi grabbed her and got her face an inch from Cassidy's "If you have a death wish just say so. I'll gladly kill you. Name-calling pisses me off." Her voice came out as a hiss and her eyes showed the darkness that sailed through it.

Even if the woman wanted to back away Chi wouldn't let go. "I don't care how many years it takes you to pay me back for my shirt, you will do it." something flashed through her mind. "And don't try stealing money from anybody here, I'll report you to the police." Chi had been observant but she had seen what the person had done and what she was going to do. At that moment she released her and smiled. "Have a fun night. I'll find you when you have to give me the money."

Mistake. Who did the child think she was? Possibly the whore of Babylon but Aldonza kept that to herself.
"Oh girly I think you just made a mistake" she murmured after she sipped her water dutifully.

"If you have a death wish just say so. I'll gladly kill you. Name-calling pisses me off."

Wow... death threats already? Yeah- skip name calling and get right down to the revenge part. Aldonza found that in her mind she sided with Chi. The little girl did ruin a beautiful shirt- and it did look expensive. besides- the girl was green, inexperienced though she thought she was. Aldonza had seen that look before- in the eyes of The New. The New as she called them- never stayed long in the house. Benny usually kicked them out or shot them. This girl was a New. She was an idiot. Didn't she see what Aldonza saw?

Well, Aldonza had a knack for picking the winner of girl fights. And the strong- well, she could recognize them. Chi would kick that girl's ass if it came to it. Aldonza didn't doubt she would kill her. She just hoped the two would duke it out somewhere else if a fight to the death ensued. She didn't need to get in any more trouble by association. Traveling with Benny already got her a criminal record.

Crazy bitch? Scratch that, Cassidy thought to herself, her expression caught somewhere between bemusement and wariness as she looked into Chi's eyes. Damn crazy bitch was more like it.

"Whatever," Cassidy replied masking the wariness (it wasn't fear!) with dismissiveness. "You'll get money for the shirt. How much?" she asked cockily. Way Cassidy figured it, unless DCB here was one hell of a spender, she could, what was the word? reimburse, that was it. Cassidy could 'reimburse' the insane-queen for the stupid, ugly-ass shirt on the spot.

And, if not... it wouldn't take too much work. Who'd pay good money for a shirt like that anyway?

Pasting an innocent look on her way too heavily made up face, Cassidy gave her best 'who, me?' expression when the silver haired chick mentioned stealing. Stealing, Cassidy? Shudder the thought!

Riiiiight.

Chi's eyes narrowed. "Well since this shirt is priceless, it's going to cost you a hit load of money. More money then you will be able to steal in a night. It's a mix of silk and cashmere, it's also hand-made. Do you have any idea who much a shirt like this costs?" She flicked her hair back.

This one had no idea of the danger she was in. To pour alcohol all over her was one thing, but to name call her sent Chi's mind into her crazy state. Well not completely, but she was getting there. She loved her clothes. "I'll tell you, how much it cost, it was more than a thousand and anything you steal tonight, i will refuse to take it. Any money you will give me has to be gotten lawfully. You might want to think of an actual job." She grimaced as the alcohol started to dry on her skin. "When I'll want to money, I'll find you."

"I hate people who lie."

Aldonza's eyes widened. The look on Chi's face was a bit scary, pure hatred and loathing. It made Aldonza shiver just a bit. The girl- she didn't know her name- didn't flinch at all? Maybe she was mental? She had to be if Chi's look didn't affect her as it did Aldonza. Or maybe- she was just stupid? Aldonza nodded to herself. Yeah... she was stupid.

Well, Chi was obviously preoccupied as of the moment so Al figured she should try to get a ride home. She didn't really want to call Benny. He'd probably beat her when she got home for getting so drunk. He'd say it was bad for business and she should watch herself. He'd say- "When ya get drunk- ya give out freebies. None of my girls give freebies, Got that?" She pictured his rough hands grabbing her arms and squeezing tightly as he started shaking her violently....

Aldonza gasped as she came back from her reverie, realizing that she had dialed Benny's number. She put it on speakerphone so she could hear him above the noise of the bar.
"Hey babe. What's up?"
"I need you to pick me up Benny... Please?"
"Why didn't one of the girls take you home Al?"
"I don't know Benny- my head hurts. Please come get me!"
"I should leave ya there- You're the one who decided to stay and get smashed chica"
"Please Benny!" Aldonza pleaded, her voice soft and desperate, slurring a little bit.
"No!" he started yelling on the phone in spanish before he finished with "Call a taxi- bitch. I ain't paying. You can- you got paid- and if you didn't- blow someone and get a little cash..."

He hung up and Aldonza put her phone away. She touched a hand to her face a realized silent tears were streaming down her face.
"Fuck him." she said angrily, letting rage fill her body up- instead of sadness. She grabbed her coat and put it on before picking up her purse, ready to blow this shithole and go home.

"A thousand?" Cassidy's voice radiated disbelief. What the hell kind of MF spent over a fucking thousand on a shirt? Who'd this chick think she was for God's sake? Heidi shitting Klum? What was the damn shirt made of, spun fucking gold?

It wasn't that she couldn't get the money. She could. Easily. Well, okay, not easily easily, but it wouldn't take her too long. There was just a lot out there that CC would rather blow a K on. A hell of a lot.

"Lawfully, my damn ass," Cassidy muttered under her breath. Too quiet for anyone to hear, even her. In fact she probably didn't even realize seh was talking aloud. How was a fifteen year old high school dropout supposed to get a thousand lawful? Aw, hell, she'd just ask Brock for a little loan... he had some way of getting clean money.

She chewed her lip a little at teh tohought. He wouldn't be happy if she hit him up for a loan, especially if she told him why. Well. She didn't have to tell him why when she told him why.

Chi eyed the woman, distaste clear on her face. "Who pays a fucking thousand? I'll tell you, I do. I like quality clothes, no matter how much it costs, because in the end, i know that it will be worth it."

Chi had more money then any other person on the planet. She had some in a bank and that amount was never touched or barely. It grew like there was no fucking tomorrow. Every now and again she would take some out and blow it on something or hide it in her apartment. No one would find it but her, she had a hiding place that was impossible to find.

chi narrowed her eyes at the young woman and grabbed her by the shirt. "Lawfully, or I won't take it." She looked in the girl's eyes. "Yet if you go to school and try to better yourself, perhaps I won't ask the full amount." She released the woman, showing her back slightly. How was she going to get rid of all this alcohol? She didn't want to get up quite yet. Maybe she would go home and take a shower later.

She turned to the other woman. "Do you have to go?"

"Yeah- I gotta get back to the house." Aldonza said, her eyes a fire with something fierce. She was so angry. So angry at that bastard for ruining her damn life. No- she ruined it- and now she had to deal.
Drunk and angry Aldonza told Chi.

"My pimp won't pick me up and I gotta get back to the frickin whorehouse I live in." she turned to the girl that Chi was threatening and pointed at her.
"Dumb bitch- you have no idea what this life does- it eats you from the inside out- STDS prison beating abuse abortions- You have no ficking idea what we go through- I see that look in your eyes- it's the same one I had years ago. Wake up slut. You can't handle what we do. You'r ean immature child and you'll be dea within a year. You don't know what adversity is- so get back to school and pay the damn woman for the shirt you ruined and stop being a worthless piece of shit!"

Aldonza stepped foward and spit right in Cassidy's face. "Wake up and get out!"
Aldonza turned to move towards the door. She could manage her body when she was drunk but she always got carried away with her words. On any sober day- she wouldn't have warned the girl- but tonight- she felt the need to tell the dumbass just how stupid she was. She had no idea.

"Chi..." Al said softly. "Thanks for everything- but I need to go catch a ride...." her voice was the epitamy of misery- and that was just how it was. She chose to be this way. Some times it was good- sometimes it was bad- but when it was bad- Aldonza truly felt as if she were in hell.