Patty Meets Alice

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SKID ROW
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--Patty
the mounds of trash swirl in the breeze, catching against the shanty town of tents and shopping carts. The chill doesn't hit as hard in LA, but you stay long on the cold concrete and you're liable to not wake up at all.

Patty leans against the wall with her arms wrapped around herself, cigarette dangling from her mouth and wide hazel eyes darting back and forth. Her eyes scan over the news of the copy-cat killer, and she doesn't intend on being caught off-guard. Still, she was far too sober to be out and about right now. A low growl came from the back of her throat, and she jumped as a shadow moved across the pool of orange light she was standing in.

--Alice
*It's around 2:30 PM, when  a young woman finds herself in the Skid Row. She's disheveled in a rumbled leather jacket. She'd look the part of one of its native inhabitants if she wasn't as paranoid as Patty seemed. Her eyes were constantly on the lookout for...something.*

--Alice
*Despite this she moved with a predatorial ease, it was almost unnerving to see her move past things in the dark she shouldn't have been able to see. There was need clearly written on her face, another druggie? Perhaps.*

--Alice
"Evening," *She mutters to the woman.*

--Patty
"Hey.." She nodded to the woman, gave her a once over and made a gesture in front of her own face, snapping a bit, "Hey, you got a match or somethin'? Ya know, need a light." She pats herself down as if she's looking for a lighter, then shrugs, "Forgot to grab the damn thing and left it at work." She didn't seem to forget her cigarettes though, however. They were half-empty and a bit squashed, but she taps one free from the pack and extends it to the woman.
"Trade ya." Her accent was absolutely not native, almost stereotypical Queens.

--Alice
*She looks at her confused for a bit, who needed lighters? Oh right.* "I'm afraid I don't have a-" *She snaps, looking at her wearily.* "Nicotine isn't my beat."

--Alice
"I could help you find one, maybe."

--Patty
Patty just shrugs, sticking the cigarette behind her ear and extends her hand. She was awfully forward and friendly for meeting random homeless people on the street, especially for a half-pint. She's mostly in denim, a throw-back but hair brightly colored. She seems to at least be able to buy cheap hair dye.

"You got a name, toots? I'm Patty, just hit town and I'm tryn' to get situated." Her fingernails are blackened and smell strongly of oil, but her smile is bright and friendly enough.

--Alice
*Alice hesitates for a long moment. Her paranoia was quiet, that was a good sign. One that meant Patty could be trusted. She eventually takes her hand, tenderly.* "I'm...Alice. I'm not sure this is exactly the best place for a start up...mechanic? Like yourself."

--Alice
*Alice's hands seem to be soft, but it belays the surprising strength of her grip.*

--Patty
Patty boggled at that a moment, "What?", then looks at her nails and frowns. "Oh. Yeah, well, not like, professionally. I just work as a waitress and fix bikes if I can." Her grip is aggressively friendly, she doesn't try to wrench the woman's arm off, but any strength was returned with an equal squeeze.

Once her hand was free, she self-consciously wiped her hands on the back of her jeans and starts a bit haltingly, "Well... I didn't choose the place because I'm dyin' to try outdoor livin'. It's affordable.. like, cause I can't afford shit in this city."

Every once in a while, Patty's eyes wander, giving Alice a once-or-twice-over.

--Alice
*She would be cute, if it weren't for the haunted cast to her eyes and the gauntness of her cheeks. Her clothes up close are half-decent. She doesn't live here, clearly. When she notices the woman looking her over and she curls into herself, she's used to fading into the background. Though, it wasn't exactly a terrible feeling either.*

--Alice
"I...know of a place where you might be able to stay? It's nothing much, barely a have- I mean a home. But it's a place." *She always had a soft spot for the homeless.*

--Patty
Patty couldn't have been more than twenty. She smiled, and rolled her eyes at her a little, "Come on, ya think I'm that easy that I go with every chick that asks to take me home?" After a far too long pause, she adds, "...well kinda. But hey, what if you was that killer that's showing up all over LA? You think it's safe to just go home with a stranger?" She stuffed her hands in her pockets, her posture making it clear this was a rhetorical question.

"A place will work. I just don't wanna freeze, starve or wake up bein' pawed by some yahoo... unless I ask 'em to."

--Alice
*She sighs, she figured that'd be the answer. * "I can understand your hesitation. The L.A killer is definitely a problem. Which is why it's best to find someone who'll take you in, if not me then someone else. It's hard to be a pretty *young* woman these Nights."

--Alice
*She gets quiet, trying to think of a way to earn her trust.* "I believe there's a homeless camp somewhere nearby, they take care of their own."

--Patty
"Pfffft, no way dude." She punches Alice in the arm, not enough to do anything but sting a little, "I'm just fuckin' with you. Sure, I'll hang out with you at your place. Besides, I've got Chelsea in case things get a little hairy." She patted her front pocket, then put her arm over Alice's shoulder. "I got some JB stashed to keep me warm, you want a pull from it, I'll trade ya." She was awfully trusting of complete strangers, but there didn't seem to be any malice. Either she was dumb as a post or too young to know any better.

--Alice
*She smiles wanly,* "I'd love a drink. Really, but I'm high as a kite."  *Her chuckling hides the sudden tensing that knots her shoulders.* "My vice had always been H. Which I'm *certainly* not giving out. Ruins too many good times y'know."

--Patty
"Well long as you're not expecting me to join ya, I'll stick with the old fashioned way. You need a ride, or this in walking distance?"

She leans down and begins to gather a rucksack overstuffed with God-knows-what and hoists it over her shoulder. She may be small, but she's no slouch when it comes to hauling the that thing which looks to be half her size.

"If this ain't cool, or if you got an old lady who might not want me crashing at your pad, just let me know. I'm not, like, wanting to stir up any trouble." She did, at least, know enough to imply instead of flat-out ask.

--Alice
"It's just an apartment, it'll be fine trust me." *She smiles, filled with as much genuine warmth as she can.* "I do have a girl that crashes from time to time, but she's out of town for the moment. A Night won't hurt."

--Alice
*She stretches,* "Though, what's walking distance for me. May not be walking distance for you...especially given that...lootsack."

--Patty
For a moment she looks taken aback, "You kiddin' me?? I could run circles around you, any day! Hell, I was the best fighter in my weight class back in high school!" She flexed her arm for her, which was beneath her denim jacket, so it was rather a moot point doing so. She still did it though, if only for effect. "If I hadn't started takin' it outside the ring and got expelled, I coulda made a name in college! If I wanted to go, that is.." Patty frowns, then feels the need to defend herself, "It wasn't impossible, school was just.. a drag, you know? Better thing to do. Y'know? Come to LA, play the scene, become Lita."

--Alice
*In a a flash, Alice's eyes go from foggy and distant to clear as a still pond.* "Girl, if you're anything like me then L.A will be a pit you can't get out of. I came here...some time ago, looking to be an actress. Now look at me, I'm some street junkie looking for her next fix. You ever hear of the saying, the house always wins? It's never truer than here."

--Alice
*She lets herself relax, deciding to be gentle.* "I get that you're a tough bitch, self-sufficient and spoiling for a fight. But listen, this town *always* gets what it wants. If you can't afford to leave now, do so when you can."

--Patty
Now she truly did look stricken. It was bravado before, but between the hurt in her eyes and loss for words, it was clear she's about to lose her temper. She opens her mouth to speak, then clams up, turning her nose up and continuing to walk, lifting her rucksack back over her shoulder. "Fine."

She's quite for a good two steps before she wheels around, and the steam might as well be shooting from her ears, "Where do you get off tellin' me my business, eh lady?? You think I'm just some snot-nosed punk who don't know shit from shinola, right?? Well guess what? I'm goin places!" She drops her bag again, and strikes a pose, "I'm gonna be in lights, and I'll stick a motherfucker if I have to to get there! I'm not just some kid! I'm the real deal!" Her eyes narrow, trained on Alice for a moment, then she hisses, "You think I'll end up workin' on my back, right? Fuckin' loser kid, know-nothing, good for nothing? Well.. You.."

She bites her lip a moment, then sniffs. Either she was about to throw a punch or burst into tears. She decided to split the difference and kick the wall, "Oh fuck it.. and fuck you! ..I don't need you. I don't need anybody," turning on her heel once more.

--Alice
*Alice watches the woman go feeling her heart ache, she knew full well what she was in for and she was helpless to stop her. All she had wanted was to help, but instead she may have just ruined someone's only chance at freedom. She stands there for a long moment, watching as cars drive-by. When it's certain that she's out of earshot. She mutters to herself,* "Good luck."

--Alice
*And she's certain that she meant it.*

--Patty
When Patty turned the corner, she was already wiping her cheeks as her mascara began to run, "....oh shut the fuck up, Pat. Stop fuckin' crying." She sniffed, resting against a wall to catch herself. "Jesus, such a goddamn baby. Grow up." Suitably chastised, she sniffles once more, wipes it on her jacket arm and continues on up the block, now without shelter or her new friend.

--Alice
*Alice eventually growls, slamming her fist into the wall that was so recently abused by Patty. She couldn't let someone go off on their own, especially someone who didn't know of the Kindred. It just wasn't in her personality.*

--Alice
"Fuck me for being a fucking fool..." *She runs off in the direction she last saw Patty heading, hoping to catch sight of the dimunitive mortal.*

--Patty
As she turns the corner, she runs smack dab into Patty, jarring them both and sending Patty crashing backward and onto her overstuffed duffel. She lets out a loud, "OOF!" before she shakes it off and looks up to see her returned. Apparently she changed her mind, as she was coming back Alice's way.

Patty sits there a moment, stewing before she begins, "Look.. I'm.." She coughs, trying to force out an apology. Finally she manages, "...so.. like... alright, I was kinda being shitty. That's my bad. So.. if you wanna smack me one or somethin', I'd deserve it." She stands and dusts herself off, "I mean it's only fair. You try 'n' help me out, and I go all ballistic on you. So yeah..  I deserve a slug." She sticks her chin out and winces.

--Alice
*Alice instead decides to roll off of her, she she hadn't fed in awhile and getting this close to her was far too...Tempting.* "If I get a free slug in, then you deserve one as well. I have no right to make demands of *your* life." *She gets to her knees and offers her a hand.*

--Alice
"Still apologizing to one another doesn't fix shit. If you need a place to stay I have it, but an idea has occurred to me." *She gives her a devilish grin.*

--Patty
Patty opens her mouth, then quickly shuts it. "I... uh. I'm a tramp, I'm not a hooker.. if you're wanting me to sleep my way into a warm bed," Her eyes fall to the ground, and she shudders a bit at the thought. It seems like she was done with that conversation, wherever it was going.

Instead she grabbed Alice's hand and pulled herself up, then lifted Alice herself with ease. "..lay it on me, I don't want to sleep under a bench again."

--Alice
*She looks shocked, as shocked as a Malkavian could be at anything.* "I'm...not suggesting that at all..." *Still she seems to enjoy being held.* "I'm saying, that I know a place that'll give you what you need to stay warm and cozy and even pay you."

--Alice
*She stammers the last part awkwardly,* "It's a night club in Santa Monica, we call it the Asylum and I sometimes do odd jobs for it. It's not really classy, but you can make connections...y'know?"

--Patty
"Oh.. well. I mean, I've spent most of my time in juvie, so I can handle a bit of that. It's good they didn't try me like an adult, I guess." She snorts, and her braying laugh comes through at last. She finds she's still holding Alice to her, then coughs and lets her go, giving her a gentle pop in the arm again. "Sure, I can do whatever. Just point the way, and I promise..." she makes a zipper motion across her mouth, locks it and throws away the key.