Under a nearby table, a skinny little girl in a shapeless dirty black dress is playing with matches. The first few she lights and blows out, compulsively; then she begins to pass the flame back and forth against the leg of a table.
Ramon notices the smell after the first couple, then the noise. When he locates the source...he smirks and watches with interest to see what'll happen next.
It leaves interesting smoky patterns, but the leg refuses to catch; eventually it burns down far enough to burn her fingers. When that happens, she hisses quietly and tosses the match aside without crying or sucking her fingers.
She strikes another match (she's got a whole boxful) and passes her hand back and forth over the flame thoughtfully.
Then she leans out of her den and begins to make quiet chk chk noises towards the nearest waitrat.
Kate walks downstairs with an envelope with a note tucked inside in one hand, Bill beside her.
It's been a few days; the ugly bruise on her cheek is still noticeable, but with an artful application of concealer, it's less so.
She's in a crisp, fitted white blouse, black pencil skirt and heels, her blond hair in a meticulous updo -- just in case Ramon's downstairs, she wants to be ready.
(Armor, in its own way.)
She places a gentle hand on Bill's forearm when she spots Ramon at the counter.
Looks like they won't need to leave a note for him, after all.
He's not paying careful attention to the bar this evening so he doesn't see them come down the stairs. But he does see them when they're at the bottom - and the hand she lays on Bill's arm. His eyes narrow because yeah, he fucking knew he was right.
His first thought, even before being mad at Kate for lying, is of Katherine. Because yeah, that bitch is going to pay.
Bill's in jeans and a blue-gray button down, trying not to feel out of place beside Kate (he wishes he were in uniform).
When he sees Ramon his pulse quickens and he has to make a concentrated effort to not outwardly react to the sight of the man.
Kate's steadying hand helps some.
As much as he wants to take the lead here, they're taking this new approach from Kate's world of business. He's going to stay close, and keep his eyes on Ramon, but he'll let her handle things. He knows it's best if he doesn't say too much.
Comments 142
Just to see what happens.
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No quasi-parental warnings from this guy.
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She strikes another match (she's got a whole boxful) and passes her hand back and forth over the flame thoughtfully.
Then she leans out of her den and begins to make quiet chk chk noises towards the nearest waitrat.
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He swivels on his stool to watch properly, lighting a cigarette as he does. He so hopes she'll try and light up a rat. That'd be hilarious.
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It's been a few days; the ugly bruise on her cheek is still noticeable, but with an artful application of concealer, it's less so.
She's in a crisp, fitted white blouse, black pencil skirt and heels, her blond hair in a meticulous updo -- just in case Ramon's downstairs, she wants to be ready.
(Armor, in its own way.)
She places a gentle hand on Bill's forearm when she spots Ramon at the counter.
Looks like they won't need to leave a note for him, after all.
Reply
His first thought, even before being mad at Kate for lying, is of Katherine. Because yeah, that bitch is going to pay.
Reply
When he sees Ramon his pulse quickens and he has to make a concentrated effort to not outwardly react to the sight of the man.
Kate's steadying hand helps some.
As much as he wants to take the lead here, they're taking this new approach from Kate's world of business. He's going to stay close, and keep his eyes on Ramon, but he'll let her handle things. He knows it's best if he doesn't say too much.
Reply
It's just business, it's not personal, she tells herself, and if she thinks it enough, maybe she'll believe it.
"Good evening, Mr. Salazar."
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