Working...{open}

[K.iriel]

Aikia took a sip from her water bottle as she surveyed the passing people.
She hadn't heard anything about any strange occurrences that would point her towards a mutant in weeks; she was nearly out of money. Sighing, she tossed the bottle towards the wastebasket and stood up. The basket was so full of garbage that her bottle dislodged a small pile. She ignored it and wandered out of the food court.
She avoided staring at shop fronts so that she could watch the people. Most of the people here at this time were her own age, teenagers out for a bit of fun. She had dressed down for this occasion, a skirt, boots and tank-top replacing her usually ornate clothing. Standing out here would do more damage than help. Aikia had also left her epee at her apartment, arming herself with two boot knives instead.
An older man bumped into her, but her glare stopped him from confronting her. She wove through the crowds in an angry silence as she tried to find her next source of income. Staring at pretty things that she couldn’t afford all day had made her even more annoyed. It seemed that every little thing, from the people around her to the air she was breathing, was put there to make her angry.
She found a bench and stretched out on it, closing her eyes. It wasn’t the most comfortable spot to rest-made of metal, it was so short that her knees were past the edge-but it would do for now. Returning to the apartment meant admitting defeat, at least for today. This way she could convince herself that she was still working.

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[Eva Merrison]

Eva didn't need to do much to earn herself a nice four hundred dollars. She had found various men among the mall and sung, ever so sweetly, into their ear. And hey, if that was all it took to be handed a couple of twenties, and everything else they had cash wise, then so be it. It had been so long since Eva had the chance to actually go out and buy herself something. She had gone to most of the clothing stores and bought herself lots of things. Mostly clothing and random jewelry. Hidden at the bottom of the massive bag she was carrying was a couple of risque items from Victorious' Not-So-Secret store. Some new rather tiny under garments were all a lady needed to feel new.

Of course, as soon as Eva had been given a home at the circus, she had rid herself of most of the items she'd been travelling with. And now seemed like a good time as ever to buy herself new things with her new magic voice and all, why not? Eva was so wrapped up in thought, she hadn't noticed the girl lying stretched out on the bench, or the lays that dangled over the bench. And down eva went, her bags going flying. Small under garments and clothes went flying, creating a mess in front of a store. At this point, Eva had turned bright red and was desperatly trying to pick up her purchases, all while muttering angrily under her breathe.

[K.iriel]

Aikia jumped when someone ran into her, startled. She fell off the bench, swearing, in the confusion of untangling her limbs. The cause of her anger was on the floor as well, though she was amid a large amount of....rather embarassing...articles of clothing. Aikia snarled at her.
What the hell?! Can't you see that there are other people around you?! Aikia spat. Her anger kept building. Every little annoyance of the day came back to her tenfold, adding to the fire that was her anger. She stood up so that she could glare down at the other girl. She waited, tapping her foot, for the girl's reply. As she waited she noticed the long blue hair....
Mutant her mind practically shouted. And as of right now, unaware of who I am. Her latest dye job had turned her light pink hair into a much more realistic brown with pink stripes, helping her hide herself even easier. Maybe she wouldn't have to suffer through without money for much longer, if she could get this one... Changing her mind about the situation, she sighed and started to help the girl pick up her dropped items, even though some of them had quite a blush factor to them.
Sorry 'bout htat.... she mumbled, not meeting the other girl's eyes. I've just had one of the crappiest days imaginable. Aikia sighed again, rubbing her temples. Anything to make this girl believe she was normal-and Aikia could freel the beginning of a headache anyway.

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[Eva Merrison]

Eva cringed as the other woman yelled at her. It hadn't been her fault! It was clearly an accident, the last thing Eva wanted is for everyone to see her unmentionable clothing lying everywhere. "I'm... sorry." She stuttered. Holding her clothing close to her chest. The woman looked so mean and angry that Eva wanted to cry. It really had been an accident, "I swear I didn't mean to." Eva said as she felt her eyes begin to burn with the promise of tears.

It was then that lady's attitude changed. It was enough to make Eva really start crying from relief. 'Thank god for self control, Eva thought. 'Or else I'd be balling my eyes out right now.' "Um, thanks." Eva said, her voice still a bit tight and shakey. She continued to pick up clothes and shoved them in the bag. It didn't take long for her dropped items to be removed from the floor. "I'm sorry about your bad day." She said, "Can I treat you to something as an apology? Like, buy you dinner or something. I know it's not really dinner time, but... Augh, I feel so bad." Eva admitted, looking down. Her cheeks hadn't stopped burning since she had tripped, and now she was uncomfortably aware of them.

[K.iriel]

Aikia smiled a bit sadly, remembering the last time she had gone for dinner with someone. Sure, but I'll help pay. I'll feel bad for yelling at you and then making you buy me dinner, she said, a bit ashamed. She mentally recalculated how much money she had on her, slightly depressed about the pitiful amount.
But if I play it cool, maybe I can get her cell phone number, Aikia mused as they picked up the last of the clothing. She heaved herself up, eyeing the crowd around them.
I don't think too many of them stayed to watch the show,

[/i] she whispered to the girl conspiratorially. Oh, by the way, I’m Aikia. A beat passed while she cringed mentally at the use of her real name. Damnit I feel like a newbie she told herself. She waited slightly impatiently for the other girl to introduce herself, still inspecting the crowd.
One for bad luck, two for good luck, three for death and four for life,[/i] she hummed, remembering an old counting song someone had taught her. It wasn’t very happy and didn’t work for any numbers larger than about thirty, but it was an amusing little ditty with a simple but absorbing melody line. Aikia counted the people around her and sang softly, her attention diverted from the blue-haired woman at her side.
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[Eva Merrison]

Eva was beginning to feel better. The nice lady was... well, nice. Eva had expected to really been yelled out, then told to leave the mall. But this woman had helped diffuse the situation before Eva would start muddling it up. She would have started singing at that point, making everyone look away as she ran and hide. Thank goodness she hadn't. "Oh no! I insist! I bumped into you. It'd be my pleasure. So, where would you like to go? I heard there's a restaurant outside of here. Supposed to be good pizzas there and such. I like pizza, do you?" Eva said, all in one breathe.

"I'm Aikia."
Eva's ears perked up, how could she be so rude! She hadn't introduced herself yet. "I'm Eva. Aikia is such a pretty name, is there a story behind it? And yeah, thank goodness no one was standing and watching. Hehe."

Eva began to lead Aikia outside of the mall. She hadn't waited for a yes or no on the decision to eat at the pizza place. Eva wanted pizza, and well, who wouldn't? Eva drifted into parking lots. She looked around. "I really don't know where this place." Eva admitted, with a large smile on her face, "Any chance you do?"

[K.iriel]

Aikia smiled, grateful for the free food and the suggestion of where to eat. I believe it's this way, she said, analyzing their surroundings. The first time she had come to the mall she had carefully plotted out every store-not a perfectly reliable map, but it worked pretty well. The pizza place the other woman-Eva, I have to refer to her by her name,-had mentioned had taken over what used to be a fast-food place. It was slightly more expensive than the food court, but then again, the food was so much better.
There, found it. Aikia said, slightly triumphant. For a few moments she hadn't been sure that she would find it. She stood in line behind an older couple and turned to Eva. So, what do you do for a living? she inquired, trying not to sound too prying. I'm currently unemployed, but that should change soon, she informed the other woman. In fact, it's changed right now, Aikia added to herself silently. She inspected Eva without looking like she was, eyes glued firmly to the other woman's as she catalogued her belongings in her mind. Doesn't seem to have any weapons, Aikia noticed, but that doesn't mean she's defenseless. And I'm here practically unarmed, she continued sadly. The one day she hadn't brought her beloved sword along turned out to be the one day she might actually need it. Well, that taught her to be lazy. Next time, she reprimanded herself, Working or no, I’m bringing my sword.

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