Those who can ((Marcus DV))

[CharlotteC]

Charlie smiled softly to him as he spoke animatedly about the people that he had been talking to online and around the cafe despite not really going out much. The fact that he had a possible job lined up was good as well and she nodded to what he was saying, listening, clearly watching him because there was something in the way he had been watching her that had made her curious. Then she remembered, hello, Allurist... of course he would look at her like that. A lot of people dead. She ran a hand through her hair and then smiled and nodded as he had started to say that he didn't mind the walk, clearly reading that part of his sentence as in they should walk their way across the city. However, then he continued and one brow rose ever so slightly.

Honey, you have no idea just how dangerous it is at night in this city... she thought to herself as she looked at him, and then he seemed to be changing his mind and his words confirmed it. However, what she hadn't been expecting were the words that came from his mouth next. It actually shocked her a bit. Not a bad shock per say, but just a 'did I really hear that?' kind of shock. It had seemed like she had processed his words for hours, going over and over it again and again. However, it had only been a split second in real time. It had been a long time since anyone had treated her as if she were just a normal girl, someone who wanted to protect her when in truth, if **** went down, it would be her protecting him. "Well then the transit it is. And the place we are going is where I work, so there will be plenty of opportunity for me to show you the town in full." She said with a soft smile and then nodded her head in the direction they were going to go.

They ended up going around the back of the cafe, walking towards the station that was just north of the cafe. The station was pretty normal - she thought - for a transit station, benches, lights here and there, the occasional trashcan, and overhangs over each of the benches so that people could sit out of the weather, though it wasn't like the small overhang and the steel mesh walls that held the overhang up would protect someone from the cold of the night or if the snow warmed and turned to sleet or rain. People would not only end up cold but wet as well. Thankfully, they wouldn't have to wait long, the transits ran like clock work and she new that they would be in the relative worth of the transit only moments later.

She looked over at Marcus and smirked a bit, "You can almost set your watch to these transit systems... not that I wear one. Do steal them from time to time though."

[Marcus Donald Valentine (DELETED 7799)]

Marcus was relieved that Charlie had agreed to take the transit. He was still uneasy traveling when it was too late. He folloed her around the cafe and toward the nearest transit station. He was familiar enough with it, having spent a few nights around there "working". Speaking of work, they were headed toward hers apparently. "Are you sure me staying at your workplace is alright? I mean, I dont want you getting in trouble with your boss or coworkers." Marcus asked in a wary tone.

Once they arrived at the station Marcus took in the somewhat familiar station. He chuckled at Charlie's comment and replied with his own. "I actually managed to snag a few watches here myself. Though I'm sure you were slipping them off of peoples wrists without them ever noticing." Marcus was grateful for the information and made sure to keep that in mind. Good to know the public transportation in this town was efficient at least.

Marcus had realized he hadn't properly introduced himself and decided to have a little fun with it. She only knew his first name and was offering him shelter, the least he could do was give her his full name. "Charlie, I never gave you my full name. I think I owe you that much at least, no?" He asked with smile. "I am Marcus Donald Valentine, 20 year old homeless thief with a heart of gold, and I am eternally grateful for the kindness you are showing me tonight." Marcus said in a overly proper tone while bowing to Charlie and holding out his hand to take hers like gentleman did in cheesy romance films. Planning to take her arm into his if she did give her hand while waiting for their ridebto show up.

[CharlotteC]

As he asked about wither or not it would be cool for him to stay at her work, she gave a soft laugh and nodded to him. Watching as the transit was getting closer still, "No, actually, I work for Bunk Backpackers. It's sort of a hostel like place, mostly for all those who don't plan to stay in the city long, though lately, a lot of the people we have been hosting have been those people searching for the paranormal." She said, her eyes dramatically wide as she used her hands to do one of those 'ooooh-ahhhh' things that magician assistants did when they were trying to distract you from one side of the trick. And then he was bringing up the watches, and of course, he had actually been right. The best thieves could take anything from anyone and not know that the item was missing. Just like a magician. The trick was to distract people, make them look one way while the real stuff was going down in another area.

Soon after that, he was fully introducing himself and she smiled brightly, taking his hand and nodding, hoping that he wouldn't question the fact that her hands were a bit cold, despite the fact that she had just pulled them out of her pockets. "Charlotte Noel Collins, 24 year old thief, hacker and resident good-ish girl." She said with a soft laugh, it wasn't often that she gave out her full name to anyone, thankfully though she didn't have to write it down, because she knew that people confused her middle name. Her parents thought it would be cute to give her a Christmas name. It still sounded like Noelle but was spelled like the male form of Noel.

It was then that the transit pulled up and she glanced over to Marcus once more, "Shall we?" She said with a smile and nodded towards it, so that they could get on and head to the Newborough station which would get them close to Lancaster's as well as the Backpackers, since her job was the second floor of the building. "So you say you moved here, from where exactly?"

[Marcus Donald Valentine (DELETED 7799)]

Marcus smiled at Charlie's antics when she described where he would be staying. Bunk Backpackers, bit of a mouth full but he wasn't going to complain. Marcus was also pleased when she did offer her hand to him, though they were cold. This reaffirmed his decision to take transit and not make Charlie stay out in the cold just for his sake. He smiled up from how bowed position. He quickly stood back up and listened to her proper introduction. "Noel? Better than Donald if I have to say so myself." Marcus said as they waited for the transit. He once disliked his middle name but came to accept it, if anything it gave him a cop out for his lame Donald Duck impressions he used to do. It didn't work too well with the ladies in high school and doubted it would now but it was still fun to do for kids.

"Also, don't think I didn't catch that last part! Why the -ish at the end, hmm?" Marcus teased as he saw saw the transit pulling into the station. He simply nodded and followed her onto the transit. "Well, if you must know. I was born in Montreal, but grew up outside of Montreal in a little town that isnt too well known. But I go with Montreal just to give people an idea of where I'm from. Not that I got much back there besides some old friends. I grew up in a foster home so I don't officially have family but that never really bothered me. I mean, sure we all had those angst years in high school but that was a phase." Marcus realized he was rambling on at this point and had gotten off topic. "Not that it was at all relevant to your question. Sorry, about talking your ear off." Marcus apologized. "So, where exactly are we headed?" He asked as he realized he wasn't sure where Bunk Backpackers was.

[CharlotteC]

Charlie smirked as they got onto the transit, finding a seat and sitting down away from most of the other humans. Then she listened as he spoke to her, arching her brow ever so slightly when he mentioned that he had caught her '-ish' when she had introduced herself, but she didn't say anything because soon he was answering her question, telling her about himself as she had asked for. It was good to Charlie, to speak with someone new, to connect with someone even on such a low level, it was just nice to talk to someone. It told her that she had definitely needed to get out more. Spending all her time in the den, only really talking to Rhett, or on the occasions that she saw him, Elliot. Yes, she needed this.

Her attention focused once more on Marcus, he was rambling and she had to say, it was a bit endearing to see. It reminded her of her. She too had a tendency to ramble when she was nervous. Of course, her rambling down could get her in trouble, but every day she was preparing for that trouble. If they came for her, she would take a few of them with her to the shadow realm. She smiled, and nodded a bit. "I don't mind it, really, it's been a while since I have had someone talk my ears off. As for where we are going..."

She smiled as she looked up and out the window for a moment, then looked back at him "The Newborough station is one of two near Backpackers... the other is Swansdale. Only with one you go east, the other to go west. You'll see soon enough which one Newborough's is. I spend a lot of time in that neighborhood so I am used to going to that one more than the Swansdale." She said and then relaxed back in her seat, putting her feet up on the bench in front of them. "And that ish part..."

Charlie laughed a little and looked at him, her chocolate eyes glittering "If I was truly good I wouldn't be breaking laws... would I?" She asked with her brow arched and then laughed again. "I am not fond of violence, I will fight if I am forced into it, and I am pretty good with a gun, but I try to avoid it when I can. When I am thieving I prefer to knock out the guards and security systems... Like I was never there." She said in a quiet tone, leaning closer to him so that only he was hearing what she was saying. "That said, this city is dangerous and I have had to do some things to protect myself. It happens more than any other city I have heard of in Harper Rock. I don't know if you have seen it, but there is a bit of an army presence here because of it."

Shrugging the, Charlie relaxed back, letting her head lean back a bit more, her hair fell away from her shoulder and revealed a pretty nasty looking scar that was on her neck, one that could have and had been deadly. Not that he needed to know she had died from it, but it wasn't a good looking scar. Then she heard the bell ringing telling them that they were only one or two stations away from their destination and Charlie lifted her head to check to see which one it was... one or two.

[Marcus Donald Valentine (DELETED 7799)]

Marcus sat beside Charlie on the transit as he spoke about where he came from. He noticed they sat away from the other passengers on the transit as well. He didn't look too deep into this assuming she was just practiced in remaining unnoticed and anonymous in public. Marcus was glad to see that Charlie didn't seemed annoyed by his rambling and was relieved when she confirmed as much. He had been too dependent on his ex for company which was why he little to no friends he could call b you back home. He hoped to have some more acquaintances by tomorrow. He did plan on stopping by that diner for a job and back to Voodoo Cafe for that little meet up.

Marcus nodded and made sure to memorize these stations. He needed to make sure he could get back without getting too lost on his own. He would really hate to wander the streets looking aimlessly again when he did actually have a place to be. He also wondered a bit about Backpackers itself. Charlie mentioned some supernatural seekers were there. He wondered what the deal was with this town and the supernatural. It was all over the forums too, maybe he could ask Charlie some time.

He was brought out of his thoughts by Charlie's laugh as she finally addressed his "-ish" comment. He supposed she had a point and just shook his head with a grin. She got him there. He was glad she didn't favor violence either, but her familiarity with guns did strike him as odd. He had one too but wasn't confident enough to say he was any good with it. When she leaned in he leaned in as well, making sure no one on the transit could hear them. His suspicion was confirmed whe she told him she has had to use guns in self defense. Though he never really made the connection between the high level of violence and the military. "Isn't that because of the quarantine?" However she had leaned back by this point and so did he.

Marcus had began to look outside at the passing scenery wondering if they were nearly there yet. When he looked back he saw that Charlie's hair had fallen back a bit to reveal a horrible scar on Charlie's neck. It reminded him of where that drugged up madman attacked that other person. "Charlie, what happened to cause that?" Marcus asked, fear evident in his voice as he imagines Charlie being attacked in a similar fashion. She did mention having to defend herself before but he couldn't imagine a wound like that on the neck.

[CharlotteC]

At his inquiry about the Quarantine Zone, Charlie had tensed slightly and had chosen not to really say much because in truth, his assumption was pretty right on. Though he didn't know why it was right on. He didn't know there were zombies rambling around the area... the army just referred to them as diseased individuals, he didn't know that there were vampires so crazed with hunger or just didn't take well to being turned that they snapped and killed anything and everything. He didn't know about the fadebeasts that popped up from time to time that also seemed to kill anything that moved. It was all a big bunch of crazy. From all sides. Army, Vampire, And other Supes.

She had been thinking so much that she had almost missed his question about the scar on her neck, but the tone of his question had been what had called her attention and she answered without holding back. "I was beheaded." It came out so normal that she only hoped that he took it as her being sarcastic or playing around with him and didn't question further. Meanwhile internally she was cursing up a storm to herself. Her eyes closed for a moment and she glanced black at Marcus still wondering how he was going to take her answer. She suddenly wished she had the presence of mind to use one of her other powers that had allowed her to keep all of her tattoos, to hide the scars that were littered all over her body on this evening.

Please don't ask. Please don't ask. Please don't ask. She repeated to herself mentally as she looked out the window and then sighed when she saw they were coming to their stop. She stood up and smiled to him, slipping past him before saying "Almost to our station, we should probably hurry, by this time of night things a crazy in this neighborhood." She said, not going into detail that the reason things were crazy was because there was a seemingly constant war for land going on. Not just in Newborough, but in all of the areas of the city. People fighting the vampires, the vampires fighting humans and paladins and other vampires. And right now, she didn't know who was fighting for this place, just that it would suck if they got caught in the crossfire.

[Marcus Donald Valentine (DELETED 7799)]

Marcus didn't notice the way Charlie seemed to tense at his rhetorical question about then military zone at all and instead was focused on the scar on her neck. Her reply about the scar was so quick and fluid that it was a bit jarring. He knew no one could survive a beheading and assumed she was mocking him. Marcus wasn't very appreciative of this and grew a bit embarrassed and annoyed at the same time. He knew he had a slight tremor to his voice when he asked but that wasn't his fault. It just happened to remind him of that attack.

"If you don't want to tell me its fine. We all got secrets and I can respect yours." Marcus said with a small smile, not as full as before but still genuine. He looked back out the window and began to wonder about his plans for tomorrow. He had that diner to stop by and apply to. Then that mysterious person he had exchanged emails with, they were meeting back at the Voodoo Cafe and he hoped that they were nice. It's always a bit exciting meeting someone new, but the way they replied was strange. Very short sentences that barely made sense at times. He was shaken from these thoughts when Charlie announced they were nearly there.

"Yeah, I got to witness some of that crazy before, though it wasn't around here. You heard about that guy on bath salts a few years ago? Starting chowing down on some guy because he was so tweaked? Well, I saw that a few nights ago right after arriving in town. Not going to lie, it freaked me out. Dude just grabbed some random passerby and bit down on his neck." Marcus said. "I know I should have done something, maybe try to save him or call the cops but I ran." Marcus rambled on slowly talking lower as if he was talking to himself. "I should have helped that guy." Marcus got quite after this. When the transit stopped he realize she had zoned out and quickly looked back to Charlie.

"Moral of the story, night time is dangerous and you won't hear an argument from me about staying out. Marcus quickly said and hoped Charlie didn't get too freaked out about how seemed to drone on about his first night. He really didn't want to lose the one person he could sort of trust in town.

[CharlotteC]

Charlie glanced back at him as he said that he had witnessed some of the crazy that was in this city and her eyes actually widened a bit before she forced herself to relax and she glanced back towards the stop. He spoke of some guy that had been on bath salts and had chewed on someone because he was tweeking. Almost as he said it she was going online inside her head and looking up just what he had been talking about, all the while she had been listening to the fact that he had seen someone pull another someone off the street and munch down on someone. He had seen a vampire attack. Charlie rolled her eyes and she couldn't believe that people were breaking the Masq all the time and yet she had not been doing that and had been sent to that blasted shadow place. It pissed her off.

As he continued to talk, to tell her about his first night, the fact that he should have done something but instead he had ran. She didn't blame him. He had already said that he disliked violence, and someone has to have a limit to that to go up to someone and try to break up even more violence. As he was talking she was making decision after decision and she really had to wonder if she was going to do something that had brought her into this world. For a moment she was tempted to seek out Elliot mentally, but she thought that he may just be at Lancaster's this night and she could find out from him what he would do.

There was a big part of her, the part of her that deplored the way that those how 'punished' masq breakers were allowed to break all the rules and not get beat down time and time again. That part of her was yelling at her 'just tell him' and then there was the fact that while she may no longer obey Killian or his will, his blood ran through her, that meant that it as well was the devil on her shoulder whispering that she should tell him. And she usually tend to listen to that devil, though even the angel wasn't a total angel. She loved the things that Charlie did as much as the devil did. But at the same time, the Angel this time was telling her that telling him would not only put her in danger - not that she worried much about her - but it would also put him in danger.

She glanced back at him and smiled just as the transit came to a full stop and the doors opened. She nodded to him that they should be going and then started towards Lancaster's Pub. She was going to wait, at least until they were out of earshot of any human. Then she may just break down and tell him. "You didn't do anything wrong... in fact, you probably saved your own life in doing that." She said softly before she looked over at him and smirked, falling in beside him so that he didn't get lost but also so that she could continue to talk to him without anyone else hearing. "I told you this city is really dangerous." She said in a quiet tone.

[Marcus Donald Valentine (DELETED 7799)]

Charlie didn't seem too bothered by Marcus's story and he smiled gratefully. It was nice to see that she actually listened to his ramblings. It wasn't too often you found a person with some patience in modern society. Everyone was out for number one. Of course, so was Marcus but he only took enough to survive and would prefer a steady job as opposed to stealing. If anything he found hacking fun and more of a hobby to see if he could get past security. The pickpocketing was desperation. And he only broke and entered a few times at empty warehouses. He never found much and had actually been caught once. Though he managed to talk his way out with the officer. He faked not knowing the closing hours of the warehouse. It worked somehow.

Marcus followed Charlie out of the transit and began to follow her to Bunk Backpackers. Her words that he probably couldn't have done much in that situation were some what reassuring. He even decided to make a joke of it to lighten the mood. "Hey, maybe I could have. I'm tougher than I look. Kind of." Marcus says with a smirk and shrugs. But you're probably right. I could have been seriously hurt. Or killed viciously. Nice thought." He said with some snark.

Marcus merely nodded at Charlie's repeated warning about how dangerous it is in Harper Rock. He decided to change the subject to something less dreadful and more related to their current destination. "Anyway, anything I should know about Bunk Backpackers? Will I be rooming with someone? Do I need to start paying rent after a certain amount of time? Is there any restrictions on food or alcohol?" Marcus asked just to fill the silence. He disliked silence. It made him dwell on thing he shouldn't. "Do I get to room with you?" He added with a smirk and an over exaggerated raised eyebrow.