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Despite past affiliations with clubs and bars all over town, it wasn't often these nights that Phoenix bothered leaving her apartment. Her old haunts were still thriving in Harper Rock's dangerous night life, but the urge to get out and drink herself stupid was all but gone. There was something to be said for how an intolerance to alcohol made one much more reluctant to mingle. And it wasn't like she had a date to tow around for the dancing aspect...

No, every time she went out, she ended up the seemingly easy target of whatever creep decided that they wanted a tiny little ginger to take home for the night. That got old fast. Of course Nix could handle herself just fine, but she'd tired of breaking fingers ages ago, and not even the look on their faces when they realized what a horrible mistake they'd made was enough to draw her out of hiding.

So how it was she'd found herself sitting at a table in Rossi's, Phoenix had no idea. Boredom, she supposed. Aimless wandering in search of something nasty to kill had brought her to the stoop of the bar and the redhead hadn't fought the urge to slip inside. It was a mild night for an Ontario winter, and the snow had melted into horrendously slushy puddles with brackish, icy water collecting at every street corner. Even if the bar atmosphere wasn't something she wanted to deal with at the moment, at least it was out of the rain and slush.

Maybe she'd stumble upon Prince Charming one day if she let herself give in to a bit of spontaneity once in a while. Nix meandered her way into the bar and dropped down at the least filthy table she could spot. When one of the waitresses came by, she ordered a rum and coke (not that she'd drink it), sat back and waited for something interesting to happen. After half an hour of lascivious leers and lewd commentary, the woman was about fed up. She'd pushed herself to her feet, fully intent on sneaking home for the night, when the door swung open and a very wet, very miserable looking woman slogged inside.

Inching closer, Nix eyed the girl who'd clearly not dressed for the weather and frowned. The least the asshole could have given her was a warm glass of water and a bit of civility. Phoenix was hardly a philanthropist, but she felt compelled to help this woman - she could, so why not.

Sliding onto the stool next to the soggy woman, she waved the bartender back over. "Get the ******* girl a hot chocolate and a goddamn sandwich. I'll pay for it." Turning to the woman, she arched a brow, then offered a smile. "Welcome to Harper Rock... I'll see what I can do about getting you something dry before everything freezes..."

The bartender shot Nix a look as if what he wanted most in the world was to pull a shotgun from under the counter and blow her arrogant brains out. Instead, he just fetched what she'd ordered as slow as he could manage without being reprimanded by his boss. Not like Nix really cared how fast she got the sandwich and hot chocolate, she just cared that the woman got fed so she wouldn't... you know... die of exposure or starvation or whatever it was that happened when you were wet, cold and hungry.

"Relax and put those away," she reassured the woman as she pushed the two $1 bills back. "For starters, they're American and they're soggy, which is gross. For seconders I can afford a sandwich and a drink. Besides." She nodded to the bartender, "He deserves a bit of humility. You don't need to pay me back."

After a moment of silence once the place and hot chocolate were set down and the whole paid for with a shiny new $20 bill, Phoenix returned her gaze to the soggy woman at her side. "Maybe you don't deserve my kindness, but you're getting it anyway, so deal with it however you need to and don't call it charity." The redhead drummed her black nails over the counter top as she watched Athena and her new food, a bit fascinated. It was almost selfish of her to live vicariously through this girl, but she'd have killed a lot of people to be able to enjoy the simple pleasures of a bloody sandwich and mug of steaming chocolate deliciousness.

"My name's Phoenix, by the way. What's your story?"

The redhead remained in perfect silence as Athena inhaled the hot chocolate and the sandwich. Always having been one to sip her hot beverages carefully while they cooled to acceptable, less than scalding temperatures, Phoenix found the sight of vanishing liquid fascinating. And maybe somewhat painful; that temperature had to hurt. Little Orphan Annie was going to regret that one later unless she had a mouth of steel.

Only seconds later, the sandwich was raised from the plate, never to touch its battered surface again. I she even chewing? that little voice inquired. Nix opened her mouth to ask this woman - Athena - if she'd even tasted the sandwich once she was done, but then the woman thought better of it. After the scalding her taste buds had just endured, she probably hadn't tasted it at all.

"Then we're both named after old Greek thinks. For the most part," she quipped dryly, flicking her eyes to the bartender who seemed to still be glaring at her. Silly man. All she did was smile in return before her attention flicked back to the Wet One.

"Trouble? That seems like an understatement... A flat tire is trouble. Losing your wallet is trouble. Getting harassed is trouble. You always go home after trouble," the woman mused idly, letting her words hang in the air between them as she beckoned the bartender to get another sandwich, when pointed to a take away box. She didn't think the man quite deserved the effort it would take to communicate verbally. Besides, he hadn't returned her change from the twenty. "I don't think I need to point out that this isn't home." However, she didn't push the subject. Instead, the woman answered the question she'd been asked.

"I came out for dinner, and then realized I wasn't all that interested in what this place had to offer. Take the sandwich and follow me, you can stay on my couch. I might even have something warmer that fits you." She paused, just long enough to ensure Athena had heard her, had understood, before turning and heading for the door. The woman had no real choice... unless she wanted to take the bartender's advice and enjoy the cold, wet street corner.

Halfway to the door, the stick-like creature paused and flicked honey brown eyes over her shoulder, a delicate ochre brow rising in silent question. Are you coming?

Phoenix probably should have been a bit more worried by someone flat out admitting that they’d killed someone and liked it, but she just wasn’t. The jumpy little squeak Athena let out just kind of amused her, too. She’d almost blurted out something along the lines of “just one?” before realizing she was sitting in a human bar where murder – especially mass murder – was just not all that acceptable. You know, it was just kind of frowned upon in most societies. At least Canada wasn’t too fond of corporal punishment.

As Athena followed her out into the night, the redhead couldn’t keep the smile from her lips. She felt like she’d found her little psychotic protégé, albeit one half frozen to death.

“Trust me; it’s not a bother at all. You can just clean my apartment to pay me back or something. God knows I’m not exactly a domestic goddess… I’m not exactly Little Miss Innocent, either,” she admitted as the bar door swung shut, admitting them to the cold night air of Harper Rock. “I’ve done my fair share of dastardly things, but you’re safe with me. I just kind of like taking in stray puppies, so why not take in a stray people?” With a wink thrown over her shoulder, she set off in the direction of her apartment, hoping Little Miss Ice Cube would – or could – keep up.

“I wasn't exactly named after a Greek goddess. My name’s Phoenix. It’s more of a weird Greek thing. Then again, it’s kind of fitting, what with the hair and the doing general phoenix-like things.” It seemed like a bad time to mention rising from the dead and all, so she kept quiet and let Athena think what she would of that enigmatic comment. A short while later, the door of Beta Towers came into view and the woman pointed. “I live here. We’re close, so don’t freeze to death just yet.”

Although the movement was silent, Phoenix heard the woman pause and pluck a rock from the ground. She didn't turn back, though - she didn't need to. The scraping of stone against stone, no matter how faint in the frigid night, was unmistakable. She'd been able to sense the hesitation, of course, but a rock as a weapon? It seemed so weak... The redhead had to force back a laugh, which she covered with a cough. What the **** was Athena going to do with a rock?

Despite her emaciated frame, even in life, Nix could have taken on a man nearly twice her size without a problem. Muscle memory, or some such thing. Self-defense was second nature and had been since she was a child. Her sensei had made sure of it, especially after her parents had died. The silent laughter died from her lips at the rush of emotion caused by the recollection of a middle-aged Japanese man screaming at her. Perhaps not killing Athena would be homage enough to the ghost of the man who'd shaped her future in so many ways...

As the door opened, delightfully warm air greeted the pair. She was sure Little Miss Ice Cube would be uncomfortable as hell soon enough, so she rushed to the elevator. Thankfully, it wooshed open immediately. Once stepping inside, Nix jabbed the button to the sixth floor. As the elevator rose, the Shadow chatted.

"Once we get inside, I'd suggest you get in the shower right away. Don't turn the water on too hot - I don't want you going into shock or anything. There should be a clean bathrobe behind the door, so you can use that until I find you some of my old stuff. And there's a basket for the wet stuff..."

She'd managed to maintain her shadow during the time at the bar, but now in the strange neon lighting of the elevator, that concentration wavered. Later, she'd blame it on the rambling.

Of course, she acted like nothing was amiss as the elevator dinged and opened onto the sixth floor. With a spring in her step, Nix opened the door to her home and stepped inside the plush, boudoir-themed apartment.

"Bathroom's on the left," she called out behind her. Then silently, to herself, "What the **** am I doing...? This is a pretty elaborate set up for dinner."