Paranoia

[Alice Kimball]

Alice nodded, taking in his words with consideration. Her eyes turned northeast, even though she still couldn't see the bar through the throng of people. She nodded again, this time more affirmative with an action plan. She pulled the blond boy along, shoving her way through people. In situations like this, most people paid her no mind. You had to shove people in a bar to get anywhere, so no one took it as hostile unless you spilled there drink. 

Her heart hammered in her chest. I fucking HATE crowds. They had always had a tendency to make her nervous. Her hand tightened around his wrist as her heart continued to climb. Tethering herself to this young man seemed to be the only thing keeping her from bolting out the door. The anxiety would never show itself on her face, but it was ever present when there were so many people in one space. She could barely hear the young man over the din of people that surrounded them. "Yes," she replied with a curt nod "I do need one that badly." Especially after all the trouble she was going through to get it, she was going to get a damn cigarette or two. If she was lucky, more than that even. 

The two young people approached the bar. The boy had been right about the bar tender getting into an argument with an individual who had probably had entirely too much to drink. Bits and pieces of the argument were lost in all the noise, but it sounds like the bar tender was trying to cut the already very drunk guy off. Alice formulated a plan quickly, stepping up next to the drunk guy. She turned and glared at the boy "Don't move." She tried to say it with all the authority she could muster, making sure that he was aware that she would hurt him if he tried to run off without her. 

Alice placed a hand on the drunk man's shoulder, smiling sweetly as she could manage. "Darlin', is this bar tender trying to cut you off?" He nodded, cursing the bartender. He wasn't a large man, she was pretty sure that even the kid behind her could take him in a fight. Alice looked over at the bar tender, who was indeed the largest out of anyone in the situation. She flashed him a quick wink. She knew that by getting this pesky little fly out of this space, he would owe her. And it had better be some cigarettes. Standing on her tip toes, she whispered into the small man's ear. "I'll get some drinks for you. Just go wait out side the front door, okay?" In his drunk and gullible state, he nodded happily, flipping the bar tender the bird on his way out. 

Alice turned towards the bar tender, crossing her arms with smug satisfaction. "I'd tell who ever is supposed to be in charge of the doors to keep him out." The bar tender nodded, asking what he could get for her. "If you just happened to have some cigarettes on you, that would suffice." She had almost forgotten the young blond was near her, and quickly grabbed onto his wrist once more. 

[Adrian Bennett]

Furrowing his brows, Adrian simply nodded. Well, it wasn't like he was getting out of this situation anyways, so he'd might as well help her out, right? Sighing, the golden haired boy shook his head and an almost bemused expression formed against his features. But he quickly pushed it aside before the girl could turn around to see it. He had a feeling she wouldn't like him finding this situation amusing. Especially with her tightening her grip around his wrist. Instead, the boy put his focus on the crowd; constantly searching for dangers and people to avoid.

Although, Adrian honestly believed that all of these people should have been avoided. But it was a little late for that, he supposed. He followed the girl without another word, his brown eyes flicking right and left.

Then, it seemed as if the girl got an idea. She stepped forward and before Adrian could do much but lift his free hand in protest, she cut him off. Rolling his eyes, Adrian lowered his hand and shrugged. "Whatever," he muttered. Honestly, right now seemed like the time for him to skidaddle out of here, never to be seen again, but then he'd feel awfully guilty about leaving the girl by herself. God, why did he have to be such a doormat? Couldn't he just be like everyone else and simply not give a shit? Nope, because that would have been far too easy. Fucking wonderful.

Watching the spectacle with a bored expression, Adrian made sure to step to the side as the drunken man passed him, carrying some idiotic sheepish smile. Sure, the girl was pretty and all, but dear god, she was laying it on a tad thick, wasn't she? She wasn't that pretty. At least, not pretty enough that she could walk around thinking she could do whatever she pleased without repercussions. Oh well, by the end of whatever the hell this was, he'd never see her again, and he had a feeling that was probably for the best.

Adrian turned his head and looked over the crowd once more. He didn't enjoy the smell in here. It smelled like pee and vomit. It made him wrinkle his nose. Thankfully, the girl offered a way out by pulling his mind elsewhere and once again he found her hand holding onto his wrist like he was some kind of pet. Well, her charms could only get her so far. In fact, Adrian didn't find her much charming at all. She reminded him of one of those five year old princesses who threw tantrums whenever things didn't go their way. "Can you get what you came here for? I have far more important shite to do than walking after you like a lost puppy," he said as he leaned in, peeking over the girl's shoulder. "Oh and also," he smirked. "Better make sure he's givin' ya the real deal and not some king of forgery. But I bet you already thought of that, huh?"

[Alice Kimball]

Alice turned and scoffed in the general direction of the young man behind her along with a look of distaste. What did he think she was? A new born? She looked back at the large bartender and smiled, eager to escape.  The bar tender shook his head at their exchange, and pulled five glorious cigarettes out of his vest pocket. Five? That guy must have been a serious problem. She gave the sweetest smile she could manage and graciously accepted them. Tucking the smokes very carefully into the inside pocket of her jacket, she grabbed the boy's wrist with her other hand. Never had she been so eager for sunlight and air. This place reeked of piss and stale alcohol. 

Quickly as she could manage, she edged to the exit behind the bar, wrenching the door open with all the energy she had in her body. As soon as the sun rays hit her face, she let out a deep sigh of relief. "I really hate crowds." She immediately reached back into her pocket and pulled a long awaited cigarette, lighting it with a match she had in the pocket of her jeans. They were longs, which she was grateful for. Inhaling as deeply as she could manage, she looked at the young man who she had drug around. He probably hated her. But, that thought amused her more than anything. Everyone seemed to hate her.

"You're a sport." She said quietly with an exhale. "For being such a sport," she paused, making brief eye contact with him "I'll make sure you and anyone close to you remains out of my groups radar." She meant it. He had handled her with ease and stride, and toughed a large crowd out with her. Though she would never admit it, she was grateful that her abrasiveness was taken so well to the point that he hadn't tried to hit her. Gratitude was not an emotion she generally felt, but this was probably as close as she would come to it. No thank you would ever leave her lips, but this was the least she could do with the least amount of effort. For some reason, this meant more to people than offering them anything else. All she had to give the Furina she ran with, were names and general physical descriptions. 

[Adrian Bennett]

The girl headed for the door and Adrian seemingly had no choice but to follow. He was growing tired of this game and didn't see how anyone could find this girl charming. She put too much faint in her looks and honestly, it was rather shallow. Thankfully, he wouldn't be around the day it got her killed. Ah well. He wrinkled his nose at the smell of the cigarette; what an incredibly stupid thing to get addicted to. Something that was that rare could only cause problems.

"Whatever," he said and shrugged. "Can I go now?" He'd had his fill of her for the day. Yanking his hand out of his grip, Adrian took a few steps away and rubbed his wrist. God, he wanted to get as far away from that horrible smell and that incredibly childish woman as quickly as he possibly could.

Turning as he continued walking backwards, Adrian saluted her. Although there was no smile on his lips, he didn't look hostile or even mad. Instead, he looked more so indifferent than anything else. "Enjoy your cancer stick," he said and bowed his head before turning around once more to walk away.