"Oh, so you came to this shitbox of a city?" Tessa said, raising a brow. Her voice was slightly distorted by her mask, but she made no move to remove it as she dropped the ball, let it bounce off the ground, then caught it when it came back up to her.
Skye looked back up at her, "It was the nearest one. And we don't exactly have money for traditional transportation."
"It's… it's better than where we were before, I can assure you." Lucas said quietly.
"Yeah, this place is a literal hell, half the city is on the streets and the whole place is run by gangs." He had a bit of pride in his eyes as he spoke the next part. "The Nightshade Bunch especially."
Skye noticed the glint. "Fine by me, so long as there are no hunters, I can handle a few gangs."
"I wouldn't get too cocky there, my dear," Tessa purred to the bragging one, the words laced with a hint of a growl, "There are worse gangs out there with even nastier weapons at their disposal—for the right price, of course."
Skye rolled his eyes, "I don't plan on messing with any of them." He said flatly. "Besides, I can take care of myself."
Lucas nodded in agreement, holding onto Skye's arm. He really didn't want to upset any of these people.
"Oh Theressa, I know. It doesn't mean we're not smarter." Zain smirked, making eye contact with about three of his men.
Skye noticed this move, tensing a little in case he tried anything.
She just growled at the implication, her eyes briefly flashing and the pupils turning to narrow slits—but it was gone within a second, her eyes back to being bored.
He turned to the three, ignoring Tessa for now. "So, what did you three say your names were?" His voice was sickly sweet.
This set Skye more on edge, "Skye…" he said flatly.
"Marco," he stepped in, equally on edge.
"L-Lucas…" He kept close to Skye at all times, eyeing the others warily.
"Perfect, thanks, stay out of trouble!" Zain smiled cheerily, whole demeanor having switched. He turned about to walk off.
"You're planning something," Tessa said, eyes narrowing in on Zain.
Skye glared in his direction, noting that he was a dangerous character, friend or foe? He didn't know yet.
"When am I not?" He laughed, nodding to the three men to come towards him.
"Hey, we never got your name either!" He called to Zain.
Tessa jumped off of her ledge, landing in a neat crouch with her fingers pressed against the ground. She was running low on power, as she hadn't spent nearly enough time in the sun, but that doesn't mean she can't use her other weapons.
Marco kept an eye on her as Skye waited for an answer from Zain.
"You don't need to know." He replied, turning to his members. "Alright, time to run some errands." His gun made a small click as he exited the clearing.
Skye huffed, watching as he left, before turning his attention to Tessa. "Mind enlightening us?"
(I'm sorry I'm making Zain so mean, I'm listening to Meant to be yours and other songs of the same genre-)
(lmao, it's all good)
Tessa straightened and crossed her arms over her chest. "I've heard of him since it's my job to know every rival," she said cryptically, eyes narrow as she stared at the spot where Zain used to be. She didn't offer anything else.