forum Take Me Down To Paradise City (4/4) (OPEN)

Started May 29, 2022 by @CWPoofToxicRush

tune

The Underground was always bustling this late at night- it was prime hell-raising hours. Music and laughter and cursing mixed together in a mass of white noise and activity that was easy to get lost in.

Currently lost among this chaos was Frankie, with a large backpack from some outdoorsy goods store tucked away in her hometown slung over her shoulder, and the handle of her guitar case closed in a white-knuckle grip. She was starting to regret taking the leap this blindly- maybe she should have given herself longer than a week to prepare, maybe line up a place to stay, save up some money- but she was too scared to lose her chance, and she was stranded in the city.

Lars leaned back in his corner booth, just watching the familiar scene as he sipped at his drink. Despite the chaos of everything, the dark-haired man found it all almost comforting but he wasn't stupid enough to drop his guard completely. Not even when he managed to sleep. It was one of the first things any member of the Underground learned, and often it was a hard-learned lesson. Though that shouldn't surprise anyone who found their way here.

He chuckled softly to himself, smirking, as he thought of how many different jobs he'd been a part of, how many different roles he’d filled… and the slightest bit of disappointment at the fact that it didn't seem like there would be much “work” tonight.

Finnigan clutched the strap of his duffle bag as he walked, glancing around everywhere but keeping a steady calm face if not just interested face.
Though he was very unsure at what he was doing, or where he even was. He just happened to grin at all the chaos and party people in the underground. All the seemingly chaotic areas he had no idea where to go, though the underground was so alive, he was too enthralled to be overwhelmed.
He ended up bumping into Frankie when he wasn't looking where he was going.

Frankie jumped a little, startled. "Hey!" She snapped, looking up at the guy she ended up bumping into. She clutched the strap of her bag tighter, visibly tense as she tried to reign herself in.

Alister was smart enough to avoid the chaos of the Underground when he could, slipping into side streets and alleyways when possible. Noel clung to him as he walked. He wished she was in bed somewhere, asleep, but they needed to find shelter first. Up until now, they had been traveling around, sleeping outside or on doorsteps, but he had decided they needed to find someplace more permanent. Perhaps somewhere abandoned, because both of them knew better than to ask someone to take them in.

Lars looked up at the crowd, thinking he heard something… He quickly dismissed that thought as nothing and finished his drink. Normally, he would just stay in his booth and flag down someone to get him a refill but he felt like stretching his legs a little tonight. And it's not like he had to worry about anyone bumping into him. His reputation usually guaranteed him a wide berth from the other patrons.

"Huh- oh! Sorry for bumping into you! I didn't even look where I was going." He put a hand on his neck as he looked at the girl infront of him holding onto her bag tightly.
"Didn't mean to bump into ya."

Frankie bit her lip, wearily glancing over the boy. He seemed harmless enough. "I'm sorry for snapping like that."

"It's no problem, you were probably right too anyway, I bumped into you." He watched her as she talked, looking away before looking back at her.

She nodded a tiny bit, adjusting her grip on her guitar case. I need to find shelter, maybe food-

"Uhm, are you okay miss?" He cast her a soft worried look as she seemed nervous, not to say he wasn't nervous.

Lars raised a brow as he looked at the two kids, just standing there not seeming to notice much else around the. “You shouldn't be here.” he informed them once he was close enough. “A place like this… You two would be robbed blind if you don't pay attention. Not to mention you both look a little young to even get in.” he added with a hint of a smirk, a little impressed at the fact that they somehow did get in.

“Ali…” his sister’s voice rose up beside him. “I don’t think we’ll find a place around here… it’s so crowded, and the alleyways are really sketchy.”
Alister looked down at her, then up at their surroundings. The alleyway they now found themselves in was dark, away from most of the lights and the crowd. There was no one around, at least not yet. Someone might take notice and try to take advantage of them. At least, that was Alister’s thought.
“You’re right… but it’s already so late.” Alister took a breath. “Somewhere quiet, but clean,” he muttered to himself, resolved. “Hang on,” he said to Noel, and she tightened her grip on his arm. He took one last look around them, then plunged into the crowd.

Frankie whirled around to face the person who spoke up behind them, trying not to seem as startled as she was. "Unless they want thrift store clothes, they'd be sorely disappointed." She said, voice even. She had hidden anything with actual value (which wasn't much) in her guitar case, since it was harder for a passerby to get into it without her noticing. She decided not to mention how she got in- in her experience, anyone older than her knowing she climbed through a window was met with consequences she'd rather not face.

He tilted his head to look at the person who approached them, in the middle of there conversation.
"Oh uh- stolen-? I don't think I have anything missing.' He moved to search his person for his valuables before his phone came up missing.
"Shoot! Where's my phone??" He opened his duffle bag digging through it before zipping it closed when he realized it wasn't going to be there.

Lars chuckled at the girl's response, finding it a bit witty, and reached into his pocket. “Took you long enough to notice. And believe it or not, I didn't take this from you, boy. I just took it back. It's a few years too old for me.” he said as he handed the phone back. “Now, either put that and any other valuables somewhere safe or get out of here quick. There's worse than just thieves around here.” he warned

"I can take care of myself." She said sharply, straightening up a little. I think, she added mentally, trying not to let the doubt show.

He exhaled when the guy tossed him his phone, he quickly put it inside his dufflebag underneath all his clothes.
"I'm, I'm not leaving.'

Lars hummed, smirking at the pair’s stance. “Well, then there might be hope for you yet. That attitude gives you a 50/50 chance around here. Keep it up and people will either back off or it could paint a large target on your backs.” he said before catching the attention of someone else in the crowd. “Hey, bring another of my last order to my booth with a pitcher of water and two glasses.” he instructed without waiting for a reply as he turned back to the kids in front of him. “Let's go somewhere a little more private so we can talk.” he offered, gesturing for them to follow him.

He looked at the person in front of him, up and down. He then looked back at Frankie, before moving to follow them after a few seconds. He didn't really have much to loose and he might as well take the opportunity to befriend someone in this chaotic place.
He glanced back at Frankie to see if she was coming as he walked away.

Frankie shrugged a little, trailing after the person. "Who even are you?"