[Day: Saturday, November 1. Time: 9:25 a.m.] [It's the day after Halloween and also the day after the battle with Organist and his bloody crew. Everyone went their own seperate ways in the aftermath of the fight. Horus - or Shani - ended up staying over at Cheryl's apartment. It's a new day, though, and that means working women have to work...] [And that's what Shani is doing! Rather, she's taken the subway to the stop nearest her work, and right when she steps into a place that isn't completely underground, her phone rings!] [Mini Start.] * Shani blinks, then pulls her phone out of her pocket. She checks the caller ID before flipping it open and putting it to her ear, still walking out of the station. "What's up?" * Christian has his phone cradled to his ear and tilted to the side. "What's that all about? Not even a hey first?" * Shani keeps walking at a leisurely pace. It's not like her boss is going to be at the shop at opening time. "Too early in the fuckin' morning. You're lucky you didn't get me on the train." * Christian breathes into the receiver. "Sorry. Hey babe. Just wanted to apologize for not callin' last night. I was goin' to but I was just so fuckin' wasted. How you holding up?" Okay, I guess. Tryin' not to think about it too hard. Yeah. Same here. Hold on. * Christian covers the receiver and there's some stuff muffled in the background, then he goes back to it. "It ain't like we had much a chance to talk anyhow. Thing's just getting too fuckin' busy to handle." Yeah. Won in the end, though. More or less... * Christian switches hands for a moment. "I suppose. Hold on, I'm gonna ask for a break. It'll make it easier to talk." Okay, yeah. I'm still walkin' to work, so I got some time. * Christian doesn't cover the receiver quite as well this time. "I'm gonna go out for a smoke, Dave. Keep an eye on those kids, kay?" There's a low male voice on the other end, which only causes Christian's voice to get louder, but in a harsh whisper kind of way. "Look, I don't fuckin' care. I know what I'm talkin' about. Just watch the damned kids." [A moment of silence later and he's back on the line with a sigh. "Sorry 'bout that. Jesus fuck some people are idiots."] ... Problem? Nah. Just some kids scoping it out. They're probably gonna try to swipe somethin' and use it to jack some car or somethin'. I swear if it was the weekday, they'd still be in here cuttin' class or somethin'. * Christian flicks his lighter and lights up before taking a puff. "I don't really care about this shit but I ain't havin' it be my ass if somethin' goes down." Sounds shitty. * Shani doesn't really press, though, because RL stuff. She takes a turn. Time to scenic route! Eh, is what it is. They ain't even bein' that careful 'bout it. * Christian sighs. "I miss ya though. I mean meeting when we're in the middle of all the shit that's goin' down ain't really the same, y'know?" * Shani is silent for a moment, then says, "You want to hang out, then? Not now, but... like tomorrow?" Yeah, or after this next thing that comes up is over with. Whatever the hell it is. I mean we've been runnin' ourselves through hell lately, we could all use a break, yeah?" * Christian chuckles. "Could ask ya to ditch work but don't think that'd work out too well." Yeah... I don't think so. Gotta keep the day job. Hey, was worth a shot, right? Can't blame a guy for tryin'. You said you were gonna go to the hospital though, right? How'd that go? * Shani shrugs. "I just made sure they were taken care of... by which I mean, I was around to watch everyone else to do the job." Nothing much happened. * Christian frowns slightly. "You sure?" * Shani blinks. "What?" she asks, sounding slightly defensive. "Sure I'm sure." A'ight. Look, I'm just worried about you is all. You didn't look good when we first went down, so I just wanna make sure you're doin' alright. * Shani sighs. "No, Christian, I'm not all right. But I don't see how I *could*... I mean..." She lowers her voice, so she's speaking more quietly into the phone. "It's like impossible to be all right after that." * Christian speaks lower into the phone too. "I know what you mean." * Christian pauses for a moment. "We'll do somethin' soon to take your mind off it, I promise. Jet skiin' still sound good?" I, um... I don't really own a swimsuit. * Shani sounds sheepish, then rectifies with, "But I'd love to do that sometime!" * Christian snickers. "I'd say that wouldn't really be a problem but I bet you'd blind me if I did." Sides, you said that last time. Ain't an excuse now. Bet you can get 'em cheap since ain't a lotta people buyin' 'em. * Shani sighs. "*Fine*. But give me a few days." Aw, come on, it'll be great. I said I'll go! But I gotta go shopping first! Hey as good a reason as any to shop, right? I'll let you go. You gotta get to work and I gotta make sure those little snot-punks didn't swipe anything out from Dumbass's nose so we don't get charged for it. * Shani sighs as she looks ahead. Yeah, work's on the horizon. "I guess." Pause. "Hey, Christian?" * Christian pauses for a moment. "Yeah?" Thanks. For calling, I mean. Hey no problem. Have a good one, babe. Don't let work get ya down. * Christian beeps off the phone. Back to work! [Mini end!]