Getting The Feet Wet

[Argus Steele]

Jared was busy going over information with Amber, who Eve discovered was very much a recluse. She could only *stand* to be in the outside world for so long before the *walls* started closing in on her. Now there's irony in reverse for you. She seemed pretty content with contact in touch via the computer, and only a select few actually knew where she lived, and had seen her in person, Jared and Argus being two of those.

Argus was showing Eve the basics of how to work various controls, monitors, web cams and so on. Save for the accidental slip of calling her frail a few times, his mannerisms seemed ... Different. He was sure not to crowd her, as well not treating her like some fragile china doll ... But outside of the casual glance, and if she happened to catch him, he would not play it off, but just smile at her instead, before continuing with the tutoring.


Eve had to admit that she didn't like being around many people for long either, but she could stand it if she had to - and if she had a spot to retreat for a few moments. Regroup. While she wasn't a terribly technology-minded girl, she picked up what he was showing her fairly easily - and in natural Eve style, was too thick-headed to realize those moments she was being watched. At some point in the past, she'd decided she was too odd for flirtations and such...the again, there hadn't been anyone around that saw more than just the ordinary, either. Finally, however, she found curiosity getting the better of her.

"...So what do that mean? 'Frail?'" This in a pause from examining the equipment, more or less assuring herself that it wasn't going to blow up if she touched something. She'd glanced up at him as she spoke, a fine brow arched.


"Hmmm? Frail ...Huh. Not sure really. It just came part of the vocab. " Jared would chime in right at that moment with a nuts eating grin. "Frail is as good as a nickname your gender is going to get from him. And that's saying a lot. Just don't catch him in a rant, then you'll hear the Argus of old. Hey man, I been meaning to ask, what the Hell happened to the bathroom mirror? It's like .... Gone." Without missing a beat, Argus shrugged his shoulders, while inserting another disk into the hard drive

"Doin' some remodeling. It'll be back ... When the time is right." Now that just went over Jared's head, but knowing Steele as long as he had, he just looked at him for several moments before dismissing the matter altogether.

"Anyhoo, I gotta bounce for a few bro. Need to swing by Amber's place for a spell to update her laptops Don't you two crazy kids do anything fun while I'm gone, k?" Laughing to himself as he grabbed his leather jacket, he was out the door.

Argus muttered ... (m) "I swear, there are days why I wonder he does not come equipped with a mute button." Leaning back into his chair, he took a breather. "Wish there could have been another way, Eve. " Spoken as he stared up at the ceiling, before looking over his shoulder at her.


She did a good job of keeping her expression still when he talked about the bathroom mirror. Gone? Eve thought about that one for a second, her pulse quickening. It *had* been there...but she'd only covered it with a towel and uncovered it before she'd left the room. Why...why would the mirror be gone now? It didn't make sense to her.

...Unless he'd gotten hold of her psych file. A fear of mirrors was probably mentioned in there somewhere, but she'd never told anyone *why* they bothered her. Had it been removed for her benefit, or did he have his own reasons behind it? She'd pose the question later, see if he'd come across her file...and more to the point, if there was any possible way to remove them. It was a strangely violating feeling, to know they even existed at all, even if only in a filing cabinet somewhere.

His last words had drawn her back to Earth, and she realized he was looking at her. Delayed reaction, but the words sank in. "Yeah. Me too. It's not much to try and figure this all out over again."

[Argus Steele]

"Oh yeah, what Jared said about the mirror. When I was at your place getting your things, I noticed you didn't have a mirror in your bathroom ... Or .. Ahem. bedroom. " He'd get quiet for a second, before smiling once again. "A frail without any mirrors in her home? Now that's a first ... But I figured you have your reasons, so I took the one in the bathroom down. Being a guy and all, I don't have a use for em either ... (m) Especially seeing myself after a night of all you can drink. " It was a subtle attempt to keep the situation light, and at the same time while trying not make fun of her. "You have any questions or anything? Since you're part of the clique, have to get you in the know."


Well, there was her answer to that, in a way she hadn't thought of. Eve kept her expression perfectly neutral, gave a little stretch, then looked around for her bottle of juice. Oh. Yeah. She found it on the table, hardly touched, and downed a bit of it. "I don't like mirrors." That was apparently all he'd get out of her right now; given that she was still forming an opinion of the entire situation, and deciding just how much trust she could place in Steele, maybe she'd tell him sometime. Maybe not.

"Questions. Okay, yeah. Exactly what am I supposed to do with myself? I mean...if I can't go to work, and I can't go back to my apartment...what am I supposed to do? Hang here all day? Because vegetating in front of the TV isn't really my thing." Simply this girl really *would* go nuts without something to keep her occupied. Then: "And how *exactly* did all of this come about, anyway? You, Jared, Amber ..all of that." So her thoughts *would* be a little disorganized, sometimes...


She could tell he was thinking over what he had been asked, before spinning his chair around to face her. "I'll answer the easy ones first. You'll be working here sometimes, feeding Jared and myself info from those computers, and working with the police locals, and the CSI agents. Once we get your *stalker* situation cleared up, you'll be with one of us out in the field helping lot of kids that are more f**ked up than you and Amber were, and nothing like a friendly face, and knowing what they have gone through to help 'em out, y'know? Trust me, you have trouble sleeping? Then you'll fit right on in with the ... Night Walkers. That's Amber's name for us. We get paid weekly, no worries about paying for rent or needing a place to stay, my place is big enough. Now as for how all this came together? Well, it started shortly after...." And wouldn't you know it? Steele's cell phone would ring. "Mmhmm. Mmhmm. You sure? Yeah, we should be able to find it. Let 'em know I'm bringing my partner. Yeah, the one from last night. See you in a few. " Looking over at Eve, he winked at her with a wide grin, before opening another door that had been hidden within his media room. Returning scant moments later, producing a black ball cap with the words *Night Walkers Inc* on the front. He'd also toss her a pair of shades, a cell phone, and a card key.

"Up and at 'em rookie. Time to earn your keep." His mood suddenly seemed shifted to a more joyful one ... "They found a bookstore that sold those frat boys that book. We're Gonna pay them a little visit."


'Night Walkers Inc.' It sounded to her like something out of a horror movie. Her brows drew together as she took a look at the words on the cap, lips pursing. It was a dubious look, one of the most open expressions she'd given him yet today. "Cute." Well, they were going out somewhere. Lovely. She couldn't decide if she liked the idea or not, but downed the rest of her juice, ignoring the burn in her throat, and got up. Shades weren't really her thing, but she picked them up anyway, slipped the cell into one pocket, card key into the other. "Took them this long to figure out where they got the book from?"

...Of course, it seemed as if it should have been simpler to her. She probably could have gotten an idea of where they'd gotten it from by touching it...but touching something like *that* didn't seem like a good idea to her. Not at all. Not wanting to wear the shades now, she hooked a leg of them on her collar. Easy access. "I get the feeling you're enjoying this."


"Yuppers, I hate being inactive for too long." Reaching for a black turtleneck sweater that had been laying on the back of his chair, he quickly slipped it on, completing his dressed in all black attire. This time it wasn't all leather, but black Rocca Wear gear, with work boots to match. A skull cap with the initials NWI on the front was slipped onto his head, and a pair of mirrored shades finished the look.

"One question ... You do know how to drive, right?" Those mirrored shades sliding down the bridge of his nose enough to reveal those dark browns.


"In theory, yes." A mischievous, slightly self-deprecating grin followed. She shrugged, looking at the cap he'd given her, then tried it on experimentally. It was the only failing point of not looking in mirrors; she didn't know how anything looked. Definitely felt funny, though.

"I've never actually tried it, though." A pause to adjust it, and she shrugged. What the hey... she'd try it for a little while. If it bugged her, she could always take it off. "I look a little off, not being all in black." Wasn't really her color. She liked darks, but would inevitably throw a splash of another color in...this time, pale purplish-grey. It had a way of offsetting the stormy color of her eyes.


"Well, in theory you get to drive." Ushering her out the door, there sat in front of his abode was a ... Black, tinted windows, recently washed and waxed SUV. Tossing her the keys in mid stride, there would be no debate, for he was already opening the passenger side of the SUV to slide on in. Once she was inside the driver's seat, he gave her a quick crash course on how to work the GPS system. "That's where we have to be." His index finger encased in fingerless gloves tapping the screen ..."And please be careful, Jared just got this puppy out of the shop." Smiling at her with a very huge devious grin.


"Well, let's hope I don't put it back in the shop." A shrug, and her cheeks warmed up a little. She'd never driven before, never even had a permit; it was a normal part of life she'd more or less missed by being locked away in Stonebridge. After climbing in, she had to do some adjusting of the seat and mirrors for her smaller frame, and buckled in before she even started it up. The wheel felt funny in her hands.

"Hope you're not wanting to get there too quick." Sheepish grin. A second for a deep breath, then she'd go about the usual processes - checking behind her, putting the SUV in reverse to back out. Getting a feel for the brakes and gas even while doing it. Yeah, don't look for her to be going very fast...until she got comfortable, that was. "You know I don't have a license, right?" Just checking!


"Not a problem." Holding his hand up for her to stop, (much to the annoyance of those behind them.) Undoing his seat belt, then opening the door to get out. "Scoot over frail, I'm driving. Just call that a little test of sorts. And you passed with flying colors. Didn't even flinch when you had to adjust those mirrors either. Good deal. " Winking at her before pushing those mirrored shades back in placed, he readjusted the driver seat and mirrors before belting up. "Get on your cell, and let Amber know what's up.

"Hopefully Jared will have her up and running by the time we're finished there." Starting up the SUV, Argus toyed with the radio buttons until he found a jazz station. Content with what he was hearing, the large vehicle was put into drive and off they went, offering a friendly wave to the horn blowers and shouters of really colorful phrases and hand gestures!

A glance at him, and a shrug. Good, she hadn't been looking forward to driving anyway. A lesson or two would have been good, first "Great. Now tell me, um...Argus, just how many of these 'tests' will there be?" Made her feel a little like guinea pig.

After switching places again, she paused to get the cell out he'd given her, study it for a moment before picking out the phonebook and dialing up Amber to tell her where they were headed. Buckled in on the passenger side, she watched the traffic pass idly, the toe of her sneaker tapping lightly to the tune of the music.


"You won't know until after you pass 'em. Or fail. With Amber, we had time to work with her. You? You have the thrill of being thrown right in the thick of things. So you'll be with me until I feel you're good enough to handle it solo, or with one of the others. Not exactly how you expected your day to start right?"

A small grin this time, along with a nod of the head. A short drive soon had them at their destination. An out of the way used bookstore that looked like it had been there for a very long time. A brick structure that had long seen its glory days, but had that standing the test of time vibe to it. There was a sign that hung over head that was so faded from neglect, it was hard to make out what it said. The store window was another matter, as the bright yellow letters read...

The Dragon's Lair.

[Argus Steele]

Argus waited outside the store with Eve, just taking it all in. He felt like they should be in some sort of B-movie, and where was the storm? The hair raising music? Oh well. Putting his shoulder into the door while twisting the knob, the duo entered.

The inside of the shop was dimly it, mostly due to candles and lack of electricity. Must add to the overall karma of the place. And cob webs. Those were not only real and could be seen as far as the eye can see, but the critters that made them were also around. Lastly? A creaky door and that smell!!! You know the smell ... Damp. Moldy. Mildew. Dank? That a word? It is now.

*Then* there was the guy that ran the shop. One hundred percent total gothic nightmare in the 9th degree. Complete with more tattoos and piercing's that should be humanly allowed.

That's why Argus wore the mirrored shades more often than not. He could stare without coming off like an idiot. "Ahh, fresh arrivals!! Welcome, to the Lair of the Dark Dragon!! I am it's keeper, Mortimus. How may I be of service?"

Argus must have stood there for at least a silent five count before stepping aside to allow his partner to handle this goober. He was going to just ... Look around. "Feh. I'm just going to look around. He's all yours, frail." A turn on booted heel, the man in black was off looking about the store, muttering a few curse words about dust bunnies.

Mortimus would turn his attention to Eve, his toothy grin offering several points.
1) The boy needed a dentist.
2) How many piercing's *did* he have in his tongue?
3) The eight ball contact lenses were a *tad* bit too much!


He'd done it again. 'Frail.' Eve wanted to grit her teeth, but instead turned it into a bright, sunny smile. For all of three seconds, she considered how to handle this; if she'd been more imposing or had a more authoritative voice, she could have tried the police approach. Unfortunately, she was too well aware of how she looked - cute. Cute was *not* good for when you wanted to be intimidating..."Yeah, hi..." Some things could come naturally to a girl - like flirtation.

She leaned on the counter, just propping her forearms there, never making contact with her hands. Instead, she laced those
together, and wondered vaguely why this guy was going to such extremes.

He just looked... stupid. "You sold a book in here a few days ago..." She gave a little shake of her head, a girlish squeak. Inside, she wanted to roll her eyes, or slap her forehead with her palm. "Oh, but I should be more specific, huh? It was to some really *dishy* frat boys, wasn't it?" White teeth sank into her lower lip briefly, as she tried to figure out where to go with this. Lovely.

She didn't know *exactly* what she should be trying to find out. Ask more questions next time, Eve. "I had to bail before I got a good look, but...what can you tell me about it? Happen to have anymore?" She even gave him the sweet, flutter-eyed look. Yeah. Right. If he'd even buy Overboard. It was hard to resist the impulse to laugh, or slap herself on the forehead.

"You guys feds too? 'Cause like I told the FBI, the CSI, the XYZs, I sell a lot of books, cuteness. Lot of people do shop here. Soooo many faces. Wait ... Frat boys? Those uber jocks? Yeah ... I think I remember them. And I'm telling you the same thing ...

Buyer beware. I may have more around ... If the price is right. " Flashing that toothy smile once again, he waggled his tongue at her. You bailed just in time from what the bleeding hearts on the TV news was sayin' ... Don't go messin' with the dark arts, if you don't want the bad mojo after you. Heh. " Giving her a less than subtle look over, before clicking his tongue. "You and you boyfriend want to do a little dabbing in the arts as well, huh? Then you better try telling me the truth honey. I was at that party, I delivered the book to them, you were not there."

That's when Mortimus stood up, all six foot ten of him, 325 lbs. of solid muscle. "What do you REALLY want to know, cuteness. Make me a believer." Veins that had veins were popping out of his now folded arms, leering at her like she was something to eat.

[Argus Steele]

Lovely. Eve wasn't too happy to see him stand up like that, but she didn't move; instead, she maintained her lean on the counter, rolled her shoulders in a shrug. "...Why would you give them something like that, hmm? Must have known what would happen. A bunch of stupid college kids together...sounds like you set them up, to me."

Alright, alright...antagonizing him *wasn't* a good idea, she was sure. She sighed, as if bored, straightened from her lean on the counter, took a step back. Where was Steele?

"Oh, but by the way, he's not my boyfriend. Not my type." ...Alright, alright...strike two. She didn't know *what* her type was, but she had to fill the quiet somehow. She'd really have to work on her witty responses, especially to these types. ...That thought alone made her head hurt for a bit. It was like admitting to herself she'd be in this mess for a while. Ah, well.


Those crazy eights of his seemed to shimmer in the candle light, his head tilting to one side, as he ... Studied her, while rubbing his chin. "Smart girl. I warned them, but they threatened do some serious harm to me and my store. So I gave them what they wanted ... Not my fault if they did the spell from the wrong ... Page." That grin of his just became that much more sinister. "Well, if he's not your ... Boyfriend, then maybe I could come across a first edition ...What are you willing to pay for it? Play your cards right...."

Argus had not been exactly *idle* from the moment he was out of the store keeper's line of sight. His contact down at the station had given him a loose blue print of the inside of the store, and where to look. He already guessed that once that news broke out, those type books would be hot property and pulled off the shelves, ready for private purchases, or for those that could afford the new prices. But once he heard what he needed to hear, he made his way back up to the front counter, looking at him, then her, then back at him again, with a bemused look on his face. "Am I missing something here?"

As if Mortimus couldn't get *any* bigger, he towered over Steele, glaring down at him as Argus let his shades slide down his nose just enough for his eyes to be seen. "Me and cuteness here were just talking ... shop, so mind your own. Bro." The last word spoken was followed by a sharp jab of a finger into Argus' chest. "Since sweetness here says you're not her man, my business is with her now. Bro."

Once again with the finger to the chest, and Argus still had that bemused grin on his face, only now there was something different about his eyes. Perhaps the lack of light were making them look that way?


"Oh, he's not my man, but he is my partner. Your business is with him too." The slight cant of her head, her stormy eyes unblinking as she watched the interplay. Something in her face had changed a little, though; withdrawn, emptied out, as if she wasn't quite there anymore. "What you'd say to me, say to him, too." Not like she thought it would work, but worth a shot. Her hands tingled; she hooked her fingertips in the pockets of her jeans, keeping them securely to herself. Flipping out over something was all she needed right now..She shot Steele a glance, and noted the change...or was there a change? Hard to say, in that light.


"You heard her, bugger. And don't poke me again. Just-don't-go-there." Mortimus ignored the warning given to him, considering he was too busy checking out Eve. "I'm thinking you have a killer bod under those clothes. We might be able to work ... Something out. If your ... Partner has no problem with it." And he did poke Argus in the chest a third time before moving his had over near Eve's face to brush away a few strands of hair, when suddenly ....

His eyes looked like they were going to pop out from his head at any moment, tears began flowing freely, the thingyy expression now twisted into one of extreme pain. And Argus? Let's just say he had ... Things well in hand. "You had to go there again. So, I went ... here. Answer her questions. She doesn't like what you tell her, she shake her head. That happens, well ... Pray-that-it-don't. " Argus' tone now was very deep, the bass clearly coming through. But it was cool. Calm. Collected. And with an edge so sharp, one could cut themselves.

His eyes? They looked like his pupils were missing. And that smile. It was almost .... Feral. "Go on, partner. Ask away. You have his *complete* attention now. It was a very good thing for Eve she had her expression under tight control, though she wasn't sure if she would have blanched or laughed. One good look at Argus left her a few questions to be asked later, though...


Pulling her hands from her pockets, Eve folded her arms, shifted her weight to one foot. It was about as imposing as she could get, empty-eyed and with that little cant of her head. "So why'd you do it, hmm? I'm not really buying that they threatened your shop and you took it seriously - not given what you've shown me."

Well, at least Steele had stopped the come-on. Truth told, she hadn't really known how to handle that.


"C'mon .... They were fuckin' little rich boys that think they're fucking untouchable!! And ..." Argus would simply hold up his free hand, shaking his index finger at Mortimus. "Talk to her sans the swearing bugger. And apologize."

"What? You have to be fuc....." Ever hear Prince or Michael Jackson hit those high notes? They both were just beaten hands down ... "O-okay... My bad. Sorry. W-won't happen a-again. There was one that made the threat to have his father shut my store down, braggin' about how h-he has ties with the p-p-police, and how I could become just another f-f-ace on a milk carton. He wanted me to bring the book to his frat house, so his buddies could see me, and impress his bxtc ... Ahh, other girls. I knew he would still close me down either way, so I gave him a d-different copy ..."


"You set them up? Knowing what they'd do, what would happen?" Eve's expression clouded a little then, brows drawing together. The distant look was still around her eyes, but that haunted look was coming back. "...I saw what happened to them. Your store should be shut down and burned." Not altogether professional, but she was having a hard time drowning it back out - seeing the flickers and flashes of what went on in the frat house every time she blinked, having it replay in her head. "God...you make me sick..."

Breathe, Eve. A step back, drawing a deep breath. The smell of the place wasn't good, but it'd work until she could get outside. "You set them up for murder - and not *just* murder, but rape on top of that." ...Maybe she shouldn't have said all she did. Her mouth was more or less on auto-pilot now, though, and she was slipping.


"You uppity bitch you don't know shit!! What if they had the right book, would that have made it right, practicing the dark arts? What it made the fucking news and you're all holier than thou? Get fuc ...."

It happened so fast it was almost a blur. Argus squeezed harder, Mortimus yelled, and doubled over, Argus grabbed him by the back of his head and proceeded to slam it into the counter cutting up his face, and tongue from all that attached metal, all while keeping that calmness about himself. Once the bruiser was in la la land, Argus spoke to no one in particular ...

"You get all that?" His answer would be in the form of the front door being kicked open, with several plain clothes officers rushing in, one whom Eve remembered from the night before talking with Argus. "We got it all man, this should be more than enough to lock this buster up for a long time. Good work. The both of you. We'll take it from here, and your money's already been sent."

"Booyah!" Nodding slowly, Argus pushed his shades back in place, his eyes now ... normal? Glancing over at Eve, he thingyed his head in the direction of the door. "Let's bounce ... Partner." That feral like grin was also gone ... Like it was never there. Replaced by the devil may care grin. Once back inside the SUV, Argus called Amber to deliver the good news. "We bagged the bastard, Amber, and I got a bonus for you as well. " Once they were blocks away from the store, Argus unzipped his large jacket, several well concealed books fell free.

[Argus Steele]

Eve did a good job of keeping her mouth shut, though she was looking a tad on the pale side by the time they left. She'd pulled the cap off, was mostly toying with it in her hands, fingertips studying the brim. Once they were out, and back in the car..."So what just happened there?" By the tone of her voice, it was clear she wasn't just talking about the situation itself - she was more or less talking about him, what he'd done, what had been different.

The girl had just looked at the books when they'd dropped out; she was a bit afraid to try and touch them, afraid of what might happen if she did. The girl wasn't in the mood to get more nightmare fodder.


"... Hate being poked, that's all. And he was disrespecting my partner. Can't be having that, right?" Okay, either he was avoiding the question, or maybe ... Just maybe, he had no clue what she meant. "Good job, Eve. Made that fool sing like a canary. Like I always say ... The bigger they are, the dumber they are. I'm having a Columbian coffee craving. How about you?"


"Avoidance." Speaking the word quietly, she'd turned her head to look out the passenger window of the car. The hat was in her lap now, and her hands were placidly folded together. "I know it when I see it. That's alright, I can live with it. For now, anyway." A shake of her head, and she reached up to touch the pins in her hair, straighten them, push her curls back. Then put the hat back on. In short, she was becoming more steady by the moment. "Yeah, I can do with a coffee."

"A what? " An arch of the eyebrow, as he pulled into a Star bucks ... (m) "Meh ... I'm thinking that boy was shooting to be a familiar, and those poor frat boys met his quota." Then he looked at her ... "Are we even talking about the same thing right now? " Rolling down his window, the order was placed. Letting out a deep breath, he'd remove his shades, placing them inside his jacket pocket. "My shrink says I have a bit of a anger problem. " Small grin, as they pulled around to get their order. "Tells me I'm blocking out things that happened during my tour of duty."

Small shrug of the shoulders... "I dunno. Sometimes I want to know, other times, why even bother." Handing the girl at the window a twenty, he motions for her to keep the change, passes Eve hers, and places his into the cup holder before driving off. "I'm going to ask you this a few times until I know you're cool ... You okay over there? This is old hat for me ... So no shame in wigging out, okay?


"Happens all the time." The coffee was something to do with her hands; she usually didn't care for it unless it was loaded with cream and sugar. Too bitter for her, otherwise. "Things end up on a slant, you know? Reality doesn't feel so solid anymore when things replay themselves in your head at inopportune moments."

She attempted a sip of it, and like a genius, burned her tongue. Lovely. She blew a little air out of her mouth in an effort to cool it, then shrugged. "I think you've got more than just an anger problem, if you don't mind my saying. I'm not one to talk, but I know that wasn't normal." Giving up on it, she put hers down in the cup holder too.


"Normal? Okay, frail. You lost me, and that's not easy. What are you talking about?"


"Yeah, you're playing games now. But that's alright. Don't get me wrong, because you're pretty good sized guy, but he was huge. I have my doubts about you slamming him around under normal conditions. Angry or otherwise." A shrug. Voicing her opinion on the matter, rather than pushing him. "I know what I saw, but...well, something seemed off." His eyes, to start with...


"That? Hell, I can teach you that. Grabbin' him by the balls .. What we call a *Jewel Heist.* Learned that from a fella in the Marines ... Some Tai - Chi stuff about mind over matter. Jared has it down to an art though. Like the freakin' Matrix movie ... Um, if you ever saw it, you'd know what I'm talking about. And for the record frail. I'm trying to keep you off the endangered list, so I'll always shoot from the hip with you. Why play games, when I could have just let you be?"

The serious in those eyes told her he was being 100% honest. Scary, but true. Flipping on the radio once again, he motions to her ... "Go ahead and find a station you like. Not gonna assume everyone that rides with me likes Jazz. (m) Just no country, okay?"

That got his trademark grin back, just as Eve's cell phone went off... "Eve, this is Amber. Tell Arg... Tohmaz that there was a survivor at the frat party!!! Poor girl saw the whole thing from inside a closet ... She had apparently failed some test, and was placed inside there, gagged for punishment. Probably save her life!!! It seems the no one will believe her story ... They claim it was all drugged related. Stupid idiots, the lot of 'em I swear!! Jared's on his way there, I'm sending you two the address via your GPS. I called you because this might need ... A woman's touch, if you get my drift."


Just as she'd opened her mouth to make some new remark to Steele, clarify what she was talking about. Saved by the bell, in a manner of speaking. She'd have to see if she could change that ring...After getting the message from Amber and hanging up, she couldn't help what she did next.

"Hey, Tohmaz, Amber said to tell you we've got a survivor from the frat party after all. Gagged and stuck in a closet for whatever ungodly reason. She says she's sending the address to the GPS." A shrug of her shoulders, brows knitting briefly. "Rumored to be drug related, she says." Eve didn't know jack about drugs...unless it was of the sort she'd been on for all those years. But even with the seriousness of the message, she couldn't resist calling him by that name. It was just...funny, for some reason. "This should be interesting."


"Evelyn? Evie? Elf? Which of those as a nickname should I go with, cause you have to have one now." His expression was neutral, no reaction what so ever from being called .... Tohmaz."


"How about just sticking with 'hey you' or 'stop that.' It's what I'm most used to." Said with a grin, glancing out the window. "Funny, all that I told you that Amber told me, and that's what you pick up on." The grin faded, but lingered just around the edges of her mouth.


"Mmmm, I'm gonna call you Elf, every time you came me Theo. We square? Five by Five? Do you understand, do you comprehend, do you dig??" His devious smirk lingering as the pair sped down the street ....


"Sure thing." It almost seemed like she'd let it slip for a minute. "Theo." What could she say? She just couldn't resist for long.


"Actually Elf, I was mulling over what you said, and was wondering if she was left alive to tell the tale, y'know? Stir up some real panic. You might have to get .... Hands on, just so you know. Up for it?" That smile now replaced with a more serious look as he turned down a street that pretty much show cased Upper middle class. It made him cringe. "Ah, there's Jared waiting for us."


"I don't figure I have much choice. Besides, I'm never ready for it, even if I *know* it will happen." Shrugging, drawing a deep breath. Seeing by touch was rarely ever pleasant. Needless to say, Eve was *not* looking forward to this.