DT Serum, Primary Testing In Progress

Ashton shook his head. "Unless it's in the middle of the goddamn night, I'll be fine."

Lex shrugged.  "Cool.  Well, I'm going to go watch the movie."  He turned and headed in, finding a nice patch of carpet to sit and watch.

Tramp stood leaning against the wall of a building, watching the cars pass with idle eyes.

Ashton popped a big batch of popcorn for everyone else before he joined them, taking the unused couch and lounging on it.

Echo lightly roof hopped nearby where Tramp was, unknowing he was there. She had her dove grey hoodie on right now. There was a nip to the air, and she got cold easily, but the exertion and the jacket made it pretty nice. Echo slid down into an ally to pawn off a rollex and some other jewelry she managed to steal to one of her preferred business partners. Their transactions were always fair, and sometimes they cut each other deals when they knew the other was having a rougher time, so all was good. This boon was bound to get her a nice amount of cash.

Tramp had on a sleeveless shirt under a dark striped vest.  He didn't seem to notice the cold.  He was wearing one of his favorite piercings, the lip ring connected to the earing by a thin chain.  He didn't wear it often, but he liked the shock effect when others stared at him.  It was cute.  He whistled softly as he waited and watched, hip cocked out just so as he waited, eyes watchful.

Echo got done with her business before she walked back out to the main street, blending with foot traffic as she headed to one of her safe houses to regroup before she prepared to meet with the red headed roof hopper.

Tramp let out a wolf whistle when he spotted Echo.  "Hey, pretty girl," he drawled.  "Looking for a warm place to sleep tonight?  How about my arms?"  He knew she'd respond how she would to anyone before realizing it was just a joke from a friend.

Echo whirled around, and looked startled until she realized it was Tramp. She laughed and walked over. "Hi, Tramp." She asked. "How've you been?"

"Pretty sweet," Tramp said with a lazy smile, letting his head rest against the wall as he studied her.  "Got a nice place to stay for a while, company, food.... Not much else a boy needs, yeah?  How about you?"

Echo smiled, glad for her friend. "Well, I met with Heath today...." she started. "He... was in a bad mood, and I was in a bad way, but this mysterious street guy saved my skin. I actually saw Heath again an hour ago, and he was beat pretty bad, and had his arm and leg in casts." She shook her head. "Anyway, I'm meeting the same guy that saved me later tonight. He wanted me to get him drugs, so he's why I went to Heath in the first place, even though he wound up saving me from him."

"Shiiiit!" Tramp said, rubbing the back of his neck.  "I heard about Heath, heard he might be retiring from the drug circles.  You think it's safe to go see this dude?  Heath wasn't ever exactly easy pickings.  Maybe you shouldn't go.  What are you going to give him, anyway?"

Echo shrugged. "As I left, I gave him whatever stashes were in Heath's pockets, so I don't know if that counts, or if I should go to one of my other sources to get him what he wants." She hesitated. "Um, Tramp? Can... can I ask you a big favor? Could you maybe wait nearby while I talk to this guy? We're meeting on a roof, so maybe in an ally? I'd be willing to pay you if you wanted."

Tramp shook his head, looking sober for once.  "I would, Echo.  I would, but... Come on.  In reality, what could I do against someone who could take on someone like Heath single handed?  Heath trashed me on more than one time.  What could I do?"

Echo took a deep breath. "I... I don't think he would hurt me, especially if he helped me and went out of his way to do that, but knowing you're there would make me feel better at least. I'll have my gun if need be, and you know how good I am with that thing...." Echo was scary and deadly accurate when it came to shooting. When she helped Tramp out of scraps, she would shoot to wound her captors with deadeye accuracy, even from a great distance, and even when the bullets would make their mark right past Tramp.

(You do realize that a gun is the last weapon a street person would actually use, right?  Unless in a major gang.)

Tramp hesitated, glancing out at the street.  Finally, he gave a huff and nodded.  "Fine.  When and where?"

(Shhhhh.... muffler?)

Echo gave Tramp a relieved smile and told him the details. She hesitated before she hugged him. "Thank you. It means a lot."

(Not even then.  Guns attract way more attention and are much easier to track than knives, so even gangs - unless big, bad, and crazy - don't use them unless "forced."  For the most part, guns are just a show.)

Tramp snuggled into the hug and patted her back.  "Yeah, I know.  I figure I owe it to you."  He looked over her shoulder and waved a car on as it slowed.  "Already sold, friend.  Try around the corner."

(Ah.... that makes a lot of sense actually. *recalls all of the White Collar I have watched*)

Echo smiled at tramp, and looked at the car curiously. "What was that about?" She asked him.

"Just business," Tramp shrugged.  "I'm going to go get Bobo and take him for a walk.  Wanna come or am I meeting you somewhere?"

Echo thought for a moment. "I'll come. I can make the stop I need on the way to the meeting, since it'll only be a couple blocks out of my way."

"Okay," Tramp agreed, sauntering off along the alleyway to retrieve his puppy who was waiting patiently in their Box.

Echo followed, her eyes and head wandering to watch all of her surroundings.

After dinner and a movie, Lex started moving the kids toward bedtime.  Once he was satisfied the three of them (five if you counted Ashton and his mewling kitten) were moving in the right direction, he went to Gaster's room and looked in.  "How's things?"

Ashton paid Night a lot of fond attention and even spoiling. He did seem to love his little fur baby a lot, even if he wasn't by Night's side constantly.

Gaster turned to look at Lex tiredly, but didn't seem any improved. His food remained untouched still.

Night returned Ashton's attention with purring and total adoration.  He'd go everywhere with Ashton if Ashton would let him.

"True, shower time," Lex said.
"But-" True tried to argue.
"You stink."
True grudgingly rolled out for his bathroom.  "I'll be back soon."
Lex picked up Gaster's plate.  "Ashton and I are going out tonight.  We'll be back by midnight."

Gaster just nodded and looked down to the floor. "Be safe..." he murmured to Lex, but that was all.

Ashton smiled and fed the kitten the best he could of what they had without having Shuni getting on his case for not feeding Night correctly.