hailstorm.

From the mutter he'd caught, to the swiftness of her answer, down to the line she'd drawn that specific questions would be all she'd answer - none of it produced any shift in Aslan's exterior. However, all of it threaded into the machinery turning behind it. He was well versed in the language of cues, spoken and otherwise. She hadn't lied, though not for sake of cooperation, but because she possessed enough intelligence to understand she couldn't afford to. In lieu of that, she manages the information that she offers forth.

it was beyond frustrating to feel like she was the one being kept in the dark deliberately and not having any cards to play in fear of causing something worse. he hadn't asked her to hide evidence or to disrupt a case, but rather to provide information on one person. serra knew that a man like him could find someone else who might provide more and wouldn't be as careful with the information shared— so she continued to feed him what he wanted because there was power in knowing the little that she did.

       like  a  hound  on  a  scent  trail  cash  followed  ren  to  the  pool,  picking  up  each  item  she'd  left  for  him  along  the  way.  the  smirk  tucked  deep  into  the  corner  of  his  mouth  seemed  a  permanent  placement.  when  the  tall,  battered  blond  reached  the  pool  ladder  at  the  deep  end  to  find  her  bra  dangling  there  a  spot  of  disappointment  shifted  his  features.  he'd  been  hoping  to  find  the  flimsy  fabric  that  covered  the  last  bits  of  her,  accounting  for  what  he'd  already  collected,  somewhere  at  the  pool's  edge.  or  maybe  floating  around  in  the  waves  of  the  water  that  she'd  disturbed  when  jumping  in.  the  fighter  couldn't  decide  if  it  were  more  fun  that  she'd  left  them  on  or  if  he  truly  preferred  to  find  her  completely  naked.

the pool was private, warm and vast. she'd been here a few times which was why there hadn't been any hesitation to leave her discarded clothing across the layout of his apartment and pool area. she wouldn't have to worry about flashing someone and whomever did catch glimpse should be appreciative for the fact that they didn't have to pay. she dipped her head back into the pool to wet her hair just as he came into view, light hues travelling over the bruises that tainted his skin. it looked painful but she could tell that his focus was on everything but the injuries he'd suffered.

"unless you're with me then i'm beating all the girls out. I'm just irresistible like that," he replied with a wink, pretending to flip his hair over his shoulders. "irish coffee," he said and pulled a face. "some hair of the dog is in order, hm?" he patted his hand against the one on his bicep and started to lead them down the block. "eh," he started, trying to decide if he was going to be honest. he figured that since he and morena were both involved with the contingency and had the same views about scamming other people, maybe there was a slight basis of trust. "honestly...i'm okay, well," he paused, laughing for a moment. "since the fires i've kind of been shit," he finally admitted, not looking at her as they crossed the street, the coffee shop only a few blocks away. "i haven't really been sleeping but i'm managing. fucking cops came to speak to me yesterday." he cringed. "no one knows what the fuck they're doing right now."

"then i've got to stick with you." ren laughed, placing the pad of her digit upon her tongue and then touching his arm with an added flair of a sizzling sound effect with her mouth. he was hot shit. anyone with eyes could see that and the two of them together had to be unstoppable. while ren needed some alcohol, she wasn't going to cut him off with her issues when he was confiding in her about his own. as self-centered as she could be at times, she had learnt the art of shutting her mouth and listening now that she had to actually retain information for other people. "did it feel like they were following a lead or they were up shits creek without a paddle?" it didn't change the way she got shivers all over because it brought her back to the night of her hit and run and how she'd been treated by the police then. she hated them. "if it's the latter then you should be fine."

       with  rosa's  beauty  and  the  little  peek  at  what  was  discoverable  beneath  her  top,  fidan  knew  it'd  be  an  easy  cast.  the  guy  would  hook  onto  the  bait  and  would  practically  reel  himself  in.  a  knowing  smile  dimpled  her  cheeks  as  her  attention  remained  on  her  friend,  she  was  laying  in  wait  while  he  walked  deeper  into  the  net  and  only  spoke  up  when  he  began  pulling  out  a  pack  of  cigarettes  along  with  his  lighter.  "could  i  get  one  of  those,  too?"  bright,  sparkling  eyes  met  the  males  and  she  watched  him  lose  himself  for  a  moment  as  her  soft  smile  encouraged  for  him  to  provide  whatever  they  needed.  when  he  produced  one,  fidan  placed  it  between  her  lips  and  leaned  in  expectantly  for  him  to  offer  flame.  after  she'd  taken  a  pull,  the  brunette  shared  the  cigarette  by  placing  it  at  rosa's  pretty  painted  lips.  she  exhaled  slowly,  somewhat  in  his  face  but  mostly  just  off  of  it.  "what're  you  drinking  over  there  by  your  lonesome?  my  friend  and  i  were  going  to  try  those  flaming  shots."  it'd  been  noted  that  he  inched  closer  to  them,  fidan  glanced  from  him  to  her  friend.

the brunette couldn't help but flash him a smile, though it hid something deadlier beneath the surface. the poor bastard didn't know that he was their target he'd walked directly into the trap the two beauties had set for him. men were too typical, it almost felt like a crime to be doing something against a species so stupid. nevertheless, she allowed fidan to work her magic, leaning forward to take a drag just as her friend placed it against her lips. she wrapped her lips around the stick and blew the smoke out in his direction as well. it didn't matter much because his eyes were on both of their bodies to the point where she wasn't even certain he knew where their faces were located amidst the clouded space between them. "it doesn't look too appetizing, but you're in luck since the company makes for the best experience." she pulled back and began to pour them the drinks before he could deny or accept. he wasn't stupid enough to walk away now that he was made to believe he'd reeled in two beauties. the shots, unfortunately for him, would be coming from his tab. "there you go, baby." the shot was placed in front of fidan, and the other in front of him while she held hers. "should we cheers to a very exciting and lucky night?"

As much as she'd have preferred to pretend that the day helping out in the emergency room had just been one of those nights, typical as it went - Come and gone - the truth was far from it. "I think it's more the idea of facing reality. A whole room full of people begging for help, for release from the pain or a miracle that can fix whatever was broken, or lost. I don't like the idea of not being able to fix something." But that night had been full of cases that she couldn't fix. A lot of them could only be patched up, left with mental scars or those that would physically remain long after the events had settled in the dust and ash of what was left.

she nodded her head slightly because she could understand that part of the work. the idea that patients wanted something that they should be able to provide but couldn't in that moment. it was what ate away at her, too. "i've had families beg me to tell them what happened and who was the cause, so they could see justice play out." but the sad reality was that there were so many cases who fell through cracks because they couldn't find a lead or there wasn't enough resources to be able to prioritize each case. "we're meant to be able to give those people that feeling of justice or healing and it's hard when we can't."

Zeina's place with Serra Yildiz @bulletwnds

serra was thankful for connection and friendships despite being the worst at keeping them herself. she was known for disappearing for days at a time when a case consumed her or something bad happened at work, but then she'd found her people such as zeida who understood the need to be alone at times. "you're such a breath of fresh air." the brunette said when she first entered, immediately grateful to be received with open arms and some immediate comfort in the form of a bottle of wine. "i could eat and have something stronger but i think the wine should suffice for now." clearly it had been a day and a half, especially with the added confusion of having slept with someone she shouldn't have. after removing her jacket and entering into zeida's space, serra didn't take long to sit down and allow her friend to dote on her a little bit. "i don't want to come here and mental dump on you so if you have something you need to say, i'm all ears." mostly because serra didn't know where to start, but more importantly, when to end with her updates.

       for  the  most  part  cash  didn't  think  too  much  of  his  appearance.  he  took  care  of  himself  and  knew  how  to  use  what  he  had,  but  a  handsome  face  and  a  toned  physique  could  really  only  take  a  person  so  far.  wit,  charm,  business  savvy,  a  boyish  exuberance,  and  an  inclination  toward  the  art  of  cat  and  mouse  was  how  he  kept  things  interesting.  for  himself  and  for  his  counterparts.  for  the  california  man  with  a  troubled  past  life  was  a  beach  and  he  was  just  playing  in  the  sand.  "i  don't  want  it  on  a  silver  plate,  ren.  i  want  it  right  in  the  palm  of  my  hands."  a  flash  of  greenish-hazel  glanced  her  way,  and  for  a  second  he  eyed  her  intensity  on  the  game,  controller  in  hands  as  she  spoke  like  it  was  an  every  day  thing  for  him  to  bury  himself  within  her.  they  certainly  had  gone  through  time  periods  like  that,  and  now  he  was  wondering  if  she  missed  it  a  little.  "you  know  if  you  miss  it  you  could  just  say  that."  but  they  both  knew  the  direct  approach  could  be  too  boring  and  too  simple  for  the  likes  of  each  other.

she couldn't help but grin when he corrected her but that had more to do with what she felt could fit in the palm of his hand. still, her point held true that there was some fun in people working for it a little bit even if it was only funner for her. if anything else, ren knew when to give and take and she wouldn't let the game of cat and mouse go on so long that her companion lost interest. she'd learnt that the hard way, especially recently when she worked for more than just her own personal gain. "i have no problem admitting that i miss something and the fact that i'm here should tell you enough." they were friends beyond anything else and her presence meant that she wanted to be around him and the fact that she climbed on top of him had to speak volumes on what she was keen for. not desperate but if the night turned out that way than she wasn't opposed to it.

       unable  to  restrain  it  fidan  let  a  little  laugh  burst  out  at  the  image  of  the  tattooed  man  she'd  only  caught  a  glimpse  of  crying  while  under  the  needle.  "i  really  don't  think  the  crybaby  would  hate  the  cuck  life  for  one  night  if  he  got  lucky  enough  to  stay  in  the  room."  chances  were  if  things  got  that  hot  between  herself  and  rosa  the  fella  would  be  long  forgotten  about  before  he  could  find  the  corner  of  the  room.  a  smirk  pulled  at  her  lips  and  she  cut  another  look  over  her  shoulder  to  give  an  encouraging  bat  of  her  lashes  at  their  admirer.  she  was  sure  she'd  just  heard  him  shuffle  closer.  "ask  him  if  he's  got  a  light."  it  was  quiet,  just  to  her  friend  as  her  grin  held  a  mischievous  air.  confidence  and  cockiness  was  a  fine  line,  most  men  didn't  walk  it  well.  "operation  take  him  down  a  peg  in  play.  go."

"you might be right. i'm being too nice to him and he probably wouldn't be able to find the right spot if his life depends on it so perhaps seated outside the door or in the bathroom would be best suited for him." nothing but him, a raging erection, and his hand. that felt better. at her friends guidance, the brunette leaned forward so her elbows and forearms were on the surface of the bar and she could flash him a decent look down her blouse. the hints of lace bra showing were enough to have him stumbling over. "you don't happen to have a light, do you?" her tone had dropped, turned softer and more sultry while she flashed him a smile. "we're in desperate need for one." the man was too much of a walking cliche not to be a smoker so she only smirked when he reached into his pocket for a pack.

His brow lifted faintly while the elevator dragged itself down another floor, Charlie leaning back against the wall behind him as he came to the vague conclusion Serra might actually be insane. Like one of those rabid raccoons that hissed at people in random parking lots. “That’s crazy.” Was the only response he gave, his gaze wandering toward the glowing floor numbers overhead before he broke the silence again. “Have you even tried drinking water?” Truthfully, he was starting to think the woman might actually be obsessed with him. Another second passed before the elevator slowed to a stop, Charlie briefly distracted by the thought of Alix stealing Serra’s left shoe after he debriefed her later. “Or one of those little bracelets?”

the numbers couldn't be going any slower and she cleared her throat while her foot tapped on the ground. had she drank water? absolutely not. the second she'd woken up in someone's bed, she had tiptoed hurriedly across the small apartment until she found all of her clothes and clumsily put them on to make her quick escape. "can't say that i've had the time. i prefer caffeine first thing in the morning." she'd heard all about the ways water was beneficial in the morning but she was a creature of habit. "bracelet things? that sounds like an ad for something that doesn't actually work like those weird road sickness glasses people were trying to sell on social media a few years back."

If there was one thing he could always find hilarity in, it was somebody like her casting judgement upon him when the system she put her life on the line for was more corrupt than he was. It was an institution that yet again proved hypocrisy ran through its core with that thought of Sebastian Hope holding a permanent slot within his mind as evidence of exactly that. In short - the disdain she felt toward him was reciprocated. It just wasn't shown. Not in his expressions nor tone. "You tell me." he began, sliding the bloody mary she had chosen for him an inch toward her before he rested his arm back on the bar top. "Considering you know me so well."

serra peered at the bloody mary but didn't make a move to acknowledge it further. it had been expensive for a drink and she couldn't fathom who would drink vegetables with their alcohol but that was besides the point. she hadn't purchased it with the expectation that he'd drink it— but rather as an in. "i don't know much about you other than what is on the board someone else put up. there's a lot of red lines and personal information." serra's head tilted while she looked him over. "if you're insinuating that i have some kind of personal interest in you then you've severely misread the situation."