I am not afraid of death

Spare Change |Kai and Jodie

He noticed the pause. Kai was observant. He kind of had to be to keep scrapping by. He also noticed the forced laughter and he wondered if maybe she was a serial killer. He hoped not, because getting murdered would suck and Kit would really not forgive him for that. She had a point about not really being able to hurt anyone, at least. “Not much of a vote of confidence, but I’ll take it.” Maybe she had a past. She probably did, considering where he’d found her. And it wasn’t like he was a saint either. “It’s nice to meet you, Jodie.” Nice probably wasn’t the right word, given their circumstances, but he’d been raised to be polite and it was a hard habit to break. He nodded at her suggestion, slipping his hands into his jacket to shield them from the cold. “It’s just a couple of blocks away. Not far at all. Though still not close enough, if you ask me.” He led the way, making it to the warehouse as quickly as he could. The cold made him struggle to unlock the door, but soon they were inside and he could practically feel himself thawing. He headed towards the living room and gestured for her to follow. “I know it’s not the most… conventional living space, but it’s home and it has heat.”

“Different circumstances would have made it even nicer” she commented though, thinking about it, meeting the other right there and then seemed like one of the best things that could have happened to her since he had come to offer what she desperately needed right now, hopefully rescuing her for the time being. So, correcting herself, she added “But, actually, maybe you’re timing wasn’t all too bad.” Crossing her arms in front of her chest, hoping it would keep some more warmth inside, she followed Kai, every step feeling like it was one too much but the hopeful notion of their destination making it bearable, possible.  To be honest, Jodie wasn’t sure what to think, when she laid eyes on the warehouse. She had been expected a nice apartment, a small flat or something like that but never once had the thought of what it turned out to be in the end crossed her mind. Not wanting to have any prejudices, the girl still found it rather..suspicious. Because really, who lived in a warehouse? Maybe he was the serial killer after all, luring her in to finish her off.  Despite her doubts, nothing could beat the warmth coming from inside, basically forcing her numb, frozen limbs to enter and walk after Kai.  “That’s one way to put it.” she said as she looked around the room. “How come you live in here?”

| Jodie and Shepard

Spare Change | Open Starter

He shrugged at the question. “Good Karma and paying back the universe for a favor it once did me.” After all, a stranger offering him a place to stay was how he’d ended up with a roof over his head and with two best friends. It might be good to try to return the favor to someone else. He nodded. “Oh, it was definitely serious. I mean, as long as your not a serial killer or something,” he joked, giving her a small smile. Kit was already gonna be grumpy enough about the whole situation, he could only imagine how pissed off the other would be if he managed to bring home a serial killer. Of course, they could probably hold their own against one, but it would still be really inconvenient at the very least. He held out his hand in an offer to help her up. “I’m Kai, by the way.”

“Let’s hope you’re being honest” Jodie said, though she was too exhausted to doubt him any further. Even though she realized that he had been joking, the stranger’s words unintentionally hit a sore spot, leaving her silent for a moment. After all, killing someone was what had gotten her on the streets in the first place, though she was just following CIA’s orders at the time.  Letting out a humorless chuckle eventually, she responded “Even if I was - I doubt I would manage to hurt anyone in my current state” before looking at the hand that was offered. Only hesitating shortly, because of the effort it would take to get up and not because she was unsure, Jodie finally took the help, pulling herself up with her remaining strength and the other’s hand. She hadn’t been smiling much lately, didn’t have a reason to and yet she managed an appreciative, though short and small smile for the other. “Thank you, Kai. I’m..Jodie.” There was no use in lying, she thought before trying to reassure Aiden, who had been unusually quiet, which worried her. It’s going to be alright. We’re going to be alright.  Straightening up a bit she said “You lead the way?” while hoping it wouldn’t be all too far. 

Spare Change | Open Starter

Spare Change | Jodie and Braden

With a bit of a scowl at her words Braden shook his head, pulling a blanket out of his bag and leaning back against the wall with it pulled over him. After a moment he finally decided to talk to her, “If you’re going to ask people for change you don’t ask people like me. Or guys in business suits. You ask the little old men, the little old lady’s, and the parents who don’t have their kids with them.” Why he was telling her this Braden didn’t know, but maybe it was because he had been given the same advice years ago. Curling up, blanket pulled up over his shoulder the male mumbled, “Everyone else will ignore you or call the cops.”

Jodie would have been lying if she said she wasn’t jealous of the other’s blanket - but then again, more than the cold it was her empty stomach that troubled her most. Still, at least being warm could have made things better.  Thinking that their where done talking, the girl had been about to shift her attention back to the street in front of her when the other spoke up again.  Surprised that he was actually giving her some sort of advice Jodie decided to forget about their rather rough start though it had been almost forgotten again already anyway since there were other things to worry about.  “Thanks, I guess. I- haven’t ever done this before. Never planned on doing it, either. But who does, huh?” She let out a humorless chuckle before continuing. “I take it you have some experience yourself?” 

Spare Change | Jodie and Braden