#act 01.

nikki had always been good at finding her way into place she wasn't supposed to be. it was something her mother found charming, when she was alive, and something her father found irritating, when he was around. now, she didn't have to worry about disappointing anyone with her choice to see if the storage door was unlocked. it was. she couldn't help but to think that some custodian with a large ring of keys was going to be in a lot of trouble when she got caught in the room with all the packed artifacts in it. she wasn't stupid. she wouldn't touch any of them. but the thrill of being in a restricted place and the knowledge that she was surrounded by history was enough to give her a small burst of endorphins. she heard the door open again behind her not too long after entering, but she didn't turn, instead studying a box of something very big as her hands found her waist to rest on. 'can you believe all of this was made by people?' nikki called over her shoulder, still not looking to see who had discovered her trespass. 'no ones fucking creative, anymore. we used to build castles. now all we have are six starbucks on every block of the city. it sucks,' @warplanet.

could she say that was exactly what she was looking for? could she say that - despite the knowledge that he'd disappear soon enough - she wanted to spend a little bit of time with the man standing in front of her? nikki knew it was bad news. she knew what she was walking into. but she also knew she was done with her duties for the night. she didn't need to work and she didn't need to write. all she needed to do was look at the man across from her, shove her hands in the pockets of her leather jacket, and give him a knowing smile. 'shit, okay. i didn't know you'd cave so easy, but if that's the case . . . follow me,' @bloodsalted.

SOMETIMES, HER FRIENDSHIP WITH JACKIE feels impossible. she imagines turning to her sixteen year-old self—hell, to herself from a year ago—and saying you're going to meet this guy. he's going to interfere with a job, you're both going to almost die. and then he's going to become your best choom. she would have laughed her ass off. but she and jackie have the same shiny dream, the same hunger to take something back from night city. to become legends. "don't i know it," she says drily, sliding a glass of tequila his way. "i'd say where would i be without you, but i think we both know the answer is dead in the river."