Joe Vellim: *Fekkin... wow.. sorta a nice place really.. whoda thought some freak could afford this.. the bullish man thinks as he tromps up the stairs.*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Alice lives in the corner apt on the top floor of the 3 story building, with a nice view of the university campus in the distance.

Alice Newcomb (her apt): There's underground parking, but security seems to be minimal.

Joe Vellim: *Whistling a Flogging Molly tune as he stumps along, he reads the door number from a slip of paper, squinting at the door numbers and smiling a touch self consciously at people in the hallways.*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): There aren't many people out at this hour, but the few who are, cut the tough looking character a wide berth.

Joe Vellim: Thoyty seven... thoyty.. gahtcha. *He folds the slip of paper, and takes a glance up and down the hall, adjusting his coat slightly, the dark plad fedora he's taken to wearing.. listening a bit, trying to be discreet.*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): It's quiet inside and no light can be seen under the door.

Joe Vellim: *Alrighty then... no time like the present.. hopefully he'll wake the sicko up. He reaches out and knocks on the door.*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Indeed he does wake up the 'sicko' who reaches a hand down for a dog that's not there. "Thor?" she mumbles before she recalls he's in the hospital. She looks at the clock. Who the hell would knock at this hour? Pulling on a fluffy black robe and sets her feet into equally fluffy slippers and goes to peek through the peep hole.

Joe Vellim: *A bullish, short little guy waits there, cracking his knuckles, then his neck briefly. Affecting a hat that would be rather familiar if she recalls her own drawing.*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Drops from her toes. How did he..? Oh, p.i. Right. But why would he..? Oh. Adrian. Right. She rests her forehead against the door a moment composing herself, then he hears the latch slide and door opens a crack. "Joe?"

Joe Vellim: *Brilliant when caught by suprise, apparently, Joe squints at the crack and says.* Uh..? I uh... *A pause, he blinks slightly... wasn't expecting a woman.* Yeah?

Alice Newcomb (her apt): She opens the door a little wider, blinking pale blue eyes up at him. "It's three in the morning. What are you doing here?"

Alice Newcomb (her apt): She's cut her hair short since he last saw her, which makes her look a bit older, more like the picture of herself that she drew into his portrait.

Joe Vellim: *Suprise crosses his battered face.. an odd, reeling feeling overtakes him...* Yeh... *More blinking- a slight blush as he yanks the fedora off his head and stuffs it into a pocket.* Hope ta Christ ah gaht th' wroang apahtment, Peaches.. *He wipes his nose with one thick finger, before bright eyes slide back to her face.* Tell me ya don' know a guy name uh Adrian... Cell phone registry says 'is bill comes heah... *Worry lights broad features.*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "Would you like to come in and have a seat?"

Alice Newcomb (her apt): She's not going to talk about Adrian through the door where they might be overheard by who knows what.

Joe Vellim: Yeah ah 'tink dat may beda best ting.. *He almost doesn't wait for her to step out of the way.. something dangerous simmering under the surface.. if dat fucko thinks he's gahnna hoyt her... Joe's got a big suprise feh 'im.*

Joe Vellim: *Bright eyes sweep across her, concern and anger lighting his face.. of all the lowlife.. focus Joe, focus..*

Joe Vellim: *as the door swings shut- it comes in an angry gust.* Alice- he hoyt yew? Threaten' ya? Jeezus kid.. yew have any idea whodis guy ~is~??

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Steps back as he pushes in, then closes the door behind him. The apt is large and would seem spacious if not for the clutter of art supplies, canvases and paintings stacked everywhere. Across from the front door a hall disappears. To the left is a small kitchen and dining area to the right a living room with most of the sitting space occupied by more art supplies. The far end of the room sports a well rigged entertainment center. Comic books are splayed on the coffee table and an easel stands in the middle of the room.

Joe Vellim: *He looks around wildly, practically not pausing.* Izze heah?

Alice Newcomb (her apt): The room is dim, since she didn't turn on the lights when she got up, but she flicks on a light now. "Why don't you have a seat? Can I get you something to drink?"

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "No. He's not here."

Joe Vellim: Nevahmind a drink, kid- yeh in dangeah! Isse heah oah naht? *Concern as he tries to catch her elbow in one meaty hand.*

Joe Vellim: Awright.. good. Look... whadayew know abaht dis guy? *He shoves the hand into his pocket, not wanting to startle her too much.*

Joe Vellim: *His neck deepens to red as he speaks.. a bit worked up.*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "What's going on? Why are you looking for him?" Blinking when he tries to grab her elbow, and stepping back.

Joe Vellim: *He nods at that, making no move toward the girl.* Lissen... heah. Lets siddown, awright? Ah gaht summat ta tell ya. Den, ah tink ya bettah come wit me, awright kiddo?

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Moves around to clear a space on the recliner and settles, gesturing him to have a seat on the couch, which is the only sitting space that doesn't require clearing to utilize.

Joe Vellim: Lookit... *He settles on the arm of the couch, then adjusts slightly.* Dis guy.. he gahtta record, awright? Naht jes' any recahd.. ah'm talkin... serial killah type stuff. Tree moydahs, some uh.. *He looks at her for a second, then looks away before continuing.* Some uh.. uddah stuff. okay? He's bahd news.. now e's been treatenin' friends ah mine. Ah came ta... *his eyes shift toward her, then away again.* uh... tawk ta 'im abaht it..

Joe Vellim: Jeezus... dint know ya last name was Newcomb... *He reaches up to rub the top of his head.*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Adrian always threatens people. They usually are smart enough not to come looking for him, though. "Who did he threaten?"

Joe Vellim: *He blinks, a bit confused by the girl.* Sa.. ya don' seem tew wahrried... didja already know abaht dis? Nevahmind who.. maybe ye'll meetim. Yeh in dangeah kiddo.. ah tink yew needta come wit me.

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Shrugs a little, figuring he must know who her father is.

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "Go with you where?"

Joe Vellim: Havent... uh.. quite gahtten dat fah, huh? Only knew dis was yeh place whenya opened th' door. Jes.. somewheah he can't hoyt yew.. gimme a bit uh time ta sort 'im aht. Yew know wheah he is?

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "I know he's an ex-con. I hired him to be my body guard after some... threats were made against me."

Joe Vellim: *His brows raise slowly as he speaks again.* Yeh hiah'd ~him~?? Ah kid.. of alla people.. sheesh. Trust me.. dis guy's a biggah threat dan ya want jes right close like dis..

Joe Vellim: Who inna hell was threatenin yew dat ya'd wan' a serial killah all up inya bidness?

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "He's trying really hard to stay on the straight and narrow, if you know what I mean."

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "The threats were anonymous, and... I figured if someone got hurt because of it, it was better if it wasn't someone... really nice." Blinking up at him, and pulling her robe a little tighter around her thin frame.

Joe Vellim: Lookit.. *His voice softens a bit.. Joe, ya bastahd.. barging into her home like this.. scaring heh half ta deat.. he leans foreward slightly, placating with body language.. unaware, perhaps, that it can seem a bit much for comfort.. he doesn't exactly come off as cuddly or squishy- but doesn't seem aware of the fact.* Next time, weah callin' ya pahrents.. yew heah me? *A brief chuckle before eyes bright with concern move back to her face.* Ya go ahroun' tinkin' ya kin keep a handle on dat sorta guy.. ya gahnna wind up gettin boyned. Kiddo... dew yew know dat no serial killah 'n history's evah been sucessfully rehabilitated? Dey jes' lay low.. an' dey always staht up wit- *He stops. That's a bit much Joe, shaddap.* Anyway.. lemme fix it.. yew know wheah he is Alice?

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Rolls her lips, shaking her head. "He said he'd be gone a few days. He didn't say where he was going."

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Her robe slides down to bare a leg and she tugs it back up, leaning back a little when he leans towards her. "Who are you working for Joe? Who sent you?"

Joe Vellim: Okay.. *He tries, delicately, to pat her hand.* When wuzzat now? Yestedy?

Joe Vellim: *His face screws up in momentary confusion.* Woykin' feh? oh- nah, naht anybahdy.

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "It's just... you're asking me for information about someone I do know, when I barely know you, because of something some others said, and you haven't even told me who they are. You gotta see why I might be a little hesitant."

Joe Vellim: Whul... but.. he's.. aaaaaaaaah. *He waves a hand, exasperated. The stumpy man gets up to pace a bit. Excited.. the ghost of former grace a very present thing as he frowns at the floor and moves about the living room.. He colors a bit at the flash of leg, looking away demurely.* Awright.. th' uddah day, dis liddle half-a-fa... uh.. dis guy- he gahtta phone call frahm yeh bodyguahd deah. He was scared all ta' shit- dis Adrian guy callin' im at all was a liddle tew much feh 'im. Adrian stahted in wit all kindsa threats.. tell dis guy lemme alone, stuff likeat.. even threatened liddle kids. *Joe's face darkens into a scowl full of a sharp and focused sort of menace.. for a moment, a very dangerous looking man as scarred, bratwurst fingers curl.* Now.. what dis Adrian guy don't know is, deah friends uh mine tew- an' ah aint gaht many offem. Sa, ah'm gahnna explain ta Adrian ah'm gahnna carry arahnd paht o' is face if'n he evah threatens friends uh mine again- yew... kinna... complicate it a bit..

Joe Vellim: By da way- ah was right deah when alla dis happened- dey dint tell me nuttin. Ya heah?

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Sighs, getting up and moving into the kitchenette and pouring two glasses of oj. "Adrian is an idiot. He talks shit all the time." Hands him a glass when he paces her way.

Joe Vellim: Alice. ~Alice~ *Trying to catch her eye.* According to public recahd, and a bunch uh dead people... he don't always tawk shit. Yew gahnna tell me yew know da diffrence? *He cants an eyebrow, pulling the phone out of his pocket.* Anyways, he keeps messagin' 'im. Ah tink ah abaht gahtta call 'im.

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "Has he messaged him since Wednesday?"

Alice Newcomb (her apt): d10: per + alert: 3,5,1,6,4,1,10,

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Tries to sneak a peek at the phone number he's calling, but can't get the right angle without being obvious.

Joe Vellim: *A thick thumb sweeps across the phone.* Newp. Jus' th' one on Wednesday. *He looks from the phone to her.* Ee's in some kinna trahble. Can't say as ah'm all dat wahrried abahtim. He scah's uddah people enough mebbe its time feh 'im ta get summah 'is own.

Joe Vellim: d10: per/alert: 9,3,8,3,9,

Joe Vellim: *The cagey man seems to have caught a bit of the look, and offers her the phone.* Deah's 'is numbah- yew wanna callim, gahead- but, on th' condition ah get ta tawk ta 'im tew.

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Lowers her eyes and sighs heavily, glancing down at her ring to focus. "I think he may be dead."

Joe Vellim: Ah good. *Mumbled happily at the phone before he looks up to Alice, a bit sheepish.*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Blinks when he offers her the phone, taking it slowly, and reading the number before hitting dial.

Joe Vellim: Ah mean uh... how do ya know? *ahems*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): (dlp her calling the number, she looks at it and hands him back the phone))

Joe Vellim: *He shrugs a bit, dialing the number, his jaw set.*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "I was attacked and Adrian moved to defend me. He was beaten unconscious and carried off. He's probably dead."

Joe Vellim: Whul mebbe somebahdy gatis phone... *He takes the oj in one thick hand.* Tanks, kiddo.. *He pauses for a moment, clears his throat.* Sahrry abaht dis, yeah?

Adrian's Phone -> Joe Vellim: *Click* "Ethan? I told you not to call Adrian." Aerin's voice, sounding rather...peeved. It sounds like he's outside, on the farm. "What does no fucking contact mean to you?"

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "It's a little ironic that you've shown up, because after it happened I thought of calling you to see if you could find him."

Joe Vellim: HA! *Suprise at whomever answers* Jeezus ya fuggin' mook... ya scahd th' shit outta me... hey- s'Joe. How'd yew getis phone?

Joe Vellim: *He smiles a bit to Alice. Not the Vellim Grin, something a bit less contrived. One thick hand curls into a loose fist, tapping her chin gently.* Good jahb, kiddo.. next time make th' call, huh?

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "I'm afraid the people who killed him, are probably going to come after me next. And you found me just with his phone bill."

Adrian's Phone -> Joe Vellim: A moment of absolute surprise. "What the...Joe? You've got Ethan's....phone." It was a questioning tone, until that last word. "It's...a very long story. Short version is that Adrian's got something bigger and badder looking for him, and I'm using him to find bigger and badder."

Joe Vellim: *His eyes darken a bit at that.. he nods grimly to the girl, and holds up a finger solemnly.*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Gives him a hint of a smile.

Joe Vellim: uh huh... say uh... issis Job related? *You can hear the capitalization as he speaks into the phone.*

Adrian's Phone: d10: Per+Alert: 5,6,7,2,9,2,

Adrian's Phone -> Joe Vellim: "Yeah, it is...is that...is Alice with you?"

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Sips her orange juice, rolling her lips when he seems to know who ever it is that has Adrian's phone. Shit, what if they sent him? Wouldn't he have done something already?

Joe Vellim: *One can hear the pit bull jaw as it tightens stubbornly.* Ah'm widda client, huh?

Joe Vellim: Sa, whadawe do? Frahm what ah kin get, he aint contacted nahbahdy since wends'dy. *He glances to Alice for confirmation... and a bit of a warning scowl, rather paternal, cautioning against a lie.*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Nods.

Adrian's Phone -> Joe Vellim: He goes with the client thing for now. "He's fine. We need to find Alice Newcomb and get her to safety. You know her, I'm sure. The people who took Adrian may go looking for her. Get her, get her dog, and...shit. Do you have anywhere you can stash her? This problem is long in the tooth, and we don't need them up at the farm, so she's not safe to go there."

Joe Vellim: Aaaaaah shit... lessee... *Bright eyes skate back to Alice as he considers.* Waitaminit.. what kinna dog ah we talkin' heah? Like... summat ya kin pass off likah... seein' eye dog uh summat?

Joe Vellim: *He covers the phone and mouths "he's fine" to Alice.*

Joe Vellim: Ya.. ah tink ah kin swing summat. How loang does she needta stay gahn?

Adrian's Phone -> Joe Vellim: "No, it's a big-ass dog. Guard-dog type...nice and muscluar. Goes by Thor."

Alice Newcomb (her apt): She didn't tell him about her dog. He's talking to one of them! Her eyes flicker from the phone to Joe a couple times. "I have to use the bathroom," she says softly, and hurries down the hall without answering his question.

Adrian's Phone -> Joe Vellim: "I don't know yet. A few days at the very least, maybe a couple weeks. If we have to, we can kennel the dog and I can pay for a hotel room for her."

Joe Vellim: aaaaah fu- *a glance at Alice as he corrects his language.* it can't evah be summat nice.. "Fluffy"... summat... *He wipes his brow.. jeezus he hates dogs.*

Joe Vellim: *He nods to Alice, eyes following her for a moment.*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Slips into her bedroom locking the door, quickly ditching her robe and nightgown to pull on some street clothes.

Joe Vellim: d10: per/emp: 1,3,2,

Joe Vellim: *dooby dooby doo.. no idea Alice is suddenly nervous.*

Joe Vellim: Nah ah gahtit. Look uh.. ah'm gahnna keep dis phone, but ah still gaht mine, huh? want me ta call yew wit da room numbah an' all dat?

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Shoes, coat, backpack... it doesn't taker her long. Oh. Keys.

Joe Vellim: Damn... quick.. we'll be ready ta go pretty quick. Me an' my client, yeah?

Adrian's Phone -> Joe Vellim: "Please, yes. I've got Adrian under control...he's holed up in his own hotel, and he's not calling anyone. The fuckers who are after him have him scared shitless. But I'm slowly working on a plan, so..."

Joe Vellim: Awright.. well, lemme know. We prahbly gatta move, huh?

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Quietly opens the window and looks down at the three floor drop, then up at the roof.

Adrian's Phone -> Joe Vellim: "Good. Let me know when we're ready...use our regular cells. Less likely to have anyone try a trace."

Joe Vellim: Gahtcha. ((Rolling to hear the window?))

Joe Vellim: d10: per/alert: 5,5,8,2,9,

Alice Newcomb (her apt): d10: dex: 1,7,8,

Adrian's Phone -> Joe Vellim: "Good. I'll talk to you later, Joe."

Joe Vellim: *A quizzical glance as street noises suddenly become a little more apparent.* Alice? Whadaya doin' hun... doah's ovah dis way, huh? *click*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Swings her backpack on backwards and steps out onto the ledge. She just has to make it across to the fire escape. This is what she gets for taking the room with the good view.

Alice Newcomb (her apt): d10: dex + ath (wp): 1,6,9,6,9,5,

Alice Newcomb (her apt): She starts edging along the ledge towards the fire escape.

Joe Vellim: Oh no... tell me dis aint happenin.. *He talks so she can hear him as he approaches the door.* Oh kiddo.. dis aint th' circus.. tell me ya aint.. *he opens the door to the bedroom and stares at the open window.* Ya ah. What happened? Dincha heah? Yeh guy's okay.. it does toyn out some bad folks is aftah ya dough.. not real shuwah yeh bein very subtle abaht leavin' dis apahtment...

Alice Newcomb (her apt): (the bedroom door is locked)

Joe Vellim: *He walks toward the window, trying to keep the worry out of his voice.* Alice? *He leans out, bracing his elbows on the sill and looking around.*

Joe Vellim: *She hears a rather loud crack from inside the apartment. Strength roll required?*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): (naaa, I'm sure he could break it, just an ordinary door)

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Glances towards the window, and moves a little quicker... almost there.

Joe Vellim: *He raises his voice some as he watches the woman's precarious balancing act.* Jeezus kid.. whadaya doin? Aerin says we outta be subtle... ya.. uh.. naht.

Alice Newcomb (her apt): She just eases around the corner, and out of sight, heart racing.

Alice Newcomb (her apt): d10: dex + ath: 3,4,3,10,10,4,

Alice Newcomb (her apt): There's a scrabbling sound as she leans for the fire escape and nearly slip, then scrambles over the siding.

Joe Vellim: *He rubs his eyes... aw fek.. and digs back into his pocket for the phone, dialing aerin.. and using his own phone.*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): And then she's racing down the fire escape as fast as she can go.

Aerin's Phone -> Joe Vellim: *Click* "What's up?"

Joe Vellim: Yew uh... whul... yew know Alice, right?

Joe Vellim: *A wince as he hears the scrabbling.. trying to keep his voice even so she doesn't think he's coming after.. maybe she'll take her time if she knows exactly where he is.*

Aerin's Phone -> Joe Vellim: "Yeaaaah...?" This doesn't sound good...

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Reaches the second floor platform and swings around to race down the next flight.

Joe Vellim: Good.. whul.. see.. she sorta... climbed out th' windah.. ah'm naht real shuwah why.. but if'n yeh heh friend.. giveuh five minutes, den call eh- I'd go aftah.. but she may fall if she tinks ah'm comin' aftah heh uh summat..

Joe Vellim: Meanwhile, ah'm gahnna go staht th' cah. An get th' fekkin doag ah guess..

Aerin's Phone -> Joe Vellim: Oh. Crap. He sighs. "All right. I'll give her a call...no big deal, it's fixable."

Alice Newcomb (her apt): d10: dex + ath: 6,5,6,3,4,10,

Alice Newcomb (her apt): She races down to the first floor the fire escape vibrating and rattling, then hops over the side, landing with a loud hollow bang on the top of the dumpster, leaping without pause to the ground.

Joe Vellim: *He spins around and looks down- a quick scan- no, no body in the alley... whew.. alright, poochy.. wheah's "Thor".*

Joe Vellim: *He hangs up the phone with a sigh.. listening for growling.*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): She races into the garage, leaping onto her ninja and turning over the engine with the flick of a switch. *VROOOOOM*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): No sounds of growling, but there is dog hair and dog toys suggesting a dog lives in the house.

Joe Vellim: Ey uh... Thoah? *He looks from room to room, trying to find him.*

Aerin's Phone -> Alice Newcomb (her apt): *Ring ring* It's coming from Aerin's phone number.

Joe Vellim: Jus' so ya know... ah taste bad...?

Alice Newcomb (her apt): There are only two other doors, Adrian's bedroom... no do there and the bathroom, still no dog. Seems Thor isn't home.

Joe Vellim: Ah sweet Marry... thankee.. *He leans against a doorjamb, mopping his brow with one sleeve.*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Pops a wheelie as she tears out of the garage, eating up the road. Skids it to the curb and digs out her phone, glancing up and down the street in case its a delay tactic. "Hello?"

Aerin's Phone -> Alice Newcomb (her apt): "Alice?" He sounds concerned. "It's Aerin."

Joe Vellim: *The light in her apartment goes out.*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "Yeah, so?" Sounding distracted.

Aerin's Phone -> Alice Newcomb (her apt): "Adrian's with me. Not WITH me, but he called me, and I got him to a safe place. He wants me to find you, because the people who are after him may be after you, too, now."

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Shouldering the phone she eases back into traffic, down the street and into an alley, so she's not so much in the open.

Joe Vellim: *He steps out a few minutes later, the blunt short man makes quick time with steps. He shoots straight for the alley he thinks Alice came down in... primarily checking the ground, it seems.. heaps of trash that may be a little broken body.* Alice? Alice? Tell me ya awright, kiddo...

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Nearly rolls into a trash can as she kicks the bike into neutral and grabs the phone properly to her ear. Did he say what she thinks he said. "And he called you?" Why the hell would he call Aerin? That doesn't make any sense.

Joe Vellim: Krissake Joe.. loosin' ya friggin' touch.. be real easy ta jes' calleh.. but noooOOooo... nevah asked feh heh gadamn numbah..

Alice Newcomb (her apt): No little broken bodies, not even blood.

Aerin's Phone -> Alice Newcomb (her apt): "Yes, he called me. He didn't have any other options. He didn't want to call you because he didn't want to lead them to you. I was expendable if necessary. I think he was surprised that I was willing to help."

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "So am I," sounding more puzzled than suspicious. He seems like a nice guy and all, but doing Adrian favors seems a little over the top.

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "Did you send Joe?"

Aerin's Phone -> Alice Newcomb (her apt): "Yeah, I am too, to be honest. Who knew?" He might chuckle, if he was anything but serious. "Listen...I don't expect you to believe me. But here's what I do want. Get to a hotel. Check into it. Stay there. You're on a motorcyle from the sounds of it, so I'm guessing Thor isn't with you. Can you get him?"

Aerin's Phone -> Alice Newcomb (her apt): "Did I send him? No. But we work together. I was the person on the phone with him a few minutes ago when you were there."

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "Thor is in the hospital, they shot him. And I can't get a hotel room without id. Then there'll be a record." She gets carded for bubble gum and he thinks she can get a hotel room?

Aerin's Phone -> Alice Newcomb (her apt): "Not if you choose one of the crappy ones. Think South Bronx, or the Garment District...Hell's Kitchen. Somewhere like that. They'll take anyone in, and look the other way. Cheap and shitty, but they'll let you in." He takes a deep breath. "Or, if you trust me enough, I can take you to a place and check you in there under my name. But I understand if this is too much for you to accept at face value."

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "You do know they beat up skinny little yuppie twerps in those neighborhoods? Do you think this Joe guy can be trusted?"

Aerin's Phone -> Alice Newcomb (her apt): "Absolutely. I know him quite well, as a matter of fact. He's a good man. Means well."

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "Alright. I'll see if he can get me in somewhere. Thanks Aerin." A long pause. "I really didn't have anywhere to go."

Joe Vellim: *He goes to sit on her doorstoop, hands shoved into his jacket pockets.*

Aerin's Phone -> Alice Newcomb (her apt): "It's okay, Alice." He's calm, his voice taking on those confident, soothing tones. "Everything's going to be fine, I promise. I'm here for you, all right?"

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "Okay," she says softly, not entirely sure why he would be there for her.

Aerin's Phone -> Alice Newcomb (her apt): "Just go find Joe, all right? I'm going to call him and let him know I talked to you, and we'll get you safe."

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "Okay. Thanks." And she flips the phone closed, pocketing it.

Aerin's Phone -> Joe Vellim: *Ring ring*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Spins the bike and heads back the way she came. At least Adrian is all right.

Joe Vellim: *One hand swipes through his pocket- he scowls at an over- attentive passerby as he answers.* Yellow?

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Aerin. He called Aerin. Where did he get his number?

Aerin's Phone -> Joe Vellim: "She's on her way back to you. I told her you'd get her into a hotel room...the dog's in a hospital. They shot him, apparently...but that means at least he's safe, and you can get her somewhere without worrying about the pooch."

Joe Vellim: Ah good.. ah'm naht sa good wit dogs.. dey don' seem to keen onme. Dunno why. *He looks up and down the street.* Quick liddle kid, aintshe.. she awright? Dint fall uh summat?

Aerin's Phone -> Joe Vellim: "No, she took off on her motor bike."

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Cruises back to her apt, stopping in front without cutting the engine, and looking around for Joe.

Alice Newcomb (her apt): d10: per + alert: 3,6,4,5,6,8,9,

Joe Vellim: Ah swell.. nevah been on ona dose.. *He gets up from the stoop to look for her.* want me ta call ya wit da room numbah?

Alice Newcomb (her apt): Waves, watching him, still a little tense over the situation.

Joe Vellim: *He stops, looking from her to the bike.* Damn.. looks fast.. *A bit leery as he smiles to the woman, a small wave.* Had me kinna scahd theah feh a minute.. glad ya gaht down awright. *He seems quite sincere as he approaches the bike.*

Aerin's Phone -> Joe Vellim: "Yeah, please. Let me know when you get her checked in."

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "When you mentioned my dog I figured you were working for them, since I hadn't told you about him."

Joe Vellim: Shuwah 'ting.*He clicks the phone shut, approaching Alice with the bike as he pockets it again... he considers for a moment before speaking.* Yeh shuwah ya gaht everyting ya need? Ah kin come back feh ya if ya like, latah..

Joe Vellim: Oh.. *He nods, rubbing a thick finger across his nose.* Ah was kinna wonderin.. quick moves dough.. bettah safe den sahrry. *He nods* Good jahb in any case.

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "I've got everything I need."

Alice Newcomb (her apt): "Hop on."

Joe Vellim: *He raises his eyebrows at that, a bit leery, but apparently quite game.* Trustin yew, lady. *He chuckles, but hops on readily enough.*

Alice Newcomb (her apt): She didn't bother with a helmet, being a hurry when she left, so there isn't one to offer him. She just kicks the bike into gear and hits the streets, heading down towards Bronx. ((Bronx open?))

Joe Vellim: ((Sure thing- I don't have a whole lot of time left though.))

Alice Newcomb: ((Shall we summarize?))

Joe Vellim: ((Either way- I'm trying out multitasking!))

Alice Newcomb: ((Yes, you're taking about ten minutes per post too.))

Joe Vellim: ((Hey- I'm OLD! Slow is what I do!*L*))

Alice Newcomb: ((So lets say he helps her get a room and scowls at anyone that looks like they want to mess with her, and she's set at least for the night. Sound good? You tell me if he stays or leaves her there alone.))

Joe Vellim: ((Yeah he'd stick around, keep her safe, phones Aerin with the room and tucks her in tight. He likely spends a good deal of the time outside the room. Good with everybody?))

Alice Newcomb: ((Sounds good. We can play a conversation between them tomorrow if you want. Nighty night! Thanks for the scene guys!))

Ravyn: ((Night, guys!))