Shimmer and shine

Viktor attempts a rescue

Jinx stared wide eyed and stunned at the money pouch that was set in her hand the following morning. It was heavier than she'd expected it to be, and judging from some of the surprised and annoyed looks from the other girls, it was more than they'd expected too. But this was good. It meant she could start buying things soon. Gunpowder wasn't cheap, especially if you wanted to keep your name off certain lists and away from prying eyes.

"you did good." Mira grinned, "better than most newbies."

Jinx shrugged, "it's just telling them what they want to hear." She set the pouch into the pocket of the flowy pants she'd been allowed to borrow, out of sight of dark, greed filled eyes.

"Can... Can I go out today?" Jinx asked, uncertainly.

Mira laughed, "we're not prisoners Mouse, you can come and go as you please as long as you're here to get ready for your shifts."

She blinked, "shifts?" logically shifts made sense, but no one had mentioned them before now.

Mira nodded and pointed out at the boards hanging up to one side of the common area. "Rosters are worked out a little strangely." She started, "Babette calls the girls in each week, highest earners to lowest. You make the money to, and you get first pick of the next week's shifts."

"that feels unfair." Jinx frowned, "Wouldn't people with more earnings would take higher traffic shifts?"

Mira shrugged, "They aren't always the best ones to take." She admitted, "some days it can get rather rowdy in here. But if it's any consolation, it's done by hourly averages not by total weekly income."

Jinx nodded, watching as the girls scattered, some wandering off towards the staff door, while others heading to bed now that Babette had handed out their tips.

"Newbies usually get allocated shifts for the first few weeks. A variety of day and night shifts, it'll give you a feel for how this place runs and what kind of people come in when." Mira said, yawning loudly as the hours caught up to her, "it'll make it easier for you to choose shifts later on." 3

Jinx nodded, seeing her name already up on the board for the next two nights, plus the following morning-noon shift.

Already her head was spinning with calculations as she tried to think about how much money she could save if the previous nights earnings were an average calculation.

"You'll be climbing the rungs quickly if you keep pulling customers like you did last night." Mira chuckled. "you're lucky the Predators don't see us Prey as threats to their profits."

Jinx tilted her head in confusion, confused for a moment before remembering the symbolism of their masks.

"go do whatever it is you need to Mouser, Just be back in time for your shift." Mira said, rising from the lounge they'd sat on, stretching for a moment before sending her a smile, "I'm planning at least a few hours of sleep before I my afternoon shift today."

Jinx nodded, "Sleep well." She offered automatically. Years of having to give greetings and parting comments to the Kirraman's ingraining the response.

Mira waved her off and Jinx looked back up to the board her shift started at six in the evening. She had until five to do whatever she wanted and get back here.

She slips one of her braids over her shoulder and stands. That will give her time to figure out where she can set up a base. Cause she wasn't going to play with guns and explosives somewhere that was as busy and bustling as this. And she wouldn't want Babette or Mira involved if her future weapons were found.

Unbeknownst to her, Roy began to tail her.
--

Viktor grimaced as he made his way over the uneven rocks of his childhood, down into the darkness of the cave that led to Singed's lab. The fluorescent glow blinded him as he pushed through the door, just as he had when he was a child, invited and free to come and go as he'd pleased.