Nice walked slowly down the road, head down, as to not attract any attention. Nothing was more important than keeping a low profile in a place like this, especially when you were a criminal. She had her hands thrust deep into the pockets of a black trench coat, with her usual attire under it. Her usual attire being a red sleeveless button up and black pants. Though, she thought, it's pretty hard not to get looks when you wear an eyepatch and showcase your burn marks.
That was true. Nice was on her way back to the warehouse she and her gang used for working most of the time. While they normally lived in the empty townhouse of Eve Genoard, located comfortably on Millionaire Row, they owed it to Eve not to test prototypes in her home. There was really no reason for her to be out on the street, she just wanted some fresh air, for once. She got it though, no one told her what to do. Being cooped up in the warehouse and that house was boring, and even though Jacuzzi was perfectly fine staying indoors she wanted more.
As she passed through the crowd something crinkled under her boot. Looking down, upon further inspection, it was revealed to be another wanted poster for Jacuzzi. Nice sighed. Maybe it wasn't such an idea to pick up and move to New York, all of a sudden. She shook her head at the thought.
A few months ago the gang of bootleggers packed up everything and decided to get away from Chicago for a while. With the whole Flying Pussyfoot incident and with them being criminals things were getting more and more dangerous over there. Plus that fiend Ladd Russo was getting too close for comfort all of a sudden. And he seemed to get more and more interested in their exploits., not to mention that his uncle Placido Russo was hot on their trail.
Moving seemed like the best idea at the time. Here in New York they were closer to their friends, which meant more connections as well. This kept business booming and money coming in. And it even lowered Jacuzzi's anxiety a bit. Nice always suspected that getting away from the Russo family would help her boyfriend a little, and apparently she was correct.
But all of a sudden wanted posters were turning up everywhere, and their "low profile" seemed to be crumbling. But Nice decided not to tell Jacuzzi, lest they risk him having a huge scare. As long as they could lay low for a while everything should be okay. And finally everything could go back to normal, or to as normal as everything usually was.
Nice felt a bit of pressure on her upper arm, and turned to her right, preparing to snap at some grizzly guy. Being an attractive woman she was harassed often, but knew how to deal with it. An uppercut and a kick in the shin usually brought any guy down. As she glared at her attacker she saw the shadowy man smirk, and with an unusual amount of strength and grace he flipped her into the alleyway, setting her down so she wouldn't get hurt.
Nice was puzzled. How...considerate for a pervert. She blinked, turning to the man. He was hidden beneath a black hat and trench coat, not speaking. Nice tried to liven up the situation. "Wow..... We match..." The man refused to speak, only smirking. Nice began to grow angry, narrowing her eyes. "Hey look buddy, I'm not some easy girl you can get with! I don't know what you want but I think I'll be on my way."
As Nice began to get up the man blocked her way. She smirked, planning to use her secret weapon. She reached into her belt loop, grasping at one of the many bombs she had hidden on her person. "This will be fun." Suddenly the man began laughing, and pulled off his hat. He had unruly ginger hair and Crimson eyes. He had an arrogant yet amusing smirk and was unfairly attractive. Yet he had a bit of a heroic air to him, and was strangely familiar.
He zeroed his eyes in on Nice. "Wow miss, they told me you were a bomb enthusiast but I didn't expect to be blown up this quickly! It almost makes me want to fall in love all over again! But alas, i'm a taken man!" Nice gripped the cherry bomb in the palm of her hand, but smiled at the man. "Well if you have enough class to drag me into an alley you could at least tell me your name."
He smirked. "Wow, I expected more of you! How can you not remember one like I! I've gone by many names; Vino, Claire, even The Rail Tracer!" Nice narrowed her eyes. "You? The Rail Tracer?" He nodded. "Of course! I can't believe you don't remember. But as a precaution you can use my birth name, Claire. I'm thinking of ditching that name though, so let me know if you find a replacement" Nice was slowly piecing the info together. She walked over to a nearby box, sitting atop it. "Claire Stanfield, of course. the Rail Tracer turned out to be a freelance assassin working for the Gandors."
Claire widened his eyes, not shocked, but impressed at her Intel. Nice shrugged."You learn something new around here every day. We work near the Gandor's turf, so I've supplied them with products a time or two, and heard of you around the block. So, what is it you want with me?" Claire signed, running a hand through his hair. He sat on another box, looking a bit nervous. "Don't ask how, but I know that you and your little gang somehow fell into good terms with Chane Laforet, am I correct?"
Nice smiled, fondly remembering the mute woman, who had a place in her heart. "Yeah, Chane's a great friend. Haven't seen her for a few weeks though. I think she's in the city somewhere, working for her father she wrote, I believe. What do you want with her? You better not be trying to fight her, she'll knock you into next week."
Claire laughed nervously. "Actually I've been looking for her for almost a year. I guess you could say I'm in love with her. No, there is no guessing, I am in love with Chane Laforet! We met on the Flying Pussyfoot, and she promised to find me someday! Well, that someday is now, and I have to profess my undying love." Claire's eyes went glassy for a moment. "Her silence, her absolute fearlessness, it just got to me. Her expressionless face not saying a word as she fought to the death with that white suit. She's the most amazing woman I've ever met. I proposed but never got an answer, hard to get that one. I need to see her."
Nice sighed. "So that's where I come in." Claire nodded. "Yeah, well, I wondered if you could find some way for me to see her. I really need to sweep her off of her feet in a big way. I need to see if she loves me too. I've confessed to a lot of girls, gotten turned down and gone out looking for the next girl right after. But I can't give up this time!" Nice nodded warily, taken aback by Claire's grandiose rambling. "I understand, but what's in it for me and my friends?" Claire leaned in close, smirking. "Well for one I won't brutally murder you."
Nice narrowed her eyes. "I don't think you would anyway." Claire shrugged. "I wouldn't, but whatever. You'd be helping your friend find love." Nice sighed. "Friend, funny. You have to give me time if I'm going to help you." Claire stood up, brushing off his coat. "Two weeks. Anyway, I have other business to attend to."
He began to walk away as Nice but her lip. "Hey! How will I find you?" Claire paused, without turning around. "I'll find you. Now I know you're annoyed, and you can throw the bomb. But you'll never hit me." Nice was growing more annoyed by the minute.
She hurled the cherry bomb and he ducked out of the way, calmly walking away and sinking into the crowd. Nice stood up, running her hand through her hair.
What have I just gotten us into, she thought.
••••••••
Meanwhile, Chane Laforet sat in her small apartment, staring out the window as she watched the passing crowd. You promised to find me, and I don't think you've given up. So I'll wait, and I'll wait, until I turn to dust. Because I believe in you, and I wonder to myself, when will you come? And is this really worth it?
