To Each Their Own (Florence --> Open)

[Blake Nakagawa]

Blake ran across the rooftop, and hid in the shadow that part of the building casted on top. Darkness and shadows. Two of the only three allies in this entire world he truly trusted, the last one being Florence, his partner. His slightly muscular arms folded across his chest, he moved away from the shadow, and ran across the rooftop, and reaching the edge, he didn't stop, he leaped across the gap, and landed on the building beside it, somersaulting to ease his landing. Running the edge of the building he had landed on, Blake peered over the top, and looked around, his eyes quickly darting around, until he found what he was looking for. Florence. His partner. His black ninja mask covered his entire face save for his eyes, Blake watched from his lookout point, waiting for her to get into place. As soon as she was in place, Blake pulled out his kusarigama, and catching the sun's rays, the light reflected off the metal, and Blake began to tilt it back and forth.

Sending the signal to Florence to begin, once that was done, Blake placed his kusarigama away, and moved away from the edge, back into the shadows. Blake ran across the rooftop, and when he was far enough, he leaped down from the building rooftop, and landed on the ground with a soft thump. Hidden in the shadows, Blake moved quietly, and stopped when he could see Florence. As he predicted, a crowd had formed around her, and what's more, they were all guys. Perfect for Blake. While the crowd's attention was focused on Florence, Blake would move through the crowd, carefully and quietly picking their pockets of their money. It was too easy. A smirk formed on Blake's face underneath his mask, as he slipped the money into his bag. He then slipped out of the crowd, and back into the shadows. He then moved back up to the rooftop he had been on, and once again sent the signal to Florence, as he slipped back into the shadows and waited in the shadow of the alleyway of the building he had been on.

Hiding in the shadows, Blake heard footsteps, as he kept his guard up, not moving from the shadows until he saw who it was. Once he caught a glimpse of who it was, he relaxed a bit, but still kept his guard up, just in case. "Nicely done," he said in a low voice, as he pulled the mask covering his mouth down, "We got enough money to keep us going for a good while."

[Florence Stryker]

The center of attention, it was such a wonderful place to be; since for most of her life she wasn't in such a place. Marvelous! So many adoring eyes, people wearing smiles on their face as they looked upon her; it was enough to make any black sheep feel a little accepted. Even though she knew why they watched. Not because of her as a person, but her looks and her talents in dancing; it was enough to draw them in. That's all she needed, and audience.

The brunette smiled at the group of people, she was happy to see them; people who liked her dancing. Well, apart from her teachers..those lovely performers; to bad they met such a sad end. Her green gaze traveled up from the people towards the sky, the rooftops! Looking, she was searching for something.. Maybe a familiar face, or a sign from the gods or her parents in the sky. Its where they were, sadly; or perhaps for the best? If they weren't gone.. I'd not be here.. The girl thought to herself, still staring longingly at the sky like a caged bird; freedom. It's one of the few things the girl ever wanted. Freedom, fun and acceptance; the things she had to fight for herself to get. Then it caught her eye, light reflected off a metal surface; it was him.

Time to start the show.

The girl looked over to the musician she had met while looking for a place to dance; they had agreed to play together. Why? Performing with someone was always more fun then being a lone.. that was for sure. Plus, what is dance without music, but a person making a fool of themselves? Smiling in the direction of the musician the girl nodded, it was time to begin. Anticipation seemed to consume the audience whole! They watched in wonder, questioning what the girl would do.

She stood silently in the center of the group, looking down at the ground; listening to the strumming of a lute. Wondering exactly what she would do, the girl herself wasn't exactly sure; improv.. So much fun. She focused for a moment or two, channeling her thoughts on herself; it was time to use her power. After all, one didn't want the audience to leave before they got their surprise. Moving her feet slowly to the music, Florence began to dance; She wore a faint smile on her face. Only because she had to concentrate to keep the people under her spell, their eyes would be only focused on her; for reasons unknown to them they couldn't peel their eyes form the girl. No idea whats happening.. She thought to herself, dancing as her green gaze slowly traveled back towards the sky; closing her eyes for a moment. Florence thought to herself for a few more moments, trying to keep herself focused on her magic and dancing. left, twirl, right, tap, tap tap, kick, right...

Returning her gaze to the people of the crowd, she gave them a overly friendly smile; so very happy. Her magic was in full effect, their eyes were glued to her; blind to what was happening. Eyes for only her, during the dance. The brunette was enjoying her dance, it was fun. Though all good things have to come to an end! Once again she was signaled by him.. the fun was over. She had to stop her dancing, which was probably for the best. Using her magic caused her to become exhausted faster, she was nearing her limit. It was only because Florence was still getting used to her magic, even though she used it frequently with him.

She'd look to the musician and nod, smiling brightly at him; secretly feeling sad he fun would end. As the music slowed, so did her movement. Ending in a bow, the girl smiled as she slowly straightened up; listening to the crowd cheer. It was amazing, she smiled and bowed before running off; her time with them was short. "Buhbye!" Florence called as she waved and dashed off, to the meeting spot. Walking down an ally, looking for him; wondering if he'd sneak up on her or not.

"Nicely done,"

Florence turned around quickly to see Blake, she smiled and bowed. "Why thank yeh!" She giggled a little.

"We got enough money to keep us going for a good while."

She smiled faintly, looking off towards the mouth of the ally; feeling guilty.. Stealing from people to live. "That's good.."

Sadness linger for a few moments, while guilt pained her always; which is why she helped others. To make up for her misdeeds. It was only fair. "What now?" The girl questioned quietly, a little tired from the show.

[Blake Nakagawa]

Blake had to admit, while he was busy stealing from the unsuspecting men, he was watching Florence dance as well. But unlike the other men, her power was not concentrated on him, so he could move about freely without ending up looking like a drooling idiot. Their eyes glued to his partner, Blake finished what he had set out to do, and like before, he emerged from shadows, he would return to shadows. Moving into the shadows, Blake waited for her to arrive, and she did not disappoint him. He saw her come walking down the alley, as soon as she came close enough, he complimented her on a job well done. "Why thank yeh!" He heard her giggle a little, as he automatically folded his arms across his chest, and told her they had enough money to keep themselves going for a good while. He saw her smile faintly, and look at the entrance of the alleyway, as Blake sighed softly, it pained him to see Florence so sad.

"That's good.."

He knew Florence wasn't happy about having to steal from people, but honestly, they had no choice. Blake wasn't stealing because he wanted to, but because he had to, if he didn't, the two of them would end up starving, because they had no money with them, save from what they stole. He could tell Florence was guilty about having to do this, but what choice did they have? They had very little options at this point in time. "What now?" "You," he replied, as he gently took her hand into his own, "Need to rest. Let's go to an inn and get a room, and we'll figure out what to do next after." Gently guiding her out of the alleyway, his hand still holding hers, Blake emerged out of the dark alley, and led the way to one of the inns in the town they were in. He walked past merchant stalls, but was not interested in buying anything, all he was worried about, was getting Florence to a room in an inn and rest.

Based on what Blake had heard around town, there was one inn that charged a reasonable price per night, which is where he was heading. Reaching the inn, Blake went in, letting Florence in before him, before heading to the counter, and obtaining a room for them. Leading the way, Blake opened the door, and let Florence go in first. "Get some rest, I'll be here."