A/N: Oh, wow, D. Welcome abroad! Nice to see a familiar face. :D
Now onto the next snippet. It's all Tabitha, baby.
Chapter 02 - Interview
"State your name."
"Tabitha Fall."
"Age?"
"Fifteen…Ugh, fine. Thirteen."
"Aren't you a little young for a gang?"
"Is that a question from your little clipboard there?"
"…Current residence?"
"Up your ass."
A man sighed, running a hand over his blue mohawk. "Look, Kid. If you wanna be Purple Dragon material, get used to answering to me."
"And you are?" Tabitha smiled; she knew very well who was interviewing her.
Fang leaned forward to glare. The room's lighting made the deep scar along his hairy jaw-line look a little intimidating, but Tabi crossed her arms, having already promised herself that she wouldn't chicken out.
"I'm the guy who's gunna put you in the ground if you don't show some respect," Fang said.
Tabitha licked her plump lips. Unlike her father, Fang sounded like he could back up his cold words.
"Now," the gangster continued, "where do you live?"
"Morningside Heights," the young teen grumbled.
"Morningside?"
"Did I stutter?" Tabitha lifted her chin until Fang's bright eyes made it fall. "I mean, yes. Something wrong with that?"
"Possibly. Not many rich kids join gangs."
"I'm not just any kid."
Fang chuckled. "Really? Let me guess, your parents are scientists."
Tabi turned her head aside, nails digging into her upper arms. "They work at CUBA."
"And you attend a private school?"
"What does it matter?" Tabi asked with a huff. "It's a free country. I can join whichever gang I want."
"But why would you? You have it made."
Tabi's head turned before she knew what her body was doing. Her eyes narrowed, her muscles tensed, and for a moment, Fang looked taken aback.
"You don't know anything," she whispered.
"I know thirteen is a weak age," Fang said.
"If you're worried I can't handle myself, don't be. I've been taking Karate since I was six."
"Karate."
The gangster laughed, his brows crinkling around his eyebrow jewelry. The sound echoed as Tabi met his eyes. They sparkled. Then, something strong gripped her t-shirt. The teen stiffened, but her Sensei's instructions forced her to move. Grab the wrist with the opposing hand, bend at the waist, and—
Fang's laughter returned. "Ar—are you trying to down me?"
Tabitha kept her mouth shut.
"I'm nearly three times heavier than your scrawny ass."
"So?"
Releasing the teen, Fang retrieved the clipboard that he had dropped. Tabi had half a mind to stomp on it. Before she remembered his fist. There would definitely be a bruise on her chest later.
"You got a promising foundation, Kid. But you'll need more than a foundation to run with the Dragons."
"I can keep up."
"Our members lead a hard life. The Forty-Four's have expanded further than expected. Not to mention that if we lose any more shipments to those frog freaks, Hun will wear our pelts."
"Do humans have pelts?"
Fang snarled.
"What do you mean by frog freaks?"
"The Phantoms."
"Seriously?"
"They've been ruining our business for over three years. Now if you ask one more question—"
"I got it, I got it." Tabi rocked on her feet, hands outstretched. "You're the interviewer. So can I join or not?"
Fang wagged a finger. "Tell me why you wanna be a Dragon."
"Why did you wan—" The teen stopped herself with a shrug. "I wanna be part of something bigger."
Fang's hand fell and he silently pressed for answers by straightening himself. Tabi hated when grown-ups did that.
"Why wouldn't I wanna be a Dragon?" she asked. "It's like joining a giant family with something new to do every day. The only exciting thing at home is when I set the furniture on fire."
"So you're just a bored arsonist."
"No!" said Tabi hurriedly. She clasped her hands behind her back and puffed out her chest—just like she had seen soldiers do on television. "I mean, I am an arsonist. But I also really want this, and know I can make the cut."
"Do you know what 'the cut' involves?"
"Being Jacked In, right? Skunk told me. At the park."
"Skunk?" Fang covered his mouth like he was holding back a laugh.
"What?" asked Tabi.
"Nothing." Fang sent a crooked smile. "Skunk's just a little…behind on the times."
"Does it matter? What's the point in talking anyway? Words won't show you what skills I have."
"You're thirteen. I doubt the list is very long."
"Ugh, give me a chance! I can do anything you need. Infiltration, distractions, theft, fires—I'm really good at those. Just ask the Twenty-Eighth Precinct."
"Now that you mention it"—Fang set aside his clipboard—"there may be some use in you yet."
Was he still teasing her? Tabitha clenched her hands, gaze following Fang when he produced then opened a cell phone. He seemed to be looking something up and was quiet for the longest time.
"What are you doing?" Tabi asked.
"Must be nice having rich parents," the gangster commented. "The judges never went this easy on me for my Juvenile Crimes."
The teen glared. "Is that why you ask people all these questions? So you can stalk them?"
"I like being informed."
"I told you I had a past."
"People lie—kids especially."
"I'm not a kid!"
Fang shook his head and snapped his cell phone shut. "Alright, Kid, since you're so insistent, I'll give you what you want."
"Wait." Tabi felt her limbs tingle as she fought back the urge to jump. "Did I…did I seriously make it?"
"Course not."
The teen threw her head back and groaned.
"But I'll give you a chance alongside the other possible recruits."
Uh, that was good, right? Something seemed off about Fang's smile, but the teen held her ground. She had to. She'd come this far and like hell she'd leave empty-handed.
"What do I gotta do?" she asked.
Fang met Tabi's smirk with half-lidded eyes. He rubbed his scarred jaw, saying, "Survive initiation."
A/N: I had fun with this. Young Tabi is just...OMG. Not much different from the older her, though...Anywho. I wanna say that "Fang" is name you should remember. Just...for books down the road. Make a note. :D
