"Genshi," Luciana called softly to her coworker, Genshi Risa. "I might be late tomorrow." The bar was empty, despite it being one of their busiest nights.

"Why?" The wispy haired man's voice crackled.

"My brother needs help," she grinned at him tiredly. "He needs a training buddy."

"I see. I can have someone take your shift if you need it." His barely discernible mouth was titled down.

"No, no, I'm just going to be late," she blinked at him. Sometimes it was hard to look at him because of the light he gave off. "I'm fine, Matt just needs my help."

"You look like shit." Someone else chimed in.

"Tashinam Shuack, you shut the fuck up." Luciana snapped at him.

"Don't call me that!" He shrieked. "You call me S, do you hear me you, idiot?!"

"He is correct. You look terrible. Are you taking proper care of yourself?"

"I'm fine. I just have had to be up more often during the day."

"Really?" T, their boss, asked from the door to the kitchen.

"Really, boss." She glared. "I'm fine."

"Then you'll be fine if G has someone take your shift. Other's need the money," the tall man smirked and retreated.

"Fine. They can take my shift for the next two nights." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Next time you need extra shifts for someone, tell me. It's not like I'm hurting for money." The man nodded at the lie. The only way to get her to do something like that is if someone needs help.

"You lazy, bitch!" S yelled. "I need your help!"

"Are you admitting that I'm the best waiter?" she teased.

"No! You're just getting out of work like a lazy slut!" He yelled back.

"I hate you too, fucktard." She laughed.

"I hate you, you whore," he grinned. The others still around just shook their heads at their unique interactions. Normally, Luciana only insulted S, and S only insulted her.

They settled into a comfortable silence, each one cleaning something. The only sounds were a dishtowel on glass, a broom running across the floor, and running water.

"Does anyone know why it's dead?" Luciana asked before yawning. She had finished what she was doing and was now sitting on top of the bar.

"I've got a client coming in," T told her. "He'll be here soon."

"On a busy night? He must be paying well." She whistled. They all finished their tasks.

"Boss, is it a meeting we have to leave for?" S asked. T shook his head.

They waited for a few more minutes for the door to open. When it finally did, it revealed Giran, dressed nicely with an entourage of bodyguards.

"T. I'll be in the back. You guys can handle him." Luciana whispered to her boss. Her eyes were cold and hard. "I'm going to lay down."

"Good idea," was the whispered reply. T saw the way he had begun eyeing her up. Luciana left the room a moment later, shooting a steely glance at the relaxed Giran.

"Oh, where is that cute little lady going?" The oily man asked. "I thought she could entertain my men while we talked."

"Our coworker, L, isn't feeling well. She's going to lay down," S sneered.

"Yes, unfortunately, L isn't feeling well. G and S will be taking care of everything for now." T stepped forward. "I'm Tabs, the owner of the bar. Go ahead and sit anywhere you like." Giran's oily smirk never left his face.

"Yes," the man sat in front of the fire. "Me and my men will be here for a while. Go ahead and order boys." The six bulky men all sat in a ring around the table. The rest of his men filled the other tables.

Luciana, sitting on the couch, was irately shoveling food down. Of course, that oily sack of shit would come to this bar! Of course, he'd want to do business here. It was one of the most popular places to be. It was outside the red light district, but close enough that all sorts of crap criminals frequented the bar. Not that anyone knew she was a criminal too!

"Arg!" she threw her bento down. "Why is tonight going so wrong?" Her head dropped into her hands. She'd eventually have to come out, but would that shithead recognize her voice? Did her making her voice sound different for that kind of work help her stay hidden? Did disguising herself help?

Tomorrow was her birthday. Insomnia and nightmares from said day were continually cutting down the amount of sleep she got.

Maybe, since she wasn't coming in tomorrow, she could avoid the topic of it being her birthday entirely. Matt never remembered so she was safe from him. Crimson wouldn't do anything on a Saturday. Raven Wing, she had no idea. He was the wild card in her deck and she didn't know who held it.

She laid down, closed her eyes, and draped an arm across her face with a groan.

"L, I'm sorry, but we need your help." It was Mei, the cook. "Tabs said you have his permission to break anybody who touches you. Well… except Giran."

"Ok, M. I'll… be out in a minute." The woman groaned. And now she had to serve grabby idiots. At least she'd get to break some bones. With a long-suffering sigh, she hopped to her feet and trudged out of the room.

When all was said and done, Giran and his little troupe had left. Luciana had broken way too many arms and other appendages.

"That. Was. Horrid!" M stomped her foot to emphasize her point.

"I agree. Please tell me you aren't going to work with him?" Luciana begged. "That was a show of power, I know, but, I-ugh!-know he's not someone you want to deal with." The girl shuddered. Giran himself had groped her. She had nearly retched on him. The only reason he hadn't received the same treatment as his men was because Tabs had stopped her.

"And this i-" she yawned. "is why I hate serving. Getting groped by that nasty dude is no fun."

"Hey, do you think I enjoyed tonight either?!" S squawked.

"No. No, I do not. Not in the least. That man is nasty and none of us enjoyed this." The girl patted her friend's shoulder.

"I agree." G chimed in.

"Well, hearing your opinions confirms my decision. We won't be doing business with Giran." Tabs continued to scratch his head. "I'll instead direct him to Devil's Roost. It's a better fit."

"Thank goodness. Anyway, we're too small for him." Mei sighed in relief. Everybody agreed.

"I-" Luciana yawned again, "need to get home."

"We all do." G agreed. "Does anyone want a ride?"

"No, I've got my cycle." S shrugged.

"I'd like one, if you wouldn't mind," Mei suggested shyly.

"No. I'm walking." Luciana shook her head firmly.

"Why?" M asked.

"I prefer to walk." She gave them a crooked smirk. "Besides, someone is waiting for me on the way.

Grabbing her backpack after changing, Luciana began her walk home. A few feet from the bar, S passed her on his motorcycle, popping a wheelie. She shook her head with a grin and flipped him off.

About halfway home, she stopped. "Raven Wing. I know you're up there. Just come walk beside me," she yelled up. He had followed her from Lucky Tabs.

"I'm somehow not surprised," he told her, gently gliding down to meet her.

"Well, to be frank, neither am I. Why you are still following me is what I don't know. And why not just walk with me?"

"I'm making sure a young woman gets home safely." They started walking. "And I don't know."

"No, you are trying to figure me out. I'm a mystery," she yawned. "And yes, I still look like shit, and I stink."

"Took the words from my mouth," he chuckled.

"And you stink and look like shit too. How is Matt doing in school?"

"Good. As always." He had learned how much Matt meant to her from accompanying her home most nights for the past months. "But, what are you doing tomorrow?"

"Sleeping. Matt is going to play games." Tomorrow was a Saturday, so she could just sleep late. "Then, we'll train."

"No, I meant for your birthday." The girl stopped and blinked at him, looking sleepy, confused, and alarmed all at once.

"Nothing." She continued walking faster. The wildcard struck.

"Stop." He grabbed her arm and stopped her. They weren't far from the apartment building. "That isn't how you should react when someone mentions your birthday."

"It's how I react. It's a pretty shitty story I'm not telling," she told him, glaring at the street with a deadly venom. "So, please, don't bring it up to my brother."

She looked at him, her eyes held a haunted look. "I won't." He pulled her to him and hugged her. She buried her face in his chest and hugged him tightly.

"Please don't hurt me," she whispered. He couldn't understand what she said, and, instead of asking, he hugged her tighter.

Edit-11/19/19: I'm good at screwing simple things up. Funny, because I already knew that and this just makes me laugh about it.