((Vamps: Please note that my Billy Isn't intended prey :-P Vamps are of course welcomed, but do play nice please :) ))


Out for her usual walk around the square, Billy was in a delightful mood. Like every pregnant woman she had her good days and bad, but today had been one of those wonderful and delightful days. She and Michael had watched a movie together before he had to go off to work and so she decided to go for a little walk around the square, as it wasn't too far from their appartment.

The street lights were bright and she had her new cell phone in case anything happened so she wasn't worried in the slightest.

The night was cool and clear, and she could even see a few stars through the city lights as she looked up above the buildings. She had been walking for a few minutes when her lower back began to bother her, so she simply sat in one of the benches with a smile now, looking up at the glass buildings and marvling how it reflected the lights around it.

Feeling a roll at her belly she patted her stomach happily. Only two more months about. Two more months and she would be able to hold her baby girl. She would be able to see the face of her little blessing and hold her close.

She was so excited, and it was almost as if the baby could feel her excitement because she rolled more and even kicked. Billy couldn't help but laugh. So she was excited to? That was a good thing.

With a soft sigh Billy stood up again. "Soon little one. But not too soon okay?" She said with a smile. Dr. Winkler had warned her that because of her small size that the baby may come early. It would be okay for the most part, but there were a few more risks where both of them were concerned. "Lets head home now how about that?" She said as the rolling stilled.

Athena Morrison had to admit that while she liked the track back on campus, a nice jog through the city was kind of nice. That was as long as you ignored the occasional dark ally and stray scent. Ok, alright she’d admit that a night jog while not so terribly a bad idea did make her a little nervous.

You never knew who or what was lurking about and it was perhaps this thought more than any other that lead the young woman from the sidewalks to the big open space between skyscrapers and corporations that was St. Raine’s Square.

It was stupid and it was illogical, but the moment her white rebocks hit the first stones of the square she felt better at least a bit. That didn’t stop her from looking about, but she did feel a bit more secure and besides Atty could take care of herself.

Looks aside; the five foot-five, white haired phantom of a girl in white rebocks, black running short, and white halter was more than she seemed. After all how many women could say they’d been doing Judo and Fencing since they were five…not a lot. And even if she was a little nervous that didn’t mean Atty she was easy pickings by any means. Aside from lack of coloring she was perfectly healthy and a robber wouldn’t be the first time she or her sister had been underestimated.

Pausing to check her pulse rate, Atty then spared a look off at the shimmering buildings even as she counted on palpitations in her mind. It was only after this that as she continued running in place noticed the pregnant woman that seemed to have the same idea as her. Well at least about being out in the square and looking at the buildings anyway.

She didn’t look like she was up to jogging very much, and it was perhaps because of this that Atty felt like she should go over and at least offer her a hand up if nothing else.

Taking the distance, she spoke, though not totally sure of her words.

“Um…excuse me ma’am but well…can I help you up?” Athena just couldn’t help the blush that came. It wasn’t like she was shy, it was well she was kind of a total stranger.

Billy blinked. Ma'am? The girl had to be a few years older than she was." The thought made her giggle as she finished getting up. If thigs were this hard now, oh boy was she in for a rough next two months.

"Oh. No, I'm fine." She said with a smile at the pale girl. "I just thought it would be a fantastic night for a walk." Billy knew that she was an albino, and though there was nothing wrong with her at all, she couldn't help but look at her curiously. She hadn't ever seen someone like that before after all.

"And it seems like I'm not the only one hm?" She asked with that same soft yet bright smile. Billy was never off talking to strangers, she had done that for her meager living until things had turned around, but the other girl seemed a but unsettled. Was it because they were strangers, or because the girl had noticed her true age.

Yeah... She had gotten looks from people recently since she started showing a few months back. But she didn't really care. It bothered her slightly, but she was still thrilled to be a mother.

"Oh, I'm Billy by the way." She said with a smile as she stuck her hand out. "Pleased ta meet ya."

Atty was pretty sure she couldn't have been more embarrassed. As it turned out, she was wrong, dead wrong and as she got a good look at the woman she nearly laughed. Oh, man was she lame…

The girl couldn’t have even looked her age if she’d been trying. It was just that well, um well she was. Eh. Nothing she could say, especially without being rude and hey there was nothing wrong with the young woman being a mom, no matter what her mom would have said. Despite the fear of God she’d unsuccessfully tried to instill within them of being barefooted single mothers.

Besides Atty’s sister had actually laughed at their mom, much to everybody’s chagrin.

A lot like the chagrin she felt now. Oh lord. She was so lame. Still nodding at the young woman’s answer she didn’t bother to say anything about her look. Being an albino you get used to it or you stop living. Atty wasn’t one to stop living and besides just for the fun of it she got a bit closer so the woman could see her eye color.

That’s the one that usually slayed ‘em. Violet. Scientifically they were a slightly pigmented blue, the only pigment in her whole body actually, but not enough for her eyes to be blue so mix it with the red of blood vessels and you get…that’s right ladies and gentlemen a girl with violet eyes.

Atty smiled then and nodded at the other’s question.

“Nope, I guess not.”

It made her laugh and she immediately took the hand offered, giving it a shake.

“Athena. But please call me Atty, everybody does.”

Well everybody but her mother, it was always Athena with her. And then she was always wondering why she let people shorten such a pretty name. It had never dawned on her that perhaps it wasn’t the best thing in the world to be named after a Greek goddess, ah but those were issues for another time.

“Nice to meet you Billy,” She said then. “And if you don’t mind my asking…how far along are you?”

"Athena, that's a neat name." Billy smiled. "Better than Whilemina." She said with an addeftionat roll of her eyes. It had been her foster greandmother's name and even though she liked it, it was a little too old fashion for her tastes.

But she smiled as Atty asked how far along she was. Well, at least that wasn't going to be a stigma with her. That was a good thing. "Just about seven months now. She's due in late July." She said as she rubbed her stomach fondly, looking up to the other girl. Catchign the light she finaly noticed the rather unusual eye color of the girl. Purple... It was truly facinating.

Billy wondered how that came about but decided she could ask later.

"It's been a rough seven months... But she's worth it to me. I always wanted to be a mom... I just wasn't expecting to be one this soon." She said with a slight blush.

“Nothing wrong with that,” Atty said thoughtfully, well really a bit guiltily and fast. It was like Billy had read her mind. She felt ashamed.

Still she tried her best not to blush; there really wasn’t anything wrong with that, despite what her mom had said. True she wasn’t in any rush; she wanted to at least be teaching, married, have established her career. But that was her and besides accidents happen…not that Billy’s baby was an accident…oh man she was so horrible, even in her thoughts she couldn’t manage to be clear and concise.

What was wrong with her? Really? And why was it that she was just so bad at this?

Ok, hold the panic attacks. This was just a conversation, not finals, not and interogation and what her mom thought just didn't matter. Indeed the only thing that matter was that she was talking to someone who from just a few words seemed like a genuinely good person and someone that was easy enough to talk to.

Well at least she hadn't asked if she was a ghost...that was an upgrade from her last run in wasn't it?

"Not as neat as you think." She said, coming out of her mental miasma. "My mom's a Mythology Professor at DU and my dad's an Archeologist, though he works part time at the Musem when he's home. They are both Greece fans and not the musical. So that's why I'm Athena, but it's not as bad as my twin. Electra."

Atty laughed.

"I think she'll change it as soon as she can get far away from mom and dad."

Then thoughtfully she added.

"And I happen to think Whilemina is pretty. At least your coach isn't always calling you goddess. I didn't know a single woman could be that sarcastic..."

"Well that explains the names then." Billy smiled, noting that the talk of her baby seemed to make the girl a bit uncomfortable. It was only expected though, in todays society... Teen mothers were always thought low of. No jobs, poor education, living on the streets. The first two fit her perfectly, and it was only by Michael's love that the third didn't.

"Electra? Oh my. I bet she's had it rough." Her mother being italian took pride in all the myths of her ancestors, and told them all rather frequently when she was little.

"My mother always called me Mina. Well, foster mother, but she was all I knew. It was her mother's name. So I got it too for whatever reason. It's nice. Just a little old fashion. And this..." She said unable to help the bright smile on her face as she patted her stomach. "Is Ericka Lynn. I thought it was a beautiful name ever since I was little." Billy grinned.

"I just hope she doesn't run off and change it on me." She laughed.

"I always thought people should be proud of their names. They mean something to the person who named them, so they do have a special value and treasure to them." She gave a little shrug.

"But anyway. Since I was getting back on my feet, would you mind some company slowing you down a bit? It's been a while since I've talked with someone about my own age." She admitted with a bit of a smile.

Atty really wanted to apologize. She knew it was stupid. After all no body when around searching to have a baby at Billy’s age and yet it had been drilled into her. Career, marriage, and then babies, it had been their mother’s way and if old fashioned, well there mom was the queen of old fashioned.

Still that was no reason to be rude.

“I’m sorry Billy.” She apologized. “I don’t mean to be all jittery and weird. That’s just my mom rattling in my brain.”

Then she smiled and nodded as she added.

“And yep that explains the names.”

She listened then to the other’s statement about her sister, shaking her head even as she did.

“Not so much as you’d think.” She said, turning a laugh into a cough. “You see my sister; well people might try to give her a hard time, but she’s not exactly one to care or not be inclined not to seek blood, bloody vengeance.”

That may have sounded a little odd, but it was true. E was like a rattle snake sometimes, stepping on her was the last thing you wanted, that is if you wanted to say healthy, keep all your hair and teeth.

Her expression changed then and Atty met Billy’s gaze carefully.

“See I told you’ve got the better name.” She teased lightly. And then her gaze met Billy’s at her stomach and she smiled again.

“And that’s a really pretty name.”

Then she laughed.

“She probably won’t. Besides I doubt my sister will; that’s just what she always tells people. She talks big, but well she wouldn’t. Her and mom have their disagreements, but she loves her…well at least she isn’t planning on killing her any time soon. And that’s what changing our names would do to her. We were her first, and so far only. That’s the only reason she is the way she is even…”

Atty nodded then at what the other woman said.

“I guess you’re right. I never really thought about it like that myself. I’ll tell my sister that next time she says that to mom. She’ll probably slug me, but it’ll be worth it to see her face.”

Atty gave a pert nod.

“Sure. I’d be glad for company. To tell the truth I don’t jog so late usually, and normally I stay on campus with it, but it was nice to night and well I wanted a longer jog since I ended up partying with my sister last night. Have to burn all those calories off.”

She reached out a hand then.

“You sure you couldn’t use a hand up, it’s no problem. Plus I’m stronger than I look.”

"It's okay. Honest. I've been getting it a lot recently. I know it looks bad on me, but it's not how most people think. Her father might have hurt me that night, but I know he still loved me." She bit her lip slightly, remembering the night that Dante had died, the night Ericka had been concieved. "Otherwise he wouldn't have protected me with his life." She gave a little shrug.

"But my fiance, he's a great man. He knows the baby's not his, but he loves me and her anyways. He promised to help me and her no matter what." She said with a happy smile. "I dunno what I'd do without him though."

Billy listened as Atty spoke about her sister and smiled. "How old is she? Is she older than you?" She asked curiously, not sure but- "Oh, twins. That's kinda cool. I never had any siblings. I was adopted when I was a baby because my mom couldn't have kids." She said with a nod. I always thought it would be fun to have a brother or sister.

Laughing as Atty offered her hand again Billy stood up, sat down and stood up again. "I'm stronger than I look too. Besides, I have to get used to dealing with the weight so I don't fall over later down the road." She said with a laugh.

Atty’s expression dropped then. Really a part of her just wanted to cry. Not really for her embarrassment, but at what Billy said. The father of her baby was dead! He died protecting her!? Oh, my God. That was at once the most romantic and horrible thing she’d ever heard. Every girl, or at least her wants a loyal man, a good man, but oh God that was too much…

Still Atty managed to hold the tears at bay, even as Billy continued and talked about her fiancé. Okay, now Atty would admit to being officially jealous. But she was also so very happy for Billy. She even smiled again as she spoke.

“All I can say to that is wow…” If she was being too touchy feely, she was sorry, but she just had to give the other woman a hug. It was light and carefully, around the shoulder to be sure it didn’t put any pressure what so ever on the baby. “I guess Ericka will have a really good daddy no matter what. I’m glad for you Billy. And it being okay doesn’t make me any less sorry. Generalizing people isn’t something I do, and well just wow.”

Wow came with another soft squeeze across the shoulders, but Atty moved away then and couldn’t help the tears in her eyes, but she smiled as she wiped then away with the back of her hand as she thought about what the other said then about her sister.

It made Atty smile to think again about E. That girl, she loved her and knew she was loved back, but they were like a battery, positive and negative come together, but are complete opposites. That explained them to a tee.

“Well she’s older. Three minutes. But trust me, being a twin isn’t cool. Everybody thinks oh, you have this person just like you and you can share everything…oh yeah and once a guy asked us we have twin telepathy…”

That made her laugh.

“E, kicked him in the shin and asked me if I knew she was going to do that…”

She smiled.

“It’s not so bad having a sibling, but then I’ve never not had one. So yeah.”

Atty nodded then in understanding.

“Just offering.” She replied. Then smiled. “And I wouldn’t want you to fall, you might go into labor or break a hip or something and then I’d panic and we’d both be in trouble.”

Billy returned the hug affectionatly. After all, one can be affectionate with a stranger right? Atty was a good person, Billy could tell. Her safety all her life had been paised on knowing who to trust, and well, Atty was one of them.

"Yeah. He's a wonderful person. He wanted children, but he's steral, so it's a blessing to us both really." She said with a smile. "But don't worry, I've come to expect it really, and I understand why. I'm just a special case reall." Billy shrugged casualy.

She listened to What Atty said about her sister and couldn't help but laugh. "She sounds like a livewire! Deffinantly sounds like a person I'd wanna hang out with sometime. Honestly though, I've always wondered if twins had that power or something like that. I'll be sure not to voice my questions around her though." She said with a grin.

It really was nice to be around someone her age, someone tho didn't look at her like a street bum.

"Ah, the practice and excersize is good for me. Our appartment is three flights up, but It's good exersize so I don't complain. It keeps her happy anyway. If I'm not moving, she is." She said as she rubbed her stomach lovingly.

"The only big fight we have is over ice cream. She loves strawberry ice cream, I'm a chocolate person though." Billy said with a laugh. "I never touched strawberry ice cream before her. But now it's like I can't get enough."

Atty didn't know how alright it was, but she smiled and nodded. Billy was definitely a special case, no matter how you looked at it. Made Atty think about her own personal life, there wasn’t anyone special, really there hadn’t been. But then that didn’t make her sad or lonely. At least it didn’t at the time. After all she always has something going on and with his family she had all she really needed, but well sometimes meeting up with friends and their significant others…well that wasn’t always fun. But still she was happy for them and besides what was that old line from “Cinderella?”

Some day my prince shall come? Maybe the world didn’t work like that, but a girl could always hope. And hope was always a good thing.

She smiled then and nodded.

“He sounds like a wonderful person.” Atty agreed. “And it sounds to me like things worked out just right. I’m really glad for you…”

Then just like that she couldn’t help a laugh. She smiled as she nodded at Billy.

“She’d never kick you for it, she just really didn’t like that guy. Besides she’s tamer than she sounds, eh well sometimes. Though Livewire? I guess that’s the nice term for it. Electra is… well… hard to explain. She’s got one of the most annoying attitudes on the face of the earth. Yet she’s like a pineapple, hard and prickly on the outside, but sweet, really sweet when you get past all of that. She’s been watching out for me our whole lives. She really is my big sis.”

Atty listened silent then. Really it made her look at Billy for a moment. And wow again would have been the only word for it. Seven months and she was climbing three flights of stairs and walking places. Yikes. She just hoped that if she ever got to be a mother she’d be able to do that.

The ice cream though, that was the funniest thing she’d ever heard. It made her chuckle even as they began moving.

“Hummm…I thought the cravings pregnant women got were a little stranger than that.” She said, lightly. “Mom said she was eating liver and applesauce for a month one time while she was pregnant with me and my sister.”

"A Pineapple? I guess that's an interesting analogy." Billy grinned. "Though pineapple can be rather sour." She pointed out with a chuckle. "I'd really like to meet her some time though maybe. It would be nice to have a few friends and all. Michal has to work a lot, so I kinda get lonely sometimes." She said with a shrug. But Atty and her sister would probably be great friends.

Looking up as Atty mentioned cravings she gave a shrugs and a laugh. "I guess it's different for everyone. But she loves strawberries. And I guess it's at least a healthy food to be addicted to." She said with a giggle.

"Liver is disgusting though... I hate eating it, but I know it's got a lot of iron and other nutriants, so I force myself to eat it." She said as she made a face as they walked along. She wouldn't take another bite of it after she had Ericka, but she'd do anything for her little girl, even if it meant eating liver.

"There are some things though that I have to wonder how they even became food. Brussle sprouts, cabbage... butter beans." She made a little gagging noise. "And liver is on that list too."

Atty shrugged, even as she chuckled too.

“Sue me, I’m horrible at analogies.” She confessed. “And I guess they can, which is another point for my analogies being bad, but spot on. She’s sour too. But usually only during hangovers or before breakfast…”

That last made her smile, especially as she added.

“Which means having her as my room mate is barrels of fun every morning, let me tell you.”

Atty nodded then, smiling, but it wilted a little at the mention of her being lonely. Atty didn’t know what to say to that. She’d never really had a reason to be lonely. In fact growing up she’d thought long and hard about being able to slip away from mom-dad-and E. And even now her, Luna, and all the friends they had and Atty’s own meager contribution to that list…well she always had lots of people, rather she wanted them or not, but it struck her now that being lonely was something she was really blessed never to have experienced.

“I can probably dig her up whenever you’re ready to risk life and limb, just tell me.” She said then. Atty wanted very much to be Billy’s friend and if E came along, well Atty had no doubt that her sister would grow to like the other woman. To tell the truth, despite attitude or whatever else, E made friends fast and plentifully. She liked to laugh and call it charisma. Atty would always roll her eyes at her, she had charisma…it was just that she used it more sparingly. That’s all.

Atty gave another nod then.

“I guess that’s true.” She let out a giggle of her own and it became a full blown laugh as the subject turned to liver. “True again.” She granted.

But her laugh turned into a look of mock affront as Billy named things that she wondered how they became food.

“Hey I like Brussel sprouts, cabbage, and butter beans.” It was true, actually. The thing was just that she tried to lay off meat for the most part and supplemented that with lots of veggies. She wasn’t a vegetarian or vegan or anything like that, Atty just kept the meat intake to a minimum. The occasional burger or steak usually, but always well done.

She smiled then; it was the oldest and most hated question probably on the face of the earth and thus the perfect joke.

“Come on Billy, how do you know you don’t like those things? Have you ever tried them?”

"Well I could give you my number and just give me a call. I like to have fun, even watching other people have fun is fine by me too." She grinned. Billy knew she coudn't to doo much of the partying thing anymore, but she still liked to be around where the action was bustling.

she wasn't goiong to be one of those who drank and smoked and partied while pregnant, or even after Ericka was born. Well, maybe a little.

She raised an eyebrow at Atty's question on the veggitables. "Yes, as a matter of fact I have. I never knock something without trying it, and I'm always up for anything once. My Mom used to make them when I was little... My she and dad loved them so she made them all the time, and they had the 'no leaving the table till the plate is clear' rule. I ate them a few times hot... But they were even more disgusting cold..." She made an even more disgusted face.

"But I haven't gone anywhere near those things since I left Philly." She said stubornly. "I prefer spinnach, corn, green beans, carrots... Anything but those three really. Oh... Or eggplant. Food isn't supposed to be purple. And radishes and turnups. They taste funny."

Atty nodded.

“That’d be great.” And yet as soon as she said it she thought about it. “Actually if you’re not soul deep opposed…we could invite you to a show or two.”

Atty smiled then. Electra would love her for the bit of promotion. After all she was always going on about developing a listener base and telling people to tell their friends. God that girl loved the stage and how she so wanted to be a rock star. Meeting Billy’s gaze, Atty explained.

“You see my sister and I, well actually it’s just the two of us and her best friend Luna. But anyway we have a band sort of and while we’re more garage than stage right about now, we do find venues from time to time and usually the first thing they offer is free tickets…so you know if you wanted to go.”

Well if she wanted to go, they’d make sure to find some place without drunken head bangers, but that wouldn’t be so hard…

Then she chuckled. Just chuckled.

“It was a joke, Billy.” She giggled. “I just thought it was funny. You know, well my mom anyway, she was always asking that…”

Then she laughed again.

“Thou shall not blaspheme against eggplant. It’s tasty come on, especially brazed in butter.”

Billy's eyes opened wide as she grinned ear to ear. "Really? Cool. That would be a lot of fun I'm sure! And maybe even Michael could come too." She said rather excited about the idea of going to a show of sorts, having fun like a kid again.

"Wow. That sounds like a lot of fun though Atty." Billy said with a smile as they continued to walk down the paths. "I wish I had done something half as constructive when I was younger." Atty didn't need to know her past. Michael knew it and that was enough for her.

"Oh, I know it was a joke, I'm just saying though. But no, Eggplant isn't food." She said shaking her head with a disgusted look. "Well at least never the way I had it. But butter is always good... But how good can it make eggplant?" She asked, almost rhetoricly. But then she gave a shrug.

"Ah, to each their own. I like dipping carrot sticks wrapped in turkey into ranch dressing." She said with a little laugh. "So who am I to say what's wierd right?"

Atty nodded in response.

“Of course Michael can come.” She laughed. “The more the merrier actually, or at least as many as we can get tickets for.”

She shrugged then.

“Heh, I guess it all depends on your definition of constructive…” She just couldn’t help a little smile. “When we were younger my mom…well she really didn’t want us to feel abnormal. I mean. Well it’s not like you can’t tell, me and my sister are identical twins, so yeah we’re both albinos. The skin, the hair, the eyes, all of it comes from that. Recessive genetics. Most people don’t ask or they are at least polite about it, but things weren’t always like that and well that’s how we first got into music really. Our mom scheduled lessons and we both learned the guitar. And well with the way we look, well I guess rock just kinda fits…”

She shrugged again, a soft little smile accompanying it.

“Well I guess it was a little constructive. But basically it’s my sister’s dream and well even I’ve gotta admit that I love it a whole lot…even if I don’t want to be rich and famous or world renowned.”

Then she chuckled. Out right chuckled. She just couldn’t help it.

“Eggplant is too food.” She replied. “And how good can butter make it? Well I’ll have to cook for you one of these days. It’s delicious. You get a hot skillet, a pad of butter and lubricate everything, then add dashes of salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme. Then you lightly bread the eggplant…”

That made her laugh again.

“Sorry I guess I got a little carried away,” Then she wrinkled up her nose just a bit. “Turkey and ranch dressing. Ok, you’re right. You are weird.”

It wasn’t much of a joke, but one that made Atty laugh nonetheless.

Billy nodded with a grin as Atty said that Michael would be more than welcomed to come. But she listened with that same grin as Atty spoke about their music lessons. It was great that their mother wanted to help them to learn to fit in and everything. It was simply wonderful.

But Billy had to laugh loudly as Atty described the eggplan in great details. "With all that stuff on there how can you even call it eggplant!" She said continuing to laugh. Ericka gave a little kick at her stomach as if in some sort of responce, whether in agreement or disagreement Billy didn't know.

"Hey though, haven't you ever heard of turky bacon ranch or something like that? I mean ranch and turkey are becoming quite popular are they not?" She pointed out as she held a rather superior look before laughing again.

"So... You go to the university then? What do you study?" Maybe... Maybe after Ericka was born she could go back to school... Get her GED or whatever they had up here so she could get a good job, better than just working at a grocery store or something. "Cause I was thinking about going back to school or something... Cause I never finished high school or anything... I wanted to, but there was just so much going on." She said with a shrug.

"I wanna be able to get a good job so I can make sure Eircka can have everything she needs. And I don't think I can do that as a cashier or anything."

Atty chuckled.

“Everybody is a critic.” She huffed playfully, barely containing her grin at Billy’s reply. “It is eggplant. Just seasoned, breaded, and probably the most delicious thing you’ll ever eat.” That made her laugh again. “Not to sound conceded or anything…” She added with another laugh.

Then she gave a teasing raise of an eyebrow as she asked.

“If its turkey bacon ranch, isn’t it technically turkey-bacon in ranch dressing,” That made her smile as she added. “With all of that going on how can you even call it turkey? Actually it’s more like just bacon, right?” Now it was her turn for the superior look, though just as easily it melted into a giggle.

She nodded then.

“Yeah. I’m a Literature major.” She answered cordially. Then she listened as Billy spoke and gave a nod when she was finished. “I can understand the so much going on.” She said.

“But really Billy that sounds like a great idea. You can always apply for your GED. After that, apply to the university. And I’d apply for financial aid. College can be expensive if you don’t have it, but I’m sure you’d be approved. And well it helps a lot going. The degree will help with jobs too.”

Atty laughed then.

“Heh, I can even baby sit while you’re in class if you need it…”

"Fine, if you wanna be the first person to see me eat eggplant, just let me know next time you're gonna cook it and I'll give it a shot." She said with a grin. But she mearly shrugged her shoulders with a smile at the turkey comment, and began to listen to what Atty said about the university.

Financial aid? They had programs for people who didn't have a lot of money who wanted to go to school? Billy's eyes brightened. Maybe there was a chance. And she could spend time now studying for the GED, find out about it and... Yeah. It could really work!

"I'll deffinantly have to check that out then. I really want to give her the best I can, I want her to be happy and know that she doesn't have to worry." As she heard Atty's offer to babysit she looked up with wide eyes. "Really? I mean I wouldn't want to trouble you. I mean I wouldn't want her to get in your way or anything. I'm sure Michael and I can work something out and all. But if you're serious I'll deffinantly keep you in mind Atty. It would really really help." She said with a bright smile.

Atty was a good person, she could deffinantly tell that without a doubt. And if her sister was anything like her, that would be two good friends that she could count on. That would be a good influance on her and could nudge her in the right direction.

"Ya know... I'm really glad I met you Atty." She said with a smile.

Atty smiled and it was a bright expression that played happily in her violet eyes. It could be said it was a kind of childish joy, but really it was just the way that Atty was. She smiled when she was happy, cried when she was sad. Kind of heart on her sleeve, but then again it had always worked for her.

Her mom used to call it being earnest, but earnest or not, she’d never been naïve.

“You’ll be the first person I call, promise. You’ll love it.” She said with a grin. Then she nodded at Billy’s statements. “Please do. Lots of folks just figure they can’t afford school and so never go. Financial aid is always a good thing…”

She nodded then.

“I’m pretty sure that she doesn’t have to worry. I think you’ll be a great mom Billy.”

Then she laughed. She couldn’t help it.

“You won’t be troubling me…” She chuckled. “I offered. Besides it’ll be a good skill set to have. I never even held a baby. I’ve gotta learn sometime. And who knows maybe I have a little bit of this material instinct that folks are always talking about.”

That only managed to make her smile a bit brighter even as she continued on in their walk.

“I’m glad I met you too Billy.” She said then. “I was kind of worried…well you know while I was jogging and well it turned into meeting you. And well wow doesn’t even start describing you…” Atty stopped there, she just wasn’t sure what she was going to say and she really didn’t want to say something stupid or corny. But really Billy was just kind of inspiring.

How much stuff should one woman go through? And yet she was kind and sweet, a person Atty was really glad to have made friends with.

"I think every woman has a maternal instinct. Sometimes it creeps up on them, sometimes it smacks them in the face, but I think every woman has one." Billy said with a grin. hers had just hit her really, in a burst of nessecity. But she was excited and thrilled none the less.

"Wow?" Billy blinked slightly. "I dunno about that now... I've been kinda careless and all in my life, and I'm just trying to get back on track and all. It's nothing amazing really Atty." She shook her head. "I'm just trying to do what everyone in my situation wants to do and tries to do. I don't want to give her up so I know she has a good life... I want to give her that myself. I want her to know how much I love her by everything I've done."

Wouldn't any soon to be mother do the same thing for their child? Didn't they all want to give their child the best opportunity for a good life and everything else? Billy would do anything for her daughter, just as she thought any mother would. Well... Besides her own mother. But what if giving her up had been the best option.

"I mean, I'm sure you've been through difficult times of your own. Maybe not the same, but just as hard in their own way. You know what it's like going through life being different too." She wasn't pointing the girl's albinoism out to be mean, just for the fact that it couldn't be easy living life being so visibly different.

Atty shrugged and yet even so visibly crossed her fingers with a slightly chagrined smile.

“Here’s hoping you’re right.” She teased. But just like than her expression turned a touch more serious as she continued. “Because while I think I might want kids one day…well I so don’t want to screw up someone else’s life. I mean you always hear people blaming their parents for things…well I just think I don’t want to be a bad mom if I’m a mom.”

She shrugged again then. Atty wasn’t sure if she’d got her point across, but really that was her only fear of having children actually. That she couldn’t be like her mother, couldn’t provide and care for her children and Atty was pretty sure that had been her mother’s fear too when she’d all but traumatized then toward being young mothers. She was worried about all that came with it and those were the very things that Billy was fighting, working through.

Really to Atty, despite what she’d said, the other woman was simply: wow. It wasn’t that you never made mistakes, that life was easy because you made it that way. No. Atty had always believed that people were defined in life how they handled it when things weren’t going so well, when it was hard to get up in the morning, when you were afraid to go some place and yet you did it anyhow. Actually it was a lot like school had been once upon a time.

“Maybe you are just doing what you have to Billy,” Atty granted. “But sometimes that’s the most impressive thing you can do, ya know. Sometimes you need a round of applause because you kept at it, kept going when not everybody would have.”

She smiled then and nodded again.

“And I guess you’re right. Like my mom’s always saying, ‘Everybody’s got their stones on the path to where they’re headed.’ That said,” She pointed at her arm. It was as pale as could be, really truth be told the skin was like her hair. Technically translucent, but light made it white, ghastly or ghostly pale, but again as always it just was to Atty. “You don’t have to tiptoe around it Billy, yep I’m Albino. To me personally it’s never been that different from having any other skin tone. And while I’m lucky and have at least a little eye pigment to keep my sight from being bad…it’s not a big deal. People have something to say about it like they have something to say about anything regarding people that are different than them.

Some people are jerks. Others are just curious. When I was younger it annoyed me, well me and my sister. But when you get older you just realize its how you are. How the good lord made you and well that’s when you realize that either you can let it bother you or not…”

She chuckled then.

“I decided not. Well me and my sister. But yeah I guess everybody does have their something…”

"I don't think any mother wants to be a bad mother..." Billy said ernistly. "Even mothers who put their kids up for adoption, like mine. She just wanted what was best for me and she couldn't give me what I would need. At least, that's what I tell myself. But, ya know..." She gave a shrug. For all she knew, her mother could have simply wanted to be free of obligations, free from worry and everything so she did what she had to and got rid of the ball and chain.

"But I also think every woman is afraid of that. I know I am, believe me." Billy said with a smile.

She listened as Atty talked about her condition, and was relieved to find that it wouldn't offend her to talk about it.

"So, were your parents always over protective of you then? Because you were different from all the others?" She asked curiously. "Because I know that some parents want to keep their kids feelings and all from being hurt. I know that kids can be really cruel. Either that, or you'd hang out with the weird kids who thought it was totaly awesome and cool, like me." She grinned.

"I've always like people that were a bit different and knew how to have fun with it and all. And I guess with the band you've deffinantly put it to good use." Billy said with a smile. "I mean anything goes in Rock right?"

Atty nodded at what Billy was saying.

“I get you, just guess I’m a little paranoid…never had much experience with babies and well I had this friend who had like four little brothers and sisters, and well I don’t know I’ve just never spent lots of kid time...” She shrugged. That was pretty much all of it. Maybe she was just thinking about things too much or maybe she was just underestimating herself, eh who knew. But really she did understand what the other woman was saying.

Atty returned her smile then.

“Guess you’re right.”

Atty’s expression turned thoughtful then as she considered Billy’s questions.

“Well, I wouldn’t say they were over protective. Or if they were at least it doesn’t feel that way to me anyway.” She shrugged. “I don’t know mom always worries, but well she and dad always tried to make us as independent as possible. And when we got picked on…well first I would say my sister handled that by beating up people mercilessly, but mom didn’t exactly approve of that method and well since dad laughed so hard he nearly died until our mom gave him what has affectionately come to be known as ‘The Look’ well from that point on they wanted us to get out and active, to remember that there was nothing wrong with us. No matter what jerks thought.”

Atty chuckled then.

“Actually that’s why I got into Judo and Fencing when I was little. Mom was always telling me that I could do anything I put my mind to and well she’d never let either of us give up on anything…”

Atty smiled again then, glancing at Billy.

“Not over protective, but driven I think. They wanted us to realize there was nothing wrong with us and just kind of live-take the good with the bad. Though I guess it didn’t hurt hanging out with the ‘weird’ kids.”

A little chuckle then.

“You know, you’re my favorite weirdo already…Billy.” She teased. Not the best of jokes, but then Atty had never been famous for them, but really what could she say just like that Billy had made her comfortable talking about things, and that was a gift, no matter who you were.

Atty then looked at her a long moment as she gave one final smile and laughed even as she nodded.

“Yep, that’s the idea exactly.” She said about the band. “Actually Luna wears white oil paint so we match…kinda wacky I’ll admit. But you’d be surprised how wild people go when you add just the right touch of lighting and well make up. So yeah, definitely anything goes in rock. Lots of people even figure it’s just a gimmick…funny stuff. And we found out that white hair is a lot easier to color than anything else…Luna has a time, all black haired…so yeah different can be good. Besides if all else fails; E and I could always have big careers in the horror movie industry, ghosts without the need for make up…heh.”

"Really? Your frined paints herself for the concerts? Wow! That's dedication!" Billy laughed. "But yeah. I would think your hair would be easier to dye than black hair. A lot of people think that I dye mine, I just have naturaly light hair with a few darker highlights. It's weird but whatever." She shrugged. Everyone was different after all. "I even had one clerk at a store give me a lecture for dying my hair while I was pregnant. About how I would hurt my baby with all the chemicals and all that jazz." She waved her hand.

"But the look on her face was priceless when I told her that I didn't have the money to waste to dye my hair. She went really red in the face and mummbled some sort of appology. And when she saw the assistance I'm on, I guess like the WIC stuff at home, she could bairly look at me. Kind of depressing really." She shrugged.

"But see, you're doing what you need to to get by. A lot of people wallow in self pitty when they're teased or picked on and make themselves a target. But you can't make yourself a target... Otherwise things will never get better. That's what Michael told me."

Billy giggled as Atty said that her and her sister could be low budget ghosts in horror films. "I'm surprised you guys haven't done something like that already just to have a bit of fun. None of your friends are in a film program or anything? Don't need ghosts? Or hey! You guys could do a remake of the Matrix or something and be the twins!" She pointed out with a smile. "You ever see those movies?"

Atty laughed.

“I guess it is…” She chuckled again. “I never really though about it. But then again Luna doesn’t mind. Actually I’m pretty sure the paint’s probably hers. She’s an art design major and well…”

She giggled again.

“To tell you the truth I think she loves every minute of it. Luna’s a great friend and musician.”

Atty’s expression changed then, from its perpetual smile to one of thoughtful contemplation. All in all she had to say that Billy’s story didn’t surprise her really. People were always making assumptions. Kinda sad really, especially when you didn’t take the time to get to know the person you were assuming on.

Atty shrugged.

“At least no one’s ever accused you of devil worship…” Atty knew that wasn’t so common an accusation, but hey she actually had been and well it hadn’t been pleasant to say the least. I mean who expects that? Actually who accuses someone of that was probably the better question.

She nodded then.

“You know I really have to meet Michael. He sounds like the nicest guy. And you’re both right. No pity parties…same thing me and my sister always keep telling each other. Ok, well I tell her…she just kicks my butt when I get all whiney.”

That made her laugh. Well that and the suggestion about the horror film or Matrix remake. She smiled even as she had to breathe deep to get around the laugh.

“There you go. Being The Matrix Twins couldn’t be that hard…” She enthused. “But to tell you the truth I’m not sure I really got into the Matrix movies after the first one. I don’t know, the story just kinda seemed to fall apart for me. Like maybe they were just trying to rush the last two out and finish up.”

Atty gave a slight shrug. That wasn’t to say she hadn’t enjoyed those movies, just that with all the hype and bluster she would have expected more. More story, more world and character development. And those thoughts actually made her chuckle…her Literature professor’s daughter roots were showing.

“I don’t know Billy, I guess I just expected more. Though now that you mention it, being in film would be kind of cool, but nope I don’t know any film majors really.”

"Nope! No pity parties. But it's good that your sister gives ya a bit of a kick. Sometimes tough love is the only way things get done. But... Devil worship? People have accused you of Devil worship?" Billy was completely confused by this.

"I mean, just because you like rock music doesn't mean that you worship the devil." She shook her head with a sigh. "Old people really need to get off that soap box. That was battled in the seventies and eighties, ya think they would have given it up by now." Billy rolled her eyes.

She had other fingers pointed at her, maybe not devil worshiping, but being a prostitute, you heard your fair share of insults and accusations. You learned to ignore them after so long.

"Really? I kinda liked them. I mean sure, they dd seem a little rushed, but it was still good. Overly sappy in the end really, but still good." She said as The Matrix was brought up once more. "I've never really paid attention to all that kind of stuff... I guess it makes me seem kinda stupid, but-" She gave a shrug. "I just don't think about it all to often. I mean I probably should have cried when what's her name died, but I guess I didn't feel any sort of connection with her. Is that what ya mean by charcter development?"

Atty just couldn’t help the slight snicker that escaped her as she nodded in agreement with Billy’s point of view. And yet still she couldn’t help but shrug as she spoke in defense of the woman that had called her a devil worshiper.

“You’re right Billy, absolutely. But…well to be fair she was…well I don’t really have a nice word for it and I don’t want to be rude or anything, but my mom referred to it as unrestrained zealotism. But really she was just a house wife, probably pretty old fashioned…and well you said it yourself, anything goes in rock.”

Atty shrugged then.

“I don’t know. People always are a little weary of the unfamiliar and well I have to admit that I don’t think she was familiar with us as a group or even Greek and Roman myth as a whole. You see my dear sister calls our band “The Furies” and while nicely ironic, given that her name is Electra…well lets just say that everyone doesn’t get it or the fact that they see three girls performing and they immediately assume that pale skin and dark eye shadow make us a particular way…”

She shrugged again.

“Some people just see you and have a single minded first impression. You learn to just deal with it and maybe feel sorry for them for not looking at the world a bit more clearly and fully.”

Atty’s smile bloomed once again as the matrix became the subject. She knew that she really hadn’t meant to make Billy feel down, taking about the movies as she had. Really it was just her opinion and she shook her head in an instant as the other woman said that she was stupid.

“Don’t talk like that…” She heard herself say before she could even help it. She blushed, feeling more than a little embarrassed for the outburst, but it didn’t last so long. “Sorry.” She apologized. “I was just well trying to get at the fact that well rather you notice or not, you were putting yourself down. And no matter what, you’re never stupid.”

She laughed then, her expression still speaking a bit of her embarrassment.

“Sorry again. But I guess I agree with my mom. Too many people are always putting themselves down, always thinking that they can’t do something, that they’re not good enough. And that’s just no good, Billy. Sometimes you just have to think positive and as for you not thinking of that stuff…well you said it yourself. I’m just kinda weird, besides like I said; that was my literature professor’s daughter self shinning through. It’s like if your parents are in the army, you can’t be surprised you know the correct way to fold a flag or something…that kind of analyzes is just a part of my normal everyday weirdness.”

And then she nodded.

“And yep that’s what I meant by character development. I mean yeah, she was Neo’s girl, she even almost died for him a couple of times during the movies…but you just don’t identify. You don’t get much out of her or really anyone really. It just got all fast paced action and we lost track at some point of characters and even what they meant to the movie…”

Atty blushed then.

“Heh, I really hope some of that made sense. Cause if you haven’t noticed yet Billy, I can talk…and not just talk, talk in a way that normal people can’t make out, care for, or actually tolerate. So if I’m talking too much, just tell me.”

Billy seemed rather surprised at Atty's outbursts. Don't call herself stupid?

"Everyone does stupid things Atty, and you can't just ignore it. Not everyone is stupid, but everyone does stupid things. And for a while, yeah Atty, I was stuipd. I did stuipd things, I made stupid choices, and I was too stuipd to get myself out of what I had fallen into." She said simply.

"Looking back, I didn't have to do any of those things that I did. I didn't have to chose to do anything here, I could have found a better way to do things if I'd only been a little smarter. But I wasn't. I was a stupid girl and I made even stupider discisions. I'm not putting myself down Atty, I'm admitting the truth. How else would I have learned to get my head out of my ass?" She asked pointedly.

"Someone showed me I was being stupid and that I could be better. Otherwise I would still be in the same place I was a year ago. I've been trying hard to learn from my stupid mistakes of the past, and so far it's gone well." Billy gave a slight shrug. Yeah, she had been stupid. It had been stupid to run away, it had been stupid to come to Canada...

"But really... Now that I think about it... For all the stupid choices I made... I don't mind where I am now really." She said smiling again. "And I just have to try not to make the same stupid mistakes in the future."

Atty nodded thoughtfully.

“True enough,” She admitted. “We do all do stupid things, rather if it’s just being a kid, young and impulsive or just being a ditz or a klutz sometimes, even making some of those choices that border or even go on over to criminal . But your right you learn from those mistakes and grow as a person. It’s how you and me both are who we are today but you gotta see it my way too Billy. I’ve known people…good smart people, who swear that their total idiots because they heard it one too many times growing up or because people don’t believe they can do better.”

Atty sighed.

“That’s one of the saddest things you’ll ever see. Someone that has and can do so much, that just kinda give up on things because people say they should…”

She shrugged.

“That’s just my hang up with people calling themselves stupid. Stupid mistakes and choices don’t make you stupid. If anything like you said, they make you smarter...but I understand what you were saying and really…sorry I said anything.

That’s just how I am I guess. Kinda odd and strange, even the queen of bad choices and outburst, but hey all a part of living I guess.”

Atty had to admit she felt a bit embarrassed at all of that, really embarrassed, but that’s the thing about words or actions. There’s no taking them back and all you can do is more on and leave the past in the past.

“Don’t mind me, I’m just being weird.” She added then. "Comes with thinking about things too much."

"Oh, I don't argue with that. People become what they're told they are a lot of times..." She said softly, recalling all the times her father would say she was nothing but a little whore, not even a pretty one, just some stupid slut. "That's deffinantly something I've seen before." Billy nodded.

"But stupid mistakes can make you stupid if you never learn from them. And for a while that was my case. I didn't believe I could ever make a single right choice simply because things just got worse and worse. When I met Michael, he was the first person who didn't look at me like just a peice of trash. It was almost unreal that he actually wanted to help me, I thought he was just trying to play me over or something. And then, I made another stupid mistake, I left him." She said with a shake of her head.

"But for some reason, he welcomed me back, even after all the stupid things I said and did. And at first I thought Ericka had been the stupidist thing I ever did.... But then when I found out Michael could have children, even though he wanted one, I realized it wasn't stupid at all. And everything I did had lead up to her, so I couldn't call a single one of my choices stupid." Billy said with a wide grin.

"And don't worry about talking Atty. As ya can see, I do enough of it myself too!" She laughed.

"I'm getting hungry though. Wanna get a bite to eat somewhere maybe? I know there's a lot of places around here and all."

Atty nodded then.

“I guess that’s the gospel truth.” She replied before falling silent and listening as Billy talked about Michael and even about Ericka. All in all Atty had to admit, talking to Billy made her feel like a kid. Maybe it was a stupid sentiment, but it just seemed like Billy had lived so much more than her. Athena didn’t have any great tales of romance and love, actually hadn’t done much besides go full force after her education and what she hoped one day would be her career. She hadn’t lived much outside of that, outside of her goals and she even still lived with her parents when she wasn’t at school…but then again Atty knew not to take her life for granted. It had been a great one, low on adventure, but high in so very many other regards.

And it was those thoughts that allowed her to realize she was being silly. She hadn’t seen the sights, even faced off against the world, but that hardly made her a child. If anything it made her blessed.

That made her smile, well that and Billy.

“I’m glad things worked out Billy. I really am. Plus we all have issues…sometimes especially when it comes to trusting people.” Atty would firmly include herself in that group. Once bitten, twice shy. As the old song went.

Her smile became a grin then.

“Maybe, but you don’t ramble like I do.” She pointed out.

Then she gave a slight little nod.

“Sure I could use a bite. Is there anything in particular that you and Ericka want? I know a good Italian place or there is Chinese…actually anything you can think of. This is downtown.”

Billy's ears perked at the sound of chinese food. "Oh... General Tso's Chicken... Yeah, let's hit up a chinese place if that's good with you. The doctor said I could spoil myself ever so often, no more than once a week, so you can imagine I take full advantage of that." She said with a grin.

Dr Winkler was nothing but a blessing, even if he was a pain in her side sometimes. He only had the best in mind for her and Ericka and wanted nothing less. She would owe him a great debt when she was able to repay it and she even promised that she would volunteer at the hospital after she turned eighteen. She was nothing but grateful for him, even if he did take away all her fun and burst many bubbles along the way.

"But anyway, yeah, everyone has issues and it's the ones that can get over them or work them out that make it in life. The others are just miserable until they die or turn things around. None of the friends that I had before here were happy. And they probably aren't now because they don't think they can get better... They're afraid to take risks." No, they were afraid to mingle with the crowds she mingled into, and with good reason. Girls often dissapered. Billy herself would have dissapered as well had it not been for Dante and Michael.

"But moving on... Where is this chinese place you speak of?" She asked hungrely.

Atty smiled, actually the expression was so sudden and amused that she giggled too.

“Alright. Chinese it is then!” She announced happily. Indeed that would have been her choice too. And the fact that Billy had chosen it too gave her a slight sense of chagrin. Still that didn’t stop her from nodding at the other woman’s statement.

“General Tso's is pretty great.” She agreed. Actually it was more than great, it could be addictive, so much so that it could ruin her diet. But then again her secondary choice was almost as bad. Still what could she say, one helping wouldn’t kill her…it would make her work harder, but wouldn’t kill.

She shrugged, then laughed in purest amusment..

“I bet you are taking advantage, actually I guess I’m doing the same thing. My diet will hate me, but it’ll be fine and I think I’ll go after The Sesame Chicken myself. But it’s good to hear that I’m not totally ruining your diet …” Actually Atty felt bad she hadn’t thought about it really, but if Billy’s doctor said it was ok, well good then.

She nodded then.

“True.” She replied. “But then again risks are scary generally, at least a little. That’s why they’re risks.”

Truth be told some risks were scarier than others, but there is always something at stake. Even if it’s nothing more than being accepted. Atty knew that once upon a time that was probably her problem. She had wanted too much to be like everyone else…but then if that was your problem and you couldn’t face it. Well you were doomed, doomed to never be happy, with yourself or anyone else either.

Atty never wanted to be like that and thus she’d learned her lesson.

And moving on indeed, Atty chuckled as she pointed.

“It’s called The Golden Pagoda. It’s about a block that way. You can’t miss it. Giant yellow pagoda shaped building.” Indeed one couldn’t miss it. Even a block away one could see the yellow and red top of the tower even in the square. It was new as far as businesses in this part of town went, but not so new that it hadn’t been there for years, serving lunch and dinner specials for all the people that lived and worked in and about ye old center of commerce.

“Shall we?” Atty offered then, holding her arm in a mock stately manner even as she prepared to move toward the restaurant. The food there was delicious, Atty just hoped Billy enjoyed it.

"Oh, don't worry about it! Even if I had to stick to it I could have gotten the steamed vegitables and chicken or something. Usualy most places have the health conssious choices and all that jazz these days." She pointed out.

"The Golden Pagoda? Huh, I've been here for two years and I've never heard of it until now. I should really get out more shouldn't I?" Billy said with a laugh.

"But yes! Let's! I know I'm starving, and it's been a while since I've had a nice sitdown and chat and eat with someone other than Michael. I don't get a chance to get out much really, even though I wish I did." She said with a sad smile.

"But then, I guess when you don't have many friends what's the point of going out?" Billy asked as they walked along. And after a short while the bright golden-yellow pagoda of the restauraunt came into view. "Wow. Yeah, I dunno how I missed that all this time!" Billy laughed as the building sat nestled in between two more... Traditional looking buildings.

"Well hey, the good thing about places that take their apperance seriously, means that they probably take their food seriously. Eh... Right?" She asked with a sheepish grin. "I mean at least I hope so."

Atty nodded.

“That’s true. And sadly enough I never really thought about it.” And indeed she hadn’t. Maybe it was just never really reading through the menu or maybe it was because when she finally gave in and came, it was almost always about cheating on her diet. Atty wasn’t sure really, but she didn’t doubt Billy was right, there probably was a health food section, pretty sad considering she’d never even thought to ask Luna.

Atty smiled.

“I don’t know. If you asked me where the local fastfood joints were I couldn’t tell you…and I’ve lived here all my life. It’s all about interest or exploring more than getting out.”

She listened then, taking in that sad smile. And listened some more as Billy spoke about not having many friends. Atty knew what that was like and for a moment it made her sad, but then she shrugged it off.

“All that means is that I’m going to have to pester you more often then. Oh and call my sister and probably introduce you to our friend and band mate-Luna. I might even start tonight. I mean I know about The Golden Pagoda because Luna works there. She’s a server…so…I can always see if she’s working tonight.”

She gave a quick and she hoped reassuring smile then as they set off. It wasn’t so long before the restaurant came into view and Atty nodded even as she laughed.

“Pretty hard.” She agreed, but couldn’t help the smile that came after it. “Oh, they’re serious alright. Actually so serious that they’ve got two menus, they have Canadian style Chinese, you know the conventional stuff you get at all the smaller places and then they have a traditional style menu, all the stuff that most westerners stray away from, but that they actually are always eating in China. Once Luna got me to try the boiled eel, it was actually kind of good. It doesn’t taste like fish like you’d expect.”

Atty looked a bit chagrined then.

“Um…not to scare you or anything. I mean I know everybody isn’t into the boiled eel story, but trust me, they’ve got some of the best food in town.”

Billy blunk curiously as Atty said that Luna worked there and that was how she knew of it. "Really? Oh! That would be great to meet her. It's always fun to make friends I think, even though I'm not all that good at it." She made a slight face. "Most people thing I talk too much or well, the only friends I really had were the people I used to work with. I didn't get out all to much."

It was true, when she first got here she only had her sisters, and they were more like family than friends, and only out of sheer nessesity. And the men who came to her were never friends... Some were interested in her, but only because of the sex none of the men she met ever knew her for who or what she was. Hell, they didn't even know her real age.

Billy looked up again as Atty said that they had other things than the traditional chinese foods. "Boiled eel? Wow... Huh... I dont' think I'm brave enough to try that just yet." She said with a laugh. "But I'll have to see whatese they have. I always like trying new things, but I dunno about Ericka. She might not like it." Billy grinned. "But I want to try something new then! Somethign that I've never had before."

She looked over at Atty. "So keep me from getting anything I've already had? Mkay?"

Atty smiled at Billy, full and wide. She couldn’t help the laugh. It was there, it was coming, it was unstoppable.

“Well now I feel bad…” She sighed, going sad faced. “Because if you talk too much…well I’m done for.” The words were full of mock sadness, and yet it was followed by the gentlest and most cordial of smiles.

“Billy that is hardly a problem; talk all you want. I can tell you from personal experience, that we are a group of chatty-cathys. I like talking myself. My sister is the most blunt and direct person you’ll ever meet, and Luna. Well while Luna doesn’t like talking as much as the rest of us…she likes listening. Really that’s why I guess some people can forget she’s there. As for getting out, well that’s something we can change right?”

She nodded then at the mention of food. Really Atty was just glad that Billy hadn’t run away screaming. After all some of the more “exotic” at least to the general population anyway, were things that in Chinese culture were just-normal. Luna ate it all the time. Watching her eat grilled eel was amazing, both because of the way she ate, but also just well wow…

And that made Atty hope that she was working. If she was, they could just sit in her section and talk, well at least as much as they ever could while Luna was on the clock. That made her happy. If nothing else, she knew that Luna would like Billy. So giving a nod, she spoke.

“Alright, sure. I won’t let you get anything you’ve had before. But I think you might want to ask the servers what’s good…the eel wasn’t bad, but if you don’t want that. I’ve only ever had the General Tso's chicken, The Sesame chicken, and the shrimp in orange sauce.”