#bergen_county

The Mall near Rivervale can be a scary place for KIthain. Sometimes it seems to draw banal sorts. Lately it's not attracting many people any sort at all. Still, if you don't want to shop online, and what you want isn't in Wal mart, you might try the mall.

"Jesus, this place takes me back" Lupe mutters

"Mind you don't trip over your beard, grandpa" May observes gently

"Oh you got your sass back maybe too much" Lupe says to the tall girl

"You realize this place was dying long before our generation? Right?" May says "malls were once the temples of consumerism, but also social gather points for teens, but that was like... during the 80s"

"Yeah, too bad all those folks are dead from old age, would have been nice to hear the story" Lupe nods

"So where's your friend?" May inquires "What's her name, LuLu?"

"I don't know, she asked me to come here around this time... said she wanted to show me something. I hope she's okay" Lupe mutters "For that matter, I hope Sam got my text?"

"Why wouldn't Lulu be okay?" may asks "And you really need to get your phone replaced. That one isn't working way too often"

Lupe flashes back to a mission not so long ago, where her Galliard got hurt... BADLY, because some idiot Silverfang though their pack didn't need to know all the details.

She had a chance to challenge him, but chose to do the typical gnawer technique of instead sucker punching him in the balls and walking off after. Fuck him. Fuck his so called honor if he was going to use fellow garou as unknowing bait.

"She was in an accident recently," Lupe answers after a moment's thought, "Some moron didn't signal"

"Ooo I hate that" May frowns

They make their way to the second floor so they can get a better look at the over view of the mall

The crowds are sparse. This is the new norm. The shoppers can find better deals online, so they don't come here. The store leasers are angry at the mall for not lowering their rates, when the mall is no longer the draw. The mall owners are not about to lower rates... so the spiral of decline continues. Only Christmas and other holilday events seem to keep it alive

"Oh they closed the Orange Julius... again" May sighs

"You hungry?" Lupe says

"Not really. Went to Sam's for dinner last night. I don't think I need to eat for a week. They even gave me left overs" She grins "Had a fantastic sphagehti breakfast."

"You had pasta... for BREAK fast?" Lupe says mildly appalled

"What can I say, Lupe. I'm a rebel now, Lupe. A cullinary outlaw" a beat "Besides, it was soo good"

Lupe looks at her friend, a long look, then SNERKS loudly "Seriously?" She begins to laugh "Culinary outlaw?"

"Laugh if you will, but one day I shall trademark that and get a nickel every time someone says it" May smiles

Lupe laughs a bit more. It's been awhile since anyone made her laugh outside of their ragabash, and tension eases out of her a bit.

This isn't lost on May, "Lupe? I know we've been all about May of late... but.. the me focus aside.. are you okay?"

"You and Sam are my best friends of choice, but I got.. a circle, a gang. Sort of... " The Litany. You can't tell her everything "And.. they look up to me. Call on me to take lead"

"Like our old basketball team?" May tilts her head

"Yeah, like that... kind of." With twisted abominations , dark spirits, and poison trying to kill the earth out against us instead of those bitches from the Atlantic City regional team

May nods and waits for her friend to go on

Lupe sighs "It's.. not a thing I can quit. I know it makes no sense but the stakes are too big. But when things go wrong. It's on me. When I fuck up, it .. people get hurt. And I have to be top of my game ALL the time and I ...I'm gonna drop the ball one day, May. I am."

It is hard to miss Sam. One, she's 6 ft and change and built like a brick wall. Two, the cloud of honey-blonde curls adds even more height.

"We have overdeveloped senses of responsibility, don't we?"

"Geez..." Lupe says "How'd I miss you?" somehow she managed

May gives a smile "I didn't, but I wasn't going to interupt. She's right you know? We all take way too much on ourselves in our way"

"Yeah."

"Guys, it's different for me. I can't explain it... but... " Lupe says "I.. folks get hurt when I screw up"

May glances at Sam "Hear that Sam? Her cross is a bit taller than ours. Must be compensating for something"

Lupe bristles a bit instead of taking the jibe "You know what..." About to snap

Gently but with a firm undertone. "Lupe - I get it."

"We all get it. We might be some of the few who do."

"I.. sorry" Lupe calms down "Sorry May..."

"No no.. I was trying the wrong way to ... I was trying for perspective, and I came across as insensitive" may apologies "I'm sorry. Lupe. Is this ..team always playing?"

"Pretty much..." Lupe tells them both, "I mean, this is the most time I've had in awhile. And how did I get it? A friend gets hurt. And another friend I find out I've been neglecting."

Sam snags Lupe into a one-armed hug.

May gets her from the other side

Lost in their tallness, Lupe sniffs, "Guys... if I break out crying in public, you realize I'm obliged to kill all eyewitnesses?"

"Okay, okay."

May starts to shake, not with tears but laughter

"God I love you guys" She says

"Right. So - Discord."

"It can go on the phone, too."