#fenixtj

"No, thank you." she says firmly.

An nod, and he leads her to the rear of the complex, and down near a basement apartment. It's like a prison or dungeon more than an appartment

Jess follows. He might not acknowledge a debt, and is abrasive as hell, but she trusts Necropsis .... at least as far as she trusts him.

Oh, he might collect from all the times he thinks he owes her yet! 🙂

"She's dry" he leads her to a door "you got this?"

"Dry?"

A nod

"What does that mean, Necropsis?"

"saying the hook was a bitch to pluck out"

"She was addicted to something." Jess tries to clarify.

"You're not nearly as stupid as you look" Venom taints hsi words, but she thinks she guessed righ

She nods. "Anything I should know?" realizing, even as she says it, the futility of the request... but, at least she asked.

"Yeah" And he walks away leaving her to it

A sigh, and she taps on the door.

"who is it?" a woman's voice cautiously asks

"Jessica King."

"that.. name sounds..." She opens the door "Ricardo's Jessica?"

She'd be typically pretty, save for a too strongjaw line, and, more importantly, a pale and washed out look

Jess nods. "Yes. May I come in?"

"I .. guess" Baggy eyes. She doesn't sleep well

"Thank you." she enters, ducking carefully.

"I understand you've been ill; I'm sorry to hear that. You are feeling better?"

It's tight for a troll "I'm showered, yeah" But her room is barewalls, save for one painting that has one of Ricardo's mortal form , a jaunty fellow in bright colors. the family resemblence is there

Jess pauses, looking at it. Then says "I'm glad to hear it."

"What... what do you want? "

"I'd like to help you. For Ricardo's sake. And for your own."

"Look, that asshole already locked me up until I got clean, whatt more do you want?"

"Well... the question is, now that you -are- clean, what do -you- want?"

"I'd like to not starve. My brother, he was crazy, you know that? I think he was like a stalker for you- but not like lust, more like worship. He used to say how you'd save us all, had saved us... from the bones of wrath and...Oh I don't remember what. But tijuaa can be an ugly city, and he never saw that once you 'saved' us.. by.. charity drives? I forget what he said you do."

"I guess you could say I'm a kind of community organizer."

"Well, I organized myself into poverrty..."

"You're very talented, Destiny. I'd like to help you."

"I don't know... somehow... Ricardo, he ... he guided me, inspired me. Made me emember how fun it was to paint...paid bills so I could. NNow I'm not feeling it."

"I .. don't feel the spark"

The tall woman nods. "I feel his absence too."

Destiny says "Did you know he got me paints frrom Kansas City to paint you? Said that's where your 'legend' started. I suppose I should thank you for NOT calling the cops on him"

She swallows. "No thanks needed. I've seen the painting; it's very good."

"oh, you bought it from tha pawnshop. Wha an asshole that store owner is?"

"He's a piece of work alright.

"Glad the painting went to someone who liked it" She plops on a ricket twin bed "I'd offer you a drink but tap water herre is shit"

"You want to go get something to eat? And drink."

"I should say no... but I could use a good meal"

"Ok. Can I ask for your promise to stay with me?"

A narrowing of eyes "Mi hermano used to say anyone wantting an Oath from you better show it in writing"

Jessica chuckles. "Just your promise, Destiny. Can I trust your word?"

"Probably not, lying runs in the family. If I go, no promises."

A stubborn look

Jess thinks about this, nods. "Ok. What are you in the mood for?"

"Meat, fresh greens?"

"honestly , food GOOOD food of any sort would be a change"