Rachael sat back in her chair with a content sigh, it had been so long since she'd last been able to experience the simple pleasure of a freshly cooked meal. Given she was still living with the Detective at the moment she wondered whether he was a fan of salmon, if so she could probably experiment with different recipes. How many ways could you cook fish?





With the sun dipping over the horizon Rachael agreed with Rikke. it was hard to imagine any apartment would still be open for inspection at this hour. To be honest though, while excited, Rachael felt somewhat nervous about her dealings with Rikke. Neither of them knew each other, yet Rikke was so willing to put her trust in her. Even going so far as to help her with accommodation, help may not even be the right word considering the other woman was paying. Rachael was just worried she might let Rikke down, she was sure she wouldn't and was prepared to put her all into her work. The thought still lingered however.





Rachael couldn't believe her eyes when Rikke provided her with the large sum of money, the large sum of bills held limply in her hands. How could the woman just give this much away? Rachael knew of some extremely generous rich people, individuals who donate hundreds of thousands to charity each year. Rikke didn't seem the type. Why was she being so generous? "I-I can't take this." She finally worked up the courage to state, however it was to an empty seat. Sometime in her shock the woman must have gotten up and left. Quickly Rachael pocketed the money and left the restaurant. After signalling a taxi she headed back to the detective's.

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Rachael kept her head down as she navigated the hustle and bustle of the New York foot traffic. It didn't matter that she'd been here for months already Rachael was always surprised by the population density within New York. She could never imagine anywhere in Perth being this packed. The fact that she was at a cramped railway station only made things worse.

Eventually though she managed to meet up with Rikke, offering the woman a weak smile. "No, the salmon was great." She replied, a slight shiver under her coat. "Cold weather though, that doesn't agree with me."

When Rikke mentioned she wanted to show Rachael something the younger girl wasn't quite sure what to expect. She'd personally spent quite a few nights on the street or in parks, she'd seen some unfortunate people. However when they reached their destination she quickly recognised where they were. "Yeah, I heard about this place on the news." Rachael stated as she looked over the rubble, a moments hesitation before she continued. "Though they reported it as a mutant resisting arrest, that the bar's occupants started it. You don't believe that do you."

There was no doubt that the bar was burnt down by mutant abilities, Rachael was sure of that much. However with the media and government lying to her about the danger mutants played on the community at large she was always a little sceptical regarding mutant news stories. That wasn't to say there weren't bad eggs, right now Rachael was trying to find where Rikke fit in. "What exactly do you mean by unsavoury?"

The news? She was surprised the story was even reported. But then, fire in Williamsburg, someone had to mention it.

"What I mean is that ensuring justice for those people that died in there is going to require being tough and intolerant of the humans that would rather see us die than help us."

"I'm beginning a new project. I'm going to rebuild "The Phoenix"and make it a haven for all mutants of this city. A place where mutant culture will thrive without humans trying to contain and close us down. In short, I want for mutants in a single spot in Brooklyn what humans have across the rest of the city."

"But the humans will try to stop me. They can't stand the thought of mutants being free of judgement of having a place to not hide. So, they'll deny the building permits, freeze my assets, hell they might just burn the place down all over again. They'll do everything they can to keep us in the dirt, we need a place free of human intervention. But to build it, we'll need to circumvent all their attempts to shut us down."

"Fortunately, money can be used to bribe just about anyone in the city, but some of the more obstructive people will need to be dealt with... harshly. But don't worry, Rachael, you won't be assigned to deal with the obstructive ones. I need you to deliver bribes and deny everything should anyone ask about our methods."

She was laying it on a bit thick, she thought she didn't want to overwhelm the girl before she'd actually started working for her.

"Of course you'll be well paid, as we discussed yesterday, You'll always be safe, no humans will try to hurt you because you look different, and when it's all done you'll have built thew biggest safe space for mutants in New York City."

Now, about your apartment." Rikke gestured to the building left of where the burned down bar was. I live in one of the two penthouses near the top. Both houses occupy the full floor and are furnished with high end appliances and furniture. The one above mine is vacant." She handed Rachael the building keys, "Let's have a look and see if it matches your taste."

Rachael naturally felt rather hesitant once she'd heard of the type of work Rikke would expect of her, bribery and deception was a little further on the wrong side of the law than she'd ever ventured before. However in saying that the woman's cause was a worthwhile one so it came down to the classic conundrum of whether the end justified the means. Rikke's cause was definitely a worthy one, she sought a safe haven for mutants. Everyone deserves the right to feel safe, whether it be with friends, family or just alone in your own home. 

No-one was getting hurt by these dealings, technically in bribery scenario's both sides walk away happy. Then perhaps it wouldn't be as bad as she thought, she could always walk away right? "I can do that," She told Rikke, though it was obvious to anyone with functioning ears there was hesitance in that claim. Rachael wasn't entirely convinced just yet, well on the way but not yet.

Rikke eventually led Rachael up into the penthouse suites of a nearby apartment building and the green mutant struggled to keep her jaw off the floor once the door was opened. "I-I'll be living here," She managed to stammer out as she took in the sight before her. Everything was brand new, state of the art. Rachael shuddered to imagine just how much the apartments contents cost, let alone the apartment itself. Slowly she stepped in and past the entertainment lounge, an exterior door leading out to the balcony. The view was absolutely stunning, granted the apartment complex was no empire state but nevertheless it was a penthouse all the same. "This is amazing, I don't think even a hundred years would repay how you've helped me. I'll be ready to help when you need it, just say the word."

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Sorry for the absence, got busy. Still kinda am but I doubt I'll go two weeks without posting again.

"Perfect." Rikke said and dropped the keys into the girl's hand. "Though we might want to get some skylights in here, given your need for sunlight. Enjoy the day in your new place, I'll have an assignment for you in the morning."

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When she slept, Rikke was an early riser. She glanced at the rising sun out the east windows and groggily boiled water for the French Press.

Lighting a cigarette, she sat at her desk, cup of hot coffee steaming to her right. She flicked through papers concerning her acquisition of the neighborhood and separated the ones that needed her attention from those that could wait. She sipped her coffee and thought of Rachael.

What a peculiar mutation she had! The girl was a human leaf, no signs of bark or roots, all leaf. Though she was young, perhaps her mutation was still developing. It was all guesswork at this point, Rikke was no scientist. In fact, cases like Rachel were precisely why a hub for mutants was needed, she imagined a state of the art research facility to study mutations and the people they affected. For all anyone knew Rachel might be able to sprout roots to extract nitrogen from the soil or even form a layer of protective bark. Who knew? The current generation discovered their mutant powers as they developed, nobody could say what a young mutant should expect as their powers blossomed.

Rikke selected a group of papers and slid them into an envelope with 10,000 dollars in cash. She hated the thought of potentially losing so much money by accident or misfortune, but nothing enticed gangsters like cash. And for this particular Gangster, Lev Rostov, she needed to persuade him to give up his property to her.

For a passing moment she wondered if sending a child into Russian mob territory was wise. She dismissed the question, it would be a learning experience for Rachael. Hopefully she would appreciate the lengths Rikke was going to achieve her vision and eventually understand why the mutant hub was so necessary at this point in time.

At a reasonable hour, she approached Rachael's door and knocked. When the girl answered she handed her the envelop with papers and money. Then she handed Rachael $200 in 20s. "The packet goes to Lev Rostov at this address, the 20s are for cabs and whatever else you might need. Guard that packet with your life, give it to no one but Lev Rostov himself. You'll be going in Russian mafia territory, I don't expect you'll have any problems, but you can take this with you just in case." Rikke held a gun by the barrel with the handle within the girl's reach. "I seriously doubt that anyone will bother or threaten you, Lev runs a tight operation over there. But if anyone asks who you are or what you're doing, just say Rikke de Cordova sent you to give the envelope to Lev Rostov. Again, you put the envelope in his hands, not to any of his lackeys. Got it?"

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Sorry for my absence, mostly working a lot lately, plus moving to a new apartment. it was a whole thing. But I should be regular now.