He had a car, not the best car, but it was a car none the less. It still needed a great deal of work on it, and that meant he was left to find ways of finding money. If he could play a guitar, then he might make a few dollars that way, but it was to cold out to even think about doing that. Instead he had to find other ways to make a profit. Earlier in the morning he and crept about the benches and searched out the pockets of homeless folks, but there was little to steal. An idea would come eventually, he just had to think of it.

Around noon he had a bit of luck near a patch of ice. Women in heels just seemed to have a way of slipping on it and he made himself available to help them up. Life was easy when they left their purses unzipped, to easy. He had about enough to buy a new muffler, but he still was working on a car stereo that was kickass along with good rims to make the car a bit more flashy.

Going for a different approach for the afternoon, Hokee was armed with a cardboard sign and dressed in a pair of jeans full of holes. The idea better work, his nads were going to freeze off if it didn't. A small price to pay, but a guy would do just about anything when it came to cars and girls.

Homeless, need new coat.

For once he didn't mind the looks of disgust normally paired with dreadlocks, it gave him more of that pathetic dirty look. With all the running around earlier in the day and wonderful genetic elements of teenage puberty, he had a mighty fine funk working with him too. The great touch to tip it all off was his growling stomach. Boy was he itching for some Mcdonalds. Sitting on the shoveled pavement, he started to wonder how long it would take before his butt turned numb forever...

Walking through the park. Fun.

Riley just loved walking through the park. In heels. When it was December.

Sometimes, though, things like that just couldn’t be helped, and this was one of those times. She was coming from work, she had dressed professionally to make a good first impression with a new photographer and it was either take a short cut through the Park or wait 20 minutes for a bus. It was the middle of the day, muggers were unlikely to be lurking in the shadows, so Riley opted for the park.

The only problem with Central Park, was the fact that no matter how awful the weather was, tourists insisted on clogging the walkways and taking stupid pictures all over the place. It was just one of those things about New York City. That and the hobos. They were usually out in force too.

Yeah. Like that kid right there. The one with the sign. That said he was homeless. And needed a coat.

Heh. Yeah. Even if Riley hadn’t spent her last pocket money on a cup of coffee ten minute before, she wouldn’t have given the kid a cent. It wouldn’t help him, just reinforce that he was doing something productive.

It was awful cold though.

She paused for a second, filled with the holiday spirit and the magnanimous nature of what she was about to do.

”Here kid.” she said, holding out the half-drank, luke-warm coffee she’d bought 10 minutes before.

He had never been this cold before, never in his whole life. His butt was frozen, he honestly didn't even know if it was possibly still attached to his body or not. The wiggling of his toes was the only reminder he had to connect his torso to the rest of his body. Looking into the holes of his pants, he honestly wished he had real leg hair to give him the slightest bit of extra warmth. It was bad enough in the summer his legs could get him mistaken for a girl, but hopefully the head of dreadlocks was enough to solidify his gender.

Pocket change here and there seemed to be the only bit of hope he was getting right now. Holidays so close at hand, that and the dumb red kettles and ringing santa's on each corner seemed thin down the already lighter holiday wallets. Then there was the people with bad aim, the ones that tossed a quarter into the snow behind him. Jerks. His finger tips were starting to dread each dive into the snow and holding the sign was getting rather old real quick. It was during his empty gaze about in which a set of legs stopped before him and a cup was lowered towards his face.

If he wasn't already freezing to death and in a rather sour mood from his numb butt, he would have cat called or whistled at the legs. His fingers dropped the sign as they twisted about the cup. A dull heat escaped into his cupped hands, a relief from the elements of winter. The woman had nice legs, though he preferred the pant-less Cree any day. Not caring what was in the cup or if there might be lipstick or not on it, he tipped it up in the air while tilting his own head back. Warm liquid poured into his mouth as his Adam apple bounced up and down with each gulp.

Once the cup was empty, he unzipped his coat slightly. Shoving the Styrofoam into his jacket, he carefully zipped back up. It wasn't much added warmth, but it was certainly more bearable then a handful of snow. Rubbing his hands together, he looked up at the woman. She had a nice face, something that he didn't have any objections to looking at. Letting his voice stay raspy, he gave it his best shot. "Miss, you have any food? Extra shirt?" Come one, take the bait, take the bait."Warm shower?"

Why she stood and watched the kid drink the coffee, Riley didn’t know. Maybe it was morbid curiosity or maybe it was simply the fact that sometimes it was nice to sit and watch someone you knew was worse-off thank you were exist. It gave things perspective, and made you feel good about yourself.

Whatever her reasons, when the kid asked her if she had a warm shower, Riley decided that she’d made a mistake.

”Nope.” she said. ”My water heater is barely big enough for a ten minute shower, and I’m on my way home from work.” she said.

It was time to be done with this conversation though, she’d worn a skirt today and her legs were starting to get cold. With a final glance and a shrug, she turned to walk away, then stopped a few feet down the road.

”Come on. I’ll buy you lunch.” she said. Then kept walking. Why she’d offered, Riley didn’t know. She’d never ended up on the streets herself, but there had been times when money had been short...real short, and it had always been nice when a friend had offered a meal. She had the means now...and there was a diner just outside the park. What could it hurt?

Damn, no shower meant no chance to raid her house for odds and ends he could pawn off for more cash. This sucked, but on the plus side he was going to get a free meal out of it. Boy did he love his hair right now and worn out jeans. Living on his own, or semi living on his own had it's perks, mainly taking advantage of other people and getting what he wanted. Rubbing his hands, he let his eyes mull over what was said. She could be yanking his chain on this, or she might not be. He certainly would mess with someone if he had the chance...

Was there a Red Lobster around? He never really had a chance before to eat at one, and it might be nice to try some nice fresh sea food. He had fish before and sardines but lobster was something he wouldn't mind trying. Olive Garden...or maybe something really fancy. Hopeful thinking, with his luck her definition of lunch would be a package of crackers from a vending machine. Still, free food was free.

Taking his time getting up from the ground, he made sure to rub his legs. The more he made himself look cold and pathetic, the better chance he had to take advantage of the situation. "Slow down." Yes, that would help things out. It made it a bit easier to stretch things out since his butt felt like it was frozen solid. Was it humanly possible for butt sweat to freeze a natural crack into one solid piece, because he must have done that. How real homeless people did this all the time was amazing. They must have lined pants or wear water proof boxers. Giving his knees a quick rub he looked ahead of him. "Just give me a sec."

He was having trouble keeping up because it was cold. That was sad. Movement would help.

”No chance kiddo. I’m in a skirt.” she called over her shoulder. ”I’ll be in the diner just outside the park.” It was a quaint place with good burgers and hot coffee. The kid could like it, or go back to his penny collecting.

She entered the place to the sound of Christmas music and rolled her eyes. The whole damn city was obsessed with the holiday season. Christmas music was nice and all, but seriously...

Finding a booth, the brunette sat down and hailed a waitress.

”Double cheeseburger with fries and a cup of coffee. Everything on the side.” She said, ordering for the kid. He was delusional if he thought she’d let him order for himself. Riley knew the game, having played it herself a time or two.

Man, what a female dog. She just kept going not giving him a moment to get his body working again. She best be getting him some freaking Red Lobster or something now. Rubbing his legs, he managed to get himself going again. On the plus side this wasn't half as bad as the time Cree made his whole body go numb. Smiling in his head, he knew that was a day he'd never forget. He could see the legs shifting back and forth ahead of him as the lady's hips teased backed and forth. He didn't need to be told twice she was wearing a skirt, it was very obvious that she was.

Keeping an eye on her, though which part of her body he was watching could be left up to interpretation, he managed to catch up with her in the restaurant. The look on people's faces when he strolled it was priceless. Little did they know, and he was loving it. Taking a quick look around, he tried to get a feel for the place. If he was lucky, he might be able to pick up a tip from a table if he timed things right. Sure it sucked for whoever was waiting on the table, but they were already getting paid so they could just deal with it.

Slipping into a seat at the same table, he quickly started picking up napkins on the table top and started to shove them in his coat. Homeless people used newspapers and stuff to keep warm, he had to make sure he did all the things that a homeless person would do. Did they hit up the bathroom right away and get all cleaned up? He'd have to find a real bum later and ask them the tricks of the trade. Or he might just have to tag along with one for a bit. Naw, he'd just wing it.

"Have any extra blankets?" The question popped out as his finger tips looked through the dish holding sugar packets. Spotting the tiny half and half creamers, he started to peal the tops off. He hated the stuff, but if he was going to put on a show, he had to do it good. Tipping his head back, he tossed the liquid down his throat swallowing quickly. One down, a few more to go. Tearing of the top of another one, he kept his focus on what he had to work with on the table. "Extra newspaper, poncho....tarp?"

”Nope and nope.” Riley said, as the kid sat down, started insulating himself with paper, and shooting the half and half containers that were in the coffee caddy.

”You can just chill out. They’re bringing you coffee and a burger as soon as they can make it. I’m not going to cover your ass if you get thrown out of here, so I’d start acting civilized if I were you.”

The kid was over the top. Yeah it was fricken freezing outside, but something about him seemed less than genuine.

”I don’t give out handouts, but the City Union Mission is open on cold days like this. They’ve got free coffee, blankets, and pretty much everything else that’s better than the middle of the park.”

She paused to let the info sink in. ”When we’re done here, you ought to hit that place up. They usually have clothes and coats too.”

A grunt, that was all he was going to give her right now. Sure she offered to give him a meal, but it seemed like the generosity ended there.It figured, ask a girl for some blankets or something warm to wear and then you were tossed out like last weeks Bieber haircut. Well fine then, he would make sure to screw her over in the end now. Not that he had much to do these days, he was sure he could figure out her walking patterns and plant something good on her. If he had the determination to do something, oh watch out world. He wasn't planning on stalking her per-say, but more of finding an opportunity to get back.

Civilized was such a vague word, a word that he wasn't very fond of. Sure his people were civilized, but people also would say at the same time they weren't. Just because everyone didn't have running hot water didn't mean they were less then anyone else. There were major badass kids who lived in crap conditions and he knew of a few nerds as well that had to get prescriptions for bottle water. Life was hell, you just had to learn how to take the heat.

"No hand outs, but you'll pick up a guy in the park to feed." Classic teen 'whatever' face drew through his snark remark. Sure he should be thankful and all, but man she was making a bit hard to take advantage of her. He needed more experience at this, why didn't he try doing this more back on the Reservation? Oh yeah, that was because most people had nothing to begin with. Life of the have and the have not...so typical. "Last time I checked a free meal was a handout."

If the broad thought for a brief second about ditching him there and leaving him the bill, oh he would have no problem bailing out and leaving the tab unpaid. Cruel, mean, something a jerk would do, of course!

"City Union Mission...."It was a thought, though there were risks involved with hitting up a shelter. "You crazy? I walk in a place like that and I'll get badges all over me trying shove me in some foster s***. I'll take the chances and sleep in the subway." Real slick, give away your age....dumbass.

Riley smiled at the kid, even if it was a bit on the cool side.

”A meal in a nondescript diner doesn’t give you my address kiddo. I’ve been around this block a time or two.” She had, and she also known people who attached themselves to likely targets. Riley hadn’t survived the rougher side of New York for 8 years by being dumb or naïve.

As for his view on the City Union Mission, she shrugged. ”Plenty of people lie and say they’re 18. You could pass. Trust me, they don’t check that thoroughly.”

Just then, the meal arrived, and Riley watched as they set the burger, then the coffee down in front of the kid. As the waitress walked off, Riley leaned an elbow on the table and said conspiratorially.

”PS. Your hard ass demeanor isn’t exactly conducive to getting stuff. The helpless shtick from the park was way more effective.”

So she was a smart lass, good for her and this really sucked for him right now. Of all the people in the park to actually offer him a meal he had to end up with someone that actually knew the ropes better then he did. Rookie mistake, something he couldn't afford to do again. With a scowl on his face, he continued to swallow down food in a barbaric fashion. His gaze hardened as he tried to figure out the lady.

Coffee was nice and all, but why did she keep giving him that to drink. Sure the first cup was great, seeing that it was freezing outside, but now when he was inside a warm building there was more coffee. He was going to get stuck with an awkward situation later in the day once the warm beverage hit him. Details, something to worry about later when the moment came.

"How old could I pass as?" Hey, if she had been around the block a bit, it was worth a shot to get something from her. Plus if he could get a good idea of how old he could pass for, it might work to help him figure out getting fake identity papers and such. If he was going to do this, he was going to try and make things look as convincing as best as possible.