It had been two weeks since the day the Vincetti hitwoman had found Tek in the small internet café somewhere outside of Buffalo New York. That had been her haven, it had been where she had built a rather nice little nest for herself. However, she had had to leave it. Tek found her way into one to many places that she shouldn’t have and got lazy, the FBI (whose tech staff are all lazy) found her and they were to descend upon her nest any day. Well that was two weeks ago. Before she left she had told a good personal friend (whom she knew only through the net as Digita). Of course Tek was known to the elite as Tek. Anyway she was going to meet up with her friend in Las Vegas, in all her travels she had never actually made it to this crazy town so for her it was going to be an adventure.

Waltzing into the lobby of the Mirage hotel she was not a sight that would cause a stir on the streets, however in the lobby of this fine place she truly did not fit in. Dressed in hot pink hip hugging pleather pants that had a large bell at the ankle, a hot pink halter top with a black fishnet long sleeved top over that, and to top it all off a pair of black moon boots. On her back was a duffle and slung over her shoulder was a very well protected lap top. With her bright orange hair worn in pigtails clashing with the pink clothing she was a sight to see. The staff were giving her looks of disgust. Grinning she moved to a seat and dumped her stuff down and plopped into the chair, waiting on Digita.

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What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. *Cat said to herself, strolling down the street. Vegas was really the city that never slept, with the great casino monster chewing up millions of dollars every day. Money that came from rich billionaires, college students on Spring Break, and sweet little old ladies who were unable to resist the siren song of a one-armed bandit. The things were everywhere in Vegas from the convenience store to the airport.

With a smile, Cat paused in her journey to test one out. Placing a single quarter in the slot, she pulled the handle. In her hand, carefully hidden was a wand designed to short the machine's circuitry, making her an instant winner, every time. BAR BAR BAR! Dinging and whirring, a pile of quarters landed in the little tray. Cat grinned, swept them with a practiced hand into her Blue's Clues backpack, and headed back out the door. She had an appointment to keep with a dear friend, Tek.

Cat, or Digita, and Tek had never met, but they had a lot of the same hobbies. They both enjoyed anime, being different, and hacking computer systems for fun and profit. She strolled into the lobby of the Mirage Hotel with a smile on her face.

Her clothing was pretty normal, for Cat, anyway. Her black hair was pulled back into pigtails, and her lipstick was crimson. She wore a black T-shirt emblaoned with the slogan "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups" and a white long-sleeved shirt underneath. She wore jeans with symbols written all over them in black Magic Marker that included a Yin-Yang, stars, Moons, a checkerboard, and a lovely rose with a multitude of thorns. Her Blue's Clues backpack held her ill-gotten gains and the laptop that she called Synergy, after the ultra-cool supercomputer in the classic kids show Jem. She recognized Tek right away as the only other person with any fashion sense in the hotel and walked over to see her.* Hey girl, what's up?

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Toying with one long pigtail she watched the people come and go. There were stars trying to hide themselves, rich people trying to flaunt themselves, and wannabes in hordes. She got a lot of different reactions, but none of them bothered her. She had a slight bemused expression upon her lips. There were a few people who completely ignored her, as if the space she occupied did not exist and therefore she did not exist. There were those who wanted to pretend she wasn’t there but the pull to look at her was much to strong. Their glances were furtive and secret, but she always caught them and of course blew kisses or some other action that sent them into a silent embarrassed tizzy. Of course there were those who stared at her and could not have thought it rude, or if they did they weren’t worried because one such as she obviously wasn’t a real person and had not feelings. To these people she just stared right back with the same mix of horror and fascination they gave her. Still it was all just a game to Tek as she waited on her friend.

This would be the first time that the two had met in person, but in Tek’s opinion meeting in person usually was way to over rated. Still she had needed to get out and Digita had offered to lend a hand. So here she was in a fancy-schmancy hotel in Vegas starting her life again. Looking to the staff of the hotel, who were at the moment trying to figure out who they were going to send to speak to her about leaving, she laughed. Wouldn’t it burst their little bubbles to know she could afford nearly any room in the place. Her bright green eyes looked to the door and a girl walked in, she knew who it was before she even said hi. A grin upon her lips she stood and extended a hand for handshake that would turn into a secret handshake made up on the fly. Another laugh and she winked. “How’s it goin’? Damn good chica! I ain’t caught and I ain’t broke and I got friends.. what more do ya need yeah?”

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*It was quite an extended handshake the two girls shared, with going back and forth, handslapping, making funny hand signs as if they'd known each other since they were children. Cat caught two clerks at the desk pointing and staring as though the girls had just beamed down from Mars, and she just grinned and mouthed the words 'Fuck you' before returning her attention to Tek.*

You don't need nothin, girl, that's fo' sho'. She slid her backpack off, and unzipped the top so Tek could see her ill-gotten gains.* A little luck doesn't hurt, though.

*She set the bag on the ground, thoroughly enjoying the attention she and Tek were causing.* I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long, though I'm sure you kept yourself amused while you waited. I happen to know this hotel has -excellent- access, even in the lobby. *It was true. Here in the lobby of the Mirage, she had hacked into Bank of America, and lifted herself some fundage two years ago.*

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“Well I only got in about twenty mins ago, but yeah I was entertained fo’sho. These assheads keep lookin’ at me like I got three tits or something.” With that she turned and blew a kiss as the clerks at the desk still watching them. Her green eyes looked about the place. “I’d imagine its got great potential though, I mean shit, look a the bling walkin’ through this place!” Laughing she plopped back into the seat, the bus stop had dropped her off in the poor part of Vegas, which was pretty much anything not on the strip. Still it had taken her the full twenty minutes to walk to the Mirage, she was tuckered out!

“So mah girl, what is there to do in a town like this that don’t include watching half neked womenz? I mean that’s all sweet and all for a good time, but I ain’t talking about that kinda good time. And what’s there for nests here? I gots ta start me up a new crib.” There was an attendant that was making his shy way towards the girls. It seemed the guy had pulled the short straw, or perhaps his peers just wanted to see the poor shy guy suffer at the hands of the crazy girls.

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*Cat flopped down in a nearby chair, her bag sitting in front of her. She too glanced around and saw the guy approaching the two of them. This was gonna be fun.* Well, there's lots to do. Myself, I like to hang out in the casinos and beat the one-armed bandits at their own game. Course, that kinda limits me to the off-the-Strip joints, which ain't quite kept up on their Se-cur-i-tah.

*She paused for a moment in thought, twirling one of her pigtails in her finger.* Could go see that Cirk de Solee crap, but I ain't up for all that flying about pretending to be trees and birds and shit.

I got it!! *She slammed both hands on her legs, grinning from ear to ear.* There's gonna be a video game convention in a couple of days. Plenty of cool take-home technology, and I love beating boys at those things, they always get so -mad-!



*She leaned back in her chair* Till then, we could watch some of the latest movies at my pad. I live in an apartment building not far from here. Really high-tech, and all run by computer. *Her voice dropped to a whisper.* I live there for free, cuz I hacked the system. It's sweet...

*By now, the young man had reached them. He paused to straighten out his ill-fitting jacket. He'd polished his clerk nametag before setting out, as if that would help.* ~A-Are you ladies waiting for someone?~

Nope. *Cat said, with a wicked grin on her face.*

~Then I'm afraid you're going to have to leave.~

As I said before, no. I understand you just came over here because they made you. Just tell them, aw hell, I don't care what you tell them. *He just stood there, looking anxiously at the two girls and back over at the desk where the other clerks were watching intently.*

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Shifting in the chair so that she had her legs tossed over one arm and her back up against the other she watched the shy squirrelly dude shuffle his way over to them. He was nervous as hell and trying to look imposing at the same time, it could have been cute if you weren’t all that bright. Kicking her feet absently she watched the boy as she listened to Digita. Nodding at the suggestions, but she really turned her attention to her friend when she got excited. The video game thingy sounded right up their alley. “Oh yeah, they be all like damn you’re a girl! Girl’s don’t play video games? That’d be stellar. We should totally do that.” Nodding again she watched the boy shuffle his way closer.

As she spoke about her pad Tek’s eyes lit up. “That sounds totally killer, great plan. And ya know free ain’t to bad either.” Then Cat looked to the guy as he stuttered his way through what we as going to say, what he was being forced to say. She giggled at Cat and then slinked her way out of the chair she was sitting in. Canting her head to the side she stood real close to the boy and pouted all pretty like. “You mean we gotta go? We ain’t hurtin’ nothin’.” Another step she was nearly pushed against the kid who was trying to move away, but didn’t manage to get very far. A devilish smile on her pink lips as her finger traced his tie down his chest and stomach. “Come on tell ‘em were just fine right here…”

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*The boy just squeaked, seemingly unable to talk. He settled for nodding, and backpedaled his way over to the counter where the other clerks watched him in disgust. Then, an argument began in earnest between him and the two girl clerks. Cat found the whole thing amusing, especially considering the fact that she and Tek were the only ones left in the lobby. With a grin still plastered on her face, Cat leaned back and put her army boots on top of the glass coffee table in front of her.*

Damn girl, you're a riot. You can stay with me as long as you like. Could probably even get you your own place in the complex. *Now that would be interesting, the two of them in one place. Vegas would never be the same, and that idea sounded pretty good to Cat. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that the argument had ended, and one of the two girl clerks was approaching. She looked like a librarian with her blazer and skirt combo. Her long blond hair was tied neatly in a bun with nary a hair out of place and a pair of silver wire-rimmed glasses perched on her aristocratic nose. Although she looked matronly, her attitude just radiated 'Bitch'.*

~I am afraid you girls are going to have to leave. We do have standards, here, after all.~

*Cat's eyes narrowed to slits, and she rose to her full height, which placed her a few inches shorter than the girl herself.*

I'm gonna pretend you -didn't- say that, because I don't think that your boss Mr. White would like hearing that his daughter was disrespected in his own hotel.

*The clerk blanched. How the fuck was she supposed to know White had a kid. The old bastard never talked about his personal life.*

~I-I apologize. Stay as long as you want.~

*Cat cocked her head to one side, a smirk on her face.* You'd better apologize, bitch. Now get outta my face.

*The clerk pivoted on her six-inch heels and almost ran back to the desk.*

Now, where were we? *Cat said with a grin.*

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Nearly falling over as she laughed while the boy skittered back to the relative safety of the two other clerks. She was catching her breath as she realized that the girl clerks were arguing with the boy. Poor kid. Winking at Cat she grooved in place for a moment just because the mood hit her. “rockin’ I think we mesh well chica. And shyte living together will rock cause you can show me that kick ass gear ya was tellin’ me about.” Then Tek noticed the anal girl walking towards them. Rolling her eyes she turned to face the girl with Cat.

She nearly busted a gut at Cat. “Damn! That was good, how the hell ya know that was her boss? Ah I sa’pose that ya gotta know that shit down here ya know? Keep them low life dullards on their toes and all.” Laughing she grooved again. This was so much better then lame ass Buffalo. “Girl I’m starved we should score some foodage and head back to your place.”

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Same way I learn most of the stuff I know, I hack the website. *Cat grinned, living together was going to be an excellent idea.*

What kind of foodage you lookin for, Taco Bell, McD's? *Cat brought her hands in front of her face, tapping her fingers together like an evil villain in one of those cheesy movies.* We could go to one of those fancy restaurants and raise a scene until they let us in or crash an all-you-can-eat buffet at a casino. It's really all up to you, since you're the guest.

*Since it was obvious that the two of them would be heading out, Cat stood up, lifting her Blue's Clues backpack to her shoulder once more. With a smirk on her face, she flipped off the clerks and waited for Tek.* You'll -love- my place girl. I got all the movies still in theatres, games out the wazoo, and enough music to fill a Best Buy.

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Rubbing her belly she canted her head to the side and looked out at the lobby of the hotel. After another little groove she looked to the clerks as Cat flipped them off and made devil horns and stuck her tongue out at them. Turning back she lifted her big old duffle up and slung it over her shoulder and carefully strapped on her laptop in its cushy case. Scrunching up her face she looked back to Cat. “Damn chica I’m like hella hungry. Lets do one of those all you can eat suckahs… ya know I could pack away the sustenance right now. Yeah lets do that. My treat and all bein’ as ya gonna let me hole up with ya.” Grinning she fixed up all the her bags and started out the door.

Once out on the street she stopped and put her hands on her hips, she sure as hell was gonna love this place. It was crazy and glam enough never to get boring and if she got tired of all the bling-bling she’d have no trouble finding scum just off the strip. Turning to Cat she grinned. “Lead on fearless captain! Mah belly’s growling!”

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Aye, aye..*Cat was gonna skip down the street, but decided it was better not to risk putting her precious Synergy at risk. They strolled down the street like schoolgirls on holiday. Once they were out of the stuffy lobby of the Mirage, they blended in rather well among the looney locals and tawdry tourists traveling Vegas. Cat came to a stop in front of one particularly tall building. A neon sign showed a winking devil taking a money sack from an old man in wire-rimmed glasses. Below it in dazzling red letters read the words 'Devil's Due'.* Ahh, yes. This is the place.

*She elbowed Tek just a little and grinned.* You'll love the buffet here. They've got burgers as big as your head, and 'Better than Sex' chocolate cake. It's good... *Cat winked, and tilted her head to the side.* but it's not -that- good. *Placing an arm over Tek's shoulders, she led her through the revolving door and into theh casino for a meal.*

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Laughing at the aye aye she grooved down the street next to Cat. Everything that she had deemed worthy in the world was in her duffle or the laptop case. When the FBI would get to her house in Buffalo they’d be in for a few cool surprises. First when they turned on her computer she rigged it to turn on the TV and serenade them with old 1950’s music shows. About ten seconds after that a stink bomb would be detonated and then paint cans would turn over in the ceiling and paint them red. She would have loved to been there to see it, but ah well you couldn’t have everything.

“Groovy. I’m starved, I could like so eat the whole spread!” With their arms about one another they entered the place. Tek could smell the food and her stomach rumbled loud enough for Cat to hear. Tek just laughed and rubbed her stomach. “The beast is getting restless!” They were getting a few looks, but as with the hotel none of them bothered her. She of course knew that people were staring at them because they were jealous, I mean they were just to damn cool for school.

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*A tall gangly kid was standing by the entrance to the buffet. His eyebrow was pierced, and a faint odor of weed surrounded him. Cat walked right up to him, grinning, and jabbed him in the stomach with her finger.* Hey Shaggy. ~Hey Cat. Who's your friend?~ *With a great flourish, Cat bowed at the waist, holding her right hand behind her.* Shaggy, meet Tek. *He grinned, the name Tek was familiar to him. She had made quite a legend for herself in the few years she'd been operating. Of course, the buffet line at the Devil's Due was not the place to discuss such matters.* ~It's nice to meet ya Tek. I'm Shaggy, and I'll be your buffet line attendant for the day.~

*Cat poked Shaggy in the chest again before she leaned over to Tek, conspiratorially.* He's only doing this because he pissed off the boss. He usually works maintaining slot machines. Too good to outright fire, so this is Vegas's equivalent of KP duty. *Shaggy pulled Cat's pigtails back like the reins of a horse and she slapped him, so he dropped them and swatted her behind.* ~You two go on in there and eat. I'll comp ya.~

Thanks, Shaggy...

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Eyeing the gangly kid she grooved while she stood there, she was always moving or doing something, she had to or she would go insane, yes insane. As Cat jabbed the guy in the stomach she laughed. Cat flourished and introduced her, so of course Tek had to reciprocate. Grinning broadly she did a few muscle man poses then snapped her fingers into little guns and waggled her brows at Shaggy. Laughing and in her most impressive Duff man voice (from the Simpsons) she said, “Buffet line attendant…. Oh yeah.”

Leaning in now as if they were sharing a great big secret she placed her hand over her mouth and giggled softly then imitated a gold clap. “Damn that’s rough.” Then Shaggy was pulling back Cat’s pig tails she made a few karate chop moves as if she were coming to Cat’s defense then stood straight and nodded. “Right on, you coo’ Shaggy, real coo’.” Taking his hand she did a few secret handshake moves and then followed Cat into the buffet.

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Now, Tek, you are gonna love this buffet. *There were several tables out. One table held a variety of breads, from white and wheat to raisin and banana. The seafood table held lobster, crab, fish sticks, salmon, halibut, and oysters. The fruit table was just dripping with apples, oranges, grapes, pears, peaches, kiwis, strawberries, blueberries, guava, melons, and more. Cat grabbed two plates and two sets of silverware wrapped in napkins. She gave one to Tek, and holding her plate before her like a steering wheel, started searching for sustenance. There weren't many people in the buffet, but those that were there were getting a show. Cat made honking noises as she twisted her body side to side. She made a loud EEERRRRR as she came to a stop in front of the fruit tray, and started piling her plate. Oddly enough, the fruit table was right by the donut table. She put two donuts on her finger, and headed off in search of Tek.* You finding everythin all right??

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Wiggling she held her plate over her head like a hat that she was swinging about. It seemed she was dancing, Tek loved to dance that is for sure. She went straight for the table that had the meat. Slapping a few big steaks on her plate she got some mashed tatters and veggies and found some melted cheese to smother over all of it. Moving past the desert table she picked up a brownie and ate is as she danced her way over to Cat. Nodding as her mouth was full at the moment she used her free hand to sign something that was even more muffled then her words. Swallowing she beamed. “Hell yeah you aint’t kiddin’ when you say I lllooooovvvveeeee this place. Damn Susie-q this is awesome. Lets find us some seats and shimmy, my tummy ain’t gonna wait much longer.” Wiggling from side to side she followed Cat to a table. There was a man seated with a woman about 20 years younger then he was, as they walked past the dude she nodded. “Ain’t nothing like young blood eh?” Winking to the guy she walked on by.

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*Cat balanced her full fruit plate on her head, Carmen Miranda style, as she strutted her way over to the table. Sitting down, Cat tore one donut in half and quickly ate it. She took the other half, and held it in front of her like a smile. Then, she turned it upside down so it looked like a frown, and back up again. Then, she started tossing grapes up in the air, and catching them in her mouth. Every now and then, she missed one and there were several littered on the floor.* Vegas is -such- a wonderful place. I'm glad I finally have someone I can share it with, someone who loves all the same weird shit I do.

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Once they were seated Tek dug into her steaks with abandon. Cutting up big ol’ pieces and she danced in her seat as she ate. For how small she was she sure had a ton of food on her plate. One steak down and she started in on her second one, making a big dent in the mashed potatoes and veggies as well. Swallowing she grinned and gave Cat the thumbs up, “Hell yeah chica! Shyte I haven’t been around peeps that like are cool in ages, the idiots in Buffalo were all like lame and stuff.” Making the thumbs down she gave the people next to them a good show of seafood and then winked. “Crimeny this place rocks we are so gonna scrounge here lots ya know that.” Having finished her plate she stood. “I so need more foodage!” With that she shimmied on over to the tables once more.

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Tek! Ya gotta get another plate!! *Cat stood up and raced after her friend, grabbing her arms just before she reached the table.* They're really strict abou that sorta thing. *She dropped Tek's arms and grabbed up a pair of plates, giving one to Tek. This time, Cat grabbed up a pair of hot dogs, and som chips, neat ones with ruffles.* I can't imagine what it must have been like for you, Tek. You must have been, like, trapped on an alien planet. *Cat's eyes rolled back in her head and she spoke in a robotic monotone.* I am Bore-bot 2000. You are different. Therefore, you are wrong...*She couldn't help it, she burst out in a fit of violent laughter.* Oh...my...god. *The hand that wasn't supporting the plate went to her sides, which were beginning to hurt.*

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“Another plate? Damn don’t that make more dishes? Shyte ain’t my hands be washin’ those dishes.” She got a new plate and danced on over to the seafood table. Making one big ol’ pile shrimp she got a dish of melted butter and lemon and then turned back to Cat. Laughing she shook her head pigtails bouncing like crazy. “I was so the alien. They would like walk on the other side of the street and shyte. It was Cahrazy! I mean they were like totally like clones of one another.” Tromping on back to the table her moon boots flopping as she walked. Once they were settled and she was digging into their food and all she looked up. “So like how you and Shaggy boy know each other? He seemed coo’.”

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Oh, Tek..we gotta go back and visit sometime. With -two- of us, they'll just go nuts! *Cat was already planning what to do, when Tek interrupted her thoughts with a question about Shaggy. Cat grinned, and leaned over the table, her cake temporarily forgotten.* Well, I was using my little wand to lift money from the slots. I was groovin, ya know, doing my thang, and I wasn't quite as careful as I should have been. I get a tap on me shoulder, turn around, and Bam! there he is. *She paused here to fork some cake in her mouth before continuing with the story.* I turn around, all ready to be like 'What da fuck?' when I see Shag-man standing there. He's all like ~I know what you're doing, girl. You ain't real subtle.~ I'm like, Oh really, you da fuzz now? Bust me, go ahead, cuz I make these things so easy to bust up no one will know what I got.

He said ~Chill out. I ain't here to bust yo' ass, just take that shit outta here so I don't get mine chewed.~

I said Fine, boy-o, and I left. I ran into him a few days later out on the Strip and we started talking. He likes to play around online too, recognized ya soon as I introduced ya. He didn't believe me when I told him I knew ya. *She grinned, and finished her cake.* Damn, this is good cake. Not stale or nothin'. Now, Shaggy owes me 20 bucks. That's why he comped us. I love comin' here. Excellent food, and I got the Shag-man watchin' my back.

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“Oh hell yeah we go back there and I think their heads would like pop or somethin’. Hot damn they’d fall over dead that’s fo’sho.” She could just see the man who was her land lord watching as she strolled back into the neighborhood. The man was 25 going on 80 and had thought her loud music, clothes, and lifer were there just as an insult to him. To have her show up again with a friend who was just as perfect as herself. Looking back to the food there before she began to eat shrimp with a passion.

Tek listened as Cat talked about how she met Shaggy. Looking over to where he stood greeting customers and such she laughed, feeling all proud and shyte that her name was known. “Damn chica I’m almost as famous as ya! I told Virial that I was gonna slither on down here to meet ya and he was like no way, totally thought I was lyin’. And coo’ that makes Shaggy a’ight in my book that’s right fo’sho.” Finishing her second plate of food she leaned back and patted her belly. “MMmmmmmm…..”

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Did ya finally quiet the beast? *Cat grinned and started tappin out a beat on the tabletop.* Doo da da da doo doo da da da doo doo doo..That there Shaggy is a right cool dude. Doo da doo doo doo doo da dee..I got my good pal Tek wit' me. Doo da da da doo doo da... *She finished with a solo that left her tapping her silverware against the table, their glasses, the plates, her chair, the floor, and even her head. Then, she grinned. * Thank you, thank you very much. *She waved to the people around their table, who quickly returned to their own conversations, except for one woman who just glared at the two. Cat flipped her off with both fingers before turning back to Tek.* I swear, music critics are -everywhere-.

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“Oh yeah, I don’t think I could fit another thing in me belly!” Rubbing her stomach she smiled and then stretched letting out a nice big belch. Then as Cat sang she grooved in her seat and beat on her legs. Clicking her tongue in time to the beats that Cat was laying down she hummed along as well. Once she was finished Tek clapped and whistled and stomped her foot. “Damn a regular rock star ya are!” Another few whistles and claps. Laughing she nodded, “Can’t make everybody happy. Shyte ya make me happy! All dat mattahs!”

~*~Back~*~