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"Need to pick up an extra pack... Never actually got one after yesterday." Cassandra thought to herself, heading on back to the convenience store she was at yesterday. Remembering the smoke break she took for herself in the alley behind it, the redhead felt fairly confident just strolling on inside.
Pulling the door open and heading inside, it seemed like there hasn't been anyone here for a bit. Nene at the cash register waiting, checking her phone. She did glance at Cassandra, but she went back to her phone without saying anything. Not that Cass really needed her to, she was just here for smokes. And maybe a drink or two.
Passing over the drink coolers, Cassandra stared at the cold bottles inside. Trying to think of what to buy this time...
"Too expensive, too sour, just plain bad..." Cassandra thought to herself while considering her options. it took her a bit more time, but she eventually grabbed a soda bottle. It's normally not her thing, but she isn't gonna drink tonight. Got other business to attend to.
Right as she's about to pay for it though, someone else steps into the store. Some guy with a green bandana around his face... And a knife in hand.
Cassandra squinted as she watched the guy. Acting confidently, he went up to the cashier. Trying to get Nene's attention, with her only barely looking up from her phone. As the cashier was about to do something, the guy points the knife at her.
"All the cash in the register. Hand it over." He demanded, keeping the knife trained on Nene. It wasn't a very threatening one all things considered. Looked more like a busted switchblade, but a knife is a knife.
Nene reached over for the counter, looking like she's about to touch the cash register. Right before she could go and give the guy his cash, Cassandra steps in.
"Hey, jackass." The redhead spoke, getting the robber's attention. As the man turned around, he saw Cassandra completely unarmed.
"The hell do you want? Out to get yourself stabbed in the chest or something?" He said, threatening her with a shank in the ribs. Cassandra squinted again, before cracking her knuckles. Earning a raised eyebrow from the dude, and a curious look from Nene.
"This is Goth Punks territory. If you don't want a bullet in your skull, put the knife down and run off." Cassandra demanded. The guy just laughed it off, before pointing the knife at her. She was still at a safe distance, but a forward step from the guy could be enough to get her.
"As if. You don't look like you're part of that gang." He said, taunting her. In response, Cassandra scoffed—before showing off something underneath her jacket. A book with a pentagram on it, and a loaded gun.
"Wanna find out, fuckface?" She asked, her other hand already reaching for it. Reading the room and the situation, the guy dropped his knife. A bit shocked to see she's an actual gang member, and was packing real heat.
"...N-nevermind, I'm out of here." He said, scurrying off out the door. Cassandra watched as he ran away, turning a corner at a building and disappearing. She just scoffed at the sight, looking back at Nene.
"These trashy ones, I swear... It's like they don't know who runs the place." Cassandra said, crossing her arms.
"...I almost had him, you know." Nene spoke. Cassandra, a little surprised, asked confused.
"Excuse me? Didn't he have a knife?" She asked, with the clerk reaching for the counter... and going for something under it. Pulling out a chef's knife, and a rather large one at that.
"Yeah, a pathetic one." She said, putting the knife back where it belongs. "What, didn't think I could defend myself?" Nene asked further, Cassandra raising an eyebrow.
"More that you didn't look like you had a plan. Felt like you were about to just toss him the cash.'" She replied, Nene letting out a giggle.
"As if. My family owns this place. I'm not letting some low-life with a shitty shanker take our hard-earned cash." She said. Cassandra lowered her eyebrow, nodding. "So, smokes? Felt like you'd come back. You never actually went inside to buy a pack yesterday." Nene asked, reaching over for the cigarette display.
"Yeah, you got it right. Any brand you like?" Cassandra asked, getting some cash from her pocket. Putting the soda down on the counter too, while letting Nene do her thing.
"Newports. I always keep a pack in my pocket." She replied, grabbing a pack. "It'll run ya a few extra dollars, but the taste is worth it." Nene added, scanning the pack for Cassandra.
"Eh, I don't mind. I'm sure you've got good taste." She said, shrugging and just paying for the cigarettes. Handing a ten dollar bill to Nene, letting her process the transaction.
"Got time for another smoke break later? Do gang members even have 'smoke breaks'...?" She asked, the redhead's planned response getting interrupted. "Wanna have one?" Nene offered, with Cassandra thinking it over. Though she did wanna go for it, she had other matters to attend to. With more suckers trying to encroach onto Goth Punks territory, she's gotta deal with it.
"Can't, sadly. You know the deal... Prior commitments." Cassandra replied. Though Nene seemed like she'd be disappointed, her tone shortly after was more understanding.
"I get it, it's alright. Just take care of yourself. Pretty sure that guy you just chased off had some friends, so look out." The clerk replied, taking a few seconds with something. Writing on the back of Cassandra's receipt before handing it over.
"I'll be fine, don't worry." She stated, chuckling. "If anyone should be taking care of herself, it's you." The redhead added, taking the receipt.
"Suuuuuuure... Never hurts to keep a cool head." Nene said, a grin on her face as Cassandra pushed the door open.
"Tough luck, I'm a hothead through and through!" She replied, chuckling. Stepping out of the convenience store and walking off, Nene shaking her head in amusement.
As the redhead left the premises though, she looked down at the receipt. Turning it over and seeing the writing—it's a number next to a small sketch of a knife.
"...How'd she know?" Cassandra thought to herself, putting the receipt back in her pocket.