"What do you mean the train isn't on time?!" 

A man's voice boomed near where LoveGun was passing by. The question was filled with much annoyance and growing anger. If the station wasn't so busy, his outburst would have surely disrupted those around them. A sly smile perked up the left side of LoveGun’s lips, her eye narrowed as if she was to throw a wink to a man across the bar. He was perfect for what she was after and what she was after was a train ticket. It was currently clutched in the bellowing man’s fat fist, but she’d have it soon enough. 

It was his wallet that had attracted him to her first. It was nestled in his back pocket, thick and practically calling her name. She swiped it out just as he started to raise his hand to shake the ticket into the air. Though, LoveGun didn’t need a man to be distracted for her to take his money. This had just been convenient. 

The cashier who the man had been carrying on to, as if they had some magical bell they could ring to make the trains be on time, looked like he wanted to shrivel up and die instead of dealing with the angry passenger. LoveGun swung back around and this time stepped in front of the man instead of behind. She stepped close to him. On him. He exclaimed, pushing himself back, shouting that she needed to watch where she was going. 

“Does anyone even know who I am? I deserve to be treated better than this!”

LoveGun had succeeded in stealing his attention from the cashier to herself. The angry man narrowed his eyes at her as he threw a childish tantrum in the middle of the busy station. She looked up at him, throwing him a look back. LoveGun kept her eye contact with him, but had her attention to his hand holding the ticket. He was lowering it as he took in her sight. The crowd shifted again, as they do, and the man took another bump. That’s when she slipped the ticket into her palm and pressed herself into the masses leaving the pompous ass behind. 

She made her way to the tracks and found a train. LoveGun had her pick of trains, but she took the one closets to her and hopped on. It didn’t matter what it said on the ticket. Sure, it may have mattered to anyone else, but LoveGun had skills. If a lie didn’t make it okay, a bullet surely would. Shortly after entering the compartment and taking a seat, the train’s whistle blew, announcing that it was leaving the station. LoveGun leaned over to the man sitting next to her, bumping her elbow with his disturbing him from his paper.

Where we be goin’?

He just looked at her. First, blankly. Second, like she was a sewer rat. It wasn’t the first time she had been looked at with utter disgust. She waited and after a few short seconds her patients got the best of her and she elbowed him again.

Ya know where this train is be takin’ us?

“Philly.”

The man replied, his tone short. He then folded his paper, stood and took himself and his briefcase with him away from her. She shrugged and took advantage of the empty seat. Propping her feet into it, she slithered into the seats and took a nap. It had been a long journey already. From the Caribbean, to trouble in Bermuda to New York and now onto Philly. The train chugged out of Grand Central and a new adventure waited on the horizon. 

LoveGun had a knack for finding water. From mass bodies of it to the nearest drinking hole serving the finest rum (the only water she drank convinced it was the safest after a bad time in Veracruz. A story for another day). After the train pulled into station LoveGun was awoken from her nap by the one of those train persons telling her she couldn’t stay on. After finding out they had arrived in one piece in Philly, LoveGun was happy to depart. 

Her sense of direction led her down to Race Street Pier. Remembering that she had that fat hand man’s wallet in her own pocket she took the money from it and dropped it into the river. She needed to find herself some food, preferable a place off the streets to sleep and an establishment that was looking for a fortune teller. Sure, it was the same scam that almost lost her hand and run her out of Bermuda but it was easy work. LoveGun set out for all the new opportunities. Maybe she’d even find herself a new boat. 

Gavin and Tara were returning from a business lunch when Gavin stopped short in his tracks, staring across the street. Tara had walked several steps before she realized she was alone and returned to her brother. He was still staring, and she realized, unsurprisingly, that he was looking at a woman. The only surprising thing about it was the way the woman was dressed. When Gavin spoke, his voice was filled with a mix of reverence and determination.

"It's a pirate... I'm going to go sleep with her."

"Gavin, I-"

By the time she'd said three syllables, Gavin had already jumped into the street and started dodging cars, making his way to the other side. When he arrived, he tried to maximize the effect of his blue eyes and charming smile as he stepped in front of the woman with a grin.

"Hey there, miss. My name's Gavin- just wondering if you were interested in acquiring some booty with me?"

Tara arrived shortly after, but she'd heard what he'd said. Closing her eyes, she lowered her face into her hand. 

LoveGun had been minding her own business innocently peaking into a window wonder if the place was occupied by tenants when a man approached her. She wondered if he was the cause of the horn she just heard but had mostly tuned out. She wondered if it would have been better if whoever was driving the automobile had instead hit the man that now stood in front of her instead of hitting their horn. She wondered if this man knew he looked like a monkey, grinning at her like that with those big ears. She wondered all of this while staring blankly at him after the question he asked. 

A fella passed them with an open crate of apples, LoveGun popped one out and rolled it between her two palms. She still didn't say a reply, but lowered her eyes down his body and back up. She then leaned to the right and took a look at his ass. LoveGun didn't see an outline of a wallet in his back pocket. A slight sigh could be heard from herself as she grimaced at the man. Just as she thought about just walking off a woman joined them. LoveGun assumed she was with him as she didn't know anyone. Poor girl. 

Well, now that the whole royal empire is here, can one of ya be pointin' me to the nearest waterin' hole? Afta lookin' at yer face She pointed at the grinner I need a drink. A strong one. At least ten strong drinks. Rum. 

Gavin was fascinated, standing still as the woman took an apple and... looked at his ass. He tried to belatedly clench his cheeks for maximum effect, but the stranger had already turned her attention elsewhere. 

Tara looked on with a raised eyebrow. Why did every character in the city just happen to cross her brother? Who... was already talking to the pirate woman.

"-know the owner, actually. East Cat Cellars. May I escort you there, Miss...?

He paused fishing for a name. Tara sighed. Hopefully Jack Mezzo wouldn't judge them for bringing a pirate home. She burst out laughing as the stranger insulted her brother.

"Well, she has excellent taste, Gavin. My name's Tara, by the way. Pleasure to meet you. We'd be happy to lead you to our favorite local watering hole, if you'll follow us."

The trio walked onto the pier, and in a few moments they were inside the East Cat Cellars. Gavin hopped behind the bar, indicating for the woman- well, and Tara too- to seat themselves on the stools.

"You said you were looking for some strong rum, yes?"

She was very apprehensive to follow the pair to this cat place as she didn't like cats. That was untrue, she liked eating cats. Maybe that's how she'd introduce herself, Cat Eater. No, no, that would scare them off surely. It seemed like the fella was interested in her enough to pay for a drink or two. LoveGun hoped this Tara wasn't his wife. There wasn't a goal or anything, but she was on a five day streak of no fights. It was a new thing she was trying out. Once they arrived at the tavern she became very aware of her surroundings. Looking for the cats. Maybe one could be dinner. She was pulled from her hunt when she heard rum. 

Yes!

LoveGun exclaimed louder than needed.

Did you say there are cats here?

She picked her feet up from the ground, resting them on a low bar on the stool and spun on the stool to face the man behind the bar. LoveGun gave him her I want you to buy me drinks smile and put some politeness in her tone.

A drink wit'chya would warm ma heart.

She hoped it worked. Charm wasn't her best quality. Or maybe it was....

Me mates call me LoveGun, but ya can call me wha'ever you'd like if tha' doesn' suit yer fancy. 

LoveGun turned to speak to the lass, Tara, who had taken a seat next to her.

Cats?

But before Tara had a chance to even think about replying, LoveGun swung her attention violently back to the fella.

Can't call me Pineapple Head. Everything but Pineapple Head. 

Gavin shook his head.

"No cats here, as far as I know. Just the name of the place."

Tara considered opening her mouth to inform Gavin about the etymology of the moniker, but quickly decided it'd be a waste of time.

Gavin stopped what he was doing as the woman turned on the charm and smiled at him. Well, he was very, very willing to be manipulated. Hopefully Jack would forgive him for raiding the private stores. He found one bottle with some dust on it and scanned the label, reading it out loud. 

"Imported from Trinidad..."

Tara's voice popped up from her stool.

"Gavin, I don't think Jack would appreciate-"

"Relax! He's a whiskey guy. And we have a guest. Don't you want me to be polite, dear sister?"

Grabbing a couple glasses, Gavin opened the bottle of what looked to be very expensive rum and poured a glass for himself and a glass for LoveGun.

"Here's to new friends Pi- LoveGun."

The rum burned- but it was a warm, pleasant fire. Gavin felt it spreading throughout his body as he poured another couple glasses.

"So why do you call yourself LoveGun? Do you love your gun? Do you think love is a gun? Are you dangerous? And if so, isn't it nice to be dangerous?"

Tara simply sighed.

Is this an interrogation or a couple of people gathered around a wonderful, if I do say so's myself, bar sharin' a few fine drinks?

LoveGun gave Tara a smile and then returned her attention back to Gavin, the one asking all these questions.

If it's the first why don't you take me into a dark back room, hang a lamp above our heads and really bore into me. If it's the second, lets get to drinkin'. 

LoveGun picked up the glass Gavin had situated in front of her and drank it all in one sweep. She placed it again in front of her, waiting for a refill.

That is mighty tasty rum. I can respect a man who be findin' himself with the best of the best liquor and among other things. What does your boss be requirin' in a member? Or have we already covered that. I be forgettin' things sometimes. 

LoveGun smiled at Gavin.

Though, I'm sure you woundn' be shy helpin' me rememberin'. 

Gavin sighed.

"Boring into you in a back room sounds amazing, LoveGun, but I suppose a few drinks first wouldn't hurt."

He immediately refilled her glass, impressed by how quickly she'd put it down. Powerful stuff.

"Well, I got this rum especially for you, of course."

Tara cleared her throat, returning Gavin to business.

"Ah, right. You said something about requiring a member, yes?"

Tara, exasperated, took over.

"What would be required, of course, entirely depends on your skills and ambitions. You certainly seem uniquely talented, and I have no doubt that you could make an impact here in Philadelphia. Running a bar or some other business. We're right on the river, after all. If you're willing to get your hands dirty, you could make quite an impact here, I'm sure. The nature of that impact would be reliant on your particular skills."