"The fuck was that?!" Johnny quipped as he quickly followed her out the door, looking back at the still shocked look on James' face before the door shut.

Chuckling like a kid in a candy shoppe, he turned and wrapped an arm over her shoulder.

"You got it, Barb. To the subway..."

They walked for a few blocks, down to where Race Street turned into Race Street Pier, and then hooked a right. Johnny glanced down the pier, smiling at the business rolling along the boardwalk. It would be a great place to stir some excitement for the "big magic show" at the new casino! If he and Barb could ever get far enough along to MAKE the new casino...

Continuing down the street as the lamps kicked on, Johnny pulled Barb that little bit closer. Either from the chill on the air, or the looks from a few degenerates that happened to be congregating in the last alleyway they'd passed. He really didn't feel like shooting anyone tonight. Or seeing Barb stab someone. One murder in the last two days, poor old landlord George, was enough for them both. At least so he was thinking.

Finally, they came upon the subway entrance, and Johnny led Barb down into the tunnels. "Alright, Barb. From here, you gotta lead. I dunno my way around these tracks." He chuckled and slowed his gait until he was a step or two behind her. OBVIOUSLY so he could follow her lead, and not stare at her ass... Which he was definitely doing anyway.

“Whattayas mean, ‘what was that’?” Barb smiled innocently as she led him through a twisting series of platforms and tunnels... seeming entirely oblivious to whatever looks they might receive, save from a few familiar faces who smiled and waved as they passed. Stooping to drop cash into each and every cup and bucket along the way, she seemed almost entirely unconcerned with actually making the train as she made the rounds... pausing every once and again to chat briefly with people on a first name basis... often with hugs and beaming introductions. 

By the time they’d actually made it to the train, Johnny had been briefly introduced to more Tommys, Janes, and Harrys than he’d ever met in his life. And, by the looks of it, if he had to do much more hand-shaking, his head might melt right off his shoulders. 

Finally, god only knows how much latter, they finally made it to the far platform that would take them as close to ‘home’ as they could get. Waiting for the line to pull alllll the way through, Barbara chuckled softly as she took him by the wrist and - once again - led him to the very back of the train. This time didn’t seem nearly as thrilling as the trolley... as Barb cramped herself into the far corner and coated him into a seat beside her. 

From here, he noted, they could see all the way to the front of the line. And, as Barb began prattling softly into his ear, he began to understand why. “This is my favorite perch for people watching,” she explained matter-of-factly. “I likes ta make up histories outta what I know about tha regulars.” 

Pointing out a frazzled looking blonde with a newborn latched at the tenet, Barb informed him, “That’s Wanda. Her husband’s an alcoholic. And he’s been MIA for a few months now. They ain’t named tha baby yet, because she keep tellin’ herself she’s gonna put it up for adoption. But she can never bring herself to do it. They’re each tha only person in tha world who really loves tha other.” 

Nodding to a man in dirty, fingerless gloves and a tattered carhart coat she continued, “That’s George. He was a Sax player before tha war. Now he’s just another shell-shocked homeless vet. People ignore him a lot, cuz they think he’s no good anymore. But he hums old blues songs when he’s frazzled, and if yas watch carefully, yas can see tha notes move through his fingers.” 

“And that youngun is Juniper,” she said, motioning to a young child curled up on a bench seat by the door, “That’s not her real name. It’s just one she picked cuz she forgot her real one. Her mom left her here almost a year ago. And she’s been here ever since. She rides all day and tells tha other passengers stories for a nickel.” Pausing, Barb met his gaze, “That part’s true. She keeps a pocket full of napkins with them all written down. She buys ‘em offa the lunch-break types for a penny and writes her little stories on ‘em at night so’s she can sell ‘em the next day. She’ll buy a story off ya, too, if she thinks yas look hard up. I think she’s gonna be an author one day. I promised her once that if I’s ever gotta new typewriter, she could haves my old one.” 

Nodding, Barb snuggled up to his shoulder as she slipped an arm in his. “Why dontchyas give it a go. I betchyas’d make a fine storyteller,” she chuckled softly. 

Johnny chuckled softly and shook his head, "Nah... I ain't no storyteller. Though, I could tell her some old folk stories if she hasn't heard 'em." He smiled. "'Course, I wouldn't take her money. I would just let her have it." Shrugging, he looked at Barbara. "Whattaya say we get you a new typewriter real soon and give her that old one, then? I bet you'd absolutely make her day, and I love to see the smiles the two'a'ya's share afterward. Would really warm the heart, ya know?"

He paused. "Think she'd want a real bed? Maybe we put her up in one of the rooms an' let her get on her feet? She could sell her stories for a nickel still or compose'em all together in a short little book. Maybe she could be the modern-day Aesop?" He shrugged and smiled, looking back at the others on the subway. All of them had little stories in Barbara's head and something about that tickled him greatly.

"Or, maybe you could do it too. Take all of those 'histories' and make them a little fables book." Leaning his head back, he got quiet, but Barbara could see the wheels turning.

"We should see if she wants to run a book store."

Barb, suddenly overly excited about the idea (which before this very moment had never occurred to her before), slapped the holy living fire out of Johnny’s arm as she shouted, “A fucking bookstore!” Realizing that the intensity of both her voice and her palms had come across far MORE than she’d intended, she quickly lowered her head and her tone, “Sorry. Sorry.” 

Staring at him for a few moments, in that way that she did when his ‘southern’ popped out, she simply smiled and nuzzled back down against his shoulder. “You know,” she mused softly, “I bet she hasn’t heard the one about the magician and the princess...” 

Her dark eyes smiled up at him affectionately as she nudged him again. He may not be a good storyteller, but at a minimum they needed a conversation starter. And Johnny was DEFINITELY the people person... or so Barb told herself. 

Johnny shook his head, rolling his eyes ever so slightly. "Really? You don't think she's heard about the magician and the princess? I thought everyone knew that story!" He smirked and leaned over to press his forehead against hers. "Fine..." He leaned back and looked at all the eyes that were on them. "Not like we aren't everyone's newest fixation anyway after the tiny bookstore outburst." Chuckling, Johnny slid out of his seat and walked over to the little one Barb had said was 'Juniper'.

"Heya Jasmine, I hear-"

"Juniper," the girl corrected, staring at him with a glare.

"I'm so sorry," Johnny smacked his head. "You're so right. That's what my friend Barbara said. Juniper, not Jasmine. Gosh, I'm just terrible with names. Forgive me?" He offered her a grin, a pathetic looking grin if ever Barbara had seen one; half goofy, half nervous, and none all too sincere if she knew him as well as she thought she did. And it worked so well! Was he really conning himself into the kid's good graces? THAT ASSHOLE! Wait, it worked? Juniper was normally so good at reading people! Was Johnny just that much better at faking people's perceptions of him? Probably. He had worked the strip in Vegas...

Juniper hesitated, but then finally nodded, "Yup, Mister. All forgiven."

"Johnny," he offered, and stuck out his hand. "I hear you tell stories. Would you mind telling me one?"

"You gotta nickel?" she pandered.

"I got a story if you wanna trade?"

"Nope, don't trade. Nickels for stories..."

Johnny chuckled and dug into his pocket, not missing the quick look at Barbara from Juniper, who winked like she was swindling Barb's friend. "Okay, okay. You got me. But if I'm paying, you gotta tell me your story first." He grinned at her and dropped a quarter in her hand.

"Mister, this ain't no nickel."

"Consider it a good-faith investment." He closed Juniper's hand over the quarter and smiled. "Because I believe the story you're about to tell me will be the best story you've ever told, am I right?"

"For a quarter? YOU BET!" she exclaimed excitedly and started to dig through her pockets.

And just like that, Johnny was already playing Juniper like a fiddle. Though the young girl didn't catch his wink back at Barbara.

Juniper dug through her small, dirty pockets for a long moment; pulling more crumpled napkins from their vacuous depths than he’d ever thought possible. Clearly, whatever strangeling fae this child was, she and Barbara were of the same kin. 

Grinning, the tiny ginger finally found the slip of paper she was searching for... the oldest and rattiest seeming piece there was. Stuffing the rest back into the void from whence they came, she clutched this special piece close for a moment before pressing it tenderly in Johnny’s hand. “This one,” she patted him softly, “You get this one.” 

There was clearly something special about it, as evidenced by the gravity of her small tone. But Johnny didn’t understand until he glanced it over. Scrawled on the back of an ancient and yellowing receipt in a child’s shaky self-taught handwriting (spelling errors included) read: 

“Once there was a little girl who lived on the midnight train. 

Sh got so lost and so lonely she even forgot her own name. 

As hard as she tried, she couldn’t remember. 

Not even a spark or a dim glowing ember.

So, instead she decided one bright sunny day,

She’d make her own name and find her own way.

And so she began to seek and to search

But nothing quite fit. Not Lotte or Birch, 

Not Margie or Minie or Madison May

Not Thistle or Berry or Lilly or Fae. 

No name seemed just right for the lost little girl

So utterly unwanted by all of the world. 

Until one day a man happened through 

With a bottle of gin, still corked like brand new. 

And he explained to the girl that the dry tasting drink

Came from little blue berries that no one would think

Could make anything good until they were pressed 

And turned into something quite ‘other’ through stress. 

So the little girl looked at the berries-that-were 

And saw something in them that seemed just like her. 

Unwanted at first but cherished in time, 

Whose hardships and pressure turned ‘sour’ divine. 

‘Juniper’ she named herself and decided that day

She’d keep all the things other people threw away. 

Not the trash or needless things, 

But the stories and songs that no one sings. 

The words that other people forgot, 

And the tales that needed a listening spot. 

She’d take them all and find them new homes

With all the people who needed new hope. 

And so she still rides that little train, 

With all her stories and her very own name. 

Collecting the stories that no one tells 

And keeping them safe like old wishing wells

For the souls that have no more wishes to throw 

And just need a friend in the midst of their woe. 

And even though she’s alone and still wee

She’s never as lonely as you’d think she might be

Because she has her stories for warm company

And the hope that fairy tales needn’t be 

The only good stories with happy endings.”

And suddenly, it struck him. She’d sold him her life story... the first and last story that she would ever tell... for a shiny quarter. 

Johnny sat there quietly for a long time after he read it. Staring deeply into the words of the child; into the hidden meanings, the emotions that came with them, and the hopes that rode their waves. Johnny's hand trembled ever so slightly, and his free hand swept quickly over the page, snatching something out of the air. His hand swung so quickly that even Juniper flinched and backed away... But when she looked up and saw his face, then he held out his hand to her, a tear stinging the center of his palm.

He folded the paper, creasing it gently where it had been, and offered it back to her.

"My dear child, keep the quarter, but don't -EVER- sell this story for less than what it's worth again."

He sniffled and wiped his face once she, hesitantly, took the story back with an apprehensive look of consternation and confusion written across her features. Wiping his hands on his pants, he looked up and opened his eyes wide. "Alright. A story for you, this time."

Johnny inhaled, and exhaled slowly, pinching just beneath his nose and wiggling his nostrils. Another wipe of his hands on his pants, and then he chuckled.

"Have you heard the story of the Princess and the Magician?"

He smiled at her, his eyes still twinkling in the lights from the glassy-water polish. Juniper shook her head and scooted closer again.

"Alright, then that's what I'll tell you." Inhaling deeply, Johnny closed his eyes... "Where to start, where to start," he sighed softly.

"The beginning! That's where stories start!" Juniper chirped, and it made Johnny smile and laugh.

"You're so right, Juniper. So right." Slapping his legs, he looked down at her. "Well then..."

"Once upon a time..." he started, his eyes getting big and his eyebrows lifting as if he was about to tell an ancient tell! With hands waving just above their laps like he was moving the mist and fog away from mountains, his story came to life...

"... there was a Princess, and her kingdom was the fairest in all of the lands! The people were happy and joyful; they sang, they danced, they celebrated! Life was wonderful and free!" Johnny grinned. "And the Princess, who just happened to enjoy the arts much like yourself I would wager, loved her people. She was always helping those in her kingdom, and she was known as the kindest of all Princesses. Not to mention the most beautiful!"

Johnny's features shifted darker and his hand motions grew much more rigid and sharp instead of the happy flow from before.

"But because the kingdom was so fair and beautiful, much like their Princess, many evil-doers and villainous groups wanted to rule the kingdom, and they plotted a coup."

"A coop?" Juniper interrupted.

"No, no. A coup. They plotted to overthrow the kingdom," Johnny explained.

"Ohhhhh. CONTINUE!" Juniper exclaimed, moving to the edge of her seat a weensiest amount more.

"So the bad men plotted to overthrow the kingdom, and unfortunately, they did overthrow the kingdom. The Princess and her family fled, but they didn't all make it away. Many lives were lost. The Princess, however, refused to leave all of her people behind and worked diligently behind the scenes of the new kingdom, helping organize the people against their oppressive rulers."

Johnny became dark again. "But even with all of her hard work to help keep the people in good faith, the kingdom fell into ruin, being attacked from within itself from multiple different groups of evil-doing men and women who wanted to rule. The Kingdom passed through many different hands and rulers until the Princess could no longer safely try and help her people. She was forced to flee, disguise herself, and never return."

Johnny became sad with his features.

"She was heartbroken and torn, but knew there was nothing else she could do short of dying, and so many had died pointless deaths already... She changed everything about her life... Her name, her style, and all that one could think of in hopes of remaining out of the bad men's eyes."

Johnny smirked. "But after all of that, well into her new life, the Princess met a magician who performed magic in the streets."

With a wave of his hand, he fanned out a deck of cards in front of Juniper, then rolled his hand into a fist and flicked his wrist, opening his palm to reveal a dollar where the cards had been. A dollar that he tucked behind Juniper's ear and pulled back a five, that he placed in her hand with a wink.

"Now this magician was a nobody when he met the Princess. At least not from where they met... He too had been run off from his home kingdom by bad men. He had come to the new lands and had been hired by a group of friendly witches to hand off money for some documents that the witches needed to help their friends also come into the new lands. It just so happened that the Princess was the one to make these documents look right and real."

"Forged!" Juniper interrupted a second time, scrunching ever closer to the edge of her seat yet again.

Johnny chuckled softly and smiled.

"Yes, the Princess had forged these documents. A job she wasn't certain she should have taken, but the pay was well. Eventually, the Princess and the magician both starting doing a lot of freelance work, together, for those witches. Eventually, they both joined the witches even! But that's another story for another time."

He chuckled and winked at Juniper.

"Anyway, the Princess and the magician, as I said, started working together and seeing each other more often. And the magician often talked about the shining and twinkling lights of his old kingdom, regaling the young Princess with stories of celebrations and festivities! So much so that she made him promise to take her, at least once, before they died. Just so she could see it!"

"The two continued to work with each other and with their new place among the Witches, who ruled their little Kingdom of Uwu with kindness, the pair decided to help their new home. They bought land together and would share in the joyous bounties of knowledge in the form of books and stories, and they would help feed the people with markets, and they would ensure the growth and prosperity of the Kingdom of Uwu as best that they could."

Johnny was getting excited now, so much so that Juniper was giggling and getting just as equally excited.

"And then it was decided. After the land was purchased, the two needed a carriage to carry them around in. Why should they walk everywhere? Especially when the Kingdom was so vast and large! See, the Kingdom of Uwu was part of an Empire. And there were five major kingdoms that made up the Empire of Brotherly Love as they called themselves."

He grinned.

"So they did just that and bought themselves a carriage. However, on their way home, they hit a small snafu in the original plan. You see, the Princess and the magician were riding a train, much like this one. And the Princess was telling the magician stories of all the magnificent people she knew on the train, and their histories, because she'd been there much longer than he."

"And she told him about a child, much like you Juniper, that rode the trains. And see, the Magician just couldn't stand for a little child living on the trains like that, with no family to call their own. So," Johnny reached over and tucked his finger under Juniper's chin.

"So the magician and the Princess asked the child if they wanted to come home with them and live in a big house, and help them run a book store where stories and legends and knowledge could be purchased and sold, traded, and given."

At that point, Johnny paused and then let her chin drop as he leaned back in his seat. He was quiet for a moment, simply smiling at her.

"Well, what happened?! Did the girl go?!" Juniper begged to know, as she slid, finally, all the way to the edge of her seat.

"Now hold on," Johnny chuckled. "I never said her, I just said a child, much like you. And  I don't know... That's the end of the story."

Juniper frowned... "WHAT?! The story can't end there! What happened to the GIRL! Because it's definitely a girl if they're like ME!"

Johnny chuckled. "I couldn't tell you, dear. That much of the story hasn't been written yet."

He flicked his wrist and a rose appeared in his hand. Breaking the stem, he tucked it behind her ear and leaned in close, his lips nearly touching her ear. Quietly, he whispered...

"The next part is for you to write. Do you come home with the Princess and the Magician, or not?"

With that little earwig, he stood and made his way back to the seat next to Barbara and kissed her on the forehead, wrapping an arm around her. "Was that good enough?" He smirked.

Juniper sat in stunned silence for a long few moments, simply staring at Johnny and Barb as the pieces clicked into place... her eyes growing wider and her feet bouncing faster with each passing second. Slowly, her hand trailed to the rose that he’d placed behind her ear ‘like magic’; her entire expression seeming like a rocket building pressure for take off. 

Finally, when the mental overload of his suggestion finally hit it’s peak, she shrieked with all the dancing, ear-splitting excitement a six-year-old girl-child could possibly manage. At first, it was simply a giggling, whooping, celebratory happy dance, that made everyone on the train flinch with it’s high-pitched exuberance. And is was several seconds before she could form the mewling noise into comprehensible words... a nearly impossible feat for someone who dealt in words as currency. 

“A FUCKING BOOKSTORE?!” She squealed, pausing mid-spin to plow head-long into Johnny’s lap with an ecstatic belly laugh. Of course. Of. Fucking. Course. Never mind the big house and the nice bed. Nooo... no. He had to pick the artsy types that only cared about the BOOKSTORE. 

Laughing, Barb, socked the girl lightly on the arm. “Okay, okay,” she calmed her gently, “but you have to PROMISE, that you’ll never... EVER... tell anyone the story Johnny just gave you. Okay?” She levied a serious gaze at the child who returned it with equal intensity. “Yeah, yeah,” Juniper quipped, sounding all-too-much like a miniature version of Barb. “My silence is my debt... all that jazz. Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me,” she booped Barb on the nose. “But one day, you’ve GOTTA tell me the rest of your story. I mean...” she lowered her voice to a barely audible whisper, squeaking with emphasis, “.... a PRINCESS?” 

“COME ON,” her voice returned to normal volume as she dramatically melted into a playful faint in Johnny’s lap. “That’s like some next level shit, Barb,” she stated with almost comical matter-of-factness as she popped juuust her head up to look in Barbara’s direction. Shooting Barb one final ‘later’ expression, Juniper returned her attention to Johnny, whom she cuddled into like an affectionate lap cat. “Is there a shower? With HOT water? What about a bathtub? WITH BUBBLES?!” It was suddenly like the whole world had opened up as questions began tumbling from her small mouth. “Can I have a dress? And SHOES?” She wiggled her tiny bare feet at him. “What about a REAL journal?” 

Pausing mid-ramble, she looked up at him, suddenly somewhat sad and serious as she realized just how easily she’d gotten comfortable in his lap. Her expression calculating things that Johnny found unfathomable as she glanced from her lap to his face. Her lip trembled for a moment before she launched herself up to hug his neck tightly. “Thank you for not looking at me like a grown up,” she whispered softly, nuzzling against him with wet cheeks. “You’re the first person I’ve ever met that made me feel safe.” 

Coughing softly, Barb tired her best to hide the knot the welled up in her throat. Yeah. He could certainly do that for a person, that was damned sure. 

Johnny chuckled, or choked. No one was quite sure. But regardless, he hugged her back and rested his head on hers.

"Well. If there isn't a working shower or bathtub, I'll make it happen just for you. But, there will be a hot shower and tub for you tonight. I'll set you up with a room all to yourself tonight in the hotel we're staying at, and then after tomorrow, we'll all move into the big house. We just bought it today." He smiled at her, his arms still wrapped tightly around her thin waist.

"As for dresses, and shoes, and journals. Absolutely. BUT, you'll have to help out around the house and more importantly, the book store, once we get it opened. Is that okay with you?"

He tucked a small floof of red curls behind her dirty ear without batting an eye, as if she was the most precious child he'd ever met. Looking at Barb, he chuckled softly as she laid her head on his shoulder.

"Never imagined I'd get kicked outta Vegas, and end up with a family. Life's funny that way I guess." He laughed and moved one arm to wrap it around Barb's shoulder, holding the now -TWO- most important women in his life.

"You'll have to lead us back to the right area topside, Barb. I'm still a little lost down here in these tunnels." He smirked, resting his head atop Barbara's.

It was Barbara’s turn to choke as her heart slammed into her ribcage with all the violent fear and dread of a late summer shark attack. ‘Family’, the word stole her breath and made her hands go cold. That hadn’t exactly been her intention. She liked the kid, sure. And she was more than happy to take her in... give her a place to stay, a job, whatever. But somehow, in Barb’s mind, she’d never made the leap to ‘family’. 

Suddenly she felt like a trapped animal, fighting the urge to bolt. She’d never wanted kids. She wasn’t the ‘mothering’ type. Hell, she didn’t even LIKE half the little brats she met. Kids were... complicated. Obnoxious and needy and BURDENSOME. HOW did this happen? How did ‘tell a story’ turn into ‘I’m gonna make you a mommy’... AND NOT EVEN IN THE FUN WAY! The ill-disguised and barely controlled panic was mounting feverishly just under the cold surface of Barb’s calm smile. 

Hell, that wasn’t even considering their circumstances. There were people, to this day, who would kill her on the spot if they heard her real name. And that paled in comparison to the fact that they were MOBSTERS. Guns and murder and crime and drugs. That was no life for a child. But, Barb thought realistically as she stared down the train, neither was this. There was no telling what kind of life Juniper had already had, what kind of world she had experienced at her young age. But, woman to woman, given the child’s previous statement, she could imagine. And, as much as she didn’t WANT to admit it, there was part of her that simply couldn’t leave the girl to that fate. 

Even if she didn’t like kids and she’d make a piss poor mother, there was - admittedly - something special about Juniper... a kind of kinship and fondness that stirred Barb up. And, she thought, a piss poor mother was better than no mother at all. After all, what could be worse than leaving the poor girl on a train? And maybe, it didn’t have to be a ‘mommy and daddy’ type deal. That would be weird anyway. Maybe it could just ‘be’. Y’know, barb could deal with being a cool older sister or a weird adoptive aunt or an eccentric foster. Yeah. She could make this work. It didn’t have to ‘a thing’. It didn’t have to end her life. 

Silently, as she berated herself, Barb wondered if this is what finding out you’re pregnant felt like? Just in fast forward. all nine months crammed into... what was it, actually? A few seconds? 

Chuckling, she looked over at Johnny and Juni. And, as runaway terrified as it made her, she knew - there was simply no way she cold possibly walk away from... whatever they were going to be. He looked at Juniper almost the same way he looked at her... like a diamond in the rough, like a bonded protector, like he’d throw himself in front of a bullet without a second thought, and set the world on fire just to keep them safe. And something about the impossible charm of that melted her to her core. Gangster or no, he was one of the good guys. And as long as he was willing to stay, she’d stick it out... if for no other reason that the goodness in him deserved the same wondrous kindness in return. So, swallowing down the paralyzing anxiety, she smiled and nodded. “You got it, sugar,” she smiled at both of them, nudging Johnny with her cheek as the train screeched to a stop. 

Standing and stretching, she giggled as Juniper slipped a tiny hand into each of theirs, skipping ‘swing me’ style toward the front of the train. Smiling, she paused at the front as the conductor perked a curious brow at her. “Where ya goin’, Juni?” He asked, shooting Johnny an extremely suspicious look before noticing Barb and smiling. Somehow ‘he was with her’ and that made it okay? 

“I’m going home,” Juniper chirped, dropping Barb’s hand to reach into her pocket. Pulling out a fistful of napkins, she set them in the man’s lap. “For anybody that asks,” she stated in an amazingly business-like tone before turning and tugging Johnny off the train. Watching the two of them tumble onto the platform, Barb waited just a moment at the doors, smiling. 

“Y’know,” the older man said with the kind of soft, warm wisdom that only comes with urban age, “I always kinda wondered.” He winked as he chimed the bell for the last departure. “Well, that makes one of us,” Barb shook her head as she disembarked, wondering if it would be the last time. “G’night, Wilson,” she called over her shoulder as the doors slid closed, the elder gentlemen waving as if h e somehow knew her thoughts. 

Scurrying to catch up to Johnny’s and Juniper’s excited giggling, Barb slipped an arm around his waist as he hoisted the child onto his shoulders. “Hey, since yas can see so good up there, yas wanna guide this surface-lover home?” 

‘Home’... the word felt so strange in her mouth. And, had he been able to see the perfectly mirrored expressions of perplexed realization on both of their faces, Johnny would have laughed. As it was, he simply winced and chuckled as Juniper grabbed to tiny fistfuls of his short hair to ‘steer’ like reins. Guiding him through the twisting maze of tunnels, Juniper’s grip grew tighter and tighter the closer they got to the exit. 

Pulling him to a stop just before the stairs, she leaned down to whisper softly, “What time is it?” Johnny and Barb blinked at each other for a moment. “About six-thirty. Maybe seven?” Johnny asked, his voice lilting up in curiosity as an expression of epiphany crashed over Barb’s widening eyes. 

“Stars,” she said softly, patting Juniper’s hand. “And the moon’s almost full.” 

That wasn’t really an answer to her question in the strictest sense. But Johnny felt her bob from her perch as she nodded silently. And suddenly he seemed to understand. TIME itself wasn’t the real question. She wanted to know about the SKY. How long had it been since she last saw it? Could a child at her age even remember? Did she know what a sunset felt like anymore? Would the light hurt her eyes? Suddenly a million questions flooded through his mind. And he found himself just as hesitant as she to take the final dozen steps out to the surface. ...much to Barb’s chuckling amusement. 

Taking them both by the hand, she coaxed them slowly, softly up the stairs. “This is perfect,” she cooed reassuringly to both of them. “She’ll be fine. Besides, she has to adjust sometime. Better to do it gently now than wait.” 

Does anyone have no doze for sale

Johnny smiled and looked at Barb as she dragged him and 'Juniper' quickly up the stairs, barely missing tripping over a random addict looking for his fix. Johnny yelled back, "Sorry! No doze on me, bud..." He dropped a few coins from his pocket and let them scatter to the ground near the man before looking at Barb.

"What the f-" he paused, looking at 'Juniper'. "What is a doze?" he corrected before cursing in front of the young girl. Not that she hadn't heard it before. His gaze turned back to Barb, his features a mix of confused and comical as they burst up under the night sky. Taking Barb's shrug as an answer to his question, he shrugged back and looked up at the sky.

"Pretty, huh?" Johnny paused, holding 'Juniper's' hand and pointing at a few of the prettier, bright ones. "Do you know about constellations, Juni?"

He looked down at her. "I used to study them back when I was in seminary. A lot of the other priests didn't really care for it, said it would hinder my ability to learn scripture and the Gospel. I gotta say, there was more in the stars than I ever got from any priest or their guidebook." He chuckled and looked back up at them.

"I still find myself staring up in wonder and asking myself, 'what new can I learn today just by watching?' Maybe that's what makes magic for me. The ability to open my mind to the possibilities of what can be." Johnny chuckled and looked back at Barbara and Juniper, who both now stared at him as if he were the strangest man on earth. But somehow the look felt like a curious wanderlust.

"Anyway... Ever taken the trolley, Juni? It's like the subway, so shouldn't feel TOO terribly odd. Except it's above ground."

“You never told me that,” Barb trailed off, blinking at him. Perhaps he’d think she meant the part about the sky. But, if he stopped to think about it, he’d never told her ANY of it. A fucking priest? The look on her face was priceless. But, she decided reluctantly, that was a conversation for another time. 

Juniper, however, was hot on his heels, tugging his sleeve as she stared up half-confused and half in awe. “But, I thought the Watchers taught humans astronomy against God’s commands?” Her little voice lilted up in curiosity, the tone sounding less like a ‘true believer’ and much more like a contemplative philosopher. 

Barb, scoffing, blinked at the child in disbelief. 

A magician-priest and a child-librarian... what had she gotten herself into?

Chuckling softly, she scooped Juniper up, taking Johnny by the wrist with her free hand. “Ya really are turned around up here ain’tchyas,” she teased him playfully, tugging him in the direction of the hotel. “It’s just a few blocks. No trolley necessary.” 

The befuddled look on the receptionists face as they entered was almost too much for words. And Barb simply chuckled, giving Johnny an encouraging pat as she shoved him toward the desk to work his magic. “If theys gotta two-room suite, that would be best. I doubt she sleeps well with it so quiet up here. Separate conjoined rooms, would work too... y’know, tha one’s with tha kissing doors in between. Thata way she can lock her side iffin she wants. If nothin’ else, at least get us on tha same floor... even ifs yas gotta give up tha balcony.” 

Smiling Barb watched as Juniper GAWKED at the marble floors and dripping chandeliers, twirling around on the spot for a few long moments before she realized Johnny had gotten just a little too far away. Scampering up to the desk, she glued herself to his side, her eyes juuust tall enough too peer over the desk and Jolene... who seemed to be struggling with her composure this time. If they weren’t married - which she’d deciphered from her mistake earlier - then where did the... Nope. Nope. Not her business. None of her business. 

“What can I do for you tonight, Mr. Wence,” she forced a polite smile, swallowing down the nagging concern that hardened and sharpened the corner of her eyes as she glanced down at the small ginger child now staring at her over the edge of her desk... trying her best to push the worry and suspicion from her mind. 

Juniper, ever wiser than her years, simply giggled. “Don’t worry, miss. It’s not like that. I promise,” she grinned widely as she fished into her pocket. Offering a crumpled napkin to the none-to-convinced receptionist she chirped, “Want a story? I usually sell them for a nickel. But you can call it a tip.” 

Johnny chuckled at Juniper and smiled at Jolene. "She's honest, if anything. It really isn't like that. Met her on the subway. The lady knows her well enough." He gestured toward Barb who was waiting beside the elevator. "Told me she lived there. I decided that just wouldn't do, you see? So, I figure a night here with us gets her a safer sleep and a great shower to clean up with. And then with any luck, we'll all be outta your hair tomorrow." He grinned.

Jolene, still not too sure, stared at Johnny hard. "Mr. Wence. I swear to you if I hear of any funny busine-"

"Miss. Just what exactly are you insinuating?" He smiled at 'Juniper' and covered her ears, mouthing a sorry to her. Looking back at Jolene, his stern gaze made even the unsure woman flinch.

"If you think for one God be damned second that I would harm a fucking hair on this child's head on PURPOSE, then I'd have to question what skeletons are hiding in your closet for your mind to be so perverse and disgusting. Get me the conjoining room to ours. Now. And if I hear another fucking word out of your mouth other than, 'Yes sir, Mr. Wence, I'll make it happen. Sir.' Then you'd best be looking elsewhere for employment. Because I'll have your job and anyone else's who thinks with such a disgusting mind. Matter of fact, let me see your manager. I want him to know what kind of degenerate filth he has employed at his front desk, the insinuations you make, and the slanderous accusations that you spew from your foul mouth."

"I-I-I, Mr. Wence, I'm terribly sor-, I just don-, I'm..." She paused, lowered her head, and took a deep breath.

"Yes sir, Mr. Wence. I'm sorry Mr. Wence. I'll make it happen. Sir..." She went to turn to get her manager and Johnny softened just slightly.

"Wait..."

Jolene paused yet again but kept her head down. How could she just simply assume? That was so wrong. "Yes, Mr. Wence, sir?"

"You're a mother, aren't you? With a deadbeat father and husband that treated you badly? I get it. You only want to look out for the child. Would it make you feel better if you could check in on her? I'd be okay with that as long as 'Juniper' would be okay with that. And... There's no need for you to get your manager. I should have seen it in your eyes, Jolene."

Johnny released 'Juniper's ears and knelt down. "This nice lady is worried about you. I know and you know and she knows," he pointed at Barbara, "that you're safe. But it would make the nice lady feel better if she could stop in and check on you to make sure. Is that okay?"

'Juniper' looked up at the lady and smiled. "It's really not necessary, but I would be okay with you checking on me. Can't be any worse than the subways..." She chuckled softly, then took off toward Barbara, leaving Johnny to finish talking with Jolene.

Looking at Johnny, she smiled really big. "Mr. Wence. I really am sorry for the insinuation. There are just so many bad people in the city, and I worry for the little ones. Mine especially, and as a mother I had some serious questions. I beg you, please don't just be making a show for me. Please be the kind of person that absolutely detests that behavior."

Johnny smiled, somewhat. "I can assure you with all of who I am, that nothing will happen to that girl so long as I am around to make sure of it. Please, come and check on her if you think you need to. We all would understand. Just be more guarded with your assumptions next time, hmm?"

Jolene nodded and slid the key to their conjoined room over. "It was cleaned today. Apparently, the loud noises and a leaking shower made them decide to check out. It's been fixed as well as your shower. Again, I'm sorry for the misunderstanding."

"You're fine, Jolene. Forget about it." Johnny chuckled and grabbed the key off the counter. "It's kind of refreshing to meet someone else that would go to bat for a random child. Not many of us exist, ya know." He waved his hand to her and joined his two favorite ladies... Even if one of them was a six-year-old child. That girl was wise beyond her years, because she HAD to be. Now, perchance, she'd get the childhood she'd been deprived of. At least to -some- extent.

Carrying Juniper upstairs, Barb chuckled at the carefree innocence with which she marveled at the elevator ride; even managing to control her guttural aversion as Juni pressed ALL THE BUTTONS. A little discomfort was worth letting her have some normal fun for once, Barb reminded herself, reaching instinctively for Johnny’s hand. As she grew tired with the doors pausing to open, somewhere around the third time, Juniper turned to Johnny with a stern smile, patting him affectionately. “It really is kinda nice that she’d worry,” she chirped, “People on the subway usually just look the other way.” It made Barb’s hand clench a little tighter... though whether from experience or anger, or both was unclear. 

Skipping into the fourth-floor hallway, Juniper bounced on the spot as she waited for Johnny to unlock the door to ‘her’ room... literally squealing with with shock and delight as she rushed into the opulent room. Chuckling, Barb wasn’t far behind. After showing her how to unlock the adjoining door, and assuring that she could - in fact - work the shower by herself, wouldn’t lean too far over the balcony railing or try to take a bath without someone in the bedroom (just in case), and reminding her for the fourteenth time that she could wake them up ANYTIME she needed, Barb fiiiiinally conceded to the idea of heading back to their room. Hugging Juniper tightly, she booped her nose and then backed sloowly, almost begrudgingly out into the hall to follow Johnny into ‘their’ room. 

With the door shut tightly, and the adjoining door unlocked (and checked three times), she melted onto the bed in a disbelieving, overwhelmed fit of half-crying giggles. “What the fuck is we’s doin’, Johnny?” She joked lightly. “I mean, I figured yas southern types are all ‘family man’ and whatever. But what the fuck?” She laughed again at the absurdity of it. “I... I don’t even know if I mind. I don’t know what to think. It’s like... just lookin’ atchyas makes my brain go dumb and then all of a sudden, there’s a kid in my lap. I mean... I guess that’s how it always works in a way. But god damn.” She was rambling and laughing all at once. 

“I mean, we’s aint even gotten ta tha fun parts yet,” she chuckled, eyeing him from her place on the bed. 

Sighing softly, she pushed the overwhelm from her mind. It was going to be fine. She like both of them. they needed someone to oversee the first parts of the market. And Juniper was more than experienced at handling people and grifting the unsuspected. In turth, she’d do perfectly fine. It was all fine. It was just... yeeeeeaaahhhh.... 

Switching subjects before the dread could settle in, she shifted gears. “So we make tha sale tomorrow and then we start in on tha store and tha house? Cuz, I mean... you promised tha kid a house. Oh... and shopping. We’s gotta take her shopping. I’s thinking a real store. Not one a those thrift types. Somethin’ with tha tags still on. Y’know?” 

“And then what else? I feel like I’s missin’ somethin’. But I can’t puts my finger on it,” she shook her head, chuckling again. “Fuckin’ magician... materialize outta nowheres. Then, poof, ‘family’.” 

Johnny couldn't help but chuckle at Barbara. Her exasperations and worries, somehow, made him smile. He wasn't certain if it was a good thing or not, but he couldn't help the way it tickled him so.

"I agree. She should get the best things. You too." He smiled. "And, I could use a few more outfits. Only bought three since I came to Philly. Not many clothes when ya don't have a cleaner you can afford yet!" He chuckled.

"OH! We should have a laundromat in the market as well. Wash all the clothes." Shrugging as he undressed, he couldn't help but hiss slightly. Carrying Juniper on his shoulders had been a bad move. His back was red around the stitches and he could feel it throbbing.

"Gonna need you to maybe check these stitches, doll. I mighta popped a few while carryin' tha kiddo." He sighed, then smiled at her. "But like you said, no thrift shoppin' for her. Unless she -wants- to of course. But, she can have whatever she wants. Us too. We'll have plenty after the sell. And then we get outta here, Wence flies home and vanishes off the face of the planet, and we move into the house." Pausing, he looked at her, "Family. Yeah, it's got a weird ring to it, don't it? At least for us. Strange, odd, but good, yeah? Yeah. Still good." He grinned then made his way to the bed and crawled carefully onto it, sliding his bare form into the covers and rolling onto his stomach.

"GIve it to me babe, how bad's it look?" He smirked, "And I promise ya, we'll get to tha fun stuff." He shot Barb a wink that said -'If I wasn't injured, I'd rock your world! And I still might try anyway!'-... Confidence, 'twas a hell of a drug.

Rolling onto her side, Barb gently ran her hand over his back. The skin was angry, but otherwise unphased. Shaking her head, she chuckled softly to herself as her fingers lightly trailed his back... for the fun of it this time. “Pretty as a peach,” she teased him lightly. “Yas a little red, but otherwise fine. If yas don’t go doin’ anything stupid, we’s oughta be able ta take ‘em out come next week.” 

Next WEEK? Could he possibly stand it a WEEK? The sly smirk he’d shot her said otherwise. But the tenderness with which he’d been favoring his shoulder belied the underlying soreness. 

“So,” she stood and wiggled out of everything except her slip... just in case Juni woke in the night, “How quick yas thinkin’ we’s needta be outta here? Do I needs ta go straight from tha gym ta tha house an’ start preppin’ a room or two?” Her expression seemed a little sad as she eyed him. She’d hoped to completely renovate the place and surprise him. But if they needed to be out, they needed to be out. 

“Whatchyas thinkin’?” 

Sliding back into the bed, she cuddled close, slipping one leg over his as she carefully fit her silk-laden form against his bare side. Her fingers trailed through his short dark hair as she nuzzled his shoulder affectionately, “Aside from the obvious, acourse.”

Johnny chuckled and shook his head, then paused. "I mean, yeah. You should probably go and start prepping, but I wouldn't say we need to be out of the hotel until the end of the week... That gives us a few more days of luxury before we have to make our own luxury. A few days of making it nice and pretty before we move in and scuff it up, ya know?" He smiled, resting his head on the pillows. As his eyes closed, he grumbled softly. "Ya really think it's gonna be a week?"

One eye opened again to stare at her. "Cause I ain't sure I'm willin' ta wait -that- long, doll. Way too much tension in this bed after ya almost shot me an' all. Figured I might at least get to bite ya or pound somethin'..." He snickered quietly and closed his eyes, covering his head and scrunching his face as a pillow come crashing down on it. Chuckling a bit, he rolled away and off of the bed onto his feet. Holding a pillow high, he chuckled.

"Shall we initiate the child into sibling-dom?" He mouthed the words -PILLOW FIGHT- to Barb and grinned big.

Barb paused. She really wasn't sure. Life on the streets was rough. Especially at that age. There was no telling how the child might react initially. Patting the bed, Barb coaxed him back gently. “Gives ‘er at least one good night’s rest. Yeah?” She saw the twinkle fade form his eyes as she hesitated. “Gives ‘er some time ta get used to us ‘fore yas go barellin’ in tas her room swingin’, is all.” 

Rolling to one side, she smiled impishly as the hem of her slipped inched up ever so slightly, “Come lay down. Tells me about how yas want tha house ta look. An’ tha market. Gimme some ‘me’ time,” she giggled softly. “Soon enough it’ll be a rare commodity if all goes well.” 

“I wanna hear yas thoughts...” her grin turned teasing and wicked as she shimmied deeper below the blankets, “... and things.” 

Johnny grumbled as he climbed back on the bed. "I was gonna ask her if she wanted to before swingin'..." Sighing, he floofed his pillow down and fell into it with a deflated huff.

"Hey, HEY! Watch your fingers!" he chastised, half-chuckling. "They're -cold- huh!? Warm 'em first!" He rolled over onto his back and snickered. "Annnnyway." He cleared his throat, swallowing whatever words tried to come out.

"I really don't have a preference for tha house, aside from nice, ya know? Give it that rich feel, but not filthy? Nice things, pretty things... ARTSY things, girl. Gotta be decked out with art. Your's, Juni-bug's, and otherwise. Oh, and it has to have some pizazz to it. I'm a magician after all... A magician, and an artist, in a house together. It's gotta be eclectic and electric! Yeah?" Johnny chuckled softly, groaning slightly and giving her that look. "Still cold, love... But much nicer." He smirked.

"As for the market? I dunno... I want it to look approachable. Affordable. But with that family-friendly exterior, ya know? And the shady shit? Stays in tha shadows, yeah? Ain't no reason ta make the market a hot spot for coppers and other family business, yeah? OH! Can we put one'a them little park trains in the market square? Kids love them things. And a little playground! I think that would be great. Get the kids ta come out, has the parents there to see the shops an' shit."

Johnny nodded, as she giggled at him, both for his comments and for the way his lip tucked between his teeth... She was an artist after all!