The small alleyway opening sat illuminated by a trashcan fire. Crowded around it were the figures of five women, and two men, each of the figures scantily dressed for work. A few of the figures passed a cigarette about, smoking and chatting quietly among themselves. They stopped chatting momentarily when a sixth woman approached. Her eyes stayed down on the ground and she brushed her hair over her left eye. She looked up only for a second to look at the faces there, and when the cigarette was offered to her she declined it. 

Her hand moved to grip her shoulder and she took in her surroundings. She'd only been doing this for a handful of weeks, and she'd found her nerves about it never really wore off. She could feel the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end whenever a car would pass, a chill run down her spine, her heart pick up. There was no easy way to do this type of work. 

The smell of alcohol suddenly hit her nose and she lifted her head, her ears twitched and stood up with attentiveness. She crinkled her brow in silent longing for it when one of the men lifted it to his lips. His eyes caught with hers and he finished his swig before handing it over. This time she did take part. She thanked him, took her drink, then handed it back. 

The heavy sound of van wheels on the broken cement of the street brought every one to look up. Victoria bit her lower lip a moment. She recognized that van. In fact she was very familiar with it. She'd seen it time and time again when she'd gone to visit her husband at work. She looked up at the Russian cat who rolled down his window to look at her. Embarrassment and shame flooded her and she looked down at the ground. 

"Vicky..." He said, in a sort of way that sounded of shock and question. She didn't answer him, unsure what to say to him. Unsure how to explain herself. He didn't question further. Instead a small smirk took his face, though she never looked up or noticed it. When she did look up her eyes caught a wad of cash that he was holding. Her ears laid back and she sighed silently to herself. Nodding her head she stepped forward and joined him in the van.

--||--||--||--||--

"Are you alright?" A woman's voice. 

Victoria Kedi lifted her head to look at the woman. A human, deep red hair. Her lips were painted deep red, like blood. Victoria blinked tiredly at her, having had one too many drinks already. The woman smiled softly even when Vicky didn't answer. 

"You just barely were able to pay for that drink." She said, drawing Vicky's attention then to the rum and coke in her paw. 

The Turkish Angora squeezed the glass a bit then, looking down in shame. The woman stepped up and positioned herself on the stool next to the white feline. A delicate hand, nails painted as deep red as her lips, came to rest on Vicky's shoulder. 

"Listen, I know a way to make some money quick."

Vicky stared at her drink more, her right eye shifting back and forth as though her brain were trying to process what was said to her. A moment longer and she finally raised her gaze to the red head again. The woman smiled softly. 

"Listen, me and a couple of the girls out there..." She motioned toward the door. It was easy to assume she meant the girls on the street. "...We work for this guy. He can hook you up with a job. Get you in good with the...business." 

Vicky blinked in confusion a moment and when the information was processed her eye widened. She shook her head and raised her paw. A set of purple bands hugged her wrist. That color was respected, even feared, in this area of the city. The woman backed a bit, not moving from her seat but at least no longer invading the Ankara's space.

"You're a Priest?" She asked curiously. Vicky shook her head and looked down. It took the woman a moment but she was soon nodding. "Protected?" 

"...Yeah." Vicky peeped softly.

The woman nodded at this and slowly brought herself to stand. 

"Well, maybe my...boss won't be able to help you out." She sighed a bit and looked Vicky over again. "...But there's nothing to say a girl can't work for herself." 

At this Victoria lifted her head, her brow creased with question. The woman only gave her a blank stare, shrugging her shoulders. 

"It's just an idea." She said softly before turning and walking across the floor. Vicky could hear the bell on the door ring when the woman made her leave. 

An extended claw tapped thoughtfully on the glass of alcohol she held in her paw. She looked down into the dark liquid inside and bit the inside of her lower lip. 

She needed the money.