If We Ever Meet Again..., P - Bambi

[Nikki Bienati]

The soda shoppe was her guilty pleasure. Nikki tried to stop by as much as possibly, though that ended up being less than she'd like. Generally, she was too busy and too unwilling to venture into the North End unless it was for business. Today, however, was different, she needed the escape from her room, work and, well, work. She found herself hoping member of the other Family would walk through those doors. Or, if it had to happen, one who didn't know her.

As she stepped into the shoppe, the young Italian removed her sunglasses and quietly took a seat where she could keep a close eye on those entering without bringing much attention to herself at the same time. Even though it cost her a quick exit if anything did happen.

Those thoughts pushed to the back of her mind, she smiled as sweetly as one with a headache could and quietly ordered a fountain cola before turning her attention to the door once more as the bell signalling someones entrance had chimed through the unusually empty shoppe. Brown eyes quickly scanned the figure before turning back to the girl and confirming her order.

[Bambi Garibaldi]

It wasn't often that Bambi found herself visiting the soda shoppe. She'd gone a lot when her ex-boyfriend had still been alive. He had apparently loved the place, and she had decided to humor him. But it had been a while since she'd come. A few people had noticed, and she had let them believe it was because she was in mourning. Really, it was just because there was no one making her.

Looking around the shop, Bambi tried to spot the seats her ex had always picked for them. It would be fun to sit there one last time, she decided. The only problem was that someone already appeared to be in one of them. It was another girl, and someone Bambi didn't recognize.

Walking over to the other girl, Bambi said, "Hi," and gave her a smile. She wasn't sure yet if she wanted to ask to join her or ask her to move. For now, she just said, "I don't think I've seen you here before." Not that she was actually there all that often herself.

[Nikki Bienati]

As the girl walked closer, Nikki felt all hope of a peaceful day shatter. With hope, the encounter would be brief, only containing a question that would be something along the lines of directions or if she would mind company until the girls friend arrived.

She didn't look very old, twenty at the most, Nikki found herself thinking. But, she also looked like exactly the type of person she wouldn't trust. There was something in her walk. Something that, ever so subtly, hinted at someone who knew exactly how to work a complete stranger to get whatever it was her little heart was set on. A small smile played on the brunette's lips as she looked up at the girl, who had arrived at her seat, with an eyebrow quirked just slightly to hint at the amusement her thoughts had given her.

"Hello," she said, traces of an accent still very clear. "Then you must not be here often." The tone Nikki offered this girl was, if she had noticed, challenging. As if she challenged the girl to keep a friendly facade until one of them left. That is exactly what it was.

"I'd introduce myself, but you approached me, no? I believe it would be best for you to start the introductions," a pause. "However rude you will say that sounds, I look forward to learning your name before you learn mine." Another challenge. This one she hadn't intended to be a challenge, but there was no chance of backing down now. Not as long as she had her pride.

[Bambi Garibaldi]

Bambi returned the other girl's smile. Her eyebrows rose a little in surprise when she started talking. The accent wasn't something Bambi had been expecting, but it was one she recognized. She had grown up hearing it from her parents and grandparents. It made her smile a bit more genuine. Not that she really cared if it was or wasn't. Bambi didn't even know this girl.

"You're right, I'm not," she said, putting a little laugh into her voice, "Or at least, I haven't been in a while." Bambi didn't feel like telling her why. They had just met, and Bambi didn't feel like throwing in fake remorse after mentioning the death of her boyfriend. It was easier to just not mention it at all. "Do you come here a lot then?"

"You're not being rude at all, you're right," Bambi said with another amused laugh. She was reminding herself of the nickname Lavrentiy had given her, Smiley. Holding out her hand, Bambi said, "I'm Bibiana Garibaldi. And you are?"

[Nikki Bienati]

Bambi... The name sounded familiar, though she couldn't place where she had heard it. In that case, she would continue with caution. "Nicole," she said, offering no more insight on who she was. "I am here as much as I can afford to be, not that it ends up being much of a good thing." Her eyes left Bambi's face to check the door for a moment, now starting to wonder if this was a set up.

"It would, however, be rude to ask what you mean by 'haven't been in a while', no?" She asked, turning her attention back to the girl in front of her. She couldn't really knew Nikki was Mortetti unless she herself was part of the Mortetti family. After all, Nikki didn't get out much, aside from her brief trips into the North end for one reason or another (generally work related), and when she was out, she kept very much to herself. Things were simpler that way. When she went off into the rival Family's territory, she would keep her head down and her mouth closed. Save both Families the trouble off sending their soldiers out to make a mess of a simple problem.

That, and they would probably send a higher up after her if she really caused trouble. But what was the trouble in sitting in a soda shoppe, filling her craving for something ice cream-ish.

[Bambi Garibaldi]

She noticed the way Nikki looked toward the door. Either she was waiting for someone, or she really didn't want company. Bambi looked toward the door as she did, but didn't see anyone coming.

"Oh, I just haven't been here without my ex-boyfriend before," she said, acting like it was nothing. Of course, anyone who knew her ex would know what had actually happened with him. It would be a hassle to explain it now, though, and lead to questions about how he ended up in a dumpster.

He was stupid, Bambi told herself as she thought about it. She was determined never to end up the way he did. 

"Actually, that's kind of related to why I came over," Bambi explained, "We sat at this table every time we came, and I was thinking of sitting here for old time's sake." She gave Nikki her best nice girl smile. At the very least it would probably get them sitting there together.