<div style="text-align: justify"><a class="username" data-user-id="724" data-username="@rusty-katana" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/724/">@rusty-katana</a> <br/>
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Some people liked to say that the rain would wash away everything. But some, the more cynical kind, or kind that has been around for long enough, would always add the second part: "The rain will wash everything, unless you're in Dome."<br/>
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It wasn't a city many particularly liked. Some tolerated it, others claimed they were used to it - sentimental, even. But pure, positive feelings towards Dome were few and far between. People did not move there. Rather, they were caught in it and soon decided to accept their fate. It was not a paradise on Earth, but then again, nothing was. Not anymore. <br/>
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The dark and cold city was nothing but an endless combination of extremely tall buildings, either bundled up all together in anxiety-inducing clusters or set far between, with stone and metal bridges between them, offering an easy way of transport. No one knew why Dome was called what it was. It had little to do with this particular shape, after all. The levels differed; lowest could perhaps be compared to the slums of the old world, while the highest, well... Not many had the chance to see the apartments up there, close to the sky. For most, sky was nothing but a greyish mix of clouds from which rain came pouring down, leaving people wet and freezing.<br/>
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<i>"Watch it!"</i><br/>
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Mallory let out a loud "oof!" when she bumped right into the metal cart in front of her. A stray, soggy looking hot dog went flying and plopped onto the wet stones with an almost sad sound. The vendor looked at her, his moustache moving angrily. "Watch where you're going, you-" he started to huff and growl, his fist already in the air, ready to accentuate his threats. He was only about to gain speed with his tongue when the dark-haired woman stood up completely. In an instant, the situation's changed. The man's eyes diverted, his whole being now extremely interested in the smallest speck of rust in the corner of one of the metal plates on his cart. Mallory smirked.<br/>
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Had she been wearing anything else, the vendor's complaints would never stop. But the official Dome militia uniform made anyone rethink their actions. She could almost hear the man's thoughts. <i>Is it really worth to risk my life for a hot dog</i>? She bit her lip and stifled a chuckle that grew in her throat. Taking a hand down the front of her attire, Mallory brought a stern look to her features, brows furrowed in beautifully acted annoyance.<br/>
<br/>
"I'd watch my tongue if I were you." Her cold voice suited her perfectly. Nothing here was out of place: her look, full of disdain and disgust, her pale face, black hair engulfing it. Deep, dark eyes with bags underneath them; Mallory knew full well she was not an eye candy to anyone. Frankly, it made her job a whole lot easier. While the man began to mumble apologies, the young officer kneeled down and picked up the lousy piece of meat that could only barely pretend to be a hot dog. Meat was scarce in Dome; it was probably best not to think where this particular miracle of cuisine came from. "Going to the market?" She asked, putting the hot dog down like it was something poisonous. Chances were it just was.<br/>
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The man shook his head, hands wrapped around the handle of his cart. White knuckles were the only sign of his nervousness, perhaps apart from a slight shake in his voice that appeared now and then as he spoke. "No, ma'am.. Officer.. Sir." He said, looking at her, as if checking her expressions. "With the execution coming up, I thought-" He gulped. "-thought it would be good to offer something hot to eat and drink to our lovely citizens.. It will lift up their spirits, executions are rather grim, aren't they?" The man could've been sweating by now; it was hard to say with the rain coming down. He gave a nervous laugh and licked his lips.<br/>
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Mallory cocked an eyebrow and put her arms behind her back. "Lift their spirits? And what do they have to be sad about, I wonder?" She took a step towards the man, walking around his cart. "The execution is just." She added, eyes narrowed. "People will be cheering by the time the man's hanged. Don't you agree?"<br/>
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If people could die by just wishing it, Mallory could swear the vendor would scream his wish out any moment. He licked his lips again and arched his back, slouching. "Yes, yes, of course." he almost whispered. "And during celebrations, it is.. Common.. To eat and drink." He looked up and then down almost a second after, seeing Mallory's dark gaze wired to his face.<br/>
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It must have felt like centuries to him, but finally, she smiled. Putting a hand on his shoulder, Mallory grinned like a wild animal and spoke with her voice booming. "Let me accompany you. For safety." She pushed the man towards the market and began to walk next to him, hearing the clacking of his cart against the stones and the clacking of his teeth in his mouth. She smirked to herself.<br/>
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