<div style="text-align: center;"><a class="postlink" href="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e327/steusloffa/Junk/0ac7e94b-0084-43b2-adf0-55ceb694f1c7_zpsthxbhg5s.jpg">[ img ]</a></div><br/><br/><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #FFBF00">Kareem</span></div></span><br/><br/>Kareem relaxed a bit, sinking into the faux-leather sofa as a stream of smoke was blown out the young man's nose. "There have been a lot of noises about an attack soon, but no one can seem to figure out where--that information was stifled. Sharon is dead," a woman with dark hair stated as she faced a window, arms crossed in loose defiance. He took another long drag from the large blunt of questionable herb, holding the smoke in before slowly exhaling. "Now, now, Paislee. We didn't call Kareem over just for talks of war. Besides, you aren't telling him of anything he doesn't already know," he said, his green eyes catching a glint of the sun from the window. Kareem smirked a bit, adjusting the crimson tie to his suit. Paislee dropped her arms to her side, sagging some, "Yes, I know. Are you sure this is a good idea? I mean she hasn't been doing so well here--what makes you think she'll be any better with Kareem? Athan, she's not stable." That caught his attention. The young man could only assume they were talking about Ellie, or El (L) as he had come to start calling her.<br/><br/>Kareem began to take another large drag as Athan sat up to talk, "What Paislee means to say is Ellie is going to be living with you from now on. She'll be your responsibility." The sudden outburst cause the young man to nearly choke on the lung full of smoke, forcing him to cough like crazy. "I just don't know that she'll like this. She probably thinks we are trying to give her away or something," Paislee said as she brought a thumb to her mouth to nibble on her nail. "Oh come on! We already talked about this. Kareem is the best guy for the job. She is most comfortable around him. Not to mention he found her," Athan defended as he gestured to the man dying on the couch. "What? So it's like finders-keepers?" Paislee shot back, turning back to look Athan in the eye. "Paislee, she tried to kill you the other day!" Athan exclaimed with mild irritation. It made Paislee bristle, "Yeah?! So? What do you expect? Not all slaves are freed just because they get away from their owners!" Kareem leaned forward on the palms of his feet, pristine leather shoes squeaking slightly at the movement. He raised a hand to his temple, rubbing it lightly as the two went at it.<br/><br/>"Exactly! And we do not have the ability to help her! Kareem does!" Athan exclaimed, desperately trying to get Paislee to concede to his point. "Have you even asked him if he wants to---" Paislee didn't get a chance to finish as a small voice came from the hallway entrance.<br/><br/>"Hey...I just...I'm sorry...did I interrupt?"<br/><br/>All eyes looked towards the voice, Kareem's being the last to actually land on the stunning woman. It was Ellie. She stood at the end of the hall with a red top that revealed a rather toned body. Looking at her, Kareem sized up the current situation as Athan spoke up. "No, no. Ellie, come sit. We were just about to tell Kareem about his new assignment," Athan said, giving a mischievous grin towards the man sitting across from him. "You'll be taking Ellie under your wing--getting her familiar with the ropes, showing her, you know, how to adjust to free life," Athan explained as he sipped on a cup of black coffee. Paislee must have been pissed again, she was rolling her eyes and acting rather distant towards her partner. "You mean to say that you're giving me a new owner..." she mumbled without thinking. Athan seemed to sputter for a moment and Paislee remained silent in an "I-told-you-so" fashion.<br/><br/>Kareem was the first to break the semi-silence, standing up and adjusting his suit before speaking. "That's an interesting proposition, and let's face it. This is a proposition. I'm as committed to the group as anyone here, I don't think that can be disproved... However, why would you assume she would be better off with me? I'm not saying I'm opposed to the idea, but I need to be convinced this is good for her, me and anyone else involved." It was a sudden, uncharacteristically serious response from the young man who normally just did what he was told. Kareem then snapped his eye's to Ellie, walking over to her in a fluid stride before placing his hands on her shoulders from behind. As he spoke, he rubbed her shoulders and lead her to the sofa. "You... Need to relax. Have a seat dear, please." Kareem said, easing her into the situation and sitting next to her on the sofa.<br/><br/>Kareem snuffed the cherry on his joint after their explanation, placing it on a table next to the sofa and crossing his legs. "Alright, she can stay. I have requirements though, and they all have to be met. I can provide food and shelter for us both, that isn't an issue. The issue here is water. People require a lot of water, more than even my plants need if you can even imagine. You tell me where you get your water from and I'll take her in. The second requirement is that you gather some things for me, free of charge. Do we have a deal?" Kareem asked with a smile.