Ashleigh couldn't get a handle on Izzy. She wasn't a smooth talking manipulator, like those self righteous pricks at the shelter, the ones who liked to talk about their heroic charity, but never actually got to serving the soup, or cleaning the beds. They just talked and charmed, and when they finally had you alone? That's when their true intentions came to bear. Some wanted drug dealers, others sex. Ashleigh had learned long ago never to trust anyone with a silver tongue.<br/><br/>This wasn't one of those people. The woman was blunt, straight to the point, and she didn't mince any words. Not a pimp looking for new talent, at least. That was something. Ashleigh still didn't know what to think of her acquaintance. And halfway through the spiel, she realized something.<br/><br/>Ashleigh Valentine was actually paying attention, not just hearing her words, but listening to them. A clever trick by an expert manipulator? No, she thought not. This lecture, talk, reality check. Whatever the fuck it was. It was too honest, too heartfelt. There was passion in her eyes. Liars occurs feign passion in there voice, but not their eyes.<br/><br/>Did Ashleigh trust her now? No, but she had the girl's attention, which was no small feat in itself. Finally the woman stopped, and silence took over.<br/><br/>For a few long minutes, not a word passed between them. Ashleigh stared across the table, her mind racing, the wheels turning. Finally she opened her mouth to speak.<br/><br/>"Why are you telling me all this?" She asked, apprehension clear in her voice but gone was the tough armour that she had put up before. Now... Now Ashleigh just wanted to know why she was sitting here in this cafe listening to a complete stranger. "I don't... I don't know what I want. I just want to stay alive." She said, not really sure why she was telling Izzy this or what it even mattered. "Why do you care what I want? You don't even know me. You don't even know my name." She paused, and shrugged. "It's Ashleigh, by the way."