Barely clinging to consciousness, Federico slid his sunglasses back over his eyes in an effort to regain just a tiny speck of composure. His henchmen, spurred by his resurgence, rose menacingly. "You're dead, girl," he spat at his daughter.But Instead of the fear he was used to seeing, he found laughter in her eyes. The rush of euphoria coursing through her veins at finally standing above the man who had inflicted such torment upon her in her youth felt so fucking good.

"Damn, girl, nice job!" Mio cheered her best friend, her admiration shining in her eyes as she watched Allison, weary but proud, stand tall in the snow. Stepping out into the snow, Mio intended to offer her a shoulder to lean on so she could come back inside. However, her attention was soon drawn elsewhere—to the figure Allison had mentioned earlier that night.

There she stood. That mysterious woman with the blood red eyes, stationed a few blocks away.

And her gaze fixed unblinkingly on Doctor Nova's clinic. She appeared eerily still, resembling more a statue than a living being.

Feeling good after the confrontation with Federico, Mio felt a surge of generosity. She intended to call out to the woman, and invite her in for a free drink.

"He—"

But before a single syllable could escape her lips, the woman turned her head in an instant, staring holes into Mio's soul.. Her eyes, worn and burdened, seemed to bear the weight of countless untold tales. Scars marred her face, a testament to past battles and trials endured. Among them, the most striking feature was her eyes—pupils resembling the shape of a skull.

Alarm bells rang in Mio's mind. Such eyes were unmistakably linked to the notorious Kiwami Zaibatsu. Mama Carol, a former member herself, had imparted that knowledge to her. Members were forced to have their left eye removed, and have the empty eye socket grafted with a mechanical eye, with a skull shaped pupil…..But this woman had both her eyes skull-shaped. Mio gulped.

This can't be good. Carol and Gloria escaped the Zaibatsu… how many years ago now? Shit, shit, shit. Were they sending patrols after them? How did they find out about Dead End?

Praying the mysterious woman hadn't fully noticed her, Mio ventured out to join Allison, offering her a comforting presence as the cat-eared woman leaned on her best friend's shoulder.

And then, the two women made their way back inside, the weight of the encounter lingering in their thoughts.

As the night settled into a lull, guests continued to trickle in and out, drinks flowing and laughter filling the air.

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During a particularly dull moment, Mio seized the opportunity to strike up a conversation with Allison, who had just returned to the bar counter after assisting a table of customers. Gathering her courage, Mio finally spoke up.

"Say… Ali? Can I ask you something kinda difficult?" Mio asked, her tone hesitant yet earnest. After everything that happened earlier, she had to know.

"Sure. Go ahead. But no, I won't tell you about that letter. Not tonight," Allison replied, her voice firm but compassionate.

"Nah, that's okay. It's about… that man. Is he really your father?" Mio asked, her words carefully chosen.

Once again, Allison froze, but this time, her confident smile remained on her face. "Yeah, that's him alright. Federico fucking Vanetti. Biggest scumbag the world has ever seen, that's for sure," she admitted, her fist clenching ever so slightly. "Like, look at me. I'm in my 30s, and that fucker STILL haunts me. Guy cant even let mom go, still using her last name even after running away all those years ago."

"Oh wow… I'm sorry. He must have been so awful." Mio offered sympathetically.

But Allisons triumphant smile didn't waver. Instead, she snickered. "Nah, don't be. I'm a bit sad I wasn't the one beating that bastard up, but man… seeing him snivel around like a pathetic little crybaby, that felt good. Your moms are as awesome as always," Allison reassured her, extending her fist for a fist bump. Mio happily obliged.

Mio gave her a confident smile and nodded. “For real.” But before they got back to work, Mio spoke again, a tinge of sincerity and warmth in her voice.

“But Ali… I'm devastated that you had to live with such an awful man, I truly am. But know this. You're the best friend I could have ever, ever asked for.” She laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. “To me, you're like the sister I never had. You're more than family to me. To all of us. Us here at the ‘Dead End,’ we stick together, no matter what. If there's anything you need help with, or to talk about, the Palmer household is always willing to accept you…no matter what.”

Her eyes on the verge of tearing up, Allison gave her a big warm hug…but accidentally used a little too much of her strength. Not noticing Mio gasping for air, she spoke. “Thanks. Y'all mean the world to me too. Especially you…sis. Coming to work here was the best thing I ever did……..Mio? Are you ok-“ “GAAAAAAAAAAAAAASP”

And of course, Allison let her go in that instant, laughing to the point of tears at Mio's desperate gasps for air.

With a playful punch to Allison's arm, Mio grinned between breaths. "I'll live, don't worry. That strength of yours…holy shit!"

And then, it was back to work, their laughter echoing through the bar.