this is how an angel dies, c

"I JUST NEED A PLACE TO STAY for one night. I know it's not enough, but this is what I have" The plea was quiet, her body shaking as he glanced uneasily over her shoulder as if she expected someone to come after her. It was a surprise that the hotel employees are even allowed her instead of impressive hotel, the fact that she looks as though she'd just crawled out of bed with someone, bruises forming and discoloring her skin. She watched as the receptionist's eyes moved towards Kasper's arm, her hand clenching slightly as she moved to tug her sleeve down, covering her wrist.

Her cheek was equally as scratched up, though she'd managed to clean the blood off before entering the building. Her short hair looked like it was tattered, though she had managed to pull it back to the point it looked somewhat presentable. The receptionist glanced towards her manager after a moment of watching the young girl, her own eyes moving between them both as she waited for an answer. They spoke in hushed tones for a few moments, before the manager's eyes moved towards her. He shook his head, the receptionist frowning. "I"m sorry, we're going to have to ask you to leave" She said quietly, handing the small amount of money back that Kasper had handed over.

In that moment, she almost broke down right there in the lobby of the hotel, her hand closing around the cash as she turned. Her eyes widened slightly as she realized someone was there, opening his mouth to speak. She didn't turn as the manager spoke. "We were just about to escort this young lady out. It seems she was running away from home, and doesn't have the payment, Mr. Alejandro" He commented. A slow blink was the only reaction that came from Kasper as she heard the name, and knew at once, that he was at least one of the owners of the hotel she was trying to get a room to. Shame crossed over her features as she lowered her head. "I'll just be going now.. " She whispered, moving around the white-haired teen, towards the door as she held her arms around herself

KASPER TURNED SHARPLY as she heard someone coming up behind her, flinching away as if he was going to hit her. Yeah, that's right. Just show your weakness to whoever came at her. A slow breath came out of her as she stared up at the white-haired teen. She froze as he suddenly offered his room, her eyes widening a bit at him. "I-I couldn't take your room!" Kasper exclaimed. She tightened her arms around her body, taking a step back as she shook her head. There was no way she could impose on someone like that, and now the owner of the hotel. "I-I don't need any s-special treatment… I didn't mean to start a-anything" She murmured as she looked down at her feet.

Kasper's eyes moved towards the manager and receptionist as they watched the two of them, the manager's hand on the phone, ready to call someone to escort her out. She flinched slightly. Why she had stumbled into this hotel, she wasn't sure. She glanced at her feet once more, all but bare except for the flimsy sandals that twined up her legs. They were the only pretty pair of shoes she had, along with the only pair she grabbed when she left her house, the house she hoped she never had to go back to. A slight flinch came from the girl as he mentioned the "shady motel". That was something she wouldn't go to. She couldn't deal with all the people there, not with the memory from the last motel she stayed at.

"You don't have to help me" She whispered, finally giving in. She just wanted a place to sit down, to put her feet up and not wait on someone night and day. She was too young to feel that old, and her body all but collapsed right there in the lobby, if she hadn't caught herself. Kasper glanced up as she heard more footsteps approach them, the manager looking on with fake concern. "Is this woman bothering you, sir? Do we need to have her removed?" He questioned, turning his eyes around to the two security guards and waving them over. Kasper's eye widened slightly as she turned her attention towards the hotel heir, hoping this wasn't just a trick.

A SIGHT OF NARROWING of the eyes came from the manager as the heir waved off the guards, but he reluctantly moved back, eyes narrowing once more at Kasper before he retreated completely, seeing as he couldn't go up against the heir without his job being on the line. Kasper didn't breath easier until the manager was out of ear shot, her attention turning towards the white-haired teen. "I don't see why one night wouldn't be too bad…" She whispered, mostly to herself. She hated to feel helpless, but that was how she had felt all her life. She needed to step out on her own. Of course, for that, she needed a job, and money. But those would come in time, she thought.

The offer he gave amazed her. She couldn't pay him, at least in money. And she really wanted to put whatever things she had done in the past, and leave them there. Her hands tightened around her arms as she glanced down at her feet once more, swallowing slightly as she thought of a way to pay him for staying there. "I can give you what I have as payment for staying with you. I-it's not a lot, but I swear, I'll pay you back once I get a job somewhere" She said, her voice still quiet. She hated to think of herself as stopping in her schooling. She wanted to be a teacher, ever since she could remember, but because of her family situation, no one had ever been willing to help her out.

"Kasper.. That's me." She replied to him, as he offered his name. Her eyes moved towards the guards, still watching her suspiciously. Her shoulders dropped as she thought about how much trouble she could get him into, if her family ever found out where she was going to be staying until she got her own place. For some reason, she felt a sort of security when it came to him. Like he was telling the truth when he said he wouldn't hurt her. Her head lowered slightly as she rubbed her arm, flinching a moment after. "If it's uhm.. N-not too much trouble, would I be able to take a shower..?"

HER ONLY REACTION TO HIM MOVING CLOSER was the slight widening of her eyes. She wasn't wearing much to begin with, her parents never gave her the most comfortable clothing, but this was all she had. Her bag was filled with the school work she still wanted to finish, despite being behind in school she feared they'd forget about her. Her head tilted to the side slightly as she watched the smile come over his features. Well, that was a different reaction. She wasn't sure if she was comfortable with a smile like that, different from the smiles she was used to.

The sweatshirt over her shoulders was a surprise. She wasn't expecting him to give her anything, he'd already given her a place to stay, what more could she ask for? Of course, she didn't refuse the sweatshirt, the warmth soaking into her and making her grasp the sides a little tighter, eyes turning up towards him as he commented she didn't need to pay him. She felt as though she had to, and hopefully, he'd take something from her in the future. "That's not fair, me living here for free" She murmured softly, her hand slowly raising to take his offered arm. "I could cook for you? I'm pretty good at that" She offered in her quiet voice.

The crashing of a luggage cart made her jump, releasing Erik's arm as she pulled away. Her body started to shake as her eyes widened, staring around her to see if there was anything coming at her. Kasper's eyes widened more as she realized her panic was for nothing, and her head lowered in submission. "S-sorry" Was her only comment before she moved towards the elevators Erik was moving towards, only nodding at his comment about getting her clothes and shoes.

HIS COMMENT CONFUSED THE GIRL as she glanced up at him, not taking his arm again until the elevator doors had closed. Not that she would relax at all. She never had good luck in elevators. Some of her parents' friends enjoyed the fact that she hated the tight, enclosed spaces. She took a deep breath as the machine started moving, eyes widening slightly as she heard the gears turning. Kasper had always hated that sound. She glanced up at his comment about a dark haired couple. His parents perhaps? Maybe his hair was naturally black, and he dyed his white to rebel? Kasper had tried that at one point. She had added a blue tint to her hair when she was thirteen, an idea that stemmed from her older brother at the time, though that ended with her being punished severely. She shivered slightly, hoping that her new found savior wouldn't get into trouble.

" I can cook! " Kasper announced, her mind still trying to figure out a payment of sort to give back to him for letting her stay there. To be honest, Kasper had never been out on her own, she didn't like being alone to begin with. She could only pray that Erik wouldn't get tired of her and throw her out, or she'd do something wrong. Maybe it was a better idea to hide out on whatever bedroom he gave her. As the elevator signaled for the floor, Kasper tensed up. She felt like they were higher up in the building than she'd been before, in any building, actually. A shiver passed through her as she glanced up at Erik for a moment, the doors opening as she did so. In an effort to show she wasn't as much of a wimp, she let go of his arm and stepped out of the elevator.

She turned towards the white-haired teen, eyes moving side to side as she glanced down either hallway. " So, uhm.. Where to, now?" She questioned in a quiet voice. She held her arms behind herself, bag swinging and bouncing against the back of her legs as she as she awaited his answer.

HER CURIOSITY WAS GOING TO GET THE BETTER OF HER if she wasn't too careful. When he motioned to which door was to his suite, she stepped forwards, almost hesitantly. Kasper had grown up in a small home with her parents and older brother, along with whoever happened to be there. Her parents always had other people in the house, and she'd never actually had her own room. To be honest, she was hoping she would at least be able to have her own place to sleep, and not have to share a bed like before. If she could help it, she never wanted to share a bed with someone again. A shiver passed over the teenager before she stepped over the threshold of the suite, then paused in the doorway.

The first thing she noticed was the kitchen. Her eyes went side as she dropped her bag and moved towards it. Bigger than what she expected for the size, a smile was on her features as she slid her hand over the marble counters. This was the kitchen of her dreams, all appliances looked like they worked, and it made her want to drop everything and cook. Her eyes moved back over towards Erik. "I really like the kitchen" Kasper told him in her soft voice as moved back towards the door to retrieve her bag she'd dropped.

With the strap now on her shoulder, the white-haired girl glanced around, then back towards Erik. "Uhm.. So where would it be okay for me to put my stuff down? And where would you like for me to sleep?" She questioned, only fearing the worst as she glanced towards the hallway she was sure lead to a bedroom or too.

SHE WAS STILL SURPRISED a complete stranger had brought her into their home. Even more surprised to know that it was the hotel owner's relative. Kasper shook her head slightly as she glanced around the spacious area. The living room and kitchen alone were bigger than the house she had grown up in, she wasn't used to the big space yet. She wrapped her arms around herself as her eyes took in everything. The kitchen was still her favorite thing, though. Hands down, without a doubt. And she couldn't wait to start cooking in the kitchen, though she'd have to buy her own food before she did anything. At the thought of food, her stomach rumbled, making her clutch her stomach and widen her eyes slightly. The white-haired girl couldn't remember the last time she'd eaten.

"I'm happy your home has a kitchen this nice, though I wouldn't expect anything less" Kasper said with a soft smile, rubbing her stomach to hopefully stop some of the rumbling. She swallowed after a moment, turning towards the area Erik was pointing, nodding after a moment as she grabbed her bags once more and headed towards the room. She opened the door, then froze in shock. Her eyes turned back towards Erik, before she shook her head. "This room is much too grand. Are you sure you want me to stay here? I might soil the sheets if I touch them" The teenager said, wide eyes peeking into the room, though she dare not enter. She didn't want to ruin the perfect rug with her scuffed up shoes.

@erik