Rene sharpened her claws with a honing steel while I cleaned up the mess. The tips made a "shing" sound as they traversed the length of the rod in smooth calculated passes.

"Don't forget the wipe cloth, Vicki. We can't leave a thing behind."

"I know Rene." I replied a little too quickly. Rene stood up tall and stepped over to the pile on the floor. Her even taller shadow taunted me.

"Are you upset with me Vicki?"

"No." I scooped up the last of the collateral damage and tossed it onto the pile.

"No? It sounds like you're upset about something."

I shrugged my shoulders and pulled off my glasses to wipe the damp lens with the front bottom edge of my button down white shirt, which was soiled with sweat, dirt and blood.

"Why don't you just tell me what's bugging you?" She pressed the buttons on her elbows and her five-inch titanium nails contracted into her purple-bruised finger knuckles. She proceeded with the ceremonial fitting of her brown leather gloves, one hand at a time, cracking her knuckles at the end.

"I just...never mind." I dug into my shirt pocket and pulled out the box of matches. The welder's mask on my head flipped down when I touched the switch by my ear. I didn't think Rene noticed me shaking my head.

"Oh for Christ's sake Vicki. Out with it!"

"Fine." I lifted the mask up. "Do you have to be so damn flamboyant?"