Rodeo can see that she's listening closely to him, and it steels his faith in her ability to pull this off. He knows she's smart, she must be to have survived so goddamn long in that vicious black hole she calls home, but whether she cared enough about this task to devote herself to it fully was something he hadn't been so sure he could hope for. But she listens to him and Rodeo feels his doubts leave him. She can do this. She will do this.
So when she asks if he's ready, Rodeo nods. The tongue on his lips was like a snake's kiss and he's about to be swallowed whole by the serpentine subway tunnels. He swallows past a knot in his throat and turns to the darkness, starting to follow her down the stairs.
The tunnels are no place for a Dog.
He's got enemies down here, lots of 'em, and they can see in the dark. Rodeo is fully aware of how disadvantaged he is. He spends his days under scorching light, glaring into his windows as early as daybreak out in the wide open wasteland. It bleaches sunny streaks into his hair and burns freckles into his nose. He's not used to the dark. The junkies down here are, and Rodeo can only imagine what they'd do to him for the wash he's carrying. Swarm like rabid rats, chew him up for what he holds. He shivers in the cool of the darkened station as they head for the tracks.
"Let's try not to run into anyone, yeah? I ain't got time for pitstops, and there's plenty down here holdin' grudges on me."