Dawn of the other lights

[Brenda Castle]

Delilah: You must be Brenda. I’m sorry that we haven’t been formally introduced. My name is Delilah Trelaven.

"Hi. I'm afraid formal introductions have been forgone in the past two days. After all, my formal introduction to Adonis over there consisted of me falling into his arms like a damsel in distress."

She replied self-deprecatingly, as she took Delilah's hand for a few seconds in greeting.

"But.... since I.... hear thoughts, I've the advantage of not needing such introductions. Thank you, by the way, for your part in that rescue. I know I wasn't the reason for your effort, but I appreciate it all the same."

Delilah: That's right, you're a telepath.

"Yes."

They regarded each other for a split second, then Delilah turned and tried to reached Sharon, to no avail.

Delilah: I hope you three know how dangerous it was for you to go out by yourselves…

Connor: Yeah, you three need to remember you don’t have superpowers. Oh wait, yes you do.

Aww, they were having a fight. That's cute. Delilah gave Connor a look that would kill if it could, but he didn't back down. Rich was a little put off at the idea of having to report to someone about his comings and goings.

"Delilah, with all due respect, I don't think any of us are accustomed to treating a breakfast excursion as a threat to national security. I mean, it's not like we went to Brooklyn. The past 48 hours has made us ALL paranoid, but to live our lives in fear is no kind of life at all. I may be scared to death that Malice herself is coming for me, but I'm not about to hole up in this office building like it's some kind of sanctuary, cowering at the idea that if I leave this place, I'll be exposed and vulnerable."

Connor: I'll keep trying Sharon. Maybe you should introduce our guest?

Delilah: This is Mina Harker. She's going to be moving here to Illustra. She's going to help us with....

Mina: Research.

Delilah: Yes, Research.

"Research."

She repeated with a knowing smile, just wanting to hear the word out loud one more time. Well, it COULD be called research, what Mina was capable of. Then another woman spoke, and Brenda nearly jumped out of her skin. She hadn't seen the woman lurking in the back, mostly because she had not been looking. She heard the thoughts of everyone else in the room, and without hearing Karen's mental presence, had not noticed her ACTUAL presence. The woman looked vaguely familiar, but that was not uncommon with Brenda. If she was anyone with social cloat, she'd be familiar to Brenda or to her parents. As Karen spoke about Sharon, Brenda stared inquisitively. She could not hear a single thought from the woman, but that harder she listened, the more she thought she could hear a slight 'hum', kind of like an electric fence. Did Karen have some sort of mental 'fence'?

Delilah: Might I introduce Dr. Karen Victoria.

Of COURSE. Supermodel Morgan Victoria's mother. That's why she looked familiar. Now if only Brenda could explain why her mind was silent. Soon the doctor and Mina left, and it was THEN that Delilah laid it on them. She was recruiting a team to fight back against the injustice she had known at the hands of Mystech. They had ALL known injustice, some more recently than others. Rich's own past drove him to agree quickly. Brenda thought of her parents, still at the mercy of Malice. But what Delilah was suggesting....

"Just to be clear, you are talking about SUSTAINED violence against a global conglomerate with deep pockets and far reaching tendrils; and not in the name of self-defense, but in VENGANCE. [pausing] I don't know.... I have someone to avenge too but..... I just don't think I'm a superhero."

 

[Matrix]

"Just to be clear, you are talking about SUSTAINED violence against a global conglomerate with deep pockets and far reaching tendrils; and not in the name of self-defense, but in VENGANCE. [pausing] I don't know.... I have someone to avenge too but..... I just don't think I'm a superhero."

You may not have a choice Brenda.

Rich was back, and his voice was much stronger than before. no hint of tears, he oozed determination.

Just a couple of days ago you were a rich socialite shaking your ass onstage at a party with SIRYN. NOW you are the target of a multinational corporation and its dark underside featuring a metahuman more skilled than any one of us. And they want you to be some White Princess, which sounds creepy as hell to me. And now, even though you could kick 99.9% of the world's ass, this lady (points to Delilah) is afraid of you going to get a sandwich 30 blocks away with TWO OTHER MUTANTS who can do the same thing.

Rich walks back over and looks at the pretty blonde.

Sun Tzu once said "You have to believe in yourself." In this case, that is how you can survive and get your parents back. By believing that you can and working to strike back at them and take what is yours back home.

Rich indicated that he had not forgotten Brenda's parents and even believed them alive. He also indicated that he had faith in Brenda being a real hero.

 

[Seer]

Descision in the War Room

<< Ana-Leigh, while sympathetic, felt Brenda was missing the bigger picture. Ana-Leigh had spent her young lifetime hiding who she was due to fear of persecution for being different. She already knew what that was like for other reasons, but her status as a mutant was something all together different. After meeting Alycia, who felt like a kindred spirit, Ana-Leigh realized that there were bullies in the world that persecuted people across the board and that people like HER, RICH and BRENDA HAD to stand up and protect those who could NOT protect themselves.>>

Ana-Leigh: Brenda, didn't you hear what Delilah just said? Mystech is out there HURTING people, touching all aspects of our lives. For wall we know, MALICE could be working with Mystech! She's the reason Alycia's in the hospital. The reason your parents are in danger. Sharon's out there...almost everyday, fighting against Mystech. Delilah is in a wheelchair because of them. Friends...people she cared about, people WE saw in the papers and on TV are DEAD and nothing has been done about it. There's been no JUSTICE. and these creeps are out there targeting people...innocent, helpless people. how can you just stand here and act like this ISN'T something you should get involved in!? You can't go back to where you were 48 hrs ago. NONE of us can! Delilah needs our help. Alycia, Dr. Victoria and a bunch of others do too!

<< Ana-Leigh was bold, called it like she saw it and not faint of heart. She had sympathy for both Brenda and Rich but maybe there was a reason they found themselves together yet again. SHe knew there was. After meeting Alycia, then Delilah and Sharon. Someone had to put Mystech DOWN and they were the ones to do it. She knew that. Delilah had the right idea and so did Sharon. Would Brenda see that too though?>>

 

[MorningStar]

Brenda wasn’t fazed by meeting Delilah for the first time under these circumstances.

"Hi. I'm afraid formal introductions have been forgone in the past two days. After all, my formal introduction to Adonis over there consisted of me falling into his arms like a damsel in distress."

Delilah turned her head to look at Connor and raised her eyebrows. He just smiled widely back at her and winked.

Turning back to the matter at hand she stated her case, then waited patiently for each to think things over.

Rich almost immediately made his decision.

My Mama believes I AM dead. To get a chance to get at the motherfuckers that did that to me...yeah I'm in.

Delilah wheeled up to Rich and put a hand on his arm.

“Richard, would you like me to call your mother? You don’t need to separate yourself from your family.”

Delilah hated to see someone torture themself so…especially someone who had living family. Delilah’s own family - other than Karen, of course – were all dead now.

Unlike Rich, Brenda was skeptical. Delilah couldn’t fault her for that – it was smart to not blindly jump into something of this magnitude. Rich tried to boost her confidence, but Ana-Leigh lit into her about her responsibility to do something. That’s when Delilah finally broke her silence.

You can't go back to where you were 48 hrs ago. NONE of us can! Delilah needs our help. Alycia, Dr. Victoria and a bunch of others do too!

Delilah shook her head.

“Though I appreciate the support, Ana-Leigh, Brenda needs to make her own decision. She is wise to be apprehensive. This isn’t a game. It’s a war. And though each of you are very special, and very strong in your powers – and invaluable to me, you must do this because you want to, because you feel strongly about it. Not because you felt pressured.”

She turned to Brenda.

“Having said that, after seeing what you went through this week, I think you can do anything you set your mind to – as a mutant or otherwise. Don’t ever sell yourself short like that again. I wouldn’t have asked you if you couldn’t do it.”

He words sounded harsh, but she softened them by giving Brenda a soft smile. She meant what she said – she didn’t want anyone to feel pressured into helping her. These young people had to join her because they wanted to and for no other reason.

 

[Matrix]

Richard, would you like me to call your mother? You don’t need to separate yourself from your family.

Why? So they can go after her too? She is alive and thinks me dead. I prefer that to her being dead for knowing I am alive. Besides, Mama is from the woods of South Carolina...I am not the son she knew, not anymore. She has a bad heart . All of THIS might kill her...me being what I am. My death almost did and that was 3 years ago.

Rich kept himself from her to save her...and because he believed she would never accept him as a mutant. That was the truth revealed to them all as he stood there. It was a tough thing to do but he did what he felt he had to.

 

[Brenda Castle]

Ana-Leig called Brenda out, hard core. It didn't really seem to move Brenda, though. She was still weighing the decision, and as passionate as Ana-Leigh's rally was, it didn't have the effect intended.

"I can't expect you to understand. I can only tell you that.... it's EASY for you. Your father was a Marine. You're a warrior born and bred. Rich has been fighting for his life for the last three years. [pointing to Connor] He's a certified commando. [gesturing towards Delilah] She's an ex cop. Every one in this room has experienced adversity. Every one except me. I say that without ego. It is the life I was born into. Up until this weekend, I was a trust fund baby, coasting through life. I am the heiress of Midtown Manhattan. There are no doors closed to me, there is no one to tell me no. and now, all of a sudden, people are trying to hunt me down and capture me, I have an utterly CRAZY lady trying to brainwash me, she stuck ju-jitsu in my memory like I was hardwired to the Matrix, and I have you people asking me to save the world when I can't even save my parents or MYSELF!"

Delilah: [...]after seeing what you went through this week, I think you can do anything you set your mind to – as a mutant or otherwise. Don’t ever sell yourself short like that again. I wouldn’t have asked you if you couldn’t do it.

Brenda gave Delilah a weak smile. The woman sounded like her parents. Her father was always telling that she could do anything she committed to. Rich gave her a quote and a spark of hope. Her gaze fixed on Delilah for a long pause. The woman had such confidence in her plans. Even though she was fully aware of the risks they would take, she deeply believed that they would be successful if they worked together. That kind of confidence was hard to ignore.

"I saw posters earlier for a Siryn concert at the Parthenon. If we want to reach Silver Swan, our best bet will be at the concert. I'm fairly certain that Swan and Siryn are one and the same."

 

[MorningStar]

Mama is from the woods of South Carolina...I am not the son she knew, not anymore. She has a bad heart . All of THIS might kill her...me being what I am. My death almost did and that was 3 years ago.

Delilah searched his face - how sad he seemed. It was heart-breaking, really, that he had to be separated from his mother because of who he was.

“Well, if you ever change your mind, I’d be happy to go with you to see her.”

Brenda seemed to believe the things people wrote about her on page six – that she was just a debutante. But Delilah couldn’t force her to see differently. That would have to come from herself. But she saw hope in Brenda’s eyes.

"I saw posters earlier for a Siryn concert at the Parthenon. If we want to reach Silver Swan, our best bet will be at the concert. I'm fairly certain that Swan and Siryn are one and the same."

Delilah wheeled slowly up to Brenda and put a hand on her arm.

“Thank you.”

Then to the group.

“Why don’t you all relax and clean up, and we’ll meet in the lobby tonight at 9 and go to the concert together? Connor and I will keep looking for Sharon in the meantime.”

Then she turned and addressed Brenda once again.

“Brenda, the suite on the 103rd floor is free if you’d like to use it – you are welcome to it.”

 

[Matrix]

“Why don’t you all relax and clean up, and we’ll meet in the lobby tonight at 9 and go to the concert together? Connor and I will keep looking for Sharon in the meantime.”

That meant one thing for Rich: LUNCH.

He was no longer malnourished, his cells fully powered and able to follow his bidding completely. But he was ALWAYS hungry and no matter what, he never gained weight unless he willed it. And so he rolled back to his apartment (it actually seemed like his KINDA now) and went to see what was left in the fridge.

It was full. AGAIN.

Luckily his Mama taught him to cook and so he made up a large salad, cooked some chicken breasts, steamed some broccoli and made a macaroni salad as well - just a snack.

As he finished, he messaged the ladies.

Lunch ready, come on through if you wanna.

 

[Seer]

and so

<< Delilah and Connor had sometime to themselves now in the War Room. Rich, Ana-Leigh & Brenda soon gathered together for lunch.>>

<< if there was anytime to express second thoughts about taking off on what would be the rid of a LIFETIME, perhaps now was that time. Still, the trio had seen something more of what Mystech would be capable of and how even regular humans were not afraid to speak out against them.>>

<< Brenda, while struggling with all this, had the added burden of feeling what could only be described as a "psychic rebroadcast"...Malice was sharing with her, the mental feedback of her parents, both of whom were locked in a perpetual state of sleep and NIGHTMARE. Malice was breaking down their sense of self slowly but surely and making sure Brenda felt it.>>

-----------------------------

<< Meanwhile...>>

<< Karen arranges to have her limo drive her & Mina to their destination. On surface, the building looks unremarkable but there was far more than meets the eye. Now that she & Mina are getting along much better and Delilah is moving forward witht he formation of The Six, the issue of Morgan and Alison's magickal objects being secure becomes an urgent personal project for Karen, one that indirectly benefits Delilah and her new forming team as well.>>

<< Karen and Mina would soon find they'd work well together for more than one reason as the evening got under way.>>


<< At the Parthenon...>>

<< The world class luxury hotel, a shared holding of Morgan and Alison's, now passed on to Delilah. At the time of the transfer, Siryn was already in residence. SHARON had no idea how she came to be here OR that due to her unique abilities, she'd manage to secure a diamond executive suite completely COMP'ED.>>

<< The Parthenon was on par with and rival to the resolt holdings of the Castle family. Vincent Castle had tried repeatedly to talk Morgan Victoria into selling the Parthenon but she declined. The revival of the Parthenon was a pet project of her's and Alison's and the runaway success of it a source of pride and joy to them up till their untimely deaths.>>

<< Now, if nothing else, it would be a secure revenue generator for Delilah and Karen as well as a tremendous tool for networking with movers and shakers around the city and beyond.>>

<< The hotel was abuzz on all levels as it was preparing for tonight's hot ticket event. A set from Siryn! It would draw the young, rich with money to burn as well as ther celebrites from the music and entertainment industry. Titania Records would be on hand as well, once again to try to woo Siryn into signing with them.>>

<< Delilah, Connor, Ana-Leigh, Brenda and Rich would also be in attendance and due to Delilah's status as owner of the hotel, they would have some of the best seats in the house in the Crystal Room.>>

<< But they were not the ONLY ones with plans for this evening...>>

 

[Malice]

Hellfire Club

:: Below ground of the mansion in the secure sup levels, The White Queen sits in the control room. Her form is partially enshrouded in shadow as the floating screens around her display various images, information feeds and other data.::

:: The center most screens show images of Illustra and BRENDA CASTLE.::

Foolish child.

:: Malice says with a disdainful tone.::

To think that she could HIDE from me ANYWHERE?

:: a white opera gloved hand lightly runs arcross the control console::

Still bound by her own narrow perception of self. Even with the new level of power and ability she's been given, she's her own greatest road block and yet....


She may think she's got a new lease on life after being rescued but the PSI paths between us are IRREVOCABLE. WhreEVER she is...I'll know it and whatever I want HER to FEEL...she WILL!

:: a white gloved finger presses a button and two screens shift to reveal Marilyn and Vincent Castle. Both in suspended animation.::

The tortured sleep....

<<FLASH!>>

<< up close images of Marilyn and Vincent in their stasis tubes. the vital stat monitors beeping and humming along.>>

of the parents shall be felt...

<<FLASH!>>

<< Malice's sapphire blue eyes sparkle with wicked glee.>>

<< Shift to Brenda's eyes and face, as she is subjected to the mental feedback of her parents, trapped in a never ending NIGHTMARE where all their problems are because of HER.>>

By the CHILD.

The GUILT of abandonment...the FEAR of the unknown and INADEQUACY...

By the time I'm done with them...they'll look upon her with as much disgust as Karen once did Christopher!

Even IF she could save them...it will be for NAUGHT for they will view her as the ultimate in tragedy and curse. Her greatest fear of what it would be like for them to know she's a mutant!

:: laughing softly.::

:: a commando arrives.::

Commando: White Queen?

Malice: What IS IT?

:: she turns in her chair to glare at the man, who swallows hard.::

Commando: The....the data analysis from the encounter with Terra Save is complete.

Malice: And?

Commando: We are ready to proceed with the next phase. The Pursuer has been programmed with all data available on Silver Swan.

Malice: Excellent. And with Brenda being my unwitting extra set of "eyes"...closing in on our renegade BIRD will be child's play. Silver Swan's thoughts are as slippery and impossible to read as SHE is to overpower in an outright conflict, but tonight, that is going to CHANGE.

I want Delilah and Connor ELIMINATED. It's LONG overdue. Brenda, Richard and Ana-Leigh are to be CAPTURED...and IF in the process...they resist...SUBDUE them.

:: She looks at the Commando::

Is everything in place for the event?


Commando: Yes Ma'am.

Malice: Good. Now leave me.

:: she waves him away and turns back::

Brenda, you poor conflicted child. Your hesitancy will proove your UNDOING.

:: Brenda can't help but feel no matter WHERE she is...someone is WATCHING her.::

:: A wicked smile from Malice's shadowed face would suggest that's quite correct!::

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

After departing the War Room, Ana-Leigh excused herself and headed back to her apartment while Rich cooked lunch. The majority of time was spent emailing professors and trying to explain to Marco that she hadn't died and/or left the country. It was crazy how the past few days just flew by; she actually forgot she had a life outside of this new group of people.

Receiving a message from Rich that lunch was ready, Ana closed her laptop and proceeded to leave her apartment. As she made her way down to his floor, she could already smell the food wafting throughout the hallway. Knocking on the door to announce her arrival, Ana cracked it open a peeked her head in.

"Hey."

Smiling warmly, she opened the door fully and entered the apartment.

"It smells amazing in here."

Walking over to the diningroom table, she saw a minor feast sitting before her. Chicken, salad, pasta salad, the works. She knew the majority of this was for him, but it still looked amazing.

"Wow, Paula Deen better watch out."

She said with a chuckle as she sat down.

"Is Brenda coming?"

 

[Matrix]

"Hey."

Smiling warmly, she opened the door fully and entered the apartment.

"It smells amazing in here."

Thanks...My Mama taught me when I was 10. She assumed that most girls in this generation wouldn't be able to cook.

He set the table, one eye on his guest as she made her way in.

"Wow, Paula Deen better watch out."

She said with a chuckle as she sat down.

"Is Brenda coming?"

I expect so. I messaged her as well. Here, eat up. We might need our strength.

Rich set the table for three and pulled a seat out for Ana-Leigh, those manners still on display. he had found a Lazy Susan underneath and loaded it up with the food, placing it in the center in place of a centerpiece. All one had to do was spin it to what was desired. He quickly made aplate, paused for a second of thanks to the man upstairs and dug in. after a few bites he looked back at his guest, puzzled.

I wonder if they have a gym here or something? I feel like working out after this.

 

[Bishop]

Illustra - War Room

Connor had been mostly silent while Delilah spoke to the younger mutants. After all, this was her thing, he was just there for…what was he there for, really? Out of obligation? Yes and no. She certainly wasn’t a burden, even when they were fighting. But he did feel responsible for her. Even though he knew she would be just fine on her own. He should probably just go back to his old life. But he had become used to not being alone anymore…could he go back to the way things were before?

Delilah sent the others to relax and get ready for the concert tonight, so he turned back to the monitors, still looking for Sharon. Hopefully Brenda was right and she would be at the Parthenon, but if not… Delilah might be wrong about Silver Swan’s fighting style, but she wasn’t wrong about her being a little mentally unstable. If Silver Swan was having another episode and didn’t know she was Sharon...

Delilah wheeled up to the console next to him, running her own search of police reports. They were silent for a few minutes.

“Delilah…about what Malice said at the Hellfire Club… Maybe all this”

He gestured at the room around him.

“is getting in the way of other things…?”

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah was encouraged by what had happened with the three. Brenda still wasn’t sure, but at least she had stayed, at least she had tried to help them with Sharon.

She went back to searching for Sharon. Despite her powers, Delilah was concerned for her safety…she had been caught once, somehow. It could happen again. And if they didn’t even know where or when…? They had to find her before she was found by the police or worse. She could sense Connor fidgeting next to her, and then he interrupted her thoughts.

“Delilah…about what Malice said at the Hellfire Club… Maybe all this is getting in the way of other things…?”

Delilah stopped working, but she didn’t look at him.

“We’re just here to do a job. That’s all.”

She went back to her search. There was no room in her life for frivolous things.

 

[Mina Harker]

Mina directed Karen’s driver where to go. Now they walked along a deserted old cobble stoned street.

“We moved the library here when the war threatened the collection. This area used to be a market. There was a cold store underground – the ice never melted. Permafrost. When the market closed and this became valuable real estate, the construction workers melted the ice. Do you know what they found? Rivers.”

Mina stopped at a barred iron door. She removed a key from around her neck and unlocked it to reveal a circular stairwell going down. Sounds of rushing water could be heard as she continued to lead the way.

They descended deep underground. Coming to the bottom of the stairs, they followed a walkway next to a rushing waterway until they came to a giant circular vault. She removed her gloves and handed them to Karen.

“Would you mind holding these, please?”

Next she held up what looked like a gold pocket watch from a chain around her neck. She opened it, and a tiny mechanism of gears and cogs started moving. Suddenly a series of numbers appeared in turn above the watch.

“When the door and the watch are near each other, they generate a code for the door. The vault cannot be opened without the watch.”

She paused.

“I don’t know why I can see the numbers when I touch the watch. I just can.”

The door had several small circular dials on it, and Mina carefully turned each one to match the number from the watch. She turned the handle and pushed the vault door open to reveal a gigantic room full of dark wood. The walls were lined with shelves of books, and rows of additional bookcases filled the place, some containing books and other curious objects. And there were cases displaying more objects, as well as desks and large circular reading tables.

[ The Library ]

Mina retrieved her gloves from Karen and began putting them back on. A smile touched her lips.

“Welcome to my husband’s library, Karen.”

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

Serving herself some salad, a chicken breast, and a little bit of pasta salad, Ana-Leigh began to pour some balsamic vinaigrette on her salad and chicken breast. Taking a couple bites, she smiled with approval.

Rich: I wonder if they have a gym here or something? I feel like working out after this.

"Hmm?"

Chewing her food, she nodded as she swallowed.

"There is. Delilah told me about it when I first arrived. I'm pretty sure it's on the same floor as the war room."

Taking a sip of cranberry juice, Ana continued to pick at her food before looking up at Rich.

"I wonder if they have weapons? I would love to do some archery training without the threat of blowing up half the building."

Pausing for a moment, a thought occurred to her. If they were actually going to be fighting for their lives, lifting weights and training with weapons wasn't going to cut it.

"You know, with the amount of technology that we have here, we should look into doing some simulations. Events that we might encounter or situations that could test our abilities. They do it all the time in the Marines to prepare soldiers for deployment and war. I should talk to Connor about it."

 

[Matrix]

"You know, with the amount of technology that we have here, we should look into doing some simulations. Events that we might encounter or situations that could test our abilities. They do it all the time in the Marines to prepare soldiers for deployment and war. I should talk to Connor about it."

Yeah...maybe even spar. Even situations would not approximate the White Queen or Silver Swan, but we might be able to for each other. That way you can show me the moves that have made you so famous so quickly. Marine fighting styles are top-notch.

Rich went back to eating in an unhurried but amazingly efficient style.

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

Rich: That way you can show me the moves that have made you so famous so quickly. Marine fighting styles are top-notch.

"Famous? I'm just well trained, that's all."

She felt a little embarrassed that Rich claimed her ability to fight made her famous thus far in the group...she wasn't doing anything that any other person wouldn't due if they had the skills and training. It was just second nature to her.

"But sparing would be fun. [placing her fork down on her plate] I'm actually full, so why don't I go and change into some workout clothes while you finish eating? Call me on the intercom when you're done and we can meet at the War Room and try and find the gym from there?"

Standing from the dining room table, Ana-Leigh thanked Rich for hosting a delicious lunch and headed back to her apartment to change. Throwing on some black yoga shorts, a white body armor long sleeved top, and black sneakers, Ana-Leigh pulled her hair back into a pony tail and secured it with a band. Walking out into the livingroom, she looked at the clock and realized that it had only been roughly 10 minutes since she left Rich's apartment. Deciding to give Rich some more time to finish eating and change, Ana took this time to limber up and stretch. She figured another 10 minutes and Rich would be ready to go.

 

[Matrix]

"Famous? I'm just well trained, that's all."

She felt a little embarrassed that Rich claimed her ability to fight made her famous thus far in the group...she wasn't doing anything that any other person wouldn't due if they had the skills and training. It was just second nature to her.

"But sparing would be fun. [placing her fork down on her plate] I'm actually full, so why don't I go and change into some workout clothes while you finish eating? Call me on the intercom when you're done and we can meet at the War Room and try and find the gym from there?"

No prob. I'll buzz you in a few.

Rich stood as Ana did and opened the door to the apartment as she left. It was both polite and gave him a glimpse of her leaving. She moved like a cat and probably didn't know it, which was sexy in and of itself.

Rich sat back down and decided to clean up, which consisted of eating everything left except for a plate of what he had seen Brenda eat before. Placing that in the fridge, he washed dishes and then went and washed his face and hands. Checking the clock, it has been 20 minutes.

Should be enough time to let girls get dressed.

Rich clicked the intercom.

Ready to rumble? Meet me at the WR.

Rich smirked as he strolled easily to the elevator and then to the War Room. He was wearing an white t-shirt, black combat pants and black Doc Martens. He smiled as he saw Ana walk up.

I guess we're ready.

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

After meeting Rich in the War Room, the two began to go door to door until finally finding a massive state of the art gym equipped with not only basic gym machines, but punching bags, a wall full of weapons, and a huge mat to spar on.

"Wow...now THIS I could get used to."

Ana said in amazement as she walked into the large space while taking everything in. Without even hesitating she headed over to the weapons wall. Sure she could go on the elliptical for an hour or kick around the punching bag....but what fun was THAT when every weapon you could imagine was hanging up for her to play with?! With a huge smile spread across her lips, she felt like a kid in a candy store. Dragging her fingers along a long Samurai sword, she just couldn't contain herself anymore. She hadn't actually trained with one of these swords since she lived in Georgia with her dad. Taking the sword off it's hooks, Ana slowly slid the sheath off the blade, exposing the perfectly crafted metal to the world. It was beautifully dangerous.

"Truly one of the worlds most perfect weapon."

Leaning the swords scabbard against the wall, Ana-Leigh took the weapon with both hands.

"The metal can be folded hundreds of times to form a single blade. It's more a work of art than a weapon really."

Smiling, she realized how ridiculous she probably sounded fawning over a weapon. But hell, boys had their cars, girls had their name brands, she had weapons. She never claimed to be "normal".

Using her wrist to twirl the weapon effortlessly, it was light as a feather. A true sign of how well crafted it was.

"So, where do you want to begin?"