Finding their way

[Shadow Weaver]

Illustra

<< Suddenly, Karen throws her hands up with a gesture. A rushing harp sound punctuated by a chime is heard as Bishop, Michael and Cass are "frozen" where they are. Only the doctor and Delilah remain normal. She needed to say this to Delilah uninterrupted.>>

<< Karen stands up and slowly walks around the conference table. Thunder rumbles outside as a night time spring/summer shower begins to fall upon the city.>>

Delilah...

<< she says as she looks out of the panoramic window and then turns back to face her among the frozen forms of the other three.>>

I of all people knows what is at stake here.

I walk around...every day with the burden of guilt. Even IF It's a misplaced burden...no amount of psychotherapy or anything else can tell me that I do NOT bear responsibility, no matter HOW indirect, for my daughter, her sister...Alison...YOU.

I empathize with Sharon, you see. Emerging from a nightmare but too lost to be able to enjoy the "freedom" of waking up. Not knowing what to do...where my place is!

This is not something YOU can address.

My encounters with these two, the circumstances, the way in which we connected, it touched me and awakened parts of me that I either lost or didn't know I had.

I've been defined by being "Christopher's [ex]wife", "grieving mother/widow"...but I am MORE than that. I have something to offer and I know now what it is.

Something is coming...HERE. I sense it. It's not precognition...but it's a witch's natural sense to evil and DANGER that is specific to HER. This place...whatever it is for YOU, is STILL my daughter's legacy and that makes it apart of ME too.

I know the stakes here, Delilah. There isnt a day that I don't curse myself for not being the one to go and PUNISH Christopher for what he did to Morgan, Blaze and their friends. I was unable to help them, but that is NOT the case now.

You have a terrible test and trial coming, you and your Six, but you CAN'T be two places at once!

Had I been able to help before, perhaps you would not be in that chair. I can either live on with regret and wondering "what if..." or I can TRY to do something NOW to effect what WILL be.

I know my limitations... << walking past Bishop>> and I know this man is consumed with laser like prescision on the goal of destroying mystech and he thinks anything ELSE is needless.

<< passing by Michael>> I do not have the experiencese "in the field" as you and Michael have. But I am NOT without a valuale form of experience as a DOCTOR and a WITCH.

<< now standing behind Cass>> and were you not this child once? were you and Morgan not young and in need of guidance? Did you not have a need or want of some kind of acceptance and the chance to proove what you knew you could do? This young girl is NOT unlike you two at a point in your lives. Young, powerful...looking for all the world as if you have nothing but TIME on your hands.

<< slowly making her way toward Delilah>>

However either of you may feel about them, These two...they've HELPED me. They helped me to SURVIVE one night and they helped me to FEEL more ALIVE that I've felt since I've reemerged from hiding!

With all that you have to face. With all that you are no doubt thinking of...the last thing I want is for you to feel burdened by what Connor or perhaps even YOU feel is a lack of judgement on my part.

<< she takes Delilah's hand in her own>>

You don't have to pretend or spare my feelings.I would be concerned about someone...say a patient of mine...who went through what I've gone through.

<< looking at Delilah intently, Karen searche's the young mutant's eyes.>>

But I can assure you...I know what I'm doing. I'm following my heart. Just as you have with your Six. Whatever concerns you have, know this- I intend to do whatever I can to make sure that not only you and Connor SURVIVE, but that this place REMAINS the strong, tall memorial of my daughter FREE of Mystech's touch; your HOME, your HAVEN.



You and I stand in the shadow of Morgan's death but the light of her memory, the moments were DARE to hope for in the FUTURE are being threatened by an even greater darkness. Mystech. They know you and I are alive and no doubt they know or will soon find out we're working TOGETHER. What do you think will happen then? How long before they COME for you...not just in battle, but in the one place that you have that they DON'T?

Let us go forward TOGETHER and let ME...help YOU.

<< she slowly releases Delilah's hand and returns to her seat, sitting as she was moments before. Lifting her hands, with a snap of her fingers, a rushing harp sound is punctuated by a chime as the others are released.>>

<< she lifts her hand gesturing for silence from Cass.>>

Calm yourself, child. As I said before, there are no enemies in this room.

<< looking to Bishop and Delilah. Karen stands up once more.>>

I appreciate the two of you taking the time to meet with me and my friends. There's always discomfort with things that are new and periods of adjustment. Stress makes for a difficult time as well but I TRUST that the awarness of the threat which looms over all of us and those beyond these walls is enough to reign in egos and prejudice.

I'm sure that once you've conducted your checks, you'll find everything is in order. I'll return to the Parthenon with my guests and we'll be available.

 

[Silver Swan]

The War Room

[ Sharon watched and listened to Ana-Leigh. Of them all, this one was probably the one Sharon had LEAST interacted with until now. Even in the Danger Room or out in Central park, it was all "business".]

I understand.

[ She said as she turned her seat to look directly at Ana-Leigh.]

Who I am now came at a terrible cost. It was a choice that I did NOT make for myself.

Mystech unlocked the anamolous genetic potential in me and used their science and abilities to turn me into Silver Swan. I was intended to be an assassin used for high level targets. A killer without conscience or remorse. But before the mental conditioning could be completed that night, due to the actions of MorningStar and Bishop, I was finally able to escape with my core mind in tact.

I thought all I wanted was to wage war on Mystech. Ever since I escaped...the pain of loss, the confusion of not knowing who or WHAT I was. All I knew was the ANGER and RAGE I had for Mystech for what they'd done to me, the life they'd destroyed. But yet...without this power...what would I be able to do?

If there is one thing I want more than to destroy mystech...it is to LIVE. To have a LIFE like you, Richard and the others have. My past life...is dead. My friends...my family..all of it.

The only difference between you and me is that I don't have anything left to lose. That FREES me from the worry that you seem to be feeling right now.

But I want to tell you...that WE MUST SUCCEED because if we DON'T, Mystech won't stop until they come for you or those you love just like they did me.


There's nothing else I could do for you with this except to say that you won't be alone. We're going in TOGETHER and we have to fight HARD TOGETHER.

They don't deserve to go any further than they have. The "rules" of war as ordinary humans think of don't apply here. Remember that.

 

[Seer]

into the night

<< later that evening, Delilah found herself once again on the top floor of Illustra. Her penthouse appartment. The evening rain shower provided a helpfull lull to whatever racing Delilah's mind was doing.>>

<< Jennifer from Clandestine inc was handling the background checks for her and Karen had taken her guests back to the Parthenon.>>

<< In forming a new team, a center, Delilah found that there were other parts drawn into orbit around it. Perhaps if Morgan and her team had survived, they too would have experienced this but one would never know that. All that was apparent was what was before her now.>>

<< These people that she knew so little of had agreed to work, fight and possibly die along side of her. try as she might, she couldn't stop focusing on that last possibility but there was no alternative but to go forward.>>

<< But she had the benefit of going forward with her eyes OPEN and the help and support of people that represented many different abilities and vantage points.>>

<< there was still so much on her mind. so many things left unaddressed. so many questions and concerns.>>

<< one of those things manifested in the form of a knock at her double doors. Mina Harker. She was the other piece of this puzzle. Karen was the other>>

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

<< Silver Swan and Artemis had talked in the War Room and now, Artemis, Richard and Andrew were visiting together. Silver Swan, for her own reasons, declined to join them at that time, but after a few hours, she arrived at Richard's apartment and knocked, already hearing them all inside. In order to be true to the "TOGETHER" she spoke to Ana-Leigh about earlier, she needed to practice it herself and while she was accustomed to being solitary...she hadn't forgotten Richard's words of insight from a few days ago.>>

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

<< At the Parthenon, Karen spent time talking with Cass. Michael was with them as they all sat in Karen's diamond suite. She understood that in many ways...Cass was older and more experienced than ALL of them due to her unique nature. It could be an advantage or a burden It was easy to look at her and assume what she could or could'nt do based on appearence. It wasn't a pleasant feeling. Karen remembered Andrew's initial dismissive tone towards HER at J's bar. Now, with the initial awkwardness out of the way, the only thing left to do was go forward.>>

<< Soon Karen would get a phone call from Delilah, requesting her presence back at Illustra, but for now, they talked.>>

 

[Shadow Weaver]

The Parthenon

<< Sitting across from them in a large plush chair, the doctor looked upon Cass and Michael.>>

I know that wasn't easy. I imagined it would go slightly different but many times we seek to travel a road, we have no control over the condition of that road.

<< Looking at Cass>>

I know how irritating it can be to be underestimated by a man. Andrew did the same with me at J's bar. Your youth and my age are often the first thing people will see. They won't know what either of us are capable of. That is to our advantage.

Do not be discouraged or too bothered by Bishop. There is a man with a heart and feelings beneath that hard, caustic exterior. The two of them are survivors, as am I. Each of us has..."coped"...in his or her own way. Some better than others.

You musn't run off half cocked. You must stand fast and hold your ground and just as I showed Andrew I was more than a mere housewife...you'll proove that you're capable of more as well.

When the time comes, when the chips are down...all that will matter is that we're there as we are needed.

I just hope that whatever is coming... our powers and abilities are sufficient to drive it away.

 

[Ruby]

Illustra - Diamond Suite

:: Try as she might, Cass had a hard time focusing on Karen. She heard the words, of course, but she had trouble giving her full attention on what Karen had to say. What Karen was saying was extremely important, Cass didn't doubt that, but she was also preoccupied by what was said back at Illustra. They were to undergo background checks. How could it be possible for them to check Cass out when was, essentially, dead? She unconsciously took hold of Mike's hand in her right hand and stroked it with her thumb. She looked at Karen and nodded in the right places, but her mind was elsewhere. In fact, she was thinking about her mother. Karen was talking as if she, Cass, were her own daughter and it made the young vampire aware of how much she missed her own mother. ::

Mommy! I miss you so much...

You musn't run off half cocked. You must stand fast and hold your ground and just as I showed Andrew I was more than a mere housewife...you'll proove that you're capable of more as well.

When the time comes, when the chips are down...all that will matter is that we're there as we are needed.

I just hope that whatever is coming... our powers and abilities are sufficient to drive it away.

*defensively*: "I had to leave. I was thisclose to 'vamping out', for lack of a better term, and I didn't want to expose myself."

:: She looked down at Mike's hand in her lap without really seeing it. She was still preoccupied with the situation at hand. She looked back up after a few seconds. ::

"Karen, I feel adrift here. Why didn't we share what I am with them? I am more than willing to share what I am with them. I meant it back there: I'm willing to lay every card down for them. Okay, sure, it's need to know, but they needed to know back there. What happens when that background check comes up negative? I'm, essentially, a dead person, and yeah, Cassandra Johnson is stilll around but that's due to my...powers. I don't want them to think we kept my status a secret from them on purpose."

:: She looked at the picture of Morgan on the table before looking back at Karen. ::

"Karen, I'd like an audience with both Bishop and Delilah, if you don't mind. I don't want them to find out through a stupid check."

:: She shook her head. ::

"I'd rather they find out from me that I'm a vampire. We've already caused enough chaos today, I want them to know that I'm being honest from the get go and that I mean them, or Delilah's team, absolutely no harm."

:: She looked beseechingly at Karen. ::

"Please? I...want to do this. No, that's a lie. I need to do this."

 

[MorningStar]

Illustra - 25th to 108th Floor

But understand that your...whoEVER he is started this by being condescending and dismissive.

"You both have no idea what I'm capable of. I can be one of your best allies or I can be your greatest enemy. Your choice."

Threats now?

Delilah looked at Karen threw up her hands in exasperation. Her head pounded.

Karen froze the room, except for the two of them.

“Oh thank god.”

Delilah listened to Karen speak, and really heard what she said.

“Karen – you know I trust you, and your counsel – above all other. I do worry about you. And I don’t think you’re flying off the handle with this or something…”

Let us go forward TOGETHER and let ME...help YOU.

Delilah gave Karen a small smile.

“I will gladly let you help me. BUT”

Her smile faded.

“Keep them in line Karen, or I will. I’ve lost too much to let people who think they’re better than everyone else ruin this. They’ve failed to hear anything I’ve said so far – and I just don’t need that aggravation.”

Karen unfroze the others and they made their goodbyes. She asked Bishop to help her back to her apartment. The last thing she needed was for him to go off and kill Mike and have to explain THAT to Karen. He grumbled the entire way.

Bishop: “Cops. If they did their job, we wouldn’t have to stop MysTech.”

Delilah turned and looked up at him disapprovingly, then faced forward again before speaking.

“Connor – enough. Just run the check and then put them where they are best suited.”

She paused, then added:

“And I mean it: the best place. You saw what one wisecrack did to them. The last thing I need is to have to break up a fight because you put Armstrong in charge of the janitorial staff.”

Bishop cracked a rare smile, clearly envisioning what it would feel like to do that. When they reached her suite, he left her to get Clandestine started on the background checks and she welcomed the time alone with the city skyline. It was as dreary as she felt.

She couldn’t help feeling like Karen hadn’t taken her side, like a parent who believes another child over their own. She knew Karen wanted to help, and she was happy to have it, even happy to have her people help. But she didn’t have time to deal with egos, or anything that wasn’t defeating MysTech for that matter. After seeing what had happened that afternoon, she couldn’t trust that when she said jump that Karen’s people would do it. And that was a problem, whether Karen wanted to see it or not.

She was rubbing her throbbing temples when there was a knock at the door. A projection from the surveillance system showed her visitor to be Mina. She wheeled herself to the foyer and waved a hand over a panel. The door automatically swung open.

“Mina – what a surprise. Please, come in. Sit down.”

 

[Silver Swan]

Illustra- Richard's apartment

[ after Richard lets Sharon in, she follows him to where the others are.]

[ these "social gatherings" were still odd for her as she was now. She was just beginning to get the hang of one on one interactions and she had her preferences for some over others. "OTHER" namely being Andrew, who was present now and smiling at her. She returned his smile with a rather grim stare]

Tommorow we're going to Nervous to bring it down and draw a line to Mystech.

I know it's important to Delilah for us to "work as a team."

We don't have any other option BUT to succeed. The lives and freedom of people too weak to protect themselves are at stake and we need to do AS MUCH DAMAGE to Mystech as we can!

I'm READY!

and I hope there WON'T be any DIVA TANTRUMS because this is FOR REAL.

[ She eyes Andrew with an unwavering glare of disapproval]

ONCE we bring Nervous down...Delilah will see that we can only go FORWARD and we won't stop until Mystech is CRUSHED.

[ This was DEFINITELY personal for Sharon]

 

[Shadow Weaver]

The Parthenon

<< Karen shook her head to the negative at Cass' request>>

That is not the most important thing right now.

I want to talk to you.

I am sympathetic to your personal circumstances and as a witch, I have EMPATHY, for there are some people in this world who still harbor prejudice against us as well.

However...you...BOTH YOU...your behavior and actions with regards to Delilah and Bishop will reflect on ME. I am the bridge and willingly chose that role but you must CALM yourself and understand that when working with others there are rules and etiquitte that MUST be adhered to.

This first meeting was difficult. I had hoped for a more...positive and productive outcome. Perhaps I gave Bishop TOO much credit but I'm quite sure Delilah will deal with him on this, just as I must make sure that the two of you understand that whatever PERSONAL feelings you may have...if you're truly sincere in your desire to help me...you MUST LISTEN and be able to follow instruction as given. I don't want Delilah burdened with anymore concern than she already has.

When you're working WITH people, especially toward a goal as important as the one we share...you CANNOT rush off everytime things don't go your way and if your ability to control yourself...your emotions is going to be a problem...then we need to discuss that now.


<<She spoke very firmly but after a few moments, she softens her expression to Cass>>

If ANYONE understands the need for flexibility, it is I. It's something I HAVE to have in order to work in the profession I've chosen. Delilah understands that as well...but it can only go so far.

Michael, I'm confident, based on your reaction at Illustra that you will be able to handle this.

I make no excuses or apologies for Bishop. If there's one thing I've observed about him, it's that he's perfectly willing to face whatever reaction or consequence comes from his behavior. Of all the people in this world...I never imagined someone...quite like HIM...being the person that Delilah worked so closely with. But he WAS instrumental in the Citadel's destruction. He HAS been a tremendous source of support to Delilah and I will always be grateful for him making sure she survived the ordeal in the Citadel.

He's a man with a hard exterior and years of experience and clinical knowledge tell me that is ultimately a defense mechanism that he has worked hard at perfecting. There's something beneath that exterior. But now is not the time to focus on that.

What he lacks in social grace or interpersonal skills, he seems to make up for in combat capability. I just hope that he realizes that being a good [co]leader is not about being caustic and insensitive.

 

[Ruby]

The Parthenon - Diamond Suite

:: Cass listened as Karen talked. She had a smile on her face...but it was forced. ::

That is not the most important thing right now.

:: Cass wanted to scream, but she kept quiet. ::

But it's important to ME! Why doesn't anbody understand that?!

:: She closed her eyes and shook her head. She really liked Karen, she truly did. Maybe on some level it could even be classified as 'daughter's love'. But she would not sit there and be talked to like she was a child. She could only endure it for so long and she was quickly reaching her QUOTA. ::

This first meeting was difficult. I had hoped for a more...positive and productive outcome. Perhaps I gave Bishop TOO much credit but I'm quite sure Delilah will deal with him on this, just as I must make sure that the two of you understand that whatever PERSONAL feelings you may have...if you're truly sincere in your desire to help me...you MUST LISTEN and be able to follow instruction as given. I don't want Delilah burdened with anymore concern than she already has.

When you're working WITH people, especially toward a goal as important as the one we share...you CANNOT rush off everytime things don't go your way and if your ability to control yourself...your emotions is going to be a problem...then we need to discuss that now.

:: Cass opened her eyes. ::

*exasperated*: "I know how to follow orders. I know how to work with people. It's them that I don't trust with the knowledge that I'm a vampire."

Michael, I'm confident, based on your reaction at Illustra that you will be able to handle this.

Oh, and I CAN'T?!

:: Cass sat back against the loveseat. She was angry, yes, and she was frustrated. She was WILLING to go back to Illustra and tell them herself that she was a vampire, even though she didn't trust them. She wanted to help in any way, but that would be a little hard for her to do if she doesn't trust THEM. She had to be sure she could trust both Delilah AND Bishop to help them, and, right now, she couldn't be sure. All she knew for sure was that as soon as this 'meeting' was over, she would go back to her room, clean herself up, and then go out on a KILLING spree. It what she always did when she had to work out her agressions and anger. She glanced sideways at Mike. Maybe she'd ask beforehand what people should be in jail that aren't and take care of them in her OWN way. ::

:: She realized then that she was holding Mike's hand and let it go, pushing it away. She was in a foul mood and NOTHING was going to make her snap out of it. Of course, there was a WAY to leave here...at least, for HER. She was also a SHAPESHIFTER, and if she didn't like Karen [and Mike] so much, she would've been long gone by now. ::

:: So she sat and listened. The thrill of the kill tingling inside of her, waiting to be released soon. THAT was the only thing keeping her going for now. After all, she was a KILLING MACHINE. Sure, she was sympathetic and kind. She was even compassionate. Fellow vampires even looked down on her for not being like they. But when all was said and done, she was a killer, and THAT was why her fellow vampires tolerated her. She had proved her worth. ::

 

[Arsenal]

Mike listened as Karen spoke, noticing the increasing pressure on his hand from Cass. She was VERY agitated and after a while, she could contain it no longer, tossing his hand aside and exclaiming in response to Karen.

Finally, after they had their turn, he spoke, starting with Cass.

Cassandra, no one in this room doubts you nor, I should think, do you doubt US. That is very important here. I know that your status as a vampire is something that is concerning you in terms of team building and trust here...and I respect that. But I am asking you to trust US on this.

I have seen both of their types before, and I know OF Delilah. We will be able to trust them to do their part here. But who you really are is a really personal thing. Why are you so eager to share it with either of them?

Mike wanted to hear Cass' side in this. He thought that dealing with who she was might distract from the mission but if it caused her to not be where she needed to be emotionally then they would have to consider her feelings on this.

 

[Titan]

Illustra - 102nd Floor

The trio had ordered food and Andrew was playing the clown, throwing peanuts into the air and catching them in his mouth, when there was a knock at the door. Andrew caught a final nut and was busy bowing as Rich let Sharon in.

Tomorrow we're going to Nervous to bring it down and draw a line to Mystech. I know it's important to Delilah for us to ‘work as a team.’ We don't have any other option BUT to succeed. The lives and freedom of people too weak to protect themselves are at stake and we need to do AS MUCH DAMAGE to Mystech as we can! I'm READY! and I hope there WON'T be any DIVA TANTRUMS because this is FOR REAL.

Sharon proceeded to give him the nasty eye. He waved her off.

“Oh, lighten up Feathers.”

ONCE we bring Nervous down...Delilah will see that we can only go FORWARD and we won't stop until Mystech is CRUSHED.

He cocked an amused smile.

“Is this the part where you say They can take our lives, but they can never take our freedom? Are we supposed to start yelling ‘hurrah!’?”

He slumped down the sofa and motioned for Sharon to come in.

“Come on, Sharon – have some food, take a load off. After all-“

His eyes went mock-scared wide.

“-tomorrow you might be dead.”

 

[Mina Harker]

Illustra - 107th Floor

Delilah invited her to sit down. She didn’t offer to assist her, and Mina appreciated that. This one had lived a lot for her few years, and the adversity had hardened her somehow, Mina could tell.

She did sit, resting her hands neatly folded on the top of her cane in front of her.

Delilah: “I just had a strange meeting with two people that you know – a policeman named Mike and a girl named Cass. Karen brough them here to help protect Illustra from attack.”

Mina nodded slowly.

“You need the numbers. Neither are afraid to fight. Mike has an ego problem, like most men, and Cass is a child.”

She gave her assessment quick and to the point. No need to mince words.

Delilah: “I feel like so many things are in chaos right now…I don’t know if I can take something more falling apart.”

Mina exhaled slowly. She wasn’t the person to give “pep talks”. She was blunt, that was just who she was. There had been a time, when she was young, when she had been carefree – as she imagined Delilah had been before this sadness came into her life. Then she would have known the words to say to encourage the woman seated across from her. But today, all she could tell her was the truth.

“Everything in life is chaos – you cannot seek to control everything. Therein lies disaster. But these people, they know what they are here to do. When the time comes they will do it, without fail.”

Delilah worried too much about things she could not change, about people who were in reality already dead. Whether today or eighty years from now, they would die. Her caring about them rather than finishing the task at hand would be her downfall. But Mina knew she would not listen to that. For all her marble heart, Delilah still deep down cared.

“You must focus on the job you have to do. Trust in these people. Worrying about this only makes you sloppy.”

She paused and then changed the subject, not allowing Delilah to continue fretting.

“I spoke with Andrew. He hides his feelings but he cares about your cause. He will be there when you need him.”

 

[Silver Swan]

Illustra - Richard's apartment

[ Silver Swan's widen at Andrew's insolence.]

this skinny wimpy man! just who does he think he is!?

No. Because unlike you, I DID have my life AND freedom taken. I KNOW what they'll do to people and how far they'll go to get what they want. But perhaps you should ask YOURSELF if YOU'D survive what I went through.

He slumped down the sofa and motioned for Sharon to come in.

“Come on, Sharon – have some food, take a load off. After all-“

His eyes went mock-scared wide.

“-tomorrow you might be dead.”

[ Sharon didnt require sustenance as often as normal humans or even most superhumans did. She was partial to fresh fruit though. Still, at the moment, food was not on her mind]


[ she exhales with annoyance]

Interesting that you have such a cavalier attitude about it now considering your melodramatic MELTDOWN yesterday.

I'm inclined to think the only person who'll be DEAD is YOU.

[ she folds her arms]

 

[Ruby]

Cassandra, no one in this room doubts you nor, I should think, do you doubt US. That is very important here. I know that your status as a vampire is something that is concerning you in terms of team building and trust here...and I respect that. But I am asking you to trust US on this.

I have seen both of their types before, and I know OF Delilah. We will be able to trust them to do their part here. But who you really are is a really personal thing. Why are you so eager to share it with either of them?

:: Michael's words helped calm her down...but only a BIT. She didn't know - or understand - why they wouldn't want her to reveal herself. ::

*irritably*: "Because, Officer Armstrong, that's what true soldiers do. They lay every card on the table so there's honesty from the get go and that way there won't be any surprises later on."

:: Cass considered herself a soldier, albeit a soldier of the undead. After she was 'transformed', she was taught and trained how to become the very best vampire there was. She learned how to be cunning and manipulative. She learned how to FIGHT. She was part of a special sect of vampires, the SIRENS, and they taught her how to woo men...and kill them. She learned how to keep herself safe and she learned how to KILL. She and her fellow vampires were all part of the same 'army'...even though they sometimes had rumbles from time to time. But still. They knew how to ask for help whenever they needed it, benefitting to THEM individually of course. They also knew WHO to ask, since there were sects who actually KILLED other vampires. With vampires, at least, Cass always knew where they stood and they always knew where SHE stood. Vampires were honest with one another...to a point. But there was mutal respect all around. She knew what she wanted and she knew what she was but she wanted to lay everything out on the table with regards to MysTech...and she didn't understand why she wasn't able to do that. ::

*irritably*: "Besides, if you were Bishop or Delilah, wouldn't you rather find out that an ally was a vampire straight up than through a dumb background check?!"

:: She crossed her legs and folded her arms. ::

 

[Matrix]

Rich was hanging out, watching Andrew clown around. He was laughing and relaxing as he heard the knock at the door. It was Sharon.

Hey lady, come in!

Rich escorted her in to where they where and and Andrew did not disappoint. Neither did Sharon as they exchanged jabs. Rich could not help but laugh as he put on the NBA Finals in the background.

You two!! Bonding through insults is actually cute but, I had a better idea. I was hoping that each of you would tell or show us something about you that we do NOT know. I'll begin.

Rich pointed at the screen.

Going into my junior year I was one of the top basketball recruits in the country. I played football as well but, basketball was my dream. Still is. I don't play nearly as much now as you can imagine but, whenever I can, I still do drills and I keep my skills sharp. When we wipe Mystech out I wanna get a couple degrees and maybe one day take a shot at an NBA team, see if I really have it.

Rich looked of a bit and smiled, then looked around to everyone else.

OK. Who's next? Someone step up and give us another side.

It was an old team-building exercise, he knew that. But he really did want to know more about the people he was teamed up with. He was looking for one person willing to reach back to him.

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

Sharon and Ana-Leigh had a pretty decent heart to heart before parting ways earlier in the evening. So as she Rich, and Andrew were hanging out shooting the shit, she was pretty surprised to see Sharon stop by. Especially considering she wasn't a fan of Andrew's to begin with. But it was obvious she was TRYING. However Andrew and Sharon were like oil and water. They do mix together when you shake them, but eventually they will separate.

Rich quickly intervened and decided to ease the tension. Smiling as he told a fact about himself that no one knew, she could see he was trying to build some team bonding. Or at least stop Sharon from ringing Andrew's neck.

Rich: OK. Who's next? Someone step up and give us another side.

No one was really stepping up so Ana sat forward. She didn't want to leave Rich hanging.

"Uh...Well I guess no one knows that I love the outdoors? I'd rather be lost in the woods knee deep in mud than in this concrete jungle [New York City]. There's something exhilarating about having to rely only on yourself in order to survive."

Shrugging, it might not of been a huge revelation, but it was something.

"It would be some Hunger Games shit if I got you all in the woods."

She stated with a grin, referring to the fact she would own them all on her "turf".

 

[Matrix]

"It would be some Hunger Games shit if I got you all in the woods."

Oh really Miss Lady? Because I am a country boy through and through. I may have to take you up one day on that, go camping, play some high-stakes 'tag'. But either way, that is definitely cool as hell. I figured you for a city girl. Missed that one completely.

Rich smiled at Ana as she spoke and in his reply, but he a had a mischievous gleam in his eye as well. He looked around until he settled on Sharon.

Alright Sharon! Out with it. Something we would not already know about you. Deep dark secrets? Desires? A cool story?

He figured that he may as well take a shot at it. Having Sharon open up as she did to him a could only help camaraderie and she was a cool person who just had so much hostility. He wanted to find a way to get all of that aimed out THERE, with none in HERE.

He smiled and held his palms up in a jokingly begging gesture as if to say, "pwease?!"

 

[Silver Swan]

Illustra- Richard's apartment

[ Sharon glared daggers at Andrew even as Richard intervened. She allowed herself to be seated by Richard and eventually ended her predatory glare at Andrew as Richard and Ana-Leigh shared things about themselves. Her curiosity was piqued by Ana-Leigh's remark about the outdoors and a "hunger games" challenge. Considering what she'd been programmed for, things like that were right up her alley. ]

[ It was her turn. She wanted to join in...but...]

....

[ her hard stance softened and for a moment she seemed to have a blank expression on her face and in her silver eyes]

....

I can't...

[ she looked at them]

I can't because I don't have much memory of my former life. Only core things...like who I am...where I was the night I was abducted...my friends who were with me.

All I have is what's here now. But there is one thing that you already know.

I sing...and I love it.

[ With the exception of Andrew, everyone in the room had heard her sing and perform as Siryn]

Even before all of this...I loved to sing. And now, because of the changes I've been through, my voice is part of my power. Not only can I sing...I can [among other things]

[ sounding EXACTLY like Ana-leigh]

completely imitate

[then Richard]

any other humanoid vocal patterns.

[ returning to her own voice]


But when I sing...I feel...beautiful.

When mystech is finished...that's what I want to do.

 

[MorningStar]

Illustra - 107th Floor

Mina proved to have a logical mind, so whereas Delilah was in turmoil, Mina put things in a succinct way that boiled the issue down to its meat and made things very clear.

”…[T]hese people, they know what they are here to do. When the time comes they will do it, without fail.”

Somehow, that made Delilah feel better. Perhaps whomever had brought Mina here had done it for a reason – knowing that she could provide the counsel Delilah needed. Thinking of counsel made her think of Karen – and something else she had forgotten about.

She sighed.

“In all the chaos, we still don’t know who or what brought you here…”

She wheeled herself over to the console table where her cell phone was resting.

“I think we need Karen back here…we have some things to figure out.”

Not just about Mina, but Delilah was concerned they had left too much unsaid about the events of earlier in the day.

 

[Titan]

Illustra - 102nd Floor

”No. Because unlike you, I DID have my life AND freedom taken. I KNOW what they'll do to people and how far they'll go to get what they want. But perhaps you should ask YOURSELF if YOU'D survive what I went through.”

Andrew’s body went rigid, his face serious.

“Listen, sweetheart, I’ve lived my whole life in a warzone. So don’t talk to me about survival.”

But just as quickly as it had left, the laughter returned to his eyes.

“Besides, I’d rather make love not war. You up for it?”

”I'm inclined to think the only person who'll be DEAD is YOU.”

Andrew smiled as if he were a party to a private joke and sauntered over to Sharon, putting a hand on her shoulder.

“All the more reason to live while we can.”

He laughed and returned to his seat.

After that they just hung out. Rich talked about being recruited for basketball – not surprising considering his physique. Ana apparently was proper outdoorsy. And Sharon talked about how much she loved to sing. It surprised him, actually – how she was almost a different person while she spoke about it.

”But when I sing...I feel...beautiful. When mystech is finished...that's what I want to do.”

He looked up at her and smiled genuinely.

“I think when this is all over, you should hang up your wings and do it. Life’s short, right?”