the Clinic (Open character-based RP)

((ooc/ Sorry haven't been on much - aggravated an old back injury and been laid up a bit. Will resume posting again when better. Feel free to use and abuse my character within reason. LOL ))

((Sorry to hear about your back Rakesh, hope that you are feeling better soon!))

Ella led the pair out of the building, and stopped to look both ways at the golf cart crossing. There was only one golf cart in sight and it was obviously headed away from the trio. The driver was a huge hulking figure that barely fit in the little vehicle. His golf bag was sitting on the back of the cart with the addition of a cane added among the clubs.

Ella escorted the pair across the crossing then let go of their hands, some part of her reminding her that it was silly or inappropriate. She looked up awkwardly her white eyes large and apologetic.

“It’s this way” She nodded with her head and led on.

It didn’t take long to be beyond the golf coarse, and at the edge of the woods.

The main grounds of the Clinic were always immaculately kept. This extended into the woods. It was naturally pleasant yet carefully cultivated and cleaned, the large tall trees, some of which were centuries old provided plentiful shade to the passing party. A light breeze rustled the tops branches, knocking off a few of the first autumn leaves.

Ella stopped and caught a leaf as it glided gently down. She held in carefully in her hand and stared at it. The leave had reached its end of season, this one much earlier than the thousands of others still in the trees. Would her life end the same way? Was she to be the early one? She’s been over the calculation hundreds of times already. Her life span would be less than a decade but just how soon or how late? Any way she calculated it her margin of error was still over six months. Would that be six more months of life, or would they be taken early like this leaf’s. Most importantly would she spend them at this Clinic.

Ella had plans, but everything she planned was limited in this place. They had all of the equipment that she needed right here. She needed access to the advanced labs. She needed to refine the formulas to make the proper calculations. But her handlers wouldn’t even trust her with a stethoscope.

Ella crushed the leaf in her small fist. A soft golden glow around her hand, and the leaf was crushed to powder. She brushed her hands together trying to clean the dust off of them as to not get any on her white track suit. She then hurried the few paces to catch back up with Kruth’T and Orchid wearing her pleasant smile again.

(I hope you get to felling better soon Rakash.)
Kruth'T was enjoying him-self immensely. He had few opportunities to see the native floria, and fauna. While he had been though Perez Park more times then he cared for, he was usually too busy with stopping this or that villain to take the time. Somehow, Kruth resisted the urge to drag his friends all over the place. So he made up for it by observing what he could.

With his senses turned up to their full capacity, he managed to observe allot of what was going on. Without slowing them down, of course.

[ QUOTE ]
The main grounds of the Clinic were always immaculately kept. This extended into the woods. It was naturally pleasant yet carefully cultivated and cleaned, the large tall trees, some of which were centuries old provided plentiful shade to the passing party. A light breeze rustled the tops branches, knocking off a few of the first autumn leaves.

[/ QUOTE ]

Kruth'T watched the leaves fall with some interest. When one flew by him, he caught it with his free hand. He studied it for a moment, and then pocketed it.

"Is this a seasonal event?" He said gesturing to the autumn foliage. "I though they were usually a different collar. Or are these diffrent from the ones in Paragon?"

((Well I was waiting for someone else to reply to Chotic_Blue before I posted my response, but I have over waited.

I would like to take a quick inventory of people that are still around and interested in participating in the thread.

I will continue to write Ella here, as she is one of my favorite characters.))


[Kruth'T]"Is this a seasonal event?" He said gesturing to the autumn foliage. "I though they were usually a different collar. Or are these diffrent from the ones in Paragon?"

"Yes, Kruth'T it is a seasonal event. The leaves turn from green to these autumn colors" Ella made a sweeping motion with her hand indicating the broad canopy of threes with their yellow and orange leaves. "Then the die and fall off, and the trees are barren until spring"

As the three walked the woods reopened to a large field. there was a low round hill on the closer side of the field where they emerged. Ella lead them around the hill until they got to the front of it. The far side was completely flat and man made (as was the entire hill). It was designed to be unobtrusive but from this close the word bunker leap instantly to mind when looking at the concrete front.

"This is where the Master of Arms keeps the weapons. I don't know why they built it like this. It seems a little much for just practice weapons" Ella explained.

Ella had her own theories about what else was hidden in the reinforced bunker.

((OOC. I'm still here, and I am still interested in continuing as Kruth'T.))

<Ella>"Yes, Kruth'T it is a seasonal event. The leaves turn from green to these autumn colors" Ella made a sweeping motion with her hand indicating the broad canopy of threes with their yellow and orange leaves. "Then the die and fall off, and the trees are barren until spring"

Kruth'T nodded. "Still, it is pleasant to see."

Even before the hill came into view, Kruth'T heard the 'white noise' from within. He was however, greatfull for the layers of earth between him and the generator. Outside it was annoying. Inside, he assumed, would be toucherus for him.

When they saw the entrance to the bunker, Kruth'T immediately returned his hearing to human levels.

Freed from the distraction, Kruth'T suvrayed the field.

<Ella> "This is where the Master of Arms keeps the weapons. I don't know why they built it like this. It seems a little much for just practice weapons" Ella explained.

"Perhaps they use this place for traning people who are about to register as a hero. " Kruth'T mused aloud. "You know how little control some hatchlings have. The distance from the Clinic, would help prevent... accidents."

For a moment he remembered his own training, at home. The field was different, but it felt the same. Then he shook off the sensation, remembering that this was an alien world. "Or not."

((I'm still interested in writing for Sis here. I've got an inquiry into another author to see if we can't tie up some loose ends from the shift to the next day.))

Ella listened thoughtfully to Kruth’T’s theory. Taking a few seconds to weigh and balance the idea based on her knowledge and personal experience. She took several more long seconds recalculating what she ‘knew’. She had very little real-word experiences of her own. She had never been to Atlas Park, Kings Row, or Galaxy City even once, though she had detailed knowledge of them. They only parts of Paragon that she spent any real time at (that she could remember) was Independence Port and the Zig in Bricktown.

Her first memories none of which were real, were of being raised in the Hollows. This was before it was called the Hollows, but it’s what she remembered, before her memory failed her. It was important for Ella to know these memories were fake. If she started to accept them as real, then her interpretation of reality was vastly different from her current perspective. Ella was a repository on brainwashing techniques and could write volumes on the subject if most of her knowledge wasn’t illegal. Brainwashing wasn’t the only subject that Ella could expound upon. She was an expert in many many things, and again a lot of that knowledge skated the law, but she was an expert on that too.

Everything after those false memories of growing up in the Hollows came in bits and pieces. They were horribly fragmented, and worse they were maliciously doctored and tailored to make her a certain way, a certain person. That almost succeeded too, as a matter of fact it did succeed, as her episode last night showed. But Ella had placed several mechanisms in place, while she was still herself, to make sure that the right people found out about what was happening to stop her.

Ella shook her head letting her long wavy hair cascade over her face before shaking it back over her shoulders. She sighed softly before she spoke again.

“I am sorry Kruth’T” There was a slight apologetic tone in her voice “I don’t think that they use it for that purpose, at least I have never seen anyone training here, except for the Clinic’s own security staff. But it certainly sounds like a good idea”

She smiled her bright winning smile. It was warm and friendly and unmistakably genuine. It was something that even the cold calculating version of Ella with all of her immense thespian skills could never fully pull off.


((Glad to hear it Pyrria!))

((Okay, trying to wrap up this scene then finish up the day in 2 posts….well, a few post. Sorry for holding you up Py.))

“Just relax and I’ll do what I can to help,” Sandra commented as she typed on a handheld device she pulled from her pocket. “If you agree to calm down and not cause trouble I can try and contact the clinic guard to tell them you’ve been apprehended and they may stop trying to ‘put you down’. After that, I’ll do everything I can to get you answers from the one that is handling your treatment.”

[ QUOTE ]
Sis’s eyes narrowed. “So…something that wouldn’t make it past the Geneva conventions is not only allowed, but installed without the patient’s knowledge? Sounds like thin ice to me.” She paused for a moment before asking her next question. “Who’s got the master button?”

[/ QUOTE ]

Still typing on her device for a few minutes, she groaned to herself silently. “Well, since the technology belongs to me, I have the master button but I’m not the only one with such power. I mean, I could activate it right now or remove it with the right ritual….but there’s already too much red tape to wade through. With my company’s assets and reputation on the line, I’d rather not remove the implant before it’s done its job.”

The last comment really got Ed’s blood boiling and the energy that burned through his eyes emanated through the air. “Like I said,” Sandra commented again without taking her eyes from her handheld while still typing on it. “You’ve got to calm down. The implant is there to find answers about you and your condition, not as some sort of obedience chip. Besides, I don’t like my husband’s creations used so senselessly no more than you like them used on you without your knowledge.”

As she talked and typed, a hum from her jeweled belt buzzed through the air. Sandra managed to override the force dampener on the belt so she could reactivate one of the Magitech suites programmed in it. Bright green circuitry patterns extended from the crystal in her belt and the silvery skin-tight suit she had worn before reactivated.

“Okay, now I’ll contact central security to tell them I’ve apprehended you. If you play along, I’ll gain a bit of trust from those working here. With that trust, I can perhaps get some things changed around here….okay?” Sandra passed a glance to both Sis and Edward, sincerely hoping they’d help her help them.

With a quick tune in using the dial on the antennae that were over her ears, she sent a message as well as a telepathic image saying and showing the situation has been resolved.

[ QUOTE ]
Sis almost laughed. “Ain’t technology wonderful? Limitations make my job a breeze. As for which way the security team is coming…I just like to know my situation. No one ever said anything about escaping. I was just trying to get Grumpy away from them until he could calm down enough to walk back in on his own. I dunno about you, but being assaulted with a syringe would put me in a bad mood too.”

[/ QUOTE ]

Ed crossed his arms in frustration. “Well, I was planning to escape….I think…..at least I wanted to…..” Sandra quirked an eyebrow at Ed’s last intriguing comment. Ed had started out just wanting to get a bit of exercise alone but then shifted to wanting to escape? That sounded strange even to him.

[ QUOTE ]
Turning her attention to Edward, she said, “If you DO want help, you’ve got it. If you don’t, I’m happy to stand here and watch you get pummeled into submission. No skin off my back either way.” Sis shrugged. “Seems to me like you need to talk to the head doctor or whatever. Awful funny way of doing business, implanting devices without telling your patients. Are you absolutely certain you didn’t sign a waiver or something?”

[/ QUOTE ]

Ed stared as Sis then Sandra then his feet. He wasn’t sure what to do. If he escaped, he’d still have the implant in his head, not to mention if he didn’t get attention for his condition, he might lose his strength and invulnerability powers completely as well as his ability to ever walk again.

“Well, let’s go,” Sandra interrupted, “The sooner we get you back to your quarters, the less likely the guards will try and poke you in the butt again.” She started walking back toward the building without waiting for either to follow.

Still staring at his feet, Ed let out a sigh. “You can help if you want,” he said to Sis, “but I’d rather you not get mixed up in all of this. Thinking about the trouble I’ve gotten myself in is just depressing and I wish it would just go away but if you can help this go away faster, that’s just as good.” Keeping his eyes low, he followed after Sandra.

~~

Ian started following Kruth’T and the others when a familiar voice rang in his mind.

Ian, come to me this instant.

“What? Mom?” he said aloud. What is it? I’m kind of busy?

Too busy to do your job? You are suppose to look after Mr. Timbres, aren’t you?

Oh right, Ian groaned in his mind and massaged his temple. Well-…..I forgot about Edward for some reason.

For a boy so smart, you sure aren’t as perceptive as Mr. Ishikawa says you are.

Ian didn’t bother replying to that last comment, or thinking about responding to it. He just moved in the direction Sandra beckoned him. In a minute or so, Ian was meeting up with Sandra, Ed and Sis. He began bowing apologetically to Edward and Sandra saying “Sorry, sorry I let you guys down,” and didn’t bother saying much else to keep his thoughts as blank as possible.

Ian’s eye caught the woman that was behind Ed and recognized her instantly. “Sis? What are you- Oh, I did ask- I mean…..Hi, how’s it going?” Ian’s face turned beat red as he desperately tried to mask his thoughts but to no avail.

You asked someone who is suppose to be a guest here at the clinic to do your job for you so you could chase after some girl? Sandra’s stern voice which echoed in his head was accompanied by a stern glare from her emerald eyes.

“I- I’m sorry,” Ian apologized again.

We’ll talk about this later.

Edward didn’t bother trying to listen in on their telepathic conversation, but even if he tried, he’d probably hear a bunch of strange analog signals that he didn’t have a clue to decipher. Instead, he continued to ponder his predicament.

[ QUOTE ]
<snip>

“Okay, now I’ll contact central security to tell them I’ve apprehended you. If you play along, I’ll gain a bit of trust from those working here. With that trust, I can perhaps get some things changed around here….okay?” Sandra passed a glance to both Sis and Edward, sincerely hoping they’d help her help them.

With a quick tune in using the dial on the antennae that were over her ears, she sent a message as well as a telepathic image saying and showing the situation has been resolved.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sis frowned, but shrugged. If the security team wasn't going to show up, she didn't really need to be here anymore. The rocks and lava slowly crumbled off of her. She removed her gloves once more and shoved them in her pocket.

[ QUOTE ]
<snip>

“Well, let’s go,” Sandra interrupted, “The sooner we get you back to your quarters, the less likely the guards will try and poke you in the butt again.” She started walking back toward the building without waiting for either to follow.

Still staring at his feet, Ed let out a sigh. “You can help if you want,” he said to Sis, “but I’d rather you not get mixed up in all of this. Thinking about the trouble I’ve gotten myself in is just depressing and I wish it would just go away but if you can help this go away faster, that’s just as good.” Keeping his eyes low, he followed after Sandra.

[/ QUOTE ]

"...."

Sis just stared at Edward's back for a moment before taking a few quick strides forward. "You've got your priorities all screwed up," she hissed. "If you're a fighter, then fight. Don't let someone walk all over you, just because they might happen to be a little more knowledgable. Otherwise, you're just a doormat." Sis took a step back as Ian came into view.

[ QUOTE ]
<snip>
Ian didn’t bother replying to that last comment, or thinking about responding to it. He just moved in the direction Sandra beckoned him. In a minute or so, Ian was meeting up with Sandra, Ed and Sis. He began bowing apologetically to Edward and Sandra saying “Sorry, sorry I let you guys down,” and didn’t bother saying much else to keep his thoughts as blank as possible.

Ian’s eye caught the woman that was behind Ed and recognized her instantly. “Sis? What are you- Oh, I did ask- I mean…..Hi, how’s it going?” Ian’s face turned beat red as he desperately tried to mask his thoughts but to no avail.

<snip>

“I- I’m sorry,” Ian apologized again.


[/ QUOTE ]

"Eh, s'all good," Sis replied. "It was...entertaining, I guess." She glanced between the three of them and then shook her head. "Yeah. See ya." She shoved her hands into her pockets and walked off, wandering her way through the grounds back to the Spa. Her thoughts were spinning in an angry loop, replaying the events of the afternoon. She was indignent for Ed and pissed off at his apparent capitulation. She didn't understand how an intelligent person like Sandra could not imagine a malicious use for their own invention. Most of all, she was furious with Catwalk for sticking her in this place.

Sis finally found her way back to the Spa and discovered that dinner had been left for her in her room. She nibbled on it briefly before flopping on the bed and trying to get some sleep. She had her first therapy session tomorrow, potentially with the self-same medical personnel who had been working with Ed. The thought kept her up most of the night.


((Thanks Leo! Next up, the 'next day'!))

<Ella>“I am sorry Kruth’T” There was a slight apologetic tone in her voice “I don’t think that they use it for that purpose, at least I have never seen anyone training here, except for the Clinic’s own security staff. But it certainly sounds like a good idea”

"I see." Kruth'T said, noticing the few security people that were using the field. Actually, the few people using the field emphisised the size of the area. Kruth'T filed his observations for latter refection.

"Who do we see for the 'Archery' equipment?" He asked after a brief pause. "I don't see anyone who might be a <untranslatable title>." His translator broke into his comment with it's computerized voice.

He continued to look for someone in charge, while carefully NOT looking at the bunker entrance. Even at his current hearing levels he'd have no choice but to hear if he went inside the bunker. So he hoped, seemingly in vane, that going in was not what he would have to do.

[Kruth’T] "Who do we see for the 'Archery' equipment?"

There was a sharp buzzing in the air, as soon as the question was stated. Soon the buzzing concentrated in an area of air in front of the hillside bunker. Then a digitally fuzzy image of man appeared. He wore a jumpsuit that bore a reasonable resemblance to the Clinic Security Uniform without all of the decorative trimming. He seemed tall, wide, and very muscular. The top of his head was bald but he had shaggy orange-red hair along the side and back of his head, and a matching shaggy beard with a few streaks of gray.

“Alrighty, step forward to be scanned” His voice came from a metal grill on the bunker. His voice was gruff and matter of fact.

Ella smiled her normal bright smile and hope forward offering her wrist to be scanned. Ella’s eyes quickly surveyed the holographic man, taking in his name tag. ‘Arms Master Waires’.

Though Waires was holding a scan-gun, the beam projected from the bunker and shot though the holo to scan the small barcode on Ella’s wristband.

Waires turned to his left, presumably looking at a screen from where-ever he was projected from, before turning back to face thee others.

“Okay next”

[ QUOTE ]
"You've got your priorities all screwed up," she hissed. "If you're a fighter, then fight. Don't let someone walk all over you, just because they might happen to be a little more knowledgable. Otherwise, you're just a doormat."

[/ QUOTE ]

Sis’ words echoed in his mind while he was escorted to his room and even as he sat hopeless in his room. He wanted to fight, he wanted to solve this problem but the odds had recently taken a turn against him. One mistake and he might lose his place as a hero among the city, his powers or even worse, his life. Although he was never one to go out of his way to request help, he knew he’d need it to get himself out of the fire this time.

“Okay, Edward,” Sandra hailed as she entered the door of Ed’s room after a ten minute conversation outside, “I talked to security and informed them of everything. When we can have a more private conversation, I’ll tell you everything I can find out about your case. But for now, visiting hours will be over soon so it will have to wait until tomorrow.”

Ed simply nodded and stared off into space. After a moment’s pause, Sandra exited and closed the door gently behind her. Ian sat in the seat next to Ed’s bed with a confused look on his face. “What exactly is going on? Did something b-” Ian cut off his sentence when Ed sighed aloud. “-Ahem- Okay, did you want me to get you something to eat?” Ed shook his head. Ian was silent for a few moments before trying to warm Ed with a pleasant smile. “How about a game of Shogi?”

When Edward didn’t answer, Ian’s smile soon faded and his head sank. “Ed….I’m sorry I wasn’t there to help you. I wasn’t using my brain and…” Ian’s apology was interrupted when the shogi board floated up to him telekinetically.

“Don’t worry about it. I take the blame on myself,” Edward replied and waved a hand to retrieve the game pieces. “And try not to take forever deciding your moves.”

“I won’t,” Ian answered with a grin. “We’ll probably only have time for one game before I have to leave.”

“That’s plenty of time to tell you everything that happened today,” Ed returned and played the first move.

The sharp noise brought Kruth'T's attention to the bunker.

<Arms Master Waires> “Alrighty, step forward to be scanned”

"i guess that answers that question." He said softly.

Actually, Kruth'T was only a little surprised by the hologram. It seemed odd to him, that their Id's weren't being inspected in person. Then he recalled that not everyone in this place were safe to be around, and the arrangement made a little more sense.

When he called for the next person Kruth'T allowed Orchid to go. Mostly so he could study the images' uniform better. Again he filed away the anomalies for latter refection.

After Orchid went, Kruth'T steeped forward and was scanned.

"What do we need to now?" Kruth'T asked the image polightly.

A steel panel slid open to reveal the range rules. It was all the rules that common sense dictated and them some. ((Use your imagination, with a safety first motto))

After a few moments a metal drawer opened in the face of the bunker. The drawer was a huge version of the drawers used at a bank drive though. A scrolling display showed Orchid’s name over the drawer. Inside it was a basic archery set ((Your choice of recurve or compound)).

Next Kruth’T’s name appeared over a similar drawer with the equipment he had requested.

A drawer didn’t open up for Ella. She didn’t seem surprised by this at all. She seemed simply excited to be here and to talk with people.

Ella excitedly watched as Orchid extracted her equipment. She wanted to offer to help with it but knew better than to even touch the quiver full of practice arrows.

Arms Master Waires’s holographic eyes were not subtle at all about watching Ella’s movements.

The Next Day...

"....nngggggh!"

"One more, c'mon...."

"....gah!"

"Alright, let's rack 'em. Tomorrow you'll need to try twenty-five. Still have to watch that tendinitis, though."

Sis stood up from the leg press machine and winced. The trainer was already moving the weights back to the racks. It had been a grueling morning. Cardio, weights, more cardio, more weights, balance exercises, and another round of weights. She would be lucky to walk out of here.

"Okay, let's go review your results. Then we can tailor your morning therapy sessions correctly. You've got tendinitis in both knees and a strained left elbow." The trainer, Jackie, consulted her clipboard, then looked up at Sis for verification. When Sis nodded, she continued. "You've also got a very tight upper back and shoulders. There's not a lot of rotation there. So what we'll do is work on calf, hamstring, and quad exercises for the tendinitis. The point is to take as much pressure off the knees as possible. We'll do some stretching for the elbow, and the upper back. I want you to see GG this afternoon...it looks like you're already scheduled. Then we'll meet here tomorrow morning and go through the tailored program. Any questions?"

Jackie handed Sis a piece of paper with some exercises and repetitions written on it. Sis glanced over it and then nodded. "Looks standard. You'll walk me through these?"

"Yup. For now though, better get showered and some ice on those knees. The training room's through there. There should be some ice packs in the freezer. Twenty minutes on, twenty minutes off, repeat. Don't forget to grab lunch while the cafeteria's still open."

"Thanks." Sis shook Jackie's hand and dragged herself to the training room. Finding a pair of ice packs, she settled gingerly on an exam table and lay back, resting the packs on her knees. She hadn't felt this banged up since...well, since the incident that had sent her here.

"[censored] Council robots," she muttered, watching the clock move slowly.

((Yay, mostly caught up!))

Kruth'T looked at the range rules like someone presented with a menu in a foren language. Mostly because, he still lacked the knowledge on how to read English. However, he could easily guess what the sign said. He had spent some time, when he was still on his ship, at it's range.

When the second drawer opened, Kruth'T recognized his name. and selected the less complex looking device, and it's container of ammunition. He then took a few moments to familiarize himself with the alien weapon. Fortunetly he had meet some archers while in Paragon. So he had an idea how the weapon worked.

"Interesting device, my people never developed anything like this." He then noticed that Ella didn't get one. Kruth'T was disappointed that she wouldn't get the chance to fire an 'Archery' off. But he knew better then to protest it.

Once he was finished with that task he then steeped up to the range with Orchid. Kruth'T took his time, some how combining his child-like glee at being presented with a new toy, and the caution of someone who knew that the device he held could be dangerous.

While he didn't do too badly, considering that it was his first time using a bow. That is to say, the arrows went in the right direction, none of them actually hit his target. Once he finished, Kruth'T steeped back to allow Orchid time to finish getting her shots.

"I will wait until Orchid is finished before I retrieve my ammunition." Kruth'T said to the hologram. "Please wait to send the cease fire signal until then."

Kruth'T then joined Ella. "Sorry you weren't allowed fire one of these devices as well." He said to her.

Ella studied Kruth’T’s stance while he had shot, then she made a number of educated assumptions on his physiology specifically his joints and muscles.

She studied Orchid as well but her form was near flawless. Perfect posture and stance, perfect release. She really did have the Zen whole body attitude to her shooting.

She watched with very sharp eyes as each arrow reached the target. Orchid wasn’t simply aiming for bull’s-eyes. She picked a spot on the target then placed the arrow there. It was really beautiful.

Kruth'T then joined Ella. "Sorry you weren't allowed fire one of these devices as well." He said to her.

“It’s okay. They think that I am dangerous, and they are right I can be, so I understand” She spoke very plainly, not exactly detached from the observation but with full acceptance of it.

“Would you like some pointers on your shooting? You would be better off with a custom bow for your physiology but there is room to improve with this one” She made sure that she sounded pleasant. She wanted to be helpful and not sharply critique him. She liked him. He was her friend. He had said so.

After his early morning check-up, Ed had his breakfast brought to him in his room because he felt less than sociable after his behavior yesterday. Despite his anti-social demeanor, Edward did attend the Hero discussion group. He’d often retell some of his run-ins with the Rikti after the war had been won or even the war itself. What he most enjoyed telling was the occurrences that lead up to the invasion and how he got his telekinetic powers and his superhero name. When the discussions would turn heated, Ed would always back down. It’s not like he had anything to prove. Besides, he could always tell when someone was telling a tall tale or stretching the truth. Always.

However, this time, Ed just relaxed in the back of the group and listened. An interesting story about a bout with Nosferatu of the 5th Column back around the time of WWII was being told today, which Ed had to admit, was before his time. Still very interesting. But Edward was more interested in hearing about the Rikti and their experiments perhaps because he was afraid he might be changing into one. Perhaps not transforming physically into one (yet) but it was quite obvious the type of abilities he was developing.

The hero discussion ended pretty civilly, without too much arguing, so Ed rolled on out in his wheelchair toward the gym. He knew he had a few tests to perform later to gauge his psycho-development but he decided no one would mind him being late so instead wheeled himself toward the gym.

~~

Throughout their stroll through the forest, Kruth’T probably heard footsteps from behind their group with his immense hearing abilities although any attempts and identifying the culprit failed. Whoever it was was pretty slippery and didn’t want to be revealed yet. It wouldn’t have felt too odd however, many patients walked the grounds for exercised and recreation.

After they left the forest, it seemed whoever it was following stayed behind in the trees. It wasn’t until they finally got to the bunker and speaking with the hologram did Ian finally built up the courage to follow and did so quickly. He recognized Kruth’T (who’s name he learned from one of the staff that dealt with patient files but that’s the only thing he could get out of her) and Ella, of course, but the other woman with them he had never seen. He looked her over a few times as he quickly closed in before stopping near silently behind Ella. “Hi guys,” he said to the three while resting a hand on Ella’s shoulder. After being thrown hard into a wall by this girl the day before, Ian was fully prepared for her reaction.

Part of him wanted Ella to attempt to attack him just so he could get back at her for yesterday but another part hoped she’d just turn around to see his face was very much solemn.

Ella’s body tensed as she was momentarily startled, but she did not lash out. She took a deep breath then forced herself to relax her body. She not only relaxed but she actually slumped into a dejected posture. She turned slowly, in a non-threatening way, and she turned in a way to allow Ian to keep his hand on her shoulder, if he so chose.

As Ella turned to face him, her large and expressive all white eyes were even larger than normal. It looked like her eyes could barely contain how sorry she felt. Her eyes glistened near the edge of tears.

She looked at Ian, searching his face, wondering what he thought of her after all that had happened yesterday. She tried a forced smile that her eyes did not support. She had betrayed him so horribly, so completely. She had used him in an attempt to escape. Would he? Could he ever trust her again?

She opened her mouth to say 'hi' but the words did not come out. A knot formed in her stomach and, her lips simply quivered. The first of her milky white tears floated from her eyes and tangled in her eyelash. She gingerly dabbed the tear out of her eye with the corner of her sleeve.

Her body shuddered slightly as she took another deep breath. She looked fixedly at the ground somewhere between her's and Ian's feet, unable to look him in the eyes, and then she spoke in a small frail voice.

“hi ian”

[ QUOTE ]
There should be some ice packs in the freezer. Twenty minutes on, twenty minutes off, repeat. Don't forget to grab lunch while the cafeteria's still open."

[/ QUOTE ]

Sis sat up with a groan and winced. The icebags were starting to loose their cooling power and the clock had ticked off almost an hour. "Good enough," she muttered, sliding off the training table stiffly. She tossed the icebags back into the freezer and walked slowly towards the showers. Jackie was already with another client; they barely exchanged nods.

The shower helped, warming Sis up and helping to relax her back a bit. Jackie had mentioned GG was a massage therapist of some sort. In her younger days...Sis winced internally, she wasn't that old....in her younger days, she'd never met a massuse she didn't like. Lately though....well, other things had gotten in the way. Like saving people and foiling plots and such.

Sis pulled a brush through her hair and declared it good enough. She stuffed her gym clothes into her bag and slung it over her shoulder, walking out towards the main entrance. Her mental map of the grounds still had some gaps, but she figured she knew how to get to the cafeteria from her. Her stomach confirmed that it would be an ideal destination.

"Yeesh...you'd think I hadn't eaten breakfast..."

As she headed past the workout area, she did a double-take. It looked like a man in a wheelchair was entering the gym and he seemed awfully familiar. Pausing, she blinked and then headed in his direction. It couldn't be....could it?

"...Edward?"

As Ed wheeled himself into the gym, a sort of strong determination built up in him. He began to make mental declarations about how much weight he’d press or how many reps he’d do, even proclaim not to use his other powers at all if he got into trouble when he would push himself. This zest for a meaningful workout quickly faded however when a familiar voice sounded behind him.

[ QUOTE ]
"...Edward?"

[/ QUOTE ]

It wasn’t at all difficult to remember that voice. Ed tentatively turned his head in Sis’ direction, “Hi….” His spirit was hopeful and determined but quickly sank into a distraught state when confronted with Sis and therefore the events from the day before. Ed didn’t want Sis feeling responsible though so he quickly tried to perk up, but his expression fell short. “….You look good,” he managed to blurt out with a somber look on his face.

~~

Ian let go of Ella’s shoulder when he noticed tears in her eyes. He didn’t want to really ruin her good day but he was still angry about what happened yesterday, or at least the resulting talk he had with security and his mother. Ian muttered a quiet “Sorry,” before turning toward Kruth’T with his warm and cheerful smile. “Sorry about yesterday, Kruth’T. I didn’t mean to push that whole situation out of control like that but you were still composed enough to help bring it under control so thanks.”

His gaze turned toward Orchid as she skillfully fired her bow with perfect form. “Who’s your friend here?” he asked, “She’s really good.”

[Ian] muttered a quiet “Sorry,” before turning toward Kruth’T with his warm and cheerful smile.

Ella was momentarily confused by Ian’s apology. None of what happened was his fault.

“No Ian” Ella started reaching for his hand as he pulled it away, but thought better of it “I am the one that should be sorry…that IS sorry. It was my fault entirely” Her voice grew slightly stronger.

[Ian] “Sorry about yesterday, Kruth’T. I didn’t mean to push that whole situation out of control like that but you were still composed enough to help bring it under control so thanks.”

With eyes still glistening, Ella smiled at Kruth’T as well. He really was her hero. Things could have been so much worse if it hadn’t been for him.

She stayed back quietly to let Kruth’T handle Orchid’s introduction.

<Ella>“It’s okay. They think that I am dangerous, and they are right I can be, so I understand” She spoke very plainly, not exactly detached from the observation but with full acceptance of it.

“Would you like some pointers on your shooting? You would be better off with a custom bow for your physiology but there is room to improve with this one” She made sure that she sounded pleasant. She wanted to be helpful and not sharply critique him. She liked him. He was her friend. He had said so.

Kruth'T nodded "That would be helpful, thank you Ella."

Because Kruth'T was looking at Ella, he saw Ian placing his hand on Ella's shoulder.

<Ian> “Hi guys,” Ian seemed tense. However, considering all that had happened yesterday, Kruth'T wasn't surprised by this.

Kruth'T tensed, partially expecting a repeat of yesterdays' events. As he observed Ella's reaction he relaxed. He watched them both, silently, as they worked through their feelings. So very different, yet so very much like us. Kruth'T thought to himself.

<Ian> turning toward Kruth’T with his warm and cheerful smile. “Sorry about yesterday, Kruth’T. I didn't mean to push that whole situation out of control like that but you were still composed enough to help bring it under control so thanks.”

"That's okay." Somewhat embarrassed by his praise. "I didn't do that much, but your welcome."

<Ian> His gaze turned toward Orchid as she skillfully fired her bow with perfect form. “Who’s your friend here?” he asked, “She’s really good.”

Noticing the Orchid was in deep concentration, Kruth'T answered. "She is Orchid. It was she who suggested this activity. I find it interesting. You see my species never developed Archery, so this is the first time I've been exposed to it."

He watched he fire another arrow. "She is very good at this, isn't she." Kruth'T said with respect.

[ QUOTE ]
Ed tentatively turned his head in Sis’ direction, “Hi….” His spirit was hopeful and determined but quickly sank into a distraught state when confronted with Sis and therefore the events from the day before. Ed didn’t want Sis feeling responsible though so he quickly tried to perk up, but his expression fell short. “….You look good,” he managed to blurt out with a somber look on his face.

[/ QUOTE ]

"Er...thanks..." Sis looked decidedly confused. It was Edward, but what was he doing in a wheelchair? And what was with his reaction? It was like he'd been on cloud nine and then something had brought him crashing down. Three guesses who the something was..., she thought to herself. What a great way to start the afternoon.

She glanced around and then dropped her bag at her feet. "Um...look, about yesterday, I didn't mean....um, I hope I wasn't......what the heck are you doing in a wheelchair?!" Sis ran a hand through her hair and managed a wry grin. "As you can see, tact isn't my strong point..." She shrugged, poking the bag with her toe. "Anyway, if I got in the way yesterday, I'm sorry, but I couldn't not, really. Even if Ms. Priss was better at smoothing things over with the guards." Sis rolled her eyes, expressing exactly how she felt about that episode. "You here to see Jackie?"

[ QUOTE ]
“No Ian” Ella started reaching for his hand as he pulled it away, but thought better of it “I am the one that should be sorry…that IS sorry. It was my fault entirely” Her voice grew slightly stronger.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ian’s brow quirked slightly in confusion but he smiled a diminutive smirk as a sign of understanding what she said. “Ella, I wasn’t talking ab-….I mean that’s not what-er…nevermind. I guess we can talk about it some other time.”

[ QUOTE ]
"That's okay." Somewhat embarrassed by his praise. "I didn't do that much, but your welcome."

[/ QUOTE ]

Ian chuckled to himself at Kruth’T’s response. “You sure are modest. I wish I had room to be but I’m afraid I wouldn’t get any acknowledgement at all.” He continued to watch Orchid, paying extra attention to her flawless archery form. If he watched long enough, he could attempt to duplicate it himself but he new it was more of a mental form than a physical one.

His interest piqued, Ian decided he’d pick up a bow too and fire off a few arrows. “May I be issued a bow to practice too?” he asked as he stepped up to the bunker. Ian received a cold hard stare from the image of Arms Master Waires and Ian instantly backed away. “On second though…..I think I’ll just watch.” Although Ian had gone through a lot of red tape and it was now completely legitimate, it was against the word of the Arms Master Waires that Ian keep his bokken with him and he knew it. Ian figured he still opposed the decision but would rather not rub salt in old wounds.

“Heh, so….what else do you guys have planned? I’m free for about an hour or so while Ed is doing his tests so maybe I could hang out with you.”

~~

Ed stared coldly at a part of the wall across the room when Sis mentioned the wheelchair. He wasn’t a normal handicapped, or handicapable is what optimistic refer to them as, that had come to terms with his condition yet. It was downright annoying having it thrown in his face like Sis did but he just groaned inaudibly to the question. “I haven’t been able to walk normally for months now,” he answered tersely. “It was either a wheelchair or a walker and I’d rather not look incapable and old at the same time.”

Thinking back to yesterday, it did look like he was able to walk normally, at least to Sis. He hadn’t told her much nor had he much of a chance. “I wasn’t really walking yesterday, more like floating in the air with my feet touching the ground. I used my telekinesis to move my legs like normal. I still have function in my legs but it’s very basic. I was actually going to do some leg work here.”

Finally turning toward her, Ed cocked a brow, “Jackie who? Is that who you’re here to see?”