((Ya got them a little mixed up, dark. The axe-wielder's the one drinking the smoothie. The other's a katana-wielder with, at this point, a short mohawk.
Screenies!
Cedric Grey
Mad Matt McGinty))
Cedric nodded to the armored men and finished his smoothie with an annoying sucking sound that signaled it was empty. He continued siphoning the liquid (vapors?) out of the cup for another half minute until even his friend was glaring at him.
"Sorry..." Cedric chuckled, "It was a tasty one. Banana and raspberry, with a mix of ginseng and amino acids..."
Matt McGinty just shook his head.
"If I want protein, I eat steak," the scrapper barked, then turned to the brown armored individual, "Am I right?"
"I eat steak, too," Cedric started to flex like he was a strength competitor, "But to keep your guns as magnificent as this, you need a little extra oomph!"
"I think it's a waste of money and a scam, is all."
"Yeah, probably is... Tell ya what, I'll go a month without the additives."
"Why not the whole damn smoothie?"
"I like 'em!" Cedric laughed, "Come on! Who do we talk to to get started?"
"Excuse me," Matt reached out his hand to the brown-armored man, "Mad Matt McGinty. Most folks just call me Mad or Matt."
"I'm Cedric," the tanker reached over to the dark-armored individual with the shades, "Cedric Grey. I hit people with a big axe!"
My Stories
Look at that. A full-grown woman pulling off pigtails. Her crazy is off the charts.
"Well, isn't THAT a lovely thing to hear as an intro," a voice came from the Freedom Phalanx entrance as a certain blonde hero in shining red armour stepped in, "'Hi, I hit people with an axe, they bleed. Do you like axes? You say yes, I decapitate you, you say no, I dismember your legs, your arms, and THEN your head.'"
He chuckled... But then his grin left his face, and he sighed. "Sorry, that was... That was lame. I haven't really been 'into' it for a while now... Eh, where are my manners." He bowed deeply, grinning yet again. "Experiment 2.0, technological extraordinaire and Hero of the Day. Would anybody happen to know when I get to start beating up spider-people and saving cute hero chicks?"
[ QUOTE ]
Jake nodded slightly before asking. "Why are you a villain?" Jake had observed her behavior on the occassions that they had met, and, although very subtle, her actions were always made considering the safety of not only those standing idly on the sidelines, but also the enemies who opposed her. Jake had also noted, on a more human observation, that her eyes just didn't match those of any other person that he had found in the Isles. Something was most definately different about her, something mroe... heroic...
"I mean, of course, if you don't mind my asking. Not like I'm even expecting someone in the Isles to willing give up their motives to me..."
[/ QUOTE ]
Penny Arcade didn't answer immediately. First she turned back to the sea, looking over it, her face both thoughtful and sorrowful. She looked at the sea for some time.
Finally she reached down and pulled off one of her gloves. It pulled off almost as a liquid, not a solid, which made him suspect that the "leather and cloth" was actually something far more sophisticated. Still, he had never seen her voluntarily bare any portion of her body before. A moment later she reached her hand out, upside-down, so that he could see the interior of her wrist.
It had a number. The number looked like a brand, but something must have been rubbed into the wound while it was still raw, for the raised letters had a sort of bluish tinge. It looked for all the world like a modern version of the one of the numbers that the Nazis had once put on the inmates of Auschwitz during World War II.
She was silent for another moment, then said, "This is a serial number. I'm a clone. " She pulled her wrist back once he had had a good look, taking the glove in her hand. "I never went to Paragon. I was smuggled directly into the Zig from the lab where I was grown." She began to put the glove on, working the fingers over her own. "But... I found out later... I was made in haste. I was given a huge data dump, far more than I was supposed to have been given, and overlaid with a personality to 'fit in'... I remember a whole life that never happened." Light flashed momentarily in her eyes - could those be tears - ? But no, perhaps a trick of the sun and sea.
"I'm flawed," she said, "Or at least, my creators would say so. I was sent here to spy on Arachnos, and report back to them any information I found. And I did that, for a while. But clones... are supposed to have a life span of three months. Like an expiration date programmed right into the cells." She had stopped putting on the glove for a moment, and now she rubbed the number thoughtfully before pulling it all the way on.
"I was made in too much haste. I was grown without the mechanism that would have killed me in three months. And when I didn't die, and my creators realized why not... they tried to kill me." She shook her head, her face sad. "Obviously, they weren't successful. And they made me really curious as to what was going on." She put her fingers together, fitting the glove back to her hand.
"I will spare you the details of what I found out. Suffice to say, creating clones, filtering them through the Zig, and sending them to the Rogue Isles to die is less than legal. There are people involved in that program that would end up in the Zig themselves if it was found out. These are powerful people that we are discussing, understand. If I was to try to go to Paragon, it would mean scandal and outrage and governmental hearings."
"Except, it would never get that far. As a clone, I have approximately the same legal status as, say, a robot. All of the things one associates with captured villains - trials, the Zig, and so on - would never happen. As a clone I am the property of the lab which created me. I would be classed as an 'industrial accident,' and sent back to the lab so that they could find out what had gone wrong in my creation." She shuddered at this thought. "Maybe they would have their funding cut." Her voice was bitter.
After a further silence she said, "So... here I am, and Arachnos is the only game in town. Play it or die. I'm not suicidal," she shrugged. "I'm... sorry. For droning on at you, I mean. It's just that... after I die... I want someone to know that I was here. That I existed." It was the tone of someone who had faced her own death too many times.
She turned to him for the first time, searching his face. "Why are you with Arachnos?" She said, genuinely curious. It was foolish to have told him so much, and she didn't really expect him to reciprocate, but she wanted to know as much as he would be willing to tell her.
[ QUOTE ]
"I'm Cedric," the tanker reached over to the dark-armored individual with the shades, "Cedric Grey. I hit people with a big axe!"
[/ QUOTE ]
"Hi, my name's Traven NightArrow, but most people call me the Elidolon Archer" Traven said, taking the offered hand in a shake.
[ QUOTE ]
"Experiment 2.0, technological extraordinaire and Hero of the Day. Would anybody happen to know when I get to start beating up spider-people and saving cute hero chicks?"
[/ QUOTE ]
Elidolon looked back at the man in the shining red armour.
"The first should happen soon after we leave....Not so sure when the second will be..." Elidolon said, wondering just how deep this rescue mission would go into the depths of the Rouge Isles.
Global - @El D
Servers - Protector
Static shook hands with the two heroes in front of him. "Name's Static Therapy." He then turned around to see Experiment.
"Hey Experiment, long time no see!"
((Mm-kay, folks. I dig the enthusiasm. Love that we're getting posters, because it definately rocks. There is a problem at my end, however, which means I'll be, not unavailable, but disinclined to post. I invite you all to filter your way towards the briefing room. Stuff'll happen, don't you worry.
Also, folks who're worried about a lack of villainous or antagonistic representation, I've got you covered. If a post from my side happens this weekend, that'll be what it covers.))
Cedric smiled broadly at Experiment 2.0. He hefted his weapon off his back and twirled it for everybody to see.
"You won't find many better than this," Cedric mused before replacing the weapon on it's hook, "That's not all I do... But it's what most would call my signature, so it's how I introduce myself."
McGinty started heading further into the Freedom Phalanx building. He didn't get it. This was the headquarters of the Freedom Phalanx and Freedom Corps... They'd just put out a call for available heroes to go on a near-suicide mission! Where the Hell was everybody?
My Stories
Look at that. A full-grown woman pulling off pigtails. Her crazy is off the charts.
((Oops. Last post put me in Atlas. Let's just pretend I'm in Galaxy, shall we?))
Carnacki sniffed a little as she materialized in front of the Freedom Corps building. Looking up, although not actually seeing anything, she could sense the enormality of the building, and could sense the people shifting their way around her, either in partial fear or respect of the blind heroine. She walked up the steps slowly.
Opening the door, she stepped inside. Carnacki could sense more people walking around, but none seemed to give her any awkward stares. Picking up on the mental signatures of the people around her, she sifted through them quickly, looking for the man in charge of initiating the task force. Striding up towards the other heroes she had sensed with the intent of embarking on the dangerous mission, Carnacki smiled.
"Hello," she said, her voice barely more than a whisper, "The name's Blind Carnacki, but you can call me Sheryl. Pleased to meet all of you..."
Jake's face momentarily registered surprise as she explained to him her origins. That would certainly explain why she's here. She can't go back, and yet, she chooses to remain noble, so she does what she can. He now had a bit of respect for the woman, staying true to her ideals despite being betrayed by the very thing she protects. Deciding that he should honor her explanation with an equally thurough one, he began to answer her question while looking out at the horizon. "Well," he began, "As I already told you before, my mind was corrupted by Arachnos to agree with their ideals and to serve without question. At first I was overwhelmed with the new perspective forcing it's way into my conscience, so I stole the skematics of some of my father's prototype technology and ran to the Isles." He sighed. "Come to think of it, I think I left a pretty threatening note. I'll have to apologize about that when I get the chance, but anyway..." Jake leaned back, putting his hands behind his head as a makeshift pillow so that he could look at the sky in relative comfort. "So I made my way to the nearest Arachnos official I could find, some fortunata named Kalinda. She gave me tasks, I completed them, I rose in the ranks, lather, repeat..." He said, deciding to close his eyes at this point. "Up until recently anyway... As I mentioned, I'm starting to question their ideals and motives, which tells me that my mind must be rejecting the alteration; however, as I mentioned as well, to betray Arachnos and remain in the Isles is suicide, so here I am. Inwardly defying them and outwardly screaming 'Hai Arachnos!'" He chuckled. "This sort of thing always happens when you get wrapped up with heroes..." He posed no further questions, instead choosing to listen to the wake crashing on the beach.
[ QUOTE ]
Jake's face momentarily registered surprise as she explained to him her origins. That would certainly explain why she's here. She can't go back, and yet, she chooses to remain noble, so she does what she can. He now had a bit of respect for the woman, staying true to her ideals despite being betrayed by the very thing she protects. Deciding that he should honor her explanation with an equally thurough one, he began to answer her question while looking out at the horizon. "Well," he began, "As I already told you before, my mind was corrupted by Arachnos to agree with their ideals and to serve without question. At first I was overwhelmed with the new perspective forcing it's way into my conscience, so I stole the skematics of some of my father's prototype technology and ran to the Isles." He sighed. "Come to think of it, I think I left a pretty threatening note. I'll have to apologize about that when I get the chance, but anyway..." Jake leaned back, putting his hands behind his head as a makeshift pillow so that he could look at the sky in relative comfort. "So I made my way to the nearest Arachnos official I could find, some fortunata named Kalinda. She gave me tasks, I completed them, I rose in the ranks, lather, repeat..." He said, deciding to close his eyes at this point. "Up until recently anyway... As I mentioned, I'm starting to question their ideals and motives, which tells me that my mind must be rejecting the alteration; however, as I mentioned as well, to betray Arachnos and remain in the Isles is suicide, so here I am. Inwardly defying them and outwardly screaming 'Hai Arachnos!'" He chuckled. "This sort of thing always happens when you get wrapped up with heroes..." He posed no further questions, instead choosing to listen to the wake crashing on the beach.
[/ QUOTE ]
Penny Arcade was silent for a while, looking out at the sea also. Finally she spoke. "OK, I know I am taking an extra turn here, but I have another question for you... if you could beat the Arachnos programming... would you want to?"
It was a dangerous question. She knew she could be shot if someone else chanced to hear. But no one else was around...
Jake smiled. "It really doesn't matter whether I would want to or not, my brain already seems to be automatically doing it, but, to answer the question, yes. If for nothing else, then for the fact that I'm really pissed that someone would mess with my head." Jake chuckled.
After a few more minutes of silence, Jake sighed and turned his head to Penny. "Alright, I really hate to bring 'work' into the conversation, but neither of us is stupid. You know that I got that transmission from Paragon, and if I got that transmission with these things," Jake said, adjusting his goggles. "Than I know you got it. I know I'm asking a favor instead of a question this time, but would you mind telling me what it stated? I could decipher it when I get back to my place, but knowing it now would be more convienant and reduce the number of people who could intercept it." He really did hate to bring it up, as a nice conversation not involving the every day evils of the Isles was a refreshing change; howver, he knew it was necessary. Deciphering it in the base he had access to meant that someone else could see it, not to mention the off chance that he would be ambushed on the way back and his goggles stolen. [He liked to think of that chance as very slim, but that's just his ego.]
[ QUOTE ]
Jake smiled. "It really doesn't matter whether I would want to or not, my brain already seems to be automatically doing it, but, to answer the question, yes. If for nothing else, then for the fact that I'm really pissed that someone would mess with my head." Jake chuckled.
After a few more minutes of silence, Jake sighed and turned his head to Penny. "Alright, I really hate to bring 'work' into the conversation, but neither of us is stupid. You know that I got that transmission from Paragon, and if I got that transmission with these things," Jake said, adjusting his goggles. "Than I know you got it. I know I'm asking a favor instead of a question this time, but would you mind telling me what it stated? I could decipher it when I get back to my place, but knowing it now would be more convienant and reduce the number of people who could intercept it." He really did hate to bring it up, as a nice conversation not involving the every day evils of the Isles was a refreshing change; howver, he knew it was necessary. Deciphering it in the base he had access to meant that someone else could see it, not to mention the off chance that he would be ambushed on the way back and his goggles stolen. [He liked to think of that chance as very slim, but that's just his ego.]
[/ QUOTE ]
"What, that transmission?" Penny pulled out her handheld and checked the screen. "'December Night,'" she read, her brows furrowing. "Nothing else." She snapped the handheld shut and pocketed it.
Her eyes narrowed, searching his face. "However, the full answer to your question is going to depend on where you stand with Arachnos. To put it bluntly - I need a co-conspirator. However, it will involve busting a few heads that you might work for." Her expression was calm as she looked him over. "You interested? Or will you fight for the spiders this time around?"
Jake chuckled and looked back at Penny. "I'm looking out for myself over Arachnos right now, you should've gathered at least that much." He said with a smirk. "Sure, why not? I'll help you."
Gonna need all the allies I can get anyway...
Experiment, nodding to Static, then sighed at Cedric's axe-twizzling. "Oh come now, there is only one female in the vicinity, and you show off BEFORE she gets in? How absurd! you know the order- Girl, show-off, girl, show-off. When was that not explained in Pick-Up School?"
He rolled his eyes at his own joke, then turned back to Static Therapy. "Yeah, lot of stuff goin' on, having to hang out at home a lot... Or, y'know, going out and smacking a few Outcasts around to keep my guys safe, the usual."
Jason "Jay" Scheller jumped from his chair in his office as he heard the message come across, finally trickled down from the PPD Main Office to them at the Paragon Police Academy. He took off out of the office with the newly painted "Lieutenant Scheller" on the door blurring slightly as he rubbed past it. He stopped briefly by the locker to snag his gear pulling it on as he took off down the hall.
"Jayde!" He pounded on the door! "Jayde hun! We've got a live one! lets go!" Waiting briefly he poked his head in her quarters and looked around. "Jayde?" The room was empty save for the sleeping form in the other bed. "Damn," He said quietly as he closed the door. "She must be at the Dojo." In a flash he took off running down the hall.
Jay jumped in a spare PPA squad car, and sped out of the garage making his way to Siren's Call. He flipped open his cell and pressed 2, calling Jayde. "Come on, pickup..." He knew she hated distractions while she worked out. "Voicemail, damn!. Jayde hun! If you get this I'm on my way to come pick you up! We've got a mission." He flipped the phone shut and drove on.
Harlequin Fear didnt trust him. It wasnt the costume; mercenaries needed armor, and mercenary bosses needed ostentation. The heavily padded vest covered salvaged Crey armor adequately enough to show it off, and the chains added that extra little edge that made him look mean. No, even though he was out of place, the self-styled Mr. Golden was untrustworthy by virtue of that simple instinct most humans lost in favor of their humanity. Fears humanity had never existed, so he had a decent grasp of instinctual responses, and this man triggered them. Still, Ghost Widow was willing to give him a chance on the If hes stupid enough to betray us, we have more than enough resources to utterly destroy him premise, which was probably a safe assumption. But, Ghost Widow was dead, and the dead had no access to unconscious reactions. So Harlequin Fear kept his eyes firmly planted on the mercenary leader, from whom they had just leased an extradimensional prison.
Several Arachnos Rank-and-File stepped forwards with Fel. (A Webmaster and a Fortunata seer on top of all the de-powering theyd planted on Fel? They werent taking any chances.) Ghost Widow had even blindfolded Fel, just to add that little extra feeling of helplessness. Fear smiled as he tasted it, but it was well hidden. Mostly, there was worry for Gabe. Gabe, who was going to die like she was, only he didnt know it yet. They were all going to die, slowly, painfully, afraid. Oh- it was times like these Fear couldnt imagine doing anything serving the Mistress. She was beautiful, sublime, and devious. If he was capable of feeling love, clearly, this would be when.
But, in his musing and tasting, Fear had neglected to pay full attention to the happenings in front of him. Rituals and technology had been combined, and a halo of light surrounded Fel. It flared brighter, and both Harlequin Fear and Fel winced. The process was hurting her as much as the light pained him. But, with a small pop, the light dissipated, and Fel vanished. Ghost Widow handed some trusted underling an amulet, and instructed her to place it in the vault. The minion bowed, and hurried away. Harlequin Fear smiled. Soon, very soon, Gabe would be in a similar predicament.
And then, he was going to die.
Jayde had just finished her afternoon workout at the Dojo of the Lurking Shadow. It was a daily ritual for her. Keeping in top shape was imperative for her line of work. She'd been in the Paragon Police Academy for just over four months now. Things were going extremely well, but she wasn't about to take any chances by slacking off. As a cadet, she was only authorized to go on low-risk patrols unless supervised by an F.T.O. One day, she'd be an official patrol officer, and she'd depend on her martial arts abilities to ensure she came home at the end of each day. Especially since she refused to carry a side arm. She knew how to use one, but didn't feel it neccessary when she herself could be honed into just as lethal a weapon should the need for escalated force arise.
She'd just gotten out of the shower and was pulling on her Academy issued uniform when she heard her cell phone chime. Flipping it open, she noticed a voice mail from Jason and listened to it immediately.
Her brow furrowed slightly at Jay's urgent message. They'd only been dating openly for a few weeks, which in fact was completely against Academy regulations. Cadre were not to fraternize with Cadets. Their relationship had cost him his F.T.O. rank a few months ago. He'd earned it back quickly and had recently been promoted to Lieutenant. People made mistakes, even Jay, but that didn't make him a bad cop. He was a valued asset to the force and the higher-ups knew it.
Jayde had escaped punishment due to the fact that when she and Jay met, she hadn't been aware of his status at the Academy. Commandant Winters had decided that the Academy couldn't very well take administrative action against her over something she'd been completely oblivious to. It was also determined that since she wasn't a student of Jay's, should their relationship continue, no further administrative action would be taken. However, until she graduated from the Academy, they were to be placed on patrols in seperate parts of the city unless cirrcumstances deemed otherwise.
Judging by his frantic call and the fact that he was already on his way to get her, this would probably turn out to be one of those situations where their working together couldn't be avoided. She and Jay may not have been dating that long, but she knew the tone in his voice well enough to know something was up. Judging by the time the call came in, he'd be here any minute. She had to hurry.
Quickly, she finished dressing, securing her bullet proof vest on beneath her padded uniform jacket. Running a hand through her damp, green, spikey hair, she slung her backpack over her shoulder and strapped her goggles to her forehead on her way out the door.
Jay pulled up on the PPA squad car just as she was descending the dojo steps. The look on his face didn't bode well.
Jay leaned over and opened the door for her as she quickly descended the steps of the Dojo. Once she was inside and her bag in the backseat he leaned over once more to give her a kiss before explaining the situation to her. "So we're on our way to Galaxy City to see if we can lend a hand. "
He sped off to the Freedom Corps HQ in Galaxy City.
Cedric grinned at Experiment.
"I've already got my lady-love. For me, the rules of impression are obsolete!"
He still bowed to Carnacki.
"Hello, Sheryl. It's a pleasure to meet you."
My Stories
Look at that. A full-grown woman pulling off pigtails. Her crazy is off the charts.
[ QUOTE ]
Jake chuckled and looked back at Penny. "I'm looking out for myself over Arachnos right now, you should've gathered at least that much." He said with a smirk. "Sure, why not? I'll help you."
Gonna need all the allies I can get anyway...
[/ QUOTE ]
Penny Arcade considered for long minutes before she replied. She was considering many factors, not the least of which was how well she knew Jake. A stranger wouldn't have gotten even this far. But she had worked with Jake before and knew his background well enough to know he had told her the truth.
"Second question," she said at last. "If you could return to Paragon... would you want to?"
It was a horribly dangerous question. She could be reported to Arachnos simply for asking, and Jake for answering.
Oh well... in for a Penny, in for a pound.
"Because," she said slowly, "I think... if circumstances were to properly align themselves... you could get back there."
She had taken the precaution of activating a small jamming device she kept in the otherwise normal-looking gloves. This was a private conversation, and she was determined that it would remain private. She could hear incoming signals, but nothing was going to go out until she chose.
She just hoped she had read him right, because otherwise she had just gotten herself in a lot of trouble.
Carnacki smiled, sensing the joking and kind tones behind each of their voices. She shifted slightly, her honed mental senses reaching out towards her surroundings, droning out and ignoring the bustling activity within Freedom Corps.
She tasted the danger in the air, and made a face.
They weren't in danger yet, but it lurked out there, hidden in the shadows like the childhood monsters she had feared in the night.
Despite her obvious handicap, Carnacki could still make her way around Paragon City with almost the exact same ease as she did when she could still see. Possessing photographic memory, she loved exploring the city when she was a rising heroine up until the incident...
Lost in her thoughts, she almost didn't sense the couple heading towards Freedom Corps, their signatures blazing brightly in her mind. Good,she thought, we're going to need more help.
Relaxing her honed senses, she turned to the others once more. "We've more help along the way, and we should wait until they get here. Maybe then we can become more acquinted with each other, yeah?"
Jay sped across town, a feeling of urgency gripping him. He glanced down at the GPS and plotted his next few turns before turning to Jayde. "I don't know what it is... but I'm on edge like you wouldn't believe. Maybe it's because I'm finally going to have a chance to prove not only myself.. but maybe we can show the city that the PPA/PPD /are/ useful.. Thanks to you that is."
He was referring to, of course, his new found powers. Since coming in proximity to Jayde, his body has undergone changes, changes that he is keeping quiet about. If his superiors knew of his ability to regenerate bones, limbs, and any number of other organic parts, they might bump him from being an officer and in to a Hero group of some sort. He did not want that. His father and grandfather had both been Police in Ireland, he was /not/ going to break that line. Infact the only two people that even knew were Jayde, and his kid sister Jessica.
"Know what I mean Alle?" He had given her the nickname Alle shortened from an irish word for beauty on their second date, Not only was it fitting, but it cleared up some confusion when speaking with people... Him being Jay and her Jayde after all.
Before she could answer he pulled into the lot near the Freedom Corps HQ. He looked out of the windshield at the building and shrugged slightly. "Well here goes, Aye?"
"Well, that's a tough question..." He replied, keeping his eyes glued to the horizon. "There ar ea lot of factors to take into account, would I be arrested? We certainly can't have that, and not to mention, Arachnos would come looking for me and possibly try to brainwash me again. I know too many of their secret for them to just let me go. And even if I'm not arrested or brainwashed again, would I be met with contempt? Honestly, not many villains who renounce their ways can just escape their past life altogether. While a life in the Isles isn't all that appealing, there are many things that need to be taken into account when you contemplate going back to Paragon..." He continued to stare out at the horizon, and, after a few moments of silence, spoke again. "But to answer your question, as to whether I'd like to go back to Paragon, as to whether I'd like to return to my old life... yes... I can remember myself being a lot happier back then..." he chuckled and looked up at the sky. "Guess the saying is true. 'Ignorance is bliss...'"
Jayde sat in the front passenger seat removing various knives and shurikens from her backpack, placing the daggers in their sheaths at her wrists and thighs. The shurikens went into the compartments of the bandolier strapped to her chest. They were the only weapons she used on duty. She couldn't always rely on being within reach of her oponent. Guns were out of the question, but a well-placed blade was just as effective at putting a perp out of commission long enough for transport back to the PPD. She glanced over at Jay as he spoke to her.
[ QUOTE ]
"I don't know what it is... but I'm on edge like you wouldn't believe. Maybe it's because I'm finally going to have a chance to prove not only myself.. but maybe we can show the city that the PPA/PPD /are/ useful.. Thanks to you that is."
[/ QUOTE ]
Smiling slightly, Jayde tilted her head to insert the tiny ear-bud that would transmit directives from her comm-link. Jay really had gone through some amazing changes in the past few months. The first time he'd revealed his regenerative abilities to her had been during a sparring match last month.
Prior to that match, it had been weeks since the last time they'd seen one another. Reluctantly, they'd agreed to put some distance between them while he earned back his F.T.O. Sergeant stripes. Those few weeks had been hell for both of them, but they'd managed. When he'd asked her to meet him at the dojo after hours, she'd wondered what could be so important that he'd want to meet her there. He'd surprised her further when he showed up in his workout gear. Instructing her not to hold back or go easy on him, they'd engaged in a rigorous sparring match. She'd landed a particularly vicious blow at the end of the match, which had broken his arm. It wasn't just an ordinary break either, it had been a compound fracture. Horrified at the thought that she'd put him out of commission again, she'd stood dumbfounded as his arm began to heal right before their eyes. It was then he'd explained what had happened during their time apart. He hadn't been a mutant when they'd met. It left room for a great deal of speculation as to how she'd transmitted her mutation to him.
[ QUOTE ]
"Know what I mean Alle?"
[/ QUOTE ]
Jayde shook herself mentally, blushing prettily at his pet name for her. She still hadn't grown accustomed to someone thinking she was "beautiful" and she still wasn't sure how to respond to it. But now wasn't the time to daydream. There was trouble somewhere and they were enroute to see what they could do to help. It was time to get her game face on.
Her expression remained neutral as they pulled up outside the Freedom Corps building. Her outter facade was a stark contrast to what she was actually feeling......nervous. She and Jay had gone on minor patrols together in the past, before the "incident". But this was going to be very different. She wasn't sure why, but she had a feeling she was about to enter an entirely new phase of her career.
Jake nodded slightly before asking. "Why are you a villain?" Jake had observed her behavior on the occassions that they had met, and, although very subtle, her actions were always made considering the safety of not only those standing idly on the sidelines, but also the enemies who opposed her. Jake had also noted, on a more human observation, that her eyes just didn't match those of any other person that he had found in the Isles. Something was most definately different about her, something mroe... heroic...
"I mean, of course, if you don't mind my asking. Not like I'm even expecting someone in the Isles to willing give up their motives to me..."