~BLACKDAGGER~
~*~ He blinked as his superior -- /the/ superior -- walked
towards him. Standing then, as Amber had to him moments before,
his arm stiffly held in the highest salute. He had been so
consumed in thought as to not even realise that someone else was
there until it was too late. Letting his salute fall ever so
slightly before saying ~*~ Good morning, sir. ~*~ His voice clear
and his form near shaking, slowly moving without realizing it
away from his superior ~*~
~Old Scratch~
*Scratch, who has been watching and listening, allows a small
flick of his gaze upward, at the camera BLACKDAGGER keeps
glancing at... counting. Inwardly, his brows raise. He's not
stupid. And he's been around a long time... Jim should know
better. Much better. If he really thinks that's the -only- camera
in the place, or only means of surveillance, he should be put
back into rookie training. While the other sources are hidden,
classified, conjecture should be enough. Of course, Scratch knows
the other sources, or some of them. Not all were mechanical. And
not all the telepathic clones were destroyed... Ian watches the
youth a moment longer... and breathes out, in a manner akin to
silent laughter*
~BLACKDAGGER~
~*~ He stands there allowing his hand to fall to his side, as a
small noise was emitted from his superior's throat. Still
standing there, his shoulders perfectly squared. His GUARD
regulated clothes, gripping at every tense muscle as he continued
to waiver, ever so slightly backward. His hand at his side
shaking ever so lightly as he stared at Scratch then the wall
beyond him ~*~
~Venin~
*Her eyes dart aggressively to James, certain that he was part of
a setup, but then she notices him trembling just the slightest
bit...and her gaze softens towards him.*
~Old Scratch~
*At the salute, Scratch nods, smiles faintly. Finally, the boy
noticed he was there at all* You're slipping. Getting lax. Fix
it. *Gruff, yes, but there was no room for sloppiness in this
line of work* *Then again, back to Yvette, his daughter. A
near-feral grin answers her clipped statement, even as he senses
Tytan departing* You seem to have quite a few of them. I know I
taught you better. You always were a slow learner. *This, yes, a
scolding. She was -his- daughter... she should have been... he's
not sure... faster, smarter, something. She shouldn't have
been... -caught-...*
~BLACKDAGGER~
~*~ He stood still at perfect attention. His face reflecting
nothing, as he had been trained to do. ~*~ Yes sir. ~*~ He
hesitated, fully awaiting to be dismissed back to his quarters.
Allowing only one glimpse to wander towards Yvette before
snapping back into place. Listening to Scratch's words to his
daughter, though not twitching a muscle to prove he was doing so.
Finally saying, in the same clear and full voice ~*~ Permission
to be dismissed sir.. ~*~ Getting lax... fit it... He inhaled
deeply before reassuring himself that every muscle was at full
attention again. Attempting not to let his mind wander to
ANYthing BESIDES that simple painful action. ~*~
~Venin~
*a cold, calculating gaze meets his own...unwilling to mention
anything that might have to do with friends, she confines herself
to short clipped replies* That is the past....What do you want,
old man?
~Old Scratch~
Permission denied. *Scratch seems almost absent in his refusal,
his tone quiet, spoken from the side of his mouth, his eyes never
leaving his daughter. But he -hears- the change in muscles as
James moves, just that fraction, to glance at Yvette. Hears the
tendons straighten again, and tense. Hears the blood rush in
James' veins, in his daughter's... assessing the situation,
almost empathetically, so attuned as he is. Something that can't
be shut off... he knows very well how to use his abilities,
eerily so. Many have accused him of being a telepath for these
reasons, though nothing could be further from the truth*
~Old Scratch~
*If Venin's gaze fazes him at all, he shows no sign, but calmly
meets it... effortlessly, the coolness of his demeanor almost
something of legends. Did anything bother this man? If it did, he
hid it well. He always hid it well. He even smiles softly,
pleased with her answer* Full of vim and vinegar, as always,
aren't you? *an engaging, pleasant tone* And its very obviously
the present. Or have you gotten so relaxed on the outside? Lost
your edge? Apparently, else you'd not be -here-. *a small pause*
I came to see my only child. Is that a crime?
~BLACKDAGGER~
~*~ He stood then perfectly erect, his hands clenched to his
sides. Each breath slow and careful. Each nearly painful in so,
trying to seem as very calm as he could make it to be. Forcing
the clench of his teeth slowly wane. Letting the low grit sooth
to a dull throbbing of his jaw. Further so forcing his hands not
to clench as tightly, as he stood. He couldn't have known...
he…. Couldn't have. ~*~ Yes sir ~*~ The same deep voice as
he remained motionless. Nothing more difficult for a body to
do... muscles easily fatigued when positioned in a certain pose
for too long. But where as he was trained to stand perfectly sill
for hours, he did so then. Listening and pretending not to listen
all at once. ~*~
~Old Scratch~
*Finally, he glances at BLACK again, assesses him a moment,
watches him closely, as if dissecting him under a microscope, so
intense is the small, tiny, crushing gaze. And looks away. He
notes... notes the teeny miniscule tremors of exertion in James'
muscles as his body strives to hold position, and he has no doubt
the boy -would- hold it for as long as necessary... so he lets
him do it... lets him until he can feel the burn of the strain,
knows it must be agony* ....At ease.
~BLACKDAGGER~
~*~ He allows his hands to fall behind his back and his legs to
stand shoulder width apart, then in the same motion turning just
so, as to stand behind Scratch, looking at Yvette. Standing then
in his position near motionless, catching himself holding in his
breath at time. Hearing the florescent lights fill a dull
emptiness that consumed the air between voices. He watched, his
muscles relaxing this position much easier to hold. They sighed
in relief. He then said in the same tone, though a bit more
confidant ~*~ Yes sir.
~Venin~
*She mentally curses as dismissal is denied BlackDagger...she can
no longer think of him as James...they are both the enemy. She ha
no doubts that BlackDagger will do whatever 'He' orders, no
matter what. 'He' always compelled instant loyalty in 'His' men.*
'Your' *the one word filled with more venom than even her claws
carried...She forces up long dead memories, memories to add fuel
to her anger, her hatred* only child is dead, that child was
murdered almost 10 years ago.
~BLACKDAGGER~
~*~ He simply allowed his gaze to fall on her, watching. Though
not malice or ill will accompanied it. Instead a touch of
curiousity... as he watched... quietly. His jaw still set in
silence... as he forced himself to relax just a bit further. ~*~
~Old Scratch~
*Breath being held... the boy was tense. Then, most were around
Scratch, and probably for good reason. Loyal? Oh yes. And he
cared, too. Cared about his operatives, like a family to him,
when he lost his own so long ago. He likes James, James who has
always striven hard to do his best. Interesting past, as well,
Scratch knowing the files. Good lad. Though a bit too eager,
Scratch has high hopes for James... expects much from him. Even
if he does have a tendency to disobey orders on occasion... bulbs
hum and Scratch selectively tunes background noise out. Inwardly,
he smiles*
~Venin~
*Blood runs out between the fingers of her clenched fists,
dripping onto the floor. Her nails still deeply imbedded within
the flesh, goes unnoticed by her as she faces down the one
confrontation she had come to dread...her father...*
~Old Scratch~
*Yvette's words strike a chord, though it doesn't show, not even
in his eyes, where it lances hard, deeply, stabs down his throat
and into his heart, memories behind the eyelids. But he learned
to deal with that long ago, and his demeanor doesn't change,
nothing about him does except that he leans back against the wall
again, at ease, comfortable, gaze steady and cool, as always*
That was my wife. My child is right before me.
~Venin~
*scorn fills her voice* The girl you called your daughter died
there as well. Her 'murdered' corpse is long since rotted away
beside her mother.
~Old Scratch~
*he notes Venin's scorn, and arches a brow slightly, gently, eyes
riveted on her own, locked. His voice is soft, even gentle, and
maybe the tiniest bit edged* Only because you allowed it.
~BLACKDAGGER~
~*~ He tried not to blink. He tried not to think but wound up
near gawking in confusion. Knowing after this incident he would
more than likely not be allowed back to converse with her. To ask
questions. He noted then her hands.. and her honest detest
towards him. He listens to tones among other things before
blinking a few more times and standing full and tall again. His
legs relaxed, his hands clasped to prevent more shaking. Finally
then totally relaxed, as if it were merely protocol. A routine...
his fear finally drained to his feet, a more pressing emotion.
Utter bafflement ~*~
~Venin~
*her gaze momentarily rests on Blackdagger...he didn't need to be
here, why was 'He' keeping him here....there's gotta be a
purpose. 'He' never does anything without a purpose... poor guys
probably antsy to get out of here, he doesn't want to be stuck in
this*
~Old Scratch~
*Scratch keenly feels/hears all the minute shifts James makes,
hears tendons function and bones move against cartilage in
order... the boy was learning much, listening. But perhaps it was
time someone else knew. Someone else heard. Sealed away in his
files, only a select handful knows Scratch's past, including
Venin. And it seemed an unspoken agreement among them not to
include others in this... their personal dispute. It hurt too
much… recalled too much. He'd have to talk to James later,
alone... explain a few things. Maybe. Perhaps... he wants it this
way*
~Venin~
*She sneers, her voice razor edged, barbed* No, because you
ordered it, you condemned both of us to die.
~Old Scratch~
Is that what you still think? *His voice is very low, almost a
whisper, slightest bit of strain in it, carefully hidden. But his
throat is tight, constricted, his mouth suddenly dry. She still
believed that? She still saw it that way... ordered his own wife
killed* Of course you do. You've told yourself so many times
that's what happened that you've rewritten yourself as well as
any telepath could. A personal brainwash. Lovely, Yvette. Simply
wonderful.
~BlackDagger~
~*~ He was motionless, and caught a gasp before it parted his
lips. Surely she was mistaken... surely... he was not supposed to
be hearing things like this. He glanced at Scratch then pulling
out of his statuesque cast and nearly leaning forward. The person
he took orders from, the person he admired, and tried to model
his skill after... ordered his family killed... there must have
been... a mistake. He blinked then towards Yvette... before his
lips parted slightly... and as he stood back in his at ease
stance... saying then ~*~ Permission to speak freely sir..
~Old Scratch~
BLACK:*he seems to have almost forgotten James was still there,
tho surely, this man would never be so sloppy. He blinks once at
the question, casts his eyes in the youth's direction without
actually turning at all to see him... and is quiet a short while.
Finally, he answers, a single word in that commanding tone*
Granted.
~Venin~
I remember that day...*She closes her eyes as an attempt to block
out the memories*...what I saw…what I heard...It's indelibly
etched within my brain. *She angrily steps forward impacting with
the force screen that impedes her progress. Her angry glare,
burning hotly into you*...'YOU' think I can forget something like
that?
~BLACKDAGGER~
~*~ He stood there, near shocked that permission was... granted.
He lost his tongue for a moment before then stammering, and
finally saying ~*~ What the hell is going on here sir? There is a
reason Yve... Venin is as angry as she is... I doubt it is self
deception... sir ~*~ His words almost unsure... and seeming a
touch meek. Hardly the impact one would expect from a towering
steroid... but the words said just the same. He continued to
stare directly at Yvette as he spoke, then finally allowing his
eyes to wander towards Scratch. A slow near fearful journey. ~*~
~BLACKDAGGER~
~*~ Then letting his eyes fall again on the near hysterical
woman. watching. Unsure of whom to believe. Surely his
superior... a RUNner couldn't be right... even if it was the
daughter of his superior... he then finally shut off his thoughts
slowly, trying to absorb what he was still sure he was not
supposed to be hearing ~*~
~Old Scratch~
/I/ was there, Yvette. *slight gravel to his voice, so low its
scraping against the soft inside of his throat like fingernails,
his words. Sandpaper. He doesn't flinch, nor blink, nor make any
kind of gesture, any kind of movement as she impacts with the
safety shield, an energy screen as solid as anything physical.
Her gaze strikes like coals, red hot, on calm, calm eyes. Eyes
that seem unaffected, untouched, unscalded by her accusations. He
watches her obvious pain without altering expression* Do you
think I could forget?
~Old Scratch~
BLACK:*And still, his eyes burrow deep into his daughter's face,
his voice evening out as he answers nonetheless, a soothing,
placid tone. Conversational, almost amused* This is called a
family discussion, James. A father and a daughter... talking.
~Venin~
*She hears Blackdagger ask for permission, assuming it is to
leave....she'd do the same thing, get away as fast as
possible...Her mouth gapes open as Blackdagger actually questions
a superior, Black asking if a RUNner might have a point...Her
eyes meet James, briefly, her confusion plainly visible....this
was an unknown factor, and unforeseen circumstance, but she
recovers quickly enough.... Her angry gaze fastened upon 'him'
waiting to hear a response*
~BLACKDAGGER~
~*~ He narrowed his eyes very slightly, indeed not the answer he
was looking for. But he severely doubted he would ever receive
it. And he highly doubted files on either of them would divulge
their small family secrets. He then said regaining his tone
quietly ~*~ Thank you sir... for clarifying that... sir. ~*~ His
eyes wandering towards the camera... which was /off/ and appeared
to remain that way. Blinking towards Yvette again... not
bothering to press the point any further ~*~
~Old Scratch~
*Scratch hasn't missed the fact that Black is... almost...
defending Yvette. No, quite the contrary, he's well aware of what
James said, and of Yvette's minute response to it. Oh yes... he's
very aware...*
~Venin~
Yeah, 'you' were there...with 'your' men...it took a full squad
to do it.
~Old Scratch~
*he almost chuckles at Black's soft response. The camera, the boy
should notice by now, is off. Indeed. Scratch would prefer
certain things to remain private, and he alone among the Hunters
has the position to authorize such a thing. He would explain more
to James later, for now, he was talking with his child* Of
course.
~Venin~
*Her eyes shift to James...* Why did you keep him here? Need more
of your goons?
~Old Scratch~
*A beeping sound... one that should be familiar to all of them. A
signal that one of the active members is being hailed. Scratch.
He ignores it, or seems to, the indicator light on his watch
flashing. A situation he is needed for immediately... his brows
raise as he replies to Yvette quietly, but pointedly, gaze frozen
to her eyes, eyes... so much like her mother's...* Think about
it. She was natural. If you think it would have taken me an
entire squad, aside from myself, you really -are- delusional,
Yvette. Sloppy, lazy, lax, and delusional. *then, with a small
nod over his shoulder to BLACK, he again speaks, in more
authority* Head out, soldier. *Without waiting for a reply, he
nods once to Yvette... his gaze says this is not yet finished,
we'll talk later, and he turns, filing to the first of eight
checkpoints, the camera now back on* Pleasant dreams....
Princess.
~BlackDagger~
~*~ He paused as Scratch ordered him out. Glancing upwards a last
time to the camera, only allowing his eyes to complete this
motion as he slowly started to follow his superior. It was
flashing on. His shoulders losing their edge, the appearance more
as a child knowing they are to be reprimanded. He paused again,
mid-stride as his gaze trickled downward to Yvette. Her hands
dripping with her own blood, from her own seething hatred. He
hadn't hated like that... not like /that/. She was still a
killer. She killed Vince. But he had killed too, what of the
families, the only friends of those died? They would want his
hide just as much. See him in such a predicament. They would be
as amused as he felt Yvette would... if it were him in that
cell.. As long as he had held that grudge...months, almost a
year? How long had it been? His anger nearly washed away signs of
time... had he been here... this place for... that long? Had
Vince really been gone that long? He found himself having to
remind himself to hate. --She was the target of his hatred.
--Almost half-enjoying seeing her break, the other half, pitied.
He narrowed his eyes as he said then clearing his throat ~*~ I am
assuming I will not see you again. ~*~ He hesitated longer as
Scratch ascended the stairs, taking another step as he kept his
eyes on her. Un-sure of what to say.. she had to be delusional.
Perhaps he simply needed to believe anything that Scratch fed
him. Squaring his shoulders then perhaps realizing then and
there. Something that he had not for a very long time. The oddest
emotion in the midst of all others... respect. He had never quite
lost respect for her, though it had diminished greatly. He stood
there, then turned facing her. Slowly he fully saluted her, the
only thing that could come to his mind to show this. His muscles
as perfectly stiff, and at attention as they had been for Scratch
himself. His expression as hard, his muscles so tight near
trembling. Though instead his eyes were falling directly on her.
He relieved his salute, as he turned, looking up allowing his
eyes to travel down the hall towards the stairs. Reluctance
pulled back on every movement he made. His pride fading with each
small and fleeting thought. He had moved barely an inch in this
intoxicating fear. He'd get it for this... he assumed he'd be
saluting that damned Amber girl when next they met. ~*~
~Venin~
*A shiver of disgust runs over her body as 'He' refers to her by
'that' name. She couldn't stand that name when she was still an
innocent child that thought her father could do no wrong. 'He'
was once her hero, she worshipped him and sought to follow in his
footsteps...now...now she knew the truth, she saw the reality. It
was a harsh awakening, too bad it was too late...Her hardened
gaze follows his form as he disappears up the stairs, her cold
gaze cuts to you as you voice seems to echo loudly in the sudden
silence...Minutes, hours, days seem to fly by, her suddenly
over-strained mind unable to form a comprehensible reply to your
simple statement. Then...then he saluted her...he had surprised
her several times already, first with his almost teasing
attitude, then when he questioned 'Him'...but this, this sign of
respect, for an outcast...no, a rebel...a traitor against what he
believed in...for the person that had killed his best
friend...this was too much for her....Some call it battle nerves,
others would simply call it shock...but her body kept tense for
so long...her mind and body both held under so much
strain...prepared for battle, but receiving no outlet....They
betray her...it starts almost imperceptibly as minor muscles
twinges, then gradually expands...until her whole body is
shivering..*
~BlackDagger~
~*~ She not only killed his best friend she killed his /only/
friend. A drastic difference in these things. He again inched
slowly... having no thoughts that it might actually /do/ to her.
He swallowed the rest of the pride he had then and took a step.
He blinked as the sound seemed to echo. It was so quiet... too
quiet... he blinked at his new fears. Scratch simply couldn't
have known... denial, the perfected art of self deception. And
after this and respect came the confusion, that made him hesitate
even longer. His hate he reminded himself again allowed him to
take a few more paces with ease... away from the crumpled woman
behind him. Then glancing back before hitting the stairs. Perhaps
a good-bye, or a resolution to these things. Taking a sharp
inhale as he eyes narrowed, walking their glanced up each step
narrowed to paper-thin strips. His blonde hair which tightly
pulled back reached mid back, swung to a stop. He shuddered as
adrenaline made his skin... even though the sweats sensitive. Oh
he'd be reamed if he delayed any longer... but he felt crushed to
move further. So again glanced back to the tattered form... the
mental... stress that was caused to make her fall like this.
Scratch did something.. or she really believed he did. Either
way.. she'd /have/ to see a TP after this. And he highly doubted
she'd be the same. He closed his eyes from his narrow view... 'I
hate the fact I was born UNnatural' Shaking his head... it was a
blessing.. a double edged blessing. He found himself talking then
~*~ I hate it. ~*~ perhaps it was merely something else to target
his hatred upon, first it had been himself, his father, Yvette,
now this. He found himself unable to hate her half a person or
less so. He refused to hate his father understanding now... and
himself for all the shit the general crammed in his mind. Though
he could not let the flame completely die, thinking... if it were
to be him... there, she would not have done /half/as much. ~*~
~Venin~
*Her form continues to shake, her breathing fast and laboured,
but gradually the tremors subside as her mind fights to regain
control of a body that seems determined to betray her.
Finally...after what seems an eternity, through sheer willpower
she manages to calm her body. She looks up...surprised to see him
still here...surely it had been longer than that...it seemed eons
ago that 'He' had left ordering James to follow....why was he
still here?...she watches him take a few steps, each step echoing
harshly in the silence...his voice creates an eerie
whisper....suddenly it seems too quiet, too empty...she's not
sure if she wants to be left alone down here* James?
~Black Dagger~
~*~ He swung his eyes back towards her. Then finally grasping the
railing as he turned away from her completely. Taking another
step, his eyes narrowed again, slits daggered glances as he
clenched further. His veins swelling in his hand, feeling the
throbbing of blood rumble thoughout his arm. He took one step
upwards before finally though near clenched teeth... ~*~ What is
it...~*~ Each word seeming a bit harsher, whispered. Then finally
his head bent arching his gaze back towards her though the
silence that still consumed the air. His legs were frozen, fully
intending to hear what she had to say, but not wandering back
towards the cell. Then letting out a calmer and more subdued ~*~
Yvette. ~*~ The finishing of his sentence, as he regained his
anger and frustration of being confused, scared. His hand
released its grip as it slid back to a more relaxed poise upon
the rail. The fluorescent beams, the whirring of the camera now
audible too. A throbbing of his pulse though his body, to his
temples, and though his ears. ~*~
~Venin~
*She watches him ascend the first stair, the tension visible in
his body. His tone speaks a multitude of conflicts to
her...conflicts she knows well, conflicts she herself feels. She
hesitates as he turns his gaze towards her, unsure what she
wanted to say...she hadn't thought, only reacted out of a base
fear. A fear of a part of her that she will be forced to examine
once left alone, a further examination of her soul that may drive
her over the edge of a cliff she feels herself tottering
upon...what can she say to one that hates her? yet endangers his
career by helping her...or trying to...what 'can' she
do…say...except* Thank you. *The words quiet yet heartfelt,
he might have risked much for her, 'He' would not forget James'
intervention...and there was nothing she could do to repay him*
~BlackDagger~
~*~ A chapped voice and a befuddled mind. 'Thank you'.. from
someone he hated.. hated. Who took something that could not be
replaced or even consoled. He turned away from her completely...
for a moment. Wondering how much that hurt her pride to say.
Words he was not searching to hear... or could comfort or rectify
his actions. Not the words he had expected or even wanted to
hear... they were the /wrong/ ones. He slid back, descending a
step knowing full and well Scratch was waiting for him... or so
he perceived. A dull ache renewed to flames that dimmed and
smothered themselves out, they were the wrong words, but nothing
more could have been said. And for some outlandish reason they
meant a bit more than what he perceived as the right ones. Not a
thousand times more eloquent were those words of someone who he
assumed understood. Comforting, and simply thoughtful, even if he
thought she swallowed her pride, something he also thought she
had a lot of, to say. Words he could never say to the one he
hated, or ones who hated him. The wrong words a dischorded
harmony. Finding the right ones in the chaos of silence. She was
not going to say them. So instead... he found himself muttering
... to her... the one he 'hated'. ~*~ I … am sorry.
~Venin~
*she stares blankly at you, her mind a chaotic jumble of
confusion...sorry? I am the one that betrayed, I am the one that
killed Vince, I am the reason he is stuck in the middle of
this...why is he sorry?...her pride, long gone, hours of self
examination in the solitude of her cell had revealed to her sides
she wished she had never seen…Pride was something she no
longer deserved, pride is not for those who choose to hide from
life...Hide, that is what she did, until, out of sympathy, she
took in another, like herself. One who brought her back out into
the world, only then did she join the fight, the cause she
believed in...until then, she had been content to hide.* I should
be the one apologizing *A half-mumbled response, more an escaped
thought than an actual reply....I have given him ample reason to
hate me…to detest me… yet still he remains civil,
cordial even...even after what I have gotten him into.* I'm sorry
your caught in the middle of this...*she struggles for the word,
unable to find one she lets the sentence drop, unfinished*