~BlackDagger~
~*~ Partially civil, because he was told he was a failure when it came to his temper. Near polite, partially because he was told he had failed at doing this. Especially after Vince had died. He had recoiled back to his own world, blaming every person or circumstances /he/ had no control over. That may have been inevitable. No one joins G.U.A.R.D. for their premium health benefits... and as he noticed, not many had friends. No one knew when someone would be transferred away...or never come home. These are things everyone but him accepted as a truth and this truth he denied himself perhaps was more self-destructive than his obvious hatred. And that is where he lashed out at every R.UN.ner he saw. To him before... it was almost a game in a duty, no one could have loved their duty, not necessarily killing, more. Simple night watches his pride in this... even in wearing the sweats sported on him now. The game came to a bitter end as well... and the R.UNners the bystanders of his hatred. Perhaps it could have been anyone. And all he could think of for her shattering those candied dreams was ~*~ You're right. You should have. ~*~ Then wandering slowly back towards her shaking his head. ~*~ What have I gotten mixed up in? A family feud? A deep dark secret? A delusional woman and her caring father? A cruel man and bystander... I am sure whatever it is.. I will hear his side if it is mentioned again at all. And I doubt I'll ever have the ample opportunity to hear yours... is that what you are sorry for ? ~*~ He stood a few feet away.. saying then ~*~ You know if you were ever to leave... ever to defect again... I would still track you down, and drag you back here. To face him... and everything. That's why I am sorry. Because it can be /no/other way.

~Venin~
There is no other way, is there. *a simple statement...simply said...no emotion, no tones...just a flat cold statement.....I once felt the 'duty' as he does, but then it turned to obligation, then to burden* Neither side is wholly right...but neither will compromise....too much blood has been shed *She wraps her arms tightly around herself and paces the length of the cell....he deserves to hear...but how much 'can' I tell.....I've told no one, not even Jesse... her voice comes out strained, as she contemplates just what to say... how to say it...how to keep it unemotional* I'm sure the basic facts can be found, if you search the files hard enough, read between the lines...even 'He' cannot erase all traces. *too many times in the last weeks, those memories have replayed in her mind....for years she kept them locked up, safely tucked away in their own isolated cell...much as she currently was*

~BlackDagger~
~*~ He folded his arms over his chest, tilting his head upwards, looking down to her. ~*~ Why should I... so you should have a peace of mind knowing you are right... or wrong? I can't go search files... there are no lines to read between...you would need a prodigy to get past G.U.A.R.D. comp files, you know this Yvette.. I don't have the capabilities, I don't want to risk what I have for possibly nothing.. ~*~ He shook his head slowly ~*~ You think I have not read your file a hundred times over? There is no secret key, no special frills. I doubt I'll be able to leave my ro... ~*~ he blinked slowly and watched her. Watching as she paced, trying to keep at bay something that refused to stay there. ~*~ There is no way I could do it Yvette...not for me, not for you. Hell I wouldn't even go it for God himself. And if Scratch can't erase all the traces, then he hired someone to do it long long ago Yvette... and erased them never to be found ever. ~*~ He stopped his talking and lowered his voice, as he heard a dull buzz.. glancing back towards the stairs approaching her cell. Near sincerity in his voice.. ~*~ Even if I found something what would it prove to anyone anything? What would it have accomplished? I would still continue hunting... you Running, Scratch leading as if nothing ever happened. ~*~ A slight hesitation, as he fumbled though thoughts and words ~*~ But if things are as you say you are, I hardly would hold you in regard as a coward for leaving.

~Venin~
*She stops her pacing, her hands gripping her biceps almost painfully* no...so you can find out yourself, without being influenced by me. *she sighs and slumps against a wall* you are right, he would have hired someone...and even so, the files...the past...they hold nothing for you. They only hold my demons. *She runs a hand through her hair...her voice comes out quiet as she voices her thoughts*...tethered there by the devil himself...*She looks up at your words, her voice a strange mix of gratitude and regret* Thank you, but you were right. I should have stayed...to at least confront 'him' if nothing else

~BlackDagger~
~*~ He looked towards her. Hearing those words again, feeling her gratitude. Taking this into account and he slowly said ~*~ I have no desire to dig up your demons, or to find out for myself or otherwise.. and your gratitude is wasted on someone you'd easily kill if it meant your escape. You say such words now but... ~*~ Finally saying what he had been thinking ~*~ If it I were to be in there... you would have left this place long ago. ~*~ He let a hand wander up and smooth back his already tightly pulled-back hair. Not seeing different perspectives on his thoughts and rationalizations. Of course there was the obvious.. I don't want to get caught... the lack of curiousity... the following the book... shouldn't disobey orders... but the fear of maybe she was right. The man he admired, everyone wanted to be like would do something that drastic. Though that though entered his mind... why would Scratch do something that drastic... slowly lowering his head... ~*~ Perhaps I have one question... maybe you don't have an answer... Why would he kill his wife... and try to kill his daughter... the idea alone is completely ~*~ catching his voice and lowering it again ~*~ daft...

~Venin~
Never say killing is easy. *Her voice flat, almost harsh, as she thinks about it…if the situation arose* Its' never easy, especially when you know them...I doubt I'd kill to escape, injure maybe, but not kill. *She cannot even imagine the two of them in reversed positions, he the captive, she the captor...runners don't take captives and she cannot see him as a runner* As for our reversed situation....I have no idea what I would do...as you obviously did not. *she closes her eyes and slides down the wall, bringing her knees up to her chest. Her eyes open and she stares blankly at the wall, fighting to suppress emotion...her voice takes on a cold unemotional tone* Because she ran, and took his precious experiment, me, with her.

~BlackDagger~
~*~ He paused for a moment and tilted his head... this to her was the truth. He listened slowly taking in what she said, ignoring the first part almost entirely as she spoke the last. ~*~ Let me ask you a question, you have to be completely honest. Would Scratch send a platoon of people to slay your mother, and you... to get you back... why didn't he simply...take you if that was the case? ~*~ His tone still quiet, a near whisper... still jumping at the normal buzzes and whirrs that accompanied the deepest cells. He watched her, again pitying her. ~*~ I'll have you know... your father, has always been a good man to me... has been a bit strict when I slack, he tightens that up. Is it just possible.. you were...young.. misunderstood...?

~Venin~
Misunderstood? *The one word, full of malice and hatred not towards James but towards 'him' the one that called himself her father, her gaze rivets on him* How can I misunderstand when 'he' led the hunter squad that tracked us down and killed her? *she bites her lip and turns her head towards a wall...fighting the emotion that escaped her, pushing it back down into its cell, holding the emotion in reserve until she once again encounters 'Him', then, and only then will she release it all..A blast of hate and anger that will sustain her through their next meeting......Her voice once again takes on a cold, unemotional quality* 'He' has always demanded and received utmost loyalty in his people, none will act against 'his' orders. It was 'his' man that shot her

~BLACKDAGGER~
~*~ Again he listened to the whirrs, and the droning and spite of her voice. He still managed a slight backward turn as he thought he heard steps descend the stair. Frozen as they simply were a trick of his own mind. Glancing back towards her again as he tried to listen and calm his own nervousness. His hands though hanging towards his side were still clammy and slightly shaking. Very slightly. ~*~ I believe that you /think/ this happened... ~*~ Crouching nearer towards her cell, his voice a constant harsh whisper, finally after some personal debate, kneeling, one arm perched upon his knee. The other dangled, his fingertips resting gently on the ground, as to spring at any moment. Glancing towards her again after staring intently towards the stairs, and the hall preceding them. ~*~ But I can't believe what you are accusing. ~*~ And already having stated his stuborness on NOT looking the subject up. One would be led to believe he would just simply follow Scratch's word, and if ordered off the ends of the Earth. But one would have to think if this was so... would he be risking anything discussing such things with that whom he 'hated'. ~*~

~Venin~
*She looks over at you, a half sarcastic smile upon her face, her tone matching it* It's hard to believe the difficult stuff, especially when it is about someone you look up to, respect *a long drawn out sigh escapes her* sometimes truth hurts.....more than we realize...*She watches him, his movements reminding her of a kid, trying not to get caught sneaking back into the house...but she knows its' a lot more serious than that, 'He' detests having his orders ignored...unless 'He' was in a 'very' good mood James could be risking his whole career by staying* You don't know what it's like to practically worship someone one day, and the next to totally loathe them because you see what they truly are...what they have been hiding...

~BLACKDAGGER~
~*~ He was indeed very childlike, and naive about disobeying orders, it was something he /tried/ not to do on a daily basis, especially to Scratch the high and mighty of G.U.A.R.D. He blinked back towards her as she spoke, each word seeming to be nearly woven around a dagger, Slashing and mauling. And for this a moment longer he despised her more. Closing his eyes, near stating to leave. But knowing she was referring to other things. ~*~ He hasn't ~*~ His words dead, fallen tot he ground and limp. ~*~ done anything to make me respect him any less. I don't know if you are lying, or delusional, or simply a vindictive bitch…who is fucking with my head... and I am frankly starting not to care. ~*~ Blinking towards her. He did care, about the situation though, no matter how he deluded himself he couldn't. Not care about her, Scratch, their 'family' predicament. He did care, but instead he found himself lashing back out to where as he was hurt, saying quietly... ~*~ I can't do anything for you... the only person who can do a damned thing is yourself.

~Venin~
*She hugs one knee into herself* I don't know why he brought you into this, it has nothing to do with you...hell, I don't know why I told you what I did...You are GUARD,'His', for all I know 'he' is using you as a plant, to try to turn me back. *her voice lowers, the tone somehow a little gentler* But, I don't think you are...I have a feeling you 'would' rebel against that. I think it would seem too dishonest to you. *She brings her forehead to rest on her knee* I know....I just have to think...of how.

~BLACKDAGGER~
~*~ He sat there dumbfounded, as the all-call was repeated for the GUARD to report, the very reason Scratch left. He blinked upwards, sneering towards himself in disgust as he selectively ignored it again. Then again listening... something he had never been the best at... but listening. Nearly uphauled at her saying he'd refuse an order... but then relaxing, as even now he was disobeying a /direct/ one from Scratch. His ass would be ground round. He sighed and thought for a very long painful moment. She had nearly challenged him as to say he would refuse, fail to carry out an order. Then shrugging ~*~ I don't think anything could turn you back. ~*~ his voice near sarcastic, in a darker way. ~*~ And how the hell would you know what I would and wouldn't do? You don't know me... You can't judge /me/ like that. For all you know I am here to kill you, don't forget that... ~*~ He nearly shuddered in thought, almost saying he was sorry again. But instead he simply shook his head and very lightly said... ~*~ But you're right I wouldn't...

~Venin~
*She hears the all-call, remembering it well from her time with GUARD, expecting him to get up and leave. She is shocked when he does nothing…ignores it...This is not the Blackdagger she used to know, the one always eager and gung-ho, ready to follow every order no matter where it went. He always followed orders, in his own way, but he followed them none the less...James had changed, matured...or maybe he was just tired, tired of it all..* Thank you, I would like to think I won't, but they'll try, I can be positive of that. *she listens to the voice changes, sees how his body shifts, she might not be as good at it as 'he' was, but she could read a lot...She knows that he is as trapped, as uncertain as she is, unsure which path to take,, which direction to turn. * I know your not going to kill me, you would have done it already. ...I know, because I know you have your own sense of honour, you always have...

~BLACKDAGGER~
Honor? ~*~ A near scoff, as he looked towards her ~*~ Honor is something you know nothing about, and can't begin to appreciate it.. honor is something hardly a soul around here can even recognize. You shouldn't have the gall to... speak of my honor.~*~ Perhaps pissed his honor had betrayed him, leaving him down in the holding cell with the one he 'hated'.. He shifted his weight uneasily again as he listened to the alert fade and echo for a moment. Blinking back towards her as he sinks slowly into his kneel. ~*~ And don't thank me.. I... ~*~ He shook his head. He didn't need her gratitude.. not from her.~*~ I have a responsibility to myself, my father, my duty.. I can't abandon that to help you... ~*~ Saying the thought aloud, as if she needed to know what he was thinking. ~*~ I cannot fail, I will not allow myself to.

~Venin~
Not as you do, everyone has their own definition. *she runs a hand along the back of her neck, massaging the muscles...so much tension, stress...and that damn plastic square they call a bed doesn't help either* I see we both have one thing we agree on, a few have some, but most have absolutely none...*She never asked him for help, why does he keep bringing it up?... She continues to massage the back of her neck, trying to wring out some of the tension, and failing miserably... his father? she had seen the file, she knew what was down on paper at least...she didn't know which would be worse to have...his or hers?...probably his, its easier to ignore that which ignores you...or is it?* You won't, Your not a failure

~BLACKDAGGER~
~*~ His father never killed his mother, or even tried to kill him. The general in fact was caring when his mother had been alive. Even proud. The general was no where nearly as bad as she perceived her father to be. And yet still he wasn't really... a father at all. He remained in silence... what more could he say.. 'You're not a failure.' He sat there for a long time in drawn silence, perhaps awaiting for her to speak again. Digesting words that were near in a different language than he knew of. Had anyone said that to him... not those exact words... none since Vince. Why would she say that, now. She was... delusional. He finally cleared his throat a bit... and said in the same hushed whisper ~*~ As I said I doubt I'll see you ever again, ~*~ A small shrug, the first time he had spoken to someone... about anything to in a long long time. And it was nice... to have that. Standing slowly, looking toward her the whole time... and saying again the only thing that could be said to fill the silence. ~*~ Thank you.

~Venin~
*She sits there listening to the clicking of the camera as it flicks on and off. She can hear the electronic buzzes, and whines, that mark almost any modern establishment...to this day, they have not found a way to keep them quiet...Only this silence was different than the ones earlier, this one lacked the eerie uneasiness that the others possessed, this one felt almost relaxed...not the same as at the farm, but companionable...it no longer had the air of expectation hanging in it…She sits there silently, letting him sort through his own thoughts.* You never know what the future may bring, but somehow I think the chances are pretty slim. *She too stands, stretching each muscle in the process...how can she respond to a thank you? Especially when at this point she feels she is the one in debt. If he had left when ordered... if she had been left alone, trapped, in his tiny cage...she knows she would have lost it. She was too much in herself, too keyed up, too stressed... he gave her a chance to cool down, calm down...think things through. She wonders if he knows what he has actually done for her. What can she say to someone that may have saved her sanity, how can she respond, when she is the one that feels owes more* You're welcome.

~BLACKDAGGER~
~*~ He dusted off his pants, G.U.A.R.D. regulated ones. Ones he still found a dull pride in wearing. And stood there for a moment, listening to the clicks and the sound of his own breathing. Then her saying quietly her own thoughts. He smiled a bit... ~*~ Always an optimist... ~*~ He glanced towards the stairs, like an impending doom before standing perfectly straight. Where as she could do nothing to her situation, except perform like the caged bird she was. He allowed his hands to dangle beside him as he walked, a little easier towards the stairs... looking back towards her cell once before climbing them. Barely visible from his view in the hall... ~*~ Take... care. ~*~ His voice nearly inaudible, even unsure if she had heard it. He ascended, and checked out of the gates... one by one. The process, not nearly as hard as it had been before. The guards there letting him go though without as much as a look over. More uneasiness followed as he arrived out of the holding cells. Awaiting a punishment perhaps, feeling that everyone could see clearly written on his face, he disobeyed an order... a direct order. Something he promised himself he would not do again... and worst of all for a RUNner. He slid towards his room, Where he pressed his code to enter.. and where the door opened to sheer pitch. ~*~

~Venin~
*she indicates the room* But of course, what else do I have? * She watches him prepare himself to leave, reminding her of a casket bearer before he shoulders his load...but for him, it was the unknown up those stairs, the unknown penalties...she was sure his mind was running through the worst…disobeying a direct order, that was a big one...it could hurt him bad, she only hopes it doesn't. Maybe he'll luck out. Maybe he can talk his way out…no, somehow she doubted he would even attempt that one...oh well, there wasn't much she could do except* Good luck. *to his departing frame, the words honest and hopeful. She listens to his footsteps recede, being alone no longer seemed so bad, so terrifying* Thank you. *quietly said so that none but the closest mics could hear*