That which does not kill us...

~BLACKDAGGER~
** Dew glistened, kissed the tips of the gardens in the back of the GUARD complex. Sweet smelling flowers that were closed for the night still allowed the air to fill with their perfume. He walked now without supervision. His first day, that he was allowed. He was allowed to absorb the animals, and his wounds were completely healed. The medics still advised him to take it slow. Which he despised. He walked at a leisurely pace through the gardens, upon their meandering paths. Passing a fountain that seemed like something straight from the Roman age. For the several days after Piranha's visit he had thought about nothing but her, and he /loathed/ her for it. He sat quietly on a stone marble bench beneath an overhanging rose. It was perfect, and he rather enjoyed his solace. He allowed him to think about things. It allowed him to process things far from reaching minds. Reaching questions, though they ebbed after J.X.'s report. He admired that man, more than he ever had. He rolled his neck back and his eyes upward. Wishing he could observe the milky way, instead he just saw a lit, bleak sky, the lights from near-by Paris drowning nature's natural night-lights. **

~PIRAHNA~
*Few who claim to know her would recognize the woman who silently steps into the garden. No longer clad in her usual revealing attire, this eve she wears what some would almost consider normal, jeans and a t-shirt. Perhaps her clothing still fits snugly and perhaps it is all designer wear, yet it is still usually rare for one to see her clad thus...This is one of her sanctuaries, one of the few where she can be almost normal, if only for a while....Only three places has she found on this base to which she may retreat...her room, which seems a cell at times...the lower kitchen and the gardens, both of which she only frequents late at night, for then there are fewer people...less for whom she must perform...she leans over a rose gently inhaling its scent...then continues wandering up the gravel path, her azure gaze taking in the changes since last she visited...it had been a while, rarely did she allow herself the luxury of relaxation*

**In his hands was a small key, he had really grown to appreciate. He hadn't retrieved the counterpart, but the /key/ was even enough. He looked from the sky to it, feeling it in his hands. He did feel a desperate need to seek Yvette, but he knew that was utter suicide. He knew /thinking/ that was almost as bad. His body still seeming like on a caffeine fix from the remnants of the animals he absorbed, his senses still heightened, his attentions still distracted. But fortunately he heard someone wandering around before he saw them. He composed himself completely, expecting anyone really. The last few days had not been without their surprises. He leaned forward narrowing his eyes at the distant and approaching silhouette. Seeing the outline in a shirt, looking for something like that too to assure himself it wasn't the scantily clad, and over endowed Piranha. Even now she lurked in his thoughts. As much as he /thought/ he wanted to see her again, he knew he didn't. He /did/ //not// like being taken advantage of. No matter the circumstances. He replaced the key in his pocket non-chalantly, casting a smile towards the on-coming employee, half hoping it would be Chameleon. His smile was handsome, and his demeanor was more likely not one Piranha would even have known he /had/. Relaxed, . .-normal-. He seemed like a regular guy, who thought he spied an old friend. **

*Only once had James seen her similarly attired, but even then, in the cafeteria, she had maintained some air of confidence...here, where she thinks she is alone she is for once relaxed, no longer does she have her guard up, ready to protect herself...She is unaware of the presence of others as she pauses on a footbridge looking down into pond below, genuine delight playing on her face as she watches the darting shapes of Koi dancing under the clear surface...She reaches into her pocket pulling out a small bag of dried bread which she scatters over the waters surface....A light hearted chuckles leaves her throat as she watches her offering be devoured...these were her favorite part of the station, these small golden piscine...with nothing in their lives to do except to swim and eat...to her they were the ultimate creation....once the last of the bread is gone she continues down the pathway, only now looking up to see what was before her...her gaze landing briefly on a figure which she recognizes* James. * the one word softly spoken more to herself...she stops and looks down at her attire then looks back at the path behind her...perhaps she should retreat, maybe he had not yet seen her*

** Oh he had seen her, but thought it wasn't her, and continued to think it wasn't her. He watched for along while, as she fed whatever lived in the murky depths of that pond. He had no clue that Amber was fond of fish. Waving her over when she looked up and noticed him. Only when she looked back and he saw the ponytail he stopped confused. If it wasn't Chameleon who was it? He watched for a moment more and then nearly gawked as he made out those unforgettable features. He stopped his jaw from dropping and turned his head. Perhaps she didn't see him waving. He shifted his weight uncomfortably and looked for the nearest route of escape. **

*she begins to turn when he raises his hand waving her over* damn *...she mumbles softly under her breath and turns to walk slowly towards you, a smile painted on her lips* hello James, didn't think to see you out here *Her voice matching perfectly what he knows, however this Rika is slightly different, a little more unsure of herself....her eyes dart around as if taking in the surroundings never meeting his* No-one is ever here this late. *her voice holding just a tinge of disappointment, this was her time...she never expected to encounter someone out here, not this late*

** He felt his throat constrict at the thought of her wrapping him around her pinky. Parading him around the base like some grand prize. Then drop him when another conquest was to happen along. As much as it enticed him as well, aroused his interest, and curiosity, it repelled him like an opposite edge of a magnet. He had vowed to keep chaste until marriage. Something he doubted would happen in his profession. Ever. But he still had his scruples, and if he were to defile himself with a woman, he would rather slit his wrists than have it be she. His stomach churned honestly not knowing if he could withstand another attack. Something he felt he had fought against harder than any UNnatural encounter. He watched as she neared, noting the attire which was more flattering than any of the string thong /things/ she sauntered around in. She was /normal/ almost, making his mind boggle ever so slightly more. He leaned forward about to compliment her instead he said, almost spitefully. ** Are you sure you didn't stalk me out here? ** He said the words before he had a moment to reflect about what he had actually said. He blinked and shook his head slowly. As much of a thorn she was in his side, no one on the base should be treated less than human. He then said. ** I didn't mean that but, it came out er. . . all . . ** The more he tried to explain the worse it sounded. He then just said bluntly. ** I just don't like the thought of being one of your 'toys'. I don't like how you make me feel . . . so . . .very** He tried to put it as nicely as he could but it just seemed feeble. He looked up at her and honestly, very nervously laughed. Unsure why he was explaining this to her of all people. ** Rika, I don't want you. I don't want . . . anyone who would treat me like some pet. Like a dog or a mouse, a toy to be placed back on the shelf when played with. ** And the more he spoke, the more detached his words sounded. Instead they became further apart, seeming to lose their effect, as if lost in a thought of her. He stood slowly, slowly walking towards and hopefully past her.**

*She keeps her distance, as if she is unsure of herself or you...her eyes widen in shock as you accuse her of stalking you* Stalking? *the one word sounding almost feeble, as if she couldn't believe anyone would accuse her of such action... she continues to just stare for the longest moment as he attempts to stumble through a failed apology...after what seems an eternity she nervously licks her lips* you meant it. * the words soft, almost a whisper, a sound that natural ears could not pick up....one hand unconsciously runs through her bangs, accidentally pulling some from the neat pony tail, leaving it in a disheveled mess...moisture wells briefly in her eyes before she pushes it back with a nervous, uneasy laugh* you're the first *she sniffs a little* well actually....the second. *she winces at the memory of her last failed attempt at seduction...she shakes her head while looking down at the ground, unable to come up with any response, any whatsoever except a soft* I didn't follow you here, not here of all places.

** He paused and stated very clearly. ** You /know/ you've been on my mind lately. If this has been on purpose or a lovely accidental side effect from your powers, I needed to tell you. I am done fighting you. I am done, through playing your games. ** His voice teetered on a whisper. A soft and nearly soothing tone. He reached towards her silken strands of blonde, clad in a ponytail. His hand wavering in the air, trembling in spite of it's desires. It would feel so /right/ to wean to her. To yield to her. ** I am not going . . .to /ever/-- * He didn't finish the last part of his sentence, Instead his clenched his fist to his side, as his hand fell through her hair, the most ginger touch. Floating to caress her cheek, with the tips of his fingertips. He stopped and said quietly. ** As lovely as you are, I am /ordering/ you, as a superior officer in this establishment, to stay away from me. ** His threats seemed ridiculous. His actions betrayed his words. He simply couldn't help himself. ** As alluring as you are you . . . are still a very little girl, ** He reminded himself more than anything. ** And as desperately as I'd love to . . . love you . . . at this very moment, that will never happen. I /mean/ it. I don't care how many times it has or hasn't worked . . . it won't work. ** He was being repetitive. He watched her demeanor, unlike he had ever seen. It confused him, compelled him. He instead of ranting anymore, gathered her up, in a very warm, embrace for the briefest of moments. He spoke again, placing himself on a limb. Desperately so. ** But, if you ever need a //friend// to persue, rather than a piece of meat . . . ** He then forced himself off of her and left before he could or would say or do another thing. Walking towards the way she came, his hands shaking, his body screaming in every direction. Shoving his hands deeply into his pockets. He didn't retreat at a fast pace, instead careful slow ones, his body though healed still reminding him to slow down. **

*She remained silent as he ran through his tirade, his body belying his speech...but around her, that had happened often....men cursing her name one minute, and turning to her the next...but, unlike most he did manage to pull away, with effort, but he did it...she says nothing, instead choosing to remain silent, motionless…letting him choose the path...this is uncertain territory for her, the one for whom there was no unconquered territory, only the untried....she watches as he walks away, his final words playing in her head..."but if you ever need a friend...", a friend? she had never had one, unless you counted the fish...those you will give and take without complaint or effort as he vanishes from sight she slowly walks back to the edge of the bridge and sits, staring silently into the pond...contemplating*