The Day After

~BlackDagger~
** The bracelet Venin had given him had turned to dust a long while back, about 40 minutes back when he became so frustrated when not knowing how to operate the thing.The teleporters were nothing like the RUNners. His eyes were near red with frustration, tears, and a sense of utter failure. If he could drink, if it could effect him, he would have been plastered at that moment. Instead he was fully aware and still near fully charged. He was aware of every thought every sense his body felt. Everything seemed magnified, even the tugging and choking in his throat. Had he been that daft? Had he been that utterly brainless. Frustrated, enraged nearly at himself. He had a job a responsability and simply tossed it aside. . . for what? For someone that could never understand. . . was that even what he was seeking? He looked towards the mirror behind the bar, looking towards himself, and sighing a bit deeper. He sunk his shoulder waving away the bar-tender again, thinking in all honesty that Yvette would not show up**

~Venin~
*She wouldn't have left him if he wasn't going to make it...she would not abandon a friend, especially one who risked their life to save her...Now that Geoff had arrived with a medic to take care of him she could do what else needed to be done....what she could do she didn't know...he had risked a lot, his career, his friends, his beliefs...but why? why would he help someone who was supposed to be his enemy..why would he risk it all?...she appears in her old location, just on the outskirts of the woods above the tavern..it had been a long time since she was here...this was where it started..her active involvement with runners, all because she took in another GUARD refugee, one who, like herself, ran after discovering certain truths.....she begins her progress towards the tavern..Was he even still here? It had been longer than the 15 minutes, much longer...but would he wait?..she couldn't/wouldn't have left Alan until she was sure he was okay...no more than she would have left him back there...she steps up onto the porch her hand paused mid air before the door...would he still be here?....taking a deep breath she pushes it open and steps within, pausing while her eyes adjust to the smokey interior...then she steps further in, her gaze instantly landing on him....he had changed much, just in a short time..he looks young, she hadn't realized how young he was..how innocent, until now..until she sees the shattered look ... and she was the cause...but why?..she approaches, slowly, almost cautiously.* James?

** He noted her approaching from behind him in the mirror but didn't say a word. Nor did he say a word as she spoke, or even aknowlage her presence aside from a half hearted nod. He then blinked towards the simple glass of water he held in his hands. Nothing stronger had he ever remembered drinking. He truely was innocent. In several ways. He could never tell her /why/ and part of him hoped she wouldn't have arrived, so he would have one less person to explain himself to. But half of him was relieved, to see her walk through the door, to assure she was okay. Why? He had never had a sibling, often when he was younger imagined growing up with an older sibling, having them take him places, be at his wedding, he always wanted an older brother, one he could have impressed. (( But instead no he is stuck with her *teases* )) He would never actually have placed nearly as much respect or thought into her if he hadn't that fact to reflect his hushed thoughts on. The knowledge of what she had been though, and her misconceptions. He then finally after a long time, perhaps trying to find an excuse to supply, he muttered a dulled ** You're late

*she watches him as she takes a nearby stool....what can she say? offer? do?...Nothing..without him, they would never have escaped......she has no idea why he risked so much..she isn't sure she wants to know why...the image of Alan laying there half dead flashes across her mind..too much had been risked to save one person...perhaps if...she drops that thought..what is done is done..the past cannot be reversed....she nods gratefully at the bartender as he slides her labbatts towards her...it had been a while, but they still remebered her.....she takes a long swig from the bottle...a way to occupy time, an excuse to avoid conversation....why did she come here? why was he still here?..she puts the bottle on the counter..staring at it between her hands, only now noticing Alans blood still upon them..only here would noone question blood on a person..this was a strange place* I had to take care of Alan..he was bad *The words fall dully from her lips...what else could she say?...*

** He nodded and too tipped his water towards his lips in silence. He managed then after her words a simply ** Only because he was foolish. ** He shook his head. He didn't like the guy, but he didn't dislike him enough to wish he would die. He placed the glass upon the bar-top again with a dull click. Glancing towards the blraclette that was severely mangled on the ground. ** Your braclette broke, sorry. ** The words were empty, as he too had nothing he could supply or say. Then finally he put aside his self pity for a moment and offered her a small smile towards her reflection anyway. Saying then a light ** So you're free. ** Nearly adding a 'good'. The whole thing though irked him. . .it seemed too easy. Near as if they were unknowing pawns that played their parts in a course of things. Something he had a little time to think about before she arrived. And between the occassional slamming fist, and frustrated grunt. He tried to relax his shoulders, and allowed his smile to fade. His eyes to close,and his breathing to steady. He was tense, though not sore. His clothes were beaten to hell, though the tears and bullet holes, perfect skin shone through. He wished it would have remained, every last scratch, hopefully he could have bled to death, that would have been more merciful than the simple hour of self anguish. A thought that raced through his had. . did he have to be one of /them/ now? **

*she continues to stare at her beer, at her hands, at the bartop at anything except their reflections and him* He was..he shouldn't have....*she drops it....the past was the past..no shouldn't haves, or maybe ifs..what was done was done, no changing it..she looks over at the mangled bracelette, raising an eyebrow but saying nothing about it...she picks up the bottle and finishes off the beer before signalling for another..anything to avoid talking...she came here..she had to...but why?what could she do?..she looks up at their reflections in the mirror...a hollowed eye spectre meeting her gaze...is that me? have I really changed that much?..she closes her eyes then gazes back at the reflection..yes it is, everything has changed...everything* I am......but are you? *and him...what would become of him? she can't see him becoming a runner...unless it was like she had, accidentally...will he go rogue? who knows..maybe, just maybe, they can mange to get him back to GUARD*

** He rose his brow at her question and sat back for the longest moment, in silence. Something that obviously was a trademark in their current conversation. He listened and replayed her words a hundred times over in his mind. And then said what he could ** How can I be free if I never considered my 'cage' as that bad of a place. It's. . . ** A shrug as he folded his arm over his chest. Using the other to still grip his water lightly. ** . . .home. ** Everything he had done. It seemed to have vanished. There had to be a way back to GUARD, even if it was a simple custodian he wouldn't care. At this point he'd scrub the toilets again just to be at his home. Blinking then as he realised, as much as he said he despised the french place, it's what he deemed it. And no matter how much he loved it to her it would be a prision. A place they tried to clip her wings. A place he wondered if he could see again. He then withdrew his grasp on the water and folded his arm over his chest like the first. He wondered dully at the same time, if that french brat was okay, none of this was her doing, yet she was a victim of circumstance. because he decided to help. In a way this was /all/ his fault. . . aside from the GUARD Abyss killed, and still blissfully ignorant of the ones Yvette killed, no one would have died if he had only /done/ /his/ //job//. **

home...*the word spoken with loss...what was home now? the farm was compromised..she knew it would be someday...but somehow she had just never really believed it...that was her sanctuary...now what was there?* Is it still that to you? *the words dully spoken, not really a question, more of a statement..she takes another sip of her beer, then sits there, rolling the bottle between her hands..she looks over at him suddenly* why did....*she cuts off the question..does she really want to know the answer* we have to..* she looks at his reflection in the mirror* we have to get you back..somehow *the last word mumbled quietly..almost as if it were a thought not meant to be heard*

** He laughed, a cold empty laugh. His eyes neither danced, or narrowed, instead seemed a bit empty ** I fear that. . . ** Completely honest, and then shaking his head slowly ** It would have been easier if I left when I started walking. Now they /know/ something. A few minutes hostage yes, maybe a half an hour, a strech, but it's been over an hour Yvette. The only way they would have me back if I were /dead/ . . ** A dull thought coming to his mind that seemed outlandish. ** They know it only takes about 25 minutes max, no matter how drained, to fill up ** Under his breath then** if I am not having to keep fixing myself. And Attrait saw me, prolly saw me carry you. . .how could I be so /stupid/ ** most of the talking said then as to himself. He added an empty and monotone ** It'd be harder getting me back than you out a hundred times again. ** He thought then as he glanced towards her and sank a bit deeper in his thoughts. Then saying absently as if habit. . .** You shouldn't drink.

*she takes a long ragged sigh* what if...? *she pauses considering, wondering if he would go for it..would jesse?..she finishes off the beer, gesturing to the tender for another* What if ....one of our Psis wiped you? *she highly doubts he would go for that...the thought of mind tampering...altering anyones mind..that disgusted her..she gives an involuntary shiver at the thought* much like what GUARD did with sai? *The mention of Sai reminds her of Zak..and afond smile crosses her lips...she is sure he was in on the breakout..but was he okay? Jesse she knows could easily fend for herself, but Zak? she could easily see Zak falling into a trap, letting his anger take over..he was too innocent....if something happened to him....a fierce protectiveness briefly overcomes her but she pushes it aside as she takes another sip of her beer* or...or...if *her mind runs circles,searching for ideas, ways to get him back...but each one her mind rejects, knowing that GUARD wouldsee through it* What if Attrait didn't see you? Maybe...... *she struggles her mind turning every devious corner within it, searching,hunting...she takes another sip then places it back on the counter* I know I shouldn't *she shrugs* its just one of many bad habits... *she stares quietly at the bottle a she peels off the label then quietly, almost as an after thought, she asks the one question which has been haunting her mind* Why? *she looks up at him* Why risk it all?

** He watched her then rack her brain, a small glimmer of hope then it subsided, saying then ** Letting one of /yours/ wipe /me? Because I'd likely end up LIKE Sai but on your side. And. . ** he shook his head then slowly.He hated people in his mind as well. He did not mind the occasional mental send from his team in battle a fray, but to have someone peer in his mind. That reason nearly prevented him from seeing her at all while she was captive, The TP scans he was ordered to clear and report back to the gate. ** I could not betray them that way. . . ** not devulging his clearence levels, he'd be a nice package for RUNners to aquire and he knew it. He'd NEVER supply the knowledge freely. He then felt more hope as he smiled, and said ** perhaps you are right, maybe Attrait didn't see me, maybe. . . ** Though that too was doubtful. Saying then as if in response of her question ** How close can you come to killing me? Could you then dump me back there? Not /there/ but near there? Perhaps someone might find me.** - Or - He thought dully - at least I wouldn't have to live with myself. - He danced around her question entirely. He didn't want to lie, but either way he'd have to. To GUARD or to her. . . something he was not looking forward to.**

No, you wouldn't..I wouldn't allow that..I doubt... I doubt that particular Psi would either.*she had mentioned jesses name before, but why mention it now..they knew she was with them, but she didn't need to remind..she takes another sip of her beer* I don't blame you though....*she chuckles softly* I never could stand someone in my head *she looks up at him laughing, well if he did you can always claim I seduced you...after all, men have done crazy things for sex..hells look at the ruckus that occured when they got that one girl...uhmmm, what was her name? uhmm storm..rika storm *she smiles* males were doing all sorts of things to get her attention *she looks at you one eyebrow raised* to killing you? I don't know...I don't really want to know....but *shrugs* you have an idea...but I wouldn't dump you there..how about my farm?..*she winces with each word, her farm is gone...no longer hers, no longer safe* I'm sure they have found it by now.....you could claim that I got pissed off when I realized it had been found

** He rose a brow and then completely shuddered at the mention of Rika's name. ** Her. . . ** The word could have been an icecicle and made less of a differnce. If anything there was something he was thankful to get away from. The women, just for a little while. He then shuddered a touch deeper and then coughed a bit, saying then lightly ** I doubt it would work . . . ** Hoping to heaven it was not a serious plan. He looked at her again and his a touch of revolution, but instead it shook at him for a bit as he then took a strong sip inhaling nearly the rest of his water. He then breathed in deeply, looking towards her saying honestly in a way of warning ** Don't go back to your farm, /ever/ Yvette. . . //ever// ** The words should have been enough. . . who knew what traps even her simple presence would acticate. Trackers, scanners, cameras, everything, and he knew that it would be /days/ before GUARD liquadated the contents, finding more clues, (( Ei's comp for one. . . a nifty present )) saying then off handed ** You should have /burned/ it to the ground.. . if it isn't already. ** He then slowly looked towards her and then said as if in defeat ** I should probablly just go back. . . perhaps they didn't /notice/ ** Another dry and dead laugh as he then stood slowly looking to the dead teleporting device on the ground. **

*She chuckles* I see she is still at it..I thought she was transferred to Greenland or something?*her laugh gradually dies turning almost sad* you really think I would risk recapture after all this...*she shakes her head* the cost was too high, way too high..I know, I can never go back there *It hurts her to admit it, to loose what she spent so long building* I'm glad I had sold most of the horses...unfortunately there a few, my favorites..GUARD better take care of them*she takes a swig, slamming the bottle on the counter* Damn it! I never wanted this to happen, why couldn't I have just stayed hidden, minded my own business....*she looks up at you* Yeah, as if! As much as I hate the organization, GUARD is not that stupid...We will come up with somethign feasible to get you back in *She shakes her head* I can't not help you....not after what you did for me...in there *she reaches for your hand to pull you back to the stool* I owe you everything, you helped me keep what little sanity I have left....then, then you helped me escape....I promise, we will get you back in

** He shrugged as she continued about Rika, saying then ** She should have stayed there. . . how did you know . . ** He blinked towards her and just shook his head. The last of his worries should be how she found out her information. He looked towards her hand and recoils from her reaches and looks towards the door. Another dry laugh, saying ** And what would I do, simply live in this place? The smell alone makes me sick. I've always hated this place. ** -It holds nothing but ghosts. -**You know. . ** He paused then for a moment, still looking towards the door saying as he rose his brows ** Your problem is you have stopped thinking for yourself. You were safe when you thought of yourself. ** Lowering his voice and gaze in a perfect unison** Perhaps that's my problem too. In all honesty I should have made you go back. I should have turned away. . . I should never have even went to visit you in that cell. ** He glanced back towards her and then said. ** And I didn't salvage your sanity, only you could do that. ** He didn't move away to leave, instead looked back towards the door, saying then aside from the point. ** What other plans you have in mind?

*a smile creases her face* by your reaction...almost every male reacts like that when they are away from her..I think Shawn was the only one that ever genuinely liked her..hells I even tried to kill her once...I hated her...now I pity her.....*she finishes off her beer and stands* Fine then lets both go outside...*she looks around* walls bother me anyhow *She shakes her head* no...I have thought FOR myself ever since leaving GUARD. As for thinking of myself.....why? Even in Guard one isn't supposed to think of themselves, only of the group. *she begins walking towards the door, not bothering to see if you follow* It would have been easier for you if you had...*she looks back over her shoulder, but then where would we be? *she stops and turns towards you* Plans? I don't really...hopeless ones....a lot of maybes and ifs....*she chuckles* we could always damage your implant and dump you in nowhere...after all, we know all the base locations, putting you far from one wouldn't be hard

** He thrust his hands into his pockets and watched her carefully for a moment. Shawn. . .That name a hundrd faces appeared in his mind. Unable to pin-point a single one, so instead he let it go. He scoffed ** Pity her? I'd rather not talk about her. . .** -Think about her, aknowledge her existance- His face fell as he followed her outside, past a few drunken elves and a few dwarves that were being expecially loud. He wandered then outside, taking a huge breath, his hands clutching in his pockets. He looked towards the sky and nodded ** Yeah what I was thinking, your neuro-toxins neautralise my healing factor. . . so I could actually stay damaged. It would fit into the story, if they don't Psi scan me. Though I doubt they would if I was really bad, they didn't for Pole, or any others that were really hurt. And perhaps you are right Attrait didn't see me. ** He nodded then suddenly as he paused midstride looking towards the lake, nodding in that direction. ** You're right. . . a lot of maybes. . .ifs. . .** he started towards the lake and paused once more as he said ** You think that's one of our weaknesses don't you. . .we are like a collective hive. . .all for the group, forget the individual. . .

*she wanders towards 'the tree' her hand almost carressing its bark....just a short while ago she thought she would never touch a real one again, she takes a deep breath inhaling the sweet scents of the night..she then turns, placing her back against the rough bark looking down at her nails* They would wouldn't they? *...she had used that toxin a lot lately, more than she ever had....that was one factor of her 'gifts' she had never been comfortable with....but the claws did have some uses apparently* well yes, the fact that it is more a factor of the group as a whole, the GUARD, not the individuals within it.....watching for eachother

** He stopped his path and blinked back towards the tree and then towards her saying ** No not that they would do that. .. they DO do that. ** motioning towards the tavern then saying ** Remember the fight at the bar, about a year ago. . .no it was longer than that ** He blinked upwards and then back towards her placing his hands back into his pockets. Allowing the point to fade a bit into the air as he then looked towards the lake for a long moment as there was nothing else left to say. He took a deep, very unsure breath as he closed his eyes for a moment. Just an instant as he then turned and shrugged his shoulders a bit, and glanced back towards her saying ** Then lets get on with it . . .kill me, maim me, whatever. ** Very dry humor as he then wandered towards her and then said in a low reluctant voice. . .** I can't . . .aide you ever again. . . they watch eachother, because of things like this. It's a neccisary and to some. . . fatal flaw.

*she pushes off of the tree, and stands staring off at the lake* I remember....that was the end of a very uneasy truce...*chuckles* and we were the cause...strange now that we stand here.....not exactally enemies, not quite friends *she turns to face you* what are we? *she extends her claws once more looking at them * If I do that, then I won't disable your transmitter....I want them to find you ..*she retracts her claws, still staring at her hands for along moment* I know that....believe me, I know *her gaze travels up, meeting yours* Can you tell me one thing? When did Aerik switch sides? Or was it just me he sold out? We might hate eachother but....

** He watched her hands, watched her claws. for a long moment shaking his head then. ** What are we? ** The question took him by utter suprise, he had danced around the questions before. . .but as direct as that was he sunk back a bit and then said. ** I suppose you're my rival, ** As close as he could actually say. He glanced back towards her and said then suddenly as she did. ** Don't ask again. ** He then looked upwards and shook his head again. ** No damage it. I won't die not close to a base. And you may have gotten sloppy, but not /that/ sloppy. ** He then fell to silence as she retracts her claws, a small uncomfortable silence as he turned his eyes towards hers catching her gaze and holding it. ** Aerik? ** He then thought for a long moment saying in all honesty **/ That /man was never on your side Yvette. ** He couldn't well enough simply tell her what had happened. But he couldn't deny her of a truth. Something he assumed was eating at her for weeks and months. Something she was entitled to know, and he was torn not to devulge. He nearly felt compeled to say every secret he kept locked in his mind, bursting at the seams like a boy, a relief, some burden he could unload upon another, instead he sucked it in.**

rivals? I suppose you're right....you have what I once did, I have...*she looks around* I have...* she was going to say nothing....but that was wrong....she still had plenty, she had zak, jesse, geoff, and alan...it might not be the alan she knew, but yet it was...he had earned that place today, a place within her family* I have my family.. *her expression changes becoming almost feral...she had hated him before...but now?...now she truly wanted him dead * You call him a man? he is nowhere near that ... One more question *She almost growls it out* Has he betrayed anyone else?.....would you even tell me?

** He then smiled thinly as he knew he could not ever considered her 'family' instead rival was a fitting title. He had what she once did. . . and he wondered dully perhaps she knew, and simply couldn't tell him. What irony, instead he focused his mind on her words, and then he blinked, and stepped back a bit. Saying then And you feel you haven't betrayed? If this isn't the pot calling the kettle! ** He blinked suddenly and then said a quiet and very low. . nearly angered ** I did not mean that. . ** He paused then thinking for a short moment. . ** It depends on your definition of betrayal . . . ** A soft chuckle and then a small tilt of his head. . .** I don't suppose I could. ** He did so much want to tell her, but would he betray G.U.A.R.D. that much as well. Saying then quickly. . ** Yvette how can I trust you, that you won't simply kill me, mind wipe me, when I let you at me?

*She wanders a little ways towards the lake, still taking in the fact that she can actually move about...that she is free.... she turns back towards you* I never said that.... *she closes her eyes as if in pain* You made me realize what I did *her eyes meet yours, her gaze still haunted and hollow* but I never handed someone over...I never would.to either side....I hope*the last words almost whispered as she walks back towards the tree, leaning against it in silence for a while...thinking....before sliding down and sitting at its base* I don't know if you can....that is something you need to decide.....*she looks up at you* I owe you more than you can imagine, far more...I owe you my life.

** He folded his arms over his chest again and shut his eyes. Amazed almost that it seemed she hadn't wondered what was in it for him. Though all it was . . . was rest of a guilty consience. He then rolled his eyes back looking towards the lake, the shining waters and the still forests beyond. He watched them in near silence. . .a gentle heaving of his chest as he breathed, watching the breath condense and trail into milky white whisps of air. He took a hand and smoothed back his hair for a long moment the motion seeming near lathargic. Though he was nearly fully charged, he almost seemed clumbsy in his motions. He watched for a few more moments and ased ** You would never go back, you could never stay, so you would never have to worry about betraying people again. And as for trust. . . ** The word seeming hollow and shallow from his lips. A quiet and resloute reply. . . a small incline of his chin ** I should learn not to trust anyone. ** not commenting about her life. She didn't owe him a single thing. Perhaps feeling that what he did was a way to even out the scores. So many mindsets had changed. . . so many small opinions had simply become non-existant. So instead of replying with what most would expect. . . - You do , you owe me big - He managed ** Well, you needed out. ** He managed then a laugh, a full laugh that one might make for insanity. . . wandering back towards her and saying then in a tone that was in utter disbeleif. . ** You realise how the tables have just turned. . .How. . . how you longed for this. . .and all I could hope for is what you couldn't bear . . . it's. . funny actually. ** He managed to let his laugh subside in awkwardness. . .**

*one hand idly plays with a blade of grass, a low almost insane chuckle drawn form her throat* No, I would never go back...but...who would I have betrayed if I stayed? If I had remained a prisoner in that cell? *just thinking about captivity, confinement, brings back the feeling of the walls closing in, suffocating, squeezing the life out of her..forcefully, she springs from her seat and begins pacing, restlessly, the memories making her feel caged once more..she stops suddenly as she realizes that she was pacing the dimensions of her former residence, one she came to know so well.....she stands there in silence, staring up at the stars, compiling her thoughts* Trust bears a heavy price, for both sides...but it pays well....don't give it up * the words come out softly, almost as if to herself....she looks over at you* Why did you do it?

~BlackDagger~ ** He watched her then as his laughs echoed coldly. He watched nearing her again, noting her pacing and wandering close, finally sitting to her left side, his knees bent and his eyes looking up towards the sky, and back towards her. He couldn't answer those questions, and he doubted they needed an answer. He nodded in agreement saying ** Things you trust leave a blind spot for pain I suppose. . . but then again if you were consumed with that, you could never trust. . .** Unsure if he was making sense, his mind an absolute boggle of thoughts and emotions. Giving up, was that an option? The words seemed near foreign, though the pain and realisation hit him again and again he had simply taken an easy way out in many aspects. . . so he would not have her blood on his hands, her thoughts and words in his mind . . repeating over and over again. Things and words that brought forth guilt among several other unpleasent emotions. He inhaled deeply as she asked the question again. . .he had asked her not to. He wanted to beg her to forget about it and simply leave. Saying then dancing around the question, though running out of options at this point ** You don't want to know. . . ** He allowed his hands to lay flat on the uneven ground, feeling the dirt and grass, watching the sky then her. . . asking in quick retort of his answer ** What base?