Razing the Lair

~Raze~
=Bastien grins as he sweats under the immense weight in his hands... grins or grimaces, sometimes hard to tell with him. Massive, veined arms tremble under his last set of reps, the weights anchored to the large bar easily 500 pounds, maybe more. Controlled breathing, down to the chest with the bar, up again... the man spotting him certain that at any moment he'll drop the apparatus and crush himself (the spotter knows his limits, and 500 pounds is beyond him), but Bas doesn't falter, completes his set, and places the bar back into its cradle, sitting upwards with a grunt and flexing his popping arms= Like freakin' Popeye. Yeaaah... =a short, barking laugh, and he makes to start on the hipsled. He lives for this, loves the burn of a good workout, engages in it as often as possible, and it shows to brilliant, over-done effect. He's a mountain of a man, 6'5" and incredibly huge. Sometimes his old nickname of the "Barge" comes back to haunt him. Proudly, it's all natural... he'd never stoop to steroids.. . he's too impressed with certain of his own attributes to risk their shrinkage. Some Gaterade, then he's moving again... 700 pounds on the sled, thighs bulging=

~Venin~
*As she walks down the hallway she can hear the repition of metal against metal...a sound she was familiar with..the free weights, her preferred method of self torture...she steps just inside the doorway, standing in the shadows watching...yet another vet she was familiar with, and hadn't yet encountered since her return..she was actually getting sick of these random encounters....very few had been actually civil, most still regarded her as the enemy, or if not quite the enemy then at least they were wary of her...she nods briefly to Bastien as she passes him then to the spotter, dismissing him..it wasn't the smartest thing to do, but she trusted people around here as much they trusted her...besides, she knew her limits, and if she did drop it on herself she'd just get a charge..she looks at 500lbs still on the bar and shakes her head...she wasn't up to that....she silently goes about pulling weight off and resettling it to more her style, 250lbs, and she'd only recently managed to push herself that high...she was more endurance than brute strength, but she still pushed herself, forced her limits higher...only now does she turn and actually look at bastion...and offer a vague* Hello

Good Lord... =Bastien blinks his white eyes, now slightly large, at the figure who strides past him... Yvette, Scratch's daughter, one of his old trainingmates. Always a rough'n'tumble girl -her power lent well to it- she'd always hung out with the boys rather than the ladies, as most girls did once they hit 17 or so. Not that an unnatural woman couldn't handle her own against a man... some were downright terrifying ...but she'd never gone to the girl pursuits. Far as Bas remembers, she painted her nails and that was about the extent of getting dolled up for Yvette. She'd been a good, good friend of Pole's, too, as was Bas (he was the one who helped Pole rehabilitate after gaining the cyber limbs), but schedule conflicts prohibited really getting to know Venin. Bas always thought that was a terrible shame... Pole respected the girl and hell, she wasn't hard on the eyes. Now, Bas had been stationed at this Northwestern base after Venin returned, but he's gotten all the scuttlebutt by now. Comrades were they, but never /close/ in any sense, he still respected her. And at the moment, he's almost gawking before he breaks into a wide, white grin reminscent of a Cheshire cat= Well look what the cat dragged in... =his voice, the deep rumble accented in Southern tone that it is, friendly= Hale, woman. Heard you'd come to yer senses and finally came back. The hell took you so long? =he stands and strolls over, standing next to her, admiring the arms= Nice triceps. Good form.

*she turns and fastens down the weights before turning back to him, a faint smile on her lips* well it took a temporary stay here to make me homesick and I just had to come back, it was so hospitable *the slightest hint of sarcasm tinges her voice as she seems to weigh and measure him..she almost seems to tense as he approaches then chuckles lightly at his comment, the faint tenseness leaving her* Thats a new line I haven't heard before.

Well, yah know, I aim to be original. =One white eye winks at her, his massive arms somehow folding across his broad chest= N'yeah, heard 'bout that eh... temporary stay thang. Musta been hell for you. Butcha know, think in the long run it was the best thang, maybe. You belonged here, not running around out /there/... =he makes a quick, flippant gesture towards the outside world= Pole must be happy to have ya back. I know I'm happy with it. Seems like home, like old times. Good ol' days. =he chuckles, a thunderous roll. Bas absently takes up the position of spotter, watching carefully now= Besides, figgered I'd get slapped for saying anything about good pec formation.

And you do that well *she shrugs* wasn't fun, but it seemed to have been necessary *she taps her temple* gave me time to clear things up *shoulders rise in a shrug...she doens't know how Pole feels about having her back here...especially after Fiji* not too many seem happy to see me running around free here *an eyebrow raises as he moves behind the bar to act as spotter.. .she hadn't used a spotter since she got back...she chuckles as she lays back on the bench and reaches up to the bar* You have a damn good point there *she lifts the bar off the stand and pulls it down to her chest before raising it again* so what have you been doing...fill me in?

=An almost goofy grin (the kind only a flattered male can have) and he shrugs a bit to help cover it= Thanks. =Then a frown and a dismissive wave of the hand= Hell, forget them. Shit happens, ya know. People change and do thangs and then realize it wasn't smart and want a second chance... all that crap. =a black brow arches in stark contrast to his snowy orbs= Whatcha mean clear things in yer head? You weren't sure you was doing the right thang or what? I've been a bit fuzzy on this whole incident anyway. S'like, if yer not here in the center of the mix, you get only the fringe gossip. =another chuckle, watching her, hand under the bar but not touching= Yeah. Slapping can be okay in certain situations, but pardon me if I don't look forward to it from /you/. =small sigh and a pause, his expression turns pensive= Not much, really. Past five years or so been stationed in Texas, complex down there. S'okay, I came from there before I was transferred to Chicago for the R.UN.ner outbreaks there, before that was helping Pole, but you know all that. Since then just.... been doing my job, ya know? Activity is low, they're getting smarter and harder to fnd. Easier back in the days when no one knew what the hell was going on. Now it's a fricken' waiting game. Ah well, they hadda learn sometime. Leastwise, this way they're more a challenge in a fight, too. =white eyes gleam in amusment, some of it forced=. Other'n that, same ol', same ol', Vette. How's about you? would love to hear YER story.

The rumours are going rampant I take it *she does a few more reps in silence then levers the bar back onto the stand and sits up turning to face you *its all public record, in the files *she shrugs* I ended up breaking some barriers that had apparently been set up...somehow /Eclipse/ *venom drips drangerously from that one word and her eyes briefly light in flames* got through my shield, he's what turned me to one of them *she shakes her head* I belong here not there *she chuckles* what afraid of a little /hard/ action? *she smiles* You've been pretty busy* shrug once more raises her shoulders then she once more lays on the bench and reaches for the weights* well lets see...was stupid enough to let someone through my shields and turn me, had a farm in Canada, was stupid enough to be captured by a rookie, got broken out....and now I'm back under second year status...and noone knows what to do with me.

=Bas mutters under his breath, brows raised upwards= I can figure a thing or two do with ya... =how he means it is questionable, but the obvious would be... well, obvious. Then, still watching her and assisting in placing the weights back on the bar, if need be, he muses a moment, chin in one hand, rubbing there. He hadn't missed the vehemence that dripped from her lips at the mention of /Eclipse/= Damn, that one... hell that was a strange case. We only recently got some information on him coming in... again, it seems. He dropped off completely, no one knew about 'im, didn't even know he existed, 'cept the newer recon work has unearthed him and placed 'im as a prominent R.UN.ner. The hell happened there, I dunno. No one seems to know. =he guides the bar down, fingertips under it, just in case, as she takes it up again= Didn't know you were caught by a rookie... that's all been pretty classified and kept hush-hush. Seems like the ones who know who this rookie is ain't talkin'. =Rikky was still a general unknown for the most part= But I say hell... you were a damn good Hunter. Someone fukked with yer head and now yer over it, so letcha hunt again. Where's the harm in that? As long as you were a RUNner, you gotta know some of their shit. GUARD should use it to their benefit. =small pause= But at the same time, yeah, I understand why they ain't so gungho 'bout lettin' you out again. Still, it's a waste if they don't.

*she raises an eyebrow at his comment and winks..then she returns her attention to the bar, working the muscles on each rep* yeah, well thats a tough one....seems the damn asshole is stronger than anyone knew....only now we got a bit more info..and maybe the asshole will fall soon *the bar raises and she holds it for a five count before slowly lowering, holding it just above her chest for another five count and repeating* ..and I plan to be there *she grimaces* yeah, a damn rookie....I got lax, served me right for being so damn stupid *the hold counts grow longer as she continues the reps...she wants endurance, more than the strength...*yeah 'bout all I can say is thats its a rookie...got damn good potential too....*..and reminds her of Jayde in that same freaky way that she won't admit to, let alone mention* They just dont trust me...noone wants me at their back, and so many hate me I don't want them at mine *she chuckles* plus noone knows what hold the jerk might still have.

You um... seem pretty damn bitter. An' I understand, just be careful, ya hear? =Bas grins slightly, admiring Venin's form and the way she handles the weights... damn, she was just pleasing to look at all around. He catches himself and straightens, brows furrowing as he muses a bit more= You got a point there tho... if he got in and under yer shields before, who can say he can't again? Or hasn't? Or has ever /left/? Man, I hate telepaths... sneaky bastards you can't trust. And if he's strong enough to make us lose our info on him in the first place, who knows what the hell he's doing /now/? He could still be in yer head. Anyone checked that? =he assumes so, but you never know= Well... maybe then, if I volunteer, we can do a hunt. =he shrugs his massive shoulders= Yer powers and mine are pretty much at stalemate, I think. Might not be as risky for me. =tho he knows damn well Venin is lethal even without her abilities=

me? bitter? *a slight smile graces her lips and she chuckles* never..I just lost my whole life because of him.. how many years was I one of them? because of him I betrayed everyone I knew....hell yeah I'm bitter, i think i have reason *tendons stand out over corded musles as she holds till the burn then lowers again* ..if hes that powerful who says he isn't manipulating things so everyone thinks hes out of my head anyhow...*she lifts the bar once more and puts it on the stand, a sheen of sweat now covering her body* thats the prob..with all the psis around, you don't know what your own thoughts are anymore...if they are yours *She catches his appraisal and smiles, her own gaze briefly cutting over him before she sits up...he might be useful...after all, Pole knew her too well, she doesn't know if she'd pull this off with him, but Bastien is a different matter* that might work *she turns and smiles* I know where we can easily pick off runners...if they'll let me.

You got a point there... =he chuckles ruefully, in agreement, and his expression is one of obvious distaste about telepaths. Yes, he knows that what she says is true, but he taps his temple= Hadda bank thang stuck in my head when I got here. Shields installed, too. They say they'll hold against any telepath. Wonder if that's true. =Indeed, it was a shield from Rikky, but he'd been hidden behind the psibernary... Bas never saw him and being mindblind, Bas can't even tell if the damn shields are /there/. And she's absolutely right.... he doesn't know her well enough to be wary of any ploys she might make with him. His offer, tho, is a genuine one, from one Hunter to another. He knows she's too valuable to waste inside the complex= I'll submit a request then. Take full responsibilty. They may make us take a few others along, but that's no thang. If'n yer game, I'll see what I c' n do.

*she smiles* I always have a point *she sighs* yeah...I had to get one of those damn things too....*she shivers briefly* meant actually lowering my shields and allowing someone in....I hate that *her head shakes slowly* after what I've been through, I highly doubt any shield. It would be nice to get out in the field again....well if we go in there, we will definatley need a team, no doubts there.

=A brow arches and the white eyes narrow= You got somethang planned, then, hmm? =he chuckles, watching her closely even tho he is no longer spotting her= A big somethang, too, it sounds like. Why don't you fill me on this brilliant and daring idea so i know exactly what it is I am submitting for. =he leans his gigantic forearms on the bar in its cradle, intent on the woman sitting on the bench= If we need a team, this could be a big deal. What's going on in that bitter little mind of yers, Yvette? =he sounds amused, tho, and approving, and more than that, willing to engage. His eyes gleam brightly at the thought of an upcoming true hunt... and maybe a fight, he doesn't like losing his edge... and if they needed strength of numbers, well. It sounds like fun to him=

*she echoes his chuckle as she stretches out worked muscles..she knows he's watching and uses it to her full advantage, without being overly obvious* Being a RUNner for so long did have some advantages....i know a lot of them, and most of them warily trust me...to a point *she smiles and leans towards him* as a result, I also know where one of the major hideouts is *she winks* that may not only get my standing back, but up yours *a slow smile grows on her face, a smile of anticipation* and nothing moves the ranks quicker than a good raid.

=Nobly, he tries to ignore the glistening female who stretches that toned body in front of him. He thinks he actually might have accomplished as least /some/ semblance of not noticing= I'll bet it did... =murmur is low and quiet, thoughtful rather than distracted, he hopes, just touched with a southern drawl, but the kind that charms... his accent is not so thick as to sound like Forrest Gump or some backwoods bumpkin= Hmmm. So you suggest a raid on one of their major hideouts? =neither know it but yes, this would have to be cleared by the HighLord seeing as how the GUARD has a mole planted in the Lair= Ballsy, gutsy, violent, a great deal of risk to life and limb... I like the way you think. =White eyes, impossible, really, to tell where he's looking, unless one notices the very, very faint greyer rim around where is pupil would be. She leans forward. Unconsciously, he echoes the motion, both arms resting on the bar now, back bent slightly= We should talk about this further... I would love to hear more. You still like Labatts?

*she smiles as he unconciously reacts to her leaning forward...she wasn't as good at Scratch, but she definatley could read body language as blatant as this..she had his attention, just as planned* of course...even /Eclipse/ can't ruin good taste...and if we go someplace with a computer I can even call up the lair layout, or what I knew of it anyhow.

=His brows arch upwards in unison= A computer. Well. =he grins, giving her a level look= Your place or mine? =all the rooms had computers, of course, so did the library and many other places that were not so private. He's mostly in jest, but certainly wouldn't mind the privacy and intimacy of a bedroom=

*she shrugs* It doesn't really matter, where we go *she smiles* though I'm down at the end of the rookie quarters...*she knew he had always been a bit of a cad, but even he was taking her leads ridiculously easy.....no wonder Rika got away with so much..* as long as we have mainframe access, I filed a copy with my report, but my own files also have a copy, whatever you prefer.

=Bas straightens and shrugs his own shoulders, again crossing his meaty arms over his barrel-like chest= Makes no nevermind to me. Guess it depends on how many other we want to see our plans already, or if it matters to you at all. If not, we can go to the library. If you want a bit more privacy and seclusion, then one of our rooms or one of the computer labs. This is your scheme, I'm just submitting it. The choice is yers, Vette.

*she chuckles lightly* I think everyone and their mother knows of my obsession by now ...I'm watched like a hawk around here...I'm sure my every move is recorded and analyzed by shrinks *she shakes her head as she stands to pull the wieghts off the bar* I doubt I take a shit without someone noticing *she turns to face him, a hundred pounds easily held in her hands* you sure you want to be seen with me? *an eyebrow raises* It might affect your reputation...you know consorting with the betrayer and all that shit.

=Bas just chuckles, grinning whitely at her, eyes the same color as his teeth= We're all watched like hawks, but half the crap I think they toss out the window. Just record purposes. You tho... yeah, you they might watch a bit more closely. =His faint, gentlemanly Southern accent just a hint, and a pleasant one, in his deep baritone voice= Aw, hell. I don't care you sees me with you. Like I said, them not using you is a waste. No matter what, you've always been one of the best. Maybe it'll work to your benefit. I don't have a blemish on my records, and if they see me with you, seeing me trust you or... at least willing to work with you... =he covers that one, because it's Bas' nature never to /truly/ trust anyone= ...some around here might change their minds. They're just scared, especially with all the upheavals in the last two years or so. They have right to be. But you have right to a second chance, too. I'd like to help you get that right. Let them think what they will. =in his white, cold eyes though, is held something else, the instrinsic warrior's code one like Venin would know and know well. .. unoffensive, just a definite truth... /You screw me over and I'll take you out/. Trust never lightly given or easily earned.... and few have given her a second chance like this. Bas /is/ taking a risk, but he believes it the best for the GUARD. Like she, this is how he works. And like she, if he's screwed over, there will be no next chance, only dire retribution=

*As he's talking she turns and puts the weights away...a slow smile coming to her lips at his cover-up....never fully trust.. that was a credo she once knew well, and she blew it...but that trust is also what lent to her capture and her return here..so maybe it wasn't such a bad thing after all* ahh, they're using me allright...rookie training, base relocation...the crap ass stuff I think mainly made up to keep me busy *she grabs the remaining hundred pounds and turns to put them away* I dont blame them, especially since they probably view me as the primary cause of the upsets..but..the highlord has accepted me back, the psibernary cleared me.. .if they don't want to work with me, fine...let me work on my own *A cold smile creases her lips* to be honest a GUARD team would probably slow down my capture rate *she reads the meaning in his eyes, a meaning she knows well, the same warning she would deliver...to anyone*

=Bas nods to the unspoken understanding which passes between them, seemingly to nothing at all then, really, but her words, agreement= You said you wanted a group with this one tho... have you changed your mind then? I could understand going alone if you were seeking a one-on-one capture, but walk right into a pit of them? Even you have your limits. =And obviously, he thought her limits were high ones... he genuinely does think she is one of the best GUARD ever produced= And like I said, I wouldn't mind to help you out, back you up. Not to mention I'd love to see you in action again. Been a long time, Yvette. Like to see if we have the old teamplay magic yet or not. We used to have some good runs, didn't we? Me, you and Pole... some of the others who ain't around anymore. =Sure, they hadn't been close, but they'd worked together as Rookies, and trained together before that. But things do change. Bas suddenly smiles like a viper, venomous, dangerous= And besides, you got me all worked up over this notion. A challenge would be nice... for a change. Now that you've mentioned it, I won't let you leave me behind. If you don't want a whole group, you're at least stuck with me. =White eyes glitter at the prospects as they had before, but this time more certain. Oh, he wouldn't miss this for the world= So. Labatts or not? My shout. =of course, he didn't have to pay for it, but he says it anyway, grinning=

*she chuckles* for the whole lair, hell yeah..I'm talking solo captures...or small groups...I could probably pick them off a few at a time before they knew what was happening, but that many at once *she smiles* why not share the bounty..*she remembers the old days, a team that had worked and trained together..almost knew each others thoughs back then...but now? could they still do it?...* Its been way too long..besides, I think there's some around here who might like a little payback *she slaps him on the shoulder* sure lets get us some brewskys.

=Bas grins at the slap to his shoulder and turns with Yvette to head for the door and his favorite small tavern in the complex (there were many, all with different themes). He too wonders if they could again work as the unit they used to have. He cocks his head, his white eyes glancing down at her... this noticeable because his lids lower somewhat= Yeah, it's been hellalong, hasn't it? while we're waiting for the go-ahead after I make the submission, we could always select our hopefuls and run a few scenerios in the Wreck Room. That's be a good idea, I think. We'll hand pick who we want... they'll function as they should even if they are wary of you... good GUARD training will see to that. =He leads down the elevators and stairwells until they come to the wide, in-ground city of the complex. He grins and ushers her into a smaller pub by the wayside. It seems to have been neglected somewhat in the amount of traffic it sees, but that hardly matters as it was GUARD-supported. There are three pool tables inside, the interior rather dark and rustic, homey... antlers on the walls and interesting paraphanalia too, decorated in old signs and old trading sacks and the like. Quite comfortable. Bas orders two Labatts, and grins at vette, waggling his brows up and down and nods his chin to the billiards= You still play any ? =The bartender, a man with four arms, quite quickly sets their beer down even as he wipes the bar top and cleans the taps. Handy for a tender to be so gifted. Bas picks up the mugs (large and heavy glass things), hands one to Vette, and starts for the pool tables. There aren't many more people in the place... maybe two far in the corner, talking quietly. One glances up at Vette and gives a small scowl, while the other looks also and shrugs, unconcerned. Their conversation goes back to what it was. Perhaps two lovers... who knows?=

*she chuckles*yeah , Try and see if you can still keep up* she winks* or have you gotten soft? *she nods in appreciation* hand pick? I hadn't even thought that far ahead, though I know of a few I wouldn't mind seeing in action again *..is that just a hint of inuendo in there?* who do you have in mind?...*...she looks around at the bar as they enter* nice choice..not in a while, but I'm always up for trying to beat you *she takes a sip from the glass..her eyes closing in appreciation* one thing canadians definatley got right was their beer *The glass rests on a nearby table as she starts gathering balls and racking them, the cue ball rolls down towards his end* you break 'em.

=A brow, black as his mane, arches high at her wink, and Bas chuckles like a roll of thunder= Oh I can keep up... been itching for some good action. And I think hand-pick is a good idea. If you feel they should be there, then most likely, they should. As of yet, I'm not sure who to take in, need more info from you, more of a low-down on who we can expect to be present. We'll go from there. =Again, a laughter, dark and powerful, in his chest as she accepts the game of pool= And /try/ is all you'll do. I'm a master at this game. =His turn to wink, that white smile huge and bright against his dark skin, takes the cue ball, lines it up, and breaks. Four solids roll into pockets... one striped. He must be rusty. He moves for another shot= I'll take striped. =he chuckles, and wonders at her response to his 'generosity'= By the way... GUARD rules. =which pretty much means slop pool, but with a few twists. It allowed for powers to be used at times. It was another way to keep those muscles honed. His next shot is to stripes, and he sinks two. His third he misses. He grins at her= Your turn. And, though I might be hanged for it, I have to agree on canadian beer. =he says this as he takes a large swig off his mug=

*an eyebrow raises as he so generously offers up the solids to her* that cocky are ya? *the mug once more raises to her lips as she watches him take another shot..and then its her turn..*well, you can be pretty sure that some of them there will be Aura, Whitefyre, probably Gild, possibly Abyss *she leans over and lines up a straight shot* though I doubt he would be, hes too antsy, he won't trust noone, expecially after the farm *she takes a bank shot, 12,11 split*Contact...theres a whole lot in there, at least 30 live there on a permanent basis, others migrate out..*the nine slides into the pocket, followed closely behind by the cue ball and she smiles at him, she only had one ball left on the table while he still had four...the odds were definatley in her favour*

=Bas takes his time, judging the angles and the position of the balls, musing on them as much as what she says. He leans down to line up a shot, a complicated one involving several angles and banks= Abyss. That's the one Pole had killed and then was cloned later, yes? The computers, despite being totally destroyed when the complex was sucked into the ground, or whatever, has managed to back up its systems in other complexes. He's a tough one, from what I hear. =The shot is made, flawlessly... complex, yes, and it seems the ball won't make it, too slow... but it taps another one perfectly and one rolls into the corner pocket as the first lazily makes its way to the side pocket, hovers on the lip, then tips in. Two down... two to go. Bas /is/ good at this, and the cue ball lines up for a single perfect shot with his second-to-last ball. English on it... a spin ... it makes good. Last ball. Bas glances up= Pole wants that one. Bad. He might have to wait. The others you mentioned... well-known RUNners, vet ones, too. Should be interesting. So we need a cold-inducer, or water elemental... Gild is tricky but could be taken down if he's matched right. Maybe invisibilty. Hyaline? =Next shot, almost casually made... he sinks it. Now all that's left is the eight-ball and one of hers. But Bas didn't line up his cue as well as he should have (on purpose?). He calls the shot, but the black taps the corner and doesn't go in. It would, at that angle, be a tough one. He didn't leave the cue ball in a good spot for her, either. Her turn= And Contact. Hell. She's always been frickin' deadly. =he leans on his stick and frowns, thinking as he watches her=

*An eyebrow raises as the balls seem to miraculousy make their way into the pockets..but it was after all, GUARD rules* Gild can be tricky, but maybe we can neutralize him before hand..*she circles the table, gauging the angles and wincing at whats left to her* they can let either me, or Ei-Que get him...he trusts us...at least if noone has let slip about us turning anyhow *she shakes her head as she leans over to line a shot then stands back up with a sigh and moves over to take another angle, this one seeming impossible...the eight ball more likely to hit the pocket well before her remaining ball*Abyss will be harder *A brief pause of silence broken only by a very faint crunching noise as she bites through her lip*he's going to be reallly jumpy about everyone right now...*the cue slides through her hand connecting squarely with the cue ball which rolls directly into her remaining ball and on towards the eight ball....at the last second a small burst of energy leaves her and lightly scorches the eight ball, moving it just out of the way *Unfortunatley Contact will be dangerous, she and Aura will probably fight like momma bears to protect the others..but if we get a good enough Psi in to take her on the mental plane while we go for the physical we might make it *She winks at him as her ball falls straight into the side pocket and she moves to sink the eight ball, lining it up and taking a

=That soft crunching sound as she bites through her lip makes Bas, whose hearing is unnaturally acute, wince slightly. His nose scrunches at it and he almost shivers. That sound was like nails on a chalkboard, moreso because he knows what she's doing. Strange power, hers. But useful in the extreme. He arches one brow as she uses an energy blast to get her way... well, he /had/ called GUARD rules, though he had yet to use his own gifts. As she lines up her shot, one she could not possibly miss, he's sure, a small white ribbon of his own stored energies zings outwards, knocking the eightball off it's trajectory and steering it away from the pocket with precision that only comes from vast experience in one's own power. Which exactly what "GUARD rules" were meant to encourage. Minute control. In this field and life it could mean the difference between death and a pay raise= Awww. Better luck next time. =He grins hugely, claps a giant hand to her shoulder in comraderie and false sympathy, then moves around to line up his own shot, which he's neatly maneuvered to be, like her own, impossible to miss. Wary of interference, though, he's not unguarded, and as his massive frame leans -with deceptive litheness- to take the shot, he makes a kind of energy net with his own powers again, to stave off any attack she might make , /depending/ on how or if she attempts it. It covers pretty much only a side shot, and a little overhead (like a tunnel of white energy, finely meshed). If she's good enough, she might be able to hit through the mesh holes, or even, if angled correctly, a small zap overhead, though it'd be very tricky. Otherwise, he'll sink the eight ball without problem= So maybe we should draw up a list of potentials, and submit it with the request to the Highlord. We can always work on that over... coffee? =he winks bac k, white teeth flashing against his dark, cinnamon skin=

*she shakes her head as he stops her ball...she had expected it...after all, she did it first...a weak smile coming to her lips as he forms the net..she could come up with a way around it...but why bother, they'd just be stalemated for ages...so she lets him have his shot* we could do that,....I dunno how high in his favour I am right now, so I dunno what effect my name'll be on it...but sure ...we could do that.

=To his credit, Bas knows she allowed him the shot. She was a vet hunter, after all, she was highly skilled in her powers. He looks at her bottle of beer and calls for two more as he sets his cue aside and grins at her, not in a victorious manner, but just a grin= Like I said, my name'll go on as the one inciting this whole raid, and of course, a glowing report and reason as to why you should be involved. I'm good with words, I doubt he'd disagree. He's probably as anxious as any of us -those who know you- to see you in action again. I have duties in an hour. We can arrange a time to talk this over later if you like, or we can try cramming it in now. Your call, Yvette.

*she chuckles* you are in a rush to do this aren't you? I would probably suggest then that we do it another time, after all...good planning takes more than an hour *she finishes off her beer and nods appreciatively as he orders more* work this right and you'll get a good promotion, maybe some commendations *she points at him* one definite note though is that I wanna see that Russian, Tytan in the field...I hear she's good.

I hear she's drop-dead gorgeous. =Bas chuckles and shakes his head, thanking the man who brings over two more Labatts= Poor kid. Around here, that just invites trouble. Too many hormoned-up boys running through the halls. I talked to Bill the other day, to get the scoop on things (it was well known that Bill was a fount of information, though he was tactful and not prone to gossip). I understand she's been having a rough time of it. There's something to be said for too much beauty, you know. =he pauses, blinking, then laughs outright= Can't believe I just said that and meant it. I must be getting mellow in my old age. =The monster of a man leans against the pool table in quiet contemplation for a moment, then raises his brows over sheerly white eyes= Not in a rush, just eager, I guess. I should get that reigned in. It only causes problems and loses lives. And its not the commendations or promotions, just that... hale, like you, I was raised to be GUARD and hunt R UNners. I don't want to go stale or lose my edge. I wanna do what I'm good at doing. You know what I mean.

*she nods* yeah I know..*she knew all too well what he meant...she was a hunter, born and bred for it...it was in her blood, every waking moment geared towards the hunt....but unlike him, she didn't need anything else, thats all she was, all she had...and if she had to act like she had other interests she would...just so she could once more hit the field and hunt....*

=Bas finishes his beer and sets down the bottle, with a grin at Yvette= Okay, I'm off. Gonna do a few more push-ups and junk before duty starts. I'll meet up with you later when we have more time to talk. =He smiles and turns to leave= Nice seeing ya, Yvette. Been a long time. =Then he's off and away, mind full of plans and potential GUARDians to drag along... and of course, how he'll phrase all this in a formal submittal to the High Lord...=