Tattered Pride

Blackdagger:
:: It was dark. he glared at the ceiling above him. his restless body interewined beneath his sheets. he had no intention of leaving his room on his night off. Instead he sat in comfortable, and protected silence, debating things he coulldn't even think aloud. Too loudly. Though lately he felt his mind protected, somethinghe was never aware was a lack of until he noted the wall that seemed to be tehre. Ignorant of it all, he rolled over. He stared then at his holographic window, thinking of who it reminded him of. Should he even talk with er again? Sould he tell her anything? He blinked a few more times, never having been so ;azy on his day 'off'. He usally was working out, but sce she appeared, he was hesistant, so hesitant to leave his room. Instead he figured, he's order equiptment for his spacious place now. He heard gentle sounds of his animals in an adjacent room, that brought some comfort. He pressed his eyes shut, darkness between darkness. And exhaled slowly. ::

Pirahana:
*She balances delicately on her toes as she reaches up to kiss one of her latest conquests good night* Sweet dreams *a teasing giggle leaves her lips as his arms enwrap her lifting her off the ground, then when her feet once more touch the ground she deftly writhes from his grasp, dissapointement crossing his face*Thank you for dinner *she once more goes on her toes to lightly peck at his cheek before turning and heading down the hallway* I'll see you tomorrow *her words melodically playing over her shoulder as he watches her depart.....she turns the corner and finally hears his door close...she stops for a moment, leaning against the wall while she reaches down to adjust the strap on her heels, then continues on....the long emerald gown clinging deliciously to her every curve...as she turns the hallway down to her room she starts pulling off one delicate glove then stops, a smile coming to her lips as she watches the rabbit sitting in the middle of the hall* Why hello, you must be an escapee *She bends down to pick him up and turns back up the hallway* Lets get you where you belong *she stops before Blacks door, gently cradling the rabbit with one hand as she lightly knocks*

:: He heard the knock, a gentle knock. He blinked his eyes wide open in response to the sound. Turning in his bed, and sitting upwards. :: Lights, Open door. :: Sitting upwards a bit, the stress on his face was apperant. He couldn't see past the blaring lights so he utterd in a half atoned voice. :: Dim :: He blinked then towards the woman in green. He blinked again astonished that anyone that lovely would be workiing the building until he saw her face. He winced and leaned back a bit, looking at her. Her and one of his pets. . .or what looked like his. He quickly got up, without so much as a hello and stalked over towards the animal care area, looking that indeed half of the cages were open. He, standing there in his GUARD boxers, and a nearly transperant tank top uttered :: That girl . . . :: Refering to Phobia of course. He bent down, and with careful atention placed the animals back to their homes. Petting them carefully, and seeming more gniger with them than he ever been in his life to the woman at the door. He Turned back to his room looking under the bed, finding another one, and a gerbil, which was actually a /pet/ near the dresser. He gathered both into his large hands and scooped the one from her grasp, still not saying hello. Instead it was a dull thin stressed :: thank you Ms. Storm.

*an almost apologetic smile crosses her lips as the door opens revealing him in bed, squinting agains the lights * Sorry for waking you *She holds out the rabbit as if using it as an offering...a brief frown crosses her face as he wordlessly stands and goes to the cages then begins rumbling about Phobia...she stands silently in the doorway watching him track down the animals, putting each back in their respective cages..twice now she had seen him handle these creatures with the utost care,with a gentleness that belayed his size and gruff manner..it was almost sweet...when his back his to her a brief smile crosses her lips as her gaze wanders freely over him, not much left to the imagination in his current outfit..* Your welcome *she releases the rabbit into his grasp however the rabbit isn't quite as willing one of its claws is hooked through the material of the glove she still wears*....hold on *she smiles up at him as she tries to untangle the glove and claw*

:: He blinks towards her, her outfit. It was clearly obvious she was with her games and with a vengance. He, as she untangled the animal, walked and placed the others back into their cages. Again checking water, and comfort. Scratching the grey speckled rabbit lightly on its nose. A small smile passed over his lips. They were unchanging, they were trustworthy. They did not betray their own kind, to get a fast buck, or some tail. He then wandered back towards his room pausing in the door saying lightly. :: You didn't wake me. :: Shutting off the light in the animal room with the voice activated switch again, before wandering towards the small animal still clung to her grasp. Saying then absently :: Must be a male.

*a chuckle leaves her lips as she finally frees herself from the rabbit* Must be, only they give me this much trouble *She gently pets the rabbit as he snuggles into her* He's sweet though *a gentle smile plays on her lips as she once more pets the rabbit then walks towards you to hand it over* ....I thought you were asleep * She looks you over, noting the stress plainly visible in your face, your form and she can sumise the reason* A lot of people are thinking of following suit, you were the first to formally file, but other will follow

:: He looked towards the rabbit, who actually took an honest liking to her. Saying then absently as well. :: you can have it if you want. I have plently. It seems comfortable enough with you. Better than it's fate here. :: his voice was drab, and his gaze deadened as she mentioned his actions. He nodded absently, falling into an act again. :: I can not tolerate that woman, what she did, to GUARD to me. I won't be able to work with her honestly. It is not a personality conflict, as most of the people here will file. Instead, it's a situation I do not think I could act according to procedures, if placed with her on any missions. :: He said this absently as well, he wandered back to the bed, and sat, his hands falling to his knees. Not mentioning her outfit, or how convenient it was she was all dolled up, with no men hanging over her every word. Odd indeed. He slid a bit further back on the bed adding. :: His cage is somewhere in there, the only empty one. You can grab it if you like.

*She smiles and shakes her head* thank you, but no thanks....I wouldn't know what to do with him...at least here he serves a purpose *she walks into the animal room and puts him in the remaining cage, scratching him once more through the bars before coming back out* Most I think don't want to work with a traitor *she removes the remaining glove , carefully folding it up as he talks* I personally don't care what the Psibernary says, she still betrayed us, killed our own people in defense of those RUNners....few will work with her, few still even want to work with her

:: He nodded in agreement with Psibernary statement, and turned to watch her, so casual. Perhaps he was wrong. perhaps her twisted games were over. Either way he didn't want to worry about it. He refused to worry aout it. forced his mind to stop. He slid again beneath his blankets, still sitting upwards, positioning his pillows. Why he was unsure, pherhaps a que for her to leave, or perhaps an old habit. He sat again for a long moment then ventured to ask. his voice incredibly quiet. :: The rabbit, that is all you came for. . ..right?

You set an example for many that were too afraid to field their own claims. She was accepted back too easily, all because she is Scratchs daughter *the slightest of smiles crosses her face as she watches you crawl back into bed* Most will be looking towards you now, don't back down and give in. *she turns towards the door, as if to leave* Obviously I did disturb you, I'll let you go back to sleep

:: He glanced towards her his eyes narrowed as she spoke. :: She is an elete solider, and those were not the reasons. GUARD will benifit from a solider like her. I can not work with her period, if I could, I would. There would be no one I'd rather trust if that was the situation. :: Spite nearly filled his voice. He watched her movments with as much disintrest as he could before drawing the covers further over his large frame, then reaslizing she was leaving. he didn't have to command her, he didn't have to bark at her, he didn't even have to glare at her. He blinked a few times, and said then, while he shook his head. :: I am sorry, I have been very. . . :: he chose his words carefully. Very carefully, he might have already said too much. :: stressed, the move, :: He smoothed the blankets over his legs looking towards the comforter. :: now this, there's just so much crap I have been dealing with. I didn't mean . :: Glancing towards her and shrugged, saying:: Sorry and thanks, I mean for well not stalking me. Anymore.

Fine she can fight....but who can trust her to cover their backs...who would want to *she stops and blinks as he starts to apologize, a smile softening her lips..as she begins to shrug it off... then he blows it...Her tone almost angry* Stalking? *she turns towards him* Stalking you? I think not

:: He looked at her flatly then. :: Call it whatever you like. Your little game, your conquests. I am not blind to how you manipulate men, people. :: He shook his head again, was he really this angry? Was he really this vicious of a monster. He blinked towards his hands and towards the bedding again feeling defeated. He offered another quiet :: Sorry. :: Although it wouldn't suffice. Feeling anger well up again, thoughts that plauged his mind that had nothing to DO with Piranaha or Scratch. These halls, these rooms, these everything. Reeked of the horrid visions he beheld. No matter how they dressed it up, it was the old base. The same blood smeared across the walls. The same sounds, he swore he heard, same people he swore he saw. :: Perhaps I am just tired, I should try to sleep. :: Shaking his head again, he sunk further into the bedding, looking towards the ceiling. :: And I appreciate you returning the rabbit. Lights off. :: He just assumed he pissed her off, which he was almost to the point of indiffereance, but still he was being the dick. And she was nothing but kind this vist. He supposed she was just going to leave. ::

*She listens to his little speech and his false attempt at an apology....but then, when he turns out the lights expecting her to just turn tail and walk away...that does it.....She turns and deliberately walks towards him* believe me, If I wanted to I could have you *A smile dances over her lips as she boosts her powers and leans over him in the dark* Don't think you could actually get away *One hand reaches down to your face, gently tracing your cheek*

:: He heard her footsteps and for a moment closed his eyes. His appology was sincere, but wouldn't suffice. Instead he turned suddenly, glancing towards her as she spoke. He tried to part his lips again to explain, instead he felt her ungloved hand trail over his face. His eyes fluttred, for a moment, just one, he reached his hand, gingerly placing it upon hers. Leaning towards the touch. Until her words fully regestered. His eyes shot wide open, as he threw her hand, fully towards the bed spread. Not caring if he snapped her wrist. He spit through agrit teeth, :: I said I was sorry, don't you ever try. . .:: He backed up just a way, sliding further, as if to stay out of her reach. . ::

*A chuckle leaves her lips as he throws her hand...he was predictable, she knew he would resist, she just hadn't known to what degree....the fact that he is so vehment only forces matters* try what? *her tone sweet, innocent as she sits delicately on the edge of the bed..she makes no other move towards him, she only boosts her powers slightly as she watches him*

:: He slid even further away, looking directly at her. He was not going to play this game. Instead he slowly got up, his teeth agrit. As he spat again more veneomious words.:: This this . . .everything. He threw the blankets towards her as if that would ward her away. He knew what she was doing. And it frankly was pissing him off. He did not need this. He backed away from her, glaring a low gutteral word escaped from his lips. :: Leave

*she remains sitting there watching him, even as the blankets hurtle towards, her draping roughly over her.... slowly she peels them off of herself, her hair now disheveled..yet she appears to remain calm, only her emerald eyes holding any trace of angry heat..., he was truly starting to annoy her...she didn't even want him anymore, but on principle, honour she will....She boosts her powers even more, pheromones practically dripping from the air, as she watches him back away* Do I scare you?

:: He backed further, his body visibly shuddering. He shut his eyes, and shook his head. :: You don't scare me. . . you disgust me. :: He managed. His hands shook, his tall frame quivered. His crystal blue eyes, raked with lines of anger. He tried to fanthom anything that would prevent her from driving him clinically insane, instead all he could do was stare. His jaw clenched, his endowments, which were very nice apperant. He glanced for escape, but his eyes could not wander far. The door which slid shut a while ago seemed to grow further away. His mind felt nearly intoxicated. All he could see were dull outlines through the darkness. It scared him. Honestly. That he couldn't control something this animalistic? This primitive? He backed towards the animal cage, his eyes never leaving her. . nearly swearing that he would not be beaten by the base whore. ::

*A smile crosses her lips as her gaze wanders down his form, her eyes seeming to trace every muscle and sinew, pausing only briefly at his endowments before continuing on* disgust? maybe... *she chuckles as she follows his gaze to the door* but *she smiles softly* I do see some fear there as well *she stands and slowly walks towards him*Its not like I bite...not unless you ask me to

:: He lowered his jaw to his chest. Even though he towered easily over her, he still felt so belittled. (With author's commentary) (That's sexual harassment in the workforce and I don't have to tkae it! ) He still slid back towards the room, each of his steps matching hers. The scent so strong in the air, (Gag) it smelled as if she bathed in it. (like in high school) Completely head to toe bathed in that intoxicating, loathesome scent. (Like CK1) He withheld his breath only to worsen the effects, seeing as they were so strong in the air. Only seeing a sillouette. The darkness seeped clawing towards him, his vision almost seemed skewed. He finally found the door, and uttered:: Door open. . :: It slid open as he slinked inside. He backed further into the darker room, still nerly convusling with sickening desire.

*a chuckles leaves her lips as she continues towards him each step slow carefully planned out to stretch each moment......* I was going to be nice and leave....*the door opens behind him, and she continues onward* that was until you decided to be nasty

:: His eyes were locked on her the entire time. He looked to the cages animals feeling as desolate as they were. He closed his eyes, and offered a very angry. :: I am ordering you to leave me alone. It was not my intent to piss you off, to be. . :: There was no more space to back up to. He blinked and choked on his words at this realization. He still saw her, paced cool collective. This nearly enraged him. His hands pulled to tight fists, his body tense. Perhaps it was out of desperation, he asked, in a collective tone, as collective tone as he could. Watching from the room still.:: What is it you want from me? What! Go hunt someone else, someone who gives a damn.

*She continues towards him...seeming to ignore his words, each step deliberately slow prolonging his agony, his torture....then in her own time she stops barely inches in front of him...a smile playing on her lips as she silently looks him over...then her gaze wanders up, meeting and holding his* from you? ...nothing....in particular...*a quietly sarcastic laugh answers him* You think anyone cares? *her lips part slightly allowing just the tip of her tongue to moisten her ruby red lips* however...you, apparently do...you may hate it, but you do care what I do...at least with you

:: He winced as she drew closer, visibly, full and ready to swing at her if she dares to touch him, he watched her eyes, then the words rolling off her lips. He blinks suddenly, and looks back towards her. :: You mean this. . ..this game is so people will care? :: he could hardly talk, his words seemed to come out slow, lethargic. Like musical tones drowning in his ears. That. .. . that isn't the way to get people to care. . . :: He looked towards her for a moment allowing his anger drain from him, fall like weights from his tense body. Looking her dead in the eye, a moment of clarity, an epiphany. Something that came clearer with every passing moment, every breath's width she drew closer. :: You think I hate you? Hate this? I don't hate you Rika, I pity you.

*she holds herself just close enough that their body heat melds together in a phantom touch...her seductive gaze holding his as she merely stands there, playing, toying with him....a shadow touches her briefly as he talks, he had misinterpreted, but somehow had found a soft spot, a weakness, one that seemed to be too easily revealed these days...but this weakness she quickly covers by closing that gap, erasing that phantom touch...one hand swiftly reaching up to grasp him around the neck pulling him down towards her as she reaches up towards him.....trying to seal his mouth, prevent the words with a kiss*

:: He felt the cold steel of the interlaced workings on the cages press against this burning exposed flesh. She drew ever closer, slowly, an even casual pace. His gaze shot open wide, as she drew her lips towards his. To enthralled to protest, he instead stood there in shock, disgust, and total utopia. As his lips accepted hers, for the briefest of moments, his trembling hand reaching towards her luscious hair, he heard his thoughts. Thoughts that never possesed his mind before.His lips still seeming hungry, searching hers with clumbsy curiosity, paused for the smallest of seconds. She had won, for a fraction of a moment. That fraction of a moment. And it scared him. Instead of his eyes fluttering closed, as they should, or his strong arms enveloping her as they should, or even that tender hand pulling through her hair, as it should, instead he recoiled further. In some sense, he knew what she was doing. She was incredibly close, the scents were so strong, he could see, taste,! smell the glitter that spread as a sea between them. Even in that short distance. Even as her skin enflamed his, his muscles ached as she pressed agaist him, he recoiled. It was not to be this way. Instead the hand reaching towards that lovely hair, that lovely face, the one he desired more than anything he thought he could before, it snapped backwards. His knuckles that were brushing her cheek now three feet away and approaching as hard as they could, in the present state of mind, and backhanded her. Careening at her full force, when her lips would tear from his violently, he'd utter the only thing that came to his mind. :: I . . . I gave you a direct order. . . ::his lungs panting, his mind swimming. He had to get out. He had to retreat, or escape. ::

*she can sense that victory is near, her point made..she has only to wait for him to fully surrender, for his arms to enwrap her, his lips to hungrily seek hers, his hand to entwine in her hair..then, then she would have won....proven her point...and rejected him...but no, it was not to be... her lips paused as she sensed his withdrawal...she felt the withdrawal of his hand...watched from the corner of her eye as it drew back, then recoiled like a striking viper....a loud crack echoes through the small room as her lips are torn violently from his, her teeth perhaps grazing his, as his knuckles collide with the cheek they had previously caressed...the force staggers her, moving her back several feet where she collapses to the ground, one pale, trembling hand slowly reaching up to gingerly touch the already spreading bruise...teary, pain filled eyes look up at you half fearfully as the back of her hand wipes a scarlet rivulet from the corner of her mouth....It had been years since she had felt the lash of another hand...noone had physically harmed her since she had become GUARD, that had been part of the lure, the protection they offered, that noone would hit her again...as a child it had been all she had known and accepted it, then as she grew she began to see that there was more, but she could never entirely escape that world until GUARD. GUARD had offered her an escape and had become her salvation....and now, here it was once more, the past rearing its ugly head within the confines of her sanctuary...she continues to stare up at him, her head still ringing from the blow, his words unheard....no longer are her powers boosted, but they are not suppressed either....suppressing her powers has always been a concentrated effort, always she must have part of her mind concentrate on suppressing...but now, now the ability is gone, stripped from her mind as shock overcomes her and once more she is reminded of her younger self

:: He slumped further towards the ground, seeming proud of himself, for an instant gratified, he'd won. He'd defeated her at her own twisted game. His chest heaved, as if he had run a 20 mile marathon, and slowed soon after. The small satisfaction that glinted in his eyes soon vanished. And quickly the situation presented itself to him as it was. The phermones in the air soon died as well. Presenting Rika as she was. A young girl, just a young girl. Cradling her wounds. He sat there in the echoing silence, and watched her. Her tender hand brushing against her cheek, wiping the smallest touch of blood from her lips. His eyes widened as he regestered a look in her eyes. . 'fear'. No, no no this wasn't what he intended. He allowed his hand that rested on his lap to fall to the ground, in suprise, and relief, dissapointment. It didn't ache or even sting from the impact, instead it healed any pain, as minor as it was before it ever regestered to his brain. As his breathing panned out, he clenched his teeth. His jaw tightnened. His eyes clenched shut. He bared his teeth for an instant, clearly feeling rage. Rage, a feeling he knew well. It was a red eyed beast that raged through his veins. Consuming every muscle,tensing it greatly. He had no clue about the memories that ran through her mind, what he reminded her of. What GUARD had promised, and what she was thinking that very instant. Instead he felt guilt. And again waves of rage. He tried to collect his thoughts, and ramble out anything to justify his actions.Not knowing that any person in a correct frame of mind would have seen the situation as purely defensive. He felt he had to explain his anger, his frustration, his guilt.// Was this completely her fault? Was it? Or is it her everything, did she just send me careening over the edge? // No instead of comforting words coming from his lips, still curled in a self directed sneer,he said something cruel. :: You bitch. :: the words almost seemed foregn to his tongue. :: I told you /not/ to do that, I told, I , I warned you.. . :: His eyes shot back towards her, fenomoninally smaller, weaker, and this angered him even more. He forced himself up raking an enraged hand over his face and through his hair. It paused there on his forhead shaking. And as she sat there, perhaps his words falling on deaf ears, he struggled against himself to wander to the bathroom, to fetch her a cool cloth, or anything that redeems his actions. Saying spitefully as he left the confines of the small room. :: Stay there. :: He wandered out slowly, each step seeming like his body was on fire.He said quietly, then as his hand fell on the cold metal of the bathroom door,:: Lights, dimmed, :: turning back before his hands fell on the doorknob to the restroom, looking towards her crumpled form again, gritting his teeth, spitting out. :: I /told/ you why did you /have/ to? /Why?!/ I didn't want to hurt you I never wanted to /hurt/ you . . I. . . :!: His words were feeble, and he knew it. So he instead turned back towards the door. ::

*she continues to watch him, her gaze a mixture of pain, wariness and fear..the bruise standing out in dark contrast against her pale skin...once more her hand raises as if disbelieving to gingerly touch the swelling bruise* bitch? *her voice wavering as she almost hesitantly questions the word..that too was a memory from her past, one that accompanied the pain..blood continues to dribble from the corner of her mouth as a slight moue of fear issues from her throat...too much of her past was coming back to haunt her, too much she never thought to see again..she seems to shrink, almost cowering under his gaze her mind simply reverted to her past, a past where she had no control...then he turned breaking some of the control he would have had over her...tears of pain and fear run freely down her face as she once more reins in her powers and slowly climbs to her feet...then while his back is to her she swiftly and silently makes her way to the door and tries to flee...her mind a chaotic jumble as she runs to the one friend she has, the one friend she has ever had*

-=- He hears her voice strain out what he said, slapping him dead in the face. No he hadn't wanted this, why couldn't she just simply have left it alone? Why couldn't she have hunted another man for sport. He felt his cheeks redden further, why did he allow again his temper, his vile discusting temper to snap? He turned slightly as he saw her collect herself, and slide upwards, Turning towards the door again to only hear her foot steps towards his door, and it sliding open. He blinked back towards where she was sitting, and then to her fleeing form. He stood for a hesistant second, And bolted after her, not knowing why. Perhaps it was a sense of dignity, a sense of repsonisbility, or even a sense of ebrassment and guilt, and he caught up to her very quickly, keeping his voice desprately low as he reached his hand and grasped her arm, nearly spinning her to face him, his eyes riddled with guilt, and pity, . -=- Rika, please. . . -=- it wasn't a word he had really used with her, not in this tone. his grasp was firm, but gentle, He didn't want to harm her any further. -=- Please. . -=- saying words he never ever thought he'd utter. -=- don't run away from me -=- His voice still light, angry, and pleading. A mixture that could not be repeated if tried. His eyes were desprate. He had just seconds ago called her a bitch, slammed his fist upon her face. His emotions were that of a roller coaster. Stress, anger, arousal, betrayal, it was all there. He didn't let her go, either. Instead stood there in the hall like a fool, pleading her like one of her boy toys, though for vastly different reasons. -=-