Schemes Behind the Scenes

???: Well, this looks as though it’s got the chance to become….very interesting.

Alastair: It seem so…. I never expected Miss Williams to leave like that. She didn’t even collect her belongings.

???: It makes you wonder then, just how ‘final’ her leaving will be. We’ve already seen it, haven’t we? She talks big, but she still gave all that information to Washington. She tends to be a little impulsive, I’ve found, where emotions are involved. It makes me wonder what she’ll do next. Its almost a shame that I’ll be heading off on missions again, soon. I’ll love to see how it plays out.

Alastair: Reminds me a little of your ‘young’ charge. Doesn’t it not? Anyway, why are you here? I would have thought you be guarding the girl with your life. You’ve left her alone for a while now….

???: There’s a line between guarding and babysitting. My ‘charge’ is hardly weak, nor is she powerless. I know her skills and power, and you should know by now that she is one of few I would have watch my back. Even so, if I hovered over her constantly, ‘saving’ her from any threat, then how can she become strong in her own right? She hasn’t truly needed me in a long time.

Alastair: Who’s the Tsundere now? But even so, she’s about to face a world unaccustomed to her. Are you not curious of the outcome? Or will you just observe though the eyes of your subordinates?

???: Friend, that is not the definition of Tsundere. I am not denying my fondness for her through dismissive, violent actions. But curious or not, if I turned up too soon? What makes you think that she would trust me any longer? *Leans forward* Think about it, if I turned up as soon as she discovered the world, revealing my links to it, she might believe I groomed her towards the life. She would never trust me at my word. So, for her sake, I will wait. I will allow her to learn to trust in a new teammate, to gain her own footing. As harsh as it is, that is how she thrives. But it won’t be a permanent situation. I will come to her when she is ready to face another ‘shock’ and not before. *Leans away with a smirk* Besides….What makes you think I wont be seeing things through my own eyes as well? You know I’m far more resourceful than that, Alastair.

Alastair: I know, because I can read your  ‘presence’. Your ‘doppelgänger’ has a different signature to you. But I guess your right. However, are you sure that its more that friendship between the two of you? Or is it something more?

???: Don’t….Joke about that. I’m not amused.

Alastair: *Dark chuckle* My apologies. Master ???. Well, while you’re here, go check on miss Williams. It’s about 10:30 am, so I’m guessing she’s in a less than reputable bar around now. Do you mind talking to her and giving her this?

???: Mmm….well, I was intending to pay her one last visit anyway before I escort Washington and head to my own mission. Might as well play delivery boy while I’m at it.

Alastair: *Chuckle* Then I bid you adieu.

???: See you, Chuckles.

*Leaves Office. About 20 Minutes Later: Black Betty’s Bar*

???: Woooow, Here I thought you couldn’t get worse, but I think you dropped the ‘functioning’ from ‘Functioning Alcoholic’ somewhere.

Nadia: Don’t act bran’ new and it’s almost lunchtime, I can have a scock as a starter, so fuck you.

???: Riiiiiiight. Well, whatever. No business of mine if you want to mess with your liver. Pretty sure some supernatural thing out there might think alcohol marinated liver is tasty, for whatever reason. Not that I’m here to lecture you on bad habits. What you do in your free time has nothing to do with me.

Nadia: Shut up, ??? I may be tips, but I don’t need a lecture form you of all people and I’m still a priiiitty goo’s shot even when drunk, so what do you want?

???: Pretty sure I just said I wasn’t here to lecture you. But fine, maybe I wont give you my present then, Little Miss Hack-a-Lot. Such a shame, and it was such a nice little gift…

Nadia: A nice gift’d be paying for my dink like a gentleman. ‘N’ I’ll hack you in a minuet. I’m done hacking - I’ve given me gift to p’otect T ‘n’ I’m done now. The rest comes from you guys. Not in my bus’ness any more. Just make sure she comes home saf’ ‘n’ sound… Kay?

???: True enough. You aren’t part of Pandora any more. But that just means I’m no longer responsible for you. And, because of that, well… *slides wrapped package over to Nadia* What would I know of a few missing things that may or may not end up on your person? And whether you use it or not, well, not my problem. I would honestly have nothing to do with it. Whether you end up using it, binning it, selling it….Well, that’s entirely up to you, isn’t it?

Nadia: Sait it before, say it more: you wont come to you when my puppy frys…

???: Can’t say I’d be interested in fried puppy. But you don’t have to listen to me. Hell, you don’t even have to like me. All I’m doing is giving you an…opportunity. Do you let history repeat itself, and continue to dive further into the black abyss of despair, or do you take fate into your own hands? Isn’t that the thing about humans? They never like being tied down by inevitability. It’s an admirable quality. Heh….but looking at you right now? I barely even see human. But, As said, what you do is entirely your choice. Be it to drink yourself into an early grave, fry a puppy or save your best friend. The paths lay out before you. But the first step in any direction is entirely up to you.

Nadia:  What’re you, hisoratheez? But wanted to ask you some’ing… what would you do if I switched sides….? *dark staire* What would you do if I said that there was someone in fis room who’s out to scout me for the ovfer side… What would you do if I was finking of saying yes?

???: Easy enough. If you did, I’d hunt you down and kill you. But in return, let me ask you a question: What would you do if that someone ordered you to take a gun and shoot the brains out of your ex partner? Could you do it? Kill T? Just on someone’s say so? Of course, if you say yes….I could just put you out of your misery right now.

Nadia: *Slumps over the counter and looks up at ???. Chuckles* I dare you. And you should probably get rid of the man who’s coming this way. He’s been scouting agents for a while now. You’ll need someone on the inside of Phoenix, to drip feed you info. If you’re sending T out there, I’ll watch out for her in the shadows, while you deal with the front lines.

???: Awww, you’re worried? I wouldn’t. I think the situation will be sorted right about….Now *the approaching Phoenix Agent collapses* Oh dear, it would seem that people really need to know there limits, wouldn’t you say? Its terrible when they just don’t know when to stop.

Nadia: *faint chuckle* speaking of limits… hey, why don’ you take the advantage and take me home ‘ansome? *Flirtatious smile.*

???: I’m sure that I can do something like that, sweetheart *Offers arm* Shall we?

Nadia: Well, aren’t we the gentleman? *Chuckle* I like it. *Links arm and both leave*

[End?]