She's Got Legs...

[alisa_lebeau_v3]

It had nearly been a week and a half. Nearly a week and a half since Alisa began testing and courses at the Xavier Institute, and nearly a week since she finally sucked it up and got that new leg Stephanie had always promised her. It was odd, it felt like she had her old leg back and was more stable on it. Not only that, the silicone used to cover her leg was nearly seamless. As though her leg was never blown off in the first place.

But while there were good things, there were also some bad things as well. Her new art gallery was mysteriously fire bombed, destroying most of the works inside. Of course someone said she had done it, but with a solid alibi at the time, she was ruled out and free to collect the insurance. Alisa had an idea of who would take that away from her, and it angered her greatly.

"I swear, one o' dese days, Shaw is gonna get it for screwin' wit' de wrong people." She thought to herself. But she knew she had nothing that proved her ordered it. Besides, it could have been some group like the "Friends of Humanity". But she doubted that.

Today was an "off" day from work and the Xavier Institute. A day to try and get herself back into fighting shape (though she really did not need it). Dressed in a pair of black running pants and her old ESU hoodie, Alisa began to run about the track of the ESU campus. It felt good to just run again. To just take her mind of all the chaos that was around her. To just try and relax for once... though with her luck, that was NOT going to happen.

Comments

[hellfire_child]

A sharp whistle comes in her direction. Alistaire is several yards off from her, sitting on a blanket in the grass, while some hireling is unpacking lunch from a basket, pouring wine to go with it as well.

[alisa_lebeau_v3]

"Are you fucking kidding me?" She thought to herself. A frown forming on her face as she stopped running and began to walk over to Alistaire. Her hands resting on her hips as she looked at the man.

"I am not supposed to see you, much less talk to you." Her tone of voice was somewhat flat. "I'm on strict probation wit' de school about who I contact. An' frankly, I don' got any issues wit' never talking to you again. An' 'ow did you find me!?"

Alisa turned her back towards Alistaire, starting to walk back towards the track.

[hellfire_child]

"I wasn't aware that the school owned you and got to dictate what you can and can't do, Alisa." He dismisses the help with a flick of his wrist, taking up his wine glass appraisingly. "You're better than just their slave."

He lets the sunlight catch the glass, admiring the color. "I find you the way I find anyone. Money, and listening.

And I don't really believe you, Alisa." He says, as she tries to dismiss wanting to see him.

[alisa_lebeau_v3]

"Den you mus' be a mad man. I don' want to speak wit' you." Her lips were forming a frown. "I am no slave to de Xavier Institute. I want to be dere. I want to better myself. Sumt'ing you wouldn' know a t'ing about. you don' 'elp anyone but yourself 'alf de time! You play games wit' peoples lives. An' frankly, you an' your Grandpere deserve each other."

Her hand moved to her forehead. She felt a headache coming on...

"You know what's funny. Claimin' de Xavier school treats me like a slave, when you treat me as such."

[hellfire_child]

"I've never forced you to do anything, Alisa." He offers her a glass. "Sit. Relax. A little thinning of the blood is good after exercise.

There's all kinds of ways to better yourself. Talk to me about the ones you want for yourself."

[alisa_lebeau_v3]

"I said no. You know, dat word you ain' used to hearin' from anyone." She refused to sit down by him, instead she turned around and folded her arms over her chest. "No, you haven' force me to do anyt'ing. At least I don' t'ink. But you like to twist t'ings, so I don' know."

Alisa tried to keep herself warmed up so she could continue running. While she talked to Alistaire, she went into a routine of stretches.

"De school is offerin' me a chance to understand my powers better. To learn sumt'ing. Dey good people an' I like'em... well, everyone but Brooke."

[hellfire_child]

He watches her contort herself. "You look good. I'm glad the therapy has been going well. Fitness suits you.

That's good. I spent years engaging in daily practice of my abilities. And yes, they are good people. I have a great deal of respect for Xavier and his people." He drinks. "Mmm... nothing like mulled wine amidst a cool breeze.

I always feel it's contrasts that bring out the true value in both things."

He looks at her. "I want you by my side, Alisa. I want you responsible for my safety again. I won't bring you into any Hellfire business, and I have no interest in compromising your relationship with the Institute."

[alisa_lebeau_v3]

"Alistaire, you don' want me back to be your bodyguard." She was sitting on the grass now, working on some more stretches. "You are either bored or you need to put your dick into sumt'ing. Dat's all I can t'ink o' when you try an' call me or jus' show up at my door."

The mention of the Hellfire Club made her a little angry. That Soiree was literally the biggest headache she had in her life. And she suspected Alistaire's Grandfather had punished her for her presence there.

"What we are doin' now, talkin' , is compromisin' dat an' you know it." Again,s he answered back dryly. "De Hellfire Club can kiss my Cajun ass, by de way. Especially your Grandpere."

[hellfire_child]

"The desire to copulate with you and my need for a bodyguard are separate matters, Alisa." He replies calmly. "You've fought for me, bled for me, experienced loss for me... your loyalty is beyond reproach. I understand you're going through a difficult time right now, and I don't judge you for it."

He waves a hand at the mention of Sebastian. "He's not involved in this. I'm not here as the Black King. This is strictly in regards to my 'daytime' dealings." As much as they might wind into the night. "I can get all the Hellfire-sanctioned muscle I need for other times.

[alisa_lebeau_v3]

"Do not tell me you "understand" what I am goin' t'rough, Alistaire." Alisa's eyes showed quite a bit of anger when he made that statement to her. "You don' understand anyt'ing about what I'm dealin' wit' . So stop pretendin' like you do!"

She fought to calm herself down, standing up and kicking a stone away from the two. That stone must have weighed a good twenty pounds, and she kicked it hard enough to send it flying ten feet away with ease. It was better than her punching Alisatire in the mouth.

"Your "daytime" dealin's , huh?" She looked less than happy with this. "It don' matter. If I deal wit' you in any way, I'll get kicked out o' de school. I'm less den two weeks in, an' gettin' kicked out now would be anoder blow to what I got left!"

"Also, don' make me laugh at de guards de club 'as. I trained wit' some o' dem when I was an Enforcer. Dey de bottom o' de bin, really. If you get attacked an' dey can' handle it, dey'll leave you an' whoever dey in charge o' protectin' for dead. dey seriously don' make'em like dey used to." She waved a hand dismissively. "You got a better chance o' protectin' yourself wit' a stick den havin' dem at your side."

"But dat is no longer my concern. Until you can be like de Grinch an' grow a heart, or be like Pinocchio an' develop conscious... I am not comin' back, Alistaire." She finally turned her back to Alistaire Shaw and just walked away. She got back on ESU's track and began to job along it once more. If he wanted to catch up to her, he easily could, as her pace was not too fast or demanding.

[hellfire_child]

Alistaire stands up, holding the previously injured leg as he does.

"Alisa." He says firmly, demanding her attention.

"Going down your list...

First. Maybe I don't understand you. Fine. I'm willing to make the effort, because whatever emotions I am or are not capable of, you come closer to me than most.

Second. If they're telling you who you can and can't associate with, then the X-Men do own you. You're better than that.

Third. If the Hellfire security options are so weak, then you understand why I want someone capable at my side."

He pauses.

"You're the only one there is."

[alisa_lebeau_v3]

"... I may appear like de only one dere is, but you can find others. You got a good eye for lookin' for people who will do you biddin' . Like de boy at de Soiree." This was frightening to her. A small part of her wanted to go back with him. To just hug Alistaire Shaw and cry on his shoulder. But she knew better.

If she did that, what would she be losing? The chance to finally have her own independence? A life with someone who treated her as she always dreamed? The ability to prove she was more than a thug. The chance to finally be... good?

"Alistaire, I can' do it. I'm sorry. If you t'ink de X-Men own me now, complain to dem about me not bein' able to see you no more. Truth is, dey don' own me. Dey know dat if I go back wit' you, I become a risk to every student in dat school an' any trust for me goes out de door. I want people to look at me an' trust me. To not see me as a t'ug who will bash in a skull or two! I want to be seen for me... not as you pet, not as a minion, not as a weapon. Me."

"An' you know what hurts? I t'ought you were my friend... an' I DID love you at one point. But it hit me, you can' be loved. You can' be loved because you don' even know what dat is. I finally found someone who knows what dat is, an' feels de same way I do for him. You lost out on your chance for so much. I'm sorry."

She shook her head, shedding some tears as she continued to walk away from Alistaire.

[hellfire_child]

Alistaire watches her walk away, his face not changing.

"All right then."

He starts walking towards his car, taking out his phone as he goes.

The Black King has work to do.