You just never see it coming... (open)

[alisa_lebeau_v3]

Since she started working for Alistaire once more, Alisa felt listless. There were so many restrictions on how she could do her job, that it no longer felt like she was a bodyguard. More like some paid friend who punched a bully every now and again.

"Should have stuck to my guns and just pushed him away. At least at the Xavier Institute I was learning things." Alisa thought to herself as she walked to the mailbox on the corner. She had with her two bubble envelops that desperately needed mailing. One addressed to Rachel Ramsey and the Xavier Institute, the other addressed to Ryan Grimm.


It took her awhile to realize that she had failed to take personal responsibility for her own actions. It was easy to blame Alistaire, it was easier to blame her powers, but it was really hard to acknowledge that she was at fault. Her relationship with Ryan failed because she used him as a shield and was too dependent on him for things she should have been able to handle herself. With the Xavier Institute, it was because she was scared and did not feel like she belonged there. It all came down to her in the end, and now she was going to own up to it all.

"If I just owned up earlier and wasn't so down on myself, I would not be stuck running out for coffee for Alistaire. It's starting to feel like I'm that nerdy kid in school all over, again. So desperate for a friend I'm willing to do whatever I'm told for... for what? Attention? A one-sided friendship? Mrs. Ramsey was right, I should go see that therapist. Get my head in order and try again." She continued to ponder as she walked away from the blue mail box and began to head for the coffee shop.

"Who knows, maybe I can work things out with Ryan. I miss him, probably because he was a real good friend to me, and nothing was one sided... until I made it. I know we need time apart, but maybe we can just keep that friendship going and see where it goes. I have a lot of repairing to do."

Just as she turned that next corner of the block, a motorcycle pulled up to her. Alisa noted it was an okay ride, and she had noticed it was the same bike she saw a few times this week while on her errands. She had figured it was some sort of admirer or perhaps Sebastian Shaw making sure she kept her promise to stay away from him and the club. It was then that everything started to move in slow motion.

Alisa turned her head to try and see who was behind the motorcycle helmet, to see if her hunch was right. It was at that moment that something was pulled out. There was a bright flash of light, and then a loud bang. People were running away, and the motorcycle was peeling off through the streets. Alisa just stood there, feeling nothing emotionally. No fear, no pain, just the trickle of something warm going down her forehead.

Instinct wanted her to move her hand to see what it was, but nothing happened in that regard. Instead, her legs buckled out from under her, and she landed on her side on the pavement. It was then that she finally noticed blood. She was bleeding. There were some lights and sirens in the distance, but she could not make them out clearly. Everything was getting blurry and she was starting to feel really tired, now.

Voices could be heard all around her. People asking what had just happened, police trying to figure things out, EMT's asking her questions she could not even answer. Pressure was being applied to her head, and she was moved on to a stretcher. Just as things were starting to go dark, she was loaded up into an ambulance and taken away.

"I think I've been shot..." Alisa thought once more to herself, as she could feel an IV being put into her arm and her vitals being checked once more. "I really did not see dat coming... well, maybe I did. Just did not t'ink it would happen so soon."

It soon became too tiring to even keep thinking to herself. She finally allowed her eyes to close and the world to go black, just as she arrived at the hospital and a nurse had gone through her purse and contact information to alert someone as to what was going on.

Comments

[hellfire_child]

"Enough. Not all the details. He shrugs, filling his glass again.

"Would you care to join me? I purchased a restaurant yesterday morning."

[midori_majutsu_shi]

She was silent a moment.

"I'll have to change, I do not think I should be walking around New York in my kimonos." She was thinking of what she had packed that would be suitable. "If you wish to wait about twenty minutes I can be ready." It would give her time to understand her employer more after all.

[hellfire_child]

"I think you should. You wear them very well." Alistaire smiles, gaze narrowing in appraisal.

"And what good is owning the place if you can't bring in whomever you want, dressed however you wish?"

[midori_majutsu_shi]

She caught the look and did blush a little. Though she made no other move to pull the kimono tighter around her. She was there as a doctor, and she already knew from Alisa to stay on guard around him.

She gave a small grin. "I would rather wear something that allows more movement. After all I have heard that New York can be dangerous. And I am used to trouble finding me even in the most mildest of places." She tucked some hair from her face. "Not that I do not trust you or your security, but I am used to looking out for myself more than relying on others."

[hellfire_child]

"Tawakawa-sensei.... I'm the most dangerous thing you could find." His eyes show satisfaction, but his lips don't so much smile as they reveal his teeth. "Where could be safer than with me?" He follows her hands as they adjust her clothing.

[midori_majutsu_shi]

"Which is why I think it may be best to make sure to be prepared." She gave him a small grin. "There is always someone who is willing to try to prove they are stronger than the largest threats." Her face stayed guarded as she finished speaking. "And some do not care whom they hurt."

"Now, if you don't mind, I will meet you in the main hall as soon as I am ready." Sorry but she'd rather not show off her scars thank you.

[hellfire_child]

He smirks. "Well parried. You understand the importance of not contradicting your host." He gestures with his glass. "Go. I hate to wait."

After a suitably slow and leisurely pull of the drink again, he steps out.

[midori_majutsu_shi]

She bows her head politely. "I've dealt with bigger egos actually."

Ten minutes after he left she was walking out of her room dressed in a short dark purple kimono, with black trim, that was as long as most tasteful short skirts, and black leggings. It had taken her a few minutes to decide, the shoes she wore were her geta, something that would make most people look twice and wonder how she was able to walk in them, but they were familiar to her, and gave her a little more height.

"I do hope that this is appropriate." She said calmly as she quickly twisted her hair up, keeping it in place with a pair of thin sticks that hid dirks. In her sleeves she had tucked flash powder sleep toxins and a few other non lethal weapons for 'just in case'.

[hellfire_child]

Another exposure of his teeth. "I say it is." He watches her fingers dance over her hair, noting her dexterity. To be expected of a medical practitioner, and more.

He offers her his arm. "The car is waiting."

[midori_majutsu_shi]

Of course she's used to both taking and saving lives with those hands. Pausing a moment she did slip her arm into his, carefully slipping the sleeve of the kimono into the obi to keep it out of the way for now with her free hand.

"So, on the way, do you think you can tell me about the city? It really is my first time here. I would rather enjoy playing tourist for at least a little while."

[hellfire_child]

"With all due respect to Tokyo and the old capital--" Alistaire comments, helping her into the car. "--Manhattan is the city. Grown of all cultures, torn down and rebuilt for grids and progress, struck from afar, and reviving itself. If you can't find what you want here, it's not worth pursuing."

[midori_majutsu_shi]

She accepted his help only out of courtesy, making it clear with her actions she's played the 'arm candy' role before. After all getting targets close enough to kill in a crowded room involved playing to their whims at times.

"What about peace and quiet? Or fresh air?" She had found the air a little heavier than back home, and really wondered if it was all the people, or if it was just her nerves. Empathy sucked, even if it wasn't one of her mutant abilities, just more of a trained skill as a medic.

"Sorry, it's just even in Tokyo it seems there are still areas where you can find the crowds are not as thick as they were at the airport." She smirked a little.