Guin Stark & Richard Laine
Location: Guin's Lab
Richard sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. He hadn't shaved in a few days, then again sleep had been rather hard to get recently. Making a mental note to do so, though he did carry the ruggishly handsome look rather well with his slightly unkempt hair. A far cry from the crisp business persona he had carried when working for the Brotherhood. Long stride carried him through the halls as he consulted his mental map of the place, for the certain lab he was looking for. Finding the correct room, he knocked at the doorway. Leaning a arm against the frame as he watched the occupant. He had caught her alone, that was good. A sly smile on his face, though the slitted eyes were lazily looking about. Richard did like one to one conversations to be one on one. While he wouldn't mind Pietro being around... He still wanted to slug the brat in the face for smashing onto his back.
Guin glanced up from her desk, setting down a fried circuit that she had been attempting to repair. "Richard?" Guin said, frowning a bit in confusion. There were a few people who regularly stopped by the lab to chat whenever she was working on something - and Richard wasn't one of them. "If you're looking for Ayita, she isn't here - probably try outside somewhere."
The man gave an apologetic smile, letting himself in as he took a long draw from the cup of dark coffee he carried. It was a horrible drink, but the former killer needed it. Former being the operative word. "Ayita is currently with that 'Damon' fellow." Stretching with a groan and his spine popped. "And avoiding me. So I was looking for you." Taking another drink from the mug, he winced at the pure black flavor. "Disgusting."
"Mm, while I'm flattered, you're a bit old for me," Guin quipped. She had an idea as to why Richard might be seeking her out - but it wasn't something that she felt needed discussing. She had lied to Fury for him. And while some might have expected a favor in return, Guin didn't. If anything, she expected that it would not be discussed. "So what can I do for you? If you want me to build you a girlfriend, I'll need a cash advance. Fifty grand."
Richard coughed as he had been in mid sip. Giving Guin a raised brow and a dry look. "I pity your father. You are by far more deadly to that man than any assassin that could ever be sent after him." His voice was filled with that fact he truly felt this way. This young woman had the wit and the tongue he would expect from Stark's daughter. "And if I ever need a woman like that, I'll ask you to shoot me." Rubbing at his forehead, Richard chuckled. "Or let Ay. As for what you can do me... You've done it. So it's more along the lines of what my sister and I can do for you."
Guin paused for a moment, pulling out a stick of gum from her pocket and unwrapping it. While it was generally a horrible idea to eat in a lab, after a certain amount of time working in one, certain safety precautions became a little bit irrelevant. She chewed thoughtfully on the gum for a moment, wondering what Richard and his sister could do that she couldn't simply do for herself. "Do you have something in mind or are you fishing for suggestions? Because if so, I'd love to have them remake the Harry Potter films with Peeves in them."
"You'd want Allison for that from what I understand from her powers. I agree though, Peeves missing was a tragedy. The other is that my sister- the local Amigus- has not seen it." Richard chuckled at the crack the mutant powers. He had read the books and watched the movies while on buses, staking out targets or on the rare down time. Drinking from the coffee mug again, the Adder looked at the beverage with a look that was one of disgust and sheer 'I don't want to'. "Though I'm putting the fact out there that we do owe you. Though I do have a question- What's the tattooed punk's relationship with my sister?" Richard gave Guin a innocent look, as if commenting about the weather. Though his tone was just the same, there was a flinty look to his eyes.
"Funny, I thought you just said you owe me but you're the one asking for information," Guin observed with a smirk. She didn't know much about Damon and Ayita but she wasn't stupid. There was something going on between them - or something would soon be happening between them. Of course, the prospect of messing with Richard was amusing. "I think they're getting married somewhere soon - Allison's the Maid of Honor. Surprised you didn't get an invitation."
Richard's eyes snapped to the young Stark as he let loose a savage hiss. One hand pinching the bridge of his nose. "Cute. But Ayita wouldn't understand a thing about marriage and it's not exactly legal. She's seventeen and it's not All Hallow's Eve yet." Breathing out, Richard shook his head. "Then again... mating is not marriage and I doubt. Oh, Hell." Coffee abandoned on the table, the tall man began pacing back and forth. Sorting out if it was possible the man he shot and his sister were together. Was this the reason Ayita defend him so viciously to Richard when the brother made a crack at the boy's expense? "That bastard better not..." His velvety voice was a deep growl. Very much like her sister when she was annoyed by someone. Or rather her's was like his.
"She's seventeen. And it's Ayita. I doubt anyone pressured her into prom sex," Guin pointed out. She picked up the circuit she had been playing with an adjusted a few of the wires, spinning around slightly in her chair. "But why do you call it mating, anyways? Unless you're Tarzan, it's a bit weird," Guin then commented. She wasn't exactly sure what Richard expected from her in this situation. Was she supposed to reassure him that Ayita and Damon hadn't done the deed? Guin hardly saw the problem if they had, anyways. It was a free country. Ayita could do what she wanted.
"Ooh Ooh." Mimicking a gorilla Richard rolled his eyes. "I may have only been around for a few weeks, but I have been talking to my sister." The assassin poked Guin on the forehead, picking up his coffee again. Taking a drink, he rubbed his jaw. "She's not the type to hold a grudge- or at least be silent about a grudge." Richard chuckled dryly. "At least with me. Though she might just be trying to kill me when she isn't trying to beat me. My sister is horrible abusive." Richard winked at Guin, with a wiry smile.
"That's deeply offensive to gorillas," Guin quipped. "You should be ashamed of yourself," she then wrinkled her nose as Richard poked her in the forehead. Ever since she had discovered her mutation, she had become a little bit apprehensive about physical contact with others. She wasn't nearly as terrified of it as she had been the first few days, but even now, she preferred to avoid unexpected contact. While switching with Mary would be alright, she didn't want to have the Adder swap minds with her. "Now while I'm sorry for your clearly horrible life...Are we done here? Or did you need something else?"
The Adder shook his head walking towards the door. "Adorable." The man paused, glancing over his shoulder with a cocky smile. "And we are done. Just remember... A Laine pays their debt. Though I'm not sure about a Dyrkin." The man gave Guin a cocky wink before continuing off down the hall with a false evil laugh. Though there was a inkly thought in his mind he ought to make sure to keep his aim sharp just in case anything were to happen.
"Actually...There is something you can do for me - and my family," Guin said, her eyes widening as the idea came to her, almost fully formed. It wasn't something that she had thought about very often. When she first joined S.H.I.E.L.D., she had pulled the files out of a morbid curiosity. She had expected to find the intimate details of a car accident - instead, she noticed glaring inconsistencies and questions. "There's a lot of conspiracy theories out there - but this one might just be true. My grandparents died in a car accident - the other driver was never found and the security footage was damaged beyond repair. Now sure, granddad was old...But he flew planes into Nazi occupied territories. For him to die in a car crash is a little weird - especially with those other details."
Guin hesitated for a moment, setting the circuit she was repairing aside. "If you could find out what exactly happened that night - that'd be great. If not, I don't really care if you repay me or not."
Richard paused, glancing back. A frown etched about his mouth but interest in his eyes. "Other driver missing and your grandfather a former pilot? I'll admit my interest is piqued." Laine paused, seeming thinking very heavily with himself. "You may not care if I pay you back but I do. I'll look into it. However-" Snake slitted eyes watched Guin for a moment. "Don't expect a miracle. That's a old case and I am good, but my first duty is to see to Ayita and her needs. But I promise you, I will look into it. I have plenty of long lonesome nights ahead of me." Richard winked his serious nature dissolving. "Au revoir mon cher."
Cassandra Reed & Ayita Dyrkin
Location: The Woods Near The X-Mansion
It had been about a year since they had managed to takedown the Brotherhood, Cassandra got into a routine of doing a few one on one training sessions with a few of the other members of the X-Men. Whoever approached her, if she wasn't busy filing reports for SHIELD Cass would hold a few training sessions during the day. Cassandra wore a grey tanktop and a pair of black sweatpants, she started to make her way towards the woods. Her usual spot when Ayita wanted a sparing match. She ran a hand through her hair as she walked into a small clearing, she was far enough to see the mansion in the distance, they were still on the grounds as she waited patiently for Ayita to show up.
A leg was dangling from a tree. A boot with black jeans and a long black silk sleeve from a man's shirt with a pale hand. Amber eyes watched Cassandra as the woman shifted. Landing on the ground with a light thump. Ayita had changed. It was a subtle thing but it was there. Just like the size too large black silk shirt. Or the longer and more cared for hair. Unbuttoning the shirt with careful fingers the now woman tossed it over a branch. "Are all men annoying, overprotective, and completely unreasonable?" Ayita answered, looking rather irritated. As she joined Cassandra in the glen.
Cassandra turned her head slightly when she saw Ayita appearing from behind her, letting out a slight sigh she did at times get a bit jumpy, she walked over and leaned herself up against a tree. "Do you mean your brother?" Cassandra asked crossing her arms over her chest, she still hadn't forgiven her brother since the mission against the Brotherhood for holding a gun to Carolina's head. Since then she had been mainly giving him death stares and just avoiding him in general.
Ayita voice a noise between a grumble and a growl. Her eyes narrowing as she paced back and forth in agitation. "He took my clothes! And replaced them with this!" Ayita raged, her eyes snapping with cold amber fire. Though she was wearing a delicate black camisole under the silk shirt that obviously was not hers... The clothes fitted her like a glove. Making the shifting look for all the world like her actual age of 18, and not some frugal street child. "I can take care of myself. I have taken care of myself perfectly fine!" Ayita shoved a hand through her hair. Unconsciously mimicking her brother's habits.
Cassandra watched as Ayita paced around, hearing the low growl as she looked at her for a few moments. "You could always just rip them apart, or get your old clothes back." She said giving a slight smile as she stood up and started to stretch somewhat Cassandra started to crack her fingers. "So are we going to spar, or just bitch and moan over your brother?" Cassandra said teasingly as she got into a fighting stance and eyed her, letting Ayita to make the first move.
Ayita lunged, aiming for a high kick as she kept her fists close to her body. "I did rip them up! At least some of them up. Then he got more, and smiled and patted me on the head!" Ayita snapped, yanking her foot back on the last second. Changing the kick from high to low in a feint that Richard had taught her. "And he said my old clothes went to an army! How am I suppose to fight a army for my clothes?!" Muttering darkly, Ayita still was paying fast attention to the fight.
Cassandra instantly took a step back from Ayita when she lunged forward using her hands to block the kick the moment she changed it, she then got into a fighting stance, going for a punch to the stomach. "I think you mean the Salvation Army, that's where he probably sent your old clothes to." Cass said as she went and tried to kick Ayita in the leg to throw her off balance, letting out a slight breath, even though Cassandra truly hated the guy's guts he was probably just trying to make up for the lost time. "I think hes just trying to make up for some lost time as well." Cassandra said.
"He could have said that. Where did he think I got that stuff in the first place?" Absorbing the punch via catching it with her hand. Though, the younger woman stumbled topping to the side as Cassandra kicked her leg. Something the Alaskan would have normally leapt over. Rolling as she hit the ground Ayita swept a leg out to bring down the SHIELD agent as well. Bouncing herself back to her feet. Ayita slowly began circling her. Preparing for another strike. "Have you killed anyone before, Cassandra?" The question was a odd one, and the shifter was hesitating with her attack.
Cass landed on her back with a rather loud thud, laying there for about three seconds before quickly getting back up onto her feet blowing a bit of hair out of her face, and tucking it behind her ear as she noticed Ayita hesitating her next move. And quickly used that to her advantage and aimed a kick towards her side. "As a field agent, I have when out in the field we are trained for just about everything, and to expect anything as well." She answered, it was true she had killed a few people but in self-defense.
Ayita blocked with an arm and grabbed Cass's leg. Her body twisting about as she pulled the woman off balance. "You're not even a mutant," The woman gasped and punched for Cassandra's side. "You're a beast. A mindless animal." Even a year later, Ayita could quote her technically first kill's last words. Wonderland. Dropping Cassandra's leg she tried a second punch.
Cassandra wasn't sure if it was either a compliment or an insult, she didn't want to kill unless it was the absolute last option. "I don't enjoy it." She said calmly as she stumbled and started to lose balance somewhat before grabbing Ayita's arm and shoved her backwards towards a nearby tree. She remembered reading the report that Ayita did end up killing a member of the Brotherhood a year ago, she wasn't sure how Ayita did feel about that.
Ayita grabbed the tree, using the grip of the bark to advantage. Lashing out with a kick, Ayita shoved off from the sturdy perch. "Nor did I. Yet she keeps haunting me with those damned words." Throwing a series of punches at Cass, the amber eyed shifter frowned. Her lips drawn tight together as she aim for a low kick while her punches distracted the other woman. Ayita pivoted and lashed out with a high kick. Ayita growled to herself, she didn't know why she was talking to the Agent. But if this woman had killed... Perhaps her brother wasn't just lying to her for no reason.
Cassandra started to back up, grunting occasionally as she got hit a few times by Ayita's punches, stumbling back some more, but managed to block the kick, going on the defensive now. As she took several deep breathes as she continued their little sparing match, meeting Ayita's gaze. "It takes a very long time to get through it." Cassandra said, when she saw an opening, she side stepped and landed a kick to Ayita's back.
Ayita turned too late and the kick landed square. Knocking the wind from the mutant as she tumbled forward, rolling with her momentum. Laying on the ground, she paused for a few seconds catching her breathe. "But you never forget, do you?" Ayita flipped to her feet, crouching as she seemed to be thinking out for things. "Do you fear me? Trust me, Cassandra?" Looking up at the other woman, amber eyes wary.
Cassandra watched as Ayita stumbled and fell to the ground, she wondered slightly if she had actually hurt her sparing partner who was now on the ground, shook her head slightly. "Sometimes memories like that do occasionally come up." She answered softly, Cass watched Ayita quickly getting back up to her feet once more, raisng an eyebrow slightly at her question and nodded. "I do, why?"
Amber eyes closed, the slight bags under them prominent. "Memories... Brother calls them horrors." Ayita looked off to the side. Shaking her head, the shifter sprung up and shot a punch at Cass. Several other punches following after the first. A frown planted firmly on her face.
Cass was blocking about every punch, and would occasionally get hit by Ayita and stumble back after landing a few good hits towards her. "For good reason, no one really wants to see them constantly over and over again." Cassandra said letting out a sigh as she held her hand up and took a little bit of a breath and whipped away a little bit of sweat. "I think we can call this session a day?" Cassandra said feeling herself a little bit winded.
Ayita nodded slowly, her body still standing straight and strong despite her winded breathe. Plucking her brother's shirt from the tree, the shifter shrugged it on. "We should." Hesitating the shifter looked back at the human. "Don't- Only Brother knows about the nightmares. Those words. Don't- tell anyone?" Her voice became gruff as she buttoned the front of the shirt close over old scars that covered her torso and arms. Not waiting for a reply, she shifted into the form of a raven and shot into the sky.
Ayita Dyrkin & Richard Laine
Location Xavier Institute
{"Days to go by."}
{"Days to go by."}
The sun was getting higher, Richard noted as he exited the search engine on his phone. Genius devices really. Humanity had progress so far through his life that they know had what they always wanted and were throwing it away. Foolishness, was his other thought. Clicking his pen he jotted down a note in a small journal that sat on his spare side recording his progress and questions. He loved his drink, women and life. A little bit of detective work for Guin was merely his sort of crossword puzzle during the morning hours. Or the morning coffee. Given that he wasn't one to laze about for hours on end. Looking down on his occupied side, the man ran a hand through his slightly longer black hair. Slicked back from the shower he had taken a good deal earlier. Stretched out over the bed, lay a woman just turned adult officially. The auburn hair cast about her head and his leg in a wild tangle that still couldn't fully be tamed. Her face was still hard during her waking hours. But asleep she looked almost innocent. If it wasn't for that twitch of her lips, or the slightly clawed position of her hands. But she had grown from merely a dangerous predator into a beautiful one as well, though Richard Laine did not want to admit it. Brushing the hair from her cheek, he studied the nicked ear where a hunter's arrow had missed. A little bit to the side and she would have been dead. Possibly eaten and he would have never had known. Leaning down he kissed his sister's forehead, his snake slitted eyes closed in bliss that the foolish hunter had missed. "Awaken, Sister." The deadly assassin withdrew as he felt the younger shift and stir with that certain slowness that marked her awakening from a deep slumber. Something she'd only been doing the last year or so. Having deemed it too dangerous before hand. She had been raised the harsh North and tossed to the bitter winter as their thrice cursed mother had tossed her out of the house for her mutant.
Stretching lazily, Ayita wrapped a arm about her brother's torso. Which the bastard ignored as he stood up and crossed to the closet. Tossing out a choice of shirts as he tried to decide about what to wear, Ayita watched with narrowed amber eyes. "Brother, why did you not wake me sooner?" It was late in the day and the woman was used to using drop of day light. Something her brother understood but dismissed. It irked her. But she roused herself, snatching a deep green button up that Richard had tossed out on the bed. Pulling it on over her own camisole. She had came by far earlier in the morning, seeking out the protection she had missed for years. Not that she would admit it.
Or he would tell anyone. Richard chuckled deeply, his voice a dark velvet against his sister's quiet tone. "Because you need your rest, mon cher." The truth would make the younger Laine growl behind him, but no deny came. It wouldn't. Killing someone had left scars on Ayita. But the last words of 'Wonderland' had left deeper scars on her psyche. His fist tightened on the knob of the wardrobe. He had been there, stared at her and not seen his sister. Not known her name. It enraged Richard that he could do nothing about it now. Closing the doors, the man turned about to see his chosen shirt stolen away. By Ayita. Who was wearing it. Arching a brow the Adder hissed. "Can I have my shirt back?"
"No." Ayita stated simply, sliding from the bed. Shaking out the auburn hair that had grown since their reunion, the woman gave a sharp growl as a hand smacked her shoulder. Though heeding the unspoken command, the younger abandoned the space in front of the bed as the elder Laine slipped a set of boots. The younger mimicking is actions though next to the window. Had anyone else thought to deal her such an action, they would be dead or facing a furious woman. Richard arched a dark brow at the woman and offered his arm which she ignored. Smirking the elder Laine moved down the hall of the Manor, his shadowy of a sister behind him. Newspaper under one arm.
Their features were not so similar but the traits were there. Tall, both shared the sharp features of their mother. Though Richard had the hair and eyes of his father- minus the slitted pupils. Ayita possessed the air of wild nature that haunted her own eyes. Her hair from their mother. Though with a certain predatory grace they moved. Trained fighters, harden veterans of hard life. Richard glanced over his shoulder at a cracking of bone and rustle of feathers a raven landed upon his shoulder. Lifting a hand to preen the black feathers, the Adder pushed the door open to the gardens. The black beak of his sister already preening through his hair. "Too lazy to open a door." The deadly assassin chuckled, noticing Marygold working in the garden.
The man claimed a bench, the raven quite literally reading on his shoulder. Ayita would go her own way in a bit. She was contemplating where to go exactly while she got the lay of the situation of the world. Richard had insisted it was important, though the younger did not see why exactly. "Get your bloody beak out of the way, feather duster." The said beak pecked the newspaper. Eager for the bastard to give up reading between the lines and turn the damn page. "Go get your own and read it, if I'm reading too slow." Ayita glared with beady black eyes at her brother. She was tempted to peck him. Hard.
1x Laugh
