CLOSED ♔ suddenly i will play my ace

[behindcloseddoors]

♬ eyes on fire - blue foundation

WHO || Elena, Spike, Archer, ??
WHAT || Elena strikes out to try and learn the truth about what she is - by walking straight back into the lion's den.
WHERE || Chicago, the Waldorf hotel
WHEN || July 11th/12th, middle of the night
HOW || Actionspam

[ It's amazing, the things that can slip through the cracks. The team is so focused on Vi's suspicious desire to speak to Keijen or the drow god haunting her nightmares, that they're all expending their energy keeping an eye on her so that she doesn't sneak out at night, when in fact, she's not the one looking to go march straight back to the bad guys.

That would be Elena.

It's easy, therefore, for her to get out of the hotel room without anyone even questioning where she's going. ]

Comments

[notaroundme]

Connected. Right.

[That's...mildly awkward.]

You looked just as shocked as I did, though.

[She nods, running her hand through her hair.]

That's the understatement of the century. I guess I can start with the most obvious one.

[She feels a little dumb even asking but...yeah.]

How do you...do that? Does it hurt?

[imposturing]

Like I said, it's rare I run into anyone like me. The last thing I expected was to run into one quite so literally.

[ he grins widely at the question, cricking his neck ] As for changing, it hurts like a bitch. But once you've done it a few thousand times, the pain stops registering as pain. It's more like an old friend.

As for how... I could show you. If you're interested.

[notaroundme]

[That doesn't bode well, but she didn't come here to get scared and run off.

She presses her lips together and nods.]

If this is what I am, then it's something I should know.

[imposturing]

It's not the sort of thing you're going to get overnight. Are your friends going to make trouble about this little arrangement?

[notaroundme]

No, they'll understand.

[They had to.]

And if they don't, I'll...figure something out.

[But that also begs the question.]

What about your friends?

[imposturing]

What makes you think I count them as friends?

It's business. Not pleasure.

[notaroundme]

It doesn't matter if they're your friends or you business partners. Even if you and I aren't on opposite sides, they're probably going to think differently.

What are you even getting out of working for them?

[imposturing]

You mean, aside from the exorbitant amounts of money?

[ le shrug ] Let's just say, with everywhere I've gone, and everyone I've been, I have to take what opportunities come my way to keep things interesting. They've certainly got that, in spades.

[notaroundme]

[There are lots of ways to get money, so she's not buying that one. Especially with his talents.]

If we're going to do this, then it's about you and me. I don't want them involved.

[imposturing]

What a coincidence. Neither do I.

[ he extends a hand ] Luckily for you, I'm staying in town awhile, and they're not.

[notaroundme]

[She regards him for a moment before she reaches out to shake his hand. (Also, sense motive 21)]

Thank you. For doing this.

[imposturing]

Our people might not have a lot in the way of traditions, but this is one we all take seriously. [ he presses his hand into hers and shakes it firmly once. she doesn't sense any dishonesty whatsoever in his intentions. ] Before we move you into shapeshifting, though, we're gonna have to work on toughening this up. [ he presses one finger to her temple lightly, eyes sparking mischievously ] That's where the magic happens, after all.

[notaroundme]

[Her eyes follow his hand as best they can as he reaches to tap her temple, but she doesn't flinch. If anything, she looks interested and amused.]

How do I go about doing that?

[imposturing]

[ at the slight touch, she can feel that unusual ripple course through her again, her skin humming as if to life ]

It's an effort of will, but you have the advantage that your body wants this. To be freed of the one form it's been locked in your entire life. [he draws away and crosses the floor] Think of the magic inside of you like a muscle. We can exercise it but we have to build it up first. Make it correspondent to your command - and not anyone else's.

[notaroundme]

[She exhales as that feeling comes again. It's not as strange or as frightening as before. Different, but not bad.]

And it's hard to strengthen a muscle if you don't know it exists.

[imposturing]

Precisely.

We can start by making you flex it, via working up immunities against certain types of magic. I can get my hands on some wands, and teach you how to focus your will to resist ever falling under magical charms that try to bend it. It'll help pave the way for when we move into controlling your own powers... and I don't want to start you off with that stuff when you have no measure of control, or the results might be... messy.

[notaroundme]

[That makes her grimace, because the mental images that conjures up is...not good.]

Yeah, that sounds...bad.

[Still, she's not backing down.]

When can we start?

[imposturing]

No offense to you, but I'd rather wait til the pop stars blow town. They're heading out tonight. Think you can make it back here tomorrow?

[notaroundme]

None taken. I'd rather do that too.

[She doesn't want to run into them alone. Bad idea.]

Sure, no problem. Just name a time and I'll be here.

[imposturing]

Does it need to be after all your pals are sound asleep, or does 10 tomorrow night work?

[notaroundme]

I didn't sneak out today and I won't tomorrow.

[Even if she...just failed to sneak out properly.]

10 is fine. I assume because you'll be working during the day.

[Have a gently raised brow, because she's pretty sure he's posing as Chad, and that's why he's staying behind.]

[imposturing]

I don't really do nine to fives. But I assumed you might be busy playing Nancy Drew with your little gang.

[notaroundme]

We're not playing anything.

[It's not a game. It never has been.]

And they're my friends. [She glances at the door, then back at him.] I'll see you tomorrow? Here, I assume?

[imposturing]

Uh huh.

[ he holds up the keycard between two fingers ] Take it. I can get another.

[notaroundme]

[She takes it from him, looking at it briefly before she tucks it away in her back pocket.]

Thanks.

[And then she'll just...let herself out.]