behindcloseddoors | CLOSED ♔ suddenly i will play my ace

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CLOSED ♔ suddenly i will play my ace

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. ]

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

Thank you. For doing this.

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.

[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?

[ 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.

Edited 2013-10-13 13:10 (UTC)

[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.

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.

[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?

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?

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.

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

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.]

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

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?

Uh huh.

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

[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.]

[Oh guess who's just innocently leaning against the wall all casual like he hasn't just been blatantly eavesdropping.]

Nice chat?

[She can't entirely hide the fact that he's startled her (reflex save 13), and she exhales afterward, giving him a look.]

How much did you hear?

All of it. [(listen 27).] You weren't really expecting me to stay away, were you?

Not at all. [In fact, she was counting on it. Just in case.] Are you mad?

[About what she found out. About what she agreed to. About what she is.]

Why would I be mad?

[Archer is a little ways off - still half-afraid of Spike's creeper face from earlier. (Though I'm really amused at the juxtaposition os Spike's mega-hearing, versus Archer's tinnitus.) But he walks that way as Elena comes out, interrupting.]

Well, I am... I didn't get to shoot anyone.

[Archer problems.]

Get any useful intel, at least?

Edited 2013-10-15 14:01 (UTC)

[Why would he be mad? Because she's coming back here one way or the other. To learn things from someone who might be considered the 'enemy.'

She looks at Archer.]

One of the many reasons I asked you to leave the shotgun in the car.

[She sighs.]

I got what I came for. I'll...explain more when we get back to the hotel. [She glances at Spike.] I should probably tell people sooner rather than later.

Edited 2013-10-15 20:06 (UTC)

[Archer starts toward the door, before saying unenthused and sarcastically;] Hooray for storytime.

[He remote starts the car, which starts blaring "Danger Zone."]

Probably wise. You know you won't be going to those lessons alone, right? [He trusts Elena, and definitely won't stop her, but he sure as hell doesn't trust the doppelgänger. If she's going to be learning from their enemy, she's going to bring back-up.]

It won't take long. Promise.

[Have a look, Spike.]

I don't need a babysitter. He's not going to hurt me.

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bigbad - 2013-10-19 06:07 (UTC) - Expand

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notaroundme - 2013-10-19 18:38 (UTC) - Expand

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