+7+

[powerfulbruiser]

::Sighing, Molly gazed around the dollar store she had just entered. She had no idea of how to pick out a gift or of what her gift exchange partner, Dr. Hojo, would even want. In fact, she suspected this 'Dr. Hojo' of being a supervillain of some kind. After all, only villains liked to call themselves by their 'doctor titles' to show off how

Comments

[phoenix_soldier]

::Maria had been wandering around the store, wondering what she could possibly get Kamina and Tohru. She figured she should probably also get somethings for Robo-Ky. Maybe if she gave him something nice he wouldn't kill her in her sleep or something...

She was dressed in uniform again. As much as she wanted to wear other things and not remain tied to the uniform, it was warm, and the weather was cold and that was enough reason for her.

She turned down an aisle and saw the girl she'd met when she'd first boarded the train. She was hesitant to approach her, afraid she'd run off, but MAria really did feel the need to apologize for frightening her.::

[powerfulbruiser]

::Reaches up to take an ornament from a shelf, examining it closely, and not noticing Maria standing nearby::

[phoenix_soldier]

::Maria walked over slowly, carefully reaching out to tap the girl on the shoulder.::

...E-Excuse me?

[powerfulbruiser]

::Turns around suddenly:: ...It's you!

[phoenix_soldier]

::Maria took a step back, giving the girl a bit of space. She brought her hands up defensively, showing she was unarmed. this was all out of habit, dealing with people who hated soldiers. She did all she could then to show that she meant no harm.::

I wanted to apologize.

[powerfulbruiser]

::Looks at her, not trusting her one bit, knowing all too well how authority types were like:: For what?

[phoenix_soldier]

For scaring you when I first arrived. I hadn't intended to.

::Lowers her hands, shoving them in her pockets. This was uncomfortable. She wasn't really used to this, and she was fairly certain the girl still wanted nothing to do with her... But Maria didn't like being disliked, especially by children.::

If I was aggressive at all, I strongly apologize. My life at the time had been going in a very rough direction.

[powerfulbruiser]

::Softens somewhat at her words:: Whatcha mean?

[phoenix_soldier]

I had somehow been caught up in a very complex conspiracy, and I'd needed to fake my death and leave the country to avoided being executed. I had been living out in the desert with a group of refugees and I was tired and hungry.

So I am sorry if I took any of that out on you. If I did, it was wrong of me.

[powerfulbruiser]

::Quietly thinks over what she said::

[phoenix_soldier]

::Maria looks to the items on the shelves, if only to distract herself for a moment.::

It's bad enough knowing that the people of my country will remember me as a traitor for something I didn't do...

...I was hoping this place could be a new start. I'd rather not be hated by anyone here.

[powerfulbruiser]

I just don't want you to take me to an orphanage or a boarding school or...something. ::Still wary about trusting her::

[phoenix_soldier]

I promise... I won't. I don't have any right to do that.

..I don't have a home either.

[powerfulbruiser]

I do. My friends are my new family.

'Cause...my parents are gone.

[phoenix_soldier]

::Maria smiled a bit.:: Then you obviously have someplace you belong, and people you belong with.

I wouldn't try to take you from that.

[powerfulbruiser]

We're not all grown ups yet, except for my friend, Chase, but we all take care of each other and it's the only place I feel happy at. ::Starts fingering a statuette on the shelf:: I hated being at the X-Mansion.