(no subject)
It took long enough.
Much to my shame, I had completely forgotten that Amara was idling away in Sabella's apartment. But apparently, she wasn't idling away. She's made the acquaintance of someone -very- interesting. However, it's time that I did what Sabella and I originally intended.
This late at SE, there's few people around. However, the phone does still ring every once in a while. Toxin is speaking into her cell phone, switching any calls that come her way to her voicemail. Dainty feet kicked up on her desk, her door is still open, and she's keeping an eye on it. Odd, it's almost like she's expecting someone will just come walking through. But who could get through all the security?
Twenty minutes. Twenty friggin minutes, and Amara was beginning to get quite angry. Finally a guard pokes his head into view. She crosses her arms and glares at him. Good thing she'd come early enough, or she would surely have been late. The guards eyes widen as he realizes the mistake, and he looks to his clipboard. "Ms DePalmo, then?" he asks after clearing his throat. Her consistant stare, one of pure ice, was his only reply. "Go right through. Sorry for any inconvenience." Sorry for the inconvenience?! Bah. She blows past him in an even yet slightly angered pace, only calming as she neared Toxin's door. Even though open, she knocks lightly to announce her presence. "You asked to see me, Stacia?"
A glance towards the door confirms her suspicions that Amara is approaching. Of course, the guard rang Toxin the moment Amara left the station, but in all honestly, the poisonous woman didn't expect her to go the legitimate route. That she did is a good sign, though. "Amara, my dear. Please, sit." She motions towards one of the seats across from her desk. "Can I offer you a drink, perhaps?" Toxin queries, playing the consumate hostess for the moment.
Amara might be known for stealing or the occassional bout of violence, but she could still be civilized. As instructed, she takes a seat on the side of the desk opposite Toxin, her eyes alert. "No, thank you," she replies, using her hand to accent her words. Instead, she watches the other woman, wondering what would have her summoned as such a time.
Toxin flashes a smirk, leaning back in her chair and folding her hands in her lap. "I understand you wanted to see me about something." she says, her gold-green eyes watching Amara's every move. Not that she really could try anything in here, but if she does, Toxin prefers to err on the side of caution. Especially in a building where mutants run rampant.
Amara was half tempted to lean back in her chair. Granted, this time was when she came alive, but something had caused her schedule to alter drastically. "I had not heard from you, or Miss Miller, for quite some time," she explains, remaining proper without being overly so. "I grow tired of my usual routine, and it has even changed somewhat." Of course, she's leaving Alex out of the conversation for now. "I was wondering if, perhaps, there was something you had that could .. occupy my time?"
Toxin chuckles softly. "Miss Miller has been...indisposed for quite some time now. For all intents and purposes, I run Succubus Entertainments until she sees fit to return and take the reins once more." Tilting her head to one side, she nods once. "I might...but you've never asked for work before, Amara. I'd like to know why."
Amara could have taken the chuckle as a sign to relax, but wasn't about to. Toxin was one that she'd come to recognize as a semi-friendly face, but still, her survival thus far has been built on her inability to trust many, if any at all. "I figured that something had come up, and whatever that something is I honestly do not wish to know. Although it is a comfort to know that someone is stepping up to the plate, so to say, in her absence." Now here... here she could lie to the woman, but she knew better. Something compelled her to actually be semi-honest, and that compelling feeling scared her slightly. "I've become bored, Stacia. Midnight prowling is fun, do not get me wrong, but even in this city one runs out of things to do."
Toxin very rarely makes an effort to put people at ease, and tonight is no exception. An alert Amara is something she prefers to observe, as she has a suspicion that there's no such thing as a truly relaxed Amara. Not voluntarily, anyway. "It's what I do. Vice-President, co-CEO, all around go-to girl. One might say I'm a Jane of all trades." She flashes another smile at the weak joke, and then falls into thought for several moments. "I do have some things that you might be interested in, Amara, but it would require you moving."
Amara snorts softly at what she considered to be a lame joke. If Toxin suspect that a relaxed Amara was an rarity, it was the truth. Finally she smiles in return, giving an expression that would fool many into believing her to be comfortable and even friendly. Such a trick would not work on this woman, she realized, but it had been such a long time since she could remember a genuine smile. "I have already moved from my dorm to be with Miss Miller," she explains. "Another move would be of no difficulty. I cannot exactly say I feel at home where I am currently."
Toxin shakes her head. "You should have had a place of your own long ago. I blame myself for that, really, since Sabella isn't around to make new arrangements for you." She pauses once again, a tiny wrinkle showing on her brow while she thinks about it. "No no, I think the best thing for you would be transport to a training facility. You're quite skilled, Amara, but your skills need honing. Against those who are better than you."
Amara fought each and every desire to puff out her chest and appear to proud. Her skills were just fine, enough for what she's been doing with her life, but she knew that Toxin was right. No matter how much her bluntness stung. "What better training ground than the city itself?" she ponders aloud, not to be defiant, simply to pose the question. Many evils, including herself, did wander the streets at night. "Honestly, I am rarely where I am supposed to be as of late, but I do keep my things in her apartment. Moving had not really occured to me at this point. Yet, if it is for a job..."
Toxin eyes Amara carefully. The signs of pride are still there, even if the girl doesn't declare them out loud. She doesn't have to. "There are far and away better training grounds. One can't be a city rat for the rest of your life." Another moment of silence, and then, "Why don't you stay at Sabella's anymore, Amara? Do you find it not to your liking?"
Amara blinks, her eyes locking onto those of the woman across from her. Most times she felt secure with how expressionless they were, but currently she believed that even a lack of life wouldn't keep her feelings from Toxin. Almost as if she'd been watched. "This supposed island Sabella taunted me with, then?" she asks sarcastically. "I was born and raised in a place far from the city, Stacia. I like it here because there are more things to steal and people to use than there are back home." She shakes her head at the mention of displeasure with her current home. "My hours keep me out all night, and have me sleeping during the day. I busied myself with another project that happened to consume my regular sleeping time, on top of threaten my schedule all together." A person using a weakness to force you into a two day slumber can do wonders for your night life, really.
Toxin doesn't need to watch people all the time to catch body language. It's an art that she's studied for years. An eyebrow arches at the mention of the island. "As I've told you before, you should not mention that. At all. The stake, my dear, could be your life." A wince upon hearing her fake name. How she hates to use it, but how necessary it is. "Well, you'd definitely have to give this 'other project' up if you wanted to do what I'd like you to. How good of a fighter are you, Amara?"
Amara shrugs her shoulders passively at the mention of keeping things on the down low. "I figure here and now is the only place I am able to mention it at all," she points out. The wince is noticed, since she was staring directly at Toxin's features as well. She blinks, many times, before tilting her head ever slightly. "Honestly, I cannot be sure. I have never really had the need to fight anyone. I am strong and quick though." The mention of dropping the project draws a snicker. "I am sure that the project would not be so happy to be dropped suddenly."
Toxin sighs. "I should wring Sabella's neck for mentioning it to you at all." she mutters, almost out of hearing. A slight smirk follows the mention of the project, as Toxin confirms her suspicion. "So the project is not a what, but a who. What is his name?" That's a guess, as she really has no idea if it's a random person, boyfriend, or even if Amara is straight. "And your project, as you say, would probably not be happy with you, after I have outlined these details."
Amara keeps a smirk for quite some time, sensing that her knowledge of the Brotherhood, no matter how loose it was, was bothersome. One never knew when having information could come in handy, although she never imagined she would actually use it. "Alex Summers," she openly admits. Toxin being the closest thing she has to a female friend, she would most likely spill more to her than anyone else. "He already knows about my nightlife, actually. I do not believe he is too thrilled about it, as he has found ways to keep me from going out at night. Although, in all honesty, his concent of my actions means nothing to me."
Toxin leans back in her chair once more, her chin resting in one hand. "Alex Summers." she repeats softly, as if she's trying to recall where she's heard that name before. Whatever else is on Toxin's mind doesn't come to light though, as Toxin leans forward abruptly. "So, Amara, let me lay out the basics for you. I can offer you a training program second to none. You will study defense, as well as be my student in some chemical matters, learning to smell poisons and gas and such. Your program will include improvement with your firearms, if it can be arranged, and there will be sessions dealing with handling yourself in different terrain. However, there are....agreements I must get from you, if you wish to do this. Do you want me to go on?"
Amara shifts slightly in her seat, not from Toxin's words, but from being extremely uncomfortable. Sitting tall and proper was taxing for her when she was so tired. "Learning is not a word that frightens me," she says, rather bluntly, though her words were not meant to be rough. There was no reason, in her mind, that she shouldn't speak her mind. "I highly doubt that there can be much improvement with my firearms, yet I am willing to try if an offer is made. I am quite sure that whatever you would like me to learn will not take long, especially if you are the instructor. I would hate to think of someone such as... as..." She found herself straining for the name she was seeking. ".. you know, the man the size of a school bus? Fred, I believe his name is. I highly doubt I would improve anything but my hiding skills around a person like that." Finding herself rambling, she cuts herself short, then nods. "Please, continue."
Toxin has to chuckle at the mention of Fred. "The large man, as you put it, would not be very useful in your training, I imagine." There, it sounds like she isn't really all that familiar with Fred. Fred eats all of the casseroles Toxin leaves in the BH kitchen. "First, you would be required to move. Second, all contact with those here on the mainland, with the exception of Sabella and myself, would need to be cut off. Third, and most importantly, you'll have to pass an...interview...with the man who runs this training facility."
Amara brings a hand up to apply the slightest amount of pressure to the bridge of her nose, then moves her fingers out to rub at both of her eyes. Interviews were nothing more than an annoyance to her, but then again, that is how she viewed mostly everything. "I will more than gladly turn over my cell phone," she comments, forcing herself not to roll her eyes. The call log would show just how often Alex monitored her. "Even for the tinest fraction of peace, it is yours. Isolating myself is not exactly an issue. I have spent most of my life alone." She pauses, as if thinking what else to say. "Hopefully such an interview does not require one to dress in business attire. That may give me cause to reject such an offer." Of course her words are nothing more than her quirky sense of humor, and she figured that Toxin would know as much.
Toxin is more than likely to ask Magneto to allow Amara to continue the relationship. With full knowledge of why, of course. The brother of Scott Summers, if Toxin remembers correctly from what Sabella told her long ago. One must keep an in to the X-Men at all times. A soft snort answers Amara's question about business attire, and the poisonous princess nods. "In that case, I'll see to your interview and let you know when he can be made available. It might be a week or more, but I'd suggest you spend the time packing your things."
Amara wouldn't mind using a person at all, since she already was. Yet, he was so immature. The sacrifices one must make, eh? "Whenever he is available is fine by me, really. My belongings are already packed, save for a few, so I will handle that as soon as possible." She then stands suddenly, and flashes another smile. "I thank you for your time, Stacia, and if possible I would like to leave now. My project has strained my sleep, and I would like to be well rested in the days to come."
Toxin nods and stands, waving for Amara to be off. "Feel free, dear. And call on me anytime. You will find that the guards aren't exactly difficult to get by." she chuckles softly.
Amara does roll her eyes this time. "Next time I will not be so polite and wait for service. You should really replace some of the staff here." She offers a nod and wave, and walks out the way she had come in, having to keep herself from decking the guard on her way out.
Much to my shame, I had completely forgotten that Amara was idling away in Sabella's apartment. But apparently, she wasn't idling away. She's made the acquaintance of someone -very- interesting. However, it's time that I did what Sabella and I originally intended.
This late at SE, there's few people around. However, the phone does still ring every once in a while. Toxin is speaking into her cell phone, switching any calls that come her way to her voicemail. Dainty feet kicked up on her desk, her door is still open, and she's keeping an eye on it. Odd, it's almost like she's expecting someone will just come walking through. But who could get through all the security?
Twenty minutes. Twenty friggin minutes, and Amara was beginning to get quite angry. Finally a guard pokes his head into view. She crosses her arms and glares at him. Good thing she'd come early enough, or she would surely have been late. The guards eyes widen as he realizes the mistake, and he looks to his clipboard. "Ms DePalmo, then?" he asks after clearing his throat. Her consistant stare, one of pure ice, was his only reply. "Go right through. Sorry for any inconvenience." Sorry for the inconvenience?! Bah. She blows past him in an even yet slightly angered pace, only calming as she neared Toxin's door. Even though open, she knocks lightly to announce her presence. "You asked to see me, Stacia?"
A glance towards the door confirms her suspicions that Amara is approaching. Of course, the guard rang Toxin the moment Amara left the station, but in all honestly, the poisonous woman didn't expect her to go the legitimate route. That she did is a good sign, though. "Amara, my dear. Please, sit." She motions towards one of the seats across from her desk. "Can I offer you a drink, perhaps?" Toxin queries, playing the consumate hostess for the moment.
Amara might be known for stealing or the occassional bout of violence, but she could still be civilized. As instructed, she takes a seat on the side of the desk opposite Toxin, her eyes alert. "No, thank you," she replies, using her hand to accent her words. Instead, she watches the other woman, wondering what would have her summoned as such a time.
Toxin flashes a smirk, leaning back in her chair and folding her hands in her lap. "I understand you wanted to see me about something." she says, her gold-green eyes watching Amara's every move. Not that she really could try anything in here, but if she does, Toxin prefers to err on the side of caution. Especially in a building where mutants run rampant.
Amara was half tempted to lean back in her chair. Granted, this time was when she came alive, but something had caused her schedule to alter drastically. "I had not heard from you, or Miss Miller, for quite some time," she explains, remaining proper without being overly so. "I grow tired of my usual routine, and it has even changed somewhat." Of course, she's leaving Alex out of the conversation for now. "I was wondering if, perhaps, there was something you had that could .. occupy my time?"
Toxin chuckles softly. "Miss Miller has been...indisposed for quite some time now. For all intents and purposes, I run Succubus Entertainments until she sees fit to return and take the reins once more." Tilting her head to one side, she nods once. "I might...but you've never asked for work before, Amara. I'd like to know why."
Amara could have taken the chuckle as a sign to relax, but wasn't about to. Toxin was one that she'd come to recognize as a semi-friendly face, but still, her survival thus far has been built on her inability to trust many, if any at all. "I figured that something had come up, and whatever that something is I honestly do not wish to know. Although it is a comfort to know that someone is stepping up to the plate, so to say, in her absence." Now here... here she could lie to the woman, but she knew better. Something compelled her to actually be semi-honest, and that compelling feeling scared her slightly. "I've become bored, Stacia. Midnight prowling is fun, do not get me wrong, but even in this city one runs out of things to do."
Toxin very rarely makes an effort to put people at ease, and tonight is no exception. An alert Amara is something she prefers to observe, as she has a suspicion that there's no such thing as a truly relaxed Amara. Not voluntarily, anyway. "It's what I do. Vice-President, co-CEO, all around go-to girl. One might say I'm a Jane of all trades." She flashes another smile at the weak joke, and then falls into thought for several moments. "I do have some things that you might be interested in, Amara, but it would require you moving."
Amara snorts softly at what she considered to be a lame joke. If Toxin suspect that a relaxed Amara was an rarity, it was the truth. Finally she smiles in return, giving an expression that would fool many into believing her to be comfortable and even friendly. Such a trick would not work on this woman, she realized, but it had been such a long time since she could remember a genuine smile. "I have already moved from my dorm to be with Miss Miller," she explains. "Another move would be of no difficulty. I cannot exactly say I feel at home where I am currently."
Toxin shakes her head. "You should have had a place of your own long ago. I blame myself for that, really, since Sabella isn't around to make new arrangements for you." She pauses once again, a tiny wrinkle showing on her brow while she thinks about it. "No no, I think the best thing for you would be transport to a training facility. You're quite skilled, Amara, but your skills need honing. Against those who are better than you."
Amara fought each and every desire to puff out her chest and appear to proud. Her skills were just fine, enough for what she's been doing with her life, but she knew that Toxin was right. No matter how much her bluntness stung. "What better training ground than the city itself?" she ponders aloud, not to be defiant, simply to pose the question. Many evils, including herself, did wander the streets at night. "Honestly, I am rarely where I am supposed to be as of late, but I do keep my things in her apartment. Moving had not really occured to me at this point. Yet, if it is for a job..."
Toxin eyes Amara carefully. The signs of pride are still there, even if the girl doesn't declare them out loud. She doesn't have to. "There are far and away better training grounds. One can't be a city rat for the rest of your life." Another moment of silence, and then, "Why don't you stay at Sabella's anymore, Amara? Do you find it not to your liking?"
Amara blinks, her eyes locking onto those of the woman across from her. Most times she felt secure with how expressionless they were, but currently she believed that even a lack of life wouldn't keep her feelings from Toxin. Almost as if she'd been watched. "This supposed island Sabella taunted me with, then?" she asks sarcastically. "I was born and raised in a place far from the city, Stacia. I like it here because there are more things to steal and people to use than there are back home." She shakes her head at the mention of displeasure with her current home. "My hours keep me out all night, and have me sleeping during the day. I busied myself with another project that happened to consume my regular sleeping time, on top of threaten my schedule all together." A person using a weakness to force you into a two day slumber can do wonders for your night life, really.
Toxin doesn't need to watch people all the time to catch body language. It's an art that she's studied for years. An eyebrow arches at the mention of the island. "As I've told you before, you should not mention that. At all. The stake, my dear, could be your life." A wince upon hearing her fake name. How she hates to use it, but how necessary it is. "Well, you'd definitely have to give this 'other project' up if you wanted to do what I'd like you to. How good of a fighter are you, Amara?"
Amara shrugs her shoulders passively at the mention of keeping things on the down low. "I figure here and now is the only place I am able to mention it at all," she points out. The wince is noticed, since she was staring directly at Toxin's features as well. She blinks, many times, before tilting her head ever slightly. "Honestly, I cannot be sure. I have never really had the need to fight anyone. I am strong and quick though." The mention of dropping the project draws a snicker. "I am sure that the project would not be so happy to be dropped suddenly."
Toxin sighs. "I should wring Sabella's neck for mentioning it to you at all." she mutters, almost out of hearing. A slight smirk follows the mention of the project, as Toxin confirms her suspicion. "So the project is not a what, but a who. What is his name?" That's a guess, as she really has no idea if it's a random person, boyfriend, or even if Amara is straight. "And your project, as you say, would probably not be happy with you, after I have outlined these details."
Amara keeps a smirk for quite some time, sensing that her knowledge of the Brotherhood, no matter how loose it was, was bothersome. One never knew when having information could come in handy, although she never imagined she would actually use it. "Alex Summers," she openly admits. Toxin being the closest thing she has to a female friend, she would most likely spill more to her than anyone else. "He already knows about my nightlife, actually. I do not believe he is too thrilled about it, as he has found ways to keep me from going out at night. Although, in all honesty, his concent of my actions means nothing to me."
Toxin leans back in her chair once more, her chin resting in one hand. "Alex Summers." she repeats softly, as if she's trying to recall where she's heard that name before. Whatever else is on Toxin's mind doesn't come to light though, as Toxin leans forward abruptly. "So, Amara, let me lay out the basics for you. I can offer you a training program second to none. You will study defense, as well as be my student in some chemical matters, learning to smell poisons and gas and such. Your program will include improvement with your firearms, if it can be arranged, and there will be sessions dealing with handling yourself in different terrain. However, there are....agreements I must get from you, if you wish to do this. Do you want me to go on?"
Amara shifts slightly in her seat, not from Toxin's words, but from being extremely uncomfortable. Sitting tall and proper was taxing for her when she was so tired. "Learning is not a word that frightens me," she says, rather bluntly, though her words were not meant to be rough. There was no reason, in her mind, that she shouldn't speak her mind. "I highly doubt that there can be much improvement with my firearms, yet I am willing to try if an offer is made. I am quite sure that whatever you would like me to learn will not take long, especially if you are the instructor. I would hate to think of someone such as... as..." She found herself straining for the name she was seeking. ".. you know, the man the size of a school bus? Fred, I believe his name is. I highly doubt I would improve anything but my hiding skills around a person like that." Finding herself rambling, she cuts herself short, then nods. "Please, continue."
Toxin has to chuckle at the mention of Fred. "The large man, as you put it, would not be very useful in your training, I imagine." There, it sounds like she isn't really all that familiar with Fred. Fred eats all of the casseroles Toxin leaves in the BH kitchen. "First, you would be required to move. Second, all contact with those here on the mainland, with the exception of Sabella and myself, would need to be cut off. Third, and most importantly, you'll have to pass an...interview...with the man who runs this training facility."
Amara brings a hand up to apply the slightest amount of pressure to the bridge of her nose, then moves her fingers out to rub at both of her eyes. Interviews were nothing more than an annoyance to her, but then again, that is how she viewed mostly everything. "I will more than gladly turn over my cell phone," she comments, forcing herself not to roll her eyes. The call log would show just how often Alex monitored her. "Even for the tinest fraction of peace, it is yours. Isolating myself is not exactly an issue. I have spent most of my life alone." She pauses, as if thinking what else to say. "Hopefully such an interview does not require one to dress in business attire. That may give me cause to reject such an offer." Of course her words are nothing more than her quirky sense of humor, and she figured that Toxin would know as much.
Toxin is more than likely to ask Magneto to allow Amara to continue the relationship. With full knowledge of why, of course. The brother of Scott Summers, if Toxin remembers correctly from what Sabella told her long ago. One must keep an in to the X-Men at all times. A soft snort answers Amara's question about business attire, and the poisonous princess nods. "In that case, I'll see to your interview and let you know when he can be made available. It might be a week or more, but I'd suggest you spend the time packing your things."
Amara wouldn't mind using a person at all, since she already was. Yet, he was so immature. The sacrifices one must make, eh? "Whenever he is available is fine by me, really. My belongings are already packed, save for a few, so I will handle that as soon as possible." She then stands suddenly, and flashes another smile. "I thank you for your time, Stacia, and if possible I would like to leave now. My project has strained my sleep, and I would like to be well rested in the days to come."
Toxin nods and stands, waving for Amara to be off. "Feel free, dear. And call on me anytime. You will find that the guards aren't exactly difficult to get by." she chuckles softly.
Amara does roll her eyes this time. "Next time I will not be so polite and wait for service. You should really replace some of the staff here." She offers a nod and wave, and walks out the way she had come in, having to keep herself from decking the guard on her way out.