The plan, the secrets and the empty graves

[Mr. T]

Terrence led Aurora silently. He was completely submerge in his own memories. He saw himself dragging himself here. He must have looked like a monster because starvation had sunken his figure and the cold had frozen his hair along with most of his face. However regardless of how he looked, the people hurried to help him and welcomed him into their homes without asking questions or demanding rewards. He also saw as no one shunned him when he refuse to talk, but simply asked for his help with the land, and when he did so, he was given a house. Slowly he got to know the people and though he never befriended any, he was grateful to them and always worked hard out of respect.

"That's my house!" stated Terrence as he pushed the door open. The place was nice and clean. Terrence assumed that one of his neighbors must have helped out. He made note to give the person a few coins. Once inside he changed into some warmer clothes and started a fire.

"There's a room over there if you want to change into some fresh clothes. There's also a bathroom... You can help yourself to anything you find."

[Aurora Nightshade]

Aurora nodded and took off the oversized coat. She walked into the room Terrence had gestured to and took off her trench coat. She had a small, grey tank top on under her trench coat which showed how skinny she was.
She opened her backpack and began to take things out. She had a couple changes of clothes and the supplies she'd claimed and a bit of money she'd made. She began to organize everything, putting them in seperate groups neatly in front of her. She unfolded a map and looked at the markings. Roads and places that she traveled to and from. A large red star marked one place off of the main roads somewhere in the middle of her normal routes in a semi-mountainous region. She stared at the star and bit her bottem lip nervously. She'd have to expain what it meant sooner or later and she wasn't so certain she could make anyone understand just what was there and why it was so important.

[Mr. T]

Terrence entered another room and changed into warmer clothes. He wore heavy fur line coat, pants with furred cuffs and his same old boots. Once he was pleased with his warm clothing, he stepped outside without bothering to tell Aurora. He always did as he pleased without informing or asking for permission, it just wasn't his style.

Outside he walked a few feet from the house and stood in front of a pair of unmarked graves. There was a rosary tied on the larger cross shaped tombstone, which Terrence inspected. He was surprised that after fifteen years it was still there.

He wondered if the 'corpses were also untouched. Though there were no human corpses on these graves, Terrence had buried letters, poems, drawings and other highly emotional things he had created during his depression. His family meant a lot to him and it was taken from him without warning, without pity, and without remorse and for that Roger Beams would pay.

"One of these days... I know you don't want this, but I need it..." he murmured to no one in particular as he headed back towards his house.

[Aurora Nightshade]

Aurora got up and changed into a thick wool sweater and a pair of heavier pants. She lacked a lot of warm clothes as she never traveled to the lands far to the north. She put everything back into her backpack except the map.
She sat down on the floor and stared at the map; she remembered making it with her aunt when she was still very young. What they had been talking about while they marked the roads and rivers and labled everything, every mark was labled except for the red star, that place was without a name simply because Aurora knew what was there and it was the one thing she would never forget.
The memory hurt, as did the fact that Beams was directly responsable for not only her mother's but also her father's death. The memories stirring inside of her head and her heart, brought back the pain that she'd worked hard to supress and control after her aunt died, after she'd been left alone in the world...but she didn't cry. She'd learned to never cry, no matter how much pain she was in, to cry was a weakness and she couldn't afford be weak.

[Mr. T]

Terrence walked through the small complex and towards the kitchen. He was surprised to find it stock with several cans of preserved food and boxes of his favorite instant tea. He never really understood why the people in this small community were so nice to him. Most of the time during those first years he just kept to himself, shunning everyone away, hoping that the cold and the hunger would eventually do the task that he couldn’t do himself. But every attempt was foiled by the neighbors whom would come in and take care of him.

Years later when he started taking underground jobs for money, he paid most of them a lot of money for their troubles, though some refused he insisted knowing that they could all use the help. At that moment he decided he would spare a few more coins after his job with Aurora, to pay for their kindness once more. Perhaps he could not return their favors with warmth and kindness, but he could at least pay for the food they had brought and give them a little extra to help ease their lifestyles.

“I’m making tea. They’re can meats in the cabinet. Eat,” he called from behind the door.

[Aurora Nightshade]

Aurora quickly rolled up the map and walked out of the room. She knew how accurate her map was. It marked the major cities, and the small towns and settlements she'd happened by in her travels. She was a mercenary when it suited her, a businesswoman when she had the means. But most of the time, she wandered in search of work, helping with what she could, trading her skills as a fighter for supplies or money. It was a dangerous way to live but it was the only way she'd ever known.
She walked up to Terrence and leaned against the counter casually, watching as he made tea. Her expression was calm, only a hint of emotions swirled in her green eyes. She wasn't hungry at all, she'd eaten last before she'd taken her last job. When she didn't work she rationed her meals, and made her supplies stretch till her next job.
"You're impulsive," she said at length. "Impulse will hinder progress and it will get you killed. Logical, rational reasoning is one of the keys to survival. If you run around killing those that annoy you, you'll get yourself and a lot of other people killed," she spoke in a tone that was quiet, and controlled, with only a hint of violence in it.

[Mr. T]

Terrence took a piece of the canned meat and placed some in his mouth, savoring its taste. Hunger struck hard, and even those small pieces were enough to quench it. He had endured much in his early years, going days with only a few bites to eat, he had learned to ignore hunger and eat only to preserved strength. And even though those days were long gone, he still lived in the midst of war.

While he served the tea, Aurora came into the small kitchen and leaned against the counter. Her green eyes seemed deep at that moment, endless swirls, but what made him uncomfortable was that he could not read them at all. At that moment all he noticed was stillness, cold and unwavering eyes. Then her words rung through his soul, at first anger exploded, but he contained himself.

“Child. Don’t forget your place. I’ve been through hell and back. I am impulsive and easily angered, and have little regards towards the life of others. But I am also well trained and experienced. I have seen death countless times and have killed twice that. Now speak freely and tell me what really troubles you, after all you can’t possibly be worried about the life of one impulsive and irrational man!” he said without containing his violent tone.

[Aurora Nightshade]

Aurora stared at him, not speaking or moving. She cocked her head to the side as if she hadn't understood his words at all. The emotions she'd spent the better part of her life learning to suppress boiled to the surface and she fought for control. Aurora knew that he didn't know much about her, though whatever he been able to read in her expression, in her eyes, had bothered him or angered him as did her words.

"You'd probably sleep better thinking that but you'd be wrong. Since I'm going to be working with you, I'd rather you not get yourself or me killed. I've killed countless people in the wastelands if only to survive one more day. I've also saved lives by doing just that. I care about what happens to those I meet, even it only briefly, I know that that lives I've touched have meaning. I care, regardless of what you wish to believe," she pushed away from the counter, walking to the table than back, turning her green eyes, swirling with emotions and pain, to Terrence.
"My aunt died when I was ten. Before that we moved from place-to-place along that we called the trade routes. We made a map to keep track of things. I know the locations of just about every town, settlement and city in the wastelands. I also have a fairly detailed map of New Babylon's surface layout, not that I need it. You'll find I'm more complex than you think," her eyes spoke volumes about what she was feeling, even if her calm voice gave nothing away. Her memories hurt. Her chin was lifted in a defiant manner but also so she could see Terrence's face as she spoke, but she didn't want to fight, not when she was so close to tears and weary from traveling.

[Mr. T]

That painful look in her green eyes followed by the mentioned of death triggered something. Rose.] His daughter’s name surfaced from the depths of his discarded memories and he realized that he couldn’t even remember the faces of his family. He had once been a family man, loved, happy and eager to come back to them. He had served with the military believing he was creating a peaceful world where his daughter could live safely. She was only five and he had barely spent time with her.

I’m better than this, I’m stronger. Ghosts are ghost. Graves are empty and nothing can change the past. I will kill Roger because he took you away, but only because that brings me satisfaction. I’m stronger than this. I’ve spent my tears already. I’ve spent my heart aching for the mistakes of the past. Now I’m… It’ doesn’t matter anymore.

“You’ll regret it… Caring about others. When the time comes leave me to my fate, it is what I would do you. Tear what’s left of your heart away and cast it aside, this world will only use it to destroy you,” he said knowing that his words rung through for himself. “The map, may I see it?” he asked staring at Aurora’s defiance with defeat.

OOC: Damn Aurora you’re making this really interesting!! I’m having fun!! *grins

[Aurora Nightshade]

Aurora took a step towards him, not taking her eyes from his. She had to tilt her head back to keep eye contact, the scar on her right cheek showing clearly.
"You're wrong about me. Caring gives me the strength to fight another day. If I didn't care I'd be no different than the thieves and bandits that roam the wastelands preying on those just trying to get by. When the time comes, if I can, I'll save you, even if it's from yourself. You'll just have to accept that that's the way I am,"
Aurora turned and walked out of the room, returning a few moment's later with both maps. She unrolled them on the small table and looked at Terrence.

[Mr. T]

Terrence was learning too much about himself. He remembered why he preferred solitude. Being with others only reopened scars and wounds, and set in motion dangerous thoughts. Alone he could enjoy a state of eternal stillness, of unwavering determination. But immediately he wondered if such a life was worth living. Whom was stronger, this child with her inner strength and caring heart or himself with his discarded emotions and violent nature?

Dangerous thoughts indeed, shaking his head he drove the ideas from his mind and focused on the task at hand.

He walked up to the table and inspected the neatly drawn map. It looked like it had a few years and it was extremely organized, naming every road, river and passageway available. There was also something strange, off the main roads in a semi-mountainous region there was this red star, clearly standing out. He was intrigued by the location. His travels had taken him throughout most of the world and he knew about most settlements, but that one had remained outside his scope. He tried to remember the best roads to reach it, but in the midst of those mountains, without a good map or a plane, it would be a difficult trek.

“This is a good map. I’ve never seen one so detailed. It must have cost a small fortune in the market.” Perhaps he could obtain some information of where and how she got it, maybe even buy one for himself. The thought of taking this one tempted him, but he didn’t want to make an enemy out of Aurora, at least not at the moment.

OOC: This post made me feel like scum... oh well the show must go on!!

[Aurora Nightshade]

Aurora nodded and ran a finger along the edge of the map. It had seen years, many years, the thin leather was a little worn but as far as details went, it was as solid a map as any. Not many had bothered with the layout of the wastelands. But Aurora had been taught that knowing your location was important as important as knowing where you next meal was coming from.
"The leather cost a good amount but we wanted something that would last. My aunt and I took the time to make this. Aunt Kyra was really good at this sort of thing. I helped out because I could remember every place we'd traveled," she pulled the other map out and set on the top. "This is the layout of New Babylon. I've been there a few times. Sold the last few books some years back. Studied the layout and how the security works," she looked at Terrance.
She wondered what he would do with this new information and if, in some part of his mind, he wanted to betray her because of it. Security was still knowledge she had in her head which she might give to him or she could keep it to herself. The red star on the other map was her trump card. She was the only person alive with active knowledge on what to do with what was hidden there and how to get to it without being seen.

(OCC: Don't feel bad. When you RP you tend to become your character a bit. It's not you thinking those thoughts, it's the character.)

[Mr. T]

Terrence’s gaze followed Aurora’s finger as she traced the edges of the map. He was impressed that Aurora had made such a detailed map. Her gifted memory also caught his attention. The ability to remember details was very convenient, after all information was the most valuable tool in that world they lived in. With the right information anyone could easily manipulate the surroundings to their benefits.

“This arrangement of ours, I’m sure I won’t regret it,” he said with a smirk. “You’re quite useful and talented,” it was no praise, a simple fact stated with no inflation of emotions. “I’ll let you orchestrate the plan, tell what is needed and I’ll get it." Normally he would plot things out himself, but he knew that Aurora was better suited for these kinds of situations, he had always been hotheaded even during his years of service. Whatever she came up with he would follow, well as long as it was beneficial for himself.

[Aurora Nightshade]

Aurora looked at him, her eyes narrowed as she studied his face. She was too smart to be used as an instrument for his own ends. She hadn't been raised to be naive or to have her talents and abilities used for gain of a single person alone. She knew better than to trust Terrance strait off.
"I have a better idea. We work as partners and see what happens. You divulge valuable information to me and I do the same with you. If you keep information from me and try to betray me for whatever reason, I will make you pay. A partnership doesn't mean that I have to trust you, but I'm willing to try."
Her green eyes watched his face, the way he moved, searching for any signal that her suggestion would cause problems. If they were equals Terrence would be less apt to betray her or he'd at the very least think twice before he tried.

[Mr. T]

Terrence chuckled darkly. This truly was turning out to be entertaining. He wondered if people were this amusing and if so he regretted his solitary fashion. Sometime after his grieving he stopped paying attention to others, people became either tools or targets, but this, this was much more entertaining than his previous assessment. Partners, the thought brought another smirk.

“Very well I accept your terms. I’ll even give you the first piece of information for free. Yesterday’s partners are tomorrow’s enemies, it’s the way the world works. If betrayal seems more profitable for my own goals, I won’t hesitate. I only expect the same kindness from you,” he said with another dark chuckle while he stepped away from the map. “Tomorrow we’ll discuss the operation and the essentials. Right now I’m off to bed. Help yourself to anything,” that said, he turned towards the kitchen’s exit and lingered to see if she had anything else to add before heading off to bed.