Déjà Vu [Mara | Sulley]

[Kita]

The river was as strong as always as Kita climbed over a small rise in order to gain a better look at the surrounding areas. The view that met her was dulled by the night time sky overhead. Indeed, the stars and moon shared their light with her that evening, but even she was restricted. At least to a certain extent. Her power over light not let her manipulate it to her will but she could even see in the other wavelengths, if she so chose. Infrared and thermal were especially useful at night.

Neither of these were used right now, or hardly ever, because their just wasn't need to do so. She was quite content to look at the world as a normal human might tonight. There were no other people around to bother her. The only company she had, and perhaps greatly preferred, was a few small animals that scurried out of her way as she followed a path toward the riverbank. Kita sat down on a large rock protruding from the ground. Night time was peaceful for her tonight, though she wondered briefly what - or who - might come along to mess it up.

[Mara Ackart]

Dried blood was extremely uncomfortable. In high volume it was even more so. Being covered head to toe with the flaking substance was an annoyance for which Mara wasn't sure she had proper words. So maybe the act of murder wasn't that bad. Mara had yet to really feel any emotions about it other than relief that the telepath was gone. The after effects however were not Mara's cup of tea so far.

That Sulley had headed toward the river after the deed was done was something of a blessing to Mara's mind. Dark and cold though it was she really wanted a wash. Heck, as uncomfortable as it was she was almost willing to forget Sulley's presence and her own attraction to him and strip to bare in order to relish getting clean properly. Not that Mara would allow herself such a frivolous thing. Sulley needed to know that she was strong enough to be his second. Showing that she was that uncomfortable right now would be counter productive to that.

[Sulley]

Of course the river would be the first place he headed after a messy kill. Blood was the reminder of all things unworthy of life in this world. It was flaw incarnate. Having his skin littered with it--worse: someone else's--was like wearing a sack whose surface was covered with your sins written out. That, and it itched. A pesky annoyance the man was eager to rid himself of.

He could have chosen to wash in the lake except the problem there was that the water was more tame and therefore more publicly used. Sulley avoided large crowds and unfamiliar mutants altogether. Anyway, when it came to washing things off, the rushing river water proved to be more resourceful.

With Mara in tow he reached their destination and turned to her before touching the water. His eye caught a dark figure that could very well have been a tree but the careful and alert man reacted in a way that would prepare him for anything. Sharpening his arms, he dropped to a crouch in which he could easily spring forward or backwards, depending on the angle his enemy wished to attack him from.

Narrowed eyes scrutinized the shadow. Even after identifying it as a mutant--seemingly not dangerous, from their actions--he remained in his position. Mara would speak, he knew it. Sulley chose to keep quiet and let things unfold.

[Kita]

There were times in her past when the night held terrors she couldn't see or even remember when she woke up. All she had known was that bad things happened when her eyes were closed to the world. For years the reservation she called home for the first two decades of life was plagued by many people claiming to see monsters in the night. It wasn't until Kita was nearly eight years old before her parents figured out it was her power manifesting illusions while she was asleep. It wasn't until five years later that she was able to control it.

Now nights were free of those horrors, except the ones she made to terrorize others for her own ends. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of rustling and crunched vegetation. Kita's eyes narrowed as her head turned toward the noises. At least one shadow was visible with the human eye. She wasn't sure if another had darted behind an object or not. Either way, it would likely make itself known eventually. Better to deal with the obvious visitor first.

Kita rose to her feet but did not address the other mutant. She was certain that it wasn't a guard. They were more straight forward in their interactions with mutants. A gun barrel would've been shoved in her face already if it were them. The other person didn't even seem to be moving, or acting in a hostile manner. Her brow furrowed in concentration. What was this, a decoy or some idiot on a late night stroll?

No matter how much she would rather not have her evening spoiled by interacting with others, Kita didn't want to be forced to find another spot, either. It would be better for them to leave for all parties involved. With a small effort of will, the available light in the area bent around her form and left her invisible to the human eye. Kita was naturally light on her feet. No pun intended. With that, it was easy to silently make her way behind the invading shadow and attempt to put it into a not-so-comfortable headlock. Whoever this was stank of the metallic aroma of blood. It only fueled her desire to be rid of the irritation in whatever manner possible. Her words hissed into the night air.

"Give me one reason to let you see morning."

[Mara Ackart]

Mara's first hint that something was wrong was Sulley's sudden change into what she would deem 'battle mode' for now. Mara would have followed suit but being as she had no experience fighting without her powers it would be an exercise in futility. If she had had enough time to concentrate she might have felt the kinetic energy of the person sneaking up on her. Mara found herself enclosed in a headlock before she could delve that far. All concentration was disrupted. The threat of having one's air flow closed off did wonders to ensure that you couldn't focus on something else.

Now there were any number of things she could say to this woman. Mara weighed the options laid out before her. Talking might convince the woman to let her go but Mara wasn't feelin chatty. She couldn't attack for lack of concentration. Instead she decided to stand there and give the woman complete silence as a response. Perhaps it would anger her and earn Mara some pain. That was a risk Mara was well ready to take.

Sulley was there after all. The unknown attacker had not counted on that. Mara had the utmost confidence that Sulley would easily provide her an opening to act. Maybe it was silly of her to trust him so. Heck she wouldn't put it past him to ignore her plight just because he felt like it. Whatever he did Mara figured it couldn't hurt to try and concentrate a little so she could act once she had an opportunity.

[Sulley]

Sulley had known the moment the figure disappeared that they were in danger. He couldn't trace her movement but something told him she hadn't spirited away. It wasn't shocking when Mara's body abruptly stiffened into a position that seemed near impossible to achieve by herself. It was too convincing to even consider the idea that she was faking, which meant that whoever had been by the river only moments before was now threatening the safety of his second. That made Sulley angry.

With a feral snarl he sprang to his feet. It took half a step to put himself directly behind Mara with the space of a body between them, and half a second for Sulley's large hand to reach out in attempt grab at the neck--at least, where he estimated the neck would be judging from the angle she headlocked Mara--while his other slid forward to press sharpened fingertips into the woman's side. Neither action would significantly harm the attacker unless they made a quick movement.

"You first." Sulley grumbled.

[Kita]

Kita had been expected an answer from the individual she held in place. When one did not come, she knew something was wrong. When a man's voice came from behind her, she was actually glad. So there had been another shadow before, and here he was threatening her with something sharp against her ribs. Oddly enough it didn't feel as though he was holding a knife. That either meant he was holding some sort of instrument that allowed such concealment, or this was a mutant that could sharpen his body - or at least his fingers. She didn't remember coming across such a man before, even though the voice was vaguely familiar.

Kita believed she had been correct on another point, as well. The one she was holding was a decoy. All that was left was to find out if the one behind her was an idiot. Obviously these two didn't know who she was by her voice alone or they would've likely left by now. Seeing as how she was in this current predicament with strangers, as far as she knew, there had to be a way to get out of it. An easy, but effective, idea came to mind. She decided to try her luck at talking before that, though.

"I was here first," she replied matter of factly. "Better to act first, ask questions later. Especially in a place such as this." Her hold on the one in front of her slackened slightly to at least allowed the person to breath, but made certain to keep it so no one could slip from it. Otherwise, Kita thought it beneficial not to move until she was forced to enact her escape plan.

[Mara Ackart]

Mara smirked. 'I was here first'? What kind of kindergarten mentality was that. The woman had loosened her headlock so now Mara was free to breath. That meant she could say something if she truly desired to. The slightly snarky comment that was forming in her mind rolled off of her lips without a moment's pause.

"And so you start a confrontation with a couple of strangers? A pair of strangers that probably would have left you alone if you hadn't decided to attack? I fail to see any sense in that logic whatsoever. Preemptive attacks only work when you can be sure a person is your enemy. Otherwise they just leave a mess. Like this one."

Of course Mara wasn't one to talk about sense. It wasn't exactly brilliant to back talk the person with their arm around your throat. She knew it wasn't a smart thing to do. She did it anyway. Just standing there like a damsel in distress waiting for Sulley to rescue her wasn't her style. At the very least she'd make sarcastic comments against her captor. And if the blasted woman would move Mara would fling the witch right into the river. Her neck wasn't appreciative of the abuse and that made Mara a little cross.

[Sulley]

At first it had been a twitch of a thought, nothing more. Now, after hearing the woman speak again, the feeling had grown to an itch. The voice was familiar. Not enough to give him a face, but enough for a sense. He did not get protective or vicious. The voice was linked with hospitality and uneasy trust. And then, as a side note, the Devil. He pursed his lips.

She was apparently a rash--though some might consider it careful--mutant, or so her words implied. Not that Sulley realized this. Nor did he draw two and two: he was rash too.

He distantly wondered how she managed to speak calmly when his hand was around her neck. Loosening her grip on Mara didn't mean she wasn't a threat anymore. If anything, it should have made him tighten his grip, realizing there was something bigger up her sleeve. He didn't.

Sulley remained silent and closed his eyes, leaving Mara to do the talking. His uncharacteristic patience was wearing thin.

[Kita]

"And so you start a confrontation with a couple of strangers? A pair of strangers that probably would have left you alone if you hadn't decided to attack? I fail to see any sense in that logic whatsoever. Preemptive attacks only work when you can be sure a person is your enemy. Otherwise they just leave a mess. Like this one."

The annoyingly witty remark made Kita pause. It wasn't that she was startled by it, but just that there was a slight recognition of the voice. It was a voice connected with a favor owed; if she could just place where she had met the woman before. Then, she knew. The metaphoric light bulb went off in her head, and she was glad. She'd had it happen literally a few times when she was a kid. There was only one female she had interacted with sufficiently since her arrival in Freakopolis to even warrant a sliver of recognition.

"Humans, and mutants, don't always follow their common sense, now do they, Mara Ackart?"

Kita couldn't help but laugh madly at the situation - at least, as best she could with Mara's guard dog at her throat - as she dropped her arms to her sides.

"As I am obviously not listening to my own now."

In other words, she'd just given up one of the few advantages she had.

At the realization of at least one of the people she was dealing with, a new possible opportunity came to mind. If she could get through the situation with talking, she wouldn't have to give away more of what her mutation could do. Which would be a plus.

"How about some light?"

The darkness could be seen lifting in a small area around the group. It wasn't bright like the sun, in fact no where near. More like Kita had made it possible for the other two to see in the dark as well as she could. Like using night vision goggles, but the equipment wasn't required. Outside the small area, the normal darkness continued as usual.

Kita wanted to see the one at her neck, the silent one. It was a man, if the large hand was to be used as any sort of thing to measure by. She wondered if he was in some way Mara's subordinate since she was the one doing all the talking. Not too often could you find a man secure enough to take many orders from a woman. At least in her experience.

The light manipulator schooled her face into its usual blankness as she waited to see what results her stupid gamble could get her.

[Mara Ackart]

Seconds after the unknown woman pronounced her name recognition set in for Mara as well. This was the woman that had gone on the raid with her and one of those creepy robots. That realization really didn't do much for her mood. The flaky blood was severally irritating and now she was recalling that she owed her continued existence to the woman. A short, barely audible growl exited her throat. Annoyance was clearly written on her features but it smoothed away swiftly enough.

Mara took a step or two forward and turned. Yes, it was the very same woman she'd expected. Now the question was what to do. Being as the full extent of the woman's power was unknown a battle wouldn't be wise. No, she seemed willing to talk. Now that there wasn't an immediate danger to her ability to take in oxygen Mara was willing to talk as well. All that remained was Sulley. In the sudden non-darkness Mara's eyes met Sulley. At least in this regard the understood one another. The final decision as to how this played out would be his but through her look she made her feelings known. No point in fighting yet. They could kill her later if they needed to.

"You've a very good point. Common sense doesn't appear that common. At the very least it goes unused mostly by those that possess it."

[Sulley]

Sulley's eyelids slid open slowly as she spoke again. She called Mara by name, verbally surrendered, and brought light to the situation. Literally.

Sulley's hand around her neck loosened and moved to the side of her face, where he would attempt to tilt her head in order to get a better look at her. Without any visible trace of recognition, Sulley let his hand drop to his side and stepped around the woman, walking to the river. He moved nonchalantly, as if in the presence of old friends or trusted neighbors. If it wasn't obvious in the way he had abruptly changed his intentions, Mara at least would have noticed that he had turned his back on their guest. Sulley never exposed his back to an enemy.

Crouching beside the river, the man dipped a cupped hand into the refreshingly cool water and brought it to his bloody face.

Everything said above was done without a sound.

[Kita]

Kita's body stiffened as she felt the hand remove itself from her neck only to tilt her head back toward...

Well, how odd. Two people she recognized in one night. That was highly unusual. Kita fought against the redness creeping into her cheeks as she remembered why she recognized the man. Not that either he or Mara would be able to notice. She hadn't improved their sight that much, for which she was glad. As he went to the river her brain tried to quickly remind her of his name.

The attempt failed in that she could only come up with that it started with 'S'. At least she thought it did; he hadn't exactly shouted the word at their last meeting. Kita knew from when he'd looked at her that he likely didn't recognize who she was. Pity. He still had a great butt, though.

"Why all the blood? It must have been one hell of a party."

The question was more to herself than either one of the two with her. The odor of the blood still irritated her nose. It was all she could do not to give into the impulse of wanting to push Mara into the river; she was the one located closest to her, after all. And it would've helped with the smell.

[Mara Ackart]

The encounter now came to something of a stand still as Sulley moved over to the water in silence. Mara contemplated doing the same as the inevitable question arose from the woman's lips. She'd known it would be asked but she just didn't feel like answering. In fact all she really felt like doing at the moment was jumping in the river. She moved slowly over to the river's edge and slipped in. Though cold it felt heavenly to have the flaky substance washed away. She spent only a few moments in the river, long enough to rinse off most of the offending substance.

As she exited the river Mara looked at Sulley and then at the other woman. How would this continue now. Sulley seemed comfortable enough. Mara couldn't make a judgment about the other one since she didn't know her all that well. The water dripped off of her slowly and Mara took a seat on the grass as she waited to finish dripping dry. Yes she'd effectively ignored the woman's question but Mara distinctly remembered similar treatment during the raid. Turnabout and fair play and all of that.

[Sulley]

Sulley had only been wiping at his face. Sure, his clothes were bloody too, but unlike Mara he wasn't a fan of sitting around with wet wool pressing against his skin. It was too irritating. That meant he only had two options. One, submerge himself in the water and proceed to remove the clothing which he wore, or get over the blood stains on his person and focus solely on removing the filth from his skin. It isn't hard to understand why he chose the latter: it was too chilly to parade around naked. Given, there were means involving those present which might overcome the ill weather, but the thought merely brushed the surface of Sulley's mind, enticing the twitch of his lip and nothing more.

Finishing with his face, he stood and turned, picking up the edge of his shirt to wipe the wet off his hands. His eyes zeroed in on the woman. Kita. The name jumped at him out of nowhere. His tongue snaked out of his mouth to moisten his lower lip, though judging by the way he was looking at her, suspicions might have been drawn towards other conclusions. That was just as well.

Sulley's eyes moved to Mara, immediately registering the way her clothes hugged her body and her facial expression. After his fair share of observation his eyes flickered back to Kita. That's where they stayed, dark orbs filled with expectancy and a second ingredient that couldn't be identified by its wrapper.