Motorcycle? What motorcycle? (Feat. Lara Croft, Sara Pezzini, Kenneth
Irons, and Ian Nottingham)
What a night. Lara couldn't even remember when she had finally crawled into bed. She had staked out Irons' pad for most of the night and while being watched over by the annoying Darklings and occasionally Jackie himself here and there. The Brit idly tossed and turned in her bed, strange dreams plaguing her mind. Mostly her worst fears if Irons got a hold of the books. What could, would or might happen to the world, and other things also plagued the Raider's mind. For instances what would Sara say when she was told that Lara entrusted Jackie with the copies of the books, and about her bike, which was getting fitted with a tire today. And then her man problems came to mind. Jackie and Terry were going to meet and what would happen then? Would She have to break up a fight? Would she loose a friend, possibly two? Only time would tell. Toss and turn, toss and turn. Down below the penthouse parked until Mr. Estacado retrieved it rested his powerful Bike that he had allowed Lara to borrow that night. Hopefully Sara didn't show up and see it. The Bombshell could only imagine what sort of thoughts would enter the Detective's mind at that.
The detective was busy in her own thoughts, typing on her laptop as she collected more data on her current case. Her dreams as of late had been chock full of dark imagery and glimpses of the past. The previous evening's visions had been quite disturbing to her psyche. Her light auburn brow arched skyward as she watched her partner pass the office and enter that of Lieutenant Joe Siry. She half wondered if Jake was avoiding her, and taking his findings directly to her superior and she felt a twinge of anxiousness at that idea. Did Jake not trust her anymore? Was this related to his knowledge of the Witchblade? She pushed the thought from her mind and focused on the task at hand. Why was Tora no Shi back in New York, and what did the Yakuza want to do with Danette Boucher? Odd how things stringed together during an investigation, it was Sara's job to tug on those strings to see who was holding the ends. Picking up the receiver of her desk phone, Sara dialed the penthouse to check in with Lara Croft. The detective needed to know why the Brit hadn't checked in last night and as the line rang again and again, Pezzini began to fear the worst. Calm down Pez, she could be in the shower or. occupied with something else. Sara smiled as she propped the phone into the crook of her neck and typed a bit. "Come on Lara. pick up the phone."
The Brit yawned idly as the phone ringing disrupted her thoughts," Huh.. bloody hell I feel like I got a hang over." Sluggishly the English Brat grabbed the phone," Hello?" Yawn," Lady Croft speaking." Hazel orbs drifted to the clock on her beside table," Damn.." The red dial read after ten am. Her long auburn locks fell loosely around her head and onto the white cotton pillow case," Oh so sorry.. didn't mean to swear in your ear.." Very much not awake indeed. Again in a sluggish manner the Archaeologist pushed back her hair and lounged back down on the large king sized bed trying her best to keep her brownish-green peepers open.
Sara released the breath she didn't realize she was holding and her frame relaxed into her chair. "Good morning Lara sorry to wake you, It's Pez. I assume something major must have come up, as you didn't check in last night? Oh and can you tell me why I had to take public transportation to work this morning?" Sara's tone was light, but the officer was slightly upset with her friend's disregard for procedure. "I had Jake searching high and low for you all night!" Sara laughed a bit. "I'm glad to see I was just jumping at shadows, but where's my motorcycle?" Sara saved her files to backup and shut down the laptop.
Suddenly Lara was VERY awake," Bloody hell...Pez.. oh um.. funny thing." The Brit was suddenly -flying- out of bed falling, tripping on the tangle of sheets and the comforter around her," Bugger.." hissed the thick British accent as finally in a series of steps and odd maneuvers the Bombshell found herself staring into her closet)," Well...long story really." Lara gulped and tossed a pair of jeans and a black tank onto her mess of a bed and hunted about for her boots. She took a deep breath," Um..." Damn, damn, damn. She ran a hand through her hair," Jake was searching for me? Funny thing that.. um I was staking out Irons' pad like you told me too...why didn't he look there?" Quickly the Tomb Raider got dressed and braided her hair while trying to think up a quick excuse to cover for Sara's bike," How about Breakfast? Have you eaten yet?" Subject change, no more like avoiding the subject," I was tired, long night and um.. ah ruddy hell You got a flat and It's getting fixed today." A sort of lie. Hopefully passable for Pez. But then again how was she going to explain her having Jackie's bike? Damnation! Lara thought to herself," I'm on my way to the Station...I'll explain more when I get there yes?" Without bothering to give Sara a chance to answer Lara hung up grabbed the keys to the Hayabusa and rushed down stairs clambering onto the beast of a bike and speeding off towards the Station.
Casting her gaze to the corkboard's menagerie of crime scene photos, twin orbs of green widened in alertness. Pezzini stood and walked to the corkboard, idly tugging at the tangled cord of the phone as she freed it from it's own maddening coils. Sara's fingertips played over a photo as Lara's voice faded to a back burner in her head. "Uh huh." Sara spoke into the phone obviously not paying attention anymore. Her eyes caught the glimpse of a tattoo at the base of the neck on one of the microwave murder's victims. Initially Sara had mistaken that patch of dark for a loose strand of hair, but after a visit from Tora, the tattoo's shape struck a chord in her heart. This was a clan tattoo issued to specific clan members of the Yakuza household. This tattoo was unmistakably of a dragon, and this struck Sara as interesting indeed. As her fingertips grazed over the photo, the Witchblade on her wrist shimmered with its own inner light. Sara's hand closed into a fist as she suddenly saw flashes of the victim's murder. Her killer was hooded, and as the smoking body fell to the ground, the cloaked figure caught glimpse of an audience. A tall dark skinned man with a shaved head watched the proceedings from a neighboring rooftop. The sniper rifle he was using as a spotting scope was quickly discarded as he leaped from the rooftop. Landing over fifty feet to the street, the watcher was couched and on his feet in moments, hidden in the shadows of night.
Within less than fifteen minutes tops, Lara had pulled up to the curb outside of the Precinct and was rushing inside and still rubbing the sleep from her hazel orbs. Another yawn escaped her full lips as the Brit practically charged into Sara and Jake's office," I'm here, so sorry traffic was a bitch." A bitch? Okay too much hanging around Estacado. Which suddenly reminded Lara to quickly pocket the keys to the Hayabusa and settle herself on the corner of Jake's desk like always," So, report right." The Brit took a moment to collect her thoughts," Well, not much occurred Irons was at home so I couldn't go poking my nose where it didn't belong. However I got the strangest suspicion he knows we are watching him." She blinked," Sara? You okay...what are you looking at.." The way her friend was standing and the blank stare," The Blade's showing you things?" The British bombshell arched a curious brow and sincerely hoped the Blade wouldn't let Pez in on any of Lara's secrets at the moment.
Sara blinked at the entry of her counterpart Croft. "Showing me things, that's an odd way of putting it." She pinched the bridge of her nose with her forefinger and thumb and walked back to her desk, hanging up the phone's cradle. "I guess you could describe it as that, although the blade's beside manner is more like an ice pick to the temple." ~'silence!'~ The Witchblade hissed into her head. Sara's eyes widened as she caught the glimpse of Selzer, the department's resident slime ball with internal affairs. He was paused at the water cooler near her office door for too long. Sara buttoned her lip and downshifted her conversation to a different topic. "So if my bike is in the shop, how did you get here so fast?"
A slight chuckle," Well how else would you like me to put it darling?" Lara instantly helped herself to a cup of coffee hoping it would help her wake up a little more, then the shock of Pez calling her this morning," I see. you looked rather in pain.." Hazel orbs shifted to the door quickly as well as if by force and hammered her lips shut also, "Hmm." Lara wasn't going to question anything. And then a question that was going to arouse problems," Oh...um well" The Brit's eyes shifted about a moment warily," Small favor from a...erm friend?" Talk about being stuck between two rocks in a hard place.
Sara eyed her friend with scrutiny, all of her detective senses on full alert as she watched the Brit skate the question. "Don't tell me you and Jackie?!" Was that jealously Sara was feeling? Over that two bit criminal?! She pushed the thought away, not in a million years. Who was Sara trying to convince? True the assassin was cute, but he was a total asshole! So self absorbed! Sara smiled, "What about Terry? What will he think about this? Its obvious he's still hung up on you." Sara grabbed her jacket and nodded toward the door, signaling that their previous conversation might better be spoken about in a different location.
," Bugger." For the moment that was all the Brit could muster to say at the moment. She was kind of caught red handed so to speak," It's not like that Sara...it's complicated." Damn...Sheridan," He knows, the paper bit." Lara was glad to find her voice again," he let me borrow his bike, it's nothing." Nothing? She was pretty much covering Estacado's ass for him. If Sara found out he put two bullets through the front tire of her Bike oh hell...Lara didn't even want to think about that," he's doing me a few favors is all. Business partners you could say." Rather reluctantly The Tomb Raider followed the Detective outside )," And somehow I don't know how, but he's going to make me pay him back for these few favors." Idly she slipped her hands into her pockets and awaited Sara to cross exam her.
"I'll bet." Sara toyed with her friend. 'I'm sure Jackie has a few ideas about paybacks.' Sara pondered to herself. She walked past the shady figure from internal affairs and outside toward her *shudders* squad car. Sara remained silent on the topic of Jackie Estacado and leaned against the driver's side door of the car. "Look, I don't really care if you and Jackie do the horizontal mambo till the sun comes up; I just want to make sure that his idea of paybacks isn't illegal. I don't know if I could sit idly by and watch the two of you go off on a kill spree or something." Sara opened the door and after tossing her backpack into the passenger seat, she perked her head back up. Her cool green eyes were open and sincere as she spied her friend. "To answer your question, yes. The Witchblade has revealed a bit more to me, and I'm starting to wonder just how deep the rabbit hole goes."
The Brit quirked a brow at her friend," Sara...really you know Jackie can't.." Lara didn't finish positive the woman got the general idea. A slight shrugging of bare shoulders beneath her black tank," I'm in his pocket now, I really have no choice Pez. Plus if it wasn't for him a lot of things wouldn't be taken care of." Hazel orbs fell on the squad car," You know...since I got Jackie's Hayabusa we could use it." A wicked grin exhaled across the English Bombshell's lips," Me a killing spree? I doubt that, I bet he'll have me get him something an artifact of some sort yes." But then again...Lara pondered this now, what if he did want her to play assassin with him? A mental shrug, she was stuck really. Seeing Sara was already getting into the squad car and so the Archaeologist followed and strapped herself in," Nice analogy there darling, care to fill me in? After all we are playing partners in this right?" For some reason Lady Croft felt uneasy now...something was beginning to bother her. So far all of this, had pretty much been a walk in the park.
Sara looked exhausted; her senses were frayed to a fine point of cynicism mixed with irrational bouts of anger. "I don't mean to blow up on you Lara. Hell I don't want to sound ungrateful for all the assistance you've extended, but I'm at my wits ends with all this." Sara felt a breath of relief exit her lungs as Lara closed the door cutting off the outside world for a moment. "Tora no Shi, that's what's up. Tora no Shi and somehow I think he's connected with the recent microwave murder victim. The blade showed me someone else as well. tall stout black man bald, with the same tattoo as our murder victim. | watched him jump from a three story building an land on his feet unharmed and take off running into an alley." Sara shifted her weight against the Kevlar vest under her shirt and turned to the tomb raider. "Just what the hell does the Yakuza, and this. very odd fellow have to do with the Egyptian book of the dead anyway?"
A brow arched," Sara, to be honest even if you were blowing up at me it really wouldn't matter. Nor would I give a ruddy damn." Lara Croft did and Lara Croft pleased and if it included mucking about with the likes of Jackie Estacado so be it. He was no worse then any other man that had ever walked into her crazy life, and at least this relationship if it was one could only go so far. A placid nod as a slender hand placed itself on Pez's shoulder," I know you are, to be honest I'm not sitting to well with how easy all of this has been so far myself." The high society accent took a rather serious turn," Tora No Shi? Who is that?" Lara's hazel orbs looked lost for a brief moment, until Sara went further into her explanations. A brief nod," Curious." The Brit really wasn't sure of what else to say. Silence enveloped the car for a moment. It left the Tomb Raider thinking, trying to put two and two together so to speak," Well perhaps. Hmm...tell me about this Yakuza are they not some sort of Japanese mafia?" For some reason again Lara felt a chill run up her spine," I've got a rather bad feeling about this Sara." And usually hardly anything gives Lara Croft a bad feeling like this," Perhaps you could ask the Blade for more of an insight?" A shot in the dark, but it didn't hurt to ask.
Sara gunned the engine and maneuvered the squad car out of the parking area. Her gaze fixed with the incoming sedan as she matched gaze with the returning Twitch and Sam. She gave them a knowing look and then pulled the car out onto the street. "So what makes you think Irons suspects anything? I mean other then the ever permanent stakeout? He knows we have all the warrants to post a car near his domicile." Sara paused for a moment as Croft brought up a most interesting direction. "Ask?! You mean just ask the thing to tell me more?" As the words fell from the detective's lips her eyes rolled back and her body slumped to one side, her head thudding with a deliciously nasty noise into her window. In her dreaming walk into the chasm of the Witchblade's knowledge, Sara began to feel and see much more then she expected. The most apparent was of course the tip of a sword at her throat, and then the force behind it. Though the eyes of another, Sara heard a hearty laughter and as the fencing mask was drawn back the face of a Japanese man. "You fought well today my student, but you have much to learn. For now rest. It is time to awaken the mind, the body needs respite."
Lara sat almost statuesque pose. Hazel orbs jutted to the sedan with a brief nod as she had rather come to know the names that go with the faces. For the most part she remained remotely quiet, thinking. Her thoughts working over and over on possible ideas, scenarios. None of them working. Lara cleared her throat," Well for one Irons wouldn't have the foggiest bloody idea where the two copies of the Book are." A rather cat ate the canary grin slipped across the Brit's full lips as she sat back into the not so comfortable front seat of the car," Well, He seemed awfully prone to stepping out onto his balcony last night." The Brit went on with her explanation not really caring anymore," However Jackie was nice enough to provide some distraction or rather his annoying little pest lings did." A nod to the asking the Blade idea," Why not?" However suddenly that idea became not so wise," Bloody hell! Sara!" Quickly honed reflexes from years and years of training and dodging countless traps inside tombs come into play. The Brit's hands leech forward grabbing the wheel of the car, her left foot gently knocking Sara's off the gas pedal and taking as much control over the car as possible," Sara.. Pez come one wake up woman!" Hazel orbs were focused, but wide and a nerves a little jarred. Soon the car began to slow as the Raider maundered it onto the side of the room with a quick exhale of breath," That was close...too close. Even for me." brownish-green orbs stared profoundly at her unconscious friend as they slowly fell to eye the bracelet that was around her wrist, the red jewel glowing swirling so indeed the Blade was giving more insight. Patiently the Brit waited, knowing all good things come to those who wait.
The detective watched though another's eyes as the figure sat at a low table adorned with a pot of tea and half a dozen ceramic cups. At the center of the table sat a low flower arrangement of exotic flowers, and its perfume stirred feelings of contentment in her. After pouring tea for the sensei, and then another cup for herself, (she) waited with hands folded upon (her) lap. "It has been deemed that you are to undergo a grueling quest; One that will hone your skills as a samurai into a sharp focus. I'm but an old man and cannot undergo the trials myself, but you are to become our family's Tiger of Death." Sara's vision faded and then another promptly overshadowed the previous. ~'revelation'~ (An echo of the Blade's voice in her mind) Sara saw a military camp and a long row of soldiers in training. One by one a doctor neared each man and injected them with a syringe of something. It seemed that upon dosage their strength and anger redoubled. Among the faces Sara saw the bald man, ~'Mobius'~ The Witchblade hissed. And a few faces further, Ian Nottingham. As (Sara's) eyes fixed with the assassin's she woke startled. "Holy Christ! Never let me do that again!" Sara shouted as she rubbed the goose egg forming at her temple. After relating the vision to the raider, she sat back rubbing her head. "You got an aspirin on you? This migraine is starting to split my head apart."
Lara arched a brow, carefully listening to all Sara had to say," Well, that Hmm." The British Bombshell's mind was hard at work putting things together, after all it's something she is rather keen at. After a few moments of silence a sudden realization came to the auburn haired woman's mind," Mary Queen of Scots....Sara we got a huge problem." The look on Lara's face seemed to suggest she wanted to kick herself in the ass, and she did," I think I just involved more people in on this then needed. Jackie is holding the copies for me, and Tora No Shi..." Idly the Brit kicked at the passenger side door, carefully ," Tora No Shi has Jackie on his black list. Last night we had ourselves a bit of a chit chat he told me about how he performed a hit on the yakuza here not to long ago." The Bombshell shook her head," I got Jackie involved, which also now means the Yakuza is now involved." A bit of chuckle," Sorry Darling, but if that weapon of yours wants you to see something not much I can do to stop it." A quick hand snaked out and grabbed the keys out of the car," However, incase you have more spells like that. Perhaps I should drive." Without awaiting a response the Brit removed herself from the passenger side and walked around the car," Slide over Sara." Idly the Raider held the door open waiting for Sara to move over, if she didn't Lara would push her no questions asked, "Aspirin? Not on me no. At the Penthouse yes though."
Begrudgingly, the green-eyed lady slide herself into the passenger seat. "Well isn't all of this peachy?" she spoke with emphasis on cynicism. "What do you know about a military installation involving genetic testing to make super soldiers? And what in the hell was Nottingham doing there?" Sara half wondered if the assassin had a similar tattoo at the base of his neck. As the detective shuddered at an unfelt chill, halfway across the city, the multibillionaire Kenneth Irons pressed his once ruined hand against the glass panes of his window, releasing a breath of tension. Due to the aid of the Egyptian book of the dead, he was able to restore the charred stump that his right hand had become into a fully functional limb. The runes he had implanted into his arm not only remained, but had grown in their intricacy. "After all this time Sara. you disappoint me." He spoke to himself and walked back to his desk. The auburn haired officer smiled to her counterpart. "It's alright; I think I just need time to sort all of this out. How about I let you buy me breakfast?"
Lara watched as Sara moved into the passenger seat, "Good girl." Came the English accent rather snidely, teasingly however as she slid into the driver's side and started up the car Lara felt the weight of her own problems hit her. She was in deep with Estacado, so deep there was no way in this world or the next she would ever get out of it. And now a ex-lover was back in the line of her fire, plus she was in a deadly game with Sara, Irons and the Yakuza now. Plus some weird guy with a tattoo? A sigh exhaled the full lips as she drove," Breakfast it is. Where do you want to dine?" Again the Brit fell into her own thoughts," Yes...peachy." To quote the Ex- Spy himself Lara was in a pickle and she was dragging everyone else into it with her. A brow arched," Super soldiers? No, I've never heard of anything quite like that. Terry might know something though, however he's not answering his cell. That worries me..." More like a knife in the gut worry he had seen the papers, he knew all about her and Jackie. What if? Bah! Why did she care he's an ex-lover after all if he wants to screw around, he can screw around," We need to sort this out darling. You are not alone in this." And for once Lara was glad she wasn't alone either.
"I just need some coffee and a quiet place to drink it, there's a diner about 4 blocks up, that suits me just fine." Sara winced as her head lanced another shot of white hot pain though her temples. Both hands pressing at the sides of her head as she winced again. "This fucking thing should come with a warning label. You know with all this talk of artifacts and shit I wonder if this guy I know. Runs a shop called Talisman" Sara shook her head lighting trying to come up with the name at the tip of her tongue. "Gabriel that's it. Maybe he could lend us a hand. He seemed quite interested and well versed in the topic of the Witchblade, and proved invaluable during this unusual case I was working on a few months back." The seasoned cop rolled down her window as they drove off, hoping the cool air might relieve some of the pressure in her head. "God I love the smell of an enigma in the morning." She joked half laughing from stress, hoping her jaunt at humor might lighten up the mood.
Candles flicker. Orange battling with bright, hellfire yellow. The flames intertwine with each other, a ballet, swift, elegant, graceful. The wax melting, a dew of hot, thick stream slowly cascading the white, almost hollow texture. The breeze, soft, gentle, cool to the touch of flesh, fresh to the curious senses and seductive to the naked bodies, housed in a complex, expressing their passion without inhibitions whatsoever. In the darkness, their sweaty bodies cling to one another as the sheets gave no peace. The woman, a gentle moan, shutting her eyes tight, letting herself go and giving all herself to this man whom she is making love with. The man, very silent, methodical, his eyes open at attention, his body chiseled as if given years to perfect such physique, sweat like small portions of rivers sliding down his back. The venue, a Japanese decor, a paper like wall, of bamboo stems, exotic Asian flowers, elegant birds and some painted scenery of ponds. Outside, the night clear, that of cerulean hue, stars of fiery reflection, setting the exact mood for love-making at this quiet, yet ungodly hour. The moans turns to gasps, then moans again, all coming from the woman. Then a hush falls on the room, the bodies still, buried in the white, virginal sheets. The man then rouses, a few minutes pass, staring at the moon from the inside of the complex, in his natural glory, his body glistening in perspiration. A slender, tender finger reaches for his chest, feeling his heart beat through his bosom. A strong heart at that, steady, powerful, much like a shadow of the man. The woman presses her naked body to him, the warmth was there though questionable to the man's expressions. The candles flicker, only singular waxes stay in strong stance after all the time passing. The woman was gentle, her touch for him was very sensual. He turns around, looking deep into her eyes, what a beauty, a goddess even behold in her natural splendor. No smile, no voice, not a sound from the man at all. Almost as if he is a cold shell. Although, he kisses her, his lips clasping for hers. Within the silence, there was nothing but a moan, the couple standing as they kiss. , nothing else but silence, though the sound of the night was deafening. Nothing left in that very moment, but the seductive, cool breeze. The dark blue sky with the orbs of fiery passion. And the splash of blood, corrupting the flickering flames of the candle, procuring darkness, as well as running crimson on the complex wall.
Lara drove with a steady hand and not as reckless as usual. Hazel orbs fixed on the road ahead. Traffic seemed doubtless for some reason today. The Brit ever so glad of this, she detested American traffic with a passion. With a nod the squad car moved towards the said diner," Gabriel? Interesting name for one who sells and deals with Talismans." Idle conversation really, something to keep her mind off other things. Like her own problems. Yes, Lara Croft is a master of avoiding her own problems until they stare her right in the face and threaten to bite. The car rolled to stop as the Brit sat for a moment, then undid the seat belt and got out," I'm sure they got aspirin or something of the like in here. Almost positive." The English Bombshell slid across the hood of the car and over to the passenger side," Let me help you pal." Knowing Sara was quite not with it really, Lara opened her door and offered a hand to help her," Hmm. That's a rather nasty looking bump indeed." She chuckled at the woman's joke, finding it odd really,' Yes, this is all one bloody enigma isn't it?" Yes, it was. Almost scary and Lara did not like it ," You know, sometimes I wonder from the things you have told me about Irons if we all are not just simply playing into his hands. Like pawns on a chess board." Once she was sure Sara could stand on her own two feet Lara made her way towards the door of the diner and inside, holding the door for her friend while her own thoughts churned like molten lava wanting to explode.
Irons poured a glass of Chianti and leaned back into the leather chair. He was pleased. It seemed that the Tomb Raider and her unruly partner Detective Pezzini were falling right into his leads. Loosening his tie, the grey haired man took a sip from the glass and placed it back into the highly polished surface. He spun to the long table behind his desk and with a devilish smirk picked a piece, more specifically the queen, a few spaces across the board. "Exquisite." He closed his eyes pondering for a moment, "Oh this is indeed going to be quite a pleasurable discovery." Sara allowed her friend to help her from the car, "You know Lara, I do have legs ya know." Smirking, the detective winked to her friend. "Don't sweat it. Sometimes the boys frequent here, and I can't let word get around that I might be slipping on the job. Sara kicked the door shut and walked with the Brit toward the door. "I know what you mean. feeling like a pawn sometimes. Hell sharing your mind with a.. well sharing your mind is maddening enough, but there are times you know.. when I think about that rooftop. Kenneth had these marks on his arm.. kinda like the one Nottingham has, but bigger." Sara ran a hand though her hair and grinned sheepishly. "I have to admit, when Irons was able to manipulate the blade. it was enough to drive me to the edge."
A slight chuckle," Yes I know, but with that sort of bump you never know. They can muck up your motor skills." The Raider seemed to be talking from experience. She was. Again a cool chill ran up her spine," Ever get the feeling were being watched? If it was dark...it would make sense this feeling I keep getting, but it's not." Lara's features took on a rather worried _expression. Perhaps due to the strangeness of all this. As Jake would put it typical Pezzini shit and Lara's mind was simply playing tricks on her. Perhaps. But doubtful. A brow arched," Irons did what?" The British accent came out rather loudly and shocked a few faces looked, but most ignored the out spoken Brit. Tourist was probably their first thought as the two were taken to a booth in the back. It seemed that was were Pezzini was normally sat and Lara didn't argue with it. Once the waitress had left taking drink orders Hazel orbs narrowed on green ones," Sara, if Irons took control of the Blade what is there not to say he still can somehow or what if somehow he can track your every move? Our every move, or know what you're thinking." It seemed the Tomb Raider's worst possible fears about this was all happening," Could it be possible this is how Nottingham always knows where you are?" Lara felt like a cop now asking a suspect questions. Suddenly something moved outside the Diner it caught the Surrey native's eye instantly, "We've been followed." With her eyes The Raider averted, gestured the Detective's gaze towards the alley across the street. There in the shadows a man crouched," Yakuza...he looks Japanese." Lara carefully mouthed.
Sara nodded to the waitress as she brought back their beverages. Sara's fingertip pressed small circles into her temples as she tried to rid herself of the near nauseating headache. "Lara I seriously doubt that Irons could tap into my mind, there are enough voices in here already. I don't think there's any more room." The green eyed lady perked her head up at the proposition of a tag. "Yakuza? Are you sure?" The detective casually turned spying toward the alley. "Lovely... looks like I might be crashing at Jake's place till all this shit blows over." Sara swallowed a good portion of her beverage and nodded back to the Raider. "I think that's Tora's way of telling us, that we are being watched. He's big on the intimidation factor." Sara smirked and stood. "I'll leave you the Squad car, and jet out the back, I'd say we should spilt paths, misdirect the tail, and meet back in the morning. say 7 A.M.? Better Bodies? I need a workout and I'd love a sparring partner."
What a night. Lara couldn't even remember when she had finally crawled into bed. She had staked out Irons' pad for most of the night and while being watched over by the annoying Darklings and occasionally Jackie himself here and there. The Brit idly tossed and turned in her bed, strange dreams plaguing her mind. Mostly her worst fears if Irons got a hold of the books. What could, would or might happen to the world, and other things also plagued the Raider's mind. For instances what would Sara say when she was told that Lara entrusted Jackie with the copies of the books, and about her bike, which was getting fitted with a tire today. And then her man problems came to mind. Jackie and Terry were going to meet and what would happen then? Would She have to break up a fight? Would she loose a friend, possibly two? Only time would tell. Toss and turn, toss and turn. Down below the penthouse parked until Mr. Estacado retrieved it rested his powerful Bike that he had allowed Lara to borrow that night. Hopefully Sara didn't show up and see it. The Bombshell could only imagine what sort of thoughts would enter the Detective's mind at that.
The detective was busy in her own thoughts, typing on her laptop as she collected more data on her current case. Her dreams as of late had been chock full of dark imagery and glimpses of the past. The previous evening's visions had been quite disturbing to her psyche. Her light auburn brow arched skyward as she watched her partner pass the office and enter that of Lieutenant Joe Siry. She half wondered if Jake was avoiding her, and taking his findings directly to her superior and she felt a twinge of anxiousness at that idea. Did Jake not trust her anymore? Was this related to his knowledge of the Witchblade? She pushed the thought from her mind and focused on the task at hand. Why was Tora no Shi back in New York, and what did the Yakuza want to do with Danette Boucher? Odd how things stringed together during an investigation, it was Sara's job to tug on those strings to see who was holding the ends. Picking up the receiver of her desk phone, Sara dialed the penthouse to check in with Lara Croft. The detective needed to know why the Brit hadn't checked in last night and as the line rang again and again, Pezzini began to fear the worst. Calm down Pez, she could be in the shower or. occupied with something else. Sara smiled as she propped the phone into the crook of her neck and typed a bit. "Come on Lara. pick up the phone."
The Brit yawned idly as the phone ringing disrupted her thoughts," Huh.. bloody hell I feel like I got a hang over." Sluggishly the English Brat grabbed the phone," Hello?" Yawn," Lady Croft speaking." Hazel orbs drifted to the clock on her beside table," Damn.." The red dial read after ten am. Her long auburn locks fell loosely around her head and onto the white cotton pillow case," Oh so sorry.. didn't mean to swear in your ear.." Very much not awake indeed. Again in a sluggish manner the Archaeologist pushed back her hair and lounged back down on the large king sized bed trying her best to keep her brownish-green peepers open.
Sara released the breath she didn't realize she was holding and her frame relaxed into her chair. "Good morning Lara sorry to wake you, It's Pez. I assume something major must have come up, as you didn't check in last night? Oh and can you tell me why I had to take public transportation to work this morning?" Sara's tone was light, but the officer was slightly upset with her friend's disregard for procedure. "I had Jake searching high and low for you all night!" Sara laughed a bit. "I'm glad to see I was just jumping at shadows, but where's my motorcycle?" Sara saved her files to backup and shut down the laptop.
Suddenly Lara was VERY awake," Bloody hell...Pez.. oh um.. funny thing." The Brit was suddenly -flying- out of bed falling, tripping on the tangle of sheets and the comforter around her," Bugger.." hissed the thick British accent as finally in a series of steps and odd maneuvers the Bombshell found herself staring into her closet)," Well...long story really." Lara gulped and tossed a pair of jeans and a black tank onto her mess of a bed and hunted about for her boots. She took a deep breath," Um..." Damn, damn, damn. She ran a hand through her hair," Jake was searching for me? Funny thing that.. um I was staking out Irons' pad like you told me too...why didn't he look there?" Quickly the Tomb Raider got dressed and braided her hair while trying to think up a quick excuse to cover for Sara's bike," How about Breakfast? Have you eaten yet?" Subject change, no more like avoiding the subject," I was tired, long night and um.. ah ruddy hell You got a flat and It's getting fixed today." A sort of lie. Hopefully passable for Pez. But then again how was she going to explain her having Jackie's bike? Damnation! Lara thought to herself," I'm on my way to the Station...I'll explain more when I get there yes?" Without bothering to give Sara a chance to answer Lara hung up grabbed the keys to the Hayabusa and rushed down stairs clambering onto the beast of a bike and speeding off towards the Station.
Casting her gaze to the corkboard's menagerie of crime scene photos, twin orbs of green widened in alertness. Pezzini stood and walked to the corkboard, idly tugging at the tangled cord of the phone as she freed it from it's own maddening coils. Sara's fingertips played over a photo as Lara's voice faded to a back burner in her head. "Uh huh." Sara spoke into the phone obviously not paying attention anymore. Her eyes caught the glimpse of a tattoo at the base of the neck on one of the microwave murder's victims. Initially Sara had mistaken that patch of dark for a loose strand of hair, but after a visit from Tora, the tattoo's shape struck a chord in her heart. This was a clan tattoo issued to specific clan members of the Yakuza household. This tattoo was unmistakably of a dragon, and this struck Sara as interesting indeed. As her fingertips grazed over the photo, the Witchblade on her wrist shimmered with its own inner light. Sara's hand closed into a fist as she suddenly saw flashes of the victim's murder. Her killer was hooded, and as the smoking body fell to the ground, the cloaked figure caught glimpse of an audience. A tall dark skinned man with a shaved head watched the proceedings from a neighboring rooftop. The sniper rifle he was using as a spotting scope was quickly discarded as he leaped from the rooftop. Landing over fifty feet to the street, the watcher was couched and on his feet in moments, hidden in the shadows of night.
Within less than fifteen minutes tops, Lara had pulled up to the curb outside of the Precinct and was rushing inside and still rubbing the sleep from her hazel orbs. Another yawn escaped her full lips as the Brit practically charged into Sara and Jake's office," I'm here, so sorry traffic was a bitch." A bitch? Okay too much hanging around Estacado. Which suddenly reminded Lara to quickly pocket the keys to the Hayabusa and settle herself on the corner of Jake's desk like always," So, report right." The Brit took a moment to collect her thoughts," Well, not much occurred Irons was at home so I couldn't go poking my nose where it didn't belong. However I got the strangest suspicion he knows we are watching him." She blinked," Sara? You okay...what are you looking at.." The way her friend was standing and the blank stare," The Blade's showing you things?" The British bombshell arched a curious brow and sincerely hoped the Blade wouldn't let Pez in on any of Lara's secrets at the moment.
Sara blinked at the entry of her counterpart Croft. "Showing me things, that's an odd way of putting it." She pinched the bridge of her nose with her forefinger and thumb and walked back to her desk, hanging up the phone's cradle. "I guess you could describe it as that, although the blade's beside manner is more like an ice pick to the temple." ~'silence!'~ The Witchblade hissed into her head. Sara's eyes widened as she caught the glimpse of Selzer, the department's resident slime ball with internal affairs. He was paused at the water cooler near her office door for too long. Sara buttoned her lip and downshifted her conversation to a different topic. "So if my bike is in the shop, how did you get here so fast?"
A slight chuckle," Well how else would you like me to put it darling?" Lara instantly helped herself to a cup of coffee hoping it would help her wake up a little more, then the shock of Pez calling her this morning," I see. you looked rather in pain.." Hazel orbs shifted to the door quickly as well as if by force and hammered her lips shut also, "Hmm." Lara wasn't going to question anything. And then a question that was going to arouse problems," Oh...um well" The Brit's eyes shifted about a moment warily," Small favor from a...erm friend?" Talk about being stuck between two rocks in a hard place.
Sara eyed her friend with scrutiny, all of her detective senses on full alert as she watched the Brit skate the question. "Don't tell me you and Jackie?!" Was that jealously Sara was feeling? Over that two bit criminal?! She pushed the thought away, not in a million years. Who was Sara trying to convince? True the assassin was cute, but he was a total asshole! So self absorbed! Sara smiled, "What about Terry? What will he think about this? Its obvious he's still hung up on you." Sara grabbed her jacket and nodded toward the door, signaling that their previous conversation might better be spoken about in a different location.
," Bugger." For the moment that was all the Brit could muster to say at the moment. She was kind of caught red handed so to speak," It's not like that Sara...it's complicated." Damn...Sheridan," He knows, the paper bit." Lara was glad to find her voice again," he let me borrow his bike, it's nothing." Nothing? She was pretty much covering Estacado's ass for him. If Sara found out he put two bullets through the front tire of her Bike oh hell...Lara didn't even want to think about that," he's doing me a few favors is all. Business partners you could say." Rather reluctantly The Tomb Raider followed the Detective outside )," And somehow I don't know how, but he's going to make me pay him back for these few favors." Idly she slipped her hands into her pockets and awaited Sara to cross exam her.
"I'll bet." Sara toyed with her friend. 'I'm sure Jackie has a few ideas about paybacks.' Sara pondered to herself. She walked past the shady figure from internal affairs and outside toward her *shudders* squad car. Sara remained silent on the topic of Jackie Estacado and leaned against the driver's side door of the car. "Look, I don't really care if you and Jackie do the horizontal mambo till the sun comes up; I just want to make sure that his idea of paybacks isn't illegal. I don't know if I could sit idly by and watch the two of you go off on a kill spree or something." Sara opened the door and after tossing her backpack into the passenger seat, she perked her head back up. Her cool green eyes were open and sincere as she spied her friend. "To answer your question, yes. The Witchblade has revealed a bit more to me, and I'm starting to wonder just how deep the rabbit hole goes."
The Brit quirked a brow at her friend," Sara...really you know Jackie can't.." Lara didn't finish positive the woman got the general idea. A slight shrugging of bare shoulders beneath her black tank," I'm in his pocket now, I really have no choice Pez. Plus if it wasn't for him a lot of things wouldn't be taken care of." Hazel orbs fell on the squad car," You know...since I got Jackie's Hayabusa we could use it." A wicked grin exhaled across the English Bombshell's lips," Me a killing spree? I doubt that, I bet he'll have me get him something an artifact of some sort yes." But then again...Lara pondered this now, what if he did want her to play assassin with him? A mental shrug, she was stuck really. Seeing Sara was already getting into the squad car and so the Archaeologist followed and strapped herself in," Nice analogy there darling, care to fill me in? After all we are playing partners in this right?" For some reason Lady Croft felt uneasy now...something was beginning to bother her. So far all of this, had pretty much been a walk in the park.
Sara looked exhausted; her senses were frayed to a fine point of cynicism mixed with irrational bouts of anger. "I don't mean to blow up on you Lara. Hell I don't want to sound ungrateful for all the assistance you've extended, but I'm at my wits ends with all this." Sara felt a breath of relief exit her lungs as Lara closed the door cutting off the outside world for a moment. "Tora no Shi, that's what's up. Tora no Shi and somehow I think he's connected with the recent microwave murder victim. The blade showed me someone else as well. tall stout black man bald, with the same tattoo as our murder victim. | watched him jump from a three story building an land on his feet unharmed and take off running into an alley." Sara shifted her weight against the Kevlar vest under her shirt and turned to the tomb raider. "Just what the hell does the Yakuza, and this. very odd fellow have to do with the Egyptian book of the dead anyway?"
A brow arched," Sara, to be honest even if you were blowing up at me it really wouldn't matter. Nor would I give a ruddy damn." Lara Croft did and Lara Croft pleased and if it included mucking about with the likes of Jackie Estacado so be it. He was no worse then any other man that had ever walked into her crazy life, and at least this relationship if it was one could only go so far. A placid nod as a slender hand placed itself on Pez's shoulder," I know you are, to be honest I'm not sitting to well with how easy all of this has been so far myself." The high society accent took a rather serious turn," Tora No Shi? Who is that?" Lara's hazel orbs looked lost for a brief moment, until Sara went further into her explanations. A brief nod," Curious." The Brit really wasn't sure of what else to say. Silence enveloped the car for a moment. It left the Tomb Raider thinking, trying to put two and two together so to speak," Well perhaps. Hmm...tell me about this Yakuza are they not some sort of Japanese mafia?" For some reason again Lara felt a chill run up her spine," I've got a rather bad feeling about this Sara." And usually hardly anything gives Lara Croft a bad feeling like this," Perhaps you could ask the Blade for more of an insight?" A shot in the dark, but it didn't hurt to ask.
Sara gunned the engine and maneuvered the squad car out of the parking area. Her gaze fixed with the incoming sedan as she matched gaze with the returning Twitch and Sam. She gave them a knowing look and then pulled the car out onto the street. "So what makes you think Irons suspects anything? I mean other then the ever permanent stakeout? He knows we have all the warrants to post a car near his domicile." Sara paused for a moment as Croft brought up a most interesting direction. "Ask?! You mean just ask the thing to tell me more?" As the words fell from the detective's lips her eyes rolled back and her body slumped to one side, her head thudding with a deliciously nasty noise into her window. In her dreaming walk into the chasm of the Witchblade's knowledge, Sara began to feel and see much more then she expected. The most apparent was of course the tip of a sword at her throat, and then the force behind it. Though the eyes of another, Sara heard a hearty laughter and as the fencing mask was drawn back the face of a Japanese man. "You fought well today my student, but you have much to learn. For now rest. It is time to awaken the mind, the body needs respite."
Lara sat almost statuesque pose. Hazel orbs jutted to the sedan with a brief nod as she had rather come to know the names that go with the faces. For the most part she remained remotely quiet, thinking. Her thoughts working over and over on possible ideas, scenarios. None of them working. Lara cleared her throat," Well for one Irons wouldn't have the foggiest bloody idea where the two copies of the Book are." A rather cat ate the canary grin slipped across the Brit's full lips as she sat back into the not so comfortable front seat of the car," Well, He seemed awfully prone to stepping out onto his balcony last night." The Brit went on with her explanation not really caring anymore," However Jackie was nice enough to provide some distraction or rather his annoying little pest lings did." A nod to the asking the Blade idea," Why not?" However suddenly that idea became not so wise," Bloody hell! Sara!" Quickly honed reflexes from years and years of training and dodging countless traps inside tombs come into play. The Brit's hands leech forward grabbing the wheel of the car, her left foot gently knocking Sara's off the gas pedal and taking as much control over the car as possible," Sara.. Pez come one wake up woman!" Hazel orbs were focused, but wide and a nerves a little jarred. Soon the car began to slow as the Raider maundered it onto the side of the room with a quick exhale of breath," That was close...too close. Even for me." brownish-green orbs stared profoundly at her unconscious friend as they slowly fell to eye the bracelet that was around her wrist, the red jewel glowing swirling so indeed the Blade was giving more insight. Patiently the Brit waited, knowing all good things come to those who wait.
The detective watched though another's eyes as the figure sat at a low table adorned with a pot of tea and half a dozen ceramic cups. At the center of the table sat a low flower arrangement of exotic flowers, and its perfume stirred feelings of contentment in her. After pouring tea for the sensei, and then another cup for herself, (she) waited with hands folded upon (her) lap. "It has been deemed that you are to undergo a grueling quest; One that will hone your skills as a samurai into a sharp focus. I'm but an old man and cannot undergo the trials myself, but you are to become our family's Tiger of Death." Sara's vision faded and then another promptly overshadowed the previous. ~'revelation'~ (An echo of the Blade's voice in her mind) Sara saw a military camp and a long row of soldiers in training. One by one a doctor neared each man and injected them with a syringe of something. It seemed that upon dosage their strength and anger redoubled. Among the faces Sara saw the bald man, ~'Mobius'~ The Witchblade hissed. And a few faces further, Ian Nottingham. As (Sara's) eyes fixed with the assassin's she woke startled. "Holy Christ! Never let me do that again!" Sara shouted as she rubbed the goose egg forming at her temple. After relating the vision to the raider, she sat back rubbing her head. "You got an aspirin on you? This migraine is starting to split my head apart."
Lara arched a brow, carefully listening to all Sara had to say," Well, that Hmm." The British Bombshell's mind was hard at work putting things together, after all it's something she is rather keen at. After a few moments of silence a sudden realization came to the auburn haired woman's mind," Mary Queen of Scots....Sara we got a huge problem." The look on Lara's face seemed to suggest she wanted to kick herself in the ass, and she did," I think I just involved more people in on this then needed. Jackie is holding the copies for me, and Tora No Shi..." Idly the Brit kicked at the passenger side door, carefully ," Tora No Shi has Jackie on his black list. Last night we had ourselves a bit of a chit chat he told me about how he performed a hit on the yakuza here not to long ago." The Bombshell shook her head," I got Jackie involved, which also now means the Yakuza is now involved." A bit of chuckle," Sorry Darling, but if that weapon of yours wants you to see something not much I can do to stop it." A quick hand snaked out and grabbed the keys out of the car," However, incase you have more spells like that. Perhaps I should drive." Without awaiting a response the Brit removed herself from the passenger side and walked around the car," Slide over Sara." Idly the Raider held the door open waiting for Sara to move over, if she didn't Lara would push her no questions asked, "Aspirin? Not on me no. At the Penthouse yes though."
Begrudgingly, the green-eyed lady slide herself into the passenger seat. "Well isn't all of this peachy?" she spoke with emphasis on cynicism. "What do you know about a military installation involving genetic testing to make super soldiers? And what in the hell was Nottingham doing there?" Sara half wondered if the assassin had a similar tattoo at the base of his neck. As the detective shuddered at an unfelt chill, halfway across the city, the multibillionaire Kenneth Irons pressed his once ruined hand against the glass panes of his window, releasing a breath of tension. Due to the aid of the Egyptian book of the dead, he was able to restore the charred stump that his right hand had become into a fully functional limb. The runes he had implanted into his arm not only remained, but had grown in their intricacy. "After all this time Sara. you disappoint me." He spoke to himself and walked back to his desk. The auburn haired officer smiled to her counterpart. "It's alright; I think I just need time to sort all of this out. How about I let you buy me breakfast?"
Lara watched as Sara moved into the passenger seat, "Good girl." Came the English accent rather snidely, teasingly however as she slid into the driver's side and started up the car Lara felt the weight of her own problems hit her. She was in deep with Estacado, so deep there was no way in this world or the next she would ever get out of it. And now a ex-lover was back in the line of her fire, plus she was in a deadly game with Sara, Irons and the Yakuza now. Plus some weird guy with a tattoo? A sigh exhaled the full lips as she drove," Breakfast it is. Where do you want to dine?" Again the Brit fell into her own thoughts," Yes...peachy." To quote the Ex- Spy himself Lara was in a pickle and she was dragging everyone else into it with her. A brow arched," Super soldiers? No, I've never heard of anything quite like that. Terry might know something though, however he's not answering his cell. That worries me..." More like a knife in the gut worry he had seen the papers, he knew all about her and Jackie. What if? Bah! Why did she care he's an ex-lover after all if he wants to screw around, he can screw around," We need to sort this out darling. You are not alone in this." And for once Lara was glad she wasn't alone either.
"I just need some coffee and a quiet place to drink it, there's a diner about 4 blocks up, that suits me just fine." Sara winced as her head lanced another shot of white hot pain though her temples. Both hands pressing at the sides of her head as she winced again. "This fucking thing should come with a warning label. You know with all this talk of artifacts and shit I wonder if this guy I know. Runs a shop called Talisman" Sara shook her head lighting trying to come up with the name at the tip of her tongue. "Gabriel that's it. Maybe he could lend us a hand. He seemed quite interested and well versed in the topic of the Witchblade, and proved invaluable during this unusual case I was working on a few months back." The seasoned cop rolled down her window as they drove off, hoping the cool air might relieve some of the pressure in her head. "God I love the smell of an enigma in the morning." She joked half laughing from stress, hoping her jaunt at humor might lighten up the mood.
Candles flicker. Orange battling with bright, hellfire yellow. The flames intertwine with each other, a ballet, swift, elegant, graceful. The wax melting, a dew of hot, thick stream slowly cascading the white, almost hollow texture. The breeze, soft, gentle, cool to the touch of flesh, fresh to the curious senses and seductive to the naked bodies, housed in a complex, expressing their passion without inhibitions whatsoever. In the darkness, their sweaty bodies cling to one another as the sheets gave no peace. The woman, a gentle moan, shutting her eyes tight, letting herself go and giving all herself to this man whom she is making love with. The man, very silent, methodical, his eyes open at attention, his body chiseled as if given years to perfect such physique, sweat like small portions of rivers sliding down his back. The venue, a Japanese decor, a paper like wall, of bamboo stems, exotic Asian flowers, elegant birds and some painted scenery of ponds. Outside, the night clear, that of cerulean hue, stars of fiery reflection, setting the exact mood for love-making at this quiet, yet ungodly hour. The moans turns to gasps, then moans again, all coming from the woman. Then a hush falls on the room, the bodies still, buried in the white, virginal sheets. The man then rouses, a few minutes pass, staring at the moon from the inside of the complex, in his natural glory, his body glistening in perspiration. A slender, tender finger reaches for his chest, feeling his heart beat through his bosom. A strong heart at that, steady, powerful, much like a shadow of the man. The woman presses her naked body to him, the warmth was there though questionable to the man's expressions. The candles flicker, only singular waxes stay in strong stance after all the time passing. The woman was gentle, her touch for him was very sensual. He turns around, looking deep into her eyes, what a beauty, a goddess even behold in her natural splendor. No smile, no voice, not a sound from the man at all. Almost as if he is a cold shell. Although, he kisses her, his lips clasping for hers. Within the silence, there was nothing but a moan, the couple standing as they kiss. , nothing else but silence, though the sound of the night was deafening. Nothing left in that very moment, but the seductive, cool breeze. The dark blue sky with the orbs of fiery passion. And the splash of blood, corrupting the flickering flames of the candle, procuring darkness, as well as running crimson on the complex wall.
Lara drove with a steady hand and not as reckless as usual. Hazel orbs fixed on the road ahead. Traffic seemed doubtless for some reason today. The Brit ever so glad of this, she detested American traffic with a passion. With a nod the squad car moved towards the said diner," Gabriel? Interesting name for one who sells and deals with Talismans." Idle conversation really, something to keep her mind off other things. Like her own problems. Yes, Lara Croft is a master of avoiding her own problems until they stare her right in the face and threaten to bite. The car rolled to stop as the Brit sat for a moment, then undid the seat belt and got out," I'm sure they got aspirin or something of the like in here. Almost positive." The English Bombshell slid across the hood of the car and over to the passenger side," Let me help you pal." Knowing Sara was quite not with it really, Lara opened her door and offered a hand to help her," Hmm. That's a rather nasty looking bump indeed." She chuckled at the woman's joke, finding it odd really,' Yes, this is all one bloody enigma isn't it?" Yes, it was. Almost scary and Lara did not like it ," You know, sometimes I wonder from the things you have told me about Irons if we all are not just simply playing into his hands. Like pawns on a chess board." Once she was sure Sara could stand on her own two feet Lara made her way towards the door of the diner and inside, holding the door for her friend while her own thoughts churned like molten lava wanting to explode.
Irons poured a glass of Chianti and leaned back into the leather chair. He was pleased. It seemed that the Tomb Raider and her unruly partner Detective Pezzini were falling right into his leads. Loosening his tie, the grey haired man took a sip from the glass and placed it back into the highly polished surface. He spun to the long table behind his desk and with a devilish smirk picked a piece, more specifically the queen, a few spaces across the board. "Exquisite." He closed his eyes pondering for a moment, "Oh this is indeed going to be quite a pleasurable discovery." Sara allowed her friend to help her from the car, "You know Lara, I do have legs ya know." Smirking, the detective winked to her friend. "Don't sweat it. Sometimes the boys frequent here, and I can't let word get around that I might be slipping on the job. Sara kicked the door shut and walked with the Brit toward the door. "I know what you mean. feeling like a pawn sometimes. Hell sharing your mind with a.. well sharing your mind is maddening enough, but there are times you know.. when I think about that rooftop. Kenneth had these marks on his arm.. kinda like the one Nottingham has, but bigger." Sara ran a hand though her hair and grinned sheepishly. "I have to admit, when Irons was able to manipulate the blade. it was enough to drive me to the edge."
A slight chuckle," Yes I know, but with that sort of bump you never know. They can muck up your motor skills." The Raider seemed to be talking from experience. She was. Again a cool chill ran up her spine," Ever get the feeling were being watched? If it was dark...it would make sense this feeling I keep getting, but it's not." Lara's features took on a rather worried _expression. Perhaps due to the strangeness of all this. As Jake would put it typical Pezzini shit and Lara's mind was simply playing tricks on her. Perhaps. But doubtful. A brow arched," Irons did what?" The British accent came out rather loudly and shocked a few faces looked, but most ignored the out spoken Brit. Tourist was probably their first thought as the two were taken to a booth in the back. It seemed that was were Pezzini was normally sat and Lara didn't argue with it. Once the waitress had left taking drink orders Hazel orbs narrowed on green ones," Sara, if Irons took control of the Blade what is there not to say he still can somehow or what if somehow he can track your every move? Our every move, or know what you're thinking." It seemed the Tomb Raider's worst possible fears about this was all happening," Could it be possible this is how Nottingham always knows where you are?" Lara felt like a cop now asking a suspect questions. Suddenly something moved outside the Diner it caught the Surrey native's eye instantly, "We've been followed." With her eyes The Raider averted, gestured the Detective's gaze towards the alley across the street. There in the shadows a man crouched," Yakuza...he looks Japanese." Lara carefully mouthed.
Sara nodded to the waitress as she brought back their beverages. Sara's fingertip pressed small circles into her temples as she tried to rid herself of the near nauseating headache. "Lara I seriously doubt that Irons could tap into my mind, there are enough voices in here already. I don't think there's any more room." The green eyed lady perked her head up at the proposition of a tag. "Yakuza? Are you sure?" The detective casually turned spying toward the alley. "Lovely... looks like I might be crashing at Jake's place till all this shit blows over." Sara swallowed a good portion of her beverage and nodded back to the Raider. "I think that's Tora's way of telling us, that we are being watched. He's big on the intimidation factor." Sara smirked and stood. "I'll leave you the Squad car, and jet out the back, I'd say we should spilt paths, misdirect the tail, and meet back in the morning. say 7 A.M.? Better Bodies? I need a workout and I'd love a sparring partner."
