Intermediate: Life don't mean a thing.

[Double Down]

You could hear the loud Swing music from the street outside the club. As you drew closer to the sound of the music you notice people wearing different types of clothing, from jeans and teeshirts to Zoot Suits and skirts that moved like the wind. The people seemed to be crowded around a single doorway, yet everyone didn't appear to be forcing their way in. They were all just relaxing so it seemed. Walking through the door into the showroom you see a colossal dance floor in front of you, a band is playing on the stage and not a single person there seems to not be having fun. Then your eyes wander to the band playing on stage, you see him. Marcus McAlister....or Double Down as he was known. Finally seeing him in person you couldn't help but watch for at least a moment, the way he moved and sang, its understandable why everyone enjoyed the show. You couldn't even get across the dance floor, people were dancing everywhere.
"Now....Friends let me tell you about this cat
that I once met.
Smooth talker...with an export cigarette.
I don't believe I ever saw him without a cocktail in his hand,
and no one swings as hard to the big bad voodoo band.
Now he strolls through the city like a big ol' alley cat
with his pinstripe suit
and a big bad voodoo hat.
I don't believe I ever saw him without a kitten on his hand,
and no one swings as hard
to the big bad voodoo band"
The words just seem to erupt from Double Down's mouth. Almost unwillingly you reach into your coat and retrieve the gun. Taking a moment to aim it, you manage to get a clear shot of Double Down's head. As you begin to pull the trigger Marcus notices you and seems to nod his head just ever so slightly, then everyone around you begins to notice and panic ensues. In the moment that you were overwhelmed by everyone Marcus dove off the stage and in a swift motion had a switchblade knife to your neck.
"Who the hell are you!?" He demanded to know

You try to talk, but you find yourself unable to form any words. You look into his eyes and you see that he is ready to kill you.

~~~

Marcus looked into the mans eyes, and saw something he thought he knew. After holding the knife to the mans throat for a long moment he casually stepped away and adjusted his coat. Even as he moved the Roadies were taking apart all the equipment and began to pack it up. Walking over to the stage Marcus picked up his hat and light a cigarette.
Taking a drag he inhaled and looked around.
"Let's cut out." he put his knife away and looked at the man. One of the other band members already had the gun.
Without saying a word Marcus walked past him and outside into the street. The Police would be here soon, they had to leave. As the band ran down the road, easily blending in with the other Swing Kids there was a loud explosion coming from the club, Marcus could only simply watch as it fell to the ground.

~They're back for me....not good.~ He began to sprint down the road, cutting into a back street he lost his band mates somehow. The sounds of gunshots filled the streets causing Marcus to stumble and turn. Two men with guns slowly were walking toward him. They raised and took aim, red beads on Marcus's chest and head.

"Wait, its not like that!"
the gun backfired in front of one of the mens faces, sending metal into his skull, and sending a piece of shrapnel into the eye socket of the other. Both men fell to the ground, lifeless.
He began to run again, knowing only one safe place he went down to the docks to one of the last friendly wren he knew.

***

Marcus knocked on the door, it slowly swing open, revealing a scene of death. Michelle, Marcus's queen, his chick......somebody had.......he dropped to his knees and swiftly vomited. When he regained his composure he backed out of the doorway slowly. Walking swiftly to the garage he entered. Seeing his vintage car he got in and started it up. He sped as he drove away from Atlantic City, he would be back, just not anytime soon. After driving for several long hours he saw a sign on the side of the road. HOLLAND TUNNEL. He looked at it for along moment and turned for the exit. After all with Atlantic City no longer being safe he may as well try the next city up. Blocking out recent events the best that he could he wondered how the Swing Scene in NYC was these days....

However the voice in the back of his head kept reminding him of what he saw, and how he led to it happening. They would be after him......Of course everyone was after Mutants these days...

[Double Down]

Marcus sat in the living room of his friends palce, head in his hands. Everyoen around him knew what had happened in Atlantic City, but they would hide him... Friends don't Narc out other friends after all. He looked up as Kristof walked into the room, handing him a whiskey on the rocks.

"Anythign you need to get of fyour chest bro?" Kristof asked, looking at Marcus, knowing what must be going through his mind.

"Kris.....This all happened because I'm a mutant......Michelle, those guys in the club. I didn't want them to die, just to leave me alone........"

Kristof walked to the window of the loft apt. and gazed out over New York, "Marcus, you've known I was a mutant for how long now? Five, six years? You know how people act towards us, its up to you what you do about it."

Marcus looked up at him, slightly confused.

" We both know your past.... Hell we were in that damn project together before the esacpe......I KNOW what you can withstand, and what you can do... You can kick this puppy easily. And if we have more trouble.....I've heard of a place we can go.....I'll tell you more about that later.. for now, lets just try to relax."

Marcus took a long sip of his drink and listend to the Tommy Dorsey album Kris had put on....his eyes slowly began to close. the weight of recent events finally getting to him... they would talk later.

[Shalamar]

It wouldn’t be the first place she would have went, that was for damn sure. The sights, the smells… the lights. Her eyes were sensitive, her nose as well… but the money was good, and she could easily keep an eye on that man. One of the only familiar faces she knew, and for some reason-she didn’t think he knew hers back.

She had realized that to him, the life he lived was his and his alone… he walked aimlessly through the world, caring about nothing-no one. She cared about him though… because maybe, just maybe, he could answer some of her questions. Questions no one else could, would or wanted to answer for her… questions that made her cry herself to sleep at night, not knowing who she was, is, or will be. All she knew was her name was Eve Tigre, a mutant… one that went by Shalamar.

Everything before her life in Atlantic City, well that’s null and void, she can’t even picture a time before the accident. All she knew, as she glanced towards her almost normal looking hands, safe for the unnatural sharp nails, was that she was a weapon… a murderer… a holder of a secret she couldn’t let anyone know-not yet at least.

Not until she was sure she was right about that damn face!

~~~

The night was smooth, the music was sweet… the dance was as energetic as ever. She was a bopper, a dancer… one of the girls who just hopped on a regular guy and danced like crazy as Double Down sang away on the mic. Swing Dancing stretched her flexible limbs, and she always was the star dancer-outside of those girls on the stage. She was just a nobody who knew how to swing.

Then the music cuts, girls scream-and her dance partner forgets to catch her. Thank god for her own abilities. Her body contorts in the air, and she lands awkwardly, right knee on the floor, left foot down with her hand on her thigh, and right hand slamming to the floor. Damnit did that piss her off, eyes flash a bright green and she could feel her body tensing, nails digging into the hardwood floor.

”Who the hell are you?” Double Down’s voice cuts through the air as women and men continue to run for their lives. In a swirl of blonde hair, Shalamar is up once more, yet she holds her tendencies-no need to get feral, no blood was shed-she could have smelled if it had been. Eyes look eagerly to where Double Down and his band crowd, before the softer ” Let's cut out.” comes from the familiar voice.

Shal tenses slightly… she can’t follow him, it wasn’t time for her to be noticed yet! However, her nose twitched and the sudden smell of explosives came to her. And just like the other swing gals and guys she darted for the door, however… she seemed to just, slink out-like a cat when no one’s looking. She followed his scent from there….

~~~

Eyes widened as she saw the gore of the two bodies on the ground. She had passed his band mates long ago, but they hadn’t noticed her, she could move like the wind and get passed them all. However this… this was Double Down. Was he the bad guy? No, his face was too familiar for him to be bad-she would have killed him by now if he had been. Eyes closed and opened, but she couldn’t feel remorse… she knew they deserved their fate somehow.

So she took off once more, after the familiar scent… it lead her to a female’s abode… but something wasn’t right. Death trailed out of the inside, and then she saw him. Her eyes widened slightly before she took a running leap for the roof of the garage. She heard movement, but saw no one, that is… until she saw the car take off below her. That’s when she took the advantage point… she jumped on swiftly as he backed out, her stealth enhances coming in handy.

~~~

The ride was long, cold, and windy… she slept most of the way there, curled on his roof claws dug into the vinyl roof, but she wouldn’t ruin his car- she only let the tips of the nails dig in… only enough to keep her situated while he drove. When the car finally stopped, her eyes opened to see the entrance to the Holland Tunnel, eyes widening… she supposed she should call in sick for tomorrow.

Sighing slightly she curled back up and fell asleep again. The ride was long, but she was fine-the position became oddly comfortable. As her body jerked again, she noticed the surroundings and her jaw clenched. New York. Another hour passed before Marcus stopped the car for good.

When he did, her body was quick to move and she climbed to the nearest fire escape. Blue/green orbs watched him move to a near by apartment building. Eyes followed his form through the windows of the hallway-before she saw him stop.

~~~

As she made her way to the fire escape, her body curled in on itself and she sighed, checking her bra. Pulling out a few bills and her charge card she smiled. At least she had a means of living in this dump, and god knew she had a bunch of money on that debit card.

The apartment she listened in to held two men… Marcus and someone else. Ears perked for a moment as she thought she heard another familiar voice, but she shook her head… it couldn’t be. A breath was taken as she sat and pulled her knees to her chest and she continued to listen.

”We both know your past.... Hell we were in that damn project together before the escape......I KNOW what you can withstand, and what you can do... You can kick this puppy easily. And if we have more trouble.....I've heard of a place we can go.....I'll tell you more about that later.. for now, lets just try to relax.” Eyes widened with shock. Was it another one she would know? It had to be, she hadn’t seem Marcus escape from anything… but that wreck. Who was this one?

The record began to play and her eyes began to shut, she wanted to go get a hotel-but she knew it best to stay here-watch him… make sure he’s alright, he had, after all, gone through a lot that night. A sigh escaped before her body leaned against the wall and eyes drifted shut as well…

~~~

Inside the apartment, the phone rang. Kristof answered in a hushed tone, as Marcus was trying to sleep. It was the neighbor from across the street sounding freaked out.

”Wait, slow down Mr. Morris… say that again? Kristof begged the elder man to relax and repeat what he was saying… but Kristof couldn’t imagine the old man knew what he was talking about. ”So there’s a girl out on my fire escape? Blonde? Well I’ll check that out Mr. Morris, thank you for your concern.”[/I[ and Kristof practically hung up on the old man, rolling his eyes in the process.

However, ten minutes passed and he ignored the old man’s warning. Kristof went about his usual things, letting out a small yawn himself before his phone rang again. ”Damnit! he picked the phone up once more and answered harshly. ”Who is it?! Oh… Mr. Morris… yeah yeah the blonde… alright, alright I’ll check it out! You’ll see me look in five seconds… let me just finish this.” he hung up the phone.

To shut the old man up once and for all, his eyes rolled on their way, he made his way to the fire escape window and opened the latch. Eyes widened as he looked to see the blonde curled up asleep.

[Double Down]

[glow=red,2,300] Marcus stood on the stage, looking over the crows in the swing club. Something was wrong however. Everyone looked jet black. No skin, no eyes, no clothing, just black humanoid masses. He took several steps back before he looked at his bandmates, they were all the same also. He stopped singing and everyone turned to him angrily. As they approached the stage he began to run, no matter how fast he tried he just couldn't run fast enough. Attempting to run through the people he forced many of them out of the way. In the midst of everything, the panic in his mind, the chaos his body was feeling he saw someone different. A woman. She had actual features, unlike everythign else in the club. He looked into her eyes, who was she?.......He stopped infront of her, looking at her. She was very attractive and MArcus was sure that he knew her. He slowly reached out and touched her cheek.
"Eve?" [/glow]

MArcus was shot out of his dream buy Kristof shouting on the phone. Groggily he stood up, adjusting his sleep shorts and tee shirt. He was still half asleep when he walked to the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee. Kristof was saying somethign but MArcus still couldn't comprehend any trype of language at this stage of sleep. He looked at the clock and sighed. Five Thirty in the morning. He's only been asleep for a few hours. His hear tilted when he finaly processed what Kristof was saying.

"A Blonde, outside?" He followed Kristof to the window and peered outside.

He saw her curled up on the fire-escape, and his eyes opened wide in amazement. It was the woman in his dream. Slowly he reache dout and touched her arm.

"Excuse me...........Eve?" he wish he knew more than just her name, he could barely remember anythign before the accident.
But he knew her, one way or another he did. He couldn't let her sleep in the cold.

[Shalamar]

Shalamar was sleeping and suddenly she had a strange dream. The swing club went dead-black void of bodies… bodies which were angry… crowding around her. Her arms pushed them away, her claws slashed at them….Then she jumped, away from the masses… into the arms of the only other person with human features. Eyes looked up, green as ever, but dying to a vibrant aqua, claws retracting. His hand went to her cheek gently and his voice whispered…. ‘Eve?’

That’s when her ears perked and her body woke up to a shock of cold air. Eyes blinked groggily before she saw the two men staring at her. "Excuse me...........Eve?" came out of Marcus’ mouth. Eyes widened as she looked to him. He remembered her? What? Why? How? She pulled back like a scared kitten and eyed him.

“Marcus… how do you remember my name? You never noticed me before….” She whispered to the two that looked at her. She knew the other one looked familiar also, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. Eyes flashed green as her claws came out slightly then retracted and so on and so forth. She didn’t know if they wanted to hurt her or not.

However as the moments went on and her sleep vision died down, she saw the look in Marcus’ eyes and smiled. He did remember her.

[Double Down]

He looked into her eyes and smiled slightly.

"I couldn't forget you. Although I don't remember much before the accident.....," he reache dout and touched her shoulder lovingly. "I remember you well."

he began to lean back inside.

"Come inside, its cold out here. I just put on coffee, it should be done soon. We have alot to talk about...."

He smiled at her, a loving smile.

[Shalamar]

Body contorted at the touch-she hadn’t been touched like that in a long time. No one cared about her, she was just another Atlantic City brat out there. She let her jaw clench and unclench before she stood and placed her hand in his and stepped through the window.

Her eyes met Kristof’s who smiled-he remembered her too. She did as well, she just glanced here and there, but always stoic in features. “Of all the years I obviously grew… I only remember a few-and it’s you, your faces that are in them.” She said softly as she sat upon a couch.

Taking a deep breath she felt the tight squeeze of Kristof’s hand on her shoulder before he sat on the adjacent couch and looked into her eyes. “Shal… how have you been?” he questioned somewhat as she took a sip of the coffee.

“Been living in Atlantic City… when the accident… I followed Marcus. He was the only clear scent I could get obviously…. But I stayed away. I didn’t want to attract attention to him. It’s more obvious I’m a mutant than he…” She sighed and sipped the coffee once more. The chill ran up her spine as it ran from the warmth the coffee gave her. Eyes turned to the two.

“I know what Marcus has been doing, a great swing band that is by the way…. But what about you Kristof?”

[Double Down]

Kristof looked at her and shrugged his shoulders slightly.

"Well....in the project they apmed my strength and toughness, higher than MArcus's or yours. After the escape I simply decided to hide out in here in New York. Mostly I work construction and such, after all, its something i;m good at. Kinda wish I was as talented as Marcus here though. I'm kinda a fan of his music. heh." Kristof finished as he took a sip of his coffee and handed MArcus a mug.

Kristof looked at Marcus then at Eve for a short moment.
"Um...I'll be right back guys...." he said as he walked into another room.

Marcus sat on the couch next to Eve and looked at her, "How much do you remember? I mean....Do you remember us at all?" he looked at her as he took a sip.

[Shalamar]

She listened to him and nodded. He was never the smartest one in the bunch, but she remembered Kristof as having a great sweet demeanor-but being like the hulk when he was mad. ‘Smash!’ Her head shook slightly before eyeing him. “Glad to know you’re doing well for yourself…”

Eyes shot to Marcus as Kristof walked out of the room, she still was curled up, knees to her chest, but still sipped her coffee. Eyes looked him over-he hadn’t changed much… only he had everything he could ever want now. Eyes closed. “The accident… I remember before then, my body didn’t take the serum like others, it made them mad… I remember more than most I suppose…”

Eyes closed as she took in a breath, remembering the different kinds of tortures and testing they went though Eyes watched as they took her roommate, a girl who didn’t remember anything from her. They called her Upper, cause she could control emotions. Well the girl wasn’t there now. Eyes flashed a vibrant green as Shalamar attacked one of the guards. “Upper!” came a whine as Shal tore through the lab, looking for her roommate. Suddenly someone was on top of her, and a long needle was shoved into her neck. Eyes quickly got hazy and her body fell. ”Upper!! was the last words she remembered.

“There were a lot more than just us… probably around twenty five, that I remember. I remember they put me in with someone who like… an empath. Her collar around her neck said Kassandra-but she didn’t know if it was hers or not. We just called her Upper… she controlled me from going feral sometimes… I don’t remember enough… Marcus I wasn’t sure if it was you or not-and now I’m positive…” Eyes closed slightly.

Light went in to her sight, but quickly was flooded out by darkness. Another memory came like a shot to the head. Body was strapped to a large metal table. She tried to break them, but someone with glasses continued to say it’s Admantium, they won’t break. Hissing came forth as she fought against the needle that went into her biceps ”No!” she hissed before snapping at the doctor. That’s when the head restraint was put on her and she was forced to look one way. Claws extended, and they grinned… they were doing something to her… testing.

“No!…” She was still on the couch when her yell rang out. Eyes shot to Marcus, then down. “Yeah… I remember all right.”

[Double Down]

Marcus never took his eyes off of Eve as they talked, knowing very well what she was gogin through. He had gone through the same time himself not too long ago. He held his mug as she spoke, taking the occasional sip of coffee. WHe she screamed no, his eyes widened slightly and he realized that she remembered even more.

"Its alright Eve. It was in the past. I know how you feel about it, exactly."

He looked down for a moment then back to her eyes.

"Kristof said he knows of a place where we can go, where it will be safe for us. I'm thinking of going......I would like it if you came with me..."

HE sipped his coffee and looked at her, unsure of what she was thinking.

[Shalamar]

Eyes looked over to him and she sighed slightly. How could she tell him that she remembered everything, that all her dreams ever were are nightmares of the past, however she couldn’t remember before going there? Would she want to? What did she do to make them want her? Why did they choose her? Legs curled tighter towards her chest, and she took another sip of coffee. Why?

"Its alright Eve. It was in the past. I know how you feel about it, exactly." He had no clue, she was almost positive that he couldn’t remember anything close to what she could. Eyes looked down, flashed green and she purred to herself, trying to calm herself down.

"Kristof said he knows of a place where we can go, where it will be safe for us. I'm thinking of going......I would like it if you came with me..." Came with him? Body shook slightly, she couldn’t imagine doing that again… to a place.

“What place? Where?” Her brow rose, wondering. “They… they won’t do anything else, right?” she curled and put her chin on her knees, wrapping her arms around them, and holding the coffee in one hand.

[Double Down]

MArcu slooked at her and nodded reassuringly.

"It will be different, these peopl ewant to help people like us."

As MArcus finished the sentence Kristof came back into the room, hearing them talk about the school he commented.

"YEah, its a place for people like us, where they train and teach us more about ourselves. I wish I could go, but the people who had us locked up don't know about me, and well....I'm doing fine where i am. I think they could aid both of you though." he put his mug in the kitchen sink.

"I just hope you're right Kristof...." Marcus commented.

"I heard this Xaiver guy is really cool. ALthough some of the people there are...interesting, I'm sure you two will fit right in."

"I think I'm gonna go." Marcus looked at Eve. "I'll leave tommrow.......interested?"

[Shalamar]

“You have no clue…” she whispered under her breath and sighed before coughing slightly. The pneumonia that would’ve started in another’s lungs by now, was already retreating from her immune system. She felt herself feeling better… but emotionally she was on a downward spiral.

”It’ll be different, these people want to help us.” She shivered, the people from their pasts told them the same thing. She shook her head slightly before eyeing Marcus. Before she could say anything Kristof came in from the kitchen and looked at the two.

Yeah, it’s a place for people like us, where they train and teach us more about ourselves. I wish I could go, but the people who had us locked up don't know about me, and well.... I'm doing fine where I am. I think they could aid both of you though." She would have slashed Kristof right then and there… but she didn’t know if that would be smart. She hadn’t been watching him after all, she didn’t know how strong he was. However a growl did emanate from her throat and she shook her head.

“Kristof, you have no clue how wrong you are about some things….” He wasn’t stronger than she, her body felt it… as hackles rose, she closed her green orbs and tried to force herself to calm down. Shal made her breathing slow and her body stretched slightly as nails dug into the chair she sat on. As she took another breath she let her eyes open once more. “But on this I will give you the benefit of the doubt…”

Eyes shot towards Marcus for a few short moments before she took yet another breath. “Marcus don’t jump into the decision just yet… just sleep on it first, please?” Eve looked up, the green in her eyes was dying to an interesting aqua… changing to her normal blue slowly. It was obvious it was a worry she had dancing in the sparkles of her eyes rather than anything else. “You were one of the only ones I found afterwards… I’ve watched you for a long time… now I won’t go unless you’ve thought about this thoroughly then I suppose I will… but I need to know you’ve truly thought about this.” Her jaw clenched… all she wanted was some sleep for now, and to truly think about this.