sixwordstories | (no subject)

You alright?

[She looks a bit flustered as she quickly tucks the gun under her jacket and out of sight.] It's going to be a long night, but I'm alright.

[Mark doesn't stop looking just a little bit worried for her.] I probably wouldn't be a whole lotta help, huh?

[She shakes her head and peers up at him.] It is very likely you'd end up hurt. That is a risk I can not take.

[He nods, backing away a bit. Mark is a person who likes to help and fix all the things and all the people. But he does know that there are some situations where he can't really do anything in that area.]

Well I feel bad just leaving you here. Maybe... if I give you my number you can call if you need anything?

Not to worry, I always come out alive. [She chewed her lip for a second before making a decision.] Have you got a car?

[He actually smiles at that. It might be inappropriate given the situation but Mark loves his car.]

I have the best car. Need a ride somewhere?

[She can't help but smile at that. Selene does love her cars.]

The best? Now you have to prove it. Pick me up on the corner of 59th and Broadway in an hour?

You got it.

[Mark turns to walk away, pauses, looks back.] But you're sure you're gonna be okay, right?

[Selene made an X over her heart and smiled.] Cross my heart. One hour. Don't be late.

[With that she ran off toward her target, fast enough it may have looked like she disappeared.]

[Forty-five minutes later, he's there. Yeah, he's early. But he'd been worried about traffic making him late, so he's there. The engine of his 1966 black mustang convertible is rumbling loudly, as it should.]

[Selene is there a few minutes early and thankful that he has arrived early. Her clothes are torn, blood on her face, hair a mess. But she smiles at the sight of the car and climbs into the passengers seat.] This is quite the car. Punctuality is a very attractive quality, thank you.

Thanks. I had a feeling that now was a time to be on time.

[For a brief moment, he's just staring at her, looking for any serious wounds that might require a hospital. But then he remembers her saying that she doesn't scar, which means she heals pretty well. That doesn't make the concern go away, even as he pulls into the traffic.]

Let me guess, you ran into a bear right smack dab in the middle of the City. [He knows that isn't the case, but when in doubt, Mark goes with his own dry humor.]

I owe you.

[She wiped a hand over her face to get rid of the blood.]

Little bigger than a bear but close enough. I'm not hurt, promise.

Hey, I'm just glad I can help... even though it doesn't feel like I really did that much. But you don't owe me anything.

[And he isn't sure that he believes that she isn't hurt. But he's going on the idea that she can heal. Therein lies faith that she'll be okay.] Bigger than a bear as in... what was it?

At least a drink or something.

[She pauses and thinks about what to say.] Once it was a man, it died a monster.

A monster?

[He reaches into the backseat, trying to get something but clearly fails to reach it before giving up.]

I have a clean shirt in the backseat, if you wanna borrow it. There's a black bag back there... Just some clean clothes I usually take to the gym with me.

Werewolf.

[She turned on the seat and leaned into the back. Digging through the bag she found a shirt. Turning back around she peeled off her jacket, the gun holster and her shirt, then pulled on his shirt. And used her ripped one to clean her face up.]

If I've made a mess in your car I'll have it cleaned.

Oh, no problem. Seats are leather and easy to clean, which I do every other week or so. He's kind of my baby, this car. Weird, I know.

[Yes, he heard the werewolf answer. He's absorbing it. Acclimating himself to the idea of it. And accepting it while he's talking.] But it was the first car my dad and I ever fixed up together for me. So it's a little sentimental and worthy of all the attention I give it.

[He takes a deep breath.] So werewolf, huh? That's just a little bit scary.

Does your baby have a name?

[Selene could appreciate the attachment to the car. She loved her car.]

It can be scary, I suppose. I've outgrown my fear for the most part.

Yeah, Steven. After a famous rocker I've crushed on for... well, since forever. My crush started at a young age and... what can I say? I'm loyal.

[Mark is amused for a moment, just because he knows it's ridiculously silly to have a thing for Steven Tyler. And even more ridiculously silly to be talking about that thing when there's a conversation going on about werewolves at the same time.]

So... how do you kill a werewolf? [He pauses.] I really just asked that, didn't I.

Steven? Since forever? You are so young.

[Selene smirks and gives a bit of a laugh.]

That is a matter of personal preference and ability. Silver in high doses works. I prefer to just take their heads off.

Yeah, I always tell my big brother that he'll always be older than me no matter how old we get. But thirty-five? Not a bad age.

[Of course then the fact that she called him young for liking Steven Tyler? Well, that kicked in.]

It's probably rude for me to ask how old you are. So this is me not doing it. Notice the restraint. [He casts her sideways smile.]

Especially when thirty five looks like you.

[Selene doesn't mind her age, but, she does worry about freaking people out.]

You won't run off and tell on me will you? I'd hate to have to kill any angry mob of humans that come with pitch forks.

I promise to not tell on you. Should I cross my heart?

[He's teasing, of course. Because earlier she had crossed her heart when she'd said she would be okay.] What, are you... two-hundred?

[That made her laugh.]

Times that by three and add thirty.

Six-hundred and thirty? Really?

[He's kind of glad they're at a stop light. He watches her for a moment, trying to see 630 years of age in her.] That's impressive. And you... look great.

Yes. Really. I am a very, very old woman.

I would hope so, if life is going to be painfully hard, at least make me pretty. [She was teasing a bit. The smile on her lips spoke to that.] I have trusted you with a great secret, please, do not betray me. I have lived as long as I have because I am very good at leaving no trails and only trusting in the best of human kind. You are one of the best, it's written on your face. You came for me because you were genuine in your concern for my safety, yes?

Did someone threaten that?

[She laughed.] More like....I need this like a hole in the head. Werewolf. Central Park.

New York is not prepared for that kind of wildlife. Need an extra set of eyes, and is the silver bullet story true?

Your eyes. Yes. [Selene handed her a gun.] Liquid silver nitrate. Head and heart are the best bets.

Fun, girls' night out. [B takes the gun, looking it over with a satisfied smile.] They always are.

I wouldn't betray you. Never.

[Mark nods, his mind wandering with contemplating all the things she must have seen and experienced in her lifetime. It was amazing, really.] Yeah, I... I was worried about you. I didn't want you to be alone.

[That was actually quite touching. Selene was alone most of the time. Only ever really surrounded by people that worked for her.] You need not worry it will give you wrinkles and I'm use to being alone. Isn't that what makes a big city great? There are so many people that you are never alone?

Well there's alone and then there's... alone. The kind of alone that never feels good. Where no matter how many people are around you, you're still alone.

[Mark pauses, deep in thought for a moment. He had genuinely been worried about Selene. And that wouldn't change even though he knew now that she could take care of herself, even against things that were a unnatural or... supernatural?] But yeah, it is nice to get lost in it all sometimes. Have you ever had someone recognize you from... the past? I mean, notice you look the same?

[She was glad for the change of subject. Selene didn't want to tell him that the alone he described was how she felt most of the time.]

I have had that happen. Those moments are rather awkward.

[He's obviously curious about it now.] What do you do?

Isn't that obvious? Animal control. Well in my spare time. Day to day? I am CEO of Ziodex Industries.