2008-05-06: Best Intentions (Dark Future)

Starring:

FutureRandall_icon.gif FutureKeLyssa_icon.gif

Summary: A friend turned field agent reports in for debriefing and new instructions.

Future Date: March 2012

Best Intentions


Club DnA's

The DJ currently on shift at Club DnA's flips a pair of switches, bringing the ear-splitting musical pulse of the club down to a more manageable background thrum. That much hasn't changed over the past four years. Other things, meanwhile, have twisted out of all recognition.

Four years ago, Randall was one face among hundreds, chatting amiably about his misguided concepts of special abilities. Tonight, he hides amidst the crowd on purpose, waiting for that one deceptively perky colleague to emerge, so that they might discuss real abilities and real matters of business.

Four years ago, KeLyssa would not have even been allowed in here, not being of legal age at that time. But now, the girl who has now dubbed herself the 'Ice Blonde' mingles in the crowd, looking like just another girl out for a good time. However, she has other plans. She must search out her colleague as well, amidst all the other men hitting on her. She's gotten used to that. She returns their gestures only lightly, almost as if she's taunting them.

At least Randall isn't among that number himself. He's been hooked up with Portia for a while now— whether he treats her right is open to some debate, but he's never cheated on her, at any rate. As KeLyssa approaches, he simply raises his glass to her, motioning to an empty seat across the table.

"Nice to see a clear pair of eyes for once," he says. Many of the people working for him have been having fatigue problems lately, thanks to the Muse, though so far he's just written it off to job stress.

KeLyssa smiles softly at Randall as she approaches, taking the seat across from him. "Hon, if it weren't fer tea an' coffee, I wouldn't have my bright shinin' eyes none. That an' it helps ta…keep cool, if ya know what I mean." She says, flashing him one of her bright smiles. Though the Muse has been causing the others problems, she has only been visited once by the muse, who expressed her dire displeasure with the choice that KeLyssa made. KeLyssa hasn't made up her own mind yet about what that discussion had entailed. "Look, we got a li'l problem in regards to that clinic, hon. That woman who runs it, I think her name is…was it Niki? Well, the other day I was there an' she found a few vials on me. Smashed all but one o' 'em." She's prepped herself already for his displeasure.

Randall, on the other hand, made up his mind a long time ago. That's another thing that sets him apart from those who are just in it for the money or the power; he genuinely believes that the best thing for people at risk for Boost withdrawal is to keep them supplied so they don't reach that point in the first place. The money and power are awfully nice side effects, of course.

"I might know her," he replies, steepling his fingers as he mulls over the situation. "Blonde hair, blue eyes?" He did know a Niki who used to work at Cass's bookstore. More importantly, he once saw her monstering out in tunnel traffic - or at least he thinks it was her, there was some distracting gunfire at the same time. "Either way… they've thrown multiple roadblocks at you. We'll leave them alone, at least for now."

KeLyssa nods ever so slightly. "Yeah, that's her ta boot." She says. "Kinda tall too." She adds, seeing as she herself could be described as a blonde haired, blue eyed person. "It ain't bin easy. Think I gots a li'l guy named Mike back, though, the first time 'round. An' I threw my punches well 'nough t'wards Niki, I think." She says, mulling over that night. She laughs lightly, but still hearable over the music. "She looked so angry, an' almost looked like she was gonna beat me up somethin' awful." She sighs. "Want me ta leave it alone, though, an' I will, sug. Anywhere else ya want me ta check out 'sides my usual rounds?"

Randall shakes his head. "Well enough may not be enough, after all, not if she's throwing her ability behind it— not even if you're throwing yours back at her. If anything, you'll just push her over whatever edge she doesn't want to cross. No, what we need to do is… what's the old saying, 'hit 'em where they ain't'?" Leaning back, he gestures in the air with both hands. "Go further back, find the people who might waste their potential wasting away at the clinic, and turn them back before they go there. They can't block you there, not unless they chase you down first. And we need as many abilities in play as possible." A side effect of thinking he can see them in operation; he's long been convinced of their special importance in the world.

KeLyssa nods her head firmly. "I think I kin manage that." She says. "An' throw a li'l bit o' my 'Southern Charm' at 'em all, as ya like to say, eh?" She smiles softly at him. "I kin track down those who're thinkin' o' goin' there an' try'n convince 'em that it ain't worth their while ta go there." She says thoughtfully. Her icy blue eyes gaze about before looking straight back into Randall's. "Hey Randall? Ya heard from Kory recently?" An odd topic to bring up now, after all this time, but Kory has been on her mind lately.

And his, for that matter, though less often. "Once, yes. Things haven't changed." He spits this out in the righteously indignant tones of one who feels betrayed, breaking the mood only when he motions to a passing waitress for a refill. "Stay clear of her— I know you two have a history, too, she'll do you no good."

KeLyssa nods ever so slightly. "It's just…I mean, we both gots our history with her. I know that. You two were in love an' all an' me an' her were friends, but…" She bites her lower lip, almost nervous. "I hear she ain't taken too fondly of the sellin' o' all this. I just…what if she finds a way to stop it? I mean…if anyone could do it, it could be her."

Randall makes another sour face, but this time he quashes it almost at once, instead drawing closer and lowering his voice. "She's trying. Coordinating efforts." One ability they have in common. "If she succeeds, then more power to her. Abilities, free and clear? But we need abilities now, and that means doing it our way. It's my job to keep that going."

KeLyssa nods a tad. "Yeah…yeah. Right." She doesn't want to contradict Randall. "Do…ah…do ya know who she's got workin' for 'er? I mean…I hear she's got Leslie workin' for 'er, but do ya know of any'ne else? I could, well…maybe help in slowin' 'em down a li'l?"

It's not that often that Randall actually talks down to someone on his side - largely because they avoid giving him cause. The mention of that name, though? He hurt Kory out of twisted affection, but he tried to kill Randall. Planned it all out and everything! The man in the white suit instinctively lashes out, tinging KeLyssa's arms with the feeling of a sunburn as he speaks. "I said stay clear of her!" The artificial heat wave fades, but not completely. "She knows you too well— she can share that knowledge with her friends. I don't go after them myself for the same reason."

KeLyssa yelps in pain and the feeling of a sunburn. She puts on a face, though. An appearance of strength, though she's actually afraid. She knows what Randall is capable of. She she gets the chance, she lets ice engulf the area that heat is surrounding. She takes deep, steady breaths. Unfortunately her ice doesn't much help with the head. Not just yet. "Randall…please. Stop. You're hurting me." She says through her teeth. "Yes, she knows us well…but isn't that why we should act? Think, Randall! I could bring her sympathy! Or try!" Underneath it all, she still really cares about Kory.

Randall cuts off the heat and sits back. "I don't know what emotions you'd bring out in her," he answers, "but it wouldn't take her off her mission. Believe me when I say your best interests lay elsewhere." He doesn't apologize for the outburst; KeLyssa, of all people, knows why Leslie would be one of his hot-button triggers.

KeLyssa is perhaps one of the few people these days who know anything about Randall's history in such regards. "Look…Randall, hon. We've known each other a long time, ain't we? I ain't done nothin' wrong by you. When I was in dire need for a job that paid much more'n regular jobs ta pay fer school, you hired me on. Ya've been my friend…" Well, if they can call they're relationship that. Her words are most likely just sweet talk, but she can hope it will work. "I just wanna pay back the help ya've given me."

"And you've been mine." Or at least KeLyssa has, indeed, not betrayed him. That he knows of. "I'm sure you will— I'm just saying that that isn't the way. You'll find something else, something unexpected."

There's a solemn nod from KeLyssa. "Sure thing, hon." She smiles at the man across from her. "O' course. If ya need me fer anythin', just let me know. Ya know how ta get in contact with me."

Randall reaches a hand across the table, placing it in hers. Not hot, not cold; and not warm, either, closer to room temperature. Maybe it was resting against his glass too long, or maybe the drugs in his own system are inducing some long-term effects that he hasn't counted on. In any case, without further comment, he picks up his glass and rises to his feet, soon disappearing into the crowd.

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