Shoppin -open-

[Victoria Alexander]

(Open for Interaction)

It was a sunny afternoon, or rather between morning and lunch, that supposed brunch hour when hardly anyone would decided to come to a restaurant. Those who did, sat silently and ate slowly. The usuals that Victoria was able to pick out now, were reading papers or watching the people out on the streets go about their daily business. Always in a rush some old gentleman would say as Victoria would pour them another cup of coffee, nodding and agreeing so she would not get stuck with a lecture about the good old days. It seemed better that way.

Victoria too, at the moment on this rather nice day was sitting in one of the chairs near the window on her break. Letting the heat from the sun warm her cold body. Her mind at ease for once, but for how long it would last, she wasn’t sure. Her conversation with Blue had been progressive in the beginning but in the end it got through of what was to come across. And though she had cried tears and told her past it seemed to have lifted that heavy weight on her shoulders for just a little while.

Taking her phone from her pocket she decided to check her voice messages. An automated voice seemed to linger in Victoria’s ear as she pressed her voice-mail password in.“You have thirteen new messages. First new message..” It spouted out the number, date and time and before she knew it Taks voice was on the other end. “Hey Vic, Its Tak. I just wanted...” She clicked 7 as the automated voice said that the message was erased before the message could even complete itself. The automated voice continued on, spouting the same number just a different time and date. “Vic please call me.” Short, simple, and easily erased as she pressed 7 to once again clear the message. With the following messages, One was from Spyder, Jackson and the rest from Tak. She only listened to Spyder and Jackson messages fully.

They expressed that they missed her. That they had thought Victoria had changed her number. Which in truth she was merely out of minutes and only was she able to get another phone card was she able to make or take any calls. They also expressed the urgency that Tak was trying to find her. That Blue has been put into duty to scout on the west coast. They had been taking turns to scout the streets. Spyder mentioning something about Tak going out on his own and not returning for some time.

Course Victoria had felt bad about them having to search for her. But really, they didn’t have to. She was determined to have them stop, but she wasn’t about to call Tak to get pounded with questions. Cleaning out her voice-mail she exited the menu and closed her phone only to open it quickly again. Dialing Spyder’s number she listened to the phone ring one after the other.

“Yo, Spyder here.” Victoria shoved her hand in the pocket of her waitress outfit. “Hey Spyder, its..” She didn’t even have to continue on before Spyder said her name. “Victoria, Thank god your not lying in a ditch somewhere we were getting a tad bit worried. And you know us men we don’t worry easy.” Victoria couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah, yeah, if I remember right you guys are a bunch of pansies.”

She could picture Spyder drawing his hand to his heart with a fake painful expression, it was kinda awkward since he was bald and covered in tattoos, that rough tough look seemed deceiving when you really knew Spyder. “Your killing me Vic, really. But Vic you know its been crazy around here. From what I heard rumors have it that your on the beach somewhere in California.” Victoria nodded as she talked not answering his question. “Hey look is anyone around? I mean..” He cut her off finishing her statement for her. “You mean is Tak around? No, Im holding the fort while the guys doing the running around. Tak’s talking about meeting Blue over there within the month. He’s convinced your over there. After all he did hear rumors about some Varron kids going in that direction.”

“Yeah, I’ve seen a few, but anyway Im just wanting to call to tell you guys that Im fine that you don’t have to come after me. I mean as you know Im not in New York and the last thing I need is to have Tak drag you guys over here.”

“What no sun, no beaches. Again Victoria your breaking my heart. How am I supposed to get a tan in this weather. I think we got about 12 inches over the weekend. You picked a damn good time to make your way over to the sunshine and bliss.”

“It wasn’t about timing. It was something I was planning to do since I heard the rumors. Please promise me that you’ll try to tie Tak down if he tries to make his way over this way. I mean. There are things I wanna do before I come back. I have to mend old broken ties and I can’t do that if he’s going to try to drag me away.”

“I’ll try my best Viccy but you know Tak once he has his mind set there’s no telling what he’s going to do. I’ll talk to the others and let them know your ok and about the old ties stuff or what not. You sure your ok you don’t need money or anything. Last I knew you had been scrambling up some dough on the fighting back here.”

“No Im fine, I found myself working tables off the books to get by instead of hitting faces. So no need to worry about me. I got to go, tell the guys I do miss them and when I get back, whenever that is, I promise to make things up to you guys.”

“Okay Vic.”

And before another word was said Victoria closed her cell phone. Shaking her head she knew what Spyder had said was true. There was no telling what Tak could do when he found where she was. She just prayed that Blue could hold out for a while longer.

Rising from her chair she had smoothed down the waitress dress, adjusted her ponytail and walked to the kitchen. Sally and Bob were putting breakfast for a couple together before she would pick them up to deliver them to the assigned table.

“Hey Victoria?”

Victoria looked up at the man in front of her, Bob could shadow her in darkness if stood in front of a light. His frame seemed so large for such a gentle man.
“Yes?” She replied holding the hotplates on a platter about to go out the door.

“Can you go to the grocery store for me. I have ran out of a few things. I made a list. So when your done with your table, can you do this for me?”

She smiled. He had never sent her to the store but she was more than willing to help the couple out. “Sure Bob, no problem, shouldn’t take me very long.” By then she was out of the door to deliver the food to the respected table before getting cold.

As she had guessed the people at the table didn’t stay long. The daily rush had seized them after the last bite had been taken and the tip left on the table. Victoria doing her duty, moved swiftly to clear the table, wipe it clean, sweep under the table and get it set up for the next run of customers.

Turning towards the kitchen, she made her way as Bob would hand her, her list, some money and a pat on the head. With a smile she headed out the back to go to the small little corner store Bob had pointed out a while back. Bob and the store owner had been long time friends, he explained that day, If he needed something they were the people to have it. He had also explained that he tried to stay away from the larger stores. “Keep our hard earned money in the community.” He would say. She knew he was right on all the points.

Heading through the alley she stuffed the money and the list in her front pocket of her waitress outfit and made her way to the corner store.

[Shuya Katsumoto]

Slowly, Shuya entered the small restaurant and closed the door behind him. In his right hand he held a piece of paper with a female’s photograph in the middle. The picture wasn’t very old but the Varron emblem on her chest was obvious enough. It was fairly empty inside and most people seemed to just stay to themselves. It wasn’t the most fancy restaurant Shuya had ever seen but it had a kind sense. A quick glance through the restaurant however, confirmed that the one he was searching for indeed worked here. With a wry smile, Shuya fumbled the form and threw it in the nearby trashcan. The top was still slightly visible and showed: ’Victoria Rose Alexander, Captain.’.

Varron Academy had never fully put MacMillan’s pillar system into motion, but this small piece of paper was evident that they had made the first step in the progress. Unfortunately, according to the rest of the file, that had been updated almost weekly, progress with Victoria hadn’t been as planned. Though she seemed to do the bidding of the school board in the beginning, apparently Victoria had resisted. However, Shuya had never once met Victoria since he arrived at Varron. He hadn’t been there for too long, but there had been issues there that should’ve been resolved by her. Considering the fact that Shuya had intentionally joined Varron to fight those that were worthy fighting, he had always wanted to meet her. Nowadays however, Victoria had grown too old to even be a senior at Hircine. Why had she decided to even come here? It was a long way from captain to waitress, that much was certain.

Shuya took a seat behind the table next to Victoria and waited for a waitress to come over. He ordered a coffee and after he received it, slowly began to drink it. He caught words of the conversation Victoria was having, but nothing really sparked his interest so he decided to wait for a better opportunity to start a conversation. To Shuya, the beginning of a conversation was one of the most essential parts of the entire talk. It would show how a person would react under certain circumstances. The fact that Shuya was a complete stranger to her would be one of those factors. The fact that he would probably start off with a personal question was another. When Victoria had finished calling, she moved towards the kitchen. Shuya, who had finished his coffee stood up and followed her until she heard someone ask her to go to the grocery. Shuya knew there was a grocery just behind this store and guessed she would probably go there.

Taking the front entrance, Shuya left the restaurant after putting some money on his table and walked around the building towards the grocery store. From across the street, he could see Victoria hadn’t entered the store yet and behind him he noticed a small alley that would definitely lead to the back entrance of the restaurant. He made a few steps into the alley until he was partly covered in shadow and leaned against the warm wall. Taking out a cigarette, he quickly lit it and inhaled some smoke. Apparently Victoria had done some other stuff before heading out, since it took a minute before the older woman finally appeared in sight. When she passed him, Shuya finally spoke up.

“Miss Alexander, quite a setback from Captain to waitress to delivery girl, wouldn’t you agree?”

He calmly kept his stance, waiting for Victoria to respond… or not…

[Victoria Alexander]

If it has been a surprise to Victoria, hearing her name from an unknown voice. She clearly showed it. Victoria jumped slightly, her eyes wide as if she were a doe in headlights. Clearly she had not expected someone to just pop out of no where, specially knowing what he knew.

With her hands in front of her, her eyes narrowed as she took on a more defensive pose than that of someone that would have gradually relaxed. She did not know the voice and therefore with his knowledge of her formal title would make her uneasy. Anyone seeking her out would no doubt have something important on their mind. If not, she couldn’t see someone like this person just catching up on old times.

“If I were to complain I would be ungrateful. Even a waitress job is better than earning a keep on the streets.”

She could see the outline of a person in the shadowed alley. The smoke from his lips drifting into the air, the burning tip growing brighter with each puff on the other end. Unfortunately the shadow also abstracted her view on his face. No doubt an ex Varron student. If she could see his face then a name would surely follow. Unless her memory were to fail her.

“Course being that you know my name and my old title then you know rather too much. Your not a local for a local wouldn’t have that privileged information. Not many people know I have been running loose here. So you must have been curious in seeking me out.”

She looked towards the shadowed person questionably, she didn’t want trouble. Especially when it was so close to the restaurant. The owners didn’t know her past. She liked it that way. No questions asked. She has only sought out few and ran into a couple of people that knew her. This voice, this person had not jogged her memory. There was no way to tell if they had meet before. Surely she would remember if he were friend or foe.

Victoria could feel the flutter in her chest. The uneasiness that sat with her. She always liked to be prepared she never liked surprises. This had been a surprise. Sucking in her bottom lip, she brushed it against her top teeth, unsure of what was going to transpire between the two. With her voice steady and her eyes narrowed, she got to the point.

“So, why have you sought me out?”

[Shuya Katsumoto]

Shuya chuckled as Victoria mentioned that working as a waitress was better than being out on the streets. However he did not immediately respond to that. Instead, he waited calmly and allowed the woman to either settle down or get more stressed about the situation. Either way was fine to Shuya since in this situation, he didn’t care what happened. Anything would result in a positive answer to him… Fights, talks, discussions… heck it didn’t matter. This was all for his own record anyway. Victoria spoke more, this time about him being not from around here. She was correct and in his voice, Shuya was pleased to hear some form of uneasiness. Still however, he simply remained where he stood, smoking his cigarette. A small awkward silence followed before Victoria finally popped the question that must’ve been on her mind the minute Shuya had spoken. Suddenly Shuya harshly pushed away from the wall and towards Victoria, however he didn’t continue the movement. He simply walked a few steps towards her, revealing his face in the sunlight. He took out his finished fag and threw it on the floor next to him, leaving it there to finish burning itself.

“Seek you out? I’m afraid you give yourself a tad too much credit there… I more or less stumbled upon evidence of your presence and couldn’t resist to find out more about you… For one thing,” he slowly moved another step closer, scanning the woman fully, “You’re even prettier than the picture I found in the old Varron files…”

He now smiled gently towards Victoria, his eyes slightly narrowed but his arms and legs at ease, showing no signs of aggression whatsoever.

“But I must disagree… what’s better about being a waitress than out in the streets? I’ve heard you used to be a wild one… where’s the action in being a waitress? Where’s the thrill, the adrenaline, the rush? Apart from that, I’m certain you know that the earnings aren’t as good either… I just… can’t seem to figure this one out. Why would such a person like yourself… diminish and degrade yourself to something that… common folk do?”

[Victoria Alexander]

Victoria’s blue eyes sparked when he talked, her stance not faltering as he moved into the light. Her fists seemed to tighten. She had not recognize the old Varron student. His face was unknown to her and she cursed her mind for forgetting at a time like this.

His body suggested that he was at ease, not as tense as hers was. His eyes moving over her body making her clench her jaw tightly. She wasn’t sure why he wanted to mock her. She had spent most of her life on the streets. The chaos, the pain that it had effected her was something she would never forget. But mocking her for trying to put some stability on her own life was not pleasing for her to hear.

She didn’t know what he wanted. If he just wanted to amuse himself. She had the nerve to show him her adrenaline, her rush. And he wouldn’t be amused then. No, the thought of him on his back after her fist connected with his smart little mouth would make her amused.

“So you plan to, what? Put some excitement in my life? Show me what I been missing? Hmm. Show me what a real man can do. Is that what your planning to do?”

Her voice was low, almost a seductive, provoking tone.

“Well big boy, you going to show this poor misguided street rat what she is missing?”

By then she had her weight distributed on her left side her hand on her hip, with her one eyebrow raised in a questionable look towards him. Sure she didn’t look all that serious with a pink stripped waitress outfit but maybe it would be in her favor. If he was looking to pick a fight with the ex captian of Varron surely he would think she had gotten soft. Truth was she had it rough for the past two years and profited from it with each fight she had come across she was no push over in a short pink stripped dress and if he thats what he wanted, he was going to find that out soon.

[Shuya Katsumoto]

Shuya shook his head, holding his hand out indicating he meant nothing of the sort she spoke of. He realized that the former captain had changed drastically from what he had heard and read. He knew she had been through some things but had hoped she was a fighter deep within… someone who hated to be thrown back but would always get back to their feet and continue their personal fight. Perhaps he changed things he had read to his own perspective, hoping that Victoria was someone else than she truly was. It was foolish to think there were more people like him around, thinking the same, acting the same, not giving up whatever what.

“I do not plan on doing such a thing miss Alexander, I apologize for wasting your precious time… And no, from what I’ve heard you’ve had an affair with one of the few men I truly respect… Shinato is a special individual indeed… to be honest I thought you were more fitting for such a man, but now that I see you, I begin to doubt myself. Let’s just say I had high expectations that were foolish… So no, I doubt I’ll show you what you’re missing. It’s not my thing… I’m more someone who thinks everyone should find out for their own and fight for themselves…”

After Shuya had spoken his face turned serious again and his dark green eyes hollow again. He had spoken kindly to Victoria, something he would never had done in the past. But with Hircine High being one wreck and his goals unsure, Shuya had slipped several times already. He shook his head and turned around, disappointed in Victoria’s new life style.

“Why would I waste any time on someone who doesn’t even know what she wants herself?”

In Shuya’s eyes, Victoria was perhaps trying out a new life style, but this couldn’t be a life anyone would want to live… although, he had always been surprised by how boring some people could live their lives…

[Victoria Alexander]

Toying with him didn't get the response Victoria was after and frankly she did it, to more or less amuse herself. But by now after he was calmingly speaking to her, she was fuming, in her mind he was insulting her and she didn't like it. She knew this waitressing thing was to pass the time. Its not like she could just hand over a resume and say, ‘Here my references, yes I went to such a prestigious college and graduated with high honors.’ She was lucky to have her highschool diploma as it was. This job was off the books and if it kept money in her pocket. Something she couldn’t have said in the past two years.

He didn’t know how she tortured herself for the sake of just doing what she wanted. How she went into every and any underground fighting clubs, used her body as her weapon and earned a living that way. She barely scrapped enough together to get by on her own. She didn’t have the Banger Boys, she didn’t have the luxury of anything. She done it for the past two years and still had a few bruised ribs to prove it.

“Kazuki made his choice not I and it seems I didn’t fit his bill anymore. Men are always so fickle like that. And for what I want.”

Her tone became louder at him since he turned his back on her. Frankly he saw her as no threat and this pissed her off even more.

“I want nothing for myself. I tried that and it didn't work. I lost more than you will ever know when I tried to get what I wanted.”

She clenched her fists at her sides looking rather rigid.

“I came here for the Varron Students but Kazuki told me I was wasting my time. Im not a young bird who can just waltz into the school anymore and make things all better. So don’t you fucking dare tell me that I don’t know what I want! Im no more a throwaway than a old used phone or a fucking action figure. I have no standing here!”

She was steamed and she wished this guy was looking for a fight then she would sure in hell be ready. But with how he had his back to her she would have to put out her frustrations another way.

“You will never understand me or why I do what I do but don’t fucking insult me.”

She retorted hatefully towards him. This was not what she wanted to do with her afternoon. Getting insulted by people who just think they know everything. She hated when people thought they knew everything. Always judging her. God did she was itching to punch something...

[Shuya Katsumoto]

As Victoria began to shout at Shuya, the man started to laugh, first quietly but eventually much louder and louder until he finally turned around again, a strange maniacal smile on his face after his laughter had stopped. Her anger was perfect, her arguments feeble but in the least, she was someone who apparently did think for herself… but her judgment was quickly altered by the voices of other people. It was clearly that she had taken Shuya’s words the wrong way, something a lot of people seemed to do… was he really that good at provoking people? In any case, she looked like she wanted to smash his face in and even though Shuya thought that would be the perfect way for her to return where she belonged, he wasn’t quite finished talking to her. However, his senses were sharpened now, in contradiction to before. His arms were lowered but would swiftly block any incoming attack if she made a sudden move. He read this woman carefully as he responded once more.

“Don’t be foolish Alexander, what person truly lives if they have no desires at all! You cannot stand there and tell me you want nothing from life! I sense in you a powerful and energetic woman who gets angry at a stranger for telling her the truth she doesn’t want to hear! Perhaps you are right, perhaps I don’t understand you what you do and why you do it… and I doubt you care to explain it… but if you tell me you tried to get something, failed and gave up… I wonder why that is… we should learn from our mistakes and try to keep on going. If you came here for I reason, I fail to see why you should give up that reason if Shinato tells you it’s a waste of time… he is no god around here, he’s a simple club owner.”

Shuya positioned his left foot somewhat further back, turning his right side towards the woman, his face constantly focused at her. He wasn’t sure what she would do but if she made an attempt to attack him, he would easily be able to bent his knees, position his arms on shoulder height and get in his defensive position.

“Now tell me… do you really feel you have a reason to fight me? If you do… this fight would be the perfect example of the point I just made… are you going to show me I made a mistake by accidentally insulting you… will you let me learn from that? Or will you see you made a mistake by fighting someone who’s not just your anytime back alley thug, but an experienced fighter… and will you be the one who walks away will new knowledge learned?”

His eyes were cold and calculating, his mouth curled into a small smile. It seemed this individual might be worth his time after all…

[Victoria Alexander]

((I tried to post yesterday but the site was down for me ))

“If I were to fight you, you would learn a few new things.”

She more or less spat towards him as she seemed to take in what he said and adding in a little of her own. Maybe he was right, she shouldn’t after all take what Kazuki has said to heart that night on Valentines day. Frankly all in all he was the original reason why she became weak. She lost site of her goal at Varron because she had fallen for Kauzki. Why would she listen to him if he were to steer her away purposely.

She used to have so much under control until Kazuki came. He made her weak so he could take over her job and she was blinded by love. What a distasteful word to her now. Her affection towards him made her get trampled on, hurt emotionally and in the end weaker. Unable to make a confident decision on her own.

Victoria seemed to long for those old days when she had control. When she was confident and hell why couldn’t she do it again. She wanted to walk over people to get what she wanted not to get walked on.

Her body seemed to ease a little letting this stranger know that she was not going to attack. After all what was the sense of tearing her hose over some guy. Her job may not be impressive or rather abnormal but all in all she wanted to do her keep for the couple who owned it since they gladly let her take up a room.

“You know, your right on one thing. My job as this so called waitressing is a waste of time. But I rather enjoy knowing that I can fill up my wasted time on such trivial things. Who knows maybe Im not even good enough to be a waitress. God knows I spilled my fair share of coffee.”

She laughed as she rubbed the sides of her silly pink stripped outfit straitening it out.

“But at the end of the day at least I know I have accomplished something and will move on just like I do among other things. I will fight, I may not know how to go about it but I will fight just like I have always done. No doubt about it.”

She started to walk, towards him but past him. She was a little tense but she wasn’t about to start something. Specially not so close to the restaurant. Maybe in the past she would have lashed out and just fought until her hearts content but what was the sense when there was nothing to gain. Maybe she matured or maybe she could see past him. Either way she had to go grocery shopping and this guy wasn’t going to put any more damper on her mood.

“Well, whoever you are, You just go about and do what you gotta do and Ill just go do what I gotta do. Maybe our paths may cross again. Who knows this worlds just crazy like that.”

She was now past him as she turned on her heels, saluted towards him and turned towards the way she was going again.

“Have a nice day.”

Victoria wasn’t sure whether or not he would take her exit smoothly but he had already ruffled her feathers and she had a lot to reflect on. She could have easily struck him and no doubt he was able to hold his own but it still would have felt good. She hadn’t fought in a while, not since she had first blew into town. Maybe she would go for another run tonight, letting out steam seemed to come easily when she ran. Hell who knows maybe an idea would pop up to help out the Varron students in the new school they were in. Who knows.

[Shuya Katsumoto]

Shuya smiled at Victoria’s sudden change of attitude towards him. It seemed she finally accepted there were words of truth in what he said. He playfully shook his head as the woman made a remark about her spilling coffee and he slowly relaxed his stance again. There was little for him to add, now that Victoria had apparently accepted the situation and just wanted to continue on with what she had began with in the first place. Shuya moved slightly to the side, allowing her to walk past.

“I’m glad to hear you say you’ll keep on fighting… Alexander.”

After she had walked by him and had said her farewell, Shuya slowly followed her. He had no choice, the only exit was back that way… or he would have to walk through the back of the restaurant Victoria worked, but that sounded like a feeble idea. The moment Victoria stood at the sidewalk, waiting to cross the street he spoke once more to her, before he would walk down the road towards nothing…

“I’m sure our paths will cross, that is… if you truly came here in the best interest of the Varron students… I’m more than sure we’ll meet again, even. For now, farewell.”

As he walked away from the woman, his head turned around one final time.

“Oh, yeah… it’s Katsumoto… Shuya Katsumoto…”

OOC: Short, but nothing really to add but end my part

[Victoria Alexander]

((oc- Cant really think of a reply so I guess that does it in this thread. Tankies for rping with me))

[Victoria Alexander]

-nudging up thread so its not forgotten-