Darkness Settles (Open)

[Nina Valen]

Nina wiped her hands on her white half-apron. Her hair all pinned up on the crown of her head was beginning to fall out; a glance at the clock told her it was quitting time. The work she'd be paid for was over.

Time to start her nightlife.

Ditching her order book in her locker, Nina added in her apron and grabbed her street clothes. Changing in the small employee bathroom, Nina let her blonde hair fall over her shoulders, and styled it with a quick hair flip. Nothing special, but neither was she. Putting her uniform in her locker and sending the lock home, she punched out and left.

The air in the ally behind the restaurant was crisp and held a chill that felt wonderful on her hot skin. There were no lights until she reached the mouth of the narrow backroad and leaned against the wall. There had to someone she could trail. There was always someone...

The restaurant door opened and a lone person stepped into the street. Pulling her hood over her face in order to cover her hair (which always seemed a dead giveaway) Nina set out to follow them, silent as death.

[Jason King]

Nineteen days. That's how long Chloe had been gone. It seemed like a lifetime to Jason, the brother she'd never been away from for more than a day. Well, hadn't been away from. Now she'd been gone two days short of three weeks, and Jason found himself alone again, this time in a downtown restaurant with a cup of dreadful black coffee. He barely tasted it; he was too deep in thought to realize how terrible it was. Memories of Chloe dancing mercilessly through his head, trailed by questions the police had refused to answer. Where were all the missing people going? They couldn't simply vanish into thin air like the police were saying. Something was up, and Jason was determined to get to the bottom of it. He wanted his sister back, and the authorities were standing in the way of that.

"Sir?" Jason was pulled from his trance by the waitress, a black haired woman wearing a forest green half apron. She held a pot of coffee in one hand, the other rested on her hip. "More coffee?" she offered, holding up the pot and offering a warm smile. Jason shook his head and reached into his pocket for his wallet. "No thanks..." He glanced up to check her name tag. "...Caroline. My check?" She nodded, setting the coffee pot on an empty table nearby and pulling the check from her apron pocket. She handed it to him, and he drew a five dollar bill from his wallet to cover the cost of the single cup of coffee he'd downed. "Keep the change," he said, standing and heading for the door.

Jason glanced both ways before heading off down the dark street. Couldn't be too careful nowadays. The barely audible click of his shoes against the pavement and the sound of distant traffic were the only sounds as he carried on his way, and he seemed to he the only one on the street...but something made Jason uneasy. He slowed, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up. Someone was following him, or, at the very least, watching. He stopped abruptly, spinning around to see if he could catch a glimpse of who it was. Nothing. Cautiously, he began to walk in the direction from which he'd come, calling out into the darkness. "Hello?" His hand found its way into his pocket, and he fingered the switchblade he kept there—just in case. He'd use it if he needed, but he honestly didn't want to. Eyes searching the darkness, he stood silently, hoping to see who was following.

[Nina Valen]

Nina crept after the person, who'd she suspected to be only a few years her senior. Wary, she made sure to remain a minimum of twenty feet behind them, enough so that she could duck away if they decided to turn around.

Her hands pulled her out of sight, beside a building before her brain fully processed the cause for the action. The person she was trailing had, in fact, turned to see if she was there ... If anyone was there. An eerie chill settled on the air, but Nina couldn't bother to give it attention. The atmosphere so late at night often held the same feel. Like there was something out there, always beyond sight and sound, waiting for anyone to slip up.

Nina peered cautiously around the building, back flattened against the brick wall, right hand holding her hood in place. Low over her eyes, and holding back her giveaway hair. She saw that it was a guy, with what she assessed to be a stronger build. He didn't look like a traitor ... but looks weren't always what mattered. Nina hear him call out to the darkness, but refused to respond. How stupid would she be?

Then again...

Nina backed further into the ally, before sprinting full blast into the street. It was enough to raise her heart rate, and give her the faint panting sound she needed to be convincing. She'd even let her hood fly off, because lets be honest, nobody suspects the frightened blonde girl.

"Please, please help me. There were - And I-" she placed her hands over her heart, but remained where she stood. Advancing so early would be faulty, more so then she was okay with. When you play for the underdogs, any wrong move can be lethal.

[Jason King]

Jason wasn't alone. Someone was out there on the dark street, and he wasn't going to let them hide out there. He could feel the warm metal of the handle of his switchblade inside his pocket, and he gripped it loosely, prepared to draw if he saw someone. But the area was so dark, and he couldn't quite make out the shapes in the shadows. His feeling of unease rising, he continued back toward the light of the restaurant, his steps and breathing sounding loud in the otherwise soundless street. Was this what had happened to Chloe? Had she been followed and didn't want to lead them to the apartment, to him?

Now was not the time to think about Chloe. He needed to think about himself, and the person hiding out in the shadows. "Come on, I know you're there." He was getting tired. Tired of worrying, tired of looking over his shoulder, tired. He ran a hand through his dark hair, letting his breath out in a huff. He was about to turn back and simply carry on when he heard running footsteps and a shape shot into his line of vision. His hand tightened around his switchblade, and he drew it from his pocket ready to release the sharp blade if needed. But the person didn't seem like an attacker. They were more like a...

Victim. Whatever was happening, this person seemed pretty rattled by it. As the dark figure raced towards him, he could tell it was a female. She pleaded for help, halting in her tracks a fair distance away from him, panting. Her face was still in shadow, but he could make out her long blonde hair. "Whoa, slow down," he said, taking a step towards her warily. Would the snatchers try something like this? The blonde victim goes to find help, someone tries to assist her, and they grab them while they're not looking? Jason wasn't sure what the snatchers would and wouldn't do, but he wasn't about to take the risk of capture. But what if she did actually need his help? He ventured only a bit closer, considering returning his blade to his pocket, but deciding not to take the chance. These were dark times, and being too trusting never seemed to pay off. "Start with your name," he suggested, trying to make out her features. Her voice was vaguely familiar...why was that? Did he know her from somewhere? Curiosity tugged at him, but he kept his distance. He'd let her recognise him first if they knew each other. He wasn't going to risk capture because he thought he knew the blonde chick that played the victim.

[Nina Valen]

Nina willed her breathing to even out as she stood there, but set up her guard in a way that made her seem cautious bordering on paranoid. It made sense, seeing as that was what a victim would tend to be like, toward someone they wanted to believe would help them ... but might very well end their existence. The guy spoke, a statement to which she would not answer. Nothing she would say would make sense. Allow for the tension to settle again, Nina told herself. Let him come to you. He did take a step toward her, paused, and took a few more.

Nina could practically see his mind wheeling, trying to decide if she was actually being followed, or if she was a decoy. Hm, wonder if the snatchers ever attempted to use decoys? Nina mentally shrugged the thought away. Physically, she remained still, probably more so than she should have for her character. Her hands trembled ever so in the cool air, and her breath came out in small puffs.

A name - Nina needed a name. This guy had seen her, for the most part, though she couldn't tell how much. The shadows this side of town were unpredictable, she should know. Flipping through her list of names, she lingered on Chloe King for a moment. Yet, when she tried to say it, it felt wrong...

"I'm - I don't..." Nina stalled, for whatever reason she knew not, and cast her eyes around quickly, determining if there were no others around. Then she took a single step forward, and in a whisper asked, "Chloe King?"

The pull of the guy standing before her was weird, something she never felt when stalking an unsuspecting informant. And then with the name of her former friend...

[Jason King]

"Chloe King," he echoed, not believing it for a moment. The young woman standing before him was in no way his sister. She was too tall, her hair was too straight, and way too blonde. Chloe had always been a small girl, her hair long, wavy, and brown as chocolate. A wave of anger overcame him, and his grip tightened on his switchblade until his knuckles were white. She'd certainly hit a sore spot by using his sister's name. His brain was screaming imposter, and thoughts of avoiding capture left his mind in a flash. He strolled towards her, masking the depth of his anger with a look of thoughtfulness and a nod of his head. "Okay, Chlover. Anderson home, 2005. What was the name of Mr. Anderson's ancient dog?" 

The real Chloe would know in a second. She had the best memory of anyone he'd ever known. She could remember their parents, though she had only been two years old when they'd left them. He couldn't remember them at all; his first memory started a few years after that. She had a mind like a video camera that never stopped recording, and she captured every detail of every place they had lived and stored it in her catalog of memories. For Chloe, that question was as easy as "what color is the sky". There was no chance that this girl would be able to put the right name on the old, grey Irish Wolfhound, which was why he asked. But he didn't really want to know how far the girl's imagination could stretch name-wise. He wanted to know who she was, what she wanted, and why she was using his sister's name. "You know what? I'll just call BS right now, Blondie. You're not Chloe. I'd know her anywhere, and you're not her." Danger forgotten, he stepped closer to the blonde, trying to catch a decent glimpse of her face in the darkness. It was difficult, but he managed to make eye contact with her. "Who are you really? And what gives you the right to take my sister's name?" he demanded. 

What kind of sick joke was this? Pretending to be his sister? Was this the snatchers rubbing it in his face? Their way of salting his wounds, saying, "Ha ha, we have your sister! Come and get her!"? Whatever it was, it was messed up, and he wanted an explanation for it. Now, preferably.

[Nina Valen]

Nina listened as he echoed the name back to her. Did that mean he knew who she was talking about? Not necessarily. When he began strolling towards her, Nina resisted the instinctive urge to back up. There was something not right about the look he wore on his face, and she didn't like to imagine the switchblade plunging into her stomach. He snapped a question at her, but Nina was at a loss. Anderson home 2005? What was that...

He cut off her thoughts again as he called her out. Now Nina was getting mad. "Nobody in their right mind calls me Blondie." she growled. "And I never said I was Chloe, so I'm telling you to back off." Without a thought, she shoved him roughly when he advanced even closer to her.

"The right is mine. I need to do everything to survive in this hell hole of a -! Sister?" Nina stopped mid-flip, pieces falling together. "Chloe King is your sister? But that makes you Jason King."

Nina's eyes widened and she backed away, using only a quick couple of steps to put a comfortable seven feet between them. No, she wasn't falling for this. The snatchers couldn't have her, and they'd never get the chance to take her if she had any say in the matter. Nina pulled the elastic off her wrist and tied her hair in a quick messy ponytail before pulling her hood up again. Masking her face in shadows, if it weren't for the few street lamps, she'd have disappeared right then and there. She was still inching backward however, because she wasn't invisible yet, ready to bolt should he threaten her further.

"I don't want to hurt you Jason, but I will if you take the initiative." Nina said in a cool tone. This was no longer a game she wished to play. Stalking strangers was one thing. Stalking family of missing friends was another altogether.

------
OOC: thought I'd give colouring dialogue a try. It makes it easier for me to read, so just returning the favour

[Jason King]

Jason kept an eye on the blonde as she retreated. She knew who he was now, and knew of Chloe. Was this still a trick? Or did she know them some other way? Friend of Chloe’s, maybe? He didn’t know everyone his sister knew, or, in some cases, he’d only met them once or twice. That would explain where she came up with his sister’s name. He rolled his eyes at her words, but returned the switchblade to his pocket and held his hands up in the air so she could see they were empty. He could still grab the blade if it became necessary, but he didn’t honestly want to put a hole in the stomach of a blonde in the middle of the night on a dark street. That sounded rather sketchy to him. “Fine, the switchblade’s back where it belongs: in my pocket. I don’t honestly want to hurt you either.”

So she added two and two together and reached four. He was Chloe’s brother, and that made him Jason. Good for her. “Yeah, I’m Jason King. Sorry I can’t match you with a name. You don’t go by Blondie, so you use the name…?” He wasn’t quite sure what to think of the blonde stalker that knew his sister. At least she was backing off now that she knew who he was. Had she been waiting for someone else from the restaurant? Even if she had been, why would she follow them like this? There had to be a logical explanation for it, but Jason wasn’t quite sure what it was. However, he fully intended to find out, if not tonight, then some other time. “And what’s the big idea here…” He barely avoided calling her Blondie a second and a half (he didn’t count his way of asking for her name as a whole) time, having no other name to use for her. She may have been following him, but he didn’t want to insult her by using the nickname she so despised if she was a friend of Chloe’s. ”Following people on dark streets? Isn’t that a bit…sketchy?” It was a bit of an understatement, but did it really matter? He just wanted answers.

It was starting to come back to him. Jason had seen Chloe with this girl when he’d gone to meet her after school once. They hadn’t been formally introduced, but he’d caught a name in there somewhere…Nina, was it? He wouldn’t take the chance of getting it wrong; he’d wait for a response before using a proper noun to refer to her. At least now he knew she wasn’t some random chick who worked for God-knows-what group who had been stealing people off the streets.

[Nina Valen]

"Good, thank you. That makes thing a lot less tense." Nina said, not taking any further steps in any direction. She did however move her hood slightly, so he could see her eyes a tab bit better.

When he confirmed his identity, she should've relaxed, smiled even, but she couldn't help the suspicion that caught her. Nina knew he hadn't been caught by snatchers, there was no way. She also had no idea if he was part of the rebellion, which left him to be normal citizen. Or in her mind, a wild card. Anyone could come along and take him to their side ... Anything she told him could prove fatale. Nina cringed slightly when he addressed her as Blondie again, but knew she would have to put up with it until she found them someplace secure. "I use a variety of names, if honesty is the game we're trying to play. Chloe knew my real name, but being missing and all, I doubt she'd remember your face, let alone my own."

The wind gave a sudden push, and brought with it little sounds she hadn't heard over the conversation and confrontation. Footsteps passing nearby, hesitating; the whispers of frightened voices as they hoped no one would kill them for the error of staying out so late. "The big idea is that I take pride in what I do." Her voice dropped, and she reluctantly stepped forward once again to lessen the chance of someone overhearing. "It's only sketchy to you because you're a wild card. Now don't talk so loud. There might be no one in sight, but that doesn't mean there aren't people listening. Take it from someone who knows." Again she stepped closer, so she was practically as close to him as he had been to her before she uncovered his name. "If you want real answers, walk with me. If not, I have a hundred other people oozing with things I need."

Nina offered forth a wan smile, not like the plastic one she got paid to flash around, and walked around him and continued at a slow pace so he could decide before she got too far. She really did want to tell him, to have somebody who didn't know her from the Rebellion know about her double life. And he was the brother of one of her friends, hell, her best friend. Nina owed Chloe as much, if she would be keeping him safe for her.

[Jason King]

Jason listened to the girl a bit impatiently, crossing his arms across his chest as she spoke. He didn’t want to play this game, the game of guessing her name and occupation, why she knew his sister and why she considered him a “wild card”. He wanted answers, whether she was prepared to give them or not. But seeing as she wasn’t willing to give them out freely, he was going to have to play along. At least she’d lowered her hood a bit so he could get a better look at her face. She was very pretty for a street stalker, and she appeared to be very young for her job. Chloe’s age, possibly a bit older, but not by more than a year. He tried once more to remember her name. Chloe had always been the one with the good memory, but his wasn’t that awful either. He recalled Chloe waving to her and saying, “See you tomorrow…” And the name she’d put after the phrase was…“Nina.” Nina was this girl’s name. But if she wanted to play games, he’d humor her and play along.

Her words about Chloe drummed on the sore spot in his mind and heart, and he couldn’t help but flinch. Could Chloe really forget him? When he finally found her, would she look at him without recognition? Was that really possible? He’d been with Chloe her entire life, watching out for her, helping her with her homework, comforting her when something bad happened at school, protecting her from flying plates after Philip’s condition had gone downhill. Could he simply step out of her memory like an employee of her mind in need of a coffee break? After everything they’d been through, everything they’d overcome? It was a horrible thought, one Jason didn’t want to linger on for too long. The worst part was that he knew it was quite possible. He’d seen people on the streets, people who had been missing for a while, staring blankly at people he’d seen them speaking animatedly to before they’d disappeared. Was that what Chloe was going to be like? A blank slate, hollow…empty? His expression darkened as the thoughts ran through his head as he subconsciously tried to hide the pain he felt from her words.

He too heard the footsteps and voices in between her sentences, and glanced around, trying to locate the source of the sounds, difficult as it was on the dark street. He knew how dangerous it was to talk about the missing with people other than the police. The snatchers didn’t take it lightly, and were clearly not afraid of taking those who spoke out of the picture. That was when she called him a wild card, and he raised an eyebrow. What was that supposed to mean? He wasn’t entirely sure what she was talking about. It would make more sense if he knew more about her…

After a smile in his direction, she walked off, and he rolled his eyes, a bit exasperated. She wasn’t going to talk while they were out on the street, so he might as well follow her. If she led him into a trap, so be it. He could hold his own for a short time, at least. But who honestly cared if he came out the winner or loser in that fight? He’d lost the only person who it would have mattered to, and he wasn’t quite sure if he cared anymore. “Fine,” he said, walking quickly to catch up to her. “But, just so you’re aware, I’m going to have to call you Blondie until you tell me your real name.” He snickered, knowing it would annoy her. But she was cute when she was angry, that much he’d learned from their short conversation.

He didn’t know how far they were from…wherever she intended to take him. He didn’t honestly want to walk in silence, especially if it was a long way. “Soo…” he said, trying to grasp a topic that wasn’t related to their current encounter. Or, at least, was only half related. His mind landed on one. “You’re a friend of Chloe’s?” It wasn’t the greatest conversation starter, but it seemed safe relative to the other questions in his mind. He was saving those for later.

[Nina Valen]

Nina's lips curved into a smile. He'd decided to follow, which was perfect because she would have no feeling of unpaid debt after she talked with him. In private of course. Though she wasn't worried. There was a place she knew of, and was sure Jason would visit - with or without her - for a long time to come. So happy she was, that she nearly forgot to cringe at the horrible name he'd adopted for her. Blondie - ick. She felt like she should be a ditz when the name came up. Nina was no ditz.

"Fair enough, I suppose." Silence lapsed, but was broken when he spoke again. Nina considered her words carefully, unsure how much she should tell him out in the open. Of course Chloe had been her friend - the very best the sixteen year old rebel could want. The only reason Nina rarely hung out was because of her duty to the Rebellion and her waitressing job. "Yeah, I was - Still am, sorry. i didn't mean to imply her gone forever. They all come back, you know. They just don't come back, if you know what I mean." she let her voice die, and started again on a different note. "Chloe was - is - wonderful - One of the best people I know."

Nina was thankful then for the shadow, as it hid her faint blush when she'd messed up. Shaking it off, she turned down a back alley, and walked with her fingers running along the left wall. When they hit the familiar bump, Nina grinned, and knocked. "N.V is L.A." she said, and a door swung inward a moment later.

She looked back for Jason, hoping he was still with her. She'd probably added a million questions to his list, and she had all night to answer them. But they could only be answered inside the lower DC West Rebel headquarters.

[Jason King]

An amused smile crossed Jason’s face as Nina cringed at his nickname for her. It was a joke he intended to give up as soon as she told him her real name, though he was now quite sure it was Nina. He honestly didn’t even care for it much. True, blondes were stereotyped to be ditzy, and the nickname Blondie was not generally thought of as a moniker for an intelligent person, but Jason didn’t intend to imply that Nina was a ditz. In fact, she’d made quite the opposite impression upon him; he was rather impressed with her logic and streets smarts, and his respect for her would soon grow even more. He knew only what Chloe had told him about her, and that was only things on the surface, things that had drifted from his mind as soon as his sister had mentioned them. Soon he’d get the chance to know more.

Jason kept pace with Nina as she led him through the streets, hands in his pockets, wondering where they were going. He’d find out soon enough, he supposed, and if she was willing to give information when they were there, it had to be secure. Maybe her house? He didn’t know about her family…Her apology cut through his thoughts, and he looked over at her in the darkness. The way she spoke of the previously missing people, the ones who returned…Jason wouldn’t admit it, but it terrified him. “They all come back, you know. They just don’t come back, if you know what I mean.” He didn’t want to know what she meant, but he did. They came back looking fine, filling the same space in the world that they used to…But they were different. Changed. Jason’s jaw tightened, and his gaze dropped to the ground. He didn’t just want his sister’s body back with her mind hollowed out. He wanted his sister. His singing, smiling, sweet, sometimes strong sister who, between the two of them, held the only memory of their biological parents. What would he do if Chloe was empty when he found her?

She wouldn’t be. Couldn’t be. She would be just as she was. Hers would be the only regular abduction in the slew of kidnappings. She would be returned to him frightened and a bit scarred, but, with time, she’d be okay. She wouldn’t be hollow. And…if she was…He’d find and gut the people who did it.

Nina spoke again, and he glanced up to her, his expression softening slightly. “I will find her,” he said quietly but firmly, determination in his voice. There was no question in his mind that he had to find his sister, and find her he would. It wasn’t like he hadn’t been looking for her; he’d been all over the city, searching different places they’d been together. No luck…but she’d show up. She had to.

And Jason had thought the night stalking had been weird. But that didn’t compare with what was happening now. She’d taken him to some sort of secret headquarters…and there could only be one secret society that she was likely a part of. The rebels. His eyebrows raised, and he squinted slightly as light came flooding out of the door. He gestured towards the door. “Ladies first. A moment later, he followed her in, looking around the place. “Well that was a bit…unexpected,” he admitted, his gaze turning back to her. “So. Answers as you promised?”

[Nina Valen]

Nina smiled and entered ahead of him, with a mock curtsy. She had to admit, she hadn't thought him one for formalities, yet she shouldn't be the judge of character in this case. "There's a method to our madness. I trust you understand the reasoning. Connecting dots so close together is simple, even so late at night." she winked, and walked the narrow strip of hall. There were no doors on either side, only one at the end. She pushed it open, and entered, allowing him to witness the headquarters.

In a sense, it was a cross between an office and a bar. Small circle tables were scattered amongst larger 'conference' style tables, with the far wall providing whatever drinks and food it had managed to secure. On the left, there was another door, which Nina indicated was the hospital ward. Like any job, this one also had its risks ... they just tended to be more serious than paper cuts.

Leading him over to a table off to the side, three tables away from the nearest group, Nina began without hesitation. "My name at birth is Nina Valen. My parents are with the government, though don't expect them to recognize me. The phrase I used to get us in uses the initials of my real name, and the initials of the primary name I go by within the Rebellion Organization. That would be Lara Adams. I am a street spy, gathering information on the whereabouts of the missing people, as well as the suspected people behind the abductions.

"My reasoning behind taking your sister's name earlier was a guard - something that I put in place to act as a defence should something go wrong. I am only addressed as Lara Adams by other spies. To the rebellion, I an 'N.V is L.A'. Now I don't think I've forgotten any of your questions, but please feel free to ask away. I've got until two tomorrow afternoon."

Though Nina spoke in a rapid procession, she ensured her voice remained clear so he wouldn't chance to miss anything. Of course, it was a lot to handle, and a lot to learn so quickly. Nina asked one of the headquarter keepers if they could bring over a few glasses of anything to drink. Though she wasn't one for alcohol, she didn't know about Jason. Hell, maybe he'd need a strong one to digest everything he was learning.

"Oh, and when I called you a wild card earlier, it was because if you are ever captured, they could use anything I've told you to locate us. When you leave here, you are a sub-member of the rebellion - unless you officially join. You can be asked through a network for information, and may be used to pass it on. Your steps will be monitored, but us, and the opposition. I suggest you not wonder down dark streets alone. the next person you run into might not be as friendly as myself." Nina took a sip from her water glass, watching him over the clear rim.

[Jason King]

Jason chuckled when she curtseyed and followed her into the building, closing the door behind himself. He might not be an official member of the rebellion, but he understood the importance of staying hidden. At any rate, he was practically a member anyway, he just hadn’t officially joined. He’d believed in their cause for quite some time, and his passion for it had grown since Chloe’s disappearance. He was willing to join now, take the risk for it…but finding the rebellion to join wasn’t as easy as it sounded. Well, he’d found it now, thanks to Nina, and he was prepared to become an official rebel. Maybe it was a bit reckless, deciding so suddenly to join a group of people against the government, especially when people had been going missing lately, but Jason didn’t care much anymore. Chloe wasn’t around, and, though he hated to think about it, she might have been taken by whoever had abducted everyone else. If the rebels knew anything about it, he wanted to share their knowledge. He wanted his sister back, and they could help.

“Impressive,” he muttered as Nina led him to a table. They had quite the setup here, with a bar and hospital wing. It seemed everything they needed was right in one spot; food, drinks, medical assistance, it was all here. A place like this, especially with the medical wing, was rare, and the rebels were lucky to have it. Now they just had to keep it very secret, keep it hidden from the world, be careful about who saw it. Jason, of course, would never tell, whether they considered him a wild card or not. He wasn’t going to betray the movement that was against what was happening to people like his sister. Sitting across from Nina at the table, Jason listened quietly, his forearms resting on the wood surface before him, hands loosely clasped together. He attempted to prepare his mind for the answers to his questions, though he had no doubt that he’d be overwhelmed whether he was prepared or not.

So he was right about the name. She was Nina, his sister’s close friend. He wondered if Nina knew how dear she’d been to his sister, how much she’d mattered to Chloe. If she did, how did she feel knowing his sister might not remember her? Stupid question, he decided a moment later. It probably felt like this, like he felt. Anxious and angry, he waited for his sister to show up again, afraid of what she might be and hoping beyond hope that she hadn’t forgotten a thing. With each passing day, however, the odds of Chloe returning as her normal, sweet self were going down, and the chances of her being a ghost of her former self were going up. If Nina was gathering information on the missing people, she was the best ally he could have. Her connection to Chloe—and, indirectly, him—was important, and he needed to keep contact with her. “Ah, so you are Nina. I was wondering. Chloe talks…talked about you a lot.” Stories of what they’d done together that day, mostly. He didn’t know anything about Nina’s personal life from his sister. He didn’t know if Chloe knew any of it either. “So you’re the one here who learns about the missing people?” His mind was bursting with a series of questions, and he tried to grasp a good one to start with. “Do you know how the people are chosen?” He bit back a few more questions that tried to force their way from his mouth, thinking it was probably best to get answers slowly.

When he was offered a drink, Jason considered asking for something stronger than soda or water, but decided the last thing he needed was a buzz in the back of his skull while discussing what possibly happened to his sister. No, water for him too. He wrapped his hands around the glass, which was dripping with condensation from the ice floating in the water. Looking up from his glass, he listened to Nina as she explained why he was a wild card. It made sense, now that it was explained. He couldn’t help but laugh humorlessly at her suggestion, and his tone was bitter as he replied, “I don’t really have much of a choice. Chloe was all I had.” Sure, he knew people, but, in the days since Chloe’s abduction, he had grown to realize that he didn’t know any of them as well as he had thought. It had made his life without her just that much more lonely, and he had found himself in restaurants at midnight, drinking coffee or eating this and that, just as he had been before Nina had found him. He didn’t like it, but what was he to do? “I’m all for officially joining, if you’ll have me. No more wild card.” He met her eyes with a strong, level gaze.

[Nina Valen]

Nina pursed her lips. "I find it's always better, for your spirits, if you talk about the missing like they're not gone. It's not lying to yourself, it's just my method of remembering why I'm doing what I'm doing. Why I'm risking it all, for the hope that I'm still around to watch the SOB's crumble." she said, not to be disrespectful, because she knew it was hard - brutal - to live without a loved one, but to ensure that he might evade possible madness later on.

"As of late, we have discovered a few patterns, but they're feeble. Our data searchers locate pictures of all the missing people and categorize them in various ways. We're starting to find them, but it's hard to determine variables spread across a nation of missing people. If it was just DC, this war would be over already, I'm sure." Nina spoke between sips of water. She found herself unable to look him directly in the eyes, now that they were safe, acquainted - on an even playing field. She felt awful that she couldn't see the signs, or didn't know how to see them, before Chloe was taken. She could've prevented it ... If only she was better.

At this mental note of doubt Nina scowled herself. The reason she didn't know was because she was a street spy. Even her techniques within other organizations were faulty because they were outside her typical range. She'd learnt that when she'd come face to face with pure evil - conveniently contained within Lee - CEO kid, as Nina had nicknamed her.

Nina was pulled form these thoughts when Jason agreed to join. Her eyes lit, and a grin spread across her face. "You have made a stupid choice my friend - Glad to have you on our side." Of course the choice was stupid. Nina knew better then most what it felt like to be an ant running around under a shoe. She did it every day, all the time. Whenever she left her house, that's what she became - a minority waging war on a lethal opposition, one who played by no rules because they had abandoned them. "All you need is a rebel alter-ego so you can get in and we'll skip on over to registration and screening to set you up." Elaborating, Nina added, "They'll just ask you questions, have you pick a role. You can do pretty much anything, but they'll chose for you if they feel you're unequipped. Play at your strengths, not your weaknesses - They'll kill you faster than I would've had you laid a finger on me back in the streets." she winked again, and stood.