Participants:
| Scene Title | From PARIAH With Love |
|---|---|
| Synopsis | The Vanguard set out to create a little more chaos in the name of the Strong and Free. |
| Date | November 16, 2008 |
Harlem stretches from the East River all the way to the Hudson, miles of tpacked residential districts filled with refugees and vagrants, a neighborhood stricken with crime and poverty. Harlem was, and has been for generations, one of the urban hearts of New York City. Before the bomb, this borough of Manhattan was the center of the African American community in New York City. Now after the destruction of Midtown and the wake of social devastation brought in by the bomb, the borough has seen better days. Much of Harlem suffers from the same plight as much of New York — Overpopulation and crime in the wake of the collapse of infrastructure in 2006. With major traffic arteries cut off, power and water only recently restored, the area was in chaos for those first few terrifying weeks after the blast.
Before the bomb, Harlem had been shaping up, cleaning up its crime rate and working towards becoming a safe place for its residents. All of that hard work was laid to waste in a single night. Many of the buildings on the southern side of the neighrhood bordering on Central Park were gutted by arson in the chaotic weeks following the bomb, and the vast majority of them haven't been torn down yet, leaving the southern edge of the neighborhood a burned out and dangerous ruin. Even if it wasn't for the fires, the looting, vandalism and crime that spiked shortly after the bomb only made things worse for the Harlem residents, followed by the electricity and water stoppage from the damage done to the city's infrastructure.
With the major highways mostly repaired, Harlem is in a process of reconstruction and revitalization. Most of the neighborhood's historic landmarks still remain, and the region surrounding 125th street continues to be the urban pulse of Harlem as a whole, and from that street it's hard to tell anything has changes. It is the center of the reconstruction movement, constantly packed with repair crews, construction workers and maintenance teams.
'Apple bottom jeans and the boots with the fur! With the fur!'
The music pumps loudly outside of Club 214. And even though it's a Sunday Night, there is still a line outside. Perhaps it is the promotion of free shots, perhaps it is something else, but for some reason: people are here. And where people are, so are your favorite 'PARIAH' operatives. The best PARIAH operatives are the ones that aren't PARIAH at all.
"I'll 'ave the bombs under me coat. We'll go to different positions around the club I 'ave mapped out. You two will be my.. escorts for the night. When I set up you'll take the bombs I 'ave strapped out and very carefully set it in said location. We will repeat this until they are set. Then we'll walk out and I'll detonate. Either one of you can set 'em. But Dina, I want you to take a double check of every one to make sure they're ready to go." Ethan had said as the three drove to said club.
So now, the threesome walk confidently towards Club 214. Ethan's dress is.. well to say the least something he wouldn't be caught dead in if it weren't for the mission. In his current state he could most easily described as BIG PIMPIN. A pair of clear sunglasses adorn his head, and a very large fur coat is draped over his body. He walks with a swagger that a cocksure man of unspoken wealth and privileges would portray. Black shoes clap against the damp pavement sharply as the man makes his way past the line towards the bouncer. Perhaps it is the cash he will slip the bouncer, or the two women hanging on each arm (much to both of their bemusement and frustration) the trio will easily be admitted into the Club.
Dina looks back to him dubiously. "Y' know I don't like dealin' with explosives I haven't made m'self." She'll bitch about it, but not refuse, either. She gets out of the car with them, and heads on with Ethan. "Y' look like a bloody clown in that getup." Of course, she won't even comment on hers. She's in the classic "little black dress"…high at the hem, strapless…one of those outfits held on by sheer willpower. And sticky tape. Matching 4" heels go with it, all of which is SO NOT DINA'S NORMAL ATTIRE.
Odessa's expression is likewise as dubious as Dina's. "I did watch him make them, though," she defends the Englishman. "He didn't blow us both up, so he must be doing something right." She's dressed in the same dress she wore when he sent her into the Wench to retrieve the cop she eventually killed in the name of the Work. It isn't that it makes her self-conscious - after all, she wore miniskirts all the time back when she was with the Company - but she's not used to getting the sort of attention she receives when she's wearing it. "I could do this myself," she insists. "It would be so easy." Why does she have to get all dressed up and look like she's working for Ethan's money anyway?
'Shawty got low low low low low low low low…'
"Do I need to tell you whot you look like, Angel?" There is more venom placed in the word 'angel' than necessary. But calling him a clown? That's just mean. Odessa gets a bespectacled gaze as well. "You're not James Bond yet, dearie. Give it a few days." As the three enter the club, the noise escalates to a whole 'nother level. People are dancing everywhere. Dancing might be an overstatement. Sex with clothes on is happening everywhere!
Ethan leans over a bit, making it look like the man is whispering sweet nothings into the woman's ear. "On your two. At the bar. Under it. Goes explosive one." Straightening he leans back over to Odessa, doing the same for her. "Your twelve. Explosive two goes there." Straightening again he gives a warm and slightly sleazy smile as if he had said the most romantic/creepy things in the world. With said comments, the man walks towards the bar with each arm hooked in each woman's arm. "Wait till I 'ave my first drink till you take 'em. And remember. Look like you're enjoyin' yourselves." He says in general with a smile.
Dina makes a face, but it's a brief one. She puts on a saccharine, sugary smile as she looks back to him. "Y' owe me for this one. Somethin' fierce." She says, going up on tiptoe to whisper her own sweet nothings. "I coulda blown this place without lookin' like some cheap trollop in the go."
The aural assault causes Odessa to actually wince and barely quell the urge to reach up and cover her ears. "Oh, my gosh, it is so loud!" She cants her head to the side when Ethan whispers to her, squinting faintly at where he expects her to plant the explosive. "I could do it now. I could do it right now and then we could all just leave. Three seconds. Tops. Completely serious." She leans around Ethan to peer at Dina, "We are going to kick his ass for this later, right?"
"But you're so good at lookin' like a cheap trollop, lovely." Ethan remarks back with that smile going strong. And he just ignores Odessa's whining. In the military, or his other operations, questioning the Wolf would have been a major taboo. Even in Vanguard's operations his will has been so until lately. Until Odessa and Dina. Two women who should know Fear when it stares in their eyes. But they don't. So Ethan is reduced to witticisms and comebacks. Unfortunate. He'll have to shoot somebody later to vent.
At the bar his arms come free from the two women. Placing one elbow the man makes a curious order for the three. "Round of mojitos." He commands. Turning his back to the bar, the man leans against it with his elbows propped against the thing. "I was doin' this business when you two were discovering that girls 'ad a vagina and boys 'ad a penis. A little respect would be nice. If you can't 'andle that, maybe a little shutup would do?" He asks as his gemmed and ringed hand grips the glass set before him. His head tosses back as he puts one down. The signal for go.
Dina looks back at Ethan. Yeah, that's some fairly undisguised hate right there. But she looks back to Odessa. "Oh, yes. Y' better believe it. Y' can make bank on it." She looks back to Ethan. Her voice is still quiet. "Th' day a fockin' gobsite babykiller like yerself gets respect from me'll be the day they put me under the fockin' dirt." Yeah, the IRA woman isn't pleased with the ex-British soldier. Whoda thunk? "I don't have t' respect yer ass t' do my job." She reaches under the coat, with both hands, like she's hugging Ethan. One hand finds the explosive and starts to bring it back. The other aims to find something else and give it an unfriendly squeeze. Doesn't take a whole lot of PSI there.
Odessa mimics Dina's movement after the other woman has drawn her hands away. Much like Ethan's earlier maneuver, she leans in and appears to whisper sweet nothings. "Next time," she murmurs softly against the skin of his ear, "give me a chance to prove myself. I can be useful without the low-cut dress and the heavy make-up." She doesn't move away just yet, though she's got her hands on her own explosive. She just holds the embrace, however rigid it is, and waits for Dina to make her move.
"Keep it up, sweet'eart, and we can make that sooner." Ethan says with all the charm and smoothness fit for the role he's playing. While the liquid pours down his throat the man swallows and then— Spits. Not too much, just a little drizzle when Dina takes more than she was required. Bringing up one fur covered sleeve the man wipes the liquid from his lips and chin. "Darling. If you want a bonk you will just 'ave to wait til the job is done." What is with Vanguard and his balls lately? Serious. Once Dina turns from him to attach the bomb, Ethan moves his hand down to do an adjustment. Can't let Dina see him be in pain. Though it's not like the pain doesn't exist.
Then Odessa comes in. The rigid stance is noted. "Relax dearie. Pretend I'm Sylar if it 'elps." A smirk. "You'll get your chance." He whispers back into Odessa's ear. "Part of provin' yourself is takin' the jobs you get, lovely."
Of course, where he expects her to put this damn thing, that could be slightly more problematic. This dress doesn't even hide a lot of her, much less a lot of anything else. Still, she moves, sliding it out, and then palming it as best as she can. She brings that arm up to her chest, and crosses her arms there, using the combination of crossed arms and squishing the explosive up against her chest. Might not be the best option, but it's the only one she's got as she starts off a bit.
Odessa recoils at the implication that she'd be more comfortable with her arms around Sylar. There is a marked difference between latching onto someone to hide behind them and getting friendly like she's pretending to be now. She stalks off further down the bar, having slid the bomb into her purse. Furiously, she balls one hand into a fist and then extends her fingers quickly. Much like a gesture Sylar would use when creating a ball of radiation. One can nary blink in the space of time it takes Odessa to turn back to Ethan and Dina. Her eyes are fixed on the other woman in a mildly horrified expression. Golden blonde hair sways about her face with the minute shake of her head.
Smirking a bit at the blonde woman as she jerks back from him. He has always had a way with the ladies. Moving his arm, the man picks up the next glass and puts back another drink. Slamming down the glass he lets out a sigh. Straightening up off the bar, the man tugs on his coat to straighten it out. Giving a glance to Dina, then to Odessa. They'll have those set out soon.
The man walks away from the club towards the dancefloor where the bodies bump and grind freely. The man makes his way into the midst of the bodies, swaying a little bit so that he doesn't stand out. With the slightest and most discreet gestures of his fingers, the man indicates the next two spots for the next two bombs. His gestures would only be seen if they were being looked for. Hopefully Odessa and Dina are looking for them.
Indeed, Dina's managed to get hers put into place without even being obvious about it. The explosive is gone, and she starts to move out through the dance floor to head for Ethan. After all, she's got to reload. Hiding things in a crowd like this will at least be easier.
Odessa shoots Dina a look with a small nod of her head before hurrying off to catch up with Ethan. She removes the bomb from his coat surreptitiously and, only moments later, purrs in his ear. "Done. Next?"
Three bombs laid. Dina will come to get the fourth, and they will nearly be in business. He moves his mouth to whisper softly in Odessa's ear. "Next two go in the loo." With that he moves and positions himself in preparation to be 'hugged' by Dina. This time his hand hovers over his groin for protection. He's not going to allow himself to undergo Dina's special treatment twice in one night.
Dina wouldn't go after the same target twice. Not if she could help it. But something about planting the explosives seems to have her in a more chipper mood. Maybe she just likes blowing things up. In any case, she snags the next, and turns to heads towards the loo with Odessa, her bomb buddy.
"Please," Odessa murmurs to Dina as they walk away after she retreives her own bomb. "You're making far too much work out of this." She grabs the woman's hand and they turn back toward Ethan. "Done," she announces cheerfully.
"Don't be long powderin' up, ladies." Ethan calls after them as he retreats towards the DJ and his station. The man turns fully and steps through the crowd, maneuvering towards the man. Leaning over the turntables, Ethan makes a request. Slipping a fifty. Fake of course, no point in wasting money that is about to be set on fire anyways. As he leans over to slip the man the money, a more surreptitious move is made. The final bomb is slipped quietly and carefully on the speakers, this one larger. A small cellphone is attached to it. Once the final package is delivered, the man makes his way towards the exit. Waiting for the two women, he pauses before leaving.
Dina just smirks a little, and heads out, moving for the door with Ethan. Once they're clear and outside, she looks back to him. "Next time y' want demolitions work done, just -tell- me, y' manky git, so I don't have to prance around like Bombmaker Barbie." Someone is not pleased with her covert role.
Odessa takes Ethan's other arm with a grin and heads out of the club with her companions. Once outside, the smirk fades and she looks back at the doors. Her fingers flex restlessly at her sides and she peers over at Dina. "Damn," she mutters under her breath as she once again heads away from the building.
"You're not very imaginative wit' your vocabulary Dina. Y'need to broaden your 'orizons. Or stop talking." His tone indicates he would be all in favor of the second one. The man takes a cell phone out of his coat while they walk away from the club. The three walk away from the club past the line of people still waiting to get in. Raising the phone, Ethan types in a combination of numbers, and then several more…
Beep. Beep. Beep. Bee—BOOM. The doors of the club fly off the building as flames of explosion surge out of the past club. Screams are let out immediately after as chaos ensues.
Reaching back into the pocket the phone is deposited and a black glove is retrieved. Placed on his hand the man then reaches into the opposite pocket. A small card of paper is picked out then tossed casually over Ethan's shoulder. It reads:
Dear Mr. Hicks,
Please take time out of your busy schedule to serve the country you claim allegiance to.
Love,
PARIAH
-Fortis Et Libre
The three make their way away from the explosion calmly and towards the parking lot. "You looked lovely tonight girls."
 November 16th: Ghosts in the Shell |
Previously in this storyline… Next in this storyline… |
 November 16th: A Little Less Than... |