There Is A Monster At The End Of This Scene

Participants:

anna_icon.gif alia_icon.gif

Scene Title There is a Monster at the End of this Scene
Synopsis Even 'monsters' can have complicated ethics, it seems.
Date November 23, 2010

The Bronx

The Bronx is the northernmost borough of Greater New York, and even before the explosion, this area was diverse. Though known infamously throughout the world to be a low-income area, it was not without its finer points, as well as home to the Yankee Stadium. It was dense with life, for better or for worse.

For now, it is the the south-west areas of the Bronx that are unrecognisable. Clean up has not gone steadily, and buildings still lie in ruination. It is now hard to tell what this place is even for. During the day, construction teams work to clear more and more roads of South Bronx, although people seem to take liberties by driving over the burnt out rubble if they have the means. There are make-shift trailer camps and soup kitchens for those that don't have a place to go. One feature of South Bronx is the Yankee Stadium, so far untouched. There is irreparable damage done to the building itself, and no game has played there since the tragedy. Graffiti tags the areas available, and people often congregate illegally upon the wrecked grounds. The field itself is overgrown with weeds between fallen debris.

Heading away from Manhattan, the Bronx takes on more function and hope. This borough, once a place of Jewish immigrants, then Latin-Americans and African Americans, is now a diverse mix of all races, any and all New Yorkers taking up residence on the other side of the wreckage. There is even a semblance of a transport system, the electricity back on and functioning, but crime rates are higher than ever.


Late afternoon, Anna has closed up and finished her work at Sam's comics. The sun has yet to set, and the teenager seems to be very careful to stick to the big roads, even if it means avoiding alleyways that would take her 'home' faster than the route she is currently taking.

As she walks, she can feel the stares of dislike, she knows that while most people don't, there's quite a few people in this city who want to hurt the teen… it's already happened that people tried. Still, Anna has to go to work and back.. and that's why she sticks to the major roads.

It so happens, that Anna isn't the only one drawing looks, albeit, the other source of the odd glances is bundled up against the cold lady who is… actually preforming a few tricks on her way home from Alley Cat Couriers. Tricks of the skateboarding type, a possibly familiar Space Invader-themed knit scarf streaming behind her as she grinds along a fence rail, amusing herself and perhaps some onlookers who might be amazed to see someone out on one of the odd toys in the winter. Then again, those that know Alia, know she'll be using it until the snow's too deep to push through.

As Anna notices the skateboarding woman, she looks over once before continuing on her path. Sure, she recognised the woman, but she's just a customer. Not someone you talk with outside of worktime. The girl seems to be trying to hurry as well. Still, she does remain in sight for Alia, so if the older female wishes to catch up to Anna, it is quite likely going to be easy.

Alia pauses a moment as it takes her a moment longer to actually recongize Anna… She shakes her head slightly then smiles, almost sadly, then pushes her foot against the ground to catch up and coast along side the younger lady, before finally speaking. "Found yourself trouble?" She asks simply, yet … there is concern in that voice. In a sense, maybe Alia knows what it's like to find oneself in over one's head.

"Only a little." Anna responds to that, forcing herself to smile. "How are you doing miss.. uhm, Chavez, wasn't it?" She asks, trying to be polite. Still, there's a distinct undertone of fear in her words, like she doesn't entirely trust Alia to be safe… not out on the streets anyway, which can hardly be considered safe as of late.

Alia smiles, and shakes her head. "Surviving with choices." Her answer might leave much to be desired. It might even bring up a lot more questions. But it's what the young woman says, as she watches the streets as well, carefully. After all, it wouldn't be the first time SHE'S had an encounter with trouble either. "Isn't easy, sometimes."

"I guess." Anna just responds, looking rather skittish, though not without any intent to leave just yet. "Is there anything I can do to help you, miss Chavez?" She smiles weakly, failing to get up the retail smile she otherwise gets up so easily. Anna seems patient enough, despite her skittishness.

Alia shakes her head. "…No. Offer you… company on your way home? Less likely to trouble two." She motions towards the side streets as she makes the last statement, as if to define WHO might give trouble.

"I guesss that's okay." Anna says after some consideration of the offer, and jerks her head, "Let's go then, shall we?" The teen asks, not very politely, admittedly, but she tries. "Thanks, by the way."

Alia smiles and keeps pace nimbly on her skateboard, not going too fast, nor falling behind. Odds are she's done this a few times as she weaves around the occasional hole in the pavement. It's a simple offer, really. And maybe a very odd one, all things considered. Then again, Anna likely isn't aware of all those things. Or why a customer would go out of their way to make sure a sales clerk was alright even if during a chance meeting. "Welcome." She says simply as she keeps alert. Wouldn't do to be jumped after all.

As they move on towards Anna's 'home', the girl seems to relax slightly… perhaps a bit too much. Until someone slings an insult in her way, at which point she tenses again. Luckily, that was all that happened… this time. The girl is silent as they walk… as opposed to het usual behavior.

The elder of the pair sighs softly, before speaking. "… Made a wrong choice once. Trusted a guy. Asked me to do some things. Not proud of them." Alia pauses to consider her next words carefully. "Had much hard work, to get out of that trouble." She tilts her head. "Brave to speak own opinion when unpopular. Loss is tough."

A faint smile is given to Alia by Anna, "I guess so." The girl answers, "I kind of made a wrong choice as well…" She doesn't elaborate beyond, "Is going to take a lot of work to get out of that mess as well." However. The teenager sighs, and increases her walking pace.

Alia chuckles lightly. "…Didn't trust an Adam Monroe?" It's meant as a joke. Maybe an in-joke. "Youth makes fools of many." She sighs. "Did of me too." She shakes her head and doesn't elaborate. Words are not her friends, it seems. She keeps her head up, though, confident. She ingores the glares staring at her as she makes sure Anna gets home in one piece. "People learn. Long as mistake isn't repeated." She smiles. "Then it good mistake."

"I don't wanna talk about it, okay?" Anna answers the question, not understanding the in-joke at all. As they keep on walking, Anna seems to be uncomfortable, as though she'd rather be left alone… or something to that effect. "And I think I learnt…"

Alia nods. "Sorry… was… referring to my mistake. Man I trusted." She shrugged. "Did not wish… to offend." She bows her head slightly in apology. And skates on in silence.

"It's okay…" Anna responds, with a slight shrug. She continues onwards, smiling faintly, "You didn't offend me." The girl shrugs as she keeps walking, forcing a smile to her face despite the angry stares and such.

Alia nods. It's a comfterable silence for Alia, really. She's not one for saying words she doesn't feel are needed. Or are yet due to be said.

Anna keeps walking, and considering the distance, it isn't too long until they arrive at Anna's 'home'. "Thanks, I'll be okay now." The girl responds as she pulls out her keys and opens the door, "Thanks for coming with me." She smiles, genuinely now.

Alia smiles softly as she turns her skateboard for home, handing a business card over first however, with her number on it. "If you need someone to talk to…" She pauses a moment, then shakes her head and says likely the oddest thing as she pushes off without waiting for a further reply. "Even monsters, can believe in freedom of thought."


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