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 Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 6:39 pm
Carelessly letting the cafeteria door clatter shut behind her, Eliana was still making her swift, yet steady exit, distracted by her own barely-contained fury swirling around her like a poisonous cloud. She had to contain it, however, and quickly. Emotions were dangerous. Emotions got you hurt. They could get you killed in some situations. Better not to have them, or at least not let them rule you.
She took a sharp turn and headed down the hallway, without a thought of whether she was even headed the right direction to return to her room. Probably not. She didn't care anyway. She was just getting far enough away to get ahold of herself again before she made her next move. To be honest, she already regretted not grabbing more beer while she'd been in the kitchen, but what was done was done. She could always go back later when things had calmed down again, maybe after the cafeteria had cleared out a bit for the night. Not that she was afraid of the others, of course. The chaos had been fun, but there could be such a thing as too much of a good thing. Why ruin it this early? She had to save some fun for later. She had a feeling things would be pretty boring around this dump if not for her.
She smirked a bit, thinking they really should thank her for livening this place up every once in a while. They owed her.
Perhaps a mini-fridge of her own supply installed in her room...yeah...that'd be nice. She could use one. It would certainly save her these annoying trips to the kitchen at all times of the day and night. Why hadn't she thought of this before?
Chuckling a bit, she finally slowed her pace, pausing and leaning against the wall with arms crossed and eyes closing. Deep breaths...calm the rage...easy enough, right?
The nerve of that son of a Houndoom...who did he think we was?!? He was nothing more than a petty cleaning servant in this place, yet he had the gall to speak to her as such? Well, one thing was sure...sooner or later, he would pay for his foolish insolence. Sooner, if Eliana had her way...though if the timing was right, she could settle for later. They never expected it that way. The shock was so rewarding, it was almost enough in itself...
A devious smirk began to creep onto her face, her eyes still closed in thought as plans of revenge and pain filtered through her dark mind.
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Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 7:33 pm
Phil wasn't going to stay in the Cafeteria, he didn't need to be there when guards and a doctor showed up. He strode down the hall purposefully, yet another place to be before time got the better of him. That was when he saw a blur of movement to his right- in a crossing hallway, Eliana was walking away from him, clearly moody.
Seeing the agitated young woman, Phil briefly considered walking the other way. But a cautious curiousity carried the long-legged janitor in Eliana's direction. Whether or not it was a good idea to pursue her when the nearest guards were back, busy in the Cafeteria would remain to be seen. His step, as always, was gliding, silent. His head barely bobbed as he walked, smooth as glass and head down, eyes just visible and his gaze firmly upon Eliana's back.
He announced himself not five feet from her. "Pretty sporting encounter back there. It's a pity that little Samantha didn't take me up on the offer. Probably a good thing for you though."
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Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:03 pm
It wasn't that she heard him approach, nothing like that. She'd give him credit for that much...he moved deceptively stealthily for a mere janitor. What was with that? No, it was more that, if only a moment before he spoke...she sensed him. Maybe it was all of her time watching out for herself on the street...maybe it was something else. Either way, it gave her just enough warning to steel herself and prevent any reaction when he spoke.
"Was it?" She sounded calm, but there was a bit of an edge to her voice. "It would have been a lot more interesting if you hadn't butted in." Her eyes opened, darting sharply towards the lurking janitor with a glare.
As much as it pained her to admit... "Probably the first smart thing little Miss Hakan has done...not that it would have made much difference in the outcome if she had, of course." She shrugged casually. "One or two victims makes no difference to me. Though it probably would have been more inconvenient for you to clean up the mess had your condition been so...'worsened.'" She chuckled, still seemingly relaxed against the wall as she didn't bother to veil her threats anymore. There were no other witnesses here in the hallway afterall.
In reality, she was tensed, ready to spring at a moment's notice all while her mind raced through the possibilities. It was only moments ago that she'd been fantasizing over the terrible things she could do to this lowlife if only she could get him alone and away from prying eyes and cameras. As if Fate herself had smiled on Eliana for once, here was the fool practically presenting himself on a silver platter. It was all too perfect. In fact, she could scarcely decide which torture she'd have liked to try the most...
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Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:01 pm
"Oh, that would certainly have made things 'inconvenient' for me, no doubt." The tall, lanky fellow seemed quite comfortable, and though his eyes suggested he was distracted and deep in thought, as usual, they were fixed on Eliana in a stare that was not entirely piercing, but creepy nonetheless. He rested his broom against the wall and thrust his hands into his pockets. "But then again that's kind of your specialty, causing inconvenience." Phil leaned against the wall easily. "I know you pride yourself on your little bubble of anarchy, but I hope you realize that bubble doesn't extend past line of sight for you. "
As if to elaborate, Phil gestured down the hallway. "Right now that youngster you so callously wounded is in the care of the doctors I called. The broken glass is gone, and Samantha's managing to control her womanly fury." He regarded Eliana again. "I do wonder what kind of liberties you've been given, sometimes. But don't get the wrong impression, whatever you're trying to do to irritate me and scare the others isn't going very well. Trust me, I've seen far worse."
He went back to leaning against the wall and began idly flicking his lighter between his fingers. "I guess what I'm saying is, don't do that again. You can try, but you're not getting anywhere, and I have my ways of putting the squeeze on you if you don't listen. I'm telling you as a staff member, since none of the guards seem to be. I don't care who you're in touch with upstairs, I'm telling you right now to pull your head in. Because I can."
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Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 12:48 pm
Oddly enough, for someone who didn't know a thing about her, or at least she hoped not, the pest sure knew how to push Eliana's buttons. Each word from the sleaze seemed like a tiny rock...sure, not much to speak of alone, but no one could ignore the barrage for long without eventually lashing out in some form to stop the assault.
The summary of 'victims' nearly brought a chuckle from her lips and she turned on Phil quickly with a hiss. "You think I actually give a s**t about those worthless peons?" Her glare was narrow, true eyes hidden as always behind her blue slitted contacts. "I could care less if one bled to death, though it's not likely with all the docs scrambling around this place." She uncrossed her arms at last, waving one hand dismissively in the air. "And as for Miss Hakan, if she wants a showdown, then that's fine with me. I have no objections. It's not like I can't handle little Miss Goody Two-Shoes. That goes for any of them in fact."
She seemed to relax again, arms dropping to her sides, one hand slipping casually into a back pocket, her weight still resting on the wall. She smiled a bit mysteriously, shooting Phil a sideways glance. "Don't you wonder? I could tell you...but where's the fun in that? Though, I'd have to argue with you on that other fact. You seem at least perturbed enough to pursue me out here and confront me. And I could list plenty of 'guests' if you'd like to call them that, that are plenty afraid of me. At the very least, they have a very healthy respect of me."
Glancing away, Eliana seemed to ignore Phil for a moment, even while he was speaking, but to be honest, he was starting to piss her off again. When she spoke again, her voice was deceptively quiet and smooth. "So...now you're threatening me?" She let slip a soft chuckle. "That's a riot. I mean, seriously. Threats from the janitor aren't likely to hold much weight, you know. I mean, how much respect do you think you have, let alone from me?" She smirked, shifting to stand upright, hand still propped on her hip and fingers in her back pocket. "I'll tell you right now, prospects aren't looking good."
Stepping closer, Eliana's expression darkened. "You always seem so full of vague threats and mysterious comments. What about something solid? Something definite? Anyone can make idle threats, but can you honestly say there's something you'd actually follow through on?"
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Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 5:13 pm
"I find it very curious that you consider fear of be of more value to you than respect." He chuckled and turned a derisive eye towards her, as though she'd gone even lower on his danger scale. "Don't get me wrong, they both help you get what you want, but if you lose respect you can always get it back, and that's all you lose. Once someone stops fearing you, they usually leave you in the dust and take a couple of your limbs for good measure." Phil was casual and light in his tone, almost as though he were reminiscing about something.
"Oh, and I didn't mean to threaten you, my dear lass. That was terribly rude of me. Next time I'll make sure I'll have you drawn and quartered without letting you know first." He chuckled irritatingly. "I guess that wasn't vague or mysterious, but it also wasn't true. I wouldn't really go that far. I just happen to be good friends with a lot of people on this island who have talents using sharp objects. Aside from you, that is."
He paused and cocked his head sideways a little. "But now see there's a difference between us. I have my place, which is as the janitor. I take my bonuses here and there and make myself comfortable. Maybe I understate myself, maybe I don't. But I don't pretend to be what I'm not. But then see- there's you- someone else's little pawn and guinea pig, always trying to remind everyone you're bigger than what you actually are, probably here because you're incompatible with the outside world, and everyone in it. Don't kid yourself. There are jail kingpins and schoolyard bullies. You definitely fall into the latter category."
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Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 6:11 pm
"You don't listen real well, do you? I never said that at all. Your view on things is quite skewed. Once respect is gone, it's gone. And fear isn't totally separate at all. Respect is something you might have for someone with skills or talents or whatnot. Fear is what you earn when you realize that you're not immune and they can just as easily use that power on you as they can on anyone else. Fear is good, fear is healthy, and fear is the next step after respect."
Her gaze was fixed on the floor, though her eyes were unfocused. Phil's threat slid over her and down the hall with no more attention paid to it than a stray leaf on the wind. Eliana's mind was turning with dizzying speed. She could see it all now, every tiny clue and secretive dark corner haunting her mind. It made perfect sense now. Why Phil managed to push every single one of her buttons. The reason he managed to make her lose the cool demeanor she'd spent years perfecting. The reason he infuriated her so and made her lose control.
He acted and sounded...even felt...just like him.
His words, demeanor, even the innuendos all reminded her of that object of hatred and fury that still haunted her nightmares to this day. She'd even been denied her revenge, so there was no closure to the issue for her. There never would be.
Already, the faces were merging, mixing in her mind to the point where it was becoming difficult to tell them apart. Closing her eyes, she shook her head just slightly, but the image remained in her mind's eye. Was she losing it completely? Maybe they were right all those years ago...
No! The mental shout cleared her thoughts enough for her eyes to focus again. She fought to keep her breathing even, not giving in to the erratic rhythm that threatened to take over.
Worthless...
Hissing softly, the word echoed through her mind. It sounded like Phil's voice...but not... He was saying something else, but she wasn't listening as the words were only fueling the cold fire building within her. "Life....has spit on me enough...it's my time now to take something back." The words were quiet and it was difficult to tell who she was speaking to.
Weak...
Her free hand clenched into a tight fist, nails digging into her palm. "I'm not weak anymore...not like then..." She probably sounded like she'd lost her mind to anyone else, but this battle with the ghosts of her past was just as real to her as Phil was standing nearby with his mocking, derisive look.
...worthless...
Growing only more irritated at the voice, Eliana growled, looking around the hall as if she could find and attack the speaker with her bare hands. The voice was different now...not Phil's, not exactly...but more like...someone else. Someone she'd rather not think about.
...except for one thing, of course...
That was the last straw. And hadn't Phil implied the same thing only minutes ago? He'd done it already in the cafeteria before with all the others present and listening...the sick freak... She wouldn't be used like that again...never again. Not if she had anything to say about it.
The hand that had been resting in her back pocket tensed suddenly. She whirled on Phil and was almost shocked to note...he even looked like him. Though, the way the faces were swimming in her vision, she might have made that mistake with anyone right now.
"Worthless? Weak? You think I'm just a thing to be used whenever you feel like it? You seem to think so, judging by what you say!" She was raising her voice with no sign of caring who heard. It seemed like she had lost it at last and maybe, in a way, she had. "I'm not who I used to be...that person is dead and gone. I won't be used or abused ever again like she let herself be!"
Her hand withdrew from her pocket, swiftly flipping open the switchblade she clutched tightly as she lunged for the janitor with an animalistic snarl.
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Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 9:08 pm
Phil mentally rolled his eyes at Eliana's appraisal of his response. Some people these days think the whole world works the same way their little ghettos do back home. Or their housing estates, in some cases. He said nothing to contradict her statement, though the dubious look in his eye suggested he wasn't taking her too seriously. Then again, he idly wondered when he ever looked like he was taking anything at all seriously.
How was it that she could sustain this mirage of self-importance through malice and violence? Alcohol, probably. No straight-thinking person would see a purpose in that kind of behaviour. Her fight was against everyone and everything, and her cause was no-one but herself. Phil knew quite a few people like that, and they were all dead before their time.
And try as he might, he couldn't find a way to admire her, not even grudgingly. He'd call her strong but that strength was misdirected. He'd call her confident but she was so arrogant it was embarrassing to watch. He might say she was spirited except for the fact that it wasn't spirit that drove her. He sensed any true spirit had died long ago. It was replaced by something of a rage within, a vicious desire that she harnessed and focused into an icy edge which she used to drive through her...
... Pain? Phil cut himself short before he psychologized too much. He didn't want to come to the wrong conclusions.
"Take something back? From Life?" Phil was starting to sound a little exasperated, but he was quiet too. There was definitely something odd about the way Eliana was behaving now. He might have pointed out how ridiculous she sounded if he didn't see her mask of control slip and begin to crack. Some demon more terrible than her usual self was coming to the surface.
Therefore Phil didn't react aside from a slight widening of the eyes when she began to raise her voice, her anger clearly soaring to heights he'd never seen before.
He did react, though, when he caught the glint of metal in her palm, her fierce eyes narrowed in bloodlust. The janitor swayed backwards as the blade moved in, glad he'd left open the escape route behind him.
Not that he was going to use it.
He was suddenly swinging out, his body moving outside the intended thrust of the knife as his left hand shot forward and impacted Eliana's outstretched wrist. Her deflected strike continued forwards and Phil grabbed her wrist with his free right hand, suddenly tugging on in and pulling her in closer, her own momentum working against her. And suddenly his left elbow was in a perfect position to drive right into her face as she was pulled inexorably towards it.
Don't kill her, idiot!
Phil abruptly swung his elbow clear and struck her across the side of the face with a backhanded fist. He took a minor pleasure in her cry of pain before tugging her all the way into him, her back to his front as he used his legs to tangle up hers and throw her off balance. He twisted her right arm around so he could reach the knife with both hands and promptly disarmed her. He held the knife for a moment, staring at it oddly before twirling it between his fingers and concealing the blade. Though he no longer held onto her she was still tangled up with him and he twisted her body so she couldn't find purchase enough to counterattack. The look he gave Eliana was a cold one, no longer relaxed or impassive.
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Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 1:05 am
Pain was something that Eliana was more than familiar with. Pain was something she could handle quite well. What Phil might have mistaken for a cry of pain though was actually a cry of mixed shock, disgust...and fear. He might as well have thrust the knife into her chest; she'd probably have put up less of a fight than she was right now.
As soon as his hand closed on her wrist, the already shaken woman seemed to lose it completely. Pulled closer...struck...then restrained and escape effectively prevented...well, all intentions of attacking left her chaotic whirl of thoughts. Her mind was a flurry of images, lacking sense or reason, filled only with the emotions she so loathed and spoke out against...mostly because she had no idea how to deal with them other than shutting them out completely. Too late for that now, however.
One would have no idea how Eliana might have processed the change in Phil's demeanor as she was paying little attention to that now. Her struggles were sudden and violent, though obviously only intended for a desperate escape from her captor.
"Let me go...let me go! LET ME GO!"
No! Not again! Never again!
Eliana thrashed without thought or reason, more likely to bring both of them tumbling to the ground at this rate than to free herself. Of course, that would only be worse for her, but that wasn't how she was thinking right now. She wasn't thinking much of anything logical at the moment, actually.
No permission...get away...now! Don't let him touch you!
"LET GO NOW!"
Her eyes were wide with unconcealed panic, breathing erratic as the fear took over. Visions crossed her mind of a dark room...a shadowed figure...then the sudden pain...falling...
White rooms, stark and sterile...drugs...more pain...
"Please! Get away! NOT AGAIN! NEVER AGAIN!"
She was screeching with pure panic, like an animal; like a prey beast cornered by a predator. In her hazy mind, that wasn't all that far from the truth. The feeling of the male at her back, burned like fire...his sound...his scent...all sent her back to the nightmarish visions in her head. With a final desperate lunge, she managed to wrench herself away from Phil, enough so that gravity at least could take over and let her topple mercifully to the floor.
Get away! Don't let him touch you again!
Nails scrambling against the hard floor, Eliana left dignity behind for a moment in a desperate grasp for a more immediate goal: getting away from her 'attacker.' Nevermind that she had technically initiated the struggle.
Reaching the wall, she put out a hand for support, trying to hide how much she was shaking. Her breath was coming in ragged gasps and it took all she had left to try and calm herself.
Calm...you're safe now...just calm down...
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Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:53 pm
Phil didn't waste much time. He had to spread his legs a little further so he wouldn't topple over, and abruptly released Eliana while she was off balance. As mechanical as his actions were, his face registered a mild state of alarm. His mind had worked fast, comprehending at least to some extent what was happening.
So that's it... Makes a whole lot of sense, really.
He watched her with a curious look in his eye, wondering if he'd gone too far, but sensed a cruel grin coming and stifled it. No, she had initiated, as she always had. And it had certainly worked in his advantage. He knew enough for now.
His face resolved back into the impassive, enigmatic expression it usually had. He watched the wretched woman try to compose herself, the scene all too familiar to him, and by now, he was quite sick of it. The radio at his waist was still quiet, but guards were no doubt on their way soon. He considered leaving, but for the moment dusted off his sleeves and regarded Eliana briefly.
"Do you need a hand there, lass?" He asked, his voice laced not too subtly with irony.
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Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 4:05 am
Even as shaken as she was, Eliana's automatic response was to hiss at Phil's offer. There was something wild in her eyes as she shot him a glare filled with hatred. She hated him, yes, but she hated herself for what she'd just done...and for letting him see it. Harsh words grated past her vocal cords...
"Keep the f#$& away from me! Go ahead...laugh! I can tell you want to, so go right ahead! Feel free! I'm only here for your damn amusement afterall..." Her eyes narrowed as she continued. "You're all the same...sick, perverted pigs...only thinking of one thing all the time."
She was still shaking, but the rage was returning. Rage at Phil, at herself, at the entire world if she so felt inclined. Either way, it was something to cling to for strength, so she'd take it for now.
He's just the same...just like him. He'd have done the same to you... Just like all men...thinking with the wrong part of the anatomy...
She cast her gaze back at Phil, seeming to calm from her panic, even if the wild look remained. "You think you've won, don't you? Think you've beaten me? Going to exploit my weakness? Go ahead and see if you can. I may not be strong enough yet, but I'm not weak either. And before long, I'll be stronger than ever and you know it, don't you? You can handle me now, but not then...no, not then." She chuckled a bit, pausing to pull back the slight manic tone that had crept into her voice. "You've seen it before, haven't you? There'll be no stopping me then. No more weakness," she finished with an eerie smile.
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Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:59 pm
Phil eyed the increasingly manic young woman with a knowing look. Here was a facet of her personality she'd been doing so well to hide, and now he'd just ruined all of that for her. Pity.
"Well, well. No more weakness? I suppose I should be intimidated. Or at least concerned." He lazed back where he left left his broom, leaning against the wall. "Oh well, I suppose I should just accept the tide that's coming. Nothing I can really do about it, right?" He grinned, a sarcastic, irritating grin that suggested there was more to his attitude than he was letting on.
Unrestrained, there might indeed be no stopping you. But I do believe the cage is already in place.
"Incidentally..." He scooped up the broom. "Aside from behaving badly, you've attacked a member of staff. I'm afraid I'll have to confiscate this." He slipped the blade into his pocket, closing the button flap over it. "I think we're done here."
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Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 8:07 am
As the adrenaline rush faded, so too did Eliana's manic behavior. Her old demeanor seemed to fall over her like an encompassing shadow and she sobered instantly, glaring at Phil. The shaking inside would continue for some time, but that was for her alone to know and no one else. As much as she wanted to threaten the little pissant to keep this incident quiet, she knew better than to say a word. Raising an objection would only let him know he had something to hold over her. At least now there might still be room for doubt; no need to make it definite.
So many comments she wanted to make in response to his sarcasm...but she held them all back. For now at least. She'd done enough damage today. She wouldn't lose control and risk things backfiring again.
Instead, she collected herself, climbing to her feet slowly in a show of control and composure, despite anything she really felt. "Take it," she muttered with a casual, dismissive wave of one hand. "You'll need it more than I will." Again, that eerie grin flickered across her face.
"We're quite more than done here. In fact, why are you still here?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:51 pm
"Well in case you haven't noticed, I work here." Phil responded casually. "But more directly, I was wondering if I should have called the doctor to you, after he was done with Kira. I guess you're just fine, though."
He turned as though to head back to the Caf, where the upraised, indignant voice of Doctor Grebdioz could be heard lambasting the guards for failing to prevent the carnage, but seemed to think better of it and instead walked past Eliana, further into the quiet halls.
"Take care of yourself, lass. Gods know no-one else here will."
Eliana wasn't a threat as yet, and none of the other subjects seemed to have a clue what was going on in the larger picture. If she or any of the others became a problem though, Phil was well aware of the measures he might have to take to ensure his little operation continued unhindered. He smirked, recalling the last time he'd engineered a little accident...
He walked on, silent and inscrutable as he neared his next port of call, leaving the latest problems far behind him.
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Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 5:24 am
"How is that new? No one ever has..." Eliana muttered to herself with a touch of bitterness. "Why would they start now?" She was still fighting to stuff down the shaking inside as she crossed her arms and leaned against the wall in what looked like a casual manner. To anyone other than Phil, who'd just witnessed her little breakdown moments before, she'd have appeared her normal, cold, distant self, calmly observing and waiting for a chance to initiate some trouble once more.
But the truth was she'd had more than enough trouble for tonight. That's right, it was possible. All she wanted now was a stiff drink to help her sink into a deep sleep for the rest of the night. If she was lucky, there was still a bottle of the strong stuff squirreled away under her bed for just such an occasion, for just such a desperate need.
Always be prepared, right?
And no, that wasn't any kind of girl scout crap like that. It was pure survival instinct, learned only from life on the streets. You were prepared and you survived...or you didn't. Simple enough for anyone to understand.
Sneering in disgust in the direction the janitor had disappeared, Eliana spit before whirling on her heel and stalking off towards her room. One day and one day soon, she'd have her revenge. Once her plans began to take shape, she'd have the means for vengeance in whatever form she might desire. The means and the power to do so.
No one would use her ever again.
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