Let's Set Some Things Straight [Ellen]

[Vera M. Solway]

Was this a waste of time or time well wasted?

The telekinetic hadn't bothered with speaking to the Banks' brat ever since their little "altercation" right before prom. She allowed Ellen to get the best of her which kind of caused Vera to sock her right in the face and while she used to think it was a bit much, she was pretty sure a simple slap in the face wouldn't have sent a message. Especially not to someone as hardheaded and as full of themselves as Ellen was. Now, she kind of scolded herself for acting that way and only because it made it seem like she had no self control (and not because she looked bad in front of people) which wasn't the case now. As she was far more better as a person now, than before.

It was clear, the two of them didn't mesh together very well and now that Elsa mentioned all of them coming together to form this sort of... group, Elsa made it clear that she wanted Ellen apart of it even if Vera (or the rest of them) wanted her there or not. And that didn't sit very well with her, and only because she wasn't sure if Ellen was still the annoying twat Vera saw her as. And because of that, she wanted to make sure they had a mutual understanding of how to act when around each other.

So that's why Vera found herself letting off a slight knock or two on the familiar dorm room door. Familiar seeing how Ellen, Riley and Rox were all roommates. For once, she just hoped Riley wasn't around nor Rox, as she had a few words to exchange with Ellen before heading back home. The last thing she needed was Ellen finding out that she and Riley had some sort of... thing, going on.

Had this been a year ago, Vera wouldn't even had bothered with stopping by. It was just funny how dealing with SPECTRE and being diagnosed with a stress disorder could change you in such a short amount of time. But could she really complain?

It was far better than getting shot to death, only to be revived again.

TAG! Ellen Banks   OUTFIT! HERE   WORDS! 375

[Ellen Banks]

Not that Ellen had something against her roommates as interesting as they seemed to be, but Ellen always craved the kind of time of quiet that could only come from a nearly empty dorm room. For years Ellen had begged the various of staff members of the academy for the honor of a private room, that which has to be deemed a holy grail for Ellen, especially after the horrors of having Frank Cox as a VERY loud roommate for so many months on end. Unfortunately she had yet to manage to convince then of that so she had learned to savor this brief moments of peace without another person giving her grief

Which was all to common occurrence as you can image…

She had just settled down in her favorite chair with a nice warm cup of tea ready to settle down for the day when of course the inevitable happened and there was a knocking on her door.

Of course just as she was getting comfortable…

Rolling her eyes she put down the box and slowly opened the door and who she saw at the door was just a little surprising to say the least: Vera Marcello, a old “friend” of Ellen who she saw as a threat to prom and she took her out of the equation quite effectively, if it was up to Ellen that would have been the end of it right there. After all she had gotten what she had wanted from Vera and now she had no further use for her, but for whatever reason Elsa Bellefonte saw fit to include her in her group. Ellen certainly wouldn’t have picked her. Sure she was tough (That Ellen could personally attest) but she was as dumb as a sack of hammers. Ellen tricked her as easily as she might trick a small child. She was reckless, Impulsive, far too emotional for her own good and all together stupid.

But she did pack quite a point. At least that was a point in her favour…

“Oh hello…Victora wasn’t it?” Ellen said the picture of innocence as she tiled her head with a condescending smile “Long time no see…If you’re looking for my roommate I’m afraid I’m the only one here. But I’ll tell Roxanna you ever so politely knocked apon our chamber door”

[Vera M. Solway]

Once the door finally opened, Vera's first glance was to whoever managed to open the door and just as she hoped, it was Ellen. She had to admit, for a dead girl she wasn't looking as bad as Vera expected. It was literally months since she had seen Ellen, and with her new schedule while juggling an internship, the Security Squad, and college... it wasn't likely that Vera would see everyone all the time. She was getting used to missing her high school peeps even though she would've been just fine without having to see Banks. For now she was going to have to deal, as this little visit wouldn't take long at all.

Having her name forgotten on purpose... or by accident was always welcoming. She couldn't really expect anything less from Ellen. "Vera." She simply corrected Ellen, not really bothered. "And no, I'm not here for Rox, I came to see you. It'll only take a few minutes, I'm not trying to have a convo over tea and crumpets or anything." She tried glancing over Ellen, in an attempt at making sure Riley hadn't been there or any other roommates for that matter. From what she could tell, there was no one else walking around.

Good.

[Ellen Banks]

Ellen raised an eyebrow just a little when she announced that she wanted to talk with Ellen of all people. She couldn’t see why she would want anything to do with Ellen. She understood that Ellen wasn’t exactly Vera’s favourite person especially considering her and her “Issues” another reason why Elsa was less then sensible letting her in this group. Hot headed prone to rash choice that want people with anger issues lead to come on Elsa these were traits thatshe should know were potentally volatile. She should really have a talk with her about what exactly Vera brought to the table besides a pair of fists.



Ohhhh, maybe that was the reason why, maybe she had doubts that Ellen should be involved in the group or not (Either that or gleefully make comments about the shooting) and now she was making sure that Ellen wasn’t some how deceiving them in some way, using the group for her own needs just waiting to stab the school in the collective back. Of course Vera would think that and she knew probably that the rest of the group most likely thought the same thing, who knows? Maybe they thought that Vera would b the one who was most likely the one to get an honest response from Ellen. (Wrong on both accounts. Ellen didn’t fear violence. If they wanted an effective interrogator all they had to do was call in Frank Cox. She seemed to have an uncanny ability to get in Ellen’s head) Well she supposed that she would have to give the “I’m a good girl” speech she might as well start to give it.

“Oh is that so? Well, you’re interrupting my lunch time as you can clearly see, but I suppose I can space a few moments for a nice chat” Ellen said opening up her door fully for Vera and gesturing inside “Besides, you'll be pleased to know there’s no one here meaning that they’ll be no witnesses at the murder trial” She paused for a beat “…That was a joke”

[Vera M. Solway]

Ellen gave her this curious look when Vera mentioned wanting to talk and honestly, she couldn't blame her. A part of Vera didn't want to even bother to exchange a word with the girl, let alone a while sentence. But yet, she was here and now she had no choice but to exchange more than a few words with Banks.

It was clear that Vera had no voice when it came to Elsa's choice in Ellen joining the "team", and Vera also had no say if the girl could stay or go and that was just fine by her. She wasn't looking for a reason for Ellen to leave or to join, she was apart of the little group because Elsa wanted her to be and Vera trusted Elsa more than she trusted many others at the Academy. Either way, Vera was going to make herself heard about what she expected from herself and as well as what she expected from Ellen whenever the girl was around her.

Now, if Ellen would abide by it... well, that was a different story.

As for now, Vera would try to play nice. "Right..." Quirking a brow, she accepted the invite and made her way in. The telekinetic eye'd the room a bit as she chuckled. "You'll be glad to know that I don't plan on becoming a murderer anytime soon, and I don't think Elsa, Rox, Riley, or my job would appreciate me putting my hands on another person." Looking back at Ellen, she smiled. "Besides, you're not the only one whose gone through some changes."

[Ellen Banks]

Of course, not many people would agree with Ellen being involved in such a position but then again that was one of the many benefits of knowning the Bellefonte’s for years the Banks and the Bellefontes have been friends for years so if anyone knew how Ellen operated it was them. That was the crux of her argument. If the bellfonte’s didn’t have any problem with her joining why should anyone else? Their word should be enough for anyone and everyone. If they was what Vera wanted to talk about that was one of the member points she would bring up in her defense. She had noticed that she had numerous reasons why she should be there but her detractors seemed to only have the lone vague reason.

It just got tedious after awhile…

She couldn’t help but feel a spike of anger in her when Vera discussed “changes” in both her and Vera she knew exactly what she was trying to say via “Changes” It didn’t exactly take a genius to know what she was referring to. How dare she. How dare she even attempt to compare what happened to her with a few anger management classes. And how dare she even begin to think she could speak of such things so openly in front of her. “Changes?” Ellen said with a bitter smirk on her face instinctively reaching for her neck and the faded scars embedded in it “Is that what you like to call it?”

“Well t don’t know they wouldn’t approve, but I’m sure the rest of a school would throw you a parade. Ding dong the witch is dead” She knew the opinion of the entire school was against her. She was among the most hated person in the school and that would never change “So if you’re not here to attack me, then curiosity breeds the question; Pray-tell why are you here?”

[Vera M. Solway]

Ooo. Was that a sign of a bitter reality check or was Ellen just happy to hear Vera hint at her death. Vera would go with the first one and for some reason, she kind of enjoyed the sudden response. Of course death was a touchy subject when you were the one who had gone through it. Heck, going through changes because of death had to be even more touchy. Right? It didn't take a rocket scientist to know that and seeing how Vera once beat death by an inch, lost her parents, and survived a coma only to find out she was a mutant with PTSD and a hot temper...

You kind of just figured things out.

Glancing around the room, she shrugged as a slight smirk appeared. "That was me being subtle. If you wan't I can use better terms? Like 'Experiencing life after death. Understanding my scars. Life is too short, you know..." She motioned her hands towards Ellen, "Changes." For now, she figured she had better stop while she was ahead. Sometimes Vera let her mouth go overboard with no regards of how others (specifically Ellen) may have felt and that was only because no one was there to baby her, and tell her everything was going to be alright when she went through the same thing.

That was the reality of it.

Her hazel eyes focused on Ellen, "If that was the case. I'm sure they would've thrown you a parade by now, but they didn't." Pushing her midnight locks behind her hair, she then crossed her arms. "Well, apparently we'll all be working together soon and we can thank the lovely Elsa Bellefonte for that. I figured I would take the adult approach and hope that we could act civilized. You don't have to like me and damn well can't stand you but I just wanted to make it clear that we were able to push that aside when working together." In other words, Vera wasn't going to have any slick talking, comments, or fights during the council and would try her best to behave but only if Ellen didn't try her.

"Also, I suggest if you had any plans on manipulating or double crossing us in any way, shape, or form; Don't. I hold Elsa's words very high and I trust her decisions, I do, but I'm not Rox, I'm not Elsa, or Trev, Franck, Beau or Liz. I won't hold back." Her expression hadn't change much when making her point and that was the point. At this time, Vera could care less about who was involved but the moment someone tried crossing any of them, she wouldn't hold back any punches. 

And that wasn't literally speaking either. 

[Ellen Banks]

If Vera was attempting to extent some kind of olive branch then she certainly wasn’t going about it the right way. Even if she didn’t show it and even if she had learned to hide how the subject made her feel, it always stuck to her, like some kind of lingering smell that she could never truly get rid of, it was a traumatic events one that she hasn’t even begun to fully recover from. She still suffered flashbacks from time to time and sometimes she woke up in the middle of the night screaming blood murder and weeping in fear and Vera had the nerve to make light of it? She was amused by it? Ellen forced her emotions down (At this point she was an expect at it) She wouldn’t dare give Vera the satisfaction of knowing just what kind of effect her words were having on her. She wouldn’t give Vera the satisfaction of knowing how she was still suffering from it, that’ll probably just encourage her more and more to continue with her taunts.

But that smile…All she wanted to do was rush at Vera and slam her head repeatedly against the wall and scream how she had no earthly idea what it was like, how it felt to be weak and helpless on the ground covered in your own blood so afraid and alone

“Calm Ellen. She wants a reaction and you’ll just be giving her exactly that. Press forward”

Ellen didn’t say a word as she merely nodded as if to tell Vera to move on from the subject.

Well, she listened in calmly as Vera explained exactly why she was here, which in a way wasn’t surprising she should have known that Elsa would want them all to play nice with each other, in a way it was a rare lapse of judgement of Elsa’s to put so many combustible elements in one room and expect it be drama free. But she supposed it was honourable for her to attempt to take the high road

But then came the typical threat. How predicable

“For the record, I have nothing whatsoever against you Vera and I had the intention of working with everyone I could…even those I find…distasteful. But in the interest of full discloser, I have no idea why Elsa picked you of all people to join, after all. I would imagine your talents would elsewhere. You do have a reputation for being head strong and just a little reckless”. Both clear disadvantages in a group where cooler heads have to rule"

[Vera M. Solway]

Vera hadn't said what she said to extend some sort of friendship link, nor did she do it to be a total bitch about it. All she was trying to prove was that Vera had some sort of understanding as to what Ellen could have been going through and she wanted to make sure the girl knew that it would become life changing before it became easier to cope with. Hopefully the Banks princess had some sort of idea that this was now her reality of it, like it or not. How Ellen chose to respond and react to her remarks; that was her choice, but that wouldn't change how Vera spoke about it. She wasn't one to sugar coat anything.

But as quickly as Ellen nodded, Vera moved from the subject just as fast.

Ellen went on about how she had nothing against her and sure, she could probably believe that. There wasn't really anything about the two that screamed "enemies", they just both had different views, were apart of two different worlds, and had mouths that did more damage than healing. In a way, she kind of enjoyed the remark about being reckless... or even being the disadvantage.

Unfolding her arms, she raised a brow. "Honestly I had no idea as to why Elsa would bother picking me either because you are right. I'm way too reckless, a bit too head strong and come from a super strict military family. But unlike you and maybe a few others, I'm willing to do the physical work, even get my hands dirty without having to hide and cower behind closed doors in hopes that no one finds out how I really am." Tilting her head, she focused on Ellen. "Oh, and I'm also one to protect the ones I care about... not one to manipulate them. Which I heard you're amazing at, by the way."

She scoffed, "You really have to teach me how to do that one day."
Everyone could give her a million reasons as to why she wasn't suitable to work with the rest of them, which was fine but Vera was pretty sure she could give a million reasons more and have the proof to back it up.

[Ellen Banks]

Ellen would argue that even though Vera had a similar experience she had no idea of the experience that Ellen had to undergo. She had no idea what it was like to be shot in such a vulnerable place and the pain it caused. She had no clue what it was like to lay there on the ground knowing that you’re vital life essence was leaking out of you, that any second you’re brain was going to be as valuable as a pile of Jelly and the fear that came with that knowledge that you were about to die. Alone.

There was nothing that can compare to that feeling…

But she wouldn’t like Vera talk to her about that day as far as Ellen was concerned that day in the courtyard was a bad dream and therefore didn’t exist. It was a ugly disgusting things that didn’t need to be spoken of…ever…

Ellen sat back and let Vera get her clear irritation out of her system, wondering why indeed Elsa had allowed this person on such secret yet important business. But then again she was one of the more physically imposing students on board but then again since when the “Muscle” have anything to do with the decision making process?

My, My my she just adored her little jabs didn’t she? Hiding. Piish, why should Ellen get her hands dirty, she should just leave the heavy lifting to those that can handle it like Vera. Her talents were suited else were. Isn’t it funny when Vera scolded Ellen about her manipulative nature yet she was so close to Elsa Bellefonte the one person that could compete with Ellen in that regard? rre mind did wander…

“Certainly” Ellen replied calmly, not missing a bit not annoyed in the least and speaking into a calm manner refusing to get drawn in to the childish mud slinging “I’ll give a one tip for free. You came in here with no intention starting anything with myself –Or so you claim- yet you’ve been very hostile towards me with a few less then friendly comments meaning you’re annoyed. Never let someone know they have gotten under your skin that just shows they have power over you and therefore can do more…” Ellen afforded her a smirk "You can have that for free...like your clothes evidently"

[Vera M. Solway]

She was pretty sure she could do without Ellen's tips but she'd listen to her anyway. Vera smiled slightly at Ellen's smirk. Had this been a year back or so, she'd be sure to cuss the girl out and not because of her diss towards her clothing but because it could hold the record for one of the lamest jokes. But the blonde never failed to jab back at Vera and that was the only thing she enjoyed about being around her. "Me, hostile?" She furrowed her brows as she pretended to look hurt. "This is actually me being friendly. I thought you'd know that by now."

The telekinetic disagreed, "I wouldn't say annoyed. I'm pretty calm. I guess when dealing with you, I always have to be prepared now. Like I'd really hate for us to have another situation like last time." She grimaced as she looked Ellen up and down, "You're fragile as it is, especially from your most recent incident." For some reason Vera just didn't want to let Ellen dying get swept under a rug so soon. No way, that would've been too nice. Besides, taking emotional jabs was way better than physical ones, right?

Annoyed, happy, angry, whatever Ellen wanted to claim Vera as, it didn't matter. No one would ever have power over her.. or at least not anymore and she made sure of that. The only person who could effect her was herself, that was the only real threat, her only enemy and her only competition. "Yikes, for someone who died you'd think you'd appreciate the smallest things in life, like a fuckin' bargain. This was actually on sale at Macys." She shrugged, "I guess once a stuck up, always a stuck up."

[Ellen Banks]

Friendly, was this Vera’s idea of friendly? That was amusing because Ellen say a distinct comparison with Ellen’s understanding of the term “Snarky” Not that Ellen was judging. When it came to general snark she was maybe the last person that maybe should give lectures about throwing out tiny little jabs, it was one of Ellen’s many talents and one of the more simple joys in her life, but she had nicely exposed Vera’s words as a lie. She told Ellen she was here to offer an olive branch, she had done no such thing. From the moment she had arrived in her room she had done nothing but make snide comments about her and who she is. Because it was so easy to make light of what happened to Ellen wasn’t it? It made him such an easy target, like shooting fish in a barrel for her. She much have felt so superior to Ellen at this moment. Could someone explain to how it made Vera any better then Ellen making these comments? This was no different to what Ellen did to Vera all those months ago.

The sheer irony of it all…

“Yes it is.” Ellen replied numbly in her typical matter of fact way “If you weren’t annoyed then we wouldn’t be having such stimulating conversation now would we?” Ellen thought she had quite a point there and she couldn’t help but laugh at Vera’s threat “Ah, there you are. You’ve been dying to say that haven’t you. The last resort of a bully, threats of physical abuse” She didn’t see the point of going that route. That was just so obvious wasn’t it? How can see fear something she could see a mile off. Besides if Vera assaulted Ellen in anyway it would only work against her. She could be sure that Elsa wouldn’t approve of it and then things would get particularly nasty.

Those little jabs were doing something to her something she wasn’t willing to consider deep within the pits of her stomach as if someone had slipped ice down the front of her shirt and she was beginning to feel a little lightheaded but she wasn’t going to let that show and if she was willing to keep talking about what happened then Ellen would have to do something to shut her up. Maybe a little hypnosis was in order may-

Gun shots…blood…oh god, so much blood. Far away voices…and Pain. Nothing else existed in her world then horrible, burning sharp stabbing pain…Oh god, make it stop. Just make it stop….Just let me die. Just let me die. The smell of blood, so harsh…So scared”

Ellen’s eyes shot open as she stumbled back, It felt like a wall of memories just hit her like a wall of repressed memories and sensations. She had, had that happened once or twice before but never that intense. Never that sudden.

Never that real…

She swayed back and foot on her feet like her legs were made of jelly a look of pure naked fear plastered on her face, she had gone very pale…

After a moment she had shook her head trying to clear it before suddenly marching forward and pushing Vera aside as she made a beeline for her Cabernet. Heading strike for the top draw where she kept her pills. With shaking hands she unscrewed the lid and took a single white pill into her palm before tiling her head back and swallowed it. She sighed as she felt it go down her throat, these always helped to calm her nerves when she had a moment like these and she thought of them as a godsend. Still breathing heavy she placed her hands against the draw, practically clinging to it as if she was afraid she would fall over or maybe she was trying to convince herself that it was real that she was out of that…whatever that was. She wasn’t in the courtyard anymore, no she was in her room. No one can hurt her here. It was over, she was safe…

“I think you better go now” Ellen muttered in a smaller voice then usual not lifting her head up nor turning to face Vera trying to hide her shame

[Roxana Strix]

Roxana had been out and about taking care of a few things and doing what she normally did every day. She had wrapped most of that up by now so was headed back to her dorm room to at least get something quick to eat and relax for a moment while she had the time. Perhaps she would draw a few more things or try getting in a quick power nap. She was not sure; all she knew was that she was feeling a little more on the exhausted side than usual. It was already effecting how she was doing her job, she was all too aware of that. When you could not sit completely still in a tree like you normally did, then you knew something was up.

She didn't concern herself too much on the matter either way as she walked. Reaching for her dorm room key but as she reached out for the handle found that it was unlocked. That had to mean that one of her roommates was in and possibly that there were guests. She didn't want to bother anyone so made sure to enter the room as silently as possible. Only picking up near the end of the conversation between two females. Those two females being Ellen and Vera who Roxana was pretty sure didn't like one another. She of course didn't have an issue with either of the girls, one was her target, and she was unsure what Vera felt towards her. Last she knew Vera was still a bit unsure about her, but that was something to think about for another time.

Roxana's blues eyes glanced at Vera and then to Ellen who clearly looked like she was going through or just got out of an episode. PTSD did that to you and Roxana could recall a few times where she had to calm Ellen down and remind her that she was safe now. She was also certain that Vera had PTSD as well but a different kind then Ellen's, not that it mattered at the moment. "My apologies for interrupting." Roxana said as she went over to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. Then she moved over towards Ellen, holding the water out to the other girl. "Drink this and sit down, please." Roxana said, adding on the please to hope Ellen would be more so willing to listen.

[Vera M. Solway]

Vera shrugged as she brushed off Ellen's accusation of her being annoyed. "Your words, girlie. Not mine." She just used a different way when dealing with things, disregarding how others saw her. If Ellen wanted to see her as annoyed, then so be it. Whatever made the girl feel better about life. Vera was far from annoyed, she was being defensive and this was the best way she knew how. "Your description of a bully and mine are two totally different things but if that's the new title you want to give me. I'd gladly take it."

She had turned to view the rest of the living area of the dorm but before she was able to take a few steps, she realized Ellen hadn't said anything back. So when the telekinetic turned around, she focused on Ellen as her eyes narrowed. "Ellen?" The girl had gone from talking to frozen in seconds, she even looked as if the life had been drained out of her. It... it just seemed all too familiar. Vera watched as Ellen stumbled back before hurrying to the cabinet while pushing Vera out of her way.

Great, now she was feeling a huge amount of regret and as soon as she tried to make her way to Ellen, Roxana walked in to help Ellen calm down with some water. Vera just stood there, watching both Roxana and most importantly, Ellen. Okay so maybe she had gone too far because if Vera knew what an episode looked like... that was most defiantly it. The flashbacks, the feeling of reliving the moment, the backlash, trying to understand that moment was no longer reality when your mind was telling you different. It was the worse. She knew it from her own experiences, she knew it when her old trainer Enders would talk about his own. "Are you okay?"

“I think you better go now” Taking a deep breath, she eyed Ellen regardless if the girl would look back at her. Now that Roxana had came to save the day... yet again, Vera felt like a total ass in front of the both of them. "Look Ellen... I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to push you that far. I had no idea that was gonna happen..."

[Ellen Banks]

Deep breaths. Just focus, stay in control. Always stay in control” Ellen told herself over and over again mentally trying focus on anything but what had just happened to her anything would do really. Think of the wood on the drawer your hands were on..Hard wood, slightly darker then she would have liked? She kept quite a number of trinkets n here. Nothing too important, her hairbrush, notes from class. When was the last time she brushed her hair? Did she do it this morning? She was sure that she did but she couldn’t quite recall at this current moment in time…

She could feel it working somewhat. The tightness in her chest was going down slowly but surely. That was good, she got through it. It was all ok.

She didn’t even notice that Roxanna had entered the room when she did so lost in her own little world and thoughts. She flinched quite noticeably as Rox spoke to her, that tension in her chest returning but she relaxed once she saw it was just her roommate returning. Her eyes flicked between the seat and the bottle of water, any other time she would argue this point but now…She didn’t have the strength for the argument. She merely shuffled her feet in the direction of the seat before flopping down on it weakly before snatching the bottle out of Roxanna’s hand “I-I’m fine. Really-“ She muttered shaking slightly her arms wrapped around her “I just need a moment”

Her eyes narrowed at Vera, her pulse quickening just at the sight of her. How dare she even begin to pretend like she was sorry. That this wasn’t something that she wanted. She would have loved to see Ellen like this, week. Embrassed, Humiliated, she shouldn’t pretend that she wasn’t internally grinning chalking up a victory for herself no doubt can’t wait till she tells the entire school about this “You’re not sorry..” Ellen said a fair amount of venom in her voice as she looked up at Vera trying not to shake so much “Well something bad happens to me; no one is ever sorry. You cheer and you laugh and you rejoice because you love the idea of karma hitting me” This was taking quite a lot out her but she wasn’t willing to show it “Well, you got what you wanted, so why are you still here?”