Not Good To Be Back

[Akeem Ten-Amen]

Akeem never thought he’d ever be here again. When he left, he thought he did for good. Who wanted to live in Montana anyway? He would die on the inside if he had to spend the rest of his life here. It did not matter that the town offered everything a city could give, shops, bars, clubs, a theatre and whatnot. He needed the buzz you get in a big city. A place where you know your neighbors and their lives, where everyone was thinking about barbecue and camping during summer, it was not for him.

Bellefonte was not for him either. Coddling people into accepting their nature and keep it under control, not for him. But he had no choice to be here. He got kicked out of the college he was in before and he didn’t want to take the risk of finding a mutant in his way to test him. At least here, they were right in his face. That remained that he was not happy to be back.

His room was all set. He had his schedule and every supply required. Even the things that changed since his graduation. Keeping an ID on you at all time... that was rather extreme. He was not here during the events that lead to all those new safety measures but he still thought that some were exaggerated a bit.

With everything all set and free time on his hands, Akeem was not interested in spending it in his dorm and chitchat with whatever roommate he had been paired with. He supposed he could explore a bit, see what else changed. Since his return, he heard that many things happened in the past year. It was worth having a look. Not really, but what else could he do?

TAG: Ellen Banks

[Ellen Banks]

“Fail to prepare, prepare to fail” That was Ellen’s motto when it came to most things, this is one of the reasons why she was considered as “Tricky” as she was, the fact that she was never one to leave a stone unturned, if she sensed a threat to herself or anyone around her the right way to deal with it in her opinion (Or the Banks way of doing it) was to neutralize and eliminates all problems before they becomes a true blue issue for her, Disarm any threats before they became that way.

That’s where Mr. Ten-Amen came in

The door to the dorm was opened so Ellen just crept in so she saddled into Akeen’s dorm and settled into a near by chair and waited until Akeem revealed himself, of course Ellen was well aware of his powers she had birds who sang all sorts of songs about him so she was most interested in discussing with him.

…and sure enough…

“Ah Mr. Ten-Ahen” Ellen smiled lightly crossing over her legs being very friendly considering that she just snuck into his room “I would be remiss if I didn’t welcome you back, I trust the flight was comfortable” She smiled before gesturing to the chair opposite her “Please make yourself comfortable” She nodded settling herself in “I trust you know full well who I am” It’ll be surprising if he didn’t even through he’s been gone for a year, it wasn’t like who Ellen was, was a mystery.

They had much to discuss

[Akeem Ten-Amen]

Akeem was on his way out when he saw a girl in the dorm. Not that he minded seeing a girl there. But considering this was a boy-only room and that he did not invite her, he wondered what she was doing here. She also looked familiar. But the things that happened in Bellefonte during his high school days were not things he cared to remember, especially when that did not involve him personally. And he never remembered being involved with that lady here.

If he didn't recall who she was, she knew perfectly well who he was. Normally, he simply would have shrugged off the girl like one does with a buzzing fly. Since when Bellefonte had a welcome committee? Never, and so she came here to see him. Provided he didn’t know her and so didn’t plan on seeing her, he had no problem walking past her. But the way she acted as if this was her room, telling him to make himself comfortable in his own dorm, that was simply too amusing to pass by. For now, he chose to humor her. He could still walk away later, or make her.

“Considering you must have been a plump young thing when I left here, no I don’t know you,” he answered. Certainly not what she had expected but Akeem was not going to act like she was worth his time until he knew for sure that she was.

[Ellen Banks]

Yes she tended to do that. Ellen natural instinct was to assert her dominance on a room and situation early. That was just who she was, Little miss Bossy boots to the core and even through this was his room and he had no right so ever to dictate to her what he could and could not do, that didn’t bother Ellen in the least. Why? Because when she spoke people did well to listen. It was as simple as that, really he should be glad that Ellen had seen fit to ask him ever so nicely.

Clearly her new gentleman friend didn’t exactly share that opinion.

Ellen blinked a little at the comment but her smile didn’t falter. Insulted by the jab? Hardly. She found the jab juvenile at best and she had to repress the need to roll her eyes. He must have though himself so clever…Why Ellen bothered with half the people she did she would never know.


“Oh, tut-tut” Ellen signed shaking her head “Now was there any real need for that Akeen? Here I was being perfectly nice, wishing to welcome you back from your long trip back and you choose to wound me so?” Ellen clutched her chest dramatically “I just don’t know…People call me such horrible things but when I try playing nice all I get is such cruel taunts” Ellen paused as if deeply hurt by the idea “So let me try this again…” Ellen said her voice turning a great deal more sharper a familiar glint growing in her eye “My name is Ellen. Ellen Banks and no I was never an overweight child, but thank you for the backhanded compliment” Ellen smirked pausing for a moment to let the full impact that her name and reputation had. Her voice was still sickly sweet but now there was a edge it to it “now please Akeen. Sit down and I won’t ask again…”

[Akeem Ten-Amen]

This girl was clearly trying to show him who was the boss here. To a point, Akeem didn’t mind or, to be precise, he wouldn’t once she’d show him proof that he should consider her like the boss. Until then, she was nothing more than a blond chick. A cute blond chick, but nothing more than that. For now, she was not treating him too much like a lowly peasant so he was ready to give her a chance and hear her out.

“Is that really what you came here to do? Welcoming me back here?” Because, somehow, he had a hard time believing she was the kind to take on her time to do that. And since he could not remember her, he didn’t think they had any history that would make it believable she wanted to see him again. At least he didn’t remember any history with her. Something might have still happened but she looked younger than he was, meaning that, when he graduated, she would have been way too young for him.

The fact she claimed being nice was so amusing. He tried not to find this entertaining but it was just so much that he couldn’t help himself. “Banks... Ah yes, the girl who was always with the one named after this school. I’ve heard of you. A little.” He flashed her a smile, knowing how she would not love this. But who cared, he did. “If you want to take it as an insult...” he let out, shrugging, as she pointed out never being chubby of her life.

“First of all, it’s Akeem, with an M. And you’ve got some guts coming to my dorm and asking me to sit down. But I’ll humor you, I’m just curious what Ellen Banks might want to talk to me about.” And so he sat and faced her. Was it really weird that someone older than her didn’t bother to know who she was? She must have been a freshman or a sophomore by the time he graduated. You don’t talk to a freshman unless you had something on your mind. He preferred to deal with the older ones. She was older now. She might finally be worth his attention. Even if it was only for the minutes it would take for this conversation to end.

[Ellen Banks]

Yes, Ellen was trying to show him exactly who was the boss in this situation, (Namely: Ellen) Ellen always thought it was very important to establish dominance early on in these type of conversations and Ellen was attempting to do exactly that.m Really, Akeem hasn’t done anything what so ever to prove that Ellen should deserve her respect. Ellen’s policy when talking to people was quite simply until You’ve proven yourself as someone who was worth Ellen’s time and attention she will treat you as such and so far Akeem besides being mindly snarky has yet to arouse Ellen’s interest. In fact if it wasn’t for his reputation Ellen wouldn’t have associated with someone like him in the least.

But she does what is necessary.

“Oh, so you doubt my good intentions?” Ellen smirked knowing full well that they both knew that she didn’t exactly have good intention and it was a rare moment when she actually did have good intentions but if anyone could understand that it was him.

The smirk slid off her face momentarily when Akeem only refered to her as some kind of side kick for Erika, yes that was indeed annoying, she had achieved far more and had a better reputation to just be relegated to “Side-kick” “Cute” She sighed humorlessly “Do you find those type of jabs make you popular” She said with a raised eyebrow considering how juvenile he seemed to be at times. “I hope you’re done”

“If I could care less about the correct pronunciation about your name I promise you I would. Now sit down” Ellen shot at him not one to like being interrupted she paused momentarily as she shifted in her seat crossing over her legs getting herself comfortable ignoring Akeem’s note on how Ellen had some gall to do this “ First things first; I’m quite aware of your power and your habit for using it, maybe that’s the reason you seem quite confident. I understand that, because I have somewhat similar powers myself. Only mine are much more potent I assure you” Que prideful smirk “So should you be tempted to use your power on me, I would advise against it; It won’t end well for you” She paused to give Akeem a serious glance to reinforce that this was not a good course of action to take “That being said; Tell me. What do you know about The Conners?”

[Akeem Ten-Amen]

“Let’s just say I know that fake innocence and that smirk too well. Been using it my share of time as well,” he replied to her with the most innocent smile and stare he could give her, just to prove his point. No, he was not trusting her to have any good intention. He didn’t think for a second that she would have bothered to meet with him unless she had a good reason to. Luckily for her, he was ready to hear her, for he could have easily left her here in the dorm and be on his way like she meant nothing to him, which wasn’t far from the truth. He could still do that, once she’ll tell him what she wanted of him and if what he’ll get in return was not worthy of his time enough.

He was upsetting her, he could tell. And he couldn’t care less. What he cared more and didn't like however was the way she ordered him to sit down. His eyes narrowed a bit as he stared at her. “You should be careful. I’m not the who you came after you, you came after me. I might as well decide this isn’t worth my time. You seem to think yours is the only one that is precious but I can assure you that I have a different opinion on the matter.” He might have struck a nerve but this girl had no idea how to ask a favour out of someone. She was probably sued to snapping her fingers and getting all she desired. Well, he was not interested in pleasing her like this.

His head lifted a bit when she admitted knowing what he did with his power. It was not exactly a secret but he didn’t think it was something everyone knew about. If she was talking of this however, he knew that meant only two things: either she wanted to use it or she wanted to blackmail him over it. Or both. Neither of those choices tempted him. He used his power for himself, not for others. She even went so far as pretend her power was better than his. He did not like her guts. Her threat seemed... well, he could guess, with the shark-like smile she gave him that she could do it should he force her to. Even if he didn't force her too, he supposed. Was this why she came here? To tell him not to use his power on her? That was kind of pointless, as he never would have thought about it in the first place.

It was not the only surprise she had in store for him as she asked if he knew about the Conners. “You mean the family here? Not so much. What is it to you?” Having returned only a short while ago and missed most of the action that took place in the past year or so, he could not see the connection between the Conners and Ellen Banks.

[Ellen Banks]

“Well, then you know how imperative it is to keep up appearances whenever possible” Ellen nodded, Ellen had adapted herself nicely to the art of smiling while sharpening a knife behind her back, to the point where she had developed her reputation as a trickier lying and cheating to achieve her ends and she was damn good at it ever if she did say herself. An…arrangement with Akeem would be….Interesting…when the time arrived…

But that’s then, and this is now…

“Oh, I quite disagree” Ellen shot back just as quickly keeping a business-woman like tone to her words, cool and detached yet sill with just a sliver of ice in her words “I think you’ll find this conversation as being of great benefit to you, and you’ll be glad I did, as long as you keep quiet; and listen” Ellen more or less ordered, considering him nothing more then a yappy dog.

A dog that as of yet has not been brought to heel

“You see Akeem. I can call you that can’t I?” Ellen smirked “Seeing as were about to become such good friends, I’ll prefer to keep things on first name basis” Ellen hardly paused for Akeem to answer before moving on tossing her hair back over her shoulders as she spoke “Myself and the Conner’s have a…Strained relationship. I don’t like them, and they’ve made no attempt to hide their contempt for me” Ellen spoke rolling her eyes “-and in the past I’ve done things to them, that weren’t very nice and they’ve done things that aren’t nice to me, they’re a tenacious pair, and very cunning to boot. I myself-“ Ellen said placing her hand on her chest “I myself, I’m a cautious sort and I don’t like to leave any stone not cover. Which brings me to you” Ellen said pointing towards Akeem “You’re exactly the type of person that’ll call upon, you can imagine the sort of thing the type of things, All very amusing to them I’m sure.

[Akeem Ten-Amen]

“You should also learn when your cover is blown. I already know this is fake, you don’t have to keep it up,” he pointed out. Akeem might not have invented this technique but he knew it well. Sure, this girl was good but there was a saying about not conning a con man. Bossing him around after trying to be a sweet and innocent girl sort of cancelled each other here. Was she really that good at covering up her tracks? Because she was not doing that great of a job now.

“Piece of advice: if you want people to listen to you, don’t treat them like dogs,” he let out as she once again told him to be quiet and listen to her. Oh, he was listening alright. But he was still waiting for her to show what ‘great benefit’ he could get out of this. She came here so she had to know him, right? Obviously she did not do her research well otherwise she would have started right off with the carrot before using the stick. Saying that he might get one could only get her so far with him.

He folded his arms and waited, as she asked, to be amazed by her proposition. But he was starting to have serious doubts about it. “That’s my name,” he replied as she asked if she could call him by it. Mister Ten-Amen was still something he was not entirely used to when addressing to him. He raised an eyebrow, skeptical about her other words. Good friends? We’ll see about that.

Her drama with the Conners was of little concern to Akeem. She could dislike whoever she wanted, although he would give her credit for making an enemy of what had to be one of the most powerful families around here. He didn’t know the kids here however but was not entirely surprised to hear they were sharks. Akeem would rather not go against sharks. He’d stay on their good side to get something nice out of it.

Finally, she mentioned him, though he still couldn’t see where he fit in all of this. Well, he had some vague ideas but if Ellen figured he would use his power for her against them, she was crazy. “...And what do you want of me exactly? Sabotage them, or not go after you?” She seemed to think they’ll ask for his help. They did not so she had to be paranoid. But before telling her that, he wanted to know what was in it for him. Alright, she finally caught his interest.