Don't F**king Rain on My Parade

[Selina Taylor]

    Selina stepped out of the women’s locker room, having just showered after training. She always felt so good after a hard workout that she was convinced it was the only therapy she needed… Maybe not. Selina wasn’t all too sure about being forced into therapy here at Bellefonte. On one level, she almost agreed with the idea, but being forced into it by the school made her hate it with every bone in her body. It wasn’t because she was that petty, but because she held a deep suspicion for anything connected to Bellefonte.

    Selina could probably be considered paranoid by many, but she didn’t mind so much. She’d much rather be overly wary than be taken advantage of. Besides, blindly trusting an institution that forcibly took its students from their homes if they didn’t desire to attend was pure folly. The fact that the sister schools held the same policy was just baffling to her. It seemed like the world had banded together against a perceived threat and all had decided to react the exact same way. It seems mutants brought the world together, she thought with a bitter cynicism that she only allowed herself to sink into when alone.

    She slowly made her way over to a tree in the courtyard and sat down, enjoying the shade on the hot day. She would be happy today. Fuck the world’s bullshit, she would focus on something pretty… like the guy she’d just accidentally made eye contact with. Yup, he was pretty enough. Should she do something about this? Say hello? Start a conversation? She should probably make a decision quickly though, because just staring at the guy would be awkward... but he was really pretty though.

[Alistair Holmes]

Selina Taylor.
Alistair usually took it upon himself to monitor and look into those who were building links to the Conners, and this young woman had proceeded to make it fairly obvious of her intentions to place her lot in with that of his charges. Drew had mentioned the female to him casually, but for someone to make enough of an impression for Drew to bother mentioning them to the bodyguard...
Well, they must be of some interest, and some interest meant he needed to take some time looking into the person in question. He personally didn't think she'd be a particular threat to the twins, but that didn't mean he could rest back and simply let the female wander into the position she was aiming for without due inspection.

Locating the woman had been fairly simple, as the sun had finally seen fit to shine warmer rays on Montana, most of the students had taken up general resistance outside; Tactfully making his way towards her just out of her line of sight; although granted her sight seemed preoccupied with another student. He settled casually leaning against the side of the tree she was sat under, his hands in his pockets. "... Ya just ganna stare at that kid, or are you goin' to just go and talk to him?" He commented, looking down at the young woman through his dark sunglasses; If she was too afraid to just go up and talk to some boy, then she wasn't exactly proving herself when it came to dealing with the Conners. Still, Drew must have seen something decent in her... And that didn't happen all too often; He was select, and only offered his hand out to those he felt deserved it or could be a true asset to him and Evelyn; Here's hoping this female had what it took. He wasn't certain she'd know who he was, but the fact she'd done enough to have Drew mention her... She likely knew that he was the Conner's bodyguard.

[Selina Taylor]

    Selina laughed at the man’s question and shook her head, “Nah, I have a strong feeling he’s much more decorative than he is useful… He’s like one of those beautiful paintings that you want to hang on your wall, while at the same time you’re also perfectly aware that he wouldn’t match the rest of the décor,” she responded with a smirk. “The price is most likely rather prohibitive as well,” she added with a wry tone. “But looking is almost always free, which is so nice.”

    Selina then looked up at the man and gave him a once over as if evaluating him on the exact same superficial terms, “Whereas you, you look useful but not quite as pretty,” she added with a considering nod, as if she were perfectly serious. The sunglasses made it slightly difficult to tell what he was thinking, but she wasn’t in much of a mood to care at this point in time. She had a feeling that even without his shades, he would be hard to read anyway.


    Selina glanced back at the boy to find that he’d walked away when she’d started talking to the man next to her and shrugged, “There he goes… Such a pity,” she sighed with a sad shake of her head. The new guy would offer her a different sort of distraction from her mind though, as she had a very distinct impression that this wasn’t just a social visit. “So, may I ask what it is that brings you my way on this lovely afternoon?” she asked in a voice that was both distant and polite. There was definite mischief in her expression, but she was partly sincere. She hadn’t recognized him on sight, but she had a feeling she’d find out who he was soon enough.

[Alistair Holmes]

Alistair allowed a small smirk to upturn the corner of his lips at the female's response, his own gaze drifting over to the boy in question. She was quite perceptive; Alistair didn't know the subject of her gazes, but a quick visual overview told the bodyguard all he felt he needed to know. Pretty boy, far too concerned with himself to notice the eyeline of the dark haired young woman gazing in his direction. "How very perceptive, Miss.Taylor," He replied cooly, before quirking a brow and glancing down to where the woman sat, his smirk shifting to one of clear amusement. "Well, ain't that quite the compliment." Alistair had never much cared for the opinions of others what it came to his general appearance as long as he knew he looked professional; although he was amused by the girl's bluntness and the serious manner in which she delivered the comment. She was clearly naturally confident.

She appeared a touch disheartened when the boy wandered off, before turning her attentions back to the bodyguard, inquiring in a polite manner as to why he'd come by her. Alistair took a moment to look over her expression, which although showed some level of playfulness, it also made it obvious that she didn't outright recognise him. Most students seemed to know that he had some connection to the Conners, but few seemed to know his true bond to them. He averted his gaze from her, looking out across the courtyard, a number of students taking advantage of the warm day to lazily drape themselves over the grass. "... Curiosity," He responded, casting Selina a small amused smile. "You and I have somethin' in common... My employers, the Conners. Mr.Conner mentioned you in passin' to me, and for him to mention you, well. He must've seen somethin' in you." Alistair saw little need in keeping who he was from her, especially if Drew intended to push ahead with having her involved.

[Selina Taylor]

    Selina grinned at him, “Thank you, kind sir. I do aim to impress,” she teased. He had a sense of humor. The world suddenly seemed a bit better off, and her laugh was genuine when he commented on her appraisal of his skill and beauty, “You should truly take what you can. It’s rare that I’m so generous,” she responded with a feigned pomposity that she couldn’t maintain for more than a few seconds before her lips curved upwards and she let out a small huff of amusement.


    Selina was slightly surprised to hear of his connections to the Conners, and her expression showed it, but she quickly remembered hearing about a bodyguard, and wasn’t this guy a part of campus security? Selina wished she kept up with the school gossips better, if only to have access to pertinent information. Selina smiled at the man’s comment, and shook her head. You mean he saw someone poor he could exploit to do his dirty work, perhaps? she thought wryly. No, she was selling Drew short and she knew it.


    Maybe there was some truth to it, she honestly didn’t know as she couldn’t read minds, but she had a good feeling Drew wasn’t the typical ass she was used to dealing with. He may yet prove himself to be an ass in the future, but he certainly wasn’t typical. “I suppose the both of us have mutual interests that happened to coincide. I don't know that it’s anything more than that,” she offered honestly. “I’ve also had a certain type of past that works to Drew’s advantage,” she added with a solemn edge, and almost bitterness, that she hadn’t really intended. “But is there something in particular you were curious about?” she asked, deliberately changing the subject and forcing levity back into her tone.

[Alistair Holmes]

Alistair was finding himself distinctly amused by this kid's vigour. There was such a confidence to her, so to some degree it some becoming obvious as to why Drew would find himself appreciating her; He had always valued confident women. The bodyguard found a small chuckle escaping his throat. "Well, ain't I the lucky one," He responded.

When it came to him revealing his connection to the Conners, she seemed honestly surprised; Perhaps she hadn't taken note of some of the gossip surrounding him, or perhaps she had and hadn't come to the correct conclusion. Either way, she knew now. He raised a brow at the shaking of her head when it came to his comment regarding Drew seeing something in her, instead rebuking his statement by saying she simply thought their mutual interests coincided. Alistair returned her smile, before looking back out over the courtyard. "... Kid, I've known Mr.Conner... Drew... For some time. He ain't the kind of man to simply throw his lot in with just anyone," He spoke honestly. "Mutual interests may have brought you into his consideration, but Drew wouldn't mention you unless you showcased somethin' more." He supposed it was the female's attitude that had perked Drew's interest. She then however made a statement that caused his smile to fade slightly, his expression becoming almost unreadable; He'd read her notes, knew enough about her past, and he'd caught the slight bitterness to her words... Her past held a few darker points then most, although her bitter tone hinted that perhaps she was ashamed of it. No... She didn't strike him as a woman who would be ashamed of that she'd done. Perhaps more so she did not like being branded simply due to her previous violent actions? After all, it was muscle Drew had intended to employ her for.

"... Yourself in general," He replied, his smile returning. "Anyone of interest to Drew is of interest to me. Comes with the duty... Although I am curious to see the extent of your ability for myself, Miss.Taylor. Your skillset must be pretty decent." He then moved away from leaning against the tree, moving to be stood in front of where she was sitting. "Would you mid indulagin' me in a sparrin' match?"

[Selina Taylor]

    “You are indeed,” she agreed with a wink. Selina decided she liked him… probably. She wasn’t one to make her decisions about people quickly, but she had a feeling she would like him. Selina glanced out over the courtyard again as he spoke and took in his words with weighted interest. They were certainly something she would take into consideration when dealing with their mutual employer. Selina then glanced up at the bodyguard with a wry grin when he called her ‘kid,’ “Alrighty then, Adult. I’ll take your word for it,” she teased with a smile. Her response was lighter in tone than her reaction to what he’d said, but Selina also wanted some time to think it all over.


    Selina held no true regrets, but she also knew that she was seen a certain way because of what she’d done. Selina wouldn’t pretend like her past didn’t exist, or like she was unaffected by it, but she also didn’t see a need to elaborate further on it either. Her mentioning it had been more a slip of the tongue than anything else, but she knew that some part of her was also tired of being restricted to it. She’d just been whining really, but she would do better from here on out. Selina wasn’t one to keep herself down by focusing on heavy or uncomfortable things, which was often both a blessing and a curse.


    Selina smiled at his wish to spar and looked up at him, “Hmm, I don’t know. Think you can handle it, old man?” she asked, still not letting go of the fact that he’d called her a kid. Selina stood though, as she was eager to see his skill as well. She always appreciated opportunities to test her own abilities, and for all that she’d teased him, she had a feeling he’d be an incredibly tough opponent. She didn’t even mind the idea of losing to him in the slightest, as she’d find ways to learn from it… That didn’t mean she wasn’t going to try for a win though. Her competitive nature wouldn’t allow for anything less.

[Alistair Holmes]

Alistair smiled a little at her wink, shaking his head with a faint chuckle. Yes, he could certainly see why Drew would find himself drawn to her, why he'd consider her potential; It was obvious from her attitude alone that there was something worthwhile here, something worth considering. Drew had always been naturally perceptive of others, and it seemed so far that once again he'd selected wisely. He found himself raising brow at her following comment, clearly making a point of him referring to her as "kid". Alistair actually referred to most people younger then him as "kid", and it was not meant in a demeaning manner, but merely something he'd picked up from his Father. He did on occasion forget that not everyone would see it like that, but he took her reply with amusement regardless.

When to came to himself, Alistair knew he was branded with the same brush as Selina when it came to reputation. His, to those that knew the full extent of what he was capable of, was formidable; You didn't gain the position he had without showing that you deserve to be there. While perhaps Selina displayed some bitterness towards her brand, Alistair accepted his as being simply part of his work, something that came with the territory. He didn't much care for the opinions of others, save for those he cared for... His charges, his family. It certainly didn't bother him personally... He didn't take delight in violance, but merely saw it as another aspect of the career he'd chosen... Although he'd be lying to himself if he didn't admit he'd partly enjoyed dealing with the man who had caused Drew and Miss.Bellefonte distress some time ago when he'd spiked the young Bellefonte's drink.

Alistair felt an amused smile cross his lips when the young woman again played on his earlier kid comment. "Old man? Well, ain't you the charmer. What happened to "Useful but not quite as pretty" eh?" He replied, before gesturing for the female to follow him with a wave of his hand, beginning the walk across the courtyard. "Where is preferable to you, Miss.Taylor? A trainin' room or the arena?" Now this little session wasn't about winning... It was about evaluating the female's potential, testing her abilities, of which he was growing steadily certain she held an extensive amount. Alistair knew his skills highly likely surpassed her own, but that came from years of training and experience. Perhaps, if she was certain becoming some form of Conner employee was what she wanted, he could offer to hone her skills. There was only so much the Academy taught; There was a lot more to being someone's "muscle" then merely throwing punches.

[Selina Taylor]

    Selina laughed at his response and grinned at him, “Old men can still be useful,” she offered as she started to follow him. “And some people age like fine wine, so pretty wouldn’t necessarily be inaccurate either,” she teased. He was certainly attractive in his own way, but since he was also working for the Conners, she wasn’t going to flirt with him near as much as she usually would. Selina always kept her working relationships purely professional, as she’d often seen firsthand from other people how going further could cause a lot of unnecessary problems. She really didn’t need to create even more trouble for herself with something that was easily avoided.


    “A training room,” she responded immediately. Selina honestly didn’t like the arena much, as most students went there to test out their mutations and she held a deep aversion to using her… abilities combatively at all really, even in training. It was far too reminiscent of the time she’d manifested, and she wasn’t all that eager to revisit those memories. Selina had only used her powers aggressively once since she’d come to Bellefonte, and that had been an accident that she was determined not to ever let happen again.


    Selina supposed her dislike wasn’t truly rational since, although she’d never pushed herself to do anything combative in terms of her mutation, she was fine with being combative on a purely physical level. Selina only ever trained to improve her control over her abilities though, and even when she practiced using her abilities in a way that would benefit defending herself against potential enemies, she always made sure she was alone. Not only that, but the training sessions didn’t often last for too long. Selina was perfectly fine with training her body to be the best it could be and with using those skills against others when needed, but not so with her mutation.


    Selina glanced back at the bodyguard, “You’ve worked with the Conners a long time, Mr…? I’m terribly sorry, I’m bad with names,” she offered honestly. She was curious about her new employer and she wanted to see what someone who’d worked for him thought. After all, you could usually get a much more accurate picture of what was going on from someone who wasn’t at the top of the corporate ladder. Then again, she could just be prejudiced in favor of the people she’d grown up around, and though this man was still a cut above those who she was used to dealing with, he wasn’t completely beyond her understanding either.