{SB}Reconnaissance

[Elsa Bellefonte]

They kept moving. Elsa had a plan, a destination, a goal in mind. She often did, but she had the one more immediate in mind for now. As always though, Roxana's presence made Elsa think of other goals she had, other longer term ones. This was supposed to be a relaxing trip, and instead she was dealing with that damn cult organization again.

Shame that the girl couldn't be pulled away from that.

The comment had Elsa looking over her shoulder at Roxana. "Oh?" she said. "Are you transferring to another school or something? We're definitely going to miss your presence here. You've several duties. Or are you just increasing the amount of time you spend on spring break? Turn here."

Elsa gestured and followed, heading the way of her gesture. It wouldn't be too much longer till they reached their immediate destination, at least.

[Roxana Strix]

Roxana didn't meant to make Elsa think about or really worry about SIGUARD, but at the same time she didn't want Elsa to just write them off as some fairy tale group or anything along those lines. Still, she was not going to say anything more about them unless Elsa asked her about and was just going to try and do this hangout thing. It was odd to try and do such a thing with Elsa of all people since it just...well it didn't feel right or a word that Rox could not place with the interaction.

Roxana had hung out with her friends back at her old school but that was mostly doing things were she could just be there but not really do much. Like the movies, places where they could just drink, or read. With Elsa it was always business every time that they met up and talked so Rox didn't actually know how to interact with the other girl outside of that mindset. Elsa spoke of 'we're going to miss your presence here' but Rox didn't even know who this possible 'we're' was. "I doubt miss would be the accurate feeling. I'm sure others would forget about me and only remember me if something bad were to happen at the school again." Roxana pointed out.

That was her honest and logical opinion on the matter. Why would anyone miss her? Not many people actually talked to her and those that did well she didn't even think they would miss her either. Perhaps miss what she was capable of doing, but not who she was as a person. If people could even call her that since most viewed her as some kind of robot from what she had heard and been told. "I honestly don't know. Parts of me wish to remain while other parts wish to leave. In the end I will do as I am ordered." Roxana said with a small nod.

She did want to remain at BA but because she felt like something was wrong with her that made her feel like she had to go be 'fixed'. Rox followed along with Elsa as usual, looking around as they walked. They always did so much walking around, no wonder everyone saw them together when they practically traveled around together with the occasional meet up at a location.

[Elsa Bellefonte]

Elsa nearly rolled her eyes as Roxana insisted that miss wasn't the accurate word to use here. "I used the word on purpose: I know for a fact that people would miss you. I'd be among them, and I'd wager that other members of the Council would at least take note. And yes," she turned to look at Roxana, her expression serious, "if something awful did happen, we would most definitely miss you. You've become one of our front line responders."

Which was far too true. Though Elsa supposed that could also be part of the problem. She knew that she'd never be a fighter. She had decent reflexes and maintained a fairly fit body, thanks to those years of dancing and regular exercise. But, well, there was a reason that Elsa had other people ready to defend her, why Roxana was there and around.

She kept moving, wondering if she should pull thoughts from Roxana, figure out what was really going on there. That wonder only deepened as Roxana mentioned orders. Elsa didn't bother to hide her derisive snort. "You listen to other people too much," she said, flicking her fingers. "I did that, and look where it landed me," she gave Roxana another glance, before pulling to a stop in front of a store. It looked a little more rundown than most tourist locations, but it still advertised being ready for Americans.

Elsa gestured for Roxana to head in first, already fairly certain that the place would make Roxana tense.

[Roxana Strix]

Roxana looked at Elsa as the girl pointed out that she had used the word on purpose, words the left Elsa's lips had Roxana slowing down a little. Elsa would be among those that would miss her? Part of Roxana didn't believe that for several reasons but another part of her did, and it was leading to conflicted feelings. Not any new feelings, feelings that she had often gotten around from Elsa but recently they really bothered Roxana. She was still not sure if it was because she just had a lot of respect and admiration for the girl or if it was something deeper than that.

The latter didn't really seem like something that was possibly, but it still sat on her mind, causing problems that had her stopping for a moment now. Roxana opened her mouth to ask a question but Elsa's latter words caused her to remain silent. Right, people would only miss and remember her once something bad happened. She was just a tool, something that had been there to help them, and saved lives. Even at the cost of going against what she had been told to do and lead to being punished, led to the loss of her best friend, and why she was currently feeling like this.

Was it bad that Roxana actually felt something she could only assume was anger building up inside her? Anger towards those she did know and didn't know at the school who she had done so much for at the cost of her purpose, why she even lived. Could she blame them for why she felt like she was not longer at her best? "When I don't, bad things happen." Roxana said a small hint of that anger within her in her voice. Elsa brought up what had happened to herself and gave Roxana a glance, one that just had Roxana looking in the opposite direction.

Rox didn't see it as the same thing. Sure she and Elsa had things about them that made them similar, but they were two different people. They had gone through a lot of things that the other did not and had a different way of dealing with their problems. Rox didn't say anything, just looked at the place that Elsa had wanted to go to. She gave Elsa a look that basically communicated 'are you trying to be killed?' before she moved to go ahead of Elsa. Her eyes moved around the place quick, checking exits, structural weakness, how many people where in there, and so much information that she was trained to look for when assessing a place. "Stay close." Roxana whispered under her breath to Elsa.

[Elsa Bellefonte]

Elsa heard the sliver of anger. She met Roxana's gaze for a moment, tempted yet again to let her mind reach out and see what was laying in that mind. She left off for now, leaving Roxana to her own thoughts and devices. Besides, they were entering the store, and that was of slightly more interest to Elsa, at least for the time being, than Roxana's mysterious thoughts and motivations.

It was a pleasant shop, obviously constructed to cater to both tourists and some of the locals. Not quite as polished as some of the shops closer to the proper tourist districts, or the ones closer to the docks where their ship lay in wait, but certainly pleasant enough on the inside. Various crafts lined shelves and lay in strategic positions throughout the store. Most had tags hanging off them, though a few had signs arranged or pointing. Apparently there was a sale on authentic blankets.

"Oh yes," Elsa drawled as Roxana insisted on staying close. She'd already started to wander in. "I'm certain there are assassins just hiding in every corner of the shop. You'd better vet the shopkeep. He looks a little too much like a middle-aged man hoping to keep his family fed by selling the works of local artists." Elsa was already wandering, observing said art, mostly browsing, for now.

[Roxana Strix]

Roxana made sure that she didn't make any direct eye contact with Elsa while she spoke and avoided looking Elsa in the eyes when the girl looked at her. Many had said that eyes were the gateway to the soul and she didn't want Elsa to be looking in. Not when the gates were slightly open instead of closed like they normally were. Elsa didn't seem to be prying, not even going in Roxana's head; she could tell because she didn't feel anything. She supposed that was a good thing, it allowed her more time to quickly recollect herself and focus.

The shop looked like any normal shop that was not high end but it was not like it had bugs or rats crawling around it. It was just a simple shop, but even things that seemed simple could be deadly if you let your guard down. Roxana never let her guard completely down; it was just something that she didn't actually know how to do. The one time she had done it was because of someone’s power, but that had been out of her control and hormones took over. She had never understood just how hormones could be until then, but such thoughts were irrelevant.

"Underestimating anything because of its looks is, unwise." Roxana replied simply. She did follow Elsa but kept some space between her and the girl. Rox could not help but to wonder slightly to look at certain things that caught her artistic eye, but she was also moving around the store to get a better layout of the store. "You never told me what you thought of the gifts I got you." Roxana brought up as she looked at a small painting, hanging on a wall.

[Elsa Bellefonte]

Elsa nearly rolled her eyes again. Yes, Roxana would state something like that. The girl had clearly never learned to actually relax. Which, again, Elsa couldn't help but find amusing, all things considered. She was sorely tempted, again, to point it out. However, she didn't want to put a damper on the good mood.

Roxana's question caught Elsa by surprise, and she turned to her. "You mean your Christmas gift?" which had been handed off some time ago, so Elsa couldn't help but be surprised that Roxana brought it up now, here, of all places. She gave the other girl a slightly confused look, before turning back. "You have a natural talent for that sort of creation. It's interesting to see the other side, and I appreciate the gesture."

Elsa approached some of the "clearance" blankets. She raised a hand up, feeling the fabric, rubbing it between her fingers. It did actually feel handwoven, though perhaps a little coarser than Elsa preferred her bedding. "Why bring that up now?" she asked, lowering her hand. She looked over her shoulder, arching a brow. "Angling for a gift? I wouldn't mind, if there's something that caught your eye," she gestured with a hand, turning to look around.

[Roxana Strix]

"Yes." Roxana said simply, not looking at Elsa as she gave the response. Even if she had not given it to Elsa on Christmas, it had meant to be a Christmas gift so it made sense to still count it by that name despite the date it was given. She didn't see the confused look since she was not looking at Elsa, but instead pretty much everywhere but where the other girl was. She didn't actually have to watch Elsa in order to protect her because there was someone else that was keeping an eye on the girl.

Roxana had actually ended up spotting her fellow SIGUARD agent and the seemliness blended into the environment like a professional would. Rox had only spotted them because they had given her a certain signal that allowed her to know who he worked for and even an idea of who he was. It was an older gentleman, one that was a mutant, and also had a bit of a reputation to him. She was still focused on what Elsa was saying; smiling a little at the sort of praise the other girl gave her about her 'natural talent'. It was not the answer that she was seeking, but it still gave her at least an idea that Elsa took notice to her skills.

"No reasons, just making conversation." Roxana said, looking to Elsa now, more so to just check where she was. Rox was already moving off then to another part of the store, looking at things and running the tips of her fingers lightly over certain materials that looked like they would be particularly soft. She smiled slightly and shook her head at Elsa's question about getting a gift for her. "No thank you. I do not desire anything." Roxana informed Elsa. There was also the large fact that a gift was something special, it meant something. She didn't want to get a gift just because Elsa thought she wanted one. Plus she really didn’t know what she wanted, other than to be fixed.

[Elsa Bellefonte]

Just making conversation? Elsa wasn't sure she really bought that. Roxana wasn't really one to just make conversation. Much like Elsa, she used conversation to advance her own ends, to figure things out, to test people. Elsa hardly believed that this was any different. Unless someone had recently gotten to Roxana or there was something going on there.

Just add that to the pile of things that Elsa needed to stop and consider. She kept running her hands through the blankets while Roxana finished, insisting that she didn't want anything. "Well, maybe I'll just get you something anyway," Elsa said archly. She gestured at the blanket. "Maybe an authentic, itchy blanket? They're on sale."

She gestured toward the sign, smiling a little ironically as she did. Now she was nearly convinced at doing it just to watch Roxana squirm a little. After all, the girl was fairly uptight, and they were supposed to be friends. This was what Erika did with her friends... at least, as far as Elsa knew.

[Roxana Strix]

Roxana really was just trying to make conversation this time, as out of character for her that it was. She didn’t have any goal, angles, or objectives for this little rondevu with Elsa. She just merely wanted to try hanging out with the other girl a little bit before she would head off for home. There was also the fact that they had not actually done it before on this level but it was starting to become clear as to why; at least in Roxana’s opinion. It did not seem like the two of them were good at just hanging out with one another, or perhaps it was just Rox who was not good at handing out with someone.

Roxana picked up some sort of small figurine and was looking over the craftsmanship when Elsa spoke up about getting her something anyways. She moved from where she was so she made sure that she was giving Elsa eye contact. The look very much communicating that Roxana did not want something itchy for a gift. “If you must get me something, please make sure it is something soft if you are going for a blanket.” Roxana informed her. She knew one should not be picky for a gift but if Elsa was going to insist on getting her one she wanted to at least be able to use it

“I’m assuming you are joking on the matter at any rate.” Roxana added. She set the figurine down and moved over to Elsa was, actually taking a look at the blankets to feel the texture herself. Her fingers tips ran along the material and she could not help but to make a displeased expression as how right Elsa had been about them being itchy. “Does being in my company make you happy…or I suppose a better way to ask that would be…is my presence satisfactory for you?” Roxana asked, clearly having something of a small struggle when it came to finding out the right way to words it. How did you ask someone if they liked being around you besides just asking just that.

[Elsa Bellefonte]

"So no scratchy blanket then," Elsa drawled, settling the article back onto its shelf. It took a bit of adjusting to get it to hang properly, but Elsa thought she did a decent enough job. She smoothed it over and adjusted it slightly, nodding to herself. She looked over at Roxana at the comment about joking, raising a brow.

"Well, it is tempting, since you seem---" Elsa began, only to stop as Roxana asked a question. That had Elsa's mouth closing with a near audible pop. Her brows furrowed and she turned to stare at Roxana. "Does your company make me..." she repeated, disbelief layered over every word. Elsa shook her head for a moment, before turning to fully face Roxana.

"What sort of question is that?" she asked, folding her arms over her chest. "And what's brought it on?" Because Elsa couldn't help but feel like there was something going on. And she was tempted to reach out with her power and figure out precisely what.

[Roxana Strix]

"No thank you." Roxana responded back, unsure if that really needed an answer but she did just in case. She really didn't want Elsa getting her a gift, especially if it was going to be something unpleasant and that she would likely pawn off to someone else or dispose of. Then it would have been a waste of a gift and she would have felt slightly bad that Elsa had gotten her something that she didn't want. Then again, she might have gotten Elsa something that she didn't want but she was pretty sure she had made it pretty clear to the other girl that she was free to throw things away if she didn't want them.

Roxana looked away from Elsa once more when Elsa was now staring at her. Oddly enough, she didn't like Elsa to stare at her, it made her feel weird, and she was already moving away a little. Now the regret for asking the question in the first place started to rise up and Roxana knew she should have just remained silent or told Elsa she would possibly see her around later. It was foolish to have even asked such a question with how Elsa seemed to like to over analyze something. Roxana didn't even mean it in any particular way but now she could see how the question could be taken in other ways.

"The sort that I figured just required a simple yes or no." Roxana responded back simply, already facing away from Elsa and looking at other things in the shop. Eye contact was so not going to happen with how she could practically guess Elsa was looking at her now. There was another question, on what brought the question to Roxana's mind. Several things had but Rox didn't plan on saying all of them, not when she already regretted asking in the first place. Such a mistake, seemed liked she was full of them still. "Was just wondering because of how our usual interactions go and just curiosity." Roxana responded, both of those being true but there were more reasons.

"Just forget I asked. It's irrelevant now." Roxana said after a short pause. She was already moving away from Elsa, going to another part of the store that had various simple jewelry to look at, something that was enough of a distraction for Roxana. Her mind focused on how the jewelry was made just in case Elsa was trying to take a look into her head.

[Elsa Bellefonte]

No blanket it was then. Elsa would have simply returned her attention to the curios around them, trying to find something that would perhaps entertain or amuse Roxana, had there not been the question and the strange request to consider. Instead Elsa found herself studying her friend oddly. She could still remember the strange behavior the other day, back when they'd watched the footage. She could still recall that Roxana had been different of late.

And now this. With Roxana almost dismissing it, insisting that it was curiosity, irrelevant curiosity. "We're friends," Elsa supplied, her attention still on Roxana, eyes moving as Roxana walked to the jewelry. Roxana would feel that familiar tingling in her mind, that sensation that always crept up on someone whenever Elsa started entering a mind, particularly when she wanted whomever she was entering to be aware of her presence.

"First you act strange when we're viewing footage," Elsa said, stepping forward, ticking off with a finger, "then you insist on accompanying me here, and then the strange questions. Are you going to quit pretending that there isn't something going on here, or am I going to have to get insistent?" Elsa smiled sweetly as she said the last word, enunciating every syllable of it. Roxana would get the meaning, particularly as Elsa rummaged around in her thoughts.

[Roxana Strix]

"I am well aware of our relationship." Roxana responded back simply when Elsa spoke of how they were friends. Yes, Roxana understood that they were friends, that was all there was to it with nothing else that should have made things complicated. Yet, the friendship in itself was what made things complicated and then on top of the recent confusion Roxana had been feeling towards Elsa and Ellen. It was all just a very bad mix. As soon as Roxana felt that familiar tingle, she started to put a bit more distance between her and Elsa.

She knew that Elsa's power worked at a certain range and that she was going to have to get much farther then she currently was in order to keep Elsa from digging where she should not be. Roxana hated the mind reading for this ability alone, because even with her strong wield and training; she could only block them for so long, could only put other thoughts in the way before they would reach what they were looking for. It was very unfair. Elsa was listing off things, stepping closer, and Roxana responded by again stepping away from the other girl. She didn't want her any closer then she already was.

"I would prefer it if you stayed out of mind. For the sake of our friendship or at the very least as pay back for the things I have done for you." Roxana said, trying to sway Elsa from getting insistent on the matter. Roxana just wanted it to be dropped, but she doubted it was all going to be just that simple when Elsa was already in her head. "I just have had a lot on my mind in the recent month or so and as a result I have been acting...strangely. I apologize if my behavior has raised concerns, but rest assured I should be back to normal when and if I return." Roxana informed Elsa, being very business and to the point on the matter.

[Elsa Bellefonte]

"You're not doing a great job of showing it," Elsa replied in kind, a little edge creeping into her voice. She could already feel the walls going up in Roxana's mind, which she supposed made sense, given her utter lack of subtlety in delving into her friend's thoughts. She had been less concerned with actually reading and more with making a statement.

That and given how much Elsa's power had grown and her skill, she was fairly certain that she could break even Roxana's shields.

Oh look, a threat of some sort. That had Elsa raising her brows. "Well, you could try sharing it. And you'd better come back. I'd hate to start some kind of international incident with your little organization." And there was something in the way Elsa said it that made it quite clear that she would. She didn't like the idea of some sort of mutant organization that could follow people and label them targets. If she could do something to counter their movements, she'd do what it took.

For now, she kept her thoughts in Roxana's mind, letting the do what it takes slide through the mental connection, moving from Elsa's mind to Roxana's as smoothly as the Bellefonte moved to look at some of the nick-knacks.