Last time on Section M: The team won and headed back. They learned that Archer had been tortured and Fallone had been injured, but they'll both been fine after treatment and proper time to heal. The General was angry, but the Colonel 'convinced' him that the team did great. Jess had a couple messages on her phone, but she didn't have time to get to the third one before the meeting started... [Friday, January 13, 2063] [Heading back to your rooms for sleep and some unpacking before tomorrow.] [Collar status: Back on] [Session Start] * Crow stretches, popping a few joints as he contorts his arms and wings into unhealthy-looking positions. He looks happy. * Scratch walks silently down the corridors, stopping at the lift to await the rest of the group. The lift doors open up and the teams is let out on the floor where their new rooms are. * Tanya is looking around as she's walking back, a bit weary. "Man, jet-lag gets to you, doesn't it?" * Cara yawns. It's been a tiring day after all. Only if you let it. I prefer to outrun it; it's such a poor sport. * Jess fumbles with her phone an arm around some one. She was still quiet after her outburst. * Scratch looks at nothing and no one in particular. As the doors open he heads down the hall towards his room, stopping to turn towards the group, "Thank you everyone. I look forward to working with you again." And with that, he leaves into the domicile. * Tanya opens the door to the apartment she shares with Crow, and holds it for him. "Well, I've got a ton of trig homework waiting." At least we don't have to move our stuff up here. I suppose I'll unpack some of my stuff and make Fallone's bed in case she comes in late tonight. This place have a coffee pot? Jess's last phone message starts to play as she listens: "Jess, it's Tiff... what happened? There's these guys here... they said they were gonna take your stuff..." * Crow steps into the room, graciously waving Tanya in after he's out of the way. "Of course; they brought all your stuff from our old room, didn't they?" "I was in the shower, I didn't hear them come in... But... why are they doing this? Why didn't you tell me?" * Cara proceeds into her room and begins tidying up. Dusting, unpacking, moving stuff about, and such. * Jess pauses and looks around sniffling and breaking into tears again. She grabs Crow. "Come with me. Please? Pret-..." It looks like she noticed who she was talking to and runs into her room pounding at scratch's door. "Scratch? Scratch come with me?" * Crow blinks. "Let sleeping dragons lie, Jess. I'd be happy to escort you... wherever you need to go. What's up?" "... Hey! What are you doing?" *there's another voice from inside the room* "Be careful with that! Hey!" After that there's another sound like something heavy dropping and then a loud crunch and static for a second then the message just ends. * Scratch opens the door to his private room slowly. His shirt is half- unbuttoned and his brow is furrowed as is usual. He studies the two and waits. "..." Inside your rooms they look pretty much the same. There's fresh sheets on the bed and your stuff is in boxes stacked just inside the doors. * Crow hasn't actually followed Jess to her door, and is leaning out of his own. His cupid costume, for once, is a bit rumpled. * Tanya goes about unpacking her school books, and flops onto her bed with a trig book. Getting comfortable, she takes off her jeans and sweater. She leaves her bedroom door open. * Cara plugs in her alarm clock and lies down on her bed. She then gets back up, repositions her alarm clock, lies back down, and repeats this procedure for a good five minutes before getting satisfied with the placement. Please... come with me to explain to people what happened? I'm bad at lying and we can't tell them... * Scratch blinks slowly but his brow remains tense. Searching for a response, his eyes travel from Jess over to where Crow is waiting at the entrance. "..." * Cara continues her unpacking process with more items less meticulously placed than her alarm clock. * Tanya calls out, "Go with her, Crow. I'll hold the fort here." She'll believe you. I mean you're the most honest person I know and all. Crow she won't believe. She'll think it's a joke. So we can tell her the truth. *winks* ... I did not just hear that. * Scratch closes his eyes and lets go his hold of the door. Without saying a word he rebuttons his shirt and steps out into the common room. "... Understood." He reaches and closes the door behind him. I'm kidding, of course. *delivered with the same nonchalance he uses when he's not kidding at all* Thank you, Scratch! * Jess leans up and gives him a quick kiss on the cheek moving to the elevator. * Crow gets out of the way and returns to his own apartment, where he starts dragging boxes into his room. He leaves all the doors open, too. * Scratch nods. "It is no-..." His sentence ends abruptly as he momentarily loses his composure. "...Moving out." * Scratch follows at a comfortable clip. Amazing what they could pack into so few boxes, isn't it? *called out to carry into the hall as well as into Tanya's room* Tell me about it. Better yet, *don't*. * Tanya gets up off the bed, and starts moving stuff into her bedroom. Most of the boxes are rather efficiently crammed together as tightly as possible. You could almost swear they were timing themselves. Aw, why not? ...hey, they packed your h-game in my stuff. Wonder why? *tosses it to Tanya through her door* * Jess does full steam for her old room. * Scratch retains his posture by following at controlled jog. * Cara kicks a box out of her room. "That will have to do for now. I've got that history homework to do." It's a quick walk back around to the lift. Well, I've got trig to do, so if you want to run through it... Hey wait, this is yours. Mine's on my desktop. I'll set that up tomorrow. ...I don't own one. Oh well, if someone's came up missing, I'll return it to them. Isn't this the one that just came out last month? No, I downloaded it, remember? ... Say, you don't think that's Scratch's? It's always the quiet ones, you know. * Jess shows up at her room, Scratch in Tow, and knocks on the door. * Scratch , in tow, clears his throat. "Jess?" There's no answer. What? Exactly what, may I ask, is required of me here? Tell Tiff what happened to me. Please? * Jess knocks on the door louder. Still no answer. That is classified. To my knowledge, your friend does not have the clearance necessary to receive such information. Is our objective is to stop this person from inquiring further into our activities? * Jess smiles so so sweetly at Scratch. "But I'm sure you know the reason I was really not here and not that thing that never happened. Right?" * Tanya walks out to the kitchen, and starts brewing a pot of the black stuff. Am I to understand that this is an exercise in deception? * Jess shakes her head. "It's not lying. It's just telling part of the truth. COME ON!" With that Jess storms off to find club leaders she let down. Scratch is gonna cover for her. * Scratch nods. "Understood." * Scratch follows at previously stated comfortable clip. Jess reaches Sandi and Stacy's door. It's just one floor down from Jess's. Approximately how many of your associates are we going to inform? There's my friends, and then the chess club, the flower club, the fantasy book club, the dance committee the.... *the list just keeps going on* * Jess knocks on their door, LOUDLY. * Scratch 's eyes widen momentarily before he closes them and brings a hand to his face while he clears his throat. "Perhaps it would be best to gather everyone together." * Sandi answers the door finally after several moments. She's dressed in a robe with no makeup and her hair up. What's the big idea knocking on our door so late at-- Jess? What are you doing at this hour? * Jess tackles Sandi in a hug and starts to cry about missing all her meetings and she's worried about Tiff and everything is horribly wrong and Scratch here, the honest handsome paragon of truth can explain EVERYTHING. * Scratch stands just outside, waiting silently for his turn to speak. Wah! *is tackled to the floor* Whoa whoa, slow down... Who is it? Jess? * Stacy pokes her head out of her room. What happened to you? Everything went wrong today! * Jess is still sobbing. What happened? Tell us about it. *pets her hair and hugs her* Yeah, tell us. *joins in the hug* * Scratch clears his throat again and assumes an at ease position. "Good evening, Ladies." * Jess sniffles looking at Scratch sadly. "There was many technical things, they expected me to learn things that don't matter. Scratch can explain it." * Scratch nods. "I will explain matters in detail now." * Stacy blushes a bit at the guy in the room and ties her robe a bit tighter. * Sandi does the same, looking up to listen. They both still hug Jess. Your associate Jess has asked me to inform you that as of today the two of us have enrolled in special extra-curricular activities that will require us to be away from classes on field trips randomly throughout the rest of the school year. These absences will also likely feed into late homecomings on their corresponding evenings. Also, as of tonight, Jess will not be found at her previous domicile as she will be living with me. That is all. She... what? Huh? You're living with him? * Scratch stands down as his assignment has been completed to the best of his ability. Jess? * Sandi looks to her for an actual explanation. * Jess just stares at Scratch mouth WIDE open. * Scratch silently stares at a point straight ahead of him. * Jess stands up and moves over to scratch slapping him. "Go." It's said very calmly and without emotions. She then turns back to her friends. "See..there's this new club and they didn't tell me the time requirements and they lock me in a room with nerds like him to study all day..." Eww! That sounds uh... special. You always get picked for everything. I'm sure you'll do great at it. You're such a suck up. * Scratch shows no reaction to being struck but responds, "Understood." He excuses himself with a nod to the ladies and takes a few steps down the hall. Weren't you the one saying how much you missed her tonight? * Jess sniffles. "They didn't tell me everything in the flier. It's horrible. And then He...he said that! That's the day I've had..." He... didn't... do something to you did he? Stacy! Eww! No. No he didn't... on the plus side there's Crow in the group too...but we are being forced to move to new location to study more. It's a bunch of thinking! Oh Tiff is gonna be so jealous. -- Oh. Did you talk to her? Yeah she was really worried about you... * Tanya falls asleep doing trig. No, what happened? Is she ok? what's going on? She wasn't in her room... I'm worried... She's not? She said she was just gonna take a shower and go to sleep... Did you call her? Maybe she went for a walk... Did her bed look slept in? * Jess gets her phone out and dials the number looking frantic. "I..I didn't go in." Why not? Isn't it still your room until you move your stuff out? They moved it out for me. * Jess's phone rings but soon gets a message saying the number she dialed was turned off or outside of the service area. They didn't mess up the collection did they? I hope Tiff wasn't there... You know how much time she's spent organizing that. * Jess stands up and nods. "I'll find out what happened. Don’t worry about me living with...with Scratch. Crow thinks I'm safe with him, something about liking rods.” ... What? * Sandi whispers in Stacy's ear. Eww! Are you gonna be okay? Call us if you need anything. Anything. * Jess gets a blank look. "I don't understand it either..." * Stacy nods. I will. Stay up another hour just in case? Please? * Stacy yawns big. * Sandi smacks Stacy teasingly. "We will." * Jess gives every one hugs. "Thanks." With that she moves for her old room to open and walk in. * Hugs all around! * Scratch waits silently in the hall staring at nothing in particular. * Jess runs past Scratch full speed. Jess finds her room pretty much as she left it. Except her side of the room is completely cleared out. And on the floor there's a broken cellphone that looks like it was stepped on by a heavy boot. There's also no Tiff to be found. * Jess turns around expecting a Scratch behind her. * Scratch hasn't moved from his post in the hall. * Jess goes back to him with a sigh. "Ok, who do I talk to if there's a problem? I mean you should know this and all." * Scratch lowers his eyes towards Jess, his expression seeming to hold no resentment towards being struck. "The answer would vary depending on the type of problem encountered." TIFF IS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND! * Scratch closes his eyes momentarily. "The police authorities will be able to find your friend by tracking her control collar." ok...umm where are they? Their office location and phone number should be available through the directory inside this room. * Jess gives Scratch a blank look and sighs to try and look it up. Jess finds there's an office on this floor and it's just a couple halls away. * Jess starts heading that way, grabbing Scratch and dragging him with her. "You speak authority people talk language right? They never understand me..." * Scratch nods as he's drug, "Understood." * Jess goes in there and shoves Scratch in front of people hoping he'll speak for her. * Secretary looks up from her computer. Can I help you? * Scratch surveys the office, noting the number of attending personnel and available exits. * Scratch nods. "Yes. We are attempting to locate a missing associate. Her name is Tiff-..." He turns to Jess. * Jess fills in last name which player never made up thus it shall be Valdaz for now. Scratch finds the security more or less adequate. It's about as exciting as you'd expect for the graveyard shift. A couple men in uniforms are in the back watching something on the screen. Tiff uh... right. I'll look her up. You don't have her ID number do you? That'd make this quicker. * Scratch remains silent and turns once again to Jess to supply the requested information. * Secretary punches a couple things into her computer, frowning at the screen after a moment as it spits out information. I see one Tiffany Valdaz that was brought in earlier this evening for... attacking a police officer? Unlawful manifestation of powers? Is this the one you're looking for? Ummm...maybe... Tiff is harmless. I have her file photo here... * Secretary turns the monitor towards the pair and yes this looks like your Tiff. ...what happened? Oh god... Tiff... Doesn't look the report has been filed yet. She's in main holding down on level ten. Looks like they're keeping her in isolation till morning. Is it bad? Their offices should be open after 9 if you have something to add to the report. Attacking an officer... That sounds pretty bad. I'm no lawyer though. * Jess nods. "She..she didn't know they were officers...that's ok... come on scratch." * Scratch nods to the secretary before proceeding behind Jess. "Thank you, ma'am." You're very welcome. I hope everything works out for you. * Scratch follows Jess outside. "With your friend in a holding cell, it has become increasingly difficult to make contact with her." * Jess flips her phone open as soon as they are outside Colonel Hall's number is punched in quickly. * Scratch makes no further conversation, seeing that Jess has already followed the same thought process he was about to offer. Hello? Jess? Why are you calling? Tiff, in jail, she thought those men were doing evil things, can't you help, please? * Jess has a good deal of desperation and tears in her voice. What? Who's Tiff? * Hall sounds like she's doing her best to wake up. My best friend and ex roommate, well not my best friend I mean Sandi and Stacy are my best friends too, but she's definitely a best friend... Okay. I get it. What men? The ones that moved my stuff... Your stuff... Roommate... Did those idiots in the Police force do something again? They barged in and took all my stuff breaking Tiff's phone and she got upset and did something and they won't tell me what! They have her locked away like she's a criminal. She just was scared and didn't know what was going on and thought they were going to do something mean to me... * Jess starts crying hard and harder holding the phone up to Scratch as she sinks down to the floor. Oh. OH. Jess, I'm sorry. * Scratch takes the cue to accept the cell phone and presses it against his ear. "Colonel Hall, Ma'am." Can you come to my office? I'll make some calls and have her brought up so you can talk to her. * Scratch nods reflexively. "Understood. We will be on our way. Thank you, ma'am." * Jess sniffles and just hugs herself in the fetal position looking small and helpless. Very good. * Hall hangs up. * Scratch closes the cell phone and speaks downwards to Jess. "The Colonel requests that we come to her office where she will facilitate a meeting with your friend." I'm sorry...I'm so sorry for hitting you Scratch. you're a real friend. It takes a handful of minutes to make their way back to the tower and up to control floor again. The Colonel is pacing in her office in her pajamas and robe talking angrily into her phone. * Scratch lowers his head slightly. "It is forgotten." * Jess looks disarrayed actually. Her makeup actually smudged and clothing not looking fresh. She just clings to Scratch small and scared. * Scratch actually slows his steps to allow Jess a more comfortable pace along the route towards Hall's office. * Hall notices the pair entering the floor. There's only a skeleton crew working this late, they're still coordinating with the teams back at the Church who are searching and cleaning things up. The Major is still there as well and she watches as the two leave the lift. She comes down to meet them. "What are you two up to at this hour? Is it something to do with why the Colonel came back?" * Scratch stops to salute the Major. "Ma'am." * Hall leaves her office to meet the pair just as the Major walks up to them. "Yes, Major. I asked them to come." * Jess lets go of Scratch to grab Major Rose in a hug and just sobs into her. "Oh..." The Major just holds the girl as she cried. "What happened? Did something happen? Is everyone okay?" It's being handled, Major. * Scratch salutes the Colonel. "Reporting as ordered, ma'am. For bothering you at this hour please accept our deepest apologies." Rose nods, and lets go of Jess, leaving her with the Colonel. * Hall leads them back to her office. * Jess sniffles and obviously fights with herself to control it. Please have a seat. * Jess slowly sinks to a chair. * Scratch moves to a chair and seats himself as directed. * Hall picks up the phone again, taking it off hold. "Sorry, my team members just arrived. One of them is in tears now, I'll have you know. ... She's a teenage girl, she's allowed to cry. ... Look, I told you what I want. You will clear this girl's record immediately and expunge all charges." I don't care what sort of message that sends. What sort of message are you trying to send by barging into people's rooms without even checking if they're home first? ... Yes I reviewed the security tapes. It was obvious she was upset-- ... Well your man shouldn't have grabbed her. ... Looking you're only delaying the inevitable. I'll call my superiors and... Yes, I'm glad you agree with me. I expect to see the paperwork on my desk in the morning. ... No, thank you, sir. * Hall smiles just as proud as she can be as she hangs up the phone. Your friend Tiffany is already on her way up here. * Jess is mostly under control right now. "Th..thank you ma'am...Is she ok? She doesn't like hurting people.." * Scratch speaks to the invisible point in front of him. "Ma'am, thank you very much, ma'am!" I know, I know. She didn't hurt anyone. The man just sneezed. People sneeze. There's no proof at all she made him sneeze. Can I get you anything? *she punches the intercom on her desk* Rose, can you please get her something? "Uh... tissues, you mean?" Yes that would be great. s...something to drink...something hot? Tea? * Jess just nods. * Hall hits the com again. "And some hot tea too, please." "Yes, ma'am." T..Thank you Ma'am... I'm very sorry about this. It was the Major's idea to move your stuff for you. She thought it'd save you the trouble. I tried to explain to her that people don't like having their stuff touched-- She stops as the Major enters the room with a tray. * Scratch nods. "Thank you for your consideration, ma'am." She sets down a box of tissues and three cups of tea, pouring one for everyone then passing them out politely. Major, I think you owe her an apology. * Scratch nods to the Major in thanks. "ma'am." * Jess takes the tea sniffling and drinking it slowly. "The Major didn't hurt Tiff." I uh... what? What'd I do? I didn't mean to do anything! One of the men that came to collect her things caused some trouble with her new roommate. I straightened the matter out though. Oh... my... god. I'm so sorry! Are you okay? *she hugs Jess again* I..I'm ok. I'm just worried... Now now Major, I think you've done enough. It's not the Major's fault. Rose sniffs again. "I'm sorry. If there's anything I can do... It's kind of you to say so." It's not your fault. You didn't do anything. Thank you for trying to help and for being here. I'll always be here if you need me. *she offers a small smile* I'll leave you guys alone for now though. I didn't mean to interrupt. * Hall quietly sips her tea as she watches the Major go. * Scratch nods once again. "Thank you, ma'am." After a view more moments the lift dings and Tiff steps out, escorted by two guards. Her face looks like she spent a good long time crying. * Jess just jumps up and hugs Tiff crying a bit more and rambling about how the nice Colonel will explain everything. * Tiff looks around and notices Jess coming towards her, relief suddenly washing over her. * Scratch , not catching the hint, stands and clears his throat, preparing to explain. Jess... Jess... I... *her eyes are filling up with tears and she can't hardly speak* * Hall just stands and watches the reunion from her office wordlessly. * Jess just hugs Tiff tightly. * Tiff hugs back, trying to form words. She finally gets out. "Where... where were you?" * Jess leads Tiff into the office and sits her down. "New club, it..it locked me up to study for things." The Major comes in with another cup and pours Tiff some hot tea. * Tiff immediate downs it and then her eyes widen as she suddenly reacts to the hot. "Owie!" She was working for me, Tiffany. Uh... you probably want to sip that... * Scratch sensing his explanation is unnecessary at this time, takes a step back to allow the three of them to speak. * Tiff looks up and sniffles. "Working?" Yes, her and her associates are part of a hand picked team and today they were promoted to active duty. Does... does that mean you're not living with me anymore, Jess? I...I can't. I tried. Sorry, we thought it was best to relocate the team for easier uh... So things could be done faster. You're free to come and visit her whenever you like though. Provided she's not otherwise occupied. I... I can? * Tiff looks to Jess and smiles a bit more. Of course you can. I'll make sure Jess can clear whoever she wants with security. * Tiff looks much happier now and lays her head down against Jess's shoulder. * Jess starts naming off people and Hugs Tiff tighter. "Thank you Ma'am" * Hall waves her off. "Tell security not me. I have the Major take all my notes. Anyway, you three get to bed. I'm going to head that way myself." Can... Can I stay with you tonight? I don't want to go back to that place right now... *looks at Jess with the cutest round puppy dog eyes* Of course you can! Yay! [Session End]