1204/One or two Hands

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One or two Hands
Date of Scene: 17 April 2020
Location: Chikara Dojo
Synopsis: Colleen and Elektra meet to talk of the past, present and future.
Cast of Characters: Colleen Wing, Elektra Natchios




Colleen Wing has posed:
Another day, another class. She held classes every day except on Sunday, many of them being after-school to accomodate the city kids that all seemed to see the dojo as a safe-haven and a place to feel accepted. This afternoon's class is just ending, about twelve kids of varying ages packing up their things and slinging their bags over their shoulders. "Remember. Before next class I want you all to practice that kata for at least an hour. I will be testing you the next time I see you." There is a off chorus of ."Yes Sensei." As students start to depart.

"Raina. Can I speak to you for a moment?" Collen begins to make her way over to a young girl, possible around twelve years of age. The young girl nods and meets her half way. "Yes Sensei?"

"How is your math class going? The girls facial expression needs no words. "Sunday. I know we don't have class. Come by anyways, lets see what we can do to fix that." SHe tossels the girls hair and smiles. "Off with you."

With all the students gone, Colleen makes her way to the floor by her sliding door and picks up a bottle of water, taking a long sip. "Finally."

Elektra Natchios has posed:
Elektra hasn't been back in New York for that long and while there are times in which she truly wonders -why- she really came back she has also heard of one other, perhaps even similar to her, who has chosen to pick up a life here.

So as the last children are prowling out of the class it's instead the sound of heels that is heard. A calculating approach, dark gaze settling down on that last girl leaving, Raina, just the bare hint of a smile on her expression.

She makes her way over to dojo door, opening it slowly, a brief look about the dojo and then her eyes finally settle on the owner, Colleen. She studies her then, thoughtful, eyes no less dangerous than they were all those years ago and she says in way of greeting. "Hello, Colleen."

Colleen Wing has posed:
Her back was to the door, not expecting anyone else to come in. Sure there were drop ins for lessons, but usually not right after one of her classes. Rather than spin around quickly, the young woman keeps he rback to the voice she immediatley recognizes. Hr words are softly delivered. "Hello Elektra. It has been a long time. To what do I owe the honor?

Slowly she turns, offering a small smile as her gazes focuses on the beautiful assassin known as Elektra. "Welcome to Chikara Dojo. It's nothing fancy, but even great things can come out of a dumpster." She takes another sip of the water and tilts her head to the side regarding the other woman with a narrowed eye. "Have you come for chat? Clearly you have exceeded anything I could possibly teach you." She pauses a moment and takes a step closer. "Or is this /business/ related?"

Elektra Natchios has posed:
The assassin is garbed in a mix and blend of high society, with those heels, the designer jeans but also for praticality, the sleeveless vest she wears on her torso. As if she'd be here ready for anything, either socializing or fighting. But knowing these two they always seem ready for each.

She isn't barbaric enough to enter the dojo with heels though, so she steps out of them, in a polite, traditional manner. "A few years." she returns, then finally getting into the room.

"It is a start." She says of what she sees, "Are you happy with what you are doing now?" some curiosity conveyed on her tone there.

Yet when that last question comes if this is business related there is a knowing smirk that appears on her lips, which shifts into an enigmatic smile. "I thought you didn't do that kind of business anymore, Colleen. But no, I am mostly here to talk. To see where we might stand."

Colleen Wing has posed:
Designer jeans and a fancy vest, it does not matter what she is wearing, Elektra is dangerous. However, Colleen does not appear intimidated an walks closer, her barefeet padding softly on the matted floor. "A few years at least. How our paths have diverged as they so often do." A casual shrugs is given and she laughs ever so softly. "Am I happy with what I am doing now? I couldn't be happier. I am using my skills to serve those who need it most..." She gestures to the door, "Those kids. It's rewarding in ways I never thought possible."

Her arm gestures for the woman to come in, turning to make her way to the middle of the dojo and turning back again to face her. "I don't. That chapter is closed, but to be honest the book will never be put back on the shelf. Choices made and consequences follow."

She then gives Elektra a quizical glance to her inquiry with a casual shrug. "Where we stand? Well that question is quite loaded is it not? I guess the real question is where do we /want/ to stand? You know Elektra I have never thought ill of you. Never. In fact I respect you more than I do most. I cannot fault you for the choices you have made as I have made the same choices. I simply ask...do we stand on the same side of the line or do we stradle it?"

Elektra Natchios has posed:
Sure, Elektra may not just be the heartless assassin of the past but when Colleen speaks about being as happier as she could ever be teaching children there is a rather doubting look that comes across those dark eyes, "Well, I will take your word for it." she says in her refined accent, padding quietly across the floor, elegant and never losing that deadly edge, as if she was always ready to fight if need be.

Though she agrees completely at the mention of choices and consequences. "The Hand never forgets, or forgives. You know they will find you again one day." and just before there's a question she adds. "And no, I am not the one they sent. Yet they have a presence here in the city." a faint smile. "Or we, if we are going to be technical about it." for some reason it appearing to amuse her.

"Though yes, I have always respected you as well. It takes courage to do what you did." One she hasn't found yet. "As for where we stand, mmm....." she walks around the dojo for a few moments, looking at the walls then windows. ".. I have never been one to draw lines and stand on one side or the other. Life is never that simple, is it?"

Colleen Wing has posed:
She walks like a viper always ready to strike. Her mere prescence is enough to keep even Colleen a bit on edge and her guard somewhat up and ready for anything. Sure she said she had not been sent by the Hand and ha dcome on her own accord, but as soon as you fully trust you end up dead. "I am aware of their presence. They have extended their /hand/ to me on a few occassions. Yet, I would like to think if they had sent you to send me a message you would simply not walk through my door to do it."

She exhales slowly, a visible sigh. "Anything worth doing is never easy. You can call it courage, but I am still scared. I always will be and the choice I made has put me in a situation to be." She leans against an empty space on the wall, watching the woman pace about he dojo. "Life is not that simple. Lines in the sand. Good and Evil. It is full of shades of grey. But, tell me Elektra out there.." She points to the street. "If we ever found ourselves on opposite sides...would you fight me?"

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"It's one of the teachings, isn't it? Strike through unpredictable ways, make your opponent unaware of your true intentions. The Hand never truly shows their real colors until it's too late." Almost as if Elektra would be warning Colleen, so as to never trust her, even if she comes with a smile and through the front door. Yet Colleen seems wise enough about that already!

"Fear can keep us alive when we need it.." Elektra replies when Colleen mentions being scared about her decisions, though eventually she comes to a full stop, specifically at that last question, an appraising look given to Colleen, eyes turning to slits. "Mmmm, always into the interesting questions. Do you believe we'd find ourselves in opposite sides in the future?" it does make her consider, "Because me coming here is to make sure we find ourselves in the same side and there are no misunderstandings.."

A pause, she folding her arms. "Specifically about the rest of the Defenders. I am not particularly interested that your .., friend Iron Fist is aware of my past. Could I trust you to keep it that way?"

Colleen Wing has posed:
"I am fully aware of how the Hand operates. I used to recruit for them. Do you not recall? Snakes in the grass. Their own definition of honor and was is acceptable. In the end they get what they want." She walks closer to Elektra, actually very close to even smell any scent she may be wearing, her arms folded behind her to show no immediate sign of aggression and full trust in the woman. "Fear keeps my skills sharp. If one has nothing to fear, then they have no reason to protect themselves now do they?" Elektra might notice a glistening of sweat on Colleen's skin now.

"I don't like to predict the future Elektra. I leave that to the fortune cookies. They are much more accurate and come free." She offers a small smile, not letting it break into anything bigger. "I don't ever want to be standing across from you with my fists raised Elektra. I am not a fool. Yet you do put me in a very interesting place."

Her head tilts to the side again and regards the woman a moment before speaking again, her words very soft, almost a whisper. "I live by a code of honor Elektra. Loyalty to my friends is part of that code. No where does that leave you and I? Let me tell you. I consider you a friend. Not an enemy. Therefore, I have a certain loyatly to you. On the other hand, no pun intended, I have loyatly to Danny and the Defenders." She removes a hand from behind her back and slowly moves it to lightly touch Elektra on the cheek with her open palm. "So if nobody asks, I do not need to tell do I? However...if you ever hear word of my endangerment...out of loyalty, I expect you to warn me. Do we have a deal?" She slowly lowers her hand.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
A glance is given over her shoulder at Colleen when the woman approaches so. Not many that actually do it, both in conscience or not. Her reputation for answering with Sais is well known afterall in their 'circle'. Yet there is just the faintest trace of orchids felt on her. Was it already present on her when they met so many years ago? Perhaps. "Exactly so, Colleen. Fear can keep us alive in the right doses. Or be deadly in the wrong ones." the corner of her mouth curling up into an half-smirk.

She then turns to fully face Colleen, her arms folding over her front, one hip trusted to one side in a relaxed manner. Yes, doesn't seem she is here to fight... At least today. "I would hope that if you stood on opposite sides you'd be using more than just your fists." she quips with some amusement. Because it certainly seems she isn't the type for half-measures where it comes to fighting. "But that is fair.."

She listens to Colleen talk of her code of honor. A nod, as if she knew that already. "I would expect no less from you." she allows the touch, not moving away, her dark gaze continuing upon Colleen as they stand face to face. Considering the proposal, what it entails. "It is an acceptable bargain. I do not expect the secret to remain so for that long but there is no need for further complication. At least until we are done with the Hand cell here in New York."

Then a pause, her expression easing just so. "It is good to see you again, Colleen." perhaps considering that if there's someone that can understand part of what she is going through that'd be Colleen.

Colleen Wing has posed:
Colleen takes one step back and gives a nod, a nod that seems to say /excellent/. She shakes her head slowly a soft chuckle escaping her. "Of all the people I would have thought may have walked through that door, you Elektra were at the bottom of that list. Yet, I am glad you did." She turns her back once more and continues. "About that Hand cell in New York. You are fully aware of the Danny's and the Defenders desire to see to it that their presence is...erradicated."

She slowly turns back aorund and golds her hands before her. "That being...I..myself are part of that erradication plan. And here we are standing beforeone another in full awareness of that fact and yet we are okay with it?" A hand is raised to brush a strand of hair back behind her ear. "You play a dangerous game Elektra. A dangerous game indeed. A game in which I am one of the few who knows exactly what game you play. Yet, you have my word. I..was you. I will continue to do what needs to be done to keep New York safe and only hope that I do not see you in the process." Her eyes narrow. "I will fight you if fate forces my hand. Yet I will not seek that fight."

She watches the woman a moment, seemingly studying her before speaking again. "If you truly want out...you know where to find me. I don't hide. I may even be able to offers you some guidance. However, if you don't...I cannot fault you. It is up to you to choose your own path and how can I fault you as I walked the same road."

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"Doesn't that mean I am doing my work well? I'd hate to become one of those boring people that always do the expected." Elektra states in quite the amusement tone. Well, as amused as Elektra gets, not chippy amused, but subtly instead. The question about the Defenders brings an affimative nod. "I am. I have met them. Including Danny." she lets that sink in, then smiles faintly.

"Our interests are aligned, I do not wish for their presence here in New York. But ..." a beat. "... do not think us alike. You have always had your code of honor, and I have always done what I needed to do." yet perhaps they are more similar than Elektra actually wishes to admit.

"Then let us not worry, for I shall not force such a fight either. And I have more to do than worry about how prickly fate can be. What happens, will happen."

"You did." She says about following their own path. "The same way I will follow mine. I knew you would understand." she reaches up with one slender hand, briefly placing it on Colleen's shoulder, a rare moment in which Elektra seems to display some genuine respect. "You have my gratitude."

Colleen Wing has posed:
Colleen easily allows the hand on her shoulder, peering over at the hand before turning her eyes back to Elektra's eyes. "We do what we need to do and hope and pray we are doing the right thing. Even the best laid plans are nothing when tossed into a fire. We all have personal interests and the instinctual desire to surive. I've done plenty of things I am not proud of. Plenty. But there is always a tomorrow."

A small chuckle escapes her, a genuine smile. "I..I can't believe you are standing in my dojo." The words are quickly dismissed. "I do understand Elektra, perhaps more then you think. It is why I am so accepting of it. It is why I am so willing to keep this conversation between us. It pleases me to have your gratitude, but even more so to have your respect and trust." She extends her hands out to the side. "This is me now Elektra. I run a dojo for kids who have no safe place to go and on the side see to it the streets where those same kids play are safe. Is it glorious? No. Do I need it be? Not at all. My name is already on a sign in a run down part of Chinatown. I have made it. I can only go down from here." She winks and laughs lightly.

Her own hand goes to Elektra's shoulder now, resting there gently. "Be safe my friend you are walking a tightrope above an active volcano. The winds shift when you least expect it. Watch every step."

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"We all have done plenty of things." Is Elektra proud of them though? Well, she isn't the type to have regrets. But she inclines her head, at least understanding in a way. Her eyes glance about the place again, a brow arching. "I could never see myself teaching in a dojo, but we all have our place. If you have found yours. Good."

A moment as they each rest hands on each other's shoulder before she lets hers fall down to her side, laughing out. "That's why I always make sure I am the volcano, not the one walking the tightrope." a wicked grin to her lips and then a step back from Colleen. "I will be seeing you soon."

And with that she begins to walk towards the exit in that measured pace of hers, out to get into her heels and then it's time to go. Yes, she was certain they would meet again quite soon. One way or another.