1417/Morality

Morality
Date of Scene:	28 April 2020
Location:	Josie's Bar
Synopsis:	Morality
Cast of Characters:	Alexander Aaron, Sandra Wu-San

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Alexander Aaron has posed:
    The cellphone was a miraculous thing as inventions go. The connection of a thing to such a wide range of information and data, the abilities such a small thing grants you. Extremely useful, but not without its drawbacks. For though it offers such constant accessibility. It also allows a closure and a disappearance that can be just as great due to its rarity.
    Which is what Alexander had indulged in. Not really answering calls, not really following up with others. He had been traveling, wandering from point to point and seeking out words shared with people he pointedly did not know. Now and again he had checked his phone. Ignored what he had to...
    But there was one message he checked and pondered... and decided he could not ignore.
    It was that message that had brought him into Hell's Kitchen. Not exactly a place he would frequent. And it had led him to the corner bar called Josie's which... was not a place he'd normally go to. But once he slipped through those front doors, sharing a small smile with the bartender as he wandered past... his attention strayed to finding the person he was there to meet.

Sandra Wu-San has posed:
From Hong Kong to New York dives have a commonality from the neon sign and run down furniture to the mirror behind the bar. Seated at a table by the wall, facing the door, an Asian woman sits neatly dressed all in black from her boots to the light leather jacket. Shiva can blend into any setting, not a single patron, no matter how cocksure of himself or drunk would make the mistake of approaching her table either. Lifting her eyes from the soda water she was nursing at anyone approaching her sufficed to discourage conversation. Even the bartender made no protest at her not driving up her tab with expensive alcohol or beer. Patience was one of the virtues that her teachers had engendered within her. So she waited.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    It hadn't been too terribly long after the message sent. And trusting on its reception as the time of request was close to the expected time of arrival. Yet the youth had made it, strolling in and around the subtle weave of the crowd, avoiding the ebb and flow of the people making their way and the servers taking orders.
    It's past a group of men likely fresh off the evening shift that Alexander steps past. He doesn't look the part, still young in features if not manner. Blue jeans, a black t-shirt, but a jacket covers his chest with black leather sleeves though with a brown rougher leather interior.
    It's to that table that he wanders, pulling out a chair and taking a seat opposite of the older woman, "Shiva." He offers in way of greeting, the closest thing to informal and yet still a formality in the tone.

Sandra Wu-San has posed:
Shiva has the uncanny knack of not only keeping the unwanted at bay but bringing out her guests' civility. Uncanny since her work often was what the intelligence community termed as 'wet.' Face still; she nods with the solemnity of a queen receiving a courtier at court.

"Did you wish to continue your training? Especially in light of your uncle sending visitations on you?

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    For a moment she might see a ghost of a smile upon his features as he settles into that seat, arms resting on the tabletop before him with his palms flat on the surface. He looks up at her, and then away as he murmurs, "That's straight to the heart of the matter."
    When a server passes near he'll try and gain their attention, smiling as he lifts a hand. "Ginger ale, please?" To which she answers, sourly, somehow perhaps immune to the dourness of Lady Shiva or perhaps just having no inkling of the world nor self-awareness, she replies...
    "Oh joy, soda water, ginger ale. Last of the big spenders, huh?" And with that she rushes off. Which causes Alexander to smirk a little before he turns back.
    "Do you want to take me on as a student?" He asks of her, head tilted curiously, "Formally? Or do you mean perhaps we train at times together?"

Sandra Wu-San has posed:
"Would you have preferred me to have made light conversation, Alexander?" The barest shift of her mouth and her whole face shows her disapprobation of small talk but her gaze, resting on his, remains open to the young man.

The server's typical New Yorker's flouting politeness earns a lift of her head and a near smile that fades when her gaze returns to Alex. "I think you are the one to answer that question. I have taken very few students in my career, it is not something I treat lightly. I can help you be a better fighter but it is not something to be done on a whim."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Those so deep hazel eyes remain on her, the dark halo of gold in their depths glimmering slightly as he ponders the woman opposite him. There is silence between them after she finishes speaking, even as the ambient noise of the room continues unabated. After a minute the ginger ale is set on the table before him with its straw jutting out with the wrapper on it almost like a flag of shame placed there to let everyone know... non-alcoholic!
    But Alexander remains there, thoughtful as he murmurs. "I have obligations I cannot make myself free of. Oaths sworn to my family that I have to honor." He sits up a little straighter, hands sliding back and now on the arms of the chair.
    "They likely shouldn't last longer than six years. But they require a portion of my time and effort. I would accept being your student if such would not clash with my prior oaths."
    Then a pause, "But if it would then I would ask for us to embark on that path in the future."

Sandra Wu-San has posed:
"Six years from now? I'm not able to commit to something that far in the future," said with a finality that welcomes no discussion. She holds his hazel eyes, studying him frankly, her eyes unreadable, neutral, "So you honor your word and your commitments. What sort of oaths have you sworn, Alexander? I don't ask that lightly. Your secrets will be mine if that is necessary."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    At that he exhales lightly as a smile slips into place, "A promise, to my father, to finish college. Get a degree, graduate school if necessary." She can see the mild touch of reluctance there, knowing in some ways that training with Shiva would likely be worth more in the long run, but also... a promise to his father seems very important to him.
    "If you would be comfortable accepting my attention being on that as well as training together I could meet that obligation. But I understand if you cannot find this lack of dedication acceptable."
    It's only then that he leans forward, even as the jukebox kicks on with a barely heard country ballad, the crowd noise just strong enough to overwhelm it.

Sandra Wu-San has posed:
"Your father never struck me as being deluded." Still straight backed she sits further back in her chair still considering Alex, her expression relaxing somewhat.

"What does he wish you to study? Business? More to the point, what do you want to study?" She takes a sip of her soda water, places it squarely on the drink coaster.

"We could treat it as a sports scholarship of sorts. Though won't the people at the special school you're attending be having a word on how you spend your time or am I mistaken in that?"

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "I'm leaving there," Alexander says to her with an even tone. The special school he means. "At the end of the semester, going to Empire State after. So..." He uncurls a hand to the side, gesturing a little absently, "I'll be going to a regular university with regular expectations. So my time will be free to do with as I will."
    But then he looks back and leans forward, smiling a little bit as he murmurs, "As for what I will study? I have no idea." As he hasn't even considered a major yet, and the way his eyes distance in thought at that... she likely can tell it's not a subject he prefers.
    Then back to her he says quietly, "But a promise is a promise." Particularly to his father. At the least.

Sandra Wu-San has posed:
"No idea what you're going to study? Architecture or civil engineering might make sense considering your father's business." Her expression softens, realizing that he is still a teenager in some ways that his fighting style makes her forget.

"A promise is a promise. I won't ask you to compromise your promise to your father." Eyes lowered as she takes another sip of her drink, she ponders his situation, "Fine. We can find a way for you to train and for you to study. I will continue to take clients as well. That, in fact, will work well for us both."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    The discussion of his future, particular what his goal should be for school... it does not sit well with him. His head turns away as he ponders the room and the people around them. One hand lifts to rub at the back of his neck before he looks back to her, "I'll probably angle for something with history." His lip twists, "Perhaps a focus on classical literature."
    And as he says that he straightens a little, but hten nods to her. "Very well, sensei." He answers now with her title, as he accepts the agreement offered him if she is willing to meet those limitations. His head cants to the other side as he ponders something, chewing on his lower lip.
    "I would like to talk to you about something else, if I may."

Sandra Wu-San has posed:
Sensei is accepted with a nod. Shiva knows full well the responsibilities that it implies. Opening her hand in an invitation, "What did you want to ask?"

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    There's a swallow as the young man ponders, lifting his eyes up a bit to her, or perhaps a little beyond her. She likely can tell, can read in those pale blue and jade green eyes that he is taking his time, choosing his words... and then shaking his head slightly once he settles on a few.
    "I know you live by your own rules, Shiva. That you have a different view of morality. I would hear you speak to me about it. How you've formed yourself, your values. I've..."
    He looks away then, frowning before he turns back, "I've noticed how people delineate things, or create a code of honor to maintain some sort of seperation from the severe things they do. But you are at ease with murder. With violence. So few people view themselves as... villainous, usually they create those barriers to maintain a feeling of connection with society and morality."
    He straightens in his chair a little, "What is it for you?"

Sandra Wu-San has posed:
"Where does this myth come from that I am at ease with murder?" There is the barest rise of anger in her black eyes that snap. She brushes back her silken hair in a dismissive gesture. "Every life has value, I do not take them with joy or ease."

Chin high, voice adamant, "I take those who would take mine. Does that make me a villain?""

Only a very few people have seen the true Shiva, she gives her student a glimpse into the real woman. Chest swelled in indignation, she slaps the table as she says, "I do not kill the helpless. I do not kill the good. Does that make me good?" Her lips curl in dismissal of the idea.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "No," Alexander says quietly, "There are many tales surrounding you. How you seek out opponents and take their lives to improve yourself. How you do not brook argument or disagreement and have taken lives of those that have spoken ill of you or offered disrespect." He tells her this with a steady calmness to him, no judgment in his tone, simply speaking to what he knows of or heard.
    "I don't think you murder without reason, because you seem rational to me." The youth bites his lower lip for a moment, then uncurls his hand as he gestures to her, "But that brings up what I was speaking of. For those of us that at times do things that society as a whole do not feel is moral. When we take lives even if they're just to our code of honor, it is not accepted by them. How... do you delineate those things? How do you view it yourself?"
    He takes a deep breath and frowns, "These are just thoughts I've been wrestling with, sensei. And I was hoping you might share your insight."

Sandra Wu-San has posed:
"Tales!" Shiva opens her fingers letting the rumors fly into the air. "No one who meets me in a fight does not know my terms. I do not sneak up on my adversaries and knife them in the back. I meet them on a common ground." Her voice is quiet sheathed in steel.

"I do not murder. Murder is taking away the life of someone who did not meet you face to face in battle. Nor do I kill all my adversaries. Some I let live."

Are you asking me how do I decide who lives and dies?"

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Nooo," It is a rare sort who can endure the anger flashing in Shiva's eyes, but Alexander... does not feel fear. Which in some ways might make him all the more maddening. "I am not condemning you, Shiva. I..."
    He chews on the inside of his cheek and just tells her directly, with no hemming nor hawing. Those curious jade hazel eyes meet her gaze as he murmurs, "I do not relate to people as most do. I think. I... don't know if I am a moral individual, or even if I have a code of honor. Or if I'm self-serving. I'm trying to speak to people to help me get this insight because..."
    He looks to the side and rubs the back of his neck, "I'm not sure if I'm human. Or if I'm acting as just a vessel for... Fate?"

Sandra Wu-San has posed:
"I would not care if you were condemning me, Alexander. Your condemnation would carry the same weight as these rumors you mention." Her slender fingers open like she is releasing a bird.

Black eyes study the handsome boy's face, the complex colors of his eyes could draw one in but like his fearlessness, she is not affected by another person's outward beauty. "You will not have one answer to these questions, Alexander. There is no single answer and you will have to walk the path of your life challenging your decisions because you are all of the things that you mentioned but not all the time."

A silence follows, marked by a sharp exhale. "You are the son of a god and yet, also human." Shaking her head, "I have no easy answers for you."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Nose crinkling somewhat, the young deity disagrees with her slightly, about something, though he doesn't give voice to it. Instead he just weathers the displeasure and looks to the side, knowing he's not likely to get any easy answers, or even any particular ones that fit his circumstance. So he lets it go and just nods once she offers that she has no answers for him.
    "Alright, that was all I had to ask about." For now.
    That having been said he looks to the side, then back to her. "Was there anything else you needed me for?"

Sandra Wu-San has posed:
Amused at his expression, Shiva asks, "What didn't you like about what I said? That there are no absolutes? Tell me." She deliberately ignores his last question which strikes her as querulous.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    A small smile staggers to life there, but only for a moment as his eyes lift, then return to her. He nibbles upon the inside of his lip as he tells her gently, with almost a hint of warmth there that might not entirely be proper with her chagrin shown only moments ago.
    "I was thinking that my condemnation might well carry more weight than mere rumors, if I felt it. For you would know it was sincere, Lady Shiva. And you would know from whence it came. So it would not be without weight."
    He then leans forwards and reclaims his soda glass, tilting it on its side slightly to claim an ice cube and then to toss it in his mouth to crunch it between his molars.

Sandra Wu-San has posed:
His smiles strikes the flint of her own, delighted, she leans toward the boy, "Yes, perhaps I would know it." She leans back contemplating his show of fearlessness. On another man it would mask his true feelings, Shiva knows that he hides no fear. That have come to share that trait on very different paths.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "So. There." Alexander says, with the first hint of a rejoinder given, but it's coupled with a slight curve of a smile. Not offering disrespect, but a first for him to chide her or check her however minimally. That having been said, however, he turns to look away and looks thoughtful for a few moments.
    Then he looks back to her and lifts his chin, "When would you next wish to train, and what do you feel it will entail?" He asks that out of curiousity, the gleam of it almost a palpable thing in those pale eyes of his.
    But then he draws back a little from the question by adding, "If you would share it with me, sensei."

Sandra Wu-San has posed:
"It behooves you to be polite now, does it?" The smile he sparked with his veiled threat returns. "I will answer that question during the match. I want to see what you brought with you from our first match. There are a few things that I will be able to teach you but best that be done on the practice floor.

"When will you be free to practice again?"

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    A small shrug is given along with a chuff exhaled slightly, something in his eyes as he meets her gaze and he chews on the inside of his cheek. Slowly, very slowly he straightens up and between them there is that subtle feeling of 'chi', that faint feeling of that energy building, that small hint of a challenge that can be felt between two martial artists. Some might well consider it but mere body language, an understanding of micro tells between two people. But for them, something else.
    Those curious eyes hold her gaze and he murmurs simply. "Tonight." For he does not need to sleep, but then he uncurls a hand, "Tomorrow evening or afternoon."
    That said he looks at his glass and moistens his lips briefly for a moment then gives another small shrug as if knowing that the times offered might well not be acceptable to her.

Sandra Wu-San has posed:
Shiva's posture already balanced and straight changes subtly with one breath. Her ribs expand and she releases the breath slowly and consciously. The pressure of his gaze, the push through his chi to hers, the implicit challenges provokes one word, "Interesting. Your choice. I have no plans for those times, right now."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    At that Alexander nods once to her and then pushes his drink away. He rests his hands flat upon the table and then pushes himself to his feet. "Very well." A tilt of his head is given to her just before they leave as he says, "Shall we?" And from there they are off.