perenawska (perenawska) wrote in marvel_nextgen,
@ 2010-07-14 19:29:00

Entry tags:

antaeus, argo, inactive - harmony watkins, inactive - lyta braddock-worthington, perenawska, team - champions

All Things Being the Same (open)
Irina sat on the barstool in a bar down the street from Champions' headquarters. She didn't feel like going back there just yet, but this place was close enough to make her feel like she was home. Since the incident with rescuing the kids and with her father, Irina hadn't been back to the Champions' headquarters. She didn't want to see the stares or the look of accusation in their eyes.

She didn't blame them. The man who had experimented on children and had done many other horrible things was her father and she hadn't told them. Granted she didn't know about the horrible things he did until Nicholas worked his mojo on Alexi, but it didn't matter. He was a horrible man, a monster, and she had stuck up for him. She protected him from them and didn't hand him over to the authorities like she should have.

Irina gulped down a shot of vodka and refilled the glass.

Maybe it was time to move on. It's not like the Champions were going to forgive her any time soon and quite frankly she didn't blame them. She had in a way betrayed them and she deserved everything she got in return. Leaving Russia and home hadn't felt this bad.

Irina sighed heavily and drank down another shot.

It was time to call the Winter Guard and get reassigned.

(Post a new comment)

	a_blessing 2010-07-15 04:15 am UTC (link)
	"Someone said there was a real Russian ordering them out of vodka here." Harmony slipped up and sat herself down. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	perenawska 2010-07-15 04:17 am UTC (link)
	"I doubt I can drink all the vodka in this place." A pause. "But I could give it a try." Irina looked over at her. "Did they send you?" She motioned to catch the bartender's attention so Harmony could get a drink. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	a_blessing 2010-07-15 04:19 am UTC (link)
	"Nope. I just took a good guess that I might find you here. I did hear about things, though. I'd ask you if you are okay, but I'm fairly certain that the answer is no." Harmony bought a drink, a beer, just to be polite. She probably wouldn't drink it. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	perenawska 2010-07-15 04:34 am UTC (link)
	Irina shrugged. "I don't know how I am," she said honestly. "They don't trust me now." She refilled her shot glass. "And they are not wrong for doing so." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

a_blessing
2010-07-16 12:30 am UTC (link)

"Actually, they are wrong." She looked at Irina carefully. "There is a certain loyalty we all have to the people who brought us into this world. Even when those parents are not saints and who may even have hurt us along the way still command a sense of loyalty. So you chose to help your father. You did not choose to not help your friends. You simply made a decision based on familial ties. Was it the correct decision? I can't judge that. But it shows an extraordinary amount of character to not abandon a familial tie.

"I think if any of the others had been in your situation they would have at least considered the actions you took. If they say otherwise, they are lying to themselves."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	perenawska 2010-07-16 12:46 am UTC (link)
	Irina shook her head. "In the past I would agree to you, but not now. That monster does not deserve any loyalty or kindness. Not even from his own daughter." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	a_blessing 2010-07-16 01:20 am UTC (link)
	"You say that now, in retrospect, when your mind has had a chance to pollute what your heart did and knew. Now, the monster needs to be handed over for justice, but that is not yours--nor any of ours--to mete out." Harmony sighed. "I trust you." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	perenawska 2010-07-16 01:30 am UTC (link)
	"He's in a coma," Irina said. "Nicholas...." She couldn't explain what Nicholas did. Irina had seen it and couldn't put it into words. "My father got his justice and what he deserved." Irina looked over at her. "Thanks. It means a lot." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	a_blessing 2010-07-16 01:33 am UTC (link)
	"Then we live with that justice. C'mon. You need to come back with me. It won't be pretty, I'm sure, but I'm not particularly going to let you wallow or leave." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	perenawska 2010-07-16 02:17 am UTC (link)
	"Okay, fine. I'll go. But I won't be surprised when they kick me out as soon as I step inside the door." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	a_blessing 2010-07-16 02:53 am UTC (link)
	"That isn't going to happen." Harmony waited for her to come along and then started back towards HQ. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	perenawska 2010-07-16 12:12 pm UTC (link)
	Irina downed one last shot for courage and followed Harmony out. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	perenawska 2010-07-16 09:54 pm UTC (link)
	Irina took a deep breath before she stepped into the Champions' Headquarters. She was exactly sure what kind of reception she would get so she was prepared for just about anything. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	sandcastlegod 2010-07-16 09:55 pm UTC (link)
	Corey was in his kitchen, doing the dishes, feeling fundamentally uncomfortable, and while he felt right about giving the kids his available shade-grown chocolate stash, he was kind of wishing he'd kept a bar for himself. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	perenawska 2010-07-16 10:01 pm UTC (link)
	"Hello?" Irina said hesitantly as she stopped in the doorway to the kitchen. She wasn't surprised to see Corey in there, but was relieved it was just him so far. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

son_of_hercules
2010-07-16 10:06 pm UTC (link)

Normally, mortal liquors were enough for Argo, when he was in a celebrating mood. They lacked the capacity to intoxicate him, but they quenched his thirst and tasted good.

But the Son of Hercules was hardly in a celebrating mood. Though they had rescued the children, his friend Alisa had vanished without a trace, troubling after what had been done to her. And though he had dispatched the minions sent against him with ease, though the children had been rescued... it had all lacked the finality he would have liked.

So he had broken out Olympian drink, drowning his sorrows as best he could.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sandcastlegod 2010-07-16 10:15 pm UTC (link)
	"Hi," Corey said to Irina quietly. The situation was so messed up. "Kinda between meals right now, but there's leftovers in the fridge." Because food is totally the relevant conversation. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	perenawska 2010-07-16 10:19 pm UTC (link)
	Well it was definitely better than a 'get the hell out' that she had been expecting, but then again this was Corey. He'd be the last one she expect to get that from. "Thanks, but I'm really not hungry. I came to apologize and see if there's still a place for me here." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	a_blessing 2010-07-17 12:28 am UTC (link)
	Harmony stayed near Irina, but her curiosity as to what Argo was drinking was strong. "Argo?" She sounded concerned. It was certainly not his usual drink. "What are you drinking?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	son_of_hercules 2010-07-17 12:32 am UTC (link)
	Argo looked up from his spot at the kitchen table, setting his tankard down. "Tis... Olympian wine," he said, taking longer to compose his words than usual. "Wouldst thou... like some?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	a_blessing 2010-07-17 12:37 am UTC (link)
	Looking at how tense everything was at the moment, Harmony nodded and moved over to sit by Argo. "Yeah. I'll try it." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	son_of_hercules 2010-07-17 12:44 am UTC (link)
	Argo looked around for a moment and got up and found a glass from the cupboard, before returning to the table and pouring some of his wine for Harmony. "Tis... strong," he cautioned. "But... good." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	lytaworthington 2010-07-17 12:52 am UTC (link)
	Lyta walked into the kitchen, looking like she'd fallen asleep on her desk. Because she had. "Hey everyone..." she said, walking over to the fridge. She was still fairly groggy, having just woken up. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	perenawska 2010-07-17 12:57 am UTC (link)
	"Hello Argo. Hello Lyta," Irina said. It was strange. They were acting like nothing had really happened. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	a_blessing 2010-07-17 03:39 am UTC (link)
	Harmony sniffed the offered wine and then watched Irina and the others interact. It was awkward, but there didn't seem to be hostility. This was promising. Harmony felt confident as she picked up her cup and took a sip, her face instantly going red. "Argo..." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

sandcastlegod
2010-07-17 05:56 am UTC (link)

"Yeah, Harmony, you really don't want much of that..." Corey says, slightly forlornly, when he looks up from the dishes.

"There's juice, Lyta. And just to say again, Argo, I can get you some water and fix you some toast..."

He looks around. Things had, of course, happened. Corey had barely been able to understand any of what he'd been told -- having just come out of Nightmares Mode at the time had not helped -- but it was definitely Messed up. What was a clear fact was that Misha was family, and had been through Hell, and that exacerbated any philosophical dilemmas considerably.

Still. In the depths of Corey-logic...
"I never enjoyed Antigone," he says aloud, looking at Irina. "But it wasn't like she was Orestes or something."
...Corey logic does not always translate immediately as comprehensible by most people.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

perenawska
2010-07-17 01:08 pm UTC (link)

Irina understood what Corey was trying to say. She had read the Classics and enjoyed them.

"Can I say something to all of you?" she asked. "I am only going to say this one so I need you all to listen."

She took a deep breath.

"That man is my father, but the man we found was not the man I have known for the past ten years. My father was always a patient and understanding man. Even kind, in his own way. I didn't know what he was involved in or what he was really like until Nicholas used his powers and showed me and made Alexi face his own sins.

I've seen things that I had a hard time reconciling with the man I knew as my father. Is he a monster? Yes. I will not deny that. Is he still my father? Yes. Which is why I took him away from there and put him in a place where he will be cared for instead letting people murder him. The doctors don't ever expect him to come out of the comatose state he is in. If he does, he will be handed over to the authorities.

If I had know what he was doing I would have done everything in my power to stop him. I don't know if any of you can forgive me for having loyalty to my blood, but I hope that one day you can. When I saw what he did I lost my father, but I hope I don't lose the other family I have."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

lytaworthington
2010-07-17 10:52 pm UTC (link)

Lyta sighed. Did she agree with Irina not handing over her father to the authorities? Absolutely not, after what he did to those kids. Did she understand why she did it though? In a way, yes, she did. Hell, she probably would've done the same thing if she was in Irina's place.

"He's your blood," Lyta said, "And blood runs deep. It's only human nature to want to defend them. And after what Nicholas did to him, I understand why you wouldn't want to leave him there to rot. Do I agree with you? No, I don't. But people have disagree all the time. And like you said, you didn't know what he was involved in. And if you did, you wouldn't let us go after the kids, and you would've tried to stop us, correct? Like I said, while I don't agree with what you did, I understand why you did it. And that's good enough for me."

As for Misha thinking that Irina was a Red Room plant, she didn't think that was true, either. Irina was her friend. He could call her naive, but she believed that was who she said she was. She'd proven her loyalty and worth in the field. And that was all Lyta needed.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

son_of_hercules
2010-07-18 12:19 am UTC (link)

The wine made it hard for Argo to focus. He'd had what was probably entirely too much of it.

"There be monsters in mine bloodline as well. Ares, Pluto, Athena, even Grandfather Zeus... In some cases, on levels thine mortal minds could not begin to comprehend. These monstrous acts wert not always answered for... but it changes not that they were done."

He took another drink.

"And I wouldst take mine vengeance upon any of them if I thought they didst deserve it. I believe thou madest the wrong choice, Irina, and on your head the consequences shall be. But I art not judge, this land be not mine nor its rules mine. Mine heart beats for vengeance on behalf of those children and Alisa..."

He had come to a half-standing position, a bit unsteady. "...But there is little to be done now."

He finished standing. "I... doth not believe I shalt go out tonight. I be not in the mood to celebrate."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sandcastlegod 2010-07-18 01:30 am UTC (link)
	When Argo starts to leave, there'll be a relatively tiny hand on his wrist and a frowning devotee/pal holding out a glass of water. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	a_blessing 2010-07-18 01:44 am UTC (link)
	Harmony looked at the liquid in her cup as though trying to investigate it while she let other people say their peace. She wanted them all to talk it out. She took another sip, still curious. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

ladydevil
2010-07-18 03:17 pm UTC (link)

And Eliza has been listening in quietly. The red haired member of the team shakes her head.

"I can't say that I'm happy. But sometimes we don't have the full picture. And we can't know everything about our parents. They hide the worst of themselves from us because they want our love and respect. And I'm sorry your Father is not the kind of person who deserves that from you anymore."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	son_of_hercules 2010-07-18 10:28 pm UTC (link)
	Corey has, of course, little power to restrain Argo, but he pauses anyway, reading the concern even in his drunken state. "Mine thanks, Corey," he replied, slurring his words as he took the glass. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sandcastlegod 2010-07-19 01:15 am UTC (link)
	Corey smiles up at him. "You're welcome." Then he looks at Harmony. Soon, Harmony is being offered a glass of water, too. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	perenawska 2010-07-19 02:18 am UTC (link)
	Irina nodded. She understood what they were saying and was glad they weren't kicking her off the team. As dysfunctional as they were, they were still like a family to her. "Thank you," she said quietly. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	a_blessing 2010-07-20 12:46 am UTC (link)
	"I'm okay, Corey." She wasn't slurring. Yet. "Argo, you should probably lie down. I'll walk you." Standing up, Harmony felt dizzy suddenly but nobly didn't sway. It was weird. She felt like her body was warming in slow motion. "C'mon." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	son_of_hercules 2010-07-20 12:48 am UTC (link)
	"The... the Son of Hercules needs no... needs no..." Argo tried to get out, but couldn't finish the sentence. "The Son of Hercules shall escort the lady to her room! Yes!" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	ladydevil 2010-07-20 02:50 am UTC (link)
	Eliza tries to cover up her amusement. It's pretty hard when Argo is so animate. Still there is a touch of seriousness about why everyone is like this that won't go away for a long time. (Reply to this)(Parent)

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