Twila@

Twila@M3 - Friday, December 03, 1999, 10:52 PM ----------------------------------------------

Command Center <Hunter HQ> Monitors and computer consoles line the walls of this cavernous room. In the center of the room is a round computer with holographic display, its lights flashing busily as it processes information about mavericks, and their last known sittings. Computers along the walls are also occupied with an information processing task. Technicians and other Maverick Hunters run about hastily, monitoring the computers, and making sure the information is as accurate as it can be. The whole air of this room exudes purpose and drive, and the hustle and bustle seems never-ending. On the south wall are two large bulletproof windows which gives you a view of the rooftop runway and Hangar Area. A large blast door in the middle of the two windows, giving easy access to the landing strip.

Kalinka arrives from the Grav Lift <Hunter HQ>.

Twila Peterson tosses the little girl a wave along with a smile in response. "Heya, Kali."

Kalinka says, "Hi Twila! What's going on?"

Twila Peterson hmmms and swings herself in the chair so she's facing the girl. "Oh, nothing much. Was just helping Swing out with something. And what are you up to?"

Kalinka says, "Oh....I'm not doing much, just wanted to see what you were up to."

Twila Peterson idly taps the console. "To be honest...not much. Was thinking about heading out for a little bit. You...like going to the beach?"

Kalinka says, "Sure!"

Twila Peterson stands up from her seat with a smile. "Sounds like a plan then. ever been to the boardwalk in new Jersey?"

Kalinka says, "Nope...lets go!"

<Soon...>

New England The oldest of all the regions in the United States, New England is perhaps the area that is the greatest mixture of old and new. Bristling with the most MegaCities of any region in North America, New England MegaCities are an odd combination of advanced superstructures and ancient, carefully preserved historic buildings and monuments. Long standing traditions, such as the Statue of Liberty in New York City, the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, and an entire section of historic Boston, all remain as they have for centuries. Much of what was once suburban land, however, has been absorbed into the MegaCities and developed into what is now the large super-structures and modern buildings. A few wildlife parks are scattered between the vast cities, but most of the landscape has been absorbed into the cities. To the east, the fierce Atlantic Ocean extends out beyond the horizon.

The Boardwalk The beach, the ocean, the overly greasy food.

Twila Peterson leads the enthusiastic nine-year-old towards the actual beach after going through all that she and the girl had of getting there. After stepping off the wooden pier she suggests, "Might want to take off your shoes and socks...to avoid getting sand within them," she states with a smile as she does so herself.

Kalinka nods and does so too.

Twila Peterson grins as some of the ocean breezes brush through her lengthy locks of reddish hair. "It's light out right now here so...if you wanted to...can even look for seashells or build a sand castle if you wanted. I wouldn't suggest getting too close to the water tho. No suits and...too cold this type of year." So saying she wads up her socks and places them within her boots as she glances over the nearly empty beach. hardly anyone can be found here during this season.

Kalinka has her eyes near the ground, looking for any pretty shells. She runs over to something and picks it up, "Wow...a sand dollar. I've only seen these things in books before."

Twila Peterson smiles widely as she hurries over to the girl. "Did you know that if you broke it open you would find little birds inside?"

Kalinka blinks, "Little birds?"

Still smiling, Twila nods and picks up a smaller sand doller than Kalinka's, gently breaking it open. Within the palm of her hand is shell-like material shaped within the forms of birds. "Hmmm, mmmm...see? There's even a legend about the Sand Dollar too that Dad used to tell me when I was little. Don't remember it much right now. But...see the flower shape on the top of the shell? It's supposed to resemble something...some message. And by breaking it open the birds are supposed to fly and spread it."

Kalinka ohhhs.

Twila Peterson studdies the shell within her hands for a little bit before remarking, "I'm sure no one would mind if you wanted to keep your shell." Twila Peterson then adds, "Or...any other shells you find here." Long distance to Duo: Twila Peterson takes Kalinka to the beach. The kids having a ball with the sea shells. :)

Kalinka nods.

Further down the beach, in the opposite direction, actually hidden by a formation of the shoreline, another figure slowly enters the scene, walking calmly along the sand, apparently uncaring of the lower than normal temperatures right now. Of course in all truth, they can't harm him, and even now the water's glimmering appears to be reflected in the single jewel that rests encrusted in his forehead. Wily's darkest Dark Knight appears almost contemplative right now, his face the calmest one has ever seen from him before......

Kalinka says, "I don't remember the last time I went to the beach, there isn't much beach in Russia. Though I remember digging for hermit crabs in the sand near the shore. They tickle your hand when you hold them."

Twila Peterson looks out towards the ocean waters, musing over something for a moment. There's a reason why she chose this place. It's one of Rock's favorites. Klinka's injection interrupts her thoughts as she glances back down towards her. "I remember a friend of mine had one of them once.. They're awfully quiet until you show them to other hermit crabs. They don't get along with each other that well. Must be a good reason why they're hermits." She then asks, "You ever allowed to have any as pets?"

Kalinka says, "Well....I never thought of getting one before, but I'd like one come to think of it. I always dreamed of building a reploid as a friend who would keep company all the time."

Twila Peterson nods slowly. "What kind of reploid would you build?" Bass arches an eyebrow as he spots a pair of figures down the beach, and apparently with their backs turned as well. Eyes narrow just a bit, as his intention of dismissing them as nothing more than obstacles in his path fades away, upon what appears to be recognition of certain long, red hair. Well well....what's this? Both eyebrows arching, the dark knight slows in his steps, apparently being more careful about his approach. Best not give himself away just......yet.

Kalinka says, "What kind? I'm not sure...maybe something like a little feline reploid."

Twila Peterson ohs. "Like a cat...or someone like Kyo?"

Kalinka says, "Well...something like a humanoid cat like some Reploids, but smaller."

Twila Peterson hmmms, not knowing of the distant figure's presence. "How small?"

Kalinka says, "Oh, about two feet tall maybe."

Twila Peterson questions, "That small? Why that small?" wondeirng if it has anything to do with the reploid being the size of a doll.

Kalinka says, "I guess so I can take it with me..."

Twila Peterson ohs. "So...to be more portable. But...if you built is as a reploid...how do you think the reploid would feel about that. Reploids have feelings too and may not want to be carted about."

Kalinka blinks, just realizing that...she normally forgets that even though you can create something, if it has feeling you can't keep it as if you own it.

Twila Peterson tilts her head to the side. "You must be rather lonely for friends, aren't you?"

Armored boots crunch soundlessly into the beach sand, carrying the dark figure closer, and closer again, until nearly on top of the two. Stopping what one might mistake for a respectable distance, Bass folds both arms over his chest, tilting his head to one side as he just....stares at their backs, apparently listening.

Kalinka says, "Kinda...."

Twila Peterson states quietly, "If it helps any, I count you as a friend."

Kalinka smiles up at Twila, "Thanks..."

Twila Peterson hmms. "Tell you what. You can play with Kyo just about any time you like. She really loves attention. And I have a feeling you would be pretty good with that."

Kalinka says, "Okay..."

Bass allows his mouth to quirk back into what can only be described as a sneer of disgust at the words. Not that he ever usually listens to such things, but right now he's curious enough just -what- this 'betrothed' to Rock does in her spare time.

Twila Peterson adds, "There's another cabbit too that sometimes visits the base...his names Ryu. And I'm sure he wouldn't mind keeping you company either when he was ov---" Twila quiet abruptly stops since *now* she's beginning to get the feeling she and the girl are not alone and, are in fact, being watch. It's a feeling she's accustomed to actually. She straightens herself up and takes a glance around, taking a step closer to Kalinka as she does. She halts within her search as her gaze falls on the figure of Bass at a small distance from them. Her eyes grow wide as she simply stares for the first few moments. "Kalinka, Hon, get behind me," she whispers, her tone growing serious.

Kalinka turns around, "Huh?" Just in time to see Bass, she gets behind Twila right away, peeking out from behind her to see him.

Bass arches an eyebrow at Twila's frame as she finally becomes aware of his presence. "Tsk tsk.." he begins, allowing the edge of his mouth to quirk into a cruel smirk. "What's this....? Sense of observation appears to be eluding you lately..?"

Twila Peterson kicks herself for not paying attention. She really should when she ventures out. Just that...it would be nice not having to look over her shoulder all the time while trying to enjoy herself. "What do you want, Bass?" she asks with a sigh,

Kalinka comments, "Yeah....Mr. I'm So-Obsessed-With-Destroying-Rock-Because-I-Can't-Find-Myself-A-Better-Hobby!"

Twila Peterson flashses Kalinka a surprised look. "Kalikna...!" she whispers sternly.

Bass tilts his head to one side at Kalinka's outburst, glaring at her with something akin to deadly intention......

Kalinka erks, hiding behind Twila again, looking as if her heart just stopped after Bass shoots her a look that might very well kill.

Bass suddenly throws his head back then, and a harsh laugh cuts forward from his throat. "It looks like this one's got alot of spirit....if perhaps a serious lack of..." his expression switches back to one that appears rather, not-amused. "....common sense. I would advise you be careful of what she says...hrm?"

"She's a kid, Bass..." As if that should explain it all. Twila then asks, "What is it that you want?"

"What do I want?" Bass returns, mirroring her tone. He gives a small shrug then, "Merely to see what this individual whom Rock would be so infatuated is up to at this moment in time. Call it satisfying one's...idle curiosity." He then chuckles a little. "That..and it's been so -long- since our last conversation." Which of course involved a battle in a forest setting...

His response is met with another of Twila's frowns. She very well recalls the memory and would, quite frankly, much rather forget it. "Well, I'm hope we're proving suitable entertainment," she manages to remark while making certain to keep Kalinka close enough to her. "We were looking at sea shells." Sheesh, he's nosy.

Bass hmmms quietly. "I'm very surprised that your....beloved would not be here with you." he makes a slow gesture. "After all....it's so -dangerous- out here nowadays isn't it....?" his chin tilts up just a bit, as he re-crosses his arms over his chest again. He'll let them go when he's darn good and ready to.

Some of what Bass stated actually has the same affect as if Twila had been slapped. She takes a few moments to regain her composure before responding. "Yeah, well...he's not," she states simply. "So I'm afraid you'll just have to wait until next time to go after him like you usually do."

Twila Peterson moves to place a hand on Kalinka's shoulder...hoping against hope she'll stay where she is.

Kalinka does not wanna do anything else to further incur his wrath right now...she's tested her limits and the boundaries have been sorely taxed, Bass his little patience for children, even adorable ones like Kalinka.

"On the contrary...." Bass begins, tilting his head to one side. "...it gives me such an excellent chance to.....catch up." He chuckles darkly again, before actually changing his stance altogether, to one that much more menacing, as one step forward is taken. "I find it odd that this isn't the first incident in which he leaves you like this, hrm?" It's now that his intentions may perhaps begin to become that much more clearer, as the red pupils in his eyes seem to almost flash with fury. "Now why.....would that be?"

Twila Peterson moves herself and Kalinka a step back from the advancing Robot Master. "Left me? I'm not something that he can hide in a little box, only to be taken out when wanted. Rock knows that." Or, at least he admitted to this rather recently. "I'm someone who has a right to be out sometimes just like everyone else."

Bass chuckles, as he takes another step forward. "Oh, of course..." His eyes narrow just a bit. "But don't you find it odd that.....as of late, he seems to be less and less visible? Or that he's been spending less time with his.....what's the term....ah yes. Fiancée?" Yep, he has his connections of course. "Something must be seriously weighing on his mind..." His smirk takes onto a truly evil edge...and another step is taken, the war android drawing that much closer again. "What could it be...?" he asks in a mock tone of thoughtfulness. "Self pity again...? Remorse that he can't be human for you...? Guilt that his occupation takes him away from you....?"

Twila Peterson moves back once more with Kalinka...not wanting her to be harmed or injured in any way should it come to that. "I--I don't know," she answers honestly...although she does heavily suspect that all three of those conclusions are correct...which is why she so fervently wants to have a serious talk to Rock regarding the situation...among other things. "And why would you care?"

Kalinka frowns, dosen't he have anything better to do than to scare Twila and her?

Bass's expression becomes that much more sinister, as does his level of malevolence seem to almost rise. A hand reaches forward, both gesturing towards the young woman and child, and giving the appearance of a claw seemingly ready to rake her within a moment's notice. Even his level of speech degenerates to a more direct approach. "You realize what he's going to do....." he growls deep in his throat, as he masterfully sets about taking it...and rubbing it in, -deep-. "It'll get worse....and worse. You'll see little of him, it'll come to the point where you're wondering if it was even worth it anymore. Then......" he makes a spreading motion with his fingers. "Poof....one day he -doesn't- come back...."

Twila Peterson narrows her eyes into slits, staring openly at the Master. "You don't know that and I don't know that, Bass."

Kalinka bites her tongue, oh...she could have a few things to say about Bass, but she's deathly afraid of that Neo-buster of his.

Bass steps forward yet again, drawing -dangerously- close, as his hand comes up to rest literally in front of Twila's face. "Oh.....but I do...." he says in a mocking tone. "I've known him longer than you...my whole existence is to destroy him. He and I are tied together far more than one may realize..." His tone switches to that which best resembles a deep snarl. "I know every inch of him...every part of his being. That, is why I will destroy him." He raises both hands then, as if in a gripping motion. "It would be so easy right now.....to strangle the life from you wouldn't it? He would fight then, as he would never fight before...wouldn't he?"

Twila Peterson takes a sharp intake of air, paralyzed by fear as the Master comes in so close a proximity...and a unhealthy one at that. "Kali...go...get out of here," her words somehow manage to force themselves out before returning to Bass as her mind races, trying to decide what to do. "Yes," she states, regaining some of her composure, "you could kill me very easily couldn't you? As for what that would do to Rock...you probably wouldn't even want to know..."

Kalinka says quietly, "I can't leave you here with him......." Though the truth might be she's too scared to move as well....freezing up in total fright.

The seemingly white gloved hands draw even closer again, until the fingertips actually brush Twila's lower jawline, surprisingly gently....but with all the malice of one who could cause serious injury with barely a flick of his wrist. "So fragile...." he muses. "..so, easy to extinguish..." His eyes narrow to mere slits as he steps -very- close now, near eye-to-eye with Twila as he glares at her shorter frame, being a full nine inches taller than Rock's five foot frame. "Maybe...I -do- want to know. Maybe I want to see his darkest nature...to see the most powerful he can possibly ever be....and destroy him as his most powerful..."

Twila Peterson closes her eyes as silent prayers a lifted up by way of thoughts as she desperately tries to formulate a response which may drive him back. For words are all she has left. "Kill me if you like," she finally tones. "But Rock once told me that I was his life. Take me and you take that as well. He may not be able to fight you." She opens her eyes again, staring at the mechanical creature within a flash of insight as he's may be on the verge of actually killing her. "But then, you couldn't win over him in that state could you? You couldn't proclaim to be the best like you always wanted."

Kalinka is on the verge of hyperventilating at the sight, she dosen't need this....not right now.

Bass stares for a long moment. "Perhaps...." he says quietly, nearly a whisper. Finally, fingers slowly begin to withdraw however. "But he could just as quickly turn into a creature of such power that would be the ultimate challenge to defeat. But I suppose that I can't really take the chance of him withdrawing now......can I?" Finally, his fingers switch, to where two gently pinch her chin, as he stares into her gaze. "Perhaps there's more to this than I've seen before. But as of this moment, I have nothing to gain by wiping your pitiful existence from this world. That will come in due time..." With that, he finally lets go and steps back with a quick turn, actually quick enough to be startlingly sudden.

Twila Peterson hesitates upon pulling back as if her mind is pondering belated reactions. She then immediately moves backwards, her bear feet scraping against some unseen shells -- not that she's noticing much at the time. Her grip on the little girl tightens as all she can do is stand there...watching to see if he quickly changes his mind and does away with her anyway. She doesn't verbally respond tight away. But when she does, it's to state, "More than you've seen...and more than you'll ever know..." she manages...not caring to allude to what she exactly means by that.

"Your confidence in Rock is no doubt flattering to him," Bass states with his smirk from before, as he turns away from Twila. "But you'd better hope that it's founded well. He hardly fools himself where I'm concerned..." He chuckles and makes a dismissive gesture as he begins to walk away. "So you'd best be advised to do the same. You never know when one may be left.....a widow very suddenly."

Twila Peterson straightens up herself at that remark as the ebony armored creature takes his leave. "As if *anyone* knows how long or how little they have on this Earth."

Bass returns as he continues. "Wise words.....be sure to heed them as well." With one last chuckle, and a final shake through his shoulders, he continues on then, armored boots crunching in the sand and leaving deep imprints with each step.

Kalinka sniffles, unfreezing, as if she just woke up from an awful nightmare, "Wanna go home...."

Twila Peterson presses her lips together...saying nothing more as the Master heads onward. As soon as he's far enough away she offers the girl a tight hug as her frame trembles. "And we are going home. Now. Get your shoes on. Well go as fast as our feet will take us..." Twila Peterson releases the girl only briefly...to place her socks and boots back on her feet, waiting for the girl to do the same.

Kalinka nodnods, running back over to the boardwalk, getting her shoes on as fast as she can.

Teleportation Chamber--Hunter HQ Rows of tall teleportation capsules line the walls, each clearly labeled with a detination. A few are labeled 'Custom Location' instead of with a city name.

Twila Peterson offers the girl another hug. "You sure you're alright?"

Kalinka shivers, stepping out the transporter. Kalinka says, "I dunno if I'll be able to sleep tonight."

Twila Peterson ventures out with the girl and nods. "To be honest...neither am I. You...want to stay with me in my room tonight?"

Kalinka nods, "Yeah......" she says rather weakly, as if the experience has drained a lot of her strength tonight.

Twila Peterson keeps a gentle but firm hold on the girl as she leads her into the command center. "We're back home. We're safe now..." currently more concerned for Kalinka than she is for herself apparently...

Twila's Quarters <TQ> Encased within white walls and teal carpeting lies the fashioned quarters of one lone woman. The room itself is sparsely decorated save for one or two framed prints of the oceanic life focusing on the whale and dolphin hanging on the wall above the desk. This desk, as with several other pieces of furniture, is fashioned from something akin to wood, found here bears an almost antique look too it. The designs found therein are simple, yet pleasing to the eye. Upon the desk rests Twila's laptop computer as well as a minimal amount of accessories. The bed lies against the adjoining wall, its mattress and bedding covered with a quilt displaying a colorful floral pattern. Next to the bed is a small table complete with shelving underneath its surface. While a small number of books sit within their niche, above them on the top is displayed a framed photograph of a young couple. A tall, muscular dark-skinned man of middle eastern descent holds his petite blond wife close while they stand in back of a fourteen year old red-haired girl who looks nothing like her parents. Among the items noticeable within this room are also a average-sized monitor as well as a compact disc player accompanied by a select amount of musical CDs. Not far from the door rests a padded basket-type bed for the girl's young, mischievous cabbit. Kyo-Ohki will more than likely be found here if she's not with Twila elsewhere or exploring the vast ventilation system trailing throughout the base. Spread around the basket are some toys she likes to play with on occasion.

Twila Peterson follows the little girl in after unlocking and opening her door. "Was there...anything you wanted from your room?" she questions?

Kalinka thinks s she sits on the floor by the bed. KKalinka says, "Nope.... Kalinka pets Kyo-Ohki as the cabbit hops up to her.

Kyo-Ohki perks up her ears and hops up into Kalinka's lap and says, "Mew!"

Kalinka smiles at the little Cabbit, hugging the small fluffy animal as it eases some of her fears.

Twila Peterson nods, more to herself and then Kalinka. She forces a smile as little Kyp offers sush a happy "Mew!" and snuggles the little girl while tryig to lick her chin. "Looks as if you found yourself a new friend, Kali."

Kalinka giggles and nods, laying back while holding Kyo, petting her fur.

And enjoying the attention Kyo is. Twila seats herself beside the little girl and places an arm around her for reassurance as the cabbit merely continues to be held.