Exposition and ice

[lt_blade]

"You could've told me that before I tried to fight him, y'know," Harry said, kind of amused by this revelation. He could already imagine the expression on Dick and Nix's faces when he told them he'd been beaten up by a ghost. It explained the guy's awkward demeanour, though; must be strange for him, being human again."

Sonya  didn't speak out when Scorpion left: there wasn't much of a point when he would've just gone off regardless of what she said.

Still, looking at him, she couldn't help but think of how far she'd had come, or maybe she was more 'human' than she thought. After all, her social skills may've sucked, but she did have some people she could open up to, to an extent. If this place was rough on her, how was it for him, becoming fully human-up until now she never much thought about it.

She finally spoke when she and Harry headed back to the compound as Scorpion headed to..wherever he was headed.

"He's human now. And in the tournament he was given a human form." She smirked. "On the outside anyway, but once he removed the mask, you saw that he had a skull instead of a human face. One of his ways to finish off his opponent would be to spew out hell fire from his mouth."

How Sonya hadn't gone vegetarian after her time in the tournament, she had no idea.

"Here, he has the skill and experience, but he's now as human as you and I am."  Well, more like her...Harry seemed more human than the both of them.

Comments

[realnicetrip.livejournal.com]

"Well, I thought I might as well ask. What with this place being full of ghosts and wizards and superheroes, you never know," Harry said. He prickled slightly at the 'used to fighting and training for my life' bit - as if he wasn't! - but then again, Special Forces. She was a career soldier, he was an office clerk who'd been unlucky enough to be the right age and sex when some jerk declared war on his country. That made a difference.

That, and he'd never had to rely on his own bare hands to defend himself in a life-or-death situation.

"Is there anybody else you know who I ought to be warned about if they turn up here? These things come in waves, I reckon," he went on. "There were about 12 of us guys from Easy when I turned up; most of 'em have gone home now, but I still have a theory the island likes to collect people in sets."

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

Sonya thought back to when she first arrived on the island, and of how she couldn't help but 'not' be surprised. After everything she'd witnessed, showing up on a 'magic' island, was only something that could be both expected and yet, not expected-like Outworld.

"SNAFU Island, the name really does fit." She would've smiled but it made her jaw ache and she put the ice pack over the bruise once more.

"There are a few." Quite a few actually, and Sonya actually had to pause to think about it. "There's Raiden, god of Thunder and Protector of Earthrealm. Tsung actually invited him to the tournament, to make things interesting I guess: he's about 7 ft even, shoulder length white hair, usually dresses in old, white and blue robes-and a sense of humor that comes as easy to him as fighting." Actually, he and Harry might do well together as buds.

"Then, there's Sub-Zero, well, two of them actually-brothers. The elder one was the one who killed Scorpion. He wears the same uniform, but is blue where Scorpion's yellow, it was a deliberate choice on Scorpion's part for the color scheme to mock the the clan his killer came from. He managed to kill Sub Zero after the tournament ended, or so he tells me-and he's not one to lie of such things."

She had to pause to take a breath. "Then there's his younger brother, but he's the more logical of the two. I 'met him' during the weekend we were sent home, and Scorpion told me of him. Strangely enough, after killing his brother, he appointed himself as 'guardian' to the other in way of atonement. Both brothers have the ability to create sheets of ice as a weapon, to freeze objects or people, but thankfully the island should null that ability."

Sonya had to stop herself when she suddenly laughed. "My god, I haven't even told you half of it and I'm just starting to think that I need to hang around more 'normal people'."

[realnicetrip.livejournal.com]

"I'll keep an eye out for them. And remember not to challenge any of them to a fight, too," Harry said. Every time Sonya talked about what she'd come from and the people she knew, he began to feel slightly overwhelmed, but that was probably just the nature of the thing. He was glad she trusted him with the information, at any rate.

"As for normal people - tell me if you find any, since I don't know any normal people round here," Harry said, laughing. "Asides from Lipton, but he's so normal it's abnormal. You know what the sad thing is for me? Most of my best friends here are other ex-soldiers. I must've got institutionalised or something."

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

"Ditto on the ex-soldier thing. Well, military anyway." She took a deep breath. "The last time I went on Leave," was the time she just got engaged. "my dad told me that from now on, my only friends would be those in the service or veterans, because no one else would be able to understand what you're going through." Her voice took on a sort of reverence-she really wished her dad was here.

"You and the rest of Easy are 'normal' in that you don't have to face 'other-worldly beings' for a living-well, to keep living anyway." She didn't so much slump, but she rested her arms on the table. "Not that I'm complaining-have no right to complain-just fatigue of a sort."

[realnicetrip.livejournal.com]

"There's no shame in that," Harry said. Given the fight he'd had, and everything else on top of that, he'd be surprised if she wasn't feeling exhausted right now.

"I suppose you're right about the understanding thing. I get on fine with civilians and all, but it just helps. Even if you never talk about it, it's just good to know they know what it's like, and what it does to you," he said, getting up from the table and heading for the sink. The ache in his nose had subsided a little, and he needed to wash the blood from his face and hands.

"Well, I say that. I don't think anyone but Scorpion really knows what you went through. Shame he doesn't really seem the helpful kind."

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

She had to laugh at that. "Well, no, he's not that helpful, but if nothing else he listens, which is a big help onto itself."

Sonya watched him as he started washing off the blood.

"Actually, I was just thinking about that. I'll be the first to admit that my social skills suck, but compared to Scorpion..." She tried to think of a way to describe it. "I've come a long way."

[realnicetrip.livejournal.com]

Harry wouldn't be able to get as clean as he'd like without a shower, but at least he didn't feel all sticky any more. He carefully dried off his face and hands and came back to the table, picking the ice pack up again.

"Your social skills seem fine to me," he said. "Maybe it's just because I know guys like Dick, the world's most reserved man, and Speirs - he was another officer, hell of a fighter but kind of peculiar around people - but you seem plenty sociable. Perhaps a bit less outgoing than the average woman, but it wouldn't be an average if there weren't people who didn't fit." He shrugged. "And as for Scorpion, I've met more sociable pot plants. But I imagine being dead doesn't do much for your personality."

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

She gave a tight smile. "I'm outgoing enough...well, I was," before being imprisoned. She learned to keep her mouth shut then.


Sonya didn't argue about social potted plants. "No, I imagine it doesn't. I will say this about it, you can bet anything-if you have anything to bet with-that he'll keep his word. The only time I've ever known him to revoke his word was during the Outworld tournament, he thought that somehow Sub Zero had managed to escape the Netherrealm as he did and went back to finish the job."

She found herself getting thirsty and went to get a glass of water, continuing to speak when she sat down.

"Imagine all of our surprise when, during a match, Sub Zero spared his opponent-something the first ice ninja never did. Turns out that it wasn't the ninja that killed Scorpion but his younger brother who just happened to take the same code name. So instead of trying to kill him in combat, he appoints himself to look out for him, to make up for killing his brother."

Which was actually rather big of him in her opinion. But then there was the matter of the Outworld invasion...he fought on the enemy's side only to revoke that. He had already explained himself to her, and he wasn't the sort to switch on a dine, but it was still hard to figure him out-though that may've been the whole point.

[realnicetrip.livejournal.com]

"Is this a martial arts tournament or a soap opera?" Harry said, raising an eyebrow. "I kid, but... well, I suppose it's lucky for Scorpion. Bad enough being killed once, let alone twice by the same guy."

He was starting to feel sorry for him, in a way. The whole concept of the tournament was deeply fucked-up, but going by what Sonya said, some people really got a raw deal.

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

Sonya had to laugh at that, because it was true in a way.

"Blood fued's more like it, the tournament was just a staging ground for them. But then to the tournament masters, watching people kill eachother is entertainment, I'm sure they would've searched especially for warriors that wanted to tear each other apart." That last part was more bitter than joking.

"That being said, I couldn't say which one would've won that match. It never occured and both were skilled warriors in their own right, and both had the drive." She waved a hand. "So until I see it, I refuse to make a call on it."

[realnicetrip.livejournal.com]

"Well, let's just hope it doesn't come to that," Harry said. Given how intense things had got when Scorpion and Sonya had sparred, and his own miserable state, he dreaded to think what the man could do to someone when he was actually trying to hurt them.

"Should be interesting seeing how Scorpion settles in around here. Maybe he'll change now he's human again," he said, not quite sure if he believed that. "I kind of hope he does, he's a bit humourless right now."

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

"Unless Shang Tsung or Kano shows up, then he'll need all of that strength to hold me back." She frowned. Sonya knew fully well the 'laws' of the island, but if one of those two ever showed up-god help her and her temper.

She pushed the thought away, deciding to cross it when and if it were to happen.

"He's making progress in his own way. Managed to get some civilian clothes," She smiled a little. "And just before you arrived I swear he cracked a small joke."

Sonya never expected Scorpion to become completely jovial, but a sense of humor was a good start.

[realnicetrip.livejournal.com]

"He's capable of jokes?" Harry said, laughing (and then wishing he hadn't, as it made his nose ache). "I'm sure he'll be fine, after the shock wears off. Takes a while - this place still surprises me pretty regularly - but maybe it'll be good for him." Well, given how Sonya had described the tournament, anything had to be better than that.

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

The ice in the dishtowel was starting to melt, so she went over to dump the rest into the sink, draping it over the edge to dry.

"Well I don't expect him to become a stand-up comedian anytime soon," She said, returning to her seat. "but yes, he does have his own 'dry and sardonic sort of humor when he feels like it."

She nodded, her jaw throbbing but not the worse pain she's experienced-which was quite a list. "I'm sure appearing here alive was a big enough shock, but he seems to be taking it better than I did." Scorpion seemed to be getting enough sleep atleast.

[realnicetrip.livejournal.com]

Her description of Scorpion's particular sense of humour made Harry smile. That sounded an awful lot like somebody he already knew, and if that was the case, maybe he could get on with this Scorpion guy after all. He adjusted the ice pack (which was more of a cold, wet cloth by now) and said,

"Everyone gets culture shock here. We'll just have to wait and see how things develop, and let's hope nobody else gets hurt in the meantime."

He glanced down at himself, and grimaced at the dried blood sticking his shirt to his skin.

"I really need to get washed and changed at some point," he said, "I think it's starting to smell." He raised part of his shirt to his nose, gave it a sniff, and let out a small cry, clamping the ice back to his nose. Oh, that was a stupid idea. Scorpion must've knocked out the last vestiges of his common sense.

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

"Let it soak in cold water and bleach for an hour or so, then scrub." Sonya knew a thing or two about getting blood out of clothing.

"Still considering those sparring sessions after your nose heals?" She asked. "Lesson one-always expect your opponent to attack you at several points and lesson two," She held back a small smirk. "first session's always the most painful."

Kinda like military training, along with the mentality of wondering just what the hell did you get yourself into.

[realnicetrip.livejournal.com]

"I've been beat up much worse than this," Harry said, waving it off. "I wouldn't mind picking up a few tips, but I think in future, I'd rather take them from you." Sparring with Sonya might be awkward - despite his awareness she could more than hold her own he wouldn't feel right hitting a woman - but he knew that she'd be more accommodating than Scorpion. And if he learned from her, maybe he'd be able to take Scorpion by surprise one day.

"But not any time soon. I think I'll stick to more peaceful things until my nose stops aching; I ought to check how my garden's doing."

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

"Still, removing blood from clothes is a pain." Especially without dry cleaners.

She did nod at his reasoning. "It would be a better idea. Had Winters as a student when I taught in the weapon's class, so I know what I'm doing."

Sonya considered him a moment. "What're you trying to plant?" It didn't strike her as odd that he was starting a garden if it was for things like herbs, after all her own dad was much better in the kitchen than her mom, so such gender rolls didn't faze her.

"Just moved into my own hut a day ago, still working on making it 'mine'." Which felt strange when she thought about it actually-Sonya had never really had a place of her own: that wasn't the military's or her fathers.

[realnicetrip.livejournal.com]

Harry laughed awkwardly. "I'm planting flowers. You know how everyone got little gifts turning up in January? I found a bunch of packets of seeds on my nightstand - hadn't a clue what they were for until I put two and two together and realised I could make the dell look a bit less grim," he said. "They're just starting to sprout now - call me a sissy, but it looks much better with some life in it." The trees had leaves on them now, and in the sunshine, it had stopped looking so much like the place he was shot.

"Where's your hut? I wouldn't mind taking a visit," he said. "I wouldn't like to live out on my own, myself. I've always had other people around - lucky the Officer's Club was already built when I arrived."

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

It was strange to think of him planting a flower garden. "Can't argue there, after dealing with Outworld and that weekend I was 'sent back' I wouldn't be opposed to a flower garden either."

It wasn't her thing, but she wouldn't be opposed to it.

She laughed. "Just a ten-fifteen minute walk south from the officer's club." She stopped and her face turned solemn. "Had things turned out differently, may've moved into the Homestead, but it's current use is much nicer." Having a safe haven for young kids was always a good thing in her book.

It was true that the Homestead used to house enlisted men and not officers, but then Military protocol didn't hold the same presence here as it would've back home-except she was almost positive that no one would take to well to a female officer living with a bunch of male ones: hell, she didn't even think it set right.

[realnicetrip.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I like what they did with the place. It's a shame we didn't get much use out of our barracks before all its residents started disappearing, but it's there if anyone needs it," Harry said. He'd not visited the Homestead much, himself; there was that guy who had Buck Compton's face but was grumpier who hung round it, and that always made him kind of uncomfortable.

"You know, if you'd asked, we have a spare room at the Officer's Club," he said, "Though you'd probably have been sensible to turn it down, come to think of it. It's a bit of a boy's club, really - I don't care much about that, we've got drunk together, you've seen me in my skivvies before now, but the others might think differently."

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

Sonya's jaw was starting to ache a little more. "I've lived on army bases for eight years, female barracks to be sure, but still exposed to Fort life long enough for nothing to really shock me about it." Actually some of those antics made for some good times, but thinking about it hurt a little too much.

"Still, I would've turned it down-too many things could go wrong. And it wasn't like I meant to barge in on you in your drawers, but it was between decorum and fighting off 'would be' attackers-and you came in second."

[realnicetrip.livejournal.com]

"Hey, I'm not self-conscious," Harry said, shrugging. "Everybody's seen everybody else's ass in the army. But you're probably sensible getting your own place to live. Nice to have somewhere to get away from everybody for a while, if you need it."

The ice had completely melted; he used the wet towel to wipe his face and neck, and went to put it in the sink.

"Ah, I feel much better for that," he said.

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

"I needed the change in atmosphere anyway. After everything that's been going on, the compound was starting to become claustophobic."

She headed over to the sink, intending to get some water.

"We'll wait till your nose heals before starting." She filled a glass with water. "I have training on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays." Actually she trained everyday, but those days were with a group. "But any other time's free."

[realnicetrip.livejournal.com]

"Well, I'm sure I can find time in my busy schedule of sleeping, drinking and getting into trouble to fit you in somewhere," Harry said, miming flicking through a diary. "How about Thursdays? Nothing ever happens on Thursdays."

He cautiously poked at his nose. It still ached like anything, but he could feel for himself now that it wasn't broken. "And that's in just under a week, so my nose'll probably be back to normal by then."

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

"You sure?" She said in mock seriousness. "I mean getting into trouble seems to keep you pretty busy."

"Thursdays sound great. Even if your nose is still a little sore, I'll make sure to not aim for your face." You actually weren't supposed to aim a direct hit in the face during a sparing match, but then Scorpion was probably too used to fighting to weaken or kill.

[realnicetrip.livejournal.com]

"Thanks," Harry said, "As I said earlier, it's the only face I've got, I'd rather like to keep it in good condition."

He got up from the table and stretched out - a little bit sore from the hard landing he'd had, but comparatively, not too bad.

"I need to go shower and change my shirt before I start attracting flies," he said. "Thanks for the ice."