*backdated to the Febuary 26*

[lt_blade]

 When Sonya first arrived here, she couldn't spend enough time outside. It wasn't just about no longer looking pale, but after spending weeks in  a cell and in a place were it never got lighter than dusk, she felt she could never get used to seeing actual sunlight, or greenery or a blue sky. Still, the compound offered a sense of familiarity, as plain as it was and as annoying the clothing and jukebox were, it was similar to the barracks she was used to, and familiarity kept people sane-which Sonya at the time was in desperate need of.

But with Joe's disappearance and the holiday season, the compound started to seem claustrophobic even for her: it seemed that a change in atmosphere was what she needed-even if it was just in a hut instead of a different state or country. Then the psycho came and she needed six weeks before she could move because there was no way she could move her things with a broken arm. But now, she's healed, found a place, and after several days she's finally moved in. It wasn't fancy by any means, only furnished with a bed that needed airing, the trunk containing her weapons and books, and her clothes, but she was in the process of trading for a table, and on her way to really making it hers.

Currently, she was outside, her now shoulder length hair held back in a ponytail and using the frame of some young trees to weave together a throw mat from dried long grass and lemon grass. The work repetitive but satisfying and it was halfway done.  She intended to see if she could trade it for anything, or use it herself, as the lemon grass acted as a natural mosquito repellent.

Sonya wasn't sure if she could call herself happy, but for the moment she could call herself satisfied.

Comments

[get-over-here.livejournal.com]

Scorpion had taken to wearing the clothes Garak had made when he thought he may interact with other humans. When he had not found Sonya at the Compound, he had inquired and received directions to her new hut.

Scorpion strode up to Sonya and gave her a nod.

"Hello, Sonya. I see you have a new hut."

He looked over her work, but wasn't sure what the end product would be, but it looked like she was making something useful.

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

She saw his shadow before hearing him, as weaving at this point required her to be on her knees and thus at a lower level than him at the moment.


Sonya turned to greet him. "Hey, it's a work in process, but I moved in a few days a go." She still couldn't get used to seeing him in 'civvies'.

"You need something?" As far as she knew, he was never one to waste a visit.

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He replied politely with, "Not at all. If you are busy, I can return another time."

It would not do to tell her he simply liked seeing her. It would be more sensible for the both of them if they did not see each other much after the 'Valentine's incident.' It was simply not a good idea for him to consider complicating Sonya's life too deeply with his.

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

Though Sonya chalked it up to the island, she couldn't help but wonder if Scorpion's feelings were strictly from the 'Monday after' or the holiday only intensified what was already there. She didn't think it made sense of the latter, because it was too soon, but if it was totally stemmed from the holiday then it was water under the bridge.

"Not really," She stood up. "I'm almost done anyway."

Really, she didn't want to think of herself in that sort of a relationship-not after what she's witnessed on the island.

"I'm afraid I can't offer much in way of hospitality though. Just have gourds for storing water, and I haven't started storing food yet." Her hut had running water thanks to the aqueduct, but as of the moment she didn't have any proper cups.

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Scorpion shrugged lightly. "You just moved in here. Don't think you need to trouble yourself. If there is something you could use help on, let me know. You have aided me greatly getting used to this new life here, and I am in your debt."

He took a few steps around the hut and looked it over. It seemed to be in fine condition. The building crew seemed to be highly competent builders.

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

"It's nothing really, just glad to have someone from my realm here." It was true he was only an ally back home, but he wasn't an enemy and Sonya was especially grateful for that.

"Not much else I need help in, unless you have the means to make pottery or metal work."

She stretched out her back. After getting back to her usual (intense) workout team, pausing to work on weaving and left her feeling a little stiff.

"You want to come inside and talk? Much cooler." Well, it was out of the sun and the open windows offered shade.

[get-over-here.livejournal.com]

Scorpion gave a quizzical look at Sonya at her first comment. "You count me as being from your realm? I suppose I used to be..."

Scorpion still thought of himself as a resident of the Netherrealm. He was Scorpion now, and not the human Hanzo Hasashi. He knew his name but had not used it. It would not make sense to pretend to be something he was not. Though he had a human form, he was far from feeling like one.

Scorpion shook his head negatively as Sonya mentioned pottery and metalworking. Scorpion had many skills, but not those.

At Sonya's invitation to talk where it was cooler, Scorpion nodded. It always felt a bit ridiculous feeling warm with merely the sun shining on him. Scorpion had spent much time by the warm glow of the lava in his lair.

"Yes, it would be good to cool off. Feeling the heat like this still does not seem normal to me."

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

She sighed. "You're from the same time period and world as me, and you not only know of but you've participated in Mortal Kombat-so close enough."

"It's normal to me. Reminds me of the heat at Fort Benning-only more intense."

The hut was wooden and several feet off the ground, so a small stair case was necessary to get to the door. The porch in the front was also an option, but at this time of the day, the interior would offer more shade, and in Sonya's opinion, porches were only good if there were chairs to sit in.

The interior itself was nearly bare, with her weapons chest doubling as a 'desk' for a few notebooks, as well as a sort of nightstand next to her mattress. Another wooden box served to store clothes, and on a hook was her gear for mountain climbing. In another room-really it was all one room divided by a wall with a doorway-she used twine to dry plants, a dark piece of extra large fabric being used to block the light.

[get-over-here.livejournal.com]

Scorpion had accepted Sonya's explanation without much protest. He understood what she meant. He knew some of her past more than the others did.

He glanced over to Sonya, and wondered for a moment how to engage in 'small talk.' He decided to ask about Harry.

"How is Harry doing?"

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

There was no place to sit besides the floor (She noted to make some mats for it), so she just offered to have him sit with her in the center of the floor in the 'spare room'.

"His nose is still swollen, but other then that he's good. Enjoying the break from the 'Island's Crazy Moments' I'm sure."

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Scorpion sat down cross-legged. He nodded in acknowledgment of Harry's state. A brief moment of silence passed.

"You have lived in the Compound for a while. What made you decide to get a hut?"

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Sonya had long since decided that Scorpion would never be a great conversationalist.

"I needed a change of scenery,and on the island this is as close as I'm going to get. Last November, someone close to me went back home," Well, he went back to his own time period. She could only hope that he really did go home soon after.

"It just hit home that I was away from everyone I knew-my team, hell even those that I fought with at the tournament." For dignity's sake, she didn't give names. "Thought a change of scenery would do me good, but then winter came about so I couldn't move out, and then with the psycho and my injuries taking awhile to heal, was just now able to move out."

She really hoped that first part didn't sound as pathetic as she felt it did.

[get-over-here.livejournal.com]

Scorpion quietly noted when Sonya mentioned 'someone close to me.' But then, he reminded himself that she had also said that she had not dated in a long time. He decided it must have been merely a close friend.

"I like living in my hut. I would not be able to stand being in the Compound. There are too many people, and there is too much noise and activity. I find living away from that more calm."

"Though I have my own issues, I at least do not have your problem. I no longer have a home or anyone to feel separated from." He said this, convinced it was a good thing. He sincerely would not want to be concerned about separation at this point.

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

Sonya supposed it was to each their own.

"I could understand that, but at the time when I arrived, I needed the noise and activity. It kept me grounded and gave me a sense that things were secure." As opposed to the cell where she woke up, if she even slept, to screams and moans of agony.

She supposed that could be a good thing. "I'm usually better about such things, but.." She pursed her lips, thinking of the words. "Some of my buddies had already known eachother before hand, they had fought and experienced hell together. It reminded me of the soldiers back home."

[get-over-here.livejournal.com]

He was intrigued that she was telling him casually about moments of weakness. He would not have thought of a veteran soldier and Mortal Kombat gladiator in such a way. She sometimes needed feel secure. She was usually better about such things. Had she yet considered that he would as likely be her enemy as her ally when they returned from this island?

Scorpion tilted his head slightly at the common expression Sonya had used. He understood it was just a saying, but one that he would not use so lightly, for he had literally experienced hell. It was not so bad when you had power there.

"I can see why you would be friends with Harry and other like him. I, on the other hand, would not make friends with them easily." In all actuality, it was a wonder he and Harry hadn't fought more seriously given World War II.

But then he grinned at himself. "I suppose, though, I do not make friends easily regardless."

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

She wasn't sure if she laughed because of what he said of her and Harry, or because he actually grinned.

"I like Harry, he's like a little kid in grown up form, but I've seen him in battle and I know he's a competent soldier where it counts."

She ran a hand through her bound hair. "I was told in therapy that talking of such things will help me cope. Less.." she took a deep breath. "Well, I've kept these memories inside for months and they only grew worse." She looked at him a moment. "This place sometimes makes it worse. Once and awhile..you'll find something from home, in an unexpected place..and the memories it brings make hit you like a ton of bricks."

"Last year, the day before Valentine's Day, I woke up inside a coffin. It took my friend Surreal and her wolf to pull me out, but when a close friend of mine came to check it out, he caught me in a flash back..I thought he was an enemy and attacked him. It was thanks to her wolf that I snapped out of it before I could kill him."

She took a deep breath and pulled the dog tags out from under her shirt. "These belonged to my fiance-it was his body that was in the coffin with me."

[get-over-here.livejournal.com]

Scorpion was very surprised to hear Sonya tell him all of this. He had only been a temporary ally. For all she knew, he could go back tomorrow and trade all of this information to Shang Tsung. He wouldn't, but how could she know that?

"Sonya...why are you telling me all of this? Why would you trust me with this? These are vulnerabilities."

Scorpion's poorly understood emotions began working again. He didn't know how he was expected to react to this.

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

She smirked. "I'll answer you that if you answer this question for me first-just what exactly did the Emperor or Tsung promise you when you fought with them?" Sonya had enough experience to know that either of them wouldn't hold to their promises.

[get-over-here.livejournal.com]

"Vengeance," replied Scorpion. "That is why my soul did not go to rest. I became what I am for one purpose, Sonya. Vengeance." He didn't specifically say what had needed avenging, but thought he would answer if Sonya continued in her curiosity. Scorpion did not volunteer information like this, but felt he had nothing to hide.

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

Why was she not surprised.

Sonya wanted to inquire further, but she figured that with her own answers, it'd lead to his.

"In that case, I'll tell you from experience that they'll never keep their end of the bargain. You're a skilled and deadly warrior, especially with your powers-do you seriously think they'll risk fulfilling their end of the bargain only to have you leave? They'll find reasons and ways to keep you 'employed."

"Neither of us know when we'll be sent back: I've known people who're still living here after three years, and those who left after being here for less than a year. Suppose you do leave at the moment you arrived, would you really still consider yourself to be in league with Outworld? If the case is no, then there's not much reason for me to worry. If 'yes', well," her voice became grim. "It's not like this is anything Tsung doesn't know already."

"In other words, it doesn't matter either way, except a warning against the island's tricks."

[get-over-here.livejournal.com]

Scorpion paused for a moment to consider Sonya's words. Then, he replied.

"At one time there was a mortal human named Hanzo Hasahi who learned the ways of the Shirai Ryu and took up the code name Scorpion. Hanzo was killed by the original Sub-Zero. This Sub-Zero was a member of the rival Lin Kuei clan from China. But, that was not all, Sonya. The entire Shinrai Ryu was wiped out along with Hanzo's wife and son. This...this is unforgivable. And this is why Hanzo Hasahi agreed to become the specter Scorpion."

A hint of deep pain was now visible on Scorpion's features.

"I was aware of the risks. But, it does not matter what happens to me. Shang Tsung and Shao Khan can lie all they want. They told me some of my past, and I could tell what they said of my past was true. My memories have not gone forever. Some of them have begun to awaken. I only made allies as far as we were useful to each other, and that includes Raiden and you Earth warriors."

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..Well, Sonya thought, her face stern and free from emotion. That would explain why he looked as he did when around Elizabeth and her son.

"If you're expecting me to be shocked." She said, after thinking a moment. "Can't say you've succeeded. I'm not a little girl, Scorpion-or do you want to be called your civilian name now-I won't suddenly break out in tears for what would already be expected between you and the rest of the Earth warriors." Her face was serious, but otherwise clear from expression. "You said so yourself that you're not really from Earth realm, so I can't really accuse you of treason, and in all honesty, I've met worse men than you, men that kill for the 'fun' of it, or use people like puppets without any compensation or empathy."

She thought a moment, her lips turning to show traces of a frown. "I will ask this, why are you telling me all of this? You call me out on telling 'vulnerabilities', but then none of the information about your family is on a file anywhere, so that makes it personal to you and yours to give out only if you wish. But then it does explain how you looked at when seeing Norrington and her son."

Sonya did feel genuinely bad about what happened to her family, and while she didn't say so-could she really blame him for what he did? 'Maybe', she thought. I've had family killed, but if it were to happen just after my death, I would atleast-I hope-be reunited with them."

Maybe that's what it really means 'to pass on', and Scorpion's grudge was so powerful that he couldn't.

[get-over-here.livejournal.com]

Scorpion looked away for a moment, a bit shamed for being correctly called out on his feelings while talking to Norrington and Weatherby.

"I do not tell you these things to shock you or to get you to react in some way, Sonya. I only answered because you asked. Though I do not volunteer this information freely, I have no reason to lie or hide."

"Not everyone would have made the same decisions I made. I am aware of this. But, that is what I was. Coming here and being this..." He opened his palm and touched the side of his face briefly. "...makes no sense to me. Hanzo Hasashi died. What I am now is different from him, and from you. Though my body is human now, perhaps I've resided too long in the Netherrealm to really be human again."

That was the reason he had not mentioned anything to Sonya about dating outside of that strange Valentine's Day. Anyone worth caring about in that way should keep a distance away from him.

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She raised an eyebrow. "I asked, yes, but I'm not interrogating you."

Sonya pulled a knee up to her chest and rested her hands on it, thinking. "You know...I don't think I entirely buy that." She said after a moment. "I'm not calling you a liar, but I don't think what you said is all together true and maybe you can't see it, or don't want to. A being from the netherrealm wouldn't feel such things at a visual trigger, unless he really was becoming human." She sounded neither hopeful or doubtful, merely saying as she saw it. "That's just my guess."

[get-over-here.livejournal.com]

Scorpion let out a breath and smiled at Sonya's comment even though he intended it to come out as respectfully dismayed...

"Yes, perhaps, Sonya. I don't know."

Scorpion was too distrusting of the island and this new world to build up any hopes too high. He still also had his doubts as to whether this was a good idea for the long term. What if growing to become a human again would only make him more acutely aware of his own horror right before being cast back into the abyss?

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

She didn't remark on the smiling, it would've been hard to tell a comparison when he had his mask on.

Sonya thought of another question, one that she didn't want to ask but knew that putting it off wasn't an option.

"Another question." She took a deep breath. "That Monday, was what happened just the island's influence, or did it only act as a catalyst? I'm asking because of that weekend in May, when I wasn't myself: the feelings and memories were the same, but-different. That weekend I felt entitled and selfish against the army, even though I knew of the sacrifices before hand and was able to see the bigger picture. The feelings and memories were the same, but some were exaggerated or reversed."

She tried to keep her voice neutral. "I know it's something we'd rather not talk about, but I'd rather get it over with and in privacy." There, she said it-now he could make of it as he will.

[get-over-here.livejournal.com]

The smile faded into a more serious expression. She was right. It was something they would rather not talk about. He looked downward, then made full direct eye contact with Sonya.

"Does it matter, Sonya? I am a condemned soul. How can something like that be healthy for you? Consider the wisdom of such a thing given that we know all will likely return as it was when we go back?"

This was as direct Scorpion thought he could get and still allow each of them an out. It would be too much to outright tell her he had feelings for her. He believed he was helping her assess the situation as he had after the magic had lifted. With saying it this way, she would not have to reject him outright.

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

He had some good points, and truthfully, she wasn't even sure of her own feelings for that matter.

"It matters in that I wanted an answer: I don't like playing such games or beating around the bush, I'm telling you that now."

She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "Here, you're not damned, hell, on occasion you even show moments of humanity. But you're right about what could come of it and if it goes there-the thought of one of us vanishing...scares me."

Oh that was putting it lightly, she wasn't sure how she felt about Scorpion, but to think of herself in that sort of relationship and knowing it could end on the island's whim-frankly it scared her.

[get-over-here.livejournal.com]

Scorpion was usually all for directness, but sometimes Sonya was just so...American!

"At times, what you call 'beating around the bush' has a purpose, Sonya. I do not take such matters lightly. I think we at least need some time before we can discuss this further."

Sonya did not give him the impression that she had a firm mind of what she wanted from him. He still thought she needed to think about this further. If she was insistent on this point, perhaps they would find a way. Perhaps she was right about him and he would continue growing. At this point, it would seem rash, like a thing a pair of teenagers would jump into.

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

So that meant he also had no idea, well, that was what Sonya concluded from him anyway. Scorpion was normally blunt about such things.

She shrugged. The hell were they acting like a couple of teens for? That alone would've been a mistake, let alone anything else.

"You're right, but atleast we can both say we're on the same page?" She left it open, because while right now she wasn't sure if they were, or just going in circles. If they were indeed on the same page, it would be a start-since neither of them knew where to go with this: they could drop it, or see where it goes.

[get-over-here.livejournal.com]

"Yes. We can say that."

Though he had apologized for it, Scorpion had considered that magic-induced day the happiest day out of the entire part of his existence he could remember. When he had woken up the morning after, he had seriously considered just continuing where they had left off.

But, the more he had thought of it, the more it seemed like a bad idea for Sonya. Scorpion had admitted to himself that a relationship with Sonya might be the best thing for him, but he refused to be selfish. He had to think of Sonya and where this would lead her.

How and when would he know the right thing to do? He did not know, but he thought it may become clearer to him in time. Scorpion looked at Sonya now and wondered how she was taking all of this.

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

And now for the big one.

"So what do we do now? Start over?" She really tried to not sound hesitant. "Or continue and see what comes of this?"

Sonya wasn't a romantic by any stretch of the imagination, but she couldn't help but stew over the possibility that maybe-just maybe-she could have start over and have a boyfriend. Yes, Scorpion was an assassin, but then Sonya had done her own fair share of killing, so she couldn't judge. She also couldn't help but feel relieved to have someone to talk to who knew of her own experiences and listened: he wasn't much of a talker, but then she probably did enough talking for the both of them. And he wasn't half bad looking.

The reality of the situation shut the other voice up. People disappeared on the island all the time and without warning. Sonya would've liked to think that she could handle such loss (she had done so before), but then back home she had the army to fall back on-it wasn't an option here. And Scorpion, he had already suffered personal loss before and it drove him mad. Suppose they had a relationship, and it went to far.

There were a lot of 'what-ifs' and 'maybes' to think about-and Sonya hated both words.

[get-over-here.livejournal.com]

"I should think 'start over' would be best. I would prefer not to swell too much on that one day the island brought us."

As Scorpion remembered all of the sappy thoughts that had been going through his head, he shook it. He was just glad he still had enough self control not to let the more extravagant things not escape his mouth. He would have rather said some of those things on his own, without magical interference.

"I like your company, Sonya."

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

Coming from someone as anti-social as Scorpion, that was a genuine compliment and not one to take lightly. It wasn't really what she had met by 'starting over'-she meant to start before that whole fiasco, but this was just as good.

Sonya felt her lips turning up to an 'almost' smile. "I like your company, too-strange as it is." It was strange in a normal sort of way, almost expected, and on an island like this, any sort of normalcy was welcome.