10900/Calm Before the Storm

Calm Before the Storm
Date of Scene:	27 January 2020
Location:	Belle Reve Penitentiary, Houma, Terrebonne, Louisiana
Synopsis:	Fantomex gives Robert and Mary some privacy...to talk about happiness and mistakes.
Cast of Characters:	Yokai (Callaghan), Typhoid Mary, Fantomex

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Yokai (Callaghan) has posed:
    It's quiet at Belle Reve today. Generally, that sort of thing speaks for something in the works...and to be fair, this is hardly an exception. What with Task Force X on the cusp of being mobilized, not that many outside of its group knows of such.
    And even with those that are a part of it? At least one's doing a marvelous job at hiding any sort of trepidation or blip of excitement for the mission. Instead, Yokai - though he hardly looks the part here, what in standard prison apparel and scanning through a newspaper as the TV dutifully drones on world news. If not for the fact that he's also turned the page to world news, it'd look positively pedestrian; as it is, a passing glance only suggests there's certain things on his mind, but not particularly why. For all the world, he's just a middle aged man relaxing outside of his cell, briefly glancing up at the television from time to time. The rec room is mostly empty, otherwise, aside from of course the ever-present guards.

Typhoid Mary has posed:
Typhoid Mary isn't in the house today.

Today it's Sweet Mary. Everyone's best friend and a long time ago also an actress. Her prison treads look a touch odd on her, a bit too large as she is of a slimmer stature than Typhoid, her hair also a brilliant blonde. She is just too sweet for this place but what's true is that she is given a wide berth by the other prisoners. Maybe it's the speckle of faded dried blood on her prison shirt from when Typhoid had a disagreement with another inmate..., or the reputation that the woman doesn't play with all the marbles.

But today she is out here in the rec room. She has apparently claimed a small part of the room for herself to have her daisies in. Close to a window so they get all the sun they can and she is currently going through the various ways of taking care of them with a poor Tumbler that clearly wishes she was anywhere else but here.

But Sweet Mary just seems happy with the company, her voice almost musical while she and Tumbler enter the rec room.

Fantomex has posed:
Fantomex is also around.

Because Waller told him to get his ass back to Belle Reve. Again. 'The mission is tomorrow' (again).

That is a game they play. Who can annoy the other the most? So far results are unclear, since they are both superlative liars and poker players. Subordinates are not so lucky, and even E.V.A. is grumpy. And E.V.A. has never before been grumpy unless Fantomex made her grumpy.

"Hello, warden Collings. Oh, by the way, Miss Waller would see you and your comrades now," says the white-clad thief, sounding perfectly serious and reasonable. "I will watch the inmates for you, of course," he adds generously.

And the guards -believe- him, leaving in a hurry to present their respects to Amanda Waller. Even if Waller is not really annoyed, she is going to scream to those poor guards for a while. It is expected of her to scream to people that make mistakes. Like listening to anything Fantomex says.

Yokai (Callaghan) has posed:
    Sweet Mary isn't ignored so much as noted and semi-observed. Same with Tumbler. The latter he recognizes from the previous mission, but the former's a bit of an unknown variable...in more ways than one. And he knows better than to take a book by its cover.
    Still, Callaghan doesn't really divert his attention until he hears another voice. A familiar one with a familiar accent. Lips twitching, he looks up, tilting his head at the thief's little...conversation.
    "You have too much fun with that," he remarks dryly. Does he sound disapproving? Not really. Faintly amused? Yes.

Typhoid Mary has posed:
Sweet Mary casts a look about, two gentlemen she has yet to meet, and they seem polite enough at that. Nothing like the brutes she had found before. They had tried to bully her, even hurt her but for some reason they didn't come near her anymore. Maybe they had met the 'others'. It's very possible, they normally come out when she is under duress. But today is just a fine day, and she has her daisies to tend to.

She approaches the table where Robert is and greets. "Good morning. I am Mary." it's always polite to introduce yourself with your name. She knows that. And there's that award-winning smile on her face, expression so innocent. Of course that for some it may have a strong resemblance to a certain Typhoid Mary that some have met already.

The distraction makes it so Tumbler sneaks off the room, it bringing out a chuckle from Mary. "Always on the run that one."

Fantomex has posed:
"Fun? Moi?" Fantomex turns to Callaghan, shrugging exaggeratedly. "I thought you deserved some privacy. Besides, I am reasonably sure Miss Waller has important information to convey to those guards."

Then he turns to Mary, and pauses for a second. That is one second of deep confusion, which he manages to overcome by kicking himself mentally. Mary looks like Typhoid, yet not. More like a sister. Body language is completely wrong. Or maybe right.

"Bonjour Mary," he manages, even bowing gentleman-like to the blonde. Not a dye job, he notices, his enhanced senses helping very little in this case. "I'd love to stay and chat, but I need to find the good Colonel. Enjoy your time," he heads out.

Yokai (Callaghan) has posed:
    Now Mary gets his full attention. A look over with a furrowed brow before he smiles politely, setting down the paper and offering a hand. "Nice to meet you, Mary. I'm Robert." He seems friendly enough, even if he does look a bit bemused at Fantomex's departure as quickly as he came in. Privacy, huh...
    He gestures for Mary to sit down. "Seems like she's learned to be quick on her feet," he notes in reference to Tumbler. "Can't say I disapprove."

Typhoid Mary has posed:
"Ooo, bounjour Monsieur." Mary speaks with quite the trained diction. Once upon a time she had a part where she had to speak a few lines in french. She made sure to get it right. Always a perfectionist. She even manages a small curtsey to the man and then waves her farewell once he moves on. It also makes it so she is left alone in the room with Robert for the moment.

A frown. "This is dangerous, what if an inmate attempts to escape? There would be no guard here. But well, they seemed to know what they were doing..." she not apparently aware of whatever trick Fantomex did on the guards.

"And well met, Mr. Robert. How do you do?" She extends one hand to shake it in a polite manner. In fact she is all manners and niceties. An oddity at such a dangerous looking prison. "Tumbler can be such a sweet. She really doesn't like being here but ...." and she pats the back of her head in a knowing manner. " .... we all got our reasons." she sits down elegantly.

Yokai (Callaghan) has posed:
    "Well, thank you. And I can only speak for myself, but I'm not about to try getting out of here." Robert shakes his head, thinking of the own back of his neck. "Maybe he figures you for the same." Not that he thinks that'd necessarily stop Fantomex, but...he can hardly read the man's mind, now, can he?
    He settles back in his seat a bit, shrugging lightly. "I haven't met anyone here who claims to be innocent. Yet," he amends after a moment. "But like you said, we have our reasons. And I'm not about to ask anyone else's." Seems a little...personal, honestly. At least in his case.

Typhoid Mary has posed:
"I won't be trying to run either. I am not much of a fighter, you see? And where would I go?" Mary seems quite at peace at being in prison now. "Mr. Flag told me I was here for my own good, that this is only temporary. Once I am doing better I will be free to go." a beaming smile that shows a row of white teeth. She truly seems to believe what she is saying.

Sweet Mary then grins, "Maybe soon I will be able to go back to my acting career." she lets out a wistful sigh, bringing her hands to rest on her lap. There is an understanding look when the man speaks of being innocent or not, her head slightly tilting to the side at the man's look. But she is one of those people that reads into people's motions and body language. Perhaps one of the best at that between all her personalities. "Whatever happened, you are taking it hard, are you not?"

Yokai (Callaghan) has posed:
    There for her own good could mean any number of things. But with a brief look at the bit of blood on her shirt, Robert is somehow doubtful that she's under any sort of protection. Nonetheless...
    He blinks at her acute comment, clearly not expecting such. "...you could say that," he admits after a moment. "Let's just say I'm willing to pay the price I need to." And with the Squad, that includes the price needed to be able to walk freely before he hits a century. Assuming, you know. It all works out.
    "You were an actress, then?" he continues, seeking to change the subject. "What kind?"

Typhoid Mary has posed:
"We all make mistakes, but should they define us? I can only hope that being here will help you, the same way it might do to me." And Mary even sounds sincere when she says it. But is she -that- open and sincere? Or simply a great actress? Still a mystery for now, but her whole posture seems void of any malice. She then grins when she is asked what kind of actress she is.

"I am Mary Walker." A pause to check if Robert knows the name or not. She was famous a while back, mostly in romance movies and also a broadway actress. Some success, but also a lot of scandal. But she proceeds to explain, "I have always preferred to define myself as a broadway actress, it was where I was most happy. But movies is where I became more known." she gestures to the daisies by the window. "On the petals of a daisy. Have you never seen it?" perhaps if Robert has an interest in cheesy, love story romances.

But then she asks. "And you, Robert? What do you do? Or did, before you came here?"

Yokai (Callaghan) has posed:
obert's smile goes a bit tight at the suggestion of their mistakes defining them, but he doesn't comment - only offers a slight nod of ackowledgement. Oh, he could go in to things, but it certainly seems the world would define him by it...
    ...even so. Should it not? He brushes the thought away, thinking for a few moments. "...it rings a bit of a bell, but I was always more of the local theater fan. There was one geared up for kabuki that I enjoyed going to, years ago." Still, he's visibly impressed - and curious as to what a former broadway actress would be doing here. But as he said, he doesn't press. "I'll see if I can get a copy of it."
    As for what he did? "College professor and robotics researcher. Had a brief stint in the military before that, didn't like it much."

Typhoid Mary has posed:
"I began in theater." That brings a fond smile to Mary, perhaps she remembering part of her young years, a place where certainly was happier, "But most actors do. Noone is an instant star, it takes dedication, and years." but she then starts to get up to her feet, moving over to fill a mug of water. "Excuse me a moment."

She makes her way quietly to where the daisies are, starting to water them, "The same way that it must have taken you years to learn your craft." her eyebrows shooting up and she looking impressed. "Robotics and a professor. That's quite the commendable career." then a pause as she considers something, biting on her lower lip, then asking earnestly. "Were you happy?" yea, clearly she isn't the type to have those normal prison convos. But then again she doesn't really seem to fit here at all.

Yokai (Callaghan) has posed:
    Mary is certainly an... interesting person. Definitely not the normal inmate, much less the normal kind here of all places. As she gets up, Robert can't help but wonder if Fantomex had this... rather odd exchange in mind when he got rid of the guards.
     As he watches her, though, she can no doubt see the slight tension in his body when she asks her question. His hesitation, the way her looks at the daisies instead of her...it speaks volumes.
    "....mostly."

Typhoid Mary has posed:
"Mostly..." Mary echoes that answer, her own shoulders seeming to square a little, just the iffiest of tensions reaching her, or perhaps being infected by the man's own tension. She smiles in understanding to that, "Yes, we are never truly happy, are we? I try to be, but something isn't exactly right. I know the others try to protect me but sometimes memories aren't exactly as I recall them. It is all so strange sometimes." again that wistful tone to her voice. "But we all just need to try our best."

She finishes watering the vases and then grins a bit to herself. She looks proud to have accomplished this small task then picks a vase out of the few that are there. "Would you like one of the vases?" she brings it over to the table and places it there for Robert.

Yokai (Callaghan) has posed:
    "Others...?' But other than that trail-off and a confused expression, he lets that drop. The vase offers an easy enough out, anyway, and he touches it lightly before managing a slight smile. "If you're offering, certainly. I wouldn't want your work to go to waste."
    Unlike...others of his own he could name. Himself included.

Typhoid Mary has posed:
With the vase being accepted Mary grins at Robert and nods at him. "Remember to water it, and keep it by the sun if you can. Maybe it will help your time here to be more pleasant." then a look over to the doorway and she stating. "I should go look for that Tumbler before she gets herself in trouble. It was good to meet you, Professor Robert. I hope we will be able to talk again."

A curtsey and then just like that she is making her way out of the rec room, humming a little song to herself.