14378/Supply Shopping

Supply Shopping
Date of Scene:	11 May 2022
Location:	Salem Center, Westchester County
Synopsis:	Nick loses a shadow with the help of Sarah
Cast of Characters:	Phantasm (Drago), Sarah Connor

---

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Salem Center is not a large place. But there's just enough of everything to prevent the need to go elsewhere to pick up certain supplies. There are a few people out tonight doing such things. But, being it is Wednesday, the crowd is not as big as it could be.

While Nick technically could get the things he needs in New York City, there are certain things he'd rather make the trip up here for. Today just happens to be one of those days. Having stopped by the Art Supply store and now the Music supply store. The musician is currently getting ready to leave his second stop. The bookbag on his back appears full but judging from the shapes, those aren't books.

Sarah Connor has posed:
Today she didn't work. Nothing unusual about that. In fact with the shifts she looked like she was getting, it almost was better. Three days on and the rest of the week was hers, and hers alone.

Sarah was looking around, and picking up a new pair of jeans for John. Two birds; one stone type of thing. It was your basic mall. Nothing special. Of course Sarah made certain when the exits were, including the ones for staff. Noticed the mirrors everywhere to help the security keep track of everything.

Sitting on a bench she was ready to go, when Nick walked out of the art store. Great. just great. Though the last time was actually ok, until you counted her saying James was a terminator. Other than that.. it was pretty good.

Still did she want to talk to him? Really?

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Once Nick was a sufficient amount of distance away from the store, he came to a stop. Tugging out a small list, he skims through the contents with a sigh. As much as it's nice to get out of the city, it's still a distance and not a trip that's done too lightly.

As Nick looks through the list, a figure seems to linger near another shop. Their interest in the wares displayed in the window is seemingly high. But a reflection upon the glass betrays the angle of the eyes not to be directed towards an actual item on display.

Sarah Connor has posed:
At first he didn't notice her.

And then he did.

Sarah could tell by the arch of his shoulder, and the quickening of his breath. But did she have to admit she saw him? Really were they going to prance about this every single time they saw each other? It seemed that regardless of what they wanted to do, despite the vastness of New York or the surrounding areas, someone or something had other things to say about them.

That did it. Getting up, with her single purchase in its bag, she began walking over to him.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
There is a few moments where everyone stays put before Nick pockets the list. He starts moving, body direction indicating away from the storefront Sarah is front of. Based from the direction he is going, he intends to turn the next corner in the direction of even more shops.

But. An odd thing happens as Sarah gets up. A few storefronts over, a figure turns from the window they were looking in. Male, short black hair, and the nondescript clothes of any average American male wandering shopping centers all around. But it's not the appearance or that he turns that is odd. It's that he's starting to follow in the direction Nick has headed off in.

Sarah Connor has posed:
That's not good. Sure he's not going after Sarah - that's a bonus. But is he a friend, or a foe of Nick's?

She still has Nick in her view. But the other man doesn't realize she's following him. Well, close enough. She slows down her pace and looks around. Was this man the only one following Nick?

Everything makes her paranoid. Of course. Maybe it's a security guard?

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
If Nick is aware of those following after him, he doesn't give any indication to it. His pace doesn't speed up, nor does he look behind him. But then again with his positioning he does have a head start to reaching the corner. He makes good use of it.

As the musician disappears from view briefly, the other man's steps speed up. Seemingly trying to cut a bit of the lead down. But as he rounds the corner, he comes to a stop. Seeming puzzled.

Sarah Connor has posed:
Sarah slows down. Pretended to look in the store window that is closest. 'Maternity clothes.' For fucks sakes. Of all the shops she could have chosen, she picked maternity clothes.

Oh well?

When she had a better look, she determined he was alone. And he wasn't very good. Now should she bother him, or leave him to Nick?

Ah dammit. She knew what she was going to do. She didn't like it. But she would have hated herself if she didn't. Moving quite fast now, she stepped up to the man and using her thumb and forefinger put it in his back. "You know isn't is very nice to follow my friend in the mall."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
As the man turns his head, glancing in to the nearest store, Sarah has time to catch up to the stranger. As he starts looking towards the corner that leads into a bathroom hallway Sarah's voice and the two finger-like pokes to his back draw his attention.

There's a turn of the head, giving Sarah a good glimpse of the face. There are some people who look much better from a distance and this man would be it. Up close the faded lines indicative of a long ago inflicted cut curls from the outside of his left eye, crossing the cheek before ending at the underside of his lip. How on EARTH does one even get that? He looks to her. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Sarah Connor has posed:
"That's okay. I do, and something tells me you won't like me."

Sarah grins a little grin and grinds her finger even more so. The grin isn't very nice. "Now, take yourself away from here and nobody gets hurt." Bull. Up till now she hadn't killed a human. But she was as *excellent* liar. If she says she will kill you, odds are that you believed her.

Right now she has no clue where Nick has gotten to. For all she knows he escaped - which wouldn't be too bad.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
The man's eyes narrow as Sarah presses her finger harder against him. He turns, facing completely towards her. "You have that backwards." He growls lowly, looking down at her. "You take YOURSELF away."

Off to the side shop where Nick slipped to, the musican gives a grumble from his little spot. He had been waiting for the new shadow to go wander off to the bathroom hallway so he could backtrack but they just HAD to stop outside the store he ducked into.

Although, he has to admit, Sarah's VERY good at pissing people off. Once the guy's back was to the store and attention was solely on Sarah. Nick stepped out of the store and went back the way he came. When out of sight from the corner yet again, he ducks into another store. This one clothing. But he made sure it was not the maternity one.

Sarah Connor has posed:
"So you realize that's wasn't a gun." For a woman who was standing up to a man that looks as horrible as he is, Sarah is calm. Too calm as a matter of fact. "The question is, have I got a gun, and will I use it?"

Sarah smiles very, very sweetly. It's not a nice look.

Oh yes she has a gun. And a knife. And besides, she knows how to use her body to break a bone. Breaking isn't killing and she has no bones about it when push comes to shove.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
The man simply glares at Sarah, seemingly ignoring everything around him save for the woman who dared threaten him. "Consider yourself lucky I don't have time for you." He hisses before turning, heading towards the bathroom hallway.

Meanwhile, Nick is busy shopping for clothes, a task that might be a bit quicker if he wasn't glancing to the door.

Sarah Connor has posed:
Sarah watches the man go, and shakes her head. "Stupid man." At least Nick got away. She hopes. He better have gotten away. With a quick look around there were no more funny people - at least for him. There are no terminators around that she can see. And furthermore Nick was safe.

All in all, it was about right for a shopping trip.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
And what a shopping trip it is. After awhile, Nick ends up leaving the shopping center, dressed a little differently than he did coming in. And lucky Nick.

He's now got two bookbags.