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01 - The First Suit
The Grey Edge: Chapter One
Two years ago.
‘Strip.’
Magnolia coughed, spitting blood over the concrete and over her hand. She quickly wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and stared up at the thing that had kidnapped her. The thing that had left her “friends” dead and had kept her alone alive for his own purposes.
‘Strip,’ he demanded a second time, thrusting the gun at her for emphasis.
He was stronger than her, a lot stronger than her, and that pissed her off, it was one thing to lose a fair fight, or even a dirty one – as there really was no point in fighting fair – but it was something else entirely to be so far outclassed as to be there being no point in trying.
He sneered at her, but instead of barking another order, he crouched to her level and wrapped his huge hand around her throat, his finger sliding across the bruises he’d inflicted when he’d pulled her from the deathtrap that her former friends had concocted.
‘I won’t ask again,’ he said, ‘I’ve been more than generous, now do it.’
She spat in his face and swung her injured leg up to where his legs met. He wasn’t human, he wasn’t even close, but mortal or not, it still usually gave men pause for thought, even if it didn’t reduce them to screaming husks, as she’d managed to do on so many occasions. The monster squeezing her neck, though, gave no reaction.
He raised his other huge hand and wiped the spit from his face before backhanding her and sending her crashing into the wall. Again. A foot in a huge, bloody, combat boot pressed into her stomach. This time, she didn’t fight, instead just focusing on the pain.
She should be dead, she knew this. He had no reason to be keeping her alive, no reason to do anything other than pull the trigger, like he’d done to everyone else, yet here she was, alive, and being dragged into something she had no interest in.
‘Go fuck yourself,’ she wheezed. ‘Or do you want to fuck me? Is this what it’s about? Get a bit of tail...or a bit of feather, then-’ The boot was lifted from her stomach, and pressed down on her throat.
‘I told you what this is,’ the agent said, ‘you’re my recruit now.’
She stared at the punching bag hanging above him, focusing on nothing but it and the chain above it. Her vision tunneled, making the punching bag seem so much further away from her than it really was, then she let go of herself and raced after the image in her mind, desperate to catch up with it before the tunnel closed.
As soon as she touched it, she found herself wrapped around the chain holding onto the punching bag, her feet vying for purchase on the much-abused bag. ‘You can’t fucking do this!’ she screamed, one hand gently massaging her throat. ‘Recruitment is a choice!’
The agent simply looked up at her, and she noticed for the firs time that the bullet she’d sunk into his shoulder was still there, the wound staining his military jacket and the shirt beneath. ‘Not one,’ he argued, ‘that you have.’ With a blink, he disappeared, and reappeared beside her, hanging in mid-air just long enough to tear the chain and send her crashing toward the ground. She landed in a rough crouch, then lunged at him as soon as he touched down. He caught her, spun her and pinned her arms beside her back, pulling her up against him. ‘Stop arguing with me.’
‘Fuck you!’
He let go of her, and pushed her to the ground. She stared up at him, wondering what was about pushing teenagers to the ground that amused him so. ‘Would you prefer the alternative?’
The gun was back in his hand, and she stared at it, wondering just what it would be like to have her brains blown out. Wondering what it would be like-
‘Answer me!’ he snapped.
Yes. Of course the answer was yes. Death was better than being forced to work for the suits. Death was better than being made to parade around in a uniform, showing exactly how much of a good little bitch you were. Death was better than-
He jammed the gun up against her temple.
‘No,’ she heard herself say.
The gun stayed where it was. ‘Hesitation is not allowed.’
‘What the fuck do I get out of this?’
‘A purpose. You get stronger. You don’t die in a situation like the one I just pulled you from. And...when I’m done with you, then I’ll pull the trigger.’
‘You’ll make me stronger?’
He slapped her. ‘Your first lesson is to never make me repeat myself.’
She sucked on her bloody lip. ‘You didn’t tell me your name yet.’
‘Taylor, but you call me sir.’
She glared back at him. ‘Like that’ll ever happen.’
*falls apart from joy*
So much for a couple of weeks rest :P
So is this going to be the average chapter size? :)
I am for like 500, but always overshoot. There isn't much meat to them, I know...but it kind of frees me up a bit to maybe throw in some scenes that I otherwise might have overlooked.
And...I've had this scene (well, the beginning part anyway) in my head for ages, and just wanted to get it out there, and figured it would make for a good first chapter.
Reality is a formality.
I'm confused.. Taylor got Mag as his recruit, and is "training" her now..
But who were her "friends"? And, from the fact that she called him a "Suit", and the way she treats him...
Was she in any way related to the Solstice? O_o
Nope, not Solstice, just basically this punk-ass gang of halfbreeds and lowlife scum who stole stuff, beat up people, smuggled contraband and generally tried to "stick it to the man" for no reason in particular.
Reality is a formality.
Why did he want her to strip?
Do we get to read about how and why Taylor brought her to the Agency and forced her to become his recruit?
Aaand we have his promise here: And...when I’m done with you, then I’ll pull the trigger.
‘Taylor, but you call me sir.’
She glared back at him. ‘Like that’ll ever happen.’
She has no idea ^_^
And when exactly does she fall in love with him?
Resident owl.
Why did he want her to strip?
He's trying to get her into a uniform. >_>
Do we get to read about how and why Taylor brought her to the Agency and forced her to become his recruit?
But of course. :)
And when exactly does she fall in love with him?
It doesn't take that long, and you'll see that too.
Reality is a formality.
...what do the combat uniforms look like?
Resident owl.
...everyday outfit is basic military garb (think the green uniform from SG-1), jacket, pants, shirt underneath (optional bulletproof vest, and like every bit of Agency clothing, they're already a little bit more bulletproof than the average bear, not so much as to dramatically change the feel of the fabric, but there's a little advantage).
(Holy run-on sentence Batman).
Formal uniform, shorter jacket than field department, and no vest.
Reality is a formality.
Already! cripes! More mirrorverse to read, huzzah!
And this is an interesting development in this character interaction.
...I just hope because of the smaller format I don't try end up writing more and more chapters without actually taking the break I said I would...
...though I get the feeling that's exactly what's going to happen...
And this is an interesting development in this character interaction.
I love the beginnings of their relationship, back when she wasn't afraid to swear at him, bitch at him, or whatever. It makes it more fun, and really shows how far they've come (not that how far they've come is necessarily a good thing...).
Reality is a formality.
come as far as knowing what the other thinks ... I'd say that's old couple material right there!
AL13N is my name and head-biting is my game.
Now I just have this image of those two sitting in rocking chairs in their old age while beating eachother with canes.
I can totally imagine that!
...except then my brain goes "is he really going to let her get old?" and then I go ;_;
Reality is a formality.
...she reaches the age of 40 (unlikely, yes >_>), first sign of osteoporosis and she's gone!
Resident owl.
He just gives her instant bone healing; for more fun!
AL13N is my name and head-biting is my game.
Twenty years from now
Stef, wearing lots of pouches, because everyone wears pouches in the future, walks down a hall.
Stef: FLOOR COOKIE! *eats cookie*
Cookie: I had a family!
Stef: MOAR FLOOR COOKIE! *eats cookie*
Stef: *follows the trail of floor cookies*
Shadow: *looms*
Taylor: *pounces*
Stef: *meeps*
Taylor: *rips Mirrorheart out*
Mirrorheart: AGH! Sunlight!
Stef: *dead*
Taylor: *rejoices*
Rest of Agency: O_O
Taylor: *stabs Magnolia with it*
Mags: Try the pointy end, sir.
Taylor: *uses the pointy end this time*
Mags: *magic-splosion* *rejuvenated*
Taylor: Woot! I can torture you forever!
Mags: Yay!
Reality is a formality.
funny stuff, although it'd be easier to know what is going on, if you had a 'Taylor: *rips mirrorheart out*' step.
AL13N is my name and head-biting is my game.
>_> Sorry, I don't exactly proofread my little cracky scenarios.
Reality is a formality.
And Taylor might do that by then, he might actually become more human and attached to Mags.
Maybe Ryan should train Stef not to follow a path of strange cookies, that will keep her safer than most other training he can give her
First thing's first...
Maybe Ryan should train Stef not to follow a path of strange cookies, that will keep her safer than most other training he can give her.
Butbut...it's Stef. Stttteeef. What force on Earth could stop her from following a trail of free cookies? I mean, I know she's not an idiot, but...it's free cookies, which are different to required cookies, cause someone else is giving them away, which makes them inherently differently, concordantly, she would follow them, vis a vi, she's an idiot.
>_<
(Maybe I need more sleep).
My point being, even with the Voice yelling at her, and even with images of doomy-Ryan in her head, it's still going to hard for her to resist cookies.
And Taylor might do that by then, he might actually become more human and attached to Mags.
Yeah...I suppose twenty years might be long enough.
Reality is a formality.
Are you quite alright?
This is because I didn't make pie, isn't it? Your sad brain misses pie.
...you can't see that happening? :P
Reality is a formality.
I don't see Taylor mistaking the blunt end for the sharp, no. :P
...it was just pointed that way, he didn't want to be inefficient.
Reality is a formality.
Well one thing that Taylor has taught Magnolia is to take pain a lot better. Talk about a rocky start, then again he is not much on charm to say the least.
Oh, I love the beginning of their relationship (though I remember writing a scene for it and I can't find it anywhere ;_;). It's not so much that I like seeing how much he's broken her, just enjoy the comparison to where she was freely swearing at him/insulting what he is/rebelling against every command.
Talk about a rocky start, then again he is not much on charm to say the least.
*pulls out Taylor dictionary*
*backhand slap, right-hand cross* I appreciate what you do.
*sweep the leg* Thanks.
*snap neck* I guess I like you a little.
>_>
Mags dictionary:
*bruising* Yes, sir.
*hemorrhage* Right away, sir.
*dislocated limbs* I'll be right on it, sir.
*death* I love you, sir.
Match made in heaven >_>
Resident owl.
...that when (ha), ok, if, MF ever becomes, yanno, bigbigbig and thousands of people mass here everyday that I'm going to get some very angry letters from women's rights groups telling me how I'm encouraging young girls to be in physically abusive relationships. -_-
Reality is a formality.
...not suing or anything... my future husband, however, will probably be after your blood ^_^
Resident owl.
Fine. I'll just replace all my blood with sawdust then.
Reality is a formality.
... he'll be after your sawdust then :p
Resident owl.
... with all the notes you made, you'll do fine in keeping him in check :-)
not to forget, there Stewie en Ricky too!
AL13N is my name and head-biting is my game.
...that's why I scare people so much. >_>
Resident owl.
a bit of feather
lolololololol
And thus a romance for the ages is born. I say we call it "Love in the time of Swine Flu." (Yeah, I've been holding that one all night.)
Also: RANDI COMMENTS ON STORMY'S STORY FOR ONCE!
a bit of feather
lolololololol
Well, think about it, Mags is totally someone's fetish. >_> Some guys/gals would only be after the feathers. :P
Reality is a formality.
Or what are the ones that like birds? Aviaries? Avians?
I don't know, nor do I want to know because that would mean delving into furrydom.
... Aviarian Ovaries.
AL13N is my name and head-biting is my game.
...starts us down the track of weird egg laying porn, and I don't want to go there either.
(The things that go on in your comment threads, Stormy. Tsk tsk. :P)
egg laying porn! that's the bestest kind!
M:You want a bit of feather?
T:Don't mind if I do!
M:that's not feather
T:You said a bit of feather, that implies a lot of flesh!
M:...
T:You got any eggs to go with it?
M:...
T:I haven't had this good time since... (errr... since my bits got chopped off)
I'm kinda stuck here.... I think i need different characters for egg porn...
AL13N is my name and head-biting is my game.
Dude, I'm laughing my head off, Gran's wondering what's so funny, and I can't exactly translate this to her >_>
M:You want a bit of feather?
T:Don't mind if I do!
M:that's not feather
T:You said a bit of feather, that implies a lot of flesh!
LMAO!
Resident owl.
You're telling this stuff to your Gran?
AL13N is my name and head-biting is my game.
No way she's hearing this, it's better if she just thinks I'm crazy >_>
Resident owl.
You mean you're not? Then... what are you doing here with us? O.O
too true!
AL13N is my name and head-biting is my game.
...you think I'm... not... mental to a certain extent? You think this isn't my place?
*huggles Stewie and Ricky* *runs off* *wails*
Resident owl.
You are crazy in the coconut! You really are! :(
Come baaaaaaaaack....!
*leaves out cookies*
cookietrail...
AL13N is my name and head-biting is my game.
*gathers cookies*
cookies...
*noms on cookies*
cookies...
*follows cookie trail*
cookies...
*runs into Taylor who was waiting for Stef so he can rip her heart out*
AGH! Not me! Not me! My heart is squishy!!!!! O_O
Resident owl.
GLIMMER GIRL FIRES TAYLOR INTO SPACE!
Uh-oh. That was a Shimmerfall spoiler. >>
...Glimmer Girl saved my squishy life! ^_^
Resident owl.
...repay her in fic. And then I will post my face on Youtube. :P
:D
Resident owl.
squishy is not the best word to use, right now...
you're lucky, taylor is never around merlin (or vice versa)...
AL13N is my name and head-biting is my game.
*cough*
...no, it's not like they're going to in the same soon in an upcoming chapter, not at all...totally aren't...
:D
Reality is a formality.
...
>_>
Resident owl.
I do believe that:
A) Taylor does not really care much about other people in general. definitely if their not combat recruits.
B) Merlin has a way of avoiding certain people, or should I say, making people avoid him. Some sort of magic also does something here...
AL13N is my name and head-biting is my game.
...what if they had cause to be together, like when Taylor goes to see Jonesy when he realises what Mister Manipulative made him sign?
Reality is a formality.
;_; okies
Taylor+Merlin=interesting torture scene!
But Merlin does the torturing, and Mags won't interfere, since Mer is her only friend ^_^
Resident owl.
...not spoiling, but you should like it. ^_^
Reality is a formality.
So we will actually see Merlin doing something... *no word for that*
bloody good.. to Taylor? :D
*giggles crazily*
this settles any doubt, welcome aboard!
AL13N is my name and head-biting is my game.
...and my egg-fetish loving heart. :P
(But seriously, no.)
eggs,
i believe Mags would finally crack, if I were to mention how tasty omelets really are, in that specific period ;-)
hmm: omelet... with cheese ... and cheese ... and cheese ...
AL13N is my name and head-biting is my game.
...count as snuff? Because as much as we know you love your torture fic... :P
egg-snuf
roflmao
AL13N is my name and head-biting is my game.
I *so* know I'm going to regret this, but when Mags has a kid, she will lay an egg. Conceive in the normal way, but then the Parkers will c-section it out and after a few months, it'll hatch. >_>
M:that's not feather
Thanks, I just spat breakfast over my laptop.
T:I haven't had this good time since... (errr... since my bits got chopped off)
They didn't get chopped off, he required them away. (He can get them back just as easily).
Reality is a formality.
I see, it's just a neat way of retracting his valuables(weak spots), like the dolphins!
AL13N is my name and head-biting is my game.
That and he didn't exactly think he'd have any use for them.
Reality is a formality.
I guess taylor 'll have had his bits re-required, so-to-speak...
AL13N is my name and head-biting is my game.
... said "when"! ^_^
when Mags has a kid, she will lay an egg
Ok, now I'm UBER-curious!
Resident owl.
Meh, this doesn't bother me.
(Seriously, I write about a half-magpie girl, you didn't think I was prepared for stuff like this, just you wait to see what I do in canon ).
Reality is a formality.
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