Influence (Corpse)

[Corpse]

[/i] needed to slap some sense into that kid. He'd fit in better with the X-Men, they protected everybody - right or wrong - which was honorable.

"Hiro, what do you have against the X-Men?," she asked, meaning to do so earlier. Lilija was curious to the male's motives, and what he perceived them as. She was waiting for a sort of 'they protect our enemies' response, which couldn't be further from the truth. If he said that, damn it, she'd have to respond.

Magneto, well, it was more or less selective destruction. How in the hell that made it honorable, she had no idea, it just seemed selfish really, a trait that contradicted everything Byakurai said to her. It was this primarily that unnerved her, and made Corpse less likely to trust the male too much. He didn't seem to have his head on straight, then again it could all be an act or something. If so, he'd better do something round about soon, or Lilija would think wrongly of him.

"You know that much, kind of surprising. You know his powers before his gender.," she replied, taking note of his lack of pronouns. "How does that happen? Learning someone's power before their sex."[/font][/ul]

[Byakurai]

He was going to leave when he heard she mentioned something. About X-men. What was that? Was it an organization as well? "X-men?" He asked, his curiosity peaked once more. "All I know we are fighting humans. Unless they show themselves. I won't care for them. I know only of the Hellions. Their a rich bunch of mutants like us. But their true intentions I do not know of. I met a few of them. I guess they're ok."

He looked deeply into her eyes. Not lovestruck, or anything in that sense. He had picked up on this thing. You can tell things from a person’s look on their face, body movement, and mainly their eyes. It was a weird trick, but he really got a hang of it. After much practice on unsuspecting co-workers. As he looked and 'anaylzed' her. She seem to be doubtful why he was the way he is. He could only guess why. He only lied to her a few times, about little things. Did she find out and is discontented by that? Or was it about his intentions? He couldn't really say what made her feel this way about him. He had to take a chance. Thinking of their eariler talk, he took a chance with the intentions.

"You seem discontent." The young man started calmly, taking a short pause afterwords.

"Are you wondering why? A guy like me ends up with a man, supposely, like Magneto?" He was thinking about it a bit, himself. But he couldn't admit that. "Miss Lilja. Being a fellow history nerd as me. You should understand something. Many men and women 'fought' for honor, they 'killed' for honor. Or maybe for something they believe in. Which in some terms like honor. To protect someone, there has to be someone who fights. And to make heroes. Others might have to play the bad guy. That is war after all." He lets out a soft sigh, then placed his fingers through his hair. A bit dizzy from his tiredness. He doesn't know if he could even make it home at this point.

"Though..." He said letting his mind blurg to explain and have Corpse understand his point, she doesn't have to agree with him. Just know where he stands, whether it was high or low. No one was perfect after all. "If you think about it...There isn't true evil. No one is born evil. As far as I know anyway. They are made so, through experience, evil is just actually aggressive hate. To me anyway, until proven otherwise." He chuckles lightly. "Or I was wrong a rambling for no reason." He smiles, tilts his head lower slightly to an angle.

"Information comes differently to others. As a soldier, I don't need to know a person gender unless it involves a mission. I need to know abilities, strengths, weaknesses, so I can lower the the chances of comrades getting hurt. And raise chances of winning." He laughs thinking she would find a way to question all of his logic. And, hopefully, unknowingly mock him. It was like him to question anyone on their intentions but he was curious and tired.

"Miss Lilja. You have been speaking lowly for a person under him. You are after entitled to your opinions. But why do you stand with him? Why fight for him?"

His mind wandered thinking about the walk home. It was long, he was tired, and it was the slums. It will be a pain in the butt to walk home. He had learned that there is always trouble even when he tries to aviod it all.

[Corpse]

[/color]," she began, figuring their leader was best to begin. "The X-Men are like us, only they defend everyone from those who abuse or misuse their power. In short, they protect the world from bad guys." Lilija almost regretted using the word 'bad guys', assuming Hiro would mention that good and bad is all in the eye of the beholder. Hopefully he'd get her point, if not, well, it was another conversation piece, right?

Lilija wasn't discontent, just baffled.

Interesting tidbit about making war, though it fit in perfectly with what Lilija intended to say. "Regardless of who fights, that doesn't matter as the hero and the villain roles mix and mingle, it happens. But who starts the war, especially if they can avoid it, are the true villains. And those who take out their vengeance on the uninvolved, they are worse than these true villains.," she replied, in direct response to Byakurai's remarks.

"Funny, you speak of evil as, basically, something one gains through experience. But experience is gained through an action, or event, and unless those actions or events are geared to make someone, as you say, evil, it wouldn't happen. So naturally, those who make these actions or events are evil, and if that is the case, we're all guilty of that label." Yeah, a bit of a mouth full, but hell, it had to be said. Even if she didn't agree with it all, Lilija knew why she was here - where she was. But Hiro, again to her, seemed to not be on the right side.

"If you don't know as much as you can about anyone, opponent or not, you'll be at a handicap. Sure in comparison to their abilities it isn't essential to know one's gender, but knowing it is important so you don't attack the wrong person. I've heard mutants can possess the same ability, and if a gender is the only distinguishing feature, it could save you the heartache of attacking a bystander."

It was only a matter of time before that was asked, the whole why she was speaking as she was, and why she fought for the banner of Magneto. Simple, she'd explained this before, but in case he forgot or chose not to listen, a second time was fine with her.

"It's quite simple, to be honest.," she began, smirk forming on her face. "I may know what is right or wrong, but where you and I differ is... I don't give a damn." Yeah, she said it. The reason she fought for Genosha wasn't because it felt right, or she justified her actions, it came down to the fact Magneto offered first and, well, she didn't mind maiming the innocent - knowingly or not.

"If I have to, I could slay my own parents. There's no downside to a world inhabited and ruled by mutants, since I am one. Call me selfish or cowardly, but I want to stick to the side that benefits me. I have no honor, because honor cannot exist in this organization; take a look around, and you'll know it to be true. You have to put aside your emotions, your beliefs, and give in to selfishness - my key to ensuring I stay alive... because I don't hold back."

There, it was said. But not in a cookie cutter manner either.[/font][/ul]

[Byakurai]

"Then the X-men and Brotherhood will be doing the world a favor then won't they?" He said as calmly as usual. It had seeme d that he peaked Corpse's curiosity and need to speak. This was probably the most she spoke in this one sitting. He rubs his chin lightly as he listened to her intently. Word for word.

"So America is the evil villain this time or all humans? I don't is it was only America or all humans that wanted to attack. But someone did killing many innocents of Genosha. Guess it is time to pay them back don't you think?" He crosses his arms. War was like a fight in the lunchroom but in a much higher scale. Instead in of getting more lunch, it was for territory or something. Instead of a few punches and verbal word, it was gunfire and cannons. But all the same it starts with a crack of words or lies. And the reasons were childish no matter how they put it.

"I see your stand point the the evils of the world."

What really kept his interest was what she had to say next. What she said then stayed in his mind. For a good while, it ran through his mind over and over.

"If you don't know as much as you can about anyone, opponent or not, you'll be at a handicap. Sure in comparison to their abilities it isn't essential to know one's gender, but knowing it is important so you don't attack the wrong person. I've heard mutants can possess the same ability, and if a gender is the only distinguishing feature, it could save you the heartache of attacking a bystander."

This was very true. If he was made to be in a situation, could he focus on the task at hand. Or face the enemy while caring for everyone else. He gave it some thought, and settles the topic on the 'time will only tell' basis. Because he has never faced anything like that in his life, as of yet. But there will be a chance if he continues with this. What would his reslove be then. That same question was set on 'repeat'in his mind as he began to think about it some more.

She doesn't care about the cause? She would kill her parents if she had ot? Such revolting remarks. She was a coward to only want to live with no purpose in life but to live and survive. What kind of life is that? To only run and run and run. But he wasn't in the place to critque her. So he merely grins at her.

"I understand. But wouldn't it be better to stay away from doing that and just live off the funds of Genosha. I don't think anyone is forcing you to fight or anything. You are residing in a five-star hotel. Paid by the princess herself. Why not live the easier life? And leave the harder work for grunts such as myself. Miss Lilja." He said with a smile. Not meaning to be rude to her.

[Corpse]

[/color]," she admitted, giving some insight about her beliefs. "Honestly, if I could do it, I'd kill many people - mutant or human - until I felt it was at a balanced enough level for peace. We're all to blame, so it comes down to who can kill the most of their opposition. Not very honorable, is it? But I'm not a honorable lady."

Blaming all of America was like blaming all of Japan for Pearl Harbor, which was amusing considering Hiro's ethnicity. "Hiro, America as a whole isn't evil. Neither are it's citizens, only those who were directly involved with this. Just because you live somewhere doesn't mean you know everything that goes on, do you? I shared a room with my family, and I never knew everything they did. Same theory here, basically. Those people didn't do anything other than live their lives, and being at the wrong place at the wrong time.," she nodded, already feeling like she'd babbled too much. But at least it wasn't rambling, thank God, no.

"It isn't that simple, if it was I'd probably do that." Lilija had no quarrels or shame about her attitude, that was her greatest attribute. "I can't beat Polaris, so I wouldn't take advantage of her. If it was somebody else, maybe. Besides, she actually benefits me, so there isn't even room for such thoughts. As for Magneto, well, it benefits me right now.," she said, realizing how many times she'd used the word 'benefit' or some variation. "I'll continue to serve him, but the moment I cannot, then he's lost me. That's how it is, and will be with me."

Cowardly or smart, whichever you decided to call her, Lilija Eiriksson was always looking to get the best while surviving. So far, she'd done pretty damn well for herself.[/font][/ul]

[Byakurai]

The X-men....Were they as great as she said they were? They wanted peace. To live along sides humans peacefully. The he thought of the violence in the world created but diversity. In this time period there was very little chance that it would work out. But there was a chance, and in the percent of chance, assimilation. He keeps his calm posture while he thinks a bit. He ignores the fact that she wasn't completely like him. He wasn't going to force her into the values he had. After all everyone is different in their own way, after all.

"Living in peace....With everyone, the only trouble would be how people live....Even in peace there will always be someone asking for war. And for what? Boredom. A lame excuse. But it can happen. Who know's right? There will always be reasons for war."

She understand the essence of human life at least. He had to agree with her on that one as well. No, not all of America was evil. Just many were, those who had power, at least some anyway. There were innocents, pawns, trustees and mastermind. As far as he knew he merely a pawn, in Corpse's eyes on course. He had no arguement footing there anyways, if he wanted to believe that he was something of greater value.

"I see. So your more into the perks until it dies down. Like a mercenary perhaps? Amazing Magneto or the others haven't said a word of such treason." He shrugs. "I that is true then. You have more freedom the you first thought." He smiles and looks back at the stars and made a deep gaze. "Miss Lilja.....You only live to survive knowing you can die at any minute?"

[Corpse]

[/color]," she said. "If co-existence was established, they'd no longer have that motive. Those who refuse to let peace flourish, they're only doing it because they'll be equal - not superior."

Yeah, Lilija knew how the human mind and pride worked. After all, she was a prideful woman.

"No, Hiro."

How Byakurai got her to be similar to a mercenary was beyond her, but she shrugged and went to explain. "I think all the causes are fine, I'd have no problem serving any of them. Just so long as I get something from it, like a place or purpose.," she admitted, then taking a breath went to elaborate further. "Right now the Brotherhood suits me just fine, there is no thought of betrayal considering I have no quarrels with the intended message."

Lilija knew her freedoms were limited, but she had enough to not feel cramped. Besides it made sense, you didn't let your soldiers become too casual or they'd suffer for it on the field of combat.[/font][/ul]

[Byakurai]

He nods to her. "This is very true." He said calmly with agreement. Keeping his 'rambling' to a minimum.

"Ok your not a mercenary. Got it. Just a lovely young woman who likes to express herself. I apologize if I offended you as such." He getting right to the point. As she wanted him to. Only doing so out of politeness, not because he had to but he wanted to. So to speak.

Right now he only had thoughts about how he was going to get home like this. Seeing as she will be stay in a five-star hotel, she will be fine without his company. Not knowing that luxury, he could only guess what they had there. Without even thinking, due to the fact from his tired mind and body, he speaks. Not in his usual tone, but a tone that would fit. A slums new yorker teenager. Something he picked up from a friend at his workplace outside of Genosha.

"So your crib chill or what?"

After he speaks those words his clapped a hand slowly over his mouth. Embaressed would be putting it mildly at this point in time. He did his best not you turn red all over.

"Excuse me for that....Uh...How is the hotel? I never been in one before."

[Corpse]

[/color]"

Lilija couldn't have been a mercenary if she wanted to, she lacked the use of firearms and in a world populated with mutants, well, it'd be a crock of shit if she encountered a powerful one. Besides, Lilija was practically human in terms of defense, she couldn't do much but raise a salesman or something. Not exactly scary, but whatever, it did have it's purposes if she needed it.

Taking a second to eye Hiro as he spoke, and in an odd manner for him, she smirked. "It's all right, lots of room.," she said, which really was all there was to it. "You don't do much but sleep there, room service cleans for you. There's free meals in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Really, it's a better deal if you have the money to afford it, to just stay there instead of a home. Not much to report on taxes." If she could, Lilija wouldn't mind camping out in a hotel, five star or not.

"The room's big enough for company, so if you're wanting to stay there, that isn't an issue for me. Unless you think I have cooties or something.," she smirked, hoping Byakurai wasn't so uncomfortable around the opposite sex. "Besides, it's closer. So close, I can see it from here."[/font][/ul]

[Byakurai]

'Right'

Was the only answer he reall got from her. Sure there was rambling but there was after all, a polite response. At least in his mind, from all the books he read on human behavior and psychology. She sounded like she didn't like him or she was a really shy person. From what he knows about her, she was no where near shy. She appoarched him, which he didn't mind in the slightiest bit, and conversed with him. A woman like her would of been raped or something. This was the badder part of New York City and it is night, well almost dawn but it was still dark. Muggers, gangs, pimps, and other, what he considered, bad people are usally out and about.

He wasn't saying that she couldn't defend herself if it came down to it. A good can of pepper spray, kick in your balls combo usual would do fine for a non-combatant person. He wasn't trying to be sexist either with this thought. They young man just can't picture a 5'4 skinny woman, throwing multiple muggers through a wall. Unless well, she had super strength. Then this whole worrying thing would of been for not. Relizing he had spaced out. He miss what she said about the hotel and heard what she asked him. Out of reaction he blushed, making himself as red as a cherry.

"M-me?" He started still surprised that she would of even asked. "Y-you? One room?" He kept an idiotic look on his face. Trying not to let his jaw drop from this. The kid had already made love to a woman before, but he couldn't say it really counted. With the who suduce without really suducing ability that was Morphia and her little pheromones. But still after going all the way with a person you would think he would be cool around girls.

Wrong, he was a prude person, extremely prude and innocent person. Almost like a child, atleast when the topic of opposite sex came up. He was about to refused until he remember what he thought about before, and he didn't really want to deal with all that. And Lilja was a nice and sound person. Nothing would go on right. Then again who knows? Still from what he knows. She didn't seems interested, so he could atleast try to act cool. Thought no one cool would be a nervous wreck over this and still red as a freaking cherry.

"U-uh, well. Sure. I guess.

He said clearing his throat, returning to his normal color. He was doing his best to keep cool. But it came to things like this, it was hard for him. He takes a long needed breath of warm air, to calm himself a bit more before speaking. His tone of voice returned to normal. With that he attempts to save himself from the hole he made himself fall in.

"Cooties? I see you can joke as well."

[Corpse]

[/i] like someone you crossed.

"Well, there's a couch.," she said, raising an eyebrow at how he was acting. "But if you want the bed, be my guest. I can resort to the couch, it folds out into a bed. So, I guess, you could say there's two beds." Though knowing Hiro, he'd be considerate and say that the woman should take the bed. If so, she wouldn't argue with the Asian.

Hiro wasn't getting any, at least not after one night. Though if he stuck around and continued to be all right, there was a possibility. But she somewhat doubted that, lately everyone seemed to be hooking up all too quickly, and that wasn't very realistic or appealing to her. Still, alcohol can make people do some crazy things, but Lilija wasn't that much of a heavy drinker without some kind of event or occasion.

"Good, it's decided then. And just to be safe, I'll avoid any physical contact, so no worries about the cooties."

Yes, she could joke. But she could also shoot down a man's curiosity about where the night may lead, too.[/font][/ul]

[Byakurai]

"Take the bed, it is your room."

He said without really thinking, at least this time it was something more caring and considerate then his last remark. He shakes his head a bit with a smirk thinking about it all. He lets out a soft sigh. Then looks at the stars once more. Little did he know, his politeness made him seem like an open book.

"Well good. I can be at ease knowing I won't be getting them now."

He said with a more relaxed and comfortable tone. Glad to know not all women were all kinky and stuff like Morphia was. Not that he was complaining just, he never understood why women were how they were. From his point of view bad experience or something in that manner. He shrugs a bit. The moves his arms in a gentlemen-like manner, while looking at her with a smile.

"Ladies first."

[Corpse]

[/color]"

Hiro was either very clumsy around girls, or he was a terrible flirt. Either way, she felt no immediate danger from him, and besides they were in the Brotherhood together, right?

Right.

Lilija was the way she was due to, well, common sense. Sure she had her emotional moments, but they tended to be kept in check with sound logic. No spontaneous outbursts here, no sirree!

"How... kind.," she said, before taking the lead towards her humble (or not so humble) abode. "You must be a hit with the ladies, Hiro."[/font][/ul]

[Byakurai]

When she took the lead to her hotel, he kept a few feet behind her respecting her personal space. He hasn't made the best of first impressions like he could of. Could be the fact that he was tired and amped up from the work out. he puts both hands in his pocket and slumped a bit, in a more relaxed and lazy position as he walked. Despite how he looked he was complete on guard just in case.

The darkness filled with muggers and jerks always made him paranoid. Even more so because a lady was by him, he let out a sigh trying to think of a positive scenario. And this involved him not getting stabbed, again. That was something he didn't want happening to him again anytime soon.

"Your welcome. And if you mean relationship wise, no. I haven't had an actual girlfriend yet. Friendship-wise yea sure I guess."

[Corpse]

[/color]," she asked, beginning the obvious-to-come next question. "And why is that? If you even know."

Muggers or not, it would be dawn pretty soon, or assumed. They'd been out for quite some time, longer than she'd expected, but having nothing to really do today, she could more than make up for it with sleep. However, she didn't know what Byakurai's schedule was, nor did she really have a right to intrude on that... unless he told her himself.[/font][/ul]