Description: Cammy reports in to Quon on how she is doing regarding exonerating her good name, which turns out to be more about investigating people afflicted with rage. And then the Doll manages to send Quon running for the hills, despite her good work.
A few hours ago, Quon received an email from Cammy. Apparently there was some information that she wanted to share with him in private. Considering the fact that he's still obligated to hang out with Cammy due to Vega's intervention, he doesn't refuse. The fact that she could probably kick his butt with both hands tied behind her back is further incentive.
Eventually, he gets there and waits. He isn't waiting for long before he begins to pace back and forth. If he's allowed to continue, he'll probably wear the area down to dirt.
Cammy actually has business to discuss, and likes hanging aroun Quon anyway of course, so is looking forward to this. So the Killer Bee is right on time. And as this place is a bit off the beaten track, she can nix the red cloak as well, so she steps out between the trees into the clearing in her blue Doll uniform, looking, by her standards anyway, quite happy.
"Hello Quon. We have not seen each other for some time, but then, I have been busy. Doing your task, before you get all worried.". And a few other things, like guarding prisoners, of course. "So as well as meeting up in the forest, away from annoying people, I can talk to you about that, as some progress has been made.".
Upon Cammy's arrival, he's quiet but he still at gives a smile and a wave. His body relaxes and he listens. It's when she identifies it as his task, that he realizes that Cammy had completely missed the point of what he said. He's not going to correct her on that just yet, but he will eventually.
For now, he's actually curious about what things the Killer Bee has found out. "What progress have you made? I would love to find out."
Cammy positively beams, and a gloved hand twitches, almost going to salute until she remembers herself. She does stand fairly rigid and to attention though, as she explains. "As I predicted, Rust was not very cooperative. I even resorted to force, but the situation was deterioriating then already, and I, umm, overdid it, very slightly, so there was no help forthcoming from him.". She gives Quon a somewhat sidelong glance, hoping he's not too narked about her giving him a kick to his broken ribs. It was all done for Quon after all!
"Anyway, I made a few guesses as to who would be in his address book and so likely targets. Also, I should explain first, that in an unrelated encounter with Ken Masters in Southtown, I noticed that he is suffering from some sort of affliction or curse laid upon his chi, an affliction that has somehow corrupted him and driven him into a berserk rage.".
She places her hands on her hips, and adds, "Fortunately he was not totally consumed by it, and I managed to tire him out, so the encounter was not as painful as it might have been.".
Quon visibly cringes when she mentions the kick to Rust's ribs. On one hand, he's not exactly on the best of terms with him due to comments that he interpreted as a dig at him. But on the other hand, he knows that Rust's intentions are good. He holds his tongue how ever.
However the background information of what had happened to Ken Masters gives him an idea of what had happened with Antoine when he fought with him. "Just like my encounter with Antoine..." If not for the fact that Howard Rust was practically untouched in the encounter with Antoine, he might've gotten away then too.
"I did not hurt him permanently." Cammy reassures. "I am sorry I had to do it, and on reflection I do not think it was the best course of action. Maybe I will make it up to him some day. I have an idea about that, already... but that is for another day.".
Lucky Rust. The doll then folds her arms. "Ah, you met Antoine too." the Doll notes, with some slight disappointment. "Yes. I investigated likely candidates who Rust knew, and met Zach and Antoine, both of whom have spent a great deal of time either vanished or wandering the remote places of the earth. Antoine has indeed been afflicted with the same corrupted chi that Ken Masters has been afflicted by. He attacked me, but he was very ill - I had hoped to bring him to you but he ran off. Before he attacked me... I had the feeling that someone had done this to him. A person of some description.".
She shrugs. "Just a feeling. I am good with feelings. As you know, no?".
"Yeah I met him. I fought him to a standstill and if it wasn't for someone else being around, he would've gotten away then too." No need to mention that Rust was his backup as obviously their relations have been bad for awhile now. But considering someone as high profile as Ken Masters being corrupted, it drives home the point that no one is really safe.
Quon reaches behind his head and scratches thoughtfully as he mulls over this new information. "I wonder if we could find the point when that change came over Ken. Maybe a broadcast or something odd about the business dealings or his stock. The connection might be enough to find out who did this to him and as a result who did this to Antoine."
Cammy still has a little bit more to say, so she plows on. "Zach, is more or less fine. He has his own problems, but I am satisfied that they are unrelated to the rage issue. I think the rage may only affect chi users, and Zach is a psion, so he is perhaps not of interest.". It is Shadaloo that focuses on all things psychic, so the doll knows what she's on about, here...
"Next, I will question Rusts neighbours for direct evidence of tampering. Ibuki has already agreed to help me. So that is my next task.". She cocks her head to listen to Quon's suggestions though, reaching up to run a hand through her blonde tuft of hair. "Perhaps. It seems like a good plan. I am sure Marz can do that.".
Quon's feelings were split as far as this investigation was concerned. On one hand, Shadaloo could bring resources that he didn't have access to this investigation. On the other hand, he wasn't quite sure he wanted Shadaloo involved in this but with Cammy's involvement, for better or for worse, Shadaloo is involved.
"Ok. While you're doing that I'll see if I can find news reports or televised fights of people similarly afflicted and see if we can find some connections there. Plus I think I can get some friends to check out Ken's situation as well."
Cammy nosewrinkles. "Well... It is probably better that you handle Ken Masters. He does not like me for some reason. And he asks very annoying questions about my past which have no relevance, and he is very insulting. In circumstances like that, it would be very difficult to enjoy a productive meeting.".
She lets her arms dangle loosely at her sides, and then asks, "If you find something and need my help, you will email me?", faintly hopeful. She usually summons Quon, rather than vice versa, after all.
Quon nods with a calm expression on his face. Though on the other hand, it might be worth it to the Chongquan fighter to find out what Ken Masters knows about Cammy's past. Part of him however doesn't want to investigate that too deeply though. It might draw more unwanted attention from Shadaloo. He gets enough of that already.
"Yeah. I'll do that." Now to just make sure he doesn't get into a situation where he needs her help. Cammy can be used as a resource but it's not a resource he wants to use willy nilly.
"I think that concludes my report, anyway. Good work, no?" Cammy asks, thinking Quon seems quite happy, anyway. "See, I really can help you after all.". And then she walks up to him, as she was standing a good few paces away when she was being all business, until she stands right next to him.
"So, now we can walk in the forest for a while, and talk about things other than corrupted chi, uncooperative friends of yours, and future objectives?" the doll wonders. "You don't have to go soon, do you?".
Should he tell her why he said what he said? He decides against it just yet after all, he figures that her finding out his intent on her own will probably be more effective than spoon feeding it to her. Of course she may need to be nudged in that direction. How to nudge her however is something he might have difficulty figuring out. He shakes his head at him having to go soon. "Nope. My community service was done and I don't have to work today so I have nothing but time." Left unsaid is the fact that he has no classes to go to either which is another reason he 'has nothing but time.'
He takes a moment to choose his next question carefully, he'd rather not find out something she has done in the name of Lord Vega even by accident. "What did you want to talk about?"
"I do not know really. Hmm.". Cammy nudges at Quon's elbow gently to get him moving, so she can fall into step alongside him and wander aimlessly throughout the forest. She sticks to what trails there may be, so they don't have to battle through undergrowth or anything like that - after all, it's a forest, not a park, and she might have army boots on but Quon may not be so well equipped.
"How... how is school?" she asks, after much thought. "And how is the acting?". She really is going to have to go put a bomb under Eagle unless he shows up soonish. Maybe a real bomb, that tends to concentrate minds.
That was the exact question the Chongquan Prodigy had been hoping that Cammy would avoid. "They decided on my fate. I got expelled because of my arrest." His lips turn downward into a frown and then a sigh. "I'm to move my stuff out of the dorm this weekend."
He pauses and focuses on the acting question if only to keep his mind off the whole school situation. "It's been quiet. An occasional job as an extra here or there but have yet to get anything with a speaking part."
Cammy does have a remarkable talent for talking about the wrong thing. "Ummm. I am very sad about that. Sorry for asking.". A brief pause, then she asks, "Do you have somewhere to stay?" she asks. "I could help you move at least, maybe." she says, a little more brightly, confident she can do that at least for him. Moving stuff around, anybody can do that, and many hands make light work. "Though probably can't help you with a place to stay.". Thinking of the cat she smuggled in to the base, which ended up in two halves. Any smuggling of Quon would probably lead to him being in two halves, too. If he's lucky.
"You have not been contacted by anybody regarding your acting, yet?" she wonders, now frowning a little. "Hmmmmm..." she says, somehow sounding slightly ominous, as she ponders resolving that issue.
Quon pointedly doesn't answer Cammy's question on the whether not she can help him move. Once again this goes back to two things first, he wants to keep Cammy and Rust far away from each other and making sure neither help him in his move will at least keep them away from each other while he's around. It also goes back to the fact that he'd rather not use Cammy's help unless it can be avoided. Here, it can be avoided.
"No one has contacted me." He doesn't even bother trying to hide emotion on his facial features. In fact it's very expressive and the look he gives her seems to say, 'What are you planning?' The emotional vibe he gives off probably only serves to make the look he gives even more expressive.
Cammy does notice the lack of answer, and she does sigh a little bit - not even good enough to shift boxes? But does not press the issue. She is clued up enough to know that if she was all pushy Quon would probably be even more scared than he already is. And besides, pushy is demanding, and she's trying not to be.
"Well.". She glances over at him, and cannot help but smirk a little, despite herself. "It is not Fei Long." she admits, not wanting him to get his hopes up too high. "But I am trying to help you. It is a surprise.".
"Ahh... I see." While Quon will only ask for help from Cammy only if he absolutely needs it, there's not much he can do if she has taken it upon herself to help him when he doesn't ask for it. As a result, all he can really do right now is go with the flow and be ready to jump off if things go South.
Quon's rise upwards into a shrugs, "I guess all I can do is wait and see." Inwardly, he adds and hope they aren't directly affiliated with Shadaloo.
"No, it is not someone you would deem criminal." Cammy tells Quon, knowing him well enough by now to know his worries, even without being psychic. "You will probably like my surprise, Quon. You underestimate my care and understanding, I think. I would not select someone who you would be certain to dislike." she gently chides. "And maybe he really will be able to help you.".
A pause, and then. "If not, I suppose I will have to ask Fei Long perhaps. I am sure we could come to some sort of deal... maybe I could be a villain in his next movie or something.". That would be kinda fun, as well.
"You can select the next conversation topic." the doll offers, knowing that if she did, she'd probably pick something cringeworthy again.
Quon attempts to find something neutral. Arcade games are fairly neutral however he probably should avoid the fighting sports games. Especially with her feelings on Vega. He realizes that the whole Vega losing to Fei Long thing was probably quite a blow and he should especially avoid NL 2010, let alone discussing the upcoming NL 2011.
What other games does he suppose she'd enjoy? How about light gun games, with her reflexes she could probably do well and most importantly, it doesn't have her or Vega in it.
"Hey! Did you get a chance to check out a game called 'Stealth Scope?' It's sweet. The Machine even comes with a rifle that offers a zoomed in view of the screen." Quon hasn't played that game yet but one it's interesting and two it's as safe a topic as he's going to get.
Cammy looks over at Quon, to stare at him, expressionless, for a while. That was a question rather out of the blue, at least so she thinks. But after some consideration, she smiles. "No, I have not even heard of this game. Maybe we should go play it one day. It will be better than the fighting games I think... those make me. Jumpy." she tells him. "One day soon. It will be fun.".
She adds, regarding her marksmanship abilities, "I have used a rifle with a scope like you describe, it is not very hard. So I guess I will be good at this game, if it is like a real rifle.". Rifles are good for long distance assassinations, after all, at least for those who are not fighters. Which is, actually, quite common.
Oops. And it would appear that Quon had indirectly touched upon an unsafe topic. Though his face remains serene, he's realizing that there's an elephant on the path ways due to both Cammy talking about her experiences with rifles and Quon being on the receiving end of being shot up... by her people.
Quon quickly regains his poise and also regains control over his own emotions to flash Cammy a smile. "I had a feeling that was something you'd probably enjoy. Plus it's two player. Both players would take position in different locations providing support."
Cammy isn't really much of a gun fetishist to be honest, which is probably a bit odd for someone who fights Special Forces style, but she nods, if only because it sounds like something they can actually do together quite reasonably, for fun. And that has been very much lacking. And so, "That sounds enjoyable.", she says. "Ibuki mentioned playing volleyball in summer as well, on the beach, and summer is not so far away now. As we are talking about things we can do together now.".
She glances over to peer at the smiling Quon, and smiles a bit hesitantly back. "This is quite a pleasant meeting! The best one yet. Aside from the one that Ibuki was present at. I guess that means things are going well. Maybe it is because you don't like Rust anymore.". The Doll isn't too bothered about the whys and the wherefores, that said. "Or maybe it is because with the tournament going on with me not involved, I am not really very busy.".
"Volley ball, you say." The Chinese teenager is somewhat intrigued, after all. Two teenaged girls in relatively good physical condition jumping around in bathing suits sounds like a good time. Quon is still a teenager and this train of thought is to be expected from someone his age and occasionally in those who are older.
He's eventually snapped out of those thoughts by the fact that Cammy is mentioning the falling out between himself and Rust. "Wait, wha? Who told you about that?" It was something that he not only had not mentioned he really didn't think too hard about it while he was here.
"Volleyball was more Ibuki's idea than mine, but she has good ideas, so I am willing to entertain the notion. I'm sure it would work out better than any suggestion of mine." Cammy points out.
And then she flushes slightly, a little defensive. "Oh. Umm. Well. I thought someone mentioned it to me, is all. Or maybe I, umm, overheard it, or something." she admits. "I do overhear a lot of things, you know. And I was in Africa at the time. I am sorry.".
She tilts her head, wondering. "Were you not in that lodge in Africa with the rest of the team, a little later?" she asks. Mainly due to curiosity - was he just next door when she was kicking Rust? And also to, uh. Change the subject.
Quon's eyebrow rises. He goes over the events in his mind. After the fall out he went out of his way to not speak with Rust, occasionally even not being around a lot of the time either dedicating his time to either training, sightseeing, or sleeping. Other than the slammed door and maybe the fact that he was obviously not speaking to him, he wasn't obvious about the strained relations.
Because of this, Quon's own suspicions of listening devices being planted in the hut increase significantly. Meanwhile, he makes a response meant to find out how much she knows as well keep his own whereabouts as vague as possible. "I didn't stick around much after the team's fight after the tournament."
"You do realise that your team had the eyes of the world upon it. Even if it was one of the lesser teams, the tournament is still a world event." Cammy reminds, gently. "Oh Quon, don't hold it against me personally too much. I can see you are annoyed. And maybe worried. There is no need.". She reaches out, so one hand hovers over his shoulder for a moment. "I am no threat to you, I promise.". The Killer Bee then gives him the briefest of pats, before pulling back her arm.
"Let us talk about something different." she suggests, hoping to get things hurriedly back on track, which is not dwelling on Shadaloo's massive espionage wing, and her place fairly near the centre of it. "Or do something different. Like. I don't know. Climb a tree.". Being in a forest, the dolls options are limited.
Quon's shoulder moves slightly away from the pat. He doesn't even bother to disguise his discomfort with the whole thing. He knew that if his dream came true, his privacy would shrink to non-existant. But he hasn't even gotten his dream yet and it's at the point where he's realizing that people know what the color is of the dump he took this morning.
On one hand he doesn't want to hold it against her but on the other hand he can't think of anyone else to hold it against. He takes a long, deep breath before exhaling it forcefully. "Uh... Cammy, I'm gonna need some time alone." He adds mentally to himself. 'Just some time with Me, Myself, and Big Brother.'
He moves to lean against the tree, "Don't worry. I'll email you tonight."
Cammy feels Quon squirming away under her hand - and it reminds her of her squirming away from Balrog's Bad Touch in just the same way. "I am not as bad as Balrog is you know." she tells him, somewhat forcefully, thoughts immediately coming to the fore. "But alright. Of course you can have some time alone.".
She shakes her head with a frown, and then shrugs, adding, "If you like, I will limit myself purely to my current mission assignment - the rage issue? And maybe I will just email you, if you prefer.". The Doll really does want to help - but on the other hand, she knows how much she dislikes creepy Balrog, and if Quon feels the same way about her...
Log created on 07:29:01 03/08/2011 by Cammy, and last modified on 10:36:30 03/09/2011.