Put the props down. Just be yourself.{Darsal}

[Melissa Clark]

Melissa bounced throughout the greens and scenery. The Rebellion Forest was a lurking place. An area to hide away once a chase had burst into existence. Melissa hadn't fallen into such a crisis as of yet today, and was just doing it for personal gain. See, the young blonde was a little troublesome to herself when it came to running around. Her lower body's ability sucked, sucked ass. So every now and then the female decided to bring forth a little exercise. Nothing hardcore, just a jog here and there. Of course, whatever may come in between was not up to her.

Shrugging off her jacket, she slowed to a halt in a small clearing. Trees arched over head, so much so it formed to a groggy tunnel. No light could swarm into the damp green. A few stumps sat around, and one or two frowning rocks glared at the petite blonde as she dropped her jacket and sat upon a stump. She was more than familiar with this area, with a pond a little way away. It was a good pond, and on a nice day you could come across a glint of sunshine dancing across the ripples. It was no deeper than her knees. Which meant it was quite nice to deep your toes in every now and then.

Kicking off her shoes, Melissa dropped her Ray Gun, her knife, and her signature pocket watch before she rolled onto the grass and just chilled. She was aware she had resigned herself to exercise and guard duty, but she just couldn't run in such nice weather. At least, not without getting sweaty and somewhat gross.

The Rebel Forest was located outside the city's outskirts, meaning you'd need to track through some country and back streets before reaching somewhere near the large green land. There wasn't any fancy schmancy form of visiting the Rebel Forests, no secret codes, no passes to show. Anyone could come and go as they pleased. Probably some sort of subliminal security. 'This is a perfectly inconspicuous forest, no need to search in here!' Sort of thing.

[Darsal Versae]

Darcy jumped up from her seat, looking about quickly before realizing she'd only been asleep. She was constantly waking up like this, or at least that was what her younger sister told her. It appeared that even when she took a little nap she would jump awake in a panic. Slowly she sank back into her seat, rubbing her forehead as she released a deep breath. She would never be at peace while SMILE's threat hung over her head. Ever since her mother's 'death' her father wasn't able to work. So SMILE wasn't getting any of his thoughts or possible inventions. Her younger sister was doing her best to see that their father ate and at least tried to do something with his hands through out the day. And Darcy? She was spending her time fixing anything SMILE threw her way; weapons, computers, vehicles. Not because she wanted to, or because she was supporting their efforts; but because she didn't want to see anything happen to her family.

They used her feelings for her family against her. If she didn't help them further their advances in the world; than she would be forced to watch as her father and sister went through judgment, before she herself would be judged. Darcy clenched her jaw shut and she flew her arm across the table; knocking the cups and centerpiece to the floor. This wasn't what she wanted, for herself or her family. Hearing someone stirring from the other room she quickly stood and began to clean the mess. "It's alright, I've got it." Darcy called out, not wanting to face her sister at this moment. She had to get out of the house, and she had to go now. Not bothering to change her clothes or even remove her wrist badge; Darcy slipped out of the back door and hopped onto her motorcycle.

Fifteen minutes later, Darcy found herself wandering through the woods on the outskirts of the town. Not for any other reason except to clear her mind. No doubt someone would be sent to find her for not showing up at the Institute, but she needed a breather. Darcy paused to put up her hair, not bothering to be sure it was right; she just needed the hair out of her face. If she weren't so caught up in her thoughts she would have taken notice of the lovely day; but how could she pause to enjoy the beauty of the day while she was trapped in a company that had murdered her mother, and was threatening to finish off the rest of her family? Sighing, Darcy pushed on. Stepping into a clearing and froze as she notice someone was lying on the grass. A ray gun was near the person, and Darcy realized she had left her with her motorcycle. but would it honestly make a difference if she ended up getting shot? Wouldn't it basically be the same as if she refused to work for SMILE, they would still kill her family. Darcy simply shook her head, if she died then her sister would have no chance at freedom.... REAL freedom. Slowly she turned, trying to avoid being noticed, but a twig snapped under her foot. She closed her eyes, hoping to go without detection.

[Melissa Clark]

Melissa was smoking as she perched upon the grass. There were no cigarettes left in the carton after this one. Something the young woman was greatly concerned over, she wouldn't obsess, but she did need to risk her life to get some more. Ironic in it's own. Putting her life on the line to get some sticks that would aid in her death anyway. ...Thinking of it like that often made Melissa want to quit, but she'd stick with it for now. It was her sanctuary, to be able to just puff while she worked. Many people told her her smoking was partial to her inability to run. But for the time being she'd ignore them. As she did everyone when it came down to her sm-

A crack, small, quiet, barely noticable. But enough. Melissa wasn't one to hear things and just let it go. Even if it was a scratching on the roof of her home, she'd not be having any of it. Sitting up, real slow like, Melissa glanced around her. Barely moving her head until it was absolutely necessary. Trees, shadows, branches, grass. Nothing out of the ordinary for a space in the forest. But there! A shadow shaped a little oddly, not like the usual trunk shaped shadow glowering over another trunk. But a body, possibly slouched. "You alright?" She called, the cigarette clinging to her lips, a wee bit wet from her saliva. Just wet enough to hang from her pouting bottom lip without falling or burning her chin.

Slowly, Melissa reached for her weapons, her watch and her jacket, before standing slowly. Tucking the gun into her waistband, she held onto the knife and her other items of importance. Melissa was poised and ready for whatever could have happened next.

[Darsal Versae]

Darcy tried her best to appear invisible, and just as she thought she would make it away; the girl spoke. Darcy winced, not exactly sure of what to do. It was hard to tell who was a rebel, or just a random citizen. Which meant she couldn't be sure how to present herself. Being somewhat of an inventor for SMILE wasn't something most people were thrilled to hear about her. Plus her face wasn't at all new to the public, since her father had also worked for SMILE. Great. The joys of protecting a family. Slowly, Darcy turned around to look at the girl and she sighed.

"Uh, yeah." She managed out, hoping to at least be able to escape without much of a conversation. She didn't like confrontations, not when she was on the wrong side... not when her family was on the line. Darcy pushed past the discomfort that was building in her gut and forced a half smile. Hopefully this girl wouldn't recognize her, hopefully she just assumed she was another random citizen.... wandering through the woods alone. Great. She could already feel the usually jumpiness sinking into her bones. this happened when she worked, or got too careless in rebel territory. Which was where she was now; rebel territory. If they only knew the truth about that new weapon SMILE was converting. If she could only get her family away safely. If, if, if. All her life seemed to be filled with were 'ifs', as of late.

[Melissa Clark]

Several puffs of smoke polluted the air around Melissa's head as she waited for an answer. And just as she began to think that perhaps it was nothing, just an oddly shaped shadow, a voice sounded. Had she been an animal, her ears would have literally perked. She probably would have also tensed up noticably. But she didn't need to be an animal for that, she was now a figure with a skeleton of ice. Her movements would be frigid as she determined whom she was speaking to.

A few seconds ticked by, as she continued to inhale the smoke that clouded her lungs, then she decided it may be best to speak.

"Fiend or ally to the Rebellion?" She demanded, any insecurity in her voice washed away, any tenderness gone. Melissa's slightly clammy hand clutched the red handle of the knife, ready to do whatever it would take to keep the Rebellion's course steady.

[Darsal Versae]

Darcy awaited silently, unsure of what to do next. After a few moments of stillness, she slowly turned and looked at the girl in the clearing. She seemed young, but looked tough enough to kill. This is what war did to people. It sewed seeds of distrust amongst people and painted everyone as a possibly threat. It stole the little joys in life from everyone. It dashed the hopes of children looking to escape the threat of bloodshed. Everyone was turned into a soldier, leader, or martyr. That's what had happened with Darcy. War stole her hope of a 'normal' childhood. Instead; she had been raised in a lab watching her father work so hard to keep his family safe. SMILE stole her mother, and was no threatening to steal her father and sister. She was a prisoner; trapped on the inside with no way out.

At the girl's question, Darcy weighed her possible answers and opted for the one that rang most true. "That depends on whose company I'm in." Darcy stated seriously. When she thought about it some more, she continued on in a quiet tone. "In town, I'm Darsal Versae; inventor for SMILE. In my home, I'm a trapped mechanic being blackmailed into working for an institute that's destroying everyone. But right here, in the woods so far from all the people who would turn me into SMILE in a heartbeat; I'm simply a girl trying to save my family." She finished, her fingers tracing along the scar along the left underside of her jaw slowly. It was a habit she'd picked up ever since receiving the wound. A 'gift' from SMILE when she first refused their oh-so generous offer to work for them. "So I guess you could say I'm a wanna-be ally." Darcy finally admitted, looking at the girl and wondering how she would respond.

[Melissa Clark]

Melissa slowly took it all in, sponging the information. "Yeah, I think we've heard about you somewhere. Didn't your mum die?" Melissa questioned, taking a few steps forward, leaving a trail of smog behind her. "Alright, well, we know you yourself aren't a real threat, but your inventions aren't too great. Still, we understand what you're doing, and why you're doing so, you're pretty neutral to us. Safe." Melissa documented to no one in particular. There had been files written on special cases in SMILE. Darcy was one of them, one of the few SMILE operatives that were there against their will.

Melissa, to prove that Darsal was in no form of harm from her, unhooked the Ray Gun from her waist band and threw it to the floor with a thunk, then threw down the knife. "I'm not gonna hurt cha. I'm just here to smoke. Want one, ask." She greeted, a smile on her face as she moved forward, away from her weapons and held out a clammy, bruised hand. She wasn't one to just turn away someone. Especially when she knew all about their past. Well, snippets of their past.

[Darsal Versae]

Darcy listened to the girl for a moment before wincing at the question. It wasn't a secret that her mother had died. No, the 'secret' was that she'd been murdered. "No, she was killed by SMILE when they thought she posed a threat to my father's inventions. Sadly they thought killing her would make it all better; it made it worse." She spoked coldly, her tone icy not on account of the female, but due to the conversation. Her family was a touchy subject for Darcy, and she didn't like to openly talk about the downfall of her father's great mind. Darcy relaxed after the girl spoke again and she nodded. "'Safe', not a word I would use to define me. Considering my circumstances. But I get what you mean." So the Rebels knew more about SMILE operatives than she thought. Either they had someone inside, or they were able to hack into SMILE's computer files. The thought made her grimace. If there was a breach in security; she was the one sent to fix it, and find out how it happened. Anytime she didn't finish quick enough; someone got hurt.

Darcy watched the girl abandon her weapons and step closer. She managed to smile at her words. It was nice to be feeling almost normal. Darcy removed her light jacket, to show she was hiding no weapons of her own, and stepped forward to clasp her hand. "Smoking is naturally calming, even if it's harmful to the lungs. Due to the health risk, I'm not 'allowed' to smoke in SMILE facilities; so I don't get to as often as I'd like... do you mind if I join you?" Darcy asked with a quirked brow. If her sister heard the request, she would have received a good hard slap to the back of her head. She didn't approve of Darcy smoking. But that was just because of their mother's death. Only Darcy was aware of SMILE's involvement.

[Melissa Clark]

Melissa smirked, the SMILE operative had gotten the wrong end of the stick. "I wasn't defining you, I was telling you that you are safe. From the likes of Rebels, for now at least." The blond explained to the brunette. She looked over to her, upon her request of joining her for a cigarette.

"Sure, not one hundred percent positive if I have another carton..This was the last one." Melissa rooted through her pockets, and eventually brought forth a random spare cigarette from somewhere inside her jacket. "If you've got your own you're welcome to them, otherwise it's just this." She held her grubby hand out, the cancer stick resting within her palm. Ready and waiting to be accepted or declined.

A breeze swept through the clearing then, jostling the hair's on Melissa's pale skin as she returned to sitting. It being Britain, the weather was likely to change whenever it felt. And to Melissa, it felt like rain some time soon.

[Darsal Versae]

The blue-green eyes studied the girl as she spoke, and Darcy found herself feeling relieved. So, she was being considered as safe from the Rebels. Though she knew it could very well cost her own life as well as her families’; Darcy found herself content to stay and interact with this woman. It wasn’t very often that she spoke to anyone outside of her family or work. Work. Just thinking about the Institute made her shudder. She pushed the thoughts away from her, not letting the fear get the better of her as she reached into her coat pocket. She removed a new pack of cigarettes with a flourish, taking the one from Melissa’s hand and placing the new carton there. “I’m guessing it’s much easier for me to buy these when I run out, than it is for you.”

She balanced the think stick in between her lips as she rummaged through her pockets until she came upon a lighter. She shielded the end as she tested the lighter. It took three different tries, but a little flame appeared and lapped hungrily at the cigarette’s end. She smiled with the first inhale, letting the nicotine soak in for a moment before slowly exhaling. Damn that hit the spot. “Thanks. It’s been a while since I’ve had company while smoking, let alone someone offer me one.”

[Melissa Clark]

Melissa chuckled at the dark haired woman's comment. "Yeah, it's..Well, it's enough to get arrested if the SMILE members actually know who you are." Melissa informed her, rather casually so. "Otherwise you can pretty much get off scot free." The blonde ruffled her hair and placed her hands on her hips, a habit she had picked up. "Can't imagine it's too easy for you either, something tells me you don't get the freedom of going out all that much." Melissa chuckled to herself, then turned away to sit back down. The young adult always felt a little weird smoking while standing up. As if she was trying too hard to look badass for people. Though, there was no point in her trying, she always looked badass. Well, no, she didn't, but she liked to think that she did to strangers. Perhaps a sub-conscious intimidation thing.

Placing her hands on her knees once she was on the dry, though cold, grass, Melissa looked up at Darsal. "No worries, it's nice to have someone around while you smoke. I apologize if I don't tell you my name, safety reasons." Melissa shrugged her somewhat limp shoulders and leaned back to look up at the greenery above their heads. The day would drag on slowly, and she was going to accept that. But she would definitely spend the day how she fancied.

"So, what sorta stuff have you done for SMILE? Off the record, if you like. If you don't want people to know, I'll keep my lips sealed." Melissa promised with a smoky smile.