Andy vs Leo

## Elysium | Vindaya | al-Fasis02/21/2019

Vindaya had so little trust to start with that there wasn’t anything of a foundation left for Clara to stand on. As such, Vindaya maintained her stoic expression (and was careful not to move more than natural or necessary) throughout her apology, and then said, “Thank you for apologizing.” She was careful not to say anything like *it’s okay* or *I forgive you*. Clara had done an excellent job of reminding her that other supers were dangerous. Even if she had come to Lilah, Rhett, and Dax’s aid today; just because there wasn’t necessarily a physical threat, that didn’t mean no threat at all. And there was no reason for Vindaya to believe that a woman who blackmailed her once wouldn’t do something similar again.
Similarly, Clara’s confession and subsequent attempt to make up for her actions wasn’t earning any favors with Vindaya. If that was how Clara responded to being injured and a little afraid, Vindaya really didn’t want much to do with her. So, similarly quietly, she said, “I don’t deal in secrets, Clara. I’m not interested in yours or anyone else’s.”
Even if she was a little bit curious at the medical super marvel that was Clara.
At the sound of Leo’s voice, Vindaya quickly shot a glance at the door to the backyard, then back to Clara. “Eli probably isn’t far behind,” she warned her. Keeping up her end of the bargain.

## Mob Boss Peggy02/21/2019

As usual, Leo stepped back into the house as if it was *his* house, and walked into the living room, standing in the hallway with his arms folded confidently. Even without the costume, Leo had always been dramatic.
"Oh, uh, hi, Leo." Andy muttered flatly as he started his walk around to the stairs. "How was the mission?"
His journey was blocked by the elastic man, who placed himself right in Andy's path. He had a bone to pick with the pyromancer tonight. Andy felt his irritation returning, but paused a few steps away from the other man.
"It went fine, *vato*, but what *I* want to know is why the only person we know who can *walk through fire* wasn't at the *burning* building."
Andy knew this question was coming. Why didn't he expect that it would come from the one person that would make entirely sure that the whole group could hear them?
"I can't be everywhere at once, Leo, now please---" God, his voice sounded so *small* next to Leo's.
"Ah, no. Not good enough." Retorted Leo, standing his ground. "You should've been there. You were the *best* choice for that mission, but you just *vanished.* To do what? You know that six people died, right? And where were you? What were you doing that nobody else could do, that was more important than this?"
No, Andy was *not* going to start a fight about this. He knew that what he had done was necessary, but he was being *attacked* for his decision.
"I was---"
But he couldn't get a word in. Andy went rigid. His skin flushed with anger and anxiety. Leo was visibly upset too, pointing an accusing finger at their leader as he accosted him.
"Burning building - person immune to fire - does that not make sense? We all almost bit the dust saving people when *you* could've just *walked* right through! Why weren't you there, *Jefe*?"

## Mob Boss Peggy02/21/2019

While Andy and Leo were staring each other down, Andy was again conflicted.
Should he argue as passionately back as he wanted to? Turn their confrontation into *another* screaming match? Andy knew Leo well enough to know that the man was a fiery force of nature during conversation, and far louder, far more animated, and *far* more overbearing than he was. Nothing could *ever* shut him up. Not even a super strong punch to the jaw.
Andy didn't want to argue but didn't want to seem weak in front of the others as well.
"Well? What do you have to say? Are you okay with the fact that we didn't do the most that we could have possibly done to save people because *you* didn't think it was more important than breaking into a fucking hospital?" Leo questioned when Andy didn't answer.
The comment put their leader terribly on edge. He didn't want what Leo said to get to him, but it was *really* hard when the other man was implying that less people could've died if Andy was there to pull them out of flames.
No, he knew better. Leo was just upset about losing people. Just like Dax, the man was just taking out his frustrations the best way he knew how. This had to be his way of showing his emotions on the matter - blaming someone else. Andy hoped that was all it was.
He refused to oblige. Andy forced his nervousness aside to deal with the other man. He couldn't just add to the fire. A calm confidence and sense of authority came out with his response; far different from the timidness he had shown to the others moments ago.
"Leo. If you want to talk, we can talk. But we're not doing *this* right now. When you're ready to have a calm and sensible discussion, let me know, and I will *make* time for you. Now, *please* step out of the way, so that I can check on my teammates."

## Mouse02/21/2019

*Downstairs Bathroom - Kitchen*
Dax smiled as Marci mentioned getting jealous, he liked the idea of her being jealous over him but she certainly didn't seem like the type.
"At least you'll have something good to look at whilst you are here." He smirked and followed her out of the bathroom. They walked right into the middle of an apparent feud.
He stood in his boxers for a moment before stepping around Marci, apparently completely comfortable with his current state of undress. He glanced between Leo and Andy, the tension between them was quite clear. "Fucking hell man, will you two just kiss and get over yourselves." He rolled his eyes and moved to the counter to pick up his drink and downed it.
He poured himself another drink. The irony of lecturing people about their life choices whilst he was drinking in his underwear in a room full of strangers wasn't lost on him. He leaned on the counter watching them both carefully.(edited)

## sephet02/21/2019

*Kitchen*

“O! K!” Lilah punctuated each syllable with a clap of her hands, fairly loud claps as she could generate a lot of force bringing them together. “So we have some complaints and feedback from today’s missions. We’re still working all of this out so there’s gonna be some stuff that needs to be improved on. I’ll work up some feedback forms for everybody to fill out and we can go through and see where we can make improvements!” She stood tall and kept her voice loud and calm, it was her work voice for when she had to manage some of her coworkers.
“I think we’ll get a lot more out of this if we have everything in writing and can work things out. Shouting can be very cathartic and this has been a *very* hard day. We’ve got pizza and drinks here and I think it would do everyone a lot of good if we all had a little bit of fun and planned out later what we need to target for future training. Okay?"

February 22, 2019

## Mob Boss Peggy02/22/2019

*Kitchen*

Leo was upset that so many people had died during the fire. He was upset at Andy's inability to answer his questions. He needed an explanation for those deaths. He needed to justify them *somehow*, because he knew that it wasn't his fault. Maybe they should've been there earlier, maybe they could've had a fireproof ally backing them up. It just didn't make *sense* that with the threat of a massive building fire on the horizon, that Andy didn't make himself available to deal with it alongside them.
The pair stared each other down after Andy so fucking *cowardly* deflected Leo's questions.
Two ear-piercing claps drew Leo's attention away as Lilah tried to diffuse the situation. His eyes shifted to the woman. Andy's didn't, searching the stretchy man's face still. How was he going to reach Leo? Was it possible to make the man understand *anything*? Or were they too different?
The Mexican's mouth spread into his usual smile at Lilah's awful, but hilarious solution. "Ah, that's what this group was missing - bureaucracy!"
Despite how silly it was, Lilah's attempt was successful. Leo straightened the lapels of his coat and shot a look at Andy before stepping aside. It was almost remarkable how fast his expression had totally changed.
"I've said all I needed to say!" Leo exclaimed cheerily, giving Andy a playful, yet rather rough push on the shoulder as he returned to the kitchen to grab some pizza and pour himself a cup of whatever was around.
"To two--- no, *three* successful missions! And to many more." He said, toasting the air and taking a long, *long* swig.

## Jax (token white guy)02/22/2019

Clara could have cut he tension with a knife. The awkward silence that had fallen over the group after the talls mans outburst seemed like Clara's cue to leave. As she stood she whispered quietly to the Doc. "The offer still stands." She wasn't really sure what to do on that front. She had put the Doc in a bad position by forcing her silence. She hadn't meant to but the damage was done, and despite her attempt to bargain with her own secrets the doctor didnt seem interested. Usually when clara had a problem with someone she either punched them or ignored them until the problem went away, but niether of those tactics would work here. Untreaded ground.
She stood from her seat and walked accross the room as the strongwoman tried to lighten the mood with talk of pizza and paperwork, and as *exciting* as that sounded she didn't want to stay in this room any longer. Bieng here for this little family argument had just reminded her why she worked alone. When thing were good they were very good and when they were bad they went to shit faster than a cat running from a garden hose. This team had done good work today but what was the point if they were just gonna fall apart the second they faced some real trouble. What they were doing was dangerous and people were going to die. No matter how much you prepare or how hard you fight some people will allways die. While clara knew this she didnt say it. It wasnt her place or her job to. It was thier leaders and he didn't seem up to it tonight.
As Leo raised a toast Clara stepped around him heading down the hall to tfhe backyard where the doc had indicated Eli was. It had been a few months since she had seen him face to face and it was time to explain herself abit.

## Elysium | Vindaya | al-Fasis02/22/2019

Vindaya, especially with the argument breaking out, had no problem letting Clara go. She didn’t care for her offer, nor did she plan to take her up on it, and barely spent any time watching her go into the backyard after Eli. There was certainly some curiosity, but not nearly enough to get Vindaya to act on it.
Left to her own devices, her attention gravitated towards Leo before she was consciously aware of it. Something about him seemed different from when he’d confronted her in the back of the ambulance, but aside from the outburst and his subsequent 180, she couldn’t put her finger on it.
Largely ignoring Lilah (she was not about to fill out any paperwork for this coalition), and Dax, who just made her feel guilty to look at, she finally stood up and came to stand next to Leo. Like she’d done at the haunted house weeks ago, she put a hand on his arm and, quietly so as not to be overheard, she asked, “What’s gotten into you?” The outburst, while expected, seemed a little more venomous, more personal than she’d expected, and something else about him was bothering her.

## Mob Boss Peggy02/22/2019

After the heated exchange with Andy, Leo was rather agitated and needed to take the edge off. For a moment, his eyes wandered over to Dax's scantily clad form and felt a little bit of a different kind of hunger, but muffled the feeling by eating more pizza.
His glass of... Whatever he was drinking - some kind of nasty spiced rum - was still half-full but he still tipped a little more of something different in. As he was looking down at the glass, he felt the pressure of fingers lightly landing on his arm. Lips pressed together, he looked at the hand before the woman it belonged to suspiciously.
"Hm?" He hummed shortly, looking down at Vindaya as she uttered a discreet question to him that he couldn't possibly answer back with the same discreetness. He looked away from her before she could give him that look. You know, that *look.*

Leo lifted the glass to his lips and took another long sip. This stuff was *so* weak. "Listen, I saw some questionable behavior from our *leader*. Since nobody else wants to call him out on said questionable behavior, I had to be the bad guy. Again." He said matter-of-factly, with an uncaring shrug, looking past the others and into the living room. "I said what I needed to say."(edited)

February 23, 2019

## Elysium | Vindaya | al-Fasis02/23/2019

*Kitchen*
For once, Vindaya found herself looking up at Leo, imploring him to look back at her. Far from the most empathetic, she was facing this as a problem to solve (why it was *her* problem, she didn’t question). Between the way he was talking, acting, and drinking—she eyed his glass warily—there was clearly something amiss. She might not consider where it was coming from, but she certainly recognized a pattern of behavior. It crossed her mind that she was ill-suited for this and he might be better off if Lilah took up the reins (everyone liked her, she was easy to like), but she figured she was already here and so stayed her course.
Pointing out the obvious flaw, she said, “You’re not the bad guy, Leo. You’re never the bad guy. You were helping—*saving* people today.” It was getting harder to stay standing without faltering, but she continued. “Besides, that’s not it.”
She looked at him closely, searching for injuries she might’ve missed that she already knew weren’t there, but in lieu of a better idea for an explanation...
For a moment, she was reminded that something *else* about him had bothered her, some indication that something was wrong that she hadn’t been able to pinpoint.
Bizarrely, she thought back to the fairgrounds, and thinking that he’d been dressed well.
And now...
He was wearing all black. She frowned; had she *ever* seen him dressed like that?
Momentarily following his gaze to the living room, and finding it increasingly harder to stay standing, she said with her best bedside manner, “Will you sit with me?”(edited)

## Mob Boss Peggy02/23/2019

*Fuck.* He was really in trouble now, wasn't he?
He could feel Vindaya's eyes burrowing through him like he was some sort of bizarre alien experiment. She cared about his well-being, obviously, but simple answers weren't good enough for Vindaya. They never were.
"I know, I know, please, tell me more about how great I am." Leo replied to her rife with sarcasm. He motioned flicking his hair back pridefully.

*Besides, that's not it.*

He *really* didn't want to ask what she was thinking. Leo could almost feel the gears turning in Vindaya's head. The doctor was always thinking. *Overthinking.* Right now, she was probably wondering what traumatic part of his childhood caused his 'troublesome' behavior to manifest.
Vindaya's request for him to sit with her was clinical but not cold and completely felt like a trap, but it wasn't one that Leo felt like he could brush off. He was curious about what was going on in that mind of hers. Although Leo was sure that Vindaya would try to pry him open like the world's most persistent oyster, he was also confident that there was *nothing* for her to find.
A moment passed after her question before Leo finally set his glass down and looked down at the doctor. He wore a smile as he gave a shrug. "How could I resist?" Said Leo as he left the discomfort of the kitchen in order to experience the discomfort of the living room.
He placed himself in the best part of the couch, the cozy corner, where he leaned back into the pillows comfortably. Leo held out a hand, gesturing for Vindaya to take her own seat next to him.(edited)

## Elysium | Vindaya | al-Fasis02/23/2019

Vindaya wasn’t sure where she was going with this. Normally she’d come equipped with a plan of action, but she couldn’t plan out *people*, particularly Leo. What was really driving her was that there was a problem and now she’d put herself in a position to try to do something about it.
She almost wished Lilah would intervene.
Nonetheless, she’d asked him to sit and so she complied with her own request, gingerly sitting a respectable distance away. She’d take it as a good sign that he’d put his glass down for this, but considering that she had no idea how to navigate this, it was a small consolation.
Well, she’d made her bed now, hadn’t she?
There were many reasons she hadn’t gone into psychology.
She wished she could get him talking again like he had at the fairgrounds, when he’d told her about climbing the ferris wheel. For the first time in a long time, she wished she had that effect on people, the one that made them want to talk to you and have you know them.
Again, that *since when* question; *since when* was she so interested?
She crossed her legs and tugged at the end of her sleeve, letting that occupy her focus for the moment. “I don’t know what to say to you,” she said finally, trying not to sound like a disappointed parent but unable to come up with neither a suitable question nor a lie. “I don’t know…” *why I’m here, why you’re like this, why I’m acting like this, why any of it matters*, but she didn’t say any of that.
This had been a terrible idea.
“I don’t care about what you said to Andy,” she said. “But you seem different than you did earlier, than you normally do.” There was a question in there somewhere, but Vindaya couldn’t find the voice for it, so she unhelpfully left it there.(edited)

## Mob Boss Peggy02/23/2019

*Living Room*

Leo was expecting to be calmly scolded for his verbal choices and audacity to argue with two of their leaders. Would this be a preview of what was to come between himself and Vindaya? He had fully enjoyed his time with her at the fairgrounds, but if she was planning on criticizing him like Elijah did, she would be in for a hard time. She was beautiful, but if that was the case, he wasn't sure it was worth it.
He leaned back into the couch and crossed his legs. Elbows propped against the back of the couch, he watched the doctor and waited for her judgement.
He cocked an eyebrow when Vindaya seemed to fumble around her thoughts, repeating that she 'didnt know' more than once. Either she was too disappointed in him to form words, or she really didn't even know what to say to him. He was leaning towards the latter. If that was the case, why'd she want to sit with him? Well, if she just wanted to look at him, all she had to do was say so...
"*I don't care about what you said to Andy.*"

*...Really?*

That was surprising. Everyone else seemed like a mindless follower sometimes. This wasn't the first instance that Vindaya showed that she was a bit of a rebel. It was refreshing, but her reason for asking was revealed soon after.
Leo looked confused and a little amused. His answer came easily. He gave a rather sarcastic shrug. "Who'd have thought that me, a human person, could have multiple facets to my personality? You think I'm Speedy Gonzales twenty-four seven, or something?"(edited)

## Elysium | Vindaya | al-Fasis02/23/2019

A little embarrassed for getting herself in this situation, Vindaya rubbed the fabric of her sleeve between her thumb and forefinger while she considered. For several reasons, she really should’ve known better than to do this, but she seemed to just *love* jumping into things lately. And Leo was many things, but forthcoming was *not* one of them. What exactly had she expected? That she had some sort of special favor with him and he’d be any less deflective and evasive with her then with everyone else?
Stupid.
Talking to Leo was, objectively, frustrating. There was no way to get anywhere with him. That said, Vindaya wasn’t at all frustrated. Normally, faced with a problem she couldn’t solve, she became frustrated and impatient, but not now.
Right now, she was just disappointed.
Yes, Leo was a man of many facets, as was any other person, and maybe she’d just wanted to know what the deal was with *this* one. But clearly, she wasn’t at all suited. And between that and her own lack of foresight, she was awfully… disappointed.
Even more so because she knew that if she walked away, like she *definitely* wanted to, he’d let her go.
Foolish.
(Painfully) straightening her back, she finally said, “Even if Andy and I were on good terms right now, I wouldn’t care what you said to him, or to Eli. It doesn’t matter.” Her thumbnail caught on a loose thread and pulled; she sighed. “You’re not the bad guy and I know you know that.”

*A lost cause when he sees one…*

*…might find out you’re human.*

“Maybe you should talk to Lilah,” she said suddenly, moving to stand up. “I think she could use some of your heroic confidence. And, apparently, your written feedback.”

## Mob Boss Peggy02/23/2019

*Living Room*

Leo was... Confused. Vindaya brought him to the couch to talk, right? But she didn't have anything to say except some generic encouragements that she had already said. She normally had plenty to say. Something was up.
He looked at her for a long time, expecting something more, at least, but he did notice that something was definitely off. Maybe that's why Vindaya was off her game tonight. What *it* was, he didn't even know yet.
When she moved to leave, abruptly ending their already abrupt meeting, Leo leaned forward and grabbed her by the hand to keep her from retreating. The distance between them didn't matter. "Wait---" He huffed, both of his feet hitting the ground as he stood up too.
Once he had her attention, Leo let go of her hand out of pure courtesy. "I'm not talking to Lilah." He said, with a playful contempt, loud enough for the woman in the kitchen to hear him. "She punched me in the face."
But soon his attention was back on Vindaya and his voice fell low, just as low as hers had been when she approached him. Leo's expression shifted into something serious. "I'll say it again, *doctora*, you aren't looking so good. Worse than before, even. Do you need a ride home or somethin'?"(edited)

## Elysium | Vindaya | al-Fasis02/23/2019

Vindaya was, suddenly, intent on leaving. Rhett wasn’t showing, Andy was out of sight, and she was tired and hurting and increasingly guilty and all she wanted was to go home and vegetate (usually her least desirable activity). She was learning her lesson about jumping into these situations with Leo; they never went very far, if anywhere at all, and only served to embarrass her and trip her up. Nobody could accuse her of being warm and likable like Lilah (or honestly any of the other women on the team), but she was at least competent at socializing. Usually.
Forget whatever had gotten into Leo; what had gotten into *her*?
She was honestly startled when Leo grabbed her hand, bringing her to an abrupt and uncomfortable stop. A moment ago, she’d just been thinking that he’d let her go, because that was the type of person he was, but evidently she’d been wrong.
Well, understanding other people had never been her strongest suit, let alone understanding *Leo*.
Her lip quirked at the reminder that Lilah had gotten him pretty good; the possibility that Lilah could be upset by that reminder didn’t occur to her. But she returned her attention to Leo and his black shirt, black coat. A very Leo like response came to mind—something about how much he must be looking at her to notice something like that—but she bit her tongue.
“I’m just tired,” she said. “I live close by, I could walk.” It was freezing out and she was in terrific pain, even standing at the moment was significantly uncomfortable; walking home (alone) sounded like a terrible idea, but she didn’t need to let on. “Besides, I still haven’t seen Rhett yet, although at this rate, I’m not sure I will.”
For a moment she was quiet, almost apologetic, and then frowned at him and his black coat like she’d just suddenly noticed it. “You’re dressed like you’re going to a funeral.”
Nope, she hadn’t quite let that go yet.

## Mob Boss Peggy02/24/2019

*Living Room*

Leo's face scrunched up in disbelief at the idea of Vindaya walking home, but de-scrunched when she commented on his clothes. He took each subject on one at a time. These had been his spare clothes, so it was purely coincidence, but... Maybe she had a point.
"Well, a whole bunch of people died tonight, so maybe it's appropriate." He replied, but it didn't sound very much like a joke and certainly wasn't delivered like one. Leo couldn't help but let out a mere breath of a sigh at the fact that they had lost people, no matter whose fault it might've been.
For a moment, Leo could feel the entire night about to crash down on him. He had forgotten about just how tired he actually was. He was rather good at hiding his fatigue behind a smile, which he did to address the next point too quickly for Vindaya to comment on his previous thought.
"And, yeah, if you think you're walking home, *doctora*, you are *loco.* You just healed like a dozen people and worked a long shift, so you must be tired as hell. Also, it's negative 200 degrees outside, and almost midnight, so *no*, you're not walking. Wait-- how did you even get here? I *know* you didn't take the bus."

## Elysium | Vindaya | al-Fasis02/24/2019

*Living Room*

This was the most serious Vindaya had seen Leo since the fairgrounds and for the brief, fleeting moment that it lasted, her disappointment lifted. Not that he gave her any time to respond to it, but still, for just a moment, she felt like she’d achieved something.
Even if she didn’t really understand the impact. She watched people die somewhat regularly—even one of their casualties today had faded away as she watched. Did death bother him so much?
She'd save it for later.
“I *walked* here, Leo,” she said, not sure whether to be impatient or amused. It had been a cold walk, true, but the hospital and her apartment were within close enough proximity. Then again, she hadn’t been dealing with such severe injuries before. And even though she knew he was exaggerating, his allusion to how many people she’d healed made her look over to Dax again, his bullet wound on full display. “I *am* tired, but Dax—and Rhett, wherever he is—must be in pain. I said I didn’t have it in me, but maybe I should just…”

## Mob Boss Peggy02/24/2019

Leo shrugged with a grin, but his eyes disconnected with Vindaya to watch both Lilah and Marceline leave. Like with most things, he had made up his mind rather quickly. This situation in particular was a no-brainer and not even reckless like most of his decisions were.
"So, there ya' go! You can do whatever you want here before you leave but I'm going to drive you home. I have to leave anyway, I have class in the morning and those fuckers are getting a quiz because everyone turned in their homework on time last week and that's suspicious as hell to me."
He then gingerly plopped himself back down on the couch. "Let me know when you're ready."(edited)

## Elysium | Vindaya | al-Fasis02/24/2019

For a moment, Vindaya was grateful to Leo for not stopping her, but then again, he didn’t know the full extent of her power. Still, she appreciated not being told what to do or what not to do, even if the decision she’d been about to make—to heal Dax and hunt down Rhett, she’d deal with the consequences—was not based in her best logic.
In fact, though, without meaning to, Leo *had* stopped her from making said decision. If he was going to be so insistent about driving her home, there was no way she’d be able to hide an injury like Dax’s from him. It wasn’t the best excuse, but a tiny part of her was too relieved to question it any further.
Better Dax than her, apparently.
The word “selfish” came to mind.
She shook her head and, out of exhaustion more than anything, sat down again. “I don’t think I can tonight,” she admitted, glancing over at Leo. “Probably best if you get some sleep, anyway. It doesn't sound like you have the best students.” Having regained a tiny amount of strength and having made up her mind she stood, hands in her pockets before they could venture out into the cold. “Shall we?”
On their way out, somewhat pleased to hear Leo talk about his work for once (not to mention it was a safe, easy topic), she asked, “What are you quizzing them on, anyway?”

## Mob Boss Peggy02/24/2019

*Outside*

Given the signal to go, Leo practically bounced up from the couch and onto his feet, letting Vindaya walk before him as they left the house. "Later, Sparky! New Girl!" He bid good-bye to those still lounging around. That girl that went to the hospital with Andy had a difficult name to remember.
On their way out, Leo's answer to Vindaya's question was cheerful and proud. The man wasn't terribly opposed to talking about his area of expertise. "Measure theory!"
Passing Lilah and Marceline in the driveway in the front of the house, Leo waved a fond farewell to them in the tune of an old song, "Good night ladies~" Before leading Vindaya to his (Holtman's) SUV. He kept pace beside the doctor.
"My students aren't *bad*. They're just always looking for shortcuts, thinking just because their Master's takes only two years that it's going to go by quick. They don't realize that it's actually *double* the work. STEM majors can be too smart for their own good, you know? You've been there. You know."
Fishing his keys out of his gym pants, Leo unlocked the car and settled into the driver's seat. "*Fuck...*" It still smelled like smoke. And it was freezing. "Why didn't I move to Miami, again?"