Reversible Fortunes

[OrochiGeese]

*It's about 30 minutes after Night 1 of Ragnarok and Celes has just left the Peter Venkman Memorial Arena en route to the parking lot. She looks around as if scanning the area for any anyone watching her. Her eyes settle upon an old car with someone standing outside leaning into the front driver's side window.*

[Celes:] "Alicia."

*The woman leaning in the car quickly takes her head out and turns around. It is indeed Alicia Gordon and as soon as her head is safely out of the car, the tinted window rolls up and the car quickly leaves the parking lot. Celes approaches Alicia who looks irritated at the intrusion.*

[Alicia:] "What? Now you're stalking me?"

[Celes:] "I have business tonight. It is mere coincidence we happen to be in the same place at the same time but that doesn't mean I have nothing to say to you."

[Alicia:] "Save it. I'm done taking advice from you. It doesn't get me anywhere."

[Celes:] "So you are blaming your horrific actions tonight on me?"

[Alicia:] "You held my emotions in your hand before and played them how you wanted."

[Celes:] "You honestly think I intended your attack on Haley?"

[Alicia:] "No, but you wouldn't mind a little concussion for her if it was the price to get rid of me once and for all."

[Celes:] "How Jean...how Coach punishes you is up to her."

[Alicia:] "And you taught her everything you knew."

[Celes:] "She does things her own way. If you would actually listen to her words rather then get paranoid every time you see her, you'd know that."

[Alicia:] "It's not paranoia to think she has it in for me and blames me for Dizzy's injury."

[Celes:] "It is paranoia if you think she holds it against you and has tried to get rid of you despite giving you every legitimate chance to help you move past your old problems."

[Alicia:] "Then what do you call what she did tonight?"

[Celes:] "Undeserved mercy. If I was running OG-Joshi, I'd have fired you on the spot and not merely suspended you. I think she's far more trusting of people then I am. You deserved to be taken from that ring in shackles based on what you did."

[Alicia:] "Am I hearing this right? You just spent an hour 'rehabilitating' Holly Walker but think I should be put in jail? What kind of frozen hell bullshit is that?!"

[Celes:] "I realize you'll never understand the rules of my engagement here and you wouldn't believe them if I told you. But Holly challenged me to that match, I merely obliged and did the best I could in that situation. There have been plenty of times in the past I felt she deserved to go away in shackles as well but tonight I put her on a path-"

[Alicia:] "So all we have to do to make a 'therapy appointment' with you is challenge you to a match?"

[Celes:] "No, that is no longer an option. After tomorrow night, I am gone. Like it or not."

[Alicia:] "I like it."

[Celes:] "I never saw this night coming, Alicia. One where Holly reformed and you stepped into her shoes. It is irrational on so many levels."

[Alicia:] "That's because it's bullshit. Holly only 'quit' because she knew she could manipulate you into protecting her. Or buying her enough time so that Kyle and Geese could take Dramesi out. Holly's pride has always been second to her manipulation. We both know that."

[Celes:] "What I know is the look in the eyes of the woman who initially promised to send me to the hospital. And then the different look in those same eyes after I helped her rebuild. It is a shame that the former look is identical to the fear and confusion I see in you."

[Alicia:] "I guess it's just too bad you have to leave tomorrow before helping me out then. So I'll say my goodbye's now, "General".

*Alicia backs up a bit and gets into fighting stance*

[Celes:] "Don't do anything more foolish this night. Just walk away."

[Alicia:] "Holly never was the fighter I am. Just cause she couldn't touch you-"

[Celes:] "I am merely trying to protect you."

[Alicia:] "Can the arrogance!"

[Celes:] "Protect your emotions. As I said earlier, I have business tonight and it will begin soon. You will not want to stay much longer."

[Alicia:] "Oh is that a threat?? You can't take me one on one so-"

*Out of the shadows behind Celes emerges a man. Alicia's body slumps out of fighting stance as she stares at Thunder Strike.*

[Celes:] "Please leave, Alicia."

[Thunder:] "Alicia-"

*Alicia's face twists into a hurtful expression and she quickly turns around and runs out of the parking lot.*

[Celes:] "How long were you there?"

[Thunder:] "Enough time to wish I wasn't."

[Celes:] "So, if we can get to business."

[Thunder:] "Give me a moment."

*Celes nods with a look of patience.*

[Thunder:] "Ok."

*Celes takes out a small envelope from her jacket pocket.*

[Celes:] "The information you requested on Gauntlet Security."

[Thunder:] "Clyde does good work."

[Celes:] "The best. Now, I trust you will uphold your end of the bargain."

[Thunder:] "I won't interfere tomorrow night. Geese is yours."

[Celes:] "And after we leave?"

[Thunder:] "If your mission is successful, then mine is over."

[Celes:] "Against Geese, at least."

[Thunder:] "With all due respect, I still think your other piece of intelligence is a long shot. Not the threat, but the target."

[Celes:] "It may be, but it's on you to be ready for it if it spreads further. Good luck Thunder Strike."

[Thunder:] "A pleasure to know you, Clyde, and Figaro."

[Celes:] "Likewise. And one more thing?"

[Thunder:] "Yes."

[Celes:] "Don't give up on Alicia. It may be the only thing that brings her back after she steps over the brink."

[Thunder:] "I'll do what I can."

*Celes nods and the two walk their separate ways. The scene fades.*