Fancy Meeting You Here {Brody, Jeran, Tom, & Charlie}

Jeran's face told all. Here he was looking at the girl that was so special to him growing up. Her life bright him to life at such an early age. Their antics would match to that of any kids their age just top get attention whether it was good or bad. Yet, she's the one who kept leaning toward the wrong side of the law. She wasn't raised a Ruze... with a father who put up with no form of nonsense. She was raised jumping from home to home, forever in limbo with no sense of direction. Funny how two lives can be changed just by their living arrangements. With a look to match his breaking heart, his compassion for a friends would never go away and asks if she was hurt.

Her reaction to his being there was that of a need for him to be gone; to not be there. He shakes his head, of course he needed to be there. By the looks of it, she hadn't slept in days and probably tortured without his knowledge. A moment later her words replay in his head. She was fine. She wasn't hurt with that 'No' that was expressed. He trusted her with all his heart but he knew she was lying.

"Your friend here has a rather extensive criminal record. She's been informed that if she gives us the names of her accomplices for a theft charge, her sentence will be lightened. Thus far, she has been non compliant."

"Charlie..." Cadet Ruze gave Charlie the once over, taking in everything about her; her face and stature, and age. She's not the child that he once knew. Neither was he to her. The meeting like this really was an awful way to reunite. This was going to be hard on the both of them as he is in training to become a peacekeeper. Two completely opposite ends of the law.

"I'm not a patient man, Recruit Ruze. If I were you, I would advise your friend here to give me the names I asked for before I radact my offer. "

"They all went by nicknames..." Her voice cuts him off before he even has a chance to speak to her. Before he can even offer up something to his higher, she opens up and starts to speak. He's left with his mouth open partly agape and stunned. She may have given him something to go off of, but Jeran was fully aware that it couldn't be all of it. If she didn't say any more to that than then it could mean more trouble for her and he didn't want that. Jeran straightened his stature and looks to his superior then to Charlie.

"Charlie, is that all you can tell him? Is that all the viable information you know?" He was watching her closely for any signs that she would know more. Any hope that he could read into her tired eyes. He pleads with her. If there was anything he could do to get her out of this place he would. Even if it means....

"Let me talk with her personally, Sir. Isn't that the reason you summoned me here, anyways? In order for me to assist you? Maybe if I could talk to her alone, I could convince her to give up the information you need? Save you from wasting any more time trying to get blood out of a turnip?" Jeran's face became still yet hard. His eyes connecting to his sergeants, never faultering, in hopes that with his confidence that his superior might get what he seeks.

For once Charlie didn't have a plan for this. More often then not she always has one, and when she doesn't she's capable of coming up with a strategy on the spot. Where to run, what things to grab, when to stick around and appear innocent or hide. This though? It has her clueless as she can hardly keep her eyes upon her old time friend. Why does he have to be in here. And more importantly why the hell is he wearing that uniform. Sure it's the slightest bit attractive as it suits him quite well, but the hatred for what those clothes mean overrides it all. What's happened over these years? Finally she returns and this is what she had to look forward to. If only she knew. If only he had known. Too late for all that now though, and no point in regret. What's going to happen is the real question.

After ten years she has seemed to of forgotten a lot about how things used to be, like her inability to easily lie to Jeran as she can with anyone else. Fibbing has always been a talent of hers, yet now her focus is traveling to the floor for her answer. "Yeah." She claims softly with a sigh. Crap. Not even Charlie was aware of this weakness for somebody else, always assuming her only flaw was the lack there of a soft spot. So much for that. Mr. Sir also gives her nothing to work with as he remains silent. Is he going to buy the half-ass deal of nicknames? Or just sit back and see where this goes without his interference? Quite a manipulative and coy interrogator if she does say so herself.

That same sweet Jeran is still in there somewhere at least. That attire has not taken away that. Despite only having a connection from long ago he brings out his logical thinking to try to talk to Charlie alone. Through out their childhood he was always the one to bring reason and intelligence into their mischievous ways. Saving their butts plenty of times with this very aspect. Now though, after all of these years, she doesn't want it. As much as she's been dying to see him, she doesn't want it to be like this. She hopes that her interrogator's going to be the same jerk he's been thus far and decline this offer. Be disappointed that Cadet Ruze gave no help and send him off. Of course that's not how it goes though, and ten minutes of privacy is granted. Awesome.

What's going to happen if Jeran doesn't get the names? Sort of intriguing as Charlie's unsure if she wants to find out or not. Helping Jeran is also at stake as giving in to his request could do him some good in this place. Is that what she wants though? To give assistance in something she despises with passion? The higher rank exits and the room falls eerily quiet. "Trying to get blood out of a turnip?" She chuckles with a light eye-roll. That little boy humor apparently hasn't left either. "You calling me a turnip?" Nor has it in her. How it would of been if they met outside of these walls is taken. Staying serious is just not in her personality, even if the situation couldn't become more so.

That grin. The thing that at times only Charlie could pull out of him. How she's always missed that the most over everything else. That rewarding smile that made it all okay even if it wasn't. Such as now for instances, where if only for the slightest moment she's able to retrieve one from him, just like old times. To not smile back, not share a second of eye contact, is impossible. For just a snippet it's as if none of this was occurring, as if they were still innocent and eight all over again. Doesn't last nearly long enough as Jeran quickly brings them back to reality. Once again the same old Jeran, always having to be responsible. "You're talking about shit." Can't they just waist this ten minutes? "I'm deep in shit." Probably not, but she can at least try while still staying on the verge of conversation he wants.

In spite of herself another round of giggles erupt as Jeran informs he expected more out of her. Really? He couldn't predict the obvious? Everyone else certainly did. Guess that naive, always hoping for the best, aspect hasn't left him either. "Oh, please Jeran. The first day we met in preschool I was causing trouble!" Perhaps she shouldn't be giving away this type of information, but the lack of sleep has taken away her filter and process of thinking before she speaks. Whatever comes to mind as she hardly gives him a chance to finish talking. She does listen to what he has to say though, a rare privilege no one ever gets from her. Even if what he says is primarily ridiculous expectations.

Obviously things would of been much different if Charlie ended up staying with the Ruze family. For an entire year she was a decent kid, with before and after that being complete opposites, especially the after. If she could of stayed with them, she would of. If there was any chance of her remaining close and able to see them constantly, she would of taken it in a heartbeat. There wasn't though. Making Jeran's alternative completely unrealistic. She would of if she could. "The walk was a bit too far." She explains in her common joking manner. "And once I finally got over here, your friends here locked me up." She still has no clue that Jeran was actually there, and of course prefers sticking to that knowledge. No point in him knowing her entire criminal record.

Finally he takes a seat after awkwardly standing around, though he doesn't appear to be any more comfortable. Who could be? There's business to get done, and most likely neither are wanting to face that. Getting these names would mean his friend is relatively more safe, and it must help in this stupid academy place to. Why not give in to his request? She always used to when she was younger. Constantly convinced out of stirring up chaos, something no one else was ever capable of achieving. After ten years this has turned into an internal debate though. Standing by the only thing she's always had, her personality, or caving in to the only person she used to have. Two things she never imagined having to pick from.

"It's not about protecting anyone." For now she's sticking to the stubbornness that still refuses to leave her. Good thing they got a whole ten minutes. "But you are right about one thing, it's about doing the right thing." Maybe that's going to be the thing that Jeran desires? Possibly? Hopefully? Nope. "And helping Keepers isn't that." You shouldn't be involved in this, you can't be. Not even you will get this information. All because he's wearing that horrible attire. "You can send all you damn Ruzes in here dressed in that ugly uniform, and I still won't give you shit." Forgive me Jeran, but your link to this must go. And the only way that's happening is if they think these two aren't as close as they hoped.

This isn't what Charlie wanted in the least. Saying she desired the complete opposite is even an understatement. Hopefully Jeran's aware of that, though bets are on that he's not. Unless this academy is just filled with talented actors, and they somehow figured out the same plan without the need of communication. Yeah right though, they haven't done that for ten years and are completely out of touch now. Well obviously given the opposing jobs they just so happened to pick. Coincidence? Evil master plan to overtake the system? Once again, not likely. Far from it. And given the words he chooses, he's not just playing along either. On the spot thinking isn't playing out for her as well as it usually is, and for the first time ever regret results from her actions.

Pulling out any sort of emotion from Keepers is always a load of fun. Especially after who-knows how many days of isolation, it's exactly what she was aiming for. But to squeeze it from Jeran? The smile and laugh that was supposed to be evoked from all of this doesn't occur. Only a blank look as she prevents herself from flinching from the disperse of anger to the table. Least it wasn't directed towards her? Though right about now that would of had her feeling better. Because what follows is far more hurtful then any physical violence. A single sentence has taken away everything, or should she say everyone, she's ever had. After ten years it felt as though she had already lost them, but that hope of a reconnection was always there. With Jeran's words now. Let's just say no one has ever crushed her before this.

That witty sarcasm that's been annoying everyone thus far has finally vanished. Guess he is a good Keeper after all. In fact no reply is even given as Charlie finds herself at a lose for words. Far too quickly and unknowingly she's ruined it all. The one purpose she held for coming here, now being erased without her approval. Without them, what is she? Another pointless rebel with no true meaning. Perhaps her goal will still be achieved through this as Jeran's clearly getting out of his seat and fed up with all of this. Is it worth it? No, but it's also too late to turn back. Of course another thing doesn't go her way as he only travels closer to her. He mentions being part of that very raid that brought her here, and that he even stumbled upon something he most certainly knew belonged to her, even if he didn't want to believe it.

The bracelet, the one thing she's always held so dear to her heart, sways before her eyes before she quickly snaps her gaze away. "It was." Charlie points out the obvious, with absolutely no sarcasm finding its way into her tone. If only that tiny object was a big enough sign. How she's managed to never misplace it and always keep it close, despite her treatment-or lack there of- on anything else, must mean she stills care. That she always has, and always will. Ten years have taken its toll though, and he has no clue that she's only saying all of this to get him out of here. To create a better reunion, the one they've always imagined. Now, as sad as it is, he only sees her for her words. How she'd love to take it all back and tell him exactly why she's always kept that bracelet through everything, that can't happen though. More silence as she's completely baffled on what to say.

No, it is needed. Don't do anything drastic Jeran. Her heart sinks further into her stomach with every step he takes away. Good leave, yet no don't? It's quite a confusing mix of emotions. Something tells her he's not leaving though, and as soon as he stops in front of the trash, she knows exactly what he's doing. "Jeran..." She whispers so softly that he might of not even heard it. You're throwing my heart away with that. A hard bite on her inner cheek is taken as she struggles to remain with her blank expression. A game wasn't the objective, if only she could tell him that.

Damn it, he actually returns back and with the same mission to get those names. Why he's even still trying is beyond her. It's useless, there's no way she's going back and giving in. If she's already lost it all, there's truly no point anymore. Rotting away in a cell sounds great right about now. They have a goal, and so does she. "No, you won't." She agrees, hoping that he'll be sticking to his word. Just like that her mood shifts like a change of hats. "Ay bring that smexy Keeper in here again! I'll tell him, but not this guy!" She informs loudly with the prediction whom ever's listening in can still hear. She gets what she wants, and possibly they'll get what they want. And the only thing she's desiring is for this one to leave.

It's truly painful to be giving Jeran this side of her. Out of all people, he's the only one to ever deserve or even get a kind heart from her. Well, him and the majority of all the Ruze's. Majority being said for the obvious reason of Mr. Ruze. Yet, it was all of their last name her creatives lips decided to spurt out in hopes of getting him angry enough to leave. Only to have it backfire with him disowning her, and to make matters even better sticking around. Not even the bribe of admitting the names to the other Keeper works. He doesn't budge and no one bothers to even come in. If anyone's even listening. Torture could be going on for all they care, throwing away a worthless piece of jewelry and exchanging a few insults is nothing to them. Probably even entertainment. Well at least she's finally gotten her performance.

The distances between them does not grow as she'd prefer, but shrinks. It closes so much that he's no longer on the other side of the table. He's only inches away, and his hand even graces upon her shoulder. Not the touch she was expecting, though her face holds no sign of the slightest fear. Only that unreadable look, making her practically appear like her mind was no longer with them. There's nothing else he can say to hurt her any worse. None of his meaningful sentences creates more then a glance to another part of the room from her. Even the offer of a choice, and a nice amount of them to, though they do all fall down to a single one. So much like his mother. It pulls out the shortest squirm of an unconscious grin, never fully forming before dropping back down to a frown. Sinking even deeper with his next set of words.

He thinks she decided to be taken away? Does he not remember her desperate attempt to get out of the car? The pressed hand against the window as they drove off, as if she could still push herself back to him? Or none of that matters anymore and he now holds a completely different vision of her. It was these damn Keepers that sent her away! Just for protecting Kyanite! Here he is now wearing the very same uniform as the ones that decided it was in everyone's best interest to move her away. What bullshit has he been told? And now he's pressing her to fess up information to these very people. He wants her to choose the right path without realizing he's working for the very organization that has taken that option away from her.

A small shove is given as he removes his hand and returns to his side of the table. Much more casually this time he takes a seat, and like a real interrogator questions her decision. Easy path, or the hard one. "It's too late for me Jeran." She shares a brief moment of eye contact to express this truthful fact. Staying with the Ruze family could of altered her path greatly. If only ten years haven't past and she didn't decide hers long ago. She did want things to change. Journey back in search for her old life and gain it back. Sadly, it didn't turn out that way. "Please just leave. You're the one that's suppose to stay out of the trouble, remember?" To show that she at least hasn't forgotten. If every caught, she takes the fall and does everything in her power to keep him out of it. So a spark of memory is given, a sincere response for a change, in hopes it'll finally get him to exit out that door.