Sage Cassidy's Story

xxxxxS A G E xxC A S S I D Y

xxxSpirit | Force-Field Generation | #07b2a5

A hand rested on her hip and she shifted her weight from foot to foot. Sage closed her eyes and breathed out steadily. Be patient. Be patient. Two people in front of her was a lady at the counter inquiring about all the different juice blends they offered even though it was on the board for her viewing. Then she decided to move on and inquire about the different coffees they made, then discuss out loud how it might be a bad idea because it apparently lasted several hours in her system and how her husband may not approve and, "besides, it's already quite a warm day, isn't it?"

Sage pinched the bridge of her nose. Composure usually wasn't a stress or effort to her but today it's like Sage had to summon a greater will-power. All she was craving was a sweet berry-blend of juice and she was so excited at the idea. Initially. And those feelings had long since faded. Thankfully a buzz emerged from her pocket for a distraction and Sage hastily tore her device out from it to read the message. Sage might have roamed now and then but never far from the faculty in case of such circumstances and requirements.
Sage left the cue abruptly, offering a stiff smile to the person behind her in line.
"...so a small is just that size?" She heard the same woman question.

Sage lunged into the meeting room, her mini handbag swinging wildly until she caught it as well as attempt to catch her breath. She wasn't quite last miraculously but she figured she took long enough.“Sorry,” she mumbled. Sage straightened, blew out her lips and regained composure wandering idly to a seat.

She knew they wouldn't start until all were present so she didn't bother with the questioning though she was itching to know what the meeting was called for. Aside from updates or a new mission - that was given. Once truly settled, Sage eyed who was already present. Milo was sitting alone, but he looked...worn in some way or the other so she figured he probably preferred his space. Kait, Walt, Stark...the list went on. Basically most of her peers that should beat her to the room. Except maybe Theo.

Sage started a subtle little tap on the table since her patience had already been tested for the day.

Tabitha rolled her eyes when Addie brought up dates, of course she would have to bring that up, she loved Addie but sometimes she despaired of her too. How to make an already awkward event more awkward for her best friend. Addie knew more than any of the others, except maybe Walt and their leaders, about where Tabitha had come from and how it meant that she was always scrambling to learn things she had missed. There wasn't much opportunity for going to posh events with champagne and caviar when you lived on the streets. Her idea of a posh night was finding unopened leftovers behind Luigi's, the swanky Italian restaurant, and being able to eat them without someone else trying to steal it for themselves. Or it was actually managing to find somewhere that was warm and dry and even, dare she say it, cosy.

She leaned in to Addie and whispered. "Thanks for that Addie." The sarcasm dripped from the words. "For that you get to coach me on what the hell you do at one of these things."

She wasn't truly mad at her friend, she knew Addie was just Addie a force of nature and one who had a habit of doing and saying things on impulse. It was one of the reasons why Tabitha loved her so she couldn't really be mad at her for it.
She turned as she heard Walt and caught his wink, she sighed quietly, she hadn't missed his longing look at Addie and knew what it meant. She knew Walt had a crush on Addie and often wondered how she had managed to end up with a life like that of a soap opera. Her two closest friends, one having a crush on the other, and her in the middle hiding her own feelings on the matter. She had discovered completely by accident that her feelings for Walt had developed beyond that of friendship some time ago but had kept it to herself. She had never discussed it with Addie or Walt and intended to keep it that way but sometimes, like now, she really hated being the best friend.

Of course being who she was, she kept this hidden and simply grinned back at Walt. "Well if I have to go with anyone, I guess you'll do. As long as you sort out my Netflix of course. "

She was listening with half an ear to Stark as she spoke to Walt until what he had said registered fully. A moment of panic hit her, visible in her eyes if you happened to be looking at her just then, as she realised this event was a big deal and would therefore be in the newspapers and possibly even on tv. She had managed up to now to keep a low profile not getting in any of the papers and she wanted to keep it that way. It helped that the team leaders knew who she was running from and helped her avoid any attention. After only a moment the panic vanished as Tabitha regained control of herself and the fun bubbly Tabitha was back.

She looked at Coulson and Ward and raised her eyebrows.

"What about me?" She asked them lightly, as if what she was saying wasn't that important. "While I know that my old...friends won't be at this event, they do read the papers and if they saw my face well it would be awkward

That was the most she would say in front of the others. Only Coulson and Ward knew the whole truth about her life before. Even Addie and Walt only knew a filtered version, that she had grown up on the streets, and nothing about her time with the gang or what she had done whilst with the gang. She could have told them, probably should have, they were her best friends after all but...she was scared they wouldn't look at her the same. It had been hard enough admitting she had been homeless and besides it was her problem and she had to deal with it somehow. The only reason Coulson and Ward knew was because of how she had been recruited. If she had had her way no one would know about those hunting her, and they would still be hunting her, she had been their most valuable asset and her powers had made them one of the most powerful gangs in their neighbourhood and they would not let that go easily.

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Like everyone else Tabitha excused herself as quickly as possible needing to see the 'choices' that had been laid out for her. She scowled at the idea of anyone in her room but reminded herself that neither Ward nor Coulson would snoop nor allow anyone else to. She reached her room and then stopped and stared at the row of outfits hanging from her wardrobe, they were...well wow. They looked expensive and as she ran her hand through the material of one she saw they felt expensive too. She was uncomfortable with thinking too long on how much they had cost, remembering what Ward had told her. To be able to perform her duties she would be provided with any equipment she needed and she certainly needed some for this job. A gala, what did she know about a bloody gala, other than that rich people went to them.

She forced herself to focus and after eyeing each outfit for a short time she finally picked the one that she felt the least awkward in. She had felt like nothing more than a girl playing dress up in the others but this one felt natural and comfortable, it was a simple yet elegant dress and she loved how the style accentuated her figure and made her mane of hair seem even redder. She spent some time taming her mass of hair, struggling and cursing with a pair of straighteners she had borrowed from Addy ages ago and not gotten around to returning, before it finally fell straight down her back. Applying makeup took mere minutes and she was once again grateful for the complexion she had been given. Dark smoky eye shadow, mascara and red lipstick and she was ready to go.

She was about to leave when she suddenly remembered that it was a masquerade and looked around to see if a mask had been left as well. A grin curved her lips when she saw it, someone definitely had a sense of humour about them and a touch of irony.
She had to admit the mask was perfect, it contrasted the black of her dress and simultaneously blended with her red hair but not only that the mask had what looked like old music scores across it and it reminded her of ancient Italian masquerade balls with their many musicians and composers. She slipped it on and turned to the mirror, a stranger looked back at her, even without the mask she would almost have not recognised herself. She looked...elegant. It was a strange feeling yet not one she disliked, after all who didn't like getting to wear her fancy clothes, and mask.

She heard Walt's voice from outside and immediately felt anxious, thoughts of looking ridiculous and of making an idiot of herself flashing through her mind. Knowing she had to get a grip she took a deep breath and reminded herself that she was the daughter of not one but two super powered people and though she had never known them she liked to think she had their strength in her veins. Taking another deep breath she ensured her usual smile was in place and and stepped out into the hallway. She drew a sharp breath in when she saw Walt. He looked good, very good, and her heart swelled with her hidden love for him. Hiding it behind her usual joking demeanor she made a show of critically examining him.

"Wow that is a lot of blue." She said. "But it suits you. Looking good Walt."

She then did a small twirl. "What do you think?"