Stonegirl Entertainment Presents: Agent 78

[stonegirl78]

 

A house sits in the middle of the Rocky Mountains, far away from the prying gaze of civilisation....

 

Agent 78, pulls up to the house - no, glorified log cabin - and waits. Her eyes track automatically, out the windscreen to the house, the rear-view mirror, the gun case in the back seat, and repeat. The door opens, and her eyes snap to it, watching as a bald man in a black wool overcoat walks slowly through the door and onto the small front porch. He doesn't say anything, nor does 78 expect him to, simply nods once. 

She nods in return, then opens her car door and steps out, boots crunching through the snowpack a few inches before holding her weight. 

 

"You're late," 47 says.

"I was held up." 78 holds her head up high. No need to inform 47 of the other agents she'd lost at the Jackson Hole airport two days ago. 

"Are you ready?"

"Diana didn't send me." Another person would have thought the conversation odd, held from fifty feet apart, speaking in conversational tones, the simple questions and answers carrying only the first level of meaning. 

Are you ready? To fight me? To try and killed me? Don't forget, 78, many have tried, all have failed. 

Diana didn't send me. I'm not here to kill you. I'm not working for the organisation any more. 78 raised her hands slowly, watching 47 watch her movements as she removed her own black overcoat and blazer, revealing the lack of holster beneath. She turned slowly on the spot, meeting 47's eyes once again as she took the final step.

"Why?" Do you have a death wish, 78? 

"I met 90." This was it, the dangerous statement. I met your sister. I met her, she told me who she was and where you were. And I came, unarmed. Don't kill me.

78 registered the movement, but stayed perfectly still as the silver 9mm levelled at her forehead. "Katya?" The tone was different now. Where 47's voice had been almost robotic, it now almost held a note of concern. 78's mouth twisted in a half-smile.

"Your sister is fine, 47." She kept perfectly still, the wind starting to bite through her white button-down. "She sent me."

"Why?" The muzzle of the gun remained trained on 78's head. 

"Why kill for Diana?" Why kill for her when she's trying to kill you? And Katya? When you saved my life?

47 waited five seconds, then ten. Then he lowered his weapon. "Come in." He turned and 78 followed, boots crunching through the snow. 47 didn't turn, but his voice still carried. "Bring your weapons."

 

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The Challenge:

 

Mission 1: Work out (10 xp)

       Run every day and work out three times a week, barring injury or sickness.

 

Mission 2: Hydrate (15 xp)

      Drink at least 2L of water a day. You are allowed two mistakes.

 

Mission 3: Meditate (15 xp)

       Meditate 10 minutes a day. Start the practice by using the Headspace app.

 

Mission 4: Languages (10 xp)

       Practice both French and German every day using Duolingo. 

[stonegirl78]

So anyone who's talked to me over the past week or so knows I'm obsessed with Hitman: Agent 47. I can't claim it's because of its artistic merit - it's not the world's best movie. But something about the world caught me, and I was looking for another challenge theme after my last Deadpool challenge (I miss you, Wade!  ) 

 

An explanation of how this is going to work....

 

I'm going to do the challenges as listed above - the workout and water portions are holdovers from the previous challenge. The other two are my assassin skills. In the film, 47 is shown sleeping by just sitting down at a couch, placing his (gorgeous) 9mms within easy reach, and then closing his eyes. The closest I'm going to get to that is meditation, so I downloaded Headspace and I'm going to try it. 

Also, languages. I feel like a spy/hitman/assassin should know lots of languages, so this month I'm brushing up on the ones I know. I'm passably fluent in German, but my grammar is crap, and my French is definitely subpar. So, Duolinguo it is. 

I didn't anticipate the writing portion was going to be so involved, but, well.... when I write these things happen. I'm going to keep the story going whenever I have chance to write, and I hope anyone who's following this enjoys. (Also, for context, 47 is an agent who was 'created' to be more than human and be the perfect soldier. No fear, no pain, the usual. Katya von Dies (a.k.a. 'quatre-vingt dix' a.k.a. 90), is another example of the program, except that she was created to be the perfect survivor, and, as the daughter of the lead scientist, was hidden so the people funding the project didn't find out about her. I grant that it's not clear in the film whether 47 and 90 are actual siblings, but I think it's strongly implied, so that's what I'm going with. 

 

For the rebellion!

 

Stoney

[Charlie_Quinn]

Hey Stoney! I've not seen the Hitman films or played any of the games but following none the less!

 

Good luck with your challenge, I look forward to seeing your progress.

[stonegirl78]

[Katya von Dies, Agent 47's sister]

 

"Put the bag next to mine."

I dropped my duffel next to his, the expensive black leather bags matching to the last detail of the zip. 

"Tea or coffee?" My eyes darted to the kitchen area, where 47 was standing with his back to me, in shirtsleeves as I was, fiddling with something on the counter. I took a surreptitious breath in. I could smell, however faintly, the scents of coffee and tea intermingled as the containers rustled on the shelf. 

"Tea, please," I responded. It did no harm to be polite. Although the question was as worrying as my current circumstances. As I shifted weight I could feel  the wound in my side begin to seep blood. I frowned inwardly. I'd need to do something about that soon. Blood loss could lead to bad decisions. 

I walked over to the far side of the kitchen island and watched 47 work. 

"Did you leave Katya in good health?"

This time the frown did make it to my face. Agents were never big on casual conversation. It wasted time. And was pointless. But 47 hadn't killed me. I could grant him the distraction. 

"No injuries or other ill circumstances that I could see," I replied. 47 huffed out a short breath, and I wondered if that was what passed for his laugh. It occurred to me that I had never heard an Agent laugh. Or even thought that fact odd until now. The kettle on the stove began to make noises, and 47 reached over and poured water into two delicate white teacups. "Expecting company?"

"Katya called yesterday."

"Then why ask me how she was doing?" Nothing about this made sense. Nothing had made sense since I'd had that little boy in the sights of my sniper rifle and, instead of killing him, had shot his father instead, less than two weeks ago. Why had Katya been pleasant? Why had she saved my life? Why had 47 not killed me?

Again that silent huff of exhalation. "Sometimes she chooses to hide things from me." I accepted the cup and saucer he offered, inhaling the delicate aroma of the jasmine tea with relish. "And you should take care of that wound." I looked at 47, then down at my shirt, where the blood was beginning to spot the pristine white.

"It will keep."

47's brows creased just slightly, then he nodded. "As long as you do not try to kill me, you may stay as long as you wish." I felt my eyebrows raise in shock. "Any enemy of Diana's is a friend of mine." He glanced at my shirt again. "In any event, you seem to need a safe haven, and Katya seemed insistent that I provide one."

I took a sip of tea, buying a bit of time to think. This was easy. Almost too easy. I wasn't sure I trusted either 47 or his sister. But it was true. I had barely evaded Diana's agents twice, and I was in no shape to try for a third. "My thanks," I said. "And I have no intention of killing you."

47's lips quirked, just barely, as he took his own drink of tea. "In that case, finish your tea, and then you can make sure you don't bleed out in my house."

 

[stonegirl78]

Week 1, Day 1:

 

Today was the day of the dying phone. Thank goodness I managed to do my two phone-related challenges (Duolingo and Headspace) before my phone decided to crap out on me, but I ended up doing half my run without a phone. *sad face* I think I know what's wrong with it though, and should have it working again tomorrow, so fingers crossed!

 

I'm pleased to report that I completed all challenge tasks for today! I drank my 2L+, I ran, I worked out (BBL2A), and I did my meditation and my language stuff. Also, I've come up with solutions in case my phone decides to be difficult tomorrow. I'm running with a family member's phone tomorrow so I have some recourse if I get lost/get hurt/run into a bear/etc. Also, I have books in both French and German, so if I can't do Duolingo, that's what I'll do. And I'll figure something out if I can't get into Headspace. I might just set a timer for 10 minutes and see what happens...  

 

Also, I'm really enjoying writing this - it's a different fandom than I usually write in, and a much different style, but it's fun, so I hope anyone reading this isn't hopelessly bored! Hope everyone else had good first days of their challenges!

 

For the rebellion,

 

Stoney

 

 

 

11 hours ago, Charlie_Quinn said:

Hey Stoney! I've not seen the Hitman films or played any of the games but following none the less!

 

Good luck with your challenge, I look forward to seeing your progress.

Hi @Charlie_Quinn!! Nice to see you here! I don't think not knowing the film should make any difference, but let me know if it does! And thanks! Looking forward to seeing your challenge too!

 

[Wild Wolf]

Stoney! I've made it over, finally! Loving the little write-ups with Agent 47.

 

11 hours ago, stonegirl78 said:

Also, I'm really enjoying writing this - it's a different fandom than I usually write in, and a much different style, but it's fun, so I hope anyone reading this isn't hopelessly bored! Hope everyone else had good first days of their challenges!

 

Not bored at all :). Keep it up! And please don't bleed out anytime soon-it would be messy and I wouldn't get more story. Not cool, Stoney, don't do that to me. Us. Wade and the kids!

 

Wolf

[stonegirl78]

 

"First aid kit." I sat on the edge of the tub as 47 passed me a plastic box the size of a briefcase. 

"Thank you." I opened it and mentally nodded my approval. Everything was here that I should need. I began unbuttoning my shirt. 47 cleared his throat. 

"Do you need my assistance?" I raised my head to look at the agent. He was staring at some point just above my head, expression as blank as any I'd seen.

I felt my lips raise in response. "I'll call you if I need you, 47." He nodded, then turned and left the room. 

 

-----

 

Fifteen minutes, two packs of gauze, some hydrogen peroxide, and a judicious application of superglue later, I realised I didn't have a clean shirt with me. I let out a quick sigh. Oh well. I'd just need to grab another one from my bag. Then I realised I was wearing my last spare shirt, and sighed again. "I hope you have stain remover, 47," I said softly, opening the door. There, at my feet just outside the door, was a pile of fabric. I crouched carefully, processing the  pull of my newly closed stomach, and picked up the fabric. A t-shirt, a sweatshirt, and a pair of pants. All were too small for 47 - perhaps his sister's? I felt my lips curving into a smile again as I retreated into the bathroom once more.

 

 

-----

 

 

The sound of conversation drew me back into the main room. 47 was standing by the kitchen island, video-chatting with someone. His eyes flickered to me, then back to the screen. "She's here," he said. 

"Oh - let me talk to her!" I recognised the voice, and, as 47 swung the laptop around, the face. "Hello!" Katya's face broadened into a smile, her face backlit to such an extent that her teeth shone bright in her face.

"Hello, Katya," I said, walking over. I felt 47's eyes on me as I walked, probably checking to see how well I was moving after closing up the injury. 

"I recognise that shirt - did 47 pull some of my stuff out of the closet for you?" I nodded, then glanced at 47, who was watching me again. "Is he being nice? I know he doesn't talk much."

"We haven't killed each other yet," I said, and heard that quick exhalation that I was now positive was 47's best attempt at laughter. I quirked a smile at the agent, then turned my attention back to Katya. "He has been... kind. Thank you."

She waved a hand. "Don't mention it. You didn't kill that kid, and you needed a way out. That's what we're here for." My eyebrows rose again. Katya frowned. "Didn't he tell you yet?"

"I arrived half an hour ago."

"Oh." She motioned with a hand. "Pass me back, please. And I'm glad you got there safely." I rotated the laptop.
"Safely. She had a graze in her side - probably a bullet wound," 47 said. I felt a flash of annoyance. 

"It's fine. I'm fine." I have to be fine. 
"What?" Katya's indignation was so strong I was almost tempted to giggle. "47, please tell me you stitched it."

"I used superglue," I replied, moving to stand next to 47 in the webcam's field of view. It was strange, standing next to someone with so little agenda. Especially another Agent. I could feel him next to me, almost motionless, as I was. 

"Superglue?" Katya's brows rose, and she glared at her camera. 

"Surgeons use it frequently," 47 said shortly. "78 had access to sutures and my assistance, if she required them. She did not."

I wanted to turn and look at 47, to see his expression. Had I offended the agent? Was it even possible to offend an agent?

Katya huffed. "Fine." She looked behind her laptop, at the far wall hidden from us. "I can't get away and keep you two in line, so don't be self-sacrificing. Both of you are." 47 and I exchanged glances. As if.

"If there is nothing else?" 47 asked. He glanced at the clock in the corner of the screen, presumably the length of the call, red numbers slowly ascending. 
"Fine," she sighed again. "Tell her what she's doing here, 47. And don't die, either of you."

"Goodbye, Katya." 47 hit a key, and the webcam vanished.

"So," he said. "Shall we go for a walk?"

 

 

 

[stonegirl78]

Week 1, Day 2:

 

My phone is working again!! Not in time, unfortunately, to log my run, but that's ok. Also, in the spirit of @Wild Wolf's challenge, it was snowing as I ran. So although I didn't take a cold shower, I wasn't precisely warm... Welcome to CO, people!

 

Workout: Ran 3.1 miles. - check!

Water: 2+L - check!

Language: Duolingo lessons complete - check!

Meditation: my only outstanding goal, only because I want to start meditating before I go to bed. And much though I love you all, I'm not going to type up a post after that...

 

All in all, a good day. The sun's even shining now!

 

Talk tomorrow,

For the rebellion!

 

Stoney

 

9 hours ago, Wild Wolf said:

Stoney! I've made it over, finally! Loving the little write-ups with Agent 47.

 

 

Not bored at all :). Keep it up! And please don't bleed out anytime soon-it would be messy and I wouldn't get more story. Not cool, Stoney, don't do that to me. Us. Wade and the kids!

 

Wolf

 

Thanks Wolf! Glad you made it! And 78 has no plans to bleed out. Not in the immediate future, at any rate  I would never abandon you, Wade, and the kids like that ... that would be cruel and unusual!

 

 

[stonegirl78]

[Accurate picture of view from hometown is accurate. Also, this is the kind of landscape I picture 47 hiding out in. Photo credit to Tom Ross.]

 

47 and I headed out the way I had driven in, each taking one of the tire tracks left in the snow. Both of us were back in our black overcoats once more, although the sun beating down on us would force us to remove them soon - the day was warm and the snow was melting rapidly beneath my feet. 

"Do you have a barcode?" 47 asked abruptly. "A number?"

I nodded. "It's underneath my hair, the same place as yours." I shrugged. "I've always kept my hair long - Someone said something once about a woman with no hair being more memorable than a woman with hair, whatever colour it might be." Another shrug. "Honestly, wigs work as well as anything else if I'm worried about being covert."

47 nodded. "I do not.. remember you, from those days."

"When we were younger?" Not 'when we were children.' We were never children, not really. None of the carefree playtime that the little girl, my target, had been enjoying when I lined up my crosshairs on her forehead and adjusted for windspeed, for the force of gravity over the distance of the bullet, and then, and then, not pulled the trigger after all. 

"Yes."

"I was in a different facility, I think," I said, remembering the concrete walls, the other children, and the whispers. Of another place, with others like us. "But I heard of you, as we grew up." Rumours, always rumours. Of 47, of his kill rate, exceptional, even in a group of exceptional people. Of his low casualty rate, which some mocked and some lusted after. 

"I never heard of you." He half-turned, offering some kind of wordless apology.

"My assignments weren't as splashy as yours," I said, bearing him no resentment. It had been far easier, and more logical, for one of the only female agents to do more espionage work, more truly covert assassinations. It hadn't put as large a target on my back. Until one little girl with purple barrettes in her brown hair.

"What made you change your mind? Why quit the Agency?" 47 asked. I hadn't been looking at him anyway, conscious as I always was of the man who loomed a good head taller than I was. "Why now?"

"You first," I retorted. "Why are you here? Why are you helping me? Why is Katya?"

47 sighed. "Very well." We kept walking, the long driveway merging onto the dirt track I'd driven up only an hour before. "There was a contract." 47 said it as if he were telling a story long ago, almost forgotten, instead of only two years previously. I'd heard rumours. Everyone had. "Two people. LeClerq, and Katya. To get to both of them, I needed Litvenko. Katya's father."

"The man who started the Agent program," I said. I'd been watching 47's profile, watching for any expression. I saw something flash across his face. Regret? Sadness? I wasn't sure.

"Yes." Snow crunched beneath our feet as I waited for 47 to keep talking. "I ended up killing LeClerq - using Litvenko." I nodded. It made sense. "But..." 47 stopped and turned to me, the swiftness of another agent's movements startling me into momentary stillness. "I could not kill Katya. Not my sister."

So that was it. The reason he turned away from ICA. He couldn't kill his sister. 47 was looking at me now with the same intensity I'd been examining him with previously. 

"We, Katya and I, had to disappear. This... half-way house idea, was hers, not mine. I would have left you all to it." 47's blue eyes were very cold. "But no, she insisted she would try, with or without me, to aid any agent who wanted out of ICA. I couldn't let her get herself killed. And so here you are."

"Here I am." The wind gusted through my open overcoat, sending a sudden blast of chill air through me. 

"It's your turn." 47 began to walk again, pace measured, as if he had no care in the world. He assumed I would keep pace with him. I didn't.

"Mine was a girl," I said, and he turned, stopping, to face me once more. "Vanessa. Vanessa Young. Some scientist's daughter ICA wanted to use to pressure her father." I couldn't help the disgusted twist of my mouth as I said it. "I was in position. Sniper rifle, 500 yards away from her playground." I clasped my hands in front of me so the couldn't make any other movements, movements I hadn't allowed. "I had her dead. Target in the crosshairs." I shook my head, more bitterness leaking into my tone than I realised I possessed. "But she looked so happy, she was wearing these purple barrettes in her hair, and I couldn't take the shot." I snorted. "Of course five minutes later 89 was there to kill me. Not that he could."

47 didn't say anything for a few seconds, then began walking again, this time towards the house. I did keep step this time, wondering what his reaction was. Not that anyone could tell anything from an agent's mask. 

"Why are you frustrated?" 47 asked finally, as we reached my car once more. "Are you frustrated because you couldn't take the shot, or because you don't know why you couldn't?"

I leaned against the warm metal of the car. "Both. Mostly the second, but both. I don't like not being in control."

47 gave his quick-exhalation laugh. "It's something you don't get used to," he said, then marched up the steps to the house. He turned, seeing me still lounging against the car. "Coming?" 

 

 

[stonegirl78]

Week 1, Day 4:

 

So yesterday was not a great day, challenge wise. Well, I suppose it was, as I did 75% of my challenge tasks, but I didn't work out yesterday. (I know, I know. Bad Stoney. Bad!) I have no excuse this time. I just didn't.

However, I've fixed it! And this is how:

Task 1: Work out

I did the workout I skipped yesterday (3mi run, then BBL2B, and then in the afternoon, I walked my dog for 3 miles, which would have been my run distance for the day). It's not ideal, but I think it's the best I can do. 

Task 2: Language - check!

Task 3: 2+L water - check!

Task 4: Meditation - doing this at bedtime, so haven't done it yet. But plan to.

 

So.... I'm back on track, I think. One step closer to being Agent 78. You know, without the rampant childhood issues, lack of functional empathy, and actual blood on her hands... Not sure I want to go quite that far.

 

For the rebellion,

 

Stoney

[Wild Wolf]

Glad to see you've battled through an OK day and made it better! That's the Stoney I know . Walking the dog for 3 miles is still getting in 3 miles so I call that a win in my book.

Awesome writeup, btw! You'll become Agent 78 very soon, I can feel it!

Wolf

"Daddy needs to express some Rage."

[stonegirl78]

Week 1, Day 5:

 

It's hard to believe this is already and only the first Friday of the challenge... It's gone so quickly! 

Today, I am doing well - just finished my workout, late, but I levelled up, and the L3 workout is (for me) much harder than L2. I suspect the pull-ups/jumping pull-ups... But I made it through, and did my run as well (well, on the elliptical, but still. Equivalent distance. I'm counting it.) 

Tomorrow is my long run, so I'm looking forward to that. I'm not sure how long I'll run. Currently thinking 6 or 7, but I might end up running longer if I feel like it. I'll just set off and see how it goes...

 

The other challenges, you ask? Beasted.

Water - I'm probably closer to 3L than 2 at this point

Languages - Yup! Done. Done this morning.

Waiting on the meditation, as usual. I'm definitely not having any trouble going to sleep, possibly it's meditation related? I think it's too early to tell. But that would be cool  

 

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend,

For the rebellion,

 

Stoney

 

 

Glad to see you've battled through an OK day and made it better! That's the Stoney I know . Walking the dog for 3 miles is still getting in 3 miles so I call that a win in my book.

Awesome writeup, btw! You'll become Agent 78 very soon, I can feel it!

Wolf

 

 

Thanks, Wolf! I am doing my very best to become 78. Badass in training, that's me. (emphasis on the 'in training' part, but I'll get there.. eventually) And glad you like the write-up - it was a little longer than usual, huh? It kind of got away from me. Not that I'm complaining.  Keep on beasting your challenge, Wolfie - I'll be over there in a bit to put in my $0.02.

 

Wade says hi too, btw...

 

Stoney.

[stonegirl78]

[As if this didn't give you a clue to what was about to happen... ]

 

Two strides in, three strides out.

Two strides in, three strides out. 

Two strides in...

 

My breath came less easily than it should as my feet padded through the snow. 

 

Two strides in, three strides out.

 

Nope. Definitely feeling the injury. And the fatigue. No matter what upgrades agents had been given, there were certain biological necessities we had to respect. Like healing times for injuries. And minimum amounts of sleep for adequate performance. Both of which I had been lacking. I felt the slight burn of my side compressing and stretching as I moved. Perhaps a quick run had been a bad idea. But I woken up to a landscape that took even my breath away, and I hadn't even bothered saying good morning to 47 before I borrowed more of Katya's clothes, not to mention footwear, and headed out. 

Not that Katya's clothes fit all that well, I reflected, tugging on the fabric of the shirt for the umpteenth time. I was a tad taller, and had far more muscle, so everything was that little bit too small to move properly. And I no longer had ICA sending me perfectly fitting clothes. Apparently I was vain enough to care about such things. 

I rounded a corner and came to a hill. I stopped, considering. I could run up it. That fact was solid in my mind. But was it a good idea? I took mental stock. My breathing was heavier than I was used to, and my side was... uncomfortable. I took a minute to curse the scientists who had fiddled with my genes and upbringing. Pain was useful, at least as a diagnostic tool. I shook my head. That hill - it was a bad idea. I turned on a heel and headed back, picking up my pace as the road sloped almost imperceptibly downhill. 

 

I shut the door behind me carefully, not wanting to wake 47, if he were still asleep. Which I doubted. But I didn't want to wake a sleeping agent either, so caution was warranted. 

"Good morning." Instead of turning right to the bedrooms, I turned left into the kitchen to find 47 sitting at the kitchen counter, a cup of tea steaming gently in front of him. 

"Good morning, 47."

"How was the run?" An eyebrow raised as he took in my appearance.

"A bad idea," I said, frustrated.

47 nodded. "Has your would re-opened?"

"Don't think so." 47 looked me over again.

"We'll go into town after you eat - I need supplies, and you'll want clothes."

It was my turn for my eyebrows to raise. Agents weren't supposed to think of the comfort of others. But then again, we weren't exactly agents any more. But there was no good reason to object. 

"I'll go and change, then," I said finally. 

47 nodded absently, already half-immersed in whatever he'd been looking at on his laptop. 

Wasn't this going to be interesting?

 

[stonegirl78]

Week 1, Day 7:

 

Weekly Wrap-up: 

 

Work out: check! 

All workouts completed, although I switched my long run from yesterday to today (even though I beasted it - 7.56 mi in 1:12:02, which I'm pretty sure is a PB!! Yesterday, I walked with the parents and the dog instead of running, but I'm ok with it. I'm only home for a while, and it's important to me that I try and support (read: egg on) them in being more active. I am thinking I want to give myself two mulligans here, like with my water consumption... Like Nymeria and Charlie_Quinn, I'm honestly not sure, however much I try, that I'm going to be absolutely perfect this challenge with my workouts, no matter how I try. Thoughts? 

 

Water: check!

I haven't had too much issue doing this, which makes sense - if I can control my schedule, I have no issues drinking adequate amounts. So yay!

 

Languages: check! 

I'm enjoying this so far, and I think it's helping. I spoke to my German grandmother today, and I definitely noticed the difference, so that's good!

 

Meditation: check!

Again, so far, so good. Haven't missed a day yet, and am working towards the end of my 10-day module in Headspace. I'm not sure what I'm going to do after that 10-day module thing ends - I know some of it is subscription based, and I'm not sure I like that. But we'll see. I've got two more days left, so I'll decide then. Until then - does anyone have any other meditation apps/resources they like?

 

All in all, I think I'm doing well. Definitely thinking of building in a little flexibility into some of my goals, but other than that, Stoney is working on becoming Agent 78. So yeah. Onwards, people of NF!

 

For the rebellion!

 

Stoney

[stonegirl78]

An energy bar was waiting on the kitchen island for me when I re-emerged, along with a pot of tea and an empty cup and saucer. I bundled my still-damp hair into a quick bun, fastening it with a hair tie, moving closer to the food. 

My stomach rumbled. Definitely time to eat something. 

As I moved closer, I could see a note on the far side of the cup and saucer. 

 

I should return momentarily.

Please eat while I am gone.

     -47

 

“So formal,” I murmured, pouring the tea into the cup. It smelled divine, and I ducked my head to inhale the steam. Cautiously, because even with all the evidence that 47 was a neutral party, I was still wary of possible poisons. Old habits died hard. Otherwise you did. But there was nothing in the steam. Just fruit and black tea and bergamot. 

The energy bar wrapper was in the trash can and I was working on my second cup of tea when 47 came into the kitchen. I felt myself freeze in surprise as I took in his appearance. 

Instead of the black suit pants and white shirt that he’d been wearing that morning, 47 had changed. Into jeans, a t-shirt, and a flannel overshirt. And a brown beanie. I blinked once, then looked again. Yup, still the same.

“78?” I shook myself. 

“Yes?”

"Are you ready?" I blinked again, reactivating my brain after its shut-down after seeing 47 dressed as a hipster lumberjack. 

"Just shoes and a jacket."

"We'll need to get you boots," 47 said, following me into the hall. "And a jacket."

'How long are you thinking I stay?' I wanted to ask. But I stopped myself, slipping my feet into the sneakers I'd worn to run in. Instead, I asked a different question. 

"How am I paying for this?" 47's eyes flickered to mine as he pulled on an anorak hanging by the door. 

"You're not." I wanted to protest, but 47 kept talking. "No arguments, 78. We have the funds." He opened the door and extended an arm. "After you."

 

[stonegirl78]

Week 2, Day 4:

 

So this week has been rough. Well, as far as the actual working out part is concerned. I've kept up the drinking of the water, the language stuff, and the meditation. And I have been walking the dog every morning (it ends up being two miles). But Monday and Tuesday I ended up skipping my workouts (two runs and a workout). I'm not too happy about that, but I've decided to just decide what's done is done. I worked out yesterday (BBL3B, which kind of kicked my ass, but I was happy about it? )

 

Other than that, though, I've been spending lots of time this week catching up with old friends, which is wonderful. No regrets about that part. So, 80% of max? Keeping on keeping on...

 

For the rebellion,

 

Stoney

[stonegirl78]

Watching 47 interact with the people in town was an experience, to say the least. I stood back, watching him talk with the cashier at the grocery store, seeming as natural a member of the human population as I’d ever seen an agent be. Well, apart from Katya.

“And who’s your friend?” the cashier asked, hands sorting the bills 47 had passed over and making change automatically. “Haven’t seen her around before.”

I stilled, hands ready to fly to the guns holstered under the leather jacket I was borrowing. ‘Danger’, my mind said, ‘danger.’ I catalogued the exits: the windows, the two sliding doors, the staff exits at the meat counter, the back rooms; the other people: a couple shopping, an elderly man in rancher’s gear, two other cashiers. No weapons detectable. Apart from mine and 47’s.

But 47 paid no heed to my sudden alertness. “She’s a friend,” he said, calmly as ever. I wondered, in the part of my brain that wasn’t making sure that every exit was open, every person was covered, what exactly it would take to make 47 lose his cool. 

The cashier looked me up and down, and I wasn’t sure what I saw in his gaze. His eyes flashed back to 47, then back to me.

I raised a hand, waved it awkwardly. “Hello.” I took a step closer, still putting myself behind 47 at an angle, in case someone started shooting at us. 47’s head turned, just slightly, towards me, then rotated back. 

“Hi,” the cashier said. Ted. Ted the cashier, according to the name tag he was wearing. And wasn’t that a stupid idea, to broadcast to the world exactly what your name was. Unless the name tag was a lie. But that was insanely complicated, even for humans. “Gonna be around long?”

“I haven’t decided yet,” I said slowly, not really sure what I was doing. It wasn’t like agents usually talked with people just for the sake of talking. There was usually an agenda.

“Well, if you’re around this week, there’s a barn dance Wednesday evening. We’d love to see you there.” Ted fumbled around behind him, pulling out a printed flyer and handing it past 47 and to me. I took it, scanning it briefly.

A date, a time, a place. A piece of old clip art, all printed in black and white.

“Not sure what our plans are yet,” 47 said, sparing me from having to answer the cashier. 

“You sure, Paul?” I stopped my head from spinning to 47 at the last possible second. Paul? “You aren’t going to keep this gorgeous young thing to yourself, are you?” I felt 47 go still next to me. That wasn’t good.  My stillness matched 47’s. Had he sensed something I had missed?

“I’m not much for socialising,” I said. 47 relaxed fractionally. Perhaps there was no danger after all. I folded the paper, stuffing it in a pocket. I turned to 47. “We ready?”

47 pocketed his change and nodded. “Nice to see you, Ted.”

“You too, Paul. See ya ‘round.” 47 picked up two bags, and I grabbed the other two, carrying them with one hand to keep the other free, following the agent out of the store and into the blinding sunshine.

[Charlie_Quinn]

Gah!! Why do the boards keep un-following me from peoples threads??!! Just caught up with your challenge, absolutely loving your story so far. 

[stonegirl78]

 

Gah!! Why do the boards keep un-following me from peoples threads??!! Just caught up with your challenge, absolutely loving your story so far. 

 

 

Weekly Wrap-Up, Week 2:

 

I kind of want to call this week a bust. I just... I didn't do as much as I wanted. (I want to say I did a pathetic amount...) So, what did I actually do? Let's check:

 

First of all, I'm doing fine on my water drinking, meditating, and language learning projects. One skipped day of water drinking, but that's fine - I had two built-in variances there for the month, so I'm not worried. Meditation is definitely helping me get to sleep much more quickly, and the language-ing is... well, I'm doing my bit every day.

 

The working out... Let me actually write out what happened this week. (Disclaimer: This is going to get long and involved. If you don't want to read it, skip to the tl;dr below)

 

Monday: Walked the dog with the mother (I'm assuming... I don't actually have a log of whether or not I ran or worked out, and I honestly can't remember. So. Long story short Not as planned. No run, no workout.)

Tuesday: Walked the dog with the mother (2 miles.) (No run as planned)

Wednesday: Walked the dog with mother, Run 3 miles, Workout 3B (as planned.)

Thursday: walk the dog with the mother (No run as planned)

Friday: This was the day I woke up and couldn't move my head until 10 am. I think I pulled something on Wednesday. And it dumped a foot of snow that day. So no run, no workout. This is the only variance I don't feel bad about. If I can't move my head, I can't really do anything)

Saturday: Walked the dog with the mother. 35 minutes on the elliptical (So much mud...) (Not a long run, but at least a workout)

Sunday: Walked the dog with the mother, 30 minutes on the elliptical (Again, not a run, but a workout.)

 

So. Tl;dr. I spent lots of time walking the dog with my mom. Which is good because it got her moving and gave us some time alone together, which we wouldn't have otherwise had. It sucked for my workouts though. Because we were doing them when I would have otherwise gone for a run, I had to fit my workout in later, and that... didn't end up happening. So, short story shorter, I think I really dropped the ball this week.

 

I'm flying back to London tomorrow, so I'll be in charge of my schedule again, along with another development (that I'll get into in a minute), so I'm pretty certain I can just get back on the horse as far as running/working out is concerned. After all, I can't walk the dog with the mother when neither the dog or the mother are around to walk with... But people, I'd love your thoughts? It's pretty awful, right? I mean, I'm  missing two workouts and twice as many runs.... At this point, I'm just trying to get on with week 3, because there's nothing I can usefully do beating myself up about it, but any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

And on that lovely note, here ends the wrap-up for Week 2. Take a 47 with you, folks. It's dangerous out there...

[stonegirl78]

And now for something far less depressing. My Week 3!

 

My plan for this week is as follows:

Monday: 3 mi. run, BBL3A complete!

Tuesday: 4 mi. run

Wednesday: (first day back in the UK) 3 mi run, BBL3B

Thursday: 4 mi. run

Friday: 3 mi. run, BBL3A

Saturday: 9 mi long run

Sunday: 3 mi run

 

It's really what I should have been doing last week, but I'm not beating myself up over that (bad Stoney.). My exciting news is that my father, being both supportive and awesome and tech-savvy, bought me a Fitbit! It's the smartwatch-like one, the Blaze, and I'm in love. I took it for its first run today, and it worked like a charm, and the sleep tracking works, and the steps work, and..... I just love it. First-born child love.... And since I wear it all the time, I'm constantly aware of how active I'm being. Which can only be a good thing. I think.

 

Anyway. I'll be continuing the water, language, and meditation challenges as well, but as I'm doing ok with those, I'm not going to mention them as much. This week is looking bright, and I'm going to be jaunting across the pond very soon!

 

Have a lovely week,

For the rebellion,

 

Stoney

[stonegirl78]

 

Gah!! Why do the boards keep un-following me from peoples threads??!! Just caught up with your challenge, absolutely loving your story so far. 

 

Thanks!! Glad you like it - you and your challenge are a constant inspiration! Go @Charlie_Quinn and Peggy Carter!

[stonegirl78]

Week 3, Day 3

 

So I'm back in London, and I'm pleased to say I'm back on track!!! I have my most awesome of awesome Deadpool tank (It says "In training to kill Francis (And rescue Vanessa), and I'm in love...) 

Yesterday I ran four miles before I got on the plane, and today I did my three (interspersed with squats as part of @Wild Wolf's Carnage Crew, or whatever we call ourselves (except awesome! *cackles maniacally*)) And my BBL3B. So yay! And did all the other goals yesterday. The only two outstanding still for today are the water goal (I'm a litre shy at this point), and the meditation.

 

So life is good. 

 

For the rebellion,

 

Stoney

[Wild Wolf]

 

Week 3, Day 3

 

So I'm back in London, and I'm pleased to say I'm back on track!!! I have my most awesome of awesome Deadpool tank (It says "In training to kill Francis (And rescue Vanessa), and I'm in love...) 

Yesterday I ran four miles before I got on the plane, and today I did my three (interspersed with squats as part of @Wild Wolf's Carnage Crew, or whatever we call ourselves (except awesome! *cackles maniacally*)) And my BBL3B. So yay! And did all the other goals yesterday. The only two outstanding still for today are the water goal (I'm a litre shy at this point), and the meditation.

 

So life is good. 

 

For the rebellion,

 

Stoney

 

OMG! I have that same Deadpool shirt! Mines not a tank, but HELLZ YEAH! I saw the movie again this past weekend with my two brothers who had NOT seen it. Good times. Great Movie! Carnage Crew is starting to become my favorite, Stoney

 

Wolf

[stonegirl78]

 

 

OMG! I have that same Deadpool shirt! Mines not a tank, but HELLZ YEAH! I saw the movie again this past weekend with my two brothers who had NOT seen it. Good times. Great Movie! Carnage Crew is starting to become my favorite, Stoney

 

Wolf

 

 

Deadpool lovers unite!!!!  And I do love me some carnage... As my movie preferences would attest (Deadpool, Agent 47...) Perhaps I shouldn't stop past the sword booth this Comic Con???

 

[stonegirl78]

Week 3, Day 4:

 

First full day in London, and life is good - the sun is trying to come out - I don't think it will today, but something's better than nothing...

My run is done - 39:45 for 4 miles, so I'll take it! And I'm halfway done with my water consumption for the day as well. I'm about to do my language stuff after this, so I'll be done with everything apart from the mediation...

 

So far, so good... this Agent is back!

 

For the rebellion,

Stoney