Nina's Apartment

[Lei Wulong]

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It was a nice place.  Somewhere Nina could call home.  Rather to her, it was just a place to stay.  However, this place was nicely decorated with elegant furniture with somewhat of a rustic theme.  This was often where Nina spent her days when she wasn't killing someone.  After all, she is a woman, through and through.  

However, Nina found a note that was addressed to her.  It was from her mother, Joanna.  Nina thought she had died years ago.  

Huh?  So she is still alive after all... 

It would be interesting to see this woman again.  But it was no doubt that Anna was going to be there, too.  

[Anna Leigh Williams]

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Johanna walked into an apartment complex, still on the phone, "Yes... Keep an eye on him... It's important, he's essential to our plans.... I don't wanna hear any god damn excuses, make it work!" She hung up, and looked in a mirror, fixing her blonde hair, and smoothing out her dress. She wasn't nervous, or excited. The woman seemed awfully demure for a mother who is seeing her child for the first time in twenty years. She pressed the elevator button to go up. The doors opened, and she walked through, pressing the button to Nina's floor. Once there, she stepped out into the hallway, walked to her daughter's door, and gave a light knock....

[Lei Wulong]

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Nina had been getting ready to go see her mother.  She was just adding the finishing touches to her lips until she heard a knock on the door.  Nina wasn't expecting company.  She grabbed a gun, quickly loaded it and turned off the safety.  She creeps quietly to the door, and answers it.  She was surprised to see her own mother.  

"So, we meet again.  Long at last." Nina says, turning the safety to her gun back on.  

[Anna Leigh Williams]

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Johanna walked in, slightly pushing past Nina. She looked around, "Not bad..." She turned to Nina, noticing the gun. She couldn't help but chuckle. "That's your father.... Put that thing down..." She walked up to Nina, looking at her face.... Same as Anna, so youthful. "Your sister filled me in on what happened to you both over the last twenty years.... A little warning would have been nice.." She backed away, and crossed her arms. "I expected as much from Anna to just up and leave after Richard's passing, but you..." She pointed a finger at Nina, jaw clenched. "You loved your father...." 

She inhaled, "But... Nevertheless, I'm proud of you... You seem to have made something of yourself... Now... If I can get you and Anna in the same room without her firing bullets at you, I'll be satisfied."

She pulled a chair, and sat down, crossing her legs, "So tell me, Nina.... What have you been up to?"

[Lei Wulong]

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Nina put her gun away, seeing that Joanna is no longer a threat to her.   

"Your sister filled me in on what happened to you both over the last twenty years.... A little warning would have been nice.."

Nina smiled at her comment.  "Tch.  It wasn't like I knew you were still alive to begin with."

When Joanna mentions her father's passing and her relationship with Anna, Nina just crossed her arms and sighed.  "That little minx never learns her lesson.  She's always the one picking fights.  Such an annoying brat.  Besides, I wouldn't take everything she says seriously.  She's been known to lie."

The young Irish blonde leans against the wall with her arms crossed, thinking about the past few years of her life.  She sighed quietly before speaking.

"So tell me, Nina.... What have you been up to?"

"I have been working.  That's all I have been doing.  Nothing much more to it."

[Anna Leigh Williams]

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Johanna could only chuckle at her daughter thinking she was dead, "I can't blame you for thinking that... It's not like our kind are blessed to get to my age... If you're lucky you'll live as long as me." She grinned. "As for your sister... She still thinks you killed your father, she could be so much more if she just saw past that..."

Johanna sighed, "She doesn't necessarily lie, moreso... bends the truth to her advantage..." She lips curved in an almost sadistic grin, as if she were responsible for that trait in her younger daughter.

"If she doesn't get her act together.... I'll have to cut her off." She inhaled, "But that's not why I'm here."

She gave Nina a cold stare, "Your brother is slacking. His priorities are... shifting." She said bitterly. "Turns out the boy has a heart..." She laughed sarcastically. Her smile however, quickly turned serious.

"If he doesn't show me that he's worth anything...." And without any hesitation, "I'll need you to get rid of him. I'll pay you of course."

[Lei Wulong]

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"I can't blame you for thinking that... It's not like our kind are blessed to get to my age... If you're lucky you'll live as long as me."

"I'd personally rather die young, than to grow old and decrepit.  What's the point of life anyway if you can't do anything on your own?"

"As for your sister... She still thinks you killed your father, she could be so much more if she just saw past that..."

"Of course she does.  I've told you, she's nothing but a stupid, whiny, bitchy minx.  Add slut to the mix, too." 

"If she doesn't get her act together.... I'll have to cut her off.  But that's not why I'm here."


"Well, then, get to it... I don't have all day, you know?"

"Your brother is slacking. His priorities are... shifting.  Turns out the boy has a heart..."

"Wow.  Shocker.  I totally did not see that coming."  Nina of course was being sarcastic with that remark.  Why else did she think Chris was so close?

"If he doesn't show me that he's worth anything.... I'll need you to get rid of him. I'll pay you of course."

"So much for the whole, 'I brought you into this world, and I'm going to take you out' thing.   So you're wanting to hire me, to kill Chris?  Times must be rough then."  She found the request to be a bit odd, yet amusing in a way.  

[Anna Leigh Williams]

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Johanna stood up, "Don't take that sarcastic tone with me. You will show me respect!" Her eyes narrowed, "Business is business, and I'd rather my son die at the hands of you than some clumsy joke that calls themselves an assassin. He deserves better..." Her eyes were slightly widened, and glassy. She then smiled, "We both know Anna will refuse to do this, and I can't afford to keep him around like this..." She walked up to Nina, "This is a last resort, if he shows me the drive I need to see then the deal is off."

"I just need to know if you're willing..." She took her daughter's hand and smiled. "Because if you're not... Well, ask your father what it is exactly that I am capable of..." She took a step back, her eyes on her daughter. She was totally and completely calm, crossing her arms. 

Her head tilted to the side

----

December 4th, 1994

"Did you hear..?" A woman said. She was sitting across from a man at the dinner table. The man was wearing a suit. His beard neatly groomed, and his brunette hair combed back. The woman however, was wearing a dusty pink robe. Her hair was a bit messy. "Hear what, Johanna...?" The man said. She was visibly angry. "Anna...! She- She's getting rid of it...!!" The man sighed, drinking his wine, "That's her decision.." He said, almost with a tone of sadness. Johanna slammed her hands against the table, "IT'S UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!!!!"

Richard Williams quickly stood, "Do not yell... She is here...." He hissed. Johanna glared at him, "We failed with her, Richard... This could be our chance to redeem ourselves..." Richard scoffed, "There's nothing wrong with Anna...!" Johanna laughed at him, "How could you be so blind..!?" She stood, to face her husband. "Don't act like you don't think she's Nina's understudy, because we both know that's the truth...."

Richard backed away a few paces from his wife, "Enough... If Anna doesn't want this responsibility, then that's her decision to make. If anything Anna is making the smartest move for her career. Keeping it will be a hindrance."

Johanna cringed, running through her hair with her fingers anxiously. "What about--

"I said enough! Go tend to Christopher, since you want to act like a loving mother all of a sudden..."

Johanna stood in the dining room, mouth ajar, shocked at what her husband just told her. "You'll regret this..." She said, gritting her teeth. Richard stopped, and turned his head. He said nothing, and continued walking away...

----

[Lei Wulong]

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"Don't take that sarcastic tone with me. You will show me respect!  Business is business, and I'd rather my son die at the hands of you than some clumsy joke that calls themselves an assassin. He deserves better..."

Nina agreed.  If her brother were to die, he'd better die to a skilled assassin.  Not an amateur.  But knowing him, he's a lot stronger than that.  But then again, she never really knew the full extent of her brother's ability, having never known him too much.  

"I just need to know if you're willing... Because if you're not... Well, ask your father what it is exactly that I am capable of..."

"Is that a threat?" Nina asks, slightly amused.  "I mean, if you're so capable, why not just do it yourself?" Nina didn't have much of a problem killing either her brother or sister, but it seem interesting that her mom is so insistent on having Nina kill them.

[Anna Leigh Williams]

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Johanna smiled at her daughter, "Because, my daughter.... What kind of mother would kill her own children..?" She said sarcastically. She remained in her confident, self righteous bluster. "That aside, we still have much to discuss. I'm going to have a special dinner made. Anna and Chris will both be there... I expect you to show aswell. It will be held next weekend."

She ran her fingers through Nina's hair, it was strikingly similar to Johanna's. "You'll show them how your father and I intended them to be."

Grinning, Johanna pulled back, "And I'll put an end to this little immature fantasy your sister has... We'll make this family what it's meant to be, again...."

[Lei Wulong]

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"That aside, we still have much to discuss. I'm going to have a special dinner made. Anna and Chris will both be there... I expect you to show aswell. It will be held next weekend."

Nina rolled her eyes internally at her comment.  But it was a request from her mother.  She had to attend.  Perhaps afterwards, she can just find Anna's car, and secretly put a bomb under it.  It will be so hilarious to see Anna's reaction.  She could take a picture and send it to everyone.

"You'll show them how your father and I intended them to be."

"Of course I will."

"And I'll put an end to this little immature fantasy your sister has... We'll make this family what it's meant to be, again...."

Nina knew that for now, she had to play along.  After all, it seemed her mother has gotten... more aggressive over the years.  May it be old age? 

[Anna Leigh Williams]

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Johanna asked Nina to hold on while she had Chris on the phone, "He's been so distracted. I saw some woman on his motorcycle today..." She said with a bit of disdain. Johanna didn't care one way or the other of her son had a girlfriend, but at a time like this? They were in a state of emergency. The war was almost over, and he couldn't wait until then. Johanna internally rolled her eyes at the thought.

"Hello Christopher, I found your older sister." She said with a slightly proud grin on her face. However the gloating demeanor vanished when he took a tone with her, "Now you listen to me little boy. I'm your mother, and you will RESPECT me!" She yelled, "You need to be doing your job.... No, I'm with my successful child, meet me at Anna's tomorrow." With that she hung up, "What an utter disappointment."

She set her phone in her purse, "Oh Nina, promise me you and Anna won't destroy anything while trying to kill eachother. I read about your little battle before the fifth Iron Fist Tournament..." She looked up at Nina, "I'd rather not have to hire any repair men."

[Lei Wulong]

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Nina stood quietly while she waited for her mother to get done talking on the phone.  She managed a soft smirk upon being told that she was the "successful" child.  It also annoyed her that her mom was complaining about her brother having a girlfriend.  It seemed totally normal for a guy to want to have a girl.  That's how men are.  How else would she have been born?  

"Oh Nina, promise me you and Anna won't destroy anything while trying to kill eachother. I read about your little battle before the fifth Iron Fist Tournament..."

Nina snapped back once her mother spoke to her.   Well, so much for planting a bomb in the car.  There are other ways to totally humiliate Anna that doesn't involve destruction of property, such as taking a picture of her as she steps out of her shower, or hiding her missing shoe from her.   Nina was even surprised that she managed to remember that far.  After all, her memories were starting to resurface... slowly but surely, she will have it all together.

"I promise I won't destroy anything."

[Anna Leigh Williams]

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Johanna smiled, "Good." She sighed, "Now... I have some business to attend to. I expect to see you at five pm next friday." She smirked. Nina looked so much like her. It was like looking in the past.

She then walked out of the door. Johanna then pulled out her phone, and dialed a number. "Do we have eyes on him? Can you ensure that he will be there...? Yes... Five Pm. Good Work." Johanna grinned as she walked to the elevator.

---

April 22, 1995

Johanna was called by the hospital telling her that her daughter had just given birth three days ago. Knowing what Anna would do, she hurried to the hospital. Johanna walked in the halls of the hospital her daughter had just given birth in. She passed Anna's room where she and Chris were still inside, heading for where the babies are. She walked in, and looked around. She walked up to the nurse feeding the baby Anna had just given birth to in his crib. Despite the fact that the crib had 'Jacen Sorin Vladimirescu' on it, He had a little bracelet that had 'Jay' written on it. Johanna knew this was her grandchild.

"Excuse me... My daughter just gave birth to that child... I-I' She choked up, "I know she gave him up for adoption, but... Well... Can I have a moment with him?" She asked, a well played act.

The nurse smiled warmly, "Well, I'm not supposed to but... Five minutes..." She handed the baby to Johanna, and she left the room standing right outside of the doorway.

Johanna looked at him, she picked him up and he cooed in her embrace. "I apologize on my daughter's behalf. She's rather selfish.." She rocked him back and forth. "But I promise to bring you home one day... We'll teach you everything you need to know about life... and death..." Johanna stroked the baby's face, kissing his forehead. "You will be your mother's final lesson, my child... and soon... You will be home..." She then laid baby Jacen Sorin Vladimirescu down, looking up to see an asian woman and a romanian man coming in. Johanna quickly left the room, heading for Anna's room with pure hatred in her face.

She opened the door, and walked in to see a sleeping Anna. She went to choke her in her sleep, but Chris grabbed his mother's hands. "Mother, no..!" He hissed. "I'm upset too, but..." He looked at Anna, "She's even more devastated than we are about it." He looked at his mother. "Please.." He barely whispered. Johanna looked in her son's eyes. She could see the worry and the hurt in his eyes.

"Be careful with that, Christopher... You could end up on the other end of this conversation one day..." Johanna bitterly looked at Anna. "She will regret this..."

[Lei Wulong]

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"Yes, Mother.  I will mark that in my calendar." 

Once Joanna left, Nina continued with her business and sighed quietly to herself.  "That woman's gone mad."  She then sighs to herself once more.  "Looks like I have to team up with that minx... This will be fun..." 

Nina then gets herself ready for her next job, just before her mother had interrupted her.

Things were better when I worked with Jin... Now the economy is shit and I can't hardly buy nice things...