Why so alone? (Tag Anya)

[Anya]

Her previous comment about the potential coffee-spillage was met with agreement from Rachel, who seemed quite concerned over the condition of her clothing. Although someone else might have been content to take her word for it, Anya felt compelled to turn and give the girl an analyzing once-over, as if she intended to determine for herself whether or not Rachel's outfit was worth worrying about. Really, though, she was mainly motivated by simple curiosity. The vengeance demon had lived through far too many eras—and the trends that went with them—to really see much value in fleeting things like fashion. Still, Rachel's clothes were new, and ruining them would be a shameful waste of money...something that Anya cringed at under any circumstances.

"Yes," she replied evenly. "Severe burns and several lawsuits could follow. And I bet you wouldn't be able to return the clothes, either." The blonde offered what she considered to be an understanding smile before reverting to an all-business demeanor focused upon getting settled inside the restaurant. None of the kids seemed to have taken her up on her offer to let them choose where to sit, but Anya was perfectly happy to make the decision herself. Swinging open the door, she hurried into the warmth that the Italian eatery provided. It didn't seem to be too busy insane, perhaps simply because it was a bit early for dinner. Either way, she wasn't complaining.

The little restaurant wasn't all that fancy...quite casual, actually, but it still had some charm. The vengeance demon looked around appreciatively as she strolled in, reminiscing about the first time she'd been to one of these American ethnic restaurants—to an Italian restaurant similar to this, actually, on a dinner date with Xander. That had been fun. Although...she wasn't sure if the staff had enjoyed it quite as much as she had. Sure, she might have scared them off with the fluent bouts of Italian she bombarded them with, but...she still didn't understand why her behavior had been regarded so strangely. It had been an Italian restaurant with a menu that was entirely in Italian...how was she supposed to know that the staff didn't necessarily speak it?

Ah well, she knew better now. Not that she was any better at being 'normal' while speaking English, but even so. Breezing through the place at only a slightly slower pace than before, she selected a table(in an appropriately 'low-traffic' area, of course) within seconds—a large booth that would easily seat all of them. Anya grinned a little, evidently satisfied with this decision, before neatly seating herself at the table and waiting for her group of companions to do the same.

[ax]

Ax looked at them all as he heard what Rachel said to what Anya said. He noticed everyone's reaction but wasn't sure what to think as it was new to him still. Rachel looked at Anya then at her clothes and back at Anya as she just sighed to that. Ax wondered what was the conversation about clothes had anything to do with anything but then again it wasn't like he was there for a long time or anything like that. Rachel however felt that Anya understood her and agreed with her so she smiled at her back as Anya smiled to her.

When Anya walked in all of them followed her including Ax, who headed to the bathroom and morph back to himself then once again in to human as Tobias and Marco watched over to ho, to make sure he was fine and not spotted by anyone. Which was why they came inside with him. "You got that right" Rachel said as they were inside next to Anya again. Ax, Tobias and Marco got out of the bathroom and headed to where the others were at. Ax and the others looked at Rachel then at Anya. Ax, Marco and Tobias set down. Tobias set next to Rachel and AX. Cassie set next to Jake. Jake next to Marco. They liked the place as it was rather nice which was a plus. It wasn't busy day or at least hour which was good thing. Also it meant that it wasn't lunch time but it was fine.

It might not be the bestest place in the world but it was still fine so. There would have been times when Rachel would have complained but after all they went through even place like that was good. The fact that it had it's charm was another plus. They didn't remember being in an Italian restaurant before but they still liked it either way. Even if they weren't in Italy it still counted as a good place since people came there a lot no doubt or it would have been closed. Ax was still rather curious to know why did the place called Italian restaurant but didn't ask about it either. All of them smiled to Anya as did Ax. They all waited to order themselves something to eat and drink, as they were sure that Anya did too. At least that what they thought anyways.

They all looked around then back at her as they waited for her to speak if she had something to say. "How long do you live here, Anya? Rachel asked with curiosity as everyone looked at her then at Anya waiting for a reply together with Rachel. Ax looked down then at everyone around him as he almost ate a napkin but was stopped by Tobias and Jake. Ax was confused by that but apologized ablout that anyway.

[Anya]

The seven of them were certainly quite the crowd, especially noticeable since the restaurant seemed to be in such a lull otherwise. Anya shifted restlessly in her seat, quickly peering over the heads of her companions to survey the facility. She didn't particularly like drawing any sort of attention to herself, especially since humans tended to be so nosy, but so far no one seemed to be paying them much mind. Once someone came to take their order, they'd be in the perfect position to have a nice, private little conversation...hopefully geared toward whatever secret this group was undoubtedly hiding.

"Hmm?" she murmured distractedly, her attention abruptly being pulled away from these inquisitive thoughts and instead being focused on Rachel. Oh, of course...small talk. A necessity of any human-accompanied outing, she supposed. Rachel had asked her how long she'd been living in New York, which was a question that the vengeance demon seemed to receive quite often. And yet no matter how frequently this inquiry occurred, she always found herself stopping to think about it. Anya supposed that, all things given, she was practically one of the locals now...although she certainly didn't possess too many of the stereotypically smooth New-Yorker traits. Still, even after setting up her own little home here, she sometimes felt as if she'd only been there a couple of days. It was all relative, she supposed, when you've been living for a thousand years.

"I've been here a couple of months, I guess. Originally I was just here to, you know, do the whole 'fight evil, be a superhero' thing. But now..." Anya tilted her head slightly, reflecting on her life since her arrival here. Along with the whole zombie-fighting angle, the blonde had seen things, met people, and even earned herself a job. "...now it's kind of more about living. You can't live in New York without really living, if you know what I mean. Although, I have yet to be approached by the mafia, so I'm feeling a little robbed of the full experience." Oh...alert the media. Anya was actually joking. A good percentage of the time, the vengeance demon was usually oblivious to the silly things that came out of her mouth, but this was one of the rare occasions where the humor had actually been intended.

She smiled a bit, folding her hands together on the table and switching her warm brown gaze over each of them in turn. It was still sort of overwhelming for Anya, interacting with so many humans at once, but she was slowly starting to warm up to this bunch. Provided she actually confirmed that whatever they were hiding wasn't anything deadly, and that she could actually trust them, of course. But...perhaps it was better to get to that later. She'd allow them a little more time to...well, perhaps trust was a bit expecting, but at least become more accustomed to her before she pushed it.

Meanwhile, it seemed there would be plenty going on to entertain her. Alex, for instance, currently seemed to be attempting to...eat a napkin. Well, he was certainly going to give her a run for her money for that Most Bizarre Display of Public Behavior Award. Not literally, of course, because Anya would never risk investing any money into such an unpredictable outcome. Ever.

"And how's your little visit going? Alex seems to like it here, anyway. Right down to the table linens." Curiosity and amusement mingled in her expression as she watched the boy's friend dissuade him. There was definitely more to these folks than met the eye.

[ax]

They all looked at Anya then around to make sure that no controllers were around. They also hoped they didn't draw to themselves to much attention and luckily for them they didn't. It was good that they could talk until someone came to take their order as that way they could know if they could trust her or not. Then two human controllers walked in got themselves a pizza and left. Ax and the others sighed to that. That was definitely close, to close but luckily they were just fine so.

Rachel watched her and lifted an eye brow to what Anya said as Did Jake and Cassie. It was easy to tell that Cassie and Jake liked each other even if they denied that, especially that moment. When Rachel asked the question they hoped that it will take Anya away from her thoughts about them. If at all that is. They also hoped that she hoped that. "Also do you like it here or not?" Cassie added to what her friend Rachel asked. Both Rachel and Jake looked at her then back at Anya waiting for a reply. The other three just set there watching not saying or asking anything for now.

They listened to her confused as they all but Ax lifted an eyebrow at her. They were confused by her reply while Ax was rather fascinated by that and a little confused that she even spoke of that. "You are like superman or something?" Ax asked as the other laughed at him then shrugged. "Forgive him he reads to much comic books. They all watched her closely with curiosity. They listened to her next reply and sighed to that. "You want them to attack you?" Jake asked puzzled as the others were puzzled by that too. Partly they figured that she was only joking but partly they had the feeling that she could be serious. Jake when he asked her he was half joking and half serious.

They all smiled at her as they were beginning to trust her but they didn't fully trusted her just yet but they were definitely getting to that so. The fact that they were beginning to trust her could be either good or bad but they hoped that it was good so as they were not in the mood to fight or anything like that. They needed people on their side then more enemies.

Ax attempting to eat a napkin was something they didn't plan on but they had a feeling that it would happen and by the looks of things they were right. They didn't want to be right by they knew Ax well enough to know that he could do that. Ax was cool but silly and funny guy for sure.

"It is good, we like it here and he just got a medical problem so he acts like a kid but he is pretty smart" Rachel said as everyone agreed while Ax tried the table cloth but was stopped by Cassie and Jake and the other three helped then they all looked back at Anya. They could tell that she was curious and amused as they didn't blame her at all.

[Anya]

Geeze, what was with the collective sigh of relief? Puzzled and wondering if perhaps she'd imagined it, Anya swept a skeptical glance over the faces of her companions. Their attention seemed currently fixated upon the counter at the head of the restaurant, but when the demon turned inquisitively to follow their gazes, she found nothing that seemed to be out of the ordinary. Of course, what Anya considered 'ordinary' and what a group of teenagers considered 'ordinary' were probably two very different things, but...she hadn't thought she'd seen anything strange. Oh, whatever. Maybe the 'relieved sigh' thing was just a group breathing exercise, or something. Shrugging it off, she instead focused her answer to Cassie's question. Did she...like it here? Anya actually hadn't given the matter much thought before, strangely enough. She'd always just sort of accepted that she was just...here. Wasn't like she had anywhere better to be, what with Sunnydale being reduced to a crater in the earth and all.

"Well. The people here are rude, and pushy, and always in a hurry. The city's crime rate is skyrocketing, and...I live two blocks down from a pet store that sells bunny rabbits. So do I like it here?" Anya paused for dramatic effect. "...Yes. When I first came here, I thought this had to be the most horrible hellhole in the entire world...but you know what? It's not so bad! It's certainly never boring here, for one thing, and I have a job that provides me with reasonable income, and..even a couple of friends. " she finished simply. Though her life was far from normal, she wasn't faring so bad for considering that she was an eleven hundred year old demon who hadn't even been considered "normal" in a society where goats where worshiped by entire villages.

She tapped her fingers lightly on against the surface of the table, a little nervous habit of her's. Though now it was more out of restlessness than anything, her curiosity evidently rendering her unable to sit still. Anya did hope there wasn't anything too...malevolent behind whatever it was these kids weren't telling her. It'd be a pity to pit herself against them just when she was actually beginning to like them. Although, they didn't quite seem to grasp her sense of humor—but then again, who could blame them? What with the nature of the vengeance demon's blunt earnestness, it took a fine level of skill indeed to determine when she was actually being serious. "Of course I don't want them to attack me." she reassured them with a light laugh. "But I'm sorry. My comment was meant to be humorous. Perhaps I wasn't direct enough..."

As Anya pondered this, their table was at last approached by one of the waiters. Dressed in uniform and an apron, he seemed a tad more enthusiastic than the pimply teen who'd served Nara, Reno and herself at the pizza joint...but his smile was still distinctly vague and forced as he peered down at them. "Welcome. May I start you off with something to drink?" he inquired.

The demon offered a warm smile. "Yes, you may!" she stated matter-of-factly. "We're actually here because we were craving pizza, and your restaurant happened to be conveniently nearby. But drinks sound nice. I'll just have water." Cheerfully, Anya turned her gaze on her companions, and waited expectantly for one of them to speak up next.

[ax]

They were glad that the human controllers didn't pay attention to them. It was rather close so but luckily for them it didn't happened. They figured she noticed the way the reacted and all but by the way she seemed to look at them and to where they looked it was easy to tell she wasn't a controller. They noticed that as they looked at her then at the counter again. When she ignored what they did they sighed again and looked back at her. They figured that perhaps they should tell her but definitely not there and not just yet anyways. The more they set there with her and talked to her the more they ended up trusting her. She seemed interesting but not horrible which was good.

They all listened to her as all lifted an eyebrow at what she said at first, except for Ax who was just confused and puzzled by that but nothing more, he was puzzled by them lifting an eyebrow at her for that, not for the fact that she said that. "Well most places are like that. So, what did you expect? Well at least this place is popular to the most part compared to others. Las Vegas is popular but it';s way worth then here so." Tobias said as they all looked at him then at Anya. Some nodded in agreement with him while others just looked between them all.

They looked at her and watched what she did, they all figured it was because she was nerves but Ax thought that she was playing, which was why he copied her as the others stopped him from doing that. They figured they should tell her as they already begin to like her and they just hoped that it won't make them enemies with her and they also hoped that she wasn't using them but they had to try and trust someone else. Also, her sense of humor was rather interesting and strange. She kinda sorta reminded them of Ax, in away. As Anya spoke again they all listened to her. As she assured them with a light laugh they laughed too. "No you weren't but it's OK, that happens and we get it now. That was rather funny" Jake said and laughed as they all did too. Kind of forced laugh since the joke confused them but it was still a laugh just the same.

They exchanged looks as they a waiter came over to their table as they watched him and smiled at him as he smiled at them as he spoke. They listened and sighed as the guy seemed to be Checking Rachel out as Tobias coughed to get the guy's attention away from her. Jake and Cassie looked down. They waited for Anya to order what she wondered then they planned to order something.

They listened to Anya then as she looked at them they exchanged looked. "Orange juice please and thank you" Rachel said. "Coke for us" Tobias and Jake said together. "Cup" Ax said as they looked at him and laughed as the waiter lifted an eyebrow. "Sorry about him, he means water too" Rachel said as the waiter nodded in understanding and wrote their orders down. "Water for me too" Cassie said. "For me coke too, please" Marco said.

[Anya]

Their drink orders recorded, the waiter hurried away and left Anya alone with the group of teens once again. It was a circumstance that probably would have spelled out trouble on any other day, but for now, surprisingly, the strangely literal ex-human seemed to be holding her own in this particular conversation. But now, with the chatter dying down a bit...she allowed herself to return to her original purpose for bringing them here: investigation. Only how was she supposed to do that without seeming blatantly obvious? Subtlety, in Anya's humble opinion, was such a useless art...except for in situations like these. Playing detective was harder than those movies Xander used to watch made it look...

Casualness. Right. Randomly, the blonde demon extended her arms in an overplayed, 'nonchalant' stretch. Then, dropping her arms to her sides once more, she contented herself with mindlessly twirling one of her golden curls around her finger as she grinned a little too brightly at the group. "So! Why don't you tell me something about yourselves, in that...delightfully small-talky way that we humans do?" she suggested sweetly, although, like usual, her eyes betrayed some of the curiosity she was feeling. "I mean, other than the fact that you're new around here, and that Canada's down one napkin-eating kiddo, I...don't really know much about you."

At least that was vaguely leading the conversation in the right direction, although Anya was pretty sure it wouldn't be quite enough to get this bunch to 'fess up. Unless Alex let something slip, seeing as his friends seemed well-practiced at keeping him quiet, she wasn't counting on it. She pondered for a moment on whether or not there might be another way to better connect to her newfound buddies. What did she know about teenagers..? Well, she had lived around one for a good five years...didn't that make her an expert or something? Hmm...Dawnie liked...music. And boys. Oh, oh, and games! Like that fascinating Game of Life where I won by collecting heaps of cash, an employed husband, and several tiny blue and pink children! Anya beamed as she was struck with a sudden epiphany. A game! That could work, right?

"I know! Let's play Two Truths and a Lie!" the demon blurted out abruptly, looking around at the group in hopes that they'd share her sudden enthusiasm. "Are you familiar with it? That game where you present three statements about yourself, and two of them are uncomfortably frank pieces of factual information while the third is a heaping load of bullshit! Here look, I'll go first..." Anya abruptly cut off her explanation in favor of musing on the perfect set of truths n' lies to tell them. "Oh, okay, I've got one! Alright, uh...I'm terrified of bunnies. I'm fluent in around...fifteen different human languages. Aaaand... ImmafamousBroadwayactress." This final statement was spoken all in one breath, edged by half-suppressed little snicker of amusement. Oh yes, Anya was great at this game...

[ax]

As the waiter walked away to get their drinks they followed him with their looks then looked at Anya. They were surprised to be left alone but it wasn't new for them as they were used to that, as well as they were used to be alone with Anya by now. They were surprised that the conversation had died out but then again they knew how it was like, as it did happen to them a lot before. They wondered if she had anything else to say but so far nothing so, at least it seemed that way anyway. They wondered what was she thinking about but decided not to ask in case it had privet. Which most likely it was.

They watched her do the next as Ax tried to copy her but Jake stopped him together with the others. As Anya grinned at them they smiled back at her. They listened to her as they lifted an eye brow at her confused. Something in the way she said it made it too suspicious to them. They had a feeling that they knew what she was doing but they were not falling for it so. The 'we humans do' part seemed more suspicious which mood them more on guard then they were before. "We told you all we could tell, sorry" Jake said as the others nodded in agreement. They all noticed the look in her eyes and sighed as they could tell that she was snooping. "No you don't and you won't, not yet anyway maybe another time but we can't talk about it yet, not here anyway" Rachel said. You won't know ever. Unless we decide that we can trust you They thought spoke to each other but Anya as they were not to sure that they could trust her just yet.

They could tell where the talk was leading and they were not ready to do that yet. As they didn't trust her that much just yet and truth be told they weren't sure if they ever would trust her with that. Not until they found out that she really wasn't a controller and that it was safe. So far they didn't notice that at all. Then looked around then back at her as they wondered what e going to do next. They wondered what was she planning and why did it meant so much to her now about them. They waited until their drink would arrive as they looked at each other then they looked at Anya back once more.

"Say what? Why should we play that game for? Are you trying to dig information about us? Why for? Can't you wait until we know each other better first or something?" Tobias said as they all agreed with him and nodded to what he said while they looked at her waiting for a reply. They all watched her rather confused and worried as they noticed the way she looked at them and the way she offered the game. "No we never heard of it and we don't want to play it as it's not our kind of game. We have no time for games" Cassie said as they all nodded in agreement with her as they watched Anya still confused. They noticed the way she spoke about the game and all that as they sighed and shock their heads. They started to get rather annoyed but managed to calm themselves down. Tobias ans Ax walked over sudden to the bathroom and morphed back to their real form then back to human again and after that they came back. Of course they made sure that no one saw them do that.

[Anya]

Ooh fantastic, another incident to add to her long list of subtlety fails. It was really no wonder that the blonde was so unapologetically blunt all the time, seeing as she pretty much sucked at being discreet. Predictably, the kids didn't buy her little charade even for a moment, claiming that they "had no time for games". Jeez, these kids were so serious! Not to mention suspicious. Their all-business attitudes, certainly uncommon for typical human teenagers, only increased Anya's curiosity...as well as her wariness. What could they have possibly been through to render them so guarded? She still didn't have a clue as to what their big bad secret was, but the whole affair was seeming shadier by the minute.

According to Tobias, trust seemed to be the key issue here...and truthfully, Anya would have to agree. The strange, blatantly inquisitive blonde didn't initially appear to be the most trustworthy individual in the world, especially when people actually realized she was a demon. But in this particular situation, she wasn't exactly jumping to trust these folks either. Without having any way of knowing whether or not they were dangerous, or if their 'secret' threatened the peace of society or the lives of the innocent (namely, her own), she wasn't entirely positive that they all gonna be the best of friends just yet.

Her cheerful smile gave way to an expression which...wasn't exactly angry, but more cautious and just a tad pensive. Clearly these people meant business, and as her attempts at a cheerful facade were neither successful nor well-received, Anya resigned herself to being a bit more frank. "Here's the thing. We've only just met, and I understand that trust and friendship takes time...and an exhausting amount of effort. But I'm not really asking you to trust me." Here the vengeance demon leaned forward a little, uncharacteristically serious. "But you should know, whatever you're hiding? If it's dangerous...or if you're planning on using it to hurt people in any way...I'm going to have to stop you."

With those slightly ominous words, Anya flashed them another cheery little smile, and leaned back in her chair again. Perfect timing to end her little speech, too, as the waiter was only now scurrying back over to their table with their drinks in hand. As if nothing at just happened, Anya practically beamed at the man as he began to pass around their respective beverages. "Ooh! Water!" the demon chirped brightly, reaching forward to pick up her glass and contenting herself to silently sip from her straw.

[ax]

They talked to each other in whispers and after that they just looked at her saying nothing more for now. They currently weren't sure what to think about Anya. Also they did hope to find another person to trust but they weren't to sure that they would. They looked around then back at Anya. After all what they went through they weren't sure whom to trust and whom not to trust at all. They hoped that they would find someone to fight on their side but they weren't sure that it was even possible so. That was the problem. Even so they came to New York to find more people to fight on their side but they surely didn't held their hopes up so.

They agreed with what Tobias said about trust and that definitely included Ax. After all he was smart but not good with anything to do with humans so. Yet what he knew and noticed was that humans like Andelites didn't trust anyone to easily which was good. It proved him more that he could trust them and that they were the best hope of human kind and maybe other species too. He believed that together they would defeat the yeerks. However he wasn't to sure about Anya so. Just like the others weren't so easily trust her.

They watched her and sighed as they lifted an eyebrow. After that they looked around then back at her and sighed. They listened to her as they shock their heads and rolled their eyes. "Look, lady. If were evil then you would have known that by now. Hurt innocent people? You are kidding, right? Why the hell would we do that? Then again we can say the same to you. You are one of them, aren't you? A controller? If you are then don't bother we are not alone. Then again I doubt that you are as you are not acting like them. You want to know the truth? Fair enough....." Rachel said as the others looked at her. They exchanged looks and after that they looked at Anya. "We are group that fights against evil aliens. You might not believe us but we can prove it to you but not here so" she added. They all understood why she did it. Ax was confused and almost got annoyed until Tobias explained it all to him in a whisper then he nodded in understanding. Of course all that Rachel said in a whisper as they didn't wish anyone else to hear it.

They watched her and smiled back as they saw the waiter come back with their drinks. They all took their drinks and sipped from it then they all ordered pizza with nothing as they looked at Anya and waited for her to order. Before ordering a pizza they watched Anya and listened to what she said as they smirked a little at that.

[Anya]

Hmm, now...what to order? There were so many varieties of pizza here, and she'd really been too caught up in their conversation to consider many of them. Oh well, it didn't matter, she'd just fall back on an old favorite. Without further ado, she placed her order for a small pepperoni pizza, which the waiter quickly scribbled down before hurrying off to put their orders in—though not without shooting her an oddly disapproving sort of look over his shoulder. For a moment, Anya was briefly distracted from her companions as she stared curiously after the man. For reasons far beyond her, she seemed to typically make this strange kind of impression on people. Perhaps it'd been something she said...humans were so funny sometimes!

But her attention was quickly called back to the table as Rachel began to speak on behalf of her friends. Evidently, Anya's casually placed suggestion that this group might be up to no good had gone over rather offensively. Leaning back in her chair a bit, the vengeance demon blinked at the group of teens innocently. She wasn't sure what there was to get all riled up about...after all, she'd just been stating the simple factual possibility that these kids might have some not-so-good intentions! ...And vaguely threatening their well-being, of course. You could never be too careful among those who displayed such suspicious behavior, not in a city like New York...

"You are one of them, aren't you?"

At this, Anya immediately stiffened, suddenly frozen like a deer caught in the headlights. Crap! She knew she should've been more careful...it looked like these kids had finally figured her out, and just about to call her out on being a dem—

...Wait. A 'controller'? What the hell was that? The negative undertones of accusation in Rachel's voice would suggest that it was something very bad...and possibly insulting. Jumping into a state of indignance even though she wasn't exactly sure what they were talking about, Anya frowned in irritation. "I am not a 'controller'...whatever that means." She paused for a moment, attempting to assess what might be an appropriate response. Was a 'controller' one of those ridiculous slang terms humans kept coming up with? Slightly miffed, she narrowed her eyes and added, "You know, that's kind of rude. Xander used to say I controlled stuff all the time too. Especially when we were planning our wedding..." She sulked a little, remembering what a lovely mess that had turned out to be...

But wait! Were these people actually going to let her in on their big secret after all?! It certainly seemed that way, and though it was quite an abrupt turn around, Anya wasn't going to complain. She'd actually done it! Managed to squeeze a confession out of this bunch! Damn, she was good! Brightening immediately and forgetting her irritation from only moments ago, Anya listened intently to whatever Rachel had to tell her.

The revelation? ...Not quite what she'd been expecting. The term 'evil aliens' was all the demon needed to hear before coming to the instant conclusion that these kids were either insane...or just really mean. "Is that some kind of joke?" the blonde inquired crossly, quite unamused by what she assumed to be this group's newest way of messing with her. "I mean if you're not going to tell me, fine, but I don't appreciating you making fun of me..." Like a sulky five year old who wasn't getting her way, Anya crossed her arms across her chest, narrowed her eyes, and stared out across the restaurant again. "Huh. Aliens." she scoffed under her breath. "Yeah right. And I'm an actual human—"

Quite abruptly, Anya cut herself off as she realized exactly what she'd just said aloud. Slowly, her gaze traveled back to her companions.

Oops.

[ax]

They watched her then the waiter and after that back at her and sighed. They watched the waiter go as they looked at her then back at the waiter as they noticed the way he looked at Anya and sighed. They were definitely confused by Anya but by the looks of things they were not the only ones confused about her, not that it surprised them or anything but still. Ax sipped from his drink almost trying to eat the cop too but was stopped by Tobias right on time before it would attract more attention and what not.

They all looked back at Anya as they were sure that Ax won't try to eat the cop again. They watched her and her reaction as they shocked their heads and sighed. They could tell that Anya had no idea why they were annoyed which confused them more which made them think that something was off about her. She didn't seem like a controller nor like an Andalite but then again they couldn't be sure. They all kept watching her as Rachel spoke. They all looked between Rachel and Anya.

They watched Anya's reaction to Rachel's first question about weather or not Anya was one of them, the controllers and sighed as they got scared and looked around then back at her. They definitely had a bad feeling about the whole thing.

They watched her and sighed in relief as they noticed that she had no wasn't a controller but the bad news were that she was in oblivion about the whole thing. They noticed the way she looked at them or at Least at Rachel and sighed. It was the reasonable question considering she acted like a controller but they were grateful that it wasn't so. They laughed at her last comment and shock their heads, they were not laughing at her but at the way she said it. "No, that is not what I mean. A controller is a person that got an alien bug in their brain" Rachel said in a whisper as the others nodded in agreement.

After the question and anything else Rachel said they noticed the change of mood on Anya's face and sighed. They figured that they should tell her but in private. They just hoped that she would keep their secret well and all. That all that mattered to them as they didn't want to get caught. They figured that they could somehow find away to make sure that she keeps their secret.

They looked at her and sighed they expected that reaction from her so it wasn't new at all, as a lots of people were like that so they were used to that by now. "We wish it was but it's not. It is as real as it gets" Tobias said as the others including Ax nodded in agreement. They exchanged looks then looked back at her. "We can prove it to you, in fact" Rachel said as the others agreed. "You don't get it, we are not making fun of you at all. We are being honest with you" Jake said as the others including Ax agreed with that. They watched her and what she did and sighed. "Yes real life aliens that controls humans and other species" Jake said and sighed. They watched her reaction and listened to what she said next as they sighed and lifted an eye brow except Ax who just looked at her.

They watched her and sighed as then they got their pizzas and paid for them as they asked the waiter to wrap it up for all of them. They sighed as they watched the waiter do that then they finished their drinks and looked at Anya once more as they waited for her to do the same. They planned to show her everything to prove that they were not lying or messing with her as it was true that they weren't.

"Come with us, Anya" Jake said in A whisper as they all waited for her to react and follow them.

[Anya]

As she paused to gauge their reactions to her little slip of the tongue, Anya sat tensely in her seat. Had they heard her? She wasn't sure how to tell, and she was really starting to wish she was better at interpreting human emotions than she was. But...none of their guarded expressions seemed to become increasingly suspicious, and when they spoke to her next, it was regarding the previously mentioned so-called 'aliens'. Slowly, as if she wasn't sure whether or not it was safe to relax, Anya breathed a light sigh of relief. It would seem her impulsive speaking habits weren't going to get her into trouble...this time.

Allowing some of the tension to ease from her rigid shoulders, the vengeance demon blinked a few times and tried to force herself to indulge the group as they filled her in on these controller...alien...whatever they were called-s. One thing was starting to become evident: these people believed what they were telling her. Wonderful. So they weren't liars, they were just crazy. And now Jake was actually asking her to come with them to who knew where?! Did they really think she was that idiotic? This was probably...some sort of trap! Yeah, that was it. She'd figured out that they were crazy, and they didn't want her calling the funny farm on them...so they planning to lead her out to some dark alley and shut her up for good! Just like in one of those mob movies...well, either that, or they were going to slip her some of whatever they were on. Oh, she should have known this was coming...

The appalled expression Anya was currently wearing would probably be more than enough to tell the gang exactly how she felt about that idea of going with them anywhere at this point. When the waiter made his way back with their food, boxing the kids' upon their request, Anya merely set a few dollars down on the table. "I can't eat this. I'm too distressed by the probability that my friends here are most likely going to try and kill me in a few minutes." she told the waiter miserably. This statement earned her another very strange look...but thankfully, the waiter seemed to assume that she was making some kind of stupid joke, and merely shot her a brief scowl before snatching up her payment and strutting away. The blonde watched him go morosely, wallowing in the realization that she had just pretty much wasted money. Which, in Anya's book, was a complete sin. ..Not that she was going to need money much longer, except maybe to pay for funeral expenses if this lot carried out their plan to attack her.

...Wait a moment. She was a vengeance demon. Anya managed to cease her silent fretting long enough to acknowledge this little reminder. What did she have to worry about? She could certainly take on a couple of measly human kids if this group was indeed plotting against her! Her expression hardened a bit as her panic gave way to a touch of defiance. Turning narrowed brown eyes on her companions, she opened her mouth to tell them exactly what she thought of their plots to murder her...

No. Wait. Again, it hit her that she was a vengeance demon...but in a different way this time. Having been around for over a thousand years, Anya'd had plenty of time to accept the existence of the supernatural. She'd seen some pretty crazy stuff in her time. Vampires, werewolves, mutants, and worse...what was to say that there was no such thing as aliens? Couldn't there be a slight possibility that these people were...telling her the truth? The demon frowned slightly as she paused to consider this. Who was she, really, to deem something 'impossible'? And even if these kids were crazy, it would probably be a good idea to follow them to find out just what they were capable of.

Hesitantly, Anya rose to her feet. She met Jake's gaze in a silent agreement to follow him, but...not without a bit of mouth first, naturally. "Try anything, and I'll.." ..She'd what? It felt kinda...wrong to hurt someone who possibly needed mental help. "Well...just don't try anything."

[ax]

They watched her and sighed, they wondered what was wrong with her as she acted rather strangely as far as they were concerned. Anya definitely confused them more then anything. When they asked her to come with them, well rather when Jake did it was to show her the truth and prove to her that they told her wasn't crazy or mental but a fact. They also wanted to prepare her. They knew it would be hard to convince her but they were ready fort anything. By her reaction they figured that she thought that they wanted to kill her so they rolled their eyes at her. They thought that she was definitely crazy and pathetic.

They looked at her then at the waiter and sighed as they listened to what she said to the waiter and sighed as they shock their heads to that. They watched the way the waiter looked at her as they were glad that he wasn't a controller and all. That was definitely a plus so they just made the waiter think that Anya was drunk by doing a sign of their hands, well expect Ax of course but still. They wondered what the hell was up with her as they weren't about to kill her or anyone else for that matter. They had no doubt that she would eventually believe them. After all they had enough proof even so they couldn't talk to the government as they knew it won't work, not yet anyways. They were however, prepared for everything just in case.

They watched her closely as they were ready to leave but they were going to their hotel room rather then to an alley. If they were evil then they would have killed everyone right then and there and not asked her to follow them but it seemed to them that Anya didn't noticed that fact. Besides they had no reason to kill her as they knew she wasn't an enemy of theirs. If she was then they would have asked her to come with them in a different manner and all, which they clearly didn't. That should have told her that they weren't laying or using her or anything like that.

They watched her closely and sighed as they watched her expression change. Then they talked to each other in a whisper so no one but them would hear themselves and after that they looked back at her as they could tell that she was going to tell them something but stopped herself as they sighed again and shock their heads they sure weren't going to kill her and no one else either for that matter. They had no idea what on earth was wrong with her and where on earth she got the nonsense from.

They watched her as after that they talked to each other in a whisper again so no one but them would hear themselves, once ore. Then they looked back at her as they wondered what was she possibly thinking about that moment. They couldn't wait to prove it all to her. That way they might actually get another Allie until the andalites come to hep them in that war they were dealing with. They knew that alone they couldn't win this war that was for sure. The more help the better that was for sure as well, They came there to get more allies and that was exactly what they planned to do that no matter what. They weren't ready nor willing to give up hope. There was no way that it would ever happen as it wasn't like them at all.

They watched her stand up and sighed as they were relieved that she did agree to follow, once they noticed and understood that she agreed to come with them. They listened to her as they picked up an eyebrows at her. "Try what? Prove it to you? Why not? as it's the truth. As for killing you, why the hell would we do that?We got no reason to hurt you or anyone else but the ones we told you will." Rachel said. They all were glad that the waiter left so that they could keep talking and make sure no one hears them as they doubted that anyone would believe them. After they convince her they hoped to convince others too. They noticed that she stopped in mid sentence. "You would do what?" Jake asked curiously as well sd confused like others which included Ax too. "We will try to show you all the proof but that is all. We will not try to kill you as it isn't like us to do that" Rachelsaid.

After that they started walking out as they looked towards Anya here and there to make sure that she followed them. They wanted to do it all in their hotel room as it was much easier as safer. As they didn't want to be caught by the controllers. They didn't want to get the yeerks in their heads or in Anya's head either. They wanted to be sure that no one but her sees the truth and understands it.

[Anya]

Anya trailed behind a bit as she reluctantly followed the group out of the restaurant. The demon was especially jumpy now, occasionally glancing over her shoulder as she walked as though she half-expected to be attacked from behind...though for the most part, her gaze remained fixed on the teens before her. The little gang seemed especially exasperated at her unconcealed display of suspicion, whispering to each other and rolling their eyes as they regarded her. Anya offered no response except to watch all of this rather indignantly, her wary expression giving way to one that was a bit more frustrated. This really wasn't uncommon at all; just another citing of the attitude people typically held towards Anya. They simply dismissed her as some bizarre basket case...not that she should have expected more. Humans. They were all so haughty. Every single one of 'em.

When Rachel questioned why Anya would even suspect them of wishing to cause her harm, the vengeance demon's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Why wouldn't I think that? You haven't given me any reason not to, except your word." she stated quite bluntly. "I don't even know you people. You just show up, ask me to accompany you on your little pizza parade, and now you want me to follow you to God-knows-where so you can 'prove' to me that body-snatching aliens exist. ..And in a town like this, that's more than enough reason to distrust you." She was rambling a bit now—that, along with voicing a number of things that most people would have contemplated silently. But this was, after all, New York City. A place full of deception and manipulation, more shady characters than one could count. Frankly, her time spent here had done nothing to make her less cynical when it came to trusting people.

She fell silent as they exited the restaurant, managing to relax a little once they were out in the open streets. Instinctively, she drew herself a bit closer to the strange boy who'd been introduced as Alex. So far, he'd been the least condescending or outwardly disdainful of her..and if given a choice between the six of them, Anya opted to stick with him. As of now, she and Rachel seemed to be on near-hostile terms, while Jake and Tobias seemed fairly convinced that she was clinically insane, and Marco...well, hiding behind Marco would probably just result in him flirting with her again. So, Alex it was!

Peering around the group in an attempt to make some guess at where they were leading her, Anya leaned forward slightly to whisper to Alex, "Where are we going?" , still clearly on-edge but managing to come off as a little cautious when she was addressing the Canadian boy directly. They didn't...seem to be leading her towards any alleyways or dark, shifty places in general...but there was no way to be sure just yet.