Freedom is Just an Illusion

@ Mother.Of.Dragons
Nathan smiled for a brief moment. "Yeah, I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. This is my home now and I know every part of it up and down." he told her as they entered the bridge into Manhattan. "Well, we will stop at the coat store and get you something before we start walking around. Okay?" he told her as he took her into a nicer clothing store.

"I'll just sit down somewhere. You look around and see if there is something you like." he told her as he sat down on a leather bench. His mother shopped exclusively here. It wasn't anything really fancy but it was still nice enough. Minus the manor that was more practical since half of the family lived there both of his parents didn't really like big fancy things. The only reason they had even semi nice stuff was to keep up appearances in the underworld.

@ The Punisher

Emily walked around the store for a little bit, trying on a few coats until she found one that she liked. It was a red coat that puffed out a bit, but went down to her knees. It was rather cute and she figured out it would be able to keep her warm while she was in New York. Emily bought the jacket with the credit card the agency gave to her. She then put the one Nathan gave her before pulling on the one she bought.

Once back over to Nathan, Emily smiled widely. "I am ready to see New York." Emily said excitedly. "I haven't been here since I was little. And I don't really remember any of it." She knew that Roxie had probably been at least once when she was little, though Emily was thankful that she didn't have to pretend that she knew the place. "Where should we go first?"

@ Mother.Of.Dragons
Nathan thought for a moment on where they should go first. There were so many sights and things to see in New York that they would need a week or two to explore it fully. However, he knew that something good for them to do would be to explore Central Park while it was still daylight. They could get some vendor food and take some pictures here and there to give her the full experience of Central Park.

"How about we walk around Central park for a while? Its got a pretty good view." he asked her as he opened the door to the shop for her as they stepped outside.

@ The Punisher

Emily smiled over at Nathan and nodded. "Yes that sounds good to me." She said as she followed him over to central park. Luckily the walk wasn't too far from where the car and the shop was. Though once they were in the park, Emily looked around with curiosity. It was quite a nice park, and seeing the buildings tower around it was a sight. Her eyes also traveled over to the fountains in the area. She suddenly started digging in her purse before pulling out two pennies. "Lets go make a wish in the fountain." Emily handed him one of the pennies before walking over. "I mean New York is suppose to be the best place on earth right? Isn't what they say is 'Anything can happen?' Seems like a good place for it then." She stood in front of the fountain, closed her eyes for a moment before flicking the penny in.

@ Mother.Of.Dragons
Nathan took the penny that she has offered to him. He closed his hand around it. Slowly turning it around and around in his hand as he made a silent wish in his head. After a moment or two he flipped the penny into the cold waters of the fountain.

Roxie asked him about New York being the city of dreams. He thought about his response as he watched the penny sink to the bottom of the pool. "I like to think so. Not everyone agrees with me, but I think if you work hard enough you this could turn into your city of dreams." he told her as he saw a vendor come rattling up the hill.

"Let's go get a funnel cake and a hot chocolate. That sounds nice on a colder day like today. What do you think?" Nathan asked as he took her hand gently and led her to the vendor.

@ The Punisher

Emily nodded as she looked around again. "I am more inclined to believe you than the others. This looks like the type of place where you can make anything possible." As Nathan took her hand, Emily slowly wrapped her fingers around his. It was odd to think she would have to continue to be close to him, even more than this. Though at least Nathan seemed like a good man.

Once they reached the vender, Emily let Nathan order but she took the drinks from him and let Nathan grab the funnel cake. She glanced around before finding a bench to sit on and eat. Emily leaned back into the bench and waited for Nathan to do the same before talking again. "Was there anything you wanted to do? You know, besides go into the family business?"

@ Mother.Of.Dragons
Nathan thought for a moment on what to tell her. He could lie and say he had only ever planned to get in on what his father and mother did for a living or he could try to start building a bridge.

He took a sip of his hot chocolate before looking at her. "I like woodworking. I have a workshop where I build tables, clocks, and toys for my little cousins. When I'm stressed or I need to work I go down there and just build for hours on end." he told her as he grabbed a bit of the funnel cake and threw it to a nearby pigeon.

"Tell me about you," he asked her between sips of hot chocolate. "What did you want to do when you were just a little kid?"

@ The Punisher

Emily laughed lightly. "I wanted to do many things. And it continued to change yearly on what I thought I wanted to do with my life. Though, there was one thing that always stuck. I wanted to be a photographer for a company. You know, travel the world and take pictures of it for them." Emily let out a soft sigh. "But, you know, couldn't do that because there are so many places I'm not allowed to go, and traveling alone is too dangerous even when it is ours..."

Emily took another long sip of her drink. What she said wasn't a complete lie. Emily had been interested in photography for a while. Though her reason passion was technology. Building and creating new little devices and oh Emily loved hacking. However the agency had decided that it was best that Nathan didn't know that. They didn't want them to be able to use that ability, or know that she could probably get into their system if she could get a direct connection to it.

@ Mother.Of.Dragons
Nathan finished his cup of hot chocolate and threw it away in the trash can next to him. He listened to what Roxie had to say about what she wanted to do when she was a little child and all of her dreams and what not. "Sometime, you should show me your portfolio." he told her as he handed her the last piece of the funnel cake.

"Well, keep your nose out of trouble and you might just get to pursue that little dream of yours." he told her as he stood up. "We have some more sights to see. The Top of the Rock should be next. Even get some of those cute couple pictures that are so popular these days."

@ The Punisher
Emily took the last piece of funnel cake, eating it before she stood up and followed Nathan. "Maybe I will." She told him in regards to her portfolio. Luckily Emily already had one on the computer they gave her. The agency almost tried to keep her away from technology, but then quickly realized there would be no way to stop her once they let her go.

Agee throwing away the plate, Emily took Nathan's hand and followed him to top of the rock. "What kind of couple pictures do you want to do?" Emily smiled at him. She liked the idea but wanted to know what he was thinking.

@ Mother.Of.Dragons
Nathan chuckled for a moment as they headed to Rockefellar plaza."Just the normal things. Stuff that looks like we've been dating for a while so we can impress our friends and family with someone they didn't even know existed until ten minutes ago." he told her as they stopped at Rockefeller Center where the ice skating rink is.

"You ever been ice skating?" he asked her as he eyed all of the families and couples were down below skating. "It's so fun the minute you get a hang of it. Maybe after we finish standing on the top of the Rock we should do it."

He led her inside and they started the long trek up to the top of the rock. IT involved a few elevators and a few flights of stiars before they came to the door that led to the roof. "Here we are, the Top of the Rock." he told her as he opened the door.

@ The Punisher
"I have gone ice skating before." Emily said as she followed up up the stairs. "I am not particularly good at it, but I think I can stop myself from falling on my ass at least." She said with a laugh. "So yeah, that does sound like a lot of fun." Emily was glad that Nathan really did know the city, and that he was being such a great tour guide. The trip was a lot of fun so far. And Nathan was pleasant to be around.

Though once they got to the top, Emily walked through the door, and headed to the edge, looking out at the view. She was quiet at first, trying to take it all in before she turned to Nathan and smiled up at him brightly. "This is amazing." Looking back out, Emily tried to take in the whole city. Though with how large it was, that was difficult to do. After a couple of minutes of trying to figure out what building was what, Emily turned to Nathan, "Should we take a picture together?" She asked as she pulled out her phone. Without waiting for the answer, she move close to Nathan and opened up the camera.

@ Mother.Of.Dragons
Nathan scooted over next to her and wrapped his arm around her. He gave his best smile that he could. She took the picture and then Nathan walked over to a stranger. "Could you take a picture of my fiance and I? This is our first trip to New York together." The stranger compiled with a strange smile and Nathan walked back over to Roxie.

"I saw that this sort of thing seems to be all the rage these days." he told her as he leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. The stranger took the picture and then walked back over to him and Roxie and gave him his phone back. Nathan thought he looked familiar but couldn't quite place it. "Have a nice day." the stranger told him in a sinister voice.

NAthan did not pay too much mind to it and went back to his date with Roxie.

******
The stranger smiled as he walked away. "So the prodigal asshole grew up did he? Not to mention that fiance? I'll have to do something about all of this." he whispered to himself as he got into the elevator and left the Rockefellar building.

@ The Punisher

Emily tilted her head for a moment, thinking that the stranger's tone was a bit odd. Though when Nathan turned back to her, she quickly forgot about it and looked down at the picture that was taken. She smiled at the result of it. "We look so cute together. And I think the picture turned out well too." Emily told him before taking his hand. "Lets head down to the ice skating rink now." Emily then started to lead him towards the stairs. Now she wasn't sure where she was going completely, but Emily was sure that the two of them would be able to figure it out.

A little later, Emily and Nathan were able to make their way to the ice skating rink. They both made their way to the rental place, getting ice skates before going to a bench and pulling them on. "I hope you know how to skate better than I can. I know I can stay up on my feet, but it would be helpful it you could stabilize me until I can figure it out again." She gave him a sheepish smile before going back to lacing her skates. Once they were on, Emily moved up onto her feet and then tied her jacket around her tighter, wanting to stay warm when they start to move faster. When Nathan was ready, Emily headed out onto the rink, gripping onto the edge of it as she moved onto the ice.

@ Mother.Of.Dragons
NAthan smirked at her as he started skating like circles around her with ease. "My parents took my brothers and I here all the time when I was a small child." he told her as he grabbed her hand. "So, it's my turn to teach you." he told her as he started to back up with her hands in his.

"Relax, it's like walking." he told her as he continued to skate eventually working his way around until he was behind her. He noticed she was picking it up reasonably fast although she was still more comparable to a bullet. Going really fast in one direction with little deviation from the original path.

@ The Punisher

Once she was beginning to pick it up a bit, Emily was having a lot of fun. Though she was still having troubles going around the corners, at least the long straight paths she was able to go with the flow of those skating around them. But it definitely was nice having someone there who knew what they were doing. As Emily looked back at Nathan, smiling at him, she quickly noticed a very old and close friend behind the other side of the rink. Her eyes widen for a moment before she looked forward again.

What the hell was she going to do? Amanda was one of her closest friends...Well until she had to go off and disappear for a fucking year thanks to the trouble she got herself in. All she was able to tell her friends was that it was family issues before she basically dropped off the face of the earth. Different ways to handle the situation were going through her mind, trying to figure out how to leave before Amanda saw her. Though the panic that had set in caused Emily to ram right into one of the boards when she didn't turn.

Emily hit the board and then quickly fell onto the ice with a groan. She grabbed onto her head before slowly turning over to sit so she wasn't kneeling on the ice. Well if Amanda didn't notice her before she definitely did now...In fact Emily had easily gotten the attention to everyone around her. Slowly she looked up to see Amanda looking over at with a concern before the woman quickly realized who she was and smiled brightly. Already Amanda was making her way over. With another groan, Emily moved her head into her hands. This incoming problem was going to be way worse than hitting her head on a dumbass board.

(I'll play Amanda!)

@ Mother.Of.Dragons
(Cool. I am going to set them up off the rink so that they can talk easily)
Nathan skated over next to her quickly and then picked her up. "Let's go set you down and let me have a look at you. I want to make sure you don't have a concussion." he told her as he quickly skated her off the rink and then sat her down. Nathan didn't notice the woman coming up behind him to come take a look at Roxie as well.

@ The Punisher

Emily was still trying to figure out a solution to the problem, but it was Nathan who gave it to her. A concussion! If she pretended she had a concussion then Nathan would have to bring her away from the rink and from Amanda. It wouldn't stop the conversation from happening, but it certainly would shorten it. So Emily continued to hold onto her head, looking at Nathan as she waited for Amanda to finally make her way over to them.

"I almost didn't believe it when I saw you, but it really is you!" Amanda said as she quickly made her way over to Emily. Immediately she moved to hug Emily tightly. "Oh my god I missed you so much!" Emily wrapped her arms around her friend, hugging her back and enjoying it for a moment. She really had missed her after all this time. Though Amanda did quickly pull away. "And now let me tell you how much trouble you are in! I don't know how you think you can get off without calling me for a year, but let me tell you Miss Em-."

Emily was quick to get up, wrap her arms around her friend in a hug and then suddenly pull them both down to the ground as if she was just falling over. Amanda was quick to catch herself so she didn't fall on top of her friend. Though Emily purposely let herself just fall. Once on the ground, she held onto her head with both hands. "S-sorry. I just suddenly felt really dizzy." With help, Emily slowly sat back up again. She then looked over at Nathan for a moment as she gripped onto his arm for support.

Amanda looked over at Nathan with concern in her eyes. She didn't know him but it was obvious that whoever he was, he was currently with Emily. "Maybe we should bring her to a hospital." Amanda then turned to an employee who came to she if Emily was alright and she asked him to bring ice for her head. It only took a few moments for the employee to come back and Amanda pressed it against her head. "So quick introduction, I am Amanda and one of her closest friends." Amanda then gave Emily a side eye. "When she doesn't just disappear."

@ Mother.Of.Dragons
(Heads up, the three other brothers are up for grabs when you want to use them)

When Amanda introduced herself Nathan smiled and gave her a friendly handshake. "Hello there. My name is Nathan. I'm the fiance she may or may not have mentioned." he joked quickly. "Also, what's this disappearing business? Can't have her becoming Houdini on me."

Nathan was curious at this random woman who had shown up. He wasn't aware of any of Roxie's friends. Then again he wasn't really aware of anything concerning his fiance. "Hey babe maybe we should get you to a hospital. If you're feeling dizzy that isn't a good sign." he told her. Nathan didn't mess around with concussions. They had lost an uncle who had a concussion that went untreated.

@ The Punisher

Amanda's eyes seemed to bugg out of her face when Nathan said he was her fiancée. "Goodness sakes what have you been up to!" She said as she looked down at Emily. Amanda shook her head and was about to open her mouth again.

Though Emily was quick to interject. "Nathan we should be going to the hospital. I really don't feel that well and everything is still spinning." She reached over and grabbed his arm lightly. While Emily knew she was fine it would be best for her to quickly get out of there. Amanda could too easily blow her cover.

Amanda frowned deeply but quickly went through her purse, pulling out a business card. "I probably shouldn't go with the hospital with you. But you should call me to tell me you're alright. And we should meet up." Amanda shoved the card in Emily's pocket. "I've been worried, and thought you got into trouble again. Plus I have the robot you we're working on." She leaned forward, hugging Emily tightly before slowly pulling away. "Please call." She then turned to Nathan. "Watch over her."

Emily smiled at her softly. It was too bad she mentioned the robot but she'll be able to talk her way out of that one. "I'll be able to explain everything. I promise I'll call." She then turned to Nathan. "But we seriously need to go Nathan."

[Sounds great! I'll keep that in mind! Though I'll leave Ian for you.]