Kaz hated long meetings. They were so boring. It wasn't so bad when he knew what was going on, but he was not the type of person that handled things personally, that's what he hired and paid people for. So they could deal with all the complicated workings of stuff and make sense of all the jargon and technical mumbo-jumbo. Most of the time he was able to get out of it because they knew it basically went over his head and he just read the summaries anyway.

Not today. Today they had insisted he be there, in person. He was often able to get away with doing a video call when they wanted him to be a part of the meeting, and when he did that, he was able to tune them out and do something else, more important and worth his time, like petting his cat Kalli. They had pestered him so much that he agreed to go in person today, and not bring anything that could distract him.

So Kaz sat there, in that large conference room, bored out of his mind for what seemed like eternity, but had really only been 7 hours, give or take a half hour. They hadn't even left for lunch, it had been delivered to the room. The conference room had an attached sitting area and restrooms, so he wasn't even able to escape that way. At one point when he became so frustrated he began pacing around, he blurted out, ”Who okayed this layout?!” The entire room had gone quiet until a young looking man spoke up, holding in a smirk. ”Ahh, you did Mr. Corydon, specifically so we would stay focused and get the work done without unnecessary distractions.”

Kaz had glowered at the man for half a minute before his body slumped as he stood. ”Oh. Right. Fuck.” Kaz continued his pacing, dragging his feet across the floor for a while before he finally sat down. ”Gotta get a track or treadmill in here or something. How can you guys sit here for so long?” By the end of the meeting Kaz was somewhat glad he had gone. There were some things he had been able to ask and get sorted out, some things he okayed and others he denied or put on hold until further information and resources were available. They had apparently known this would happen, or had set up the entire meeting to cover those things.

He was looking forward to getting home. He wasn't sure what he would do when he got there, but anything he did would be more fun than sitting in that meeting. Unfortunately for him, he had left and tried to go home in his Hummer, in heavy traffic. Even going the back way, it was going to take him a while.

Kaz had not realized where his driving had taken him, not until he looked around and blinked. ”Noo-oo...It can't be.” He had to wait for a van to pass him going the opposite way before he could see again. When the view was clear Kaz smiled and laughed, ”Hell, it is her. Isabel!” Kaz called out to her but when she didn't react he wondered if she hadn't heard him. The last time he remembered seeing Izzy was when they had both gone and tried to recruit..Nox? Was that her name? It's possible he had seen her after that, but he honestly couldn't remember.

Kaz pulled off the road, driving right over the sidewalk, forcing some pedestrians to get out of the way, fast. Making a wide U-turn he aimed his car right at both lanes of traffic. Revving the engine he began moving forward. Cars began moving out of his way be ran into them, or over them in most cases.

He had lost track of Isabel and parked his Hummer in the closest lot to where he had seen her. Kaz started looking in the area to find the bone woman. When he saw a flash of green he followed it. Before he turned the last corner, he called to her. ”Hey Izzy! Isab-” Kaz turned the corner and saw her.

The Order's territory was beginning to gain some well-worn paths as Isabel spent more of her time within its borders. Avoiding conflict and therefore also avoiding any temptation that could lead to her compromising the orders Zephyr had given her was a lot easier when she was on her home turf. Very few people tried to bother her there for fear of upsetting both her and the Order and so she could spend extended periods of time out and about with few incidents.

However, every now and again some fool thought that accosting her would somehow end well for them. Sometimes it was because of those damned calendars, the stupid thing belonging to a stupider person who thought it'd be funny to ask for an autograph or a photo. And sometimes someone was under the impression that her relative absence in the media meant she'd gone soft or turned over a new leaf or something and that she'd think twice before handing them one of their own extremities.

Isabel really hoped it was just some drive-by idiot trying to show off to his friends when she heard someone shout her name as they drove by. She ignored it and continued on her way, deciding she'd rather turn onto a different street to avoid the possibility of the fool turning around and pulling up beside her to keep yelling.

She only managed a few minutes of peace before she heard the same voice shouting again from behind her. Rounding the nearest corner she turned and waited, assuming that the guy wouldn't be far behind judging from how close he'd sounded. Someone that persistent would need to be persuaded to leave her the hell alone.

As soon as the jackass turned the corner she shoved her fist right into his stupid face.

Kaz had enough time to see Isabel's displeased face, her big green bow, and to toughen up the bones and skin of his face a bit before her fist impacted his face. He had jerked his head, and body, back in reaction, to move in the direction of the blow, softening the impact and reducing the damage. That move, that jerking motion, is what really helped him, he hadn't had much time to strengthen his face to resist her blow by itself.

Kaz stepped back with a slight groan as he clenched his eyes together and covered his nose with his hand. He didn't need to do it, he knew before he pulled his hand away that it was bleeding a little. ”Goddammit Izzy. What the hell was that for?” As quickly as the bleeding had started it stopped, Kaz's body stopped the flow and dispersed the damage he had sustained. Taking a step away from Isabel he looked at her.

She was almost exactly like he remembered. The only real difference he could see was her clothing. He liked the change, it seemed much more normal. Her wardrobe had been interesting and unique, but it certainly wasn't subtle or very practical. 'All that aside,' Kaz thought to himself as he gave Isabel another significant glance, 'This is much more distracting.' He had always suspected and thought the woman had a killer figure. Her previous attire hinted at it, but this one...You'd have to be blind not to notice.

Wiping the remaining blood from his nose he flicked his hand at the ground sharply, most of the blood on his hand was flung off to splash on the ground in fine droplets. She looked irritated. Kaz wondered if it she was irritated at him specifically, or if it was something else. He hoped it wasn't him. Kaz didn't know Izzy all that well, she had been the member he hadn't spent much time with. Sure he and Syn had locked heads most times they talked, and because of that Kaz had kept his distance from her. Their personalities were not comparable, but that also let him know her a bit, more than Isabel at least. It hadn't been anything personal, he had meant to try and get to know her more, better, but his attentions had been pulled in other directions before he left.

Kaz smiled at Isabel and let out a soft laugh. ”You're looking good.” Kaz stepped to the side a bit, giving himself some room to move while reducing his profile area. It had been stupid for him to turn the corner as sharply as he had. Stupid to stick so close to the wall that he couldn't see what was coming. Stupid to not be prepared. He hadn't thought Isabel would attack him, even after getting hit, he figured she had intended to clock whoever had been following her. That made sense, and he couldn't blame her for that.

Still, it paid to be on your toes. Chuckling, ”That was not the greeting I had expected. Do you greet all your old friends that way?”

The feeling for cartilage shifting under Isabel's knuckles was only satisfying up until the moment she realized who it was she'd socked. Once that realization hit she'd wished she'd gone with a blade instead of a closed fist. He'd have looked better writhing on the ground and missing an eye.

His cheery demeanor after the initial shock only served to irritate her more. Se would much rather have had to deal with another run of the mill idiot and been on her way. This would be way more of a pain the the ass to deal with. "That was for an idiot who thought it'd be a good idea to follow someone like me." Following such a volatile, well-known mass murderer was definitely not something a smart person would choose to do. He deserved it for being such an idiot, among other things.

Referring to himself as her friend was pushing it. Even among the Order Isabel had called very few people her actual friends. Most of them were more aptly called acquaintances. Kaz definitely fell into the later category. She'd never spent much time trying to get friendly with him and since he'd abandoned the Order to play with the Kabal instead she had even less interest in playing nice with him.

"Friends, maybe. But you I'd happily gut instead."

”I can't argue with that reasoning.” Kaz leaned back, putting his weight on his back foot, folding his arms over his chest. A smirk slipped onto his face in response to her obvious displeasure at his presence. Apparently she really hadn't known it was him. He wondered what she would have done if she had known. If she really didn't like him, as her attitude was suggesting, she might have used her bones instead of her fist. As strong and resilient as he was, he doubted that would have felt very good. In fact he might have been left bleeding quite badly.

He was an idiot for not preparing himself properly before he caught up with her.

With his arms still crossed he frowned at the buxom girl. Why was she so annoyed with him? If he wasn't facing Isabel, he'd almost be willing to throw his hands in the air and exclaim 'Women!' and be done with it. Not that he really felt that way. Women were no more crazy or irrational than men were, and there were always reason a person acted a certain way.

”But you I'd happily gut instead.”

That almost sounded like an actual threat. Tilting his head a little, Kaz figured he had better not take it as a thread but a declaration of intent. Kaz changed his body becoming faster, stronger, and strengthening his tissues. His skin color changed just a little, darkening in response to the changes. He hadn't raised any of his abilities so much as stopped suppressing them. ”Now why would you want to try and do something like that Iz? I haven't seen you in years, I couldn't have done anything to upset you anytime recently.”

"Recent's got nothing to do with it. And if you had half a brain you'd have stayed missing." She thought she saw him stiffen a bit as her threat was issued, but it could have just been a shift in the light or her imagination. Isabel was used to people being tense around her, especially when she was being openly hostile, so the fool acting relaxed only meant he was either stupid or cocky. Probably both.

Her own armor started to worm its way through her skin, hidden under her clothed until what seemed like the inevitable fight broke out. She didn't like to giver herself away too quickly, but even if Kaz remembered a few of her old tricks since he'd been gone she had a number of new ones to demonstrate. Even if she didn't win the scuffle she could damn well prove her point.

"I don't play nice with deserters, and I'm sure as hell not gonna start with you." It was bad enough that he'd left the Order, but she might have been able to forgive that with time. Not everyone was cut out for their rough and tumble lifestyle even if she didn't like the fact. But he hadn't just left, he'd jumped ship in order to join up with a rival faction and she had no plans to let that slide any time soon.

”I don't play nice with deserters..”

Kaz blinked a few times before he shook his head slightly. ”That's what this is about? Because I left the Order? Damn you can hold a grudge.” It was looking more and more likely that this meeting, that he had hoped would be at worst neutral, was going to crash and burn. He had no desire to fight Isabel, but he had to admit to himself he was interested to see how she had developed. Still...

”None of the others seemed to take it as...personally as you do Isabel.” Kaz's skin darkened even more as he began to change his body. ”Don't tell me you had a crush on me too, like the twins did.” Kaz knew he was egging the bonemancer on now, but he couldn't help it. Keeping a grudge like she did for years, for almost a decade, it was ridiculous and a bit childish. If he had betrayed the Order and caused the members hard or caused the group to dissolve, then maybe he could understand it. But leaving to join up with Hunter? ”I'm free and unattached now, if you're interested.” He couldn't help smirking.

Kaz's arms turned completely black as a smooth, chitin-like armor rose from his skin. His fingertips became tipped with sharp claws as the armor on his forearms thickened and lengthened to protect the elbow without impeding movement. Under his clothing the same armor had appeared, it made his clothes feel tight, putting uncomfortable pressure against him.

”An old Australian dude told me once what they did in his country when two people had an issue, they go 'Have a Biff and a Beer'.” He quirked a brow at her, ”Ya wanna get this out of your system now and then the issue can be dropped, and no more actin' like a human.” Kaz set his feet apart and centered his balance and waited for Isabel to make her decision, to either come at him or drop it.

Okay, Kaz was definitely going on the defensive. It wasn't just the light or her imagination, his skin was actually changing color and he seemed to be bulking up under the armoring he was creating. Pair that with the antagonizing things he was spewing and he was making it quite clear that he was looking for a fight. Isabel could certainly deliver.

"I take the Order very seriously, just like I'm serious about members that desert us to join up with a rival group." She didn't particularly care what he thought about her reaction to him. He hadn't earned that. Nor had he earned any reaction from the ridiculous assumptions he was making to try and goad her with. She had to roll her eyes at the absurdity of it. "What a shame. It's so much more fun when there's someone left over to mourn when the body is found."

He was gearing up to fight, but she did her best to remain calm, her arms crossed and her fists clenched to prevent herself from lashing out too quickly. Zephyr didn't want her causing big, public scenes and it would be hard to gauge how messy this could get. She didn't think two people brawling could be considered a public rampage and a long as she didn't get caught she could probably keep her face out of the paper. But then again, a fight was clearly what he wanted and while she could deliver in spades she was still deciding on whether or not he was worth the effort.

"I don't think you've earned the right to my time or attention. You should probably crawl back into the sewer and try picking a fight with one of the other rats instead."

Letting out a sharp exhalation Kaz shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest, mimicking Isabel's posture. This meeting was not going well and Kaz couldn't see it getting better any time soon. Part of him was regretting calling out to her and catching up to her. He hadn't expected a warm welcome from her, but he didn't think she'd be hostile towards him either. He hadn't had a reason for wanting to grab her attention and talk to her, at least not beyond just to say 'Hi' and catch up a bit maybe.

He knew why he did it, even if he didn't want to admit it. Most of the people he had known before his absence were gone, so seeing a familiar face, especially one he had fought beside, made him feel a little better. 'Nostalgic.' Kaz blinked as the word popped into his head. 'Yeah, that does seem to fit doesn't it. Don't know why I should feel that way, or let it make me do something stupid.'

After realizing the emotion he felt, irritation came hot on its heels. ”Izzy, I would love to see you try to kill me. But before you do, I think you've got something wrong. I didn't desert the you or the Order. I never betrayed any of you or gave any information to the Kabal, nor did I stab any of you in the back. The Order wasn't for me and if I had stayed while not being completely committed I would have been doing you all a disservice, and that would have been disloyal. So my leaving on amicable terms was in both of our best interests.”

”From what I can see and what I've heard, it's a good thing I did leave. I'm changing things, helping mutants across the globe, little by little. So yes, I think I've earned something, since I'm still fulfilling the goals the Order had when we first came together.” 'At least what I believed and understood them to be.'

Kaz pointed a finger at the woman. ”It doesn't seem like the Order has accomplished anything worthwhile in nearly a decade. Except rack up a body count numbering in the hundreds or thousands. What happened? Didn't the Order mean something once? Wasn't the goal to change things to make the world better for mutants? When did the Order become a refuge for self-serving mass-murderers with no higher purpose?”

Isabel's scowl deepened as Kaz went off on his little better-than-you tirade. She didn't care to hear how many ways he could try to rationalize his leaving the faction. She didn't care about the terms he'd left on or how good he thought those terms of his leaving were. It was all the same to her either way. Leaving was leaving, no matter how malicious the action may or may not have been. She held her faction very dear and it deserved better than half-assed members coming and going as they pleased.

Irritably she swatted at the finger he'd leveled at her. "What the Order's up to is none of your business," she replied, resisting the urge to point her finger at him in turn. "You're not one of ours anymore, so you've got no right to know anything about us and no say in how we operate. You're just another nobody in the crowd now and I've certainly got no qualms about removing you if you ever try to get in the way."

Kaz didn't twitch his hand or try to avoid the slap Isabel aimed at his hand, instead he opened his hand and let her hand clap against his. He knew it was probably a bad idea. He remembered how quick she had been with her bones years before and meeting her slap as solidly as he did put him well within her reach. It didn't matter. He didn't really care.

Kaz met her scowl with his own. ”I've already secured Aura's help with my work, if needed. But if your actions or the Order's actions negatively impact the mutant cause, than what you do is my business Isabel. Because of you they've brought back their machines, good job with that.”

Sneering at the woman in front of him. ”I may be a nobody in your eyes, but I'm a nobody who has more power than you every will. I'm a nobody who has accomplished more than you ever have. If you think you can take me out Izzy m'dear, stop threatening and try it.”