Aisling was lying next to Dion one morning, lying on her stomach, her head propped up on his chest. They were both awake, albeit still sleepy. "We should go on a trip," she said thoughtfully. "Just you and me." * * * Emerson was in his study, filing away some notes carefully. * * * Lucy picked up a piece of scrap metal before tossing it with a small sigh, turning to Jaz. "I'm in a rut," she complained as they walked down the street. * * * Ellis was lying next to the water in the grass, his eyes closed as he dozed.
He was watching her, brushing her hair back. "A trip? Where to?" *** Rory was out in the woods. She had her backpack on was looking around, armed with a crowbar that stuck halfway out of her bag. *** He looked over. "A rut? What do you mean?" *** Blaise and Moose were with him. Blaise was awake leaning back onto her hands. Moose was curled up beside him.
She leaned into his touch, watching him thoughtfully, her brown hair slipping through his fingers. "I'm not sure," she admitted sleepily, her hand coming up to stroke his chest gently. "But I want to go somewhere with you." * * * She would have been walking for a while. The woods were silent around her. * * * "I don't have ideas," she said dramatically. "I'm done. A dud. Washed up." * * * Ellis was mostly asleep, stretching out next to her.
He gave her a small smile, relaxing back. "I'd like that. To go somewhere new with you." *** She was wary, but had let her guard down slightly, figuring she would have heard if something was around. *** He rolled his eyes playfully. "You're not washed up. You've just reached a temporary block." *** She looked back, leaning towards him. "Ellis?"
She shifted, burying her head in the curve of his neck, her leg draped over his stomach. "Today, then? We take off today?" * ** There was a silence before she got knocked back, a Plaguer leaping from the forest at her. * * * "That's what you have to say," she griped. "You love me." * ** He shifted, his eyes fluttering open. "Mm...?"
He pulled her close. "Today, tomorrow, whenever. We would just have to get ready." *** She gasped, trying to use one arm to push the plaguer away and the other to retrieve her weapon, her eyes wide. *** "I do love you," he agreed. "But trust me about what I say." *** She tilted her head. "It's about lunchtime. Do you want me to get you something?"
"Well, let's go today," she said quietly, kissing just below his earlobe gently. "We could get packed pretty quickly, right?" * * * He swiped at Rory, his eyes wild with disease and fury. His nails were long and dirty and he was frothing at the mouth. * * * "Uh uh. You're lying to me. Beautiful temptress." * * * He sat up, blinking blearily. "I can come with you."
He sighed, his expression adoring. "Yeah, we could." *** She hardly noticed that he scratched her forearm, the adrenaline causing her to focus on the weapon as she swung it at his head. *** "Beautiful temptress? That's not me, that's you." *** She tilted her head. "But you were sleeping."
She closed her eyes, resting her forehead against his temple again, lying on her right side with her left arm crossing his chest, her hand coming up to cup the side of his neck and her leg over his side. "Mm. It's a date, then." * * * She made contact, making the Plaguer yelp and fall back. * * * She flushed, glancing up at him in irritation. "None of that. You know it makes me blush." * * * "It's okay," he repeated blearily. "I can help."
He closed his eyes with a yawn. "Sounds wonderful." *** She hit him again in a panic before darting off towards camp. *** He grinned, kissing her cheek. "I know, but you deserve it." Just then, they would hear a sound unlike they had heard before. Loud and distant, but unable to place a certain location on it. *** "Noo.. Just sleep."
She was quiet for a little while, her pointer finger gently tracing circles on the skin of his neck before she stirred, sighing as she sat up. She pulled her dark, thick hair back into a ponytail, standing up and stretching. * * * Emerson was in his study, filing papers away. * ** Lucy's head jerked up as she looked in the direction of the noise. "What is that?" * * * He frowned, sitting back slightly. "Why did you wake me if not to have me help?"
He looked up at her thoughtfully. "You're cute." *** Rory came bursting in, her eyes wide and expression panicked. *** Jaz frowned, taking her arm and pulling her against a building. "I don't know.. But it doesn't sound good." *** "Because I wasn't sure if you were hungry and I didn't want you to wonder where I went when I was gone."
She looked down at him with a small frown, tilting her head. "Because I'm short?" she asked flatly. * * * His head jerked up in surprise and he looked at her. "Rory?" * * * She frowned, looking over her shoulder curiously. "Can we go look?" * * * "I suppose I appreciate that," he grumbled in reply.
He paused, raising an eyebrow. "No?" *** "I- I-" she struggled to speak, coming over to his desk and dropping her hands on it. "Plaguer. Attacked me." She took a breath. "While I was out... He's dead now." *** He looked uncertain. "Eh... Carefully.." *** She kissed his cheek before getting up to get food.
She considered this, her lips pursed. "Hm. I'll accept it, then," she said quietly, leaning down and kissing his sternum gently. * * * He stood up, cupping her jaw gently and tilting her head up to inspect her. "While you were out? What were you looking for?" * * * She also seemed, worried, taking Jaz's hand before starting to move towards the noise. * * * He pulled Moose onto his chest, closing his eyes again.
"..Do you not like being short?" *** This relaxed her. "Sort of scouting. Since Ellis got hurt I wanted to help out a bit." She paused and felt a burning line on her arm, looking down at it. *** He followed her, his eyes sharp as he watched. *** She went to go make food. While she was out, an unfamiliar stranger approached the entrance of the camp.
"I hate it," she griped, sitting on the edge of the bed and gently pulling his head into her lap, brushing her fingers through his hair. * * * He fell silent for a moment, his brows furrowing. He hadn't noticed the scratch. "You went scouting? And you didn't tell me? Rory, what were you thinking?" * * * She kept moving, looking uncertain. * * * Ellis was still asleep, his eyes closed.
He grinned up at her. "That's why you got defensive." *** She didn't reply, her eyes set on his arm as she grabbed his wrist. *** The noise got louder before they would hear a loud boom. Soon after they would see smoke trailing up. *** The strangers voice called out. "Hello?"
"I'm always ready for a fight," she replied smoothly, leaning down to kiss his forehead. * * * He frowned, looking down at her. "What?" * * * Lucy's brows furrowed. "*squee!*. Jaz, what if someone's hurt?" * * * One of the guards, a young man named Anthony, frowned, holding his gun to his chest. "Who's there?"
