Scarlet looked up, maybe a little nervously. "Hello, again.." *** There would be a moment before she would feel a figure behind her. It was hooded. "You're avoiding me."
He looked up curiously. "What's with the reservation? You doin' alright?" * * * She jumped, looking over her shoulder. "My Gods, Egg! You startled me!"
She looked around warily. "Haven't you seen the posters?" *** He was watching her. "You're avoiding me, Bean."
He blinked in confusion. "Which posters?" * * * Her brow furrowed and she frowned. "I'm... I'm not..."
She pulled one out of her bag, handing it to him with a frown. *** His gaze was hard. "You are. Why?"
His eyes widened and he frowned. "What is this? Did they catch you?" * * * She looked nervous, looking around. "I... I don't want you to get caught, Egg. And... I mean... I'm under pretty close surveillance a lot of the time, and... I don't want to lie."
"If they caught me I wouldn't be here," she said quietly. "But they have that sketch." *** He squinted. "Then what? What does that mean?"
His frown deepened. "Ma'am, pardon me, but it's not safe for you to be here anymore." * * * She stepped back, giving herself space between him and her. "Don't be mad. I just... I don't want to get you in trouble. They're really looking for you right now. Please don't be mad."
She looked up at him tiredly. "Why are you so worried? I tried to steal from you." *** He was quiet, his eye focused on her. Finally, he sighed.. "It's alright. I get it."
“It doesn’t mean you’re a terrible person,” he replied. “You may have stolen it, but you also came back.” *** She still was regarding him nervously, her brows furrowed. “I was worried about you,” she admitted. “I thought you had been caught.”
She looked up at him gratefully, but shook her head. "It's not often that I return hearts. Only when I feel guilt.. and yet I don't even know your name." *** He squinted at her. "Me? Never. I'm better than that."
His smile returned and he looked smug for a moment. “I tend to have that effect on people. I’m Burke. You?” *** She laughed, relaxing. “I figured... I’m sorry I’ve been avoiding you; it’s been for your benefit, I promise.”
He shook it. “Miss Scarlet. It’s a lovely name.” *** She hesitated. “I’m going to try to go out to the woods tonight... do you want to join me?0
He seemed surprised by this. “I am? How do you figure?” *** She nodded, looking around again before speaking quickly. “Meet me in the clearing tonight.”
His gaze shot up to meet hers and he gave her that goofy grin again. "Have you ever considered that I'm just honest?" * * * She pulled her bag to her back and turned to leave, hurrying out the door.
He waved a hand errantly, raising one eyebrow. "Regardless, Ma'am, you really need to be careful if you'd like to avoid getting caught." * * * (Zoop?)
