(Ugh. So jealous. I love LA.) He bit his lip as they turned around and began walking back to the ship. "Yeah," he said hesitantly. "It's so sad to me. That a whole colony of people want to die so badly."
"Yeah, but who knows how long they've been down here? It would be maddening.." she replied with a low voice, rubbing her arm awkwardly.
"Yeah. I think I'm just finally feeling the effects of the concussion," she confessed, biting a nail.
His brows narrowed in concern and sympathy. "Are you feeling dizzy or in pain at all?" he asked, trying to subtly look at the dilation of her pupils.
"No, I'm just.." she paused, searching for a word, "psychically exhausted. I don't mean to make you worry."
He cocked his head and gave her a half-grin. "I am very good at worrying. Please don't allow my talent to grow rusty from misuse." He frowned, rubbing his chin. "Is there anything I can do? I don't suppose you'd want a piggy-back ride, would you?" he asked, only half joking.
"Ach. Don't worry. I'm not the one with the concussion. Here." He knelt down, giving her room to climb up his back.
Avice shrugged and got on, placing her chin on his shoulder. She was light, and gripped his tightly, like she was afraid of falling. "I've never done this before. It's new to me."
He hoisted her up, grunting slightly. He laughed, and adjusted slightly, and then continued walking. "Yeah, I can tell. Don't worry. I won't let you fall. Try to sleep if you can. I'd imagine we're going to talk about a lot when we get back to the ship."
Her grasp tightened for a moment as he began walking, but relaxed. "I'll try," she said, but she knew she probably wouldn't. Instead, she mostly observed him and the surroundings silently.
They were quiet for a moment. Jack walked at a consistent pace, his strides long and easy. The back of his neck was slightly tanner than the rest, an indicator of his labor on the ship. A slight stubble was growing upon his jaw, and he looked tired, although his eyes were still focused and thoughtful. "So," he said finally, noting that her breathing had not settled into the slow, steady inhalations of sleep. "What do you think about all this?"
Avice pondered for a moment, then stretched her arms. "Well," she began, "it's an adventure that's for sure. I know the gain will be good, but I'm curious about is as to what's next. What about you?"
He paused as he stepped over a large rock. "I'm wary, I suppose. It seems all a little too simple," he said, stepping carefully. "But it seems we don't really have another option."
"Yeah. I see what you mean. Who do you think is going to do the device thing?" She flicked his ear, but not hard enough to cause pain.
He smirked, turning to look back at her. "Do not flick the driver," he said, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. He shrugged, the movement shifting Avice's arms. "I'm not sure. I'm probably going to volunteer. I mean, anything to get us out of here, right?"
Avice stuck out her tongue, then crossed her arms over his chest in almost a protective way. "I guess."
