pain_train | SANCTUM INBOX

He comes closer to the bed and takes her hand, as usual. "I came to visit with Carolina and we ended up talking for a while. I figured I'd stop in before I have to go to bed. I can't stay too long, though. I'm pretty busy now that things are getting started."

He gets a brilliant smile for that as well. Every time he takes her hand, it almost feels like a relief. Things and people feel more real when you can touch then.

"Oh, how is she? She seemed really nice." Her default description of everyone. She wrinkles her nose again. "Can you--ugh. Can you take these off for me?" She should probably go to sleep when he leaves anyway.

"Things are getting started? What kind of things?" She tugs lightly on his hand. "You should tell me all about work. I want to know what I'm missing."

Edited (Swype errors) 2014-11-07 20:06 (UTC)

"She's doing well. I think they're going to release her in the morning. You got to meet her, huh?" He releases her hand to gently lift the glasses off of her face. He folds them and sets them on the tray table.

Then he returns to take her hand once again. "We're choosing our platoons and training them in our specialties. Mine's going to be a sniper unit. I have to give the members a crash course before they start sniper school. We're going to be taking it pretty quick, too."

"Lucky! I'm glad for her. And... yeah. I was trying to figure out how to whistle and I guess it was actually really loud and annoyed her enough to walk across the hall." Still embarrassed about that.

Now that, that is some exciting news. She squeezes his hand. "So you got promoted? So fast, you must have really impressed the commander." Well of course. He's smart, and good at fighting, and that's the important part. "Which platoon did you get? Wow, and a specialty already but yeah... Kind of does make sense for you, huh. We haven't had snipers in a long time!"

That did sound really quick. "A crash course? What's the hurry?" Yeah, the commander wanted to get things whipped into shape, she was sure, but was there something on the horizon for combat? She wasn't one to rush training for no reason.

"That would get people's attention," he chuckles. "Was she nice about it?"

He squeezes her hand right back. "I'm a lieutenant now, yeah. Pride platoon, purple and black. The Commander wants people to be their best, and she doesn't have any patience for screw-ups right now. So we're training everyone up as fast as we can." The lie comes easily; he doesn't want to tip their hand, even though Wrath will obviously be let in on the plan once she's out of the hospital. And he doesn't want there to be any reason for them to fry her brain in the compliance office again.

"Yeah, I didn't realize it would. But I accidentally meet some nice people so..." Whether Carolina had been nice or no, she would have given the same answer. "Yeah. My hair for being noisy anyway. All your friends are pretty cool so far. Did I tell you, Malcolm said he'd spar with me?"

Even if he had been kind of bitchy about the boss.

Wrath grins. "That'll be a great platoon for you." She wishes she could recall anything fun to tell him about Pride, but... She's drawing a blank. Maybe later.

The rest... huh. It's not a dodge, but it feels like a definite non-answer. She understands wanting to get everyone into shape, but... Wrath is very gullible in general, but she also knows the militia far better than she knows herself. Why would there need to be a crash course, unless there is a crash coming? A crash that no one should know about. Her smile fades to something very speculative as she just looks at North for a long moment.

So maybe the commander has some kind of plan. She'd been joking about it all along, but maybe it is true. And if North isn't telling her something, it wouldn't be for no reason. She trusts him. But definitely, company loyalty and duty are more important than someonee in a hospital bed.

The only real reason to not tell her something is because it's top secret, right? And a top secret they don't want Bifrons to know. And if she gets taken in for compliance soon like she expects, no matter what Whiskey and North say ( because it never works out for her, it never does), she'll spill everything. As it is, she can't even try to escape.

She is a liability to the company as long as she is in the hospital. For whatever reason. She now very much does not want to know why.

Wrath's eyes narrow slightly, then she frowns a little bit and looks away, toward the ceiling. "Eh, maybe I'll stop bothering you about work. I mean, you do that shit all day, it can't be exciting to have to go over it again later."

She squeezes his hand tightly.

"Malcolm seems pretty confused by the fact he even agreed to that," he says with a smile. "I think you're pretty good at winning people over when you're not beating them to a pulp."

He can tell by the change in her comportment that she knows something is up. But she's wise enough not to question, wise enough even to decline to ask anything further in the future. It's good. She needs to protect herself first at this point. So he just squeezes her hand back and gives a small head tilt. "I'm sure there are plenty of things we can talk about without bringing up that stuff," he agrees. "It's a lot of boring stuff anyway. The biggest thing about being a sniper is patience, so there's a lot of waiting. Trying to see who's able to withstand long stretches of preparation."

She laughs. "I just don't believe in holding grudges." Which is easy to do when you can't remember them. "And... life is too short to be an asshole, right?"

She strokes his thumb meditatively. "There's got to be a point to what I do, right? And I...I like people. Which sounds weird to say, I guess. Everyone likes people, right? I don't know why I thought I had to spend so much time by myself before."

It felt like waking from an uneasy sleep, really, where sometimes her brain still had a lot of fog in it.

Wrath smiles at him. "I never liked waiting. I want to just... live fast and hard. I don't think I'd manage to make it through even a crash course." She also isn't that great at shooting. She barely qualified. She's just very, very good at everything else. "But I guess you must be really good at it, huh? Are you that patient about everything?"

"I agree with you, grudges are pointless. There is such a thing as looking out for your best interests, but...I think Malcolm realizes he has nothing to fear from you. At least he's starting to." Malcolm had been a bit mystified at the fact that North had made her pie, but maybe it was an example he needed. "I think you're right about that. During the whole virus thing, I was a huge asshole to a lot of people and I look back at that and I don't like remembering it at all. I alienated a lot of friends before we sorted out the fact that we'd all been under the influence of something terrible. There's still some tension between me and Delta."

He smiles gently. "Not everyone likes people, actually. But I'm glad you do. We wouldn't have hit it off if you didn't, right? And I really enjoy getting to talk to you. And to be able to help you get through being here."

Living fast. That reminded him of South. His smile turns a bit wry. "Yeah, I've always been the patient one. I needed to be, growing up. I suppose it's probably innate in some way, but I learned not to rush things."

"He's super grouchy about the commander too," she notes. "But she's like that at everyone. She's keeping his leg in her office, I guess? That's pretty funny if you ask me. I wonder if she gave it a name..." Hm. "But I guess Malcolm comes from the planet of the underpants men and they do stuff differently there."

The conversation might have gotten just a little garbled in her brain due to all the drugs they're still pumping into her.

"...virus thing?" Had anyone mentioned it to her? It sounds kind of familiar, maybe? "Oh... I'm really sorry you fought with your friends. Have you tried making Delta a pie?" Though she gets that the thing with Delta is a bit fraught, because of the stuff with North's sister.

"It's important to make things right when you can." Because they never get to say goodbye. "I hope you can get it worked out."

"How could someone not like people? It's like... not liking air. Or cookies." She gives him a rather goofy smile and then has to look away for a minute. "I'm glad about that. You're really... I'm just really happy you give me so much of your time."

'... Learned not to rush things.'

And in that moment, Wrath realizes that this man is probably going to drive her fucking insane.

Worth it. Don't fuck this up, Wrath.

She grins crookedly at him. "Watch out, I run at everything head first. You might not like me so much when I'm out of this torture device. Though I can hope!"

There is, after all, a certain attitude that enables someone like her to fling herself at an opponent who is over a foot taller and attempt to headbutt him.

Edited 2014-11-07 22:59 (UTC)

"Underpants men?" He laughs. Not that he means to laugh at her but he knows that's some kind of distortion. "All of us had the virus. It made us irritable and irrational. It's why we decided to attack the tower. It made us hear voices. When I made you the pie, though, I left the leftovers out for everyone else, so I'm pretty sure Delta got a piece. I haven't made anything specifically for him, though."

He sighs. "I try to keep everyone in my good graces. Sometimes you just can't help it when someone's upset with you. Or you can't help being upset with other people over certain things. But when it comes to that I always try to work things through with the other person. Even if it's to say I agree to disagree." Which is what he'd done with Delta.

"Some people just...don't. I've heard justifications but I've never felt that way, myself. Some people are just shy and like to keep to themselves." He lets out a little hum. "I do try to. I know you'd spend a lot of time feeling lonely and it's obvious you thrive on spending time with people. I wouldn't want you to feel like no one cares."

He grins at her final remark. "Just as long as you don't run at me headfirst—again—I think I can handle that."

"Oh. I kind of wondered why you guys had done that." Interesting. "You should make him a pie of his own. That makes people feel special." Well, it had worked on her.

"That's probably the smart way to do things. I don't really know what is do in that situation." Probably settle it with a bar crawl.

She smiles at him. "I know you care. And Whiskey cares. I'm making all kinds of new friends now." She glances at their hands, carefully strokes her thumb over his. Bad Idea, probably, but better to say even a little bit now than have an awkward time again later. "You give me more of your time than anyone else, North, and I'm glad that you do. It's... different, and I like it."

She sticks her tongue out at him. "I like breathing, thanks."

"We all cook for each other all the time. It's communal living, everything's made for everyone." Which meant that at least with that pie, she was part of 'everyone'.

"I'm glad to be able to do that for you. I..." God, what are words? Usually he doesn't have trouble finding the right thing to say. "It's important to me that you aren't felt feeling alone. You know? I'm glad you like it because otherwise I'm wasting my time."

Then he laughs. "So you're admitting you couldn't take me in a fair fight," he teases.

Which is sweet, and she appreciates it--that gets her to smile a little--but kind of misses the point. "Well yeah. And I guess he couldn't eat a whole pie by himself unless he was a big guy. But it's... different when something was made for you, right? Even if you share it with everyone else."

That's not quite what she was aiming for. What she actually wanted? Not entirely sure. Let it go? Keep going? Bad Idea, Wrath. Such a Bad Idea. But maybe she'll just say one thing more. What could that hurt? "You're definitely not wasting your time." At least she really hopes not. She keeps her eyes on their hands, because that's a lot easier than looking at North's face. "I really like being around you." Just a small emphasis, but it's important. Whiskey has been her best and only friend for a long time. She cares about him a lot... when she can. But it's definitely not the same sort of feeling as this.

But this is the problem, really. She has no idea how to deal with guys in a context where she doesn't want to just have fun for a few hours and then preferably never see them again. The fact that she wants to keep seeing North makes this complicated and means she actually has to worry about fucking up. She's not used to that, and it's rather paralyzing. And considering on top of that she has no idea what she's doing, the chances of fucking up in a horrible and permanent way seem much higher.

Bad Idea all around, really.

"What, no! I didn't say that at all! I could totally kick your ass."

"You think so?" North ponders it for a moment. "Maybe I'll make him a tart or something sometime. I'm not sure if he has any favorites—he's kind of new to being a human—but I might try asking York." Things are a little weird between them but...he doesn't know. Maybe it would be worth giving it a go. Maybe.

He smiles a fond smile when she puts that emphasis on her words. "You know I enjoy being around you. I wouldn't put this much effort into being around when I can otherwise." A rub of his thumb across the back of her hand will show her he means what he's saying.

His smile broadens. "You're contradicting yourself, now. Tell you what, take a couple of months to heal up and then we'll make a contest of it. Best two out of three."

"I do. Come on, the worst that could happen is you do something nice for him and he gets a tart to himself. Which if he's nice he'll share with all his friends anyway!" So even if they still aren't getting along, there's still more happiness in the world.

She actually blushes slightly. Her skin feels decidedly odd in the wake of that touch, sensitive and shivery and... it's really nice. Well, she thinks the message was heard. She's too worried about fucking up to try to make things clearer.

Wrath does stare at him when he says that, smirks, and growls, "Big words when you're not going to be able to move after round one."

...they're talking about sparring, right? Either way...

Edited (I felt like adding to it so sue me) 2014-11-08 04:51 (UTC)

"Don't tempt me to make it a wager, too," he teases. "Who's gonna lay who out flat and how quick."

She glares at him. "I'm growling. You're supposed to be intimidated. I'm very intimidating."

But yes, there's definitely humor dancing in her eyes.

God, she loves his smile.

Edited 2014-11-08 05:16 (UTC)

"I have to talk a big talk or you wouldn't take me seriously," he says. "Even when I'm quaking in my boots."

She grins at him. She can't help it. "I don't know how I can take a smile that cute seriously anyway. Sorry, North."

He laughs. He doesn't really know about the description of his smile as 'cute' but what matters is that's what she thinks. "It's part of the way I disarm my opponents. They never see it coming."

"I'm too canny and mean." Fierce expression. "You'll have to up your distraction game if you want a shot at winning!"

"I have a few tricks up my sleeve. I can't share them, though, that would make things too easy."

"Oh that's just mean." She wrinkles her nose at him. "Well you know what? So do I!"

...maybe? She has a while to think of some. Hoo boy.

She hooks her fingers in his and makes a contented little hum, though.

Edited 2014-11-08 05:34 (UTC)

He curls his fingers around hers and pets at her hand. "I hate to say this..." It's gotten late and he needs to sleep. But...maybe in a few more minutes. "You're going to lose me in five minutes. I don't want to be too sleepy to drive home."

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Day 153 | Late Evening | Action

Day 153 | Late Evening | Action

Day 153 | Late Evening | Action

Day 153 | Late Evening | Action

Day 153 | Late Evening | Action

Day 153 | Late Evening | Action

Day 153 | Late Evening | Action

Day 153 | Late Evening | Action

Day 153 | Late Evening | Action

Day 153 | Late Evening | Action

Day 153 | Late Evening | Action

Day 153 | Late Evening | Action

Day 153 | Late Evening | Action

Day 153 | Late Evening | Action

Day 153 | Late Evening | Action

Day 153 | Late Evening | Action