The Red Lands ::Private RP::

[FrauleinD]

Audrey looked her deeply in her eyes until he was convinced she was really back. He leaned in and spoke lowly, "You were going on about something called section 10... Children and tests... Does any of that ring a bell now?" he asked, wondering if she would remember what she had said or if it was just a passing fancy.

Landon led Whitney back to the hospital, plucking her coat off of the rack as they entered and whipping it back onto herself, "Well, I enjoyed our little day out! We'll have to do it again sometime, or maybe you'd rather go with Randy?" she asked, not really caring what his answer would be, just curious to see what it was.

"Heh, yer a good kid," Nancy said with a kind understanding to Shannon. "Mebbe you jes what she needs, though I'm sure she wouldn't mind teachin' ya some o'them non-lethal shots. I done trained 'er too good, now she'll outdo 'er ole man," he noticed Dylan coming in from the kitchen with a large plate that held three grilled sandwiches that were generous in the meat and other various toppings. "Ah, I arready ate, kid, y'best be eatin' all o'mine fer me."

"Aw, y'want me t'get fat?" Dylan said as Nancy set the map on the table and sat down on the couch, accepting at least the soda she'd brought for him. Curiously, she gazed at the map. "Hey, Dad, this place 'at's circled 'ere, ain't that where yer girlfriend lives?" she asked, pointing to the aforementioned volcano.

Nancy choked and coughed on the soda in his mouth, "What'd I done tell you 'bout that, Spit? She ain't m'girlfriend."

"But y'like 'er cuz she's pretty."

"Why, y'wanna li'l brother 'er sister?"

"EW!! EW!" she cried, snatching one of the pillows from the couch and throwing it at him, then taking to her sandwich as she tried to get THAT image out of her mind.

[KatDrama]

Shannon couldn't help but chuckle lightly, glad to see Dylan so lively. He sat down and lightly picked up one of the sandwiches, taking his time to savor it. It made Shannon so much more comfortable to know that the old man was coming with. They way he spoke he must have had experience with this area before. "This is good." Shannon smiled gently at Dylan, enjoying the warm sandwich.

Whitney opened his mouth to respond, but stopped, his face growing red as he realized what kind of question that was. "You two..." He grumbled helplessly, a gruff smile on his face. "Honestly." He sighed, laughing a little.

Roi had just calmed herself down, but when he spoke those words back to her she began to tremble again. "No! It's a secret! It's a lie!" She shook her head, trying to get some terrifying memories away.

It was taking long enough that Francis came and stood in the doorway. "What seems to be the matter?"

[FrauleinD]

Audrey rolled his eyes at Francis, though since he had his back turned to the man, it didn't quite have the full effect, "Doctah, doctah, I think we done broke 'er brain," he mocked, "I don't know," he said more seriously, not wanting her to spout anything else while Francis was standing there lest he find her blabbering a threat to his secrecy or some such and give him a reason to hurt her. "I think the lack of oxygen's gotten to her a little, but once she catches her breath, she'll probably be fine, right Roi?" he said, taking one of her hands firmly and gently tugging on her, urging her to stand lest they think she needed more steroids. "Some exercise might get her mind back in reality," he said, looking her in the eye trying to get her to please the prying doctor until they had another chance to talk when he wasn't around.

"Ohohoho! You know I'm just teasing you! If you weren't so much fun, I wouldn't bother. I wouldn't dream of trying to pry you away from Randy," her gaze playfully said, 'or would I'?, "After all, she saw you first," she reached up and softly poked him in the nose, "We just want you to lighten up is all! I'm sure that old dome was a dreadful place to work, but here at least we try to make sure all of our fellows are happy! Now that little laugh of yours is all we want, okay?" she said, smiling kindly, "Well, I have to go check on one of my patients, she's due to give birth any time now. You're welcome to come if you have nothing better to do or the man, Helen, in charge of the information room can assign some patients to you to keep you busy. Or... Not, if you'd rather do something else."

"Nn?" Dylan blinked, looking up as she quickly wiped at her mouth with a napkin, "Thanks!" she said proudly, "Dad calls 'em man sandwiches 'cause they got so much meat on 'em."

"What? Ain't a man sandwich, ain't got any bacon on it."

"There weren't any bacon in the fridge! I used pepperoni instead."

"Pepperoni ain't real meat."

"Rrrr... Bacon's jes fat..."

"Y'could use somma that..."

She was going to lose this battle so she quickly changed the subject, "Hey, since you's lookin' at th' map, dozzat mean yer comin' with us?" she asked curiously.

"Aw, y'want me t'come with ya on yer honeymoon?"

Dylan's eyes widened as she froze and her face turned beet red.

"Heh heh heh..." Nancy chuckled as he sent a playful glance to Shannon. If they could keep her happy in such a situation as she was in, then that was at least something. "Y'make 'is too easy, Spit," he said as he poked her in the head and went back to his soda.

[KatDrama]

Shannon genuinely smiled this time. He chuckled as he finished off the 'man wich.' "Yeah, I've asked Nancy to come with us. Though truth be told we might need your sharp shooting skills. I don't suppose you could throw together some bombs?" Shannon tried to make her feel useful and happy, but he wanted to remain true to her. "We have to go through Raider territory to get to where we're going..." He explained.

Francis raised an eyebrow at Audrey. "Very well, take her out of the jacket and have her start on the treadmill." He pointed to a large treadmill on the opposite side of the room. There was all sort of diagnostic equipment around it, but its simple function remained the same.

Roi seemed badly rattled by whatever it was she was remembering. But to her they were still little fragments that she couldn't quite put together. Wanting to get them out of her mind she numbly looked to Audrey. With a little nod of her head she slowly got to her feet.

Whitney turned his face away, trying to furiously hide his feelings. "Um...yeah, I might go find some work to do. If you'll excuse me..." He quickly brushed past Landon.

[FrauleinD]

"Eheehee," Landon laughed as Whitney left. "So adorable. There's got to be a catch somewhere, though," she said going off toward the wing she'd been assigned, "There's always a catch..."

Audrey looked away from Francis and back to Roi, "All right, all right, let's unbind you," he said, coming in close and reaching around her to undo the straps and ties on her back. While he was close he whispered, "Just try not to think about it too much until you figure out what it means... And try not to let on that you know anything to these whack-jobs." When she was finally free he waited for her to stretch her arms and flex her shoulders a bit before motioning to the treadmill, "Well, shall we?"

She smiled happily, "Yeh, I kin make lots o' bo-what?" she stopped halfway to taking another bite of her sandwich and looked between the both of them, concerned and a little scared. "Wha-we're goin' where?" setting her sandwich down for fear she might drop it, she looked to Nancy, who rubbed the back of his head and then patted her shoulder.

"Hey, I ain't gonna let 'em take y'back. But damn, y'got mustard all over yer face, go'n wash it off," he said. She got up and ran to the bathroom with no protest. With a sigh, Nancy rubbed at his chin. He should probably shave before they left, he didn't want to be a mountain man by the time they got to the volcano. "Don't worry 'bout her none, does 'er best fightin' when she's scared... Oh..." he realized maybe her reaction was a little odd to Shannon, "She done picked up by them Raiders after they obliterated that dragon town-god knows why they'd wanna baby... I'd guess she's 'bout nine er ten when I found 'er... Never would tell me nothin' 'bout them sickos, jes' cried'n begged me t'take 'er away from 'em," he shrugged, "Well mebbe y'kin git 'er t'open up t'you some."

[KatDrama]

"Ah, sorry, I didn't know." Shannon said regretfully, sullenly looking at the crumbs on his plate as he picked up a glass of beverage and took a quick drink. He hated dredging up Dylan's past, especially if it was an unpleasant one.

Roi numbly nodded her head, trying to get the overwhelming sense of fear she had gotten from the dreams out of her head. "Alright..." She said weakly as they walked over there. She seemed a little tipsy, perhaps still lightheaded from the low oxygen. She all but dragged her feet, the weights around her ankles still wearing her down.

[FrauleinD]

"Aw, hey, now, y'can't blame yerself for what y'dunno. Somehow I think it'd to 'er some good jes t'get some o'it outta 'er head, but I ain't ever been able t'git 'er t'say nothin' t'me. Not gonna do 'er no good t'keep them feelin's all bottled up-"

"Y'wanna know?" Dylan asked, cutting him off as she came back into the room, wiping the water from her cheek with her sleeve. "Them raiders, they kep' sayin' how when I's grown up I'd breathe fire for 'em t'help 'em decimate places. I didn't know what they meant back then, an' I dunno who told 'em that... I only stayed 'cause I didn't know nowhere else t'go, but I didn't wanna die, an' I sure's hell didn't wanna piss 'em off... They skin people. They don' even bother killin' 'em first, jes cut 'em open 'n start... peelin' it off..." she started to shake, "They made me watch, I had to hear them people scream'n see'em bleedin' everywhere... I's so scared I didn't know what else t'do but jes' do what they tole' me t'stay alive 'n keep 'em from hurtin' me... Skinnin' ain't even th' worst part... They use them mutilated people an' body parts as decorations... To keep trespassers out. Some of 'em like t'collect body parts... Ain't no place in that buildin' didn't smell like somethin' dead 'er bloody... They hunt people like people hunt animals," she shuddered up and down and finally crossed the couch, sitting on the ottoman and pulling her knees up close. "But I ain't ready t'die yet... So if goin' through Hell twice is what it takes... I ain't gonna give up without tryin'." She was still shaking, but the determination she felt to live was clear on her face, even more clear than the terror she felt from that butcher's graveyard.

"Sheesh, you look like hell," Audrey said, though somehow he thought it might have cheered her up. He had a great sense of humor, after all. "Well, I'll start it on the lowest setting," he said, waiting for her to plant her hands on the railing to keep her balance before turning it on, the conveyor belt barely moving at a normal person's walking speed. "Once you're more awake, I'll turn it up higher... How are you feeling now?" He wondered if her mind was still clouded.

[KatDrama]

Shannon placed his large hand on Dylan's shoulder. "No matter what it takes, I will protect you. I mean that." He said with kind eyes, his face entirely concerned though. "We will get you to this place, and we will get you better." He said with determination.

Roi numbly nodded as she slowly began walking. Each step seemed very difficult, but eventually she developed a kind of rhythm. Because she was concentrating so hard on walking she was finding it hard to think of words to say to him. So in silence she kept on walking, until finally one of her legs went out and she fell to her knee, quickly being swept away by the belt. Her hands fumbled for something to hang on to.

[FrauleinD]

"Ah, hey!" Audrey snapped the machine off and bent down toward her, "Here," he said offering her his hands, wondering if he would get them out in time, "It's all right, you're just tired. Catch your breath and we'll try again." He leaned in a little closer, "Are you all here? Anymore weird images in your head?" He asked curiously, wondering if she'd fallen from a physical reason or from a mental distraction.

Dylan twitched and trembled when he touched her, her hand quickly darting up to catch his, enjoying its warmth. "Heh... I know," she said softly, trying to smile. "But hey... If I kin live through that'n still be sane, I kin get through anythin', right?" she managed a small smile.

Nancy had cursed under his breath and looked away. He knew the Raiders were sick people... But they were almost sicker than Pegasus. At least Pegasus didn't have people skin rugs... He hoped. Having finished his soda, he stood and set a large hand on her head, "Arright, well, I'ma git on now'n getcha some supplies fer that specialty o'yers. You jes get packed 'n get rested up so y'kin be backin' us up, now, y'hear? Mebbe I'll getcha one o'them special candies y'like while I'm out."

Her face brightened a little, "I wanna red one!" she said. He smiled and chuckled a little, then nodded to Shannon and was gone. As soon as Nancy had shut the door behind him, Dylan whimpered and just barely managed to keep herself from bursting into tears. "Shannon, I'm scared!" she cried, reaching over and buring her face in his neck. "I'm so scared... But, but I'm gonna do my best... Cause I know you'll be with me..." still trembling, she held him as tightly as her weak body could manage.

[KatDrama]

Shannon was caught off guard by her sudden change in emotions. He gripped her shoulders tightly, trying to get her attention. "Look at me. Look at me!" He sternly commanded as he dropped to one knee, still holding on to her arms. He shook her arms a little as he held them by the elbow. "Nothing will happen to you. Things are different now, you have me and Nancy. I will protect you." He solemnly swore, his face entirely serious.

Roi slowly shook her head no. Her mind was too tired, she felt so thirsty, so weak. Her bare feet hurt, she had bruises and cuts and scrapes from in the wind tunnel, from which her muscles still ached. And her lungs and heart will still giving her trouble after the oxygen treatment. She felt altogether beat up and light headed.

Francis loomed over the two. "Will she work no longer?" He asked as though she was some kind of horse they were using to pull a buggy.

[FrauleinD]

"Lordy, lordy, massa, this ho'se done ready t'be shot!" Audrey rolled his eyes. Was Francis retarded? Audrey found it highly unlikely that a SHIELD trained doctor couldn't take one look at the poor girl and not only see the tons of bruises, cuts, and scrapes over her body but also see that she was exhausted from a combination of her earlier training, a lack of oxygen, and whatever mental trauma was starting to sneak up on her. Still, he was a bit wary of wanting to piss off the cold-hearted doctor. "Well, I'm no professional," he said, reaching down and helping Roi to her feet, letting her use him as a leaning post, "But I'd say after her sudden maturity boost, her harsh training, lack of food and oxygen afterward... Well, she's probably exhausted. Well, she's not a machine, you can't just keep adding and adding abilities and programs to her, she's a person. People need food, air, and rest. I understand that whatever top secret plan you have for her must be very important," though it sounded a little snide the way he said it, "But if you don't give her some TLC, even with what I'm sure were steroids you were pumping her with, she's not gonna last. Did you not see she was already beaten half to death before she started this training? If she has such an important job, wouldn't it be more important to let her wounds heal? Maybe she can't work as hard while she's still recovering, but I can promise you I'll make sure she keeps up with a lighter routine until she's strong enough to move up."

"...I know... I know," she sniffed, "But I dunno what I'd do if somethin' happened t'either of ya... I love you'n Dad more'n anythin'... I couldn't stand it if either of ya... Y'both been so good t'me, an' I ain't done nothin' but been trouble t'ya..." she wiped a tear on her cheek onto her shoulder, "Please... Take care o'yerself too..." she swallowed hard until she felt the tears giving up their fight for freedom, "I'm... Gonna go pack..." she said sullenly.

[KatDrama]

"Everything will be fine." Shannon smiled, trying to encourage her. He rose again and gave her a little pat on the back. "Okay...go back."

Francis glared from the snide Audrey to the struggling girl. An interested smirk crossed his face. "Then you will be her handler? Very well then, I leave her in your care." He grinned mercilessly. "Make sure to bring her here every day for her oxygen and drug treatments. It will be up to you to make her stronger. Do as you want. She's your responsibility." Francis said with a sarcastic waving of his hand. "Just be sure to bring her here for medical treatment, not elsewhere."

Roi felt so weak as she leaned so heavily against Audrey. "...that mean we can leave?" She whispered hopefully to Audrey, feeling so very tired.

[FrauleinD]

Audrey blinked, entirely surprised by what Francis had said. "I... Don't know... I... Guess?" He looked questioningly down to Roi. "I suppose as long as we bring you here for all that BS he mentioned, it's fine. And since you already had your daily dose of not being able to breathe..." he steadied her on one of the bars of the treadmill, kneeling down to undo the weights on her legs, "These'll just be bad for your knees in the long run, there are better ways to strengthen your legs," he was a bit of a phys-ed nerd in his free time, at least, though he hoped some of the things he'd learned over the years applied to both men and women. Standing, "Okay, well, since they're done torturing you for the day, come with me and I'll get you some real but still healthy food," he looked her up and down. "Eh, you're not exactly the dainty type... Well, then I won't carry you in my arms, c'mon," he said, turning around and lowering himself, "Piggyback time, you're too weak to walk all the way to where we're going."

Dylan looked to the bags that sat by the door still, then with a weak little mischievous grin she shyly looked up to him, "Well, don't be dyin' on me, y'still gotta figger out which panties I picked out." Managing a little 'heehee' she picked up her new clothes and dragged them to the bedroom, where she poured them out to remove the tags and decide which ones she needed Randy to alter for her.

[KatDrama]

Shannon tried to cover the laugh that came to his lips. Atta girl! He commended her. Trying to keep himself busy he decided to clean up their dishes from lunch, gathering them up and take them to the kitchen. He filled the sink with warm soapy water and began to wash the dirty dishes.

Roi was too weak to complain, though she was unsure about that mode of transportation. Carefully, and a tad awkwardly she climbed on to his back, wrapping her arms loosely around his neck. "Okay..." She said hesitantly.

"I will see you tomorrow..." Francis said a tad creepily as they left the lab.

[FrauleinD]

After shifting her weight to make it more comfortable for both of them, Audrey couldn't help looking to Francis with one last, "Oh, doctah, I'll bring 'er t'ya ever'day 'til mah precious parakeet kin once agin fly..." Shaking his head as they walked past the man, he carried Roi quite effortlessly to the elevator. The cold, lonely, secluded elevator. "Well, first things first, we're gonna patch you up at least until these cuts scab over, the last thing you need is an infection. As much as I'm sure you're sick of the hospital... I'll just take care of you myself. I don't feel like being Landon's punching bag anymore today anyway," he said as they waited for the long ride to be over. Once they were off at the right floor, he went through the many hallway and corridors that eventually led to a covered bridge overpass that took them toward the residential building. Into yet another elevator they went. His was the floor just beneath Randy and Dylan's, so at least that little butterfly might be close by in case they needed anything.

"Oh, and by the way I live alone so if you don't like the mess... Well, get over it," he said, slipping his key into the lock and kicking the door open. Despite what he'd said, he didn't own much so the mess consisted of little more than bits of stray laundry and a few empty cups on the coffee table. "Here y'go," he said, gently as he could dropping her down onto the couch. "I'm gonna go get the first aid kit... Um..." He was also not the greatest host. "Uh, I don't really have much, but do you want something to drink? I might have some fruit... If it hasn't started to mold... Eh, either way soon as you're bandaged, we can go down to the cafeteria... And I'll call Randy and see if she might have any clothes in her little seamstress pile that might fit you..." he said, noting that the baggy jeans and tank top looked like they were Salvation Army duds.

Dylan had separated her things between what was ready to pack and what she would need Randy to fix for her and had already started raiding the dresser for yet more undergarments or other things she might want to keep. There were some soft flannel pajama pants with slightly less girly prints on them she thought she might keep. When she got to the deepest recesses of the closet, she found an odd piece that she couldn't identify and turned it over and over in her hands trying to figure out what it was for. Curious, and glad to have something to distract her mind, she took it to the kitchen and eyed Shannon for a minute before holding it up, "So I's cleanin' out th' stash they put out fer us... An' I found this... What th' hell izzit?" she asked. Dylan had never even heard of a garter belt, much less knew what kinky things it might have been for.