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 Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:45 pm
He didn't try to stop her when she pulled away. It was one thing to hug a girl in comfort, that he could handle. If she had had enough, then that was good enough for him.
He rubbed at his eyes, which had begun throbbing, and the pain seemed to be spreading to his temples. Whether it was stress or after-effects of the chip, he wasn't sure. But he wasn't going to leave just yet.
Following after the red-furred girl, Gaius stood a little away, kicking at the dirt and trying not to intrude. She seemed to know the man, while Gaius was still a stranger.
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Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:53 pm
Newt glanced up at Nita miserably, his throat puffing as he held his breath, but he managed to keep the croaks at bay. "I... I... I sh-should... sh-should go b-back..." He murmured in a wavering, shaking voice.
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Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:02 pm
Nita attempted a smile, although it ended up being more of a grimace. "If you're sure..." she said, hesitating. "I don't think anyone's going to eat you. This was all a freak accident."
Freak accident. The phrase echoed uncomfortably in her mind. Nita fidgetted with the end of one rather ragged braid, in no mood to be consoling, but not wanting to get angry or annoyed with Newt.
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Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:11 pm
Gaius sighed deeply and rubbed his neck, shoulders sagging, and offered a cheerless smile. "Going back... sounds like a good idea."
He looked back over his shoulder at the scene one last time, eyes glazing as he retreated back into himself, unable to deal with the implications or aftermath just yet. That would wait for his duplex and bed.
He offered a hand to Newt to help him up, too tired to care about how slimey or soiled he may be. "Need any help getting back to your place...?" He made the offer to Nita as well, glancing between the two.
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Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:15 pm
"Fruh-freak... f-freak incident... r-right..." He nodded, as though attempting to convince himself to be convinced, but failed miserably. He glanced up as Gaius offered his hand, timidly reaching up to take it. Not many people offered to actualyl touch him these days, and he didn't blame them.
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Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:22 pm
Nita patted Newt's hand briefly and pulled herself up. Her legs only wobbled a little; the original shock wearing off, leaving numbness in its wake. With a few deep breaths to steady herself, Nita set herself in the direction of her duplex. It took all of her will-power to look straight ahead, to avoid glancing back towards the cafeteria.
Her eyes slid sideways towards Gaius. "Thank you," she told him quietly. "I'm sorry. I don't know your name..."
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Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:31 pm
The large fellow hauled Newt up to his feet, probably a bit higher than Newt could actually stand comfortably, and gave him a genial pat on the shoulder. "There you go, buddy."
He nodded in response to Nita's thanks, tilting his head slightly as a more real smile graced his face. "It's okay. Thanks for waking me up. I'd probably still be lying in the dirt. And... I'm Gaius." His smile turned sad as he gave a half-shrug. "Wish we could've met on a happier note..."
Glancing back at Newt, he waited until he was situated and hopefully able to walk. He looked positively shaken. Gaius felt terrible for the guy, and offered a friendly smile. "Don't worry... I'm sure the labs will keep better watch after that. You'll be safe."
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Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:36 pm
Newt pulled his hand back, fiddling with his webbing awkwardly as he sank into his comfortable froggish posture. He didn't feel much like dumpster diving anymore.
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Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:46 pm
"But yeah..." The red panda girl shook her head. "I'm Nita." She lapsed into silence as they walked (and hopped) down the path.
"What a ******** day. Jesus Christ."
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Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 10:02 pm
Gaius's cheek twitched as he stared at his feet. "Couldn't have said it better myself..."
He let out one last sigh, seeming to have plenty of them to spare today, and turned away from the two to head towards his own duplex. He gave them a brief nod as he went, hands slipping into his pockets. "I'll be seeing you two... Stay safe."
What a week. Gaius doubted he'd be getting much sleep for some time.
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Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 10:12 pm
Newt said nothing, his eyes wide and round still, even now, as he numbly hopped back towards his duplex for a long cold soak in his mud-filled tub where he could eat all the bugs he could catch and pretend he was in a safe little aquarium somewhere. Newton Filinas was not a fan of the wild.
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Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 10:25 pm
"You too," Nita muttered, as she walked the last few yards to her own duplex. If only she had never left it to follow Annie.
She nearly tripped over the broom in the doorway. Kicking it savagely aside, Nita flung herself onto her bed, shoved her face into her pillow, and screamed.
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