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BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
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 Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 7:49 pm
It had been several days - several long, agonizing, exhausting days - since she had slept at all. It had been weeks months years since she had slept as well as she had last night. It had been absolutely glorious, and she woke up feeling so refreshed, so full of life and energy that it felt as though she was an entirely different person. She surmised she could have slept for another several hours, except for one thing.
Something moved.
And it wasn't a pokemon sort of something, it was a human sort of something. She didn't know what it was - an arm, a leg - and it really didn't matter. The slight movement had gently roused her from her deep slumber, and before her eyes opened she'd realized that she never went to her room last night. She had.. went... to the rec room with Zeus so he could play Guitar Hero, and then it all got fuzzy.. Aulus came in, and something about Cinderella and Rattatas...
Halfway through these wandering, half-asleep thoughts she realized that she was not in her bed, was not alone, and most importantly, she was sleeping on someone. Beating back her first instinct to jump up, scream, and run for the nearest closet, she inhaled a bit shakily and opened her eyes - she was so glad she'd taken her contacts out before she passed out - and took in her surroundings. Still in the rec room, Odette was right there, sleeping on the other side of the coffee table, there were a pair of feet in her line of vision, and.. As hazel eyes traveled upward, she shifted slightly and felt a heavy arm around her and noted a distinctive, jagged scar running along an otherwise handsome - where did that come from? - face. Aulus.
She exhaled slowly through her nose, trying to calm herself down. A quick mental check resulted in everything being fine, everything normal, she still had all her clothes on - plus one jacket, oddly enough, that likely belonged to the man she was still laying on - and as far as she could tell, since she hadn't ingested anything whatsoever since before Aulus had shown up in the rec room, she'd simply been so exhausted that she fell asleep on him. And he.. didn't move her, or leave her here alone. Huh. This was.. slightly awkward, but it could have been a hell of a lot worse. These moments of inner reflection were followed by a few seconds of indecision as the sleepy young woman tried to figure out if she should wake the scarred man or not..
This was only slightly awkward...
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:45 am
Claire was not the only one who had enjoyed the companionable night's sleep. Since arriving at the base, the tension of sharing a room with seven people who hated him had made for restless nights. Before that, since arriving in Kodo, he'd never been in the same bed two nights in a row, and almost none of the beds had been very comfortable. Before that he'd been seething at home, furious at his parents for telling him that he either had to apply for a place at a different university or go work on a checkout somewhere. He'd slept alright during the six months he had spent at university, but not this well.
He was not, however, currently aware of this long list of times and places where he hadn't slept as well as this. Still more or less asleep as he was, his mind transported him back to the last time he had. As he came closer to consciousness, Aulus became aware that he wasn't exactly lying down. Had they fallen asleep watching a movie? Mmh, that seemed about right. Mmh. His hand had slipped down during the night, and was now resting on her arse. Why was his brain telling him that this was a bad thing? Still, he moved it to a far more chaste position around her waist...
Something wasn't right. He couldn't shake that niggling feeling, and as he felt the woman stir against him he became even more convinced... Her hair was straight, and too long. Wrong woman. Wrong time. Wrong place. Claire not Vivian, twenty two not eighteen, HQ not her apartment. Woops. Well, it had still been a damn good night's sleep, and he still had an attractive woman draped over him. All in all, a pretty good way to wake up despite the initial confusion.
Yawing massively, and moving his arm from around Claire to cover his mouth, Aulus opened his eyes. "Morning," he said, rubbing his eyes and then resting his arm on the back of the sofa rather than putting it back around Claire. "Thought we were watching Cinderella not Sleeping Beauty; you were out like a light."
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BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 11:15 am
Oh good, he'd woken up of his own accord, she wouldn't need to...
...was.. was his hand just...? Oh freaking Arceus it was.
The extremely uncomfortable feeling welled up once again, threatening to explode as a dark blush crept into her cheeks. Once again she refrained from running off screaming to find a closet to hide in, and simply continued to control her breathing. Freaking out would not be the best thing to do, especially since as far as she could tell, his wandering hand was about the only thing he'd done during the night. "Morning," she murmured in reply, reaching a hand up to cover a yawn before rubbing one hazel eye. Her other arm attempted to shift and she quickly realized it was stuck underneath her pillow Aulus. Well crap. Sleeping Beauty? The blush remained just as prominent, either from their closeness, what could possibly have been some sort of thinly veiled compliment but probably wasn't, or from something else entirely. "Sorry. I told you I hadn't been sleeping that well lately," was her only defense. What else could she say? Nothing really.
The conversation slowly roused the large bird nearby, and Odette ruffled her wings a bit and blinked the sleep from her eyes. Crap, she'd fallen asleep at some point, but.. but they were both still how they were the night before, and the male human's arm was on the couch instead of on her human, so she supposed he hadn't done anything wrong.
Aulus should count himself extremely lucky that the loyal, possessive Pidgeot hadn't seen where his hand had previously rested.
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 11:23 am
Wow, she was kind of flushed. Maybe that was just what her face usually looked like in the morning, or maybe she'd been having 'pleasant' dreams; what did he know? "Eh, it's fine," Aulus shrugged slightly, "I knew you were tired, otherwise I'd probably have woken you up and told you to go sleep on somebody else. Not like it cost me anything." And it had kept him out of his room; luxury... He wondered where Tortie was, and if she was still pissed off with him. Ugh.
Yawning again Aulus got to his feet and stretched, wincing as he encountered some rather stiff muscles. "Hu," lowering his arms, he inspected the small selection of livid bruises that now adorned them. Poking experimentally at a large almost black one on his upper-right arm, he frowned slightly commenting; "I think the stairs won." Ow. Well, today was going to be a barrel of fun. At least he could cover the bruises up with his jacket; he didn't want to get teased by every damn person that saw him.
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BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 12:21 pm
The instant he rose she sat up and leaned against the opposite arm of the couch, sitting cross-legged as she ran her fingers along one arm. It was a bit tingly and riddled with long, squiggly indentations - nothing more than the result of something pressing on it for several hours. The distance seemed to make her feel a bit better, and the flush in her cheeks began to dissipate. She was sort of glad he didn't wake her up, because she had a nagging feeling that if she'd gone to her room she wouldn't have slept at all. "Thanks," she said before releasing an inaudible sigh through her nose, stretching her arms out in front of her as she did so and curving her back. Arceus, sleeping on a couch had its disadvantages as well as advantages. Speaking of... "It probably didn't cost you a good night's sleep, I swear this couch is more comfortable than the beds they have." Maybe not in the agent quarters. Definitely not the elite rooms or higher. She couldn't imagine being so privileged and sleeping on crappy mattresses. Maybe that was wishful thinking on her part, considering she wanted to get promoted as quickly as possible. Maybe the agent beds would be better. Mmm, she hoped so. She was not about to sleep on a public couch every night. She hadn't even intended to do it last night.
"Why were you fighting with the stairs?" She teased as she stood up, lifting her arms above her head and arching her back to stretch as much as she could. Arceus, sleeping on the couch made her feel so stiff.. Though she couldn't deny that she'd slept better than she had in.. in... she couldn't even remember.
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 12:32 pm
Aulus yawned again and pushed his fingers through his already tousled hair before responding; he saw no rush to leap into an explanation, especially given her teasing tones. "Because they looked at me funny and spilled my pint," he responded after a moment with raised eyebrows, "but seriously? I was cleaning the corridor, and slipped; somebody had put boot polish on the edge of the top step, probably one of my lovely roommates. We do all get along so well, it's like a constant university party but with slightly less sexual tension. Ugh. Could I have my jacket back please? I don't want to give the sods the satisfaction of knowing their little plan worked. Well, partially worked, I expect they were hoping I'd break my neck, but they'll probably consider 'severely bruised' at least slightly entertaining."
If he was going to keep them from finding out, he'd have to be careful not to let them know he was sore... Humm, actually they'd have noticed he never went back to the room last night. "They probably think I'm in the infirmary right now actually," he observed with a grin, "they'll all be so disappointed that I just fell asleep on a couch." He was going to have to figure out some way to properly cope with his dear friends until he got out of this damned red uniform. Ugh. He just hoped that he didn't end up promoted at the same time as any of them, and therefore probably stuck sharing a grunt room with one of the morons.
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BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 12:49 pm
"They sound so polite and well-mannered," Claire commented more than a little sarcastically as she cast around for.. oh, there it was. She picked up the jacket that had fallen off her at some point and handed it to him. Part of her wanted to suggest he could thank his roommates for the prank, otherwise he would've gone to train and wouldn't have gotten to watch Cinderella with her and fallen asleep on the couch with her, as if it was some sort of privilege or something similar, but she hastily beat the thought back into oblivion. Where the hell had that come from, anyway? She should've just gone to bed last night instead of stayed or something, even if he was comfortable to lay on, and she had an amazing night's sleep, and..
No, it didn't matter at all. Whatever.
"Would they believe you if you told them you fell asleep on a couch, or would they think you were in the infirmary all night instead? Wishful thinking and all that," she said with a shrug before glancing around, looking for Zeus.. but she could hear snoring from behind a chair, so she figured he'd fallen asleep at some point. Hopefully he hadn't stolen Aulus' chocolate..
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 1:01 pm
"Yea, real bunch of gents," Aulus sneered as he pulled on his jacket and fastened it about half way up; he didn't really like having the collar tight around his throat. "You're probably right," he added, "they probably will think I was in the infirmary... What time is it?" he glanced up at the clock on the wall and scowled. "It can't be half past two," he muttered, moving over to it and lifting it down. Turning it over to look at the back, his scowl deepened. "Some sod's taken out the batteries," he said with a shake of his head. "Who goes around stealing batteries out of clocks? Seriously?" Probably some cheapskate who didn't want to buy batteries with their own money when there were plenty lying around they could just take when they fancied.
"Hope I'm not late for duty," the red-eyed man went on, extra growl entering his tones as he glowered at the still hands of the clock. "If I am, none of them are going to believe I just fell asleep here, and whoever's waiting to check us off for our morning duties isn't going to give a damn where I was, they'll just stick me on toilet cleaning and be done with it."
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BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 1:39 pm
"Who the hell would take batteries from the clock?" Seriously, what sort of person would steal clock batteries? A really cheap desperate one? She couldn't help but wonder what they needed the batteries for. No matter. Hazel eyes scanned the floor beside the side of the couch before she grabbed her black drawstring bag, slipping it open and pulling out her pokedex. It turned on with a click and shortly after displayed the current time. "It's about 7:10," she said, focusing on him once more. "You have to work today? I've the day off thankfully. Think I'll head to Camphoreon later.." She really needed to get out of the base, it had been far too long since she'd been able to wander around the city. She really needed to clear her head, too, and figure out how the hell she was going to deal with Lucas and his behavior.
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 1:54 pm
"Seven ten? Not too bad," Aulus frowned, tossing the useless clock onto the couch. "I have to work this morning, starting in twenty minutes actually, but from midday I'm free. Ugh. Getting out to the city sounds nice," the scarred man sighed slightly and shook his head, "being stuck here is driving me nuts, but I'm not allowed to borrow transportation, and even if I can get transport I have to be 'supervised'. Best I can hope for is some agent deciding she wants me to come along on a shopping trip with her because I look strong enough to carry all her bags."
He couldn't wait to be a grunt, then at least he'd have some freedom. He was sure they still kept pretty good tabs on you, but at least you could decide to spend your time off away from base if you felt like it. If the exercise facilities here weren't as good as they were he'd probably have snapped already; he hated not having choice, not being able to do as he pleased with his own free time. Given this fact, perhaps signing up to a strict military organization hadn't been so bright... Still, the higher up he got the better things would get; all he needed to do was aim for the stars, and kick anyone who tried to stop him reaching them.
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BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:14 pm
Claire sank back down onto the couch while Aulus spoke, relaxing against the back of it. "If you really want to get out, I could supervise you while you carry my bags, you certainly look strong enough for it. Not that I'll really be doing much shopping," she added quickly, immediately berating herself for the offer. What had she done that for? And why? She didn't need nor want any company in Camphoreon, all she needed was time to walk around and try to clear her head from thoughts of Lucas...
..even though such a wonderful night's sleep had cleared her head quite effectively.. So why had she offered to take him? Oh well, she couldn't back out of it now, so whatever. It could be fun, maybe. And if he tried anything - awake or asleep - she'd just have to let Odette out to handle things.
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:21 pm
Aulus couldn't help a brief laugh at that, followed by a genuine grin. "Alright," he nodded, "you've got a deal, and I'll buy us lunch while we're there... somewhere relatively inexpensive." Getting out for the day, the afternoon even, was definitely worth the price of lunch. He hoped she wouldn't take it the wrong way, it was just a fair trade kind of thing: she gave him something he couldn't otherwise have, and he did her a favour in return. It worked. She'd get it. She wouldn't think it was supposed to be a date or anything... Hopefully. Change the subject.
"So, uhh, what time should I meet you, and where? I should go get breakfast for now, and find Tortie; she stalked out in a jealous huff last night when I..." when I put my arm around you? Nooo way he was saying that. "When I became your pillow." Awkward save, but this whole conversation was kind of awkward so maybe it would go unnoticed.
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BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:50 pm
"Alright," she agreed with a nod, though the thought of him buying her lunch was both appreciated and.. made her a bit wary. Lucas had insisted that he pay for their food when they went out, and that men paying for food was supposed to be some universal code or similar. Something about that and the sort of person Aulus seemed to be didn't quite match up, so he probably only offered lunch because without her, he wouldn't be able to go into the city. She doubted it had anything to do with whatever code Lucas mentioned. ..thinking about him made her depressed.
"Alright," she said again, shifting to a more comfortable position on the couch, "we can go someplace inexpensive and I'll be sure to order one of everything on the menu. Two of all the desserts, too." Like hell she would, but she figured the statement would have the intended effect with or without her sarcastic tones. Time? Hmm.. "In the garage maybe a half hour or hour after your shift is over, whenever that is?" She suggested, then remembered her own pokemon when Aulus mentioned his. She pulled two pokeballs from her bag and winced slightly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to. Hopefully she's not too upset at you." Jealous, was she? That was interesting. Odette was protective, of course, but she didn't think the Pidgeot would be jealous. Speaking of, Claire raised one pokeball and recalled the bird, and replaced the ball in the bag. Following the snoring around to the back of a chair, she sighed slightly before the Pikachu was sucked back into his own pokeball. How he managed to sleep on his back with his mouth wide open, she hadn't a clue.
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:13 pm
"Ha, go ahead," Aulus snorted, "but if you do, I'm climbing out the window before the check comes, wouldn't be the first time." It would, in fact, be the second time but he wasn't about to tell her that; badass image and all that. "Anyway," he shrugged slightly, as much shaking off the previous kidding as displaying the next topic wasn't a big deal, "I'll forgive you for making Tortie huff at me if you'll forgive me for letting Zeus eat most of that big bar of chocolate. I needed somebody to turn the TV off without waking you; he figured it out quick enough with that bribe on offer... Anyway," he instinctively glanced at the clock on the couch even though he knew it wouldn't be right, or even have changed at all, "I should go now if I'm going to eat and hope to find her... Catch you at half twelve then."
It would be nice to go back to the city, have a bit of freedom, ride his bike, maybe even take some pictures. All the stuff he couldn't do here, and in good company... Well, hot company anyway, and that was nearly the same thing.
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BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 12:33 am
"What makes you think I'd stick around after ordering that much? I could high-tail it to the bathroom and never come back if I wanted to," she countered, slinging the bag over one shoulder. "And that's alright, I'll run him on the treadmill later or something to make up for it. Sorry about Tortie but I really didn't mean to. Not that she'll care, I'm sure." She was probably extremely jealous... why did that give her a sort of smug feeling? What the hell was she thinking, feeling that way? Her thoughts really needed to stop being so defiant and ridiculous, and and.. ridiculous.
"See you in the garage at 12:30 then," she replied. After he had left, she would make sure she hadn't left anything before going to change, exercise a bit, shower, get breakfast, then train her pokemon until about a quarter after 12, when she headed down to the garage to sign out a vehicle they could use for the day. As much as she preferred to fly, she didn't think Odette would take too kindly to carrying two people around all day. ...not that she would want that either, of course. Definitely not. Never.
...freaking Arceus she needed to reign in these defiant thoughts..
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