|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
|
 Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 2:12 pm
The botched mission had taken its toll on all of the participants. Most had been extremely annoyed at having to work together with Galactic - especially considering the situation they all found themselves in was entirely the other team's fault - and almost all had suffered mild burns from the exploding 'dexes. Some of them might have called the mission frustrating, a waste of time, and more than likely stressful - but none moreso than the young woman currently huddled on her bed shaking like a leaf.
The first portion of the mission had been spent with the knowledge that, if she was recognized, she'd probably be killed immediately. The next part started when Tethys had actually stopped to look - no, not look, stare - at her until TRP intervened, and said part was spent agonizing over if the Galactic commander had recognized her or not and with the feeling she probably wouldn't make it out of the cave alive. When Tethys looked at her again and smiled, the agent was absolutely positive that the blue-haired woman had recognized her and was deciding when and how to kill her. The fact that she, herself, didn't know when this would be was probably more excruciating than the fact - or what she had assumed to be fact - she was going to die at some point during the mission.
The further they progressed into the mine, the more Claire assumed Tethys would kill her at any given moment and that would just be it, it would be all over. When this didn't happen - and continued to not happen - her anxiety grew exponentially from her morbid expectations and reached its climax when they emerged from the mine. While the rest of the Rockets were preparing to fight the Galactics, Claire was absolutely certain that Tethys would kill her then and there. Except... she didn't. The Galactics left - which she didn't see, thanks to the second-degree burns and several painful gashes she received from her 'dex exploding in her pocket, thank you Deimos - and she was still alive. She wasn't dead. She was still alive. This realization, after spending pretty much the entire day and part of the night trapped in the mine with Galactic, felt like it lifted an incredibly enormous weight from her shoulders. She was still alive, Galactic had left, Tethys didn't kill her, and freaking Arceus she was still alive! The fact served to lift her absolutely abysmal spirits and carry her on a wave of adrenaline all the way back to the base.
Unfortunately the adrenaline coursing through her system was swiftly waning, and by the time they arrived she could barely even walk. Her feelings sank even quicker as the medics in the infirmary cleaned up the burns on her hip, giving her two stitches for the nastier gash on her leg, then wrapped it up and sent her off with some pain medication. Even though she couldn't feel the pain anymore (because pain meds were currently the best thing ever invented) it was still hard to walk, but she was damn well going to walk as fast as she could. Her already sunken spirits finally hit rock bottom as she passed a couple Rockets gossiping about the mission in the middle of the hallway, and it was all she could do to avoid shaking - and breaking into a panicked, hobbling run - until she got into her room and veritably slammed the door shut with trembling hands, all the feelings that had plagued her during the time spent trapped in the mind welling back up to taunt her, acting as a morbid reminder that she nearly died, and that the next time she saw Tethys - or vice versa - she really would.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 3:26 pm
Lucas had left the room and headed for the agent hall immediately. Tethys had noticed Claire. Stared at her. Smiled, even - Arceus, smiled! It was no small miracle that she had returned with her life, and he knew that it was impossible the agent was unaffected by the encounter. He had a memory - one of those awkward memories that he had suddenly woken up with - of her appearing at his door, pale-faced and worried beyond reason that Galactic would find her. Now Galactic had found her. Lucas didn't care what this implied about his own longevity; there was a very real danger that Claire's life would be at risk the next time she ran into the enemy team, and it was entirely possible that this worried Lucas as much as it did Claire herself.
She might have heard a series of knocks, increasing in volume as they seemed to increase in proximity to her own door and often followed by largely inaudible words in hurried tones. It wouldn't be terribly long before the knocking reached Claire's room.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
|
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 3:38 pm
It appeared that whatever was behind Claire's door was ready for the source of the knocking, because once Lucas stood outside it - before he could even knock once - there was a whuffling noise accompanied with a heavy dose of excited scuffling. A muffled 'chu' accompanied by a dull thump and culminating in a displeased whine quickly ended the noises, and it wouldn't be long before the doorknob creaked. The door didn't open right away though, merely a crack at first, until a couple seconds later when a chubby Pikachu opened it several inches and peered up at Lucas with green eyes. The head of a once-eager puppy pokemon craned her neck around the door to inspect the newcomer, though she looked considerably less happy than she had before the door had been opened, as if someone had sternly called her a Bad Dog. Zeus, on the other hand, remained standing there with one paw on his hip while the other held the door. From her position and how she didn't move besides a cursory glance, the Growlithe seemed to be standing directly next to the door to prevent it from opening any farther than what the Pikachu had designated. "Chu," the electric-type said, still peering up at the scarred man with an unreadable expression, as if he was some sort of guard to prevent unwanted company from entering. In all likelihood, that was probably exactly what he was.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 3:46 pm
Oh, Zeus was there. Of course Zeus was there. He really could have expected that , and had he done as much he would have brought a bribe. The Growlithe was an unfamiliar face, but it appeared the Pikachu had much more control over who was going to enter than his comrade, and so Lucas focused his attention on the electric-type. "Hey Zeus," he greeted, attempting to remain calm in spite of the obvious anxiety in his voice. "Need to see Claire. You gonna let me in?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
|
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 4:31 pm
The Pikachu standing guard at the door regarded Lucas and his anxious tone with a thoughtful, stone-faced expression. He turned his head to peer into the interior of the dimly lit room, a questioning "pika?" escaping him as he did so. After a moment or two and probably after receiving some vague gesture from the room's occupant, the Pikachu shooed the Growlithe away with a paw before pushing the door open wide enough for Lucas to enter, and would close it after the scarred man came in.
Once inside, Lucas would find the agent curled up in her bed with the blankets all pushed to the end besides a single sheet. The fabric was haphazardly pulled up on either side but the middle of it lay over her waist and neatly folded, doubling back over towards the end of the bed. The purpose of it became more clear due to the rather large cooling pack sitting on her hip, with the sheet acting as a barrier. It was obvious she'd changed since getting back to the base, though whether she'd done much else besides that wasn't clear. Her face was currently hidden behind the sole pillow on her bed, held directly in front of her with her arms wrapped around it. Upon closer inspection, he might find her hands clinging tightly to it, and every so often a slight tremble would shake her frame.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 5:54 pm
He entered quietly with a nod to the Pikachu, pausing momentarily in the middle of the room - it was much more spacious than her previous one, especially without all those books crowded around - to regard the agent. He had expected to find her in such a state, but the matter of how to help her remained in question. With a few brief steps forward, he seated himself on the floor beside the bed, leaning backwards slightly against the mattress and staring silently at the opposite wall. At length, he spoke, "You'll be all right."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
|
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 6:49 pm
Her initial relief at the thought of Lucas being there - because Lucas would understand her plight, and was the only person she'd allow to see her in such a state - was quickly washed away when he simply sat on the floor and offered a few (hardly) reassuring words that were immediately dismissed (because she was going to die, how would that be alright? It wouldn't, duh). This was clearly not what she'd expected. On second thought, she didn't know what exactly she did expect - coherent thoughts had long flown out the window by this point - but she did know that she didn't expect that. A muffled sniffle could be heard momentarily before she lifted her head a bit, one hazel eye peering out to look at the back of his head. The pillow still shielded the majority of her tear-stained face. "...Lucas?" Her tone sounded uncertain and a little confused, and the wavering quality indicated her distress. Why was he just sitting there? That was at least one coherent thought floating in her head, and probably one of very few at the moment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 7:16 pm
She sounded confused. She must have not wanted him there. She was probably just as angry as Aulus. The fact that she wasn't telling him to get out was a clear indication of how shaken she was. After making such a deliberate show of withdrawing from any friendly relationship they had, though, he couldn't simply pretend it had never happened and offer all the solace he felt obligated to offer.
He turned slightly at mention of his names, a distinct inclination of his brow suggesting concern, regret, and anxiety. "...You can tell me to leave if you want. I understand if you're pissed at me. But I won't go. I'll stay here as long as I need to." How long that was stood to be decided; he had no particular goal mind at the moment. He stared quietly for a moment, a slow furthering of the knit of his brow betraying an increasing worry. "You don't have to be afraid. You're okay, and you'll stay okay. I'll make sure of it." What he really wanted was for her to stop crying - because it was obvious that she was, despite how she hid her face. It was distressing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
|
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 7:41 pm
She merely blinked once or twice, watching him intently as he spoke. His reassurances were again immediately dismissed as moot points - dying did not equal okay, after all, and she was obviously going to die - but the suggestion of him leaving evoked an entirely different response. Far from being angry that he was there, her distress worsened at the thought of him leaving. "No," she said quickly, her tone and expression anxious as she tightened her grip on the pillow, fidgeting with it nervously. "No no no, I don't.. no," the incoherent agent repeated emphatically. Clearly her fried nerves were affecting her ability to form full sentences. She seemed to realize this though - or maybe she was just trying to physically keep him there herself, it really was anybody's guess - as one hand released its grip on the pillow and hesitantly reached for his sleeve instead, her fingers curling around it and her tone gaining a pleading quality it didn't have before as her eyes threatened to spill more tears onto the pillow. "Don't."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 7:53 pm
He stared momentarily, mouth forming around various phrases in an attempt to find a response. A small sigh, "Don't worry, I won't go anywhere." As he said as much, he stood slowly, careful not to accidentally shake the grip she had on his shirt out of a fear it would make her think he was leaving anyway, and took a place on her bed instead. He set a gentle hand on her shoulder, arching his neck slightly to maintain his gaze on hers. "I'll stay as long as you want."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
|
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:09 pm
She immediately tensed as he stood, as if afraid he'd slip out of her grasp and leave right then and there, but... he didn't. He even took pains to make sure he wouldn't be out of her reach. As his hand rested on her shoulder, she removed her own hand and her arm plopped down on top of her pillow. Her head had fully lifted while he moved, her face turned up to him with a distinct expression of uncertainty, as if two opposite emotions were fighting for control. She stared up at him for several seconds before her countenance suddenly faltered, and in the next moment she had pulled herself up and threw her arms around him, burying her face into his chest. She drew a shaky breath as she started trembling, though the tears had yet to start falling again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:21 pm
Scarcely a split second passed from the time that she wrapped her arms around him to him returning the gesture, enfolding her tightly with the realization that it was only through some twisted act of mercy of Tethys's that she was here in front of him now. He had been convinced she was dead, but the possibility - even if it had by now passed - was so vividly plausible that it was terrifying. He breathed an expulsive sigh through gritted teeth, either unable or unwilling to bring his thoughts into words.
Thank Arceus you came back alive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
|
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:34 pm
As terrifying a possibility it seemed to Lucas, it was even more so to the smaller agent wrapped in his arms. She seemed to share the sentiment though, and as soon as he hugged her the trembling worsened and the tears started to slide down her cheeks again. However, unlike the last time she cried on him, brought on by bad memories of things that had happened months or even years prior, this was caused by something that had taken place that very day. For an extended period of way too many excruciating hours - she still didn't know how long they'd been trapped in there with them - she had fought against the idea that she could and probably would die at any given moment in time. It wasn't too bad at first, but later on when it still hadn't happened, she was getting more and more anxious and the anxious and distressed thought 'Just get it over with already!' probably crossed her mind several times.
Also unlike the last time she'd cried on him, there was absolutely no indication that she would stop after just a few minutes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 9:16 pm
"You're okay," he said, nearly murmured, adamantly maintaining his arms around her trembling shoulders. "You're okay. You're safe. You don't need to be afraid anymore." Fear had driven him into Team Rocket's ranks, and fear had kept him in the base's halls for months before he dared to step outside again. It had been a distinct and real terror that Tethys would find him there and put him down for his treachery. But now that Galactic had found them - now that Tethys had found them - he was surprised to find that he wasn't dreading meeting her barrel. He looked forward to it, hoped for it. He would make Tethys pay for her actions if it killed him, and it would probably kill him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BlackFireKitsune Vice Captain
|
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 9:27 pm
Despite the fact that it felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders and she did indeed feel safe right then and there with Lucas, she knew for a fact it wouldn't last long at all. It'd only last until she ran into Tethys again, and then she was as good as dead. "F'ck that," she hiccuped, shaking her head as she tried in vain to wipe away the tears with the heel of one hand. "You didn't see the way she looked at me, Lucas. I was so sure she was going to kill me in there." The trembling picked back up, as did the sobs, as she clung tightly to him and tried to speak through her tears. "I thought she was going to, I was sure of it. Hell, I was expecting it any minute." She retreated further into his embrace, shuddering at the still vivid memory. She was scared when she defected Galactic, scared when she heard rumors they were in Johto, and frightened when she found out they were in Kodo. Up until now, she didn't even know what true terror was. It was the knowledge that, at any point in time, she could be shot dead without even knowing which direction it came from and there wasn't a damn thing anybody could do about it. She was as good as dead, and that was it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
