[center][b]Departure[/b][/center]
---

The friends had just parted ways with the Field Marshall, rapidly advancing beyond the academy grounds and towards Doral. The scenery was magnificent, especially with the dark clouds converging on them in the distance. The deep growling of thunder could be heard and the light breezes had transformed into random gusts of air, capable of swaying trees about. As the friends crossed a hill overlooking the farm belt, Freddy approached Olivia with conversation.

“Seriously, fuck that guy!” Freddy said.
“Who, Sawyer? The man has probably seen more action than everyone at the academy combined, what did you expect?” Olivia replied.
“Anyway, hey, who are you thinking for second in command?”
[indent][i]…I just got my own command ten minutes ago… how am I supposed to know?...[/i][/indent]“I don’t know, Freddy…”
“I’m personally thinking Remi’s a good choice, since he’s got the best tactical mind out of us…”
“You’ve got that right…”
“Thael’s tempting, but he’s too much of a natural leader. He’s not vice-captain material, really.”
[indent][i]…they should’ve picked Thael… I can’t do this…[/i][/indent]“I don’t think they mean for us to have two captains at the same time. The second in command thing is only for if and when we split up, but we’ll see what happens then. No point in worrying about the future, a future we know nothing about…”
“Wait, shit, sorry…”
[indent][i]….what now…[/i][/indent]“Hmm…?”
“You’re probably still adjusting to this whole ‘being in charge’ bullshit…”
[indent][i]…do I need to adjust to being a leader?... maybe I do…[/i][/indent]“No, it’s fine…”
“Err, not that it’s bullshit you’re the captain! Honestly, you’re the obvious choice!”
“…you don’t have to be humble for my sake, Freddy.”
“I mean, you’re like, constantly there for us! Shit, I certainly think you’re a great choice as captain.”
[indent][i]…I’m not sure if you know what you’re saying…[/i][/indent]“That’s sweet of you to say…”
“Holy shitting Buddha… I’m just being awkward… I'll go over there now.”
[indent][i]…Oh, Freddy… you’re cute…[/i][/indent]

Olivia smirked at the adorable boy, who was barely taller than she was. No matter how loud or obnoxious he would get during their journey, she knew that he would always stay by her side, even in the face of Armageddon. The thought was comforting. Fred truly had Sam’s loyalty, which made Olivia’s otherwise turbulent soul tranquil.

[b]Later…[/b]

“Oh my, I’m so sleepy…” Olivia said and fell flat on the ground from her seated position, gazing at the cloud riddled sky.
“By all the stars in heaven and every single fuck I don’t give, Olivia, don’t be a lazy shit!” Freddy said.
[indent][i]…I can be lazy if I want to…[/i][/indent]“…I can be lazy if I want to…” Olivia said and closed her eyes.
“It’s not that long of a freaking hike!”
“…yes it is… and I’m still hung over…”
“I mean, yeah, it’s kinda bullshit, and I’m pretty sure that taint-licking scrub was lying to us, but if anyone can go without cars it’s probably the superhumans who can bond with spirits!”
[indent][i]…am I supposed to put up with this language for the rest of my life?...[/i][/indent]“…‘taint-licking scrub’? That’s rich…Fred… I hope you entertain us with your clever choice of words the whole way…”

Olivia yawned as she tilted her body over to support it on one of her elbows. Surveying her surroundings she noticed a lonely Birch tree not thirty meters away.

“See that tree over there, Freddy? Why don’t you run over there and climb it, and then describe… shout… to me what you can see…” Olivia said. “… check how far we are from Doral… you know… that brightly lit antenna in the distance,” she continued.