#1

The way that Metro had tensed up upon the idea of visiting Chicago made her nervous. He went silent once again, not as long as before, but long enough. If only she could see what he was thinking...Or at least see the reactions on his face. Hands entwined together, fingertips nervously dancing over one another, Ellie waited with baited breath for him to say no. He didn't. Though what was given instead wasn't much of an answer. 

Perhaps it was an overrun shit-hole. But, it was also her last hope. If it really had nothing left, she would be heartbroken. Chicago was the only twinge of hope left in her lithe frame, the reason she still gave herself for getting up every god-forsaken morning. "Maybe it is..." She sighed, closing her eyes briefly. Her hands stopped their nervous dance. Long lashes lifted to reveal stormy green eyes, vibrant and hopeful. "But there's also a chance it isn't. A chance that there might be something...[i]anything[/i] left of the world." She stopped, her voice growing softer with each word she spoke. Yet still passionate. She had to believe it, it was the one of the few things that kept her going now. 

Narrowing her eyes when he turned down sleep, even after admitting he hadn't had any for five nights, she could only nod and accept it. She wasn't in any position to go all mother on him now, but she did fear that it would affect his performance. She shook her head in distaste at his whole slave tending remark, but she did enjoy the light-hearted humor otherwise. She opened her mouth to speak once more, but was stunned silent. Her mouth still gaping slightly open. Had Metro just...complimented her? She was trying to catch herself, a slow blush tainting her cheeks. Sticking out against the blonde of her hair, and fair complection. 

"I...I um.." She faltered, for the first time in quite a while, she faltered in her speech. Slightly nervous now, Ellie went to get backup, searching her brain. She practically shouted, "EDGAR ALLAN POE, THE RAVEN" 
If it wouldn't have made her look more of the fool she felt like, she would've smacked herself in the face. Well, why stop now? 
"I-It-it's about darkness, and basically death. But.." She cleared her throat roughly, regaining her bearing little by little. "It also has a deep layer of truth, and strength. A hidden context within the darkness, that allows for something to fight against it. Though in the end of the story it seems dreadful, there's always that little glimpse of hope that's sprinkled in." She gave a quick, small smile. 

Sighing, she took out a can of chili from her bag. It was cold, but she doubted it would lack in flavor. [i]Way to go, hotshot.[/i] She chided herself on her earlier behavior, something she swore she wouldn't let happen again. She was caught off guard was all, and he was just being polite. That was all. Holding up the can, she held her bag slightly tighter as she walked closer to Metro, green eyes wary. "Well, we should probably eat here then, and we can gather what we can before heading out." She smirked at the dark mask teasingly, "Who knows...Maybe you'll find something for that fortress you told me about." 

That said, she strode past him to the corner of the Walmart, raising a brow at his homemade watchtower. With a shrug, she carefully deposited her bag on the floor next to her before sitting on the ground herself. Pulling out her switchblade, she dug into the top of the can and proceeded to open it, wasting no time. Risking a glance up at her new companion- hoping he wouldn't notice her stare, she began to carve his image into her brain. All for strategic purposes, of course. [i]That's all[/i], she told herself. Averting her gaze, she focused once more on their can.

When the lid of the can popped open, she smiled brightly and looked up to Metro, quickly letting him know that it was ready. Sure, it wasn't warm... But she didn't really have a way to fix that. Pulling out her bowl, she took only a small scoop of the chili. That done, she closed her blade and held out the can of chili to him. "Here, I figure you could use more than me anyway. Like you said earlier, I'm not starving anytime soon." She smiled kindly up at him, patting a place on the tile next to her. An invitation, should he wish to accept.