[center]
[img]http://i65.tinypic.com/b66f5i.png[/img] | [img]http://i66.tinypic.com/m7tcpe.png[/img] 
[h1][color=8A3DFF]Emma[/color] | [color=fff79a]Hazel[/color] [/h1]
[color=silver][hr]𝕊𝕖𝕡𝕥. 𝟙𝟜, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   𝕌𝕊𝔸ℝ𝕀𝕃ℕ 𝔼𝕒𝕤𝕥   / /   𝕊𝕦𝕚𝕥𝕖 𝟛𝟙𝟠  / /  𝕄𝕠𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘    [hr][/color] 
[sub]Collab by [@Diggerton] [@GreenGoat][/sub][/center] 
If there was anything the last fights had taught her, it was that she lacked protection.

Sure, her projections could act as a shield for her, but it could not protect her against attacks from unanticipated angles. It was with those thoughts that she had taken to looking in the library for armor, for protection. And it was with those thoughts, that she had come back into the dorm, to wear the armor she had bought online. Hazel wasn't sure how much protection these will offer from those clockwork monsters, but at least she had some degree of protection. But...

It was not the monsters that she was truly worried about. It was the people on the other teams, more specifically the people who had participated in the last flag game. There was no assurance that they would not suddenly attack her out of spite once more for whatever reasons. [i]That[/i] person, for instance, had no intentions of abiding by the rules of the flag game, and had tried almost immediately to murder her. If not for Zoe, she might have died right then and there. 

Hazel finished buttoning up the gambeson, and moved towards the chainmail, wondering briefly if she should bring some of her medicine along.

Emma had been apprehensive. About the coming battle, of course, and about her friend’s safety, but right now that wasn’t what she was concerned about. No, as she headed towards her dorm she was more worried about Hazel. The announcement earlier that morning that she would be on her team had filled her with a sense of… well, the word that came to Emma’s head was dread, but that seemed a little extreme. 
 
But if Emma was being honest with herself she [i]was[/i] scared of her. Scared of the way that she had completely swept up her team with almost robot-like precision and scared of the way that she had slapped her to the ground without a second thought, leaving her naked for everyone to see. Emma had wanted…. maybe [i]did[/i] want to be friends with Hazel. They were roommates, after all, it was only natural that they should get along. 
 
But how could she get along with someone like Hazel? Someone that was seemingly devoid of emotion? Emma had been mulling over that question when she opened the door to find Hazel putting on a suit of armor, something seemingly straight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. She favored Hazel with a glance of curiosity, [color=8A3DFF]”Are you getting ready for a battle or the renaissance faire?”[/color] she joked. It was a joke that she had no doubt would go over Hazel’s head.

[color=fff79a]"Rein a sans?"[/color] Hazel looked up towards Emma. [color=fff79a]"I do not know what that is, but I am getting ready for the coming battle."[/color]

Emma looked... different? Strange? She did not seem to be all there, was the thought that flashed in her mind. Like a conspiciously missing portion off a plate of food. As the chainmail slipped over her head, the thought that she might be worried about the battle slipped into Hazel's head. Like her, Emma did not have much in the way of protection, so perhaps she too was worried about her own protection. Had she not been under the influence of both the collar and the drug, Hazel might have puffed up a little with pride, having knowledge of something Emma didn't. But since she was, Hazel simply nodded and took up the cuirass.

[color=fff79a]"Armor."[/color] She said simply, pushing the cuirass at Emma. [color=fff79a]"Put it on. It protects you."[/color]

Emma accepted the armor. She was half-tempted to take that as a gift or perhaps a sign that Hazel cared for her well-being, but that was probably wishful thinking. She found it far more likely that Hazel had some sort of utilitarian motive behind her actions. All the same her face brightened slightly as she glanced at the cuirass, [color=8A3DFF]”Armor. I-I see.”[/color] she figured it would be best to comply, and began to put on the armor. 

[color=8A3DFF]”A renaissance faire is like… hmmmmm… a gathering where people dress up and pretend that they’re in the past. Like, middle ages, y’know? They dress up in outfits like that.”[/color] she explained. She wasn’t exactly sure why she had expanded on the subject since she was sure that Hazel wouldn’t be interested, but she did.

[color=fff79a]"Middle ages? The past?"[/color] Without being asked, she helped Emma put on the cuirass, first attaching the gorget. With it, the straps would distribute its weight evenly on the gorgets instead of just digging into her shoulders. 

Relieving the past seems like an odd thing, but Hazel could understand it somewhat. This facility was far more taxing than anything she had ever experienced before. Before, all she had to worry about was her own performance; there was an air of routine and predictability that she preferred. Perhaps there was a time before where people would like to relive, perhaps one without threat from those monsters. She found the thought intriguing.

[color=fff79a]"Do you mean to say that they have better armour than this?"[/color] She secured the straps on the cuirass, before giving it a little tug. Satisfied, she continued. [color=fff79a]"Where can I find one of those faires?"[/color]

Emma’s face reddened slightly as Hazel helped her. [color=8A3DFF]”T-thanks.”[/color] she said quickly. As for her question Emma didn’t have much to offer her, [color=8A3DFF]”Hmmmm, well, I don’t really know enough to judge the quality. I’m not sure how good this is, although I’m sure there would be some people with some expensive stuff there…”[/color] Emma gave a slight laugh, [color=8A3DFF]”That being said I don’t think there’s a high change of a renaissance faire suddenly popping up in CC1, or anywhere near here. Don’t think they do so well with this kind of weather, considering it’s mostly an outdoor event.”[/color]

[color=fff79a]"Expensive..."[/color] Hazel seemed to ponder over it. [color=fff79a]"I understand."[/color]

Of course, since the gorget was being worn by Emma right now, Hazel had no way of attaching the spaulders to herself without it. The tassets as well, considering those needed to be attached to the breastplate. Raising Emma's arms slightly, Hazel started to attach the spaulders as well. As Emma mentioned the low probability of the faire happening in CC1 however, she stopped for a moment, before briskly continuing on securing the other side of the spaulders. Emma, once again seemed different, but why, Hazel did not know.

[color=fff79a]"Are you worried?"[/color] She asked.

Emma’s smile grew a little. Was that concern? Or maybe Hazel was just worried about Emma’s mood affecting her performance in battle. [color=8A3DFF]”Am I… worried? Of course I am. Every time we get sent out there… well, I could die.”[/color] Emma’s voice began to grow slightly shaky, [color=8A3DFF]”Or Marcus could, or Callan, or Siena, or Ernie, or Lawrence, or… you. I don’t want any of that to happen.”[/color] 

Hazel tilted her head slightly at that.

So Emma's worries extends to more than just her own protection, but to most people she knew including... her? Hazel remained silent as she attached the tassets to Emma's cuirass, tying up the cords with practised precision. Finished, she stepped back to look over Emma, trying to see if any of the armor pieces were loose. Satisfied, she took the gauntlet and helm for herself. Even without the plate protecting her, the chainmail and gambeson should give her more protection than just wearing her clothes.

[color=fff79a]"Don't worry."[/color]

She gave the cuirass a light blow with her palms, as if demonstrating its use. 

A small giggle erupted from Emma. Maybe Hazel really was concerned. She was surprised that such a simple pair of words could put her a little more at ease. Emma wasn’t sure if things were going to be fine, but she felt guilty. Guilty for fearing Hazel. Guilty for being an idiot and losing her powers over the fight with her. Guilty for coming in here prepared to confront her. Emma glanced towards her, [color=8A3DFF]”Thanks, Hazel.”[/color] her voice was warm, and so was her smile.
 
Yeah, maybe things were going to be fine.