[hr][center][h1][color=B8860B]Theo Callahan[/color] & [color=crimson]Isabel MacGilios[/color][/h1][/center][center]Collab between [@beyond visions] and [@Vashonn][hr][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkZ0x3LuH6A]''Hazy Shade of Winter'' by Hidden Citizens (feat. Jaxson Gamble) [/url][hr][/center] Slowly Theo stepped through Colony Square as he walked down the aisle, taking in the muse-crafted, ornate wedding arch. The chairs that surrounded the arch would no longer be empty at sunset. Observing the setting of his future wedding, Theo stared at two figures standing beneath that arch. The first was a seven foot male, bulking and shirtless, the other was female, but not Isabel. No, this other woman blinked with hazel and blue eyes that Theo could never forget even if plagued with amnesia. Theo shook his head, stirring away the alternate fantasy from his mind.[color=B8860B]  

[i]This can only be as good as you make it.[/i][/color]

His inner voice vibrated in his mind and his heart in the form of the kind of encouragement he could grip, that he [i]will[/i] grip. He had to let go of Cassie and cling to Isabel. The only way this thought would matter is if it was more than just a thought and instead a feeling. Action was the answer if that was to ever happen.

Thus, instantly as Theo heard footsteps behind him, he tugged and threw off his Spartan helmet before racing towards Isabel. It seemed to her that in mere seconds, Theo was literally sweeping her off her feet. And while she was in his arms, Theo leaned his forehead against hers whispering, [color=B8860B]"Hi, wifey."[/color] Was he tempted to have a [i]Phantom of Opera[/i] moment and rip off her mask? Yes, but he understood how his passion could translate as disrespect to a muse.

As it was with any major occasion, the illustrious Renaissance was outfitted in distinguished apparel, though this day was clearly one of the most important she had ever known. As such, Isabel was especially bedazzled with elaborate extravagence, the likes of which that had been worked upon my the most gifted seamstresses within the colony, to best accentuate the young woman's delicate beauty. A long, red-pasteled gown flowed to the ground as she stepped gingerly down the aisle toward the man who she was destined to marry that upcoming evening. In a great flash, however, Isabel's senses were quickly sent into disarray as she felt her body lifted, and land upon the two muscular arms of Theodore.

Staring up in slight shock, Isabel felt the gargantuanly-sized man touch his head to hers, letting the brief greeting fall upon dainty, deaf ears. After a brief moment, Isabel shifted her gaze into Theodore's vision, their bright blue eyes meeting one another just barely an inch apart. [color=crimson]"Well, I... Certainly wasn't expecting [i]that[/i],"[/color] though her tone came across as sarcastic, her expression remained stuck on a mixture of confusion and mild shock. Lifting her arms around Theo's neck, Isabel locked her fingers together, more as a means of extra support lest she fall rather than in a romantic sense.

Theo chuckled, feeling her arms snug around his neck.  [color=B8860B]"Hey... Don't worry I won't drop you,"[/color] he reassured her kindly. [color=B8860B]"Can I kiss you?"[/color] he asked directly, impulse pumping through his veins. Isabel felt a wave of heat pass over her face, knowing that her pale-white skin was turning a bright red from the sudden request. Eyes widening further, she stuttered slightly, trying to stammer out her words in as respectable a manner as she could muster.

[color=crimson]"I-- I would th-- think it best if, well-- we are only a short ways from our wedding,"[/color] her flustered speech only showed a glimpse of the racing thoughts going through Isabel's mind, unsure of how best to address the situation, especially concerning how she was being held a good distance from the ground. [color=crimson]"I mean-- it isn't I [i]wouldn't[/i] like to, its only..."[/color] Isabel's face reddened even further, not sure of how to go about her next statement. [color=crimson]"I, ehm, haven't much experience in such matters."[/color] Keeping her eyes locked with Theodore's, Isabel tried her best to calm herself, but felt her heart beginning to race as their lips still remained only inches apart.

 [color=B8860B]"Ah, well if it is your first kiss, then I'll wait till the--"[/color] Tenderly, Theo pecked her on the lips.  [color=B8860B]"Ha, me wait? Now, that's funny. But that wasn't a [i]real[/i] kiss, we'll save that for under the  arch, in front of everyone... in front of the materminds..."[/color] Theo snarled as he said the fanction's name. Though he brought them up simply because they were nuisance to him, stressing that this marriage could only be a political affair. He so badly wanted to prove them wrong. 

 [color=B8860B]"No, no. I bet you're tired of hearing about it. I won't bring up anything political."[/color] After the kiss, as careful as reckless Theo could, he softly landed her back down on her feet. [color=B8860B] "Today, is all about us, remember that."[/color] Once she was back to her feet, Theo offered Isabel his elbow for her to grapple her hand around as they began their stroll through the colony that remained asleep at such an early hour. 

Unsure of how best to respond to the incredibly brief kiss, Isabel remained silent as she placed her feet delicately upon the ground, taking hold of Theodore's elbow lightly as they began walking away from where they were destined to meet again that evening. The sky remained dark and still twinkled with the occassional star as the twilight hours began creeping toward sunrise, filling the air with a cool breeze that just brushed lightly at Isabel's tightly knotted hair, stirring up a few strays that landed across her face. She did little to adjust them, letting their soft ends tickle at her cheek as they continued to stroll, waiting patiently for her companion to speak first.

 [color=B8860B]"I broke your lute..."[/color] he said a matter-of-factly.  [color=B8860B]"By... accident... because of... anger."[/color] Theo pressed his lips together in a puff up expression weighing in between a smile and a frown. [color=B8860B]"Um... Yeah... this is why I'm not allowed to go inside your guys' gallary... without supervision."[/color] Perhaps Isabel was not quite familiar with the fact that Theo could be such a manchild, though he hoped she would find it more endearing rather than bothersome. 

Though the immediate statement had caused her to frown a bit in disappointment, as Theo continued on, Isabel felt her mood lighten significantly, even causing her to let out a short snicker at the final phrase he had spoken. Feeling a tad bit embarrased at having laughed at Theo, Isabel collected herself to respond. [color=crimson]"I suppose the lute can be repaired, or at the very most, replaced. I imagine it held more sentiment with the crafter, but we don't need to tell him what happened to it,"[/color] Isabel smiled softly, placing her feet carefully as they continued along.

[color=crimson]"The Gallery is certainly lovely... I'll be putting a new work in there soon, if I can make my peace with how it turned out,"[/color] Isabel's eyes fell as she remembered the  painting she had been working on over the last several months, each thought of it making her want to only cut it up and start again. Declan - dearest Declan, the only one she could trust - told her it was perfect, but she felt something was off about the way the thin, dry layers of paint were stuck to the canvas. She had stared at this same painting for hours the previous day, looking for where it went wrong, what she could try and fix. Isabel shook her head as she felt her mind wander away, trying to remain focused on her conversation.

[color=crimson]"If it would please you, I could always go with you to the Gallery, and keep the sculptures from popping out and frightening you!"[/color] Isabel laughed, hoping the man would recognize she only meant her words to be taken in jest.

 [color=B8860B]"Hah!"[/color] Theo laughed loudly. Isabel did not poke fun at him nearly as hard as did the vanguards, or even just Cassie for that matter. Humor, even if it was in the form of teasing, is what carry those soldiers to survive, or at least forget fear for a mere moment. [color=B8860B]"I bet that's Tinkerbell's-- I mean Declan's work."[/color] That was as much as Theo knew when it came to Isabel's right-hand other than his skills in acting and what crime he commited. A convict's crime was regularly known by others, because one way or another someone always finds out. But even though it is common to know another's past crime, it is also common courtesy to never hold it against that person, or at least not bring it up in front of them. [color=B8860B]"Since I'm such a towering figure myself, maybe you should put a statue of me in there. Say yes right now and I'll pose nude for it later,"[/color] Theo joked as he flexed his arms, striking a pose before her. 

Pausing for a moment to scan the large, muscular figure, Isabel blushed just slightly as she blinked the vision from her mind before turning her gaze back down the path they had been travelling. [color=crimson]"How tempting of a proposition... Perhaps I'll have to consult [i]Tinkerbell[/i] about having him model you,"[/color] putting emphasis on the demeaning nickname, Isabel began walking away slowly, almost sounding patronizing as she finished speaking. She meant no harm by it, of course, though she hoped pointing out this minor blemish would keep similar mishaps from occurring in the future. If she was to be married to this man, he would have to at least attempt to be considerate of her own feelings, if only just slightly.

[color=B8860B]"Ha... Heh... heh,"[/color] Theo awkwardly laughed, trying to take what she said for humor, though he could obviously notice that she was not quite so fond of the nickname. In fact, she seemed annoyed by it, and not in a good way. As they continued strolling through the colony, Theo briefly glanced down at Isabel.  [color=B8860B][i]Yo... This chick really isn't Cassie...[/i][/color] that thought was not revelation for him, his next thought was,  [color=B8860B][i]Yeah... I better stop treating her like she is.[/i][/color]

It was with that thought that insecurity brought tingles down his spine, causing him to straighten up and stiffen up. Especially now that he felt so under-dressed compared to his bride, for she was fashioned in a fine red gown, whereas Theo was shirtless in cargo shorts and combat boots. 

The soon sun rose, and thus the sunlight signaled that it was time for them to make their way to the theater, to which they would watch a play.[hr]
With heavy eyelids, his head repeatedly dropped downwards followed by Theo bolting his head back up during the progression of the play. In all of his attempts to keep himself conscious while seated at the very front of the theater, he lacked the strength to do so. It was throughout the performance of Declan's original play that Theo snored in his unwanted slumber, his head leaning against Isabel's shoulder.

Isabel sat calmly alongside the large Spartan, allowing him to drift in and out from slumber throughout the entirety of one of Declan's finer works, knowing that she shouldn't have expected nearly as much enthusiasm for the dramas in someone who crafts his own art with the barrel of a gun. Several times she noticed a few members of the cast on stage glancing down upon the couple, frequently with a look of disgust toward Theodore and worry toward Isabel, as if she would be tainting the great gift she had by marrying someone of his character. Isabel simply smiled back to them, once even letting her small, delicate hand slip under Theodore's thick, leathery palm in defiance of their scowls.

Despite the Muses' apparent disdain, Isabel knew that for the most part, they were in support of the decision she had made. She had heard gossip among some of them already wondering if there were plans for a child, to which Isabel responded with bright-red cheeks and a dismissal to her chambers. She knew that some of the women Muses even hoped for there to be a child coming from the marriage, in hopes to prepare another great festival for its birth.

All of the attention she had been receiving from the other Muses recently had elevated well beyond what was usual, drawing time away from her work as she met them for feasts and social gatherings, always being asked of what her plans were for the marriage, and whether she was worried of what the Masterminds would say. To every question she would respond as vaguely and as pleasantly as she could manage, though now that the marriage was officially set for that day, she knew that soon enough she would be confronted by even the Masterminds as to what she hoped to achieve from this endeavor, beyond the alliance between the two factions that was being formed, as well as have to attend even more gatherings, which would take away even more time from her projects.

Isabel shook her head as she caught her mind wandering yet again, bringing her back into reality. The play was drawing to a close, as the King's son was pronounced dead - this was one of Declan's great Tragedies - and the many actors that had performed all clambered onto the stage for the ending lines. Isabel shook her shoulder a bit, hoping to stir Theodore from his slumber, as it would only be fair for him to at least applaud their performance, despite the fact he probably had no idea what the play was even about.

Even with her nudging Theo remained in his sleep. It was not until the the applause vibrating throughout the theater that Theo awoke, though not gracefully, not even in the slightest bit. It was not the sound of clapping that initially clicked inside of his head, it was gun shots. Theo battled with his own trauma as he gasped in shock. It was by his war-torn reflexes that he gripped Isabel's shoulder, the person nearest to him that by instincts struck him with the fear to fight for his life lest his throat be slit in his sleep. 

After staring into her blue eyes, realizing this was no face-painted Outsider, Theo loosened his grip till letting go and slowly easing back to join in on the applause. Isabel stared back for a moment, her brow pressing down to a worried expression that kept her from glancing back toward the performers, where the Muses directly in front of them were looking quizzically at the scene below them, but continued to bow through the applause.

As the curtains dropped and the other members of the audience began to disappear through the door to the world outside, Isabel remained seated as she kept her gaze locked upon Theo, keeping silent as the noise of the hall began to dim. Her shoulder began to feel stiff and ache, as the pressure the man had put on it with his hand had been so immense. Isabel shifted slightly, knees aimed toward Theo's legs, her hand pressed against the armrest separating the two of them.

[color=crimson]"Shall... Shall we continue on, then?"[/color] A gentle smile worked its way onto Isabel's lips, trying to ease the strange tension that had grown in the air around the couple.

[color=B8860B]"Yeah... Um--,"[/color] Before Theo was spared the chance to choke out another single word, the haunting echo of a bell rung distantly throughout all of Churchill. Theo bounced out of his seat, panting harder now with blue eyes that bugged out with both fear and slight blood-lust. That was a bell from the colony' watch tower located right by the gate entrance. The ringing of the bell equaled the presence of an unwelcome visitor, a visitor that could potentially be an outsider or an army of them.  [color=B8860B]"So, wifey,"[/color] Theo spoke sharply with volume raised, not as gentle or soft as he spoke during their stroll.  [color=B8860B]"You have three options because I'm storming out of here one way or another to see why in the world that bell was rung. Option one: You can run like hell and try to keep up with me. Option two: I can carry you out of here, or option three: You can stay here. Make your choice [i]now[/i]."[/color] 

Isabel sat still for just a moment, her thoughts beginning to race as to what the bell's toll meant. Though it was faint, there was a mixture of shouts and orders being announced by figures running around outside of the theater, which only allowed her mind to spin faster. Taking a deep breath, Isabel stood from her seat, a determination ablaze in her eyes. [color=crimson]"I'm going with you,"[/color] she let out in a huff, taking Theodore's hand in hers. [color=crimson]"Though, I'd rather you not carry me around like a child, if you wouldn't mind."[/color]

[color=B8860B]"Actually I'm your husband, let me be hella heroic,"[/color] Theo hooked his large hands under her slender arms, lifting Isabel against his broad bulging chest before cradling.   [color=B8860B]"Buckle up."[/color] And though he put the effort to not bulldoze over anyone, a giant like himself cannot afford to be absolutely graceful, especially in such a frantic circumstance. With Isabel's ear pressed against his heart, she could clearly hear like a war drum the booming beats amidst his adrenaline. 

[color=crimson]"You bumpkin, put me down!"[/color] Isabel glanced about with wide eyes as the world around her zoomed by, making her a tad bit nauseous. Granted, at this speed they were set for their destination a good deal quicker than if she had simply ran on her own, but she still felt frustrated by how Theodore had blatantly refused her request. She didn't necessarily want to cause any offense, but if this kept up, she didn't know what else would [i]work[/i].

[color=B8860B]"But the train doesn't stop here,"[/color] Theo continued carrying her until he locked eyes with his First Sentinel. [color=B8860B]"Sheriff, what the hell is going on?"[/color] as he questioned the British cowboy, Theo released Isabel from his arms by steadily positioning her back on her,   [color=B8860B]"Was you not using your feet really that bad?"[/color] he muttered under his breath while landing her down. 

Isabel stepped away from Theo with a puff of air escaping her lips, lifting her hands to comb the hair from her eyes that had swept into her face during the run. Glancing about, Isabel noticed how out of place she appeared, as most of the other colonists had fled indoors, leaving mostly the brutishly clad Vanguard outside to protect the camp. Isabel took a step back, placing herself beside Theodore, folding her hands together in silent observance of what was occurring.

Theo turned around to only burst with laughter.  [color=B8860B]"HAH! Ha! Didn't think we were expecting you? Regret hooking up those Collective monitors into OUR little humble abode?"[/color] Yes, the colony, and specifically Theo was well aware of the aggressive decay, for when Churchill was first settled, the Collective believed that though the convicts are located on another planet, they are still apart of the nation, Collective news would remind them of that. Collective television screens were present in each of the faction's  hideouts. Catching his breath in between his yelling and laughing, Theo lowered his volume  [color=B8860B]"I knew if you dropped in any earlier than three months, then it obvious, the Overseers are screwed with the last resort of what? Oh wait-- the colony they have been PISSING on for EIGHTEEN years!"[/color] Theo marched over to the one and only Captain Overseer,  [color=B8860B]"Aw... The Big Bad Wolf ain't so big and bad now, [b][i]is[/i][/b] he?!"[/color] Theo patted Thrax's head, petting him with mockery and fake pity.