Jeez.  At least, now, she had found the new teapot of the team.  Evan's mouth was just as runny as Rose's yet his words still carried with them the significance of the situation:  they needed a leader... fast.  In this case, they had two options who were as viable as the muscles that rippled immensely as Evan would move or make any gestures; they were also as viable as the way his Adam's Apple bobbed up and down as Evan spoke...  What?  [color=aba000]"Fuck."[/color]  Rhea cursed as she unslung the sword from her shoulder, unsheathing it just enough for the lower portion to be revealed.  Her mind was snared by the onslaught of mysterious attractions brought on by damned biology.  If only... if only she could destroy her own cells.  In a heartbeat, the healer glided her index finger over the sharp blade, causing the skin there to rupture and a slick trail of crimson liquid to flow forth.  Her eyes observed the wound which was now healing quickly as was expected.  More importantly, her mind had snapped out of the trance that she was in and, now, she could think properly.  [color=aba000]"Much, much better."[/color]  Rhea smiled, now looking at the two candidates:  JC and Smokey.  Honestly, she hated to pick between the two of them.  It was a stupid notion, really.  She was the only one who harboured any positive emotions towards her team; she knew that they'd leave her in a heartbeat but Rhea couldn't do so to them.  She wasn't that much of a monster... not yet.  Still, she had to pick.  Well, she already knew who she would pick but Rhea hated for any untoward hate that might spiral out of control once everything would be decided.  The healer sheathed the sword back and slung it over her shoulder, pulling down her hood in the process.  With but a few strides, Rhea went over to JC, softly taking his hand in hers.  

[color=aba000]"Say, JC."[/color]  Rhea began as she shut out any glares or stares that might be occurring.  In this moment, it was just them.  Screw Smokey, screw Teapot 2.0, screw Whirlie, screw Skelly, screw Hatty...  screw everyone but JC; the lad had already went through a lot.  There's no need to bring any more of them down-- Evan had already done plenty of that.  [color=aba000]"Disregardin' whatever bull droppings anyone would be sayin' 'bout ya, I be believin' dat ya did good during da attack on our tower.  Ya led us to da best of what ye can do and, honestly, I be proud of ya.  Ev'ry leader be makin' a mistake but ain't dat part of da journey?  No matter how good ye are of a leader, someone will always be hatin' on ya.  Ye dun 'ave to be da best leader fer everyone; ye just need to be da best leader fer dos who matter."[/color]  she breathed in a huff of air before patting JC's hand.  [color=aba000]"Ye a'ready proved yerself to us and ye didn't disappoint; Rose was right in trustin' ye.  Sure, there were mistakes in da plan but just because ye stumbled don't mean dat ye be lost.  Ya just have to be tryin' harder.  JC, it's time fer someone else to be leadin' us; it's time fer someone to take up da mantle and finish what ye started.  Ye a'ready got us dis far, ye deserve to take a break."[/color]  she let go of his hand, already finished with her subtle inspection if he had any wounds.  Not sure if he noticed though.  [color=aba000]"Never doubt yer leadership fer a moment.  Honestly, a lot of us won't be here if it ain't fer ye leadin' us.  I wouldn't be 'ere if it wasn't fer ya.  You've done beautifully but it be time fer someone to take it from here since dis be a new scenario.  After all, a good leader be also a good follower.[/color]"  

Rhea's eyes went over to Smokey, her lips curved in a smile.  [color=aba000]"Smokey...  I be believin' dat Smokey can be helpin' us to surpass dis predicament since she be knowin' evry'thin' der is to know 'bout the real world.  She's da only one I be trustin' to be able to dirty her hands yet still be pure at da same time-- the leader we be needin'.  I be believin' dat things will be dark and dirty from dis moment forward and we be needin' Smokey's guidance through da dark and into the light.  Her strength to be weatherin' everythin' without losin' her composure would be our strength as well.  In these dark times, she's da leader we be needin' and da leader we be deservin'.  She could have left us to die but she didn't."[/color]  she grinned at the most headstrong woman in their team.  [color=aba000]"She's da best one to continue what Rose and JC had started.  She's a good person, though, not many, even I, can't see it."[/color]  

She went back to her old formation with the team, staying at the furthest edge of them all... as was always her role.  She was always the most distant to all of them... with all her theatrics and drama-- no one could really stand her.  Still, she didn't mind being the black sheep if it meant everyone would be stayin' together.  Unlike Sentinel, Tulip, Teapot 2.0, Smokey, JC and the rest, she had nothing to offer but amateur healing and all.  If her opinions mattered, then, that would be enough.  Rhea was certain that everyone would be scoffing at her long winded speech but it mattered not if she had, at least, helped out a little bit.  If only her words could help Sentinel, JC and Smokey... then, everything she had said was all worth it.  

The die had been cast; the bones have been thrown.  The next few events in the long line of threads would be decided by two names: Smokey and JC.  However, whatever would happen in the future, she would never regret the leadership from both of them.  They were interesting people and while the two of them weren't really the best candidates for leaders, she'd still be willing to follow both of their banners... regardless of who won.