[color=0072bc][h3]Lilly's Post[/h3][/color]
Lilly froze and looked visibly shaken for a split second after Alex patted her. [b]"Please... Please refrain from touching me, Miss Glaive. I do not enjoy it."[/b] A couple seconds later, Lilly's expression was back to normal as she resumed focusing on maintaining her appearance and cheerfully eating her stew. It wasn't that she disliked human contact, no, quite the opposite. She was just as fond of hugs and pats as most people were, but mentally right now she was a mess. She was having a hard enough time as it was, suppressing the emotional turmoil that was within her. People touching her did nothing but jar her concentration. 

***

[b]'Squad Four, this is Sergeant Harald. Everyone gather up your kit and return to the APC, we're moving on in ten.'[/b]

Lilly thought that she had mentally prepared herself for any surprises that came her way but the radio transmission demonstrated that was clearly not the case. She had only just woken up after healing from her injuries, and now they were moving out again?! She didn't know the full story, but she had a horrible feeling in her stomach - a feeling that said she was going to get sent into battle again. Fortunately her expression did not falter, though she did go still for a moment as she listened. Once she had processed the information she was able to resume acting like her usual self. "It seems like we have yet more work ahead of us, Miss Glaive. I must retrieve my pack from the second floor." After quickly rinsing off her cutlery, Lilly walked over to the stairs and made her way to the second floor. [i]ThisisbadThisisbadThisisbadThisisbadOhNoOhNoOhNoICan'tDoThisICan'tDoThisICan'tDoThisICan'tDoThis.[/i]

Now that she was alone with her gear, Lilly's expression dropped to reveal her true mental state: one of a terrified young woman. [i]She couldn't do this. But she had to do this. She wasn't ready. THEN MAKE READY! She didn't want to. She had to. She couldn't. She must. Shut up![/i] "ShutUpShutUpShutUpShutUp..." *crick* She bit a piece of cloth to silence herself as she mumbled those words under her breath. She had to focus. She had to stay calm, if not for her, for her squad. [i]Just breath, Lilly... Just breath.[/i] *crack*

By the time Lilly had packed up her gear, she had calmed down just enough to resume her facade. [i]It's alright. It's alright. You can do this. Just calm down. You'll be fine.[/i] After she slung her bag over her shoulder and descended the stairs, Lilly spotted Alex waiting for her at the bottom. Smiling as she spoke, she confirmed her readiness. [b]"You needn't have waited for me, Miss Glaive, but I suppose there is no harm for it. Shall we make haste to the APC? It would not do to leave the sergeant waiting."[/b] With that, the two girls headed out to the transport. As she spotted the rest of the squad forming up, Lilly's resolve solidified ever so slightly. She needed to remain strong, for their sake as well as her own. *static* ... but what was that odd sound she kept hearing...

[color=0072bc][h3]Evan's Post[/h3][/color]
[b]'Well done lads. Can't hardly see 'em. You've earned a rest, but now that you've finished up, we've gotta be off.'[/b]

[b]"Thank ya, Darcsen!"[/b] Evan grinned as his and Bons' toil was recognized. [b]"You hear that, boy? You might amount to something eventually!"[/b] Evan elbowed Bons as he teased. He was exhausted, both from the manual labour and from his lack of sleep in the previous night, so the promise of some rest immediately improved his mood.

[b]'I'll drive. You two just get some kip.'[/b]

... Or not. Once Harald had vacated the area, Evan looked over at Bons with an expression that was a bizarre cross between shock and disgust. [b]"... Far be it from me to doubt our supreme commander, but I'm sitting up front as well. Don't want him fuckin' things up too much."[/b] Evan hadn't unloaded his gear from the APC, so he had very little to get packed. Ten minutes was just enough time to shower if he didn't strip all the way, so without further ado, he ran over to one of the intact houses and set about locating the bathroom. He refused to sit in a hotbox of an APC without at least cooling down from his previous exertions.

***

Nine minutes later, a very soggy Evan (who had only removed his pants, socks and boots when he showered) squeezed into the front crew compartment of the APC, occupying the seat next to their dark haired driver. [b]"None of the guys in the back wanted me drippin' all over their stuff, so I guess I'm riding with you, Darcsen."[/b] Masking his true intentions with that statement, Evan shifted and settled into as comfortable a position as he could get in their glorified tin can. [b]"SO! Where we headed?"[/b]

---Interactions---
[@Kitsune] - Though a reply is probably not needed.
[@Lennon79] - Both Harald and Bons. Reply probably only needed for the former.