[center][color=0076a3][h2][color=6ecff6]ELI[/color] and [color=662d91]VERA[/color][/h2][/color][b]Eli's Room, New Anchorage[/b][/center] [hr] Eli was in and out of the mess hall quickly, her appetite surprisingly tame and her will to remain around company unsurprisingly dwindled, especially once she realized Vera was not present. She’d arrived from the VR training late, but not by much, which meant either the girl had missed dinner, or she’d hurried to get out. Eli angrily wondered at first if one of the new pilots had frightened her off, but in truth it was more likely that she herself was the cause. The guilt began to set in. She’d left Vera in a shaken huff, then abandoned her to go and practice. [color=6ecff6]It was justified.[/color] She hadn’t even looked back when she went to follow Graham. [color=6ecff6]You needed to train, you’re behind. They expect more.[/color] [color=6ecff6]You shouldn’t have waited.[/color] When she arrived at the barracks, Eli made absolutely sure the hall was clear, before collapsing down the wall to sit on the ground. It felt good to relax, like her skin was unwinding into millions of threads, she felt like she was floating, but she couldn’t relish in it. Her palms began to ache again, distinct from the pulsing of fear she’d felt earlier, it was the cold throb of regret. [color=6ecff6]You hurt her. You scare her.[/color] The pain returned, seeping down her back, her arms, her legs. She clamped her teeth together, shut her eyes tight. [color=6ecff6]Stop. Stop. Stop.[/color] her nails dug into her palms, her toes curled in her boots, the threads of her skin became a constricting cage once again. [color=662d91][sub]“With wings and skies like birds I’d wanna fly~”[/sub][/color] Eli’s head shot up and she scrambled to her feet before even looking around. It was a good few moments before she realized no one was in the hall with her, but that the singing was coming from one of the rooms. It was an embarrassing few more before she retroactively recognized Vera’s voice. Sure enough, as she approached her door, the singing –and the music accompanying it– grew louder, and when she opened it up, Vera shrieked. [color=662d91]”Hey Lizzy! Sorry, you spooked me,”[/color] she giggled. Eli stood stiff at the threshold. [color=662d91]”Ya gonna come in?”[/color] But Vera was already leading her by the wrist, shutting and locking the door behind before picking Eli’s datapad back up –the source of the music. [color=662d91]”Missed ya at dinner, but I guess I didn’t really stick around. Kinda felt like chillin’ here, y’know?”[/color] [color=6ecff6]”I…”[/color] Eli couldn’t find the words, silently watching as Vera absently tossed the device back onto the bed, the upbeat brass and drums of the song filling their room. The girl bounced on her feet from side to side, moving her arms and popping her shoulders up and down in some beginnings of a dance. [color=662d91]”You feelin’ this song? I’m feelin’ this song,”[/color] Vera shimmied over, twirling once on the balls of her feet before bumping her hips against Eli’s thigh. [color=662d91]”Ah? Ah?”[/color] Eli had to restrain herself from snatching the girl up to hug her. She wanted to apologize, wanted to make promises that she’d kill and die to keep, she wanted to hold her hand and never let go. Instead, she shed her coat, then her scarf, and shook her head. [color=6ecff6]”It’s been a long day Vi, I…I’m tired.”[/color] She prepared for the disappointment, but it never came. Vera just bumped against her side again, smile unyielding. Eli found her hips swaying in response. [color=662d91]”Hah! Now you’re feelin’ it–woo!”[/color] Vera began, but Eli took her by the hands and swung them both into the middle of the room. Vera did most of the laughing, and Eli did most of the dancing. Their feet pattered against their makeshift dance floor, twirling, stepping, tapping. Eli hoisted her into the air, spun her under her arm like a ballerina, put the girl’s feet atop her own to waltz chaotic. What soreness remained in her bones faded, overtaken in her mind by a different, more welcome adrenaline that she eagerly lost herself to. Eventually the song ended, they didn’t care, they danced to Vera’s giggling, they danced to the ambient machinery of the facility and the icy, whistling winds outside. They danced until Vera collapsed in a happy heap on the bed, and Eli’s legs felt like rubber. She’d never been happier to be tired. [color=662d91]”I forgot you could dance, how could you let me forget you can dance?”[/color] Vera asked, not even attempting to mask the joke with sarcasm. Eli managed to flop down onto the bed beside her, breathing in sweet air, wiping sweat from her brow. She draped her arms around Vera and pulled her in close. [color=6ecff6]”Sorry.”[/color] [color=662d91]”Apology accepted, just don’t let it happen again.”[/color] They shared a smile, and Vera returned the hug before they both let themselves drift off to sleep.