[center][h3][color=palevioletred]γ€Žβ„€π• π•–γ€ [/color] [color=8493ca]γ€Žβ„‚π•™π•£π•šπ•€π•₯π•žπ•’π•€γ€[/color] [color=00a99d]γ€Žπ”Όπ•£π•Ÿπ•–π•€π•₯』 [/color][/h3][/center] [center] [img]http://i.imgur.com/28qjKqU.png[/img] [img]http://i63.tinypic.com/2h84geb.jpg[/img] [img]http://i68.tinypic.com/63x8xz.jpg[/img] [/center] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/3R5vYYi.png?2[/img][/center][hr][center][color=silver]π•Šπ•–π•‘π•₯. πŸ™πŸœ, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘 / / π•Žπ•šπ•€π•—π• π•£π••, 𝕄𝕒𝕣π•ͺπ•π•’π•Ÿπ•• / / 𝔹𝕒𝕀𝕖 / / ~πŸ™πŸŸπŸ™πŸ˜[/color][/center][hr][center][sub]Collab with [@Lasrever] [@A Filthy Yet Glamorous Slug With Nubs] and [@banjoanjo][/sub][/center] By the time she exited the truck, Zoe had managed to put most of her concerns to the back of her mind. No point in worrying, really - there was nothing she could do to change the overall situation. Still, it seemed like standing around waiting for something to happen was kind of a waste of time. She'd sorted things out with Ernie, but the other member of the team wasn't someone she could say the same for. Frankly, the kid seemed too fragile for her to have even considered spending time with him. At this point though, there wasn't much choice in the matter. Christmas wasn't too far away when she caught sight of him, but was seemingly talking to another boy from the group. Judging that interrupting the pair wasn't worth the potential confrontation, Zoe took a moment to look around. Had to wonder what state this place had been in before this subnatural became a thing, but the group was at least far off enough from the danger that there didn't seem to be a need to worry yet. 'Yet' being the key word in that sentence. As Christmas' companion walked off, she gave it a couple of seconds before calling out. [color=palevioletred]"Hey, Christmas, mind if I come over there?"[/color] [color 8493ca]"...Huh?"[/color] It was a voice he didn't know and Christmas whipped around, thoughts quickly trying to rearrange themselves and figure out who this was--a face from a classroom came to mind, but nothing further, so he settled for the next best explanation: the other person on his team? Maybe. But he had been so focused on Ernie's name in that list he had forgotten to commit the third person to memory. [color 8493ca]"N-no?"[/color] He quickly added, [color 8493ca]"I-I don't mind. Sorry."[/color] Zoe figured that was as much of an agreement as she was likely to get. [color=palevioletred]"Why're you sorry? Just thought I'd talk to you myself before we go get Ernie."[/color] She headed over towards him, noting the complete lack of recognition on his face. Wasn't exactly together, was he? Reminded her of stuff. At the realisation, her voice seemed to lose a lot of its sharpness as she continued. [color=palevioletred]"I'm Zoe, by the way, just so you're not stuck on names. You doing okay?"[/color] She considered extending a hand, but quickly realised that it wasn't a good idea. No point taking risks if she didn't have to. [color 8493ca]"Um."[/color] He didn't have a good answer for that, so he nodded to the question before following up with a [color 8493ca]"Chris-Christmas."[/color] It took him a few seconds to remember she already knew his name, so he mumbled a quick apology and looked down at her shoes, waiting for her to continue. Again with the apologising? Zoe sighed, deciding to just move on. [color=palevioletred]"Okay, it's my job to look after you out there, so I'm gonna need you to listen to me and not panic once we get moving. If I tell you to do something, there's probably a reason, and I'd rather we all just work together without anyone causing problems. Sound good?"[/color] Christmas nodded, afraid of irritating his apparent teammate. She had her own brand of callous demeanor distinct from his experiences with Kusari and he wondered if he'd end up pissing her off, too. The light rain tapping against them and the desolation stretching ahead of them certainly didn't work wonders for anyone's mood, but Zoe at least seemed marginally more at ease with the battlefield than any teenager should be. If nothing else, that was a small relief. Okay, he definitely wasn't very talkative. Almost seemed like he was scared of something or other. Still he'd agreed, and deciding that'd do for now, Zoe grinned. [color=palevioletred]"Glad we're clear. Guess we should probably find Ernie before we actually figure out a plan. No point explaining everything twice."[/color] Assuming that the kid wouldn't cause any problems, Zoe started to look around for Ernie. Took a little longer to spot him than it did Christmas, annoyingly, but at least it wasn't too difficult. Didn't take long enough to really get on her nerves anyway. He was standing near one of the buildings, seemingly having put the armour on already. Had guns, too - hopefully he actually knew how to use them. With a grin, she decided to head over. [color=palevioletred]"Found him, I think. Come on, Christmas."[/color] Ernie rolled his shoulders, testing the weight of the shoulder holster. Seemed fine enough. He'd managed to adjust the leather to rest on the fabric of his singlet to avoid chafing while he ran around. The wishalloy had been applied to his torso and legs, the remainder of the bolts kept in his backpack in case he'd need it later. The only problem now was his jacket. He had worn it for the cold journey but he couldn't exactly have it tied around his waist in battle, or taking valuable space in his pack. The truck seemed like a good place to leave it but an easy way to lose it too, and he would rather keep it in sight where he knew it wouldn't be lost. It was a silly thing to fret over but that's what made it such an effective distraction. Luckily, a potential solution presented itself in the form of Zoe and Christmas. He waved to his Aberration teammate as she approached but only regarded Christmas with a carefully neutral glance. [color=00a99d]"Hey,"[/color] a smile was attempted to match Zoe's grin. He nodded to her casual oufit, [color=00a99d]"Armored up and ready to go?"[/color] Christmas stepped a bit further behind Zoe as Ernie greeted them, his eyes fixed on the ground. Glad that her other teammate at least didn't seem too freaked out about all this, Zoe looked down at her t-shirt before responding to Ernie's comment with a chuckle. [color=palevioletred]"Yeah, well. Didn't really seem worth getting body armour, you know?"[/color] She glanced at Christmas, deciding that the kid didn't seem likely to say much for whatever reason before turning back to Ernie with a shrug. [color=palevioletred]"So, you think we're ready for this?"[/color] By which she meant him and Christmas - She already knew she could cope. The dark-haired Aberration raised an eyebrow at her response. Maybe that spare wishalloy would come in handy sooner than he thought. He slung his backpack onto his back as he replied. Hm, overall weight was satisfactory. [color=00a99d]"Don't know about you but I'm ready as I'll ever be,"[/color] he remarked honestly, [color=00a99d]"Can't do much of anything that I haven't done already. How about you? You are wearing some of that wishalloy stuff on you, right?"[/color] [color=palevioletred]"I grabbed some. Didn't get it on yet, but I'll probably just stick with the torso stuff out of what I picked up."[/color] She spoke casually, although irritation flitted briefly across her expression. It was kind of a pain to keep track of everything, and it'd only get more annoying once things really got started. [color=palevioletred]"I can just wear it over my clothes anyway - all my stuff's in the belt."[/color] As she spoke, she checked her pockets, eventually finding the larger section of alloy. [color=palevioletred]"See? You two wanna talk or something while I get this on?"[/color] The last part was punctuated with a stern look at Christmas. She didn't know what was up with the kid, but it'd probably help if her teammates would actually communicate. Zoe assumed he was just freaked out by the battle or something - seemed logical. Christmas quailed at the look, but managed only a quick glance at Ernie before looking back down at the ground. Ernie looked back, the healer's frightened glance confirming that they weren't going to be on small-talk terms anytime soon. Whatever. Hopefully it wouldn't affect the mission too much. [color=00a99d]"Nah, I think we're good,"[/color] Ernie said offhandedly, suddenly looking very interested in fiddling with his belt. At that, Zoe frowned, looking between her two teammates before beginning to wrap the alloy around her torso, silently trying to figure out the situation. This was weird. Something had to be up between the pair of them, even she could tell that. Just her luck too, being stuck on a team with two people who couldn't even look at each other. Things like this made her wish she was better at being subtle, but instead she spoke bluntly as she finished putting on the armour. [color=palevioletred]"Right, one of you gonna tell me what the problem is? Ernie, you seemed all ready to talk before and suddenly you're going quiet. And Christmas? I don't know if you're normally this jumpy or what, but if there's something on your mind then say so."[/color] There were way too many things on his mind to just voice them so Christmas nodded to the comment, but remained quiet. [color=00a99d]"It's nothing,"[/color] Ernie said equally as bluntly, [color=00a99d]"Christmas already looks kinda nervous. I didn't know if it was a good idea to freak him out more with battle talk."[/color] She couldn't find out about what happened. No one could. It was already bad enough that Marcus knew. He didn't want the only real Aberration out of the class to despise him. But maybe she would kinda understand...? No. Absolutely not. Not even his fellow X-mark could know. Ernie breathed, trying to think of a way to divert the conversation away from the subject of him and Christmas. Zoe wasn't fully convinced, but there wasn't time for her to actually get to the bottom of this. Ernie's explanation seemed reasonable, but Christmas' reaction left room for doubt. She couldn't really tell whether he was agreeing with the 'jumpy' comment, or agreeing that there was a problem. It'd be easier if the kid wasn't such a mess. When she spoke, she was keeping an eye on Christmas, deciding he was more likely to react if there really was something up. [color=palevioletred]"So that's what we're going with. I think it's kinda late to pretend the fight's not happening, Ernie, jumpy or not."[/color] She sighed, shaking her head. [color=palevioletred]"I'll leave it for now, but if you get me killed 'cause the pair of you can't work together, I will find a way to haunt you both. Clear?"[/color] Christmas seemed to sink further into himself at the admonition and his eyes were unable to look at even the space around Ernie, let alone the person. He managed a fixed stare at Zoe's calves instead, nodding again. [color=00a99d]"Sounds good to me,"[/color] Ernie nodded, incredibly relieved that the topic was glossed over. Argh, was Zoe angry at them now? Having shredded connections with both his teammates seemed like a fatal situation. Maybe it would help him to oblige a different request. [color=00a99d]"You came to talk strategy, yeah?"[/color] he piped up again, eager to fix the atmosphere, [color=00a99d]"I'm almost definitely the sturdiest out of us, unless you've got some Hulk power I don't know about. Do you think I should be personal meatshield for our healer? Ah, but I have some kind of stopping power with my rope too..."[/color] Ernie scratched his head. He hadn't thought of many applications for his upgraded power yet. And even if he wanted to, he probably lacked the strategic intelligence for it. Hopefully Zoe would have more ideas than him. Zoe nodded, glad to be talking about something actually practical instead of trying to figure out her teammates' drama. [color=palevioletred]"Ideally we avoid needing a meatshield in the first place, but I've got nothing on the defensive front. Unless we run into any other subnaturals, I can't do much offensively either. The rope might be our best bet if we're up against the constructs - Find a way to trip them or get them stuck on something and then run like hell, 'cause I don't think we're killing them."[/color] With a glance out at the battlefield, she sighed. [color=palevioletred]"If we do run into subnaturals, then I can hopefully handle them. We've got free reign on the kill order, right?"[/color] Smiling a little too much for that statement, she directed her attention to Christmas. [color=palevioletred]"Just to confirm, that mist thing you do is blood, right?"[/color] It took him a minute to notice Zoe was talking to him and not about him. [color 8493ca]"Y-yeah."[/color] More rapid nods followed the statement when a sudden anxiety flared about Zoe not hearing him the first time. He didn't want to try her patience. Subnaturals. Ernie nodded grimly, recalling his own warning for Marcus. Zoe's apparent enthusiasm for 'handling' any potential human threats was only mildly disconcerting. Reminded him of the things he feared back in Reno. But he of all people had no right to judge another Aberration's character. At least Zoe would be able to take on any subnatural enemies without a moral dilemma. In the end, all that mattered is that it would keep them safer than what an Arbiter could provide. Ruthlessness was what made mages strong, after all. [color=00a99d]"Gotta make sure we don't run out of blood too. Maybe pick and choose who gets healing?"[/color] [color 8493ca]"...U-um..."[/color] Christmas's hands pulled at the long hem of Sander's jacket, and he wished the owner was there at the moment. He was afraid to say much around either of his teammates, but he had to make sure they wouldn't rely on him to--oh, god--[i]choose[/i] who to heal, especially when he couldn't tell one injury from another. He should have learned, but there were a lot of things he should have done over the course of 18 years that he never had. [color 8493ca]"I don't--don't know h-how to...ch-choose."[/color] A quick breath in and he finished what words he could muster at the moment. [color 8493ca]"...Sorry."[/color] [color=palevioletred]"There goes that idea then."[/color] Zoe was slightly surprised at Christmas showing any kind of dissent, but shrugged. [color=palevioletred]"Honestly, unless it's something pathetic, I'd rather not pick and choose with the others anyway. If there's a lot of injuries, we could try and heal them in groups so we're not wasting blood."[/color] Even if it wasn't going to be fatal, Zoe didn't like the idea of her teammates running around hurt. It was meant to be her job to look after the people on their side, right? That was why she had to be willing to do what it took. [color=palevioletred]"That's only part of why I was asking. If, and only if, we run into any hostile subnaturals out there, I'm gonna need your permission to use my power on you in case we get separated, Christmas. As a precaution."[/color] It didn't dawn on Zoe how threatening that would sound to anyone that didn't know what she did about how her own ability worked, so she appeared fairly relaxed as she said it. [color 8493ca]"...H-huh?"[/color] Zoe looked at Christmas with what she hoped was a reassuring smile. [color=palevioletred]"I can use my ability through other living things I touch. Best way I can describe it is like a disease or something. I can control how fast it works too, so it should be an itch at most."[/color] It was difficult for her to actually put into words, but she figured it got the meaning across well enough. [color=palevioletred]"Point is, blood's organic, right? If someone got a hold of you, it means you could maybe use that mist to defend yourself so long as I'm not too far away. I'm not one-hundred-percent sure, but it seems like it'd make sense."[/color] There was a tinge of horror in Christmas's eyes as he looked up and didn't know where to stare for a second. Zoe's shoulder seemed a safe enough location to process what she had suggested. He didn't know if it'd work--and she needed to...inflict him with an illness? No. Poison him. Just an itch, she said, and he wished he had paid attention to the video feeds last Monday. But it was a better idea than the absolute nothing he had to offer. He didn't know if it was okay to let her poison him, but that was just in case, right? It probably wouldn't happen. Just in case, he reminded himself. [color 8493ca]"O-okay."[/color] [color=00a99d]"Wow, you sound really strong,"[/color] Ernie remarked. Zoe had figured out a trick she could use with her power. Which meant that Ernie was getting a lot closer to becoming the official deadweight of the group. He wasn't sure how he felt about that so he tapped the side of his backpack. [color=00a99d]"Healing in groups is a smart strategy. But if we can't round everyone up for whatever reason to save blood, I've got a first aid kit in here. Might be able to do a temporary fix if Christmas can't. Do you guys know any first aid?"[/color] [color=palevioletred]"Not me. Sounds like a good idea though, if you know what you're doing."[/color] Zoe nodded. Their situation still wasn't exactly safe, but she was starting to feel a little more confident about all this. [color=palevioletred]"We can always look for supplies while we head through the town, too."[/color] It had been more than a full month since the last time Ernie performed any sort of first aid during a mission but it was probably for the best to leave that detail out. Didn't want to lower team morale right before they moved out. He considered asking around to see if either of them had any gun but that would mean potentially giving up his protective weapon at some point. He didn't want that. [color=00a99d]"That's a good idea,"[/color] Ernie nodded yet again. He wasn't going to stop doing that anytime soon, was he? Not with Zoe coming up with such useful bits every few seconds. He was very glad that she was here with them. [color=00a99d]"So we've talked powers, supplies, general tactics. Anything else we need to go over?"[/color] he asked, thinking as he went along. He suddenly remembered, turning to Christmas. [color=00a99d]"Have you armored up?"[/color] When the silence stretched a bit long and Christmas realized Ernie was addressing him, he nodded briefly at the ground, still doing his best to organize his scattered thoughts on the periphery of a battlefield. His arms hugged the loose jacket closer to his torso and he kept his fears at bay with the thought of returning to--and returning the jacket to--its owner. [color=00a99d]"Oh, are you cold?"[/color] Ernie examined the boy a bit closer, misinterpreting his actions. Or maybe he just really wanted a solution to his earlier dilemma. Or maybe he was still trying to make it up to Christmas. Whatever. Ernie held up his dark jacket, [color=00a99d]"I'm not gonna be using this in the mission and I don't want it taking up space. Do you want to borrow it for a while?"[/color] [color 8493ca]"...Huh?"[/color] Between Zoe's fail-safe plan and Ernie offering a jacket when he was already wearing one, Christmas was nearly at his limit trying to comprehend the enormity of both their mission and their target. Ernie's proffered jacket seemed as much an abnormality as everything else about the situation, but he didn't want to cause any sort of commotion between a tall Aberration who seemed versed on the battlefield and the other Aberration who needed to torment people for satisfaction and Stigma relief. Christmas stared at the article of clothing for a second longer. [color 8493ca]"I can--can hold it f-for you."[/color] [color=00a99d]"Awesome. Ooh, maybe you should hold onto my leftover alloy too. Just in case."[/color] Ernie pulled the remaining wishalloy from his backpack and zipped the two pieces into the pockets on either side of the jacket before handing it to the Arbiter. Christmas took the jacket reluctantly and did his best to fold the lumpy material over one arm, leaving the other free in case they needed him to hold more stuff. [color=00a99d]"Thanks, buddy. Welp, I don't think I have anything else to say. Zoe, you got anything?"[/color] [color=palevioletred]"Nah, I think I'm good."[/color] Zoe shook her head. [color=palevioletred]"Just gotta wait and see what happens once we're out there, I guess."[/color]