[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/csbAJ6W.png[/img]
[@Plank Sinatra] [@Kaithas] [@HereComesTheSnow] [@Crimmy][/center]

[color=00aeef]"C'mon, babe, time to go."[/color]

The arm that had helped support Lauren seated transitioned smoothly to holding her up, as Ben pushed his chair out and rose to his feet. If she felt like getting down her she'd have no trouble, but if not he wasn't gonna have any trouble carrying her either. She had her bag, though, so he didn't want to wander off before she grabbed it. So the next order of business was picking his shield up off the wall behind him, one handed, and slinging it onto his back. He could grab [i]his[/i] bag with the free hand in a second.

[color=00aeef]"Hey, man."[/color] He clapped Luke on the shoulder lightly, partly to get his attention but mostly for the camaraderie of the gesture. The other Hunter was always in his own head, but it wasn't hard to tell when he was [i]really[/i] in his own head. And not in a great way. Wasn't really anything Ben could say to help, more likely he'd just make it worse. Sometimes the best thing was the gesture itself. Reminder that people've got your back. He flashed his friend a faint grin, and inclined his head towards the door. [color=00aeef]"We're gonna hit the road. Tell me about how things're going with the team later, alright? Grab a bite before missions, if we've got the time."[/color]

He grabbed his bag and started towards the door, nodding at Amy over the shoulder that [i]wasn't[/i] helping to support his teammate, and slipping out into the hall. Given the wrapped package in Lauren's bag, that hadn't been there when they left in the morning, he was pretty sure there was something interesting he'd have to ask about. After they nabbed Sangue. Maybe in the halls, but they'd catch her in the dorm for sure. And for once he was reasonably homework free.

Not a bad start to the afternoon.