[center] [h3][color=a0410d] [b]Luke Godfrey [/b] [/color] [b]&[/b] [i][b][color=#4F97A3]Victoria White[/color][/b][/i] [/h3][/center] [hr] Victoria had been too entranced by the presence of Oceania's greatest war hero to take part in the conversation between Luke and Jean, but she had certainly taken notice. When she joined the war she had been expecting more professionalism, grim faced men and women going about their business with purpose and direction. Instead she got to quietly munch on garlic bread and some kind of meat while a racist that seemed at odds with most of the squad tried to lazily apologize for hurting a superior's feelings. Vicky certainly disapprovingly of Luke's antics, having spat on the ground dismissively at the [i]"apology."[/i] Was the boy stupid or just unsure of how to go about it? She could only snicker to herself quietly when the poor idiot asked if he was just making things worse. Yes, yes he was. What was honestly more disappointing was the Francian's reaction. He was well within his rights to reject Luke's words, Victoria certainly would have if she had been in his shoes. But the NCO's tone offended her on a personal level. She could smell weakness on him, predatory instinct from years of street life kicking in and seizing him up as a target. [i]God forbid, you still call me a Darkie. Have you no tact?[/I] Was he serious? How could one be such a soft bitch and expect to lead troops in the heat of battle? His words were flowery and pathetic, sounding like someone's grandmother scolding a child for cursing. The way Jean looked away made Victoria feel embarrassed for him, for god's sake. There was a man who needed a good beating or two. Then he would learn what real hurt was. Words meant nothing. Knives and clubs and bullets were painful, not some stupid kid saying stupid things. And tomorrow she would be going on her first mission under his command. Hopefully he was less of a pathetically sniveling whiner when in the midst of a two way shooting gallery. She spent the night gathering up her essentials, filling the bandoleers around her torso with ammo and clipping a couple Ragnite bombs to them. The Oceanic also made sure that she had a couple extra grenades in her satchel. If she didn't need them, great. If she did she would be glad she brought them. Her carbine was topped off with a fresh clip, a spare placed in her hatband next to the feather and rat skull. The rats were what she strived to be like, dehumanizing herself to survive the brutal conditions thrust upon her. Cunning, quick, vicious, those where the traits they embodied and would hopefully pass onto her. A low sigh escaped Luke, an awkward tension lingering between him and Jean ever since last nights little conversation. He knew it'll be a pain in the future, but they'll have to handle it later, today they had to focus on the mission. As Luke sat upon some rubble, looking out towards No mans Land he dug throw his pockets, silently hoping he had one last smoke before their mission. A smirk rolled onto his lips as he pulled out a crumpled cigarette and popped it into his mouth before lighting it. It could be his last chance to taste sweet nicotine so he might as well take it. As he took a quick drag he noticed a familiar face arrive and looked to Victoria with an emotionless expression as she started to gather her gear. While exhaling some smoke from his lungs he rested his rifle onto his lap and chuckled lightly as he remembered their little party last night. Honestly he was a bit embarrassed that she saw him in that state. Made him feel like some hurt little kid with mommy issues. The mommy issues may be true, but it still bothered him that she saw him like that. Soon he flicked some ashes from his cigarette and smirked towards Victoria. [color=a0410d]"So, you ready to crawl around No mans Land like rats? Might be hard for someone your size, but I think I can drag ya back if ya take a hit,"[/color] he chuckled before taking another drag from his smoke and looking back out towards No mans Land with tired eyes. Victoria took a sip of her spiked coffee, the brew's bitter taste not much improved by the addition of low quality alcohol. In fact it was downright awful, possibly the worst drink she had ever had which was quite the feat. But it was strong and hot and that's what she needed at the moment. The scalding beverage was downed in a single gulp and the tin cup dropped lazily to the ground, Vicky kicking it away disinterestedly. She smirked at Luke's laughter, taking a guess at just what he was smiling about. [color=#4F97A3]"G'day cunt."[/color] she said easily, checking the inside of her uniform to make sure her trophies were secure. [color=#4F97A3]"How're you feeling?"[/color]Victoria had debated about what to do with the rest of her trophies, finally electing to sew them into the lining of her uniform. A flag taken from the enemy, a medal looted from an elderly man's run down-house and a pinup picture intended for a now dead man's hands only to end up in the clutches of a violent loser searching the pockets of corpses. Strange good luck charms but they would have to do. Once her equipment was in place the temporary scout made her way to the others, taking position next to Luke on his rubble pile. [color=#4F97A3][i]Like rats indeed.[/i][/color] she thought to herself, spitting on the ground. Booze scented saliva pinged off the cup with a satisfying plink, her smirk only growing wider. [color=#4F97A3]"Thanks, fuckwit. I really appreciate the sentiment."[/color] Vicky said with mock appreciation, words heavy with sarcasm. [color=#4F97A3]'Cuz the feeling ain't bloody mutual. I'm not dragging back corpses 'n' invalids, you'll stay and feed crows."[/color] With the customary insults out of the way Victoria was free to sit next to her boy and wrap an arm around his shoulders, dragging him into her. [color=#4F97A3]"You slept like shite."[/color] It was a statement, not a question. She could see in his eyes how tired her was, regretting knocking back the coffee so quickly. He needed to be alert, or it was all there asses on the line. Luke chuckled lightly as Victoria stated she wasn't dragging anyone back anytime soon and lowered his head with a smirk. [color=a0410d][i]'Food for the crows huh? Sounds fitting,'[/i][/color] he thought to himself before scratching his chin and glancing over to Victoria before she wrapped her arm around his shoulders and bringing him in close, the smell of coffee spiked booze on her breath. Luke frowned a bit, but he was use to her being so handsy by now, always looking to slip her way into peoples personal space without permission. A small smile came to his face as she informed him he didn't sleep well and rubbed the back of his neck with a nervous chuckle. [color=a0410d]"I didn't sleep at all. To much... to much on the mind I guess,"[/color] he said, his voice growing lower as he finished and looked to the ground. Luke tried to get some kind of sleep, but it was no use, there were to many thoughts nagging away at him to let him rest. He was use to it now though, the sleepless nights and constant unwelcomed thoughts. It was still a pain though. Plus he was busy insuring he had something in case this would be his last mission. Gently he rested his hand onto his uniforms front pocket and frowned slightly. He shook his head and sighed. [color=a0410d]"I'm fine though, I'll be able to keep up,"[/color] he said before pausing for a moment and glancing towards her again. [color=a0410d]"If I can't though, you mind doin me a favor?" [/color] he asked, his voice low to make sure no one else could hear them. [color=a0410d]"There's something in my right pocket just below my heart. If you can, you mind taking it off my corpse and sending it back to my home?"[/color] he asked before looking away with a sad smile. Victoria noticed her boy's frown but didn't relinquish her grip. She cared about him too much for that. He had been through hell, denied the chance to have even a semblance of a proper raising. While her own relationship with her parents was nothing if not strained he had suffered through much worse than she had and needed some type of physical affection. So Mama Vicky held her little Luke tightly, holding onto him as a reassuring presence. [color=#4F97A3]"Ya know, you don't have to act like this ain't settling a need for love of yours."[/color] she teased him. [color=#4F97A3]"Stupid bastard like you has so many enemies you'll take a hug from anyone 'n' everyone who gives it."[/color] She laughed but it was hollow and half hearted, dying out quickly. [color=#4F97A3]"I don't know if you remember, but when you fell asleep in that tent yesterday you muttered about how I wasn't going to leave. I just want to tell you that you were right. So just fucking accept it, and enjoy it."[/color] Her light admonishment over Vicky listened carefully, an eyebrow raised at his claim that he could keep up. [color=#4F97A3]"Watch yourself, yeah? Don't want to be scraping chunks of bone 'n' bits of ya off my hide." [/color] Another bitter joke, another bout of laughter in the face of death. She quickly sobered up at the request, nodding without a second thought. [color=#4F97A3]"If I have to drag myself through artillery fire to your corpse to dig through your pockets I'll do it with a smile." [/color] the soldier promised. [color=#4F97A3]"Can I ask what's so important?"[/color] A small smirk came to his face as she said he didn't like her embraces and scoffed with an eye roll. [color=a0410d]"Whatever,"[/color] he muttered with a small chuckle. His smile faltered though as she reminded him of what he said to her before passing out last night. It caused his cheeks to flush up a bit in embarrassment, but as she said she wasn't going anywhere he glanced up to her, a small bit of relief in his eyes before darting back to the ground. A small chuckle escaped him from her rather dark joke before nodding. [color=a0410d]"I'll watch my step,"[/color] he promised her before she assured him she'll fulfill his request. A warm feeling of relief rose up into his chest, happy to know she'll help him if he doesn't make it back. He glanced back up to her as she asked about what it was he wanted her to take and remained silent for a moment, hesitant to show her. Soon though he swallowed that hesitation and dug into his front pocket to pull out a folded piece of paper. Slowly he opened it to reveal a letter with the picture of his smiling twin sisters in the middle, their smiling faces bright and warm as they enjoyed a warm meal at the dining table. [color=a0410d]"It's for my sisters,"[/color] he paused for a moment before continuing. [color=a0410d]"I... I know I've changed since I left them and I'm not sure if I'll be the same if I get back. If I get back that is. So if I die out here I want to at least send them my final thoughts,"[/color] he said before a small smile came to his face as he looked at the picture. [color=a0410d]"Let them know I miss em, that I think about them everyday and how they are one of the reasons I'm here. That I... that I'll always be there even if I don't come back,"[/color] he said before he noticed his vision growing a bit blurry. A quick sniffle escaped him before he cleared his eyes with his thumb before any tears escaped his eyes. He shrugged and gave a weak chuckle. [color=a0410d]"Damn it I'm tired,"[/color] he muttered, hoping it to be an excuse for the teary eyes. The eye roll meant she was getting to him. Mission accomplished. The teen mother gave Luke another squeeze as as he looked up at her, the relief in his eyes matched by gentle care. [color=#4F97A3]"Hey, I mean. As long as both of aren't buried, I'll be right next to you the whole time."[/color] She waited patiently for him to decide whether or not to trust her with whatever it was he wanted delivered in the event of his death, easing up just a bit to give him some space as opened the folded paper. It didn't take a genius to figure out who the two young girls in the picture were. [color=#4F97A3]"I understand."[/color] she whispered gently. [color=#4F97A3]"You have people you need to say goodbye to."[/color] That was all that needed to be said. He didn't need to explain himself anymore. Vicky opened her mouth to make a joke, to ask if his goodbye letter was as poor quality as his apology but quickly thought better of it. That was much too cruel, even for her. [color=#4F97A3]"Hey, listen."[/color] the young woman told her older comrade. [color=#4F97A3]"I'll do it. In return, I need you to mail this back to my daughter."[/color] A thumb hooked the chain of her necklace, pendant bouncing against her chest. [color=#4F97A3]"Do we have a deal?"[/color] She shifted a bit atop the rubble, wishing she had a blanket to wrap around them again as she held her adopted son close. [color=#4F97A3]"If you need to cry do it. Lean on me all you want."[/color] Luke was relieved to hear she understood and smiled slightly before folding up the letter and placing back into his pocket. Luke noticed she was about to say something, but arched his brow as she kept quiet. Odd, he silently wondered what she was about to say. Soon though she grabbed his attention by asking her own favor from him. He looked to the neckless around her neck and nodded without hesitation. [color=a0410d]"Of course, you can trust me to get it done,"[/color] he assured her, making the deal between the two official. He noticed her shift on the rubble they sat on and huffed as she still held him close. Luke held back a scoff as she said he could cry if he wanted to, even lean on her if he needed to. He shook his head and pulled back a bit with a smirk. [color=a0410d]"Thanks, but I don't need to cry. I'm just tired is all,"[/color]he said before giving a small shrug. [color=a0410d]"Besides, I don't have time to cry. I need to focus for that out there,"[/color] he stated before pointing out to No mans Land. [color=a0410d]"I don't wanna be a crying mess when a Imp puts a bullet through my skull."[/color] Now it was Victoria's turn to feel some relief, grateful that Luke had reciprocated the offer. It was much of a final gift for Elizabeth, just a flimsy chain and cheap brass locket with a picture of her inside. Nothing of monetary value or even really any emotional value either. It was somewhat tacky to give someone a picture of themselves but Vicky wanted it to mean more. She wanted Elizabeth to know that her drunken fuck-up of a mother had cared for her dearly, to understand the only reason that she had left home was earn money to put food on the table. She needed to tell her daughter that she had thought about her every single day she had spent in the mud and blood and filth of the war until she was shot or stabbed or blown to pieces. The Oceanic let her grip ease up a bit as Luke pulled back, deciding to respect his space as he lied through his teeth. [color=#4F97A3]"I gotcha, cobber!"[/color] she said with a friendly shrug, knowing that he wasn't telling the whole truth. Her eyes followed his finger, hands clenching her rifle so tightly that her knuckles were turning white. He was right. The time of strife was fast approaching, no room for tears, for sadness and guilt, for weakness of any kind. Hopefully Jean had figured that out. [color=#4F97A3]"What're we scratching about for? General intel, or something specific?"[/color] A smirk came to his face as he was called a cobber, whatever that was before glancing down to notice her grip on her rifle grew tighter. Silently he asked himself if he was nervous about this mission. Maybe he was lying to himself when he thought to himself that he wasn't nervous at all, but all he could do was look out towards No mans Land and feel indifferent about it. They were just going out to do their job, that's all he told himself. He knew what he signed up for so he couldn't feel scared or angry about it, though that may change when the bullets start flying and he gets hit. Luke was soon brought out of his thoughts when Victoria asked what exactly they were going to scout for and shrugged. [color=a0410d]"I guess, it'd make sense if that was the case. Honestly I didn't bother to ask, they just gave us a job to do so we're just going to go do it. I just leave the details to our dark haired superior over there,"[/color] he said with a nod back towards Jean. Vicky snickered when Luke revealed that he hadn't asked for details either. [color=#4F97A3]"Guess we're both right fucking smart aren't we?"[/color] she muttered ruefully, wishing she had more of that spiked coffee from earlier. Perhaps it was better that she didn't know. After the armored car and the gas attack, who knew what kind of dastardly shit the diseased minds that developed weapons were thinking up now? If they were being sent out to find plans for some Imperial heat ray or engineered super disease or a flying death machine Victoria really didn't want to know. Better to let it appear out of nowhere and destroy her in an instant than to know that some unstoppable, inevitable harbinger of doom was just over the horizon and spend the remainder of her life stressing out about it. [color=#4F97A3]"Well, let's just hope he knows what he's doing."[/color] she said with a conspiratorial wink. She fell silent for a bit, making a final check of all her equipment and talismans, making sure the flag, medal and photo were stuck tight to the inside of her jacket. [color=#4F97A3]"You think your training prepared you enough for all this shit?"[/color] [color=a0410d]"Being smart is to hard, I prefer relying on luck,"[/color] he said with a grin before realizing he had a lit cigarette. It was mostly burnt out and Luke frowned in a bit of disappointment, disappointed in letting a good smoke go to waste. [color=a0410d]"Shit,"[/color] he muttered and flicked it away before looking back to Victoria as she hoped Jean knew what he was doing. Luke shook his head and sighed. [color=a0410d]"So do I,"[/color] he agreed with a small frown before rubbing the back of his neck with another sigh. A brief moment of silence fell upon the two as they sat together and with a bored huff he raised his rifle up and aimed down towards No mans Land, scanning the surroundings with a small frown. Silently he wondered if he'd get to add a few more kills onto his list. Soon Victoria spoke up, asking if he thought his training had prepared him for this. He lowered his rifle and checked his rifle with an unconcerned expression, more worried about his rifle instead of the mission. [color=a0410d]"Not sure, so far I'm not dead so maybe, but all I know is that my training taught me how to fight and act like a soldier. We'll just have to pray we're able to take on whatever comes our way,"[/color] he said before pulling back his rifles bolt to check it's ammo before pushing a fresh round in. [color=a0410d]"I know for a fact though is that I know enough to kill me some Imps. I'm just wondering how many more bodies I'll stack up on my kill count,"[/color] he muttered aloud before letting a small smirk come to his face at the thought. [color=#4F97A3]"Let me tell you something about luck."[/color] Victoria said with a derisive snort. [color=#4F97A3]"Sooner or later, one day it'll run out on you. It might be today, might be next week. Might take a bloody decade! But it always does."[/color] That was the lesson she had learned watching Charles. Day after day he'd just managed to break even, their meager earnings being stacked into a steadily growing pile on a dirty card table as the collection of coins and crumpled bills they had earned through robbery and grifting shrank and swelled with little pattern. Once in a blue moon he would win big, bringing home fistfuls of cash with that triumphant smirk that had won her over in the first place. But those times were rare, and their positive effect was drowned out by the crushing defeats that came around every now and again to demolish what little financial security they had managed to scrape together. [color=#4F97A3]"If you have to rely on luck over your own skill, you might as well count your self as one well fucked cunt."[/color] She lifted her arms to the sky, still clutching her rifle as she stretched her sore back. [color=#4F97A3]"Well, that's as good indication as anyone. Aint't dead yet, so we learned something!"[/color]She laughed viciously at his question, falling back into conversation patterns she had picked up interacting with her fellow street rats. [color=#4F97A3]"Crikey, what am I up to now? Definitely two, one Imp fucker at the Inn and a dumb cunt back home. Not too bad so far." [/color] Luke thought for a moment as Victoria spoke about luck and knew it was true, sooner or later his luck will run out and he'll probably bite the dust one of these days. For now though he'll just ride that luck until it blows up in his face. He chuckled as she said he was one fucked cunt and grinned. [color=a0410d]"Maybe, but at least my lucks gotten me this far. Some can't say that for themselves,"[/color] he said with a smirk before leaning back a bit with a sigh. Honestly he should have died that day the gas dropped on them when the Imps ambushed him while he was escorting the civilians. His mind briefly remembered the mother and her child's motionless bodies and closed his eyes for a moment, breathing through his nose before letting out sigh. He opened his eyes and chuckled as she laughed at her statement. Luke nodded as she listed her kill count in respect and shook his head. [color=a0410d]"I'd say I'm almost up to a dozen. I got a few the first day I came here when I was clearing rooms with Franz, shooting a few of them dead before stabbing one to death. The last few I got was when the gas dropped. I got ambushed by a few Imps escorting the civilians away, shot one down before beating one down with my hammer. Real messy business,"[/color] he chuckled at the memory of his kills, especially the two he killed up close and personal. That old veteran he stabbed to death who smiled before he died and that young Imp's pleads before he caved his head in. It was odd thinking back on it, shouldn't that bother him? He shook his head and sighed. [color=a0410d]"Yep, real messy business,"[/color] he said with a lower voice, a hint of exhaustion in his tone before he looked out towards No mans Land with a tired smile. [color=#4F97A3]"The only people that luck's failed are those relying on it."[/color] Vicky replied, trying to make her point. [color=#4F97A3]"Being good stomps being luck any day of the week. You take your luck, I'll keep skill."[/color] It was a fundamental difference in philosophy. Victoria didn't believe in fate or predestination, didn't appreciate the idea of some god already having determined where her life was headed. No longer were intangible concepts like luck or God going to rule her life. Maybe she had been born into poverty as penance for a past life of sin, or maybe fortune had rejected her. It didn't matter. From now on she was the master of her own destiny. Her triumphs and failures would be hers alone, no one else's to take credit or blame. [color=#4F97A3]"So like I said, you can- wait what the fuck?! A dozen?!"[/color] That was quite frankly a ridiculous number, one that would make Luke some kind of super soldier. Her first instinct was to call bullshit on the obviously false claim, but she hesitated. That note of exhaustion seemed too genuine for it to be false. [color=#4F97A3]"Guess I got some catching up to do then. You'll need the head start."[/color] she snickered. Luke shrugged as Victoria told him to keep his luck and smirked. [color=a0410d]"She's gotten me far so I guess I'll keep it rollin,"[/color] he chuckled. He may have had a few bumps along the road with Lady luck, but at least he was still kicking. He umped slightly when it finally clicked with Victoria with how many people he's killed and arched a brow with a smirk. [color=a0410d]"Well not a full dozen, but I'm getting close,"[/color] he said before rubbing his chin as he thought on the number. Luke honestly thought Victoria would have more bodies then him stacked on the board. A grin slipped onto his face as she said she'd need to catch up and scoffed. [color=a0410d]"What makes you think you can catch up with me? The wars not over yet and there's plenty of Imps to gun down before then,"[/color] he stated with a laugh. [color=a0410d]"Maybe we'll even be able to carve our way towards their capital. Now that'll be a sight to see,"[/color] he said looking off towards the distance with a small smile. [color=a0410d]"Just imagine it, stripping their flag away and soaring the Federations banner over the fallen Empire. God, what a sight indeed,"[/color] he said with his smile growing a bit larger. [color=#4F97A3]"Just because you got started first doesn't mean you can keep up."[/color] Vicky snarled, a fierce grin stretched across her scarred face. [color=#4F97A3]"I'd wager that I'm a better killer than you, with guns, knives and my bare fucking hands!"[/color] There was still time for her to win this dark game, still lots of Imperials to cut through. She was going to notch kill after kill until she earned herself a medal, one to hang up with the other trophies. She was going to return home with a prize she could show off, something that she could point to and say [i] [color=#4F97A3]"I accomplished something."[/color][/i] She shrugged at the image he was suggesting, not really caring who won or lost. [color=#4F97A3]"Imps, Feds, who cares?? Neither of them give a shit about the common man. The only difference is accent. But it looks like I'm already ahead of you in one count."[/color] She opened her jacket again so her trophies were exposed, showing off the Imperial flag carefully stitched into the lining. [color=#4F97A3]"Snatched this off an officer."[/color] the vulture bragged. [color=#4F97A3]"Think I'll use it as a placemat from now on."[/color] Luke let his own fierce grin spread onto his face as she bet she could kill better than him and let out a bark of laughter. [color=a0410d]"We'll see who's the best killer soon. Whoever wins has to buy drinks for the whole team all night,"[/color] he declared with a competitive glimmer in his eyes. It should feel odd making such a bet, but he couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of beating her and having her pay a fortune for his bar tab. As she talked about the Imps and Feds he simply gave a shrug. [color=a0410d]"I'm just a loyal to the people who trained me I guess. The perfect dog of the Federation,"[/color] he chuckled with a grin. Luke arched a brow though as she said she was ahead of him in one thing. His eyes widened a bit as she pulled out an Imp flag and gawked a bit as he examined it with curious eyes. [color=a0410d]"Well damn,"[/color] he muttered before huffing in disappointment. [color=a0410d]"I did take a nice ring off one of the Imps I stabbed to death, but I gave it to Ines for her birthday present,"[/color] he said with a small sigh. [color=a0410d]"Just you watch though, I'll find myself a nice sidearm that'll trump your little flag,"[/color] he promised with a grin. [color=#4F97A3]"You're on!"[/color] Victoria agreed, feeling confident in her chances. [color=#4F97A3]"Hope you remember what happened last time you made a bet involving drinks, where you got shitfaced and lost to the wee cunt Diana."[/color] She snickered at the memory, one she would hold onto fondly and bring up whenever Luke was acting a little too high and mighty. [color=#4F97A3]"Your politics are your own, not my place to say."[/color] Vicky shrugged. [color=#4F97A3]"I just find it hard to be loyal to people who never gave a shit about me. It's different for you, Edinburgh's right in the belly of the beast. But the people pulling your leash have never given a shit about us Occies except for cannon fodder."[/color] The look of envy on his face was absolutely delicious, Vicky savoring it as she closed her jacket back up. [color=#4F97A3]"Here, new bet: Kills will be too hard to keep track off for the whole war. How about we go with whoever has the most loot by the end?"[/color] Showing off her horde was always pleasant for her, a competition centered around robbing the dead would suit her nicely [color=a0410d]"Please don't remind me,"[/color] he muttered with slightly flushed cheeks as she brought up the bet from the Inn. [color=a0410d]"Wasn't my finest moment,"[/color] he said with a small sigh. Sure it got him his first kiss, but it was from that little woman who pretty much disliked him very much. Luke arched a brow as she talked about the Federation not caring about people like her and shook his head. [color=a0410d]"Well that's why we're here, we'll look after ya in their place,"[/color] he said with a firm nod. They were in this together so it was only natural they look out for each other. He paused for a moment as she offered a new bet and thought for a moment. Whoever had the most loot? A grin slithered onto his face before he gave a nod of agreement. [color=a0410d]"Fine, I'll have enough loot to bury you and the whole team with,"[/color] he declared with a chuckle before holding out a hand to shake on it. [color=#4F97A3]"Maybe you should hold off on drinking for a while, stick to water and milk."[/color] Vicky suggested teasingly. [color=#4F97A3]"Leave booze to big girls like me and Ines. And Diana!"[/color] She nodded at Luke's words, appreciating them more than he could know. She had already lost one squad, the prospect of losing another terrified her. [color=#4F97A3]"And I'll watch yours."[/color] She responded. The Oceanic seized the Edinburgh's hand shook it firmly, excited and apprehensive about the approaching start of their deadly game.