[color=E5D0FF][CENTER][url=https://fontmeme.com/handwriting-fonts/][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/191210/0aa289a53ea99bfa151f43d3f87240e6.png[/img][/url][/CENTER][/color][CENTER][h1][color=Silver][b] & Natalie Ellis[/b][/color][/h1][/CENTER]

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[i]Packet… Packet.[/i] Packet had probably avoided any part of the welcoming day events. He didn’t seem like the social type. [i]Lynn wasn’t like that either, but she was there.[/i] Eli frowned. [i]Should I text him, to see if he’s okay?[/i] She glanced at her phone where it laid in the grass. [i]No… No. Only text him if you’re going through with the plan. [b]IF[/b] you want to risk your life to figure this out.[/i] She sighed and rubbed her eyes. Was it even worth it, now? Things were going great with her mother. While before it felt like she couldn’t tell her anything, now it felt like she could say whatever was on her mind. What if she was caught sneaking into the Spire? She probably wouldn’t see her mother any more. She’d never return to Earth; that was the only hypothesis she was sure would come true. Maybe they wouldn’t kill her. Maybe they’d keep her alive, but would they send her to the prisons for discovering their little secrets? She could still get the word out from prison somehow, if there was anything to let the public know. Would they keep her on the Spire? If they were really using what Eli assumed they used to test the nullifying tech or any other anti-para instruments, would she suffer the same fate as those she dared to rescue? Rescue as in, hope the public will rage in response to their torture and demand for their prompt release.

Eli scoffed and shook her head. [color=E5D0FF]”I’m going mad. Absolutely nuts. Of course you aren’t going to do it.”[/color] She grabbed her phone, shoved it in her pocket, and promptly pushed herself to her feet. [color=E5D0FF]”What do I expect to happen if I do this? A worldwide protest? [i]Viva la revolucion[/i] and all that bullshit until we’re treated a little more humanely?”[/color] She shook her head again and brushed her hair back. As much as she said it out loud, Eli still had this feeling deep down in her gut that she should just [i]do it[/i].

[color=E5D0FF]”I’m going to get myself killed,”[/color] she murmured. With a sigh, she turned and began to walk again. She wasn’t sure which direction, but she just wanted to walk. Maybe the chip in her phone would pick up Arianna’s signature, and her mind would be pulled elsewhere. Keaton might text back with the meeting’s location and Eli would have to worry more about seeing Archie again than her death wish to see the Spire. Maddy… Maybe Maddy would message her back and they’d spend the evening drinking in the woods? That would be nice. To just drink until she forgot everything. She almost missed the way things were before the prison break. Back when her life was so much less complicated. What would have happened if she hadn’t smiled at Archie that day? How would her life have gone if she’d just gotten her dinner and walked away?

It was hard to think this way. She’d gotten so close to everyone because she’d stayed to talk to Archie. Hell, she even considered Archie a good friend before… well, before he almost killed her. Was this the point where Eli decided to detach herself from him? It was tempting to make this easy and just go with it. To go home instead of join the others and attempt to live somewhat of a normal life again. The thought made her feel guilty because she knew that Archie wasn’t anything like the monster he turned into. It was the fear of being feet away from a gaping maw of teeth that made her wonder if he was just a wolf in sheep’s clothing from the start.

[i]Give him a chance to explain himself, Eli…[/i] She countered to herself, and she nodded. Her steps slowed to a more comfortable pace. [i]It was a fight or flight moment, and he is just a rare case. Even if it makes you uncomfortable to be near him, you have to let the guy defend himself. He’s saved your life before, for christ’s sake.[/i]  Her mind felt a little at ease now as she came to this conclusion. [i]Now you can just enjoy the fresh air until Keaton texts you back.[/i]

She then saw a familiar face emerge from a path off to the left. It was Natalie, but she looked different, and it wasn’t just the clothes though they were different too. She was wearing black boots, skinny jeans, a maroon sweater and over that, a very trendy looking leather jacket. Her hair was shorter than Eli had last seen her too. But the real difference was her demeanour. There was always something meek about Natalie before. Even when she was smiling, she seemed sad. Now, she looked like she was genuinely in a good mood. Given what had happened, that seemed a bit odd. Surely it should be the other way around.

Natalie saw Eli, smiled, and waved before making her way towards Eli.

Despite how weird it seemed that Natalie was cheerful after she’d fought her boyfriend (were they boyfriend and girlfriend yet? It seemed like they weren’t), Natalie’s smile was contagious. Eli had never seen her look so happy, and it made her feel like there was some part of the world that could still thrive after all that had happened. She found herself smiling back at Natalie as she approached. [color=E5D0FF]”Hey, Natalie. I like the new look.”[/color] Not wanting to end her greeting on a note about the change in Nat’s appearance, Eli continued. [color=E5D0FF]”How’ve you been? Are you headed to meet everyone too?”[/color]

[color=silver]”It’s been...not too great actually,”[/color] Nat replied, smile fading a little, [color=silver]”but I think I’ve snapped and stopped caring about how people see me. Have you seen the footage? People, even other paras, are scared of me now, but it’s like...it’s like it’s finally out in the open and I finally have a clear head. I’ve really been looking forward to the rest of you getting out of hospital. You’re the only friends I have here. I’m excited to meet up!”[/color]

Eli frowned lightly and began to speak in a soft tone. [color=E5D0FF]”They shouldn’t be scared of you. They should be scared that that group was able to board a shuttle and make it to The Promise without any warning or alarm.”[/color] She shook her head and was louder this time, her eyes looking firmly into Natalie’s. [color=E5D0FF]”I’m glad you don’t care what they think, Nat. If anyone ever treats you like that in front of me, I’m going to march right up to them and give them a piece of my mind.”[/color]

She started walking again. Not in any particular direction, but just to walk so that she could release her anger through the physical action of it. [color=E5D0FF]”People are just scared because they wouldn’t have been able to do any of that if they’d been in the same situation. I mean, the [i]real[/i] monsters are those- those murderers. How can they forget that?”[/color] Her head turned to look at Natalie and she hoped that she didn’t sound like she was standing on a soap box. Or, maybe she should be. Maybe it was time someone started defending the outcasts. [color=E5D0FF]”You had every right to do what you did that day. Anyone that disagrees with that is not our ally.”[/color]

Her head turned to look around at the other students nearby. She almost dared them to say something, just so she could show them what’s up. If there was anything Eli was known for, it was her fierce protection of her friends. She’d even stand up for a stranger if they needed it. When no challenge presented itself, Eli simply released the tension in a sigh.

Natalie beamed at this response. [color=silver]“Thanks! I really mean it. It’s so good having somebody on my side right now. But I can understand it. The monsters are gone. I’m still here. I mean, since I got here even I was afraid of me. All that’s changed is I let that fear go. I’ve given up trying for ‘a normal life’, whatever that meant. Things aren’t going to fix themselves around me. I’ve just got to find my own happiness and take it.”[/color]

Eli smiled softly, taking a few moments to mull over Natalie’s words. [color=E5D0FF]”I’m happy for you Natalie.”[/color] She said finally, turning to show the girl her smile. It made Eli feel good that Natalie considered her a friend now. Especially after their first encounter with each other. She turned her head forward and suddenly thought of Natalie’s words to Archie in the loading bay. The image of Archie’s giant foot pressing down on Nat’s body came to mind as well, and Eli resisted the urge to shiver. Her eyes lowered to watch the ground in front of her, and she distracted her mind by purposefully missing every crack in the pavement.

[color=E5D0FF]”So… You knew about Archie’s… condition.”[/color] An odd way to put it, but she would have felt rude for calling it anything but that. [color=E5D0FF]From what I’ve learnt being on this station, it’s extremely rare to have an ability like that.”[/color] She wasn’t sure why she mentioned that, but it felt right to express her point of view. [color=E5D0FF]”Can I ask you how you found out about it? About him?”[/color] She glanced at her before looking away again. [color=E5D0FF]”Did it happen like that, too?”[/color]

Natalie’s smile got smaller, but didn’t vanish entirely. [color=Silver]”Yes. We came in on the same transport. He turned on the first day. You must have heard something about an incident at the Cafeteria. That was it. But….during the breakout, I was so scared I snapped, and wanted to kill every prisoner I could get my hands on. I actually did kill two of them. But I wanted to hunt them all down, out of fear and hatred. And Archie, Lizard Archie, stopped me and calmed me down. We’ve made a promise to always try to stop the other from going too far. Because we’re the same. It’s just that I still look like a human when I turn into a monster.”[/color]

Eli nodded slowly. She was starting to put all of the pieces together. Natalie was pretty similar to Archie, in the way that their ability could control their instincts without even letting them realize it. Did that make her feel better about Archie, though? [color=E5D0FF]”I think it’s great that you’ve both been there for each other. I… I know it might look like you’re both… monsters, but I don’t think of you- either of you, that way.”[/color] She looked up at the sky and watched the station ever so slowly move along its orbit. [color=E5D0FF]”I hate to admit this, but… I’m a little nervous about seeing Archie again. I just… I can’t get the image out of my mind.”[/color] She closed her eyes for a moment and felt guilty that she’d even said it out loud. When she opened them, she looked over at her companion. [color=E5D0FF]”Am I awful for feeling this way?”[/color]

[color=silver]”I know you’re not an awful person,”[/color] Natalie replied, furrowing her brow. [color=silver]”Maybe seeing him in a normal setting and talking about it might make you feel better. I think still having a sense of fear just means you’re not desensitized yet, and Honestly? I think you should hold onto that.”[/color]

Eli chuckled softly. [color=E5D0FF]”I don’t think I’ll ever stop feeling fear.”[/color] With a soft smile, Eli nudged her. [color=E5D0FF]”Anyways, how are you and Archie doing? Everything going well?”[/color]

Nat’s smile disappeared and she slowed. She looked away, and rubbed the back of her neck. [color=silver]”I don’t...really know. It’s complicated. After the Arianna incident I really withdrew into myself, and the next time I saw him, he was kinda mad I’d shut him out. And then….you know, this happened. In fact, that time was the last time I actually talked to him. I’m excited for this meeting but also nervous, because….I don’t want to find out if I screwed this relationship up before it started. I really like him...”[/color]

Eli frowned lightly and matched her pace. She thought over what Natalie said and shrugged. [color=E5D0FF]”I don’t think you did anything wrong by taking some time to yourself. Isolation is not often a great option, but sometimes it’s needed.”[/color]

[color=E5D0FF]”I’m going to tell you the same thing I told Archie when he asked me for advice about you,”[/color] she started with a smile. [color=E5D0FF]”If you care about him the way I think you do, you have to make sure he knows. Ask him to go on a date with you tonight. I think you two need an evening to just relax together.”[/color]

[color=E5D0FF]”It’s… been a while since I last dated someone. We broke up because neither of us had much time to see each other. Looking back I wish that I had fought a little harder to keep him.”[/color] She smiled ruefully before continuing. [color=E5D0FF]”So my advice to you is to just keep trying. Archie would take your lead any day.”[/color]

[color=silver]”You think so? To be honest, I want to go somewhere private with him and tell him about my past. I finally feel brave enough to. Not much of a fun date but I think he’ll appreciate the show of trust and confiding in him. Maybe I could do that at the end of a proper date.”[/color]

Eli looked over Natalie’s expression, feeling a surge of empathy for her. She wasn’t sure exactly what Natalie’s past was like, but it must have been rough if she had to feel brave to tell her story. [color=E5D0FF]”That sounds like a good idea, Nat,”[/color] she spoke softly before smiling. [color=E5D0FF]”I know we don’t know each other super well, but if you ever need to talk you can come to me.”[/color]

Naalie smiled brightly, and nodded. [color=silver]”I’ll be sure to take you up on that if I ever need anyone to talk to. I-”[/color] she started to say, before a boy with antennas approached them, and addressed Eli. Natalie recognised him from that day in the forest. He didn’t seem to have recognised her, from the forest or the footage. Was her change in image really that drastic? Either way, he hadn’t addressed her, so she didn’t say anything to him yet.

Looking from Natalie and now to Nicholas, Eli couldn’t help but feel a little startled. Still, she offered him a smile. [color=E5D0FF]”Hey, Nicholas. I’ve been… okay, for the most part of it.”[/color] She glanced over at Natalie. [color=E5D0FF]”Natalie you remember Nicholas, don’t you? He was at the bonfire.”[/color] 

She turned back to Nicholas and suddenly remembered seeing him in the woods. Had he been at the welcoming day as well? [color=E5D0FF]”How have you been? Were you in the loading bay too?”[/color]