[color=EB829A][center][h1][b]L[/b]a𝚗c[s]e[/s] Bennett[/h1][/center][/color]

It was a beautiful day. And sure, La𝚗c[s]e[/s] had spent most of it in the back of a truck, but at least he was in good company.

The first part of their trip had gone so smoothly it was almost a dream now - and by smoothly, he really meant the road. The even pavement around the Citadel was like a gods' send compared to the rougher, dirt road they now found themselves on. Still, whenever the path in front of them stretched out flat for a while and the warm breeze passed over him, the chatter of his squad mate's drifting around him, La𝚗c[s]e[/s] couldn't help but think that the team road trip was already the best idea they'd ever had. 

...aaaaand then the potholes returned. A particularly nasty one drew complaints from the passengers, La𝚗c[s]e[/s] among them. He winced as the truck landed back on the dirt. La𝚗c[s]e[/s] didn't blame Kalina for the rough ride at all - it was a single, narrow stretch of shitty highway. Kind of hard to avoid anything. 

As they continued rumbling down the path, La𝚗c[s]e[/s] was quite content to listen to the others talk over the sound of staticky music and newscasters. Honestly, he'd gotten used to tuning out the public reports. In the barren, somewhat peaceful scrub-grass land they were passing through it would have been hard to believe there was a national conflict going on if he didn't know any better. Peace. It would be nice, but La𝚗c[s]e[/s] was of the same mind as Gerard - he didn't think it was going to happen. Not any time soon at least, and definitely not due to these peace talks. 

Music was much preferred, so he nodded in approval when Gerard happened to find them some tunes. Even without the broadcast going, some of the Barghest chimed in with their thoughts on it. It was to be expected. But it was also the same kind of stuff they talked about all the time (realistically, it was what had taken up so much of their lives), the kind of stuff La𝚗c[s]e[/s] would rather put aside in favor of spending what little free time remained with the only people he could reasonably call friends.

[color=EB829A]"Hey, remind me, isn't a road trip like a vacation?"[/color] He asked, his tone good-natured, calling the rhetorical question to the group at large. [color=EB829A]"Y'know, like a [i]break[/i] from everything? And you're all still- oh shit-"[/color]

In the middle of talking, La𝚗c[s]e[/s] had snagged the whiskey Gerard had passed through the air, but another rough bump splashed part of the liquid out of the open top. He laughed, setting the bottle and what was left in it down onto the makeshift table. He glanced at the map as he did, poor thing accumulating more stains already. It was mostly unneeded, since they could see for miles ahead in the open landscape and the road was straight for as far as the eye could see, but it was good to check how close they were getting to any semblance of civilization. He was sure all of them would appreciate a chance to stretch out. Or he would, at the very least.

[color=EB829A]"Won't be too much longer!"[/color] He announced. 

He wiped the alcohol off of him with his hand. He didn't sink so low as to taste it from his own skin, though the thought had crossed his mind. Instead he wiped it on his jeans while fishing a rag or something out for anyone else that had been in the splash zone. 

A new song started from the radio, the notes striking familiar with La𝚗c[s]e[/s]. His small grin grew wider before he reached over to turn the knob and raise the volume up.