[color=silver][center][h2][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjQ4LjAwOTlhYS5SSFZ1WTJGdUlGTjBaWGRoY25RLjI/recharge.rg-bold.webp[/img][/h2]
__________________________________________________[/center]

A [i]what[/i] now?

Duncan blinked at the mere [i]accusation[/i], straightening enough to catch the look on Haruko's face — but not for long, before she pulled him back down for a kiss. [i]Well[/i]. It was more a quick brush of the lips, but considering his Japanese classmates' stance on public displays of affection... huh. Maybe this place's influence wasn't [i]all [/i]bad. He was about to pull Haruko closer, to push his luck, but she gave him no chance to do so, already a step or two away. Damnit.

At her little quip, Duncan raised his arms in mock-defense. [color=0099aa]"Whoa, alright! Promising to quit was [i]before [/i]we got spirited away into freakshow land. There's gotta be a clause for that."[/color]

He wanted to say something more, was sure she did too. But sometimes, when you couldn't say everything, it was easier to say nothing. 

[color=0099aa]"Try not to to miss me [i]too [/i]much. I can probably hear if you cry, you know."[/color]

Well, almost nothing.
[color=0099aa][center]—[/center][/color]

He and Asahi were barely out of camp when they encountered their first — and probably craziest — obstacle on their journey. [i]Ayana[/i]; because unlike some of the others, Duncan still refused to refer to her by the name she'd adapted. Doing so would've felt like validating her delusions, and he wasn't about to be an enabler. 

[i]Or[/i] a coward.

[color=0099aa]"I mean, [i]you [/i]said it. It ain't like you're gonna stop us. And if you're so damn worried about everyone, maybe spend less time advertising your cult and more time scouting or killing shit or whatever."[/color] Duncan shrugged a shoulder, about to keep walking, when Asahi started shouting next to him, feet firmly planted on the ground. Great. Didn't the guy know there was no arguing with the crazy? Weird as it was, Ayana sounded pretty damn genuine in her worry, meaning she [i]had [/i]to believe in her own bullshit. And if so, wasn't anything they could do to convince her otherwise.

[color=0099aa]"C'mon, you're just giving her attention. Let it fucking go and move that famous ass, dude. We're wasting time." [/color]He went to try and wrap an arm around Asahi's shoulders and [i]drag [/i]him forward if that's what it took. Wasn't like it'd be the first time he had to manhandle the guy.[color=0099aa] "Got great weather for a morning jog. Gets us there faster."[/color] 

Not that... Asahi seemed to be the jogging type, really. Unless— 

A grin spread on Duncan's face. [color=0099aa]"Bet your [i]boyfriend [/i]would appreciate you comin' back all toned from a run, huh?"[/color]

He wasn't sure if it would actually work as motivation, but hopefully, it'd [i]at least[/i] work as a distraction. [/color]