06-03-2014, 06:04 PM
Natalie had the distinct impression her words washed right through him, the silence stretched for so long. The pain must be immense, so she forgave the glaze; in fact she almost regretted interrupting the cocoon he'd built to distance himself from his injury, because she understood the need for distraction. She waited patiently for a response, leaning heavily on the support of her hands, and if concern softened the intensity of her scrutiny there was not an ounce of pity in her expression.
When he removed the anonymity of his LW glasses, when she could finally see his face clearly, her gaze roamed with unabashed interest. Of the group that had pulled her and Ekene from the chaos of Freetown's streets, his was the only American accent among them, and curiosity lured. America proclaimed itself the last bastion of freedom from the blight of the CCD, and its people fought tirelessly to prove it - or so she was led to believe anyway. So why had this one ended up a legionnaire, a brother among foreigners? He shifted to glance at where Ekene was being treated, but Natalie's attention lingered before following.
Beyond the makeshift table, still huddled against the wall, the medic was manipulating Ekene's hand; Natalie observed the bleak, scrunched up expression on the child's face, but at least he wasn't fighting the care. "Uh huh."
The hint of a smile softened the accusation as her gaze dropped back down to him, though her look sparked playfully sly when confronted with an expression designed quite literally to melt hearts. She might not buy it, but she at least seemed amused. "You know. You're a terrible liar."
She pushed back off the table with the express purpose of remedying the situation. Distraction worked fine when there was no other choice, but morphine was going to work a damn sight better.
The medic saved her a journey. Probably that was just as well, given the way her legs shivered the moment she let go of the table. Her mood sobered as he approached, and she nodded thanks at the update, somewhat relieved not to be questioned as to how Ekene had come by his injury. Though knowing he'd had enough meds to knock him out, she glanced over at where they had left him curled up anyway, the pinch of a frown between her brows. She would have to keep an eye; she was not so cruel as to allow him to wake up alone. A moment, and the concern buried beneath her smooth exterior. When the medic's words reached her ears though, solemnity was replaced by a smirk.
Deal's done, huh?
The soldier's eyes widened when it became clear just where the needle was going. Natalie looked. Of course she looked. And she wasn't shy about it either, by the mischievous glint in her eye.
The huge outtake of breath alone suggested just how much he'd needed the pain relief.
Then it was her turn. "I'm okay,"
she told the medic patiently, though she didn't argue at being checked over. "None of the blood is even mine.
" She spared a brief, dry glance for the legionnaire, since his had added to the scarlet darkening her skin and soaked into her shirt. "There was an explosion at the hospital. Neither of us were injured; I think the worst I did was bash my head.
" The back of her skull was still tender, and she winced as the medic checked it, though the roam of his fingers was gentle.
He told her he expected her to rest.
She in turn questioned him on how long it was likely to be until the legionnaire would see surgery, but even now fresh patients were spilling through the conference room's doors, and he barely had to offer her a look for her to understand the answer.
He was busy; she let him go reluctantly.
Fatigue washed back into the spaces vacated by adrenaline and purpose. Ekene was safe, and the medic had done all he could to treat his hand. The legionnaire, while not exactly on the way to recovery, was at least floating somewhere pleasant. And presently the kitten was finally taking the milk.
Natalie exchanged brief introductions with the Ambassador while the legionnaire - Jay, she gathered - rambled an accompaniment to his efforts. She wasn't so hard-hearted as to be unaffected by the image, if the only evidence was the fact she watched at all. There was something soothing in those soft purrs, in so fragile a creature sheltered in soldier's hands. And he was grinning like an idiot, though it encouraged the faintest curve to her own lips. It was only the insistent press of lead on her eyelids that pushed up the stubborn rise of her head, because otherwise she seemed quite content to linger without the effort of making conversation.
The stress burrowed into Ambassador Stankic's face; understandably so. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Doubtful, and Natalie hardly looked in a state to be offering assistance, but if she didn't she was going to end up curled in the corner with Ekene. There was no sin in that weakness, but she wanted to know what was going on.
Edited by Natalie Grey, Jun 3 2014, 06:05 PM.
When he removed the anonymity of his LW glasses, when she could finally see his face clearly, her gaze roamed with unabashed interest. Of the group that had pulled her and Ekene from the chaos of Freetown's streets, his was the only American accent among them, and curiosity lured. America proclaimed itself the last bastion of freedom from the blight of the CCD, and its people fought tirelessly to prove it - or so she was led to believe anyway. So why had this one ended up a legionnaire, a brother among foreigners? He shifted to glance at where Ekene was being treated, but Natalie's attention lingered before following.
Beyond the makeshift table, still huddled against the wall, the medic was manipulating Ekene's hand; Natalie observed the bleak, scrunched up expression on the child's face, but at least he wasn't fighting the care. "Uh huh."
The hint of a smile softened the accusation as her gaze dropped back down to him, though her look sparked playfully sly when confronted with an expression designed quite literally to melt hearts. She might not buy it, but she at least seemed amused. "You know. You're a terrible liar."
She pushed back off the table with the express purpose of remedying the situation. Distraction worked fine when there was no other choice, but morphine was going to work a damn sight better.
The medic saved her a journey. Probably that was just as well, given the way her legs shivered the moment she let go of the table. Her mood sobered as he approached, and she nodded thanks at the update, somewhat relieved not to be questioned as to how Ekene had come by his injury. Though knowing he'd had enough meds to knock him out, she glanced over at where they had left him curled up anyway, the pinch of a frown between her brows. She would have to keep an eye; she was not so cruel as to allow him to wake up alone. A moment, and the concern buried beneath her smooth exterior. When the medic's words reached her ears though, solemnity was replaced by a smirk.
Deal's done, huh?
The soldier's eyes widened when it became clear just where the needle was going. Natalie looked. Of course she looked. And she wasn't shy about it either, by the mischievous glint in her eye.
The huge outtake of breath alone suggested just how much he'd needed the pain relief.
Then it was her turn. "I'm okay,"
she told the medic patiently, though she didn't argue at being checked over. "None of the blood is even mine.
" She spared a brief, dry glance for the legionnaire, since his had added to the scarlet darkening her skin and soaked into her shirt. "There was an explosion at the hospital. Neither of us were injured; I think the worst I did was bash my head.
" The back of her skull was still tender, and she winced as the medic checked it, though the roam of his fingers was gentle.
He told her he expected her to rest.
She in turn questioned him on how long it was likely to be until the legionnaire would see surgery, but even now fresh patients were spilling through the conference room's doors, and he barely had to offer her a look for her to understand the answer.
He was busy; she let him go reluctantly.
Fatigue washed back into the spaces vacated by adrenaline and purpose. Ekene was safe, and the medic had done all he could to treat his hand. The legionnaire, while not exactly on the way to recovery, was at least floating somewhere pleasant. And presently the kitten was finally taking the milk.
Natalie exchanged brief introductions with the Ambassador while the legionnaire - Jay, she gathered - rambled an accompaniment to his efforts. She wasn't so hard-hearted as to be unaffected by the image, if the only evidence was the fact she watched at all. There was something soothing in those soft purrs, in so fragile a creature sheltered in soldier's hands. And he was grinning like an idiot, though it encouraged the faintest curve to her own lips. It was only the insistent press of lead on her eyelids that pushed up the stubborn rise of her head, because otherwise she seemed quite content to linger without the effort of making conversation.
The stress burrowed into Ambassador Stankic's face; understandably so. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Doubtful, and Natalie hardly looked in a state to be offering assistance, but if she didn't she was going to end up curled in the corner with Ekene. There was no sin in that weakness, but she wanted to know what was going on.
Edited by Natalie Grey, Jun 3 2014, 06:05 PM.