09-26-2016, 04:51 PM
Jay looked behind him when he heard footsteps. Vanders had arrived. Looking like a schmuck in his new bars. Jay grinned. He knew he looked the same. But he'd wait until they were alone before giving him crap about it.
A second set of footsteps followed. So light Jay almost missed the shuffle. Blonde hair and pale eyes greeted him. He blinked, surprised. What was Natalie doing here? She looked better than last time he saw her. Though she could have said the same about him probably. And not just exchanging the hospital garb for jeans that were way to snug, kidding, jeans could never be too tight on her. But there was a brightness in the paleness of her gaze that was dulled with shadows last time he peered into it. Like the difference between a moon hanging behind clouds and one gleaming in a cold winter sky.
The question struck him odd. It was crazy insightful, given his all too conflicted opinions on the promotion and how it was earned - or more rightly - not earned. Inheriting rank was something that came with the territory in combat, but mixed emotions was not something Jay wanted to explore. That led no where good. Nor did he want to explore his allegiance as an officer in an army he almost walked out on after the Refinery. He tolerated far too much blood on his hands than he thought he would. Bars earned in blood was not something to pride one self in. But Natalie's question couldn't be about that. Jay was careful. Respectful, even, of the assignment. He exchanged a look with Vanders just in case the other man had insight he lacked. But Wizard wasn't helpful.
"You keeping tabs on me?"
His shrug turned into a smirk. The other half of her question jabbed at the midnight shift he worked for a week as 'punishment' for running off with a half-million dollar suit.
But now he thought about it, the room was hot. He rubbed the back of his neck, briefly squeezed the muscle and found the cords of tissue tense. And slicked with sweat. Weird.
"Haven't had enough water today is all."
It was incredibly important to keep track of water consumption. He'd slacked on it, too focused on his shoes probably, to remember.
"I'll steal a liter when we are done with whatever Danjou wants."
A second set of footsteps followed. So light Jay almost missed the shuffle. Blonde hair and pale eyes greeted him. He blinked, surprised. What was Natalie doing here? She looked better than last time he saw her. Though she could have said the same about him probably. And not just exchanging the hospital garb for jeans that were way to snug, kidding, jeans could never be too tight on her. But there was a brightness in the paleness of her gaze that was dulled with shadows last time he peered into it. Like the difference between a moon hanging behind clouds and one gleaming in a cold winter sky.
The question struck him odd. It was crazy insightful, given his all too conflicted opinions on the promotion and how it was earned - or more rightly - not earned. Inheriting rank was something that came with the territory in combat, but mixed emotions was not something Jay wanted to explore. That led no where good. Nor did he want to explore his allegiance as an officer in an army he almost walked out on after the Refinery. He tolerated far too much blood on his hands than he thought he would. Bars earned in blood was not something to pride one self in. But Natalie's question couldn't be about that. Jay was careful. Respectful, even, of the assignment. He exchanged a look with Vanders just in case the other man had insight he lacked. But Wizard wasn't helpful.
"You keeping tabs on me?"
His shrug turned into a smirk. The other half of her question jabbed at the midnight shift he worked for a week as 'punishment' for running off with a half-million dollar suit.
But now he thought about it, the room was hot. He rubbed the back of his neck, briefly squeezed the muscle and found the cords of tissue tense. And slicked with sweat. Weird.
"Haven't had enough water today is all."
It was incredibly important to keep track of water consumption. He'd slacked on it, too focused on his shoes probably, to remember.
"I'll steal a liter when we are done with whatever Danjou wants."
Only darkness shows you the light.