Realistic or Modern // Ignite the Spark // open & accepting

[Ashmorne]

S o l a r a || F e i v e l


spark scout





Sola lifted herself out of the tunnel after the group had made their way to the other side. She vaguely heard some talking, but chose not to respond. The night was inky around them, and it took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the cloudy darkness. With a sigh, she leaned her back against the wall in relief. They had made it out. She was still alive, and so were all the Deviants.


Glancing down, she felt the ache at her side. The bullet had grazed her torso, just above her hip. The wound was shallow but hurt like hell. She could feel the blood soaking a small bit of her shirt and waistline of her jeans. Her hand skimmed the top of the wound. It wasn't too bad. She heard Richard talk a big game about the supplies that he had, but she chose to not say anything. They wouldn't be able to see the bloodstains in the darkness. Instead, she made a knot in the corner of her shirt. It put pressure on top of the wound, pressing it tight. Gasping, she got used to the feeling. She would take care of this when they got back to the Ruins. She turned to the group.





"I know it would be wonderful to take a break now. Catch your breath, but we need to keep moving. We can't risk slowing down, especially after that bot opened fire."


Sola took a moment to catch her breath, thanking some higher power that the bullet had only grazed her. After a few minutes, she began to move deeper into the woods...guiding the group towards The Ruins.

T I M E || S K I P


three hours


03:30 a.m.


location: edge of woods outside of the ruins



​

They had made it.


It had felt like ages of trudging through the forest, they were almost at The Ruins. The trees were beginning to thin, and Sola could see the sprawling city. Buildings, though slightly crumbling, rose proudly into the night. Light began to reach them, powered by strong generators run by The Spark. She could see the space where the city opened up, a broken up highway leading into the main part of The Ruins. The Keys Tower soared high above the rest. This was her city, and she had never been more relieved to see it.


Ten more minutes of walking and they would be in the boundaries of the city. Sola pointed towards the vast expanse of buildings of varying size, not as polished as Tranquility but so much more life-filled. The town sprawled out in all directions, smaller buildings giving way to tall towers. She could hear the general noise of people and the rush of the river that cut across the city's corner as they got closer. It was 3 in the morning, but The Spark was never fully asleep.





"Welcome to the Ruins. Your new home. When we get in, I'll show you where you can get a good meal and some rest. In the morning, we will talk. You all must be exhausted,"


Sola place a hand against her side. The trees were becoming less sparse as forest gave way into city. Sola glanced down at her shirt. You could see the bloodstain, dark against the fabric of her jeans and top. It didn't hurt quite so much any more, and the bleeding had all but stopped. All she had to do was make it to the infirmary before Kais or Shasta ran into her. As Sola led the group towards The Ruins, she mentally prepared herself for the likely possibility of bumping into one of them.

 

[DrakeAlistair]

Kais Wiltchil

Spark Strategist

​

The night was quiet and still. At least at first. As the sounds of the Ruins died away, the rushing of blood through his ears quieted; he could hear the night. Small things stood out, the sound of leaves rubbing against each other in a stirring of air. The call of an owl. The stirring of a squirrel. The crackle of leaves and twigs on the forest floor seemed like a shout, after a moment. His eyes adjusted to the darkness—only moonlight to see by. If it was enough for the owls it way enough for him. He felt the weight of Bane in his hands as the night came to life around him, welcoming him.


Hours passed in this way. The forest was lively, but not lively enough that he felt like taking any shots. The owls hunted and he watched them through his scope. The hunters becoming the hunted. The thoughts had always appealed to him. But he could find no justification in killing one. They hardly had enough meat on them for a single bowl of soup, and besides, he felt in them something of a kindred spirit. There they were, hiding in their high perches, watching with sharp eyes for movement below. And when the opportunity presented itself... they struck.


Kais lost himself in the night and calm returned to him. Time would pass and Solara would return, perhaps with others. She had to return. He no longer felt the gnawing doubt, the guilt, the pain, the fear. He felt only calm determination. And so, when hints of something much bigger came whispering through the forest, stilling the small creatures, he lowered his rifle and waited.


Enough time had certainly passed. Was it them, as he hoped? The burning of emotion returned to his stomach. He couldn't help but feel some nervousness, now that his mind returned to Sola. At least he had been granted a few hours reprieve. He looked up through the branches to find the moon. More than enough time had passed. What on earth had happened, to delay them so?


He could hear them well before he could see them. He returned Bane to his strap around his shoulders, clicking the safety on, and began his careful climb down the tree. The tree was reluctant to see him go, and grabbed at his clothes. Stay here, you don't need those humans, whispered the night. But he went determinedly, anyway. The nervous burning in his stomach wouldn't let him stay.


The final branch hung just head-level above the ground for him. He perched there and waited for them. He could see them, now. In another moment he was able to make out distinct figures. Four... no five people. At the front of them was the only one he cared to see. He knew it was her, even in the dark; without seeing her face he recognized her walk. No wonder it had taken so long; they usually brought back no more than one or two per night, but she had four former-Tranquil with her. He had to admit to being impressed.


That feeling, however, was overshadowed by happiness and relief such as he had never known. He had thought he'd known pressure, and the relief from being out from beneath the watchful eye of Tranquility after a successful mission. It was nothing to the relief of seeing Sola home, alive. He dropped out of the branch, landing neatly on his feet in a crouch. He rose and went to meet them.


Most people might have said something. Some sort of greeting, at the very least. Most would have given some indication that they had spent the last three hours in agony, waiting, hoping that their friend was still alive. Some might even have raced to meet her, overjoyed.


Kais wasn't most people.


His expression was neutral, in spite of the fact that he wanted to laugh and cry all at once. His pace was even, as if he hadn't spent three hours in a tree waiting for her. But he did do something that was out of character, even for him. Instead of stopping short in front of her and giving a nod of greeting or acknowledgement, as he usually would, he walked straight up to her, grabbed her shoulders, and pulled her into a bone-crushing hug. No words, at least none that he knew, were sufficient to express himself, so he said nothing at all.

 

[ambiguities]

Ryder Lawson

​

Bringing the cup of water to his lips, he tilted it, letting the liquid re-hydrate his parched throat. Ryder debated on getting something stronger, to put his mind at ease, but the sliver of chance they had to make it back was something he wanted to be sober for. He couldn't bring himself back to his room, especially when Ophelia had expected him to do something. Instead he sat there, listening to the distant music playing at the Expo Center. He wondered is sleep was ever going to make an appearance in his clouded mind, he would choose sleep over this insufferable wait any day.


Sighing, Ryder picked up picked up the cup, but before he could take a sip he had taken notice of the small commotion at the corner of his eye. He set the cup down and pulled himself out of the the plastic chair. He waled over to the small crowd, his pace quickening within each step. In the middle stood Kais and Sola in an embrace. A breath was released out of Ryder's mouth, relief flooding him. He glanced at all the new faces, the people who were once monotonous zombies had a glimmer of life that shone in each one of their faces.


Ryder took the initiative to walk up to the newcomer who was holding an unconscious woman in his arms. "I'll take her to the infirmary," He assured, taking the woman from him, stepping back before turning away. He knew that they would need some time to recover from the events that had just happen, because truth be told, they look like they've been through hell and back.

​

 

[Ashmorne]

S o l a r a || F e i v e l


spark scout





There was something freeing about being able to move without being watched. Being so close to Spark Territory made Solara feel much more at ease, despite her apprehension at returning. A twig snapped underneath her shoe as she moved further out of the forest and closer to The Ruins. In the back of her mind, she absentmindedly wondered why they were still called that. The city that they lived in had been slowly going through the process of restoration. She thought it looked pretty good, even if it was a little archaic.


The soft thump of weight on the ground caught Sola's attention. She shifted her gaze to see Kais striding towards them. Her heart hiked. At first, she felt a pang of relief to see his familiar face again. To see him again. Then, her stress came back. In her mind, she began preparing to defend her reasoning for going out on her own. If they were going to argue, she needed to know what to say. Kais knew her well, and he was one of the few people that Sola felt perfectly comfortable fighting with. They grew up together, and he saw that side of her.


Sola studied his face as he approached. It was completely nonpartisan, a mask over what he was really feeling. She tried to guess, because she knew he had to be feeling something. Anger? Frustration? She braced herself for him to stop right in front of her and give her some painfully to the point words, but...he didn't.


She opened her mouth to talk, but he didn't stop to speak to her. Her jaw slightly dropped in shock as instead he gripped her shoulders and wrapped his arms around her, crushing her to his chest.





What the actual hell?


She could barely even move her own arms within his embrace. For a moment, she stood stiff and unyielding, colored by her own surprise. As she heard his heartbeat, she slowly relaxed into the embrace. In all her time of knowing him, she had never seen Kais hug anyone. This incredibly strange action on his part, something she never would have predicted, spoke to her much more loudly than words.


He was worried about her.


It left a warm and light feeling in her chest as she leaned into him. They stood there for a moment, when a voice suddenly cut through her reverie. She could hear Ryder talking, and it kicked her back to reality





What the hell are we doing?


With that, Sola realized with a start that her side ached. Pain crawled from the place where the bullet had nicked her, and she could feel blood slowly rewetting the area. It spread like tiny hot prickles across her skin. Sola winced, her exceptionally brief moment of relief and bliss replaced by confusion and frustration. She felt suddenly very, very embarrassed with herself.


"Damn it, Kais! That hurts!" she rasped, pulling herself away quickly.


The words slipped out of her mouth before she could stop them. Out of habit, she instinctively reached out one fist to punch him in the arm. She pressed her free palm to her wounded side. She realized with an internal cringe that she had all but straight out told him that she was injured.

 

[DrakeAlistair]

Kais Wiltchil

Spark Strategist

​

Judging by the response, Sola was either shocked or pissed. At that particular moment, Kais didn't care very much. He probably would have kept hugging her, even if she persisted in awkwardly standing there, as if she wished she was anywhere else at all. But she didn't. She relaxed, leading him to believe that it had, in fact, been shock rather than anger that caused her response. It hadn't occurred to him until that point that she might still be mad at him. He was too relieved to care, but it was something to be sorted out, once he had convinced himself that she was in fact there, and in one piece.

Twigs crackled behind them; another person approaching. He loosened his death-grip on Sola, and half-turned, hands still clasped on Sola's shoulders. Ryder was there. Kais recalled the last time he had seen the Scout--he had been rather rude. He felt no remorse for it.


Sola's voice cut through his thoughts, bringing his attention away from Ryder as he relieved one of the former-Tranquilians of the unconscious one. She jerked away from him and he let his hands fall back to his sides. Before he could quite register what she had said, she punched him in the arm. He wasn't surprised; in fact, he had half expected her to punch him earlier, once he realized she might still be mad. He didn't react to the punch, but stood staring at her as he realized what she had said.


It might almost have been played off. He had hugged her very hard. But coupled with the action--pressing her hand to her side--he knew something was wrong. He looked at her more closely now. Her shirt was knotted under her hand. It was too dark to tell--perhaps his imagination--was her shirt dark with blood? He lifted his eyes to her face and saw the truth: regret, embarrassment. She had been hoping no one would notice.


The concern was back. He grabbed her wrist, pulling her hand away from her side and half-stooping to look at her side. He wanted to pull the knotted shirt away to see how bad it was, but he resisted. If she had been hit on the way out, it would have dried since then. Dried to her shirt. She was mad enough at him without him reopening a wound. He would leave that to the professionals.


"Sola," He spoke for the first time and his voice was quiet. Dangerously quiet. Suppressed emotion quivered behind that one word. He wanted to tell her how stupid she had been. Tell her that this was what happened when she ran off without him. He wanted to rant and rave and ask how should could possibly have thought that going to Tranquility on her own was acceptable.


He wanted to express the raging frustration welling inside him; what had once been masked by fear and relief now came to the surface. But he couldn't. No words would form--at least none that made sense. Anger showed clearly on his face, now. He clenched his fists, half-forgetting that he still held her wrist. When he remembered, he released it as if she had burned him. The only sound he could manage to form was an unintelligible noise of anger and frustration. His words had abandoned him, as they so often did.


With no words to speak for him, he grasped one of her shoulders and pulled her forward, intent on guiding her to the infirmary. He didn't care if she could take herself there. He didn't care if she had been planning to go there all along. He didn't care if she didn't want him along and he didn't care if she was mad at him. He was going to take her to the infirmary if he had to carry her there himself.

 

[Gabe]

Richard Davenport


Time Unknown - The Ruins


The doctor's arms were stiff, sore from the long walk to the ruins. The backpack on his shoulders shifted loudly, clanking with all of the medical supplies. He looked around the ruins, trying to discern the buildings. Infirmary, infirmary...


A man has offered himself to take the girl. Sighing loudly, he transferred her to the kind spark member.


"Thank you. I appreciate your help." I'm going to the infirmary too, to drop off these supplies. I need to rest, but I can help whoever is injured, even if it's for a short while. It's the least I could do."


Richard gave a faint smile, finally out of the edge this whole ordeal brought to him. He wondered what was going to happen, now that he was out of Tranquility. Maybe keep doing his profession, or even something greater? One thing was certain, he felt free for the first time in his life.

 

[Bhlow]

Rosemarie Hayward

A soft groan escaped Rosemarie as her eyelids flickered, for a moment - before she opened her eyes. Her mind looked on disoriented, while her eyes met those looking down above her - beautiful chocolate almond colour. She realised then that she had never before looked into anyone's eyes properly - or maybe there was nothing to look into before, but these eyes were swirling with emotions - the only thing was that she couldn't comprehend them.


She broke the eye contact, feeling what she thought would be embarrassment and vulnerability before her mind registered that she was being carried. This figure wasn't simply looking down at her but was carrying her, and her head was settled in his chest.


She tried to sit up, but that obviously didn't work while she was in his arms and she was too disoriented to do so as well. She chastised herself for not thinking clearly, and instead croaked out, taking note of her parched throat in the process "Where am I?". She turned her head away from his chest, looking around the breathtaking beauty of the world - not the world she has seen in Tranqulity, leading her to believe that they were outside of the wall. "Put me down" she finally protested feeling compromised in her position.

 

[Ashmorne]

S o l a r a || F e i v e l


spark scout





The air felt thicker, heavier around Sola as Kais's gaze dropped to her waist and then rose back to her face. His eyes seemed more somber than normal as they studied her openly, his dark locks of hair falling against the side of his face. She saw the emotions shifting just underneath those eyes, working out how he was going to handle what he now undoubtedly knew.


Before she could say anything, Kais's fingers were wrapped around her wrist as he pulled her hand away from her side. He leaned over, inspecting the area where the bullet had grazed her. She shifted on her feet uncomfortably, acutely aware of how close he was to her. She could feel his gaze against her side. Chewing her bottom lip, she realized that she was holding her breath.





"Sola,"


Kais's voice was filled with something. It was hushed, quiet...but treacherous. It quavered at the edges, soft but laced with emotion. His mask melted slowly, and she saw what he was feeling openly on his face. It was no longer neutral.


She could tell that Kais wanted to say something, it was apparent to her by the way his brow knit together and his eyes darkened. Sola winced as he clenched his fists, his hand tightening around her wrist. Letting out a strangled noise saturated in vexation and anger, he dropped her wrist quickly.


Almost as quickly as he had removed his hand, it was already back on her shoulder as he dragged her forward. He began to move her towards the infirmary. It was obvious that he was pissed and that his patience was worn, and she knew that part of it was justified...but his own actions spawned a fevered new anger in Sola. Who the hell did he think he was, pulling her along as if she were five years old? She was a grown woman.


He still sees me as that little girl who would tag along with him and Shasta. I'm a kid to him. A child.


The realization caused frustration to rip through Sola, red and furious. Confusion as to why it even mattered how he saw her only added to her anger. This thought put a bitter feeling in her, something that made her stomach feel leaden. Behind her rage, her frustration...there was a infinitesimal glimmer of something else, so small she almost didn't feel it. It was something that felt like dejection. Shaking her head, she dug her heels into the ground and yanked back.





"I'm not a child, Kais! I can go to the damn infirmary on my own," she snapped, her voice shaking slightly.


As she stepped back, her hair fell across her face. She pushed it away hastily with the palm of her hand, leaving a smudge of blood against her cheek. Mouth set in a firm line, she glared at Kais. Her eyes met his defiantly, burning, daring him to disagree.

 

[DrakeAlistair]

Kais Wiltchil

Spark Strategist

​

Her shoulder wrenched out of his grip before they had taken more than a handful of steps. He turned to look at her, watching emotions burn across her face. Stubborn, as usual. Childish.

Stupid. How could she be so damn stupid? Couldn't she just do what was asked of her, for once in her life? She had been away for hours, and she returns with a group too big too handle, with one unconscious, covered in blood, and all she could think about was how she wanted to do things her way?


He watched the anger and frustration fight across her face. I'm not a child, she said. Then stop acting like one, he wanted to say. But he didn't. Instead he stared at her, anger blazing in his eyes, mouth draw in a tight line.


Kais couldn't begin to fathom what her problem was. Hadn't she done enough damage for one night? Hadn't storming off to Tranquility on her own and getting shot been a big enough act of rebellion to calm her? Yes, he had taken Shasta's offer to become Strategist. Yes, that meant he could no longer go to Tranquility with her. But this? This was excessive. She had been angry with him ever since. Rebellious was an understatement. What could she possibly have hoped to accomplish with this stupid little stunt? To prove that she could do it on her own? To show him she didn't need his help? That had certainly backfired.


And so they stood there, glaring at each other, accomplishing nothing at all. He made another noise of frustration, throwing his hands up in exasperation.


"Then walk," He made a sweeping motion with one hand, gesturing in the direction of the infirmary. And hurry up. He wanted to add, but he held his tongue. She was mad. He was mad. Shouting at each other in the middle of the forest was going to accomplish nothing at all.


He had all but forgotten about the others who had come back with Sola. He didn't know them, and he didn't care about them. It didn't bother him at all that they had just been torn from their utopian lives, thrown out into a world they knew nothing about, with emotions they had never felt before. They could find their own way. The only thing he cared about at that moment was getting Sola to the infirmary.

 

[Ashmorne]

S o l a r a || F e i v e l


spark scout





"Then walk,"


His voice rang out, commanding and clear, speaking to her like a lost little girl. Sola stood, blinking at him without saying a word. The night suddenly felt quiet in the absence of their yelling. Kais stood in front of her, his eyes burning. She didn't flinch, her own gaze unwavering. He was clearly frustrated with her; she knew he must think she was an idiot. How would he ever possibly understand what was racing through her mind? Would he ever understand her loneliness? Her anger? How could he understand it, if she couldn't even comprehend it herself?


Maybe she had felt rejected when he took that position. Some part of her thought that he would tell Shasta to pick someone else, or at least suggest picking someone else. She didn't think he would be so quick to leave her side, to move on. Sola's thoughts drifted just for a moment to her parents. She didn't like change. That much she knew about herself. It wasn't fair of her to be upset at Kais for simply taking a good opportunity.


When Sola and Kais were on a delivery together, things made sense. She felt as though she was accomplishing something that she was meant to do. They moved as a team. They knew each other so well, everything was fluid. But in this moment, with him staring at her as though she was just a stubborn, petulant child...this was the first time that Sola felt as though maybe Kais didn't know her at all.


She crossed her arms and looked away first, using the shadows to hide the hurt she feared was obviously on her face. Anger still burned hotly in her stomach. Her brow creased, she began to move...but not towards the infirmary. Her body was beginning to carry her towards the Hotel, towards her home. She was tired, frustrated, and thoroughly unsettled. The remaining two Tranquil could follow Ryder. She'd find them later.





"I'm going home, Kais. I have a first aid kit in my room, I'll be fine. I can fix myself up. Just go,"

 

[Cruor Flumine]

Doctor Marcus H. Glass


Keys Towers- Infirmiry





Marcus, after cleaning and putting away his tools, had gone straight back to his office. Being the only acailable doctor has its pros and cons. Both being wich he is almost always busy, so he had to savor the peacful moments such as this. Just then a knock sounded at his door. "Come in." He said rather tiredly.


The door cracked open and the nurse from earlier, Alayna he thinks her name was, popped her head inside. "Doctor, I've gotten reports that another doctor has arrived and is currently inbound for this location, what shall I do?" She questioned.


Another doctor? Finally! Some extra help! "Please wait for him in the lobby. Send him up to me when he arrives. Thank you Alayna."


She nodded, ready to leave, but turned back hesitantly. "Doctor, my name is Lucy." Lucy informed him before walking out, closing the door. Marcus's hand slapped against his forehead. "Of course it is...Dammit Glass, you're getting old..."

 

[DrakeAlistair]

Kais Wiltchil

Spark Strategist

​

The silence stretched. The tension was so high it was nearly humming. Kais stood his ground, one arm outstretched in the direction of the infirmary, waiting for her to make a move. He was nearly certain that she hated him, at that moment. He couldn't begin to fathom why--there seemed numerous possibilities, but he couldn't believe that any of them were worth half as much fuss as this.

Finally, she moved. In the wrong direction. He dropped his outstretched hand, watching as she passed him. Home? She had just been shot, because she had done something stupid and she was going home? How could she be so damn stubborn? There were very few doubts in his mind that the only reason she was now insisting that she wasn't going to the infirmary was because he had told her to go to the infirmary. She was so absurdly infuriating.


His jaw clenched, his hands closed into fists. He briefly considered forcing her to see a doctor. He could carry her there. She would hate him for it, but he could do it. Was it worth it? She had evidently stopped bleeding, and was well enough to walk, at least. Chances were it was just a graze--but she should still have it looked at. He stared after her for a long moment, torn with indecision. He recalled their missions together--how everything had been fine when he was still her partner. She was one of the two people in the Ruins--hell, in the world--that he could talk to--and now she hated him. He wanted to make things right, he wanted to make sure she was alright. But she was making things so damn difficult.


Kais looked down at his hands, remembering the wall he had punched when he realized there was nothing he could do for her. He seriously considered punching a tree, or emptying Scorpion's clip into the ground. A waste of ammo. A futile gesture.


"Just go." She said. He considered for a moment. He wasn't about to let her go, but it wasn't worth the fight to take her to the infirmary. Two could play at this game of stubbornness.


"No." He said; he slumped forward, following after her.

 

[Ashmorne]

S o l a r a || F e i v e l


spark scout





The chill in the air caused a shiver to run down Sola's spine. She crossed her arms, imagining finally being back in her suite. The thought of going to bed seemed like her best option after getting her cut cleaned up. She knew that it would have been better for her to go see a doctor in the infirmary. Her wound was shallow, though, and she had very rudimentary medical knowledge as part of her Scout training. She could handle a small wound, right?





It's basically a paper cut...


The day had taken a lot out of her. It was out of character for her to leave the Tranquil to follow Ryder instead of escorting them herself. Sola usually tried to be a friendly face, a comrade in the often disorienting process of joining The Spark. Tonight, however...she couldn't be that person. She didn't like fighting with Kais. It was quite possibly one of her least favorite things. But the hurt that seemed to sink into her bones was something that she couldn't just let go of.


She moved through the darkness, starting to walk past Kais. As she advanced, she could hear him say something.





"No,"


She turned to look over her shoulder. Sure enough, Kais was following her back to the Grand Oak. Of course he wouldn't let her go by herself. Did he really think her that incapable? She let out an exasperated sigh, arms swinging at her sides as she began to walk faster. She was nearing the edge of the city. The Grand Oak Hotel could be easily accessed through back roads, which is what Sola wanted to do. She had no desire to run into anyone.


Before entering the city, she paused. Buildings loomed above them. Seeing The Ruins had a calming effect on Sola. It was one thing she could count on not to change. Her city would always be her city. Maybe it was the Ruins, maybe it was the thought of people asking questions about why she went, or maybe it was just the fact that he decided to follow her even though they both were angry...but it gave her a speck of perspective.


She glanced over at Kais, wanting to say something. The man was so unwilling to let her go off alone. Her own stubbornness was matched by his. He had been in the forest on her way back from the delivery, and she suddenly wondered how long he had been waiting there. Even if he came after her solely because he felt like it was his job, it didn't change the fact that he was still there. She was still angry, but there was something underneath that anger. Her mind thought back to the way Kais had embraced her, how it was the first thing that he did when he saw her. Her burning frustration was beginning to melt into something cooler, less fervent. She rubbed a hand over her face and then through her hair.





"I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was leaving," she conceded, her fury beginning to drain into weariness. At the very least, she owed him an apology. Maybe an explanation. Maybe.


Sola didn't know if Kais would respond to her words. Sometimes he didn't have anything to say, and he wasn't the type of person to speak just for the sake of talking. It was something that she appreciated but also found incredibly irritating at times. There was a certain tension that crackled around them. She stood silently, arms loosely crossed, and waited.

 

[Skeleton]

KEANU FORRESTER



​

Keanu stood blinking at the flurry of things that had just occurred all around him. He felt disoriented, the blurriness of his vision not helping the whole situation. From where he stood, he could hear Solara talking with a man who spoke very little.


His vision was fuzzy and dark, but he was able to just discern how the man approached Solara and instantly pulled her to his body. For a moment, Keanu wondered if maybe that was her significant other. They seemed close. But then, he saw her hazy form jerk away from the man as another voice joined their crowd. He was too overloaded to keep up. Keanu turned his head towards the other woman who had been carrying the doctor's bags.


"Hey, what's your name? We should probably follow that guy to the infirmary. Could you come with me? I still can barely see a thing,"





@Rissa

 

[DrakeAlistair]

Kais Wiltchil

Spark Strategist

​

Sola didn't seem pleased that he was following, but she didn't try to stop him. That was something, at least. He was already growing weary of this fighting. Sola was stubborn, but friendly--in all their years together, he could count on one hand the times they had fought. It was much more frequent that Kais was on unfriendly terms with someone than that Sola was. It was this usual friendliness that made her recent change toward him all the more puzzling. She wasn't

usually stupid. In fact, she was usually very pragmatic in relationships, as far as Kais was concerned. She said what needed to be said and then moved on. Usually. Exactly what it was that was different this time, he couldn't say.


She was rash and she was mad. It was seldom a good combination. He was beginning to care less about why she was gone and rather more about why she was still mad at him. It was just a job, and he happened to be the best person for it. Surely she wasn't the sort who would take that personally. But if it wasn't his new position that had her angry with him, then what the hell was it? Something that made her angry enough to make her stupid--as, make no mistake, running off to Tranquility without a partner was definitely stupid.


So he was left no longer with the question of 'What the hell were you thinking?', because he guessed the answer was very likely 'Not much.' It wasn't an important question, and for someone who spoke very few words at the best of times, the only questions worth asking had better be the important ones.


When she stopped short and turned to face him he was more than a bit surprised. The expression on her face was softer; tired, certainly, but something else, something deeper he couldn't place. She apologized to him and he considered her in silence. He noted that she apologized for not telling him, rather than for running off on her own. They were likely the same thing, for all practical purposes--if she had told him he would have gone with her, and thus she wouldn't have been able to run off on her own--but it was a difference that stood out to him, nonetheless. The pride was still there, the stubbornness, but there was a little remorse and a little less anger, now. He nodded to her, face calm once more. Still, she seemed to want some sort of response. She had stopped walking and was staring at him, still half-annoyed. A nod didn't seem sufficient.


The only thing he could think to say probably wasn't sufficient, either. He said it, anyway; it was burning a hole through his brain.


"Why are you mad at me?" It was puzzling and frustrating. Sola didn't keep secrets; if she was mad at you she told you and she told you what you had done wrong. And that was the end of it. So this--this prolonged anger... he couldn't even begin to fathom what was beneath it.

 

[Gabe]

Richard Davenport


Time Unknown - Keys Tower Infirmary


Richard, decided to find out the place by himself, walked along the large tower that served as the Spark base. Tired as he was, he couldn't wait any longer for people to come and aid him, and with Solara's issue with the other guy, Richard realized that he wasn't getting more help from her. So he looked around, making sure to stop and appreciate the wonders of his new world. He reveled in the people around the tower, as scarce as they were, since it was in the middle of the night, still provided amazement in Richard's new mind. How the people could do whatever they wanted, without something to control, regulate, decide for them, was still alien at Richard's perception, but it wasn't a bad thing.


He arrived on the only place he could definitely see that it was the infirmary. Inside, some beds held the wounded and sick people, resting peacefully while in treatment. The dim light helped with the ambience, and aided the ill with their well deserved rest. The rest of the infirmary was as plain as an infirmary could be, only without PaxCor's iconic posters about keeping safety and order. A cupboard kept the medicine and supplies in order and safe from the weather, while anotherheld some bedsheets and pillows for the sick.


"Hello? Do you seek help?" The nurse approached Richard from the back. "Hello, I'm doctor Richard Davenport. Is the resident medic available?" Seeing his now dirty lab coat, she widened her eyes in surprise while rushing back to the doctor's office. "Doctor Glass, the newcomer doctor is here, looking for you. It seems he's kinda weary, though."

 

[Cruor Flumine]

Doctor Marcus H. Glass


Keys Towers- Infirmiry


Marcus looked up at the nurse from his report on the previous operation. "Send him up please. Thank you Lucy." The nurse nodded and walked back out of the room. The doctor was here, hopefully to stay. As it was, things were hectic, an extra pair of hands would always be of use to him. Maybe this doctor was better than him at some things. Putting down his pen, Marcus rubbed his eyes, it was getting late after all and some shut-eye would be good for him at some point. Waking up at five in the morning every morning tends to throw off your sleep schedule.


Nurse Lucy, after leaving the Doctor's office, made her way back to the lobby where the man was. "The Doctor is ready for you. If you would, Doctor Davenport, follow me to his office please." She said, gesturing for him to follow her to Marcus's office. "He couldn't meet you down here, sorry. He's been rather swamped with work as of late and was filling out a report when you arrived." Lucy had explained. What with people getting shot and all, she was glad another doctor was here. That meant a less stressful time for both her and Marcus.

 

[Gabe]

Richard Davenport


Time Unknown - Keys Tower Infirmary


"Thank you very much." Richard followed the nurse to the office. "It must be hard being a doctor in this kind of place, eh?" The nurse laughed. "Yeah, especially since Doctor Glass is the only one here. Me and the other nurses help when we can, but there are stuff that we can't do. So it's really good to see that someone is finally here to alleviate the workload." Richard gave a tired smile. "Yes, i hope to help. But I myself need some help first, the walk was really exhausting." They reached the office doorstep as the nurse excused herself, and went to take care of the patients. He opened the door slowly to not bother the doctor in his work, so he stood by the door, surveying the room. It was as tidy as the rest of the infirmary, but a multitude of papers filled the table, presumably the doctor's. "Doctor Glass? Excuse me?"

 

[Cruor Flumine]

Doctor Marcus H. Glass


Keys Towers- Infirmiry





Marcus looked up from the papers before him. "Ah, welcome doctor. Please, sit down." He said gesturing towards a large, comfortable looking chair. "May I offer you something to drink? I happen to have a bottle of bourbon stashed away." The doctor offered. The alcohol was a delicacy, he managed to snag a bottle a while back, saving it for special occasions. As of now, it was an eighth empty.


Walking over to a cabinet, he opened its door and pulled out a glass bottle with a dark, amber liquid inside. Next, he pulled out two glasses, one for each of them. Twisting the lid off of the bottle, he half-filled one glass and offered it to the man.

 

[Ashmorne]

S o l a r a || F e i v e l


spark scout





Kais's face wasn't angry anymore, not when he spoke this time. It was back to his default expression...calm, neutral, impassive. She knew for a fact that's not how he was feeling on the inside. Kais was an incredibly internal processor. Growing up, she would sometimes look at him when she thought he wouldn't notice, gazing and trying to figure out what was going on in his mind because his face so rarely gave anything away. Unless, of course, he was angry or didn't like someone.


They were on opposite ends of the spectrum. Kais, calculated, analytical, smooth, and often solitary; Sola, passionate, emotional, impulsive, and eager to be friends with everyone. His words were always very measured out, carefully chosen and considered. Hers usually popped out of her mouth as she was thinking them. She knew that Kais had another side, a more casual side...something more awkward, that liked dry humor way too much. But she appreciated that side of him just as much as the business side, the Strategist side. Maybe more. She knew that Strategist Kais would never understand why she had done a stupid thing and gone to Tranquility alone, why she had to prove something to herself...how it was so much more than dumb little rebellion.


When she first left to go to Tranquility, it had been completely compulsive and fueled by her stubbornness and need to get out of The Ruins. She had thought it was just her being impulsive and defiant, doing what she wanted to do. She was now realizing that there had to be more motivation behind her actions. There was a need to prove herself, yes, but something more. Unable to place what that "something more" was caused frustration to constrict more tightly around her mind. She wasn't angry at him, not really. More disappointed, unjustly hurt, pride wounded. She was angry at herself for being so...unaware and illogical. She wasn't usually so insensible. Along with frustration was that clear weary feeling. She was so damn tired...physically and emotionally. Sorting herself out, trying to decipher her own feelings, was exhausting.


Sola looked at Kais then, not saying anything. She openly studied his face. It was something that Kais himself did sometimes, mainly because he didn't care about what people thought. Sola usually avoided this, because she did care about that kind of thing. But right now, it didn't matter to her. As she gazed at him, she saw less of the Professional, Strategist Kais. She tried to look past the impassive expression, trying to find what was underneath. Why did he care so much about making sure she was alright? Why did he do things like follow her when they were both angry, come after her when she walked away? She felt young again as she looked at him, reminded of the times when she would glance at him and glance away, so wanting to know what was going on in his mind. In this moment, She saw a younger Kais- the boy that she grew up with who cracked sarcastic jokes, who treated his guns like people, whose smile rarely reached his eyes, who volunteered to be her partner...who she was usually so at ease with.


Realizing she had been looking at him quite intensely, she shifted her gaze.


"I was angry that you told me what to do," she said with a shrug, purposefully avoiding the real implications of his question. She turned and began to move away, walking once again. She knew was being evasive. Sighing, and adding more honestly and softly "But I'm not mad at you, Kais. Not anymore. I'm mad at myself,"


That was all she could really say about it right now. She didn't know how to explain herself. She continued to walk towards the Grand Oak again, relieved that it was close by. The hotel was a thing of old world beauty, with it's floral architecture and off white color accented with gold. She could see it from a distance, feeling a small comfort at being so close to home.

 

[DrakeAlistair]

Kais Wiltchil

Spark Strategist

​

There was a connection that happened between two people not constrained by social barriers. Most people were too uncomfortable with that to let it happen; they let society hold them back from ever

truly knowing a person. They followed the rules and paid the price for comfort. It was uncomfortable to know a person, to connect with a person, to live with the knowledge that someone had seen inside your soul and knew you almost as intimately as you knew yourself.


Kais didn't care about comfort. He made others uncomfortable on a daily basis; he broke down barriers and did things that no one else would dare to do. It was why most people didn't like him. There were only two people who had been willing to look past that for him. He would say he had connected with them, but it wouldn't have been entirely true. Not in the way that should have been possible. Because, for all they overlooked Kais' flaws and inability to confine himself to social norms, they were still normal, functioning members of society.


Or, at least, they usually were.


As Sola searched his face, openly, he felt that spark of connection. Knowing that he didn't care if she broke the rules made her more open, made her feel like she could break the rules, if only with him. It was a rare occurrence, even with her. For a moment they knew each other, saw each other as they were meant to be seen. She was tired, confused--maybe as confused as he was--and she saw through his outer demeanor; she knew he wasn't as bland as he looked on the surface. Then she remembered herself and looked away.


And just like that, the connection was broken.


When she spoke it was with a hint of evasiveness. She began walking again. His brow furrowed as he stood in place for a moment, wondering if his question had honestly been misinterpreted or if she was avoiding the issue. Either seemed possible; he hadn't been as specific as he might have been. But there was that tone, the way she turned away and started walking while she spoke, as if she wanted not to talk about it. That puzzled him more than anything. Since when did Sola not want to tell someone what was going through her head? Never, as far as he knew. The fact was beginning to worry him.


But she was getting ahead, and he wasn't about to let her leave without him. He picked up his pace, catching her up with relative ease and falling into pace beside her. At least they weren't shouting, anymore, and the tension seemed to have faded to a dull ebb. Still, the fact that she wouldn't explain herself to him was worrying. It felt as if there was some wall between them that had never been there before. She said she wasn't mad at him anymore and he was willing to believe that--at least for the time being--but it bothered him that he didn't know what was going on in her head, when she was usually so open.


The reached the Grand Oak in what Kais was fairly certain was an uncomfortable silence. Or, to be more precise, general discomfort; it wasn't the silence itself that was uncomfortable, per say. Kais usually preferred silence to unnecessary chatter, anyway. In fact, nothing was objectively uncomfortable at all. It was more his perception that something was not quite right between them, which made the walk less comfortable than it ought to have been. He resigned himself to making sure that her wound was treated and leaving her in peace, to sort out her thoughts without him. It was, after all, very late--or very early, depending on how one looked at it--and both of them had had long days.


He held the main door for her, taking a moment to look her over. In the light it was more obvious that the dark smear on her face was blood. Her hands were covered in it. The knot in her shirt looked uncomfortable, to say the least. At her hip, below her shirt he could see where the blood had dripped and dried; it was going to take a lot of warm water to get everything cleaned up.


There was something else, too. He couldn't remember ever having seen her look so tired. Even knowing that she often slept poorly, and spent nights wandering rather than sleeping, he had never seen her look quite like this. This was something deeper--a soul-deep weariness that went past mere physical tiredness. He tried to pass this off--she'd had a long day, after all--but it nagged at his mind like the knowledge that she wasn't telling him what she was thinking. Something was wrong and he didn't know how to fix it. He didn't even know what 'it' was, and that bothered him.


"Let's get that cleaned up, then I'll leave you alone," He said, his voice neutral like normal. Better late than never, he supposed--she could be rid of him like she wanted after that graze wound was seen to.


Concern lit his eyes, prevented him from making a comment along the lines of 'you look like shit.' It was the truth, but he didn't feel like saying it. Whatever was wrong, that wouldn't fix it. Maybe nothing would, but the least he could do was make sure she wasn't going to have an infected bullet wound tomorrow.

 

[Gabe]

Richard Davenport


Time Unknown - Keys Tower Infirmary


Richard stared at the glass quizzically. Was that supposed to be medicine? He hesitated, but took the cup in his hands and smelled the content. Strong. "Thanks, I guess." He sipped the drink and instantly coughed up in reflex. So strong. "Gah, what's this?" He coughed a little bit more, trying to discern what did he drank. Being a Tranquility citizen, he never did drink any alcoholic beverages, so it was yet another new experience. Surprisingly, he liked it. "This... Bourbon. The taste is really peculiar." He sipped more. The burning sensation was still there, but he managed to supress the coughs. He was feeling so much better, now.


So, I'm one of the new addition to the... 'cause'. Doctor Richard Davenport, but please, call me Richard." He finished the drink and put the glass on the table. "I would shake your hands, but they're way too dirty. So, I guess you habe a lot on your hands here. What do you usually treat?"

 

[Ashmorne]

S o l a r a || F e i v e l


spark scout





The golden yellow light of the Grand Oak made things look happier than they actually were. Sola moved past Kais as he held the door open, nodding her head absently in thanks. A sigh slipped from her lips as she stepped inside, feeling just a hair more at ease. Their walk to the Oak had been uncomfortable and silent. Usually the silent part was fine, they'd walked in silence before. It used to be peaceful. But this silence felt inflated by everything that she didn't know how to say. She knew they were both confused and tired. But this was the first time that Sola couldn't talk to Kais about it. It was a foreign feeling to her, not having words for something. She knew things would go back to normal with Kais eventually...at least she hoped they would. He was closer to her than anyone else in The Ruins.


Kais's voice pulled her from her thoughts. The idea of him leaving suddenly made her somewhat nervous. She told herself that she didn't really want his help with her wound, but she knew she didn't want him to leave either. She looked at him, wheels turning, not quite ready to talk yet. Ignoring the feeling, she looked away with another nod and kept moving. Stepping past the entry corridor, her gaze swept the front lobby of the Grand Oak. The artisans of The Spark had done a beautiful job redoing it, using things found and scavenged from the ruins of other towns. A woven runner led them down a hallway to where to rooms began, a staircase at the end of it.


They climbed up the steps onto the third floor where Sola's room was. She reached into her back pocket for her key card, wincing as her cut burned sharply with her movement. Opening the door, she stepped into her room. It was a simple studio, as Sola didn't need or want much. A small vestibule led into the spacious room area. There was a bathroom off to one side, a kitchenette on the other. A large bay window faced the forest, allowing moonlight to filter in. Her desk sat underneath it, stacked with sketch pads, pencils, pens, bottles of ink. Sola's queen mattress lay on the hardwood floor without a bedframe, pushed against a corner. It was covered neatly with a dark red comforter. At the foot was a black and white patterned blanket that she had woven herself, taught by a different artisan at the Market Square. A string of lights hung on the wall behind it. On the other side was a dresser and black suede chaise lounge chair, long and draped with a spare blanket and pillow. Next to the kitchenette was a small round table with two chairs.


Sola stepped in, flipping on a small light. The area filled with a dark golden glow that didn't quite reach the whole space. Sola sighed and looked at her side. The bottom of her shirt was caked in dried blood. She moved to her dresser and pulled out her plastic box of first aid supplies. Setting it on the table, she looked at Kais. It certainly wouldn't be the first time one of them helped the other with a wound. Her lips quirked up in a brief smile as she recalled their days of deliveries and combat training. Days that were now over, she remembered as the smile faded. She felt a deeper level of tiredness as the thought about her cut. She wasn't going to admit it to him, but she needed Kais's help. She'd never been grazed by a bullet and it made her uneasy. It wasn't that she was minded wounds; they only made her wary when they were on her own body.


Gingerly, she looked away from her side and peeled the fabric from her skin. Sharp pain stabbed through her torso, and she gritted her teeth. Despite her careful efforts, she could feel the wound reopening. Biting her bottom lip, she pulled up the hem of her shirt and made a knot above her navel.





"How bad is it?"


She moved her shoulders a bit and looked at Kais with her eyebrows raised, lips pursed. Her eyes conveyed a question, wondering if he too would want to put the discomfort aside for just a moment. She didn't want to look at the cut until he had, and that embarrassed her. She didn't want to say it out loud. Kais had a way of comforting her when he talked, the low timbre of his voice eternally calming. Even with tension between them, he was still the only person she could tolerate being around right now. Even if he was the a major factor in her current lack of tolerance. It was paradoxical and didn't make sense, but true nonetheless.

 

[DrakeAlistair]

Kais Wiltchil

Spark Strategist

​

Kais followed Sola up the stairs, taking them two at a time but not rushing; t was just easier to walk up them two at a time. It felt more natural to him. The Grand Oak seemed all but deserted. He recalled what time it was and it seemed much less strange. Normal people slept at four in the morning--he ought to have been sleeping at four in the morning. He recalled what Shasta had said earlier about hoping for a good nights' sleep; it seemed it was a myth, after all.

Sola's suite was quiet, neat--she'd made the space her own and he appreciated that. His own home was closer to a small armory than anything else. A place to hang his guns while he slept at night, or during the day, or whenever he slept. It wasn't a home and it didn't feel like one. Being here with Sola almost made him wish he'd turned his own space into something different. The thought was gone as quickly as it came, though; he probably couldn't have done it if he tried.


He moved wordlessly to the table, setting himself down on the edge of one chair while Sola carefully pulled her shirt away from the wound. Judging by the look on her face, it had been stuck, and it had reopened. Just what they both needed. He glanced up at her, a bit surprised by her question. A few minutes ago, she hadn't wanted his help at all, now she wanted him to take the first look at it. He decided not to comment on that, instead leaning forward in his chair to look--he'd sat in the first place because it put him very nearly at eye level with her waist.


Sure enough, the wound just above her hip bled sluggishly. Evidently it hadn't agreed with having the shirt moved--go figure. As far as he could see, it was shallow but long; the bullet had bit through skin, but not gone deep enough to hit anything else. That was a small blessing, at least. In truth, it was hard to tell just how much damage had done--her whole hip was a mess of dried blood.


"Can't tell for sure--it's a mess," Kais stood up, moving to the bathroom. He flipped on the lights and glanced about briefly. There were two things he needed: a wash cloth, and something to hold water. And water, of course, if that counts as a separate thing. Possibly a towel. Make that three and a half things.


There were fresh towels and wash cloths under the sink. Something big enough to rinse a washcloth in, however, eluded him. He returned passed the table, tossing the washcloth and towel down as he did, and headed into the kitchen. Here, at least, there were bowls. He chose a suitable one and ran the water until it poured hot from the tap. Bowl filled, he checked the last one and a half items off his mental list and returned to Sola, setting the water down on the table and resuming his seat.


The washcloth he drenched, submerging it in the bowl of water, which subsequently overflowed onto the table. Not enough to worry about, but enough that he moved the dry towel and first aid kid out of the way.


"You don't care about this washcloth, do you?" He asked and, without waiting for an answer, leaned forward to gently press it against her side.


It was generally easier to soak off dried blood than scrub it off. Especially when said dried blood was associated with a still-open wound. As such, there was a fair amount of hot water in the cloth, which seeped out as he applied pressure, forming little red rivers down her hip. Kais held the cloth there for a moment, allowing the heat and moisture to soften the dried blood, before he began to gingerly wipe across the wound.


If it hadn't been bleeding before, it would have been before he was finished. He supposed, in the end, there was no real difference. It simply wasn't going to get clean without reopening all the way. When it was clean enough to see the bowl of water was a disturbing shade of crimson and the wound was bleeding freely again. He pressed the dry towel to her side to soak up the fresh blood and what remained of the water, then gave a more thorough inspection.


Kais placed one hand on either side of the wound, fingers gingerly testing, probing. It was smaller than he had originally surmised--she had been incredibly lucky. An inch farther in and it would have torn straight through her abdomen, taking a sizable bite out of her. She wouldn't have made it home. He tried not to think about that--just focus on the task at hand.


"It's not so bad," He said, voice nearly cheerful. He looked up at her face, picking the towel back up and pressing it against the wound to apply firm pressure. "Shallow and not so long as I thought; it's about as good as you could hope for and still tell people you've been shot."

 

[Cruor Flumine]

Doctor Marcus H. Glass


Keys Towers- Infirmiry





Marcus watched as the man took a drink and almost coughed it up. Pouring his own glass, he capped the bottle and sat down in his seat across from the man. "Bourbon is a type of drinking alcohol. Its effects on the human body are negative when consumed in large quantities. Regardless of that, you'll get used to it. Or not. Unless someone manages to snag another bottle, then that one is all I've got." He took a drink from his own glass before setting it on the table.


"Bullet wounds, fractured and broken bones, illnesses, psychological issues, etcetera, etcetera. The list goes on and on. I'm the only doctor here, aside from you, so things get a bit hectic, yes. Since I joined the cause, I've learned what I needed as it came along." Marcus explained. Taking another drink, he let out a sigh. "It will be nice to have a colleague around to help out."