Forget The Rain–– Day 4, February 5, 2317

[Cytherea]

Hazel

Hazel turned around as she heard Siren's voice.

"We need medics who feel rewarded by saving other people's lives."

"Well, if I ever get that far into the world of medicine, it definitely would be." Hazel said with a smile. "It'd be rewarding to be able to save someone's life, I know that; I just wish it was more like I was riding my horse out into the fray and stopping a massacre from happening, or something like that. That type of saving people's lives." she looked down and shook her head. "But that's probably what most people want; really, medics are very crucial!"

Hazel smiled and flipped her hair.

"Oh, by the way. Was that horse that Matthew Fletcher was riding on yours? It was beautiful!"

[Lithium]

"Yeah," Siren said with a smile. "His name's Wildfire. My brother gave him to me for my 18th birthday so I could get out of this town and go where the wind takes me. He's pretty strong for being as young as he is."

[Cytherea]

"He's pretty strong for being as young as he is."

Hazel smiled.

"I love horses. Most of mine end up..." she thought for the right explanation. "Well, they normally end up breaking their leg, getting shot, or being stolen from me. I'm a bit hesitant to want another one for my own, after all those other awful endings. I don't think horses are the best animal for me." she smiled at Siren. "So, how old are you? I'm a bad judge of age, but are you 20?"

[Lithium]

Siren grinned. "Almost. I'm twenty-two. Perseus is 22 as well. We're twins. How old are you? Do you have any siblings?"

Matthew

Matthew wiped his brow as he took a closer look at the ion pistol he was working with.

"Older model..." he murmured to himself as he though. "Probably just jammed. They like to do that."

He opened a service panel in the side, turned some screws and replaced the ion-orb for good measure, then turned to the target to fire it.

With a quiet jolt, the pistol fired and the ion hit dead-center, leaving a scorch mark.

[Cytherea]

"How old are you? Do you have any siblings?"

"I'm 19. Yeah, I have two brothers and a younger sister. They were lucky enough to evade the slave traders; at least, last I saw them." she picked up a bottle of medicine on one of the tables and handled it uneasily. "My parents always wanted me to be a medic, so this'll please them. But, it'll be a while before they see me again. My home's miles and miles away, and I managed to get those slave traders a bit on the revengeful side. They, in other words, really, really don't like me."

Hazel sighed regretfully.

"Most people don't. I'm way too unpredictable. Though, some people do like that." she smiled again. "But I usually don't worry about popularity. One of my brothers did, and he's trying to break away from drugs now."

She put the bottle back down on the table and stretched.

"But, enough about me. What do your parents want you to do for an occupation?"

[Anwen]

"The name suits her." Gillean said as he patted her on the neck. She whinnied, tossing her head, obviously unhappy at the slow pace they were going. Gil grinned. "Hey Jack! Why don't we race?"

[Brock]

Jack

Jack grinned. It was a long time since he had raced anyone. "Sure, last one to the shop buys lunch. I'm still hungry."

[Anwen]

"What a coincidence! So am I!" Gil said, as he gave Beauty the reins. She leapt forward and so began the race. Dust clouds rose around them as they rode, nearly neck and neck. Gillean laughed for the sheer pleasure of it!

Just as they reached the outskirts of town, Alice pulled ahead just far enough to be called the winner. "Alright Jack! Good job!" He smiled. "Looks like I'm buying lunch. Let's just go to that pawn shop first."

[Brock]

As Jack and Gillean rode down the street, Jack felt that something was different. There weren't very many people on the streets and there was a hint of gunpowder in the air. Jack asked an old man who he was just passing,"What's going on here?"

The old man replied,"Don't you know? There has been a gang rising and burning the houses and sometimes killing people. You better stay inside or you may get hurt." Then the old man briskly walked away.

Jack, turning to Gillean, said,"We better take care of your parachute quick and get out of this town."

[Anwen]

"I guess so." Gillean rode over to the pawn shop and dismounted. As he tethered Beauty to the hitching post, he turned to Jack. "I 'spose this means that I'm not buying lunch after all." He walked over and opened the door, waiting for Jack. As he held the door open, his twinkling blue eyes surveyed the room, stopping on the girl at the counter. She had very dark hair, and-- were those purple eyes? She was short, a foot or more shorter than his six-foot-four height. She wore all black except for a ribbon that matched her eyes perfectly. But why was she wearing a cloak in this heat? He wondered.

[Lithium]

Siren looked away quickly. "Well, if rotting in their grave is an occupation, then that's what they do for a... deathing?"

She laughed dryly. "Sorry. My mum died in child birth with Perseus–– I'm the older twin, by the way–– and my dad turned to drink. He went missing–– probably fell down a well or something–– when I was twelve. I don't remember too much about him, other than the bruises Perseus and I got from him.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to get back to work."

Shrugging, she turned back to her job and shut out the rest of the world.

I wasn't even close to my parents... why do I feel like this? Why should I feel like I missed out on something so wonderful...?

[Cytherea]

"If you don't mind, I'd like to get back to work." Siren said. Hazel smiled and waved good-bye.

"I'm sorry for her." Hazel said to Mrs. Adams when they were out of hearing range. "With her parents, I mean."

"She's a tough girl." Mrs. Adams said with a shrug.

"Yeah, but..." Hazel shook her head and ended the topic. "Guess I'd better keep my thoughts focused on work now."

[Lithium]

Perseus

Perseus watched the television screen as he lay across his king-sized bed. He watched Matthew fix yet another Ion Weapon just as quickly as he had fixed the last.

He turned over onto his back and watched the screen upside-down. He sighed.

"BORED!" he called out. "I'm so bored! How long until dark?"

His right hand man, Frey, shrugged as he monitored other screens around the room. "I don't know. Six? Why?"

"That new girl, Hazel, will be off the clock. And I can go talk to her."

Frey didn't turn around to look at him and didn't reply.

"This... Matt-guy. He's pretty good with a gun. And repair," Frey said. "Are you thinking of putting him into the gang permanently."

Perseus shrugged. "I don't know. He's too tall. And too old."

"So he's a threat to you."

Perseus stared at the iron ceiling in silence.

"He's lost and probably scared. Plus, it sounds like he just lost his girl. If you earn his trust and loyalty now, he'll never go back on you."

"Unless he vies for my position," Perseus snapped. "He's been running a gigantic company for eight years and has been groomed and trained to be in a leadership position no doubt since the day he was born. I don't think I can ever trust him. Especially to do the right thing for the Mustangs."

"You never know. His Wikibio says that he had somewhat of a broken family. Maybe he'll find family with us."

"Quit trying to defend him. As soon as he gets the chance, he'll go after the Cassandra girl and leave us behind. He'll never be truly loyal to us, as long as she's still in his thoughts and heart."

Frey shrugged. "Suit yourself, Perse."

Perseus turned off the screen where Matthew was firing another gun he had fixed, and turned over onto his side, his back to Frey.

"Don't start pouting again."

[Cytherea]

Hazel stretched, a long, delicious stretch. She sighed contentedly and then smiled at Mrs. Adams.

"Thanks Mrs. Adams." she said. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Hazel felt like reaching for her coat before going outside, but realized she didn't have one. She shivered slightly as she stepped outside.

"Wow. I didn't realize how much heat people can generate in a small room." she said to herself. She gazed up at the star filled sky.

[Lithium]

Perseus smiled as Hazel approached. He came out of the shadows right in front of her. "Hey, how was your day?"

He hoped he hadn't scared her. He smiled broadly.

[Cytherea]

"Hey, how was your day?"

"Ah!" Hazel nearly jumped from her skin. She caught her breath and looked up. Perseus was smiling at her.

"Oh..." she pushed her sudden shock away and pushed her hair from her face. "Hi, Perseus." She smiled. "My day was..." she was going to say fine, but she saw Jonas following her out. She quickly jumped behind Perseus and hid behind him. She whispered urgently in his ear,

"Don't let him see me!"

[Lithium]

"Don't let him see me!" Hazel whispered to Perseus urgently.

"An enemy? Already? What did you do to him?" Perseus whispered back as he watched Jonas come nearer.

[Cytherea]

Hazel

"An enemy? Already? What did you do to him?" Perseus whispered back to her.

"I didn't do anything to him. He's been stalking me the entire day! I almost punched him, but I didn't get the chance..." she said regretfully as she watched as Jonas get closer and closer. "He has an awful pet name for me. Next time he uses it on me, I swear I'll punch him."

[Lithium]

"Don't worry about it. I'll take care of it."

Perseus stepped forward. "Hey, Jonas! You've been making the new girl uncomfortable, haven't you?"

"Oh! Sir! I... I've been doing no such thing."

"Don't lie to me. I see everything that goes on in this town. I know everything that happens. So don't lie to me, when I've seen it with my own eyes."

"Yes, Sir."

"If you ever make her uncomfortable or hurt her in any way, you will have me to answer for. I might have to––"

"Yes, Sir. It'll never happen again."

"Good. Carry on, then."

Jonas quickly walked away, turned the corner onto another street and started to run.

"Good. He shouldn't bother you again," Perseus said, turning back to Hazel.

[Cytherea]

"Good. He shouldn't bother you again," Perseus said, turning back to Hazel.

Hazel tried not to stare.

"Oh my word. You're amazing! Do you really have that much power over people?" she started smiling. "I could just hug you! He won't bother me anymore?" she asked, still slightly in shock.

[Lithium]

"I would greatly appreciate a hug. That was hard work," he said and winked at her. "Just kidding. Unless you actually want to. And, no, he won't. Only if he wants to answer to me. Bad things happen to people who cross my important orders." He shrugged. "Not to sound scary or anything. Normally, we don't ever get that far."

[Cytherea]

"Not to sound scary or anything. Normally, we don't ever get that far."

Hazel smiled.

"Well thank you anyway. He was the main downfall of my job."

She sighed as she looked up at the sky again.

"So, why are you here?" she laughed. "I guess that's a silly question for someone who basically owns this town."

[Lithium]

Perseus shook his head. "I don't own this town. I merely protect it. I may make the laws around here, but the town is owned by the people. I've always believed that. That's why all of my men have to earn their keep. I earn my keep by giving this place a system of justice and some order. You're earning your keep by working in the medical center. That Matthew guy, who just got here, is earning his keep by repair our weapons. We all have to pull our weight in this world, if we want the system to thrive and survive."

He ran his fingers through his hair. "Sorry. Bit of a tangent. Hey, why don't I treat you to some food down at the Saloon? You game, Hazel?"

[Cytherea]

"Sorry. Bit of a tangent. Hey, why don't I treat you to some food down at the Saloon? You game, Hazel?"

She shrugged

"Sure. I haven't had anything to eat since earlier this morning." she smiled. "Thanks."

[Brock]

Lissy

Lissy was standing at the counter of her pawn shop and getting awefully board. Nobody had entered the shop for nearly six hours until now. The bell on the door rang and she looked up from her papers and saw a blue eyed young man enter the shop. She jumped up and said,"Hello, welcome to Elesabeth's pawn shop. Do you need any help finding anything or traiding in anything?"