Fight No More Never–– Day 5 (February 6, 2317)

[Zinna]

Rollo checked his watch. It was 9:59. He paced in front of the shop a few times, checked his watch, and paced some more. "Too bad Tito had to stay home. Saben really wanted to come," he thought before checking his watch again. It was 9:59 still. Suddenly he heard a crash in a nearby alley. When he went to look he saw Saben jumping out of the alley.

[Anwen]

After running part of the way, Lita ended up being on time after all. Stopping just before turning the corner, she peeked around as she heard a loud noise. Out of an alley popped Saben! Laughingly, Lita watched Rob- Rollo's face when he saw his brother. Lita decided to come out.

"Hey Rollo! Hello Saben! I didn't know you were coming!"

[Lithium]

(No idea what to do, so I'm assuming Olivia is still on the treadmill. Sorry!)

Archer

Archer leaned forward and bumped the speed from 10 to 20 and studied his pupil. "Let me know when you need me to bump it up a notch or take it down. Okay?"

[Cytherea]

(that's fine, Lithium!)

"Uh huh." Olivia said, quickly bobbing her blonde head. She felt her muscles elongate and stretch as her body adjusted to the new speed. She thought cheetahs could run from maybe around 60 to 70 miles per hour, but she didn't know about a cheetah/human girl. She remember her seemingly cramped legs and feet, just waiting for the chance to bolt when she was chasing the old, crazed lady. She still felt sorry for her, but Archer was probably right. She wouldn't dare stay in her obvious summer yellow home anymore.

"I think I could handle more..." she suggested, biting her lip a bit anxiously. Her legs felt slightly strained, as if they couldn't tolerate any speed but the highest. She shuddered as she recalled what had happened when she had went too fast, for too long. "Just- not too fast, okay?" she checked him quick.

[Hwin]

Tucker:

Tucker was lost in Rosie’s sweetly saddening words. He had no idea how much some people needed a friend…he had no idea how much he did up until now. He wrapped her up in a hug. “Rosie, you’ll always have me and Clover. And don’t you ever forget that.” Tucker murmured into her ear, smiling down at her pretty face. The more he looked at her and those beautiful blue eyes and the more he saw of her sweet and gentle personality the more Tucker found himself drawn to her. She was different. And she already felt special to Tucker, no matter how recently they might have met.

[Cytherea]

Rosie

Rosie gazed up into Tucker's face, all her features beaming gratitude at his kind words.

"Oh Tucker..." Rosie sighed with a content smile. She took his hand and squeezed it gently, silently communicating her appreciation of him. "I fear I am making everyone feel discouraged right now. Why... why don't we all go for a walk or something of the sort?" she looked up at Clover and smiled. "I am sorry for boring you with my reverie." she sincerely apologized as she stood and took her friend's hands. "I promise, I won't let it get the best of me again. But, come now!" she laughed lightly. "Shall we brave the frigid weather?" she cast a quick glance at Tucker, as well as a gentle smile. "Together, all the three of us."

[Hwin]

Tucker:

Tucker squeezed Rosie's hand. "You'd never bore us!" Tucker laughed, leading them out of the living room. He pulled on a dark gray hoody and his beanie. "Shall we go? Together, all three of us?" He asked, winking in Rosie's direction.

Clover:

Clover grabbed coat and ran out the door. Stretching her arms out, she took a deep breath of the fresh, crisp air. The breeze made her blond hair fly in every direction. After being so used to spending her days outdoors in the open, Clover felt as though she had been stuck in the house for much too long. "Mhm, hurry up you two!" Clover sung out, spying Tucker steal another look at Rosie's pretty face. It really did warm Clover's heart to see Tucker make Rosie smile and laugh. She needed that, more than anyone.

[Cytherea]

Rosie

Rosie's face glowed as she stepped outside after Clover, the cold air almost immediately bringing a rosy hue to her cheeks and nose. She tied her thread-bare scarf in a light knot and stuffed her hands into her coat pockets. As she exhaled, her breath was white and puffy in the chilly air.

Clover was standing outside, waiting for all them to be ready. Her blonde hair whipped around her smiling face, and Rosie quickly approached her.

"Thanks for being there for me, Clover." she said with a sisterly smile. "You're always so good to me! And," she looked back at Tucker and gave him an endearing smile. "For encouraging me on. There is..." she stopped smiling so broadly for a moment. "Clover, I trust you on these matters, and whatever you say, I'll try to abide by. I really need a friend's opinion right now! Do... do you think he likes me?" she bit her lip excitedly, another energetic grin playing at her mouth. "Or- or is it too soon to be forming any serious attachment?" she quickly countered, worriedly. "Is it wrong for me to like him after so short an acquaintance?"

[Hwin]

Clover/Tucker:

"Now, Rosie! You've always been there for me too and I love you. Okay?" Clover said, her voice bursting with sincerity.

"I'll be right back, you two!" Tucker called out, "I left the keys in the house and I need them to lock the place up."

Clover watched as Tucker disappeared behind the door. Looking straight at Rosie, Clover clasped her dainty hands within hers and smiled brightly. "My sweet friend," she started, "I can promise you that I have never seen someone look at another the way he looks at you. And I mean that, I really do! I've also noticed how he much he smiles when he's around you and just the way he talks to you. Rosie, I really do believe that Tucker likes you." Clover looked into her friend's light blue eyes and grinned. "Not as much as I like you though...not yet anyways." She laughed, giving Rosie a hug.

A click sounded behind them and Tucker made his ways down the steps. "Well! Are you two ready to take a walk?"

"His eyes light up when he sees you," Clover whispered into her friend's ear before letting go.

[Cytherea]

Rosie

Rosie sighed in relief, finally letting herself breathe evenly.

"Oh... his eyes light up?" she asked hopefully. "Oh..." she smiled vibrantly as Tucker approached them and tried and make out his thoughts.

James

James walked through town, not allowing himself to become absorbed with anything or anyone that did not mean anything to him. He shivered and pulled his rather fancy long jacket around his small frame even tighter. His deep brown eyes shined as he continued to walk, and the occasional breeze rustled his dirty blonde hair.

[Hwin]

Tucker:

The trio made their way down the sidewalk, past graffiti walls and crumbling buildings. Gray clouds loomed overhead, threatening Subterria with rain, but that didn't stop them from having a good time. Moments like these, full of laughter and just talks, were rare and Tucker cherished it. His brown hair rustled in the wind and his dark eyes gleamed with pleasure. Without a second thought, he found Rosie’s hands and wrapped it up in his.

[Cytherea]

Rosie

As they walked along, all three of them together, life in Subterria began to light up. People stepped from their warm homes and went to work, some started their chores, and others went shopping at nearby stores for clothing, food, and other things. As they continued their stroll, they talked and laughed together, constantly laughing so loud that others would either stare at them disapprovingly, or seem to be encouraged by their obvious delight.

Suddenly, Tucker took her hand. She drew in her breath quickly, before turning and looking up at him. She smiled up at him and squeezed his hand gently.

[Hwin]

Tucker:

That little squeeze grabbed his attention and he looked down to see Rosie’s smiling face. With a twinkle in his brown eyes, he returned it. The way Rosie’s eyes lit up, it made his heart jump.


Clover:

Clover loved to look at the all the different people whenever she was outside. It had become almost like a game. Trying to see beyond their exterior and find out what they were really thinking or just to make up stories about them. Sometimes, Clover would tell Rosie that if she ever had the patience she might like to sit down and write stories about it all. So, while Tucker and Rosie chatted away beside her, Clover absently began looking over all of the people, taking in their features and characteristics. Strangers made for the best drawing models. Suddenly, her blue eyes latched on to one figure in particular, a blonde haired man walking down the sidewalk, his long coat swaying in the chilly wind.

[Cytherea]

Rosie

There they were. Holding hands, chatting together, and she already felt close to him.

It's only been one day! But we get along so well... it's like- like we were destined for each-other! She laughed gaily at a clever quip from Tucker and a warm sensation gripped her heart. I already love him.

James

James looked up as he heard a group of voices and bursts of laughter from a trio making their way down the grimy street. As he glanced up at them, he noticed that one of the girls unoccupied with the lovey-dovey couple beside her was watching him curiously. Her sparkling grey eyes seemed to look straight through him as her long, blonde hair danced in the wind.

[Hwin]

Tucker

Rosie laughed and there was a pounding sensation right in the middle of Tucker's chest. Every time she spoke, or simply looked at him, his heart would race.

"Hmh, isn't there a park up ahead? It's been awhile since I've just sat and watched the clouds..." Tucker said, continuing after a moment, "When I was young and felt alone..." his voice trailed off for a moment as his childhood flashed through his mind. “Well, I would run. It never mattered where I was going, just as long as I could get away. I'd find somewhere open and away from the city lights and buzz and lay on the ground, watching the clouds or stars...it was like an escape from everything that seemed to be tearing me down." He finished and let out a deep breath. It was rare that he ever shared his past so openly like that. Will and Mrs. Kay were the only friends who Tucker felt close enough to do so with before. But he felt so close to Rosie over the course of only a few days that it just came easy. That sensation returned to his chest upon realizing this and he gave Rosie's hand another gentle squeeze.

Clover

Clover hadn’t realized how absorbed she had been in watching the interesting fellow until his deep brown eyes caught her staring ones. The pinkness in her cheeks was replaced with a warm red from embarrassment but instead of looking away she decided to see who would give way first. A playful grin tugged at her lips. There’s something different about him.

[Cytherea]

Rosie

"You- you ran too?" Rosie breathed sharply after hearing his heart-felt words. She stopped walking and took his two hands in hers as she turned and faced him. "You mean... when the world shut you out, and you felt so desperately alone that nothing could stop the pain; you ran? Tucker..." Rosie made contact with his dazzling eyes and smiled sweetly up at him. She put her hands on his chest gently. "Aren't the clouds beautiful?" she whispered.

James

The girl was staring back. What? Was she purposefully trying to be rude? Fine then. He could play this game.

Quite scrupulously, he looked her over. He returned her gaze and was slightly surprised to see that she had the beginnings of a smile on her soft lips. Confused, he crossed his arms and stared her in the eye. What could she mean by that?!

[Hwin]

Tucker:

"Aren't the clouds beautiful?" Rosie whispered into his ear, her breath warm on his skin. Everything seemed to dissolve around him in that moment. No more people, no more shouting...nothing except Rosie, standing in front of him. It was the prettiest picture Tucker had ever laid eyes on. He found her hands with his and grabbed them gently, sending another shiver up his spine. Tucker moved his hand to her cheek. "Not quite as beautiful as you, Rosie." he said under his breath.

Clover:

Clover felt the tension between the strange man's eyes and her own. She sighed. Apparently not everyone enjoys a staring competition with a stranger. She shrugged his way, letting him know he was victorious in their little game, and spun around in order to find her friends.

They were gone.

"What? But-but they were just here." Clover exclaimed aloud. She hated being alone in the middle of a busy city. They must have walked off while I was standing there...oh no, no, no. Clover's blue eyes frantically searched the crowd but Rosie and Tucker were nowhere to be seen.

[Cytherea]

Rosie

Rosie felt an exhilarating shiver run up her as he said those words. His hand on her cheek was so loving and gentle, and his eyes whispered truth. Hesitantly, as if in a daze, Rosie brought herself up and kissed his cheek sweetly.

James

Ha! She had surrendered at last, and he emerged the victor. He was going to continue on his way proudly, when he noticed a flash of concern cross her pretty face. Now she was lost. And even though he wished he could just ignore her and keep walking, his gentleman-like behavior forbid it. Sighing, he walked up to her and very lightly put a hesitant hand on her shoulder.

"Excuse me," he began. "Did you lose someone?"

Oh how he wished he wasn't so decidedly polite and overflowing with demanding and forceful manners sometimes! Now this was turning awkward.

[Hwin]

Tucker:

Tucker closed his eyes as her soft lips touched his skin. Was this a dream? Moments like these were unreal in the real world, or so Tucker had thought. But when he opened his eyes, there was Rosie still. Those smiling eyes…Slowly, he brought his hand down from her face and to her hands. “Oh my goodness, I like you so much, Rosie.” Tucker’s eyes twinkled and he smiled. Everything still felt so dreamlike.


Clover:

Clover’s blonde hair slapped her pink cheeks as she whirled around towards the sound of an unfamiliar voice and a touch on her shoulder. It was the man she had just held a staring contest with only minutes ago.

“Excuse me, did you lose someone?”

“Well, unless you would like to be my friend, I seem to have lost my only others. It must have been while we were having our, um, game.” Clover let out a nervous laugh and mindlessly began braiding and unbraiding her long hair. The feeling he gave her was…odd. Maybe it was the unusually proud way he stood or his determined gaze. It left her at loss for words, which was quite rare. “I’m sorry,” Clover apologized, quickly regaining her fun-loving manner, “my name’s Clover. What’s yours?”

[Cytherea]

Rosie

Oh... he likes me!

Rosie smiled, so full of joy and exhilaration at his words. She just stood there, him holding her hands and her lost in the dream she had somehow entered. She didn't know how long they stayed there, fixed only on each-other, but she knew she didn't want it to end. His eyes were so beautiful.

James

James was getting very intrigued by this 'Clover' he had just met. Her nervous energy, and the way she kept braiding and then unbraiding her long blonde hair also interested him.

"What's yours?"

James quickly snapped out of his reflections at her words.

"It's... " he looked into her bright, friendly eyes and had to clear his throat before he could remember his own name. "It's James." he said gruffly.

What is the matter with you? Snap out of it! You've talked to lots of people before so why is this any different?

[Hwin]

Clover:

“Well, James, it is very wonderful to officially meet you!” Clover said, vigorously shaking his hand in greeting. “Now that we are no longer strangers, would you mind help me find my friends?” Clover stopped short and looked away from James’ intriguing gaze, “I hate being alone.”

[Cytherea]

James

She energetically shook his hand and he thought his arm was going to pull right off. After she let go, it took some convincing to stop his arm from continuing the motion.

“Now that we are no longer strangers, would you mind helping me find my friends?” she asked pleasantly.

At first, James was going to completely disagree and say a flat-out negative response.

"I hate being alone." she said so quietly that he almost didn't catch it.

His gentleman like behavior again commanded him to help her. And... well, maybe it wouldn't be that bad.

"All right." he sighed, pretending to be annoyed, though he actually felt this bizarre twinge of excitement inside him that he couldn't really describe. "Let's find them."

[Hwin]

Clover:

Clover wrinkled her nose as she scanned the surroundings. "Cities are so big. I think they're just too big." Clover said and stomping her foot. James didn't seem very enthusiastic about agreeing to help her and she didn't know why it bothered her so much. At least he was helping at all! “Thanks for helping me,” she said, turning to face James “I, um, have no idea where to look.”

[Cytherea]

James

“Thanks for helping me,” she said, turning to face James “I, um, have no idea where to look.”

James nodded and put his hands into his pockets.

"Cities are big." he agreed, trying to push away her thanks. "Why don't we start where you think they would go?" he suggested.

Clover shivered as a cold breeze swept by. James was glad for his very warm coat. He felt sorry for her that she didn't have much of a coat at all...

"Here," he said, before he even realized what he was doing or saying. He took off his coat and handed it to her. "It's pretty cold out here."

[Hwin]

Clover:

Clover looked up at James, startled by this act of kindness. “T-thank you,” She said, smiling warmly to James, “but if you get cold you just take it right back. I’d hate to be the reason you catch some awful cold.”

They walked on in silence and Clover’s thoughts were completely occupied by the man walking next to her. James’ is sort of a strange fellow, Clover decided. The girl had almost forgotten James’ question about where the two others might be found.

“I think,” Clover started slowly, “they might be…oh! I have no idea. I make it sound like I don’t even know them, doesn't know? I've just always been around Rosie and Tucker is a new friend. So I’m not quite positive where he hangs out.” Her words were now coming out quickly and once again she mindlessly began braiding and unbraiding her long blonde hair. Why does he make me so nervous?


Tucker:

Finally, even though it only seemed as if seconds had passed, Tucker forced himself to pull his eyes away from Rosie’s and figure out where exactly they were. Trees scattered the area and green grass was underfoot. A little stream ran through the middle and a bridge crossed over it.

“I didn’t even realize we had stumbled across this park!” Tucker laughed. “I used to hang out here a bit when I was young. Oh man, that seems so long ago now. This was my favorite place to be alone.” He gave a gentle squeeze to the small one wrapped in his own.