middleofsomewhere | Orange Team Onward!

Orange Team Onward!

Arrival

Their flight path makes sure they are well out of the way of both the battles taking place and they get to the shield station within an hour as long as they fly quickly.

There are no enemy ships around but it is clear there has been an attack, the shield disk itself is damaged and there seems to be no power in the station.

Once they dock they will be met by some technicians who quickly explain the situation.

Help is needed everywhere. The power needs repaired, the shield needs repaired from the outside, there are injured technicians who need medical care. There is a small med-bay available.

Maintenance

Once the initial crisis is dealt with it is a case of keeping up with things. A patrol is needed to guard the station from other attacks, there are four shield stations in total and so the voidtreckers may chose to split themselves once things are a little calmer.

Keeping up the shields is an almost constant job, especially with the attacks. Once one thing is fixed it seems another thing is down. The maintenance itself is very technical but there are parts that can be done by the unskilled as long as they have direction.

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She honestly, honestly, hadn't intended on stumbling onto this in her search for a quiet place away from everything that was Orange's mission. Oh, well. While yes, she'd been taken aback, she'd stayed. Not because she couldn't look away, but because she honestly didn't want to turn her back on Garret in case he'd needed help.

Or another Orange or one of their hosts came across him as he- ate?

Yes, ate.

She cocked her head slightly. Gross and messy, yes, but really, this was but another confirmation of a theme she'd known she the age of five: Sometimes monsters did eat a person, be it soul, flesh, or energy, because the diet was the diet and that's all there was too it.

"On a scale of one to ten, that's about a five? At least it's not half-melted."

She meant it literally. Watching a goomy eat is stomach-turning to say the least. To say nothing of what spearow can do to prey. What fearow actually do. What froslass do (which is just plain creepy). Golduck too and the list goes on and on and on. As much as she tries to hide it from people would can't or won't understand, her world is not nice and something like this?

It feels normal, mundane.

"Let me know when you're full and I'll help hide any remains."

She's not even aware how this could look and sound. Does look and sound.

Garrett's eyes locked onto Eva and for a moment they were wild and hungry. But the moment passed and the look faded to horror as he realized that she was one of Orange Team's people. In fact, he realized belatedly, she was the leader of Orange Team if he remembered correctly.

She was kind of nice when she talked to him. He appreciated her pleasantry. It made it easier for him to ignore his own fate when other people did.

He swallowed and wiped the back of his hand over his mouth quickly. His eyes looked away. A part of him still wanted to tear into another living person and feed more. He thought it was probably due to the fact that whatever he was eating now wasn't really human and that had been a very specific condition. But it was sentient and not a monster like the ones in Ryslig and this was not the peninsula anyway and it's rules seemed to hold less sway over him so far away from the Fog God. Which was good.

"I--" Her words finally struck him full force. He was working up some sort of excuse, no an explanation, but then she said the things she said and he froze again. He couldn't really believe what he had heard. She didn't even sound angry. Covering for him from the locals kind of made sense if he thought about it, to keep the train passengers as a whole safe. But she sounded almost accepting. Like he might not even get into trouble once he got back to the train because she wasn't worried or horrified. She should have been. He wouldn't blame her for it. "That's... that's not necessary."

Honestly, he really just didn't know what to say. He was stunned.

"As long as you're sure," Eva says with a nod, still calm, still accepting. Still treating this like it's normal, everyday stuff even though she was eyed like food. But that's her fault for walking in on Garret while he was hunting and that's all there is to it.

But she doesn't press or repeat the offer. For all she knows, he eats literally everything of a kill.

Plus, if the reaction's anything to go by, he's not used to this...

"My world's filled with creatures with worse table manners." She grins. "I'll keep watch while you eat?"

So, she really was used to this sort of thing. And her offer to help was genuine. He still couldn't get over his shock and trepidation over having been caught. He kept still for a long moment, still unsure what was happening, still wary and cautious. Her calm demeanor helped stave off his fear though and staying tense worn out its welcome quickly.

His body began to naturally relax when no danger occurred. He eventually snapped out of his reverie and nodded grimly. "Probably better if... I move. Further out of the way."

Keen eyes scanned the area as she nodded. "Maybe... over there? It looks safer, at least."

She points to what looks like a small recess or alcove further down the hallway. Near as she can tell it's a dip in the wall, but she's only human and what's safe to her might not be safe for him.

"The only issue'd be blood," Because kills are messy and the last thing either of them would want is a blood trail. Blood from a fight? That's fine. Expected even. A blood trail to a body and feeding teammate?

Oh hell no. That's just asking for trouble. "Well... unless there's not much...?"

As much as she wants to have a look, she's staying a respectful distance back.

That was Garrett's concern as well. He didn't really want a blood trail leading directly to him especially while he was still eating. He had intended his kill to be a lot less messy but, well, things had gotten out of hand.

He hated being a monster! Damn the Fog God for this curse.

The worse part was that he recognized that it was the mess he was more concerned with right now than the kill itself. Was it because this was an enemy or because he'd finally started to feel less about killing? The thought scared him. He reasoned he did what he had to and he did it carefully so less innocent people died for his hunger. But there was a fine line and he wasn't sure when he'd cross it or if he already had some time ago.

He took a deep breath. Worrying about it now wouldn't do him any good. Or the person trying to help him. Ok. He could use that as a distraction. He had to protect the girl.

Hopefully his subconscious wouldn't point out the irony of that thought to him later; he was very adamant about how he most definitely was not the hero type.

"More than I would have preferred," he replied. "Things got a little...out of control."

"If you want my honest thoughts? It's probably a three on the 'bloody' scale. Anyway-"

And hauling off her hoodie like it's no big deal. Because it really, really is not. There's a mess, a body to be moved, and a teammate that needs somewhere safe to continue feeding at the very least. "If you can lift the body, I can use this to soak up the dripping blood. My shirt too if needed."

And once again, she's talking about this all like it is the weather. "Or, mop it up as it's dragged. I'd offer Princess and his Telekinesis, but- I don't know what level of instinct you're running on now, Garret-san."

He scoffed at her joke but it was half a laugh, too. It wasn't funny but it was that kind of situation. And she was right--it could be worse. It was just that the throat had so much blood pumped through it...

"You really shouldn't--" help him, he was going to finish. He couldn't look at her.

Instead he stared at the body at his feet. "I'm...fine. I just need to eat more to ensure it lasts...long enough." His eyes darted towards her and then away again. "Your pet wouldn't be in any danger. There'd be no point to hunting it. It has to be...well, it's supposed to be human. You're in more danger than it."

There's a flicker of darkness in her eyes as the cloak of experience settles about her shoulders. It's like she's faced down worse than Garret and come out the other side.

"True, but I trust you, Garret-san." Maybe she's making a mistake, maybe she's not. She doesn't know. What she knows is she can't - won't - turn her back on a teammate. Not when she's meant every word she's said so far. Not when trust is more important than ever right now.

"You carry and go eat while I clean up enough to make it look like there was a skirmish and they retreated with wounded."

Eva's not sure how well she'd do when she's only had limited experience, but she has to try.

Garrett took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. The matter of trust was a sensitive one for him. It always seemed to lead to sadness and heartbreak whenever he was concerned.

"I hope that trust doesn't come back to bite you one day," he said. The pun wasn't intentional but it might as well have been. He took another deep breath but let this one out much more quickly. He was fine. He was always fine.

He didn't object any further. He quickly grabbed the man about the shoulders and started to drag him away from the scene. He'd find a nice dark corner to shore up in while he finished as much of this meal as he could. He nodded to Eva as he left her to clean up after him.

The pun's not lost on her, but she grins anyway. "I've got good survival instincts."

Better than good, really, but that's neither heard nor there. The same with the fact she trusts him and as far as she cares, the bare to breaking that trust is a high one. One she doubts Garret could clear.

"I'll wait around until you're done."

Once he's gone, she gets to work. It's not easy, that for sure. The few times she's had to cover something like this up, Goopy'd been with her and it'd either been snowing, bush enough wild pokemon were a feasible blamepin, or a cave. At least most of the blood's soaked up by the hoodie, though she'll need to get rid of it ASAP.

By the time she's done, it looks feasible enough that what she'd suggested could have happened.

He ate quickly, not wanting another visitor to drop by while he was preforming taboo. Had it not been a requirement for everyone's safety he would have lost his appetite after that awkward run-in. But he needed this. He needed to consume as much as he could to stave off an episode while on the train.

He debated taking some meat with him for later. He could help to lengthen the amount of time between hunts but it wouldn't last forever. He decided against it because it was too much of a risk. He really didn't feel like explaining to anyone (else) about his little curse.

When he was done eating, he managed to stuff the rest of the remains into as small of a container as he could find in the empty hallways and hoped no one would find it until after they were long gone from this place.

He crept back out towards where he'd left Eva some time ago, limbs twitchy, nervous. He wasn't sure he wanted to see her waiting for him. On the one hand, she was helping him. Or the other, he didn't really want to deal with facing her again so soon. He just wasn't good at people and this situation just made it all the worse for him.

Eva's waiting, though not exactly looking in his direction. Her face isn't so much blank as it is frowning at her work.

As if she's judging it. which she is. Judging so hard, never mind the bloody hoodie in her hands.

"Ne, Garret-san. You think this'll pass muster? I'm not used to doing this without Goopy at least."

Again, it's like this is the weather and there's nothing to suggest she's even remotely uncomfortable. If anything, she's a little to comfortable.

Garrett was more surprised by her casual nature than her still being around he supposed but didn't show it. He glanced down at the mostly cleaned up mess and then to the bloody garment in her hand. Then at her.

"It'll have to do. Here, give me that," he said and held out his hand for the hoodie. "I'll get rid of it. Then we'll just... pretend none of this ever happened."

Someone else could deal with what was left. They could split, leave this area and never come back. Then no one could ask them any questions about it and they wouldn't have to lie. That was the plan in Garrett's mind.

She hands it over without protest.

"Sure. It's not like the others would understand, anyway." There's a small grin. "Our secret- and if you ever need someone to cover for you or keep an eye out..." She'll do it in a heartbeat. (Or offer herself up, once she knows the train will just resurrect her) "Now, let's get back to keeping this station functional."

Because that's kind of important if they don't want to die in space.

Garrett hesitated before he answered. "...Thanks. Eva."

He stopped short, not certain what to really say. Instead he nodded gratefully and left it at that. They seemed to already understand the situation anyway.

Still... she was doing a big thing for him doing this... all of it. He wished he could show his appreciation better.

Perhaps another time. He hesitated one more time, now as he began to turn and step away. But then he seemed determined once more, set a firm expression on his face, and stepped away from her.

He went to go dispose of the hoodie as promised--he knew a place that already held a bloody body--and then would likely disappear for a good long while. At least until something else important came up.

"You're welcome. Take care."

Don't worry, from the smile on her face and how casually relaxed she is, she knows he appreciates it.

She lets him go, and then she's off in a different direction at a casual pace herself never mind the war going on around them.

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Orange Team Onward!

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:( /late

also late. close to a wrap though?

Yes!

\o/ we made it!

It's a wrap!