09-10-2016, 10:06 AM
Natalie's pale eyes roamed his leg. What did they see? He knew it was crazy. To go from barely able to stand, which was a generous description, to full on battle ready in a matter of days. Right after the injury happened, he recalled a sudden burst of energy that allowed him to get Natalie to safety from the street, another unnatural event that could barely be attributed to adrenaline and sheer determination. Vanders hadn't been around then. What else could it have been? Luck didn't exactly bestow her blessings upon Jay on a regular basis.
So what did Natalie see? Her concern was replaced with a touch of irritation, which morphed into introspection. Maybe he shouldn't have stepped back. She seemed to want personal space. But on the other hand, the absence of her hand was colder than it should in the African air.
Whatever the catalyst, he was a quiet listener to her story. A fire? Damn. He knew fires. He knew the intensity of the heat. Even at a distance, a large fire poured sweat down your face. As a kid, the family had bonfires every Saturday night - unless there was a high school football game. Those were usually reserved for Fridays, but special occasions scheduled them to Saturday once in a while. The bonfires were fond memories for Jay. Family and friends gathering together. Hot dogs. Marshmellows. Someone always played guitar. Sometimes the kids blew off fireworks hoarded from the summertime. He'd always been slightly weary of the flames. He assumed the care and respect for fire was something passed down by his dad and grand dad, but there was something ancient about fire that flickered like a warning when he got too close. It didn't stop him from tending it. From poking and prodding to rearranging logs or adding kindling. But he was careful about it.
What would that have been like? Trapped inside four flaming walls? Unable to get out? It took her months to recover? How did she escape?
It felt wrong to keep the truth from her. She might not believe it. But calling him on the side-stepped lie was a good enough a sign to know when to fess up. She played along, though. Not outright asking to be told. And he considered stalling, but it wasn't worth it. Not now. She knew. "Vanders. I mean, Jared. Jared Vanders."
Wizard was the one that restored her to health. Not Jay. He'd dragged her out of the fire, but that didn't mean it saved her life. Who knew what kind of state she'd be in now if it wasn't for the Legion's resident wizard.
Neither did it seem right to lead her into thinking he was here on some order. He wasn't a baby sitter anymore. Not since his own knee had been patched up. In fact, it was the opposite. He was here because he circumvented orders. He flat out announced his departure and left, ignoring what anyone said about it.
Probably shouldn't tell her that though.
"Someone's gotta keep an eye on you. You have a knack for getting into trouble."
He grinned.
So what did Natalie see? Her concern was replaced with a touch of irritation, which morphed into introspection. Maybe he shouldn't have stepped back. She seemed to want personal space. But on the other hand, the absence of her hand was colder than it should in the African air.
Whatever the catalyst, he was a quiet listener to her story. A fire? Damn. He knew fires. He knew the intensity of the heat. Even at a distance, a large fire poured sweat down your face. As a kid, the family had bonfires every Saturday night - unless there was a high school football game. Those were usually reserved for Fridays, but special occasions scheduled them to Saturday once in a while. The bonfires were fond memories for Jay. Family and friends gathering together. Hot dogs. Marshmellows. Someone always played guitar. Sometimes the kids blew off fireworks hoarded from the summertime. He'd always been slightly weary of the flames. He assumed the care and respect for fire was something passed down by his dad and grand dad, but there was something ancient about fire that flickered like a warning when he got too close. It didn't stop him from tending it. From poking and prodding to rearranging logs or adding kindling. But he was careful about it.
What would that have been like? Trapped inside four flaming walls? Unable to get out? It took her months to recover? How did she escape?
It felt wrong to keep the truth from her. She might not believe it. But calling him on the side-stepped lie was a good enough a sign to know when to fess up. She played along, though. Not outright asking to be told. And he considered stalling, but it wasn't worth it. Not now. She knew. "Vanders. I mean, Jared. Jared Vanders."
Wizard was the one that restored her to health. Not Jay. He'd dragged her out of the fire, but that didn't mean it saved her life. Who knew what kind of state she'd be in now if it wasn't for the Legion's resident wizard.
Neither did it seem right to lead her into thinking he was here on some order. He wasn't a baby sitter anymore. Not since his own knee had been patched up. In fact, it was the opposite. He was here because he circumvented orders. He flat out announced his departure and left, ignoring what anyone said about it.
Probably shouldn't tell her that though.
"Someone's gotta keep an eye on you. You have a knack for getting into trouble."
He grinned.
Only darkness shows you the light.