11-11-2014, 09:14 PM
The trip to the school was a blur of singular focus and heightened senses. Jay acknowledged a million little details along the way, yet he was having trouble recalling any single moment from the entire ride.
To Jay, the school was an uncertain island of safety. At least there was a wall. And he breathed a sigh of relief to see it manned by his fellow Legionnaires. If Danjou was here, it was probably the safest school on the continent. But at the same time, where Danjou went, animals prowled the perimeter.
He kept up with Natalie surprisingly well despite the cast. What heavy breeze there was snaked its way under the opened pant leg around his ankle. It accommodated the size of the cast beneath, but the splits up the sides couldn't hide that bony white exoskeleton that made him limp.
In the open grounds, he planted his hands on his waist while shaded blue eyes studied the sun overhead. His unease was unfounded, he told himself. At least it was in comparison to where it should be. He had a rifle slung around his back and a sidearm at his leg. A cautious awareness of their surroundings was one thing, but he had a bad feeling about today. He stayed sharp.
Such, he might have seen the bandaged up Azubuike before Natalie had. Jay tensed until it was clear that Natalie knew him. When they embraced, he frowned and looked away. The moment seemed too intimate to watch openly. He only wished they'd hurry it up.
She introduced him as Legionnaire Carpenter. The formality took him by surprise.
He thrust out a hand and greeted the professor. "Call me Hollywood."
They shook and he grinned. Despite Azu's wounds, his grip was confident and firm. At least Natalie had good taste.
Suddenly, children sprung up like weeds. One was playing catch and release with a lizard. Looked like fun, actually. Another was eyeing Jay's leg. And yet another snuggled up against Natalie. Brave, caring, and hot? If Jay had ovaries, they might have exploded. But, you know, being a dude, he totally didn't care about all the adorableness around him or that Natalie was in the middle of all of it.
A kid made the announcement, and Jay pressed a hand to his ear's wireless transmitter. "The press is here,"
he added. He had zero experience with the press. If MARSOC drew the attention of the media, someone was in serious trouble.
In the distance, new cars pulled in through the check point. Domestic and foreign individuals filed out but only one really drew his eye. A red head. But Jay couldn't watch her long. One of the men splintered off from the group, apparently recognizing Natalie, and came toward them.
Jay didn't feel the need to check up on mister Jared Wilson's presence. He didn't need to. It was pretty obvious who was allowing whom to conduct the interview. He also didn't feel the need to add his own introduction, even if the American in him felt the solidarity to do so.
Edited by Jay Carpenter, Nov 11 2014, 10:28 PM.
To Jay, the school was an uncertain island of safety. At least there was a wall. And he breathed a sigh of relief to see it manned by his fellow Legionnaires. If Danjou was here, it was probably the safest school on the continent. But at the same time, where Danjou went, animals prowled the perimeter.
He kept up with Natalie surprisingly well despite the cast. What heavy breeze there was snaked its way under the opened pant leg around his ankle. It accommodated the size of the cast beneath, but the splits up the sides couldn't hide that bony white exoskeleton that made him limp.
In the open grounds, he planted his hands on his waist while shaded blue eyes studied the sun overhead. His unease was unfounded, he told himself. At least it was in comparison to where it should be. He had a rifle slung around his back and a sidearm at his leg. A cautious awareness of their surroundings was one thing, but he had a bad feeling about today. He stayed sharp.
Such, he might have seen the bandaged up Azubuike before Natalie had. Jay tensed until it was clear that Natalie knew him. When they embraced, he frowned and looked away. The moment seemed too intimate to watch openly. He only wished they'd hurry it up.
She introduced him as Legionnaire Carpenter. The formality took him by surprise.
He thrust out a hand and greeted the professor. "Call me Hollywood."
They shook and he grinned. Despite Azu's wounds, his grip was confident and firm. At least Natalie had good taste.
Suddenly, children sprung up like weeds. One was playing catch and release with a lizard. Looked like fun, actually. Another was eyeing Jay's leg. And yet another snuggled up against Natalie. Brave, caring, and hot? If Jay had ovaries, they might have exploded. But, you know, being a dude, he totally didn't care about all the adorableness around him or that Natalie was in the middle of all of it.
A kid made the announcement, and Jay pressed a hand to his ear's wireless transmitter. "The press is here,"
he added. He had zero experience with the press. If MARSOC drew the attention of the media, someone was in serious trouble.
In the distance, new cars pulled in through the check point. Domestic and foreign individuals filed out but only one really drew his eye. A red head. But Jay couldn't watch her long. One of the men splintered off from the group, apparently recognizing Natalie, and came toward them.
Jay didn't feel the need to check up on mister Jared Wilson's presence. He didn't need to. It was pretty obvious who was allowing whom to conduct the interview. He also didn't feel the need to add his own introduction, even if the American in him felt the solidarity to do so.
Edited by Jay Carpenter, Nov 11 2014, 10:28 PM.
Only darkness shows you the light.