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A Dinner on Cambridge - Vendetta - 08-15-2016
As evening began to descend upon Cambridge, Joshua Hunt and Sapphire Raven would've landed in a Prosecutor and Scimitar. They'd hurry through the streets towards the single floor bungalow that Raven owns on the outskirts to prepare for an upcoming dinner they had organized. A message would arrive on Geoff Enfield's private communicator, giving a time and location of the restaurant, leaving approximately an hour and fifteen minutes to get ready. He notified Zeal, and the two began their preparations.
Hunt walked over to the coffee table and set a large bag down on it, as well as a dress box, which he opened for Raven. He unzipped the duffel bag and removed a folded suit and some small holsters. "So, fallback contingency?" He asked her. "I honestly have no idea. But do remember we're in public. Maybe you shouldn't be as paranoid. " Raven walks over to grab the dress box, holding it under her arm. "Why - do you think he's going to pull something?" She asked, looking at the bag. "I don't know. Maybe? You always say have a plan, just in case. Maybe I'm just nervous." He dug through the bag some more. She chuckles, "Ohhhnooo - what is he going to do? Squirt oil in your eyes?" Hunt chuckled at the comment. "Heh. He could be thinking the same thing." Raven grabbed her pistol from its holster. "Okay, if we get raided by gangsters or something wacky, I'll keep a gun in my bag. If not, then the ladies will be guest invitations. " - She raises her arms and fists up. "Madam. " Hunt shook his head, smiling. "Pfffsch. You are better than me at hand to hand anyway. I'll keep one around my ankle." Hunt holds up a holster, brandishing the small, plasma pistol inside. Hunt collects one of the holsters and his suit. "Right. I suppose we should shower and get ready." He walked over to Raven and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Shall we?" He asked, looking towards her. "You've alerted him, right?" Hunt nodded in response. "Yeah. We've got an hour and ten minutes to get ready and get there."
"Good. It gives me more than enough time to look like a normal person, and to check out my eye. I'll uh, go in firstly. " They would make their way to the bedroom, spending their time cleaning, applying medical goods to the injured area of the eye. When finally done, she would get dressed and apply basic makeup to cover any injuries whilst adding some fundamental beauty. She awaits in the living room of her home, awaiting for a call, or for Hunt to finish. Hunt went in after to clean up and shave. He dawned a simple black suit with a blue undershirt, strapping the PP12 holster to his ankle and pulling his pant leg down to prevent it from being seen. He adjusted his collar and ran a hand through his hair. Eventually, he exited the bedroom and approached the living room. He looked towards Raven.
"Wow." Hunt stared at Raven, examining her. "What? Did my injury get worse?" She asked, reaching up to her eye. "No-no." Hunt examined Raven in the silver and blue dress which was slotted at the front and sides he had gotten her on Honshu several weeks ago. "You look beautiful." He said. "O-oh. " rubbing her neck slightly, "I suppose I... feel like a normal person?" - She would feel uncomfortable as dresses weren't really within her attire. After all, they are a wild animal in a dress, in some sense. Hunt smiled at her. "You look fantastic." He walked over and sat down on the sofa, adjusting his boots and the holster again, ensuring it was concealed. Hunt checked his PD on his wrist to see if he had received a notice, and to check the time.
"And what, no guns?" Zeal is sitting on the couch, wearing a long dark-blue dress and high heels, her silver hair tied up into a bun, legs crossed. She's flicking through the TV channels as Enfield is dressing up in a slim navy-blue suit, combing his hair in front of the mirror to be presentable. "I'm taking one, just one." Brushing himself off any fluff or dust. Zeal looks around, looking at him up and down. "A gun would bulge out of that thing... Where are you hiding it?" Zeal asked. "Compact laser deluxe..." She seems a little concerned. "You sure it won't go off if you sit down?" Geoff pauses for a moment, as he's trying to straighten his Winsor tie. His phone vibrates in his pocket, he takes it out and reads the message. "Whatever, we need to head off, we only have 10 minutes, take the motorbike, we can cut through traffic then." Zeal gets up immediately and grabs the keys from the wall. "Watch the puddles and don't mess up my dress. You paying by account or cards?" "Account, told the agency I'd be with my parents... Cambridge and all."
They both walk out to the garage with two other vehicles covered by a dust cover, the walk to a storage closet with bike gear: Jackets, gloves and helmets. As they're both putting on the jackets and gloves, Zeal is about to put on her helmet. "Wait." Enfield holds her helmet, stopping her for a brief moment. "What?" She asked, giving Geoff a quizzical look. "You... You'll never cease to amaze me... You look good." She doesn't respond much except for a kiss before putting on the helmet, Enfield following her actions. Bike gear on, Enfield mounts the drivers seat while Zeal rides as the back passenger, holding onto Enfield's waist. "Don't get any ideas." She jested. "I try not to before bed." He slots the key into the ignition and enabling the electric drive, and speeding off towards the city center.
"Oh, better idea." she stands up, going to her bedroom. Shortly, she would emerge out wearing a small blue beret with her hair tied up, "Better, right?" Hunt looked up from his PD. "I like it." He smiled. "We should start heading out though." He stood up and walked over to her right side, offering out an arm. "May I escort the beautiful Bird to dinner?" He said with a smirk. Raven grabbed her bag, checking if her arm mounted device was on properly, putting her sleeve over it, "Sure. Let's go be sociable people." - Raven would take his arm. "I'm sure you remember the way, right?" She asked, looking towards Hunt. "Mhm. It's where we first ate together." Hunt walked to the door with her and held it open so she could exit the small bungalow. Raven stepped out, past the door frame, gawking up to the sky. "Moderate day. At least it's not raining. " Hunt looked up for a brief moment. "Yup." Hunt walked out beside her and closed the door as he left. The two resumed their arm lock and began to walk towards the city.
Slowly cruising around the city block, they keep looking side by side. "Here..." After lines and lines of cars they finally find a bike parking spot. They slowly edge the bike closer to a lock-rail. Taking off their jackets and gloves, putting them in the seat compartment and locking their helmets with the bike and rail. "Right, should just be a walk down here." As he locks his bike up, she tugs him down the street.
High heels and oxford shoes tapping as they walk down the street. Zeal suddenly stops, gripping Enfields arm all of a sudden. "Ow, ow, ow! Grip!" She lets go quickly, but she seems overcome by something. "Geoff, I completely forgot!" She said. "What...?" He asked slowly in response. "I'm a freaking android... I normally cover up..." Zeal continued. "Oh..." She starts panicking, she stamps her feet gently, flapping her hands with her wrists, fanning her face while whining. "Hey! Hey... Just pretend you are. like... A body guard. Something out of those cheap Kishiro labs. Its, now or never... And I hate never." He wraps Zeal under his arm, hugging her as they're making their way there . She does nothing else but walk with him while putting her arm around his back, resting her head on him as they continue to the restaurant.
Looking towards Hunt, turning around the last corner of the path, nearing the destination, "You know, for once, you don't look like a jackass. Heh. " He chuckles as they approach the entrance to the restaurant. "You always did like me in suits." He smiled towards her. "That's a possibility. Maybe. Perhaps. " She looks away briefly, then back at him, "Possibly. " He smirked and lightly tapped her nose with the tip of his finger. "The word you're looking for is 'definitely' my dear." They passed through the doors and approached the host, who guided them in to the restaurant and to a table which sat four. Hunt pulled out a chair and gestured to Raven. "Why thank you, Sir 'Hunt' not-a-Knight. " Raven sits down in the chair, staring at him with a smirk. "Now, we play the waiting game." She said. "Yup." Hunt pulled out the chair beside hers and sat down. A waiter drone brought over four menus and placed them alongside some cutlery wrapped in napkins.
They make their way into the restaurant holding hands, walking up to the booking desk. "Ehem- Booking for four, /Hunt/ I think?" The host looks at him, then at the silver female figure behind him. "Four? Are we waiting on one more?" Zeal suddenly grips tighter on his hand. "Gah-! No, specifically made room for my very stunning body guard!" He says audibly, she loses his grip on him, relieving him from pain. "And bring me two glasses of Glengoolie white." The host nods and leads them in to the restaurant. "Very good sir, right this way sir." He said. Noticing the two being guided in, Hunt waved a hand. "Hey."
"Don't mess this up." Zeal Quietly whispered to Enfield, trying to smile at the same time. "Hey, sorry if we're late." Both pulling out the left over chairs and taking a seat. "She took her time trying to look her best for me." Joked Enfield. "Its an effort for someone like me." She chuckles as Enfield picks up the menu taking a read through it. "...Heh. Don't worry, you weren't late." she comments, picking up a menu as well. "It's no bother." Hunt picked up his menu and briefly read through it, despite already knowing his order. "Hm." she wonders to herself, wondering what to order. She leans over to Hunt, querying him, "Whatcha getting?" The waiter returned with the drinks Geoff had requested and set them down. It awaited their orders silently. Hunt turned to Raven. "Roast, side of potatoes, probably a glass of fruit punch or maybe even a soda." Geoff watched the drone deposit the drinks. "I just managed to get out of work yesterday, Bretonian customs had me there a while too, asked if I wanted a diplomatic visa." He takes off his jacket and putting it on the back of his chair, and he places his phone on the table. "/Blue fin tuna cakes/..." Zeal seems to ignore the menu and is sipping her whiskey while watching the bar.
"The joys of Government paperwork at an agency, huh?" Hunt noted to Geoff, setting his menu down. He turned to the drone. "Roast, side of potatoes, aaaand... Fruit punch, please." Raven appeared puzzled by the options, "Hm. Maybe I could go for a roast, but may that'll get a little bland if I order it. Curry? Wait - no - I can't. Damn. Hm. " Hunt turned to Raven. "Fish? Chicken?" He asked. "Screw it. Roast Turkey." she places it down, "Oh, and orange juice." The Drone beeped in compliance, turning to Geoff and Zeal. "I'll take a Blue fin tuna cakes with peppercorn sauce, butter baby potatoes and trimmings." He puts down the menu. Zeal moves the glass away from her mouth to put in her order. "And we'll also have a bottle of twenty-five years, John Trotter single malt." Enfield turns to her, an eyebrow raised. "Its good... Found a bottle in the liner." She said in response to his look. The Drone complied and collected the menus, rushing off towards the kitchen.
"Not much of a drinker myself, heh." she folds her arms on the table slightly, relaxing. Geoff and Zeal both sit there quietly minding themselves. Zeal quietly sipping on her drink, seeing that she may of caught the slight attention of other guests. Enfield has both his hands on his glass of whisky,center to himself and repeatedly tapping his fingers rhythmically on it. "Hphmm, We can't talk about work really can we." He says, putting a slight smirk on his face. "Heh. I suppose I can take this opportunity to apologize for my uh - prodding in the past." Noted Raven. "I am, although she was a lab /incident/ that was slightly... of the strange scale. Best thing that ever happened!" His smile gets bigger, he loosens his tie as he continues talking. "Mother was from the Rhein, Farther was from New-London. its how I got my citizenship in both places. I don't know where they are, last thing I remember telling them after the Military was that they shouldn't worry about me. So I don't need to worry about them." He finished, sipping his drink. "Oh. Huh. My Mother was Bretonian, but my father was from Rheinland." The drone returned and deposited the drinks in front of those who ordered them. Raven examined her glass of orange juice briefly. Hunt nodded as the drone scurried off once more. "I can't really relate to discussions about parents all that well..." Hunt rubbed the back of his neck. "Still staying in the same place, I assume?"
"No, that's why the house is empty." He finishes off his glass of whiskey before pouring a new one along with his companions glass. "Hmm... That means you can apply for citizenship within Rheinland then." Zeal takes a break from her glass of Whiskey to join in the conversation. "Anyway, His parents don't know of me... But all we know is that they're on a retirement Liner somewhere." She added. "/I hope its not the Hawaii/." Spoken into his whiskey glass. "Technically, I could apply." she picks up her glass, taking a small sip. "Though, I wasn't really on the greatest terms with my uh, Rheinlandic side of my family. If anything, I'm a little scared sometimes. He's an agent. We've kind of tried to kill each other so much, it's kind of turned into a game of sorts." She noted. "He wouldn't have a chance this time around." Hunt noted, staring at his glass, contemplating. "Whatever the case... I outrank him too." He sinks into his chair a little, relaxing after getting half way on his second glass.
"Thanks. It makes me feel a little safer in that regard then." she continues to drink, "What made you move to Rheinland?" The drone returned with their meals and set them down in front of everyone. It beeped and zipped off again. "It was originally a science job." Saying as he tucked his napkin into his shirt collar. "A job at the Fenrir labs, involving her and a few of these." He picks up a knife and taps his arm. "Its basically her birth place, came back one day. Place was arsoned, government compensated the staff with several million. None of us ever spoke of it since." Geoff pulled his plate over to himself. "Huh. Sounds interesting, kind of what the I-R-G or Canaan people do." Raven picks up her knives and forks, slowly beginning to eat her food. It was great. It's been a while since she had something that was properly roasted. Hunt quietly picked at his food, not really minding it as his thoughts were elsewhere. Raven looks over to him, wondering something. Raven quietly talks to him, "Are you okay? Did you actually go to sleep last night?" Hunt smiled slightly towards Raven. "I'm fine." He lied, uncomfortable as paranoid thoughts raced through his mind.
"It's still the same job at the agency, only the scale has changed." He takes a slice into his rare blue-fin tuna, taking some trimmings with him too. "But let's get the unimportant topics out the way..." Zeal seems to be eyeing Geoff, interested in his next move. "Tell me something that you've been keeping on your mind recently... Like /Alpha/ for instance." The food stacked onto his fork immediately goes to his mouth while he retains a smirk. Raven continues to eat her dinner, deciding to not cause issues even further. It was troubling her inside, knowing he was lying, hiding something. "Hm? Alpha? Oh - when, I saw the...?" Hunt chuckled at something. "Alpha. The Maltese home defense fleet. Defending Malta by acting on the Offensive, all the way to Theta." He sliced in to his roast. "Heh, yeah, the Crimson Cross were certainly... something." she notes to Hunt after that brief memory. "Are you sure you want to say?" Zeal says as her glass is approaching her lips again. "it's fine... Its nothing big." As he continues to eat away at his main course, scooping some of the sauce from the side of his plate onto his his fish. "We had an arrangement... H-fuel supplies, Consumer goods and some small arms." He refreshes his mouth with a sip from his whiskey glass and rolling an ice cube in his mouth. "Personal jobs, she did them so they weren't tied to the agency." Raven nods. "Ah. That makes sense. "
"In return we got a right of marriage. Under the religion of Nomads unfortunately ... But still an identified state from Bretonian law." He stops half way through his course, wiping each side of his mouth twice . "Now if you'll excuse me I need to use the restroom." He pops his napkin onto the table, and gets up briskly from his seat towards the mens restroom. Leaving his wife on her own with their dinner partners. Raven nods, "Of course." Raven continues to eat her dinner, impaling some vegetables and a slice of turkey meat, happily consuming it, "God - I love these roasts." Hunt scoops some of his roast beef and potatoes together. "Told you we should've come here sooner." Raven chuckled. "Pffft, on special occasion maybe. I wouldn't spoil myself." Taking a brief sip from her glass, putting it down. She asks the remaining guest a question, "How are you finding this night? Boring? Good? Moderate?" A small aura of happiness was surrounding Raven, keeping a positive emotion on display. "It's fine... He's had it rough for the past few weeks, he's been locked inside a bunker for all that time." She waves over the waiter bot, it registers her request and zips over. "A bucket of ice, glass of double gin and tonic and a bottle of Yamizaki Saké twelve years." She places the empty bottle of whiskey onto its tray before it zips away again. "Although you know he was never like this."
"Yeah..." Hunt sighs, resuming the consumption of his meal. "Christ. I guess this is one of those times where he gets a glimpse of fresh air. I cannot imagine it being good for either of you." Zeal nods. "I manage to get clearance into most facilities." She chuckles slightly, putting her hands on her lips as she's trying to not spill her drink out her mouth. "You should of seen him when they put him on probation, kept him doing paperwork at Berlin regional HQ!" Raven chuckled. "Heh. Unlucky." Hunt looks over at Zeal. "What's it like finally having a body of your own? I recall the times where you weren't really... I don't really know the words for it." Hunt asked, unsure if it was offensive or not. "It's fine... It was just a hardlight hologram. not much has changed, it's now mostly just monomers and silicone with a light alloy for a base structure. Lifting heavier objects is easier and I don't weigh as much as a regular person." She curls her hair back, and brushes her dress down, seems to be slightly conscious of her image. "A guy called Wolfgang wissen keeps referring to me as a sex robot." Raven shook her head slightly. "Oh. Urgh. Dirty old Lane Hacker. I don't have too much respect for those... 'people'." Hunt sipped his drink. "Wolfgang..." Enfield comes back from the restroom. Seems to have straightened himself out, tie is back up, sitting up straight but with a friendlier smile on his face. "Back... Much better. Everything alright?" He asked. Hunt nodded. "Mmm. Just talking Lane Hackers."
"Yeah, they're pretty slimy too. Promised to not shoot us - a mutual agreement to not fire on each other. Ends up shooting us anyway." Said Raven. Geoff tucks his napkin back into his shirt. "Ah, creepy bunch they are. Sorry for that outburst. Busy days in the office lately." He starts to dig into his food. "But they're not a good bunch... As much as I've dealt with them before personally, they strike me as a shady bunch." Raven nods in agreement. "Yeah - they really are. I caught some of them before, not really the brightest bunch either." Hunt chimes in. "They've always been shady. Nicole, Bower and Scorpius are who I dealt with on a more personal level. Power cells." Hunt took a bite of his roast. "Oh - you poor thing. You see, in my world, I just take them from people and laugh at them. Or at least, that's what we did in the Core." she chuckles slightly. "They didn't want to give it up, and I didn't have the resources to take it. Paid for it instead."
"Yeah... Power cells." He continues eating his tuna, scraping bits of left over sauce with his potatoes and trimmings. Taking smaller bites from them. "Guess you have a knack for those." Raven took a bite of her food. "I've managed to gather, er - well over ten in my career time. Unfortunately, I was a little devotee to the Core, so I always handed it in to the vault." Hunt sighed, half-way done his meal. "Too bad we don't have access to that vault now." Raven shrugged. "It's okay. Can always gather more, I guess?" Hunt nodded in agreement. "Mhm." Enfield continues to eat away at his fish, ignoring the ongoing conversation. Zeal places her hand closer to the opposite pair. "Ehem..." She nods them closer towards Enfield who seems to be eating slightly faster than usual. "/How about that bounty hunter problem...?/" The android asked. Raven points to a bandage that was on her left eye. "Fresh from today. That's my experience from Bunters." Zeal tilted her head slightly. "Ah, is this within the Liberty area? I'm quite shocked with such a turn of events... How is your group holding up?" Raven shook her head. "Actually. Bretonia. New London. As for our group, eh, I think we're steadily growing, slowly but surely." Hunt nods. "The more people who come to us, the less space we have."
Before Zeal can speak another word, Enfield puts his fork and knife down in the center of his plate that's absent of food completely. "That was absolutely likable... That tuna was smoked fantastically. And the trimmings were steamed to perfection." He removes his napkin again, and puts on his suit blazer. "Right, I'm going to pop out for five minutes. sorry for being absent again." Trying his best to keep a smile on his face, he kisses his companion before walking out the front door out of view, but both windows either side don't show him walking by. "Damn..." Were her only words. "Work, I take it?" Hunt asked. "I know he has an agency career, but he's not at work... Nomads and Order are off the table... I should of said earlier." She pours herself a shot of sake, before shooting it down her mouth instantly. "Long story, don't ask about it here." Hunt nodded. "There's a few times we've been rushed back to work while either relaxing or elsewhere." Zeal looked towards Hunt. "Besides the point, we're at dinner. You said yourself that you'd make this meal less awkward." She takes a look at the front door, a puff of smoke is seen from behind the door frame. "He's twenty-five, done nothing but weapons, nomads and science since he's been sixteen." She pours another shot of sake and downs it immediately.
Hunt sighs. "I'm not really... The best when it comes to making things less awkward. I probably shouldn't have even suggested this..." Raven continues to eat her dinner, occasionally listening in to conversation, "Way to make it less awkward, hah. " She said to Hunt. "No... I see he's still not gotten over it. He's been changing. Coffee to liquor, chocolate to cigarettes, video games to training programs. Sex has gotten better." She ends up take the bottle by hand and swigging it by its neck. "Best time we've seen each other is when we're running ground ops. Then he's just... to tired to even do anything back home. Even if he is home, he slept in the bunker when he's there." Hunt stared down at the remains of his meal, unwilling to finish. "I don't really know what to say. I can apologize a hundred times and it won't make a difference. I don't expect him to forgive or forget anything that's happened, but... I guess this was my attempt at trying to start fresh." He looked to Raven. "Poor guy... I wish him the best though." Almost finishing the dinner, she places down her cutlery, "Oh, uh, excuse me. I need the toilet now, heh." Raven gets up carefully, hoping in her mind that Zeal wouldn't notice her pregnant figure in the dress, walking off to the toilets.
Zeal swirls the sake in the bottle, taking a moment to look from the door frame and turn to Hunt. "An army at his disposal, secret-weapons being built, killing without second thought, while he runs it all from either a liner or a warship." She puts an elbow on the table and rests her face on her palm, staring at him from up and down. "You even brought a gun too." Hunt smirked slightly in response. "So did he, as expected. Paranoia exists for a reason. One can't anticipate what another will do in every situation. The phrase 'better safe than sorry' comes to mind. Also because Bounty Hunters are assholes." Zeal shook her head. "Its not on him now. Probably threw it away somewhere... You think he had enough time to take it out to use it first?" Hunt sighed. "It doesn't matter who would've used it first or not. We both came expecting the worst outcome, and rightly so. He doesn't trust me, and I'm not willing to risk the safety of someone I care about over the mistakes I've made in the past. You wouldn't put him in a compromising position without planning ahead, would you?" He sipped his drink. He had lost interest in his meal entirely. "I'm trying my best here, Zeal... I can't change habits of being paranoid at every turn, and I know he doesn't like me. But for her sake?" Hunt nodded towards the bathroom. "I won't take any chances."
"Well... It's not that he doesn't trust or like you." She waves over the waiter bot again, placing the empty bottle and glasses on its tray. "Pitcher of iced water." She turns back to hunt as the waiter-bot runs off again. "But it seems like you two have the same reasons." She said. "We protect what we love." Hunt leans back in to his chair, sighing slightly. "You never knew what happened... You'd probably do the same." Hunt shrugged in response. "There's a lot of details we haven't shared with each other." Zeal adjusted her seating position, crossing her legs. "Few months ago, recon operation in Mu went wrong-" The bot returns with a pitcher of cold iced water. She pours herself a glass with the ice cubes falling with minimal splash. "- I was using a system wired to the ship. Next thing I knew, my source code was taken from the chip and applied to another bio-processor inside a Prison facility." Hunt nods. "The Order." He spun his drink around slowly. "I recall that story." Zeal carefully looked him in the eye, then gazed towards the bathroom. "I can obviously see it with you two so its got to be the same feeling if this does happen to her too." She takes a large gulp from her water compared to her alcohol. "But just imagine, no emotions, no memories of them either, like a binary and numbers with meaningless words."
"I can't bare the thought of loss, Zeal. Neither can she, despite our work and how often we try and prepare ourselves for what could happen at any moment, it doesn't make a difference that we truly are lost without each other." He sipped his drink. "She was the first person to look at me and see that I was worth being given a second chance, did you know that? She was going to kill me when we met, because I told her the truth about what I've done. Instead, she gave me an opportunity to make a difference, and for that I'm eternally grateful. I gave her everything I built over the years. My fleet, my resources, my knowledge, my connections - everything, and it still doesn't quite feel like enough of a thank you gesture. I don't think I can ever repay the kindness she has given me, but no matter what happens I will always be there for her." Hunt said, finishing with a deep sigh. "Even if it moves to working with the wrong side?" Zeal asked. "That depends on the side... Actually - It doesn't. You probably saw as she stood up." Zeal chuckles to herself as she brings her glass away from her mouth. "I thought so... You're two of the same." She said with a small smile, looking back towards Hunt. "Four months. It was twins, but..." Hunt looked down briefly, staring in to his glass. "We lost one." He said. "Well, you should feel lucky. we're not having or adopting... he fears he might raise up Hell's child." She smirks while looking at where Raven had gone. "Hopefully you have better luck... So much fighting for us, too many bullets. Best we have is a dog."
"Even with all the fighting in our lives, all the danger... We came to this choice together. To try and make something of a future with each other. It isn't about how dangerous your life can be, or what you do for a living. Creating and catering to a life is a choice you make with someone you care about. You work around the obstacles of life to ensure they have a chance to live theirs safely and happily." Hunt said, leaning forward and resting his arms on the table. "I work hard to ensure both of his parents will be there for him when he's born." Zeal nodded towards the exit, where Geoff had gone. "Mhmm... But you remember how he was don't you... just a ambitious scientist and ex-military pilot. Just... Happy-go-Lucky." Walking out of the toilets, Raven immediately goes straight to the server, catching the attention of a worker. She talks about something, but it's inaudible. Raven briefly points to the toilet during the conversation, shrugging at the end of her discussion, returning back to the table. "Ooookay, that was uh... lengthy."
"Welcome back." Hunt smiled as she approached. She slowly sits down, resuming to finish off her dinner. "Yeah - uh... someone left their kid behind in the toilet room, somehow? It's whatever, I told the staff." Hunt nods. "Ah. I'm actually in need of a restroom break myself." Hunt stood up. "Be right back." He walked off towards the hallway containing the bathrooms, vanishing from sight. "I hope you didn't bring a gun." Zeal jokes towards Raven as Hunt just vanishes. "Well, I did for the local hitmen and Bunters." - Raven would nervously chuckle. "But at least I'm honest. My last encounter here wasn't as... eh... bright." she slowly goes to eat the last slice of turkey meat. "I've only killed once... Unfriendly person tried to have a go at me down a back alley. he tried with a knife, turns out it bent quite badly. But most of the time its priming weapons or monitoring for Geoff's ground ops." Raven places her cutlery down, finishing her plate. Grabbing the quarter filled glass, she continues, "I would honestly resort to fisticuffs but... eh, I don't think my current state would allow me to." She notes, wiping her mouth briefly with a napkin. "You should be happy you're able too actually have a child... I mean, obviously because of who I am I can't have children." She looks at the back of her hands, silver silicone and only retaining the shape of a human figure. "Although... I say it does has its perks." Raven shrugged slightly. "I suppose there's the evens and the odds for that sort of thing. I would suggest a calculation ran off the both of you to uh - eh..." She redacts it, noticing how silly she might sound, "Nevermind, crazy idea with impossible execution." Raven quickly downs the last puddle of orange juice from the glass, placing down the empty glass on the desk.
"Yes, I have things to enhance our relationship. people may call it questionable but for us its a pretty obvious addition at that point. But for someone like a surrogate mother, he doesn't feel comfortable for them... Getting others involved unintentionally within his personal risks is not what he does." Unsure of what to say, or what is even appropriate to comment, she just simply nods slightly in acknowledgement. Raven would look towards the way Enfield exited, curious if he would be seen. Then she would look towards the toilet entrance, then back at Zeal. She doesn't know how to quite process the conversation, or how to move it forward, instead, she keeps silent. Enfield would flick the butt of his cigarette onto the street before walking back into the restaurant. And take a seat back down on the table, but turns to his wife immediately. He puts a smile on his face. "Right... We should take a walk round town with them after dinner if they're not busy, see what's changed around here?" Raven was staring down at her cup. "We don't really have anything planned for the night. I think. But I'd be up for a little exploration, provided you don't go too fast heh." Noticing Enfield facing Zeal, she embarrassingly notes, "O-o-oh, you weren't talking to me. My bad. I guess." Raven resumed looking at her drink. "Well, we normally end up having at least twice as much at a bar or club alone than what we've gone through tonight. We're actually trained to do three times..." Enfield slightly boasts with a jokingly smile on his face. Zeal quickly stops him from speaking "-But... Because she's currently unable to drink, we thought it might be better to see other venues around this area?"
"Yeee-aahhh... No go on substances. I can't drink or - well, do those 'forms' of socialization. I honestly thought you meant actually exploring the urban area. Or... Something. Not alcohol or clubs, whatever it is." She says quietly, looking back up at the man and the android. "Well we can do that... I mean, its up to you or Hunt, since you've been here more recently than I've been able to." Hunt returns from the washroom, adjusting his suit and sitting back down in his chair. "Sorry about that. There was a line." Geoff turned to Hunt as he sat down. "Welcome back, We were discussing what we could do for a while after dinner, but we've come to a bit of a block." Enfield pours himself a glass of water from the pitcher. "Tell you what, we should try this again, but over a few days if we can. Try to get a holiday of some sort." Zeal chimes in to the conversation. "Well it would be good for Raven, we could try a luxury resort break for a day or two? At least my money is going somewhere." Hunt relaxes back. "I wouldn't mind it, but like you said - give it a few days time. Work doesn't stop just because we aren't there. I'm sure it's the same for you both. Maybe... Organize something for the weekend?" He asked. "I hope we're talking lazy pool days." Zeal nudges Enfield on the shoulder. "You might have to show off your floral shirt on video conferences." Geoff chuckles. "Don't... I'd probably be going shirtless." Hunt smirked slightly at the comment Zeal had made. "You know, a friend of ours took some time off on Canaria at a resort. We could book one of the cabins out there."
"Or a Villa, I got a bit in my private account that barely gets dented by the liquor store shopping. my regular travel, food, drinks and medical always gets covered by the agency. They pay me well... But what to spend it on?" He waves over the waiter-bot. "Can I get the Bill please?" The bot prints out a paper bill, displaying the costs. Enfield gets his phone from the table and waves it in front of the bot. A small chime plays with his phone screen confirming the payment. "Possibly." Hunt offered out a card to the bot, which registered payment for his and Raven's meals. "Though, this was nice. I won't lie, it eh... Went better than anticipated. What do you think, Raven?" Hunt turned to his partner and smiled. "A few days of vacation in a week or so?" Raven shrugs. "Ehrm." she thinks to herself, "I'd have to find out." Hunt nods. "Depends on work, really." Raven looks towards Hunt. "That's why I would have to find out." She said. "Well." Hunt stood up and held a hand over the table. "Thanks for taking the time to join us." He said. "I'm glad it went well for both parties." Raven picks up her bag from the side of the chair, standing up, also offering a hand out to do the same act of social farewells. "Yeah... I thought so too." Enfield quickly gets up to give a hand to Zeal. She reaches out to accept his assistance. "Listen, I think a few days away from work should do us all from good. It doesn't matter if we need to bring a laptop or a work-tablet. Just... A nice resort." Zeal seems quite insistent on the plan. "It's up to you guys, really..." Hunt said quietly, returning his hand to his side after a lack of farewells. Raven soon followed. "I'll see about the bookings." Zeal added. "We can probably put some more planning in to it. We need to sort out work, first." He shrugs and takes Raven's hand. "In any case, eh..." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Thanks... For doing this." Hunt smiled towards Raven, examining her again. "You know you really are stunning in that dress." He said quietly to her. Raven looks at him, raising a slight brow. "What? You look good in it. It suits you." Raven's face flushed slightly. "Talking to a mirror - yet again. Your suit suits you. Because it's a suit." she held his hand. She looks over to the other pair, "We can keep in touch concerning dates. And uhm, I wish to extend my thanks too. I just felt like our, uh, bad blood wasn't really needed. You're pretty alright people. And once again, sorry for being so annoying with my 'job' in the past." Hunt smiled at Raven's comment. "Pfffsch. I guess we'll see you around then."
With that, Hunt and Raven took their leave from the restaurant and begun the walk back to the single story bungalow on the outskirts of the city. The two locked arms together as they walked around the corner.
RE: A Dinner on Cambridge - Vendetta - 08-16-2016
Parting ways after their dinner, the two couples began their trips back to their respected households.
"Are you sure you were okay being there? I couldn't help but sense you were... uncomfortable through the link " Raven asked, looking at him as they walked along. Hunt sighed. "Incredibly uncomfortable, but... It didn't go as bad as I thought it would." He replied. "Why do you think it would go bad? That grudge?" She inquired. "He had a gun in his suit." He answered. "That was kind of expected. He's in public, I told you. Even if he wanted to... he couldn't. Not without repercussion." She tiptoes briefly to kiss him, immediately embracing in to him after, walking slowly down the path, "Besides, you're not alone." She said with a smirk. "Yup. I've got a badass Bird beside me." He smiled slightly. "Did you enjoy yourself?" Hunt asked. "It was good. The food was great, the talking was okay." - she wraps an arm around him. "Zeal made some interesting points." He wrapped an arm around her in return, rounding a corner. "Hm? What points?" She asked inquisitively. "Even with all their preparation, all the time they've put in to readying themselves - and this applies to us - It's... Unlikely that we'll ever-"
Before Hunt could finish his sentence, as they had rounded a corner to another street with less traffic, a man stood in front of them in a long coat with a bushy, fur collar, wearing a large hat. Hunt looked forward towards the man, his expression going cold. Raven turns to look at the male, almost walking in to him - surprised that somewhere was there, "Woah. Excuse me. Watch where you're going, heh..." As she had bumped in to him, his coat parted to reveal a Bounty Hunter uniform. The man pushed Raven back and quickly drew his sidearm from under his coat, pointing it at Raven. "You're worth money, and I'm here for it." The man said. "U-uu-h..." Her blood drained from her face, for a brief moment, her heart would stop in shock, "Hey-hey-hey, we can uh... make a deal, I can pay you double it to leave me a-a-alone." she places her hands up, backing off slightly, stammering slightly in fear. She tries to calculate the best opportunity to trick the hitman. Before she could formulate a plan, Hunt grabbed the man's arm and yanked it to the side, punching him in the face. A loud shot could be heard firing, followed by a second. A pained grunt and a third shot soon followed as the man collapsed back, with blood dripping from under his chin, and a visible bullet wound. Noticing Hunt made a strike, Raven went around the corner for cover, breathing heavily from the moment of action. It was tiring to even put up a good fight, let alone move quickly.
Hunt's breathing had become rapid and shaky. He leaned forward, grabbing his stomach. He dropped to a knee, grunting out in pain. Blood pooled out from under his hand. "H-he's gone. It's sa-..." He coughed slightly. Raven peers around the corner, noticing Hunt was hurt. Raven hurries over, "Nonononono, Hunt - p-please." Tears would form, she would try her best to think of a solution for this, doing their best to suppress emotions, in favor of trying to get help for him. She raises up her PD, seeing how far the local hospital would be, and for any available units in the area. "I'll... I'll... help... Just - Just - Don't die, o-okay?" Hunt sat backwards against the wall, his breathing rapid and unstable. "Y-y-yeah... I-I'll try that... Ar-re you h-hurt? I-Isai?" She briefly inspects him, seeing the location of it, "F-f-f-f-flip. Christ. Oh god, I hope you're not hurt inside." Beginning to weep harder, "I-I.. o-okay, it's... okay, we're fine... just... put pressure on it." Raising her device again, quickly dialing the emergency line, "Uhhh-Cambridge-Medical-Central Passage-gunshot-Please come quickly!" She gets down on her knees, putting her hand and applying pressure to the location of the wound. "Pl-please don't leave me." She begins to cry, leaning her forehead on his shoulder, still awaiting the emergency team to arrive. Hunt's breathing was still unstable. He planted a small, soft kiss on Raven's forehead. "I-I... Told you. I-I'm not going a-a-anywhere..." He said, smiling briefly, before being interrupted by some light coughing. Raven wails out tears of grief like a child, already losing hope in the situation. With each inhale, it stuttered from the overwhelming feeling of emotions, struggling to even stay calm. She continues to cry uncontrollably into him, occasionally squealing out whimpers, still doing her best to keep pressure applied.
"So... What your saying is that we should at least try to make an effort to do these things on a regular basis?" Enfield seemed to not be pleasant at the idea of what Zeal brought up at the restaurant. "Well... You've done nothing but work for the past five years... Plus those at university before I even existed." She argued as she was unpacking the bike gear from the back. Enfield just put the key in the ignition of the bike before mounting it and putting on his gear. "Well a holiday is something I haven't done in years." He said. "Good i-" Gunshots rang from down the street not too far away. "Your SMG's are under the exhausts." Enfield took his from a compartment at the front of the bike while Zeal reached under both exhausts for hers. Immediately as they got them he revved up the bike and headed down towards where the shots came from.
As they raced down the street to see in the distance that Hunt was against a wall and Raven was panicking at his aid. But as they sped towards them a large black SUV was speeding around to aim themselves right in front of them. "Zeal!" He screamed and they both unloaded their guns into the front windshield of the SUV. With a sharp turn they angled the bike to slide sideways Enfield had rolled off his side away from the oncoming car, while Zeal had decided to go through the front of the shattered windshield. Gunfire ensued inside the car with bullets flying upwards out its roof and a few bodies and blades extruding from the windows and doors before completely stopping.
Hunt saw the vehicle roll to a stop, hearing the additional gunshots. "H-hey..." He placed a bloody hand on Raven's cheek. "H-h-he wasn't a-alone... P-please. Get s-somewhere s-sa-" He coughs. "P-protect Isai." Hunt yanked up his pant leg and unclipped the holster, yanking the gun out and offering it to her. "P-please." She takes the gun, placing it in her mouth. Raven attempts to pick him up, dragging him away to a more public area where hopefully the local enforcers will see them, away from the scenery. Speaking with teary determination, muffled by the gun. "I-Willphf - Notphf. Leave. Yu."
Enfield still rolled up on the ground manages to get himself back on his feet. Picking up his machine gun and running towards Hunt. "Shut up, you're not dying yet! Keep that hand on your wound!" He assisted with moving him. The back door on the SUV had swing open with Zeal chucking out a fourth body. "Get him in!" She shouted as one of her arms retracted a bloody blade back inside. Raven helps get him in the vehicle, getting in along with him, keeping careful pressure on him, sitting beside Hunt in the seat. She throws aside the gun in the her mouth briefly, lobbing it on the seat. "C-c-come on, C-critter. P-please." Hunt coughed and grunted out loudly in pain as he sat down. "Pl... I-Is he... Safe?" Hunt shakily placed a hand on Raven's abdomen. "H-he is, he's safe - Just... Just be okay!" She stares down at him, staring through her pool of water glassing up her view. Her hands were bloodied from pressuring the wound. Hunt tears up slightly, slowly going pale and becoming weaker. He placed a hand on Raven's cheek and softly spoke out. "J-just... wanted to k-keep y-... S-s-safe..." He notes weakly. "Zeal, that was a hit squad. Check the back for a triage kit." Enfield checks on the man Hunt had fought, looking at the uniform he saw that it was only a monetary motivated hit. Placing his cybernetic fist aiming at the mans face, he displays an instant execution as a thick blade penetrates his skull and retracts back inside his arm, ensuring he was dead. Zeal looking in the back of the trunk pulls out a rather large medical bag and a white box. Throwing the medic bag in the back to Raven, she opens the white one to show a large amount of blood packs. All O-type. Enfield runs around the car to get into the drivers seat while Zeal climbs into the front passenger seat. "Hold on!" Geoff shouts. "Pl-please... whatever you're doing, DO IT FAST!" She squirms out quickly, noticing he was getting weaker. "N-no, you're - you're st-staying... Hunt - You-you-you have to be there. Y-y-yes?" She shakes her head, "I wish I pre-packed a medkit, I'm s-s... orry!" Some tears would drop on to him.
"Zeal, get some fluids in him." Enfield steps down on the accelerator, closing all the doors on the car. Zeal reaches around from to the back to get into the triage kit. She pulls out a blood pack and ties it to the handle bar above the window. Inserting its fluid needle into his artery in his wrist which starts to flow inside. She proceeds to rip open Hunt's clothing to locate the wound. "Y-y-y-y-ou're... going to be f-fine. Come o-o-on, s-sweetie." There were two gunshot wounds directly in the center of his abdomen, scorched from what was likely particle shot. "Y-y-yeah..." Hunt chuckled weakly towards Geoff and Zeal. "W-we've got to stop meeting like this." He said. "N-no, no, no-no-no, I didn't g-give you permission to die. Please keep your s-strength. Co-come on." Hunt slowly turned his head towards Raven, smiling warmly. He was still pale, and spoke in a weak tone. He reached up and cupped her cheek. "M-my dear Saffir... Don't cry. P-please. Y-y-y-... -ou've given me the best times of my life." She whimpers out quietly, shaking her head slowly, "I-I-I don't want you t-t-to lea..ve me..." He chuckled quietly. "I t-told you... I can't. I-I'm not going a-anywhere. I k-keep my promises, Bird..." He strokes her cheek with his thumb slowly. Enfield mostly concentrated on the driving, looking all around while taking a few glances back. "Yeah, well... I'm not disappearing for months on end this time, you'll make it." Zeal grabs a rather large syringe filled with white fabric pellets. She inspects both wounds to find that the scorch marks had left two clean holes, but fortunately didn't pass all the way through. "You're lucky... she's not." She starts to fill both wounds with pellets that start to expand when in contact with blood; Plugging both wounds. She gets a syringe labeled morphine and injects them near the wound. She fetches another syringe and passes it to Raven. "You tell him to keep it down with the death talk, his eyes start to flutter, hit him with this..." Quickly pointing to an area near his Heart. She looks into Hunts eyes while she starts to wrap the plugged wounds with a silver binding. "Your heart will feel like it hit a jump-start switch... It's going to hurt like hell..." She looks at Raven with a somewhat crazy smirk. "Tell me when you do. I'll hold his hand, unless you want crushed fingers." Hunt looked towards them. "Epinephrine. I-I've had to use it before." Raven grabbed the syringe. "O-o-o-oh g-god... Y-yeah... O-okay." She briefly strokes his cheeks, comforting him. "It's all okay - It's all okay - It's... all okay.."
Looking at the signs on the road, Enfield passes one that shows Cambridge medical center just a mile off. A police fighter flies above, along with two ambulance vehicles passing them on the right. Completely ignoring them speeding towards the hospital. "We're almost there... we'll get you in there soon." He said. "It-It's... It's all fine." She glues her eyes to Hunt's face. It really didn't help that Raven was neglecting her medicine, everything felt foggy, cold, her heart feeling the strain under distress and emotional pain. Hunt gestured for her to lean down whilst Zeal worked away on his abdomen. Acknowledging his desire, she leans in with a distant, worried, expression. He simply smiled warmly at her. "You're r-really beautiful..." She blinks with her only able eye, slowly. "I'll be f-fine... I promise." He winked at her. Raven moves in even closer briefly, giving him a slight peck of affection on his lips, leaning back away. Hunt attempted to steady his breathing. He gripped Raven's hand with some slight force, but not enough to cause harm. He felt cold, and his hand was shaking. "I-I'm sorry." Zeal shook her head. "You keep talking like that she'll jab that into you in not time at all." She said while monitoring the blood flow. Raven shifts her position around, sitting behind him on the floor of the car. She places her head down beside his head, holding his hand. She keeps silent, trying to be vigilant. Raven raises her head, carefully watching his face. It was too painful for her to even talk. She blinks slowly, the world seemed to slow down for Raven, as did her heart. With sluggish blinks, she stares at his face. Hunt looked to Raven. "S-seems like every time I try and do something nice it ends up bad." He smiled slightly. "Trouble m-magnets." He appeared to be regaining his strength ever so slightly from the extra blood and secession of bleeding, but it was clear that he was still in a monumental amount of pain. "Nobody threatens m-my family."
Raven continues to stare at him in sympathetic pain. The link between them shared their struggles, Raven is still emotionally and mentally overwhelmed - as a result of such stress. Her eye would slowly blink in a dumbed manner, still drowned in a pool of tears. Hunt reached up and cupped her cheek. "It's okay." He said, in an attempt to reassure her. She breathes harshly, as if it was forced. She shuts her eye briefly, attempting to mentally focus on her breathing but fails in effort. Raven would open her right eye, revealing that it was red and still watered up. Her chest can be seen stressfully pumping air through her lungs, cycling air as intended. Hunt forced soothing thoughts and feelings through the pain and in to the link to try and reassure her and calm her down. "I'm o-okay... So are you. So is Isai." She looks up and around. Everything seemed distorted, the blur of the outside world seemed to be very disorientating. She would look around again, noticing a visual construct of her mind appearing, seemingly taunting the scenario. She would see a mirage of her original skinny and fit self, twirling a cane and floating around Hunt. She was too tired to even fight her psychotic state, and looks back down at Hunt, feeling extremely drowsy.
The vehicle had turned a corner and drove through to the emergency section of the Cambridge Medical Center. Two members of the staff rushed out to the vehicle and collected Hunt, who panicked slightly and grabbed Raven's hand, urging her to come with him. She forces herself up, trying to follow. At first, she was wobbly from her mental state impairing her balance, moving over to the entrance. The buildup of stress was still impacting her medically neglected heart. Trying to stumble along, thoughts pace in her mind, Need ... To... Stay... Strong. N- weakness. N-o-no... Heart... Ceasing. The staff wheeled Hunt along the corridor at a quick pace as Geoff moved to park the vehicle. Hunt reached out to Raven and tried to sit up, but was forced down by one of the doctors. "You need to stay calm." Hunt tried again. "...Bird..." He called out softly as the bed rounded a corner, trying to wave her over. I failed. Raven finds herself collapsing in to a stress induced cardiac arrest in the lobby. "I... So-...rr." She weakly blurted out as she fell. "N-no!" Hunt forced himself up from the medical trolley, pushing the doctor down. He tried to stand but slouched forward due to the immense pain of his abdomen. He collapse to his hands and knees, and crawled to her, carefully conducting CPR to calm her heart rate down. The staff walked over and recognized the issue, beginning to help out. Hunt reached down to his ankle holster and opened the spare battery pouch, which was emptied in favor of a pill bottle. He took it out and opened it, placing a capsule on the palm of his hand.
Other staff members would quickly appear to respond to the situation, taking Raven away to a medical room after briefly securing a temporary heart rate. The others would take Hunt, noting that he requires serious attention and that everything will be done in their power to help them.
"-So what you're saying is... Retire?" Geoff asked. "No!" She gives him a bottle of liquor as they sit in a secluded area behind the hospital. Sitting in-between a pair of rubbish dumpsters. "Where'd you get this?" He examined the bottle. "Glove box, found it while you were driving... I can't drink it, its too thick." They continue to share the bottle as they stare at the back of the shot up SUV. "You think he's woken up?" She asks while he's gulping down the first quarter of the Sambuca liquor. "Maybe... Should we just kill him?" Geoff looked back. "Yeah, all they're after is money." They both get up to walk to the back of the SUV.
Enfield is banging a few times on the back to disturb who ever is in there. "Hey... You up?" He said. "Who the hell is asking!?" he raises both eyebrows to the response of the man locked in the boot. "Ohhh~ Someone's angry." Geoff said with a small smirk. "Now listen, when you let me go... I'll make sure that you get a lower bounty on your head so that the guild won't be that motivated." The man frantically noted. "Do you know who we are...?" He didn't respond; Obviously dumbstruck. "... No?" Geoff chuckled. "Right, What we're going to do is harvest your organs. So stay fresh!" The man panicked. "Eh?! What-!" The back of the SUV was suddenly rocking and being kicked. The pair start chuckling, amusing themselves at the panic of the locked up bounty hunter. "Alright... Christ, we're not Corsairs... So we're not going to harvest your organs." Zeal takes the bottle of Sambuca from Enfield and takes a lighter from his pocket. "But we're going to do this." Enfield opens the trunk to see a man with his ankles and hands tied up like a caught fish. He instantly wraps his palm over the mouth of him to shut him up. Zeal started pouring the rest of the bottles contents on him, especially the face where Enfield also held open his eyes while pouring a good portion over his chest and crotch. "Poof-!" A sudden bright blue flame rose in less than a second. Followed by a second of clear screaming before Enfield quickly shut the boot to muffle it at best. "Right... I'm going for another cigarette then keep watch outside their ward..." He said. "I'm going to get a taxi back to the house, pick up our car, more firepower that way. I'll try get back as quick as I can." She gives him a kiss before rushing off towards the taxi parking to get in the nearest one. Enfield walks off to the front of the hospital and lights himself another cigarette. He takes out his phone and makes a call. "Yeah can I get one large Donner kebab pizza, chips with cheese and a cola delivered to Cambridge Medical Center?"
Raven would open her eyes, finding herself in a room, seeing two silhouettes of people looking over her, the beeping sounds of the monitoring equipment can be heard, her blurred vision slowly coming in to focus. Two doctors watched over her vital signs, noting down the incident, specifying details of the fault. Attempting to communicate with them, she groans out, "Wh-...Where am -" She raises herself up, one of the nurses walks over, ensuring that she doesn't get up, "I-is my friend okay?" She asked. "Yes he's fine, and you'll be fine too. You'll have to stay an extra hour for observation. You can leave afterwards. He's currently in the theater." She sighs in relief, sliding back in the bed, turning to her side to get more comfortable with her bodily figure. Raven looks down at the silver ring she wore with the two crystals that sat in it, memorizing the time he gifted her it. She looks up at the doctor who previously spoke with her, who was now checking one of the consoles in the room, "When can I... visit him?" They turn around, "As soon as your observation is over. You'll be able to talk to him after they're done treating him." Raven frowns. "Oh... Guess I'm stuck here for a while." Raven looks around, noticing her personal device was taken off her and placed by the table bedside, she picks it up and starts typing to Enfield.
[TEXT: Hey. Thanks for that back there. Sorry for the whole dying thing? |: But I'm super grateful you two came. I owe you my life, and his. I'm being kept in for observation for an hour. You can visit Hunt if you want. They're currently treating him. ]
The hours moved by rather slowly. Elsewhere in the hospital, Hunt awoke in a medical bed in his own room within the recovery ward, as a nurse was injecting his IV with painkillers. He panicked, looking around the room for his partner. He tried to sit up, but realized he couldn't move. Something was holding him in place. The nurse looked to him. "Relax, please. You're alright." She said softly, setting down the syringe. Hunt didn't listen. He continued to try and get up. "Sir, please. You tried to multiple times. The Doctor requested you be strapped down." Hunt looked at the nurse, then looked down at his waist, which was held in place by a red medical strap. He sighed in frustration. "Where's my friend?" He said sternly.
"She's under observation for another five minutes. She can visit with you shortly. Please try and relax, and don't try to get up." The nurse said. She collected the medical equipment and left Hunt alone in the room. Hunt reached out via their link, transmitting feelings of fear, concern, and loneliness. He sat back down on to the pillow behind him, staring up at the ceiling.
One of the nurses approached Raven, where she was resting on the bed in silence. As they approach, she would get up, eagerly awaiting to hear her status. "Well Miss, it appears that your vital signs are nominal, your heart rate was showing some abnormal signs after you were committed for treatment after the incident. Your norepinephrine levels had declined, which lead to temporary sensory deprivation and eventually, heart failure." The nurse notes. They continue on, "We stabilized you and studied the effects further, prolonged effects of stress and emotional prevalence seemed to... trigger something in your brain. We couldn't quite detect what it was, but we were managed to draw a correlation between it and your increased hormones, your pregnancy. Otherwise, you and your child are healthy. It's good that you were nearby when you fell, otherwise, this could have gone worse for you and your son." Adding as a late note, "You're free to leave. Try to avoid heavy amounts of work and take it easy, or else it'll put stress on your heart. I can only advise you to increase your magnesium and potassium intake to help support your system. I put a note on your personal device." Raven responds, "E-ehrm... okay. Thanks." Most of the provided information went past Raven's head. The nurse leaves, Raven starts to get up, gathering her items.
She places on her beret, adjusting her hair, and walks out of the room with her bag. Standing in the middle of the corridor, she looks from left to right, realizing she forgot to ask for directions. "U-uhm..." Noticing a sign on the wall, it shows some directions around the hospital. "O-oh... the reception is... thaaat way." She twirls to her right, walking down the clean white corridor, passing people. She reaches the desk and queries the receptionist, "U-uh, h-hi. I - uh - recently... came in... with - urhm, my friend who was shot and I... had a heart-attack-and-stuff-so-like-where... can I go see him? I'm not totally lost but I'm pretty lost." Raven would randomly change the pace of her talking, from stuttering, to faster and then to a more confident manner of communication. The receptionist blinks slowly at her and points towards the right, "Go down there, turn left, recovery ward. Your friend is in Room A-7b." Raven nods. "...Thank you." She said with some hesitation.
She makes her way to Hunt's room, passing various doctors and people, she knocks on the door briefly, walking in. Raven peers around the corner, then walks in, shutting the door behind her. She saw how Hunt was strapped up, feeling his emotions more clearly now. She sighed a little - realizing what may have happened as she walked up to him, "You... panicked, didn't you...?" She asked quietly. Hunt smiled and sighed as she walked in the room. "I... Tried to find you. Apparently, I kept trying to get up and leave the theater." He said in response. "You could have hurt yourself badly..." Raven stands beside his bed, looking down at him. "I don't remember trying to get up until I woke up..." He reached a hand out for hers. "Are you okay?" Raven nods slowly. "I'm... fine." she holds her other arm, which had the personal device mounted on her arm, covering it with her palm. "Please be honest." Hunt looked up at her. A doctor had walked in to the room with a clipboard and approached the medical equipment. "I am being honest. Me and Isai are fine." He lets out a sigh of relief. "Good."
The doctor approaches the two. "Your friend is a lucky one, madam." She raises her head up towards him, "Huh?" She asked. "Were it not for the plate on his spine, he wouldn't be able to walk. No internal organ damage. The two shells would've ripped clean through his spine were it not for that piece of metal supporting it. The shells were removed." Raven wipes a slight tear from her only visible eye, "O-oh..." The doctor looks at the clipboard. "Legally, we can't keep him here without consent, and since he was admitted through the emergency section, those who accompanied him are who can give consent. So it's up to you if he leaves or not." The doctor notes. "But, he is okay to leave, right?" Raven asked. "Yes." She looks down at Hunt, "Well then? Do you want to stay strapped to a bed for the entire day? Maybe a week. Or a month. Or a year. Or a century." Hunt chuckled slightly. "I want to go home." He said with a smile. "Then we shall." The doctor nodded, "Very well then. I have some other patients to tend to, so if you'll excuse me. Just sign out at the desk before you go." He walks out the door, leaving the two alone. Hunt looked up at Raven. "I'm sorry." He said. "For what?" She asked. "Getting shot and ruining my suit. Now I won't look so nice for you." He smirked. "I wish... I wish that could have gone differently." He reached up and cupped her cheek. "I wasn't going to let him hurt you."
"I was hoping he was going to fall for my bribe trick. Come on." She tries to undo the restraints, "Let's just go home." She said. "Yeah." Hunt reached down to help her, unclipping the strap. He slowly sat up, grunting aloud in pain. "Raven." Exhaling tiredly, "Hunt." He stood up slowly and hugged her. "I love you." Raven smiled ever so slightly, still exhausted. "Mhm. Let's just go already." she keeps idle like a slab of meat. "Lead on." Hunt collected his holster and PD. She leads him towards the desk, waiting in a small queue. Raven rested her hands on her hips. The queue moved forward. The drone at the desk looked at Raven. :: How can I be of assistance? :: The machine asked. "We're here to sign out, or something. Came from emergency." The drone offered up a sheet of paper and a pen. :: Please sign the release form. :: She looks down at it, taking the paper and pen, leaning against the desk. She angrily mutters in silence, "Yeah, sign a piece of paper or just die... bloody... government..." she rambles on, spouting some incoherent words. Raven reads through it first. It was a simple medical release form for documenting the patient leaving. She begins to fill in the details, checking over it, biting her lip in the process. "Right. Done." she slides it on the desk towards the worker. :: Thank you. Take care Miss. Take care sir. :: The robot collects the paper and places it in a file holder marked 'out'. "Farewell." Raven turns around to walk out of the hospital with Hunt. She goes past the doors, then goes over to a wall, leaning back on it, raising her device. Hunt joins her on the wall, leaning back with a slight sigh.
"I thought I was going to lose you." she lowers her arm. Hunt looked over at her. "I promised you I wasn't going to leave you ever. I was scared when you collapsed..." He said. "You could have hurt yourself so badly. Nevermind, this isn't the time to talk about it. I just want to go home. Where's Enfield anyway?" Raven asked. He shrugs. "I don't know. We can just get a taxi." He notes. "Let me text him then." She raises her arm again, tapping in to the device.
[TEXT>Geoff Enfield: Me and Hunt are signed out of the hospital, we're headed home. Apologies, but none of us feel very well. Sorry about that. We can catch up another time concerning dates.]
She lowers her arm. "Home? Let's just get a ride back to our ships. I told him we were going home. Truthfully, I don't feel too particularly bright either."
A loud roar of an engine came from down the street, along with a pair of bright headlights. A 4-door sports car just swerved its way around into the front bay of the hospital before stopping and parking itself directly in front of their path. The front drivers window rolled down to see that a Zeal had picked up a ride for them. "Where's Geoff?" Zeal asked. "I don't know, we were about to pick up a Taxi." Raven states. "I sent him a message about it too." She looks around briefly. "I can... try to see where he is?" she raises her arm. "Mphhhm-!" Grunted a noise from behind them, Enfield was trying to catch up to them while eating out of a take-away box and a drink can under his arm. A couple chips flew out as he ran to them. Once he did he, he was still trying to eat his way through a few strips of donner meat. "Weeer-Wherrr-ooooh?" Raven looks back, raising a brow at him, "There he is." He manages to try gob down the mouthful he had. "You're lucky, two guys came in looking for a group with gunshot wounds." Zeal reaches over and opens all the doors with a flick of a switch. "Lets go then." Raven's expression changed. "...Seriously? They can just... waltz in... like that?" She asked. "Depends if they were looking for you, or their friends." He adds, climbing into the front passenger seat. "Let's not put too much thought into it then." She climbs in the back with Hunt, holding his hand. "I can try to ask the Admiralty concerning Bounty Hunters, Hall might be willing to listen." Hunt nods in agreement. "I hope so." He winced slightly, crawling in to the car. "For once I'd like to be able to enjoy a date without someone getting shot. Or hurt." Zeal steps down on the accelerator bringing it up to speed with the rest of the traffic. "Where you guys going?"
Enfield, finished with his food, places the box on the floor. "Right... It will take us an hour. I'm going to catch forty winks. Wake me up when we arrived." He pops his feet on top of the dashboard, crossing his arms and sinks into his seat resting his head against the window. Zeal was concentrating on the road. "Its going to take us a while so-" A few fire trucks suddenly zipped by in the opposite direction along with police escort. "I think that's ours..." Zeal turns on the radio to the BBC news station. "Today's traffic within the central Oxford plaza has come to a halt, the shoot out last night within what seemed to be rivaling Mercenary groups ended with five fatalities shutting down the city area with an also recently linked vehicle arson at the Cambridge Medical Center when a body of a captured individual was also found in the rear of the burnt vehicle recognized as a member of the Freelance mercenaries rivaling the Guild. The vehicle was found after a large explosion was heard after what witnesses seemed to suspect it was fuel tank explosion. Two Members of the Bounty Hunters guild have been arrested at Cambridge Medical Center in suspicion with both the shoot out and arson." She immediately turns off the Radio. "Yeah...... That's ours." Hunt sighed and shook his head. "Every time we go to dinner. First Honshu, now here. Never a dull moment. Good thing we've got aliases." He leaned his head on Raven's shoulder. "Hah. It kind of gets ridiculous." Raven smiled. "Mhm. Neither of us said it would be easy to try and lead a normal life though. And honestly?" Hunt looked to Raven. "I like our lives. They feel normal. I don't like getting shot though. That part kind of sucks. Everything else though - that's top quality." He closes his eyes and rests his head on her shoulder. "Good dinner. Good time with friends. A beautiful Bird at my side, and you all somehow tolerate me." He chuckles quietly. "I think that passes as a good time." Raven leans her head on to his slightly. "I never realized how easy it is to get so tired, so quickly."
The vehicle came to a stop outside the small bungalow. Hunt looked towards Geoff and Zeal. "Thanks for the ride, I suppose. We'll see you around." She glances at her personal device, "We have a meeting to be at, actually. Ech." Raven gets out of the vehicle, "Once again, I thank you so much, I massively owe you one, big time."
As the sun rose on the horizon and the next day had begun, Joshua Hunt and Sapphire Raven tiredly walked to their house to change and get ready to return to their lives as Keeper and Curator of Auxesia, whilst Geoff Enfield and his android wife Zeal returned to their home and readied themselves to return to Rheinland and get back to their duties at the Buro.
Just another day off...
RE: A Dinner on Cambridge - Vendetta - 08-17-2016
@Kauket for Sapphire Raven dialogue.
@Vendetta for Joshua Hunt dialogue.
@Geoffacake for Geoff Enfield & Zeal dialogue.