[private rp] Relic & Co.

[sataraxias]

Relic reeled over from the abrupt pain as his hand flew to cup his nose. He grunted. The girl packed hell of a punch, he’d give her that. He straightened slowly, blinking away the water in his eyes to stare at her, hand firmly in place over his aching nose, vaguely aware that he was bleeding.

“What the actual hell, Riley May?”‌ he demanded in a voice clogged with pain, steadily building in volume and fury. “You’ve known me for what, a day? Don’t you dare even try to claim that I can’t handle myself! I’m still alive, aren’t I?‌ Go to hell.”‌ Fuming, he whirled around and marched back inside, footsteps loudly announcing his departure down the hallway and up the stairs. He scooped to pick up his backpack, swinging it wildly on to his back.

[ethereal .]

She straightened up and shook her hand, trying to ease the throbbing. “Oh, you really want to start this? Okay, let’s start!” She walked through the door after him and ran up the stairs, trying her best to keep up. “That’s exactly the point Relic! I’ve known you for a day, and you have no problem acting like everything’s just fine and dandy!” Her chest had begun to rise and fall rapidly as she ranted to him. Okay, she could understand that he was mad about her punching him in the nose. But could he really not see where she was coming from with this?

“You act like the world isn’t falling apart around us!” She waved her arms in the air, gesturing around the room. If she had any sense she would’ve punched him in the mouth. Maybe then he wouldn’t be able to talk. “You act like we can just go about our day like every step we take isn’t a risk! You can tell me to go to hell all you want, but maybe you should come back down to earth and realize we’re already here.” She took a step forward and poked him harshly in the chest, “You might be alive now, but one day you won’t be. If you keep acting the way you do that ‘one day’ is going to come up real quick and I...” Trailing off, she clenched her jaw. In this moment she didn’t see the point in arguing with him. It wasn’t like he actually cared about what she had to say. After all, they had only known each other for a day.

[sataraxias]

He whirled around to face her as she appeared in the doorway, indignant words spat with venom. “Start this? Are you kidding? You’re the one who punched me!”‌ When she poked him, Relic grabbed her hand as she went to withdraw it, latching on to her wrist with a tight grip. He pulled her forward, his voice a low murmur as his narrowed gaze met her own. “You do not, and I mean do not, get to stand there insisting you know a single thing about who I am. Damn straight the world went to hell and so what?‌ So did we.”‌

He dipped his head towards hers, the hand that wasn’t holding her wrist wiping some of the blood still dripping from his nose, his voice climbing in volume. “You think I should spend every step afraid of what’s around the corner?‌ Yeah, well, I think maybe you need to stop cowering in that same corner and realise this damned world is our damn world.”‌

His voice lowered into something calmer. He didn't want to be angry at her. He really didn't. The finality in his words wasn't angry or bitter, just present. “Get angry at me. Hit me. I won’t ever hit you back. Zombie walked through that door, right now? Trust me, I’ll have your back with no hesitation. Hell, I’d get bit to keep you safe - who cares? That happens you either put me down or you run and leave me behind. One day could be today. That’s just how it is, Riley May.”

[ethereal .]

“Alright I’m sorry about that it just-“ She whimpered softly as he suddenly grabbed her wrist, staring up at him with wide eyes. Well that wasn’t something she was expecting. She was suddenly very aware of how close they had gotten, and tried shoving him away. The whole situation made her feel out of control. “And you do not get to man handle me!” She groaned as she attempted to free her wrist from his grasp.

Riley jerked back, as if he had struck her. Did he just call her a coward? Did he say she was afraid? Looking down at his hand wrapped tightly around her wrist she knew it was true. She was afraid when he grabbed her. She was afraid when she lost her brother and sister. She was afraid to close her eyes at night. She was afraid every time she took a step outside. All this time she had just told herself she was careful. Relic’s reality check was like a slap in the face, but even then she refused to say it out loud. “I’m not afraid..” She murmured more to herself than to him.

Hearing those words come from his mouth just made her...hurt. After everything she had done...After she had punched him, screamed at him, and analyzed him he was still willing to stand by her side. “I care..You’re stupid and annoying but you’re my friend. I’ll be damned if I let you sacrifice yourself for me.” After glancing up at him again she let out a sigh, feeling defeated. She wasn’t sure what influenced her next actions, maybe it was sleep deprivation. Yea, that’s definitely it. She let her head fall gently against his chest, shoulders slumping and body relaxing. There it was again. Riley May. “Would you stop calling me that already..”

[䏠xote]

[ "have a little faith in me, okay?" ]

faith's fingers trailed over her calf, close to the wound but not brushing over it.

"...i can't see it." he blurted, more to himself than anything. he had to go back inside. for supplies, for water, for... for light. slowly, he turned his head, a shiver playing against his spine as he watched the curtains of the sliding door flutter against the wind. the darkness inside almost seemed to beckon him, to yawn like the gaping jaws of a predator lying in wait.

it scared him.

"...hang on, siren. i'll be right back. right back, i promise." he cooed softly, stroking her cheek tenderly. just once. already, his heart was beating against his rib cage, and he swallowed dryly, pressing a kiss to her damp, chilled brow.

he didn't know what else to do.

slowly, he turned to slide onto the landing. the wood creaked, ever so slightly, and his breatha hitched. he took a deep breath, clutched at his bat.

then, slowly, he descended back into the yard.

the grass was wet against his ankles, and his shoulders tightened as he crept back to the door. he turned his head to keep his angle of sight wide--right, then left. everything moved with the storm. everything trembled. he took a step into the back room, and swallowed again. god, it felt like he was choking, felt like every nerve was being pricked, every hair on his back and neck raised at the horrible silence.

he checked the kitchen. nothing... no alcohol, no medicine of any kind to speak of. he grabbed the towel hanging from the bar of the oven, just in case, then turned to the dark, empty hall.

okay. now the bathroom.

faith moved cautiously, bat raised over the right shoulder, muscles tense. sweat tickled the back of his neck, running cold, and the carpet quieted his footfalls. a minor relief in such a fragile hell. he remembered the room, the second door on the right, and he angled against the frame to get a look inside. nothing... so he stepped in. slowly, carefully, he set down the bat on the floor, crouching without a sound. then, he stood, straightening, and quietly pushed the medicine cabinet open.

it was more sparse than he'd hoped, but it would be fine. he had an emergency kit in his car, if he needed it he could...

faith paused.

maybe he should get it anyway. extra steps, but he knew it had what he needed. he nodded to himself, looked at his reflection in the dimness of the mirror.

then, he gathered what he had taken, and leaned down to slowly lift the bat from the floor. he had to hurry.

he retraced his steps through the hall, back into the main room. instantly, a chill ran through him--hadn't he closed the door? it swung quietly on its hinges, open wide to the street. he couldn't remember if he had, but he wasn't about to sit still and figure it out.

it was pouring, now. loud enough that faith could dash down the yard to where the little black nissan stayed, untouched. he reacted out to yank the door open, then paused.

no light. no sound.

he pried the door open with a gentle "click" and grabbed his back from the passenger seat. then, he slowly shifted it back shut, and turned to head back through.

something moved in the neighbor's yard.

spooked, he dashed back into the house, booked it across the carpet of the main room. the wet sole of his shoe caught the tile just in front of the sliding door--

faith's entire center of gravity shifted. he felt it in his gut as it happened, foot going out from below him as he slipped, and he crashed down onto the tile with a soundless gasp of pain, biting his tongue. the dull thud the rang out was far from gentle, and though the young man gripped the bat far above his head the pain of the tile against his back had him trembling. he writhed, only for a moment, until a low, deep groan cut through the bright flashes invading his vision.

he opened his eyes.

upside down, he could see one of those things lumbering up to the doorway. it didn't see him, not yet. it stumbled up the steps, offering guttural sounds of interest, and faith gathered every bit of his instinct before launching up off the floor, sprinting out into the back yard.

he didn't look back to see if it followed. everything hurt, and he was most certainly going to be bruised. he clutched that bag tight, leapt up to the ladder, and began to climb as the undead let out a screech of frustration behind him. he felt cold, splintered fingernails ghost his ankle.

then, he pulled himself inside, shaking violently, out of breath and quivering as he pressed against the wooden wall.

for a long minute, nothing happened. there was a scratching, a clicking, the long, dull sound of fingers grasping at sodden, aging wood.

then, faith could hear it shift away as he watched siren with wide eyes, not daring to make a sound. not just yet.

[sataraxias]

Man, he’d never understand girls. One second she was screaming at him and the next miss tough girl had crumbled down to rest her head against him. He chuckled softly as he held her tightly, arms wrapping around her as if such a flimsy defence could shelter her from the world. “You’re all good, darlin’,” he whispered in her ear, voice soft and soothing. Words nobody had been there to say to him, words she needed to hear.

He rubbed her back in soft circles. If a zombie came to spoil their moment, boy would he be mad at it. He didn’t know how long he held her, waiting for her to pull away before he did. As long as she needed. Time was a concept anyway, and it wasn’t like he had a working watch to urgently tick away the seconds. “Riley May,” he murmured. How he loved saying her name, letting the syllables dance on his tongue. A reminder that he wasn’t alone. He chuckled softly again. “It’s a pretty name.”

[ethereal .]

Why she was allowing him to comfort her in that moment, she didn't know. All she knew was that he was doing a pretty good job. Darlin'. She sighed softly and sunk deeper into him, it wouldn't hurt to let go for a minute. To forget all the constant worries and cautionary lines flowing through her mind. "I'm sorry I'm mean sometimes...well all the time. I don't really have an excuse. You're just frustrating." She snorted and poked his side teasingly before pulling away.

She stood silently before deciding it would be best if she distanced herself now, so she took two steps back. "Yea..It's what my mom used to call me." Her face fell as she stared at the floor. It was always clear in her mind that she missed her mother, but she never knew exactly how much until times like these. Until the little things that reminded her of her mom popped up out of nowhere. Maybe it was a sign? Then again she didn't really believe in that kind of stuff. It was a nice thought though.

Riley pulled herself from her thoughts to look out the window. It was already pouring outside. Funny how things can change just like that (like her mOOD SWINGS). "I don't know about you, but I don't really want a repeat of today. Plus I'd like to actually try and get some sleep. Should we try and find somewhere else to stay?" She suggested as she tugged the sleeves of her shirt down around her fingers, feeling the chill of the rain start to settle in.

[sataraxias]

He dropped his arms to rest by his side after she pulled away from him. “Frustrating? I’ll take it. I’ve been called much worse.” He shrugged, rolling his shoulders back and forward, the backpack bumping his back.
He inhaled through his mouth, hand tentatively rubbing his hurting nose as he pulled a face.

Used to. He picked up on the past tense. Mostly everyone was a past tense these days. Wasn’t his place to pry about what had happened, so he said nothing, following her gaze to the rain-lashed window. “Well, I’m inclined to agree, but I think this good old town’s given all it has to give. What say we go find a car? I’ll drive. You can sleep on the way.” He flashed her a toothy grin. “I promise not to honk at the z’s on the road.”

[bailey.t136]

-----──────
------❛ siren lily luss ❜
-----──────
paragraph though it was impossibe to see inside the little hut, siren could feel faith's gentle fingers on her calf. her skin seemed to leap at his touch, even if it was just the sensation of his warmth against her cool. she let a pent up breath escape and a little moan followed it as his thumb neared the wound.

paragraphthen he was leaving her...

paragraphshe forced a weak protest, "faith, please dont go... please. i don't think i can lose you agai-" her last words caught in her throat as she choked back a pleading sob. keep it together.. but there was such honest desperation in her tone. she wasn't trying to hide it. the fear of losing him was rushing back upon her uninvited, a hundred - no a thousand times worse than before and it wasn't like she could do anything about it. she had just gotten him back now, but who was to say she would get that lucky twice?

paragraphas he moved to press a kiss into her forehead, she could see his mind had already been made up. with a pained little gasp, her palm found his cheekbone, "you come back to me." she honestly didn't know what else to say. how her heart begged her to pull him close again and to not let go. he was risking his life for her - she hated his odds. but she couldn't summon the strength to hold him. her feverish figure was slowly losing its fight. as much as she wanted to capture his hand, she could do little more than mouth a weak "thank you" and watch him go.

paragraph the second the little door clicked shut behind his hastened figure, a wave of anxiety rinsed over her anew. siren, if he dies now, his blood is on you... she shuttered. how many others had fallen on her head. he was being careless because of her. she thought the tears had finally stopped - his sweet warmth nearly soothing her to sleep, but as her eyes followed his cautious figure into the void of her home, she felt them brimming over again.

paragraphher sister's empty body was in there somewhere - probably still upstairs in her room where she had managed to get away. faith would see it if he went up... she hated that thought. faith had known her sister... never close, but mutual friends and they had always gotten along. siren fought the delirium, though it was slowly coaxing her to ease her eyes closed. she felt cold.

paragraph//

paragraphshe awoke in feverish delirium to the knocking in of the treehouse door and the scrambling of a massive body. for a split second, she forgot what had happened and she let out a weak cry of terror. her fingers scraped at the musty planks for the pistol, but all at once everything came rushing back. the body was faith and he was here to help her.

paragraphhe wasn't alone though and she tried to calm herself at his direction. faith looked horrible - if that was possible. how long had she drifted away? his fiery hair was all astray and he favored his right hip with extreme discomfort. her fingers finally found his as he glanced back at the door.

paragraphshe waited until the all-too-familiar groans of the creeper outside had faded and she squeezed the three fingers she had caught, "faith what happened? are you hurt? what happened to your hip?"

[ethereal .]

Riley glanced sideways at him, a bit skeptical about letting him drive. So far she wasn't convinced that his mental state was totally intact. Oh well. C'est la vie, right? "Alright Aurelius," she paused to clasp her hands together behind her back and rock back and forth on her feet, "I'll take you up on that offer. Just don't kill us."

Staring up at his nose, she couldn't help but wrinkle her own nose. Whoa, did she really do that? Alriight Riley.. She gave herself silent props and couldn't help but snort a little. "Hey, uh, that looks like it hurts. You should probably get that checked out." Pressing her lips together to hold back a smile, she made a mad dash for the door before she had to listen to whatever smart response he more than likely had. She rushed down the stairs, stopping at the bottom to pick up her knife and slide it back into place in her boot.