Bread and Brawn (Open to up to 2)

[Delilah A. Black]

As she heard David speak to Kiyr (whom she could not see, for she was on the other side of David's body) Delilah felt a surprising surge of an emotion she rarely, if ever, felt.

Jealousy.

Just the recognition of the thought caused her to falter slightly in her steps up to the base and...to lean her head away from David's, where the side of her head had been pressed against this cheek. She felt stupid. For a lot of reasons.

Reasons not befitting a Crow of her station. She would push that under the bed for now. So to speak.

As she led them up the steps, the Tengu would run too and fro, setting up the room and board for their guests, readying the doors to a lift that would take them up past the large staircase (otherwise she would have to carry David up them, and, given her own condition, that was probably a lethal idea) and into the loft area of the 'Nest.

"This'll be a little rough...kind of a work in progress," she panted, still bearing a large portion of David's weight as she guided them all onto the lift. "Chottomate kudasai,"<Just a moment, please> she half spoke-half sighed, slipping into Japanese without even meaning to. She pushed a lever with her foot and the lift started cranking them slowly upwards....

...before SUDDENLY shooting upwards for a couple of stories before screeching to an unholy halt, shuddering precariously for a moment, and then stopping with an unhealthy creak. Delilah would look sideways at the two Dragon's in the lift beside her, looking disconcerted

"We're....we're still working out the kinks."

She would then hurriedly hustle them off the lift and into the room across from it.

The room was large, a cement loft apartment with windows looking out over the Crow's territory. There was a small (mostly inoperable) kitchen, a working bathroom, a decent looking couch, two beds (that looked as though they had been pushed apart, and to opposite ends of the room) covered in crisp, clean linen sheets. The cement floor gave way to a small set of steps that led to a raised, wooden platform where the couch sat facing the windows and where the beds were, tucked into a corner. Delilah smiled weakly, not really looking at anyone.

"Apologies for the state of our guest room...but it's the best we've got. It's even better than mine."

Her room didn't have a single window to it's name.

She finally allowed her eyes to cast themselves sideways to David. "Resting place of preference?" she jerked her head, indicating the spots on the room where he could rest.

SPOILER: Click to show

IMAGES OF THE LOFT.

[Kyrie Blaze]

An eyebrow was raised at David's explanation, but Kiyr said nothing of her displeasure. The chuckled statement after, however, completely threw her off. And the stumble and shift from Delilah's end (there were advantages to being short, and not just that she could hide or slip in and out of places), made the blonde mentally balk even harder than she was already doing.

'Non, non, non, non. Je ne suis pas--'[/color]

She smothered a groan but let it reign and ring in her mind. Her reaction was a quick and quiet exhale through her nose. She wanted to bolt. But that just wasn't something she could do for more reasons than one. David was lucky that Kiyr wasn't one to physically lash out from her frustration, else he would have been hit with a quick series of blows. And chances would have been likely she wouldn't have pulled them. The edge of her lip closest to David twitched down in a frown before Kiyr smoothed her expression out again: neutral and watchful once more. She did not verbally reply or otherwise acknowledge his words, as chances are it would have been in reprimand, and this was not the time nor the place.

She adjusted to use his arm to hold him upright - somewhat tricky considering he was a full foot taller and she wasn't about to let Delilah shoulder all the weight. Especially by her reaction, but not because of it.

Kyrie wanted to disappear, badly. And she certainly didn't want to be caught in something like this. Duty first. And then she would make it a point of watching over both of them. The earliest she would truly be able to have time to herself would be when they were both in an exhausted sleep. Tomorrow or - Gods forbid - the day after at the latest.

The blonde adjusted a little more to bear equal weight though she was thrown off with Delilah pulling more of the weight to her side as they approached a lift. Even with Delilah's warning, Kiyr was eying the lift dubiously as her gaze came away from the flocking Crows moving to and fro about them. She stopped in the lift, noting the change in weight distribution. Between both of them, Kiyr wasn't sure who was going to give her a bigger headache, first. The slow start was almost lulling, but Kyrie heeded the warning and kept herself ready with her knees bent and a wider stance.

Good thing.

When the ride jerked to a stop, an audible, slow, (and maybe just the slightest bit stuttered) exhale came from David's side. The ride made her distinctly uneasy, but, it wasn't Delilah's fault. They had done a marvelous job so far and she didn't begrudge them for still working out the kinks in their lift.

Kyrie needed no encouragement to get them off the lift, and for a moment struggled with whether she should respond or not.

"I am certain you are much farther than anyone else." Kyrie intoned quietly, to stave off the awkward tension with calm, casual words. Maybe the edge of humour if it was caught on to. Who else even had a working lift? Barker, maybe, but that was beside the point.

Kyrie's eyes swept over he room in a quickly efficient scan and despite the fact it was cement, was distinctly impressed.

"You have no cause to be ashamed or to apologize for your accommodations; I assure you that this is more than enough." She reassured, tone easy and comforting as Delilah was obviously strained about all of this--certain things more than others. Kiyr thought nothing of the beds pushed to opposite sides of the room--chances were very likely she would be too restless to sleep properly or for very long, and she would take the couch. Not out of spite, but she felt like she was...not unwelcome, per se, as Delilah was anything but that. But she felt like an intruder, still.

Blue eyes flicked about again, and she lapsed back to silence as David was addressed to choose his place of rest. Kyrie guaranteed it would be the bed, later, but she imagined - could at least guess - that David would prefer the couch and the view for now. She waited to speak until after they moved David to where-ever he chose, and upon backing away several strides, addressed Delilah, expression still composed. Perhaps even serene.

"Is there anything I can do to make our unexpected stay a little lighter upon the Crows?"

The question was borne as much from being uncomfortable with them all flocking and rushing to prepare for the stay as much as it was to give back and repay the generosity Delilah and the Crows were expressing, despite the trouble - personal and otherwise - that had been caused. And Kyrie had taken much in the past few years that - because it was no longer a necessity, nor should it ever be again - she felt giving back in little ways, other ways, would be acceptable. It wouldn't fix or mend the people she had affected (she had only taken what she needed to survive, but even so), but she had no reason to not offer her services for the hospitality.

And of course, she would prefer something that enabled her to remain close by - she trusted Delilah to be fine with David but the many others were a different story, especially considering both David and Delilah's states - but would carry out any task as quickly and as efficiently as she could if it was required of her to do so. It didn't matter to her that she held the title of 'guest'. It still felt like she was encroaching and invasive, and even though doing tasks wasn't likely to ease the feeling, she would at least know she was doing something productive. She had some anxious energy that wasn't going to go away, but she would sit and suppress it if Delilah refused.

Both of them needed to rest. It didn't take a doctor's degree to see that. Guileless, crystalline blue eyes flicked between the two of them, and then to the view out the windows. Yes. This was more than enough.
[/font]

[David B.]

David remained silent through the walk, not out of lack for things to say, he just felt weak, and needed to concentrate on walking. As they entered the room, he gestured at the couch, the same one Kiyr assumed he would wish to use. He would lay on it, groaning as he was lowered to it. He would adjust himself to be easily comfortable, then would gesture at one of the windows.

"Can you open one of those, Delilah? I need to feel a breeze."

Of course he did. He was the damn Storm Dragon. If anything helped him feel good, it was the sky and the air. He would look to Kiyr.

"I need you to stay with me. In my weakened state, if an assassin shows up-" He didn't look at Delilah while he spoke. It was obvious he wasn't talking about her men, but instead a Qi user for Barker. Someone who could infiltrate. "-I won't have an avenue of escape." It was obvious what he was indicating- she was Shadow One, leader of the Sky Force. He was placing trust in her in a way he rarely did with anyone.

He was entrusting her with his life.

He would turn to Delilah.

"You- pull up a chair and rest as well. I need everyone else out of here- there are only two people here I trust, and that's you two. No offense- there are just delicate matters of state we need to discuss, since i'll be here a while."

He was just careful. If Barkers men could infiltrate Dragon territory, they could do it here. Or were doing it here. He would wait for her to order the room emptied before he started in.

"Not too long ago, Barkers men were able to blend into Dragon territory as civilians. They are, I'm assuming, doing the same here. Myself and Kiyr, as well as a Dragon Core fist stomped a lot of them out, but there are more. We need to coordinate intelligence. Kiyr is the leader of my Sky force Intelligence Division- I'd like to have her start working with you guys intuitively."

He had not explained this to Kiyr, but he was working on finding the time to bring both of them together.

This was as good as any.

[Delilah A. Black]

Depositing David on the couch, Delilah made her way slowly towards the windows. Lord, she ached all over. With a grunt of effort, she pulled the latch and hauled the large, metallic frame of one of the windows with a loud, grinding creeeaaaakkk.

Letting out a pained hiss, she pushed herself away from the windows and staggered back to the couch where David and Kiyr might be seated, only to stop and see the small, blonde girl looking at her asking if there was anything she could do to help. She gave her a tired, reassurring smile and put a light hand on the girl's shoulder, guiding her back to the couch. "Not at all. Your presence here is no burden, and even if it were, that's what the Crows do. But thank you for your thoughtfulness...and thank you for your help bringing him up here."

As she approached, delilah felt a slight prickle to her pride at his words (Giving me orders in my own BASE...Stop it, you're just being bitter and stupid. He helped you, lets not forget.[/i]), before he asked her to sit, followed her next action; no chairs were available, at least not immediately (and God, was she ever hurting...) so she simply sat on the hardwood floor and forced herself to start stretching.

She would continue to do so as David spoke, growling under her breath in pain as she hammered out the kinks in her muscle and the lack of flexibility in her bones. Listening carefully though. When David gave his final proposition, she stopped, looking up and across at Kiyr, seeking her gaze for a moment.

The thought of Barker spies was troubling, especially in the Dragon core. Delilah would fall silent for a moment as she considered, turning her thoughts over in her mind.

"In the beginning, we had such problems," she said after a moment. "Barker wants to keep an eye on everyone. We've weeded out the ones amongst our ranks in the army, but there are doubtless some 'citizens' who hail under a different banner. The main reason we haven't really had this problem, though, is because we don't have anything that Barker wants."

She turned her gaze briefly to David. "You have spies because you and the other Elder Dragons were Barker's original Experiments. He wants to keep an eye on what he thinks is his."

It made sense to her....it also made her think this might be why a force was mounting in the North, where David had shown her a few weeks prior. She looked back at Kiyr, a little more thoughtful.

"It would be prudent to have intelligence working off of the other. My team and I do reconnaissance on a regular basis. We're experts in our field, but your abilities have one over on us." she inclined her head. "I would be pleased to have your help."[/size]

[Kyrie Blaze]

He was also entrusting her with Delilah's.

Albeit on a much lesser scale.

Delilah's actions earned her a surprised blink from Kiyr, who bowed her head, humbled by both David and Delilah in tandem. Delilah's open mind despite the lash - unintentional or intentional, though the blonde was betting on the former - and welcoming ways. David's trust, outright and honest - if lightly veiled by his words - was much different than the odd and subtle ways she showed her own.

But even that didn't stop the building rebuttal in her mind, though she quietly inclined her torso, hand clasped over her heart. Part of her wondered what could have happened had she not decided to put her skills to the test in the first place. Would he have been jumped despite Delilah's - hurting, still - and her group's presence? The one question she didn't need to ask herself was would he have done it had she not been there. Of course he would have--because it was in his nature to do so. Whereas Kiyr's help had come in the form of David on a ruthless rampage with a hundred strong behind him, Delilah's came in the form of David's personal sacrifice and debilitating weakness.

The blonde's blue gaze sharpened and she full-out glared at David for a second, turning her head at the order for Delilah to sit. Perhaps it was simply because David's First Shadow was a female, as well, and she was always paying attention to the reactions of those around her that she could see...but she was, internally, quite livid. 'Yes. First let us make a huge gesture with mending the damage you wrought and Delilah compounded, then ignore the First Crow and turn attention to your Lieutenant - who is completely unscathed, by the way, simply frustrated out of concern - effectively slapping Delilah across the face without so much as raising a finger or Qi, and then order her around without care for the fact she is still in pain--not even offering her a place to sit. Your Voice can have a full report when we get back. I am certain Anna could do a better job than me for verbally whipping you into shape.'[/color] For a moment, her eyes flashed with the tempest crashing within, wanting to escape and say exactly what was on her mind. But she closed her eyes and took a slow, quiet breath, gaze returning to the quiet stillness of a placid and deep pool as she did.

Kiyr herself was not sitting, and she took a half-step forwards, towards Delilah as she lowered herself to the hardwood floor, before stopping and receding, expression carefully etched back to neutrality with her thoughts guarded.

She didn't know if her help was going to be welcome. Well, she was sure it wasn't going to be frowned at, but she didn't want to push her boundaries.

Kyrie quelled and stilled, watching carefully, and positioning herself in such a way that she was the outtermost person to the window, effectively shielding both Delilah and David aligned. Should she need to turn towards the door and get around the couch quickly, it would be a mild disadvantage - she would have to practically leap-frog over Delilah and the couch in a bound or two - but she was not going to present open targets from the window.

It was just too bad she couldn't shield them from all angles.

She turned as David finished speaking, and looked without flinching into Delilah's eyes with a subtle, but still visual, nod. Yes. It was true--all of it. And it was serious.

Standing on a diagonal so she could partly see out the window, and still encompass David and Delilah, Kyrie ebbed her emotions further still, but tilted her head at Delilah's words. Her mind turned them over. And inside out. When Delilah finished speaking, there was something Kyrie knew needed to be addressed.

"While undoubtedly you should be right on Barker wanting to keep one or both eyes on his former Experiments, what kind of target do you think is painted upon your own and the Crows' backs in Barker's eyes for being in such close proximity to the Storm Dragon and the Dragons themselves..?" It was posed gently, moreso because of what had just happened, even though she was certain that Delilah knew this: she just didn't want to face it. Kiyr bowed her head, eyes sweeping down before she looked back up. "You have a bond to us and to the Storm Dragon that no resource can match. An emotional bond: friendship and who knows what to come in the future. He can strike you and potentially cause the Dragons to lash out in a rage."

That was mentioned casually, building the importance of the point she was building on of David's.

She paused, remembering David's wrath upon the twenty Barker soldiers--minus the three she had taken care of. "And we would lash out--Dragons protect their own. This heralds some potentially disastrous and dangerous results, especially if he manages to gain the upper hand if we slip up. We need you to be wary. And to be ready."

Second point was going to be awkward. But, because of what she had previously stated, she hoped Delilah could bear it. Her gaze was centered upon Delilah, though she was aware of the goings-on around her. She was trying to drive home David's point on a level that she could touch with Delilah...if she wasn't throwing herself into a pack of sharks.

"This is one of the reasons I respectfully request that you and your son remain here tonight, First Crow, Delilah Black." She did not know if the Crows had any sort of formal bow - but that was something she would have to know, soon enough - so Kyrie used the one she knew would suffice. A Dragon's bow of respect. She was hoping formality would smooth over any potential, underlying threat, and the anxiety that would come with it. "Your group, of course, can and should remain close by, but I recommend only those you trust to breathe upon your back with weapons to hand. Even though this means putting two targets together, at least we are not separated and cut off."

Kiyr swallowed, slowly, and flicked her gaze between David and Delilah before resting upon the latter once more. A tiny smile flickered over her lips, there and gone again.

"On my skill? I do well enough, but there is always much to learn, and I intend to learn all I can from you and your own. I add my strength to yours and welcome you as an ally." A pause as she tested the word out, the slightest of hesitations coupled with an uncertain blink. "And friend."

That was a heavy offering.

And still other thoughts crossed her mind. One, in particular, was highly disconcerting, but she blinked it away, gaze passing nonchalantly to David and back again.

'...I already know I am a target...'[/color]

As she had said to Delilah, so too, was Kiyr. Perhaps for her skills, her knowledge, her proximity. Power? No. She was nowhere near close to Delilah, let alone David. Potential, perhaps.[/font]

[David B.]

OOC: sorry for the wait

As Kiyr and Del talked, one or both may notice David's breathing evened out.

He was fast asleep.

Not out of disrespect- but Kiyrs irritation at David's curtness and lack of empathy or respect was explained that second- he had been trying to move them quickly so he could talk before exhaustion took him. He didn't have the time for please and thank you's and bows of respect. Within moments, his Qi would have robbed him of the chance to say what he needed, so Kiyr or Anna could berate him later but it would be to no avail.

David wouldn't even get what it was he did wrong, now completely at the mercy of his sleep.

[Delilah A. Black]

Delilah caught a brief look at the glare Kiyr shot David as she sat on the floor, both amused and a little embarrassed. She didn't want to cause problems....but then again, David sort of brought that on himself.

"While undoubtedly you should be right on Barker wanting to keep one or both eyes on his former Experiments, what kind of target do you think is painted upon your own and the Crows' backs in Barker's eyes for being in such close proximity to the Storm Dragon and the Dragons themselves..?

"You have a bond to us and to the Storm Dragon that no resource can match. An emotional bond: friendship and who knows what to come in the future. He can strike you and potentially cause the Dragons to lash out in a rage."

"And we would lash out--Dragons protect their own. This heralds some potentially disastrous and dangerous results, especially if he manages to gain the upper hand if we slip up. We need you to be wary. And to be ready."

Delilah would blink at this last statement. She was sure David would come to her aid if she was in need, but would be bring an army for her? Her gaze flickered over to the now sleeping man on the couch and chuckled wistfully at the sight. But for the moment, she returned her attention to Kiyr, processing her words, smiling at the suggestions she brought forth as well as her offers.

"Of course."

It was pretty much all she needed to say. She agreed with everything. Or she was simply too tired and hurt to argue semantics. She forced herself to rise to her feet and she staggered over to David who was sleeping on the couch. She hauled him into her arms bridal-style with surprising ease and would carry him towards one of the beds. She would set him down as gently as she could and would turn back to Kiyr with a smile, nodding at the bed on the opposite wall.

'You should sleep. I'll take first watch. When you wake up, there will be food here for the both of you."

She would turn back to the living room, one hand on her ear piece as she relayed her instructions to the other Tengu. After a little while Birch would bring Oliver up to the top floor, speak a few hushed words with the First, and then jaunt off on his merry way.

Delilah would hug the already sleepy boy and carry him as she kept watch, bouncing him lightly in her arms until he fell asleep.

[Kyrie Blaze]

As Kiyr finished speaking, she keyed in fully to the sound of David's steady breathing. As Delilah's gaze slid to him, so too, did Kiyr's. It didn't linger, and she shifted her blue-hued-orbs away before she could do much more than blink. They returned to Delilah, even once again.

Except when Delilah got up, they flickered in curiosity and then concern as she made her way over to David. It was not because Kiyr thought Delilah could and would harm him - there was certainly still a wary flicker of awareness - but that Delilah would do such a thing--and Kiyr immediately closed in to help if needed, even if it was to remain at Delilah's side just in case.

And, apparently, to flick back the top blanket, and then lay it so it was half-covering David. '...that looked so awkward I have to admit...'[/color] But when Delilah spoke again with her nod towards the bed, the blonde's first reaction couldn't be stopped: her eyes flared wide, but she didn't take that precautionary step back. She simply stared at Delilah in disbelief.

Oh, of course, on one hand, she understood the reasoning.

Kiyr would need her strength for the night.

The other part of her vehemently protested. David had just said he was entrusting his life to her, literally laying it in her hands. Why was it so much worse with a verbal statement than it was when she threw herself into a fight with and against David? It went over and above the feeling of duty, and was slightly different from the protective instincts she had. It was so shocking, in fact, that Kiyr could swear she heard white noise instead of her own thoughts. Her mind "rebooted" and her thoughts jumbled themselves together. It nearly escalated further than her inner turmoil into panic, but she swallowed, slowly.

Sleep on the bed at the opposite side of the room? Put herself in a disadvantageous position? Not with David completely vulnerable and with Delilah herself still not up to par, no matter the image she was projecting. The stricken look dissipated as Kiyr pressed her lips into a gentle, but stubborn, line.

"I will compromise, though I do not expect that I will sleep much."

She would rest and conserve her energy; she would clear her mind, but she would not sleep. She couldn't and she hoped that Delilah would not take even a shred of offence to it. She strode a couple paces away and settled herself on the floor so she had a view of the door and the windows, and was near enough to David that she didn't feel she wouldn't be able to do anything should it come to it that they would actually be attacked. And she was low, and small, and may not be immediately noticed. Of course, that was just as liable to be true if she was laying on the other bed, but she couldn't bring herself to.

The blonde didn't close her blue eyes straight away, instead favouring keeping a steady but calm vigil. She did allow her eyes to close after a while as her mind began to blank itself, which allowed her to sharpen her already acute hearing. When Birch approached, her eyes quickly flicked open and she watched as he made his way towards Delilah with her son. Kyrie watched the exchange, and much like earlier when Delilah had pressed the device in her ear, kept tabs on them though she really couldn't make out the words. Bright blue eyes followed Birch on his way out just as keenly as she had watched him enter.

Her gaze returned to Delilah for a few moments, then passed around once again. Eventually, her eyes shut once more, though at random intervals she did open them once more to observe and remain aware. The petite woman didn't interrupt Delilah's time with her son, figuring the ebony-haired woman probably didn't get to spend quite as much time with him as she would have liked. The late evening hours, perhaps, and whatever days of rest she had. Kyrie couldn't allow herself to fall asleep, though she was resting--to be honest, she was too on-edge to be able to sleep, either way.[/font]

[Delilah A. Black]

Hours would pass as Delilah sat on the couch with her son in her lap, quietly meditating as she turned her unfocused blue eyes to the window, letting time slip past her eyes as the sun finished it's move across the sky and a blanket of darkness in it's wake.

Tengu (Cain and Heather) would enter a little while after sunset with a small fold up table and a couple of chairs near the 'room' where Kiyr and David were sleeping. One more member (Nick) trailing behind to set the two steaming plates of food on the table -- meaty chili over white basmaati rice. Sergei would follow in a moment later with a small bowl for Delilah with a set of chop sticks laid neatly over the top. He would drop to a kneeling poistion in front of her, offer her the bowl and bow as she took it, holding position for a good seven seconds before getting back to his feet and leaving the room with his comrades.

Delilah would eat in silence, eyes still diligently forward as the young boy snoozed with his head against her thigh.

[David B.]

If Kiyr opened her eyes again, she would find David sitting on the edge of the bed, having moved there, silently. Unbelievably. Like a ghost (DEX and INT CHECK). In his hand was something the size of a baseball, hazy and dark in color, which he was spinning with his hand in a motion akin to "wafting" a scent under your nose. His ice blue eyes could be seen shining in the dark, staring at her, directly, other hand used to prop up his chin, elbows resting on his knees. If she looked at him, he would snuff out the ball of air and stare at her for a long period of time before looking down at the ground.

"Thank you."

For keepig vigil.

And he would get up and walk for the door. He was sore as hell but wouldn't show it, instead moving out, hands in pockets to where Delilah was, assuming Kiyr would follow. He would approach at a slow walk, stopping as he looked around the room, bt saying nothing for a few moments. He would then look to Delilah.

"I hope I didn't hurt you or your people too severely. Are you okay?"

[Kyrie Blaze]

Kiyr didn't get up when the food was brought in, though her stomach twisted in protest of her stubborn, silent vigil. She would eat in a little while; it hadn't killed her before to wait to eat when she was starving, and it certainly wouldn't when she was merely hungry. She watched the visible Tengu come and go, breathing in the smell of rice and chili, and closed her eyes again, content to listen to the very slight sounds coming from Delilah and the sound of steady breathing that was much closer.


Some time later there was a prickle of instinctual awareness, though she heard and otherwise felt nothing. Her eyes flicked open and the first thing she noted - as a blade spun to being in her hand - was the figure sitting upon the bed. She nearly burst from her spot before she noticed who it was. The blonde stared back, slowly releasing the dagger to let it dissipate as the silence stretched.

She inclined her head, more a nod than anything else, and softly intoned her acknowledgement. "Sir."

It wasn't a problem, and her soft tone said it. The small woman pushed herself to her feet to follow as David had assumed she would, stretching limbs one at a time, remaining partway between the table and David and Delilah so she was neither hovering or intruding on their conversation. After a few moments she would perch, sitting on the edge of one of the chairs that she lifted and set back down upon the floor. Kyrie took the first cautious nibble of the rice and chili.

It was good~

[Mr. Kaar]

And targets they where.

Not far off would be two "civilians". They couldn't see the targets, but with the fuss knew from their own recon that The Storm Dragon, The First Black and a few Tengu, and an Apprentice of The Earth Dragon where inside.

"What do you think brother?"

"..."

"I like that plan, but... What ab-"

"..."

"Your just mean. I wanna have some fun too."

Both men simply walked about their business looking at scavenging small trinkets and the like or picking up trash and hauling it to a dump site.

[Delilah A. Black]

Delilah's head didn't twitch as David moved to the bed where Kiyr had decided to rest herself, though she saw him appear there. She did not appear to hear their brief conversation, though she had heard every word with perfect clarity.

And Sergei and Cain chatting in the hall. And the sound of Talon working on the lift. And the sound of her son's heartbeat, voices on the wind through the open window, the smell of the food, the sea, her shampoo (raspberries) and several other things that wafted over her like a river over stone.

She did finally look up as David walked out of the sleeping area into the rest of the loft towards her, lifting her face to his with a tired smile. Her black stained palm stroked idly at Oliver's stark white hair as he stirred in his sleep.

"They're fine; they were barely scuffed up. I took the worst of it, but I'm feeling fine now, thanks to you." she peered at him with raised eyebrows and a slightly questioning look, silently inquiring if he was alright. Healing her as he did had taken a lot of wind out of him...metaphorically and literally speaking.

"You should eat and get back your strength."

MEANWHILE...

[/I][/B][/CENTER]

The two civilian looking people were noted by the Crow patrols, and in their books, could not find a depiction of the two strangers headed towards the dump. This was not unusual, though, as pictures were hard to come by and new arrivees took time to sort. And so, it was rather routine as a corporal with a clipboard in hand and two privates in tow would speed walk towards the two men heading to the junkyard.

"You two! Halt!"

If they complied...

The man would look them up and down with a bored, apologetic expression. "Evening gents. 'Fraid I haven't seen you around before, so I just need to do a quick check. Are you registered citizens with Crows?"

If they did not comply...well, it would depend on what they did that would indicate how the men responded. [/size]

[David B.]

David glanced around, hearing everything that went on outside, though it was likened unto standing in a Crowded room with everyone conversing at once. He could dull the roar of the voices, or single one out, but at this point there was nothing to indicate that need, so he ignored it. He brought the cool breeze in and over his face, tilting his head back a little.

"I'm not hungry. Thank you though- the Heminn Megin* takes a toll, and eating directly after sleep can cause rather....vomitous side effects."

He would turn to glance at Kiyr before looking back at Delilah.

"I am wide awake, now, if you would like to sleep...?"

OOC: *Heminn Megin is Davids healing ability. The words are old Norse for "Ability of Heaven"..

[Kyrie Blaze]

Kiyr took quiet note of that. Obviously, she figured it would be helpful in the future, even though there was a fair chance she wouldn't be around when - because 'if' wasn't an option, from what she could see - he decided to use it again. Anything she could pick up on the aftermath would be helpful.

She continued to eat, though she glanced up with her latest small forkful of chili in her mouth. She blinked at David with a slight nod, but was content to be quiet. And eat; savouring the chili. It was definitely good, though she wouldn't eat too much.