trans_9 | I appreciate your help to date... [Howards Warehouse: Open]

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I appreciate your help to date... [Howards Warehouse: Open]

Diana was no fool.

The moment that horrid voice had echoed through the ship she'd thrown herself into survival mode.

She'd scrambled about her make shift 'apartment', ignoring the small bags she'd hidden all over the place and packing whatever else was left into two large pillow cases, especially her food. Her food and water. The first things she'd grabbed. The first things after her stomach had clenched painfully as the threat of taking away their resources rang in her ears. Anything that wouldn't fit went into little extra bags, which this time, she did take with her.

There was no double checking. No handy little checklist. Diana knew what she needed. She grabbed it all and went out the door. Leaving it swinging on its hinges. Closing it was a waste of time.

She strode with purpose. The bags suppressing and difficult to carry, but she pushed on. Dragging the pillow cases, drawstrings and straps of bags wrapped around her like a pack mule.

With panicked breath she walked a long winding path towards Howards warehouse, careful to avoid alleys where she could be trapped in. Keeping behind cover. No running. She was an obvious target already with so much stuff, running would just draw extra attention.

Her load become lighter over time, as she shoved small supply bags into the nooks and corners along the path. No markers. Markers were too obvious. She just had to remember where she put them. And if she couldn't, well, that's what the one's back in the apartment were for.

Hugging the mounds of Howards discarded 'projects' she finally found her way to where the spare key was hidden and went inside.

Throwing the pillowcases down onto the floor she began digging through Howard's stash of supplies before pulling out two massive black bin bags. Shoving them down her blouse, she left the warehouse, locking and stuffing the key back into its hiding place.

She allowed herself one moment to take a deep breath, then she set off in a brisk jog towards the cafeteria, wrenching a lead pipe from one of the haphazard mounds, it was heavy and unwieldly, but it was something.

Time to see if she could avoid robots.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Moving like a cat a pink haired figure was zipping from rooftop to rooftop.

But she was slower then usual, more deliberate more careful. It was something Jinx resented deeply.

She couldn't rely on her luck, not anymore. Now it was all about the skills she had trained and studied. The things she had learned to protect herself, there was something to be said for never relying on luck.

On her person she had only a couple weapons and her thieving tools. A dagger, a small laser pistol and some smoke bombs.

The machines were coming, she saw some of them flying, in the distance flashes of light and the sounds of combat warned her that the battles were getting closer and closer to her apartment and she wasn't going to be sitting helpless when they came.

She lit on a flagpole to decide where to go. She only had a few friends on the ship that she would be concerned about...and as fate would have it she caught the image of one moving in the corner of her eye.

Now what's she up to? Jinx mused watching the pretty girl escape back into the city. After being sure that the small patrols of robots stomping through the streets weren't heading in her direction Jinx lightly descended to the ground.

Smooth and without hesitation Jinx found herself taking a knee in front of the warehouse and picking the lock with a satisfying click of her picks. She was in and closing the door behind her.

From pole, to ground to inside, two minutes flat.

Still got it! She praised herself as she slipped through the room like a shadow exploring. What a treasure trove! How many warehouses like this were around the city? Just this one?

Either way now wasn't the time for stealing. She'd just have to remember this place later. Was it Diana's? Was she looting at a time like this?

It was a good hour before the door of the warehouse moved again. The sound of a key being rammed into a lock, before a pause.

On the other side, Diana had noticed how the key had been ineffective, as the door was already unlocked. She swallowed nervously as she thought this over, white knuckled hands gripping two big bags filled with glop.

It could be Howard inside, afterall he had his own key. But then again, it could be someone else entirely. She should text Howard to see where he was.

But something made a noise down one of the alleyways.

She made a split second judgment call, worst comes to worst, someone else is inside taking supplies and using shelter, a robot wouldn't bother shutting the door.

So she slunk in, closing the door behind her quietly so as not to draw attention from anything inside or outside the warehouse.

Jinx heard the door open and froze, she had been taking stock of the supplies to see if there was anything she wanted for herself as well as keeping her ears open. There was a chance the machines wouldn't come here if they were focused on the more important areas of the ship.

When the door closed she let out a little breath of relief and began to creep along the edge of a box trying to steal a peek at who just came in.

The glop bags were much heavier than the pillow cases she'd brought earlier. When she'd filled them back at the cafeteria, she'd had to ditch the metal pipe so she could make full use of both hands in order to get back to the warehouse.

Now, she dragged the massive bulk across the floor towards the carcass of a freezer propped against the wall. Howard had something about trying to get one working again, she wondered if it were this one. Most likely not, but it was thick and relatively cool inside, a good place to store the slimy food.

Diana could feel eyes on her as she continued, but since they hadn't ambushed her yet she forced herself to ignore them and remain focused on her load. She couldn't resist a jibe though. "There's no point in hiding you know, you left the door unlocked, I know you're here."

If was an effort checking the tightly tied necks of the bags and rolling them into the container but the only sign of fatigue Diana showed was a slight pant.

Making her way over to one of the pillowcases she'd left on the floor, she plunged her hand in and pulled out two small energy snacks. Shoving one roughly into her jeans pocket, she ripped off the packaging of the other with her teeth and crammed it into her mouth. Ungraceful, but she didn't care, she did not want to be running around fueled on nothing but adrenaline. Not again.

"You might aswel just come out." She said after she swallowed, wiping her mouth with her hand and licking off any crumbs like a starved cat; vain but not wasteful.

"If only so I know who I'll be using as laser fodder." A not so joking joke as she tipped any scraps from the packet into her mouth.

"Now that's just rude." Jinx remarked casually from directly behind Diana. She had moved there while the girl was distracted by her snack. "I thought I ranked a little higher then laser fodder at least."

Diana turned and smirked upon seeing Jinx.

Bumping into Jinx was, ironically, a stroke of luck. She'd found some who would at least be willing to watch out for her a little in this hairy situation.

"Of course you are." Diana responded, smiling a sweet false smile. "You fall under the term 'playmate'~"

That made Jinx laugh a gentle sort of chuckle, "Well I'll take it then so long as they aren't one and the same."

She slid back and took a seat on one of the boxes, "Someone's been a busy girl though. Where did you find all this?" She gestured to the surrounding collection assuming it was Diana's.

"Guess we'll just have to wait and see about that."

Diana remembered how thirsty she was from the running, and how the dry snack had added to it. She dug through her pillowcase again, pulling out some bottle water.

"I'm always a busy girl."

She drank just enough to quench herself, then screwed the cap tightly shut and returned the bottle back where she'd found it.

Jinx got back onto her feet and began to scale the boxes with practiced ease moving to a high window. "Well you know what they say about idle hands." She peered through the dusty window hoping not to see a legion of robot death machines marching down the street.

"No offense but could your neon pink hairstyle away from the windows?"

Diana put her hands on her hips.

"Some of us are actually trying to lay low."

Jinx rolled her eyes and adjusted her stance so she was less visible speaking in a hushed but audible voice, "Yeah which is how I found you in the first place. You laying low." It wasn't an argument worth having and she'd let it drop soon enough. But only because she was running through some numbers in her head. She slipped back down the boxes as she thought about exactly how difficult it would be to defend from a place like this. She began to casually shuffle around with her usual catlike grace checking for alternative exits.

Diana watched Jinx moved around for a moment before leaving her be. She had her own work to do, standing around wasn't going to be of use.

God knew the bitch fit Howard might throw when he saw Diana had moved his things but she honestly couldn't bring herself to care. Heck, it would probably just end up being funny.

But if she was going to be held up here, she wanted to have some control. As she set about moving a few boxes and random items, Diana looked about for Jinx and asked. "Is this just a short visit or have you come to bless us with your extended company?"

"Well it's your hiding place after all." Jinx mused now looking up to the rafters working out some other tactics in case a fight broke out, "So it's really up to you. "I didn't have much of a plan except, "Survive and hope the others figure out how to shut this all down." And honestly that bothered her the most. She wanted to be in control of her fate, but as most often when situations like this came up unless you were somehow thrown into the middle of it you weren't going to be saving the day.

"That sounds pretty much like my plan." And, like Jinx, it seemed Diana wasn't to thrilled about the prospects.

"But this isn't my place. I've just sort of taken my invitation a bit far." Howard had asked to meet up, sure, but Diana had no doubt he would not be too happy about the idea of her sticking around.

She flashed Jinx a smile. "So, my question still stands."

"Misery loves company." She smiled back, "I'll stay for now, I don't have anywhere I'd rather be after all." of all the times to compliment/flirt this really wasn't it, but at least Diana could understand why Jinx was more confident then concerned.

"I'll take that as a compliment, though I must say your level of flattery is dropping."

But having Jinx around was good. Jinx was usable.

Plus, it would be so much fun to not only rile Howard up with someone else being in the warehouse, but also it being someone she could irritate him with as she flirted.

It would pass the time at least.

"Forgive me then." Jinx mocked a pout, "You deserve far better flattery. Remind me when we're not waiting to be killed and I'll make it up to you."

And as for Jinx, she was mostly sticking around because it wouldn't do to have one of the only people she respected on the ship killed by robot hordes. She was well aware she stood a much better chance in a fight then Diana.

As Diana finished moving the last of the objects it became clear what she'd done. Near one of the walls (but not pressed against it, that felt too trap like) she'd made a very, very small area similar to a fox den, close to one of exits for a quick escape, where she could curl herself up.

Looking at her handiwork with an expression that simply said 'it'll do' she turned back to Jinx. "Well, I'm sure I could fit you in here."

And if giving a little affection would assure her more protection from Jinx then Diana wasn't about to turn it down.

"Unless you'd rather be somewhere else?" She teased.

Jinx chuckled admiring Diana's handywork. "No place else comes to mind." and a playful wink, "And you already know I'm very flexible. We'll be nice and cozy."

The potential end of their lives, why wouldn't they want to spend it pressed close to someone pleasant and warm.

With a sly smirk, Diana coiled herself up into her little den, settling down as if ready for a long wait, glad she'd 'borrowed' some of the softer items she'd found around the place for her to sit on.

Her face slowly fell to a more impassive and calm expression but every so often, her eyes would dart to all the exits. Finally, she met Jinx's eyes expectantly and held her gaze.

Jinx felt a bit of blush creep into her pale cheeks and slid gracefully and carefully into Diana's little nest curling up comfortably like a cat. She couldn't think of anything witty or clever sounding despite trying, probably because her mind was still half on the enemies outside and how she would handle things if they burst through the roof or the door.

They sat in silence for a little while, pressed together because of the small space, listening out for any noises outside.

Idly, Diana found herself wondering where Howard's cat had gotten too.

"So..." Her pretty fingers tickled at Jinx's palm teasingly, resting just enough inside the other girls hand to give the idea they might hold hands if Jinx closed her fingers around Diana's. "Can I count on you to flip kick some robots for me? Or do I have to go off and find myself a white knight?"

Then again, white knights went for the nice, innocent princesses, but when things went up the creek like this, Diana would settle for a dragon so long as she could stay safe in its guarded tower.

Jinx couldn't help but smile at the question, "I'm not much of a hero, but I'm pretty selfish and greedy, so I think you can count on me to try and make sure no killer robots take you away from me." she offered knowing that was a large part of why Diana was letting her stay.

"I don't make a habit of heroics but I also know you're too smart go and get yourself put in harms way on purpose."

It would just take some rotten luck.

Approving of Jinx's answer, Diana allowed herself lean more deliberately against the slender girl in way of a reward.

"I'll be sure to stay nice and close then." She flashed Jinx a small smirk.

Diana's fingers continued tickling patterns on Jinx's palm.

"I'm flattered, but believe me, I have no interest in heroics." Heroics got people killed.

"That's good, because playing hero is for chumps." Jinx laughed softly brushing aside her own flirtation with the idea of switching her career path.

She felt the touches, the strokes, the shivers of delight it sent through her and the way it kept her cheeks rosy. Jinx was no fool, well aware of what she suspected all of Diana's affection meant.

But even if she was being played, it didn't suck. It felt nice even being used for her skills. So she let her fingers curl and held Diana's hand. she let herself savor the little feelings and pushed aside the rational proud part of her mind that insisted she not fall for these little games.

Cassie arrived with a familiar looking cat cradled carefully in her arms and a very worried look on her face. She'd managed to successfully get both Emergency Ration and the parrot, Alan, out of the Inn which remained a possible danger spot, but on the way Alan had flown off and she'd been unable to stop him from leaving. Her fear for the parrot's safety had almost caused her to try to pursue him right then, but she hadn't forgotten that she still had Emergency Rations' safety and care to consider nor had forgotten her promise to Howard to bring his cat to him. So, she'd continued on as quickly as she could to the Warehouse, careful to jostle the cat as little as possible, with the intention of going in search of Alan as soon as Emergency Rations was safe.

Not that she really knew how she was going to track a parrot without her morphing abilities and enemy robots all over the place, but she had to at least make the attempt. She wasn't sure that she would be able to live with herself if Alan ended up hurt or killed because of her carelessness.

"Howard?" she called as she entered, the cat still wrapped gently in her arms. "Are you here?"

"No. Just us I'm afraid."

Diana had tensed slightly when she'd heard the door, eyes fixing on the shape entering the warehouse.

Now, she was relaxed again.

The beautiful girl sat, curled up in her little fox den that had invaded Howard's space, leaning against a slim, pink haired teen.

Her dark eyes flicked down to the cat in Cassie's arms.

"Oh, so that's where Rations had gotten too."

"Rations?" Jinx repeated with a sort of bemused smile on her face. It was a clever name for a pet if one had that kind of humor. She took a moment to assess Cassie, looking her over subtly, deciding just how much a threat she may be on multiple fronts.

Cassie also tensed, surprised by the unfamiliar voices and a bit on edge given the current situation, but she forced herself to take a deep breath and relax some. And she did manage to relax a little, but she remained completely focused on the two strangers. The killer robots were new to her, but the concept of being surrounded by potential dangers was an uncomfortably familiar one.

Relief rushed through her at the friendly use of the cat's name, but still she hesitated. "You know her? Are you friends of Howard?"

She looked back and forth between the two strangers. From her point of view, they didn't look like potential threats, but she knew well that looks could be deceiving. Often it was those who looked the most harmless who were the greatest threat, but the fact that neither was in a position to attack seemed to support the idea that they were no danger to her or Emergency Rations. Although she was aware of the gazes focused on her, she ignored them and offered a friendly smiled, holding her position until she was given some signal to move forward. She highly doubted that she was the only one nervous about this situation and she didn't want to risk to starting trouble were there was no need for it.

"I'm Cassie."

"Diana."

She twirled her long, dark hair around her finger idly.

"Howie invited me over."

Diana returned Cassies smile with a smirk. "You don't have to hang around the door all day, you know."

Sighing, she gave Cassie a look as though she were irritated by something. "Did he tell you how long he'd be?"

Jinx said nothing for now, though disappointed that her hiding place with Diana was now going to become more crowded.

Still it was better then being out there fighting for her life, and she was sure she'd find more time with Diana when it was all over.

So for now she just smiled warmly and welcoming to this stranger, prepared for the worst.

"It's nice to meet you both," Cassie responded with a smile, taking particular note of the pink haired girl's silence. It concerned her some, but the smile put her a bit more at ease. Given the current situation, the stranger's reaction was plenty reasonable.

"I- Yes. Thank you," she responded softly to Diana's offer, watching the pair for another moment before making her decision. Both Diana and the girl whose name that she still didn't know seemed friendly enough, so she did walk in a few more steps, pushing the door shut behind her before gently putting Emergency Rations on the ground. There would be no more animal escapes today. She was still horribly worried about Alan. Was he safe? She... she had to find him before he was hurt, but first she needed to see Howard and make sure that he was okay.

She shook her head in answer to Diana's question. "No, he just asked me to meet him here. ... I'd assumed that he'd already be here. Do you know where he is?" It was worrying that Howard wasn't here yet. He'd mentioned that there had been trouble in Med Bay... could something have happened to him?

Cassie glanced at the door nervously and bit her lip, unsure of what she should do next. Should she go look for him? Would she even be able to be of any help without her morphing abilities or would she simply make things worse? She couldn't just stand here and wait though. There had to be something that she could do to help.

Diana tried to greet the feline by calling it over and scritching the top of its head.

"He'll be fine." Diana waved her hand dismissively, as if unconcerned. "Howard will show up, he always shows up."

She went back to slumping against Jinx.

Jinx appreciated the feeling of Diana letting it keep her relaxed, "Not much to do but wait for either the ship to be torn apart or for the robots to get trashed." She mused.

And sure enough, he does. Although he looks like he's been dragged behind a car. The bandage around his head wound has come loose, his nose is bleeding again, and the left side of his face has transformed into a nasty purple bruise that spreads from his forehead down past his lower lip. His knees are skinned and dried blood is running down into his socks, and he's limping. A careful look at his motions would reveal that he's ever so slightly trembling.

He doesn't even bother pointing out that Diana moved some of his stuff. He dumps his backpack and kit and the door and locks it. "Hey, Hallmark. You got the cat?"

He shoots Jinx a glare. "Diana, I didn't give you permission to bring your girlfriend."

Cassie had nodded at Diana's and Jinx's comments, but doubt and worry had clouded her eyes as she tried to decide on what to do next. That decision became obvious though as Howard stumbled in a moment later.

She'd gasped in horror when she saw Howard's condition, rushing over to him. "Howard! What happened?" She quickly scanned the room, looking frantically for anything that she could use to clean and re-bandage his wounds. "Sit down, Howard. You shouldn't be moving around in that state!" Her eyes falling on the items that he had just put down, she asked, "Does one of those carry medical supplies? We need to re-bandage your wounds immediately or we risk an infection."

Her gaze then darted to Diana and Jinx a moment later as she remembered the pair's presence. She needed supplies that she doubted Howard was carrying around with him and they'd been here longer than she had so they might well be able to get her the items that she still required. "Can you two get some clean water and cloths so I can clean his wounds better? Also, some ice for the bruise if there's any around. Quickly please." She still didn't consider herself much of a medic, but if there was one thing that she knew it was how to clean and bandage wounds even if she didn't normally do this for humans. One of the first things her father had taught her when she'd begun helping out in his clinic had been how to clean and treat wounds so that they'd heal nicely and without complications. Given the nature of her father's clinic, it had been a common job for her, second only to giving animals their medications.

She bit back her worry as she motioned more insistently for Howard to sit down. "You don't need to worry about Emergency Rations. She's here and perfectly safe, although..." Her thoughts drifted back to Alan again, guilt spreading across her face once more. "Alan escaped when I tried to bring him. As soon as I get you taken care of though, I'm going to go find him. I promise, so you don't need to worry."

(OOC: If this is awful, then let me know and I'll fix it. Thank you!)

"Exterminate!" Diana crowed as Howard walked though the door, smiling a sharp toothed smile.

She raised her hand, which was still coupled with Jinx's, in a half hearted greeting. "Hi Howie, you look amazing."

Diana shrugged, still leaning on Jinx. "I didn't bring her, she broke in."

She gave Cassie a skeptical look at her insistence for assistance and sighed in an irritated manner out the side of her mouth. Then Diana's pretty eyebrows raised themselves as Cassie listed off the things she needed.

That was alot of water the girl wanted to waste.

"Can't you just splash him with alcohol? I'm sure Howie's got some med kits stashed in here somewhere with the rubbing kind in it."

"Yeesh." Was Jinx's first reaction to seeing Howard. Then the banter back and forth and a coy smile when he glared at her. Diana explained how Jinx had gotten in and she chuckled, "I was of the understanding it was public private property."

However after all the teasing she was faced with a choice. She could help Cassie by fetching the things that she asked for and sooth Howard's frustrations...amusing though they were.

Or she could remain planted firmly and smugly on the sidelines, more loyalty to Diana who she liked better then Howard anyway for obvious reasons.

On the one hand this was Howard's hiding spot after all and getting into a yelling match would benefit no one.

On the other hand, if he tried to kick them out he'd be sadly surprised that Jinx wasn't totally defenseless without her powers.

On the other other hand, they stood a better chance at surviving if they were united as a team.

On the other other other hand, it was kind of fun to watch him suffer.

For now she opted to wait, after all it didn't look like he was going to die. Idly she glanced around the room at the crates and boxes wondering just what treasures lay hidden inside.

Edited 2011-12-18 13:56 (UTC)

The look Howard gives Diana could shatter glass. He agrees with Diana to some extent that Cassie's overreacting, but that doesn't mean he's in any mood for her lip. He takes a seat on the couch, head in his hands. Every time he blinks he feels like someone's hacking into his brain with an axe, and his balance is still a little off. Stupid concussion.

"Med kit's the one with the red cross logo on it," he says to Cassie. "I just need to get it disinfected again. I don't think I need stitches anywhere."

He's not happy to hear about Alan, but at least he did what he could, and it sounds like Cassie did what she could, to try and protect him. If it's out of their hands, well, Zou will be upset, but Alan's just a bird, after all. Maybe Alan was just too smart to go willingly to a house with Howard and Diana, who secretly view him as something of an emergency roast if push comes to shove. "He'll find Zou, probably. He'll be safe. Don't worry about it."

His train of thought is similar to Diana's, since he glances up at them to pursue that question: "have you guys been capping off water from the tap before SHODAN cuts it off? There's empty mayonaise jars in the pantry."

He turns to Jinx. His tone gets venomous. "And you. Get the hell out of my house. You'd think the locks, broken or not, would tell you this doesn't belong to you."

"But..." Cassie started to protest, but then stopped, pressing her lips together to form a thin line.

She frowned as she turned her attention back to the immediate issue, obviously still very worried and not at all happy with the attitude being given to the situation, but she also didn't press it any further at that moment. She didn't want to risk wasting any more time.

Grabbing Howard's medical kit, she brought it over to him and opened it, fishing out some bandages, alcohol pads, and gauze. "Let's get it cleaned up before we make any decisions on something like that," she told him, as she began to clean his wounds as gently as she could while still getting the job done. "What happened to you anyway? This doesn't look good at all."

Guilt was written on her face as Howard tried to comfort her about Alan. Bending her head down further, she focused entirely on her work, unwilling to even try meeting his eyes. It was her fault. She knew that all too well and now... She had to be sure that Alan was okay. "I'll probably still go take a look around anyway, just in case," she commented, trying to sound casual and failing.

With another irritated sigh, Diana uncurled herself, brushing her hand over Jinx's arm as she got up and nonchalantly made her way over the the pantry. "Yessir, Bruised and Broken."

She didn't defend Jinx, she'd made her own invitation clear so if the girl wanted to take it and stay she can stick up for herself. And if she couldn't at least do that then Diana didn't really have a use for her.

But in all honesty, Howard couldn't throw anyone out, beaten up state or not. Not because he was sofie, oh god no, far from that. He just couldn't physically literally throw someone out.

She turned stiff pipe, jar held under the tap, waiting to see if anything would even come out.

Jinx gave him a dry stare and counted on her fingers. "One: This isn't a house it's a warehouse. Two: You're not in any sort of state to throw me out even if I did break in. Third: If this place gets attacked you probably want someone who can fight without powers so you can limp out the back door."

Rude yes, but also oddly reasonable.

"Just relax and try not to bleed out all over your loot."

For the most part, Howard keeps wincing to a minimum while Cassie patches it up. He doesn't want Diana thinking he's weaker than he is. She may be an ally, but like all FAYZ kids, that's only half a step away from being an enemy. Allegiances shift quickly, and currently the only thing bonding them is shared priorities.

Under his breath, he whispers to Cassie, "thanks." He tries to look her in the eyes but her head's bowed.

Howard glares at Jinx, but the weird girl does have a point. "Alright. But this time only. And I'll need to know a little more about how it is you plan to fight without your powers. Kung fu?"

It's strange to give out orders, and naturally his voice chooses that sentence to crack on. He's really the furthest thing from a born leader. He's always preferred sidekick.

Cassie mostly ignored Diana and Jinx for now, not because she wasn't interested in what they had to say because she was, but because she thought her attention would be better spent getting Howard cleaned up at the moment.

"You're welcome." She responded to his whispered words of thanks with equal quiet, her voice loud enough for only Howard to hear. "Anytime, Howard." With that, she handed him a gauze pad to help with the bloody nose. Her voice was louder now as she instructed him. "Put this over your nose, pinch your nostrils together, and lean your head forward a bit. It should stop soon."

As she finished cleaning up the last of the blood, she reached for the bandages and began wrapping anything that required covering. She mentally thanked her parents for not only teaching her how to wrap bandages, but for making her practice repeatedly until she could get this all done quickly on top of completing the task well. It was a great help and she was grateful for all that she'd learned.

After she finished with the last wound, she quickly surveyed her work to make sure that everything was as it should be and then finally glanced back up at Howard. "Those should hold. How are you feeling?" She winced at the bruise on his face. "Do we have any ice? We can at least try to bring down the swelling some."

Diana left the small stream of water slowly filling up the large jar.

She dug her way through the freezer, which was still the coldest place in the warehouse, operating or not, and came over to slap a cooled gel pack onto his bruised cheek, voice devoid of sympathy. "Don't waste ice on Howard, he'll just get beaten up again."

Diana took a moment to look him over, her eyes giving away nothing but skepticism. Then, in a few, almost forced movements, she pulled the energy snack from her pocket, ripped it in half and pressed it harshly into his hand. "Eat that before the adrenaline wears off and the cramps kick in."

Her hair whipped the air as she turned and made her way back over to the tap. "I don't need you whining like pre-teen on her first period."

She replaced the jar with a new one before it overflowed and screwed the lid securely.

Jinx chuckled at Diana's near constant verbal abuse of Howard, it was like being back at HIVE academy really. Jinx loved it.

"Kung Fu" Makes what I do sound silly and stereotypical. But it's a form of martial arts yes. I've been training against killer robots for five years before you know...the end of the world happened."

Not that she was looking forward to falling back on her training.

"Like I got thrown through a wall. Which I did." He shoots a glare at Diana, especially over the comment on getting beaten up, and then, more quietly to Cassie, "dizzy. Really dizzy."

He leans his head forward with the tissue, taking the snack from Diana with the reverence of someone who never expected Diana to ever part with food on his behalf. Of course, these are extraordinary circumstances. "Ice is in the freezer. You see tears on this face, Diana?"

She won't, because he learned in his first years of school that crying makes the bullies hit you harder, and he views Diana with the same kin and reservation.

"Oh, good, Pinky, so your world ended too."

Cassie frowned worriedly at what Howard had told her. Dizzy... wasn't good, especially following a head injury. This was also where her own knowledge faltered. Animals got head injuries certainly, but she doubted that they were treated in the same way and, even assuming that they were, it had been her father who had dealt with the more serious injuries like things involving the head. She took care of their patients after her father had done his work, but he'd been the doctor. She racked her brain trying to come up with what little first aid that she could remember.

"If... if it gets any worse, then we may need to see if we can find a doctor. Or something." While dodging killer robots. This was probably not going to work well, but Howard could hardly treat himself. "No more moving around for you though. You need rest and we'll get some ice on your head." That was right, wasn't it?

Climbing to her feet, she made her way over to freezer with some bandages in her hands and wrapped some ice lightly with the fabric so that it could be felt without being too cold. She could only hope that this would hold well enough. The gel pack that Diana had brought for Howard would help too, but the ice was better for her purposes because she could adjust it more easily. It wasn't as though Howard was lacking in bruises that needed treatment anyway, much to her concern.

With that done, she returned to Howard and gave him wrapped ice. "Put it on your head and lay down. Let me know if you start feeling sicker."

To all three, she added, "The bickering here seems counterproductive. We should be working together."

The fact that one of them had some experience with this type of situation was a positive, although Cassie would much prefer that this ability remain unused given the circumstances. "We're probably best off just trying to secure this place. If we have to fight then we do, but it would be better to not have to do anything of the sort." What would she do in the event that she had to fight? Without her ability to morph, would she be of any use? Would she even be able to survive a clash?

Edited 2012-01-05 05:39 (UTC)

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I appreciate your help to date... [Howards Warehouse: Open]

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