But I'll Take What I Want

[Moonlight Revenge]

(umm! about the new missions? if there were any missions going around by the killjoys)
*looks at Red* you seem to need some rest, don't make yourself too tired

[redhavoc]

*I am about to respond to Moon when I hear the radio. I tense once I hear Max's name. It catches me unprepared and I drop the notebook. What is Max doing with the killjoys? And hurt? He should still be with the unit. I look over at Arson and Gear, trying to tell them I have to go, not matter what. A shiver goes through me and I don't think it's entirely because the room feels cold. I wonder what would make Max run away from BLI and be desperate enough to get the help of killjoys*

*Suddenly I am impatient and I look down at my thin, bruised, and bandaged arms. I know my legs aren't much better, but I am already tired of trying to heal. The world was moving without me. I wanted to be well again, NOW*

[jumpstart]

*I quickly go over to Red when she starts to pull at her bandages a bit. I stop her and she looks up at me, annoyed*

I know, Red, but it's going to take some time for your wounds to heal. The less you mess with them, the faster they'll go, ok?

*She nods, but still looks stressed for some reason. I flop into a chair, already exhausted. I keep Red in sight, in case she starts it up again* Gear, what zone is he in and how long will the trip take, do you think?

[Funhouse Gear]

Max? As in, the drac with the - ? *I mime drawing an 'X' over my mouth* I don't know that we want to get mixed up with him, honestly. *I see the look on Red's face, and feel a bit guilty* Well, he's not the most friendly guy we've met out here... but I'm not the one making the decision.

*I finish the last bit of wiring and snap the raygun closed again* No idea, Jump, I haven't been to the theater. That was before my time. Here you go, Moon. *I toss the gun to her, then get up and cross the room to get my bag* What do you think, Arson?

[Arson Anthem]

*rb* Copy that, Poison. Arson out.

It's Zone 4, a couple hours away. I can get us there. And we're definitely going, Gear. He needs help, we can give him that. It doesn't matter if we like him or not - and besides, something must have happened. There has to be a reason why he can't just go back to the city and get any one of their doctors. *I get to my feet, picking the notebook up and handing it back to Red* And I think we'll have to take you along, Red.

*Jump immediately starts to say otherwise, but I talk over him* You saw what happened when we left her upstairs, and this isn't just a bunch of killjoys she wants to get to. She'll get herself killed trying to follow us. But you - *I turn back to Red* have to promise that you'll do what Jump says. Deal?

[redhavoc]

*I nod energetically. All I have to do is follow the doc? I am good at that, no problem. I wonder why no one else in the room seems as excited by this as I am. I have to remind myself that they do not know Max like I do. I quickly write in my notebook: 'Agreed. Anything I can do to help?'

[petroleumblaster]

*I am oblivious to what is going on in the main room as I make breakfast. I make a nice stack of pancakes and bring out the jam and syrup (both canned). I also put the last of the orange juice on the table and set out plates and silverware. I stick my head into the main room to announce the feast* Breakfast is ready! Do you guys want to eat at the kitchen table or out here?

*I note that Jump looks a bit too awake for this time in the morning and wonder what is going on. Arson is putting away a radio...*

[Arson Anthem]

You can stay there until it's time to get into the van. *I start for the stairs, pausing by the kitchen doorway on my way* We're heading out, PB. We've got a med call in Zone 4. I figure it's about time to head out anyway, and I don't know that we want to bring the, ah, patient, back to a safehouse. Do you think we could have breakfast in the van?

[petroleumblaster]

*I see Jump nod and head upstairs to pack up our clothes and supplies. Arson's not telling me the full story, but I'll ask about that later. I trust her judgement* Pancake tacos? Nothing I haven't done before. I'll make a third with jam, a third with syrup, and leave the last third plain.

*I go back into the kitchen, starting to prepare breakfast to go. I'll pack up the food as well, leaving a good portion of Glass, since she did let us use this safe-house and everything. Plus, you never know who will need it next. I start when I remember Nack is outside as well and we'll need to round her up before we go*

[Funhouse Gear]

*I don't have much to pack and sling my bag over my shoulder before heading into the kitchen to start filling up the assorted canteens and water bottles we carry with us. Crossing through the front room a couple minutes later with my arms full, I see Moon still standing there, looking like she doesn't know what to do with herself* Hey - you're coming, right? We've got food and water for everyone. Probably won't be coming back. PB might need help getting the food to the van, if you'd like to help in there.

[Moonlight Revenge]

thanks for the ray gun, Gear *puts the ray gun in my gun belt* I'm ready
*nods my head* sure, I'd love to help with any possible way
*goes to the kitchen to help PB to get the food to the van*

[Arson Anthem]

*Upstairs, I get my bag out of the bedroom and then pull open the closet. Red can't go running around the Zones in pajamas. It takes some digging, because even though Glass is slim she's still quite a bit bigger than Red, but eventually I find a pair of outgrown jeans with only two patches (one neon blue, the other plaid), a yellow shirt with orange stripes, and a zip-up red sweatshirt that shouldn't be /too/ baggy on her. I feel a bit bad about the brightly colored shirt, but at least she can zip up the jacket and cover it if she wants. Bringing everything back downstairs, I toss my bag on the couch and help Red to her feet*

Come on, you. I've got some proper clothes for you. I'll help you change in one of the back rooms, all right?

[redhavoc]

*I see the clothes and it hits me. With the change in clothes I'll actually look more like a killjoy than BLI. I nod and hold out an arm. Arson helps me up and we move to a back room. I make sure to bring the pen and notebook. I hate not having one. It was very kind of Arson to lend me hers. She's helped me so much and I make a mental note to ask her about that when I get a chance. I know many killjoys would much rather shoot a BLI agent than help one out, even a failed one like me*

*Changing takes longer than expected and Arson has to help me for most of it. I'm embarassed changing in front of someone else, even another female, but I find my arms and legs are very stiff and sore. I can barely stand up on my own for more than a minute as well and I am a bit mortified that I am so weak*

*Arson helps me stand in front of the mirror so I can see myself after I'm done changing. I zip up the red sweatshirt so that only a few stripes show on the shirt and adjust the pants (which are a bit too loose). The shoes are my favorite part. They are no steel-toed boots, but they lace up and I like their blue color. I turn to Arson and nod, wondering if the clothes make the killjoy. I certainly don't feel like one yet, assuming I'll know someday if I ever feel like one*

[Arson Anthem]

*I smile when I see Red with all the new clothes on. She looks so much more like a kid, now... it's almost strange to see her in something other than a drac uniform.* You look a proper killjoy, now, Red! *She makes a bit of a face, like she's not sure what to think of what I said, and I add* but don't worry, we're not picking your side for you. Just because you look like one doesn't mean you are one.

*I start to lead her to the door, but then pause* One other thing. *unstrapping my holster from my belt, I get it situated at Red's waist instead; the jacket is big enough that the holster is out of sight* Don't tell Jump I gave you this, okay? And don't look at me like that, it's just a loan. I'm not ready to give up my gun /that/ easily. But you're probably a better shot than I am, and you can't fight right now.

*Red still looks unconvinced, so I try rephrasing* Think of it as spreading the strength throughout the team so you're not a weakness. Good? Good. *I take her hand to lead her back to the front, adding* Besides, I don't want anything to happen to you.

[redhavoc]

*I look up at Arson, a bit shocked. I think she means it. I also caught that part about me being part of the team... and being trusted with a gun...*

*Arson brings me out to the van. I'm already exhausted and just want to sit as soon as possible, so I don't complain when she lifts me into the van and straps me in, handing me the notebook. I look longingly at the drivers seat. Maybe someday... Arson leaves and I watch people pack up the van as the sun comes up across the desert*