"Fine." Even though Karkota thought it'd be hard to fall asleep again, it really wasn't. Her words hit his ears and he was out. The chair was uncomfortable, and it was rather squeaky. But that wasn't gonna stop him.
(Skip till morning or do you have something planed?)
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((I got nothing. Hospital scenes are usually uneventful))
(Yeah pretty much. So just skip till morning? Or skip to when Tessa is outta the hospital?)
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((Hmm, I'd say skip to when she's out. You want me to start or you?))
(Yeah totally lets do that, and could you start?)
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((Sure thing))
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Tessa sat on the hospital bed after pulling up her leggings, then grabbed the (fashionably) tattered and cropped sweater and pulled it over her head, yanking it down. She was finally being discharged. Cinthia and Wolf had come in on the occasion to check in on her, and they had kept her from trying to get out early. She hated hospitals and claimed she hated the twins for forcing her to stay, but she–and they–knew that she viewed them as family and could never truly hate them.
She slipped on her sandals and waited for Karkota to come back, kicking her legs back and forth as she idly stared out the window.
Karkota honestly had no idea how long it'd take her to get ready. And while he was basically just roaming the hospital, he was pretty sure he'd gotten lost somewhere along the way. Gosh, it was almost like the made hospitals mazes on purpose. "Excuse me," he called to a nurse before asking for directions back to Tessa's room. The nurse kindly told him to take a few lefts, go down a floor and then a right. And even though he was still very confused, he went on his way.
"Are you ready?" He asked through the door, knocking lightly. It'd taken him a while to find his way back, especially since he decided to grab a wheelchair on the way. Healed or not, Karkota wasn't ready to take chances with Tessa's wounds yet.
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She turned around, then stood, rolling her shoulders and testing out her leg. Minimal pain. She could deal with minimal pain. "Yeah, I'm good," she said, opening the door and coming face to face with Karkota. She had no clue what to do with him now. He had saved her life, no matter how much she wanted to deny it, and she had actually started to care about him during the time that he was supposed to be under her watch. When he had every right and chance to escape, he didn't (except the one, but that doesn't count in her book).
Karkota was stunned for a moment. Why? He didn't really know. But there was something, even if he didn't quite know what it was. "Great!" He said with a smile taking an awkward step back. "I got you a wheelchair. I didn't know if your leg was gonna be good enough to walk on or not." Karkota gestured to it. "Though I wouldn't risk it, so I do suggest the chair."
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She crossed her arms and put most of her weight on her uninjured leg. "You should know by now I'm not using that thing," she said with a hint of amusement, her lips twitching up in a slight smile. Despite her aversion to everything related to hospitals and white lab coats, she seemed oddly at ease at the moment.
"Can you stop being stubborn for like five (5) minutes?" Karkota rolled his eyes, though honestly he didn't mind. Her being stubborn was what made being around her so much fun. Being the heir to his own group ment most any one did as he said, and though sometimes it had its benefits, being defyed was something new. "I'm not moving untill you do." He grinned, almost challenging her.
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She smirked and did a little dramatic twirl, grinning brightly at him once she was facing him once again. "There. I moved." Her hair had fallen into her face when she did the twirl, but she didn't seem to mind, as she didn't make a move to brush it away. Surprisingly, her leg didn't hurt that much when she did the movement, and her stomach didn't hurt much either. I guess hospitals are good for a few things…
(I don't officially start my internship untill next month, so I should be here for the rest of June.)
Karkota stared at her dumbfounded for a second. Trying to figure out what she ment, but when it hit him he chuckled. Rolling his eyes again. "Not what I ment." But he didn't try and push the topic any further. He knew if she didn't want to get in the wheelchair, she wouldn't. He'd probably have been the same way.
Karkota was tempted to reach out and push her hair from her face. Though he figured he'd probably lose his hand if he did, so he didn't. "Your friends meeting us down stairs?"
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(Sweet! And good luck with your internship! I, on the other hand, won't be very active next week as I'm going on vacation)
Her grin turned sarcastically sweet when he said that her twirl wasn't what he had meant. "You said I had to move, so I moved. Not my fault you left a loophole." She booped his nose and brushed by him, her limp slight but still there. "And yeah, Cin and Wolf'll be downstairs to take us to the hideout. We'll be with them and Demitri, but it's huge and we all tend to stick to ourselves, so you won't see them very much. On the plus side, Cin's a really good cook, and Wolf knows how to make some hella good desserts."
(Have fun on your vacation! But also make sure to be safe-)
Karkota rolled his eyes. He had left a loophole just as she'd said, so that one was on him. "You knew what I ment," he grumbled and followed.
"Geez, I'm assuming they're only gonna be there for two reasons? Protecting you, and making sure I'm not gonna run?" He had actually considered it at some point, running. But honestly if he'd wanted to run he'd have done it after he hadn't been aloud in the ambulance. "Also if you fall, I get to say I told you so."
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((Safe isn't an issue, as we are spending more time in the cabin than actually doing things. So much freaking rain, it's unreal. Today was the first time we actually went out to do something, and now my legs are sore from all that walking and climbing up and down stairs. Doesn't help they don't exactly make some of those stairs short people friendly…))
Tessa turned around long enough to stick her tongue out at him for his last comment. "More like babysit me as opposed to you. Cin and Wolf are twins, so they're obviously going to be together no matter what, and Demitri has been best friends with Cinthia for practically their entire lives. Those three aren't involved with Rawling, and nor will they ever be. They're part of our own sort of crew, with Cin as our nanny—er, leader."
She seemed to hesitate, then shrugged and lightly rubbed at her neck. "There's fifteen of us, all from everywhere and nowhere. We got the high-class exiles—Cinthia and Wolf, as well as their older brothers, Magnus and Rhydar. Archer is practically a prince in the business world, his mother being one of the most successful businesswomen out there, but he has no interest in taking over. Rae's my distant cousin and has pretty much been on her own until recently. She's pretty antisocial but has been given the role of the grumpy aunt of the family—as declared by the rest of us. Tamaki the cold and quiet one, but ruthless when he needs to be. He keeps Rae from clawing people's eyeballs out. Koralia is Magnus's fiancé and our bookkeeper, of a sorts. She's a book nerd and is utterly unfazed by most people's shit—and is also the grandma of the family, as she is the oldest."
She stopped to lick her lips and take a quick breather before continuing. She looked almost happy and at ease when describing these people, as if they meant a lot to her. "Carden's our little busybody mechanic and just a fun guy to be around. Also the shortest guy. Jamir is our co-leader, if that's even a thing. He once was a goody-two-shoes until Wolf tricked him into breaking the rules a bit with his gorgeousness and adorable puppy-eyes. If Cinthia isn't there, she puts him in charge, as he's the least likely to go off and cause trouble. In other words, he's the most mature of us all. Junia is our tiny jeweler. Mention her height and expect to be throat punched, that's all I gotta say about her. She's a fearless one. Kiriti is our absolutely adorable doctor-on-call. Just—MmmMMshe'ssocute. Fenris is the last one. He's our silent and brooding assassin that's unbelievably tall. Like, my god."
She ran her fingers through her hair, tipping her head back. "Rawling might've taken me in when I was just a little girl, but these guys are my family. Only some of us are blood-related, but that doesn't change the fact that we would fight and die for each other should the need arise—and without hesitation. That's why the safehouse is so big, we all just come and go as we please and whenever we have the time. Sometimes we're along, sometimes all of us are there. The days when we're all there are the best."
(Awwww. I'm sorry it's been raining so much lately. Also I love how you're upset about stairs. That's honestly the best/funniest thing I've read all day.)
Karkota took in the information, a bit surprised that she was willing to tell him all this. and surprised that they weren't with Rawling.
Though even if he was dence he did pick up on her hesitation. He laughed at some parts, made sure to take notes of others. Anothing thing that really surprised him was the fact that she really considered them family. Karkota didn't even consider his blood family his. All except his mother that is. "Well. Sounds fun then?" He said when she finished her long list.
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((I aim to entertain. Also, I might add that I just had to climb up and down ridiculously steep hills and natural "stairs" made by tree roots. You can probably guess how I feel about all that))
Tessa blew out a breath and chuckled, dropping her hand back to her side and looked back down and ahead of her. "Sorry for talking so much. I tend to get a little long-winded when talking about them. I highly doubt you'll meet them all, besides the twins and Demitri." She bit her lip to keep from yapping any more.
(Dear gosh. I would have tripped and died.)
"Oh its okay. I've just honestly never heard you talk so much. At least not happily At least." Karkota offered a small smile. He deffently wasn't annoyed with her. In fact he was a little relieved she'd decided to talk.
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((I'm honestly surprised I didn't. Just came back from some more hiking. I NEED SHORT PEOPLE FRIENDLY STAIRS MY GODS. But other than that, it wasn't half bad. The end result was worth it, a nice cave called the Rock House. That thing you said about me staying safe? Yeah, I climbed up a slippery ledge in a dark cave while simultaneously telling my sister to not climb up slippery ledges. I didn't die tho, so it's all good))
Tessa shrugged and fluffed out her hair with her fingers. "I'm a talker when I want to be. I sometimes tend to talk too much." Like right now. Gods, Theresa, will you just. shut. up? She sealed her lips once again, shifting most of her weight onto her good leg, as the other was starting to tremble slightly. She didn't deign to report that to Karkota, however.
(Dear gooosh. I mean honestly I've done the same before. So I can't judge???? I mean I can. But then I'd have to judge myself too.)
Karkota raised an eyebrow, "so I see. About being a talker that is. I don't think you talk to much." He shrugged, but kept watching her. "I kinda like listening to you." He noticed how cringy he sounded after the words left his mouth.
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((no worries, I was judging myself while I was being a total hypocrite. But I'm a self-declared cave dweller, so that's my defense))
She arched a brow in his direction, the one corner of her lips twitching upwards. "You mean when I'm not playing the part of the Mafia's deadliest weapon?" she asked with a hint of amusement. She looked back in front of her, tapping her slightly pouted lips. They'd definitely have time to talk in the safe house, so she guessed that it was good that she was warming up to Karkota's presence.
(That's a beautiful defence)
"Well yeah," Karkota said, "its kinda traumatizing where you're being all murdery." Of course he was joking. It was any thing but traumatizing, after all he had grown up around people much like her. Even though her story did still freak him out a little.
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((I'm glad someone else agrees. Ugh, the power went out again, just came back on a few minutes ago))
Tessa bore her teeth and scrunched her nose as she did a little "Grr." The 'growl' could hardly be called scary. But, though she was playful on the outside, her mind was turning. Her story had become muddled through all the different newspapers and false "eye-witnesses" that claimed they experienced the same thing. Maybe she should clear it up, give her side of the story before Kota judged her too harshly—not that she didn't deserve it.
(Oh I love when the power goes out! Its just the fact that its unbearably hot here and I need a\c to survive.)
Karkota raised his hands in defeat, though he couldn't hide the laugh that escaped him. "Fine. Be murdery then." He didn't mind joking with Tessa. In fact he enjoyed it. It seemed like she was warming up to him, making Karkota feel like less of an enemy.
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((Same tho. I can't sleep without a fan, so last night consisted of a lot of tossing and turning and waking up. We're all bracing ourselves for another power outage. If it goes out for the third time, we're just packing our things and going home. They take, like 12 hours to restore it))
She grinned at his laugh, then turned and groaned dramatically, stopping in her tracks. "Oh no, it's the dark and brooding spy. Where is my twin eye candy?"
They had exited the hospital, and standing before them was a man not much older than Tess—only two years. He was tall, roughly around 6'4, and dark. His t-shirt and jeans were dark silver and black, respectively. His hair was black and fluffy, some strands falling into his dark and observant eyes. He was built for stealth, with a lean frame and narrow-ish shoulders. His skin had a slight tan to it but was otherwise somewhat pale.
The man rolled his eyes. "They had to go and get Rhydar. I'm taking their place for the moment until they get back," he said, his voice smooth and neither deep nor high-pitched.
(Eeeewwww. Heat. Did the power go out again?)
Karkota had been just about to ask a question, but had been interrupted by Tessa's dramatic groan. He eyes the man carefully, as he'd been making sure to take exture care in making sure everyone wasn't a threat. Especially after the shooting, he'd be come somewhat more cautious.
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((Thankfully, no. I'm now safe at home in the reliable AC, where it doesn't take 12 hours to restore power))
Tessa pouted, then slung an arm around Karkota. It was a usual friendly gesture she did when she was comfortable around someone, as she was a touchy-feely sort of person, but this particular gesture had a little more reasoning behind it. Her leg was starting to hurt some more, and she was using Karkota as something to hold her up and put less pressure on her leg. "Fine, but I'm sitting in the back with Kota."
The man just shrugged and turned, not even bothering to see if they followed.
(Lol, well I'm glad you're safe.)
Karkota was half startled by Tessa, but ended up just rolling with it. He awkwardly looped an arm around her waist, and shot a worried look her twords her. "Feeling alright?" He asked, looking down at her leg to see if she was limping.
