( semi-open ) they can take my breath

[regives]

Who: Leanne (regives) & various
What: Your girl's a fugitive on the run.
When: The first of October and the days following!
Where: All around Olympia.
Warning(s): None... for now.


a.)

[ A situation going from bad to worse should be relatively familiar to Leanne, but that doesn't save her from the overwhelming amount of surprise that hits her when news of the explosion finally surfaces. She of course experiences concern for who may be close to the blast, and then is immediately taken aback when the announcement that included her name also rings through.

Undoubtedly there's an explanation that needs to be made. But given her wavering trust there's no way for her to turn herself in, especially when she's being accused for a crime she didn't commit.

Though her luck continues to be a distant thing as the podcast is made when she's trying to make herself back to her apartment. Taking the back streets in hopes of avoiding those who are fully prepared to round up those accused without hesitation, she knows a little silver is enough to motivate anybody. So when she's peering around the next corner and makes blatant eye contact with another person she immediately shrinks back. Way to go, girl, hopefully they didn't notice? But if they did... maybe if she acts normal then they could go on their way without there being an unnecessary bump in the road.

Or not. She's a little glad she left the house with better shoes to run in today. ]

b.)

[ So are you trying to help her get from point A to point B without getting noticed? Great, you're a pal, and Leanne's got the greatest idea known to man: by acting like your terribly non-suspicious girlfriend! With an oversize jacket on her shoulders with the hood pulled up on top of her head she's pretty much the definition of ominous. And while she wouldn't say that she is some sort of award winning actress she does at least try to make the plan of her pretending to be your sick significant other work somehow.

Leanne keeps a hand firmly around the other person's arm. Holding onto them tightly as a heavy weight of anxiety rests on her shoulders. ]

I'm kinda surprised that this is working. [ Oh! Someone's looking, she pretends to cough. ] But I'm glad... sorry for dragging you into this.

( closed starters will be in the comment section below! her plotting comment is here but feel free to pm or pp me through vongaribaldi. )

Comments

[regives]

[ Leanne glances down to look at what little space was between the two of them. Ensuring that her steps didn't somehow align with his and actually manage to trip either on of them. Though her grip remains and she keeps herself secured against him. ]

I just need to go to the market. Grab a few things for my roommates, since two of them are a little under the weather, and some supplies for myself...

[ She bites her bottom lip. ]

I might have to leave the city soon. [ Actually she's definitely going to be leaving the city soon. ]

[middy]

[ A nod. If he has any complaints about the steadfast grip, Hush doesn't say. He smooths out her hood at the top, but it works as a reassuring, light touch to the head. ]

Understood. Someone I know is sick as well, so I might get something for him, now that you mention it.

[ He glances down with her, not just because he doesn't trust her to check on her steps. He's seen couples growing up, and either their gaze is toward eachother or in the same direction. At some point he glances at the market stalls and storefronts, trying to figure out if he needs anything. It's errands with a side of "acting" that makes it work, hopefully. ]

Ah. I can get those supplies for you, so it looks less suspicious.

Leaving here, I wonder... if we should do that too. For our friend.

[ He's smart enough to not say Shino's name out loud. Honestly, what can they do, what more should they do. Obviously they won't let Shino be turned in, not when they don't trust this government to treat Shino, or Leanne, or anyone right when there's an unjust bounty on their heads. But will it really help? He should look into Wyver. ]

[regives]

[ There's a short breath from her end when she feels the gentle touch of his hand on the top of her head. It's not out of annoyance or of anything negative, but it certainly is different to be in a position where someone is looking after her. ]

You should! [ Good Boy Hush. ] You gotta make sure he eats right and doesn't get any worse. From what I hear they still have no clue on what exactly this thing is.

[ Looking forward, they come across one of the stalls that she's needing some materials from. Of course she's quick to point it out and note what she'll need to Hush before they're actually a few feet from being right in front of it.

And to the person that's mentioned only by relationship rather than name, Leanne immediately realizes that he's speaking of a person that is in the same boat as herself. ]

If you want... you can come with us. You and your friends. There's a pretty big group being formed but if we plan it out we should be able to get out undetected.

[middy]

[ He wouldn't dare do it to Mika, and he took care of that murderbean when he was crippled by overclocking Barbatos to save butt and kick them. But Leanne is a little vulnerable, despite the real intentions. ]

I hear more fear of the illness than anything helpful around. Thank you for the advice.

[ He also appreciates the heads-up of where they need to go. He doesn't ask what specifically, to try and keep this act natural. When she brings that up of moving... he pauses, looking upwards in thought. ]

That... I think it might be a good idea. We're... used to getting in trouble. But it doesn't work here.

[ He doesn't dwell on that too hard if she has a response. He knows boys are troublemakers, Leanne does too, properly. He looks at the stalls wares, seeing if anything is worth it. ]

[regives]

Is that right? Hm... [ By her tone of voice there's a hint of concern that accompanies her question. One too many questions coming to mind as she begins directing him to the upcoming stall, careful not to accidentally overlap and step on his feet. ]

It'd best to store up on foods that won't spoil fast, so stuff like bread and cheese—

You two going on a trip? [ The last thing Leanne expects is to be overhead by the merchant, to which her grip on Hush's arm immediately tightens as her first instinct is to duck a little behind him. She blinks twice, her initial surprise beginning to subside when the gentleman lets out a laugh. ] What's with your lass? She normally this shy?

[ Take the wheel Hush... don't crash. ]

[middy]

[ Hush gives a nod, because a confirmation will have to suffice. He knows not to speak of the things they had done in a past life where it would sound suspicious, even when the city wasn't on edge. Why couldn't it have been just a simple mercenary company, one not tied up in political efforts. Of course, that involvement brought them good at first. But, the older members insist that from start to finish, escorting Kuudelia was simply a job. ]

...Huh?

[ Well, he's snapped out of those thoughts posing as browsing market goods with his girlfriend when the merchant speaks. He lifts his head from looking down, and he tries to hold back his own surprise. Except he can't hide his jolt when Leanne grabs him tightly and shuffles behind him ]

No, actually. [ He reaches over with his free hand... and pulls her closer to him, honestly out of reflex. But, it works to hide her face though, really. ] I'm going on a trip for work, and she doesn't like being reminded of it.

Aw, so it's some separation anxiety? Maybe you should be extra good to her before you leave, if you know what I mean, young man

I...

[ He's getting flustered, which causes the man to smile sympathetically, trying to give the cowering Leanne a look. Use your imagination, this Leanne why did you hand him the wheel. ]

[regives]

[ HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSH!!!!!

Honestly he did a good job in acting the part, Leanne is impressed when she's pressed closer and he gives an excuse that actually appears... realistic. If she weren't in the situation directly then she'd completely believe it, and apparently the merchant did as well.

And then he goes and says that... which has her face going from pale to bright red in seconds flat. The blood rushing to her cheeks and spreading as far as to her ears. ]

Th... [ NO DON'T GIVE HER THE WHEEL BACK. ] Th-That's why we're trying to leave as quickly as possible! So we can spend time together before he has to go. [ She presses her lips together and the older gentleman must have gotten a kick out of that, because he's quick to just gather the necessary items they need into a bag as Leanne hastily hands him silver in exchange. ] Don't get too wild now.

Don't... worry.

[ Strained, her lips curl into a smile that's obviously trying to hide every inch of pain and embarrassment that's bubbling in her stomach. ]

[middy]

[ The worst part of keeping up the act is that they can't just run when she get what she needs and he had stood aside until they complete the exchange... Ah. The merchant was polite to wave them off but Hush thinks he just nodded in acknowledgement. When they're free from that, picking some spot between structures to not block passenger traffic and daily bustling, he looks at Leanne's painful smile and rubs the back of his neck. ]

Hopefully the next merchant we come across isn't so...

[ Does he have the wheel back? They're at a pit stop, it's all good. Right, he struggles to find a word that isn't... The R-word. Or something along that tangent because he doesn't want his brain to shut down? ]

Encouraging. But he didn't recognize you from the poster because that distracted him... What a relief.

[ At least he won't back down from keeping this up for travel supplies and stuff for their departure. He's decided now, and he'll talk with the others. Oh, and he's touching his cheeks to check if they back to normal. But anyway, they should all go. Otherwise someone in the Nysa markets will ask why the cute couple broke up. How about no. ]

[regives]

[ When they've gathered some distance and gotten out of the public eye she releases a heavy breath she presumably had been holding the entire time. Back against a brick wall before she slowly sinks, hiding her face in her knees before a small groan erupts from her throat. ]

I'm still trying to recover. [ That's the most she can muster in the first few seconds, heart still drumming in her chest. ] I'm glad that it's working but at the same time... that was totally unnecessary! Talking about that sort of stuff like it's any of his business! Not that we... have any business like that to begin with.

[ She stands back up, her embarrassment beginning to settle, and she notices the small touch to his cheeks. ]

... Pfft. [ Unexpectedly she begins to laugh, something short and brief. Nothing loud and offers any chance at grabbing the attention outside their circle of two. ] I know I'm not one to talk but you're su~per red. It's a little cute.

[middy]

Sh-shut up.

[ He uses his forearm now to hide his face from Leanne. Don't call a boy who's only pretending to be your boyfriend cute? He's a simple Tekkadan boy who spends a lot more time with guys and never really expected to have a relationship with anyone? He's also... Hm.

His blush can stick for but he can ignore it, as that seems a good str. There's probably more to do for this errand anyway. More people to talk to if needed while shopping... ]

Maybe pretending to be together when we're... inexperienced was a bad idea.

[ Acting? Okay. Having to deal with stuff like that from people because they're both "cute" as people (her comment on his current state and and the Hush assessment of what people think of Leanne, even bundled up adds up that, nothing more) though, is a bit more than either expected. Obviously because they're new to faking this. ]

[regives]

Don't be a jerk, I'm just being honest! [ Even if she was being the jerk earlier and teasing him... Hm. ]

Maybe... it sounded like a good idea in my head, especially since that meant that I had a reason to be so close. Most people who are just friends don't usually hang on to each other like that. [ Unless they're naturally clingy like Misa, but she's talking about people of the opposite sex. The Hets. ] But we can always try something else! We can probably pass as siblings, y'know?

[middy]

Ah... Sorry Leanne. I know it looks bad, okay? It's not like I blush around someone I... Nevermind. I agreed to the idea, so I didn't think that would happen either.

[ He sounds genuine, because even if he's not the best with handling girls, he kind of gets them? Very soft, much woof, wow.

Yes this tag is here so Leanne now knows and can bully Hush in the future. Back on topic, he nods at her suggestion. He's not going to push hard on the topic of what makes for friendship and what makes for passing off as lovers, because he's not in the place to say it's her fault for not having the hindsight to anticipate a ruse has to go so far... Something about concept versus execution is something Tekkadan knows all too well when they actually try it. Spoilers: it can backfire absolutely horribly. ]

That sounds fine. A brother caring for his sick sister probably gets less of... what we dealt with.

[ Sympathy points too, if needed. ]

[regives]

[ Hopefully this all doesn't backfire hard enough that they die. Spoilers: they won't, it'll still probably be embarrassing though. ]

Alright! Then that'll be our next plan. The sickly big sister who needs her big brother for help... The most they'll ask is where are our parents, but we'll just say we're orphans. [ NOT LIKE THAT'S A LIE?? Though it's not like Leanne is fully aware that she hangs out with a bunch of orphans like herself. ]

[middy]

[ That would be a terrible way to die. ]

...Wait we both can't be the older one. How about you be the older sister, I think you might have more fun with that, even if you have to pretend you're sick.

[ Leanne already acts like a big sister, and Hush, as much he hates admitting it, is essentially the younger brother of the pilots. That plan settled on though, so when she picks herself back up and he feels calm again, they can continue this turn in their... shopping charade. ]

Not that this has to be fun, getting supplies is probably a pressing matter for you.

[regives]

And there we go!

[ She snaps her fingers. ]

I still got this acting thing down~ Last time I was real sick I saw my friends as someone else, y'know? [ Of course he doesn't. But she's simply suggesting that she knows to be in a confused state of mind... ugh. When ya late night typos come back at you. ]

Well... yeah. I don't know how long I'm gonna be out there but I don't want to risk it, so I've gotta get what I can to survive. [ And that means she's calm and ready to move. ] You ready for round two?