(no subject)

[sky_from_sea]

Anna has been avoiding the Wasteland of late, even though she has stopped avoiding other people.

Well. She's stopped avoiding Daniel, at least.

But now--well.

She's not going to let Nicky drive her out of this (her) city, so it's time to stop being a shadow.

Which means--talking to Gwen.

Now, if only Anna knew how best to find her. The shelter isn't as small as it used to be, and Anna's never spent that much time there, anyway.

Still, someone's sure to know where the Wasteland owner is.

Right?

Comments

[bitingmybullet.livejournal.com]

If Anna is looking for people who might conceivably know where Gwen is, she's come to the right place. Up ahead there's a convergence of streets that forms a kind of square, where a moderate number of people are milling around with plates, lunch boxes, and other food-related paraphernalia. Looks like it's suppertime around here.

And, if Anna is being especially observant, she might just see a head of dark, wavy hair somewhere amidst the clusters of evening diners-- a head that comes to a stop, glancing around curiously as if she's heard something.

[sky-from-sea.livejournal.com]

Anna goes still, too, head turning to see--

She smiles faintly, taking a few quick, hesitant steps closer.

Yeah, that's Gwen.

Now, how to--

"Gwen?"

[bitingmybullet.livejournal.com]

Gwen turns sharply, eyes widening.

Her nose wasn't hallucinating.

"Anna?"

[sky-from-sea.livejournal.com]

Anna smiles, still close-mouthed.

"Yes. I didn't--you're all right?"

[bitingmybullet.livejournal.com]

Gwen ... stares, a little.

And okay, so she isn't always what we'd call the most touchy-feely.

This does not change the fact that Anna is being hugged rather tightly. Semi-crushed, in fact.

"You are such a freaking idiot," Gwen says, pulling back. "Where the hell have you been?"

[sky-from-sea.livejournal.com]

Anna's return hug, restricted as it is by Gwen's death-grip of doom, is a little awkward.

But she does hug back.

"I've--Daniel's, lately. Before that--here and there."

She shrugs, the motion sharp.

"It wasn't--some memories hit harder than others."

Beat.

"I'm sorry."

[bitingmybullet.livejournal.com]

She frowns.

So far, so sane. Always a good thing.

... And yet.

"Don't worry about it," she says, shaking her head. "Um. That is. I don't know. But I'm not mad."

Anymore?

"... Except for the part where I thought you wandering aimlessly somewhere, sleeping in empty building and maybe getting chased by rabid werewolves. So maybe a little mad."

[sky-from-sea.livejournal.com]

Anna huffs out a quiet breath.

"Rabid--no, none of those. The rest of it--old habits don't really die."

[bitingmybullet.livejournal.com]

Gwen's frown sharpens, for a moment.

"Apparently not."

[sky-from-sea.livejournal.com]

Anna catches that, and takes a step back.

"You've talked to Nicky, I take it?"

[bitingmybullet.livejournal.com]

Gwen frowns again, very slightly, at Anna's retreat.

"Um. Yeah." She runs a hand through her hair, looking wry. "We had a real heart-to-heart."

[sky-from-sea.livejournal.com]

"I can imagine."

Her voice isn't quite flat, but there's something guarded in it.

On the up side, she doesn't yet look poised to flee.

[bitingmybullet.livejournal.com]

Gwen smiles sharply.

"You know, I don't know if you ever figured this out about him ... but he really is not the brightest bulb around."

[sky-from-sea.livejournal.com]

Anna's return smile is just as edged.

"Oh, you'd be surprised how much damage he can do, even given his . . . limitations."

Like the aura of smarm that just won't quit.

Or die.

Kinda like Nicky himself.

[bitingmybullet.livejournal.com]

"Maybe I would be," Gwen agrees wryly.

And yet ...

Maybe not.

She shakes her head. "Look-- I ... don't even really know what can of worms I'm going to be opening by asking, but what's going on with him? I get there was ...

"No, I actually don't know what there was. I can guess? But, um. I'd prefer not to guess."

[sky-from-sea.livejournal.com]

Anna goes still, weight shifting to the balls of her feet, poised to--no.

No.

That time is done with.

She forces her shoulders to relax, offering Gwen a quick almost-smile.

"I'd--yes. Is there somewhere--?"

She gestures to their surroundings.

"There are too many people."

[bitingmybullet.livejournal.com]

Gwen frowns, almost ready to--

What? Grab her?

That'd go well.

"Um ..."

She looks around.

"I guess there's our room? I mean, Preston might be there, but I can always kick him out."

[sky-from-sea.livejournal.com]

Anna shrugs, quick and light.

It doesn't match the expression in her eyes.

"If neither of you mind, of course."

[bitingmybullet.livejournal.com]

Gwen smiles, trying for reassuring although that's close to the last thing she feels.

"We'll be fine."

[sky-from-sea.livejournal.com]

Anna manages a quiet laugh.

"All right, then. If you're sure."

[bitingmybullet.livejournal.com]

She grins.

"Totally sure. Come on-- it's a few blocks down."

[sky-from-sea.livejournal.com]

Anna smiles again, a little less carefully than a moment before, and walks beside Gwen, only stiffening a little when people pass too close.

[bitingmybullet.livejournal.com]

Gwen, for her part, watches Anna.

She's definitely twitchier than she was before, which ... stabbing a guy may do that to a person. Although she was okay before, and that was after an alleged murder, so ... all the more reason to get the whole story.

There is a guard at the apartment building; she opens the door for Gwen and offers a tired smile.

"Nice night?"

"Sort of," Gwen says, lips quirking. "Thanks."

She glances back to Anna.

[sky-from-sea.livejournal.com]

One corner of Anna's mouth tilts upward.

"I've had worse. Thanks."

She moves to slip through the door, if Gwen goes first.

[bitingmybullet.livejournal.com]

"We'll ... have to climb a few stairs," Gwen says apologetically, stepping up onto the first one. "Not too many. Plus, it's great exercise."