Party Bus

[Wren Hartwood]

Wren kicked an empty can of...whatever... as he walked around the hospital's main waiting room.

 "Well...seems we've been as productive as we could have ever hoped for, so far today. Who knows if Vester will throw anything else our way, but...what do you guys think about just enjoying right now? We have something to celebrate, stories to share and catch up on, homes to talk about. We could play some games, like when we found that random billiards room here the other day. I doubt there's much here for snacks or drinks, but the company might be enough." Wren smiled.

"I'm open to suggestions. But...I'm kinda bored. Ha. All this war, days of intense combat and chaos and...it's sorta just stopped. Weird."

Wren recalls past days like this, when he and Cal would cuddle up together, or Gwen and Val would dance...he thought of Holly-alone. He leaned in to her, quietly.

"So um. I don't think I've told you, but...I really respect you. You're kinda a role model, in a way. And, I'm not even sure if I like girls but I think you and Millie would be top of my list if I did. So...if there's anything I can do for you, a hug or a kiss or whatever if you're feeling lonely, let me know. I've never kissed a girl, so I guess I'd try it if you're feeling left out."
Wren blushed. It wasn't necessarily that he liked Holly, just felt like offering a favor since he knew how she must feel.

[Holly Edison]

Holly let out a soft chuckle. He's right, this has all been exhausting. Her stomach rumbled.

"I could use some distraction too."

Holly walked over to Wren and hugged him tightly just as she had Cal not long ago.

"You're a sweet kid, Wren. But I'm alright. I've had a few kisses this past week and I feel loved by all of you. I'm happy to spend what time we have left together. Besides, it's our last night... you and Cal really shouldn't be getting upset at each other again."

She kissed him lightly on the cheek and let go.         

Holly settled down across from Wren. 

"I still have the playing cards left behind in the Watchtower. I hoped they might come in handy again." Holly grinned.

[Wren Hartwood]

Wren pulled up a chair. "I'm down for cards! I just don't know many games, so I'll try to keep up."

Wren smiled at Holly. I wish I were that strong. Maybe I was strong for a few days here...but...I feel even more different now. Not the same as when this all started, and not so dark and angry. Is this peace? Wren closed his eyes for a moment and imagined being in the treetops in Seven. He couldn't drown out the humming from the hospital lights or the santizer smell. No. Not quite...

"So, what are we playing?"

Wren whispered back. "Sorry. I didn't mean to assume, or to be awkward. And Cal wouldn't have minded. I actually had to have a talk with him about his flirting and stuff yesterday. He's much more likely to throw out kisses than me. Haha. But wait- so...Demetri? Sydney?? Now I'm curious!"

(Sorry, can't undo the italics lol oops)

[Holly Edison]

"Blackjack is always an option. We could also just talk. Whatever everyone is in the mood for."

Holly leaned in towards Wren smiling mischievously. "I'm more innocent than you think but... the answer to your question: Yes." Holly laughed. "Demetri was innocent though. Not a lot of time, something really wonderful could have happened there I think... Our lips never touched but yes, there was a kiss. Sydney, though? Great kisser."

She managed a small laugh and leaned back in the chair, a sad sort of smile on her face.

[Wren Hartwood]

Wren smiled. "Sure, I'm not sure how that works (mostly in RP form) but I'd be up for it. We can also just chat for a bit, if you want. Do you want to talk about what happened at the tower? I sorta look up to you, so I'm here if you wanna just talk. I haven't been very useful as a warrior. But I'm a much better friend than a warrior."

Wren looked at her, awaiting a response.

Wren laughed. "Haha, aw. That's great, Holly. I'm glad you've had some fun. It makes things much easier when you can distract yourself even if just for a minute or two."

[Gwendolyn Fisk]

Gwen paused outside the door that Wren and Holly ducked into. After overhearing a little of the conversation between Val, Cal, and the others, she could use a bit of a pick-me-up. The hunger, wounds, and loss were taking their toll on her. The days spent at the training center were consumed with the fact that she didn't expect to last long in the arena. She never expected to be around to see a friend die, know what it felt like to get shot, or to feel herself slowly starving to death. She was finding it harder and harder to keep things light. Now, she could feel herself fall for Val, just as she was about to be put through a harsh judgement and killed. Not only Val, but Cal as well. Cal, who gave her the push she needed to realize that she was missing out on a big part of living. She was starting to grow rather fond of Syd, too.

Gwen heard the shuffle of cards, but then a question brought up by Wren. She sighed. There's no getting away from it.

Gwen debated going somewhere else, but where would she go? She took a deep breath. Have to stop thinking of that like it's inevitable. We'll think of something. We have to. She put on a smile and burst through the door.

"Hope I'm not interrupting a make out session," Gwen winked at Holly and Wren, "but I heard there's cards being played in this room. Unless I'm interrupting something, then by all means, continue. I can watch," she grinned at the two.

[Wren Hartwood]

Wren looked up at Gwen.

"Oh, hey Gwen. We talked about it, but then everyone ran off. I tried to pull the peacebringers from their meeting but then things got serious. We can chat a bit though, if you want."

He laughed. "And no, nothing's happening here."

ooc: I think the updates scared everyone away

[Cal Mensen]

Cal entered the room, still contemplating the thoughts of the evening. From what he had been told, he was pretty confident in his decision.

"Mind if I join in? So much as happened today, I really could use a distraction."

He sit next to Gwen, trying not to let off most of a reaction to their presence together. Under the table, he slides the morphling that he had kept stashed towards Gwen. He looks towards her, eyes pleading.

"Please... I can take care of myself, and I intend to keep that promise. I'm going for that last bit of bread. We'll both live to see tomorrow, I just can't stand to see you torn up, having to contemplate the end. Everyone else seems fine, I don't want you losing yourself to all this..."

[Cal Mensen]

OOC: Having slept on it and before anyone reacts, I realize this next post is needed.

Cal moves the morphling up to the table, still sliding it towards Gwen. Before Wren can react, Cal grabs his hand, a determined look in his eyes.

"Before you get the wrong idea, no, this isn't me sacrificing myself for Gwen. I'm not taking my life for granted, I still intend to live through all this. I've checked with everyone I could find to make sure that they are okay as well. Gwen and I are the only ones who need food or this morphling to survive the day, so we're each going to be taken care of. She can have the shot, I'll go find that bread."

He reaches over and pulls Wren towards him, giving him a soft kiss on the lips. He gives him a small smile.

"It doesn't matter who needed it, Wren. If it was Holly, or Val, or you who was hurt instead of Gwen, I would have made the same call. Please... I'm not going anywhere."

[Wren Hartwood]

Wren froze as Cal entered, sat by Gwen, and tried to sneak something under the table. He shot a concerned look towards the two of them.

When Cal moved the syringe to the table, Wren stiffened up, accepting he no longer had control over Cal's fate -something that had taken 10 days to finally realize.

"I swear Cal, if anyone fights you for that bread..." The kiss kept him from stopping what was happening with the morphling. He'd have to just accept Cal for who he was and respect his actions, as he'd done all this time. As he'd always promised.

"Cal. You know how I feel. But, this is who you are. This is what you do. And I love you for that."

[Cal Mensen]

Cal smiled, feeling like the two of them finally found their balance. He looks back to Gwen.

"The morphling is yours, I'm going to go scavenge for that food. Please use the morphling, and we could all get out of this alive."

OOC: WARNING, I've rolled my scavenge for food. Just thought you should all know. I'll be posting the passing to Gwen in a new thread, per the rules.