Subtle

[Cal Mensen]

Cal had hoped his solo trek to the Watchtower would reflect the coming day. A few people, solid discussion, deliberate action, maybe some R&R. Reaching the door, he notes the monitor reading peacekeeper signals, possibly a few more voices than expected coming from upstairs, and a small party traveling from the Market.

Shit.

[Sydney Gardiner]

Sydney was sitting under the window nodding off for a bit when she heard something outside. A lot of somethings. It sounded like a large herd of footsteps. Like, seriously a lot of them. Like a whole troop of armored...oh she needed to hold down the fort. She gathered her bow and stood up, walking towards the entrance. "I'd turn around if I were you, there's definitely a giant guard rat in here and he's vicious."

Because god knows she wasn't ready to die yet, she just wasn't.

[Cal Mensen]

Confused, Cal turns up to the voice. He recognizes Sydney, but not so much the sight of her bow being readied.

"Sydney... I leave for one day, and the Rebel streak here ends. What happened?"

[Sydney Gardiner]

She recognized the voice coming up the stairs and she swore her entire body unclenched. "Cal? Oh thank god," Sydney breathed as she lowered her bow and slid the arrow back with the other two. No need for that right now. "I thought you had shiny armor, big boots, and a warm gun and that there were...more of you."

"I tried but there were two other peacekeepers that were all hacking and I, you know, can't hack. Not without hurting it. I just kind of...lost control of the situation because we were kind of outnumbered here as far as...doing the actual hacking. Lartius did what he could but we lost the tower because we just...didn't have the manpower to beat them in the hacking department. I'm positive about Deo and Minerva being Peacekeepers because neither one of them could have done it alone. They needed the other."

[Cal Mensen]

Cal smiles at seeing Sydney's relief, but remains alert to the current situation.

"My group decided to split up again, being able to do more good this way. We'll have to coordinate with Lartius and any allies from the Market."

When he reaches the top landing, he places a hand on her shoulder, a warm look is given as they look eye to eye.

"You did everything you could, given the circumstances. I have far more friends from the Market than threats. We'll fix this together."

Cal looks down from the Watchtower balcony at the approaching group. As he recognizes the party, his smile breaks into a grin.

" We're going to be just fine."

[Cal Mensen]

After catching up with the group from the Market, Cal walks back to Sydney.

"Sorry about that, just a much fuller day than I was expecting."

Cal rests along the railing, close enough for Sydney to hear him at a whisper.

"I'd like you to meet some friends of mine. I've explained your situation and what you had reported regarding yesterday. They'd like your help in resolving the situation. If we stick to our word and follow through, we'll have loyal allies backing us for the remainder of this rebellion."

He holds his hand out to her, his face determined.

"What they ask you, I will do the same. We'll prove ourselves, live to see another day."

[Sydney Gardiner]

Sydney nodded when Cal came back over. "No, it's fine. From what I could tell from the tower, there was an awfully full day over there so makes sense to catch up.."

Sydney leaned in to be able to hear Cal and raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah? Just so long as they don't ask me to hack, I'm absolutely atrocious at it. I'll go over there once everyone makes it up here. I don't know much but I know what was here and hopefully that'll help."


She took his hand and smiled weakly. "Ready whenever you are."

[Cal Mensen]

Cal nods, walking hand and hand with Sydney to the rest of the group.

"Information will help. Don't worry, we won't be hacking. We're going to be the strikers."

OOC: Sydney, feel free to post in Not So Subtle when you're ready to continue, I'll follow your lead.

[Wren Hartwood]

Cal Mensen "Let's talk here, I guess. What's up?"

[Cal Mensen]

After everything today, from bringing the Accord together, to the paranoia scare, to Wren getting hurt, and ending with Wren and Holly's judgement, Cal was exhausted. He didn't care about composure, protocol or privacy. He drew Wren in for a tight embrace, his head resting on taut shoulders.

Damn, lumberjacks get a defined build.

Shaking his head from stray thoughts, he draws out of the hug after a few second, his hands resting on Wren's arms. Their eyes hold each other captive.

"Wren, we've been trapped in a shit cycle for too long. I do something openly reckless, you get upset, I try my best to make it up to you, we stabilize and repeat. The only reason I can articulate any of this... I think we found an exit."

He places his hand on his cheek, a small smile spreading on his face.

"What you said back in the dormitory, in front of everyone. That was faith, trust in me despite my actions. I think part of the reason why I kept acting like that is it never felt like you had faith in me, that what I was doing I was to protect you."

His eyes dip to the floor as he struggles with an uncomfortable truth.

"I'm not free from fault, up until now I thought all of my risks were worth it. The means justified the ends to keep you and everyone I care about safe. But I crossed a line, and you ended up hurt from my actions. I can't let that happen again, and that will have been the last time I hurt you..."

A few tears begin to run down Cal's face as he looks back up into Wren's eyes.

"I've hurt you so much since we've met, I understand completely if you'd rather just end it now. I won't be the reckless one anymore, or the mysterious former Peacekeeper plotting from the shadows. I'm your big softie, and I don't care who knows it. It's up to you if you'd have me."

He stopped talking, having said what was in his head and heart, awaiting Wren's response. No matter what happens, Cal will never let their romance threaten his friends again.

[Wren Hartwood]

Wren relaxed as Cal embraced him. He’d missed peaceful, quiet moments like this. He allowed himself to float away for a moment, eyes closed, as he drifted to the treetops of Seven. He opened his eyes as Cal spoke. He wasn’t surprised at all by Cal’s words.

“You’re right. We do sorta have a shit-cycle history. But this war isn’t about history. It’s about building a better future- for Panem, for the Accord, and for ourselves. As I’ve said all along, I don’t count on making it until the end of this war, but if I do, I’m going to do my best at getting that pardon. I’ll use my dying breath to hack the town speakers and beg for it if I have to.” Wren rested his lips on Cal’s forehead.

“And since we’re looking towards the future…I guess my better future would include you. We might not be in the same place in the coming days, but since you’re still wearing that," Wren grabbed Cal’s wrist and indicated the redwood bracelet he’d handed him in the garden on the last night of training, “we’ll at least know my heart is wherever you are.” He smiled at Cal.

“And since I know you like classic literature, I figured I’d tell you what I thought of while making that…and uh, the memoir covers in the alcove are also redwood, for reference.

‘The redwoods, once seen, leave a mark or create a vision that stays with you always…The feeling they produce is not transferable. From them comes silence and awe. It's not only their unbelievable stature, nor the color which seems to shift and vary under your eyes, no, they are not like any trees we know, they are ambassadors from another time.’ Some guy named Steinbeck or something. I dunno. It was about trees, so we read it in class, once. So…”

Wren raised an eyebrow. “Will you keep wearing that? Because I still want you to have it.” Wren bit his lip as he awaited a response.

[Cal Mensen]

Cal's smile spread into a full grin, felt like its been days since he's done this. The literature passage was stirring, and he was pleased Wren remembered his interest. When he pointed out Cal was still wearing the bracelet, he blushed a little bit. It was like a part of him now, it wouldn't feel right not wearing it. His eyes burn with joy and anticipation.

"I will, Wren."

He pulls Wren in for a deep kiss, wishing to cement their bond for as long as the redwoods described had stood. They traded warmth, perspiration and desires. Their song was playing in Cal's head, if he had his wish he'd smash the pause button and leave it on repeat.

Breaking off the kiss after a time, he breaks it off, the adrenaline from earlier that night still pumping through his system. He looks back into Wren's eyes, lost in their shine.

"Do you think we have time to...?"

[Wren Hartwood]

"...to cuddle? Always. There's always time to cuddle." Wren winked.

Wren led Cal into the dorm room, locked the door, and made himself comfortable on his side in their old bed.

"But remember- I'm no one's little spoon." Wren stuck his tongue out at Cal and wrapped his arm over Cal's shoulder as Cal made himself comfortable.

(They don't cuddle. They bang. It's hot. Wren is alpha, as if there were any doubts. Psh)

[Cal Mensen]

WARNING: NSFW MATERIAL

(Verily)

[Valeria DeMasque]

((...I'm waiting...))

[Cal Mensen]

OOC: Would you a clip from the secret stash, Watchtower Day 2?