Fenix Arsenal
On his way out, he gives you a parting look. Sympathy for a second. A slight smile. Then his eyes pivot forward and resume their focus. Narrowed and tight as his lips thin. Powering through that limp to hide it and show no signs of vulnerability to potential attackers.

Not happy. Guilt had been fused into anger now. Wanting to get this done for everyone's benefit.

What they all agreed to.

Out of the store and down the hallway. His back unit clicking and humming, syncing up those extra arms for a rapid deployment if he needed it.

Echo didn't even realize IRIDIA had followed until he was in the elevator with her. And even then, he doesn't look at her or say anything.

Ground floor. A Delemain AI-Controlled Cab would be waiting for them. Excelsior package meant full tactical options were available to ensure they made it to their destination unscathed.

Time to close the book on Maximo Kurtz.

(l/p)

Fenix Arsenal
Yeah, it had been harsh. Words meant to wound. You get a grateful look for moving in between him and IRIDIA - he thought they were friends. If this is what she really thinks of him, though...

Well, it hurt.
Maybe he'd done something that had damaged that friendship.
Maybe they weren't friends.

Your shoulder grasp has him looking your way, which means there's no hiding he's blinking back tears.

A sniffle, and a nod. "Yeah... that sounds like, um, like a good idea." Briar made everything better. And it's a Monday, so she could probably take the night off, even.

::Bri, any chance you'll play hookie with me tonight? Rough night, and just want to curl up with you. I'll bring dinner!::

That as he heads for the door, eyes down once more, steps hurried to just be anywhere else.

He'll pick up food for them, and flowers, because flowers never hurt - and spend the evening with Briar.

Of course. You are in my prayers. Beat cancer my brother!

Fenix Arsenal
IRIDIA could feel her heart racing — she wasn't sure just where that was coming from, or even just how much of it she truly believed, how much of that was sincere or her reacting to Perry's idealism.

…if she didn't care, if it was really how she felt, if she felt irreconcilably incompatible with that worldview, she'd honestly just keep her mouth shut and politely refuse to work with him again.

Instead, she saw a path forward — he told her he'd only done more co-op before this one, so that excused him letting his ideals motivate his behavior.

…and whatever other baggage that IRIDIA was dragging around, not-so-invisibly.

Images of another pragmatist-turned-idealist scrolled her memories. A sung poem in a voicemail, a self-sacrificing boy turned into a man in a monster-cage turned into a martyr for some… something.

Everything within her wanted to break her resolve, to shatter and chase Peregrine P. Olveira and tell her she was sorry, that she didn't want him to feel poorly, but… the moment passed. The pain subsided, the buzz in her chest and temples faded, her blood pressure normalized and her Biomon stopped alerting her.

She reclaimed the blades, picked up the gun, mated the mag, charged the weapon and clicked on the safety, wordlessly merging in with your ready posture.

They weren't waiting until tomorrow.

Absolutely, prayers going up … hugs N love to you and your family.

Uplifting you and hoping for the best of outcomes.

23:21:42
And that is a perfect ass
smile

Just a hint of a perfect ass

sweet surrender of the panties

Wanders in after work ..

*smiles*

thank You, TomT

*grins*

photographers believe that erotic photography came about soon after photography was invented..

Very pretty avatars

Interesting how far back porn pictures go.

Rottweiler

*changes Avatar again*

Fenix Arsenal
Haven and Briar are both pretty magical, he'd agree. It'll make for a great double-date, he's pretty sure. Briar has opened up his world, in so, so many ways.

Eyes close and he takes a centring breath, before looking your way again. "Sorry. I'm... I don't usually hurt people. Just Corps." Doing more has left him uncomfortable.

Upset, if he's being honest. He doesn't want to give you or IRIDIA any more reason to doubt him.

IRIDIA -

Any attempt at self defense, any response to that first statement is lost as you go on. There are some things that even he can read - your tone, the way you're speaking - even he recognizes words lined with razors.

He actually backs up a step as your body language visibly changes.

You were glaring, and he froze, unsure what to do. Visibly hurt and distressed at your words.

"I -I - no How did you - I um, I ddn't say any of that!" His eyes won't hold yours, head tipped down. An attempt to hide he's close to tears, and then you bring out your sword.

That's when he turns to put the last of his gear away, so he can lift his backpack. "I'm sorry. I'll go."

And if you don't stop him, he really is heading for the door. Not clear how all this went so wrong, though he'll surely be up analyzing it for much of the night.

Thanks for chatting
I should be going

not sure i can help you there
truly only a slave