(no subject)

[theresnodoor]

Something went wrong.

She doesn't know what. Nothing happened. No conversation, no action. She'd been fine and doing things, had her schedule and filled her days. It was fine. Then one night, after over a month without, she had a nightmare.

She had a nightmare with Tobias not three feet away.

Rachel doesn't know if he heard her - though she can't imagine how he wouldn't have, that close. She doesn't know if she said anything outloud. All she knows is the she woke up tangled in the sheets with her chest constricted and her throat closed tight and by the time she struggled her way free, she knew where she was and who was in the room with her.

He didn't say anything when she left. Rachel's hoping it stays that way.

We all have them. They don't go away. But for a little while they had and she shared a room with another person and didn't have to worry.

Well, crap.



Obviously, the only solution is to exhaust herself properly before she tries to sleep again, right?

After gymnastics, after jogging, after a flight at midday, Rachel is outside, bundled up against the cold and walking. Heading for the woods but with no real destination in mind.

Comments

[will_scarlett]

Will's leg is sore but he enjoys that Milliways' woods don't have Sheriff's men hiding in them.

So he's at the pells with his sword, he's been out long enough that he's laid his cloak down and is sweating in his Lincoln green with his red hair wet with sweat.

[theresnodoor]

See, that looks tiring and warm.

Rachel stops, hands tucked firmly into pockets, and watches him work. Swords are a little beyond her experience.

[will_scarlett]

He hears her approach and finishes one last form before sheathing his sword and nodding to her.

His form is good but not fancy, his sword is a broadsword which he handles with ease.

[theresnodoor]

That he's swinging an enormous sword around without decapitating himself is impressive enough for Rachel. She nods back, thoughtful but in no apparent need to interrupt him.

[will_scarlett]

Well, he was in need of a break and he reaches for the bottle of water that's hidden in his cloak,

"Good day."

[theresnodoor]

Conversation is actually a little disappointing. Requires effort and thought and staying calm. But she has to live here and occasionally be civil.

"Hey," Rachel says with a small smile. "Sorry, didn't mean to bug you."

[will_scarlett]

"Ye didna, was due to take a rest,"

He leans against a nearby tree and stretches with a few winces.

[theresnodoor]

Rachel nods, looking over the pell again. Looks like a formless dummy to her, she's not sure how it would really help with fighting. Unless its only meant to train strength enough to be able to lift the sword, anyway.

Like that girl shooting targets with the gun. For aim and accuracy, okay, but if they're not moving, how much help could it really be?

[will_scarlett]

"Ye a fighter?"

The way she looks over it reminds him of Kate and the way she appraises things. He frowns at that thought and takes long drink of water.

[theresnodoor]

She hesitates.

Not because it's a hard question. Because maybe it doesn't mean the same thing to him.

"Yeah. I was, yeah." She nods to the sword, eyebrows lifted. "You too?"

[will_scarlett]

"Aye, I serve Robin o'Locksley in Nottingham. Will Scarlett,"

He nods with an almost bow and offers her his hand, he's wearing gloves because its cold.

[cutting_edgex23]

There is a dark-haired girl outside, too, making her way back from the firing range.

She does not appear well-insulated against the cold, wearing track pants, a tank top, and a black button-down overshirt that is a) very thin and b) not buttoned up.

Her nostrils flare when the wind shifts, and she looks over at Rachel.

And after a moment of consideration, because the scent is not that of a newcomer --

"Hello."

[theresnodoor]

There is 'used to the cold' and there is 'worked up enough of a sweat to not feel much cold.'

And there is 'Hi, I'm crazy and half-naked in the cold.'

The last accounts for Rachel's stare, just for a moment or two, before she nods. She's pretty bundled up herself, jeans and furry boots, heavy wool coat, scarf and gloves. Even a hat.

And she suddenly feels like an enormous wuss.

"Hey."

[cutting_edgex23]

Speaking of 'crazy and half-naked', Rachel should meet Wolverine.

As it is, X does not look put-off or discomfited by the momentary staring. She just tilts her head ever-so-slightly. And, of course, stops walking.

"You are not looking for something?"

Beat.

"Or someone."

It's one reason for people to be walking outside, at least. In her experirence.

Especially when they are not dressed like someone who plans on a little light combat training.

[theresnodoor]

In Rachel's case, planning for combat training would require a lot less than what X is wearing.

For now, she simply frowns slightly. "Uh, no. Just walking."

Is that weird?

[cutting_edgex23]

"Oh."

She hesitates, looking a little awkward.

"You like the cold?"

Talking does not appear to be X's forte. But she firmly believes that practice helps. It did with her actual skill set, anyway.

[theresnodoor]

Rachel isn't great at it either. Then again, that's mostly because she doesn't try very hard.

"It's okay?" Rachel shifts her weight to her other foot, awkward. "I just wanted to get out."

It is not weird to go walking around in the snow for no particular reason. Surely.

Rachel nods to her sharply, frowning. "What about you? You've gotta be freezing in that."

[cutting_edgex23]

X is in no position to judge when it comes to weird.

She shakes her head, just once.

"I do not mind. Cold is not relevant. For me."

She feels it, but it is --

Comforting.

Sometimes.

[theresnodoor]

"You don't get cold?"

That's-- actually, the uncomfortable truth is that it's easier to deal with someone who isn't human, or not entirely human, than the utterly normal. The sort of uncomfortable that relaxes Rachel's posture while keeping her frown.

Three months in Milliways and she's barely better than she was her first day.

"What are you doing out here?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X notes that relaxation, but she doesn't say anything. The set of her own shoulders, however, eases up fractionally in response.

"No. Excessive heat is also not problematic."

She heals.

"There is a firing range. Here. I was practicing."

[theresnodoor]

Rachel hesitates, looking her over. "Practicing with what?"

As she isn't holding anything Rachel thinks would be useful at a firing range.

[not-his-son.livejournal.com]

She isn't the only one walking. Well, jogging. Jason is still wearing exactly what he always wears, but it's eminently suitable for jogging in. It has to be.

He doesn't appear to notice her as he jogs towards her.

[theresnodoor]

Wearing what he always wears and not really catching her attention at all.

Until he gets close enough for her to notice the mask.

This guy again. Rachel frowns and tries to watch him out of the corner of her eye.

[not-his-son.livejournal.com]

Jason runs easily, like he's been doing it forever and could do it forever more, deceptively fast for what seems at first like a slow lope. Occasionally his slightly-too-long hair falls across his face, but he never needs to brush it out of his eyes - masks are useful for more than just disguise.

He glances across at her once, assessing, decides she's not a threat, and carries on his way.

[theresnodoor]

Rachel doesn't slow her pace or turn her head. But she watches his movement on her peripheral vision until she can barely hear the crunch of footsteps on snow.

Then she turns her head to find him, frowning at the dark figure.

There's something really weird about that guy.