wнen тнe мoυnтaιn тoυcнeѕ тнe valley. (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
midvalley) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
pullmeoutalive2014-06-27 11:45 pm
midvalley) wrote in pullmeoutalive2014-06-27 11:45 pm
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[ With her hands fixed on her lap as it is, she can't see the way he suddenly looks stricken. ]
Hey. That wasn't your fault.
Hey. That wasn't your fault.
Isn't it? I had the chance to close the park and I didn't take it.
[ He pauses, mouth pressing into a line, then, ]
That was a mistake. [ He says it slowly, carefully. ] It was a mistake, but you took steps to correct it.
That was a mistake. [ He says it slowly, carefully. ] It was a mistake, but you took steps to correct it.
It doesn't feel like enough. It never feels like enough.
It's probably never going to.
You did what you could, and you're still doing what you can. You can't take all the blame on yourself.
You did what you could, and you're still doing what you can. You can't take all the blame on yourself.
Leave it to you not to pull any punches.
[ there's a long pause before she finally glances up at him ] I'm sorry. I'm way out of my depth here.
[ there's a long pause before she finally glances up at him ] I'm sorry. I'm way out of my depth here.
[ He offers a crooked little smile, something more rueful than reassuring. ]
Honestly, I know you've got a back up plan for your back up plans, but I'd be shocked if even you had this situation under control. Not everyday someone survives something like this.
Honestly, I know you've got a back up plan for your back up plans, but I'd be shocked if even you had this situation under control. Not everyday someone survives something like this.
I guess not.
[ she heaves a sigh, gaze flicking towards the ceiling ] This isn't how I imagined inviting you to my apartment, you know.
[ she heaves a sigh, gaze flicking towards the ceiling ] This isn't how I imagined inviting you to my apartment, you know.
[ He allows himself a smirk. ]
Be honest. [ He gestures to his shirt. ] I'd be wearing less, right?
Be honest. [ He gestures to his shirt. ] I'd be wearing less, right?
No comment. [ Though he does manage to get something like a smile out of her. ]
[ That's something, at least; he takes it as a win. ]
If we're being honest, I figured we would've at least gotten one successful date in before you invited me home.
If we're being honest, I figured we would've at least gotten one successful date in before you invited me home.
Considering the paparazzi likes to spring up wherever I go, I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon.
We don't have to go out, you know. Quiet night in. I'm actually a decent cook, whether or not you want to believe it.
No punching. I promise.
No punching. I promise.
[ She really does appreciate the way Owen looks at things- simple and straightforward- because whether she’d admit it or not, she’s a goddamn mess lately. She barely has time to sit and think, and more often than not just goes in whatever direction her handlers at Masrani Corp push her. All she has left is the pretense of control, and it’s becoming clear that even that is slipping.
But a night in? A simple dinner and good company? It sounds almost too good to be true, and the thought gleans another almost-smile from her. ]
I think I’d like to take you up on that.
But a night in? A simple dinner and good company? It sounds almost too good to be true, and the thought gleans another almost-smile from her. ]
I think I’d like to take you up on that.
Yeah? [ And he seems pleasantly surprised by that. He had almost expected another dodge. ]
Well, we can figure something out, then. Whenever you're not busy getting interviewed by Diane Sawyer or whoever.
Well, we can figure something out, then. Whenever you're not busy getting interviewed by Diane Sawyer or whoever.
It’s going to be a while before I have anything like free time again. [ She pauses, considering him for a moment. She knows their lives are hectic right now- hers especially- but she’s missed him. So it’s oddly spontaneous, but she offers, ] But I’m free now.
Really? Now?
[ His head tilts, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth ]
Sure you don't want to put together a schedule real quick? Or is one formulating in your head, even as we speak?
[ His head tilts, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth ]
Sure you don't want to put together a schedule real quick? Or is one formulating in your head, even as we speak?
[ Now it’s Claire’s turn to roll her eyes. ] I am actually capable of spontaneity, you know. And it’s not as if today has gone as planned at all anyway.
We should take the chance while we have it.
We should take the chance while we have it.
[ To his credit, he doesn’t ask what a “garage” is, nor does he ask what the strange vehicle is. Ian simply falls in-step behind Owen, Blue taking up the rear for now. They don’t make it very far out of the ruined garage when the raptor stops to give a warning growl. It’s too little too late, however, and a flashlight beam suddenly flickers to life, shining right in their faces.
“Who the fuck are you?” The man behind the flashlight asks, presumably of Owen, considering Ian and Blue are still mostly obscured behind him. The pirate, however, has decided he’s had enough of this run-and-hide crap, so he draws his pistol (he trusts it more than the weapon Owen gave him), pokes his head around Owen’s side, and fires. The man with the flashlight drops with a startled cry, and Ian has about point-two seconds to feel smugly satisfied before realizing that man was not alone- he had a buddy. A buddy who is bringing his assault rifle to bear.
Ian grabs Owen by the collar and yanks him to the ground, just in time to catch a spray of ammunition himself, right in the chest. He drops to one knee, wheezing, gasping. Gods damn it, he almost wonders if getting fatally wounded hurts worse now. Leave it to the god of death to be cruel in his kindness. Ian can hear the InGen worker swearing to himself, realizing he just pumped their newest “asset” full of lead, and the Raptori tenses and springs forward with all the speed he possesses.
He sweeps around the man, who tries to turn to track him, but he’s too fast. Ian gives a sudden, violent sweep of his tail, catching the man in the belly and sending him careening into a nearby tree. He crumples and does not rise.
That done, Ian drops to a knee again, pressing a hand to his chest. ] Gods, I hate getting shot.
“Who the fuck are you?” The man behind the flashlight asks, presumably of Owen, considering Ian and Blue are still mostly obscured behind him. The pirate, however, has decided he’s had enough of this run-and-hide crap, so he draws his pistol (he trusts it more than the weapon Owen gave him), pokes his head around Owen’s side, and fires. The man with the flashlight drops with a startled cry, and Ian has about point-two seconds to feel smugly satisfied before realizing that man was not alone- he had a buddy. A buddy who is bringing his assault rifle to bear.
Ian grabs Owen by the collar and yanks him to the ground, just in time to catch a spray of ammunition himself, right in the chest. He drops to one knee, wheezing, gasping. Gods damn it, he almost wonders if getting fatally wounded hurts worse now. Leave it to the god of death to be cruel in his kindness. Ian can hear the InGen worker swearing to himself, realizing he just pumped their newest “asset” full of lead, and the Raptori tenses and springs forward with all the speed he possesses.
He sweeps around the man, who tries to turn to track him, but he’s too fast. Ian gives a sudden, violent sweep of his tail, catching the man in the belly and sending him careening into a nearby tree. He crumples and does not rise.
That done, Ian drops to a knee again, pressing a hand to his chest. ] Gods, I hate getting shot.
[ His smile comes out full force, though he subdues a little when the expression pulls uncomfortably on the cut on his upper lip. ]
Any chance your pantry's actually stocked? Or have you just been getting take out all this time?
Any chance your pantry's actually stocked? Or have you just been getting take out all this time?
[ So much for no casualties in this little trip out. If they get caught, they're most definitely going to prison.
That thought gets shoved to the back of his head, though, because he saw the way Ian caught that bullet, and Owen tries to steady him, muttering a curse. And then Ian is darting away from him, despite Owen's aborted attempt at calling him back. He catches sight of Blue, who looks equal parts agitated and angry. She recognizes the sound of gunfire, remembers it from the night when that creature appeared and she lost her sisters. That noise meant danger and pain. And these men were aiming their strange weapons at her alpha, trying to hurt him. She lets out a screech, enraged, and speeds past Ian and his assailant; she tackles a third man emerging from the trail ahead who had been alerted by the sound of gunfire. She gores him before he has a chance to fire.
Owen has only a moment to register what the hell just happened, but when Ian drops to a knee, he springs into action, kneeling in front of him and putting his hands on the Raptori's shoulders to help him stay upright. ]
Shit. Let me see.
That thought gets shoved to the back of his head, though, because he saw the way Ian caught that bullet, and Owen tries to steady him, muttering a curse. And then Ian is darting away from him, despite Owen's aborted attempt at calling him back. He catches sight of Blue, who looks equal parts agitated and angry. She recognizes the sound of gunfire, remembers it from the night when that creature appeared and she lost her sisters. That noise meant danger and pain. And these men were aiming their strange weapons at her alpha, trying to hurt him. She lets out a screech, enraged, and speeds past Ian and his assailant; she tackles a third man emerging from the trail ahead who had been alerted by the sound of gunfire. She gores him before he has a chance to fire.
Owen has only a moment to register what the hell just happened, but when Ian drops to a knee, he springs into action, kneeling in front of him and putting his hands on the Raptori's shoulders to help him stay upright. ]
Shit. Let me see.
Stop your fussing. [ Ian holds out a hand, keeping Owen at a distance. ] I’ll be fine. I just need a moment.
[ He stays as he is a moment or two longer, hand pressed over his chest, until at last his breathing evens out. He pulls his hand away. His shirt is punctured and bloody, but the flesh beneath it is completely unscathed. ] What upon the earth do you people make your bullets out of?
[ He stays as he is a moment or two longer, hand pressed over his chest, until at last his breathing evens out. He pulls his hand away. His shirt is punctured and bloody, but the flesh beneath it is completely unscathed. ] What upon the earth do you people make your bullets out of?
[ Oh. Has she… actually seen Owen smile before? Like, really smile? She likes to think she’d remember if she had but that, brief as it was, was much different than anything she’s seen from him before. ]
I never use it, but it’s stocked. [ She motions to a door in the corner of the kitchen. ] Help yourself. I might even have some things in the freezer, but I can’t speak for the quality.
I never use it, but it’s stocked. [ She motions to a door in the corner of the kitchen. ] Help yourself. I might even have some things in the freezer, but I can’t speak for the quality.
[ he offers a teasing smirk. ]
Lemme guess: Instant ramen and microwaveable meals are more your forte.
Lemme guess: Instant ramen and microwaveable meals are more your forte.
I’ve been busy, okay? [ Also, she can’t really cook. ]
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