Snippet #2377680

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April Rosevolt

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Reginald’s response was to act with his usual charming impassiveness as the conversation dragged on, immune to Touya’s public displays of hostilities. Even the dismaying news about Val’s survival utterly failed to faze him. Perhaps the doctor was simply labored by greater concerns by that point for it had the opposite effect on her. April had seen its likeness before, on the blood swept fields of Ungalor and the murky glades of the Great Forests. Always the medic exuded a calculated patience that sent shivers of dread down her spine. Touya’s aggravated expression only exacerbated her suspicions and her hand instinctively squeezed his in return, an unbidden coping mechanism.

As she processed the therian’s recount of the past few weeks, it occurred to her that Touya had endured a great deal despite the relatively short passage of days. Fighting the hybrids, Val, and coping with her abduction. The risks were innumerable and a thrill of happy sensations rendered her olive complexion red. Obviously the therian would’ve done the same for any of his friends, but it was exactly those qualities she felt an engaging attraction to. It was an unusual twist from the enraging despair that his reckless behavior typically incurred.

"While I'm thinking of it, I want to go find a tribe of Therian's. If we find someone who knows our technology, like I found to fix mine, they can help April far more than you or I can. Victor was trying to imitate our technology, if that truly is the case than my people can help her further. They can make it so she can feel her limbs again and so that the weapons inside are much like my own and it won't hurt her anymore. My only condition is that I'm taking her with me and I'm leaving Damea in your hands," Touya said before drastically altering his tone. April flinched as the audible snap of hidden blades indicated that the therian had drawn his weapons. Panic rose in the back of her throat and for a second she pictured him painting the walls in dark sprays of crimson. "But if I return to nothing, and I find that Damea is missing just like April was before, I swear to you, no machine of yours will stop me from hunting you down and running my sword through you as painfully as I can manage."

Of course the statement was accompanied by his standard death threat. Both April and Reginald regarded the therian with erected eyebrows for entirely different reasons however. The lack of trust between Reginald and Touya was so well established it may as well have been carved into stone. Regardless of the absence of choice, it was far more surprising that the therian would consciously make the suggestion himself. To April at least it was clear that the medic had expected another debate.

Reginald’s head started to nod as he spoke, watchful of the sharpened claws. “I can’t say that’s a bad idea given the modifications to her body. She needs an expert who’s able to work with biomechanics and unfortunately, engineering is outside the expertise of me and my colleagues,” he admitted, stroking his jaw thoughtfully, “But I can’t guarantee that we’ll be in the same position the next time you return. It won’t be long until Victor finds this facility now that your faceless friend so kindly intruded. Neither can I guarantee a safe exit or entry back into the city like last time. Victor has the support of just about everyone in Altheim now. It feels like something big is about to happen.”

“Touya, you don’t have to do this,” April protested, squeezing his hand harder to gain the therian’s attention, “We’re in the middle of crisis. My well being is secondary compared to the rest of the population, I can wait. Instead we should be using this time to plan.”

Her sentence finally piqued the interest of Reginald who raised another cursory eyebrow in her direction, “What else were you planning for?”

Abruptly, the floor seemed to catch her attention. April fought through a wave of negative emotions as she considered the situation. Originally, she never intended to inform Reginald that she possessed the knowledge of the facility’s location. It seemed natural to believe he was in league with whoever was creating the hybrids. In light of recent developments, she was now reviewing her decision.

“Nothing, a getaway might not be such a bad idea after all,” April murmured, looking back towards Touya’s hard bitten features. Remembering her wish to remove the therian from the war, perhaps this was her opportunity.

“Then it’s settled,” Reginald confirmed, clapping his hands together in a conclusive fashion. “I’ll make the necessary arrangements for you both to leave. In the meantime we’ll look after Damea and help him train in his abilities. Hopefully our facilities won’t burn down in the process…When you want to contact us again, don’t use the pigeon services. Victor has hawks planted everywhere. Instead, we’ll use messengers. Slightly outdated, but it lets us blend in more. I’ll have a man dressed as a pilgrim posted in the markets once a day, for two hours after sunrise. Miss Rosevolt, be careful out there. Any strenuous activities might counteract your recovery. It would be better to avoid any fighting.”