Out for a walk

[angelinbloom]

So far, the recent LOL hasn't worn off. And as much as Colonel would be tempted to hide in their apartment until it does, duty must still be seen to, and that means trying to keep a watch on the Nexus.

So Iris is taking her brother for a walk. Thankfully, the Nexus does not have leash laws. The flea collar is enough of an indignity.

Comments

[random_xtras]

There's a tiny nearly human woman watching them from the shade of a tree, her very long black hair blowing gently in the same breeze that's billowing out her long soft skirt. Her feet are clad in soft, old fashioned slippers, and there's a wary alertness to her that smacks more of a little forest thing than of a civilized person.

[a_tin_soldier]

Upon noticing they're being watched, Iris waves shyly.

Colonel perks an ear and watches Jaime for a moment.

[random_xtras]

The girl quirks a slight grin at the wave and responds in kind, her dark eyes studying the other young female before they flick toward the LOL'd brother. Seeing his attentive look she cocks her head, and her body language suddenly says clearly, 'I'm watching you too. On purpose. But I don't want to fight.'

[a_tin_soldier]

It's difficult to look dignified and curious at the same time, but Colonel manages to pull it off as he starts padding over towards Jaime. Iris, of course, follows her brother.

[random_xtras]

The girl watches him, moving just slightly as he comes up to her so that he'll be able to catch the scents she's wearing.

Including that of a certain LOL'd cat.

[a_tin_soldier]

Colonel's still not too used to having sensory input that is in some ways quite different from what he considers normal. So it takes him a half-second longer than it would someone who's used to such input to recognize the Zerokitty smell. His ears flick back just briefly and he looks around.

"Brother? What's wrong?" Iris asks.

"Nothing," Colonel replies, having not spotted Zero around. Which just meant that this person was associated with the Wilybots somehow. That explained, at least to Colonel, why they were being watched. That particular group had kept them under observation since they'd arrived. Of course, since Colonel and his sister had been sent to do the same thing to them, both sides had a sort of mutual truce about it for now.

Iris looks like she doesn't quite believe Colonel about there not being a problem, but she'll reach to give him an ear-scritch to try to get his mind off it anyway. She gives Jaime a shy smile. "Hello. I'm Iris, and this is my brother Colonel. He isn't usually a dog..."

[random_xtras]

"I ken who ye are." The girl's voice is a soft Gaelic lilt, with no hint of any challenge though she cocks her head and studies Iris again from this closer vantage. "My name is Jaime 'o Howlette, 'n I hae seen ye aboot t' Nexus afore."

[angelinbloom]

"Ah, yes, I suppose we have been here for a while now," Iris says. Her own voice is gentle, with a trace of British accent.

[random_xtras]

Jaime's mouth twitches, and then she turns her attention back to Colonel. "May I hae a word wit' ye, laddie?"

[a_tin_soldier]

There's a headtilt and a perked ear at that. "You may."

Iris blushes slightly, feeling as if she's intruding. "I'll wait over there," she says, gesturing towards a nearby spot where she'd seen some interesting flowers.

Colonel gives her hand a nuzzle before she can go to look at the flowers. "Don't wander too far."

"I won't, brother." Iris gives him scritches and a quick hug in return before going over to the area she'd indicated. It's far enough away so that she won't overhear, but she's still well in sight of her overprotective sibling.

[random_xtras]

Jaime gives the other girl a smile of thanks, then looks down at the dog and quirks a brow at him.

[a_tin_soldier]

It's hard to look dignified when you're fluffy, but Colonel is trying. "Well? What is it you have to say?"

[random_xtras]

She tilts her head, those wild/gentle eyes studying him warily and measuringly. "Y'ken a lad by t' name 'o Zero?"

[a_tin_soldier]

Colonel tenses slightly at the name, and nods. "Yes, I do."

There's no real hostility in his tone. He's more concerned that things could lead to his sister being hurt than anything else.

[random_xtras]

Just a hint of sternness shows in her eyes. "Did ye chase him up t' tree?"

[a_tin_soldier]

"Only due to a misunderstanding. He dropped out of a tree and landed on Iris. I did not realize at the time that he was attempting to warn us about the LOL, only that his action seemed improper and had startled my sister."

[random_xtras]

"Hrrmmm." Yes, that was indeed a very soft, very thoughtful, very inhuman growl from Jaime.

[a_tin_soldier]

Growl or not, Colonel is not budging. He's very protective of his sister.

[random_xtras]

That's alright. It wasn't a threat, just a thinking sound. She's trying to figure out what to say now, but all she knows is that she wants to stop Zero from feeling so bad. She's not sure what to do here.

[a_tin_soldier]

"I have nothing against him, personally. But the fact remains that he is a wanted fugitive. It may not be just, but it is how the laws of our world currently stand."

[random_xtras]

Jaime shakes her head. "This isnae yer world, mon. Those rules are nae worth a scrap here."

[a_tin_soldier]

Colonel bristles slightly, wondering how someone can miss the obvious. "Not here, no. But we will have to return to our world or become fugitives ourselves. I will not allow my sister to end up labeled maverick due to association with a Wilybot."

[random_xtras]

She pauses and manually wrenches her mind from defensive and protective against the being who's stalking those she loves, then lifts an eyebrow slightly. "So. Tis on both sides, then."

[a_tin_soldier]

Puzzled puppy. "I do not understand what you mean by that. Iris and I have to return to our own universe once a week to make our reports. Zero would know this. It's enough of a risk to leave out some of the things that we do. Were we to fall under suspicion, I am sure the next person the Maverick Hunters chose to send to observe this place will not be as understanding as my sister."

[random_xtras]

Jaime just shakes her head slightly and changes the subject slightly as she turns to go. "Me laddie has done naught t' yer sister save jump on her head t' one time. Y'dinna need t' fash yersel' sae."

[a_tin_soldier]

Which leaves Colonel even more confused. He didn't need to what now? And he wonders what this stranger meant by calling Zero 'hers'. That was a bit worrying. But since they seem to be leaving, he'll just pad over to check on Iris.