(no subject)

[hecu_marine]

Outside the bugs might still be screaming. It's hard to say. The humans operating the floodlights came forward to grab Chell and Adrian as soon as they saw them- well, to grab Chell. Shephard almost got shot, because when the antlions are swarming and the bullets are flying, a gas mask looks an awful lot like a Combine full face helmet.

Someone saw what they were about to shoot in time, though, so Shephard avoided that fate. They're inside now, being led through the narrow corridors of some sort of concealed base. 'Led' is the operative word, as Shephard is still trying to recover from having floodlights turned on while using his mask's night vision functionality.

"So," says the human closest to Chell, a dark-skinned woman with her shotgun slung over her shoulders. "What's your story, anyway?"

Comments

[subject-lj-here.livejournal.com]

Chell nods. "It's a roof over our heads and resources to pool, at least."

She's managing her agoraphobia very well, really. But she still likes having solid walls around her, and is trailing her fingers along the wall behind her unconsciously.

[hecu_marine]

"Better'n nothin'," Adrian agrees. "We can talk it over more in the morning. Right now I just wanna crash."

[subject-lj-here.livejournal.com]

"You deserve it." She pauses, looking down at the ground briefly. "Thank you for saving my life, tonight. You could have left me behind, and you didn't."

[hecu_marine]

"I don't think I'd be able t'look at my reflection in the mirror again if I ran out on you," Adrian says. "I mean, if we ever found a mirror again. You know what I mean..."

[subject-lj-here.livejournal.com]

"Yes, I understand... I haven't seen a mirror... so long. But still. It means quite a bit to me."

[hecu_marine]

This is not the time to ask if there's a Mr. Chell somewhere, so Adrian doesn't. He just nods. "You're welcome," he says. "Just doin' my duty."

[subject-lj-here.livejournal.com]

Chell smiles a little. "It's... you're a good person, Adrian."

[hecu_marine]

"I try-"

He can't get more than that out before the giant yawn hits him; apparently the adrenaline's gone. "Damn," he says when he's done. "Sorry, Chell. Let's head on in there."

Too bad the door leads to somewhere else entirely.