[20:53] <Catherine`Carver> <exiting the viewing room she heads to the pilot's lounge. In there she sees Dez and gives him a little wave, then joins h im> Hey.

[20:53] <Dez_Visir> Oh, hi...<Smiles, the thrill of victory still lingering in his mind>

[20:54] <Catherine`Carver> I saw the match. Pretty good. You might not know it but we used the same finishing move.

[20:55] <Dez_Visir> Hmm...really? Well, I guess we have similar styles then.

[20:55] <Reve_Hunter> <sits down in the pilot lounge, reading a book on "how to be a more sensative person">

[20:56] <Catherine`Carver> We're probably going to have to face each other in battle, you know.

[20:56] <Dez_Visir> <Nods> Just go easy on me.

[20:57] <Catherine`Carver> I fight to win, and I expect you to do the same.

[20:57] <Dez_Visir> Yeah, of course.

[20:59] <Catherine`Carver> <her eyes wander across the room and then sees Reve in the lounge reading...>

[20:59] <Reve_Hunter> <flips through the pages..."be patient...everyone reacts differently in certain situations. try to put yourself in their shoes...">

[20:59] <Catherine`Carver> <"This is going to go to hell fast if the two see each other.">

[20:59] <Dez_Visir> Hmmm....I didn't take too much damage, so Tiamat should be repaired in no time.

[20:59] <Reve_Hunter> Right...be patient...

[21:00] <Catherine`Carver> You sure that guy from earlier won't kill you?

[21:00] <Reve_Hunter> <flips to the next chapter.."how to handle anger">

[21:00] <Dez_Visir> He might...if I don't kill him first.

[21:00] <Catherine`Carver> Lovely.

[21:01] <Dez_Visir> Well, it's not a saint's business we're in.

[21:01] <Reve_Hunter> <reads: "the key to controlling anger is to first analyze the situation. remain calm and try to understand why you are reacting the way you are. are you being unreasonable? do you have an alternative reaction? what will you gain by becoming angry?">

[21:02] <Catherine`Carver> Most certainly not.

[21:02] <Catherine`Carver> ...Still, despite my fighting, I've never killed anyone before.

[21:02] <Dez_Visir> It's easier after the first death.

[21:02] <Catherine`Carver> <looks at him sharply> Don't tell anyone that.

[21:02] <Dez_Visir> Oh, uh...of course not. Eh-hehehe...

[21:03] <Catherine`Carver> <smacks him on the shoulder> I'm serious!

[21:03] <Dez_Visir> Don't worry about it! Your secret's safe with me. <Tries to keep from laughing>

[21:03] <Catherine`Carver> Shut up!

[21:03] <Reve_Hunter> <flips through more pages..."How to forgive"..<reads intently> the rule to forgiving is to realize that you deserve to be forgiven as well. Forgiveness is about giving and taking. If you can forgive, therefore you have reason to be forgiven">

[21:04] <Catherine`Carver> it's not funny!

[21:04] <Catherine`Carver> Grr...

[21:04] <Dez_Visir> <Decides to just burst out laughing, since he's been found out>

[21:04] <Reve_Hunter> <looks up the laughter>

[21:04] <Reve_Hunter> <notices Catherine standing with....Dez>

[21:04] <Dez_Visir> I'm sorry, I'm sorry...<Tries to stop>

[21:04] <Catherine`Carver> I'm going to kill you, Dez Visir! <pretends to strangle him>

[21:04] <Dez_Visir> Ack! <Goes back to laughing>

[21:05] <Reve_Hunter> <she puts down the book calmly> Ok reve...remember...understanding, be understanding. don't get mad...and forgiveness, the book mentions forgiveness.

[21:05] <Catherine`Carver> <starts laughing also, because once someone else is laughing it is contagious>

[21:05] <Reve_Hunter> take a deep breath Rêve...

[21:05] <Catherine`Carver> Ahem, it's not...hehe...funny!

[21:05] <Dez_Visir> Alright, you're right...but for some reason, it is....

[21:06] <Reve_Hunter> <walks behind dez, catherine too into her laughing and whispers in his ear...> Oh, how's Maria? Or should I ask as it seems like you've moved on to greener pastures...

[21:06] <Catherine`Carver> <lets go of Dez's throat>

[21:06] <Catherine`Carver> Reve? What are you doing here?

[21:06] <Dez_Visir> <Freezes. His face turns pale at the sound of the voice, plus there's the fact that her breath is tickling his ear>

[21:07] <Dez_Visir> ...Oh, uh.......Maria? Maria is fine.

[21:07] <Reve_Hunter> I came to support Retrotech...

[21:07] <Reve_Hunter> My mother is here as well.

[21:07] <Catherine`Carver> <has a guilty look on her face as she looks at Reve, even though she herself has done nothing wrong>

[21:07] <Reve_Hunter> Mom wanted support, as this is Dad's first time piloting for a while...just worried i guess.

[21:07] <Catherine`Carver> Yeah, I saw your dad.

[21:08] <Catherine`Carver> I'm surprised Sakura, er, your mom, didn't kill him.

[21:08] <Dez_Visir> <Takes a step away from the two of them, rubbing his elbow nervously>

[21:08] <Reve_Hunter> Yeah, well...anyway. I'll leave the two of you alone, you seem to have been enjoying yourself <thinly veiled anger...she remembers the book and tries to hold back>

[21:08] <Catherine`Carver> You can join us, you know?

[21:09] <Catherine`Carver> I could also leave so you two could be alone...

[21:09] <Dez_Visir> Yeah, it's not like we were doing anything. <Emphasis on anything.>

[21:09] <Dez_Visir> What? Why us two?

[21:09] <Dez_Visir> What's this business about leaving me alone with one of you?

[21:09] <Dez_Visir> Geez...

[21:09] <Reve_Hunter> <looks at dez and then back at catherine> no, it's alright, I'd feel like a third wheel, being a non pilot

[21:09] <Reve_Hunter> i'm just here to support retrotech.

[21:09] <Catherine`Carver> Well still, you can join us if you'd like.

[21:10] <Reve_Hunter> <she smiles a half smile and walks away, picks up her book and goes off outside, not responding to either dez's or catherine's comments>

[21:10] <Dez_Visir> <Sighs> I don't understand that girl at all.

[21:10] <Catherine`Carver> What's with her?

[21:11] <Reve_Hunter> <she walks outside into the cold air...her hair blowing in the wind, she begins to feel tightchested, and a single tear falls>

[21:12] <Reve_Hunter> The bastard...why the hell does he have this affect on me...

[21:12] <Catherine`Carver> She's acting like we did something wrong...we were just playing.

[21:12] <Reve_Hunter> I have no reason to be jealous, none at all...i have no claim on him.

[21:12] <Evan_Cross> <walks through the facility, looking for the cafeteria>

[21:12] <Dez_Visir> I don't really know. She acts like...nah, she's probably just missing some sleep.

[21:12] <Reve_Hunter> <sits down in the snow, head in her knees>

[21:12] <Catherine`Carver> ...Maybe I should see if she's okay. You think I should?

[21:13] <Dez_Visir> No, I'll do it.

[21:13] <Dez_Visir> I seem to be the problem.

[21:13] <Evan_Cross> <Finds the cafeteria, walks directly to the coffee machine>

[21:13] <Catherine`Carver> Okay,

[21:14] <Reve_Hunter> <slams her hand into the snow> DAMN YOU DEZ! <she yells, an echo reverberating around her>

[21:14] <Dez_Visir> I'll just meet up with you some other time...seeya around.

[21:14] <Dez_Visir> <Walks off into the direction he saw Reve go>

[21:14] <Catherine`Carver> See ya later.

[21:14] <Catherine`Carver> <sighs> Those two have problems...

[21:14] <Evan_Cross> <comes out, sipping the coffee>

[21:15] <Evan_Cross> <starts off down a hallway>

[21:15] <Dez_Visir> <He eventually follows the path to outside, where he spots Reve sitting down. He doesn't say anything at first, just watching her quietly.>

[21:15] <Reve_Hunter> <her shoulders move slightly up and down, the only movement you find from her, indicating that she's crying>

[21:16] <Dez_Visir> .....Reve?

[21:17] <Reve_Hunter> <begins to mumble to herself, doesn't here dez> You know...really Rêve, you deserve better than to let yourself fall for some playboy like him... He's not the type that would stick with you to the end, you're just fooling yourself.

[21:18] <Reve_Hunter> <still to herself> sure...you have a certain attraction to each other, but you'll find that elsewhere...<trying to convince herself that this is all true> he probably doesn't even think about you, much less care.

[21:18] <Reve_Hunter> <sighs> He was right all along, you're from different worlds...

[21:19] <Reve_Hunter> Catherine is at least a pilot...perhaps you should feel happy for her...

[21:19] <Reve_Hunter> but why don't you?

[21:19] <Dez_Visir> ...<He pauses, listening to the words she says. For the first time in a long while, he actually feels true sadness. He wonders whether to speak up or not...>

[21:23] <Reve_Hunter> <absentmindedly, her gloved hand sweeps at the snow, drawing a heart shape with her finger, and putting Dez's name in the middle>

[21:23] <Reve_Hunter> NO! <erases the image immediately>

[21:24] <Dez_Visir> ........

[21:24] <Reve_Hunter> <she bites her lip and her head leans back on to the wall she rests against>

[21:24] <Dez_Visir> <Speaks up> Reve?

[21:24] <Reve_Hunter> Oh dez...<turns around, startled> Dez?

[21:25] <Dez_Visir> Yeah, I just wondered where you went in such a hurry.

[21:25] <Reve_Hunter> uh...um...<quickly stands up and brushes the snow off her> i...well, how long have you been standing there?

[21:25] <Dez_Visir> Oh, I'd say for maybe the past few minutes...

[21:25] <Reve_Hunter> <blushes at the thought of all she admitted in what she thought was privately>

[21:25] <Reve_Hunter> few minutes? <internal groan> and you didn't say anything?

[21:26] <Dez_Visir> I didn't want to interrupt you...

[21:26] <Dez_Visir> <Gives a weak smile, trying not to shiver from the cold>

[21:26] <Reve_Hunter> right, you just wanted to watch me and amuse yourself, I see..

[21:26] <Reve_Hunter> well, i left because i was feeling a bit warm and needed some air that's all.

[21:26] <Reve_Hunter> nothing really i'm fine.

[21:27] <Dez_Visir> No, no it's nothing like that, I swear! It's just that....sometimes I have no idea what's going through your head.

[21:27] <Evan_Cross> <stops wandering around the building, looks for the exit>

[21:27] <Reve_Hunter> What does it matter Dez? Our last conversation didn't even end up as friends

[21:27] <Dez_Visir> I know, I was just being stupid.

[21:28] <Reve_Hunter> <her teeth are chattering and she's shivering>

[21:28] <Evan_Cross> <walks out into the snow>

[21:28] <Reve_Hunter> yeah, well i think i've had enough fresh air now.

[21:28] <Reve_Hunter> <can't even meet his eyes>

[21:28] <Dez_Visir> Yeah, so have I. I hate the cold...

[21:29] <Evan_Cross> <pauses for a moment, sipping his coffee, stands a few feet behind Dez>

[21:29] <Reve_Hunter> Don't worry about being stupid Dez, i was stupid too...<doesn't finish the sentance as the ending probably is obvious>

[21:29] <Dez_Visir> It's alright then.

[21:29] <Evan_Cross> Damn this cold...

[21:29] <Reve_Hunter> <notices Evan behind Dez, not even knowing why or how he came to be there, she smiles a sigh of relief>

[21:30] <Reve_Hunter> <Dez confuses her smile as for him>

[21:30] <Evan_Cross> No way I'm walking back to my room now.

[21:30] <Evan_Cross> <sighs>

[21:30] <Reve_Hunter> <thinking quickly she tries to make the most of the awkward situation>

[21:30] <Reve_Hunter> Evan! There you are sweetheart!

[21:30] <Herusu_Hunter> <still sitting on the couch, re-reading the post card out of lack of things to do>

[21:30] <Evan_Cross> <turns to go back inside, notices Reve>

[21:30] <Evan_Cross> Um. Hey!

[21:30] <Reve_Hunter> <she waves to evan to come over>

[21:31] <Dez_Visir> <Turns to look over his shoulder at Evan>

[21:31] <Evan_Cross> <walks over>

[21:31] <Dez_Visir> Oh...friend of yours?

[21:31] <Reve_Hunter> You remember Evan dez, I told you about him, Evan, the next president of the united states in my book, this is Dez. A co-worker.

[21:31] <Reve_Hunter> <emphasis on co-worker>

[21:31] <Evan_Cross> <looks at Dez>

[21:32] <Evan_Cross> Evan Cross. Nice to meet you.

[21:32] <Reve_Hunter> <takes Evan's arm protectively and draws him close> oh you're so warm evan. Perhaps we should go inside?

[21:32] <Dez_Visir> Hello, Evan...nice to meet you...

[21:32] <Reve_Hunter> <looks at evan pleadingly>

[21:32] <Evan_Cross> Ah...yeah. I was just thinking the same thing.

[21:32] <Dez_Visir> ...<His eyes move between Reve and Evan>

[21:33] <Evan_Cross> My pleasure.

[21:33] <Evan_Cross> Are you here to compete?

[21:33] <Reve_Hunter> <smiles broadly, more from the idea of leaving Dez's uncomfortable presence than from really leaving the cold.>

[21:33] <Evan_Cross> <nods> Good luck, then.

[21:34] <Catherine`Carver> <deciding the two have had long enough to talk and make up, Catherine get up out of the pilot's lounge and to the hallway which leads to exit...just waiting there>

[21:34] <Dez_Visir> <Watches the smile on Reve's face...>

[21:34] <Evan_Cross> Which...team...are you with?

[21:34] <Reve_Hunter> <looks to Dez> Well, good luck dez, i'm sure catherine and maria are cheering for you.

[21:34] <Dez_Visir> ....

[21:34] <Dez_Visir> Sinister 8...

[21:35] <Evan_Cross> Ah. I see.

[21:35] <Evan_Cross> <bows slightly>

[21:35] <Reve_Hunter> Well, i'm sure you'll do Sinister 8 proud dez.

[21:35] <Catherine`Carver> <waiting in the hallway for Dez and Reve to return together, she has a small smile on her face> They belong together, it's meant to be.

[21:35] <Evan_Cross> Good luck.

[21:36] <Dez_Visir> <There is no real way to see when a man's heart is broken. He doesn't break down into tears and hysterical sobbing, he doesn't even speak about it. The only true way to tell is the sad look in his eyes, and the way he'll look away. Which is what Dez does...no longer does he attempt to look either of them in the eye. Rather, he looks towards the ground.>

[21:37] <Evan_Cross> <to Reve> Should we...

[21:37] <Reve_Hunter> <in a moment of impulse, she moves to dez, and kisses him on the cheek...meant to be one of those fleeting "acquaintance" type kisses, but she lingers, taking in his smell, and she breathes it in, almost reluctant to move away, contrary to her original intentions. She's in a spell, his nearness intoxicating...>

[21:38] <Reve_Hunter> <she closes her eyes, and is brought back to reality by the firm grasp of evan's hand>

[21:38] <Dez_Visir> <Eventually, his eyes wander up to watch her strange behavior...it was quite the game that they were playing>

[21:38] <Reve_Hunter> <whispers> good luck dez...good bye...

[21:38] <Reve_Hunter> i...

[21:38] <Dez_Visir> <Nods solemnly, then interrupts her> Good bye.

[21:39] <Reve_Hunter> <she looks in his eyes...and then turns away, the desire probably obvious to everyone, probably including dez. She gets scared of whatever impulse may take hold and quickly steps back>

[21:40] <Reve_Hunter> Evan, shall we go?

[21:40] <Evan_Cross> I...yeah.

[21:41] <Cliff_Hunter> <at the small firing range he set up outside of the complex far away that no one would be hurt>

[21:41] <Reve_Hunter> <Evan's arm in her own, she moves back towards the complex>

[21:41] <Dez_Visir> <He clenches his fists, yet they feel weak from the nature of what has just occured. He makes no movement to stop her, nor to speak...he simply watches her leave.>

[21:41] <Evan_Cross> Where were you headed?

[21:42] <Reve_Hunter> Evan, can we just go somewhere to talk? I really feel like i'm going to collapse right now.

[21:42] <Reve_Hunter> I need to sit down...

[21:42] <Evan_Cross> Sure. Um, where?

[21:42] <Catherine`Carver> <when she sees Evan and Reve enter the complex together the look on her face turns to shock> What...? But what about Dez?

[21:43] <Reve_Hunter> <points to the couches she was just sitting on moments ago>

[21:43] <Cliff_Hunter> <walking back to the complex's entrance, loading a clip back into his Mark .23 and quickly putting it away>

[21:43] <Reve_Hunter> there's alright i guess, not many places for privacy around here.

[21:44] <Evan_Cross> <nods> okay. That will do.

[21:44] <Dez_Visir> <He walks in shortly after, all the color gone from his face. Though, for as long as he was out in the cold, one would assume that his cheeks would be a slight shade of red.>

[21:44] <Reve_Hunter> God Evan, i've never been so happy to see you in my life, thanks for going along with that charade...

[21:45] <Evan_Cross> Um...okay...you're welcome.

[21:45] <Catherine`Carver> <takes a step toward Dez, realizing he must be angry> Um...Dez?

[21:45] <Reve_Hunter> what are you doing here evan?

[21:45] <Reve_Hunter> just observing?

[21:46] <Dez_Visir> Yeah...?

[21:46] <Catherine`Carver> Are you okay?

[21:46] <Dez_Visir> Sure...couldn't be better...

[21:46] <Evan_Cross> YEah. Just watching.

[21:47] <Evan_Cross> Thought I'd see what the talent pool looked like.

[21:47] <Catherine`Carver> You want to be alone?

[21:47] <Dez_Visir> No, I'm alright, really.

[21:48] <Dez_Visir> I'm just glad she's happy now, y'know?

[21:48] <Evan_Cross> Good to see pilots are still pilots.

[21:48] <Catherine`Carver> Of course.

[21:48] <Evan_Cross> And you? You're here with the Retrotech contingent? Or are you working?

[21:48] <Reve_Hunter> <her eyes turn to dez who just walked back into the building and is now talking to catherine again, her hear begins to beat faster, and she just wants to scream to dez that she still wants to be with him>

[21:49] <Reve_Hunter> Just supporting retrotech

[21:49] <Evan_Cross> I figured.

[21:49] <Evan_Cross> So. You wanted to talk.

[21:49] <Evan_Cross> What's up?

[21:50] <Dez_Visir> Ah...well....it's not something that's really worth pondering....are you hungry?

[21:50] <Catherine`Carver> Kinda.

[21:52] <Dez_Visir> Good, I'm starving.

[21:53] <Catherine`Carver> I'm taking that to mean we're gonna eat.

[21:53] <Dez_Visir> Yeah...

[21:53] <Dez_Visir> Well, what else would it mean?

[21:54] <Dez_Visir> <Walks towards the exit leading to the cafeteria, avoiding Reve and Evan>

[21:54] <Catherine`Carver> Well, we could both be just saying we're hungry and then not do anything about it.

[21:55] <Dez_Visir> ....Maybe, but it's not very likely.

[21:58] <Catherine`Carver> <pauses a moment, the looks back at Dez> So, who's Maria?

[21:58] <Dez_Visir> ...Maria? Oh, hold on, I'll let you meet her....

[21:59] <Dez_Visir> <Removes his comm. device and flips it open.> [Automated Message, with a sexy Spanish accent] "Hello, Dez."

[21:59] <Catherine`Carver> <laughs>

[21:59] <Catherine`Carver> That's Maria?

[21:59] <Dez_Visir> It's my computer database manager...I just nicknamed her Maria, because that voice is just...well, you know.

[21:59] <Dez_Visir> <Nods> I can also program it to say basically anything in 3 different languages.

[22:00] <Catherine`Carver> <snickers> I should get Sean one of those...

[22:00] <Dez_Visir> He might like it. There's nothing like hearing a sexy voice before getting the news that you're about to be evicted from your apartment...<Closes the comm. device and puts it back into his pocket>

[22:02] <Catherine`Carver> .....

[22:02] <Dez_Visir> Hmmm.....well, maybe that's just my experience.