right as rain || zach + cambie
@zachbastiaans:
cambieandrews:
[She’d only gone outside for a matter of minutes, in order to retrieve the child that had ventured out in the storm because they thought they saw a cat in need of help. In those few minutes, Cambie had gotten as thoroughly soaked as if she’d just dived into the public bath still fully clothed. The child has been safely returned to their mother, and now she’s wringing her hair out into the sink of one of the communal bathrooms. She’s cold, and clammy, and shivering, and there’s a soft smile on her face: she has to laugh at herself, because of course someone is going to come in while she’s looking like a drowned rat.]
I know, I know - I’m that idiot. [She smiles, shaking a few more droplets from sleeves.] I’d not recommend going outside right now. Bit brisk out there.
[Zach wasn’t new to spending a storm cloaked day and night in moaning structures. He’d been on the wrong side of storms before. He could still clearly remember one summer camp where half of the camp washed away overnight and they had to hide in the bathroom building, where everything came back up through the toilets. It wasn’t pretty. There had been enough times when storms had completely taken them by surprise staying in an empty building that had long since lost its ability to keep its occupants dry. He remembered completely soaked clothing and sleeping bags, hiding inside some supermarket somewhere as soon as they opened. Drinking free coffee and hoping their clothing would dry as they wore it. And aside from that: Zach loved thunder storms. There was something powerful about Mother Nature when it got angry, it made him feel small, it made him appreciate life itself, beyond just himself. He would’ve probably gone outside anyway, running in a thunder storm - at least if it wasn’t in open fields - was great, but standing in the doorway, Zach had assisted a couple of unlucky individuals, who had picked this day to go for a walk. He was soaking, and cold, definitely cold, but he loved. He would probably sit in front of a window the rest of the day if the thunder continued.]
[Walking into the communal bathroom, Zach saw that he wasn’t the only person that enjoyed - in some sort of way - to be soaked to the bone, at least, so he figured, because she was smiling.] Oh, I know. [He said, walking to join her at the next sink over, pulling at the strands of his hair, watching a stream of water disappear in the drain.] I think it’s raining. [He offered, a light attempt at a joke.]
[At least Cambie’s not the only one foolish enough - or helpful enough - to go out into the storm. He looks about as sodden as she does. Zach, she thinks? They’ve not met formally, but she’s sure she’s seen him around a few times. He seems to fly under the radar in a way that most Torrens... don’t. His smile is sweet, clearly truly unbothered by getting caught in the storm.]
Ah, is that what it is? [Cambie laughs, shaking her head. A few thick tendrils of hair stick to her cheek. It’s going to take hours to dry off; she only washes her hair once or twice a week specifically because it’s a nightmare when it’s wet. Still, it’s not the end of the world.]
You look like you’ve just survived an attempted drowning - here. [Cambie grabs a towel from the side, tossing one to Zach and taking one for herself, dabbing her face carefully. Mascara everywhere, hair in wet ribbons, clothes sticking and clinging uncomfortably: it’s not the best she’s ever looked, but Cambie’s never been terribly vain.] So what’s your excuse? Random act of heroism?
