Roleplay Road

[tiptoedtalking]

Immunity | The Group

[pretendingasalwaysworld]

Agreeing with Tess when she told him that he should rest too, Jinwoo wished her goodnight as well. Goodnight. Same goes to you. A bit surprised by her wish for him to have sweet dreams, Jinwoo turned to his side. Blinking a couple of times in the dark his eyes went to the figure of Merch who was lying on the ground close to his bedroom door. Watching how his dog was breathing, Jinwoo found the sight calming and relaxing. Letting go with his worries for Tess and about the things he felt for her, he also let go of the disgust and annoyance he felt for her brother. And it was only when he had let go of everything that he could fall asleep.

Kris’ reply pulled a sigh out of Seunghoon. “That wasn’t what I was aiming for at all.” He answered with a hint of disappointment audible. Placing his elbows on the desk, his index fingers went to his temples to rub them gently. Preparing himself to explain to Kris what kind of connection he had seen, Kris surprised him by explaining to him what he had been thinking all along. Halting in his movements, Seunghoon didn’t really look at anything as he listened to his Target. Fully taking in Kris his words he let his own thought process proceed. The puzzle pieces finally starting to show the bigger picture they were trying to make. Yet there were still missing puzzle pieces. Pieces he might not ever find. When Kris stated that he didn’t know what this implies Seunghoon’s eyes went back to the screen. Letting go of his head, he lifted it up and turned it to Kris. His arms folding themselves on the desk. “I think this implies that we’re involved in a way graver situation than we thought we were.” He stated, his voice laced with seriousness as well as tiredness. 

“I’ve been thinking the same things as you just said. I think Jinwoo indeed became ‘cold’, as so to say. So if we look at the big picture here we see that Targets are linked by their Mark. This Mark gives them ‘warmth’, which increases when they connect. This connection also makes the Targets stronger. It makes them more healthier etc. etc. Once one of the Targets die, whether a connection has happened or not, the surviving one turns cold. This ‘cold’ person can go to extreme lengths, like Jinwoo just displayed. We also know that ‘cold’ persons really hate the people who are connected. I think this hate can even turn into the desire to kill. But the missing piece in the bigger picture here is that the Government wants us to kill our Targets. You’d think they want stronger soldiers for their war, then they should let Targets connect, right? Targets become more stronger and healthier. I assume that they know of this connection and its effects. Otherwise they wouldn’t be hell bend on transferring people with the same Mark to the other side of the river so they can be turned against each other. There can even still be a fight between the West and the East between bonded Targets, if all they ever wanted was war. So why do they want to keep Targets apart? Why do they make us belief that we die if we don’t kill our Target before a certain age? Because right now I don’t see any indication that we actually will die at that age without the Trackers in our body. What’s so special about ‘cold’ people that they are doing this? Or what’s so wrong with being connected? Will this connection somehow have negative side effects on us on the longer term? Or will this connection somehow lead us to our certain dead?” 

Putting his own thoughts and questions out there for Kris, his brow furrowed as he looked up at him. Waiting for his response, since maybe it would bring him to some other thoughts, Seunghoon didn’t stop with thinking himself. Every time they thought they had discovered something new, different questions arose and this whole ordeal became even more messed up and messed up than they thought it was.

[tiptoedtalking]

Listening to Seunghoon explain what he had been thinking of, Yifan was actually glad to find that for the first time they seemed to be on the same thinking path. Agreeing with occasional nods to everything Seunghoon stated about the Mark, their connection and the bigger picture there seemed to be, it was only when Seunghoon started about the government that slowly Yifan started to disagree with the thought track his friend was going on. Coming eye to eye again with the Easterner when Seunghoon fell silent and looked up at him as if to see what his thoughts were on the matter, Yifan was silent for a moment longer, before stating a very simple: “I think you’re taking the wrong thought direction now.” Tilting his head slightly to the side, he looked at the Easterner for a moment longer in silence before shrugging lightly. “You’re coming up with reasons thinking that the Government is trying to protect us. They’re not. If they would be trying to protect us from our Mark’s negative side effects or certain death, they’d be looking for a cure, not just pitting us against each other in a full city war.” Resting his hands on the back rest of the desk chair once more to support himself, Yifan’s eyes momentarily went to the computer screen again. “The fact that they’re doing this means that if we should be left alive, we would be a danger to them. So why would that be? If we bond together and we get stronger, perhaps they’re afraid we will overthrow the government. But the government is made up of people like us just turned cold and taking up high end positions, it’s not like the government is made of outsiders.” A pause, a thought sparking, a moment of doubt and then, because of the craziness of everything, just going with it. “Unless...” Pushing himself up again from his slightly forward-leaning position, Yifan walked a step to the side so he would come to stand next to Seunghoon, peering down at the seven computer screens although they showed nothing of importance to him that would solve the riddle.

“Unless there are people above our government still who are nothing like us,” he continued then, looking back down at Seunghoon. “Unless whatever is outside Claell’s walls is not at all like what we think it is.” Pausing again for a moment there, Yifan gathered his thoughts and breathed out a slow sigh. “Unless not only the war is made-up but everything we know is just downright bullshit. Perhaps there is something out there which would explain all of this. A reason for why they would be killing us off unless we kill our Target. Because why else the total control? Why do it themselves if we’re not dead before thirty something?” What is so important for them to kill off scores of people to prevent this connection from ever happening? Clearly not our lives, they go to waste anyway. Only theirs. Other people’s. Perhaps whatever this connection brings if we keep it up is way more than we can imagine right now.” Stopping in his theorising there, Yifan turned his head to look over at the stairs which led up to the living room. Oh how he wanted Devon’s presence for a moment now so that perhaps he could look around inside his vast amount of available knowledge and see if any of the conspiracy theory he was making up at this moment was true in any way. That would be great. But Devon hated their guts at the moment and was tired of them, so Yifan merely turned his head back to Seunghoon, waiting to see if he could maybe come up with something more plausible.

[tiptoedtalking]

Immunity | The Group

[pretendingasalwaysworld]

Lying in his own bed, staring up at the ceiling, Jinwoo processed the information Tess gave him. He’d never thought Devon would hold such detailed files over their Marks and Trackers. This information proved how much Devon was invested in his research and also proved how much of a scheme the Government was pulling on them all. No one would do all that effort of creating so much evidence for a false scheme. No one. Not even Devon. Not sharing his own thoughts with Tess, since he wasn’t ready yet (maybe never) to admit that perhaps he was in fault for distrusting Devon, he frowned when Tess told him that Seunghoon was reading through his personal file. Disregarding for now the information about Seunghoon’s mother. He’s keeping personal files on us? Why? The questions were quickly send through to her and were also the first things he had said to her in a while. Her answer unsettled him. That’s kind of stalker-ish. A pause, then he added: Control freak. Doubting his previous idea that Devon would never have created all this evidence to support his false scheme, Tess told him then that her brother had to be careful. Humming internally at that answer a moment of silence fell in between them. It being broken again by her telling him that she was glad that he was here. I guess we’re stuck together. Got send to her. His words carrying amusement with them so they wouldn’t come over as harsh. His mind bringing back the fact that Seunghoon’s mother was still alive, he thought that it wouldn’t really matter to the male. Nothing ever seemed to phase him. Focusing back on his Target, he thought that maybe she get some rest. She’d somewhat died today anyway. You should rest? 

Cassandra was 41 years old, a scientist and a doctor who currently was busy with working on new technology for the Hospitals. She already had improved the current technology a lot, but she was still busy with finding new methods. She also had obtained a seat in the Board. For some kind of reason that last bit of information made his stomach drop. Her being part of the Board meant that she probably was in on this scheme. But what exactly had he expected? Of course a 41 year old woman, who had gotten rid of her Target, would be connected to the Government. In the East these people were celebrated. And if both sides of Caell were any thing alike then he was sure that the West also celebrated these people. Taking in all the information in the file, how she had worked herself up at work and managed to kill her Target at the age of 26, lastly there stood that she was a proud mother of two. A girl of 21 and a boy of 13. Both from different fathers, but both of them celebrated as well since they are performing extra ordinary in their field of expertise. Tsk. His jaw muscles tensed as he looked at the two pictures of his half-siblings. If Cassandra was in on the scheme the Government was pulling, she should know that he was still alive. Yet here he was. Alone.

A sudden touch on his shoulder pulled him out of his thoughts. Snapping his head to his right his eyes flashed back and forth between the hand on his shoulder and the face of the male who had put the hand there. Knowing that Kris was doing this to give him some comfort, Seunghoon revolted the idea. He didn’t need any sympathy or empathy or whatever it was Kris was so full of. Turning his head back to the computer screen with a frustrated sigh his eyes first fell on his left hand which now lay on the desk. Apparently he had leaned closer to the computer screen without noticing, using his left hand to support himself. Straightening himself again, so he wouldn’t look desperate or anything else to the likes of it while he read through his file, he continued reading. Glad to feel that Kris his hand wasn’t resting on his shoulder anymore. Taking in all the information about his father too, the document stated that he had died at the age of 22. He had gotten killed in one of the daily Border fights. Seunghoon was his only son. Closing the file, Seunghoon then proceeded to open Kris his file without any shame. The male had read his file along with him too, so why wouldn’t he read through his? By the way, he needed something to focus on and get lost in right now. So he didn’t have to deal with the emotions his own file had made loose in him. 

Reading though the new file, he found that Kris’ parents were both dead, he hadn’t been part of fights often, nor sick often, he spend a lot of time with his cousin and lived together with her in an apartment, his work consisted of being a kindergarten care worker and the Government knew currently less about Kris his ability than he did. “Everything is true I assume? Just as in my file.” Obtaining Kris’s confirmation that it was, Seunghoon closed the file. Moving on to Jinwoo’s, Minho’s, Lyn’s and Tess’s files respectively he took in all of the sometimes surprising information. Especially the information about Tess her ability was quite astonishing to read. In the years the woman had lived in solitude Devon had studied her ability and made her train it. Now the woman was capable of very ground-breaking (both in a literal and figural way of speaking) things. Once he’d went through the scientific information about Tess her ability, Seunghoon closed that file too. Humming when he came to the conclusion that he had read everything he could see on this computer, he glanced to the right at his Target. “I think I saw a connection,” he suddenly stated, “I don’t know if Devon is aware of it yet.” Turning his gaze to the computer again, he moved the mouse so he could go back to the file in which Devon had wrote down that one important sentence. Scrolling through the information about their Marks, he read some of it again to find what he was looking for. “There.” He said, highlighting the part so Kris could read it for himself.

Connection is broken when heart stops.

“You see it?” He questioned, pointing his index finger at the screen as well to make sure Kris was really looking at the correct sentence. “Doesn’t ring any bell? It should do.”

Surprised when Minho tried to pick her up, Lyn went along with him in it though. Wrapping her legs around him as she breathed out a chuckle, she kissed him back and then received the kisses he gave her. Enjoying every single one of them. Resting her own head against the side of his, her eyes closed themselves so she could focus better on what she was feeling. Smiling contently when he kissed her neck and nuzzled her jaw she hummed in agreement, knowing that she indeed should sleep. “Sounds like the best plan ever.” She said as she looked at him, a happy smile curling up her lips. Leaning in once more to give him a couple of kisses, she waited for him to move to the bed. Where she’d take her shoes off and her jacket before she crawled underneath the covers with him. Huddling close together, both lying on their sides with their faces turned to each other, Lyn gave Minho a long and loving goodnight kiss after which she settled herself into his arms. Enjoying his presence and warmth, she slowly drifted off to dreamland as her mind was only filled with good things.

[tiptoedtalking]

Sitting in the dark compartment of earth she had created for herself, Tess listened to how Jinwoo asked her about the files Devon kept on them all. Trying to find the proper answer to that question, Tess kind of knew Devon did it for research purposes of some kind. He kept files on everything important to his case. Because... He just does. was what she sent over to Jinwoo. On everything that’s important. It wasn’t perhaps the best way to explain it but it was the only way she knew how in that moment. Being told that that was kind of stalker-ish and it made Devon seem like a control freak, she felt the urge to defend her brother come up once more, although at the same time Jinwoo’s words amused her. He has to be careful with everything he does and especially with who he shares this secret with. If anyone ever breathes so much as a word about it to the wrong person it might kill him and everyone he’s in this with. Which included her, so she was honestly glad that her brother kept lots of files with information and double checked every move he made before making it. Less glad for a split second again that Jinwoo did not at all and had already created problems by throwing the pill away and by running into a war zone so eagerly. But then, that last one he’d done because he’d thought she was dead and that thought somehow made her feel warm towards him once more. I’m glad you’re here. she told him quietly, so grateful for the presence he was in her mind, because if she’d had to deal with this day on her own, with her brother so cold, she wasn’t as sure she would have been able to make it through so easily. Being told that they were stuck together now, it stung for a split second only before the amusement that came through with it washed that feeling away and made her smile softly too. Being told then that she should rest, she realised it was getting really late and Jinwoo would have to get some sleep after all the happened events. You too. Get your strength back. Shifting lightly in her position, she curled up against the side of her little cave and closed her eyes, but remained completely aware of the presence on the other side of her connection. Goodnight, Jinwoo. Sweet dreams. she wished him, breathing out another smile just at the thought of his name.

Yifan was slightly startled by the intensely disgusted look Seunghoon sent his way the moment his hand touched the other’s shoulder. As Seunghoon’s gaze focused back on the computer screen, Yifan calmly pulled his hand back and let it hang to his side, focusing instead on the screen as well to follow along with his Target’s research. Reading along through his own file, his eyes only shortly sprung to Seunghoon when he asked a question about it. Merely confirming the truth of his file with a simple ‘Yes’ he didn’t try to be more wordy. It was all the others’ files they read next and Yifan was kind of glad to be able to read about his cousin’s lover, because at least that way he could get to know a little about the man Lyn was all over these days. Not that he minded it, he completely understood it, but he hadn’t really gotten a moment to get to know Minho himself and this file was one way to go about it. The easiest way in their current situation which didn’t leave them much time together, after all. Time he was sure Lyn preferred to spend with the male on her own. And so he took in all the information given, even the short essay on Tess’ ability, which told him she had improved tremendously since what he had last seen of her. Which, actually, had already been shown to him with every display of her ability she’d made since she’d ‘come back to life’. Being spoken to suddenly again by Seunghoon when he closed Tess’ file, he tilted his gaze back to the Easterner and then back to the computer screen to see what Seunghoon was talking about. Eyes skimming over the file as Seunghoon scrolled through it with a purpose, Yifan was surprised by the details and information in it, frowning lightly at the screen because he never knew Devon had kept such a detailed record of the whole ordeal that had befallen them. And then Seunghoon highlighted a line that kick-started the inner workings of his mind.

“Love of our lives,” he hummed, remembering the line they had settled on to describe how they felt to each other after the connection had been made. Well, for some of them it had felt like that, Seunghoon had had a different opinion. But the love part wasn’t what was so important about the line and Yifan put a hand on the desk chair Seunghoon was sitting in to support himself as he leaned forward a little bit. “The warmth is slightly here when our Targets are alive, increases a lot when we’re connected and those who kill their Target grow completely cold. The connection was lost too when Tess as good as died. Jinwoo might have gone cold for a little bit even, perhaps.” There wasn’t anything else about the situation of earlier that night, which probably was because Devon had called it quits and had left not long after all of it had transgressed. But it was an important line nonetheless and he was curious to know what else Devon might have noticed that they had not yet thought to think of. Tearing his eyes from the screen, Yifan turned his head to look at Seunghoon to be able to see if he had been thinking in somewhat the same direction he had been or if the line had brought his pondering in a completely different area. “Although I’m not sure what that implies exactly,” he stated as his eyes found the face of his Target, taking in his expression and the detail of his features from so up close. It was the first time they were in such close proximity without it being awkward or strange, as they were conversing over the same computer screen this time around. Raising an eyebrow slightly, Yifan decided to just ask the question in case Seunghoon wasn’t going to tell if he didn’t. “What were you thinking?”

Walking over to the bed with Lyn in his arms, Minho only there put her down so they could both take off the necessary clothes in order to be able to crawl into the bed. Doing so moments after Lyn did, he allowed her to come closer to him and easily put his arms back around her, pulling her into a loving embrace. Keeping his eyes on her face, he smiled softly and warmly at her, soon enough receiving another kiss from her. Smiling a bit wider when she pulled away, he softly wished her a good night and sweet dreams before commanding the lights out and then gently curling himself a bit more around her. Closing his own eyes as well, it surprisingly didn’t take him hardly any time to fall asleep as well, a sweet oblivion pulling him under.

[tiptoedtalking]

Immunity | The Group

[pretendingasalwaysworld]

It’s good you’re okay. Finishing with washing Merch, Jinwoo kept the snarky comment about Devon for himself. Tess had have a long and hard night. He shouldn’t make it tougher on her. Drying Merch as good as he could with a towel, Jinwoo cleaned up his bathroom next. All the while leaving the connection with the female Westener open, yet not saying anything to her. He didn’t really know what to say to her anyway and he figured that his presence could already be enough of a support for her.

Seunghoon thanked Tess with a nod when she came to help him to open the wardrobe. Looking at how she revealed the screens inside of it he turned his gaze to her when she warned him. “Alright. I’ll keep it in mind.” Eyeing the screens next, Seunghoon went with the trial-and-error method of figuring out how this computer worked. He first found the different panels on which he was able to see everyone’s vitals. Taking his time to check every panel out, he also was able to see their current location. Briefly glancing over at Tess, since she still was standing next to him, when Jinwoo’s vitals and current location was visible on all the screens he didn’t say anything though. Instead he just checked out Jinwoo’s vitals as well after which he closed the panel again. Continuing his search, this time around he stumbled on a file in which he could find the detailed explanation of what Trackers are. Skimming through some of the scientific explanation because in all honesty he didn’t understand everything of it, he looked in detail at the explanation of how the Trackers worked, what they looked like and what information they send through. Also looking in detail at what the poison and antidote were made from, he even could find a small draft of how Devon had started to type the antidote for his sister out. It wasn’t finished yet.

Closing said file when he was done with it, his eyes caught sight of another interesting file. A file in which Devon apparently had kept record of how the six of them reacted to their Target. Of how they had explained to Devon what this mental connection felt like and how they were able to control their ability better. Thanks to reading through the facts combined with Devon’s point of view on it, Seunghoon’s own interest in the matter got sparked again. They all had indeed underwent a big change. They all were dead set on keeping their Target safe. Which was quite ironic judging from how they were all dead set on killing their Target but a couple of weeks ago. Reading though the full file, he appreciated Devon’s work attitude and observation skills all the more. He’d known that this Westener was a formidable scientist, but reading through this proved it all the more to him. They needed Devon if they wanted to find a way to overthrow the Government. Without Devon, the knowledge and insight he had they wouldn’t stand a chance.

Closing the file with the observations in, Seunghoon then stumbled on the biggest surprise he could have gotten out from all of the information which stood on this computer. Having found a profile file of himself he stared at his own name and picture for a couple of seconds after which he began to read. Reading everything carefully his eyes remained stuck again on two names. The names of his parents. Not being able to move for a small moment, Seunghoon clicked on the name of his mother, who apparently was still alive in the West. Looking at her picture, the whole world around him seized to exist. Was this woman really his mother? Cassandra. Cassandra. Quickly reading through the full file Seunghoon more than once scrolled back up so he could stare at the picture of his mother again. The male not being able to grasp what he was seeing or reading.

Smiling at Minho’s confirmation, Lyn got up from the couch first. Heading towards her cousin she gave the tall blonde a hug and a kiss on his cheek, wishing him a goodnight next. Letting Minho take hold of her hand, she walked to the bedroom with him like that. Her whole body relaxing because of the simple touch. Glancing down at the two dogs, who apparently had checked out the bedroom first, she smiled at the both of them before she entered the bedroom, having to let go of Minho’s hand to do so. Walking a bit further into the room Lyn slowly looked around. It was a simple room with a wardrobe, a double person bed and two night tables. Hearing how Minho came closer to her she turned so she’d be able to face him. Smiling back at him, she gladly slid her arms around him and placed her head against his chest. A hum of contentment leaving her. Moving her head when he did so, their lips met each other. Them sharing a loving and soft kiss. 

I am now. She answered. Relief and some tiredness slipping through with the answer. Focusing on the way his hands gently ran over her back, Lyn stroked with two fingers over the skin on the back of his neck. Focusing on that sensation while they were still kissing. Enjoying the proximity of him to its fullest Lyn eventually pulled her head back and thereby broke their kiss. Opening her eyes she looked up at the Eastener who she -rarely enough- loved. Taking in his tiny but deep eyes and the general structure of his face, she moved her right hand to put it on his cheek. It only resting there for a second after which it travelled upwards so her fingers could stroke over his black hair. “Maybe…” she started, while she kept stroking over his hair “maybe we should head to bed. Try and get some rest while we still can. It’d be smart.” Flickering her eyes from Minho’s left one to his right as she gave him a moment to process what she said, she opened her mouth again to speak before he was able to say anything. “I don’t want to sleep though. Now that I can be around you I’d like to stay conscious of it.” Looking back into his eyes to see what he would have to say of her idea, she waited for him to approve of it or disapprove of it as her hand travelled from his face down to the back of his neck.

[tiptoedtalking]

Standing next to Seunghoon as he started working the computers, Tess kept her eyes on the screens for a moment. The usual fast coming and going of information was not at all the case with Seunghoon. He moved through the computer at a pace even slower than her - mostly because he was still trying to figure out where everything was - which was a welcome change from Devon’s usually fervent clicking and typing. Letting her eyes go over the screen as well, she read the profiles along with the Eastern male, curious as to which updates her brother had made since she’d last seen it all. Seunghoon is going through my brother’s files, she communicated over to Jinwoo after a moment. You’d like to get some information too? Waiting for him to accept or deny her offer, Tess’ eyes got pulled to the picture of Jinwoo that appeared on the screen as Seunghoon came across his profile. Her heart made a little jump, it seemed, when her eyes locked with the ones on the picture staring back at her. She felt the eyes of the Easterner on her too, but ignored them. Soon enough Seunghoon looked away again and his search continued. Receiving confirmation from Jinwoo that he wanted to hear some more as well, she quietly communicated to him each of their perfectly healthy conditions by now, before continuing to communicate the information Devon had on Trackers and what they looked like in as far as she understood something of it. She left the scientific formulas out as well as the too difficult words, but gave him an understandable account of what she was reading. Following it up with an explanation of the poison and the antidote that Devon had penned down - once again his human version of facts and not the scientific mumbles she didn’t understand - she eventually also told him that Devon had also begun to write out the antidote he had created for her, but that so far those only seemed to be formulas.

Following Seunghoon’s motions over to the next file then, Tess once more conveyed to Jinwoo how there was a file on the Mark and the effects it had on people. Interest spiked in her as well instantly, because she had never read that file herself before - it was new - so she read along with Seunghoon gladly. Passing on the information to Jinwoo at the same time, she revealed to both of them Devon’s findings on the Mark beforehand, which was very little, and then the things he’d found out about it since they had all come together and made their connections. Another quick addition near the end told her that Devon had noticed one thing; connection is broken when heart stops. Pausing shortly as she read the line, it was only a second later that she also passed on that piece of information to Jinwoo as well. Thinking of everything that had happened to them since this had all started, Tess realised that a lot of the things Devon had noted that came as a surprise to her seemed to be indeed true. The connection had changed them all and even though Devon had a very subjective attitude towards Jinwoo, the findings he’d put in the file had been written very objectively. The way he described her change in attitude becoming more like Jinwoo’s didn’t at all sound like it was jealous or angry rambling, but like completely honest and truthful scientific findings. The same for the attitudes in the other two Westerners. He’d added a note to clarify he could not judge on the Easterners because he had not known them prior to the change. Devon had probably written this file in a moment none of them had been around in the middle of the night, emotions shut off and his scientific view on full blast. The thought brought a fond smile to her face as she thought of her brother lovingly once more.

Watching how the screen changed again as Seunghoon finished reading and opened up another file - one about himself - Tess conveyed to Jinwoo that Devon had made a file on all of them with all the necessary information in it most probably. Passing on to him then what kind of information it was based on Seunghoon’s profile, she told him about the blood type, allergies and the likes, eventually ending up at parents. Pausing again then at the sight in the file, she already started to edge backwards a little, moving away from the wardrobe. Oh... she communicated to Jinwoo then, having gotten comfortable with the fact that she’d been talking to him the whole time and therefore just continuing to do so. His mother’s still alive. Here in the West. Explaining her current finding to Jinwoo like that, Tess quietly moved away from Seunghoon, leaving him alone with the probably personal information he was going to be reading and discovering. She didn’t want to disturb him while he was doing that. Looking around the living room again then, she focused her gaze on the other male in the room for a split second, his head sticking out from the couch because he was so tall. Not having a single clue what she would be saying to him and thinking that it would be better to leave the two of them some time to themselves perhaps, she decided to leave the room. Heading over to the wall, she looked at the hole she’d fixed up temporarily and moved over to the device to type in its security code and open the door. Moving the earth behind it at the same time, she was able to step into the earth container easily, moving a thin wall in between her and the basement a moment later. Would there be trouble they could shout and she’d still hear them, but should Yifan and Seunghoon want to talk to each other regularly, at least she wouldn’t be butting in on that, at least. Focusing on the presence in her mind in favour of her own thoughts, Tess quietly enjoyed knowing Jinwoo was there for a while, letting the simple knowledge brush a large chunk of her tension away once again. Thank you for being here.

Yifan had simply been sitting in the couch with his eyes closed for a while, listening to the short conversation between Tess and Seunghoon before hearing nothing more than the occasional clicks and the almost continuous scrolling of the mouse. Finding peace in just sitting there with the background noise, he had let himself be lulled into a very relaxed and peaceful state, feeling completely at ease. So when seemingly out of the blue he started to tense up ever so slightly again, he wasn’t quite sure what to blame it to. Not much later he picked up a new sound, however, as the cement wall slid open in its usual manner. Opening his eyes because of it, he turned his head just in time to see an earth wall separate Tess from them again. Off to her own Target again, perhaps, or maybe just off to solitude. He didn’t know and he honestly didn’t quite care where she went to. As long as she didn’t die out there so that Jinwoo wouldn’t start another crazy war idea. Turning his gaze over to Seunghoon instead then, the uncomfortable feeling grew. Frowning lightly, Yifan decided to heave himself up from the couch after all and walk over to his companion, eyes taking in the seven computer screens displaying the same information to both him and Seunghoon. What Seunghoon was going back to more often was the picture and information of a Western woman. Yifan knew her face well enough, she was one of the few to actually survive the death age since she had killed her Target. All those who survived thirty-five were rather famous, after all, since there weren’t too many of those. Taking in the rest of the information on the screen as he got close enough, Yifan realised why Seunghoon kept going back to it; the file he was reading was a personal file, the woman his mother. Not saying anything as he followed Seunghoon’s process for a moment, he merely reached out and put a hand on the other’s shoulder gently. Taking another step forward, he came to stand right behind the desk chair and simply stood there, allowing Seunghoon to do what it was he wanted to do, while simply hoping to be some support.

Minho straightened slightly when Lyn broke the kiss, looking down at her and smiling warmly at her the next moment. He couldn’t not do so, the warmth he felt inside of him for her too much for that. Feeling her hand move to stroke over his hair only made him smile more, feeling glad and relieved to have her with him and wanting nothing more than for this moment to last. Having been looking at her face and features, his eyes shot back to hers when she spoke and the word hung between them for a moment, bathing in his expectation. When she continued her sentence, his smile softened a little as he thought of how she must be tired after that whole battle and everything that had been going on around them. Starting to nod his head and prepare to reply, she spoke again before he could and this time her words turned his smile into a chuckle. Wrapping his arms a little better around her middle, Minho didn’t really think about his actions and just did, putting some pressure on her sides and then picking her up. Hoping she would get the hint and wrap her legs around him to keep herself up as well, he brought her up to proper carrying height. Looking at her still he leaned in to place a kiss on her lips, then her cheek and jawline. Moving his head over to her shoulder then to rest it gently there, he closed his eyes for a moment as he hugged her close like that, enjoying the even closer proximity he had brought the both of them in. “I think that you’re right,” he spoke then, out loud again for the first time in a while. “But I also think you should get some sleep. It’s been a heavy evening.” Tilting his head lightly, he placed a soft kiss in Lyn’s neck, nuzzling her jaw and then kissing her temple as well. “But I will gladly lie next to you and hold you as you do so,” he added then, leaning his upper body back a little so he could look at her to see whether she was going to decide to indeed get some sleep or that she was going to enjoy the time they had together in a more awake fashion.

[tiptoedtalking]

Immunity | The Group

[pretendingasalwaysworld]

Agreeing with what Yifan said, Seunghoon spoke up next. “I agree with Kris. Leave Devon be for a while and then let his sister go to him to talk to him. She’s probably the only one that can get him back. As for the more technical side of this whole ordeal, I’ll figure out how Devon’s computer works if he really doesn’t want to help.” Turning his head to Lyn, who said that she was up for talking to Devon too, Kris then stated that they should all get some rest. Agreeing once more with his Target Tess, however, interrupted their conversation right then. Asking them what had happened to her when she had collapsed. Glancing from Kris to Lyn and back, Lyn’s silence made it clear to him that she wasn’t going to answer that question and thus he turned his head to Tess. “Devon shouted that someone needed to help you. After your seizure, your heart had stopped and you didn’t breathe anymore. Lyn ran over to you and gave you Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. I think she had to give you two rounds of those. After that Lyn wrapped you in a blanket and then we had to wait until you would wake up again on your own. Which you did a little bit later.” Keeping his gaze on the Westener a moment longer to gauge whether or not she’d gotten all of that, he got up from the couch next. Walking over to the closet where Devon kept all his computers in, he tried to open the thing so he could take a look inside. He knew that it was going to be quite the task to figure out how he had to handle all these machines. And from what he had gathered from Devon Seunghoon wouldn’t even be surprised if the male had put some kind of safety on his system so no one else but him could use it. It would only prove once more that Devon was a very intelligent person.

After having returned to the safe environment of his apartment in the East, Jinwoo kicked out his boots and left them standing next to the mat at his front door. Walking over to his bathroom, the Border Guard already started with undressing himself. Relieving himself of all the weapons he was carrying first, he simply left them where he had taken them off. It resulting in him leaving a line of weapons on the floor or on a table while he was making his way to the bathroom. Once there, Jinwoo first undressed himself completely. Separating the really damaged clothes from those that were still good enough to wear, the male continued with washing his body after which he put on some casual clothes. Calling Merch then so he could give the dog a bath, he waited for the animal to join him so he could clean it fully too. Handling the dog gently and with care since it had protected him so well but a couple of hours ago, Jinwoo only then reached out to Tess. Asking her what was going on back there and if she was fine, he scoffed when she told him that Devon apparently had enough of all of them and didn’t want to have anything to do with them anymore. Not being surprised about that he told her that he was washed and well too. Giving Merch a bath now. Frowing lightly since he had added that last part in such a natural way as if they were just having some small talk among friends, he didn’t reply anymore to anything Tess would send him in response to that.

When Tess entered the living room again and asked them what had happened to her, Lyn found that he mouth remained shut. She didn’t know why she didn’t respond to Tess’ question. She just found that she didn’t and maybe that was once more prove enough of the enormous space that now hang in between her and her former best friend. Looking at Seunghoon while he told Tess what had happened to her, Lyn’s eyes briefly flashed over at Tess for a split-second after which she looked at Minho. Waiting for Seunghoon to finish, Lyn noticed from the corner of her eye how he stood up and walked away. Let’s go to the bedroom? She questioned Minho, wanting to be alone with him for a while and let all of this mess sink in. Yifan had been right with telling them that they should get some rest. Making a decision now, when all of their emotions were so high and they were all tired, wasn’t going to do any good.

[tiptoedtalking]

Letting Seunghoon’s explanation sink in, Tess finally managed to piece together what had happened and fill in the blanks she found so far. It appears I reacted badly to the antidote, resulting in a seizure and eventually heart failure. Devon gave me something for the reaction and Lyn resuscitated me. Then I was just out for a little bit until I woke up. she told Jinwoo calmly, letting a few of the memories of her feeling weak and then going down go along with her words as well as one of when she woke up again, feeling completely better. I think had I not been out when the bad reaction happened he would have given me the antidote in a more timely manner and I would not have near died she eventually added, although she thought it might be something Jinwoo didn’t want to hear or would even believe, but she still trusted her brother and he would never have let her nearly die if he had been able to help it.

As she said those things to Jinwoo, she followed with her eyes how Seunghoon got up from the couch and walked over to the wardrobe. Instantly putting herself into motion as well, she moved closer towards him and her brother’s computers, coming to a stop next to the Easterner. “Let me,” she spoke softly, not wanting to have the others hear her. For some reason, she still found it unnerving that people now knew she was alive still. Especially because of the identity of those people. And it felt like talking aloud or giving any sign of life was just another way to rub in her old friends’ faces how much she had lied to them and how very alive she was. So she preferred to be silent and just let things unfold how they did without her input. In Seunghoon’s case, however, it was like the emotions had shifted. Maybe because he had always been the one to answer her questions calmly, maybe because he reminded her so much of her brother, she didn’t know the answer to that. What she did know was that in that particular moment, she wanted to help him. For as far as she could, that was. She didn’t have complete access to all of Devon’s endeavours, after all. Taking hold of the wardrobe door, her fingers easily found the clicks she had to press to be able to open it. Letting go of the doors the moment she had unhooked them, they further opened on their own, as if she had swung them open properly, only to never hit the walls because that was where the mechanism stopped them. Looking at the computer screens, Tess smiled softly as she remembered fondly the times her brother had spent behind them, working on this or that, trying to save lives mostly. But she didn’t linger on the memories, instead turning her head to Seunghoon.

“I can let you check out our Trackers and the information they give as well as read through the information he has gathered so far on them, but that’s it,” she told him just as quietly as before. “Everything else is on a closed circuit that only Devon knows the passcodes to and it is highly important that you do not try to access that because the moment the government picks up on anyone trying to breach their lines, all of the leaks will be discovered and all of us will be in grave danger.” Danger which included Jinwoo and he wasn’t protected against a detonation, so she kept her eyes on Seunghoon to see if he would understand the seriousness of the situation.

Yifan, who had turned his head to follow where Seunghoon walked off to as well, continued to watch as Tess moved over to the wardrobe too and apparently opened it up for Seunghoon. He knew she was talking but her voice was so soft the sound waves didn’t even make it over to the couch, despite no one there really saying anything. The only sounds made were actually by the dogs breathing with open mouths. And it wasn’t like he could get those to grow more quiet without making it obvious he was trying to listen in. Not wanting to seem like an overly curious want-to-know-it-all, Yifan decided to stay in the couch, turning his head to the other side again when he noticed movement there. For a moment the dogs ceased their loud panting and then they heaved themselves up to walk away along with Minho and Lyn. Watching the two go over to the hallway he figured they were probably going to either take a bath together - but since Lyn had washed at home that option probably wasn’t it - or get some rest like he had suggested earlier. Assuming it was going to be the second because of all that had happened, he merely greeted Lyn back should she greet him before easing back into the couch he was still sitting in. So his night would be spent sleeping on a couch, he presumed. Not that he minded that. There were three couches and only three of them left, so perhaps it was a good thing the third Easterner had gone. Then again, he still wasn’t very fond of the idea of sleeping in the same room the lying bitch was in. But there was a high chance Seunghoon wasn’t going to sleep at all and was just going to focus on those computer screens all night, so there was that. Smiling somewhat amused to himself, Yifan closed his eyes and allowed them to rest.

Minho had kept his comfortable position in the couch all the way through Seunghoon’s explanation to Tess. Not even finding it strange that Seunghoon was the one explaining everything to the girl even though she supposedly had been Kris and Lyn’s friend and not theirs, because of what he knew about how her dis- and reappearance had affected Lyn. The question that entered his mind moments later made him smile warmly and fondly, the joy over that thought easily filtering back to Lyn and presenting her with an answer at the same time. Shifting slightly, he waited for Lyn to get up first so he could follow her out of the couch. Frog’n and Gorn - informed about the next move - instantly heaved themselves up as well and set off to go to the bedroom. Gorn to check it out before they would enter, Frog’n to already position himself at the door and make sure no one else would enter without their permission. “We call dibs on the bedroom,” Minho stated with a slight grin as he moved, taking hold of Lyn’s hand and walking to the hallway. “Goodnight people.” Leaving the three others in the living room with that, Minho calmly walked through the hallway to go over to the bedroom. Entering through its already open door, he watched how Gorn inspected the last bit of it and then headed back out. All clear, safe rest was the greeting he got from said dog, whereas Frog’n merely sent the equivalent of a nod. Minho knew the emotions that lay behind it, didn’t need to have them verified over and over in words and feelings. Especially not now that he was with Lyn, because all of his attention was focused around her.

Waiting for her to enter the room as well, he closed the door behind her, not bothering to lock it because the dogs would warn him long before anyone could try to suddenly enter. Breathing out a soft sigh, he tilted his head lightly and glanced over to the girl who was occupying so much of his thoughts lately. A smile came instant, the movement that followed just as much out of his control but just as much willing. Closing the distance between them, Minho easily slid his arms around her middle and pulled her into a hug first, a kiss next. A kiss he continued, although not with the heat and intensity of what it had become the previous times, but with softness and love. Gently letting his hands run over her back and sides, as if trying to smooth the horrific happenings of that night out of her like he was smoothing out her shirt. Are you alright, love? the question followed while he was in the middle of his gentle caressing and kissing.

[tiptoedtalking]

Immunity | The Group

[pretendingasalwaysworld]

Taking a seat into one of the two remaining couches, Seunghoon quietly ate from his apple. Having followed the other male’s example by putting his feet up too, he had them resting on the table instead. His right foot crossed over his left. Listening to the munching and crunching sounds both of them made while they ate their rather tasty apple, Seunghoon got told by his Target that they were like high school girls. Agreeing with that full-heartedly since he served as some kind of communication device right now anyway between his Target and his cousin, he told Kris to speed up so he wouldn’t have to send top secret messages through anymore. Snorting inwardly at the reply he got, he vividly imagined for a moment how Lyn and Minho were braiding each other’s hair while sitting in the couch. Well, at least they both would try to braid each other’s hair since that was kind of difficult to do with Minho’s current hair-do. What a jolly day. Can’t wait to see that happening for sure. Rolling his eyes when Kris replied in some ‘cool’ text-message way to him, he took a bigger bite from his apple and chewed a bit more convincingly on it then.

Leaving Kris alone then, Seunghoon finished his apple in peace and quiet. Leaning forward, he gently put the clock-house on the table after which he let himself sink back into the backrest of the couch he was seated in. Glancing over at Minho, who leisurely lay in the other couch, his attention got drawn then by a sound coming from behind him. Moving toward the left with his upper body, he turned his head so he could look behind him. Seeing how the rubble moved back towards the wall it had come from, his eyebrows lifted themselves while he watched in fascination how everything went back to how it used to was. Tess is here. He send to Kris, inquiring then too where they were at at that moment in time. Not saying anything out loud, because he was sure Minho could figure out on his own who was doing this to the rubble, Seunghoon lifted his feet up from the table so he could stand up and face the entrance. Looking at how Tess entered the basement only when everything was back in order again, of course she’d asked them about her brother. “Your brother,” Seunghoon instantly replied, “has said to us that he was done. That happened somewhere after the phone conversation we had with Jinwoo. I think you need to have a talk with him because I’m sure you know that without Devon we’re kind of lost. I don’t know if it’s a good idea to go talk to your brother right now, that’s for you to decide. But he stated that he was very much done with our shit. Meaning with that that he was done helping us since apparently we don’t want slash need his help.” Shrugging then to indicate that he didn’t know what all of a sudden had bitten Devon in the ass, he pointed over towards the staircase that led up to Devon’s house. “He’s upstairs. Probably letting Lyn and Kris back inside.”

Looking at how Tess reacted to his words, it wasn’t that much later that he heard how the basement door opened. It announcing the arrival of the two Westeners and Minho’s dog. Turning his attention to the staircase, he first saw how Frog’n came down. After that came Lyn and then his Target appeared. Sending a very light smile over to Kris, he turned his attention back to Tess. Having heard how the door had closed again upstairs, he knew that none of them could go up if Devon wouldn’t allow them to go. Waiting to see what Tess was going to do, the girl headed over to the hallway. Lifting up his right hand then to scratch the back of his head, Seunghoon turned around once more so he could take in his previous position in the couch. Looking over at Yifan, he stated, “There is plenty of food in the fridge if you’re hungry.”  

It was worrisome that Devon seemed to be done with helping them. Having been surprised by the memories Minho had send through her, Lyn had wanted to disclose this information to Yifan. Yet before she had the time to open her mouth to do so, she remembered how the government was watching all of them and even had installed hidden microphones so they could listen to their conversations. Still wanting to tell Yifan this, she remembered how Seunghoon could talk to Yifan and how the first was with her Target. And thus she decided to ask her Target if her cousin knew about Devon. Receiving a positive response to that, her cousin said to her himself in the elevator that he knew about Devon. A little smile playing around the corners of his mouth even when he said so. His voice sounding a bit amused. “Of course you know,” she answered. Trying to cover up this conversation so the government wouldn’t find it suspicious. Not saying anything else about it (because she had no idea what she had to say to make it less suspicious) she made her way to Devon’s house together with Yifan and Frog’n. Still being able to smell the smoke in the air that came from the battlefield, sometimes she was able to hear a distant siren. Taking hold of Yifan’s hand when they had turned their first corner, she walked with him like that towards Devon’s place. Her thoughts going into all kind of directions during her silent walk. Thoughts about her cousin, Minho, Devon and his behaviour, the battlefield, the wounded she had treated, how tired she was feeling right now and what they were supposed to do now filling her up while she followed Yifan’s lead. 

Arriving at Devon’s house a couple of minutes later, she pressed the doorbell. I’m here. She let Minho know then. Anticipation and excitement going along with those words, Lyn’s mind settled again. Focusing on the present she waited for Devon to open the door. “Hey,” she smiled genuinely at him, “we’re back.” Waiting for Devon to tell them to go in she entered his house once more then together with her cousin and Frog’n. Not letting go of the first one his hand while doing so. Being greeted shortly by Devon he motioned them towards the basement. Not trying to stay, because maybe he needed some time for his own and she wanted to give him that, Lyn went to the door together with Yifan and Frog’n. Letting the dog go first she only let go of Yifan’s hand then in order to be able to descend the stairs. Arriving downstairs she instantly looked over at the couch where her love was still lying in wait for her as ‘sexily’ as he’d told her he’d be. Grinning at the sight of him, Lyn’s gaze travelled to Tess, who instead of trying to go upstairs to talk to her brother went over the the hallway to go and wash herself. Following her a bit with her gaze, Lyn then went over to Gorn first -to give him a stroke over his back- after which she went to Minho. “Scoot up you,” she told him with a playful smile. Waiting for Minho to make some room for her (either that be by sitting up or not), she joined him. Instantly making herself comfortable by settling herself against him (or on top of his lap if he had gone to sit up), a hand resting on his chest, she gave him a kiss in greeting. Smiling at him she nuzzled his nose with hers for a moment after which she turned her attention back to the two other males. “So? What are we going to do now? I mean, with Devon.”

[tiptoedtalking]

When the rubble behind him started to move, Minho didn’t move himself to look because Gorn had already put himself into motion to go check it out. Receiving clearly the images of the moving rocks and rubble, he followed the whole process until everything had settled back into place. And then the wall moved again as it was supposed to and Tess came into view. Gorn regarded her with a sense of distrust at first, but the warmth that radiated from her seemed to settle his distrust because he came back to the couch to take up his position and protect Minho once more. Listening to how Tess asked about her brother, Minho did tilt his head a little to be able to see what Seunghoon was responding to that. Sighing softly when he heard once again how Devon had thrown the towel into the ring, Minho merely finished his own apple and put the leftovers on the table as well. It was Gorn who easily moved in to eat the remains, also taking Seunghoon’s apple leftovers and finishing them off easily. The dog’s attention never left Tess either, however, so Minho still was told and shown how the young woman looked up at the stairs for a moment before heaving a sigh of her own and heading over to the hallway to do who knew what. It didn’t matter to him. Even less because the doors at the top of the stairs opened and Frog’n announced his arrival easily as he descended the stairs, Lyn following behind him with her cousin at the end. Grinning over at his love because of the fact that he was still lying in the couch like a sloth, he waited for her to reach him before scooting over closer to the back rest so Lyn could come lie next to him. Holding her closer to him and gladly receiving her kiss and affection, Minho settled himself comfortably with her before focusing his attention on the others too when she asked them a question. Frog’n and Gorn meanwhile both communicated to him how much they enjoyed the warmth now vibrating off of the two of them, both dogs having taken a seat next to the couch, close to them.

Yifan had continued walking with Lyn, taking hold of her hand once she took hold of his and walking calmly over to Devon’s house. At some point when they’d basically reached the door, Seunghoon let him know Tess had arrived and asked where he was. Telling him they were about to enter the house, he allowed Lyn to ring the door bell. It wasn’t long before Devon came to open up, most probably because he hadn’t been in the basement anymore for once, and so they were let in quite easily with some completely acted out words of relief and happiness to see them. Not that the acting was noticed, but Yifan knew Devon wouldn’t be talking to them like that if he really was sick of their shit, as Seunghoon had reported to him. Nodding his head at his friend in greeting, he entered the house, not too surprised to find that they were led straight on to the basement door. Being allowed downstairs, he watched the dog slip through the first crack and then allowed Lyn to go first before closing ranks. The door fell closed behind him with a seeming definitive thud, taking away their ability to wander back upstairs if they would want to do so. But well, Yifan was pretty sure that as long a the Easterners were still here they wouldn’t need to go back up, because the only thing upstairs had that downstairs didn’t was the way home. And windows, of course, but in the middle of the night there wasn’t much to see through those usually. Smiling lightly back at Seunghoon once he came into view, Yifan allowed Lyn to go over to her Target and the two dogs, watching momentarily how she settled in Minho’s arms and they had some more public displays of affection. Starting to grin lightly because of the previous conversation he’d had with Seunghoon, his attention was pulled to the latter when he stated there was plenty of food should he be hungry.

“I’m not particularly hungry,” was what he retorted, taking a seat next to Seunghoon and settling into the couch comfortably himself, feet going up on the table. “Thought we were going to sit here and stare at the wall without any emotion.” Still grinning lightly, the expression faded when his cousin spoke up and he turned his gaze back to the couple in the other couch to see both their attention now focused on the two of them. Leaving a moment of silence, Yifan then shrugged. “It’s been a heavy evening,” he spoke up as first then. “Lots of things happened for all of us. I think we best just give him some time, at least the night. When tomorrow comes before we head home we can try and talk to him. He told us himself he gets irked by us more easily these days, maybe we need to let him be on his own so he can calm down.” Shrugging lightly, he put his hands together in his lap, glancing shortly towards the hallway through which Tess had gone before looking back at his cousin and her boyfriend - he assumed he could call the Easterner such now. “And if he should truly decide to not help us anymore, then I think it is safe to say that we’re going to be stuck. Until one of us learns how to navigate the whole system as easily as he does.” Pausing shortly, Yifan shrugged again. “But I don’t think he would truly give up like that. He’s been doing this since he was young, right? He had a reason to do this and I’m sure he will continue to do this. He just needs some time to calm down. In my opinion, talking to Jinwoo has always pissed him off for some reason, as vice versa. So I’m sure he’s going to be alright if he doesn’t see the other guy anymore for a bit.” Leaving that as his input to the situation, Yifan leaned back a little in the couch, getting comfortable as he waited to hear what the others thought of it.

Turning his head to Seunghoon when his Target started talking next, Yifan took in the things the male said. Although he had a slight worry about the Easterner being able to figure out how Devon’s computers worked, he didn’t voice it out in any form of communication, because he didn’t really know Seunghoon’s skills that well yet and the man had been watching Devon work several times over now, perhaps it wass possible for him. Still, he agreed with what Seunghoon said, too, about letting him be for a moment and then trying to have his sister talk to him first. The two of them had always been close before Tess had so-called died, and Yifan could see how they still relied on each other very much, even more than before perhaps, to figure out whether they were doing the right thing or not. Turning his gaze over to his cousin again when she stated that she agreed with that and also thought they should let Tess discuss it first with him, he smiled when Lyn then continued stating she wanted to try and talk to Devon too if perhaps it could help. Nodding his head, Yifan smiled lightly at the group. “Well that’s that on that subject then,” he spoke up loosely, nodding his head once. Then I suggest we just spend time until Devon is ready to let us out again. I don’t know about you guys but I could use some shut-eye.” Before he could have anyone agree with that, however, Tess re-entered the living room and he turned his gaze over to her because she started to talk again.

Tess listened to Seunghoon telling her about her brother with a straight face, but his news brought unrest to her insides. For some reason this meant Devon had given up on their whole thing. Not communicating this news to Jinwoo because he had made clear how much he despised Devon and she was pretty sure her worry about her brother’s final words would fall on deaf ears with Jinwoo. He’d probably either be glad about it or get angry about it again because after all he’d done to drag them into it, now Devon was just leaving them on their own. Being so lost in thought about the situation, Tess didn’t fully notice the door opening and the others coming downstairs, until the moment when she almost came eye to eye with Lyn. Freezing up for a moment in her surprise, she then quickly turned away. The basement door had closed solid again which meant she couldn’t get up to her brother anyway, so the best thing to do now was just spend the time she was stuck here. Heading over to the bathroom, she locked the door behind her and took off her remaining clothes to take a nice hot shower and then get a new outfit from the bedroom in the back. So she did as planned, turning on the shower and waiting for the water to be warm before getting in. Letting out a deep sigh of relief at the feeling of nice, warm water - it had been ages again since she’d last taken a hot shower - Tess allowed herself to relax and get clean under the shower beam. But after several minutes of showering, she did reach out to Jinwoo again. Because he had wanted to know what was going on and at this point she knew more than him. My brother has stated he is done with this and has retreated upstairs. The other four are gathered in the living room again now. After I’m clean I’ll go figure out what happened to me. she communicated over to her Target, feeling a sense of calm and warmth fill her at the mere act of reaching out through their connection again. As if she still rejoiced in finding the bond re-made. I hope you are well and washed too.

Hearing from Jinwoo that he was such and that he was curious to know what had happened to her as well, Tess quietly got out of the shower and got dressed again after drying off. Opening the bathroom door next, her moist hair hanging over her shoulders and back still but she didn’t really mind it as she had gotten used to not having a hair-dryer or anything around, she walked into the hallway back towards the living room. There were four people present who all of them knew better than her what had happened so she was just going to have to communicate with them. As she walked she could hear Yifan state that they should spend their time well, perhaps sleep, causing her to take a few quicker steps to reach the living room so she wouldn’t interrupt them in the middle of their sleeping plans. “Excuse me,” she spoke up once she entered the living room, coming to a halt right in front of the doorway and focusing her gaze mostly on Seunghoon and Yifan, since the other two were hidden from her sight by the back rest of their couch - luckily, perhaps. “I was wondering if any one of you could maybe tell me what happened?” Fixing her gaze mostly on Seunghoon because first of all he seemed the most rational headed like her brother and secondly out of the two males in sight he was the one she felt most comfortable with - Yifan still scared her, because she had lied to him and his cousin and she knew how much Lyn meant to him. “After I arrived and collapsed, I mean. I’m not exactly sure what came about from then on.”

[tiptoedtalking]

Immunity | The Group

[pretendingasalwaysworld]

Jinwoo had been walking for quite some time until eventually his right foot sank a bit deeper into the ground. Coming to a halt, the Guard automatically looked down even though he did assume that this was Tess her doing. He had been waiting for her to pull him underneath the ground ever since he’d left the hospital. Waiting for the ground underneath him and Merch being turned into some kind of elevator platform, Jinwoo remained in his position while he descended into the ground. Getting the time to blink so he could turn his ability on he saw how he ended up standing into an earth box alone with Merch. Glancing around while he waited for Tess to appear, the earth box seemed to stretch itself to become bigger and then Tess appeared in front of him. Focusing his gaze on her he took a quick look over her –to make sure she didn’t have any wounds- right before he got hugged by her. Straightening when she closed the distance between them, Jinwoo remained unmoving for a couple of seconds. Not being fully sure about their sudden skinship – he didn’t know the other person after all- he kind of hesitantly lifted up his right arm to put it around her waist while he told her that he was fine. For some reason that response seemed to put her off? Since she soon let go of him and created more distance between them than was necessary and even apologized. He didn’t know what exactly she apologized for but instead of telling her that there was no need to apologize he asked her how she was.

Despite the fact that he noticed how Tess acted all insecure, because of the way she talked, rubbed her lower arm, had her eyes closed and looked away from him above all of that, the Border Guard was still glad to hear that she was fine. Reassuring her once more that he was okay too, because his well-being seemed to have a big impact on her, he added to it that that was because of the Healing Chamber. Again his reply seemed to put her off somehow because she let her head face the ground. Kind of taking on a defeated stance with doing so. Especially because she apologized once more to him and then told him that she would bring him home. Wondering what was going on with her, instant but thick refusal sparked up in him at her offer. “No. I don’t want to go home. Your brother nearly had you killed but a couple of hours ago. I want to know how my friends are doing. Are they alright? Where are they?” How could he possibly go home without verifying that Seunghoon and Minho were still alive? For all he know they too had almost. Relieved to know that Seunghoon and Minho weren’t harmed he liked the idea of giving them a call. At least in that manner he could verify for himself. Watching Tess while she was busy with her phone, Jinwoo wondered again why the girl was acting this insecure. Probably that also was Devon his fault. Having her locked away for over three years and God knows what else he had told her or made her do in that time-span. Thanking her for the phone when she reached it out to him, Jinwoo questioned whether Seunghoon and Minho were at the other side of the line.

“Seunghoon? Minho? You guys alright?” he started the conversation. Which in the end turned out in a total different way than he had planned it to go. Worry instantly sparked up again when Minho told him that he could be better, yet before he got time to respond to that he got blamed for what happened tonight. And yes, he had started the fight, but he had no idea about Project K nor was it his fault that Tess had died and he had lost the connection. That was someone else’s fault. He didn’t know what had happened and the only way to figure out what had gone on was by going back. The only way to go back was to go over the Border, so yes, he had started a fight in the hopes of infiltrating the West so he could reach Devon’s house to find out what the hell had happened to Tess. He wondered how Minho would have responded to such a devastating and confusing thing happening to him. For Jinwoo it was pretty clear, since Minho hadn’t experienced anything like this he wasn’t in any position to judge him for what he had done. Getting angry at Minho because the male kept on blaming him and didn’t seem to get his point of view, Jinwoo refused to keep talking to him. A fight with one of his friends wasn’t something he was in need of after everything that had happened. After all he still was feeling not like himself, like he had lost himself even, ever since the connection had been broken. “That’s what you get when you worry about your friend and try to make sure they’re alright? I’ll call you again then,” he said in the most sarcastic way he could muster before he handed the phone to Tess.

Allowing her to say something to her brother before she’d hang up he was kind of surprised when she didn’t say anything and just hung up. “It’s not your fault. It’s your brother’s fault. He relies too much on science and everyone just follows him even though he makes mistakes too,” he kind of lashed out to her, angry because once again she apologized towards him even though it wasn’t her fault to begin with. Realizing that he had to calm down and not work his anger out on her, he turned slightly away from her and went with a hand through his hair. Taking a deep breath next as he put his hands on his hip, he remembered how he had told himself that he would protect this girl. This insecure girl who reminded him of his own scared child. “I’m glad you’re alright,” he spoke next. Glad that his voice sounded way softer than what it had done before. Tess seemed to have noticed that too because somehow she got enough courage to say more to him. “It’s not your fault, Tess. I don’t know how many times I need to repeat that to you.” Humming lightly another thought entered his mind when he accepted that he had to go back home. “You’re returning to them I assume?”

Silence feel between them then. She not responding to his assumption. Not that it was necessary to respond to, since he knew that she’d return to them. Where else would she go to? With him? With him. Realizing then how nice it would be if she’d go with him, Jinwoo was quick to rationalize that thought and realize that it wasn’t an option. She was a Westener. She could not hide inside of his apartment nor in the East. Besides, he didn’t know her, why was he thinking these things? Because he really did want her to come with him. To leave behind her brother so he was able to protect her and she’d have a good life. One outside of a cave. But it couldn’t be done. She had to go back to them and her cave. Being kind of frustrated because of that, he got reminded of the itch he felt. The one that had started the moment he’d found out that Tess was still alive. It nagged at him to be scratch and the only way possible to do that was to re-establish their connection. And now that he was so close to her around it was tempting him to give in. Give in and ask her to establish the connection once more. No one was around, so who would figure out? The connection was something good. He would feel whole again. He just had to give in. All of that went through his head when Tess spoke up again and interrupted his thought process.

Her words set him off. Even Minho had sided with Devon and he couldn’t take her siding with Devon right now either. “Why is everyone on Devon’s side? Everyone treats him like he’s some kind of saint who knows everything and is always right. But he isn’t. I don’t get it. I don’t trust him. I don’t even know how you got healed, you know? I don’t know what was going on.” Listening to how she went against him, he shook his head briefly after which he told her how he didn’t find it possible that Devon had put her in a cave when he had a great basement to his disposal where she could have lived. Not fully understanding that she really had wanted to live in a cave, he did understand the part where it was too difficult to keep her Trackers hidden for the government. “I don’t like him being in charge of everything and everyone just going along with him like he’s some kind of saint.” Being questioned what he wanted he told her how he didn’t like Devon and how he took care of things. How he didn’t trust Devon and how there were maybe other ways to deal with things. He also said that he didn’t understand why everyone was mad at him and blamed him for what happened even though Devon had a fault in everything too. Calming down lightly when Tess told him that she was not mad at him, Jinwoo scratched his head as he agreed with her moving him back up. Telling her to just bring him back home. Remaining silent when the cave moved again, he took the time to settle his own emotions and thoughts. Which soon brought him back to the topic of re-establishing their connection. 

Feeling how the cave came to a halt again after a couple of minutes, Jinwoo thanked her for bringing him here. Being told to take care, he saw how she prepared herself to take him back up. “Wait!” he said, the word having come out of him out of an instinct. Moving a bit closer to her while he rolled up his sleeve, his whole body was singing with joy because he had given in to temptation and was going to ask her to establish the connection again. In that manner he also would be able to communicate her and be kept into the loop. Since he wasn’t sure if his friends were going to do that now. “Let’s re-establish our connection.” Being questioned if he was sure or not, he responded with a simple yes. The word coming out in a bit of a sigh because he was tired. Seeing how she reached her hand out to him, he first took hold of a spot near her elbow in hopes of not scaring her after which he gently put their Marks on each other. The response was instant. It being the same as the first time around. Feeling how something that felt like electricity pulsated through them his body and mind more than welcomed the sensation. Soon the feeling of warmth, safety and care settling back inside of him the itch finally left his system. Eyes closing because finally he felt whole again, he basked in the re-found knowledge of being home. And then she communicated to him that she loved him. Eyes opening while he explored the promise she made him, he looked inwardly to see if he could return it. Feeling like he wasn’t capable of returning her promise with the same amount of warmth she had put into it, he did promise her that he’d be here for her. He knew he was going to be because he loved her too. He’d found that inside of him. And even though his ability wasn’t as epic as hers, he’d still be here for her and she could count on him.

Feeling a pleasant jolt of electricity travelling up his arm when she stroked with her thumb over his skin, he welcomed the kiss she gave him on his cheek. This time around not feeling awkward by the skinship, he lifted up his arm to put it around her waist. Holding her against him like that for a little moment, he let go of her when she moved back. Somewhat feeling sad because she pulled away, he send a mental nod over to her after which he said, I’m here for you too. Reach out to me if you need anything. Keeping his gaze on her while the earth platform moved him and Merch up again, Jinwoo took a deep breath of air the moment he was above ground. Feeling his body becoming heavy with tiredness now that all the stress of the past day and events fell off of him, he orientated himself and started to walk the last distance to his apartment. Making use of his re-found upgraded ability while walking, he bit his Target goodbye when he stood in front of the main door. Goodnight. I hope you’ll be well. I’ll hear from you soon I hope. Opening the door, Jinwoo went inside, rode the elevator to the right floor and then went to his own apartment where he’d give Merch some food and water and clean both of them up after which he’d let himself fall into bed and get some rest.

Being dropped off by the Transport together with her cousin, Lyn had a difficult time not to smile in front of her while she spoke to Minho. Agreeing with him that she couldn’t wait to be back with him, she was glad that Devon did come up with a reason for them to go back soon. Knowing what Devon said in the text message even before she had to read it –thanks to Minho- she turned her head upwards to her cousin. “Devon texted. Stating that he had seen what had happened and he wants to see us,” she told Yifan, keeping her phone in hand as she looked up at him to wait for his response, “After we first take a shower of course.” Smiling lightly amused when she told him that, she nodded when he questioned her if she wanted to go or not. Texting a bit with Devon, to make clear that they first were going to go home for a shower and a change of clothes, she smiled down at her phone when Minho’s playful thought reached her. Replying in a playful manner that in a way he could be there, she grinned when he told her that he couldn’t wait. Stating that she couldn’t wait either, she schooled her expression when she looked back up. Giving Frog’n another stroke over his head she then started to walk with her cousin towards their apartment. The two of them remaining silent while they walked, she felt how Minho seemed to be occupied with something else because he wasn’t fully present anymore in their connection. Waiting for him to return, Lyn got told by him what had happened. Receiving all the information Minho gave her, the memories and feelings, she understood that Minho felt hurt by what happened. She was also was very glad that he took it very seriously that Jinwoo had brought her in danger. It made her feel like she mattered to him and that he cared for her. Yet that thought was only a side-thought because she soon started to rationalize with her love.

Trying to give him another view on the situation, so he wouldn’t hurt as much as he was hurting now, she told him her honest thoughts. Communicating them while hoping that he wouldn’t reject her. Because that honestly wasn’t what she wanted to reach. Glad to feel that he wasn’t doing so, a frown appeared on her face when Minho sounded more than defeated in her mind when he told her that he couldn’t do this. Listening to his words she did feel a hint of someone that didn’t want to give up. Of someone that momentarily was beaten but wanted to get back up on his feet again and start to make things better or find better things. And it was because of that hint that she did not went along with Minho’s words but instead talked about how he didn’t have to fight with his friends and how she was there and they weren’t alone and that somehow they’d pull through. Smiling warmly when Minho closed the distance to give her a hug, she gently hugged him back. Stroking over his back and sending him some love and reassurance that she was really there and that she wouldn’t go anywhere. Telling him that she loved him as well, she kept a hold of him for a little while longer until she finally had reached her apartment. Stating playfully then that she was going to take a shower and had expected him to come with her –to lift up the mood and to try and let him move on-, she was glad that he went along with her. And thus Lyn entered her apartment, thanked Yifan -for given Frog’n food and water and allowing her to go shower first- by giving him a hug and a kiss on his cheek after which she went to gather new clothes in her room. Heading over to the bathroom next, she playfully shut Minho out of her head for a bit because she had to pee (And that’s not something I want you to know how I do that. Because that’s not smexy at all.) after which she undressed herself so she could take her shower. Of course allowing Minho back in her head the moment she started with undressing, so he could enjoy the shower together with her in a way.

Washing herself thoroughly so all the blood and dirt would be gone from her skin and hair, she also brushed her teeth. All in all taking some fifteen minutes underneath the shower, she took some ten more with getting dressed and blowing her hair. But luckily for her cousin she was able to blow her hair in the living room so he could already start showering. All the while she of course kept the connection between her and Minho strong. Sending playful comments at him while she had been undressing herself and washing herself. Probably slightly working him up because she was working herself up by imagining him really being there and some of the possibilities. Going to wash Frog’n once her hair was dry, she washed him thoroughly as well after which she took a seat with him in the couch. Gently stroking over his fur, she waited for her cousin to be ready to go back to Devon then.

Seunghoon felt like he was caught right into the middle of something. Having followed the conversation between Jinwoo and Minho, he’d told the first that he was alright and that he was glad he was alright too. Not having said more to him than that, because Jinwoo and Minho seemed more than hell-bend on having a discussion (one that actually didn’t matter on top of that). He saw how Minho went to sit in the couch after that. Leaving him be, in the hope that he’d calm down, then it was Devon’s turn to act all crazy. People and their emotions. It was as hard to deal with as with ‘maybe’s’. Merely listening to his ranting, Seunghoon remained silent while he watched the other go. Not knowing what he should say to Devon at all. Somehow being relieved that at least that emotional bomb was gone from the room, he turned towards Minho. “You’re good?” he questioned, going towards the couch to check on the male. Waiting for his response, Seunghoon communicated with Kris how Devon had left the room. Him having stated that he had been done with everything and that it was now up to them. I hope he’ll come around. Without Devon we’re as good as lost. I don’t know how to work these computers. Let’s hope his sister can talk some sense into him.

Having communicated with Kris everything that had been going on here while he’d been out on the battlefield, at least he had been able to have found some kind of understanding with him. Actually the conversation that they had shared had been kind of pleasant on his side. Having discussed how bad this situation had turned out to be and still could be if they would leave it at this, Seunghoon had even snickered when Kris had told him that he was starting to grow on him. Apparently you’re starting to grown on me too. Had been his response to that. Not having been able to say more to the man because right at that point Devon had started to go crazy.

[tiptoedtalking]

Minho had been enjoying the peacefulness of sharing a mind with Lyn while she was doing something as nice and unspectacular as taking a shower. Going along a bit with her teasing he was aware of how she was working both him and herself up and he honestly didn’t do anything to stop it, since it was too nice a feeling to be joking around like that. He only even came out of it when Seunghoon’s voice sounded up rather close to him, making him look up only then and take in the room. He vaguely remembered Devon leaving, a memory that became enhanced by Gorn moments later, which was when Minho realised exactly what had transpired behind him. Starting to frown lightly, he communicated to Lyn how Devon had apparently given up his support of their group as a whole. When she asked him what happened, he stated he didn’t know more either because he’d been busy with her. “I’m good,” he responded to Seunghoon meanwhile, nodding once and getting up from the couch then so he could walk over to his friend, putting his hands in his jeans pockets. “You?” Being told that the other was good too, he hummed lightly as he nodded again. “You hungry or anything?” Getting the answer that Seunghoon was a bit hungry, Minho nodded his head over to the hallway. “Wanna go check what’s in the kitchen?” Grinning lightly when Seunghoon agreed, Minho headed over to the kitchen with his friend, telling Gorn to stay where he was and wait for either Tess to return or maybe Devon to come back down. Meanwhile he communicated to Lyn that he also thought Devon might need some time, but that maybe she could talk to him later when they were back, to see what was up. Once in the kitchen, he went over to the fridge and pulled it open. Looking at the richly filled insides, another grin came to his face. “Damn, there’s more food in this basement fridge than I have in my whole house.” Snorting in amusement, he started to sift through what was inside, naming a few things he found to eat to see if Seunghoon wanted anything. When eventually his friend settled on an apple, Minho took one for himself too and then closed the fridge again. Handing Seunghoon his apple, he then took a bite of his own.

“Well, here we are,” he stated then as he looked around the unfamiliar kitchen. “So, um, what are we going to do until they get back?” Apparently Seunghoon had no clue either, so Minho snorted in slight amusement. “Sounds exciting.” Grinning at his friend when he agreed with the sarcasm, Minho quietly walked out of the kitchen again to go back to the living room. “I’m just going to put my feet up,” Heading back to the couches, he once again took a seat in one of them, kicking out his shoes so he could put his feet up on the arm rest and lie down. Letting one hand rest on his stomach, he used the other one to continue eating his apple. Closing his eyes to enjoy the peace and quiet for a moment, Minho’s thoughts went back to the conversation he’d had with his friend and the conversation he’d had with Lyn. Sighing softly, he used his free hand to take his phone out of his pocket. ‘Hey man, sorry about the way I reacted. My bad. I’m glad you’re good. You got home well?’ Sending the text over to Jinwoo, Minho didn’t have to wait that long for a reply. Reading the ‘I got home just fine. See you later.’ he started to smile a little again. ‘Night man. See ya.’ was what he wrote back, before settling back on his couch again, closing his eyes once more and now simply focusing on the good feeling he had inside his chest. He hadn’t felt this happy in a while. And the first memory he got back as he was thinking like that, was one of Kalmar as a puppy lying on his chest back at his own place while he was lying like he was now. His mother had been alive still then, too. But now all of them had gone. Instead he had Lyn now, and Gorn, but somehow he felt like the latter was only going to be a temporary companion. Feeling himself become heavier again at that, Minho focused on the good things again instead,  hearing from Lyn then that they were headed over to Devon’s house, which only made his mood better. Being asked then by Lyn if Yifan knew about Devon. Stating he didn’t know, she asked him to ask Seunghoon, so he calmly inquired with his friend if he’d told Kris about Devon’s departure. Communicating the affirmative answer to his bond, he settled a bit better in the couch. Waiting for you in the couch, love he added then, amused, as he gave her an image of his very non-sexy position in the couch at that moment. 

After feeding Frog’n, Yifan had already washed his face, hands and arms in the kitchen sink. Having gone to his room next, he’d taken out a set of new clothes and changed into his new choice of outfit. Calmly preparing a small bag with sleeping over stuff, he made one for Lyn too, taking her toothbrush and  things the likes of that. Letting her decide herself on her choice of PJs for that night, he put the bag ready for her. Telling her about it once she was out of the shower, he went inside of the bathroom himself after her to check if he was in need of a shower. Taking a quick one after all because of the dust of the fight in his hair and everything like that, he eventually went back to the living room. “I’m good to go,” he stated, smiling warmly at his cousin and then grabbing the bag he’d made for himself so they could get on their way. Heading downstairs with her and Frog’n in the elevator, it was then that Seunghoon told him Minho had inquired about him knowing about Devon for Lyn. Snorting in amusement, he turned his head over to his cousin. “I heard about Devon, yes,” was what he told her, still a bit amused by it all. We’re like high school kids right now was what he communicated to Seunghoon meanwhile. Adding the memory of the girls who would ask this for that person because this person wanted to know that by this person. Grinning a bit wider when Seunghoon agreed, he kept his quiet as he listened to the elevator music. Reaching the ground floor not long after, Yifan quietly started on his way back to Devon’s house then. But he had to put in an extra effort in keeping his face schooled when Seunghoon told him it would be best if they reached the place soon so he didn’t have to send any secret messages through anymore. Clearing his throat at that, he still chuckled inside their connection. Don’t worry, I’ll be there to rescue you from it soon. Then we can let those two braid each other’s hair as we stare at stone walls with so little emotion even they will look like they have feelings. Grinning even wider at Seunghoon’s reply, Yifan made sure to look over at Frog’n so it could look like he was laughing with the dog. C ya soon, bro he communicated to Seunghoon next, poking a bit more at the guy’s seeming dislike of teenagers and emotions.

Good night, Tess communicated back to Jinwoo when he wished her a good night, smiling softly ahead of herself because he had done so at all. Sweet dreams. Letting the warmth vibrate through her a moment longer, she only then moved away again from the building and the East altogether, heading back home to her brother’s basement. It was quite a trip, but as she went alone and had re-established her connection with Jinwoo, she went ahead and mustered up her full speed again. On the way she also brought her brother’s phone back to her, picking it out of the earth and putting it away in her pocket with her own phone. It wasn’t long then until she arrived near the basement, remembering the moment she sided up to the usual hole in the wall that she had breached a hole twice the size now. Instantly starting to move the earth, even before she had reached the basement, she started to gather all the rubble inside and moved it back towards the wall. Clearing all the cement and earth from the room, she pulled it into the earth and moved it away. As for the wall, she quietly re-made that with use of the earth. Putting everything back in its position as it was supposed to be, the two walls fully intact again, she only then sided up to the basement, blinking to the light and walking inside. Nodding her head once in greeting at the two men in the couch, she frowned lightly when there was no one else in sight. “Um.. Where’s my brother?” was the first thing she inquired, looking around the room and a bit more towards the hallway since she presumed Devon would be in the kitchen or bathroom then if he wasn’t in the basement itself. Although the fact that the wardrobe was closed did put her off, because why wasn’t Devon following their Trackers and the likes while the two Easterners were still here?

[tiptoedtalking]

Immunity | The Group

[pretendingasalwaysworld]

Glad that Minho still kept her up to date with was going on around her, she hoped too that the battle soon would be over. She didn’t know how long it had lasted but it certainly had lasted more than enough. The amounts of wounded and dead she had seen was devastating. Did he kill the shooter? she asked him. Being relieved when she heard that he hadn’t, she reached for her weapon the moment something materialized close to her. It was only because she was used to her cousin being able to do that, that she waited with shooting. And it turned out that she was lucky because of that. Haven’t expected her cousin to show up at all, she stared up at him Staring up at him while she panted lightly. Giving him a nod back to assure him she was fine, she looked at the guy she had saved. The Healing Chamber would be able to give him back his legs, if he’d be able to pay the hospital enough money. But if that wouldn’t be the case, he still could have a prosthesis. Listening to how he cursed her into infinity because she had taken his legs from him, Lyn didn’t reply to the young man however. In time he’d come to see that she truly had saved his life by having done what she did. It had been the quickest and safest solution. Relieved to see a hooverboard coming closer to them, she allowed her cousin to help her up only after the guy had been put on it first. Waiting for take off, one of the medics on the board came to her to help her with her wound. Telling the medic that they could keep her payment in until she’d finish this debt, she looked over at Yifan who came closer to her to hug her. Hugging him back she smiled against his shoulder. “I’m alright,” she said right after he’d said that he was glad she was alright. “I know you don’t,” she answered to his next words gently stroking over his back. Allowing him to pull away from her she smiled in an accomplished but also gentle way back to Yifan. “Yes, that sounds lovely right about now.” Turning her head to Frog’n when Yifan started to speak to the dog, she smiled warmly at the animal that had helped her throughout everything. Reaching out a hand to it to scratch him behind his right ear she thanked the dog as well. “I’m very glad he’s with me too. Thanks for tonight.” Giving Frog’n some more affection she was glad when the dog moved closer to her so she could give it a hug. Thank you too. She send to Minho. I love you. I’ll be back soon. Just need to have a reason to come back.

Seunghoon was confused when Kris asked him whether or not the shooter had a living Target. Not being sure why that was of any importance, he did question Devon though. Watching how Devon cross-referenced the woman’s mark in the Western database another woman turned out to be the Target of this Eastern one. Yes. She still has a living Target. He send to Kris. By now having figured out that Kris probably was going to keep the female alive just because she still had a living Target. And his assumption had been proven to be right when he got to see how Kris knocked the female out. You have any plans with her? he questioned while he watched how Kris picked up all the weapons to then go scatter them about. Being told by Kris that he doesn’t like to kill people and that there is still hope for the female because her Target is still alive, Seunghoon hummed in reply. He wasn’t convinced that there was still ‘hope’ for anyone whose Target was still alive. How were they going to be able to get Targets to meet each other and make them trust them and each other enough to come close together so they could establish their connection? It was a mad-man’s work. Also, not everyone would want to have a bond with their Target. And there are a lot of close-minded people in this place. People who would never accept this.

Watching how Kris went to his cousin, which he already figured out he’d do too, Kris spoke to him once more. Too bad indeed. he stated, waiting a moment before adding while mimicking the amusement. Maybe it wouldn’t miss you this time around either because you’re too tired. Being assured that that wouldn’t be the case since he has had rest, Seunghoon countered, It seems to me that you used quite some energy again by scattering the weapons. Smiling lightly when Kris told him that he was wrong, his Target explained why that was. Interesting. After all these years now I know when and where to hit. His face contorted when Kris brought up that Minho would send all of his dogs after him if he’d touch Lyn. That thought definitely not being a pleasant one. Yet before he could reply to that Kris told him too that he’d only have to ask him, if he wanted to have him dead. If only I’d known it was that easy. He replied in amusement, only to be told that it was that easy now. Not replying to that because he knew damn well enough that Kris was speaking the truth, Seunghoon then watched how his Target spoke with Minho’s Target and how the two of them got transported to a safe place in the West. Assuming that the two of them would return to Devon’s basement, he focused his attention then on Jinwoo’s vitals because they indicated that he was going to wake up pretty soon.  

Figuring out he was either lying down or standing since he felt pressure against his back, it was the sight and feel of Tess that told him that he had to be standing. Needing a moment to adjust his mental image of his position in the world, he did notice that Tess was worried and alarmed. “What happened with you, you mean?” Was the first thing he murmured. Not actually believing why she was asking him what had happened while she’d been the one that died. “I’m okay. You were gone. You were dead. The connection is gone,” he said. Not lifting up an arm to take a hold of her in return he listened to how she explained that the antidote had harmed her. “I knew it,” he whispered while she stroked with her hand over his face. The touch still registering in his mind even though he was viewing the world in some kind of hazed state. Not fully being on board with how she called out that he was hurt and what she was planning on doing, he still couldn’t get over the fact that she had died. “But you died. What happened?” Still listening to her suggestion that he had to go sit down, Jinwoo tried to do so. Bending his legs while he let the wall support more of his weight, he slid down until he was seated.

Hearing Devon’s voice meanwhile stated how Tess indeed had been dead and how he would die, he cursed Devon. Of course that bastard wished to taunt him in this moment. Wishing he could kill him with his bare hands he replied, “You bastard.” Leaving a moment of pause to breathe he continued, “You killed her. You did this.” Scoffing when Devon put the blame on him, Jinwoo wasn’t about to bow down to the lunatic who thought he could control everything and could do whatever the hell he wanted to do. If it wasn’t for Devon Tess never would have died. “That isn’t anything new now is it?” he replied in the most mocking way he could muster while he felt like he did now. Scoffing once more when Devon stated that it was something new, he listened to how he told Tess that she couldn’t bring him back to the West. Feeling how his mind slipped away a bit again now that Devon wasn’t talking to him anymore and he didn’t need to give him a reply, he replied to Tess when she asked him where the nearest hospital was and told her that she should drop him off at the warehouse close-by. Not having noticed how she’d thrown away the phone, Jinwoo didn’t notice either how the world started to move. Feeling like he could fall asleep right here and now because he apparently was sitting in the most comfortable spot in the entire universe all of a sudden a hand got put on his face again. Eyes opening to look at the girl he answered, “You should never take anything from your brother again without making sure it’s safe. He’s harmed you enough already as it is.” Being told once more that he should get healed, he replied that she should put him back above ground then.

Hearing more than feeling how he got put above ground again, together with Merch, Jinwoo used the last bit of is will-power and strength to crawl towards the hospital. Knowing that Merch already had gone to the medics to get them to find him, he only hoped that the medics would be on time while he crawled in the direction of the hospital. He didn’t know how long it took for Merch to return to him and start licking his face. Neither did he know how long it took for the medics to pick him up and carrying him to some very bright lights which definitely hurt his eyes. All he knew was that he woke up again, being fully healed in a Healing Chamber. Listening to how the machine declared him healthy again and advised him to get something to drink and eat, he watched how the cabin opened itself again so he could get out. Going to sit up he first looked down at himself, only to see that he was now dressed solely in his underwear. Looking around the room he saw how some food and water stood in reach for him on a small table to the left side of him. Reaching out to it, he quickly took hold of the food to gobble it down after which he poured the contents of the water bottle down his throat. Swallowing a couple of times over while his stomach was still busy with welcoming the food and water he’d given it, Jinwoo moved in his position then to get off of the machine so he could go and get the part of his armour that was still intact. Changing back into that he left the room so he could head to the Head Desk. Stating there who he was, he was planning to pay for the use of the Healing Chamber when the nurse told him that it already had been paid for. Wondering who might have paid for him, all of a sudden his father’s voice sounded up from the right side.

Turning his head a brief but genuine smile formed on his face upon the sight of him. Shaking the other male’s hand he told him that he was feeling fine, thanked him for taking care of the bill and asked him how it had all gone down. Being told that the battle had come to an end by now but that they had been able to kill a lot of Westerners tonight, he got praised by his father and got told to fetch his dog and go home. On his question to how the hell he had ended up near the warehouse even though he’d been far in Western Territory, Jinwoo answered that his intercom had failed because of the explosion and since he knew that he wasn’t going to make it on his own, especially since he got badly hurt in the blast, he’d returned to the East. Stating in detail how he’d done that with Merch’s aid, his father listened to his explanation and only nodded when it had come to an end. Hoping that his father, nor the government, was going to look into detail into his story, he said goodbye to his father and went to the kennel to retrieve Merch. Who as well had his wounds treated by then. Greeting his dog by kneeling down in front of it, he allowed it to lick him while he petted it and thanked it for having his back during the battle. Taking some time with petting Merch, Jinwoo eventually stood up to go and retrieve his weapons at another place in the hospital after which he finally walked outside of it. And the moment his foot stood on the ground again he remembered how Tess had told him that she’d be right here. Glancing around for a short moment while he took some people who were running around outside, he then started to walk. Heading back to his home just like he had told his father he’d do and waiting for Tess to pull him back underneath the ground the moment she’d found a clear gap.

[tiptoedtalking]

Tess had remained in her exact same spot ever since bringing Jinwoo above ground and following him into the hospital, just waiting for him to get better. And time seemed to go extra slow as she waited and waited and waited, and waited some more. But her hope didn’t falter because the Mark on her lower arm was still somehow vibrating a certain warmth which was proof enough for her that Jinwoo was still alive. And so she continued waiting until eventually, after a really, indescribably long time, his familiar footstep dug into the earth again. Her attention turned to it instantly and she waited since Jinwoo’s footsteps didn’t continue, as if he was looking for something. But then he started to walk and mere moments later Merch’s paw prints dented the ground as well. Breezing towards them, Tess followed along right underneath the duo, checking the surroundings as much as she could but not knowing where the cameras would be above ground. Which was about when her phone beeped and despite the whole ordeal, she took it out and looked at the screen. Being given a few coordinates, she easily moved to said position, which was only a little bit further ahead on Jinwoo’s path. Waiting for him to reach it, she first gently made his foot sink a little deeper into the earth to warn him of what was coming, before pulling him under the surface again as well. Of course she brought Merch down with him too, closing the earth above them as if nothing had ever happened there and gently lowering them down to her level. Another text came as she did so showing her the path she would have to move Jinwoo home in to coincide with Devon’s plans of making sure no camera would show a strange thing. Swallowing harshly yet again because despite everything her brother was once again helping her out, Tess put the phone away again for the time being to be able to focus on her Target who entered the earth box with her in that moment. The one he had been in flanking the one she had so that their space became bigger.

And the moment they were on the same height, she moved forward, everything inside of her demanding of her to get closer to him and to hold his lower arm once again, to re-establish their connection. But it wasn’t the instinct driving her, it were still her emotions, the relief of him being alive after such a long time of waiting and of knowing he was completely fine because otherwise they wouldn’t have let him go home. And because that, she once again closed the distance between them to hug him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing herself close to him, chin resting on his shoulder as she was standing on the tips of her toes a little. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” she breathed out as if nothing more than a sigh, closing her eyes for a moment as she allowed the relief she still felt despite always having known he was alive to course through her. But as always her actions were way heavier than his and she could feel his hesitance in putting an arm back around her as he stated he was alright. Letting go again quickly at that, she sunk back down on the balls of her feet and took a step back. “I’m sorry,” she apologised quickly, taking a few more steps backwards until she was basically standing on the other side of the little earth enclosure they were in, to make sure she gave him the distance he required. Standing in her position for a moment, she blinked her unseeing eyes and then closed them, turning her face over to the side because she knew he was still able to see her even if it was pitch black. Shoulders slightly hunched as she felt the regret course through her for her emotional actions, she lifted the arm with her Mark on to be able to rub over it with her other hand, starting to frown lightly because it was pulsing with warmth again like it had done the night they had established their connection. Being asked if she was alright, her head almost automatically turned back to where she knew Jinwoo was standing, also knowing that Merch had taken a seat next to him.

“I’m okay,” she responded in a soft voice again, for some reason adding the “You’re okay” just moments later, as if to clarify that that was enough for her to be okay. Being told that that was thanks to the Healing Chamber, she nodded her head, somehow feeling like he was blaming her for something although she couldn’t figure out what. She couldn’t heal, she controlled the earth. Had he expected more from her? “Yes,” was all she managed to reply, swallowing as she lowered her head so her eyes were fixed on the floor, although she still could see nothing but black. “I’m sorry, I’ll let you go home,” she added after a moment, this time bringing her hands together so she could lace her fingers. Listening to how Jinwoo told her no and said her brother had nearly killed her, she felt a sting in her chest, but then relieved again because he inquired about his friends. “They’re fine, yes. No one else was affected.” Pressing her intertwined hands to her stomach, she kept her gaze to the floor, feeling like she was being scolded even though she didn’t know what she had done wrong. Except for taken that antidote, but she trusted her brother on knowing what he was doing and even though he had overlooked the fault with her, he had had an antidote ready for the problem. It was only because she hadn’t stayed around to wait for any possible side effects that she had nearly died. Being asked if she was sure and where they were at, Tess shrugged lightly. “Last I saw them they were still in the basement. I assume they’re still there. Do you want me to call them?” Receiving a positive reply, she let go of her own hands to reach for her phone and get it out, texting her brother she needed a call so Jinwoo could talk to his friends. She didn’t get a reply but not a second later her dial tone went off and she picked up, reaching the phone out to Jinwoo.

Listening to the conversation unfold one-sidedly, Tess ducked together a little more with every angry word coming from the male. Eventually taking the phone back from him, she simply hung up and tucked the device back into her pocket, fingers trembling slightly. “I’m sorry I caused that,” she spoke softly, almost afraid to say the wrong thing and anger him even more, eyes turned to the floor still. Listening to the angry words being spoken as Jinwoo blamed her brother, stating he relied too much on science and that he then even made mistakes too, Tess could feel herself hurt more inside. How could she not side with the man in front of her, part of her wondered, but how could she side against her brother, who had kept her alive all this time. And so she remained quiet. “I’m sorry,” she repeated herself then, swallowing as she tried to find solace in the touch of the earth against her back. Which was about when Jinwoo’s voice softened a little as he stated he was glad she was alright. “I’m glad you’re alright too,” she replied to those words, glad she sounded somewhat stable although her emotions were a jumbled mess. “You should go home and rest. I’m sorry I didn’t leave you your peace.” Being told once again how it wasn’t her fault but her brother’s, Tess found herself torn apart once more when he questioned she was going back to them, but assumed she was going to anyway. Not knowing what to reply to that, because if he didn’t want her to go back she knew she would stay with him but she was more than sure he didn’t want her to stay nor was that possible so what else of a choice did she have? So the silence lasted for a while as she thought about her lack of options and how it was possible that her brother and Jinwoo hated each other so much that it stood in the way of their cooperation so solidly. But then she nodded. “I’ll leave you be from now on,” she spoke softly then. He could return to the life he had before and he would no longer be bothered by all of the mess he hated so much. No longer be bothered by her brother and their crazy conspiracy theory.

But it was not the right thing to say yet again and she felt her insides constrict as Jinwoo questioned her why everyone was siding with Devon. “I..” she started, choking on her words for a moment as the couldn’t handle the pain his tone of voice brought up in her. “I am on your side, but you wanted no part in it.” Those words caused another outburst and she now literally stepped back until she was solidly pressed against the earth wall, pulling her hands against her stomach again and entangling her fingers once more. “I.. I was in a Healing Chamber,” she stated, because that was all she knew of it too, really. Being questioned about the fact that she could go into a Healing Chamber, she wanted to respond but he started to make points then about how Devon had a proper basement and she could live there so why was she living in a cage. “Because I like the earth, Jinwoo,” she responded, softly at first but then she cleared her throat. “And because my Trackers still broadcast just not as far anymore. And every time I go into the basement he has to make sure no beacon picks up on their sign or the world will know I’m alive. Every time I move he has to make sure of that or the world will know I’m alive.” Swallowing, she shook her head lightly. “I don’t mind the cave, it’s my home now.” Being told that he didn’t like Devon being in charge and everyone just going along like he was some kind of saint, she swallowed again. “Then what do you want?” Another ramble started which clearly showed the deep dislike Jinwoo had for her brother. “I’m not mad at you,” she spoke, softly again because of his anger. But then she swallowed as she remembered something. “I have to move you back up. It will get suspicious if you stand here too long.” Being told to just bring him home, Tess swallowed again but simply nodded her head, starting to move the cage. At a slow, regular walking pace, the exact road Devon had told her to take. Until they were in a spot a little aside from his house where no cameras could see him either. Which was where she came to a halt again.

Nodding her head when Jinwoo thanked her for that, she wrapped her arms around herself this time. “Take care,” was all she could manage to say, turning her head to the side again and starting to part the little earth cavern again in her head so she could move just his side of it back up to bring him above ground. But he stopped her by telling her to wait and so she turned her head back into his direction. Hearing him move a bit, she wasn’t sure what he was doing and therefore just remained in the exact same position. When he stated then that they should establish the connection once more, she frowned lightly. “Are you sure?” she questioned, a little surprised that he wanted to have that again. Only when he spoke a yes in a bit of a sigh - which once again sounded as if he was tired of her - did she unwrap her arms from herself and took a step or two forward again. “Alright.” Reaching out her hand - she was wearing something short sleeved, as the rest of her clothes had disappeared in the earlier chaos, she presumed - she let it hang in the air and allowed Jinwoo to do the rest of the movement. Feeling his hand come in contact with her arm near her elbow first, their Marks then pressed against each other again. Although they had done this before, the effect of it wasn’t any less than it had been the first time. An incredible jolt went through her body, followed by several more of them, coursing through both her and Jinwoo once more. Only eventually did the feelings of warmth and safety settle inside of her once more, along with one of intense relief at having this connection back because it was the only truly solid proof she had of this man’s survival, of their broken bond not meaning either of their deaths. The skittish, fearful self that seemed to have returned in the hours he’d been gone from her now solidified once more and the certainty that he was there with her, for her, in her mind, landed over everything she was like a blanket, covering up all the bad and softening it up for her to experience it way more easily. Feeling the warmth course from her Mark through her system and even through his, it seemed, Tess allowed the feeling to take her over, to relax her and to reassure her everything would be alright.

I love you. It was not really words, although they were there too in a fleeting thought. But there were more feelings. And not just feelings of love, but reassurance, too. And warmth. A certainty that she would go to the ends of the earth for him if necessary. A promise that her loyalty lay with him as her fingers curled around his arm too only then, gently touching upon his skin. There was steadiness in the communication too, way different from the insecure, almost scared girl she had been in the past few minutes they had been conversing. Along with it was also the vastness of her being, how it spread again now into the miles of earth surrounding them, as she was once more aware of everything moving in or on the earth and sand, the dust and mud. In return she could feel his same sort of promise that he would be there for her too, which only strengthened the feeling of having a home again. Smiling this time around because she welcomed the feelings back inside of herself and was glad to retrieve them, rather than completely overwhelmed by them as she had been the first time, Tess gently stroked her thumb over Jinwoo’s arm before she let go of it again. But instead of dropping her arm to her side, she closed the distance between them, resting her hand on his chest and once again going up on the tips of her toes, this time to give him a kiss on his cheek. Thank you was what she communicated next. Gratitude for him wanting to re-establish their connection, but also for the fact that he was the one that grounded her, that turned her weary, shapeless sand into a strong, solid rock. Staying near him like that for a moment, because it felt right and warm and like home, she gently rested her chin on his shoulder once more, closing her eyes for a little moment to be able to keep this memory strong. And the way he put one arm around her now also felt like acceptance, which she gladly basked in. But then she moved back, away from him again as she quietly settled in the second part of their little cavern and then slowly started to move him back upwards. Because he had to go inside of his house for real and they couldn’t raise any more suspicion. I’m here if you need anything. Don’t hesitate to ask. Anything. Now following his upward movement with her eyes, because she was even more acutely aware of where he was standing, she moved him up until he was standing on the ground again as if he had never gone down into it. But Tess still remained where she was, waiting for him to actually enter his house before she would even think of leaving.

Minho watched how Lyn moved along on the Transport, but once she was dropped off, the images of her stopped. She spoke to him still, though, so Minho merely focused on her awareness in his mind. I can’t wait for you to be back, he communicated back to her. I’m sure Devon will come up with a reason soon enough. And indeed, not much later the man was already typing up a text it seemed to both of the others, it appearing on his screen as Devon toggled away on his keyboard. Minho read it as it appeared, before he could even send it, and sent the message through to Lyn before she would even check her phone. You guys, I saw the horrible battle. I would feel so much better if the two of you could come over and stay at my place tonight. Like, get a shower and a change of clothes and everything, but seriously. I was fearing for your lives, I’d like to just have you guys over and be sure you’re alright. Is that okay? Communicating the text message through to Lyn moments before it would reach her via the mobile frequency, Minho tilted his head slightly to the side. Glad that the response that appeared on the screen was that it was a good idea and that she was coming over, he smiled softly, only to frown lightly again when Devon started to type back, stressing the fact that she should first go home to get a shower and a change of clothes and all that. Feeling sad because that would mean she would spend more time away from him, Minho watched Lyn’s reply appear on the computer screen again before reaching out to her. Too bad I can’t have that shower with you, he sent through their connection. Slightly playful because of the shower they had before, but also slightly serious because he wished he could spend time with her right then. Any time. All the time. Receiving the reply that he could be doing that in a way, he started to grin lightly. Can’t wait, was what he communicated back to her, amused now more than sad. And glad, still, that she was alright.

Staying a constant presence in her mind as she walked home - which he knew because of what Frog’n showed him - he simply followed along as the dog more so than himself, listening to the conversation between Yifan and his cousin. But he was pulled from that sentiment not that much later when Devon all of a sudden stated that Jinwoo wanted to talk to them. Focusing on the screen once more, Minho only then noticed how Jinwoo’s Trackers had left the hospital - although not that far. Lifting his head up slightly, he nodded at the male and glanced shortly at Seunghoon before focusing on the computers and waiting for the line to open. His stomach a little tense because Jinwoo had still endangered all of them earlier by throwing the antidote away and had left all of them with the knowledge that he didn’t want to be part of the team. So when he heard the “you guys alright?” coming from his former friend - he wasn’t even sure what to call this guy anymore - there was a great sense of resentment inside of him and he had to bite his tongue not to lash out. “Could be better,” was therefore what he replied, but he couldn’t hold himself back and so he spoke again regardless. “You could’ve thought twice before unleashing hell upon the Border.” Feeling anger rise after that because of the way Jinwoo was talking down on him, he stopped himself from talking back to Jinwoo because he knew nothing good was going to come from it. Shaking his head lightly at Jinwoo stating it was clear he hadn’t experienced the connection breaking, he looked over at Seunghoon, trying to communicate wordlessly that he wasn’t going to continue the conversation. What Jinwoo had done - for whatever reason - had put Lyn in grave danger and it was only because Devon had amazing hardware and hacking skills that a joined effort had been able to keep her safe. And still she’d been shot in the leg. If they hadn’t been there to warn her, if Devon hadn’t calmed down the fighting with his strategies, hell if that helicopter thing had remained up in the air only a little bit longer, who knows what might have befallen her.

Listening to Jinwoo state he didn’t know what Minho would’ve done, he huffed softly, the resentment growing. “Not waged a war,” was what he replied. Thinking he would not have endangered so many innocents. Thinking he would have taken all the dogs and figured out who had done it and killed them off horribly. But not the whole city. Not Seunghoon’s Target, not Jinwoo’s, because he knew how much it meant. He had lost before. Terrible losses. Maybe not his Target, but still. Being told then by Jinwoo how he’d lost Tess all of a sudden after she’d reached out to him in panick, he huffed again, louder this time. “They could have levelled the whole fucking West with that helicopter, our Targets included.” Shaking his head, Minho clenched his teeth again as for some reason tears started to clog up his throat. And then Jinwoo got angry and he knew why; because he had officially, truly lost yet another friend. Feeling the hurt mix in with anger, as he didn’t seem to be sure which one of the two he should let take the upper hand, he turned his focus back inward as the phone call ended anyway, bringing his gaze down to the floor. Reaching out to Lyn again then, he couldn’t bear to form words for it and therefore just gave her the memories of the conversation as well as the emotions he’d been feeling. Being given all kinds of rationally true points by his beloved - like how she was safe, and how Jinwoo couldn’t have destroyed the West because the government wouldn’t have allowed it, and how he hadn’t lost the man as a friend because he had still called to inquire about their wellbeing - Minho could see the rational side of things but still somehow could not get past the fact that he could no longer see Jinwoo as a friend after what he had done.

Being told then by Lyn - which made him realise he had communicated those feelings too - that that was his own doing and that he was the one now shutting off Jinwoo, Minho swallowed as he turned away from the computer screens and walked over to the couches. Taking a seat in the utmost left of them, he breathed out a sigh as he put his elbow on his knees and rested his head in his hands. Meanwhile Lyn was also telling him that he should try and forgive the other and that if he couldn’t that was alright too, but that he should let some time pass because he himself was filled with emotions as well. But that Jinwoo couldn’t help the fact that Minho had been rejecting him during that conversation, blaming him for something Jinwoo also only had done to try and protect his own Target. He listened then to how she told him that it truly wasn’t nice that he felt the way he felt right now and that she didn’t want to make him feel worse but that she was just trying to help him feel better by helping him look at things a different way. Heaving a deep sigh as everything came crashing back into his mind, all the hurt and the pain and the losses and the conspiracies that he just couldn’t deal with, Minho could feel the first tremble go through his body. I can’t do this, Lyn, he communicated next, a certain defeat lying in his thoughts now. I can’t battle with my friends too while there is such a humongous threat that we can’t even really do anything about. I can’t fight a war, I wasn’t made for it. I don’t want to try and fight the government, I just want to leave this all behind. This is not my fight. I never wanted part of this. Please tell me this doesn’t have to be our fight. But although he was telling her that he wanted out, it was really just a hurt soul trying to find the easiest way out of the pain. Because he also wanted to stop it somehow, and the vague feeling of that thought went through to his beloved as well, but right now he really just didn’t feel up for the task, like he couldn’t take any more of it before it would be too much. It already was too much.

Being told by Lyn then that he didn’t need to battle with his friends, he felt the second tremble go through him, as the tears made it past his eyes ever so slowly. Gorn was there, pressing a nose against his arm, against the back of his hand, giving his chin and hands a small lick as a soft whine came out of him too, but Minho could only focus on Lyn’s voice in his mind, her presence, her warmth, her comfort and support. Listening to how she told him that he wasn’t alone and that although she didn’t know how or when, she did know they were going to make it through, he felt how those simple, perhaps even meaningless words, already made the shift happen inside of him again, already tore him away from the desperation and the pain to a safer path where he could feel her love and the purpose in continuing and figuring this all out. Being told then that she would be ‘right here’ was what soothed him for real and he simply reached out in their connection to wrap himself around her, as if giving her a hug in their minds. Just burrowing himself against her, keeping her as close as he could and just focusing on the fact that he loved her and that she loved him and that that was all he would ever need in life, so the world be damned if everything else went to hell. Although of course he would prefer it not to go to hell, but if he didn’t get to choose then he would still survive if it did go to hell, as long as he would have her with him. Feeling her respond to that hug, he also captured the ‘I love you’ she sent his way, responding to it with one of his own, as his emotions started to settle again. And with them, Gorn also settled in front of him, giving a small wag of his tail before once again just standing on the lookout. Starting to smile then when Lyn stated that she was going to take a shower now and she thought he was going to come with, he responded with a simple I’m right here. Not letting go. Still somewhat amazed by how easily she broke through the downward spiral but at the same time so incredibly grateful for it.

Yifan sat quietly on the hoverboard next to his cousin as it transported them back in the direction of their home. Eventually the transport stopped not that far away from their home but still a little end walking. Thanking the people for the help, he nodded at them before starting in the direction of Lyn and his’ apartment, with Frog’n still flanking his cousin. Looking over at Lyn when she told him the text message had been Devon asking them to spend the night because he’d heard about the battle, Yifan nodded his head quietly. “Sure,” he stated at first, before hesitating. “If you want to go, but I think you do?” Being reassured that she wanted to, he nodded. After which she stated they were going to get a shower first. Grinning lightly at that, he shrugged his shoulders a little. “Well, we better, or he’s going to be even more traumatised with all that blood on your clothes and hands and face.” Smiling warmly at his cousin, Yifan was glad that she was alright and that they could peacefully head home to their apartment. His conversation with Seunghoon a little earlier also replayed in his mind like an echo, because he knew he had admitted to what was supposed to be his worst enemy that he would die for the other simply because Seunghoon would want him to. Swallowing once, he walked home with Lyn, not disturbing the thoughts she seemed caught up in. And soon Seunghoon spoke to him again, communicating the conversation they’d had with Jinwoo as well as how Minho was annoyed at their old friend. But most importantly he got told how Devon had lost his composure after communicating with Jinwoo both times, and how Seunghoon even thought that Devon had been ready to detonate Jinwoo’s Trackers, although he wasn’t sure of it. Being told all the things that Seunghoon seemed to have noticed and seemed to be taking into account, he was glad to hear that Seunghoon was keeping an eye on Devon

Well, he did tell us that we got on his nerves and that he needed some time alone, but the whole ordeal didn’t really give him that, perhaps it is that too? If we leave him be a bit now - and perhaps also only when Tess returns - he will maybe be better again, more able to control himself. Humming shortly when Seunghoon stated a perhaps in return, he started to smile softly when Seunghoon said he hated dealing with maybes. I’m sorry there are so many. But I’m sure your friend will calm down again. Both of them, actually. And that it’ll turn out alright between them. Reaching his house as he was having that conversation, Yifan went upstairs with Lyn, telling her to go take a shower first and that he would feed Frog’n and give him some water. Listening to Seunghoon state then that if Devon killed Jinwoo he did, Yifan responded with a bit of surprise that that would probably get him in trouble with Jinwoo’s earth-controlling Target then. Continuing that line of thought along with Seunghoon, Yifan started to realise how much of a danger Tess’ ability really was and how they should find a way to lock her away if she was going to be dangerous for real. Being told by Seunghoon that when that happened they would just kill them, Yifan frowned lightly. Perhaps we should ask Devon if there is a way to limit her ability he eventually stated to Seunghoon, who inquired as to why they would do that. Explaining that it would be useful to have a way just in case, he also added that if they explained it to Devon he would probably understand too. Not in that very instant, perhaps, but once he was more rational again. Tilting his head slightly to the side as he went to the kitchen to get Frog’n some food and water, Yifan continued to ponder over the possibilities of Tess turning rogue to aid Jinwoo should the Eastern male stay angry. But also the possibility of Devon losing control and detonating their Trackers. It wouldn’t harm most of them now, but what if he had already lost it a little and had put something entirely different in their pills than he had injected into himself? Shaking his head lightly as he put Frog’n’s bowls down, Yifan discarded the thoughts. It wouldn’t do to start mistrusting everyone around them all of a sudden. But still, he felt closer to their little group of four now where he had felt just as close to all the others before. More of Seunghoon’s personality, he presumed, which was what he sent through to his Target then, along with a single, somewhat amused nonetheless, line: You’re growing on me.

Devon’s attention had been on his computer screens the whole time, following each one of his allies who were in the middle of the battle until they were all out safe. And after that he had focused on sending the necessary messages to pacify his superiors as well as sending a text to his friends to invite them back over to his place and give them a reason to be there again. But there came a point, eventually, where he focused on his sister’s Target once more, waiting for him to start moving. And once he did, he followed the movements up close to make sure that the Easterner would not do anything to endanger all of them. Realising that the male being out of the hospital would probably also mean his sister was going to talk to him. That’s why she hadn’t come back after all, to make sure the male was alright. Sighing as he one again put extra focus on the East, he hacked into their camera system once again after all to start checking the easiest way for Tess to take him home, as well as the best point in Jinwoo’s course to make that happen. Setting up a little mobile phone-like station on his computer again, he texted his sister the coordinates then as well as a detailed image of the road she should take underground so he could let Jinwoo’s Trackers keep broadcasting and no one would ask any questions even if he didn’t show up on a single camera. Luckily most cameras were focused in the direction of the West for now to make sure most probably that no one was getting into the wrong side anymore. Not getting any reply from his sister, Devon did notice how Jinwoo’s Trackers eventually came to a halt on the spot where Devon had told his sister to take him down. Instantly checking all the nearby cameras he was glad to see how none of them were focused on that spot. But they stayed down there too long for his liking. Although it didn’t take long for a text to be returned to him then after all, telling him that Jinwoo wanted to talk to his friends. Heaving a sigh, he wasn’t about to say no to that as he could understand the male’s need to wish to speak to them and make sure they were alright. Putting up the connection, he turned his head lightly to his two companions. “Your friend wants to know if you’re alright, I’m calling him.”

The ringtone sounded up from his boxes only once before someone picked up and the next moment Jinwoo’s voice sounded up through the system. Not getting in between the male’s conversation with his friends because it was none of his business, Devon did clench his teeth when Jinwoo started to go against Minho and stated that the other male knew nothing of how it felt. Instantly his annoyance for the male sparked, but this time it also sparked towards the other male, because once again they were bickering when there was no use whatsoever in fighting each other. There was already enough fighting going on outside of the basement, why did everyone inside of it have to fight among each other too on top of that? Why did that stupid motherfucking Eastern asshole have to not take the pill and endanger them all? If he’d just taken it, Tess would have still been in the basement when he’d figured out what was wrong and he could have just put her in the Healing Chamber and have the antidote taken out of her again so he could have brewed her a new one. No one would have been hurt. Not Tess, not Lyn, not Yifan and for fucking sure not that stupid fucking Easterner either. Keystrokes turning stronger again as he listened to the conversation and how it ended with Jinwoo making an annoyed comment, Devon had at least managed to keep his anger inside of himself and keep his rationality. But when his sister then ended the phone call without even trying to talk to him, his anger spiked again. She wasn’t even going to talk to him now? All because of what? Because he had told her to be safe and not bring the Easterner to him - which was for the guy’s own fucking safety, even? Or because he had failed her by giving her that antidote that had almost killed her - of course only because of the stupid Easterner’s actions, but still. Was she going to be angry with him again now? Was he going to lose his sister to that stupid, underdeveloped Eastern crap?

Feeling the anger rise in his throat, Devon momentarily halted his movements again, lifting his hands lightly from the keyboard so he could clench his fists. Lowering his head a little bit, he closed his eyes as well and just sat there in quiet for a moment. But he lifted his head not long after because his computer beeped, indicating that Jinwoo was on the move again. Following the path he was taking, he realised it was the road he had shown his sister. Quickly calculating ahead once again to see if she was still going in the right direction, Devon was relieved to find that she had remembered correctly and that all the cameras were still facing the right direction. Once again stopping with typing on his keyboard as he watched how the Trackers once more came to a halt near Jinwoo’s house, Devon hoped that the male would just be put above ground then and his sister was going to return home. But instead of that, what he got for his short wait was the tell-tale spike of Jinwoo’s vitals. Looking at his screen as his fingers hung lifelessly above the keyboard, Devon took in the full meaning of this spike and its consequences. Which was about the point in time when he was done with it. Taking down the sign with Jinwoo’s vitals as well as everything else open on his screens, Devon quietly rolled his desk chair back and got up to close his wardrobe doors. With quiet and calm movements, he hid every bit of evidence of all his hacking away into the wardrobe once more, before picking up his desk chair and moving it through the rubble back to his desk. Placing it on the ground again there, it was only then that he turned around to face his two guests once more. Minho was seated in the shower, head in his hands, face hidden, but because his dog didn’t appear worried at all he was probably alright. Facing Seunghoon then, Devon let his eyes go over the male, his expression blank as he just took the other in. Why am I doing this, dad? Why am I doing all of this when they just won’t listen? Why don’t they ever care about the dangers, like they’re not real? Like the government is not on our backs? Why am I doing this? Staring at the Eastern male as those thoughts went through his head, Devon shook his head lightly.

“I’m done,” he spoke up then, voice even. “If your friend wants to sign his own death certificate, I’m done trying to keep him from it. They re-established this strange connection you all have without thinking twice about the consequences on his Trackers.” Shaking his head once again, he thought of the consequences there would be if the government noticed the spike and if they were going to hunt on it. Thought of how Jinwoo’s father and all of those beloved to him would turn against him and would work to destroy him as well as his Target, Tess. Thought of how Jinwoo should have taken the antidote if he was going to pull stunts like that and how he was going to die now once they detonated his Trackers because he hadn’t. And it brought a sad smile to his face as he focused his gaze on Seunghoon again rather than on his inside. “Good luck trying to manufacture up a good plan with that idiot going against you every single step of the way. I am done with it.” Putting himself in motion, he calmly walked through the rubble of his broken wall over to the stairs. “I’ll let my friends in tonight and I will reset your Trackers back to regular broadcasting once you’re home tomorrow and that’s the end of it,” he spoke still as he started to move up the stairs. “Oh and if my sister does somehow still decide to show up here again, please tell her to clean up her mess. I’d like my wall back. Goodnight.” Going through the basement door after having said that, Devon closed it again behind him, thereby locking the two Easterners into his basement with no way out but the way they’d come in - via the earth outside of it. Moving over to his living room in the dark, he took a seat in his couch, folding his hands as he rested his elbows on his knees and just stared ahead of him into the darkness. All the while thinking over the same, suddenly very important questions: Why am I doing this? And who am I doing this for?

[tiptoedtalking]

Immunity | The Group

[pretendingasalwaysworld]

Still not fully having taken the time to take in the destruction Devon’s sister had caused to the basement, Seunghoon followed closely what was going on between the two siblings. His interest having been spiked because he wanted to know how Jinwoo had reacted to the sudden loss of the mental connection. Only able to hear what the girl said, he already suspected that Jinwoo was caught in some kind of dangerous situation somewhere in the East. Yet he never expected Jinwoo to be in that much trouble until he saw the surveillance footage on the computer screens. Closing more distance between him and Devon, the moment he saw the footage, he positioned himself to the left side of the male. Standing behind his chair but leaving enough distance from it so Devon was still able to move around. Taking in the chaos that had taken place in the short time-span of about fifteen minutes, Seunghoon only inwardly and very shortly turned his attention towards Kris when he told him that he had to go because his cousin got called to duty. Also being able to hear the sharp alarm tone coming from the other room, the weapon developer send a hum in agreement to Kris. Not once fearing for the other man’s life because his ability would be more than enough to keep him safe. Meanwhile Devon’s sister had managed to get to Jinwoo and bring him to safety underneath the ground. Following the conversation the three of them had, while he kept an eye on Jinwoo’s vitals which didn’t predict anything good, it once more became more than clear how much Devon and Jinwoo detested each other. He was sure that if it wasn’t for Tess nor for the sake of this whole undercover operation one of them already would have been dead by now.

Looking shortly over at Minho when he came to stand with him at the computer screens, he waited for Devon to return with letting the two Westeners out. Noticing how Devon had lost his temper because of the way he was working, he got shown the light of day by the man as well when he mentioned that he indeed had created Project K. “I didn’t know then what I know now,” he told the other as a matter of fact. Not at all trying to defend himself with those words because there was no need to defend himself. He merely had done his work and he actually was proud to see that his invention worked. Yet Devon didn’t calm down at all and instead kept on ranting about people being stupid and making stupid decision. Knowing that if Devon wasn’t able to keep his emotions in check he had to intervene, Seunghoon was relieved to see that Devon seemed to be able to pull himself together just at the right time. Watching how he pushed his chair back from his keyboard and lifted up his hands while he took a second or two to get his act straight, he kept a close eye on the scientist when he moved back to his keyboard. Seeing how this time around he was following Lyn and Kris and trying to make the battle stop, a little while later he got to see how Kris got hit. What the hell do you think you’re doing? Got immediately send over to Kris. Surprise and slight indignation welling up in him as he saw how the male had come to a halt, he being confused as well. I wasn’t able to give you one single scratch over all this years and you let that guy shoot you? Being told that he was too tired to use his ability, he instantly replied back. Get the fuck out of there. Go home. When Kris’ reply was a negative one because he was hell bend on getting his cousin out of there, Seunghoon cursed mentally. And although outwardly Seunghoon didn’t give any sign of stress while he looked at how Kris was running away and finding himself a place where he could hide, his insides were completely tensed up.

Breathing out a scoff when he saw how Kris had found a place to take cover, he got asked to inform him about Lyn if she’d be in trouble. I’ll tell you, was the only thing he replied. Not mentioning anything about Kris’ wound and how he had to treat it because the bullet had only graced him and Kris was putting pressure on it already. Thinking for a moment about Kris his plan, Seunghoon added, I don’t think you’ll be rested enough to get her out of there. Scoffing again when Kris told him that he’d be able to get his cousin out of there he didn’t engage in a discussion about it. Turning his attention more to the screen where he could see Lyn, he also tried to keep an eye on the other things that were going on. Doing that he saw how Lyn had been able to tend to quite a few people until eventually she got shot herself. Taking a moment to see what the girl and Devon were going to do, he decided to inform Kris of what had happened when he got the information on where Lyn’s shooter was located and had seen that Lyn was taking care of her wound. Lyn got hit in her calf. I suggest you take out the shooter. Sending Kris the coordinates, he focused on another screen to see what Kris was going to do with the shooter.

Holding Minho and allowing herself to relax a bit, Lyn soon got called back to reality when her phone rang. The sound of it informing her that she was needed on the battlefield to attend to wounded. Frowning deeply, since she hadn’t expected a battle to happen this late, she let go of Minho to take her phone to look at the coordinates. She had to go to the Border. Typing in the sequence she had to type in to respond to the call, Minho informed her that something was not right. What’s going on? she questioned, even though she knew Minho didn’t know anything more than she did. Heading towards the living room with him, holding his hand, her eyes instantly went over to the computer screens at Devon’s wardrobe. Gasping softly at the sight of the destruction that had happened and was still happening at the Border, Lyn knew that she had to go as soon as possible. Feeling the rising need to go, Minho interrupted that need briefly when he questioned her if she had to go there and couldn’t get out from underneath it. Turning her head to him her eyebrows lowered themselves briefly after which breathed out a small smile. It was absolutely endearing that he questioned her if she couldn’t get out from underneath it, but the truth was that she couldn’t. I can’t. I have to go, love. Take care of yourself. Replying with love, a warm but small smile pulled the corners of her lips upwards when he told her to take care of herself. I’ll be safe. I’ll be back. I’m glad you can’t go far right now. I still want some time with you. Hugging Minho tightly this time around, she also gave him a kiss. Communicating once more how much she loved him and that she’d be back, she let go of him then when Devon stated that he would let them out. Heading over to Yifan, she shortly looked up at him after which she followed Devon. I love you too. Glad that Frog’n was going along with her she could also feel how Minho was with her at all times now. Communicating her happiness because of that to him, Lyn played along with Devon’s charade once they were out of the house. “Yes, we should definitely do this again and a dinner sounds wonderful, Devon. I’m sorry I got called. I’ll see you later.” Smiling widely at the other male while he closed the door, her smile vanished the normal way. It making her briefly wonder if she was on her way to become a true liar as well.

Running with her cousin and Frog’n to the base where she could get her medical gear, weapons and protection she told Yifan that he shouldn’t be out here with her. Wondering briefly if she really did know her cousin –because of all of the things that had happened recently she got the feeling that she didn’t know him at all- she did know that his ability would keep him safe on the battlefield however. Yet he never had been fond of going to a battlefield either and now he was coming along with her to keep her safe. Arriving at the base, Lyn said goodbye to Yifan (receiving a squeeze in her hand and sending him an assuring smile), reported for duty (got the specifics of her area and her mission) and quickly got to work with putting her armor on and making sure her RAF (Robotic Aid in Field) worked. Putting a medical armor on on Frog’n too, because he wasn’t wearing anything to protect himself right now, she finally picked up the little RAF by the handle it had on it’s back, clicked it on her belt and then went out in the field. Running along with a couple of soldiers for quite some time, she eventually turned away from them when she spotted a survivor to her left by the use of her lenses which were able to spot human beings and their vitals. First needing to pull the male to some safer ground so she’d be able to tend to his wounds, Lyn did so together with Frog’n. Hiding behind half of a wall, which was big enough to cover the three of them, she clicked her RAF loose from her belt and ordered it to start working. Examining the male –who had lost consciousness- she and RAF worked quickly and precisely. Using her magnetic tool to get shrapnel out of his leg wound and her laser tool to stop the bleeding she ordered RAF to give the man the necessary injections he needed to have to avoid shock. Preparing the man for transport, she finally ordered RAF to put a tracking-device on the male’s heart which would send out a signal to the transport team which would come pick him up and bring him to the hospital for further treatment. Putting everything away again she lastly put RAF back where he had to be after which she stood up so she could safe somebody else’s life.

Making her way through the battlefield on her own from then on, Lyn was glad that Minho gave her information from time to time of her enemies. Listening to his advice, she tried to avoid as many of them as she could while she searched for Western survivors. Leaving the Eastener ones behind in her path. Being able to see the difference between the two of them because of the clothes they were wearing and her lenses who were able to distinguish between Easteners and Westeners for some kind of reason. Running from survivor to survivor, the ones that were beyond saving she only gave a shot of morphine. That was the protocol and at least she knew that their pain would be gone when they finally did die. Being able to prepare fifteen people for transport, she had lost seven while she tried to save their lives. Becoming more and more pissed off each time she lost someone, she eventually found a young soldier whose legs were trapped underneath a big pile of rubble. Running towards him she heard and saw how he still was conscious because he was not only screaming for his mother but also trying to push the weight off of him. Kneeling right next to the male she quickly got RAF off her belt so the robot could start with giving the guy the necessary injections and closing open wounds. Knowing that she was in a not so favourable position to treat this guy, she couldn’t get herself to not try and help him. Telling the male to calm down, asking his name, the date and where he was –as she checked for brain damage- she then told him to do exactly as she told him to do which started with shutting up.

But of course the guy didn’t shut up and instead started to beg not to leave him and to save his life. Telling him that she was trying to do exactly that while she took in the damage to his legs, she knew that she had to quickly cut them off. Telling him that she was going to have to cut off his legs if he wanted to stay alive, the boy took hold of her armor and tried to pull her down and thus close to him. Yelling at him that he had to let go of her, the boy kept on pleading to help him and to not hurt him and to let him keep his legs. Continuing with telling him to let her go, she tried to pull herself loose from his grip. Not being able to do it on her own, because his hold was surprisingly strong for a wounded man, Frog’n helped her by taking hold of the male’s arm and growling in warning at him. Instantly backing away from the boy, she did order RAF to prepare him for the operation. Doing so because it was the only way to safe this guy’s life. Ignoring the ‘no’ calls from the guy, she made sure to stay out of reach of his arms and hands. Glad that Frog’n was there to protect her from them as well. He making clear to the male that he was going to attack if he wasn’t going to calm down. Preparing her tools to be able to cut the guy’s his legs off, she asked Frog’n to keep the guy’s upper body still. Waiting for the dog to do so, by putting his body weight on him, she then started her operation. Right when she had cut off his first leg and RAF was burning the stump, a sharp pain came from her calf. “Son of a…!” she yelled, instantly pulling her right leg back and putting her back against the rubble.

Looking down at her leg, it wasn’t hard to figure out that she’d been shot. I’ll be fine. It’s just a bullet wound. I dealt with this before. Removing her gloves she ordered RAF to put a tracker on the guy while she reached out to her pack to get a belt out of it with which she could bind her leg off and prevent herself from bleeding to death. Cursing underneath her breath because the wound fucking hurt, she told Minho to not take all the pain away from her. I need it to know if I’m doing the right thing or not. Getting her magnet out of her pack next, she put it next to her leg- over the entry wound- and turned it on to get the bullet out of her. Shouting in pain and anger when the bullet left her leg, she ordered RAF then to close her wound and inject her with morphine. I’m fine. I’ll survive. I’m going with the Transport Team. I don’t think I can run. It didn’t hit any bone but it tore my muscle. Turning to the wounded guy she picked up her laser again and rapidly started to cut off the guy’s other leg. Ignoring his screams and the sting she felt in her leg because of RAF working on her wound, she undid the buckle once RAF was finished with her and told the robot to prepare the guy for transport. And once he was all that was left to do was wait for it to arrive.

[tiptoedtalking]

The moment Seunghoon informed him of the fact that Lyn got shot in her calf, a certain sense of anger registered inside of him. But not the anger he usually felt, which would cause him to violently and emotionally lash out with it, but more of a calculated anger which was making him start to carefully plot out his revenge. Being given the coordinates of his cousin’s shooter, Yifan didn’t even break a sweat turning into smoke. Moving in between the dust and smoke of the battlefield itself, Yifan was as unnoticed as he could ever be with all the fires and explosions creating more camouflage for him than he could ever have hoped for. Does she still have a Target? he questioned Seunghoon in the midst of moving. A living one. Waiting for his own Target’s answer to that question, Yifan didn’t move in for the kill until Seunghoon answered him. And when the response was positive, he materialised right behind the woman, grabbing a rock and striking her over the head with it to knock her out rather than kill her. Since she was more on Eastern grounds she would not be harmed by the fight if he left her unconscious, he hoped, and if she was he had done what he could. Putting his hand on her sniper and all her other weapons, he went up in smoke once more and left the spot again. Heading back to the Western part of the battlefield, Yifan randomly dropped the weapons on his way, completely out of anyone’s reach he hoped. Reappearing again right next to his cousin, Yifan looked down at the male she had saved, whose legs were sadly not saved along with the rest of him. Not saying anything to his cousin, he did give her a good once over to make sure that aside from the wound in her ankle she was fine, giving her a short nod. Turning his gaze to the battlefield again then, Yifan once again reached out to Seunghoon in his mind. Too bad you can’t be here to shoot your bazooka at me which would then miss me and accidentally blow up the bridge he communicated, slightly amused, as that would be a manoeuvre that would quietly end the influx of Eastern people into the Western part of the Border.

But as the Transport reached Lyn and him and he helped her get onto the hoverboard, they were able to witness the large tanks rolling in from the Western side of the Border, bringing an end to the battle and driving the Easterners back to their side of the Border. Where the Easterners’ own tanks would of course fire an offensive so the battle would rage on a little while longer over the Border itself - mostly useless shooting from both sides - before it would die out, the way it always did. Letting out a deep sigh, Yifan shook his head lightly at the uselessness of the whole thing. A few lives were lost, and for what? Well, apparently this had all started because one guy thought he’d lost his Target, or bond, or whatever they had to call this new discovery. But the truth of it was that if Jinwoo hadn’t started this fight tonight, it would have been triggered some other day and the fighting would always continue. It would never cease. Because people who’d been doing this their whole life, who had already lost their Targets a long, long time ago, would not suddenly stop fighting this war. And those who hadn’t yet lost their Targets would take a great deal of conviction to put down their arms. Although somehow Yifan was convinced that the only conviction it would take was having Targets touch Marks to understand the complexity of it all. Sadly he was afraid some of them would only use their increased ability power to simply kill more of the other side, merely excluding their own Targets from the killing spree. And some might even kill their own Targets still after all of the emotions it brought them. It was a long planning process and it didn’t seem like there would be an easy solution for any of it. Thinking it through like that, he was somewhat starting to understand the difficulty Devon must have faced in his choosing of who to tell and who to keep it from.

Having all of that go through his mind while he watched the medic team on the transport cart fix Lyn’s ankle with the help of a portable Healing Chamber, Yifan remained quiet until they were finished with her. Luckily she was told to go home and rest and thanked for her service that evening rather than expected to go straight back into the fighting lines, which allowed him to move towards her the moment they let her be and pull her into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re alright,” he spoke softly but relieved, holding her to him a little better and allowing the emotions to take him over again. “I never liked it when you had to go out into battle,” he stated after a moment, huffing lightly before adding: “I still don’t.” Letting go of his cousin then, he smiled at her lightly, warmth shining through in his expression as well as the relief he still felt course through him lightly. “Let’s go home and get some well-deserved rest.” Giving a small nod at those words, he looked down at the dog that still remained at Lyn’s side loyally, reaching out a hand to pat the creature. “Good job keeping her safe, big boy. I’m glad she’s got you now.” Communicating that to the dog a bit softer once again, Yifan then looked back up at Lyn to see what she would think of his suggestion of going home and getting some sleep. A suggestion that was of course only for the government, because he was pretty sure Lyn wanted to get back to her own Target as soon as possible. If the way she felt about Minho were anything like the way she had clung onto the other on their previous meeting. Which he did think was the case.

Minho was feverishly following everything happening on the screens to make sure that Lyn would remain okay, when all of a sudden a bullet still pierced her. What happened? Are you alright? he instantly brought out through the connection, worry shooting along with the words as he inspected her vitals more closely. Luckily her Trackers told him it wasn’t a mortal wound if she would make it stop bleeding but that her calf had still been damaged. Reaching through their connection to take the pain she was feeling and hold it inside of himself so she would be able to focus, he listened to her warning of not taking everything, allowing her a vague echo of the actual feelings so she would know whether what she was doing was alright. Waiting for her to finish with fixing the thing, he still kept his eyes closely on everything she was doing. Your cousin took out the shooter. The battle is starting to move back to the Border. You should be safe there until the Transport Team arrives. I’m glad you’re alright. There was no way for him to mask the sincerity behind his words since the emotions of relief and gratitude for her well-being went straight through with his words as he had kept their connection open at all times. There’s some tanks on the way to drive the Easterners back to the East. Hopefully that will be the end of it. Watching the images of Frog’n patrolling near Lyn, Minho could only be glad that at least the dog was physically with her. Although it didn’t take long for her cousin to reappear at her side as well, which made him feel only slightly better about her situation. The only thing that would make him feel at ease was her not being in the middle of a battlefield, really.

Watching the Transport Team reach her with one of their hoverboards, Minho followed how Yifan helped her get on it and went along with her, Frog’n keeping his position right next to his owner loyally. Luckily the Transport team seemed to have brought a portable Healing Chamber that could heal her ankle wound and her Trackers soon indicated that she was fully healed again. Listening shortly then to how Yifan stated that they could go home once the guy in charge relieved her of her duty for the night, Minho instantly felt hopeful. If Lyn went home that would mean they’d be able to find a way - and probably reason to - for her to come back to Devon soon enough so he could be with her again and verify with his own eyes and the rest of his senses that she was truly unharmed and alright. Which was something he honestly couldn’t wait to do, because somehow the anxiety still ran through him at an alarming pace. Apparently watching his beloved in the middle of the action was way worse than being close to death himself. Which was to blame on the many deaths he had had to live with throughout the previous few months, of course. Following the road to the Transport took, Minho was glad that not long after Frog’n came close enough again for him to reach out and he quickly made contact with the dog, syncing their minds again so Frog’n could inform him of anything going on there that might seem suspicious which the cameras would not show Minho himself. But as they followed on the screens the trajectory of the Transport, what struck Minho as well was how far they were indeed able to keep following it and how many cameras there were on the way from where Lyn had been crouched with her victim to where it eventually dropped her off. And he imagined all those cameras in the East as well. That were twice the amount of cameras he had ever spotted in his neighbourhood. And there was no way that there just happened to be less cameras in the East, there were just that many that he had never been able to spot.

Devon followed on the screen the battle as it unfolded, still somehow waiting for Tess to come into his reach again but also somehow knowing that as long as Jinwoo’s Trackers would be in the hospital, she would stay away too. Swallowing that bitter pill away for now, he instead focused on the things he could help. Way more calm now, he quietly coordinated the next move for the West, calling for a send-in of the tanks to drive the Easterners back to their own territory. Luckily this suggestion was received with agreement from those truly in command and in no time the tanks were deployed. Luckily, since it would still take a little while for them to actually reach the battlefield. Meanwhile on the actual battlefield Yifan was still sitting in safety, but Lyn’s heroic ventures brought her into danger herself. From an unexpected corner, or he would have seen it coming, of course. Recalculating the bullets trajectory based off where she’d been sitting and the wound it had left, he followed its trail back to an Eastern sniper somewhere on a mountain. Planning on sending a team of Westerners to take out that sniper, he noticed how Yifan already started moving and therefore waited to see what said Westerner was going to do. All of a sudden being asked then by Seunghoon whether or not the sniper still had a living Target, he frowned at first but then simply hacked into the Eastern database to get the woman’s mark and cross-referenced it against the Western one, coming up with a living match - another female. Not even saying anything because he was certain Seunghoon could follow his doings and knew the answer for himself, he left the woman’s face up on a screen for a little while longer before removing it in favour of having more screens to work with on other things again.

Soon they were all able to see how the Western tanks drove the Easterners back to their side of the Border, a few of them picking up the female Yifan had knocked out to take her along on their way back since she was still alive. Once the Easterners had gone over the Border, however, Devon stopped tracking that side of the battle and instead put a tag on both Yifan and Lyn so his screens would keep showing them the trajectory the two were taking on the Transport that was bringing them further back into safety. Leaving those images open on his utmost left two screens, he used the one in the middle to type a quick apology e-mail to his weapon development leader to explain that he had not yet told him of the drone’s capability because he hadn’t been sure they’d work yet but that he had thought it a good idea to test them out in this situation. If they hadn’t worked, no harm done, they hadn’t been expecting them to yet, but now that they had, all the better. He would get to recreating them straight away with use of his logs and designs so that they would have these weapons ready for battle in no time. What the man didn’t have to know was that he would keep finding new flaws that ‘honestly weren’t there before, sir’ just to make sure they wouldn’t destroy too much of the East too easily. And the government would aid him in that, of course. After all, the battle had to stay even so that it could forever continue being waged. Closing off everything but the images of the Transport after writing his mail, Devon then also once again pulled up Jinwoo’s Trackers. Noticing how the male was close to being healed completely, he could only hope that that would mean Tess was close to returning to them as well. But he still kept the vitals open too, merely having a map open that showed Jinwoo’s location with a dot rather than having actual video material of him playing too. Because hacking into the Eastern camera grid as well just to keep an eye on someone he hated? A little too much of the good stuff if you asked him.

[tiptoedtalking]

Back, Bitches | Jensen

Climbing up the last part of the wall, Jensen smirked confidently as he snuck right between two cameras on the top. Giving his cap a little tap in greeting, he connected his wire to the top of the wall and let himself glide down the other side easily. Funny, how much quicker this went now that he was trying to get back in rather than to get out. Huffing lightly to himself, Jensen calmly removed his wire from the wall and made it roll back up to his belt. Turning his back to the gigantic wall then, he took in the scenery on this side of it, taking only half a minute before already shaking his head in some sort of disbelief.

“Welcome back,” he spoke up then, his voice not carrying far. A far echo of the voice he had held so dear for over a decade replied to him even though no one else could hear it. As if we ever wanted to be back here. Chuckling amused at the response, Jensen shook his head lightly because of his dearest soulmate’s sense of humour. “Well, we’re here now, love,” he stated therefore, shrugging his backpack a little better atop his shoulders and putting his feet into motion then. Just find what you’ve come here for and leave this place again as soon as possible. You don’t have that much fight in you anymore, darling. I don’t want you to get taken out by a five year old. Huffing once again, Jensen started to grin full out at those words. “The only five year old with a chance of killing me would’ve been you, love.”

Shutting up after those words because he was in motion again, Jensen calmly started to make his way further into Claell, the city where his whole life had begun. He still remembered the years he’d spent here. Although most solidly he remembered the last one, when he’d come face to face with his Target and had truly looked at her. He’d fallen in love as quickly as a heartbeat and somehow he’d never been able to let go anymore. Lucky for them an older Westerner had been willing to help them out by getting them over the wall with an address to go to in the outside world. And they’d gone, and they’d found out so many horrible things about the world they were living in, but they had had eighteen wonderful years together nonetheless.

With the great toll the war took on them, however, and everything else they had been bred into, his beautiful wife had not survived past thirty-five anyway. An illness striking her down and turning her brittle and weak, until the infection that found her next took her away from him forever. In the physical sense, that was, because after having shared their mind for so long, he was so in tune with her way of thinking that he could still hear her talk to him occasionally, commenting on the things he was doing or thinking or berating him for not paying enough attention or anything to the likes of that.

And what he could also sometimes still hear her say - but he knew that bit was just the memory replaying over and over - was that he had to go back to their mutual home and find the people who were figuring out on their own what they had discovered in a lifetime. To help them, explain things to them and to offer them a place to stay outside of this godforsaken city. Which was the sole reason he was back in this hell-hole to once again play the government’s tricky games. Only this time he would be playing them on his terms.

[tiptoedtalking]

Immunity | The Group

[pretendingasalwaysworld]

Having to give two rounds of heart massages and mouth-to-mouth, eventually Tess started to breathe on her own again. Panting lightly while she watched how Tess her chest rose and fell, Lynn took hold of the girl’s wrist to check her pulse. Relieved to find that her pulse soon regained a normal pace, she gently started to check for any signs of internal bleeding meanwhile also feeling whether or not Tess had a broken bone. Not being able to find a sign of internal bleeding, Lynn asked Minho to go get her a blanket while she continued her examination. Not being able to find a sign of a broken bone either, she thanked Minho for getting her a blanket and gently draped it over Tess so the girl would stay warm. For now she wasn’t going to move Tess just yet. The ground was comfortable enough for her anyway given her earth ability. Looking down at Tess from her kneeling position right next to the girl, Lynn remembered seeing how her cousin had taken Devon along with him in his smoke-like form. Not really being sure how he had been able to do that, she thought that it was a new-found use of his ability because of the connection he now shared with Seunghoon. Feeling the little sting again upon remembering how Yifan had made sure Seunghoon was safe and not her, she soon thought that it was only normal for him to do so. Her cousin knew that she could quickly get out of a possible dangerous situation. Above that came the fact that Seunghoon was the love of his life. Of course he now meant more than her and she had to get used to her new position of being second place.

Swallowing as she kept her gaze on Tess’ chest, to see if it still rose and fell, she stood up when she thought that Tess was stable. Getting hugged by Minho when she stood up, she smiled lightly back at him. Nodding once to indicate that she indeed ‘had done it’, she was glad to hear from him that Devon was alright as well. Turning her head to the three males who entered the living room again, she smiled reassuringly at Devon when he thanked her. Communicating to him in this manner that it was alright and that she was glad he was fine again. When her cousin congratulated her for having been able to safe Tess her life, she only smiled lightly back at him. “I’m fine.” Turning her head quickly away from him after that, she did not move out of Minho’s hold to go to her cousin. Simply because she didn’t want to go to him. She did move out of Minho’s hold when Devon said that they had to bring Tess to the Healing Chamber. Only agreeing with bringing the girl to the Healing Chamber because Devon had told her that she didn’t have any internal bleeding or broken bone, she quickly discussed with him how they were going to move Tess. Gently putting Tess inside the Healing Chamber she moved away from it again so Devon could reach the panel and order the machine to do what he wanted it to do. Following what Devon was doing, however, she went to stand next to Minho with Frog’n standing at the other side of her. Seeing how Tess woke up and instantly started to panic because she had lost her connection with Jinwoo, Lynn was glad that Devon allowed his sister to call the guy. He probably would want to know what was going on down here. Plus hopefully it wasn’t too late for Jinwoo because he probably had gone cold the moment Tess’ heart had stopped. Following how Devon and Tess left the room, she turned her gaze back up to Minho then. Looking at how he smiled softly at her and closed the distance between them again, she wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders. I’m fine. Just did my job. She replied to him, sounding kind of flat in their minds and brushing what just had happened off with that. I hope it isn’t too late for Jinwoo, though. I hope he gets his warmth back.

Glad that Devon at least was smart enough to not resist his and Kris’ aid, he gave Kris a quick nod when he said he was going to take him. Kind of expecting it already to turn into smoke once more and not being able to remember anything, this time around however he did become aware of what was happening. Not fully comprehending at first how that was possible, he figured out -once he was standing at the panel of the Healing Chamber next to Kris- that Kris was simply sharing his awareness with him. Letting Kris put in the necessary commands into the machine, he waited there for it to start working and for Devon to be healed. You think your cousin will be able to help Tess? he questioned. Being told that if anyone could safe her that it’d be her, Seunghoon did notice the trust Kris had in his cousin’s medical ability. Nice move with the smoke by the way. I did not know you could do that. Not really getting a response from the other male to that he wondered whether or not Minho would be alright. Telling himself that he would ask him once Devon was out of the Chamber, he waited for the machine to announce that Devon was fully healed. It only took but a couple of minutes and once Devon was out, he nodded to the male when he thanked them to help him. Going back with him to the living room he went to Minho shortly when Kris went to his cousin. Asking the male if he was alright and taking a quick look at him to affirm for himself that he was, he then followed how everything unfolded there. Listening to how Devon told Lynn that Tess didn’t have any internal bleeding or broken bones he also made notice of how Kris wasn’t able to turn her into smoke as well to bring her to the Healing Chamber. Too tired? Receiving a short but positive reply, he hummed lightly after which he returned to the room where the Healing Chamber was in. Letting Lynn, Devon and Minho take care of Tess and the machine in there. Watching how the machine started to work on Tess and how the girl woke up, he only then thought of Jinwoo. He probably had gone cold by now. It would be very interesting to know if it had hurt him when the connection broke and if he’d be able to retrieve the warmth or retrieve the connection he had shared with Tess. Let’s hope Jinwoo didn’t do anything stupid. Following behind Devon and Tess, because he wanted to know what his friend had done in the East while Lynn had tried to safe Tess her life he could only hope that Jinwoo hadn’t done anything that would endanger their lives.

Jinwoo had been making his way back home, with Merch at his side, when all of a sudden Tess’ cry for help resonated in his mind. Instantly responding to her cry for help and reaching out to her, he kind of took hold of their connection and her as if trying to pull her out of whatever dangerous situation she was in. At the same time he also wanted to figure out where she was at and why she was in need of help. Yet before he could figure that out, all of a sudden he got cut loose from her and got left behind disoriented. Turning his vision inwardly he felt how cold spread within him. It coming from his Mark and spreading out, going through his entire body, even seeping into the core of his bones. Just like a river that froze completely over and the ice becoming thicker and thicker as the temperatures dropped more and more. It all happened in but a couple of seconds and once it was over Jinwoo balled both his fists as an anger as hot as it was cold took a hold of him. Devon. This was his fault. It had to be his fault. Tess had been on her way back to the West and she was safe underneath the ground. No one was able to harm her when she was underneath the ground. She had taken that so-called safe antidote her brother had made and he was pretty sure that that antidote had turned out harming her in such a bad way that it apparently had killed her. Way to go Devon. Way to go. He knew that he had made the right decision with not taking it. He knew that he had made the right decision with not blindly trusting Devon. It was sad that all the others had done so and that now Tess had to pay the ultimate price. Maybe Minho and Seunghoon were harmed too by that bastard of a scientist. It was because of that thought that Jinwoo turned on his heels and sprinted back to the Border with Merch following him suit. 

Reaching for his weapon on his back, Jinwoo took hold of it with both his hands. Ready to shoot on whoever or whatever was trying to stop him from crossing the Border. He really did not give a single damn if he was going to start a whole Border fight because of his actions. He was going to the West and to Devon. He was going to find out what had happened to Tess, Minho and Seunghoon. Being driven by anger it didn’t take Jinwoo that long to reach the Bridge that connected the two sides with each other. Knowing that he had to kill the lights in order to pass the Bridge safely, Jinwoo ran straight towards a part of a remaining wall on the East side of the Border behind which he could hide  and try to get a clear shot at the searching lights from the West. Letting his left shoulder rather harshly collide with the wall to break his run, Jinwoo instantly aimed for the first searchlight. Making sure his shot would hit, he then fired it. Instantly killing the first searchlight by doing so. Aiming for the second searching light an alarm started blaring at the West side of the Border. Not being phased by the rather loud sound Jinwoo killed the second searching light as well. Blinking his eyes so he could use his ability, Jinwoo dashed forward once more so he could cross the Bridge. Knowing that he didn’t have a lot of time before Western Guards would show up to try and stop him. Hearing how an alarm started to go off as well at the Eastern side of the Border, when he was somewhere in the middle of crossing the Bridge Jinwoo had to hide behind a piece of rubble in order to not get hit by the blast of a grenade. Hearing through his ear piece how Border Guards started to scream orders to and communicated with each other to figure out what was going on, he responded for duty and told them that he was charging for the West because he had spotted a spy. Luckily he soon got told that the East would back-up his attack. His father apparently had a big surprise ready for those Western savages. Telling him to ‘let them have it’, he reloaded his weapon and continued his charge.

Running as fast as he could, he ducked together a bit when bullets started flying around his ears. Although he didn’t care if he was going to start a whole fight which would end up in countless of deaths, he did care enough to not get hit himself. He still had a far end to go if he wanted to make it to Devon’s place. He actually didn’t know where that place was exactly to begin with, but he was hell bend on finding it. Even if he had to bring down all of the West before he’d find it. He’d do it. He’d save his two friends and he’d find out what had happened with Tess and kill Devon. At least that would stop that mad-man from harming anyone else. Reaching the end of the Bridge, Jinwoo made use of his ability to see the Western Border Guards so he could shoot at them. Going for some cover, he took a hand grenade from his belt to throw it into the direction of a coming truck. Knowing that he had hit his target because of the explosion that followed, Jinwoo turned his head away so he wouldn’t be blinded by the sudden amount of colours and light. Shooting a look at Merch, who still was at his side and was going to protect him from anyone who came too close to him, Jinwoo then scanned his surroundings to look for Westerns he could kill. Listening to how the Eastern Guards prepared themselves to show up with ‘Project K’, Jinwoo fired a couple of more shots from his position to take out a couple of other people. Moving again to the next secluded place once he had created himself a free passage, he had to sit on his butt to be able to hide behind this piece. Panting from all of the effort he was putting his body through, he listened for a moment to the sounds of the battlefield he had created. Reloading his gun Merch all of a sudden started to growl and jumped away from him. Looking at what his dog was going to do he saw, with the use of his ability, how the dog took out a female guard who had snuck up behind them. Proud that his dog had been able to notice her, even though this place was a living hell, Jinwoo waited for Merch to finish her off before he got up from his spot.

Standing Jinwoo ran once more. Knowing that he now had to run a whole far end until he would reach the next safe-ish spot. Going as fast as he could, he shot at everyone he could see. Killing about ten people on his way to the small building, he had to change his direction because an armoured tank came for him. Knowing that he had to act quick, he made a sharp turn to the right while requesting back-up and giving his coordinates through. It was his father who told him to hold on there and to keep running. Giving him a direction in which he had to run to. Following his father’s advice, Jinwoo ran for his life as he hoped that wherever his father was sending him to so he could find some shelter. Feeling how a bullet graced his left arm as it passed him by, another one graced his left leg soon after. Not stopping in his tracks, a loud explosion which deafened him happened behind him. Not knowing what had happened he didn’t turn around to look, though, instead he just kept on running towards the point his father had told him to go to. Only slowly regaining his hearing again all of a sudden Tess her voice became audible through his earpiece. Only half of a sentence came through and then he heard his name. “Tess?!” he shouted in-disbelief. Hearing how she affirmed that it was her, he questioned “How’s this possible? What happ…” Getting interrupted by a very loud explosion which happened a bit too close too him for his liking, he and Merch got send flying. Hitting the ground again because the laws of gravity still applied to him, he left out a grunt when the air got knocked out of him. Closing his eyes he knew that he had to move fast because he’d be dead if he’d stay here. Yet his body refused to move and he even didn’t realise how Merch was whining at him and sniffing at him in his disorientated state of mind. 

Only being able to lift up his head from the ground, he noticed how something was flowing out of his nose and over his upper lip. Blood. It had to be blood. Focusing his gaze on Merch, who now licked his face and nudged it to wake him up the next thing he knew was that he fell into the ground. But instead of crashing against it, like he had expected he would, he got caught by Tess. Needing a moment to focus on her and to figure out where he was at and in what position his body was currently in he murmured to her, thereby kind of ignoring her questions or words. “What are you doing here? You’re dead. You were dead.”

[tiptoedtalking]

The moment the phone call connected, Tess started speaking. “Jinwoo? Are you there? Are you okay?” Pausing to listen to the reply, she could hear him breathing fast, panting even. Taking the phone away from her mouth a little she looked up at her brother. “Devon, he’s panting, he’s hurt. I don’t know what he’s doing. What’s going on?” Seeing how her brother was already at his computers working away to locate Jinwoo, she got shown a sight she didn’t like at all; Jinwoo’s Trackers in a battle ground right at the Border. “Jinwoo? What’s going on, are you okay? Jinwoo!?” It was then that his voice spoke back to her and she had to take the phone away from her ear a little bit to not get deaf. “It’s me, I’m here!” she instantly responded then, turning on her heels and sprinting into the hole in the wall. The earth instantly carried her away, in the direction of where she had seen him on her brother’s screen. She knew that place all too well. Hearing Jinwoo’s reply, a loud explosion sounded up again, momentarily even sending a static through the line. “Jinwoo!?” she spoke into the receiver, but didn’t get a reply. “JINWOO!?” Panic coursing through her at a high amount, Tess doubled her speed, stretching the limits of the possible to get to the site of the battle as fast as she possibly could. Putting the phone in her pocket because it wasn’t of any use in that moment, she did put the speaker on just in case Jinwoo would talk again before she reached him. The moment she got close to the fighting grounds, she searched for the two more than familiar prints. Finding Merch’s first, it wasn’t hard to guess that the person lying and moving next to his paws was her Target, especially because the Mark on her wrist was pulsing with warmth. Sliding aside the grass underneath her Target, Tess lowered him into the ground along with Merch, letting him come down in a standing position against the earth wall of her little cavern.

Stepping forward instantly the moment the earth was solidly closed above them again, she didn’t even think as she wrapped her arms around Jinwoo. “Jinwoo! I’m here. It’s okay.” she let out in relief, letting go a little of him to make sure he wouldn’t push her away. Listening to his disbelieving words then, an almost sad smile appeared on her face. “I’m not dead, I’m right here. Are you okay? What is going on? What happened to you? Oh my...” Her speech faltering because of the immense relief she could feel upon having him safe with her under the ground and away from danger, Tess merely hugged Jinwoo again, being careful as she pulled him in but still holding him tight to her. Standing like that, his response to her made her start to smile a little and then let out a soft sound of agony because of how much she suddenly realised she was hurting inside. Pain from having lost him, pain from having lost their connection. Hearing him tell her how he’d received her cry for help and then she’d been gone, she swallowed it away to be able to reply. “Something with the antidote and the thing with my Trackers not going well together. But they fixed it, I’m okay. I was out for a bit, I’m not sure why our connection cut. When I woke up I noticed it too and then my brother helped me call you.” Lifting a hand and moving backwards a little, she started to gently stroke the side of his face, only to feel an all too familiar warm liquid beneath her fingers. “You’re hurt!” she instantly exclaimed, feeling more firmly now with her hands to gauge where it was coming from and how badly he was wounded. “Devon, he’s hurt. I’m taking him back! He needs to get in the Healing Chamber!” she stated after that, a little louder, presuming her brother would be more than aware of the still open phone call and whatever would be said in the little earth space. Frowning at what Jinwoo was saying then, she started to gently push his shoulders so he would sit down. “I don’t know, Jinwoo, can you sit down I’m going to take you back so we can get you healed.”

“Technically she was dead for two minutes, yes,” Devon spoke up then, his voice coming from the phone Tess still had with her. “Her heart stopped beating after a seizure. I gave her the antidote for the bad effects and she’s fine. You’re not, though. You’re going to bleed out.” Hearing that, Tess paused in her movement for a moment, taking in the fact that she had been dead. Which was when Jinwoo insulted her brother. “Actually, I’m the one trying to save us all and you’re the one who just led your father’s mega-attack-helicopter into Western territory. Congratulations, you just killed one hundred people. And counting.” Frowning at her phone at that, Tess took it out of her pocket and brought it up so it would light the cavern and she could see Jinwoo. Who was stating to her brother that that wasn’t anything new. “With one explosion? That is,” Devon replied, before apparently addressing her again. “Sis, you can’t take him here. He can’t go home and be all magically healed. His father is out there he’s going to be asking questions if Jinwoo disappears and then reappears all fine and dandy. You’re going to have to put him above ground again and he’s going to have to make his way back on his own. I’m sorry.” Listening to those words, refusal instantly entered Tess’ mind and emotions. “What? No!” she countered. “He’s bleeding from his ears and nose, Devon!” A sigh, a short moment of silence and then: “I know that, sis, which is why you should put him above ground as soon as possible. As close to one of the Eastern medics as you can. And then he’ll be fine.” Swallowing harshly, Tess threw the phone at the side of the earth cave they were in, where it got swallowed after which she started to move the earth box again, in the direction of the East. “What’s the nearest hospital in the East?” she questioned Jinwoo then. “What’s next to it so I can find it?” Being told where to go, Tess moved to the place as soon as she could pinpoint it, which took longer than she had gotten used to because her ability got limited again too when their connection broke.

But once she reached it, she brought the earth to a stop and scanned the surroundings to find an unguarded place. Most people were too busy with the wounded coming in already and the whole idea of the major battle to focus much, luckily, so a little later she found a spot. But before she moved anyone up, she put a hand on Jinwoo’s face again, even though they were once more shrouded in darkness. “Get healed, get home safe. Please.” Being told that she shouldn’t ever take anything from her brother again without making sure it was alright, Tess didn’t know in that moment what to reply to him. “Just, get healed,” she therefore stated, nodding when Jinwoo told her she should put him above ground. “I’ll be here,” she still told him before she let go and took a step backwards, moving both Jinwoo and Merch above ground then. But she did indeed remain in her position, planning to follow him as he went in and to stick around to make sure he came out alive and proper too.

Devon had followed his sister’s lead easily, establishing a secure connection to call her Target with. Sighing when the other - of course - did not pick up, he simply connected the call and hacked into Jinwoo’s earpiece. Once he was sure his sister had contact, he instantly pulled up Jinwoo’s vitals on the utmost right screen, noting how he had sustained severe damage. Deciding not to mention this to his sister just yet, she exclaimed to him moments later that something was wrong. Damn, these people were psychic now even with their connection broken? Realising how bitter that thought sounded even in his head, Devon quickly pulled up satellite view of the place Jinwoo was at; one of the three bridges over the Havoc River. But the images he pulled up were nothing short of horrifying. And right as he was about to tell his sister that, he turned to nothing more than an empty living room, his sister off to save her Target, most probably. Oh how the tables had turned. She was going for the guy who had tried to kill her, the reason he’d had to lock her into a cave for years, had to proclaim her dead to everyone who ever knew her, thereby severing all the ties to anyone she’d ever held dear. All because of this one guy so badly out to get her as Jinwoo had been. And now this guy was once again the reason for Tess’ demise, pulling her into the midst of battle once again. Sure, she was very capable of defending herself, but with everything that had been going on Devon wasn’t even sure how much of all of it the government was still not onto at this point in time. Not allowing his emotions to get to him, Devon turned back to the screen, focusing on everything going on and locating the big ass fucking helicopter that was taking down the Western side of the Border like it was a piece of cake.

Instantly his defence instincts jumped up and he quickly logged into his official accounts. Now legally taking in the situation at the Border, Devon instantly set off the alarm for the Western territories, warning them of the battle that was ongoing at the most southern bridge. Sending a command to the Bridge Team to manually activate the air defences because the helicopter was built to avoid detection, he then released control again to watch things unfold as he always did when there were great battles at hand. Of course the early warning he had sent out meant that in three, two, one, and there came the shrill phone ring that alerted Lyn she was needed in battle. Picking up her phone would show her the coordinates to be at; right in the middle of the battle he was looking at on his screens. Swallowing harshly as well, Devon put on his headphones and pulled the mic down to mouth level to interrupt his sister’s conversation with her Target. Needing to even discuss the whole thing with his sister’s Target and getting insulted by the guy as if he was the one doing people wrong - if it hadn’t been for Jinwoo there had been nothing for his sister to be allergic to anyway, nor had there been more than acceptable death counts on Western territory already - Devon swore he could kill the guy. And when his sister even threw her - well his - phone away and broke the contact he had with them, some bucket took its last drip. Fingers running over the keyboard at insane speed, Devon still made sure to keep a solid track of his sister’s Target. Luckily she at least had the state of mind to believe him on the fact that she couldn’t bring Jinwoo back to his place. Which reminded him of the people still with him. Pausing in his workings with his finger right above the enter button that would detonate that fucking Eastern prick’s Trackers - he hadn’t taken the antidote, it was his own fault if he’d die, right? - Devon stared at the screen a long moment. Cursing loudly then, he took off his headphones and threw them over the nearest screen, turning away from it and pressing the escape button instead of the enter one, completely nullifying his previous course of action.

“Let me let you out,” was all he said, motioning at Yifan and Lyn. Not leaving them any moment longer to say goodbye to their incredibly beloved, Devon walked up the stairs of his basement, opening the door that led back into his house and stepping into his hallway. Letting the two pass him by - along with the dog that now seemed to be Lyn’s second shadow - he went for the front door next. Needing to really focus for a moment, he still managed to bring up a smile then. “Well, that definitely was a good way to catch up. Let’s do that again soon. I’ll make sure to have proper dinner next time instead of just chocolate mousse. Good luck out there, Lyn. Stay safe, it seems to be an incredibly dangerous battlefield.” Nodding his head, he let the both of them out. “I’m serious here. Let my home-made dinner be a good incentive to come back soon.” Sending them another smile, he took the necessary time to see them off before closing the door again and instantly heading back down the stairs into his basement. Sitting back down at his computers, he closed the basement door remotely from there as he continued his scoop on the battlefield. “Your doing?” was the first thing he spoke again, noting in his peripheral view that Jinwoo was inside of a Healing Chamber at that point. Instantly taking away his vitals from the screens at that - to keep himself from killing the guy after all, mostly - Devon continued to work on calling up the proper defence systems for the West and sending some attacking strategies over to the officers currently in demand. “Maybe put a fail safe on them next time, huh?” he stated once Seunghoon agreed that the chopper was his making. “Yeah, from now on,” was what he retorted to the Easterner’s stupid words, jamming the keys a little harder once again. Hearing how Seunghoon then said that he didn’t know better at the time, he scoffed. “Yeah, well, be glad I knew better or your side of the Border would have been ashes a decade ago,” he bit back, his anger now sounding through in his voice. “I swear to god, how does no. one. ever. question this whole bullshit situation? ‘Maybe people are telling me lies.’ Why does no one ever get that thought, huh? It’s not that strange of a thing to ask yourself when your kids get taken away at birth for a solid hour and your dead are only revealed to you in proper burial outfits which cover up ninety percent of their bodies. But no, we’re just going to mindlessly trust the fucking government!”

Keystrokes increasing in strength with every word, Devon was talking loudly in anger by the last part of his sentence. “Just go to hell you fucking asshole!” he exclaimed then, pressing the last button and successfully launching the three remote controlled drones he had been so-called working on. Watching with smug satisfaction as they launched into the air and headed straight for the monstrous chopper, Devon leaned back in his chair a little as he followed in great detail the way the chopper exploded into a firework show of epic proportion.But he got only a moment’s satisfaction, because the next second he remembered his allies were now out in the field and he instantly brought up Lyn and Yifan’s vitals, as well as satellite images of their course. They went straight towards the battle, of course, Yifan never leaving his cousin until she reached where she had to be. But one of the bullets grazed Yifan’s shoulder when he went his own way, causing Devon to curse lightly as he got to working on keeping the both of them safe. Luckily Yifan was smart enough to make it to safe grounds and hide away from the fight, close enough to probably still go in and try some sort of epic rescue mission should his cousin need it. Cursing him and all the other irrationally thinking fuckers in this fucked up city, it was then that Devon realised how ready to kill he was. Instantly lifting his hands up from the keyboard, he pushed his chair back with use of his feet next, taking at least a two metre distance from his computer wardrobe. Staring a long moment at the screens as he watched the battle go on, he was glad to find that at least with the monstrosity out of the way the battle become more equal once again. Closing his eyes then, he took in a quivering, long breath, which he released in the same slow manner before opening his eyes and turning his chair around. “Well,” he spoke as he took in his two remaining guests, wisely ignoring the growling that momentarily came from Minho’s guard dog. “I’m guessing you two are staying a little longer, better get comfortable.” Looking down at his hands for a moment after those words, he then quickly turned his chair back and rolled it closer to his wardrobe once more. This time he pulled up Seunghoon and Minho’s data, instantly starting to move their Tracker signals as far away from the battle as possible in what was supposedly a very lengthy version of their ‘taking a walk’-idea.

The moment Seunghoon communicated to him that they should hope Jinwoo hadn’t done anything stupid, Yifan gave a slight hint of agreement through their connection. Walking along with Seunghoon as he followed the others to the living room, Yifan did glance back shortly at Lyn to make sure she was alright. Taking in the situation in the living room once they got there, all Yifan could see of Tess was her running into what looked like solid earth and watching it move along with her the moment she headed into it. The wall closing behind her once more and taking her out of sight. Staring at it for a moment, he turned his gaze then to Devon who was wildly toggling away on his keyboard. Taking in the images on the screens, Yifan sucked in a surprised breath of air at what he could see there. Turning his head, he knew what was coming, even if he hoped against all hope that it wouldn’t happen. But he could hear from the living room the shrill noise coming from Lyn’s phone, one he had gotten more than accustomed to but that he never liked at all. I’m going to have to go, he communicated towards Seunghoon instantly. Lyn is being called to duty. Turning his gaze shortly back at Seunghoon and then over to the computer screens that were showing them a horrible look at the ongoing battle, Yifan heaved a deep sigh. I’m sure we’ll be back after the battle’s passed. I will see you then. Taking a step away from Seunghoon then, Yifan waited quietly for Lyn to finish greeting her own Target. Allowing her to go ahead of him up the stairs, he left the basement - as well as the house - with a grim face. Devon’s happy façade not at all sitting well with him. How was this guy able to act out such happy words so casually in the middle of all this horror? Well, he could take a guess. Probably because of the years of lying to them he already did.

Putting himself in motion once they were outside of the house, Yifan was glad that the dog had once again come along, still sticking close to Lyn’s side and keeping an eye and ear on their surroundings. “I’m coming with you,” he spoke instantly as they started to make their way over to where Lyn had to be, going at a running speed as protocol required of the medics called to arms. Not knowing what else he should be saying in a moment like that, Yifan realised how much Seunghoon’s being of mind had once again taken over his own. The calculation with which he was headed into this battle was astounding, especially considering the levels of destruction he’d already seen that helicopter bring to their side of the Border in such a short time. But it was Lyn who stated that he shouldn’t be out there. “I’ll be fine. You know me,” was what he responded to her. “And if you’re going to be in the middle of that I am going to be there to make sure you come out alive, wodi-ai.” Somehow the name was what melted down some of the calculated rationality he had inside of him as he continued his course. The moment they reached the battlefield, Lyn got more up to date information on where she had to be and what she had to do. Going along with her to her exact position where she would team up with other Border Guards and soldiers, Yifan took hold of her hand to give it a short squeeze, wordlessly communicating his care for her with that gesture and a single look her way. Letting go of her then, he ran into another direction to find a proper position for himself. Halfway through running, he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder and it took him giving it a good look to realise it was a bullet wound. Frowning at the realisation, he tried to smoke himself up, only to find something blocking inside of him. He would be able to smoke up but he would have to put an effort into it - and that was something new. All because moving Devon and Seunghoon along had tired him out. Speaking of which; instantly his Target started to complain in his head about how he would let these people harm him but not Seunghoon himself. I can’t smoke up. Too tired. he communicated back, explaining his situation as he set himself into motion then. Being told to get to safety, he let out a huff. No shit, sherlock? I thought I’d stick around here a little longer. Running away from the battlefield again, Yifan cursed in his mind at the incredibly bad timing all of this had. But he had to get himself to safety to make sure that he could go in and smoke Lyn out should the necessity present itself. Tell Devon to let me know if Lyn gets in trouble instantly so I can get her out of there. he sent through the connection once more, settling in his hiding spot and waiting out the rest of the fight.

Minho hummed at Lyn’s words, nodding his head as the frown once again creased his forehead. I hope so too he communicated back to her, swallowing once as he thought of all the events of that evening and how things didn’t seem like they could get any worse. Standing with Lyn in his arms for a little while longer, just holding her close and cherishing her presence, it was a loud, shrill sound that jolted him out of the calm state he was in. A sound he knew all too well; a call to arms for those on passive duty. Lyn was wanted on a battlefield. Brother, it’s dangerous here. Gorn spoke up in his mind right in that moment, causing him to turn his head to the hallway, where Gorn was giving him images of the living room and - most importantly - of the way Devon was growing colder and colder as time passed. Something’s not right, Minho spoke instantly to Lyn through their connection, showing her a few of the images as he already started to let go of her so he could head over to the living room and take the situation in himself - see where she was called to head off to. Taking hold of Lyn’s hand as he went so they could walk together, Minho stopped short a moment at the destruction they were faced with in the living room, realising only then how big the earth explosion had been. But his next focus was the computer screens and the increasingly warning feelings Gorn was passing to him, warning him of the ice cold that was starting to become Devon’s inside. You have to go there, don’t you? he questioned Lyn through their connection, turning his head back to her. Waiting for the confirmation he was almost certain would come, his next question was Can you get out from underneath it somehow? Of course she wasn’t going to, she got the job she had because she wanted to help people, but still Minho felt heavy when her response was negative. I wish I could come with you. He couldn’t, but Frog’n definitely could and was going to. Take care of yourself. And to Frog’n he commanded to take care of Lyn too.

Looking over at Lyn for a moment, he sighed. I don’t think I’ll have far to go right now. Please come back to me soon. Please be safe. Taking hold of her, Minho pulled her into a tight hug, not at all wanting to let her go into that danger zone and risk losing her, but still going to do so anyway because it was out of his hands. Gladly moving back a little when Lyn moved in to kiss him, Minho kissed back. Trying to prolong the moment but knowing he had to let her go quickly because she had  to respond to the call. It was Devon cursing and then stating he would let them out which made him let go. Minho watched then how Lyn went over to her cousin to leave the place and head out to danger. I love you he communicated to her once more, letting the feeling go along with the words and keeping the connection open wide and secure to make sure she would remember and feel it at all times. Turning his gaze back to the screens only when Lyn was completely out of his sight, he instantly tapped in to Frog’n’s senses to be able to still keep a sort of eye on her too anyway, wanting to make sure she was safe. Following it for a while in silence, the whole conversation between Devon and Seunghoon went completely past him as he focused on Lyn’s vitals. Watching in anxious tension then as the love of his life manoeuvred the battlefield, Minho couldn’t stop himself from starting to give her little bits of information on her enemies and allies. To your left. Watch out, ten o’clock. Patrol to the right. Don’t move. Quiet. Say something, they’re Western. And more of those things to help her stay safe in the battlefield. Helping her manoeuvre around like that, Minho guided her through the whole of the battlefield, after a little while starting to show her images too to make sure she would get the most accurate information she could get.

[hooneh]

[ghostofanidiot]

[yourtypicalasianfangirl]

[tiptoedtalking]

Immunity | The Group

[pretendingasalwaysworld]

A short moment of silence fell between them then. Even though silence sometimes could feel awkward or devastating, this time around it was a rather normal thing. There was no awkwardness, no panic, no anger, no worry. Lyn simply allowed Minho his moment. Knowing that he’d speak to her again once he was done thinking, feeling or if he wanted to talk to her. Glad to hear those three precious words of him, she moved a bit in her position so she could give him a real hug then. Turning her upper body more towards him, she lifted her free arm up to wrap it around him gently. Listening to how he thanked her meanwhile for being here for him, she could only reply, Of course, back to him. It felt only normal to be here with him. To help him with this in whatever kind of way she could help him in. Continuing with stroking over his hair she was able to place a soft kiss on the side of his head right before he shared with her how difficult he had found it to connect with people. Being shortly confused by that, she send him that she too sometimes felt like she wasn’t able to connect to other people. That probably everyone once in a while felt like that. But of course it wasn’t on such a scale as Minho was experiencing it. Yet again, just like before, she wanted to make clear to him that he wasn’t alone in what he felt. Lyn also communicated to him that she was glad that she could connect with him on this level and that everything would be alright. It was right then that something which sounded like an explosion happened in the basement.

Survival instincts instantly kicking in, because of the world she had grown up in and the things she’d learned to do, Lyn let herself fall out of the couch and ducked together meanwhile. Making herself as tiny as possible in her human form while protecting her head and face with her arms and her chest with her knees. Needing to let go of Minho, because he wasn’t moving along -and instead turned to some completely different way- she almost franticly reached out to his mind. Minho?! Finding that he was still there and seemed to be unharmed since she couldn’t sense any pain coming from his side of the connection, she calmed down. Hearing how multiple stones fell on the basement floor, she dared to peek to see what was going on. Only being able to see a leg of the table, she turned her head so she could look up at Minho. Instantly telling him that she was alright when he asked her, she returned his question while he put his hands on her shoulder and back. Going to sit up, putting one of her hands on the upper part of his right arm and her eyes shooting over to the couch were her cousin had been seated, because the apparent danger had vanished and she wanted to know what was going on, Devon shouted that he needed help. Eyes quickly shooting into the direction Devon’s voice had come from then, it registered in her mind that Yifan had probably made sure to get Seunghoon out of danger. That realisation stung. Yet before she got more time to think about that Devon once more pleaded for help. Getting up, with the use of a little bit of Minho’s help, Lyn turned on her heels to see what had happened.

The first thing she saw was the absence of a wall. Her eyes didn’t linger on the gaping hole for long however because the sight of Devon and Tess was more than alarming enough. Sprinting forward to the two people, making sure to go around the couch while doing so, she slid the last couple of centimetres to a halt on her knees right next to Tess, ending up in a kneeling position. “Get him to a Healing Chamber! Now!” Hoping that someone would listen to her urgent order, because Devon had to go as quickly as possible to a Healing Chamber because otherwise he was going to bleed out, Lyn didn’t miss a beat to start and act. Checking if Tess had a pulse, or was breathing, she grumbled when she found out the girl was having or doing neither. Needing to turn the girl on her back, she did so while taking one quick look at Tess’ clothes - to see if anything was going to hurt her when she was going to give her a heart massage-, she put herself in the right position. Mentally counting the pushes she gave Tess on her chest, she worked with precision until she reached the number of thirty. Once she had reached that number, she tilted Tess her head and chin back so she could breathe air into her lungs. Making sure Tess’ chest rose, she also made sure that it fell in again when she let the air go again. Doing that two times she went back to the heart massages. Repeating that First Aid pattern until eventually Tess would breathe out of her own again.

Seunghoon had no idea what just had happened. One moment he’d been sitting in the couch in Devon’s basement, looking at said male while he was feverishly working on something and waiting for him to tell them which one of them was having an allergic reaction, when the next moment he found himself standing in a hallway right next to Kris. It took him a moment to catch up with this new teleporting ability of his, but it could come in handy. He’d never known, however, that Kris was able to take people along with him in his smoke-like form. Had he been able to do this all along? Or is this a new feature because of the connection they were sharing right now? Not being able to remember anything of being smoke, Seunghoon gave Kris a quick look to make sure he was fine. Replying that he was fine once Kris asked him if he was or not, he didn’t return the question. That honestly was unnecessary because his Target couldn’t get harmed at all. Taking in the disaster that was the basement, Seunghoon didn’t need long to find out what had happened to the wall and to Tess. Going forward and heading towards Devon, the moment Lyn shouted that someone had to get him to a Healing Chamber, he thought how lucky Devon could praise himself that Seunghoon had a good memory. Assuming that Kris was following right next to him, he made his way over towards Devon, pushing or burning some stones away if necessary. “Let’s go. I’m sure your sister is in good hands,” he told Devon, putting a hand on the other’s good shoulder while taking in the bleeding. They had to move quick or otherwise Devon was probably going to bleed out from the wounds he had sustained from the ‘explosion’.

[tiptoedtalking]

Devon kept lying in his position next to his sister, watching Lyn move and start on CPR. Following it closely - literally even - he swallowed shortly when a hand touched his back and a voice told him he had to go. The voice was right, his sister was in the best hands she could be in and if Lyn wasn’t going to be able to revive her, no one was. In that case, however, his sister’s Target was going to be a great trouble to them. Merely nodding his head to the voice, Devon started to move then, trying to get upright a little more, although he couldn’t imagine for the life of him how he was going to move at all since his leg and arm were bummed respectively. Another voice spoke up as well, shortly, and the next moment everything was different. His sister was out of sight and instead he was looking at his own back room in the basement, from atop the Healing Chamber’s surface. Being able only to frown in surprise at the cement wall for a moment, he was then faced with the familiar movement of the Chamber as its parts started to move around to do a full scan. As the Chamber’s walls closed around him, he breathed in the thick, soothing mist, causing everything to go dark for him. When he woke up again, the Healing Chamber told him a good five minutes had passed and he was fully healed. Watching the Healing Chamber’s walls open again, he had to blink a few times due to the sudden light, but then was able to make out two shapes, which soon turned into Yifan and his Target, Seunghoon. Swallowing once, Devon lifted a hand to stroke over his face as he cleared his throat. “Thanks,” was what he brought out first, before swallowing heavily once more and then pushing himself up from the Healing Chamber’s surface. Putting his feet on the ground, he stood unsteady for a moment before catching proper footing. Not bothering to ask the two men anything about his sister, he merely walked back to the living room so he could see for himself.

What he was faced with was a real good look at the mess his sister’s downfall had left behind, with Tess herself lying on her back in the midst of it, a blanket covering her. Her head, however, was left visible, which was why he didn’t panic straight away. And then he saw her chest moving up and down, making him heave a sigh of relief as he instantly moved closer. Instead of kneeling down next to her, however, he went over to his computer, pulling up his sister’s Tracker information. Going over her vitals, he was glad to see that her pulse and breathing was normal. Pulling up more detailed records of her current situation, he was glad to find that none of her vitals were damaged. Which meant that the most harm she was in now was that one of her bones was possible broken or bruised, but that was something they could easily fix. At least she wasn’t bleeding out on the inside or something like that. Turning around on his chair, he came to a stop facing Lyn. “Thank you,” was what he told her too, sincere gratitude sounding through in his voice. “She’s alive and no organs are damaged. We should get her to the Healing Chamber. I can pick and choose which injuries to heal so the Chamber won’t reactivate her Trackers fully and then let it wake her up.” Getting up from his chair, he moved over to his sister, discussing with Lyn the best ways of picking her up after Yifan stated he couldn’t smoke-move her there. Not going into a discussion with the male as to why not - because he always assumed people knew their own capabilities better than he did - he merely helped Lyn pick up his sister and then carefully manoeuvred her to the back room as well to put her on the Healing Chamber’s surface. Going to the control screen then, he started to type in the orders. Scan for injuries, don’t automatically heal but wait for further comments.

To his surprise, his sister was hardly harmed. She had a few skin bruises and the obvious needle prick injury that he had given her. Aside from that the machine also told him that there were strange substances in her blood and if it should take them out. Leaving those as was, because he needed her Trackers to stay hidden, Devon quietly told the Healing Chamber to heal her bruises and the needle prick and to then wake her up with the most basic means. Watching the Chamber close itself around his sister, he waited quietly for them to open again, watching the process of her healing on the screen. Stepping away from it once the Chamber was finished, he made sure to go stand where his sister would be able to see him once the doors opened. Smiling with relief at her once she came into view, blinking as he had done because of the light, he stepped forward to help her off the table.

The first memory she had again was of waking up to darkness, the Healing Chamber’s robotised voice telling her she was fully healed of a few bruises and a needle prick, but that strange substances still remained in her blood, as requested by the machine’s operator. Frowning lightly, she started to recall then the nauseous feeling and how she had missed her aim on the hole in her brother’s wall, even having crashed into the basement at almost full speed. Remembering also the debris she had stopped from hitting Lyn and Minho, Tess instantly narrowed her eyes a little at the sudden light that came when the doors opened. Seeing her brother there, fully alright and smiling at her, she felt a small smile of relief appear on her own face as well, glad that he was safe. Noticing the others around the room too, the smile disappeared again as guilt took its place. But then the aching absence registered in her mind and she looked around more consciously, remembering how she had dropped Jinwoo off at his side of the Border, and then remembering how she’d reached out to him in a panic when she’d felt sick. Reaching for him again now, to tell him she was alright and make sure he was too, the emptiness where he had been before struck her hard and cold. Swallowing harshly she tried again and again, each time in more of a panic, until eventually she stopped trying, lifting her disbelieving, panicked gaze up to the rest of the room. “He’s gone, Jinwoo’s gone,” she spoke in a choked up voice, looking at all of them and ending with her brother’s face. “I can’t reach him. He’s gone,” she stated again, sounding more unearthed as she went. “Hey, don’t worry,” was her brother’s instant reply, causing her to stop for a split second in hopes that he had proper explanation for her. “Your heart stopped beating. It might have severed the connection. I’m sure he’s fine.” Widening her eyes lightly, Tess instantly got up from the Healing Chamber. “Call him!” she ordered her brother instantly, not giving any explanation as to why this was so necessary. Luckily Devon already moved to take his phone out while heading over to the living room. Following right behind him, Tess couldn’t think of what had happened yet and how her heart had restarted - probably the Healing Chamber, right. She wouldn’t be able to think clearly until she could hear Jinwoo’s voice and make sure he was alright. So she waited anxiously behind her brother until he handed the phone to her, bringing it up to her ear to wait for the person on the other end to pick up.

Following along with Seunghoon towards Devon, he watched how the horrible wounds the other had sustained seemed to make it hard for him to move much. And who was to say how much more damage they’d do by picking him up? Contemplating for a moment, Yifan cleared his throat lightly. “I can get him,” he spoke up then, to let Seunghoon know what he was going to do. Putting a hand on Devon’s seemingly unharmed back as well, he made sure his fingers would also touch Seunghoon’s. And with that, he took the two of them into his smoke form. This time instinctively sharing his own awareness with Seunghoon through their connection, he allowed the Eastern male to experience the distinct but sightless awareness of everything around them and how they moved swiftly to the back room. He first set Devon down there on the Healing Chamber’s surface before materialising Seunghoon and himself next to the Chamber, near the display screen. Taking it in for a moment, he then simply pressed in the few buttons on the screen that would start the healing process. Only when the Healing Chamber successfully started to close did he turn his attention back to Seunghoon, shortly checking him over to make sure he was alright. It was then that he felt the huge energy drainage take effect. Letting his shoulders slump lightly, Yifan frowned a little before turning his gaze back to the Healing Chamber. Taking people along, bad idea. In fact, that apparently seemed to be the first thing about using his ability that actually drained his energy too. Swallowing once, he moved slightly in his position to give his suddenly tired muscles a better way to support his body. Breathing out a soft sigh, he waited for the procedure to finish, hoping that Lyn was managing reviving her old friend back in the living room. Glad that her Target was at least still with her. And if not, he would have gone back to aid her anyway.

A good five minutes later the machine announced its being finished and it soon opened up again. Merely nodding his head at Devon’s thanks, Yifan merely watched him walk out of the room again. Shaking his head shortly, he followed after the male after another look at Seunghoon. Taking in the situation in the living room then, he breathed out a soft sigh when Devon went over to his computers. Walking over to his cousin himself then, he refrained from putting a hand on her arm because her Target was already holding her anyway. “Are you alright?” he asked her softly, taking her in properly and making sure she was all good. “You did great,” he told her then, a little pride audible in his voice because she had actually managed to save her old friend without any use of the modern machines. Turning back to face Devon again then when he started to speak, Yifan merely nodded his head, but upon being told they should move her, he calmly stated he wasn’t able to take her. Because if he moved another person he was going to pass out himself and quite honestly he didn’t have enough sympathy or care left for the girl on the floor to give up his awareness for her - even if temporarily. So he took a few steps back and let the others do as they had to. He did walk along with them then to the Healing Chamber once more, standing in the room and watching it all happen. Until eventually - not long after the machine had started on her - Tess came out awake and, almost instantly, started panicking about the fact that apparently her connection to Jinwoo was gone. Not needing much to imagine the horror that must be - he wouldn’t know what he’d do if suddenly Seunghoon would be gone from his mind; probably whoosh over to him in a whiff of smoke instantly to see if he was truly dead - Yifan simply waited for Devon to provide her with the phone conversation she was asking for, watching how the two left the room and then looking to see what the others were going to do.

Glad to find that Lyn was alright, Minho took in the rest of the room only then. Seeing Seunghoon over at the hallway entrance with Lyn’s cousin, he took in the rest of the damage. Devon looked horrid, bleeding out and everything, but he seemed more worried about his sister. And then Lyn was moving, over to Tess to help her out. Hearing her tell someone to get Devon to a Healing Chamber, he was glad that Seunghoon and Kris moved, because he wasn’t going to leave Lyn alone. Watching closely how she was working on the girl, it was Gorn who provided him with the sight of the three others going up in smoke, which then floated out of the room rather quickly. Deciding to leave that information for later, he focused on Lyn first, asking her if she needed any help and providing such whenever necessary. It took two rounds of chest pressure and breathing before Tess started to breathe on her own again but  the moment she did, Minho felt a great relief go through him. Because somehow he felt as if Lyn would be devastated if she wouldn’t have been able to help her old friend. When Lyn started to check for internal bleeding, Minho was more than happy to go get her a blanket once she asked for one. Being told by Frog’n instantly where he could find one, he went to get it and then brought it back to Lyn so she could properly drape it over her friend. Once everything was settled, he went over to Lyn to be able to put his arms around her and hug her close to him. “You did it,” he stated softly, smiling lightly because he was so happy that she had managed to save her old friend. He could definitely imagine what it would be like to lose someone who was a great friend once, even if you hadn’t considered them that anymore lately. Hugging Lyn close to him for a moment, he then looked around a little at the rubbish around them. Well, someone was going to clean that up at some point he was sure, but it was not going to be him. Tess could probably do it much more swiftly anyway once she was awake.

Standing there with Lyn, communicating a little about everything, he informed her through Gorn’s knowledge that Devon was also properly healed in the Chamber and that he was on his way back. Following the events that unfolded, Minho let Lyn talk to her cousin - even let go of her if she wanted to hold him - and then followed everything Devon was saying. Offering his help if they needed it, Minho went along as they moved Tess from the living room to the Healing Chamber. Watching it all unfold, he frowned lightly when a once again awake Tess panicked and stated that Jinwoo was gone. Listening to Devon’s reassurance as well, the frown remained on his face until the two of them left the room to go to the living room. Turning his gaze to Lyn when that happened, it was only then that his expression cleared up and he smiled softly at her, hoping to be reassuring and comforting in this very bizarre situation. Frog’n was standing next to her anyway, flank pressed against the side of her leg, whereas Gorn stood near the door, as if ready to take on any danger coming from the outside. Giving Seunghoon and Yifan a short look as well, to make sure they were alright, Minho then once more closed the distance between him and Lyn, wanting to make sure first that she was truly alright before he would go see how this phone call thing turned out for the situation in the rest of the world. Are you okay, love? he inquired softly in their connection, only realising how anxious he had been to have lost it too when the relief flooded him upon it still being there.

[tiptoedtalking]

Immunity | The Group

[tiptoedtalking]

After having made sure neither Kris or him were allergic to the antidote, Seunghoon’s attention got drawn by Devon. The Westener was working in a frantic way on something on his computer. Observing him for a little bit Seunghoon knew -from what he had come to know about Devon- that thiswasn’t a good sign at all. I think someone is having an allergic reaction. Sharing that thought with Kris, he also shared that he wasn’t going to ask Devon who it was. He didn’t want to interrupt Devon’s thought process. Doing that could perhaps have some bad effects on the making of whatever it was that he was making at his desk. Glancing shortly over at Minho and Kris’ cousin, he wondered if maybe Minho was allergic to it. His friend had put his head on the girl’s shoulder and she was gently stroking his hair.

When Lyn heard Minho’s reply, instant worry flooded her entire body. Glad that he let his head rest on her shoulder, she turned her head towards him an let her cheek rest against his head. Being allowed to feel what Minho had gone through during the past couple of weeks, all of the hurt, loneliness, fear and even a loss of purpose he had experienced, Lyn lifted up her left hand to stroke his hair in a soothing manner. Feeling what he felt, she let him share everything with her that he wanted to share. Standing completely open for everything he gave her, even though the depressing feelings were very hard to swallow, for a moment those feelings took her completely over. Tears welled up in her eyes but she did manage to keep them from rolling down her cheeks. She had to be strong for him. She had to be a person, a place, a home, where he was safe. A place where he could unwind. He needed someone to understand, someone to be there for him and she couldn’t be there for him if she would cry. I’m deeply sorry you lost so much, she told him. The sincerity of her words being corresponded to him through the mental connection they shared and her own feelings also going along with them. I’m scared too, love. I don’t know what will happen. But at least I have you now. That is what makes everything more bearable for me. I love you. I wish you didn’t have to feel all of this hurt. I wish I could take it away. I’m here for you. Frog’n is here for you. I’m pretty sure Seunghoon is here for you too. In his own… blank expression kind of way. Breathing out a faint smile as she thought of how Seunghoon honestly wasn’t a supportive kind of friend at all she kept sending love and warmth to Minho. Thank you for sharing all of this with me. I understand you’re in pain. Anyone would be, really. I know you need a lot of time to process. I’ll be here for you. I love you. I think you’re a very strong person. And I also have hope that it will be better. It can only be better from now on. We’ll find a way to make it better. Keeping a hold of Minho and trying to soothe him, it completely passed her by how Devon was working on something at his desk in a feverish way.

As she crossed through underneath the river border, Tess could feel her cellphone vibrate in her pocket. Reaching for it, she braced herself for the sudden light she knew would come with it before picking it out of her pocket. The text from her brother was simple, telling her to return as soon as possible. That, of course, had been her plan as well so she merely tucked her phone back into her pocket and moved the earth at the fastest speed she could muster, a speed beyond the one she used for her passengers since she knew it could make them nauseous. Only this time around she herself started to not feel so good on her way back to her brother’s basement. Still avoiding the tracking beacons and sewers on her way, she went a little closer by them than she would usually do as the nauseous feeling inside of her increased. Her perception of the world around her started to be more skewed and it was getting harder to aim for the right part of the world she had to be at. Slowing down a little as she reached her brother’s house, an incredible wave of nausea hit her right as she was about to connect with the wall. Feeling everything spin around her, the contents of her stomach seemed to make their way back up to her throat, but she did manage to swallow those down. However, because she’d concentrated on that, her box of earth collided with her brother’s basement wall partly, sending parts of the cement flying into the room. She herself stumbled inside as well, tumbling over a few of the pieces of debris left on the floor and going down towards the ground. Reaching out through the mental connection she had with her Target to find some comfort, the cry for help went through easily, panic going along with it. And as she was going down, she could see the debris flying at her friends in the couch not so far opposite of the hole she’d just broken in the wall. With every last bit of control she could muster she gripped tight to every piece of earth she could find and ordered it to form around the cement and stop all of it at half a pace away from the couch, thereby creating a solid wall of earth and pieces of cement. But just moments after it was made, it crumbled down to the ground as her body started to shake uncontrollably due to a seizure.

Taking in the supportive words of the girl with him, Minho could feel the incredibly emptiness inside of him slowly settle again. As if Lyn had smoothed it over with a simple brush of her hand over his head. Keeping his eyes closed, he leaned in a bit closer into the Western girl. Feeling how a head was put on his knee as well, the warmth inside of his head registering told him it was Frog’n who had closed the distance between the three of them even more. And surprisingly, just a few moments later, Gorn’s support entered his mind as well. Stand strong, brother was all that came from the Shepherd, but it came with a solid foundation of conviction and support that helped him too. Slowly being able to find his own footing again in his own mind and self, Minho still remained in his position and allowed the soft, comforting strokes of Lyn’s hand to register in acute detail in his mind, so that he would be able to reach back to this moment when he had hard times again in the future. Although a part of him still hoped that the future would have him and her together at all times so there would no longer be hard times for him. But another part of him knew that was idle hope. I love you he communicated back to Lyn after a short moment of silence between them. Thank you for being here. Thank you for making it easier to bear all of this. Thank you for understanding. Swallowing once as he made sure to keep his outer composure, Minho breathed out a soft sigh. Thank you for being able to connect with me on this level too. With those words came the memory of how unable to truly connect with other humans he’d felt up until he’d met her and had been able to start sharing his mind with her as he’d done with the dogs until then. Being in the midst of reminiscing the time they’d spent together so far - which wasn’t that much time but still somehow already seemed like the most precious hours of his life - all of a sudden the world around  them seemed to explode with a bang. From the entrance of the basement he had come in through as well, debris exploded and flew out towards them as well as the rest of the room. Before his own instinct kicked in, Gorn was already on the armrest of the couch, standing tall and ready to catch any bit of it that would come their way, to protect the two humans. Feeling a moment of absolute panic course through him, Minho started to move to get up and get to Gorn so he could save him, but before the debris could even reach the Shepherd, it came to a solid stop, crashing into something invisible it seemed and creating a solid wall out of itself half a step away from the couch. Only frowning shortly at that, he instantly inquired with all three creatures in his mind if they were alright, physically turning his gaze back to Lyn with the intention of putting his hands on her shoulders to make sure she was alright.

Following Devon’s working process for a while longer, Yifan wordlessly agreed with Seunghoon’s statement that someone was probably allergic to the antidote. And since none of the five of them seemed to be showing any signs of such a thing, the one in trouble was either the Easterner who’d just left or Tess. Frowning lightly at the procedure because neither of those two were a good option - no one was, really - he turned his gaze back to Seunghoon after a little while. Doing a once over on the Eastern male by his side, Yifan could feel a small smile slowly settling on his expression again. This time he let it, just turning his gaze away from the Easterner again to be able to eye the table in the middle once more. Getting up, he started to gather the used bowls of chocolate mousse and spoons, everything that would not be used anymore most probably. Taking the chocolate mousse itself as well so he could put it in the fridge in the kitchen, he calmly made his way over to said part of the basement. Once there, he started to put everything in the dishwasher as well as back in the fridge respectively, calmly looking around to see if Devon had anything else in his kitchen down here. More pizza, apparently, and everything one needed in a kitchen and fridge. Finishing his little inspection of the kitchen, Yifan calmly returned to the living room, right in time to witness the apparent end of the world. Or so it seemed in the first moment, in which his instinctual reaction was to move over to Seunghoon’s side and smoke the both of them out of harm’s way. And it was only when they stood in solid form back in the hall doorway that he realised his cousin had not been his first priority this time. Still, he turned his gaze to Seunghoon shortly and made sure the other was alright. Are you okay? he questioned in their shared connection, a hint of worry going through with it, but his eyes were already on the living room again, which luckily had settled. A solid earth wall right next to the couch luckily proving to him that his cousin and her Target had remained unharmed as well. Frowning over at the entrance Tess had used to come in, he could see Devon struggling to get to his seizing sister with a syringe in hand, and that finished the puzzle in his mind; Tess was allergic and the explosion probably had been a side effect of that.

Devon had no eye or ear for the world around him as he feverishly worked on the antidote that would save his sister. The only outside thought that entered his mind was that his sister had not answered his text yet, making him worry for her safety. Feverishly adding ingredients left and right and shaking the vial up every now and again, he picked up the vial when it was finished and moved to the side to be able to get a syringe from the small cupboard to the left of his desk. Leaning over, he got it out of the drawer. Shortly putting the back of it in his mouth, he took the protection cover off the tip. Putting the vial down again in a stand on his desk then, he put the syringe in and started to fill it. Yet as he was about to do so, the room seemed to explode close to his right. His desk got a good shove as the wall behind it exploded out of itself. The only thing he could think of was that he had to get the antidote to save his sister. Finishing the movement of filling up the syringe, he instinctively turned his back to the explosion so as to protect the fragile vial and syringe from the flying rocks and debris. In the chaos of it, his desk had moved at least half a meter away from the wall, which in its turn had been completely devastated by god knows what. A piece of rock solid cement crashed into his left shoulder mere moments after he’d turned his back, completely rendering his shoulder unusable and therefore taking the strength out of the rest of his arm as well, causing him to drop the vial. Letting out a short grunt at the sudden pain coursing through him, he still turned around to be able to face whatever it was that had attacked his basement. Spotting a shape in the middle of the dust and debris, he instantly started to move out of an instinct, assuming that was his sister in need of help. But what he didn’t realise until then was that a rock had hit his lower leg as well, causing him to stumble at the first step already. Trying to gather his balance, he held the syringe close to his own chest with his good hand. Using his other arm to keep himself from falling to the floor, the pain that went through him upon doing that pulled a louder sound of pain from him. Still he kept going, stumbling on his hurt foot and his good one over to his sister, leaving a small trail of blood behind from the wound in his lower leg.

Managing to reach his sister eventually, Devon let himself collapse onto the floor next to her body which had gone alarmingly still after her seizing. Making sure that the syringe was still safe by landing on his right side, he instantly moved that arm to plunge the syringe into a vein in the side of her neck, emptying its contents into her bloodstream, hoping that what he’d managed to get before he lost the vial was enough to rescue her. Yet of course there also was the trouble of her having to actually have a heartbeat to be able to take in the antidote properly. Wanting to move at first to start giving her a heart massage to bring her back to consciousness, he realised slightly late that he didn’t have the strength to push on her chest hard enough with his left shoulder out of the battle. “Help her!” he instantly shouted therefore, hoping to reach the other people in the room who might still be able to help - thinking of Lyn in particular who was a nurse after all. “Her heart’s not beating anymore, she’s not breathing, do something!” Pushing himself up with his good hand, Devon thereby bumped his other arm into his desk leg, letting out a painful grunt once again when that happened. But still he didn’t take his attention from his sister, waiting for someone to help her as he had told them to. “You can’t use the Healing Chamber, it will malfunction with her Trackers,” he made sure to remind whoever was coming to help loud enough, before shortly turning his head to look at his arm. Only then did he realise that the bone of his upper arm was protruding out of his shoulder to the left, blood spilling out of the wound continuously. He did need to go to the Healing Chamber, but first his sister had to be safe.

[tiptoedtalking]

Immunity | The Group

[pretendingasalwaysworld]

He had to hear it. Give it some time. He’ll see the truth and come back. Seunghoon retorted to Kris, not understanding why he was mingling into this. He knew Jinwoo. He knew his friend needed to hear someone else say what he could not say himself. It was only then that he’d be able to accept the truth for what it was. Besides, his words hadn’t been any harsher than Devon’s. He wasn’t the one that had threatened to kill Jinwoo. Hearing how the wall closed, thereby shutting off Jinwoo and his Target, Seunghoon heaved a sigh. Glancing shortly over at Kris, who picked up his conversation with his cousin, Seunghoon decided to do the same. “Your plan can work,” he said while turning his head to Minho. “Jinwoo’s Target indeed is able to get us somewhere else in safety. She only needs to be willing to help us when and if we want to leave. But I don’t think it will be a problem to convince her that leaving might be a good option. The difficult part is convincing Jinwoo. But not to worry, tonight the first step into the right direction has been made. He’ll come back to his senses. Eventually.” Sending his friend a small assuring smile, it was Minho’s Target that interrupted their conversation a little bit later. Getting up from the couch, to make room for her, he went back to Kris. Nodding his head shortly at the male in greeting he easily took a seat next to him. “You feel anything out of the ordinary?” he questioned. Of course with that meaning if Kris maybe felt some side effects already because of the antidote that was now going trough his body.

Thanks to Minho, Lyn understood that Jinwoo had different priorities. Understanding that he didn’t want to have any part in all of this, because it went against his father and his children, she did regret the way he’d left them in though. They could have parted on better terms than this. But well, that had everything to do with the colliding of circumstances. Finding it a bit sad that even his both friends now were turned against him, because he had showed them his back, she hoped that things could still get fixed between them. But that was something time would be able to tell. Glancing away from the wall when Yifan talked to her she breathed out a slight smile. “Thanks,” she stated as soon as he was done. Reaching out to him then, using both her arms to do so, she gave her cousin a gentle hug. Sitting like that for a couple of seconds, with her chin resting on Yifan’s right shoulder, she slightly turned her head then towards his ear so she could whisper to him, “Really, thank you. I love you.” Sharing with those words (and the hug) how much him and this talk between them had meant for her, she gave him a kiss on his cheek while she pulled back from him. Sending him a happy smile, Lyn did feel a little bit lighter than she’d done before. Looking at her cousin for a moment like that, taking him in while basking in the knowledge that they were safe here and that everything was fine, she lifted up her thumb to point over at Minho and Seunghoon. “I’ll go back to my Target now,” she said a bit of amusement audible in her voice. Saying goodbye -for now- to her cousin, Lyn then got up from the couch to head back to Minho. Waiting for Seunghoon to get up from the couch and make room for her, Lyn gently stroked over Frog’n’s head while she waited. Getting into the couch the moment there was a free spot, Lyn lifted her hand up from Frog’n’s head to bring it to Minho’s cheek, which she gently cupped. “Hey,” she spoke softly, “You’re okay?” Gently smiling at the male, her eyebrows lowered themselves as she tried to gauge whether or not Minho was okay. They could communicate their feelings, but that didn’t mean that she could see the cues on Minho’s face which would tell her if he was okay or not. She still needed to spend more time with him to discover those.

Blinking twice so the world around him wouldn’t be completely dark, Jinwoo didn’t move in his spot simply because he needed a moment too to process what had happened. Yet he got disturbed in that moment by his Target who apologized for having him dragged into all this. Damn right she did. But it was too late and well, apparently he’d gotten out. Or maybe he did not? Just bring me back to the Border please. He answered her question, being polite to her and not saying anything about the sincere apology she’d given him even though he’d accepted it. It hadn’t been her fault entirely either. Nor Devon’s, now that he came to think about it. Pushing the anger and frustration that appeared because of that thought away, Jinwoo glanced down at his dog for a short moment after which he went to sit down on the ground. Not wanting to get sick, since he couldn’t handle that on top of everything he knew that some of his anger towards Devon had been misplaced. Yes he was to blame to what he had done to his sister, yes he was to blame for dragging him into this against his will, but if it hadn’t been for the government there hadn’t been anything to be dragged into. Something he’d only realized now. An image of his father came to mind and together with it came the image of one of his brothers who had been killed by his Target. What a disgrace it had been to his old man. He still remembered the speech he’d given him and a couple of his brothers and sisters. Now normally his father wouldn’t have made any words dirty about anyone that didn’t succeed in killing their Targets, but this guy had been his favourite. The only one he’d treated as a son even before he’d managed to kill of his Target. He’d only done that because he’d believed this son of his was going to succeed. Tough luck. Reminiscing the speech and a lot of other things he’d been told by his mother, father and other people about the government and the West, Jinwoo felt how his belief in the government and the system tumbled down like a house of cards did when he put the information he had now against it. Shaking his head because he could sincerely not belief how wrong the government was to all of them, Jinwoo reached a hand out to Merch. Stroking the dog from his head down to his neck to his shoulders, he repeated that movement for a little while as his Target brought him back to the East. It was only when they came to an halt and Jinwoo thought that they’d arrived at the Border that he spoke up. It’s not your fault. It’s the government’s fault. Perhaps I’ll be part of the group one day again. But right now I need some time. I think the others need some time too. Thank you for bringing me here. Stay safe. I’ll talk to you later. Getting up as well while he spoke he turned around so he could take his Target in for a moment. Knowing that she was going to stay safe because she not only had a powerful ability but also a brother who watched over her, he waited for her to put him and his dog above ground.

[tiptoedtalking]

Leaving Seunghoon’s reply to his words as it was, Yifan re-focused all his attention on his cousin for the time being. Receiving her hug with a warm smile in her direction, he reached out both his arms as well to wrap them around her. pulling her closer to his chest and gently holding her for a while. Being thanked then and told that his cousin loved him, Yifan smiled a bit wider and warmer. As they both pulled away, he returned the kiss he’d gotten from Lynn on his cheek by giving her one on her temple, right at her hairline. “I love you too, wodi-ai. Everything’s going to be alright, you’ll see,” he spoke warmly but softly, letting those words hang only between the both of them and not reach anyone else. Being told then that she was going to go back to her Target, a hint of amusement filtered over Yifan’s expression as well, before he merely nodded and allowed her to get up. An exchange of conversation partner happened at the other side of the table first, after which Seunghoon of course moved over to come sit with him. Moving over in the couch, back into his earlier position so that he wouldn’t be sitting cosily close to Seunghoon like he’d done with his cousin, Yifan merely nodded back and, upon being questioned if he felt anything out of the ordinary, shook his head next in denial. “Nothing strange. You?” Glancing over at his Target, Yifan waited for Seunghoon to deny any strange things from happening before nodding his head again in an acceptance of that confirmation. As if on command, his expression - which had been showing emotions and warmth again - filtered back into the neutral one the moment Seunghoon had shown near him. Taking his Target in now with that once again emotionless expression, Yifan then turned his gaze back to the table and, upon spotting the drinks on it, leaned in to pour himself a glass of soda. Picking it up, he straightened back up and shortly glanced over at Devon, who right then got up from his spot near his computers to move over to his desk. Opening drawers left and right he seemed to produce vials, plants and all kinds of things from out of nowhere, starting to work on something. Creasing his forehead lightly because of the fevered way Devon seemed to be working on whatever it was, Yifan looked back over at the other couch to make sure none of the two there showed any signs of allergy, only to find the both of them completely fine - albeit his cousin’s Target seemed defeated for some reason. Frowning a little more then, he turned his gaze back to Devon to keep looking and see what his old friend was up to this time around.

Minho only turned his gaze away from the floor when Seunghoon addressed him again, telling him now that his plan could work. Almost lashing out - because oh, now all of a sudden the things he were saying made sense but before waiting for an explanation it was all nonsense and impossible - he managed to hold his annoyance back, swallowing it back down to the pit of hurt where it belonged. Nodding his head once at Seunghoon, he continued to listen to how his friend told him that Jinwoo would see reason and come back, eventually. Swallowing again, he allowed another nod to follow, not responding to Seunghoon’s words but instead turning his gaze to Frog’n first and then Gorn, just to make sure they were there and they were fine, reaching out inside of their minds as well to establish solid footing. Frog’n’s response was instant, the male dog’s warmth spreading over him like a comforting blanket. Gorn’s response was more surprised at first, the dog questioning him what was wrong all of a sudden because nothing had changed in his surroundings. But something in his demeanour must have tipped the dog off that this was serious because moments later a stability washed over him that he couldn’t quite comprehend, along with a simple message: Feel, brother, you have to feel. Being so completely focused on the things inside of him, he didn’t quite notice Seunghoon getting up until the couch dented again when Lynn sat down once more. Turning his gaze over to the girl, the touch of her hand on his cheek was warm, reassuring and felt so much like home that his head was reeling with the emotions it brought him. And then her questions followed and the words of his dog resounded in his head, causing him to only look at her neutrally for a moment longer before his head started to move in a shake as well as his whole body moved forward. Leaning in and turning until he could rest his forehead on Lynn’s shoulder, Minho did manage not to display any further emotion outwardly, but his insides seemed a mess. I’m not he communicated, followed by an almost pained I’m sorry before the feelings seemed to just pour out of him. Sharing with her - still somewhat reluctantly, but it wasn’t like he had a say in it - the first trigger for everything that was going on inside him, Minho relived the moment Kalmar died on the table in the clinic. The pain that went with it, the feeling of being utterly lost, of having part of himself just disappear into the void, of being left behind alone without anyone to understand exactly what any of it had been like, it all just poured out of him again. And from there the count just continued. Losing Yixing as a friend, not having Frog’n around, shooting Braeden, watching Yixing die, losing Leery to death, losing Jinwoo as a friend, unable to find understanding with the only friend he had left, not having the certainty that he was safe,... All of the things that hurt passed the review, being passed on to Lynn so she could understand. In an almost hopeless hope that she would, actually. And all he could be glad about as he sat there was that at least none of the hurt and emptiness inside of him was in any way hers to carry.

Nodding her head once when her Target replied to her even though he couldn’t actually see her, Tess waited for him and his dog to sit down and be comfortable before starting to move the earth. Closing her eyes as to allow her a better control and understanding of her surroundings, Tess quietly made her way through the Western territory. She took the shortest road to the Border, which still was longer than a straight line because she had to evade certain spots where either sewers or tracking beacons went too deep underground, and then moved them deeper to go underneath the river and come back up on the other side. Moving Jinwoo to where she’d picked him up earlier so he could walk back home or do whatever it was he had planned on doing, she came to a halt there and waited for her Target to realise they had arrived. Almost instantly his voice sounded up in her head again, telling her it wasn’t her fault but the government’s. Thinking how a thought like that was exactly what she had been trying to tell him from the start, she merely listened to the rest of his words, being told how he needed some time and that he thought everyone probably did. Finding that a bit strange a thing to say because none of the others had shown any sign of being as uncomfortable with everything as he was, she still merely nodded her head once again. Feeling then how he got up and turned around, looking at her most probably, Tess just quietly stood there for a moment, eyes open, taking in the utter darkness that she couldn’t see anything in and hoping that whatever her Target was seeing would not agitate him once again. Take care of yourself she communicated back to him with a hint of worry to her voice, closing her eyes again then so she could start lifting the column of earth that held him and Merch. Spreading the ground apart above him to bring him back on solid ground, she quietly made the upper layer of grass move back towards its previous position, therefore giving both Jinwoo and Merch a slight nudge against their feet and paws so they would most definitely move aside for her to take away any signs of the transportation. Waiting for a moment then to make sure they were standing stable and solid, she didn’t waste any more time in heading back to her brother’s home in hopes of finding some comfort there.

Having been seated at his closet for a little while, closely watching his sister’s vitals, Devon all of a sudden remembered one very important fact; he had counted the most probably no allergy thing based on a regular person’s diet and everything, and had thereby overlooked one thing he should have most definitely remembered. His sister had already gotten something injected into her, completely changing the Trackers’ outer substance. Moving his fingers over his keyboard instantly and looking up the rather old formula of the substance he’d given his sister, he immediately counter-checked everything in it with the things that were in the antidote he’d given them now. And there he found his mistake. One of the ingredients of the Tracker-counter would not manage at all with one of the ingredients in the antidote. Looking at it for a solid moment longer, needing that time to realise the grave mistake he’d made - with his sister nonetheless - he then moved his fingers just as quickly once again to put a warning alert on everyone else’s vitals looking for the usual signs of an allergic reaction. Getting up from his chair then the moment that was in place, he headed over to his desk and started to take out the things he was going to need to brew the drink his sister would have to take to make sure the chemical reaction the bringing together of the two ingredients would create would not kill his sister. Frantically working, he could only hope that he would finish in time to give it to her before the reaction would show its first signs. Making sure first that everything was in place, he then texted his sister to return to the basement as quickly as she could. Moving over to the wall then, he already opened that up again so she would be able to enter instantly when she got there. Moving back then to his desk, he continued his brewing of the perfect antidote for an antidote. Oh the irony.

[tiptoedtalking]

Immunity | The Group

[pretendingasalwaysworld]

“I never said anything about going over the Wall, Yifan.” Lyn countered the moment her cousin gave her the opportunity to do so. Having listened to his protest, she regretted it that he had jumped to conclusions so quickly. She’d only asked him if maybe he’d wanted to go with them if they’d ever leave, not that they were going to leave. “No, I don’t have a plan and no I don’t know where to go to. It was just a thought.” She continued to specify, talking calmly even though she felt a need to explain herself to her cousin. “Minho brought it up a little while ago. That he wanted to run away with me because we can’t have a life together here. It was just a thought, nothing more. Maybe it will always be a thought or a dream maybe that somewhere we can have a life together. But, that’d be nice, wouldn’t it?” Frowning lightly, Lyn tilted her head a bit to the right as she looked at her cousin, hoping that he’d accept her explanation. “I only wanted to let you know that that thought had come up in us and that I’d like it if you’d join us if we do leave and of course have a good plan.” Pausing for a moment there so her cousin could take in this information and hopefully understand her better now, she continued, “I know it’s going to be very difficult and dangerous, I won’t do anything stupid, Yifan. If I don’t have a good plan or it certainly is going to be a suicide mission then I will not go. But I also thought that maybe Devon knows a way? I mean, if our Trackers don’t work anymore, we can maybe take on another identity and live in another city? And if that’s not possible then maybe we can come up with something else? Like you said before, we’ll figure things out and I just want to keep all options open.” Making some small gestures with her right hand while she was talking, she hoped to find some kind of support in her cousin this time around. She knew he’d dismissed her earlier because he’d thought about her well-being and going over the Wall or leaving Claell without good plans wasn’t exactly good for your well-being.

Granting her cousin the opportunity to reply to her and tell her what he thought of it all now, she didn’t get the chance to reply to that, however, because Devon spoke up. Not having realized that he’d come closer to them, Lyn’s eyes flashed to the Easterner he was talking to. Finding it kind of difficult to process what Devon was saying -since she thought she’d seen everyone take their pill- the angry expression on Jinwoo’s face and the way he stood up once Devon was done talking betrayed that he’d spoken the truth. That or Jinwoo was really offended right now and wanted to do nothing more than leave. But why would Devon falsely accuse him of something like that? Now that she came to think about it, Devon had remained very calm through all of this. Something she admired him for because she could imagine her losing it for a moment there because someone had betrayed your trust and also had endangered the lives of other people. Having felt a sense of panic course through her, because the government might find out about all of them all because of one stupid pill Jinwoo might have thrown in the toilet, Lyn quickly got a hold of herself again but was left with a lingering cold feeling of stress and betrayal in her chest. Is it really true? She questioned Minho, even though she already knew that it probably was the truth and that he probably also didn’t know anything more than her. This can’t be happening. I thought we were supposed to stick together in this? Watching a bit dumbfounded how Jinwoo called for his dog and then made his way towards the opening in the wall to leave them all, just like that, Lyn remained seated in the couch. Her mind slowly processing everything that was going on.

Seunghoon listened to Minho’s point of view on this topic. Finding it a ridiculous thought to use dogs to try and climb over the Wall, Minho did raise a valid point when he mentioned Jinwoo’s Target. She could easily make all of them disappear. The only thing they needed for that to succeed was for their Trackers to stop working and then the earth manipulator could bring them any place of their choosing. They could move around the whole globe. Leave every place behind the moment it got dangerous. Of course the plan was far from complete, but if they all joined forces then Seunghoon was quite sure that they actually did have a chance to leave Claell and survive it. Yet the weapon developer didn’t get any chance to express his thoughts to his friend because Devon had walked up to them. Looking up at the male to wait for him to tell them why he’d come to them, Seunghoon got hit by surprise when he heard how Jinwoo had apparently played them all. Immediately looking at his right he took in the man he’d known for a good ten years now. Taking a good look at him, Seunghoon couldn’t really believe what he was hearing. He thought that Jinwoo knew better than to endanger all of them. What on earth had gone on in that mind of his? “You got rid of the pill, didn’t you.” he stated, the moment Jinwoo got up from the couch while he hadn’t said anything yet. Locking gazes for a moment with his friend, Seunghoon huffed in silence and turned his head away from him. That damn fool. He knows about the whole conspiracy thing and yes it might be hard to adapt to it, but he at least could have stopped to think twice about getting rid of the pill. Just like Devon Seunghoon didn’t know for sure whether or not the government would check the wastes, but if they were any smart they’d do so in his opinion. But perhaps they were too certain of themselves and perhaps that would be their saving grace. All they could do now was hope that no one would find the pill and hoping was something Seunghoon didn’t like to do. He liked to be sure of things and right now he couldn’t be. That was if he wasn’t going to retrieve the pill himself but that was a lost cause even before he began with it.

Looking at the tin can that stood right in front of him on the coffee table, Seunghoon listened to Jinwoo’s footsteps. The Guard hadn’t said anything to any of them. The only thing he’d done was getting up, calling his dog to his side and then heading to the hole in the wall. Where he was probably going to wait for his Target to come with him and bring him back to the East. That damn fool. With his damn belief and his respect and loyalty to the government. He was going to get himself and all of them killed if he was going to keep acting like this. He’d to talk sense into him. Jinwoo had to come to his senses and accept the truth. Of course that was a difficult job for him, but someone had to try and make it clear to him. If no one did that, they’d all be at risk. “Stop.” Seunghoon ordered after a moment of ice cold silence. “Come back here and take the pill.” Slowly lifting his head back up, he turned it towards Jinwoo. Meeting Jinwoo’s angry gaze with a strong gaze of his own, Seunghoon said what had to be said. “You’re stupid. You need to accept the truth, Jinwoo. You’re going to get yourself and all of us killed if you continue on like this. The government is not good. Your father is not good.” Knowing that he had hit a very sensitive nerve right there, Seunghoon only turned away his head from Jinwoo then. Thereby dismissing the one-sided conversation and also dismissing Jinwoo with it. Hopefully the male would come to the right insight now that he’d gotten the push he needed to have.

Jinwoo had breathed out a deep sigh once Minho started talking about using Tess as a method of getting out of Claell. What if the girl didn’t want to leave this place behind? Did he ever stop to think about that? More importantly; Who was to say that she still could make decisions for herself? She’d obviously been doing everything for her brother and thus if Devon agreed with this idea then Tess surely was going to help them. Even if it meant that she didn’t want to leave Claell. Feeling how hands balled themselves into fists he moved his body and head so he could look over and down the girl that was hugging his dog. And it reminded him of someone that needed protection, someone like a child. Someone who wasn’t entirely sure of themselves. He’d seen his own daughter hug Merch like that too. She’d been afraid that particular late afternoon of the thunderstorm that had raged over the East. She’d been looking for someone to protect her and since he’d been busy with preparing food she’d went over to his dog instead. And just the sight of her had made him quickly finish up his preparations so he could pull her into his own arms. That pull to protect his children was strong in him and right now he also felt it towards the young woman who sat on the floor with Merch. Staring at her for a moment longer, the whole world around him seemed to fade away. Yet that lasted until the moment Devon spoke up somewhere behind him. Not having noticed how the male had come closer to them, he took in a more normal and thus comfortable position for him in the couch as he looked up at him. Being surprised at first, since Devon seemed to have caught him, anger soon flared up in him. Looking up at Devon with so much hate and resentment in his eyes he too clenched the muscles in his jaw.

Remaining silent, because he knew he was going to make things far more worse if he was going to open his mouth, Jinwoo stood up the moment Devon moved away from him again. Glancing shortly over at Seunghoon when he spoke, he quickly averted his gaze from his friend. The blame he could pick up from Seunghoon’s tone of voice wasn’t something he was in need of right now. Straightening himself completely he didn’t glance over at the rest of the people present, instead he only called for Merch. Ordering the dog to come to him. Starting to walk even before the dog had been able to reach him, he walked firmly into the direction of the earth box. He’d only been able to take a couple of steps when he heard Seunghoon speaking again. Coming to an halt at the order, Jinwoo lightly turned his head to the left. Not glancing back over his shoulder, but merely indicating with it that he was listening and also waiting for something else to come from Seunghoon. Hoping that he’d make it quick because he’d only been allowed ten more minutes in this basement before he’d be killed by Devon, Jinwoo quickly turned his head back to the front and continued his walk when Seunghoon insulted his father. No he had not meant to endanger them all by throwing the pill away. He just didn’t want to take the pill. He wasn’t a coward. He had felt forced to take the pill and when someone feels forced to do something, they try to escape and that was exactly what he did. Seunghoon did not need to insult his father nor him. The male was just making it worse. Keeping his jaw clenched, Jinwoo entered the earth box a little while later. Not turning around to face the people he was going to leave behind just like that, he then waited for Tess to take him away. Remembering what he’d thought before regarding Tess, he did reach out to her through their mental connection. I’m sorry. Could you please take me out of here? I do not wish to be shot by your brother.

[tiptoedtalking]

Yifan remained quiet as Lyn went against what he had said and went out of her way to reassure him that she hadn’t meant leaving now but had just brought it up as an idea. Frowning lightly throughout her whole explanation because to him it definitely had come over as if she’d thought it through completely - mostly because she had detailed the fact that she’d thought about it an hadn’t wanted to leave him - he eventually nodded his head once as his expression cleared again then when she paused shortly. Listening to the rest of her words, he nodded once again, accepting that maybe Devon would indeed know of some safe way to get out. Nodding his head a few more times calmly when Lyn finished explaining, Yifan started to smile lightly after, and although it started out as his new bereft-of-feelings smile, it soon bloomed into his usual warmer one, a hint of apology seeping into his expression as well. “I’m sorry, I jumped to conclusions. It sounded like you were asking me to go along with you because you were going to leave asap.” Tilting his head slightly to the right, Yifan took in his cousin for a moment with what became a loving expression soon after he stopped talking. “There’s probably a lot of places you’ll be able to go to live together with Minho,” he agreed after a short pause of just looking at her. “It does sound like a nice idea indeed.” Before he could get any further in his words, however, Devon spoke up, causing Yifan to turn his head to the scene and follow along as well what was going on. Watching how the Eastern male seemed to get angry because of Devon’s words, Yifan found them to be nothing but true, as well as spoken in a polite manner. There was nothing there for Jinwoo to get angry for - except for being caught. Watching the male head over to the hole in the wall then when Devon finished talking, his head turned over to his Target the moment Seunghoon spoke up. Listening to what he had to say, Yifan smiled almost amused at the end of his words because of how very much like Seunghoon they seemed to be. That was a bit harsh and uncalled for, he communicated to his Target, although some of the warm amusement filtered through along with his words. I don’t think it’s going to help. Turning his gaze back to the wall, he followed how Tess joined the Easterner in the box and soon disappeared from sight. Pausing a moment, he tried to remember what had been going on before the event happened, and then turned his gaze back to his cousin once he did. “Where were we?” was all he said, as if none of that had even happened. “Ah yes, as I was saying.. I’m sure we’ll find a way for the two of you to live together, wodi-ai.”

Watching everything unfold right next to him, Minho stayed quiet himself as he looked at how one of the few friends he still had left proved to be a danger to them all. Watching how Jinwoo glared at Devon and the Western male remained surprisingly calm throughout it all, he at the same time got warned by Gorn of the ice cold that supposedly was Devon. But Frog’n countered that instantly, saying Devon was ice cold in his anger but not in the rest of him. There was still purpose, still a flicker of that warmth that was lighting the rest of them up like wildfire. Swallowing the moment Lyn’s voice filtered through into his mind, he felt a strong sense of betrayal at realising that Jinwoo had indeed endangered them all as well as chosen not to be a part of any of this if he could help it. For a moment he wanted to command Merch to stay where he was and push Jinwoo out into the cold to fend on his own, but the moment passed with a single, simple thought. Had Yixing known who’d pulled the trigger on Braeden, he would have felt the same way as Minho did now, right? Pushing that thought away to the far back of everything he was, he was glad that it hadn’t been filtered through to Lyn, at least. He has different priorities, my love, he communicated back to the Western woman. He has children to think of and none of those he loves are in this with him. His loyalty doesn’t lie with himself or someone else in this room, it lies with his father, the Border Guard and his offspring. Bringing that explanation to his Target in a matter-of-fact kind of tone, Minho was glad that none of the hurt and betrayal he was feeling in that moment was visible or feel-able for her. But he knew that the things he was telling her were more true than the blame he would have communicated would he have said what he felt like saying. Watching the earth wall close in between him and his friend, even after the little speech Seunghoon had given him, Minho felt how once again one of his newly grown limbs got cut off. Having replaced the familiarity Leery, Kalmar, his parents, Yixing and Braeden with his friends and Lyn, he now was able to watch one of them leave his life yet again. Because he knew that if Jinwoo wanted no part of this, they wouldn’t be part of each other’s lives anymore either. A thought that hurt him more than it should, cut deeper than he’d like to admit. Luckily for him Lyn’s cousin started to talk to her again so that he could take a short moment for himself to deal with the sudden once again bleeding open wound inside of him.

Having remained in a standing position behind the middle couch throughout it all; her brother’s words, her Target’s movements, his friend’s words, Tess simply followed Jinwoo with her eyes as he walked, not making a single move to go with him or to help him leave. Feeling hurt for him because of the fact that even his own friend was putting blame on him, she couldn’t quite understand why, because what the Eastern male was saying was true as far as she was aware. She of course didn’t know anything about Jinwoo’s father, but the rest of it made sense. But if Jinwoo didn’t want to take the pills and didn’t want to have anything to do with the truth, then he was going to stay out of it. It wasn’t like they could force him to be on their side. It didn’t mean he was on the opposite side, it just meant he’d like to stay out of it all, most probably. And if she’d ever had a choice, so would she most probably have. Feeling her whole being tense up the moment Jinwoo’s voice sounded up in her head, Tess could feel the sympathy for her Target course through her. Instantly her gaze jumped over to her brother, who was still turned with his back to all of them, almost relieved that he couldn’t feel what she felt and therefore didn’t know how her feelings were betraying him and choosing sides with her Target. Not giving him any chance to suddenly develop a mind or feelings-reading ability, she quickly put herself into motion, stepping over to the hole in the wall and coming to a stop behind her Target. Pausing only a moment, she then closed the earth wall in between them and the basement, making sure it was a thick and solid enough layer of earth so that no sound would reach them from there, nor would any sound of theirs reach the basement either. Yet she didn’t move the earth box yet to carry them away, instead reaching out a hand until her fingers touched her Target’s back. Only when they did, did she realise what she was doing but by then it was too late and so she completed the movement, resting the flat of her palm against Jinwoo’s back. I’m sorry she communicated to him the same way he had reached out to her to ask of her to take him away. ..that you were dragged into this because of me even though you didn’t want any part of it. Knowing that actual sadness and regret because of this having happened went through with her words, Tess could only hope that he’d accept her sincerity. Leaving a short pause, she swallowed before changing the subject quickly because he hadn’t liked it any of the previous times she’d tried to be friendly with him. So she also pulled her hand back then despite really not wanting to. Do you want me to take you home? Or do you prefer to be at the Border? Or..? Quickly stopping the thought flow before she’d annoy him with her usual amount of questioning, Tess stood as unmoving as she could muster while she waited for what kind of reaction she would get from her Target. And for some reason in that moment all she wanted was to give him some comfort and the feeling of having someone on his side, but she didn’t know what he needed to feel that nor if he wanted to get that from her, and so she just waited for his reply.

Devon luckily didn’t have to wait ten minutes. The moment he heard the earth move and close again, he turned back around. Ignoring the others present in his living room for a moment at first so that he could close the actual wall again as well and thereby lock out both the Eastern male and his sister, he bit his lower lip shortly. He couldn’t risk the Eastern male poisoning his sister’s mind and letting him back in after all. But letting his sister go off with the man all on her own was something that had gone against all of his instincts and better judgement. Still, it was her choice to go along with him rather than to move him separately and from what he’d seen from all three ‘couples’ so far, this connection they had between them went beyond anything he could muster. To fully be able to figure out what exactly it was, he had to let it run its course. And with that, of course, allow his sister to do what she felt like doing as well. Once the wall clicked back into place and thereby erased any trace of a hole ever been there, Devon walked over to the hallway to go to his back room and get the products he needed to indeed scrub everything clean of prints. He was pretty sure the dishwasher would take the DNA off the spoons, glasses and plates, but the table itself as well as the stair handle were things he was going to have to scrub. While he was at it, he also had to put an alarm on their vitals so that he would be on time still in case any of them reacted badly to the antidote. Which was the moment when realisation hit him, in the middle of his hallway, and fear drenched him like an ice cold bucket of water poured over his head. If his sister would prove to be allergic, he wouldn’t be able to reach her to heal her in time now. Swallowing roughly, Devon felt himself move to the side, his shoulder colliding with the wall as he looked for support for a moment. Standing like that in his hallway, leaning against the side wall, hoping - even though that was the most stupidest thing to ever do, one had to take action not hope - that his sister would not be allergic. Because at this point that was all he could do anymore. It took him a moment, surprisingly, to get past the numbing fear, before he could push himself up straight again. But when he managed, he simply turned around and walked straight back to his computers. Their fingerprints be damned, he was going to keep an eye on those vitals.