[google-font http://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Montserrat][Montserrat All pretense of normality ended with the door sliding closed behind him, his shoulders slump forward, eyes ball tightly shut, an agonized groan following the cerulean male as he fell against a panel and his body convulsed, a hand pressed tightly to his side. Pain flares with every shuddering breath, trying to suppress the desire to strike out at anything and focus the pain elsewhere.
The sweater is pulled off as soon as he enters the room, the thin wrap about his mid-rift cast aside hastily, the black liquid slick to the touch yet gritty in nature like a fine tar paste. Dropping to his knees aside his bed a shaking hand grasps at a box underneath and slides it out, swinging himself around to sit beside it as he threw back the lid. Inside was a multitude of tools, pushed aside in his haste to reach the bottom and recover a blue tinted syringe, similar in style to an epipen, containing a similar coloured liquid to that leaking from his wound.
He grits his teeth as his hand comes away slick with the charcoal secretion, staring down at the smearing across his being. The same hand begins to grasp desperately about his chest, clutching at the skin in places in search of something within himself. It is a frantic search as his fingers push hard at the skin, press against bone and muscle and sinew, his memory flickering about the location of what he seeks.
As he presses hard just below where his rib cage would end, there is resistance, and like a spark his mind remembers this is the location. With no hesitation he thrust the syringe into his skin, pushing down on the plunger, and a yell born of distress and agony reverberated down the hallway.
---
It was a few hours before Dante stepped out of his room, freshly changed, looking a touch pale despite his coloured skin. At times he grasped the wall to steady himself, clutching the drink Jax had brought him to his stomach. He headed toward the bridge, slumping down into his seat with a sigh of relief. He takes a little time to relax, sipping at the bitter green liquid and taking deep breaths. But at length, he taps at his panel to one side, sending a message for Jax and the twins to join him, bringing along their paintings.
When they arrived he couldn't help a deft smile tugging at his lips, Jax proudly carrying a piece of paper daintily in his hands as he followed after the two girls, their bags dropped off to one side.
[b "I see your security detail went well Jax."]
[+gold "Girls safe with Jax."] He nodded happily, not one to understand the sarcasm dripping from the Captains words. Waving for them to come all to come over he had each of them present their drawing with a short description. After talking with each of them in turn he sunk back further into his seat, stroking at his smooth chin in contemplation.
[b "As I see it, there is no outright winner. Each has their own unique touch. So I will declare you all winners."] From Ino and Jax there were large smiles of delight, yet Oni for a moment looked angered, before noting her their expressions and mimicking them. Reaching to beside his chair, groaning softly as it placed pressure on his side, he retrieved three boxes. The first was quite evident and Jax's eyes gaped at a rather large box of Mixian cookies. To the other two, he handed each a box. Crouching down they pried open the lids in curiosity.
Within each ornate box was a set of clothing, bespoke to their personal tastes and tailored a touch bigger than their current size - something they could wear now and also grow into. For Ino, a flowing and vibrant turquoise dress, and for Oni, a gold and crimson shorts and shirt combination. Each seemed particularly delighted with their present and held them aloft to the other for inspection. Nodding for them to return to their boxes, inside was a data stick each.
[b "I asked Tera what else to get you, and she suggested music. As such she went on to pick out several hours worth for you to listen to. I expect you to listen to it at an appropriate level and thank Tera when you see her."] They stuffed the clothing back inside and Oni dove toward him, wrapping her arms about his torso tightly. He sucked in a deep breath, withholding a cry of discomfort. Sitting upright he wrapped an arm about her small figure, the other placing his drink aside and reaching out for Ino. Grasping her hand he drew her to him and pressed drawn lips to the tops of each of their heads.[b "You can all go now, but drop off your pictures outside my quarters before you do anything else."]
They began filing out in an orderly fashion, yet he caught Jax's eye and gave him a further request that he prepare for a meal that night to be cooked outside. Given the multitude of issues that had plagued them of late he wanted nothing more than to give everyone a chance to relax. He nodded obediently though there was a twinkle in his eye that Dante knew well; he would enjoy the cookies before he did anything else.
There was silence in the bridge again, leaving Dante alone to gaze about his ship reflectively. His mind was off elsewhere, eyes glazed over when Tera stepped into view before him. Looking up he saw her lips move but heard only muffled sounds, a skeptic look on his face forcing her to repeat her question.
[+red "Is your side okay Cap?"] She needn't have asked, a hand waved non-chelantly at her to dismiss her concerns as he changed topic.
[b "Where is Rhea?"] He asks off cuff.
[+red "Off with Atlas, they are over at his home."]
[b "Hm, I can guess why."] He rolled his eyes dismissively.
[+red "Dont be mean Cap."] She says with shaking her head, crossing arms beneath her chest whilst only pushed them up.
[b "It is not said through cruelty. I have no issue with it. Let them fornicate and lust after one anothers bodies, as primitive beings are prone to do."] His words hit a nerve in her, brows furrowing in distress.
[+red "Am I a primitive being for what happened in your room then, after Delia?"]
[b We are not discussing that."] Against a flick of the wrist dismisses her question and he shifts in his seat to stand.
[+red "No, we are."] She stands her ground, shows a pittance of defiance to him.
[b "Tera, step aside. There is nothing to discuss."] He remains seated though glares intently up at her.
[+red "Yes there is. What happened-"]
[b "Was a mistake."] Dejection is written across her slight features at the final word.[b "You caught me out Tera. At a time when my mind was distracted by other things, by Delia's betrayal, by Rhea being injured, by having to escape that station before the Termani arrived."]
[+red "Do you like her?"] He openly scoffed at such a question, falling back into the seat. Her tone had cried desperation.[+red "Is that why you say it was a mistake? If it's that simple just say so."] His fingers drum against the arm of the seat, his own gaze meeting her shimmering eyes and he shook his head slowly, tight lipped, holding back on spewing forth nonsense. He takes the time to calm and remain contemplative.
[b "Not that it concerns you but no, I am not attracted to her. But I have to say I am shocked, that after all these years you do not know that I stray from any relationship, avoid it outright."] He is bitter, feelings threatened and attacked by her accusing words.
[+red "Then why all this secret talking alone with her?"] It seemed she was playing her card, the reason behind her concerns; jealousy.
[b "Again, as Captain I need not explain myself to you. But to sate your appetite and stop these ridiculous accusations, I am trying to find a way out of this dilemma for us all. I do not particularly want to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder. Therefore I am trying to get as much information from her as possible. Is that a satisfactory answer?"] He looked up questioningly, brow arched with curiosity.
[+red "N-No. You spend so much time alone with her Cap. Why can't you discuss that with me?"] She shook gingerly.
[b "Because I am not here to play diplomat between everyone. I am here to run a ship. For the last time Tera, I do not need anyones affection or apathy and I believe it is beginning to bely the notion that you can carry out your assigned duties competently."]
[+red "What? You mean you're just gonna get rid of me? Like you tried with Rhea?"] He swung up from his seat at that comment, pressing her back a few steps as he took advantage of her fear.
[b "I am indeed painfully close to abandoning not just yourself but Rhea aswell, and leaving with Jax and the twins. At least they follow orders. They listen to what I tell them. They do not infer emotions or meaning where there is none. I am growing weary of these constant attacks against my judgement Tera."]
[+red "Cap, you know I only do my best for you."]
[b "Then what is with this obscure desire for me? Have I given you means to assume I would reciprocate your lust?"] His voice sounded desperate for a concise answer yet she gave naught but a shrug of indecision and looked glumly to the floor.[b "Then why are you projecting attraction and feeling when it is non-existent? Why are you giving me this much hassle over your own insecurities? I do not want a relationship with anyone. I do not want relations with anyone. I am not attracted to anyone. My only [i desire] as it were, is to keep this ship intact and this crew alive. It may not sit well with you but if this nonsense continues to be an issue I will be forced to make arrangements for your departure. Am I perfectly clear?"] She was silent, a sign he took as compliance, and with a snarl of contempt for the situation he had been forced into she is brushed aside and he leaves.
Heading down corridor to his room, the flame of anger burning brightly in his eyes, he passed by the twins quarters and the noise that constituted music to the duo. They were quite content to shout along to the vague voice in the background struggling to be heard over the instruments. At least someone was enjoying themselves.
---
Stand beside Jax looking off down the path toward Atlas' home, the lights of the ship illuminating them in the deft warmth of the night as the planet fell to darkness. Behind them, Tera and the twins sat at a portable table, waiting for their meals to finish cooking and talking amongst themselves.
[+gold "Miss Rhea not eat with us Cappy?"]
[b "No Jax. It seems Miss Rhea and her accomplice have some unfinished business they wish to attend to."]
[+gold "Oh."] He did not understand the implied nature of his words.[+gold "Jax bring Miss Rhea food?"]
[b "No Jax, that will not be necessary either. I am sure Mr Atlas will see to her needs. You go back and serve the food."]
[+gold "Cappy not eat food?"]
[b "I am quite fine Jax. I have lost my appetite of late with this damned wound. Now go ahead, I will come sit with you all shortly."] The big man hesitates but nods his head and retreats, leaving the Tiefling to stare at the far off home of a man he loathes despite knowing him for less than a day. Regardless of what he says to placate Tera, he knows his own thoughts and feelings and as he stares at the building off in the distance, a few lights inside flickering as shadows pass in front, he can only feel contempt and hatred rise.
Fighting back on such devilish thoughts of violence, eyes closing, deep breathing, hand rushing through white locks, he begins walking backwards to the table before turning, the two girls watching him closely and he offers up a false smile to bring them some ease.
---
[+blue "He needs access to the main console in order to install the shield and cloaking device."] Her voice was gentle, looking at him from behind her spectacles as a hand deftly played with the bangle about her arm. It was a begrudgingly beautiful piece, even by his non-existent standards, though he knew she had received it from [i that] individual. His eyes had been drawn to it as she had stepped onto the bridge, having only been able to view it from afar or in glimpses of seeing her.
The last few days had been spent on his back under every console and secondary system that would be charged by the new solar sail, changing over numerous parts to accept a higher charge and connect a myriad of sensors along with the swapping out. It was a large downside to new equipment, that they were much more sensitive and therefore had to be monitored more closely.
[b "I am not keen on allowing someone to mess with the command panel. It is the heart of the ship, and one mistake when landing or performing a maneuver could mean our ends."] His hand ran along the the touch screen at his side. Connected directly to the command panel it was like caressing the physical embodiment of his ship. He was connected to his vessel via this station and to allow that thing to come in and tear it all up, regardless of what shield or cloaking device he wanted to install, was something that weighed heavy on the Tiefling.
Looking away from her crimson gaze, feeling rather meek in her eyes, for the umpteenth time he found himself openly looking upon her with interest. The clothing was something he had not seen her wear before and could only come to the conclusion her liaison with her fellow Pyrenian was the answer to it's appearance. The sash about her waist accentuated curves in her physique that had been long hidden under the baggy clothing Tera had found for her, the shorts revealing long legs. These were things he had seen before, assuredly, but it seemed only now to hold his attention or that his mind made note of them.
[b "I know what you will say. That I should trust your judgement of this man. To put faith in you, not him. And for the solar sail, the engine upgrades, everything else - I trusted you, I hope you would agree."] Sitting back into his seat his hand came to rest atop the mark where his wound had been, running two fingers in concentric circles around it. He had kept Tera away from seeing it since the incident days before. He pursed his lips, golden eyes dropping to the panel at his side and his free hand idly taps at the screen several times.
[b "I do not like the thought of him playing around inside my ship like this,"] the words are wrapped in honesty,[b "but I will grant you this one last request for leniency and allow him access."] The concession was rather hollow, echoing between the silence that continually built when they spoke. His fingers tap incessantly at the screen, tongue ran over dry lips, foot tapped without rhythm on the floor, all nervous ticks to occupy a mind that would not be sated easily, all a means of halting himself from reneging on his word immediately.
A lingering question comes to the forefront, one that has played like the sickly tones of a catchy jingle on his mind for days, though he cannot bring his gilded iris to rise up, to shake free of its bonds within fear, the fear that she will see the guilt hidden away. The curiosity bests him however and in a dull and low tones, he asks.
[b "Why did you allow your research to come before your love for this man?"]