Sometimes, Anarchy Is Best ~~ Shadows

14.) Alastair

Rune was thinking about a lot, that much was clear. As Alastair waited at the bottom of the stairwell for Ewe and Gray to get back with Gray's car – which was about as hidden as Ewe's treasure stashes – he couldn't help but notice faraway look in the brunette hybrid's eyes. He couldn't help but wonder what she was so lost in thought about – it could really be anything, considering how much was still unknown about her and everything that had happened recently.

However, despite her thinking, she seemed content enough, licking her popsicle. He found it kind of amusing how she refused to bite into it, instead opting to catch the melting parts before they dripped off. Archer, meanwhile, had taken far too big of a bite and was now sucking on nearly half the popsicle like a hard candy.

Shaking his head, Alastair turned back to the stairwell. Just how long does it take to load like 7 small bags into a car? he wondered, before reminding himself they were also getting the car, and only Gray knew where it was stored away. Plus, knowing Gray, he'd probably open every door twice because the first opening didn't feel right and then he needed symmetry. The second we don't have to hide anymore, I'm getting you medication, he promised silently, a surge of worry going through his head remembering all the past instances of his overly compulsive moments.

The longer he waited, the more that surge of worry settled in his gut into a pull of sorts, only egging on his impatience until he was pacing, glaring at the ground with a hand instinctively on his belt where his dagger was hidden. "Al? You okay?" Archer asked once he'd finished his popsicle.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Alastair muttered back, barely sparing him a glance as he looked back at the stairwell. "How long has it been."

"Like, 15 minutes?" Rune chimed in inquisitively. "Why?"

"Ugh," Alastair huffed. "Why is that such a reasonable amount of time?!" he growled.

Archer chuckled. "Because they're fine and on time. They'll be back, dude."

"Don't "dude" me." he retorted, irritation bubbling in his throat. "I'm getting a bad feeling. You two come on, we're gonna go look for them." he decided, starting up the staircase.

"Doesn't only Gray know where the car is?" Rune asked. "How are we gonna find them?"

Alastair glanced back at her, reminding himself not to snap out something rash. "I don't know. Even just waiting outside would be better for my sanity though,"

Rune smiled. "Mine too. I don't like inside." she said with far too much innocence for the world she was in.

Archer nudged her shoulder. "That's cuz you're a bird. You wanna be able to fly and see the sun."

"Yep!" As Alastair exited the door to the base, he could hear the continued grin in her voice. Why's she so fucking cute-

He heard the click of the door as Archer locked it behind him, and the rustling of wings as Rune stretched. "I want a dress." Rune chirped suddenly, making Alastair chuckle at the randomness as her and Archer started talking about the pros and cons of dresses and how different colors would look on her and how she used to wear them when she was little.

It seemed neither of them realized they were all walking. Where, Alastair didn't know. He was just going where his gut led him, trying to guess based on his knowledge of the area where Gray and Ewe could be. That said, since he truly had to idea, he ended staying within a couple blocks of the base, ensuring that if they came back they wouldn't miss each other. Great, now I'm just pacing over a larger distance. Wonderful help that is, he thought bitterly.