Threads

16, Move Like Quicksilver

The thing with fighting, is that there is a lot to be done after the actual fight. With the adrenaline gone everything goes slowly. The Fox briefly helped them, and then melted off into the wood, leaving behind an allowance for them to stay an extra night until they could get back. Diana and Neal did all the hunting that night while Britta stayed behind.

She did a better job of fixing up wounds and made sure everyone was fine. Clyde, pale but ok, had left to just behind the tent. She suspected that he was doing just what she had. Been sick from the sight of their first fight.

She followed and held his head as he emptied his stomach.

"I did the same," she told him wearily.

"It's tradition." He joked, warily, wiping his mouth on his sleeve.

Britta shrugged. "As much a part of the fight as, well, as the fight itself." She answered, pulling her daggers out and trying to scrub the blood off them. She had washed her old clothes too and put on fresh ones. But even now the battle clothes were dry and clean, she still thought she could smell blood.

Clyde soon moved off again, sitting down river and giving his sword another scrub.

Britta moved back inside the tent. Thom was still sleeping soundly. Ed also had his eyes closed, but, like at the abbey, she could tell he was coming close to waking. Finally he opened his eyes and met Britta's own.

"That's a little creepy you know?" He croaked.

Britta rolled her eyes.

"Where's Diana?" Ed asked.

"She'll be back soon. Why?" Britta asked.

Ed shrugged. "I imagine her to be a bit more sympathetic."

"Well you'll see her soon. We need to talk."

Ed groaned. "You going to interrogate me now?" He asked.

Britta cracked her knuckles and gave him her best glare. Then she smiled. Ed reached up a hand to stroke her face. Britta let herself lean into the caress for one second and then stopped his hand with her own.

"This, is what we're going to talk about." She said.

Ed bit his lip. "You want, me to choose between us." He stated.

"You don't have to choose any of us." She said, we just want a choice.

"Will you be offended?" Ed asked softly.

"If I'm honest-"

"Oh dear." Ed interrupted.

Britta sent him a glare. "If you weren't injured I'd smack you." She threatened. "If I'm honest I don't think I want to keep this going. Maybe I do like you. A little bit."

Ed snorted.

"Or I liked kissing you. Is that the same thing? No. It's not. It really isn't. But Duane-Diana and you, I can see that already; it will last between you."

Ed sighed, "You give up too easily." He said mournfully.

"I haven't given up on our friendship." She said. "And remember, Diana and I? We're completely different people." She was glad to say that aloud.

Diana walked in and Britta smiled at her.

So the interrogation begins. Britta told her.

"We wanted to sort this out properly Ed." Said Diana firmly. Britta knew her sister was terrified of his answer before she had asked the question.