Shards

Photoshoot: 2 Rounds

Shard drops the toiletries in Octavia's arms. "We've got another photoshoot, darling!"

Octavia juggles the bag in her hands to prevent dropping it.

"We got the supplies yesterday and while we check them a safe distance from home, us at home are gonna have another picture day!" Shard says. "We're even gonna have one big class photo all together. Doesn't that sound like fun?"

"Everyone will be in it?"

"Yep-a-rooni! Just as the Committee requested. Now go on. Shower up." Shard pushes her into the bathroom and closes the door on her.

After undoing her chain, throwing the key under the door, and undressing, she turns the shower on. Icy water washes over her. She misses relaxing hot showers but has come to appreciate how sobering the cold water is. It wakes her mind to think.

She's anxious to see everyone, especially Mindy and Xander. Octavia has spent days wondering how bad Mindy's injuries are and just what state Xander is in. Xander picking fights with the guards cannot have left him in the best shape. Shard has even mentioned how bothersome he has been as well as Maxwell, Gracie, and especially Ajax. Maxwell had always been quiet in the past, and Octavia knows little about him. All she knows is he is always the bartender to underground events. She doesn't even know who his parents are. But Octavia knows more than she cares to about Gracie and Ajax.

Gracie is a drama queen who has started a lot of drama for her and Mindy through spreading rumors and stretched truths on her NetChannel. For whatever reason, she likes causing Mindy and Octavia misery. Mindy still spends time with her, much to Octavia's protest, since she's a believer in keeping enemies close.

And Ajax likes to cause everyone misery. Octavia knows of no one who honestly likes him. Ajax doesn't seem to care as long as he can get his way and have his fun. Octavia believes his concern for only himself goes as deep as his DNA. He was born as a 'miracle child' to his parents and his parents raised him to believe it. But the older he gets, the more his parents loath his presence. People who willingly hang around him do because they have to during events or want the perks of being around someone rich. The latter never last long.

Though she has no bond with these two - and doesn't care to - nor a bond with others captured, she still wants to see them all in good health. But something about this setup makes her uneasy. Everyone at the party managed to get along since they were able to stick to their cliques, but not everyone liked each other at the party. Octavia hopes this shared experience of being hostages will somehow bring enough understanding, unity, and harmony for everyone to get along.

Octavia dries and dresses. She brushes her teeth after she and Shard eat. They head to the Courtyard.

Before entering the Courtyard, Shard fishes a rope from his jacket. "You're gonna have to match your friends out there." He ties the rope around her wrists. "Don't want anyone getting jealous of your free-range hands. I won't gag ya though unless ya get too mouthy. But if ya feel like spilling any government secrets while we're out here together, please do."

Octavia rolls her eyes. There's no sense in fighting against Shard tying her wrists. It would result in useless injuries. Experience shows his superior strength.

Surprisingly, Shard ties the rope fairly loose around her wrists. "There! And a pretty bow to top it off." He pats the bow Octavia can't see but can feel a string dangling from it brush her palms and fingers. Shard pushes her through the doors. "We're here!" Shard's voice rings through the Courtyard.

A few people glance at his entrance. The yard is not as silent this time. Photographers hover around snapping pictures. They give orders to handlers on how to pose hostages. Handlers fuss at their hostages. Hostages who are gagged mutter through the cloth while struggling against their restraints. Xander is one of them. His handler struggles to keep him contained. But Xander catches sight of Octavia. He stops directly facing his handler and nearly knocks over a photographer to go towards Octavia. His handler and the nearly toppled photographer keep him from going to her. A series of muffles sound like Xander calls her name.