[Cecily beams with pride. Teo, for as much as he can with his hidden face, seems rapt. He nearly forgets to breathe. She twirls a hand.]
"Not the construction, but in clearing out the areas so settlements could form. We've made rounds back to a few when they're ready to expand their area and build out. That's what we usually do. Clearing out cities is more... extracurricular! So, in the future, Scavengers can come through here for supplies or even safely live someday."
[If he were still aside, this would sound promising. He might've latched onto the hope. As it is, all he can think about is one place. His hands curl in on themselves to stop him from reaching out and shaking her.]
New Port... Settlement... on ninth... Do you know it...?
[Cecily blinks and glances from him to Ryder and back. His nails bite into his palm.]
"Well, it's still standing, last we were there, but..." She hisses through her teeth. "You're looking at a state size trek East. It's pretty rough out that way." She brightens. "But the good news is, Outpost five, or Coltwater, isn't far from here at all. You're looking to go west into woodland, past the first town there, and a bit into woodland again. It's pretty easy to miss and it isn't very big, but it's something."
[The addition of, more of something than holing up in a city, lays implied. He should be taking Ryder there, to see her safe. He shouldn't be acting so desperate. He should be thinking at all. But his hands unclench, scrambling for the pocket on his jacket by his heart, fumbling, making it with something...]
Sara... s-Sara... Do you--?
[He doesn't get to finish. Cecily barely gets to open her mouth. In quick strides, Maddy rushes over and grasps him by the wrist, yanking it up. He lets out a strangled yelp of surprise.]
no subject
[Cecily beams with pride. Teo, for as much as he can with his hidden face, seems rapt. He nearly forgets to breathe. She twirls a hand.]
"Not the construction, but in clearing out the areas so settlements could form. We've made rounds back to a few when they're ready to expand their area and build out. That's what we usually do. Clearing out cities is more... extracurricular! So, in the future, Scavengers can come through here for supplies or even safely live someday."
[If he were still aside, this would sound promising. He might've latched onto the hope. As it is, all he can think about is one place. His hands curl in on themselves to stop him from reaching out and shaking her.]
New Port... Settlement... on ninth... Do you know it...?
[Cecily blinks and glances from him to Ryder and back. His nails bite into his palm.]
"Well, it's still standing, last we were there, but..." She hisses through her teeth. "You're looking at a state size trek East. It's pretty rough out that way." She brightens. "But the good news is, Outpost five, or Coltwater, isn't far from here at all. You're looking to go west into woodland, past the first town there, and a bit into woodland again. It's pretty easy to miss and it isn't very big, but it's something."
[The addition of, more of something than holing up in a city, lays implied. He should be taking Ryder there, to see her safe. He shouldn't be acting so desperate. He should be thinking at all. But his hands unclench, scrambling for the pocket on his jacket by his heart, fumbling, making it with something...]
Sara... s-Sara... Do you--?
[He doesn't get to finish. Cecily barely gets to open her mouth. In quick strides, Maddy rushes over and grasps him by the wrist, yanking it up. He lets out a strangled yelp of surprise.]