Sliet Childhood Thing

[melodiousmysteries]

Sliet wandered around the ruins almost silently, taking her time in finding her brother. Of course she knew where he was. She had for the last five minutes or so. She could hear him. Not that he was making a lot of noise, even just his breathing was enough. She carefully crept up to the desk he was hiding under, trying not to betray her presence, before quickly looking underneath the ancient-looking thing. "Gotcha!"

[Deathcap]

As he listened to Sliet pace around, Alex tried to hold as still as he possibly could, holding his breath for as long as he could. When it went quiet for a second, he thought that she'd left. When she reappeared, he let all his air out in a high pitched scream and whacked his head on the desk above him. He sank to the ground, deflating with a weary sigh, feeling his face turn red in embarrassment at his cry. "That's not fair, you were messing with me." He griped, his voice weaker than he intended as he backed out from under the desk, his heart pounding. "Okay, it's my turn, go hi-" his voice broke off as he heard the radio crackle from Sliet's pocket, and turned his attention to it, curious.

[melodiousmysteries]

Sliet restrained a laugh when Alex screamed. "Life isn't fair." She pointed out before stepping back to let him up. She jumped a little at the static, not expecting the noise. she reached down and pulled the radio from her pocket almost hastily. who was on the radio? had Otifer noticed they were gone? that would not be good. She placed the radio on the desk in front of them, waiting to hear a voice instead of the nonsensical static.

[Deathcap]

Alex listened as there was some back and forth gibberish before the signal cleared a bit and a familiar voice came through in faint bursts.

"--- be there in a bit, Otifer, do y------------ could get some food rea--?"
Alex brightened for a second. "Kat's back!" Then his smile faded as he realized where they were and looked at Sliet in horror. "Oh no, Kat's back." He stood quickly, dusting himself off. They were going to have to run back to the station; if she caught them out here he didn't want to think about what would happen. They'd probably have to clean the whole station this time.

[melodiousmysteries]

Sliet grinned at the transmission before she realized what exactly it meant. Kat was home safe, but if Kat were to find them out here, it would be worse than Otifer realizing they were missing. Kat could chase them down. She returned Alex's look of horror before nodding and reaching down to mess up the boys hair. "Run. Just don't let her find you."

[Deathcap]

Alex nodded, taking off out of the building and stopping to wait for the other. he didn't really want to get separated out here, especially when he was entirely sure of how to get back. He let Sliet lead until they were in a familiar area, then attempted to run ahead. When they reached the center, Alex looked around in concern, breathing heavily. He wasn't tired, but he hadn't had a chance to catch his breath the whole way. "I-Is she here yet?"
The snowy area was empty and quiet around them, and when he looked, there weren't any foot prints leading into the entrance. He felt relief wash over him, and made a move to open the door before jumping at the sound of another voice.

"Hey guys!" Kathrine shouted, a good length away. She was walking up towards the station with a small form in one arm, waving with the other to the kids, looking curious.

[melodiousmysteries]

Sliet ran ahead of Alex, careful not to leave the boy behind. She nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of Kat's voice, whipping around to face her. Oh shit what were going to tell her."H-hey Kat." She stuttered nervously. "Whatcha got there?" She asked, trying to keep the others attention off of the boy and herself.

[Deathcap]

Kathrine walked up to them, smiling uncertainly. They were definitely up to something they shouldn't be, but she would ask about that later. She set the small form down, who promptly hid behind her leg. "This is Ashi, she's going to be living with us now." She said softly, crouching to be on the little girl's level. "Ashi, this is Sliet and Alex."
The child, wrapped in a too-large parka, peeked at from warily, wearing a sour, unfriendly expression and not really budging from Kathrine's leg.

[melodiousmysteries]

Sliet watched the girl curiously, Kneeling on the ground slowly in an attempt to make herself seem less intimidating. "Hello there." She greeted softly, her earlier mischief completely forgotten. where had Katherine found this one? She looked almost as bad as Alex had when he'd gotten here, and a whole lot less happy about it.

[Deathcap]

Ashi shrunk back from the other without a word. Kat rubbed her back before leaning to give Sliet a little hug. "There, it's okay, Sliet's nice Ashi." She told the little one gently, before standing up.

Alex kept his distance for a moment, watching Ashi and trying to smile at her, though the child wasn't receptive.

"She's tired, it was a long trip here, let's go inside." Kathrine added, picking the little girl back up and leading the way into the station, giving Alex a little pat as well. She missed the two, and sort of hated leaving them here alone with Otifer. "So, what were you two up to?" She added, glancing back to meet eyes with them.

[melodiousmysteries]

Sliet got to her feet and followed Katherine quietly, trying not to stare at the girl. She quickly looked away when Kat asked what they had been doing. "Just, trying to get some fresh air. the empty halls were starting to feel like a tomb." She half lied, refusing to look the other in the eye. it was easier to take the fall on something smaller than to get caught on something huge. they would have to be more careful next time.

[Deathcap]

Kathrine listened to the other and glanced ahead. "Mhm. Well, the ruins are full of radiation, so that's not a good place for air. You must have been playing out front with Alex. It is nice out today." She stated innocently, before stepping forward to activate the Elevator as they reached it. As she stepped inside, the small girl looked around in terror at the whirring noise

[melodiousmysteries]

Sliet frowned rather bitterly at Kat's comment on the weather. "I wouldn't know the difference. i'm not out there enough to tell." She grumbled, leaning up against the wall of he elevator.

[Deathcap]

Alex, looking straight ahead and trying to avoid Kathrine's gaze for fear she'd know if she saw his face, glanced over as Sliet complained.

Kathrine looked over at her quietly, feeling discontent rise in her chest. She knew the other likely wanted to get out and be able to see the world. It just wasn't an option right now. She had taken the girl out on trips before, but she knew the majority of Sliet's life had been stuck in the station with Otifer and Alex, especially when Kathrine herself had to spend so much time on repairs, or lately, trying to track down others from the project. And it was hardly safe for Sliet to be out there running around. She was smart and quick, but that wasn't always enough. She hesitantly reached over to pat the girl's arm. "Hey, maybe we can do something soon, okay?

[melodiousmysteries]

Sliet looked at Kat cautiously, involuntarily excited at the idea of maybe getting out of here for a little while. She didn't want to get her hopes up. "Okay." She sighed, not entirely convinced.

[Deathcap]

Kathrine tried to offer a tired smile, about to continue before the door dinged open and the automated voice played. Ashi didn't respond to it much, besides looking around once over Kathrine's shoulder.

As they entered the main living area, Kat opened the door and headed in. Otifer glanced up at them, then noticed the children and his expression bittered. "Where have you two been?" He demanded, his voice wiry as he turned towards them.

Kathrine puffed. So they had been off somewhere. She felt to tired to chastise them at this point, and she didn't want Otifer to scare Ashi, so she attempted to change the topic. "Otifer, This is Ashi. She was in Coal Town, She's going to be staying with us as well. She's a little shy, why don't you come say hello?"

The man stared down Sliet and Alex for a moment before noticing the younger girl as Kathrine set her down. He struggled over, his legs stiff as he tried to bend down, and waved at her a little. "Hello there."

Kathrine turned to Sliet and Alex. "Would you guys mind taking her to a room so she can pick out a place to sleep? I need to speak with Otifer." She asked, giving a very reluctant Ashi a little nudge towards them.

[melodiousmysteries]

Sliet avoided Otifers gaze, trying to seem as innocent as possible stepping behind Alex even though their height difference did little to hide her. "On it." she eagerly replied to Kat, hoping that if they got away Otifer might forget about them before they got back. She quickly walked past the others, waving for Ashi to follow her. "C'mon kid." she called back to her. Ashi didn't seem to like anyone but Katherine near her, so some space was probably a good idea.

[Deathcap]

Ashi took a few moments to pull herself away from Kat, and fallowed the two uncertainly. She stumbled a little, as if she had a limp, as he fallowed behind them. She seemed unaware of her surroundings, not really taking interest in anything as she trailed behind.

"Hello." Alex said, his voice friendly as he walked near her, after no reply, he spoke again. "Do you like card games?" He asked hopefully, but received no more response then last time. "I can teach you?"

As they reached the next open room, Ashi approached cautiously, then froze, digging her nails into the doorframe.

[melodiousmysteries]

Sliet walked in silence, listening to Alex talking behind her. She would have been surprised if Alex could get anything out of her. She would talk when she was ready. She turned when she heard the smaller girl stop, watching her curiously. "Are you okay?" She asked softly, trying not to freak out the poor girl any more than she already was.

[Deathcap]

Ashi hesitated, backing away from the door way, reluctant to go through. As Sliet spoke, she glanced at her in wide eyes. "No." She stated, though not in particular to the other's question, she just wanted them to know she wasn't going in there.

Alex looked at the little one in confusion, and tried to help out a little. "It's nice. The bed is soft."
"No."
"Yes it is!"
"No!"
"Come on, you can jump on it. It's fun!"
"No!" Ashi stomped her foot, looking angrily at Alex for his attempts.

[melodiousmysteries]

"Alex." Sliet snapped at the boy when the two argued. That wasn't going to help anybody. "She doesn't have to come in here if she doesn't want to." She said, trying not to growl at him. "What's the problem, kid?" She asked, turning to the girl again.

[Deathcap]

Alex crossed his arms, holding back a noise of exasperation as the other snapped at him.

Ashi glanced at Sliet, not sure how to explain her fear to the other, not even feeling like it, really. No one really listened when she spoke, so it felt weird to have the attention on her, and wasn't sure how to handle it. "I don't want to." She tried, strained.

[melodiousmysteries]

Sliet watched the girl curiously, sitting cross-legged in front of the door. "Why?" she asked innocently, tilting her head to the side.

[Deathcap]

Ashi backed up a little again, as if the other might grab her. She shook her head. "I don't want to. Don't want it closed." She tried to describe uncertainly. She didn't want to end up locked in the room and abandoned, or trapped if they didn't want her around. She hated that.

[melodiousmysteries]

Sliet blinked at the small girl in confusion. "You mean the door?" she asked, slowly getting to her feet to examine it. She eyed the hinges for a moment before backing up, gripping the door tightly and giving it a rough tug. She heard the squeaking of metal and the cracking of wood as she pulled it clear of the hinges. Several bits of metal and door fell to the floor as she set it aside. She smiled a bit at her work before looking back at the girl. "Better?"

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