[D4 EE, Cat's Room & Hallway] Moving Rooms (Expecting, Open)

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

"I love exploring." Catherine admits in return. "Loved exploring. Still love exploring. It's been difficult though. But I think I am slowly getting back into things now. This promotion, it helps a little."

She gives him a meek little smile. "I don't get angry much, but I got the numbness for a long time." She stretches out one arm and makes a little fist. "I can't punch away my sadness. Even if I could punch well, I don't think it would work for me they way it does for you. But exploring and finding things that have been lost in the woods? That sounds fun to me."

"And not being alone. Nothing can save you from sinking into misery as much as having someone help you back up, when you can't do it yourself."

[John Slaktare]

"Alone don't help. I'd prolly be dead by now if I stayed alone in the arena. But sometimes being around people don't help that much either. All depends on if you liked folks before things went to shit and if you can find someone you care enough about."

He draws circles on the box in his lap with his fingers.

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

"Is it strange that I have never been to the arena?" Catherine asks. "I have been amongst mercenaries all my life. I have folks who care about me enough to help me up. That really helped me get back on my feet. I love exploring and I was the bravest lone little independent explorer as a kid, but at the end of the day I always had someone to hold my hand. I still do, even if the warmest biggest strongest most important hands are no longer there."

She pauses, breathing carefully to recollect herself and somehow draw another smile out of herself, even if it is on the melancholic side now.

"You have been with the Angels for two years now, Butcher. I hope you have found a place with us. A place where you want to be."

[John Slaktare]

"There's nowhere else I'd rather be," he says.

There's no smile or lightness, but he does seem sincere.

"It's good you had folks to look out for you. It's a lot harder when you don't got that. Folks here are pretty patient and understanding. Helps out when you need to be alone and the give you space."

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

She manages a somewhat lighter smile at that. "There's nowhere else I'd rather be either. This is where I belong. Have always belonged."

"They were really patient and understanding for months in my case, when I needed that." The little Lieutenant confirms. "And Laks dragged me out of this cave, when I needed someone to do that." She gestures at the nearly empty room. "It has really helped me a lot."

[John Slaktare]

"That drives me crazy a little bit. I understand why folks want to have maximum participation for outings and parties, but I spend social gatherings not socializing. It's too much," John replies.

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

"I enjoy socializing. Friends are amazing to spend time with." Catherine admits. "And whenever it got too much for me, I went out exploring."

[John Slaktare]

"Small things are fine. Like just two or three people. Or if it's an actual work detail. But keepin track of everyone is a lot. But you grew up with mercs, probably in tight quarters. People around's prolly normal. Farms are not like this."

[Gianna Rains]

When Gianna finally arrives, the energy in the room is serious. She has no hesitation walking right into Cat's room when the door is open, but she does an almost cartoonish double take at the thoughtful mechwarriors and giant bear.

"Hey Cat, sorry..." She looks around in surprise. "Um. So, sorry I'm late. But I'm excited to help. And so excited, still, about your promotion!" She smiles as brightly as a cartoon character to lighten the mood.

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

"Hey, it's okay Gi." Catherine greets her friend with a wave and accepts her apology with a smile. "Our new Gunny walked by and was kind enough to offer some help."

She briefly checks her comm set over. "Hm ... looks like the both are all who intend to come." She gives her ten packed boxes a look. "I think we may have to do multiple trips."

[John Slaktare]

"All good with me," Butcher replies, moving to put his box on one of Cat's larger ones, ready to lift and haul.

[GM Yuusha]

A bundle of energy rushed into the room.



"Hey! You need help moving?" She jumps up with her arms above her head. "Help has arrived!"

A breathless Steffen arrived at the doorway a moment later. He places a hand on it as he catches his breath.



"Laks sent us... sorry... got a bit... waylaid."

Annalena crosses her arms. "I wanted to check the hangars first."

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

"Oh hey! Corporal Anna! Staff Sergeant Steffen! Welcome to my not yet empty little cave." Catherine greets the newcomers with a quick smile and jumps up with her arms up above her head in a perfect mirror to the little one.

She waves Steffen's apology off with a smile and laughs. "Corporal Annalena got it right. Always check the hangars first."

"Thanks for coming to help me move, everyone."

[GM Yuusha]

"See? She agrees." She giggles only to then run over to crash into Cat, hugging her tight. "I can carry a box!"



"No sweat. Is this everything?" He makes a sweeping motion to encompass the boxes. And the bear. He greets Gianna with a nod while John gets a casual wave.

"Good we have some help. Evening John, Make It."

[John Slaktare]

John waves back. "Evening Steffen, Corporal. Only take a couple trips with this many of us."

He puts his hands on his hips then leans forward and back before twisting side to side, stretching out a bit.

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

Catching and hugging the girl back with a laugh, Catherine gives her a full circle spin. "Then I will rely on your carrying capacity, Corporal."

Holding onto Anna until the little one lets go on her own, she turns to look at the others.

"That's everything. Guess we are ready then. Pick any box you like. Lighter ones are on top. I'll take Bear. Let's go."

[GM Yuusha]

"Watch this!" Anna grabs one of the boxes from the top. Swaying a little, she tugs it up to chest height. "Got one." She carries it out without too much trouble after getting used to the weight.

Steffen steps inside and collects the two directly underneath. He'd have grabbed a third if it wouldn't have blocked his vision. "You better show us the way Cat."

[John Slaktare]

John picks up the pair of boxes he'd already picked out. He nods to the group, ready to go.

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

"Good job, Corporal." Catherine praises Annalena and goes to pick up her beloved Bear.

"Okay guys, follow me."

It takes some squeezing to get the massive plushie out the door.

"Oof! I should have put you on a diet, Bear."

A pretty small girl carrying a much taller teddy bear around is a comical sight.

Giant Teddy Street Carry 2.JPG (97.42 KiB) Viewed 2890 times

[GM Yuusha]

Anna and Steffen followed behind with their boxes.

"Can you even see with that? Careful Cat." Steffen calls out.