No More Surprises

“Yikes…. Really?” Luciana asked with a slight laugh as she looked around. “Well, I mean, I guess everyone has a different perspective of this place. It’s good to see what all the residents think before developing my opinion of it.”

"We just got past the apocalypse and even that felt like a typical Tuesday around here. It's pretty ridiculous, all things considered. Even without my bias, and with my bias, I wouldn't be here if I didn't have to be."

"Oh wow, really? Man, this place definitely doesn't have the best track record if something so abstract can feel normal. There must be a lot that happens regularly." Luciana said with a sigh, moving some hair from her face as she thought about her decision to take her current mission and move here. Maybe this wasn't the best option she had. There was probably a better mission that someone else got all because she wasn't patient enough. "Is there at least a good place to eat around here?"

"No, no, it is as bad as you think."

“Yikes…. Really?” Luciana asked with a slight laugh as she looked around. “Well, I mean, I guess everyone has a different perspective of this place. It’s good to see what all the residents think before developing my opinion of it.”

“It’s nice to finally be back…. I guess. I wonder how long it’ll take Artem to get here.”

Cambri paused at what he said, her smile fading as she furrowed her brows sadly. “I’m sorry, Artem… I didn’t think of it that way…” she whispered. It honestly didn’t even pass in her mind that he’d be this worried about losing her. “It won’t happen again, I promise. Also, Leanders friend was very helpful and took very good care of me, okay?” She said reassuringly. “I’m really sorry about worrying you.”

“It’s nice to finally be back…. I guess. I wonder how long it’ll take Artem to get here.”

"I am here and I am outraged! WHY DIDN'T YOU CALL?" Artem ran to Cambri and pulled her into a worried hug. "What if you had gotten hurt or killed? YOU CAN'T TRUST LEANDER'S FRIENDS."

Cambri went wide eyed and laughed a bit, hugging her brother back. “I’m fine, aren’t I? I’m not hurt, I’m not broken, and I’m actually quite happy now that I’ve gained more independence.” She said with a smile, tilting her head as she looked up at him. “I’m sorry I didn’t call, but I was really upset at first and didn’t want you to be mad.”

11! - @infamousfailure

“Sure I can handle that.” He said as he messaged Geno and got it all figured out and handled. It was nice having acquaintances at times like these. “Geno and I go back a bit.” He said simply. At what she said, he raised a brow and looked down at her. “Adelphia. That is not my intention. I expect nothing out of this besides getting the chance to hear you sing again. That, to me, is absolutely priceless. I’d pay anything to be blessed with such a voice again.”

“How is it every time I go shopping, I write a list of what I need and manage to walk out with anything but what’s on the list?”

“Honestly, I don’t even know. I think we’re broken up right now but still together at the same time? It’s very complicated. Even when we’re broken up we’re not broken up.” He said and shrugged with a sigh as he lowered his phone a bit for her to see the list.

"That sounds complicated and like you two will never actually come to a conclusive answer on your relationship. But I guess it's better than being divorced and hating each other." She shrugged, wondering how he handled that type of relationship since he was generally a soft guy.

“I definitely get frustrated sometimes… with it…” he mumbled as he slowed down his walking a bit subconsciously. Clearing his throat, he went back to picking out outfits and such, putting a smile back on his face, “but it’s alright. We both care about each other and it shows at the end of the day. Even when she yells.”

"You know, out of all the bad in my life. I made a good choice in my friend."

Desmiara sighed softly, running her fingers through his hair. “I already do.” She whispered and hugged him close when he buried his face in the crook of her neck. “I don’t care if there’s better out there. You’re here now.”

"You know, out of all the bad in my life. I made a good choice in my friend."

Closing her eyes, Desmiara wrapped her arms around his neck and played with his hair softly. “I do… I can’t control who I love and care about, Lysandus. No matter how hard I may try.” She whispered as she held him close. In all honesty, she never intended on this coming out the way it did. Sighing she shook her head a bit, “I don’t care about who else is out there. I care about you. I wouldn’t have mourned you if I didn’t.”

11! - @infamousfailure

“I’m aware it is. I just figured you’d appreciate a frequent spa trip compared to just one random one. Besides, it’s always nice to be pampered and Geno’s prices aren’t astronomical.” He said with a shrug as he let her take his phone. Furrowing his brows, he shook his head, having paid for it with his own card and money. “I’m not plotting anything, Adelphia.”

“How is it every time I go shopping, I write a list of what I need and manage to walk out with anything but what’s on the list?”

“Honestly, I don’t even know. I think we’re broken up right now but still together at the same time? It’s very complicated. Even when we’re broken up we’re not broken up.” He said and shrugged with a sigh as he lowered his phone a bit for her to see the list.

"You know, out of all the bad in my life. I made a good choice in my friend."

“I know, and I understand that. She’ll be okay, though. Don’t worry so much, you’ll get worry lines.” She teased him softly to try and lighten the mood on the subject. He had every right to feel the way he did, especially when it came to Libby.

11! - @infamousfailure

“Alright, alright. I get your point.” He said and chuckled a bit to himself as he booked her a recurring appointment. After the booking was confirmed he showed her the confirmation and raised a brow. “There you go. Now about that private concert.”

“How is it every time I go shopping, I write a list of what I need and manage to walk out with anything but what’s on the list?”

"That's why it's good to acknowledge the favorism so you don't unconsciously make him feel that way. Especially since you are trying to rebuild trust with him and make sure he doesn't put someone in the hospital." Uma spoke using her own experience as a driving factor.

Evan nodded softly, “I’ll be sure to acknowledge it and do better about it because Galileo deserves the world and so much more.” He said and looked at the list, rubbing the back of his list. “Damn… okay, we’re going to be here longer than I expected.”

"You know, out of all the bad in my life. I made a good choice in my friend."

“But what if she is happy? Just playing devils advocate… I know you don’t like him because you believe Libby deserves the best of the best, but it’s okay.” she said before pausing.

11! - @infamousfailure

“Yeah, I know.” He said softly before pretending he was stabbed through the heart. “Really? Not even for me?” He teased as he thought for a moment. Humming deeply, he tapped his chin. “I suppose I can treat you to a spa trip if that’s the price I have to pay to hear you sing while I clean with you.” He said as he pulled out his phone to contact Geno.