Not only flesh and blood

Avery, please. That’s hardly a tasteful thing to say.

But it might be true.

Oh thank you. You’ve got amazing cheekbones. And curves for days.

Oh, uh, thank you. Everyone has always told me that I look like my grandmother did when she was little.

I wouldn’t be surprised.

Very cheerful. Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Oh, right. So you’re apart of the famous trio, huh?

I wouldn't call us famous.. infamous maybe.

Stories about adventures mostly, like… knights, and dragons, and stuff!

Then I have the perfect story for you. There aren't any dragons or knights, but there are pirates!

I wouldn’t exactly use the word fun. What’s your job? 

I work in the labs. I think they're calling the three of us investigative scientist now.

Yeah, that’s just not how it works for me. [He said, trying to not sound cold. Nobody seemed to quite understand that resting in his bed just wasn’t an option for him]

Alright, alright, but a few minutes won't kill you.

Well… what do you have? Could you suggest something? Or, wait! Read me something!

It's mostly just textbooks and journals. I have a few fictions that I really liked growing up though. I, uh, I guess I could read you somethin' if you want. What sort of books do you like?

After lots of annoying tests, they assigned me as a hunter.

That seems like a fun job. I could never do it, of course. They won't even let me touch a gun.

Eden Markos. It’s nice to meet you.

It's nice to meet you too. What have they assigned you to around here?

Do we have any books? I haven’t read one in awhile.

I keep a pretty big stash, actually. I managed to have a lot when the outbreak happened. You can borrow any one that you want though.

Keep on defending, you’re good at it.

Well, thank you. I'm Avery, by the way.

I sure hope so. I’m way too pretty to die. Although maybe it’s good to die now while I’m pretty. -scrunches her face slightly in thought-

I'm sure you'll always be pretty. You're a very pretty girl.

Well, I do, because I start losing my mind and then I freak out and I just make everything worse.

Then take a deep breathe and don't freak out.

Hey, I never said it was a bad thing.

I guess I'm just used to defendin' him to people. He tends to step on toes.

Believe me, I get worse if I don’t do anything. [He sighed, but nodded and sat down next to her like she was asking.] Here, here. I’m sat. Happy?

No one gets worse from relaxing. I know it's a hard pill to swallow, but people will be fine if you just sit and talk for a while. 

Still. No medication. One of us could easily go in the middle of the night. Xander only got worse in a matter of hours.

We're keeping mostly well, and we've got people checkin' on us twice a day at the very least. I think we'll be alright.