Chapter Text
"You have to do something. W-what, she gets free reign around the place? The very place where important scientific pursuits are occuring?"
Arcade swallowed, indignant speech coming to a flustered end, his eyes scanning his superior desperately. It was only eight - no, seven - in the God-damned morning, and sleep still clung to his eyes despite his hurried rush to the edge of camp. He watched on, wishing he could tell the expression on the Followers Leader, but his glasses were still no where to be found. A small inconvenience, sure; though it was the final straw that broke the metaphorical camel's back. So to say, Arcade had been subject to well over enough.
The leader, an older man with silvery hair by the name of Joseph McCain, brought a calloused hand up to stroke his stubble. Arcade heard him take in a breath, though he couldn't see much beyond the blurried mess that was his face.
"Look, Arcade, we all misplace things-"
"No, Joseph," Arcade strained, "She took them. She takes everything, spills everything, hell- she spikes everything I put to my mouth-"
"No, okay, listen," Joseph brought his hands up, blubbering in his attempt to cool down the man. He sighed again, and resettled on his footing awkwardly. Maybe on a better day, Arcade would've been embarrassed to act so impulsively in front of the older leader. On better days, Arcade would keep his cool, and try to be his most proud self to the rather handsome man, admiring the glint of his silvered hair, the roughness of his stubble, sky-blue eyes, and the age lines defining his face in a desirable, rugged art...
...on better days, Arcade could see. Now, he was a blind and tired tangle of explosive anger.
The hot California sun was on the rise, and he breathed heavily through his nose, trying to straighten himself when he heard Joseph start again.
"I get it, Arcade, I do," He swallowed, his smooth voice an uncomfortable calm against the storm, "She's... unruly. But you understand locals, don't you? Not everyone learns ways to... to properly express themselves."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"What I'm saying is: I see her bothering you, day in and day out. Already, she's a high-strung kid, but she only does this to you."
"Yes," Arcade seethed. He felt as if steam was going to start billowing from his head, "Just. Me. She contributes nothing. Why is she allowed to cause such a... a... disturbance?"
"She wants your attention, Arcade."
"Well, she's fucking got it, alright!"
"Calm," Joseph clipped, bringing his hands up again, before letting them fall to his sides. He looked around, leaning in a little to Arcade, and the younger man almost saw a smile form on his features.
"You're the youngest here. You're gentle to her, intelligent, and she can see that. I think she... she looks up to you, and she wants to make her presence known, you know what I mean?"
"I don't..."
"She's fourteen years old. A child. When she got here, she told me it was her first stop after splitting from her hometown - back in the Boneyard. Doesn't know her father, mother just died a couple weeks before she ran. She told me she's from nothing but a bar and its drunkard tender, and she wanted to make something of herself. And you know what? I believe her.
She shows promise with medicine, she's got a good heart and it shows. So she's a little rowdy, blunt, I know. You don't have to take her under your wing, Arcade, not at all... just, a little grace, you know? Not everyone is fortunate enough to be educated, or have parents. Just give the damn girl a little grace."
Arcade breathed deeply, his shoulders falling from their tensed state. He massaged one, bouncing the thought in his mind. Really, she... she wasn't so bad. She was just a kid. Was that what it was? She just didn't know how to ask for attention?
How unfortunate it was that the young scientist was at the receiving end of her interest. He didn't have small talk, social skills... Hell, he didn't even want kids, he wasn't prepared to deal with someone else's.
"Okay," Arcade swallowed, nodding, "Okay. I got it. Thanks... Joseph."
"No, Arcade. Thank you."