I Know What You Did Last Summer

[only_an_echo]

WHO: Echo et al. (you)
WHERE: Wherever everyone is at the time, Temba and/or Sh'Ka
WHAT: Echo has Thoughts™ and Feelings™ about the recent storm but is going to do more than just a check-in over the communication devices.
WHEN: Some time after the storm
WARNINGS: N/A unless there's something really specific that comes up, we should all be good

= = = = =

A. For the Sh'Ka Demolition Group

Despite keeping Omega company and having the distracting security of a curious mothkitten climbing all over him, Echo had concerns. Legitimate concerns. The storm should have brought about some relief in its passing, but the cloud was still there, playing over again in the back of his mind. Finally seeing what Cayde saw in the blizzard forced the clone to think back on what the specter meant by its cryptic message. And the longer he did that, the more he wasn't getting any better answers on his own.

The 'We Need To Talk' look was clearly written upon his face when he sought out the others - Tony, Jon, Billy, Soldier, and Cayde - dropping by their usual haunts (if he could find them) with a child by his side and a mothkitten riding his shoulder, patting at his armor. Even with the two softening his grizzled soldier demeanor by a few degrees, his brow furrowed to the point where the lines had distinct memory of the creases he collected over the years.

"We may have bitten off more than we can chew."


B. For Everyone

Normally, Echo would have called for a head count over the comm device to see if everyone was still alive. This time, however, he made it a point to be more direct in regards to the weather, searching for people to help where he could.

Even after working so hard, he took some time to rest, staying where everyone tended to gather. Omega was a constant presence somewhere nearby, and the mothkitten preoccupied herself by sniffing and squeezing into his removed helmet.

Little things. That was enough to keep him grounded in the present.



OOC Notes:
1) We can assume the characters have met briefly.
2) Prose or action poses are fine, I'll do whatever you're doing 👍
3) Need to handwave? That's cool with me, we can just make a note of it ahhh

Comments

[only_an_echo]

While Omega could have easily told him about Dustin's situation, she kept her end of the promise. Since she was busy tailing Dart, the coughing was most likely the culprit.

Echo stands there, just as still as he slowly relaxes his stance. He doesn't want to scare Dustin off, waiting to see what his next move will be before saying anything. And to be fair, the teen's reaction is a lot more tolerable than he expected.

"Couldn't help but overhear, but that sounds concerning," the clone says with a frown. "Is this your place?"

[quark_assassin]

The storm has done an excellent job of draining the fight out of him, yes. Not all of it, but most of it.

"It's getting better," Dustin mumbles. Which is true; his fever broke within minutes of his powers coming back, so what remains is just the fluid stuck in his lungs and an incredibly sore throat. He estimates it will be at least another week before that sorts itself out. "This..."

Dustin pauses, shuffling his feet in the snow. He really doesn't want to tell someone else where he lives, but he also can't bring himself to lie, so, here we are.

"...Is close," he eventually compromises, raising a suspicious eyebrow, and leaves it at that.

[only_an_echo]

"Right." Although very worn out, Echo still holds onto a bit of that gruffness he usually has about him. But he takes the answer for what it is, pausing to remove his helmet once the back unlocks from the implant band that wrapped around the back of his head.

His brow furrows, holding onto an unspoken worry as he goes about asking more generalized questions. "Do you need any help clearing the snow? Or getting supplies?"

[quark_assassin]

At least he doesn't follow up for more details. Dustin releases a breath that comes out haggard and ends in a suppressed, wheezing cough.

"Managed fine on my own so far," comes the hoarse reply, along with a narrowing of his eyes. He doesn't ask why he cares - Echo's already made it clear to him what his answer will be after the last storm - so instead, Dustin goes for a redirect. "You don't have anyone else to go bother?"

[only_an_echo]

"So far," Echo echoes unironically. Not that he doesn't believe Dustin can do things in his current condition. Not that he wants to leave him alone to do everything himself, and that goes for everyone else in Temba as well.

Maybe he is overthinking it on his part.

So of course he tries to ignore his leftover paranoia to answer the question.

"At the moment? No. I don't." Just as succinct as his last answer, but lacking the harshness he has whenever his patience is tested. "Look at it this way - with Omega's help, the faster we finish here, the sooner we'll be out of your hair. Would you be okay with that?"

[quark_assassin]

Dustin rolls his eyes, even before Echo has the opportunity to follow up on his reasoning. Of course he doesn't have anyone else to go bother. Setting himself up for that answer, wasn't he? Could offer another target, possibly, but--

Well he has a point. Dustin's gaze flicks to the ground and a hand sweeps through his bushy, irritatingly tangled and unwashed hair, as if unconsciously trying to pull Echo and Omega out of it. That gives him an idea, actually.

"--The Hangar," he says suddenly. More of an implied answer to Echo's question, but it's not a rejection, right? "Need to get to the Palm Cottage, but the snowdrifts leading up to it are...deep. Clearing a path would be beneficial for everyone."

Dustin's not the only one that's spent the last four days without access to plumbing, after all. A nice, warm shower sounds like an absolute luxury right now, and would probably do wonders for his lingering congestion.

[only_an_echo]

It's better than having nothing. It's something he can work with and a small step in the right direction.

A faint smile sneaks its way onto Echo's face as he 'perks' a bit, nodding in understanding to the request Dustin makes. "...All right. I'll let Omega know and we'll get started," he says after making another snow observation. "It may take some time. However, if we get more hands on deck, the faster the work will go." Shouldn't be too difficult wrangling in other people to do that much, right?

(He can always go drill sergeant on the others if it comes down to it, but a firm-handed approach seems to be the more acceptable way of going about these things.)