(Reverence 2, 59 / 8:17AM)

(Luke) Wait. Elizabeth Sanchez?!

(Sean) You guys know her?!

(Luke) Sort of … she helped us in the counterattack on Lagefor.

(Jack) And she’s pretty useful too!

The trio of siblings looked toward the ginger-haired elf that stood near the window.

Christian folded his arms while glaring at Sean, his nostrils flaring upward as he was just a few inches away from him. Pacifica, who was a foot behind Christian, put on a bored expression as her eyes were pushed down, folding her arms below her chest.

As for the light brown-haired teen, he placed both of his hands on Christian’s right shoulder, shaking them back and forth with his eyes forming a glare.

(Chris) Sean planned this for many months!

(Christian) I don’t care, you’re not going.

(Chris) But—

(Luke) I wanna hear something…

Luke placed himself in between Chris and Christian, having both of his hands hovering over the two male’s chests. Still having that glare, Christian took a step back, pinning his eyes onto Luke.

Not a single droplet of sweat poured out from him. Puckering up his lips, Luke swallowed a load of saliva down his throat, his front teeth barely seen as his mouth was slightly open.

(Luke) I know you don’t want to go, but can you give us a reason why?

(Christian) That place is a goddamn yellowjacket nest! Just standing near the ranch would get you shot!

(Miles) All the more reason as to why we shouldn’t go.

(Christian) And you guys said it yourself that you’re criminals. If you guys go, then not only you but even me and my soldiers would be sent to The Dome.

Luke rubbed his fingers along his chin, closing his eyes shut while hearing the hard breathing from Chrisitian’s nostrils.

Like a man solely analyzing the floor, Luke slowed his breath as even a mouse was louder than his intake. His side-bang covering his right eye, many of the Dark Angels and the trio of siblings stood by and watched as Luke thought to himself.

Opening his eyes, he slowly tilted his head upward, letting his vision take in everyone who was inside the room.

(Luke) How about this? There are going to be three sides or factions in this vote. Who here wants to go to the ranch?

Only two hands were raised, the two in question being none other than Sean and Chris. Checking to see that no one else has raised their hands, Luke put both of his hands onto his sides before clearing his dry throat again.

(Luke) Alright, who here doesn’t care if they go or not?

Luna, Pacifica, Gary, Diego, and Jack all raised their hands in unison, with Pacifica letting out a loud yawn that was painfully obvious. Luna, who heard the yawn, scrunched up her face while making a sour expression like she tasted battery acid.

Letting out a soft chuckle, a bead of sweat rolled down his right temple, as the third question finally dawned on him.

(Luke) Now for third, who doesn’t want to—

Christian and Miles raised their hands before the answer was said.

(Luke) Go to the ranch?

Hope, Stan, and Fred raised their hands held high, rivaling the neutral group with the same amount of votes. Rubbing the back of his head, Luke let out a wry smile as he looked over toward Sean.

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Sean had his arms folded onto his chest, rolling his eyes as he slowly trailed back and forth in front of the window. Not wanting to look at the people in front of him, Sean clenched both his wisdom teeth like he was biting onto a tri-tip.

(Luke) Ok … so I guess that’s settled then—

(Sean) Or how about this…

Letting his hands and arms drop, he let them hang onto his thighs as he glared at each person who raised their hand on the third option. Leaning his back against the wall, he placed his right boot on the wall to make himself look more intimidating.

The rest of everybody raised one eyebrow, seeing the elf try to pose for them.

(Sean) The people that don’t want to go, don’t have to. Maybe just a small strike force will do the job.

(Luke) Alright…

Making a loud clap, everyone jolted up from the sound as they all placed their attention on Luke, seeing him rub his hands back and forth. His palms reddened, a small hiss came out from his mouth, as well as his right eye twitching from the shock.

(Luke) I know this idea isn’t a good one and some of you are thinking why I’m going along with this plan…

Being near Sean’s shoulder, Luke placed himself in the back of the window as the sun rained its rays on his neck. Feeling his neck sting, he paid it no mind as everyone began to sit or stand on the bed that belonged to Sean.

The trio of siblings sat on the front of Luke, while the Dark Angels either sat on the floor or back of the bed with their knees helping themselves up. With Stan’s group still standing in the back, Luke pushed his side bang out of the way to make room for his right eye to see.

(Luke) But the Zirardges are up to something. If there’s any info regarding the reason why we’re criminals, then I’ll take it.

Luke then placed his hands inside his leather jacket, pinning his eyes onto the two women who sat down on the floor looking up at him. Slouching like a turtle, he lit up a cheerful smile onto the glaring tanned woman who had her hands placed on her knees.

(Luke) I’m going to need only a few people. The two most important people that I need are you two.

(Luna) I guess I could go. After all, you can’t even bench press twice your weight.

(Luke’s thoughts) But I could bench press my weight fine though…

Standing up, Luna puffed out her chest, followed by her muscular yet slim arms gleaming muscles under the morning light.

Hope continued to sit down on the floor, her lips puckered up as she fiddled with her fingers up and down. Biting his upper lip, Luke looked away while pinning his eyes onto an antique toy that she had in her pocket.

A blue bird with a long beak, a mythical bird that resembled a halcyon.

Keeping his eyes shyly on the toy, he used it as guidance for him to carry onward his held-back vocals.

(Luke) I’m sorry, but you’re going to be needed Hope…

(Hope) … o-ok.

Shyly getting up to her feet, she rubbed her hands softly as she pinned her eyes on the wooden floor.

His stomach feeling as if he was punched, Luke placed his right hand onto his liver, his fingertips grazing the leather that spiritually connected to his nerves. Turning his head away from the blonde woman with blue eyes, he placed his interest on a man with red hair and eagle-like eyes.

(Luke) I hope you’re well-rested after the long drive.

(Jack) Well, someone has to drive you.

(Sean) So then it’s just us five?

Out of the shadows, a large burly figure had his hands motionless to his sides.

Making his presence known, everyone turned their eyes onto the shark-human that looked over toward Luke. The trio of siblings, who were taken aback by Benn, all had different reactions to the sudden appearance of him.

Chris placed his back against the wall, his eyes widened with his breathing out of place and frail. Like seeing something out of a horror movie, Chris shut his mouth as a single leaf leaped out of his hair.

Pacifica hovered both of her hands to her right hip, which showcased the top half of a black spray that had the logo of a hot pepper on it. Along with Christian, his face formed a glare, making a frown with the tips of his lips reaching down onto his jawline.

(Christian) Are you taking along fish-face here?

(Benn) Got a problem?

(Christian) Just stay away from me and my siblings.

A hand gripped Christian’s shoulder, with its fingers digging into his shoulder bone.

Looking to the left of him, Christian barely kept his eyes open to see a ginger-haired elf calmly looking at him. Not even making an angered face, Sean felt a hand clasped onto his wrist, yet he continued to dig his fingers deep into the tanned man that buckled his knees.

(Sean) Be nice, you here?

(Christian) Let go!

(Sean) I knew someone who would slap anyone who insulted this beautiful chunk of meat right there. If you don’t want me to put you to sleep and drag you into the strike team, then be nice.

Sean let go of Christian’s shoulder, putting his hand back into his leather jacket as he received a hellish glare from Pacifica. Also noticing that Chris had his mouth puckered up, his breathing started to slow with his eyes slowly closing in on itself.

Being free from Sean, Christian turned toward Luke, his face painted with pale sweat that swept down his cheeks.

(Christian) Remember your promise, Luke?

(Luke) Like I said, I’ll keep an eye on Benn.

Luke looked away from Christian, taking a step away from him as he rubbed his hands together.

Stan walked toward the back of the bed, having his hands inside his jacket as he squinted at Christian. Raising his left eyebrow, he also caught the notice of Pacifica, who formed a small smirk on the tip of her lip.

(Stan) I’m surprised that you haven’t said anything bad about me or Sean Christian.

(Christian) Believe me, compared to others in this country, I’m pretty open to beast-humans. I’m fine with any except for Shark-humans.

(Pacifica) Me too leaf-licker~

(Stan) What?

(Christian) That’s her way of flirting.

(Stan) That sounds like some sort of insult.

Being racist cat-called, Stan nervously looked away as his broad shoulders and large chest were easily broken down by the old teen. Seemingly putting himself in the back of his friends, he had Gary in front of him as a defense from the smirking dark-complected woman.

Seeing that he has his little strike team, Luke let out an exhaust of air from his pink lungs, as the meeting ended with a simple conclusion.