#ʚ link palmer & danny summers 01 ɞ .

[survivalscost]

"hopefully not too long. doing double or triple the work around here doesn't really suite me." a forced laugh followed link's words before he chewed on the inside of his cheek, worry once more settling in the pit of his stomach. he cared about most, if not all, of the members of the community so seeing any of them sent out there to deal with the coalition to any capacity was hard. what was even harder was knowing that one of those people was his best friend.

before he could drive himself crazy by going over all the endless possibilities that would result in the group never returning or returning in smaller numbers, he quickly shifted into a more positive mindset. "on a serious note, i doubt they'll be gone for more than a couple days, if that. and i mean, if it is that long or longer, i imagine it's just because they're all being cautious. maybe even overcautious knowing a few of them." he tried to find comfort in his own words. they were all capable and could handle themselves in whatever situation they found themselves in, they'd all return with the missing scout among them, they'd all be in one piece — he repeated the reassurance to himself over and over again. "the real question is, will we throw another party? like a welcome home type of deal. seems over the top if they're only gone a say or two, but you know..." he trailed off, unable to comment on how much of a big deal it would be for them to all return alive and well.

Obviously Danny would've much rather caught some sleep, given that it was more practical to have him rested and ready for the next day. They would have to prepare for the arrival of the other group, make sure they had enough medical supplies if things got messy out there... and things were bound to get messy out there for sure. Not to mention how he would have to think of exercises to get the whole thing off of his students' minds. They didn't have to have school in such times, and parents had the right to keep their children home with them if they felt like it, but many of his students had a family member among the rescuer group, and he would make sure to keep them safe for as long as he could.

There was a level of exhaustion to him as the clock just went past midnight, and he pinched at his cheeks to get himself more alert while he nodded his head towards the direction of school's kitchen. "I can't wait 'till all I'm feelin' is the caffeine jitters!" He shot Link a tired smile before he started on the coffee. "How long ya reckon they'll be gone for?"

[survivalscost]

if the link from a few years ago caught wind of any of the troubles that would befall the small group that called this campus home, he would've stayed clear of them, kept going his own way before inevitably jumping between even smaller groups. things had drastically changed from then though, and he was now one of those who called this place home. more importantly, he cared about those here enough to stick with them through thick and thin instead of bolting at the first sign of trouble. it was normally a comforting thought, that love, but in light of recent news, it did a number on his nerves and twisted the pit of his stomach uncomfortably. any and all conversations, including those that circled around the topic, felt like welcomed distractions from his own mind at this point.

"i feel like i might regret it when i have to wake up tomorrow morning," despite the world stopping news they got, they all still had their responsibilities to tend to here, "but on the other hand, i doubt i'll be getting much sleep anyway." he thought through the question aloud. "i'll have some. probably better to stay alert enough to lend a hand than toss and turn in my bed all night, right? and i can always have more coffee in the morning to get through caring for the animals." and then more coffee later that night to stay productive, repeating a tiring cycle until the other group made their return or he was found passed out in one of the stables from exhaustion — whichever happened first.

open starter

Danny was chewing on his lower lip, a bad habit he still didn't grow out of, not even after a decade. He hated the tightening knot of worry in his stomach, but he hated the fact that he had to watch half of his community leave and march into certain danger a lot more. He could only hope that they had some sort of a plan. And a backup one, too. And maybe a backup for the backup. He just really needed them to play it safe.

While the other group was gone, he had a bunch of kids to take care of, probably going to be sitting by their desks in the morning, in a somber silence that would be unlike them. His heart squeezed at the thought already.

He sighed heavily, willing himself to think... well, if not positively, then at least less negatively. "There is... absolutely no way I'm 'boutta sleep after this, so I'm gon' make myself a cup of coffee. Anyone want some?"