Pure Adrenaline. (Finished)

[Caedis Clepta]

Did he just... pinch her leg? Nope, she hadn't just had a near death experience or anything. Actually, Caedis wasn't sure that she was in the clear. Despite taking care of the little poison problem.

She was still, uh, bleeding. Probably all over him, too. And here he was, pinching her. To what, make her not knee him in the gut? She was surprised she could even reach his gut with how tall he was. Damn him. If she ever got a way to repay him, it would be in the worse way possible.

And screw his last question too. From now she was a sack of lies.

Oh, she'd love to knee him again. Possibly actually free herself just to show him how easy it would be.

... Or spider time?

Caedis was so tempted. It was unbelievable how tempted she was. But she didn't want to know what one injured human leg would equal in spider legs.

"How close are we, smelly? The strong and silent act don't work for you, either."

[Al Kinney]

"I do not smell. If anything smells, it's your ass. God's sake, when was the last time you took a bath, Miss-I'm-Injured-and-Need-You-To-Carry-My-Rude-Self??"

She was right. Being quiet really didn't work for him. He'd much rather be brash, rude, and temperamental. That was all. It was rather pointless to try to fight being who he was.

The strong part was something he wasn't going to deny. It was probably good for her that he wasn't some scrawny little stick figure like some other guys around here. Though it was completely pointless for him to help her, he was doing it any way. Nothing about this situation made sense. He really needed to get a grip on his brain.

Perhaps he was blaming himself for the situation? Yes, that could be it, but he didn't really want to believe it. Thinking really wasn't something he wanted to be doing, so he was going to have to force himself to stop... eventually.

[Caedis Clepta]

Oh, that was what got his panties in a twist. Apparently he was upset that he had to carry her. Did he even look at her leg? Oh, right. It wasn't bleeding on him or anything. Caedis had proper use of it and was just using a selfish, braty little kid whose dragon ate almost half her belongings!

"Well I'm sorry Smelly, but I think you win the award for smelliest here. And dumbest."

It wasn't like this could get any worse than it already was. And if he decided to try anything clever, she'd break away from him in the most humiliating way ever and hop if she needed to.

Would she be sorry for leaving his sorry ass by itself? Nope. Not at all.

"Don't think your dragon is all that smart either. She is digesting a while bunch of enchanted knives and swords."

[Al Kinney]

Al couldn't possibly even begin to comprehend being with this chick for another ten seconds, let alone another minute. She was rude and as annoying as a mosquito buzzing in his ear. Once they got to the river, he was going to leave her alone and personally make sure Tia barfed up all of her shit.

All ties would be broken, and he could move on to better things in life. Then again, his life was pretty lame...

Who cared? At least he wasn't annoyed all the time! Good gracious, there was no possible way he actually deserved to be around her. Not in the least. She could be better than him if she wished, and he refused to argue that point.

Spider woman was an idiot herself, getting bit by some stupid giant snake.

This was all her fault.

The evil wench.

"Can you keep your mouth shut for more than five seconds, woman? Just because you enjoy being a royal pain in the ass doesn't mean you have to be one."

Thirty more seconds and he would be rid of her.

[Caedis Clepta]

She was a royal pain in the ass? Sounded just about right. And she was damn proud of that title.

Since it was, well, a little bit literal.

Should she humor him and keep quiet? Hmmm... it was a hard decision. No matter what he was likely to dump her, which was fine, she guessed. Caedis didn't need a weakling like him flailing about and coming to her with his problems. She had a business to run and it didn't involve helping his helpless ass.

Besides, it wasn't like he'd actually be able to hurt her if he tried. She had fought larger men and creatures in a more wounded state. No use of one leg? Perfectly fine.

"You need to work on your threats, too." It was offhand, casual and completely and totally bored sounding.

In other words, a tone that she hoped would just piss him off more.

[Al Kinney]

"That wasn't a threat." Al was now trying to move on to a better mood. He would soon be rid of her... hopefully. This situation could only get better, right? He truly hoped so.

Two more steps and the river was right in front of him. Without a second thought he put Caedis down none too gently and waved at her. "Have fun with your bath, stranger." It was time for him to get the heck out of there before she ended up causing him to stay. That would not fly with this Nascar guy.

[Caedis Clepta]

Water. Blessed water. She didn't even care that he all but dropped her to the ground, she had water. Which meant she could at least somewhat clean her wound until she could get something to kill infections and dress it and let it heal and oh if he wasn't such an idiot Caedis could kiss him.

She didn't notice he'd walked away until he was a bit away, but that didn't stop her. She turned and watched him a few seconds, amused by his stiff posturing that clearly spoke of his annoyance.

"Don't forget to get your dragon to puke up my shit. And you won't forget me. No one really does. Me and my illicit dealings will always be in the back of your mind."

She waited a moment before dropping the bomb that would annoy him the most.

"And I saved your sorry ass kid, and you're never going to be able to forget it."

The way she said it was a clear dismissal. She didn't want to be in his presence anymore, nor did she think he wanted to be anywhere near a soon-to-be naked woman that he was extremely annoyed with.

Win-win situation.

And she had water.