[spoiler]@gilga: With the given week or so jump between DN and now, I will readily admit it feels like the events described in this post are--forgive the pun--quite a leap. It feels like a lot of assumptions seem to be made along with a lot of unexpected information to react to. And I admit I'm at a loss on how to respond to it with Arc, particularly under the OP's impression that Marco was still "alive and well" at the time of the Howler's new year bash.
With that in mind, I'm going to go ahead with my intended post and keep things fairly neutral in regards to that event, and let other players and GM response direct me on how to approach it. Thank you in advance for the understanding[/spoiler]
After the air was cleared with the team proper, Arc felt a wash of relief over her.
Good. We can pull this off. That stresser gone, the mechanic kept herself busy as usual with Tuskaloosa in the garage...Yelena occasionally pitching in a hand, and Firefly helping when a particular schematic was proving difficult to find on the 'Trix. The work went smoothly, and all jobs that weren't internal to the group itself were completed by Christmas. Even Jed's bike was restored in a matter of a couple days!
In the time leading up to the prior departure date, Arc had busied her personal time between training (not quite as urgent) and spending her time with those she wouldn't be seeing for a while. Her nieces-in-Vruk were delighted by the gifts Jaime had picked out for them, and they enjoyed a pleasant holiday evening as an eth...a family. The word echoed in Arc's mind as she realized that she had a family now...two of them...these people at home with the feeling of normalcy, and the crew she acquired that she has and likely will again go on the line to protect.
Never thought I'd be here...As New Years Eve hit, it was Merlin that contacted Arc with the invites to the Howler Bash. Waking up, the short human girl yawned, tapping her tusks with a finger as she forced herself awake. Quickly performing her morning rituals and dealing with the post-sleep nausea, she washed her face and deftly responded.
<<@Merlin: Hoi, I'll be comin', and bringing some plus ones. Will be there>> Glancing off to the side, she gazed upon the go bag she had already packed for herself. Yelena had stressed that the call to leave could come at any point, so she figured she would need to be ready at any time....and the bag was either with her or in the van. The conversation with Jaime to let him know a sudden departure was likely...was passionate, and part of her felt a bit guilty for it....but he was as supportive as she could hope for, and each night together was held closer, and each kiss lingering just a bit longer.
Her mind a whirl, she realized that Jaime had to leave for work early that day anyway, leaving her alone with her thoughts wonderings as she bit her lip, dressing herself, eyes roaming to the mirror as she sent out the invites and got going with her day....
Later towards the evening saw Arc seated in the van. Not all of her intended upgrades were in place yet..but importantly, the seating had been established: each person in the group had their own seat, molded to their dimensions (within tolerance) complete with belts and even roll harnesses should the need arise. Honking the horn once at each leg, she went to pick everyone up with a lingering smile on her tusked face, and before long, everyone was piled in and heading to the shindig. The radio was working, playing
an old classic as the rig rolled to the curb of the place, the bustle of the party heard from outside as the evening set in...