They stay, albeit reluctantly

"We'll... stay," Chloe said, to which Brandon replied with a shocked look, asking Why?! Chloe answered with raised eyebrows, saying Shut up!

"Wonderful!" Dale said. "We don't want to keep ya, but let your lunch settle for a bit! After you eat it of course."

Both cabin dwellers reluctantly reached for their meal, but as lunch went on, they found Dale and Cassidy's company strangely pleasant. Despite their initial violations of personal spaces, both were great conversationalists who liked to talk about a wide variety of issues. Chloe and Brandon saw they were clearly educated; Dale stridently expounded about current local politics regarding the mayor of Azure Rocks for around 10 minutes, while Cassidy happily explained some random fact of biochemistry to a very confused Brandon. They eventually explained that their parents wanted to dispel any kind of "country bumpkin" stereotype when they were born, and made a great effort to keep them well-rounded.

"It was tough, really," Dale remarked. "I was on the chess team and the soccer team at the same time in high school. Mom and Dad expected you to either sink or swim."

"We learned to swim, had to," Cassidy said, sipping her soda. "Didn't always work though."

"Still can't speak French!" Dale laughed, looking at Chloe. She nodded and smiled timidly.

"Cassidy rolled her eyes, then continued. But we were exposed to new ideas though, and I know that helped me choose my college career."

"You both go to college?" Brandon asked.

"I'm getting ready for law school myself," Dale said. "Sis here is going for med school."

"Gynecology." Cassidy flashed her brilliant smile at Brandon. He shifted in the couch. "I guess I wanted to be a good country doctor."

"That's... really impressive," Chloe said. "It mustn't have left a lot of room for anything else though, like friends or anything."

"Oh we managed," Dale replied. "I like Cassidy and I learned early on that we had to find ways to release our tensions if we were going to keep up with our lives."

"You know, no strings attached..." Cassidy drawled. "Pure recreation you might say."

Chloe and Brandon turned beet red at the same time. "I... uhh," Chloe stammered, "... didn't mean that?"

"Well," Dale chuckled, "most people don't, but if they did... the world would be somethin', wouldn't it?"

"We don't mean to put you off darlin's off, Dale gets a little excited." Cassidy stood and stretched, though as more of a show for Brandon than anything. Dale's eyes rolled again. "We'll let you settle a bit, digest that food! C'mon, bro."

Cassidy ushered a **** Dale to the kitchen, bringing the empty plates. Exaggerating her hips as she walked, she turned to see Brandon trying very hard not to stare at her ass.

"Brandon!" Chloe hissed. He jumped back into reality to a furious redhead staring at him. Cassidy giggled lightly and then to talk to Dale inaudibly. Both grinned as they left the room.

"Sorry." Brandon scratched the back of his head. "But, hey, why in hell did you want to stay?"

"Well... I just got a bad vibe, like they'd go after us if we left." Chloe's eyes kept darting to the kitchen door to see if anyone would emerge.

"I don't blame you," Brandon sighed. "Maybe... maybe we can skip out now? The front door's over there."

Chloe stared at the kitchen. Her heart pounded away in her chest, adrenaline flowing through her system. She must have looked panicked, but Brandon's mouth frowned with deep concern. Not that he was any better off mentally, but he felt he could punch his way out of a problem if he had to. Though, soccer-trained and petite Chloe could very well be stronger than she looked. Ashley usually surprised Brandon with her... well, let's say stamina.

Chloe gulped, and made her decision.