Yes. We all sleep until morning

Nothing happens over night. You are feeling a little restless, but you don't let any of the news of the others being in trouble bother you. As long as Flora is your new priority, there is no reason to fret over news that might as well be a continent away. Alexandra packs her gear splits from the shelter, wishing you both well and a safe stay. She lingers a bit longer with you, sharing some small talk as you guided her out. There seems to be a lot on her mind - perhaps the situation is worse than she let on before? Or maybe she's trying to drag you into a conversation? To be honest, you aren't sure what to think, but she stays on her mind, even after she departs.

When you go back to the shelter, you find Flora on the couch again, reading her book. She gives you no more than glance when your feet hit the ground. You go back to your weapons, field stripping, cleaning, and working on your draws. Flora...seems a little more distant than usual. You suppose the events of the day before has something to do that, but you still expected a little more out of her. You brush back your hair and sigh, looking at her as her eyes glide along the yellow-tinted pages of her old book.

Eventually, she looks back up at you and dog-ears her page before she places down her aged copy of Watership Down. Her amber eyes adjust, her pupils widening somewhat as she cranes her neck and stretches her arms. "Warren, why are you looking at me?'

"I figured you'd want to talk a little more after yesterday." You reply.

"I don't really," she unfortunately chases with. "However, we do need to do something for food...And we should get some exercise."

As soon as your eyes train onto hers, she darts them away. "But, I guess we could always just do all that down here too." She chases herself with another comment.

"What do you in mind for exercise down here?" You ask her. "Jumping jacks? Push-ups? Crunches?"

She smiles somewhat as you list off a dozen more basic moves. "I want to get out some more fresh air though."

Once you put your self in casual thought, you quickly deduct that doing so wouldn't be that bad. She exhales, relaxing into a small smile. "Thank you. I don't want to be trapped down here for. As long as the weather allows it, I want to be outside."

You nod. "Yeah, I suppose I could get behind that." Truth to be told, you didn't. Your plan was to just stay inside and to simply do odd jobs until Spring, but there was no reason in making Flora think she was forcing you into something you didn't want to do.

Flora puffs her cheeks and out crosses her arms, once again, looking away. "Unless you don't want to."

Thinking that perhaps she somehow picked up on your distress, you chased quickly with another lie. "I prefer going outside when it's windy and cold."

Perhaps that went off as too sarcastic?

"That sounded a little too sarcastic. Do you want to go outside or not?"

Suddenly, you felt red. It was you darting your eyes away this time. You brushed back your hair and then loudly exhaled. "No, I'm dead serious." Her face straightens while her eyebrows knit... Flora still didn't believe you. So, you chased again. "Oh, come on. Right now. Let's go up!"

She puts down the book and cocks her head. "After you. Warren!"

Before she can hide her face, you notice a small smile is starting to crack at the corners of her lips.

...

...

The early morning air is crisp now that the sun is up. A light layer of frost accompanies the snow that had landed over night. Flora hugs herself, squinting while surveying the area before her. Her narrow nose is pinched red, her features are further paled by the bright reflecting light. Your regular uniformed outfit was well-insulated, as well as Flora's coat. Even though the cold was rather invasive for your faces; you kept your cores warm and your limbs protected. She let out a surprised gasp when her eyes finally adjusted to the sparkling landscape before her. "It's...beautiful!"

As you look at her, you both meet each other's gaze. Her eyes are slightly glazed over. She wipes away at her eyes and then smiles at you just before you reply. "It is, isn't it?"

However, you aren't exactly talking about the landscape. Flora knows this and blushes. She looks back at the tall grass and off-green trees in an attempt to hide her expression. It's too late though. She's taken your compliment/flirt with a little more heart. Usually, your small comments about her beauty were either met with sly-smirks and amusement; this time, she's actually taken notice to it. You shift legs and stuff your hands into your side pockets. "Well, should we go off to Billings again, or are we homecooking this time?"

She snorts, rolling her eyes. "Trust me. My cooking isn't great. But to honest. If you're letting me pick..."