Hanna sat down at the table with a hot cup of coffee, alone. She set to braiding her hair, trying to keep her mind occupied. She began interweaving her dark hair so it would fall over her left shoulder, an old style, one that she didn't usually use, but she liked it. The last section was just being completed as Ethan walked into the room.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLGtzc4t8Q
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRz70CgLGA
"Could we talk for a minute?" Hanna asked politely.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AyrPHk4Em
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3nTQ2n8II
"Sure." Ethan sat down at the table, sitting across from her.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnPmtYRR1P
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZZgiLcvGM
Hanna quickly added an elastic to finish her braid. "I was thinking about what you said earlier, about pheromones."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGl1Ee5ZMc
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMPlWjy59Y
"Okay," Ethan said, slightly nervous about the topic of conversation.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty4OlJyBa6
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeo0sRGaQ4O
"I have a friend, she's pregnant, and I was thinking if you met her, that might help. Maybe trick your brain," Hanna proposed uncertainly.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeewMZXO4t
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6lr1GPfs2
Ethan's brow creased. He was reluctant to get his hopes up. "You think that might... work? Stop the heat early?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7altBkBzu3
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtQ7r5Yz0d
Hanna shrugged, she had zero expertise in this area. "From what you told me, it seems like it might."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuKVKSfZCm
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7e5kDejJz
Ethan turned to look out the window, his expression hidden. He was reluctant to get his hopes up, it seemed like a long shot, then there was the inherent risk of letting another person know their location.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIW36SL11O
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLkM7mCGWU
"It's just an idea. You don't have to. It might not even work," Hanna babbled. She stared into her coffee mug, as if the dark, bitter substance had all the answers. "I know you're not very comfortable with people coming here. And I know it's risky, but Penelope isn't the smartest and I don't think she'd figure out your identity."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnlcInZ0Iu
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjh7xdIbAQ
Hanna stopped talking, allowing the room to settle into an awkward silence.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgzSeRBpWb
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8N8SITabu
It might be worth it, Ethan thought, weighing the options. He really did not want to spend another three weeks in heat. "It's a good idea. We should try it," he stated finally.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCgyuTsOiH
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSLlEzo43C
Hanna slowly set her mug down on the table. "Oh. Um, I'll see when I can convince her to come out here then."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLIpMb8o20
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmRcqqFTth
Ethan nodded, gaze still fixed on the dreary forest outside. Hanna got up quietly and went outside to make the phone call. A few minutes later, she came back in to find Ethan sitting at the table, a half empty glass of water in front of him.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLLrw9cUA0
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOOcuEI8br
"Alright, she'll drop by in a few days," Hanna informed him, picking up her half drunk mug of coffee again.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YuUnDCQR8
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriNUSTw03O
"What did you tell her?" Ethan asked.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6b9Gx7YQmn
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGala8tFJRx
"I didn't tell her you're Charax, for obvious reasons," Hanna paused, starting to realize she might have been a little presumptuous with her cover story. "I told her I wanted her to meet my new boyfriend."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIMSp5w4eS
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXyRm9IJd3
Ethan shifted nervously. "Is this just a cover story or..."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWAiI3lcwz
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP9WQpnRBG
Hanna chewed her lower lip nervously. "That's up to you. But make your decision later."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6MzjYxmH1
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJKlqwy6Dq
Ethan frowned slightly, somewhat confused. "I don't need time to decide that."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxKhSvkmiT
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2upSVEfdN
Hanna resisted the urge to sigh, his hormones were probably still messing with his brain. She had no clue how much of his behaviour was really his and how much was caused by the heat. Even if he said he wanted to be in a relationship... she wouldn't be convinced until he confirmed it out of heat. If he didn't want to be in a relationship... she didn't want to hear that right now either.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLPl4onFJp
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYi3mWqFsea
"Wait until after the heat to make your decision," Hanna repeated firmly.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsowRrQ6VDY
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaBHEDFVyh
"It won't change how I feel," Ethan protested mildly.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWQjypced3
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6hkIIE4NN
Hanna took another sip of coffee. "Then there's no harm in waiting. Boyfriend seemed like a good Terran term."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMMjOecshr
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhqjmoSJmt
Ethan shrugged. "Okay, I'm not up to date on inter-species relationship milestones."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP1dANJlSt
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0IboHMib5
Hanna laughed, a light and carefree expression of joy. "Wait, I thought the scientists agreed we were technically the same species?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQhQw5DhQC
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4PFqFoO4e
Ethan smiled. "I think they're still debating it."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPkFE78ip6
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDdc8Pk3fq
"And they probably will be for the next hundred years or so," Hanna added jokingly.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ygz2P5wba
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBtZrGj7nI
"...and what do you think?" Ethan asked tentatively.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1BXZxEttM
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxprz6o3sUo
Hanna shrugged, obvious to the changing tone of the conversation. "That there will probably never be a consensus so it doesn't matter what they say." She went to fill up her mug from the pot on the counter. "So, anyways, 'boyfriend' was the closest Terran label I could think of, if you're alright with that."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMqkH91L5N
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaw16QpO5fq
That's an interesting take on Charax-Terran relationships, Ethan thought, unwilling to push the subject further. "It fits. What's our cover?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVWR7BVtnw
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN4zONNcrq
"The same one as before? Vacation?" Hanna suggested.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUUYHGwkKB
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz3OwvDQWK
"Is that believable? Out in the middle of the woods in the off season?" Ethan commented skeptically.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqzcSHxvlC
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsQsxRcJJq
"It was cheap?" Hanna suggested dubiously. "Alright, do you have any better ideas?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGqeanhbuu
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX43OnMSGi
Ethan opened his mouth, then shut it again.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhwuIujccM
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWM4pQeZBEX
"I thought so," Hanna said smugly.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBMb6657y2
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYJnM73iRs
"Renovations," Ethan suggested cockily.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVPkXcGRY9
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbrAA7S7wZ
Hanna glanced about the large room. The place certainly did look like it needed a new coat of paint. The counter had chips in it, the dinner table was scratched, the sofa was stained and the lounge chair was falling apart. But that was all typical of a well-used cottage. "Don't you think she'd notice no supplies around?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN0SLNPBcm
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ4cPP7YFs
Ethan walked over to the front entrance, gesturing at the large front window. "She doesn't need to come inside, we could hang up some sheets..."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDLbKy6r5n
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVYQUmczMC
"That sounds like a lot of work," Hanna said, still doubtful. "I like the outdoors, I think she'd buy the vacation line."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHlKnUj5lr
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZVCTq7wEg
"You like the outdoors?" Ethan asked suspiciously.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwQCTiE0C7
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fFO0G2dDX
"I do, I like hunting," Hanna fibbed. She didn't like hunting that much but it was her typical excuse for why she had a bunch of guns and knew how to use them. She'd used it enough as a cover for enough of her missions that almost no one questioned it anymore.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3otuOZiZR
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqxvhk06g8
"Really?" Ethan asked skeptically.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh3kdXjnnY
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLnH7VSEii
"Yes." Hanna stuck firmly to the lie. "But it's the off season so we'll just pretend you don't like hunting or something."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcX04VqmY6K
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7k5PdGhIh
"I don't like hunting," Ethan said honestly.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrYKaDLBlY
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NFLTalJTx
"Perfect, you already know your lines," Hanna said, laughing lightly.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVODZRNkMQB
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl00EQIRGjf
Ethan smiled slightly. "So, given we aren't hunting, what are we doing out here?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGuCVyypwz
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcD5ywkruyS
"Hiking? Fishing? Sexy picnics? Getting bitten by millions of tiny blood sucking insects?" Hanna suggested jokingly.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7A7CO7Xt0
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J2FaLxAAp
Ethan scowled. "The fourth option is at least true."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9Enl1AP9h
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplRArDpC8B
"It just has to be mildly believable, not actually true," Hanna suggested. "Even if she thinks we're actually doing something else, she won't mention it."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1WIReY0I5
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0f8ENgNlxh
Ethan shrugged. "You know her best, pick whatever you think will work."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcR65Pn56u
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8ZdmFKSYr
Hanna finished off her coffee. "Okay, I'll think of something... better. Later."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFCcl2WGqb
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQsEIqZ4E5
Ethan smiled slightly. "Good luck with that."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEXnadRiWQ
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA6GddAHkR
"Hey! Have some faith in my ability to come up with a believable excuse," Hanna protested jokingly.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ908Mjmvn3m
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAempzG0JH
Ethan flashed her his typical overconfident smile. "I'm sure you'll be able to come up with something if you put your mind to it."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUxnLlU3YJ
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQGxaSgsCe
Hanna resisted the urge to roll her eyes at him and bit back the sassy comeback that was on the tip of her tongue. I've been good enough to fool you so far, she thought smugly. She put a small smile on her face. "I'm sure I'll manage," she said sweetly.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW6zQINKw4
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOivnK8sO9
"But, all joking aside, I don't want my cover blown if this doesn't work," Ethan said seriously.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZnknEu22u
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbwfqFNnV6
"It won't be," Hanna promised. "Penelope isn't the brightest bulb in the shed."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzBTpPp7Ro
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqgUMcHqyN
Ethan gave her a skeptical look, already questioning if this whole plan was one big mistake. He decided to let the matter drop and picked up the crossword puzzle book instead, hoping to distract himself from this new problem, at least until he had to deal with the usual one.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkA1KqbxvE
Penana
search
登入arrow_drop_down
註冊arrow_drop_down
