stuff us in boxes that's where you want us

cardboard is boring, we brought our matches - look how it burns

Isolt smiled widely, her face lighting up in that way it did when she lit up a room as Harley opened the door to greet her companion. Of course, that greeting would hardly be typical if it were not met with the familiar signature blend of playful sarcasm. Isolt replied with quick ease, after all, after all this time these particular antics were to be expected. Harley's brow rose slightly almost conspiratorially in nature, her arms crossed loosely beneath her chest, her lips toying into that typical amused subtle smirk. Slightly lopsided and devious. "Typical god.." She exasperated, that vibrant purple stare narrowed as if she dared the gods themselves to smite her, to give her a meagre sign of their existence. Such divine presences have failed her thus far, so why start now?

Isolt's jovial laughter hardly changed since the woman became the undead, a small blessing Harley was entirely grateful for. Yet another sign that proves her companion was still in there, she was still undoubtedly Isolt. Perhaps, excluding the snowy pale complexion and the lack of blush that used to blossom across her cheeks whenever Harley took her comments a step beyond that threshold of tolerance. How easy it was the cause that shy blush within her companion. Mere moments later, Harley abandoned her spot by the door and moved into the foyer of that merge one bedroom, that was still decidedly homey, full of warmth and personality. Isolt followed along with issuing a response that was decidedly cryptic. "Oh? And what is that?" Harley was never one to let things slide, especially as that feline curiosity firmly struck a blow within her, her head tilted slightly that question written all over her inquisitive face.

That face that has always tended to say it all... Isolt ever astute in noticing the way Harley's gaze lingered upon her belly with concern. How she plucked those very thoughts right from the busy depths of her mind. It was the wagging of her finger and that chastisement that caused the raven-haired woman to draw her gaze upward in a look that seemed almost sheepish. "Okay... okay. I get it.. I just know.. sometimes... these little beings have minds of their own and decide they don't like being in a dark cozy space anymore..." As always, those words tinged with that usual sarcasm and yet there lingered a truth within them all the same. "But I suppose, it can do wonders for that baby to know what the hell it's getting into when it enters the world.."Shaking her head with a trace of a smile upon her lips, there was a hint of deviousness within that final sentence. What a wicked world it was...

That conversation shifts toward the precarious bags Harley had not so meticulously packed in record haste. That hardly stopped her from looking upon them with a certain pride. The expression upon the Isolt's face only made that grin grow, like a god damn Cheshire cat. A playful yet casual rise and fall of her shoulders in a simple shrug was the only answer offered to that questioning look.

It was however, that mention of the woman's honeymoon that brought a telling mischievous grin to Isolt's reddened lips. That good huh? While some girls got squeamish at the very mention of sex, Harley barely even balked. How she remembered a time when Isolt cheeks would blaze at such topics. "I'm jealous.... But damn, you gotta get as much as you can in before the little one comes.." Harley could not hold back the easy laugh that escaped her then, that almost knowing look entering the depths of the vibrant purple pools of her eyes. However, as much as that seemingly carefree verbal tete-a-tete the duo so partook, and truly it was nice to see her companion living her best... undead life. That heaviness still lingered, like a leaden fog settling with her chest. It seemed to make a home there at times, rolling in, unwelcomed when she least expected it. What if they came looking for her when she was gone? What if they found her? That weariness only briefly crossed her features as she turned. Well fuck them.. That's what. If they wanted her so fucking badly, they could drag her back kicking and screaming. How humiliating a notion... how she fought so hard for her freedom from her oppressors, only to back, here, again. How it agitated her, how it made her feel so very helpless and yet somehow fed that inner fire all at once. There was no mistaking that Harley was a fighter, her skin mostly made of kevlar, and her heart forged from titanium. She grit her teeth in a personal gesture of defiance as she pulled herself together. They wanted that doubt.. they wanted her to feel hopeless. That would be exactly what she would deny them.

Harley drew a defiant breath as if every bit of that simple act measured as defeat against Risque and her carnival of demons. That question to get out of that hell hole was met with a confirming word, resolute and resounding, at least to her. No one would miss her.. she told herself as she grabbed whatever else she needed, and yet still, she left on a light on for General Basil, Harley giving a simple nod to her magical plant before turning to leave. She swore she could see those iridescent leaves shimmer and quiver in response. Was that all in her head? That small smile she afforded to the plant seemed to betray the simple fact that she knew better. She locked the door behind her as the two women made their way to Harley's waiting Shelby GT500. God, she loved that car... She had made sure it was primped and ready, topped with gasoline, a fresh oil change and whatever maintenance was needed. There would be no breaking down on this trip.

Harley so offered that jab toward Damon for reneging that offer to borrow his car, as if the two trouble makers wouldn't treat his other baby with a modicum of respect. The woman could hardly hide that feigned disdain... but truthfully, she hardly cared. But it did not mean she couldn't have her fun, offered in that sideways, pointed glance. "He is trusting you with me... Just saying.. Why not his car?" That devilish smile adorned her lush lips.

Harley closed the distance to her trunk, pulling out her keys that clang into the darkness of night, unlocking it easily. It swung open so they could put the non-immediate contents inside the spacious trunk before closing it with a squeaky hinged noise, that action felt almost final like there was no turning back now.. The bag with the map and snacks was placed methodically in the back seat before handing Isolt that map riddled with mysterious x's.

She moved toward the driver's side door, nearly falling into her seat, her finger sliding to that unlock button so Isolt could join her. Isolt unfolded that map, that perplexed look Harley as she examined that route set out before them, how the raven haired woman had been expecting that very look. Sliding the key into the ignition, she turned allowing her cherished car to roar to life, that sound always satisfying to her. It was that question about that map that had Harley chuckling. "I wish.. I could use a little booty in my life.." If only they came equipped with a treasure map... although she supposed she would have to do with her excellent use of double entendre.

"Those beautiful x's right there are potential stops.. in case we need to pull over and rest because of the sun or... I don't know.. don't soon to be mommas experience technical difficulties sometimes? I figured it would be best we came a bit prepared. Shit, listen to me.. I sound.. responsible.." She pulled easily out of her parking space, the roar of the engine met her ears, before smoothly flicking on the lights of her vehicle that shot out into the darkness like spotlights. In any horror movie, there would have been someone waiting when those lights turned on, meeting nothing but some shrubs. Perhaps... maybe an inkling of her was preparing for that damn heart attack of any one of her monsters waiting there. That very thought caused her foot to press heavier upon that pedal before making their way to that highway, the raven-haired woman ever vigilant to her surroundings.

"The sooner we get out of the city.. the better." She muttered resolutely, as if the full weight of the world rested upon the pillars of those words, her fingers tightening upon that wheel ever tighter. "Fortunately... it looks like an easy stretch. 20 turns into 26... then before you know it we are in Idaho... "

How easy it would be to fall into a heavy silence, but truthfully.. Harley needed the distraction as she drove. At least until state lines. "Catch me up on life, I swear, ever since your wedding its been a bit of a whirlwind."Fuck, that statement could not be any more true.

Harley Westward