stuff us in boxes that's where you want us

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

Now, having escaped the rust bucket harbouring the eclectic mix of were's the pair were soon off, putting space between the different realities that was both their lives and the blissful distraction both seemed to need from it. The raven-haired woman content to take her chances of it biting her in the ass, after all, that future seemed so uncertain.

Harley could not help but eye the curious exchange of man and bird within that wordless exchange, wondering to what extent that secretive communication went. She slowed the vehicle to a stop just so she could witness it. The bird of prey soon swooshed and landed softly upon her warlock as if she had waited that entire time for that subtle cue. It was a strange thing to witness.. One that made little sense and yet it probably intended to be so. "Heya Fid." Harley offered in greeting that was not reciprocated, the bird of prey content to find her spot in the backseat upon Sterling's hastily packed bag but not before Harley received a wing to the face. Harley's gaze followed her in the rearview mirror, watching the unique way she ruffled her wings suddenly as if settling her feathers in place in complete contentment. "I didn't think it was possible but I think she cares for me even less..." and yet the bird barely offered her a second glance in her newfound contentment.

A smartass comment about buckling up seemed to come to mind that the woman thought better of voicing before the pair began their journey to leave the cursed borders of Sacrosanct... Nothing more than a sign bidding them farewell. It took at least several hours of driving to check her rearview mirror to check if they were followed, a newfound instinctual wariness that subsided the more distance was put between them. A tension which lived within the raven haired woman's shoulders seemed to ease the further away from that cursed city for what she wonders might be the last time.

Sterling easily navigated their travels with ease, in fact, it was easy, the conversation, that laughter. Even Sterling's tarnished mood seemed to lighten, with not so much as a peep from the large bird in the back seat. A comfortable lull in the conversation gave Sterling that peaceful rest while Harley was left with nothing but the road and her own thoughts. A place she had dwelled far more than she would have lived these past few weeks.

Harley content to drive along the roads those once lush green lands transitioned into a desolate ocean of golden dusty desert sands. The sea air replaced with something far drier, and perhaps a peculiar scent she could not belong to anything but the desert. She swore she could feel the relentless heat even in the safety air-conditioned zone. Thoughts meandered to and fro within her mind, like the state of her car and her well-meant intentions to improve upon its engine. It needed an upgrade in which she could not deny. It was amazing how much life still stirred in those seemingly harsh conditions, her focus upon that road along as what dwelled off of it..

It was interesting how life always found a way against all odds. Perhaps it brought her an odd comfort in that, relying upon her own steadfast resilience to fight through it in her own way. She knew she would find her own way through oppression and despair.. After all, she wouldn't be Harley if she didn't fight through a perilous wasteland and carve her own way while somehow defying all odds on sheer willpower alone.

It was the need for fuel and snacks that sent the she-cat on a quest for both, halting the car at a well-timed rest stop. Ever since turning she had found herself far more prone to crankiness if she didn't keep her stomach satisfied with something. After pulling into the stop, accumulating an overkill on delicious treats to accompany their journey before waking the sleepy warlock at her side who lazily awoke with a yawn and stretch. She was quite convinced he could sleep the whole ride there and Harley had to admit her own defeat against the heaviness of her eyelids. Even if she couldn't sleep she desired to at least close her eyes.

"Do not doubt my skills, warlock." She teased easily, although the words themselves felt far more loaded than she intended. "There is no telling what I could have mastered in the time while you were asleep." She could not help that little smirk that tugged upon the corners of her lips, vague jest. Sterling easily took to the driver's seat shortly after.. It felt odd looking at someone else at the wheel of her car. Yet if there was anyone she could trust with her steel-clad mount, it was him, the very man who aided in its restoration. If Harley couldn't trust Sterling.. Then she was forever doomed.

It was almost surprising how quickly the droning sounds of the radio accompanied by the peaceful sounds of Fiddy seemed to lull the restless woman to sleep. Somewhere lost to the dreams that sluggishly drew within her mind. As she slept she could vaguely hear the sounds of the waking world outside her window. She heard the sound of a distant angry honk of an enraged driver that woke her with a start, the thought of who drove that car nearly sent her mind reeling. A false alarm. What the hell was wrong with her?

She looked around, her heart racing, thudding within the confines of the cage of her chest. The scents had changed, the sights far different, her wild eyes slow to adjust and yet with each blink she allowed it all to come into focus. Such a different place in comparison to Sacrosanct. Sterling responded to the raven-haired woman's question who stretched once that alarm within her subsiding, saying nothing about that burst of unwarranted fear Her neck sore from the odd angle in which she had positioned herself. Cars were not made for sleeping and yet she was grateful for the sleep nonetheless. "Shit..." she replied as to how long she slept for... It was almost disorienting before her hands fumbled to search for her phone with a groan at the missed messages and yet more than content to ignore them. "I'll find something." she mumbled, casually scrolling the interwebs for a place to crash. Fortunately, there were no shortage of available rooms.

A sound of triumph left her lips."I got us something.. Somewhat close to the beach too. Within walking distance. It looks... somewhat new." Here's hoping for no bed bugs or cockroaches. Harley's eyes narrowed as she studied the photos.. For that price it better be good.

She navigated Sterling to the final destination, he parked the car. It wasn't fancy but it at least looked refreshed and not falling apart. It looked like it had a fresh coat of paint and as far as the outside looked, it seemed to possess a semblance of hope. Even then, the brave woman was not willing to take a UVB light to the thing. "Not too shabby." She announced and yet the room was a true test.

Harley led Sterling to what seemed like the front desk, modest and yet they offered those cheap little peppermints she reached to pillage. The person at the front desk had complete dead inside vibes as they spoke with the least enthused voice she'd ever heard. Which was quite impressive considering she had met her fair share of those that exuded doom and gloom from their pores. Apparently there was only one room and Harley hastily moved that conversation along... silencing the woman with a credit card, ignoring her half-hearted warning of the only room they had available. They had a room, thats what truly mattered and of course commencing the forget all about your ex field trip they were about to go on. Which included copious amounts of booze, naturally.

"Yeaaah.. I know you want to consider women again.. But.. stay faaar away from that one. I bet she has the same dead eyes in the bedroom.. As she just lays... there.." Harley muttered after the door closed securely behind her. She could not help that laughter that escaped her then.. "What's your type anyways?" She queries, Harley leading the way to room 204, flipping the keycard within her well-timed fingers.

They climbed up a set of stairs, the room door facing the opposite of where they parked.. "Alright... I think this one is ours... now... its not the ritz.... But here we go.."

The raven-haired woman easily unlocked the door swinging it inside in an almost dramatic fashion, possessed by an almost morbid curiosity of the forensic monstrosity that awaited them.

"Wow..." For once the woman was speechless, her vivid eyes scanning that room, that possessed so much red, and a cheesy vibrating queen bed with cheap but gaudy looking sheets. She tossed her bag onto the empty chair that sat next to a small writer's desk and phone. At least... there was a sign with the code.. For complimentary wifi.

"Huh.. They might have skimped out on the red.." She rose a brow peering at her companion that sarcastic gleam matched her eyes and smirking lips.

Of course they were given the lover's suite.. That's what the lifeless woman was mumbling about.. Well.. With a fucking iconic heart shaped juccuzi in the middle of room, her gaze fell upon the bed with the bottle that perched within a bucket along with two flutes. Wow, they really went all... out.

"Uhhhh...Well... at least it comes with booze.. I can officially cross this.... Room off my bucket list.."

Harley Westward