Here's the next chapter. This one is still quite Carolina-centric, but it will switch soon. This is just more character development for her. Have fun!
I do not own Red vs Blue. RvB belongs to RoosterTeeth.
I do not own Maximum Ride. MR belongs to James Patterson.
York did, indeed, make himself at home. Recalling world-knowledge he gained during one of his many times he had escaped from the lab, he managed to cook up just about everything in the fridge that could be cooked. He drug Carolina over and explained to her what everything did –what a refrigerator was, what a microwave did, and what all the various types of foods were. He insisted she try everything.
When North and South returned from Flowers's medical treatments, they feasted. Although, York did somehow burn the mashed potatoes.
"I'm not even sure how that's physically possible," North gasped as he held the emptied fire-extinguisher.
Aside from the fact it now smelt like burned things in the compound, the food was delicious. Carolina followed York's advice and did take bites of practically all the food before her. She was overwhelmed by all the new tastes and had trouble getting used to many. The only other frame of reference she had was the paste they gave her at the lab and food they stole from the house when they first escaped that truck.
"Carolina! Try some of this! It's basically noodles with melted cheese on it. You'll love it!"
"There's mac 'n' cheese here? Give me that!" South practically jumped over the table and stole the whole bowl.
"Sis, you have to share. Carolina's probably never had macaroni 'n' cheese before."
"Too bad. So sad. This is mine!"
North sighed at this twin as she succeeded in coating her face with yellow cheese sauce.
"It's alright. You still have to try some guacamole! It looks kinda gross, but I like it. You put it on sandwiches and stuff."
Carolina spooned some into her mouth but immediately spit it out, grasping desperately for her glass of water.
"What? It couldn't have been that bad."
"My mouth is on fire!" she squeaked in between breaths, her eyes watering.
Her glass empty, she reached and grabbed York's glass of milk too and downed that.
"Better now?" York watched with morbid fascination.
"Y-yeah." She coughed a few times. "Wow. I am not eating that again."
"Um, York," Wyoming began, "I think you gave her some of the wasabi instead of guacamole, chap."
"What?"
York dipped his finger in the bowl of green and tasted it, quickly spitting it out.
"Yup. That's wasabi. Sorry, Lina. My bad."
The table erupted into laughs as the dinner continued. Along the way, Carolina found didn't like seafood (or wasabi) and that cranberries were her absolute favorite. For the first time since Carolina and York escaped that truck, they were full. They were full, healthy, and (supposedly) safe.
"So, Carolyn. You ready to do this?" 479er smirked, getting up from the table.
"It's Carolina, and I don't know what you're talking about."
"It's time for your make-over. If you want to blend into society, you have to not look like you've lived out in the wilderness like a wild child for your whole life."
Carolina gritted her teeth.
"I've lived in a lab for my whole life! I've been tortured and-"
479er put her hand out. "Spare me the sob story. Don't think I've never heard it before."
The teal-winged girl's eyes blazed. York gulped as she stood up and got right in her face.
"Listen here, you little-"
"Okay. How's about this? I'll listen to you while you let me do the make-over. After you shower, of course."
There was no fear in her eyes.
Carolina balled her fists and analyzed which side of her face should she reconstruct for her. But York stopped her.
"Carolina?"
She whipped around, seething.
"Just do as she says. They're tying to help us. Please?"
She snorted as she left for the bathroom and slammed on the shower.
Honestly, she had been dying for a shower. She loved the way the dirt and grime melted off of her. It was hard to wash her back with her wings in the way, but she loved the feeling of being clean. Even when she was in the lab, she would get showers every once in a while. Usually before she was presented before potential donors to Project Freelancer's "research". They handed her a simple bar of soap and left her to her own devices, but, during those moments, she would just close her eyes and let the warm water roll.
Finished, she stepped out of the shower, drying herself off with the towel. She paused for a moment as she observed the scar on her leg from the wound that the Eraser gave her -the one that York healed. It looked like it was fading already. That boy was good.
Done with that, she tried to find her clothes. They were gone.
"Where are my clothes?!"
"They should be in there," a voice called back. Probably 479er.
Carolina looked around.
"Well, they aren't!"
"I just put them in there. They should be on the floor next to the sink."
Carolina looked over to see a pile of clothes there, but they weren't hers. Not that she was particularly fond of her ripped and ragged clothing.
She picked up the shirt from the pile like it was a snake going to bite her and looked it over. It was a white top. Sleeveless. But it had two strings which, after much thought, she concluded must tie around her neck. Carolina grimaced. She didn't even look at the other clothing items next to it.
"You want me to wear this?!" she shrieked.
479er called back, "Yes!"
"Well, I'm not going to!"
"Why not?!"
"It's not practical! I just want my regular, normal shirt!"
479er kicked the door open even though it wasn't locked. Carolina jumped to pull her towel up higher as the intruder stomped in and snatched the shirt from her hands.
"It has no back and ties on your neck so that it won't get in the way of your wings. The boots here are made of waterproofed leather and Erasers can't just tear right through it like cloth. The boots go up to your knees so you won't lose your shoes in combat. The pants were chosen so that you can have as much mobility as possible, so you can kick and run without restrictions. Now, what about that was impractical?!"
Carolina was stunned. 479er calmed down and walked out of the room much more subtly than she walked in.
"Just put it on. We've still got more to do."
After she put on the clothes (each fit perfectly on her), she found 479er sitting in a back room. Carolina knocked and looked at her with apologetic eyes.
"You ready for hair?" 479er said full of sarcasm. She didn't acknowledge Carolina's mood change.
She nodded.
"Alright! Come over here! Step into 479er's Bird Kid Salon!"
Carolina sat on the chair that she was directed toward and 479er pulled out a mirror for her to look into. Scissors, combs, and hair doo-dads at the ready, she began.
She started by simply combing her hair that, as it became apparent, was going to take a while. Many times she was forced to snip out some of the rats and tangles she just couldn't get through with the brush. Carolina gritted her teeth as her scalp was tugged and yanked, but remained silent. 479er was merciless, but she eventually got the red hair to be knot-free.
"Okay. This is where you have some say. How would you like me to cut your hair?"
Carolina stared in the mirror. She hadn't known that her hair was that red or that smooth. It was, as narcissistic as it was, beautiful if she said so herself.
"Um, I like it this length." She couldn't help stroking her own hair and weaving her fingers through it in total disbelief.
"No problem. I'll just make everything even then. Do you want any layers? Or –well, you can't do layers with long hair that well. Um, how about bangs? I can see you with a fringe."
"Um, sure?"
"Don't worry. Even if I screw this up, your red hair will be knocking them boys dead."
They both chuckled but for different reasons. 479er chuckled because she thought she was making Carolina uncomfortable. Carolina chuckled because there was no way any man would ever want to settle down with a winged freak like her. She could just imagine the first date. 'Hello. Tell me something about yourself.' 'Well, I'm allergic to peanuts, and I was tortured in a lab for most of my life. Don't be surprised if the kids have wings.' Yeah. It would be absolutely hilarious.
After a few snippets here and clips there, Carolina's hair was done. She looked in the mirror with awe.
"Thank you for doing all of this for me."
She got up to leave, but 479er slammed her back down.
"Oh, we're not done yet."
"Wha-"
That's when 479er pulled out the makeup.
"Is that really necessary?"
"Think of it like camouflage paint. It helps you blend in to your surroundings. Your surroundings just happen to be other teenaged girls. Now hold still."
It was like being painted. It was certainly a strange sensation. 479er made sure she was teaching her as she was doing her makeup. Giving pointers and explaining what each tool, powder, and color did.
Carolina wasn't sure if she liked it. Her eyes looked hollow with all the eye shadow, and there was no way she was letting her put on any of that frilly blush.
479er looked at Carolina's frustrated expression reflected in the mirror and had a slight tinge of pity for her. Carolina hadn't flipped out yet and was really trying hard to cooperate.
"Okay. I'll take some of the eye shadow off and we don't have to do mascara. Although, with the color of your eyes, red hair, and pale skin, any sort of color on you is going to look extreme. That's just the card you were dealt, hon. Suck it up."
Just like when she was dueling with Carolina's hair, 479er was rough with makeup too. If Carolina moved even an inch, she was scolded.
"There. You happy, princess?"
Carolina, finally given the okay, opened her eyes. It wasn't too bad. Much better than the raccoon eyes of before.
"It takes some getting use to. Soon enough you'll have your own style down. It will feel like second nature to you. Just like learning to fly. Or, well, I assume."
479er trailed off as if it led to a sad memory.
"Why are you here, 9er?"
She squinted at the nickname but didn't complain.
"Nice try, kid. Now go show off to those boys how pretty I made ya." She smirked.
Carolina rolled her eyes and walked into the hall.
She found that everyone else was sitting in a circle and preening the person in front of them's wings.
"Come to join the preening party, Caroli-" York started, but, when he actually looked up to see her, he froze.
She. Was. Beautiful.
York looked down again and his face turned red. He hadn't meant to stare, but, frankly, he'd never seen a more pretty person in all his life. She literally looked like an angel.
"Yeah. I need to tag someone out so that 479er can do their makeover."
"I'll go. She obviously has the makeup out already."
Carolina wasn't sure if that was supposed to be an insult to her or just South dreading wearing makeup herself. She chose to let that one slide.
Sitting down in South's spot in the circle, she picked up preening Flowers' wings while North preened hers.
Preening Flowers' wings was easy. The dirt and debris stood out against his dark blue feathers. Not to mention that he must not go outside much. His wings probably didn't even need work. Still, it was regular maintenance like this that kept the wings in good condition.
She removed all the broken contour feathers and plucked the dirty down feathers. She smoothed out the remaining with her fingers and spread out the oil as evenly as she could. Oil was what made the wings waterproof. It also gunked up the feathers if it wasn't cleaned out.
When South returned, Carolina's hands were good and sticky with oil. South's hair was much shorter and layered and her bangs hung over her right eye. Her hair ended up being a strikingly pale blonde when it was completely clean. She wore a shirt that was in a similar style as Carolina's but hers didn't tie on the neck and simply hugged her middle really tight. Her boots were taller than even Carolina's but she wore shorts with them instead of long pants. And, for the record, she was wearing much more makeup than Carolina.
"You look nice, sis." North offered, but she snorted.
"I guess. Move over and finish my wings, will ya."
She plopped down in front of her brother and behind Carolina. South slowly started to preen Carolina's feathers, but Carolina could tell she wasn't being very thorough.
"Well, that means I'm next then."
Everyone's wings were good and preened by the time York came back.
He was wearing cargo shorts paired with a Green Lantern belt and combat boots with a regular T-shirt that just had slits cut in the back for his wings. Except, the wing holes were rimmed with extra stitching so the fabric wouldn't tear and prevent the hole from getting bigger. His hair was a lighter brown than his wings, it turned out. It was much shorter and the front of his bangs was angled slightly up with gel. He looked good.
Although, really, York could look good even if he was wearing a paper bag.
Carolina stopped. Did she really just think that? She shook her head to clear the thought out.
North, like the gentleman he was, finished his sister's wings before he took his turn in 479er's make-over session. He emerged with similar cargo pants and a Hawkeye belt. His shirt also had the holes in the back like there was a whole stockpile of shirts just like it somewhere. His hair was also short, but it was flat –the curls having no length to really spring.
"Aren't they awesome? I'm the best, aren't I?" 479er said as she crashed on the couch next to Reginald, falling against him dramatically.
"Yes, dearie. You certainly are the best." There was no sarcasm even though he wore a smile under his monstrous mustache.
She shoved him away jokingly and sat up to watch whatever mindless sitcom happened to be on the TV.
"Are you going to tell us how you became such a beautician?" York asked, mischievously.
"Well, it's my superpower. Bestowed upon me by the universe."
"I think I could coat a cake with all that sarcasm." York smiled.
"You'd probably burn it though." North said, softly, but everyone heard it anyway.
"Hey! Not cool, man!" York put his hands on his hips in mock offense. "So would Reggie happen to know any of her secrets?"
Reginald laughed and 479er slammed his head with a pillow.
"No. I'm afraid not. She's just as much a secret to me as to everyone else."
It was hard to tell if he was lying or not.
"Alright! It's getting too late for this. Girls can stay in my room. Boys can stay in Reggie's room or you can crash on the couches. Your choice."
"Couch!" North and York called at the same time. Eyeing the other like a western showdown, they launched toward the living room. Considering there were two couches, it didn't really need to be a contest, but it was guy logic that it had to be.
With the boys content on their separate couches, the girls followed 479er to her room at the back of the compound. She had her own bed, a futon, a hammock, and an assortment of beanbags. Carolina wondered why at first but remembered that they probably weren't the first runaways to come through here. It would make sense for them to have several sleeping places.
479er claimed her own bed while South took the futon and Carolina took the hammock.
As things started to quiet down, the girls heard 479er ask in the darkness, "Isn't this the point in the sleepover where we talk about boys?"
She eyed Carolina in particular. The way York looked at her after she was done getting made over must not have been missed by her.
Carolina knew where this was going and immediately blurted the first thing that came into her head in a desperate attempt to divert the subject for her, "Are you dating Reginald?"
She stiffened physically in the bed. Carolina could see her with her genetically improved night vision.
"No. We never have and never will."
"Why not? You seem to get along fine." It wasn't that she shipped them or anything. It was just something that would make sense in her mind.
479er sighed and beat her pillow a couple times to fluff it up.
"I think he's hiding something from me. I don't know what it is."
"What do you mean by that? What could he possibly have to hide?"
"Something dark." 479er closed her eyes. "What am I saying? I'm acting like this is a conspiracy or something. Never mind. Just never mind. Go to sleep. And, if either of you snore, I'm smothering you. Just an FYI. Okay? Okay. Good night."
Carolina was still thinking about what she said about Reginald. What if he was hiding something dark? What could it be? Just when she was beginning to feel safe here, she had to bring this upon herself.
Carolina just shook her head. She knew better than to think she had found a safe haven. As long as there was Project Freelancer, she would never be safe anywhere. They would look for her until the day she died. She had to get her head out of this fantasy and back into reality. She still had a trip to Canada to plan. The longer she stayed, the harder it was going to get to say goodbye to everyone. It was already hard now.
She closed her eyes and cautiously welcomed sleep. It was the first time she had slept somewhere other than a floor, be that the dirt floor of the earth, the concrete floor of the lab, or the metal floor of a moving truck.
It wasn't as hard to fall asleep even though there was no one on watch. It was very strange. Maybe because she was sure that with all the people in the compound they would be able to take on anyone who came in, and someone would wake up if someone broke in. Carolina had spotted the security system on the door too. She was exhausted and bruised and full. Wrapping her wings closer to herself, she tried to stop thinking, but that didn't happen. Her thoughts continued rapid fire until they became a white noise to which she finally fell asleep. Finally.
Yay! So in the series, 479er and Carolina's relationship is very interesting. In season 10, there's the scene where Carolina tells everyone to get in 479er's pelican, but 479er stops her so she can talk to Delta and Carolina doesn't object. Basically 479er is the only person she willingly takes orders from. She really respects her. And then, in season 9 and 10, they have lots of funny, back-and-forth dialogue. Carolina talking with 479er is about as casual of a conversation as she ever has. Basically, it's my headcanon that 479er and Carolina are really good friends. However, because of their personalities, I picture them as not getting along right off the bat. This is what I was trying to show alot with this chapter. This is Carolina getting her very first friend that, also, happens to be a human. She's finally learning to trust.
I also tried to hint at some Yorkalina here too. I'm terrible at writing romance so the romance might still be a little delayed until I can come up with something good.
Speaking of romance, does anyone approve or disapprove of the hinted Wyoming/479er? I've never, ever thought of this ship before, but, in this fic, it just might work. So, if you guys are cool with it, I'm gonna go with an eventual pairing of those two. If you object, then that's fine. I can keep it friendship. I just have a really good scene (in my head) for them. Anyway, just a possible heads-up.
On a lighter note, in my other RvB fic, I have North as the cook. It's sort of a headcanon of mine that North would be a good cook. However, in this one, I'm doing a take on that York is a really bad cook. It just seemed something that would be really funny to throw in there. Just kicks and giggles and all that jazz.
I'm starting my internship soon so, I know that this might be a little personal, but if you could pray for me in that regard, it would be very much appreciated.
Thank you for reading this! I really hope that you're enjoying it so far.
Review if you so desire.
Looking froward to it.