Staggered Pace

Levi helpfully unhooked Martyn's belongings and let them crash to the floor.

Elle huffed as she stood and dusted her back side off before clapping her hands past one another to clear them. Her frowning eyes watched as Levi lead Martyn's horse over to his and fastened the animal to his saddle with a lead rope.

Next Elle looked to Niki and was surprised that the woman was doing as ordered; but by the look on her face she was seething over it. It was her own fault though, sure Martyn and Elle were being complete children but she was being a smart arse- she should have kept her mouth closed.

That was Niki's problem, she didn't like to be bested. The auburn haired woman liked to have an undermining authority; the kind where she would spar her words against higher ranks but get away with it. She was intimidating and persistent, and others were quick to learn the tussle for dominance wasn't worth the aggravation.

She hadn't won dominance today, and stupidly she still wasn't backing down.

Niki scowled at the Captain as she passed her horses reins with a sharp flick into his waiting palm and Levi carried on as if she wasn't even there. Her green eyes narrowed and lips formed a tight sneer; she was infuriated by the Captain's lack of response to her blatant attitude and show of disrespect.

Elle likened her to a toddler having a tantrum. In that moment Niki was fighting to get a rise out of the Captain; and he'd dealt her more damage by acting as if she wasn't even there.

The action was simplistic in how it showed Levi wouldn't fight her for dominance because he didn't need to- she was no threat to him.

Elle was simple in comparison and moved to accepted her punishment- after passing Martyn another look of concern. He still hadn't recovered.

Without complaint she moved to her horse's side and silently worked at relieving the mare of the small amount of luggage. The bag tapped down gently as Elle placed it on the floor before she next took her water canister from the saddle bag. She knew she'd be needing it if they were walking. Suddenly her head spiked with pain and her vision blurred around the edges. It was a telling sign she should of already had something to drink.

Elle closed her eyes and braced herself, resting her arm on the mare for balance- dehydration was not something she needed at this moment. She hung her head and lifted gentle fingers to her forehead. The large bump was tender, especially towards the hair line where her scalp had split from the force of the assault- but that wasn't the cause of her pain.

She'd suffered from a banging headache since she'd received the head-butt. It was a horrendous throbbing that had made her feel so woozy with pain she hadn't been able to eat the night before or that morning. Slowly it had faded to a constant and unfriendly ache that well hid the niggling pounding that came with not drinking enough- until it was too late.

"Everything alright?" she was asked but she wasn't sure who by.

She lifted her pounding head and turned away, "Fine!" She chirped out nonchalantly, while her eyes struggled to see through the growing blur in her vision. There was such a strong pulse behind her eyes she was sure they'd pop out.

Without wasting anymore time she opened up her canister and took a much needed drink. It'd be a while before she felt the benefit of the water but she accepted that and looked forward to when she'd feel better.

She sealed up her water and hung the canister around her neck for better access before she then picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder. She turned back ready to start her walk but faltered at the sight of Levi.

It was him that had asked.

She gave a short thought to why he'd even care but then assured herself he probably didn't, "I can't place that look you're giving me," She stated honestly. "Concern?" She then asked him with a slight tilt of her head. He didn't answer. "Over my health or sanity?" She then quirked a brow and gave that meaningless smile of hers. He didn't clarify.

"Tch." Levi turned away from her. That cold smile sickened him, it was nothing more than an empty upward curl of her lips; it wasn't even worth the effort to force and he'd rather she not smile at all.

In silence the short male took her horse and wrangled it up with the other confiscated animals. Although no words passed his lips the look that came to his face spoke enough to have Elle feeling rather unsettled.

The irritation she'd been expecting. The loathing disgust she had not.

The three insubordinates waited until Levi was back in his saddle, but the man gave no more instruction. A simple kick and he had his horse moving, the others giving a whine of confusion as the tug forwards was their only indication to start walking.

The group all passed a glance to one another, looking as unsure as the their three horses had been to move- yet the animals got used to their new bonds and fell into line.

"Get up already, you idiot!" Niki clipped with a huff as she looked down at Martyn. She offered no help as she stepped past him. She was annoyed to be walking and no matter how she thought about it, there was just no chance of her being able to sneak her horse back- and it had nothing to do with how they were tied.

"Come on." Elle sighed. She extended a hand out to Martyn but he slapped her away with a scowl.

"I don't need your help!" He spat at her.

"Suit yourself." She replied with a shrug and moved after Niki.

Martyn struggled back on to his feet. He kept a hand over his sore abdomen and his posture was hunched to save his battered muscles the tension of the stretch. He was last to gather his stuff and follow after the group, his pace a little laboured from the assault.

The three fell into silence.

They kept a good pace as they walked, but also Levi rode a little slower considering he had three horses in tow.

Martyn's and Niki's horses were attached either side of his saddle and Elle's horse was strung up to Niki's. It gave the animals enough room to walk comfortably and stop them from getting tangled but their were times when Elle's mare would get too close to Niki's and the pair would have a moment of head flicking and protests.

The day dragged on and no one spoke, the three couldn't even be bothered to pass blame. Time proved a struggle to keep. No one knew how long they'd been walking for and Elle was sure that what ever their original destination was, they weren't going to reach it today.

Again Elle thought on the time they'd spent walking. Had it been hours or minutes? She honestly couldn't tell.

She'd started to lag behind the group with only her panting to keep her company. She was struggling. Heat climbed her neck and face as if she had suddenly leaned too close to a fire. Her world tilted a little and she was forced into a stagger to right her balance. "I don't feel too good." She uttered, catching the attention of Martyn and Niki.

The pair paused and looked back at her. They were both confused a moment as they watched her sway despite the steady stance she'd gotten herself into.

Elle put her arms out to help her balance but her view faded gradually and with it her balance worsened.

Martyn and Niki became more concerned as they watched her odd drunken stagger, "Elle?" They both called out to her simultaneously.

"Elle?" Their voices blended together and muddled till she was unsure who it was calling.

"Elle!" She couldn't place that voice.

"Elle!" Again that voice shouted out, but there was no worry in that tone. "Elle! Elliot!" They were calling. She was calling.

"Damn it, Elliot, wait!" She shouted and finally the man she was shouting after turned back.

Curiosity was on his face, wondering why he was hearing his name. The answer came when he spotted the young woman throw her arm up in the air, waving for his attention. "Eloise?" He chirped in confusion and waited for her to catch up. "Lou, what are you doing?" He shook his head at her.

Heaving out deep breaths to collect herself after her run she then stood up and slapped his arm in a manner that was both annoyed and jesting, "You can't just disappear one morning to join the military!" she frowned. Hurt was clear on her face.

Elliot held his arm in response to the hit before he fully took in the expression on her face. With a deep sign he hung his head, "Lou," He breathed out in a sigh, "Please don't stop me!" He pleaded with her.

"I won't, so long as you don't choose the scouts!" She pressed.

"Eloise!" The older male groaned as he placed a hand to his face. It was obvious to see this was an argument they'd had over and over.

"Elle, please!" She desperately pleaded, "I'm begging you!" She reached out and gripped his sleeve, her kind eyes brimming with the tears she was failing to hold back. "Anything but the scouts!"

"I have to do this!" Elliot shook his head, "James doesn't have enough work for the both of us!" He tried his best to reason, "The money I make in the military I can use to help support you!"

"That doesn't mean you have to join the scouts!" upset and frustrated the tears started to flow down her youthful cheeks, "Please, please, Elliot." She sobbed.

With a frustrated groan Elliot pulled his little sister into his arms, holding her tight to sooth her, "Damn it, Lou," He huffed. "Alright!" He surrendered.

Still she cried, "Elle?" She sniffled.

She didn't believe him.

"Elle?" Another voice was calling for him.

"Elle?!" There was urgency in their tone.

No. This wasn't a memory.

It was her they were calling for.

Her eyes shot opened to a lovely close up of mud. Confusion knotted her brow as she pushed herself up a little before realisation hit. She'd passed out.

A sudden surge of energy hit her and she sprung up, Martyn willing her to slow and take it easy while Niki could only look on in slight worry.

"Don't get up too fast!" Martyn frowned, watching as she sat back on her heels and looked about.

She felt oddly alert now and she wondered how long she was out for, but as she became more aware of her surroundings she also became more aware of the blinding headache that clustered behind her right eye.

"What happened?" She felt she had to ask. Things had gotten rather distant and disorientated and she guessed her migraine was to be thanked for that.

"Well, you just glazed over and completely ignored us," Martyn shrugged.

"Then you wandered towards Martyn and tried to touch his face," Niki added in, pointing helpfully towards the sandy haired male as if Elle wouldn't know who she was talking about. "Then you fell," The auburn haired woman shook her head, jabbing another point towards Martyn, "He caught you, then thought you were messing about so he just dropped you again."

"Thanks," Elle muttered with a frown. "How long was I out?"

"Literally seconds," Niki scoffed. Both Martyn and Elle were unsure if it was a sound of amusement or disappointment.

"We better get moving before the Captain reali-"

"What are you three idiots doing!?" Levi's voice called loudly in irritation, interrupting Martyn. He was answered instantly by all three at once. Their voices and excuses muddling together but he'd managed to catch them all.

Niki shouted back that Elle had tripped.

Elle shouted they were taking a break.

Martyn shouted he was tying his shoe.

"Your boots don't have laces you fucking idiot!" Niki hissed at Martyn.

"Fuck sake, Martyn." Elle sighed.

"Fuck sake me?!" He asked incredulously, "Fuck sake you!" He corrected, looking Elle up and down before he stood. "She fainted like a princess!" He then called to the Captain while pointing at Elle still sat on the ground.

"What a dick." Niki commented as she passed Martyn a sly eye.

Elle used his height to her advantage and swatted him right in the crotch, causing him to crumple to the floor with a cry while Niki laughed at his expense. "I'm fine!" Elle then declared as she stood up, albeit a little too quickly but she held her own.

Levi's sharp gaze cut them as he regarded going over to address them. Martyn looked guilty as sin as he staggered back up, Elle had been suspiciously sat on the ground, and Niki needed that disrespectful attitude slapped off her face- his decision was made and he stood in the saddle and swung a leg over as he dismounted.

Elle ignored his existence. She didn't want to focus of him nor did she want to focus on that memory of her brother. Yet each of their faces came to mind the more she tried to ignore the other.

Her stomach flipped when she noticed the Captain's calm approach and her throat tightened with each step he took closer. She felt like prey. Her basic instincts were kicking in, her flight or fight response trying to come to the rescue.

She looked about. There was no where to run too. She noted the few trees to her right but Levi could, and probably would, take her down before she got off the road.

Fight? That was a big no. She'd heard enough through the grape vine to never want to try that.

In a futile attempt to keep ignoring him she chose to distract herself. Elle went straight for the water canister around her neck and pawed at the cap. She struggled with the lid, her mind growing as scattered as her hands were shaking but once she had it she brought the item to her lips and threw her head back.

Elle downed as much water as she could before she had to breath again. She lowered the canister with a gasp and dabbed her lips dry with the back of her hand. Again her stomach flipped and she paused. Her brows knotted and a look of concentration came to her face. She didn't feel right and she knew instantly she shouldn't of tried to down so much water.

Her mouth grew dry and a sweat came to her brow. She swallowed slowly but it only emphasized how much her throat had closed in on her and it was almost suffocating. The contents of her stomach churned, willing it's way back up but she forced herself to stay calm in the hopes it would settle.

Breathe. She thought to keep herself calm. If she could just breathe through the sickly feeling she knew it would pass and she was doing well till she looked up and met the Captain's gaze.

Her stomach flipped and she both calmly and silently turned and walked away.

She kept the back of her hand to her mouth as a last defence. Her pace quickening till she came to the edge of the road.

"Elle?" Martyn asked slowly. He thought she'd gone into that blank mode again and was about to pass out, but no. She heaved forwards with a retch and the fluid she'd just chugged down poured out with horrendous but impressive speed and strength. "Ew, fuck!" Martyn hollerred in shock and disgust, jumping away a little and looking to her with a wide eyed cringe. "You alright?" He then asked stupidly.

Niki and Levi didn't quite have the prime view Martyn did, but the sound and his reaction was enough to know what had happened.

Niki's brows rose, she couldn't help but think her friend was having some tough luck as of late. Then she met eyes with the Captain. She couldn't stop herself- "Don't take it personally, I want to heave when I look at you too." She pressed a sickly sweet smile to her lips that perfectly matched the falseness of her chipper tone.

Levi turned on her.

It was sudden and too quick for Niki to comprehend let alone react. By the time she'd felt his hand on her shoulder pushing her balance back, his leg had already kicked her feet from under her in a wonderfully clean sweep.

The back of her head cracked to the ground and she was lucky the floor wasn't stone or she'd probably be unconscious. Her wide eyes stared up at the sky in shock and her lips parted as she tried for a gasp of air but her winded lungs had yet to recover.

He left her there and looked over to where Martyn was awkwardly trying to assist Elle.

"Do you need help?" The sandy brown haired male questioned as he watched the woman cough and sputter. She was unable to answer and so he reached out to place a hand on her back to rub soothing circles.

Elle wanted to scream at him not to touch her, but she was struggling with how violently her stomach was pumping and could only wait in horror for the dreaded back rub.

The Captain cleared the distance between them effortlessly despite his shorter strides and slapped Martyn's hand away with a stinging backhand before he could touch Elle. "Leave her!" He ordered harshly.

Martyn withered away both from the tone and the hit, stepping back a few paces before Niki's wheezed breath caught his attention and he looked to her crumpled form in surprise. Guess they all had a rather shit run.

A thought then came to him, yes Elle was in a state but it wasn't Levi that put her there, not like how he just had with Niki or himself earlier. Perhaps now was her time? He wondered as he glanced back over.

Elle had calmed enough to hobble further away from the group. She forced deep breaths as if it would still her sickness like it would recover her body from exercise. The water canister she had managed to keep in a tight clamp while her other hand had been raked through her hair in an attempt to keep the locks free of her face.

She took shaky sips of water. Small amounts this time so her stomach could handle it but she didn't leave enough pause between her sips and her insides were unhappy with it. She dropped her canister to support herself on the tree she'd come to, her body forcing out what she'd just drank with another heave.

Martyn and Levi watched at a distance. It looked like Elle was receiving a punch to the gut with how she lurched forwards with each retch and heave. It was painful to watch.

Martyn glanced back towards the Captain. He wasn't doing anything and the younger male was confused by this. He wasn't going to help nor was he going to shout at her?

He lifted a hand to his sandy hair and pushed his fingers through. He had never been fussed on either Niki or Elle before, but he was a bit of a worrier, it was just a part of his nature; as much as he hated to admit it. He was worried that Niki would keep pissing the Captain off and he was worried Elle would get on the Captain's last nerve if she didn't sober up quickly. Sure they weren't the right things to be worrying about, but they were points that could cause the Captain to have a foul mood and then Martyn would be subjected to that.

"S-should I go help her?" Martyn then asked. He hoped if he could try and sort the situation it may improve the Captain's mood.

"She doesn't want help." Levi's eyes didn't leave Elle, he watched her in the distance as she stood up a little straighter and seemed to calm before hunching back over again. He was sure she was dry heaving by now.

"Really, how do you know?" Martyn couldn't help the disbelief in his tone.

Levi tilted his head to shoot a simple look of annoyance up at Martyn, he didn't want to be having small talk with him, "It's obvious." He stated because to him it was; but then he knew she didn't like to be touched when she was sick. It was a tiny comfort that something about her hadn't changed.

Martyn found it odd the Captain would assume how she felt when he didn't know her. "I'm pretty sure she was crying," He mumbled, seeming as if he was going to continue but Levi's scoff stopped him.

"Tch." He looked away from the younger male. The light haired man knew nothing and that wasn't his fault, but it was still annoying. Levi however wasn't going to reassure him by saying how Elle's eyes watered when she was sick, in fact her whole face tended to stream- it was no wonder she wanted to be left alone. No. That would be seen as an odd thing for him to know.

With a sigh Levi lifted a hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. His eyes closed and brows knotted. What was this situation he'd found himself in?

"I guess I'll go help the other disaster." Martyn uttered under his breath. He felt awkward and needed something to do.

Levi's eyes flashed open with such a deadly look it caused Martyn to flinch. What he'd just said had obviously pissed the Captain off, but why? Did he not want him to help Niki? Was it because he referred to them as disasters?

No, that would be weird. You'd have to be somewhat familiar and friendly with someone to get offended on their behalf.

"If you want to make yourself useful, go fetch my water!" Levi barked at the younger male.

Instantly Martyn gulped but did as he was told.

When he returned there was no thanks from the Captain as he snatched away the water canister and shot the sandy haired male a frown before he strode towards Elle.

He'd had enough.