? ~PROJECT SAC-1~ ??

Chapter 37 - Life's Full Of Surprises ?

Boy was she a sight to behold for wide-eyed everyone in the common area - the boys and, unexpectedly, the entire Lawquane family. A tangled mynock nest for hair, baggy clothes wrinkled and twisted in odd places, a missing sock with part of a pant leg stuck into its rolled band, her slumped and sore body, smeared eye makeup that did not blend well with her purple bags, and face reddened with imprinted odd patterns from her unmovable, comatose state - geez, she looked worse than when on her period. From their places on one of the couches, Tech and Wrecker were highly concerned; chilling against the door jam leading to the kitchen, Hunter couldn't believe she could possibly look worse from last night; cuddled against his burly uncle, Jek thought this is what a zombie must look like; the parents on the other hand gave each other understanding, secret smiles, whom Shaeeah ran up to at the table and animatedly began telling them all what happened yesterday.

And at the workbench Crosshair didn't hold back a snicker at her appearance. "Motherhood is a great look for you."

With a withering look from beneath her messy bangs, Talla efficiently communicated to him: 'Kark off.'

Taking pity, Hunter asked knowingly to the woman shuffling up to him, "Is it going to be a cup of caf kind of day?"

She gave a slow nod, still trying to wake up her eyes. "Can you put a shot of somethin' strong in it?" Talla hoarsely requested as he pushed off his perch, her feet dragging when she followed him.

Hunter gave concerned glance over his shoulder, opening the dish cabinet. "'fraid not." He denied, taking out and putting her favorite mug under the prepared dispenser, hoping the machine wouldn't choose now of all times to glitch.

Talla placed her weak hands on the sinks counter, and made to hop up on its edge, "But it might -" Took a few tries with her jelly arms, "Might give me the jolt I need to wake up -"

*hop*

'Too far!' Slipping into the sink her arms flailed-

Just in time Hunter shot a hand out and caught hers. "You already can't see straight or control your bodily functions." When steadying her Talla held onto Hunter like he was a lifeline, making him tilt his head in concern, "How could one kid do this to you?" The machine beeped, and he was quick to add creamer, sugar, and press the prepared mug into her hands, hoping it would revive her. "I've never seen you like this, not unless your hungover or bleeding for seven days straight." He continued, leaning on his elbow against the counter next to Talla, who took a moment to close her eyes and deeply inhale the bitter yet sweet scent of liquid sanity that might give her the boost needed to deal with the little monsters today. Hunter thought cleaning up would help her out, but it seemed to do nothing! 'So much for staying up all night to make everything spotless.'

A sip was taken, and Talla sighed as that first blissful and disgusting drop touched her weary soul. "Ever had to take care of a hyperactive kid?" She finally answered.

Hunter's brow shot up. "Have you met Wrecker?"

Valid.

"Let me rephrase: Ever had to take care of a hyperactive kid all by yourself?"

"Have you met the others?" Was his second smart aleck remark. Not even Tech helped out with wrangling up the hyperactive kid and his silver-haired instigator - the peaceful brainiac preferred to stay out of the drama.

Hunter's perceived as rude lack of sympathy caused an eye roll, "Another fair point I guess, but believe it or not that girl's got like - like the energy and destructive power of THREE Wrecker's!" Talla revealed, that crazed look coming back.

"... You know what, I believe it, considering anything and everything on this ship was out of place." Hunter concurred after a pause of reflection, "I had to reassemble a whole desk chair and part of the couch, buff out scratches and skid marks on the walls and floors, and let's not even mention the fact our computer's language settings are now in something foreign." Hunter would've never in his wildest dreams imagined one kid being rowdier than this stunning brood of clone rejects with acute pyromania and anger management issues.