Cailin was busy carrying a load of clothes out to the washing machines the troops recovered on a recon mission.
It was about time as well, she was out of clothes that were baggy enough to fit her frame.
She started to pile it all in when a hand touched hers on the bench.
"Oh hey, didn't see you there..." Mei awkwardly chuckled with a grin.
Cailin kept a neutral expression as she shoved the rest of her basket in.
"Soooooo.... these last two days, right?" Mei smiled.
Cailin ignored her and went for her pocket.
"I've got this!" Mei smiled as she loaded some money into the machine. "Funny that I happened to have enough for two loads, am I correct?"
Cailin remained unamused and asked "Why are we paying for stuff now?"
"Some mercenaries are offering combat support, but we don't have the funds to pay'em with the doc doin' his research." Michaelson replied.
"Anything to help out." Mei smiled, adding "I tend to be the supportive type and-"
Cailin yanked her washed clothes out and headed off for the dryer.
"Well, that went as well as I thought it would...." Mei sighed.
"Maybe dial back a few notches..." Michaelson suggested.
"How do I get the spark going?" Mei asked as she leaned on the machine.
"Take her somewhere nice... there's a lookout to the northeast." Michaelson replied, "The stars are all out if you look just right."
"Thank you for the suggestion...." Mei smiled, " And on another note, do you have any change for the dryer?"
Michaelson sighed as he dug out his last fiver...
********************************************************************************
Cailin sighed, Mei clutching her hand and guiding her somewhere interesting.
"Here we are." Mei smiled as she slipped the blindfold off.
"WOAH..." the snowy haired girl gasped as she looked out from the point.
The stars were visible without a cloud of smog and city lights blaring; they shimmered and shined brilliantly down upon a deep blue reservoir.
"And I managed to sneak some stuff out of the soldier's lockers..." Mei smiled as she set a basket against a blanket, pulling out some items and lighting a candle.
"Oh my god, something good to eat! Mountain Dew, some nice Mozzarella sticks, and all with this amazing..." Cailin said with a fading smile "Wait a minute, you're just trying to get it on with me!"
"No no no, I swear, it's just between friends." Mei blushed.
Cailin sighed and looked out at the sky, Mei resting next to her.
"Do you have anyone special out there?" Mei asked.
"Not sure..." Cailin asked, "What do you mean?"
"Someone... close." Mei said as she tried to hold hands.
"No!" Cailin snipped as she yanked her hand away.
"I don't really have anyone either...." Mei sighed.
"How's that?" Cailin asked.
Mei sighed, "My mom's been busy my whole life..."
"Oh really?" Cailin asked.
"Yeah, sometimes I wouldn't hear from her in months." Mei added "It was just me and my grandfather in the apartments behind his dojo... then his back starting getting worn down by the time I was in high school. I met Mona and Rachel, it was all fine and well..."
"So?" Cailin asked.
"I'm just not sure were I would be if he was gone..." Mei sighed.
"I'm sorry...." Cailin sighed.
"It's fine..." Mei smiled. "I'm out here on a pretty night with a pretty girl...."
Cailin giggled, "That's so corny."
That's when she felt Mei's hand touch...