splitting the atom - [o]

[ALEXANDER]

He didn't know what he would do without his smokes.

Alexander took a short inhale, blowing out the smoke and watching it dissipate into the still evening air. It was sunset, the sparse landscape washed in an evil red light. There wouldn't be light for much longer, leaving him standing out alone in the chilly night air. Since this was so close to the Flame border, it was considerably warmer here than in the more desolate places of the north, which had allowed him to shed his wolf skin and leaving it lying on the stone that marked the boundary between the two countries. Clad in nothing but simple, fur-lined trousers and a loose tunic, he was content. He was in a rather good mood today, and didn't want that to be ruined, though he almost wished that a hot-head would walk by so he could send an arrow up their ass.

He smirked ever so slightly at the thought.

Alexander was leaning against a slab of stone, surveying enemy land without being on it. That was probably the perk of borders, you could still see your enemies and mess with them, but not ever have grounds to fight them because you are each on your own respective side. He took a long drag on his cigarette, opening his mouth and puffing out small O shapes. He wasn't bored, no, of course not, just chilling. Like he always did.

I wonder what those guys are up to.. His thoughts were preoccupied with the Order of the Flame, trying to decipher if they were plotting something tricky just beyond that invisible line. Talk about frustrating. All that open land, but it belonged to someone else.

He sighed.

What did it matter anyway? If they were coming up with something it was bound to happen either way. No way to prevent it, right? He leaned his head back, turning his green irises skyward as he pushed more smoke from his lips. Why was nothing ever interesting anymore? Bor-ing.

He really wished something would happen, right now. This very second. Even if a meteor rained down from the heavens and squashed him like a bug, it was something.

[Amber]

Amber had smelt smoke on her inspection of the border. She decided it’d be best to check out what was going on, just in case there was any trouble. The Lieutenant walked right beside the border, any other person would have been terrified to do this but Amber was calm. She knew she could take anything that came at her, so what was there to be worried about? She walked on, lingering in one spot where the smoke was most visible. In her years of training with Leigh, she had never learned such things as being able to tell if a track in the mud was recent, or if a fire was currently in use , and other things along those lines. It irritated Amber, not knowing if someone was across the border, observing at her or if no one was there and she was wasting time. She sighed and decided to watch the border anyways. The Empress herself had ordered her to check it and make sure the Order of Frost were behaving. Amber sat down on a rock a foot away from where she stood. Before she knew it she was spacing out, staring at the beauty of the sunset. It was absolutely stunning. To her, everything about nature was stunning; she wanted to be beautiful just like it.

After gazing at the sunset for a while she came back to reality. Peace couldn’t last forever and Amber had to go back to her job of securing the border. She sighed and stood up, bored as hell and waiting for something to happen. She wished something that was worth while would happen in her life. It was boring as it was. Amber remembered Leigh again, heck she couldn’t get her mentor out of her head. Every single thing she would think about brought the name Leigh to her mind. She had grown attached to her and even though it had been years since her assassination, it still hurt. A pool of tears were forming in her eyes, so she sat back down on the rock and put her head in her hands.

[ALEXANDER]

A dark brow was lofted as the soft sounds of someone crushing grass met his ears. Alexander waited, green eyes still fixed toward the heavens. Was he just hearing things? Or was there really someone there? Deciding it would be best to go ahead and check, he leaned off the slab of rock and peeked around it, easily spotting a form perched upon the flat stone that marked the border line between the lands of Flame and the lands of Frost. A little bold, aren't we? The angle from which he was leaning hurt his neck, the rough stone grating against his flesh as he pulled back, letting his cigarette rest between his lips as he padded out into the open, studying his companion's back carefully. From the long blond hair he was assuming that it was female, though one couldn't be too sure these days. Long hair was starting to become a popular style among men. Or so he thought.

Alexander crossed his arms over his chest, still silently watching for a few more moments while pondering on what to do with her. Judging by her attire and the color of her skin, or what parts he could see, she was definitely a hot-head. Though, he would feel sort of like a douche bag if he were to whip out his bow and arrows and send one right into her back while she wasn't looking. He wasn't much of a dirty fighter, and she was still technically on her side, which made her safe in political eyes. Well, might as well utilize the company while he had it, that is, if she didn't go all psycho on him and try to kill him. Besides, she was sitting on his furs anyway, totally spaced out.

"A bit close to the border, don't you think?" He said, the smooth tones he spoke in easily conveying his calmness. He reached up after taking a relaxing inhale, and removed the cigarette from between his lips, blowing the smoke through his nostrils as he waited for her to turn around and face him. This was probably the very first time he had ever been this close to someone of a different allegiance without trying to freeze them and or bash their face in, among other things. Most of them were hostile, he was sure that there were some pretty anti-flame people in the North, but from what he had seen, they tended to be less friendly and placid in nature.

Alexander's stance was casual, his tunic ruffling along with the gentle breeze that billowed around them. Kind of chilly out, but comfortable nonetheless.

[Amber]

How could she have not heard the footsteps closing the distance between them? Amber felt weak and stupid. She had jumped when the man had spoken in his casual tone. The Lieutenant brought her head up too quickly, she held her head with one and hand and tried to get up but stumbled to the ground. And to top it all off, her vision was blurry because of her tears. Amber looked up to find herself at the feet of an Order of Frost. She gasped in horror and did a table, with her stomach to the sky, and then brought her feet over her head and stood up to get back onto the Flame side of the border. Wow, nice going hot shot, she sarcastically thought to herself.

”I could say the same for you. And I hope you know smoking can ruin your lungs, and your lungs are required for you to breath,” Amber said, stating the obvious, she rolled her eyes while she said it. This Frosty – a nickname she had given members of Order of Frost – better mind his manners or else he’d be receiving the present of a third degree burn by the time she was through with him. She looked him up and down, sizing up her opponent. He was muscular, probably around her age, probably not the fastest person in the world, and definitely not the most flexible. She could easily take him out if it came down to it. By now, her tears stains had dried up, she wiped at her cheeks and under her eyes. Never show weakness to the enemy, she reminded herself, quoting Leigh. Once again Leigh was in her mind, it was impossible to forget anyone like her. Her grief was starting to be consumed by alertness. Amber was with an enemy and she needed to be alarmed at all times, but – oddly enough -- she felt relaxed in the presence of this Frost. He wasn’t cold-hearted like all the other ones, but rather charming. She narrowed her eyes, pushing the thought away that a Frosty could be even-tempered. Amber had always loved the cold weather and all her life has wanted to live in the North. But, living in this generation, she knew that the war between the Orders wouldn’t end in her time. Coming back to the surface, Amber focused once more on the man in front of her.

[ALEXANDER]

He couldn't help but let a small smile crack along his lips when she jumped in surprise at his approach, falling flat on her stomach while being sprawled out before him. Alexander merely stood, watching the show with only a mild interest in his eyes as she showed an amazing act of flexibility by throwing her legs over her head, rebounding to her feet, and moving back on her side of the border, dark, navy eyes shooting daggers at him while she quickly wiped at her wet cheeks. He didn't want to assume that she had been crying or anything, so he let it slide as she looked him over, probably sizing him up before moving in for the kill. He wanted to snort but refrained, taking the time to assess her as well. She looked quite formidable, for being smaller than himself. Kind of lithe, with a wiry stance that made him believe she really was going to try and attack him. Jeez. Couldn't everyone just.. get along? For 5 minutes?

Alexander was sure to make no sudden movements, in fear of her shooting a fireball at him and burning his face off. He instead brought the cigarette to his lips again, inhaling just as she made her comment about his bad habit. Smiling subtly again he pointedly blew smoke in her direction, but the light wind snatched it away before it could get to her. "Well, I don't drink. So I can safely say that I only have one bad habit that I need to kick," He said, tossing the stick on the ground after taking one last puff and stomping it out while the last vestiges of smoke seeped from between his lips. He let his eyes move over her once more, mostly lingering on the apparent curves in her clothing. Yup. Definitely a girl. "It might be in your best interest to lighten up, with the way you're standing and that look on your face, your blood pressure must be off the charts. Don't you know you need your heart to stay alive?" he was almost mocking as he let his arms drop to his sides, coming closer but stopping just at the rock, letting his hand come out and smooth out the furs of his wolf pelt.

He stared at her for a quick span of silence, her face hauntingly familiar as well as the aura that was radiating off her. Oh damn it. He knew he recognized her from somewhere! He just couldn't think...

Well hell.

He was in the presence of royalty.

"Oh, I know you. You're one of the Lieutenants for the Order of the Flame, aren't you? A pleasure," He sounded as casual as can be as he leaned an elbow against the broad side of the rock, stooping down to be at her eye level but being sure to stay on his specific side of the rock. "What's your name?"

[Amber]

Amber tried not to get irritated by his mock, but at least he didn’t drink as well. It was something she would expect out of another Order. She only rolled her eyes and pretended she didn’t hear his comment. If she was to snap back at him, she had the perfect comeback. His face darkened with confusion, although she had no clue why, until recognition took over. He asked – but said it more as a statement – if she was the Lieutenant for Order of Flame. In a situation like this she had no idea how to answer him. But, since he already guessed who she was she decided to just stick with it and tell him the truth. He shifted his position so that he’d be at eye level with her. She could feel his smoky breath on her cheek, she wrinkled her nose. Maybe he would show more respect after she confirmed his theory.

”My name’s Amber and yes, you’ve guessed correctly. I am a Lieutenant for the Order of Flame,” she smirked, in a you-better-watch-it kind of way. ”So, what’s your name?” Amber said, sounding uninterested, but to tell the truth she was even if it didn’t show. She twirled her hair as she waited for the answer. She looked at him more closely and squinted her eyes, he looked familiar now that she actually looked at his face. Amber guessed he was of hierarchy or else she wouldn’t know anything about him. She relaxed her tensed shoulders and leaned on her left leg. The Lieutenant let her gaze wander around herself, to check and make sure there was no one else watching them. She hoped he’d tell her his real name, since she had told him hers. But, even if this Frosty did lie she’d probably be able to detect it anyways.

[ALEXANDER]

Someone's a little sassy today.

Her expression was carefully covered, probably trying not to give anything away despite the thoughts that were for-sure coursing through that pretty little head of hers. He wiped his own face clean, in the mood to play games. He was usually a polite kind of guy, but she was an enemy, and one had to make special exceptions for enemies. Or then it would be no fun, right? His green eyes never left her form, pointedly trained onto her so as to make her uncomfortable. If he were any other person, he probably would have tried to sneak attack her, but he had no intentions of doing some as dastardly as that. Her nose wrinkled, though he wasn't too sure why, probably his smell or something. That was one thing he had trouble with, while women didn't seem too bothered by his looks, it was his smoky scent that drove them up the proverbial wall. One had commented once that it was so... unattractive, to smell like that. And that he should really try to stop. Because that would make you so much better. If he wanted prissy little bitches telling him what would make him a better boyfriend, then he would ask for it. But, it always come unprovoked.

He guessed they felt like they were doing a public service by telling him that. Not it really bothered him all that much, it was still pretty irritating.

Amber. Like the stone. He obviously didn't voice that aloud, merely deciding to sit and acknowledge it with a quiet, "Mm," though it was more of a grunt than anything. When she asked for his name he raised a brow, almost as if contemplating whether or not to tell her. Eh. Couldn't hurt. They would have learned each others names eventually.

"Alexander Rogan." he answered. He was suddenly distracted by the motion her finger was creating around her hair, his brows furrowing for a moment before his eyes moved back to her face. "Nervous habit? Don't worry, I don't bite," He assured while barring his teeth and clicking them together once. His antics were probably going to get on her nerves, but right now, that's what he wanted more than ever. People could be rather amusing when they were angry, though he didn't know how far he was willing to push her. Because she was a lieutenant, she was bound to be dangerous, hell, maybe even deadly. It was almost like approaching a stray dog for the first time, palm outstretched to stroke it but moving away when it bared its teeth. Persistence was a virtue.

Or not.

"Here to watch the sunset as well?" He inquired, voice as calm and as casual as it always had been while he leaned up off of the rock to tower above her. He wasn't going to poke and prod at the dog for now, instead seeking to have civil conversation without them trying to cleave each others limbs off. That could be saved for another time entirely.