Hanna sat down at the table with a hot cup of coffee, alone. She set to braiding her hair, trying to keep her mind occupied. She began interweaving her dark hair so it would fall over her left shoulder, an old style, one that she didn't usually use, but she liked it. The last section was just being completed as Ethan walked into the room.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2lcqW3OwM
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2nI2489PY
"Could we talk for a minute?" Hanna asked politely.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsuO7x9GeD
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wzW3xkqDw
"Sure." Ethan sat down at the table, sitting across from her.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0B3H7dN5n
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDppWM4fFD5
Hanna quickly added an elastic to finish her braid. "I was thinking about what you said earlier, about pheromones."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLTz8VP3DV
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC9ZJnjVRo
"Okay," Ethan said, slightly nervous about the topic of conversation.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZvtjN18kU
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju2jNb2jEu
"I have a friend, she's pregnant, and I was thinking if you met her, that might help. Maybe trick your brain," Hanna proposed uncertainly.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GTqHy4ijl
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBAywwWwCl
Ethan's brow creased. He was reluctant to get his hopes up. "You think that might... work? Stop the heat early?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7zW8Mc3Ad
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yihsc9ddp
Hanna shrugged, she had zero expertise in this area. "From what you told me, it seems like it might."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HHPgq6Bir
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArZTREU54Y
Ethan turned to look out the window, his expression hidden. He was reluctant to get his hopes up, it seemed like a long shot, then there was the inherent risk of letting another person know their location.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNBzpUkwo7
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqAUun81jw
"It's just an idea. You don't have to. It might not even work," Hanna babbled. She stared into her coffee mug, as if the dark, bitter substance had all the answers. "I know you're not very comfortable with people coming here. And I know it's risky, but Penelope isn't the smartest and I don't think she'd figure out your identity."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjYvM3XoBd
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8g75KJt3J
Hanna stopped talking, allowing the room to settle into an awkward silence.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6umMUDU8QF
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfF1q933bB
It might be worth it, Ethan thought, weighing the options. He really did not want to spend another three weeks in heat. "It's a good idea. We should try it," he stated finally.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPeP11O0IA
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9GBWeW8db
Hanna slowly set her mug down on the table. "Oh. Um, I'll see when I can convince her to come out here then."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdNaCrlGVP
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpOkVBo4nV
Ethan nodded, gaze still fixed on the dreary forest outside. Hanna got up quietly and went outside to make the phone call. A few minutes later, she came back in to find Ethan sitting at the table, a half empty glass of water in front of him.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJjhe0FOJE
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbNxmDODrO
"Alright, she'll drop by in a few days," Hanna informed him, picking up her half drunk mug of coffee again.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVoShLTNYy
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAzVpWzdPE
"What did you tell her?" Ethan asked.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ23cJklcUk
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ1HXWGgxc
"I didn't tell her you're Charax, for obvious reasons," Hanna paused, starting to realize she might have been a little presumptuous with her cover story. "I told her I wanted her to meet my new boyfriend."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9ZN17Iylr
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTj0F4Bdgo
Ethan shifted nervously. "Is this just a cover story or..."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqLi2xt14R
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukMfokdvka
Hanna chewed her lower lip nervously. "That's up to you. But make your decision later."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoePk9pxHZ0
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1snC4lB2xG
Ethan frowned slightly, somewhat confused. "I don't need time to decide that."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyXqOgqd0t
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8WX3KdTK9
Hanna resisted the urge to sigh, his hormones were probably still messing with his brain. She had no clue how much of his behaviour was really his and how much was caused by the heat. Even if he said he wanted to be in a relationship... she wouldn't be convinced until he confirmed it out of heat. If he didn't want to be in a relationship... she didn't want to hear that right now either.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVLE14VELi
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlkAg0nnx1
"Wait until after the heat to make your decision," Hanna repeated firmly.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qrTJS8OEp
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgm0a85ETC
"It won't change how I feel," Ethan protested mildly.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDSzxguLJA
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaTaV9Tjcz
Hanna took another sip of coffee. "Then there's no harm in waiting. Boyfriend seemed like a good Terran term."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArO2PBG8ST
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5YvImGb8N
Ethan shrugged. "Okay, I'm not up to date on inter-species relationship milestones."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9pcLai6xg
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrokPvhheX
Hanna laughed, a light and carefree expression of joy. "Wait, I thought the scientists agreed we were technically the same species?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzBc5aTtyd
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTW8WGVXT7P
Ethan smiled. "I think they're still debating it."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrPLYXgOAO
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMiXrMxvrC
"And they probably will be for the next hundred years or so," Hanna added jokingly.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA74ZJOR3vW
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZOcQkETba
"...and what do you think?" Ethan asked tentatively.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbidiT7M3mA
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZtoW5V1Al
Hanna shrugged, obvious to the changing tone of the conversation. "That there will probably never be a consensus so it doesn't matter what they say." She went to fill up her mug from the pot on the counter. "So, anyways, 'boyfriend' was the closest Terran label I could think of, if you're alright with that."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtRWkeCBK3
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YP8RP6ZCe
That's an interesting take on Charax-Terran relationships, Ethan thought, unwilling to push the subject further. "It fits. What's our cover?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhyI2DGWYp
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0K8oofCwN
"The same one as before? Vacation?" Hanna suggested.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86lqOtHzOg
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbeWrBkm8b
"Is that believable? Out in the middle of the woods in the off season?" Ethan commented skeptically.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRb41SAqMDh
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZiSxghH52
"It was cheap?" Hanna suggested dubiously. "Alright, do you have any better ideas?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6b1mU0wS1
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ44t2xr4CH
Ethan opened his mouth, then shut it again.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6X7y2KWqrA
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkExzYE3Am
"I thought so," Hanna said smugly.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UX0pnHacg
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcwM7idpzL
"Renovations," Ethan suggested cockily.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnKcLOyEhO
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfcNWzk46z
Hanna glanced about the large room. The place certainly did look like it needed a new coat of paint. The counter had chips in it, the dinner table was scratched, the sofa was stained and the lounge chair was falling apart. But that was all typical of a well-used cottage. "Don't you think she'd notice no supplies around?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sJBABVCuB
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIU3Z0nl2l
Ethan walked over to the front entrance, gesturing at the large front window. "She doesn't need to come inside, we could hang up some sheets..."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HQyD52YbM
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMrYSxOSYo
"That sounds like a lot of work," Hanna said, still doubtful. "I like the outdoors, I think she'd buy the vacation line."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeN6WssLcE
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiyp5sh2Ev
"You like the outdoors?" Ethan asked suspiciously.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrtfQiQeQI
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7yOVfnFib
"I do, I like hunting," Hanna fibbed. She didn't like hunting that much but it was her typical excuse for why she had a bunch of guns and knew how to use them. She'd used it enough as a cover for enough of her missions that almost no one questioned it anymore.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSiyuI1N6G
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsG1mD3jm5
"Really?" Ethan asked skeptically.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Fw6sOJPZ5
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxyoNj3kdm
"Yes." Hanna stuck firmly to the lie. "But it's the off season so we'll just pretend you don't like hunting or something."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXj9sB5Lwu
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJj9O4qo54
"I don't like hunting," Ethan said honestly.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTa0mU9QnKD
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkW35hoJ9Nq
"Perfect, you already know your lines," Hanna said, laughing lightly.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5rXzbQ0Eb
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwtdztDKgm
Ethan smiled slightly. "So, given we aren't hunting, what are we doing out here?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelWoQKyWem
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrXqX7UucA
"Hiking? Fishing? Sexy picnics? Getting bitten by millions of tiny blood sucking insects?" Hanna suggested jokingly.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj18tHrJItx
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIPJW9XlQ2
Ethan scowled. "The fourth option is at least true."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvaRXS7vE0
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Rw2YmIsoF
"It just has to be mildly believable, not actually true," Hanna suggested. "Even if she thinks we're actually doing something else, she won't mention it."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngFFbNjXSy
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvJXi0frud
Ethan shrugged. "You know her best, pick whatever you think will work."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDHThkUx8v
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoweyOJNQCN
Hanna finished off her coffee. "Okay, I'll think of something... better. Later."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCsckJ99XM
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHOMzlAx2Z
Ethan smiled slightly. "Good luck with that."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7mb6MXKW7
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwgGHVzZWx
"Hey! Have some faith in my ability to come up with a believable excuse," Hanna protested jokingly.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB25qRG5PJv
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw2DGWzKGp
Ethan flashed her his typical overconfident smile. "I'm sure you'll be able to come up with something if you put your mind to it."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnb6RsA71M4
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflEtrrp2xT
Hanna resisted the urge to roll her eyes at him and bit back the sassy comeback that was on the tip of her tongue. I've been good enough to fool you so far, she thought smugly. She put a small smile on her face. "I'm sure I'll manage," she said sweetly.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gXsMckprC
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVXOQ275RX
"But, all joking aside, I don't want my cover blown if this doesn't work," Ethan said seriously.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAJmdLwnUP
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyb66drOoHG
"It won't be," Hanna promised. "Penelope isn't the brightest bulb in the shed."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvbpLM3ZPi
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwjHhLmyBg
Ethan gave her a skeptical look, already questioning if this whole plan was one big mistake. He decided to let the matter drop and picked up the crossword puzzle book instead, hoping to distract himself from this new problem, at least until he had to deal with the usual one.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75uJJ1pJ2G
Penana
search
Loginarrow_drop_down
Registerarrow_drop_down
