Focus
Diana stormed off, the clang of her heavy footfalls against the metal walkway made it insanely easy for the Drifter to follow along silently behind her. She made it to the room she called the "winter wonderland of hell" just before Drifters sleeping container and screamed.
Pure, unfiltered rage escaped her as her voice bounced off the still walls back to her. A deep inhale before a second war scream that could have rivaled the Hive Witch Omigul filted through the impossible chill.
Drifter resisted a smile. He was glad to see she still held that spark deep inside her. For too long he had pampered her. Spoiled her. She had gotten too complacent. Too good. She needed reminding that she could always do better, things could always go wrong.
He gathered up some snow in his hand, still silent, still watching as the lights from Diana's mouth flared and dimmed with her angry huffs. When he compacted the snow into a sense ball he watched her as she gripped her fists by her head and growled like a beast, the screams doing little to get out the rage inside her.
When he thought she was going to scream again, he hurled the snowball at her teal head and laughed when it shattered against her. She whirled around and reached for her hand cannon on her hip, only to stop when she saw it was him.
"Cool your gears Darlin'." Drifter warned, "You'll start really steaming if you keep this up."
"I lost." She snarled, clenching her fists and glaring at the ground. "So much, how could you sit there and laugh at me."
"Darlin I don't care if you win or loose." Drifter told her with a scoff, "Ya win some, you loose some. It's the way of livin. You can't expect to win Everytime. It's if you manage to bounce back from things that matters." He walked closer and a hint of a grin appeared on his lips. "And you're still drawing breath."
"What if you decide I'm not fit for the crew." Diana spat angrily. "You'll ditch me. I can't protect you if you vanish on me or shut me out." The heat in the exo woman's voice rose again with the accusations.
"Look kid," Drifter sighed and crossed his arms. "If I thought you didn't have what it takes to be in the crew I wouldnta got you in it to begin with. You're a damn fine fighter. Every hole I get myself in to? Whose there with a shovel to get ol Drifter out?" He moved one arm and poked her hard just under her throat, making her look up. "You."
He studied her for a moment, to see if she was going to arguge, but when she lowered her eyes he continued. "You're spreading yourself too thin out there. Trying to hold up bad teams. You can't just decide to go out and do all the jobs yourself. Find out what it is you want and fight for it. Wanna be the bad guy? Adjust your invasion strategy. Wanna rack up the bodies of enemies of humanity? Stay on your side and wreck em. Teammates can't keep the bank clear? Play the sentry." He started walking around her. "You're gonna get stuck with some lousy players sometimes Darlin', it's the way the world works. But as long as you come back breathin' you got another chance to win. That's all that really matters."
"I don't like to lose." Diana growled, but the heat was gone from her now. She was begining to calm. Drifter's chuckle was the only warmth in the room.
"Yeah. I can tell!" He shook his head, not denying the large toothy grin now. "But it's like I always tell ya." He tapped his ear and mouthed as Diana spoke the mantra she would hear him feed her during the match.
