Touchstones | Mac

[McKenzie Carter]

He didn't answer he teasing question and she was a little bit disappointed, but she actually found it rather brave that he was able to move forward from it. She knew the affect she had on people and it was impressive to see him overcome that in order to get back to business.

Even if she was scared to get back to business.

So, then he asked. Well, asked if she felt like talking about it now. She shifted in her seat, chewed on her lip for a moment, and then took a sip of her drink before straightening up, taking a deep breath. "I don't think I've ever felt like talking about it," she said truthfully before taking another deep breath. "But I promised you so I'll say it fast," she looked at him, promising herself that she'd try not to look away. He'd see her differently now, and she had to accept that. "When I was twelve years old someone came into our house in Washington. Not a monster or anything... just normal thieves. My father was shot," she blinked, trying not to look away now, "and killed and I was all alone. I was too scared, I didn't know what to do so... I ran. I just ran and those trees," she nodded, in reference to the painting, "those trees in that painting were my home for... a long time. Months, even, before I finally left Washington and came here," another deep breath, "they thought I did it, probably still do. I was wanted all over the state, then the whole west coast," she nodded firmly, signifying the bulk of the story was over.

"So those trees may bring bad memories, sure, but they're still from my home and they... well, Washington is much more beautiful than here," in her opinion of course. She didn't go into the fact that Washington state was also where she was buried alive only a few months ago. Man, that place was unlucky for her. "But I can never go back. I only have once since then and... well, it's just not for me anymore. So I'd like to see it, somehow, from a distance."

[Austin Jennings]

His gambit worked and he was able to successfully change the topic of the conversation. The problem was, now that he had done it he wasn't sure how good of an idea it had been. Mac really didn't seem like she wanted to talk about the woods in that drawing, she even said as much, and here he was making her. Maybe he should have thought this through a little better. Regardless of that however, here they both were and Mac seemed to be resigned to tell him.

The truth it seemed was much worse than he could have imagined. He listened as Mac told him about the murder of her father and her life on the run. He didn't really know what to say and after she finished he waited a moment or two before deciding that there really wasn't anything to say and yet, he still thought that he should say something. "Mackenzie, I...I'm sorry. I didn't know." It seemed pretty feeble in light of what he had just heard. He knew that it had been hard for her to say all that even with the strong face she was putting on for him but he could only respect her for being so honest with him, a guy who was still pretty much a stranger.

"I know it doesn't mean much but I am sorry you had to go through that. I can't say that I know what that must have been like but I do think I can understand why you wanted me to draw you that picture now." Austin could understand the need to have something to hold on to even if it did stir up bad memories. It was important to have those anchors, those touchstones that could center you when nothing else could. He had a few of his own. "Listen Mackenzie...Mac, I know there’s nothing that can make any of that ‘better’ but if you ever do, you know, need to talk about it I can listen. It’s not much but no one should have to feel alone...you know?"

[McKenzie Carter]

Mac knew that he'd be sorry, they always were. She hadn't told many, but those she did all reacted the same way. She know how to handle it now. He was silent, at first, which was to be expected. She waited, letting it sink in. Then the words came, but he used her full first name. Mckenzie. She felt her breath catch a bit at that. It was... strange to hear that name, strange and sweet. He'd said it before, but this time it felt like something more. Like he was really trying to make it better, which was nice.

He went on to say he was sorry she had to go through this and all that. He claimed that he may understand why she wanted the picture. He said her name again, then corrected to her nickname, and she found herself a little disappointed at that. She felt herself leaning forward as he went on to offer himself as an ear to listen or as a help if she ever needed it. Her lips slowly formed a smile and as he started to finish off his sentence about how no one should be able to feel alone, she was standing and moving to sit beside him instead of across from him. She did the typical Mac thing and didn't worry about physical bubbles and boundaries. She threw her arms around his shoulders and pulled him into a hug, "thank you," she said, holding on for just a moment longer before pulling back. "I'm just glad I got a new friend and a beautiful painting all in one day. And the same thing goes for you," she lifted a finger to point at his face, "if you ever need anything, I'm here too."

[Austin Jennings]

Austin watched Mac get up while he was talking and move around the table but even with that extra bit of warning he still wasn't ready for what she did next. No sooner had she sat down than she was wrapping her arms around him in a big hug. He hadn't done anything special, just offered to hear her out really, but judging by her reaction he must have done something right. For his part, Austin was quite content to go on letting her hug him. Mac hugs, as it turned out, were definitely becoming some of his favorite kinds of hugs.

When she pulled away Austin was smiling. He continued smiling as she pointed at him and told him that he could come to her about anything. "Y...yeah of course. I would like that." He stammered as he was still a little stunned from the sudden nice hug. "I'm glad too you know? I mean I'm glad I could make something for you but not many people would take so much interest in my work." He paused and shook his head because that wasn't really right. "Take an interest in me. Ever since you came up to me you've seemed more than just interested in my art. You've acted like I'm more than just what I can put down on a canvas." Austin cleared his throat suddenly very aware that he might be saying too much. "I don't know. Maybe I'm just rambling but it's different...and nice too. Very nice. You're a good friend Mac and yeah I would like to talk with you more."

[McKenzie Carter]

Mac couldn't help but smile back when she saw his own grin upon her ending their hug. He spoke, stammering a little again, perhaps a little in shock. He seemed a little more confident, though, as he went on about how she had been treating him. She felt her own cheeks redden and she brought her hands to rest in her lap. "No, not rambling," she said softly when he was finished. "Without you the art in question wouldn't exist. That's only one reason why I'm more interested in getting to know you" she explained. She giggled, biting her lip and nodding, reaching a hand up to place it on his shoulder. "You're a good friend too, Austin. I sense a long relationship budding," she grinned before pulling her hand back. She reached across the table to grab her coffee from the other side and bring it back to her. She got comfortable beside him, bending her knee to rest on the chair with her. "Anything about yourself you're willing to share, then?" she asked, her eyebrow raising slightly. She wasn't ready to call it a night... plus, she had nowhere to be. And he was nice. Nicer than almost anyone else she'd allowed herself to tell the truth to. He was genuine.

[Austin Jennings]

She wanted to get to know him because he was the one making the art, the one who was seeing it and expressing it on canvas or paper? That was different. He didn't know if he had ever meet anyone who wanted to get to know him as something more than just the painting guy. Austin liked the idea though. He liked it a lot and it made him like Mac a little more too. She was definitely different than most of the people he dealt with and he was beginning to think that those differences were what made her so likable at least in his eyes.

"Really? I think I would like that." He said as his own cheeks reddened a little. He had hopes that maybe she would like him as a little more than a friend by the time the evening was over but friendship was a good place to start. He could deal with that for now. In the mean time he got to enjoy her sitting next to him as they talked which he wasn't going to complain about at all. Mac apparently wasn't looking to go anywhere and he wasn't either so long as she was beside him.

"Me?" He asked as he took another sip of his coffee. He wasn't really used to talking about himself but he felt like he needed to come up with something. Mac had just opened herself up to him and Austin felt like she at least deserved the same. "Well there's not too many interesting things to tell really. I grew up in a small town in Wyoming which wasn't exactly easy. I eventually got picked up by Lupa for some reason and here I am. I'm not that great of a fighter but I do try to help where I can." He sighed not really wanting this conversation to turn to the business of the legion and knew Mac probably didn't either even if it was a big party of their life. "Really I'm just hoping I can survive long enough to get out of the legion and make it as an artist. I mean I've always been good at it but I like, have to do it you know?" He shook his head and stared into his coffee mug as he continued. "I know what you're thinking. Starving artist right? You'd probably be right but it's like I can't keep it quiet sometimes. It's hard to explain but I think that's the problem when you have a talent for something, it doesn't stay quiet. It'll wake you up in the middle of your tiredest nights just screaming at you 'Use me stupid! Go on, use me!' and then it doesn't stop until you do. I think it's the same whether it's a talent for art or safe-cracking or...well maybe even dividing numbers in your head. I don't know." He chuckled a little and gave her a wan grin. "I probably sound a little crazy don't I?"

[McKenzie Carter]

Her eyes squinted happily as he said that he would like that, like getting to know each other. His cheeks turned a little red and she noticed that hers were too. She was treading on dangerous ground, she knew that. Ground where she was opening up, being herself, being vulnerable... it took a lot of her willpower not to take it all back, blow some flirty kiss and walk out that door. No, so far Austin had proved he was trustworthy.

But, then again, hadn't Ezra done that too?

She blinked hard, pushing that thought aside. Mac was here with Austin now, Ezra was not her problem. Ezra left her for dead after swearing he loved her. This was why Mac wasn't sure that she could trust someone romantically ever again, but she knew she wanted to. She knew she didn't want to be so afraid forever but... it was hard. It was hard not to worry about that.

She was glad that she had opened up the floor for Austin to talk now, because it gave her the chance to think of something other than herself. She nodded as he asked for confirmation that yes, she wanted to hear about him and took a sip of her own drink. He spoke about Wyoming, Lupa and how he wasn't a great fighter. Mac smiled, biting her lip to keep the smile from getting too big as he went on about being a 'starving artist'. She giggled as he went on about his talent and how he was basically a slave to it. She kind of wished she had something like that. "You do sound crazy," she agreed with a laugh, "but all the best people do, Austin. I wish I had something like that... well, I guess I kind of do," she shrugged. "I like adrenaline. Jumping from high heights, doing dangerous things. It's like a need that controls me," she explained. "I guess that's similar, but your art is so much more... I don't know, beautiful? I guess. It serves others more," she said.

She took in a deep breath and leaned forward slightly, "maybe you could paint me. Do you do portraits?"

[Austin Jennings]

Maybe he was a little crazy but if so it wasn't because of his thoughts on his pictures and paintings. Seeing Mac happy and smiling might have something to do with it though. He already thought she looked great but when she smiled she looked absolutely stunning. A fact that was evident in that no matter how hard he tried he just could not keep his eyes off of her for long. Not only that but when she listened to him Austin had the distinct impression that she was genuinely interested in what he was saying and for once he didn't really feel awkward opening up and talking to someone. It wasn't much but it was nice to have a conversation with her on that kind of level.

"I think you’re right. Maybe we do all have a certain amount of crazy in us. If that’s the case I guess it’s the people who think they are sane that we need to watch out for." He gave her teasing smirk as she told him about some of the things that she liked to do. "I don’t think that sounds so bad. Dangerous things are scary sometimes but where would we be if no one was willing to put themselves in danger? Who would ever fight? Who would ever risk there life to save someone else? Besides, I’m pretty sure crazy dangerous things can be beautiful too sometimes."

He was looking into her eyes again and boy was that an intense place to be. Watching her like that Austin found it very hard to believe that Mac thought her talents somehow served others less than his. Mac was too nice, too sweet to not care about others and Austin would have bet more than a few of his best paint brushes that if he ever found himself lucky enough to be one of those people she cared for that she would have his back no matter what. He was just about to say as much but then she leaned forward and said something that stopped him before he could even get going. "Uh...A portrait. I could do a portrait. I mean I would like that. Are you sure you want one? From me?"

[McKenzie Carter]

She chuckled as he said that they had to watch out for the sane people. That little teasing smirk of his was enough to send a jolt through her finger tips toward her heart. He had a playful side, and she was pretty sure she was one of the only people who had seen this much of it. "I guess... you're right. Beautiful, huh?" she smirked as well, her eyes squinting slightly as she called him out on the word. "I mean, I think we've already established that you think I'm beautiful, Austin," she joked, letting out another laugh. Then she sobered up a little, trying not to be as silly, "I know what you mean, though. At least, I think my crazy antics are beautiful sometimes. Maybe I can rope you in on one or two," she offered, a single eyebrow raising in challenge.

Their eyes were locked and she didn't realize that she wasn't breathing for a few seconds. She found her breath, though, and tried not to catch it too obviously. He answered her question just as she thought he would. A little unsure, with plenty of questions in return. She nodded, "I mean... it would be kind of weird to keep a portrait of myself, wouldn't it? Maybe we could make people bid on it," she joked, but she leaned forward even more, her voice lowering, "I mean it'd just be fun. We could worry about where it will live later."

[Austin Jennings]

Well the cat was out of the bag wasn’t it? Granted Austin knew he wasn’t exactly the best at keeping his cool but to hear her just come out with it was a bit of a surprise. He guessed Mac really could read him like a book and if so she definitely wasn't the type to beat around the bush with what she knew. Then again if she did know and she was still here what did that say? Austin didn't know but it wasn’t long before he felt the familiar heat in his cheeks that was impossible to ignore as he tried putting his thoughts into words. “I uh…well I mean it’s uh…that obvious is it?” He chuckled nervously but fortunately Mac changed the subject saving him from having to stumble through some embarrassing confession.

“Maybe you can convince me.” He said genuinely enough after he had a moment to regain his composure. Honestly he didn’t think she would actually have to try that hard to rope him into something but he was curious about what she would have him doing if she got the chance. “I don’t know how much fun I would be but you don’t seem that dangerous to me.”

Austin hoped he didn’t live to regret those words but they were out there now and he was sure Mac would hold him to them. Far more interesting than that though was this portrait idea. Yeah it probably was a little silly to hold on to a portrait of yourself but by the way Mac was talking it sounded like she already had a plan for this picture. He guessed he would just have to see. “I would be honored if you let me paint your portrait Mackenzie, really, and I’m uh…sure it won’t be hard to find a home for it when we’re done.”

[McKenzie Carter]

Mac waited patiently for him to find his words. She was an expert and making people blush, and she prided herself in that fact. Then his words came, a little jumbled at first, but he eventually landed on agreeing with her, stating that it was obvious and chuckling nervously. Mac squinted her eyes again in a smile but didn't go on, changing the conversation as she did then.

He said that maybe she could convince him and she raised the second eyebrow to meet the first, eyes widening happily, her lips set in a mischievous smirk. Then those fatal words came from his lips; "...you don’t seem that dangerous to me." If that wasn't a challenge, Mac didn't know what was. A flare of insanity flashed through her eyes for a moment, "oh, darling," she said slowly, her eyes burning with excitement at the idea of proving those words wrong, "danger is my middle name." A cliche, sure, but cliches existed for a reason. It was because they made sense.

Then he spoke about being honored to paint her portrait, using that full first name of hers again, and how they could probably find a home for it when they were done. "Perfect. So it looks like we're going to be spending quite a bit of time together. What with me showing you the fun in danger and you doing my picture," she laughed, "the question is, Austin, which do we start with!?"

[Austin Jennings]

Austin wasn't sure what he was getting into here but it definitely sounded like Mac was going to do everything in her power to expand his world. That was alright. Maybe his world needed a little expanding. All he knew was that he found it really hard to say ‘no’ to this girl when she had it in her mind to do something. "Well, in for a penny, in for a pound as they say." Austin said as he offered his most winning smile hoping that this didn't end with him in the infirmary and wondering if it would kind of be worth it if it did.

He had to admit that he really liked the prospect of spending more time with Mac. Whether here or behind a canvas he did like her. It was probably a one and a million chance that he would ever have a shot with this turning into more than a friendship but at least it looked like they would have some fun along the way. Thinking about where to start though wasn't exactly easy. On the one hand he had the option of sticking with what he was familiar with in painting that portrait for her. On the other hand was Mac's choice which was a bit of a mystery. He wasn't sure where that choice would take them but he was kind of interested in finding out. "Well," He said after giving it a little thought. "I've already drug you away for coffee and I can paint that portrait any time. Why don't we start with something you like to do?"

[McKenzie Carter]

Mac bit her lip and giggled as he gave her that smile and those words, basically telling her that he was agreeing to go along with whatever she made him do. The thought of that sent a familiar jolt of adrenaline through her, and that was her favorite feeling. Heck, it was the main reason that she was so reckless in the first place. For the rush.

Then he answered her question by saying that they could start with something she liked to do. She squealed with excitement and then looked out the window. It was dark, of course. Evening. She turned back to him with that wild look back in her eyes. "What do you say we go do something right now?" she suggested. "We'll drop the stuff off at my place, it's close by, and then I can take you on a little adventure. Come on, the night is young," there she went again, leaning forward even more, their faces were only inches apart now. But Mac never really was one for boundaries.

[Austin Jennings]

Austin liked seeing Mac happy and when she squealed and glanced out the window into the night he thought that he had said the right thing to do just that. He watched her as she thought and when she turned back around he was wearing a cautiously optimistic smile hoping that he was ready for whatever came next. She had apparently decided on something to do but didn't tell him what it was just yet which he supposed that was a good thing as it didn't really give him a chance to back out.

She leaned in very close, close than friends usually did and Austin found himself struggling to concentrate again. Somehow though he managed to give a nod and even though the words sounded like they were coming from a distance he finally found them. "Yeah. Tonight is good. We can uh definitely do something tonight if you want. I didn't have anything planned and like you said the night is uh young." Absently he turned a hand up to her in silent invitation not knowing if she even saw it. "What did you uh have in mind?"

[McKenzie Carter]

Austin nodded and it took all her willpower not to run out of there right then, but she waited for him to speak first. He seemed to struggle finding the words again, kind of being redundant, and she bit her lip happily, a giggle escaping slightly. She saw a small movement out of the corner of her eye and glanced down to find it. His hand was turned up toward her. Her lips pursed to one side in a mischievous smirk and she looked up at him again. "Oh, you'll see," she said, taking his hand in hers and holding it there for a moment before pulling him away from the table.

They gathered their things and headed toward the door, but she kept a tight hold on that hand, "don't need you running away now," she confessed, leading him out the door and turning the corner. They were headed toward her place, like she said, to drop off the stuff. "You're not wearing like, super nice shoes, are you?" she asked as they reached the door. "This is actually a friends place, but I sometimes stay here," she admitted, finally releasing his hand in order to take out the key and open the door.

((OOC: I forgot that she lives in the barracks so they'll drop it off at her friends apartment in New Rome XD)