Extrication

[Halbarad]

Tim sets up in a relatively empty corner of the warehouse, beginning to run through his exercises. It takes several false starts, but before too long the broom handle begins a series of graceful sweeps and thrusts around him as his long disused skills come back.

As he practices, though, he can't keep one thought from his mind. He's learned how to defend himself before, but hasn't ever really had to make use of those skills. Will he actually be able to do any good in a real fight if it comes down to it? With a slight shake of his head he gets back to his practice, using the forms to try to banish the doubts - and indeed, any thoughts - from his mind, at least for the time being.

[Carthrat]

Tom nods at Sterling. "Right here, right now?" he asks, cracking his knuckles and starting to bounce on his feet a little.

[Brian]

"Outside," Sterling says.  After a few hours of burning stress in the form of mock-combat with Bigfire, Carlos, Jim, and Walker return.

Each is carrying a plastic bag from what appears to be a Chinese takeout place.  "We come bearing edibles," Walker announces.  "Now set up a table."

Ryan obligingly kicks the MRE crate, which tips over and then makes a passable table (if a bit small for everyone present).  Carlos is also carrying a stack of pesos -- looks like he's got quite a few.  "These should be worth about one thousand dollars US," he says.  "I'll split them up once we get them exchanged in Mexico.  Until then ... dig in!"

Around this time, Kyle wakes up (again), and rubs his eyes sleepily.  After surveying the room, he nods to himself, and settles back down to sleep.

"Once we finish eating, we should probably get some rest," Jim says, not eating right away, but wiping the sunscreen from his face and hands.  "I also grabbed you a can of Jolt, Ryan.  Caffine might help."

Ryan nods, and pockets the can Jim proffers.

[Halbarad]

Tim takes a moment to check on Kyle while he's awake before joining the others for something to eat. He chows down on the food quietly, seemingly absorbed in his own thoughts for the time being. Best to get it out of the way while he can, at least - if things are going to be as hectic as they were yesterday, he won't have time for reflection any time soon.

[Carthrat]

Tom is breathing heavily, and slumps down over the food gratefully.

"There better be duck," he mumbles, grabbing a bottle of water and downing that.

[Ebiris]

Daniel grabs some of the offered food, nodding to Jim. "So we rest for a bit before leaving. Mexico's what... six hours behind here? Or is it ahead?""

[Carthrat]

"6 hours?" snorts Tom. "Try sixteen hours behind. Oh, sure, eight hours forward, but they live in the past.

All of the continent lives in a bizzare time frame! I'll tell you, it makes coordinating stuff online between people there and people here mighty hard, sometimes."

[Ebiris]

"Yeah, I suck at remembering time zones," Daniel shrugs unapologetically. "I just figure Australia is twelve hours ahead or behind of me, and Mexico's about half the distance. Guess it doesn't really matter, that much."

[Carthrat]

"Heh, guess not," replies Tom, shrugging. "Never been to America myself. I always figured it was pretty much like here, only a bit more expensive and with more jerks."

[Ebiris]

"Well, my first time there was yesterday. I got shot at, so I guess my expectations were vindicated," Daniel snorts, finishing up his meal and going to sit on a nearby couch.

[Carthrat]

"Hah," replies Tom. "I have this feelings we'll be getting more than our fair share of that."

[Brian]

"We do," Walker says.  "Get attacked a lot."

"Comes with the territory when you fight terrorists," Jim adds.

Sterling sidles up to Tim after the meal, and quietly asks, "What's the deal with the kid, anyway?  Is he okay?  Does he need medicine or something?"

[Halbarad]

"He's not on any medication, at least from what I saw in his case file. In simple terms, he's been diagnosed with multiple personalities - which is probably his ability to dream showing up - and he tends to be a bit slow to react to things. From what I remember of his casefile, there wasn't really a concrete diagnosis made - his 'symptoms' don't line up very well with any established disorder. This is apparently just normal for him."

He glances over towards the sleeping boy. "I don't recall him being on any medication though, which is probably good. Unless you feel like breaking into a hospital pharmacy or two, it'd be pretty tough to get our hands on antischizophrenics for him, since that's about the only thing you could use to treat the DID. He's gone past any normal point where he'd have taken medication though and doesn't seem to be having any problems though, so I'd guess he'll be fine - it's just keeping him aware when we need him to be that might be a challenge."

[Brian]

Sterling shakes his head.  "It's not a big deal.  Wally's a healer, so we usually just chase him down when we're in trouble.  Lot less questions than a doctor, and ... well ... more reliable, in general.  I was just checking in case there was anything we needed to avoid for him.  Jim can't stand bright blue LEDs for some reason," he says.  "Well, in that case, I'm going to take a nap for a bit.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a slow day, and we can take advantage of our host's bathing facilities."

"Japan's public baths were kind of handy," Carlos says suddenly, causing Walker and David to glance up from their Peking Duck (which Tom has also served himself a portion of).

"Maybe for you," Jim says, shaking his head.  "Somehow, waterproof sunscreen makes it kind of hard to really clean what's beneath it."

After finishing the meal, and tossing the remnants in the office's tiny refrigerator, all of Bigfire except for David and Carlos go to sleep.  Carlos takes watch up at the door, and David is sharpening his collection of knives.

[Halbarad]

Tim follows suit, hoping to get a bit of normal sleep - there doesn't seem to be a lot else to be done at the moment, anyway.