Work for Two (Alice and Isaac)

[Deleted]

Alice glared at the papers in front of her. She was still in a bad mood over the little "encounter" she had in the entertainment district a few days ago. She looked at the list of "supplies" still needed before the Gang was up and running again. She had already set up the base of operations in an underground series of cellars accessed through a small, dirt-covered trapdoor in the floor of a run-down and dilapidated warehouse. There was evidence that it used to be the base of some sort of smuggling ring that probably broke apart after the Incident.

Refill the weapons cache
Refill the pantry
Get ahold of some much-needed utilities: flashlights, matches, first aid...
Establish a routine supply delivery system
Get furniture
Get members
...

The list just kept going on like that. All Alice really had to work with right now was a hole in the ground and Isaac, the latter of which she hadn't been making as much use of as she probably should. She didn't tell Isaac of her failed voyage to the entertainment district. She knew he would either be worried, miffed or disappointed in her. She hated the last possibility the most.

The reason she didn't ask Isaac to do more was because she was a bit ashamed of what the Ashoka Gang was at the moment. She had told Isaac that she was just planning to reform the Gang, but she doubted Isaac expected the literal nothing that existed to work with.

She looked over the long list and sighed. She couldn't do this all alone. Hell, she probably couldn't do this with four or five! Alice dug out a little journal from a satchel she had by her side on the dirt ground. It was her father's old journal. Page four held the names of all the Ashoka Gang's previous suppliers. It was about time to visit them again.

[Isaac Azure]

Isaac walked through the slums whistling a happy tune and carrying a bag in one hand and another bag in the other. What was in those bags? Things that Isaac was bringing to his dear Alice that would help out with getting started with the gang. He felt that he hadn't done much for the gang or Alice, though she wasn't giving him much to do. That didn't matter much though, he'd much rather take care of everything for her and surprise her. The look on her face after seeing how much work he had done for her would be priceless. Just thinking about it made Isaac smile.

He made sure no one followed him or saw where he was going and headed down into the gang's lair. As Isaac walked toward where he was sure Alice was currently residing, he noticed that the place really need to be cleaned and spiced up. It wouldn't take Isaac that long to clean up the place and make it look really nice. He figured Alice would probably stop him and try and help but Isaac wouldn't let her. It was his job to do all the dirty and monotonous work and it was her job to order him around.

"Alice!" Isaac said in a happy and a whimsical way as he stepped into the room and spotted Alice. He walked over to possibly the only piece of furniture in the place and placed the bags down and started to pull things out. In the bag was apparently some cups and a teapot which was still pretty warm. "I brought you some tea and some snacks," He continued to pull out some cups and a variety of snacks, most were just some pastries. As he was pouring some tea in her cup he noticed the look on her face and the journal.

"What's wrong Alice?" He asked as he handed her a cup of tea. What was the journal for? It was probably something important seeing how she was looking at it. Hopefully she would tell him but if she didn't he wouldn't pry at it. "You know you can tell me anything and everything right? I'm here for you," He said that in a more serious tone and it was obvious he was serious by the look on his face. She wasn't utilizing him to his fullest potential it was about time she did.

[Deleted]

Alice hadn't noticed Isaac come in and his cheery call startled her. Instinctually she slammed shut the little journal and shoved it back in her bag. She didn't know why. It wasn't like she didn't trust Isaac. Blushing from her overreaction to the disturbance she forced a smile. This fake smile turned into a genuine smile when she saw what he had brought.

"Good morning Isaac. Ah. Thank you!" Alice accepted the teacup gratefully. She hadn't had a cup of tea in a long time and she was really starting to miss it. Trying not to seem rude or greedy, she took a few pastries as well. She hadn't eaten anything since mid-morning the day before, but she wasn't going to tell Isaac that. Alice wasn't too keen on dipping into the Gang's meager funds and she had been too busy lately to think much about food or sleep anyway.

"What's wrong Alice?"

Ah, so he noticed. She had been trying really hard to hide her insecurities all this time. After all she was the leader of the glorious Ashoka Gang, if she didn't believe in it then who would? Still, it was hard looking at the nearly empty cellar and the sole person who believed in her and keep a cheery perspective.

"You know you can tell me anything and everything right? I'm here for you."

Damn! Now she felt guilty. She thought back to the incident in the entertainment district with the Falvadin. She really messed up then and could have put herself and the Gang in danger. She opened her mouth, but then closed it again. No, she couldn't say it.

"What? Everything's fine!" That sounded fake even to her own ears, but if there was anything Alice was good at it was doubling down. "I've just been looking over the list of supplies we need in order for the Ashoka Gang to rise from the ashes!"

Alice slid the list in front of Isaac and took a sip of tea to cover the blush on her face. It was an awfully long list, taking up two pieces of paper even with some items as vague as "get furniture". She hadn't wanted to show it to Isaac in case he got overwhelmed and ran away, but he put her on the spot. Also, she still wasn't used to his eagerness and she didn't want to take advantage of him.

"Please don't worry about it too much, just add anything that you think I've missed. I have a list of suppliers I need to check in on. It shouldn't be long before the Gang is up and running to its fullest!" She smiled uncomfortably and took another pastry.

[Isaac Azure]

After Isaac was done making sure Alice had some tea and a pastry, he poured himself a cup of tea. He smirked a bit when she said everything was fine, she was a terrible liar…well at least to him she was. Supplies huh? Isaac took a sip of the tea and nodded, this place certainly needed a complete makeover. Isaac wanted to make it feel like a place to call home but also a place that would function well for a military group. That wouldn't be too hard, a nice homey feel along with something that would work for a headquarters.

He looked down to see the supply list and picked it up and began reading it. This was certainly a long list but it wasn't something that Isaac couldn't do. Everything on it seemed reasonable and something that they'd obviously need. He took another sip of the tea before placing the cup down and looked over the list one more time before letting out a sigh and smiling. "My, my! This is such a long list Alice!" Isaac looked to the girl and his smile grew. It was cute that she was trying to get him not to worry about it but that was something he couldn't do.

"Don't worry about it? This isn't something you should be taking care of. It's my job as your loyal right hand to take care of this monotonous work for you," He then handed the list back over to Alice after he was done memorizing it and adding anything he thought would be beneficial to have. "I'll have this entire place done and presentable for you faster than you can blink! Now don't you worry yourself one bit! Just focus on plans and battle strategy and I'll take care of everything else," He was completely serious when he said this, though his happy look wouldn't show how so.

He wanted to take all the burdens off her shoulders so that she can focus on more important things. Besides, this girl had better things to do than clean up this dump. "Alice if you ever have something bothering you or you just want to talk let me know. I'm here for you always, get that burned into your head and never forget it," He said that so casually he wasn't sure she'd take it seriously. Isaac then started humming and went back to sipping his tea. He honestly didn't like repeating himself but he wasn't sure if she understood.

[Deleted]

"My, my! This is such a long list Alice!"

Ouch! That's what she was afraid of. Maybe she should have written it in tinier letters. Thankfully, Isaac seemed to be joking. Unlike the smile Alice always forced herself to wear, Isaac's always seemed so genuine. If only she could have his spirit.

"Don't worry about it? This isn't something you should be taking care of. It's my job as your loyal right hand to take care of this monotonous work for you. I'll have this entire place done and presentable for you faster than you can blink! Now don't you worry yourself one bit! Just focus on plans and battle strategy and I'll take care of everything else."

Crazy. Completely insane. For one, there is no way he would be able to find everything on that list by himself. Two, what sort of battle strategy could she possibly draw up involving the two of them and the stray kitten Alice found living in the warehouse when she moved in. Alice did have a few notes written down about a certain Falvaden, but it was hardly a strategy. More like a musing. Alice smirked and responded.

"Oh really. Faster than I can blink? What do you even need me for?" She was only half-joking. "But really, it's dangerous out there. The Falvaden are out in full force. Some of this stuff is illegal and the rest would look awfully suspicious if bought in bulk by one man. It's true I have had a few problems, but I think I can handle it. It's the job of the gang leader to... well... establish the gang. I hardly call this established." She made a gesture at the room in front of her. They were sitting on the dirt ground with only a small lamp and a wooden chair to liven the place up. While the decor wasn't the primary concern at the moment, she thought she made her point.

"Alice if you ever have something bothering you or you just want to talk let me know. I'm here for you always, get that burned into your head and never forget it."

Ow, pain, guilt. Isaac was a really good person. She hadn't known him for very long, but she really cared about him. Could she allow herself to rely on him? Should she?

"You don't need to worry about me. I don't want you to. I am the Leader right? I should be able to handle myself, the gang, everything!" Alice paused a long moment. "If something were to happen to me, you have to take over the gang. It's not much right now, but it's really important. We have to win! Your duty is to the gang not necessarily to me. Do you understand?"

[Isaac Azure]

Isaac smiled, she was showing signs of concern for him, it was really cute. Though she did make a point, it would look quite suspicious, especially bringing all of this back here. Isaac did know a lot of people in the city who either owed him favors, feared him or wanted to change things and were willing to help. Isaac still wasn't sure any of these people would pull through and he'd have to spend a lot of his money, if not all of it to make this all happen. In the long haul it would be worth it though, especially if this was what Alice wanted for her gang.

"I understand what the Falvaden is up to and how dangerous it would be for me to try and get all of these things," Isaac began as he finished his tea. "Still, that doesn't change the fact that I will take care of this while you should probably stick to something more important like getting members and coming up with anything else you think we might need," He knew that something like this was inevitable but he wanted her to be in the least amount of danger and avoid being targeted.

"Alice, as of right now no one knows who the gang leader is or even if it's still around. If you start going out there and doing things that might grab the Falvaden's attention then you will just either get killed or bring them back here. I don't want that, so I should be the one to do things like get the supplies to lessen the chance of anyone trying to target you. If I was captured then you'd be safe and I'm nothing more than a pawn so it doesn't really matter what happens to me, I'm expendable but you're not," His friendly tone and attitude were completely gone at this point.

"Something happening to you is unacceptable. I'd much rather die before the Falvaden even laid a finger on you. You might be the leader of this gang but you're more than that to me. My loyalty is to "you" and you alone, the gang comes second. I'm sorry if this goes against what you just said but I'm not going to change my mind on this and if you want me to have no part of your gang then fine but I won't let anything happen to you," He smiled when he finished talking and took a bite out of a pastry. "Ever since I first met you I decided to make sure you were safe and happy no matter what and I know you're capable of protecting and handling yourself so don't even try to give me that excuse ,"

[Deleted]

Alice listened to Isaac in complete silence, miserably sipping her second glass of tea. Her fake smile vanished a long time ago. Isaac probably never bought it to begin with. She felt like crying and she didn't know why. She suppressed that feeling with anger. Anger at herself and anger at Isaac. What does he mean he's just a pawn? What does he mean the gang comes second?

"If that's how you feel then you will be very disappointed. I am not the head of a church. This is a rebellion. I put myself in danger by simply being a part of it. If you want to protect me, protect the gang. I will risk my life for its success. So... you better hope it succeeds."

Alice sighed. She knew what she needed to do, but she didn't want to do it. Silently she pulled out her father's journal. She stared at it for a long moment and then slowly with shaking hands handed it to Isaac.

"This book... contains the names of the Ashoka Gang's suppliers. I am not sure if all of them are still around or still willing to help our cause. We will have to be careful. It also contains details about where the previous supply routes and drop-off points were. Most of them are located around the Carnival since it isn't suspicious to see a large amount of cargo there and the Carnival workers... were an interesting bunch who didn't mind the activity. Hopefully the Carnival is still around."

Alice hoped Isaac couldn't see the blush on her face when mentioning the Carnival. Where was it exactly?

"If you really think you can handle the deliveries then... you take the book. Don't- don't lose it! I want it back! There's a lot in there and it would be too much to copy down. Plus multiple copies floating around would be dangerous, so keep it safe."

Alice stared at the book even after if left her hands. It was the last thing after her rifle that was left of the previous Ashoka Gang and her dad. giving away the book and her duties, it felt like she was giving away her life.

"Keep yourself safe too Isaac. You're my only... ally... and you can't protect me if you are dead!" She smiled bitterly.

[Isaac Azure]

From her words he had realized how foolish he was being, how selfish. He wanted to protect her and keep her safe from the world but at the same time he was hindering her of her true potential. He was letting his own desires overshadow hers and that wasn't fair nor something he wanted to do. "I'm sorry Alice. It seems that my over protectiveness has gotten the better of me. You have my deepest apologizes," The man stood straight and bowed as he said this, hoping that she would forgive his foolishness. He'd have to remember that this was her gang and she couldn't be cooped up all the time while he took care of everything.

When he took the journal he could feel her shaking and he stared at her with a bit of concern in his eyes. This must have been hard for her to do, the journal was obviously important to her. Isaac then began to go through it as she spoke. Reading the names of the people who were in it and calculating a plan of action. When the Carnival was mention he raised a brow, he had never been to one of those before but knew what it was.

Judging by how she was talking about it, and the blush she was trying to hide, this place held some meaning to her. "You have my word that I'll keep this journal safe," He smiled and then took her tea cup and poured more tea into it. "I'll take care of the deliveries without fail," Failure was definitely not an option for him and he wouldn't allow it. He was about to get up and leave but she spoke once again. Her words brought a bright smile to his face and made him quite happy.

"I'll make sure to keep myself alive for as long as that's your wish," He was only half telling the truth there. If the time came and he had to, he was willing to die for her even if she wanted to. No matter how much she'd beg or order it, Isaac would gladly kill himself if it meant that should would be safe. "Again, I feel I should apologize. I don't want you to think that the gang isn't important to me because it is. Everything and anything that's important to you is important to me it's just…" He paused for a second and stared at the ground, not sure how he should say this.

"I look at you and I see hope. Hope that this world will become a better place, hope that future generations won't have to deal with a person like this president or how I grew up. Hope that's worth living and dying for. I just don't want to see you get hurt but I know that with what we're doing in this gang getting hurt in inevitable. And I swear on my life to do anything and everything you ask of me. So I feel I should apologize again for being so selfish and wanting to keep you from doing what you need to…doing what to just because I want you safe. Even the most beautiful flower sometimes has thorns…well that was a bad analogy," He paused and looked up to Alice, a bright smile on his face. "You're much more beautiful than any flower,"

[Deleted]

So embarassing...

Alice hoped she didn't look nearly as flustered as she felt, but the sudden temperature change told her that she probably did. Alice wanted to tell him to stop, but that would be mean... he probably would stop though. Alice thought she was prone to overreaction, but this was a bit ridiculous right? She felt guilty again.

"I think you're pretty too Isaac. Wait, no. Forget what I said just now. What I meant to say was that's an awful amount of responsibility to put on one person. What if I don't live up to your expectations? What if I become petty or selfish? What if I fail? There's no way I'll be able to live up to that person you're describing. You'll be hurt in the end...

...but thank you. You don't need to apologize either. I can't force you to care about the gang as much as I do. I just wanted you to realize that I can't just sit here in safety when there is so much riding on me... on us."

Alice finished her tea and stood up, brushing the dirt from her skirt and the tension from the room. She began digging blindly in her satchel again. Her fingers touched something flat and stiff. She pulled out the object. It looked like a crumpled black envelope. She angrily stuffed it back in without examining its contents. A few moment later her hand emerged with a dirty three-ringed notepad. Alice began flipping through it rapidly.

"You can take your time with the supplies. No new decrees have been given in a while and I have a feeling the Falvaden's are getting lazy. I hope to have at least the bare bones by the end of the year. Hopefully nothing changes in that time. Meanwhile there are some tasks I need to get done, tasks that you don't need to worry about. I have an idea on how we might be able to get the upper hand early, but I have to think about it."

[Isaac Azure]

Isaac couldn't help but chuckle a little at Alice. "You're silly sometimes you know that?" Isaac began to gather the things he brought and placed them back into the bag. "You've already lived up to my expectations Alice and I'm with you no matter what you choose to do or where it takes us," He doubled check to make sure he had everything and looked around the room. This place could be turned into something quite nice, the entire area could be turned into something amazing. Isaac would probably start living down here once things got fixed up, his apartment wouldn't be needed if this place was livable. Though yet again, it was quite the apartment, very nice and quite expensive.

Isaac was so focused on Alice that he would forget the bigger picture from time to time. This world needed the gang more than anything and he had to contribute to that, no matter how much it pained him to see Alice get in danger's crosshairs. He watched Alice dig through her satchel and noticed the black envelope. What did that envelope contain? It made Isaac quite curious about it but wasn't going to pry, if it was something important that she needed to talk to him about she would tell him.

Those decrees. Hmph, those were just the president coming up with ludicrous rules to abuse his power and make things harder for the people. Isaac will never follow any of those damn decrees and if anyone tried to force them they'd meet the end of his blade. "By the end of the year?!" Isaac made it sound like Alice was insane for suggesting that. "I'll get everything done by three months max!" He said jokingly, though being pretty serious about it. "Alice, you sure those tasks are nothing I should worry about?" Isaac adjusted his grip on the bags and stared at her intently.

He had a serious look on his face but it quickly faded away and he smiled "Alright! If you say so! I'll leave it to you then but if you need help just ask away!" He had some things he had to take care of as well. Things that he try and keep Alice out of due to the nature of these tasks being questionable. "Oh and I'm never going to forget you called me pretty," He laughed before continuing "I have quite the strong feelings for you if you haven't noticed already so hearing that makes me happy," There was no need to hide how he felt..or was starting to feel about her. Isaac was going to be blunt and direct with her when it came to things of that nature and didn't care if she felt the same way.