Michael and Y/N were greeted at the gates of the outpost by none other than Ms Mead herself. Well, the Ms Mead 2.0 that Michael had commissioned awhile back. He was going at playing neutral but Y/N knew he was happy to be back in her presence. Before they entered, Ms Mead was instructed the task of ridding of the puss-infected horses that had brought them there. Michael guided Y/N, placing a hand on her lower back, hoping she would not turn around to watch. She never did get over her affection for animals. As they walked into the outpost, Michael looked down at the woman at his side, raising an eyebrow at her sudden beaming smile.
“I can smell their misery, Michael. They hate it here,” she smiled brightly at him. The unhappiness of the outpost was euphoric.
He chuckled, “Let’s play it a little cooler than that,”
“You’re right,” she nodded, standing up straighter, “There’s just nothing more arousing than the sweet smell of hate,” her sentence tapered out into a light moan. Michael looked down at her with a reprimanding look.
Ms Mead led them to a large room, sliding the doors open to reveal an impatient Ms Venable.
“Hello, I am Ms Venable. I’m in charge of this Outpost. How did you get here? What can we do for you?” She was as confused as she was annoyed.
“My name is Langdon and I’m with the Cooperative,” he motioned to the woman beside him, “This is Y/L/N. We’re here on behalf of the organization to offer you all a chance at salvation,”
Ms Venable frowned, looking at the woman’s red gown judgmentally, “What are you talking about? I’ve heard nothing about this from other Outposts”
“They’ve been overrun,” Y/N said simply.
Michael leaned his hand against the wall over the fireplace, looking into it as if it held some secret, before turning to Venable, “We’ll be conducting interviews of the occupants of this outpost. There is a sanctuary where, if chosen, they will be safe from the disease and starvation that will undoubtedly come should they stay here,”
“And if they aren’t chosen?” She asked.
Y/N smiled sweetly, “They’ll end up like our horses,”
Michael and Y/N waited in that room a few minutes while Venable gathered those inside the Outpost. Y/N was giddy with anticipation and Michael could only smile when she was like this.
“You know what to do. Don’t you, little one?” He asked as he skimmed his knuckles down her jaw.
She nodded, “It’s like a beautiful play. Isn’t it?” He smiled at her, kissing her head before they went to those gathered in the other room.
Michael walked in, as stoic and commanding as ever. Y/N followed two steps behind, playing her part well when really she wanted to laugh. Michael had walked up to where Ms Venable stood announcing them. She was, of course, taken back by his proximity. These days, personal space meant nothing to him. At least not for anyone but Y/N. He commanded a room. He moved with a feline like smoothness all his movements were calculated yet effortless. Y/N loved watching him when he was like this
As he began his speech about his plans to offer them a chance at life, Y/N’s eyes scanned the room. She saw flashes of fear in their faces, confusion, and determination to live. She was brought back to the conversation when one Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt raised her voice to Michael.
“If you will not submit to these rules, then you will die. That is guaranteed. Fairly simple,” Y/N snapped, her voice laced with the venom she felt toward anyone who would defy them. Michael couldn’t help but chuckle at Coco’s shocked expression.
“Don’t worry. When the Outpost is overrun by the creatures outside your door,” he reached into his inside coat pocket and retrieved a vial of pills, “Down one of these and you’ll go gently into that good night,” he smirked, shaking the vial for emphasis.
After dropping the news on everyone, Michael wanted to begin the first of his interviews. Luckily, he had a volunteer. Mr. Gallant had expressed his wish to go first. He was eager to secure his place among the living.
Y/N had set up the desk Michael would be using with the files of all the occupants. She had just placed Gallants at the top when Michael followed her in. Coming around to look at the work before him, he watched her as she struggled to hide her emotions. Michael tried to ignore it, the same as she, as he flipped through Gallant’s file.
He looked up at her after a few minutes, “Little one, why don’t you go relax?”
She shook her head, “I’m fine,” she crossed her arms and gave him the same questionable look he was giving her.
“I just think,” he sighed, closing the file and tossing it down on the desk, “that maybe this one would be better if you sat it out,”
“Because he likes you?” She said plainly, placing her hands on the desk as she leaned over.
He struggled in his attempt not to roll his eyes, “I just think your jealousy would prove a hindrance in this scenario,”
“I’m used to people wanting certain things from you, Michael,” she took a deep breath, “My only problem would be if you wanted it too,” He let his eyes roll. She really was a needy thing at heart.
“Just go unpack our things. You know how I like my things to be,” he tried to make it sound like a compliment.
She pushed herself up, hands coming from the table to her hips, “Don’t take too long. We do have other plans for this evening,”
“I wouldn’t dream of it” he smiled at her reassuringly, “Go on, then. Be a good girl,” she waved her hand at him dismissively as she retreated to where they would be staying during the duration of Michael’s scheme. He took a deep breath and straightened himself out before Mr. Gallant stepped through the door.
Toad's Cave 