ORP: Less is More

1624 Hours
Azalea's Apartment
Arlington, Virginia

Music blared through Azalea's apartment as the brunette ran around, getting the last minute things together, making look as presentable as possible. She was trying to get rid of the yes-I-just-moved-in look. The box were at least all gone now. Now was the more detail of making the small place look more homey. Dobby the hermit crab hung from the wires in the cage that sat in the middle of the coffee table; the only other living creature in the whole place. Many would think it was weird that one would have a hermit crab as a pet. Usually many went for either a cat, a dog, or a bird. For this young woman, a hermit crab was best because you really didn't have to do much to take care of it. That means you could go long periods of time without having to worry it would die. The older Andre thought it was the weirdest thing, this young one thought it was the perfect pet.

Stopping in the middle of the living room, Azalea glanced around swearing there was more that needed to be done. This was the first time Sean, her boyfriend of four years, was going to see her outside of any training session. This was the first time he was going to see the brunette on her own, a place of her own. There wasn't really much there to impress, but at the same time, wanted it all to look good. "I know there is something I'm forgetting to do Dobby. Dishes clean and put away. Wash is done and put away. I vacuumed and dusted. I don't have anything cooking so don't have to worry about food burning. Your cage is clean, and since you're the only other living thing here, I don't have to worry about cleaning anything else." The knock on the door stopped all the thoughts as the female turned, feeling the heart race with excitement and nerves.

Taking a small breath, Azalea walked to the door, grabbed a hold of the knob, twisted and opened it revealing the man that captured this heart. The lieutenant smiled, wrapping arms around his neck, kissing him back deeply, slamming the door behind him while wrapping her legs around his waist. Sean Connolly was the man that Azalea loved more than anyone else in this life. From their first encounter at the Academy, he captured her attention like none other and fell fast for the young man. Their relationship had never been an easy on. It was full of distance and few times together, but when they finally were able to be together, the were the best times of this female's life. When it came to the future, De always pictured Sean in it in some way; whether he really knew it or not. There were times she wondered if he knew exactly how much she cared for the young man; the man she never wanted to be without.

Azalea kept her legs and arms wrapped around him, rubbing her fingers against his hair on the back of the neck. "Same thing could be said about you stranger. I thought now working at the same place, I would get to see you more. What are you a ninja on top of being a soldier?" Giving a wink, the brunette leaned down giving him a quick peck with a smile, before sliding down, placing two feet back on the floor. "Welcome to my home. Bet you would never hear me say that huh?" She took his hand, leading him more into the living room. There wasn't much to look at. A small kitchen off to the right as you entered. A small living room with a table in the back for a dining space. Two rooms down the hall with a small bathroom in between. The bigger the lieutenant claimed as her own, leaving the other for any guests that may come by. It was small but it was home.

Tag:Sean "Mantis" Connolly

1626 Hours
Azalea's Apartment
Arlington, Virginia

Azalea was always an observant person - able to read when something was off and that was the case with Sean. The brunette had been feeling it for quite awhile, but never wanted to mention it whenever they talked. She especially didn't want to bring anything up now, since this was the first time they had been together in over a month. Why jeopardize the time they had together? Who knew the next time they would get a moment like this. Resting her head against his, Azalea held him as close as possible - almost scared that some unseen force was going to rip him away. She kissed the side of his face holding him tightly, before stepping back, grabbing his hand and lead him to the couch. "How have you been? Is your role changing in Homeworld now?" she asked as they sat down, curling up against him, resting her head on his chest, wanting to stay as close to him as possible.

Tag: Sean "Mantis" Connolly

1627 Hours
Azalea's Apartment
Arlington, Virginia

When Sean asked the question, Azalea bit the bottom lip, not wanting to talk about this. They finally had their time together. It was finally just the two of them. Why did they have to talk about deep things like this? She knew he wouldn't stop till there was some kind of answer. So did she give him the honest answer, or give him something that satisfied his curiosity and got them back to cuddling? "I could ask you the same thing love. It seems like you've had a lot on your mind recently, and more than just the usual work load. I have been able to see that even when we talk on the phone." De knew she just answered this question with a question, but that was basically the only thing on her mind - trying to figure out what was going on with the man she loved.

Tag:Sean "Mantis" Connolly

1628 Hours
Azalea's Apartment
Arlington, Virginia

Azalea listened, biting the bottom lip, trying to take in all of he was saying. Once again there was another mission. Once again there was something else keeping them apart. Once again he was going to be away from her for an untold amount of time. It was getting harder and harder to be okay with this kind of news. At first, the brunette understood the importance of the job coming first, but now, now all she wanted to do was just be with him. Was that too hard to ask? Obviously it was since once again their relationship was being put on the back burner. She thought being in homeworld, the pair would have more time together, not less. She thought this would be their time. Time would finally be on their side, but she thought wrong. "When do you have to leave?" she asked softly, not really sure what else to say, or even how to say it all. There went the evening of being together. Once again, it was another race against the clock to enjoy all the moments they had till the next time. The lieutenant wanted to scream, yell, cry and well, a whole mixture of different emotions. This was a part of the job that she hated with the biggest passion.

Tag: Sean "Mantis" Connolly