Interlude

## Characters Involved

* Kiemo
* Red

## Event

Kiemo starts in his office he's carved out for himself, irritated that his group members were so incompetent that no one brought Red to him yet despite him issuing the order. He wonders if it's because of their incompetence or something bad had happened. Both ideas worry him. He reasons in his head that it shouldn't take that long before he grows upset with himself, letting himself frown in exhaustion. Kiemo though, upon looking out the window sees Red, one of his members talking to him. Kiemo finds himself looking Red over like this, scrutinizing him as he looks injuries before he stops himself from fretting and wanting to threaten the researchers if they hurt him. Kiemo looks away before anyone can catch him staring.

With the recruit talking with Red, they mention that Kiemo is once again upset with his lack of punctuality and for leaving Kiemo to train a batch of recruits. Finding Red more approachable, the recruit asks if Red knows why Kiemo has been so upset lately, more on edge since they found out Red was alive. They ask if Kiemo and Red are feuding. Red is a little amused by the question and asks if being on edge is a bad thing. He doesn't, however, like this part of the question, noting it's not a good sign if people were asking if their leader was alright. He concludes he better go see Kiemo. He quietly shuts the door to Kiemo's office behind him. Kiemo doesn't look at Red as he enters, already having Red memorized, one he guards carefully knowing how easily he'd almost lost the man himself. Kiemo scolds Red for being late, his voice stern but he looks over his shoulder again examining Red for any injuries. His tone warms when he realizes Red's fine. Kiemo does start to pace, rebuking himself for not staying by Red's side for longer and that he created some of the group issues. That they don't appear united to the group and that it's a bad look. Kiemo doesn't think he can keep making up moves for training and admits he was thinking more about Red than he was thinking about the training itself.

Red looks at Kiemo, losing his excuses as he does so and simply apologizes. He tells Kiemo that he was late due to Savannah interrupting him. Red does tell Kiemo what he heard at Niccolo's meeting from her. Kiemo approves of this and is happy they're in shambles. He confesses his part in it and that he helped formulate it with his careful persuasion. He does regret any hardship that should come of it to Red. Kiemo does act a bit embarrassed when Red brings up their apparent feud and the fact Kiemo was thinking of him, finding it cute. Though he does promise to be on time next meeting. Kiemo is a bit more curious about the gossip of the group. He tells Red he's not on edge and Red can tell the group that. Instead, as he pins Red to a well, he argues that he's actually secured a victory. He assures Red that he'll deal with anyone threatening either of them and that they'll deal with the walls too. He finally asks Red if they're feuding to him. He smirks a bit before telling Red not to think of Kiemo thinking of him as much, it was fleeting...until it wasn't. He explains it was out of fear of what happened to Red before and that he wouldn't forgive himself if it happened twice. Red asks if Kiemo wants them to be feuding. He's sure they can arrange that, expression softening as he reasons the researchers would be stupid to try anything again. Kiemo warns Red not to get testy with his answers, believing it to be his job while also doubting that Niccolo would pick anyone but Savannah as leader. He reasons that Red's position beside him is too good to pass up something like that. He believes Niccolo's intent is to sway Red into joining them, something Kiemo calls cute. He grins, enjoying the attempt. He disapproves of Red trying to answer his question with another. He tells Red that he asked first and that it's Red call if they're feuding or not. He can't promise the same thing twice. He also issues a dare to the researchers, daring them to try and attempt anything else, ignoring how worried he actually is. Red decides that they're doing the opposite of feuding after believing that yes, Savannah is probably trying to sway him, while doubting how well that'll work. Kiemo settles and tells Red he's someone he can trust and put faith in but Red heard none of that from him. They banter a bit longer, kissing before Kiemo tells Red that after the rest of the group have them, Kiemo would like to do something just between them.

Red doesn't mind, knowing he has Kiemo's attention, but asks what Kiemo has in mind. Kiemo admits Red plays a dangerous game knowing how to get under Kiemo's skin while knowing Kiemo won't do anything. He's somewhat amused by it before getting to business and saying they have something to check out. If Kiemo's informant is wrong, it'll be a short trip. Kiemo is asked about it further, after Red pesters him for enjoying his games and Kiemo tells him what he's been alerted to. A way out that they both investigate. Kiemo does not reveal who the informant is or was. But he does tell Red even with a way out possible, he can not leave until Berris was dealt with. Red will have the choice to go but he cannot follow as he needs Berris dead. Red understands this and knows it's Kiemo's right to kill him. Kiemo tells him they'll slip away after the meeting.

Along this trip, they find the hidden space in the fence and the houses and buildings that lay beyond. As well as a clock counting down to six weeks from the discovery date.