The Raid (Mel, Jared)

[Melanie Flames Stryder]

Mel frowned when Wanda shook her head, but smiled again when she explained that she just wanted to go with Mel. Mel could deal with that; compromise was good for her. Mel paused after Wanda left to tuck one of the blankets around Jared.

When she got outside, Wanda was already at the van. Mel smiled at her and swung into the passenger seat. "Let's do this."

[Wanderer O'Shea]

Wanda nodded and opened up the van. The soul at the front desk looked up breifly and Wanda held up her index finger, as if saying she'd be right back. Which was the truth. Slidding into the front seat she twisted the keys in the ignition and let it hum to life. She tucked her hair behind her ear and looked at Mel. "While we're there I'm going to see if they have any Awake travel size." She smiled and began to back up.

[Melanie Flames Stryder]

Mel smiled brightly and waved to the soul visible just inside the lobby before facing the road again. "While we're there I'm going to see if they have any Awake travel size." She blinked at Wanda and tilted her head to the side thoughtfully. They could certainly use the Awake but, then again, "Do they sell that to any non-Seekers? I thought we usually stole that one."

[Wanderer O'Shea]

Wanda shrugged as she pulled to a stop at a four way stop. Letting the other soul go first. "I'm sure they will sell small sizes to keep you awake if you're going on a long trip." She replied before pulling forward and continuing to the convience store. She pulled into an empty parking spot and took out her keys and stepped out. They where at just a normal 7-11 store.

[Melanie Flames Stryder]

Mel nodded. Probably true. After all, once told about the minor safety things, souls would never take too much. They were good at following rules. Mel swung out of the car, closing the door neatly behind her, and looked up at the sunny sky. Then she walked to the glass door of the little store and held it open for Wanda, following her through.

Mel could not remember the last time she had been in a 7-11. She hadn't visited them much even before the invasion. A large, softly humming box on the wall caught her attention. Mel grinned. Slushies. "Wanderer," she said, imitating the souls' polite tone. "Would you like a slushy? I think I am going to get one." Because I have not had one in years

[Wanderer O'Shea]

Wanda stared at Mel when she mentioned slushy. "What's a slushie?" She asked walking over to the medicine section and looked at the white containers. One section was for the translucent paper strips, another was for spray cans, another was for liquids. She found the Awake and grabbed two cans before turning and walking after Melanie.

[Melanie Flames Stryder]

"What's a slushie?" Mel turned to explain it, but Wanda was already going to find the Awake. She decided an example would be better, anyway. Selecting the smallest cup size, which was still pretty big, Mel examined the different flavors. Banana, cherry, cotton candy, blue raspberry. Banana always seemed like a weird flavoring to Mel, most cherry flavored foods reminded her of cough syrup, and cotton candy sounded to sweet at the moment, so the choice was easy. Raspberry. Definitely.

Mel set the cup underneath the blue nozzle and pulled it down. She had never understood why people made blue raspberry. Maybe just so people could tell flavors apart easily--there were too many red and pink flavors, and not nearly enough blue ones. When the cup was full, Mel grabbed a lid and straw from beside the machine.

Wanda came up behind her and Mel turned. "This is a slushy," she told the soul, holding out the cup, "Icy flavoring with lots of sugar. Shall I get two straws?" Mel snapped the lid onto the cup.

[Wanderer O'Shea]

Wanda looked at the drink and nodded. "Sure. I'm going to go grab some of those sandwiches." She said pointing to the area here small sandwiches and deserts where in a cooled section. She walked over and picked up a basket, and looked at the selection of foods. She grabbed two large subs, a smaller salad and then decided to get Mel a lunchables, before grabbing another sub. As she was walking back towards the counter she passed some boxes that where labeled 'Cherry Flavored.' After a moment she looked around. "Hey Mel, what are these?"

[Melanie Flames Stryder]

Mel smiled and took another straw. She ripped the paper around both, and pushed them into the slushy. Then, dropping the wrappers into the recycling--souls were so earth friendly--she followed Wanda to the sandwiches. "Turkey for Jared." she told Wanda, more out of habit than anything else; by now Wanda knew everyone's preferences.

Mel followed Wanda, not realizing for a moment that she had stopped walking. Mel doubled back. "Hey Mel, what are these?" The soul seemed to be pointing at miniature bottles of shampoo. But Wanda definitely know what shampoo was, so unless she was wondering about the particular brand, what was...? Oh. Oh. Mel turned slightly pink. She had never explained this to anyone; she had persuaded/forced Jared to give it to Jamie. Mel cleared her throat. She might as well just get out with it. She was surprised Wanda didn't know this from being in her head.

"That's protection so you don't get pregnant or get diseases when you're...you know." Mel kept her voice low, so only Wanda could hear her.

[Wanderer O'Shea]

Wanda stared at the boxes before pausing and her eyes widened. Ian wasn't wearing one was he? She thought before looking up as if she was thinking. She looked away. "Let's go." She said before nudging Mel towards the cashier. Placing the items on the counter. The cashier smiled and quickly checked the items off inventory. Wanda smiled and thanked her before walking out of the 7-11 and sitting in the diver seat and placed the back beside her.