Issue 1 Downtime

It had been a few days since Anika had been seen. Who knows where she went or what she was doing. She came up to Gemma's door and knocked a few times, that familiar rhythm. In her hand was a small box wrapped in black, shining paper.

Gemma opened the door, her eyes sparkling. "Heya, Anika."

"...now what's that look for? Did you get laid?" She smirks nudging Gemma playfully.

"Not yet. What kind of girl do you take me for?" She grinned and stepped out of the way. "Come in."

"Yet...?" She raises a brow and steps inside. "So...there's a possibility? Do I need to have a talk with someone?" She got her protective sister face on.

"Ignata already threatened him with bodily injury. Even hijacked this form to do it." She giggled, "It was kind of funny to watch."

"I knew there was something about her I liked." She says with a smirk. "But still, I want to have a talk with him. Who is he? Is he nice? Tell me about him." She plops down on Gemma's bed, setting the box beside her.

"His name is Trev. He's kind of a nerd, but he's sweet."

"Trev, huh? Alright. Hey, nothing wrong with nerds. You know, they can actually be some of the best lovers." She winks at Gemma. "But seriously, you're happy, right?"

"So far so good. Only one date so far though. You doing okay?"

"Me? Of course. I adapt. No reason to worry your pretty little head." Anika says with a smile, tossing the box to her. "Found this for you. Figured it was perfect for you and Ignata."

Gemma smiled, "I'm your sister. I'm allowed to worry about you." She picked up the box and tore into the paper.

"Well, no reason to." She waves a hand dismissively as she watches Gemma tear into the box. Inside she would find a silver necklace. It has the head of a dragon and a claw grasping a genuine ruby stone. The chain is delicate, but sturdy.

"It's beautiful," Gemma exclaimed, looking at it closely.

"And does Ignata like it? Have to please both, you know." She says with a smirk.

Her head went through a half shake and her eyes glowed, "It is truly lovely. Thank you."

"Not a big deal. I've had it in storage for a while, been wanting to get it to you. It was actually for your birthday a while back. Alright so..." She looks a bit embarassed. "I may or may not actually have a gift for each year I missed your birthday and Christmas. I figure I can give them to you over time rather than all at once. Unless you want them all now. Won't be a big deal."

"Spaced out is fine," Gemma said, reaching out for Anika's hand, "But you know you really don't have to."

Anika chuckles, giving Gemma's hand a squeeze. "Hey, I know I don't have to. If I had to, I wouldn't do it, right?" She says with a wink. "Besides, you deserve it, Gem. Anyway, enough of this mushy stuff. How are your classes going? Anyone giving you trouble?"

"No one other than myself," she said. "Classes are going okay. I think I'm getting the hang of the English classes. Professor Weaver's not as bad as she seems at first."

"Well that's good. No one putting you in more binding circle crap or anything, right?"

"No reason to. And they were just trying to help."

"Yeah well it was still shitty. I'm sure I could have talked Iggy down." She says confidently. But we all know the truth.

"She was in a right mood at the time. You're lucky she cares about you as much as I do."

"Aww, that's so sweet. It's like I have two sisters. Honestly I thought she hated me."

"She was angry with you. There's a difference."

"I'd hate to see what she does when she actually hates someone then." She says with a smirk.

"They'd best not be combustible," she smirked back.

She can't help but laugh at that. "Well hey, I'll let you get back to what you were doing. I'll stop by again sometime soon, yeah? And don't forget, you owe me some time in the danger room." Anika hops up, stretching.

"Sure thing. I'm free on the weekend."

"Perfect. I'll catch you then. Sunday afternoon okay?"

"Sounds good to me. I'll make sure the time is booked."

"Perfect. See you then!" She walks out the door and heads on her way to...who knows where. But she seems to have a purpose.