After holding it in for so long, and letting everything go all in one big, heavy, unpredictable sob, Dan couldn't help but feel empty. For the first time in a long while, he finally was. His regrets were gone, along with the storm that had raged, all flowing out of him slowly but surely with each tear that fell. He had welled up some of his emotion, as he was used to doing, trying to stop himself from crying. Though, as he was regaining his breath and his head, he heard the young girl move, lifting his watery gaze to lock with her gleaming one.
That was when she did something that made him nearly choke up again. She had wrapped her small arms around his neck, too small yet to hug any differently, her arms meeting at the back of his head. He, in return, set a large hand on her back lightly, almost covering both of her collarbones, his fingertips stopping just short of her side. The scene was easily in resemblance to a bear giving a hug to a fox. Though both participants had something emotional to take from this embrace as well as to give. The hug eased him, silencing his tears, giving him the support he never knew he so yearned for.
The embrace seemed to end too soon, his heart pumping violently, as if it were trying to break free of his chest and find salvation. As she removed her arms, he let his hand slide back to his lap, still making sure to keep his eyes on her, afraid to let her out of his sight. Afraid to lose something he never had. He could only try to stifle his stubborn watery eyes when she spoke, listening with vigor to every word she spoke. There it was, her name, her identity, Poppy. Dan let his gaze sink to the floor he sat upon, his breathing finally slowing. "Poppy..." He breathed, his voice still rough. "It's wonderful to meet you." His eyes shimmered against the bright lights as he looked up, again letting his gaze dance with Poppy's. He gave a solemn nod, the final step in his grieving process, the release, he was letting go. Saying his goodbye.
"Poppy." He addressed her with nothing but respect, a hidden emotion within his speech, but there all the same if one cared to hear. "You may not be my sister...But I meant what I said. I'm here for you when you need me." He looked down, a ghost of a smile on his face. "That's what friends do. What families do. What I do..." He glanced over his shoulder, at his friends, at the knights. He gave a light-hearted smile, as lopsided as ever. "That's what we do."
He turned back to her, wiping at his eyes, and raising a brow at the vibration he felt on the floor. Soon after, Poppy pointed out the lab, Daniel was unsure whether or not this was the lab they had to go to, but when she mentioned seeing Jonathan, his suspicions were confirmed. She admitted to delivering adam there, whatever that was. She also mentioned how it appeared, as well as admitting that she had gone inside the building, at least to the receptionist. Daniel rolled his eyes playfully, regaining his self-assure composer. The tears had finally come to a stop, but had left his face a little red. Daniel's lopsided smirk returned when Poppy rested her head against his shoulder, it still remained after she left, her comment along with her.
As soon as she lifted her head, she tensed, and Dan felt another vibration rock him on the floor. Daniel stood, his honey colored eyes searching the area, never finding the source of the pounding, which not only had grown stronger, but louder as well. He had just glanced down to Poppy, noticing her nervously bite her bottom lip, when he heard something that made him flinch.
GROOOAAAARRGGGG....
It sounded like a loud groan, or a deep shout. Whatever it was, it sounded like a dying whale. Perhaps louder. Daniel could only hold his breath with wide eyes as the thumping came closer. Whatever it was that was on its way, it was not to be messed with. Daniel couldn't help but look back over to the corpse, the river sticking out of it's body like a crow in a flock of doves. He could only hope that whatever was coming wouldn't be the same as the one before, the one that had done that. His heart, which had previously been racing, was now slowing to a near stop, seeming to know of the danger at hand. Moving closer to Poppy, Daniel made sure he would be able to cover her if there were to be rapid fire, or anything that would put her in danger. His eyes moving over the Knights, if it came down to it, he would sacrifice himself for them. To him, they were the closest thing to a family he could ever have. They meant everything to him. They were everything to him.
As soon as the footsteps had thudded closer, they suddenly echoed away, giving Dan a chance to suck in a breath of air. He took a step back from Poppy, allowing her space. Noting the wide smile on her face, and the relief that was clear in her every move. Apparently, this whale whumper, was her "Daddy". He wanted to suggest giving her back to her father, but wasn't entirely keen with the idea of losing her, and was relieved when she had specifically chose to say "we" in her speech. Hearing a familiar voice, Dan turned to face Jeff, listening to what he was saying to Poppy, who was still beside him. He had to admit, Jeff could always lighten the mood, even with his light-hearted joke filled questions. Daniel turned to Poppy, his mouth curling into a small smile.
