Accosting himself away from the Junkyard was easy. Looters typically went in pairs or groups, but as experienced as Ares was, a homegrown raider and Infected-killer extraordinaire, he was often permitted to leave the compound by himself. Of course, it was expected he'd come back with loot, or a really cool story to tell, yet it was not a necessity, as the Eclipse did not rule with the iron fist of the Military, and most Eclipse were allowed to wander as they pleased. There would be questions as to what he did, but no formal inquiry or punishment.
Which was the perfect set-up to harbor a secret friend that was outside of any faction's jurisdiction. Armed with his survival pack, and his handy-dandy second hand rifle, Ares travelled through rolling green fields and coniferous forests that ringed cloud-tipped mountains. It was all so deceptively quiet and lively, as any of the long shadows those towering trees cast could harbor Infected, or worst, human strangers.
He made it to their rendezvous point without any fuss. It was a platform secured at a low level in the trees, what once may have been a ranger's lookout or a child's playground, if it were not so far integrated in nature. The platform was accessible by a ladder, which, gifted with athleticism, Ares scaled with ease. Seeing as he was the first to arrive, Ares slung his pack down from his shoulders and rolled them with a sigh, grateful at the small alleviation of weight. He slumped down against the thick, sturdy trunk of the ceddar, that spanned almost the width of the small, fixer-up cars that slumbered in the Junkyard garage's.
The looter then rummaged through his pack. From it, he pulled an ecletic mix of items- anything from a comic book with the pages wrinkled in mildew and yellow with water-damage to a gorgeous revolver, too damaged to be a useful weapon, but engraved with ornamental design in the frame. The revolver in particular he held for a more than a second, gazing upon it with a fascination and want for it to work. Maybe he wouldn't give it to Lorelei- maybe he'd try to fix it up himself, this time, instead of leave it in the hands of engineers. Surely he would be more successful than people who have tinkered with guns their whole life?
There was something about the woods that Lorelei always enjoyed. So eternal and endless, untouched by the change. Natural splendor that held mystery and beauty and for centuries seemed unperturbed. Inasmuch, Lor was no more confident in Ares' ability to pick masterful meeting places than how pretty and clear the sky became the further she went into the wilderness. How she wished she could spend her days out here. Above the trees swayed and created a gentle and soft sound, somewhere and very far away there was a ripple and a clash of rolling thunder making it seem closer. Bird-song filled the air and there was an enormous smile plastered to Lor's face. Leaves crunched underfoot and the stick she had found was useful enough to serve as a walking stick. Distracted by the sounds and sights, Lor's favorite part about coming out here, not only was the scenic route something to behold -- as she crossed the stream, turned left at the forked tree and kept walking straight -- there was always a pay off. Ares always found cool things to share with Lor. Trinkets from the old world that once held sentimental value to somebody was fascinating.
Each item held a story. And, Lor loved stories.
She took in a long exhale of fresh woodland air and let it fill her lungs. Perhaps when she returned to the city, she would request to have a meeting with the Elders and explain to them, all intents and purposes, why moving the colony to the woods would be a good idea. Everything was always so confusing and held such incomparable unknowns and variables. Though, she would not let the unknown let fear fester. So, pulling the face mask up to show her pride and her colony's insignia, she pushed forward. Careful and tactful steps, it was clear she was trained. The woods, however, untold and unparalleled new dangers that exposed a strange threat. The elements. Hood up, mask concealing her features, about and around the trees that created the forest also carried a specific undertone. It was a mile hike from the city to the meeting spot. She had crossed the stream. All the while she could not help but feel a sense that somebody other than her occupied these woods. Ares was still up a ways, and there was a constant sound. Voices that were just audible to carry. And, finally, after a thousand steps, the fascination of what Ares might have brought her, the magic of the trees, came to a halt.
Like a cat in the wild, she threw the stick away, and got ready for any inevitability.
Rifle was pulled to the front, her fangs. Held sideways, hazel eyes scanned the trees as she took up a defensive posture to show she would fight if need be. Depending on how many there were. Hunters. Her head tilted in a new morbid fascination, she listened to the wind. Poised for whatever may come from the trees. Until she was sure she was not alone. Certified trouble was up ahead. There was a tenant in the colony. Don't fight the unknown. However, as much, defensive nature was in every living being's understanding of the world. Rifle leveled, slowly panning the rifle to the source, she peered down the scope, knees bent and feet that moved like water, strafing to the left. Urban survival instincts kicked in. Then the colony's survival instincts kicked in. For a fact, those voices were getting closer. Something urged her and she took off at a sprint. Rifle cradled like a child. Down a soft incline cushioned by fallen leaves. She slid to solid ground and opted to go around. Until the ground leveled out. Until the voices could not be heard.
At one point, she spun 180 degrees and walked a few steps backwards watching the way back. Making sure nobody would follow. Whoever they were there was a slim chance their paths would cross again. Her mind wanted to go back to comic books and stuff that Ares might have found. Spirits of the wood. It was possible she had had just gotten spooked. The colony's first instinct was to flee. Scatter. Be unknown. To the colony, they were not afraid of death but of unsolicited change. Their ways could not be compromised. Even Lor knew that change was inevitable. Finally, the ladder that led to the platform settled into view. Lor slung the rifle around to the back and used both hands and feet to ascend. Until she could see above the platform in the trees. Ares was already there. Then climbed the rest of the way through. At first glance, she would have erupted in a playful smile to see her friend from the Eclipse. It was clear something troubled her as she placed the rifle to lean against the tree and sat down. A calmness etched upon her features, she smiled regardless. Ares, she said light and jovial -- a friendly greeting. Elbows placed as she sat in a position like a monk. As if two cultures were sitting down for trade negotiations.
There are people out there. Not sure how many. Not sure if armed. I almost ran into them but managed to lose them. Doubled back to make sure I was not followed. Most likely headed back to the city. Decided not to stop and ask if they were lost.
Her hazel eyes then noticed the revolver. She quirked an eyebrow inquisitively. Proud that the old words were a little easier to formulate. The look said nice piece.
Mind if I take a look?
Posted 08-25-2021, 04:10 AM
Heavy footfalls, that caused the wood planks beneath to squeak and groan, wrestled Ares' attention from the revolver. Ever attentive, his hand instinctively reached for the rifle that laid beside him, then sighed and relaxed when he recognized the familiar face smiling back at him.
"Lorelei," he breathed, relieved, and shifted from his seat to allow her space. The relief was short lived when he noticed the subtle tension in her fingers against her weapon, the alertness in hazel eyes usually quieted with calm. In turn, he frowned, reflecting the worry in his furrowed brows as she relayed the information.
"Shoul- should we leave?" he asked, concern in green eyes that flickered down from their platform, to where the silent ground peeked through the rustling canopy. It seemed innocuous enough, but those lulled by the deception of quiet did not last long in No Man's Land. He was momentarily distracted by Lorelei's question, as he turned his gaze to find her appraising the revolver that he found still rested in his lap.
He puffed his chest proudly then, pleased that she approved of the stuff he had brought. "Yeah, of course!". Then his eyes flickered back out to the weapon, to his forefinger and thumb languid around the barrel, and remembered just exactly why he'd been allowed to hoard it from the engineers. The looter offered it with an abashed scratch at his neck, "It doesn't really work, sorry to say. But I thought it was beautiful, especially when the shop workers gave me stuff to wipe the rust away."
He watched the metal flash with the movement of her fingers. It seemed alive, how it sparkled and wink, even as the two were cloaked in leaf shadow. And yet Ares reached over to pull his knapsack towards him, like the revolver wasn't enough to convince Lore of the Eclipse's awesomeness. He lifted the sack between his crossed legs and scoured its contents excitedly, while insisting, "Wait, I have more!"
look into my world
Posted 08-23-2021, 12:01 PM
This post was last modified: 08-23-2021, 12:01 PM by Ares Wheeler
