Chapter 6- Lost and Found (Shep/Snowball/ Mariana)

[dakota]

The approaching footsteps stops at the sound of her whisper. A strange grunt breaks the night stillness, followed by more footsteps in the leaflitter. In the dim moonlight breaking through the canopy, a dark shape presents itself, nearly lined up in her sights.

(tag - Mariana, has initiative)

[Renekin Skywalker]

*(Not trusting the GM) Mariana stays in her position, watching the movement of the grunter, and others if they be visible. Knowing that a single laser shot is a death sentence if seen, she holds her fire until truely needed.*

*Oh... and she also doesn't say anything else.*

(Tag, Dakota)

[dakota]

[glow=red,2,300](O.O.C.-What do you mean, you don't trust me?)[/glow]

The dark shape steps out of her sights with a snort as she watched silently. As she listened, it took a few more steps, and stopped again at a slight rustling sound coming from Mariana's side. The glint of the moonlight reflecting of a ration bar wrapper in Shep's hand grabs her attention as he attempted to open it quietly. Laying on his side facing her, he mouthed *What?* as another snort came from the shadows.

(Tag - Mariana)

[Renekin Skywalker]

(OOC: I mean yer a sneaky old cout, as that grunting fella could just as easily be Mikey, as Snowball or an actual baddie.)

*Behind her helmet, Mariana rolls her eyes.*

*Then, she starts to think about food herself, mouthing 'Damn you' to Shep before realizing he can't see her face.*

*She listens to the pattern of the snort, like a Dog-boy sniffing, or an elephant with a cold (these options are not inclusive of all possibilities )to assess who it is, while Shep very adeptly gets himself killed by his hunger.*

(Tag-Dakota)

[dakota]

[glow=LimeGreen,2,300](I'm not that old!)[/glow]

Shep grins as he finally finishes opening his snack, and takes a bites. The rustling of the wrapper is responded to by a pair of snorts, one from the shadow Mariana was tracking and the the other from past Shep. Shaking his head, he pulled the ration bar from the wrapper with his teeth and the twisted the open end shut. With a slam of his free hand, the wrapper's pop echoed through the forest like a gunshot. A chorus of snorts tore through the night as the sounds of the three bolted away.

(tag Mariana)

Shepherd stood, brushing off his armor. " You might come with some high credentials, but you need a little more time in the forest if you can't tell a couple of deer from a possible threat easier than that."

He held out a hand to help her up. " C'mon, lets get moving. We should be in Westvale in another hour, provided you don't make us stop for every forest critter we stumble acrossed." He grinned, and finished his bar.

[Renekin Skywalker]

[glow=purple,2,300]But not less a sneaky cout?[/glow]

*Mariana takes the hand, and deliberately overcompensates, landing on Shep, and in an insipid voice* "Oh, I'm soo sorry. I must have been thinking about the colour to paint my nails."

*She then backs off, loosening her helmet and picking up her duffle, and pulls out a snack for herself.*
"And, *with a sweet voice, waving Shep in front* If you want to avoid the little critters waylaying me, maybe you should go first?"

(Tag-Dakota)

[dakota]

Shep shook his head." You're doing fine on point. Besides, I always bring up the rear. Just keep us close to the stream and we'll be there in no time. You can paint your nails when we get there."

He waved her onward into the forest." And do me a favor, don't through yourself at me like that in front of the locals, okay?"

(Tag - Mariana)

[Renekin Skywalker]

*Mariana resumes point, heading for the river*

*In a sweet, but disappointed voice* "Aw? I don't get to hit on you? Why? Have a 'special' friend in town?" *Her voice showing signs of a pout*

[dakota]

" Cut that out." He snapped lowly at her as he followed her lead. " And as if it was any of your business, what if I did have someone in the village? Scared of a little competition?"

He ducked under a low branch, listening to the babble of the creek as they continued on. " Let's just say I have some attachment to Westvale, but I doubt it's what you're thinking."

(tag - Mariana)

[dakota]

Cut that out." He snapped lowly at her as he followed her lead. " And as if it was any of your business, what if I did have someone in the village? Scared of a little competition?"

He ducked under a low branch, listening to the babble of the creek as they continued on. " Let's just say I have some attachment to Westvale, but I doubt it's what you're thinking."

(tag - Mariana)

[Renekin Skywalker]

"Well, I hope they gett better soon. Those meds won't be caught cheap if you get caught." *She answers, continuing on*

"And, as for competition, I seem to recall there were actually attractive people in your squad. Seeing you almost disproved the fact."

(And, Tag, the tagging taggerty taggishness of taggitosity... Dakota)

[dakota]

With a groan of annoyance, Shep rolled his eyes behind her back. " You sure like to bring up the past, don't you? That was years ago, and I gave up trying to influence who's in a squad. Handpicking teams always backfires. And the supplies are replacements that I promised if you must know."

(tag - Mariana)

[Renekin Skywalker]

"Just buggin' ya." *she smirks, walking with a light bounce. She pulls off her helmet, and her greasey hair falls flat around her smirking face.* "How are the showers in Westvale, anyway?"

(Not that I needed the modify to do this, but Tag, Dakota)

[dakota]

" And you're doing a good job at it." He tried to not to pay intention to her remove the helmet, but help but notice how badly she needed a shower. " What have you been doing, swimming in that helmet? Never mind a shower, girl, you need some grease cutter. I'd be doing you a favor tossing you in the stream if it wouldn't kill the fish." He snickered lightly.

(tags - Mariana)

[Renekin Skywalker]

*Turns, and walks along the stream.* "You just don't want to see me outside my armour again. And as for what I've been doing. I had to hike my way from Lone Star to get here. Waited a day in that spot for you to show up."