[|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|]

Subject: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Sun May 19, 2013 11:54 pm

Lesia wondered down a highway. Abandoned cars lined the roads, some entirely flipped over or crushed, no longer in use. She never risked riding her horse here. It was easier to simply lead Chester around. Lesia wasn't in much of a hurry as it was. Not now, not when the world had been reduced to where the dead rose and started feeding on other people.

It had happened in days. The outbreak couldn't be controlled and slowly, the world they all lived in changed. People had to do things out of their comfort zone or die. No one wanted that. Lesia didn't. She'd made tough decisions to avoid death. At times, she wondered if she had made the right decisions but shoved it aside.

Thinking on it too much would only hinder her more than help.

Chester nickered softly. She glanced at the sorrel colored horse. He hadn't acted up in a long while. She always made sure to watch Chester. He knew 'they' were coming before she did, his fight or flight instinct wired hard into the large animal.

She watched his ears flick for a moment, listening to what was around them. A breeze passed by. There was no one else on the highway, at least none that she could see. Lesia dismissed it for the moment, starting off again. Chester followed after as if unbothered by his precautions beforehand.

Lesia hadn't seen another living person for quite some time. After she had left her previous group due to quite a few disagreements and bad decisions, she'd made it on her own. She wasn't bothered by it this way. She found it might have been for the best, her patience having been killed in the passed weeks.

She heaved a sigh, doing her best to ignore the sun beating down on them. It wasn't going to get any cooler anytime soon, not until a storm blew in and even that didn't guarantee colder weather. Still, she hoped something would hit soon. It was one more thing to worry about that was unneeded.

----[|x|]----

It had been weeks since Nicholai had taken a job to find a woman who had escaped from the Umbrella labs. Since then, the world above had gotten worse. The outbreak couldn't be controlled. People died and came back. It was a pattern that never ended. More and more people had been killed by the day, only a small few having enough sense to adapt to the situation.

They weren't important however. Nicholai was after one. The others could go about about their business unless they were needed. It was rather rare that was the case.

Trishka Huntson was her name. He had gather enough information to find her, from physical appearance to the places she might hide. She had caused all of this, inadvertently but had still managed to cause catastrophe on the world.

Whether she knew that much or even cared remained to be seen.

He'd caught traces of her on and off throughout his travels. Unless stopped or hindered by a few zombies, he otherwise took his time, let the woman grow comfortable in her 'new environment'. It would make it all the easier on him when he would have to capture her, drag her back if need be.

There was a hefty reward for her capture, after all, and that's all he really cared about.

He paused, glancing around the area. The road was abandoned, cars left, people having fled long ago. Many of them were dead now but still walking. He scoffed at that.

Pushing it aside, he continued on, searching for new signs of Trishka and where she might have been hiding now.

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Mon May 20, 2013 12:19 am

The man heaved a hefty sigh, tearing off his helmet. It was too hot for it and his canteen was only half full. Lone Wolf didn't need to be getting dehydrated in this heat and his gear wasn't helping any of it. It hadn't helped when he had to dash to safety to avoid the hoards of undead that had followed the noise of the helicopter blades as he had to ground the thing.

Never again am I skimping on pre-flight checks, he thought for the umpteenth time.

Really if it hadn't been noted as mandatory and management — or what was left of it — had been riding his ass to get in the air and search out the area for the cause of all this. Lone Wolf had only been in the air for an hour before he had to land or risk falling to his death when the helicopter ran out of fuel.

His footsteps were soft, careful not to make too much noise. The infected had a tendency to head towards noises, after all. So long as he stayed out of sight, stayed uninjured and was quiet he would be fine and he would reach the gated off base. At least that had been the plan.

Lifting his head his brow furrowed. That sound seemed all too unfamiliar, something that he would have thought he'd never get the chance to hear. Why is there a farm animal near here? he wondered, wandering over towards the nickering sound. Now that he was listening and paying more attention to it he could hear the clopping of hooves on the pavement as well.

Peering from around a crumpled up car, it didn't take long for Lone Wolf to spot the horse and the one who lead it around. She was picking her way carefully from around the mess of abandoned vehicles, most of which had been picked clean of parts months ago. If she had a weapon on her Lone Wolf couldn't see it. Patting his side he made sure his own firearm was there before he stepped from around the car and called out to her.

"Not often anyone travels through here," he stated. It was true enough. Still functioning Umbrella facilities generated enough noise to attract herds of the creatures that gathered along the thick fences.

----[x]----

Trishka wasn't sure how many days had passed since she'd last parted with a small group of survivors. They were all over the place, spread out as they were and while she didn't mind the company she could never risk staying with anyone for long enough to alleviate her loneliness.

All it would take was one slip up in her guard, to trust the wrong person and she'd be back in Umbrella's clutches and her inevitable death in the search for a cure. Besides, it wasn't all that important to her in the long run. Trishka was a fickle thing and often forgot things as soon as she'd decided upon them, a better idea or thing or person replacing the last.

Now she was stripping a fresh corpse for any useful gear, replacing the cracked elbow pads she had had for weeks with the nearer, sturdier pair. Trishka paid no mind to the state of the corpse other than her precursory glance to see if the head had been hit in any way. A bullet wound was enough for her before she'd started prodding for items.

Her rifle was slung across her back, the metal hot where it touched her bare skin. The sun beating down on her was unforgiving and she was sticky with sweat. She spared a quick glance up and around for any undead or the mutated creatures she'd glimpsed long before this mess.

Would be nice if these guys carried any food, she scoffed to herself.

It had been several days since she'd last gotten something really substantial in her stomach. At the thought of food her stomach rumbled, protesting the lack of such luxuries. She hoped if she kept following along this abandoned and broken highway she'd find some sort of store that wasn't picked clean of nonperishable food. She'd just have to steer clear of the undead stuck in the vehicles as she went.

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Mon May 20, 2013 12:48 am

Her heart seemed to leap into her throat. She whirled around, her eyes wide for a brief moment, catching sight of a male approaching her. She'd almost forgotten what it was like, the sound of another persons voice. While she had trouble with others in the past, she couldn't deny being a little bit relived at the same time.

Beside her, Chester only craned his neck, glancing at the new comer. A moment later, he shook his head before his attention turned elsewhere. He was still rather relaxed. Lesia took that as a good sign.

"Well hello to you too," she answered, relaxing a little. Her tone was rather light, genuinely glad to see another person. Regardless, the world worked in bad ways now and she couldn't afford to let her guard down too much.

Lesia offered a shrug in response to his words. "More like wandering. Don't really have a destination in mind."

She glanced back the way she had been heading. She really had no destination in mind anymore. Often times, it was more of a stop and go situation, unless she needed to leave an area quickly. There was no 'settling down' anymore, no place that was really safe.

Her gaze fell back onto the male again. "I assume you have an idea of what's ahead of here then?"

It seemed the case, if by his words alone. It was all a matter of if she could trust him or not, in the end of things. She still hoped there were good people out there, after all. It seemed she had run into very few in the past.

----[|x|]----

Nicholai wiped sweat from his brow as he walked. It was a hot and sticky day. His canteen was half full. He knew he'd have to find a place to fill it again soon. Humid days like this seemed to be sticking around, regardless of any kind of rain that might blow in. There wasn't a cloud in the sky today, no promise of cooler weather to come.

He snorted at that but otherwise dismissed it. There was no point in complaining. He would deal with it as it came. Things weren't 'easy', after all. They never had been. Why would they be now?

Adjusting the rifle on his shoulder, he spared a quick glance around. Any car that was still in tact were looted long ago. He had passed one a long while back, a man who had been bitten and left inside the car. There were many like that though, he spared them little mind.

For the moment, everything seemed clear and empty. The roads and country normally were. They weren't completely safe but it was better than risking cities unless fully prepared for it. Some didn't even make it that far.

Nicholai lifted his head, watching in front of him again. He caught sight of movement immediately. Whoever it was was taking their time, seeming to look about the area as they went. It was easy to manage catching up with them.

"My, my," he started, making his presence known to the woman not to far from him. He kept an eye on her gear, just in case she decided to pull it on him. "I haven't seen another living person in days. And where are you headed?"

Nicholai eyed the woman, waiting for her to turn. She was already seemed tense from where he stood. Until he could judge her from her features, he could only guess who she was.

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Mon May 20, 2013 1:23 am

Lone Wolf was glad when she didn't pull a weapon on him. He'd had enough of a bad day as it was. His eyes flickered to the horse again, wondering why she continued to lug the huge animal around with her. Surely it couldn't always be easy to maintain it with the dead up and walking to spook it all the time.

She seemed to be pleased to see him, chatting with him as if there was nothing wrong with the situation. At least if tensions were low there would be less of a risk of he getting hostile.

Shifting his helmet he held it against his hip with his arm, the other hand still hovering near his side just in case. Just because she wasn't hostile didn't mean there wasn't anything that was. Hopefully the horse would be a good early alert system if anything unnatural got near.

"Not up ahead but near here," he answered with a shrug. "There's a base around here still up and running that I'm heading towards."

His head tilted to one side, eyeing her again. He wasn't sure how she survived in those layers, the clothes a little baggier than most ran around in these days. Still, she'd survived this long wearing those things.

"You can call me Lone Wolf, everyone does anymore," he introduced, gesturing to her for her name. In truth it was his newest codename from a few years back, before that he'd been called Nighthawk before a change in management and some of the pilots had had their codenames changed for whatever reason.

----[x]----

Trishka had soon abandoned the corpse, gathering what had been left. Whatever ammunition or weapons he'd had had been looted before she'd found him. Trishka didn't let it bother her, not when there were so many other things to annoy her about her situation that day.

Her hunger and the stickiness of the day helped to foul her mood, unable to truly appreciate her 'new' gear because of it. Instead she'd slipped her handgun out of its holster at her side, leaving the rifle and what little ammunition she had for it for a later time.

Skirting around cars and over rubble, Trishka wasn't sure how much time passed. It couldn't have been long, the sun still high in the sky and marking it as sometime in the afternoon. Nothing popped out at her, leaving everything silent.

Trishka eventually stopped, pushing her bangs out of her face, damp from sweat. She glanced around, putting her weight on one leg. It was only then did she hear another voice, an accent to it, and she tensed at the sound of it. Her heart hammered quickly for a brief time before it slowed and she turned to survey whoever had sneaked up on her.

He was tall, with light hair though that was all she could really determine from here other than the gear he wore. Even in the heat he wore his own set of 'armor' and she could spy a rifle of his own over his shoulders. Crimson eyes darting for any sort of telltale emblem on his person, Trishka stood her ground, keeping the handgun hidden from his view.

"Hmm, that depends on who I'm speaking with," she answered lightly. She had to admit that she had grown intrigued at this person's arrival.

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Mon May 20, 2013 3:59 pm

Lesia hummed in response, glancing back toward Chester. On and off, she wondered if it would be best to let him run off. Lesia wasn't sure if she could survive as easy without him. He was quick transportation, especially in tight spots. She put a lot of credit in her survival on him.

Still, she knew she couldn't keep him forever. Feeding him was hard enough. There would be a time she would have to leave him on his own, hope that he could find safety in all of this mess.

Glancing back toward the male, she ran her hand over her forehead. It wasn't getting any cooler.

She glanced back toward the male, wondering about his words. She hadn't thought there were many 'bases' still up and running. True, there were apparently precautions brought about by this kind of event but if it had been any other time, Lesia wouldn't have believed it unless shown directly.

"Didn't know there was anything still up and running," she answered after a few moments thought. "Here a lot of rumors of 'safe havens' that don't exist, you know?"

Lesia couldn't help but raise a brow at the 'name' he had given. It was clearly a code name. His real one would remain a mystery to her though she didn't press for it. There were several people she'd run into who simply gave up their names in favor for wild nicknames, simply to try and push passed the lives they left.

"I'm Lesia Gray," she finally introduced, a small smile on her lips. Beside her, Chester shook himself again, pawing at the ground as if impatient or wanting to get a move on. He didn't enjoy the heat either and he let her know as much.

"I don't normally ask, but mind if we stick around?" she added after a few moments. "It's been a long while since I've seen anyone. Didn't quite have a favorable outcome with the last group I was with."

----[|x|]----

Nicholai studied the woman just as much as she studied him. She made a few obvious motions, quiet as she could be. She was searching out signs of who he was affiliated with. She wouldn't know who he had associated himself with, at least, not until he wanted her to.

He snorted in response to her words. The red eyes told him all he knew. Everything else about her personality had been on paper. It seemed whatever had been written was true. She appeared to have a lot of spunk, though one wouldn't have known it from the sour expression on her face.

The heat could do wonders on a person's patience and general well being when out in it long enough. With power cut in most places, there was no real relief from it, night or day.

"Nicholai Ginovaef," he introduced after a moment or so. "Do you always greet other survivors with an attitude?" he shot at her, a small smirk tugging at his lips.

This woman, he had read, could be quite unpredictable, even unstable. Due to this, he would keep an eye on her. The last thing he needed was the woman losing her head. With the lack of patience he was seeing on her end, that could very well happen soon.

"Might I ask where you're headed?" he inquired further, shifting his weight slightly. He continued to watch her carefully. She was armed and the last thing he needed was to bring her back injured or dead. "There aren't too many...favorable places in the world anymore."

It was a little funny how survivors passed rumors along. Some in the south said to head north, those in the north said the south was safest. Without anyone to tell them what's what, the survivors crumbled; they didn't know what to do.

Only those who were smart enough to adapt were truly 'safe', or as close as they could come to it. Trishka was one of those cases, he knew very well.

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Mon May 20, 2013 4:38 pm

Lone Wolf studied the way that she glanced at her horse, watching him carefully for a moment or two. No doubt she was thinking things through, deciding on whatever choices she might have. She still kept a hold of the reigns, even when she finally turned back.

Standing out in the sun like they were, Lone Wolf had taken the opportunity to wipe the sweat from his brow. He'd have to find some shade soon and get out of his uniform or overheat. If that happened he'd be in real danger out here. He held off on reaching for his canteen just yet. Lone Wolf would keep a hand free for his pistol if it came to that.

"Some things do, mostly bases run by groups of Umbrella employees with the manpower and equipment for it," Lone Wolf answered, shrugging.

What she said was true enough. There were always rumors flying around of some place safe, free of the infected. They were always false and corpses usually littered these areas, the ones that had been specifically named, at least. A lot of the times they were as vague as "go north" or "head south." Lone Wolf shook his head at that.

Filing the name away that she gave him he shrugged again. "If you don't mind being in a place with a high rate of zombies running around," he said.

Glancing over he nodded his head. Off in the distance, too far for them to hear them with their voices so low, Lone Wolf could see a few zombies shuffling across the length of the highway. It seemed their scent hadn't reached hte horse yet, the animal still calm despite this.

----[x]----

Trishka rather wished she was back in her abandoned house nearby. It wasn't much, picked clean like most things were anymore but it was serving as temporary place to rest and sleep out near the highway as it was. Back in that house was her bag full of extra supplies, including a shotgun she'd squirreled away.

She only relaxed a small portion when she could not spy the all too familiar Umbrella Inc. symbol on him. Many of them went wearing it proudly when they came after her, though she couldn't rule out the possibility of him being more subtle. Sometimes it wasn't even an Umbrella operative that tried to take her in for the prize anyways.

"No," she admitted, a sly look crossing her face. "Just the ones who might be fun to 'play' with."

Her hand found its way to her hip, shifting her weight to her other leg. He still hadn't drawn any weapon on her, that was an improvement fro the last bunch she'd run into. Paranoia ran rampant more times than not. It didn't effect everyone on the same but there was always that one in groups or on their own who shot first and asked questions later.

It didn't escape her notice that he'd not asked for a name in return for his own. Not odd, some just didn't care to get attached and felt that sharing names helped that along.

Trishka's head inclined to one side briefly as she answered with a vague "here and there."

It was quiet for a moment after and Trishka kept an ear out for any noises around them. At any point an infected creature could come waltzing out of somewhere. Some of them mutated beyond belief and could hide in the strangest places. Finally she stepped towards him, really inspecting his face for any familiarity there. She'd seen a lot of operatives in her day stuck in Umbrella labs. Sometimes it helped to ward off those who would be sent after her trail.

Despite the heat she stepped up close to him, taking note of the scars over his face and the color of his eyes. He'd seen some action in his time, probably long before any of this mess had happened. That much, at least, was clear enough. If he had any ill intent he hid it well.

"Why are you so interested?" she asked lightly, a bit of a flirty fluctuation adopted when she did so. "Do I catch your eye?"

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Mon May 20, 2013 8:18 pm

Lesia raised her head, glancing in the general area he had gestured. Sure enough, a few were wandering the streets aimlessly searching out something to feed one. She resisted a scoff at that.

"By this point, I think I'm pretty well used to it," she answered.

She felt it was true enough. She had been a relatively docile person before all of this had happened. She'd made hard decisions, pulling herself away from the general 'right and wrong' she'd always been taught simply to survive. Often, she had to tell herself over and over that these people were dead and they weren't coming back. It was difficult at times but she tried not to let it show.

A pistol was tucked away in a bag that remained on Chester's back as well as a large knife. She hadn't picked up much along the way, mostly avoiding cities or even small towns. She had enough sense of that after she was caught up in a mob of them, barely making it out the first time.

Chester lifted his head after a few moments, his ears twitching. It had taken time but he'd finally caught onto the scent, maybe even hearing the clumsy steps of the undead far away from them. She couldn't help but snort. As long as they weren't surrounded, she found she was fine.

Eventually, she gestured for him to lead on. She would follow. Only when he did would she manage that much, careful with Chester. The horse had steadily grown used to what had happened around them in the past months.

"So you're a pilot, right?" she inquired quietly as they started off. Keeping the reigns in one hand, she began tugging out the pistol from her bag. When she saw the undead moving about at any time, she preferred to have it with her. "You ever get scared flyin'?" she asked.

Lesia had always been petrified of high places. How some weren't, she could never fathom. There was always a hint of jealousy in her though. Sometimes, she hated her little fears.

Glancing around as she waited for him to answer, she watched as the undead stumbled about. She had to resisted an amused chuckle as one poor zombie tripped over some debris and hit the pavement hard. She slowly worked her way back to her feet, glancing around as if someone had done it to her.

----[|x|]----

Nicholai couldn't wipe the amused smirk from his lips. She seemed more amused by prodding into the situation than he could give credit for. He had to admit, what files were on her hadn't prepared him for this flirtatious young woman in front of him. What was more, she seemed to take quite a bit of enjoyment out of it, even if she remained weary.

He couldn't deny being rather amused by it. Her actions in a way were even refreshing. Tensions were high, for obvious reasons. Having been able to really relax in a sense had been rare, especially out here.

That didn't mean he let his guard down however. He kept his eye out and listened for anything that might have been unnatural approaching.

Trishka was rather vague about where she had been and where she was going. Nicholai assumed she'd planned these things ahead weeks, months prior. Anyone who was looking for her, subtle or not, would obviously be questioning her in the same manner.

"So you prefer to play with you 'victims, eh?" he jested in return. "Very nice."

He could amuse her, gain some entertainment out of it all the same. It had been a long while since he'd had any fun in this manner, after all. He found himself quite enjoying it.

Nicholai held his ground as she approached closely. For some, it might have been uncomfortably close. He paid it little mind, simply watching her as she spoke. She certainly appeared to be rather sly when she wanted to be.

"Perhaps that is the case," he shot back. "What would you say if that was the truth?"

He would test the waters, see what made this woman tick. After all, he liked to take his time. Umbrella could wait a while longer.

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Mon May 20, 2013 11:18 pm

Lone Wolf shrugged her answer off, running a gloved hand through his damp hair. He was glad he couldn't feel the sticky sweat on his fingers. Days like this drove him nuts and rode on his patience though he tried to keep it under wraps. He liked to think he was doing admirably today.

Her horse was beginning to grow a little skittish in that time but did not tug away from Lesia. Lone Wolf could only assume it had long since grown used to the infected and only really grew spooked when they were too near.

"Guess the uniform gives it away," Lone Wolf answered with a little chuckle. "Wouldn't be much of a pilot if I got scared up in the air."

Though she had pulled out a pistol from the saddle bag Lone Wolf wasn't too worried about it. Plenty of people reached for their weapons when infected were in sight. Besides, the muzzle was pointed down and he'd have time to fish out his own if it came to it.

At the gesture to take the lead Lone Wolf gladly did just that. Some shade and a chance to peel out of the pilot uniform for a few minutes would be a blessing in this heat. If he didn't he'd overheat and he'd be dead for sure. Getting of the hot pavement would be the first priority and nearer to the tree line that tended to hide the Umbrella facility and the undead that swarmed the fences around it.

Coming to the grass, Lone Wolf peered at her from the corner of his eye. "I take it you're just wandering through then?"

----[x]----

At least he seemed amused by her. It was an easy thing to get people relaxed around her. Trishka was usually quite out-going when she spied someone who caught her attention. How long they held it was another matter entirely, however.

"Nothing wrong with a little bit of 'playing,'" she shot back easily as she stepped towards him.

For his part, he didn't pull away when she got close to him, really taking in his appearance. Trishka couldn't discern any sort of familiarity from him though that didn't mean anything. Umbrella had a lot of operatives, after all.

Her smirk seemed to grow as he answered her. More times than not people seemed put off by her easy-going and seemingly comfortable attitude with them when she met new people. This Nicholai Ginovaef seemed quite the opposite. It was rather refreshing for once to not be looked at like some freak for acting as she did. Why would she change just to please another, after all?

"Well now, something might have to be done about that," she teased, reaching up to lift his chin a little higher playfully. Her touch was light and brief, there and gone a moment after.

Again, she took a moment to appraise him. Trishka wondered briefly how he was bearing the heat dressed as he was. Even in her tank top she was finding the humidity driving her annoyance through the roof without anything to distract her.

"If you can keep up that is," she goaded lightly, glancing up at him with half-lidded eyes.

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Tue May 21, 2013 12:07 am

Lesia was able to smile a little at his response. At least he seemed to relax a little. She allowed herself to do as well. While it was a tad alarming, knowing that there were so many undead so close by, she tried to shove it all aside. She'd dealt with it before. The only difference was someone was with her now, something she hadn't been used to in a long while.

"It does," she responded as she started following. She couldn't help but smile as he glanced back. His answer was fitting. Being as what he did, there wouldn't be any reason for him to be afraid of heights or little things like that.

"I always get a little jealous of people who don't mind heights." she mused lightly. "Always wanted to try flying at least once but was too afraid to."

Coming off of the highway was a bit of a relief. It was easier to navigate Chester. He seemed genuinely happy about leaving the hot, hard ground as well. He nickered, head raised rather cheerfully as they headed toward the tree line.

Lesia gave a brief nod in response to his next question. "Don't really have a destination anymore, after I left the group." she answered. "So I wander here and there, stick around for a little while unless it's too unsafe too or supplies or out. Mostly stick to the country side. Hasn't been much out there."

She wasn't sure if it was the heat or if these zombies just didn't have it in them to wander so far out. Whatever the reason, Lesia had been grateful. She didn't risk cities, even if they had more supplies. There were too many there, too much to risk.

"Though, I suppose I didn't really have a destination to begin with." she added. "Just kinda ran into some people, thought safety in numbers could be better, only they weren't."

She scoffed at the bad memories, trying to put them aside. She doubted she would see those people again.

"And yourself?" she finally shot back.

It was obvious he was a pilot and seemed to know a bit of Umbrella but other than that, 'Lone Wolf' remained a bit of a mystery to her. Not that she minded. Everyone had their pasts, after all. If he left it unmentioned, it wouldn't have bothered her in the slightest.

----[|x|]----

Nicholai watched her careful, the smirk remaining on his lips. She was rather playful and t was obvious she preferred the 'lighter air' around them. She seemed to be using whatever freedom she had now and enjoying it. Even in the light of the world as it was, she was cheerful. He guessed anyone would be, if they were holed up all of their lives.

That wasn't his concern however. Whatever she did with her freedom didn't much matter to him.

"Treating people like playthings, hmm?" he responded. "My kind of girl."

She took him in a little more. He was unbothered by it. Obviously, she would be curious of any new comer that would come her way. There were some who stuck in groups. A lot stuck with themselves however, knowing their way around and knowing what to do best for themselves. She seemed one of those types.

He inclined his head a little as she raised her hand, pushing his chin up. He chuckled in response, he shook his head a little. If it had been under any other circumstance, he could get used to this kind of treatment. In fact, he liked it a little more then he probably should have now.

"Well now," he said, inclining his head a little more. "And here I thought I found a little innocent girl. Quite the flirt, hmmm?"

Even as a joke, it was quite obvious where things were headed. Of course, it might have not been a joke at all. She could have been entirely serious. Times like these, it was obvious some grew repressed. Not that it was his business. It was a common joke that had gotten thrown about in recent times.

"So I suppose you like to cuddle?" he prodded a little more, smirking at her expression.

For the moment, things remained clear, nothing around them that was cause for immediate alarm. The only bother was the sun beating down on them, though, he did what he could to ignore it in favor of learning a little more about this woman.

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Tue May 21, 2013 12:31 am

Lone Wolf spared yet another glance Lesia's way. She was easy to keep an eye on with that horse at her side. He supposed it was better than her trying to stay out of his sight. That sort of behavior always raised alarm bells in his head.

Reaching around for his canteen he tugged it from the canteen pouch. In this heat even the pilots took to carrying water everywhere with them, including in helicopters in case of emergency. It only took a moment to uncap it and take several satisfying gulps before it was put away.

"Could be worse plans," he offered lightly.

The grass beneath their feet served as a better cushion than the hard pavement. For that Lone Wolf was already grateful, eager to get into the shade. Just a few more yards though he'd have to keep a steady eye out for any hidden infected. Many liked to hide in cooler spots if they mutated past merely being undead, after all.

"Hmm?" He turned his attention back to her, surprise adorning his face. She wanted to know about him? Lone Wolf shrugged, unsure where to start. Everyone had known about Umbrella before this mess, they had been the leading pharmaceutical company before it all went south.

"Not much to tell. Always been aiming to be a pilot and when I finally got there I worked for Umbrella," he answered carefully.

----[x]----

Trishka chuckled again, the sound quiet and brief. He even seemed keen on returning the attitude she'd adopted! It wasn't often someone so easily slipped into it, serious or not. People grew frustrated in these times and many were eager for companionship though not all of them did so with strangers.

She wasn't exactly immune to such things, starved of positive attention and affection most of her life as it was.

"Oh am I now?" she prodded, wondering what was running through his head.

With a short hum she continued to observe him as they talked. It was getting a little harder to ignore the heat the longer they stood out in the sun. The blacktop wasn't helping any matters, heat rising from it. Trishka finally stepped away, inclining her head to one side as she did so and tossing him another playful smirk.

"Is anyone really innocent?" she retorted lightly. Trishka paused for a beat before she carried on just as playfully, "Thinking like that might get you in over your head."

Another short chuckle left her at his assumption. Well, perhaps not quite an assumption, she relented, well aware of the fact that she craved physical affection. Trishka supposed it was normal for someone of her situation and didn't question it too much anymore.

"If I answered that would telling." With that she spun on the ball of her foot, the dirt and gravel crunching beneath her boot as she headed away. With the way he acted Trishka was willing to bet he'd be trailing after. Some did, after all, if only for a short while.

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Tue May 21, 2013 2:53 pm

Lesia watched as he began to drink. It was hot enough for everyone to be taking water around with them. She had a large bottle of it in her saddle bag. Her worries were going through it too fast. It wasn't easy finding water, especially considering it could possibly be contaminated. She'd survived enough in the heat alone but something so small as dehydration could have done her in, much less anyone else.

She offered a small smile when next he spoke. She had trouble over thinking things and wondered at times if she was doing the right thing. Surviving this long, she must have been.

"Truth be told," she replied, glancing around the area. There was nothing out in the open. Some of the creatures liked to hide in the shade however, and that's where her worries laid the most.

Lesia blinked at the questioning look she received. Was it really so strange that she'd asked about him? She dismissed it, allowing him to explain what he felt he needed to. It wasn't much but Lesia was satisfied with the answer.

"Why Umbrella, if you don't mind me asking?" she prodded further.

After what had happened, after secrets got out, people blamed Umbrella, hated them. She hadn't paid much mind to the news broadcasts in the past; not until this happened. She could have assumed the obvious for Lone Wolf, that he did it for money but she didn't want to be a quick judge.

For all she knew, he had his reasons, whether she learned about them or not.

----[|x|]----

Nicholai couldn't hold back a chuckle again. She was rather blunt, even dancing around small hints as she threw them at him. It was all amusing to him. once again, he marveled over the fact that, if she hadn't had a price on her head, he probably would have liked this woman quite a bit. That remained unimportant however.

She took her time studying him a little more. She was observant and was more then likely trying to find a tell in him, if he was an Umbrella operative. She would not know the wiser, however.

When she moved, he strode forward as well, following after. He pulled the rifle a little higher onto his shoulder and left it there, comfortably. The weight of it wasn't a problem for him.

"Of course, of course," he cooed in response. "Can not simply give an answer, now can we. More fun playing guessing games."

The heat on the road should have been unbearable, and in a sense, it was. Being able to move a little again helped but not too much. The heat from the concrete alone was enough to drive anyone into the woods. It could be a tad dangerous, if one didn't know what to look for.

"So tell me," he started after a few moments. "How's a skinny little thing like yourself survive out here. I doubt being 'nimble' is your only asset."

Nicholai knew Trishka had tricks up her sleeves. She had enough time to think about what to do, after all, how to survive if something like this happened. She was cunning and knew how to handle herself.

He was slightly amused by that fact. It made it all the more fun for him, in the end of things.

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Tue May 21, 2013 3:38 pm

It was only a few moments before they were nearer to the trees, underbrush dotting the ground near them here and there. It was here that he slowed his pace, moving more cautiously and allowing his dark gaze to flit here and there. There was no telltale movement, no strangely textured or colored thing to catch his eye.

He relaxed only marginally at that. For all he knew he could have been looking right at something and not registering it. Lone Wolf glanced towards the horse again, noting the calm way it followed along. Well, at least there's that sort of an 'alarm,' he thought briefly.

Lesia's question caught him off guard. Not many delved into such questions any more now-a-days, so why was she? Lone Wolf could only assume it was because it gave her something to do. Shrugging he didn't put much thought into an answer.

"Was the best opportunity at the time," Lone Wolf offered.

It was truth as it was. Lone Wolf had been considering a military career with the Air Force before he'd been contacted by Umbrella, already bored with merely flying to and fro on his own. In a way he needed some action that didn't always require being right out on the field. Being the pilot most often sent to drop off and pick up "Mr. Death" along with B.O.W.s and all sorts of Umbrella teams it gave him that opportunity.

"Any reason you're so interested?" he shot back.

It seemed his question caught her off guard this time around. Brow raised, he waited for an answer, wondering what she might come up with. The shadow was a welcome once they reached it, though his hand inched towards his pistol, unclasping it for a quicker draw if it was needed.

----[x]----

Trishka didn't have to glance back to know he was following. His footsteps, though quieter than others who'd followed, could still be heard as the dirt and gravel crunched under his boots. Then again, Trishka never looked back to see if someone was following or not, not when there was no immediate danger from them, at least.

Making a beeline towards the edge of the cluttered and broken up highway, Trishka was quick to hop the little metal railing. The gravel crunched loudly and she spared a glance around for anything that might have heard. Nothing so far, other than a zombified woman stuck in a truck with the windows rolled up.

It was only then that she spared another glance Nicholai's way, her smile slipping from her face a little. It was brief before it was back in place and that sly gleam was back in her unnaturally colored eyes. Little alarm bells were ringing in her head, someone growing too interested in her habits and abilities tended to end badly for her in one sense or another.

"You keep asking things like that and I might just get suspicious of you," she warned playfully, eyeing him for his response.

Her head inclined to one side. Nicholai still hadn't asked for her name, either. In that vein it was a little strange. Most, if they didn't ask for one merely started using some sort of a place holder to keep from growing attached. 'Kid,' 'babe,' 'girl,' 'Red' — these were the most often used by now.

Trishka wouldn't say anything about it, however. It was a good way to trip up Umbrella agents, assuming they grew too comfortable and her name slipped out before they thought about it. It wasn't too common that it happened but it was common enough.

"Or is it you like it a little... rough?" she teased instead as he reached her side, carefully bumping her hip against his. Both had equipment to be wary of, especially Trishka's vials filled with blood to attract zombies if need be.

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Tue May 21, 2013 5:31 pm

Lesia slowed a little when he did. Chester hadn't seemed alarmed by anything but she watched his ears flick. He could hear things further off than either of them would ever be able to discern. The horse had been a bit of an 'alarm system' since she'd taken it from the farm and for that much, she was grateful.

She gripped the pistol in her hand rather tightly. Despite her front appearance, she didn't quite like using the thing. If she had any other choice, she wouldn't have picked up a gun in the first place.

That was a time when the luxury of a choice remained present. Now, if she wanted to survive, she had to pull herself out of her meager comforts just to continue living.

She kept her eyes trained on Chester for a while, listened to his answer and offered a hum to let him know she was listening. She couldn't really judge on that much and really, she felt she didn't have much of a right to. Whatever he choose didn't make him a bad person, after all.

When he asked why she was so interested, her eyes grew wide with embarrassment. She nearly double took, glancing back toward him. If she had seen it, she probably would have likened herself to a deer caught in headlights.

Lesia waved her freer hand, the one that still held the reigns. They flopped wildly in the wind but otherwise left Chester unbothered.

"No, no!" she responded quickly. "I was just curious, is all. It's a bad habit, sorry."

In her later years, Lesia had grown to be a rather open person. She liked to know people, questioned what they did or why they did it. She had wanted to learn as much about the people she grew close to as she could. At times, she forgot others didn't share this sentiment and could become offended or annoyed. She hoped that wasn't the case here and half figured it wasn't. Old habits did die hard, after all.

Despite trying to rationalize it with herself, she could still feel her cheeks burn a little. She hoped it wasn't noticed, the heat of the day already turning her cheeks rosy as it was.

----[|x|]----

Nicholai kept a slight distance, not wanting to scare her off. She might have been growing suspicious already, for all he knew. She knew how to adapt and learned quickly. She was the type of person who studied people in her spare time. It was easy for someone like her to find a 'tell'.

So it didn't surprise him when she turned after hopping the metal rail, her smile slipping for only a moment. He followed after, a little more smug than he should have been. It seemed they had a bit of a common theme in their personalities, if he allowed himself to observe her a little more.

"We can't have that, now can we?" he shot back lightly.

He scanned the area quickly but otherwise dismissed it. There was no immediate threat from what he could see. The woman trapped in the car banged on the window, making a feeble attempted to get at them.

Getting off the highway was a bit of a relief. It was too hot to travel on it for too long. Many risked it, even prepared. Regardless, he didn't let it bother him.

He snorted in response to her words. "Rough, huh?" he said. "I suppose the lot of us would be, given the times."

It was a logical answer at best. True, there were still some 'softer' people who wandered about. Most of them relied heavily on groups to feel safe. Those alone took a different mentality more times then not.

"And what am I supposed to call you?" he plowed on. "I believe I gave you my name, after all."

Nicholai waited on her to answer, studying her expression carefully. That mischievous little smile remained on her lips, as if screaming that she knew something that he did not. He couldn't help but smirk a little at that. This target would be a fun one, he gave her that much credit.

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Tue May 21, 2013 6:03 pm

He still kept an eye out once they broke into the treeline. It was still humid but at least the shade was a relief. Lone Wolf might even be able to find the little hidden entrance into the facility before having to stop. The entrances were to serve to keep operatives on foot away from the infected hordes outside the walls.

After his question the silence that followed almost had Lone Wolf convinced that she was not going to answer. He was already chalking it up to embarrassment or that she was just not interested in letting him know before movement caught his eye.

Brow furrowing, he watched as she all but flailed about and glanced his way twice looking like a deer in headlights before she found her voice. Even now her voice was still hushed, conscious of dangers hidden out there waiting for a chance to strike. Lone Wolf shook his head, waving a dismissive hand her way.

"Not much to be curious about, but alright," he relented simply.

It was true enough. Despite his job with Umbrella he was one of the more clean-nosed operatives other than the transportation of dangerous objects, creatures and people.

"What will you plan on doing when I reach my destination?" he pressed, changing the topic for her.

Really, most people were not brought in unless they were going to be used for something or to join Umbrella's ranks. Some did solely to stay out of the clutches of the infected while others liked the opportunities to do what they preferred there. Of course, Umbrella's more unsavory nature and actions were still hidden away and many survivors didn't have a clue about it.

----[x]----

Trishka wasn't entirely sure how to take his answer. It could have easily just been a playful one with no ulterior motive hidden behind it or it could be a warning in itself. Trishka had met an operative on her trail who had liked to injected such meanings in his answers, appearing just as playful as they were now, after all.

"That depends on you, now doesn't it?" she answered lightly, patting at his arm briefly before she headed off again. The sooner they were out of the sun and could find somewhere to sit Trishka would feel better. If she was lucky she'd be able to find that little stream again from earlier.

Chuckling, she shook her head. She supposed that was true enough. Gentler people didn't often cut it anymore without traveling in groups. Even then they had a habit of getting walked over, even now-a-days. Trishka supposed it took all kinds, however.

It was quiet for a moment after he finally asked for a name. Trishka debated on giving him a false name but that could just as easily turn back around on her. Some jumped the gun if they thought she was getting too suspicious and tried to drag her back to Umbrella. Trishka just thanked her lucky stars that they seemed to have orders to bring her back alive.

"Maybe it's funner to leave you guessing," she teased. Shaking her head she answered a moment later. "My name is Trishka but my friends call me Trish, at least they would if I had any."

From the corner of her eye she watched his expression, waiting for a flash of familiarity about it. Her name was traveling, people looking for the red-eyed woman to bring to Umbrella for a hefty prize.

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Tue May 21, 2013 9:41 pm

Lesia scratched her cheek, still feeling a little embarrassed about it all. He brushed it off easily though, she didn't recover as quickly. She always felt rather bashful in the face of it all, as if she had somehow messed up.

Lesia kept looking about. The shade was appreciated and a little more bearable but they had to be careful. Chester didn't seem too alarmed yet but the horse had raised his head, nickering softly as if in a short alert that something was indeed near. If Lone Wolf had been correct, and she didn't doubt he would have been, there were zombies near the area.

It was simply being prepared for them.

She blinked, glancing back in his direction when he spoke up. Truth be told, Lesia didn't have any plans. All she did was wander until she came upon some temporary safe place. She was here and there, never really stopping for anything anymore. Wasn't much to see in the world as it was, not enough time to catch the sights if you wanted to live.

Eventually, she gave a shrug of her shoulder in response. "Don't really know." she finally answered. "Probably do what I always do. Find some place to stay for the night if I can."

Lesia couldn't deny that it was a lonely way to live. At times, she worried a little too much about her isolation. It wasn't like she wanted to be, that's just how things ended up. There weren't too many people who stuck together anymore. She tried not to complain or worry about it. She was alive now, after all. That should have been enough. Still, she often wondered if it really was.

----[|x|]----

Nicholai chuckled a little at her answer. She was indeed a clever woman, just as much as he had heard about before. She was careful. He knew that she was judging his actions, who he was, what he was here for. It was obvious. She would take the precautions against every person, he assumed.

"I suppose that's true," he mused after a few moments passed by.

He watched her move ahead again. She clearly wanted out of the sun. Even if the shade would help, it would still be humid. The only relief would be the shade and possibly water. Little streams were no doubt drying up as the land began to drought. It would be a long summer.

Nicholai couldn't help but laugh a little at her introduction. She seemed proud of her name, proud all together. He brushed it aside, acting natural. Like before, she was searching for a tell and he wouldn't indulge her in.

"Trish then," he answered after a few beats. "I suppose that makes us 'friends."

He watched her reaction for what he said. He had little doubt that she'd brush it off with humor just as she did before. She seemed the light hearted type, glad to be free. She took advantage of it and prodded those around her. She wouldn't be enjoying it for very long after, however.

As they neared the treeline, he kept a better eye out, listened to the sounds around them. Much like themselves, the undead didn't take to the heat well. They piled for any tree line they could as well, remained hidden and would change over time. Those were the particularly dangerous ones. They'd have to keep an eye out if they wanted to remain alive.

Nicholai wouldn't allow that to happen. She had a hefty sum on her and he was going to take her in to get it. She didn't have to know about those little plans, however.

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Wed May 22, 2013 12:17 am

As they walked Lone Wolf had to keep an eye out for not only any infected but for the telltale signs of the entrance into the facility. It was hidden well but every Umbrella employee knew what to look for to find it. To him and anyone else that knew what the signs were, it was a simple thing to get to.

Lesia seemed to take a moment to answer him as they walked. The grass under their feet was thankfully springy and didn't create much noise compared to drier, dead patches of grass. Any little noise could be enough to set off the right infected critter. The last thing Lone Wolf wanted to deal with was a Hunter or a Licker in this heat.

Lone Wolf hummed in answer, wondering what she would do. He couldn't very well just let her traipse into the Umbrella facility. Unless they had something to offer for the company people usually became lab rats if they were brought in. The way she was following him it almost seemed like she preferred the company, however.

"Probably won't find one around here," he pointed out, well aware of how some of the zombies that herded around the walls split off to investigate other noises in the area. "Too many infected out in the open."

The least that he could do was offer her that much knowledge. Whether she took it or not or even tried to continue following after him for whatever reason, well... Lone Wolf figured he'd deal with that as they came.

----[x]----

Nicholai seemed a little more sober about her answer. Trishka supposed that was to be expected though she didn't let it bother her. Little things like that tended to slide right past without much notice as it was. There and gone, no longer anything that was important.

The grass here was dry, yellowing and even just brown in patches. This place had been hit hard by the drought. The long summer that was promised by the heat would do it no favors. It crunched and crackled beneath their feet as they pushed on, Trishka leading the way.

Nicholai's chuckle was a more welcomed sound. Trishka wasn't so sure why exactly she was so fond of his voice, of that accent but she did like hearing him laugh and talk. She flashed him a charming smile at his answer. Yet again, if he was hiding anything he was doing it well. Trishka had no evidence that he even was Umbrella but if he was than he was definitely a more subtle operative than others.

"And what does being a 'friend' of yours entail?" she prodded teasingly.

Trishka turned her attention back to the trees and the dying bushes and shrubbery as they grew nearer to them. She spotted a hare dashing off for cover but otherwise there was no other movement. Still, she kept her pistol tight in hand, raised just enough that she'd be able to quickly shoot at any threat. Most of the infected were too stupid to get out of the heat and the sun but those that had mutated and grew did.

She lead them along the path she could recall, easily able to lead them by finding little landmarks she remembered. It wouldn't be too long before the stream would come into sight, the water trickling by just enough to make noise. It wouldnt last much longer in the drought but it was a source of water for the time being and Trishka would use it until it was no more or she had moved on.

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Fri May 24, 2013 1:30 am

Lesia spared a smile his way. She knew she wouldn't be finding much in this area. It was unsafe, probably a hazard coming out this far. She wasn't one to draw herself too out of her comforts. This was a tad bit of a risk on her end.

All to quash a bit of loneliness. She knew she should have been over that much but it was difficult. She'd been such a people person as she grew older.

"We'll probably head back," she finally spoke up after a few moments.

She didn't fancy being locked down with Umbrella. She wasn't that desperate. After the rumors and what had happened, she wasn't about to pull herself into that. She didn't care to think that she would be used for something other then favorable.

Before she could speak up again, Chester lifted his head quickly, snorting before a loud whinny left him. She knew the signs enough, knew that there was something close or hidden about the area. Her heart pounded wildly despite knowing that these things could happen.

The horse tugged at his reigns, forcing Lesia to ease up on her hold. The last thing she needed was for the horse to rear and pull her shoulder out of place. Chester charged off with whatever supplies she had left in the saddle bag.

She resisted a curse, glancing around the area. It was only when a long tongue shot out of the trees did she realize the danger. She had seen one of these things once before and done what she could to avoid them. Confronting one directly, she wasn't so sure she could manage.

"The hell is that thing?!" she asked, trying to keep her voice as low as she could manage in her momentary panic.

She'd seen the body slink across the ground. It was hard to miss but it was fast. She retreated a few steps, taking aim but unsure if she would be able to hit the thing or if it would be easy to kill.

----[|x|]----

Nicholai spared another glance around. They were headed closer to the trees, a risky move but one that might have been needed. The sun had not yet made a descent in the sky. It would be a long time off before dusk was anywhere near. Even that didn't promise cooler weather though, a little relief would come with it.

He glanced back in her direction, catching the smile on her lips. She certainly was a charming one, full of spunk and attitude. It was otherwise dismissed though he did take amusement out of it all. She certainly had a personality despite being locked up for so long.

"Well, that would depend on you." He shot back after a moment.

It was very easy to catch onto her flirting. He didn't mind it. It gave him something to focus on aside from the heat. In retrospect, it was actually a nice change of pace, never mind this woman being a target. He'd take his time and 'play' a little before bringing her in.

Earning her trust would be his best method, after all. That made it all the easier on him.

Ducking under the trees, he wiped sweat from his forehead. It was a dull relief. He couldn't complain. The summer was bound to get worse. Cooler weather would be welcomed when the seasons turned.

"Makes me miss home a little," he mused out loud playfully. "How you all manage in this kind of heat, I'll never know."

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Fri May 24, 2013 11:03 pm

Lone Wolf spared a nod in her direction. At least she was wary enough not to keep following just for a bit of companionship. Some had wandered right into the hands of more unsavory people just because of a bit of loneliness. Lone Wolf had to resist shaking his head at that, unable to fathom putting your survival and well-being as second priority.

He spared another glance around them. Most of the plants were starting to turn yellow if they hadn't already due to the drought. It had been rough luck on all of them in this part of the world that the summer following the start of the apocalypse would be so horrible.

The horse beginning to grow skittish didn't catch his attention. Instead he had caught sight of the way the foliage had begun to move when there was no breeze.

"Watch out!"

His warning was too late, the long, sticky tongue shooting out towards Lesia. It missed though Lone Wolf wouldn't bet on that happening twice. His helmet fell to the ground, rolling away in favor of his pistol. With the ease of years of practice he took aim, firing three quick rounds.

The sounds were muffled by the silencer. No need to draw extra attention, after all. Lone Wolf's blood rushed in his ears like a pounding drum as the Licker hissed and turned its focus on him.

He didn't bother to shout out, to look Lesia's way. To do that would mean death. Instead he concentrated several more rounds at the Licker, two hitting its shoulders instead of the exposed brain.

----[x]----

It bothered her a little more than it ordinarily would have at how far the treeline was compared to the cluttered, broken highway. Trishka put little stock into it at the moment, however. Her pace was quick enough as it was, handgun gripped loosely in case of any danger. They'd reach shade in a matter of minutes.

Trishka tossed Nicholai another playful look. He was being roundabout with his answers, even if he was flirting back. For someone who looked as he did she was still mildly surprised that he was even bothering.

"And if I were to say I wanted that... reversed, perhaps?" she prodded lightly.

It was always a little easier to know more about a person, to read them, when she let them think they had their way. There was less tip-toeing around that way. People who were overly cautious didn't slip as easily as those who were confident, didn't think about things too much.

The shade was a great relief, even if sunlight streamed through what it could from above. The trees did their best to shade them, however. It was a noticeable difference in the shade, away from the pavement. It seemed Nicholai didn't take quite as much relief from it as she had, if his joke was anything to go by.

"Perhaps you've yet to appreciate the heat," she shot back lightly, stepping over a small log as she did.

A lot of people always flip-flopped on what they'd wanted. She'd figured that out quickly when she'd escaped. One minute they wanted heat and the next they wanted cold. While Trishka didn't quite want it this hot she wouldn't be wishing for it to be cold anytime soon either. She'd gotten quite enough of chilly air with the air conditioners the Umbrella facilities she was always in liked to use year round.

"Or are you just being contrary?" she teased a moment later.

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Sat May 25, 2013 1:31 am

Lesia had heard him shout out, stumbling backward. The long, sticky tongue retracted as Lone Wolf took the offensive. Her heart pounded in her chest so hard, she feared the creature could here it. The large monster seemed to hold it's focus on him, however, as he shot at it.

Two more rounds were shot into the creature. It didn't relent. Lesia was torn between shooting or not. He had a silencer on. That would keep attention from being drawn onto them. If she took a shot at it, she could not only risk herself but him as well. She knew that there were zombies hanging around but what else?

She glanced around the area, trying to find something else of use other than the pistol in her hand. If she let that go off, she mind as well be waving a neon flag above their heads, beckoning anything or anyone to come at them. Her heart leapt when she found the saddle bag on the ground. It must have fallen when Chester ran off.

Lesia shot in the direction of the bag, hoping the sudden movement wouldn't alert the thing. She dug around for the pick she'd found along her travels. It retracted, folded and was easy to carry, though she hadn't put it into good use just yet.

Unfolding the weapon, she moved toward the creature, disregarding the shots fired or the way it hissed, turning it's head toward her. She brought the pick down into it's exposed brain, cringing at the thing screeched. It's body twitched, convulsed as she yanked the pick out only for it to be brought down again. Only when it stopped moving did she step back, swallowing the lump that hard formed in her throat.

Lesia cringed slightly, quickly noticing the splatter of blood on her pants and shirt. She tried to dismiss it, doing her best to calm her shaky body. She was just glad the thing was dead.

Carefully, as if expecting it to jump back to life, she walked over to the discarded helmet and picked it up. Glancing back to Lone Wolf, she held it out for him to take.

"You alright?" she asked after a moment.

She had little doubt that she was. He seemed to handle himself better then she was able to, after all, reacting quicker. Part of her was very glad for that. If she had been on her own, she would have drawn too much attention on herself and more then likely lost her life.

----[|x|]----

Nicholai chuckled in return of her answer. She did quick favoring turning things around on him, if she was able to. He walked into a few, that much he would admit. He could indulge her, he figured. There wasn't much else to do.

Sparing a glance around, he shook his head. The smirk remained on his lips, casting his gaze back onto her. The smile on her face remained, however sly it might have been. She was reading into everything that he did. He was able to tell this quite easily. She'd picked up on the movements of other operatives, ones less subtle then he was.

In a way, it annoyed him a little. She was already quite wise to some of the tricks he could have thrown out. Still, it made it all the more entertaining for him at that same time. He could pick and prod, get passed close calls.

He shoved this all aside however.

"I suppose you'll have to find out, now won't you?" he shot back playfully.

This girl was quite the flirt. It was a nice change of pace, he found. Most people he was hired to find were meek or overly confident. They all ended the same way, sniveling in the end. She was clever, taking careful precautions around him; kept him on his toes. He was a man who could quite appreciate that.

"Ah, I believe I've quite enjoyed enough heat," he responded lightly, glancing at the tree line overhead. "Seems most of your country has as well."

The way the leaves and grass had browned at the peak of summer was evidence of that. He'd seen some mild summers and found this one to simply be ridiculous. There was little rain and he doubted it would bring cooler weather anyways. He briefly worried about storms however. In this kind of humidity, they were more likely to come around. Sever storms and less cover would prove fatal if he didn't think ahead of time.

"Perhaps you are," he said, raising his head in return. He shrugged a moment later. "Or perhaps my reminiscing over old times."

He felt it could easily be true enough, a little white lie. With how things were, several survivors would mention old, easier times. Neither of them could deny that much.

He watched her, wondering what she would take of those words. 'Old times' for here weren't exactly 'happy' ones, after all. The hear and now were probably the best days of her entire life.

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Sat May 25, 2013 9:09 pm

Movement was caught in his peripheral vision, Lesia up to something or other. He couldn't glance her way to see if she was running away or not. No, the licker was hunkering down again, ready for a lunge. Another squeeze of the trigger deterred it, the creature hissing in pain as it reared back.

It didn't get much time to recover or retaliate as Lesia ran back, slamming whatever she'd dug up into the brain. All at once things seemed to grow quiet and still. Lone Wolf could spy the licker's leg twitching, nerves still functioning for a short time after its death. He shook his head at that.

"I should be asking you that," Lone Wolf answered, turning to scoop up his helmet. It hadn't rolled that far off and thankfully it was still in sight. The last thing he needed was for something to have been near it and to lunge out at him.

Straightening, Lone Wolf took a precursory glance around them. There wasn't any other telltale movement. With that licker dead though, he thought, trailing off. Sometimes the blood attracted other things, hoping for something to chew on that was still alive. Besides, the infected creatures weren't the only ones roaming around. Sometimes B.O.W.s that were being transported got loose.

"We shouldn't stay here long," he said urgently. Already he was on the move, forgetting his plan to sit and cool off for a few seconds. "Either you can risk the Umbrella facility or you can run off on your own. I won't stop you either way."

It was her choice, after all. Lone Wolf wasn't one to make others do what they didn't want to do, unless he had very specific orders. If, to say, one Trishka Huntson was ever glimpsed on his flight routes then he had orders to bring her in alive by any means, after all. All of that was not the case, however.

His strides were long, helmet tucked under his arm again. If he had to he would drop it so he could aim down his pistol's sights better.

----[x]----

The look Trishka tossed his way was just as sly as before. He was treading carefully and she wasn't sure what the reason was. Was he wise as to who she was was and was eager to bring her in or was he just being cautious so as to prevent any misunderstandings and hostile situations between them? Until he slipped up on either end Trishka couldn't say for sure which it was.

"I suppose I'll need to be on my toes then," Trishka answered lightly.

Their way was more or less unobstructed. Trishka had taken the path a few times, rooting around the highway and abandoned vehicles and fresh corpses for whatever she could scavenge. She wasn't going to be leading him back to that house she'd taken refuge in, not just yet.

Other then the hare that had darted off near the treeline there wasn't any other sort of movement. It was something of a nice change of pace. Several of the more dangerous creatures liked to hide in darker, shady spots when out in the open, after all.

Trishka merely hummed in answer about the heat. Few things retained their green color. True as that was she felt it was easier dealing with the heat than with snow. She'd escaped out in the winter months, damning many who had not been equipped to deal with the harsh cold some areas were hit with.

With the lack of conversation Trishka took analyzing their surroundings. It was only a little further to that dying stream. With any luck it was still trickling through for the day.

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Sat May 25, 2013 11:33 pm

Lesia watched as he moved toward his helmet. She busied herself for a short time to retract the pick. Only when she was sure it was tucked away safely, she wiped the blood from her hands and moved toward the saddle bag. She picked it up and slung it over her shoulders.

She glanced up when he shot the question back at her. She offered a smile in return.

"I'm alright." she answered. "A little shaken but I can get over that much."

Lesia shifted her weight, weighing her options. She could leave, head back the way she came. The off chance on finding Chester again were no doubt slim. He was her means of transportation and to bug out when she needed to. She had doubts that without him, she wouldn't be doing as well as she had before.

Risking Umbrella though, she wasn't sure how she felt about that. Even if what she had heard had been rumors or true, it was all an unsettling thing to witness. They had obviously caused this mess, somehow. The news got out and everyone still alive knew it.

Lone Wolf was already taking off. That didn't give her much time to think. She shook her head, eventually following after. At this point, the only thing she figured she could lose was her humanity.

She had to jog to catch up with him, slowing her pace afterward. She wouldn't explain why she'd chosen to follow. Part of her wasn't even sure if she had a good reason. Regardless, for a short time, she would take the risk. Her entire life was one big one now, after all. She wasn't going to get anywhere being indecisive.

----[|x|]----

Nicholai chuckled softly in response to her words. She seemed to be taking everything into account. He nearly replied to it. The comment was shoved away quickly after. There was no point in slipping up and so soon. He had every intention on being the one to bring her in. He didn't need some other operative doing it for him.

With the conversation subdued for the moment, he spared a glance around the area. The foliage was drying and dying, leaving it easy to spot anything in the distance. He spied a few of the dead moving about but they otherwise didn't take notice to the pair. They were safe for the moment.

Keeping his footsteps light, though the dry grass still crunched underneath his feet, he studied Trishka again. Despite being locked up in the labs for as long as she had been, she adapted well. With her life constantly on the line, she found several ways to survive where most wouldn't have.

He was curious on how she had held out this long, where she had gone. It wasn't easy, even for skilled soldiers, to survive mobs of the undead as well as other unexpected creatures.

Nicholai figured he would find out her tricks in due time.

"You've any plans in mind?" he asked, his voice low.

With some near them, he wouldn't risk raising it any louder. Despite being dead, they had incredible hearing. The last thing they needed at the moment was a mob on them, at least, he believed as such.

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Mon May 27, 2013 2:29 am

He nodded, only sparing a glance over his shoulder. It wasn't long before he was observing his surroundings again, avoiding the dryer patches of grass and twigs along the ground. Any sort of sudden noise could often be enough to attract something dangerous. Not today, Lone Wolf promised himself.

It was only seconds after he had stated off that Lesia had caught up to his side, trailing just far enough behind for him to lead. Lone Wolf spared her a nod as they went. Whatever would happen to her Lone Wolf figured it was up to her to get a 'good deal' with his employers. Still, already he was making plans to figure out what might happen to her when it was all said and done.

"It won't be long now," he said, keeping his voice low.

Lone Wolf recognized the broken little statue over there, the one of the angel. He always had to resist snorting at that. Why would Umbrella use something like an angel statue to lead the way to the hidden exit? After everything they had done it was rather ironic.

His eyes drifted to the ground, looking for the familiar shape. The grass was always greener over the doorway, something of a final signal for those looking for it. Lone Wolf never knew who took care of it and he didn't quite care.

"Keep an eye out for infected," Lone Wolf stated. Looking for the door could often take awhile though he hoped it wouldn't be the case with all the other grass yellowed or brown by now.

----[x]----

Despite whatever best attempts he was making to the contrary Nicholai's footsteps were easily marked by the crunching grass. Trishka's weren't much better, except for one she walked over boulders or logs are swung herself from lower tree branches. It wasn't too much, the bare minimum expended to keep herself entertained in the heat. If she looked childish Trishka didn't put much stock into it.

At one point she saw a doe hurry off, spooked by their presence. Trishka hoped that the animal being nearby was an indication of no infected nearby. She didn't have the ammo to deal with much right now and her usual melee 'weapons' were back at the house or broken and abandoned days or even weeks ago.

"Hmm?"

Blinking, Trishka turned her attention back to Nicholai. She didn't quite like people asking her questions like that. It left a bad taste in her mouth, leaving her wary as to what the other party might have planned.

"Perhaps I do," she answered vaguely, her voice light. "Why so interested? Not one for surprises?"

With that said she pushed her way past a larger bush, careful not to get snagged on the branches. Her expression brightened when she spotted the little trickle of clear water, making its way over countless pebbles and rocks and beaten down dirt. How it was still going in this heat she wasn't sure but Trishka wouldn't question it.

She wasted no time in traipsing right up to the stream bed, dried as it was even in the shade. After a precursory glance around she sat down cross-legged, handgun balanced on her thigh while she took to using the water to cool down.

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Mon May 27, 2013 5:29 pm

The pick hung loosely in her hand. After slipping the pistol away, she kept the pick with her, just in case. She didn't want to run into another one of this large creatures much less zombies. It was a possibility in this world now. While she did dislike it, she had no choice but to carry the weapon if she wanted to survive.

She followed silently, making attempts not to make too much noise. There were dry patches of grass and foliage littering the ground. She did her best to avoid them. While she saw nothing around them, there could be many things hidden, like that creature had been.

"Take your time," she said back, her voice low.

She knew that rushing things could get them both killed, especially in desperate situations. If either one of them panicked or was swarmed, it could spell death for the other or even both of them. He probably knew that much too but remained silent on the issues.

Lesia's gaze followed where his own was. She raised an eyebrow at the statue but didn't say much on it. It was obviously a mark. Lone Wolf seemed to take it that way, if she allowed herself to observe him.

While she kept close to him, her gaze scanned the area. She didn't see anything out of the ordinary for the moment but she wasn't sure how long that would last. For all she knew, whatever undead were there could still be hidden or simply on the other end of the facility. She hoped it was the latter. They wouldn't be noticed and it would buy them some time.

----[|x|]----

Nicholai shook his head slightly at the answer though, the smirk remained on his lips. Once again, she was treading carefully and was careful with her choice of words. not that that was to blame. She knew how to take care of herself now, watch out for anyone who might be a threat to her.

"Surprises?" he echoed, his tone light. "I suppose I am fond of those. No, I'm just curious. Deciding whether or not I should stick around. You are a little...small after all."

The light taunt had been said in a jesting manner. The woman could take care of herself and he knew it. He wanted to see what she would do if he questioned her ability. A number of things could have happened. She was spunky, that much he knew.

He lifted his head slightly, watching as she perked up a little. Already, he could hear the trickle of water not so far from them. It must have been what she was searching for earlier. He couldn't deny being a little relieved. In this heat, the little stream could have easily dried up long ago.

Following after, his gaze slid around. He had to make sure that there was no threat around them before he headed closer to water. Picking his way closer, he glanced down at the stream.

"You certainly know you're way around." he commented lightly. "Most wander for days without finding things like this."

It was true enough. It was either adapt or be killed. Most people weren't used or never needed means to survive. If they didn't know what to do, they typically died of exposure rather than by Umbrella's experiments.

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Wed May 29, 2013 11:27 pm

The pick she had used was in her hand now, in place of her pistol. Lone Wolf was relieved about that, unwilling to deal with a larger group of infected hostiles if he could avoid it. The noise from her firearm would have drawn them in faster than he could blink. His own handgun had a silencer attached to prevent such things.

While he sought out the greener patch of grass, always sure he was farther than he really was, Lone Wolf entertained the thought of what she might have named her equipment. He'd met a fair few who liked to name their favorite weapons, after all. "Mr. Death" was but one of them.

His train of thought was broken minutes later when he spotted the bright green amidst all the yellow and brown. He let out a relieved sigh, his pace growing quicker as he made a beeline straight for it.

"Looks like that's not necessary," he told Lesia as he went.

He was quick to fumble for the hidden latch, tugging the door up with a grunt. It was definitely heavier than it looked, especially when he was weary and wanted nothing but to rest for awhile off of his feet. He nodded for Lesia to head in first, if she was sure about taking her chances. Everyone had a wariness with Umbrella now-a-days. Lone Wolf could never blame them for it.

"Unless you've changed your mind," Lone Wolf trailed off. He'd remind her of her options, even if she had her mind set. There was no harm in it, at least not that he saw.

Only when she'd either slipped into the cooled hallway, the walls, ceiling and floor made of metal and concrete to support all the weight, would Lone Wolf allow himself inside. He'd be sure to grab his helmet before he closed and latched the hidden doorway behind him.

----[x]----

Trishka couldn't help but to snort at the comment on her size. She couldn't deny being skinny, scrawny even now-a-days. She supposed that not being all that tall helped factor into it. She wasn't at all very intimidating looking though cuteness could just as well lend her a hand when she had to confront people.

"Remind me, what is it they say about small packages?" she responded coolly.

The stream was a blessing in itself. Though the water had warmed due to the heat it was still much cooler than the humid air. Trishka didn't spare much thought before she had managed to splash some cold water over her face and the back of her neck.

She could hear Nicholai's footsteps as he paced around briefly. Probably checking around, she thought. The gravel crunched under his boots in a way that grass never could, louder even. It wasn't enough to draw any sort of threat near them, not unless it was already near them and somehow hidden.

Trishka tossed him a look over her shoulder. He'd had yet to relax in any way like many she'd run into. The way he stood and made sure a weapon was inches from his hand told her enough. Some kinda training keepin' him wary, Trishka deduced.

"Maybe I'm just a favorite of Lady Luck's," she joked.

Trishka didn't like showing all of her cards, even if some of them were obvious. It wouldn't do to let others know, after all. If anything it was more fun to leave them guessing.

Subject: Re: [|RE|] Hands Held High [|Reserved RP|] Thu May 30, 2013 3:25 pm

A steady feeling of relief settled on her, one that she hadn't felt in a long time, when Lone Wolf found the entrance. Still, nervousness managed to settle in her as well. Umbrella was a place to be wary of. If deemed useless, she wondered what would happen to her.

She folded the pick but left it in her hand. She was still wary of what was inside. Why should she trust this place when they caused all of this? Lesia believed herself to be rational, though she hoped that she wouldn't come off looking like too much of a threat. She doubted she would be anyways.

Lesia offered a small smile, eventually slipping in before him. The cooler air was welcoming and she was rather grateful for it. After the blistering heat through the last few weeks, she hadn't believed she'd ever feel cooler air again until the winter.

She glanced around the area. The hall was rather empty, perhaps more people deeper within the place. She remained a little on edge about it. The promise of safety here wasn't so much guaranteed here.

Turning back to Lone Wolf, she watched as he latched the entrance. She'd try to remember where the area was, just in case. If this place was as big as she thought it was however, there were great chances that she'd get lost.

"So what happens next?" she asked, watching him carefully.

Despite working with Umbrella, he didn't seem all that bad. Not like she'd heard of other members. People warned to stay as far away from this place as possible. She would have never believed she'd risk the area herself.

----[|x|]----

Nicholai spared one last glance around before he allowed himself to relax a little. They didn't seem to be in any immediate danger but he knew that could change in a heartbeat. With threats hidden seemingly everywhere now, no place was truly 'safe'.

Eventually, he knelt down to the stream and like Trishka, splashed some of the water onto his face and neck. It was a slight relief in the heat. Streams like this wouldn't last if the summer wore on this way. They'd dry up without rain to fill them. Rain could come in this kind of heat, even sever storms. So far, there were none to be seen.

He offered a chuckle in response to her words. They were true enough. She was rather small, making it easy to slip out of dangerous situations. No doubt, she was quick as well. On top of crafty, that could easily make her a danger.

"I suppose that's true enough," he responded lightly, getting to his feet again. "Perhaps you'll just have to prove it to me."

He watched her for a moment before shifting his weight again, moving a little ways to the side. He shot a small smirk he way at her next statement. She did have a fare amount of luck or perhaps it was simply her own skills. Whatever it was, she'd slipped passed Umbrella's grips for months now.

"You may have to learn how to share that kind of luck with others," he joked. "Plenty of people seem to need it now-a-days."

At least he could act concerned, as smug as he was. It may ease her into trusting him. With the information he'd gotten however, he had his doubts.

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