Post #2485617 in Bullets, Blades, and Brains, a roleplay on RPG

Art had been too far ahead to hear Nate call out for her, stepping carefully and beat boxing to herself, throwing in a few random lyrics here and there, freestyling to no one but herself. Her voice faded in and out as she bobbed her head, pausing every now and then to stoop down and pick up some mushrooms or wild blackberries, tossing them into her basket. Kela ran ahead of her, happy to be out of the cramped space of the Rogue. Despite the world having ended, Art had to admit that it brought about peace. She didn't really miss the constant sounds of honking horns, yelling people, and airplanes overhead. “Hey, Kela. Slow down!” The woman glanced up to see her dog slowly fading from sight, assuming she had found a rabbit or something.

She knew that Kela would come back once she gave up or caught it, but the idea of being out in the woods all alone freaked her out. Especially with the fog and three men with guns running around. Of course they – Or at least Nate – wouldn't shoot her on purpose, but there was always the chance of an accident. Frowning, she went further in after her dog until she came upon a stream. That was nice. That meant grapes! It didn't take her hazel-green eyes long to spot fat purple grapes growing on a vine that was creeping up a rusted old fence. Humming to herself, she waded across the shallow stream for the harvest, keeping her ears open for any crunching twigs and leaves. “Still can't decide if this is better than stripping,” she spoke aloud to herself, using her knife to cut the grape bunches from their vines.

“Used to dance naked just to get by but now I'm fighting zombies just to stay alive.
Joined up with Robyn and a bunch of others, working hard and looking out for each other.
From Broadway to the highway, living in a car.
The world is dead and my mind is scarred.
But I've got an open heart and an open mind and friends by my side until the day that I die.
And we'll make it together, not one person left behind.
Except maybe Will because we don't know how he is aligned.
With Robyn so beautiful and so brave, a mother pushing us to survive each day.
Ras makes us laugh with his crazy personality, got that beautiful mind, a geek mentality.
Cy can't talk but that doesn't matter, he's a real cool kid with no need for the chatter.
Chloe, oh Chloe. That's a real smart girl. Going to raise some geniuses when we rebuild this world.
Minnie...The girl can't shut up.
Then there's Nate -”

Art had heard crunching leaves behind her and paused, brandishing her knife with a light frown.

"What about Nate?"

A voice sounded from the brush and Art gave a light smile, letting herself relax as Nate called out in question. The first shape to emerge was that of Oakley. She darted from a clump of bushes, creating a blur of brick-colored fur that stopped suddenly in the center of the clearing as the dog sniffed around cautiously. Her gaze focused on Art, and she pinned her ears against the back of her head. However, she didn't growl or bark. She merely watched the woman who had been previously rapping. Nate, meanwhile, began to relax slightly as he walked since Art already knew he was behind her. Though he'd been cautious to avoid leaves and twigs before hand, the ex-soldier stepped on them quite frivolously now. Smug smirk evident as he entered the clearing, Nathan slung his gun over his shoulder and patted his thigh to call Oakley over. Reluctantly, she turned away from Art and padded toward her owner.

“Then's there Nate, so silent and brave, always the hero to save the day. He's got a smile that lights up my world and a body so fine, I'd love to give it a whirl, making this chica swoon and sending her over the moon, our passion like a monsoon and all I wanna do is spoon.” Her words came out quickly with her Cuban accent becoming thicker by the second as she gave him a smile, resuming the flirting that they had started earlier that morning. She ended with a light bow, blowing kisses to an imaginary audience before giving a bashful laugh.

"Damn, girl." Nate laughed softly, winking back at her. "I didn't know you rapped," he remarked, making an expression of mock surprise only for Art to stick her tongue out at him. "What other talents have you been hiding from us?" He took the gun down from where it balanced on his shoulder in a cocky manner and held it in both hands, subconsciously caressing the barrel with his thumb. The young woman simply rolled her eyes and dusted her hands off, leaving her basket where it sat on the ground. She had already gotten all the grapes from the vine. Amusement and mischief twinkled in her eyes as she moved towards Nate until they stood hardly a foot apart, she having to look up due to her lack of numbers in the height department.

“I can't let you know all my secrets, papi. Then there would be no mystery to keep you coming back. And then what would be so special about me?”, she teased, pushing him lightly on the shoulder. Nate rolled his eyes and forced back a laugh as he nudged her with his elbow gently. “Anyways – Why are you following me?” Nate gave a shrug and looked back over his shoulder toward where he had come.

"Well, y'know, I needed somebody to clear the woods of zombies for me," he replied, shrugging. "It's hard to shoot something when the ranks of the undead are all pursuing it." He was being sarcastic, obviously, but he couldn't tell if Art realized he was following her to watch over her. She was probably capable of holding her own, but better safe that sorry. She merely rolled her eyes at him and pushed him on his shoulder again. “Where's Chump and Creeper? I thought you were hunting with them.”

"Do I get a creative nickname, too?" he inquired, eyebrow quirking subtly.

“I don't know. I figured I'd just call you babe.” She batted her eyelashes and bit her bottom lip in a suggestive manner as she leaned against him and looked up at him playfully. "Cute." He dramatically rolled his eyes, though he certainly wasn't upset about the nickname. "But yeah, those two are back at camp, probably, or coming this way. I took the lead."

“Oh...joy.”, she muttered under her breath. Quality time with the two smokers, should they be following.

"Jeez, don't get too excited," he teased. He wasn't overly enthusiastic either, but his only qualm with the Lieutenant was the fact that the younger soldier was a commissioned officer, whereas Nathan had merely enlisted. By rank, the Lieutenant was above him. However, he lacked any experience in the field. Jealousy could certainly be a bitch. He was proud of himself for talking back to the Second Lieutenant, but he was far too proud for his own good.

“Oh. Because you enjoy their company sooo much.” Art rolled her eyes as she let herself rest against Nate for a few more moments, looking around for Kela. Nate rolled his eyes briefly too. She was right, of course. Worry flashed across her face as she realized that she hadn't heard the hybrid dog for over ten minutes. She put her fingers between her lips and inhaled to let out a sharp whistle but was thrown off by the sound of helpless yelping that proceeded a gun shot. “Kela!” She immediately tore away from Nate and followed the sound, brandishing her knife as though she stood a chance with it against someone with a gun. She didn't care. He stood there for a moment, confused by the suddennes of it all. But, putting two and two together, Nate raced off after her with his gun raised and with Oakley nearby.

She just followed the sound of the yelping until she came across a man pointing a gun at Kela's head, ready to shoot her in the head. His leg was bleeding and there was a downed stag nearby. “Leave her alone!” She stooped over and picked up a rock, throwing it at the man and hitting him in the head. The man turned angrily towards her with his gun but his expression softened when he saw her and her own expression faltered. “Busty Bambi..? I mean..uh...Bambi?” He had lowered his gun now and Art's voice caught in her throat. Nate stopped a few paces behind Art and stopped, gun raised and aimed at the man's head. Oakley stopped and stood by their feet, ears back though she didn't snarl.

“You must have me confused for someone else.” She eventually found her voice, taking a step back and bumping into Nathan, though she still had her knife held outward and poised as though it were a gun despite the fact that the man – who had not confused her for someone else – had lowered his gun. “Oh, no. I'd recognize those legs and those tits and those eyes and that skin anywhere.” Did he have a checklist of things he remembered about people? Art groaned inwardly before sighing and giving up. Nate looked at Art with an expression of confusion. He didn't believe the man, for he had no idea Jackson was telling the truth in regards to Art. His grip tightened on the gun. “Why'd you shoot Kela, Jackson?” Her voice was angry now as she moved away from Nate and knelt down by Kela. Nate's expression changed from confusion to disbelief. He briefly glanced down at Art and then back at Jackson with the gun still raised. It was a close range shot and it had only grazed her, but she could tell it had still hurt the pup. She ripped off part of her own shirt and wrapped it tightly, tying it and using it as a makeshift bandage. Jackson gave his most apologetic look, though there was confusion in his eyes. “You've got a wolf?”

“She's only half wolf. She was hunting for me.”

“Oh. I didn't know... She took down the stag... But I haven't had any luck so I was just going to take it.” He looked away out of shame and Art still didn't meet his gaze as she helped her canine companion up, walking with her as she limped back towards Nate and Oakley. Now, Art was a hard person to push away. She's a people person. It's her thing. But it is highly possible for her to dislike people. And she didn't like Jackson. She didn't say anything though because he was the one with the gun in his hand. “You're traveling with your friend?” And that's why she didn't like him, cringing as he asked the question. Nate flushed subtly as the man asked Art the question. Already, he disliked the man. Back when she worked at Olympus – a gentlemen's club – he was always there. Every night. And he always paid for her during her shift and nobody else. He bothered other girls, too. Only seven others and none of them had the same shift so there was no break from it all night. He was more handsy than the other customers, always offering them drinks and a ride home, asking them on dates, asking them to have sex in the bathroom. He creeped her out and she was quick to shoot him down. “Boyfriend.”, she lied smoothly. Nate's eyes widened almost comedically as he looked down to Art and then back at Jackson. That was certainly one way to get the creeper off of her back.

Jackson immediately looked disappointed but he gave a smile. “That's good. Well, I should get back to my group. Sorry for shooting your dog.” Intimidated by Nate, he immediately began to leave, not offering for them to join his group. Vying for the last word, Nate smirked as the man left. "Creep," he remarked, slowly lowering his gun by his hip. "Is Kela okay?" He continued to watch the man, occasionally glancing toward Art and her dog. “She'll be fine. I've just got to get her back to camp and get some bai ji to stop the bleeding.” The woman frowned as she knelt down to check Kela's leg once more, glad that the bleeding wasn't excessive enough to have made it through the acting bandage. Her arm was getting cold and sending a chill through the rest of her body, but she was fine as long as Kela was. She stood and sighed, as it seemed to be one of her new hobbies since the world had ended, wrapping her arms around Nate tightly. “Thanks for playing along... Jackson's a dick.... And please don't tell anyone about that.” Nate raised his gun in the air as Art quickly hugged him. Slowly, he wrapped a single arm around her and embraced her in return.

"Yeah, not a problem," he replied, looking down at her. "Your secret's safe with me." Internally, however, Nate was still recovering from the intial surprise. He hadn't expected Art to be a billionare businesswoman or anything like that, but he was still shocked by the revelation. Would she have told any of them? Probably not, just like Nate wouldn't mention his relationship issues before the apocalypse. But, besides the shock, he subconsciously couldn't help but feel...disappointment? He didn't want to admit it verbally or mentally, but he couldn't but feel ever so slightly upset at the fact that it was all a facade. He should have realized that, of course, she was using a fake relationship to get Jackson away. Still, he couldn't help but wish that perhaps it wasn't all a facade. Internally, he scoffed. Was he really going to start getting soft now during the apocalypse? No, he had to stay strong. Perhaps it was better that their "relationship" was made up.

“It wasn't a glamorous life. But I wasn't hooking or doing drugs. It paid the bills though. But that doesn't mean I'm any less of a good or respectable person than anyone else. Besides. I only worked ten days out of the month.” She gave a light frown, aware of the conversations that usually followed the revelation of her previous occupation. She valued the opinions of others in the group and she didn't want them thinking any less of her. She couldn't handle being a pariah. Nate simply nodded in response. He might have responsed, but then they heard another voice which the ex-Sergeant quickly recognized.

"This is Second Lieutenant William D. Andrews of the United States Army. Drop any weapons you may have and keep your hands where I can see them. I repeat, I am not alone, and we will open fire if you decide not to cooperate." Nate quickly looked toward the source of the sound as he slowly let go of Art. Keeping himself in front of her, he moved toward the younger man with his arms up slightly.

"Whoa, Lieutenant," he replied. "At ease. It's just me and Art. No zombies." Art moved behind Nate, keeping Kela close as she crinkled her nose at the sound of Will calling out. “Shut up, Will! You're not the boss of anybody anymore.” Art was in a foul mood - Between her dog being shot, Nate finding out about her previously being a stripper, and just seeing Jackson's face had ruined her happiness for a while. She'd have to cheer up before she got back though.

Snippet #2485617

located in Post-Apocalyptic America, a part of Bullets, Blades, and Brains, one of the many universes on RPG.

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