[b]Scouts - The Pub - Alex[/b]

Cody hesitated. He licked his lips slightly and glanced between the three other scouts. "Roadkill... Yes, well--"

"Your 'roadkill' turned soon after you left," said a man as he entered the kitchen. He was a tall man with salt and pepper hair who looked to be in his forties. His voice carried a vague European accent that could have possibly been German or French. Hazel followed after him, looking dejected. "According to your doctor, he probably suffered internal bleeding." Cody silently nodded. The stranger than stepped up to the table and smiled rather charmingly, despite his grim entrance. "I am Michael. That's A-E-L."

Hazel gingerly stayed behind the man, rubbing at her arms. "I'm tired of cleaning them up... that man was alive when you brought him..."

Michael abandoned his greeting to turn to the girl. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder and spoke calmly into her ear. "It's okay," he muttered. "I dealt with him for you." Hazel noticeably relaxed upon hearing his words. For whatever reason, Cody looked embarrassed.

"You should go rest," Hazel said, smiling. "You were so bad yesterday..."

Michael softly shook his head. "No, I feel much better today. Besides..." He turned back toward the scouts. "I would like to go with you all back to your community. As a man who's been on my own for quite some time, you would be doing me a great service. I am a capable fighter, as your friends Cody and Hazel can agree. Despite the color of my hair, I assure you I am as healthy and fit as can be." He smiled warmly. "I regret leaving poor Hazel on her own, but the girl has assured me she is very capable on her own."

Chris leaned forward slightly, his forehead creasing. "Do I know you from somewhere?" he asked.

The man lifted his hands and shrugged. "I do not know. I've been in the city for some time now, so it is entirely possible. Either way, I'm sure I would have remembered [i]you[/i], anyway. You give off an imposing presence, I must admit." Chris wasn't pleased with that answer. It felt like Michael was trying to deflect his question with a compliment.

Cody finally spoke up, apparently focusing back on what was going on. "You guys said there was a probation period when that Reggie guy was around, so I don't know if we're still doing that..." He looked toward Michael. "But, uh, Hazel vouches for this guy. He helped us with the walker, too."

Michael raised his hands. "So, what do you three say?"