[color=bdbdbd][center][color=ffffff][b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4000207]. J a c k .[/url][/b]  a n d  [b][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4000398]. L a r a .[/url][/b]
.Outside the Sleeping Bear Inn.[/color]
[sup](Collaboration between Exit & MidnightRose)[/sup]
[@Mega Birb] [@MidnightRose]

[color=ffffff]--x--[/color][/center]
June didn't even have time to correct himself when he noticed the approach of a very familiar woman. She pushed through the front door to the inn and greeted him with the [color=afeeee]"Good Morning"[/color] that he knew he didn't deserve. He never listened to her and yet here she was with a remedy in hand and a smile across her face... and the remnants of a giggle? He took the mint in hand and placed a leaf in his mouth, chewing it gingerly as he flashed Lara a sheepish smile and gave her an apologetic nod.


[color=ffffff]"I know..."[/color] He began, the mint already working to clear his sinuses. [color=ffffff]"Another day... just like everyday."[/color] He chuckled though the laugh was more of a nervous habit in fear of abandonment. [color=ffffff]"Thanks."[/color]

He felt her gaze on him, heavy as usual and ever the kind to poke and prod at his well being. The ice blue of her eyes were perceptive as always and he was sure she could see through his well deserved hangover at his crippling pride. She flashed him a smile.

[color=afeeee]“No day is just like any other.”[/color] She pointed out as she turned and led the way out the door.

June nodded at the deep sentiment of her words. Usually it was his job to be eloquent but he found her tongue to be quite silver as well. Not surprising given the nature of her job. He continued to chew on mint leaves as he followed her out into the sun... and into immediate regret. Bright orange light flooded his view and prodded annoyingly at his fragile mind. He held a hand up to his brow to shield his sensitive eyes and prevent his headache from getting any worse.

Lara glanced over at John. [color=afeeee]“So Mr. Cartographer, what shall we do today?”[/color] Lara asked. He never seemed to have a definite plan but she followed his whims wherever they lead. She glanced up and down the road taking note of any people standing about talking or passing by.

[color=ffffff]"Today..."[/color] June took in a deep, fresh, breath and scanned the town of Dust. Today as it were everyday, the settlement was up early and the day's work had already begun. Men and woman were strewn across the street in either direction and all were moving with purpose. The few to be found in the shade were busy in conversation with one another, spreading rounds of gossip or contemplating the day's prospects. June focused on one in particular. [color=ffffff]"Today we're getting a job."[/color] He nodded toward a woman donned in corset with noticeable runes etched in ink across her arms and paler skin than most accepted as usual. [color=ffffff]"There... what do you think of her?"[/color]

Lara glanced over to where June indicated with his head. She took in the appearance of the woman who most would deem a bit unsettling at the least with her pale skin and red eyes. She looked back to June, [color=afeeee]“The Dhampir? You have a taste for unusual people,”[/color]

[color=ffffff]"I whot now?"[/color]

Lara glanced back at the woman. Being a Dhampir wasn't a problem, Lara was only interested in the character of this woman. [color=afeeee]“I'm not sure how she would be related to us getting a job but if you want to speak with her I'll be right behind you, as always.”[/color] She assured him calmly with an affirmative nod. John returned the gesture with his own: a slow and deliberate nod of his chin with a far off look in his eyes.

[color=ffffff]"Thank you but... I think you're right..."[/color] He paused for a moment realizing his choice of words may have been incorrect. [color=ffffff]"Maybe 'job' isn't exactly what I'm looking for. Maaaybe [i]she[/i] needs a job... or maybe..."[/color] He turned to Lara, mint leaf dangling awkwardly from the corner of his mouth and lights dancing in his eyes. [color=ffffff]"Maybe we [i]need[/i] her to need a job."[/color] He threw her a dangerous wink and a smile and moved toward the woman, his spirits high, his confidence even higher and his mind not quite clear enough for him to realize what he was doing, or what Lara had just said. The word Dhampir finally hit him as he took a step in it's direction. He paused, a foggy mind still trying to understand the odd but strangely familiar noun.

[color=ffffff]"Dhampir..."[/color] He repeated, looking at the woman again and giving her another study. The pale skin made a lot more sense... and so did the red eyes which he'd finally noticed. He'd been so fixated on the runes that he'd missed all the other signs. [color=ffffff]"Oh shit she's a-"[/color]

Before he could finish, the bark of gunshots cut through the ambiance of a rousing settlement. He broke his concentration on the woman and his eyes snapped to the street where he could clearly see men and woman with guns out pouring from the Bounty Hall en masse, all of whom were dumping lead into the air. A handful of steps ahead of them was a nimble figure cloaked in black and carrying something tucked away in his arms that John couldn't quite make out. With everyone trying in vain to fell the man and their assumed reward, one gunner who'd been standing to the side of the road pulled a revolver from his hip and fired off a round in the general direction of the fleeing man. The shot missed in remarkable fashion, smashing in the door frame of the Sleeping Bear and throwing splinters into John's face. He immediately hit the floor.

[color=ffffff]"Fuck!"[/color] He screamed, spitting wood and a half chewed mint from his mouth. [color=ffffff]"What the shit?!"[/color] As the shooting continued, he shimmied along the ground closer to the edge of the Inn's porch and pressed himself up against the railing. There, where he felt safe behind perfectly ineffective cover, he reached for his own gun and ripped it from it's holster.

Head pounding now from what he thought was a subsiding hangover and the adrenaline being pumped through his blood, he'd remain where he was until persuaded to do otherwise.
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