Rook had gotten the second car in place when the first person had shown up. She was not what he expected. A thin woman, who probably had less meat on her than a bloatfly. Still, she was offering to help, showing off phantom might and a smile. If nothing else, she would make good company. He sat on the edge of the flatbed, drinking a thing of water. It was collected water from the rain, so it should be safe for her to drink.

He had long ago learned he could drink from places most humans would get sick from. When she arrived and offered her hand, Rook reached out, carefully wrapping his hand around her smaller hand. He gave a gentle, almost oddly careful shake of her hand. “Rook is pleased to meet you. Lorelel Jones is kind to help Rook out. Maybe she can see flaws in Rooks' plans better than he can.” He offered her the water and then went to work again.

Crouching down, he remade his little map, a bit better than the other one in town. “Rook is building defenses for town. Rook has been in the Wastelands for many years, has seen one thing in common with all successful settlements. Walls.” He sounded as if this was ancient wisdom being passed on. “Rook wants to build walls here, and towers, so we can see bad people before they arrive. Salem in good place, with many good things around. Old Man Barney said there is a militia here. They can man towers, Rook does not like to climb. Or swim. Swim is where bad things are.”

Looking at her, he was probably still close to most peoples height while crouched down. “Rook will still help bring up metal boxes from water though. Many good things are in water, and maybe can use it to make more things for Salem to be safe. Rook doesn't want to see Salem hurt. Too many people die because of the Wastelands. Rook not want people here to die either..."