[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/171010/b56178ad17f41e6a2de6bb4d481c5536.png[/img]
[sup]Collaboration between: [@Poi], [@Dnafein], [@Wick] & [@Joker892][/sup][/center]

[color=gray]It was the eve of a warm spring day, and the expedition had just settled at the edge of the Celestial Falls. Raphael had been sent ahead to scour the location by Jain, but with the luck the expedition was having, it was not as safe as it was slated to be. A bear was on the loose, one strong enough to injure a dog with a nasty cut along its belly.[/color]

[color=moccasin][b]"Perhaps. Killing the bear would remove a nusiance in the future, and also replenish our supplies if anyone was willing to eat bear meat for the next week."[/b][/color] [color=gray]Maisy replied, biting her lip as Hector spoke of it like a trivial task. As much as the rancher trusted her fellow squad leader's skill, the boasting had not sat right with Maisy, especially after Hector had just lost one of his squad.[/color]

[b]"Of course people would be willing to eat bear meat."[/b] [color=gray]Rafe interjected as he arrived,[/color] [b]"The better question is would they rather risk tripping a little, or would they rather think about the medicine Doc used--sorry, wasted--on whoever the bear didn't kill before it was finally clubbed to death?" [/b]

[color=gray]The scout shrugged his response to his own question.[/color] [b]"Me and Theena can handle this. Don't need to send more. Just tell me where to go, and why I should kill it."[/b]

[color=gray]Having overheard the conversation, April approached the group. [/color][color=ed145b][b]"I agree with Jain. Two scouts are better than a bunch of troopers in this situation. We'll have dogs and it just makes more sense to me."[/b][/color] [color=gray]April said even though she knew Hector didn't like it.[/color]

[color=gray]Hector gave an unfriendly glance to Rafe before rolling his eyes and looking towards April with a frown.[/color] [color=a36209][b]"Really, my men and I can handle this big bastard by sun up. I say you all relax here for the night and let me and my men take care of the bear. Besides April, I think you should stay with Jax. Poor guy needs all the comfort he can get right now,"[/b][/color][color=gray] Hector said before looking to Rafe with a hostile gaze.[/color]

[color=moccasin][i]Men and their ego fests,[/i][/color] [color=gray]Maisy thought as she listened to Hector and Rafe each suggest their own variation of a plan. Sighing, Maisy looked back and forth between the two men and crossed her arms.[/color] [color=moccasin][b]"Listen--if you two are both keen to go chase a bear, why don't the two of you take up arms together? It seems to be a mutual benefit for both of you."[/b][/color] [color=gray]Maisy explained, finishing with a shrug of her own.[/color]

[color=gray]Rafe learned the details of his task as he stood there. He raised an eyebrow as April piped in, on his side no less, and stifled surprise as he discovered it was to be her that was to accompany him on the task.[/color] [b]"I'm here cause I was told that I was supposed to go face a bear. If Hercules wants to come along he can. He can play bait stomping around while Athena and I do the heavy lifting. Better than getting more of his men killed."[/b]

[color=gray]Turning to April, the scout asked,[/color] [b]"Jax is your companion, the bear's life is in your hands. Dead and gone, or alive and thinking about the Risen is your call."[/b]

[color=gray]April looked from one of the men to the other, almost angrily she spoke.[/color] [color=ed145b][b]"I'm leaving in fifteen minutes. James can handle Jax tonight and I'll get another dog for this mission. Pixie should be available. You guys quit comparing who's dick is bigger and get to work. Rafe, get ready!"[/b] [/color][color=gray]She growled as she turned and went back to her things. Then, April went to the horses and she grabbed a couple of spears to take with her. She was retying her boots by the horses when she looked up and saw Hector.[/color]

[color=gray]A heavy sigh escaped Hector as April let out her anger onto him and Rafe. He rubbed the back of his neck and watched her storm away with a frown.[/color] [color=a36209][b]"There is no comparing,"[/b][/color] [color=gray]Hector mumbled and looked to Rafe with a warning glare.[/color] [color=a36209][b]"Try anything or let a single hair on her head get hurt and I will make you wish a walker got ya,"[/b][/color] [color=gray]He warned with white knuckles and walked away from the group and towards Jax to comfort him.[/color]

[color=gray]At the comment about comparison Raphael just started chuckling. At the threat he smiled before saying,[/color] [b]"April's a big girl, and she scares me more then you do, muscles."[/b]

[color=gray]Turning away from Maisy with a small nod. Raphael walked to where he left his bow. Hefting it, he gave a shrill two tone whistle, and a moment later Athena rushed to his side.[/color] [b]"Let's go find us a bear."[/b]

[color=gray]April walked over to Hector as soon as she had everything. Pixie was excited and running around her in circles. April grinned at her and knelt down by Hector and kissed him.[/color] [color=ed145b][b]"I'll be back tomorrow. Don't worry."[/b][/color] [color=gray]Rising to her feet she looked around for Rafe and sighed and headed towards her scouting partner.[/color]

[color=gray]Maisy shrugged once more as the expedition members went their seperate ways. Each of them had wanted something else, yet they came more or less to a decision.[/color] [color=moccasin][i]Good thing I'm not stuck in a lover's quarrel... yet,[/i][/color] [color=gray]The rancher thought, giving her limbs an ol' stretch. Jain had wanted Maisy to attend to the perimeter of the camp, and just like the others, she set off to do her duties.[/color]