Raphael brought up the rear of the group, it wasn't planned he had drifted towards the rear as they walked. While company was okay, Rafe enjoyed his solitude as well. Crowds got to be smothering, especially in the world as it was now; A world where the wrong crowd would literally tear you to pieces. And so, even among friends Raphael would drift to the edges of gatherings.


He watched the others as they separated, whether to join friends or to resume duties. Athena rested besides him tongue lolling. As the two turned their attention to study the newcomers, Rafe stretched behind the canine’s ears. “The world is starting to get a bit crowded, isn't it Theena?”

The dog got to her feet and shook herself. Taking the hint Raphael shook off his morose thoughts and strode into the camp. He worked his way into it’s depths, until he reached what he sought. Rafe crossed his arms and waited until Petra finished her speech. [i]A party, maybe someone brought enough shine.[/i]

Raphael moved to intercept Petra, and finally did as she reached the falls. He left Athena with the crowd he worked his way through; The scout trusted his four legged companion explicitly.  He didn't want to risk scaring the cub though. “Hey, Petsmart.” Rafe joked as he caught up to the head hostler.

The scout pulled the bottles from his pack and extended them towards Petra. “Dunno if lil smoky will need these; If so got you covered. If not…” Rafe shrugged. “I’ll talk to you later.” It occurred to him that if he had a hat he could tip it before leaving; Without such he just smirked. Raphael started off, ruffling the fur atop Ursula’s head as he passed.

The scout retrieved Athena, and the duo moved to where Rafe’s blankets were laid out. Making himself comfortable Raphael pulled the two books he collected from his bag. The first was a hard backed copy of The Art of War. The book looked as if it had been doing little more than collecting dust, even before the fall of civilization. He returned the hardbacked book to the bag and turned is attention to the other.

[u]Honor Harrington On Basilisk Station[/u] read the cover. It was the mutual last name that inspired Raphael to grab the books. The paperback was in good condition for its obvious age; Rafe’s curiosity drove him to crack the book open. The scout relaxed, book in one hand, Athena resting under the other.