[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/171023/7a0cfc6676eb0f6569fc487867fa9c51.png[/img]
[sup]Collaboration between: [@Poi] & [@ReusableSword][/sup]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsligj1bRFA[/youtube][/center]
[color=gray]Listening to the girl sing on that burnt up truck brought a smile to the man's face. He was in the bed of the pickup now. Occasionally Trevor would drink from the canteen--the sweet honey wine he enjoyed so much was a sweet reminder of the celebrations and feasts his father would put on. Like the signing of the treaty that brought his people together with Lasthope, the celebration took a few days to put together.

Sending out so many hunting and search teams did drain their supplies temporarily but it was worth it. There was still mistrust between the two people at the time, however, one thing the people of New Fort Stevens were great at was partying. Throwing old grudges and mistrust aside, the new unified people drank, feasted, and partied. His father tries to get a celebration going every year around the same time, mostly to show appreciation and to just have fun.

Still, Trevor continued to listen to her sing, tapping his foot along with the beat. Some bystanders had begun to dance, hum, or try to sing along. At least grabbing his guitar was a good idea. Maisy finished her song but still kept strumming with a question about continuing.[/color] [color=39b54a][b]"Cash, right?"[/b][/color] [color=gray]He asked with a smile, his face turning a bit red from the alcohol and seeing her face red.[/color] [color=39b54a][b]"Let's see if you can keep up."[/b][/color] [color=gray]Without changing a beat or matching the rhythm of the guitar, he began to sing.

The tempo was upbeat as was the surroundings. Trevor sipped away from his flask, while Maisy strummed away, singing from the heart. Together, the two of them were caught smiling, as if they were no longer in a hellish world of death. As if they were two friends having fun singing and playing along to music they enjoyed and loved. So, when Trevor offered a challenge, Maisy was quick to accept.[/color]

[color=moccasin][b]"I'd like to see what you know."[/b][/color] [color=gray]Maisy smirked to herself, returning her attention to the acoustic guitar in her hands. It wasn't quite the guitar Maisy knew all too well, but it had a nice sound to it. The guitar had been perfect company to their singing, and the clapping and cheering was more than enough of a testament. Following along with Trevor, Maisy strummed the strings and sung along to an old Cash classic: Long Legged Guitar Pickin' Man.[/color]

[center][color=39b54a][b]"Well I'm gonna start out walkin'
Just you wait and see[/b][/color] 
[color=moccasin][b]Uh-huh guitar picker 
You ain't leavin' without me[/b][/color] 

[color=39b54a][b]Oh you big mouth woman[/b][/color] 
[color=moccasin][b]You long legged guitar pickin' man[/b][/color] 
But we can work this out uh huh 
[color=39b54a][b]Yes ma'm I think we can[/b][/color] 

[color=39b54a][b]Well I stole the Hope diamond 
Hopin' I could shut your mouth[/b][/color] 
[color=moccasin][b]But how am I gonna wear it 
If I got to hide it out[/b][/color] 

[color=39b54a][b]Well you big mouth woman[/b][/color] 
[color=moccasin][b]You long legged guitar pickin' man[/b][/color] 
But we can work this out uh huh 
[color=39b54a][b]Yes ma'm I think we can[/b][/color] 

[color=39b54a][b]Well I bought you a first class ticket 
For a luxury liner cruise[/b][/color] 
[color=moccasin][b]I got out in that ocean 
looked around and there was you [/b][/color]

[color=39b54a][b]Oh you big mouth woman[/b][/color] 
[color=moccasin][b]You long legged guitar pickin' man[/b][/color] 
But we can work this out uh huh 
[color=39b54a][b]Yes ma'm I think we can[/b][/color] 

[color=39b54a][b]I bought you a big long limousine[/b][/color] 
[color=moccasin][b]But I don't want no car 
I gave my love and everything[/b][/color] 
[color=39b54a][b]But you're still what you are[/b][/color] 

[color=39b54a][b]You're just a big mouth woman[/b][/color] 
[color=moccasin][b]You long legged guitar pickin' man[/b][/color] 
But we can work this out uh huh 
[color=39b54a][b]Yes ma'm I think we can[/b][/color] 

[color=39b54a][b]Oh honey I love that big sweet mouth [/b][/color]
[color=moccasin][b]You a long legged guitar pickin' man[/b][/color] 
[color=39b54a][b]Ha ha I'm gonna pick it for you[/b][/color] 
[color=moccasin][b]Now you a nice guitar pickin' man"[/b][/color][/center]
 
[color=gray]Again they were met with cheers and applause, he was happy that there was still some good in this world even if it was seldom and hard to find. A rather anxious young man came up to them and asked for the guitar. Trevor looked to Maisy and gently took his guitar back from her and handed it to the young man.[/color] [color=39b54a][b]"Don't you dare break it."[/b][/color] [color=gray]The young man smiled.[/color] [color=39b54a][b]"I would never think of doing such a thing, sir.”[/b][/color]

[color=gray]The boy walked off to the other side of the old parking lot where a few others waited and discussed something among themselves. He turned his attention back to Maisy who was still on top of the truck and offered her his canteen.[/color] [color=39b54a][b]"Would you like some mead?"[/b][/color] [color=gray]He smiled and took another small drink.[/color] [color=39b54a][b]"It's very sweet."[/b][/color]

[color=gray]Trevor could hear the guitar again, this time it was a newer song. The boy who took the guitar wasn't singing but his two friends were. The song they picked was a slow song: She's My Kind of Rain by Tim McGraw. For a moment Trevor watched as some bystanders grabbed someone else and began dancing. Looking up to Maisy, Trevor offered his hand to help her down onto the bed of the truck.[/color] [color=39b54a][b]"So, Maze, would you like to dance?"[/b][/color]

[color=gray]The guitar was taken from Maisy's hands once the song ended, and Trevor passed it along to a boy who was willing to play. They had said a few words, but before Maisy heard them, Trevor interjected, offering his canteen.[/color] [color=moccasin][b]"I would love some."[/b][/color] [color=gray]Maisy replied with a smile, taking the canteen from his hands. It was strong, as was most mead, but it was sweet like honey.

Shortly after Maisy handed back the flask, the boys from before had started to play the guitar. Different from the music that was played earlier, this time it was slow, and many had grabbed a partner to dance too. Trevor offered his hand to help Maisy off the torched truck bed, and Maisy climbed down with the woodsman's help.

Then, Trevor had offered to dance with Maisy. His words were enough to return the blush to Maisy's cheeks, as if Trevor had been swooning the rancher the entire time.[/color] [color=moccasin][b]"Sure,"[/b][/color] [color=gray]Maisy answered, keeping their hands entwined. The rancher had felt budding feelings, yet the uncertainty was still real.

The music was soothing as they slowly danced in each others arms. One would expect one of his size to be clumsy, but he was taught to dance as part of his training. It helped to keep movements fluid and balanced, that and his mother was intent on not letting some customs die. He was quiet for a little while, his old instinct to keep an eye on their surroundings kept him quiet while he enjoyed how close she had allowed him to get while still being comfortable.

But as the song continued Trevor couldn't help but think of the last time he did this with someone.[/color] [color=39b54a][b]"Sara..."[/b][/color] [color=gray]The thought crept up on him, and he hesitated for a moment mid dance. To try to get his mind off her, he looked down at Maisy and sighed.[/color] [color=39b54a][b]"You know, I do enjoy your company. You seem to put up with my crazy rather well enough."[/b][/color] [color=gray]He paused again for a moment.[/color] [color=39b54a][b]"So, since I have a secret about you..."[/b][/color] [color=gray]Again, he paused not sure of how to continue.[/color]

[color=39b54a][b]"I suppose it's only fair if you have a secret of mine."[/b][/color] [color=gray]He spoke quietly, slowly turning his back on the others.[/color] [color=39b54a][b]"I have only ever loved one woman and her name was Sara."[/b][/color] [color=gray]He could feel it building inside--the anger and rage that follows the tears and sorrow.[/color] [color=39b54a][b]"I was seventeen and she was sixteen. She got bit and I killed her before she turned."[/b][/color] [color=gray]He wasn't going to tell her the whole story, rather he couldn't. He knew what happens when he tries. The anger and sorrow hasn't changed, and little by little it still eats away at him.[/color] [color=39b54a][b]"Everyone back at the fort thinks she was left behind."[/b][/color]

[color=gray]He paused for a moment suddenly realizing he has never told anyone dawned on him. The true danger of what he said was no one knew. If they did they would question him on not just that, but other strange occurrences as well.[/color] [color=39b54a][b]"There is a lot of blood on my hands, Maze, and I'm afraid that if I told you everything you would push me away like the others."[/b][/color]

[color=gray]The dance wasn't as great as what her parents could showcase, but Maisy danced anyway. Trevor was clumsy, while Maisy was somewhat skilled, but they were having a fun time. It was quiet, although Maisy didn't mind. Both of them had their own thoughts to think about, becoming evident as Trevor began to hesitate, mumbling a name.

Maisy had been confused as Trevor stopped, but she had understood as he paused to explained what devils that had been bothering him.[/color] [color=moccasin][b]"I don't see any wrong in your actions. You did what you had to do, Trevor. You did what you had to do to spare someone you loved a terrible fate."[/b][/color] [color=gray]Maisy explained, placing a hand on his shoulder as a calming gesture.[/color]

[color=moccasin][b]"Listen, Trevor. You're not alone. I've had to soil my hands with both the blood of my enemies and comrades. I've had to [i]kill[/i] and [i]put down[/i] in the name of Lasthope so it stays a bastion of humanity. It's probably why some people think I'm a stuck-up bitch."[/b][/color] [color=gray]Maisy replied, sighing as she lowered her voice.[/color] [color=moccasin][b]"Like Amy, for instance. I'm sure she wants to put that ice pick in my back for reasons unknown to me."[/b][/color] [color=gray]The rancher went on to explain, leading Trevor over to the edge of the truck bed to sit down.[/color]

[color=moccasin][b]"There is no black or white in the world we live in. Only gray, or otherwise, a mixture of good and bad. Like I've told Jain, everything happens for a reason we may not even know. It's just a matter of what we do with it after it happens."[/b][/color] [color=gray]Maisy finished, sighing once more. Perhaps what the rancher said was pure nonsense, or perhaps it was all philosophical. Maybe Maisy had a inkling of understanding the world they lived in, or perhaps she was as ignorant as the next guy.

Trevor closed his eyes while she spoke, paying close attention to every word. He did flinch when she touched him, it was an unusual feeling for him having human contact that wasn't in a fighting manner.[/color] [color=39b54a][b]"Part of me believes you, another part doesn't, and another has always known. I don't lose sleep over the enemies I've killed, only friends and family."[/b][/color] [color=gray]He followed her to the edge of the truck and sat down with her.[/color]

[color=39b54a][b]"I think you're pretty cool."[/b][/color] [color=gray]He sighed and looked back towards the others as they laughed and danced to a different tune than the one from earlier.[/color] [color=39b54a][b]"Even if I don't say anything, I hear the rumors and the things the others say about me. Stories and tales that spread through your camp of Trevor Stevens, the monster, the murderer, the boogie man."[/b][/color] [color=gray]He was trying to relate his situation with hers.[/color] [color=39b54a][b]"They hear stories or partial stories about my exploits before we joined up with you. Clearing camps in the night, using injured people to draw others out, hell, even killing kids."[/b][/color] [color=gray]Again, he paused.[/color]

[color=39b54a][b]"I'm not saying I didn't do these things, but there is a reason I do what I do. My father's training was brutal, I could have died on multiple occasions but I survived and eventually I became brutal."[/b][/color] [color=gray]He knew that the first few months they were a part of Lasthope some major policy changes came through. Some tactics they used were deemed too barbaric from the Lasthope leadership.[/color] [color=39b54a][b]"I just hope that I don't scare you when I flip that switch and go from the adventurer to the warrior."[/b][/color]

[color=gray]Trevor was silent for just a little while longer before standing up and stepping off the truck.[/color] [color=39b54a][b]"Sorry, I know I can be a bit to serious or intense sometimes, but thank you for listening."[/b][/color] [color=gray]He offered to help her off the truck again, feeling the cool night air beginning to wrap around him.[/color] [color=39b54a][b]"Would you like me to walk you back to your tent?"[/b][/color]

[color=gray]Maisy sat in silence, listening to each one of Trevor's words with closed eyes. Perhaps Trevor had been adquately worried or perhaps he was too worried, but Maisy decided that she would be there for him. What kind of leader would Maisy be if she let worries get the best of everyone? By any means, Maisy wouldn't be a great leader if she did.

Silence overtook both of them once more. Neither a word or a peep came from either the rancher or the woodsman for several minutes before Trevor made the first move, thanking Maisy for listening and offering to escort her to her tent.[/color] [color=moccasin][b]"Any time, Trevor."[/b][/color] [color=gray]Maisy replied, taking his hand to climb down off the truck.

The walk over to the tent was short, and relatively uneventful. The tent itself was also nothing special--just a typical camping tent. Together they stopped in front of the tent and said their nightly farewells, but Maisy was not yet ready to let Trevor go.[/color] [color=moccasin][b]"...but sometimes I think you worry too much."[/b][/color] [color=gray]Maisy whispered into the woodsman's ear, the rancher standing on her toes. Almost unlike a jest, the rancher placed an out-of-sight kiss on Trevor's cheek before leaving him to his doings.

It was going to be a good night, and they both knew it.[/color]