[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/VSbs3Ep.gif[/img]
[h3][color=0076a3]Lauren[/color][/h3]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/NZ82yA0.gif[/img]
[h3][color=ed145b]Ryder[/color][/h3] 
[img]https://i.imgur.com/NO7Mzz0.gif[/img]
[h3][color=slateblue]Natalia[/color][/h3]
[sub]collab with [@Zoey White] and [@Aamaya][/sub][/center][hr][hr]
Lauren's shift was coming to end and nothing had happened since the explosion incident. The sun was climbing higher into the sky, reaching it's vertex. The watchwoman had been on high alert for about an hour now, but nothing had caught her eye. Hopefully that didn't mean she was doing a good job, and not a bad one. It was impossible to tell. She was looking through her binoculars when she heard heavy foot steps up the ladder. Who was next? Lauren couldn't remember. A skinny bald guy's shiny dome surfaced at the top of the ladder, and he climbed inside with a grunt. He looked at her blankly.

Lauren squinted, as if his bald head was reflecting and hurting her eyes. [color=0076a3]"Geez, can't see anything. Guess my watch is done."[/color]

He blinked apathetically and leaned to the side of the watch tower so she could move past. 

[color=0076a3]"Okay, well, don't think too hard."[/color] Lauren said, and went to go climb down the ladder, handing him the radio she hadn't yet used. Just then, there was a distant crackling, and Lauren froze. She peaked her head back over the top of the ladder, eyes wide, craning her neck. The guy went lazily to the radio, but Lauren scrambled back into the tower.

[color=0076a3]"Hey, look, it's basically still my watch. You just wanna-"[/color] Mid sentence, she grabbed the radio from his loose grip, and held it infront of her mouth, squinting into the distance.

[color=0076a3]"We got somethin'...sounds like,"[/color] she paused, now putting the binoculars to her eyes. Distant flashing lights. [color=0076a3]"Sounds and looks like fireworks. Literal fireworks, to the north, north east. Someone's having a party without us. Right at the end of my shift."[/color]

Satisfied, she put the radio into the man's hand. [color=0076a3]"Shh, don't say anything."[/color] She faux-romatically put a finger to his lips. He barely reacted. What a bore, but apparently she could get away with anything with this guy. She'd have to keep that in mind. Lauren confidentally made her way down the ladder. Her stomach rumbled, and she put a hand to her bare midriff, pausing halfway down the ladder Unfortunately, there were no tears of her enemies to feast on nearby, so she'd have to go to the mess hall for lunch. After all, she'd skipped breakfast.

Meanwhile, Ryder had gotten a whiff from the "mess hall" and couldn't resist heading that way. The mess hall was just one of the sheds that had turned into a common place for everybody to eat together. Naturally, Ryder had been okay when that showed up. Having places they could meet up, spend time with each other, and become [i]friends[/i] would only make their team stronger. Ryder would like all the members to get along, but this was far from a perfect world. So, he settled for most of them getting along, and others tolerating each other. He found that, sometimes, forcing them to go on scouting missions or raids together could possibly create a better relationship, but that didn't always work. He found that out the hard way, unfortunately. Nonetheless, for the most part, he rarely had any troubles out of the group members.

But, again, this was not a perfect world. On his way to the mess hall, he checked in with the small group that went to check out the explosions. It didn't take them long to get back. After all, making Ryder wait was not a good idea. The man had already waited long enough, and he made it clear that it had been nearly an hour since they set out. Plenty of time to get there, check it out, and report in. Did Ryder also have to teach people how to use walkies in the meeting later? Robbie, a trusted and skilled scouter, reported in heavy breaths that the biters were thick in the area. Ryder had known that would be an issue. Robbie reported that somebody had attempted to wreck a neighborhood, but they couldn't find anybody [i]human[/i] within the immediate area. Ryder told them to fan out a little, keep searching. If they were on foot, they couldn't had gotten [i]too[/i] far.

The mess hall had a decent amount of acitivity, considering it was lunch, though most members were doing their jobs by this time of the day. Not that Ryder wouldn't had been annoyed if they took a damn lunch break. People have to eat. Ryder's eyes scanned the room, seeing who was here, when he saw a very familiar face. [i]Natalia[/i]. The young woman was sitting next to Aaron, who didn't look like he was talking much. Ryder began to walk over, whistling casually, his bat resting on his shoulder. He began to walk by Natalia's table, pretending he ddn't see her, before he cut off his whistling with a dramatic, and fake, gasp. He took a few steps back, looking at Natalia with widened eyes.

"[color=ed145b]Natalia![/color]" he said, smiling as he blew out a breath, slumping his shoulders and pointing his bat at her, "[color=ed145b]Funny seeing you here![/color]" he slid into the seat across from her, laying the bat on the table in front of him. "[color=ed145b]How have you been, sweetheart? It's been so long![/color]"

Receiving less than a response from Aaron, Natalia furrowed her brows, shoulders slinking to a shrug. [color=slateblue]"Fine..Suit yourself man.[/color] The woman sang out, attention shifting back towards the food she had been savoring. As soon as she leaned forward to nip a piece of pancake from her fork, a loud gasp sent the utensil clanking across the table. Agape eyes of varying blues and green would dart to the figure that had planted itself across from her, her stiff posture slumping to that of a more relaxed one upon realizing it was Ryder. [color=slateblue]"Ugh! Ryder.. You scared the hell out of me."[/color] Natalia groaned out, a playful smirk playing at her features while she reached across the table to retrieve her fork. [color=slateblue]"It [i]has[/i] been quite a while... Oh how my heart has bled for your presence once more."[/color] A youthful giggle would bubble up, slipping past the woman's lips before she continued. [color=slateblue]"To what do I owe the pleasure?"[/color] 

Ryder chuckled at Natalia's reaction. He hadn't thought he would scare the woman with his stupid entrance, though Natalia did seem out of it, now that he thought about it. "[color=ed145b]Seriously, Nat? I've taught you better than to be scared of something like [i]that[/i].[/color]" he shook his head in mock disappointment, reaching over and stealing part of her biscuit. He rose an eyebrow at her as he chewed, using her napkin to wipe his fingers off. "[color=ed145b]You are quite the poet,[/color]" he deadpanned, hitting his amusement caused by how dramatic she was behaving. He managed to snatch another piece of her biscuit. "[color=ed145b]Obviously, I came to steal your food,[/color]" he replied, after he had swallowed, grinning at her.

Natalia would watch as Ryder stole piece after piece of her food, arms crossing over her chest childishly. [color=slateblue]"Well, first of all I was completely emerged in my food, that you're now happily scarfing down. How is it?"[/color] Her bottom lip would poke out in a pout as she mustered up the best puppy-eyed expression she could. [color=slateblue]"They're pretty damn good pancakes, so I suppose it wouldn't kill me to let you eat [i]some[/i]before I eat them all."[/color] Natalia would sigh dramatically, using her fork to push the food around on her plate, just as she was about to open her mouth to crack another sarcastic remark, the walkie both her and Ryder carried came to life. A familiar voice rang out, informing those who listened of the sudden commotion that had been seen off in town. Natalia swallowed roughly, recalling the events that had unfolded earlier in the day. She wondered if it was Sonya again, or worse yet a result of the horde the two had caused to form. [color=slateblue]"[i]Fireworks?[/i] Who the hell would be shooting off fireworks? You think it's a diversion, or maybe to lure people in even?"[/color] The brunette's face scrunched up in thought, pointer finger tapping absentmindedly at her lips.  

Ryder stared at Natalia pouting, before popping another piece of food into his mouth while maintaining eye contact. He shook his head at her. "[color=ed145b]You know that pouting bullshit doesn't work on me,[/color]" he said, and while the words sounded harsh, his tone of voice wasn't. "[color=ed145b]Oh?[/color]" he looked at her, both his eyebrows going up. "[color=ed145b]You're [i]letting[/i] me eat some of your food?[/color]" he was ready to challenge her some more, but their walkies came to life. A few other walkies within the room came to life as well, Lauren's voice overlapping, though still understandable. "[color=ed145b][i]Damn.[/i][/color]" the leader mumbled after the walkie cut off. What the fuck was going on today? He thought Natalia's words over. "[color=ed145b]Speaking of which,[/color]" he said, grabbing the walkie off his belt, "[color=ed145b]there were explosions spotted earlier. Which I'm sure you heard [i]me[/i] report on.[/color]" he paused when bringing the walkie to his mouth, and stared at Natalia.

"[color=ed145b]Obviously, some fucked up shit is going on out there. I think I know just the right person to figure out what the hell is happening, too.[/color]" he pretended like he was going to talk into the walkie, then snorted. "[color=ed145b]Wait, she's right across from me.[/color]" he said, lowering the walkie, and looking Natalia in the eye. "[color=ed145b]Take three to four people out there, check it out. Explosions and fireworks in one day? Soembody is busy out there.[/color]"

A curious Natalia would listen to and examine Ryder's movement's, grin faltering to an expression soaked in dismay. [color=slateblue]"Bu-....Fine.. Alright, alright. I will find some assholes to take out with me, people that are [i]much[/i]slower than me so I don't have to worry about being eaten by zombies."[/color]Natalia swung her leg out from under the table to stand, lifting her arms up in a stretch before brushing her shirt back down into place. [color=slateblue]"If I die, I will make sure to come back as one of those infected just so I can come here and be a pain in your ass one last time."[/color] A wink would be thrown in Ryder's direction, hands patting each holster to assure her weapons were secured in place. The sound of the cafeteria doors shifting open would draw Nat's attention away from the present conversation, Lauren's familiar figure stepping into the room. The once lighthearted expression Natalia held would very rapidly diminish, an exasperated huff confirming her annoyance. [color=slateblue]"[i]Great[/i]..."[/color]

[color=0076a3]"Sure is, sweetheart."[/color] Lauren said, approaching and humorlessly winking at Natalia, whom Lauren had very little but contempt for. Ryder always liked Natalia...for some reason she couldn't fathom. She trusted Ryder's judgement in almost all things, but he could never comprehend why he respected the little backstabber so much. She tried not to pull down her tank-top to hide the two and half inch horizontal scar mid-way up her back that Lauren was always reminded of whenever she saw Natalia. She didn't want to give her any satisfaction she might garner from eliciting a reaction so easily.

She turned her gaze away from Natalia and towards Ryder. [color=0076a3]"Did you hear the news? It's mardi gras in town."[/color]  A little hungry, she began to make her way over to the kitchen to get some food.

Ryder wasn't too thrilled with Natalia's reaction to him sending her out. That would result in a talk later. He wasn't going to let her get away with having an attitude about doing something necessary. He didn't make these choices lightly, especially when it came to sending Natalia out on such a dangerous mission. Though, the joking afterward lightened his mood some, until Natalia's supposed arch nemesis walked in. They could at least make an attempt to like each other, shit. He looked between the two, standing up, fingers wrapping around the handle of his bat. He was about to scold them both, but instead, he looked at Lauren. A wicked grin began to form on his face. "[color=ed145b]I sure did, darling,[/color]" he said, and stuck his bat out, in front of her, to stop her from walking off. Lauren halted, and looked back at him.

"[color=ed145b]Not so quick,[/color]" he said slowly, giving her a easy grin, and looking at Natalia. "[color=ed145b]I found one of your assholes. Find two or three more.[/color]" he pressed the bat into Lauren's stomach a little, giving her the hint to step back to them, and she did, retreating a step away from the bat. "[color=ed145b]Look, I'm not your fucking parent, so I'm not giving you a lecture on behaving out there. You two are adults, fucking act like it.[/color]" he looked between the two women, and his eyes locked on Natalia. "[color=ed145b]You have the lead,[/color]" he told her, and looked at Lauren. "[color=ed145b]Grab a quick bite while Natalia finishes getting the other shit together, okay?[/color]" he dropped the bat, and smiled at both women. "[color=ed145b]Most of all, be the fuck careful out there.[/color]"

Everything within Natalia screamed out with frustration, but instead of revealing the distress that hindered her she plastered her face with a bleak smile. [color=slateblue]"Yes sir..."[/color] were the only words she could assemble without sounding entirely sarcastic or bitchy. She respected Ryder and would behave accordingly, she knew the consequences to crossing the man. Ryder had a feeling that Natalia kind of wanted to slap him, which amused him to no end, honestly. Natalia's eyes would shift over towards Lauren, narrowing only for a moment as she went over Ryder's order in her head. [color=slateblue]"I guess we should get the other two assholes and head out.."[/color] Natalia's words were curt, she had no desire to sit and converse with the other woman.

As Ryder gave his orders, Lauren inhaled as she looked into his eyes, nostrils flaring and her own eyes widening, a oddly curious smile creeping over her lips. Okay, she thought. I'll play the game. [color=0076a3]"Aye aye,"[/color] she said with a short two fingered salute to the man,which made him grin at her.

[color=0076a3]"Sure thing, Nat. I'm gonna go grab a bite to eat while you sniff around,"[/color] Lauren said, bouncing back a little on her heels, turning her back to Natalia and heading with haste over the mess hall to finish her meal, Ryder's eyes briefly following her. Ryder, Lauren believed, had miscalculated. But she'd just have to see, because she trusted his judgement more than her own, apparently. A curious thought. Either way, she went to grab something high power to tide her over as Natalia headed off to recruit someone. After all, she was in charge, right?

The nickname sounded so wrong rolling off Lauren's tongue, Natalia resisted the urge to wield her blade right then and there, jaw clenching instead. A glare would be shot in Ryder's direction, obvious discontent radiating off the lithe colombian woman. Natalia was known to push limits, a short temper and firecracker for a mouth often landing her in hot water. She would speak no more, hoisting her backpack over her shoulder as she excused herself, just barely missing Ryder's shoulder as she passed to exit the mess hall.

Ryder was almost surprised by Natalia's behaviour. She had a tendency to step out of line, something Ryder always took care of, but this was [i]really[/i] crossing the line. Ryder did not stand for nasty looks being shot his way, especially from his right-hand. They, of all people, should know better. He didn't hesitant to catch her upper arm in a tight grip, tugging hard enough to pull her close to him. Natalia halted, body forced backward to face Ryder. He was probably gripping hard enough to leave fingerprints, and that was his intent. Anger was swirling inside him, only the two warring women able to get him this worked up, but he had enough control to not let it show. He leaned down enough so his lips barely brushed against the shell of her ear. "[color=ed145b]You keep that fucking attitude up, you won't be able to walk out of those gates again,[/color]" he whispered quietly into Natalia's ear, his voice void of any emotion. He tapped the end of his bat lightly against the back of one of her knees, his threat clear, "[color=ed145b]I don't give a shit if you're upset with my decision. Don't you [i]dare[/i] behave that way again. I'm going easy on you now, but if this bullshit happens again?[/color]" he let out a soft chuckle. "[color=ed145b]Oh, sweetheart. You will be fucking hurting. Now, act like my goddamn right-hand should, go fucking do what you're supposed to, and act like a goddamn civil human being,[/color]" he let go of her arm, stepping away, and looked down at her. He smiled, a quick flash of white teeth. "[color=ed145b]Come back in one piece, Nat,[/color]" he told her, acting like he hadn't just threatened her, before turning on his heel. He walked off with his bat on his shoulder, whistling merrily.