[center][h2][color=SkyBlue]Sam[/color] & [color=C0C0C0][b]Jorel[/b][/color][/h2][/center] [hr] Jorel immediately froze still once hearing the clanging sound that echoed throughout the food court. Looking across, he noticed a woman step out of the glass doors of a retail store. Jorel instinctively raised his revolver up, pointing it at the woman who was at quite a distance that he was incapable of determining facial features. He would have assumed they were a walker, yet they did open and close a door and, to him that screams sentience. He slowly inched himself towards the woman, scanning his surroundings in all directions, anticipating an ambush or any form of deception. He figured at this point, he was spotted already. [b][color=C0C0C0]"Hands up, nice and slow. Drop ye weapons, lemme see your hands. Let's have a nice chat, yeah?"[/color][/b] Jorel kept his revolver nice and steady, and though he vowed not to shoot, he certainly didn't hesitate to threaten with intent. For her part, Sam merely tilted her head as the man approached. The clang had distracted her as well, and now here she was with a gun pointed at her. Again. Despite his words however the blonde's grip on the assault rifle didn't loosen at all, though she seemed content to keep it pointed away as she studied him. When it came to people, it all came down to what front to put up. Aim at this distance for a regular person wouldn't be very good; confident or putting up a front? Desperate or stupid? Still, she wasn't in the business of being shot over thinking her chances. Even if he wa a poor shot, all it took was one [i]lucky[/i] bullet. Besides, she was running out of ammo. It was only when the man - lovely accent, really - edged that bit closer that Sam took in his facial features. Soft, young looking. Appearances weren't everything, oh she could attest to that, but he was also [i]alone[/i]. People were pack animals, and pack animals always hated being alone - even Sam! It made her vulnerable in cases of emergency. So charm, not violence. [color=SkyBlue]"No,"[/color] Sam stated, adding just the slightest quiver to her voice. A lopsided smile quickly followed. Friendly, cautious. [color=SkyBlue]"I mean, to the dropping my weapons. Chats are fine. Chats are good, actually! I uh, I'm not really fond of the idea of disarming myself around strange men though - stranger danger, y'know?"[/color] Jorel raised his eyebrow at the woman's demeanour. He had a feeling she wasn't just some pretty blonde holding something she wouldn't have a clue how to use, yet he felt somewhat at ease at her attitude; He got the feeling she prioritised her survival, and that meant she would be easier to talk to. He lowered his gun slightly and gave her a sly smirk. [b][color=C0C0C0]"C'mon, me, a strangah? Just ya friendly neighbourhood Aussie, mate,"[/color][/b] Jorel said in the most Croc Dundee accent he could muster. Though he didn't think she was, there was no harm in asking it - [b][color=C0C0C0]"You with anyone?"[/color][/b] He kept his revolver pointing at her legs, knowing the recoil from the .357 would simply aid him in lifting the handgun, doing half the work for him. He silently hoped it wouldn't come to that. Once again he flicked his eyes left and right, keeping his body aligned to the woman. [color=SkyBlue]"Not anymore."[/color] For a moment Sam's lips tugged down from that grin, her grip tightened on her gun, and for just a split moment her eyes flicked downward similarly. [color=Skyblue]"I ... lost all my friends since this started. My - my boyfriend was the last to get jumped, to make sure I got away."[/color] She let the silence hang for a moment, then purposefully took in a deep breath and plastered that grin back on her face, slightly strained. [color=Skyblue]"Sorry, bit more info than you asked for. No, I'm ... I'm alone."[/color] Jorel softened upon hearing the woman. A cloud of naivety began to form in front of his rationale, and he lowered his gun completely. [b][color=C0C0C0]"Jorel. Uh, my name. I'm... sorry to hear about that. I haven't seen my family for a year, and my friends, well, they weren't much friends for long, y'know? To be honest, I've been looking for more survivors. Strength in numbers, y'know?"[/color][/b] [i]Score.[/i] [color=SkyBlue]"Sam."[/color] When the man lowered his gun, the blonde finally raised her own three-fingered hand off the trigger of her rifle to offer a handshake. [color=SkyBlue]"I hope your family is alright. Yeah, I ... wouldn't mind some company. I have a car hidden away outside, a few supplies but not much. I was looking for more here - well, that and admittedly looking for some earrings."[/color] Another laugh, sheepish as she brought her hand back. He was so [i]trusting![/i] [color=SkyBlue]"Completely silly, I know. I'm a tattoo artist though, I loved picking up fancy new earrings whenever we ordered them at my shop."[/color] Jorel looked down at Sam's three fingered hand, hesitating slightly, only because of the three fingers over the fact that he had no idea who this random lady with an assault rifle and three fingers was. He reached out and shook her hand. [b][color=C0C0C0]"Pleasure to be your acquaintance, Sam. I say we stick together then. How about we prowl around here for some supplies? I've got a whole apartment chock-a-block, but I probs need more sustenance, ya know?"[/color][/b] [color=SkyBlue]"I have [i]no idea[/i] what that means,"[/color] Was the bright response, but without waiting for a response Sam lifted the gun and nodded into the food court. [color=Skyblue]"Prowling though? Sounds good, there has to be [i]something[/i] left in here. Let's get this bread."[/color] Jorel nodded, taking "bread" a little literally. [b][color=C0C0C0]"It's only been a week or so, and if we're lucky the back freezers of the restaurants should be untouched, or at least skimmed through. Most restaurants have boxes and boxes of crap lying around in their freezers, which are much too heavy to be carrying all out at once, so we're bound to find some box in a freezer somewhere. On a note of the lack of power, the rooms should be cold enough that the food should be fine, and hell most products would last a few weeks unless they were meats, so we should find some bread."[/color][/b] With that said, Jorel turned around and paced towards the McDonald's, still keeping a slight eye on Sam. [b][color=C0C0C0]"This would've been hit first, but we've got time, and it's worth a shot considering the longevity of their crap. Let's go."[/color][/b]