Washing Away The Nightmares (Open)

[willowdeluna]

Willow thanked mother nature for being so kind for once, in a very long time. It had rained long and hard enough, to fill bathtubs, enough to take a bath. Granted it wasn't warm water or the cleanest, but it was better than nothing. She smiled as she pulled some strings to let her have her own tub, now she did could relax in the water, all by herself! Her eyes gleamed with joy and satisfaction, before settling on the water, in her tub. It was still, and so far seemed clear, she brushed her fingertips against the water. It rippled and became unsettled, thanks to her fingers creating a disturbance. Willow wiped her hands on her pants, before gathering her things. She got a herbal shampoo and conditioner, plus soap to clean herself up with. She set it on the ground beside the tub, and set her cleanest pair of cleans on a crate. As she did this, she began to think over the day, which brought a frown to her lips. She shook her head of those thoughts.

The dark- skinned woman, began to strip herself of her clothes, and winced as the clothes, pulled at the dried blood on her flesh. "Damn it" She looked at herself in a mirror, and winced. She wasn't in the best shape, she was hurt, but not fatal. A gash was against her right side, it was dark red, brown, and black. Mostly due to her busy life, and unable to clean it. She had cuts against her cheek, it throbbed with slight pain. Several cuts along her arms and legs. She shook her head, before turning toward the tub full of water.

She slowly slipped her right foot in and winced, the water was cold, she cursed softly at that fact. Willow then slowly slipped her other foot in the tub, hissing as the cold water it against her wounds. "Fuck!" She snarled, but she forced herself to sit down , letting the water it the rest of her cuts and other wounds. She grabbed a cloth and began to use the herbal soap to cleanse herself from the filth, death, and blood she had been in. She slipped her figure under the water, and began to clean the gash at her side, she screamed from under water, as the wound opened from the rubbing. She surfaced and panted, gasping for air. She quickly began to wash her hair.

By the time she was done, the water was red. She got out, the red water, running down her slim dark figure. She shook her head from the water, on her face, before reaching for a towel. She dried off herself, fairly quickly, and wrapped the towel around her, as she began to search for medical supplies for her side wound. She cursed again, several times actually. She bit her lip and ran her hand through her wet curly hair. Willow grabbed her clothes, and began to get dressed. She ignored the pain, as she slipped on her boots, they were getting worn, but they were best for raiding, and fights. She slipped on her military coat and hugged it to her form. It was to big for her, but it did its job, protecting her and keeping herself warm.

She put her hair up in a messy pony tail, before tossing the bloodied clothes into a small fire. She didn't need the zombies, smelling more blood around here. The dark- skinned woman, walked away from the bathing area and sighed softly as she sat down, staring at the fire, the flames reflected off of her dark eyes. She smiled as she reached up and let her fingers dance above the flames, she could feel the burning pain in them, but her fingers weren't close enough to actually burn her flesh.

[gunnar]

Gunnar had been in Haven a few days now and he had been walking the place barely sleeping. He was still at square one. No one believed that he had up and dropped his son and when questioned he said that he would kill him on site and showed them wounds that Thor had bestowed on him. The long line as if he had really been attacked. He had told those that questioned him that his son in a blood rage had attacked him and that he couldn't stand being there with his beliefs that they should all be dead.

God forgive him for the lies. God forbid someone actually kill his son. If Thor didn't live up to his bargain or that vampire woman, Angelique didn't take good care of his son then he would kill every damn vampire there. He had survived the massacre of his own home. He had seen his wife die. Had seen his little girl die. He lost everything. His son was the only thing left in this world that meant anything to him at all. He was spying to make sure that his son would be safe always. He walked and thought of how much like this place had been like his own home.

He knew he looked a mess. He had let his facial hair grow some and his eyes were cold. He wanted to be back to keeping his son from turning into one of those vampires. He knew though deep down Angelique would take good care of his son but right now she was going to be giving birth at any time now. She had nearly attacked him smelling human blood when he had gone to talk to her even.

Here at Haven he knew people like these people and they reminded him of his past. Fuck he wanted out of here but he was here doing a job. He had brought food with him and for now he was safe. He dropped his hand to the gun tucked in the back of his pants to make sure it was easy to get loose. It wasn't the only one he wore either. He had about five more added to that and a shotgun with a rope tied to the barrel and where the arm was placed over it over his shoulder.

He wasn't going to go down without taking a bunch of people with him. He survived worse than most of these people and he would continue to survive if he had any say in the matter. He kicked at a rock with his boot before tapping on the side of the door with two knuckles. "Hey girly, you going to make shop and sleep or get your rear end out here so I can teach you how to aim better?" But no answer came from the bath area. He took a quick look inside and heard a scream from a lady. "You ain't got nothin' I ain't seen before. Good day, ladies!"

He walked away and found the woman he had been told to talk to by the fire. "The only way you get over hurting is by keeping on moving. I heard about it. Now let's get this over with so I can find a nice spot to sleep." He had been lounging under the stars since no one wanted him near them which would have been fine by him but he needed information. "Come on." He didn't bother to look and see if she was coming or not. "The names Gunnar and they called you Willow, right?" He wasn't really caring. Maybe though if he were nicer people would talk to him. But something told him nah, that wasn't true.

[willowdeluna]

Willow rose a brow at the gruff male. She stood up and made her way to his side. "Got enough guns on you? The way you walk and hold yourself, shows you have more than three." She commented. She looked ahead and sighed softly. "You are the father of Jakob." This was a statement not a question. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye as they walked.She reached behind her back and pulled out her pistol and cocked it. "You're here to give me lessons on aim correct?" She asked.

Willow stopped as a young child ran up to her and hugged her legs. She smiled as she bent down to the child's height. "Christopher, go home. It's far to dangerous for you to be out here." She said in a
firm, yet gentle tone. The child protested wanting to go with, to protect her. This made Willow smile and kiss his head. "Go home. Be a good boy for your mother, eat your fruits, veggies, and drink your milk; so you can be big and strong for me." The child nodded his head and took off. Willow stood up; wincing as her side gave a protest at the moving around. "Let's go Gunnar."

[gunnar]

Gunnar looked over at her after she caught up with him. "Yeah, maybe I could do with a few more but I got my fists for that." He shrugged his shoulders. Better safe than sorry. If she had even been near where he called home then she too wouldn't be leaving anything to chance. "Yes." His only answer to being the father of Jakob and his eyes grew colder as if saying don't go there or you'll regret it. He saw her reach behind her out of the corner of his eye and watched her cock it. "No wonder you were attacked. You hold it like it's poison, sweetheart. Yeah, I am. Just be careful who you take aim at."

He heard the steps. It was like scuffling as Jakob used to do when he was trying to catch him off guard. And sometimes Gunnar would let him and pretend to be scared. A softening of the eyes for just a moment. He missed his son. But then he humphed and looked away. "We babysitting or going shooting? If you want to be a mother put down the gun and let the men and women do it that are prepared to lose everything. Because you don't just lose yourself. No, you lose everything." He had waited to speak until the child had left. Yes, he was very polite but out here in the wild where you were everyone's enemy it was either you or them.

He gave a soft sigh. Be nice, Gunnar. You will be back with your son soon. You will be back with the enemy again. Hell, you are in the enemies nest here as well. He began to walk again. "My apologies, ma'am. I haven't slept and it's like being home again." But home was destroyed and you aren't home. Your wife isn't here. Your daughter isn't here. They both are dead. You buried them. No, Black Jack either. "And what I said are just hard facts." He had to remember how Black Jack had taught him to teach her.

He closed his blue eyes as he remembered being a young kid. It had been dog eat dog. "You don't just aim." He spoke softly. "You listen. You see. You feel." He looked over at her. "Hearing you can hear something coming up on you. Then you see. You just the wind conditions by feeling it. Then you aim." Kid, you don't have it right. Black Jack had said quite a few times. Kid, you got to figure it out first that it's using all your senses and not just picking a gun up and shooting. We ain't in the West. A grin formed on his mouth at the memory.

He lifted his jacket in the back and pulled out the gun and then set the shotgun down beside his feet. He leveled the gun at a thin branch of a tree. "See that branch? Shoot it down. One shot." He missed his family. He missed Black Jack. He had been like a father to him. He had been there for him. He missed his wife and daughter. He missed his son. Why the hell did he agree to this? To protect your son. These people mean to kill all the vampire and your son included.

His blue eyes watched the branch out of the corner of his eyes even though he was watching her. "Just like home." He remarked more to himself than to her. All that's missing is your family. Weren't you one that raided and killed vampires too? Weren't you one of these people? Yeah, but different time. Now he was just keeping his son alive. No one meant anything to him. "Black Jack would have taught you better. But too bad you are stuck with me."

This woman was a side job just so that the rebels could see that he was on their side. They were testing him in a way. How many did you test to see if they were sided with you back at home? Same concept. Test and test again. How many more times? "So Lady, any raids set to New Vegas? I want in. I want to kill those vampires. All the vampires should be rotting by now." The anger in his voice was there to put belief to his words and he ran a hand along the healing woulds at his neck. He couldn't believe he had let Thor bite him. But seeing is believing, right? Yeah, he had almost snorted telling everyone that Jakob had attacked him.

His throat still hurt from the biting. Make it look real Thor and him had agreed on. At first he thought Thor was going to just kill him right then and there but no, Thor wanted information so here he was at Haven.

[willowdeluna]

"Of course I hold it, as if it was poison. It is poison." She said as she looked at him, a frown on her lips. She glared at the male and rolled her eyes at him. He was getting under her skin with his attitude. She shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest as the child disappeared in the darkness. "I was ambushed, my gun didn't help me at all." She snapped at him. She sighed and ran her fingers through her dark hair. "I won't shoot you, I am not that bad."

"You can quit being a heartless bastard. I don't want to be a mother, I don't have the nature in me, so quit with your damn rant" She said as she watched him set the shot gun down and pull out the pistol from under his jacket and sighed. "I already lost everything, I have nothing else to lose. I am only alive to protect Haven and the people in it." She said as she looked at the branch and rolled her eyes. "No offense, by why shoot a target that is not moving?" In a real situation, no one, not even a zombie will just sit there and let you shoot them."

He wanted her to look, listen and feel? She understood this, anyone who went on raids or had to save themselves would understand this. She had to listen for her attacker, perhaps listen to their breathing, footfalls or the way they moved. Then she had to see them, which was easy enough to explain by itself. Then she would have to aim, aim for the fatal shot of her attacker. This of course was harder, depending who, she was shooting. Some had more strength and were harder to kill. Others were weak and went down right away.

Even though she spoke her mind about shooting the branch, she would do it anyway. She might as well, do it; it would please Black Jack, and it wouldn't be a waste of the man's time. Willow turned to look at the branch, watching it. She took a deep breath, and brought the pistol to her line of vision. "Poor branch." She joked out loud, but it was mostly to herself. She pressed her finger against the trigger, and a shot. The bullet zoomed out of the muzzle and with a blink of an eye, hit the branch.

The branch was hit, but it didn't part from the tree. She frowned at this, and sighed. She was aiming for the notch, where the branch and tree were connected. She looked at Gunnar from the corner of her eye, and narrowed her eyes as she looked at the branch again. Why was he trying to make conversation? What is he up to? Or is he trying to be nice? She doubted the latter and released her hold on the trigger, and wrapped her hand around the handle of the gun.

"Perhaps, but I am not going to discuss that with you. I don't trust you, no offense." She said as she holstered her weapon, then looked at him. "All vampires? Even your son? I heard about him, Jakob, rumor has it, that he's the youngest vampire." She smirked and watched him. "You can't hate all of them, you're flesh and blood is one." She shook her head. When she saw his neck, she winced and took his hand. "Let me look at it." She moved his hair away from his neck and sighed softly. "You should get that cleaned, wash away the vile touch of the blood suckers." She said.

[gunnar]

Gunnar's eyes narrowed at her words and he shook his head. She'd already have died if she were where he had been. "It's not poison. Poison is more cunning than a gun. Less noisy, too." But then he perked an eyebrow at the whole ambush that she tried to tell him got to her. "It would have helped if you used that thing on your shoulders, ma'am. Don't snap at me. I'm teaching you. Get your head out of your ass, lady." He was all professional as far as the resistance went. He had been part of them once.

"Are you sure you won't shoot me?" He perked an eyebrow. "Don't make promises. I could become one of them at any moment. Your friends. Anybody could become one." His blue eyes turned cold. "I'd shoot you without hesitation if you became one." He shrugged his shoulders. "But don't feel bad I shot down people that had been my friends for years. Some when I had known since I was a teenager. Don't talk of ambush to me. You haven't seen it to know what one is. It's when everyone you know or ever cared about turns on you and it's all a fight and you are one against many. Bodies everywhere. Some your friends. Some people you only passed by and ignored. Shooting me would be a blessing." I'd probably see my wife and daughter again. But then he'd be leaving Jakob to everyone and Jakob didn't deserve that. He was still his son.

"News flash, lady... I am a heartless bastard. Get it through your head. And really? Then when you were all loving on that child was an act for my benefit? For what? To get close to me? I might confide in you?" He chuckled dryly. "You've lost nothing! Try watching your world die not once. Not twice. Not three times but about five or more! You have no idea lady, what losing everything entails! And you have the nature of a mother in you or you wouldn't be protecting nothing. Just shoot the damn branch and let's get a roll on this shit." He rolled his eyes as she asked on why to shoot the branch. "Because you need to anticipate the movement. The branch may move at any moment with the wind. And to see how terrible of a shot you are."

He waited and waited for her to take the shot. "You are hesitating. It would get you killed if the thing were actually alive." He heard her finally say poor branch and shoot it. It didn't come apart. "Precisely my point. You aimed for the wrong spot." He had his gun poised already and moved it over some and pulled the trigger looking at her. The branch snapped and broke to pieces where he had shot and the long thin piece fell. "I told you to shoot it. I was seeing if you took it down or not. You shoot to hurt not to kill. I shoot to kill. Look lady, I'm not going to tell you again. You want to learn you do this my way." Wasn't that what Black Jack had said to him? Yes, he had exactly.

"You trust me enough to stand here holding how many guns on me and be able to shoot you dead before you even take one step but not enough to let me in on a raid on New Vegas? That sounds kind of idiotic if you ask me." But then she hit a nerve when she brought up her son. He thought she would let that dog lay down. His eyes slid slowly to her as if he were thinking of shooting her straight through the head. "Rumors?" He spoke softly like the calm before the storm. He knew he was going to lie even as he met her eyes. "When I say all vampires I mean every last one of them. My son included. And you know nothing." Technically it wasn't a lie since vampires to the resistance were just walking corpses so he was already dead in their eyes. Fuckers. But then she was close to him pushing his hair back to take a look at his neck. "Leave it alone. And you say vile and yet that's what I got from my son as a parting gift." He pulled his hand out of her hand and moved away from her. "I got bitten big deal. Cleaning it up doesn't change the fact you can't shoot worth a shit. Try again." He sat down leaning against another tree as he waited. Perhaps he'd be going over this over and over again. "Looks like lady, you need me if you still want to have a raid party."

He lifted his gun and took down four more branches in succession. "Save a horse ride a cowboy..." He whispered to himself. "How about we makes a deal? You shoot down five in total branches within two minutes and if you don't then you tell me about this raid and let me in on it. If you can I will add in boxing to this teaching." He lifted his shoulders. Yeah, he would get his information and get the fuck out of here as soon as he could. "What will it be?"

[willowdeluna]

"My name is Willow, not lady. Get it right. " She hissed, her eyes full of fire. "I didn't have time to use my head, I saved my ass and couple others to, that's all the matters." She said with a grumble. Gunnar was getting under her skin, whether or not he was doing it on purpose. She sighed and ran her hand through her hair, and shook it out. No one has ever got her this worked up before, or at least it has been a long time.

"I know this!" She glared at him, and she looked at him. She wanted to shoot him, just to shut him up. "I killed before, children. To sick or so close to death, I ended their suffering. I killed the people who raised me. I know what if feels like. Perhaps not exactly like you, but I do know what it feels like." She said as she looked away staring at the dark sky, "Death can either be friendly or cruel, so far.....he has been cruel." She hated the fact she had to kill her mother and father, even though they weren't her birth parents. It tore her heart out, when she killed young children to sick or so close to death.

"I was showing the child kindness, he doesn't know what goes one beyond these walls. I want him to remain like a child for as long as possible. To soon children grow up because of this.....hell." She said as she placed her hands her hips and turned to face him, her eyes a blaze. Damn him; was she allowed to smack him? She really wanted to smack him. When she finally shot the branch; she finally began to calm back down.

"Hesitant? Of course I am. I want to make sure I am shooting at the right thing. I don't want to shoot a twig, instead of the notch of the branch and tree." She watched him shoot down the branch and sighed softly running her hand through her hair and shook her head. "I shoot to hurt; yes. I agree. If I hurt them, then they move slower, easier to kill. I admit I need to learn to shoot to kill. That is why, you are here. To teach me how to shoot and kill."

"Well, you would gain nothing for killing me. If you kill me, its another death in your hands. So I don't really care either way. But you came from the city, god knows what friends you made there. I am not going to tell you, if there are raids or not." She said sternly. She wasn't going to tell him anyway, if he wasn't from Haven, then he didn't need to know about the raids. At least that was her own belief.

"You would kill your own son? You are truly heartless. I could never kill my own child, vampire, lycan, or zombie. Someone else would have to do it. I would not have the heart to kill someone I brought into this world. " She said and shook her head. "I am not standing up for the blood suckers or anything, I am stating my opinion is all." She said "Your son bit you? I must have been terrifying and heartbreaking. Unlike you, I would offer my blood to my child, if it meant to keep him alive." She said as she shrugged her shoulders. "Sorry, I don't know the whole story." She said.

She sighed as she aimed her gun once more, and shoot another branch, it fell to the ground, and then she shoot three more, all of them feel to the ground, with a soft thud. "A deal? Not a bad idea" She said as she thought for a moment and shrugged her slender shoulders. "Alright, fine." She turned away from him, reloading her gun before shooting down 4 branches with in a minute and a half. She had 30 seconds left, and she be damned if she was going to tell him anything. She lift her gun one more time and down down another branch. She grinned as she looked at him. "How good are you at boxing? I know a few things, here and there. Enough to break a nose or a jaw."

[gunnar]

Gunnar heard her correct him and smirked. "Lady will do just fine. And look who is getting all uppity about nothing at all. I'm just some half pint that survived ironically or is that coincidental?" He shrugged his shoulders. "It wasn't from just shooting things that moved and cutting things up. No, it was from thinking on my toes. One survivor from my camp. My son was turned that same night making me the only survivor. Now listen here lady, I don't see that on your resume." He was angry now. He had been pushed and he wouldn't let just anybody walk all over him. She'd been treating him like low class scum and her acting of kindness was reeking of being fake.

He heard exclamations and saw the glare. He began to clap as if that meant nothing. "Did you watch your child die and then two days later your wife? Did you have to bury them?" He spoke so softly. "You know nothing until you bury your own child and the one you love more than anything! You know absolutely shit. Those rumors you hear don't tell nothing or the whole story. They paint me differently now but let me tell you something I was one of the raiders. I was the one that put us all together in the camp and we all went out on a merry little raid! I was a hero and now I'm not much more than disgust to those fine upholding havenites. Such as yourself. I hope you have a child and suffer the same fate I have and then turn around and tell me the same shit adds up to mine. Don't try me, lady. You have nothing on what I have seen and done. Death is never friendly. And I mean never. You always leave someone behind to mourn for you."

But then he tilted his head some and calmed himself. "Or maybe you are right it is friendly in the fact that death releases you from Hell. My son knew what went on the other side of the walls so that he knew not to tread away. Children should know. What if they are attacked? Are they to stand there looking up at the monster and laugh?" He shook his head angrily. "Shooting to hurt? Shoot to hurt ten men coming at you with hunger in them so deep that nothing stops them and then you go right ahead and shoot to hurt but I'm shooting to kill. I always shoot to kill. I'm alive because of it but you are hurt because you shoot to hurt but not kill. Anyone and everything attacks sooner or later. I'd say ask Black Jack but he's dead. Same hesitating on the woman he loved as she went to kill him. Now you tell me hesitation is good when it isn't. Screw the notch on the tree. You aim to take away any portion of the body you can. That is what slows them down. Taking six shots doesn't slow jack shit down. I am teaching you but you won't stop acting all high and mighty. Get rid of all that this is. Quit thinking of them. They will turn on you just as quick as I am an outsider with rumors sliding about. I'm from first a camp, second New Vegas. I was raised in the camp."

He looked up at her. "Another death. Another body. Friends? I have none left." He said his hands as he shrugged but winced some at the pain in his neck. "Haven't you realized that? Everyone I have ever known is dead. There is no friends left to me and I'm happier for it. I don't have to help anybody. There is no one left from my camp except me and my son. Did that not cross the rumor mill? No one survived. But..." He met her eyes with a cold look in his eyes. "Me and my son."

He frowned some and nodded. "I would." No, he wouldn't but she didn't need to know that. "But yet, you said you didn't have the motherly nature so how could you let them survive? They feed on humans, eat humans, and do things violently yet you'd let one exist... Interesting." He jumped up and took measured steps to her. He was furious now and his blue gaze stayed glued with her eyes showing her how much of a killer he could. "You know absolutely nothing. You have never dealt with anything at all! You just think so. You don't know nothing about me at all. Don't even think that you may presume to know me but I don't care. Think whatever the fuck you want but if you speak of my son and what happened again I will walk away and let you get your own ass killed from stupidity. Do I make myself clear now?"

He went back to the tree and took a seat not even caring if she hit the branches or not. "I'm alive, aren't I?" He answered softly to how good at boxing he really was. Well, with his anger he seemed to be getting somewhere. He was angry. He had been an asshole since he got here figuring it would be more believed than Mr. Nice Guy and it seemed to be working better. Good he had to get the information.

[willowdeluna]

When he took his measured steps to her, she remained where she was standing her ground. She stared in his eyes, not backing down from him. "I am not afraid of you, and won't respect you; not unless you start respecting me."She wasn't going to back down, because he was a scary man and was a killer. She wasn't called Spitfire for nothing. She watched him sit down by the tree and sighed. "Alright, fine. I'm sorry, I'll shut up about killing and shit, so you don't have to rant about it."

"Being alive has nothing to do with it. Perhaps you never had to use it? Or perhaps you just shoot and ask questions later?" She said her hands on her hips, she sat down next to him, her back against the tree, she closed her eyes as she reached in her jacket, pulling out water. "Here" She said giving it to him. "Don't worry, its fresh clean water." She said softly. She would gain nothing in his death.

She sighed as she looked at him. "I am sorry for being so rude. I am being childish, forgive me." She said as she held out her hand; to shake with his. "I am just moody since the ambush, and shouldn't lay it out on you." She wasn't expecting friendship or anything. " of the sort. She watched him and bit her lip. "I am sorry for you loss. At least they are in a better place, and watching over you and your child." She offered, trying to be nice.

"I haven't boxed since I was small, by father showed me a few moves. I guess he came from a long line of boxers from many years ago. I think he was related to a boxer named Muhammad Ali." She said, trying to remember. "But the talent died over the years. So am quiet rusty, but I can learn fast enough compared to others."

Willow looked up at the sky, and smiled softly. "It's beautiful tonight for once." She said as she looked as the stars twinkled brightly at one another. She shook her head and looked at him. "But beautiful things wither and die over time" She stood up and held out her hand to help him up. "Do you need a place to stay? I have bed you may use. Not the fancy or anything, but better than the ground."

[gunnar]

Gunnar knew he was being an asshole but he was somewhere he never thought he would be and it was all bets off. He was in a nest with where it was all about win and live or lose and die. That simple. He couldn't get close to these people other than what he was doing. His son was in a viper's nest and he had to do what he had to do to keep him safe. "You should be very afraid of me. And I can live without the respect." He shrugged his right shoulder since it was the side that didn't hurt. Thor had asked him which side to bite on and he had said the left because his dominant hand was the right and if he had to fight then he would be able to hold his own as best he could. He had more of a chance with the problem being on the other side. He didn't care what she said if he thought her wrong he'd say it. He didn't need friends. All they ended up were dead anyways leaving him in this world. His son was a vampire and that made his son safe in a way but right now with him and his son being apart they weren't safe at all.

"I don't ask questions period. Dead is dead. It saves time from having to deal with them later on. When they turn on you. When you see a face you've seen dozens of times and were close with coming to attack you and it's all you can do not to weep or beg that it isn't so even as you hesitate because they were the ones that had watched your son while you buried the dead. You shoot anyways." He spoke factual without any emotion. "It's you or them. Simple as that."

He may not be full on looking at her but he was watching her out of the corner of his eye. He took the water and held it up thoughtfully. He wished it had been something hard. A liquor of some sort. Finally he opened it and took a tiny sip before handing it back to her.

He shrugged his good shoulder and thought it over. Maybe he truly was getting somewhere now. "It's fine. It's survival of the fittest after all." But his eyes turned harsh as she apologized about his wife and daughter and everyone else he had lost. "Call me cynical but I doubt they'd be watching over us. Better place? Yes. Watching over us? No."

He tilted his head some. "I learned everything I needed to know from Black Jack. He taught me how to survive. Taught me everything I needed to know. What points to hit and how hard. He hit like his fists were bricks and never lessened them. I thought he was trying to kill me but it was the whole trying to keep me from falling from a mild hit. I won't go easy on you either. You'll go stronger and faster at least."

Gunnar looked up at the sky and let her talk. "Beauty is as beauty does. And not all beauty withers and dies as I've noticed. Some just dies without notice." Sleep on the ground or stay with her? He'd be able to track her movements and maybe then she will confide in him about the raids on New Vegas. He finally took her hand and shoved himself up off the ground. "Alright I'll take you up on your offer. And fancy has no appeal to me." He preferred the ground. It gave him an advantage if an enemy would strike and gave him plenty of movement space.

How many times had he been attacked since being here? "I want to sleep near the front door..." If an attack happened even if he slept he would be awake in seconds giving him time to fight back. But then a man came over to the two of them and he walked over to Willow. "Oh so you play with betrayers now?" If the shoe fit didn't mean you had to wear it. "Nah, she was just telling me to fuck off." The guy glared at him. "Why don't you?"

Gunnar chuckled some. "Because I don't feel like it." And that was when the guy sent a mean right hook to his jaw. Gunnar grabbed the wrist of the guy and spun him with the movement. Gunnar kept his eyes on the man even as he brought his elbow down on the spine between the shoulders. The guy grabbed him on the hurt side of his neck and Gunnar brought his knee up grunting hitting the man in the chest. Gunnar barely made any sound as he had learned silence is better you can hear the other person and find the spots that really hurt someone by the sounds they made.

But before he could do more the man hit him in the ribcage. Gunnar deflected it as much as he could and he knew he'd be sore there for awhile but the adrenalin was pumping and he turned slamming his elbow into the man's chest. The sweat beading on him as the blood slid down along his neck. He grabbed the man around the neck with his arm and dragged him to a tree where he slammed the man's head against it a couple times before falling into a sitting position before forcing himself up in case the man wanted to continue. He wasn't going down easy and neither was the other man. "Enough. I am not the enemy." Yes, you are his mind corrected him. He went over and picked up his shot gun and the gun he had dropped. He stuck the gun back underneath his jacket and began to walk away. He was holding his side as he walked away.

(Figured on some fun but the man isn't done. Hope you don't mind my bringing in a NPC)

[willowdeluna]

Willow nodded at Gunnar's wise words and sighed softly. "Either way, beauty dies away or disappears. I haven't seen beautiful in a long time. " She said as she ran her fingers through her hair, and closed her eyes. She looked at him and gave him a light smile. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as well." She pointed out.

"If you wish to be near the door, you may have it." She said as she looked over at the tree, her gaze lingering over the fallen branches. She was in deep thought for a moment before looking at him. "We have nothing fancy here; well at least I don't." She said. "I will make a cot for you to sleep in." She was about to lead him to her small home when someone spoke to her. She spun around, ready to tell that man off, when Gunnar did it for her.

She watched in amazement as the two men tussled against each other. She was impressed with Gunnar's ability to handle himself. Willow now knew how he lived so long, he fought to live, he fought to keep his son alive. She smiled as Gunnar seemingly won against the other man. She was about to follow Gunnar, when she saw the defeated man go to sneak attack him.

Willow would have none of that! Sneak attacks were cowardly in most cases. She rushed at him, kicking his feet out from under him. The havenite fell to the ground, face first, with a thud. Willow glared at him, her eyes warning him not to push it. Apparently he didn't get the picture; as he got up and rushed at Willow. She grabbed his wrist, spinning him around, twisting his arm behind his back, painfully. "Don't attack other havenites, you fool."

He struggled against her hold, he didn't like that he was losing against the female. He used his free arm, and elbowed her in the face. Willow let go of him, holding her face. His elbow met her nose, sending pain in the sensitive tissue. Willow released her nose, blood running down. "Fine." She murmured as he punched her in the gut, she gasped for air. She hated when that did that. She held her stomach, and stood up to her full height.

When he made for another attack, she was ready for it. Willow ducked for the punch, and quickly came back up. She swiftly moved behind him, and tucked her arms under his, pulling them back, placing her hands behind his head. This moved locked his arms in the air, uselessly. She bent backward, forcing him backward. "Do you submit?" She asked. He winced, feeling her knee dig into his back. "Yes! Let me the fuck go!" He yelled.

Willow released him, dropping him to the ground. "Stay down or become dead." She warned him. She walked away from him, quickly running over to Gunnar. "Let me take care of your side." She offered as she looked at him. "My place is not far from here." She gave him a smile. "I won't take advantage of you, I promise; scout's honor." She said, trying to joke.

[gunnar]

Gunnar watched her nod and frowned some. "Beauty is there just have to find it. I'm the cynical one. You are too young to be cynical yet. And beauty isn't in the eye but in the soul. Looks outside are nothing compared to the fight that is a constant thing. Passion. A heat that is consuming." He shrugged his shoulder and shook his head. This woman had a lot to learn and if he weren't truly planning to live up to his bargain with Thor then he would teach her it all.

"I do wish to be near the door." It will save both out asses with quite a but of time or being killed. "A cot is perfect for me. I don't mind the ground either." But before they could leave a good sized man decided to come up and take a piece of him when others have his same idea had lost. His eyes narrowed as he watched the man and he listened and responded in kind. He didn't want to be here. Didn't anyone realize that and would leave him alone about it? He wanted to be back with the only person that meant anything in this world to him. His son.

Oh goodie, they went to blows. No, he didn't see that coming. Yeah right, Gunnar you knew he would be stupid enough to try. You didn't survive this long without following instinct. He threw his own blows hard and he wasn't going to give up. Hell, he survived a real fucking ambush. Zombies and a vampire. How many could say the same? The only survives. Him and his son. One man couldn't bring him down. Yeah, he'd hit the floor but he would get back up. He knew when he moved to grab his gun and shotgun the man would attack again and he swung the shotgun around taking aim with cold blue eyes.

But Willow was fighting the guy even as he held the shotgun poised. When she had a hold of him he shook his head. The fight was still going on and granted shooting them both would be good in the long run he still needed information and she was defending him. "I was prepared for his next move, lady. I gave him an option and most males will fight rather than taking off. Simple male thought patterns." He coughed as he went to laugh. His ribs hurt from the hit he had received. "Thank you for your help but I can take care of it." His words kill it before it kills you or comes back were ringing in his head.

"Let's go see how bad your nose is it." But his eyes went to the man. "I say shoot him." He remarked as he put the shotgun under his arm that his ribs didn't hurt. "It's fine. My side is fine." But he perked an eyebrow at her. "You know you want to see me without my shirt or clothes on." He snorted trying not to laugh. "Look lady, all you have to do is ask me into your bed." He was being a sarcastic ass and he knew it. But it was better than being cynical.

[willowdeluna]

"My nose is fine." She said as she waved the concern of her nose off and glanced at the male on the ground. "Leave him. Don't give the idiot the satisfaction." She said as she grabbed a rag from her pocket and wiped up her blood. She watched him slowly and rose a brow. "Tempting, very tempting." She grinned. "But I'm all good." She said with a snicker.

She led him to her little shack like place. "Welcome to my palace." She said with a grin. She walked in nodded to her bed. "Sit. I will get you, your cot." She said firmly and disappeared behind a thick blanket. She was gone for a few minutes, there was a few crashes, plus a string of curses.

She frowned as she finally appeared, rubbing her head. "Fucking book." She glared as she tossed the offending object in her hand, and threw it. She then pulled the cot out, pulling it to near the door. "I'll get you a pillow and blanket." She said quickly, and she disappeared behind the blanket again. Willow reappeared, holding a pillow and blanket. "Here, you go." She said.

She set them down, and stood up, then looked at him. "If you're hungry, I can get you something to eat." She offered. She walked passed her room and into her makeshift kitchen. "You need to keep up your strength." She muttered as she began to make a soup. She kept her back to him, letting do or say as he pleased. She closed her eyes, and hummed to herself.

She moved over to the counter, and began to slice up vegetables. She may not be good with guns, but she was good with knives. She expertly moved the sharp knife over the carrots, and tomatoes. She threw them in the pot, and began to dice up the onions and basil. She smiled as she inhale the scent of the soup. She smiled and finally turned to him.

[gunnar]

Gunnar really wasn't in any good mood. He had been in more predicaments in his life that he cared for. Vampires, rebels, havenites, and any number of other things now. He just was fed up with the shit. "What satisfaction? He wouldn't be getting none. He'd be dead and there is no satisfaction in that." He spoke very calmly as if he weren't discussing the fate of a man. "And do you remember my words? Kill them before they try again or come back." He looked at her with a stubborn look. His blue eyes as cold as ice as he frowned. "Glad to hear you are all good. I don't think you could do much for me." He smirked at that before looking away.

He walked into her little shack and heard her tell him to sit. He perked an eyebrow and barked like a dog. He didn't follow many rules anymore. The only rules he followed were his own. He moved and leaned somewhat against a wall. He heard the crashes and the curses after she disappeared and wondered if someone was attacking her. But then she came back in rubbing her head and cursing a book. He watched the book fly across the room. "I've never heard of a book fucking. Is it fun to watch?" He couldn't help but quip in.

When she pulled the cot near the door he shoved it more against the door so that when the door opened it would hit the cot and jolt him if he were on it. "No need for a pillow or blanket." It would make it harder to find his gun and shoot whoever it was since he tossed and turned in his sleep. Memories always assailed him when he was asleep. They said you get used to the memories but he was always awash with pain from them. He was alone in this world now save for his son. But the story was his son had attacked him and he was looking for sanctuary here. He took the blanket and pillow and set it on her bed. "Thanks but it's truly unnecessary."

He sat the shotgun on the bottom of the bed before he pulled off his jacket. He could smell the scent and it smelled good but remarked. "I hope you are better with cooking than you are at shooting." He had no problem with women not cooking or doing manly things. His wife shot damn good. And that sent a pang through him. She wouldn't have wanted to know what had happened to him and their son. Not like this at all. His hand came down and he began pulling off the guns. Thor had given him guns and he was glad. A few blades as well. But he knew that Thor wouldn't have sent him out for information without giving him a means of getting himself out.

He ran his hand along the smooth edge of the gun and knew that the guns had become his best friends. The one he had shot Black Jack with sat in a case in New Vegas with a lock on it. He closed his eyes remembering how it had gone down. But he wasn't sure if he was dead or not. The vampire had gotten a hold of Black Jack the first night she had obviously come. Had Black Jack made it? The shot he took on Black Jack wasn't a killing one and he didn't have time to think. He had just shot him before the zombies attacked. That night had been a mess. Pain slid across his features. His friends, his family. Everyone...

His shoulders were slumped as if he had a huge weight on them. Everyone here had heard the story of how everyone had died at his camp yet one man had survived and his son was now a vampire. What they didn't know was that he had a hand in the turning of his son. He opened his eyes and continued setting down the guns before he sat down with his sleeves rolled up some. He was used to the cold. It took a long time traveling with his son to New Vegas. The attacks along the way as well. He was in hell. He was in a place that reminded him of his home. His true home.

He began to unbutton his shirt and looked down once it was unbuttoned at the bruise forming over his ribcage. He lightly ran his fingertips over it checking to see if anything was broken and winced. Fuck it hurt. He wanted to grab his pistol and go shoot the bastard but instead he sat there and stayed quiet as the dead staring at a wall. "I have plenty of strength, girlie. You got any lavender, mint, and chamomile? My wife knew herb remedies better than anyone." There was that pang again of pain.

[willowdeluna]

"The herbs are in the cabinet, in my room." She said pointing to wooden cabinet. It was worn with age and no proper care. "I have other herbs in there as well, if you need them. They are all labeled as well." She said as she turned to face him. Her gaze went to his side, and she bit her lip. "Fuck, looks like he did a number on your ribs" She said as she went to her cabinet and grabbed the things he had asked for. "You're wife sounds like a very wise and wonderful woman. I wish I knew her." She said as she gave him a smile. The rebel human placed the herbs in front of Gunnar, and then went back to her 'kitchen'. It wasn't a actual kitchen, it was a section were she had a stove and such, nothing close to what the city humans have. She began to tend to her soup once more, and sighed. "I am a wonderful cook, but I don't cook that often." She said with a shrug of her slender shoulders.

She moved away from the stove, and watched him for a moment, observing how his expressions changed, and how his body moved. "It is best for you, if you rest. You may be strong, but rest will do you some good. It won't help your side, if you move around." She said before reaching up into a shelf, and grabbed some bandages, and tossed them to him. "Here, for your ribs. Don't tell me you don't need or want them. Use them or I will force you." She said with a smirk. "You don't want that, I don't play fair." She winked before grabbing two bowls and set them down. She filled them with the soup she had made and put them on the table, with the spoons she had brought out. "Time to ear, Gunnar." She said softly as she set things the way she wanted on the table.

Willow brushed off her hands and looked around, she heard something, she frowned as she tilted her head, trying to point out the sound. She grabbed her small knife she always held on her person, and threw it at Gunnar's direction. It wasn't for Gunnar, but something near him. She heard a thump, and a groan. She smiled as their attacked from before fell to the ground at Gunnar's feet. "It's rude to break in someone's home." She sighed as she saw he got in from the back. Willow looked were her knife hit; right in the throat. Instant kill. "Damn." She ran her hand through her hair. "Such a hassle." She said softly not amused.

She shook her head, and looked at him. "I'll get rid of him later, he was a useless member of the haven anyway, he was a leech. He didn't help us here anyway, just sat there and ordered everyone to do his shit." She walked back into her kitchen and leaned against the wall. "I should've let you, shoot him and get it over with, much more less of a hassle" She bit her lip and closed her eyes, trying to think of a way to rid of his body. He didn't have any family here, so no one would really miss him. She frowned as she thought of taking his body to the desert to let the zombies eat him, but it would put her at risk as well.