THIS SENSE OF RECKONING [P]

[grey]

The subconscious checking of his gig line was the only thing that showed something was amiss with Grey. It was an old habit, probably derived from when he was a kid and his father stood before him, inspecting him for flaws. He was certain that now, years later, his father would regard him with the utmost disgust. Betrayer. The word pierced him to the core even if his expression did not change.

"I can't believe they've got me checking your snares. I'm going to start calling you crips, for Christ's sake." Grey could not help the comment, delivered with an air of hostility, shallow as it may have been. He flicked his pale eyes at his companion before continuing deeper into the forest. James was recovering nicely, but with his fading bruises Grey's demeanor began to change as well. For one, he could not accept the fact that he was not a Carna member. He had abandoned his previous post, something that went against all of his beliefs.

He held his hands lightly at his sides, trying to remember exactly where the snares were hidden. They had gone this same route two days previously, but Grey was still unfamiliar with the territory. Being that he was James' responsibility, he had been more active in the sickbay and the docks than out in the field. He licked his chapped lips and reaffirmed the fact that his gig-line was straight, hiding his foul mood behind an emotionless face. It was then that he remembered the route to the first snare. He slowed his pace, allowing James to catch up, having gotten lost in his thoughts.

He forced himself to remember that it wasn't really James fault that he was there, in Carna. "C'mon, crips. I thought you'd be excited you're back in the field." This time there was no hostility, merely dryness. This was the farthest James had gone from the docks in Lord knows how long.

[James Colt]

James followed Grey, letting the tenderfoot lead the way to the snares. He knew the way of course, but Grey needed to get to know the territory if he was going to hunt here, he'd only switch places if they got lost. He tried not to lag behind Grey, sure, he'd been recovering as well as he could expect too, but he was still quite a ways off from top form. And, of course, Grey seemed to feel the need to remind him of this fact. His upper lip twitched in a half snarl at the hostility in Grey's tone, but he forced it into a wry smirk.

"Maybe they think you need the practice newbie,"

[/color] he shot back, a grin taking the sting out his words, "Everyone knows tenderfoots are more likely to snare themselves than a nice fat rabbit."[/color]

He couldn't blame Grey for being a little sour, it couldn't be easy, being forced to switch your ring, he'd imagine Grey had more than a few regrets by now, and this whole situation was kind of James' fault, in a roundabout sort of way. It didn't bother James that much, it was easier to let Grey get in all the verbal hits he wanted if it made him feel better about the situation than to start a fight over it, at least, not until he'd finished healing anyways.

It seemed to do the trick, either that or Grey was just doing his best impression of a brick wall again, because Grey's next comment was dry as an old bone, although he seemed to have decided on a new nickname. James rolled his eyes with a snort.

"Heh, I think they just let me out so the medics wouldn't smother me with a pillow. Every time Flanigan looked at me I swear he wanted to strangle me."[/color]

For the first few days he'd been to drowsy to do anything other than sleep and whine quietly, but after he'd been able to keep his eyes open for more than an hour at a time he'd launched straight into pain-in-the-ass mode, annoying anyone who came within thirty feet of him and trying to escape when the medics weren't looking. Honestly he didn't know how they'd put up with him for so long.

"I'm pretty sure this is someone's idea of punishment, although, I'm not sure which one of us is getting punished here. Probably both," He smirked, his eyes dancing with mischief, "I mean, you have to drag my slow ass around doing busy work, but I've got to listen to you complain about it."[/color]

James wasn't completely joking about the punishment, although it was good to get away from the waterfront for a while. If looks could kill, he and Grey would be dead a thousand times over, none of the Carna liked the idea of a deserter in their ranks, least of all a Fallen deserter. James didn't see it that way of course, as far as he saw it, loyalty was to people, not groups. As far as the Carna saw it though, he should have killed Grey the moment they were across the border, or, failing that, at least let the scouts do it for him. Bringing Grey in painted a flashing neon target on the back of his head.

James sighed under his breath, it wasn't the ideal situation, but it wasn't like it was a first, he was always doing something to piss someone off.[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[grey]

A part of Grey was frustrated by the fact James had not responded to his hostility, but merely laughed it off. What frustrated him even more was the fact that Grey was well-aware of the fact that beneath James' humor, he was a genuinely good man. "I probably have more experience than you do." The comment was meant to be barbing if nothing else.

After that, he was relatively silent. He felt as though they were on the first basis of their relationship, so to speak. The time when it was laced with hostility. Grey couldn't help but blame James for his situation, despite the fact he had always been taught to take blame for his own mistakes. He knew it was stupid. He knew that it wasn't fair to be so angry. But he was. His pale eyes settled on James, stonily and without real expression. "I want to smother you," Grey said shortly.

However, memories of James being so injured came back to him, and Grey softened some. It wasn't... It wasn't James' fault, not really. Besides that, Grey had committed to helping him once and by now it was about time for him to quit sulking and get to work. Something that was easier said than done, of course. He was still angry, something that showed in the way he walked. Grey's shoulders were stiff, his movements quick and furious.

"I'm pretty sure this is someone's idea of punishment, although, I'm not sure which one of us is getting punished here. Probably both." He paused to glance at James, the first real glance that Grey had given him thus far. He had made a point to avoid direct eye contact, afraid that the sheer ferocity of his anger would show through. He had broken all of his virtues by allying himself with Carna. If he had been truly loyal to Fallen, he would have thrust the metaphorical sword through his own heart rather than be taken by the enemy. Call him a coward, but he hadn't. The conflict of it all was more maddening than anything else had been.

But the realization that James was also being punished had not, necessarily, occurred to him. Grey hadn't been in the finest temper the past few weeks, avoiding the Carna that bothered to speak to him and casting challenging glances at those that bothered to look at him. It was a difficult balance to maintain. And James continued to be the only one showing him kindness. Grey continued to regard his companion, quietly, a sort of melancholy air in his manner.

Finally, his resolve broke. His stiff shoulders relaxed and Grey offered a begrudging smile before continuing, nearing the snares as the forest began to thicken. "You would be complaining too, if you had to drag your ass around. I mean, it isn't even that nice to look at.' He hadn't meant for the comment to slip. Perhaps it was a combination of exhaustion or exasperation, but there it was. Flustered by it, Grey did not pause. If anything, he quickened his pace.

Today was not his day.

ooc: sorry for all the rambles in this ;3; the next one will have more to reply to

[James Colt]

"Aww Grey, don't be like that,"

[/color] James whined jokingly, "If you smothered me you wouldn't have anyone to bitch at."[/color]

He shrugged his left shoulder, his right still aching deeply, clearly Grey was still in a mood, but James had no problem letting him work it out of his system, it certainly wasn't the first time someone had snarked at him. James was sure he'd come around eventually, in the meantime, the had snares to set.

Heaving a sigh under his breath he picked up his pace, wincing a little as his legs burned with the exertion; he needed to get his strength up again if he was going to get back to hunting properly. He was certainly glad to be out here, and the more rabbits they snared the better they'd eat tonight, but they'd eat far better if they could bring down a deer. He wasn't used to hunting with a partner, at least, not a permanent partner, he tended to drive them off after a few trips, but it would be interesting to see whether they'd be able to work together well enough to bring down larger prey.

'I mean, it isn't even that nice to look at.' James gave a smirk, glad that Grey seemed to be lightening up, if only a little, before morphing it into an exagerated pout.

"Now you're just being cruel!"[/color] He exclaimed, clapping his hand to his chest as if he was deeply hurt, the joking coming as easily as breathing to him "We both know my ass is fabulous. Nine out of Ten Carna agree! Well... maybe seven... five... are we just counting the women? I think a few of the women agree my ass is fabulous. Like, at least three of them, maybe more..."[/color] he trailed off, twisting around carefully to try and see his butt, torn between good humor and a teeny bit of worry. What could he say? He liked his butt.

"Hmm, it's a bit skinnier than I remember... is that a good thing? It's probably not a good thing. That's it Grey, we need to catch enough rabbits to restore my ass to it's former glory!"[/color][/blockquote][/blockquote]

ooc: What are you doing James? The world doesn't revolve around your butt, or does it? o.O Sorry this was so short and late, been a bit hectic this week.

[grey]

Grey's instinct was to argue. I am not whiny! Considering his upbringing, it was a surprise that Grey hadn't been fed nails for breakfast and bones for lunch! "Whiny" wasn't in his vocabulary and a small, prideful part of him was offended. Until he realized something.

That he was complaining more than usual. If that wasn't humbling, he didn't know what would have been. Instead of saying anything, Grey shrugged it off. He slowed himself enough that he and James were now walking side-by-side, Grey more intrigued by their conversation than the task at hand. Although he came very, very close to exasperation at James' comment.

He felt like humoring his comrade, however, if for no other reason than to make up for his previous behavior. Grey paused, allowing James to get ahead of him, so that he could look skeptically at his ass.

"This is worse than I thought," Grey said grimly. "Rabbits aren't gonna fix this. You need something fattening. Or a lot of squats. And I mean a lot. Jail time made you scrawny."

His smile was jagged as he caught up, jogging briskly. "I didn't know that they liked to play drop the soap without the soap." They were at the first snare, however. Grey was pleased to see that there really was a rabbit. A few seconds later, he had procured their "prize" and was continuing through the forest.

His "good mood" felt somewhat forced, lacking something truly genuine. He could not stop thinking about Cole. It was like a disease, a sick obsession. He could not stop thinking about Fallen and betraying them.

Maybe it would do him good to just not think. He tossed a look at James. "So when you heal up, are you gonna want a rematch?" To add emphasis, Grey made a few short shadowboxing motions.

[James Colt]

"Only if your into that," James shot back, raising an eyebrow, "And I resent the term 'scrawny'. I prefer 'small boned' or 'oh-so-slightly underweight'." He smirked but it didn't quite reach his eyes, his mind had wandered again, back to the times when there was too many mouths and not enough food, fighting over buckets of slop and scraps of god knows what. Compared to back then, he was the picture of health right now, so he didn't really have anything to complain about really.

"Once I can shift again, we'll go after more than just rabbits. Might be able to bring back a nice big deer, that'd feed us just fine, even after we give the ring their share."

[/color] He grinned when he saw that the snare had caught a rabbit, it wasn't exactly feast day, and they's have to hand over half the take, but a few more rabbits and they'd get at least one hot meal out of it. Full rations were scarce enough, and Grey was still on half until the Delta said otherwise, so any extra food was a godsend.

Hopefully the heat from bringing in Grey would calm down before too long. He was used to treading a fine line between obedience and defiance, but this was more like walking on the edge of a razor, trying not to get cut and hoping you landed on the right side in the end. He shrugged, he supposed he still wasn't used to answering to anyone but himself. It still chafed a little to follow orders, but he usually did what he was told without having to be cuffed too hard over the head.

He picked up his pace again, well aware that he was still slowing them down and eager to check the rest of the snares. He smirked at Grey's question, part of him was still a little sore about losing, a rematch would be... interesting.

"Well, there's certainly nothing wrong with a bit of 'friendly' sparring," he grinned, almost bloodthirsty, "So long as we don't end up back with the medics for more than a couple of days at a time (and not just because Flanigan will smother me), no one would give two stuffs if we beat each other black and blue. Would be nice to see what other moves you've got, y'know, harmless fun without the possibility of death, capture or torture. Fights to the death are more of a special occasion thing."[/color]

He'd probably get his ass handed to him again, regardless of the outcome Grey sure as hell packed a punch. He was almost looking forward to it though, even if he lost, he'd learn something from it, even if it was just how to get the shit kicked out of you. Whatever doesn't kill you and all that nonsense... although whatever idiot thought that phrase up should spend a few months locked up in solitary, that sure as hell disproved the notion. Bloody keepers.[/blockquote][/blockquote]