RED RIDING HOOD AND THE BEAR [P]

[Deleted]

Hazel Partholain had been cursing in the bottom of a hole for a solid five hours, her voice having gone hoarse from her own frustrated yells. She scuffed her boots against the walls, clambered along the roots, and fell dejectedly to the ground repetitively. If insanity classified as doing the same thing over and over with the expectation of different results, Hazel could have been placed in a mental institution.

Her frustration eventually led way to a sense of righteous anger. Who the hell thought about these kind of things? God Almighty! She was in retro territory! Weren't they supposed to be the equivalent of smart animals? Like... golden retrievers? Taking a breath to calm herself, Hazel noted that she was being ridiculous. They're just like shifters, expect they were born animals and learn to be human. At least that was what she had learned. They're smart and able and all kinds of awesome shit, I guess.

Which meant that she was several feet below the earth in a pit trap. She was also in the center of Analoya territory; pretty much equated with being eaten alive. Hazel crossed her arms and leaned against the wall, craning her neck to get a glimpse of the trees above. What could she do but wait and hope that whoever found her wasn't hungry? That isn't what a Partholain should be doin' though, if daddy taught me anything. Sure, if her dad had taught her anything, it was how to be stubborn. So Hazel attempted once more to clime up the side of the pit, clinging to roots and rocks. She made it closer to the top than she had before, so that her hands were scratching across the surface of the ground--then, oh no, crack. The root she had been standing on broke beneath her weight.

She lay there gasping for breath for a while, not feeling like a girl but like a fish thrown out of water. Oh... my... God. She groaned and rolled onto her hands and knees before standing, ready to try it all over again.

[NIKK]

It had been a while since Nikk had been in this area. It was dangerous at the best of times, but her kill count had become dangerously low and out here was where the good hunting was. Perhaps she'd find a bird or a rabbit among the grasses. As if appearing from her thoughts alone, a jack rabbit hopped casually across her sights a few dozen feet away. She froze and as quietly and smoothly as she could, waited for the perfect moment. Scribble, shift, scratch, and a human noise of anger scared the rabbit off and Nikk rose only to wilt in frustration. What, the hell, was that? After a few minutes of searching, she saw the pit. Her brown eyes stared in consideration. Who was down there? She was far enough off that she could see that it was indeed a hole, but not close enough to see who it was stuck in the hole (or for them to see her). At this point, Nikk had the ability to see what was going on, or continue on her way. Just as she were leaning toward minding her own business, an unmistakeable feminine noise of frustration reached her ears and without further thought her head breached the edge of the pit, her body balancing carefully to spy who had been trapped below. A dozen feet down or more was a red headed girl in dire straights. She looked mostly unhappy, and angry. That was good. Angry meant she had not been in the hole too long ... then again that luck depended entirely on whether Nikk indented to help her or not. She said nothing, only observed the young girl until she realized Nikk was there. A dozen feet down or more was a red headed girl in dire straights. She looked mostly unhappy, and angry. That was good. Angry meant she had not been in the hole too long ... then again that luck depended entirely on whether Nikk indented to help her or not. She said nothing, only observed the young girl until she realized Nikk was there.

[Deleted]

Hazel rose stiffly, parts of her aching that shouldn't have been aching. Her ribs. Her ribs hurt like she'd been kicked by a horse--well, not that badly, but she deserved to exaggerate. With a hand pinching her side, Hazel sniffed her nose and rolled on her heels, craning her neck to get a glimpse at the hole--

"Ah!" She backpedaled; lotta good that did her, considering Hazel landed soundly on her ass when the dirt slipped beneath the soles of her boots. The Texan released another frustrated grunt, her powder-blue eyes flicking up toward the silhouette of the woman. Her hair hung lank around her face, blonde, and it took a moment of focusing for Hazel to get a decent view of her face. She didn't look like a man-eater or, in this case, a woman-eater. In fact, she did not appear to be much of a retromorph whatsoever, which was a relief. It did not change the fact that Hazel was regarding her with a skeptical, distrustful expression. "You ain't a retro, are'ya?" Her tone was more girlish than she intended it to be, made high by a combination of exasperation and fear. 

She wrinkled her nose distastefully and clambered to her feet. With a pause, Hazel wiped the dirt from her jeans and then from her hands, taking a brief moment to fantasize about a damn stream. She had stopped thinking about showers a long, long time ago. Now? She would have been happy with a frigid little river or brook or something. She kept her eye on the woman, they way she would have watched a rattler, and proceeded to braid the thick, messy strands of her scarlet hair back and away from her face. With that accomplished, she knelt to retrieve her poor hat and settled it atop her head. Hazel crossed her arms, pointedly ignoring the fact that she was a twig of a girl and no amount of assertive glaring had ever made her appear more threatening. "Cause if you ain't, ya wanna help me get outta this mess?"

[NIKK]

The blonde watched the young girl, unresponsive when she asked Nikk questions. Instead her head tilted to one side, her body dropping lightly to the ground as she palmed her chin … brown eyes considering. Well, if the little red head got caught in this mess she couldn’t be much of a threat. Her free hand’s fingers flickered in a blur, one of her throwing daggers flipping through the digits with ease. It was habit, especially when she was thinking. How was she going to get her out in the first place? It wasn’t like Nikk wandered around with a twenty-foot rope. Had she herself been trapped, she’d have climbed out with her knives … though she’d have been cursing the entire time for dulling the blades. The woman guessed both that the girl was a shifter (because of the retro comment), and that her shift was not going to be helpful. Else she’d likely have been out by now. When the kid glared, the shifter’s eyebrow rose - though the rest of her face remained expressionless. She was thoroughly unconvinced. Did she want to help the kid out of her mess? No, no she did not. It wasn’t her problem, and if the kid was going to be like that Nikk was even less inspired. Then again, whining and sniveling would have been even less appealing – so she had her there. A good few minutes passed as Nikk thought out what she was going to do, and came to the conclusion that she would help. If only so she’d sleep soundly tonight. Leaving her here would likely be as good as signing her death sentence and Nikk was not going to be responsible for that. ”Alright, shifter-bait … sit tight,” she said nonchalantly as if the girl were a cat caught in a tree, and disappeared from the edge of the hole. After almost too long, there was a sound of scraping and dragging; A grunt of effort then a hiss of pain. Eventually the end of a thick branch breached the mouth of the hole, followed by Nikk’s call to look out. The limb dropped heavily to the bottom, the fork if the last sturdy part that might bear weight was a little more than half way up; tall enough that if Nikk stretched down, she could make a grab for the kid’s hand when she climbed up.

[Deleted]

"Alright, shifter-bait... sit tight." Hazel's scowl did not budge at that. Hazel would shower her shifter-bait, those glittering throwing knives be damned! She wasn't a fan of no nicknames, 'specially those condescending sorts. Her irritation waned when she realized that the other shifter was agreeing to help her. 'Sides that, Hazel reckoned that she had been called worse things by worse people. She waited, cross-armed, to see if the blonde intended to come back at all. It was taking a god-awful amount of time. I'm gonna get myself out of this hell-hole, she thought angrily, beginning to lose hope. 

Hazel wasn't going to lie. She had been excited by the prospect of getting "saved" (although she thought the term loosely--Hazel Partholain didn't need saving from anybody!). Now, since the blonde had abandoned her, she was about to have to think of something else. The pit was just too steep. She couldn't clamber out without help... but maybe it was a trap set by shapeshifters? If that was the case, Fulsi or Fallen wouldn't eat her. Hazel wasn't quite as certain about Carna, however, and she was pondering what it would be like to be cannibalized when Nikk finally returned. 

The branch just about crushed Hazel, who responded with a yelp. She moved just about as quick as her first pony had whenever it glimpsed a snake; as to say, fast as lightening. Her back was pressed flush against the edge of the pit. She cast a withering glance upward but even Hazel knew when it was better not to try her luck. "Thanks," Hazel said, wryly, before she clambered cautiously up the branch. It creaked under her weight despite the fact that she was nothing but a toothpick--it was one of the few times Hazel was consciously glad that she didn't weigh more. She steadied her feet and balanced her weight, stretching up her arm to grip Nikk. 


Just as their hands interlocked, the branch collapsed beneath her. Hazel squeaked, her eyes clenched. She was thoroughly surprised when she didn't hit the ground but, instead, slammed painfully into the wall of the pit. The Texan groaned but dug her boots into the dirt wall for leverage; a few harsh seconds later and she had been hauled up onto... what was it, sea level ground? Hazel had never been happier; she had seen cartoons kiss the earth before, only to spit out mouthfuls of sand. For the first time she understood the urge. The redhead cleared her throat. "Guess you earned an introduction, huh? Name's Hazel Partholain." She stuck out a dirty hand. 

[NIKK]

Nikk watched carefully as the girl climbed the branch, and as she inched closer to the mouth of the hole the blonde lowered herself again to the ground and anchored her body as best she could. With her toes spread and her left arm dangling down she waited as the kid rose higher and higher. When the girl was close enough, Nikk stretched her arm down as far as she could. Their fingers barely touched before an ominous crack echoed from beneath. Nikk moved before thinking, stretching down even farther to snatch the girls hand before she dropped beyond reach. The girl make a sound as she crashed into the side of the hole, but Nikk could not help it – and her eyes screwed shut against the pain of baring the weight with one arm. Hand gripped tight, she grit her teeth and began to pull. Suddenly the scree shifted beneath her, almost hauling her over the edge but a dagger flash and she sunk the blade into the dirt hilt-deep far behind her for traction. The girl was not heavy, so much as dead weight (which she couldn’t help) and the knowledge that if Nikk dropped her now she’d likely break something caused sweat to break out on her forehead. Rallying, Nikk pulled as hard as she could and hauled the kid from the hole with everything she had. She panted. Her shoulder hurt, a knife was dull, and she was out any game within a mile – but at least she’d got the kid out. Rolling her shoulder the young red-head introduced herself. Hazel, she committed and looked at her offered hand. For a solid minute Nikk stared, almost forgetting what she was supposed to do. Oh yes. Taking the hand she shook it once firmly before retrieving her soil bound dagger. Her brown eyes looked around, bouncing off the girl now and then And when the girl said nothing, she realized there was an expectation for her to introduce herself as well. ”Nikk,” she said awkwardly, unaccustomed to any company let alone a young girls. What did she want now, a hug? She felt bad at that, and turned to the girl with her hands on her hips, for all the world like an awkward single father whose daughter just asked him about a lady question. ”You um … you okay kid? No uhhh …” she made an unsure face. What hurt kids these days? ”Bruises or, scratches that need to be looked at?” Her hands lifted in awkwardness and when Hazel didn’t say anything (for the whole three seconds) she turned her attention to her knife to inspect the damage to the edge. Nikk wasn't trying to be mean - hell that would have been easier. She was trying to be nice, and that was weird. It wasn't because the girl was young, but rather she wasn't a threat. In the Menagerie? Everyone was a threat.

[Deleted]

Hazel Partholain was not good with gratitude. The introduction was about as close as she could come and even that was treated awkwardly, with too much time between when she said it and when Nikk responded. If the woman had done anything but save her life, well, Hazel woulda dropped her hand and moved on. Her daddy had always said that she could start a fight in an empty house, had she wanted to. Her politeness became impatience, 'cept Hazel knew that was rude, she oughta been grateful. And she was, but she was tired, too. She used to hear the ol' rodeo boys describe it as being tired as a whore in a boomtown, just because they liked to say "whore" and they were browbeat at the end of the day. In other words, she was exhausted and weary, and everything about this encounter was thinning her patience and reminding her of why she was a Rogue. 

Dirt under her nails, dirt everywhere, and this girl was taking forever to give her the common courtesy of an introduction. "Pleasure's all mine." Hazel drawled, after shaking her hand. 'Bout damn time, too. Then the woman was concerned, asking about her well-being. Hazel hitched a brow. She was young, but she wasn't a kid, and she had made it this long in the Menagerie. "I'm arigh', but how's that shoulder'a yours doin'?" Hazel eyed her uncertainly. It had been a while since she had talked to anyone; the speech was not awkward, exactly, but she had grown used to the silence. That may've explained this girls behavior, too. Hazel wondered when the last time she had interacted with somebody had been. "You're lucky y'didn't dislocate it."

Hazel rolled her shoulders and rubbed her hands clean on her pants. Her eyes moved slyly from the woman to their surroundings, taking in the foliage and the lack of sounds. That was what she hated about Analoya land; it always seemed too quiet, like there was something mean lurking in the shadows of the trees. "Better go, though, unless y'wanna get caught by a coupla kittens. We made some noise." Her head cocked for a moment, assessing. Hazel was trying to decide if she ought to further her "gratitude". She owed her, and daddy had always said to repay debts. "I don't like not doin' right by people who do right by me, so let me do somethin' for'ya. Hunt or fix somethin' of yours or... whatever y'need. I'm yours for a day." 

That oughta do, Hazel thought. She smiled, albeit a little smugly, and glanced around herself once more. Once Hazel decided there wasn't an immediate threat, she turned towards a deer-trail and began to trek through the forest, a whole lot more careful of pits or trenches. She didn't know if Nikk would follow or not. 

[NIKK]

Yeah, no … your’re lucky I didn’t dislocate it, she countered internally. Instantly she bit it back and felt guilty… it wasn’t the kids fault. Well it was technically, but Nikk couldn’t help but be glad that she’d come across the red head before something else had. At least she could sleep tonight.

Made noise. Nikk bit back a few more comments about where the noise originated from, schooling herself in remembrance that patience was supposed to be a virtue? Usually, these kinds of comments came from a foe in snarky or threatening place. Her mental reactions were quite telling on her own accord – what the Menagerie had molded her into. It made her angry.

”God those eyes,” he’d said as if they were the stars in the sky, and this - his first time seeing them.

“They’re brown,” Nikk said in a dead tone; as if describing a mud puddle.
“No, no, no … well – yeah they’re brown but something about them. They’re wild,” he’d entitled appreciatively. His face drew closer.

Nikk was not so admiring and spoke before she’d thought, “No they’re not. They’re ordinary eyes, on an ordinary girl, in an ordinary city, with an ordinary man, in an ordinary car.” He’d have had to really listen to hear the slight desperation in her voice.

He drew closer.
“You’re a lot of things, but ordinary is not one of them,” he’d said in that smug, cocky tone that made her want to smack him and kiss him at the same time.

She was being left behind. Somehow, Hazel was headed the same direction she was, and she fumbled for only a second before she scrambled after her. Her’s for a day?

”Ya know um, yeah I don’t really need anything,” her arms spread as she looked around and dropped to her sides as she sighed. ”Game’s been scared off for a mile or more …” she began. Hazel turned, and the ribs the kid had made Nikk pale. It was a good thing she hadn’t dislocated her arm … but it was in favor of an underfed teen. Nikk drew in a large breath and let it out slowly.

”All right,” she said as if losing a battle with herself. ”I’ll take point. Keep quiet, and close. No more talking for a bit and I might scrounge us up some dinner. Then well talk,” she said quietly whilst edging past Hazel to lead.

[Deleted]

Hazel's reply was instantaneous and derisive. "Somebody always needs somethin', with all due respect, ma'am. Most of us jus' don't wanna admit what it is." Hazel's eyes weren't on Nikk, though. No, she had decided that if the other Rogue had wanted to do her harm she would have left her in that pit to die. Instead she was taking in their surroundings, looking for real threats. There was something vaguely skittish about her nature now. Bravado was cheap, sure, but it became expensive when kept up indefinitely. There were reasons Hazel was still alive in the Menagerie. This was one of them. All right. Hazel wouldn't have accepted anything yet. Her expression lit with pleasured surprise when her companion mentioned food. She took a moment to fantasize. Biscuits and gravy, done like that old diner a few miles away from their home. Texas toast an' roast beef an' green beans an'... Shit. Hazel cut off her thoughts. She'd be lucky to get a hare, honestly.  She fell into step behind Nikk, quietly. Hazel found herself thinking on it, as they meandered through the forest and the trees. She moved quiet as could be, nothin' but mouse footsteps. She knew how to be quiet when she had to be; recklessness aside. She listened as the trees began to break and the birds began to sing; ahead of them were the meadowlands. Hazel waited until they were walking among the stalks of grass before talking. "How far y'goin'?" A part of her appealed to this; the openness of the meadows. It meant that they could see for miles. Most of her knew that it also meant that they could be seen for miles.

[NIKK]

Nikk stopped mid-step … ma’am? Dear lord she was a ma’am? Inside she was horrified. Luckily, the girl gave her something else to focus on and she looked back over her shoulder with the side of her mouth kicked up in chagrin and a raised eyebrow. Without comment, she swept her wavy blonde hair back over her shoulder and continued on. They would see.

Once they’d broken into knee deep grass, Hazel spoke again … asking about how far they were going. Mentally Nikk’s shoulders sank. That was right, most people liked to talk. Another person meant explanations, expectations … there was a reason why she’d kept to herself. Regardless of her inner thoughts, her face remained impassive and she paused a minute. Hands on hips she sighed, then squinted into the sun.

”Um,” she began to looked around. Often Nikk wouldn’t take a break for hours – she liked to keep moving. She considered the girl a moment, and bet Hazel was getting hungry. She remembered when she was of a similar age; skinny, knobby, and forever starving. She’d eaten everything in sight. One hand lifted to shade her brown eyes from the sun as she peered into the distance. If she recalled correctly, there were some stubby trees a few miles off that would make a decent camp. The sun was low, and often Nikk would continue on even a bit after dark if the moon was decent. Hell with it, she was tired too. Her top-half turned to look at the red head as her hand lowered.

”Think you can last till sunset?” she said evenly. It was not a challenge, or question of Hazel’s stamina. They’d both gone through some pretty taxing work earlier engineering the younger girl out of that stupid hole. She hadn’t complained though. Tough kid, she thought, but everyone had to be tough in the Menagerie. At least those who wanted to live.

Hazel agreed, and they continued on. Neither said much after that. Through the grasses she leaned slightly to the left, taking them from their original path (a light deer trail) and over some rougher country. In the golden light of the setting sun she could finally see the small dark trees she'd been looking for. in the distance Just then, there was movement in the green and Nikk held up a hand to halt. Thank God the kid had some brains, as she had frozen the moment Nikk signaled. Nikk suddenly let her dagger fly and it hit some kind of large rabbit squarely through the eye. After snatching up the carcass she reclaimed her knife and cleaned the blood from it before handing the skinny hare by it's hind legs to Hazel.

They could clean it later. For now, Nikk was on the hunt for another kill. The rabbit would have been a nice meal and then some for one ... but only a teasing snack for two. She'd be lucky if she could get something else, but they had some time and dusk was a popular time for critters.


An hour later or so they reached the trees. The sky was grey, barely enough light left to see by. There was a particular spot Nikk was rather fond of, where the trees were just crowded enough to harbor shelter with the last bits of autumn leaves. With a satisfied sigh she looked around ... no one had been here for a long time. Not much had been disturbed recently. There had been rain through here three days ago and no fresh tracks were left in the now dry dirt. She lowered to the ground and began to dig a hole. After a few minutes she paused in her chore and looked up. Hazel stood there watching her, looking as awkward as Nikk felt.

"Fire." Nikk pointed as if it were the most normal thing in the world, then continued to dig.