Getting Settled Pt 6

"Ilulu!" Sasha cried.

The dragon girl blinked standing in the river and looked at Sasha. "What?" She asked while most of the others laughed.

"I told you before!" Sasha said. "Catch the fish. Put them in the basket. Then we'll cook them and eat them. Don't just skip from "catch" to "eat"!"

Ilulu blinked. "I don't get why it matters though. They still taste good."

"Because we're supposed to share!" Sasha said crying. "If you catch more fish than me but eat all yours I won't get as many!"

"Oh, yeah!" Ilulu says smacking her fist into her palm. "Sorry. I keep forgetting that part! It is good to share... but they look so good when they're wriggling I just forget." She wipes her mouth. "I'll do better next time!"

"I see. You all had warriors training today?" Lydia says to Pyrrha.

"That's commendable." Aela said.

"Some of it is warriors training," Pyrrha said. "But mostly it's basics in Self-defense, firearms, driving vehicles, first-aid and sign language. Well have more training and you ladies will likely be joining us next week starting on Monday."

Aela nodded. "That'd be good. Our former pig of a master taught us many things but few useful skills..."

"Oh!" Pyrrha said blushing. She was actually curious but didn't want to bring up a sore subject.

"Sign language... What's that?" Lydia asked trying to change the subject.

Pyrrha nodded. "It's What Neo's practicing over there with Manami. Basically..."

"Like this?" Manami asked Neo.

[Close] Neo texted. She showed her the hand signs again.

"Oh!" Manami changes the way she's signing. "Love"

[That's it! I wanted to be able to tell Walt "I Love You"] Neo texts.

Manami blushes. "I see..."

Neo smiles [I wish I could tell him my feelings like you can.]

Manami smiles. "But he knows, Neo! You're both so good at that. Even someone like me can see it. Everytime he touches you or looks at you he's practically shouting "love".

Neo is the one blushing now and she nods that she knows. [I only ever met one person like Walt before. And even he wasn't like Walt.]

Manami sighs. "I wish I could have what you do... he's amazing!"

Neo nods and takes her hand nodding. [ You can. You have to be brave]

Manami nods. "But what do I say? He seems to avoid me? It makes me very sad... it hurts."

Neo texts [Tell him that! Walt cares! He doesn't want to hurt you! If he found out later it would hurt him! That's who he is!]

Manami shakes her head. "But what if I'm not his type? I mean look at me..."

Neo slaps her, not hard, but she looks angry. Everybody looks at them.

Manami looks at Neo surprised. "Neo..."

Neo shakes her head. [Do not doubt Walt! Look at me! The others! He sees us with his heart, not his eyes!] She sighs. [I'm sorry I slapped you]

Manani hugs her surprising Neo. "Thank you, Neo! I needed that!"

Neo rolls her eyes but pats the tiny womans head.

Pirotess watches from up in the tree. There's no sign of bears. Not that she thought there would be with this much noise.

It's too loud. Almost annoying really. The two gluttons have come out of the river and are cooking some of the fish over a fire waving to her. Good maybe she can leave.

She jumps and lands almost like she's floating and walks over. "What is it? I don't want any fish thanks."

Ilulu laughs. "Not fish silly! We wanted to thank you! Sasha has something for you!"

She turns and Sasha has something behind her back. "I know I eat a lot. Like all the time. But I also enjoy the forest, like you. Senko gave me this this morning... and I really wanted it but... everyone said that you liked it so..." she holds out the thermos with her head bowed like she's offering her treasure. "T-thank you for coming with us, Pirotess. This is for you!"

She blinks and takes the thermos. Opening it she smells the Miso soup from this morning. The glutton- no, Sasha is willingly giving her food with tears in her eyes.

"Thank you..." she says surprised. Then she surprised herself again. "Why don't we three share it, Sasha?"

Sasha looks up smiling and drooling. "Yes! Thank you!"

Ilulu raises her hand. "Yes please! I'm sorry I sat on you during our game. I didn't understand the rules this morning. It won't happen again!"

Pirotess actually laughs. The dragon girl is too simple to stay mad at. It's hard to believe she's a dragon at all! "I'm not sure I understood the rules either, Ilulu. It's fine... this time."

It might be annoying... but it wasn't all bad either.

The three of them nodded. Everyone else seemed to be distracted. They split up for tonights attempt.

Demona would head for the mountain and up again. She'd already decided she liked the little cave she found. She'd use it again and wait for nightfall. Tonight she'd take the northern approach.

Haruna headed west and Glynda headed east... of course they weren't Haruna or Glynda.

Mystique, looking like the Goblin girl Haruna, headed west. She avoided contact with the others as she went. It was pretty easy. But she and The Baroness would have a harder time tonight. The ground and terrain wouldn't be as easy to traverse as last nights.

She had seen the others fishing and shook her head at the darkelf. It was obvious she'd be the first of the four to cave. Still taking in their surroundings she could see the appeal to the elven lass.

She however had no such sentiments.

"Where are you going, Haruna? Ribbit."

Mystique/Haruna smiled turning ans looking up at Tsuyu sitting on a branch like a frog. "I'm just exploring around, Tsuyu. I thought I'd see what I could forage in the forest." She reminded Mystique of Toad.

Tsuyu hoped down. "Alone? That's dangerous. You should have someone with you. Ribbit."

Mystique/Haruna smiled. "I'll be fine. See, I have a backpack, first-aid kit and the bear spray, Tsuyu."

Tsuyu apears to think about it. "Alright. I'll come with you then. It's safer that way."

Mystique/Haruna nods. "I don't think that's necessary but suit yourself, Tsuyu."

They hike along aways through the forest taking several trails. Tsu keeps stopping to point out some nuts and berries as they go.

"Thanks, Tsuyu," Mystique/Haruna says. "You're a big help."

Tsu stops and looks at her. "Why do you keep saying that? Ribbit"

Mystique/Haruna realizes she must have made a mistake but she approached Tsu smiling. "Saying what, Tsuyu?"

Tsu tilts her head curiously. "Did you forget? I told you to call me "Tsu" before."

Mystique/Haruna nods. "That's right."

She blasts Tsuyu in the face with bear spray causing her to cry out as the painful irritant blinds and stuns her. Tsu can barely see as she tries to hop away but something grabs and pulls her back hitting her a stunning blow. She looks up to see Haruna with a long tongue transforming into herself, lifting a tree branch. "I won't forget next time. Ribbit."

Tsuyu/Mystique bludgeons her unconsciousness. She tosses the branch. "See you around, "hero". Ribbit."

Glynda dressed in 3S sweats and a cap, actually The Baroness in disguise, headed east. The disguise was pretty good considering her limited supplies to work with. It wouldn't hold to close up scrutiny however. Anastasia sighed. Sometimes you just had to work with what you had.

She shook her head passing the firing range. This place was enormous. It was a compound really. It was impressive. And apparently this wasn't even the "base".

Still she thought about the layout. It was clear almost everything was laid out for one tactical advantage or another. Even this odd looking flower bed she was passing. It's position was definitely defensive in nature.

She thought about taking a closer look but she didn't like the look some of the flowers gave her. It almost looked like one of them gave her a rude hand signal. Curious.

She headed into the woods. After some time she encountered a trail that headed roughly the direction she was going. She followed it up a rise. Walking throught the rocks and trees it took her a moment to realize that she stood in a rather peculiar graveyard. It hadn't been laid out in neat little rows and there was hardly any uniformity to the stones. Then she spots the truck.

He's there talking to some grave markers. She accidentally stepped on tree branch and he looks up at her.

"I, uh-" she starts.

He rushes to her almost inhumanly fast crying "Mary!" and sweeps her into a kiss! It's passionate and heartfelt and she feels her heart skip a beat. He tastes of the beer he was drinking as his tongue touches hers- and he stops almost immediately!

"You- what?" He's almost as confused as she is but she knows she has to act and now! She goes to strike him but even before the collar can stop her, he does catching her wrist and sweeping her leg. He brings her down quickly but also gently. His grip is like iron.

"Friday." She hears him say. "Disable her collar saftey."

She can't believe what she just heard but she'll never have a chance like this again!

Anastasia twists and kicks back with her leg. He blocks with his right forearm, then pins that leg too.

She hears a sound. He's reaching for his belt! She reaches under the sweatshirt with her right hand and pulls out the knife she'd hidden. If she can open an artery he'll bleed out quick.

He sees it coming and steps on her right arm holding the blade with his left boot. His other leg kneeling on her to keep her pinned.

Theres the sound of leather as he pulls his belt. She realizes how bad her situation is. She can't reach him well with only her right leg free kicking backwards. She does the only thing she can and bites his left calf savagely, trying to bite through his jeans.

"Damn pole cat!" She hears him mutter. She feels him binding her left limbs behind her now.

His hands free he grabs the wrist holding the knife and squeezes. It almost feels like he break her bones with his fingers as he pries the knife free and then stabs it into the ground out of reach. He pries her mouth off his leg and gets up and walks away. She tries to crawl towards the knife again with one arm and leg as she hears him open and close the truck door.

She almost got her fingers on it when he kicks the knife away. "You don't give up easy, I'll give you that much."

He's kneeling on her again but this time she feels the lariat. He's got all four of her limbs tried behind her in seconds.

He steps back. Lifting the cap and her wig. He steps around into her sight and sits rubbing his calf where she bit him. He shakes his head and picks up his hat setting it back on his head. Then smiling ruefully he gently fixes her glasses for her. "Hello, Anastasia."

She glares at him. "So what now? ****?"

He actually laughs and shakes his head. "Hell no! I tied you for both our good... that's not something that has any appeal to me, anyway. Not my cup of tea."

"****, then?" She says smirking.

He continues shaking his head and purses his lips. "Probably not. That don't bother me at all, honestly. To tell you the truth I'm a pretty fair hand at it but it isn't something I usually enjoy neither..." He smiles in conspiratorial manner, "... though some do deserve it and I'd be lying if I said that didn't have some enjoyment."

She sneers. "Then what now? How do you intend to use or **** me now that I'm helplessly in your clutches for the moment?"

He reached out and tenderly brushed some hair from her face. "Don't know. We'll have to see... but I wanted to start by apologizing."

"What?" She asked incredulously.

He took his hat in his hands and actually looked embaressed. "I'm sorryI kissed you, Anastasia... I made a mistake. I thought..." he looks over at the gravestones he was talking to earlier and sighs. "... with the glasses on and that "wig", the light hitting you just right for a minute... " He turns back to look her in the eyes. "I thought you were her. I'm sorry Anastasia. I really mean that."

She stared at him. He had just wrestled her to the ground, tied her up like livestock, she had attacked and even bit him... and he's apologizing for a case of mistaken identity?! To her?!

She laughed at the absurdity! "You are aware disguise is usually one of my greatest skills and talents, yes?"

Walt nodded. "Even so. That wasn't who you were trying to look like... who were you trying to look like anyway? Glynda?"

She nodded. "Not one of my better disguises but options and materials are limited. It'd be hard to create catears, scales or tails out of make-up. Glynda was in the library and Sasha went fishing. I wasn't sure I could pass myself as Sasha just yet but I can do testy and aloof while wearing glasses easily enough."

Walt chuckled at that. "And Neo, Manami or Tsu would also be difficult. Why not Penny or Pyrrha or Willow?"

She shook her head. "Pyrrha was my ideal choice. She's athletic and her going hiking wouldn't have been at all strange. Not enough material for the wig. It was all I could do to make that poor half wig connect it to the hat and it would only hold up at a distance."

Walt nodded. "Well it's still impressive, Anastasia. "

Anastasia sighed. "Thank you... and apology accepted, Walter."

Walt smiled at her. "Thank you." He looked at her. "Promise not to run off right away? We'll get you back on your feet."

"You would trust me at just my word?" She asked.

He smirked. "Not just yet. But I'll untie your legs."

She nodded.

He did too.

He carefully cut away the sweats knowing she had her regular suit on underneath. He untied her legs and rebound her arms pinning them back behind her. He'd done it in such way that even if she dislocated her joints they wouldn't come off easily.

Anastasia was impressed. Walt was too trying not to look at the way it **** her to thrust out her lovely chest.

"And what now?" she asked.

"Come on," he started to lead her somewhere gently.

When she realized she blushed and said,"I'm not sure that's appropriate-"

He shook his head. "You already come out this way." He helped her sit down and then sat himself. He indicated two of the stones."My grandfather Joe and grandmother Kate. They took me in as a boy. Raised me here. Trying desperately not to lose this place. Good people."

"I never knew my mother or father. They died when I was baby but they protected through the accident." He pointed. "There's stones for them over there behind them but they're actually buried elsewhere. By the time Grandpa Joe and Grandma Kate found me and them there weren't nothing left to dig up."

Anastasia couldn't believe he was introducing her to his family... his dead family. What a strange man.

He pointed to the next stone. "My wife Mary. It was her I thought... well, anyway. She was wonderful. Best thing that happened to me in my life... until I met Penny and all of you."

"This here's Anastasia. She's a part of the family now if she decides she wants. If not I'm still going to try to help her and be a friend to her. As you can see she's a real spitfire!" He opened up another beer. "I come up here and visit with them when I can. I try for once or twice a week. Have a beer and just talk. Even if it's just to myself." He raised the beer. "You want one?"

She can't believe some of the thongs he just said but he seemed genuine and sincere... but she knew not to trust easily. Now he was offering her a drink. Sraised her eyebrow. "How? My arms are tied."

He smiled. "Doesn't sound like a "no" to me. Open up."

He lifts the beer to her lips and surprisingly gently supports her head for small drinks. He doesn't want to **** her. He watches her swallow.

"Thank you," she says.

"More?" He asked. She nodded. He repeats the process. She licks her lips. He tries NOT to think about kissing those full lips a moment ago or how sexy she is general, not the appropriate time or place, and pulls out his bandana and wipes the corner of her mouth.

He was very tender with her. She felt his gaze but he didn't pursue or take advantage of the situation. He wiped her mouth for her. She had thought about spitting the beer in his face but he'd honestly treated her with more respect than she would have if their situations were reversed.

*Respect* she thought as he cleaned and brushed her off. He didn't touch her inappropriately. He clearly found her and others desirable but didn't pursue them. Infact from what she had seen the opposite was true. They pursued him.

She watched him drink now. *When was the last time she was given respect?* she wondered. *Destro? Some of the Joe's begrudgingly? She'd always had to take or demand it. He just offered it to her. It wasn’t bad. She could at least do the same.*

Anastasia faced the grave markers. She had intruded on a private moment. "Greetings. I am Anastasia. Apologies for intruding here and it's very nice to meet you all. Walter has taken us into your lovely home and taken good care of us. Thank you."

Walt hadn't expected that but when she looked at him she almost seemed shy. He smiled at her and she did too. Truce.

They talked about the casino and the new arrivals. Funny or odd things that happened. Anastasia even talked about the night befores "escape attempt" but she kept it general and vague. They even split another beer. Then said their goodbyes. At the truck Walter had the collars safteys turned back on and untied her.

"So what now?" Anastasia asked.

Walt pushed his hat back. "Well, we got a couple of options. I'll let you pick. If you want to go home, I'm headed that way. If you want to continue to try to escape tonight that's fine too."

She raised an eyebrow. "But I'm not "in trouble" for earlier? And you won't just let me go?"

He shook his head. "You're not in trouble for earlier. Noone got hurt and you done just what I told yall to do. But as for setting you free you're my responsibility and that'd be irresponsible of me... or third option."

"What's the third option?" She asked.

Walt grinned. "While we've got our little truce going and you think about your options..." he opened the cooler, "we could drink some more beer? Sorry I don't have anything fancier, Anastasia."

Anastasia smiled. "I don't mind beer on occasion... let's go." She got in the truck. Walt did too and they drove off.

(("Walter, there's bad news."))

He sighed and rolled his eyes and actually Anastasia laughed. "When isn't there? What happened, Friday?"

(("Tsuyu Asui has been attacked and injured. I have 3S personnel dispatched and picking her up."))

Walt gripped the steering wheel tight. "Sorry, Anastasia. Change of plans."

She nodded. His face was suddenly like it had been at the hotel and casino... no, worse. He was visibly upset and angry. "It's fine! Let's make haste!"

"Friday, since you haven't issued an alert I'm assuming we're not under attack?" He asked.

(("Correct, Walter. It appears one of the other ladies attacked her. Tracking and footage indicates it was Mystique."))

Anastasia watched as he crushed the steering wheel in his grasp like putty. "Friday. Do you have her location now?"

(("I do."))

"Tsuyu first. She's the priority. But keep tracking Mystique. I'm on my way."

They raced for home.

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Raven Manami Aiba also with Tsuyu Asui Haruhime Sanjouno The Baroness Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress and Serana

Will Return In

Getting Settled Pt 7

Coming Soon]