(Untitled)

[mortaledingly]

[This is bad. Really bad. Not only is this place completely terrifying, but Jansen is also completely powerless to defend himself in case running away fails. So far, it's working all right for him. On top of all that, the food is disgusting. He really, really does not like this place

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[toweredingly]

[Why did you think this was a clear spot?]

[It's because there's a sharpshooter in the nearest doorway, occasionally leaning out to shoot an approaching monster square between the eyes. He hasn't missed one yet, but he is starting to run out of bullets. Luckily, he has a practically limitless supply in his gunna, so who cares?]

[No monsters approaching now, though. He steps out from behind Jansen, taking the opportunity to reload]

What isn't?

[mortaledingly]

Yeee-aaaaaagghh!

[That was a shout. Yes. He totally did not see ya there, Roland!]

Where... Where did you come from?

[toweredingly]

[Jabs his right hand (the one with no gun in it) back at the doorway he stepped out of]

'Tis a good spot for hunting from.

[mortaledingly]

Huh, no wonder there wasn't anything around here. Thanks for not shooting me.

[toweredingly]

I don't spend my shells on those who've done no harm. There's honor in be still - and besides, fresh shells are too hard to come by nowadays.

[mortaledingly]

[Now that he thinks about it...]

Where do ya get more bullets for that?

[toweredingly]

[Shrugs] Depends.

Mostly, I work by what I collected when first the cities fell. They're old, but they fire as well as any, and they fit my guns.

When I find caches that have been missed by others - which is rare, but happens from time to time - I'll take them. And when I find a seller of them, which is rarest of all, I'll find work to pay for more.

'Tis cheaper to buy bullets than to eat from markets, anyroad.

[Going past Jansen to squat next to a dead animal, not as big as some, but probably a little larger than a pig. Frowning slightly, he holsters his gun to pull its mouth open]

Help me with this, will you, sai?

[mortaledingly]

[Flinches away from the thing]

Help you do what with it?!

[toweredingly]

[Pulling apart its eyelids to examine its eyes]

Check it for disease, then carry it back to where I'm lodging.

[He pulls out a hunting knife, holding it left-handed with his right hand steadying it, and cuts a chunk out of the creature's belly, examining it]

Nothing obvious to it, anyway. If there's an infection in the guts, I can stand the disappointment; I'm not throwing the innards away if they're not spoiled, nor carrying them back outside the animal.

[Standing up]

Take its back legs, will you?

[mortaledingly]

[A bit too shocked to do what Roland's asking]

Wait, hold on, lemme get this straight... You're going to eat that?

[toweredingly]

Waste is a terrible thing, and worse in a place like this. Some of the animals can be eaten - some can't, and disease is rife in them, but this one seems healthy and it is of a type which is not only edible, but tasty.

The hide, I can cure and sell for a decent profit when I need the money. The bones are fairly useless, but they can be carved, and if they're properly dried, they'll burn. The entrails, you can't eat, but if you scatter offal a suitable distance from your sleeping place, it keeps the rats at bay.

[mortaledingly]

Don't get me wrong - it's not like I'm a vegetarian or anything - but when I eat my meat, I generally like all this to be done already. This part of the eating process is just... Eugh!

[But still he carefully reaches forward to hold the legs like Roland asked, only he does this with his fingertips while leaning his head as far away as possible]

[toweredingly]

If you feel that way, then I'd guess I'm skinning it and gutting it?

[Picks up the front legs, slinging them over his shoulders so he can hold the animal up easily]

I've made camp in an abandoned loft not far from here. And I made a trip to the store earlier - tomatoes, beans, and cigarettes; all that's needed to accompany a good meal. You're welcome to join me.

[mortaledingly]

[To help carry it, Jansen needs to get a better grip, much to his disgust. He'll just have to seriously wash his hands later.]

Yeah, you know, I wouldn't really be much help with the skinning and gutting anyway. But once it actually looks like food, I don't have any problem helping you eat it.

[And sure, why not hang out with Roland? It would be good protection and stupid to turn down.]

[toweredingly]

[Shrugs] Well, it won't store well. What I don't eat tonight or cold cut tomorrow, I'll take down to the store for those who can't kill their own.

Which I guess includes you.

[Heading off down the street] If you see anything bigger than a rat headed our way, shout out.

[mortaledingly]

[Follows!]

Trust me. Not only am I gonna shout, I'm dropping this animal and running in the opposite direction.

[So Roland will have a general idea where it's coming from too!]