Never pet a burning dog.

[thirdboxcar]

Something in Walt’s brain clicks when Sgt. Colbert shoots his smoke grenade, blue gas escaping from it, but the car doesn’t stop. He faintly remembers the LT telling Brad he doesn’t like the idea of this, that they’re here to stop suicide bombers, and smoke grenades basically do shit, really. Maybe it’s sleep deprivation that makes him do it, maybe

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[gotacigarette]

Nelson's having one of those days where he can't bear to be alone, so she's walking down the beach smoking a cigarette, and, about five feet behind her, there's a giant beast of a cat, and he's singing. Well, he's yowling, but it definitely sounds like he's trying to carry a tune.

When she sees the guy in camo, she pauses, shading her eyes from the sun.

"Island," she says, in answer to the question. "Magic island."

[thirdboxcar]

Walt turns toward the voice (a female one, he notes) and has barely laid eyes on the woman when he spots that huge-ass cat thing. Out of reflex, he pulls the rifle closer to him, fingering the safety, as he takes one step back.

"That cat, does that belong to the magic part, or the island one?" He asks, nodding his head towards it.

[gotacigarette]

Eden takes a long drag on her cigarette and looks at him the soldier...no, the Marine, and raises an eyebrow.

"At ease, Private," she says. "And don't you dare shoot my cat."

[thirdboxcar]

Walt shakes his head, placing the rifle next to him, before he says, "I'm a Corporal," like it really matters right now.

"Didn't know it was yours," he adds, watching the cat.

[gotacigarette]

"And I'm a Major, so I win." Eden adopts a stance that's easy, but undeniably military, standing with her arms folded across her chest.

"His name's Nelson. He's...mostly tame. And I'm Eden."

[thirdboxcar]

Walt can't help a little smile as he crouches down, extending his hand to beckon the cat closer.

"Nice to meet you, Eden; my name's Walt," he says, patiently waiting for the cat to make a move. "Nice to meet you, too, Nelson."

[gotacigarette]

Eden laughs a little, blowing smoke up towards the sky, and nudging Nelson in the ribs with the toe of one boot as he starts to stalk.

"Yeah, don't do that," she says, shaking her head. "Not if you want to keep all your fingers, Walt."

[thirdboxcar]

Walt chuckles, his hand still extended to the cat, "Aww, c'mon, he can't be that bad."

Looking up at Eden's face, he asks, "Or is he?" His eyebrow slightly raised, still accompanied by a smile.

[gotacigarette]

"Fine," says Eden, giving him a flat look and slipping her cigarette back between her lips. "Pet him. See what happens."

[thirdboxcar]

Walt slips to his knees, trying to make himself smaller so he won't personate any kind of danger to the cat. "C'mon, buddy," he says, voice quiet.

[OOC: now, what will actually happen? Your move, I think!?]

[gotacigarette]

Eden watches, looking almost amused, as the cat sniffs his hand and then, almost deliberately, bites him.

Eden raises her eyebrow.

"I did warn you."

[thirdboxcar]

Walt pulls his hand back at the pain, inspecting the damage he thinks there should be now, feeling glad when there isn't any. His hand is reddening, but he can live with that.

"It was worth a try," Walt grins, getting up on his feet again. "Have you had him for long?"

[gotacigarette]

"Since Christmas," says Eden, glancing up the beach. Typically, Babe is nowhere to be seen.

"You're lucky you still have all your fingers."

[thirdboxcar]

Feeling maybe he should show some gratefulness to the cat, Walt nods, as stupid as it is.

"Have you been here for long?" He asks now, curious about this.