Joseph
It was, perhaps, foolhardy to go about the unfamiliar woods with a guide, but his mission was simple enough: subtle carvings in the trees to guide himself through the uncharted territory. The motion made remembering the spot easier and the visual would serve as a reminder should his sense of direction abruptly fail him. 

He did not expect to find company there.

Kazmir was in the business of collecting secrets, and the old practice was one that was ever more important as he and Dreail roved the country in search of safety. He kept his ear to the ground and his lips together unless it was to coax further details from his quarry. 

The people of Briar Ridge were quite a puzzle between their twangy talk, disarming cordiality, and staggering superstition. But he was always up for a challenge. It kept him occupied.

Kept him on edge, too.

So, he did not expect to find company there, *But* He recognized the head of blonde hair and the strapping figure that had startled him, his hunting knife, and his low-slung rifle into a half-shuffle behind the nearest thick trunk - no better than a startled deer - before he recognized the very human groan of discomfort and clank of metal. 

*Dallas.* The man who had dragged the sheriff to safety at the cycle before their arrival and had apparently faced down a beast a second time just this past harvest moon. There had been a fair amount of talk about him around town, and Kazmir was incidentally attentive - or nosy - enough to have caught sight and confirmation of him on an apparently rare trip into town. 

He did not seem like the sort of man Kaz would like to startle. So, from where he stood, he whistled, an imitation of a bird he'd heard about his walks, before he spoke in his low drawl of round vowels and clipped consonants. "You out here by yourself?"
Alexandria
He'd thought he was all alone out here. He hadn't expected anyone else to come traipsing through the forest; and especially not so quietly. He hadn't heard the man until he was basically on top of him— if he had been a foe, Dallas might've been dead by now. But whoever he was... He seemed fine. He couldn't recall him at all, honestly, but he did remember someone saying something about strangers coming to live in Briar Ridge. He hadn't cared much for the information; he wasn't one for gossip, nor did he imagine the new residents would be all that bad. It wasn't none of his business. 

He turned with a start, eyes narrowing at the man before flickering around at the bear traps he'd set up. "Yeah," He said slowly, hand falling to his waist where his smaller pistol was clipped into the belt. 

"I reckon... You're one of them new fellas that just rolled into town." He said. "That right?" Dallas was doing his best as he began to set up the next bear trap. 

"Could ask you the same question," He mused. "Careful around them bear traps. Trigger is sensitive," He said, pointing out at the trail of bear traps.
Joseph
"I apologize. I did not mean to sneak up on you." Though it *Did* Carry its own particular satisfaction. 

"I am," He nodded, head dipping habitually in assent. "Alone and new. My partner is not much for rummaging in the woods."

Emerald eyes followed the movement, eyeing the pistol before cracking a smile - close-mouthed but genuine. "Kazmir. Or Kaz. Whichever is easier to wrap your tongue around." 

Careful feet skirted delicately around the array of traps. "That is a lot of hauling and setting you are doing. Would you like a hand?" 

Another smile as the knife in his hand found its way to his belt, this one with the barest flash of teeth. "I am sturdier than I look. Are you trapping game or are these for those things from the other night?"
Alexandria
He dropped his hand off the pistol and set about opening the next trap, dragging the chain. He didn't know why this man was wandering the woods, but he supposed it was well within his right to do so. Free country and all that. 

"For them beasts the other night," He responded, grunting as he dragged the chain through fallen leaves and hammered it down into the ground, keeping it sturdy in place. His eyes flickered up to Kazmir again as he moved through the leaves. "Dallas," He introduced himself in return. "If you feel inclined, yer more than welcome to." He gestured. There were about two more traps off to the side. "You ain't gonna take a hand off with em, are ya? You ever set one before?" 

He stood up straight now, getting a better look at Kazmir. He didn't look like anybody he'd ever seen before; not in his genetics, but in demeanor. He had a shifty vibe to him, clearly someone who didn't lurk amongst small towns like this one. It made him wonder how the hell he'd ended up here of all places. 

"Figure we catch one of them son of a bitches, we can get a good look at what we're dealin' with. Maybe take a few down." He said, shrugging his shoulders. "Why not, you know?" 

It was *Something* Other than hiding in safehouses. Which was a good idea, sure, but clearly they needed more action. "So..." He said slowly and awkwardly. "What brings ya to Briar Ridge?" He asked.