Kaitlyn
Jade had came a long way from home, escaping the suffocating traditions of women where she was from. She didn't want to be married to someone twice her age, she didn't want to be sold off like some prized cow. If she married, it was damn sure gonna be for love and children? Not even in the question. She didn't know where she would end up, somewhere off the grid? The big city? Her journey filled with walking and hitchhiking and then some more walking. She didn't have much with her, some of her books, a few items of clothing, money... What little of it she managed to find. She did feel uneasy, being away from home and all that she knew but maybe that was a good thing. A fresh start if you will. She walked along the road that she was dropped off on, not a lot of people were out. Yet she still loved the environment as it stood the trees, even the air felt different, smelled different. 

Yet she did feel another presence, someone who was doing the same as her? Someone who could lead her to a town? She paused from her walk to look around before stumbling upon a poorly hidden someone. Jade wasn't exactly shy, she carefully made her way to the stranger. Apart of her struggled to do so. Her mothers words haunting her *Jade, no stranger wants to hear you ramble on and on!* The shrill voice of the woman sounding like nails on a chalk board. Finally she spoke up, careful not to be too loud or too quiet 

"Hello, I'm Jade Grant. Are you going anywhere in particular?" 

It seemed to be simple enough start to a conversation, an introduction followed by a question. She kept her body language relaxed so the other wouldn't see her as a threat. She merely wanted to make a friend if she could, at least for a little. Who knew how long this road went before any type of civilization, perhaps they were even from a town, she could find a place to rest for the night or for her next place to go after. She slowly rocked back and forth on her heels while waiting for their reply.
Richard
How long had it been since they'd last taken a breather? Three, maybe four hours now, perhaps? Time seemed to blur together into one jumbled mess in their head. Without anyone at their side and their ratty pocket-watch broken in their pocket, they had no real idea as to how much longer the trek to Briar Ridge *Was*. The thought troubled them, somewhat- the idea of camping out in the wilderness spurred a sourness in Charlie's stomach. How would they stay warm? What about animals? God, what about *People*?

It wasn't all bad, of course: the quiet serenity allowed them some reprieve, even if their thoughts remained scattered. The birdsong was nice, and the sight of an animal's burrow reminded them that this place was alive, even if they were alone.

Lost in their thoughts as they were, Charlie only managed to register the presence of another person only a few feet away. Maybe, if they'd hide behind that tree, they'd be able to hide. Yes, it almost completely-

Fuck.

Despite her relaxed posture, Charlie remained still, eyes unwavering on her form.

"Briar Ridge, miss." Their voice was low and hoarse from hours of walking. "You from around there?"
Kaitlyn
Jade kept her eyes on them, she wasn't naturally very... Guarded, one would say. That could get her into trouble sometimes too. She processed what they had said. Briar ridge? Was that the next town? She smiled, perhaps they could walk together! It would've been nice to have a friend. However, before she got too ahead of herself. She replied to the conversation that she had started. 

"I am from Beckley, West Virginia... I'm not sure where I'm headed quite yet. I've just been walking and sometimes hitch hiking." 

She kept her tone sweet and calm. Although, theirs sounded tired. She frowned before she took something from her side. Her fathers canteen, she had filled it before she left the last town. She made off with a lot of her fathers old army stuff laying around. He was retired, not like he'd need it. 

"Here, you should drink something." She offered the tin water canteen to them. "Even if you take your time walkin' it can still be tiring." She pondered around her own question for a moment. She was shy to ask for things at the very least 

"What would you say if we walked there together? To briar ridge? We can stop and rest whenever..." She looked over them, trying to figure them out. So far, she got the shy feeling from them. Not in the rude type of way, not as if they thought they were too good to talk to anyone else, the mistreated type of shy. She wouldn't ask their story, not until they offered the details to her and allowed the questions. Oh shoot! She never got their name 

"I'm sorry for being so rude... I, I never asked your name?" 

Did they want to share their name with her? She understood if not, complete strangers after all. Jades grandmother always told her you could learn a lot from someone's name, she never understood that though. Would it be because knowing their name led to actually knowing them as a person? Or was there some hidden message in the spellings of names but her grandmother didn't even know letters, so it couldn't be that.
Richard
Their eyes dart down to the offered canteen, gaze hardening as they recalled the dryness of their throat. It was kind of her, truly, but distrust still simmered in their chest. Jade didn't *Seem* Like the type of woman to poison her own damn water... A distraction, maybe?

...It couldn't hurt to have a little water, though, could it?

"I'd ask that you set the tin on the ground, Miss Grant." Charlie's gaze trails down to the dirt, back up to the canteen, and then her face again.

"Not that I don't trust you," A lie, "But I'd prefer to keep some distance between us."

The thought of traveling with someone else, even a stranger, was smart. They'd have to be more vigilant, yes, but two pairs of eyes was better than one. Hell, she seemed green enough, maybe they could let their guard down enough to work those knots out of their shoulders.

"Charlie." They don't offer anything else.