<span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#bfbfbf"><b>"Raven." </b>He said the name aloud once, almost as if he was making sure she was real. The <i>knife</i> made him lean back a moment, the suspicion of her rising once more. Watcher growled again, but Darius silenced him.<br/>
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Darius looked at the woman, and the odd fruit she offered. The strange mutations that had taken root in the world had clearly affected the food she passed him. Eating food that had been affected could be harmful, especially depending on where it was from. The fact that she could eat it, worried him slightly. People who could eat such food were often abnormal themselves. In some settlements having mutations meant death, or exile. He wondered if she was like him, exiled for an odd mutation. Was that why she was here... alone? Was she also a wandering soul with no real home but wherever she was at the moment?<br/>
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He took the food, pondered over it, smelled it, and looked her over again. Who was this person, why were they being kind? The wastelands were not kind, in fact it was a cruel and brutal place. That she had survived in it, and was still willing to be... like this... was a miracle. He felt shame for threatening her. Placing the rifle down, he took a breath.<br/>
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<b>"It's..." </b>he paused, <b>"Sorry, it's been a while since... talking." </b>He offered a short curt smile. He counted forty-two cycles of the Moon since he last had contact with people for more then a few minutes.<b> "You must think I'm rather slow."</b> He said trying to sound more like her. The night was in full swing now, a large owl in the distance herald the arrival of the darkness. This was a dangerous time, when a fire and sharp skills were the only things keeping the monsters at bay. </span></span><br/><br/><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#bfbfbf">He ate a small piece of the fruit, savoring the sweet and sour flavor. He placed the rest of it on a log near the fire. Watcher wandered over, sniffing at the food. <br/>
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<b>"No... not for you."</b> Darius said sternly to the canine. It winged once, then moved over to Raven, putting it's head in her lap, clearly begging. <b>"Watcher, no." </b>The dog retreated. <br/>
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<b>"Been a while for him too."</b> He said smiling again. <b>"Stay there, I have-"</b> He searched for the words. <b>"-Trade for you, it's not much.</b></span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(191, 191, 191)"><b>" </b></span><br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#bfbfbf"><br/>
He moved to the small lean-too he'd constructed at the small campsite. It was made from large road signs, and metal sheeting. It had taken him a week to put it together, but the time was well spent, he could now pull it apart and carry it with him with short notice. He rummaged quickly in one of the small containers, and returned, offering her the item. It was a small jar of dried black valley apples and purple looking dates. <b>"When you do it right, it lasts for a long time."</b> He mused as he sat down again. <br/>
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<b>"So why are you out here Raven, are you an exile...like me?"</b> He asked finally.</span></span>