Forest stared at Lex, brows drawing together. He understood what he meant, just not how he ended up tagging along with Mason and the other burly fellow. He certainly seemed the odd man out. Glamour wasn't something Forest had grown up to appreciate. It was just excess and Lex probably found that out when the world turned to chaos. He found himself a long ways from home on top of that though it had probably been even longer since Forest had gotten much in way of news. He'd shut himself in and protected what his. Information wasn't important enough to draw him out.<br/><br/>“Hope Mason has taught you some practical skills.” He didn't really know what to say, finding himself somewhere between honesty and politeness. Lex went on to change the topic and he was back to staring, finding the statement a bit personal for the short time they'd known each other. Of course, he was lonely. It seemed an odd thing to ask someone, and maybe he wouldn't if he'd seen how fresh the latest grave was that he covered out behind the house. Forest recovered, laughed a little and shook his head.<br/><br/>“I think it's just me and God. That dog don't want anything to do with people,” Forest answered, pointing out towards were Bruce had blended in with the sheep, not the slightest bit interested in pets from a group of new people. No excitement, no wagging tail or happy, lolling tongue. The animal excelled too much in his original purpose and made a piss-poor companion.<br/><br/>“Been that way for a while yet. It's good to see a familiar face.”<br/><br/>In a way, it was good Lex was perfectly useless. Forest didn't feel so uneasy or outnumbered. He only thought well of Mason and trusted him by default but that didn't extend right away towards the other two, especially the large fellow who was the quietest out of the trio.<br/><br/>“Now, how did y'all meet Mason?” Forest asked.<br/><br/>“Me and Lex knew each other pre-virus. You think me the type of person to just turn a friend out? We picked Wallis up along the way,” Mason answered, careful of his words. He knew the way Forest was and stating that Lex was useful in more ways than he was claiming probably wasn't the path to start with. Neither would be letting on that they were fucking around beforehand even if it didn't really answer the man's question. If anything, Forest had more now but he could understand not wanting to turn a friend away even if they were dead weight. Even Forest knew he wouldn't send an innocent man back into that world once he'd let him in. It wasn't his place to pass judgment, only to do right with the tools he was served. He looked back over to Lex.<br/><br/>“I imagine you'll learn here if you're all plannin' on stayin'. That's why you came, right Mase?”<br/><br/>“I don't want to be presumptuous but seeing you here alone, this farm is a great deal to look after for one man. I'm sure we could be of use to you. Even Lex will pull his weight, isn't that right?” Mason answered, taking the pot from the steps to set over the fire to boil. Wallis had the nerve to cough and Mason sent him a seething look. He certainly wasn't meaning it in<i>that</i>way. Mason didn't want to share beyond what Wallis was already obligated.<br/><br/>“What I mean is Lex is healthy. He might not know what he's doing with much of anything but the sickness doesn't seem to cause him any problems. He's not laid up with fatigue or fever.” The bruises that littered Lex were deliberate. Someone with clear skin was suspicious. There were plenty that would have tried to steal someone healthy away to conduct their own experimentation towards a cure. Mason didn't feel compelled to hide the truth from Forest anymore than he felt the need to hide that Wallis was carrying an unloaded gun.<br/><br/>“What?” Forest asked, looking back to the tall city boy. “How is that possible?”<br/><br/>“Doesn't bother some,” Wallis said, shrugging. Clearly this was not something Forest knew was a possibility.