Mason, for whatever reason hadn't taught Lex anything, which seemed unusual to him given that they were traveling together. No time perhaps. He'd never been the most patient of people and it seemed that hadn't changed.<br/><br/>“Work ain't going to do itself with just enthusiasm alone.” He'd agreed though to do what he could and unlike Mason, Forest would be there to teach. Not just Lex either, but all of them if they were going to stay. Mason might have some sort of idea what he was doing but Forest liked things done a certain way. Mason changed the conversation by letting it be known that Lex was healthy, something rarely seen. He didn't know why and Forest didn't really care. He didn't often question those sorts of things like a lot of people might. It was just the way of it but it did fill him with an ounce of hope that it was possible for some people to get by.<br/><br/>“I can't say I blame you,” Forest commented, approving of Lex's desire to stay away from unnatural experimentation.<br/><br/>“It's edible. The meat was smoked and salted so usually you want some of that to soften up and absorb some of the moisture, but if it doesn't bother you give it a stir and have at it. It's nothin' special anyway but it'll fill you up.” If Forest could do anything with the farm it was keeping someone fed. There'd been four before so he knew it was possible, even long term. He hadn't had it in him to cut down the flock of sheep even when it was only him nor had he changed his mother's garden in any way. His days left him exhausted but he got it done. He would have likely kept going until the weather started to change, where he would have tried to finish the fields himself before winter. Impossible for just a single man much less one already stretched too thin.<br/><br/>“Grab a plate. Eat and I'll show you rest of the house.” Forest ate with them. He didn't have as much of an appetite as he used to and sometimes he did forget but it was easy with the company. Once inside he showed them to the living room. The pictures of his family were still hanging and sitting by the fireplace was Forest's favorite chair, a bible resting open on one of the arms. Any free time he had he spent it with God, hoping to stave off the madness that was starting to creep in around the edges. He showed them to the downstairs bathroom. It was still functional but had to be flushed with buckets of water brought in from the well pump. More of a hassle than it was worth a lot of the time but they could use it so long as they refilled the buckets when they were finished. Forest didn't mind pissing outside. There were two bedrooms downstairs that were empty,  before only used as guest rooms. The others were upstairs.<br/><br/>“Two are locked. Mine, and my sisters. Make yourself at home anywhere else.” He pointed them out, one being the master bedroom which he'd taken over after his father had passed away. He showed them down to the basement last, light still pouring in from the windows at the top.<br/><br/>“Me and my father used to brew beer with some of the extra barley. Just as a hobby. Probably nothing like any of you are used but with some extra time and things done around here I can probably get a batch going again.” He tapped his foot against an old metal container they'd used for fermentation. Rather basic design but at least it still functioned during the apocalypse. Beside it was an ammunition reloading press, along with casings, powder, and primers.<br/><br/>“Your rifle was loaded then,” Mason said.<br/><br/>“Of course,” Forest said with a nod. “No reason to carry around a gun that isn't.” He was smiling, teasing Wallis just a little bit.<br/><br/>“That's pretty much it. At least what we used out of it. It's a big old house, even for four grown men. I don't see any reason we should be steppin' on toes. Pick up after yourself and all that. I trust that you're alright people with Mason vouching for you. I go to bed pretty early but after a full days work, I imagine you all will start too so I'm not worried about anyone keepin' me awake. Everything sound agreeable?”