<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 26px"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(97, 189, 109)">|  R I N T E R A |</span></span><br/>​</div><br/><a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/591405375618547712/594593932055281783/sunrise.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">The fiery hue of dawn</a>splits the sky and begins to crest it's face over the rocky hills, spreading its golden radiance along the endless stretches of rust colored sand and stone, bringing light to a new day in the rocky valley. The morning air is crisp and refreshing, betraying the heat that was sure to follow in just a few short hours as the harsh wilderness of the desert is revealed under the burning visage of the rising sun. The rays of morning brilliance cut through the twilight of dawn, sending nocturnal predators into their hovels, and bringing forth another conquered night for those alive to meet it.<a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/591405375618547712/594593928318025738/sunrise_3.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">The sun slowly stretches its wings</a>over miles of rocky crags, cracked flats, and short sturdy foliage. The magnificence of nature spans near endlessly before it finally gives way to man made ingenuity as the sun trails over the precisely shaped metal surfaces of the various metallic structures that made up the desert outpost of<a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/591405375618547712/594363046193790987/b1.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">Althea</a>. Tucked into the side of the rocky mountain line, and wrapped around with intimidating<a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/591405375618547712/594363045464113182/container_4.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">metal fencing</a>, the simplistic town was a testament to ingenuity and survival in even the harshest of places. What had once been a sprawling junkyard and dumping ground for metal waste, had been turned into a community that thrived in their little corner of the desert. What was once seen a useless scrap and rusted<a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/591405375618547712/594395728064020530/containers_6.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">freight containers</a>now served as<a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/591405375618547712/594363054859354130/containers5.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">sturdy shelter</a>for the two hundred or so<a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/591405375618547712/594414104236654593/400_Days_Banner.png" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">New World settlers</a>who called Althea their home. The first light washes over the lines of metallic houses, revealing their simplistic elegance, there was an admirable grace to the straightforward construction of the<a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/591405375618547712/594363051231412278/containers3.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">dwellings</a>, many of which had taken decorated forms, painted vivid colors or covered with decoration, telling of the people living within and their survival among the heat and dust.<br/><br/>The morning sun rises until it reaches in and eases its way through the chain-link cover of the open side window, illuminating the simple<a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/591405375618547712/593574640010657815/d5rghfd-82301af1-bd0f-4b8a-a041-a7c8aff410f8.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">living space</a>, a comfortable bed left empty as it had been many nights, instead a lone figure lays slumped over in a wooden chair, lain with her upper body draped over her worktable, sound asleep. The rays of the sun illuminate her soft features, her thin pretty face, and the mane of dirty blonde hair atop her head, which was drooped over whatever project she had been working on long into the night. A sudden loud beeping interrupts the serene morning, making the girl stir with a grumble, trying to fight off the morning sun assaulting her eyes and annoying repeated tone berating her ears, the simple alarm clock was one of the few electronics she truly regretted fixing. Eventually the constant tortuous beeping makes the girl raise her head, eyes half lidded and sleepy, a piece of copper wire stuck to her cheek as she groans and rubs her eyes, pushing the rolling chair back before defeating gravity to pull herself from her sitting position, wincing as her vertebrae pop a few times as she wills herself to stand. Grumbling in a half dead state, she brushes off her face, the little piece of bent wire falling to the floor as tiredly moves toward the devilish little contraption wailing beside her bed and hits the snooze button. "I swear I'm going to sell you..." With her threat made to the inanimate object, she flops into her bed and sighs contently, laying out along the stitched together blankets and rugged pillows, slowly closing her eyes to rest just a little longer before the infuriating little machine disturbed her once more.<br/><br/>The Sun's rays trickle in as it rises, the golden glow of daybreak giving way to the light yellow haze of morning light that basks over the young woman who was sprawled out into a comfortable position. Her loose tank top covers the curves of her lithe chest and leaves her smooth, firm abdomen exposed, one hand draped over the soft skin of her navel, the other haphazardly arched above her head showing her slim muscle, days of working with her hands leaving her with a gentle athletic shape. The girl's subtle hips are hugged by a pair of comfortable shorts, leaving her gorgeous tanned legs exposed and comfortably sprawled out along the length of her bed. Eventually the brightening light draws her from the much needed slumber, body shifting subtly before she lets out a content sound and flexes slightly, arching her back while stretching out her arms until her elbow joints strain with pleasing pops, her muscles stretching and warming to the new day as she opens her beautiful sky blue eyes and smiles looking out her grated window at another beautiful day.<br/><br/>"...Shit!"<br/><br/>"Shitshitshitshitshit! Dammit... Dammit!" She thrashes to pull herself up from the bed to stand, looking at her alarm clock, growling softly realizing she had hit the off button instead of the snooze, seeing it was already nearly 7:30 in the morning, a far cry from how early she wanted to be up, given what today was. She nearly stumbles out of bed standing and moving to grab her clothes, hissing as a sharp pain runs through her foot and she raises it, seeing the piece of copper wire that she had dropped protruding from her skin, quickly pulling it out, a single little droplet of blood in its wake. The blonde girl frowns and licks her thumb, wiping away the droplet, the tiny puncture underneath was already closing, her injuries never took long to heal, and despite working with jagged metal and tools all her life, her skin had never been flawed by scars from the cuts and scrapes that she had endured, hoping to never have to find out what kind of injury it would take to leave a mark on her skin.<br/><br/>Setting the piece of wire back on her desk, she returns to her frenzied task of grabbing her clothing, moving to her dresser, she grabs what she wants, haphazardly throwing her outfit onto the bed. She chooses a pair of olive green cargo pants, and a sleeveless tan top that would allow her to be comfortable in the heat that she could already feel setting in, tossing the rest of the clothing onto the bed, she quickly strips down, her tank top pulled away and tossed into the hamper in the corner, exposing her delicate chest, her breasts smooth and firm, capped by light rose colored peaks. Next she slides her shorts and underwear down her legs, exposing her slim form entirely, her body that of a runner, thin and slim, toned with a little bit of definition. her faded gold hair drapes to her shoulderblades and points down to the soft curve of her smooth rear, and further down to the delicate petals of her sex tucked between her legs. The young woman was nubile and attractive, in the prime of youth, and even in her frenzied panic,<a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/591405375618547712/591406976043581460/Junker.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">Rintera Kane</a>was truly a beautiful desert wildflower, blooming in the harsh world they inhabited.<br/><br/>Rin pulls up her simple underwear followed by the cargo pants, tightening the belt, drawing it around her slim waist before she grabs her simple grey sports bra pulling it on until it cups her chest perfectly, she would truly mourn the simple garment whenever it decided to break. Adjusting herself, she finishes by tugging on the light shirt and sighs softly and moves to her dresser. The young blonde grabs a pair of faded green army issue socks, slipping them on before grabbing her pair of sturdy black biker boots and pulling them on, adjusting the buckles until they were snug and stands, grabbing a simple elastic band, she pulls her hair into a ponytail and last she grabs her simple shawl and wraps it around her shoulders and over her head to block out the looming sun. Taking one quick glance at herself in the mirror, her sky blue eyes brighten, she was far from vain, but seeing herself dressed and ready to head out brought a smile to her face.<br/><br/>Moving along her simple domicile, she goes back to her workbench and grabs her steel mesh pack, it was little more than a metal basket that strapped comfortably to her back, but it was convenient to hold odds and ends both big and small that she needed to transport, in this case her cargo would be the bits and pieces she planned to bring to the market, which was the reason she was in such a hurry, today, was caravan day. Every two weeks the traders would make their way to and from the nearby big city, trading their goods with the more urban dwellers and bringing back their haul, stopping in their town along the way to get supplies for the trek back home. Rin was rushing to get to the market where they gathered, after they traded in the city, they always had useful goods on their carts; bullets, medical supplies, canned food, gasoline, light bulbs and even occasionally more frivolous things like alcohol or preserved sweets, but none of that mattered if it was all bartered away before she got down there! Swearing at her lateness she moves from her bedroom into the small<a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/591405375618547712/594667985642192901/a6.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">dining area and kitchen</a>, opening her refrigerator and looks inside, frowning seeing her choices limited, she would have to go to the market for food as well at some point. Rin frowns as the cooling fan in her refrigerator squeaks as it spins, it was ironic, she had repaired three different people's refrigerators this month alone, and yet her own had been squeaking for quite a while and she hadn't gotten around to it. "Soon" she tells herself, grabbing a refilled bottle of water and taking a long drink before deciding on just snagging an apple for breakfast, something she could eat along the way.<br/><br/>Moving back toward her bed, she smiles as she goes to her bedside cabinet and slowly opens the top drawer, inside sat an elegant black case which she pulls out and opens up, her blue eyes brightening seeing her pride and joy glinting in the light. "Morning Beautiful." She reaches into the foam lined case and pulls out the heavy<a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/591388394639065088/593691591697367041/a2.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">.357 Magnum Revolver</a>, the pistol lovingly named 'Ms. Fortune' both for the 6 chambers like the 6 on a dice, as well as for the simple fact that anything that stared down the four inch barrel was certain to have a very, very unlucky time. Rin hums pleasantly as she feels the solid weight of the stainless steel revolver, the rubberized combat grips contouring to her hand perfectly. With a a press of the release and a flick of her wrist she swings out the cylinder, smiling softly seeing the 6 rounds loaded and gives the cylinder a quick spin before snapping it closed. She reaches into the drawer and grabs the sturdy holster and slips the weapon in, snapping the guard strap closed and slips the holster around her waist, ensuring it was nice and steady, the weight of the weapon comfortable and familiar. It was unlikely she would need the weapon, despite the lawlessness of the wastes, inside the gates of Althea thinks were pretty quiet most of the time, justice for troublemakers delt out quickly, anything from being tossed into a cell the sleep off a drunken tirade, beaten for trying to steal, or run out of town for worse crimes. There was no long term jail, supplies were too valuable and scarce to spent any length feeding someone who wasn't contributing, committing a crime worthy of a 'life sentence' was carried out as simply ending the life then and there. Despite the general safety, it was always best to have a tool and not need it than the opposite way around, and besides that, while she wasn't vain in looks, Rin was deeply proud of her weapon, working firearms not being intensely common outside of the larger cities, let alone one working, loaded, and restored to the beauty of the lovely nickel plated lady strapped to her hip and she liked to show off a little bit.<br/><br/>Finished arming herself, she lifts her pack and slips it around her shoulders, moving toward the end of her 'home', she walks down the simple metal spiraling stairs that bring her to the ground floor and the bulk of her domicile, her workshop. What had previously been he fathers pride and joy, was now all hers, and unlike upstairs where things tended to get disheveled and messy, the workshop. by contrast, was<a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/591405375618547712/593582241486209082/junk3.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">pristine</a>and<a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/591405375618547712/593581204767375564/tools.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">in order</a>, tools<a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/591405375618547712/593574643764559882/tools-on-pegboard1.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">carefully arranged</a>by size and type, spare parts put into<a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/591405375618547712/593581189214896252/junk3.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">organised compartments</a>for easy grabbing, and her rows of good scrap<a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/591405375618547712/594679873444904965/a7.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">laid out</a>by metal type, with her gift and a little effort, what she couldn't find, she would make herself. The blonde grease monkey takes a moment to admire the collection of tools, most were her father's but she never passed up checking tool sheds and boxes for something new and useful to salvage. Finished taking stock, she goes to her workbench and grabs her mobile battery, a simple car battery she had rigged and wired to an outlet socket so she could have power on the go. Hefting the piece of equipment, she moves toward the front door and smiles seeing her loyal 'guard', the sawed off<a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/591388394639065088/593714467452485633/a4.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">pump shogun</a>was rigged on a bracket and aimed at the door, a pulley and wire attached to the handle in case anyone felt like breaking in. "Keep an eye on things while I'm gone." She playfully states and carefully eases some slack on the pulley, allowing her to open the door and slip out. Rin closes the door and listens, hearing the weight on the line slowly pull the wire taught, knowing the next time it was opened by someone who didn't know how to disarm it, they would be in for a heavy dose of buckshot.<br/><br/>Stepping out into the already warming day, Rin takes a slow inhale and sighs contently, hefting her pack and the battery in her hand, she begins to walk along the pathway toward the marketplace. Her boots softly clatter across the flat sheet metal and grating lain over the desert surface, the makeshift pathways making a pleasing metallic sound as her heel stepped down onto them while walked through the<a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/591405375618547712/594363050656792587/containers2.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">narrow paths</a>. Pulling out her apple, she takes a bite as she walks briskly between the various sized homes, most smaller than her workshop, though a few were the same size, and some even larger, either for big families, or for someone who clearly traded well. "Hi Rin" The blonde smiles and turns to the friendly man. "Morning Mr. Stints" She says turning to wave and as she turns back has to quickly duck under a pipe being carried on the shoulders of a pair of men, her gaze watching them curiously, looking at the length of piping, she could tell immediately it was a water pipe because of the valve joints, and the way they were headed it was probably going to 5th and 9, that pipe had been leaking, maybe she would check if they needed help later, most of her living was made doing odd jobs around town, fixing simple appliances, ensuring the lights and generators kept their nights from being swallowed by the dark. Continuing forward, she continues to munch on her apple, looking up toward the sky, both at the lack of clouds, and the wind indicator on one of the roofs, the weather was perfectly fine, it relieved her, a day of trading wasn't all she had planned today, the carts tried to move together to stave off threats and protect one another, but not all were leaving the city, she would be looking for one headed back into it, to barter a ride into the<a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/593935425404534809/594600370408521754/city.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">beast of metal and glass</a>and continue her search for useful tech.<br/><br/>Turning her attention forward as the sound of more people becomes louder, she perks knowing she was at the<a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/591405375618547712/594684844663898123/market.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">marketplace</a>, quickly finishing her apple, she drops the core into one of the compost bins that fed the various gardens plotted here and there throughout whatever soil would accept root. Picking up her pace, she moves toward the noise and turns the corner, immediately frowning at what she sees. The various carts and stalls were already set out and surrounded by people, had she been here when she intended, she could have gone by as they set up and had first chance to snatch things up, but now it seemed she would he settling for scraps. Sighing softly, she decides to just enjoy the hustle and bustle for what it was, maybe pick up something here or there if anything caught her eye. After 10 minutes of wandering the various trader's, Rin sigh's discouraged, most had been picked clean of anything she might be interested in, until she hears a familiar voice shouting out. "That's it, step on up, I've got BB guns and bowling balls, shovels and spatulas, everything you could ever need!”<br/><br/>Rin chuckles softly hearing the scruffy faced trader, his name was Joseph, or ‘Junkman Joe’ as he liked to be called, he was as much an entertainer as a trader, shouting out catchy slogans and drawing people toward his cart, it was filled with random bits and pieces, but as much a he like to spout that he just brought whatever he felt like, Rin knew there was a method to it, everything was useful, either for daily life, entertainment or decoration. Moving toward the cart, the man spots her and his booming voice echoes out. “Ms. Kane! Hello! Still just as beautiful as ever I see.” She chuckles softly, his boisterous voice had been what drew her to his cart the first time almost two years prior, and since then he had become one of her favorite traders. “Does your wife know you’re out here flirting again Joe?” She chuckles and he feigns looking around in fear. “Why? Is she here?!” He smiles and motions to the cart. “Take a look?” She nods and steps forward. “Always, any luck on the usual?” He perks and nods, motioning to a small trunk and opens it, inside were piled up magazines and books which made her delight, he was one of the few that bothered to scavenge and transport them, and she often bought anything tech related, with so much information lost, she had to relearn what humanity had spent hundreds of years making. Searching through the pile, her eyes brighten pulling out a pair of magazines, a little bent up, but still in good condition, Home Improvement Digest, and Modern Mechanic. As she opens the magazine, he clears his throat and she sighs, knowing his rule, she was only allowed to look at the table of contents to decide if she wanted it. “Have to sell them somehow.” She nods and looks at the table, seeing a few tidbits that she was interested in and sets the magazines aside.<br/><br/>Looking further in the trunk, she raises a brow finding a few magazines toward the bottom, pulling one of them out, a large breasted woman nude on the front and she lifts it out, looking to him with a raised brow as he scoffs. “What? They sell!” She rolls her eyes and and blinks seeing a book with a handsome bare chested man, with a full moon behind him. The curious girl flips it over and briefly scans the synopsis. “When the full moon rises... Love and lust... can she tame the beast within him?” Cocking a brow, she opens to a random page, flipping through a few before landing on a juicy bit, eyes flicking over the lines before her cheeks redden and she closes it, sheepishly setting the novel atop the magazines, much to his amusement. “How about some jewelry?” He asks, pulling out a smaller box, filled with various gold bits, he grabs out a ring and shows it to her. “In case you find the right boy huh?” she chuckles and shakes her head, having little interest. “I’ll pass, besides isn’t the guy supposed to buy the ring? I’m not much for jewelry anyway.” He nods and sets the box away. “Except for that?” She looks down as he points to her necklace,<a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/591405375618547712/594684847549710350/neck.png" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">the radiant piece of crystallized rock</a>hanging along her collar. “It’s part of the meteor isn’t it? Didn’t take you for the devoted type.” She rubs her finger across the stone and slips it under her shirt collar. “We all have to believe in something...” She idly adds, finding it easier not to tip her hand too much on issues of belief. In truth the necklace had been her mother's, the only memento she had of hers, and it never left its place around her neck.<br/><br/>Sensing her hesitance at the question, he changes the subject. “So, the two magazines and the book, what do you have to offer?” She perks and slides her pack off her shoulder, setting her battery atop his cart and pulls out a few pieces. The first is a simple metal fan, she plugs it in to her battery with a tiny spark and flips the switch on the back, the small motor coming to life and she lets him feel the cool air for a moment before unplugging it and grabbing out a large 'Maglite' flashlight, letting him hold it and turn it on, seeing that it worked. "Lights up the night, and if someone creeps up from the dark, you can beat them to death with it!" She laughs softly. “Batteries come with it?” She frowns and shakes her head. “You know D batteries are harder to come by, going to take more than a couple magazines and a smut novel.” She chuckles and he grins. “Then it’s a good thing I brought something else... just for a pretty blonde and her lovely lady counterpart.” He motions to Ms Fortune on her hip and digs around in his heavy coat, finding the small cardboard box and raises it, her eyes as he opens it, sitting inside were twelve pristine .357 magnum, high pressure,<a class="link link--external" href="https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/591405375618547712/594684840193032193/a5.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">hollow point rounds</a>. To the practical minded girl, the small pile of hefty bullets was more beautiful than any of the jewelry he had shown her. “Picked them up a few days ago special, just for you, if you’re interested that is...” he smirks as she looks to him, both of them knowing damn well she was.<br/><br/>Rin reaches out and gently takes one of the rounds, holding it in her hand, knowing from how pristine the brass was, that these were fresh rounds, not reloaded, turning them over, she ensures the primer was in good shape, the Remington name engraved along the back and she immediately looks up at him. “What do you want?” She asks in a determined voice and motions to her basket. “I’ll take the fan, and the flashlight<i>with</i>the batteries and... throw in that toaster.” She nods in acceptance. “Done.” He ponders it and looks into her pack, not seeing much else he was interested in and ponders for a moment. “ah! I know, maybe you can take care of something for me.” She cocks her head as he reaches into his cart, pulling out a long machete and unsheathes it.” Rin’s polite smile never leaves her face even as her hand moves on its own toward the handle of her revolver, easing as he offers her the long blade, letting her see that it had been bent a bit from impact and he grins. “Think you can handle that?” The blonde smiles and picks up the heavy sword, her fingers easing along its smooth length. Every metal had its own<i>feel</i>, some would bend to her will like a branch in the wind, while others she had to force to obey, they were all different, and with just a touch, she could get a sense of the sturdy steel she was currently holding. “Yeah, I can handle it.” He smiles and motions for her to go ahead, the small girl taking the machete in both hands and takes a slow breath, closing her eyes for a moment, and as they open, the<a class="link link--external" href="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/591405375618547712/594692029095608330/a8.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">violet glow</a>is already overtaking the light blue of her gaze.<br/><br/>It was a marvel to watch as the metal begins to shift and warp, something so sturdy and immovable at her beck and call, the bent position shudders and then ripples and shifts, the metal pulling taught and then lining up with the rest of the blade, the young metalmancer focusing intently as a bead of sweat rolls down her forehead until finally she exhales a few times, wiping her brow with her arm before raising the blade to the sunlight, checking that it was straight, satisfied, she offers it to him to do the same. She crosses her arms as she awaits his appraisal, his face furrowed in concentration before his smile returns and he slips it into the sheathe. “Flawless, as always, your dad would be proud." She nods at the slightly bittersweet compliment and motions to the stack of reading material and bullets. “So, we have a deal?” He inspects the offered barter and looks to her with a playful glance. “Throw in a kiss?” He sees her brow raise and her hip cock, chuckling softly “Can’t blame me for trying.” She rolls her eyes and moves up onto her tiptoes, easing closer, his eyes widening as her face nears his and at the last moment her fingers grip his bushy beard and pulls his face to the side, leaving a soft peck on his cheek before pulling back, sliding her bartered goods toward her pack, getting ready to move on. “Thank you Joe.” He smiles and rubs his cheek softly as she starts to leave. “Always a pleasure Ms. Kane!”<br/><br/>The excited girl eases through the crowd, perked and happy to have scored quite an exciting haul, her day was already made, and it seemed to get even better, seeing that she wasn’t the only one who had slept in, a few of the caravans still tricking in, getting their various beasts of burden tied up and setting themselves up to begin trade. Rin moved toward them and weaves her way through to try and get a look before someone else beat her to all the good stuff.