Abby fluffed her dress after she released Valla from the hug, a bright smile painting her cheeks just as red as her hair.  She was about to speak when she say Tommy, beginning to giggle about it, "Lois heard what happened to Tommy and after her chores today left to check on him at Shrine... is she going to be upset when you drug him here..." she laughed, the kind of small talk that girls would normally indulge in.<br/><br/>Lois was a strange one.  She seemed to adapt to their circumstances really well.  Her tent was one of the furthest from the beach, on the edge of camp and she had helped Tommy scout out some of the area during those first few weeks.  She was blond, tall and lean, pretty in her own sort of way, although she had a hard-edge to her that put her at odds with many women.  She was fiercely independent and just as quick to anger.  Tommy never explained what happened, but one morning they left to scout together, coming back that evening not talking.  Lois had avoided him since, although it seemed like she was now willing to make amends.<br/><br/>She went back to Valla's question as Tommy grew closer "We're doing well.  We tried to make some small cakes last night using some of the wheat and milk, but we couldn't grind it well enough and... well, it was food and it was different food.  But things are good."  She hugged Valla again before looking at Tommy, "And if it isn't he, the guy who decided to nearly get himself killed.  Wasn't it you..." she started, only to have Tommy cut her off.<br/><br/>"Yes, yes, I know.  Don't go into the forest alone at night.  You're like the... everyone has been telling me that," he gave up, the sigh in his voice letting on that he'd probably hear it another ten times before they left the settlement.