open]

[implant]

Who: Kaidan Alenko & OPEN
What/when Kaidan is hunkering down for 3rd night of the game. food has been had and kaidan is getting a bit of a stress headache
Location: 7-E

It's cold. It kind of reminds him of home, that damp chill that works its way deep inside; the one that always made him run to his mothers side and quickly inside their house. Only here there's nothing; just an ancient forest with little cover at all. Even with the absence of bright lights and loud noises, Kaidan has been getting headaches nearly daily; the L2 implants just working themselves out. He doesn't know why; but they just... don't work. He hasn't tried to use any of his biotics here and thankfully no one has approached him as a hostile.

Kaidan is by a stream. That was his first action-- finding clean water and keeping close to it. Animals need water, humans need water-- and hell, most plants grow close to it. Kaidan is lucky enough to have a basic grasp of plants and wildlife; knowing edible from inedible; safe from poisonous. Right now all Kaidan can do is sit by the tree he's chosen, overlooking the stream in case anything wonders by. He doesn't have a fire, doesn't have anything that could make a fire-- and he's not exactly looking to cast a beacon out on his location. He hasn't forgotten that many people will be trying to kill him; even if how he acts seems to hint at that.

Comments

[implant]

"They're fine; a little spooked, but who isn't. One keeps carrying around a camera she found. Not sure how I feel about that, but if it helps her cope." Kaidan shrugs then, not really moving from his defensive posture. Kaidan wishes he could bring himself to do so, but at this point in time-- it's difficult. He doesn't trust her. Seeing her again opens up something scarred and hidden, something Kaidan tried desperately to keep away. Garrus seems just at home with Shepard at his side. Good. Shepard always liked Garrus and vice versa. Kaidan never had the charm she had, and never made close friends on the Normandy, none like Shepard.

[c_sec]

"I haven't met them yet either, actually." Garrus turns to Kaidan, turning his back on Shepard but, hell, that's how it should be. She's got his back, he knows that.

"Are they hiding nearby? Sleeping? You'll probably want to introduce us to 'em before they wake up screaming over your two new friends, Kaidan."

[galaxyherder]

Shepard nods in agreement with Garrus' statement; an introduction might be a good idea. She steps up to the turian's side, waiting for whatever Kaidan has to say.

"Have they been with you this whole time?" it doesn't seem like crucial information, but she's curious to know how much the girls are going to be trusting of Kaidan. Are they going to be intimidated that both she and Garrus are here now, clearly acquainted with him? Or are they going to view them as something positive? Added protection? Strength in numbers?

[implant]

Kaidan straightens his already taunt stature when Shepard goes to Garrus' side. He's immediately outnumbered by two people who trust each other with not only the fate of the galaxy, but with each other's lives. It's threatening, even if they don't mean it. Kaidan is the outsider; Kaidan is not the one either of them would choose to have at their side. He still stands up tall under the pressure, never truly loosing his grace; his firm control of the entire situation. If the two left, there would be nothing for him to do and he knows that and they know that too. It's no reason to flaunt it.

"They're making a camp right now. They need some rest, then we'll move on."

[c_sec]

"Good idea. They'll need all the rest they can get." Garrus nods, approving of Kaidan's decisions. Working in groups requires a completely different dynamic than surviving alone. With kids around, they'll be more of a burden than anything if they're hungry or tired.

"Uh, what are you guys doing for food?" Random, maybe, but feeding kids is its own problem by itself.

[galaxyherder]

Oh god, food! Shepard thinks longingly. If there's been one thing she's been lacking this whole time, it's been a good meal. And she doesn't exactly have the highest standards when it comes to foods, either. She's lived off military grade rations for, well, longer than a normal person would care to, but three days of tart red berries and mineral-tasting water from the streams hasn't been particularly filling. Not that she is expecting Kaidan to announce that he and the girls were about to roast a chicken before she arrived, but now that there are people to keep their eyes out, someone might be able to devote a little time to trying to hunt something. She... doesn't quite know what they can do for Garrus though. Has he been eating at all?

"I've got a survival blanket to spare," is what she offers when she speaks, however, because she doubts they'll do well searching for food in the darkness. She's already gotten a useful amount of rest for the day, and has no problem contributing what little resources she's accumulated for the others to make use of. She doesn't know what the girls or Kaidan might have stashed away in the brush, but nights are cold around here and every little bit helps. "But I agree. Let them rest and then move on. Did you have a direction in mind? I've already come from the west. Nothing but rocks and a smattering of brush that way."

[implant]

"We're up there." Kaidan nods towards the mountain face. They've found a decent cover to protect themselves from the windchill and dropping temperatures. "One of them has a few cans of food. Ariadne. We've been making due. A few sponsors have given us food, what with the camera Amy keeps." Kaidan rubs the foot of his palm roughly across his temple as if something hurts there when there's only his implants. "The blanket will be nice."

It's hard, facing down both of them like this, feeling like he has to prove himself to them; that he's not just another one of Shepard's teammates. There's a reason why he was promoted up to Commander.

[c_sec]

Garrus shifts to the side, scratching his face a bit awkwardly. Must be nice having levo-amino acids in a place like this. "'fraid I don't have much to offer. I'm getting food through sponsors-- about the only way that I can, really."

Being in the minority for him just means he's built differently. It's never been too much of a problem on the Normandy (someone always whipped up something,) but here... he's rationing what he can. You never know when the well dries up.

[galaxyherder]

She's glad to hear that Garrus has at least been eating something. Glad to hear he had sponsors, which is more than she had to say. Though she likes to think that she hasn't really needed any, yet. Not that she's been particularly entertaining to watch up until now.

She shifts her weight, and stretches her neck, and realizes that this is the first moment since she'd been lifted up into this Arena that she's felt even the slightest bit relaxed. "Well, I'm ready to follow your lead, whenever you're ready, Kaidan," she tells him.