09-05-2015, 09:53 PM
Months ago, Abner had stumbled out of the woods and into a new life. A lot had changed since then. He'd become a bit more open to his allies, valuing their friendship and input a little more every day. Some of them he had grown especially close to. He had begun to find a purpose in his life, as well. No longer did he exist to clock in and out at the end of the day, and no longer was his only goal to live long enough to take that white stormtrooper armor off at the end of each day. This journey had changed him and helped him grow. Through all that change, however, Abner was still Abner.
This was apparent to him and all the others as he tripped on a root and came stumbling out of the bushes with all the grace and poise he was known for. His loud cursing the placement of that damned tree and it's anchors broke through the eerie silence. It took a few quick steps for him to reclaim his balance and prevent himself from faceplanting in the mud. He managed to contain and compose himself, though, and stood upright while looking at the crowd.
"Glad to see y'all made it," Abner said with a forced smile, pulling a can of tobacco dip from a pocket as he spoke. He acted like he hadn't just entered in the most embarrassing way possible.
His smile faded as he hit it a few times to pack it together, before opening it and putting a pinch in his mouth. As he put the tin away he looked through the group. It was smaller than before, but there was no telling, yet, if anyone had been lost to the swamp, or if they would even end up at this spot had they not. The small gathering made it seem likely, though.
He scanned the group, instinctively holding his breath as he did. He went from person to person until his eyes locked on Christa and suddenly he could breathe again. She, too, seemed to be letting out a sigh of relief. He wasn't sure what to do, or say, because the fact was he was really glad to see she'd made it through the swamp. More than he'd realized he would be. She paused for a moment, then gave a simple nod of acknowledgement in his direction. In return, Abner let the corner of his lip rise into a small grin. They broke eye contact, and a few more relieved nods of acknowledgement were given from the group and from him. He may not have known them all closely, but he sure was happy to see some familiar faces after that hellish journey.
"Is this everyone?" Abner broke the silence, spitting to the side as he did.
"No," Klaud was the first to answer, and she was quick to do so.
Abner nodded his head, slowly looking through the small crowd to see who had made it thus far. He wasn't exactly thrilled to see that goblin standing amongst them. Every night his arm still hurt from the axe that nearly tore it off, and he placed the blame for that solely on the creature that stood there, now. He glared at Grobdum briefly, but put his annoyances aside. This wasn't the time or the place. Instead, he redirected his attention to Klaud, specifically looking to the dog tag she gripped tightly.
His eyes shifted to Christa, and she looked back as well. The two former community leaders had a small conversation in total silence, with only the use of their facial expressions. It was a skill they'd honed in several meetings and planning sessions, back when they were running the settlement, and it came naturally to them anyway. Abner looked back to Klaud again. He wasn't known for being terribly compassionate, but he could read between the lines. So he simply uttered the only words she wanted him to say.
"Then we'll wait."
This was apparent to him and all the others as he tripped on a root and came stumbling out of the bushes with all the grace and poise he was known for. His loud cursing the placement of that damned tree and it's anchors broke through the eerie silence. It took a few quick steps for him to reclaim his balance and prevent himself from faceplanting in the mud. He managed to contain and compose himself, though, and stood upright while looking at the crowd.
"Glad to see y'all made it," Abner said with a forced smile, pulling a can of tobacco dip from a pocket as he spoke. He acted like he hadn't just entered in the most embarrassing way possible.
His smile faded as he hit it a few times to pack it together, before opening it and putting a pinch in his mouth. As he put the tin away he looked through the group. It was smaller than before, but there was no telling, yet, if anyone had been lost to the swamp, or if they would even end up at this spot had they not. The small gathering made it seem likely, though.
He scanned the group, instinctively holding his breath as he did. He went from person to person until his eyes locked on Christa and suddenly he could breathe again. She, too, seemed to be letting out a sigh of relief. He wasn't sure what to do, or say, because the fact was he was really glad to see she'd made it through the swamp. More than he'd realized he would be. She paused for a moment, then gave a simple nod of acknowledgement in his direction. In return, Abner let the corner of his lip rise into a small grin. They broke eye contact, and a few more relieved nods of acknowledgement were given from the group and from him. He may not have known them all closely, but he sure was happy to see some familiar faces after that hellish journey.
"Is this everyone?" Abner broke the silence, spitting to the side as he did.
"No," Klaud was the first to answer, and she was quick to do so.
Abner nodded his head, slowly looking through the small crowd to see who had made it thus far. He wasn't exactly thrilled to see that goblin standing amongst them. Every night his arm still hurt from the axe that nearly tore it off, and he placed the blame for that solely on the creature that stood there, now. He glared at Grobdum briefly, but put his annoyances aside. This wasn't the time or the place. Instead, he redirected his attention to Klaud, specifically looking to the dog tag she gripped tightly.
His eyes shifted to Christa, and she looked back as well. The two former community leaders had a small conversation in total silence, with only the use of their facial expressions. It was a skill they'd honed in several meetings and planning sessions, back when they were running the settlement, and it came naturally to them anyway. Abner looked back to Klaud again. He wasn't known for being terribly compassionate, but he could read between the lines. So he simply uttered the only words she wanted him to say.
"Then we'll wait."