Rip nodded soberly.  Her words did make sense.  Short, and to the point, she had made a choice, and he would follow.  He suspected he would get chewed out for being weaponless.  The sharp look more or less told him so, which he had only gave her a shrug in response.  He slide slightly away from her, on the balls of his feet.  Without boots on, his feet were quiet.

"On three?". He whispered to her when he was three feet further away from her.  One of the underbrush pack animals growing at him.  When she would give the word, he would scream, and make himself the center of their attention.  He would wave his hands around, but even without training, he knew he needed full control of his blade or he would as easily hurt if not kill himself with it, if he lost control.

Hopefully these beasts, his eyes clearly focused on the nearest one, would pick him as the main threat, leaving Tarja alone to pick them off.  He braced his knees, ready to spring when the count down or order came.

Thumbing the safety off of her pistol Tarja would sight just above the largest creatures head, feeling reluctant to kill them, after all this was their home and they were only doing their thing, not to mention that she’d promised the Ranger that she wasn’t here to hunt. After pausing to consider the fact that was reluctant to kill potentially dangerous animals but would have no issue in gunning down her fellow humans, Tarja would raise her hand and silently count down to three on her fingers before squeezing the trigger.

The creatures would jump with fright at the sound of her pistol going off, with the one that had felt the bullet whistle past its ear making a strange yipping noise before retreating several steps. She would fire another pair of shots as Rip charged towards them brandishing a knife causing them to scatter and flee, though not before one of them snatched the cooked ration pack and fled leaving only one of them to snarl in defiance, though with the rest of its pack gone it was debatable how long it would stand. Especially with Rip baring down on it.

Rip had only dealt with humans, a couple of Angels, and Demon Tankards in his life.  Any type of animal was more foreign to him than the Gava he had already run into briefly aboard Hermes.  But he heard of the stories and hoped they were just as afraid of him as he was.  As much as he tried to hide it behind his gruff exterior.  So when Tarja, whom he kept in the corner of his eye line, began to silently count down with her hand, he was already rushing towards the rifle when she fired.

Rip's focus, then, was only on the rifle and the beast closest to him, as he charged forward, while not swinging madly, he did have the knife pointed toward the beast.  He inhaled and began emptying his lungs in a very bravado type of scream.  He bet his screaming was just a notch under the crack of the pistol shot.  Two more shots went off from Tarja, Rip having to inhale to fill his lungs again for a moment when most of them began to scatter from his field of vision.  Except for the one between him and the rifle.

The beast snarled at him, and he snarled at the beast!  Thrusting his knife forward only to have it lock its drooling maw of a mouth, locking around his right wrist and attempting to pull him to the ground.  He easily slid the knife's handle around so it was firmly in his left as he swung the blade down at the beast, missing it as it hopped against his chest.  The movement was enough to trip Rip up, falling to his side, but Rip never stopped fighting when his life was on the line, and a swift knee to the beast's middle, sent it tumbling over his head.  His left hand swung to wing the beast in its rear left flank.

His right hand free, but mauled by the beast's fangs, he rolled over to grab the rifle.  His handling of the rifle with a wounded wrist was completely poor, he knew that as he rolled to his knees, holding the gun.   So he did the most instinctive thing he could think of, tossing it to Tarja as the beast turned to look at him, hopping around its wounded leg.

With most of the creatures fleeing into the forest, seemingly content to just steal her lunch, Tarja would turn her attention to the final creature that was stubbornly holding its ground. After a bit of a scuffle with Rip, Tarja would awkwardly catch the thrown rifle, dropping her sidearm in the process, and then raise it just as the creature was moving in to attack again. There was a single crack of rifle fire followed by a yelp of pain as she neatly clipped off the tip of one of its ears in what was either a display of superb marksmanship or a lucky shot. Either way there was a yelp of pain followed by a series of yipping sounds as it vaulted over Rip and ran for the treeline.

”Well…that was…exhilarating? Is correct word, yes?” Tarja would say with a bit of a laugh as she retrieved her pistol and returned it to its holster, as the adrenaline began to wear off ”Let me get kit and I will see to hand…um…perhaps you finish getting dressed, yes?” she then suggested with her suddenly noticing that Rip still wasn’t wearing any trousers.

Heading over to her pack Tarja would once again retrieve her first aid kit so she could treat Rips hand for the second time this evening.

Rip stared the beast down, securing tightly his knife in his left hand, keeping the tip pointed at the creature.  He would berate himself for not bringing a pistol with him.  But he also preferred the knife over firearms or his own fists.  His grayish-green eyes staring down into the animal's feral gold eyes.  "Come at me". Rip roared as a crack of a shot clipped it in the ears.  The fight in it gone has it leaped over him, yelping as it took off.

Rip sighed and gave Tarja a nod of his head.  Planting the knife into the ground, kneeling where he was, holding his right arm.  His heart thumping madly, Rip fighting the panic of being in the the "open" affecting him more than the fight.  He enjoyed the fight, even the pain if his wrist helped him feel alive.  But as it was over, he felt too exposed, too much wide space around hum, his ears ringing from the shot if the rifle and his own demons.

He missed what Tarja said, his eyes closed, applying pressure to his wounded wrist.  Deep breaths helping him to come down, the mixture of the high from the fight and his panic attack of feeling like he would float away, calming.  He blinked and looked at Tarja holding the first aid kit.

"What?". He asked, and then his mind caught up.  Looking down, remembering he was only in his tanktop and boxers.  Laughing, having forgotten he was almost naked, he stood up, grabbing his knife and went over to look for those damn tight gray pants.  He didn't care if he got in trouble with the higher ups, cutting the portion of the legs off at the knees.  A bit of blood dripping on the remaining pants, he hopped into the "shorts" far easier now that the lower part wasn't interfering with his calf muscles.  Securing the zipper and button, he grinned.  "That happen lot when you be go camping?"

A look of concern would enter her eyes as she saw Rip staring off into the middle distance, having seen a similar look on the faces of soldiers during the war, usually fresh recruits experiencing their first artillery bombardment. Thankfully however Rip would snap out of it fairly quickly and proceed to butcher a pair of trousers into shorts and finish getting dressed.

Once he had finished, Tarja would proceed to treat his hand with plast as he spoke ”No, I don’t normally get predators showing up when I camp, they must have been hungry…also we should expect visit from rangers” she replied, figuring the multiple gun shots would attract their attention, with her only hoping that they wouldn’t react too badly to them firing upon the local wildlife, with her then adding ”…just so you are aware ship regs state that knife and sidearm are to be carried at all times” delivering the message as a friendly reminder rather than a reprimand. After all she wasn’t his squad leader yet and they were both on RnR, however having another gun would have been helpful, and probably would have saved his hand.

”so…um…how are you finding the whole camping thing?” she then asked in a cautious voice as she applied the finishing touches to his injured hand.

Rip avoided Tarja's eyes as she treated his wrist.  Just kneeling before her, holding his arm out.  He was not use just care.  He was lucky if they could even find a band-aid.  Or steal one.

He nodded as she spoke of the rangers.  He didn't look forward to a visit by them.  "Well, best I let you be handling that."  He was surprised she didn't lay the law down.  "May hap read and heard that.  Trust be me.  I be having my gun on me from now on."  He soberly replied.

As she finished, he pulled his cigarettes back out.  Popping one in his mouth.  "Love it.  Except the wide open and and friendly  attractions, I be sure to leave a glowing review."  Rip said in a humorous tone.  He flexed his fingers and admired how good modern med-tech was.  A pity.  He was looking forward to new scars to remind him of this evening.

"Thanks."  He added finally looking back to her eyes.

”Take injury as lesson, yes?” Tarja replied, giving him a friendly slap on his shoulder to show she was done treating him, although she hoped he understood that if it happened again then she wouldn’t be quite so forgiving and if an officer caught him he was in for a world of trouble.

Chuckling softly at his observations of the evening so far, Tarja would get the impression that he wouldn’t be buying a tent of his own anytime soon with her quietly replying ”Don’t mention it” when he thanked her for patching up his hand ”Here, set this going and I will split it with you once I get off call to Rangers station” she said deciding that it was perhaps best if she got out in front of things and called them rather than wait for them to turn up. Before putting the call through however, she would hand Rip a pack that claimed to contain stew from out of her pack. A glance at the instructions would tell him that it was the kind that cooked itself once water was added to the packet.

After giving Rip a look that seemed to say wish me luck before calling the rangers station in order to explain herself.

Injury as a lesson was something he knew all too well, so he simply nodded to that.  He wouldn't be caught unarmed again.  Not when feral beasts roamed the forests of worlds he might have to be on.  He laughed as she slapped him on the shoulder, far more in spirit than he was a moment.  He gave her his patent grin, the one saying 'I'll behave until I don't have to.'  Granted she might not know that grin meant that.

For setting his wrist, he rummaged through the first aid kit looking for the items to help him set his arm.  Pulling a roll of old-fashioned bandages out, this was something he was familiar with.  He wouldn't need to mention thanking her again, as he knew she knew he owed her.  "Aye Boss." He calmly replied as he began wrapping the bandage around his arm.  The split would come later.  As for the rangers, he tried to ignore her call to them, but he doubted that he would succeed.  He found one of his bottles of water that had rolled out of his sack during the fight, how that happened he didn't know.  Grabbing it, his eyes narrowed as he read the instructions, not believing how simple it was to prepare a meal by just pouring water into the pack, resealing it, and shaking it up.  Witchcraft he thought in his head as he mocked the ration with a disbelieving shake of his head.

While he waited for the reaction of the ration and water, he overheard the Ranger Station responding to Tarja's initial request to communicate with them.  "They don't sound happy."  He grumbled, unsealing the ration pack and getting a good steam of fresh hot stew in his face.  Oh god, he loved this.  He looked around for a spoon.  Remembering he did have a set in his survival kit he brought with him.  Digging through his pack, he found the kit, pulled the spoon out, and dug in, happy as a Rip can be when having food in his belly.  Digging in, not caring how hot it was, he ate the fresh, actually tasty, hot stew and watched Tarja as she spoke with the Rangers.  A thought struck his head, and he reached over for the bowl in his pack poured half of the ration contents into it, and was holding it for Tarja when she finally got off the call with the Rangers.

"So, the Forest Break-Sticks going to arrest us?"  He asked as he finished off what was left in the pack, licking his spoon clean, and offering her the bowl.  Leaving the spoon between his lips he then grabbed the empty ration pack, peering into it to see if he did indeed miss anything.  The injured hand is a minor issue with Rip, being used to broken bits.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:06, Wed 23 Aug 2023.

After getting through to the station Tarja would explain the situation first to the female that had answered the comms call, and then again to her commanding officer. Needless to say they had indeed heard the sound of gunfire coming from relatively close by and had begun calling people in to investigate the situation, with it sounding like an SEC tac-team was on standby incase it had been connected to other reports of gunfire in the city.

After several minutes of this a rather chastised Tarja would end the call with yet another apology before replying to Rip ”No, but perhaps on thin ice…they did not like us…me…opening fire in reserve at animals, said we should have called it in…however fact that we didn’t kill any of them and you were hurt means they won’t press the matter, also ranger remembered I had rifle for self defence so spoke on our behalf” she explained as she took the bowl of stew from him and started to eat ”…They’re going have a couple of people check area and move pack along…I get impression it wasn’t it wasn’t supposed to be in area” she added, suspecting that had as much to do with their willingness to forget about it all as anything.

If nothing else it meant they wouldn’t have to leave early and Tarja would be able to spend a little time in the reserve before went into the city for the rest of her RnR.

Rip simply nodded at first.  Having finished off his portion of of the stew, listening to Tarja.  He narrowed his eyes.  His relationship with authorities was not always good.  He was just glad they wouldn't be visited by the rangers.  While she would go on, he felt restless and starting to clean up.  Once again, that odd feeling of keeping the location pristine seeping into his head.

"Good.  No need to be talking with any Break Sticks.  Those sharp teeth be looking for trouble, but be betting they be hungry.  Understand that.  Even glad I didn't kill one.  Would have liked ... people have ...."  Rip was confused about a term.  His face screwing up.  "People keep such beasts with family?  I could be seeing one at me feet, keeping me company.  Biting annoying Break-Sticks that be knocking on me door.  What do they call that?"  Having repacked most of his stuff, placing the garbage into the former ration pack.

He was no camper, but he took his cues from Tarja's actions in how she was already respecting the natural habitat they were in.  He also had cleared an area, putting down a tarp that would be too small for his body to sleep on.  The intention that he was still going to sleep under the stars.  All while relishing the slight pain in his arm.  He seemed to actually like it, wincing then smiling as he flexed his fingers.

Done, with his clean up, he would sit, still listening to Tarja while she would eat, or looking around.  Mostly at the trees and ground, or her.  "I be cutting into you off time?"  He responded, having forgotten why she was out here until just now.

Tarja would pause in the act of eating her stew to consider what Rip was trying to say and then try and translate it into English ”a pet?” she cautiously suggested clearly uncertain she had the right word herself. Though it did seem to fit with her supposing that you could indeed have have one of those creatures for a pet and walk it like a dog.

As she finished off her portion of the stew she would watch as Rip tidied up the area with a touch of approval in her eyes before laying out a tarp for him to sleep under, with Tarja figuring that it would soon be time for her to do likewise. It was then that he would ask if he was intruding on her time off, with her considering it for a second before replying ”Not really, I was only going to sketch a little before going to sleep tonight…and to be honest I have enjoyed the company” she truthfully replied despite having come out here to get away from it all ”tomorrow I intend to get up early and climb crag, before heading into city and maybe meeting up with others in team…you can join me if you like? Or head into city if you prefer” Tarja continued knowing that the outdoors was not really his thing.

Rip snapped his finger when Tarja brought up pet.  "Pet.  Don't you think?  They look like the bull on me back shoulder.  Very good teeth.  If not snarling at me, I be patting them on the head."  Rip said all excited and happy.  He could see it in his mind.  His sister, her husband, his niece, with a smaller version walking along beside them.  In a different life where he didn't grow up like he did.

Rip was glad at the very least for not be a hindering memoryin her time off.  Even back home, he would have like his alone time to be alone.  But now, he actually wasn't looking forward to that.  As he couldn't remember a time he was truly alone.  His sister with him as long as he could remember of his childhood.  Then his gang.  Stealing, even killing to stay alive.  Fighting together against the Tankards.  He chuckled at how he needed people in his life and then a memory came to him.

"Does be you unit have a tattoo?  To show for the bond?"  Rip pulled his shirt off in a hurry.  Pointing to a faded green circle on the center of his chest.  A bloody knife tattooed as if it was erupting out of his chest.  "We called out selves The Blood Daggers."  He said with pride about his former gang.  "Units get them, no?  You could sketch one for you unit.  So they all remember where they come from.  Who they fought with!"

He had been so excited, walking over to Tarja, squatting beside her so she could see the actual impressive artistry that covered most of his upper chest.  Along with other tattoos and wounds, like the three old deep gouges right above his pelvis.  He forgot to tell her about he did decide to go with her to the Crag.  He really had no where else to be.  The open air be damn.

There was a look of relief on Tarja’s face as Rip confirmed that Pet was indeed the word he was looking for, with Tarja still not feeling confident about her English most of the time ”Yes, I could see them as pet” she agreed, with the vision of her walking down a snowy path with two of the animals wearing collars bounding ahead of her entering her mind.

It was then that the conversation would turn to that of tattoos with Rip asking if there was a unit tat for the AI before excitedly pulling off his shirt to show off his gang tattoo, along with the other tattoos and scars that adorned his body, with Tarja taking a moment to admire the dagger exploding from out of his chest before pulling off her flannel shirt and pulling up the right sleeve of the Nightwish T-shirt she was wearing underneath ”yes, I am knowing what you mean…” she said, proudly displaying the tattoo for her old Jaeger unit, along with the well muscled bicep Rip had felt earlier and what looked to be a small shrapnel scar ”…unit doesn’t have a tattoo…in fact unit doesn’t even really have badge yet…but I like idea” she continued, though she would have to see what Meari and the rest of unit thought first as she couldn’t really force them to get tattoos.

Rip had not realized that he was leaning in close to Tarja, admiring her tattoo.  He was trying to remember if she had mentioned that fact before.  He couldn't remember.  He also saw her well defined bicep muscle with an old scar.  He chuckled.  Again he thought of the reasons he wouldn't like her mad with him.  She was a warrior.

""A pity.  Art like this, and one that shows pride in the unit should be displayed.  So those around you know, as you down beer after beer, you mess with me.  You mess with every member of the gang... err unit.  And with muscles like yours.  They be a fool to even try, but I can see many a fool thinking of a reason to try.  Err, not that I would."  He spoke again excited, fumbling over what he meant to say, and his usual way of just being blunt.  His eyes were looking into hers when he realized that she was an attractive woman.

At that moment he realized he was shirtless next to her.  His heavy muscle chest slowly rising as he breathed in air next to her. His tattoos and scars bare for her to see.  Her well sculptured muscular arm, tattoo and wound there for him.  Her eyes shining with similar pride he shared in his tattoos.

He mumbled something about sleep.  He wasn't use to reacting like that with someone, especially someone who was his new boss.  He had always been his own boss.  And he took what he wanted.  Right now he was telling himself he wanted sleep.

He stood back up.  Slipping his tanktop back on.  Telling himself it was the adrenaline from the fight with the beasts earlier, and Tattoo sharing excitement.  He wasn't the person he use to be.

As his grey-green eyes met her dark brown eyes there seemed to be a…moment…she wasn’t really sure how to put it into words but there was the feeling of there being some kind of connection between them, and all she had to do was to reach out and take it. However just as quickly as it had appeared it was gone again, leaving feeling confused as Rip got up and put his shirt back on whilst mumbling something about bed ”Ah…yeah…um…sleep…yes, good idea” she said as she removed her boots in preparation to going to sleep. Hesitating before the entrance of her tent it would obvious that she was psyching herself up to say something before speaking ”Rip I was wondering if you would…um.. like to…gah…keep hold of rifle until morning…just in case” she said, waving her hand towards the assault rifle. Inwardly cursing herself for chickening out at the last second but knowing deep down that it was probably for the best ”having good night, I will see you in morning” she quietly said before crawling into her tent and zipping it closed behind her.

Once inside she would awkwardly wriggle out of her jeans and then into her sleeping bag in order to get some sleep.

Rip curled the fingers of his wounded hand, staring at them.  The pain, while welcomed, didn't change that damn lingering feeling.  His eyes clouded.  Urges damning the senses.  He stopped when she spoke his name, turning slightly to look Tarja from the corner of his right eye.  Not wanting her to see what was in them.

He half expected her to order him to pack up and leave.  Another part hungered for her to order him to just join her in the tent.  His new sense of duty fighting that back.  He did not expect her suggestion that he hold the rifle, his eyes darting to the white washed assault weapon.  He wanted to laugh, his lips cracking into a smile.  A jerky nod of his head and a roll of his shoulders answered her.  Daring not to speak.  When had he become a coward he thought.

He didn't answer her final words only picking up the rifle, sitting down on his laid out tarp.  His fingers dancing up the barrel as he held the rifle across his chest and laid back, his travel sack a comfortable pillow.  No, he told himself.  It was lumpy and crackle under his shoulders.

He laid there, staring into the night sky.  Gun held tight, as if a replacement for something else.  He realized, as he admired the stars, he wasn't having a panic attack.  Hell, even laying there on that small tarp, lumpy sack, he thought he might actually like the outdoors.

He never knew when he finally fell asleep.  Just one moment, he did.

Sleep would elude Tarja for several hours, her body still alive with the adrenaline from the fight and...other desires that had bubbled to the surface, causing her to toss and turn within her sleeping bag, though thankfully sleep would eventually find her.

She ran through the snow covered forest, her breath coming out in great puffs of steam as she shouted "Tuomas! Erik! This isn't funny I want to go home!" her mother was going to be furious with her, she wasn't allowed to be out in the forest on her own. Her brothers were supposed to be looking after her, not hiding from her!

Snow continued to fall all around her with the forest growing increasingly darker and colder, with her beginning to shiver despite the pink puffer jacket she was wearing "Tuomas! Erik! where are you? I don't want to play anymore!" she continued to shout as she pushed her way through some bushes hoping to see her parents cottage on the other side...

The body lay before her in the snow, blood gurgling up through the young boys fingers as he tried to stem the bleeding from the severed artery. His eyes looking up accusingly at Tarja as she held the bloody Burian steel knife Andruss had given her, Andruss? that isn't right…there is the sudden cracking of a branch behind her causing her her to turn around just in time to get the image of a snarling maw full of fangs as the monster got her...

She would sit bolt upright with a gasp and a cry of terror, her arms briefly fighting against her sleeping bag so she could defend herself before remembering where she was. The inside of her tent grey with the early light of dawn.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:07, Mon 28 Aug 2023.

Rip was a boulder as he slept.  He rarely remembered his dreams, he did dream alot, but this night all he felt was a sense of almost floating away.  But the rifle in his arm kept him in place. Tarja's suggestion to hold it was better then he would have guess.  It felt heavy.
As did the feeling of-.

The scream of terror awoke him immediately.  He felt like he fell to the ground, his eyes opened, he was already rolling to his feet.  The rifle held in a loose, but close hold to his body, as he rose to his knees.

He scanned the area around him.  Looking for a threat in the breaking dawn light.  The scream.  It reminded him of his sister when she was young.  Needing him to hold her tight.  But-

"Tarja!"  Rip shouted.  He bolted to her tent.  Reaching for the zipper, unzipping it fast, the rifle in his arms, he poked his head to check on her.

With her heart pounding within her chest and her breath coming in short gasps, Tarja would lunge for her pistol when she heard the zip on her tent undoing only stopping when she saw it was Rip that had opened it ”I am sorry I…I didn’t mean to wake you” Tarja quietly apologised upon realising that he had come running in response to her scream ”…I had my…um…nightmare again” she continued, looking equal parts shaken and embarrassed by what had just happened, with her trying her best to get herself back under control.

Rip knelt there a moment in the flap of Tarja's tent.  Nodding to himself, not speaking.  It was something he was far to use to, if only when he was young, and with his sister.  He couldn't remember if he ever was like that, having to be a rock for Debs.  And there were the screams of the colonists when the Demons invaded.  Debs being strong for her daughter, and him.  He never admitted to anyone, but he was afraid something would happen to them both.  The only dreams he had ever any memory of was ones where she and his niece died in his arms.

He would look at Tarja for a moment more.  Remembering how she spoke about how this would happen if they shared the tent.  His face almost unreadable, as he weighed his options.  While his eyes felt Tarja's pain.  He decided what was best.  Only hope it was the right choice.

Waddling into the tent, his shoulders and head brushing against the fabric, he reached out slowly to hold her shoulders gently.  His eyes saying things he couldn't.  Being a rock for Tarja if she choose to accept his presence.  No judgement.  No wasted words.  Just someone there for another.

There was a moments resistance from Tarja as Rip placed his hands about her shoulders, with her clearly more used to dealing with issues alone, before she leaned in and allowed herself to be held by him. Her own arms going around him as she rested her head on his shoulder and just sat there until she had calmed down, her breathing returning to something approximating normal ”Would…would you like to stay in tent for little while?” she would eventually ask in a quiet voice that said she didn’t want to be alone right now ”…just until we need to get up” she added as she laid back down in the vain hope of snatching another hour or so of sleep before they needed to get up.

Rip simply nodded.  Laying down beside Tarja, he would follow her lead.  He did wish he had something to say.  But words were not coming to mind.  But he felt it was more important he was here for her.  Actually surprised how he saw the bravery in her asking that.  It was something he didn't think he could do.

He also wished the tents was a bit longer.  He grumbled to himself as he would close his eyes.  He liked the tent, despite it small size, compared to the tarp on the ground and open sky.  Good thing he doesn't snore.

Considering the size of the tent there was no need for Tarja to move in order to nestle up against him, with her simply rolling onto her side so that her back was against his chest, with her not objecting one way or another over whether he chose to put his arm around her. Part of her mind pointed out that she was alone in a tent with a large, and very strong man she didn’t really know and that she wasn’t wearing very much in the way of clothing. Another part however found that same size and strength to be deeply reassuring, like nothing could hurt her whilst he was lying next to her, with him having already proved that he wasn’t the kind of guy to try and take advantage her. She would briefly wonder whether this was what people referred to as Daddy issues or something else entirely before drifting off to sleep.

She would awaken an hour or two later to the quiet beeping of her alarm with her carefully sitting up and stretching, briefly pulling the t-shirt taut against her body before speaking to Rip with a yawn ”we’d better get up and dressed and having something to eat, if we’re wanting to go up crag” she said as she retrieved her jeans from where she had left them before looking up at him again and softly saying ”…also thank you for…um…you know”

Rip grumbled as Tarja sat up.  His hand around her waist falling to her thigh as she sat up.  He pulled it back after a second when he noticed she didn't have pants on.  He rolled off her and away when he realized that, hoping she hadn't noticed his face blush. He had not meant to do that, but couldn't deny he liked it.  She was a woman, with the right parts in his opinion. Also hoping she hadn't noticed anything else about his male body reaction.  Wincing, his hand grabbing his ribs.  "Did you poke me in the ribs?"  He rubbed his abdomen, grumbling as he reached for the zipper of the tent and crab-walked out.  Wanting to give her a bit of privacy as she dressed.

He stopped as only his head was still in the tent.  Glancing back at her, he smiled and nodded.  "Yeah.  Hey, it was warmer in your tent.  And... Thanks for not killing me."   He chuckled lightly, his eyes looking into hers and not her legs.  He fought the urge to linger longer, looking back out of the tent.  He ducked out, adjusting his short pants with a curse as he stood up.  Damn human biology.  He never took a class in it, but he knew enough about the birds and bees.  And his new unit boss might change his singing voice if she caught wind of that.

He was already grabbing a couple of energy bars and looking for water to heat up.  Being used to having to always boil water before drinking it, he didn't know about decontamination tablets or other tech for survival in the woods.  Getting some water boiling, he was stretching when Tarja should/would be exiting her tent.  "Wonder if the crew of the Heremes had fun at their Ritz and Razzle event.  Bet not half as much fun as we be having with those sharp teeth beasts."  He mumbled.  "I dread the day I be having to be shiny and presented to some high fannzy bees."  He would pause mid forward toe touch to see if there was anything that needed to be done.

A thought struck him.  Do they shower or bathe while camping?