Some Kinda Monster

[Alistair Valkyrie]

Now that was one he hadn't heard before. Granted, he'd endured various attempts at verbal abuse unfurl from the mouths of parasites, and each and every word sipped effortlessly down his back with barely a shiver in his resolve. They were just words, after all, worth little without the means to back them up, and Alistair had found in his time that very few held the ability to do so. Still, that didn't prevent them from churning out verbal poison as their final act of defiance, given it being their only recourse when his handgun was pointed oh so perfectly against the back of their neck, and his foot on their back. 
But this one, this gangly, disheveled shadow of a thing once defined as human, had used a word Alistair could not recall as being used in reference to himself before; Monster. Spat moments before a number of bullets raked through what had moments prior been the top of the spine, the bounty hunter found himself musing on the being's choice of words more then he usually would bother to. He remained silent as he tilted his head slightly to one side, looking over the slumped heap in front of him, the remains of that which he'd hunted; It's head was no longer attached, ripped asunder and now some distance from it's body. Nothing special, just another leach slipping into nearby safe settlements with the desire to fill themselves with red, either without a maker or born from one who didn't care to monitor their infected, left alone to fend for itself in the Scorch. It didn't matter to Alistair, through, really. It ended the same way, with blood in the dirt.

With rapid, all too ingrained movements, he replaced the now empty handgun with a fresh magazine, pulling it back and clicking it into place. Even with the silencer, it was likely any particularly attentive vampires nearby may have heard his little dispute; But then again, given that hearing the sound of gunfire was all too common, it would have more then likely gone unnoticed. Alistair casually slipped his weapon back into the holster within his jacket, listening, intently. Although the last words of his most recent addition to his tally were still, to some extent, amusing him.
Monster. 
It was after all a respective term; To a mouse, for example, a cat must surely be a monster.

If anything, it was a kind of a compliment. 

[Deleted]

Christina had met him back when her family was alive. They would train together and when the unit had been killed her parents had been apart of it. It hadn't taken her long to step away from trying to kill off the vampires though, she knew many of the other hunters hadn't approved of her action but it was her life and if she wanted to stand by and allow vampires to live on she would do it. She had followed Alistair out to the scorched. Staying back as she listened to him kill off the vampire, not missing the comment the vampire had said to one of the few people she used to consider as one of her closest friends, that was until she abandoned the teachings of becoming a hunter to do her own thing.

Unsure on if Alistair had noticed her or not, since she had purposely stayed hidden till his killing was done, moved to the side so that he would be forced to notice her. Her hands were on her elbows as she looked over his kill, there would be a small risk of them being enemies if she didn't believe that he was still all for saying the human race. Since she wasn't a vampire, she didn't believe she would be on his target list till the end if he chose to change his mind on the subject. "Did he just call you a monster?" She asked, huffing as she looked down at the dead vampire. "I don't believe in such things." She stated plainly, not looking to try and prove the vampire wrong, just looking to give her own definition was all.

"I see you haven't changed a bit." She answered, waiting a few seconds before adding, "I take that back, you have gotten better on your kills." She had noticed, he was always better at it then her, but then again, she was better at distraction. Nobody liked having anybody else as bait and yet, that was the thrill of it all. Putting your life on the line and see how long you could survive before you or the vampires died. Her hands didn't move her from elbows as she stared at the ground. "One less vampire in the world, but there are still plenty more to go." She said sarcastically as she finally looked him in the face. "Tell me, did you hunt this vampire out, or did they find you?"

Alistair Valkyrie

[Alistair Valkyrie]

Of course he'd been aware of her presence, but granted had not been immediately; That had always been one of her greater talents, the way she managed to move with near silence. She had been a child of the unit, as he had been, raised within the group and trained to hunt, kill and survive; But the slaughter struck them both with miles of difference. While it had served to only harden the heart of Alistair Valkyrie, it had seemingly softened hers; Reduced her to just another member of the herd, all need to fight beaten from her by the horrors she'd witnessed; But then, grief affects each soul differently, and Alistair saw little point in musing on it... She had made her choice, however, in his eyes, selfish it had been.
He cast her a glance as the familiar figure stepped out of the shadows, his hazel eyes softening a touch; it had been some time since he'd last spoken with her, but even then the look was fleeting.
"... Kid, I've been called worse," He replied coldly, raising an eyebrow at the young woman before following her eyeline to the remains still seeping red into the dirt, staining the ground around it a dull scarlet. Whoever it's maker had been, they clearly cared little for their offspring.
Then came a compliment. A small flicker of amusement pulled at Alistair's lips, but he didn't reply. His Father had trained him well, and seeing how his skillset lived on in himself was something to be proud of.

Alistair then caught her movement and met her gaze, and remained silent for a moment, before giving a light shrug, adjusting and pulling back the weathered, leather gloves on his hands. "... Hunted it. Ain't nothin' worth mentionin'... Was feeding on some of the settlements nearby." He then stepped forward, closer to the once hunter, before casually slipping his hands into his trouser pockets."... Although, kid, either you're an idiot or you ain't here just for the show," He tilted his head slightly to one side. "You and I both know your heart ain't in this work, so what brings you out here?" 

Since the brutal slaying of those they called family, Christina had seemingly tried to avoid getting involved in what Alistair did, so for the young woman to risk her life out in the Sorch for the sake of the mere spectical of one of his kills was highly unlikely; Which begged the question, to what point or reason did she have to chase him out here, away from the safety of the walls, from the settlements? She was either foolish, or needed something from him.

[Deleted]

Christina found herself smiling at his comment, boy did she believe that comment all to well. Even she got her share of nicknames, to bad for her 'Kid', had been one of them and no matter how much she tried, it never seemed to wear off for her. His comment hadn't surprised her but when she had followed him out of here she hadn't seen a vampire but that didn't mean that Alistair had gone out all by himself to hunt it until he told her so. Alistair had moved towards her, she remained where she was at, just because she didn't hunt vampires didn't mean that she wasn't capable of doing damage if she wanted to. Once more his comment had brought a smile to her face. "Everybody has their foolish moments, of course it isn't a smart move to be out here but even you took the risk so...." Christina kept that smile on her face.

"Well I'm not hunting you if that is what your asking, nor any vampires." It was a terrible joke on her part, but then again back in the wall, maybe people killed each other over the lack of food, the hunters were trying to help them out but there was always that one that didn't want to be helped. It was clear to her that Alistair still expected an answer from her, she allowed a sigh to escape her lips. "You and I both know this isn't the first time I've been out here, it won't be the last either." If there was one thing her parents hated about her dare devil nature, it was when they had found out she had not only strayed away from the group but had been found outside the wall.

"The only thing I've killed lately are animals." She stated plainly, "I'm here only because I want to be here." She wasn't out hunting, the only weapon she had on her was a bow and a bag full of arrows. It took to much effort trying to find ammo for a gun so she had left that with the rest of the hunters years ago. She knew that she had avoided his question, not caring to tell him that she had followed him out to the Scorch, just to follow him out. "I suppose that means you'll be heading back home now, so that you can stalk another vampire and hunt it." She added finally before letting go of her elbows.

"I'll just leave you to it then." Her reason for coming out to the Scorch was because she had gone near the hunter unit, nobody had seen her but she might have made the mistake of being heard when she left. She had seen Alistair, he was still alive that was a good enough reason for her to come back at another date and follow him around. It just so happened that he had walked out into the Scorch and she had picked that same day to follow him. Chris had changed since she had left, humans were just a means to an end and she was sure the vampires were the same exact way, so why get involved when you'd likely die on your own terms anyway.

Christina turned to go, half hoping he wouldn't let her do so. Sure he was a hard guy to work with sometimes but he had still been her friend back in the day, she still considered him one even though they had tension over her choice of leaving instead of staying. Maybe if she didn't feel like she was restricted so much to having to keep herself safe she wouldn't have left in the first place.

Alistair Valkyrie

[Alistair Valkyrie]

Alistair listened as the young woman attempted to explain herself, providing little to no true reason for why she would risk venturing beyond the wall; He remained silent, his brow quirking slightly when she seemed to give up trying to summon up some airy reasoning, simply stating that she had wandered into the danger of the Scorch prior, and that seemingly, to her, should be enough explanation for him.
Perhaps she had become more of an idiot then Alistair had first supposed in their time apart; As capable as she was, the Scorch was no place for someone who did not intend to call themselves Hunter, who had no intention of killing vampires, considering it was an area which in some places was positively invested with the degrading shadows of what was once humanity... So it was a fairly certain assumption that she had not ventured out for the mere sake of doing so, and had not simply "happened" to come across him. She wasn't fooling anyone, least of all him.

He watched her carefully, his hazel gaze darting over her quickly, recalling how she'd left and how different she was now; She appeared however unharmed, so at least her skills had carried her thus far. He watched her turn from him, narrowing his eyes slightly at her back, before he gave a sigh, his gaze softening as he looked away from her form.
"... Worried about me, eh?" He spoke softly, before giving a small smirk. "There ain't no reason to be so concerned, kid." Had she really taken such a risk, coming out armed with nothing more then a bow and arrow, just to touch base? To make certain Alistair was well? She could have come to the Hunters' unit. But then, Christina did value her sense of family greater then her own sense of self preservation; Seeing him head towards the Scorch, she likely opted to follow regardless of her own safety. "... Come on, Miss.Christina. You know walkin' alone in this hellhole ain't exactly a good idea," He spoke matter of factly, before nodding in the general direction of the walls. "... If ya ain't huntin', there ain't no reason for ya to be walkin' the Scorch. Head back with me, kid. We'll get somethin' to eat."
He almost scoffed at his own words, biting back his tongue; But he owed her some form of kind sentiment. They had come through a lot of brutality together, and despite his cold opinion on her decision, despite himself... There was still that obligation of family.

[Deleted]

Christina was about to take a step but had stopped herself from doing so. She didn't answer and he continued speaking. "Your one to talk, I know you were checking to see if I had been turned into a vampire." She answered glancing back towards him. "That shouldn't surprise you." She added, regrading his first comment. "In fact if I didn't believe you could handle yourself I might hadn't left in the first place." But then again, he always was the better hunter between us, the smarter of the both of us. I know my reckless behavior made him upset as well. She found herself looking forward again, tempted to go out on her hunt now that Alistair was fine, clearly he could take care of himself after all, since he hadn't brought back up or anything.

"Of course I know, but..." She was about to argue as he mentioned if she wasn't hunting she might as well come back with him and get something to eat anyway. "Well I wasn't hunting, sure, but I was going to do that right now." His offer to go back and eat with him hadn't slipped her mind though. Go hunting or go back with Alistair to the base..... I could always claim I walked him home.... "But then again, I wouldn't miss the chance of claiming I walked you home." There was a smirk on her face when she had made the comment. She opted to not tell him that she had made plans to head back out here later to go hunting just because it was also sport to her.

"In answer to your first comment, if you didn't have a little bit of dare devil in you, then you aren't truly living." She hadn't seen any vampires since coming out to the Scorch, it wouldn't be much worse of a death if she had stayed behind the wall since her own kind could come around the corner to kill her. "Am I to believe it will be hard to sneak away?" She asked, clearly joking with him but even he knew there would come a time when she wouldn't stick around since it wasn't her place to be at the base any longer.

Alistair Valkyrie

[Alistair Valkyrie]

The young woman's assumption that the bounty hunter had been scanning her form not to check upon her general wellbeing but rather to see weather or not she had become a vampire had Alistair narrowing his gaze a fraction; Christina had been trained for years with the same intensity as he had, and despite their tragedy dulling what drive she held for hunting those who fed from breathers, Alistair liked to hold onto the notion that should she undergo the absolute desolation that would surely be becoming one of them, that she would opt to make sure she did not continue on to harm others.
By any means necessary.
That was the method of their unit, grim and absolute. But then, if she could lose what heart she had for hunting out of mere sentiment, then perhaps it was possible she would be unable to make the right choice if that became a terrible reality... But that wasn't something Alistair wanted to think about. The idea of Christina becoming a vampire was... Unpleasant. And although he would not claim to be without the capability for error, Alistair felt he was fairly safe in his belief that he could judge accurately between a breather and someone who fed from them... And he was fairly certain the woman in front of him was as warm blooded as she should be. 

He supposed her comment had not been intended with any heavy level of seriousness, and opted to think little on it beyond that.

Alistair let her continue on, her playful comment almost rousing a laugh from him. She then brought up her reckless behavior, using it to explain her disregard for the Scorch's dangers, before again returning to a light hearted joke. Alistair scoffed a little with a small smile. "Kid, do I look like your keeper? You want to leave after, I ain't ganna stop you," He spoke in reply. "But, I should think ya owe me a check in and some catch up conversation every once in a while, eh? So come back with me, save ya huntin' tonight."

[Deleted]

Christina just smiled at Alistair when asked if he looked like her keeper and went on to say she was free to go where ever she wished. "We'll you do look like it a little bit." She joked but seriously it was nice to know that she still had her freedom. His comment sounded like a friendly suggestion to play catch up. "Okay, yeah." She agreed, finding that she was horrible at conversations still. "I suppose coming in just to watch doesn't count." She laughed at her own words, "Especially if you don't know I was there." She finished, nodding her head to him.

Maybe she wouldn't have a need to rush in leaving for tonight. "So any fun stories you care to tell me since the time i had left all those years ago?" She was sure he had something since she had been gone since her parents had died. She had a few of her own stories, like why she had animal fur for clothing instead of rags. Or the fact that she lived alone now and she was still alive and kicking. "I know i have some since i left." She added, figuring she'd share hers if he shared his.

Alistair Valkyrie

[Alistair Valkyrie]

The bounty hunter raised an eyebrow questioningly; She wanted to stand and make idle chat in the middle of the Scorch? That hadn't been what he was suggesting, and her use of the word "fun" had him almost rolling his eyes. He then stepped forward, walking past the young woman, before gesturing with a gloved hand for her to follow him. "I don't know about you, but I'd rather not spend the rest of my night talkin' next to a stiff, Miss.Johnson," He spoke casually with a sigh, not even bothering to give the vampire's remains a glance. "Come on, kid."
Alistair had already placed various small markers from the Hunters' unit down to his current location, specifying the safe route he'd cleared on his way through the Scorch; Of course until he was within the confides and surrounded by those of a similar mindset, and not out in the wilds, he would remain on edge. Although regardless of being surrounded by his unit, Alistair hardly ever indulged in the luxury of completely relaxing; Few people could truly make him feel comfortable.

He allowed some silence to fall between them, idle small talk seeming overall pointless; Alistair could see little point or purpose in it. His suggestion had been that she merely touch base when she saw reason to, out of obligation for the bond they once had, rather then intending to have a full blown conversation right here and now in the middle of an area practically infected with danger.
"... Tell me, Christina, have ya forgotten all we were taught?" He spoke lowly, a sternness seeping into his voice. "Followin' me out into the Scorch is one thing, but ya strikin' me as careless. I meant we can talk back at the base."

[Deleted]

Christina watched as Alistair had moved past her, she followed after he had gestured with his hand. She didn't reply when he made his comment, it hadn't bothered her but she could understand if it had bothered him. He told her to come on and she made sure to walk next to him, the last thing she wanted was to hold him up. She didn't say anything as they walked, though she was finding it easy to become bored. His question had caught her off guard, "I haven't forgotten." She answered, choosing in the end to walk slightly faster than him. "I am just not bothered being out here as you are." She glanced back towards him, "The problems with being reckless, you start to not care. You should avoid becoming like me." She confessed, allowing thoughts of their past come to her mind.

"When I asked my question I hadn't meant to hint at standing around for your sake, I just knew that you are likely to have things to share and I didn't see the harm in having that conversation on the way back here." Since we haven't had it though, it just means that we still have something to talk about when I finally sit around and pay attention. "I was never good at having conversations. I'm sure you remember back in the day." Back when I would pace because it was easier than sitting still, or playing with my fingers just because it gave me something to do.... Oh another favorite. Cutting up a stick with my knife because I liked using it for something.

"I admit though, I am much more laid back now than I was back then." She answered, coming to a stop before turning to face him. "I don't blame you for wanting to keep a watchful eye or or even being uneasy out there, but have you even relaxed since I left?" If there was one thing she missed about being in the unit, it was trying to encourage her friend to take some time for himself and that meant breaks. As far as she was aware though, he never took that advice. She was hoping he would claim so, her reason for asking in the first place. "When I say relaxed, I'm meaning back in the unit." She wasn't about to risk him getting that confused with being on the other side of the wall.

Alistair Valkyrie

[Alistair Valkyrie]

Alistair was more then used to violence. This was simply his way of life, and it was safe to say he'd become rapidly desensitised over the years; But no longer being affected by sights that would shake the hearts of most men did not mean the bounty hunter would become lackadaisical. It was a foolish man who allowed familiarity, be it in people, situational or environmental, to drop their guard.
This world wasn't about to offer anyone any favours, and it seemed to be something Christina was letting slip her mind.

You should avoid becoming like me.


Alistair's eyeline narrowed, although he remained silent, letting her prattle on about her lack of care and reckless behavior. It was almost laughable, how much she appeared to have forgotten all they had been trained for; He'd hoped even with Christina choosing to leave the Hunters that some part of her would unitise all they had been bred for to look after herself if nothing else... But it didn't appear to be the case. She was dismissive, uncaring, showcasing a distinct lack of self preservation for no reason at all other then for the sake of it.
In some ways, perhaps her leaving had been beneficial; At least her selfish decisions affected only herself as opposed to risking the unit.

The young woman stopped then, turning heel to face the bounty hunter. Alistair's gaze met hers, his dark, hazel eyes boring into her own as he allowed her to talk on without pause, remaining unreadable, even as she turned the conversation onto him. A moment of silence passed between them, before he approached her, leaning down so his face was mere inches from her own. "... You know, you spend a long time dead, kid," He spoke, his voice low. "Now maybe pretendin' we don't live in in form o' Hell suits you, Chrissy, but I ain't relaxin' until I can say each and every vampire is dead." He pulled back then, softening his gaze a touch as he furrowed his brows. "... You wanna live like that, it's your call. I said I ain't your keeper."

[Deleted]

Christina waited for Alistair to speak, he had approached her, being so close she listened as he spoke. "I am well aware of where we are." She answered him back, after he told her that he once more wasn't her keeper. She wasn't sure why she never had the desire to fight, being bait was okay but her motivation was gone as soon as her parents died. I think I finally understand why I left. I don't just blame the vampires for their death, I blame my parents for joining in that fight in the first place. "Well it's your life, don't blame me when you die from exhaustion." She turned around, started walking forward again. The faster they got back in the outer city the faster he would become somewhat safer again.

No vampire was going to tell her to stay in the outer city, no human was going to tell her to join this fight. If she wanted to join it she would do it when she was damn ready to do so. "You should know, I never did stop killing vampires. I just didn't go out of my way to hunt them down." She was able to shoot at them, cutting off the head was a little harder since she didn't have anything to cut it off with because she left that back in the unit, though starting a fire was a little bit easier for her. "At least out here I don't have to worry about another human trying to kill me." Now who is in the dream? You and the unit try and bring people in to help them and care for them, sometimes even train them. I, I never have to deal with that crap ever again.

She took in a breath, perhaps hearing of their differences had bugged her after all. He was still the same old Alistair, but she, she wasn't the girl she had to pretend to be back when she was around her parents. It had come to a surprise to many when she had opted to leave. Many had believed her to be joking, except for Alistair, he knew her secrets all to well, but perhaps he didn't know that she could get worse if she had the freedom she had desired back when she had left all those years ago. "Do what you have to do, Alistair, but don't get killed by them." A regret of leaving in the first place, she couldn't watch him all the time and make sure he didn't get himself killed.

Alistair Valkyrie

[Alistair Valkyrie]

Alistair breathed out through his nose with a small smile, his only response to her reply, before watching as she continued the trek over the uneven ground back towards civilisation. The night air was light, with barely a breeze to ruffle his hair, although it carried with it the distinct scent of gun residue. Of blood. Remnants from his kill back in the desolated rubble, but a smell that seemed to hang as a permanent fixture in the air. He focused on her back, a bow slung across it, watching.
People like her were part of the problem. Poorly willed and filled with the weakness of human nature; After all, it was so much easier to give in and let it all play out, to focus on the needs of the one then the needs of the many. Christina was selfish, a child whom was given the chance to be something more, something significant. But then, perhaps she had never been one of them. She'd certainly never had the heart for it.
He caught her speaking again, and sighed, following on after the young woman. He was quiet, listening to her trying to validate her choice to him. There was little reason for her to try and prove anything to him; She'd made her choice. That was that. He wasn't going to try and change that; She was an adult, she could decide for herself what life she wanted to lead. "Ya know, people killed each other before this plague, and they'll do each other in after it," He replied. "Ya no safer here then anywhere else." His family history was a fairly safe example of that... Although he had no proof beyond this parents' word, of their supposed ties to the old Chicago mob.

His gaze darted to the side as he noted one of his markers, a pile of broken rubble and twisted metal that had once been some manner of building, when she spoke again. Her comment this time actually roused a laugh from him, a rarity in itself. "I'll do my best. Ain't done too badly so far, eh?" He spoke casually, catching up with her now, easily traversing the uneven earth with familiarity. So, it was clear she still held, despite all this time, some level of care for him... But she had always been one who valued her human emotions far more then he did; And despite his opinion of her choices, and their differences, Alistair held some mirror of it for her. "... You reckon you can do the same?"

[Deleted]

Christina listened to his comment, That is exactly why I left. I'm not safer there at least outside the wall I was able to hunt. It was always about others though and not risking my life and in the end restriction. "It's not safe anywhere." She answered him, clearly in agreement. She made her comment and heard him laughing, It isn't funny I'm serious! When he caught up with her that was when she had glanced at him before glancing away again. "I can try and not get killed." She answered him back, By human or vampire. She thought to herself, but he didn't need to know about the human part. There is no way in hell any vampire is getting any of my blood either though, I'd likely take my chance at becoming one then joining them. Christina thought to herself before another thought had crossed her mind.

Becoming a vampire, that would mean I might be able to end the vampires quicker and all those damn humans that don't deserve to live. Alistair said it himself, they were trying to kill each other before the plague and they will do it after too. He told me not to die, he didn't flat out say no vampire turning, I don't have to tell him that I'm a vampire, what he won't know won't kill him. She wouldn't be in a rush to lose what she had just for that type of life, but if it happened who was she to stop it. It's not like I'd blame him if he was the one that got turned. She continued thinking to herself, opting to keep those thoughts away from him though.

"But then again." She answered, bringing the subject back up. "Shooting them I have no problem with, same with starting a fire, but I don't exactly have anything to cut their head off with at this present time." Sure she could try and make a knife to cut the head off, but it would be so much easier not doing that. Making arrows was so much easier for her, same with using a stick to start a fire. "We both know cutting their head off is easier than starting a fire." She added, knowing it would be a whole lot faster too.

Alistair Valkyrie

[Alistair Valkyrie]

At least she was willing to agree to that. It showed she hadn't completely given up the ghost. She then went on, about how she hadn't a blade to use. Alistair always had some form of weapon to hand, from his daggers to his handguns, and he wasn't past using anything he could use at hand in a fight, down to hand to hand combat. Granted, bullets, guns and hardy blades weren't exactly easy to come by for the average person unless you had something of high worth to trade with; And since Christina had little of worth to her name having left the unit, it made sense she'd struggle to get a hold of anything beyond her basic bow and arrow... Which was far from practical against the speed of a vampire.
"... Well if that ain't a hint," Alistair scoffed, giving her a small smile. "Your old weapons are still back at the base. Granted, they need to stay where they can be best used, but I ain't past gettin' ya your old huntin' knife." He was surprised she hadn't taken it with her, since such a weapon was useful beyond beheading the undead; And although he would gladly return her blade, he had no intention of giving her anything more of her old stock. The hunters needed what guns they could manage to get a hold of, and they would be little utilised by a girl who only wished to hunt for food... A knife would service her needs.

The bounty hunter then nodded towards the dull lights ahead, a beacon guiding them onwards, flickers of light in the dark evening. He raised a gloved hand, patting her lightly on the shoulder, before continuing on forward. Things were perhaps never going to be the way they once were between him, the hunting dog, and the weak hearted Christina; But that didn't mean he wasn't going to offer her a hot meal when he could offer it. She was, after all, in some manner, family.