Out to Pasture

[Violet "Vi" Coustic]

Eyes watched as the cattle grazed, searching for any food they could get. Smile widened as Violet pat one of the large creatures while she moved by. She loved the cows a great deal, and they seemed to love her back.

Pa always did say I had a way with animals.

Contentness settling, Violet continued to make her way through the herd while keeping an eye out for trouble. She had been lucky so far; luckier than most. Not much trouble reared its head when she took the herd out.

Maybe something really is watching out for me up there. or it could be the help.

Attention drawn, Violet watched the other woman who was helping to guard her cattle. She couldn’t quite remember the girl’s name, or if she had even given it when they first set out. Curiosity and guilt mixed, Violet decided to head over and remedy that.

It’s only fair, especially if we’re working together.

Feet halted, Violet gave the other woman a kind smile and a nod. “Sorry, I don’t mean’ta bother you when you’re doin’ your job. I just wanted’ta ask your name again.” She admitted, voice soft and apologetic. “Bein’ new shouldn’t be any excuse. I hate excuses myself. I’d rather own up to my mistake n’ ask again.” She added, tone calm and kind.

[Kiki Esperanza]

Even though it was always hot, Kiki really liked being outdoors. Yes there was the threat of Rot and everything, but she hated being cooped up inside a building even more. She much preferred the great blazing outdoors to the slightly cooler cramped indoors. She had a lot more freedom out here.

It was probably a good thing that she liked the outdoors, considering her job. She looked out over the here and smiled faintly. The big creatures were cute, in a way. Sure they weren't Aggie, but cute still. Speaking of Aggie, Kiki glanced around until she spotted the big sheepdog patrolling around and making sure none of the cows got too far.

Smiling, Kiki glanced over when she heard someone approach. It was the woman she was working with for the day. In all honesty, she had completely forgotten her name and felt terrible about it. But as the woman spoke. It seemed like she wasn't the only one.

Blinking, Kiki smiled a bit sheepishly and shook her head. "It's alright. To be honest, I kind of forgot yours too. You're a lot braver then me for asking." She said, rubbing the back of her neck. "But my name's Kiki, and I don't like excuses either. Which is why I should probably own up to this even more since I've been here longer." She admitted with a slight grimace.

[Violet "Vi" Coustic]

Eyes noted as the girl seemed to grow sheepish when she apologized. Curiosity spread but relief soon followed as the girl admitted she hadn’t remembered Violet’s name either. Smile growing, Violet shook her head.

“I don’t think I’m quite as brave as you. You’ve got'ta guard the herds from bandits. I only make sure they stay in one place n’ keep together.” She said, tone warm and a soft laugh. Head nodded as Violet got the girl’s name again. “I’m Violet, but please call me Vi.” She returned, voice sweet.

Curiosity grew as Violet glanced out over the herd again. “How long’ve you been workin’ here? I used’ta work at another farm with my family, but decided’ta spread out more n’ see if I was needed elsewhere more.” She shared, the words soft.

[Kiki Esperanza]

Brave? Kiki had to smile at that, admittedly pleased at the compliment. She tried being modest, really she did. But the little compliments always managed to leave her glowing just a bit. "Well.... Thanks. I'm not really that brave since I don't run into nearly as much trouble as some of the soldiers would. But I appreciate it." She assured the other woman.

Violet, but call her Vi. Kiki had to smile at that and nod. "Alright, fair enough. Nice to re-meet you, Vi." She said, laughing a little. But then Violet was looking out over the here and Kiki herself scanned the area again. Everything seemed to be fine, thankfully.

"Oh, me?" Kiki asked, a bit surprised by the question. She thought on the answer while listening to Violet talk. Her voice just seed so calming, and he soft accent seemed to help. "I think about... 6 years? That seemed about right." She guessed with a shrug. "What about you?"

[Violet "Vi" Coustic]

Gaze noticed as Kiki seemed pleased at the praised. Smile grew and approval spread as she tried brushing off the compliment even though she seemed to glow a little from it. Head shook and a soft chuckle, Violet shrugged. "Bravery doesn't just have'ta be how many things you can kill. There's a lot've other things that can make a person brave." She said, voice gentle and not condescending.

She seems like a nice gal.

Head nodded as Violet smiled. "Same'ta you, Kiki." She said, tone genuine. Ears caught the surprise and heard the silence as Kiki seemed to think. Head turned, Violet regarded Kiki a little curiously. "If you don't mind me askin', how old are you? I'm 24." She shared, her words polite and not meant to offend. Kiki didn't seem too young, but not old either.

"I've been workin' at farms as long as I can remember." She answered, tone honest and soft. "I don't remember exactly when I started, but I was very young. My Pa helped me n' my brother Austin get into it. Been doin' this ever since."

[Kiki Esperanza]

Bravery doesn't have to come from kills. Kiki knew this, and normally she'd get a little miffed at being told something she already figured out as if she didn't. However, Violet didn't seemed to be doing it in some patronizing way or anything. She just seemed to be stating her own opinion in a soft way. That fact combined with that kind voice just kept Kiki at ease and her ire asleep.

"No I know. Still, I think they're brave for going out there and fighting the Furrina and Rotters and all that. It's dangerous work." She said with a shrug. Although she paused and then sighed. "Although some of them are real assholes, no better than the Furrina." She grumbled, remembering the different stories she heard about the Bast out in the desert.

She was a little surprised by the question, but once again Kiki didn't feel any anger towards the woman. Weird. "I'm 20." Kiki answered with a shrug. "And it's ok. I don't mind." She added, even though that fact was a little shocking to her.

"Oh wow, definitely longer than me." Kiki said with a laugh. She glanced down as Aggie came up to her and pushed her nose into Kiki's hand affectionately. Smiling, Kiki pet the giant dog lovingly before glancing at Violet. "Have you met Aggie? She's my big little girl. Helps me a ton with all the herding and everything. Say hi to Vi, Aggie." Kiki instructed, smirking a bit at her rhyme. The big wolfhound glanced over at Violet and approached her warily, eyeing her as she sniffed the woman.

{OOC: Sorry, it had posted before I was done!! Damn tiny keyboard!}

[Violet "Vi" Coustic]

Ears stayed attentive as Kiki spoke, explaining why she found the soldiers brave. Smile softened and head nodded as Violet understood what she meant. Soft laughter sprung as Kiki went on about some of the worse members. Violet had heard stories too, even though she wasn't one to gossip or listen in that much.

"I understand you there. I've heard some stories. But I also get what you mean about their bravery. Takes a lot'ta go out into the wasteland like that." She said, tone soft and a tad respectful. "I don't think I'd be ablest do somethin' like that. I'd be too afraid n' miss my family." She admitted, the words soft.

Eyes noted the surprise, but Kiki truly didn't sound offend. "Sorry. I just couldn't place your age." She explained, words not meant to offend. Laughter grew as Kiki laughed and Violet glanced down when the dog came up. Expression softened as Kiki introduced the dog and Aggie came over to Violet. Hand slowly moved as Violet offered it to Aggie to smell.

"Hey there, girl. You look like a mighty fierce one. I'm sure Kiki appreciates your help, n' so do I." She said, tone softer and calm.

{OOC: It's alright. I figured you might not have been finished. It ended weirdly}

[Kiki Esperanza]

Kiki gazed at Violet with faint surprise. They might've just been paired together by chance, but Kiki was starting to be thankful for it. "Hey, well, it takes a lot of courage to admit you're scared." She pointed out. Kiki herself was definitely too proud to ever admit something like that.

"It's ok." Kiki repeated and it really was. Besides, she was more focused now on how Aggie was reacting to the other woman. The big dog curiously sniffed Violet's hand before pausing. She stared up at the woman as she spoke, not moving, before the big dog lunged up and rested her paws on Violet's shoulder, licking the girl's face.

"Aggie! No!" Kiki ordered, stifling a laugh but also feeling mortified.

[Violet "Vi" Coustic]

Smile formed and compliment taken, Violet nodded her head. "Thank you. I don't think I'm that brave, but that's very nice've you." She said, voice calm and sweet. Violet was the first person to admit she had her faults.

Eyes watched and laughter erupted as Aggie leapt up and starting licking her face. Hands moved as Violet put her back down and pet her fondly on the head. "She's a fine gal'ta have by your side." She compliment, tone honest and affection for the large wolfhound. "I don't mind. She wasn't tryin'ta hurt me."