A brow quirks as Jamie goes through the oh so familiar motions of fixing himself a cigarette. Admittedly he wasn’t one to be so wasteful but he already predicted that this would certainly be a LONG mission if nothing else. He could not now nor would he ever be able to understand the most optimistic of society in this grey and bleak world. The Commonwealth was not some theme park to visit it was a purgatory in which people strived to survive. Even that was very often unsuccessful all things considered, but the Minutemen did their best either way. Cupping his hand around the flame before it finally ignites the tip of his cigarette he flicks the match out and eyes the other man quizzically.
“Satiate your curiosity with looking. Not asking. And I would recommend keeping the exploration and wandering to a minimum. The…local denizens are not too kind to those who stray off the beaten path. Especially not ones who appear intimidating, whether they intend to be or not.”
As he turns on his heels and starts off expecting this man, Crow, to follow him. He sighs softly, the cigarette smoke filling his lungs making his state far more relaxed than before. Jamie wasn’t a man for small talk but he could manage if need be. Some people were uncomfortable with silence, and it was certainly their prerogative but he preferred it. It meant he wouldn’t have to answer a barrage of questions about who knew what. Though the mention of this man’s curious nature already has him on edge.
“There is a settlement, a small one, just to the Northwest. It’s been encountering some less than pleasant company as of late and I, and apparently you, have been sent to stick around for a few days. I intend on establishing some defenses and leveraging any and all advantageous points in the favor of the settlers to bottleneck any trouble that might come its way. It’s called Oberland Station. It used to be a water pump stop for trains back when they still functioned properly but it has been repurposed for the use as a small farm and settlement.”
He keeps a quick pace. Not quite a run or jog, but a pace in which someone would need to keep moving if they wished to keep up with him. He never wasted time when it came to missions like this. The smaller settlements got some of the worst attacks, so he never waited around for getting to them.
Crow was more than able to easily keep pace with the man he followed. He stuck to the trail the stranger laid out before him, following along like a pup eagerly trotting along after its master with it’s tail wagging from side to side and it’s tongue hanging from it’s maw. The courier followed happily, and he stayed close enough that they remained within speaking distance, but he did leave a couple of yards between them. Enough space so Crow could get a good view of the area as they passed by, and so Jamie would not be as bothered by Crow’s presence. And Crow was sure that his presence was troubling to the other.
The wanderer could tell that Jamie was not quite pleased to have him along. Though the minuteman had been polite enough so far and had yet to say anything directly at him, Crow could still tell that he was less than wanted. He could tell in the way the Lawson spoke, in the way he moved. It was just somewhat familiar to the letter carrier. It reminded him of the businessman who he had faced off with on the Strip back in New Vegas. They were direct, rough, and serious. Down to business types who just wanted to get their work done. They were all as straight edged and sharp as the knife strapped to Crow’s belt. This minute ready soldier gave Crow the same feeling.
Though the black bird did not know him, truly, and it was just a feeling. Part of his just hoped he was wrong and that perhaps he was just misreading this person. The other part just took sweet solace in the fact he would at least know how to deal with him.
“Sounds easy ‘nough.” Crow chimed pleasantly as he followed along. Moving behind the other, the messenger was easily able to catch the stench of smoke that flowed from the cigarette that Jamie held. It was quick to stir a need within himself, and so he drew out a smoke of his own and sparked it alight with a little rusty lighter he had. Crow took a drag before letting the smoke spill past his lips as he began to speak once again. “I think I’ll be of some use to ya on this one then. Back in the Mojave I helped just ‘bout every settlement set up some defenses against the fiends, critters, and wicked things that came knockin’ at their doors. Come Hell or high water, those folks will be able to protect themselves.” The older man declared proudly, a wide smile parting his lips as he thought of his people and how far they had all come since he claimed the Hoover Dam. “And if I can’t help with that, well I like to think I’m a pretty damn good shot. I’ll be able to knock out a few baddies for ya, at the very least.” The bird added, before taking another drag of his cigarette.
As he let the grey cloud flow into his lungs and pour from his nose and slip between his lips, Crow continued to throw his gaze over everything he could see. The Commonwealth was like nothing he had ever seen before. There was so much vegetation and wildlife roaming about, it was almost stunning. Back West there was just dirt, sand, and dust, and the only wildlife was scorpions trying to sting you or flies trying to bite you.
“Ya know, it’s real pretty way out here. Back home all we got is dust and bugs, save for a couple of places. Here you’ve got trees, grass, bushes...” Crow’s train of thought was derailed as, in the distance, he caught a glimpse of a couple radstags hurrying along. “What’re those?” The adventurer inquired as he pointed the creatures out with his cigarette.
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