Krieg/Maya- Insanity and Tattoos

Maya sat in the bar, watching the people wander. She knew how stupid this town was, but the people were just plain space holders. The doors would open and close, Moxxi would say a few innuendos, and then the sounds of a slot machine might come, but either way this was probably the least active place she'd ever wasted her time in.

The music was getting old, and the people barely moved, let alone strike up a conversation. Her boredom was going to kill her before she could even meet Jack in person. She shook her head and stood.

She stepped out the side door, and turned back. That odd feeling she sometimes got was back again. She scanned over the space behind her, then shrugged and walked away.

The fast travel whirred behind her, and she fell to the ground. She pulled a sniper rifle. She wanted to test Mordecai's theory on drunk sniping. She'd never actually gotten the chance to try.

She walked across the rocks, making her way to his overhead lookout. Something moved next to her, and she turned toward it. The small varkid scuttled over to her and brushed her leg. She looked down at it, her face confused. It made a noise at her. She smiled at it and picked it up. It purred. Maya laughed.

"You're not like the others, are you? I think i'll call you… Venison. You look like a Venison." It purred again. She carried it with her to the lookout. The small table served her well for holding her small friend. He watched her shoot, and he watched the people run out of her view to avoid her bullets.

Mordy did know what he was talking about. The aim wasn't great, but it beat sober sniping, except she couldn't tell what she should and shouldn't shoot. She saw a large something move, and she shoot at it. She heard a low angry yell, and she smiled. Then it faded. She saw the thing she'd shoot come running toward her, up the ramp and into the small hide away.

He ran at her, and her movements weren't fast enough to avoid him. He pinned her against the wall with one hand, and the other held a large ax above her head. He pushed her into the rocks, and she winced. He looked down at her, and he let go. She looked up at him, worry and anger welling up in her eyes.

She rose her arm, then clenched her fist. The man froze in the air, growling and struggling. She ducked under the bubble and grabbed Venison, dashing away.

The fast travel station reconstructed her, Sanctuary coming into view. Sighing relief, she walked to Headquarters. She pulled open the door.

"Maya? What happened to your back? And why are you carrying a varkid?" Maya pushed past Lilith. "Fine, don't tell me. Have you seen someone? He's kinda tall and muscular. Wears an orange mask with pipes on it…"

"Check the preserve. I have a feeling he's there."

"Krieg did that? God."

"Who?"

"Better get used to him. He's, uh, a new Vault Hunter."

Maya shook her head. "Great. I hope he doesn't pin everyone else against walls., as like, a greeting. Granted I did shoot him." She walked away, leaving Lilith staring at her.

She opened her door, then pushed it closed behind her. She placed Venison on the floor. He jumped onto her bed and curled up on her pillow. She smiled. She turned back to the door and locked it.

She flopped face down on the bed, Venison bouncing a few inches. He made a noise at her, and she apologized. "Sorry, but i'm just so tired. I think i'm gonna go to sleep…" She closed her eyes, and Venison curled up beside her. She reopened her eyes and stroked him. "Maybe if I just stay up a while longer to train you? You seem pretty tame already, but just to be safe…" He purred at her, and she imitated the noise.

Someone knocked on the door, and Maya rolled her eyes. "Lilith, i'm not getting rid of him." She stood and opened the door. She glanced at the face at the door and sighed. "Sorry, Ax. Venison, this is Axton. Axton, Venison is my new pet." Venison vibrated and made an irritated noise.

" I see. He doesn't like sharing?"

"I guess not. So, Ax, whatcha need?"

"Just wanted to check in. I heard about your little accident with the new guy? Can I see it?"

"Why is everyone so worried about me?"

"Just wanna make sure you're alright."

"Fine." She turned around, and Axton looked down her back. The red streaks on her outfit stood out in the yellow, and he touched them. Maya winced. He turned her around.

"So… what did you do to him?"

"Shot him, on accident, of course. I was out snipping Mordecai style, you know."

"You shot him? Oh, Maya."

"Yeah. I'm kinda trying to spend some time with Venison, so…"

"Ok, ok. I'll leave. Have fun."

"We will." Axton pulled the door closed, and Maya Looked over at the bed. Venison looked back. Maya pointed to the floor, and he hopped down. She smiled and patted his head. He purred. "Have you already been trained?" Venison did a sort of nod. She laughed.

She moved over to the window, and pulled it open. The cold air blew in, and Maya smiled into it. Venison hopped onto her shoulder, and she winced again. He moved his foot, and Maya relaxed a bit. "You're very intelligent, huh? I like that. Who was your old owner, I wonder?" He snuggled her neck.
Another knock came to the door. Maya sighed. "Who is it?"

The knock came harder. She rolled her eyes and pulled it open. She slammed it. "Hey, V? Be my back up, alright?" The varkid nodded again. She slowly pulled the door open again. Krieg stood in the doorway, and he grabbed her wrist. She looked down at it. He spoke.

"PRETTY LADY WITH BLUE? COME BEFORE INSANITY!" He pulled her out the door. Venison scurried after them. She was dragged along, his huge hand covering most of her arm.

Venison screeched at him. Maya quieted him. "Be quiet. I'm alright. But remember if something does happen, you come back here and tell the others, alright?" Venison jumped at her, landing on her head. He purred and then glared at Krieg.

"I'm sorry… BLOOD MAKES ME DIE!" He stopped pulling her and looked up at the small Varkid on her head. They stared at each other. Venison growled, and Maya took him off her head. She cradled him like a cat, and he purred. Krieg reached out to touch him, and Venison lurched at his arm. Maya held him back.

"I think he's a bit unaccustomed to you. Maybe it's because we fought. Anyway, what do you want? You dragged me to the far corners of Sanctuary for it." Krieg held out a hand to her. "Oh, we're not done walking? Alright." She took his hand, and he lead her to the edge of the floating city.

"THINKING HOLE MEET BLUE TATTOOS!" The space was nicer than she'd expected. He'd cleaned out the rubble and put out the flames that still burned since the take off. The walls had small pictures on them. She saw one that looked somewhat familiar. Then she realized what it was. Her phaselock. She looked at him.

"You like me, don't you?" He nodded. She began to laugh. "This is what this is all about? I guess i've no room to talk, being the magic sparkle fairy and all, but still." Venison wrapped around her neck, and Krieg flinched. She looked at him. "What? Oh, no. V isn't hurting me. I'm fine." He relaxed.

They sat and talked for a good portion of the afternoon, laughing and painting. "So, Krieg, Why do you paint?" He looked out over the sky.

"It calms me down, I guess." She took his hand.

"Personally, I like reading and card games."

"Obviously. You're not exactly a good artist, but, uh, would you… would you like to play?" Krieg held up a deck of cards.

Maya laughed. "Like you've got a chance."