Hey! Sorry its been a while since i've updated this story...or well any of my stories. I just haven't felt the motivation to write lately. But, I'm back for at least this chapter.
The day inside of this chapter has actually been split into two, because i want to try to balance the word count out and so I can hopefully get another chapter up quicker!
The Hunter was awoken to the sound of a trumpet being played loudly. "Up and at em, men!"
"Shut up, you blathering idiot!" The angered voice had sounded like it came from The spys room, if she remembered correctly. The walls seemed to shake with the sound of a door being slammed.
She pulled the old sheets off her and got up from the bed with a stretch, snatching her glasses off the bedside table. What time was it? She'd have to invest in a clock.
She padded over to the dresser, pulling open the drawers and pulling out the different articles of clothing she'd discovered that had been left for her during her rudimentary exploration of the room before she'd put her possessions away. Ms Pauling had told her most clothing would be provided and only to pack essentials.
She pulled off the night clothes she'd been wearing and pulled on the thick pants and the red button up with a bow and arrow embroidered inside a circle on either sleeve, and zipped up one of the thick, sleeveless Kevlar vests overtop. She ran her brush through her hair and pulled It back into one of the bright red ties she found in the drawer of the nightstand. One of the smaller drawers contained a handful of black, leather bracers. She slip one on either arm and from under the dresser pulled a pair of black boots.
"Alright, not too bad. I hope." She muttered. She folded up her nightclothes, stowing them away in the same drawer she had stowed away her dress and shoes from the day before. She opened her door and stepped out, letting it softly click closed again behind her. Clearly at least one of her neighbors wanted his sleep. "Alright, here we go." She made for the stairs.
At the bottom of the stairs going for the next set she nearly collided with the self proclaimed Heavy Weapons guy. "Oh sorry." He stared down at her, gunmettle eyes betraying no emotion. He was an intimidating figure certainly. He gave a slight nod, and stepped to the side. "Oh, thank you." She gave a nod in return and hurried down the stairs. Might as well go and get that key now.
A pleasant smell was in the air as she reached the bottom of the stairs, wafting from the kitchen. She passed by the rec room and the kitchen. The Demoman popped his head out of the kitchen.
"Mornin' Lassie. Goin tae get the key?"
"Yeah, figured I'd do it now before the day gets started."
"Good idea. I'd give it about a half hour afore everyone's up an breakfast is ready. Sniper's van is out back parked behind the garage." He said. "Gate ought to be unlocked. If not there should be one'r two more hangin' up by the door."
"Okay thanks."
She saw the keys by the door, but opted to leave them hanging. If he was wrong and it was locked she would simply come back for one.
She turned right out the door, approaching the square cut into the floor. She sat, legs dangling down as she grabbed the edge and lowered herself down, dropping down freely the last foot or so. It was a strange shortcut, but it looked like it would prove to be a handy one. She walked through, letting her hand run along the walls.
Outside however, she paused. Staring back at her from across the way was a man who looked near identical to the man who had introduced himself as the engineer. With something that could barely be called a shrug he turned, going inside his building. She gave a shrug herself and made for the gate.
The Demoman had been right. The gate had been left unlocked, partially hanging open. She let herself out, shutting it more securely behind her and began the short trek around the buildings that made up her new home.
"Hey! Hey!" Halfway around the building a voice called out to her, and from a few yards out the scout waved at her, jogging towards her. "You're up early. You come to watch the show?" He asked, giving a small flex of his bare arm.
"No." She answered flatly. "I've got to get the key to my room from the Sniper."
"The camper? Oh dats right you've got his room now, don't you." He stretched, his back giving a pop. "Hey do you know when breakfast is gonna be ready?"
"Uh Demoman told me about a half hour, but it could be sooner, if the smell was anything to go by."
"Okay cool, thanks." With a small wave Scout turned return to his jogging. "See ya then."
She rounded the building, and behind the garage was a big green camper. She peered on either side and seeing no door she walked around the back. There she found two pull out stairs and the door. She gave a few quick knocks, and she could hear a grumbling from inside. The slight shake of the cabin signaled movement of its occupant.
The door opened, giving her a full view of the Snipers chest, amongst other things. "Whaddya want?" He snapped. "Oh, sheila, it's you."
"I-Uh," She cleared her throat, looking away slightly. Brown eyes flickered back up to meet blue before looking away again. "Is this a bad time?"
He scratched at the side of his nose. "Well, I mean I was sleepin' but I s'pose I was fixin to get up soon anyways." He answered.
"So what can I-" He paused, looking down. "Oh bloody hell!" The camper door swept shut with a slam, and the camper moved and bounced slightly from the erratic movement inside. It opened again. "Chirst, I'm terribly sorry about that." He said, tucking the ends of his shirt into the waistband of his pants. "So what can I do for you."
"Yesterday The Demoman told me you probably had the key to the room?"
"The key?" He questioned, "Oh! That key. Sorry mate, I don't have it. I left it up on one of the rafters."
"Oh, uh, thanks anyway."
He gave a nod and shut the door again, and with a sigh she made her way back inside the buildings.
The Demoman was walking out of the kitchen as she shut the door to the living quarters. "Did ye get your key?"
"No, he said he left it in the room." She answered. "Oh, Scout was wondering when breakfast would be done so I told him what you told me."
"Ah, well good luck."
She jogged her way back up the two flights of stairs and upon entering her room her eyes swept the room. He could have at least specified which rafter. She climbed atop her dresser to get a better view. "Man opens his door stark naked, least he could've done is tell me which rafter he left it on." She grumbled.
She groaned. There, at the other end of the closest rafter, covered in a fine layer of dust, was a key. She climbed down from the dresser and walked to the other side of the room. She jumped, but her fingers only skimmed the bottom of the rafter. She jumped again, and once more, but the rafter proved just out of her grasp.
She went back to the dresser, climbing it again. "Alright, I can do this." She stood as close to the edge of the dresser as she dared, reaching out to grasp the rafter. "I can get it. I've climbed thinner branches than this I got this." She adjusted her grip and let one foot leave the dresser, testing the strength of the wooden beam. It creaked, but it showed no signs of giving.
"What are you doing?" She jumped at the voice. Her foot slipped from the dresser but her grip was strong, leaving herself to dangle slightly over the floor. The Medic stood in the doorway, eyes curious behind his glasses and a brow slightly raised. "Getting the key to the room." She answered. "But its down there and there's nothing to climb on down there so I've got to climb this instead." She pointed her chin at the other end of the rafter.
He entered the room, leisurely walking to the opposite side of the room. He reached up, reaching up slightly on his toes. "Ah there it is." He held out the key. "Is this what you were after?"
She let go of the rafter, landing on her feet with a small thump. "Yes, thank you. I could've gotten it but you've saved me some work." She took the offered key.
"No problem, my dear. Did you sleep well?"
"Pretty well yeah. Bed smells like mothballs though." Her nose wrinkled slightly at the memory.
"Yes, you may want to change those. They haven't been touched in two years, they're bound to be dusty. Not very healthy." He shook his head. "Anyvay, I was about to head downstairs, would you care to accompany me?"
"Sure, why not." She stowed the key in her pocket, and together they left the room.
"So," He began as they descended down the stairs. "Do you make a habit of climbing atop furniture?"
"Trees yes, furniture no." She answered. "Not unless I want something."
"Like the key."
"That's right. Seemed easier to climb the dresser than drag it across the room." She shrugged.
"I suppose that makes sense." He said, "Though I'm sure you could have easily acquired help."
"I could handle it. I would've gotten it. I figured why bother any of you guys. Besides, tree branch, rafter, both are made of wood."
He stopped as they reached the bottom of the second flight of stairs. "Ah, by the way. I would like to have you come in to the infirmary after breakfast. I would like to examine you and "map you out" so to speak."
She nodded. "Alright. You'll have to escort me though. I don't think the Demoman showed me that yesterday."
"Of course. Yes, well, I'm afraid most don't voluntarily go near the infirmary."
"Everybody wants to be healthy but nobody wants to go to the doctors." Hunter laughed.
"Exactly!" He exclaimed. "Good to see another sound mind on the matter. Few outside of Heavy seem to think the same way."
"It not about going to the doctors, its about going to you, frankenstein." Said the Soldier, walking past towards the kitchen.
"Wouldn't that be Dr Frankenstein?" questioned Hunter. "Frankenstein was the doctor, not the monster." The Soldier gave a small dismissive wave. "Doesn't matter. When Docs done with you I want you to report to the basement for a briefing on the mission tomorrow."
"Sir yes sir." Said Hunter, hint of sarcasm in her voice.
"Very good. See you at breakfast, maggot."
"I think he likes you." The Medic whispered. "He wasn't nearly so cordial with Scout. I think you made an impression."
"I'm sure I must have. Not many men forget a woman pointing a knife at their throat… Not going to lie I was kind of expecting a fight when I did that. Or an argument anyway."
"Yes, well, he is a very simple man. I believe he saw you as a mere civilian until you threatened him and said what you did." He chuckled.
"I see. I'll keep that in mind."
The door to the living quarters opened, revealing a fully dressed sniper and a still half dressed Scout, the latter of whom was toweling himself off. "Mornin' Doc," Sniper greeted the Medic with the tip of his hat. "Hunter." She noted the faint dusting of red on his cheeks under his aviators as he acknowledged her. She'd have to give him credit though, taking the glasses off and leaving the faint blush completely exposed. He folded them on the edge of his vest pocket, at the end of the row of bullets. "Figured Demo and Engie ought to be done soon."
"Aye, you figured right!" Came the scottish voice from the kitchen. "Is'about done."
"Oh that sounds great." Scout turned, heading off towards the kitchen, but was stopped by the Sniper giving him a light whack to the back of the head. "Go clean yourself up and put on a shirt first, ya little ankle biter." He scolded. "Aint nobody wanna eat next to you while yer covered in sweat."
"Yeah yeah," Scout scoffed, but he still veered off towards the room with his name on it.
"Well, lets head in." She followed the Doctor and the Sniper into the dining room. The soldier sat in one chair, apparently regaling the Heavy Weapons Guy with some sort of story from opposing sides of the table, while the Spy sat primly at the head of the table, newspaper held open between his gloved hands. Plates and silverware were already placed upon the table.
The Medic took up the seat on one side of the Heavy weapons guy, and she followed his lead, taking the empty seat on the mans other side. The sniper sat at the other end of the table. Scout appeared a few minutes later, taking a place next to the Soldier.
"So, how was your first night?" Asked the spy, turning the page of the newspaper.
"Good, good." Hunter answered. "Strange sleeping somewhere so far from home that isn't a hotel though."
"Heh, yeah, at least hotels are nice." Scout added.
"It's... quaint." She said. "Needs a few touch ups to make it homey though. I'm sure I'll adjust quickly.
"I wouldn't recommend getting too comfortable." Spy said. "I'm sure once you've been broken into the routines we'll start the habit of being moved somewhat often once again."
"Are there a lot of these bases?" She inquired.
"Yes, many of them. I suppose one could consider this the "Main" base, seeing as its one of the oldest battlegrounds."
"All right boys, I'm ringing the dinner bell." Said the Engineer, carrying in two large platters full of eggs. He left swiftly, returning with two more trays with large mounds of bacon. The Demoman came in on his heels, with what could only be called cauldron in his arms. He set the cauldron down in the table with a thump, rattling the silverware.
"Help ye'self, lass." He said to the Hunter, claiming the empty seat next to her and spooning what seemed to be porridge from the cauldron onto his plate. "Don't worry about being aggressive if you need tae."
Before she could question why, the table broke into a frenzy, arms flew everywhere, silverware glinting under the chandelier. Voices and elbows were raised in the small chaos.
She didn't let the chaos deter her, swooping around and ducking under the flying hands, snagging her own breakfast. By some stroke of luck she got hold of the ladle and poured some of the porridge substance on her plate.
"Imbeciles." She heard the spy mutter on the din. Somehow his plate was filled, but she had not seen him partake in the frenzy the others caused.
Slowly the noise quieted down, and the space above the table was no longer a blur of movement. "Well, gentlemen," Said Spy as the men settled down. "That was a fine display in front of a woman." His voice sounded disappointed but not surprised.
"I'm pretty sure I saw the lady goin' right with the rest of us." Said Sniper, tearing off some of the bacon on his fork. She couldn't help but notice the sharp points of his canines as he bit into it.
Spy opened his mouth to speak, but Hunter spoke first. "He is right, I was." She shrugged. "You don't have to worry about putting on a show for me, I can handle a little roughhousing like that."
"So can Ms Pauiing," Spy retorted, using his knife to gesture around the table. "Yet none of you would dare act so uncivilized in front of her, would you?"
The room fell silent, half the room seeming to slink down in their seats, especially the Scout, who was the first to speak. "Nah, I guess not."
"I thought not."
"It's fine, really." Said Hunter. "From what I understand my presence here is a first, and probably throwing a wrench in everything. Carry on as you would, please, I don't want to disturb things."
"Ah hell, Spy is right though." The engineer said. "Ain't no way to be behavin' around a lady. We ought to at least make an effort." He stabbed at a piece of bacon on his plate. "Even if they make a habit of killin' folks like my Aunt Bea did."
"Well, I do thank you for the courtesy." She relented. "Must be some of that southern hospitality I've heard about." She gave an amused smile. "You're a….I wanna say Texan."
He smiled, nodding. "Yes Ma'am, born an raised."
"I'm more of a northerner myself."
"Really now?"
"Okay, technically Midwestern, but when your only a couple hours drive from Canada, you cant really get more north than that without going cross the border." She chuckled.
"I suppose that makes sense. You ever been up that far?" He inquired, taking a bite of his bacon.
"Two or three times." She answered. "Gone up to go fishing, but I'm not the biggest on fishing so I really have only gone to spend time with family."
The rest of the meal went by fairly quiet, frenzy over and mouths occupied with food rather than talking. She followed along as most finished and stood, gathering their dishes and walking into the kitchen. "Yo who's got dish duty this morning?" Asked the Scout, not so gently dropping his dishes in the sink.
"Would be me." Answered the large Russian behind him, placing his own dishes much more quietly.
A hand clapped itself on her shoulder once she put her own in the sink. "Ready for your examination?" She looked up at the Medic with a nod. "Sure, yeah lets go."
"Excellent." He grinned, and with his hand still on her shoulder guided her out of the kitchen, out of the living quarters and back into the main base.