The next day Piper made sure to get up early to start hunting.
"Where you going?" A tired voice asked. The woman turned to reveal none other than Daryl Dixon. Said man looked beyond tired but seemed stable.
"Hunting," she simply replied. Daryl's eyes shot up in surprise, it was a natural reaction when you saw Piper. Her somewhat small stature made her look meek against most men, coupled with her long blonde hair and innocent blue eyes, you'd never tell. "Don't look so surprised." She added after seeing the male's reaction.
"Well I'll come with ya, suppose ta anyway." Piper didn't object but instead decided to ask him.
"Why do look so tired, not much sleep?" Daryl shrugged.
"Yer friend and me had a bit of a talk last night." This time it was Piper's turn to raise an eyebrow.
"Xavier? I thought he was in the tent-" Daryl shook his head, effectively cutting her off.
"Skylar I think her name was." Piper was beyond surprised.
"She actually talked to you?" Daryl nodded, "Like proper conversation? No short answers or anything?"
Daryl shook his head with a concentrated expression, "No, in fact, she did most of tha talkin'," Yep, she had gone mad. There was no way they were talking about the same Skylar. The girl that could just barely talk to her best friend let alone a complete stranger.
Piper noted that the sun was beginning to rise and motioned for Daryl to follow her into the woods.
"Don't get in my way and I won't get in yours agreed?" Daryl gave a quick nod and with that they were off.
Skylar watched the conversation from the van with a small smile. As soon as the duo disappeared she made her way to the middle of the camp where the fire was just barely a flame. She stared at the flame with sadness. It reminded her of herself; weak and useless. But she pushed that thought away from her mind as soon as she heard the familiar sound of a tent unzipping. She turned to the sound and smiled at the person who came out.
Merle Dixon didn't return the smile but acknowledged her with a nod. After yesterday she was a bit weary of the girl and second guessed her mentality a little. He sat across from her on a log and got started with making the fire.
Skylar watched soundlessly as the man worked, noting how he did this or that for future references. Merle noted how the girl watched him with curiosity and decided she really was mad in the head; no one would watch him with that much curiosity.
"Close yer mouth, ya'll attract flies," Skylar shut her mouth not even remembering opening it.
"Sorry." She muttered quietly. Merle raised an eyebrow.
"Ya alright there sweetheart?" This was possibly the first time Merle had called a woman anything other than 'sugar tits' or 'honey buns' and Skylar had a feeling that he was genuinely concerned, more for her sanity most likely.
Skylar knew men like him; loud and out there and always with women. Before everything happened she made sure she never crossed a man like him but there she was sitting directly across from him actually trying to converse.
"I-uh I'm fine, just, uh, just interesting how you, uh make a fire." It was a start. Merle raised an eyebrow approvingly, last time she couldn't even form a sentence let alone finish one with only a few mishaps.
"Don't ya know how ta make one?" He asked, trying to make conversation. Skylar shifted uncomfortably.
"I, uh, I do, it's just that-um yours is a lot different than mine." Merle motioned for her to show him how she did it as he was unsuccessful.
Skylar moved to sit next to him a crouched down close to the pit. She placed a somewhat thick stick on one of the main sticks. Carefully she pushed down and blew out a small puff of breath. As she leant of her work her denim jacket rode up revealing a tattoo on the small of her back.
A purple butterfly rested on the small of her back off to the side. It looked to be flying to a lotus flower resting in smooth water. Merle raised an eyebrow at the hint of the tattoo which was the bottom of the lotus flower.
"Well whado we have 'ere? Little miss quiet has a tattoo." Skylar froze and sat up from her crouching position. Subconsciously she touched her back and turned to Merle who had an expectant look on his face, "Well, give us a look." He motioned with his hands for her to turn around which she did hesitantly. She took the denim jacket off and dumped it next her revealing a white crop top. She lifted the back of the top so he could see the rest of her tattoo.
Merle let out a low whistle, "Lemme guess, friend?" Skylar couldn't help but be slightly shocked but nodded nonetheless.
"She loved butterflies and lotus flowers and at the time her favourite colour was purple," Skylar let out a small chuckle, "She could never pick a favourite colour until I got this." Merle was pleasantly surprised to hear the girl talk in full sentences. She dropped the piece of clothing before she said anything else and picked up her discarded jacket.
"Ta-da." She waved her hands to the fire that she had successfully done to a dazed looking Merle. His eyes moved to the fire and smirked.
"Ya may just have a use girlie." Skylar grinned and thanked him. That was also probably the first time Merle somewhat complimented someone, the girl brought out a new Merle.