You aren't safe under the earth

[articulatings]

WHO: Boyd Crowder
WHERE: Woods
WHEN: tragically backdated to Kate and Margaery's disappearance
OPEN TO: Tauriel, eventually Kate Kelly and Margaery
WARNINGS: TBD
STATUS: Closed

---

He'd heard Kate mention her and the mousey one were going to leave the settlement. Take a break from hiding from all the rain, go out and forage. He hadn't thought much about it--Boyd files it away like everything else, of course, and then moves on to continue his tasks. Preparing his house, getting ready to usher wayward souls into the light. Or, if you were the critical type, he was preparing to get as many people under his thumb as he possibly could.

Regardless, when he steps from his house and doing his own chores the sun is dipping awfully low, and all it takes is a glance around the small town to realize something's wrong. Had Boyd been in a better mood he would have likened it to a disturbance in the force, but all it takes is a few quick questions to a passer-by to realize Kate and Margaery didn't make it home in the allotted time.

Normally, he'd chalk it up to the girls picking flowers or dawdling along the riverside--but this isn't the blue grass of Kentucky, nor is it a peaceful holler. The area has the distinct, intangible feeling of something constantly looming over them. Kate and Margaery--from what little he knows of them--are quite capable of handling themselves. Which is, in part, why it's so worrying.

Boyd's not the only one uneasy about the situation--there are search parties, or at the very least those setting off to find them. It's then that his gaze focuses on a redhead with pointed ears. Someone he's seen but never been introduced to, and even despite the unsettled feeling in his stomach he takes advantage of the situation.

"I don't suppose you'd mind some company, if you're on your way to find Miss Kelly and her companion? I can't say I'm an expert tracker, but my daddy took me huntin' a few times and I picked up a sliver or so or his knowledge."

Comments

[taurohtar]

Having only been in this place a short while, Tauriel was still getting used to its routines. That being said, even she could tell when a few of their number went missing, especially when the said missing persons included the girl that seems to be the one in charge of the kitchens at the Inn. The Lady Margaery was gone as well, and Tauriel could not help the twinge of disquiet that lanced through her when she thought of those two gentle girls lost somewhere in the woods.

The communal weapons cache had a bow that she gladly availed herself of, slinging it over her shoulders and picking up the handful of primitive arrows she had made for herself. Should the girls need defending, or should she herself need defending, she would feel better with some kind of weapon better than a kitchen knife.

She is about to slip away from the group discussing their whereabouts when a Man stops and speaks to her.

"I am an expert tracker," she tells him, eying him critically. The humans here are no match for the soldiers that had been under her command, but she knows she cannot alienate them by telling them this. "Do you have a weapon? I do not want to have to worry about protecting you as well as them should we run afoul of trouble."

That may not be a very flattering thing to say. She doesn't seem to realize it.

[articulatings]

Succinct. To the point. Boyd already has a keen liking for her and she'd barely said a word to him. He chuckles, mostly to show he's not at all offended and rather amused by what she says. Anyone who has no room for nonsense in their life is good for Boyd.

"I wouldn't worry so much about protecting me, as I can handle myself, but picking up a weapon wouldn't hurt if you'd like to wait a short spell." His lips quirk into a smile--polite, southern, charming--as his eyes rake over her ears a second time. Pointed.

Strange, and Boyd's seen a lot of strange things. Here, though, is different. Here, strange isn't bodies at the end of mine shafts, or carpet baggers swooping in and gaslighting folks. It's pointed ears and healing springs.

"You expectin' some kind of trouble out there? The wild animal type or the unnatural sort?"

[taurohtar]

Thankfully, the human doesn't seem to be offended by her blunt speech. If she thought about it, she would be relieved. As it is, she simply stands almost unnaturally still and considers his proposal.

"Alright," she agrees, and shifts her stance to something a bit more relaxed as she clearly waits for him to go fetch what weapons he wants. She does not smile, but she also does not frown, just stands there and watches him until he picks something with which to protect himself.

When he is sufficiently armed, she nods once and then turns on her heel and moves to leave. "One never knows what one might encounter in the Forest," she mutters ominously, although she doesn't seem that concerned for herself. The girls, however, would probably be unable to protect themselves, and every moment they tarry, the more chances they would have to get hurt.

[articulatings]

An agreement. Boyd nods his head by way of showing he understands, and while he does look vaguely concerned with how ominous she sounded, he chalks it up to her blunt temperament and honesty.

He turns heel and walks away, and it doesn't take him long to come up with a spear. He debates taking something else and using it when the time strikes him, but ultimately decides against it--though he notices it would be relatively easy to do so unseen or unheard. His thoughts aren't exactly with the grand scheme of things and plans to further himself--not with two people on the line and someone else waiting for him.

"Ain't rightly sure," he starts as they begin walking, "why folks stray too far from the village. You think they did?" It's casual conversation despite the odd subject matter: Boyd wants to get to know who he's traveling with, and idle banter is as good as any. He'll pipe down if they find tracks.