[Bloodstalker]

Bloodstalker grinned as maps began to pile before him, all scribbled with notes and numbers. Dusting himself off, he couldn't quite help the chuckle that escaped. Some things just never changed it seemed.

Amara looked up at the sound, obviously wondering what was so funny. BS just shook his head, indicating the sheets of paper. "Same old AC. I just figured that in five years you might have learned what the word vacation meant."

Amara tossed her head back. It occured to BS at that moment that maybe she had been spending too much time with Cobalt. She'd begun to pick up his mannerisms. He wondered idly if she was as prone to buck as the horse was, but decided not to ask. Instead he was brought back from his contemplations by her only slightly exasperated voice.

"Hey, someone has to keep up with things. It's not like the company I'm prone to keep ever goes into any more scouting detail than running around the woods waiting to bump into something" She replied, pointedly looking in his direction before finishing, "And my name is Amara."

BS held his hands upward in a general peace offering sort of way. A very general peace offering sort of way considering the look on his face was only slightly unbelievable repentance and his next comment was spoken in a seemingly too placating manner.

"I know you name is Amara. You've told me a dozen times. Really AC, you're becoming far to predictable."

He just grinned while she huffed indignantly and stuck her tounge out at him. He'd probably pay for it later, but it was just too tempting to fall back into familiar patterns with her. He hadn't really seen any of his DF companions in years, and had wondered what it would be like to meet up with them again. It was surprisingly easy to slip back into the teasing that had been the basis for most of their time around each other, and it was too big a relief to worry about repercussions.

A comment about it being nothing more to worry about than orcs was stifled as he looked at the maps. Amara began pointing out regions of activity and locations of strongholds. It was a little odd watching her go over things do matter of factly. He glanced up at her face as she continued explaining. She was a lot more in command of herself than she had been the last time he'd seen her. Her actions were the same, but more confident. He supposed five years of being human would have allowed her to settle into her place better than she had after the transformation. Guess some things aren't quite the same after all he mused.

"What?" Her voice startled him. He hadn't realized he'd spoken out loud. He just waved the comment off.

"Nothing. Just talking to myself. These orcs,' he continued, changing the subject," these locations and figures are up to date?"

Amara studied him for a moment before replying." Pretty much. A band or two here and there could have moved, but the major strongholds seem to stay pretty stable. Why?"

BS thought for a minute. "That's a lot of orcs. Icewind Dale is real nice this time of year. You up for a trip?"

"I really don't think running is gonna help in this one." Amara stated flatly.

BS looked up into her eyes which had gone cool. He had apparently touched a nerve. He knew not many of his companions would have understood why he had left the group those years ago, and it was the converstation he really wanted to avoid with them. Mostly because he didn't feel like hearing 'I told you so' constantly.

"I'm not running Amara. Just complaining. It's my thing. Well, that and action. He ended with a cocky grin as he turned and started toward Cobalt.

"I'm not sure we should just jump right into the middle.." AC started with concern in her voice before BS pulled the saddlebags off Cobalt and tossed them to the ground. Breaking her comment off, she looked up to meet a very amused BS smiling back at her.

"What?" he said, his voice wounded, "you thought I'd just charge right in and pray? "

"Aren't you?"

"Nah, not my style these days. I've been told the whole borderline suicidle thing was stupid. You're right, we need to get this information back to town. I thought we might rest a bit first though, unless you're in a hurry."