Unlikely Meetings

CHAPTER 1 - A NEW FRIEND

Tires crunched fresh snow under the weight of a small vehicle as it drove into the expanse of the open Wyoming range. Max looked out of the early morning fields of empty ranges with a warm smile as he cut the power to the engine of his car. Long distance shooting, gun runs, and areas for drills were set and ready to be used for anyone that arrived. His breath misted in the open air as the sun just crept past the horizon, blanketing the crisp white snow in a golden light. "Can't pass up the rifle drills in this light. You good to stay in the car girls? I know you two don't like how loud it is." Petting the two canines in his front seat he gave them a good scratch behind their ears as they laid back down and got comfortable. "I'll give you both a treat for being such good girls too."

Their tails wagged lazily as he cracked the window with the manual knob and shut the door. His jeans and red flannel did not do much to stop the cold as he cracked open the door style back hatch of his geo tracker. A simple and clean kit stared back at him, a small plate carrier and a fast helmet with integrated ear protection quickly made its way onto his form providing another layer to help retain the heat being sapped by the sub freezing air. A simple waffle styled face covering sheltered his face from the biting breeze before the helmet made its way to his head. "Let's get cracking."

Hot brass melted the snow as round after round was spent in bounding drills, quick drawing and mag changes. Eating away at the early morning light gave way to the slight warmth the sun provided the surrounding area. Max was so focused on his groupings and target acquisition that he never noticed the other car pull into the range nor the occupant residing inside. A bundle of scarves and coats stumbled out of their vehicle carrying a brand new gun case and their pockets seemingly heavy with a small amount of ammo and other gear as they stumbled their way to one of the covered areas with heating lamps overhead.

This movement caught his eye, their slow movements wasn't what surprised him. Their massive tail that sat above their legs was. Anthros were common, at least common enough to have formed their own clicks of wolves, deer and other species that were very common to the environment but reptiles were rare, even more so in the dead of winter since they tended to travel south to try and avoid the bitter cold. Flipping up his hearing protection he made his way over to the bundle of heat trapping clothing and called out. "Everything alright?" The figure jumped as he called to them, the reptile's sluggish movements forcing the case to the ground from the table with a harsh clatter. "Oh I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to startle you!"

Taking a moment to breathe and steady her shaking legs she turned to look over her shoulder. "It's alright. Just didn't expect you to shout." Her voice was feminine but raspy and slurred. Her muscles must have been slowed due to the cold slowly seeping into the clothing as she moved to pick up the case and place it back on the cold wooden table.

Max moved over to the dial that controlled the heating elements in the awnings roof and turned it up as far as it would go. "Pretty bitter out for someone cold blooded. Are you going to be alright? I do feel a storm coming along pretty soon."

Her scarf wrapped head slowly moved to face him, dark scales and ruby red eyes leveled on him as she rose a little higher to feel more of the heat beginning to beam down on her. "I did see that on the forecast, I hope I wont get caught in it. What do you mean you feel it?"

"Pretty sure it'll be coming from those mountains over there. As for feeling it." Tapping his left elbow before patting his right hip he gives a warm smile. "Couple of old injuries clue me into this sort of thing. Something about air pressure changes and tight joints. I'm Max by the way."

With an outstretched and gloved hand he offered to take hers in a handshake. She was hesitant for a moment but slowly accepted his outstretched limb and gave a weak grip. "Elianora but everyone just calls me Eli, thank you for turning on the heat. I didn't know how it worked." She shifted slightly as her body naturally moved to the warming spots of the awning and greedily consumed any heat they produced. She rubbed the back of her neck looking to the floor nervously. "I must look pretty green huh?"