Welcome to Gaia! ::

Three days it had taken her to travel from the military base she had been gathering supplies in. Three days, with very few stops, to get to New Hope. Her ox, mutated with an extra horn in the center of its head, two tails, and a hump like a camel, of course, was no where near weary, but she would still like to give it a rest. An ugly beast she thought to be beautiful still. Flora May, she had named it. Lunas, a well-traveled scavenger, was a very motherly person by nature, so it was no surprise she had a fondness for the disfigured creature. As she saw the wide walls of the city a bright smile crossed her face, her blond, curly locks catching in the brilliant sun. "Look there, Flora May! We'll have us some cool water soon, baby girl. Don't quit on momma now." she encouraged the poor, over-worked animal. The ox grunted and continued to shuffle along. Yes, Lunas had odd ways of speaking, especially to her beloved, loyal ox, but she was an older woman who'd been around.

Now, Lunas didn't ride in the wagon - She walked next to it. Carrying a rifle, of course. All of the men who knew her loved her and hated the fact that Lunas couldn't sit still long enough to keep company around, even at least to guard her. Ren was her only real partner, because while Ren helped her guard her load, Lunas in turn sold any wares Ren created. Half the time Ren didn't even get to ride in the wagon, but when she really needed a rest then Lunas allowed it. She just didn't want to overbear Flora May. The men thought she needed some big, strapping man to come along with her and Ren for protection, often lead astray by their fantasies of being alone with two women out in the Wasteland. Lunas had full confidence in Ren as her caravan guard. Before anything could even get close it was usually blown to smithereens. Together the two did just fine roughing it in the Wasteland, moving from settlement to settlement.

New Hope, however, was their number one stop for rest and recuperation. Unbeknown to most of its own citizens, New Hope was located right in the middle of what used to be the United States of America, which was why it was such a great midway point for caravans and traders. Not to mention it was the only source of clean water in this part of the world, or so they assumed. New Hope did it's part though, and Lunas helped in the only way she could, taking water and selling it to settlements further out. Of course, Lunas bought the water and sold or traded it for things she needed. She made sure New Hope made their own profit for it. New Hope wasn't the only large city, but it was the most fruitful. Thanks to their water they were also able to grow food in small gardens, which gave them an even greater surplus.

The town also loved Lunas and loved even more seeing her well and healthy, so when she started waving to the guards on the wall they all started waving back and shouting, hooting, and hollering at the woman. The men, especially. Lunas could hold her liquor, but she always wound up with a different man every time she was in town. Lunas whooped back to the men, laughing afterward. God, she loved this town. It was like an oasis in a desert, a breath of fresh air. Lunas was even happier when she saw that tall drink of water, Leroy, standing on the other side of the gate, waiting on her. As the wagon pulled in to the checking station, where several rifles and a few mounted miniguns were pointed on them, Lunas walked up to the gate and gave Leroy a big smile, her hands on her hips. "Miss me, honey? Momma sure as hell missed you," she teased as the men went through her wagon, checking it for anything suspicious. Oh yes, she had even been with Leroy once or twice. Lunas knew how to make any man blush.

Of course, they all trusted her, so the inspection was merely routine, only this time one of them poked his gun under the tarp only to be met with a grunt. Baffled, he threw back the tarp and lo and behold there was a girl there. "Miss Lunas, I really hope this belongs with you," he said, keeping the end of his rifle focused on the middle of the girl's head.

Confused, Lunas walked around to the back of the wagon and was rather shocked at the sight of the girl. Her shock was followed by the sounds of many rifles loading their chambers. "Honey, I don't know where you came from, but I'm sorry they found you." Her face was sympathetic as she thought that the girl was probably just trying to get away from the heat of the sun and had wanted a ride, but didn't want to ask. She assumed all sorts of things, but still felt sorry for the girl, because now the guards were taking hold of the girl and hauling her off to jail.