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[thesamurai]

[Michonne's on the beach, and she's holding the camera out far enough on a wide shot that others can see.]

So. Dining room is now on the beach. Ambiance, I guess.

Comments

[lightgunhustler]

[Curious is okay by Jo-- she doesn't mind talking about it when people are actually interested.]

Kind of. Hunters look for patterns-- deaths with unexplained causes, or methods that resemble a given creature's M.O. It can be tough, you have to look for the little things, but you learn what kind of clues to look for early on. If you don't, you've got no business being a hunter.

[thesamurai]

[Damn, okay, honestly that sounds interesting as hell, and it shows on her face.]

CSI: Monster Hunt?

[She gives a flash of a smile. But seriously:]

Sounds dangerous. One of those jobs people don't think about until their life is messed up and they need you.

[lightgunhustler]

Not a bad comparison-- especially since there's a lot of creative lying involved if you want people to talk to you about what's happening.

[Which means impersonating officers of the law from time to time.]

Generally, though, fewer sunglasses at night, more denim and plaid.

[Hunter chic. Just the way it works.]

You're not wrong, though. It's dangerous, but-- once you know about this kind of thing? About monsters, what they're capable of, the things that are out there while normal people go about their lives? It's hard to look the other way. Impossible, even-- for me, anyway. It's all I ever wanted to do. My dad was a hunter, so ever since I was little, I wanted to do the same thing he did.

[thesamurai]

[It all sounds damn admirable. Dangerous, risky as hell. But those are always the jobs that Michonne's admired most: people who run toward the shit while everyone else is running away.]

And that's gotta carry over here. Too much happens for it not to.

[At least she assumes.]

Good dress code, getting to do what you really love? Sounds like most people's dream job.

[You know, if your dream job involves monsters.]

[lightgunhustler]

I do what I can. I'm not the only hunter in town, but a couple of us try to spread around what we know to those who are interested in learning. Not every monster that comes through here is the version we're used to, but a lot of hunting is knowing how to play it by ear and adapt.

[You can't plan for every possible situation, but you can plan to be flexible.]

Well, it's mine, anyway, even if it's risky. I always thought it was worth it. Couldn't imagine doing anything else, not when I grew up knowin' about this stuff.

[thesamurai]

[Michonne nods as Jo speaks. Adapt and survive, or don't and die struggling. It's the only option back home.]

Some people want to run into danger, that's all they've ever wanted. Yours is just...different kind of danger.

[And looking at Jo, just having this conversation, Michonne's gut tells her she's right for the job, a good person, wants to help people. Maybe she's wrong, but she doesn't think so.]

[lightgunhustler]

Not wrong about that, either. Some people get a taste for it early and just can't stay away.

[There are hunters like that, too-- thrillseekers, people who do it for the rush instead of to help people, instead of because it's the right thing to do if you're capable of doing it in the first place.]

I've seen a lot of that. My mom ran a roadhouse back home, we saw all kinds of people come through-- hunters of every flavor, some of 'em just lookin' for the next kill to get their blood pumping. Everyone gets into the life for different reasons, though. Usually it's personal.

[thesamurai]

[Quiet for a few beats, Michonne wets her lips before speaking again.]

I did that. I was with one person for a long time after everything started. We were...[She glances down, not lingering on what they were.]

When she died, it wasn't about killing the zombies anymore to be safe. It was just to kill. Just to be angry. Told everyone I was going out to find the man who killed her. I did, for a while. And then I didn't.

[That...was a lot, and Michonne looks anywhere but at the camera for a second.]

Anyway, like you said. It gets personal.

[lightgunhustler]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss.

[She knows sometimes the words can seem hollow, but she means it. She's seen more loss than most anyone her age should have to, really. Michonne has her deepest sympathies.]

Sounds like you dealt with it the best way you knew how. And sometimes things change-- for better, or for worse. But-- yeah. It gets personal. [A beat.] We've all got our reasons.

[thesamurai]

[Silent for a moment, Michonne nods.]

It's nice to meet you, Jo. I hope our paths cross again. Face to face.

[And she truly does. She likes the sense of strength.]

[lightgunhustler]

[Jo smiles just a little before she gives a firm nod in return. They're on the same page there-- Jo likes Michonne, likes the strong read she's gotten off of her so far.]

Likewise. Just swing by the bar whenever you feel like. I'll be around.