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Jordan and Ai-Ling did, eventually, find a workable motor vehicle; a dark green Sedan car that must have been conveniently flashed in recently, from its relative newness and working condition. They strapped Jordan's new push bike to the trunk and headed towards Kansas.

Ai-ling hasn't turned out to be a natural driver. The car's workings are counter-inuitive to her and she needs things explaining a post-industrial person would take for granted.

She is, however, dedicated to learning, and there's not a lot more to expect from a student, so she's soon capable at least of keeping them moving along an empty desert road.

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The humans' shares are first treated with a spice mix Ai-Ling has in a pouch; a result of careful experimentation with strange plant life. Then Jordan is handed hers.

"What's your job?"

The meat smells good all on its own. The spice mix just means Jordan's eyes are a bit sparkly when she smiles at Ai-Ling next. This is amazing outdoor forage cooking, she thinks.

But then, she probably lives on that trailmix if she can't get to a diner.

The question calls for some hesitation, though it's unsurprising for Jordan to use it. "I'm a hunter," she says finally, quiet as she picks at the rabbit, taking small, entirely approving bites. "Things that are supernatural... ghosts, vengeful spirits, creatures. I hunt them."

She smiles again, gesturing a little with her hunk of rabbit. "This is really good."

Ai-Ling beams. Being told she's a good forage chef means she's a great wife, and she's proud of her great wifely skills.

"That's really cool," she says, regarding hunting. "Saving people from the bad stuff?"

Jordan's smile widens a little, pleased at the response, and she nods. "There's a lot of stuff out there, even if-- especially if people don't believe in it. There's not a lot of us, but we protect people."

Even if they don't know they're being protected. Jordan doesn't mind the anonymity.

"Really cool," Ai-Ling responds, but she adds wryly, "it's weird people don't believe in stuff that actually exists."

She gets a small smirk in return, as well as a shrug. "When it gets too hard to believe, most people just stop," Jordan explains. Though it's obvious that the explanation doesn't sit very well with her.

She eats a little more of her rabbit, grumbling stomach especially appreciative of it. Journey gets a glance, too, but since the bloodhound is having a downright ball chomping on her rabbit-head, Jordan figures she's just fine.

"Guess we're seen as the weird ones, more often'n not."

"Everyone on my world knows about spirits and benders and the Avatar and stuff. And I'm fine with stuff that doesn't exist on my world. But not believing in stuff that is on your world?"

Ai-Ling shrugs.

"I don't think it's weird to help people. That's what I've been doing while looking for Miki."

A shrug is given. Jordan doesn't get it either.

But someone (Sara, probably) in her head is telling her to explain a little.

"The way we live isn't... normal. It's not very... happy. Kind of. Some people think it's better to pretend it doesn't exist and try to be normal than to go out and do what we do."

Ai-Ling nods, reluctantly conceding that she can understand.

After a moment in which she tries to connect that to her life, she says, "like people who think the war's over."

Jordan blinks but doesn't negate. She has no idea, personally.

"Like someone who caught a glimpse of one battle and then convinced themselves that it not only never happened, but it was something impossible that they must have imagined." She hesitates and then adds, "Or someone who fought a couple of battles and then went to live in the woods and pretend they didn't know that there was a war and a side that needed his help."

"Yeah," Ai-Ling confirms. "I guess those people can live on all worlds."

Jordan frowns-- but nods.

It's not hard for her to keep her opinions to herself, really, on what kinds of people "those" people are. Besides, Sarah is lecturing her in her head already.

She pulls a water bottle out of her backpack and offers it to Ai-Ling first.

Oh, Ai-Ling would probably agree. She leans over and takes the bottle with a nod of gratitude.

"They learn quickly on this world. But I still go helping people."

Well, that gets a smile to come back. Another notch of respect, too.

"That's what I meant when I said I don't hunt animals," she explains after a moment, nodding to the rabbits. "They don't really need hunting."

Not as badly as what she does hunt, anyway.

"They do if you want to eat," Ai-Ling answers, though she nods understanding.

"I get it, though."

"Hunting licenses, fire warnings, time spent skinning and cooking, and all this," Jordan waves a hand at their set up. It's comfortable and warm and nice but it's entirely too much work and far too much time wasted. "When I'm hungry and I don't have anything in the car, I find a diner."

Unless she's visiting family, of course.

"Is that like a restaurant?" AI-Ling asks.

"That works if there's one around. What if there isn't?"

A pause is taken and Jordan grins and nods. "It's like a really crappy restaurant dipped in grease," she replies easily. "It's delicious."

If there isn't one around, Jordan shrugs and nods to her backpack. "I had a car, I keep stuff in there, and store up when I can. But I was on a hunt, so I have some extra food in there."

OK, imagery fail thee for just a second. Enough to give Ai-Ling a confused grimace.

"All I had was my spear. I was on a hunt, too."

Misunderstanding the look when coupled with the words, Jordan nods and nudges her backpack (very full pack) with a toe. "It was in the woods," she explains. "I was going to be there a few days."

Which means she's startlingly well prepared for Shatter when compared to most everyone else.

Ai-Ling nods.

"It's lucky you got Journey, too. You guys have each other."

To this, Jordan beams. Journey gets a few ear-ruffles, though she's still quite absorbed in her rabbithead. "She's my best friend," Jordan replies, completely truthful.

But... that does remind her of a few things Ai-Ling has said. She pets Journey's head for a bit longer before looking over at the other girl.

"If you want, we can come along with you. Find your husband."

Ai-Ling grins again. Company would be great.

"Sure. Y'know, if you want to."

:D!

Jordan had a feeling that would be the response. She grins a little back and nods.

"Okay."

And that's that. She needs to see the place anyway, get a feel for everything. And company is... well, Sarah would be proud of her.

Journey certainly won't mind the extra meat.

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