Utah /k/arol

>"So this time you'll be gone for a few months?"
>"Yep."
>"Out in the wastes?"
>"Yes mam."
>the girl behind the supplies desk gives me a nervous look
>it's understandable, I guess
>a few months in the desert certainly suck, and for a caravan escort like me, it really sucks
>but, pay is good, and it isn't all that dangerous
>for the most part
>I check over the list again
>about 500 rounds of .308 has been alotted to me personally and is being loaded into that clapped out BTR
>along with a sleeping mat and a blanket that might as well be maid out of steel wool
>fun times
>I tap the wood of the galil hanging by its strap off my shoulders, resting by my stomache
>this run might suck
>"Well, everything looks to be in order."
>the counter girl gives me a cheery smile
>"That's good to hear, sir. You stay safe, now."
>"Will do."
>"Enjoy your trip, sir."
>She smiles again and gives a little good bye wave
>"Yeah, you too."
>with that, I turn on my heels and walk out the door
>standing on the porch of the supplier's a breathe in the last breath of air with any humidity I'll take for the next months
>Yeah, I've decided it
>this is probably gonna suck
>walk around back, where the rest of the group is setting up
>a couple of figures stand around the transport
>a couple of human escorts toiling around with or showing off gear
>usual stuff
>one stands out to me
>tall, dark, and seemingly covered in a thick matting of that looks like steel wool
>that's... interesting
>approach the figure and before I'm even 10ft from its back it turns to me
>a giant... hood stares at me
>best way to describe the mountain like peak that is its head
>and a darkening in the front of the coarse covereing of hair where its face would be suggests an opening
>"Yes?"
>a voice seeps out of it, hissing and coarse
>"What would you be?"
>the creature pauses before answering
>"We are Mass."
>I look it up and down before continuing
>"Cool name, but that doesn't exactly answer my question."
>Mass leans their body one way, almost as if to cock its head
>"We are...."
>there's a pause
>"a drifter."
>I nod my head in response
>that's neat
>whatever a drifter is
>"Well, okay. Nice to meet you, Mass."
>I hold my hand out to offer a handshake
>Mass just stares at it
>after about 30 seconds, the drifter finally speaks again
>"We do not understand."
>I look the tall stranger up and down again
>"Well, it's a hand shake."
>"Hand shake?"
>I hold back a sigh
>"Yeah. You grab my hand and shake it."
>the drifter takes a second to consider the concept before reaching out its hand slowly
>the motion seems to draw out for ages so I expedite the process by clasping its hand first and shaking
>the "skin" of Mass's hand feels like dried out coral, and I have to take care not to rub my palm off on the coarse surface
>I break the hand shake after a few eternities of gut wrenching cringe
>Mass just looks at its hand for a moment before letting it fall to its side
>a low "Interesting..." murmurs out of the rocky hood
>oh boy
>I managed to find somebody more autistic than me
>"And your name?"
>I takes me a second to realize what he asked before I respond
>"I'm Anon."
>"That Anon?"
>"No, it's just a common name. Most people just call me Utah."
>the drifter dwells on the new information before continuing
>"Very well then, Utah. We are honored to meet you."
>the shawl covered mountain tips its peak at me slightly in a small bow
>"Like wise, Mass."
>I give a small tip of my hat
>I'm not even sure if it can see the gesture