Redhawk Caldera slipping and sliding

Rue nodded sympathetically, but she didn't say anything further. She averted her gaze away from Eljay out of respect, because he was clearly dealing with some difficult emotions. Maybe sliding down that hill had made him think of his son... maybe that was something they had done together, once. 

Eljay apologized again, explaining that he thought she might have had something to share about the boy. Rue opened her mouth to respond, but Eljay quickly changed the subject before she could speak. 

"Uh.. yeah," Rue confirmed, a little awkwardly. They were going to jump straight from Eljay's emotional baggage to hers, it seemed. She realized that he must not have seen her approach, because anyone who saw her move would know exactly why she wasn't a scout anymore. 

"It's this," Rue said, limping in a small circle to demonstrate the problem. "It's this shooting pain in my lower back whenever I move. Downhill slopes are the worst. I..." She swallowed, taking a moment to fight her embarrassment. Her packmates needed to know the extent of her ability-- or disability, rather. "..I can't even get out of the Caldera," she admitted, voice small. Some scout she was.