Redhawk Caldera peak performance

Q was thrilled with this new life adventure. Not that she hadn't loved where they lived before, but, well, it was cool to travel and see other stuff. New places. New things. And then they stopped at the Caldera. This place would definitely take some getting used to... and get used to it, she would. There seemed to be a lot to explore and get to know here, where home sweet home (where she had been born and raised) she knew all the nooks and crannies. She probably had some more cool places to look into but honestly, this shiny new place fascinated her far more. 

She was a bit sore though. Huffing and puffing and deciding to laze for like, five minutes, Q lazily flopped to her side with a loud sigh. A cloud of dirt and/or dust formed around her (likely from her own fur... she needed a bath STAT), and she rolled onto her back to squirm and make up for lost debris.

It wasn't like anything Reyes had ever seen before. The caldera was like a mountain except that it was inverted, with a lake in the middle that he could see even from as far-off as the ridge he now camped on. He wanted to venture closer but he also wasn't about to go wandering alone—so as he passed through a segment of the terrain he hunted for someone to partner up with.

There was someone sprawling in the dirt not far off, so he moved on an interception course to where they were actively squirming. 

Hey! No lazin', we have a job to do. Up'n at 'em! He didn't know who the heck this was, only that they smelled strongly like the other Firebirds, and they were young. What were they even doing there on the ground (besides messing up their coat)?

Someone hollered at her, and Q lazily adjusted to flop back onto her side before she hoisted herself upward, but only halfway. Squinting at the stranger, who was definitely that, she screwed up her face and echoed obnoxiously, in an intentionally nasally voice: Hey! No lazin', we have a job to do. Up'n at 'em! before snorting and rising to all fours, That's what you sound like, dorkus. Rolling her eyes and striding closer to him on long, coltish legs, she grinned. 

Well, let's get a move on then smelly. Since we got a job to do, she hopped four times away from him, before hollering, WELL COME ON THEN LAZY BONES!!!! As if she were not just lazing around moments ago.

Reyes had not been around young people since his time around his own siblings, and as that had blended together in to "life before Tortuga" one could argue he had no experience with them; the rise of the girl and then her terrible impersonation of him was met with a blank stare at first. It was an attempt to be insulting or something — but Reyes could only watch. They put on quite a performance.

Then they moved on, getting to work. The shouting made his ears twist but he followed after them anyway.

Holy shit kid you've got some lungs on ya. Reyes snapped as their voice faded; he felt his ears ringing. If you're done makin' a scene maybe we can actually get to work, then? You all good there? His brow raised, and he looked at her as a teacher's aid might stare at their first live case of parental neglect in the classroom.

Q looked back to him, grinning at what she perceived to be a compliment. I sure freakin' do, her expression would easily read. As for his second statement, she frowned playfully and shook her head. In a second, she decided for them both, before pausing to holler: AND... SCENE. Alright. I think that makes it official, she nodded at that, satisfied. 

Seeing his expression, she offered him quite the blank look. No neglect in her life; Q was just a sucker for attention, and annoyed when wrongly called out. Okay, so she had been lazing, but the journey had been long and tiresome! Squinting at him, but taking no offense, Q turned to race ahead.

Something was wrong with this kid. Either that or Reyes had failed tremendously in being a child himself, in making the most of every opportunity to alienate the adults (which was somewhat true too); in either case he stared after Quetzal as they dashed ahead, perplexed and annoyed and somehow also impressed by the exuberance they held. It wasn't common behavior from what Reyes could recall of his previous homes - making Quetzal something of a novelty.

He followed after them with a wide berth. The last thing Reyes wanted was a close encounter with someone potentially unhinged. He wasn't a huge fan of loud noises or abrasive types these days.