Afterworld

@EclecticInspiration  
“city life got too loud, i had to clear my head, ideally without distractions, it’s honestly a cause to celebrate for me to ahve someone i can talk to.”

@Cerebrate  
“Oh. And you’ve just been out here on your own?”  
He stands, just about falling over, but staying upright regardless. His tail lashes about some, coming to rest on the floor or ground near the rat.

@EclecticInspiration  
“very much so, luckily for you.”

@Cerebrate  
“Why is that lucky?”

@EclecticInspiration  
“the bullet was not directly lethal, but there was still a hole in your head with plenty blood vessels ripped, that would ahve killed you.”

@Cerebrate  
“Oh yeah, it’s lucky you’re out here. I thought you meant something else…” He slightly shakes his head. “You said you gathered some stuff…anything important? Anything with a name?”  
There had been some very old dogtags in his pocket. Provided these weren’t taken, they could be of use, or perhaps orders for any of his deliveries.

@EclecticInspiration  
“yeah, pair of military tags, must be centuries old by now, fell out of use when official states stopped being a thing.”

@Cerebrate  
“It’ll do. This name is too long,” he states in reference to the last name, “but…I’ll take ‘Aric’.” First name has been taken.

“well then, suppose I know what to call you now.”

@Cerebrate  
“You and me both. ‘Aric’. Hmm. ‘Southerland,’” he shakes his head, “mouthful. ‘Aric’. And you’re Steve.” He shakes his head but then again runs a hand over his noggin, feeling a couple small horns and his ratty ears again. “And the nearest settlement?”

@EclecticInspiration  
“about a day’s march south from here, got some bottled water left.”

@Cerebrate  
“I may not have pants or a gun, but I have fists and a hefty migraine. I need to head there and see if I can get my stuff back.”

@EclecticInspiration  
you notice a somewhat lumpy looking set of casual clothes.
 
“good luck boy.”

@Cerebrate  
He eyes the set- they’re probably the stag’s, though. “Thanks. For Bruce, I’ll need it. You’ve done more than help me- I’ll remember you, and I’ll be back to give you company.”

@EclecticInspiration  
“hahaha, hopefully not too soon, and bruce is not the one you should worry about, the dustwalkers run a tight ship here, and that ship’s captain is the cute kitty he’s working for.”
 
(in the context you proposed, bruce is LANIUS.)

@Cerebrate  
([Jingle Jangle music stops] .__. shiiieeet)
 
“Egh. We’ll see what happens then. Mind if this rat borrows a shirt and pants…? Maybe whatever of mine you found, too.”

@EclecticInspiration  
“by all means help yourself, and especially grab the travel pack i prepped for you.”

@Cerebrate  
“Thank you.” After dropping the hospital gown and donning the pants & shirt, he checks out the pack and gets going on his way.

@EclecticInspiration  
a lot of bottled water, a few granola bars, and a sunhat.
 
“save travels.”

@Cerebrate  
“Stay safe, Steve.” He dons the hat and heads out, walking swiftly in the direction of the nearest settlement.
 
As someone who’s been limited to walking for 4-6 weeks, I can walk fast as fug, and so shall ratty.

@EclecticInspiration  
good thing the old home had run you through your paces, you made good time and soon came across a town, a fortified town utilizing pilfered tank turrets for advanced home defense.

@Cerebrate  
Gonna try and head on in. Gotta find his car n shiz

@EclecticInspiration  
as he enters a few guards look him over.
 
“stop there for a moment stranger, heard of the dustwalkers? a bunch of their thugs are in town, you may wanna keep your head down for a while.”

@Cerebrate  
“Are they now? Thanks for the heads up. Mind telling me where they are?” He’ll turn to the guard since they’re having a talk- the scar will most likely be in full view.

@EclecticInspiration  
Guard: “you’d best not be looking to pick a fight… but they’re at the bar right now.”