Keep Your Eyes Open

[John Murphy]

As much as the threat outside was constant, he ached to leave the camp at times. Now being one of those. There was almost always without fail somebody whining about a job they'd been given, or a belonging missing, and no doubt plenty being stolen. What could you expect within a group of criminals? Murphy had wandered off to one of the trees where they practiced and attempted to perfect their aim with various weapons, waiting for Bellamy who had decided to take him along when they ventured out today. It was where he preferred to be; at the leader's side and enforcing the other's 'law'. The role came with benefits of authority, there was no doubt, but beyond that he believed in it. Whatever the hell we want. It was a notion he could get behind.

Breathing a quiet curse as his makeshift knife again missed its mark, he headed over to retrieve it from the dirt, taking a moment to inspect it as if the fault might lie in the craftmanship rather than his amateur aim. Still, he was getting there. Perhaps he'd get a chance to show off one of his better attempts if they managed to track down any animals for food.

Tag: Bellamy Blake

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: John Murphy

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GOT TO HELP ME RUN THINGS

They needed food. The first panther that they had caught, Bellamy had used it to somewhat bribe the others to take their bracelets off. It had damn well worked. So long as he helped provide for the others, he would continue to get them following his lead. That was part of it anyway. At least in the beginning. While he didn't want to admit it, he was feeling a strong protective instinct toward them. One he was trying to brush off because he couldn't stay here if the Ark came down. He was trying to avoid that from happening, but even he wasn't naive enough to believe they would never make contact.

He just had to detain it as much as possible. Right now though, the priority was food. Arming himself with his axe and a blade, Bellamy reached for the two packs and made his way to where he suspected Murphy to be -- since he wasn't at camp. He'd told his unofficial second that he would be accompanying him today. Murphy was a bit of a wild card, but giving him that bit of authority over the others seemed to keep him loyal.

Bellamy was able to reign him in some and he just needed it to stay that way. Besides, the delinquent showed promise. Seeing him just miss the shot and then reach for the blade, that was when Bellamy stepped into view, tossing the pack directly in front of him. "Grab that blade," he instructed. "We're going hunting, and you're gonna need it." Because he was going to get Murphy to practice his aim and the strength in which he threw the weapon. If they were going to survive out here, everyone needed basic weapon training. Atom, John . . . Murphy was also among the list.

[John Murphy]

Dusting a little dirt from the knife, his attention shifted to the pack tossed at his feet, Murphy reaching down to grab it and sling it over his back. So he would get to try out his skills with the blade, and if done well, maybe he'd get the credit for bringing back the food. He silently hoped he wouldn't screw up in front of Bellamy, though a stubborn thought soon swept in to confirm he wouldn't. If only to himself. 

With a moment's glance back to camp to see if anyone else was accompanying them, he set off to follow Bellamy, glad it was just the two of them. There was something pleasing about that, whenever their leader delegated to him or called out a 'Murphy, with me', he felt good. As if someone was finally giving him some credit, some appreciation of sorts. It played to his ego and he was proud of the position he was in. However unstable the camp might be in terms of what would happen next. For now, he figured he was in the best place, the best casual rank he could be. The best position to survive. 

Following Bellamy further out now, he kept his knife in his hand, fingers curled loosely around. "How far are we going? Pretty sure anything small has been scared away by now. Unless you count Monroe."

Tag: Bellamy Blake

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: John Murphy

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GOT TO HELP ME RUN THINGS

Bellamy could heart Murphy follow him, close enough to him that he could remain alert to his surroundings without constantly checking on the delinquent. Then again, Murphy was able to handle himself. Better than some of the others . . . perhaps a lot of the others. He had a survival instinct about him that Bellamy was not oblivious to. Which was why he showed a lot of promise. The older male slightly smirked at the mention of Monroe being scared away. He couldn't blame those who were scared but Bellamy didn't have time to coddle them. They were all forced to mature beyond their years; all forced to face the dangers that Earth posed and that, was something they could all thank The Ark for.

"We won't go too far," Bellamy answered. "We need to be back before dark." Because it wasn't safe past that. They still didn't know what the hell was out there. How many Grounders were there. "Well then, let's catch something big," he suggested in response to Murphy statement about anything small being scared away. "With any luck we'll find another panther." Because that had lasted them for a while. They had a lot of people to feed and they could use the extra parts from the animal too: the fur, the bones, etc. "Have you been practicing?" He asked Murphy, briefly glancing at him for a moment, referring to his aim and being able to hit his target with the necessary force.

[John Murphy]

He kept alert as they walked, gaze shifting between the surrounding trees and Bellamy, and occasionally to the ground as he watched his step on the uneven terrain. Now that he was out here it was with mixed feelings. On the one hand, he'd gotten what he wanted, a break from the camp and some time away. On the other, a spear could come out of nowhere like the others said it had with Jasper, and right at his chest. Or Bellamy's. They didn't really have the choice to stay in the camp permanently anyway. Besides, the threat was still real from within the walls they'd erected. Whether or not they were truly safer inside hadn't yet been fully tested. 

Bellamy had a point. Any doubts Murphy had about the safety of the camp, he'd still by far prefer to be inside its walls come nightfall. That was simply common sense. "I'm not sure if this is going to match up to a hail of bullets." He gestured to the knife, whether or not Bellamy could see, waving it in the air as he referred to how their last big meal had been taken down. Now he looked up to meet the older male's gaze once the other cast a glance back to question. "Yeah, getting pretty good when no one's watching." He laughed off his own joke to add a quick confirmation, in case Bellamy should think any less of him. "I could take something down if I get the chance."

Tag: Bellamy Blake

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: John Murphy

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GOT TO HELP ME RUN THINGS

Bullets. Damn how he wished they had some. The Ark had sent them down with nothing. No way to defend themselves. The excuse of how they would use guns to kill each other was stupid. They should have expected some sort of anarchy with a bunch of undisciplined former criminals who had just entered a free for all of liberation. "Yeah. But Jaha Junior decided to empty the entire round in one panther." Dumb ass. Bellamy was forever irritated about that. The waste of bullets. He could have got that thing in one shot in the head.

But instead, the best weapon they had was now useless. Thanks to Wells and his damn need to impress the princess. It irritated Bellamy, but he knew dwelling on it wasn't going to do any good. They could only deal with what they had now . . . which were weapons as primitive as what the Grounders had. Blades. Daggers. Axes. And they would make spears soon enough he supposed. Another slight smirk formed on the older male's features as Murphy's answer.

"Well, today will be your chance," he informed him. It was the best way to learn. Not everyone was a skill hunter, but as he had already decided . . . Murphy showed promise. He wanted to give him the chance to practice in a real life situation. "And if you blow it, then you'll have to deal with a hoard of hungry, pissed off delinquents." Bellamy was only half joking really. He wasn't intending on returning empty handed, but he figured adding that little bit of pressure on Murphy wouldn't hurt.

[John Murphy]

Murphy scoffed at the mention of Wells. The guy was getting a rough time down here from many of the delinquents, Murphy included. That happens when you're the son of the guy who had dropped them here with nothing. The son of the executor of many of their parents. The son of the chancellor most everyone hated. Not only that, Wells had actually tried to reason with them, admonish their behavior, even though he was stuck down here with them. Way to make friends. Murphy didn't care, he was hoping he'd get another chance to hit the 'Chancellor of Earth'. 

Murphy spared a fleeting thought for how Bellamy would have handled the panther, had Wells not swiped the gun from him, along with how he might have fared himself. Well, now he'd never know without any more bullets. All the more reason to get better with a knife or whatever else they could use. He was keen on the small blade though. How it felt in his hand, the fact he'd shaped it himself, carved his initials on it. Something of his own when they had barely a thing down here. 

The comment about potentially failing the hunt only made him more determined, but he smirked at the added mention of the other delinquents. "Maybe if they got off their asses, they'd have something else to eat." It wasn't necessarily true, there was only so much to be gathered to satisfy so many. The need to hunt for their food was clear. Still, he didn't really want to be the one to provide for them, and if not for the fact Bellamy had given him the opportunity to help him run the camp, he might have fed himself with what he could find and told them all to go to hell... but he was part of something for now. He quickened his step a little and moved past Bellamy, slowing again once he was ahead. "I'll bring them something to shut them up."

Tag: Bellamy Blake

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: John Murphy

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GOT TO HELP ME RUN THINGS

Bellamy listened as Murphy spoke of how they should be active if they wanted something to eat. The mentality didn't surprise Bellamy. Several of the delinquents were used to that feeling of being alone, of surviving, of doing what was best for them. For Bellamy, it had never been the case. His priority had always been his sister. But that was because he had a family to look after and protect, and several of the delinquents didn't have that. "Everyone has to do their part," he began to explain to the delinquent.

"Not everyone can hunt. We can." They were capable and it promising as hunters. Hell, if nothing else it was practically a compliment directed toward Murphy. "Besides, if we want them to keep following, we have to keep giving them a reason to." Manipulating them through the offer of food. It had after all been how Bellamy managed to get so many others to take off their bracelets. His initial speech had worked, but the food in exchange for the removal of the trackers really did the trick.

Besides, he felt the need to reinforce this with Murphy so that he wouldn't get any ideas about changing his support, or going solo. Murphy was a wild card. Bellamy wanted to reign him in and tame him. "Good," the Arker stated in response to Murphy's determination. "They'll owe you. And trust me, that's something that we want." For the Delinquents to feel responsible toward Bellamy and his leadership. Because soon enough, they would be calling in those favors, and be reminding people of just how much they provided for them, and what they could offer and have given them.

[John Murphy]

Maybe everyone should do their part but that certainly didn't mean everybody was, with some of the delinquents not taking well at all to life on the ground, and others content to just sit back and enjoy while someone else did what was necessary. Although, Murphy had to admit he didn't mind enforcing Bellamy's regime where and when he could. Perhaps for the thrill of real authority where he'd scarcely had any before, but also to be a part of something that didn't require him to bow his head to somebody else. Since he would refuse that, it was working out. Sure he took orders from Bellamy, but so far they were ones he was fine with taking. 

There was a slight grin at the other's comment regarding their ability to hunt, that Bellamy included him in that prompted a brief flutter of pride. We can. He could. He was sure he'd have gotten along just fine without stepping in beside Bellamy to help the other male lead the group, but to be there was turning out to be beneficial in several ways. And besides the fact Bellamy had a sister, he seemed to be more like Murphy than some of the others down here. Wells, Clarke. It was clear Bellamy had a definite grievance with the powers that be on the Ark, as did Murphy and so many of the delinquents. Better he be leader than one of the 'privileged', as Bellamy had called them. 

There was another flash of pride and a determination now, Bellamy's words motive to make sure he brought something back to feed the hungry. Yes, they would owe him if he succeeded. Just as long as it was never the other way around. He wouldn't answer to any of them. Murphy glanced over his shoulder to Bellamy as they pressed on. "They'll keep following if they know what's good for them. Anyway... what are their choices? Wells? The Princess? That's never going to happen."

Tag: Bellamy Blake

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: John Murphy

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GOT TO HELP ME RUN THINGS

Murphy was definitely right about that. While Bellamy's position of leadership wasn't exactly a default . . . Clarke and Wells were far from a good alternative. The people didn't want privileged individuals to tell them what to do. Clarke's adamant nature about what they had to do aka go to Mount Weather was what had started to turn the crowd out of her favor. Not that they had a chance to really be in it. For the little blond princess to tell everyone what they had to do, what they needed to do . . . what her privileged mother and the Chancellor had instructed her to do . . . well, it wasn't well received by the people. Which had been an opportune moment for Bellamy to start rallying them against the two privileged individuals.

Besides, Murphy had his own beef with Wells. One that Bellamy didn't overly interfere in. Though it didn't mean he still condoned a fight that wasn't fair. "Damn right it won't," he agreed confidently. "The princess and Jaha Junior have already lost the crowd." Not that they really had them to begin with. Let's make sure we keep it that way." Otherwise, Bellamy wouldn't have the others doing what he needed them to: taking off the wristbands and avoiding the Ark by any means necessary. "Helps that the two of them don't even get along." There was something clearly between them . . . and their inability to be amicable, would further weaken them. Despite the agreed preference to go for Mount Weather, they weren't a united front. Which, sure as hell worked better for Bellamy. Considering those he was currently keeping close as seconds, were ones that he could remain civil with. Just enough to keep them from overly defying him.

[John Murphy]

Wells and Clarke at the helm was unlikely as far as Murphy could see, figuring most of the delinquents already viewed them with resentment. Someone like Bellamy was a much better fit, someone they could relate to at least on some level. But the other was right, things could change quickly and it would be better to be on the side with the best chance to come out on top. Right now, Murphy believed he was, and all the more reason to help keep it that way. Bellamy had a point regarding the clear animosity between Wells and the princess too, it was easy for all to see and though there were a few rumors in regards to the reasons for it, none that Murphy cared to investigate. All that mattered was they had no faith placed in them by the group, and so far it seemed that was working out just fine. 

"Guess the privileged don't have everything after all." He rolled a light shrug as he remarked on Bellamy's last comment, finding some mild pleasure in the fact that the two in question weren't happily arm in arm whenever they decided to complain about Bellamy's ways. Already the weaker side through sheer numbers and lacking any trust between them too? Good. Easier to beat them down should they try anything. Just as Murphy cast a glance back to give a grin along with comment, some movement in the bushes off to the side had him freezing where he stood, gaze snapping in the direction while his fingers curled more tightly around the handle of his knife. 

Tag: Bellamy Blake

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: John Murphy

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GOT TO HELP ME RUN THINGS

Once again, Murphy's words held the utmost truth. Privileged didn't have everything. On the Ark, it seemed like they did. Favor. Connections. Bias when it came to the laws. And that was excluding all material goods. Down here . . . there was no rank. Privileged weren't automatically placed in authority. And Bellamy much preferred it this way of course. "Common damn sense being one of the things they're missing," he added on, clearly referring to the main two privileged people that he and his seconds had the most tension with.

Murphy's agreement, and his willingness to shut them down . . . was in part what made Bellamy approach him to help him run things. The sound that suddenly distracted their conversation and purpose for being out here, caught Bellamy's attention as well as he turned his head to the direction from which it came. He gripped his axe, hand tight on the wooden handle of it. He held his hand out, steady, slowing his breath, not daring move too quickly. He turned to Murphy, giving him that look that indicated they should prepare to run. It could be an animal. It could be Grounders. Either way, they had to be prepared for the worst. He gave a short nod to Murphy, because Bellamy slowly and cautiously, took a step forward toward the sound from the unknown source.