Bug

## Introduction

Bug is also known as "Mari" or "Mariposa". She is a resident of Tumbleweed and seems to hang about the Del Lobos.

## Beginnings

Elusive and quiet, Bug doesn't speak about herself much. She mostly just listens. If asked, she usually says she grew up around Tumbleweed, which is true. The more complicated history starts with a scared and very pregnant young woman on the run from some very violent men. She'd already been mutilated by them once, her tongue missing and no longer able to speak words, she fled to the furthest corner of the furthest place she could think of to hide. She named her baby 'Butterfly' in her own native tongue... though she's never be able to say it aloud. She knew what it was and that was all that mattered.

As far as the child knew, her life was happy. Sure, there was little to eat, but they were never starving. She would speak with her mother through hand signals and learn with pictures in the sand or by mimicking what her mother did. It was just the two of them, and because the little girl knew nothing else, she never wanted for more. Things changed when she was about eleven. Her mother left her home to prep things for food while she went out hunting... only this time she didn't come home. Thinking she was just having a difficult time, the girl didn't worry about her mother at first. But after several days went by, she started searching for her. Though she didn't find her mother, she did find another native woman whom they had traded with in the past. She stayed with the girl for a few nights trying t o help her search for her mother but to no avail. She wanted to take the girl with her, but the child would not leave, insistent that her mother would eventually return. Unable to stay longer, the other woman had no choice but to leave the girl to her fate. Though she promised to return every time she passed by to make sure she was safe. And she did, becoming much like a surrogate mother.

The next several years were very isolated and lonely. She eventually started venturing out towards Tumbleweed just to be around someone other than her own thoughts. Through observation, she learned a little english, enough so that when someone asked her name, she was able to draw a picture of a butterfly, like her mother used to.

"So you're name is Bug?"

And from then on it was.

## Tumbleweed

After getting comfortable with the people of Tumbleweed, Bug started offering medicinal help to them. She even started to venture into Armadillo to leave herbal salves and tonics to ease their suffering. She used the knowledge she had cained from her mother and from Mother Hawk. It was during this time that she met the Del Lobos. She had only barely heard of their reputation and had no fear towards them. She would mend their wounds (as much as she could) and they treated her much like a little sister. It wasn't long that people started associating her with the Del Lobos.

This association put her in danger more often than not. If people wanted answers or to get the Del Lobos to pay attention, they'd track her down, sometimes to her own house, and aim long arms at her head. It made her nervous as she never did like "boom sticks". But her arrows just didn't stand up to them face to face. This lead Bug to ask Robert LeBeef and Pancho Zapata to assist her in learning how to shoot a pistol.

## Del Lobos

-Becoming a Go Getter

-Stealing the Golden Bathtub

-Robbing the bank with Frank as Hostage

-Cucuy's death

-Viktor

-Tequila Shipment

-Bobby Leaving

-Capture and Fort

-Escape

## After Coyote

- Cutting her hair

- Release to Mother Hawk

- Quest with TradeWind

- Seeing Beatrice

- Return to Tumbleweed

## Whispers To Cucuy

After Pancho Zapata died trying to keep her out of the laws hands, Mari started talking to his grave, whispering secrets to him. He was like a father to her. It's her own way of keeping his memory alive. As well as her way of saying things she's sometimes afraid to say out loud. Here is an out of context (out of order) list of whispers she has said:

* "I'm very sorry... you are a good protector. I miss you"
* "They had their revenge... I do not feel better. Why can't it bring you back?"
* "Mother Hawk does not want me using guns."
* "You were right. I shouldn't have gone towards the East."
* "He said 'Te Amo' and I think my heart might burst. I know you know..."
* "I left my mending kit in your horse saddle bag. I can't bring myself to get a new one"
* "I'm taking them all to see the snow. I wish you were here to come with us... You'd hate it... but I want to throw a snowball at your hat. I miss you."
* "I can't remember... I can't remember who all shot... all I can see is you and how you fell. I'm trying..."
* "I need to learn more Spanish"