ZRP-2 Chapter 6: Scattered

*Clara*
=She blinked, caught off guard by the comment, and looked from Eve to Sam=

(Sam)
"Just roll with it ma'am."

(James)
"So, care to mark out which houses are open?"

*Clara*
=Regaining her train of thought, she looked to the group=
"They're easy enough to spot out. Jus look for the houses that have an open door and windows. That's our system of marking a vacant house. I'll also spread the word around town that for now, you four are to be treated as guests."

(James)
"Thanks. I'll just grab Nomad and we'll find a house."
=I gave Hibiki a smile=

"You'll see what I'm talking about."

*Mark*
"Listen up! I'll take the bus to the head of the line, introduce myself. Nobody draw your weapons for anything short of a walker, clear?"

Hibiki looked at Eve.

"I wanted to name him Callus. James said Nomad. Nomad sounds stupid." Eve stated.

Hibiki facepalmed.

(James)
=I talked as I walked out of the diner=
"Hey in my defense, she already got to name her pet."

(Sam)
"Wait, what the hell did you get James?"

"Horse. And I found the cat." Eve retorted.

(Sam)
=She blinked at James=
"You got a horse?"

(James)
"We found him outside that last town, after we were separated. He's a good horse."
=The four of us walked over to where they had Nomad tied. More people were walking around, some of them......giving us odd looks. Which was understandable, I mean we were outsiders bringing in more people. Clara said she'd vouch for us, but that kind of thing only went so far=

*Marcus*
=When the bus reached the gates and stopped, Marcus got out, waving a white handkerchief=
"Hey, is Clara inside there?"

*Guard*
"Well shoot, if it ain't Marcus. Yeah, she's in here alright. I take it your people are safe and clean?"

*Marcus*
"Would I be here otherwise?"

*Guard*
"No, I suppose not. Come on in."
=They opened the gates, and let the caravan inside=

Eve reached into the saddlebag and withdrew her gun. Holstering it, she went back to Sam, taking her hand.

Hibiki petted the horses' s snout. "Fine horse. But really? Nomad?"

(James)
"Yeah. It seemed fitting, since we're always on the move on never staying in one spot."
=I took his reigns and guided him along behind us as we started walking=

"Now.....do we all want to have one house, or should we separate?"
=Before anyone could answer, I saw a line of vehicles coming down the road from the wall. A very familiar line of vehicles=

"Well I'll be damned...."

"Same house James. Keep family close." Hibiki said, then looked.
"Guess we all made it ok."

=With the arrival of the caravan, people in the town became much more uneasy, some of them reaching for their guns. Clara and her guards formed a line between the oncoming people and the caravan, who were despite the arms, mostly curious. Marcus was the first one out of a vehicle, smiling as Clara came over=

*Marcus*
"Good to see you again Clara. Thanks for letting us in."

*Clara*
"No problem Marcus, thanks for staying alive. I almost didn't believe his story, but that guy you sent ahead convinced me that you were coming."

*Marcus*
=He gave her a curious look=
"Guy? He have a name?"

=But he didn't need an answer, as he soon spotted James, Hibiki, Sam, and Eve behind the people. He grinned fiercely=

(James)
"Yup, we're still alive Marcus!"

(Andrew)

=I climbed out of the car, along with Sarah and Mira=

You sure look a helluva lot better than we do.

=My face breaks into a broad grin=

(James)
"Well of course I do Andrew, with a face like mine, I always look good."
=We stepped through the crowd to Marcus, and I shook his hand. He frowned atus though=

*Marcus*
"What happened to Mark and Trevor?"

(James)
=I grimaced and shook my head=
"We lost them, along with the boat. But we were close enough it didn't matter."

*Clara*
=She cleared her throat loudly, getting their attention=
"If you both don't mind, perhaps we should discuss this somewhere we can sit down. Maybe grab a drink, something I'm sure you cold all use?"

(Andrew)

=I smiled=

After a nearly a month on the road...

=I couldn't help but grin even broader=

That just sounds great, ma'am.

=A few minutes later, after most of the caravan had gotten settled with their temporary location and the town locals had gone back to what they were doing, the heads sat together in the diner to talk. The drink as it turned out, was just water=

(James)
"So, what now?"

*Marcus*
"Well for now, what we should do is take this time to rest. We'll wait here for awhile, give the town time to think on what we've had to say. If they let us stay, we stay. If not.....then we just keep on moving."

(Sam)
"But we've been on the move for a month. No way am I going bac-"

(James)
"Sam we're guests here. Like it or not, we will respect their wishes."

Eve tugged Sam's hand.
"Be happy Sam...least everyone is safe." She winced. "And uh...slightly almost in one piece."

(Andrew)

=I nod, agreeing with James=

Even though I agree with Sam...James is right...

Yeah...They'll tell us when we've outstayed our welcome.

=I sigh=

Even though I would really like to rest on a proper bed for a day or two.

*Clara*
"Well look, I can't promise you'll have a permanent stay here, that's for the town to decide. But we can at least give you some houses to stay in, all of them well furnished. Or, basically furnished anyway."

(James)
"Either way, we won't know anything just yet. For now, what we should do is...."
=I traded a look with Clara=

"Work with Clara's guards here on keeping a watch for the Shepherds. According to Marcus, we didn't spot any of them tracking us but I'd rather not leave things up to chance. While we're here, we make sure that any trouble that followed us does not come down on this town the way it did on St. Louis."

Eve rubbed her eyes.
"Any time spent in a warm safe bed is time well spent. Even if it's just for a few days."

Hibiki reached over the slrested her hand on the back of Eve's neck, smiling.

(James)
"Yeah....."

*Cooper*
"What I want to know Clara is this: even if you decide to kick us out, is that the same as saying you won't fight against the Shepherds?"

*Clara*
"Cooper, it may as well mean that. Don't get me wrong I want to see those sons of bitches burn, and I'd be more than tickled pink to put a bullet 'tween their eyes. But I won't do that if it means endangering a town of people who aren't willing to fight."

(Sam)
"In all fairness ma'am, even if we leave right now, the Shepherds will probably still attack you when or if they ever come here. At least with us, you stand a better chance of beating them off."

*Clara*
"A fact that's escaped neither me nor anyone in this town I'm sure. But there's a difference between defending this town, and asking its people to march to war."

(James)
"Understandable. But you can either live with beating off attacks for the rest of your life, or meeting them out there and removing them as a threat entirely."

*Clara*
=She shot him a somewhat bitter smile=
"And how's that working out for you?"

"We've had some setbacks...but we also have given them a few bloody noses. Few of their camps we clearee out, killed a top man for the last state, and managed to stall a major force back at St Louis." Hibiki said. "So it's war. Too soon to say Clara. But we're fighting and trying to regroup and reorganize for the next fight."

*Clara*
"And I wish you all the luck I can......"
=She placed her elbows on the table, hands folded together=

"But what I want to know is this: will you ask the families here to fight with you, even if they say no?"

*Marcus*
"I won't."

(James)
"Not me."

"The only ones who should kill, are those prepare ro be killed." Eve said softly.

*Clara*
=She couldn't help but blink at Eve, who for the most part was not who she expected to say such a thing=
"Well, I can't say anyone here is prepared to be killed. But I think it's safe to say everyone here has something worth killing for."

(James)
"So....is that a yes?"

*Clara*
"I already told you, even if I said yes I don't speak for the town. The most I can guarantee is that you get to stay here."

Eve shrugged, but remained quiet. She husied herself with nuzing Sam's shoulder, obviously just wanting to relax after a long time traveling.

(Andrew)

=I gave a small nod=

Yeah...we aren't asking for much...

=I gave slight sigh, still feeling tired=

*Clara*
"Oh, but you are. By coming here you have risked any Shepherds following you coming here and attacking us just for letting you in. I'm not angry or resentful, but don't assume you're not asking for much, when you've already created a great deal of risk for me and mine."

(James)
"And we're not going to view it lightly or be ungrateful. We're even prepared to lend whatever strength we have to defending this town."

*Marcus*
"In any event.....arguing about an uncertain future is pointless. We'll wait for the outcome of the vote, and proceed from there. But I assume there isn't any issue with us taking a few houses?"

*Clara*
"None. But just for the sake of things, can you and your people take the houses on the west side of Main Street? They're vacant and away from everyone who is an actual resident here."

(James)
"Sounds fair."

(Andrew)

Fair enough.

=I was actually relieved we actually got anything. And Sarah seemed pleased about the news as well, looking as tired as I was=

(James)
=After the meeting ended, those of us who were from the caravan left to give the news to the occupants, and then lead them to the designated area. I was surprised to see Book up and about=
"Book, you're alright!"

(Book)
"Ah, James. Hibiki! Good to see you both, yes I'm doing fine thank you."

Hibiki smiled. "Hey. Glad you made it alive. Was worried you were trying to avoid seeing our child. Have to get him or her a proper welcome to the world, right Padre?" She added with a chuckle.

(Book)
=Laughing, he pulled Hibiki into a warm hug=
"Wouldn't miss it for the world my dear. I see you've gotten us lodgings."

(James)
=I talked as we walked=
"Yeah. People here were kind enough to give us some houses, whatever was open. They're going to be voting later tonight on whether or not they'll actually help us in the fight against the shepherds, but for now I'm just glad we'll have a place to sleep tonight."

(Sam)
"Yeah. God knows we've been too long without a soft, warm bed."

"Can we just go to the soft, warm beds now?" Eve asked somewhat grumpily. "My ass is sore from the horse ride, my should is stiff, and I just got to see Sam after days of being apart from her and just getting her to kiss me. And I'm tired."
Whining done, Eve closed her eyes.

Hibiki hugged Book back, then blinked at Eve. "She needs more food. Always grumpy when tired and wihout much food. Got anything, Marcus?"

*Marcus*
"Yeah, there's till some food and water in the bus. Feel free to check, but I'd check after you laid claim to a house. Looks like we have a very hot market here."

(Sam)
"I can grab the food. The house shouldn't be too hard right? Just whichever one Nomad is tied outside."

"Yes Sam. Keep Eve close. I'll make sure James doesn't break anything." Hibiki smiled.

(James)
"Hey, I wouldn't break anything."
=Having said that, I dragged Nomad along behind me as I went for the nearest house; a two story house, nice porch out front. Even had a chimney=

(Sam)
=Dragging Eve with me, I headed for the bus=
"If we lose the good bed sheets, I blame you."

"Daddy is a sucker for puppy eyes." Eve said.

Hibiki sighed. "Shall we save them some bedsheets?"

(James)
"Oh I'm sure there are plenty of bed sheets. Maybe blankets too."
=I found a decent spot, and tied Nomad up on the railing of the porch. Then I walked through the open door. Inside was.....well, a nice living room for starters. A couch that had a layer of dust, tables and rugs, and even a TV though that was kinda useless with no power or cable. I doubted this place even had running water=

"Should we check upstairs?"

(Sam)
=Climbing into the bus, I found a few cans of food, mostly tuna. Thankfully, the ones I grabbed had those little tabs, so opening them was easy enough=
"Okay, lets head back."

Helping Sam carry it all to the house.

Hibiki whistled. "Nice."

(James)
"I'll take that as a yes."
=I started to climb the stairs. On the way....I noticed there were pictures of a family on the wall going up the stairs. A family, husband, wife. Some kids. Even a dog. Obviously, they weren't here anymore. I didn't want to know what happened to them, if they weren't here. Without meaning to, stopped halfway, staring at one of their pictures, shuddering as if I was cold=

(Sam)
=The house was easy to find, unless someone else had a horse tethered outside. Eve and I headed for the door=

(Andrew)

=Of course, the three of us found a good house; and by pure coincidence, it was near James. Not that I knew which house he picked out. I let the ladies in first, admiring the layout=

Well...make yourselves at home.

=At this moment, I was utterly content=

Hibiki gripped James' arm. "Don't start. Just look away."

(James)
=Shaking my head, I grunted and started going back up the stairs=
"Just.....feels wrong. Taking the home of another family. Doesn't mean I won't since it means you and Eve get a place to stay. But it feels wrong."

=We reached the second floor, and I found the master bedroom. Most of the sheets and blankets were rumpled, not neat, but still there=

(Sam)
"Come on Eve. Lets see what this place has got."

"We aren't taking it. Stop this guilt shit." Hibiki scowled. "The family left to escape. Now we're here. My home is probBly someone's home by now."

Eve followed.

(James)
"Geez, that's certainly a cold way of looking at things Hibiki."
=That said, I still plopped my belongings down on the mattress=

"I'm not feeling guilty. But I'd be lying if I said I felt comfortable, since their pictures are all over the place, smiling."

(Sam)
=The second room Eve and I found, on the other side of the floor from where James and Hibiki were.....had a bunk bed. So much for sharing a single bed=
"Well.....it's a bed. With a ladder. You can't beat that."

"I wouldnt mind being really close in bed." Eve said. "We can store stuff on the top bunk."

Hibiki sighed. "Not cold. But indifferent."

(Sam)
=Looking from the tiny beds to her, then back, then back to her, I raised an eyebrow=
"Those are tiny beds Eve. Not sure we could fit comfortably in both."

(James)
"I know......but cut me a break here Hibiki, I'm allowed to feel something for the poor souls that used to live here. And I'm also allowed to feel a little uncomfortable walking by their pictures."

"You are. But you will dwell on it and let it get to you. So sont dwell." She frowned.

Eve activated her puppy eyes. "You could just lie on top of me. Then we wouldn't have to worry. And I'm pretty small too."

(James)
=I couldn't help but chuckle a little=
"I swear, we argue more over my discomfort over things, than we argue over anything you do or feel."

(Sam)
"I think that's how most people smother someone to death Eve....."

"I'm hard to kill." Eve said.

Hibiki laughed. "And you're supposed to wear the pants."

(James)
=I grinned sheepishly at her=
"Maybe we'll take down the pictures later, if we end up staying here. Put them in a box though, in the attic?"

(Sam)
"Yeah, but with that shoulder of yours, it might cause more harm than anything else."
=And with that, I climbed the ladder and got the top bunk=

"I claim this bunk in the name of Sam."

"That works."

Eve pouted, then climbed into the bottom bunk. "I wanted to cuddle..."

(Sam)
"Well we can always cuddle later. Right now I want to look around, see what's in this place."

(James)
=I sat o the bed, actually sinking into the mattress=
"Oh man, when's the last time we ever got to just sink into a bed before?"

=I lay back and stretched my arms like I was trying to make a snow angel=