ZRP-2: Brave New World

(James)
=I let out a relieved sigh=
"Thank you. I don't want them part of this....war, I suppose. What do you need from me right now?"

*Marcus*
"Right now, nothing. Just that you'll stay in town, and help when we ask."

(James)
"No problem there."
=I took another swig of the scotch, feeling a warm feeling in my head now=

"If nothing else, I'd like to get back to what I was doing and keep watch over my group's kids."

*Marcus*
"Of course James. Feel free to go."
=He made a gesture, and I took that to mean I could leave. Nodding goodbye, I left the building and headed back to the Inn=

Hibiki sighed. She was growing bored.

But she was sure of it.

The culprit had been Bill Nye...the Science guy!

"I need to lay off the coffee and donuts." she said to herself jokingly.

(James)
=Looks like I was going to have a lot to discuss with everyone, though I had a feeling it would have to wait until tomorrow. Right now, I just needed some rest, and to get back to my job watching over the kids. I walked through the doors of the Inn, seeing Hibiki sitting down, and she looked like she was either thinking or teetering on the edge of sleep. I walked over to her=
"Hibiki, want me to take over?"

"Yep. Enjoy."

Hibiki got up and walked straight into the girl's room, kicked off her shoes, laid her jacket on the chair, and climbed in beside Eve to hold her close.

And fell asleep.

(James)
What, no goodnight?
=I sat back down in my own chair, getting set to sharpen my own knife again. As I ran the blade over the whetstone, my thoughts drifted over Marcus' proposal. As much as I wanted to go my own way, I had to admit that he and Hibiki made a good point. Not only could I not afford to go it alone, but the Shepherds were a threat to everyone. Unite the others against the Shepherds and we might have a chance at wiping them out, at least around here anyway=

Now the choice is do I stay with my group after this or not? Granted, by the time it was all over I'd either be dead, or they would be too far away to locate.

"Ahh!"
=I accidentally knicked myself with the blade, I was too distracted to pay attention. Idiot move. I wiped the blood off on my shirt a little, keeping pressure on it. Hearing footsteps, I saw Marge walk over with a roll of paper towels she must have had behind the desk=

*Marge*
"Here young man."

(James)
"Thanks."
=I took a piece of the paper towel, and wrapped my thumb in it. The cut wasn't deep, so I wouldn't have to worry about too much blood or losing a piece of skin=

I walk out of the building and wave Wrex over. Basically the all clear signal. Then putting my knife away.

(James)
=I was starting to feel a little tired, my eyelids feeling heavy. With that in mind, I sheathed my knife not wanting to repeat my accident=

I'll give Hibiki another hour to sleep.....then I'm taking a break.

I bend over picking up the girl and putting her on my shoulder. I walk over to Tyler and look into the convient store. Seeing that there was a back room.

"unscrew all the lights out here. Lets take that backroom incase any zombies come in here looking for a meal. We can sit in there and get some rest. But I dont want the lights out here attracting any zombies."

I said as I walked into the back room noticing the dead body and the problem it would cause. I sigh and set the girl down against the back rooms wall.

(James)
=It looked like it was going to be a long hour. Not willing to sharpen my knife anymore I was at a loss for things to do to pass the time=
Next time I find one, I'm grabbing a book....

=I supposed that while I had the time, I'd do some thinking on Marcus' proposal. In all honesty it didn't seem like I had much of a choice. Besides, that choice actually had the potential for something I didn't even consider; unity. People uniting to face a common foe. That would certainly make for a sight to see=

"Alright."

How am I going to reach them though? Oh yeah. The shelves.

I climb up on one of those metal shelves I don't know the name of and start taking out the light bulbs.
Thankfully these are the normal, round light bulbs. Not the long ones I also don't know the name of.

Wait. Shouldn't I just turn out the lights?

=I look at James, casting a weary glance at him=

I know you're up to something, James.

=I give him my 'Don't lie to me' face'=

(James)
=I didn't even bother trying to figure out where Andrew came from. If I was too distracted to figure that one out, I didn't have a right to ask=

"Nothing major Andrew, just thinking on what we do after this town."

=I nod=

If you have something big in mind, you might want some additional help besides Hibiki...

=I point at myself, indicating I was willing to help=

(James)
=I chuckled a little. As much as I would have appreciated the help, his place was with the group, not with me and this war=

"Andrew, you might be better off staying with the group. They're going to need you among them, to defend them."

"Do you want light in the backroom?" I said as I pondered what to do with the body. Given the issue with the smell and burning it would attract attention. But we couldnt leave it here.

"Oh. Right. Okay."

I continue unscrewing the lights. Getting two, three, four, five. Then moving on to the next row. Five more. All in my coat.

=I look at James=

I know. I just feel I should help you two.

=I just sigh, tired and sore=

(James)
=That made me arch an eyebrow=

"The two of you? Who else do you think is walking around with me?"

=I look at him with a thin smile=

You and Hibiki have been together since she's arrived.

=I look at him=

And don't even try to deny that she's not helping you.

Hibiki woke up a few minutes before James was scheduled to come relieve her.
So...she spent the time stroking Eve's hair softly, smiling.

(James)
"Okay, so she's been helping me out. Even agreed to help me out with some other things."
=I gave him a square look=

"Andrew, if you want to help me then watch over our people. They'll need a leader, someone who looks out for their best interests and despite what happened with you leaving, i still believe you are that person."

=I look at him with a slight smile=

If you say so.

=I yawn, not even trying to hide my being tired=

(James)
=Hearing him yawn reminded me of how tired I felt. I wasn't about to go to sleep yet, and my meeting with Marcus made me realize something; I needed a drink=

"Excuse me."

=I got up, and walked over to the girl's room where Hibiki was. I knocked on the door waiting for an answer=

Hibiki sighs and gets up, slipping her shoes and jacket on. She answers.
"My turn?"

(James)
"Yeah."
=I stepped out of the way to let her out=

"I'm going to try and find a bar. God knows after today I could use a drink or two."

Hibki exited. "Alright. I'll be here."

She sat down to take her shift.

(James)
=Nodding, I walked out of the inn, and headed for the building I saw earlier when we entered the town that looked a lot like a bar. As I walked, I couldn't help but feel a slight bit of disappointment. When I looked for why I felt this way, the answer kinda unnerved me=

No way. No way am I feeling disappointed because Hibiki didn't seem interested in tagging along. Hell, maybe I'm just sad that no one is tagging along. And hello, we lost Arthur and Malcolm, I'd be surprised if I wasn't feeling down.

I sigh as I cut down the body without letting it hit the floor. I hoist up the body and carry it to the door that lead to the industrial freezer. Closing the door after the body was in there. No zombies would be attracted to it while it was in there. I walked back over to the storefront. Seeing Tyler working on the lightbulbs.

"once your done just head to the back room. Do you want first watch or should I?"

(James)
=Right before I got close to the bar, I realized something: other than my knife, I had nothing on me that I could trade for a drink. Sighing, I turned and walked back towards the caravan, for the RV. I wasn't going to take any of the supplies we had, but I still had a few personal things hidden away. The caravan was quiet, most people either asleep or just walking through the cars silently. Sam and Dan were still out though, keeping a sharp eye out so they didn't pay me too much attention when i climbed into the RV. Rummaging around, I found a few things that were bound to be worth trading; a half empty bottle of aspirin, some spare batteries we used for flashlights, and a can of spam. Pocketing the items, I left the RV, and walked back over to the bar=

Sheesh, suddenly I feel like an alcoholic scrounging up whatever he can for a drink.

=Walking into the bar, my ears were greeted by a loud commotion, as the place was packed with people. Making my way through the crowd, I reached the bar itself, and the barkeep, a scruffy looking man with a beard, eyed me suspiciously=

"Evening. What exactly can I get for these?"

*Barkeep*
"Still got some stuff on tap. It's sour but it won't kill you. Have some homemade stuff though, taste's better. For the homemade stuff, I can give you maybe four glasses for the batteries and the spam."

(James)
"I'll take the homemade stuff then."
=I placed the items on the counter, and he took them, replacing it with a glass of some brown colored drink, a little bit of foam at the top. Lifting the glass, I took a sip of the warm drink. It wasn't that bad actually=

"Good stuff. My compliments to the brewer."

I finish taking the lights out which makes the front room as dark as it was before.

"I'll get the first shift."

I walk into the back room after climbing down and stumbling a bit. Then I shut the door so the light won't leak out.
I put the light bulbs in one of the back corners and flip the chair around so it can be sat on. I take off my coat and put it around the chair.

With it open like that you could see the vast amount of pockets in it. Obviously modified to have that many. The stitching shows.
Five different knives stick out of special pockets for them. Then there's the pocket for my pistol. Other various pockets for different things.
Such as medicine and food. Ammo and water bottles. Even a couple bottles of Vodka. This coat... is my life. Kinda how a purse is a woman's.

So yeah. I take out one of the knives, this one being a kitchen knife. Just for security.

=The barkeep simply nodded, and went back to work. I continued drinking the beer, the taste actually improving a little, when someone sat down next to me=

*Ebenezer*
"Drinking away the pain James?"
=For an old guy he had a deep voice that betrayed the frailness of his appearance. He took something out of his pocket, though I couldn't see what it was. Whatever it was made the barkeeps eye's glint, and he pulled out a scotch glass and a bottle of bourbon. That made my eyebrows shoot up a little=

(James)
"You been holding out on us?"

*Ebenezer*
"Heh, it was a pack of cigarettes James. I used to smoke a few years ago. Was saving it for my last day or something.....now all I want is the finest drink this place has got."
=He raised his glass a little=

"To Malcolm. A son any father would be proud of, and a parent that earned his family's love."

(James)
=I raised my own glass=
"And a good man, and an even better friend."

I press my back against the wall, sliding down till my butt hits the floor. sitting directing across from the girl and to the right of tyler. I place my shotgun and baseball bat in front of me. I would take off my mask and balaclava but I am so used to wearing them that I just leave them on. I then procceed to slide onto my side. But before trying to get some rest I say outloud. "Tyler, in a few hours wake me up and then you can get some rest."

(James)
=We both drank in silence for what felt like an hour. It probably was too. There was an exchange of stories between us, more so from him, about the best moments of Malcolm's life. I patted him on the back though when he began to cry, and he regained his composure soon after. We were both fairly drunk at this point, though he was drunker than I was. He had four glasses of the bourbon, while I only had the three glasses of the homemade beer. He was starting to slur and I was just getting lightheaded, and I came to the realization that we both should leave. I needed to avoid passing out if I wanted to take over for Hibiki, and Ebenezer would be better off passing out back at the caravan=

"Come on old timer. Let's get you back to the group."

=I got my arm under his shoulder and helped him walk out of the bar, back to the caravan. He stumbled a little but I made sure he never fell down, and I was able to get him back to the mini-van. Jennifer was there, and she helped me get her grandfather in his seat. Nodding my thanks, I walked back to the Inn, doing my best not to stumble=

Oh man, this should make someone laugh....a tipsy man, standing watch over the kids.

"GAH!"
Abel woke up in a shock again.
"Fucking nightmares..."
This time he was unable to go back to sleep, but it was still dark out.
"Screw it, can't be too much longer 'til it's light."

(James)
=Despite my best efforts, I stumbled a little as I crossed the threshold of the Inn. Damn, that homemade stuff was either strong or I was a lightweight. I made my way over to the chairs, hoping to sit down and wait for my head to stop feeling so dizzy=

Abel grabbed his shotgun, and threw his sword on his back, then made it to the front of the store. He couldn't see anything outside, but that made sense, it was dark. Thankfully it was clear and the moon was bright tonight, so that would help extremely. Abel walked out the broken glass door onto the street. He made his way up the exit ramp on the highway. The sign said he was on interstate-64.
"Oh good, a highway, I'm sure this'll go swimmingly!"

Hibiki frowned and got up, about to ask James what happened.
Then she smelled the alcohol.
"Seriously...that much?" She asked, slightly annoyed.

(James)
"Sorry....just, in light of recent events Malcolms dad and I kind of had our own little.....send off, for Malcom. Harry's dad. And hey, I may be a little tipsy but he passed out after downing a few glasses of bourbon. All I had was at least three glasses of beer."

=I rubbed my head a little, the dizziness starting to fade=

Abel walked down the old world road, with his shotgun and flashlight at the ready.
He kept it off, only turning it on when it was needed. It wasn't exactly fun nor smart, walking down a maze of cars, at night, but Abel stayed alive this long, so he must have been doing something right. Not long after he started walking did he see a sign that said: 'WELCOME TO ILLINOIS!'
"Illinois huh?... Alright."
He passed the sign, then looked back to see where he just was, and that sign said: 'WELCOME TO INDIANA!'
"Huh."

(James)
"Look.....I'm sorry that I drank so much, ok? There's just been a lot going on in only the past 24 hours, and I'm only now getting a chance to really sit and think things through."

=I was at a loss for why I was trying so hard to apologize, or for why I cared that much about whether or not she was annoyed at me=

Hibki's gaze softened. "I know...but...still, there was no need to have more then a shot. Alcohol doesn't solve problems. It really doesn't..." she sighs. "Go get some sleep. I can rest when you're sober."

(James)
"No...no I'm fine now Hibiki. And again, I'm sorry. But I wasn't looking to solve any sort of problem."
=it was difficult, to hide the pain in my voice=

"I was just looking for a way to make the hurt go away."

Every now and then Abel shone his flashlight in a car window to see if there was anything worth scavenging. He was then hit with a pain in his gut. Abel had forgetting just how hungry he was.
"Ahh, shit."
He then remembered the SlimJim he was saving. He grabbed it from one of his pouches, then leaned himself against a car. He unwrapped the meat product, and started eating it bite by bite. After he was finished, he sat against the car for a couple minutes then got up. When he stood up he heard multiple rumbling sounds. He looked down the road and saw lights dancing in the darkness. It took Abel a moment to even figure out what it was... Vehicles.

"I'd say get laid, but I doubt condoms or birth control exist anymore. Alcohol and drugs are temporary. Time will make it go away. Alcohol will only waste what little you have. What little we might need." She sighed. "If you're going to take watch, fine. Not my business if you're drunk. I'm going to bed."

She stomped off. She clearly was not amused.

(James)
"Hibiki, I......"
=What was the point. It seemed clear that she was annoyed with me. Trying to talk to her more wouldn't help. I was surprised though at how Annoyed she got at with me, and it made me wonder why. Hell, I was trying to figure out right now why I was so concerned if she was annoyed with me. All I could say at this point was=

"good night, Hibiki. And sorry for upsetting you."

Hibiki paused.
"I'll accept your apology in the morning."
She closed the door to the girl's room and crawled in beside Eve, cuddling close to her daughter.

(James)
Well, that's a start I suppose.
=My thoughts were interrupted when I heard a sigh of disapproval=

*Marge*
"You boys don't know the first thing about women, do you?"

(James)
"Excuse me?"

*Marge*
=For the second time that night, she walked from around her counter. She grabbed a chair across from me=
"James is it? James, it seems clear you have no idea how to talk to this girl, and judging by how quickly you tried to make amends, I'd say you have a thing for her."

(James)
"I do not have a thing for her. Good grief, we just met today! She seems like a great person, and she's cute as well, but that's no reason for me to fall for her."

*Marge*
"And yet you get so defensive when the topic shifts to her."

(James)
"I'm not....."
Holy crap.....I was getting defensive. Why?

*Marge*
"Life's short enough as it is James, walking dead and religious fanatics be damned. It never hurts to admit that in all the waste of what's left of this world, you found something precious. A flower you want to protect. So don't waste that chance, and do what you can to make things right."
=That was all she had to say. She walked back to her counter, and didn't say another word the rest of the night=

An hour later, Hibiki woke up. Yawning, she drew herself into a sitting position. Rubbing Eve's back, she woke her daughter up with a kiss to the forehead before gently shaking Jaime awake.
"C'mon sleepyheads. Morning. We gotta get up."
They groaned. Smiling, Hibiki got them ready and marched them out into the lobby.

(James)
=An hour later, after giving some serious thought to what Marge had said, I walked back into the Inn's main lobby, hand immediately going behind my back when I saw Hibiki marching Eve and Jaime out of their room=

Okay, just be calm. Just say your peace, and give her the peace offering.

"Morning girls. Hey, Hibiki can I speak to you in private for a second?"

Hibiki glared for a moment.
"Eve, take Jaime and wait by the door to the boy's room. James. You get five minutes."