ZRP-2: Chapter Two, Paradise in Hell

(Sam)
"I think so. Maybe we'll go and have a look."

(James)
"Well, doubt the sound will matter that much. All we need to do is ram our way into the warehouse, and then go to town on their asses. Hey, Cooper, why wasn't any of this handled before we got here anyway?"

*Cooper*
"Two reasons: the breach and Shepherds both happened within the two days that you were here. And Slate forbid any unnecessary action."

(James)
"Wow, how the hell has he remained in power for so long?"

*Cooper*
"Hell if I know.."

=Markus sneaks off, satisfied with his situation, hoping to find somewhere more.. open. Maybe kill a few zombs. He made his way back through his secret hole in the wall to a lush, green park, sitting on the bench and drinking a can of Dr. Pepper, his rifle at his side.=

=I grin like a little kid=

It's like a hunting trip all over again...

=I continue to look on silently, remembering what happened last time I opened my mouth=

=I then mutter a choice curse word in German as I hear Slate's name brought up=

Eve smiled brighter. "Cool."

Hibiki frowned. "Not a coincidence..."

(James)
"Maybe he's as stupid as he is crazy?"
=Probably not, but it was still a thought=

(Sam)
=Smiling, I continued eating my food=

=I again mutter a curse in German, seeing as no one would understand a lick of it, save Cooper=

Fucking shitfaced coward...

=I keep my opinion to myself=

"Or something worse." Hibiki said.

Eve waited patiently for Sam to finish.

(James)
"Either way, Shepherds at the door first, possible crazy man later."


(Sam)
=Once I was done with my food, I got up, tray in hand, and went to leave it by the trash bin=
"So Eve, where do you want to go?"

"A park." Eve said.

Hibiki nodded. "Cooper. Get me six of your best men. We'll assault the Shepherds at twilight."

(James)
"I guess none of us are coming along for the ride?"
=Okay yeah there was probably no way in hell I was getting my wheelchair into that thing, but still....they could have dragged me behind them like those cans you tie to the newlyweds limo=

(Sam)
"Park it is then. Come on."

=I sigh=

Seems like it, man.

=I look at the tank longingly=

Shame...

Eve smiled, keeping close to Sam.
"I wonder if there is a pond..."

Hibiki shook her head. "Not this time. In and out. I need the best. Shich none of you are....yet."

(James)
"Oh I don't know, slap some solid steel plates onto this chair, I'll be a nice mini-tank."
=Still, it didn't hurt to have her surrounded by well armed, well trained people=

(Sam)
=We left the hotel, and while it wasn't the park, I had a good idea of where to go: the arch, maybe the river. There was enough nice, open space there for it to be a pleasant walk=

=I frown=

The redneck in me is hurt.

=I continue frowning=

I've had as much time with a rifle as any of those guys.

"Shut up Andrew." Hibiki said. "You have to help protect Miranda."

Eve skipped a bit as they approached the location, the repressed child in her finally free.

(Sam)
=Okay the skip was weird to see from her. I mean she was traumatized by her life before Hibiki, and now she was skipping. Spooky. Anyway, we reached the field where the arch was, the same one where there was corn and.....upon closer inspection, other kinds of vegetables=
"Wow, so this is where most of their food comes from."

(James)
"Okay, so twilight gives us a few hours. I'd say gear up but we're not going to be part of this, so I'll just stay in the hotel room for now."

=I simple give Hibiki a stare=

I know that, so don't tell me otherwise.

=I grumble a curse in German under my breath, annoyed=

Doesn't mean I have to like it.

She nods. "I guess."

Eve then stopped and placed herself in front of Sam, taking her other hand.
"Sam...I...wanted to let you know...No, I...I love you. Just the fact you...you love me back mames me feel so...so happy...thank you for...being my...my light."
Eve was scarlet, and her thoughts scattered...a bit.

Hibimi nodded. "Keep Eve safe."

(James)
"Think you should tell Sam that more than me, but yeah no problem."


(Sam)
=I blushed, and squeezed her hands as I bent down, brushing my lips on the top her head=
"That means a lot, Eve. I'm happy, to be here with you."

"Someone has to protect Sam." Hibiki said.

Eve's face was bright and alive. The kiss made her feel warm. So, she hugged Sam.
She had no more words left to express herself with.

(James)
"Then who's going to protect me?"
=I joked just to lighten the mood=

(Sam)
=Returning the hug, I steeled myself, just a little. I had to remember that as much as I truly loved Eve, I had to question how much of what she felt was really love, and how much was just her looking for someone other than her mother to cling to, to save her from her past=

"Miranda will. Because Andrew here is busy protecring his pride."

Eve snuggled into the hug.

(James)
=I smiled a little, though my heart still felt heavy. More than anything I just wanted to be close to her, but I was smart enough to know that was never happening=
"Okay so Cooper, how soon before we're ready?"

*Cooper*
"Let me gather the right people, and we'll be good in twenty. Though I suppose we'll head out in a few hours, tops."

(Sam)
=Breaking off the hug, I took her hand so we kept walking=

Eve tightened her hand in Sam's. Ever since denying Jonah and starting her relationship with Sam, the girl had seemes ro come out of the shell that had been present

Hibiki grimaced. "I'll get my things."

=I let loose a loud curse in German, my temper lighting up like a Roman Candle=

I'm not protecting my pride...Mira is my pride, you dumb bitch...

=I finish my curse, still seething with anger=

(Sam)
=We walked, until we got to the river. Well, more like those platform things they have jutting out over the water, and leaned against a bar. It was quiet, nothing but the splash of water for sound, the light sound of wind=

(James)
"I'll.....walk with you."
=I shot a look at Andrew=

"Andrew, take a deep breath man. Calm yourself buddy."

=I take a few deep breaths, my anger still boiling, but calmed down=

The nerve of her...

=I stare daggers at Hibiki, my gaze boring into her=

"Learn to take a joke." Hibiki shot at Andrew. "Jeez."

Eve skipped a bit more. She was happy. Just...happy.

(James)
"Andrew, since we're in a football stadium this seems only fitting: hit the showers, and cool off."
=I kept my voice calm, neutral. I didn't want a damn fight breaking out between my people=

(Sam)
"It's beautiful, isn't it. Nice, quite, peaceful...."

Eve nodded. "Yeah. Just...perfect for a first date. Right?"

Hibiki held her tongue.

=I sigh, my temper subsiding=

Fine.

=I stalk off, still annoyed=

(James)
"Hibiki, that might not have been the best idea, riling him up like that."

(Sam)
"Yeah, it really is."

"I'd say what were worse ideas, but I am out of examples. He shoulsnt sneak around like that and should learn that when a call is made, he should accept it."

Eve paused. "How do we end a first date right?"

=I turn my back, still fuming a bit=

I accept the plan, I'm just not happy about it.

=I sigh, shaking my head=

(Sam)
"Well, I suppose a walk back to your house, or in this case room, maybe a kiss goodnight, then go to sleep. Sleep, nothing more."

(James)
"Still, we need to get along with each other before we can even try and form an alliance with other people."

Eve nodded. "Ok." She smiles. "I like it."

"We do. Not my fault if he can't take jesting."

=I feel my temper flare briefly=

Calm down, man...just relax...

=I sigh, not willing to say anything nice=

(James)
"Look, just come down from there, let's get your stuff, and try not to start any fights, okay?"

(Sam)
"Good."

"I hate hormones." Hibiki said as she jumped down.

Eve grinned micheviously. "What type of kiss though?"

(Sam)
"Well, first date so let's go with a kiss on the cheek. And separate beds as well Eve, there's two big ones in the room, take advantage of that."

(James)
=I wheeled over to her, taking her hand in mine=
"Yeah, it's hard to control but Hibiki....he's my friend, and the only one besides Sam that I know from the caravan. And he's been under a lot of pressure as well, so cut him some slack."

=I shake my head=

You're not the only one...

=I give an irritated sigh=

"And we have spent how long already in one bed..." Eve said. "I promise to not be mean again!"

Hibiki sighed. "When he's pregnant, he can bitch."

=I shoot Hibiki a piercing glare=

That was uncalled for...

=I fume a bit, my nostrils flaring=

(James)
"If he's ever pregnant, we'll have bigger issues than zombies and fanatics."
=We started moving, for out of the building itself. I had no desire to rest, but I wanted some alone time with Hibiki, before she went off on this assault=

(Sam)
"No, separate beds. That's the rule for this first date."

Eve was silent.
"Ok." She said, relenting.

Hibiki laughed. "Yep."

=I follow the two and head back for my room, knowing Mira would be asking questions on where I was=

Let's hope she doesn't kill me...

=I keep my eyes low, knowing that looking at Hibiki would only bring up more anger for me=

(James)
"Anyway, if you don't mind I'd like to go back to the room now. Just want to clear something up."

(Sam)
"Alright then. Maybe we'll stay out here a bit longer?"

"Fine..." hibiki said

Eve smiled. "Can we sit down somewhere?"

(James)
=We soon got back to the hotel, and I lead Hibiki back to the room, opening the door and letting us inside=
"Okay, we need to talk Hibiki."

(Sam)
"Yeah, there should be a bench over there."
=I guided her over to a bench, sitting down on it=

"Bad feeling...check." Hibiki sat on the bed.

Eve smiled before lying on the bench, nestling her head in Sam's lap. "Do I get a second date?"