ZRP-2: Chapter 3, The Coming Storm

(James)
=Pulling on my shirt, I smiled at her=
"I'd get dressed if I were you. Never know, could be for you."

=That and I just wanted to see her naked. Again=

(Sam)
"That's good."

"never know. Could be wrong room. Easier to resume if I'm already naked." She countered.

Eve smiled. "How does this make you feel?"

(Sam)
"Well, makes me feel loved. Comfortable."

(James)
=I was missing my socks, though I doubted they were a must if I was in my own room. So, walking to the door, I opened it and felt my heart stop. Book, the priest was outside, and I think the last thing we needed was for him to find out what he had walked in on. Then again, the sock may have been a clue=
"Uh......Book, what a surprise."

(Book)
"James.....I assume this is your sock?"

I was on the first floor where most of the people are. Looking for Jennifer amongst the crowd. Even calling her name.

"Jenny? Where are you?"

Hibiki sat up in bed, keeping the covers around herself. "It actually is mine." She admitted.

Evw smiled more. "That's good..." she said softly.

(Book)
"Ah....so, I guess the wedding is off then?"

(James)
"No! No no no no, the wedding is still on it's just....well, it's just been one of those days."

(Book)
"One of those days....I see."

(James)
=Well, this got awkward fast, and I had no way of getting out of it=
"So uh, what did you need?"

(Book)
"I wanted to know when you wanted to do the wedding. Considering earlier events, sooner would be better."

(James)
"Ah, right. Well......"

=After a minute or so, I raise my head and look at the river. I then hear a voice in my head, my father talking to me from the grave=

Stop crying and man up boy...you got a girl to take care of, so get out of that rut and get your ass moving...

=I sit there for another minute or so, and just stare, letting the thought sink in. I then wheel myself away from the river, rest being the last thing on my mind=

As for a plan....Ah, fuck it. I'll just improvise, and screw the awkwardness of it...

=I wheel myself to where Cooper would most likely be, the thought I had half an hour ago popping into my head=

If anyone knows where I could get something here...it would be him...

=After asking around for a few minutes, I finally find the man where they told me he would be. I roll up to the man and ask what's on my mind=

Hey Cooper, you know where I could find good engagement ring for my girlfriend?

*Cooper*
"Jesus, you too? Well, I helped James find his ring....look, there's a jewelry store a few blocks from here, it's where James got his ring. If you look in the vault, chances are you'll find a ring."

=I nod, giving him my thanks=

Thanks man. I'll see what I can find.

=I wheel out of the bar, my expression a gleeful=

Well...the look on Mira's face will be worth it...

=I continue on, feeling happier than I did before=

Hibiki was embarassed.
"Yeah. If it was off, I wouldn't be in such a...ah...compromised position." She said.

Eve felt safe lr, and happier, when Sam had said that. She had said that was good...but it was axtually great.
It meant she was doing something right.
Of course, when she finally takes top means I did everything right. Right? she mused to herself, finding some hair now covering her eyes.
Oh well.

=I find the building Cooper pointed me to, heading inside with only echoes to accompany me=

Good riddance, that bastard Slate...

=I head towards the vault and start looking, looking among what was left=

C'mon...gimme something here...

=I find something glittering amongst the wreckage, I pick it up out of display case, my face beaming=

She'll love this...I'm sure of it...

=I take it out and put it in a case, slipping it in a pocket and wheeling out of the vault, my expression one of barely contained excitement=

Good grief...I feel like I'm sixteen again...

=I smile at the thought, hoping she'd say yes when I popped the question=

(James)
"Well.....not sure if today is a good time for a wedding. Maybe tomorrow?"

(Book)
"That will have to do I suppose."
=I turned to walk away, but stopped=

"Oh, one more thing: Marcus stopped by, said he wanted to speak with you."

(James)
=This time I let out a sigh of frustration=
"Just one day, I would like nothing but relaxation...."

=I head to where Mira was, trying to contain myself=

Come on Andrew...just calm down, you've faced down worse

=I roll up next to Mira, hoping she wouldn't pick up on how nervous I was=

Hey there Mira. Mind if we have a talk?

"For once let me get a round two." Hibiki griped.

Eve used her free hand to tickle Sam's side. "I'm bored." She said. "Not that I don't like cuddling."

Mira sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes. "I'm only napping Andy."

Sorry if I woke you. Goodness knows we both need a nap.

=I wheel up to the bed, trying to hide my excitement=

Anyway, it's about when we were in the hospital, when we talked about getting engaged.

=I try and form the next words I say in my head=

I've thought about it during the day, and I just want to ask you something.

=I feel my heart thump in my chest like a bass drum=

(Book)
=For the first time, I smiled warmly=
"Finish your work first, then there'll be time to relax."

=I walked away=

(James)
=Closing the door, I walked back to the bed, sitting on the edge. Leaning forward I kissed Hibiki on the forehead=
"Might as well get this over with."

(Sam)
"Well, not exactly full of ideas here."

Eve squirmed a bit. "You're suppose to l. I only know how to make you correct me." She said with a smile.

Hibiki groaned, hugging the sheets to her chest. "I like going commando. Meh." She sighed. "Can you put my things in the bathroom? I need to wash up."

Mira frowned. "Andy...I know we did...but if I think you are gonnaask what I think you're hlgonna ask...are you sure you're ready?"

(James)
=Smiling, I got off the bed and walked to her bag, placing it in the bathroom. I then stopped to get my socks and boots on, standing in the middle of the room=
"I'll see you in a bit."

=Then, I left the room=

(Sam)
"Kinda makes this a one sided relationship then...."

Hibiki stayed where she was.
She wanted to at least still have him there, if only to hold her hand.
She wished the world hadn't ended.
She wished ilthis was normal.

Eve blushed. "I don't know any normal things to do."

=I sigh and smile, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife=

I'm damn sure of it. And I'm even more sure of it now.

=I take one of her hand and hold it=

So...

=I take the box out of my pocket with my free hand, opening it=

Mira, you want to marry me?

(James)
=Walking down the hall, I found Marcus standing outside, looking through the glass of the doors. He saw me, nodded, and motioned for me to join him. So I did. I stood next to him on the sidewalk, and he had a grim expression on his face=
"Marcus, what's going on? I was trying to rest."

*Marcus*
"I'm sorry James. But listen: despite being busy, getting acquainted with their new home, the people will want blood soon. From the Shepherds."

(James)
Nice to know I'm psychic....
"We're not attacking today. It's far too soon."

*Marcus*
"I know, and we're holding off on an attack today. But we need to placate them soon, or they could take matters into their own hands."

(Sam)
"Maybe we should get a deck of cards?"

Mira put a hand to her mouth.
"About time. I almost thought you prefered your farm animals."
She put her hand down. "Yes."

Hibiki finally got up and headed for the bathroom.

Eve couldn't resist. "Strip poker?"

(Sam)
=My face went red, though I still chuckled=
"Oh no no no no, nothing like that. Just a game to play."

(James)
"Dammit.....look, maybe we attack tomorrow? Plan out things tonight, then move out tomorrow morning. Give us time to rest first."

*Marcus*
"I suppose that works. But now it's just a question of where to attack? You still have that map?"

(James)
"It's in my bag. I can grab it, and Cooper, and we can work on what to do next."

*Marcus*
"Do it. I'll be waiting by the stadium."
=And then he left, walking in the direction of the stadium=

=I smiled, my mind racing with excitement as I slipped the ring on=

Well...guess this means the rest of the group can call you Mrs. Harris from now on...

=I grin like a schoolboy, my expression one of glee=

But its a shame I don't have a tux to wear to the wedding.

Eve giggled. "That is a game." She replied.

Hibiki finally was cleaned up. She sighed, then put her hair into a ponytail before headi g out to find James.

Mira smiled. "Aslong as you are standing."

(Sam)
"I mean a game where we're not getting naked."

(James)
Dammit....never a moments rest these days.
=Walking back into the hotel, I made for the room, not that surprised to run into Hibiki=

"Hey. I need to grab something from the room. Then I need to get cooper."

=I smile=

Thanks, Mira.

=I feel my heart thump in my chest=

Because, right now, I feel like the happiest man on the face of the Earth.

"I was going to say underwear is the limit, but fine. I don't know any games but poker." Eve sighed.

Hibiki sighed. "Lets go..."

Mira smiled. "If you weren't, I would have changed to no."

(James)
=Getting back into the room, I found my bag, unzipping one of the compartments and grabbing the map. Pocketing it, we walked out of the room, looking to find Cooper=
"Any thoughts on where he is?"

(Sam)
"Hmmm, well, that sucks. Poker is kinda boring."

"Bar." Hibiki said automatically.

"Hence strip poker. Harder to keep a poker face." She said. "Still have nothing to do..."

(Sam)
"Maybe go for a walk?"

(James)
"And I say again: We have a bar?"
=I figured it was the cafeteria though, so that's where I headed=

=I give a mock offended look for a second, my happy feeling still there=

Well, I am, and I'm damn proud of it.

=I look to the door=

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to tell the good father he's got two marriages to worry about.

=I let go of her hand, giving her a kiss on the cheek as I then wheel myself out to find Book, or find someone else to tell the good news=

Oh I'm a believer...

Eve shook her head. "We did enough walking. I don't want to walk."

Hibiki chuckled. "If Cooper walks into anything, it will have a bar. It is inevitable."

(James)
"Heh.."
=We walked into the cafeteria, and there he was, helping himself to a beer. Not sure where he got the beer though=

"Cooper! Marcus wants to talk."

*Cooper*
"God dammit, can't a man have a beer anymore?"

(James)
"Hey, i've been wanting to relax today, and look where that got me. Come on, let's go."

(Sam)
"But it's good for you."

Hibiki merely smiled.

Eve sniffed.
Wait.
Eww.
"I need to take a bath...I smell.l bad..." Eve sat up, then looked down at Sam. "Would you...sit by the tub? Please?"

*Cooper*
"Shit.....fine."
=He got up from the table, beer bottle still in hand=

"Lead on."

(James)
=Nodding, I walked out of the cafeteria, leading them to the stadium=

(Sam)
"Uh....I can't just sit by the door or something?"

=I wheel out, hoping to find someone=

God...I feel SO much better than before. I have something to live for now...

=I keep on going spotting three very familiar figures exiting the cafeteria, a grin refusing to stay off my face=

Try and stop me now, dear Shepherds...

=I smile, wheeling in behind them as they passed by=

"There will be suds...you don't have to face me...please?" She asked, giving Sam bambi eyes.

Hibiki smirked and followed James.

(James)
=When I saw Andrew, and heard him start to follow us, I stopped and turned around=
"No Andrew. Stay here."

(Sam)
=Relenting, I sighed=
"Fine....but no funny business."

Eve blushed with embarassment. :I wasn't planning anything. I promise." She said, then stood. "I need to go run the water..."
She rlwent off to do sllo, giving Sam some alone time.

Hibiki said nothing.

=I continue along=

I got other business to take care of too, James.

=I wheel up ahead of the group, frowning briefly=

Because if you want to deal with a very angry Miranda Harris, be my damn guest.

(James)
=I snorted, glad at the very least that he wasn't planning on coming along. Then we went back to walking. It was going to be a bit of a walk to the stadium=
"Marcus wants to plan an attack on the Shepherds Cooper. He wants you there to help plan an attack."

*Cooper*
"Of course he does....well, at least he's got the firepower now."

"Ok. I will." Hibiki eared your throat. "I am sorry Mira...Andy was so stuck up he missed the strangely placed katana going through his chest." She said in a faux-sorrowful voice

Eve finally stopped the water, then undressed and slipped under the layer of suds to her shoulders.
"You can come in now." She called.l to Sam.

(Sam)
=Sucking in a deep breath, I edged closer to the bathroom door, walking inside. I had my eyes closed, not really wanting to look, but at the same time I really wanted to=

(James)
"That he does. But firepower only means so much. You need a plan to go with them."

"There are suds on the water Sam. You can't see anything." Eve said, giggling. "I promise."

Hibiki sighed. "Least I get to drive a tank."

=I grumble a bit and go faster, not wanting to make my injuries even worse=

Leave it to her to kill my mood...stinking little bitch

=I growl angrily, my mind thinking of murder, briefly giving Hibiki the middle finger=

(James)
"Ha, and at least I get to join you in the tank for once."
=We reached the stadium, finding Marcus out front. He nodded at us, walking to intercept (see that's funny because we're outside a football stadium)=

*Marcus*
"Cooper, good to see you again. You have the map James?"

(James)
=Pulling it out of my pocket, I waved it in the air=
"Yeah."

(Sam)
=Opening my eyes a bit so I could see, I sat down on the toilet=
"Sorry, it's still a little new for me."

Eve blushed. "I...I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I just wanted you to be here..." she looked at the water. "I just want to keep talking to you. Even if it is a few words at a time...just...just to know I...I really am here."

Hibiki grabbed the middle finger and pulled it back. "Behave kid. You are not the only person a bit testy."
She let go and went to catch up with James, remaining silent.

=I grit my teeth a bit in pain, my face betraying none of my anger=

It'll take more than that to take me down, woman...

=I shake my hand as she lets go, wheeling off to find Book=

*Marcus*
"Good. Listen, like I already told James here; people are going to want blood. I think it would be best that we get that over with soon, before they try and do things themselves. So that means attack them first."

*Cooper*
"Good. We can plan a more effective means of attacking then."

(James)
"Alright then. Let's find us a Shepherd camp."