ZRP-2: Chapter 3, The Coming Storm

"I could call you air, but then you'd say I am making you too important. But chocolate? Nowadays...it israre. Special. Something that clyou can't find easily." She blushed. "Like you..." she finished quietly, backing away tkwards the tree.

(Sam)
=My cheeks went red=
"I'm flattered."

Eve giggled. "For once I made you blush. Do I win a prize?"

(Sam)
"Not really. I mean, we need to get ready soon.

Eve nodded. "Then...I'll get one later."
With a wink, she calmly walked off. "See you at the stadium."

(Sam)
=At a loss for what to do next, I decided I may as well walk back to the hotel. My stuff was there, so I may as well load up. We had maybe another hour, or two, before we needed to meet=

(J)

I smile.

"Pretty good, well hey I heard there was going to be attack. I don't know much but I overheard some people attacking the Shepards.. you wouldn't be involved in this, would you..?"

"I might go, I mean uh. I probably won't."

I give a sly smile.

(J)

I grin and shake my head.

"Just don't die.. Ok?"

"I just want to get back at them for what they did at the town."

It pops into my head she might want me to stay. Just waking up does that to you, not notice the obvious.

"Unless you want me to stay?"

(J)

I look down at my feet then back up, uncertain.

"I just want you to be safe, its your choice.."

(Allie)

Still waiting I take out a knife and start Whittling on a chunk of wood, I light a cig and sit waiting for someone to come by.

Eve then realized...Fuck.
Her stuff was at the room.
With a sigh, she ran after Sam. "Um. My stuff is still at the room...and if I ak not mistaken, we are still in our pajamslas." She said.
Then she gently took Sam's hand in her own. "I know you need time alone...but remember I'm here to help you through anything. Except spiders. You're on your own with them." She didn't let go. "And I'll be quiet and leave you once I have my stuff. Promise."

(Sam)
=I cracked a smile at the spiders comment=
"Look at that. A joke."

=Gripping her hand in mine, we walked back to the hotel. I shivered a little, a breeze passing through. I was in my pajamas and going commando, so the cold air hit a lot of things......=

Eve smiled as Sam griped her hand back.
So she did something right.
She could do it.
Eve moved closer, her spirits uplifted.

(James)
=I rolled out of bed, standing up and walking for my bag. I needed fresh clothes, and my gear=
"Wait....shower first, or gear up? I mean, end of the day we're still getting dirty."

Hibiki looked up from the bed, looking sleepy and a bit messed up. For obvious reasons. "You want to explain to the Shepherds why you smell like fluids?" She answered.

(James)
"Heh, you really think in the middle of an assault they're going to get caught up with how I smell?"
=Still, it was a way to to freshen up, and get me awake. Might as well=

"I'll be in the shower if anyone comes by."
=Walking into the bathroom, I closed the door. I didn't really need to strip....seeing as I was already nude. Once the water was running, I hopped in=

Hibiki dragged herself out of bed and over to the shower, climbing into it behind James. "No funny buisness. I just don't feel like starting another shower."

(James)
=When I heard her get into the shower behind me, I was hard pressed not to actually try anything in the shower. I still got aroused, but I was willing to wait as long as need be. I started cleaning my hair, with what was left of the shampoo. Hibiki and I shared the tiny bottles, along with the soap=

Hibiki didn't waste any time finishing. She was out before James, already cldrying herself off.
She had some people to save.

(James)
=I called out of the shower=
"Hey, that's a record."

=Then, I finished my shower, and followed her out, drying off with a spare towel. Once I was dry, I started pulling on my underwear, cargo pants, and shirt. Then the gear came on: most of it was SWAt gear, the same as Hibiki's only it was in my size. There was a helmet, some kind of padded vest with the words SWAT plastered over it, and a bunch of knee and elbow pads. I looked in the mirror, surprised by my reflection=
"Wow....I never thought it would look so...imposing."

=I had nothing to do really, except sit here and wait. But was I going to sit in the room the entire day...goodness no. I got myself up and dressed, smiling a bit as I got on some fresh clothes, albeit with some degree of discomfort. I then get on my wheelchair and wheel myself out of the room, just to get a bit of fresh air=

If I'm going to be here while they're out saving the world, might as well get some fresh air while I'm at it...

=I wheel myself outside, the cold air not really fazing me all that much. And besides, I want to see them off before they might die=

Sobering though ain't it...? That it might be the last time I see them alive...

=I take a deep breath as I find a spot to see them coming, but not see me, knowing that their objections when they saw me would be numerous=

"I- I need to fix it. I need to make up to them for leaving."

I said grimly. I want and don't want to go, does that make sense?

"I think I should go get ready. They might be leaving soon."

(J)

I nod, and start backing into my room.

"Well ok then.. I'll see you later."

(Allie)

I spot Andrew from where I was chilling, I give him a wave, not caring if he saw or not. I was caught up in my work, caving a little wooden bear.

Abel moved down the road in a slight slouch. Checking each upcoming area for any dangers before moving up. After a good hour or so of doing this, Abel spotted a town in the distance. It looked decently sized, probably had one or two larger grocery stores. Abel looked into his bag.

He had a good amount of food from the house awhile back, but it would only last a week at best, and it's not every day you hit a jackpot of canned goods. Deciding on scavenging, Abel began approaching the town.

Hibiki strapped her armor on. "Yeah, well. Comes with the armor."

Eve finally reached the door. She pushed it open, letting go of Sam's hand, letting her enter, then closed the door.
She started to undress, switching pajama ls for her regular clothes as fast as possible.
Luckily without getting herself caught in anything.

(James)
"Heh, I suppose. Though when it comes to you, I wouldn't say you look imposing."
=She still looked like she could beat the shit out of me, and that was scary enough=

(Sam)
=I made sure not to look at Eve while I changed. I didn't have any SWAT or Riot gear, so I had to make do with what I could grab. A bullet proof vest, a bandoleer for my shotgun shells, the sheath for my knife secured at the hip, and a satchel hanging at my side, loaded with a few explosives=

You're making it seem like you prefer to fight over your girlfriend.

I hit my head with a closed fist quickly. A sort of punishment for being stupid.

"I-I didn't mean it mean it like that... I just- Yeah, um... see you."

"I will when my sword is over your chest." Hibiki delivered.

Eve finally was done. She slipped her bow and quiver on, then her Glock.
"Whatever happens today, I love you." Eve said to Sam.
She zipped her jacket up and headed for the door.

(James)
"Please. You wouldn't draw a sword on me."
=She'd just knock a few teeth out=

(Sam)
"Love you too Eve."
=I followed her out the door=

Hibiki smiled. "Nah. I'd obl kick your ass."

Eve stopped Sam outside and hugged her tight, pecking her lips once. "Just in case..." Eve left it hang, the prospect of losing Sam, or her dying, very real. She just wanted to make sure the last tlthing she did for Sam was that.

(James)
"As I recall, you already did that."
=Once I was sure I had everything, I walked to the door=

"So, shall we?"

(Sam)
=I accepted the kiss, most of my troubles kinda dying at this point. I didn't feel so conflicted anymore=

Hibiki shouldered her rifle. "Lets."

(James)
=We walked out of the room, headed for the lobby. Sam and Eve were coming down from the opposite hall, and we nodded at each other. Sam had a weird look on her when she saw me, but I waived it off as nerves. We were stopped though, by Book, standing in the lobby=
"Preacher...good morning."

(Book)
"James, Hibiki. Sam, Eve."
=I nodded at each person=

"I thought I'd come down to offer some words of advice, and say a prayer for you."

(James)
=I wasn't sure about the prayer, or at least how much hell it would really be. But, I figured it would be rude to decline=
"Sure."

(Book)
"First: be careful, when facing the Shepherds in their home. They are a crafty group, and are no strangers to deception, and unthinkable acts."

(James)
=I was curious, about how he knew so much about the Shepherd tactics. But that was something I jotted down to personal experience. Then he said a prayer=

(Book)
"Father of understanding, protect these souls as they go to fight the most vile of men. Offer them insight, and valor in this fight. Amen."

Hibiki bowed her hair in prayer, as did Eve.
"Thanks Book. We will see you back here for that wedding?" She cracked a small smile.

(Book)
=Smiling warmly at her, I nodded my head=
"Of course Hibiki. Good luck, and be safe."

(James)
=I didn't bow my head, or say Amen. There wasn't enough faith in me to do that anymore. I just nodded thanks=

(Sam)
Amen.
"Thank you father. We'll be back soon."
=James started moving for the door, and I followed, holding onto Eve's hand=

=I take a breath of fresh air, the cool breeze providing a distant comfort to my frayed nerves=

God...my limbs still feel like hot coals were put on them...curse you, Sarah...

=I sigh, taking out an few arrows from my quiver. And these weren't just any arrows, their jagged, serrated tips ones often used by deer hunters=

Well...might as well. Besides, Eve need these more than I do at this point

=I wheel myself out of the nook, spotting the group as they headed out=

Eve hadn't expected to continue holding Sam's hand...so her grip was a bit tighter, her step a hit lighter.

Hibiki checked her sidearm. "If you are ellate to the wedding, I'm marrying Cooper." She said to James."

(James)
"Why would I be late to my own wedding?"
=I grinned at her=

(Sam)
"Yeah. I mean, not like you have any other weddings out there James."

"I believe she is telling him he better come back from revenge." Eve stated.

Hibiki sighed softly. She was....so naive.l sometimes

(James)
=That made me laugh. Eventually, we reached the stadium. The bus and SWAT tank were outside, and so where Cooper, Marcus, and their people. They were all armed for bear=
"Morning ladies and gentlemen. Are we ready?"

=A cacophony of 'Hell yeah!' responded=

Eve gave Sam's hand a squeeze. "I'll scout." She announced. "My father would not risk losing face to more then a few close aladvisors that he lost his own daughter to anyone." She gave that "say no. I fucming DARE YOU" look.

Hibimlki held her hands up.
She was not about to mess with Eve.

(James)
"Hey, if you think you can do it, fine by me. Just be careful Eve. This is unknown territory."
=That....and while I didn't want to admit it, I had to hope that she wouldn't go back to the Shepherds. I doubted she would, but I was allowed to worry=

(Sam)
"Eve, come on. No. You don't need to scout."

Eve sighed. "What was your plan? Charge in, gunning people down like a level in Halo? This is not a game, this is not a chatge in. This is war. You need to know what-s going on, what you will be facing. Not only am I the smallest and fastest, but I am the best with the silent bow and can trick the lesser knowing of them that I am their spy. I can do this. I have to do this."

(James)
"And you don't think Jonah made it common knowledge to everyone in this region, that you've betrayed him? He may be prideful, but he's no idiot."

"He's my father. He covered it up that I didn't kill that man. He covered up my hospital visit. Why else did everyone congratulate me on the fast and quick kill?" She crossed her arms, ltting go of Sam. "He is prideful and arrogant. Admitting he failed is harder for him then Sam sldoing anything first."

(Sam)
"Hey leave me out of this. But Eve, he has a point. Do you really think his pride is going to let him risk everything he has? If that's the case, then maybe you're overestimating him."

"I would rather overestimate him then underestimate him." She stood her ground. "I'm scouting. End of discussion." Eve glared at James. "I can get around faster and quieter then you, the Incredible Kevlar Hulk."

(James)
"Hey, if you want to see me stealthy, then I will gladly strip out of this armor Eve."
=Geez, I see now that Jonah's arrogance was genetic. Eve had it in spades and then some=

"And waste your talent and being Rambo?" She replied sarcasticlly. Then she looked sick, backing up.
"I-I'm s-sorry." She stuttered.
She turned and ran.