ZRP-2: Chapter 4, Backtracking

Joe looked around. Nothing was wrong with this day, well of course there was for him. For everyone, Zombies, Raiders, Shepard people. But whatever, out of all the day's today was good.

As he kept walking, he saw the smoke from about a mile away. But he didn't rush his journey, he looked around and saw green grass and flowers. So he took his time, even if he looks scary with his scar on his neck and the gas mask upon his face. He was still like a turtle. Hard on the outside, soft on the outside, but unfortunately his core began to harden after these past few months.

As he came upon the camp he saw a man sitting there. He raised an eyebrow wondering who this man could be. So he walked up to the camp and took off his Ruck Sack and sat down near the fire, looked at the man and held out his hand for a handshake.

*Cooper*
"Yes and no. We have radios, but they're hand cranked for power. They'll last for a few minutes, but the range is decent enough."

(James)
"Then we go on foot, unless you have some bikes we can use?"

*Cooper*
"What, like pedals? Sorry, no."

(James)
"Damn, then foot it is."

(Allie)

I look suspiciously at the knife.

"And why is that?"

"What is the max range? We can set up a few posts between here and the locations we need to go to." Hibiki said. "If none are there, we'll need a backup...then we'll need to derend the truck..." she paused to think.
"Who'll come with us to scout?"

*Cooper*
"I've got a few experienced boys who could scout for you."

(James)
"What about the fuel itself? We can't just lug it along with us, can we?"

"So that when I'm cooking you your dinner, I know what you'll want." I smile, running the knife through my hand slowly.

"And don't be too scared. This is for cutting, nothing more."

(Allie)

I plant myself firmly in front of the grill, pulling out my buck knife.

"That's sweet, but..."

I narrow my eyes.

"Back off..."

(Andrew)

=I step forward=

Uh...my buddy has got an old ATV we could use.

=I smile=

And it's one of those nice utility ones that can haul stuff in the back.

"A few trucks. We'll need a convoy to get what we need back." Hibiki said.

Eve shifted on her feet.
"So...can this roomate request of her roommate...to...um...spend time together? As friends?"

Joe watched the two argue over the meat. He just looked at them for a moment and then back at the grill. He licked his lips underneath his mask, he could hear them arguing, so he looked back at them. He raised an eyebrow and stood up. He stood about 6' 1".

(Allie)

The hairs on my neck raise up, and I turn around spotting Joe.

"..."

I take off a one of the complete steaks and put on a scavenged tin plate.

"I don't have any spare forks, so you'll have to hold out on your own. Hope you like it."

I smile and hold out the steak.

(Sam)
"Of course. Why wouldn't we?"

(James)
"All we need is the one truck. It needs to be of sufficient size though, so chances are we're looking for something very specific."
=I inclined my head at Andrew=

"ATV could be effective, but that would only use more fuel."

I look at Allie and smirk, scratching my head and swinging the knife around a little.
"Hey now, calm down. I'm not a threat. Just getting ready."

Joe took the steak and took off his mask. His Hazel eyes and dark brown short hair were shown. He also had a five o'clock shadow. Below his facial hair was the scar that went from ear to ear below his neck.

As he was eating it, he just watched in amusement while the two argued.

(Allie)

I pull of the other two steaks and put them on another plate. I glance at Joe's scar then look away so I wouldn't be rude. I turn to Sammy.

"Waiting...? For?"

"..."
Eve let silence hang in the air. But she let go of Sam's hand...trying to do something right.

Hibiki nodded. "Let's hop to it."

I smirk and stand up, slipping the knife into the hem of my pants, before walking up to Allie and chuckling a little.
"Awh, not making me any huh?"

(James)
"We still need to deal with the Raiders. Fixing the wall....that's just putting a band-aid on the problem. We have to take them down, before they can attack again."

*Cooper*
"Agreed. But first, we deal with the wall. I promise that when we do that, we'll focus on these raiders."

(Andrew)

=I nod=

I'll ask him about that...issue

=I grin, knowing how good it would be to get behind the wheel of that bad boy=

Goodness, I forgot how much I missed that old rust bucket...

(Allie)

I grin and set the plate down.

"I never said that, I've just been waiting for you to use those eyes and beg."

I pout cheekily, trying to feign puppy dog eyes at you and standing, suddenly look far more innocent than a person like me should.
"Pweease?"

I smile sneakily and lean in, pecking your lips softly. "Can I have a steak?"

Joe coughed in disgust what he was seeing. He got up and walked a bit farther away from them. He sat down on his rucksack and ate his steak.

After finishing he put his mask back on and grabbed his ruck sack, he walked towards the Hotel building. Maybe he could stay the night there or something.

Hibiki sighed. "We need to do this quickly. For everyone's sake."

(Allie)

I jump in surprise and blush.

"Ah, don't do that.."

I turn to hide my face and hand her a steak.

"Umm.. here you go.."

(James)
"Alright then. We get the truck, bring it back here, and lock this place up. Then we deal with the raiders."

*Cooper*
"So let's stop talking about it, and do it."

(James)
=Nodding, I turned around, facing the group=
"Let's move people."

I take the steak happily, impaling it on my knife as I sit back down and begin to eat, my eyes still focused on you.

"Mfphrhp- Bah, you're cute when you're shy." I smile, some of the steaks juices running down my chin.

Joe came up to the hotel, not knowing it was for Elite personnel only. He stood outside the doors looking at it oddly. Thinking, "Maybe they need a Doctor of some sorts. I like it here... but I am sure they have a doctor" He stood a few feet away from the door pondering in his thoughts.

(Andrew)

=I nod in agreement=

Let's get this over with...

=I turn and head for the elevator=

(Allie)

I would've blushed if Sammy hadn't been eating a steak. I look at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Thanks.. you got a little something on you chin;"

Hibiki takes James' hand. "You wanna get my daughter, or should I?"

Eve was confused now.
Was it ok to keep holding Sam's hand? What was acceptable between friends?
"Fucking social graces." Eve mumbled.

I blink, and grab the hem of my shirt and go to wipe my chin, exposing my stomach as I do so, rubbing around and lowering my shirt again.
"Got it?"

(Sam)
"What was that?"
=I looked down at her=

(James)
"Why don't we both get her?"
=We crammed into the elevator=

(Allie)

I face palm and shake my head.

"Yeah.."

I take out my fork and knife and sit next to Sammy; I start eating my Steak slowly flavoring every bite.

Joe still stood outside the hotel doors looking at it. Wondering how after all this did they clear it out. He also wondered in asking them if they needed a Doctor of some sorts who isn't a loud mouth nerd and can take care of him self. So he began to walk towards the doors of the hotel.

I grin and return to my steak, more juices instantly flowing over my chin as I munch on the thick meat happily, tearing it away and chewing happily.

"Mmjur ah guhfd cfuk!"
It'd been a fair while since any ACTUAL food had gotten into my mouth, so this was really quite nice.

Eve blushes.
"Nothing." She said quickly.

Hibiki smiled. "Lets."

(Andrew)

=I get on the elevator behind them=

Well...time to ask Derrick for yet ANOTHER favor...

=I sigh, but smile at the thought of getting to use the ATV=

(Allie)

"Thanks."

I grimace and get up and move a few feet with my back to Sammy.

(James)
=As we rode the elevator down, all that could go through my head, despite the small wedding, was the attack. I honestly wasn't expecting Raiders, as a new foe for us to face, not with walkers and Shepherds. Guess that goes to show, that even in hell, demons aren't your sole concern=

(Sam)
"Looks like it was something."

Eve sighed.
"I want to hold your hand...but I'm not sure what is acceptable between friends...and what isn't." She admitted. "So I said fuck social graces...since I have none."

I keep eating happily, oblivious to how disgusting I was being while doing so. It didn't take me long before I was finished, and happily, I laid back against my pack.

But not before realizing I was practically covered in juices.
"Eugh... I should probably wash up..."

(Allie)

I look back, chewing my last bite of steak.

"Really? What gave you that idea?"

I look at you and point at the brown mess that was my shirt.
"Uh this, mostly... Why do you ask?"

I smile, taking my jacket off and then beginning to lift my top up.

(Sam)
"Holding hands is fine Eve. Trust me."

(James)
=When we got down to the ground floor, Hibiki and I started looking for Eve and Sam=

(Allie)

I laugh and roll my eyes then look at Sammy.

"Sammy, what the hell are you doing!?"

As they exited the Hotel Elevator's Joe met up with them, seeing James. He waved him down.

Eve took Sam's hand. "Thank you..." she said quietly.

Hibiki had her eyes to the floor, deep in thought, following James' tug of the hand.

"I stop, the shirt around my chest. "What?"

I lift it off and throw it aside, before grabbing my jacket and putting it back and zipping up, looking over at you.
"I wasn't gonna walk around in that."

(Andrew)

=I immediately left to find Derrick to procure the ATV for our little venture=

Well...I still can call in that old favor that is still good...

=I then smile inwardly=

Plus...I can bust his balls for that stunt he pulled yesterday...

=I went off, whistling as I did so=

(Allie)

I facepalm again.

"I have a tent and some clean shirts, you could've changed in there."