Naturally, as the commotion died down, and they were left with but a skeleton crew in out the courtyard, Cauldershore found the quiet girl attentive to his story, as he laid out how he came to survive the first year, one without much incident. It was a bit of rarity to have such a smooth transition into the new world, and it showed in her expression, with a mildly intrigued arch of her brow. She smirked as he explained his father's emergency provisions, although the subtle nature of her smile seemed to suggest less of a humorous take, airing more out of familiarity. "Sounds familiar." She mused softly, a matter she left enigmatically unexplained, ushering him to continue as she took the flannel shirt and made for a separate clothesline, getting back up on her toes to drape it over as she listened.

A touch of modest humor did grace her lips as the older gentleman bemoaned his perceived inadequacies, laughing off his notion with a bit of a friendly giggle. "I think you might be overestimating us a bit." Nevada stated, her almond-shaped brown eyes peeking back towards him from her position, as she moved down the line to hang more clothes he handed her. "The most capable people I have come across are those who had already the proper set of skills and capabilities, and have been studying them for years. Cornerstones like Miss Cookie, Mister Warren, and the brothers Bohannon did not just sprout up. They were tough customers well before any of this happened. You can be assured that is case with Miss Loa, Mister Dubreton, Sheriff Bill, and Master Joe as well." A somewhat playful smirk arose on her features momentarily, as she tried on the latter title. The drifter known as Joe was a strange case, so it called for something different, but she didn't muse on it long, before following on her explanation. "Even I have a little bit of experience to fall back on from before, but only modestly so, compared to them. In that sense, you are no further behind than I am. It will be years of flailing around like a simpleton before I can even do half of what they are able to."

"As for the rest of us..." Her speech lingered a moment or two silently, as she thought about how to explain her experience, her moist hand coming to rest on her lips briefly, in a thought-filled manner. "Well, I suppose it is more important learning the proper mindset than a particular set of developed skills. I mean, we should all try to develop what skills we can, but no skill I have found is more essential than simply accepting what the environment is like now. Abandoning some of what you're used to, and adopting more modest means." She tried to explain, although a frown on her features seemed to hint at a bit of difficulty grasping how to put her own understanding into words. "Not that I lived extravagantly before, but even so, I've had to redefine what I consider to be acceptable and to lower my expectations. Being picky now, too concerned with cleanliness, not taking opportunities granted to us...those were luxuries we can't often afford now, even if we never thought of them as such before. ...Hmm...but, you cannot simply take every opportunity that comes your way, either...That would be bad too..." She huffed a bit of a huffy sigh as she paused in her effort, seeming rather unsatisfied with her description, her meagerly groomed short locks waving about as she shook her head, and offered a shy smile. "Forgive me. I suppose it is harder to put to words than I thought."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:41, Mon 18 May 2015.

Lizzie looked up to Hector as he answered her question felt a little sad but not as sad as she was when she saw friends torn apart or shot at. Of all the horrible ways people could die his friend died peacefully the way she wanted. She hugs Hector tighter before releasing, "At least she died peacefully in her sleep. It would have been worse if you had to watch her suffer a painful death to zombies or people. I never saw my mother die and personally I don't wish I was there to see that. She was bitten and sent me with Mortimer. I didn't see mom suffer and I can remember her as she was. You should do that too Hector."

The hug broken up, Hector listened patiently, registering the truism of Lizzie's words, but finding no consolation forthcoming. Hollowness inside, so much he felt echo's within himself, though he had not always been that way. Thinking as he stoically stared back at the girl, he managed a small, fraudulent smile in an attempt to assure her he was alright. "I understand. You are correct, of course.." His words drifted off as he turned to once again view the bleak, foreboding metal and cement landscape around them, once again sectioning himself off from all. "I need to be alone, Lizzie."

Time Change:

Time has passed and it is now the evening, late in the day that the raiding party left to scavenge the nearby(ish) town of Slaughter.
Although the raiding party is late, they are due to be trickling back into camp soon.
Most of the survivors that stayed behind have gathered out front to await the raiding party's return.

They are also waiting for Joe, Brady, New Mexico and Tom.

Cookie's lack of presence has been felt throughout the camp dwellers, and rumors are beginning to percolate. However, most uninformed group members are expecting she will return before nightfall.

Food is as scarce as it was upon the raiding group's departure.

All player-characters within compound thread; your positions are reset. Locate yourselves out front of the compound awaiting the return of the raiding party or elsewhere within the compound grounds.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:26, Tue 14 July 2015.

Lizzie lingered out in the forefront of the Big House with Mortimer beside her. She sat upon a large tire that lay on the ground. Her heels bounced against the rubber as she imagined the shiny, heroic figures of their group, arriving back at camp with the most wonderful food.

"Oh I'm excited for everybody to come back. I bet they found such tasty stuff. We'll have to be very thankful." She beamed up to Mortimer who stood placidly beside her, smiling just a little to her, though he was slightly unsettled for some reason.

In reply to Lizzie Daniels (msg # 122):

Mortimer thumbed the paged of his Bible as they waited for the imminent return of their people. Despite his faith he suspected that the return of the raid would bring forth not the food they desperately needed, but darkness. All he wished for the safety of Lizzie, and of their friends in the group. With so many survivors away, he'd prayed privately for the safe return of all. Joe and Tom and the others, and the larger party, not to mention Cookie who was still oddly missing.

"Lord willing everyone will come home safe. Try to give them some space when they arrive, Lizzie, they may be quite tired."

Mahmoud stood near the outer fence, sweater-clad for the oncoming evening, a rifle slung from one shoulder, both of hands cradling a set of binoculars that dangled from his neck. The way the terrain was he wouldn't see much with what was in his way, but he knew from experience it was better taking too much precaution than too little. He had assembled much of the group out in front of the Big House to meet their people around the presumed time of return. This was much less a meet and greet than for the purposes of having medical attention, water and general help available for whatever state a raiding party returned in.

----> A town called Slaughter

The combination of the exertion used in fighting the dead, a lack of food and the added weight meant that the walk home was a long one that was only broken up by a pair of rest stops for the group to catch their breath.
It was during these stops that Dominic sorted through the medical supplies he'd scavenged and tossed the useless stuff as well as repeatedly reassuring Karen that her skin hadn't been broken by the bite and that she would be ok; though Dom silently decided to keep an eye on her all the same.
By the time they staggered back into camp the sun was beginning to set and Dom knew that with Cookie gone that his work wasn't done for the day just yet. However despite this he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief when he caught sight of the small crowd of people gathered waiting for them "You did good today Luke, see that the food makes its way to Loa whilst I go and talk with Mahmoud" he said to the young man and meaning every word of it. For someone who hadn't been on a raid in a long time and had been conscripted at the least minute he'd performed admirably and Dom trusted that he'd be more than capable of carrying out the simple task.
Breaking away from the others Dominic approaches Mahmoud with a smile on his face "Well mon ami we may not have hit the mother lode this time but we found food, meds and more importantly nobody died out there" he said; cheerfully sharing the if not good then better than average news "So any problems whilst I was away? If not we'd better go and find Izzy and discuss the...erm...Cookie Situation" he said dropping his voice at the end not wanting anyone to overhear and get the wrong impression. Besides which with everyone currently distracted by the arrival of raiders now was as good a time as any for the three of them find somewhere quiet and get things sorted out; assuming of course there were no urgent crisis' to deal with first.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
---> Slaughter

---

Lorenzo eased the rattly shopping cart to a stop and watched the stragglers eying the raiding party. He had stubbornly refused any help offered in pushing the uncooperative cart. The exertion had at least burnt off most of his pent-up energy and the frustration from what he saw as a largely unsuccessful trip. He was left just feeling tired, sore, and hungry, and was seeming a bit more subdued than usual. All this picking up scraps was going to starve them out. It was absolutely pathetic. If they really wanted to get a big haul, the "leaders" were going to have to nut up and take it from whoever else had beat them to the punch.

"This shit's for fuckin' bozos," he muttered darkly to himself, watching Dominic scurry off over the cigarette he was lighting up. It wasn't Lorenzo's place to dole out any rations. With an annoyed sounding sigh, he broke off from the rest of the group and with some difficulty steered the cart up to the bystanders.

"Heya, Father," Lorenzo grunted in greeting, stopping a little ways from the priest and Lizzie. He took a drag off his smoke then gestured grandly to the cart. He forced a lopsided grin to his face. "Can't give you nothing. But shit's all messy if you wanna help sort it and see what we're working with."

Lorenzo did not seem troubled by the fact his sleeves were caked in dried gore. He simply rolled them up to his elbows to reveal full arms of dark tattoos, and moved his broad shoulders in a small shrug. He dropped his backpack and rifle to the ground, then began to unload the crates in order to fix their contents from their current haphazard state.

"Found a little notebook, and a couple'a comics for the kid. They're just shitty gas station ones though," Lorenzo commented, without looking up from his work to either Mortimer or Lizzie. In fact, he had yet to directly acknowledge the girl's presence.

----> Slaughter

Karen dropped off whatever load she was carrying to whomever was waiting to receive it, acknowledging them with simply a "Hi, here" before she walked off. Her moment of near death panic had really put her in a quiet mood. Karen proceeded past the welcoming party straight to the wash water left over from this morning's laundry. The bloodied woman poured some of the cold, soapy water over her head, scrubbing her arms and face with her hands as the soap ran down over her limbs, soaking her shirt.

Karen missed her son and was shaken by almost being bit, but she didn't want to cry and mope anymore. Really what Karen wanted was what she'd have done back in the days of civilization. She'd call up her girlfriends and go to the bar, get really drunk, and then find some stupid one night stand to distract her and be forgotten.

Karen stood, cold and dripping, considering the possibility of this happening now...

--->From Nat Forest

By the time they made it back "home", Tom had calmed down back to his usual end of the world mode. Spotting the fence he took off, calling over his shoulder. I'll get the others. Running as fast as he could while still holding onto everything he looked for first people he could find. Help!...We need Loa!

In reply to Karen (msg # 127):

Bohannon was leaning against a metal column off to the side of Karen. "A wet t-shirt contest all to myself, I'm pretty sure I made that birthday wish when I was thirteen..." He joked with a sly grin, eying Karen's dripping body. The cowboy took a few slow steps towards Karen as she shook the water off her arms and wrung out her hair. "I think you're the winner." He added as he got within a few feet of her. Karen laughed, tossing what was left in the wash bucket at Bohannon. "I don't know, I think I have some pretty steep competition." Karen reached up and knocked the hat off Bohannon's head, flinging it across the room.

Hank trudged back along with the others, hoping his prize of wire could turn out to be worth it in the long run. At least if the food in the cans was still good they could work it into a stew and maybe get a meal out of them. As long as the horde back in town dispersed making another run for the houses wouldn't be too far fetched. That's probably where he'd pick up a majority of his supplies. If they could secure the area it might make a good place to move camp to.

Dropping his box when they finally made it to the compound he looked around, trying to see if Tom or any of the others were around. Sighing at the realization they weren't he grabbed the wire box, looking to drop it off in his room. Hearing the call for help he cocked his head, Tom? The box forgotten he started toward where the call came from.

Luke's usually immaculately styled hair was a mess as the the raiding party trudged back into camp on tired feet. He was a bit worn out but was still available in the mental sense, responding to queries quickly enough. Despite the intense nature of their outing, he'd survived and that in itself was miraculous enough to rejuvenate his spirits. It had been a while since he'd used his raiding-legs.
"Sure thing, Dominic. Oh and..thanks..y'know, for looking out for me, out there...Dude." Luke replied to Dominic with a small, awkward smile, his mustache shifting as his facial features did. He accepted the responsibility given to him, moving on to the others as Dom and himself had scavenged meds and grooming supplies mostly.

"Alright y'all bring everything to Loa for inventory before rationing!" Luke called out to the party that had just arrived back, hoping for compliance as he eyed Sam. For his own part, he moved towards Loa who was foremost among the awaiting camp dwellers. "Hey beautiful!"

In reply to Dominic Dubreton (msg # 125):

"Welcome back, Dom! Man am I glad to see you all again."Mahmoud smiled in response to the Frenchman's, clearly happy with the success of the mission, figuring any supplies were a boon to the group, but mostly relieved that everyone was okay and accounted for. The somewhat-Steward of the Caravan lowered his voice when Dominic did, to, temporarily, conceal some facts from the others. "Right. Izzy's in the Big House waiting for us." Mahmoud didn't mention why Isabelle wasn't with the others out front, leaving that bit out.

"You must be exhausted. Here, drink.' The man presented Dominic with a canteen of cold water from his belt, "Don't worry, its not canal water." Mahmoud added with a knowing, if dark-humored grin that was becoming less awkward by the month.

"Lets go."

-to the Big House w/Dominic to meet Izzy
This message was last edited by the player at 05:12, Sat 29 Aug 2015.

In reply to Lorenzo (msg # 126):

An unsmiling Mortimer acknowledged Lorenzo's grunt of greeting with a nod, his hands resting on Lizzie's shoulders in front of him as if to keep his companion in place or to protect her, maybe both. His stomach growled fiercely as he contemplated the contents of the cart Lorenzo was hauling, tensing in response to the comment that they could have nothing. He bit his tongue.
The priest looked the younger man over, noting the egregious amount of blood adorning Lorenzo's elaborately tattoo clad arms. "I pray that you did not have to hurt anyone to come upon these goods." Mortimer commented, perhaps sounding a little morally righteous.

"Please watch your language around her. And her name is Lizzie."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:22, Sat 29 Aug 2015.

In reply to Lorenzo (msg # 126):

Lizzie was elated with the arrival of the others, beaming, the starving girl vibrated with excitement as Mortimer gently held her in her stance. With Lorenzo breaking off from the main group towards them to peruse his finds, she couldn't help but gaze in awe at the deep red coating his upper body. The tattoo's and overall image was intriguing more than frightening, making Mortimer's protective presence at times frustrating, despite their bond.

"A comic book? This is the best day ever!" Lizzie exclaimed with complete sincerity as Lorenzo mentioned one of his finds, the girl darting out from Mortimer's hands towards Lorenzo and the cart to help sort through, if he let her. It didn't seem to faze her that he wasn't addressing her presence directly despite her being right there.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 05:29, Sat 29 Aug 2015.

-from Homochitto National Forest

Joe grimaced as he, Tom, Mexico and Brady plus a cougar carcass arrived back into town. He'd been helped along with Brady acting as a walking stick, but it was clear the hunter/tracker was in rough shape. Multiple lacerations over his body from his toes to his cheek revealed lines of blood in his sinewy frame. Without any context it would look like he was possibly wounded by a lurker. However, the presence of the mountain lion carcass revealed the real cause.

"Careful you oaf." Joe snapped at Brady, the old feller wincing as they neared the doctor who was talking with Luke prior to this scene.

"Kitty jumped us out in the park. Made a mess of me. We need to watch our borders now- ah fuck!' Joe spoke in a gruff, uncomfortable voice, trying to warn everyone as Brady helped him stagger along.

In reply to Luke:

Loa was quick to disperse her helpers to provide water to the arriving group, acknowledging them each with a smile, wave or vocal hello that did not betray the immense relief that they were well and together. Luke's presence and comment brought a very subtle grin to the veterinarian, "Save it, Lucas." She replied in a mock-stern voice, winking once in case it was not clear. "People are going to be protective over their finds, please use restraint and convince everyone to combine resources, or else fights might break out." She told Luke in a soft but politically cognizant fashion, her deep brown eyes sending look to the others first one way then the other. Everyone was starving, and with resources not only scant, but right before the majority of the groups' gaze, desperation might change the happy moment to something darker.

Tom's voice drew Loa from Luke, who spotted the foursome who'd left earlier scrambling across the cracked pavement of the compound square. She sprung into doctor mode immediately, closing the distance and leaving Luke to carry out her instructions as she met up with Joe, Brady, Tom and New Mexico. "Thank you Tom, I can take it from here. You should find your brother, he must be worried sick."

She stopped their moving so she could very quickly assess Joe's wounds, at first terrified they might be walker scratches but soon realizing it was from an animal, or so they were told.
"Brady, please bring him as gently as possible inside to the infirmary room." With that she was turning to lead the injured man and the de-facto orderly of Brady towards the Big House, walking quickly alongside Dominic and Mahmoud who were doing the same. She sent a brief, warm-as-she-could smile considering the circumstances towards Dominic, her arm hiking the bag of medical supplies Luke had passed to her shoulder before movingi indoors. She was immensely grateful.

-to Infirmary
This message was last edited by the player at 06:27, Sat 29 Aug 2015.

"Merci, Mon ami" Dominic spoke gratefully as he accepted the canteen of water; giving a slight smirk at Mahmoud's dark humour as he does so. After taking a couple of mouthfuls he hands back the canteen, opening his mouth to tell the other man that he was ready to go when Tom came rushing in shouting for help.
Dom hesitates for several moments waiting to see if he would be required as Joe and Brady hobble into camp only to thankfully see Loa take control of the situation leaving him free to attend his meeting "Bon...lets go" he says to Mahmoud before handing off his pack to Loa and heading to where Izzy was waiting for them inside.


---> The Big House

Lorenzo paused from his work and looked at the priest incredulously, raising an eyebrow. He only gave the commotion from Joe and the others a cursory glance, and seemed more or less unaffected.

"Watch my language? Really now? Hah! That's real fuck- friggin' rich," Lorenzo chuckled. He looked back to the cart, shook his head in apparent disbelief, then took another drag from his cigarette.

He exhaled slowly, smoke billowing lazily in front of his face. His dark eyes locked onto the priest again and he smirked.

"Father, I ain't sure if you've looked around lately, but I can assure you a coupla eff-bombs here and there are the least of the kid's worries," the stocky man retorted in a slow, patronizing tone, as though he wasn't certain Mortimer would be able to keep up. "I doubt it's nightmares of me swearing that keeps her up at night... Oh, and don't you worry 'bout the supplies. We didn't have to hurt no one- too bad, anyway. I'm sure you'll gobble 'em up regardless."

Lorenzo's wolfish grin widened at Mortimer before he refocused on the cart, still smirking to himself. Of course, they hadn't actually hurt anyone to come by the supplies. He just thoroughly enjoyed teasing Mortimer and his holier-than-thou attitude. What? Like the priest would suddenly refuse the supplies if Lorenzo had hurt someone to get them? As if. For all of Mortimer's Jesus freak act, Lorenzo was sure he was just like the rest of them, priest robes or no. Lorenzo knew firsthand if you were hungry enough you'd take what you could get, no matter how you had to get it, and you'd shut your mouth and be happy you were going to be able to scrape by one more day.

He allowed Lizzie to assist with re-packing the messy cart, though he had still yet to directly acknowledge the girl. He seemed to be working around her more than anything, and it wasn't until he came across the comic and notebook that he even looked at her. He held the items out to the kid with a grubby looking, callused hand and gave them a small shake.

"Voila," he said dryly, handing them off to the kid. "So, chicky, when the Father ain't protecting you against swears, he ever teach you to shoot or anything like that? Or are you up shit- fuck-" he cussed, ironically cursing at his failed censorship. "- I mean, up 'sugar' creek without a paddle."

He looked between Lizzie and Mortimer, fully expecting either one of them to answer despite having addressed the girl.

Tom skidded to a halt as Loa came up to him. Nodding as he tried to calm his breathing he watched Brady help Joe follow Loa. It took a moment to realize even with Luke telling his brother where he went off too, Hank may still be a bit miffed he didn't tell him in person. Slowly making his way to a nearby weed tree he crouched down and placed the supplies he had been carrying down. He stayed down, taking a moment to try and compose himself.

In reply to Karen (msg # 127):
In reply to Benson Bohannon (msg # 129):

Karen and Bohannon manoeuvred awkwardly through a profound sea of sexual tension. Coming to terms with the inevitable outcome of their efforts, the two kissed. At first, it was slow and playful, soon devolving into a hot and heavy raucous make out session. And as expected when two emotionally vulnerable, predictably unpredictable adults are presented with an opportunity such as this, Karen and Bohannon slipped away into one of the unpopulated sectors of the immense factory building and fucked.

...Twice.

Hank turned the corner as Joe and Brady shambled in after Lola. Scanning his next sight was NM carrying a mountain lion. What the hell? he muttered, the brief glimpse of Joe's new collection of bandages he had suddenly making a sickening sense. That just left...Tom! Rushing to his brother he knelt down.Tom, you ok? Reaching out he placed a hand on the kid's knee, feeling the slight tremors radiating from his kin.

In reply to Lorenzo (msg # 138):

Mortimer's stomach churned hungrily as she eyed Lorenzo with the wariness of a shepherd to that of a wolf. His posture stiffened and he clenched the spine of his bible in one hand, inhaling traces of the acrid odor, a small grimace forming that he tried hard to defeat with forced neutrality. The patronizing tone from the younger man was hard to miss, and Mortimer took a step forward towards Lorenzo and Lizzie as if to spirit the girl from the man's influence.
The man of God had no response to the assertion he would eat any supplies regardless of the origin, though he hoped he had the fortitude to maintain himself before the challenges of the sinful world they now roamed.

"Go show Tom your things, Lizzie, we'll be able to eat soon alright?" As Lizzie accepted the gifts from Lorenzo, Mortimer was already gently guiding the girl away, replacing her presence with his own as if he were a not just a moral barrier but a physical one. He smiled gently to his ward, before turning back to Lorenzo.

"LIzzie won't need to learn those things, I'll be here to protect her." Mortimer stated tensely, a hint defensively, "Her name is Lizzie, not 'chicky', and I told you to watch your mouth around her." The priest may have been pushing himself, standing as close as he was to Lorenzo, but nevertheless infused his words with some passive aggressiveness.