Re: Chapter 4 - "Big House"
In reply to Dominic Dubreton (msg # 40):
"Don't flatter yourself, Prince Charming." Isabelle replied to Dominic, a light smile playing out as she shifted from her position near the window, leaning against the adjacent wall. She'd been watching everyone file into the courtyard, and had seen the Doc and Mahmoud heading her way. She noted the stiff, tired way that the raider carried himself. She would have been out there with him, but she only had one leg to stand on anymore. Bionics weren't mainstream enough before Z-land struck, leaving her crippled like a war veteran, in her prime.
Hearing details of the raid, relief was visible on her face, and she didn't require any further information but that they had found supplies and no one was lost or wounded. Well, except for Joe, who'd she saw being carried into the building, wounded from the claws of a puma the slightly build NM dragged into camp.
News of Cookie earned no obvious signs of surprise from Isabelle. "Yes, he told me. We haven't told anyone else." Her left hand ran back through her long black hair, pulling it out from her face.
Behind Dominic, Mahmoud gave a sheepish, but unapologetic shrug, as Isabelle was one of the longest surviving members of the group and could be trusted. Isabelle had also taken to knowing what was going on in camp, using her ears and eyes in the service of the inner leadership circle instead of out on raids like before. She knew very quickly what was up. She hadn't seen Cookie leave, but she could read Mahmoud like a book, and could even tell her fellow survivor's shadows and footsteps from one another.
"This was never a comfortable arrangement for her. Saying goodbye was perhaps too difficult, but it will make things raw for one or two of the others. New Mexico won't take it well, for one." She crossed her arms over chest and glanced outside once more before setting her gaze back to Dominic. "Whether she comes back someday or not is not in our hands.. We need to make sure everyone knows who's in charge. We need to know it too." She let the thought hang, conspicuously not pointing out anyone in particular who would fill Cookie's boots. Her loyalty could be assured amongst those in the room, at least. "Maybe we have a vote?" She grinned, her tone mildly sarcastic.