From: Canal and Perimeter -------->

Lizzie walks alongside Mortimer still holding his hand cheerfully smiling as they make their way inside and toward the main room. "Mortimer why can't we go on the run? They could use our help couldn't they? I mean seriously why...."

She pauses as they turn the corner and see the Janice bitch. They never met Janice face-to-face as they followed other peoples advice steered clear. But now there she was and there was no going back as Lizzie was sure they were spotted. She couldn't be that bad right?

"Umm... I don't think we've met. I'm Lizzie and this is Father Mortimer." She says this shyly, motioning to the priest holding her hand.

----->From Canal and Perimeter

Hank hadn't seen Tom on the walk back, then again last he knew the kid was on the other side of the compound. Any other time not having him in eye sight would sent Hank into a panic, but knowing he was with Joe helped a lot. Going to their room, the park's old mail room if the wording etched on the glass was anything to go by, he leaned against a wall. Stomach growling he wondered if it'd be worth it to try and fish. More stuff to look out for in town. Shaking his head he went behind the divide he had set up using a tarp and overturned table. It wasn't much but it gave them some extra privacy. Rummaging through his bag he found the extra backpack, salvaged from a body claimed by the cold. Opening a drawer he pulled out the can of rations he'd been saving and put the candy from earlier in. It'd taken some time but with his knife he'd been able to reinstall the drawer upside down, giving him a nice little hidey hole. Tossing the sunglasses in along with the can he replaced everything before heading back out. Passing the entrance to the main room he noticed Mortimer and Lizzie had run into Janice. He knew it was probably wrong but a part of him wanted to see how this played out. Nodding to the pair he stepped over to the fire, holding his damp sleeves up to let them dry.

With the can of hopefully highly flammable liquid quietly sloshing in his hand Dominic slowly made his way back to where he said he'd meet the others. However upon entering the room he couldn't help but grimace at the sight of Janice. They'd never gotten along and he was surprised that nobody had killed the bigoted old hag. Unfortunately it seemed that like Sam, Janice was a cockroach and completely un-killable.
With her back to him Janice thankfully shouldn't have seen the face he had pulled allowing him to walk past both her and Lizzie to stand by Hank "The one Euro coin in my pocket says an argument breaks out within thirty seconds of her opening her mouth" he whispers to Hank, the paramedic interested to see how things would pan out hey maybe they'll get on, he is a priest after all though something made him doubt they'd be that lucky "Have you worked out what you'll need for that plan of yours? Only we may be able to pick some of it up whilst looking for food" Dom asked; changing the subject away from Janice and the others but still keeping half an eye on the proceedings. After all without TV watching other people’s arguments had become the number one past time of the apocalypse.

Canal & Perimeter-->

Karen came in after Hank and Dominic, first having gone to collect her jacket from the canal, though, after the workout they'd just had, she didn't need it. She stopped by the wash basin to take some of the grime from that body off her hands, and wipe the sweat from her brow. She crossed the floor to where Dominic and Hank stood. "Why don't we invite Janice on the raid? Maybe something terrible will happen to her." Karen flashed an excited little smile at the thought of being rid of the wretched woman. She walked away giggling. She proceeded off into the back of the warehouse where her "bedroom" was situated. It was a few old crates and stacks of boxes forming one wall and a strung up blue tarp forming the other wall and the door. Karen tossed her APD jacket onto her bed, which was a few layers of flattened cardboard boxes and a scratchy blue moving blanket. Karen traded her black tank and olive cargos for a pair of jeans and warm shirt. The weather was getting nicer every day now. It was good. But Karen wondered if Kaidan was feeling the same weather. She dug an old photo of her boy out of her coat pocket and sat on her cardboard bed with her boot laces undone, staring at his face for a couple minutes. She wasn't sure she had tears left anymore.

Karen put away the photo and cinched tight her boot laces and strapped on her duty belt. The gun she still carried had no bullets, all of them having been used long ago, but sometimes you could find a bullet or two here and there, and it was good to have in an emergency. Sometimes you could scare off a guy just by showing him it. The other things in the belt were also handy and Karen couldn't convince herself to leave home without them. Flashlight, handcuffs, and of course the telescopic nightstick. All very handy out on the road.

Karen grabbed an empty back pack and returned to the common area to fill up a couple water bottles. "Dominic, who else is coming out with us?"

I'm hungry, not stupid. Hank mostly succeeded in keeping the smirk off his face at Dom's wager. Janice seemed to have a way of setting even the most relaxed people off without much effort. Raising an eyebrow at Karen's seemingly cheerful mood when she mentioned something happening to the other woman he looked to Dom, not sure what to make of it. Though didn't they say you didn't have to outrun whatever was chasing you, just the person next to you.

Well, it depends on what we can salvage from the truck and chopper. We'll need a lot of wire, an inverter if we can find one, maybe a toaster or two, a bike to start with... Hank rubbed his sleeves together, running through potential supply needs through his head as he stared at the flames. If we find a car that isn't rusted out that'd be a big plus. Looking back to Dom, You see Tom on your search for that? He nodded to the rusty can.

“Don’t tempt me” Dom replied with a quiet chuckle as Karen gleefully suggested taking Janice with them and arranging an “accident”.The idea wasn’t a new one and Dom had wiled away many an hour daydreaming about how he could rid himself of the horrid woman. However daydreaming was one thing, carrying it out was another thing entirely and it was something that still didn’t quite sit well with him.
As Karen disappeared towards her sleeping area, Hank listed out the items he needed for his plan most of which thankfully from what Dominic could gather would be easy enough for them to find “I’d forget about the chopper, it’s in a worse state than the truck” it still felt sacrilegious to Dom to have left his chopper to rust to death but after they’d pulled all the bodywork off of it to repair the buildings the winter hadn’t wasted any time in corroding the inner workings meaning that the chances of finding anything worth having was a long shot “...As for Tom... no, afraid not... though I was in the factory looking for this” he said nodding his head the direction of the uninhabited part of the building.
It was at this point that Karen returned to join them; asking if there were any more people joining them “As far as I know it’s just us three and the Cowboy, so unless there is anybody else you think we should bring along I say we get going” he replied looking between Hank and Karen to see if either of them had anything more to add. If not then he’d head for the door and get this show on the road

In reply to Lizzie Daniels (msg # 18):

Janice rolled her eyes as Dominic entered the big house with some of the other 'unlikeables' as she secretly referred to most everyone. She'd steered clear of the the troublesome immigrants she'd dealt with before, but only because she did her very best stewing alone. It was a wonder she was so effective, considering how often the multi-colored trash of the group interrupted her tranquility.

When the little girl Lizzie and the priest approached Janice was a mixed bag of emotions. On the one hand she adored little one's for their innocence, while being simultaneously appalled that an urban gangster was dressed in the robes of a holy man. She wasn't Catholic either, which made his apparel even more dubious to her Evangelical sensibilities.

"I know who you are, Suzie. I hope you and I become fast friends.." Janice smiled, her rotund features tensing as she did so, making her eyes a little squinty through her glasses, one of which had a cracked lens. She was almost grandmotherly, and unaware she'd called the girl by a different name, which she often did with little girls; every one of them was Suzie to her.

"Mortimer." She straightened up to look at Mortimer then, purposefully omitting the 'Father' title. He had at least a couple things pertaining to his overall character she found repulsive to her standards, yet managed some passive-aggressive courtesy despite her tendency to go for the jugular. "Do keep a close watch on the little one, but not too close. After all men of the Pope's Church have a bad reputation when it comes to children."

<< From: The Greenhouse <<

Ricky was surprised to see most of the group hanging around the fire; the room had been near empty just moments ago. He noticed Janice was still around, no real surprise there, and made sure not to initiate eye contact as he walked to Dom. He arrived just as the man said "get going" and was a little relieved he had already planned a run to town. "Oh good, we were just about to ask about that." Ricky motioned to Lorenzo and Sarah, who he presumed were right behind him still. "We were hoping to find some more seeds and garden soil at one of those home improvement shops or something. If you don't mind us tagging along, of course."

In reply to Ricky Robes (msg # 25):

<< From: The Greenhouse <<

It seems Sarah came in at the right time, catching the group as they were about to all go out "Absolutely, we should all go. The more the merrier and hopefully safer." Sarah says mirroring Ricky's sentiment about wanting to get soil.

Mortimer watched as a group gathered in his line of sight probably the run group. Once Janice started to talk he found her an oddity at best but not as bad as he was expecting. Maybe the group was exagerating the woman's attitude. He wasn't offended by her comment either and Mortimer takes a kind and calm tone as he speaks, "Yes of course I will look after Lizzie. Nobody else did even before Zombieland."

Then he looks to the woman with compassion in his eyes as he contemplates something before speaking, "I can't always watch her though. Could you help me protect Lizzie? I mean really protect her. She'll need more than just me to keep her safe and I'm willing to trust you to do this with me."

Lizzie just about yells at Janice when she says the mean things to Mortimer but when he asks her to help him even after Janice said a mean thing she can't help but calm down and looks curiously at the woman to see her reaction. Lizzie realized that Mortimer was trying to give this woman a job and that was smart. Maybe it would even get Janice off the groups shit list.

She even gives Janice a big smile to soften the woman. "Mortimer is right. I'm sure a woman like you could help keep me safe. I need another woman to about girl stuff anyway."

With his hand automatically reaching for the gun at his hip, Dom jumps slightly at Ricky's unexpected arrival; his attention having been fixed on Karen and Hank rather than the doors "Seeds? Oh for the greenhouse! sure I've no problem with you guys tagging along" he said looking over at Karen and Hank to see if either of them had any objections to Ricky and the others tagging along "...though you'd better go grab your stuff as we're going in like...well...now. We'll meet you at the perimeter, just look for the smoke and you'll find us" he finished; smiling at the slightly macabre joke as he sloshed the can of whatever the hell it was "Come on guys we'd best go meet with the cowboy before he goes without us" Dom said signalling for the others to follow him as he made his way out the door, confident that the rest of the group would catch up with them before they left for the raid.

---> Canal & Perimeter

In reply to Dominic Dubreton (msg # 29):

"Excellent. I'll tag along and meet you there." Sarah replied to Dominic, she just has a sharp spade as a weapon and not much else. Maybe they could find something to haul extra soil with them during the trip. Sarah followed behind Dominic towards the perimeter.

It had been awhile since Sarah was out on a run. Partially she wanted to go so she didn't get soft in case she was ever disconnected from her group.

-> Canal & Perimeter

---

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

---

"Gotta grab my shit. I'll meet you there, girly," Lorenzo smirked, patting Sarah on the shoulder as she passed him to follow Dominic.

He maintained the same cocky grin as he regarded the rest of the gathering in the Big House, shark-like, as if he was sizing them up. Mortimer's pleasant reaction to Janice struck him as weird as Hell, and it wasn't a tactic he had ever used against the woman. The priest might be a bit of a push-over compared to the people Lorenzo was accustomed to, but anyone who took the time to care for some random girl was alright in his books. When he was that age he'd been having the shit kicked out of him by people he was supposed to trust, and it made him a lot less tense to see how gentle Mortimer was with the kid.

The self-assured smirk was faltering slightly observing the girl and her impromptu guardian trying to make peace with Janice, and- whatever, Lorenzo had things to do anyway. No time for mushy, nostalgic garbage. Bouncing exuberantly off the doorway he had been occupying, Lorenzo hurried off to the small room in the Big House he had staked his claim over to gather his possessions. In no time he collected a dirty looking backpack (empty, aside from a jacket), a long knife which he secured to his belt, and an SKS in a sling across his back. Not that it had enough ammo to be helpful, but it was good for scaring human enemies. Ready enough. He zipped excitedly back down the hallway to meet up with the rest of the group.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
--> To Canal and Perimeter

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This message was last edited by the player at 02:04, Fri 24 Apr 2015.

Hank fought back the urge to face palm at Janice's mention of clergy and kids. He almost turned to remind her it wasn't girls the church had trouble with, nor all priests. Mortimer's response, where one would expect anger, was the opposite. Quietly Hank kicked himself for not taking the bet earlier. Maybe Janice had finally met her match.

Turning at Ricky and the other's approach he just shrugged at Dom's questioning look. More people meant they would be able to carry more stuff back, and he'd seen enough to know Lorenzo was good to have around if things got hairy. Watching the others head to wait or grab gear he turned to Ricky before he went off also. Hey Ricky, you seen Tom? I want to let him know we're heading out for a bit.

In reply to Lizzie Daniels & Mortimer Henry:

Janice' small dark eyes almost seemed to peer into Mortimer's very soul as she surveyed his person for any sign of weakness that she could dig her claws into. It was tough work being the moral conscience of the group, yet she didn't let the weight of the responsibility get her down for too long. With so few moral upstanding Christians around she was going to have to pull the weight for her people, the true people of 'Merica.
She practically chuffed when Mortimer asked for her assistance in protecting Lizzie, giving her little to go off of, though if she had to she could find plenty. "Of course I can help, not that I need your permission anyway. This girl belongs with her own people, you know. What people will think seeing a man with your.. complexion, toting this poor sweetie around this crazy messed up world is something I can hardly bear to contemplate."
Janice' disposition softened a little when Lizzie addressed her in the adorable, wholesome way that little girls did to their motherly figures. Squatting down to the little one's eye level Janice smiled brightly, her face flush as it often was. "Well aren't you sweep as maple syrup? I think we will be best friends, Suzie." She replied, missing Lizzie's real name again but maintaining a friendly countenance. "Later you and I should spend some quality time. Maybe meet me in the Greenhouse and we can talk girl-to-girl." She giggled like a schoolgirl, a plump arm reaching out to give Lizzie's dimpled cheek a brief tug of affection before rising to stand once more.

"Mortimer.." The rotund woman's face turned bleak and disgruntled as she said what was to her a goodbye to a man like the good Father before turning and slowly walking out of the room. The air had gotten stale with all of her irritating group around.

-to Caravan Greenhouse
This message was last edited by the player at 03:50, Sat 25 Apr 2015.

"Sorry, haven't seen him around. He might be with Brady or Joe. Maybe the others know." Ricky replied briefly to Hank's question before running to the sleeping quarters to grab some things for the raid. "Hey Cass, I'm going on a run to town with Dom and the others." He called out, not sure if the girl was around or maybe still sleeping. He grabbed a medium sized hiking pack they found from a previous raid and stowed a water bottle, about ten feet of rope, a small foot-long crowbar, and a pair of bolt cutters inside. He secured a hatchet to his belt before strapping on the hiking pack and grabbing his baseball cap and bandana. "Be good while I'm gone." He called out again, playfully.

>> To: Canal and Perimeter >>

Cass had taken some time to recover both emotionally and physically from the events preceding and during the Fort Dixie episodes, but thankfully had had Ricky to stick close to for reassurance that not all people were bad, and that there was a life beyond what happened. The bandits under Colton Black-Rabbit had slaughtered and scalped her entire family and the rest of their group. She escaped only to fall into a pit dug by those.. monsters. She would have been devoured by biters or found by the very men who killed her people yet the Caravan had found her first, and rescued her. Ricky had spearheaded that effort, and she never forgot. It had been harder to warm to other members of the Caravan, and in truth she knew not that she belonged, but she knew how to pick friends, for true friends/allies were few and far between.

"Stay safe, Ricky." She answered him from the room where several Caravaneers shared accommodations, for both safety and warmth. Leaning against the doorway, the young lady who had seen too much stood watch over the departing group. When Ricky bade her goodbye, advising she be good while he was away, she couldn't help but smile, in her modest way, warm to her rescuer, but ever with an underlying doubt that such raids would end well. "It's not me you have to worry about.." Cass commented quietly to just herself really, after Ricky was already moving out the door. Her words had multiple meanings.

In reply to Ricky Robes (msg # 34):

Thanks. Hank replied, watching Ricky head off. He knew if there were anybody his brother would be with it would most likely be Joe, maybe NM if he stayed around after telling them of the floater. He didn't want to leave without giving Tom a head's up, but he also didn't know how soon Dom was planning on leaving.

With Janice's "complexion" remark Hank just dropped his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. Waiting a second to give the woman a head start he turned to Mortimer. I'm going to see if I can find Tom, if I can't can you let him know I headed into town with the others? After hearing the priest's answer he headed back out, crowbar in hand.

--->To Canal and Perimeter
This message was last edited by the player at 02:34, Mon 27 Apr 2015.

Mortimer wasn't irritated with the remark Janice made but he wasn't pleased with the womans old-school behaviors. That stuff needed to die in this world but perhaps it was just instinct for her to act this way. Could be a trauma where she lost 'Suzie' affecting her psyche to blame. He couldn't help but smile as she treated Lizzie well and he waves good-bye as Janice departs and as Hank asks him to keep an eye he nods, "Will do Hank."

Mortimer looks around as the room emptied fast and he heard his stomach rumble. Mortimer hadn't eaten the past two days and knew he would eat today but clearly was anxious to have anything. He turns to Lizzie as she giggles at the rather loud growl. "I'm going to find Loa for my food. Why don't you go talk to Janice. You may not like her much but clearly she cares about you. We could use that to our advantage. I'll meet you over by Hector's lookout point when your done."

Hector was someone Mortimer respected and him and Lizzie made it a habit to talk to him every couple afternoons since the pair arrived and it had become a bit of a code word which sounded more official than rooftop. He then turns toward the Kitchen and wanders there hunger occupying his mind.

To Kitchen---->

Lizzie looked strangely at Janice as she reached to touch her cheek and it took effort for her not to push it away but she became relieved as she just pulled on it kindly and she made a funny face to emphasise the gesture. She was upset with her second comment about Mortimer though and mocked her departing words as she left, "Janice."

When she heard Mortimer's stomach she giggled but then felt guilty. She had taken part of his last ration due to hunger and he had just blew it off. She almost wished he got mad and hit her or yelled at her. She was thinking about that as he walked away and she forgot what had said but heard him mention Hector so she wandered to find him. Probably was on lookout duty and at his lookout point.

To Compound-------->

With Mortimer's question anwered he heads to his sleeping area and sits to contemplate biblical reasons this situation came upon them. Mortimer had always wondered if this was God's wrath or that the survivors were chosen to continue while others had fallen away from God. Mortimer figured Lizzie would still be talking to Janice so he continues his contemplations as he finds himself drifting off into an impromptu nap.

---> The Compound

Entering the big house as it was affectionately called; Dominic followed Mahmoud over to where Izzy was waiting for them within the old factory "Hey Izzy, did you miss me?" Dominic said with a mischievous smile before settling himself down on a nearby workbench; glad to be able to take the weight off of his feet after such a long walk "Well you'll be happy to hear, we all came back in one piece and managed to find some food and meds for our stores, so we won't be starving today at least" he continued with a slight chuckle, deciding to fill Izzy in on the raid's results before getting down to the business of Cookie, which he'd been dreading since leaving this morning. Bracing himself for the worst Dominic quietly begins talking "Izzy I...erm...don't know if Mahmoud has filled you in on the situation but...Cookie's gone and she may not be coming back" he said in anxiously, unsure as to how she would react to the news of Cookie's sudden and unexplained disappearance, after all other than Mahmoud she had known Cookie the longest out of the entire group and it was perhaps to be expected that the news would come as a shock to the system...Dominic just hoped she wouldn't start crying as he'd never been good with crying women.

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.

"Sure...we could do that, and I am sure Sam would make and excellent leader for the group" Dominic replied, returning the sarcasm as he rolled his eyes at the idea of having Sam in charge "personally I was planning on skipping the whole democracy thing and just taking over...unless either of you have any objections to me being in charge?" he asked looking between the two in the room with him. Somehow he couldn't see there being any issues, after all it had been Mahmoud that had suggested he take over in the first place "If anyone asks, Cookie has left to follow up on a lead concerning The Colony and has the left the three of us in charge until she returns, and if anyone starts to question it too much you send them to me...ok?" Dom also didn't think there would be any questions or at least no serious questions. Everyone had heard the rumours of there being a Colony of survivors somewhere out there and Cookie was gung-ho enough to go out looking for it by herself. It wouldn't take much effort to paint her as the caring leader not wanting anyone getting hurt so that she could chase a rumour and it sounded a lot better than "she left and we don't know where she is".
He'd give those in the room time to point out any potential holes in the fiction concerning Cookie, and any other concerns they may have before then moving onto his next point "assuming that there are no major incidents, tomorrow I say we start looking for a new place to live...you know somewhere where the water isn't toxic"