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Post by Dr. Jar on Nov 9, 2012 21:44:18 GMT -8
He seems very quiet, and thinks for a long time. "...I left my cat in my locked house...it's been a while. He has an auto feeder, but...he's indoor only. I think I might feel worst about that for some reason." He shifts and then cringes because that hurt. In fact, his upper half was on fire. "Do you think it is worth it, if I turned and started shooting?" He asks, seeming quiet, he seems to be thinking all of this over. "I am sorry that you had such an incident. They are frustrating to...keep an eye on. There is so little that we can do legally...I am glad that you were not hurt." He seems to mean it, he likes Patti. "I doubt you will be turned." He says, whether this means she should keep her guns out is anyone's guess. He then wears an expression that indicates he's not very good with emotional things. Or being comforting. Or not being totally awkward when it came to discussing anything remotely personal. He cringes a little bit, and reaches into his suit jacket to bring out his wallet. This was the moment where she was going to decide he was insane. He opens it with one hand in a single flip, and there, on the page, is the picture of his cat, wearing a black collar with a "clever" black bow to make it look like a bow tie. He is a s0ft-looking black and white cat.
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Post by Dr. Maneep Pamplemousse on Nov 9, 2012 21:52:50 GMT -8
She slaps him on the shoulder in a macho gesture, in an effort to change the mood, then paces towards the couch again. "I'm thinking that if you realize you're about to get turned by a ghost, you just throw your gun away. I don't think they're smart enough to go and get it. And if they are, we're gonna be fucked when the battalion arrives from Fort Lewis with tanks and mortars." "How far away do you live? I'm thinking we should go get your cat. If I can't have a chocolate lab or a Chesapeake, then you should at least have your kitty. It's the right thing to do and the tasty way to do it." "Sorry, I think I got a little Wilford Brimley in me for a moment there."
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Post by Dr. Jar on Nov 9, 2012 21:56:51 GMT -8
Ashley smiles, a sensible plan from a sensible person. He flinches a little because the wound still hurt. Hell his whole back still hurt. His everything hurt. Moving his OTHER arm still hurt. But he was pleased. "That's a lot of risks to take for a cat... It's not too far from here... a drive, and the roads aren't driving friendly...I tried, but I ended up rescuing Ivan, and by then it was too late...My car still has gas, it's next door..." He frowns, and looks in that direction. "I have more ammo at my house..." He says thoughtfully. He gives her a blank stare that says he's not sure what that is, but smiles anyways. "It's not within walking distance, it isn't convenient at all, or I would have gone... but these folks need protecting too, and..." He doesn't go on.
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Post by Dr. Maneep Pamplemousse on Nov 9, 2012 22:01:28 GMT -8
"I think we can do it. It might take a few days and we might have to hole up in various buildings along the way, but we might be able to find some more survivors while we're out. That seems to be one of Seth's big plans, so we can incorporate that into the trip. Make it not just about the cat... even if it is." She smiles. "I want to do this. I think I need to hone my edge a little. That ghost got me spooked and I need to up my game if I'm going to help these people. A good zombie bashing trip would do me some good, I think." "It's not, like, in Everett or anything, is it? Because that might be unreasonable."
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Post by Dr. Jar on Nov 9, 2012 22:09:38 GMT -8
"No, it's not that far...just...I can't drive there from here... I was caught getting my laundry after I had a jog..."He seems very awkward. "...But it's in the...community over the bridge, down town..there's no way to make it." "I think Abdul knew too...You can recognize people with training." He seems to find this thought-provoking. "I would feel more at ease putting anyone besides myself in danger if it was looking for survivors...I know you want to help, but I..would rather not have anyone getting killed over him... It... It just wouldn't be right you know? I kind of deserve this, I left him behind. We should have at least one other person to watch our backs, especially since I can't use one of my arms so well."
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Post by Dr. Maneep Pamplemousse on Nov 9, 2012 22:20:11 GMT -8
"It's funny you should mention that, because when we had our little election the other night, the first thing I objected to in Seth's plan of finding and helping other survivors was that we shouldn't be running people all over the place and risking their lives to maybe save some folks. Like in Saving Private Ryan where most of the team died, just to save one guy." "Still, I think we could make it work. We could make you a makeshift silencer and you can use one of the handguns as your primary weapon. If we talk this over with Seth, maybe he'll get behind it too. Not sure how we'd sell it. Certainly not "hey, I wanna go get my kitty." I'd say retrieving ammo, but the general distaste for guns will make that a non-starter. Is there anything near your place that would have some useful or vital supplies. A pharmacy maybe? A grocery store? I don't know. Maybe we could tell him the truth. He probably wouldn't send anyone with us, but I doubt he'd try to stop us. And there's the outside chance that we'd actually come up with a viable plan with backup and everything." She realized she had been rambling and deliberately stopped herself. "How many days food do you think he had left? Can he get to the bag to tear it open if his feeder runs out? Did you leave your toilet seat up so he can get water if he runs out?"
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Post by Dr. Jar on Nov 9, 2012 22:28:51 GMT -8
Ashley-- "He has one that he can't get into. He's a little overweight so I put most of his food in FOOD CUBE(tm) that prevents pests from getting in. He has a rolled bag, he might chew into, and I have some...I have some pork rinds in a bag he could get into if he really wanted to...and we have about a week of food in case I'm late in the feeder. " He seems to be rambling now too. "It's all the way downtown, in the hood, by the bridge...there's no way, Patti... It's.. I can't risk you, or anyone else like that... There is a grocery store downstairs, a little one, and a pharmacy a bit down the street, but...." He shakes his head. "My heart is there, I'd probably die out of guilt alone, but risking someone else...it is like Private Ryan...I hope my neighbors thought I was rich and broke my door, but I live pretty humbly...these suits are the best thing I have."
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Post by Dr. Maneep Pamplemousse on Nov 9, 2012 22:45:32 GMT -8
"If those suits are the best thing you have, then this cat must be a homely little guy. Just kidding. Sort of." " The West Seattle Bridge? That would be a bit of a haul, but I think we could take the viaduct most of the way and it would be clearer than the surface streets. We could take some bikes to speed things up. And like I said, we could camp out on the way if we have to. I think that's a little farther than I'd feel safe traveling... at least in that direction." She deflated a little. "We should pray for the little guy, what's his name?" "I want to make this work. Seriously, man, thinking about your little guy all alone is messing me up. If you aren't gonna cry, I just might. I mean, we can hope somebody looted your apartment and is feeding him as we speak, but this is Seattle, it's just as possible th-" She stopped abruptly.
"I think we should talk to Seth about it. He might have some ideas." She stood up and walked to the door. "In the morning maybe?"
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Post by Dr. Jar on Nov 9, 2012 22:49:11 GMT -8
He looks over at Patti quietly. "I haven't shed a tear since I was 10. I don't think I can anymore." He puts his hand in his jacket. "I'll talk to Seth too. I still have gas, and if I can get a bike...I used to ride them with one arm when I was younger, I can still do it now..." He doesn't ponder the idea of rebreaking his collarbone, and/or causing more trauma to his pulverized muscle. "...I...I want to save him. He's all I have..." He says, very quietly this time, and bunches up his remaining fist. "...Thank you for caring....I...I don't know why you'd help a stranger, you didn't seem to like me much earlier...but...it's nice to find someone who cares somewhere." His tone is hard to measure, but his voice sounds a bit funny. He coughs, and then clears his throat.
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Post by Dr. Maneep Pamplemousse on Nov 9, 2012 22:52:55 GMT -8
"I'll see you in the morning." Patti left the room.
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Post by Dr. Jar on Nov 9, 2012 22:56:55 GMT -8
"..Thank you." He says, though she can't hear it as she closes the door. He goes to sit in front of his monuments, and prays again, secretly and quietly. He was disturbed how close that brought him to tears...maybe. His voice was funny, that didn't mean anything.
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Post by Dr. Jar on Nov 10, 2012 13:11:35 GMT -8
Ashley hesitates before the little monuments, and then says a few words to each, before leaving the room quietly.
The room is again empty.
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Post by Dr. Jar on Nov 12, 2012 17:12:52 GMT -8
Easter evening, Ashley went to sleep early. He had felt more proportionally tired after all of this injury business, and often times had to fight the urge to just sleep. Sleep all the time, sleep through the day. If the pain and the thirst didn't wake him, he probably would have, despite his habitual early rise, early to bed plans. That night, curled on his side, he had a strange dream. In it he was wandering in the mountains he had not seen for almost a year now, with a rifle at his side. Patti and his father were there, for some reason, though within the dream, he didn't question it. He was hunting for something, truth? Food? Mr. Friskers? It felt very vague, trudging through the murky darkness. He turned his head to speak to Patti, but she rushed ahead, gun drawn. He tried to follow, but his father was lagging behind. She vanished into the dense forest, and he wasn't sure what he felt? Longing? Regret? Loneliness? "Patti wait!" But it was too late. He offered a hand to papa, and trudged on, emerging into a clearing in half-darkness, where a lone Seth sat in the center, dark hunched figures surrounding him in a semicircle. He hesitated, but approached with Papa, and took his hand. By his feet the cat waited, and he thought of something to say to him. "Sorry." He woke in a start, and wondered what that was all about, and then decided it was nothing, and he was probably taking too many opiates. They didn't reduce the swelling, but they did make him feel a lot better. He considered taking more, but instead got up and started his morning regime. Leg exercises today.
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Post by Thy Dungyeon Maestyr on Nov 12, 2012 22:54:06 GMT -8
Ivan came back to the apartment sometime after Ashley had fallen asleep, and went to a separate room, and backed into a corner and slumped.Oh man, he thought, That doctor is a super FREAK. Was she always a crazy ho or did the apocalypse make her do it? Ugh, can't think! I gotta...He made sure all noises had settled, and his roommate's breathing sounded like that of a sleeping man, and as quietly as he could, he physically calmed himself down.
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DKender
Only One Skeleton has the Power to Control both Life and Death, Light and Dark, Words and Blank Space, Our Humble Lives Continue Only by the Grace and Magnanimity of This Skeleton
Nay, let us walk from fire unto firey skeleton ...
Posts: 9,204
Gender: Unknown Skeleton
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Post by DKender on Nov 24, 2012 5:34:45 GMT -8
Evening, April 9th! Alex took a deep, calming breath before he knocked on Ashley's door. He couldn't lose his nerve now! "Mister Ashley, are you in? I want to have a word." Ashley opened the door to let him in. He had spent some quality time napping to regain health in the meantime. "...Come in son, what do you need?" He offers, pointing inside. ALEX- Alex stepped into the room and glanced around nervously. Then, he leaned against one wall, his arms crossed. "Your scars aren't football injuries, are they?" He touched his gold crucifix. "Mr. Ashley, I know what you are. And ... I just wanted to say ... now is a good chance to start over. Be a better man! A good man! Look, I know you have your reasons. My Uncle Brick was like you. Really involved with drug trafficking. And it might be too late for him to change, but you live! Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris!" ASHLEY- Ashley looks very very confused, and then holds out a hand before inviting him it. It's almost like he's been smacked. "Alex, kid... I was never doing any of those things.. I don't think I drink more than a couple beers...I used to be really into boxing, but these days not so much... It's good to keep your fitness up." ALEX- Alex shook his head adamantly. "Those aren't boxing scars, unless you box with knives. Why are you lying? It's a sin! Please. I won't judge you! Just ... don't lie. We can confess to each other - there's nobody else left. No priests, no churches. How will we do the Sacrament of Penance without each other?" ASHLEY- He seems less than happy and then replies. "I was a Sergeant of the Seattle Police Department, which I'm sure some of the people here would say was a sin, but I always did my job. I... try not to use my guns on people and I live in a rough neighborhood. Who knows, they might just be having a bad day. My dad always said you should never draw your gun unless you intent is to kill, and I try to follow that logic. Some of them do have guns though. You can never be sure." God. Alex just told a police Sergent about his drug-dealing uncle. He looked utterly horrified. ALEX- "I ... see." He also drank liberally in front of Mr. Ashley at Nat's party. Oh, Lord. Did Ash know he was only nineteen? "You really aren't part of the mafia? I ... I don't judge ..." He shakes his head. "I guess as close as I could be to something like that here...Don't tell anyone, alright? It's a secret." Since Alex is like a little kid, at least in his mind, he offered him one thing. ASHLEY- "Did you know I've been attacked twice by guys with screwdrivers? Well, one was a woman, but...most common thing used to stab us. Funny right? You'd think it was a knife." ALEX- Alex calmed down once he realized that Ashley didn't intend to arrest him during the End Times. "Why can't people ... just be nice to each other?" He couldn't imagine being stabbed by anything. Thank heaven the zombies weren't real people. They couldn't feel pain. They did not suffer when he attacked. Alex took Ash's hand and gave him a firm handshake. ASHLEY- He shrugs. "Money, drugs, feeling threatened? Think they're tough, desperate, angry? Who knows, I wish I knew. Would make everything a lot easier, or would have, anyways. The zombies are a welcome change, though... I wonder how they even started, how did all those people die to begin with?" ALEX - "Maybe God's punishing us." Alex looked down at his crucifix sadly. "Or maybe Uncle Brick was right when he said ... well, it's not worth repeating. I don't know. Nothing makes sense anymore." ASHLEY - Ashley seems somber and then offers him a hand. "You can always rely on me, while I'm around. You seem a little lost lately, especially on Easter. I'm worried about you up here." He taps his head. "Half of this stuff would send a man to therapy." ALEX - "I'm fine, Sir." He looked at his feet. "But I might visit Missus Kerry sometime. Uhm. Not for therapy. I want to ask for a hug. Is that weird?" Well, now that he said it out loud, that really did sound weird. "Never mind. Thanks for trusting me, though. Good night, Mr. Ashley." ASHLEY- "I don't think that's weird, you need someone, you don't even have family out here." He sighs. "I don't know what else to say, kid. Goodnight." He watches him go, and then turns his back. He was just a kid after all, and not a very bright one.
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