Marcus - Garden District, Baton Rouge - Aubrey

Welcome to Baton Rouge.

And what a welcome it had been! Though it lacked the grandiose appeal of Chicago, whose streets he had called home for most of his life, Baton Rouge's relative quaintness had a certain charm to it. Culture exuded from its very pores; the indelible impression of ethnic groups and historical time periods were apparent in everything from the architecture to the name of the city itself: the Red Stick. It didn't seem as refined when translated into English, but perhaps that quirkiness was all a part of the city's personality.

Yes, quirkiness. He enjoyed quirky things. The sight of their Capitol Building, for example, amused him deeply. It dominated the underwhelming skyline of the Red Stick, an ugly, Brutalist-looking structure that masqueraded as something supposedly regal. A kindred spirit.

He had only seen it from a distance, of course. It was generally prudent to avoid downtown areas for they were likely swarming with the undead. That reminded him: Baton Rouge benefited from such friendly locals! While he had not run into anyone like himself yet, he had come into close contact with some walkers. The decrepit, suburban time capsules that he had been traversing through did not contain many packs but every now and then, he could see a lonely, docile walker, placidly roaming until it caught his scent.

The undead were endearing, in a strange way. They had an idiosyncratic cuteness to them. In groups, their vicious and rapacious desire for living flesh could not be ignored, but on their own, they were fairly harmless. When they did attack, it was hard not to smile. They lurched and hissed, flapping their limbs and awkwardly stumbling. With every failed attempt to grab him, Marcus thought they looked rather embarrassed, as if they themselves wondered whether their insipidity had a lower depth.

He was so enamoured by their hapless nature that it was here, during his stroll through Garden District, that a brilliant idea fulminated in his mind.

“Shhhh,” he whispered soothingly, grasping fistfuls of dry, brittle hair. “We'll be having fun soon, you and I.”

Marcus pressed the walker's snapping mouth onto the curb until its teeth locked into the cement. When he stomped on the back of her head, the melodious sound of teeth clattering against the pavement rang just after the sonorous crack that signaled the tearing asunder of her jaw.
To his dismay, her sibilant hisses were now replaced with the displeasing sound of gurgling and rattling. Assuaging himself with a reminder of that old maxim regarding eggs and omelets, Marcus picked her up and wrapped both of his hands around her forearms, right under the stumps where her own hands had recently been.

He began a slow waltz with his unwilling partner as a broad smile lit up his gaunt and ghostly face. If his partner was looked at just right, it almost seemed that she was returning his smile. He crooned to her softly,



Together, the two danced in the effulgent sunlight of the new world.

Aubrey -Garden Square - Marcus

While walking, Aubrey fondly remembered the times were she had wandered the streets. She had been hungry, thirsty, maybe even crying. It had gone on for days. Now, the girl seemed to navigate her way through Baton Rouge with ease, already knowing what stores had been fully looted and which stores others had not hit up yet. Her favorite was a practically forgotten sporting goods store. It was a tiny little thing that seemed almost insignificant and irrelevant from the outside. She had stumbled upon it one day when she had been followed by a couple of undead. In the store, she had kept quiet and survived off of beef jerky with only one bottle of water.

Aubrey shook her head as she remembered that she was on her own little mission at the moment. Being so lost in thought, as she shook her head, her braid flew to the other shoulder and tapped her ever so lightly. The girl jumped and turned in the direction as she swung her bow. Nothing. Her cheeks turned a bright crimson as she realized that she had just scared herself. "Dumbass," she muttered.

She stood quietly, focusing mostly on her breathing to slow her heart beat, but kept scanning the area with her eyes. Something that she was used to by now.

Aubrey squinted as she thought she had seen a movement behind the trunk of a tree. She stayed put as she focused, and sure enough, there it was again. "More people..." She quickly slinked forward to the edge of the alley and stopped at the edge of the side walk. 'Magnus would love more people for his cure' Aubrey thought as she prepped herself to put on a façade for the cause.

"Hello!?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Aubrey wanted to push them back in. Her eyes widened as she began to walk across the street. It was a man. A man dancing with a corpse. Aubrey froze in place and begged whatever God to let the ground swallow her at that moment. She wished Kerry was here, or Magnus himself. Just not her. Not by herself. There was a man dancing with an undead corpse and she had just yelled out to him.

Marcus – Garden District, Baton Rouge – Aubrey

Though a frightened, young woman encroached upon his peripheral vision and his wonderful moment under the sun, Marcus initially payed her no heed. He was quite aware that his waltz with this rotting, corporeal memory would possibly be construed as maladroit by polite company, but he was enjoying himself far too much to care. The girl had not proven worthy of his undivided attention yet, although he was intrigued.

“Good afternoon.” he said pleasantly without taking his eyes off his partner.

He twirled her around and smoothly transitioned into a dip so that the woman's gaping maw hung wide open in the newcomer's direction, her slick tongue lolling around erratically in the remnants of her mouth.

“How do you do?”

Anastasia - Liquor Store, Walker, LA - Mandy

Anastasia's attention was drawn from the sign as a girl appeared to her left. She stepped back, slightly weary of meeting a new stranger. "Hello... I-I am friend." She said, in a horribly thick accent. She gave the woman a smile, waiting in silence for her response. Nervously, she fixed the strap of her black tank top, shifting uncomfortably.

She looked at the woman with anticipation, watching her intently. She was pretty, her nice brown hair complimented her skin, and her eyes were rather striking. She slightly reminded Anastasia of her mother...

She shifted again, slightly uncomfortable. She slid her pack off her shoulder, unzipping it. She produced a can of what looked like beans, extending her hand towards the woman. "Ты голоден?"

Victor - 'Fresh 'n Easy' Walker, Louisiana - June Hunter-Darling

"Pleasure to meet you too. My name is Victor." Victor shook June's hand. June? "Wait, your name is June?" Victor asked as the pair of them started toward the back of the store. With her affirmation, "Weird question," Victor didn't really want to know the answer, but Mandy wouldn't forgive him if he didn't ask. "But do you have a friend named Mandy?" Between the tattoos, the gender-less look, and now the name there was little doubt... if she said yes. He'd have to tell her that Mandy was outside.

Mandy - Streets of Walker, LA - Annie

"Hi." Mandy said as she gave a slight wave. Her voice deep and sounded just a bit off. Something that might be explained for an accent maybe. "Sorry, I didn't catch what you said." She extended her hand to shake. "I need to see your lips. Unless you happen to randomly know ASL. I... I'm deaf."

Liam - Motel - Samantha/Abram/Leah/George

Samantha's comment about Scarlett raised a smile from Liam. "O-Ok" He muttered quietly as his eyes turned to Abram. Liam seemed hesitant and frightened, but slowly Liam smiled through his tears and nodded. "Okay....Abram" Liam wandered off to the side. Sticking close enough to Samantha. Liam was placing trust in her...she felt like a trustworthy person.

Liam took a deep breath but mumbling something. He looked up at Scarlett. "T-They took them because...they wanted Tyler...They shot him. A man...stepped on his wounds and kicked Katie...Scarlett wouldn't let go of Katie because they wanted to take her as well. So they took both of t-them" Liam uttered somberly.



Cricin - Near the Liquor store - Annie/Clyde/Mandy

"So, do you think if a explosion happened...would you look? Cause I wouldn't, no sir. I would walk dramatically away. How that sound go again-" Cricin tapped his fingers against his head. Much to the dismay of his companion, Clyde. "Oh yes...Cool guys don't at explosions~" Cricin jumped ahead of Clyde. He began to do some weird slowmo backwards walk. Clyde raised an eyebrow to this.

"What are you doing?" Clyde inquired. Though Cricin didn't think it required any type of inquiry because it was clear that he was showing his skill of the backwards slowmo walk. Cricin decided to make sounds of an slow explosion. With added flailing of the hands for effect.

"They look away and don't think about the people they killed~" Crinic waved his hands in front of clyde. Jumping randomly left to the right. All this got him was a frown.

"Would you just stop...Look we're close enough to something then before...You gotta stop getting so bored all of the time...Plus....your accent is butchering that song. Welsh people aren't supposed to sing songs that isn't blatant gibberish" Clyde gently put Cricin's hands down.

"I know that-" Cricin replied crestfallen. "But by god has this been boring. There hasn't been any sign of life what so ever. Even dead life! Nope. Just boring streets and you don't even want to talk. This hurts me man. I don't even have any tricks to do anymore-"

"That's because you did them all in the first month" Clyde inserted before stopping. "Look, this is a new place with new things. I'll take the left and you take the right" Clyde grinned before going off. Leaving Cricin alone.

"Oh I'm Clyde and all I want to do is walk in silence for a whole day while we slowly die of starvation. I'm so fucking great at planning things that I would never let Cricin plan stuff. Nooo~ that would be too much control to let go because I think that Cricin is retarded...asshole" Cricin mumbled sullenly. His belly growled in response which just made Cricin curse more under his breath before he reached a sign.

"Liquor...Well fuck me I need a drink" Crinnic entered the store carefully. For this was not the time for a walker to fall upon him. He was hungry and his knife wasn't in the best condition. He could definitely kill the walkers with whatever the hell lived on it though.

"Let's hope there is something to feast upon...That doesn't require me to be a cannibal or a literal shit eater." Cricin looked around, but his eyes caught two females standing outside. He wondered if he should go back and alert Clyde. But he would probably say something along the lines of 'DurDur, We should leave for tatical reasons and it's dangerous and durdur' So, trusting His judgement. Cricin walked forwards.

"Hello...ladies...Ho-" His belly roared for food. "You....wouldn't happen...to..."

Shit, He had no idea what to say.

Anastasia - Liqour Store - Mandy/Cricin

Anastasia looked blankly at the woman. She had no idea what she was saying. The woman spoke a bit deeper and in a different tone than most American’s she’d met. “Я не понимаю…” She muttered under her breath. “Sorry,” She searched for the words in her head, “I - uh. English, no good.” She blushed heavily, rather frustrated by her inability to speak English.

“I - err. No friends…” She sighed, exasperated. “Боже мой, я выгляжу глупо.” She closed her eyes and gathered thoughts. “You, eh, help me?” She put her thumb to her chest, pointing at herself.

When the second person appeared, Anastasia almost jumped from herskin. Her left hand teetered around the knife that was tucked under the sweatshirt tied to her waist, her right hand tightly gripping her walking stick. “Боже мой!” She blurted, in surprise. He looked at her with dumb stare, which she returned, completely blank of expression. “Убей меня сейчас…”

Mandy - Streets of Walker, LA - Annie & Cricin

Mandy shook her head. She had no idea what the girl was saying. Even while trying to read her lips. Mandy frowned uncertain. Then she asked for help. Mandy smiled.

The girl jumped, so Mandy did too. She turned around and saw the guy that had startled the girl. "Hi." Mandy said, adding the wave again. "Sorry if you said something. I didn't hear you." Mandy's voice was thick, not with fear or anything, it was a natural thickness. If Cricin had heard someone deaf talk before it was clear that Mandy was deaf.

Her own hand had gone to the quick release holding her hatchet at her side. She hadn't popped the release yet, but she was ready to if necessary. Living people were untrustworthy. The dead were easy to understand. People, living ones, lie. Mandy was good at telling when people were lying at least.

Chae, Miguel, Moksha - Old Jefferson, Suburbs - Ricky



Chae tilted her head.

Ahead of her, through the streets of the Old Jefferson suburb, a parade of sorts took place; a man on a small pink bicycle was being pursued by several hungry looking dogs. Moksha had apparently detected the canines, as his subtle hissing had guided the trio to the relative safety of their position in the shadows, where they now observed the... event... as it took place. The older man seemed to be in mortal danger, despite the silliness of the situation. Chito was trying to get Chae's attention.

She tilted her head again, music still blaring in her ears, a smart ass smile on her face.

Calmly, he waited for the song to end, and Chae to inevitably grace him with her attention before he continued, voice low-- residential areas like this always had the most hidden infected. And other scary beasts, as the man showed them.

"Walmart's the other way," He said.

"Shouldn't we go help him?"

"Why?"

"I don't know?" She shrugged, "I don't know... Maybe he'll give us some shit?"

"Well Walmart can definitely give us some shit, chica." He grunted, already turning to leave.

"I don't know... I'm..."

As if predicting her words, Moksha jumped out of her arms, and with a newfound energy, sprinted after the man and the dogs chasing him. Chae and Miguel watched the tiny streak blink out of sight with varying degrees of horror and surprise painted across their faces. Not even 6 months old and the tiny kitten was already looking to start some shit.

Chae broke into a sprint after the kit, 'fuck' muttered under her breath in lieu of regular pants that came with physical exertion. She couldn't let the kitten die-- he was the first... innocent thing she'd seen in... she didn't want to thin of how long. His mother had died to protect him from a world, a heart of darkness, that would consume him. It was just some stray kitten, sure, but at least it was something! Carrying it around the last few miles had reminded her how little purpose she had in her life.

It was something she'd dearly missed, even before this all had started.

~~~

You could say a lot fo things about the kittens, but that he was slow was not one of them.

Moksha was fast.

With Chae rapidly approaching, the cat weaved under the bodies of the dogs in the suburban backyard and headed straight for the leader-- a disheveled golden retriever that was getting ready to pounce on a yelling man and make him just another corpse.

The kitten was immediately thrown to the ground and drew the attention of the dogs away from the man. The dog lunged--

bang

Chae held the smoking gun over the body of the now dead dog, scooping up her kitten, she looked down at the man.

"'Sup."

Aubrey - Garden District, BR - Marcus

Aubrey gaped at the man as he kept dancing with the corpse.

She didn't know if she wanted to throw up, turn around and run, or just shoot the thing in the head while he dipped it.

"How.... It..... How did you do that?" She found herself stuttering as she asked him how he managed to take off the most dangerous parts of the undead.

She still didn't move from her spot. The guy have off a weird vibe, but he had managed to 'tame' a walking corpse that would have sent her running the opposite direction. Maybe he could be of more use to Magnus than she has thought. Did Magnus know that he could do this to those things? 'He'd be able to find some DNA or something She was lost in thought which had her quiet for a second.

She definitely had to take him back, but how?

"Are you alone?"

Abram - Tina’s Apartment - Sam/Leah/Liam/ETC.


Abram had been okay with bringing the Liam kid along, but he got a strange feeling from George. The man was obviously in Scarlett and Tyler’s group, but he’d done nothing to even try and stop their abduction. Abe had his qualms with Tyler Salem, but as far as he was concerned, Scarlett and Katie were completely innocent. He figured it was just his soldiers instinct, but he had a feeling in his gut that he had help save them. He also made a promise to Samantha that he would…

So that decided it. They’d have to set out to find those people - whoever they were. He’d fulfill his promise

Presently, Abe stood outside Tina’s garden, watching Sam. He could see the the grieved look on her face. He’d seen the same look on Jess’ face when they’d been searching for floyd. Abe had worn that face several times in his lifetime. He knew the feeling of looking for something you couldn’t find.

He approached Sam, walking in the garden unannounced. He just leaned against the table close to her. “I wanna… tell you a story. I knew a guy - his name was Daniel… He was… he was a monster of a guy; made me look small. Now… Master Sergeant Daniel Crowe was one of the most fearless men you’d ever meet. I served three tours with him - he saved my life more times than I care to count.”

“When all -” He spread his hands out. “- all this crap came, he left the army base to look for someone - his sister, Emma. Sweetest little girl you’d ever meet. Now… Daniel went to New Orleans because he had reason to believe that’s where his sister and dad were. Now - about six months into this crap, he found a trail of her.”

He let out a longing sigh. “Daniel and his friend Shannon tracked her down, only to find out that she’d been kidnapped by a man named Tyler. Now - I’d heard of this guy through plenty of bandit groups - he took women, treated them like cattle for breeding stock.”

“See, Daniel was nothing if not a hero.” He, shrugging his shoulders. “He was always helping people. Daniel took it upon himself - he went to the aid of a group of survivors, called em’selves ‘Haywood’.”

“With the the help of those survivors, he stormed that hideout like it was nothing. They rescued Emma and a few others.” He shifted a little on the table. “A couple weeks later, me and Jess found our way to those two siblings. They were happy as ever. One night, I asked Daniel - I said ‘What kept you going?’. He told me. ‘Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her. And every night I’d stare into the dark and cry, because I felt like I had failed her’.”

He met Samantha’s gaze, a sympathetic look in his face. “What I want you to understand - Emotion is not a weakness. Emotion is what makes us human. Don’t try and bottle it down. That’ll tear you up. Use that emotion - use it to drive yourself.”

He put his hand on her shoulder. “You will find her, Sam. We will find her.”

Victor - 'Fresh 'n Easy' Walker, Louisiana - June Hunter-Darling

Victor was sorting through cans, thankful he wasn't looking at June as she said Mandy's full name. His heart dropped they had found June. Mandy would be please as punch. It was a strange thought. Victor had spent so much time in the last few months telling Mandy finding June would be impossible. That the girl would probably be a zombie or just plain dead. Of course he would be the one to walk right up to June with his gun ready to shoot. If it had been Mandy all the weird uncomfortable part of uniting two people who thought that each other was dead would be over. He had never wanted to go this far, the bleeding feet, the hunger, the near death, that was all justified for Mandy now.

Victor forced a smile, "I'm not sure how to tell you this." Turned, "But," and handed June a can of unidentified fruit probably from the sound. "She's my friend outside." What a shitty way to tell someone their best friend was alive. He had of course missed the way June had reached for her rose tattoo lost in his own misery.

Cricin - Liquor Store - Annie/Mandy

Cricin stood there expressionless as the two jumped slightly on him speaking out. He expected them to be surprised, most likely wary. But he didn't expect one of them to speak Russian. Well, he didn't know if it was Russian. But the girl sounded Russian. Maybe she was speaking some ancient alien language. But for all that Cricin heard, it sounded russian. "Uh...huh" Cricin responded to the gibberish that she spoke.

His stomach growled.

The awkward stare he had to the Russian female broke when the other person spoke. Though his face twisted in confusion. Sounding rather...different then how most people would speak. Loud and unedited. He had heard people speak like that before...certain people. Tended to be deaf....or shit-faced. And while they were next to the liquor store...he was gonna go with deaf.

His stomach growled.

His eyes searched for others...perhaps it was too late to do that anyway, since they had already seen him. Cricin faintly smiled, the deaf girl seemed more wary then the Russian one, who seemed to just blankly stared at him. As if his very existence confused her. "I'm just here to see if there's any supplies...same as you and...your friend" Cricin spoke slowly in his welsh accent, his eyes flashing between the two. But facing the deaf one.

His stomach growled.

"My name is Cricin...what are yours? I-" Cricin took a step forward. "I'm alone...Just wandering around. You know how it is. The store is empty. If you wanna know...apparently one of the first things people take is alcohol, I don't blame them." Cricin grinned at the sentence. "I mean no harm...as I hope you two don't to me. Though I suppose that I really shouldn't of stepped out if I doubted my safety" Crinic mumbled the last bit quietly. Before looking back at the two waiting for a reply.

Mandy - Streets of Walker, LA - Annie & Cricin

Mandy tried to read his lips. She really had. The man didn't have a mustache at least, but he spoke with what must be a heavy accent. Much like the girl. Maybe they know each other? That was a terrifying thought. It made Mandy feel like she had walked right into a trap. One where Victor had no idea where she was. Of course that was the reason why you should travel in groups, but it was too hard to find people you could trust.

"I'm Mandy." She decided introductions were in order at least. "I think I'm going to go. My friends are waiting." Plural wasn't true, but it made her feel safer. Mandy didn't have a gun, she had at one point a long time ago, but that had been stolen from her. It was likely that whatever was on the other side of that strap around the guy's chest was a gun, and Mandy really didn't want to tangle with it.

She started backing away from them. Leaving meele range, but hopefully they wouldn't attack her. The girl had seemed nice enough... but that could have been a ruse to draw her into the trap.

Marcus - Garden District, Baton Rouge - Aubrey

“A philosopher, I see. I'm afraid I don't know how to answer.”

Marcus detached his hands from his partner's stumps and took a few swift steps back. When the gurgling mass of necrosis shambled towards him, somehow clumsier than usual, he pulled the fireplace poker attached to his hip and swung it upwards in a sharp arc.

The tip tore through the roof of the walker's mouth and it immediately fell silent, its outstretched arms freezing in the air. Marcus kicked his partner to the floor and ripped the fire iron out of her skull, watching in an amused manner as her face seemed to cave inwards.

“There we go. Now I can,” he said cheerfully. “Yes, I'm alone.”

Cricin - Liquor Store - Mandy/Annie

Cricin grimaced as Mandy seemed to walk off about as soon as Cricin was actually allowed to talk. Then again, she was deaf. But still, she could talk so talk to him for more then five seconds... Not just book it out of there.

"Oh, fine...leave I guess. That's not rude at all!" He shouted as she walked away. "I could say whatever I want, cause you're deaf! But I'm not a complete douche so I won't. I'll just starve then! Die horribly because everyone fucking leaves! CAUSE THAT'S NOT FUCKING ANNOYING!" Cricin finished his sentence with flipping Mandy off as she continued to walk. Cricin decided it wouldn't be best to try to stop her, lest she stab him in the stomach and then kick his teeth out.

Cricin grumbled as he read the sign "You people and your fucking weird names for things-" He wasn't surprised that this didn't have some weird added bit now like "Liquor store of death" or perhaps "Liquor store: Beware all who dare to enter" Cricin stopped thinking inside his brain as he turned around. Promptly remembering he wasn't alone.

"Oh...sorry, um...Hello, My nam-"

His belly growled

"My name's Cricin....you are?" Cricin asked somewhat embarrassed.



Magnus - Cells - Prisoners

Magnus face was fixed on Richard as he was shot with the arrow. He sighed before his eyes gazed back to Shannon, rather unimpressed. "This is what happens when you resist...Resistance is-" Magnus smiled. "And does sound like I am a movie villain...but Resistance is futile. You are here to help with the cure. Rather you will accept it or fight back is up to you. It doesn't matter...It just makes it more painful for you. That man fought...and was promptly dealt with. Aubrey here has many more." Magnus eyes laid fixed on Shannon, almost trying to taunt her to say or do something.

"Ah..." He announced as Luke commented.

"Test subjects is a harsh word. Like I said...you are all to help with the cure...all there together. The world will become a better place thanks to all of you. Think of the future generation...Your generation...Everyone...Those monsters....those vile creatures-" Magnus spat. "Will be exterminated....all thanks to you. Now I suggest you make yourself comfortable...I need to go away for....Business...And remember...our guards will be watching" Magnus waved as he left out of eyesight.

Aubrey - Garden District, BR - Marcus

"That's... Quite a swing you got there," the girl said absentmindedly. She studied the man carefully and for every step he took, she found herself either mirroring it or countering it. He seemed like one that would over react, or just do things for no reason. She was ready to run at any given moment.

"Have you been here for long? I have yet to run into anyone, really. You're probably the first..... Besides the mean men that come by more often than necessary." She tilted her head slightly to the side, feigning a bit of innocence, not wanting to over due it.

"If you need something to eat, I've got supplies back at the shelter." That was the line that always hooked unsuspecting wanderers. They'd always assume that she was either alone or with a couple more people. She sometimes changed the story on them. "It'd behoove you to stay hidden, rather than out in plain sight."

___________________________

Samantha - Apartment - Abram/ Liam/ Tina and co.

After arriving at Tina's and quickly leaving to the back without a word, Sam had let herself fall on a metal chair and quietly cry into her hands. She assumed Abram would have told the people inside what had happened, so she didn't worry about having to give any explanation. It wasn't until she heard the sound of heavy footsteps on the gravel that she looked up, eyes red from crying, to see Abram approaching the table she was near.

Samantha kept quiet and let Abram tell his story without questioning him why he did it.

As she listened, Sam's ears perked up when she heard Tyler's name, although what followed was not exactly what she wanted to hear. She bit her tongue hard to stop herself from cursing and interrupting Abram, although the disgust was as plain as day on her face.

By the end of his story, she was smiling softly at him, having lifted her hand to touch his massive hand on her shoulder and giving it a small squeeze. "Thank you..... You know, you make it feel like if my dad were here. It makes it easier to face all of this." Samantha stood up and without warning, hugged the man tightly. "I'm glad I ran into you guys."

Sighing, the blonde let go and took a step back, her brows furrowing as she tried to think over how she would go about finding where they took Sam. "But..... Um..... I don't ...... I want to go scope the area out. I'm getting back Scarlett, and this little Katie girl. It sounds like she's been through hell as well."