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Riley looked over at Chloe and gave her sister a soft smile grateful for the offer, she gently took it and slipped it over her sweatshirt she had on. "Thank you, and i'll be sure to find you a violin hopefully there is a guitar in there as well and we could make something good from that." She said to her sister, Riley looked at Amelia and nodded to her seeing that her friend was cold she wanted to make sure that Amelia was somewhat warm from being on the wall. "No problem Amelia." Riley leaned forward looking at Chloe seeing the cigarette in her hand, sometimes she did have the occasional craving, though she was never a heavy smoker only when she just felt the urge to or when she was really stressed out.

"I don't think something grim like that would have happened." Riley said looking at Beatrice she wasn't sure if the woman was serious or she was simply just joking around with the thought. "Hope they finish their little powwow soon, and the quicker we can get back to searching for wedding music stuff." Riley couldn't help but giggle slightly at Ciel's comment about. "I don't think they would plan on eating us, besides Chloe here doesn't have enough meat." Riley said jokingly and nudged her sister slightly while turning her attention back out beyond the walls.

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Kristina looked up at Victor as he gently wrapped an arm around her she looked up to him like a father figure and gave him a slight smile then Thana answered her question and removed her hat revealing the black hair. Thana certainly did look a lot like Zoie, just the hair color was completely different. Still Kris couldn't believe that Zoie did have a twin sister, but then again Kris didn't know much of Zoie's life before the outbreak happened still Zoie could have mentioned this before she ended up dying or at least talk about her family at some point. Kristina looked over at Niesha for a moment seeing the same shock on her friend's face she then caught movement in the corner of her eye and saw Richard moving forward and hearing Victor's voice calling out to him to stop.

Kristina was tempted to move forward to try and stop him from getting any closer, but she knew that it would most likely not end well for her or him. Richard was bigger then she was and Ashton looked tense for a moment her eyes wondering down to his sidearm wondering if he was actually going to end up shooting Richard in front of everyone. But he didn't. Kristina could hear Richard's voice cracking, she knew what he was going through the day she was reunited with her sister, but Thana wasn't Zoie.

Kristina remained still looking between the three of them, she wasn't sure what Richard would do next she stood by the people who were close to her. She listened to Ashton and then Thana speaking confirming that Zoie was indeed Thana's twin sister.

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"I slept well thank you." Ray smiled towards Tiffany wrapping an arm over her shoulder and gave her a gentle loving kiss on her cheek he turned to look at Ciel asking how he was feeling, aside from being cold and having to stand out in the cold he was good. "I'm doing alright wish I had a nice hot cup of coffee right now." Raymond answered Ciel, he was craving something nice and hot to eat or drink right about now. Though Ray did get a feeling that Ciel was hiding something, but Ray wasn't going to voice it. Raymond did respect the kid for surviving this long at his age after all, he looked over at Tiffany for a moment. "So once we get rotated out of guard duty we go and get changed for the wedding right?" Ray asked her.

Raymond looked at the Ridgeway twins as the two of them spoke to one another as well as looking over at Amelia for a moment they seemed to have their own conversations going on, he then moved over towards Ciel and smiled at him then went over to gently pet Peaches she was being good despite the cold weathers surprisingly.

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Ciel nodded weakly as Riley and Lyon came up to reassure him that the veteran members of Newnan weren't planning anything sinister. He knew they were just trying to be nice, and was fairly certain they didn't know any better than him of what was going on.
Lyon handed Ciel a piece of dried meat for Peaches. As soon as Ciel moved his hand to give it to the dog, she excitedly leapt forward, almost tumbling out of the boy's arms to grab the meat in her sharp little jaws. Ciel quickly readjusted his hold on Peaches to steady her, smiling slightly for just a moment. At least Peaches was happy.

He didn't say anything more, falling back into his own thoughts, reminding himself that all he had to do was hold it together until the end of the day... that is, unless something happened during the night. But even if he made it that far, he still wasn't sure if he'd be able to get any sleep. Most nights he just wound up lying awake with his paranoia until dawn, no matter how tired he was. He knew he needed rest if he was going to continue to be a functional member of this little society, but somehow closing his eyes always felt like an invitation for death.

He sighed quietly, looking down at Peaches to make sure she was still comfortable. It looked that way, and for the most part dogs weren't prone to hiding things, so there was probably nothing to worry about. Still, focusing on Peaches was better than going back into his grim internal monologue, so he kept his eyes on the little dog, stroking her head and making sure she was warm enough under Ryan's coat. Speaking of which, he was still a bit worried about something happening to the garment. He'd never asked Ryan's opinion on dogs, but he hoped for his own sake that it was positive. If not, then Ciel was pretty sure no one would ever find all his body parts.

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Bryn was shocked, obviously, at everything that had transpired but the most shocking thing of all for her wasn’t Richard’s reaction (she had expected that much) but it was the fact that James had known about Thana. Bryn and Zoie had been super close, they were best friends after all, and after Zoie had died Bryn had found herself becoming friendlier with James. They’d been friends while she was alive but he reminded her of her lost friend so much and things naturally progressed from there and their friendship had grown stronger. She never thought that James could ever be able to make her feel even an iota close to betrayed.

She did know though, that it was a ridiculous way to feel but she couldn’t stop that it did feel like a betrayal of trust. There was no need for James to have ever told Bryn that Zoie had had a twin sister and likely, it was most probable that James figured that Zoie’s twin sister was dead like most everyone else in this world but it still stung. Knowing it was so stupid though, Bryn said nothing of it but she did let go of James’s arm and folded her arms across her chest, closing herself off some. Bryn turned to James and frowned slightly at him, opening her mouth as if to say something then sighing and shaking her head before closing her mouth again. She was being stupid and the fact that she was feeling emotional right now was making her uncomfortable. She rubbed the lobe of her right ear gingerly as she refocused her attention onto Ashton and Thana.

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Victor was glad that Ashton did not shoot Richard instantly, the man was in a hurting place and the last thing he deserved right now after such a bomb was dropped was to be shot for his confusion. Some simmering anger stirred in Victor’s chest as he watched Ashton standing on his porch. The best thing to do would have been to gather those that had been personally close to Zoie and explain the situation to them calmly and in a controlled manner rather than making a public spectacle of it. To drop this kind of news on them in such a way was most insensitive and Victor was considering having words with Ashton to such effect before he realised that this kind of situation was not likely to occur again so what did it matter? What was done was done but the conversation about why he was left out of such an important matter was going to be had at a later time.

If Victor was to be taken seriously as the second of the community then he would need to be seen as being respected by Ashton and mostly this was true but at the moment Victor was not feeling respected as his second. In fact, that James was in on this news and he was not, was like adding salt to the wound. Of course, the wound was more like a paper cut and the salt more like vinegar that had made its way inside but the thought still stood. When Richard didn’t move further forward, Victor let out a breath of relief and stopped his movements, instead giving the man space to learn what he needed to. Things had been tense between their friendship but Victor knew that Richard wasn’t all bad, he just needed some time and the right person to help him out of his darkness. He was just sad that he was not able to be that friend for him. All he could do was watch and wait to see how Richard would react.

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His mind reeled over the bomb that had just been dropped. Richard was awash with so many different emotions, emotions he’d been burying deep down inside for the last half a year and they were all bubbling to the surface now. His fingernails were digging into this palms and he could feel the sting as they pierced into his skin. The tiny trickle of blood worked its way through the creases of his hand as he stood there in front of Ash’s house rooted to the spot. His eyes lingered on Thana’s face as she approached him, Ash’s words were still sinking in and Richard had no idea what way was up as she began to speak to him.

This wasn’t Zoie. Half of him hoped it was, that Zoie had ran off and faked her death to get Eden off the backs of Newnan, it’s the kind of shit he could image her doing. Big hero, like. If it had been her, sure he’d have been pissed but he’d have gotten over it because she would have been back. He’d have become a new man for her, if she’d just come back… but that wasn’t the case. Zoie was still dead and this stranger was going to be walking around, wearing her face and sounding like her.

Richard felt Miss Sally’s hand on his shoulder and he flinched a little, he wasn’t used to human contact that wasn’t aggressive. In fact, it was the first time someone had touched him in a manner that was supposed to be comforting. Sure, he’d had his tumble with Bea and he’d been all over Sana but this was different, this felt genuine with no strings attached. It very nearly sent Richard into the realms of bawling his eyes out but he held himself together. He wanted to hear what this stranger had to say.

Her apology and sympathy meant nothing, it was old hat now, Richard had heard it so much in the early days after he’d lost Daisy and he was frankly sick of it. As Thana finished her explanation and stepped back from Richard, he took a step back in turn. He was slightly closer to Miss Sally and only stopped moving because he knew he’d knock her over if he moved back further. His brow creased into his signature scowl, his eyes were still brimming with salted moisture but now it was clear that it wasn’t sadness any longer, it was rage. Pure, unadulterated rage. His nostrils began to flare and his jaw set into a tense line.

Richard rose his hand up and rested it on top of Miss Sally’s and gently removed her hand from his shoulder. He turned to her and gave a single nod of thanks before he about turned and began to shove his way through the opposite side of the crow as he made his way away from Ash’s house and towards his own place of solitude. He was breathing heavily and, for the most part, people seemed to move out of his way as he stormed away. He threw open his front door and ran inside, straight up the stairs and into his room – Zoie’s old room. He looked around and everything made him angrier. He could feel the veins in his forehead throbbing as he spotted the CD player that Riley had asked for earlier.

He moved over to his window, the window that still showed the crowd outside of Ash’s home and the street below. He threw it open and then turned, grabbing the CD player before tossing it out of the window and down into the street below. He wasn’t trying to hit anyone or even to get it close to the crowed. He aimed purely for the sidewalk below to make the maximum damage to his projectile. He yelled as he began to rampage through his room. Books were thrown across the way, pillows were kicked at walls, bedsheets were torn up and a raging mess was made inside Richard’s room.

He stopped only to admire his handiwork before he ducked under the bed and grabbed his bag. He began to shove his belongings into it, mostly things that would keep him warm in the snow-covered state. He wasn’t going to be sticking around any longer than he had to. He’d ask for his weapons he’d brought here on his first day and enough food to get him a day away from Newnan. He had done enough work in this damn place that they could give him at least that.

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Thana watched the crowd carefully, seeing sadness in the eyes of some and out right anger in the eyes of others. Her face remained blank though inwardly it was a double kick in the gut. She had always been second to Zoie growing up, it accounted for her rebelling as a teen. It was why she had ended up in the place of the military or prison when she turned eighteen.

The military was the better option and in the end, it had been the best thing for her. She was away from those that measured her against Zoie. She had thrived and found a new family. She never expected to be back in the place of coming in second to her sister. It seemed though she had stumbled directly back into the very situation she had been trying to escape for as long as she could imagine.

Seeing the anger in Richards eyes and him storm off made her rethink if she should be there. Hearing the scream from next store and the destruction of property confirmed a double take of reason. "Well that could have gone worse," she said quietly before glancing over towards the leader of Newnan.

She understood the shock, she had and did feel the same way. She truly understood it and yet part of her felt backhanded. It wasn't her fault she looked like Zoie. That they were related. That they had known her. Yet she was and would most likely continue paying for it. Conviction and sentence dolled out for a crime she never committed. It hurt. She had found out her sister was dead. Of all of them she had lost the most. Yet she was not comforted or consoled, not that she expected it. They didn't know her, they had known Zoie. Not even a welcome. Just anger and sadness. Yet, she was used to this. When it came to anyone that had known the perfect Zoie, Thana was always the cheep knock off. The imitation.

"Thank you for your time, I hope I ain't caused too much trouble. Forgive my intrusion into your community," Thana said, projecting her voice to be heard, solace tinting her voice. Turning she gave a look towards Ash. "I'll depart shortly," she added before stepping into the house and shutting the door behind her.

Ryan's lips thinned a bit before rubbing his face. "Fucking Christ..." he spat before storming off to his home and flinging the door open. He didn't stop there, right to Richards room he went and when Ryan finally spoke it was as if he had the volume of every Irishman that had lived behind it. The window being open so all could hear was just an added bonus.

"Stop it right fuckin' now! Think Zoie want ya destroying her shit? Gonna kick yourself tomorrow for that! That's her fucking sister that was out there! You ride me to know more about her! Fuck with Sana because she reminds you of her. Now you have her fucking blood here, her sister! And she's the one giving you condolences! She lost her sister! You lost a lover of a month! Hardly fucking compares. You're a dick but I never thought you were a dumbass until now!"

Thana took her hat off, shaking her head a bit and unbuttoning her jacket. She heard what Ryan was screaming and rolled her eyes. She tried to tell herself she had never been close to Zoie but in truth it hurt to know she was dead. There was no chance to ever rebuild that bridge. Letting out a long sigh she let her heels click along the floor as she grabbed her bag and stepped back into the bathroom. Locking the door behind her she started to put her daily clothing back on. Newnan was no place for her.

Miss Sally looked at the ground after Richard, Ryan, and Thana stepped off. This was bad. "Well, aren't we a friendly bunch. Probably last kith and kin of Zoie Mamma and we can't even give the child a welcome," she said scolding herself more than those around her. Looking up she eyed Ash. "Son, don't let her leave, not like this. Zoie wouldn't want us to turn our backs on her."

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Tiffany smiled and giggled at Peaches antics. The life of a dog seemed so simple. She wished she had a dog of her own, even in the world nowadays. Peaches wasn't really their dog, though it could be said she belonged to Newnan. She figured the cat didn't care much, though she enjoyed petting him when she was able to.

Back to matters at hand, she continued to wonder what was going on. It felt very similar to her last time in a settlement. She had to give them the benefit of the doubt, they had multiple opportunities to kick them out if there was trouble. By all accounts, the Franklin group seemed to assimilate well within Newnan, each finding their own place in the settlement that lost so many. But still, she couldn't help wondering why they couldn't be in the meeting. They didn't need them all watching the wall.

When Ray spoke, it brought her back to reality. She shrugged, "I guess? It depends on what the meeting it about. For all we know, they are discussing canceling it, though I doubt it highly. I'm a bit worried. If there was something wrong, they'd tell us, wouldn't they? We're all together in this." As much as she was looking forward to the wedding, her worries still weren't satisfied.

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With the razor gliding smoothly across his face, removing the little bits of cute and innocent stubble, Jack couldn't help but dance ever so slightly as he went. In between strokes of the razor, he'd wield the razor like a microphone, as if he was at a karaoke bar. Every measure was accented but a slight tap of his hand against the sink, and in true Jack fashion, he sang a sweet and romantic song. By the time he finished, he clapped his hands against his face, pleased with his job.

"The name's Bond. James Bond," he said into the mirror, before pretending to flip long flowing locks of hair over his shoulder. He then cracked a goofy grin and made finger guns at the mirror, mimicking the sounds of gunfire for a short moment. The nervous energy of his wedding day had to come out somewhere--and for Jack, it was already incredibly likely for him to start acting like a four year old boy when left to his own devices.

But with his shaving job done, he mentally went through the list from Miss Sally again. His next most important job was to avoid running into Tatiana--and rehearse his wedding vows. He had an idea to try to say them in Russian if he could, but for him, the biggest accomplishment would be to pronounce any of those damn R's. It was really fortunate that Tatiana was an R free name, after all.

And so, Jack remained in Miss Sally's apartment, going through his wedding vows. They were wicked cool--or at least, that's what he thought of them. But to be honest, all that mattered to him was that he'd get to marry Tatiana before the sun set that day.

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It was frustrating, the lack of information they had. The speculation itself could have been fun, but Beatrice doubted that anything good could have happened. It had to have been something that rocked the foundation of Newnan, something big. It was a military settlement--people didn't abandon posts for no reason, especially without a schedule. And while she did trust Lyon, he was just as clueless as the rest of them about the situation.

However, Beatrice did crack a slight smile at Ciel's suggestion. While Ciel may have survived the apocalypse, he was still a kid at heart it seemed. But to be fair, the thought of people eating other people was hardly unrealistic these days. In fact, it was quite common, what with the abundance of walkers and everything. But Riley herself did have a point--the people in Franklin were hardly plentiful enough to be eaten or support Newnan. And who would want to eat a drug addict like Chloe anyways?

It'd be some wedding feast, however...

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Chloe let out a bit of a sigh, cupping her hands together briefly to blow warm air on them. She had grown up in Indiana and had experienced the cold before, even despite her move to California after high school. And as much as she disliked the cold, it was bearable. Detoxing was a far more painful experience--especially when there were walkers about. She leaned slightly on her right foot, and then on her left, playing a game of sorts with herself to pass the time.

"Want one?" Chloe offered, having noticed her sister eyeing the cigarette. She took another drag from it, grateful for the comfort that it brought. It was certainly one advantage of Ryan's obsession with her, getting free cigarettes and whatnot. He wouldn't have a reason to share with her otherwise.

However, at Riley's comment about her not having enough meat on her bones, Chloe couldn't help but laugh. She had always been a bit skinny, with all of her weight coming from lean muscle--but it was even truer now. Prisons weren't always the best for keeping up an athletic regimen, but Newnan's conditions practically encouraged it. The conditions of the world as a whole encouraged it. "I'm sure they won't eat us. Or at least, not me," Chloe teased. "Ryan'd throw a bitch fit if they even tried to."

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“I will return it when we get off these walls, Riley. Thank you again.” Amelia muttered with quiet voice and a smile. Her cheeks red from the cold and embarrassment. She was still thankful about it though. Having friends after the outbreak was a mere distant dream for her that after meeting Riley turned into reality.

She did find it curious that Riley was eyeing the cigarette. She didn't know that Riley liked smoking, but it was a nice information to have. She now knew another thing about her friend and hopefully she'd be able to use it eventually to give Riley a nice little gift... If she was ever able to find a pack of cigarettes or something like that. Maybe one day if she was out scavenging she'd be lucky. She doubted it as smokes were probably the first thing most people raided after the outbreak.

Amelia also could help but giggle softly at the mention of eating people. That was a nice joke. Made it funny, besides even if Newnan were to eat all of Franklin, they'd won't get really sated for long anyways. “ Maybe they'd make drums out of our skin?” She asked jokingly.” Or flutes out of our ribs! Then we'd have all the musical instruments we need!”

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Riley looked over at Chloe when she asked if she wanted one, she remembered the first time she started smoking back in high school shortly after she was kicked out of the house. She would buy some from some of the kids that smoked outside of the school, it was a stress reliever for her at times. But Riley also enjoyed and craved them from time to time, but never smoked a whole pack or more a day like other people she knew. "Are you sure?" Riley asked Chloe she noticed her sister blowing into her hands to warm them up, she dug into her pockets and pulled out a pair of wool gloves. "Here sis." Riley said softly to her sister.

Looking over at Amelia and smiled at her friend giving her a friendly nod. "No problem, and keep it I got a spare jacket back at my place I can swing by after and grab it." Riley told Amelia knowing that she would need it more. Riley laughed slightly and shook her head leaning back as she slipped her hands into her jean pockets.

"They would probably suck at playing it, no one other than myself and Chloe being a violin player I don't think anyone else here has much instrument playing experience." She said jokingly Riley ran a hand through her hair then turned to look back out at the city it was starting to bother her wondering how much longer their meeting would last. Riley did have her job to provide music and being out here was taking time away from that.

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Kristina quickly stepped aside from Richard as he started to turn around and make his way out of the crowd, she wasn't sure what was going on through his mind as Richard walked through and across the street back towards his place. Kristina moved over towards Niesha looking at her friend and gently nudged her to see if she was okay. "Are you alright Niesha?" Kristina asked, she couldn't help but turn her attention back towards Richard and Ryan's place. Then Kristina heard a crash coming from the house seeing a CD player go flying out of the window and onto the street below.

She watched as Thana started making her way back into Ashton's place she deserved to stay she thought, no one should leave at least not in the cold weather like this. Walkers weren't much of a threat they were most likely undead popsicles by now, the weather would be the biggest problem now. "She needs to stay." Kristina said towards Ashton looking over at him, even if Thana was related to Zoie she was curious and wanted to know the woman more.

Kristina looked over seeing Meg still standing there next to her brother she didn't talk much to Meg's brother as much as she would like she looked at Meg wondering what was going through her mind at the moment she looked like she was still in a bit of shock.

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Raymond turned to look at Tiffany as she spoke more of her thoughts of the meeting that the core Newnan group, it probably was just something that had happened before Franklin was integrated in. "It's probably something before we came here, the wedding is to important for it all to just be canceled, and besides Meg and Tati have been pouring everything into this event." Raymond said looking down at Peaches ruffling the dog's fur before walking back and leaning up slightly against the wall to ease some weight off his one good leg.

Ray looked slightly bored this wasn't something that he was used to looking over for any people and wondered how could some people stand out here hours on end in the cold like this. "I could use some hot chocolate right about now." Ray said to himself as he looked at Tiffany for a moment and smiled at her still happy that he was able to find someone he cared for. He was thinking of maybe popping the question eventually to her, but right now there was another wedding between Tatiana and Jack.

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Meghna watched Richard moving away from the crowd and Ryan going out shortly after him, she didn't want to get on the man's bad side right now. She couldn't imagine what was going through the man's head right now, and she didn't want to get caught in the man's violent outburst that was about to happen. Meg flinched slightly when she saw the CD player flying out of the window and onto the street below. Meghna turned her head to hear Kristina speak about Thana saying that she should stay, and she agreed with that, she could help out with the community as well.

Meghna though knew that they needed some sort of music in the wedding, she and Tati did ask Riley to help with that as well she started making her way to where the CD player had landed on the ground and picked it up looking at it. She started to inspect it looking at the CD player sighing to herself seeing that it was broken.

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The oddly tense situation with the alpha guy, strangely familiar looking human, and crowd around them out on the street seemed to bowl over into a display of emotion that spoke of very, very bad news:

No one was going to give Schrodinger food.

Well, this was entertaining, at least. Seeing the multiple bursts of various facets of human emotion was also something of a learning experience. With a sense of growing curiosity, Schrodinger quietly catted his way around the side of the group gathered in front of the domicile claimed by Alpha, and sat waiting to see what was going to happen next. He didn't have to wait too horribly long for more screaming drama to occur, this time from the house behind him. Humans made too much noise sometimes. Maybe it was some sort of mating ritual? Hmm... Hard to say.

While Schrodinger was puzzling out this latest puzzle of the Human Condition, a piece of yesteryear electronics came flying out of the window above the stalwart orange tom, nailing the hard concrete just to one side. Such a startle was very not necessary if they wanted him to move someplace else, but it sure as hell was effective. Schrodinger voiced his objection to the act with a solid, "MEOW!"₁ and made a mad dash for the nearest place of shelter.

A striding leap and set of extended claws later, Schrodinger found himself on the railing of Ash's front porch. He couldn't tell if anyone had noticed his rapid ascent, but that didn't stop him from quietly jumping down onto the wood floor below. That door had to open sometime, and he aimed to get his furry ass inside ASAP. There was usually a warm fireplace in there, when he could get at it.

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Ash wholeheartedly agreed with Miss Sally. He had to rectify this situation as best he could. The problem was, he was not what you'd call "good with feelings". Talking about them, dealing with them, nada. He could bark orders, make military plans, and/or hang out sipping whiskey with the best of them, but when speaking with others showing honest, real, complicated emotion, he was bereft of clue. He needed help. It was just a fact that if her emotional reassurance rested upon him, they were sunk.

Leaning in to Sally, Ash spoke quietly, "Ten minutes, organize a Welcome Wagon as best you can. No one in Newnan can guilt folks quiet like you, Miss Sally. Full setup for someone settling in - warm blanket, fresh clothes. Hell, if we've got any sweet potato pie or canned peach cobbler left from the other day, set that girl up. Condolence cards, if we've got any. Guilt the hell out of these people. I want hugs and smiles waiting on her, and folks knocking on my door to drop off casseroles and shit. Got me? Thanks, ma'am."

Ash looked disapprovingly out at the Newanites gathered before him. He holstered his weapon, finally remembering that he still had it out, and gave a long, sideways glance over to Dick and Ryan's place. He was not happy with the noise coming from there, not in the least. It was counterproductive to Thana's continued presence in Newnan, so far as he could guess. And given her qualifications (not to mention her face), it seemed like her arrival was kismet. Ash couldn't put a finger on why, but there seemed a purpose to her showing up. Leaving now, under those circumstances? It wasn't right. It was her decision to make, though. He just hoped he didn't inadvertently get her killed, too, if he changed her mind and stuck around.

He turned around and opened his front door, giving one last look at the people out front before stepping inside. He could have sworn that he felt something brush against his ankle, just barely, before he entered his house.

Ash waited a while for Thana to reemerge from the bathroom. He had set up two tumbler glasses and a growler bottle of milky, orange-brown liquid. He filled each of the glasses, and started monologuing. "I've never told anybody this, but I suppose it's a good enough time as any. I didn't like your sister very much. Now, I don't mean that I hated her - that's not accurate. But from the moment she set foot in Newnan, Zoie was loud, bossy, borderline insubordinate. Made herself at home faster than it was offered. She was my Second, as I told you before. I wouldn't have done it if she didn't get the nod of approval from a man whom I respected above any other living human being; Mexican legend, name of Caesar."

Ash took a sip of his drink and set it back down. He motioned her toward the other glass. "Caesar was a powerful, dangerous, insightful man. And he was the father of a woman who was very close to me. She died the day that your sister showed up. I'll give you the details another time, but there was a lot of death that day. He was able to see something in her that I could not. It was one of the last pieces of wisdom that he imparted before he died, and the reason why I made the decision to give her the position I did. In the end there were a LOT of job openings left that day. It made sense for many of them to be filled by people just arriving. People listened to her - especially the new ones. She was effective, but I still had my doubts. Something always felt a little off."

Another sip, this one deeper. "You really should try this. As a botanist, I'd imagine you might have a professional opinion to offer. But anyway, she was loved and appreciated here, my reservations aside. And never talked about her family, neither her nor your friend James out there. I guess it's difficult to talk about loved ones, when it's a lottery win for them to be alive at all. Hell, here's something else I've never told anybody: I have a brother unaccounted for out there, somewhere. Alive, Dead, walking around anyway... anybody's guess. My girlfriend from Before? Same thing. I'm just as certain they're dead as I am the sun will rise tomorrow. It's easier that way. Same as it is with those people out there."

"That's shock that you saw. Pure and simple. Well, maybe not Richard, he's a kind of a fuck-up regardless. I believe that right now, those people are picking their jaws up off the floor and realizing that you're not a joke or a mirage, and remembering their manners. Give them a little bit. Give Newnan a little bit to show you."

"And I'll tell you something else, Thana. Those reservations I had about Zoie? Don't have them about you."

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Ciel was mostly focusing on staying awake at this point, hardly listening at this point as a couple more people pointed out the improbability of his fears. On some level, he was grateful that they were willing to reason with him rather than just being condescending, but he was still fairly certain that they all thought he was silly. But really though, he was having a hard time trying to think of what the hell could be going on that would require this much secrecy. Actually, the thought that the less valuable members were going to be rounded up and cannibalized was one of the more reasonable guesses his tired brain had come up with over the last few minutes.

Peaches had finished her treat and settled down, seeming to thoroughly enjoy the attention she was getting from the others. More than one person had come up to pet her. Ciel tried to stay still so as not to jostle her around too much. He'd only been given this one job so far, and he was determined to be the best dog babysitter ever. Besides, even though Ryan might kill him if he ruined the coat, Beni would most certainly bomb his room and rip him to shreds with his own teeth if something happened to Peaches.

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Miss Sally smiled, a bit too coyly as she was instructed what to do. Turning around she took a deep breath and stood up a little taller than she usually did. "You heard the man. Now, majority of you get back to your posts. Relieve the Franklin people and let them get back to their normal duties. Fill them in on what is going on," she said before starting to direct her attention to people in particular.

"Tim, tower, relieve Sana. She's probably up there about to shoot someone thinking something bad just happened," she said. Tim didn't hesitate. He darted off, busting his ass on the ice in the middle of the road before jumping up and trying to act like that didn't just happen before rushing into the main building and climbing the tower to relieve Sana. Miss Sally couldn't hold back the eye roll before muttering under her breath. "How he's still alive is one of those deep questions of the universe."

"Meg dear, find Beni. He is pretty good with fixing things. See if he can repair that machine," she said softly before seeking out Kris and Niesha. "Would you two be dears and head over to supply, get me a new pack and fill it with a decent change of clothing for the wear, some grooming items. Hair brush, tooth brush, the run down. Then stop by the kitchen and see if Mike has some left overs from breakfast still in the hot baths. Girl could use a warm meal even if she leaves," Miss Sally asked of them kindly before looking over towards James and Bryn.

"James, back to the smoker. If the bridal parties meat gets burnt... Well, let's not go there. Make sure that's covered. Bryn wipe the snarl off your face."

Glancing around she thought she had covered everyone that needed specific instructions, the rest needed to go and relieve Franklin, and get to work on making Thana feeling welcome but there was still a wedding to do. So while she didn't follow Ash's orders to a T, she was getting the job done. Seeing Sana come down from the tower she looked in shock and there was something else lacing the features of her face. Miss Sally stepped over to stop her from going right to Richard's home.

"What? I know, I need to check on him," Sana hissed as she tried to get around the elder of Newnan.

"No, you stay back for now. Ryan is handling it." Miss Sally's tone was far firmer than it usually was. "I mean it Sana. He's on a war path and Ryan right now is about to take the brunt of it I reckon."

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Thana took her time changing her clothing; folding up her dress uniform and placing it carefully back within the older cloth before putting it away in her pack. Shouldering said pack she looked at herself in the mirror and sighed as she placed her cap back on. It would only be a short walk back to the gate and then she could leave the walls of her sisters former home. It was probably for the best, they seemed to know the facade that was her sister instead of the ugly truth she had known growing up. People who had drank the kool-aid ever changed their opinions. At least they didn't seem to even know of Thana's existence until today. God only knows what they would have been told if they had. Stepping out of the bathroom she was ready to give her gratitude and then make her way out. What she was not ready for was the bottle of liquor, the orange tabby rubbing up against her leg, nor the monologue from the leader of Newnan.

First thing that ran through her mind was that if he was a villain this would have been the point of the movie where the hero should have shot him instead of listening. Sighing inwardly she stepped over and placed her pack in the chair though she refused to sit as he spoke. Was he always this long winded? She was rather shocked to hear that Ash didn't like her sister. Thana couldn't remember anyone ever saying that other than well, herself. Thana didn't hate her sister either, at least not anymore. Though there was a time in her life that she loathed her twin with the fiery passion of a thousand suns and for good reason.

Picking up the glass she looked at it but didn't part-take at first. That was until he came to an end of his "little" speech and said he didn't have the same outlook towards her that he had had about her sister. She downed a healthy chug of what was in the glass instead of just dry swallowing the lump in her throat. Now it was her turn to speak.

"Thank ya, surprised that you had anything bad to say about her," Thana said before taking another long swig. Shaking her head she rested her hand on the back of the chair as she swirled what remained in the glass with the other. Her eyes focusing on the small whirlpool created in it. "She was a cruel, heartless, self-center beast growing up who liked to torment people. Well torment me," Thana stated flatly without a hint of emotion in her voice before she looked up at Ash and set the glass back down on the table after she had finished off its contents. That didn't sound like the Zoie the town of Newnan had known at all. Zoie had been friendly, kind, helping anyone she could, smiling, trying to brighten people's days and always tried to seek out the best in them. Yet Thana's voice was clear as a bell, didn't waiver. There was no reason for her to lie about what she knew about her sister, especially now.

"But that's neither here nor there, that's in the past. Dead and buried as it were." Feeling a slight bubbling in her throat she cursed herself inwardly for downing the alcohol so quickly. Making a fist she placed it to her mouth and half stifled a belch that came out of no where. "Well excuse that gastrointestinal expulsion." Clearing her throat she shot a finger into the air, "Science." Thana always had an odd sense of humor that came out at the wrong times. Talking about her dead sister and burping was just the latest example.

Niesha sighed softly to herself, watching things disperse, she looked over to Kristina as she approached, and gave her a nod. There were many things that Niesha knew she could talk to with Kristina, yet sometimes Niesha found it hard to dk so, after everything. The honest with Victor in the infirmary that morning seemed to have been the closest she had come to truly admitting that nothing would be as it was, while she knew Kristina meant well, there were times where it just seemed...tiring to be asked if she was okay. Yet she nodded and gave Kristina a small smile "yes, I'm okay" she assured her friend, glancing about her, she looked to where Thana had been, and sighed again.

She nodded at Kristina's words, "You're right. We don't live in a world where we can just let someone walk away anymore. We need good people, to help protect those that can't protect themselves" she thought on the children in the city, on the injured, but Niesha hadn't meant her wordss ti be anything other then supportive, "it...its hard to know...to know that she is related to Zoie, and they never got the chance to meet again" her voice was soft, and she glanced away, looking over as Miss Sally approached, and nodded.

"well, lets go" She said to Kristina, starting off to go get what Miss Sally wanted, thinking on what they could collect, shoving her hands in her pockets, to keep them warm as she walked. Heading over to supply, she retrieved a backpack, starting to grab the clothes and grooming supplies.

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With the commotion going on and items flying out of windows and what with Bryn not being a people person, she decided that now was the best time for her to disperse and head back home. Before she had a chance to move Miss Sally was in front of her and chastising her resting “fuck off” face. Bryn couldn’t fault the old battle axe, she did slip into this comfortable facial expression far too easily. Instead she gave a blank faced nod and tucked her hair behind her hears.

She had no assignments today beyond getting rid of her bitch-tit attitude facial expressions and as it was drawing closer to time for the wedding it was a safe bet that everyone would be getting ready for it now that all additional works had been dished out by their resident hen mother.

Before Bryn had a chance to head on out of there and go back home to get dressed for the wedding, she saw Miss Sally stepping forward and stopping Sana in her tracks. Bryn made a b-line for her friend. “Sana we need to talk. C’mere…” Bryn hooked her arm in Sana’s and tried to guide her away from the larger crowd but not completely away from the area as she knew trying to get her completely away from Richard was still a hard sell. She led her into the deeper snow and pulled her until they were standing against the wall of the main building, keeping Richard's place within sights so that Sana didn't try to walk away completely.

Letting go of Sana's arm and turning to look to her Bryn didn't really know where to start. She glanced up at the clock tower and then back to Sana and decided to start with a question. "What did you see from up there?"

Sana looked around for a moment, her feet shuffling in the snow before she looked over towards Richard's place. "Saw Richard storm off. Tim filled me in on the rest when he took over the tower. Is it true?" Sana asked. She figured it was but she wanted to hear it from someone she trusted fully.

She gave a firm and silent nod. She didn't know what else to say, she was never good at this kind of thing at the best of times and when someone that had made their way past her defences was in an uncomfortable place it was even harder for her. You'd think with the world turning to shit it would be easier to just say what you were thinking but once those flood gates were down? All bets were usually off. That wasn't a place that Bryn wanted to be. "He didn't take it well." Bryn folded her arms across her chest and tongued the back of her teeth as she considered how best to say what she wanted to say.

"I think you need to leave him be, Sana."

Sana spat at the ground and crossed her arms over her chest. "I can handle it. He needs someone besides Ryan. God, Ryan? You want them to beat the shit out of each other? It's gonna be World War Three in that house!"

She was right, of course, but it might be just what Dick needed. Bryn screwed up her face a little before rubbing it with the palms of her hands. "I know I've said this at least twenty times, but he really doesn't deserve you." She dropped her arms to her sides and watched Sana's face. "You know if you go over there he's just going to hurt you again." Her hands curled into tight fists as she said the words. She'd once been close to Richard but the man didn't have a clue when it came to other people and their feelings.

Sana looked down and took a deep breath, she knew Bryn was right but it didn't stop her from feeling like she had to be there for him. He was hurting, that's all that mattered to her. "I can't just turn my back on him Bryn. I might be the only person in this town that doesn't hate him right now..."

This was one of the things that Bryn admired about Sana, her ability to care for those that didn't care for themselves. It was the thing that Bryn felt Zoie and she had in common and is what made her understand why she stuck by Richard especially when he didn't deserve it. "He's not exactly trying to change people's perceptions of him. He's pretty much asking for the hatred that's aimed at him at this point." She rolled her eyes some and rested her hands on her hips. Her voice grew gentler as she continued. "I know it's not what you like to hear and I know I can't convince you otherwise but I wouldn't be your friend if I didn't try to save you from yourself or from Dick."

She clapped Sana on the shoulder and gave her a half smile before letting her go. "I'm going to head back to the house to get ready, are you going to ignore Miss Sally or come back with me?"

"You know what I'm going to do," Sana quipped before trudging off back the direction she came from. She wasn't going to storm over just yet, Miss Sally was still out there, but she wasn't going to wander off either. If it kept up she wanted to be able to get there in no telling flat.

Feeling unsurprised Bryn gave a wave as she about turned and made off in the opposite direction of Sana and headed back to her and Sana's place to start getting dressed for the wedding.

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As the CD player came crashing down to the ground, Victor closed his eyes and winced as it smashed against the asphalt. He saw Ryan running off after Richard and then watched as Thana all but said goodbye and made her way back inside of Ashton’s house. Lifting his hands to his temples, Victor began to gently rub them in circular motions to try and help ease the tension from his mind. He felt bad for this woman, Thana, who had the face and voice of a ghost of Newnan. It wasn’t her fault that she was who she was. No one got to choose their family.

After Miss Sally and Ash agreed that they’d rollout the welcome wagon for Thana before she left, Victor considered what he could do to help but drew a blank. He could always visit her and introduce himself but he didn’t like the idea of going empty handed. He wracked his brain trying to think of something that he could give Thana that once belonged to Zoie but besides her weapons and clothing, the only other thing was Richard and that was not something that he wanted to place on the poor woman.

Sighing slightly, Victor bid farewell to those in the crowd and made his way back to the infirmary and subsequently back to his office. It was on the way that he realised that Zoie’s office might hold something that he could impart to Thana! Perhaps even just a general day to day note with Zoie’s handwriting would suffice. Victor knew he’d give anything to see his wife’s delicate writing once more.

Before reaching the infirmary, Victor made his way upstairs towards the room that was now Tatiana’s office and let himself inside. He had a look around and hoped he could find something that Richard hadn’t appropriated with Zoie’s handwriting but he was out of luck, everything seemed to belong to either Tatiana or Astrid. Victor stopped in his tracks and blinked as he realised something very out of place was sitting on Tatiana’s desk right then, perched innocently on a book. Most of Astrid’s notes and works were inside of notebooks but this was a single sheet of notes with some blood works. He picked it up and gave it a read over out of curiousity. He had no idea what he was about to discover.

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The sound of the door banging under foot caused Richard to be aware someone had followed him but he had no idea who it was because, as he saw it, no one gave a flying fuck about him anyway so why would they bother? Then the roar of the Irish sounded from his fellow housemate. Richard spun around, his bag still in his hand and watched as Ryan ran his mouth off at him. His face was growing redder as Ryan went on and once the man stopped Richard simply stared at him for a moment, his nostrils flaring with each breath he took.

His voice was quieter than normal as he finally spoke. "Yeah, am a fuckin' dumbass. Don't take a fuckin' genius to come to that earth shatterin', bastardin' conclusion." He threw his bag behind him onto his bed and then turned to Ryan, his knuckles turning white as he stood there. "This shit ain't Daisy's no more. She's fuckin' dead. This shit? All this wrecked and useless pile of crap? It belongs to whoever fuckin' takes it. It means fuckin' nothin' in the grand scheme of this shit show that is life." He motioned around the room to everything that he'd just tossed around.

"It means what we fuckin' want it to mean it does. All these months you've hoarded er'thang of hers like it was a goddamn shrine! Holy fuckin' relics! So, all that changed just cause her sis shows up?" Ryan spat, holding his ground at the door way.

Glaring at Ryan, his voice began to raise some as the rest of Ryan's words truly sank in. "And ya know fuckin' what? Jus' 'cause ya love someone for a fuckin' day, a week, a month or even a fuckin' year, it doesn't matter how god damn fuckin' long it was, ya still mother fuckin' loved them and it don't hurt any fuckin' less when they're gone! Her sister didn't even fuckin' know she was even alive when all this shit hit the fan. She said herself she ain't talked to none o' her family since she was fuckin' eighteen years old! She even fuckin' said they weren't close so fuckin' excuse me for not bein' fuckin' mister sensi-fuckin'-tivity to her." He kicked a pillow that was by his foot across the room.

"Well boo fuckin' hoo. Poor Richard lost someone he loved. Well get in fuckin' line. We all lost someone. So what if she didn't know Zo was dead, so what if they weren't close. They still were blood but hey family ain't meaning shit to a toddler like you pitching a fit! Sana's been tryin' to help ya since the day Zoie died but hey, doesn't matter she lost her brother. Long as she there for ya right? To fuck with. You know what? I'm glad Zoies dead! She's better off dead than dealin' with your ass!" Ryan yelled back at Richard, his fists balling up. Ryan never got angry or yelled but it seemed his Irish side was coming out in full force right then.

"I didn't fuckin' ask for anyone's fuckin' help!" Turning he grabbed his bag and finished shoving his things inside before closing it over and hiking it over his back. He turned to face back to Ryan and felt the tension in his jaw growing. "Get out o' my fuckin' way. I ain't gon' be a fuckin' with anyone in Newnan anymore. Now shift."

"Yeah, didn't ask for Zoie either but ya got her. You didn't love her, if ya did you'd work yer ass off to honor her memory by being whatever the fuck it was she thought she saw in you," Ryan growled from deep within his throat. Then he stepped to the side. "But by all means, turn tail and run. That's all you've ever done right?"

"It's fuckin' better this way and ya know it. I wasn't ever shit, I ain't ever gon' be shit. Zoie was fuckin' wrong, everyone else was fuckin' right. Zoie's memory don't fuckin' need me to honour it." Richard's voice was cracking again but his eyes were dry as a bone this time. He stood in front of Ryan, his eyes darting between his as he saw the rage within the normally carefree man. He turned away and left the room, leaving Ryan behind him.

"That's bullshit and you know it."

Outside, it wasn't quiet. Words easily traveled. Biting her bottom lip Sana stepped into view, having slipped by Miss Sally as she was directing people this way and that. Looking up at Richard, she quivered as she wrapped a single arm around herself. "I'm coming with you." Richard stopped in his tracks and stared at Sana, surprised that she was even nearby.

"No. You're not." Richard continued to head across the street towards the armoury. He refused to look back at Sana but he couldn't stop the lump in his throat from threatening to jump out.

Sana rushed after Richard, jumping in front of him and placing her hands on his chest as she shoved him back hard. Richard staggered some, almost falling flat on his ass when he skidded on some ice. "Don't you tell me what to do! I'm going with you!" Her voice was ragged and she looked torn. Livid and hurt in the same breath. It was nearly the same look Zoie had given Richard right before she had been shot.

The lump pressed harder in his throat and Richard couldn't bear to look at her face as he spoke. He'd seen that face before, it was hitting too close to home for him right then and he couldn't handle it. "I ain't tryin' to tell ya what to do. Ya can leave here if that's what ya want, but it ain't gonna be with me. Ya wanna say ya got the right t'do as ya please? So do I. What I please is t'leave here alone." He gathered the strength to look at her face and regretted it instantly. "I ain't worth followin' Sans. Hell, why I ain't been shot in this fuckin' place yet is beyond me."

"Don't you look away from me! Look at me damn it! You aren't pushing me away that damn easy! It wasn't your fault she died, she wasn't wrong about you. You're the one that's fucking wrong!" Sana rambled off, shoving him again, this time with her fists against his chest. She didn't step back, just pushing against him in anger as she tried to force her face in his line of sight. "Please Ricky... don't make me lose someone else I care about." Her voice was trembling at this point as she tried to hold it together.

The creases between his eyes became deeper each time Sana's face moved across his vision and he could feel his temper rising again but it wasn't at her, it was never at her. His voice was low and gravelly as he spoke. Everything he'd kept tight to his chest started coming tumbling out as he tried his best to convince Sana that he wasn't worth following. "We've all lost someone. We're all goin' to keep losin' someone. The only fuckin' way to stop it is to be alone. If it weren't for my brother I'd have been alone m'whole life. It's the same fuckin' sob story that everyone has. Parents never gave a fuck, not surprisin' really considerin' they were a pair of wasters. Why m'brother gave a shit is beyond fuckin' me. Did I ever tell ya he died to save me after I made a dumb fuckin' decision? Yeah. I got my brother fuckin' killed. I watched the life being beaten out of him and he died because..."

His voice cracked again. He didn't want to admit that he had to be the one to take his brother's life, that was something he was still trying to come to terms with, even after all these years. He swallowed the lump down as far as it would go before he continued. "...because I was fuckin' lookin' out for myself and didn't think about protectin' him. It's what I do. It's what I've always done. Ya need to learn that I jus' ain't good for ya." He kept eye contact throughout it all. It was one of the hardest things he had ever done, but he knew he had to do it. He couldn't let her follow him back out there.

It didn't have the effect that perhaps he was trying for because Sana suddenly stopped pushing against him and wrapped her arms around him. Resting her head on his chest as she let out a sob. It was the most Richard had ever opened up to her. "I was the reason my brother lost his arm..." she whispered weakly. Holding tight to Richard she croaked out as quickly as she could about the abandoned mill they had been caught in and that Marx had lost his arm to save her life. "That's where my burns came from. A reminder of what I caused because I was being stupid." Looking up slowly her eyes were red and damp. Talking about Marx was never easy, especially right then. "If I'm going to loose you it isn't gonna be because I let you walk away. It's going to be because I did everything I could despite it. You leave, I'm gonna follow."

Seeing her looking so hurt and broken, Richard dropped his bag to the ground in an instant and cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing the tears away before he pulled her into an enveloping hug. He pressed his lips to the top of her head and held her close to him. He kept her held that way for a few moments before he spoke, a soft whisper that only she could hear. "Ya need to survive. Bein' with me ain't gonna make that happen."

Sana was shaking in his arms, her eyes closing as he touched her face. "I don't want to survive, I want to live..." she said quietly as her arms tightened around him. Looking up at him before burying her head against his chest. "With you."

"I've done nothin' but treat ya badly, Sans. How blind are ya?" It was a rhetorical question but he knew she'd answer it anyway.

He stepped back and gently released her from his arms. He glanced around and scowled at the lingering onlookers, really he was just using it as an excuse to not look Sana full in the face again. He didn't want to cave in and stick around but he also didn't want to put Sana's life at risk because he was leaving and she was too pig stubborn to stay put. Clearing his throat, Richard spun around and spat on the ground behind him before picking his bag back up. He spotted Ash's place and wondered then if Zoie's sister was still inside. His eyes narrowed and he began to chew the inside of his mouth as he got lost in thought.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you love is blind?" Sana said, not looking at Richard as she wiped her nose with the back of her sleeve and took a deep breath. Stepping over to him she laced her fingers with his. "You leave, I leave. At least stay for the night, if you still want to go then.... Well then we can go together. Anyways, no one is going to let you check your weapons out. Not without Ash's permission," she said before leaning in and whispering. "But since I am tower, I can for my shift tomorrow," she added to make sure that only he heard her.

Snapping back to the here and now, Richard felt Sana's hand in his and he blinked as he looked down at it. When did this happen? He thought with everything he'd ever said and done to Sana in his worse moments that the good moments would have balanced it out to the point of disinterest for her. When did she grow attached to him? When did he start to give a fuck about her? He hadn't noticed but his drive to keep her here and keep her safe wasn't so he could go out and die alone but so that she could actually live. Ash's permissions. One fucking thing he wouldn't miss about this stupid fucking place. He looked up to Sana as she finished speaking, his face blank which was probably disconcerting to anyone that saw it. No scowl, no smile. Just nothing.

"I need a fuckin' drink." He squeezed her hand. He'd heard her words, but he needed some time to think.

Sana nodded slightly. She wasn't expecting to hear it back, she was still in shock herself that she had even said it. Thinking on it she wasn't sure she was in love with the man. She cared about him that much was sure and yes some part of her did love him. Why she had no idea. He was an ass to her half the time but then the other half he was like he was a moment ago. Kind and caring. Maybe it was because he had lost someone as well the same day she had. That she knew he understood her pain. Maybe it was just crazy. Probably a bit of both.

Looking over at Ash's house Sana had an idea. "I can get some tonight at the reception..." she said quietly, spotting Ryan standing there with his arms crossed watching the two of them. He wasn't trying to hide it, it was more than obviously keeping an eye on both of them. Why Sana had no idea. Ryan knew why though. One, he looked out after Sana on some level because he had lost his brother as well, many years before. Two, he wasn't exactly sure that Dick wasn't above hitting a woman. Granted the fact that Richard had just admitted in front of god and everyone that he was the reason his own brother died made Ryan feel a bit of pity for Richard, he knew how that felt - but like he was going to fucking tell anyone that little bit of his past.

Richard smirked a little at Sana's suggestion before he noticed Ryan staring at them both. He growled deep in his throat, Sana would have heard since she was so close and Ryan would definitely have recognised the look on his face as it was a familiar sight for him. Richard turned towards Ryan and barked at him. "Got somethin' on ma fuckin' face? Take yer eyes the fuck out o' here or I'll take them right out for ya." He dropped Sana's hand and curled his hands into their oh so common fists. He could storm forward and start a fight, that'd be one sure way to get either kicked out or a bullet to the head. If Sana weren't here right now he'd probably have went ahead and started it but he didn't. Maybe he did give a shit after all. He reflexively reached back and grabbed onto Sana's hand again before dragging her away with him. He was heading back to his place and making a point to walk right by Ryan and it took all of his strength not to say or do anything.

Ryan just gave Richard his all to common half grin as he pulled another smoke out and lit it up. Taking a long puff he jumped off the side of the porch and watched as Dick and Sana walked passed him, Sana looking at Ryan and mouthing, "asshole." Richard felt his brow growing tighter but he wasn't about to kick off. Not here, not yet. Ryan just chuckled and started walking off. Miss Sally eyeing the Irishman quizzically. Irish eyes were smiling and she knew he was up to something as he strode towards the greenhouse.

Getting inside the house Richard dropped his bag by the front door, he wasn't ready to commit to staying just yet. He rubbed his face and took a deep breath before turning his attention to Sana. "I'll stay the night and I'll think on it, but I ain't promisin' shit." He glanced at the stairs and thought of the mess he'd made and scratched the back of his head. "Sana..." His voice was soft and the creases on his face flattened out as his features softened.

"Thanks."

Sana glanced over to him and nodded somewhat. She wasn't exactly sure what to say right then but maybe nothing needed to be said. At least not about what had just happened. He gave that stupid half smile of his as he realised she had understood his meaning. Biting her bottom lip she looked around and had a thought. "So um, got this dress for tonight. Should I expect you at the reception? Or just show up here with a bottle?"

A groan rang out from Richard then and he rolled his eyes. "I really don't like Whiplash but..." He moved forward and slipped a hand around her waist, holding her close to him. "If this might be our last night here in safety, why the fuck not make the most of it? Maybe Ash-hole will let me have a fuckin' drink if I play nice." He licked his lips as he thought of the frothy goodness that he missed so much.

After the destruction he made and the scene earlier Sana was pretty sure Ash letting Richard have a drink was out of the question but she wasn't going to say that out loud. Not right then when he was finally calming down. Slipping her arms over his shoulders she smirked slightly. "Good, glad to know shaving my legs won't go to waste," she said coyly.

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The words fell a little awkwardly off of Jack's tongue, and he paced back and forth in Miss Sally's apartment. He wanted his vows to Tatiana to be perfect, but the nerves were starting to get to him. He made little mistakes, changed words around by accident, and he pulled at his hair ever so slightly each time. The last time he had memorized something so fiercely was when he was studying for the police academy, back when he had his mom to help him with mnemonics and whatnot.

"Today I make the most sinceh promise one heart can make to anothah..." he paused, and glanced up at the wall. The wall, being just a wall, did nothing particularly excited. He laughed awkwardly, and rubbed the back of his head, before trying to run the vows from the start all over again. Truthfully, though, Jack knew that he'd be fine when the moment came and he married Tatiana. That would be the easy part.

It was the waiting that would be difficult. Having to avoid Tatiana consciously and not see her before the wedding--Jack wanted nothing more than to go be with her at that moment. She was his happiness and his sunshine. Without her, Jack doesn't know what type of man he could have become. The very thought of her filled him with warmth, as cliché as it may have seemed, but he didn't care. Almost every cliché he had heard about love applied to how he felt about Tatiana.

She was just that amazing.

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Instruments out of people's bones? The idea hardly seemed practical to Beatrice. It'd be easier to use people as fertilizer she figured, or to fashion their bones into crude weapons. Yet to make someone into a flute or a drum? It'd be easier, in her opinion, to cut down a tree and fashion it by hand. But with the lack of information they received, she had to suppose that it was just as reasonable as any other idea that had been suggested.

She bit her lip ever so slightly as the annoying Ridgeway sister began to reminisce about horror films. Beatrice had a soft spot for horror films. The adrenaline in them matched the adrenaline she felt on the streets of Justice, the adrenaline that she associated with being alive. But on principle, she didn't want to agree with Chloe Ridgeway of all people. The girl was a waste of space, a used up honors student who couldn't take the pressure of an exam and turned to heroin. The day Chloe left Newnan, Beatrice figured she'd be ecstatic, if anything.

If Beatrice was skilled at anything, it would be how to hold a grudge.

Once the Newnanites returned and they were relieved from their posts, Beatrice hurried down from the wall, glad to remove herself from the company of people. She tended to do best on her own, and besides, there were tasks still at hand. Getting dressed for the wedding could happen later--for now, Beatrice wanted nothing more than to take a long walk or a run.

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Chloe noticed Amelia's cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. She turned her head slightly, that way Riley could see, before giving her an approving nod. While Chloe didn't know Amelia now, her sister deserved happiness--and even after the world ended, rockstars still had mad game with the ladies it'd seem. Chloe had never quite been able to bond with her sister over crushes. Back in high school, Chloe still thought she was straight, and with their religious parents, talking about Riley's crushes was out of the question. Their parents still didn't know their prodigy child was gay--she had been disowned as well the moment she was convicted.

"If I wasn't sure, I wouldn't have offered," Chloe remarked, rolling her eyes playfully as she handed over a cigarette to Riley, using her own to light it. Before she was imprisoned, Chloe could've smoked an entire pack in an hour if she was really stressed out. But in prison, cigarettes had a lot more value to them. To get one, you needed connections or to perform whatever sexual favor a guard desired. Chloe learned to make each cigarette count after that. "Besides, lung cancer seems like a fucking blessing of a death nowadays."

Holding onto her smoke with her lips, Chloe slipped on the gloves, grateful for the bit of extra heat. She figured she'd head home and grab something to slip on over her shirt, to give her a little added layer of heat. If she didn't have anything that'd work, she figured Ryan wouldn't complain if she stole something of his to wear. But at the comment about making instruments out of their bones, Chloe grinned a bit at the thought. Even with everything that happened, some people's nightmares never changed. They were still the things found in horror movies.

Speaking of which..."Fuck, I miss thrillers," Chloe sighed. "Where creepy shit like using humans as instruments would happen...Some stupid ass white girl calling out if anyone's there...It's the little things in life that you miss." Of course, Chloe didn't mean the apocalypse. She hadn't been able to watch a decent movie since before the start of her final incarceration.

With people sent to relieve the Franklinites from the wall, Chloe finally gave up on the pathetic endings of her first cigarette that day. Snuffing it out with the toe of her boot, she waited with a mixture of patience and impatience as the Newnan rotation resumed guard duty. She half expected Ryan to come running up with them, bearing news of what had happened. But with him absent, Chloe raised an eyebrow, and turned towards her sister.

"Shit must've been real," Chloe murmured. "You don't think they put Ryan in lock-up again or some bullshit, right?" She paused for a moment, as Beatrice left. "Here, I'll help you look for something with strings on it, sis."

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"Thanks Chloe." Riley said with a smile as her sister handed her over a cigarette and lit it with her own, she closed her eyes and took in a deep breath and then breathed out the smoke holding it in her fingers. Then Chloe started to bring up horror movies, Riley did miss seeing movies as well or even just watching TV in general the last time she ever watched TV was right up to the final day before the world went to shit. "I miss watching shitty reality shows." Riley said thinking back to all of the shows she enjoyed sighing slightly, sadly there wasn't anymore probably never again. Riley turned around seeing the Newnans coming back from the city itself after their meeting looking at Chloe and then catching movment in the corner of her eye as she saw Beatrice quickly leaving. "Thanks for offering the help." Riley called out to Beatrice sarcastically rolling her eyes slightly.

Riley looked at Amelia for a moment smiling slightly then over at her sister, seeing the approving look she smiled slightly she did occasionally check her friend out every now and then but didn't make any moves at least not yet. She watched as Meghna started making her way over and decided to ask her Riley handed over the rifle from the previous guard. "Hey Meg what was the meeting about?" Riley asked her eyes then wondered down towards the smashed CD player, she had a feeling it involved Dick somehow.

"Apparently Zoie, Ashton's previous second in command has a twin sister that we didn't know about. That's why Ash called the more long standing members to see him, don't worry it wasn't anything to do with you Franklin people." Meghna reassured them before making her way to Beni.

Riley nodded slightly and looked at Amelia for a moment. "Your more than welcome to come with us if you'd like." Riley said to Amelia as she started to make her way back to town. She looked at Chloe wondering if Ryan ended up getting himself locked up again she shook her head and smiled slightly at her sister. "I don't think your boy toy here got himself in trouble." Riley said jokingly, she knew that Chloe didn't like him in that way she always joked to her about that from time to time. Riley continued to make her way up Lagrange Street and then finally up towards the Rec Center and opened it, shivering slightly the Rec Center wasn't used in awhile due to the cold weather

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Kristina looked at Niesha and nodded slightly having a feeling that she still wasn't alright since Sophia, but she didn't want to voice it she knew that Niesha could come and talk to her anytime. Then Miss Sally approached the two of them Kristina gave the elderly woman a soft smile and a nod. "Sure thing." Kris said as she watched Richard and then Sana talking, Dick still seemed to be reeling at the idea of Thana being in town. Kristina did feel bad for the man, but she knew to just simply stay as far away from him when he got upset she looked at Sana for a moment wondering what she actually saw in the man. Kris still mainly blamed him for separating her and Maria a year ago, and she rarely ever spoke to him.

Seeing Niesha was already ahead of her Kristina quickly started making her way and catching up to her friend, Kris entered the building with Niesha and grabbed a bag as she started to grab some supplies like. A hairbrush some toothpaste shampoo whatever that was needed to make oneself look presentable while Niesha grabbed the clothes. "It's weird to know that Zoie had a sister and she didn't even mention about her." Kris said to Niesha as she approached her friend setting the supplies in as well. "I think that should be it." Kris said looking at Niesha and smiled at her friend slightly.

Kristina turned around and started back out again holding the bag of clothes and supplies as she started making her way towards the mess hall. She started making her way into the kitchen seeing Mike was still in there tending to the breakfast that was in there Kris smiled slightly at him. "Do you happen to have some left overs from breakfast this morning?" Kristina asked him.

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Raymond looked back towards the town seeing as the original Newnan group had came back from the town meeting, he noticed Meg there, he listened to Meg when Riley asked what was going on. He had heard of the previous second in command and what had happened to her, sadly he didn't know her Raymond looked over at Tiffany and smiled at her and gave her a slight nudge. "I guess we are done with guard duty for today." Raymond said jokingly as he started making his way towards town once more. Ray watched as the group was slowly dispersing back to their normal duties, he remembered he had left the tux inside Miss Sally's apartment from earlier.

He entered the building and made his way towards Miss Sally's place and knocked on the door, Ray knew that Miss Sally was out there still but he knew that Jack was still inside. Ray leaned slightly up against the door waiting for his friend to open the door to let him in, he also just wanted to check in on him once more while getting his tux before heading back to his place.

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Meghna turned her head to look over at Miss Sally as she approached her as she still held the destroyed CD player, she smiled at her friend and nodded. "I'm on it." Meg said hoping that Beni would get it working again after the CD player was the innocent victim of Richard's rage against it. Meghna started making her way through town and back to the outer wall seeing the other people were going to relieve the Franklin people from the wall. Meg watched as Riley and Chloe approached her Meg explained what had went on and then Riley thanked her for the info and made her way back into town.

Meghna approached Beni looking at the man for a moment rubbing the back of her neck slightly. "During the meeting Richard had a little hissy fit, and threw this out the window." Meg said as she showed him the CD player and looked at him for a moment. "Are you able to fix this before the wedding?" Meghna asked him.

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Ciel listened carefully as Meg explained the situation, sighing quietly in relief as it apparently wasn't anything serious. The explanation wasn't very clear and he didn't really know what to make of it, but it didn't sound like an immediate crisis. At least he could put his worries to rest as far as that went. Now he could put all his conscious brain effort towards not falling prey to his advancing sleep deprivation. Fun times, really.

He still held the dog in his arms, not sure how long he'd be expected to stay here. Were they all allowed to leave, or just the people who'd been assigned wall duty? And if they were allowed to leave, what were they expected to do? Ciel supposed that he'd check in with Meg and see if she had anything else for him to do, and if she didn't then he'd go see Miss Sally about the wedding. He still had absolutely no idea what he'd be wearing.

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Ashton poured another half glass of the lightly carbonated, orange-brown beverage, and immediately took a sip. "Impressive." he quipped about the burp. His delivery could be equally taken as sarcastic or serious. "I don't, um... talk much. Least, not unless I'm drinking. Congrats, you can tell folks you heard me make a speech." Thana glanced over towards him and smirked a bit. He held the bottle up, offering Thana more of the mystery fermentation. "You'd think sisters would be closer."

Holding her glass out she let Ash refill her as she pulled the chair out and took a seat. Running her finger along the rim of it she nodded slightly. "You would think that and don't get me wrong, would've like that but..." she said as she stared at the liquid frothing in her cup, "Zoie didn't like competition." Her voice was flat as she spoke, rather emotionless but there was a twinge of pain in her eyes.

The statement drew a touch of curiosity out of Ash. "Didn't seem like the type. But what do you mean by that?"

Thana's eyes darted up to Ash's. That had been the first time anyone had ever asked her that question. When she was growing up no one ever seemed to care about her opinion on anything. "Ever heard of the term the spare heir?"

"I've heard the "Heir and a Spare" phrase. Secondborn male's the Spare, takes over in case the first son gets hit by a truck or..." He moved his free hand in a circle, denoting that he was elaborating with something mildly absurd. ...eaten by dingoes or something. Literally the only reason a lot of noble families even bothered having more children." Ash took a sip of his thick, foamy beverage. "Not sure how that applies directly, unless your people were bluebloods."

Chuckling mildly Thana understood the confusion but she had a method to the madness. "Well as blue-blooded as a Southern family can get. Plantation and all. Zoie was born before me, that whole eight minutes made the difference between being the golden child and well, me." Taking a long pull of the beverage she shrugged a bit. "Zoie was fawned over and I was more or less kicked aside. Made for one very spoiled but charismatic child. Older she got the better at manipulation she got. On the surface everyone thought she was wonderful but if I dared do anything to take the attention off her for even a split second she turned vengeful." Leaning back in her seat she crossed her legs left over right and looked up from her glass to Ash, locking eyes with him as they narrowed slightly. "Everythin' from guttin' my carebears to uprootin' my begonias to wailin' on me physically. She was a monster but no one saw it but me, and no one believed anythan' I said," she said with bile and spite in her voice.

Shaking her head she downed the rest of it and barely kept from crushing the mug in her fingers. "So I lashed out, got in a lot of trouble but hey, bad attention from my parents and the cops was better than making Zoie feel inferior. Grounding and juvi were easier to deal with than Zoie on a rampage. So, when shit hit the fan for joy ridin' when I was eighteen I was given a choice. Prison or the military. Was an easy choice, both got me away from her; only one gave me a future. Joined the Navy and never looked back."

Pushing the empty glass back over towards Ash she closed her eyes and let out a disheartening sigh. "So here I am, the spare."

Nodding thoughtfully, Ash took his time trying to phrase his response. "Sounds like your formative years were FUBAR, thanks to your sister." stated Ash simply. "She made her own decisions. I saw plenty I wasn't happy about in her personality. She did her job satisfactorily and helped train our security, but I cannot say that we associated much outside of work. She confided most in Froggy... er, Victor Bonheur, our present Second and Medical Lead. You might want to speak with him, if you decide you want to know more about her life recently."

"Thank ya but no. I have no desire to deal with people who's had the wool pulled over their eyes," Thana stated flatly. After everything Zoie had put her through until the day she left home, there was nothing anyone could say to her to make her think better of her now deceased sister nor did she have any want to know what Zoie's life had been like since she had moved away from Leesburg.

Another sip. Ash was taking his drink with less haste than his guest. It was still early yet, so getting sloshed wasn't the priority. "If it helps matter any, I don't deal in spare people. You're Dr. Thana Martin, not Zoie's sister. Even if she was still with us, ma'am."

"Good to know, but I doubt from the reaction earlier other's would be willin' to give me that type of chance. And frankly I have no issues speakin' ill of the dead. Death does not wipe away the evil's of yesterday. With all due respect sir, I don't think my presence would make yer job with keepin' the peace an easy task."

"I'll be blunt, Lieutenant Commander." said Ash, putting on a more authoritarian voice. He was good with blunt; far better than he was with subtle. "I don't need more people overly swayed by sentimentality advising me. I have those. And my tasks aren't easy, anyway. Not one of them. Point of fact, it's a hell of a burden on good days. But I am the person in charge, and I'm the one who distributes who gets chances and who doesn't. If the peace is not maintained in this community, the offending parties will be removed from it, one way or another." His voice softened, "But I meant it when I told you that Newnan might surprise you. Lot of good people here."

"Well, at least one," Thana said with a sort of smirk on her lips. Looking around the room for a moment in thought before looking back over towards him. From her initial introduction with the town she wasn't sure about what he was saying but she would give the place the benefit of the doubt, for his sake. He seemed to be a straight shooter. "We'll see about the rest, only time will tell there. Will reserve a decision on my opinion for the town as a whole until later. I make no promises on whether or not I will remain until I can make a full assessment after some experience other than this; as long as I remain in the walls, you'll have the same loyalty I gave my country."

Ashton took the compliment and following promise of (temporary at present) loyalty with a slight nod. "I appreciate that, Thana. Really do. We need to discuss your sleeping arrangements next; I don't think that standard visitor quarters are appropriate, considering. But we can get to that a little later. We're having a wedding today. First one in at least four years, I'm betting. Hell of a reception planned. In the meantime, my house is at your disposal if you want to rest."

A wedding? Well that was not something she had been to in sometime. The last one she had attended was between a friend of hers from college and some jarhead. They didn't seem to really have anything between them other than well agreeing on a lot of things. Granted that was years ago. A wedding in this day and age seemed rare affair indeed but was he inviting her to the wedding? Cocking a questioning brow Thana looked Ash up and down a few times before saying anything. "Sir, considerin' it would probably be inappropriate for you to invite me on behalf of the marryin' couple I have to ask... Are you askin' me to be yer plus one?"

Well, that came out of nowhere. Not that the man generally spoke much, but Ash found himself speechless. The thought of bringing a "Plus One" had never occurred to him, let alone asking a lady he'd known for about an hour or so. This showed very transparently on his face, along with a smallish amount of embarrassment. After a couple seconds of trying to get words to come out of his face, Ash responded, "I really hadn't considered that. Or even staying very long at the reception. But I did recommend that you attend, and until the situation calms some you're going to want escort." With a mere sliver of forced formality, Ash concluded, "Yes ma'am. Plus One."

Thana watched the change in his features and was torn between laughing out right and holding her composure. She was able able to present the more respectful of the two thankfully. She hadn't meant to throw him off like that, she was just genuinely asking a relevant question in her mind. Nothing more, nothing less. Feeling the situation was a bit tense, Thana did what she usually did in such situations; made an inappropriate joke quoting something that might not get caught on about. "Glad to know it is on the up and up, because I could never fall in love with someone who didn't outrank me."

"Thank you, Major Houlihan." quipped Ash, hoping to God that she was making a M*A*S*H reference. He was familiar with the television show from back when he was a boy; it continued to be one of his favorites into adulthood. If she wasn't referencing the program, Ash was certain that he was in trouble. Keeping with the assumption, he prodded further. "Hey, was that a MythBusters reference earlier? 'Science'!" he inquired, raising his hand and pointing a finger skyward.

Thana couldn't help it at this point, she let out a small laugh and nodded. "Oh thank sweet Jesus you got the references, that would have been really damn awkward if you hadn't," Thana said with a light continued laugh and a nod of her head. "But if you hadn't, I guess it just proves that failure is always an option."

It was pleasant, guessing quotes from television programs of yesteryear. It was a little sad, there would be no new programming coming out again, probably in his lifetime. And what few reruns that were available were limited to whatever could be found on older format, and even then if one had the means to produce electricity. It did make for conversation once in a while, if you could find someone with similar tastes that was still among the living. "Yeah." he agreed noncommittally but wistfully. "Maybe for scientists. Us engineers don't always have that luxury." He smiled back and wet his palate with more of his homemade fermentation. "Still... Science!"

Thana half comically gave the science salute of the old TV show before her mind went back to when she had entered Newnan. "Speakin' of science, since I will be remainin' at least the evenin' with y'all permission to go get my ride and place it somewhere. That and disarm it," Thana asked, knowing it probably wasn't the best idea to keep it out there under guard like that all night.

"Absolutely ma'am. It is a little irresponsible to keep live explosives around a populated area. I'll escort you down to the gate, show you someplace you can stash your vehicle." He thought for a moment, "And considering everything, you have permission to recover your possessions." Ash tapped his sidearm before intoning, All of them."

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James didn't hear exactly what Ash and Miss Sally were discussing. All he knew was that the Captain had a disappointed look on his face, Thana had said something about leaving as soon as she could, and Miss Sally had asserted herself in a manner she usually did not, unless something was going down.

He was given a direct order to return to his smoker by a woman outside of his food chain, without the granted authority to tell him to blow his nose. But it was Miss Sally, so naturally James hopped to it with speed and exuberance. Like hell he was crossing that woman. Especially now.

It wasn't quite a run, wasn't quite a jog, but it was faster than James like to travel under his own power most of the time. He rounded the corner and threw open his precious, wood-powered meat cooker. The fire was still extremely low, the smoke respectable, and it still smelled lightly of seasoning and corn mash. Were those fragrances not present, James might have been concerned - it would have been indicative of a buildup of heat and/or scorching. Luckily, the Big Reveal only took a few minutes.

James opened the vents a little more, allowing more air to get into the bottom most chamber and thusly increasing the heat getting to the meat above. Now that he was back, he could keep a better eye on all of the lovelies he was in the process of cooking off for the blessed event later on that day.

Next: Blackneck Apocalypse Grits and Red Eye Gravy!

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Sana checked her watch and grimaced some. She needed to go and get ready. If this was their last night in town she wanted to enjoy herself and she hadn't had a chance to actually get done up for a very long time. It was something she didn't particularly enjoy but every now and again it made for an interesting evening. Leaning against him she gave him a gentle but firm hug before leaning back and looking up at him.

"I have to go get ready. Wedding starts in like two hours. If I don't see you there, I will come after you," she warned before rising up on her tip toes and giving him a soft kiss. Turning she headed out of convicts cabin and looked around. Miss Sally was still out on the street and shot her a look of disapproval. Sana couldn't help but smirk before turning and darting up the road and around the corner making her way back to her home.

She wondered if Bryn was going to be there and try to give her another lecture. The fact that Sana wasn't walking in there crying her eyes out would hopefully keep the Viking at bay for now. Like hell she was going to bring it up, much less mention that she might be leaving with Richard and plotting to steal booze and weapons if needed. That was really a topic she wouldn't bring up with Bryn, especially considering just how close Bryn and Ash were. Running into her house she let the door slam shut behind her as she darted up the stairs to her bedroom.

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Tatiana looked at the clock and bit her bottom lip slightly. It was less than two hours until her wedding and she didn't know what was going on. Meg also wasn't back with the make-up yet. Looking over at her dress she had to keep from putting it on yet. It could wait a little bit longer. Her hair was done and she was ready minus the make-up and dress of course. The dress she could get on quickly enough and the make-up shouldn't take long, she didn't figure Meg had a full set of stage make-up.

Taking a deep breath she decided to make herself a cup of tea and try to relax some. Decaffeinated tea wasn't hard to come by, most didn't drink it so she had a little box of Sleepy Time, or at least that was what the box said. It didn't make her sleepy but it soothed her. She had gotten better about being a nervous little bird over her months in Newnan but this was a different set of nerves. This was the count down to her wedding. Before everything had went to hell she really hadn't thought much about marriage, focusing on her career. Since then, she had been focused on survival. Not love.

Stepping into the kitchen she put on the kettle and stood there glancing out of the window and waited. She wasn't worried, she knew she was getting married. She knew it was to the perfect person for her and the timing was right. Hoping that in the future maybe there would be more times they could enjoy together. It got her thinking about the piece of paper she had found. Some things ended before the world even knew they began. That wasn't going to happen to her and Jack, would it?

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Ryan took a deep pull of his cigarette as he headed out of the greenhouse, everything looked to be in order. He still could use some ribbon and needed to get over to the Rec Center to start setting up for the reception. At least to put the flowers there but he had a few minutes. Seeing Miss Sally, he gave her a half wave and the woman just eyed him. She knew he was up to something but she just couldn't put her finger on it.

Over in the kitchen Mike looked up from the window and smiled slightly, he had flour on the tip of his nose. "Yeah, right over there. Take what you need," he said before leaning back down and getting back to work. He was icing the cake and putting the finishing touched on it. Miss Sally had been good enough to hand him over the extracts before everyone was called away and so he had been working the entire time to get this done. Smiling to himself he bopped up and down some. The cake was beautiful. Three tiers, large, ribbons and roses made out of icing. It was all white, but that was fine. No one had worried about finding food coloring on the runs.

Beni took the Cd player form Meg and his brows furrowed a bit. "Wow, Dick did a number on this," he said as he took a closer look at it. Turning it over this way and that. After a few minutes of silence he looked at Meg and nodded. "I think I might just be able to. Do me a favor, you and Ciel keep track of Peaches for me and I will get to work on this. Sound good?" he asked before grinning over at Ciel. "She likes you."

Ryan smiled as he spotted Chloe and headed over to her, sliding over a rough patch of ice and grinning even more. "Damn, everyone headed out before Richard and Sana had melt downs on the front lawn of the house. Tonight's going to be interesting to say the least," Ryan quipped as he blew smoke up into the air. Seemed he was liking what was going on a little too much. Seemed like a kid on Christmas morning.

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"Glad to hear it, prefer to have my side arm on me. Even before the world went to hell in a hand basket," Thana said to Ash before zipping up her coat and grabbing her bag. "Gonna need this until my wheels are stowed Sir," she explained before heading out the front door. She didn't bother pulling her scarf up this time. They knew who she was now, if they weren't at the meeting she was sure they would soon enough.

Stepping down the stairs she spotted an older woman who made a bee line for them. "Oh please tell me you aren't leaving us already?" she inquired as she stood there. Thana cocked a brow and shook her head.

"No ma'am, just need to stow my gear is all."

"Oh wonderful! Well I am Miss Sally, if you need anything you just let me know. I have a wedding to get ready for soon but doesn't matter, anything you need just tell me," Miss Sally said clapping her hands together and lacing her fingers.

"Yes ma'am. I heard about the wedding, apparently I am attending." This caused Miss Sally's brows to arc dramatically. "I wasn't invited i know ma'am but I will be being a simple plus one for now," she explained.

"I see," Miss Sally said leaning back a bit and looking over towards Ash with a smile. "Good to hear. What will you be wearing?"

Thana hadn't thought about that. "Um, I guess my dress blues ma'am."

"Oh that won't do at all. Ash, once she is settled, send her over to me. I am sure I can round something up for her."

"That won't be necessary ma'am," Thana insisted but Miss Sally wasn't having any of that.

"Non sense, you come and see me. I won't take no for an answer."

Thana acquiesced with a nod before she started heading back towards the front gate. She noticed the people walking around and felt eyes on her. She figured it was going to be this way for sometime until everything calmed down. Shaking her head she let Ash lead the way to the front gate and waited for him to tell the guards to stand down and hand over her weapons before anything else.

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"Ahhhhhh!!!!!!" a man screamed at the top of his lung from within an old abandoned cabin that was warm from the fire that was roaring in the fireplace. Gavin rolled his eyes and pulled away the red hot iron poker from the mans hand.

"Aww son quit yer bitchin'. I ain't done that much to ya. Suck it up buttercup, we's gonna be here a longs time if you ain't be wanting to cooperate." Gavin pushed his curls out of his face and rubbed the tip of his nose with the back of his hand as he took a seat in a dusty arm chair in the center of the room. Looking the man over as he stroked his mustache.

"I don't know! I swear it!" the man whimpered. Gavin wagged his finger at him and grinned.

"Naw, see I knows you be lying and well that don't be sittin' right with me. One of them ten commandment thangs. Thou shalt not lie. My mamma taught me better than to fall for that shit."

Groaning in pain the man looked down at his hand which was tied to a kitchen chair, his long hair falling over his face as beads of pain induced sweat dripped down to his chin and onto his shirt. "I can't... They'll kill me.." he said in a tired voice etched with pain.

"Now that I believe, well that they'll kill ya but hey after what that girl told me, what y'all put her through, well I'm gonna kill ya. So you can either tell me and gets it over with, or we can drag this out. I ain't got no's where to be. So what's it gonna be kid? Feeling lucky punk?" Gavin said as he stood up and put the poker tip back into the fire. He figured this wasn't going to take long.

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Tiffany's thoughts continued to race, just in time for the security crew to come back. She overheard the talk about what the meeting was about and it put her thoughts to rest. She didn't know the woman, other than what little the others told her about the past, but it still bothered her that they separated the two groups. Did it really matter if the Franklin folks didn't know the previous woman? Still, they should have been told about her. Tiffany shook it off. That was for another time, they had a wedding to get to. She followed Ray back, making sure to narrowly avoid talking to Ryan.

Once they got there, she waited with Ray. She assumed she was still supposed to help Ray get dressed and help with his appearance. Plus, she could talk to Jack, and that wasn't a bad thing. She sat down and waited, keeping an eye on Ray. "Once you get ready, I'll have to head back and get my own dress in order. Going to have to really go all out to compete with you," she said with a smile.

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Hearing the knock on the door, Jack snapped out of his pacing, grateful a bit for the distraction from rehearsing his vows. His tongue was feeling a bit twisted from it all, and he was curious to know what was going on in Newnan. While he might not have been security lead that day, he couldn't shut off the mentality of it. If something had jeopardized the safety of Newnan, he'd want to do his very best to help. Opening the door, he grinned a bit as he saw Ray and Tiffany.

"Hey man, come on in," Jack said, stepping aside to let his friends through. "Miss Sally hasn't come back yet, just been here practicin' for the wedding."

Once Ray was through, Jack shut the door. Turning around to face his friends, he clapped his hands against his face, grinning awkwardly the entire time. It was clear that he was starting to get a bit of the pre-wedding jitters. His tuxedo was neatly folded in a corner, and with his face shaven, he didn't have much else to do to kill the next two hours. Time felt incredibly quick and incredibly slow that day.

"What went down at the meetin', you know?" Jack asked Ray, his curiosity getting to him. After all, curiosity killed the cat--and satisfaction brought it back. There couldn't be any harm in him knowing, right? Although... "Actually, don't answah that. If Ash doesn't want me to know, that's that."

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Beatrice paused for a moment, hearing Riley's sarcastic shout. Had she not told Riley to inform her if she needed help later? Was she supposed to feign ignorance and remain on the wall longer than needed? If Riley wanted her help still, then the woman should vocalize the request. Beatrice didn't feel there was any need to be nervous about asking for help. It was better to be blunt. Besides, there were two hours left until the wedding. If she wanted to go for any sort of run before getting dressed, she'd have to do it now.

Beatrice turned and glanced up at Riley, tempted to show her the middle finger. "You know where to find me," Beatrice replied. "And I did ask you earlier to let me know if you needed help. Sarcasm does suit you, however." And then she turned around, making the rest of her way down the wall. She nodded at O'Riley as she passed him, and once she made it to Lagrange Street, Beatrice took off at a brisk jog, using the inner wall almost as a guiding mark. She ran a few laps, enjoying the added challenge of the cold weather. She had always loved running, the feeling of the ground moving away beneath her feet.

A secret twin, however? She could understand all of the fuss over it, to say the very least. It probably would've been like seeing a walker, only an intelligent one. A glimpse at the living face of a dead woman, but truly living--not the half life of walkers. Part of her mused that perhaps the dead woman had merely faked her death--the entire twin thing seemed a bit overplayed. Newnan already had two sets of twins, for example--a third seemed to be pushing it in Beatrice's mind.

But the universe did love to play jokes on people. The current state of the world was proof enough for that. And no, it wasn't entirely impossible--certainly more possible than some of the suggestions heard on the wall. Beatrice decided to finish her jog early, as once she returned to her starting location, she headed down Lagrange Street and went home. Weddings weren't her thing, but she might as well look decent. There was no reason not to, really.

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Chloe nodded earnestly. As much as she'd like to pretend she had been above reality TV, having received an expensive and extensive Stanford education, she still loved them. It was the petty gossip she tended to enjoy, and with her previous lifestyle, there never had been a shortage of gossip, both in and out of prison. On the outside, it was all about power struggles--and on the inside, it was much the same. Criminals didn't stop being criminals once they were locked behind bars, after all.

"Want me to shank her?" Chloe teased, elbowing her sister slightly. "But really, that bitch isn't worth your time. She's judgmental enough that our parents'd love her to death." But Meg arrived, diffusing the potentially tense situation quickly, and Beatrice had already left. Eyeing the smashed CD player, Chloe frowned a bit. Dick must have gone batshit crazy to smash that. He practically worshipped everything of Zoie's left in the Ex-Con House.

"Shit," Chloe murmured, shaking her head slightly. "Guess Dick finally snapped, huh?" The news was a little mind boggling, even though Chloe knew next to nothing about Newnan's previous second. It was almost soap opera like, and Chloe had to hold back the temptation to make a comment to Riley about how they didn't need reality TV anymore, as this was just as dramatic and juicy. Unfortunately, Meg left before Chloe could learn more about her housemate's likely shitty emotional state.

"I hope not," Chloe chuckled. "I really love all the free stuff, you know?" She had had a few conversations with Riley about what to do with Ryan, of course. The only problem was that the man didn't seem to care that Chloe was gay. Beyond just reminding Ryan of that, she wasn't exactly sure what to do. And she didn't see any big problem with her accepting all of the little handouts he gave her. Who else was going to bring her cigarettes, after all? "But speak of the devil..."

Just as they had started making their way to the rec center, heading out from the outer wall, the Irishman in question came sliding over. She rolled her eyes a bit at his clumsiness, not sure how much of it was designed to be a performance. Though he came with more information as promised, and Chloe was extremely curious. Not only Dick, but Sana as well? She hadn't known that the two of them were an item. The wedding that night was going to be a mess.

"You look awfully happy," Chloe commented. "Like you're about to get away with murder--so spill. What else aren't you saying, Irish?" She continued to walk with Riley and Ryan, rubbing her hands against her arms to warm them up a bit as they went inside of the rec center. She noticed the way Riley shivered, and if she had had another jacket, she would've given it to her.

"You think we'll be able to find anything in here?" Chloe asked her sister, feeling a little bit skeptical about their chances. Looking for instruments at this point felt to be like a bit of a last minute effort, one that they couldn't guarantee completing.