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The unforseen aspects of Camp Mexico Beach kept appearing before the old veteran's eyes as they entered the camp, now with a black-clothed man who looked more like a Steve Mcqueen-character than a priest. Their field-chaplain, Father Calamaro, had looked nothing the part. His hair had been cleanly shaven like his face, no sunglasses or cigarette, a man who didn't drink or swear, not even under heavy fire. This man, Atticus was completely different. But to Alexander, a catholic himself, a sense of comfort fell upon his soul at the knowledge that they had a priest. Perhaps he would understand...

Quarantine. Yeah, that sounded reasonable. Alexander already knew all the kinds of shit diseases one could get out in the jungle without a good diet or cleaning, so he wasn't that surprised at it. No, his surprise was yet again aimed towards the camp itself. It looked so...normal. He had been through so much shit, before and after Eden, and now all of a sudden to witness the normality around the bus..."Forgive me Father, but holy shit..." Was it meant to Father Atticus? Alexander gave a surprised and optimistic look at his three people at Atticus telling them the possiblity of some proper prostethics. If he could walk again, he wouldn't feel so..useless. Yeah, this was probably how many Vietnam Vets had felt once they got home. He felt sorry for them.

"I guess they would keep us separate. Keeping us together really blows the whole points of making sure anything we have doesn't transmitt. But really, I don't know. I wasn't a medic or anything like that back..." Aleander began to explain to Manny, but stopped his words as both Atticus approached with the bag, and that he didn't want to talk about that. Not now. "Alexander Polawski. Polawski with a W." He informed Atticus, graciously taking the bag before speaking to him in a hushed voice. "Father? Is there somewhere to worship in the camp?"

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Nigel "Hadrian" gave a smile back to Erica, trying to imagine what a cruise in the Caribbean would have been and felt like. It was such a contrast to the situation they had ended up in now, but the thought of a more colourful past was to smile at. Also that Nigel felt Erica trusted him to talk about her past, even if it was something small like that. "Yes, we stick together. Regardless if they're friendly or not, we're outsiders, and outsiders are always looked upon with different eyes than family." Nigel "Hadrian" answered, looking from Erica, Wayne and Hank and back at the priest who would be responsible for this little legion of Roman entering a Gaulish town.

Atticus, "One from Athens" or "Athenian". Greek. So nothing new under the sun then?

The sight within the camp was just as impressive as the walls keeping it safe, if not being the golden standard of an already excellent detachment. They had everything; housing, a hospital, manufacturing, and a school. "Hadrian" had to pull on a smile once again at the thought of teaching youngsters, reminders of a better past. If he was accepted, and he wanted to stay, was this where he'd end up?

"Hadrian" felt unsure of what to tell the Greek, as he would refer to him as in his mind. Simply giving "Hadrian" as his name was not a sign of good faith, not after everyone else had given their proper names. But he had never said his real name to anyone in his group, just because he didn't want to give away too much information. Then again, if he didn't who knew what antics Old Man Grumpy-face and Glitterfuck would be up to? He argued with himself about this while Hank talked with Atticus, surely giving another shot at spreading his beloved nickname like a disease through a city. So when Atticus came to him with the bag, Nigel "Hadrian" gave Hank one of his now typical "Annoyed Teacher Look", then looked back at Atticus. "Nigel "Hadrian" Cooper. I prefer Hadrian, if that is okay? Sacerdos."

With that said, Nigel "Hadrian" looked at the three others, mostly Erica to see their reaction to his real name coming to light. Perhaps he feared what Erica would say about him not telling her his real name, or he was awaiting whatever verbal punishment from the others.

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Beatrice overheard Manny's hope that this wasn't yet another military dictatorship - and she had to hold her tongue. It seemed to be exactly that from what she could tell. The military ran things - if you didn't like it, you left. No one had a right to be in the community and no one's liberties were held above group survival from what she had gathered. It was all about the collective. Newnan had been near that in some ways - but entirely the opposite in others. For instance, she doubted that this place would have taken in Dick. He was a bit of an acquired taste. Some of the things he had said and done... from what Beatrice had herself seen and what she had been told... were a bit hard to swallow. Of course, in Justice, they would have been commonplace and no one would have batted an eye.

Speaking of military, Ash had responded to her news and Beatrice nodded slightly in acknowledgement of his thanks. He referred to our people and staying together - something that didn't sit right with Beatrice. If they were going to integrate into this society, forming cliques inside of it wouldn't help matters. It would just create an us v them mentality - which while Beatrice was fine with on a personal level, she didn't think it was best for the old men and amputees. Creating unneeded division could get them removed from a shelter that would keep them alive.

"I don't know if that's a good idea," Beatrice told Ash quietly, before she turned her attention to the man who came onto the bus.

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Jack looked at his wife for a moment, before he nodded at her. Times had changed. They had to change with it too.

Jack was a bit wary at first when he saw a Catholic priest board the Bus, but when the man said he could do other services and mentioned Hebrew... His eyes drifted towards Jamie once again. He needed to talk to Tatiana, to ask her if she wanted to raise their son to be Jewish or if she would prefer for him to be agnostic or atheistic or spiritual or Christian or whatever. Regardless of the choice, it needed to be something that the two of them agreed on as parents. They were a team.

The news of quarantine... Admittedly, that probably was something that Newnan could have benefited from. He wondered how many personality issues would have just been caught in quarantine. The mention of illness reminded him for a moment of that one kid with the horrible, chronic asthma - what had his name been, Blue? Cyan? Sky? It was something like that, that's all Jack knew. And then... a school. He smiled slightly, remembering his mother. She had always been so supportive of education. Jamie would be able to get a proper education here.

Hell, maybe Jack would be able to put security work behind him and pick up a U.S. history textbook instead. He started to full on grin at the news of a doctor for Jamie. There was everything here that the world before had had. It was a paradise. "Jack Newnan," Jack said once the Preacher got to him.

"Beatrice Decker," Bea said once it was her turn in a cool and calm voice.

Temperature: 94F (34C)
Humidity: Fucking High (Around 98%) - Raining off and on all day
Wind Speed: 7 MPH (11 KPH)
Cloud Coverage: About 62% covered with thick dark clouds

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Atticus wrote down the name on one of the bags and then on the slip of paper he had had folded up in his bible. He smiled and made minor chit chat as he made the rounds, moving from one person to another. "Damn Lil' Momma, you must be tough as nails to get him this far," Atticus said to Tatiana as he wrote Jamies name down. As he got Jack's name he smiled a bit. "Done good here son," he said in passing as he handed over the bag to Jack. Moving he hit up the next seat.

Looking over at Wayne, Atticus chuckled. "Maldonado? You got fucked with a lot growing up didn't ya?" he asked in passing and Daytona looked at the preacher oddly. "Oh fuck, sorry. It's a nickname given to stupid people in Spanish," he explained before moving on. Daytona rolled her eyes a bit and looked at Wayne.

"Hotter than you but then again, I've had a bath this year," she quipped as she pulled another bag out and handed it to Atticus. Atticus took it and raised a brow a bit as Hank leaned in and started rambling on about Sportacus.

"You mean that dude from that fucking LazyTown cartoon? We used to show that shit to the kids in the pre-k daycare at the church. That was some drug induced Alice In Wonderland fuckery," he laughed as he took down Hanks information.

"Oh I remember that show, I think Doc has some old stickers for the kids still he gives out when they come in," Daytona said in passing as she got another bag ready for Atticus. Taking it the Preacher moved on to Ash.

"Oh yeah, Maddoc mentioned you," he said as he wrote down Ash's name on the bag and his list. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a set of dog tags. They looked to be in much better shape than earlier. Handing them over to Ash, Ash would see they were his and that Thana's were still there as well. "They've been cleaned and cleared so you can have them back," Atticus said before moving on.

Amelia was next and she was quick about it, as was the girl with her. They seemed to be the least talkative in the bunch so far. Whether they were nervous or just wanting to get through things so they could get fully filled in was up for debate. Atticus didn't pressure either of them and smiled. "Sure thing," he said before moving on. Manny and Alexander seemed to be the same as the girls had been but Alexander did seem to have a question and Atticus smiled a bit. "Bet yer ass we do, looking out over the gulf," he said before he went to the kid.

Hunter was one of two that were sitting alone. Ash being the other. Looking at the kid Atticus nodded and wrote down his name. As Daytona was handing him another bag he overhead what the kid said and laughed. "We're all a little crazy son. No one gets this far with everything fully intact. Even Gods lost his mind, just look at the world," he said before turning and looking to see who was next.

Getting to Thalia, Atticus crouched down and took her information. As she spoke his writing slowed and his head turned to look at her. There was a nod. "We'll talk later," he said before he went back to writing her name on the bag. Handing it over he forced a slight grin and patted her on the shoulder before looking over to the girl sitting next to her. "A'right, here ya go," he said as he handed over a bag to Beatrice.

There were only two left. As Erica gave him her name, Atticus wrote it down and then chuckled as she made the distinction that she was not related to Hunter. Looking up at her he nodded. "Good to know," he said with a bit of a wink. One more to go, last but not least, it was Hadrian's turn. Getting the name down, Atticus looked over at the man and nodded. "Sure thing, Ludicus¹," he said before he started to laugh and looked up at Daytona. The woman looked perplexed but shrugged.

Once Atticus and Daytona were done handing out the bags they both moved to the front of the bus. "Alright, we're gonna get off the bus now, just stay close," he said before turning and stepping down the stairs with Daytona in tow. Stepping off they moved out of the way so everyone could get off the bus. The group that had been on the helicopter was there, armed and taking a spread out position it seemed just in case someone decided to be stupid.

"Come on," he waved as him and Daytona started making their way towards the main entrance of the small motel and into what was once the lobby. As he walked he started to explain a few things. "Okay, we are going to split up. Guys with me, gals with Daytona. We're gonna show you to the showers. You'll wash up, put everything, minus jewelry, in that bag I gave you and seal it up tight. It'll get washed and mended later, tossed if it ain't salvageable. Try to make it fast, hot water here ain't like in the old days. It does run out," he warned as they moved over to the locker rooms. Probably once used by those that used the small gym or pool outside that was now dry.

Daytona motioned for the girls to follow her as Atticus waited for the men to follow him. Panama was there and followed, armed, into the mens locker room with Atticus. A woman unseen until now with light blonde bobbed hair, in fatigues, and armed walked in and followed Daytona. "Major," Daytona said as she spotted her. The Major gave Daytona a nod.

In the locker rooms most things were taken out save for a few benches that people could sit down on. There were five shower heads per locker room and it was open. No one was getting privacy right then. "Soap, shampoo, conditioner, wash clothes, and safety razors are there," she said as she pointed to the shelves. "I will take a count once you are done, so don't try anything. Towels are here," she said as she opened a wicker basket. "We have robes and slippers as well. So once you get out of your cloths, just throw them in the bag and seal it. Once you're clean put on the dressing gown, grab a robe and slip on some slippers for now," she said before taking a seat on a bench and the woman who was addressed as Major took point at the only exit to the room watching them. "Just bring me your bags once they're sealed."

Atticus plopped down and took a drag off his smoke. "Don't take nothing, don't be stupid. Get clean. I'm sure you can find shit. Robes to cover your ass once you put the dressing gown on, slippers for yer feet. Toss your sealed dirty shit in the corner there," he said as sat there. Panama sat down next to Preacher and bummed a smoke off him.

"Docs on his way over," he said and Atticus nodded before the door swung open and Maddoc came in holding a small stack. Atticus looked up but didn't move as Maddoc walked over to the bench and sat down the small stack of light blue clothing next to him. He just turned and walked out. Panama took a look at it, it was a set of baby clothes, size 12 months, and some diapers. "Clean clothes for the boy," he called out to Jack before pointing to the stack.

_{1 - Sporticus in Latin roughly translated}

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Tatiana looked at Atticus and bit her bottom lip nervously as he said she must have been strong to keep Jamie alive all this time. The man had no idea what she had done to keep Jamie alive, or what else she was willing to do to keep it that way. Looking down she shrugged a bit as he moved on to the next person and then the next. She wasn't really seeming to pay attention to those around her. Her eyes looking out of the bus and to the street. Looking at those that were passing by and the ones staged outside of the bus that they had met from the helicopter.

Once things were wrapped up and they were told to move off the bus Tatiana stood up and waited for a chance to get into the center isle and then get off the bus. Seemed they were splitting them up. Guys one way, girls the other. She didn't like the idea of being split up from Jack but she wasn't going to say anything. "You take Jamie," she said as she slipped off the carrier with Jamie in it and kissed her son on his forehead. She figured Jack would feel at least a little better if one of them was with him for now. Once Jack had Jamie and Jamies bag, she kissed her husband on the cheek before following Daytona into the women's locker room with her bag under her arm.

Looking around she listened and moved over to a bench. She looked around nervously and slowly began to remove her clothing. She was shaking as she did, slow, and even though it was only women in the room she seemed to try to keep herself covered as she grabbed some items and moved over to the shower. Turning the water on her hand jerked back at first. It was cold. A little more fidgeting and she got it to a nice temperature. Once she stepped under the water flow she relaxed a little. It felt so good to have hot water and soap. She scrubbed, scrubbed her skin hard until her paleness was red and her scalp tingled. She was fast about it but damn, anymore and she might have scrubbed herself raw. She was scared and branded. Seemed the girl had been through some shit. As conditioner sat in her hair she shaved. It had been over a year and while she didn't worry about certain areas getting her arm pits and legs shaved was heaven. If they had sheets to sleep in tonight she was going to eat up that freshly shaved feeling.

Once she had fully rinsed off she grabbed a towel and dried off before wrapping her hair in it and getting dressed in the dressing gown. In truth it was just a hospital gown but she wasn't complaining. She was clean and she had a robe now to put on over it. Slipping it on and her feet into the slippers she felt more human than she had in ages. Letting out a sigh she sat down on the bench and waited for the other to get done. Picking at her fingers as she stayed quiet. Her knee bobbing up and down, shaking. A thought came to her mind and she looked over to Daytona. "Um, dank you," she said softly before looking back down at the ground like a frightened bird.

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"Oh ho ho, look at the hot lips on you girl," Wayne laughed in retort to Daytona. Looking over towards Hank he grinned from ear to ear, every so often swatting something in front of him or to his side. "Glad she ain't a figment of my imagination but if she were, damn I'd still be happy." Resting back in his seat he had to cover his mouth and keep from all out fully laughing his ass off as Hank tried to get the preacher to write down Sportacus as Hadrian's name. Sitting up more fully he nodded. "Shit yeah, who don't like Cash. Great tunes," he said before snickering and sliding back down in his seat. The man might have been one of the oldest in the group but he was sure as hell acting as if he was twelve right then.

Once all the names were down, Wayne perked up and was reluctant to exit the bus. Not that moving on was a bad thing but damn the air conditioner had been nice. But things were as they were so he got off the bus and followed instructions. Stepping into the hotel lobby he might have shit himself if he weren't careful. There were lights, and air conditioning in here as well. "Garden of fucken' Eden man..." he commented as they went into the locker room.

It wasn't long before Wayne had stripped down and scrubbed the fuck out himself, even shaving and cleaning up around his neck and side burns. "Slap my ass and call me Wilbur because I feel fucking Radiant!" he laughed, a bit giddy as he put on the dressing gown and grabbed a robe. Tossing his bag into the corner like Padre had said he put his feet into the bed slippers and shuffled around. "Well ain't this some fucking de ja vu," he said looking over in Hanks general direction. Last time he was in this get up they were in the asylum.

_{Alright peeps - off the bus and into the showers - get cleaned up and all that jazz this round.}

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Amelia held as close to Riley as possible the entire time, especially when they all had finally left the bus. In the open and in the middle of this unfamiliar place she felt incredibly vulnerable, especially when she had nary a weapon on her self. She looked about, looked at the people who were staying around and then at those leading them. Her nerves were strained all the way inside the building until they were led to the showers. Another woman showed up who got called Major." Ahmm... hmm..." She made a pondering nervous sound as they were at the showers and it was a wide open space. There was not going to be any privacy here! She reached to her hair and started playing with a lock of it as her eyes nervously danced about the place. Her eyes especially moved between Daytona and the Major woman as if she was expecting them to pull a gun or something on them.

Eventually she noticed the others starting to undress and use head for the showers, so she really slowly started to do so too. She did move to a corner of the room though. Somewhere she couldn't be easily blindsided or anything and was out of the way in the meantime. As she slowly undressed, she rubbed the old scars on her left shoulder. She got it when she saved herself from humans... now they were at a really fortified location where others held the right over their lives right now. Amelia then threw the clothing she wore into the bag. Afterwards she threw a glance at the locals and carefully pulled some of the bathing supplies and got under a shower. It's been so long since she last had a real bath... The water was indeed warm as they had promised. This bode well for their promises. Never the less she was bathing at great speed and shaving where she had to. This was a rare chance after all. Occasionally her eyes went for Riley, to confirm the other's condition.

Once she felt clean for the first time in months, she hurriedly moved away from the shower. Put on the clothing provided, if you could call it that. A patient gown and a robe weren't exactly proper way to dress. Still it was better than nothing at all. With that done and some slippers, she left the bag of clothing where Tati also did. She looked at Daytona, Amelia wasn't quite sure wat to think of the woman just yet. She didn't say anything, but did give her a thankful nod and moved back to the corner of the room, resuming her cautious behavior and keeping an eye on Riley the most. Her fingers were twiching, she wanted back her baseball bat... Without a weapon she felt powerless and especially so to protect Riley.

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Ash gave Beatrice the human equivalent of a confused dog's facial expression. While not a man of exceedingly few words, perhaps he hadn't used enough to fully articulate his meaning. It happened. Probably a curse birthed of his background with the Army, where everyone pretty much knew what was intended, the few words used merely confirmation of what was expected. Alternately, Beatrice wanted nothing to do with him while they were in quarantine. For that matter, maybe he didn't understand the exchange. Best to broach the subject in brief as soon as they had some "settling in" time before jumping to conclusions.

His thought process to that matter was stymied by the Chaplain handing him back his tags. And Thana's. "Thank you." he responded, carefully taking the small, steel identification plates. They were courteous enough to return Thana's as well, bringing a series of questions to the forefront of his brain. Was she there, and they were giving him the opportunity to personally fulfill his promise? Was she not there at that time, and they wanted him to hang onto them until she returned? Or did they know something that he didn't - something gearing to the absolutely negative, for which he had been bracing himself all this time? Again, wait for more information before conclusions. He was here to make sure that the former Newnan residents had a home. Safety. Food. Purpose aside from bare survival. Everything else was secondary.

He heard the instructions of their hosts and felt honorbound to oblige. The assault weapons on standby were, at least in theory, an excellent motivator. It wasn't as if he was going to suddenly launch himself at the nearest person with a rifle with the intent of snatching it away and stepping on the guy's neck before putting a bullet between his eyes, clearing the way for him to partially empty the clip into the local authority, thusly giving him unrestricted access to the shower area and all of their nifty soaps. Oh, and disposable razors. Those were important. But he was being silly to entertain those thoughts.

Stepping into line with the rest of the survivors from the bus, his people and the others, he looked to the hazel-eyed girl with one abbreviated arm and noted that she looked in his direction as well. They shared a nod. Apparently she wished to speak to him as well. Or he was misreading something again.

The trip to the locker room gave him some perspective of the size of Camp Mexico Beach. From the outside it looked huge. From the inside, too. Such size gave him a moment of consideration. Was three hundred enough to secure such an area? Did they have any problems with other people? Hostile, less organized communities that wanted what they had? More and more questions for later. Right now, the lure of hot water and soap was absolutely drawing. Ash took to the shower with gratitude that he kept inside. Ever the situational poker player. He was fast and thorough washing himself, tipping his hand yet again to a background in the Service. Hot water was a commodity, and as massively thankful as he was to have it, he wasn't going to stand in it and let it cascade about himself because of the sheer pleasure of being able to do so, regardless of how much he wanted to.

Likewise, the shave he gave himself was fast and thorough. A safety razor, rather than a scavenged blade honed on the edge of a pane of vehicle glass, was damn near a novelty. It even took him a second to remember the proper way to hold it again. After he was done, he looked to a mirror and proclaimed in distant voice, "I remember you." For a moment or two, he half-expected a response from somewhere in the back of his mind. All he got was a mildly exteriorized sense of acceptance.

Clothes in bag (minus dog tags), hospital gown and slippers replacing them. It was an interesting look, one that he probably would have fit into nicely back when he was borderline suicidal and heard voices inspired of grief. Another look to a mirror prompted a mumble of, "Add a black tie, this makes a passable Nuthouse Formal." in his mild Virginian accent. He pulled a robe on, then looked to Wayne and Hank. They looked a little too comfortable in their new clothes. Ash was also vaguely aware that he had new people to meet and figure out. "Any military in here?" he asked to the room. Might as well start somewhere.

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The preacher surprised Thalia. From the sound of it, that Atticus guy knew something. She sure as hell didn't want to wait for the unknown and unknowable time of "later" to talk to someone who might know about her father. Ever since this goddamned Apocalypse started, all she wanted to do was reunite with her family. It had been a fruitless pursuit for over five years now. It might not have have been, if she hadn't been too late finding Newnan. She had an uncle and a cousin who had called that place home. Both were dead now. The remaining options to her involved San Antonio or the family compound in Monterrey, Mexico. Though it would be a shame to travel all that way, risking life and limb (another one, anyway) for absolutely nothing. But she couldn't even try for it now.

Thalia was physically compromised. Weaker than she had been a year ago. She needed this place in a way that was similar to how she needed the help of the Shieldmaidens back in Fairburn. She was weak then, too. Malnourished, unable to survive for any stretch of time in the wilderness. Now that most of the world (including the cities) were essentially wilderness, her former life as an urbanite was a massive hindrance. She was so utterly different in that regard anymore. More comfortable up a tree or in front of a fire than in an air conditioned house. Better with the dark than florescent lighting. Yet, she needed this point of civilization to take a pause from the rigors of just surviving. Thalia had to adapt to her new reality, again. She had to become stronger.

Her mind switched back to the present. There was someone else who knew about her family on this bus; the man who reminded her of Thana. He was the guy in charge of the settlement that some of these people came from. Also, Thalia caught him looking over in her direction a few times. Maybe he needed to say something. She risked a look in his direction, only to see that he was doing the same. He nodded, she nodded back. Okay, he did want to talk. She thought, anyway. Or he was just a creeper with an amputee fetish.

Fine. Later. Whenever this mystical "later" occurred, she was going to have that talk. And the one with that Army Captain. Oh, there would be talks aplenty, but first, that shower seemed like a good way to pass the time. She stripped down, mostly without the modesty that used to accompany taking her clothes off around people. She had gotten used to doing it one-handed by now, and almost had the whole balance thing down pat, too. But so much more was required before she was back to her best.

For those who hadn't seen what lay underneath her clothing of convenience (because the stuff she was wearing was not her preferred style by a long shot), one might be surprised to see the amount of physical scarring packed onto her body. It looked like she had been painted upon by an abstract artist going through a "knife fight phase" in places, what hadn't been marked by the difficulties of living away from people during an undead uprising. There were marks birthed of gunfire as well; a couple of grazes, one in her side, and another, older one in her chest. And the hand missing from the midpoint of her forearm, down. Her life had not been gentle thusfar. Again, a wave of self-consciousness took her. It quickly evaporated when she smiled at Beatrice, "Yeah, take it off, Killa Bea!" Her expression quickly turned to the serious, even empathetic, when she glanced in the direction of Tatiana. That girl had some scars. And she didn't get them the same way that Thalia did, from the looks of it. She wasn't ready to get all buddy-buddy with the new people yet, but something in her wanted to hug the woman. Preferably after they were all fully dressed again. Still, the lady with the Russian accent looked like she could use a friend. But first, shower!

What Thalia hadn't considered was that she wasn't accustomed to hot water anymore. The big shock of her day (aside from the helicopter) was the jolt to her system that happened when heated water nailed her skin. Her first instinct was to turn the heat way down. She really had been outside for too long. Like a cat preferred the alley to a heated apartment. One thing she didn't have a problem with in the least was the application of a razor. "Geez, I'm a friggin' sasquatch ovah here... Ey Bea, gaht any shaving gel?" The Boston was strong with her just then.

Clothes bagged, and burned for all she cared, hair shampooed for the first time in ages, and a fluffy robe to cover her ass. She couldn't help but feel a little silly when she noticed the sleeve of the robe flapping about, covering the stump of her right forearm. It even brought a little chuckle out of her. Laugh, shower, and shave aside, Thalia was not exactly trusting nor comfortable right then. She found a spot on the wall and leaned against it, waiting for what was going to happen next.

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"Wait, what the hell is 'LazyTown'?" He considered it for a second, "Yeah, don't worry about it. This is something I have got to get ahold of. I know someone who is going to just absolutely love this. Really. Whole lot." The faux innocent look on his face was punctuated by his eyes moving in Nigel's direction.

In contrast to his usual grumpy demeanor, Hank was seriously okay with what was going on. He was a man of creature comfort and simple tastes, and the basest of these had been stripped from him for a long time. He would take what he could get when he could get it. Usually it was something along the lines of a bag of pork rinds here, a warm and flat beer there, possibly the joy of finding a few functional shotgun shells. Days where he found all three made him as satisfied as a kid on Christmas. Those were few and far between. The idea of a shower, seafood, and clothing that he hadn't slept in (for a month or two) was almost too much. Hell, these people might mistake him for a cheerful guy if this kept up. They'd figure it out one way or another in time, provided that they were allowed to stay. That was, both of them. Hank wasn't going to have a piece of a normalish life if Wayne was left out of it. Friends didn't abandon each other like that. Especially not after going through what they had for the last few years. Even before dead assholes started eating live ones.

The plan was simple: He wanted to sit down someplace comfortable and be generally left alone, aside from the occasional manly thing stated so that he might grunt in agreement. If a beer was involved, great. Before that was going to happen, there was some food to get through, and by "get through", he meant attack with wild abandon. It wasn't a steak, but who the hell cared? Maybe his visions of a crab boil would pay off. Yay food. But before even that, there was a shower. This might be a hurdle between he and his dream of sitting the hell down, but it was one he was very happy to jump.

To see him clean himself up, you might think that Hank was attempting to fully sand the top few layers of his skin off. At one point toward the end of his vigorous scrubbing session, the soap popped out of his hands and landed a couple of feet away. He looked at the bar laying on the tile, to the people around him, and back to the soap. "Nope! No sir, I've seen this movie. I'm not that pretty, but I don't know how long some of you have been out in the sticks. Yeah..." He looked suspiciously at the other naked people in the room, and stepped on the soap. Clenching it with his toes, Hank slid it across the floor until it found the wall, then made the less steady move up the wall. When he was about ready to lose his balance and break something internal, his hand whipped downward and snatched it back up. "Not the type to judge anyone's lifestyle." He shrugged, and made a quick retraction, "Okay, I am, but I need a little romancing first. And a lot of booze. LOT." Effecting a subject change, "Where's that razor again?"

A clean shave was not his preference. He was a sideburns and 'stache kind of guy. Not a foray into manscaping, mind you, but he was set in his ways as the option was given to him. It took a little longer to pull off than the others who were ridding themselves of all excess facial hair. He didn't care. This was his own personal ritual of hygiene and grooming, and damnit, he was going to do it his way. Afterward, he looked himself over. Not bad for a man in his 50s. Not great, but not bad. The get-up he had to wear was really damned familiar, too... a little too familiar. He got a smile out of the younger man's comment about "Nuthouse Formal", though he wasn't about to let on how close the guy was to the truth.

Wayne did that for him.

"Yeah there, Maldonado. Deja fucking vu. Those were some good times, huh?" The sarcasm was palpable. "Got your reference there, but isn't it a little early in the day for Charlotte's Web? I would have gone for a Jonathan Swift work instead... Eh, each their own." Looking to their hosts, Hank gave an offhand inquiry. "Hey! Any chance you figured out cable TV? I'd fork over a big, shiny nickel for some History Channel action."

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A chapel overlooking the gulf? Yeah, that sounded very approriate for the catholic Mugsy. Holding the bag in one hand he fiddled with his own rosary with the other, the corner of his mouth pulling into a small smile at the thought of finding some peace there. For a man who had only found religion once he actually became an adult in mind and not only age, it didn't sound too bad. Neither did the sight as they finally exited the bus make him worry too much, except the previous men holding guns around them. They were making sure the newcomers didn't go fuck themselves. Fair enough.

Alexander limped his way into the motel after the others to first enter, his earlier practice with his redneck-pegleg having paid off now that he was without a crutch to assist him. Manny was more than enough, but in an effort to not look the part of an useless old man - like he so many times viewed himself as in his own mind - he walked by himself. Alexander followed Atticus and the other men, giving one last look at Thalia and Beatrice as they parted for the first time in eternity. Atticus told them that they were to undress, shower and shave, and change into less moth-ridden clothes. Alexander only needed to look down to realize he had one question, which he asked Atticus. "Can I keep my leg on, Father? Easier for me to keep it on rather than...you know, taking it off and on again." Atticus gave a confirming nod back to the old veteran, who proceeded to as was told. Undress and start washing.

"Oh...Holy mother of Jesus..." Alexander couldn't keep back, washing for the first time since the Beginning of Time his face, hair and dirty hands. Had been far too long since he had gotten a good shave, something he hadn't prioritized with life and death being ever-present and all that jazz. But this? It was Heaven! Alexander finishing his cleansing, thankful that his group's redneck engineering had made his pegleg water-proof enough. Dressed in the dressing gown, robe and one slipper, he too dropped his bag with his clothes in the corner like the three others had. One was Ash, the guy Thalia had talked and knew was the earlier leader of the previous group, another man who looked more like Ben Hur than anything else and the two other older men. The last two looked more like best friends than not, but it was Ash that asked the first question, one which he should have known would be asked. Military? If Alexander trusted Thalia and Beatrice, could he trust Ash too?...maybe.

"Not in a very, very long time. Not that it matters, really."

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So that was how it was going to be? Not only had the Athenian priest learned of the lovely nickname for Nigel "Hadrian" from the only one or two he knew bothered to keep up the charade, but did so in Latin! He wasn't sure whether he should be even more annoyed at the growing fan-club of his name, or impressed to be around someone who actually new Latin. Nigel "Hadrian" leaned heavier on the first, though he couldn't completely reject the latter. Had been far too long since he had practiced his Latin, even if he had hoped to teach Erica some, if she'd want.

"Hadrian" followed Atticus and the other men out of the bus and towards the motel, standing tall and proud in face of a sort of 'walk-of-shame'. The dirty plebs, off to get washed as to be presentable to the Patricians. Not that he minded getting a good wash, he minded their armed escorts. All in the name of safety he guessed. Wayne and Hank were enjoying themselves more than enough, while Nigel "Hadrian" tried to remain as neutral as he could.

But even the Neo-Roman had to admit defeat against the forces of hot water, soap and proper shaving, resting his shoulder with ease as he became cleaner than he had been before Spartanburg. Perhaps not enjoying it as much as Wayne, but it was damn close. Nigel just kept his mouth shut a bit more. Especially when after getting re-dressed and disposing of his clothing, Hank had to mention the History Channel to Atticus and Maddog, but Nigel only shook his head in disbelief, while commenting their deja-vu banter. "...for future reference, I really don't want to know.". The younger of the two other unknown men asked them if any were military, to which the one-legged guy gave a cryptic answer. "No Sir, just skilled with swords, shields and books. I take it you were?"

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Riley gave Atticus a slight smile once she got her bag and listened to him once more as he spoke a bit more and once they finished and were finally allowed off of the bus Riley made sure that she was very close to Amelia as well as Tatiana, since she knew them the most. Beatrice seemed to be more into her group than anything, she gave the group from the helicopter a slight nod as they headed into the motel building. Riley didn't like the idea of being separated from the others, but they didn't really have much of a choice, before they separated into their own groups. "I'll make sure Tati is okay Jack." Riley offered, as they headed into the separate showers seeing an older woman standing there as Daytona led the way. Apparently the woman went by Major as Daytona greeted the woman, Riley gave the woman a slight nod.

Riley didn't like the idea of not having any kind of privacy at all, but the shower was nice enough regardless she made sure she was close to Amelia. Riley started to strip down out of her clothes, setting them inside of the bag and made sure that it was sealed up tight just like they had said. Then Riley went to the closest showerhead turning the nob on, jumping slightly as she could feel the really cold water, and quickly turned up the heat. Riley instantly felt like she was in heaven, she couldn't remember the last time she had a nice hot shower at all.

Riley then started to wash her hair, and used the soap scrubbing as best as she could spending time in rivers, creeks, small lakes and ponds weren't really ideal. Then Riley took the shaver, and made sure she didn't have any other body hair on her, completely ignoring that they didn't have any privacy now. The shower felt amazing. Once she was finished Riley turned off the hot water, and put on the gown and then robe as well, putting her dirty clothes on the floor next to their other things.

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Erica looked towards Nigel when he said his real name, it didn't really bother her if he wanted to go with a nickname for himself that was fine by her. But she was still going to end up calling him by his real name anyway, as Erica turned her attention towards Atticus and smiled a bit. Erica wasn't sure what Ludicus meant, but she sort of had a feeling it was probably his own version of Hank's nickname for him. As soon as they were let off of the bus Erica followed the group, staring at the men from the chopper and nodded slightly as they entered the motel building that they were using as the quarantine building.

By the looks of it, they were being separated which she could understand Erica didn't know the rest of the men aside from the two crazy old men she had known for the last few weeks and Nigel. Erica followed the rest of the women into their respective showers, she looked towards the woman named Major. "Hi there." Erica said, as they were led into the showers themselves, she felt uncomfortable that they wouldn't get any kind of privacy. But Erica did what she was told it, and stripped out of her clothes, and started to shower, she made sure it was nice and hot as well. Which felt truly amazing Erica hadn't showered or had a nice warm one in the last several weeks it felt like forever since her last decent shower.

Once Erica was as clean as she could be, and shaved as well Erica set her dirty clothes into the bag, and slipped on the gown and robes on top of that. She looked around before sitting by herself on one of the benches, Erica's eyes wondered around the rest of the group two of them looked like they were a couple, she just waited for the rest to finish up and then continue on with what this group had next for them.

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Manny seeing Alexander talk the way he did about his faith made Manny feel better. It reminded him that just because there are some loud voices in the crowd, it doesn't mean that everyone in that crowd is with them. Alexander was proof of that, and it helped Manny relax a bit inside. Pulling up to what looked like a motel the bus stopped. Or at least it was a motel, no idea what it was used for now, it honestly could be a strip club for all he knew? Buildings rarely held their same purpose once the world ended. He remembered how his last medical office was a large garage, but it worked nice for what he needed. Chances are it was where they would be in quarantine. One person per motel room, it could work. Though they may just get cubicles in an office space that was behind the building and this parking area was the only that was used as a parking area. "God there is so much to learn about this place." Manny would join everyone exiting the bus and heading inside. Taking good note of the armed guards that were with them. Though many of them were from the Helicopter people from before. Manny told himself this was a good thing, they seemed calm and collective.

The lobby to the motel was nice. This room alone was better then anything he had been in since he was at Eden, and he imagined they weren't sleeping in the lobby tonight. Atticus explained things pretty clearly, girls with Daytona, and Guys with Atticus. They walked into a locker room that was fairly open, it reminded Manny a lot of his highschool years when privacy was a big "Fuck you" in school. Though that may have been just his school, they cut corners in budget everywhere. "And now a bunch of grown men get naked and shower in the same room together..."

At first Manny was hesitant to take off his clothes, he didn't know any of these people and he felt very... in basics exposed. He didn't like that at all. But seeing as how everyone else was doing okay so far with it, he figured why not? It was only a big deal if someone made a big deal out of it, and everyone seemed... at the very least okay with one another. Manny noticed another older man making comments after working with a bar of soup. Explaining how he knew what would happen if he reached for the soup where it was. Manny chuckled and replied to the man. He was trying to remember his name from the bus but sadly in his amazement of this community he has forgotten. "Don't worry there, you're not my type old man. And I am in severe short supply of booze. Sadly for you if I did have some, I am claiming first dibs." Manny said joking. Though if he did have something to drink, hard to say he would share. Maybe with Alexander, but that might be it. "Good luck shaving though." There was a man who asked about who had been in the military. Manny wasn't at any point though he did know a decent number growing up who were. He saw Alexander mention that he was, and Manny felt a bit proud of the man for speaking up. He knew those times were harder for his friend.

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Hunter was in awe from the town, though getting the reply about how everyone was at least a little crazy to have made it this far was.... actually relaxing. "Thanks..." He said trying to sound polite. Or at least not like an asshole. He kept to himself for the most part, with the exception of hearing someone else say the name Monroe. At that moment he looked up the bus and stood up. Had he really missed one of his family members? Were they close ones? Distant? He felt... more hope then he had since starting his search more then five years ago. Then she heard the woman who spoke their common last name say the words that broke his spirit. No Relation. Watching her motion towards him as he stood there, his hopes and dreams crushed right before him. He was speechless, not sure what to do... so he sat down again, his body seemingly unable to move. He felt stupid for letting his hopes get up so prematurely. He hated himself for thinking he had any chance. He felt weak when he struggled to hide his pain.

He was late to react when everyone else got off the bus, though he caught up fast, knowing he was already on bad terms with several people here. Some of which were well armed and waiting outside the motel that this Group was walking into. The procedure from here was simple, men and woman got different rooms to shower, put on the clothes they give you, toss the old, sounded familiar. Even if they got the things back. Though the hot shower seemed nice. Hunter couldn't remember the last time he cleaned himself off. Or was anywhere clean. His last group had mentioned he smelled pretty bad, but Hunter didn't care. He had bigger concerns at the time.

Hunter stripped pretty fast, not caring who saw him in complete nude. He was disarmed anyways, so might as well keep agility on his side. His lined jacket was a pain in the ass to get into the bag though. It was made to be stubborn and sure as hell, and it still was. Just in the wrong way. Taking off his clothes though revealed how starved the boy had been. Staying physically active with an average of less then a single meal a day for a few weeks now took its toll on his frame. By this point his ribs were visible, and even without his gear on his moments were slow. He soon stepped into the warm water and let the dirt flood off him. And god it was the most amazing thing he had felt in a long time. The rinse phase alone had turned part of the shower floor a dark brown and blacksish color from all the grim on his person. The soup eventually cleared that up, and helped remove a smell that Hunter hadn't previously known. "huh..." was all he had to add to that.

At one point he had noticed a weird old man doing some weird shit with a bar or soup. Hunter deciding he didn't want to get involved with the soap dude finished clearing himself up and grabbed his new outfit. It was comfy enough, though felt.... different. Hunter while still getting used to his new situation heard someone, a man in his middle ages he guessed ask who else was military. Hunter was not sure if he shouldn't answer. But if they were going through his shit they'd find the uniform eventually. "yeah, National Guard. How about you stranger?" He asked wondering more about his new... people.

Temperature: 94F (34C)
Humidity: Fucking High (Around 98%) - Raining off and on all day
Wind Speed: 7 MPH (11 KPH)
Cloud Coverage: About 62% covered with thick dark clouds

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The showers would need some tending to later on once everyone was washed and cleaned but the people watching over both locker rooms didn't seem to concerned with it. The way they were running things, it was pretty clear this wasn't their first rodeo. The locker room showers had floor drains and that would make clean up a lot faster than if they had let everyone take their first showers after being outside for so long in the hotel room showers. At least now when they took a shower they would only be scrubbing away one days worth of mess, not weeks or even months worth of grime.

When Ash spoke up asking about Military service Panama chuckled a bit and shook his head. "Naw, me being in the army would have amounted to Sgt. Bilko." He gave a toothy grin as he stood there bobbing his head a bit. Atticus just shook his head as he let out a slow puff of smoke. "Preacher was though, weren't ya?" The man nodded as he turned the page in his well worn bible before he pulled the cigarette out of his mouth and looked over towards Ash.

"Yeah, three tours in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2003," he said before he went back to reading his bible. He paused for a moment in his scripture before speaking again. "Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms. Ain't no fucking kingdoms anymore, so I guess God did his damn job. A little too damn well if you ask me," he said before he went back to his reading.

"That's some dark assed shit man," Panama coughed.

"Why the fuck you think I wear black?" the preacher said with a cynical chuckle. Panama stared at the man for a bit, not sure whether to laugh or to take a step back. He opted for turning his attention elsewhere and it seemed Hank was going on about TV. He just grinned and gave a shrug. Granted there was no way in hell they had cable TV in this day and age but from the look on his face they had something and maybe that was enough.

Atticus though had closed his bible and was watching the group now with more interest. Seemed some had been in the military while others hadn't. Just like life before the world fell apart, just like the Camp itself. It was clear now that not everyone that lived there was military since Panama had said he hadn't served. Granted he hadn't said what it was he had done before all this. Atticus though didn't say anything, that was his to tell if he felt the need.

While the men seemed to be relaxing a bit more, the girls were being rather quiet in comparison. Daytona was sitting there, not watching them and letting them get what little privacy they could in there. Getting up every so often to put up a razor or take a count but she left the girls alone to do their thing. The Major however was watching them like a hawk, as if just one wrong move and she would devour them. The woman held herself like some female version of Paton, at the ready with her finger resting at ease near the trigger.

Once everyone was sufficiently cleaned it was time to move out of the showers. Looking down at her watch she noted the time. "We're going to move to a common room now, get you back with the guys, and you'll meet the Doc now," Daytona said before motioning for the girls to follow her. Major would wait and take the rear when they left the room.

Atticus checked his watch as the men were finishing up. Standing up he put out his smoke in an ash tray that was sitting next to him. "Alright, time to get ya back to the girls and meet the Doc," he said before motioning for the guys to follow him. The men would end up coming out behind the girls. Atticus taking the front of the line to lead the way behind Major, Panama picking up the rear.

They walked out of the showers and down the hallway until Daytona stopped at a door to her left. It was marked Conference Room. Pushing the door open she motioned for the girls to go ahead in. The room looked rather comfortable. There were some folding chairs out and tables, a pool table, Foosball, and even an old PacMan Arcade Machine that was on and running. Some couches and love chairs, and two worn in recliners. It looked like it was a sort of rec room for quarantine. There was even an old school 80's big screen TV set up with a DVD player and VHS cassettes near it, as well as other things for people to do. From records to play to books to read.

The main thing in the room was a portable privacy screen, a folding table that was set up with vials and needles and other medical supplies, and two people behind the table arranging things. One was a middle aged man in scrubs who looked worn out but had a gentle face. Then there was the shorter more portly woman standing next to him. She was in scrubs as well but she looked like on of those Aunties that you never wanted to cross, like she had a permanent scowl on her features.

"Hey y'all," he said as he looked up, waving the group into the room. "Wow, I was told we had a hell of a new group coming in but seeing is another thing. I'm Michael but most just call me Doc." Draping a stethoscope over his shoulders he smiled at the group. "Give you a little information about myself, I was part of the Combat Casualty Research Program over in Afghanistan before all this. So one of many former military folks you are gonna run into around here. I run the hospital here and this lovely lady next to me is," he said, about to introduce her but she gave him a look and he chuckled and pretended to zip his lips.

"I'm Miss Mary and that's what you'll call me, even if S.B. is my call sign." Her voice was authoritative while Docs was a lot more warm and welcoming. "I ain't be doing no tours and wasn't in no military. I am in charge of meds, as in making them and handing them out. I was a nurse in Chicago before that, so that's what I'll be playing today. Hope ain't none of you got a needle phobia," she said as she stood there before taking a sip from a mug on the table. The smell of coffee wafted into the air and it was strong.

"If you were wondering, S.B. stands for Scary Bitch," Doc chuckled as he picked up a hand full of pens and a stack of papers. The woman shot him a look as Major and Panama took point at the doors. It seemed that Daytona and Preacher were taking a short break as they were not in the room now. "Okay, this is a little bit of medical and information background I need you to fill out. I know, figured paper work would die with the end of the world. Seems it and cockroaches survived. Be nice if you filled it out fully but you don't have to. Just do the best you can or feel okay enough with. This will help us get to know a little about you," he said as he started handing them out. A pen and piece of paper for each person. "Don't worry you'll learn plenty about us later on."

"Just take a few minutes and fill those out for us. Then we'll get onto your check up. We're gonna draw blood and do a basic physical. Now, later on, for you guys over 40 I do suggest getting a prostate exam and girls, it wouldn't be a bad idea to get a pap-smear and such. Doubt many have had the chance since all this started. We do both annually here as well as other check ups. We like to try to keep everyone as healthy as possible," he said as he finished handing out the papers. "Know we got you doing a lot but there will be a break after this and the kitchen is going to be bringing you all in a meal." Stepping back to the table he took a seat in a folding chair and looked over to Mary. "Any idea what she's making today?"

"Lord knows with that woman, right now she's probably smacking Dusty upside the head and telling him to get out her kitchen," she said as she took a seat in the chair next to Doc and picked up her mug. It was a plain white mug that said Coffee Makes Me Happy, You not so much.

*Below is the Questionnaire: I will not answer questions about it OOC. Fill it out as your character. If you have more than one character you need to fill it out for each of them as if they were filling it out. Would your character answer truthfully? Would they answer everything? Would they answer anything? Copy and paste it into your next post and fill it out as they would. As you answer color code them - Green for truth, red for anything but the straight full truth.

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Looking down at her slippered feet, Tatiana placed her hands on her knees to keep them from shaking. It wasn't working well. She looked as if she was going to throw up from nerves and just wanted to go and hide in some dark corner away from everyone one else. When Daytona said it was time to go, she nearly shot up and out the door but had to keep herself from running right out the door back to the others. Biting her bottom lip she wrapped her arms around herself and shuffled her feet out the door of the locker room and down the hallway. Following Daytona as she lead them to Conference room.

Stepping inside, it seemed she was the first in the room. Well for the group anyways. Jack was no where in sight and that seemed to scare her. Looking around she found a couch to sit on, hoping that Jack would come and find her and sit down with her. Sitting down she looked around and waited for him to come in. If she spotted him she would wave frantically to get his attention but she wasn't making any noise. Not a word was coming out of her mouth.

It seemed that once everyone was in and sitting down the man and woman that had been in the room when she entered made their introductions. Tatiana kept watching them and looking around the room. Her knee bouncing a lot as she sat there. She didn't say anything until the doctor came over and handed her the paper and a pen. "Um, two..." she said as she pointed over to her son Jamie. The doctor smile and nodded, handing Tatiana a second paper to fill out for the baby.

Taking the paper she started reading over it slowly. She was still biting her bottom lip as she went over the questions and her hand shook as she wrote but she filled it out. One for her and one for Jamie. She would take Jamie from Jack once she was done so he could fill out his as well. She left her paper in view so Jack could see it but she didn't say anything.

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Wayne looked over at Hank trying not to bend over to pick up the soap and he fell out laughing as he took a seat on the bench. "Ain't no one want to bend your leathery ass over, just pick up the shit," he laughed as he shook his head. He took the man spread position, thankfully this robe fell between his legs and covered his junk. He rubbed his hands together and waited on the guys to be done but it seemed there was going to be some talking. That was fine. Wayne could talk, even as he swatted at something in the air and grumbled under his breath.

Looking at Ash he sat up straight and took a proud pose. "Yeah, the famous cocksuckers brigade. Command of the all-whore detachment." It was obvious he was joking and found himself to be the funniest fucker this side of the Mississippi, shit even if that river was still around. For all he knew it was as dry as his love life right then. Coughing at the end of his laugh he shook his head. "Nah, I was a cop. Once upon a time," he said before looking over at Atticus. I'd swaddle the baby Jesus for one of those," he said motioning towards the cigarette that the preacher was smoking.

As he handed one over and flicked his lighter, Wayne smiled. "Fuck yeah, yer okay, for a cloth man," he said before taking a deep puff. "Oh yeah, that's the ticket," he said letting out the smoke slowly. It was a good day. He had showed, he had shaved. All he needed to finish the holy trinity was to take a shit. Too bad his stomach was pretty much empty so that wasn't gonna happen right now. But hey they had talked about food so maybe he'd finish up this evening.

He looked over to Atticus again as the man let off a bible verse. "Ain't no fucking kidding," was all he said. Looked like it was time to go. He puffed down the cigarette faster than a fat kid eating a cupcake before snuffing it out in the ash tray next to Atticus and followed suit. "Underarms clean? Cunts braided?" he said with a chuckle as he walked out of the locker room. Seemed the girls were ahead of them.

Tilting his head he watched the girls walk until he was in the conference room. "Claimed!" he said as he spotted the recliners and rushed over. Plopping down and flipping the handle and pushing back. "I am in fucking love..." he said getting all comfortable with his feet up. Patting the chair next to his he gave a cheezy grin. "Yo, Jelly to my PB, she's got your name all over her," he laughed as he patted the chair and then got comfortable in his own again.

Now it was time to shut up. Still swatting in front of him and muttering something about shutting the hell up from time to time but he tried to listen. He didn't dislike needles but he didn't exactly like them either. Who the fuck did but if they wanted his blood for a meal he'd pony up. Especially if that meant he could get a cup of that coffee that Miss Mary was drinking. God damn did it smell good. Taking the paper Wayne sat up a little and read over it. He figured he could lie or just say fuck it. So Wayne did what Wayne did. He said fuck it.

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Having scrubbed himself clean and kept a close watch on Jamie, helping his son out as well, Jack was simultaneously relieved and anxious. He knew that it made sense for the guys to get cleaned up in one place and the girls in another - but he didn't like letting Tatiana out of his sight. The last time that had happened, Newnan fell and he was separated from her for a year. He missed the birth of their son and he didn't want to ever miss another second of her life or Jamie's. As they were led into the conference room and Jack spotted a few of the amenities, he couldn't help but smile slightly. God, he missed VHS.

He felt more at ease as he spotted Tatiana, sitting down next to her and holding Jamie. This entire thing felt so incredibly surreal, he almost wasn't sure what to think. His eyes glanced over Tatiana's paper, noting the responses she put down for herself and Jamie, but he didn't say anything. He did however smile slightly at what she had put down for race. He hadn't expected that and if he wasn't hoping desperately they'd be allowed into the community, he would have been tempted to write down First Place 500 Meter Dash 2002 for his own answer.

Once she finished, he gently passed her Jamie and started to fill out his own.

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Beatrice was sticking fairly close to Thalia, observing the area as they were led out of the locker room. For the most part, it reminded her a little bit of Juvi - the nicer, upscale ones that she had been to. Definitely not the ones in Justice. The activities that were outdated, the showers, the regimented routine... Even the use of aliases reminded her a little bit of the nicknames they had given each other. She hated being called Double Decker - but that's what they had called her in juvi.

"I hope you still have your writing hand," Beatrice whispered to Thalia with a slight smirk. It would be incredibly amusing if Thalia had to use her non-writing hand for this and ended up turning in a mess of scribbles. She doubted that they would want Beatrice to fill it out for her and Beatrice had no intention of doing so. The terrible handwriting she would hopefully get to see from peaking over at Thalia's paper was its own reward.

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There were a few things that could brighten up Amelia's mood right now and the greatest of them was luckily present. The mere fact she could have Riley and make sure the singer was alright, calmed her somewhat. That said, she was already experiencing minor paranoia spikes. The minor tics of her hands as she just wanted to grab a bat at this unfamiliar place. So far there was yet a danger to be discovered, but she couldn't calm down enough.' No, there's a danger...' She thought, they didn't know the people.' The hospitality is so far good though... can they be trusted?' Was she too worried for nothing?' Surely not!' Amelia was being torn up from the inside. Her eyes were dancing all around, looking for any danger and possible weapon.

By the time they were told to go, she dashed away to Riley and didn't move more than a step away from her. Her current goal was to protect her love and she was going to do so. What she didn't expect was the location they were led to. It looked fine, but the thing the people there had with them not as much. She felt all the hair on the back of her neck stand up as soon as her gaze fell upon the needles and other tools. Her face displayed her strained nerves as she moved to stay in front of Riley. Amelia wasn't sure she was going to be able to allow anyone to get close to her with any of the needles there.

When they were told to pick up a form to fill out she really cautiously took one, her eyes filled with suspicion. She carefully looked down at the paper to read, trying her best for all of the locals to be in the corners of her vision as she glanced over the questions. Her expression froze and then came the mild surprize." Huh...?" She mumbled and gave Riley confused look. Was this a joke?" What do you think of this...?" She asked of her love. They were really asking all that? How would they prove they wrote the truth!? Was this just an elaborate ruse of some kind? There weren't much choice though, they had to fill it out by the looks of it anyways. She started playing with her hair as she found herself a nice spot near Riley to sit down and start writing.

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They were a colourful ragtag group of men, them in the showers, that was for sure. Seemed their guiding priest had been in the military like Alexander, Ash who had been the leader of Newnan and Hunter the youngest of them. Four soldiers of The United States Armed Forces, serving Uncle Sam wherever he'd sent them; four soldiers, yet so many different generations of war. Alexander looked at Hunter, who had been silent for the most part so far, wondering if he himself had looked so young when he first joined? He wasn't even the youngest of them all, as the old veteran noticed one of the Newnan men with a child. Was it his?

Nigel "Hadrian" was one of those without a military background, and so far he had managed to stay alive without having to have killed people in the old world. His old self hadn't wanted that, but his new self? Things had changed, and Nigel had taken the steps he needed in order to survive. He wasn't a soldier, but a Roman. A Roman who at this point was surprised that neither Hank nor Wayne had pulled a Toga-joke on him as he wore the gown and robe. What would he have said back if they did? That at least he looked like a Roman and not a retiree?

Alexander gave a silent nod to Atticus quoting the Bible, having heard that phrase used many a time over the years. But hadn't they managed to carve out a little kingdom out of the end times? All cleaned up and shaven, they were escorted out of the showers and further into the motel. Alexander looked at Manny, making his stride beside his only male friend as he walked with one slipper and one piece of wood. It was uncomfortable, but it worked. Eventually they got behind the women of the groups walking ahead of them, and then the Conference Room.

While Atticus spoke about God destroying the kingdoms and the rest of the Bible verses, Nigel "Hadrian" wasn't so sure. He wasn't religious by any means, and as far as he was concerned it wasn't real or didn't matter. If there had been a God at some point, he had either decided to cleanse the world with the Undead for some unknown reason, or he had simply up and left them to their own. A God that Atticus preached for wasn't one that made sense to him, he could buy Hades taking over Olympus and raining death upon the world or something like that. But "Hadrian" was a Roman, not in belief but in practice. Was easier this way, not having to gut a goat everytime he tried to pray. This he thought about as he walked alongside the other men out of the showers, behind the women where Erica surely was somewhere, and into the Conference Room.

Was this a rec room for a hospital or the Army, 'cause Alexander couldn't make out the difference. Nigel thought it looked like a retirement home. Considering the age of some of these people, it might fit. "You think they by any chance got The Stones live in Chicago, 1981?" Alexander asked Manny quietly, while Nigel "Hadrian" hoped they had any good books to read.

Alexander recongized some of the electronic applicances in the room, they could have been pulled straight out of his own store back home. Then the two doctors started briefing them of the situation, another a former soldier and another a civi with the attiude of a Marine surgeon. A test? An actuall written test? This just felt more and more like Mugsy's army days, though with the added bonus of a man looking up his ass. But first the test; Alexander accepted the pen and piece of paper, giving it a quick look over as he realied what some of the questions was about...He took a deep breath, then found a chair a little ways away from the others, starting to fill it out. Slowly.

Nigel understood the stern greeting from S.B. or Miss Mary as she preffered; they were newcomers, practically strangers from someone as far as Assyria visiting the tribes of pre-roman Ibera. They had to be taken care of, out of humanity, but also observed, controlled and contained before their fates could be decided. A medical test he could understand and appriciate, a normal meal he looked forward to, but a written test? Nigel "Hadrian" had to blink the first time he heard it, but followed with a little smile as he looked at Erica as they were all four in the room, he and their group. "Usually I'm the one who hands out the tests, but fair enough. Nihil sub sole novum." He said, taking the pen and test on paper as he noticed the old one-legged man taking a seat for himself alone. Nigel found a seat and started filling out the test.

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Manny was a little surprised to see the number of military in the rest room with them. Just three in this room alone, four if you included the priest. Manny wondered again if this would mean everyone would serve some form of active roll as military here in a combat roll, or some other form to directly support the military. Soon enough everyone started making their way off from the showers. Dressed in his new clothes into a room labeled Conference Room. This confused Manny, but then again what was really used as its original purpose? For all he knew this was where they kept a bakery with all sorts of baked goods. Though he was getting a little old for regular sweets and currently lacked the means for proper dental care he still had to do the best he could to keep his teeth in good shape. IF they had toothpaste and brushes here he would be up for the goods.

Manny was right that the room wasn't a conference room anymore, but was repurposed to serve new needs. Sadly even though it would be limited for Manny, it wasn't a bakery. It seemed to be their quarantine, or at least the recreation area for it. Inside it seemed like what his ideal living room would be, old arcade games, an old 80 inch TV with a VHS player, recliner chairs, a Pool table, it was a dream come true. "God I hope so. I could go for some actually decent music.Because if this what retirement is supposed to be like? Damn, I would have actually planned for retirement to be sooner in my life." Manny took special notice at the makeshift medical area. Seems that they were going to get blood drawn and they were going to take... a paper test? "I didn't think I'd see these again." He also got the pleasure of meeting Michael, or doc as the locals called him, and Miss Mary, or BS to those she wouldn't likely kill for calling her that. Manny was pleased to see another doctor present, especially with the means to draw and examine blood. It meant these people were set up for some pretty decent things. Manny might even be able to get back into practice as a dentist again!

Manny took his questions and sat near Alexander. He had little reason to believe these people were hostile, but it was still nice to be near someone he trusted. Giving the questionnaire a fast glance, he thought the questions were interesting. They were simple, but what good did it really do? It seemed way to easy to lie about the questions asked. Manny didn't have a reason to lie, but still. He wondered what else would follow?

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Hunter was surprised to see the amount of military in the showers, but it made sense in a way. If anyone would survive this mess it would the the armed forces. Eventually when everyone was cleaned off and changed into clean clothes they followed the priest into the next room labeled as a conference room. Hunter guess they would get debriefed here for what was going to happen next. Probably get locked in a closet for a week and then inspected to make sure they were still alive. He was... surprised to say the least to see what came across as a recreation room full of girls and doctors. It took him longer then it should have, but he put it together that these were the same girls from before, but cleaned up like the boys were. The doctors were probably here to do... doctory stuff. Which turned out to be correct as they mentioned drawing and testing blood.

Hunter didn't care about that to be honest. What he did care about was that these new people... seemed so relaxed... it scared Hunter. Were they all so confident that nothing was going to happen? That nothing was going to go wrong? There had to be a catch, he noticed the pool table. That meant that there is likely pool sticks. But what would pool sticks do against M4 rifles? Not a lot. But maybe stun one guard. He eased off a bit realizing, these people had the chance to shoot him a few times, but didn't. He would ease off for now, but he needed an escape plan in case something went wrong. When he snapped back to his sense he heard that the doctor here was also former military. How many former military were there?!

Eventually he was given the questionnaire to fill out. He found this... interesting. He also didn't like the idea of sharing his personal information. What if it was taken advantaged of? What if... he was put under trial for the things he has done? No, he couldn't risk it. He couldn't risk being confined like that. He would be careful about what information he shared with these people.

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It was a provocative question, generally. Even years before the threat of dead people chewing on your midsection, asking if there were any military in the room tended to start one kind of a myriad of conversational possibilities. Ash took in the responses of the people around him, both hosts and recent arrivals. He noted who didn't answer, as well. He nodded to Alexander as the older man made reference to a possible stint from a while back, but didn't say anything to the man. When the others made their commentary or asked their questions, he gave the group a second to make sure more wasn't forthcoming, then tried to address as many as he could at once. Admittedly, he had to crack the barest of smiles at the antics of the big, twitchy guy who claimed membership in a brigade that seemed ...dubious... at best. Between him and Panama with his Sergeant Bilko comment, It did a little to ease his morale. Even color his voice from grim to casual.

"Yeah." This assertion was equally to the man who mentioned ability with swords and the younger, more slender man with National Guard ties. "USACE Sapper. O-3 bars, gold castle." Again, a short burst of words that communicated to those of a military background his active rank and role within the Army, as well as a good estimate of his education and experience. In short, a Captain and Combat Engineer with formal education and respectable field experience. A few were not military, and would not have understood him very well. For them, he followed up with, "Army Captain, Engineer. But we're all kind of soldiers now, aren't we?" It was a fair enough assessment. At least half of the people he had served with would have turned and run for the hills at the first sight of a walking corpse. He'd seen it firsthand when the Outbreak started - Ash was at the equivalent of Ground Zero. If you still pushed air past your teeth past that first year, chances were that you had to fight for the privilege of doing so. But addressing the Atticus, Ash commented lightly, "We might have shared a patch of dirt for a while there, Padre." He shrugged. It wasn't that big of a coincidence, he had been to a lot of military hotspots in his career. Afghanistan was just another series of assignments.

As they shuffled along into the Conference Room, the first thing that Ash did was take a head count of the people with whom he entered Mexico Beach. Jack, Tatiana, little Jamie, Amelia, Riley - then Beatrice and the hazel-eyed girl (he hadn't gotten Thalia's name yet). All appeared safe and well treated, clean and dressed the same as he was. Ash counted Beatrice and Thalia among that number, even though the former had left Newnan of her own accord just prior to its collapse and the latter was known to him for all of two minutes before they separated. They were still part of the group that left with Thana to attack Eden, giving what was left of his people a fighting chance to survive. He still wanted to look out for them, regardless. Ash did not recognize the other two with them, though he did have a snatch of conversation with Alexander just prior. He seemed an okay guy. Picked them up along the way, maybe? Well, all questions would be answered in time. Just for now, they were together again. When they were all processed and he had a better feel of the situation, then he might approach. Once he had established that they were all safe and together, Ash allowed himself to take in the details of the room around him.

The smell of coffee hit him. It was heavenly. Caffeine in all of its may and glorious forms tended to be heavenly, but he had a special spot in his heart for coffee. Sadly, it looked like that was just a cup for one - that one was a lady that the Doc referred to as "Scary Bitch". Still, the smell of that bitter black roasted goodness was alluring.

So the plan was detailed as a quick series of questions and a physical examination. Fine. Fair enough. Back in Newnan, he had new people give over blood to their medical facility and he interviewed each new person individually. This was just their way. While not completely swept away by the comparative luxury of the place, he did appreciate the steps they were taking and their treatment so far. So no problem. Ash grabbed the paperwork and found a flat surface where he could fill it out.

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Thalia had to admit, being squeaky clean was pretty awesome. In her younger days, it would have been "Wicked Pissa Awesome", but she had experienced a lot more than her adolescent years along Cape Cod since then. Her lack of comfort didn't come from taking a shower, for which she was highly grateful, but the uncertain switch from her life out in the wilderness to one where she was experiencing what was now considered luxury, all the while being watched by people with automatic weapons. The other unfamiliar people weren't exactly making this a picnic, either.

A long time ago, Thalia was a devout urbanite who, while a little anti-social, enjoyed the benefits of civilization. She liked the City. That had definitely changed, as anyone who had been near her for more than an hour could attest. All the same, there was a small part of her that wanted to be a part of these people's lives. Or anyone's life, for that matter. Being alone was often safer and she could move faster, but some things about it sucked. The last time a balance of who she was and who she was becoming had been struck, she was living a more primitive live in Fairburn, with the medieval and Viking reenactors who had stuck around and ran with the concept. Hewn log walls, stone firepits, longhouses, hunting, fishing, spears and axes. She missed those people. They were really good to her, and she owed her continued survival to them. Suffice it to say, she wasn't a city girl anymore. Cities usually meant death. Thalia's people revered death, but were not in a hurry to meet her.

Stepping into line with everyone else, Thalia got a tiny amount of reassurance when Beatrice hung close to her. She was a bitch, no doubt. They had a little in common that way. For their constant snark and sarcasm, Thalia was happy to have her near. She took a seat next to Bea and looked over the questionnaire while her face began to twist into an expression that suggested a lack of knowledge as to why this was necessary. If it could be summarized into a single word, said word might be "Wuzzafuq?" Some of these questions made sense for filing or personnel or something else that she didn't find useful (but understood why others might), but some of them just struck into the personal. Or ambiguous. Of course, there was a problem with her filling out a form, particularly one with an essay element. This problem was addressed by Beatrice with all of the tact and grace that she had come to expect from the woman.

Sadly, she had a point. Thalia was right-handed. Or she used to be, before the skillsaw amputation. The whisper and smirk from her friend was met with the very calm and professional response of, "Thank you for your concern, hon. Take a moment, if you could, and go eat a dick." She gave Beatrice a playful nudge with her elbow, and then got to the trying task of attempting to write with her left hand. It was about as promising as a drunken NASCAR event - something was getting wrecked. She tried to keep the writing as basic as possible and push through.

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No, Hank didn't have any clever witticisms for the peanut gallery, nor anything to add to the conversations going on about his struggle against the pitfalls of soap reclamation. He wasn't military, though he had considered it briefly before going into law enforcement, and if anyone wanted to know directly about it they could ask him directly about it. Hank was busy trying to re-attune himself to things he used to take for granted like clean clothes, hot water, and a fresh shave. Not bad, if he did say so himself. But like all good things, it too had to come to an end. Optimism was not a thing which he wore well, but he tried nevertheless when the patry moved down the hall and into a place that looked suspiciously set up like one of the rec rooms at the mental health hospital he started his little journey from. Complete with a doctor who was trying too hard to be relatable and a scary nurse.

Still better than the outside. That, and it wasn't anything that he wasn't used to, be it over five years ago. Almost like coming home. If they started dispensing pills in those little wax paper cups that might have otherwise contained ketchup, it wouldn't surprise him. And, there was one piece of fortuitous news that came from Wayne: There were recliners. Two of them.

Hank carefully acquired one of the questionnaires, got a pen, and made his way over to the chair next to his buddy. It was a solemn occasion, settling into a good chair. Or a passable one, and this chair would do nicely. Hank did enjoy a good sit. After settling in, he gave the paperwork a good once-over. This looked like pretty basic stuff, except for a couple of those trick questions that were supposed to make you think. Or designed to look like they were there to make you think. Casually, he glanced over to Wayne who appeared to be filling his out with some degree of seriousness. Almost at a whisper, he asked his friend, "Hey, ah... what've you got there, bud?"

Wayne responded by showing Hank his paper so far. The former Sheriff raised his eyebrows in amazement. Wayne was being awfully straight with these people. Not to say that Hank was planning on lying, but if he were then their answers should probably match up. Well, nothing to be gained from it otherwise. With a shrug, he got to the paper. In the meantime, there was a damn comfortable chair that, if he had the time to afterward, he was going to nap in. He might while filling the form out, anyway. You know, keep his options open.

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Once they were ready to leave the showers Riley smiled towards Amelia as she went over towards her, and started to follow the rest out of the room. She stuffed her hands into the pockets of the robes, feeling very much refreshed now at this point she started to make her way down the hallway. Seeing the room marked as 'Conference' she took a moment to take in the entire room, Riley was really surprised to see that there was an actual arcade machine in there. She then spotted the two people in the room, as she looked over her shoulder seeing Major and Panama standing over by the door.

Riley then followed Amelia and found a spot as she listened to the doctor, and then looked towards S.B. which she had a feeling that she would easily get annoyed. "Nice to meet you guys." Riley said, trying to be as friendly as possible towards them, as she listened to them as they told a little a bit about themselves. She then looked towards the paper that they were all being handed out, and started to read through some of the questions that were listed. "It's probably just to get information." Riley said with a slight shrug as she looked down at the questions and then started to fill out the questions. She then stopped for a moment looking over at the two doctors before asking, jokingly. "Then we get to the anal probing after all this correct?"

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Erica followed the other women out of the showers and down the hallway, she didn't know the rest of these people yet and she remained pretty much quiet the entire time as well. As she stepped into the next room, seeing that the rest of the men were coming into the room as well, and stared at the room. It felt like it was a really nice rec room, with an arcade machine, foosball, and some movies by the looks of it, and a few books. She was certainly starting to like this place more, and more so far the group didn't seem to want to kill them all just yet.

She then raised an eyebrow as they were given questionnaires to fill out, which was a little bit weird for her to see since she could simply just lie her way around it if she wanted to. But Erica wouldn't actually do that she went over and sat down next to Nigel and started to slowly read through all of the questions that they had, while looking over towards one of the women who spoke up about anal probing after they filled out the paperwork which made her shake her head slightly. Erica then went back and slowly started to fill out the paper and what was asked of her.

Temperature: 94F (34C)
Humidity: Fucking High (Around 98%) - Raining off and on all day
Wind Speed: 7 MPH (11 KPH)
Cloud Coverage: About 62% covered with thick dark clouds

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"Oh no girl. We at least take you out to dinner before the anal probes," Miss Mary said and it wasn't exactly clear if she was joking or not. Her face was pretty blank as she spoke. She could have been dead serious. Thankfully doc chuckled a bit and shook his head a little.

"Nah, that's only for us old guys and later on once we get to know you better," he said before kicking back and waiting for the group to finish filling out the papers. While they were waiting the two seemed to be relaxed, even as Panama and Major stood at their posts at the door. Watching and waiting to see if anyone tried anything. So far things seemed so good but while Panama was a bit relaxed they obviously were keeping a watch out. Chances were they had seen things go south before during a situation like this and didn't want it to repeat itself. That or just being overly cautious, either way it was how they were handling things.

The door to the conference room swung open slowly and it was Daytona, carrying a small black box under her arm as she walked up towards the table the other two were sitting at. Setting it down on the table she started speaking. "Alright, cook is getting a meal together for them and it should be ready in about forty five minutes," she said and Doc rolled his eyes.

"She isn't..." he started but Daytona threw up her hands.

"Don't go there, I am not getting in between you two again. You deal with her when she gets here. Think she's bringing Goat with her. Not sure."

"Where's the Padre?" Miss Mary asked.

"Over with the General and Gunny giving the run down with Maddoc." There seemed to be a looked exchanged between the three of them. "Don't even ask. It's getting pretty heated so I ain't going in there right now." Standing up she straightened the hem of her shirt a bit. "Oh, Volts and Tesla are on standby if you need them."

"Alright, I'll get some measurements and hand them off after I'm done," Doc said. Picking up the box he quirked a brow and had a look on his face. "What's this about?"

"Oh that, yeah," she said before looking around the group and then spotting Hank. She pointed him out. "It's for that one," she said before shrugging and walking towards the door. She nodded towards Major and Panama before she stepped out and closed it behind her.

Doc looked it over and set it back down on the table. Checking his watch before standing up and taking a look around the room. Seemed everyone was done with their papers, or at least as much as they were willing to fill out. "Alright folks, seems a meal is on the way so let's get you all checked quickly. This is just a fast once over and some blood work. The other stuff like prostate checks and gyno exams will wait until later and those are voluntary but again, let me stress that it would be a good idea. Sooner we catch anything the better and if you are all healthy then it gives us a good base line to make sure you stay that way."

"What we're going to do is simple. One at a time you come up. S.B. will draw your blood. Then I'll listen to your heart and breathing, eyes, the usual like you would have had at a yearly check up before all this shit storm broke out. Then I will need you to step behind the screen here. If you're a woman and don't want me doing your full body check, S.B. can step in. We have to check you for any parasites so we can nip it in the bud and not have our community exposed."

Mary stood up and pulled her chair over to the edge of the table as she got a needle and other supplies ready. "Who's getting it over with first?" she asked.

Alright peeps, we are going to get through the physical. Each one of you message me before you start your posts and let me know you are ready to start and all that jazz. People with female characters, let me know if you are going to want S.B. to do the body check at that time. I will message you back with some results you will be putting in your post for your characters.

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Tatiana's eyes kept moving around, looking this way and that. She nearly jumped out of her chair when Daytona came back into the room. Bouncing Jamie on her knee she swallowed slightly as the woman spoke to the others. Her eyes darted towards Hank as Daytona singled him out. As S.B. asked who was first, she looked over towards Jack and handed Jamie over slowly. It looked like she didn't want to go first but she was going to anyways. "I get done, then ve knov," she said softly before standing up and pulling her robe together more. Her feet shuffled against the ground as she walked up to the table, the paper in her hand shaking as she handed it over.

Doc took it and looked it over as she sat down and S.B. pulled up her robe sleeve. Tying off her arm and giving her a bit of a stick a few second later to get the needle in her arm. "Mmeepp," she squeaked as she was stuck. The blood flowed out and Tatiana went white. Her bottom lip trembled as her blood was drawn. It only took a moment before she was up and out of the chair and standing behind the table with the doctor. He took her pulse and checked her breathing. He moved quickly and motioned towards the screen. Tatiana nodded and stepped behind it.

Behind the screen the Doc did a quick once over of her body, only having her remove parts of her robe and gown here and there so she wasn't fully naked at any time. She was trembling like crazy but tried to keep as still as she could. After about two minutes she was done and her robe was back on fully. Stepping out from behind the screen she was given the all clear and neon green band was put around her wrist with her name written on it. Walking back over to her seat, she sat down and let out a long held in breath. "You take Jamie, don't vant to go back up," she said quietly.

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Wayne shrugged and gave a a snarky grin. "Shit man, I got zero fucks at this point," he said as he got comfortable in his recliner. He watched the exchange between the two and watched Daytona. His brows going up as she pointed out Hank. "Aw she brought you a gift, I'm jealous," he said fucking with the jelly to his PB. He nearly fell out of his chair as he turned to watch the back end of Daytona walk out of the room. Righting himself he figured there was nothing to stop him from getting this shit over with. The faster the better he figured. They kept mentioning food and damn did he want to eat. Goat? Did someone say they were having goat? Oh fuck, beggars couldn't be choosers. He could deal with goat. Shit, Goat curry didn't sound too bad but what about the seafood? What, were they breeding sea goats?

Apparently the little scared stiff ginger was going first but hey he wasn't far behind. Once she was behind the screen S.B. was motioning for someone else to come over. Wayne jumped up and strolled over, rolling his sleeve up as he went. "Hey there," he said with a wink. S.B. grinned and Wayne jumped as the needle went into his arm a lot harder than he had seen it going into Tatiana. "Oh a rough one, I like," he said with a grin. Once the needle was out and he had a piece of gauze and tape over it, it was his turn with Doc.

Wayne stood there, letting the man check his pulse and breathing, and anything else he needed to do. Wayne was calm about it. It wasn't like this was his first rodeo with a check up. He had to get them weekly when he was in the nut house. They loved drawing blood, running tests, checking everything. Strolling behind the screen he disrobed and let Doc do his thing. Again, zero fucks given. In fact Doc had to stop him from walking out so he could fully get robed again before coming out behind the screen. Once he was done, another lime green band was pulled out and his name was scribbled on it before it was wrapped around his wrist and he was let go to go back to his seat. Flopping down he laced his hands behind his head and got all comfy waiting for his meal.

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It was show time more or less as they were being told how the procedure was going to pass. Amelia silently gulped, throwing looks around. She studied the place again, studied the people and the possibilities. There were many good points about the situation. There was solid roof, there were guards to protect from walker, these people were also helping them out so far. Then there was the point that there were books and other entertainment here. All things she hadn't had the chance to experience in a long long time. Especially the books were what gained a lot of her attention. She so badly missed the feel of reading a good book.

Suddenly her attention snapped back to the people in the room as Tati went to be the first to do the check up, followed by one of the men she didn't recognize. She gulped as eventually it came down to the next person and she decided it might as well do it now. Amelia moved over and handed the filled out form as she sat down and let them take her blood. Her eyes were focused on the needle like a hawk the entire time, but overall there weren't any issues with it. She did clench her teeth and bit a lip as the needle punctured her flesh, but didn't make too much noise.

When that was over she quietly said she wanted SB to be the one to do her check up and walked behind the screen." Let's get it over with." She was generally a shy person, but since she already bathed in plain view of others, she just clenched a fist, closed her eyes and just removed the entire robe so they can get this done and over with as soon as possible. Eventually it was done and over with as she put her robe back on.

Miss Mary looks at her and sighs. "Sorry girl, you got lice, gotta keep you separate until we get them bugs off out of your hair," she says quietly.

“Ohhh... I see.” Amelia gave a surprised look at the woman as she also suddenly looked down and gloomy. She nodded and walked from behind the screen, being given a yellow band instead of the green one. SB then told her to sit on a chair some distance away from the others. Amelia felt really uncomfortable with that revelation. Just when did that happen? Were they going to cut off all her hair now? That was the fastest way to deal with this after all... She was going to look ridiculous... Her mind was heavy with the embarrassment as she sat down on that chair in a metaphorical solitude. She just hoped that Riley wasn't in the same boat.

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There were books, there were nice chairs, there was also a promise of food coming soon! Manny was overall pleased with things. He honestly wondered how much of things here would be like his old life? Would he be able to take his shotgun and go back to hobby shooting again? Though that might have been a bit of a stretch he wasn't going to count it out. After all these people did have hot water and military hardware. Plus, Manny is pretty sure that the 20 gauge shell isn't military issues, meaning it could probably be spared. Granted, not as common as a 12 gauge, but still common enough. Though... chances are not produced anymore... He'd have to get that sorted out.

Once the announcement of food was made, the announcement for short inspections was done. Procedure seemed simple enough. Give a once over, draw some blood, do further checks on those who needed it. He saw the woman with the Russian accent go first. He gave her props for doing so. She went in and out, and several others followed. Some more pleased then others. Though one girl left and sat alone afterwards. Manny was tempted to go over and talk to her, but had noticed the orange band on her compared to the green that the rest had gotten so far. Manny wondered how bad it was, or if it just meant that she had an injury that would need proper treatment but wasn't life threatening? Once she was out, Manny figured it couldn't get much worse then being marked for special attention, so he volunteered next. "Okay Doc, lets get this over with. I don't handle the stress of waiting as well as I used to." Manny made his way up to the good doctor, and prepared for his examination.

Manny was slow at first to the examination, but gave in once things got going. He got the idea fast that if he just let this happen, it would be done a lot faster. Though he never fully stripped all at once, he did let his robes hang loose for easy examination. Drawing his blood wasn't a problem though. Being in the medical field he was already used to this sort of thing, and was able to handle it easy enough. Once it was done, Doc gave him a nice green band with his name on it meaning he was cleared and good to go. "Thank you Doc, thank you Miss Mary. That was much better then I remember it being." Manny said with a humble smile on his face. Redressing he left to join with the others. "Simple cost for some food and a roof over my head. Though I just hope I don't have to do that for every meal." At that moment he wasn't talking to anyone in particular, just trying to set a calming mood.

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It was definitely not the worst place he had been stuck at so far. Sure he was unarmed, sure he was wearing nothing but robes, sure his dog was locked away somewhere he couldn't find her, sure there were armed guards watching his every move, sure his most plausible weapon was a pool stick. But this totally wasn't a bad situation that could get worse at the blink of an eye. He figured if he had his shotgun still he could fire off the all the shells using it's slam fire function. Accurate, no, deadly, yes. But then what? Fight his way out from here? He saw the gate, impossible with what he knew so far. Plus, what if these people were better then the rest of the ones he has met? He's sure he'd feel bad about shooting them until something else got his thoughts. He realized pretty fast though, he was already developing another plan to kill everyone in the room. Thinking about it, he decided he needed to calm down. He didn't like being That person. But how else would he stay alive? Beg and plea? Become dependent? He didn't like those ideas. He would suppress his thoughts for now, but he definitely wasn't a fan of how things were now.

Hunter while cycling through his out of order thought process registered only after several people had gotten checked up that people were getting checked up. And other then one poor girl who got separated from the rest of them, things seemed good. He felt bad for her being singled out. He wondered what she had that made her stick out? Maybe she had a severe illness. Hunter tried to think of a few but as far as he could tell, he didn't know much that could apply nowadays without getting shot. He noticed a couple of the old guys have gone through inspection and where checked out good. So how hard could it be? If those old bastards could get through without a problem and be cheerful what could go wrong?

Hunter made his way to the man called Doc. "Let's just make this fast and easy alright? Not a fan of being so..." He couldn't think of the word. He wanted to say vulnerable, but couldn't get the word out. "Just... please lets get this over with..." He said trying to as least hostile as possible. Which apparently had been a very weak point for him that day, as 90% of what he said so far today has almost gotten him shot. He took off the robes with ease, not caring if he was naked or not, and let the examination take place. His blood was drawn, and he was given an update.

"Okay son, you have a tick. No biggie, don't pull it. We'll take care of it after we finish everyone else," Doc tells Hunter in a quiet voice before pointing over to the chairs off to the side where Amelia is sitting alone.

Hunter stood there quiet, not really sure how to react. A tick? He didn't see it as too big of a deal but he was definitely upset about that. "There's a fucking freeloader attached to my ear? Fucking give me a knife and I will deal with it myself." He wouldn't, but the idea sounded cool in his head. But he would comply. Getting his Orange band attached he walked his way over to the girl who also had an orange band. The entire way he had to resist the urge to pick at the annoying creature attached to his head. Hunter sat looking at the girl who also got separated from the rest. "So... What do you got?" He asked not really sure what to expect. "Surely it can't be too bad? We're still in the same room as the rest, meaning it's probably not deadly?" After he spoke he realized if she was stressed, his words may not help. "...I'm Hunter, The one who almost got shot for thinking out loud too much. You got a name? Or do you have a number for a name? Either is fine I mean... I don't care." Hunter decided now was probably a good time to shut up as his social skills were rusty beyond all reasoning. Which he probably should have gotten after he was threatened with being shot several times today by people with far more weapons then he.

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Alexander wasn't too happy when Manny came over to sit with him, but the old veteran didn't stop him from taking the test beside him. Manny hadn't tried to look at his piece of paper and what he'd answered to the group's questions, and he was one of the few he actually trusted in that room, besides Thalia and Beatrice. Bea's group of Newnan was halfway okay in his book, mostly out of trust for her, and so far Ash had seemed like an okay grunt. But Alexander finished his questionaire in silence, holding in every emotion that attempted to free themselves from his shackled mind as he wrote. It wasn't easy. Nothing was easy those days.

With the test all done and handed in, Alexander watched as Manny went to get his check-up. Alexander wasn't sure whether to feel sorry or happy for him; he was a doctor himself and usually did the physicals himself to others, but then again it must have been nice to get checked on by someone else. It was probably how it felt to have an electrician checking your home for you, when you'd done it a thousand times before. As Manny left, Alexander looked up at him and gave him a supportive smile. "Good luck, Manny."

Before Manny it had been the foreign-sounding lady who looked scared, which Alexander could understand, then the odd-ball who'd made quite the show in the showers, and then another redhead from the Newnan group. None of then which he knew, and not the youngster who went after Manny. Some were separated from the others, and then it was his turn. Ol' Mugsy got up on his good foot and redneck-pegleg, limping with determination to Doc and Miss Mary. "Do your magic, I'm ready."

Mugsy wasn't really scared of undressing for the doctors; he'd done that a thousand times in front of the Army docs and fellow grunts the few times they got proper showers in 'Nam. What did he have to hide? The pegleg attached to his leg or the ancient gunshot-wound in his thigh? Blood was taken, eyes and heart checked, most of what Mugsy had gotten checked before he and his wife took that last boat-tour to the Bahamas. He was given the all clear, and got dressed before he was given a green band on his wrist. "Thanks Doc. Ma'am...Miss Mary, sorry." Perhaps he could ask Miss Mary later where in Chicago she worked, him having been born and bred in the Windy City. He rejoined the others, finding a seat beside Manny. "Weren't much undressing when you were a dentist, I guess?" Alexander said to Manny, before casually looking over to his own folks; Thalia and Beatrice. Now he and Thalia could get prosthetics, perhaps they would be less useless than before, and Manny and Beatrice could feel they wouldn't have to baby-sit them as much.

That would be nice.

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Nigel "Hadrian" didn't think that the test was too hard. In fact he found it quite reasonable for them to fill it out, seen how many they were and how many possibly had gone through the exact same process before them. Though some of the questions were rather open, bordline philosophical he felt. But like he had said earlier, "When in Rome...", he went along with it. Giving Erica a smile as she sat down with him and filled it out, he handed in his test and waited for the next step in their integration into the so-called General's personal empire.

When it was time for the medical checks, Nigel "Hadrian" watched as some of the others started volunteering to go. One after another went in and came out, and to his great surprise it was not Wayne who was separated from the group. Nigel "Sportacus"...yeah, it was getting to him, watched in equal surprise at Daytona came into the room with a box for Hank? Leaning towards Erica, Nigel whispered her a question. "Any idea what the box and Hank's about?"

The Neo-Roman didn't get time to ask much else as he decided it was his turn, and walked behind the screen. Unlike Alexander, Nigel "Hadrian" wasn't as keen to undress full, and after Doc and Miss Mary had checked his blood, heart and the rest he only disrobed partly as they checked him. For a while it seemed like he was good to go, until they found their casus beli to separate him from the others. Doc runs a comb slowly through Hadrian's hair and steps back. "Well that's fun. You got lice. Over there until we get a handle on it," he says quietly. Nigel didn't get angry at Doc, but he gave off an audible sigh of annoyance. Of course he had been the one to draw the short straw. "Ough...could be worse I guess. Thanks." Nigel said as they strapped a yellow band around his wrist like a Gaulish slave with the pox, got dressed and went over to the segregated group of a red-head and the young soldier. "Hadrian, or Nigel I guess." He said flatly to Hunter who talked the most of the three of them, looking at the redhead. "We'll be okay, I'm sure. I could be worse. You're with the bigger group?"

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Beatrice chuckled slightly at Alex and Manny's line of conversation. It caused a smile to tug at the corners of her lips - before she had met them, she never would have overheard a conversation lamenting the perks of retirement. Most people where she lived in her experience didn't even end up making it to retirement. Usually, you died young or you realized it was time to get out and you ran. Even then, Justice would catch up to you in the end. It couldn't be escaped, like some sort of nefarious source of gravity, pulling you towards it for eternity.

It was thus for an obvious reason that she had lied, claiming Northeastern California as her place of birth and not Justice on the forms. She wouldn't be surprised if a place like this had a policy of kicking out any Justice native without an interview. The change to her name she made? It was just in case somehow they still had records. Not a huge change, of course, but Beatrice figured it would work enough to calm any slight paranoia.

"I thought you'd rather I eat you out," Beatrice whispered to Thalia in reply to the dick eating comment. A few minutes passed as they explained that they'd be given a medical exam. She wasn't too shocked or freaked out by the idea. She used to get one every time she entered juvi, so she was more or less used to it by this point. Getting up, Beatrice waited for her turn and handed over her forms.

"I don't need a female doctor," she said once it was her turn with the doctor. It all was fairly routine. Blood work, check up, Beatrice hardly even registered most of what they were doing. After checking over Beatrice, Doc nods. "Yeah, everything looks good. Can head back over to the group." She then got a green colored bracelet on her arm with her name, glancing at it for a moment to read it and her eyes glanced around the room, seeing the other colors starting to appear.

She then went and took her seat next to Thalia. "Have fun."

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Jack nodded, taking the baby from Tatiana. He would have preferred to go first, to make sure that everything was routine, but he wasn't going to argue with his wife. Arguing with redheads was a dangerous tactic in general. Taking his baby boy, Jack couldn't help but watch towards where the examinations were going on as they took Tatiana's blood. When she disappeared behind the screen with Doc, his heart clenched in anger. It wasn't jealousy or anything like that - if anything, he was angry about how vulnerable it was making Tatiana. He didn't want her to ever have to feel like that.

"Hey, hey, solovey, it's okay..." Jack said to her softly. "Я здесь. Я защищу тебя, несмотря ни на что,"₁ he then added quietly in Russian. However, he did nod in agreement that he would take Jamie up. Tatiana was clearly uncomfortable with all of this - if it was an act, it truthfully didn't matter to Jack. He just wanted to keep her safe and happy, so it would be easy for her to pull the wool over his eyes if she wanted to. But he didn't care. He was in love with her.

Heading up to the front, Jack had them take his blood first. He clenched up slightly and gritted his teeth, trying not to look at the needle or anything. As long as he didn't look at it, he'd be fine. It wasn't that he was scared of blood or anything like that - it just wasn't exactly in his top ten list of favorite things to do. "Alright, Jamie, they're gonna take some blood, okay?" he said softly to his baby, hoping that his tone of voice would keep Jamie calm.

Jamie clearly wasn't happy about getting his blood drawn - but when it was over, Jack was shocked by how quiet Jamie was. He had been prepared for screaming to rival the Irish in Boston on St. Patrick's Day. Instead, there was just a sniffle or two, no screaming at all. Once that was done, Jack went with the doctor behind the curtain, letting the man check him over as needed. He had had physicals before as a cop, so it wasn't too big of a deal.

"Alright you look good, let's get a look at this little man," he says. Letting Jack keep a hold of Jamie while he checks the boy over. "Yeah, I think he has a cold, blood tests will tell us more but that's actually a good thing," Doc explains before saying a bit more on it. "If he had allergies that would be a life long battle. Colds come and go. I'll get him some meds from S.B. while you all have dinner. Go ahead and rejoin the group."

"Thanks, Doc," Jack said, adjusting himself so he was decent and all again as he went out from behind the curtain and rejoined Tatiana, still holding onto Jamie. "Doc says it's a cold, he thinks," Jack explained to her. "Gettin' meds for Jamie and they'll bring them ovah durin' dinnah."