---

---

---

---

---

"Agreed," remarked Ash, trying to blink away the thought of Wayne approximating Boomhauer. Except in his mind, somehow he was also wild-haired, smoking a cigar, and calling people "Bub". Dang ol' Bub... Well, that was weird. The thought of the older men of Camp Mexico Beach lined up in an alleyway, sipping cans of domestic from a cooler, and Wayne living the free-and-breezy life as a strange amalgamation of Wolverine and Boomhauer was a little off, even if it was just a product of an active imagination. What was worse - he was a trained Engineer, whose brain was wired to see an problem or obstacle and immediately begin calculating a fix. This resulted in him thinking what materials they had on standby which he might have seen during the tour for the creation of an alley framed with backyard privacy fencing, preferably someplace beer adjacent. Barring that, a location that upheld the overall spirit of am assortment of middle aged guys standing about at leisure. Perhaps fishing. But no, speaking with her about it was a big no-no. He could feel part of that cringe. It was real.

It also didn't surprise him when she moved to bus her tray after fighting to keep her food down at the image of Waynehauer doing his thing. Ash had experienced combat before the word went to hell, same as her. It still didn't prepare you for horrors like that. But Ash quickly finished his plate, or near enough, and moved to follow Thana toward the exit. By the time that Thana had looked back to see what the score was with him Ash was definitely ready to 1) follow her, and already crouching a little so that she could 2) get a lift. "My pleasure, of course. Hop on up. Point and I'm going that way." Ash had a good idea where she wanted to go. Still, it was good to get that confirmation before carrying away the indigenous personnel. "...shower..." he softly said aloud, unaware that he had done so until it was already out there. Yes, he was a disciplined man of action, a credit to the Army he once served, and a sharply intelligent person. But he also had a lot of time to make up for, and some of the ideas along those lines leaked out into the verbal with minimal prompting. Ash was sure that he'd have a better handle on himself in that regard shortly, but for now, he was going to piggyback the object of his deep affection someplace where a lather might be worked up. Priorities.

---

---

Thalia set her ferrous right hand down upon her napkin and scraped it off of her tray, then slid it over in front of herself. There was a little more in the way of citrus juice on the table, and even if Thalia was a person lacking in the recent application of table manners, she wasn't inherently a slob. Even among the trees and hills, within which she had she had become more comfortable than air conditioning and new sheets, one could not afford to be overly messy. It attracted the wrong kind of attention. And she still technically felt like a guest, even if she was supposed to be one of the locals now. It was best to make an effort.

Most of that effort was geared toward the shards of fruit in front of her. As light discussion was made, be it more backtracking than anything else because it wasn't anyone's business what they were talking about other than the two of them. Personal stuff, and the like. It was rare that Thalia had an unguarded moment, and holding a short personal conversation while her eyes scanned the room for potential threats was the closest thing to an unguarded moment that she could hope for. Thalia's contribution to the conversation was another monosyllabic, "Nnn," in Alexander's direction, a kind of muted attempt at a "what he said" phrase wrapped up in the least amount of verbalization necessary, and only this after ripping the last bit of pulpy fruit from the rind and depositing the whole mess onto her tray. She gave Alexander a light bump on his shoulder with her right hand (at least she thought it was light, she was still getting used to the prosthetic) and moved to bus her tray.

It was probably a good time to let herself be seen by people here. Yeah, there was the whole beach party that they were doing, but that was something that sounded like it might last into the night. For now, broad daylight was best, she thought. As soon as she stepped outside, Thalia noticed the kid named Hunter and their younger guard, the blonde one who she might have been able to babysit for back in the day, if that was her thing. _{Spoiler Alert: It wasn't.} Nikki, that was her name. She said something rather unflattering about the guy with the cart. No problem.

"Oye, Morales!" she began, calling to The Goat in perfectly accented Nuevo Leon Spanish, "Esta chica dice algo sobre ti en un ...'Espeedo'. ¿Quizás meterse con ella en la fiesta de esta noche, si tienes una?₁"

---

---

---

---

Amelia wasn't sure if she was ready to believe this woman liked books or if it was being said just to get along. If it was true, then it put them at least somewhat to a closer grounds on the topic of interactions, after all Amelia was not very confident in talking about topics that didn't have to do with books. That was her most favorite subject and the thing she enjoyed doing the most. The mention of crappy romantic novels, brought an unexpected chuckle to her lips!

“Seems cheap romance flicks never fade.” She said with a smile. It was a thing she had read a few times, honestly not what she enjoyed most, but it was still book and could pass the time. Never her favorite, but her home had quite a few of these back in the days. Her mother used to read them... or collect them or something. Maybe they were just getting gifted with some service even? She actually had no idea how those books had appeared in her family. Never asked, knew her mother liked them and that was enough.

Still she looked down at her plate. She was basically done with the meal. She sort of ate it fast after all. Maybe should have paced it slower? She was wondering the issue when she spotted Ash heading towards the exit with Thana. This made her thinking that maybe they shouldn't spend too much time here in the mess hall.” What should we do after we finish up the meal?” Amelia asked, both Lisa and Riley, but mainly Riley.” Go back to the room and rest down a little?”

---

---

---

---

Seeing Amelia speak out on her own accord, made Lisa grin. So books were the way to go with this one after all! A bookworm through and through! Good, they needed more people who were interested in reading and literature. A sad side effect of apocalypses seemed to be the decimation of the creators' populations! The rare and endangered breed of musicians and writers, and let's not even get into the topic of actors! Granted survival was just as important and that required certain sets of skills, but she suspected finding quality comics would be hard after all. Who knew if someone will ever start producing comics again in the future. Books as well, if this place survived a while, maybe in the distant future there would be a story writer born!

Suddenly she snapped away from her thoughts and looked at Riley who asked what she did. Lisa stuffed a mouthful of food and ate it quickly before speaking.” Well I work in Parmaceutical.” She said with a shrug and a smile.” Helping out with everything there, restocking medicine, keep track of it, create new ones when we can do so or have to do so and so on. It's a nice gig, learned quite a bit since I joined and when I was preparing to join.” She didn't hide her job in the camp. It was a little bit of pride she had in herself. She considered it her own personal milestone in her life. Medicine sure beat being a maid. Though to be the old maid job had better working hours, the uniform was better and the pay was better... well not that any of those mattered nowdays. The work in Parmaceutical still beat cleaning duty though.

“Well I'd advice you to try to see what you will enjoy doing in the camp for an occupation past the initial basic duties. There are quite a few bits of different jobs about the camp. I'm sure you will eventually end up at a place you will at least be content with.” She reassured them and started stuffing the rest of her food, also spotting Ash and Thana leaving apparently. Lisa was happy for the woman, though the appearance of the boyfriend sadly didn't change the expectations of chance to proceed with forming a friendship with Thana. Before it was searching for the boyfriend, now it's making up for lost time with the boyfriend.' Alas, guess I will have to be patient.' She thought.

“Well you could try heading for the beach and wait some distance away while they are finishing the preparations, a nice stroll to there and then the night's air and sky.” She smiled.” Personally, I will be heading directly there after I finish my meal, wasn't called in to help exactly, so I will just enjoy the nice evening's ocean sounds from a distance while we wait.”

---

---

---

---

Riley leaned back as she looked towards Lisa as she started to answer what was that she did for the camp and smiling towards her and nodded, though she didn't know anything like that anyway. But it did come in handy especially nowadays, medicine was pretty scarce now to unless you knew how to actually make it. "I'm sure it's really interesting working over there." Riley said towards Lisa as she continued to eat and thought a little bit more before asking. "What did you do before, the you know outbreak?" Riley then asked, before turning to look at Amelia when she asked her what they should do before the beach party.

"We could walk around or something if you'd like?" Riley suggested they did have maps of the place after all to so they wouldn't end up getting lost or end up going somewhere where they shouldn't even be going in the first place as well. "Or we can go back to our place before the beach party to." Riley said she was completely fine with doing anything really right now at this point as well. "Isnt the beach off limits for the time being while they setup?" Riley asked her, she wasn't really in the mood for getting into trouble right away either and harming their chances of staying here permanently to, she noticed Ashton and Thana were leaving now as well.

---

---

---

---

Erica looked towards Nigel and laughed slightly and shook her head slightly. "Who said I was a fancy girl?" Erica said as she took another drink and leaned back as she thought for a moment. "Maybe they do have some kind of wine being made here." Erica suggested, they were hosting a big beach party after all right now as well in the first place she was sure that they could be serving some kind of wine here. She looked down at her plate of food she was getting pretty full now and she did want to see what they were serving at the beach party now as well. Erica started to get up and put her tray away where all the others were going, before looking back over at Nigel for a moment before making her way back towards him.

"I'm not sure yet, maybe just get to know the others here and see what they are like." Erica said, as she wanted to know as much as she could about the people who lived here. "I think we should walk around." Erica suggested, she wanted to see what the rest of the camp looked like despite having the tour earlier she wanted to walk around and get a better look as well. And maybe take a glimpse of what was the beach as well, she hadn't been to the beach in a really long time either.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Moments like this reminded Manny that no matter what happened they would always be there for each other. Not that he had any real doubts, but the reassurance was nice. "I could see you as a radio host. You have a good manner and voice for it." He wondered what it would be like to listen to the radio on a regular basis again. Past communities of his have built a make shift radio setup, but it was mostly used for calling out to other survivors in hopes of improved quality of life factors. It never panned out to more then static, the occasional refugee, and once or twice chatting with survivors out of reach from each other. When it came for Manny to talk about what he would end up doing he finished the bite of food in his mouth, wiped his face and cleared his throat. "Medical. Not sure if they have what I need to get back into my old practice, but I wouldn't mind entering for none traumatic work." If he needed to though, he wouldn't hesitate.

Stopping to think for a moment more about his interview came back to him. "They're considering me for education. I find that a bit funny considering I haven't done a day of child care in my life. Not that I am against kids, just never had any of my own. We just..." He stopped for a moment. Not sure how much to share. Yes, he was a talkative person, but he had his own history that even with those he was close to, he wasn't as comfortable talking about. "We just never got around to it." He said in a manner of fact tone. He did take note of Thalia's lack of words. She had a great way of communicating without speaking. Something that Manny wouldn't mind getting better at in the future at some point. Manny gave a polite wave as she left though to get rid of her tray, and he finished up his food. Despite the urgent environment the apocalypse created, Manny still ate his food at a rather slow pace. Like with most of his life, he was pretty patient, and took his time with everything.

---

---

---

---

---

---

The rules seemed pretty strait forward about what was to happen while Izibell stayed here. For the most part, it fit really well for when hunter has taken dogs to other places. Clean up after her, shit and all, keep her well watched, and don't let her get into trouble. There were rules about food which he found odd but he would shrug it off. Rules were rules. Food was food. "When you say... keep her indoors otherwise. Does that mean that..." He wasn't really sure how he expected things to be. He almost expected that she could always be near him when she wanted to be. "So... is she not allowed to stay by my side? She's pretty well behaved, someone trained her before I found her. She follows commands well." She was also the closest to family he had left.

The thought was clearly a stressful one for him. Though he tried to hide it, it was a skill he had been struggling with recently. And one he never really mastered to begin with. "I've like, never even heard her bark before." Woof yes. Her deep woof, mostly to show that she wanted attention. "Are there... other things I should know about? This place... had a lot of rules." It's not that Hunter wasn't a fan of rules, but... He wasn't a fan of rules. He grew up in an isolated part of his home state, in an area that people went to the next town over to go to the store, and that as long as you didn't start problems, it was live and let live. No one watching over your shoulder constantly to make sure that you dotted your I's, and crossed your T's. Sure, he could live with rules, but he felt confined like a prisoner every time he heard more about this place.

Temperature: 87F
Humidity: High (Around 83%) - No Rain
Wind Speed: 15 MPH
Cloud Coverage: Overcast

Note: Okies, dinner is wrapping up and people if they haven't already moved out are not. There is general chit chat going on about the party tonight. Some are going back to their places to get ready, others are going back to work, some are just hanging out and walking about.

---

---

---

Glancing around, it seemed that the groups that had come together for quarantine were starting to split back up. Some people here and there were staying close to their original groups, others seemed to be trying to mix it up. Thana caught site of Nikki leaving with Hunter and quirked a brow, wondering what was up with that. The wondering stopped though as Ash came over to her and knelt down a bit. "Our place," she said before stepping behind him and draping her arms over his shoulders. It sounded a little odd to refer to any place as their place. When she got to Newnan he had a house and even though they had decided to try to room together, well that never really got underway so she still looked at it as his place. Now, sure it had been her room but she came in, she left, she came back, it wasn't even really her place in her own mind. Now, it was theirs. Felt odd but it was still as good as a descriptor as any. Better than rattling off the room number and building. That was too impersonal, even for her.

Thana pressed her knees against Ash's waist and tucked her feet back some as he stood up. Holding on as best she could while they left the Mess Hall and headed towards the Officers Building just next store. Hearing Thalia, Thana blurted out. "₁¡No! ¡Eso no es algo que alguien necesite ver! ¡Nunca!" she yelled and shook her head adamantly. Talk of Speedo's was never good. She had just gotten the image of Wayne in one out of her head, not she had one of The Goat. This was turning into a bad day for having any sort of imagination or memory. Cringing she leaned in tight against Ash and rested her chin on his shoulder. "Get me the hell outta here before I get any more bad visuals," she muttered under her breath. With as many people were in town, it would be easy enough to get another visual and Thana just ate. Maybe not a lot but she had ate and she didn't want to loose her dinner.

---

---

---

Nikki's head spun a little as she heard one of the new people calling out. Nikki didn't speak a lick of Spanish but she could pick out the man's name. Her brow went up as she popped a bubble with her gum, wondering just what in the hell was being said. She was about to ask when Hunter started talking.

Spinning around in place, Nikki shook her head a bit before shrugging. "Nope, has to be on a leash unless in designated play areas during designated times. And that's just to come and go. Otherwise in your place. Doesn't matter how well behaved she is," she said before skipping a few times. As he mentioned a lot of rules she stopped jumping and bobbing and skipping, giving him a little bit of an odd look. "No more than any other gated community had before the outbreak. Hell the world in general. You can only go here or there. People just didn't think about all the rules we followed every just living before. Shit didn't cross our minds."

Alright it might have been a bit more than that but Nikki was trying to make a point. Before the outbreak you still only could go in certain areas. You couldn't go into other peoples jobs or homes without reason, places had gates and keys, pets weren't allowed in many areas, guns weren't allowed in a lot of places, people needed permits, etc. This was just a larger society pushed together into a smaller area. Things had to be more defined. And after 5 years with no laws, people had to be retaught just what society was. Granted, Nikki had to have the same explained to her when she first got there.

"Anyways, some peoples gots allergies, some have fears. Easier to restrict where a pet it than a human. I get ya love her but here, 300 people matter more than 1 pet. Be glad it ain't like some groups I saw before comin' here. She wouldn't be a pet, she'd be dinner." It was a harsh reality but there it was.

Hearing Thana yell out, Nikki wiped her head about. "What the hell you going on about?!?!" she yelled but she wasn't waiting around for an answer. Reaching out and tugging on Hunters sleeve and motioning south east. "Come on."

---

---

---

---

---

Alexander had to give Manny a thoughtful look at he tilted his head while looking at the fellow baby-boomer. Really? Alexander shook his head in playful disbelief at the thought of him as good-mannered radio-voice guy Manny thought him to be. Now it was a entertaining thought to play with, but Alexander had never been a social person. Still, perhaps his stay in Mexico Beach would change that as well? "Maybe, we'll see. As long as I could play Stones and Beatles, perhaps I could become a happy man."

The old veteran nodded in agreement as Manny cleared his throat, listening to his good friend talk of his recruitment into the medical part of the military camp. It was good, Manny was one hell of a medic that CMB deserved to have on their team. If not from his book knowledge or past expertice in civilian life, then his battlefield experience made him great in Alexander's book. "If they don't have the equiptment you need, they should try finding some. Trust me, teeth problems are as much a problem as any other injury if left untreated. They'll be glad to have you." Alexander reassured Manny, knowing he was being honest.

Alexander looked up at Thalia as she began to leave the table, but not before giving him a bump on his shoulder. A good bump, a kind bump. Has she left her hand there for a moment longer, Alexander might have patted her back as a friendly gesture, not minding her unruly handling of her new limb. It was the thought that count, that's what Judith always told him. Especially when he screwed something up. "Don't be sad, Alex honey, it's the thought that counts." Alexander fought a sudden, yet precise urde to shed a tear, focusing on what Manny had continued to talk about him in moment of weakness. About what? Education? And not having kids…

They hadn't talked a whole lot about their families, only brief mentions in passing before making their way south. So Alexander didn't know much about Manny and his family life, and the same applied to him. The matter-of-fact tone from Manny after the pause, noting it, but keeping silent about it. He could relate only too much to him. " Yeah, same with Judith and I. I know what you mean, pal." Alexander reassured Manny, leaning forward in his seat as he watched Thalia walk away. As a matter of fact it seemed more people were leaving as well, probably getting ready for the party later tonight. Alexander looked back at Manny, watching him patiently eat his food. "So, what's the plan for the beach party?"

---

---

---

---

---

Nigel laughed alongside Erica and let his gaze wander upwards to the ceiling, leaning back in his seat in thought. "Well I always assumed you were, so I'd say you are. Or were, but what do I know. According to my pupils, I didn't understanding anything." Nigel joked about his perhaps pre-mature adultness, if that was a thing? So she wasn't a fancy girl then? Not that Nigel cared, he wasn't fancy at all either, not a former farmer's boy like him. Nigel lowered his head and looked at Erica again at the mention of wine, pulling his mouth in a thin smile. "I hope so. I guess hope is the only thing we have left in this world, so perhaps I should start being a bit more hopeful now."

The Mess hall was starting to see its own exodus of people as the time of the beach party was approaching. Nigel waited a moment after Erica had turned in her dirty plate and cutlery before doing so himself, keeping their table occupied as if a roaming Germanic warband would sweep in and take Erica away from him. He thanked the people responsible for their humble but appriciated meal, before making his way back to Erica and leaning against the table. "Sounds like a solid plan to me, if I may steal said plan from you. We got new roommates to share space with, so getting to know them sooner is better rather than later. You haven't met any of yours yet, have you?" Nigel asked Erica, leaning away from the table and looking around the Mess hall. People were still leaving, so this was probably as good time as any to do the same. "Come on then, we don't have all night. Nescis quid serus vesper vehat." Nigel said back, beginning to make his way out of the Mess Hall and out to the open sky of Florida.

The open sky, it was a beauty to behold in itself. Well, it would surely have been hadn't it been overcast that night. But hey, it beat staring up at a grey ceiling all week long. If and when Erica followed, Nigel would tell her "Wish we could do some stargazing, hadn't it been for Jupiter obscuring it…sorry, I really need to have a Latin-detox, don't I?"

---

---

---

---

---

Our place. Ash did like the sound of that. True, it was not the spacious digs that he had back in Newnan. Two thoughts sprung from this. The first one was that he only used a portion of those spacious digs the vast majority of the time, and the other being that his Newnan home was in a sinkhole. And more importantly, he was living with Thana. Even if the house was right in front of him and in perfect condition, a hovel next door would be preferable if it contained Thana. Okay, three things. Her quarters were simple yet adequate, and had a great view. What could be seen outside the window was nice, too.

While carrying a someone piggyback, one of the risks involved was a sudden outburst from the carried party, seeing as they were right next to your ear. Thana was more courteous than most, but it was still taken as a surprise. One of the reasons for the surprise was that Ash's attention was placed on the one-handed lady who was yelling something about a Speedo. Not knowing much about her but being familiar with her family, she seemed to take after her cousin. The return, a lamenting call from Thana, made Ash really wish he never learned Spanish. He suppressed a scoff, not wishing to be involved in the slightest with any of the indigenous personnel and a Speedo. Likewise, he listened to the woman's retort with nary a raised eyebrow. Yeah, Ash was NOPEing out of this one with a bullet.

The order was issued to transport his precious cargo away from this place before uber-revealing European men's swimwear was brought up again. Or rather, so that no more visuals were deposited into Thana's mind unbidden. Well, he wasn't a miracle worker, but he was a set of broad shoulders to lean on and functioning legs with which he might carry her away from this place and its dank, repetitive mention of Speedo related topics. "Yeah, I second that," he agreed, and made a beeline in the direction of the nearby Officers' Quarters. Ash paused at the door to Thana's - check that - their quarters and he asked politely, "Shall I, or do you want the honor?" He gave a little smile. It was an expression that was not commonly seen on him in recent years, though more lately he'd been freer with it. "If you do it, I can carry you for a few more seconds," he added with mirth.

---

---

The sudden suggestion about the Speedo was slightly out of character for Thalia. She had been guarded and even a little standoffish for the entirety of her time here at CMB. Hell, she was still pissed about something, but it wasn't yet an appropriate time to address the issue. Maybe it was because she saw Thana exiting the building and knew that she would back her up, like they did out in the world for the past year and more. Or it could just be a rebellious stab against her usual nature to withdraw, easily noticed and easily forgotten. As to the former, it looked like Navy was a different person than when she was out there. Yeah, and why not? She belonged here. It was very possible that Thalia didn't. The only reason she was here and not back on the road with Beatrice was her brother. Admittedly, it was a compelling reason.

She didn't quite catch the response that The Goat made, if any, though the response from Thana could be considered direct. Thalia gave a faux derisive smile in her direction (atop Ash) and responded with, "Cuando termines de hacer tu asalto anfibio con tu Capitán del Ejército, quiero hablarte sobre algo₁." She eyed Ash for a moment, then back to Thana, "Okay? Later, Navy." She took a deep breath and began to quietly walk down he road perpendicular to her position, toward general housing and in the general direction of the beach. Thalia wasn't sure where she wanted to end up that hour, who she might want to end up with (if anyone), nor what she wanted to do when she got there, but she did want a little time to process the realities of her new situation and both the pros and cons therein. A portion of this was trying to figure out what this place had to offer aside from regular food and relative safety. How would this place make her stronger? Maybe, Thalia figured, she would have to speak to a few of the residents. She wasn't so good at social, sadly.

One foot kept being placed in front of the other as she continued to slowly make her way down the street, taking in details that she might have missed on the tour. This was a big place. Far larger than the number of people needed for living and work space. There had to be some generally unused corners of the great civil enclosure that was CMB for her to make herself unseen, and even useful to her own rehabilitation and physical conditioning.

---

---

---

---

"Ehh..." Lisa started when she was asked what she did before the whole nightmare of a world happened." I was a professional housekeeper... or a maid... Depends on whom you asked really, personally I think it was more or less the same thing. We even had a uniform dress to wear. Did like the uniform, it was nice." She admitted without much worries about it, she wasn't ashamed of what she did for living before the walkers. It was a regular job to have, many had it, some were ashamed, some weren't. She was among the unashamed portion of people." Well I did live at the location I worked too... so I think maid is the proper classical term." She grinned.

"I didn't say to go to the beach area itself, I said to wait out of it for the preparations to finish. In any case, I will be heading there to begin with, maybe I can help out." Lisa stated as she finished stuffing the rest of her food, drank a bit of water and sighed in satisfied manner. The food was tasty to begin with, then it had to counted the fact that she was hungry as a wolf when she started eating, so the food tasted about twice as better as regularly." I'm going to be heading out now. See you two later at the beach." She added, before picking up her tray and storming off to leave it to the drop point, before heading heading out of the mess hall.

Honestly while willing to help out, she just wanted to go hang at the beach, maybe see any dumb situations that might arise there first hand. Maybe someone would drop something heavy on the foot of someone else. With a smile she crossed the street from the Mess Hall, heading to the Education Center on the other side. From there she planned to follow the street down before taking a turn before electrical to get to the pier.

---

---

---

---

Amelia was a little bit surprised to hear Lisa's vocation prior to the apocalypse, not because she had anything against it, but mostly because she had never actually met or get to know anyone who worked in that field. It was one of those thing that she had only ever seen on a tv show or a movie or a book. The fact they can continue to learn indeed, was a great thing for her to confirm. Amelia was looking to reading book, the advise for her future career in the camp had to do with education as well. She didn't have anything against it! She enjoyed learning and while she had never taught anyone, she wouldn't mind attempting... After she thought of it, she realized she was a bit shy. Just a bit. Pushing the thoughts away for the moment, nothing would change, she'd deal with it when it comes to it. For now she was fine just doing misc and general chores she may be assigned.

"Hmmm... see you later." She said to Lisa as the woman excused herself and said she's heading off now. She indeed stormed away in great speed and in a blink of the eye she was gone so to speak. Amelia watched after her for a moment, looking about the other people in the mess hall, down to her own about finishing meal and then to Riley." Let's just walk about a little. We will be spending a lot of time from now on in our room in the future. We should get to know the area first." She suggested as she ate the rest of her food as well. There wasn't much left in her plate anyways.

In Amelia's mind, she was considering the things that happened today, the people they met and the locations they were shown. Nikki was a good person that they knew from Quarantine when she was around. Lisa seemed decent, but Amelia would be wary around her for a while. Better be safe than sorry. So far, the place looked indeed like a small paradise compared to the rest of the world out there. She could find some similar traits to Newnan as well. Admittedly, the rules that could be the worst dealbreaker were also for the better after a good deliberation she had on them. Better rules, meant more security. Though... how would they deal with something going wrong that wouldn't be controlled by human hands like natural disasters? This was a hard question to ponder." I'm ready to go, what about you?" She asked Riley as she finished the last bites of her food, waiting only on the singer so they can get going.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Manny was enjoying this little occasion with his fellow baby boomer. It was simple, it wasn't too emotional, but it felt personal and overall enjoyable. "I wouldn't mind listening to some Beatles again. It's been too long." Now that the old dentist thought about it, he isn't sure he's listened to any proper music since the world fell. Sure there was the karaoke while they were isolated, but he wasn't sure if that counted. There would be music tonight and he wondered how that would go, what they would play. It was exciting! "Teeth problems are no joke. Not at all. Most of dental work is preventative. Sure there are measures to deal with things if they get worse, but even those are preventative. If they don't have what I need, I can improvise, but trying to do things properly would be a lot harder." He shuddered, like the thought of the things he had to prevent as a dentist were some of the worst things he had ever seen. "Though with that in mind, if they don't have what I need, I would be more then willing to go out and find it myself. If they are willing to go some distance I am willing to bet my old facilities are semi intact. Sure the drugs are probably gone by now in the dead calmed down in the area, but it was the edge of the city so who knows?" He shrugged finishing his dinner.

Manny wasn't sure why, but Alexander explaining that he also didn't end up having kids through his life helped reassure him. It was a little thing, but for many people it was just something that many people were unable to do. When Alexander asked about party plans Manny stopped in his moment of thought. "In terms of the party, hoping to take a chance to get to know the locals. Not sure I'll do much partying though. Never been a party person." Manny said despite the fact that his youth he considered himself to be a different person. Though those parties when he was a teenager either led to everyone getting wasted and smashing some windows, or someone getting the shit beaten out of them. Then the cops would come, and Manny would be forced to answer to his father. "I don't expect to stay out too long though. You have anything special you want to do tonight?" He finished his food, and was ready to return his dishes. If Alexander decided he was ready to leave Manny would follow him out.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Hunter was a bit saddened to hear the restrictions that Izibell would be put under. She would put up with a leash, but she never seemed to like it. He understood the logic though. Didn't mean he liked it though. Her comments about comparing the rules here to gated communities before everything went to hell got a confused face off Hunter. "That could be true. I have heard a lot of shitty things about Home Owners Associations." His family living on a scrap yard growing up in the middle of nowhere, he never really had to work with groups like that. Though he heard things with his mom about that. She had more experience then probably anyone else in his family. "I have never heard of a gated community restricting access to the area outside of it like a prison. And if they do leave isolating them for months on end." Hunter was playing it off as a joke. But he didn't think the comparisons were fair. They were under a minor form of martial law. "Or when and where you can eat. Especially not in your own home." It was a joking tone still, but he had a point he wanted to show. "But whatever, I am here now. With no plans to leave in the near future." He left out the part where he would have most likely left the same time as Beatrice and Victor if he was allowed to leave with Izibell. On what terms, who knows.

He also had a lot to say about the lack of independence they were allowed here. At least of what he has heard so far. Even killing one of the dead ones wasn't allowed. He found that funny. Sure, taking stupid risks was stupid, but he found the punishment silly. But he would keep those thoughts to himself for now. "Wait, are you also telling me I gotta keep the grass at a steady and level height of 1.2 inches? Shit. I forgot to get a lawnmower." Hunter even though he wasn't a fan of the long list of rules here, still wanted to poke fun at everything. It distracted him from the areas he was annoyed with. The talk of Izibell for dinner was an all familiar one. Though that time he didn't have a joke to follow it up. For people who seemed desperate, he could look away from it. From those who didn't seem desperate... He normally had words to say. Hunter rarely found himself with people for long except the worst kinds of them. "Yeah... Easier to restrict the pet."

He took note of Nikki calling out to Thana, the girl who seemed like she got taken apart piece by piece and put back together so she could promptly beat the shit out of the fool who decided it was a good idea to only take her apart and not finish the job. When Nikki pulled him on to keep them moving Hunter turned and asked her a question. "So what's the deal with that girl? She seems to know everyone here, and everyone in quarantine. To my understanding, no one there was from this group before?" It honestly felt like despite everyone coming in as several groups, everyone seemed to know each other except Hunter. Sure the individual groups made sense, but damn. Everyone? "I got that she is related to the General that runs this place, but still. Damn. Was she famous before all of this?" It was a legitimate question. Hunter never followed celebrities. That was something his siblings did more. He was too busy working, sucking at school, and finding new and creative ways to break shit growing up.

---

---

---

---

Riley looked towards Lisa as she started to speak about what she had done before, and smiled slightly before making it big she had to work odd jobs and housekeeping was one of them. "Believe it or not, but I used to do housekeeping for a little bit before actually making it big." Riley said towards her, as she started to notice the people starting to file out one by one now as well and looked towards the woman and nodded towards her. "It's nice meet you, and see you at the beach party." Riley said towards Lisa as she watched her getting up and heading out.

Riley turned to look at Amelia and smiled towards her for a moment and nodded, she was more than ready to head out now at this point and see what this pace actually had to offer. "Yeah lets head out and see what else we can do for now." Riley said to Amelia as she looked around outside. Riley started to turn and look over towards Amelia wonder what she wanted to do for now, the apartment was pretty much empty now as everyone was out and about doing their own thing. "So, where do you want to go?" Riley asked her.

---

---

---

---

Erica smiled slightly towards Nigel as he started to put his food stuff away and came back to her. "It's always good to be hopeful sometimes." She said, as she shook her head she was never a girly girl growing up, never tried out for cheerleading either as she laughed slightly at the thought of it. "I never even joined the cheer squad either." Erica said, as she patted him on the shoulder before heading outside now as well and looked around for a moment before hearing Nigel asking about her roommate and shook her head slightly towards him. She hadn't met her roommate just yet either.

"The Padre said that everyone was still out and about working before dinner and stuff." Erica said towards Nigel as she started to think what they could do. "Anywhere you want to go or check out that isn't off limits?" Erica asked him, the humidity was really high though it came with being this far south and right on the beach to as well as she watched some of the people walking by doing their own thing. Or probably going back to work before the beach party as well.

Temperature: 87F
Humidity: High (Around 83%) - No Rain
Wind Speed: 15 MPH
Cloud Coverage: Overcast

Note: Dinner wrapping up. Things are getting cleaned up. Most everyone that doesn't work in the Mess Hall has left and headed either back to their residences or to where they work. You will find them milling about the town. Many are started to head down to the beach. The Beach is closed currently and anyone not already a signed down there it is off limits to. The area is roped off but not guarded. Though, no reason it would need to be, there were some people armed about and long term residents that had been cleared did have knives.

Down on the beach Maddog, Bass, Preacher, Volts, and some others were setting up their equipment. There was what seemed to be a permanent platform built on the sand that was rather large. Dance floor it seemed with an area for the band and a bar set up. Adelaide was there pulling out jars of clear and brown liquids and setting up. Gunny was with Mizrahi setting up a fire pit in the sand a bit down the beach with a rack over it to do the boil on. Chairs were being set up and blankets laid out by some members of Supply and it seemed that Auntie was yelling orders.

---

---

---

Thana would deal with what Ash was saying in a moment, as she was being spoken to by Thalia right then. She smirked a bit and let out a short chortle before she yelled back to her. ₁Si me deja subir por aire," she called out and then stuck her tongue out. What Thalia wanted to talk to her about she didn't know and she couldn't think of anything off the top of her head. Thana wasn't in charge here and didn't have pull here. Everything came down to her dad and grandfather. If they had nixed Ash and Thalia, even Thana couldn't have stopped it. Hell, Thana was in big debt because of them, all of them, but she wasn't mentioning that. And Thana couldn't imagine that Thalia would be one of those to demand or even ask for anything on day 1. Thalia had never been on of those entitled ones Thana had dealt with in the past. Thalia had proven herself. So what Thalia wanted was beyond her.

That could wait though, looking back at Ash she chuckled and took care of the door. "Just keep thinkin' of me as yer back pack," she said as she hugged around his neck some and held on as he carried her inside. Thana kept holding on until they got to their room and were inside. It wasn't until that she finally let go and went to sit down on the edge of her bed. Leaning over she unlaced her shoes and pulled them off for now. They had a few before the party. Not long but long enough. "Still can't believe you were here when I arrived," she said as she set her shoe down and went on to the other. "I'd given up when we came through that gate."

Sighing she pushed her hair out of her face and looked over to Ash. It wasn't an easy thing to admit. It was harder to think about. "I swear, if I never see the outside of them walls again I'll be just fine with that," she added after a few minutes. Thana didn't want to see that part of the world anymore. She would work to stay strong, it was part of what CMB did. Keep its residents strong so they could handle outside of those walls and not loose their edge. But they also worked to try to make sure people didn't have to live in that world anymore. Thana had seen Eden and she had since heard and ran across worse. No, if she had to stay in these walls until she died, she would be happy to scrub toilets with a tooth brush for the next fifty years and be grateful for the life.

Holding her hand out, Thana looked over to Ash and smiled. "Come here," she said in a soft voice. Okay, they wouldn't have enough time to get their bow-chica-wa-wa-assault on but hey, a little alone time and just being close could be very nice before the party kicked off.

---

---

---

Nikki rolled her eyes as she popped a bubble of gum. "Yeah but then again, they didn't have to keep out Douchers that wanna gnaw on you like a buffet. Or robbers who will skin ya alive as quick as look at you. Or have to keep bug populations in check without a world of Raid spray, or feeding people without a Piggy Wiggly open for the last five years, or make sure people ain't being dumb enough to wanna to for a walk where others have to come save them just because their being dumb, or idiots making jokes about tight rules in a place that's thriving and they came in here looking like they should be on an add saying 'For Only 19 cents a day you too can feed a starving child in the Apocalypse'," she said in a "joking manner" as she chuckled and bounced around from the curb to the street to the curb again.

Stopping she placed a finger on her chin before looking at Hunter. "But you were in the military, so you're used to being told when to eat, how to dress, what you can keep in your foot locker, where you can go, what you can do, even when to take a dump. So this place is pretty lax considering you get to keep a dog here as Army barracks don't allow them," she countered him with a hop, a skip, and a jump around as she kept chewing her gum. Sighing she stopped and walked up to him tilting her head back so she could look up at him. "I have to ask, are you trying to be hated around here by acting this way? Just wondering." It was an honest question from her. He seemed rather critical of a place that was thriving five years in and had the resources to take more in. That and Nikki was a bit defensive of the most steady home she had had, even if she counted before the outbreak.

Nikki's head turned as she looked over towards Thana and shook her head. "Oh Sparrow? Nah. Not famous but if you wanna know about her, why don't you just ask her yourself? How you get to know people. Like here we go. Hi, I'm Nikki, I'm a bubbly smart ass who hates liars and loves chewing gum. I'm an Army Brat who moved around a lot growing up. My father died a few years ago, never knew my mother." Nikki kept walking as she spoke before looking back over towards Hunter. "Your turn. Welcome to Checkbooks Getting To Know You Hour. Bachelor number one - What would be your ideal first date?" she asked with a smile on her face.

---

---

---

---

---

The small-talk between the baby boomers continued as expected, talking about the possibilities of their new lives in the camp. Alexander nodded at the appropriate times in-between Manny talking about his practice and the possibilitiy of his old dentist office was still out there somewhere, ready for him to reclaim it. While Alexander could doubt that they would easily let him leave in search of it, perhaps with time and resources it could be done? "I guess we can only wait and see what they think of the matter. While they might have what you need, it's the military after all, the biggest hoarder's I've even seen, at least they got the world's finest dentist in their ranks now." Alexander said back to his old friend. For a moment he wondered that if they'd let Manny go check out his old office, would they allow Alexander to search for his old settlement off the coast? Would he want that in the first place?

Old memories pressed themselves against Mugsy's protective barrier, memories he'd be relieved to completely forget. Memories of things he wanted to prevent from happening, but couldn't; didn't. Thankfully Manny answered his question of the party, giving him something else to think about. "Sounds like we got similar plans then, Manny. Haven't partied like these youngsters since I were their age. We should probably get to know with the two we're going to live with. What was their names, Moralez and Shears?" Alexander answered as Manny finished his dinner. At this point the Mess Hall was quickly emptying, a good cue for them to leave as well. Alexander pushed himself of his chair and stood on his new leg, feeling the balance of something much better than a normal plank of wood. "Come on, let's get out of here." He told Manny, making his way out into the humid air of Florida once so familiar to him, yet now a new world to step into. A new world, a new start, a new life.

---

---

---

---

---

"I guess we have something in common then. Never joined the cheerleaders either. It's too late now, unless they have a group here as well." Nigel said jokingly back to Erica as they were making their ways outside, enjoying the calm casusalness between the two of them. He wondered if he would get to know someone in the camp like he knew Erica. Perhaps, though they had been through thick and thin out there, something he hoped he wouldn't have to do for a long time. The time would certainly come where he needed to get his hands and gladius dirty, it was not a question of if. Until then, he would enjoy the time he had with Erica and the others.

"I hope you get to meet them soon though, better get acquainted sooner rather than later right?" Nigel wondered where his neighbours were right then, who they were and how they were like. The only thing he'd been told was that Roy was sarcastic and Mizrahi didn't speak English all too well. Then again with his experience with Hank and Wayne, it couldn't possibly get any worse. Right? "Well if you don't mind, want to stroll over to Education? I think it's just over there, want to get a quick look if I'm going to be spending my days there, watching over the kids. Won't be long, I'll follow you wherever you want to head then." Nigel asked Erica as he pointed in the general direction where he thought Education was. Starting to make his way across the road, Nigel didn't pay much attention to the other people walking off in each their directions. Though he did stop and turn, waiting for Erica to follow.

---

---

---

---

---

Again, Ash was a little weirded out that no one seemed to remember and/or care that he had a strong grasp of the Spanish language. He tried not to react to the way in which he was being casually discussed over shouting distance about matters of mid-coital pursuits, though a corner of his mouth was trying pretty hard to curl upward. Luckily, he kept the red from manifesting on his face. Those two women had history; Ash saw the them the day their paths crossed, and then nothing else of either or them for a long time. They would need some time to themselves eventually, to work out whatever they needed to work out. But that wouldn't be right now. Maybe it was selfish of him, but Ash wanted to keep Thana all to himself for a while more.

As soon as they were back in their quarters and Thana was on the bed removing her shoes, Ash sat down next to her and lovingly ran a hand along her hair. She spoke of his unexpected and surprising presence upon her return to Camp Mexico Beach. This was something that he could relate to, considering the nature of her return. It had been a shock for him as well. A big one. "I thought you were dead. I was braced for the worst, and when your father... Well, I thought you were dead." Ash held her gaze evenly, the details of his expression reacting with a shadow of the emotion he had previously worked so hard to restrain. He remembered the drama that happened directly after the news was dropped. He still had a mark on he side of his face from where Tatiana decked him and her wedding ring had gouged a hole. "I couldn't believe what I was seeing wen you stepped out of that truck." So, it was the tiniest amount of deception. After all was said and done, Ash didn't care. Life was suddenly a lot better.

When she held her hand out, Ash reached out and took it in his, moving in and kneeling in front her. He shuffled closer, until their faces were mere centimeters apart. He glanced toward the door, almost a reflex to make sure that it was locked, and looked back into Thana's eyes. "So, how long do we have until the party?" he inquired, still fully aware that Doc recommended against vigorous activity. While he wasn't planning on any, the guy had said nothing about a little personal, reaffirming affection while they had some time.

---

---

Thalia gave a sarcastic chuckle that looked very much like a mildly amused huff. "...come up for air..." she mumbled aloud. It was a strange habit to have, occasionally verbalizing thoughts. Or at least it was for someone whose survival strategy included not being seen or heard easily. She let the thought wash away in the stream of stimuli around her. Though there didn't seem to be a lot of people around her right now, the presence of other living, breathing individuals was apparent. No telltale sound of wildlife, even the scurrying of insects was silent. On the other hand, if she listened close, there were snatches of conversation echoing along the hard surfaces of buildings around her. As she was walking past housing, Thalia could swear that she saw curtains ruffle every so often or catch movement out of the corner of her eye. This was not something she was used to anymore, being around groups of people. Even at a distance. The guys out on the road were different. They were all out there together, surviving amid chaos. Even it was something she had to adapt to. When she did, and began acting as part of a small unit (emphasis on small), Thalia could see the advantages. Maybe she'd find those here, too. As long as it didn't make her weak.

It took her a couple of moments to realize that she was instinctively walking toward the beach. Why was that? It had been a while since she had seen the ocean. Since Boston, or back in her previous lifetime, as she had come to refer to the time before the Outbreak. She missed the ocean a little. Was she going there because here were people there, and would be more later? That was unlike her, anymore. You need people to survive, but getting too close to people opened you up to manipulation. Maybe part of her wanted to be involved in something again, even if she did stay to the margins. These were deep thoughts that really didn't do anything for her except to distract her from her surroundings.

Mugsy had a home now. Great. Manny might have himself a purpose that didn't involve amputation. Or less amputation. Whatever. Thana... found her Knight Errant. Good for her. And Beatrice? Maybe she'd get a good answer one day, but today she felt a little abandoned. Again, whatever. She'd lost people to death before. Lots. Lola... she saved Thalia's life the day that she died. But this was the first time since all this happened that she lost someone by their choice. It felt strange. Depressing, even. Thalia continued walking down to the beach, these thoughts rattling around in her head.

---

---

---

---

---

---

The conversation was pretty simple yet sweet. "Thank you for that, but it's not hard to be the best when you're probably the only one on this side of the States. But the compliment is nice none the less." Manny was just poking some fun at his fellow baby boomer. He appreciated the compliment very much so, but a little humor was a good way to help conversations move smoothly. "Would be nice to get to know out room mates. I bet they're pretty decent people." Manny has had mixed experiences with fellow baby boomers, most were pretty decent, and even though he only got a couple glimpses of their new roommates, he still wanted to get to know them better before giving them any real criticism. Plus he was pretty sure one wasn't a baby boomer at all. Time would tell though, and a beach party seemed as good a way as any to get to know people.

When Alexander gave the motion to leave Manny seconded it with with a nod. First dropping off his dishes and then following Alexander out of the seating area. "They said on the tour that there were other settlements in the area, you think we'll get a chance to see those someday? Or do you think that is a total restriction thing for only the security force here?" He mostly wondered because with all of those settlements if something happened to one, would the others come in to help out? Or were the relationships more isolated then that from one another? Maybe there was some loose trade pact? They did mention something about having prior conflicts to one group. He wondered if that was part of the reason people were not allowed outside the walls without proper reasoning. Retaliation from that other group maybe.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Hunter listened as Nikki explained her points. He saw the logic in those points and listened carefully as she spoke. He did laugh pretty loudly to the Starving child comment as if it was the funniest joke he had heard all day. True, he had made some poor choice since he entered. Sure, he had a mistrust for rules and people in power, sure he found everything remotely good to be a potential trap, but damn. If anything was reliable for Hunter, it was his sense of humor. He had no idea if Nikki was joking, being sarcastic, or strait up mocking him. But he found it funny as hell.

When he calmed down a bit he registered her comment about his time in the military. "Eh, not sure that is a fair comparison. Only boot camp and basic training was like that for me." He shrugged when he spoke. The only consistent thing for Hunter while he was in the army was training. "Everything else was just a fucking mess. First deployment was only a couple hours from where I used to live. I mean? Who sends a fucking squad to handle a situation a whole platoon should be dealing with? Hell, maybe a company. How are twelve dudes armed with a few rifles and machines guns supposed to handle crowds of thousands of people only to tell them that not everyone can make it today and no one knows when more help will come? It was all one big cluster fuck to begin with." He spoke as if it was a joke, but the memory of the stress was in his voice under that fake humor. he did recognize that this place was more relaxed then basic was, but it was more strict then the rest of his life in the army. All six weeks post training of it. Most of his combat experience came after his unit fell apart. "Didn't fucking help that command was a huge fucking waste of help. Our fucking Captain was a prick. Our Lieutenant worse, and our Sergeant never answered the call so we had one of our corporals given a field promotion. That's not even including...." He stopped himself. He was rambling. Plus, a lot of people here were military. And some may get defensive for those officers despite not knowing them. "Sorry... you don't need to hear this."

The question that came after was... not an easy one to answer. "Trying? No." He stumbled for words for a bit trying to explain himself. Nikki hasn't been hostile to him and actually seemed to wonder what his thought process was for everything here. "It's more of... It seems..." He shrugged. "Too good to be true." He didn't speak for a bit, clearly trying to figure the best way to speak his next few words. Trying to not make things seem... worse. "If... The last few years have showed me anything. It if something seem too good to be true. It probably is. Even now. I am waiting to figure out something really shitty like... Everyone here is a cannibal... or that the other settlements I heard of are treated like old style colonies and that's how this place thrives. By aggressive one sided trade. Or that..." He stopped. He wasn't really sure how to finish his thoughts. "Sorry... it's... a lot of mistrust." He knew it was probably a bit excessive, but trust can only be broken so many times before it became almost non existent. "And I don't know how to change that." He left out the fear of having to trust his protection to people were open to shooting him. And him having no way to stop it. She seemed very personal about this place, and he didn't want to push that too much here. Not now... Maybe someday he could explain those fears.

The change of topic helped things move along though. Hunter hated being left to his own thoughts. "So we're gonna role-play this like a bunch of nerds huh?" He chuckled a bit. He didn't have much against nerds. He found them weird, but most people found him weird. So he figured he had little room to judge. "Guess I see you're point. I'll talk to her at some point. As for me? Hello, I am Hunter. I enjoy a good laugh, and I am a grade A asshole who enjoys making enemies of everyone around him." He was hoping his poor attempt at humor didn't end in actually causing said event. "Ideal first date? Hard to say. Never dated before the world decided to be rid of us. And the closest I ever got post collapse was showing this one girl how to handle an M4 rifle. Didn't get to shoot it though. Only had like seven bullets at the time. But no guns for Sir Hunter here. So other date plans..." He had to stop and think for a moment. What did people do for dates? "Bon fire probably. I find Fire relaxing. Though if not that, maybe bowling? I haven't played in a few years though. What about you? What's your ideal first date?"

---

---

---

---

The familiar sights of the Camp with everyone leaving the Mess Hall and milling about, heading to do their own thing was very comforting. People were heading home or heading to do their tasks, it gave the place a feel of living rhythm and civilization. As she walked down the street, heading for the beach, Lisa recalled her time prior to arriving here. Survival of the fittest, living on the complete edge, never letting down one's guard. Outside the walls of any community, it was a harsh reality.

Stopping herself in her tracks, Lisa took a deep breath and looked up at the skies. The past happened, so many suffering and death everywhere, but she didn't think it was all that bad. Sure all those people who died and then roamed about killing even more was a nasty thing, but in a way it settled a lot of issues the world had. Even back on the roads, she found her lifestyle a lot more to her enjoyment. You didn't depend on anyone or have to report to anyone. It was a free life that she did enjoy for a while. In the camp things were more civilized and civilization came with responsibilities. After the wildness outside, it gave her a new purpose. However even with the responsibilities, she enjoyed this life more than before the end. World seemed to move so much slower and you could really appreciate the passage of the time of day. The sky was so much clear as well most of the time and at night, sleeping was much easier without the noise of a big city.

Slowly her hand reached into her pocket, finding a familiar metal cube, gently gripping it with increasing force for a few seconds, before she let go and looked down the road yet again. She hoped that the work would be done by the time she arrives. If not, she was going to enjoy sitting down somewhere on the road outside the beach area.

---

---

---

---

Being at a new place like this, certainly was going to take a while to get used to. Outside of the Mess Hall, Amelia finally had a little bit of time and chance to allow it to sink in that they were not needed to be on guard every moment ever. Of course she couldn't actually stop worrying and be on guard. It was mostly quiet, weird to not have any walkers in a city in any direction to spot. It was usually a rare event out on the roads. Here, it was a bit unnerving, especially since she still expected something to show up from any shadow around them. Yeah any of these shadows could hide a number of scary things, but at the same time they really shouldn't. It was weird and she had to console and calm herself with Riley's presence.

Hearing the woman speak, Amelia looked at her and pondered for a moment. They really didn't have all that much time honestly and with it being this late in the day, it really wasn't all that helpful to see and experience it all. So it was more of a stroll to help food digest and just have a nice relaxing time.” Well...” She mumbled for a moment as she looked up and down the street.” Why don't we just walk on the main street as far as we are allowed? It doesn't matter too much for tonight.” She suggested as she started walking down the sidewalk in the direction of the Armory Supply. It really didn't matter in which direction they head, a real personal stroll around town to get to properly know the place would have to take place during the day, after whatever tasks they would be given for tomorrow.

---

---

---

---

Riley watched as people went about their evening as some were getting ready to head over to the beach for last minute prep work by the looks of it. She turned to look over at Amelia and gave her a friendly smile and nodded towards her, she didn't really have any plans right now. and she was pretty sure that their roommate wouldn't be in their apartment until most likely later in the evening after the beach party. "I wonder if they will have some kind of games over there." Riley said towards Amelia as she reached over and gently held onto her hand and gave her a slight smile.

Riley started to get quiet for a moment as she started to think about her sister, and how she was doing wherever she was right now, she had her sister's necklace around her neck which was the only thing she managed to get before Chloe died. Though she wasn't religious at all or anything Riley started to really miss everyone else she knew from Newnan and from before as well, letting out a slight sigh as she looked up at the sky for a moment as well.

---

---

---

---

"If you ever were a cheerleader I bet you'd look good wearing a skirt and holding pompoms around." Erica said jokingly towards Nigel as she watched the residents going on about their evening. She noticed that some were heading over towards the beach area, she figured that they were doing some last minute work for the party. Erica turned to look over at Nigel and gave him a slight smile and nodded towards him, she didn't mind going, they had sometime to still walk around until the party started. "Sure, why not?" Erica said as she started to follow shortly behind Nigel towards the Education Center that they had set up.

"So, would you rather teach kids or high schoolers again?" Erica asked him while looking over towards him for a moment, knowing that much about him. She stuffed her hands into her pockets as she looked around the area some more, so far this place seemed to have just about everything. She wasn't really thinking of taking any kind of classes there unless she had to do it or anything like that. "I guess you would teach Roman history or something?" Erica asked him teasingly.

Temperature: 83F
Humidity: High (Around 83%) - No Rain
Wind Speed: 12 MPH
Cloud Coverage: Overcast

Note: Dining Hall is basically cleared out at this time. Cook is busy with others that work mess hall getting things together for the party.

Over at the Education Center, things are pretty dead and such. It's after dinner by this time, so the place is lights out, The buildings look as up kept as the rest of the town does, and the pool in the center of the education buildings is fenced off and locked. Outside of the main building facing the road is a note taped to the window that has a schedule of classes. General pre-school, elementary, middle, highschool - which times they meet, which days, and for how long. It seems that it is a full day, six days a week for kids attending. There is also sign up sheets for secondary education classes and special classes but they were full and looked to be set for new sign ups soon.

The General was walking out of Admin about this time and starting to head down the road towards the main road that lead towards the pier. Rosie and Edna are walking with Sheers and are nearly at the piece by now. A blond lady is on the pier and seems to be checking some weather gauges.

Down on the beach: seems the band is ready to go and are tuning up now. Dance floor was ready, lights were strung as the sun was starting to set and the generators were turned on to supply power down on the beach. Adelaide seems to have he bar area set up. Gunny and Mizrahi have the fire pits going now. Seems Auntie has her staff in line and the chairs and blankets are good to go. Dusty was sitting at the bar, pulling his shorts up some: they always seemed to be sliding down. "Dusty, all set, call it," Bass yelled out in his baritone southern drawl.

Dusty nodded picked up his two way from the bar, "Beach to Base, all system go."

"Roger that," came in in a rough voice. A few moments later from speakers set up around the base came the evening announcement: "Evening everyone, classes are closed now. Dinner is over. Party sector of the beach is now open, pier is closed for the night for all non-essential personnel." - On the beach is markers from F to L that is open for general population on the beach currently. Pets not allowed during this time.

---

---

---

Thana knew Ash would have thought she was dead when she saw him. It wasn't the best way to go about things but she was trying to protect him and the group she had been leading from Eden if they did arrive. She didn't want them knowing she had left again to try to find them. If she ended up not returning it could lead to them going out searching for her and putting themselves in more danger. It wasn't something she wasn't going to risk if she could help it. Thankfully in the end it didn't matter. They had arrived there and she was back before they were out of quarantine. Now it was time to move on and see if all of them could actually survive together when every breath wasn't a risk. People could work together when they had nothing but as soon as things started calming down personalities started to get in the way. Would people be as close now or still get along now that they didn't have to?

Letting out a slow breath, Thana shrugged. "No sure, depends on how long set up takes," she said in regards to how much time they had. She hoped they had some time. At least a little. Leaning in her eyes started to drift close. Just as her lips met his the speaker crackled and the announcement went out. Letting out a defeated laugh she rested her head on his shoulder. "Time up," she chuckled as she sat up and sighed. Reaching down she motioned for him to move out of her way so she could put her shoes on. She didn't bother with her boots this time. Just some sandles. Something she could take off easy down on the beach if she wanted.

Standing up she tilted her head some. "Gonna walk, legs startin' to stiffen up," she admitted. She figured if she needed help later on she could ask but it would do good to put some weight on her legs without the pins in it. The stroll down to the beach wouldn't be that bad she figured. Heading out of their room, Thana walked down the hallway, down the stairs, and out the door. Hopefully with the sun starting to set it would start to cool down now.

---

---

---

Nikki kept walking, leading Hunter to where his dog was being held for the time. She would bob and bop, and jump on the curb, walking it like a balance beam before spinning off it. All the while chewing her gum. It looked like she w as messing around but she did look at Hunter periodically and nod. She was listening, she was just letting him get everything out at once before saying anything. It was the most she had heard the guy talk, ever. (Granted she had hear he could get rather vocal and pop a cork. She hadn't seen it but she had heard about it.) Once he was done and asked about her ideal first date she stopped and looked to be really thinking on it. Her hands going to her hips, then tapping her chin, then crossing her arms. She was rather animated when in thought, then again she seemed to be animated about everything. "Dunno, probably something original. Things get pretty repetitive around here. So don't think it would matter what it was as long as it wasn't something I had done a thousand times," she said with a bit of a chuckle and a shrug.

Now that she had answered that, she wanted to go back to what he had been saying earlier. She wasn't jumping over it or disregarding it, she was just working backwards in the conversation. Sliding her arm through his she kept leading him through the town and started talking again. "And I don't mind listenin' Hunter. Gotta get shit off your chest. And I get not trusting but dude. Think about it. If they wanted to kill ya or eat ya, we'd have done it by now. How you get over it is simple. Find one person you can trust and go off that. Hell even just your dog right now. She likes it here and has been great."

Nikki stopped talking as the speakers crackled and looked towards a pole that had one on it. "Oh cool, parties starting," she said before motioning towards a building on the edge of the beach line marked Vet. Simple block building, solar pannels on top, lights on inside, fenced part around the back side. "Ready to see your girl?"

---

---

---

---

---

Ash was rarely the type to use unnecessary personal attacks, even at inanimate objects like PA speakers, but he was sorely tempted to do exactly that. Or to whomever was making the announcements. Either way, the circumstances of the moment had stolen a kiss from them, and he wasn't feeling exactly festive about it. In a way, this was an indicator that the Post Apocalypse Founding Fathers of Mexico Beach ran a tight ship. And thinking rationally on it, he and Thana had time for each other now. And a social event - the social event, to hear of it - to attend. Like normal people might. Life did not suck. At her insistence that she not play the role of 'human backpack', Ash was a little disappointed but understood fully. He was there to help, not to make her dependent nor delay her healing time. "Gotcha," he responded, moving out of her way so she could get her sandals. "Offer's still there whenever you need me."

Okay, so missed opportunity for extended alone time could be readdressed later. Ash kept to Thana's heels, making more not to crowd her on the way down and out of Officers' Housing. Hallway, stairs, door, and now out onto the streets of the Camp. Ash had the briefest thoughts of worry. He had felt relatively secure inside of the walls of Newnan. Hell, it was a sweet setup that worked for their mismatched little group of survivors, the biggest fly in the ointment being Eden, whose people seemed to be able to enter and leave their community at will regardless of precautions or armed watches, snipers, etc., but that problem had a solution in the works. Point being, there was a sense of permanence with Newnan that was shattered. Ash had that feeling here for a moment, only to have the memory of everything crashing down around them rush to the forefront. He shook it away as best he could. If nothing else, Ash was an engineer. Civil, mechanical, combat. These people were his people now. He would do whatever he could to make it work for everyone. A man like him, while not irreplaceable in the least, was useful in a community.

Ash looked to Thana as their feet found paved ground, and he smiled at her. She might not be the only reason that he was here, but initially she was the most important one. He offered his hand as they walked, not to help but just because he wanted to hold her hand as they sauntered along the uncrowded streets. As the sun began to set on the quiet little Florida settlement, Ash took the moment to enjoy his surroundings. "Beach party, woman I love, sunset in the tropics. There's a lot worse ways to spend an evening." he gave it a little thought, "Experienced most of them too, I think..." He shook his head. Those evenings were not this one, and this one was the only one he had to worry about.

The buildings parted as they reached the the beginning of sand and the uncluttered sound of water reaching shore. It was a pretty sight. Ash looked around at the festivities set up for them. "I'm the new guy here, so... what do you want to do first?" He raised inquisitive eyebrows at his lovely escort, plainly up for just about anything so long as it involved her.

---

---

The thoughts in Thalia's head didn't turn to the completely dark, but they did serve to isolate her more than she had intended to. Even walking down the street in was was supposed to be a safe territory, she felt alone. More than she had in a long time. The last year had sucked royally, and out loud. Like, "fat guy enthusiastically eating an overripe peach" kind of a loud, sucking sound, which was horrible because Thalia actually liked peaches. Well, when that mental image left her brain, she could go back to liking peaches, because fuck that noise. Anyway, this wasn't healthy for her, and she knew it. But opening up to total strangers, many of which would have no idea what she had gone through? What any of them had? Her thought process told her that she was better off in the fringes, like usual. Away from people. Helping them maybe, but apart. Nothing else made sense.

No, Thalia just needed to find her niche, learn to be a soldier (or something like it) here, and add it to her repertoire of badassery while getting herself back in top form. That was the plan. Move beyond the loss, because everyone else lost people, too. Work with the missing hand, because it could have been worse and now she was part robot, goddamnit.

It didn't stop her from feeling open and exposed when she made it to the beach. This piece of sand was larger than she had anticipated. The reeds and grasses that naturally provided some separation from buildings and beach didn't really help much. Nor did the water, actually, it made it somewhat worse. Logic stated flatly that deep water was a good thing, so far as protection from Zeds went. Not flawless, but good. And the walls, same thing. And the people that would be here, many of which would be armed. But it was all so open. Thalia shouldn't have wanted to hide, but she did. She really wanted to have that level of control over her situation, as her survival instincts kept pinging inside of her skull. This was not good. Her fleshy left hand began to move to where she used to keep her backup knife, purely out of habit to comfort herself. But it wasn't there. Of course it wasn't there.

Just when she was about to turn back and sit in her new room with the lights off, a flicker caught her eye. She knew what that was, and in truth missed it more than she realized. Steadily, one foot on front of the other, Thalia made her way to one of the fires. She stared at it for a moment, feeling its healing warmth and the crackle of its orangey life making music with the ebb and flow of the tide further out. Okay, she was okay. Thalia took in and blew out a deep breath, then looked around with keen eyes, noting a familiar face who shared a set of authoritative eyes, if even less of a conversationalist than herself: Gunny. "Thana's dad, yah?" she noted in mild Bostonian, albeit in the form of a question. "Easy to tell up close." Her eyes went back to the fire as she continued, if distantly, "Raised you a decent lady."

---

---

---

---

---

Alexander had to give that one to Manny, making him chuckle at his witty remark. Yeah he was probably right, it was difficult to be worst at something when there weren't a whole lot of people left in the world. Just like when Alexander was the resident expert on radios and electronics. But then again he had spent the better parts of his life with those two, so that might not have applied to him. Still, Alexander smiled at gave Manny a a laugh. "You better, or I might stop being so nice and start throwing my lip like the good Polak I am."

As the two stood outside in the open Florida air, Alexander nodded again to his fellow baby boomer about their room mates. "They sure sounded nice from what Father told us, so let's see. Nice guys can be assholes, and assholes can be nice guys, it's always a mixed bag in my experience." He wasn't wrong. In bootcamp and in the barracks in general, one could never be entirely sure who was what. Hell, the biggest trickster and loudmouth turned out to be the kindest GI Alexander met in the Army, just showed it differently than most. Same probably applied for Moralez and Shears.

"I highly doubt they'd let us civis go and have a pickick with them, if I'm being honest. Especially us newcomers, wouldn't want us to make the relationships with the other settlements any worse, would they?" Alexander answered Manny, starting to walk awkwardly down the street where he thought the beach was located as the announcement came over the speakers. "Sounds like the party's about to begin. Let's see what we're missing out on." Alexander smirked at Manny, nodding in the direction of the beach as he slowed down his already wiggly pace for his friend to join. His leg was getting better by the day, but old dogs learned new tricks slowly. Though he sure as hell would prove that he was not ready to be put down. This old dog still could bite, like the General had told him. For now, slow and steady would win the race. He was in no hurry to reach the beach.

---

---

---

---

---

Nigel smiled when Erica agreed to accompany him to the education center, glad that she didn't mind. Sooner or later, he feared, she'd say herself done with his Roman escapades and rants. So while she still tolerated or even enjoyed him being himself, Nigel felt obliged to continuing his smiling towards her as she smiled back at him. Being himself, that was something he wasn't used to without being looked at funny. "Well Wayne and Hank certainly thought I looked good in a skirt, if you don't remember? I think they mentioned it about four or five times the first week, though I began to block it out after the three first days." Nigel joked back to her, continuing his march towards the House of Learning he'd become part of.

"High schoolers maybe, though I'm not sure. Mostly teached those back Before, and who knows what they've taught the kids here? I hope they'll see the relevance of what I want to teach them at least." He told Erica, coming up to the Education Center and looking at it. It was the greatest fear of any teacher, well one of many to be honest; would they understand why he taught them anything? The memory of his interview with The Professor came back to him, especially his answer on Rome. One way or another, he'd make them see that there was nothing new under the Sun. Except the Undead.

Nigel noticed the note with the scheduled classes, including the extra and special classes. He smiled, glad that knowledge was something still valued in this settlement. In his old one, knowledge hadn't been prioritized the same way it seemed, so it was a nice change. Civilisation kept on going. There was still hope that they were not simply survivors, but humans. "When it's time to teach the little ones the value of Roman law, infrastructure and military prowess, I sure will. I guess I'll tell them about George Washington and all that other stuff as well, unless I can teach them to swing swords. Want to stand in the back and take notes?" Nigel said to Erika, chuckling at the thought of teaching her anything, though he wouldn't mind. She seemed eager to learn, a rarity those days. "Favourite subject while in school, top three. Go."

Then the speakers around the settlement rang out, announcing that the beach was open for the party-goers to join. Nigel looked at Erica, nodding in the direction of the beach. "Time to join the party then. Come on, let's not be late. Your turn to take the lead, Erica." Nigel winked at Erica, waiting for her to get a move on so he could follow. For once he wanted her to take the lead, teach him something new, surprise him. For all he had told her about history and himself, he still wanted to learn more about her.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Manny enjoyed his time with Alexander. It was nice to have someone calmly to talk to who he had been able to share struggles with for the better part of the last few months. Even though he was sure that he could get along with people here well enough, there was something about surviving with others and learning to deal with struggles with them that helped build solid relationships. He was also glad to see the old vet was enjoying his humor. Manny was no practical joker, but he did enjoy a good joke every now and again. "Mixed bag here as well. Have had people who have been very polite and respectable, but complete and selfish jackasses, and I have met people who are ill-mannered, and yet very polite." Funny how life did that sometimes. The worst people many times seemed nice for a while, and vice versa. Though he didn't expect anyone here to be like that, it was an interesting thought none the less.

When talk moved onto the settlements again he could understand Alexander's point well enough. "I see your point there. But if there are other communities, what if there are ways to improve things even here? Sure the people here have things more or less figured out, but they are extremely restricted to this space. What if there was a way to expand things out without building the great wall of Florida through the state? SO that future generations could have a world to explore?" Manny had some small ideas in his head, but he lacked the military know how for making them work, and the logistical mindset as well. But he would love to see a day that people could walk the streets outside of walls again, and still feel safe. Use these communities they have now as a last resort rather then a standard of living. Who knows, maybe it's impossible for at least another couple generations.

The loud speakers went off surprising Manny at first, but he was more impressed then anything else. His last community tries something similar once, but after fear of it drawing walkers the project was dropped. He also took note that Alexander seemed to be getting used to his leg better. That was nice to see as well. Alexander struggled for the longest time when his leg had to get removed, even with what was put together in recent months he still struggled. It was nice to see him getting used to walking properly again.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Hunter decided that this girl was interesting, and maybe a start to getting used to people again. He would be slow to open up still despite the occasional weak moments. But she seemed like a good start. He could understand the problem of doing the same thing over and over again every day. Even in isolation here that was a bit much for Hunter. At least int he army when that was going on there was a challenge he was aiming to beat. And while on the road he normally knew where to look to find more ammo then he could carry on his own, and put it all to good use. "If you want an original date try something in terms of learning. Handling different types of guns, hand to hand combat, how to take down an opponent twice your size. All the good stuff. Though if they are wearing body armor that is harder. But all armor has it weak points." It was a fun thing for Hunter at least. Knowing how to take down any person who wanted to try and stop him. But people needed at least some strength to be able to do that. He was still rather weak from starving to near death. Better, sure, but still weak.

He appreciated Nikki listening to him about his trust issues. The cannibal issues, the death issues, all of it. He opened his mouth to add about his other worried about this place, but he held off on that for now. Last thing she needed to hear was about his paranoid ramblings on what could be wrong with this place. About how there are worse things then being killed, or eaten. There were much worse things that could be happening. Though those thoughts were distracted by how Izibell trusts the people here. "Izibell trusts everyone, she's kind of a jerk that way. Someone could be hacking my arm off and she would go to that same person for a belly rub that whore." He laughed as he spoke. Rottweilers were amazing dogs, trustworthy, protective, but total attention whores. But the fact that she seemed to like it here was something. So why not give it a shot.

Hunter fumbled for a bit when the speakers went off. It was such a surprise for him that he found himself reaching over his shoulder for where his sawed off shotgun use to be, pumped and ready to fire. He stopped about as quickly as the reaction kicked in once he realized what it was. An announcement that the beach was opening up. He slowly pulled his arms back to his side. Loud speakers were not something he expected here. But he wasn't really sure what he expected so anything was fair game. "Parties, huh." Hunter hadn't been to many parties growing up. He went to prom once. Nothing memorable though. "Hell Yes I am ready to see Izibell!" His smile showed this time. "Let's get going then."