[IC] When the Rapture Comes Knocking

[RhineQueen]

Roxy scanned the detritus around them. It was hard to pick out any details, but she still took her axe from her belt, gripping it tightly as she picked up her pace.
"Yeah. It'll be good to get some walls up around us. This whole place is giving me hardcore heebie jeebies."

[ChristaEinheart]

She nodded and started walking, still holding Roxy's hand and trying to get them to the closest church. She knew of one that was quite large and quite well built, but it was a few blocks away. Christa kept an eye out around them, nervously scanning their surroundings. As she walked, she kept a fast pace and was stumbling a bit. Her leg was weak and she was overdoing it.

[RhineQueen]

Roxy caught Christa as she stumbled, shifting the girl's arm around her shoulder, supporting her as she walked. She could see the ornate ancient spires of the old church rising over the drab brick buildings surrounding it. If there was a place to find some kind of guidance the old church would be the place. She had never expected to be going to church so desperately, but the sense of dread out in the streets was growing and she more than ever wanted to be inside behind some big stone walls.

[ChristaEinheart]

Christa blushed even more and smiled brightly. "Thanks!" and kept going. She knew this church well and hoped the pastor would be in there. Though, if this truly were the Rapture, he would be one of the chosen to leave. They got the door open to find...no one.

Christa sighed softly and shook her head. She weakly limped over to a pew and sat down, face in her hands. "I...should have known..."

Then she heard it. A sound. She let out a soft whimper and tried to get up to get between Roxy and the noise.

[RhineQueen]

Roxy gestured for her to stay seated, looking around for the source of the noise. She tightened the grip on her fire axe, holding it up as she scanned.
"Hello?" Roxy called out, her voice echoing with the acoustics of the old building. "Is someone there?"

[ChristaEinheart]

She tried to get back up, not wanting Roxy to do this alone.

A man walked in, he was fairly large. About...six-foot-nine...broad shouldered. Black hair in a short cut with a goatee. He wore a simple black t-shirt with a green coat and some black cargo-pants with boots. He hand a silver aluminum baseball and frowned. "You two...you...ok?" He had a soft voice with a mild Russian accent.

[RhineQueen]

Roxy sighed in relief and lowered her axe at the sight of the man, thankful that there was someone else around. She nodded to the newcomer.
"For the most part, yes." She said. "Some scrapes and scratches, but other than her leg we're no worse for wear."

[ChristaEinheart]

He frowned and came over, crouching. "Aw...sweetie, you're busted up pretty good. What happened to her?" he asked, looking up to Roxy a moment before gently checking her leg over and then getting a bottle of Advil and a water bottle out of his pack.

Christa shyly hid her face in her hands. She was NOT good with men, especially big ones like him. She kept one hand on her face but the other quested up to try and tug Roxy's sleeve, nervously asking quietly for her hand.

[RhineQueen]

Roxy slid her hand into Christa'sand gave a reassuring squeeze while addressing the man.
"I don't know exactly." She said. "I found her passed out in the street and gave her some numbing gel for the knee. I don't think that it's broken, hopefully just sprained at worst."

[ChristaEinheart]

He nodded. "Take the medicine, sweetheart. I'ma make sure no bad people are coming. Churches...they're places where people...good and bad...come. My name is Vagin Basanik. You two cuties can call me Vaggie." He got up and left the medicine and the water behind, going to the door.

Christa took a few pills out and took them with the water, then sighed, trembling. "I'm..." She gulped convulsively. "N...not so good with guys."

[RhineQueen]

Roxy nodded and squeezed her hand again, giving her a reassuring smile.
"It's alright." She said. "You can let me handle vaggie tales here. I've dealt with a lot worse, I can handle some big sleaze."

[ChristaEinheart]

She burst into a giggle fit and laid on the pew, just laughing uncontrollably. "Vaggie Tales! Oh my god!"

Vagin looked back, amused. "She ok?" he asked, grinning a bit at the delight in the little ones voice.

[RhineQueen]

Roxy couldn't help but chuckle along with Christa. Seeing the girl's face light up like that was a great sign that the soul inside was still in one piece.
"Yep." She nodded to Vaggie. "Doing just fine."

[ChristaEinheart]

He grinned and locked the doors and then came back, crouching by Christa again. "You doing ok. That's good, little one. I'ma go get some food from the kitchen and you two little ones just rest. Vaggie's here now." and he trotted off.

Christa giggled a little more and wiped a tear from her eyes. "He's nice. I like it. most..big guys...they're mean to me." She blushed a little and looked up at Roxy. "Thanks. You're...really brave."

[RhineQueen]

Roxy blushed slightly but shrugged none the less, giving a slight laugh.
"Aw, it's no worries really." She said. "I'm happy to help however I can."

[ChristaEinheart]

She giggled a little more and laid down, closing her eyes. "It's...serene in here. Do you think we're safe here for a time? Til...we can figure things out?"

[RhineQueen]

Roxy nodded, her gaze drifting off into the distance with a soft smile on her face. The air here did have a feeling of peace about it and there was a sense of hope now that there was another person at least alive.
"You know what?" She nodded. "I think we are. I think we are."

[ChristaEinheart]

She blushed softly at the gentleness in Roxy's voice and giggled again. "I think this guy might be a good one to keep nearby. He seems very sweet..."

Vagin came back soon with some cereal bowls for them. They had milk in them with spoons. "Eat up, I get the feeling there's going to be bad things when dark comes and you two need your strength, eh?"

[RhineQueen]

Roxy took the cereal from him with a smile. He did seem pretty sweet and she almost felt bad for ragging on him earlier. Almost. She couldn't pass up a pun like that.
"Thank you." She said. "I have no idea what's coming at night, but I do know that I am way hungrier than I expected."
She dug into the cereal with gusto. God, I can't remember the last time I had cold cereal. She thought.

[ChristaEinheart]

Vaggie helped Christa sit up and supported her with a gentle smile as she ate. "I love this brand. It's such a lucky coincidence they had it. Thank you, Mister Vaggie."

He shook his head with a laugh. "No. Honey, Just Vaggie, ok?"