ONL

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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Alexander Polawski Location: Mess Hall (C) Skills: N/A

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If there was one thing the mess hall wasn't, it was quiet. Conversations were filling the whole room, and not in hushed whispers either. People were laughing, joking, arguing and whatnot, much to Alexander's safety. He felt safe in that enviroment, helped by Thalia's and Thana's presence at the table, his girls. Alexander was glad to have them, Thalia as a safe retreat he could rely on due to their time together and Thana as a trusted superior. The Roman guy, Nigel he introduced himself as, he was unsure of where he had. So far he seemed like a polite man, apparently having had a conversation with Angel already. So far Alexander didn't mind his presence.

Thalia was amusing to look at in the very least, though he wouldn't be far off himself after Thana kindly explained to him how to eat the sushi. "Thank the Lord we don't have chopsticks then, 'cause I never figured out how to use them. Good thing we have clean fingers." Alexander responded to Thana, grabbing a piece of sushi and putting it carefully into his mouth. Nigel the Roman did the same thing, clearly finding the sight of Thalia assulting the fish-rolls with such ferocity intimidating, but her answer of the bowling trophy too good not to smile at. "What she said, Mr. Caesar. Those things are death traps, you know? Especially the old ones, solid metal. Could kill ya." Alexander elaborated further, stuffing another sushi roll into his mouth while Nigel chuckled a little, looking as if he tried to tread lightly. "…not going to argue with that. Just makes me wonder one of life's fundamental questions in the style of Platon; Out of all places in the world, why would a bowling trophy find its way to a military camp?" The Roman actor asked back, more easily picking up the sushi and eating. Clearly this man had eaten sushi before. Did all young people eat sushi back in the day?

"Never be surprised what Uncle Sam has in store. Haven't changed one bit." Was Alexander's cryptic answer to Nigel, before nodding to what Thalia had said. "Work's going well, feels good to do something again. Leg's working out like a charm." The old veteran confessed with a smile, looking at Thana with the ususal old man's look of "I'm doing fine, don't worry about me." Alexander caught Nigel's curious look, though he couldn't blame the man. Mugsy himself was curious about the sweaty, shaven-head man and why he'd been working with Thana today. "This taste…yeah, this taste like noouk mom. Haven't tasted this in years."

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Nigel Cooper Location: Mess Hall (C) Skills: N/A

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Nigel had a few questions for the old veteran seated with Thana and Thalia, though they would have to wait as the one-armed Amazon was approached by a CMB member. Had Nigel seen him before, and if he had he couldn't remember it now. While he didn't catch his name at first, he noted one of the two following him, Mizrahi who Nigel thought he was set to help with his English. So far the neo-Roman hadn't gotten to introduce himself, making himself a note to get a quick hello in once he had time. Turning his sushi-filled mouth's attention back to Thalia and the man, Thalia calling him Joaqiun, Nigel couldn't help but find his theatrical entry onto the stage as amusing as the story of the bowling trophy.

"There is a tide in the affairs of men which, which taken at the floud leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their lives are bound in shallows and in miseries." Nigel casually recited after Joaquin and seated himself opposite of Thalia, grabbing another sushi-roll and shoving it into his mouth as before. His hand was slow to lower from his mouth, however, as he noted the confused look on Alexander's face. The old man, his face weathered, worn with a lifetime of widsom and expereince, either didn't get the reference or thought Nigel "Hadrian" was acting all funny. Not in a good way. Swallowing the sushi, Nigel set to clarify his lesson. "Shakespear, Julius Caesar? Watched a school production of it when I was still a teacher."

Nigel hoped the answer would satisfy Alexander's inquiry, almost relieved that they were getting another lunch guest at their table - Ash, the real military man of the newcomers. When asked if his presence was welcomed, Nigel looked up at him alongside the old veteran, both of whom shook their heads. "No please, by all means, amicus." "I don't mind, best to become aquainted since we're already here. So, Nigel, you acted or something then? I remember you said something playing with swords when we first got here." The old man asked Nigel, his face both in honest curiosity and disciplined restraint, though Nigel didn't like how he phrased his question. Nigel's own face turned from less enthusiastic, a sterner look washing over it, his voice held back like the good old teacher he was.

"Not acting, reenacting. There's a big difference in playing with swords and actually swinging them. Also I was a teacher of history, not theatre" the neo-Roman clearly took some offense at Alexander's words, not easily hidded from the old veteran who probably saw this. The old man put down the last sushi-roll he was about to eat and put his hands up defensively. "Hey just askin', I didn't know. The only reenactment I ever saw was the retirees back in Chicago doing Civil War battles out in the park. Shakespeare caught me off guard, only that." Nigel took Alexander's answer with a grain of salt, but allowed himself to accept it nonetheless in the company of others. Even for his passion, he was still the weird guy with the sword, he had to admit - reluctantly. "Okay, no hard feelings…so, what about yourself? The same as Ashton, was it?"

The old veteran's face strained itself suddenly, although disciplined in some form, though Alexander did answer after a long time of chewing the very last sushi-roll and looking at Thalia - already talking with Joaquin - and Thana. "It was a very, very long time ago…long before any of you were born, before I finally got to taste sushi and the…" Alexander began to answer back, though the latter choice of food he failed at uttering as he coughed heavily. The old man looked okay though, holding his hand up to gesture he wasn't dying and only having eaten it wrongly. Nigel was about to get up and help the poor old man when he was gestured down again, but the neo-Roman did eye Ash's plate of seafood and pointed at it. "And the tuna casserrole?"

Alexander finally ceased his coughing and took a deep breath of fresh air, nodding wearily to Nigel in his excellent assement of his choice of words. "Tuna Casserole. Damn this sushi. It was good, but next time I'll take the Tuna Casserrole."

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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Alexander Polawski Location: Administration (A) -> Mess Hall (C) Skills: N/A

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He was being funny, just what Alexander had planned on being absolutely. Alexander could taste the sarcasm in Thalia's voice on his hands-on comment, not what he had intended when he first asked but hey, when life gives you lemons. At least Thalia wasn't the girl to go soft on the less of her hand, made Alexander feel less badly about it too. "Rams, huh? You know I think we beat you a few times back in my day. Rams ain't got nothing on the Maroons." Alexander said jokingly back to his cleaning companion, finishing the cobweb-removal he was in the process of and turning around to Thalia. "But it makes sense to me. You chose wisely, at least I hope we both did."

Before he could fill-in some proper response about his own reasons for studying electronics or asking about her uncle's company, the world came crashing down on Thalia. Well it was more of a shelf with plenty of stuff weighing on it, but still. Alexander watched as a bowling trophy fall and hurt her, making his way over to her. "Shit Thalia, you okay?" He asked her, more as an instinctive response rather than fear for her life. To the old veteran she looked fine, save from a cut cheek and some blood, nothing too bad. "I won't tell anyone if you won't tell on me. No one's asked why you guys call me Mugsy, but when the time comes…"

The remainder of the first shift went as peacefully as they could have hoped for, Gunny showing up at one point and telling them the next toll of the bell would signal their time for lunch. Great, Alexander's stomach was starting to growl ever so slightly. At the question of what he'd prefer, Alexander had to give Thalia a good and long look of thought. "Tough one there…Let's be a little crazy and try the sushi, why not? I heard so many kids talk about it, probably time I tried some myself."

Alexander followed after Thalia as the bell called for them to eat, though at a slow pace after their first shift of work. It hadn't been terribly tiring really, but Alexander was still adjusting to the new leg. In time however he got to the mess-hall, got in line and recieved a plate of sushi. "What else did you think they did? Order them from the local convinience store?" Alexander told Thalia, surprised to see her nearly storm of to someone's table, until he noticed it was Thana. He smiled, following after Thalia and sitting down with her as well. "I think Thalia's having a…what are you kids calling it, a food orgasm?" The old veteran smiled and chuckled at Thalia, letting her do some talking for once as he looked down at his plate. "So…how do you eat this?" He asked just as one of the other survivors joined the table, the one from the smaller groups who people called "Sportacus".

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Nigel Cooper Location: Hydroponic Gardens (T) -> Mess Hall (C) Skills: N/A

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So the group and Thana had already been connected in some way from before it seemed. Nigel had pieced together some parts of what was a bunch of puzzle pieces, a mural of past events he could never become more than a distant observer of. Nigel nodded along as Thana gave him the rough details, recognizing Holloway as the Ash/Ashton character. So much he hadn't taken part of, so many rivers these people had sailed down. It was a wonder they had gotten this far, though he was glad they had.

"That's an impressive resumé then, more than I can brag about. Sounds like you did a lot of good back then, before all of this. Makes you wonder how they are over there now, if things are any different." Nigel mused at Thana's background, wiping another stream of sweat from his burning-hot face. Clearly Florida had been the working-grounds of Apollo before he decided to drag the Sun across the sky. Cook showed up for a moment, Nigel greating her back with a wave and heavy-breathing smile. The waterbottle he'd gotten from Thana helped a lot, him drinking some much needed water as she spoke with Cook about the honey. Honey? These guys had everything.

"Sounds good. Never seen myself as a bee-keeper, but good to know where to keep out of." Nigel said lightly, picking up the wheelbarrow again and wheeling off to get more of the stuff they needed. It was a good first shift of work, much warmer and less bloody than a certain clean-up duty down in a basement. Nigel returned to Thana once the first right of the bell was heard, giving her a waiting look as she explained when they would have lunch. "Oh good, think I need some shade and more water after this."

Soon the second bell did indeed ring as their first shift was over. As Nigel returned to Thana and Atlas showed up for some unknown reason, Nigel finally got the chance to tell his part of the story. The story that neither Hank nor Wayne had ever bothered to ask, instead mocking him for his passions. Walking alongside Thana, he finally got to explain. "My university friends, as cliché as it sounds. Almost didn't happen. Went to study agricultural science, but a friend got me to attend a history lecture. Got hooked right then and there, the reenactment came later. I guess swinging swords and teaching Roman history appealed more than taking over the family far. No offense."

Nigel was slow to follow Than once they got to the Mess Hall, though he picked up Thana's invitation to sit with her. "Thank you, didn't want to sit alone. Just give me a moment, need a breather." Nigel told her, staying behind as he still decided on what to eat and catching his breath. Hard work took its toll on the man who hadn't done much for the past week cooped up in Quarantine, though surely it would get better day by day. When he finally decided on what he wanted - Sushi, because why fix it if it ain't broke, Nigel found Thana already sitting with two of her companions. Thalia he had spoken with before, but the older man was still relatively unknown for him. Well since he had already said yes, Nigel made his way over to the table and gave a polite nod to both of the newcomers. "Thalia, thank you for…what happened to your cheek?" Nigel asked her, sitting down alongside them before realizing he was being rude to the older man. "Sorry, Alexander was it? Don't think we spoke much earlier. Nigel, glad to meet you. I've been working with Thana today, hope you don't mind me joining you?"

"Likewise, Nigel. No please, do sit down. I'm not the superior of this table after all. Thana?"

Current Mood in One Gif

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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Alexander Polawski Location: Administration (A) Skills: N/A

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Alexander couldn't argue with Thana's somewhat cynical perspective. Compared to most other people in the world - and ol' Mugsy surely hoped that there were more good people alive out there - they were on a three-week luxury cruise in the Carribbean, all expenses paid beforehand. Thana was just wired like that Alexander figured, didn't make her a worse person than anyone else though. Alexander himself saw it differently, thankful for the hopefully watchful eye of God above him.

Besides Thana asking Gunny about her brother's whereabouts, there was nothing that was going to stop the amputee-duo from getting straight to work. Even with his prostethic leg still new to him, things were going as smoothly as he could have hoped for. Back and forth he went, carrying miscellaneous junk from the room out to the bins in the hall. While most of it went without much notice from the old veteran, the electronics bits and bobs he payed more attention to as he sorted them out. He hadn't dabbled in the glories of electronic fiddling for years at this point really, so he couldn't help but mutter to himself the names and uses of the various electronics he found in-between whatever conversation he was holding with Thalia. Mostly he did what he was told to do, clear and simple. Cleaning and tidying up, just how he liked it.

"Remind me how you got into the electronics again, dear. You're a hand's on type of lady, still surprises me to this day that we've got that in common. Not that I'm complaining, I miss talking to a fellow buzz-brain." Alexander asked Thalia in a casual manner, at the moment coming back from the hall to find another corned fill with spiderwebs that needed brooming. The new leg had done its job rather well all things considered, that Tesla deserved another thanks when he met him. He stood with his back to Thalia as he tangled the cobweb up with the broom, calmly enjoying his time doing something constructive for once and waiting for Thalia's answer. It had been long since he had conversed about such mundane topics such as one's background, well except for Manny, it was a common subject for them now. Thalia not so much, even for their friendship.

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Nigel Cooper Location: Hydroponic Gardens (T) Skills: N/A

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After having spent as much time as he had done either by himself or in the company of such complimentary plebs such as Hank and Wayne, it was unusual feeling for Nigel to hear Thana's thoughts on him. He, handy and useful? Nigel couldn't help but give her a brief smile back before returning to the task at hand. He'd spent too much time around people who didn't understand or made fun of him, so for now this was a nice change of pace. Except the humidity. By Neptune's wet beard it was nearly worse than the swamp.

Thankfully the last sheet was soon raised and wrapped up by Nigel, letting in a gentle breeze through the netting which Nigel hadn't noticed before. The former farm boy held up his hand and gently felt the netting, still convinced that he'd view this as a Great Wonder. These people really had it figured out. "Oh yeah, I get it. Either you'd get a leak or contaminated water. Worse than it can be purified anyhow." Nigel voiced his thoughts on the water issue, though raised his brow like Thana had done to him at the mention of Newnan. Thana was quick to fill him in on the basics however, which Nigel clearly hadn't known of before. It had been too many years since he'd been a substitute for a geography class. "It sounded bad then. Was that were the other group came from, if I may ask?"

Nigel didn't anticipate a conclusive answer to his questioning, after all what right did he have to ask about the others? Therefore he didn't wait long after being handed the list of things they needed to start bringing them in. "Sure, no problem. I'll be right back." Nigel would head out and get the wheelbarrow, wheel it over to the shed and begin filling it with all they needed. He recognized a bunch of the items, more the tools and soil and less the chemicals. It had been years since he'd done any farm work, and even then he hadn't done much himself. Back and forth Nigel wheeled, at one time noticing a golfcart driving past him with Nikki and Amelia in it. While he didn't know them too well, Nigel raised his hand and attempted to give them a wave, however unlikely it would be that they noticed him too. His sweaty face must have reflected the sun like a lighthouse though.

"It wasn't anything like this one, that's for sure." Nigel answered Thana's question, putting down a bag of soil from the wheelbarrow and wiping his forehead of sweat. "It was a small farm, mostly dealt in smalltime livestock and wheat. Never spent much time helping though. Mom was a vet and dad didn't want me in the way. Well, except in the shop I guess. Spent many hours of my life making horseshoes and such." Nigel regretted not learning more about farming from his time home, but reminded himself of what he had said about not being in the way. And besides he learned enough by drifting in the woods as he did. "May I return the same question to you, or how you fit in here in the gardens. You have the knowledge of this after all, that much I can see."

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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Alexander Polawski Location: Administration (A) Skills: N/A

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It was with a surprised smile that Alexander turned to see none other than Thalia standing beside him. When he had been told to show up here, it hadn't occured to him that he would be working with anyone else from the new-comers, much less Thalia. He was not a man to complain on that, and was frankly glad to have her by his side. Unlikely friends from the start, but fate had her mysterious ways of bringing people together. Alexander had certainly been through that many a times before. "Looks like today's going to be a good day then, Angel."

Alexander accepted the sudden handshake from the older lady, taken back by the surpised friendlyness shown towards him by this Sandra. According to what the passing Maddog barked next her codename was Rolodex, which made Alexander smile and chuckle ever so slightly. "Pleased to meet you too, Sandra. We'll do our best, whatever it is you need doing." He managed to say before the speakers crackled to life, like something important was just about to be told to the troops - Orders to move out, pull back, rotate in new units or just yell at whoever put paint into the corporal's shampoo, they were all good guesses from Mugsy.

It was the General just telling them all good morning, thanking for the night before and listing of that day's announcements. It was surprisingly calm, even comforting for Alexander to hear it that way. Perhaps it still hadn't dawned on the veteran that life inside the walls of Camp Mexico Beach was different than outside, being normal and structured. Most likely. Alexander didn't say anything - didn't know what to say - as he followed Gunny through the door and down to the basement, taking in all that the told them.

Clean-up duty. Alexander had to be honest, this was not what he had expected when he first stepped into Administration that morning. But as Gunny asked if any of them had any questions, none really came to him. It was clear-cut work which made sense for the newbies to take on. Alexander nodded along to him, feeling his heart drop at the mention of the "funeral detail" later on, though still looked forward to it. One last goodbye. "None from me, Gunny. What'cha say, Thalia? Ready to get some good old housework done?" Alexander was actually somewhat looking forward to cleaning up the basement, ready to work with his hands again after the downtime in Quarantine.

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Nigel Cooper Location: Hydroponic Gardens (T) Skills: N/A

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So Nigel had not been far off on Thana's name, or what she had decided to call herself around people those days. Nigel "Hadrian" had done that after all, but more likely than not it was her real name. Nigel held out his hand and shook Thana's, hoping to give her a good impression of sturdy hands if nothing else. "Good to meet you, Thana. I head either Nigel or Hadrian, though most go by the first." Nigel replied to Thana's introduction, cut off by the crackling of a loudspeaker somewhere and Thana duly pointing it out for him. The level of civilisation still marvelled Nigel to that day, a week of exposition not having assimilated him entirely.

The neo-Roman had to sigh at the mention of an incident, all too aware of what the General was referring too, or rather who. It hadn't been a night of joy to take care of Hunter, and the memories of that night still feel ashamed on his behalf. The rest of the announcement was rather even-leveled, no reports on the Undead world on the other side of their walls. Was this how life was to be there on the inside? Nigel thought back to the answers he'd given during his interview, what he had thought normality was like: daily routines and a lack of fear. As Nigel listened to the broadcast, those words were echoed from every word uttered by the General.

They were pretty close? Nigel raised his brows in curiosity at Thana's choice of words, following her straight away to where she had opened a door and looking inside. She wasn't wrong - A series of pipes and rods holding various plants, giving them sustinance through an intrecate system that, for a moment, made Nigel speechless. Civilisation had truly survived in this little fortress, and this garden was a testament to that. "If we could add one more wonder to the Seven Wonders of the world, I'd pick this every time."

The work he was meant to be doing was hard but honest work it seemed. Thana's visible injuries sure convinced him of what she had just told him, that he'd do fine there. Nigel made a grimace briefly at the sight of those two holes, glad it hadn't been him who sustained them. "Sure, whatever you need then. Born and bred on a farm, so works for me." Nigel admitted as he made his way to the plastic drape Thana pointed at, slowly but surely pulling them up and securing them as instructed. He was certainly not as proficient at this as Thana was, and he would surely be just behind the corner when he was asked about his background. So she had read his file?

"Oh, I did not know my reputation preceded me? I mean I know a thing or two besides the common knowledges on the aquaducts, but I haven't built one myself." Nigel answered the best he could, finishing the eastern side of the drapes and moving around the corner to continue. Thana wasn't strictly wrong in her assesment, but it felt like it had come out of the blue. Then again, there he was working in the gardens. "My 'expertise', if I can call it that, lay more in siege weapons and warfare. You know, ballistas and catapults, walls, you know the type. But I guess I know enough to make an effort. Why, want to run freshwater into the camp?"

Gumshoe and Femme Fatale - A tale of silver-screen intruige and pulp-action

Richard Barker

Even when the storm had passed over New York the previous night, somehow those persisten clouds managed to squeeze out a few more raindrops on what could have been a sunny day. Relatively sunny, it was fall after all. And New York City. The only time the sun was shining here it was still a nuisance. Richard didn't really mind, his nose never liked being baked in the sun after he got that scar of his. It wasn't the rain he was seemingly annoyed at as he found the Metropolitan Museum in his sight and the bistro January had instructed him to meet her at.

It was the fact she had forced herself into his investigation. He didn't do partners, hadn't for years and certainly not in the company of a glamorous young lady with a look that could both kill and smooch you.

Richard had been at the Carlito's before, if his memory served him right. Past cases made the high-society bistro a good place for reconnaissance and a hold-up in-between his working hours. To food was decent enough he suppossed, if pricey. Richard passed by the large window frame that gave a clear view of the museum from the bistro's inside, giving a passing look for his employer - and reluctant partner. If he was told not to be late, he had to wonder what kind of person January herself was. Was she the overjoyed party-animal who was late to everything, or had the sense of maturity he felt in her the day before hinted at a grown woman?

He wasn't surprised to see her sitting in a booth, though the company she kept made him raise a questioning brow. Not only the greasy Detective Golding of the local NYPD presinct and the unknown straight-looking fella in a trenchcoat with his hand gripped tightly around January, but also the gun pointed at them. If January was anything at this moment, she was certainly not a damsel in distress. Good, that meant Richard didn't have to be her knight in shining armour in some fantastic love story.

"Ey Goldie, what the Hell are you doing here at out of places?" Richard shouted at Detective Golding in a seemingly friendly manner, pushing the door open and making his presence known to the trio he'd much rather be solo. But if they all knew that they were being watched, less chance that someone was willing to do anything stupid.

"Richard, is that you? You slick sonov'a bitch, fancy seeing you here too. What you'd do, finally decided to spend your life cooking instead of snooping?" Golding shouted back to Richard, sweat pouring down from his overly-sized hat and greasy hair that. Clearly he was getting nervous. Whatever plan he and the German had had earlier, it was falling to shits quicly. "We were just...discussing something with Miss Endicott. But you haven't..."

"As matter of fact, yes I have had the pleasure of being introduced to Miss Endicott. Why the Hell do you think I'm here for, you Israeli greaseball?" Richard's friendly demanour changed into the fast-paced New York tounge, standing with a powerful pose above the Detective. The other man in the trenchcoat was sending daggers into Richard with every word he spoke. "And who's the Hun? Didn't think the NYPD liked dealing with foreigners after last year's little escapade?"

"Well Richard...I..." Golding was at a loss of words, knowing perfectly well that a gun was being pointed at him. Golding knew, Richard knew, the German Müller knew. The German spoke up in Golding's stuttering, still clutching January's wrist. "Herr Richard. This is..."

"That's Herr or Mister Barker to you, Heinie. And I wasn't talking to you."

"Why the hostility, ol' Dick? Mr. Müller works as a consoltant for me in the investigation on Janu...Miss Endicot's father's death."

"Consoltant? Come one, Berth, you know you haven't had a consultant since you tried getting that Italian guy to help you lose weight. And Herr Müller?" Richard was fast getting tired of Golding bullshitting him and the German's unfriendly look at him. One thing annoyed him ever more thought. "If you want to be a smart cookie, I'd suggest you let go of Miss Endicot's wrist. I think we can all agree you'd look less than flattering with a hole in your gut, right?" Richard said in a matter-of-factly tone to the German, eyeing the table where a presumable gun was being held towards them. Richard shot both of the men a growing smile again, before looking at January in her fiery look. Not bad.

"Good afternoon, Miss Endicot. Hope I'm not too late. It was nice of Detective Golding and Herr Müller to keep you company until I arrived. Now, have a nice day both of you. Don't mind the rain."

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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Alexander Polawski Location: Administration (A) Skills: N/A

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Another day waking up to the sound of a full-blown reveille, another day of Alexander waking up with a long sigh and heavy head with bushy hair. Except that he was not a soldier in basic training anymore, but an old man. He was fortunate to be who he was that day, both familiar with the damned trumpet blasting everyone awake and being old enough to wake up early anyway. Some younger man might not take the horn-music as lightly. Didn't stop him from saying something less than child-friendly as he awake. Some things never changed, did they? Well his leg and walk had changed, but for that he didn't curse anymore.

The rest of the morning was far more enjoyable, if not exciting. Alexander read from the piece of paper pushed under his door, looking forward to the coming events of the day - Breakfast, work, the visit to the cemetary and free-time activeties. Only one thing on the paper made him swallow hard, thankful he had the room alone. Therapy. Alexander would spend most of the morning tearing himself apart over it. Should he attend or not? He knew people would want him to "get some help", he wasn't stupid. They were probably right, but something dark in the back of his mind told him he could deal with it himself.

Alexander fought that proverbial skirmish all the way till he said goodbye to whoever he had eaten breakfast with, mostly likely Manny, and made his way over to his first assignment in Camp Mexico Beach. The walk over to Administration nice, made him grow accustomed to his fancy leg. It welcomed a new start for Alexander, even with the darkness skulking in the back of his mind. Passing several people milling about, Alexander nodded and smiled back to those friendly enough in the morning rush. Inside he couldn't help but overhear the older woman overload Gunny with requests and information. It was just like the old army days, wasn't it?

The old veteran stood silently at the side of the long desk, waiting for Gunny to be done with the old woman before he would make his presence overtly known. In the end though he would probably have to say something, something simple. "Gunny, sir? Alexander Polawski, I am to report to you for my assignment."

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Nigel Cooper Location: Hydroponic Gardens (T) Skills: N/A

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Whatever that infernal noise that could only have been produced by the very hounds of Hades themselves actually was, Nigel was in no state to answer as he was awoken by the reveille. Unlike the old veteran who had listened to the same morning call in his younger years, Nigel hadn't had the pleasure of getting used to it. Nigel struggled to open his eyes as he covered his ears, wondering why they were tormenting him like this. Then it hit him - He had chosen to stay in an Army camp, run by the military as a semi-military society. As he got out of bed and get dressed for the new day in Camp Mexico Beach, he questioned himself why he hadn't anticepated the horns. The damned horns.

With no answer in sight, the neo-Roman had turned to the slip of paper slid under his door. Simple and reasonable enough. He was to report to someone called Sparrow at the gardens for his assignment, neither of which rang any bells in his head. Who was Sparrow again, and why the gardens? The names had been plenty the last week and he hadn't spent much time doing gardening since he lived at his parents' farm back home in Washington. He didn't mind though, he was sure to do his best at getting his fingers green and dirty. In regards to this Sparrow, he would have to wait and see.

Nigel "Hadrian" didn't say much during breakfast, but not because the food itself was any bad. After last night's escapades with social blunders being made - mostly Hunter to be honest- Nigel was starting to feel the sense of isolation that Erica's absence was causing him. He even contemplated if he should sit and eat with Hank and Wayne, but he decided to get some well-deserved space from the two grumps. The activeties he found listed on the bulletin board were in that case tempting, at least some of them. Perhaps quilting or some games, or just a good book? Oh yes, getting back to knowing and trusting people wasn't easy. It was made easier when he had been applied with the Sportacus label.

With breakfast consumed and free-time activeties pondered on, Nigel made his way to the Hydroponic Gardens as instructed by the piece of paper. It was the smell that hit him first, early as bad as the big stink little Jamie had made back in Quarantine. The gardens and greenhouse was a more impressive sight to behold, even if it was certainly Spartan. Standing over by the shed and looking over a clipboard, Nigel recognised the woman who must have been codenamed "Sparrow" - Thana. The badly-scarred woman, closely connected with Ash the army man. While he didn't know much about her, anything really, he had to have respect for someone with those scars and still living. "Good morning, Sparrow I presume?" Nigel asked Thana, stepping up to her and giving her a polite nod. Okay, time to attempt a good first-impression. "Not the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, but still looks solid. Nigel Cooper, I'm to report to you for the week. Hope I can be of any use to you and everyone."

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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Alexander Polawski

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Location: Camp Mexico Beach: L6 (Street outside Education Center -> Apartment 1C)
Skills: N/A

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Alexander had to give it to Manny; for someone whod been threatened with a shotgun shoved up his backside many moons ago, he had grown to become a source of light in Alexander's social circle. He could take a verbal punch from the old veteran just like his brothers in arms had, and hit back just as hard, but more importantly just as funny. Alexander chuckled at Manny's replies, holding his hands up in front of him. "Fair point. Keep my health clean and healthy, and I'll keep your big mouth safe. Deal?" Alexander proposed, giving Manny a long, good smile at their fiendship. They needed people like that in this world. Alexander needed that.

The old veteran too noticed poor Hunter drunk as a skunk, shaking his head at the fool he had made of himself. There wasn't anything he could do for that kid now, but perhaps later? The thought of redemption crossed Alexander's mind, but it blew away just as quickly as Manny bid him a good night. He quietly told him to sleep well too, watched Alexander walk before he himself went inside. The sight of Tesla and Shears leading the kids up the street held him back, again reminding him of the flashback he'd had earlier. Alexander gave them all a small wave and a smile, both knowing the horrors children never should but undoubtly had been exposed to, and hoping their future was brighter than his own.

Perhaps they'd want some gum? He wanted to give them some gum.

Alexander finally entered the General Housing and slowly waddled over to his own room. The key was still in his pocket, alongside the photograph he'd been given earlier. He pulled out both, looking at the image of himself and his long-gone comrade and friend. So many memories of that California kid with the sun in his eyes. And the other one? A long-lost Chicago kid the cold winter wind in his back. A long call from today, but the memories remained. Who knew what kinds of memories the General's photographs would bring back.

He sighed to himself, locking himself in his bedroom and going to bed. The photograph lay at his bedside as he kneeled before his bed and clutched the rosary around his wrist. Quietly he prayed to God to forgive him and his sins, hear his prayers and guide him in these troubling times. Before he finally put himself to bed, he lifted his head up and spoke directly to the Lord above, a tear running down his cheek. "And Lord? Please, if you can, tell Judith I love her. Amen."

Then ol' Mugsy went to bed and fell asleep.

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Nigel "Hadrian" Cooper

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Location: Camp Mexico Beach: L10-> L6 (Apartment 3C)
Skills: N/A

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The answers given to Nigel on the nature of Hunter's probably reprimands echoed in his mind, still following the drunk boy up the street to wherever he was to sleep. Their words rang louder than whatever Hunter was trying to mumble to his Roman baby-sitter. Again he agreed with the need for some form of punishment for this kind of behaviour, but he couldn't help but feel sorry for Hunter in general. Perhaps miserable was too strong a word to decribe the young soldier who didn't have anyone, but Nigel felt it still fit. Only time would tell if he could be transformed to something more civilised.

Nigel kept careful watch over Hunter's stumbling towards the General housing, noting the two older gentlemen looking back at them in the distance. The one with a fake leg and burdened mind from what he gathered, and his friend. He knew very little about them, but they had been with Thalia and Beatrice when they came here, and from that he figured they were a tough bunch. The older guard of the Roman republic, the Triarii so to speak. Perhaps it would be in his interest to learn from his elders, wiser and more experience as they should be?

Nigel followed Hunter inside and made sure he got as close and safely to his sleeping quarters as Nigel was allowed to go. He nearly missed Hunter giving him a muttered "Thanks", looking back at him with a half-smile. "You're welcome. See you in the morning." Nigel replied, though sure that the kid wasn't going to remember a single word in the morning.

And like that, Nigel was standing alone again. It was dark outside, and as Nigel made his way back to his own quarters he felt a little darkness penetrate his flesh as well. But he would endure like the soldier he was, just from another time. He locked himself inside his room and sat down at the bed, for a good while staring blankly out into empty space and simply reflecting on tonight's events. Many things had happened, many words had been spoken, but only the future would reveal their effects. How would he fit into this new society? Would he find new companions like some already had, where would Erica be in all of this, and would things ever be the same? Nigel fell asleep with these thoughts running through his mind, his body still unfamiliar with the comfort of a bed and safety of sturdy walls.

Gumshoe and Femme Fatale - A tale of silver-screen intruige and pulp-action

Richard Barker

"His briefcase. How curious." Richard said out in the smokey room, his words nearly piercing the thick smoke that the two lonely smokers gave off, even though they had the company of each other. To the detective the mention of Ottoman jewelry and the like didn't raise any thoughts in his mind, but the briefcase? Flicking of some ash into the ashtray, surrounded by a typewriter with a half-written report, a pile of newspapers and Richard's hat, the detective looked down at January again. She was onto something. Clever kid, she might get places, even without her razor-sharp looks.

"It would seem we're on the same train of thought then, Miss Endicott. If you're asking for my opinon, and I assume you will sooner or later, something smells fishy of this whole mess. I don't want to sound rude, but to me it looks like someone or something from his past is involved here. That and the briefcase. " The detective downed another sip of his whiskey, the last one, and poured himself another glass. He was used to drinking the hard stuff, years upon years of experince weighing down on him. The same memories that reminded him that the cops were far too keen to sweap these kinds of cases under the rugs of a public afflicted with memory loss. He though didn't forget. He remembered all too well.

"If you don't mind, honey, I'd like to start on the case in the morning. The museum, where he was murdered is probably where I'll begin my investigation. Unless you have something more you can tell me, any and all of the smallest details you can think of, there's not much a common shamus like me can do. You'd probably need some rest, after all that's happened." Richard said frankly to January, putting down his glass after another sip and giving her an understanding look. People would behave the wildest of ways at the loss of someone close, even if they didn't know so themselves. Richard guessed that January was the partying type, dancing and flirting her way out of the sorrow that followed Death.

Richard stood up from the desk and wandered over to the illuminated window again, idly smoking the rest of his cigarette as he listened to her fingers restlessy tapping on his desk. Turning to look at her, he chuckled and grinned at the young and beautiful lady with a silver spoon in her mouth, before looking out and down at the rainy street. "You'd be a mean receptionist with those fingers, doll. Ever considered working a typewriter?" he asked, finishing the stump of a cigarette and throwing it out the window."Anyway, you'd better take the backdoor out. Frontdoor doesn't open easily outwards in this rain, you see. I hope to see you again soon, Miss January Endicott."

Current Mood in One Gif