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🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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

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Alexander nodded along in deliberate silence to Aeron, looking at him with a knowing look to what he said. "Closure is better than the uncertainty, that I'm onboard with you 100 percent." the old veteran sighed, feeling the very essence of that word they used; closure. There were many chapters in Alexander's life that had been closed, most of them with a satisfactory end as much as closure could give; the loss of his father, his friends, his leg…the list went on. They troubled him too, but some chapters ended with just the pages torn out. Scraps, scars left behind in an unfinished book.

Closure would be good. Perhaps he then could move on…

Alexander listened with open ears to Aeron's tale of his family, his own loss and the others, knowing what his fellow old man from the old world felt as he uttered those words. The details were new to him, especially to Alexander the fact that Thana had a twin sister. The question he asked himself mentally of what she looked like was thankfully not spoken out, Alexander mentally slapping himself, leaving the family-talk for later. And then it was her little brother. Even Alexander, a single child, could imagine the loss.

"She does? Well, I suppose dragging my sorry ass across Georga and Florida does that to you…" Alexander joked, though it felt somewhat forced with his gaze instinctively went down to his peg-leg. They grew close, yes, but not out of kindness. It was desperation and not leaving an old grandpa for dead, one leg less. Pity, that was the word he looked for. Pity for an old man. Alexander sighed, looking back up at Aeron and trying to find any joy in what he said - in what Thana said. "Definietly a Brother in Arms, I would've fought with her back in 'Nam any time. I'm just glad she is here, alive and well. We all went through a lot to get back to that Ashton and his people, and all of us safely here. Like I said, I'll do my part to repay that debt, General Sir."

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

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Nigel had clearly not prepared himself well enough for the onslaught of new information that was coming his way. One thing was the talk of the game of D and D, but to hear of the Professor - called Edna for the newcomer that himself had forsaken his old name of "Hadrian" - and her passion for said game was eye-opening for him. Like one of the three cave-dwellers new let loose into the real world to see what caused the shadows on the cave wall, Nigel had to come to terms with the fact that his fellow educator had another side.

Both confused, yet relieved, Nigel tried to process all of this information. Perhaps he was not as strange to this new land as he feared?

The neo-Roman could barely understand half of what Rosie educated onto Nigel, all the numbers and "checks" sinking into a Germanic bog without any context. Apparently Rosie however understood where Nigel was coming from, and the young lady Amelia clearly had a better understanding of the strange game. Nigel didn't say much, simply doing his best to hang onto the Byzantine chariot that was the talk of absurd characters and…You know what, Nigel was both bamboozled and intruiged. "I see. Perhaps I'll stick with swords for th moment, real swords I mean."

More people appeared at the table of strange tales when Manny, one of the two elder survivors approached to speak with Amelia. Had they been talking to each other before, or worked together? Why else would Manny approach her, when Nigel himself hadn't gotten to know many others so far. Or perhaps he was bad at making friends? Possibly. Anyway dogs had been involved…wait, dogs?

"I'm sorry to throw myself in-between you, but did you say dog? You don't mean the dog belonging to Hunter…Has anything happened?"

🧚🏻‍♀️ 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 Alexander had expected anything other than a negative response from Aeron, his sliver of hope still took a bad hit upon hearing the General's words echoing back at him. He didn't know - He only wished, and even then a fair share of their Brothers in Arms had come and gone at this point. Alexander breathed heavily, slowly and tiresome in and out, steeling himself for the cold reality that had always surrounded him.

He was alone, and had been quite alone for a long time.

The old veteran rubbed his face, attempting to block a trickle of tears from his eyes, thankfully without any fishy oil or spicy seasoning on his fingers to make bad even worse. What else had he expected? For all of the old gang to magically show up there at CMB, those guys who bid farewell to Alexander back in '72 and never looked back? The fellow veterans that stopped by once in a while for a chat and pat on the back with a "We're in this together, Alex…"? Those young buddies of his buried six feet under? Mason?

No, Alexander shouldn't expected miracles like that.

Alexander got his act together in the end, swallowing hard and looking back at Aeron as he promised to have Rolodex look into it. "Thanks, Aeron. It means a lot to me, even if she finds nothing…or nobody there…" Alexander mustered a feeble show of gratiude, forcefully returning to his tuna casserole for a few silent moments. He didn't know what ran through his mind, perhaps thoughts too powerful for him to comprehend without breaking down again. Alexander must have looked like quite the miserable old bastard, but then again he felt like one. Like in one of those movies, only less good looking and badass. He was no Sylvester Stallone or Chuck Norris, though perhaps he had fitted in as an old mafioso?

Slowly Alexander pulled himself together and looked back at Aeron, putting down his spoon and putting on a smile, albeit a small one. "You're lucky to have your family here, to have them safe and close. Even if your youngest one took great risks to find us…I guess she is kind of my family now too."

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

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Clearly Nigel had just entered some quite barbaric territory with his curious conversation, with the Professor turning his attention to him quicker than a projectile from a Roman ballista and her warning not to encourage her. Before he had the chance to heed her warning and make his escape quick, the Professor had left Nigel behind for the proverbial death in the hands of Rosie, her minotaur bard and one of the girls from the other survivor group. Quietly Nigel prayed to the powers that might be or have been, hoping he hadn't just entered back into the kind of strange world of Hank and Wayne again.

At least he was invited to join Rosie at the table, which was something he supposed. Nigel slowly looked around for any saving grace, be it Thana, Erica or anyone else he could excuse himself with. The table with Rosie and Amelia was the only option then. Cursed be him by Hermes the trickster! Nigel sighed, but joined at their table in a confounded silence as he listened to the two ladies discuss this game of D and D.

In-between him nibbling at his plate of salad, a thankfully light meal in contrast to the heavy heat that had followed him all day long, Nigel tried to follow the conversation about the tabletop game with more twists and turns than the Odyssey. At least half of it sounded something coherent, possibly even half-Greek in its origin which prompted nods from Nigel, though the other half make him look with raises brows. Vikings, dead shipmates, urn with ashes on a staff? Not to mention the cow bell Rosie insisted on.

"Yes…I too must question the choice of a Viking cow?" Nigel decided to chip in, having ceased his salad-eating for the moment to bring in his personal expertise on the subject, at least he thought so. "Surely if you want to have a minotaur with the proficiency with the musical prowess of a bell, a better fit would be better suited with a Minoan esthetic, no? Think about it; the Minotaur is Cretan, Greek, with bronze weaponry raiding the shores of Egypt." Nigel said to Rosie, ending on a quick and quiet note as he looked over at Amelia who he had barely spoken with earlier. He felt embarrased all of a sudden, knowing he perhaps had no idea what he was talking about. From what he knew this was a fantasy game, and he knew those kinds of worlds rarely bound themselves to the rules of reality. Don't get him started on the lack of agriculture in the Lord of the Rings, and certainly not the movie "Troy".

Nigel quickly turned back to his salad, idly picking at it as he quietly spoke. "But I suppose I do not know much about the world of DnD. I might have been better suited in such a game set in our own world, in the days of Scipio Africanus and Hannibal…My apoligies."

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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

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Ah yes, a hippy that had thrusted his toe into a solid piece of wood, steel or concrete harder than a runaway 80's fridge sliding down a set of stairs. Good one, one very much to Alexander's liking. It was nice, just plain and simple nice conversating unfolding between two old geezers at a dinner table. Alexander would have given his fellow veteran a sly smile and a laugh at his proposed meaning, however his forlorn look persevered as Aeron continued telling him what he knew.

A rock fell heavily on his shoulders, a lump in his throat blocked any word and flashing images blinded Alexander, accompanied by the echoing words of Aeron. "Yes, there were…"

Alexander should have expected the answer really. It hadn't been probable that their little island settlement had survived as long as Alexander had done. Then again, for a traumatized one-legged Mugsy he had been lucky. Still, the thought of them all gone had blocked out everything else Aeron had said, until they slowly filtered in through the fog of troubles. Alexander began to nod in silence, still holding a spoonful of TUNA CASSEROLE in his hand just a few inches before his eating hole. Eventually however he turned to Aeron again and forced out an answer to his friend.

"Yes…that would be…helpful, Aeron. Thank you. I had some good people out there, before…" Alexander began to utter an explaination, though the words failed him as he spoke. His tounge tied itself up, refusing to elaborate on just what his heart wanted to tell Aeron. His mind was drawn back to their very first day in CMB, the questionaire and his answer to one specific question. "…before it all went to Hell in a handbasket. Not too special a tale, I suppose. But it would ease my soul to know at least."

Alexander sighed heavily and attempted to eat the now spoonful of cool TUNA, though he only managed to chew on the fishy soup. The lump persisted, a protective dam holding steady. But what? His tuna from going in, or his truths from getting out? Through a mouthful of overly-chewed TUNA, Alexander tried to divert his troubled mind over to another topic, though the past remained. "It's a long shot, but did you hear from anyone else from the battalion? I hate to say it, but I guess it is safe to assume none of them have been around these days?"

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Nigel Cooper Location: Outside of Education Center (M) -> Mess Hall (C) Skills: N/A

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The great thinkers of the great civilizations of ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, Persia and many more would have been fine allies to have in that decisive moment our neo-Roman teacher found himself in. Surrounded by people in front and behind him, all moving up the line awaiting a much-awaited destiny, Nigel wished he had put more thought into his mental abilities that day after a long day of hard Herculean labour. Stepping ever closer to this aforementioned Destiny, capital D, he hoped the long-gone Platon, Socrates, Cicero and other great minds of their time woulds shine their words of wisdom down upon his mortal being.

What to eat for dinner?

Nigel, stepping forward in a line he knew few people and stood far apart from those few he did know, had to think fast it seemed. The choices threw themselves with great force at his mental city walls; salad, casserole or sushi? Like the Hastati lined up in formation, the first in line and watching Gaulish barbarians charge towards their flank for brutal combat, Nigel was unsure of what to choose. He was deep in this Battle of Allia, only now noticing that the Professor had stepped in behind him alongside another lady he did not recognize, when he was thrust into battle, ready or not; it was his turn.

"Erm…I…a salad, please?" Nigel blurted out as his turn came and went, now standing with a plate of tuna salad in his hands. The battle had ended just as quickly as it began, though who won the mettle of steel he could not tell. His confusion was only confounded by the words coming from behind him, making him turn and look perplexed at Rosie as he got out of line.

Minotaur…bard…what?

He had heard of bards before, having attended more than his fair share of medieval/renaissance fairs in his lifetime, possibly in passing around those DnD-games, but one of the minotaur origin? Nigel would have scratched his head, had it not been for his hands being occupied by the tuna salad plate. He did however patiently wait for the Professor and Rosie to get their food before he posed the question of a century…well, a question. "I'm sorry, but I could not help but overhear you mention the Cretan minotaur. A bard, a minotaur bard? I don't know much about, well, the game of DnD if that is what you are talking off, but…just, how?"

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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

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The Tuna Casserole went down easy for ol' Mugsy, enjoying every spoonful of it as his calm conversation with Aeron continued to unfold. Tuna Casserole, he'd never in his life think he would enjoy such a grand meal after the world had ended. He had always liked fish, but those days finding an onspoiled can of tuna would have made him feel like the Sha of Iran. And yet now he was enjoying a Tuna Casserole like it wasn't a big deal, like he had just bought a hotdog from a stand before the big game. And now Alexander wondered if they served hotdogs in CMB.

Alexander had swallowed another spoonful while Aeron spoke his usual thoughtful phrases, this time about people being more than mere reports. That's one of the many reasons he had been so well-liked when they were both younger, he took the time to meet you even if you were just a small cog in the massive machinery that was the United States Army. Alexander nodded in agreement. "I'd toast to that, Aeron, if I been a drinking man. I can't remember how many guys in our platoon got chewed out by the top-brass at your level, guys who were nothing like the reports. That Nigel guy sure sems like a good fella, colourful, but if he can swing a sword like he says, I'm impressed." Alexander mused about the Roman odd-ball, though who was he to judge? He was Mugsy after all.

"Tesla? Oh yeah, the Korean fella who fixed Thalia and me up. Good guy, I might just ask him when I get the chance. Oldie is goldie, some youngsters once told me. Wore glasses too big to be practical, too thin a moustache and dressed like a fancy hippie. Even carried around a typewriter with him! I think he was what people called a 'hipster'…" Alexander rambled on, leaving the Tuna Casserole for the moment as he talked like he hadn't talked in a long time. It was the old Alexander, he who had a good life, if only for two thirds of the day. Alexander gave Aeron a smile stirring the casserole while he lowered his shoulders again. "You know what, Aeron? Life isn't so bad, not too bad all things considered…" The smile wore off however, leaving a long, thoughtful look on Alexander's face as he looked away. "…I'd only wish my wife could have seen it…"

Alexander eventually would turn back to Aeron, his face drawn out as he asked the question he'd thought of ever since he first heard of CMB. "You wouldn't happened to know of a settlement east of Florida, somewhere off the coast? That was where I was when this whole thing started."

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Nigel Cooper Location: Outside of Education Center (M) -> Mess Hall (C) Skills: N/A

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While Nigel would have gotten a good laugh out of the sight of the students and their Greek comedy play out, he was far too preoccupied by searching for the board. It was not too difficult to find, considering Thana had pretty easily pointed it out to him just ten, fifteen minutes earlier. While he had expected to find the list for classes he could attend and teach in himself, as he had understood the Professor, what he found was more…leisurely, so to speak.

"So I am to make a Greek of myself then…very well, as you wish, Euphrosyne." Nigel whispered to himself, inspecting the listed classes that were still open. Quilting had, for some odd maddening reason conjured up by the Sirens of the sea, been his own suggestion earlier. He shuddered at the thought, embarrassed at the sight of himself quilting instead of smithing. No, he would toil with something else, something better for himself, and so he kept going down the list.

Nigel was so concentrated on the board that he almost didn't notice Thana walking past him, warning him of the pen over the sword, giving him a good chuckle back. "Calamus gladio fortior, indeed Athena. Have a good one!" Nigel shouted back at her, his new unexpected friend and fellow gardener of the New Hanging Gardens of Babylon. They would have to work on a new and better name later. Thalia on the other hand he managed to miss, only catching her musing aloud the letters "D N D", before running off. Nigel tilted his head to the side, looking back at the board for what she had meant.

"DnD session…tossing the die, or dice." Nigel mused to himself, having first heard of the tabletop roleplaying game in his university years. But Nigel had felt more drawn to the act of swinging real swords, leaving the rolling of dice to Roman Caesars and other politicans. No, reading the board again his eyes fell on one line that echoed something Thana suggested. "Swimming…Scuba…" Shivers ran down his spine, unnaturally cold in the scorching Florida steam, though he steeled himself. Thana had told him Maddoc would run said classes, pointing out it would help him helping her in the underwater garden. He wished he could be enthusiastic about it, but the fear held him back. A fear that had followed him since childhood and a certain…well, well.

Nigel shook himself loose from the stoning gaze of Medusa, puffing his chest out and doing something he might regret very much later on; he signed his name on the list. And as soon as he had done that, he quickly retreated and made his way to the Mess Hall, as if to distance himself before he changed his mind.

Nothing had changed since lunch earlier that day, not even the smell. Fish, more fish for food as was expected. Nigel got in line like most others, further behind Thana and Thalia up front, himself looking for more people he knew. The two old men, Alexander and the General were seated alone at a table, while he recognized at least the girl called Lisa sitting with a larger crowd. Who would he sit with and use his Roman diplomatic skills with, meaning acting awkward and defensive? Only time and dinner would tell.

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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

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Alexander felt his shoulders rise up towards his ears, his body tense up as he stood in the serving line behind the General. There were many things that ol' Mugsy had yet to grown accustomed to in the civilised society of Camp Mexico Beach, one being the attention of fellow living, breathing human beings. He turned his head towards those who greeted the General, wondering if they were looking at him as well. It didn't frighten him really, just felt uncomfortable being so close to the center of attention. Like people expected something of him as well, like being on trial.

A court martial, one that never came.

The calming sound of Aeron's voice brought Alexander's shoulder down once again though, as both of them were served the fine Tuna Casserole he anticepated great things of. He thanked those serving him, giving a polite smile to those around him and following Aeron to the table. It felt again odd not to sit over with Manny after so many months on the line, and now both were making new friends. Would Manny ditch him for someone more like him? A doctor? Nah, Manny was a dentist. One hell of a dentist, but still a dentist. Alexander chuckled at the thought, knowing they needed each other even on the inside.

Alexander listened intently to Aeron's explaination of their comms-situation, quietly taking spoonfuls of the Tuna Casserole in-between his nodding in agreement, both on a purely technical level and the broader strategic one. "Can't argue with your reasoning, General Aeron. It's like we were taught back during boot camp and training; clear and well-used means of communication can make a real difference in any situation, war or not. What did they use to say, the flag-boys? Pro Patria Vigilans, Watchful for the Country? I guess that Roman teacher fella would know." Alexander replied to Aeron, reminicing back to the days he marched down dusty country paths with a too heavy, too fragile and too weak radio strapped to his back. Hopefully those days were over. "Like I said earlier in the basement, before I slipped and fell, I'll do what I can, same with Thalia. She's a good one, can't be replaced. Just like the old radios in my store, old is gold. What type of equipment are we dealing with? And can we get hold of more, spare-parts and the like?"

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Nigel Cooper Location: Education Center -> Outside of Education Center (M) Skills: N/A

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Class was dismissed. Now that was a phrase he had not heard being used in seriousness for many years. Nigel looked back over to the Professor, now having begun the task of filing paperwork like the world had never ended in the first place. And yet it had, though within the safety of the walls they had just began a long bueraucratic process of attending classes and signing up for combat training. And to top it all off, the thing at the top of the agenda was such a trivial thing of the past that he for the longest time hadn't lived by the very concept.

Dinner.

Nigel followed Thana and Thalia out to the corridor and down towards the entrance, passing the group 'studying' or as Nigel himself knew it from his days teaching, slacking. The one snoring sounded like the war cries of a hundred, no thousand Celtic warriors shouting and beating their shields. Probably worse, because Nigel wasn't frightened by the sound at all, more a mixture of annoyed and amused. Nigel shot the one kid rolling up the papers, giving her a brief nod of approval. He would have to sharpen up his teaching competence, but for now he approved of waking the disturbing Celtic army, saw-mill, snoring kid, call him whatever you liked.

While Thalia began conversing with Thana about a certain Major, Nigel let them talk amongst themselves as he made his way further out. He was looking for the board with the list of classes, the others he could talk with later, however of an mediocre small-talker he was. The heat still poured down on him like boiling oil from the defenders of a castle wall, but it was getting better. Things were quiet in the sense of calm, not alarmed, people wandering the streets and taking it as easy as they could. Nigel took in a deep breath of air as he witnessed the wills of men once again was dictated by more higher ideals, not just the brutal truth of survival. While he had had his doubts when he first got bussed into CMB alongside Erica and the others, he felt as if he was slowly getting into the rythm of it.

When in Rome, do as Romans do. The question was who was the Roman, and was this Rome?

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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

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Happiness. Yes, that was someting to get you through ones day, especially the shitty ones. For the longest time in his life Alexander hadn't really known how it felt to be happy. He sure as hell thought he did, all with his pranskering friends, days of drinking and smoking and what not he did in his Army days. It was only with his wife he had felt truly happy with life. Now it was gone, dead, buried in the ground on a not too distant shore. Months ago it had dared to peak its grey head out from cover, and just recently it had taken to stand in the sun, only to flee with the rain clouds.

He could be happy, and thought he was. Just not as much as before.

Rolodex was from the sound of it certainly one taking the joys by force, if it could be taken for happiness. Alexander gave Aeron an awkward laugh in return, having walked with him down the street, passing kids enjoying their spare time like kids should, before reaching the Mess Hall. "A cougar…so that's what they were called. I'll be careful from now on then, I do not look good blushing, especially not in this heat." Alexander said back to Aeron, deep in thought as the front door was opened for him by his older friend. Having women who almost crawled over you like he realized she had, wasn't something he could remember having experienced before. In honest, the old veteran had a habit of being a fool around the fairer sex for most of his life, just ask Thalia.

But dinner called, and he would answer.

"Don't mind if I do, Aeron. I have a date with the tuna casserole, if I'm not mistaken." And with that, Alexander reentered the lively Mess Hall. Ah yes, a habit in the making. With the scorching heat leaving them in favour of the cool air of the interour, Alexander recongised at least Manny out of the bunch on their way to a seat. Had he not had a planned dinner with the General, Alexander probably would have followed after his fellow Baby Boomer. But perhaps another day. For now Alexander gave Manny a wave. "So tell me about these bigger plans of yours and your boys, Aeron. The bigger operations, what Thalia and I are helping with in the basement. How much further out can old sparky reach? I suppose hosting a radio channel isn't one of those plans?"

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Nigel Cooper Location: Education Center (M) Skills: N/A

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Nigel felt a sense of pride actually with the Professor's confession of preferring him to prove himself academically, glad that his professional side was something of use, not just his sword arm. Like a true Roman, he would show the virtues of the Roman people with both sword and scroll in hand, the reinvention of Alexander and Socrates. Though his response was more humble, he couldn't help but turn and smile at the Professor like a school boy for a moment, before recomposing himself. For Thana asked him a prudent question.

Turning back around to face her, he continued his smile now with a knowing look. He was not sure, but he had a pretty good guess, one that would perhaps come to bite him in the butt later on. Or rather bite his thumb. Nigel turned to Thalia as she stated they were officially the first ones on route to begin their training, giving her a nod of approval. "So it would seem, Thalia the Spearlady. And I believe, or fear your brother will be there to sharpen his own blade against ours." Nigel retorted back, seeing the realisation flow over Thalia as she probably thought the same as him. How much poetry and theatrics would take place during their sparing. Let slip the dogs of war indeed.

Nigel took a step back as the proceedings came to a close, signalled by Thalia's venomous tounge at Thana. Sensing the rivalry, a friendly one he hoped, Nigel took yet another step away from the ladies and out the door whence he came from. "If that is all however, I'd like to take my leave. I must read the lists over classes and…you know what. If you'll have me excused, Professor. Thalia and Athena?" Nigel bid his farwell to the group, the professor's slip of paper in hand and making his escape from the soon-to-be war room. He had a plan, a simple plan but a plan still - list of classes, mess hall and dinner.

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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Alexander Polawski Location: Outside Administration Skills: N/A

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The big C, the sickness that had taken some of his own friends to God prematurely, the slow grasp of death as one grew thin and weak. Alexander looked blankly at Aeron for a moment, processing what he had just been told, as if it was hard to believe. Those days in a world filled with so many things out to kill you, terminal illnesses wasn't something Alexander had thought of. Then he thought back to the first informal meeting he'd had with Aeron and what he had told him back then. All with the same comforting smile then as ever, as now.

They'd saved more lives than they had lost, most to old age. What would be Aeron's fate then, and what about himself? How would God welcome his lost lamb back home?

Alexander sat quietly as Aeron told him to not mention the secret curse he bore, feeling himself holding his breath as if even a small breeze would take his new-old friend away from him. Though when Aeron once again smiled at him, Alexander took in a fresh breath of air and nodded. "Your secret is safe with me, Aeron. Maybe one day you'll carry one for me as well." Alexander answered, standing up as well and returning the smile. Yes, he could keep their conversation in the dark for the others, something he was good at already. Some secrets he carried out of convinience, others out of shame and fear.

"Now that's an order I can follow without question! What's on the meny for today, more sea food? I promised a certain Roman fella earlier I would try the tuna casserole. Caught him with Rolodex in the reception just before I came to see your son…wait…feisty?" Alexander muttered under his breath those last words, walking alongside Aeron down the path. Something finally ticked off on a checklist somewhere far back in the old veteran's brain. Something about the way Sandra had treated him…

"Oh…ooooh…She's something…"

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Nigel Cooper Location: Education Center (M) Skills: N/A

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While the office of the Professor was starting to get crowded, it wasn't dampening the mood of Nigel who had just been told that he would be in fact allowed to sign up for the combat training. Both he and Thalia had been evaluated to be able to sign the neccecary paperwork to be on the now infamous D Roster. Nigel, standing beside Thalia and hearing Thana just behind them in the door, was relieved it would be this 'easy'. "Read and sign, that I can do, Professor." Nigel said back to her, giving Thalia a look back as he accepted the papers and starting to read.

It was the more suo of how he'd done paperwork back in his old life. Contracts of professional confidentiality at highschool, excursions and responsibility for injuries due to meetings with sharpened steel swords. Reading over the papers he would sign, he saw it all there, but more importantly he saw the opportunity to show himself as useful. And with that look from Thalia as he himself began signing it, he would get the chance to sparr with the one-armed Amazon. Perhaps she was more accessable while fighting than drinking, probably.

"Agreed, I intend to prove I'm worth my salt. Cum gladio et sale." Nigel quiped back in good faith, signing in a rusty cursive that honestly wasn't much better than Thalia's hampered writing. The world of Hades didn't require a lot of writing, unsuprisingly. But now writing meant more than all the promises made verbally in a thousand years of troubles. Verba volant, scripta manent. Two classes he would attend and prove his worth: Teaching and fighting. Wisdom and war. The world was becoming more like the old one day by day.

Nigel, having signed most of the papers at this point, followed Thalia's suit and looked up at Thana's words of caution. A look of grinding cogs and mechanical gears, then one of comprehension. "If you mean who I think you mean…"

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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Alexander Polawski Location: Outside Administration Skills: N/A

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Alexander sighed in agreement, knowing all too well how such absurd concepts as entitlement had gotten people into deep trouble over the years, or worse killed. He'd seen it himself in so many around him, not the least in himself. "It's a shame really, so many good folks out there that didn't see past their noses until it was too late." Alexander said back to Aeron, letting out a deep breath before going on. "Keep going forward, no matter what. A hard thing to do for some of us, but we must. Stick to the plan, but know it never survives first contact with the enemy."

The old veteran of a lower rank finished his musings of military theory and battle-hardened memories to himself, turning his eyes away from the watery canal and back towards the interiour of CMB. Inside those protective walls, behind the buildings and around the crossing streets, Alexander imagined the people he'd gotten to know briefly, the few he knew by name and ever fewer he cared deeply for. Hope, that's what they stood for. Thankfully Aeron had felt the same, Alexander thought. A smile returned to his face while the issue of callsigns was explained to him. "Ah, makes sense. I hope I don't have to do the same, but callsigns did help back in the war too. I guess some things don't change, you certainly haven't Aeron. Always seeing the individual in the ranks, I remember…"

Alexander let the words ebb out for a moment, accepting the pipe and chuckling back at Aeron. "Oh I could give you a long list of the guys who called you either Scottish or Irish! Was always an interesting topic to discuss, where you came from and why." Alexander elaborated, holding up the pipe to his mouth and taking a pat of it. He had never really smoked a pipe, cigarettes were simpler and better by default, but the smokey sensation hadn't changed. Alexander of course gave a cough, giving his chest a good beat before settling in with the sense of relief down in his amputated leg. It felt good, the sort of good…Alexander couldn't explain it, just a wave of memories that got reawakened.

"Sounds like a plan then. I think Gunny, your son yes, anticipated seeing me there. But Aeron, may I ask why you're in pain?" Alexander asked, taking out the pipe from his mouth and holding it to Aeron, giving him a concerned look.

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Nigel Cooper Location: Education Center (M) Skills: N/A

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They were always in need of a fellow educator. That was good news, good news indeed. Nigel nodded affirmatively to the Professor's statement, hoping that his competence as a teacher would be appriciated by the school and the community as a whole. He wanted to help, or more wanted to prove to them that he was of use in more than one way. Don't get him wrong, he had enjoyed helping Thana out at in the Second Hanging Gardens of Babylon, being the strongman and all. But the suggestion that he could be useful there sounded good to him, and he smiled, if awkwardly.

Taking the piece of signed paper from her and giving it a quick read, Nigel mentally memorized what she had told him to do; check the class list outside, show up at a class he wanted to teach and hand in the piece of paper. Yes, he could do that. Without verbally confirming what the Professor had just told him, he did not except her answer about fight training. "Eh…excuse me Professor, but what?" Nigel said back to the fellow educator, trying to process what she had just told him as someone else seemingly entered the room, though he took a moment to register that as well.

Nigel hadn't been denied the privilige of exercising his feats with a blade, not directly at least. They had classes, and he needed to sign up for a so-called D roster? Should he sign up there by himself, was she pulling out the neccecary paperwork from the cabinet, or had Thalia come to knock him over the head with a great Amazon club for asking such frivelous questions?

Thalia?

Nigel looked up at Thalia entering the room with a slight look of confusion, though attempting to mask it in the presence of his fellow social class and occupation. To Thalia he gave a similar quick tilt or a nod, telling her he saw her and wouldn't cause any trouble. It would seem he was not the only newcomer to the Florida walled city that wished to train their sword arm. Nigel remembered the night before and their brief exchange of words at the bar, how Thalia was good with a spear out of all things pointy and deadly. Turning back to the Professor, Nigel gave a respectful look at her over at the filing cabinets, folding the piece of paper and putting it somewhere safe on his person. "What she, Miss Thalia said…" Nigel followed up after Thalia, slowly getting up from the chair and standing beside Thalia and giving a quick glance out the door after Thana. "Miss Martin sent me here, so seems we are two then, Professor."

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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Alexander Polawski Location: Outside Administration Skills: N/A

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Alexander returned the nods of agreement to Aeron, watching him pull out a knife and a pipe, making the General look just like of his own namesakes way back in the day in true MacArthur-style. Yes, Aeron the General was a good man, perhaps even a great man. That much even Alexander could attest to, even amidst everything horrible engulfing him both then and now. Try, try. "Try, we all try our best these days. Everyone's told me to try and try again, what a wonderful phrase. I suppose it's only the Army that told me to do, not try. Right, Aeron?"

The solemn words of Aeron made Alexander fold his hands and look out onto the water too, deep in thought. Aeron was right, this both so much like the wars of old and so different. Alexander nodded in silence, looking back and forth between Aeron and the water, trying not to extinguish the candle of light that had been lit ever since he met two girls on a TANK. As Aeron though gave him a smile along the shift of wind, Alexander pulled the side of his mouth into a smile himself, looking up at the blue sky with dotted clouds. "The new normal…normal is having hope, even if it's foolish. Call me a fool or a Catholic, but I still find hope in the small things, if that means something. Seeing Thana again for example…"

Alexander fought the urge to tear up, blinking a few times to catch the tears before they escaped and looking back on Aeron with his pipe. "Oh no no, please do. Michael, that is the doctor, isn't it? I've not gotten the hang of all these names yet, I'm afraid." Alexander said, gesturing for Aeron to continue with the pipe. He had to laugh at the mention of tea-and-crumpets-cravings, giving a good chuckle and a slap on his good knee. "Makes you look like an English Lord then, or a butler in the least." The old veteran quiped on, finishing the chuckle as Aeron offered him the pipe. Alexander sat quiet for a moment, taking in the offer, before nodding. "Like two tribes offering peace and burying the hatches of war, yes I'd like to partake. Might help with my sore ass, so wouldn't mind. Haven't smoked since Judith made my quit in '81, so go easy on me, Aeron."

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Nigel Cooper Location: Education Center (M) Skills: N/A

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Whatever the conversation was going on about in the corridor behind him, Nigel wasn't hearing anything. His entire world right then and there revolved around the office he sat in with the Professor and their own verbal exchanges. As he had given his first answer on quilting, Nigel wasn't thinking about the other activities he had actually discussed throughout that day. Something tugged in the back of his mind to relieve his lapse of judgement, to bring forth the true reason he had been taken here by Thana. Curse be to the imprisoned thought that could not escape his foolishnes!

Nigel nodded silently to the Professors further comments, her opinion and suggestion for what the neo-Roman teacher himself would have meaning there. The more the word "quilting" reverbiated in his conscious, like the battering ram against a Hispanian wooden gate, the more two of the Professor's certain phrases came pummeling down at his shielded mind. Nigel sat silently listening to her speak further on, until her last stare at him with narrowed eyes finally broke barrier. He could not explain why he had suggested quilting as his first choice, though at a later time and place he might blame the Floridian sun for his less than preferable mental state.

Perhaps the simple answer was that the many months, years of social isolation still hadn't completely washed off a man with interests most people wouldn't see as fit those more…normal.

Nigel finally breathed out for what felt like a month-long siege, blinking his eyes as if to catch his composure as the Professor waited for his answer. Himself feeling awkward, Nigel scratched the back of his head as he finally answered her. "Yes…yes, auditioning for a class sounds like something I'd be more fitting for, rather than quilting…If that could be arranged, I'd be more than happy to oblige and serve the school." Nigel replied with what felt like a hoarse throat, clearing his throat in-between the puzzle of words he had cooked up together. After a moment of silence though, the neo-Roman teacher fought the urge to look down at the desk, instead re-focusing his gaze at the Professor.

Strength, courage and the support of Thana still standing behind him. Or so he hoped.

"Actually, there is one reason. Id quod plerumque accidit, or it may not come as a surprise of what I am asking about. I know I am but a newcomer to Camp Mexico Beach and what restrictions are lain upon us. However, may I ask of what I can and must do in order to sign up for, how should I put it, combat training? Sparring, fencing, et cetera. I hope I am not to bold in asking, but the art of the melee is important to me, as it must be for others here at the camp."

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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Alexander Polawski Location: Administration (A) -> Outside Administration Skills: N/A

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The sight of Aeron smiling at Alexander, hand extended out to him as he approached, softened the smile on Alexander's own face. Like a good friend not seen for many years, meeting Aeron had over the week become a pleasent occasion rather than the fear of recognisition had been at first. What he had not expected however, was for the General to use a callsign reserved for a special few. "That…that is correct, just not used to anyone else using it outside of…you know, 'our' group. Much better than what I was called back in 'Nam though." Alexander answered Aeron, accepting his hand and shaking it firmly like the General deserved.

The General was stepping outside for a moment, inviting Alexander to follow after him. "I would like that, yes. Lead the way, General." Alexander followed Aeron outside into the once again scorching heat, regretting leaving the comforts of an air-conditioned building in the time it took for his body to slowly tolerate it. If Aeron could cane his way over to the picnic tables, then so could Alexander on his peg leg. All things considered, sitting under the shade of the umbrellas and looking out over the canals wasn't so bad. Especially in the company of the General himself.

"Aside from both Thalia and I having the luck of a three-legged hare? Yes, it's been a good one. It feels good to do something productive, to give something back to you all. Also thanks for letting us visit the graves, I…we needed to bid farewell to those we lost." Alexander told Aeron, leaning on his crossed arms into the picnic table, looking emptily out over the canals. It had been a good day indeed, all things considered, though overwhelming perhaps. Ups and downs, the start of a new life. Alexander shook himself out of those clouded thoughts, turning back to Aeron with a brief smile. "Just many things to think about, but it has been good. Had the pleasure of meeting some fine people, Rolodex and Medic amongst a few. It's been better than for some other newcomers though, I fear…"

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Nigel Cooper Location: Education Center (M) Skills: N/A

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There was something in the air of the office that told Nigel he wasn't welcomed with open arms, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it as he stood in the doorway. It was the same feeling he'd gotten during the Professor's interview with him a week ago, not neccecarily hostile however as if she had somehing much more important to do. Nigel, the former teacher himself, could understand as he saw the red pen she used to mark those papers on her desk. Grading, not one of the occupation's finest tasks. Nigel could attest to that.

Nigel gave the Professor a polite smile as she however invited him in to sit down, explaining to him why some of the lists had been taken down. So far so good, no need for Thana to storm in to his rescue like a well-placed cavalry charge or a deus ex machina on stage to push to plot forward. Sitting down in the turned seat, Nigel turned the chair facing the Professor, folding his hands onto the desk as he prepared his answer.

"Well Professor, I was thinking of signing on for quilting as for classes, assuming the game activities don't fall under those sign ups. I hope I've understood correctly?" Nigel stated his case for the Grammaticus in front of him, though after a moment of soundless breath continued in a careful manner. "Though if I may, what other classes will be added to the lists, seen as they're being updated? Would there be anyhing appropriate for me to attend in your opinion, Professor, having read my curriculum vitae?" Nigel's question was an honest one, him wanting to know if an educated person such as herself saw something else in him, something he couldn't see. Not to mention quilting, as practical as it was, wasn't the most exciting trade to learn.