Shoe Thief

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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Emanuel "Manny" Newman Location: F10, Chapel --> Apartment 1D Skills: N/A

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Manny had realized his mistake too late. Freeman rather aggressively pointed out to Manny how he had fucked up, and Manny found himself attempting to process the situation. "My bad, I'll leave." Despite Freeman's orders, He turned to face Alexander. His relationships with those closest to him were still more important then any orders. "My Apologies Alexander." He didn't know what else to say past that, so he just left without another word.

The walk back to his apartment was uneventful. He went out of his way to avoid people, and avoided eye contact for the most part. He spent some time fumbling the keys he had to get first into the apartment, then quickly moving to his room fumbled again. Once inside his room he locked it behind him cursing himself for not paying enough attention to the situation at hand. So much for the nice relaxing morning he had been dreaming of for years.

He found himself unsure of what he would do until the trial, maybe get some rest and clear his head a bit. Not sleep no, he wasn't tired. But a chance to lay down and clear his head a bit as he tried to figure things out again, that could work. He may even go out again before he was needed for the trial and see who else was out and about.

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Hunter Monroe Location: Jail (AA) Cell B Skills:N/A

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Hunter sat there in shock, watching the conversation at hand taking a complete 180 degree turn for the worse. It seemed the conversation had ended, and Cage was planning on leaving and Hunter with his dog were going back into lock up. "I'll take that as a no then... I..." He froze, not really sure what to say. He thought things were going well, he was at least starting to get some of the mentality of what was going on behind the scenes for the camp, and he thought he did a half decent job trying to explain what was going on in his mind. But it seemed he was wrong. "Okay then I guess. Thanks for the coffee and sweets." It was an honest thanks, but his mind was in the clouds as he tried to process what went wrong. For the first time since he was in lock up he thought things could still turn out okay, the end of the conversation implied otherwise.

Hunter tried to gently push Izibell off his lap, she was having none of it. "Izibell, down girl."
His tone was firm, but dogs generally only understood a few words, but understood tones well. She needed to understand this wasn't a playful moment but that they needed to be moving along. She would still take her time getting off his lap though, and would be just as resistant going back into the cell. Once inside he turned to face Cage. "See ya at the trial then." He sat on the bed rubbing Izibell's back, waiting for the cell to be locked up so he could wait alone until lunch arrived. He had low expectations for the trial overall, and it made him think of alternate options he would have to consider should things start going south. He thought of how that went in the last settlement, and he started rubbing the back of his shoulder.

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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Emanuel "Manny" Newman Location: F10, Chapel Skills: N/A

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Manny drank his water, unsure of how to handle the rest of his day. There was the trial later, but he couldn't think of his last real day off. He figured it must have been years ago, before the dead had started to walk. Thinking about it though, he realized he did remember it. Not too well, but the basics of it. It was a few days before his city started to actually get bad, back when he thought this whole thing was going to blow over, go back to normal, and that it was all blown out of proportion. He was complaining at the clerk due to the lack of ammo they were able to sell him due to everyone and their mother having the same idea, though for completely different reasons. Manny was stocking up for a local target shooting tournament while others were preparing for the end of the world. He found it funny, had he picked up any other hobby to keep in his old age he probably wouldn't have made it as far as he did. But that was over five years ago, and now target shooting casually blasting off shotgun shells wasn't an option for a day off.

He turned to face Alexander when he spoke up. "Didn't expect to be here today. Seems better then last time I went to a church. So good overall." Alexander was always a good sight. The two have gone through hell and high water together. The man had been apart of the team that had saved his life from Eden, and even though Manny likes to think he is a good shot with a shotgun, he still has little combat skill when it comes to guns and survival. He had little reason to think he could make it out on his own with his skill as a doctor and ability to look down the sight of a gun meant to use spread shot.

Manny had a moment to his own thoughts though, and figured now was as good a time as any to strike up a conversation with those nearby. Manny made his way up towards Freeman and Alexander and let them finish their conversation. Many of it seemed personal, and others seemed about the Trial itself. He wondered if Alexander saw himself in the boy. Manny remembered how a few of his friends had come back after they were deployed. Struggling, messed up, many shunned away from their friends and family. Made him wonder if that was something the boy had gone through as well, or at least having a similar reaction to it. Or maybe Alexander felt sympathetic towards the boy just because of his situation left him as scared and alone as maybe he felt coming back from war. "What will happen to him if he is found guilty, or needs to be... Punished?"

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Hunter Monroe Location: Jail (AA) Cell B Skills:N/A

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Hunter sat there listening to Cage with the bulk majority of his attention. The rest was glancing over to Izibell from time to time. As he focused on Cage he found himself nodding his head after every statement as if nodding helped him process the information like a computer hitting the save button on a document. He did seem relieved hearing that what was on the table, was all that was on the table for now. So for now, no more unexpected problems. "I did pick up after her. I forgot, I was reminded. I said thanks, and I did pick up after her after the reminder." He felt it better to bring it up here rather in the trail. He spoke in a more of a matter of fact tone, no frustration in his voice this time. Though he was annoyed that went down. As Cage listed off the rest of it though, Hunter wasn't liking his odds. "Morals and ethics huh. Fuck me..." Though Hunter had good moments in the past about what was right and wrong, he had less then pleasant moments too.

Cage moved into the trust topic, an area where Hunter was rather weak in under nearly every definition. Even brought up the comments about bring shot. He paused at that, listening to Cage's reasoning behind it. "Sound's like a double edged sword. Think most people get nowadays that it's implied. Sure, saying it makes intentions clear, feels honest, but some things are better left unsaid. Sure it wouldn't seem good if I decided to tell everyone if I don't get my dog back I'd be back in a few years to torch and destroy this place? I mean, yeah, I get the sentiment. But the armed guards imply the message rather directly no?" He stopped, realizing the example he used. "To... to clarify. I wouldn't. Just the first example that came to mind. But like... Do you see what I am trying to say about that? Like how everyone thinks it, everyone else knows everyone is thinking it. Saying it just makes you seem like more of a threat. Someone to worry about. And not in the "Don't mess with me" kind of way. Like the "Oh my god these people rule by the barrel of a fucking gun" kind of way. Some things are better left, unsaid."

He leaned back in his chair a bit contemplating the charges on the table before him. "Sure, I've spent some time here, and got a chance to see more of the place and people. But those words, those actions, are a first impression. First impressions last. You think after what I did here, no matter what I do from this point anyone will see me for anything other then some annoying shit who can't keep his mouth shut and keeps getting into trouble?" Hunter chuckled at that thought. How he had put himself in a situation where even if things did improve, this would be something he would be remembered for the rest of his days for. However long they lasted.

Izibell would look over to see her human leaning back in his chair clearly attempting to make room for the both of them. She sat up from her new spot on the floor, and would walk over to him as he spoke. She had little understanding of what he spoke but she understood enough words. She would accept his instinctive head rubs once she was in arms reach, and accept his invitation to sit up on his lap.

Hunter winced as the dog that weighed almost as much as himself stood her front paws on his lap very narrowly missing some more sensitive bits and shifted the entirety of her body weight on her front legs to crawl herself up. "Fuck shit ow...!" He was more surprised then anything, and annoyed that his fluffy dog had trouble understanding that a chair meant for a single person was not big enough for the both of them. The would be lap dog forced her situation to work despite the odds and would attempt to make herself comfortable as she could. she quickly recognized that this would not be as easy or as comfortable as she thought, but for her human, she was determined to lay on his lap while he sat. "Izibell. You're not a lap dog." He spoke with a smile, attempting to sound serious, but couldn't hold a face. "Ugh, fine. You win." Despite the discomfort the nearly 90lbs dog caused, she was still an emotional crutch for Hunter. "I figured that by now. But like I said..." He froze for a moment, thinking about how the last few years had gone. "Some things, are better left unsaid. Somethings are best left to die and never be spoken of again. Some things are best to only exist in memory." He paused again, looking down at the would be lap dog. He gave her a rub across her back as she struggled to stay on his lap. "But... if you think that opening myself up for questions is better... I'll... I'll do it." Despite Hunter's instinct to not trust those in a position of power over him, he was running out of options. And he was about to lose what he cared for most.

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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Emanuel "Manny" Newman Location: F10, Chapel Skills: N/A

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Manny had found himself at a loss of words and thoughts after sitting in the church for a bit. He did find it was not as stressful as he remembered, but he found himself at a blank for how he should feel about this place. Part of him wondered if he should be glad things were not like they were years ago, or that this place wasn't run by those that had ruined his taste for religion. Maybe he should he be upset that it took so long for things to be as safe as they were now? That was an Ironic thought. The end of the world helped make it easier for those who had survived to get along in many ways that seemed like such a challenge not even 30 years ago. Though most of the worst groups had been removed long before then, there was still just that little bit left to remind him that they were never truly gone. But this place? For now it wasn't one of those places. That was a comforting thought in it's own regards.

Manny did turn his attention towards Freeman when he spoke to him. "Hm? Oh. Maybe. I..." He stopped himself. What does he say here? "Thank you. In a bit maybe. But thank you." It was nice to hear that Alexander was taking time to talk to someone. Manny's friend had been with him through several months of hardships, and then a war that took him across the world around the time Manny found himself stuck with his own issues at home. "Ill take you up on that water though." Manny stood up and made his way into the other room where the glasses were set up and grabbed himself a cup. Though he had enjoyed the morning, he'd be lying if he said the trial today didn't bug him. He thought about where he was at the boy's age, and how it was only a little younger that Manny had made the biggest choice in his life and left his old life behind him. How before that choice the likelihood he would be up for trail for the things he had done prior to it, the things he got away with.

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Hunter Monroe Location: Jail (AA) Cell B Skills:N/A

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It had been an interesting conversation so far, but Hunter still found himself tense for the day. "Thanks..." He spoke after Cage had clarified about the treat and coffee. He would continue to enjoy bits of it as the conversation went on. Hunter almost made a comment about being able to talk to dogs, but he figured this wasn't the best time for a joke, and held it for now. He thought about the cross examination. Some of the people knew just the right questions to ask to get some less then good truths out of him. Where he would be forced to lie, or refuse. Or worse, tell. He thought about the events that led him to this point. Getting called up for deployment mere days after finishing basic, rounding up refugees during the pull towards the refugee center, the things that went down there, leaving the refugee center, the last stand they attempted to make and the consequences of it, his attempts to settle all of that once it had settled. Then there were the more recent ones, Don and his.... assholes. June and Lucy, the only good things to come out of it. Dealing with the consequences of his actions while with Don...

He rubbed his shoulder and back a bit thinking about what might come up. "No it's... probably best not too." They stopped hurting a long time ago, but in the moment of thinking about them, they felt like they were starting to burn again. Those long, thin, slashes. The less of that stuff that came to light the better. "....are you telling me there's more? Or that... this is all.. unless more happens? Like... What charges are... here. Now. Today." He had a decent idea, but knowing specifically what the charges were would probably help him a lot. Even if he didn't plan on speaking much during the time, he figured knowing the specifics could help none the less.

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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Emanuel "Manny" Newman Location: F10, street --> Chapel Skills: N/A

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Manny had gotten his jog in, had enjoyed the southern rains, and had gotten to see a bunch of the community without a harsh time table on his back. So far, good day. Now the rain was starting to get to him though, especially with the humidity. He figured now was a good time to call it quits for his jog before the weather made him hate being outside. He took a few steps and looked at the chapel and debated going in. Manny had poor memories involving local religious groups both growing up and once he had tried to settle down for his life. Though those days were over, and the people here seemed better then those he had the misfortune living near, it was still something that he found himself being slow to accept.

Finally working past those thoughts, he decided to enter hoping to see how things have changed since he used to go himself. The first thing he noticed when entering compared to the last time he was in one, was how quiet it was. There was no yelling, there was no cursing, there was no one being threatening. It was quiet shy of a couple conversations going on here and there. He grabbed one of the towels and dried himself off, returning it to let it dry off.

He caught the tail end of a conversation, but not enough to make out what it was. Not until the conversation shifted to a more familiar voice did Manny start understanding what was going on. He found Alexander and Freeman in conversation, and deciding not to interrupt he found himself a seat out of the way a bit giving Alexander and Freeman their own separate waves and sat down in a pew up front and held his hands together thinking something along the lines of "I have no idea what I am doing..." He found himself unsure if he was here because he was just curious, or if he felt the need to pray.

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Hunter Monroe Location: Jail (AA) Cell B Skills:N/A

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The basement door opened to Hunter's surprise and Izibell's excitement. Hunter stood up half expecting a pair of guards armed with shotguns ready to escort him towards wherever his trial would take place. Instead, it was Cage with a rather large mix of things in his hands. And... Was that Coffee? Hunter watched in silence as Cage set himself up. Then, Cage did the unexpected, unlocked the cell. Sure, it had happened when he walked Izibell, but not for long. And never seemed as.... Casual. Izibell took the chance to leave the cell the moment it came. Even if it wasn't much more room it was still more space she wasn't usually allowed in. Hunter took his steps a bit more cautiously as he stood out a bit, then sat in the offered chair. Hunter eyed the waxed paper with suspicion mostly out of habit then even suspicion of Cage himself. At this point in time Hunter held little reason to believe Cage to be a threat. At least physically. But Hunter in his untrusting ways continued carefully none the less. When he saw the treat inside he found himself confused for probably the hundredth time in the last two weeks. "I... uh..." He froze for a moment, trying to think to the last time he had found sweets like this. Best guess, the movie theater he raided just as winter started to kick off. Those questionably safe M&Ms were nowhere near as good condition as the twinkies before him. "Thank you...." He spoke unable to make eye contact with Cage as he said so. "But uh..." He stumbled for the question he wanted to ask here. It could be summed up simply as "Why? aren't I in trouble?" It seemed like a weird thing to get while in jail, and it made no sense to Hunter. But he would accept it none the less.

The coffee, the treat, even the newish environment had thrown Hunter off so much he was barely able to process what the purpose of this meeting was. The Trial. He thanked for the coffee too, and attempted to follow Cage along with what he was sharing with him. Cage did a pretty decent job explaining how this would go, Hunter had his own list of concerns but if it all worked like Cage was explaining he figured he had a chance at least. "You'd be surprised. Izibell is quite expressive when she wants to be." It was an attempt at some simple humor, but at this point Hunter's stress about the situation hid any tone that would have implied that. He did give the list a glance and had a sinking gut feeling. The bulk majority of the people in this list were people he had either 1) hadn't taken the time to get to know past maybe a name. And some not even that. 2) Had been an ass towards. 3) had pushed them away through his actions.

Hunter thinking the list over, realized most of the people would have less then great things to say about him, would have next to nothing to say about him other then brief, but most likely poor interactions, then there were the few exceptions. Nigel maybe, but he had pushed him off more then he meant too as well. Would Ashton be a help in his case or would his fuck ups in quarantine come back to bite him in the ass? Sure, their last interaction seemed to end on a more positive note. But what had to happen to get up to that point? Hunter mouthed a simple "fuck me" giving it only a little more breath then his normal breathing, but still not quite speaking. Cage got to the point involving Hunter's personal option in the trial. Hunter had to think about it for a while, there was apart of him that felt like if he didn't speak he'd be fucked, and there was apart of him that knew just how that had gone so far being here. "Do I have to decide now? or is that a... like... in the moment thing?" He realized after speaking it may not have even been a question. But as Cage put it, Hunter speaking up was a toss up more then anything else.

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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Emanuel "Manny" Newman Location: F10, street Skills: N/A

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Manny spent his morning rather simply. Saying good morning to each of his roommates as they arose from their slumber with a smile on his face as if he had just finished his first cup of coffee and was ready to take on the day. As many of the people he was now sharing space would come to find out, Manny was a very much an early to rise person. He could function on rather few hours of sleep which he figured was one of the few benefits of getting older and having to survive as a light sleeper on the road. Taking the extra time to say good morning to Alexander though. Even though Manny had really gotten to like his new roommates he still held a strong personal connection to Alexander. They have been cornered back to back for months on end, and had helped each other countless times to get through past.

Over the week Manny had conformed to many of his old habits. He got up early, walked to breakfast, Though this time she was able to spot Thana and give her a friendly good morning, did a jog for as long as time would allow, and then went to work. With having the day off, he decided to extend his jog to last longer then it usually would. He figured, fuck it, age is just as much a mentality as it is a physical condition. He spent his whole time from breakfast on wards jogging the perimeter of the camp taking care to try his best to avoid areas he wasn't allowed in. Though would find himself poking in a little more then he probably should of, but never more then street view. He found himself getting a bit soaked from his long jog in the rain, but it wasn't something he couldn't handle. When supply was better staffed he would have to make time to get himself a rain jacket and better jogging equipment. sweat pants, or athletic shorts, a good rain jacket maybe? He could kill for a half decent water bottle too but he had little idea what was in good supply and what was high demand.

He made sure to give a nice friendly wave to those he passed, stopped with those who wanted to chat, and felt relaxed. Today he had all the time in the world to stop chat, jog, and explore what he could. Many people could easily find themselves struggling with boredom, but Manny as long as he had space to run would hold a good pace and be able to enjoy a comfortable afternoon once he wore himself out a little. He wondered if that was yet another one of the benefits to aging, it did not take much to be satisfied with his time. In his teens or twenties a morning jogging and exploring with an afternoon of reading would have driven him mad with insanity. What made it better now as well, he didn't have to do his relaxing job with a shotgun and a box of shells on his person which was the bare minimum he needed a few weeks ago if he wanted to try something like this. As he jogged though he found himself stopping a few times to catch his breath, sometimes struggling more then he would willingly admit. He hoped that was something he could work out over time, get his body more used to this relaxing jog.

He found himself ending this segment of jogging where the road met the beach. Behind him, the chapel with some foot traffic going in and out. The beach with some locals attempting to enjoy the view despite the rain. A few kids running around enjoying the rain many likely at their parents protests. He smiled at these thoughts, this was a life he could get used too again. If he wanted to get nit picky there would always be things he would not enjoy, but as a whole, this was a place he figured he could call home. "God I missed this." He spoke as if he had finally relaxed after a crazy week of emergency operations, and someone had just told him that it was all over. We did it, and the big problems we worried about are over. It was back to facing the little problems again.

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Hunter Monroe Location: Jail (AA) Cell B Skills:N/A

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Hunter found himself laying on the cement floor face first with Izibell licking his face repetitively. "I'm up, I'm up." He spoke as he continued to lay down on the floor. Izibell calling his bullshit continued to lick his face until he stirred awake. "Urg... Okay fine you win." He sat up Izibell still hounding him for attention. He had woken up earlier in the morning for breakfast, and then attempted to try some exercise. How that he had Izibell, he had to start sorting out his next few steps. And right now? That included getting himself into shape to either head out on his own again, or to have the strength to get more then the minimum done here. Both of which would be a challenge, and his time to work on that was almost up. This morning after breakfast he attempted some simple stretches and pushups, and at some point he fell back asleep face first into the floor. His body despite it's current condition was at least used to carrying around his gear however excessive it was. But much past that his body was struggling.

Izibell continued her relentless attacks of licks and playful chewing attempting to get her human's attention. "Oh my god you fucking attention whore." He spoke with a playful expression on his face and a smile as he turned to rub and push his dog around a bit in their playful banter. Their space was limited though, and the two of them could only play around so much. During walks he had more room to goof off with her, but today that had to get canceled. Hunter attempted to protest it, but he didn't push it far. He let her go eventually without fuss, and when she returned he gave her a hug which she replied a simple series of licks implying she was done with the hug.

His main concern today, was his court martial. This was the day where everything would be decided and he would have to start sorting out his life yet again. He found himself struggling with that thought. If he was kicked out, Maddoc made it clear he would lose Izibell. She had been his companion for nearly a year now, and he couldn't imagine a world where she wasn't apart of his life anymore. Then came the issues of if he stayed. He had little hope that even if he stayed, today would be the last of it. He pictured what things would be like after this. How guards might eye him as a potential threat, how his supervisors would likely perceive him as a problem before he arrived after reading his reports.

Not to mention, he had concerns about the court martial itself. Some fears were more valid then others though. Hunter was not looking forward to a potential audience he would have to be in front of. He figured it was something along the lines of stage fright, but that didn't even seem right. He also had no idea what to expect from how laws and punishments were carried out here. He had no idea if the system was geared in favor of the accused, in favor off the prosecution, something with an partial deciding factor, or what he feared the worst of it to be. A "Just Us" system. He feared that one the most. Many settlements have turned towards that one as one, it was easier, and two, it was the people's homes where they could do what they wanted. It made sense many settlements would turn to that one now. But he knew how little he was liked, and how a system like that would very much not be in his favor right now.

All and all, he wasn't a fan of where his situation had landed. And he had little hope of where it was going as well. He held nothing to offer these people either that they didn't already have, or that they would never let him handle. "Let the Show begin." He said in a low voice as he sat down on his bed.

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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Emanuel "Manny" Newman Location: General housing (X)/Apartment 1D Skills: N/A

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It was nice to talk to another person around his age, as well as someone who had experience in what he was going through. "So do you mainly do hair stuff or do you do you get jobs done in other areas?" Thinking about it, Manny did wonder if his hair could use some work on it. He had done some basic cutting jobs while on the road, but nothing that great. Mostly cut jobs to keep his hair short enough so he wouldn't have to braid it, or so it wouldn't block his eyes. "I do hope you're right on the getting easier part. I was kind of hoping my time on the road would have kept me in shape to handle something like this still but... I seem to have been wrong." Who knows, maybe Manny had longer then he thought for himself before his age put him in a hard place? He really did hope shears was correct in those regards. He had seen was age had done to his older friends, those who had found themselves in nursing homes or those who had to be taken care of by spouses and children. That wasn't a life he wanted. He didn't want himself to fall so low.

It did make him think of what things could be like if he were allowed to set up shop. How many people would he see in a day? What other tasks would he end up with on top of his general tasks as a dentist? At his age would he need to take on an apprentice? It left him with many questions. Part of him wondered if it would be like one of those old street shops where his place of work would be on the first floor and his home would be on the floor above or if he would be grouped in with the medical team as well. Those would all have to be things figured out in time. Manny would continue some banter with shears for a while more before getting up to grab a book from the book shelf. "It's getting late. Let's find a better time to chat some more, the conversation was nice." The day had clearly worn out the old dentist. Even though he made it to his room fine, he had set himself up to read the random book he selected, and found himself crashing rather fast barely getting a couple pages into his new book.

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Hunter Monroe Location: Jail (AA) Cell B Skills:N/A

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Hunter found himself unsure of how to take the following series of events. He still felt cornered in his cell, but he didn't feel as threatened as he had before. "Sorry... wasn't my intention." Hunter was actually curious if he had messed up somewhere else, half expecting it to be the fork in his hand. He noticed Roy taking a look at his fork every now and again. And he debated what he would do if Ray had asked Hunter give it up. On one hand, it made him a target and a potential threat. On the other hand, it was his last line of defense if everything went to shit. Thankfully, Roy didn't ask and Hunter didn't have to make that choice yet. What really got him, was Roy asking him to open up. This clear hit Hunter in a way he wasn't ready to face. Clearly confused he sat back on his bed a little messing with his fork like an anxious kid with a pencil. "I..." Hunter found himself surprisingly at a loss for words. He hesitated for what seemed like forever to think of the words. He considered what was worth saying, if this was someone he could trust opening up too, and what kind of person he was, and how he would react to some of it. "I'm... tired." His posture shifted from a hesitant and anxious towards defeated and on his last legs. "I'm just... tired man. I'm tired, of being scared of the people around me." His breathing shifted now too, it went from quiet short bursts, and had moved onto more audible deeper breaths.

Hunter stayed sitting on the bed, but shifted enough to gently set the fork down by his side and bring his hands back to his lap. "I am tired of being used for someone else's gains. I am tired of having a gun to the back of my head, and every time I finally get one off there's another one to take its place! And each time it's from people who are supposed to be on my fucking side and it just keeps happening! It happened when the army tore itself apart as we fucking butchered each other, it happened with Don and his band of shitholes, and it happened with..." He stopped. He found himself locking the fingers of his hands together as he calmed himself down a bit. He felt like he started getting into territory he wasn't ready to share yet. And information that others likely would never want to hear. "So... so many of those red flags the army started showing in those final days are visible here. And I can't tell if that is my mistrust, or the mistrust of those in charge. And that is fucking terrifying." He slowed his breathing to a quieter tone breaking eye contact with Roy. "And it's tiring. And I am just ready for it to stop. I just want it... to stop. I want to be able to relax, and not have to suspect that every person is trying to do something shitty or horrible but that feeling never fucking stops and I don't know how to fucking stop it." He wasn't sure what had gotten to him. He didn't know Roy, not really. And here? Shy of the details, he had just caved the list of things going on in his mind that had been pressuring him to keep going step by step. Maybe it was because Roy was strait forward, or maybe it was because he had already found himself worn down and looking for an out. Or maybe that chat with Ashton, someone who actually had an idea what he went through in those early days had done more for Hunter then he realized. But even now, even though he felt defeated, he felt some of those walls wearing away inside his mind.

He felt weak for a bit there, and felt like he was burnt out now. Cage had made his way down the stairs, and seeing with him.. Izibell? Hunter's heart started racing. His first thought raced towards some kind of trick, but what trick could be up here? His mind went to worst case scenario, but he blocked that out when Cage asked Roy to leave. Hunter turned towards Roy to say something, but he couldn't think of what to say beyond a simple "bye.". He choked a little, then Cage opened the cell to let Izibell in. He got off his bed and to his knees to hug the big furry ball of muscle and fur as she found herself happy to see her friend. She even found herself patient with his rather aggressive hugging and put up with it even though she wasn't a clear fan. He let go to find her licking his face. "I know I know I'm sorry I'm sorry." He smiled as he playfully pushed her head away and she kept turning back to lick and play chew his face. "God you're so gross." He said it with a laugh as he looked up to Cage, clearly confused by the man. Part of Hunter wanted to stop what he was doing and thank the man. Cage listed off how things would work with Izibell until further noticed, and Hunter found himself shy on words again. When he finished, Hunter was only able to bring up a couple words. "Thank you..." His tone was quiet, almost as if he feared being too loud.

He'd rough up his dogs fur a little more after Cage left, and before going to bed. He grabbed the fork before laying down, and would set it off to the side and out of the way so that he nor Izibell would accidentally land on it in their sleep. he also attempted to have Izibell sleep at his feet during the night, but she decided to shift herself during the night between the wall, and himself pushing him to the near edge. He found himself having to adjust more then once in the night, but the nightmares were less severe tonight. A few harsher moments, but none lasting as like many harsher nights Izibell would help him out of it. First step down, now to sort out his own problems.

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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Emanuel "Manny" Newman Location: General housing (X)/Apartment 1D Skills: N/A

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Manny was enjoying finally relaxing after a long days work. Out of habit though, the moment he heard the door from within the apartment open up he leaned up ready to jump into action. Old habits of preparing for a lurking corpse were not going to fade fast, but he relaxed when he saw it was Sheers. He leaned back into his chair a bit more calm then the moment before. "No just little old me." Manny said with a bit of a chuckle, but he was sore and ready for the day to be done. "The first day was good, but it reminded me why I hired interns all those years ago. I'm getting too old for labor and cleaning jobs." He said it like a joke, but the rather constant use of muscles all day he hasn't been using like this in years was catching up to him. And it required enough effort that it did wear him out. Not as bad as he had seen it effect other people his age, but he knew that time may come sooner then he would like.

Age was creeping up on the old dentist. Even in the years since the old world stopped working he had noticed it. In the early days he could hold a good jogging pace with his pack and gun for a decent amount of time. But even a week ago when he did the same to catch up to the helicopter he found himself struggling to keep pace and not run out of breath as he ran. He'd be lying if he said age wasn't something that concerned him. "Overall? Good day though. Got to see a lot of the place, and got to meet a lot of people. Did you have a decent day?" He didn't know sheers too well, but he remembered a brief conversation with the man back in quarantine. Though he didn't remember much about it.

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Hunter Monroe Location: Jail (AA) Cell B Skills:N/A

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Hunter sat in his cell with his fork deep in thought. He had nothing on hand to offer over in terms of material, and his skill would have been useful in some regards had things not turned sour so fast. Even assuming the old stockpiles he had established in the early days were intact, few had things that would be value from across the country. And the close ones were small things that he decided were useful to have if he needed them, but were not worth carrying at the time. He found himself stuck for options. He had little to make himself inexpendable, and he had even less to offer that he would be trusted with now. And it was made clear he wouldn't be leaving with his dog even with terms were better.

He found himself turning at the sound of the door opening. His first reaction was to reach for his trusted fork, but he found himself relaxing a bit once he saw Roy. More out of confusion then anything else he sat on the bed facing him the fork still in his hand but now in a more relaxed posture. "Am I in trouble for something else?" Not paying attention to the fork in hand, he found himself fidgeting with it as he processed the situation unsure what to think of this new man who wasn't his warden or anyone he knew that would either want to talk to him or ream him out. "Or are you here for some other reason?" It wasn't long since Hunter had seen Cage. He wondered what would bring Roy down here.

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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Emanuel "Manny" Newman Location: Streets L5 --> General housing (X)/Apartment 1D Skills: N/A

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The streets were beautiful this time a night. The view reminded him of years ago when he would get home either after dark, or when the sun was getting to set like it was now. It reminded him of the day when he first had purchased the plot of land he eventually built his business on, and he and his Husband would spend hours a day trying to set it up reading old books, hiring professionals only when they were needed the most, and able to squeeze up enough money between the two of them to afford it. Though financially they were stable after that period in their life they still had other problems to deal with. Though most sunsets like this reminded him of pretty nights, there was a short period of time where the sun setting meant another night of hoping no visitors would arrive and cause trouble. Manny at that point in his life made a reputation for himself, and that helped bring an end to things before things got really bad.

But that was the past. The long nights of waiting to see what may happen are over. Now they had food, shelter, and no unhinged people burning things in his yard. There were no more nights of hiding in random houses hoping that the dead didn't barge in to rip them apart, with nothing to stop them except hoping it was few enough that their small group could fend them off int he dark with blades and a couple firearms. He made his way towards his new home. It wasn't much, but it was safe. The hardest part for him now would be starting many aspect of his life over in this new community. Something he isn't looking forward towards, but he wouldn't have to do it with a shotgun in his lap anymore. On his way to his apartment he could see the ocean. Though he had seen it may times in his life, it was an amazing sight to see none the less. The only times he had seen it post end of the world it was normally surrounded by carnage. Like the old stone fort, the land around them burned, and moaned. Always moaned. In the early days he remembered what he thought was burning on the ocean. Now? it was clear. A smooth line of sight more clear then even the old days.

Walking into his apartment he would find himself a comfortable seat in one of the recliner chairs to sit in and rest with his eyes closed. He didn't like it, but age was catching up to him. A day of physical tasks either being running for his life, or a day of thorough cleaning all day took its toll on him. But he had a place to rest and recover for now, and that for now would be enough.

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Hunter Monroe Location: Jail (AA) Cell B Skills:N/A

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Having a rough idea of what his priorities are, he needed to figure out how to make that work. Maddoc made it clear, leaving with Izibell wouldn't be allowed. So leaving wasn't a good option. Not unless he thought he had a real chance to get out with Izibell. Realistically though, a chance like that wouldn't happen. So he had to find a way to make staying work. The long list of apologies would be a step. He upset and pissed off a lot of people. Thinking about it, even if he got the chance to leave he'd want to do that anyways. It made him think about what Nikki said about mistrust. He figured some of that was a lot more true then Hunter gave it credit for. Though he had little hope getting over it. Hunter's experience with officers was poor even before coming here, and many of the ones here felt like those he had met in his short career. It was easy to see their mistrust too, he wondered if that was was due to the conflict with the other group. Either the mistrust caused by that conflict, or he wondered if it was a case like his. Where his mistrust led to conflict and that is why they were still trying to help them.

His therapy appointment would be coming up in the next couple days. He wondered if that got canceled because he was now in lock up or if some poor bastard would have to meet him here. Both probably didn't work too well in his favor. And then there was making himself useful. To make himself a pain in the ass to replace. He thought about the skills he possessed. He chuckled at that though, it wasn't in his favor either. Most of his skills were good for the world outside the walls. Something unlikely they'd let him do. He could handle his way around most types of firearms with relative ease, but after how today went them giving him a gun seemed nearly impossible. He has countless years of salvage experience, and the experience that came with trying to get some of that salvage to work again. They seemed to already have a pretty fully crewed repair team from what he saw today so that may not work either.

A part of him considered bribery, but he already tried to buy Izibell back using what gear he walked in with. That made no progress. He thought back to his time on the road, stockpiles of things that as an individual traveler would be useless to him, but maybe to a community some use. The most useful ones were from the early days, and likely picked clean by now. It didn't help that he had no idea what the total inventory of things they had here were, or what they were looking for now. He considered some of his personal stashes he had placed in case he lost his gear or he needed to double back in case of an emergency. But the goods there would be rather few, most stashes he made being less then the gear he walked in with. Sure, guns and bullets were nice. Even a couple days of food for one person. But was it really worth the time and fuel for someone to go out and collect? He figured less then likely. And that was assuming they were all still there and that no one else had found them.

He wondered what else he had to offer. Not as much as he would have liked. He knew his way around explosives, but like the firearms things, he had little hope they would ever let him handle anything like that after today. He chuckled. Most of his skills he had were well balanced for someone living on his own outside of the walls. But inside? He had few skills useful for the new modern world. He thought back to the early stockpiles, the ones he found that were more or less useless to him at the time. And he wondered which were most likely to still be intact.

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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Emanuel "Manny" Newman Location: Mess Hall --> Streets L5 Skills: N/A

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Since the apocalypse had begun Manny had suffered a rather unusual problem that most people had been able to figure out. He didn't fit the new social post apocalyptic norm. His outgoing nature and attempt at poor humor made it really easy for people to disassociate with him as he gave off the impression of just another person who couldn't accept the new reality of the situation. Though those who knew him a while knew there was more to him then that, it could make first impressions hard. But that out going nature of his seemed to do some good tonight for Nigel. Though it was a strange story, it seemed to give the man hope. Though he did feel bad for not sharing the final bits of said story, it was probably best. "Emanuel, but most people just call me Manny. And yeah, I came in with them. Thalia and Alexander are their names, other then Thana. Good people, can hold their own in a fight." He knew what stuck with people nowadays, who could hold their own in a day to day survival situation.

Nigel had also asked his group about some D&D stuff but it wasn't a game in Manny's realm of experience, but he hoped it was fun. He also seemed hopeful about the boy in the cell. Hearing what Rosie said about the other cases was confusing, but for now he would hold off on commenting. There was probably context he was missing. He hoped he was missing context...

With the conversation dying down he decided it was probably a good time to head in for the night. He would say a simple goodnight to Rosie, Nigel, Dolittle, and a few others while making his way out. Alexander seemed to be in a pretty in depth conversation so for him he gave a simple wave towards him while leaving. A smile, a nod of acknowledgement, and a wave. Thalia also seemed to be having herself a rather in depth conversation so he figured he wouldn't get in her way either and gave just a simple smile and wave towards her. He did pass by at the right time to hear a name he was ready to let die. Eden. The place was hell, either by design or by chance it was hell. He froze in his tracks hearing it at first, but would continue walking less then a second later like nothing happened. He was ready to forget that place. He wasn't sure what Thalia was doing bringing it up, maybe someone had asked about it and she was explaining just how bad people outside the walls could be? Or maybe there was something else to it? He wasn't sure but he wanted nothing to do with that conversation.

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Hunter Monroe Location: Jail (AA) Cell B Skills:N/A

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Hunter would spent some time dosing off, regretting not eating some more of his food before meal time ended. He had low confidence for what the next few days carried. But he had one thing on his side, he had time to sort out what he would say, how he would handle thing. And a couple days to sort out his priorities. He wondered what exactly were his priorities. He had a lot of things to sort out for sure, but he needed to pick and choose, as the likelihood of getting everything he wanted was next to nothing. He took a moment to think of some of them just to get them out there.

• Izibell.

He decided no matter what. She was his top priority. He understood his mistrust was still Bias, but even with knowing that, he was determined that one way or another, he would get her back. He was not letting the people here keep her. He didn't care if they thought they were better, he knew they had resources, but he wasn't convinced that was good enough for her.

• Izibell. Top priority, no matter what.
• A rather long list of apologies to a rather long list of people.
• Secure things in a way to sort out his own life.
• If he stayed, talk to the shrink. He wasn't a big fan of the idea, but even the talk with Ashton helped.
• If he stayed, make himself useful to the point of he couldn't be seen as easily expendable.
• If he left, gain as much distance as possible, and find somewhere to ride things out.
• Make actual friends
• Get himself back into shape. He barely had the strength to carry his own gear anymore. That needed to change.
• If he stayed, draw as much attention away from himself as possible.

The list was in no particular order, other then Izibell. She was his top priority, and he would do anything for her. Even if he struggled every step of the way, he would find a way to hold onto her. He thought about it, what he would do if he was kicked out without her. His plan then? He figured that would depend on the manner he was kicked out on. Other then that? If he stayed, he had a lot of work to do. Most of it would be work he would despise, hate, and be miserable doing. But work that needed to happen none the less. His biggest challenge? To be a more tolerable person socially. He thought back to years ago, the last time that was a real priority for him. That need faded around the time he met Greg and Don. Though he still held onto a piece of it from June and Lucy, the need was pretty weak then. And before then? The Guard. "God this is going to fucking suck."

🧚🏻‍♀️ The Walking Dead - Year 6 Part 1

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Emanuel "Manny" Newman Location: Mess Hall Skills: N/A

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There was a lot going on at this point that Manny attempted to keep track of. When Amelia explained what had happened before it made a bit more sense now. "Well hopefully you don't have too many encounters like that." He did find her view about smaller dogs being more tolerable then bigger ones. Made him wonder how well she would get along with Lisa with their totally opposite views of dogs? Manny didn't have too strong an opinion of dogs overall but he could see why people liked them. And why some feared them. She got to the part about Nikki, and how she stayed behind at the jail. He wasn't really sure how to follow that up other then a simple thanks. "Okay. Thank you for sharing."

When things moved back to the work day, he smiled a bit as Amelia talked about her day and the people she worked with. "Well that does sound like a good day. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed yourself today." Seemed the supply team was a good team to work on as well. He was glad to hear it. The most important part about integration with a new group is getting along with those already here. Manny had some of his own hiccups today, but seemed Amelia had been doing better then he was which seemed like a win.

It seemed Nigel, the Neo-Roman was taking Hunter's situation harder then anyone else had so far. Rosie had some reassuring words for the man but it was hard to say how well he was taking them. "Nah, I wouldn't say totally lost." He paused for a moment, debating sharing a story from his time as the head doctor in his last group. "A couple years ago, the scavengers in my last community found this girl who had been injured on her own. Looking at her, she didn't look at her she didn't seem like she had much of a chance, but I operated to try to save her life anyways." He lifted his right hand to point at the thinnest scar on his palm compared to the other slash like scars on his hands. "She woke up only a few minutes after I finished the operation, and to thank me she stabbed me with a scalpel." He lowered his hand and held a look of "Yeah one of those days". "After we calmed her down and made sure I wasn't at risk of infection, we figured out that she had been a prisoner in... a group of people who had done rather horrible things to her. Even after she calmed down she refused to trust anyone for the longest time and would have to be regularly subdued. It took a while to assure her that her new home was safe, but we did over time. And she became a rather amazing woman we learned knew more about carpentry then our own carpenter." He stopped the story there. For all intents and purposes that was a better ending to the story. "It will require a lot of work on his part, especially since we don't know what he is in for. But as long as he didn't stab anyone too hard I think he still has a chance." He shrugged with a warm smile on his face. He didn't have too strong of hope for the boy, but his own thoughts didn't need to be a downer on the situation. Why not give the man a little hope to work with?

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Hunter Monroe Location: Jail (AA) Cell B Skills:N/A

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Hunter had at least gotten himself comfortable on his bed. The fork was a reassurance that at least he had something. Not much but something. When Cage when to take the tray Hunter debated saying something along the lines of he wasn't done with it yet, but it didn't come across as more then him shifting in his own bed. Cage said something about not doing anything stupid, and Hunter was ready to reply something about the remains of his former cell mate, but held off. "Think we're a bit late for that." He stayed laying down on the bed not making eye contact. He wouldn't move while Cage was still in the room.

Hunter sat up after trying to sleep for a while. The nap he took before really threw him off and he wasn't sure what he could do to help pass the time until he was tired enough to sleep again. He looked at the fork in his hand, and thought about the conversation he had with Ashton before. He debated a few things. But even though the talk with Ashton was a simple one, it opened a stream of thoughts that Hunter had spent years trying to suppress at the cost of not being completely sure what portions of his memory are reality and what are things he told himself to make it easier to cope. What he knew for sure? He knew their names. Lieutenant Anderson. Lieutenant Matheson. Staff Sergeant... He paused. He didn't remember the Staff Sergeant's name. He cursed himself for forgetting. "Pete. Lucy. June." He continued to list of names for a while until he hit a group of names he wasn't ready to say out loud. He figured he'd stop there. He knew who they were, and he was the last to know who they were by name. "And, Izibell."