[hr][center][h1][color=steelblue]Ash[/color] & [color=f6989d]Zoie[/color][/h1]
[img]https://31.media.tumblr.com/bcfab66a674d39bfaaddc28bd62d4470/tumblr_inline_ne41kcr5UN1s5par2.jpg[/img]
[img]http://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lbjwozkzpu1qbxq6qo1_500.gif[/img][/center]
[hr][center][b]Location:[/b] Newnan Courthouse
[b]Interacting With:[/b] Each Other, People of Newnan
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	[color=steelblue]"I've got questions, Cousin Zō.[/color] began Ash with only mild sarcasm. Otherwise, he seemed fairly emotionally dead. His eyes presented a faraway look, one that could be interpreted in a few opposing ways. Zoie perked a brow, he didn't exactly seem to be all there right then but after what she had seen go down since she arrived just a few scant hours ago she couldn't exactly blame the man if he was looking a few bricks shy of a load right then. [color=steelblue]"You seem to know an awful lot about the group attacking us. That would be something highly suspect, most instances. But you've taken a good number of lumps to get us this far.[/color] Zoie crossed her arms over her chest and nodded as she listened. She was carrying a fair number of bruises, but she could understand him being wary of her. Knowing about an outside crew could just mean she was part of it and a distraction. Granted that was what most people would think but Zoie was sadly one of those that trusted people until she was proven she shouldn't. 

	He paused for a second, sifting his vision to the courthouse doors behind her. [color=steelblue]"You earned Caesar's trust. I have no idea how. He was no soldier, but he was the finest warrior I have ever known. I trust his instincts about people." [/color] Caesar? Oh he must be talking about that machete wielding Mexican she had to put down outside by the armory, so that was his name? She wished she had known it before hand but some times we weren't granted such luxuries. She still didn't know the name of the Marine who died out there or the woman who Richard helped her get inside when everything went down; heck she had just learned Maria's name. 

	[color=steelblue]"Here's the deal: We need new people to take leadership positions here. Once we get the Inner Wall squared away and push to retake the rest, I want our soldiers knowing that they're listening to me first and you second. After this is done, our domestic personnel will be taking cues from Meghna... but that's down the line a ways. I need a Second, and now." [/color] Another name for her to learn. Zoie wished she had a notebook to take these down or that people were wearing one of those "Hello my name is" stickers on their shirts. 

	[color=steelblue]"It would mean that you would be a part of this community, better or worse, subject to the same rules as the rest of us. But it also means you'd have a home. If you're willing, your first order is to brief me concerning the invaders, and advise on their most probable course of action, given circumstances."[/color]

	[color=f6989d]"I'sa completely getcha Boss, and I be willin' to tell ya everythang I knows about them Eden folk; whether or not I stay. Thang is though, I can't says I will stay and such if I don't be knowing what I be getting into ya know? You say rules but I can't be agreeing to nothin' without knowin' whats I be agreeing to. Fer all I know one of yer rules is I have to be wearing a tea cozy on me head, stripped down naked, smothered in mulberry jam, and be singing Jerusalem on Friday nights as entertainment. Now don't get me wrong, would be a rip roaring good time but I ain't wearing no tea cozy," [/color] Zoie said in all seriousness. She might have made a very valid point; she didn't want to agree to any rules before she knew what those rules were, but she had put it in the most drawn out southern way possible. 

	The concept amused Ash, though it didn't show outwardly. For the briefest of moments, he looked over this new lady, trying to figure out her angle. [color=steelblue]"You're safe. We're out of tea cozies. Can't promise the jam, either, least not mulberry."[/color] He sighed, debating the wisdom of his choice. But she was right. No sense signing a contract unless you read it first. 

	[color=steelblue]"This town, such as it stands now, was established under military command. It has gone through changes, as needed to make the community work, but essentially we exist under martial law with a clear chain of command. Concessions have been made. It is not perfect. But we try. Newnan is a stern but fair place where everybody works that is able, everybody fights that is able, and everybody has a job to do. Punishment is fast and decisive. If at any time you don't want to be here, you are free to leave."[/color]

	Zoie listened and nodded slightly before she said anything, taking a moment to consider things. Shrugging a bit she placed her hands on her hips. [color=f6989d]"That be soundin' fair enough buts I have to be talkin' with Froggy and Honkey Tonk b'fore I's decide. Froggy done been my partner out there for a time and I be trustin' him more than anyones. Richard, well he done got jumped once here whislt tryin' to help; so I's gotta make sure nutin' like that be happenin' again. Sure's you can understands that. But I let ya know, gonna have to be givin' me a day or two to thinks it over. I ain't one to ever wants to be a leader but if it be needed, Isa do it. Life ain't bouts surviving, it be about livin,"[/color] she said as she glanced around the room some. The people looked worn and tired but at least they were alive; most of them. She wouldn't stay if Froggy didn't feel safe there and she wouldn't stay if Richard getting jumped became a constant thing either; why she didn't know but he'd had her back so far so she'd have his. 

	Life is about living, not surviving. It's a thing Alicia says, [i]said[/i], a lot. A pile of raw emotion began to claw its way up from somewhere deep, deep down in his soul. It didn't stand a chance at breaking through, unexpected though it was. Nevertheless, a chill passed over him and his desire to continue the conversation abated considerably. [color=steelblue]"Fair enough. Get with Meg, she'll set you up with accommodations here in the building. Young lady from India, she came in with me. Should still be around. Let me know when you've come to a decision. I'm going to take stock of our assets before we plan for the next push."[/color]

	Ashton nodded curtly, and left to attend to Newnan. Zoie gave the man an odd look as he walked off. His mind must have been elsewhere. Shaking her head she stepped after him and got in front of him, holding her hands out. [color=f6989d]"Hun, your head in the clouds or sumthin'? Isa told ya, stay or not I tell ya about Eden, that was what you wanted to knows about to begin with whatent' it?"[/color] she asked, hoping to jog his memory a bit and get him focused. That was one of the first things he had asked about. 

	[color=steelblue]"Well of course, Zoie. Let's tour defenses meantime."[/color] In truth, it had slipped his immediate mind. Logically, Ash knew that he was becoming emotionally compromised. Also logically, he knew he was necessary to rally and command what remained of their soldiery. Everyone else in a position to do so was either dead, or so new as to be considered an outsider. He had to see the emergency through, one way or another. Hopefully, putting his trust in these people and leaning on them was the best course of action. [color=steelblue]"Walk with me. Tell your story en route."[/color]

	[color=f6989d]"Sounds like a plan." [/color]Zoie nodded as she stepped over to the door and held it open for Ash, waiting for him to step through before she came up beside him. Taking a breath she thought back to her days with Eden and everything that entailed, shuddering viably before she shook off the cold chill that ran down her back and looked over to Ash; clearing her throat a bit before she spoke. 

	[color=f6989d]"Eden, that where them people come from. It ain't no paradise I can tells ya that. Runs by a man named Adamm, known as Father to his people. They be the right nastiest bunch of folk on Gods green Earth they be. Not them nasty folk you see out there just tryin' to survive. They be sadistic. Have this place not far from here ov'r in Peachtree. They has it set up like them 9 lavels of hell from that damn book bys that Dante fellow. Each area is another punishment used to brainwash folk. Things they do there... Well, be the most twisted devious thang. I'sa got captured by them when out on the road alone, barely got out with my throat intact, won't be going into what I suffered. They be bad people Mr. Ash. None worse than Adamm and his right hand man Nathen, better known as Cain. They be attackin' here means they been stalkin' the place. Means they be back to. Theys normally just hit and run buts they lost today; they be wantin' revenge,"[/color] she said as she wrapped her arms around herself and walked with Ash around the streets of Newnan. She knew how they were, she had survived it. The place might be secure for now but she knew they would return. Adamm never let his people loose without striking back.

	[color=steelblue]"Well then, we should ready a warm welcome, shouldn't we?"[/color] 


[center][h1][b][i][color=orangered]Bridgette Vinters[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d5/b4/78/d5b478ac0063ce48f5bab3cb5648b0a1.jpg[/img][/center]
[hr][center][b]Location:[/b] Smokey Road, Southwest of Newnan
[b]Interacting With:[/b] Astrid, Bryn
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	Sure! Of course we get into an ethical quandary after being caught up in front of the vanguard of an approaching army of dead people. Just peachy. This is precisely the life Bridgette envisioned when she signed up for classes back at Chicago Industrial A&D. Yes, as she stepped up to get her diploma, she knew that one day, she'd be decked out like an extra in Braveheart, involved in a slow speed chase with a couple hundred dead guys, wondering if it's worth the risk to offer assistance to others who don't know they're about to selected as the mealtime centerpiece by walking corpses.  

	Bridgette sighed. [color=orangered]"Goddamnit..."[/color] she breathed heavily.

	[color=82ca9d]"Fodder or do we do the right thing and help?"[/color]

	[color=orangered]"No, we should at least warn them. I'll get the one with the ballbat. Meet you in the middle."[/color] Not generally the altruist, this was an occasion to try being neighborly. They did need people. These were people. Maybe they could help one another. On the other hand, Bridgette was not stupid, either. She removed her sawed-off shotgun from its resting spot and gripped it behind her shield, as a Viking from a past era might have concealed a spare axe. 

	Reining her horse onward, the modern day Shield Maiden rose slightly in her saddle, effectively shifting her ride into higher gear. She was confident in her partner's ability to take care of herself. Besides, even if these people meant to perform horrible acts of murder and degradation, the wall of zombies rounding the hill would definitely effect a postponing of said plans until more favorable conditions existed. 

	As she approached the survivor, Bridgette slowed her horse and maneuvered her speartip up and away from the woman. The pace came to a slow walk as she introduced herself in a terse and direct manner. [color=orangered]"Name's Bridgette. Fucking horde a half hour behind us. We might know a place with walls a few miles up. C'mon!"

	"Real nice Bitch Smacker. Your work?"[/color]