[hr][hr][center][h1][color=steelblue]Ashton Holloway[/color][/h1]
[img]https://31.media.tumblr.com/bcfab66a674d39bfaaddc28bd62d4470/tumblr_inline_ne41kcr5UN1s5par2.jpg[/img][/center]
[hr][center][b]Location:[/b] Newnan Inner Wall, Southern Gate Post
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	Many questions, many suggestions. Ash was usually the one offering sound advice to the ranking officer, formulating a plan; if approved, he was the guy who gathered the troops and acted upon it. The previous Commander of this community always seemed a little aloof in her irritation. The Captain had taken up her mantle scant hours ago, and already he believed he had a greater understanding of the woman. Sadly, he would never be able to tell her of his revelation. Granted, it was not his first time in charge, before. He was a ranked officer in the United States Army, an organization that (by most accounts) was a top-notch Armed Force. He had led men and women into problems with the intent of obliterating them and walking back out with a feeling of accomplishment. 

	This situation was different. It had been different for just about three years. In that time, Ash had to become something other than a rigid Captain - he had to become more of a fluid leader. Adaptable to circumstances for which there was zero training. Open to the advice of people he had just met, and wary to the bone of people he had known for years. Also, he had to learn to triage situations. 

	For example: Injured girl in the wagon below, safety of the town as a whole, horde shambling nearer, group of badass looking women of unsure motivation. Compassion and practicality had to strike a balance. He couldn't let these people die, he wasn't a monster. Yet. But he had to see to the people he already had under his protection. It was as good a time as any to lean on the suggestions of others, particularly as they were in accordance with his priorities. He started with Zoie. 

	[color=steelblue]"Take care of it. Get James to help you two out, if you'd prefer him to Thorette. That truck of his should come in handy. Just be quick, that horde will be on us soon."[/color]

	He shifted his attention to Kristina. They had just met that day, but he had known her sister for a couple of months now. She was a decent person. News of her death was just another brick added to the top of his emotional burden for the day. While he wasn't unfeeling, he was just numb enough that his face didn't show the empathy he felt for the younger lady. [color=steelblue]"I'm sorry to hear that, Kris. Truly am. Don't concern yourself with taking on her duties here tonight. For right now, when our guests get inside, get those that need it to the infirmary. Help where you can and let yourself grieve when you're able."[/color] Perhaps later, he would have to take his own advice. 

	Now for James. He'd better let him know what the plan was, and what role he would play. Ash spoke into the radio. [color=steelblue]"Mr. Graham, sir."[/color] he started, his Virginian accent playing with the first sentence. [color=steelblue]"Grab your wheels. You, Zoie, and one of our recent arrivals will be following Zoie's lead on this one. See you when you're done."[/color] 

	Ash offered the barest look of condolence below. Bridgette had volunteered for this duty, probably would have been a little quieter than the older man's Silverado. But that would put Zoie at a perceived disadventage. Ash wanted her focused on her task, not worried that the new girls would put a round in her leg and leave her for a distraction. She knew James, James knew her. [color=steelblue]"Maybe next time, ma'am. Time is on short supply, I know. So is trust. I hope we can fix that after a little while."[/color] 

	Finally, back to the [i]other[/i] ill-tempered lady before the gate. She opened the conversation. [color=peru]"Ahem. As ya can see, m'weapons are back in m'posession. Tell me what I have t'do t'keep it this way."[/color]

	[color=steelblue]"You have to make us trust you. If you're operating outside the walls, equip yourself as you like. We have rules about that on the inside. I'll go into detail later. Right now, if you want to help, the others will be along presently. You're about to meet our Ambassador, James."[/color]

[hr][hr][center][h1][color=firebrick]Black James![/color][/h1]
[img]https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/avatars/6AE78329E91063505631975227392_pic-r-1396533712688c4afde8ecf.jpg.jpg?versionId=ZnGOSit0zozlhxpJk0w6QVx4cSozVRdq[/img][/center]
[hr][center][b]Location:[/b] Newnan Armory
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	James had just finished receiving instructions from Ashton when Zoie jogged through the Armory doors. He finished up his radio conversation with a hearty, [color=firebrick]"Yessir, Cap'n Holloway! I am on it. Feelin' damn good being out and doing somethin', sir."[/color]

	Paying attention to Zoie's selection of goodies from the walls and tables, he informed her of the good news. [color=firebrick]"Lookin' like I'll be your shadow on this, Miss Zoie. Let's make it fast, huh?"[/color] He was surprised with the frank and real query that followed. 

	[color=f6989d]"Listen, I knows we don'ts like knows each other anymores buts yous the best I gots to gauge this place. That Mexican tolds me before he um, hads me makes sure he gots a clean death that I needed to take care of the place and thats this a family. And Boss man, wells he's asked me to stick around as well his second here. I knows you an upstandin' man Mr. James. I respect that, respects yous. Has since I was young. Yous tell me my peoples will be good here, I'll take thats and be happy to stay but I trusts that if you thinks we need to dart out youda tell me. So yeah, askin' ifs theres somethin' I needs to know before I say okay? Yah know?"[/color]

	[color=firebrick]"Miss Zoie, you'n'me know each other well nuff for this. Folk here are decent, for the most part. I ain't gonna lie an' say that we all saints here. We ain't. We done some powerful fuck'tup shit to stay safe. Some mighta been mistakes. But this place has a lot of good folk who look out for one 'nother. It's worth helping."

 	"And that fella Ash? He's a gruff sumbitch, but he cares about people. Just sometimes he needs people 'round him, keep him human. KnowwhatImean? A'ight look, I'mma get my truck pulled around. We gone."[/color]

[hr][hr][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] At Newnan Gates
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	Seems that Bridgette was holding up the forward momentum of the group, being the only one who was asked to surrender weapons that had not. Batgirl got hers back. Then again, she was also asked to help take part in leading an army of dead people on a wild goose chase. Whatever. 

	Astrid had acquiesced, dropping all of her sharp, painful goodies into the wagon. The rest of them needed to get inside, and Bridgette's offer to help had been declined. Fine. Ok, fine, let's do this. With mild reluctance, the warrior woman tossed her spear into the wagon, next to her shotgun. It was followed by her axe, a fine piece of forged steel. Finally, she reached around to her lower back and unfastened a blade, still sheathed, from her belt. It was a seax; a particularly large and stylized one. It was wide bladed and single edged, and there could be some debate as to whether this was a large knife or a short sword. Either way, it went into the wagon as well. 

	[color=orangered]"These had fucking better be returned - intact, and in full. A lot of my blood and sweat went into crafting them. They're more mine than you can understand, [i]Captain[/i]."[/color]

	That guy on the wall looked like he might have the faintest idea as to what Bridgette was talking about. He nodded knowingly and motioned behind him. Slowly, one half of the main gate opened, more than enough to allow the wagon access to what lay within. Bridgette nudged her horse, Cadence, on through with the wagon. She leaned over to Astrid, half whispering, [color=orangered]"I'm staying with our shit. Look around if you want to, I'm sticking close."[/color]

	Two major things caught Bridgette's attention as soon as they were inside of the walls. One, that guy Ash was among the crowd, passing out the occasional order, such as, [color=steelblue]"Make sure two of ours are armed and keep an eye on them."[/color] and [color=steelblue]"Take care of a search the moment you're able."[/color] and finally, [color=steelblue]"Make sure they've got food and water made available for them, if they need it."[/color] 

	Well, he's still a Walldick. But at least he's not a total Wallfuckingasshole. 

	The second thing that Bridgette noticed was a familiar vehicle parked just up the road. Right in the middle of the road, actually. Yes, that was the truck they saw earlier. The thing which accidentally lured the Undead Black Friday Sale onto them, simultaneously bringing them all together by trying to rip them all to pieces. 

	[color=orangered][i]"Fucking knew it!"[/i][/color]