[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][color=firebrick]Location:[/color][/b] Building [b]7[/b] (Rec Center)[/center][hr][hr]

	[color=firebrick]"Why, thank you, ma'am. Thank all of y'all indeed."[/color] said James after getting permission to join the trio of Lyon, Sally, and Sana. As promised, the Newnan Agriculture Lead stepped over the back of the nearest chair and settled into its seat, heavily setting his plate in front of him. He accepted the compliment about his food from Miss Sally with a smile. 

	[color=firebrick]"Aw, I don't know 'about [i]brilliant[/i], Miss Sally,"[/color] he started, showing off a big, toothy grin. [color=firebrick]"but it sure do taste good..."[/color] Good sarcasm is difficult to distinguish from serious comment, leaving listeners baffled if performed masterfully. James was curious as to whether anyone was going to figure him out, or just peg him as a rural dumbass. Eh, it didn't matter so much to him anyway. Those who knew him were firmly aware that he was a competent Lead and damn good shot, and while many things, he was not stupid. Nonetheless, he kept up his facade of rural dumbassery and set into his plate of nifty foodstuffs. He started with the sweet potato drop biscuits. James did have a thing for sweet potatoes. 

	Lyon's comment didn't go unnoticed, either. [color=firebrick]"Naw, man. This ain't just [i]'Murican[/i]. This here's Southern, baby."[/color] He caught the short apology and wink, but shook his head with an ambivalent look on his face. He was pretty sure that the older guy was kidding, and even if he wasn't, it's not like what he said was something that would bother him too much right then. [color=firebrick]"Don't you worry none. Glad you like, an' there's plenty more where that came from."[/color] 

	But it was Sana's question that actually got James to slow down his assault upon his glade of foodstuffs. She wanted to know what the "damned deal" was with Newnan's latest guest. [color=firebrick]"You know, I ain't sure how much I should be spillin'. I mean, some stuff is kinda personal, needs to be said by her. You know, if she's comfortable talkin' 'bout it. But I'll tell you what's common knowledge here, Miss Sana..."[/color] 

	James used the small buildup of suspense to scarf down the rest of his yam biscuit and continued, [color=firebrick]"I was a friend of her family, back Before. Knowed her and her sister, Zoie - same Zoie used to be the Second here, before she... before she passed a few months back. Ain't nobody else knew she had a sister that looked just like her, and folks loved her here. Most folks, anyway. And some more'n others. Cap'n Ash called everybody that knew Zoie together and told them what's what so they don't have some big freakout."[/color]

	[color=firebrick]"Yeah, I think that about 'splains it, you know, less you got some pecific questions."[/color] James poised over his plate with his fork. Even if anyone at the table had further queries, the spry blackneck was going to tear into his food as he answered anyway. 

[hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=steelblue]Ash[/color] & [color=0072bc]Thana[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://media.giphy.com/media/C1PwffdEpkd8I/giphy.gif[/img][hr][b]Location:[/b] Building [b]A[/b] (Ash's House)[/center][hr]

	Thana sat there listening to Ash's explanation of what exactly was wrong with Newnan, which there seemed to be plenty but none of it really caused her to raise a brow or even look away from her food as she ate while he spoke. In this day and age with the way they world had collapsed it wasn't surprising that there was a hodgepodge of people here that some of them just were not the most pleasant type. She figured that the man that had rushed up to her when was introduced to the community, Richard, was one of them. Not that she knew for sure but that was always the type of guy that her sister had been attracted to in the past. The way he stormed off and the crashing she heard plus the witnessing of the destruction of the CD player out the window basically confirmed that much in her mind. 

	Granted she really hadn't had to deal with those types a lot since everything went to hell, being around military folk, even if from different backgrounds gave everyone a common thread outside of just survival to hold onto. Theft was an issue that needed to be dealt with before it got out of hand. Especially in a place like this where it seemed that people were well taken care of. There was no theft for survival here. It was just dumb. Now the outside threat, that again didn't surprise her. People always wanted what they didn't have and the strong always prayed on the weak. The only thing she could figure was that they hadn't attacked in a while because they were not being able to do enough damage to be able to move in and take over. That was a just a guess since she had no idea to their motives. 

	It really seemed rather cut and dry to her with what was wrong with the community and nothing stood out. Nothing stood out to answer her question either. Yet her real question wasn't what was wrong with the place, she just had hoped it would give her an answer. Since it didn't she figured she might as well ask. Lowering her fork she chewed her food in thought before swallowing, turning slightly to face Ash and shrugged a bit. [color=0072bc]"I know you said I didn't need to ask but I'm gonna be crossin' a personal line with the next, so permission to speak freely sir?"[/color]

	[color=steelblue]"Seems the conversation's about to get interesting."[/color] Ash quietly polished off another choice bit of warm, smoky meat and set his plate down on the coffee table in front of him. He wiped his hands on a cloth napkin, then leaned back to look Thana in the eyes. [color=steelblue]"Proceed."[/color] 

	Thana thought for a moment before speaking, there was no real way to proceed without making it awkward at this point. She had noticed several things since she arrived about the leader of Newnan. The main thing was anytime he seemed to start enjoying himself this look would come over him and he would stop himself. She was curious at this point and since the door was open she decided to step right through. [color=0072bc]"Why don't you let yourself just enjoy a moment?"[/color] she asked bluntly.

	Ash arched an eyebrow. That was not at all anything remotely like what he expected his guest to ask. To answer such an inquiry accurately, he would have to either possess a great amount of personal introspection, or a talent for self-psychoanalysis, neither of which he was really known for. Well, perhaps a [i]touch[/i] of introspection, otherwise it was very possible that his cheese would have completely slipped off his cracker a long time ago. [i][color=steelblue]Go ahead, Captain. Tell her you hear voices because of your crushing guilt and think you might be going insane. That will make a good impression.[/color][/i] That was odd. He hadn't had that clear of a message passed along from whatever corner of his subconscious it originated in a long time, now. Maybe it was the sudden spike of stress that came with thinking directly about it. Luckily, all he showed outwardly (he hoped) was a moment of thought. 

	[color=steelblue]"Hell of a question, Ma'am. I'm afraid I don't have a simple answer. Responsibility and caution, I suppose. I never asked to be in charge, but here I am, responsible for the lives of every man, woman, and child that live within these walls. After a while, the line between discipline and self-denial gets pretty thin. There's probably a deeper reason. Couldn't say, exactly."[/color] It wasn't untrue. He had considered saying something about the losses he had suffered on a personal level; the people that had died around him, loved ones lost, but that happened to [i]everyone[/i], he was sure. If you were still alive, in his philosophy, you were a widow or an orphan somehow. And you had to do some of the most horrifyingly brutal or indifferent things to survive. Ash was not special in this regard. [color=steelblue]"Why do you ask?"[/color] 

	[color=0072bc]"Well for one I was wonderin' if you were always this stiff around ever'one or if it was just me."[/color] Slipping her plate over to the table she covered it for now. She didn't want to take in too much too quickly. Not after an extended period of time on MRE's and rations. Leaning back she tucked her feet beneath her and looked over towards Ash. [color=0072bc]" And two... It's concernin' that's why,"[/color] she stated rather flatly as she draped an arm over the back of the couch and looked him over slowly from head to toe. [color=0072bc]"We're military folk. I don't know about you but I've seen senior officers in a place of responsibility break under the pressure. The worse the situation the more likely they are to break. Leave is an important thang', hell it's essential. Beggin' yer pardon Sir but when was the last time you had a day off? I mean an actual day off? Relaxed and just enjoyed readin' a book. Hell, gotten laid?"[/color] she asked rather nonchalantly. It hadn't crossed her mind that maybe she was speaking to a man that his sanity had slipped off it's cracker or that she could might just make him choke on his pork by asking.

	As Thana asked her most recent series of questions, Ash's head slowly tilted to the side, like a well-meaning German Shepherd that wasn't quite sure what it's human handler was trying to tell him. In truth, he understood every word. The subject matter was a little unexpected, a quality that he was steadily coming to believe was going to equate with any future discussion he might have with the woman. Unsure as to whether Thana was being serious in her blunt insouciance, or if this was some test of character. Perhaps she was living up to her earlier assessment, and this was part of her personal "application process" for him. 

	If she was going to ask questions of an immensely personal nature with nonchalance, the least Ash could do is respond honestly with his trademark stoicism. [color=steelblue]"Alright."[/color] He thought for a moment, trying to honestly remember the last instances of the scenarios Thana asked about. [color=steelblue]"I'm a little formal with people when I first meet them. It usually takes me a while to relax around new people, and even then I hold most at arm's length. I have very few close friends. The fact that you're in my house right now is fairly unprecedented."[/color] First one down. Moving on, [color=steelblue]"The last time I can remember having the entire day off was a little over a year ago. I was the Second here at the time, and I spent most of it... Well, a little over a year ago. Most of what I read are reports and overviews handed to me by our Leads. I cannot recall the last time I sat down with a book. Thing is, I like reading. Been meaning to do more of it. I have taken little breaks, every so often. Evenings after particularly stressful days, you can sometimes find me in the back of my truck loosening up with some distillation or another. Sometimes people join me if they see the light burning. I'm told I even have a personality, then."[/color] He looked Thana over, to see if there was any change in expression or posture before he continued. [color=steelblue]"As long as we're being honest with each other here, ma'am, the last time I shared my bed with anyone, it was also around a year ago."[/color] His face told the story that he had his reasons, but his eyes also showed pangs of regret. Deep down, Ash did desperately want to be close to someone, despite the gnawing guilt and the fear of loss brought about by personal experience. It was silly. Irrational, even. But there it was. 

	Thana's expression didn't change as he spoke, taking in what he was saying and processing it. Thana wasn't a physiologist and didn't really read people. That was more along of how her sisters mind worked. Thana was a recruiter and a scientist. She took the information presented and came to logical conclusions. [color=0072bc]"You do realize that as this town's commander it is more important for you than anyone to relax don't ya? And not just an evenin' drinkin'. Yous said you were ACoE, you should be buildin' bridges, not just standin' on the edge."[/color] Her voice was as unbiased as ever, just words delivered as if she was informing someone of the latest recruiting report. Shaking her head a bit she took a sip of the peach drink that had been brought back from the reception before looking back over to him in thought. 

	After a moment of silence, a long what may have been an awkward silence, she finally spoke. Her eyes and voice dropping their usual tone and were replaced with a dash of compassion, and some genuine concern. [color=0072bc]"Ash,"[/color] she began, it was the first time she had called him by his first name, [color=0072bc]"it's okay for you to be happy. You just need to give yourself permission."[/color] Leaning forward a bit she rested the palm of her hands on the couch between them and the slightest of smirks came to her lips. [color=0072bc]"Or are ya waitin' for a senior officer to?"[/color]

	Maybe it really [i]was[/i] that simple. But Ash giving himself permission to be happy, to let down his guard, when seemingly everyone who gets remotely close to him dies? If he let down his vigilance for even a day, and something (else) horrible happened to the anyone under his care, it would be a another ballbat to his psyche. Doubly so if it happened to anyone he even [i]began[/i] to care about. The clear solution - the kneejerk reaction - was to keep from getting close to people and maintain discipline at all times. Thinking about it openly, the subconscious but totally situationally reinforced decision to do so seemed just a touch unhealthy, now that it was pointed out to him. Still, though it might be simple, it was most assuredly not so easy. 

	Ash took a sizeable pull from the flask of peach spirits and set it back on the coffee table. It suddenly hit him: She had used his first name just then. Not Captain, not Sir. It seemed strange, the first syllable of his proper name formed on her lips, but comforting somehow. Another thing he didn't expect from her this evening. [color=steelblue]"No, I haven't been waiting for permission from a senior officer, ma'am."[/color] his voice was a little quieter now, [color=steelblue]"Doesn't mean I'd turn it down, though."[/color]   

	Sighing slightly Thana had to wonder if anyone had taken the time to actually speak to the man or if they just listened and waited for what that days orders were. Shaking her head she let her feet fall over the side of the couch and slipped next to him. Resting a light hand on his shoulder she squeezed gently. [color=0072bc]"Captain, permission granted to let yourself enjoy a moment and be happy,"[/color] she said in a firm but gentle voice before removing her touch.

	Looking over towards the fire, it crackling gently really being the only sound in the room besides their conversation. [color=0072bc]"If you aren't goin' to let yourself live, you might as well be outside them walls just survivin'."[/color]

	Gentle human contact was something to which Ash was unaccustomed. The heat from her hand upon his shoulder remained for a while after she removed it, like an echo or a memory. [color=steelblue]"I did just that for a long time, [i]survived[/i]. Always on the move. Kept my people alive, no matter what. But sometimes, no matter the precaution, there's always that moment when something goes wrong. I've seen that moment happen too many times. No matter if we're in here or out there, Lady Luck eventually turns on you. I would [i]love[/i] to be able to live and be happy. But much like a Ringbearer I read about some time ago, I'm afraid I do not know the way."[/color] 

	Giving it some consideration, Ash decided that this was easily the longest and most unusual entrance interview he had given, ever. It was also the first time since the Outbreak that anyone had asked about how [i]he[/i] felt. He was damned close to an actual emotion, if he was willing to admit it to himself. 

	Resting her elbows on her thighs, Thana rubbed her hands together slowly as she watched the flickering flames in the fire and a slight chuckle came from her lips. [color=0072bc]"That's life. No matter what ever'one we get close to dies, ever'one we don't get close to does as well. Eventually we are the ones that go. Was like that b'fore this outbreak, if the dead ever stop walkin' it'll be like that long after,"[/color] Thana mused out loud. To her, it was just simple truth. It was no reason to close ones self off to the world. Everyone died anyways, so might as well enjoy them while they were there; least that way they live on in some way. 

	Shrugging to herself she glanced over towards Ash out of the corner of her eyes and gave him a slight nudge with her shoulder against his, a grin breaking on her lips as she did. [color=0072bc]"Well, I've made deader things grow in shit, let's see if I can coax a little smile. Come on, I promise ain't gonna hurt, much."[/color]

	Yeah, like that was going to work. Just because she sat close, used his name sparingly, and made physical contact while throwing non-fatalistic philosophy at him. But that smile was infectious. Despite himself, he began to smile, too. It started slowly at first, held back by his own inhibitions. But he made conscious effort to batter them back down and actually let himself feel something. It wasn't a forced smile, nor a cheshire grin. Ash nudged her back with his shoulder like a coquettish youth, mumbling, [color=steelblue]"...this is all your fault..."[/color] His face actually showed playfulness and warmth that he hadn't allowed himself in a long while, and likely would not be showing outside of his own home for another long while. But he allowed himself a tiny concession of emotion. Ash found that, regardless of the short time that he'd known Thana, she was able to bring something positive out of him. Ash genuinely liked the woman. 

	Damnit.