[hr][hr][center][h1][i][b][color=steelblue]Ash Holloway[/color][/b][/i][/h1]
[img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/0d55b471-c5e5-4224-a6dd-f93f52f38ebd.png[/img][/center]
[hr][center][b]Location:[/b] Northern Parking Lot of Building [b]4[/b] (Repair Shop)
[/center][hr][hr]

	Before attending to the obvious business at hand, Ashton looked to Thana and nodded once. She had instinctively pulled her weapon to cover him without prompting in any way, and showed restraint as the situation unfolded. The situation with Gavin... he would inquire into later. Right now, she gave every appearance of continuing to back him up despite the drama clearly crashing down around them. He mouthed the words [i][color=steelblue]Thank you[/color][/i] to her and returned to his duty. Whatever happened later, she was there [i]now[/i].  

	Any time that business started to mix with personal, Ash didn't like it. This most certainly was an example of that very thing, and in one of the worst ways. If he had stuck to what was considered The Law in Newnan, James would have a bullet in his head right now and they would have a mandatory discussion about community and the importance of keeping the peace. There may be some variation of the Omelet and Egg speech involved, perhaps something detailing the origins of the present community and describing some of the horrors that took place outside of the Walls. Newnan was special. Hell, maybe even unique. When the rest of the world had gone to crap and ruin, they had a decent slice of Civilization That Was, even down to luxuries few of them would have considered possible otherwise.

	Perhaps this is why they were growing complacent. Ash had seen traces of it before, a general atmosphere of some individuals taking what they had for granted. Getting lax with duties. Forgetting the importance of their responsibilities. Ash silently wondered if these people would be able to survive outside of these walls anymore. They were there for a reason, the walls; it was to make life possible past mere existence and provide protection from those that would do them harm, both the living and the dead. And now, because of his slowly failing sense of mercy, he was about to put his best friend left in this world to exactly that test. 

	It was like shards of ice pierced his chest when he saw Tatiana with James, giving her goodbyes. That feeling turned to confusion when she suggested an "Exit Interview". It wasn't like James was putting in his Two Weeks' Notice on a salaried position, here. He was being exiled for murder. All the same, the quirky Russian lady had a point, even if he didn't fully agree. The fact that Jack backed her up notwithstanding - she was his wife, and newly made so, at that. Of course he was going to back her up. As petty as it might have seemed, though, he couldn't have his orders questioned in front of a group unchallenged. This was a pivotal moment, and he had to maintain order. A clear chain of command had to be maintained, or his little act of compassion may be seen as weakness by some members of the community. That would make things significantly more difficult all around. [color=steelblue]"Tatiana, I've said my piece on the matter. He's got one hour to be out of these walls. If you can arrange it in this time, you are free to do so."[/color] 

	Ash sighed. Tati did mean well, and maybe this was her way of getting a little closure in addition to the reasons mentioned. In a much quieter voice, he intoned to the deceptively tough ballerina, [color=steelblue]"James is going to be in a vehicle when he's escorted out of the Gate. You be in that vehicle. Park just outside of the gate, and take as much time as you need. But first, get our foot patched up. That work?"[/color] 

	Their conversation was punctuated with Meghna's follow-up to Ash's chewing out session, asking for orders. A look of annoyance crossed his features momentarily, but he quickly stuffed it back down and addressed her flatly. [color=steelblue]"My order was to get a Domestic Team and meet me [i]here[/i] for instruction. But let's not waste any more time. Yourself and your domestic team have two jobs right now. First: make sure that everyone in town knows what happened. Run the buildings and residences, full nine. Make sure anyone who wants to say goodbye to James or give him parting gifts [i]or even join him[/i] is able."[/color] Why not? He had friends here, though Ash wasn't sure that James would be open to subjecting people to the everyday dangers of the Outside. No, but the mere offer of companionship might do well to ensure that James knew he was loved. [color=steelblue]"And Second: Sana and Bryn's remains need to be policed, and that house given a thorough cleaning. It needs to be spotless. You are to assist in this Domestic endeavor personally. Remains immediately, cleaning and restocking may take place after James leaves. But make it happen before noon today."[/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][color=firebrick]Location:[/color][/b] Northern Parking Lot of Building [b]4[/b] (Repair Shop)[/center][hr][hr]

	James looked somber as he trudged in the general direction of his house. Technically, it wasn't really his house anymore; it was just a building where he temporarily kept his stuff. Soon, most of it wouldn't even be his stuff anymore. Ash had told him to get what he needed from Newnan before he left, but there was no way in Hell he was going to abuse this. No, the resourceful Blackneck would leave this oasis called Newnan with ...basically... what he came in here carrying. He wasn't certain what he was going to do when he left, though. Might pick back up the trails of roving bands of hogs, take up his lifestyle prior to being a pillar of the community. But he had been alone for [i]so long[/i]. Could he even do that anymore? 

	Then came the emotional near-attack from Tatiana that dropped the first of a few tears from James. The pretty little girl that refused to let go of his arm. She insisted that things might change, that she would see him again. It was bittersweet, seemingly naive coming from her. But it was a beautiful sentiment. [color=firebrick]"I wanna see my baby ballerina dance again. Really do. This the way it gotta be, though. I'm deservin' this, Tati. Hell, I'm deservin' a lot more. Long as my family's safe, I can bear it."[/color]