[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]  Near 545 Corinth Rd, Newnan: In the woods. (Not far from the Coweta County Water Authority) [/center][hr][hr]

	As soon as the truck was inside of the warehouse, James hopped out and moved toward the loading doors, intent on doing what he promised he would just as soon as he pulled his big truck indoors. It was just starting to warm up, meaning that the Dead would be more active. He didn't want to take any chances, even this early into the season. Of course, the question now became: Deal with the dead out there, or deal with the dead in here? This new wrinkle that might or might not be him actually losing his mind was, at minimum, noteworthy. It seemed that there might be something else he had in common with Ash.  

	The sense of cautious alarm that was slowly filling James since the three-second appearance of his (sort of) mentor took a sudden halt. The reason for this particular derailing of his emotional train was due to none other than the young lady he had ushered into Newnan, once upon a time. The twinge of panic ceased, abruptly replaced by a sudden chortle that took him by surprise. 

	The chortle turned into a good natured laugh. [color=firebrick]"Aight there, Miss Beatrice. You gots yo'self a deal. If I decide to do some killin' on the quick, I [i]promise[/i], you'll go last."[/color] Even though the crack was at his expense, it was still pretty funny. He needed a good laugh. Or whatever this was. The moment Ryan stepped back inside within conversational distance, James pulled the loading door back down and slid the locking bar across. 

	James hadn't witnessed Gavin's outburst, having driven the truck inside of the warehouse when it took place. He continued with their plan to assess, stockpile, and share information, helped along with a generous serving of hope that he just had a minor, stress related incident with that whole "hallucinating the scariest man to ever walk the earth" thing. [color=firebrick]"Ok, y'all. Plan was for us to get here (which we did), take an inventory of the truck an' that there boat, get us [i]good[/i] and equipped to meet the world, then have a sit down 'bout what happens next."[/color] He looked around at the people present. After that talk, maybe the other two would be happier heading back to the relative safety of Newnan. 

	[color=firebrick]"I'll start with my truck."[/color] 

[hr][hr][center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/e7de846f-30f3-4613-933c-40dce7104529.png[/img][/center]
[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/e4117d5f-65c8-4b8e-98df-5810a59267c5.jpg[/img][/center][hr][center][color=dc143c][b]Location:[/b][/color] North Of Newnan (Spring & St. Clair) IN A TANK[/center][hr][hr]

	To say that Lola was a trying woman was an understatement. She was obnoxious. She was loud. She had zero qualms with announcing her plans to vent horrid air from her rectum, comprised mainly of digestion gasses present after the breakdown of desiccated semi-permanent foodstuffs that were more preservative than actual food. Despite this, she was an honest and dedicated friend to have. Even if she was ...a bit... unrefined. Thalia had known many like that. Not quite as unique as the distinguished Kiwi of the Armored Cavalry division, of that she was dead certain.

	And speaking of dead, if her belch were any indication, Thalia would be wise to sleep on top of the tank tonight. Or under it. Whatever she would come to decide [i]then[/i], she needed to do something about the problem upon her [i]now[/i]. Reaching above, Thalia unlocked the turret's hatch and raised it to a  quarter open position - enough so that she could raise her seat and effectively take in the air outside, even look around a bit, but not so much as to give access. 

	Thalia groaned with mild irritation. She didn't actually believe that Lola would intentionally make sure to launch an attack on her [i]expressly[/i] forbidden by the Geneva Protocol. She did believe that, probably without malice, Lola would crop dust her in the night purely without thinking. It wouldn't have been the first time. This occasion would be fueled by the presently joyous to behold combination of "Chili, and Mac & Cheese... [i]together[/i]". La Madrina have mercy on them all. Leaning way down to collect her pack again, she managed to grunt out, [color=dc143c]"...let one fly while [i]your[/i] mouth is open next time."[/color] before she managed to hook a strap and bring it back up to her seat. 

	It looked like an anachronism at face value. Thalia had found the specific object of her search that morning, and pulled a new looking satellite phone from her pack. It was a kind of ritual that she did regularly, trying to contact the numbers saved in her phone. But it wasn't insanity nor stupidity that guided her. As long as the communication satellites flew in space above, as long as the phones were intact and had power, as long as the hardwired memory had the number stored, and as long as the phone was [i]on[/i], it was still fully possible to use them as a communication network. They might have a good number years left for the satellites, but the other factors would likely be the determining ones. Point of fact, since the world turned upside down, she had no success whatsoever except to use the device to play a few games saved to it or consult an outdated map. Things of that nature.

	Perhaps they is why the hardened woman, one unaccustomed to shock and awe, announced in a truly amazed voice, [color=dc143c]"Lolz! Holy shit, Lolz - [i]it's ringing[/i]."[/color] 

	


[hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=steelblue]Ash[/color] & [color=0072bc]Thana[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://media.giphy.com/media/dZECGdCnsljz2/giphy.gif[/img][hr][b]Location:[/b] Building [b]10[/b] (Medical Garden)[/center][hr]

	Thinking back on it, Ash [i]had[/i] been distracted. He generally wasn't the type to leap before thinking things through, as Thana had put it. But that's precisely what he had been doing all day. Attempted discussion of civil matters sandwiched between pieces of tragedy had been throwing him off, making him glean certainty from possibility. [color=steelblue]"You're right. I've been jumping the gun today."[/color] The most obvious one that struck him was he directly told Thana that he would announce her as Agricultural Lead during the evening meal, then did so within the hour without consulting her. [color=steelblue]"Goddamnit, I owe you an apology. I've become too accustomed to telling folks the way things are, when I'm not avoiding them."[/color] 

	 Ash removed his personal sidearm, a Detonics MXT .45 pistol, and ejected the magazine. He checked the chamber, and satisfied that it was clear, slipped the clip into the webbing of his holster, which he immediately detached from his belt. He looked at his gun for a moment, nodded, and inserted the weapon into said holster. His eyes looked back into Thana's eyes as he placed it into her outstretched hand. [color=steelblue]"I'm sorry, Thana."[/color]  

	Reaching out a bit more, Thana took the side arm from Ash, nodding slightly as she did. [color=0072bc]"I know,"[/color] she said in an understanding voice. Taking her coat from around her waist she placed it into the folds of the fabric to conceal it and set it down for now. She didn't want to leave the medical garden carrying the leaders side arm. It would raise enough questions to why he wasn't wearing one. Having her be the one to carry it, even more. 

	Now that that was taken care of she let down her defenses a bit. She didn't like to be on duty when they were alone but she had had to be. If he was going crazy, he could be a danger to himself, to others. She had meant what she said, she didn't want to have to put a bullet into his skull. He was the last person on this earth that she would want to do that to but she would if it came down to it, no matter her personal feelings. Reaching out she cupped his cheeks and let out a slow breath as she pulled him closer. Her eyes gazing into his own, there was a gentle understanding in them. [color=0072bc]"Now, who do we need you to stay close to until you can get a grip on things?"[/color] she asked softly as she rested her brow against his. 

	Ashton had become unused to physical affection. The warm glow he felt from Thana's touch instantaneously lifted his mood, doubly so when she settled her head against his. He closed his eyes and let himself drift, barely catching the scent of her hair in the stiller air inside of the Medical Garden. For a stark second, Ash wondered if this was some rift in his armor; if this was a method that could be used to manipulate him. The idea of it, certainly, but the possibility of it [i]now[/i] was laughable. Ludicrous. Even if it was, right then he didn't care. He had his Thana, and just the knowledge of it was an act of merciful healing. [color=steelblue]"You, Thana. I need you with me. If it happens that I need to be put down, you have an excellent sidearm there to get it done with."[/color] 

	Thana's lips pursed slightly as her fingers curled into his skin. [color=0072bc]"I'll stay with you but don't joke about that,"[/color] she said in a firm voice. If she had to she would but it wasn't something she wanted to be made light of, dead should never be a light subject. 

	He felt his face warm, turning a shade of red otherwise reserved for embarrassment, but present here out of pure, pupil dilating want. It was probably not the most appropriate response at the moment, but it was honest, despite the absolute unpleasantness of the day. [color=steelblue]"Let's go home."[/color] 

	Leaning back slightly she couldn't help but smirk as her eyes drifted open. [color=0072bc]"As much as I would like to go home and break in a few rooms, thanks to you I have work to do,"[/color] she reminded him. Sighing in a playful manner she gave him a quick teasing kiss, nipping at his bottom lip in the process. [color=0072bc]"Next time keep your mouth shut when it comes to giving out jobs ahead of time. It messes with your down time."[/color] Chuckling she popped her cap back on her head and tucked her hair behind her ears. [color=0072bc]"Or in this case, your [i]up[/i] time."[/color]

	True, it was highly inconvenient. But so much as Ash wanted her company right then, he could not deny the necessity of her getting her starting duties out of the way. Perhaps he would have her company still, just in a highly different manner than he had initially suggested. More outdoorsy. Significantly more attired. Additionally, if he kept seeing things that obviously weren't there, Ash could casually inquire or give it a moment to see if she would react.  

	[color=steelblue]"Fair enough. In that case, it looks like I'm with you. What is the business at hand?"[/color]