[hr][hr][center][h1][i][b][color=4682b4]Ash Holloway[/color][/b][/i][/h1][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/8fad17a9-9f82-4bbd-8428-62a1824e07c9.gif[/img][/center][hr][center][color=steelblue][b]Location:[/b][/color] Quarantine (Conference Room)
[color=4682b4][b]Skills:[/b][/color] N/A [/center][hr][hr]

        [color=4682b4]"It was more than just her,"[/color] Ash admitted, albeit quietly. He had a good idea that ears were on and/or near him, be it by their chaperones or the more curious of their number contained in Quarantine. [color=4682b4]"Not to downplay what we had. We were close. There was just a lot of bad shit that I didn't process up to that point. I don't know if I [i]loved[/i] Alicia, any more than anyone else we lived with, trusted. But she was a symbol. She was the face I put on it. And I gave her peace with a rifle."[/color] His speech was frank, relaying information rather than having a great personal epiphany. It wouldn't have been the first time that Ash had put down someone he knew. Even someone he cared about. It was what you did, if you wanted to survive. [color=4682b4]"Took me a while to realize that. Thanks for holding me together until I did."[/color] She wasn't the only one, though. Ash recalled many a night in the back of his Hordebuster, sipping homemade whiskey and talking with Mr. James Grady. He also helped, but he was gone. 

	[color=4682b4]"This feels different, Tati. With Thana - It's actual [i]love[/i], and it's grief, and it feels... [i]clearer[/i], somehow. Less confused, less selfish. Hard to explain. I just know I miss her, and it hurts, and it ain't going away, and I [i]don't want it to[/i]. Like it might insult her if it does. Does any of that make [i]any[/i] sense?"[/color] Ash was a generally stoic person, prone to dealing with his pain, both physically and emotionally, with minimal complaint. A lot of the time, whether he wanted to or not. The openness of him talking about complex feelings was, in a word, uncommon. And it did make him feel a little foolish, speaking like he was. 

	Luckily, and very thankfully, the subject seemed to change with the arrival of the youngest of their party. The very youngest; the still crawling, still in diapers, still babbling baby Jamie. Ash watched the little guy stand with the help of his mother's foot as a handhold. It wasn't a rare occurrence, but the next bit was wholly unprecedented. Wobbly and unsure of motion, little Jamie took his first steps ever and stumbled in the general direction of Tatiana. It brought the start of a smile to the Captain's face. He was witness to the first steps of his godson. Little moments like this were the reason Ash kept going, even if he couldn't properly express how he felt the vast majority of the time. 

	Then swiftly, a look of momentary shock slammed into him as he realized that the little guy wasn't making for his mother. Little Jamie planted his tush directly onto his leg and moved in for a cuddle. [color=4682b4]"Oh my God,"[/color] he said quietly, wide-eyed and looking to Tatiana for something, [i]anything[/i] to break the joyous anxiety that manifested into the air around them. [i]His first steps were to Ash[/i]. [color=4682b4]"Um..."[/color] he began, before coming to the conclusion that regardless of any uncomfortable social factors that might be involved, he wasn't going to deny the child affection, such as he could provide. Ash's face softened just a touch as he moved his hands to support the boy and cradle his yet uncertain head-bobble. [color=4682b4]"Hey there, guy. I've got you."[/color] he said softly, his accent shading his words with something more homespun. 

	

[hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=deb887]Hank Wright[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/28a8c4fa-dd19-40f4-9d22-e98a27649839.gif[/img][hr][b][color=burlywood]Location:[/color][/b] Quarantine (Conference Room)
[b][color=deb887]Skills:[/color][/b] N/A [hr][hr][/center]

	Oh, Hank noticed the changing of the guards, and he didn't mean in front of Buckingham Palace. Mostly, the younger woman caught his attention, if she was even old enough to be called a woman at that point. He seemed to freeze for a second, the generally sarcastic yet self-assured smirk erased from his expression and replaced with something highly serious and very contemplative. Yeah, this girl looked like she might be the same age as his daughter, if she had survived to now. Even looked a little bit like her, or that is to say, she looked a little like a much younger version of his wife, likewise deceased. Life was still possible for the younger ones when all this went down; the teens and preteens who didn't have a whole lot of life experience to draw from to keep their asses alive. Distantly, Hank wondered if there was the mildest possibility that, were his family to have lived long enough to see the dead walk, could they have made it this far? Would his daughter have been able to, like this kid that just walked in? Would Hank still have become the antisocial, bitter shell of the man he used to be? Ironically, did that which broke him actually make him a survivor?  

	No, it didn't matter. Hank's face stayed serious for a long moment as the conversation continued around him. His eyes darted away from the girl that had just arrived and he tried to push those thoughts out of his brain, with marginal success. A few days living easy wasn't going to make him soft yet. Hank had already fractured and healed from his personal Hell. The world now was nothing compared to that. But it left scars. Even he could self-diagnose. 

	Wait, what was he doing? The past was the past and goddamnit, there was a card game at stake. Even if they [i]were[/i] only betting legos. The girl was a harsh reminder of where he came from, no doubt. And at least his family was spared the horror of he world turning inside-out and quite possibly a more horrifying death than they got. The present was NOW. And presently, they were playing poker. Panama was a out of sight, what with the guards changing, so someone who knew how to handle a deck should probably do just that. [color=deb887]"Yeah yeah, keep your hijab on, there. Okay..."[/color] Hank picked up the deck, gave it a quick, supplementary shuffle, and started to deal. [color=deb887]"Simple fivecard, no wilds or any of that frou-frou shit, 2X4 bricks or better to open. Everyone ante in?"[/color] 

	Hank took a quick look at his cards, satisfied that this was going to be a highly average game of poker. After a little while, he was called back for his interview. [color=deb887]"Guess I fold,"[/color] he remarked, setting his cards on the table facedown. [color=deb887]"Keep my seat open. This shouldn't take long."[/color] I mean, what was there to grill him about? Hank was an open book. 

	Almost [i]two hours later[/i], Hank returned to the Conference Room, scratching the back of his head. It was hard to read his face. [color=deb887]"Hey Maldonado? Might just have ourselves a fishing buddy! How about that, huh?"[/color] He shrugged, and looked around to see if the card game was still going on. 



[hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=dc143c]Thalia Carmichael[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/4e737113-ebf8-43ca-a9b1-82a1bea4a781.jpg[/img][hr][b][color=crimson]Location:[/color][/b] Quarantine (Conference Room) -> J6 Mechanics And Fabrication
[b][color=dc143c]Skills:[/color][/b] N/A [hr][hr][/center]

	Once Thalia was in the room, Atticus shut the door so they could have some privacy. He was figuring it would take anywhere between half an hour to an hour for them to be done with Alexander, that gave them time. He had promised to talk to Thalia the day she had arrived but a lot of shit had to be taken care of and this was the first time he had been able to get her alone so she didn't have to be in front of everyone during their conversation. Sitting down, he motioned to a chair near him and leaned back. "Alright girl, let's talk."

        A hint of suspicion flashed in Thalia's eyes for a second. She glanced around to note the presence or absence of any other entrances to the room before sitting down. She didn't want any surprises and making sure it was difficult to be snuck up on was just habit by now. She did sit, legs still tensed in case she needed to stand quickly, and leaned forward. [color=crimson]"Okay. Good. I asked if you knew a Father Benicio Gonzalez. He's my father - actual [i]biological[/i] father."[/color] The woman raised her eyebrows expectantly. 

	Atticus nodded. "Yeah, he was my mentor when I was in Seminary," he said as he leaned back in his chair thinking back on it. A grin came to his face. "I don't know whether the church paired us up because I had a slight obsession back then of blowing things up and they thought his background might get me focused, or they were hoping I would get him to calm down. If it was either of those reasons, they didn't get the goddamn results they wanted," he chuckled. "Two people who take the subject of Thou Shalt Not Kill in a vague sense aren't exactly the type that should be paired together."

	Thalia gave a derisive giggle. She wasn't the giggling type, but just sometimes the duality of holy men, especially ones she was related to, gave her something to giggle about. [color=crimson]"Spanish translation of [i]La Sagrada Biblia[/i] gives more color."[/color] She eyed the man for a moment, as if in contemplation. [color=crimson]"What was he like?"[/color] She knew he man well, but a different perspective from inside the Church might be illuminating.

	"Tough." Atticus grinned a bit. "But he could be fun, granted, after the shit Joaquin and I used to pull as kids, I'm surprised he was willing to even be my mentor," Atticus said. Rubbing the back of his neck. "I kind of blew up his shed when I was younger, burned Joaquin's god damn eye brows off," he added laughing as he spoke, trying not to but failing miserably. 

	This was getting interesting. Thalia didn't spend her youngest years with her father's people, leaving much of that time recounted only as the occasional story from extended family or older friends. The Gonzalez Family stretched a ways, especially by way of reputation in certain circles. Even so, after a world-breaking apocalypse like this it was a huge coincidence for a friend of the family to appear randomly in her travels. [color=crimson]"You knew Joaquin?"[/color] There was disbelief. But it wasn't like he got Thalia's name and did a background check. He knew the right names, and to whom they belonged. Thalia decided to go with it. [color=crimson]"Preacher, that's the kind of shit [i]mi familia[/i] looks for. They had me passable with a knife and a pistol when I was still watching My Little Pony."[/color] She marveled at the coincidence for a second. [color=crimson]"You must have left just before they took me in."[/color] It was a little sad. Like family that she never knew she had, this must have been a trace of what her father felt about her. 

	"Yeah, I was with Foster homes," Atticus explained. "I turned 17 and ran away," he admitted. Shrugging he leaned back in his seat and rubbed the his hands together. "When I went into Seminary years later, Joaquin and I got back in touch. By that time he was working in Texas as a Ranger. I became his priest," he chuckled. "That was interesting. It was how I met the Martins. His partner started dating Gunny's daughter. That tape that was on? I had the flu that night, I played the fiddle in it." Looking over at Thalia he sighed a bit. "How I decided to come to Mexico Beach when shit hit the fan, well after the burn.." his words trailed off. 

	It [i]was[/i] a small world. [color=crimson]"Gavin Comfort."[/color] It was a stand alone statement. She barely remembered the man's name; it had been a long time ago and she only shared the man's company for a couple of hours. Thalia did get to see the man die. That did make him stand out. Between this and the home movie in Quarantine, a lot was coming back. [color=crimson]"I met him. He helped us assault a fortification a year and a half back. He was frontal. I was with the breach team - quiet, sneak attack. [i]Una plétora de corte[/i]. We met in the middle when the shit hit the fan."[/color] She shook her head, [color=crimson]"Didn't make it. I'm sorry, Padre. He died well. Wish I could toast the fellah."[/color] This talk about fallen comrades and things-that-once-were hardened her features. What was she going to learn Thalia's face turned more toward the imperative, looking the man steadily with unblinking eyes, [color=crimson]"I'm sorry, please continue. You were saying something about [i]burning[/i]."[/color]  

	Atticus nodded. "Yeah, Comfort was one of a kind. Larger than life, figured he survive this end of the world shit. You know, the type to kill one of the horsemen of the apocalypse, and then ride his horse out of the fuckery like the Lone Ranger," he said with a half hearted chuckle. Sitting up, he looked at Thalia and blew air out from between his lips. "The burning, the church. It was right after the break out started. Joaquin and I were trying to keep order. He came to help me. It was a safe place, at least as safe as it could be when you didn't know what the fuck was going on. Thugs, people scared, tried to break in and take over. The place turned to a hellstorm. And a fire broke out. We were getting people out and the damn cross fell. I got pinned beneath it," he said as he stood up and pulled his shirt out from the waist line. Turning he lifted enough to show some of the scars, his back was covered. "Joaquin got me out," he said as he turned back around and tucked his shirt back in. "Owed him my life."

	Thalia remembered the beginning of this new age of humankind. Like most abrupt but massive changes, no one knew it had come, at first. She saw her first Zed while making an early morning run to a nearby bakery. It seemed strange at first, but nothing too amazingly out of place for downtown Boston. Then literally overnight, society imploded. [color=crimson]"The start of this gave everybody scars,"[/color] she began. [color=crimson]"Not downplaying yours, Padre. You earned your right to be here. Just... I didn't get to know Joaquin as well as I wanted to,"[/color] she admitted. Thalia was being awfully open with this man, moreso than she ordinarily was with people. Maybe because he was a priest, like her father. He was also very familiar with her family, which was rare. Suspicion and curiosity warred within Thalia. [color=crimson]"How did you repay him?"[/color] The question was obviously loaded. He said that he owed Joaquin. [i]Owed[/i], past tense. That meant one of two things to her: The debt had been payed, or he was dead. 

	"Never really thought I did," he admitted. "I figured I would end up owing him more than my life when he mentioned going to Mexico to the [i]Casa[/i] but last contact we had, it wasn't looking good. It was broken but all he got when he said we were coming was [i]no[/i]," he said as he finished tucking in his shirt. "We started heading this way, out of everyone I knew, I figured the Martin's, if anyone outside of the Gonzales's, had their shit together I should try. Thought maybe if I could get Joaquin here, alive, that would repay the debt but in the end I was wrong."

	There were some people, some families even, that others gravitated toward when things got really bad. Her people were obviously examples of this. Apparently, so were the Martins. Thalia understood this. But the rest of it? It seemed choppy, as if the man was dancing around saying something which might or might not be uncomfortable to hear. Or to say. Was her family's compound in Mexico still there? Is that what Joaquin meant? And that bit about getting him to [i]this place[/i] - was he actually here, or was Thalia completely missing something? This felt like pulling teeth to get a straight answer, but she didn't want what was a roundabout yet informative conversation to suddenly feel like an interrogation. Once upon a time, Thalia worked in a big building where speaking to people in certain sociable ways yielded positive results. She wasn't that woman anymore, granted. And she was the new girl here. It was still worth a shot. Thalia tried a more understanding voice, [color=crimson]"Not sure if I get you, Padre. How were you wrong? What... happened out there?"[/color] 

	Looking over towards Thalia, Atticus knew he needed to explain more. "What always happens out there, shit goes down," he said quietly. "And then you realize there is no repaying someone when they save your life anymore. You just have each others backs as long as you can."  He looked away slightly and sighed. "And for me, I tried to keep my faith. Hard though, even before the outbreak but now, it's rare when you get to see those little things that make you go God is still out there." Shrugged he walked over to a side door and opened it. "But when you get a chance, you fucking seize it."

	Pushing the door opened, there was the sound of boots clicking on the floor. A [url=https://i.ibb.co/j6gf6Jz/Tybalt.jpg]man[/url] stepped into the room, dressed in black boots and a vest that was fitted and had a very ornate and bright design on it. His black hair was greased and his face clean shaven save for a soul patch. "Hola Angel," he said in a raspy voice with a crooked grin.

	Thalia stood, spinning around as she rose. The chair she had been sitting in clattered heavily upon the floor beneath it. There was an unmistakable fire in the young woman's eyes. She took a single, faltering step in the direction of the man before uttering a single word that began quietly enough, but raised into something resembling a battle-cry. [color=crimson]"Joa-[i]QUIIIIN!!![/i]"[/color] It was accented with perfect Northern Mexican, which (for her) was to say it vaguely sounded like she was about to leap from the top turnbuckle in a manner [i]most[/i] unsubtle and destroy that which was set against her. She darted the coupe of steps over to him and, with arms outstretched, wrapped him in 3/4 of a hug (missing forearm). With tears mottling her vision, she looked up at her Gonzalez half-brother and gave him a traditional greeting, for a loved one who had been missing for so long: 

	[color=crimson]"What the [i]FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU, JOAQUIN?[/i] Four days! Four [i]god damn[/i] días en los que pudiste haber traído tu culo grasiento para decirme que estabas vivo, ¡GILIPOLLAS!"[/color][sub]1[/sub] The look on her face had gone from stable and coolly suspicious to inflamed and direct, her inner Bridgette flaring in a manner that required subtitles. [color=crimson]"Me estoy preparando para [i]a fucking hook-hand[/i] y has estado aquí todo el tiempo peinando esos [i]cunt hairs you call a soul patch[/i] sin siquiera enviarme un mensaje![/color][sub]2[/sub] [color=crimson][i]Dipshit! Asshole! ¡Ve a follar a una cabra y cómetelo![/i]"[/color][sub]3[/sub] She was crying openly now, but buried her face in Joaquin's shoulder. Muffled but still audible, she relented, [color=crimson]"It's good to see you again, hermano."[/color] She sighed. [color=crimson]"You still owe me five bucks."[/color] It was difficult to tell if she was being serious. But the hug stayed. 

	Joaquin's arms wrapped around his little sister and he grinned his crooked grin, brightly as he held her tight, cupping the back of her head and running his hand through her hair. As she laid into him he just let her get it out. Chuckling as she ranted. Yeah, it didn't matter her last name was not Gonzalez she had all the fire of one. "And there it is, behold, thy inner Taco Belle emerges," he laughed. Granted if she had fully been, he would have been decked. Shaking his head, he just let her stay in his arms and held her close. "Do you think me truly that heartless? Had I known my blood were here, I would have slain any foe to reach you. Nay, I have been beyond to the east. I did just return to these walls. Upon hearing that mi ángel had arrived I did so threaten the padre that if he not arrange me to look on your face with speed he would meet his savior this eve," he explained as he picked her up in the hug. Lifting her feet off the ground and carrying her back over to the chairs, letting her feet dangle. Setting her down he leaned her head back and took her features in. "Nay, the world could not stop me being there for mi hermana." 

	"And there it is, Shakespeare in the god damn park..." Atticus muttered. 

	Thalia gave Atticus a [i]glare[/i], followed by a turnaround to eyeball Joaquin again. [color=crimson]"You're an asshole. Shakespeare, really? You'd have thought an apocalypse would have got ya kicking that habit..."[/color] Her sudden foray into her second native language seemed to have receded as cooler Boston notes prevailed. [color=crimson]"Okay, okay. You gotta understand that I [i]did[/i] 'slay any foe' to get here, and I didn't think I'd find anyone I knew. It's been some shit out theah, Joaquin. Some 'I gotta ask help to open ketchup bottles' kinds of shit."[/color] She took a step back from her brother, mentally getting back to the mention of her cousin. [color=crimson]"I have some news - family news - it's naht good, neither. If you haven't heard yet, sit down, okay?"[/color] Thalia motioned to the knocked over chair that she had just vacated. She took a deep breath, ready to spill hard news. 

	Atticus and Joaquin looked at each other, Joaquin biting his thumb at Atticus before turning his attention back towards Thalia. "You would deny me my one true love? Say it is not so. For now, more than days that fell before do we so need the flowers and the tongue of such. In a world of death, let my voice be a beacon of what once was and what shall be again," he said expressively with a swooping bow. He was always the theatrical one. Shaking his head he stepped closer to her and rested his hands on her shoulders. "Nay, on this day we will not dwell on such things that would bring darkness. I shall revel in the light that is mi hermana's face. So not cast shadows on such things that would disrupt my joyous tidings. I pray thee would not that to my brittle heart," he said with a smile. "Mi ángel, and who should you try to fool? I am no jester of court. I know thee. Even as thee is with one hand in the grave thou art stronger than most and the only true thing you miss is double clicking thy own mouse," he teased her with a wink and braced himself for any oncoming onslaught from her.   

	A hollow, blank stare was all that Joaquin initially got from Thalia. A serious discussion, derailed by the flamboyance of a man who was, quite possibly, her last remaining living blood relative. If her uncle Caesar could see them now, well... there might be stabbing involved. Hell, there might still be stabbing involved anyway, if she wasn't actually glad to see the man. [color=crimson]"Joaquin?"[/color] she began quietly, with cold syllables. [color=crimson]"The moment I get that shiny metal arm, I'm cramming it up your ass."[/color] She gave him a slow, solemn nod. [color=crimson]"I thought you should know."[/color] Attempting a different tactic, she inquired with forced calm, [color=crimson]"Do you know anything about Monterrey? About dad?"[/color] 

	Joaquin a crooked grin and shrugged at her mention of shoving her metal arm up his ass. "Thou knowest that wouldn't be the strangest thing that has occurred to me," he teased her. Then of course it happened. The question of Monterrey and their father. "Though knowest all I do, for the padre here already told you what we last heard. A [i]'no'[/i] when we did last tell them we would travel West to meet them once again. I do wish I could set you at ease but my knowledge is limited and does not extend to such unknowns. Father, pray he is alive but knowest he would not tell me no if it would be a safe haven of us," he said as he stood there. He wished he could tell her more, that he knew their father was alive or even dead, so they both could have closure together. Yet, some things in this world were unknown. 

	[color=crimson]"Yah."[/color] she said in a tone that suggested that she wasn't over with the conversation. Oh she was putting it to the side for now, but this wasn't fully done. Their father, Benicio, was the kind of man who had zero problems with risks, so long as he was the one taking them. He would have known that normal overland travel was painful and deadly, now that dead people ate living ones and reliable transportation was damn hard to come by. And it was equally likely in Thalia's mind that he didn't want those he cared about risking their lives unduly to find him - or that their family's compound just outside of Monterrey was lost. It was still something that she needed to see for herself. [i]This wasn't over[/i]. But between the presence of her half-sibling, this priest, and her unfortunate physical state, the journey to Mexico was definitely postponed. Thalia looked to Atticus, then back to Joaquin, whispering a repeat of her earlier sentiment, [color=crimson]"It's good to see you again, [i]hermano[/i]."[/color] 

	"And it brightens my world to know mi ángel is here. A lily among the thorns. We shall speak again, once thou has finished her time in the Quarantine, we shall visit. For now, I do believe that the Padre wishes thou to go with him. Go, receive thy hand and learn to click it," he teased her as he wrapped his arms around her, picking her up and hugging her tight as he spun her. Setting her down he pushed her hair out of ehr face and placed a soft kiss to her brow. "Mi ángel, mi amore, mi hermana," he said brightly before letting her go. Crossing his arms over his chest after giving a sweeping bow he nodded towards Atticus. 

	Atticus just rolled his eyes. "Come on Thalia, think they are ready for you," he said as he walked back to the door that lead to the shop and opened it. Joaquin smirked and headed out through the door he had come in, with a lightness in his step. More so than usual. Today was a good day for him. Once he was gone, Atticus sighed. "I fucking swear to god, he was sent here to test my god damn patience," he said with a half frustrated chuckle. "He keeps that shit up and your call sign is going to end up being Mouse..."

	The young woman looked very much like she could stab her older brother, had she but a pointy implement with which to do so. Why she had allowed the man to sweep her up without so much as a well-intended headbutt to the bridge of his nose was beyond her; call it a gift for a relative she had not seen for long years. Thus was the nature of her family: Loving but potentially violent. Thalia was a hair more guarded than others of her bloodline, colder in the application of violence. But she was still explosive under the right circumstances. Still, it was extremely nice to see familia, and alive, after all this time. They would have to catch up as soon as they could. The priest might be a different story. She'd have to reserve her full opinion for a while. He seemed okay, though. A little like her father. But as for the Padre, Thalia didn't know exactly what he was talking about, but felt compelled to address it anyway. [color=crimson]"He keeps that up and he's gonna need his own metal arm, Padre."[/color] She sounded serious. Nevertheless, Thalia followed Atticus's lead and exited the room, curious and a little excited at the prospect of a proper prosthetic limb. She added in passing, [color=crimson]"Don't know what dad or Joaquin ever told you about me... but I'm nobody's [i]ratón[/i]."[/color] Damn, but it felt good to be around family. 

	Atticus chuckled and nodded. "I'd pay to see that," he said before they were fully in the other room. Looking over at Alexander he smiled. "Looking good man," he commented in passing. 

	[color=crimson]"Hell yeah, looking good,"[/color] she said, an earnestly impressed look on her face, even though her words were subdued. Mayeb it was a little selfish of her, but she was anxious to get to her turn soon. It didn't stop her from passing some parting cheer. Sort of. [color=crimson]"Congrats. Your ass is mobile now, Mugs; be square dancing in no time."[/color] She flashed a passable grin and turned her attention to the Techie who was supposed to be putting her back together. 

	Tesla looked over towards Thalia and grinned broadly. "It shouldn't take long for us to get you all set up. Ready to be a two handed girl once again?" he asked with a cheesy grin. He loved being able to do this for people. It was never as good as the real thing but it was an improvement over having a stub. Alexanders had been a success, he hoped Thalia would be as glad when they were done here. 

	At first, Thalia thought she sensed a touch of condescension in Tesla's choice of words. Maybe she was still lightly annoyed by Joaquin's display of textbook [i]Joaquin-ness[/i]. She tried to shake it off. The guy looked genuinely giddy to be there doing his job, which reminded Thalia that she was also a little excited about the fitting. Let it slide. [color=crimson]"Let's do this. Where do you want me?"[/color] 

	Volts walked over to the table along the wall and pointed to a stool. "Have a seat," he said as Tesla walked over and picked up something covered in a towel. Pulling the towel away he grinned and held out the [url=https://i.ibb.co/BN3zpK6/58793348-1.jpg]arm.[/url] "After a talk with some others about your questionnaire we went a little medieval."

	Her eyes narrowed, but a slow, devious-looking smile spread across her face. Thalia was contemplating the new abilities and limitations of this new appendage accessory, and how it might fit in and/or alter both her demanding training regimen and her brutal, fluid fighting style. Oh, there would be adjustment. But it had a very workable future. [color=crimson]"Shiny,"[/color] she crooned. [color=crimson]"Give me the grand tour, huh? Tell me about it."[/color]

	"Steel and tempered. It will not rust, is light but has a decent amount of weight to it. You can cause some heavy damage with this on it's own," Volts explained. 

	"Right, and the fingers articulate," Tesla said as he moved them, it took some effort but there was a click each time he did. "Easier to move to close than to open and that's to make sure if you use them to create a grip during fighting, a fist, or even to hold a weapon, it will hold," Tesla said and smiled as as Volts took it. 

	Thalia held her tongue, merely observing and listening. Every so often, she nodded as a point was made or feature explained. It was like the first time her father handed her a pistol, explaining the dos and don'ts of its operation. She was ten. 

	"We implemented a leg stump insert on it. So your stump goes in here, it bends as the elbow so you can use full movement of fighting technicians, with some adjustment of course," Volts said as he reached in it and pulled out a rubber sleeve that was attached. "Stick in, roll up the sleeve to half way up your bicep. It will hold in place."

	She had expected a harness or cross-strap system to hold it to her. In a pinch, it looked like one might be implemented, but this looked much, much better. Her eyes brightened and the smile moved more toward the genuinely pleased.

	"Oh here," Tesla said handing over another container of baby powder before going over the same pad, rubber, and care instructions they had gone over with Alexander. "So, let's get this baby on!"

	Thalia took the care and feeding package from Tesla, partly having to practically juggle the items on account of the single hand trying to accept it all. Hopefully, with a little practice, it should be easier now. She held up her stump, quickly getting herself ready for the initial fitting. [color=crimson]"Yeah, let's get it on! Don't know about you, but I'm sure as hell ready."[/color] 

	It would take about twenty minutes to get the prosthetic on and go through the full care and use and to get her comfortable enough with it to be ready to go. "With just some training you should be fighting close to par and with this you can use a shield."
	
	When it was fully assembled and fixed to her body, Thalia stood. The hair on her arms and back of her neck rose, and she felt the most concrete sense of wonder at what had just happened. She started to tear up, looking at Tesla and Volts with pure gratitude. [color=crimson]"[i]Thank you,[/i]"[/color] she said warmly, taken by emotion that she hadn't needed to deal with in a long time. She twisted and flexed her arm, testing its full range and balance. Not perfect. Better in some ways, worse in others. An adjustment, but to her it was absolutely beautiful. [color=crimson]"I already have plans, Tesla..."[/color] she marveled. [color=crimson]"And I'm going to do a lot more than [i]some[/i] training. Thank you. [i]Thank you both[/i]."[/color] 

	"Hey, no problem," Volts said as he dusted off his hands. "We aim to please," he added. 

	"You're welcome, glad you approve. Let us know once you get out of Quarantine if there are any issues we need to look at," Tesla added. 

	Atticus smiled as he crossed his arms over his chest and looked at them both. "Well you both are looking sharp as hell. Ready to head back and show off you new wears?"

	[color=crimson]"Yah, I am. Lead the way, Padre."[/color] There was a hair more confidence in her voice. Not that she really needed any more, but it was there anyway. Thalia was anxious to get back and pursue additional, differing elements to her training. She'd need something focusing and nigh-obsessive to occupy her until she could get out of Quarantine. Her training would still be focusing and nigh-obsessive afterward, but then she'd also have a chance to catch up with family, no matter how flamboyant or off he might be. 

 

[hider=Translations]
1	=	...days that you could have brought your greasy ass over to tell me that you were alive, YOU DOUCHEBAG! 
2	=	I'm getting fitted for... (a fucking hook hand) ...and you've been here the whole time styling those... (cunt hairs you call a soul patch) ...without even sending me a message!
3	=	Go fuck a goat and eat it!
[/hider]