Ash Holloway
Location: Building 1, Infirmary
Ash listened to Astrid's assessment of the medical situation, breathing a deep sigh. He didn't know if Newnan had the resources for all of this, but what kind of a person turns away children? Especially when it was confirmed by the mere suggestion of bringing them over, that their Infirmary was better equipped to handle their care. The potential of Newnan was vast. It had far grander potential to provide food, shelter, and medical care than it did, for a far greater number of people than lived there currently. But that was
potential. The settlement wasn't there yet. For now, they had what they had.
But that couldn't be who they were. Three years living in Hell hadn't soured him to the mission, at least not yet. He responded to Astrid back through the satellite phone,
"Hold on." "Beni, if I may interrupt?" Ash said in a tone implying that his interruption was anything but a request,
"You have children, injured and sick in your settlement. Astrid tells me you have little means to care for them. If you would, tell your men to help Astrid ready them for transport." Again, in a firm but polite tone that was clearly meant as an insistence, not a plea.
"Astrid? Hand the phone to whomever is in charge over there. And tell Bridgette to stop harassing the natives." It was just a guess, but an educated one.
The Captain, as he was clearly acting in the manner one should in the situation, handed Beni his own sat phone and immediately grabbed the radio from his belt.
"Meghna, Sally... I need one of in the Mess Hall. Prep something for a child suffering from malnutrition - very thin oatmeal, maybe with peanut butter or honey, something drinkable with high calories. Broth maybe, if we have any. Have it warm and ready at the Infirmary in short order." Ash, during his time as a Combat Engineer, did a great deal of work with his teams building up developing communities in hotter and sandier locales than Newnan. He had seen the face of true hunger, and what the relief workers did to alleviate their suffering. IV fluids and nutrients for those near death, clear and thick liquids to help get the stomach working again. Small amounts to start. If they rejected one, step back to another. It wasn't so much of a skill as it was a protocol.
Whether or not this would ingratiate himself and Newnan to their new guest, he honestly didn't care at this point. Ash wanted to make allies of these people, certainly, but the priorities had just shifted to doing the right thing, away from getting a trade/militant partner. Ash looked at Beni expectantly as he waited for word back over his walkie.
The Great Bazhooli
Location: Building 7 (Rec Center)
"No no, Mr. Jack, Tatiana. Great Bazhooli does not mean in show direct, but in part of." He could tell that he was making no appreciable sense, so tried a different tactic.
"Like eh, how you say... Stage Manager? You handle prop, yes? Toss to us vhen ve need. Get place ready, maybe announce? Come, ve make proper Ringmaster of you, da?" The motivations of The Great Bazhooli were twofold: First, he didn't want to be the big-armed Russian guy taking away the attention of the petite ballerina from her new fiancee, and Secondly, he just didn't want the guy to feel left out. In his old life, keeping a close-knit community was key to their survival and prosperity. Things like jealousy could strain that.
Naturally, his people rarely encountered the same kind of jealousy, but for their own reasons. Many would call it a question of morality; unless you were with a family inside of the Circus, a more easygoing, bohemian lifestyle was adopted. Or to put it differently - the unmarried, and sometimes even the married, had few qualms on the subject of the free and easy dealings of acquaintanceship bouncy-bouncy. But The Great Bazhooli knew full well that not everyone felt the same way.
He wanted to be a friend, not a rival, nor give the appearance of impropriety. Especially in this time of humanity's trials where small offenses could get you shot. Getting shot and pissing people off were not on his "To Do" list for the day. Instead, he changed his focus to the dark-complected lady who was curious about their plans afterwards.
"Do not know, pretty lady. New here. Maybe you show me? Have not seen sights yet."
Bridgette Vinters
Location: (outside of) Heard County High School, Franklin
The sardonic chatter pouring out of Bridgette's new acquaintance and former piñata impersonator brought the barest of grins to her face. Despite being in perfect touch with her emotions, she felt the need to stifle any mirth at the verbal rasping of the man with the rifle on the other side of the chainlink fence. Probably not the best plan ever, but mildly entertaining nonetheless. Somewhere in the weighted dialogue, the woman dropped what Bridgette thought was a name. She was focusing her attention on the entrance Astrid had disappeared into, waiting for her to return, as well as the people in her immediate vicinity. She wasn't trusting this Franklin community, less so than when she first rode up on Newnan. Even then, admittance was an act of desperation as they had someone wounded with them (via lumberjack amputation) and a megahorde of Biters were a half hour behind them, closing the gap with glacial certainty.
But she was certain that the new girl had said her name.
"Tryke?" she questioned aloud, never taking her eyes off of her surroundings. It had just occurred to Bridgette that this was the first time she had heard her name. Seems like the kind of thing she would ask.
"I think we've got one of those fuckers back home. Can Am, reverse trike. I was thinking of giving her a ride - hear they're easy to work on." She still kept her gaze forward, but this time one might tell that she was stifling back a snorting laugh.
"Oh, not that I'd know. I'm a horsey girl all the way." "And what in miserable, fuck-covered hell is keeping Astrid? This was supposed to be a pickup! Not Crumpets n'Fucking Tea!"
Sister Sable,
RPM,
Zman,
Shadow Dragon,
ppppppp,
Not a Sayan,
Simply Not Real,
Fetzen,
Lewascan2,
Arty Fox
