Realistic or Modern After The War: A Post-Apocalyptic RP

[jprouvaire]

Odette brightened up at the new faces, endlessly delighted at the sight of new people after months in wastelands, although she seemed to be the sole person of the group to harbor the sentiment – Seth and Cain seemingly tense and cautious in the unfamiliar surroundings, being as one was severely injured, another was back outside, and the only other capable person was the woman who had already decided to put her trust in these strangers. Odette shyly waved at Riley and Cross once the pair exited the Humvee, interested in meeting the friends of Walker but decided to leave the introductions for later once Seth was finally patched up.

“Duke stayed out with all our stuff,” Odette informed Walker once she saw him again, happy to announce they were unarmed. “But I understand. If we – well, if I had been as careful as you all, then we wouldn’t even be in this mess,” She said, tucking stray strands of blond hair behind her hair to mask the waves of guilt at the memory of practically leading her friends straight into a nest of danger.

“Just a stroke of bad luck,” Cain assured, though the bulk of his attention was elsewhere as he listened in on Sinclaire’s talk of a doctor and their boss. He noted the nervousness of the supply keeper at the mention of the boss being in a ‘nasty mood’ and while he couldn’t deny the curiosity born at the sound of a meeting room, he’d rather not endanger his group’s already precarious situation by overstaying their welcome.

“Hi! I have those poker chips for the medical supplies if that works,” Odette smiled brightly at Sinclaire, clearly finding no reason to be wary or cautious around the man. “I…I don’t know how much it really adds up to, though,” She admitted, a bit quieter as she offered the small bag in which the collection of mismatched poker chips was kept. “I just collected them since they’re one of the few things out here with some color in them still… you can have it all, though. I don’t really know what we need, to be honest – what do you think will help?”

 

[DanniGage]

Sinclaire
He couldn’t help but scrunch his nose up at this woman’s question. What did he think would help? What made her assume he knew? “Miss, I appreciate the vote of confidence but let me tell you it is entirely unearned. I’m a journalist, paranormal expert, author of a popular magazine, and now supply keeper of this place.” The brunette grinned to himself looking over the chips. “Sinclaire Lutsky, by the way. You might have seen my magazine once or twice before the war.”
“I can tell you a thing or two about these chips, though. These little cheap plastic ones that look like they came from the dollar store, eh you could get a granola bar for a pair of those maybe? You have some ceramic chips though, they should be enough to get you what you need. These dice chips aren’t too bad either. We could get you like a first aid kit and some disinfectant? Maybe a needle and thread too. I don’t know what you need, don’t you have someone for that?”
Sinclaire was off on one of his tangents again, picking through the chips and looking them over as he spoke. “I mean, we have a doctor, but she isn’t necessarily ours. Kind of her own entity, you know? Anyways if you give her the chips and supplies I’m sure she wouldn’t turn you down. That is provided your friend doesn’t like.... bleed out or something while she’s in that meeting.”
Sinclaire took what he felt was sufficient for the supplies, not really wanting to take advantage of these people, and handed the box back before taking them back to the pharmacy where he kept most of the supplies. “Uh, here’s a first aid kit, I think there’s disinfectant in there. And a sewing kit....” Sinclaire dug around trying to make sense of what would be useful. “Some floss maybe? Dental hygiene never killed anybody.”

 

[Fluffybunz]

Lucida hid behind a crumbled buiding, sweat running down her face. She clutched her small satchel close against her chest, which held some poker chips and a single knife. Honestly, how she survived this long with only a knife escaped her reasoning. She heard some voices behind her and tensed up. 'I must be closer to the city,' she thought. Wearily, she turned her head around the pile of rubble to see a group of about two people talking. Her face fell. Socialization was in no way her strong point, especially with the Nevada survivors. They were more ruly the closer you got to the city. She sighed and got up. 'Socialization doesn't kill,' she thought, 'dehydration does.' She walked out towards the crumbled interstate bridge , hands above her head, sweat beading down her forehead. "Excuse me? Do you happen to know where the nearest supply stock is, sir?" She asked the man, looking to him. He seemed reasonable, at the very least. She didn't trust women as much. Men could play child's whim and is more forgiving to their mistakes. Women, they weren't so easily manipulated. Especially girls from the Strip.

 

[Yahhah]

Roger looked up. What was a kid doing by themselves out here. Guess it wasn’t just adults out there by themselves. Muffin came out from behind a box at the sound of a new voice. The grizzly roared ferociously. Roger gave her a gentle pat on the head. He soothes the bear. “It’s okay girl. It’s fine. She doesn’t have a weapon”. He said.

Muffin growled but sat down glaring at the girl through narrow eyes. Roger ignored his pet’s hostility and answered the girl’s question. “Well you could head through the desert looking for bunkers. If you’re determined to grab a shipment” he said. Scratching Muffin between the ears.

 

[Fluffybunz]

Lucida nodded, putting her hands by her sides. "Okay then, thank you, uh..." Lucida looked around him to the bear and paled. "Don't mean to be rude, sir, but is that a bear?"
Lucida held her hands in front of her and fumbled with them. "Sorry, but it's not exactly every day when you see a bear wandering around in Nevada."
"Especially with, y'know" she awkwardly coughed. "The current state of affairs."

 

[takki]

• Damien

• Damien decided to take a break after that long walk. Ever since the war ended, he had been scavenging for supplies, trying to survive. He also took out bad people and robbed them off their goods. But, of course, he isn't that much of a devil. He left some of the goods for the people he knocked out. He sat inside a nearly-wrecked building and opened a can of soda to cool himself. He set his military backpack in front of him, trying to check if he still has enough rations to go for another week. "Rations, drinks, maps... Everything's here. Good work, Damien." He praised himself. With all the stuff he currently has, he can still go for another week or two, and probably raid some abandoned supermarkets if it's still not empty. He also checked the pockets on his bag, to see if he still have enough poker chips. It turns out, he's about to go broke.
  
  Damien finished up his can of soda, and from a distance, he saw a couple of persons. He stood up and tried to inspect them from a closer look. And, he regretted that he did it. When he got close enough, the first thing he saw was a bear, and it was tamed by a man? Maybe the man on the animal's side? And also, a girl. A family? Damien tried to get even closer, but he dropped the empty can he was holding. The sound of a can ringing may be heard from afar.
  
  Fluffybunz Yahhah

 

[Fluffybunz]

Lucida tensed up and turned around fast, her loose hair getting in her face. She instinctively put her hand in her satchel by her hip. "Hey, sir, is there rogue people round these parts? Any, hostile rogues, to say?" Lucida looked coldy at the source of the sound. "Nevermind, it don't matter. I'm going to leave anyways. Can't stay in one place. I'll go check it out. Just promise to have my back if that is a hostile." She didn't wait for his response and went over to the brushes. "Who are you? Do you mean harm?" With that, Lucida pulled out her knife. "I am not playing games, whoever you are." She said, a faint shake in her voice. She would never admit it, but she was terrified.

 

[Yahhah]

Roger was about to explain when the girl turned around. Muffin did as well. Now Muffin might be okay with one new person. But not two, people could be dangerous. The bear roared and charged forward. Barreling up to them. Until she was right behind Lucida. The grizzly got onto her hind legs. Towering over both of them. Growling down. Roger got up. “Shit Muffin. Get back here” he shouted.

He really did not want his bear killing any poor innocent sucker who happened to walk by. Roger stroked the grizzly’s side. Pacifying her for a moment

 

[Fluffybunz]

Lucida, what with the bear towering over her, gasped, lost her balance, and fell, her knife dropping a few feet in front of her. "Shit." She hissed, getting up, and grabbing the knife. That's when she saw the man sitting in the bushes. She stood still and stared at him for a good few seconds. " Who. Are. You? "She asked, voice quivering. This person had food. Soda. Fucking supplies. He was a threat to her safety.

 

[takki]

• Damien

• Damien stood up, completely showing himself to the two strangers. He held his hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay!" He exclaimed, his voice shaking quite a little from the overwhelming presence of the bear. "I'm Damien, former Military Radio Operator. I have no weapons, I mean no harm! I was just passing by until I saw that... large bear." He pointed at the big animal. If he wanted to die, let this be it. He'd rather die quickly than getting tortured by some people who had gone ultimately crazy.
  
  Fluffybunz Yahhah

 

[Fluffybunz]

Lucida looked with a calculated expression before sighing and putting the dagger back in her beige satchel. "Sorry about that. Was worried. Nowadays, everybody's a threat. Even those you trust." She said, her voice distant. She clutched her arm and huffed. "Anyways, what are you doing around here? People don't exactly go for morning strolls anymore." She wisecracked, visably calming down.

 

[Yahhah]

Roger gave a loud breath of relief. Muffin got down to all fours and gave a raspy sound. Trotting up to the unfortunate and giving him a long sniff. She sneezed right next to his face, panted, then plodded beside Roger and sat down giving him a lick. “You also didn’t pick a great time to show up. Muffin’s a little...uneasy” said Roger. Scratching his bear’s head.

 

[takki]

• Damien

• Damien couldn't disagree with what the girl had said. This world is already a threat for him, a threat for everyone. He sat down as he was calming down, and then he responded to the girl's question, "I was trying to make a map. The normal, political map of this city is rendered useless anymore. In my version, I list every possible building that can be still used for shelter, underground tunnels, hiding spots, military bases, and water sources." The map is really valuable to him. It's one of the reasons why he's still pursuing to survive in this merciless world.
  
  The bear moved closer to him, only to sneeze at him. "Ah, this is nasty. And yes, I noticed." He complained while wiping off bear mucus off his face. "Anyway, what are you guys doing here? I also don't see much people at this time of the day." He asked them.
  
  Yahhah Fluffybunz

 

[Fluffybunz]

Lucida perked up at the mention of the map and smiled. "Just scavenging for supplies. Running low, needed more sources. I tried making a map of the city for my siblings to use before they... uh." She sighed wistfully. "Went." She smiled sadly. "Anyways, if you need anything in concern to the map buisness, just ask me. I know this city inside and out. All for the pursuit of knowledge." She beamed. It had been a while since she could talk like an educated member of society. Mostly because society had collapsed a long time ago.
Yahhah takki

 

[jprouvaire]

Although a tad put off by Sinclaire’s rebuttal, Odette could not help but smile at the notion of talking with a published author. “Yes, I think I have!” She excitedly replied to him mentioning the possibility of her having come across a magazine or two of his. She hadn’t. When the journalist began to explain the types of poker chips in her possession, Odette took care to listen and nod as she could do little more than place a blind trust in his word, as well in his honesty to take only what the cost of basic medical supplies.

Cain was jostled out of his own thoughts, distracted by his own assessment of the group’s setup in the Costco, once Sinclaire had inquired of having someone with legitimate experience in the medical field. “I may be of some help,” He offered with another thin and empty smile of his, a weak attempt at humor in his own dry tone. “I can work with this, though I wouldn’t mind a second opinion,” Cain nodded to the supplies Sinclaire offered, ready to accept and make do with whatever was handed to him, but the mention of another doctor’s help piqued his interest, as did the second mention of a meeting.

“Dental floss…?” Seth echoed in disbelief, but Cain didn’t waste any time in escorting the wounded to the closest chair to patch him up as soon as possible. He lifted the bottom of Seth’s plaid button-up to catch a glimpse of the injury before unbuttoning the bottom ends and cleaning up the bloodied mess to the best of his ability.

“I hope you don’t mind us using your building as temporary operating room,” Cain said aloud to the other group, though it was clear that he was going to do so, regardless of whether they were welcomed or not. Odette made a valiant effort to remain at Seth’s side during the procedure, paling at a mere glimpse of the grisly wound embedded into her friend’s abdomen but she attempted to simply swallow her own fear until Seth graciously relieved her by squeezing her shoulder, “I think I can handle this on my own.” Odette gave Seth a grateful smile, one weighed heavy by exhaustion, and stepped away to avoid the sight of sewing up flesh.

“Can’t wait to get out of these bloodied clothes,” Seth idly muttered if only to keep his mind off the sensation of a needle slipping through his skin. Despite his attempt at remaining unfazed, his hands curled into tightened fists and his breathing strained slightly as Cain didn’t exactly make any effort to spare the man further discomfort, more focused on closing the wound as soon as possible.

“That is, if our friend outside hasn’t deserted us under the pretense of standing guard,” Cain countered, almost too quickly and too casually.

“Does Duke strike you as that kind of person?” Seth was admittedly more interested in Cain’s perception of others, specifically the person that had essentially saved the three of them out of the wastelands. But further thought on the matter did prompt Seth to wonder if this moment that Duke had sought for months because while he clearly didn’t possess the capacity to abandon strangers out in the barrens, it didn’t necessarily mean that he had any intention of sticking around now that they had reached a relatively safe area that he could ditch the three and get away with a relatively clean conscious.

“We don’t owe each other anything. I know you know that as much as I do,” Was all Cain replied before the matter was dropped.

“So, you mentioned something about a meeting?” Blissfully out of earshot of her friends’ conversation, Odette decided to linger near Sinclaire’s side until the procedure was over. “What’s that about?”

 

[DanniGage]

Sinclaire
"Well, look at that! Good to know there are still people around with a fine appreciation for the supernatural." Sinclaire beamed, proud someone at least claimed to have maybe looked at his magazine once or twice. When they made his storage place into a place of operation he just shrugged. Not like his boss was there to fuss about it, really. "Just clean up after yourselves I guess."
Odette asked about the meaning, and for the first time Sinclaire didn't know what to say, or rather was he was allowed to say. "Well," He started, pursing his lips with his eyes focused on Cain's work. "It's kind of a business meeting. I dunno how much I can say without breaking rules, but we don't have a doctor of our own. We're uh...." How could he put it to make it sound like they weren't exploiting this poor woman, because in Sinclaire's mind they absolutely were. "Offering her a job."
The journalist thought for a moment, mulling the idea of jobs over. "Hey we could offer you jobs too. I mean, my buddy over there doing the stitching looks awfully capable. We could stand to have someone like you around, and you with the wound too. I mean, with you two the boss would surely go for it. I don't know what skills you have miss but the boss is trying to pull together some people to help out this camp of refugees, where the doctor is from. I'm sure you could find a way to help out." He grinned like a child at this idea. Miss Lavesque would be full of praise for this idea, the more the merrier after all and especially so after taking on the responsibility of the camp's safety.
"We pay in rations and a steady supply."

 

[DanniGage]

Roux, Riley, and Wyatt
"Alright," Roux frowned as everyone herded into the meeting room finally, after what felt like it may as well have been days of waiting. "Report, first off. What happened." She looked over the two of her own, but didn't expect the notably pink haired doctor to speak up.
"Well, we were getting ready to leave and some guys in a humvee rolled up with some guns. They weren't exactly friendly, seeing as they threw our presumably dead friend's breast plate at us then there was a bit of a firefight. I didn't really see it though, I went to secure our supplies in case-" Cross stopped the woman there, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"That's enough, Doc. Not your job, that's us." Wyatt pulled his hand back as Roux raised an eyebrow, but he couldn't read whether it was out of confusion or annoyance as a small 'oh' rolled from the doctor's mouth. "That's the gist of the first bit. A kid and some hotshots rolled up to pick a fight. They're dead in the ground now, then we ran into those folks outside with the injured man as you saw. We made sure they didn't bring weapons in, like you asked."
"I see." Roux responded, still frowning. Her sunglasses concealed who she was looking at from this distance, but she was clearly eyeing one of them as she lit up a fat cigar. "Well, Doctor, since you're so eager to speak why don't we get this little talk underway. You can call me Miss Lavesque."
"Riley Scott." The slightly taller woman reached out a hand to shake, but was met only with an undecipherable stare through the thick lenses of the woman's sunglasses and a veil of thick smoke. Riley swallowed hard as she pulled back her hand, realizing this woman wasn't as friendly as she had hoped.
"I understand you know how to make antivenom? I'd like to supply you and your little camp with supplies and some means of protection. Walker here will be in charge of those little details, and in exchange we'd like you to supply us with antivenom for those sand hornets. That'll make things easier for my people to salvage in that area and travelers would be willing to pay for a little extra guarantee of safety around this area." Roux laid out her plans plain and simple, or at least the bare bones of it. She never did like to give away unnecessary details.
Riley's brow furrowed at that comment. There was the mention of money again, selling the antivenom. "I'm sorry, this sounds great but I don't think I'm comfortable with the idea of selling it. This is life saving, it should be shared with doctors to help treat people." Roux didn't like that the younger woman was getting all upset now, after they had gotten this far along with helping the refugees. As Riley leaned forward on the table Roux took a long drag from her cigar before pressing the lit end down on the back of the other woman's hand, knocking off the ash and burning a circle into the skin before she could pull her hand away with a yelp.
"You won't be. I will, and you'll supply it in exchange for all these supplies and help you're getting." The shorter woman leaned in close, tipping her head downward slightly to look over the frames of her glasses and into the other woman's eyes. "My boys and I can make or break you and that camp. Got it? Help me help you."
"Yes ma'am." Riley sucked in a deep breath, leaning away from the woman who had just burned her. The pink haired doctor couldn't tell if it was anger or fear she was feeling but she was certainly seething with one of them as her gaze fell to the ground defeated.

 

[Yahhah]

Roger gave a deep giggle at the other guy’s reaction to the sneeze. “That’s the first step in the bear not trying to kill you” he said. At least if Muffin was willing to near that guy without killing him that would be ideal. Unless he turned out to be a bandit then Roger’d have to fill him with holes and feed him to Muffin. Then Roger remembered he was supposed to be protecting the bridge. “Well, I’ve got a job to do back there. If you need a place to stay then you’re welcome to wait for Riley to get back. And see what she says” he said.

 

[takki]

• Damien

• Damien smiled as the girl offered him help with his map. "Thank you, but as of now, I don't need any help with my map." And then, he perked up when the man gave him an offer to stay at someone's place. "Of course! For the past month, I've been going around places, relying on my map for hiding spots where I can most probably live or stay for a while." It was the truth. Ever since the bombs fell, he lived on the military base where his father stayed. Last month, the base got hijacked from the inside, killing everyone in the process, including his parent. Damien already escaped the base when he got too impatient.
  
  "Did you two already have breakfast? I have extra rations here that I'm willing to share since my bag is getting heavier." He asked them, hoping they would accept his offer.
  
  
  Yahhah Fluffybunz​

 

[Mowser]

Walker

Walker sat back and listened as Roux and Riley "dicussed" the deal. It was a very one sided discussion which slightly angered Walker but he kept it too himself knowing that this was not the time or place to make a scene. When Roux burned Riley's hand in infuriated Walker. "ROUX, CUT THAT BULLSHIT OUT!" Walker yelled. "Its bad enough you made this a very one sided "discussion", you didn't have to burn the girl. That ain't how you treat people. Apocalypse be damned, were still people and everyone still deserves that base level of respect.

 

[DanniGage]

Roux, Riley, Cross
Walker’s back talk was mostly unexpected, but Roux wasn’t exactly finding herself shocked. Cross seemed more surprised than her, and after a few short glances he reached over to place a hand on the larger man’s back.
“Look, let’s step out side for a minute buddy.” He said, hoping to diffuse this situation as quickly as possible. “How about we all step out, huh? Cool off and come back.” While Wyatt made his best attempt to pull Walker from the room, a laugh bubbled up from their boss’ mouth.
“Like your hands are clean, Jones. Don’t forget your job was getting us leverage.” Roux was all too happy to remind him of his part in this, of their discussion centered around the cold idea of using Riley’s emotions to get them favor among the group. “Get out, and take her with you. I think we’ve come to an agreement anyways, or at least a realization.”
“Yes, I-I’ll do it. It’s okay.” Riley spoke up now, realizing the extent of the situation they were in, at least as far as the discussion went. She was still ignorant of just what Roux meant by Walker’s part in the leverage. “I’m okay, Walker. Let’s just go, please.” She was scared now, scared of what might happen if there were anymore resistance. This woman wasn’t going to play fair, Roux wasn’t afraid to stack the stakes and rig the game. Roux was going to win this fight one way or another, and Riley decided to go for the path of least resistance. It had to be safer that way. She was just a doctor, not some hero who had a chance of winning this fight.
Riley tenderly grabbed Walker’s hand, pleading with him. “Please, I just want to go.” Her voice couldn’t help but break a little, and though she was fighting it there were tears forming in the corners of her eyes threatening to spill at any moment. She didn’t want to cry here, not in front of these people.

 

[Mowser]

Walker

Walker looked down and over to Riley. "Fine, but I'm not putting up with any more of this bully bullshit.." He said and turned to leave. On his way out he punched the door frame. The hit was so hard that the nails holding the door frame to the wall gave loose and the portion of the door frame that Walker hit came away from the wall. Not completely, but the door wouldn't be able to close completely again. He stored off to the roof so that he could calm down and think. He was furious with Roux for bullying Riley. He wanted to get back, but knew that he didn't have a solid plan in place, nor enough evidence to justify it.

 

[DanniGage]

Riley
“Walker?” The doctor had followed behind him, clutching her burned hand at her breast. “Can I sit with you? I don’t really wanna be around anyone else down there right now.” Her words were soft and sad, sounding more so than she would have liked.
Riley moved to sit down on a box near Walker, looking sadly over the back of her hand. It would scar most likely, not too badly though. It was like to fade within the year. “Thanks for sticking up for me back there. I’m sorry I caved like that,”
If her voice sounded weak before it was broken now. “I didn’t want to see what would happen if I didn’t agree. I know she’s right, we need this deal. Maybe selling it isn’t right but it’ll still help people.”
She sat in silence for a few minutes thinking it over. She could try to fight back by diluting the antivenom she gave them, but that wouldn’t hurt Roux. The idea was short lived, the only ones who would be hurt by that were the people who were going to depend on that syringe to save their life.
“It’ll be okay.” She finally said, not sure what else to say.

 

[Mowser]

Walker

"That's not what I'm mad at. Roux needs to learn that she can't bully her way through whoever she wants to get whatever she wants." Walker finally said. "Because one day she is going to meet someone like me who won't take that shit, and they'll retaliate. When that day comes I dont want to be a part of her group, cause it won't be good." He then took Riley's hand to look at the burn. "Plus what do you think your cousin is gonna say about this?"Walker asked.

 

[DanniGage]

Riley
“I’m not like you, though. I mean, look at me. That woman has some muscle to her and she’s cold, but I’m all soft and weak. All I can do is talk my way through it and try to give her what she wants.” Riley sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. “Even then she’d outfox me pretty quickly. I’m too used to people being honest; I don’t know if anyone is honest anymore.”
When Walker took her hand she didn’t pull it away, but her own eyes bore into the concrete building beneath her feet. At the mention of Viv she realized she didn’t really have much of an answer. It was a long pause of silence before she responded. “Viv is my cousin and my friend; not my mother. I did what was best for the group and she’ll respect that much.” Viv would be angry if Riley told her the full story- so she just wouldn’t. Riley would just have to assure her she did the best she could, and that the deal was a good one. “Viv is... not as optimistic as I am. She can appreciate a business deal.”