InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Make a choice you won't regret"

Brian Cruz (seehowtheyrun) wrote in devolve,
@ 2011-02-04 11:19:00

Entry tags:

brian_cruz, cruzlings, jimmy_proudstar, kitty_pryde, pete_wisdom

Who: Jimmy, Kitty, Pete, Brian and the Cruz girls (NPCs)
What: Make their way to the colony.
Where: The Gatehouse.
When: Thursday Midday
Rating: PG-13 (for safety)
Status: Incomplete

They'd been so close. But the ice storm had forced them to hunker down and hold out. The weather had only made the girls worse. Now Lourdes was also wheezing, and Brian could feel the strain pulling at him like tearing paper. He tried not to think about what may have happened if they'd never run into Pete. The man knew the area well, knew where the safe spots were, knew where to find supplies. The most promising thing about being in the town had not been the shelter, it had been the food. Brian made sure no one ate too much too quickly. Hungry as they were, he knew he couldn't just let them eat until they were full. He'd known about it before the outbreak. He'd seen it happen after. It was a painful way to die.

They'd kept warm, waiting out the weather until they could safely make the final leg of their trip. As the wall came into view, Brian could feel something go tight in his chest. He couldn't name it, but he thought perhaps he remembered what it may be. Relief. The paying off of nothing but hope, faith and a gamble that was all in, or no return.

He shifted in the snow, staring up at the gate. Alicia to his left touched his arm. It was hesitant, as if she wasn't sure if what she was seeing was real. He leaned in her direction slightly and her hand closed about his arm, squeezing briefly. With her free arm, she hugged Isabella tight and they both rocked wearily into Brian's back.

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, looking to Pete. "We're here?"

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seehowtheyrun
2011-02-04 05:56 pm UTC (link)

As the gates opened, the relief quickly shifted to tension. After all, they were running on faith and hope and no real facts. Once they got through the gate, would they ever even make it back out? Still, Brian reasoned, the gate was the way it was to keep the colony safe. A security very few colonies could claim, and when they could, they weren't nearly as impressive.

The rather large man who greeted them sent Isabella scurrying behind her brother, clutching his jacket and pressing her cheek against the fabric. Alicia was older and braver. She only swayed in her stance, at hand if her brother needed her to take their sisters or to shoot someone on his say so. She could reach his gun swiftly from the position, and even shoot it from the space between his elbow and Ynes' back.

Brian had taught them the value of a good fear tactic, and though he knew they had no choice, he acknowledged the attempt.

Shifting, he reached around him to take Isabella's hand, drawing her arm about his and tugging her close with a few murmured reassurances in Spanish. Alicia lifted Brian's pack, shuffling behind him with it as he headed for the gate. Josefina, mostly feverish, squirmed in Pete's hold.

"Hoone. Heep!" The dog prowled forward through the gate ahead of them. "Josefina, sea quieto. Estoy aquí."

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mr_wisdom
2011-02-04 06:03 pm UTC (link)

Pete knew they'd be safe here. Might never likely leave, at least until they'd grown up a bit more, but they would be safe. Even he had to gape at the enormous Indian who opened the gate. "Fuck me..."

Cor, and the yanks had taken the country from this lot? Of course, they weren't all likely this big. But still, was impressive and intimidating. Likely why this one was answering the door.

The stonking Indian bid them inside and Pete waited for Hoone and then Brian to enter first. He shushed the feverish girl in his arms as he followed, looking around. Quite the setup Xavier's group had. Of course, they did have better resources than all the other colonies, having started with a fortified position in the first place.

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little_jim
2011-02-04 06:10 pm UTC (link)

Jimmy recognized the Spanish, even if the accent was different than what he was accustomed too. The Englishman and the oldest boy were bilingual though as they'd both spoken in both languages already.

"My name is Jimmy Proudstar," he explained. "For safety, everyone has to strip down and shower, then be tested for infections if they have any cuts. I will send for one of the women to help the girls bathe and check them over. By then, our healers will be here." The boy and the man could explain everything to the girls. At least the gatehouse was warm and Josh and Hank would be able to help the girls.

Lorna was in the security room, and Storm was likely busy. He left Ororo a note anyway, since there was newcomers. He'd last seen Paige with Pete, so he wasn't going to disturb her and Marie-Ange shouldn't come out to the gatehouse considering how much time she spent around the children they had, including her own. That left Kitty, who was also warm and friendly. He paged her, asking her to come to the gatehouse to help.

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	seehowtheyrun 2011-02-04 06:19 pm UTC (link)
	They may not have spoken any English, but his sisters did understand what was happening. Grips tightened as they flattened themselves against him when the group paused. Alicia began talking in crisp, rushed Spanish, the quaver of which Brian didn't quite care for. Isabella, apparently, decided to make it a united front, which brought the pitch up. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

little_jim
2011-02-04 06:27 pm UTC (link)

The white man said nothing, but the girls immediately began protesting. Jimmy raised his hands slowly, as if trying to quell the hysterics. "Tu hermano puede estar con usted. Pero todos deben ser limpiados e inspeccionados de nuevo." he said, revealing he understood them as well. "Lo sentimos."

He looked back to the boy. "You don't have to be separated from them while they bathe," he reiterated. "But we have to have them checked over for cuts. Kitty is coming to help. It is how it is done, for the safety of everyone."

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mr_wisdom
2011-02-04 06:38 pm UTC (link)

Pete shook his head slightly. He understood the reasons behind the procedures and why the girl was upset. The Indian lad, Jimmy, tried to do his best to compromise with them so they wouldn't be separated from their brother for long.

And Kitty was coming to help. Brilliant.

Setting down Josefina on a chair, Wisdom looked at Brian. "Best do as he says," he suggested grimly. "I'm staying until you're in." Which also meant he had to follow the procedure. Nothing like setting a good example. As laughable as the idea of him ever being a good example was.

Unbuttoning his coat, shrugged out of it. Jimmy immediately spotted the guns. "I must have the weapons as well," he explained grimly. "They will be cleaned and returned to you. It is-"

Pete held up a hand and took off his shoulder holster and handed it over to the Indian. "Where's the men's showers?" he asked. Jimmy nodded to the left and he headed off to the showers. At least he could use it as an excuse to avoid Kitty. And hopefully, the kids would show less fear if he did.

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