InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "The things I do for love..."

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 07:50 pm UTC (link)

There was no way on God's post zombie apocalypse earth Brian was going to willingly hand his baby sisters off to some man. Pete Wisdom had been one man on his own in frozen tundra. In theory they could have handled him at least four ways and been on their way. This one was an entirely different sort. At least three times Brian's size, he had a look to him that while not necessarily aggressive was definitely intimidating. He knew better than to judge someone on look alone, but he wasn't judging, he was assessing a threat. For the moment, the man was a very large one. Literally and figuratively.

Unfastening the straps, he eased Ynes and Lourdes from their positions against him, handing one to his eldest sister. Turning with the youngest he regarded Kitty. "Thank you," he said, offering her the toddler. "I really appreciate it."

The faster they could all get clean and decontaminated - which was still slightly mind boggling - the sooner they could see this Josh.

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little_jim
2011-02-04 07:55 pm UTC (link)

Jimmy couldn't blame Brian for his refusal. He stepped back. "We still need your weapons," he reminded the younger man softly. "Please." It was an important detail, and hopefully not one they felt like arguing over much.

Once he had secured their belongs to be decontaminated, he looked over to Kitty again. "I will get them clothes and check over the man." He didn't know his name, but it at least gave Jimmy something useful to do.

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set_to_stun
2011-02-04 08:06 pm UTC (link)

Kitty watched Brian's moment of decision and, after a brief glance at Jimmy, she stepped forward to take the child. Ynes felt very small in her arms--the last child Kitty had held was Sylvie Beaubier, who was slight for four but still a healthy child. Ynes, by comparison, looked to be both younger and smaller. She folded one side of her jacket around the child even in the relative warmth of the gatehouse.

She nodded to Jimmy, her dark eyes conveying appreciation for his efforts. She admired him and although they didn't often speak, Kitty always liked to see him--he inspired a certain confidence in their situation. The way he handled this situation only reaffirmed her esteem for him.

"The showers are this way," She nodded towards the door towards the women's showers, "Brian, are you coming in?"

Unfamiliar with holding children as she was, she rubbed Ynes's back as she spoke, hoping it was somewhat calmative. The toddler's troubled breathing was evident by touch, the rasping noise combined with a strange vibration. Kitty had never felt that before, but she reminded herself that Josh and Hank would be down shortly.

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	seehowtheyrun 2011-02-04 08:25 pm UTC (link)
	"I'll wait outside," he informed her. He'd handle his decontamination once he was sure they were in new clothes. By then, perhaps Pete would be done. The man had proved himself trustworthy as far as Brian was concerned. The girls could wait with him until Brian was done. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

little_jim
2011-02-04 08:57 pm UTC (link)

Jimmy took all the gear, which considering they'd made it from wherever still alive wasn't surprising. He took them to a secure area to be decontaminated, then took off his shirt and scrubbed his hands well before binding his hair back so it wouldn't get in anything while he was cleaning.

He grabbed clothes for all the girls from the stores and sweats for all the adults, leaving the females on the female side of the gatehouse. He stopped in front of Brian, knowing this might end up being a battle of wills. "I need you to go clean up yourself and the dog please," he said quietly. "I will call you when the room is cleaned. Until then, stay in the shower area."

All of this was necessary to prevent cross contamination. He settled the other three pairs of sweats on the racks near the men's half of the showers and then waited for Brian. Once he complied, then Jimmy could clean the area. By that time, the doctor and Josh would be along.

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	seehowtheyrun 2011-02-04 09:06 pm UTC (link)
	"Is Pete finished yet?" he asked, back still to the wall just to the left of the door to the women's showers. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	little_jim 2011-02-04 09:10 pm UTC (link)
	Jimmy heaved out a long breath. "I cannot let your sisters or Pete out into this area until I have cleaned it. Or else all of the cleaning of everyone will be for nothing." He didn't want to tell the boy that if he didn't comply, he would be forced to make him leave. "Please." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

seehowtheyrun
2011-02-04 09:33 pm UTC (link)

Brian stood. "Hoone." He made a gesture with his chin and the dog padded over to the door of the men's showers. Brian got up slowly, pushing against the wall and crossing the room. He kept Jimmy's gaze the entire way, making double sure the psionic trigger he was tagging him with would hold. There were still many things about his powers Brian was learning. He'd never tagged someone so massive before. He hoped it would hold, if it came to be needed.

Pushing the door open, he kneed Hoone gently to send the dog in, before following himself.

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