Cherry & Delia: 12PM
Once the Capitol had received word that it would be a few hours until they had the manpower to fix the busted hydrant and water main in the LBJ district, the Department of Vital Communications thought it a good opportunity to test out their new journalism department. Of course, there were ongoing issues worth covering, too, like the continued rebuilding of Austin and the vandalism and danger posed by the Hellhounds on the loose, but an impromptu street party was like a filler story come true. After all, how else was Cherry going to be able to cool off in the insane Austin heat while simultaneously continuing her new career in the Capitol?
(God, and how weird was that? A former bitch going to work every day among people who would've gladly thrown her under a bus a few months ago.)
After getting a few hours' worth of footage, pausing only to remove her shirt and use it to lightly dab at the sweat beading on her forehead and underneath her ponytail, Cherry gestured towards the food truck just a couple feet away. "Time for a break?"
Delia glanced over at her cohort, lowering her camera down from where she'd been holding it at the ready. This had been a welcome trip out compared to everything else she'd done since arriving. A busted fire hydrant causing an impromptu party where people were actually enjoying themselves and having a good time? It was a rarity in times like the ones they lived in, and even as an observer she'd found herself smiling more than normal.
“Yeah, absolutely,” she replied, letting the camera dangle from the strap around her neck as she reached up to smooth down loose bits of her hair that had strayed from how she had it pulled back, stepping over closer to the food truck. “When was the last time anything like this happened around here?”
"God, I don't even know." Cherry turned her own camera off as she followed Delia over to the truck, sparing one last glance over her shoulder at the party. "I mean, we had parties all the time over at the Greenbelt, and people like to go to The Bar to hang out, butI don't think there's ever been anything like this." People from all over Austin's districts were getting together in the streets while a couple of soldiers were carefully and peacefully watching to make sure the noise wouldn't attract the most unwanted of company…. It was epic in the best way. "
She reached behind herself to tuck her shirt into the waistband of her shorts, intent on not losing it, then pushed her hair out of her face as she perused the menu. "I guess things are really changing around here."
It was fun, simple as that. Delia was aware of the different districts, the different types of residents, had been around most of the city when she arrived, and it seemed like any kind of normal separation didn't matter just then. There were all sorts there enjoying the water, the carefree atmosphere of the day, and it felt almost like normal life again - were it not for the soldiers standing off to the side.
“For the better, I hope?” She offered Cherry a smile before looking at the menu. “I think this was a long time coming - a way for people to just have a chance to relax. That doesn't happen enough anymore.”
"I hope so. I mean, some people don't think it's for the better, as I know you know." It was their job, in the Department of Vital Communications, to know. Ugh. It all made Cherry so mad. "And hopefully people will get their shit together in time to make sure that's taken care of. Personally, I'm kind of hoping this was their doing and all of us being so happy about it is spiting them."
“There will always be those unhappy with how things are,” Delia replied with a shrug. Of course, the people in Austin who were unhappy seemed to be lashing out in rather destructive ways, but still. “If it was them, at least they gave everyone something to do today rather than putting graffiti on another building or something less… enjoyable.”