storywalks | she's a work in progress

[Hm. That is indeed a pickle. A point and a pickle. Maybe she's fretting about all this too much -- he knows what he's doing. She doesn't know how long he'd been at this before stumbling across her, but his ease of movement suggested that it wasn't anything new. The number of wounds, too. Ryder groans and runs both hands through her hair, eventually locking them behind her neck and looking around.]

I'm... Th-they could think I'm -- bitten, and that's why...I was able to. Like I didn't care anymore. [But she frowns, because then it's no good for them to see her, either. Plus she's not all splattered in old blood the way he was, and rolling around on the pile of corpses left outside is both counterproductive to his insistence on having space and super gross. She peeks up at him again, trying her best not to scowl and make it seem like it's him that's getting her all twisted up in anger -- not entirely successfully. She was concerned for him, and that was a major issue here, but that's more of a Ryder problem than anything.] If I'm staying in the car... Just make sure they don't see you. I've -- cried enough -- six months worth of tears. Got it?

Going down swinging... Sounds cool...

[He doesn't think he did that. No, he positive he didn't. Of what fractured pieces he can remember, that's one he tries to shove back down.

He meets her not-angry look with a blank one. At least, until she suggests that she'll cry extensively if he's hurt. He's sure she's exaggerating the number, but with her able to see it for once (if only in his eyes), he beams fondly.]

You got it... no tears... I'll be... invisible... Promise...

[How? Dare?? He???]

Wh-what -- [Ugh, she's too embarrassed to even ask what the heck he thinks he's smiling about. There was always the chance he'd tell her, and her face is already red and warm from this, her irritation, and how worked up she got from crying. Just completely wrecked.]

...Good. Just. Let's go.

[She seems flustered, but that just makes him smile more. She'll be spared in a moment once his goggles are back on and all manner of expression is once again lost. Up goes his hood, and as he rises to stand, on goes the quiver and bow.

It's not lost on him that by hiding away, he also loses some sense of humanity, but there's nothing he can do about it. Nothing safe, anyway.

He heads off once she's ready, taking up the machete, not for himself but to help her along. He hates to use it. He hates the way it feels. But, he'd rather this than watch her be eaten.

He stays alongside her until they reach the car and she can slip safely inside. He promises he'll be back and wishes her to rest well as she can. Then he's off scanning the buildings, looking for apartments. He avoids the ones that have had the front broken into. Anything with a single floor is out-- the dead can take the stairs but it still takes more dexterity and cooperation than a horde can easily handle. He finds one apartment which is almost perfect, until he hears the moaning in another room and opens the door to a horrible scene. He shuts the door on that faster than he strictly needs to.

There are no gunshots in the night which means the survivors are wise enough not to, far enough away, or already dead. He's honestly not sure which he hopes for. He just knows that he doesn't want to run into them again.

It's a trek, and not as good as the apartment he found, but he finds a serviceable hotel room. He clears the floor out, as well as the one directly above and below. The thing he likes best about the place is the way the garden around it is already overgrown. It feels like a warm welcome.

The sun has risen by then. He hopes she hasn't left the car. He's prepared to knock and wave, assuming she'll already be awake.]

[Despite his wishes for her to get some rest, Ryder stays awake and on alert for a good while, sitting close to the window so she can look up and down the street and see what might be coming. Nothing much. As worried as she is, even she can't keep herself from getting bored, and all those emotions from earlier have her wanting to crash pretty hard. Well... It's what he wants...and he did promise he was going to careful. With a grumble and a huff, Ryder stuffs down those unsettled feelings where she doesn't have to examine them too closely and curls up. It's not a very restful sleep, with her jolting awake and searching for danger even though the night is so much more still and quiet than it had been hours before, but it's more than nothing.

It's not until his knock that she finally cracks the door open. He isn't greeted with the delight he may have been getting used to, but she does smile for him, at least. A weary, relieved sort of smile.]

Hey. How'd it go?

[It doesn't look like he got into any trouble, at least...]

[He hopes he can make that tired smile a bright one again soon. It's nice to the smile still there, but he does worry about her. He greets her with as bright a tone as he can manage.]

Hotel across town... low, low price... of zero dollars... Out of... complementary... pillow mints though... You up for... a journey...?

[He wishes he could offer a hand out, to add to the game, but that is still and always too risky.]

Bed might suck... but it's better... than a car...

[Such a good man. It really is unbelievable that he's still ~~alive and~~ kicking...but then, that's why the distance had been necessary, and that distance is what made him so interested in following her notes. Hm, if she thinks too long about all that, she might feel awful again, and she doesn't want to feel awful! She wants to check out her sweet new hotel room.]

You say that to all the girls?

[It takes some doing to crawl out on her own with the heavy bag she drags along and swings onto her back, but once she's out and she stretches out the aches and pains from being cramped up so tensely. Oof.]

Okay... Okay.

[Lead the way, Teo... Ryder is happy to stay at his side again, and looking around the city as they go through feels weirdly nostalgic. When they come upon the hotel in question, her eyes widen in wonder. Maybe the actual room wouldn't be as ideal, but she can't help but feel like this is the better spot when she reaches to the wildly grown plants.]

A mystical forest... Used to be a simple witch hut here, but it became a rest stop. [Distracted and looking at the world rather than the person beside her or worrying over their situation, she doesn't have the same halting speech.] That's why all the rooms. You think there's a broom rental nearby?

[She smiles to herself a little, but looks a little pink again when she turns.]

Um. It's pretty.

[That's all she meant.]

[He sputters, laughs and coughs. If he colors or doesn't, there's no way she can see. Something, something tree falls in the woods.]

I can't believe... jawless Janie... would rat me out... like that...

[He hopes she knows that's a joke. He hopes that's not too tactless.

She gets up and then they're off. He leads the way and is pleased to find it's a relatively uneventful journey. Much of the dead moved off to chase the sounds of the guns. Only a few remain to wander or sit upon the ground with hanging heads, groaning.

He takes her to the overgrowth hotel and looks at her when story spills from her lips, filling blanks with details of what he only felt in his heart, thoughts more real than any realness around.]

Witches make... beautiful things... I should've... looked for mint leaves... not mint candies... more use... more green... The chauffeur... probably keeps...the brooms someplace.

[He gets the door for her, just because he can. He invites past the front desk with its bell and up the stairs. From there, he produces a key, unlocks the door, and lets them both in there too. It's as unmiraculous as any hotel room, everything unobtrusively bland to neither offend nor appeal to anyone. There are pamphlets on the table and a phone that won't work and a drawer full of dust.

When the door shuts behind them both, he sighs like they've gotten off a long plane trip and are just about ready to relax. Vacation from the apartment, he supposes. He strips off the jack and his weaponry then pauses.]

Do you... um... do... teeth... bother you...?

[A weird question but he doesn't know how better to put it.]

[Jawless Janie...]

Thought guys liked -- [uhhhh okay, no, bailing on her own tasteless addition about working jaws. Nobody needed that!

She's grateful, though, when he continues on in the world she's created like it's the most natural thing. It would have been hard to remember whether she was keeping her daydreams unspoken, after switching back and forth, but it would be even harder now to get used to not feeling the need to. There was someone that appreciated her words -- all of them, so he'd said. She happily trails behind, giving an exaggerated bow in return for his chivalrous acts, and notes with a private smile that it was fitting for witches to stick to metal keys for coming and going, rather than relying on the more modern keycards. Convenient, too. Without meaning to, she echoes his dramatic exhale and removes the pack to set gently on the bed she's crossed to.]

Hm? [weird question, but] I wanted to keep my wisdom teeth -- when they took 'em out. Dentist wouldn't let me.

[If it were visible, he would've lifted a brow real high at that aborted comment. Good god he doesn't need to think about that, nor does he really want to think about another undead getting real close like... that. That'll be saved for jokes alone.

She answers his weird question (an answer that makes him laugh softly), but he thinks he was maybe too vague. He hesitates a moment more. Then pulls off the goggles and hoodie too. This time the gaiter pulls up and he doesn't stop it, just dragging it off past his ponytail.]

I can... hide it... if it's upsetting...

[That is in itself a warning. He lifts back up, face at last fully exposed. What's left of his face anyway, with half his mouth torn away, a permanent Chelsea smile on display and equally permanent scratches left at his throat.]

[If he were talking to almost anyone else, the question wouldn't have been vague. Unfortunately, his roommate is a dumbass, and doesn't even look up until he's obviously prompting her to. Then she's staring again. Her brain is mostly stuttered on god that looks painful. Until a little voice in her head chimes that she really wants to poke his teeth through his cheek hole. No way he was going to let her do that, when he wouldn't even let her touch blood splattered on him. As she mentally swats that impulse away, Ryder's eyes trail to the side, but then she blinks and she's back on him.]

No, um. I want -- you to be comfortable. At least with me. [Okay, brain to mouth connection, you get ONE.] Does it -- hurt?

[The faintest smile pulls up, though of course only on the one side. It manages to reach his eyes all the same.

Comfortable. She's worried about him being comfortable. For a moment he just needs to sit with that.]

It's kind of... complicated...

[He starts to work off the ropes and all the things attached to him by it.]

The dead... ignore pain... nothing matters... more than hunger... so we sort of... shut off... keep going... even when there's... little left... It's not noticeable... the way that... a living person... feels pain... That's why... they don't stop... And why I can... keep going too...

[He drops the rope and everything onto the bed. His hand lifts, hovering by the tear.]

But it does... kind of hurt... when I pay attention...

[She wants to help him, mostly so that she isn't left stupidly watching him while he talks, but there isn't much she can do without getting in his way. Instead, she carefully sits on the bed and brings her legs up to hug around her ankles.]

Oh...

[It's cool, in a way. It appeals to her writer brain to have these gaps filled in where otherwise she could only guess -- it makes it all the more authentic, when she can't actually experience it herself (and still be considered "herself". But it isn't a story with a need for consistent worldbuilding. It's Teo's life. Or unlife? It's his reality -- that works.]

I guess...I'm -- kind of glad. Pain sucks, obviously, but it's -- good. That you can feel it and know you're, um. Feeling it. Can you feel...other things? [And that point about hunger...] I know you want me to save -- food for myself. I don't mind.

[He looks uncertain, at first. But the way she seems to work through it, once again, no fear, no disgust. He allows himself to sit on the edge of the bed, careful not to touch too much.

He smiles faintly and nods. He's not sure anyone else would've seen it that way, but he thinks she's right. He feels pain. Therefore, he's himself. Her question brings the smile to fade though. He looks away.]

I hunt because... it's fresh... it's... alive... It calms down... whatever this is... Clears my head...

It's not... real hunger... just feels... like it... Doesn't go away... Normal food... doesn't help... So I don't... Not fair to take... what living people... need...

[So, he wouldn't be taking from her either.]

Other things... feel touch... feel... mm... tired is weird... not needed... just... helps feel less... crazy. [He laughs weakly.] Dead don't sleep... but I do... Emotions... I feel those...

Oh.

[She feels like she's said that a lot today, with as much as she'd thought it, stumped at every turn in the conversation -- wait, it's a new day. That changes things! All is well! Suddenly not at all defeated about any of this! With a soft sigh, Ryder rests her chin on her knees and thoughtfully looks around the room. The rest of what he says actually lifts her spirits a bit. It was true that he felt emotions and had demonstrated as much -- she didn't need that reminder so much -- and he didn't let her touch him. He didn't sleep the same as someone living would. But it's still reassuring.]

You can take your turn -- to rest, if you want. Did you already search through the rest of it? [Ryder gestures at the door as a means of conveying "everything outside this room".] I -- can see what else we can bring here and use.

[Another faint "oh", but it's kind of a relief in a way. There was never going to be a nice reaction to that admission of truth, so a simple faint acknowledge is just fine with him. It's better than he would have hoped.]

Thanks... Um... I checked for... the dead... not for supplies... This floor... floor above... and below... only a few rooms... on each... Key is... a master key... I think... Didn't check higher... and...

[He hums and peers at the window, like he might be able to see from the bed.]

Wonder if there's... a pool...

[If it's already contaminated, then he can use it. If it's not, he'll leave it to her. Maybe, if he's lucky, there will be a divided hot tub and one or the other of them can wash their things in that.]

Keep your weapon... close by... when you explore... just in case... Until we... search everything...

[A pool... Ryder's eyes widen as she considers it. She was going to go see about the state of the kitchen area to see if she could find gloves and help spark some more memories for him, but this new possibility has her selfishly even more excited. Couldn't drink pool water, so she could use it however she wanted without feeling guilty. Hotels always had those little shampoos everywhere...and sometimes amazing bathrobes and slippers. That's what books and TV have told her, and she's going to be sorely disappointed if it turns out that's not true.

The reminder about her weapon shakes her out of her imagination.]

Yeah. Of course. [She knows she's caused him a lot of trouble by not being careful, so it comes with a spike of guilt, but she'd prove it this time that he didn't have to worry so much about her. No talking to herself knowing he's got her back today!!!

Okay. Back on her feet. Ryder goes to retrieve her hatchet and double check herself for obvious loose bits that would leave her in danger of getting caught on something, tripping, or being grabbed if something went wrong. Satisfied, she looks over to Teo and gives a half-smile and a little salute.] I'll see you soon.

[The last thing she grabs to get ready is a marker.

It's easy goings, for obvious reasons. Still, she doesn't remark on witches' reputations ruining their check-in rate. There are plenty of signs that people had been there when disaster hit, and even a floor she suspects housed survivors for a time. Not much in the way of supplies there, but she finds a laundry service cart that doesn't make too much noise to use for transporting things. Stairs with it were a little awkward, but after ensuring they were clear, she doesn't find herself wanting to complain too much. Everywhere else, it was ideal.

Ryder hits up the other spots, too, and though she doesn't leave the building, she sneakily checks the outdoors through each window she comes across -- and tests how sturdy the lower level ones are, just in case. It's boring when she doesn't let herself weave stories, but necessary. The regret there isn't nearly as great as when she curiously opens what was once the freezer. Nice addition of vomit to the horrid smell of rotting, spoiled meats shut away. It takes a good few minutes to recover from that one -- even the undead weren't that bad! Well, maybe if she found a stack of undead kept in a sealed closet, that might change her mind. She does find a few zombie strays about, thankfully not in a closet, that she easily dispatches, and she can't even be too upset about the more disgusting parts of her trip or the overall lack of still-edible items, with what she stocks up on.

Ryder would pause outside their room to listen for Teo being awake or not, but she figures he'd rather her let it be known that she was back and safe than have him wake up to a still-empty room. She's already been gone for quite a while. Even though she's being quieter about it, she decides to ride her laundry cart in like a weird scooter as proof of just how okay she is.

Behold her basket of shit that includes: robes and slippers (that were indeed pretty soft), extra bedding, clothes deemed clean enough, a knife block and its accompanying knives, a whetstone (rad), rubber cleaning gloves (not as good as nitrile in terms of dexterity, but she'd take what she could get), a few cans of food, an apron (for fun), stray sodas and bottles of water that had escaped theft before (not many), a bottle of wine and an opener (can undead get drunk? science demands she pursue this inquiry), coffee beans (brain said cronch, which she can't resist for much longer), a stock of batteries, a flashlight, a basic toolkit, four packs of matches, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste (no toothbrush that she'd been able to find), soap, bubble bath mix, a comb, scissors, comment cards, writing utensils, a fire extinguisher (why not?), a well-loved bunny toy with long legs (depressing; she's named him), iodine, a basic first aid kit, garbage bags, and so much toilet paper (so, so much).

In a loud whisper not too unlike his regular speaking voice,] Ryder of the apocalypse and Chancellor Bounce, here and ready to report, sir!

Edited 2021-11-25 17:38 (UTC)

[The way her eyes widen, seeing it makes his smile widen to match, teeth showing on the other side so he looks just slightly less lopsided. Her delight is a gift. That he can help bring it out is even more of one.

He'd hate to know she feels guilty. That's not something he meant for. He only knows that he hasn't checked this place as thoroughly and wouldn't want that to come back around and bite her... literally.

She salutes and his smile persists. He salutes back.]

See you soon.

[He doesn't sleep on the bed this time, as much as that's been a luxury this past while. He's still pretty filthy from the slaughter at the apartment. He settles on the floor, sitting up and leaning in a corner where the wall meets a dresser.

His dreams are less of an adventure, but he's okay with that. He hasn't enjoyed many of the "adventures" he's embarked on. He feels himself floating somewhere in between asleep and awake. Although he appreciates the rest, her arrival is much more welcome.

When the door opens and she scoots in, his grin stretches wide. He gets to his feet.]

Chancellor Bounce... you've come a long way... from the rabbit hole... pleased to make your... acquaintance. [He bows. Then he looks into the cart.]

You've found... a bounty... How does it feel... being the wealthiest woman... in the apocalypse?

[What a ridiculous, sad man. He could have slept on the bed...but she imagines there's no point in telling him that, when he thought of himself as infectious as he did. Instead, she gives a please smile and has Chancellor Bounce bow along with her. Leaning into the theatrics, she speaks with ease.]

He says the pleasure is all his, good sir Teo. [As for how she feels...] I say, what is wealth when there's nary a soul to share it with? So I turn it onto you -- how does it feel? For we will be wealthy together.

[Chancellor Bounce gets propped against the headboard and Ryder turns to look over the basket again, hands triumphantly on her hips.]

I marked the rooms I emptied or were -- no good. But -- all this isn't even the best part. Pool across building, and -- one outdoors. That one's pretty bad. Bookshelf in sitting area sucks. Kitchen -- useable, as long as you don't open freezer, fridge, or pantry. Not much for food that's still -- good.

[The little bow makes him laugh, quiet and breathy. Everyone was so serious these days, and he understands why, he's fallen into it too. But he likes this much better. Sir Teo he will be. He presses a hand to his still heart to go along with the rabbit's well wishes.]

Feels... fantastic...

[Despite her own self-doubt, he already know she was capable. One had to be, to make it this far. But it's exciting to share in the feeling of victory. It feels more like that instead of just another gruelling duty to be performed.]

That's... very good news... Shame about... the bookshelf... but we can... work on that... I'll get searching... for food supplies... in the city... but first... Dibs... on the outdoor pool...

[It's not that he prefers the gross one, but she's still living and he can't get infected more. He'd have washed off in a fountain or river otherwise anyway.]

[Ah -- ]

But it's -- bad.

[Ryder should have expected it, and she realizes that before the words finish coming out of her mouth, doesn't change the fact that at first -- for that littlest bit -- it catches her off guard. Even if he was dead, even if he didn't want to take from the living like her... Biting her lip, she frowns at the ground.]

What if -- we filled something else with the cleaner water, or -- tried to strain it or something first? Even if you can't get sick, I don't -- like the idea. Dead bugs and -- plants. Getting inside you.

[It sounds awful, miserable...dehumanizing. Teo was worth more than that.]

[He blinks as his enthusiasm is met with a metaphorical "stop, do not pass go" sign.

She makes some good suggestions. And, she leaves him with some very bad images. His face scrunches, and his hands fold over his stomach as though he's nauseous. Bugs inside. Yeah, that's a bad thought.]

...Right... that's... smarter probably.

[He looks down, embarrassed. Then sighs.]

Guess I should... go hunt first... anyway... What about you...? Plans for tonight..?

[She opens her mouth, ready to fire words she hadn't fully thought of yet right back at him, but closes it again with a dumbfounded look when he doesn't fight her on it. Being fair, bugs inside is a very bad mental image. It takes her a bit to change gears, and when she does she looks only slightly less stunned? She points out the door.]

Um. [Right, right! She did have something to say about this, too.] I saw -- bunnies. Outside. ...Chancellor Bounce says you have a permit to hunt as you see fit. And, um, signs of mice, I think. On -- few different floors.

[Plans, though... Ryder looks from the fruits of her labor to the door, to Teo, then back down again.]

After getting -- something ready for you, I'll -- bathe, probably. Too. Maybe try -- getting things clean so we can use them. Cooking and stuff. [Or so they could use them for her, seeing as Teo didn't have particularly strict food prep needs.

...Oh!] Drinks! Celebrate moving in, I guess? Mostly -- I wanted to see if -- you could.

[It's strange. He steps around his own eating habits, he'd just expect she'd do the same, maybe more so. But she's kept an eye out and is offering suggestions too. She's even roping it into the game, to soften the edges of it.]

Chancellor Bounce... is very generous... Thank you... Never tried mice...

[Those tend to be small. It doesn't satisfy the pressing urge to bite. But it's worth a try.

He nods along, smiling faintly, then a little warmer at her suggestion.]

Haven't tried... that either... Baths and drinks... We really are... in luxury...

[He's allowed to have spooky needs. He's still her spooky godfather, on top of that whole best friend thing he'd fallen into. Besides, she'd already tried offering regular food more than once, and with it apparently doing nothing for him, there was no point in shying away from their odd reality.

Ryder tries not to show just how pleased she is that he's down with her plan, too embarrassed by her own enthusiasm, but that less theatrical, happy smile that had appeared at the promise of books is back.]

Well -- we deserve it. Other people are exhausting. I'll -- meet you back here...?

Edited 2021-11-26 15:08 (UTC)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject