Benjamin DeWitt

One hand on the trigger, one hand on the cross. Jesus & his family are two things he's lost.

[tessa-campbell-archer]

I gave him the idea. [Tessa says flatly, looking at Kris. She doesn’t feel guilty about it, and though she’d heard that Kris had stopped it, that was all she had heard on the subject and since Jessica had taken them to the prison it hadn’t seemed like anything worthy of discussing. The goal had been met, They had found their people. She glances at Ben to explain to him, albeit the shortened version.] Jessica came back and said you all were attacked and made it sound like you were pretty much dead. Then Gideon came back and gave us the real story. He took us as far as we could and we followed the fucked up trail that was left behind, but we didn’t know where to go and Jessica did nothing but talk in fuckin’ Jesus circles. We had no idea where you were, what condition you were in. We needed to get to the prison and Jessica wasn’t giving it up. Thomas tried to get the information in a new way since being nice was getting us dick. [Tessa looks at Kris and shrugs.] He wasn’t wrong. He did the right thing, and he it may have been fucked up, but we live in a fucked up world and sometimes you need to do a bad thing for the right reasons.

[kris-shepard]

And the only reason why I didn’t say anything about is well… you know… kinda had the living shit beat out of me and been out for a while and now I’m on the mend. Makes talking about things that have been going on kinda hard to do. [Kris starts.[ He didn’t do much. Was probably just getting started. [Kris explains bluntly. First Tessa didn’t tell her about the pregnancy and now this? Maybe Kris made the wrong choice in thinking Tessa could be apart of this. Her voice doesn’t rise but it’s incredibly cold and calm, probably an accurate representation of who she was becoming or already became.] But seriously Tessa? I’m sorry, but what in the hell? I understand you gotta make calls, but when Ben was gone and out, you and I were what was left this  so-called council and the whole point of the council is to make decisions together or at least talk about what we could do together.  But seems like lately you’ve just been wanting to deal with stuff on your own. [Kris says, her voice devoid of any sort of emotion. If the comment is cold and callous, Kris is pretty sure she doesn’t care right now. Maybe she will later, but that has yet to be seen.] And yeah there’s some shit that we gotta do and make the hard decisions, defend the people we’re sworn to protect in this group, but if we do shit like torture? Then we’re no fucking better than those demon followers. Because I’m pretty fucking sure they thought the same damn thing thinking they were dong bad things for the right reasons. 

[benjamin-dewitt]

Alright, ladies. {Benjamin cuts through the conversation, stern voice barely above his normal speaking tone. He wants to break this up before he has to treat them like children. Arguments will happen. And he knows they all won't always get along or see eye to eye. But he isn't involved in this situation, and interjecting with a more objective point of view is the right thing to do.} We ain't gonna start throwin' fists over this now.

{He pauses, taking a slow breath of air as he leans forward on the desk, missing the fact that he couldn't lace his fingers together in a gesture that means business. He settles for resting his hand atop the metal structure that makes up the rest of his arm.} Kris, Ah understand you're point of view on this. And as much as Ah'd like to say that these drastic measures won't be necessary, the truth of the matter is that we're livin' in a war zone. This is war. We gotta be willin' to get our hands dirty to keep our people safe. If nothin' else works, Ah hate to say it, but that mighta been the only way y'all woulda gotten anythin' outta that lady.

{But then Benjamin turns to look at Tessa, his attention upon her because he isn't entirely siding with her either.} At the same time, Miss Tessa, we make decisions as a group. No one here gets to play dictator and do it all. You shoulda spoken to Kris about this first before ya told Thomas it was alright. Perhaps some sort of compromise could've been made.

[tessa-campbell-archer]

[Tessa straightens immediately and looks at the woman. Her mind races for a moment, trying to understand why he would need to come up in a council meeting.] What exactly do we need to talk about him for? [She asks, and though her voice is far from threatening, it’s unhappy. She doesn’t like being blindsided, and if this was the way someone wanted to tell her there was an issue with her husband, she would have preferred some kind of warning.] 

[kris-shepard]

[Kris lets out a heavy sigh and looks up from the floor, arms remaining folded across her chest.] Just before we stormed the prison and got everyone back. Thomas took it into his hands to start torturing Jessica. I don’t know what in the fuck gave him the idea that he could do that because I sure as hell didn’t. I came in and stopped it before things got really bad. Now, I don’t care if she was turned out to be an enemy in the end, torturing people is not something we fucking do. It’s not what I want this group to fucking be. 

[benjamin-dewitt]

{Benjamin watches the two woman in silence, nothing the impatient quality in both their tones. This might get ugly fast, despite it being unlike Kris, he believes, to get into an argument with Tessa. However, the subject matter is interesting, something he had not been told about.} Hold up now. Thomas did what? {Mostly, he’s surprised at the revelation. He had never spent much time speaking with Thomas. And while it’s a little unnerving to think one of their own had tortured another, he believes the reason is important.} Someone mind fillin’ me in on exactly what happened while Ah was gone?

[wesleykelley-deactivated2016050]

[It seemed as though everyone was wandering off to give themselves some space from the group. Everyone still needed time alone or time to be quiet. In all honesty, Wes is tired of it. He actually wants some company and it’s a strange thing indeed. Not really sure where most people he’d consider himself close to currently are — a thought which panics him but is quickly pushed aside because they wouldn’t all just up sticks and leave — he hopes they wouldn’t, at least — Wes has gone for a walk.]

[Maybe it’s nostalgia that has Wes wandering into the police station. Maybe it’s simply where his feet took him. Wes does not actively search through the place. Just looks round. Instead the gun’s held a little lax in his hands as he steps through the almost silent place. Walking round the edges of the desks as though they were populated and he was being directed to the back.]

[A shuffle of papers pulls him from his wandering thoughts. One office’s door is ajar. He approaches slowly at first, reaffirming his grip on the weapon before stepping into the door way. Gun and shadows at the ready. Only to see it’s another member of the group.] Afternoon.

[benjamin-dewitt]

Afternoon, son. {It seems Benjamin has been caught in the police station, fingers rustling through noisy papers. He isn't sure what he'd truly been looking for, like a clue to the message on the wall might be hidden in the town's history. But he knows that isn't true. Straightening his spine, he smiles kindly at Wes, giving a nod of his head in greeting.} Guess Ah can't be yellin' at ya for bein' out on your own when Ah've done the same.

[tessa-campbell-archer]

[Tessa shoves her hands in her pockets so they won’t see her clenched fists. She’s just waiting for the yelling, or for them to ask her to walk away, for the disappointment to show up on their faces. At Kris’s question she looks up and shrugs lightly.] I took a test maybe the first week we were at the mall? I tried to like, count shit out. I think I’m like fifteen weeks in. If I did the math right. [She explains. When Benjamin speaks up, she almost doesn’t to meet his gaze. It travels along the floor before finding his face. He says he thinks she’s stepping down for the wrong reasons and she just stares at him, a bit confused for a moment.] I just thought you guys would want me to. [She says, a bit dumbly. Instead of either of them telling her she was an idiot, or a child, or just plain reckless, Ben was going on about her health. Tessa wanted to run and hug the older man, and hold onto him for a moment jut to thank him for not making her feel as small as she had been making herself feel over the past few weeks. She doesn’t though, because he’s not her father nor is he someone she thinks she’s close enough with to do that, so she just straightens up and nods her head once, decisively.] Stress? I don’t stress. I’m awesome. [She says.] I can still do patrols for now, and I can do whatever else you need me to do. I won’t do anything stupid and I know that pretty soon I’m gonna have to take it slow, but for now I want to take advantage of the time I have left to be useful. Also, you guys are the only ones who know now… except Thomas. I don’t expect to keep it hidden, but I’m not really ready to advertise this. Especially not on the heels of losing people and getting rid of a demon and now finding these messages. We should just handle everything quietly. [She glances back at Ben and nods.] So, if you still want me Mr. Dewitt, I’m ready when you are to go check for more of those messages.

[kris-shepard]

[There’s a slight twinge of minor anger when Tessa says that she took a test and found out at the god damn mall. That was ages ago and she didn’t tell her about it then? God. And here Kris thought that Tessa considered her a close friend. But beyond that, she had kept this secret from them for so long  when really she should have told them right away because it didn’t just affect her, but the entire group as a whole. But chastising her would do any good, not for Tessa, not for Kris and not for the group. They had to focus on the here and now and just getting ready.] I’m with Benjamin on this. Most of all, I just want you to take it easy as much as you can and think of your health first and foremost. I’m still gathering stuff for Noah, so I’ll grab everything I can come across and we can even use Noah’s stuff as handy-me-downs since they should fit. But Benjamin, it’s your call if you want to take Tessa. If not I’ll go instead. 

[benjamin-dewitt]

We'll still go. {Benjamin says with a confident nod after a moment of consideration.} But we'll bring someone else. Miss Tessa, Ah'll let you pick the third person. Someone you trust. But Kris, you should stay here. Can't have all of the council ambushed at once, if we can help it. {He gives a small, lazy shrug of his shoulders before a distant smile pulls at the corner of his lips.} My wife usually stopped working at about 32 weeks. Ah would've wanted her to stop earlier, but Ah never won a single argument 'gainst my wife. Ah'd prefer you not go longer, but if ya'd like to stop patrols before, that's fine. If ya don't mind, however, Ah'm keepin' you surrounded. Less patrol hours and two people on your shift. Don't want anythin' happenin' that could've been avoided.

{And while Benjamin refuses to chastise Tessa like a child over the pregnancy, he does fix her with a stern look at the mention of stress.} This is a serious matter, Miss Tessa. Now, Ah've seen you workin' your little rear off when things went a little haywire. Don't you be lyin' to me, girl, and sayin' you never stress. 32 weeks. You stop there. Patrols. Council, unless it's an emergency. Whatever ya don't need to have a hand in, ya won't. {His tone is serious but not condescending. Tessa doesn't need that and Benjamin hopes she'll simply listen to him.} After that little tyke is born, you won't be goin' back to patrols for awhile. Like Miss Rose. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

[tessa-campbell-archer]

[Tessa nods along, not feeling as though she has much of a place to contribute at this point. Really, it was whatever Ben and Kris decided. When she hears her name, Tessa raises her eyes to look at Benjamin, and something twists inside of her and she knows what it is, but she tries not to think about it and instead lowers her eyes to the ground. She wants to immediately say yes, but she knows that she’s not done telling them things they deserve to know.]

Alright, yeah, if you still want me to after I tell you this next bit. [She says, steeling herself at looking up at him with a brief nod, trying to be as detached and businesslike as possible.] I’m not sure if uh… Okay, it’s not that I don’t… balls. [Tessa sighs and wipes her hands over her face, because she’s not sure how to say it, and she knows she’s going to just have to come out with it, but she wishes there were a better way.] Alright, so I’m knocked up. [She says, dropping her hands and glancing briefly at the both of them before dropping her eyes to the floor.] And before you ask, yes, I’m sure. And even though I wouldn’t have a problem staying on and helping… I’m not sure I’m the kind of person you want, or anybody wants, making decisions for them. Because as far as fuck ups go, this one is pretty big. [She says, resting a hand over the small swell of her stomach, hidden mostly by the oversized flannel she’d been favoring the past few weeks. Tessa can feel her cheeks burning, and she rarely blushes so it only stings her pride all the more.] I’ll still help however and wherever you guys need me, I’m not telling you this because I want an out. I just think that this group needs people it can trust and rely on to make good decisions, and I’m literally going to a walking billboard of what not to do in the Apocalypse. If anything, people are going to lose respect for me, and when that happens it’s only going to make trying to enforce rules or doing anything even remotely ‘bossy’ that much harder, so… [Tessa shrugs and glances up again, trying to prepare herself for the fallout.] I just felt that you guys deserved to know what was going on, and, yeah.

[kris-shepard]

[Kris’s brow puckers in confusion when Tessa says the part about still wanting her. But the next explanation has her eyes widening, heart stopping and stomach dropping to her feet. She’s silent for a moment because all she’s thinking of is what they’re gonna need to do to make this as easy as they could for Tessa, thinking about what supplies they need and how to get ready. They did it with Rose and they can do it again. Though now dealing with two babies in the group was going to be difficult] Shit… when… when did you find out? [She manages to stammer out because to say that she’s tongue tied, is an understatement.]

[benjamin-dewitt]

{Benjamin's stomach drops and he can't help the sudden wave of disappointment. He wouldn't voice that to her. It wouldn't help at all, even if Tessa doesn't hold his opinion with much weight. And the emotion wouldn't do any of them any good. She's pregnant, and while he wishes she would've chosen better words than just "knocked up", they have to plan for her pregnancy and delivery and spend less time chastising her on if the baby is irresponsible or not. Life had to be continued living, and while it might've been wise to try and secure a baby when they could find a safe place to settle, there would be another baby in the group whether they like it or not.

So Benjamin chooses his next words as carefully as possible, kind gaze upon a little girl growing up quickly.} If you feel you should step down, Miss Tessa, we aren't gonna fight you on that. But, if you wouldn't mind my opinion, Ah think you'd be doin' it for the wrong reasons. If women in caves thousands of years ago didn't get pregnant than we wouldn't have a human race, and Ah'm thinkin' their situation was fairly similar to ours.

{But Benjamin pauses for a minute, to collect his thoughts.} Now, most importantly, your health. Ah don't want you stressin' over group affairs when you're cookin' up a bun in the oven. And Ah don't think you should be patrollin' in this state. However, Ah know you well enough now to know that Ah can't just force bed rest upon ya in a few months. We'll find some things for you to do that'll still be helpful to the group but are a little less jeopardizing to your health and Ah won't be arguin' with you on that. We gon' keep this baby healthy and happy so that it pops out nice and strong.

[tessa-campbell-archer]

[Tessa looks between the two of them as she speaks, trying to divide her attention equally between them.] It was just the one message, but I don’t doubt there are more. It pretty much said there were more. [She says, and there’s no disguising the fact that she’s not looking forward to seeing another one. When Ben asks her for the truth she turns to look at him sharply, shoulders tightening for a fraction as she anticipates some kind of scolding or to be reprimanded, and it doesn’t ease when she hears the question. Nothing could relax her right now, not really. She looks steadily at Ben, and no part of her wants to raise anyone’s hopes, but she nods her head.] I think coincidence is becoming more and more rare. Sure, there might be more Charlies left in the world… but we just happen to find a message for one days after we lose a Charlie ourselves? [She questions, looking between the two of them once more.] Come the fuck on. What are the odds of that? [She’s quiet for a moment, waiting to see their reactions and shifting nervously as she waits to admit to her mistakes.]

[kris-shepard]

[Kris looks down at her worn and beat up boots as she folds her arms across her chest. She wants to believe that it is Charlie, their Charlie but something just doesn’t add up.] I think it’s a coincidence. I mean, I would love to believe it, but Charlie’s a common enough name. Could be talking to any Charlie.  [Kris says, her voice business-like, hiding everything that she’s feeling below the surface.] I still think that we should check around town though for anymore of those messages though. See what they say, see if there’s a set destination they had in mind or if there’s warnings. And maybe they’ll be something that’ll prove it’s not just a coincidence. Who knows. [She’s not entirely sure if they’ll follow it though. In her mind the end goal will always be California.] 

[benjamin-dewitt]

Now, Ah'm not sayin' that it is. And Ah reckon you might be right, Kris. But, for argument's sake, what's the likelihood of this bein' Samson and the rest of 'em? If they're goal is California, could be headin' down this road. Not like we'd been split consciously. Any effort to reconnect the group, well, Ah don't see why it couldn't be from 'em. {Benjamin gives a light shrug of his shoulders. He agrees with both of the girls. Many Charlie's in the world. But coincidence is not something the group had been experiencing much of recently.}

Keep this to yourselves. {He suddenly directs with a natural authority.} Don't want anyone gettin' their hopes up or losin' their ever-lovin' minds over a few messages. Meantime, Miss Tessa, you and Ah can scout out a few more places after you show me the one ya found. See if we can locate more signs from whoever wrote this.

{Benjamin's lips curve into a thin, polite smile at Tessa as he nods his head, already making up his mind on the direction and he's certain the young girl wouldn't refuse.}

[tessa-campbell-archer]

[Kris was back to all business, and it’s nothing Tessa didn’t expect, so she tries to match it as best she could. Part of her wants to tell the woman to sit down and take a breath before she puts herself back on bed rest, but she doesn’t. It’s not her place.] In a house half a block up the street. It wasn’t ransacked or anything, just kinda abandoned. No signs of violence. It was in the master bedroom. It said ‘Find us. Follow the signs, Charlie. We’re waiting.’. [She tells them and she can’t help but wonder if they’re minds jump to hope first. The hope that this was a message for the Charlie they had just lost. A message from Samson and Eli, from the ones they had lost to the fog.] It was written in spray paint, not like, blood or anything. Looked old though. Couple of weeks at the least. [She notes, glancing down and picking at one of the multitude of scabs across her knuckles where she had tried to beat the words off the wall.] ‘Follow the signs’ though. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s more shit like that in this town… which does seem completely abandoned, by the way. It’s like everyone just up and left. No big fight, no nothing. Just packed up the essentials and ran. [Tessa explains.] 

[kris-shepard]

[Kris’s brow furrows and her eyes widen slightly at the mention of Charlie’s name. But she quickly reigns it in. It’s impossible. Charlie was at the back of the convoy and there’s no way she could have gotten there before them or even Kris’s own car which was usually towards the front of the pack. And before Kris can even say it, Tessa says that it looked old confirming her suspicions that it’s probably not their Charlie. Though a few more details stick out to have her that have her asking more questions. The message itself i cryptic but it just reminds her of the dead end that was Quantico.] Did you find any more messages or just the one?

[benjamin-dewitt]

Would ya mind takin' me to this, Miss Tessa? Ah'd like to see it for myself. {Benjamin informs her, lacking any sort of condescending tone to his voice that might make her believe he's trying to belittle her or insinuate she's lying. But he would like to see the message in person, and maybe the two of them could scout for more along the way and after. Because he agrees with her. There had to be more messages littered around this town, and perhaps that's why the people who might've lived here fled, leaving cryptic messages behind to let only one person know their location. And he can't help the quick surge of hope that it's Samson and the rest of them, followed by the quick pang of guilt that he hadn't saved who the words could be written for.} Want the truth from you, Tessa. You thinkin' this message is for Charlie, our Charlie?

[tessa-campbell-archer]

[Tessa doesn’t reply to Ben’s question and instead gives another small smile and a nod.] Hey. [She says. Tessa can’t shake the distant feeling she has, and maybe it’s because of everything that had happened. Ben being captured. Kris being unconscious. She wasn’t sure, but she tried to ignore it and get down to work.] Seems like people have two modes. Either they didn’t know Charlie and Kimi well enough to care, or they’re messed up over it. Cian’s barely come out of his car, but Josie’s with him at least. [She says with a small shrug.] I’ll be honest, I’ve been doing perimeter runs for the most part. Haven’t checked in with too many people.

[Tessa sucks in a deep breath and looks at the both of them.] I actually have a thing, to tell you guys. Well, it’s two things. But uh, I found a message today. [She says, and she knows it wasn’t a delicate delivery, but she thinks it’s important they know, and thinking about Charlie makes it hard to ignore. It could have been a message for the dead woman, and there was only one way to really know.]

[kris-shepard]

That’s how it’s gonna be. [Kris responds quietly as she folds her arms carefully over her chest, wincing slightly when she does it too roughly ad makes the wounds on her chest ache.] Just let them deal with in their own way and give them time. If people have to process this then let them, if Cian wants to stay in his car with Josie then let him… but at the same time they can’t do it forever… [Kris herself wanted to mourn, but she couldn’t. Not in her position because she felt that she couldn’t afford it. But she really did love Charlie and looked out for the younger red head. Sure she thought the way that way that Charlie always seemed to look at her like she was something to look up to would forever confuse Kris, but she didn’t mind. And now she was gone, she had never even gotten to speak to her after the prison. Another one of the original New York members gone. At this point, it’s probably just down to her, Jack and Kip. And then Kimi. Sweet Kimi who she had helped picked out a dress out for date with Bobby back at the white house. Who had watned to get Kris a dress of her own and who brightened the group a little more with her presence and her cooking. Another face she’d never see again and another failure on her shoulders.]

[Beyond Charlie and Kimi there’s a lot on Kris’s mind and shit that she needs to bring to the table. She needs to ask them what happened in the two weeks she was out, who the the new people were, what their marks were, where they stood with supplies and things in that matter. Also there was the issue of Thomas torturing someone. Sure in the end Jessica was an enemy but was not something she was comfortable with and the fact that it happened without anyone talking to her about it makes her think that Thomas acted on his own. And like hell was she just going to let that slide by. But Tessa’s words cut her off. The woman’s brow furrows at the news because Natalie had told her about the message she and Benjamin had found on their run several months back and already Kris is getting ready for another eerie message of that nature.] Where’d you find it and what did it say?

[benjamin-dewitt]

{Benjamin nods along, thinking of the people he's seen mourning. Cian hadn't been a large concern to him until he saw the man wouldn't come out of his car and Jojo hadn't known how to get him out. Apparently, she had figured she'd couldn't, and so, she'd stay in there with him. He listens to Kris's opinion on the matter, thinking that'd be the best plan although he hadn't thought to suggest forcing people to move on. Mostly he'd just wanted an idea of who he needed to pay more attention to.

But all of that is less interesting when Tessa reports a message. His spine straightens as he looks at the tiny scout and Kris is already asking what it said.}

[tessa-campbell-archer]

[Tessa’s knuckles were already scabbed over from this afternoon, but the bright red was still angry and her hands were still sore. She hadn’t stayed and looked for anything after finding that message with Thomas. She has a few maps in her hand along with a list of things she wanted for the convoy in general. Things she felt they should be looking for. Walking in, she’s a bit surprised that Kris she’s not the last one there again. She meet’s Benjamin’s smile with one of her own, and though it’s genuine there’s an unmistakeable exhaustion there.] Hey, Mr. DeWitt. [She leans against the wall with her papers and maps in front of her stomach, casually waiting for Kris to show up. She doesn’t expect to be here long. She’s just going to tell them what she knows and then tell them the truth, and then, undoubtedly, they would send her on her way.] You still doing okay? [She asks, but the door is opening again, and that means they’ll be getting down to business now, so she shuts up.]

[kris-shepard]

[It’s still a task to move around, but Kris refuses to let that stop her. Instead she just attributes it to the fact that she was laying down and not moving for two weeks. But then again, she doesn’t know about how she nearly died just before she woke up again. Her wounds are still healing up beneath her clothes and bandages and putting pressure on them makes them ache so instead of having her sword strapped to her back, she’s opted to just carrying it around. Occasionally she uses it to help her walk when she starts to feel winded, which is less and less as the days pass. As Kris  steps into the door, she lifts the sword off the ground and stops using it as a cane and looks up to find that she’s the last one to arrive.] Sorry. Hope I didn’t keep you waiting to long. [Kris apologizes, still kicking herself for letting herself get hurt that badly and showing that weakness. But then again, it was either that or let Thomas get his head smashed in.] 

[benjamin-dewitt]

Hi, Miss Tessa. {Benjamin greets kindly from his seated position, and his hands would be folded atop the desk if he had the necessary amount of fingers to lace together. Instead, there's a slight, natural slump to his shoulders as he watches Tessa stroll in with a handful of maps and the like.} Ah'm hangin' in there, thank you kindly. And yourself? {He sends the question back politely, though he does care if Tessa is alright or not. Especially after the journey here and who they had lost to the horde. The door opens then, Kris's face greeting him and he notes that she looks better than she had in recent days.}

'Course not. Not long at all. {He assures her, pulling the chair up a bit more towards the desk while he clears his throat.} Alright now. How's everyone holdin' up? {The question is directed at the other two in the room but also meant to ask on the welfare of the group. He could only see so much and having three sets of eyes allowed them more truth.}

[jo-barrow]

[Lucy smiles and struggles to pay attention to the man despite the loud, incessant chatter inside her mind. She sipped at her vodka again and rolls her eyes as she nods, knowing that plight all too well.] I couldn’t even tell you how many ‘I Love Lucy’ references I’ve heard in my life. [She says, and that’s just as much because of her crap memory as it was because it had been a lot. Reaching out, she rubs a hand over Ben’s shoulder, for no other reason than it seemed like the next logical move to her, and if it’s too forward a gesture she doesn’t notice. Besides, it’s nice to feel someone warm and solid beside her.] Pretty chill place you guys picked out. I’m a big fan of the bar.

[benjamin-dewitt]

{Benjamin's eyes turn back towards Lucy when he feels the small hand upon his shoulder and his smile is instantly much kinder and present. He appreciates the small gesture, the comforting sign that he isn't alone in this world, none of them are. His large hand covers her own, a small pat of reassurance that he'll be fine, that the moment of sad nostalgia had paced.} You're a good kid, Miss Lucy. {He informs her before curling his hand around the glass and taking a large swig of the vodka.} Miss Tessa picked it out. You can go thank her.

[benjamin-dewitt]

{The theatre provides a few places for the group to relax, and the small office connected to the box office is secluded and private enough to hold a council meeting. They hadn't been able to sit down and speak with each other in months, and Benjamin wouldn't lie to himself in saying he wants to make sure the girls are okay. Miss Kimi and Miss Charlotte had been in the group for awhile, and of course, they had made friends and connections. People care when someone dies in their group, and it's at least a comfort that they still have some semblance of humanity.

Benjamin drums the fingers of his free hands against the wooden desk, staring at the map spread out across the table as he calculates their next move, and when it should be. The door opens, causing him to glance up, a kind smile forming to his lips.} Why, hello there, little lady.

[jo-barrow]

[Lucy smiles and she doesn’t press about his use of ‘is’ over ‘was’.] Did you call her ‘Lulu’? [She asks, unable to stop her curiosity.] Couple of the guys ‘round here call me ‘Luce’ but I kinda remember people calling me Lulu… sorta. [It’s all hazy, the memories of her past. She sips at her vodka and wrinkles her nose. She preferred it cold, with soda and a lime, but this would have to do.] Either one is better then what some of them call me. [She says, tapping her head.]

[benjamin-dewitt]

{Benjamin smiles at 'Lulu' and nods his head in approval.} Lulu. Ah like that. {But then he shakes his head as he inhales quickly through his mouth.} Nah, we never call her Lulu. Luce, yeah, she gets that a lot. But mostly we stick to Lucy. My wife. {Benjamin pauses to chuckle quietly.} My wife had this way of holdin' out the end for as long as possible. Lucy hates that. She's always hated it. {He's laughing to himself but his smile grows sad and distant, eyes scanning the bartop like he might see their faces etched into the wood. But he doesn't know where they are, if they're alive. And he doesn't believe they'd want to see him anyway if they are.}

[jo-barrow]

[Lucy pours them both a little drink and smirks when he calls her pretty.] Handsome men don’t often tell me no. [She says with a little wink, though it’s mostly a joke. Putting the bottle down she lifts her own glass and thinks that over for a moment before raising it a little higher and nodding towards the man.] To good company… the ones here now and the ones who’ve gone. [She says, and it’s as much for him and the ones the group has lost as it is a kindness to the nicer voices in her mind. Hopefully her singer is flattered.]

[benjamin-dewitt]

Cheers. {Benjamin smiles at the toast, one that he'd been thinking over and he raises his glass kindly, carefully clinking the glasses together because he had been raised to do that. Bad luck if one didn't. He takes a quick sip of the alcohol, reminding himself why he doesn't enjoy vodka all that much to begin with but he'll still drink it.} Ya know, my daughter's name is Lucy.

[jo-barrow]

[Lucy follows his gaze down to the marks on her hands and she sighs when she looks at them. Markings she didn’t understand and she still felt didn’t belong on her skin. To her it looked like a pen had exploded on her.] I hope so… otherwise I am really fucked. [She says, looking back up at him with a little grin as she pulls two glasses forward, pausing before she pours him one.] You wouldn’t be totally against staying and giving me a real person to talk to, would you?

[benjamin-dewitt]

Could never say no to a pretty little lady like yourself. {Benjamin tells her kindly, staring down at the drink. Vodka had never been his drink of choice and, usually, he'd decline the friendly gesture. But he couldn't help his fingers from wrapping around the small glass, holding it against the bar as he thought about Kimi and Charlie. Even Jessica. Women he had failed. He should drink to their memories. It seems only right.} What shall we toast to, darlin'?

[rachel--foster-blog-blog]

[Rachel scrunches her brows and thinks at his question.] Uh…about eight months? I took studied for a semester and then stayed through summer. Figured I might as well, you know? Already over there. It was nice though, I’ve gone back a few times but mostly for vacations, not anything long.

[benjamin-dewitt]

What did ya study? {Benjamin inquires. He's interested in what Rachel has to say, her history and her life. Knowing her background could also help in applying her to group tasks more suited to her abilities. But it's also for selfish reasons, preferring to keep the conversation on the young lady rather than on him, on where he's been and what he's done. And what he hasn't done.}

[jo-barrow]

[Lucy sighs and leans up and over the bar to feel for bottles along the rails. Most of them are still there, still with the pourers in them, but as she lifts each bottle to test it’s weight, she’s not hugely surprised to realize the alcohol had evaporated from most of them over the past year and a half. As her hands finally close around a vodka bottle she leans back and rests it on the counter top before leaning up again to search for glasses.] Always. [She says honestly. This wasn’t a phase, nor was it grief. It was just the way she was now.] Since waking up that first day. It’s just… constant. [She says, closing her eyes as if the darkness she finds behind her eyelids could provide silence though she knows it won’t.]

[benjamin-dewitt]

{Benjamin studies Lucy carefully, being very selective with his words. He doesn't necessarily deem her crazy, though he wouldn't entirely rule that out. He'd seen a fair few crack under the pressure of losing everything, and he couldn't blame those poor souls. But the group had just lost two women, and it sends small flags waving in his brain. Mostly, he feels sorry for her, that her thoughts are constantly flood with other tones of other people, probably strangers.} That have somethin' to do with-? {He interrupts himself, whistling instead as his finger waves near the blue markings on her hands.}

[rachel--foster-blog-blog]

[Rachel smiles, nodding.] Of course. [Rachel and even Eliya didn’t mind paying respect to someone who deserved it, who had earned it. As he speaks she continues listen, glad to hear about someone else for once rather than dwelling on herself.] I imagine that would be…difficult, traveling all the time. [She thinks of Adam for a split second before shoving the thought away and smiling at the mention of Dubai.] Oh, is it? I always wanted to travel to Dubai. Berlin, though, isn’t it lovely? [She laughs at the mention of beer, nodding.] I spent time abroad while at school, traveled through Europe. Needless to say, school wasn’t so much of a priority as much as indulging in copious amounts of alcohol. [Rachel shrugs slightly.]  I think Ireland was another good place for drinking. Europe in general really. The Netherlands too. 

[benjamin-dewitt]

{Benjamin grins when they both share an adventure in Berlin. It's an odd similarity to have now. Who knows what's really become of Berlin. And while he'd like to remain optimistic, he thinks the rest of the world must be just as bad as here. There's no helicopters in the sky carrying journalists.} How long were ya in Europe for?