Ozler of the Zombs

Onceler Zombie AU blog for the ozler blog.

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

Near a city?

[justanothersurvivalist-blog]

She eased into a sitting position and leaned back against one of the metal beams. It felt nice to rest for a few minutes. Her hand rubbed at one of her thighs where there was a bandage, it hurt from not being able to rest and let it heal like she should. But she couldn’t stop for too long. Realizing that she was rubbing a bandage in a world where injuries meant infection and death. “…bullet wound. Some of the infected still have some of their wits about them.” And shoot back.

She bowed her head towards him as he introduced himself. “Fem.” She looked at the water and shook her head, pulling out a bottle of her own. “Supplies are short.. I.. wouldn’t feel right.” She had no way to pay him back. She pulled her mask down with a deep sigh, even stagnant air feeling good on the sweaty skin that had been trapped. She rubs at the lines the mask has left, she never thought the day would come when something she looked forward to was taking a gas mask off to take a sip of water.

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

He nodded. "Its self-filtering, so I can replace my water whenever I find a natural source. I developed it a couple of years ago, after the results of one of my experiments were not - ah - as intended."

At one point, when the truffula trees in his area weren't growing fast enough to match consumption, he'd tried a couple of things to fix the problem. One had resulted in a batch rather odd-looking trees that had curvy trunks, but were otherwise harmless. The other had resulted in small, brightly-colored trees that looked excellent - but which gave off gasses that put every animal (and human) to sleep soon after they came within range. Unfortunately that batch had grown rather successfully in the hills to the northeast of his lurkim, so he'd had to take steps to solve some secondary problems. 

He wondered how the species were adapting to this new environmental interloper.

Maybe someday he'd find out.

"I haven't run into any zombies that shoot back yet," he said thoughtfully, taking another drink of water before replacing his gas mask and putting the water back in his pack. "It's interesting enough just to meet other people. I'm not real - well, I suppose you could say I don't get out much."

More like at all, for the past couple of years. 

It was much easier to hide behind a giant metal facade.

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

Near a city?

[justanothersurvivalist-blog]

“I’m not weak,” she huffs out and nods to a sniper rifle and some supplies. “He wasn’t one of them when it came up here.. ” He hadn’t looked that deteriorated either. Maybe he wasn’t completely turned yet. Whoops. Oh well, she’d met a couple people who seemed to be pseudo-surviving with the infection. But they were better off like that splattered body on the ground now. Everyone would end up infected if they showed too much mercy. 

She looked at him pulling his shotgun out and shook her head, putting her hand on the barrel. “The sound will only bring more of them, don’t waste the bullets. We’ll leave when it’s clear.” She turned away from him to dig through the supplies. Grimacing slowly she sighed at the open packets of food the man had bled on. Useless.

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

Sitting back, he shrugged and nodded. Snarky and bossy, evidently. Still, he didn't mind too much. He'd spent years letting another person make most of the important decisions after his own choices had led to disaster, so he was used to it. For now, at least.

Motioning with his hand he called Pip to come sit with them. "I'm Ozler, by the way," he said, placing the shotgun within reach and shrugging his pack off his shoulders. He unzipped a side pocket and pulled out his self-filtering canteen, unscrewing the top and taking a sip.

"Water?" he said, holding it out to her. 

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

Near a city?

[justanothersurvivalist-blog]

Yes, because girls are always snarky and boys never are. She rolled her eyes at him. His little robot seemed useful, but she wasn’t so sure about him. The sound of metal on metal gave her goosebumps under her gloves. She looked down at him, narrowing her eyes. It wasn’t like he could magically be quieter, and it wasn’t really that loud. 

Just focus on climbing. She thought to herself, her muscles were aching from lack of proper rest and proper nutrition. People could only survive so long on cheetos and spam. “It looks like some one made a platform up here.” She called to him as she heaved herself up onto it. Movement in the corner of her eye had her spinning around. Shit, shit, shit. 

She was glad they didn’t move that fast, but she didn’t have a weapon in hand. Her ax was yanked off her belt and she swung, taking a hand off before she used the handle to catch it up the other side of its head. It staggered and she swung again, cleaving it’s head off it’s shoulders and then kicking the body off the platform for good measure.

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

"Damn," he said, moving quickly to the side as the body flew past him. "Well, it's good to know you understand how to use an axe."

He swung himself up onto the platform and then glared at Pip for not warning them, sighing slightly as the robot completely ignored him. Then he looked down. The zombies had pounced on the fallen body - could they even eat each other? He wasn't sure - though he doubted they'd ignore them for long.

"I thought you said they couldn't climb?" he murmured, kneeling down and pulling his shotgun off his shoulder as he mentally counted the number of undead below. He wondered how long their attention span was. Maybe if they hid silently and out of sight the zombies would forget they were up there?

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

Near a city?

[justanothersurvivalist-blog]

Fem’s whole body tensed at the mention of mother’s. Like her was about to pop out like when you spoke of the devil. Her head whips from side to side, but of course her mother doesn’t appear. Not even a zombie version of her mother. Wouldn’t that be irony. 

Of course worrying about imagined threats doesn’t last long when there are real threats approaching. She looks at the little robot, well that’s helpful. She can see why he keeps it around now despite the soft noises it makes. “Jesus fuck you talk a lot.” 

She shifted her hands so she only had one on her ax. She needed to be able to move, to run. She hadn’t made it this far trying to be a hero. Her eyes caught the clear path and nodded quickly, yes, they should go that way. She wasn’t used to talking quite so much these past few days. Every noise sounding like a canon blast on these quiet streets. 

Long legs mean long strides and she’s already running. Even with the weight of the pack she’s light on her feet, easily jumping over boxes that lay in the street. “Up.” She hisses out to him as she makes the jump onto a dumpster, wincing at the noise it makes. “They can’t climb.”

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

Ozler’s lips twitched as he followed quickly after her. “You females are always so snarky,” he murmured, still hoping that the redhaired girl from Greenville was alright. Perhaps he should have gone to check on her. Oh well, survival of the fittest after all - though he still felt a strange twinge of guilt. 

He didn’t waste any more time on talking as he hooked his bat back on his belt and jumped up after her, feeling a bit awkward as he climbed up and over the fence behind the dumpster and grabbed the bottom of the tall metal transformer tower behind the fence. The metal of his grievious gloves screetched against the metal and he winced a bit, wondering how the circuitry in the pads of his fingers was holding up to the rough treatment. 

Then again, it wasn’t like he’d have to connect to the Ozbot controls anytime soon - if he ever would again. That was both a sad and relieving thought.

Pip kept pace with them, resting on one of the upper metal rungs and observing the situation below. Ozler hoped that the girl was right about them not being able to climb.

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

ooc, reference

"Thank Goodness" from Wicked

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

ooc, reference

wizard of oz - "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain" scene

ref. ozbot/ozler's lurkim/ozler interacting with visitors

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

Near a city?

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

“People?” he asks, then shakes his head with a snort. “Doesn’t surprise me. I’m not really one to go running into an unknown situation.”

Not anymore.

“Maybe we should go look for shelter then? I’m not sure how I feel about going into one of those apartment buildings though. Something about being caught up in high places without an exit…. it just doesn’t seem wise.” 

[justanothersurvivalist-blog]

“No.. people are monsters.. and situations like this just let them come out of hiding.” Her hands shift on her ax again. Not that she was a saint. But there’s no saint without a past and no sinner without a future. “Good, at least you have half a brain still working better than some people.”

She hesitates and looks around quickly. She could go with him. He’s the first non-infected person she’s come across. But she doesn’t trust him. She doesn’t want to fall asleep and find her supplies gone. “I plan to keep moving tonight. It’s easier to see them at night with the glow.. ” She takes a step back, planning to head in the opposite direction of him.

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

“I grew up with a couple of monsters,” he replied - and then they killed everything important - except they were dead before - he really didn’t have time for this with a stranger here. “Mother called it survival of the fittest.” And I survived longer than they did - but they’re still here -

Pip started to shift on his shoulder, head turning towards the southeast and gears whirling. A few soft clicks emanated from the barbaloot’s throat before it softly said, “Warning. Human zombies approaching. Suggest evacuation.” Ozler both loved and hated that voice, because it was made up from clips he’d recorded of the real Pipsqueak, back before -

“I might suggest, my dear lady, that we make haste away from this spot. It is indubitably not going to be the most welcoming environment soon. Hopefully they wont -“

An awkwardly moving body rounded the corner and tilted its head, pausing as it looked their way, face splitting into an eerie smile before it started to move.

“Too late.” 

Frowning he turned to look around, mind quickly calculating the best possible escape route, one with a clear path and easily defensible areas. He had no idea how fast this woman could move, but she seemed strangely familiar, and he found, to his suprise, that he had no wish to see her become zombie fodder.

Still, she would come or not.

He reached down moved his cloak aside so that he could grab his baseball bat. Pip took off, wings whirring in the stagnant breeze. He’d programmed the robot to stay airborne during any fracas. In reality the bot was relatively delicate, and Ozler did not wish to have to find replacement parts.

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

ooc: Ozler's zombie au appearance

(ok so i may make an attempt to draw this out but for now)

Height: 6'1"

Body structure: lean, muscular; looks bulky because of the armor.

Features: normal onceler late 20s, blue eyes, hair a bit grown out and messy, white streaks in his hair from temple back.

Attire: dark brown cloak, duster-length, heavy canvas fabric with hood. Green striped gas mask. Green metalic armor, cross between halo type and medieval. Ammo/utility belt. Dark brown canvas backpack.

Weapons: Gloves, metal baseball bat (hooks onto belt on left side under cloak), shotgun (slung over right shoulder)

Pip: Barbaloot robot, about a foot tall, shiny bronze/copper metallic finish, dark wings (feathered, think http://darwinslibrary.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Flying-Monkey1.jpg but barbaloot (no tail)). Normally sits on Ozler's left shoulder when not in flight.

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

Near a city?

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

“I suppose the gun shops are looted as well? One can never have too many shotgun shells, after all.” He thought about mentioning that he was people, but that would probably be overkill. “It’s been a while since I was out in this world. What passes for food these days? I normally receive a… monthly delivery, but I have a feeling that the service has been put out of business.”

He noticed her looking at Pip. “He’s perfectly harmless, by the way. Not one of the ones I… well I suppose it would’ve been wiser to bring one, but I suppose I’m a bit attached to him. I knew him when he was… well that is, he reminds me of someone I used to know.”

[justanothersurvivalist-blog]

“I think so.. you can find some though. A lot of people get attacked and end up dropping them. Just, you know, don’t go running for a weapon. There’s people.. taking advantage of the situation.” She’d heard rumors on the radio she’s managed to procure. Bandits setting up traps and taking people’s supplies. She’s been lucky to not have any run ins of that sort. 

“I.. I see. He reminds me of some one I kno.. knew, too.” She looks away from the little robotic creature. Everything back home was dead. All the barbaloots were infected now. Maybe some of the swans were able to fly away. She hopes. But even the fish had become infected. Her hand tightens on her ax. 

“We shouldn’t stay out here. It’s too open.”

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

"People?" he asks, then shakes his head with a snort. "Doesn't surprise me. I'm not really one to go running into an unknown situation."

Not anymore.

"Maybe we should go look for shelter then? I'm not sure how I feel about going into one of those apartment buildings though. Something about being caught up in high places without an exit.... it just doesn't seem wise." 

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

Near a city?

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

“Oh? I suppose that’s acceptable.” He shrugged, frowning at the slight creak in the joints of his suit. It would need oil soon. “I suppose I’m doing what most people are doing that aren’t running in fear straight into the arms and jaws of the meandering horde - that is, looking for food for myself. The citizens of my town rudely decided to let themselves get eaten, and a few grew… irate… and came attempting to storm my abode. I’ve dealt with minor attempted coups in the past, but nothing quite this… virulent.”

He raised a green-gauntleted hand up to his shoulder and felt Pip put his other paw on his fingers, lost in thought for a moment. It was always so hard, at times, to remember that this was just a robot. 

[justanothersurvivalist-blog]

“I.. I’m looking for people.” Straight into the jaws? As if there were places that were better. Less infected. There were always those that said they knew a safe place. Where the infection hadn’t reached. But it was a lie. The only thing to do was keep moving and kill the ones that caught up with you.  She had no idea what he was talking about. And she didn’t really care. She couldn’t afford new connections when they were just going to get bit and turn. “There’s food in the apartments.. some of the stores, too.” 

She’s watching the robot, too. It’s the first non-infected animal like thing she has seen. It warms her a little and makes her loosen up a little. “…the stores are pretty well looted though. And crawling with infected. The houses.. aren’t much better.”

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

"I suppose the gun shops are looted as well? One can never have too many shotgun shells, after all." He thought about mentioning that he was people, but that would probably be overkill. "It's been a while since I was out in this world. What passes for food these days? I normally receive a... monthly delivery, but I have a feeling that the service has been put out of business."

He noticed her looking at Pip. "He's perfectly harmless, by the way. Not one of the ones I... well I suppose it would've been wiser to bring one, but I suppose I'm a bit attached to him. I knew him when he was... well that is, he reminds me of someone I used to know."

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

Near a city?

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

“My dear woman,” he replies, eyebrow raised slightly, “I personally consider it a bit impolite for someone to inquire of my hygiene right off the bat.” Of course he knew what she meant, but he figured it was rather obvious that he was not infected - what with no glowing of the eyes, and all. 

Pip moved to sit back on his shoulder, one robotic paw gently grasping the fabric of the Ozler’s hood for balance while mechanical feet found purchase on the metal pauldron beneath the fabric of the man’s cloak. 

[justanothersurvivalist-blog]

“I’ve had a couple of close calls already.. I don’t want to take chances.” I have people to find. She ads mentally. She knows they have to still be alive. Refuses to believe anything else. Because she needs something to keep her going. 

She watches the robot, still hesitant about its intentions and his own. “..what are you doing out here..?” 

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

“Oh? I suppose that’s acceptable.” He shrugged, frowning at the slight creak in the joints of his suit. It would need oil soon. “I suppose I’m doing what most people are doing that aren’t running in fear straight into the arms and jaws of the meandering horde - that is, looking for food for myself. The citizens of my town rudely decided to let themselves get eaten, and a few grew… irate… and came attempting to storm my abode. I’ve dealt with minor attempted coups in the past, but nothing quite this… virulent.”

He raised a green-gauntleted hand up to his shoulder and felt Pip put his other paw on his fingers, lost in thought for a moment. It was always so hard, at times, to remember that this was just a robot. 

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

Near a city?

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

*the robot just cocks its head at her, wings whirring quickly to keep it afloat, slowly hovering back out of the reach of the axe. then it turns and travels back to its master*

*stares at Pip*

You may need to be reprogrammed - what use is it for you to act as surveillance for me if you’re just going to lead the surveiled right back to my location? *sighs* Robots.

*cocks his head to the side in an odd imitation of the robot’s earlier action as he watches the woman with the axe* Ah well. At least she doesn’t appear to be infected.

[justanothersurvivalist-blog]

She waits a few moments, watching it go back to a man. Her hands tighent on her weapon and she thinks about following for a moment. What if he is infected? And he’s using that thing to scout out food?

She moves towards him very slowly, hands choked up on the ax and ready to swing. She stays just out of range of where her ax will reach, not wanting to be the one to instigate. “…are you clean?” She asked tentatively, her mask muffling her voice.

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

"My dear woman," he replies, eyebrow raised slightly, "I personally consider it a bit impolite for someone to inquire of my hygiene right off the bat." Of course he knew what she meant, but he figured it was rather obvious that he was not infected - what with no glowing of the eyes, and all. 

Pip moved to sit back on his shoulder, one robotic paw gently grasping the fabric of the Ozler's hood for balance while mechanical feet found purchase on the metal pauldron beneath the fabric of the man's cloak. 

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

Near a city?

[justanothersurvivalist-blog]

She hears the soft whir of machinery and spins around, with her weapon at the ready. Her first instinct is to strike it down, thinking it could be some thing infected. “Wha..” 

She uses the end of her ax to tap at it. “…who do you belong to..?”

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

*the robot just cocks its head at her, wings whirring quickly to keep it afloat, slowly hovering back out of the reach of the axe. then it turns and travels back to its master*

*stares at Pip*

You may need to be reprogrammed - what use is it for you to act as surveillance for me if you’re just going to lead the surveiled right back to my location? *sighs* Robots.

*cocks his head to the side in an odd imitation of the robot’s earlier action as he watches the woman with the axe* Ah well. At least she doesn’t appear to be infected.

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

Near a city?

I think this is a city. It's - well, buildings, and roads. No people but.... there is a certain aroma.

Don't worry Pip. Not that you could be worried, but - I'll protect - oh, there is someone. What do you think, is she infected? She looks -

Go look and see. I'd rather not just shoot her from here. I might need the shotgun shells - and I suppose she might know where food is.

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

These gloves have served me well, in manners of speaking. I should probably clean them again, though. Personally I prefer not to engage the beasties in hand to hand combat, but I find it's rather effective when force is applied in the proper manner.

...not like it's the first time i've had to deal with rabid barbaloots... they weren't rabid... close enough, they were talking... you know mother always says that talking animals aren't natural.... besides i didn't hurt them, that was chet... or bret... or...

Oh, I think I may see people. Or are they people? Maybe Pip can tell me before I get too close...

what do you think pip? go see? isn't life so much better now that you have wings? i know, i know, you're still you, you would never leave me, it wasn't... i didn't...

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

A note to the entrepreneur that someone told me about...

Dear Sir, it has come to my attention that you hold yourself responsible for the recent incidents involving uniquely adapted wildlife. I would like to to offer my condolences upon the loss of your friends and employees, and let you know that you are not the only one who has suffered unforseen consequences from attempting to improve the trufula gene sequence. Remember your intentions were good, and that makes all the difference. My Greenville probably needed to be wiped out anyhow. Most of the occupants were a bunch of self-agrandizing ninnys who couldn't tell their ass from a hole in the ground, as my uncle used to say. Though I do hope that one girl is alright....

[ozlerofthezombs-blog]

So, this morning my bots made me aware that there is, apparently, a new contagion spreading among the people and wildlife. I am waiting for someone - perhaps that damn Lorence - to come knocking on my door blaming me, though I have not attempted to improve the truffula trees for several years. 

Evidently, however, it would be to my best interest to abandon my current habitation and attempt to get to the root of the problem, seeing as how - from all reports - those infected with the contagion are not exactly amenable to reason. 

Mother would say that its all my fault anyways but mother doesn't live here anymore i need to get outside i will go i hope that girl is alright i wonder if greenville people ate her.... hehe...no i like her, and that little dog..

does she have a dog?

or was that someone else...