ashton-ryder

[ashton-ryder]

At the very least he'll take the win that Zach agreed with him on some aspect. He let his friend laugh away until he runs out of laughs as Ash continued to write on the board. Starting to break the bottom half into three rows for now as he turned back to look over the map, "based on the number of people we have willing and capable to go out, three might be a good number for now, south, east and west." North of New York was still an area Ashton wasn't so sure if its worth chasing the hordes, yet anywhere close by has already been checked through and rummaged by a few of the people here. Maybe if they can just get enough to survive winter, observe where the hordes are heading to and then reevaluate going much further up North.

"So you're saying I didn't do a good job on the last tampon and pad supply run," Ashton accusingly pointed his marker at Zach, but he knew it was a mess, if Nat wasn't there with him he'd probably bring back all the wrong things. Hopefully those from last month can still last the building if they couldn't secure more this run. Jokes aside, Ash started writing down the locations that he discussed earlier with Mr Wexley, splitting them by area and direction in each column. He rests his hands on the table letting out a soft but long sigh, not letting the nerves or past mistakes haunt him at this moment, moving forward with a glance up to Zach, "let's get to work."

Bubble baths, booze, and what's next? Even though most people seemed to have gotten used to the lack of those simple pleasures, they seemed pretty concerned whenever that question appeared: what's next? Zach thought this fear was pretty reasonable because the next thing could be something more serious. Like no power at all. Or no water. Now that would be a problem. He just smiled at Ashton's comment; they would get over it. As long as it didn't affect their morale and was limited to a simple "I wish I could" everything was okay.

Still, he couldn't help his reaction to their current discussion. He wished he hadn't reacted slightly immaturely to his friend's question, but there he was, laughing and doing his best to calm down. "Okay, okay..." he said when he finally calmed down, raising both hands, waving in a helpless "I surrender" gesture. "Let's just add it to the list, you're right. I know it would be easier, I get that." Zach simply gave up, deciding not to say a word about it. Better safe than sorry, after all. Clearing his throat, he did his best to focus back on what was next on their list. "Let's leave the most controversial part of our grocery list behind... How about we split it into categories and see where we'll get those things from. Oh, and I think we'll need two women in a team responsible for meds and shit to take care of things like tampons, diapers, and whatever we don't know anything about." He smiled a little. "I don't wanna hear them complain men fucked up again. So let's just keep that in mind."

#i know u wanted to move on so i kinda closed up the thread as an option!! <3 #we can continue or end up to you weheyyy #ch: Zach #;Zach6 #p: command center v1

[ashton-ryder]

The combat knife was obviously very different from a kitchen knife, the stances and techniques are day and night, but yet Charlie seemed comfortable enough with whatever basics he went through with her prior to today. Once the knife was out of his hands and confidently in her pocket, he let the worries go, double checking his own combat knife before putting it back under his belt. Gear was more or less ready, with not priority or specifically dire mission for this run, there were lesser things to consider. He returned her smile with a small reassuring one of his own, tightening his tactical sling bag before reaching over to triple check hers, tighten and tucking away any loose ends and strings that could potential get caught on things.

He chuckled at the throwback thought of a few years ago, he didn't expect a trip to the grocery store with Charlie was going to be difficult. "If anything, I'm sorry I didn't know back then," Ashton wanted to put it out there, never really apologizing for the lack of empathy that day. "You've come a long way though, I'd say." Looking back at her fears of heights, her fear of the outdoors, the fact that she conquered them at least once before, it's easy to remind her she can do it again. Ash shot her a silent look, waiting for her go ahead before he pulled open the back door, a blast of cold crisp air coming in but at least it was only silence that greeted them. Same as before he extended a hand out to Charlie, waiting for her to take the first move.

Since the moment she'd woken that morning, Charlie had been going over the contents of her pack, in her head, on a loop. Water, flashlight, chalk, food, first aide kit, gun. Water, flashlight, chalk, food, first aide kit, gun. Water, flashlight, chalk, food, first aide kit, gun. There was no question she was prepared and by the time she stood beside Ashton at the door the list had become almost a calming mantra. Even the word and heavy weight of the gun from her brother's stash was a reassuring weight right now. Most people would be surprised to find out that Charlie was a crack shot, lessons from her brothers as a teenager had revealed that, but after over a decade without touching a gun she was probably pretty rusty.

Eyes dropping to the knife, something she was actually incredibly comfortable with, it was like holding hands with a friend as her fingers closed around the hilt. "Emergencies, right." Nodding her head as she slid the weapon into her pocket, her breaths were purposefully slow and deep as she worked to combat her nerves, which surprisingly weren't all that bad. Without the hustle and bustle of the city outside the door battering her with noise and overstimulation, the quiet was calming.

"I think I'm ready." Even her smile was less shaky, and for now she was filled with a little optimism for how this would go. "Funny how this feels so much like that first time we went to the grocery store, and yet also... entirely different. Probably the fact that I can actually breathe.

#ch: Charlie #;Charlie7 #p: a test run

[ashton-ryder]

It didn't really click with him until she laid it out there for him before he made an ah sound, "guess that's a perk for working at the diner." Still, perhaps coming from a household that cooks too much at home and from an old job that deprived him of it, he couldn't not make use of the privilege of having a kitchen in the first place. He can't deny that the diner has some good food and good coffee as he's come to learn when they invited him there.

"Why can't you?" It was a genuine question that perhaps may have been asked out of bluntness. Maybe she also allergic to something out there, pollen, cold, smoke, guess there are things in the city that could kill you too. But if he had to do a risk assessment of this journey for her right now, as long as she wasn't going to die from inhaling something in the air (which seems unlikely considering Jeremiah spoke to him about this grocery trip), he was fairly certain the risks are close to none. "If you want to, I don't think there's anything or anyone stopping you," he paused before giving her an out after some moment of contemplation, "if you really don't want to, you don't have to, I can grab your grocery list and pick up whatever you guys need for you while I'm out."

"Well usually it isn't an issue." Charlie generally picked at food through the work day, and gave her free meals to her brother's. There wasn't much use for fresh anything in their household, the fridge housing little more than beer and frozen microwavable snacks. In fact, most of their cupboards were studied with quick grab and go things as well. With Charlie usually at the diner, their little apartment kitchen saw surprisingly few meals cooked in it despite Charlie's predilection towards cooking.

The influx of cacophony with his opening of the for almost had her pulse cooking her completely, cheeks filling with embarrassed color even as the rest of her face paled. Two blocks. It sounded so close, so ridiculous to be scared to go such a short distance. Ridiculous, and yet here she was, choked with abject terror.

"I-.... I don't know if I can." Code strained she loved at him with shameful apology written all over her face. It'd been at least five years since she stepped foot outside of The Wexleys doors without Jeremiah. "I want to... I just..."

#here's your one out Charlie akjshdakjsd #ch: Charlie #p: just groceries #;Charlie8

[ashton-ryder]

#asdasdjgk #;the past #;muse #;mirror

[ashton-ryder]

Having just moved here a month ago, Ashton himself was still getting used to the hustle and bustle of the city, oftentimes being way too loud for him. Neither did he know many people yet, with the college term starting in another month to go. He had mostly spent the breathing time between leaving the marines and starting his PhD just by well... living. His mom told him it'll be good to settle in, take a break, make friends, rest and relax. Well, he does not feel relaxed, nor is he going to go around randomly making friends. Charlie and Jeremiah so far were the only people he's properly gotten acquainted with so far. Nice people, floor neighbors. Don't pry too much. Seemed like a good start to his residency at the Wexley.

He had been working out his schedule in preparation to study full time, something he hasn't done before so he's been meticulous about it, fixing his grocery trip bi-weekly. But this time, he found himself heading out on his trip with Charlie after a chat with her older brother. "So much, you don't even know," he simply replied as they walked through the lobby, "how would you guys even have enough for dinner from just the convenient store?" He initially walked ahead with fast, rigid strides, unaware for just how hesitant Charlie was being until he paused by the front door, looking back to her behind him. "You alright?"

Glancing back out at the busy streets, Ashton had forced himself to desensitize to the noise of New York over the month, not wanting to have the same episode happen again, not like he'd had a Jeremiah saving his ass every time he's out there. But Charlie seemed more terrified than ever, despite having been in New York all her life. Strange. "The grocery store is just two blocks away, it won't be too far, c'mon," Ashton pulled open the door, and the cool air rushed in and noise polluted the quiet lobby, he waited for her patiently, deciding to extend a hand to her.

Where: Wexley's Lobby When: August 3rd, 2019 Who: @ashton-ryder

"I dunno... I mean... is there really anything we can't get from the convenience store?" Glancing over her shoulder toward the door that connected the shop to the lobby, Charlie gave a sigh that signalled exactly how much she knew that wasn't going to be an option. "I know, I know..." Fresh things like greens and vegetables weren't exactly a common stock there, and what did come in either didn't last long or spoiled quickly.

Hands gripping at the handle of the oversized woven hemp bag she'd brought to hold her groceries almost ached with her wringing of it, heart beating irrationally fast right at the base of her throat. Everything beyond the lobby's window's seemed to be moving so quickly and it felt a lot like stepping into a river or something. Like she'd just get swept away into it all and away from her perfectly safe and insular little world.

"I'm fine, really, it's just... you're gunna stick like super close and it'll be fine." He was big enough to part a path for them, absolutely.

#YOUNGER ASH FRESH OUT OF THE MARINES HERE HE IS #/pinches his cheeks #what an emotionally stunted qt pie #look at this nerd trying to schedule his life bc he feels weird not having one anymore #ch: Charlie #p: just groceries #;Charlie8

[ashton-ryder]

Ashton simply kept going, focused on nothing else but the task at hand, observing the strange clog being chipped away at. While he was no expert at fireplaces and chimneys, it seemed to defy any logic for this to be a natural occurrence. How and why were the questions that flood his mind as his hands worked. He didn't stop until Mr Wexley pulled him out of his thoughts and Ash hoisted himself back out. If the residence had been in their apartments, the thunderous crash might’ve given them a shock, with most of the debris falling down the chute while some falling onto the fireplace base itself.

Ashton almost forgot about the gas as he crouched down for a second picking up the leaves and sticks with a hand. Some a little too familiar to the plants from the rooftop. He snapped out of it once he acknowledged Mr Wexley's stressed words and the light-headedness in his own foggy thoughts. "Right, let's go," he dropped the leaves, standing up too fast to really feel the affects of the gas as he stumbled. Seeing the older man in a coughing fit by the window, he quickly went over and dragged an arm around his own shoulders to guide him out of the apartment.

Perhaps it was just sheer force and strength that dragged them both out of it, Ashton closed the door and didn't stop until he got them to the stairwell, where they were safer from an invisible killer. Only then did Ashton finally take in deep breaths, with a sigh, falling over to sit down on the steps, "I'd be hung to death if I left you in there." As if to say like fuck he'd just leave him in that room. His head lulled back and took a few moments for the migraine at the back of his head to dull. "You okay?"

"Keep going, I can hear it loosening!" Leaving his coal stirrer to grab a quick gulp of fresh air, Tobias hurried back and started to jab and stab almost violently into the blockage while his hand held onto the lever for the dampener. Wincing a little as debris started to fall down onto Ashton in larger and larger portions. "Okay, get out of there, I think I've got it!" Urging his partner in work to leave the fireplace, the moment he was clear Tobias gave a hard grunt as her pushed all his weight onto the poker. All at once the remains of the blockage came loose, raining down to the bottom of the fireplace with a surprisingly quiet cacophony of sticks and leaves.

Hand yanking down the damper, ash residue and dust joined the gas as the fresh air blowing down spread it. "Good, we're good, get out!" Directing Ashton toward the door with a stop at the window for fresh air, he realized just how light headed he was. "Go." Coughing shaking his body hard enough to send pins and needles across his chest, he realized he wasn't going to make it to the door.

"Go Ashton, just go!"

#ch: Mr Wexley #;Mr Wexley3 #e: the gas leak

[ashton-ryder]

// int. back alley doorway - day @pxtitxrosx

After the whole incident with the gas leak, Ashton and Charlie had postponed their planned outing for a couple of days, just till everything stops spinning for Ash to ensure their time outside was absolutely safe. She was being brave to step outside, best he be of clear mind to ensure her safety. "Check that we have everything," he said softly as he laid everything out in front of them, letting this list of things sink in for her; backpack, water, flashlight, chalk, protective gear, handgun, emergency food, emergency kits. Even those this was going to be a short run, they can immediately turn back, but it's good to prepare for the worst, should you get stuck outside for a night, you need everything to survive longer than you think your run will take.

He passed a sheaved combat knife to her, "for emergencies," he explained as he packed up the rest of their gear. "How are you feeling?" Ash asked as he slung his tactical sling bag over his better shoulder. "Anything else you wanna go over?"

#ch: Charlie #;Charlie7 #p: a test run #I DID IT

[ashton-ryder]

Ashton simply raised an eyebrow in silence as Mr Wexley talked out the numbers, watching him come to the same conclusion as his own. Water was always the one thing most overlooked for survival. The amount sounds hefty, the towers themselves as Ashton had been staring at them every time he's on the roof. Crunching numbers from his previous water bills and inflating that for the other residents, it doesn't look pretty. "Yeah, since the outdoor garden isn't going, we might as well use the space and snow for something. I'll try and construct a collection system, filter, but we should still boil the water before ever consuming it." Though the air has been doing better now that the city is at a standstill, he still wouldn't completely trust and eat snow.

"Agreed," Ash wrote the note down on potable water and continued as his pen moved, "I'll ask Charlie to help with the stock check on that. Those are our cleanest water to drink and probably best to be conservative about it." Ashton thought about those heavy water containers would also be a good shout to scavenge, too heavy for individual survivors to carry, so more likely to have laying around if they get enough man power to move.

Ash gave a surprised hum in reply, probably not wise to tell the guy who seems to really appreciate the old fashion fireplace that his own had been nothing more than a shelf for things. "Huh, I always used the radiator, seemed more efficient. But I guess it's good to have that option to save our electricity," he sighed and closed his notebook, standing up straight to face the older man.

With everything seemingly discussed and plenty of thoughts running through his head, perhaps it's best to start working it all out. "Anything else you'd like to discuss? I think I have a good grasp on our next order of business," it didn't cross his mind there and then but the way his stood straight, hands behind his back, it would've been obvious that the military bone in him was creeping back into his life, despite trying to rid of it.

"Well, between all three towers I think we're looking at about thirty thousand gallons." If I remember correctly when they were installed the company had said it was enough to last the building a month... actually... maybe you're right." Getting as much water going as possible before their supply of running water ran out should be priority, but the solutions weren't numerous. "We can se out barrels and whatever else we can find on the balcony's up here, as well as at The W, the games room and the Media room. Try and gather as much snow as we can over the winter. Let's also add bottled water to the list. There's a storage room off the gym that's absolutely loaded with those large bottles for the water machine. I think we'd even just gotten a delivery, so it should be stocked full."

It truly felt good to talk out all the logistics, and Mr. W felt himself thankful that Ashton seemed to think of the things that slipped his very privileged knowledge. Basic survival skills were never anything he'd ever needed, and it was an odd thing to shift his focus and thought processes so quickly.

"Of course. When we were upgrading the heating system to radiators we left the fireplaces functional. They're nice perks of the apartments here. Some changed to gas, but most of the suites still have wood burning. I think every apartment on the third and fourth floors definitely still has wood burning. Maybe it would be worth something to start encouraging everyone to move to the lower floors." Though getting Sada to do such a thing would be a challenge.

#ch: Mr Wexley #;Mr Wexley2 #e: the immunity test ii #his fireplace is jsut a decorated thing never touched before kjasghdka

[ashton-ryder]

Ashton couldn't hide the snort at the statement, he doubt anyone would be in the mood for sushi, maybe Sada. And if so, he wouldn't stop her from her potential self poisoning for a slice of raw fish. Valerii's voice could be heard through the door, Roman seemed to noticed as well, hopefully either meaning she was wrapping up, or worst case scenario, the talking could escalate to yelling and everything goes sideways. Ashton didn't shut that possibility out completely, always mentally preparing for the worst.

He could sense the animosity in the others words when talking about his family, and not being one to pry, he simply nodded, "well, screw them then, right?" It was nice to hear he still had family he cared about, and probably a good thing that she's far away from New York right now. "I got my mom, she's in Minnesota alone with our dog," Ashton paused before speaking up on his own, not that Roman would've cared but it seemed only fair to give up the same information. Still not making contact made the uneasiness in his gut stir more everyday. He lowered his voice to a murmur, reassuring Roman as much as himself, "I'm sure they're all okay."

"As long as nobody gets a craving for sushi.."

Again he could hear Valerii's voice through the door, likely dictating her work into a recorder she seemed to carry around religiously. He assumed Val would be cautious with her work but he briefly worried over the possibility of her infecting herself in the process, or if somehow Courtney had caught a new strain, releasing it into the building. The only thing he could find comfort in was the morbid inevitability that sooner or later... their luck would run out. Might as well push it as far as it would go.

"There's a clan of assholes in Vegas who share the same last name as me, but calling them family would be a joke." He didn't see the point in hiding his past anymore. At least, not from a man like Ashton, who's own past likely held ghosts as well. "I have a daughter in San Diego. Her mom was smart enough not to name her Drake."

"You?" He couldn't picture Ashton with kids or a wife, he wasn't sure exactly why.

#yeah!! we can end their bro time huehue #come one out val #ch: Roman #;Roman1

[ashton-ryder]

Ash had hoped the older man would listen to him just once, because if he died on Ash's watch, he might as well self evict before Ember tries to stab him. In the end hearing the adamant footsteps behind him only made Ash sigh internally and pick up his pace, rushing for the windows so that they could take a breath, sharing a nod, sign that they're doing alright.

Ashton had never even touched the fireplace in his apartment, opting to get an electric radiator instead, so it was a good thing Mr Wexley had been here with the knowledge of its inner workings. "Right, downsides of the fireplace," Ashton simply listened, trying to envision the explanation watching him fiddle around with the lever. "On it," Ashton quickly moved over as he took a breath and went around the apartment looking for something long and sturdy. He came back to the older man's side with a broom from the closet, being an empty apartment, only the bare bones items would be around here.

"Unlikely.. it's probably too high for squirrels. And too low down the chimney for birds," he took a deep breath from the fresh air outside before crouching down to the opening, "-here allow me," once space was made he laid down and pushed himself into the fireplace, continuing to poke where Mr Wexley was just a moment ago, the longer range broom helped reach whatever blockage was as he felt the broom hit a snag, jiggling to hear several things falling down, sounding like sticks and leaves. "Let me know when the lever works again," he pressed on, voicing out the Mr Wexley as he worked.

"Really think you're going to get rid of me that easily." Words once more muffled by fabric, he headed into the suite a few steps behind Ashton, heading past the man toward the kitchen before the question stopped him. Hair's raising on the back of his neck from the breeze of fresh frozen air wafting in through opened windows, Tobias turned back toward Ashton with both a nod and verbal confirmation.

"That's smart. The fireplace would be the most likely culprit. With no one here to maintain it, maybe it got blocked with something." All the floos were connected, and were one to get blocked with outside debris, the gas would have nowhere else to go but out into the suites. Especially if those in the lower floors were using their fireplaces.

With a stop at the window for a gulp of fresh air, a few steps brought him to the mantle and the elaborate wrought iron holder that held the tools for fireplace usage. Pulling the lever that opened and closed the flap separating this fireplace from the main floo, and swore when he realized it wasn't moving, despite being stuck in the open position.

"It's definitely blocked. Find something to help me dig it out." Using the hooked tool to dig around inside, his first pull looked something like a destroyed nest of some kind, but barely made a dent in what was stopped up there. "Squirrels maybe... or some kind of bird." Anything but rats or mice, rodents not exactly being his choice in findings and thus he neglected to even offer them as options.

#ch: Mr Wexley #;Mr Wexley3 #e: the gas leak

[ashton-ryder]

"Never thought it'd be our lifeline," Ash agreed, the rooftop used to just be a place for people to plant whatever, a random mish mash of plants, flowers, creepers, herbs, more often than not, are just half of the residence starting a hobby that they soon forgot about. "You're right about traps perhaps," Ash didn't have experience in this area so guess that'll be something they figure out, "but what if the fish were infected too.." he thought out loud what he had been pondering. Does heat kill it? Will it even show the same symptoms for them to know? Questions they won't have answers to until they try.

"Time to get us a tank then," he chuckled and indulged in Roman's suggestion. "If we can keep it safely and not make it another ticking time bomb, I don't see why not." He wouldn't say no in the name of science. At least they'd be trying to do something to survive or to find answers. Ashton picked at a stray thread on the hem of his sweater, ears hearing the unimportant rustling of Val working behind the door that they stood by. As a silent lulled between the two men, Ash was debating between letting them just soak in the silence or ask, "other than your sisters, any other family out there?"

Roman nodded appreciatively at mention of the garden. It had been more than dumb luck that had kept the survivors along this far. Ashton and Rosie and dozens of other residents had put time and sweat into that garden to keep it going despite the dropping temperatures. "It's been a god send."

He cocked his head in thought at the suggestion of fishing. Pros and cons weighing in his head. "We could get a net? Or make uh, crab cages?" Are there even crabs in the river? There had to be something other than just fish. The more he thought about Ashton's suggestion the more Roman backed it. "We wouldn't have to track the fish like we would with animals. We could put the nets out and come back the next day to see what we got." If they got anything at all.

"I don't know." Roman sighed, sharing Ash's hesitation with eating animals right know. "It's a solid idea but... the risks, the unknowns." Even if they left it to the eggheads like Sev and Valerii to determine if it would be safe, could they really be trusted to make that call with how little everyone knew about this virus? It was all new and different and it felt like every thing they learned about it had been a dart thrown at a wall. "Maybe if we manage to catch anything we bring it here and just.. keep an eye on it for a while. See if it seems... normal?" He almost wanted to laugh at how stupid it sounded.

#ch: Roman #;Roman1

[ashton-ryder]

"It's hardly experience, just... hopeful inference and hypotheses, hoping it's not wrong," Ashton didn't want it to seem like he would have all the answers to a lot of questions they all had. But no answer is simple anymore here. While his field of study is constantly about studying the unknown of the universe, having much higher stakes here at the cost of their lives is like melding the two facets of his careers, and he wasn't sure if he could pull it off.

While Mr Wexley was much more optimistic, Ashton was conditioned to always think about worst case scenario, he couldn't hold the same optimism as the other. "I don't think we can rely on just those. Ideally we get more people learning how to operate and fix the panels in case they break. And water can run out faster than we think." Water is always an easily overlooked resource, using more than they think they do.

"Give me some time to fashion us some kind of filtration, best to keep things clean going into the tank," with his approval, Ash added it onto his list to work on putting that as a priority as they run against the clock while snow begins to fall. He nodded to Mr Wexley's suggestion in turn for heating, opening up his notebook and writing it down as a note for when he plans things out with Zach, "got it. Wood, Coal, firestarters. They're pretty heavy lifters and makes a team less nimble but we can work something out." Just need to remember to keep that into consideration when they assign certain routes to certain teams. But Ash paused once he was done writing and looked up to Mr Wexley with a surprised look, "people actually still use the fireplace here?"

"You're the man with the experience." Hence why he'd asked him to do the job. Between he and Zach the pair had by far spent the most time outside the building, and travelled the furthest away. He trusted the two men to know what they were talking about, and rathe than micromanaging, he'd decided to sit back and just provide them whatever they needed. At least as far he could these days.

"Honestly, so am I." In fact, he was absolutely certain, but there was no point in snuffing out any possibility for hope. "I think it's sunk in for a lot of people that we're in this for the long haul. With the solar panels and the water towers on the roof, we could be okay for a long time." In fact, from all the math he'd done in the weeks since everything had crumbled, they could survive almost indefinitely between the resources their building supplied them. Two water towers on the roof, enough solar energy from the panels to run the emergency lights and the Atrium amenities, the garden plots on the roof and pots Rosie had set out in nearly every window on the Atrium level, and the old wood burning furnace in the basement for back up.

Nodding his head in agreement, Tobias hummed thoughtfully. "We can open the tops of the water towers, it'll take three men but I think it's a good idea, let them fill with snow that can melt come spring." With the sudden lack of any pollution over the city, they shouldn't even have to worry as much about contamination, either. "I think we should add wood to every supply run going forward as well. We can turn one of the storage spaces into wood storage. We have the fireplaces in the suites for those who don't want to move lower, and also the building still had it's original wood burning furnace. There may even be coal storage at the harbour, as well. You're right, it's best to be prepare for worst case scenarios."

#ch: Mr Wexley #;Mr Wexley2 #e: the immunity test ii #look at this boi what an idiot #hes like i thought everyone went electric :/

[ashton-ryder]

"Huh, no idea, guess I should've taught literature instead." Ashton wasn't privy to much of the current pop culture or.. really read much, but he won't pretend it couldn't have come from the subconscious memory of seeing it somewhere before or hearing someone else mention it. Seemed a reasonable sentiment considering the plight they were in, in any case. "I'm sure you'll meet more of them, most of them are good people." Most is the keyword though we wouldn't want to delve into the minority. "Of course not, happy to help you get settled in," he nodded as Cilla explained, mapping out Baltimore from New York and that's still a fair distant away. "North, even though everything broke out in the south of the harbor, the dangerous hordes are moving north, probably to where more people and food are. Southwards is more reasonable to scavenge right now."

"Was that a quote by someone famous," she asked, quirking a brow as her lips curved into a smile. She could start dwelling on how she should have stayed where she had come from, left that poor soldier alone because he might have gotten into trouble for helping her, but this version had its weak points too. The lack of any information about her family had been killing her, she couldn't stand that. So, even if their current situation wasn't the brightest... she had to admit it was better this way. "Great, happy to meet my neighbors... Or more like neighbor." She nodded. "Hope you won't regret the invitation, I've got many questions." She should probably jot them down, actually, even if it sounded funny. "Yes and no. Originally, I'm from Baltimore. I just think the streets might have changed a lot lately. If there are places I should avoid in particular... I'd like to know it."

#ch: Cilla #;Cilla1 #e: the immunity test ii

[ashton-ryder]

A pang of worry hit him when he mentioned that she hadn't seen anyone else around here, and his immediate thought was what would've happened if she fell alone here and no one found her? How many others may have fell through the cracks of getting out? Any more deaths in this building especially when they could've done something about it would probably begin to really weigh on them. He was resolute with his actions at first as he turned back out to the hallway until he felt a hold pull his arm back. He paused as he looked back to Ria, conflicted shown by his hesitation to reject her plea. "But-" he started but as Ria continued, he knew he wasn't sure if he could let her go on her own. What difference would it be if she falls unconscious in the stairway and in the hallway because he didn't accompany her?

"Okay," it felt longer in his mind but it perhaps took two seconds before his mind was changed, quick decisions made when every second in the gas counted. "Let's go," he stepped back towards her, holding her hand to lead her down the stairs, "hold your breath, as long as you can, can you walk?"

"I don't think I've seen anyone around here, the diner looked full." Was it safe for him to be here if he questioned Ria's safety in the first place? She had to admit she didn't feel that well and might have inhaled a bit too much gas, but she ignored it. Obviously, she was too worried about her friend being here. At first, she wanted to help Ash, open a few doors so they would get out of there faster, but he clearly had different plans for her. "No no, Ash, come with me," she said, nearly clutching onto his arm cartoon-style all of a sudden, a worried look on her face. He looked pale and she was sure she didn't look any better, so they both should head downstairs. The only problem was he would never come with her willingly and take a break... Unless... "I'm... starting to feel dizzy. It's not okay, is it?" Ria pressed the palm of her hand to her forehead.

#u got him ria :/ he can't say no there #ch: Ria #;Ria6 #e: the gas leak

[ashton-ryder]

"He'll definitely move '304' to the office door," Knowing what he knows about his next door neighbour, Skyler would absolutely take an idea and run a homerun with it. So unless Rosie no longer wants her diner office, best not to casually joke about that idea with him.

He was surprised Cilla didn't take up his offer just yet, blinking at her as she stood up once done with her breakfast, "what? Ask Charlie now?" He has meant for future meals considering Charlie would've already prepped the lunch anyways. But still he followed suit and stood up, trailing right behind Cilla before catching up to her pace, and after Charlie, maybe he'll take up on her suggestion for a balcony for some air because the migraine intensifies.

"Yeah, it's a problem we'll need to have a solution for soon before people start heading out again," the easiest solution was to use an apartment on the other side of the building but Ashton doesn't want to take the risk that somehow someway the carbon monoxide still travelled over and no one would know until after 24-48 hours. Definitely one of the rooms down here. Ashton paused to think, "I... usually work in my thesis paper," he replied slowly, realising how stupid it sounds as the words left his mouth. He continued, trying to explain himself, "I'm doing my PhD and well.. there really isn't anything else better to do for me. Sometimes I observe the hordes from my room. But people would do what you mention, and also nap, it's nice to get uninterrupted sleep."

"Watch him move there when this shitshow is over," she said with a smile. Cilla knew she definitely would move there to keep an eye on all the canned goods and everything. Okay, maybe not seriously, but it didn't sound so bad.

Smiling at Ash, she decided not to accept or turn down the offer just yet; who knew how she would be feeling in an hour or two. It would be better to ask Charlie first. The last bite and she was ready to go, a cup of coffee in her hand. "We gotta go before I accept the offer and ask for your lunch," she joked as she stood up.

"Oh my God, you are right. I completely forgot we can't hang out in our rooms for quarantine." How could she forget about that? Such a silly mistake. "What do you usually do when you have to sit there? Read? Paint? Knit?" She chuckled. "I'm sorry, I know there are many things one can do, I just-" Should she mention that she hadn't spent her first quarantine alone, so she didn't have that problem? Probably not. Bad idea. So many things she shouldn't talk about...

#ch: Cilla #;Cilla2 #e: the gas leak

[ashton-ryder]

end.

Ash lightly shook his head, seeing that she'll still need to read up on root vegetables. Doesn't matter, there's not much more they can grow during the winter than what they already have anyways. Somehow a part of Ashton is desperately trying to convince himself not to trust Ember with guns, envisioning everything that could go wrong. Yet the preconceived notions might be hindering the potential chance of having another good shot in the team. Just hoping she wasn't a trigger happy person. "Good, we'll need to locate small alleys, short cuts, quiet routes that easily avoid the hordes." The unnecessary pride brimming from her persons had him pause and blink at her, "I never said that you were." He just said that.. she'd be more useful in here, which honestly still proving to be right if she can also help them in planning routes for the run. "Your dad's setting us up with a place to start planning, I'll.. let you know when."

#ch: Ember #;Ember4 #e: the immunity test ii

[ashton-ryder]

"You deserve one too. Mom absolutely adores you guys, she's just thankful for the help you guys gave, as am I," while Ashton had prepared everything he could to move to New York alone, it was still harder than he had thought. Probably would not make it out alive that first two months without Charlie and Jer. This the was least he could do to return the favor, literally, his mom was the one itching to connect with them. He couldn't imagine what the Rose siblings had to go through without a parental figure in their lives, but there was a lot of admiration for them coming out out of it okay despite it all.

Ash sighed and waved it off, "eh, I really wasn't a good Captain anyways.." A stark reminder to remind Mr Wexley of his shortcomings in case he had other ideas than just scouts. "Perhaps Kang's just wary of the group," Ashton mused, trying to think of the reclusiveness of the two newcomers, "I'd probably do the same if I'm in an unfamiliar environment too; assess the situation here first, make sure the structure of the group wasn't crumbling before opening up." Guess the apples don't really fall far from the marines tree.

#ch: Charlie #;Charlie5 #e: the immunity test ii #yayyy we're done hehe