01. [Action]

[smallsurvivor]

[Clementine woke with a shudder, body jolting itself awake. She hadn't intended to fall asleep, and particularly not in a place like this. It was a wide open forest, far from the confines of a safe place. She must have been careless, probably exhausted. It was a miracle she woke up with her face still intact! Before she could do anything, there were certain important points that needed to be thoroughly examined. Her arms, suddenly bare (why bare? She'd been wearing two shirts when she was last awake!), didn't seem to have any visible bite marks. Nor did her legs. She was sore around her shoulders, though. Had she been bitten there?? She'd have to find a mirror to be sure.

Or other survivors. Clementine was supposed to be looking for Christa and Omid. She hoped they weren't dead. Moreover, she hoped she wasn't dying. Whatever happened before, staying here was a bad idea. Lee didn't give up everything just so she could forget what he said! She just needed to keep her gun close and--

Oh gosh. Even her gun was missing! She'd have to try to find an abandoned store with some other firearms. And then she'd potentially have to find a way away from whoever cleaned her up and changed her clothes. They were probably really nice people with good intentions, but what if they weren't? Ever since the walkers started shambling around, she'd thought she knew who was trustworthy. But now most of the trustworthy people were dead. And she was on her own and nobody was going to look after her and why wasn't her gun anywhere??

She needed to get moving. She'd go off on her own and she'd figure out where she was and why she was there and then retrace a trail back to Savannah. Christa and Omid were the last semblance of family she had left. They had to be somewhere. Clementine needed them to be somewhere. She needed them to be alive. She needed to touch their faces and gauge the life in their eyes and make sure nothing terrible happened. It was possible that the people who cleaned her up were still alive, but it was just too risky to try to attract anyone's attention. If she came across a pencil and paper, she'd just have to leave a thank you note instead.

At least the river was a landmark. Rivers led to oceans right? If Clementine followed the river far enough she'd have to run into the ocean, which was right next to the Savannah area where she wanted to be. Everything would work itself out. It just had to work itself out. More than enough bad things already happened.

Feel free to encounter Clementine anywhere on her journey. Perhaps she'll find you in the forest going about your business. Maybe you'll spot a silent pint-sized person peeking at you from around a corner near the outskirts of town. Clementine knows better than to approach. Walkers respond to sound. It's important to stay as quiet as possible.]

Comments

[originaljackass]

[A few things occur to Jack about this situation. First of all, bastard as he is, he can't just ditch a little kid in the woods. It's kind of a pain, but he's obliged to help her. But on top of that, there are perks. Chicks love a guy who is good with kids. And it couldn't hurt to have a little runt singing his praises.

Yeah. He's got this.]

Well your feet must be cold, Clem. Tell you what, how about I let you borrow my coat and I'll give you a ride into town? That way none of your toes fall off.

[yourfononsarewhack]

I have not seen any in particular, but there's no harm in looking. By all means! Lead the way. [He motions her onwards with a sweeping bow. Might as well humor her for now, until the reality of her situation sinks in.]

[bionically]

[It’s approaching two months since the freak accident that had made breathing, coughing, and sneezing a nightmare for him - and being able to enjoying active, relatively pain-free days again is that much more of a blessing especially in the wake of the recent shift that has left him seeking his usual outlets to release his pent-up anger and restlessness. Exhausting physical exercise had a way of quieting the nagging chatter in his mind.

On his way to the Battledome (walking briskly today rather than swinging,) Spencer nearly overlooks the flash of white of Clementine’s new feather dress against the snowy backdrop. But then comes the doubletake. Is that a little kid?]

[smallsurvivor]

They're a little cold. But I don't mind! [She just assumes there's no alternatives, and she's certainly not about to take something that doesn't belong to her!]

Is it okay to borrow your coat? Won't you be cold?

[smallsurvivor]

[She lets him talk even though she doesn't really internalize most of what he's saying. None of this has anything to do with finding a safe place and stocking it with supplies.]

Lots of people say that. Not a lot of them mean it.

[smallsurvivor]

[This is so confusing right now.] Me? Don't you know where one is? Are you lost too?

[smallsurvivor]

[It might be a little kid. The Domed area is huge and imposing on the outside, but looks like it might be warm within? Clem's mostly examining the perimeter of it, trying to climb up to a window to see if it's been overrun by walkers. Her wings are twitchy and puffy in expression of her struggle, little arms straining for purchase during her climb.]

[originaljackass]

[He went ahead and pulled his coat off. Sure, it was kind of a nice one, he'd shopped in the store for awhile to pick it out, but he could be generous. He went ahead and started pulling it around her.]

I don't get cold that easily. People didn't call me Jack Frost for nothing.

[ribbonbon]

[Lately, Pilouette has been making more and more of an effort to familiarize herself with the forest. This day, however, she doesn't quite make it to the forest before spotting an unfamiliar little girl watching her from around the corner of a nearby building. She's not quite sure what to say.

She briefly considers calling out to her, but...maybe this kid is just shy? Instead, she quietly waves, offering a friendly smile.]

[bionically]

[Hell; his eyes weren’t kidding. Either the poor kid was recently captured and experimented on or was an unfortunate new arrival, judging by the standard Malnosso-issue clothes.

He notes her Herculean effort and keeps a respectful distance for a moment, wondering what exactly she’s aiming to accomplish. Initiating conversation is the best way to find out, and the first step in introducing her to the idea of heading indoors, he muses.]

Careful, kiddo; those wings ain’t gonna keep you up if you slip.

[He tones down the authoritative note to his voice as not to come off as intimidating. Although it's a possibility that his conspicuous, clunky-looking bionic arm will undo that effort.]

[musubi]

[Oh no, not the sad little eyes. He knew this would be a bad idea. How is he supposed to deal with a traumatized kid? It's not like he's the best of role models.

He crosses his arms over his chest.]

Well hey. I doubt I'm really gonna be able to convince you of anything. Do you even know where you''re at, though?

[yourfononsarewhack]

I can't say that I am. I thought I'd give you a chance to figure out the situation for yourself.

[nascidanosargasso]

[Two weeks have passed, and Daisy is still in Keimi's body. Being bound on a smaller body meant for water, it bothered her a little that she would continue to depend on the wheelchair to move around. With only Vice Admiral Smoker's exercises, and her own swimming exercises as a mermaid, she continued to feel vulnerable -- the Battle Dome's options were now limited.

But it was that, or remaining in her room for even more. She continued to wander outside because of it.

While her senses were similarly hampened, Daisy kept her training. She noticed a sudden movement in the corner of her eyes, around the outside of the fourth community housing. Her green head turned, then moved her wheelchair towards it.]

Hello?

[smallsurvivor]

But. You said you already know.

[smallsurvivor]

[She slips her arms into the coat without further argument, snuggling gratefully into the warmth left from his body heat.]

Thanks, Jack. This is really nice.

[He's got an animal and a caregiver streak? Jack may have to pry her away with a crowbar.]

[smallsurvivor]

I met someone before. He called it. [She pauses then, trying to collect all the right syllables in the right order.] Lu se tee.

[Is that right?]

[originaljackass]

[She loves him. Chicks are going to be all over him. Best day ever.]

It's Italian. Now how about you hop up on my shoulders and I take you into Luceti?

[musubi]

Yeah. Luceti.

It's pretty safe here, most of the time. If weird. I'm no threat to you, anyway. Do I look like a threat?

[yourfononsarewhack]

Now where's the fun in just telling you everything? After all, it may be easier for your mind to take piecemeal.

[smallsurvivor]

[There was a word Clementine's never heard in that sentence. And it's just making her more nervous than before. She'll give the man a deer in headlights stare instead of properly replying.]

[smallsurvivor]

[The blue not-cow helped a whole lot.]

Well. If it's all right with you. [She knows she should be more careful about wandering away with strangers, but the animal would know. Oh, she hopes he's not going to try feeding her people for dinner.]

What's a Luceti? Is that still in Georgia?

[smallsurvivor]

So it's a place where everyone protects each other?


And. It's okay for kids too?

[originaljackass]

[With a blue cow and an adorable little kid, no one will be able to resist his charms. He'll be unstoppable.]

Sorry, Clem. This isn't Georgia. You ever watched Wizard of Oz? Where Dorothy ended up in another world? Well, it's like that.

[smallsurvivor]

[She squeaks despite her best efforts to stifle it. She hadn't expected to find anyone alive all the way over here!]

Huh? What wings?

[smallsurvivor]

I love the Wizard of Oz! [It comes out as a burst, but then she shrinks down and lowers her voice.]

What kind of other world? Is there a yellow brick road?