(no subject)

[devoutish]

[When the car radiator overheats for the third time in a week, Alfie takes it as a sign that it's finally time for more than just another quick tune-up.

They're in a deserted area, which is both good and bad. On the one hand, most of the dangerous gangs are still in urban areas, the way they had been before the world had gone to shit. Out here in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by miles and miles of fields with only the occasional small copse of trees, they're not likely to run into anyone at all, much less anyone dangerous. But on the other hand, if they do come across anyone, there won't be anywhere to run to or hide. Alfie, as always, has his pistol tucked into his coat pocket, and they have more weapons stashed away in the trunk. But they're a small group - no match for the bigger gangs with armored trucks and heavy artillery. If they meet one of those, they'll be slaughtered.

With his sleeves rolled up and the hood of the car open, he leans in with his tools, carefully tinkering away. He can't afford to make a mistake here - replacement parts are rare and precious. When he hears footsteps behind him, he doesn't dare look away from his work as he says sharply:]

Stay back. You don't want hot steam to the face.

Comments

[bywolves]

[ Royce has learned to do the most basic car repair, but he's still useless with the finer parts. This is why he defers to Alfie on this particular task. He doesn't want to risk breaking anything out of some stupid sense of pride. Instead, he stays in the car and keeps an eye out, because this is what he's good at. He's good at scouting, at watching and listening like a hawk.

And besides, Mercy is sleeping right next to him. He doesn't want to wake her.

Still, he figures she'll be okay for a second, which is why he gets out of the car to check on Alfie's progress. Being in the same place for too long, open and exposed like this - it unsettles him. Like he wasn't paranoid enough. ]

I know I don't. You can keep it. [ Royce says flatly, staying away. ] How close are you to being done?

[showhim]

[ Walking for hours has made all of them sore and exhausted and grouchy. Mercy can't walk for long periods of time - she tries, bless her heart, because even as a four year old she knows it's important. Gwen and Royce still end up carrying her a good portion of the time. Not that either of them mind, not in the least.

Still, by the time night hits, Gwen is relieved to rest. They set up camp in an abandoned building that has half of the ceiling caved in, and Royce starts a fire. He gathers Mercy up and feeds her first, like always, and Gwen gives both of them a kiss before wandering out to find Alfie.

She's a little worried - she knows the long walks are terrible on Alfie especially, and she's got something she found and has been keeping safe for this purpose. So when she finds Alfie, wherever he may be, she sits next to him, easily resting shoulder to shoulder with a little smile and a can of food, waiting for him to look at her. ]

gently puts this here also

[showhim]

[ Gwen can protect herself. Not only has she had to learn on her own, but she has Royce and Alfie both who have shown her how to use various weapons. She's well trained in how to use a knife in particular, but knives don't do much in a gunfight.

A gunfight is exactly what has broken out, too. It isn't even their fault - the makeshift little town they'd stopped in to trade for supplies is in constant danger of disputes between merchants and customers, since there's not exactly any sort of law. A man gets annoyed about having to pay for something, he shoots the merchant, and then everybody pulls out a gun.

Royce and Mercy aren't in this particular section of town. They're off negotiating for a car. Gwen had insisted on giving them some alone time, and so she'd dragged Alfie off to buy food with her, and...

Well. Now they're stuck, hidden in the remains of a building that's right in the center of the action, listening to people shout and scream and shoot each other. Gwen, as always, just looks more upset than she does scared. Holding her gun tightly, she glances at Alfie, and whispers: ] We need to move. Can you see a way through?