Action + Video - I'm off on this super fun adventure

[teamfun]

[ARRIVAL; Action]

[It's been something of A Day for Louis. A roller coaster of some really awesome and some really horrifically terrible shit. One minute, he was standing over that absolute jackass, Abel, and the next he's stumbling out of the first floor storage room out into the corridor with some comedic arm flailing. He catches himself, then stills, glancing around the space that is definitely not Ericson's courtyard.]

Toto, we're not in Kansas any more.

[He lets out a soft laugh that's toeing a little too close to hysterical. Carefully, he slides what looks like (and turns out IS) a chair leg with nails rammed into the top from an inside pocket of his held-together-by-love-and-duct-tape trenchcoat. For the observant, there's a blood stain on the upper arm, dry, a few weeks old, but definitely there, and definitely around a recently duct-taped hole. He raises his makeshift mace as he edges to a window, peering out at the perfect, beautiful Walker-free grounds.]

Oooookay, Lou. You're having a little bit of a psychotic breakdown. That's okay, that's fine. It's been a weird day. You knew it would have probably happened eventually. It's all good. Someone'll snap you out of this any second now.

[If you're heading towards him or passing him by, congrats, you've got his attention, he'll wave at you with his free hand.]

Hi there, mental breakdown conjuration. How's it hanging? Good? Good. I'm great. Not freaking out at all.

[LATER; Video]

[Once he's been filled in on what's actually happening (but still not utterly convinced this isn't some kind of stress-induced hallucination) Louis picks himself a room. He has his first hot shower in literal years, and even trusts the (magic????) closets to give him a new set of clothes. Aside from the trenchcoat. That remains as filthy and duct-taped as always. He's not parting with that for anything.

He sets himself up in the kitchen, where he sets up his communicator with a few false starts. It's been a long-ass time since he got to play with actual electronics. He's got a veritable feast on the table around him- ranging from god-awful junk food to fancy-ass steaks. They never truly starved in the school, but when all you have to eat for nigh on eight years are variations of rabbit, fish or berries, you can't help but indulge. He'll regret it later, when his system freaks out from suddenly having too-rich nutrients again, but that is a risk he's absolutely willing to take. He grins, giving the camera a thumbs-up. He doesn't get what's happening at all, but he can't just sit still, this...this keeps him active.]

Hey there, fellow captives-slash-mental breakdown prisoners! The name's Louis and I'm brand new to this... whatever it is. AnyHOO, seen as it sounds like I'll be here for a while, I thought I'd get to know you a little better. [He raises a dirty, dog-eared pack of playing cards t the screen.] So! If any kids wanna come to the kitchen and share in my bountiful feast and have a good old game of War, you're totally welcome to. Highest card gets to ask a question to the other person, fun, right? Or, I guess, you can be boring and do it over the video instead. What'd you say?

Comments

[teamfun]

It's like having a family. People who have always got your back. More mouths to feed, more people to look out for- but it's a lot easier than trying to make it on your own.

[Something he knows Clem has done more than once already. He's not sure if he could manage it. Relying on himself- he'd probably go crazy from loneliness. ]

I was lucky, I was in my boarding school when it all went down. [He rolls his eyes, letting out a soft 'tch'.] Of course, all but one of the adults bailed on us- but we figured shit out. Got ourselves a system.

[shslliar]

[Hey, Kokichi's nodding along with ya... Hm, maybe he wouldn't mind a new recruit? He'll keep this little game going for a little longer, though.]

Glad to hear ya didn't need any grown ups when the zombies attacked! Nee heehee~!

[He looks like he wants to ask more questions but... He's got his hand on the deck.]

Ready when you are.

[teamfun]

Sure didn't. They probably got eaten though, couldn't happen to nicer douchebags.

[Fuck you, adults. He nods, turning his card over, revelling a Jack of hearts. ]

Booyah!

[shslliar]

[Kokichi draws an Ace of hearts and smirks.]

[teamfun]

Well, hell. Good play, good play.

[He even manages an extravagant, sitting-down bow. ]

So. You get another question, lucky you.

[shslliar]

Thank you very much!

[Look at Kokichi, acting so proud and dramatic. Puffing out his chest and grinning and all.]

So! How long has the zombie thing been going on at home? Ya got any idea?

[teamfun]

[He laughs, letting Kokichi enjoy his victory. It was nice, relaxing. Almost like being back home before all the recent bullshit hit the fan.]

It's hard to keep track of time, no calendars and the clocks stopped working years ago. It's been about eight years, I think?

[shslliar]

Well, that makes sense...

[About 8 years... That means...]

Pretty cowardly staff at that boarding school you were in, huh. I'm impressed you guys managed to make it for that long, with the zombies and stuff. [No, really. He is. Actually honest for once.]

[teamfun]

[Sure does! There's a damn good reason Louis doesn't trust adults.]

We managed to work together, we've got woods near the school, and a river- so we could get food and water. Not a lot, but enough to get by. The school's got good walls, safe rooms. Up until recently, it was a pretty good set up.

[shslliar]

I see, I see... Good...

[... GROAN.]

Damn you and your answers that lead to more questions! [He pouts as he peeks at the top card on his deck.] I swear, if we get through this game, I'm gonna have to introduce you to more card games.

[teamfun]

That's kinda of the way it works! It gives you just enough to keep wanting more.

[He scoffs, turning his card over to reveal a ten of spades.]

I know lots of card games. This one is just the best for getting to know people.

[As opposed to just...having a conversation with them, god forbid.]

[shslliar]

Hmph.

[He flips over a 2 of spades.]

Yeah, I guess you have a point. Do your worst.

[teamfun]

[VICTORY.]

Nice. So. What sort of place do you come from? Back home, I mean.

[shslliar]

Weeelll... It's not a zombie apocalypse, but I did get held hostage by some sicko and their dumb robot bears.

... I'm not making that up.

[teamfun]

[That's enough to give Louis pause.]

Robot bears. That's- uh. Unexpected. Did you at least get out?

[shslliar]

[That's not the weirdest thing!]

Yeah! I did!

Thanks to Wonderland, that is.

[Which means he didn't actually get out at all.]

[teamfun]

[W E L P

Louis can at least read between the lines, his brows arch.]

Well, fuck. Sorry, that's a whole pile of awful.

[shslliar]

[And he drops the smile.]

Thanks for the sympathy. [He almost mutters under his breath as he leans his elbows on the table and stares at his deck.] That stupid zombie apocalypse is probably better than the hostage situation, I bet...

[teamfun]

Sounds like you needed some.

[He shrugs.]

Ours technically turned into one of those. Hostage situations. There's this group called the Delta- they attacked our group, kidnapped three of them. They want to turn us into kid soldiers for some war they have with another group.

Though...y'know, no homicidal bears that I'm aware of.

[Just shitty people, being shitty.]

[shslliar]

[Kokichi visibly winces at that one.]

Oooookay, yikes. I'm guessing you got pulled out before you got to save them?

[There's probably a shitty person behind the homicidal bears, but still.]

[teamfun]

Yuuuuuuup.

[The 'p' gets popped out. He's deeply worried about them. Worst still, he knows he's only not with them because Clementine chose to rescue him, at the expense of Violet. He's glad she did...but he's not glad Violet was the price. ]

It happened [a squint, a cant of the head] like...five hours ago? We got one of theirs, though. They left him behind. We'll find out where they're hiding and get our people back.

[shslliar]

[Still really freaked, but...]

Perfect! Now all ya gotta do is make the sucker talk.

[There's an evil little smirk on his face that doesn't quite reach the eyes properly.]

Luckily for you, if Wonderland ever decides to spit you out, it'll be right when you left off. So, at least you won't miss anything.

[teamfun]

That's the plan. Given he's the asshole that shot me, I'm looking forward to watching him finally squeal.

[He has NO LOVE for Abel. They'll do what they need to do, to get the information they need. Their world has no room for playing gentle any more.]

That's good. I wouldn't want to miss out on the chance of getting them home.

[shslliar]

[Looks like Kokichi is in favor of that idea, judging by the wicked grin on his face.]

Yep! Enjoy your involuntary vacation from reality before you go get your revenge!

[teamfun]

Lucky me, I get a break before we get to go kick the collective asses of those kid-stealing fuckheads.

[They've got to make good on Mitch, too. He would have been great, he would have blown the shit out of all of them. ]