The Lotion In The Basket

[Electric Fail]

*I take the gun she's offering me and slides it in my holster before I candrop it and smile at her with relief.*

"Thanks. Of course I understand. I've been around the zones for a bit of time now. I have to recognize I never learn though."

*I laugh nervously and point at myself.*

"good idea. I'm Electric Fail, I'm French and I'm 25. And as I said, I'm lost because...well because I'm a failure. You would have noticed."

[Arson Anthem]

*I'm no mentalist, but Fail's emotions seem genuine enough - and going on instinct is all we can do, like always, because if BLI went to the effort of sending a sleeper cell they're sure as hell going to make it convincing. It's not like we'd find her ID badge in her backpack. Holstering my gun, I step back so there's room in the doorway, and give her a smile* Nice to meet you, Fail. I'm Arson. This is Electric, Moon, Gear, Poison and his sister Sarah, the twins are PB and Jump, and Red's the girl at the back.

*I glance down the hall and see Red peering around the doorframe from the front room, seeming reluctant that she had to wait so far from the action* She doesn't talk, so don't be offended if she doesn't reply to you. And Max is down the street- *though when I look he's out of sight again.* He looks like a drac and he's not particularly friendly, but don't shoot. Sorry about the tension. With a group this big we're always a bit worried about someone noticing us. Come on in, we have plenty of water.

[Electric Fail]

*My smile enlarges. That Killjoy seems to be maybe more experimented, maybe even the leader of the group. Quite large, the group.*

Nice to meet you too. And thanks. And hi... Everyone.

*i wave a hand. A killjoy Who looks like a Drac? Bah whatever. It may seem selfish and ungrateful, but the first thing on my mind is water and food. It's apparently some kind of safehouse. I step in, not before having prealably shook off most of the dirt off my boots, mechanically. Old automatism. I glance at Red and smirk at her, and turned towards Arson.*

Don't worry, I don't get offended when you don't answer me. It's kind of an accustomance *I chuckled shortly.*
And I'm sorry for the heart pound acceleration I made you All endure.

*Yeah, not that efficient. I'm like, jumping in the middle of the party.*

[Funhouse Gear]

Don't worry about it. Last one in close the door, will you? *I call the last bit down the hall, then wave at Fail to follow me into the kitchen. I pick up a thermos of water and toss it to her, then pull out a few cans and slide them across the counter towards her* The water's from a well, but it's not toxic. You can take your pick of the cans; corn, chili, beans, and - *I turn the fourth so I can see the label* Looks like peach slices. We got a pretty good load when we were in the inner Zones, and we're still set for at least a little while longer.

[Poison Shot]

*I look at the new girl. Holster my gun and sarah follows the same action. It's still suspicious to me. I don't like new people. Especially unannounced. Arson picks up on this and seems a bit upset at it. I guess if she's ok with it then I'll try. But i'll still be keeping my eye out... can't afford anything at this stage..*

*I stare at the girl and make eye contact*
Be seeing you.
*Sarah and I turn around into the research room and close it behind us*

[Electric Revenge]

*I shut the door, but not without one last look up and down the road. Max is nowhere to be found, which seems to be the normal thing. I don't think I've even spoken one word to him since I've been here. But I have watched him working with Red as they practiced shooting and fighting. The thought of offering a chance or two to spar with my swords has crossed my mind, but I just don't feel like I should ask in this situation.*

*I return to the kitchen to see Fail sitting at the table looking at the cans Gear has laid out. I barely get out of the way before Poison and Sarah return to their room. Once again, I remember I need to ask Poison if he could help me get in contact with my brother, Chemical. It's been a week since I've been here; he should know that I've fallen in with another group of Killjoys. I guess I'm just being shy, which typically I'm not.*

*At that moment, my stomach begins to growl, reminding me of the lack of breakfast I had this morning.*

"Hey, Fail. Do you mind if I take the peaches? I really haven't eaten anything today."

[Electric Fail]

[eh so sorry, I'm really French so there may be grammar fails, plus I have 6 to 9 hours of difference with America, meaning that when you sleep I live and when I sleep you live. Meh]

*I grab the thermos, miraculously it doesn't slip out from my hands, and take a few gulps before claping the lid back on it and putting it on the counter. I smirked gratefully at Gear.*

Thanks, man. Whu, I love ya. *I stop, remembering I'm with a dude I don't know and I'm not in France.* Uh, I mean, you know, I owe you. Don't take the love I give for granted, it's just a formula.*I smile nervously and sit at the table, slipping my hand in my bag and pulling out my own thermos* Then I'll go fill mine at the well, it seems. Thanks for the indication. *I can't stop smiling, it's quite getting on my own nerves of not on the others. I glance at who was designated as Poison. He catches my eyes. Oh the hostility. I understand, though. And selfishly don't care, which is rather sad.*

*I stop the cans on the counter and look at the label.*

Beans you say? Corn? Oh god yes! Man, then you've had a lot. I always fall over Power Pup or only vitamins and glucose.

*I look at the cans and see Electric arriving. She asks me for the peaches. I nod, grabbing a corn one and opening it.*

Take it, no problem. I have my corn, I'm happy *I grin, take my spoon out of my bag and start eating the yellow grains.*

[Electric Revenge]

[It's alright. I'm pretty nocturnal, so I'm usually up late ]

"Thanks." *I grab the can of peaches, quickly tearing into it with our can opener before I start pulling slices out by my fingers. I don't care that it's sticky; I'm just hungry.*

*I see Fail looking satisfied as she sits there, eating her can of corn. But I'm also sensing a bit of rejection, since not everyone is too thrilled about her unannounced entrance into the safehouse. But I sense she just needs someone to talk to, to know that she's not alone.*

"Don't think you're the only newbie here. I just met up with everyone here just last week, so don't feel so bad if no one's up to talking at the moment. I just think showing up with no warning has everyone a bit on edge."

[Electric Fail]

*I swallow a mouthful of corn and tilt my head.*

Oh I understand. Usually I'm announcing myself, but my radio was crushed when... *I take another spoonful of corn down my throat* the Killjoys I was with were attacked by Dracs. We were kind of separated and well...yeah.

*I thoughtfully look at the food and rise my eyes again towards Electric*

Do you have a screwdriver? Anyways I like you' hair.

*She noticed my awkwardness, I see it. It's not really difficult, I have to say. I brushed back a dirty sidebang and tucked it behind my ear. I take another gulp of water. It had a weird taste but it was still water, bless water. Now my stomach is full, I feel a little more lucid, and worries start to come back. I know Matt is safe. But what about Paint? She's only 9! Oh my god, problems start to run at me like fire. Okay, the girl already shot a Drac and has the blood cold as ice, she knew how to use a gun at age six, and now she's supposed to be with the otheres, but what if she isn't with them? What if she's lost in the desert, like I was? Oh shit. I have to catch with her on the frequency. My face turns pale under my tan and sunburns.*

[Moonlight Revenge]

*After Fail enters and proves that she's a killjoy, I move to the corner, sit down quietly and start thinking 'was I too harsh with her? but no one can be trusted around here, as I said before'. Afterwards, I go up to her nervously* hello, I'm Moonlight Revenge but you can call me Moon. I... I'm sorry for what happened. It's just that I try to be so careful around the outer zones, since there aren't many killjoys around and there might be some "attacks" you know. *I smile and brush my hair down with my fingers since it looks so messy*

[Electric Fail]

*I rise my eyes, suddenly dragged out of my reverie. The killjoy with who I argued with minutes before is smiling kindly at me, twisting her hands, looking awkward. Super duper practical, two awkward people talking together. I put down my empty can of corn and slip my spoon back in my bag.*

You don't have to be sorry. It's my fault. I'm kind of the worst killjoy ever, and I'm overreactive. Don't feel sorry.

*If I have one quality, or maybe it's a flaw, it's that I can't seem to hold a grudge against someone. Moon seems sympathetic and genuine, and plus, a good companion. Who am I to look down on her when she just wanted to protect the others? DamnI get philosophical, I have to stop thinking.

I plunged my hand in my backpack and drew out my dismanteled radio.*

I fear there's nothing to do for the old boy. The last thing I could get was that guy Matt was safe somewhere in the outer Zones. It was some time after this group of KJs defended the Bowling Alley. You've heard about it?

*I fold my sun goggles and put them in my bag. It make my scalp itch when I let them up there for too long.*

[Electric Revenge]

*I go to dig around in my bags for a screwdriver, taking my can of peaches with me. I know I brought one with me; my electrically-charged glove always seems to short out on me, so I always have a collection of tools and wires with me.*

*I get back to the kitchen, happy to see Moon apologizing to Fail. With our dwindling numbers, we can take all the allies we can get. I give a smile to Moon as I pass the screwdriver to Fail.* Here's the screwdriver you wanted. I have some other tools if you need anything else.

[Electric Fail]

*I smile at her and take the screwdriver.*

Thanks, dudess.

*I start to unscrew the crushed metal that was the shell of the radio, freeing the electronic contents. I look at them. The transmitter isn't damaged, but the receiver is crooked, and the wires, ripped out. I sigh and dig out my components box from my bag. I search through the nails and old SD cards, and sigh when I discover I still have the receiver I have picked out of an old telephone.*

It has to work...

*I unscrew the crushed receiver and replace it by the phone receiver. I rely the cables with my hands, put a new battery and set the thing on. Blurred Music gets out of it. I shout.*

Fuck yes! Oh thanks!

* I shake Electric's hand energetically and start to fiddle with my radio, which is still all organs out. *

[Electric Revenge]

Glad I can help. *If there was any doubt before that Fail was a Drac, I think it was erased. I was quite happy she didn't rip off my hand with the energy she had shaking it.*

*I let her return to fiddle around with her now-working radio. I decide to head out to the front porch with a few odds and ends that I needed to fix. I plop myself on the stairs of the porch, my electric glove in hand and my earbuds blasting a mix of music from my scratched MP3 player. It's about high time I get it fixed and working. I have a feeling we're going to be leaving soon.*

[Funhouse Gear]

*I half-smile as I watch Fail working on her radio* Glad to see a motorbaby with some electrical knowledge. You might be some help to Poison, though I can't swear to that as I don't know exactly what he's working on. Plus there's the whole distrust thing. *Personally, after watching her interact with the others I don't suspect her any more than I do Electric. There's no falsity to her emotions, and none of the hesitation I'd expect from a city-dweller suddenly confronted by the grit and grime of the Zones*

If you need more water, the well's in the basement. Stairs are to the right down the hall, and watch the edge of the well; there's no wall. Now if you'll excuse me, it's my turn for watch. *I nod to her and head out front, passing Electric on the porch and sitting down on the dry ground some distance away. Leaning against the base of the porch, I'm still in the shade and I have a clear view of the street in either direction. I wonder how much longer we can stay here; patrols aren't common this far out, but they're not impossible either. It's only a matter of time.*