TLV Inbox

[greatoldjohn]

[in a rather deep voice] "This is John Doe. Please leave your message. I'll get back to you as soon as I can. I may respond in text if I'm currently with Arthur. Apologies."

Now Moved To: Inbox: Act II - please tag in there!

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[greatoldjohn]

[ He listens. He isn't going to talk over her, ignore what she's saying. But he's heard this before: of course he has. ]

Of course you're tired. You've been trying to survive all this time.

Now, well... you know your time is limited. And you know the worst has happened. You know the biggest threat there is, the Infected, aren't coming for you.

Now you get to try to live. Think about all the things you can do now, without that hanging over you're head. Hell, if your the altruistic sort, think about all the good you can do... carefully, of course.

I lived in fear more before I was Infected than I do now.

[pitofguilt]

[ To live, and to do more good than she ever could've as a Guardian. To feel hope for the first time in so long. To do what she's been doing since leaving the compound, only without fear of getting bitten. To be able to choose, and to remember every day that it's what Travis would've wanted for her. ]

I, uh... [ a shaky sigh ] I guess-- I could go, with you. I don't have to die right away, right. It's, uh...

[ It's what he would've wanted. ]

It's better not to die alone. [ Another sigh, then she remembers her cigarette and takes a drag. ] So... who are you?

[greatoldjohn]

John Doe.

[ He dips his head to her in greeting. Then he huffs a laugh. It's a slightly wicked sort of chuckle, but there's nothing but mischief in his eyes as he shakes his head. ]

Yes, I had another name back when, before I got bit. But I decided it'd be different once that happened. Figured I'd aim for 'nobody' and work my way up from there.

[ He offers his hand. ]

Nice to meet you. And you are?

[pitofguilt]

[ She reaches out and shakes his hand. ]

Natalie Scatorccio. Never met a John Doe before.

[ How many even were there, before this virus wiped out so much of humanity. ]

[greatoldjohn]

That's cause most people who go by the name are dead or don't remember who they are.

[ He says it terribly cheerfully. ]

You've probably seen a few John Doe's. Which is kind of what I aim for. Nice to meet you, Natalie.

[pitofguilt]

[ John Doe. A nobody, an anybody. Wandering around, offering people... perspective? Hope? Both?

Natalie manages a small smile. ]

Nice to meet you too.

[greatoldjohn]

[ He takes a moment to glance around. Then he takes another drag.]

So you live out here? Or were you planning to live out here?

[pitofguilt]

Been living out here for a while. Found a little building with four walls and a roof, turned it into a house.

[ The only thing that would've made it better was... well. Nothing. Maybe living out here with Travis. Maybe that's what they should've done instead of stay with the Guardians out of fear. ]

It's nice. Quiet. Or it was, until today.

[greatoldjohn]

[ That's a slow nod back from him. ]

You can always stay out here if you want to. I'm not trying to ask you to abandon your home, just so we're clear.

But I would like to bring you to the Underground. Get you acquainted so you can get what you need. Have community.

[pitofguilt]

[ She scoffs. Community. She's never had that, not really. Individual people, yes. Small groups of them, sometimes. But community... unless her trade network counts, and none of them has to know she's infected now, do they? ]

Sure. I, uh... I can trade with people. Fresh meat for... supplies. Clothes.

[ How much of her life actually changes just because she's infected now? How much of a death sentence is this, really? Is it so bad to wait a few years and see if, maybe, someone finds a cure? ]

[greatoldjohn]

[ The scoff makes him huff a laugh of his own; he's not going to judge but he's also not going to cut off the possibilities. The lack of getting infected hanging over your head can change a lot of things. But he'll nod to her comment. ]

Right. And you'll be amazed at some of the great stuff the smugglers bring in.

[pitofguilt]

I'll trade double the usual for chocolate.

[ Honey might be relatively easy to come by, but nothing compares the processed sweets of the past. Maybe it'll taste like utter shit to her now, buy nostalgia is a powerful drug. ]

Is this... what you do? Find infected people and... just talk to them?

[greatoldjohn]

[ He was about to dig into his bag before he pauses and nods to her. ]

Pretty much. I think it's important.

[ There's a small squirm back and forth before he moves a few things and pulls out-

A plastic-wrapped piece of chocolate. Just one cube. ]

Welcome to the world, Natalie. Today's your lucky day. And here's proof.

[pitofguilt]

[ She freezes in place for a full second, staring at the candy in his hand. His voice sounds like it's right in her head, all-encompassing, reassuring, caring. She feels as if she'd fight by his side, and sit with him on quiet nights, and explore the wilderness with him just for the joy of it.

Slowly, she lifts her gaze to his, as the rest of the world comes back into focus. ]

My next kill is yours. All of it.

[ He can keep it for himself, or he can use it to help other people the way he helped her. As she reaches out to take the chocolate, she feels lighter than she has in decades. ]

[greatoldjohn]

[ He shakes his head and he can't help a slightly wicked-sounding laugh. There's no ill-intent in it, it's clearly just how his gruff voice sounds. ]

Oh no, don't you dare. This is a gift! A welcome to the world. The next kill you make, we'll share. As friends.

[pitofguilt]

[ She hasn't had a real friend since she left Seattle. This is... this could be okay. ]

Is saving my life not gift enough?

[greatoldjohn]

[ That gets a firm headshake and a smile. ]

Nah. I do this for me. I don't even know you yet. I didn't do it for you, so it's not a gift. All I did was help you make a decision.

The chocolate is something I'm giving.

[pitofguilt]

[ That doesn't sound right, but it also doesn't seem right for her to push when he's the reason she's still even get to be thinking about it. So she nods, pops the chocolate in her mouth, and closes her eyes. The clock has always been ticking on her life, and on everyone's. Now she doesn't have the threat of infection to worry about, maybe she can relax. ]

It's good. [ The chocolate. ] Thanks.

[greatoldjohn]

[ His grin is lopsided but genuine. ]

I was hoping so. Better it goes to someone who could appreciate it. Look at that: you were willing to give a whole kill and I just gave it away. You valued it more than me.

[pitofguilt]

You valued my life more than me.

[ As if that's even remotely the same. No. It's a way to impress upon him the magnitude of what he's done for her. ]