Hondo's Cabin - After Chaos

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After Chaos (Read 187692 times)

Fernando

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Re: After Chaos
Reply #2710 - Apr 11^th, 2021, 3:00am

Once at the camp, Fernando assisted Karl and Marvin refuel their SUVs, bringing their fuel level between full and 3/4 on the fuel meter on one of the tanks though the other tanks were more or less full. As they fill up their tanks, Madison and Robin with Patricia and Alicia walk up to them as they make their usual guard rounds.

Madison asks, “Hey, what’s up?”

Fernando turns to see them as Marvin was finishing up fueling his SUV, “Man, I should sit you down and fill you in, this place is an evil paradise.”

“Expensive all around, and people demanding money up front for everything?” Madison begins, he continues, “Some of us have been there before with Jason. Though Jason has a few leads, I would not trust them.”

“Figures.” Fernando says mostly to himself. He then asks, “Anything I should know, as I’ll be getting lunch for some of us, and I’m going to throw you in for today.”

“Why?” Madison asks, thinking that he and the others would get a bagged lunch while out on patrol from Ruth or Val.

Patricia steps in, “Didn’t you hear that argument in the kitchen camper?”

“Err... No.” Madison replies.

“Me neither.” Robin says.

“Well, guessing that Lunch will be ruined for most of us, I’m going into town and buy something for those of us who earned it. That includes you guys, and the wessens. Everybody else can go to hell.” Fernando says.

“Alright. What about this fuel fill up you were doing? Planning to leave soon or something?” Madison asks.

“No, Karl and Marvin had a point. In the last few towns we were in, we were in panic mode getting fuel right before we leave. They decided to fill up now and not be in a panic mode later on. Rather genius of them to do that.” Fernando explains.

“Well, that’s a great idea. But how you got the fuel station to just fill up your jugs? They are rather adamant about that, saying that they had deliberate fires set from those who they sold fuel in a jug.” Madison explains.

“Well, that was part of the problem. I had to convince them to give up the fuel. They did and no problem after that and where we are.” Fernando explains.

Robin throws out, “We should fuel up too so we don’t have to later on.”

Madison replies, “It would be a lot easier if we can drive in without the camper.”

“Hold on. That’s easy. Marvin, Karl, I need some muscle, please.” Fernando says as they walk to the teens’ dune buggies. He then point to the trailer connection of the dune buggy and the camper, “First you need to set down the resting jack to the floor. So everyone grab a rail, and when I tell you, lift up on it.” The teens along with Marvin and Karl grabs onto the camper’s tow A-Arms. Fernando explains that with the buggy in neutral and the brake off, he drops the resting jack to the floor and locks into place. He then releases the trailer hitch ball lock and tells them to lift up the camper about half a foot. When the trailer ball lock clears the buggy’s trailer hitch, Fernando pushes the buggy way about a foot and tells them to put down the camper onto the resting jack. They repeat the same actions on the other teens’ dune buggy. “Now the campers should be fine while we are gone for lunch and fuel.”

“But we got little money.” Madison says.

“Don’t worry about it.” Fernando tells him as he tosses to the each of them a bag of gold and silver coins. “Since you been here before, take us to a good eatery that can make us sandwiches and soups and something meatless for the wessens.”

“Sure, hop on in!” Madison says as Karl and Marvin put away the jugs and pull cart.

Fernando hops into the Boys’ dune buggy while Marvin and Karl hop into the girls’ dune buggy, and the two vehicles drive into town. Since the teen boys and girls know of Flight Town through past visits on Jason’s truck, they drive on further than Fernando and the wessens walked before. They go past the northern end of the main runway to a group of merchants and service providers, and stop at building at the end of the group. A sign above the door says “Mad Moondog Maddie’s Place.”

“Here we are. This is Mad Maddie’s place. She can make anything if you tell her what you want.” Madison explains. He adds, “Go in, make your order. It should be ready when we return from refueling...”

“I’ll see you then.” Fernando says as he hops off the back of the dune buggy. Marvin and Karl join him as they hop out of the girls’ dune buggy. They gather themselves as the teens drive away. They walk into the establishment, which the inside was a lot better looking than the outside. They walk up to the service bar and wait.

A couple minutes later an older woman walks up to the counter, wiping it down with a rag. “My name’s Maddie, Mad Moondog Maddie. How can I help you?”

“Good day to you Maddie. My convoy came in and I need a large order. Hope you can fill it.” Fernando explains.

“I can fill any order, if given the time. This a rush job?” Maddie says and asks.

“No rush.” Fernando replies.

“When what shall it be?” Maddie asks.

“This is all carry out, so... you got those cardboard bowls that can hold soup?” Fernando asks.

“I do. What’s your order?” Maddie asks.

“Let’s see...” Fernando begins to count off on his fingers, “Karl, Marvin, Teri, La La, Li Li – that’s it? OK five small oatmeal bowls, some fruit – apples, pears, berries to go separate with the oatmeal. And let’s see... me, Ichigo, Macey, Hondo, 10 teens, Val, Zoey, oh #$@! it – 30 meat and cheese sandwiches with lettuce and tomato – assorted to make it easier for you to make. Just mark them as what they are – ham, beef, chicken, whatever. With a few bowls of gravy, some fruit to go with them as well, and I’ll buy the drinks outside by the jug load. Can you recommend anyone?”

“So 5 oatmeal bowls, 30 sandwiches, fruit?” Maddie asks.

“Make it 50 sandwiches. And 8 oatmeal bowls. How long will it take and costs?” Fernando asks.

“Give me an hour. And costs? Let’s see… $350 should do it.” Maddie points out.

“Write it down on a receipt. And consider this as a down payment, I’ll pay for the rest when I get back. Can my boys remain here while I am gone?” Fernando says and asks as he slides two $100 gold coins to her.

Maddie takes the coins and writes something down on her pad, “Not a problem as long as they behave.”

“Alright, I’ll be back. Boy’s be good. If the teens return before I do, tell them to wait.” Fernando says to them.

“See ya boss...” Karl says as Fernando walks away.

Once Fernando is outside, he looks about, seeing various merchants selling items from Apples to Zucchinis, from vegetables and fruits to meats and seafood. Other merchants were selling odds and ends hardware, vehicles parts, weapons, clothing, etc. There were many with aircraft parts for sale. But he was interested in getting juice and sweet water by the jugs. He finds a place which also sells various fruit produce. He gets 4 large jugs of fruit juice and 4 jugs of sweet water, and another bag of assorted fruits, mostly apples and pears. He returns in a few minutes with the items to Maddie’s place.

Maddie sees Fernando returning, “Hope you got what you need.”

“Let me ask, as it might add to the order. Do you make like, hmmm... a salad in a sandwich?” Fernando asks.

“A salad in a sandwich?” Maddie asks.

“You know- like a ham and cheese with lettuce and tomato without the ham or cheese? Any maybe with other salad bits in it?” Fernando asks.

“Oh, for your boys who cannot eat meat? We do that all the time.” Maddie answers.

“OK. Add to the order 8 salad sandwiches, and can you wrap up a pound of sliced cheese?” Fernando says and asks.

“Sure.” Maddie answers as she write is down.

“How much is all that?” Fernando asks.

“$380, minus the $200 you gave, that’s $180 left over.” Maddie explains.

“That’s all?” Fernando asks. He then takes another $200 from his pocket and put it on the counter. “Keep the change for the excellent service.”

“Why thank you.” Maddie says as she takes the coins and writes on her pad. She looks at kitchen area, checking on the order being done. Half of the sandwiches were already done. Other items were started at this point.

The teens return and entered the establishment. Madison asks, “How long for the order to be done?”

“I guess another half hour or so.” Fernando points out.

“We can wait then.” Madison says.

“What do you mean, wait?” Fernando asks.

“We have guard duty to do.” Madison asks.

“You’re excused from duty while you are with me.” Fernando tells him.

“But what about protecting the convoy?” Madison asks.

“With or without you the convoy can protect itself. Right now with the women willing to cause grief and strife with their arguing, no one is going to go in to bother them. And we will be there soon enough anyways.” Fernando explains.

“If you insist.” Madison replies.

“You can do me a favor and put these in the storage space of your buggies.” Fernando says as he hands him the bags of juices, sweet water and assorted fruit.

Madison and Robin take the bag with Patricia and Alicia following them outside. They open the front hood (similar to a vintage VW Beetle) and put the various items inside it before heading back into the restaurant. Another 1 minutes and Maddie comes out with her cooks and assistants, piling the sandwiches and other items onto the counter.

Maddie explains, “I made 20 Roast Beast, 20 Ham, 20 Chicken, 20 Cold cuts and 20 mixed sandwiches; the 8 oatmeal bowls and 8 salad sandwiches and 20 bowls of dipping/pouring gravy for the sandwiches. And here is a bag of assorted fruits. Will that be all?”

“This is perfect. Of course I will be back with more orders but for now this is it. And I will be spreading the word that this is the place to go. Thanks.” Fernando tells her. He then turns to his crew, “Ladies, Gentlemen – let’s pack these up and head to camp!”

The food items are gathered up and packed up into the trunk of the dune buggies. In a couple of minutes, they drive back to the convoy’s camp. Before the food is given out, Fernando has the buggies reconnected to their camper trailers. He gives Karl and Marvin the oatmeal, salad sandwiches, assorted fruits, and a jug of juice to give out to the wessens (Teri, La La, Li Li and themselves); and the teens to handout majority of the sandwiches, fruit and drinks to themselves, the Den Mother, Maribelle , Jeanette and her crew; and he takes several items that remain for his group. He walks to his camper, opening the side door, putting the items on the floor.

He holds back from yelling, “I do not want back talk, belly aching or crying, you eat what is given to you, rarely are you going to have a choice.” He then moves the food from the floor of the bus to the sink shelf before closing the side door, “Now, Roast Beast, Ham or Chicken sandwich?”

Ichigo looks up at him as he sorts out what he has, about 12 sandwiches in all.

“If I hand you something, that is all you are going to get if you do not tell me what you want.” He tells her one more time.

Again, she does not answer.

“Alright, have this one. The rest I have to give out. There is juice in a large paper cup for you to have. I will be back.” He tells her as he tosses a (chicken) sandwich onto the bed next to her. He then picks up the remainder of the sandwiches and heads to Ruth’s camper.

In the minute it takes to get to Ruth’s camper, Fernando tries to shake off that uneasy feeling that he might get dragged into something he does not want to be in. He knocks on the door, Joanna answers the door.

“Oh, hi Mister Fernando. How can I help you?” Joanna asks.

“I do not care about what argument might be happening, but here, I bought these in town. I do not know what they are other than it can be roast beast, ham, chicken or cold cuts. This other bag has some apples, pears and other fruits in it. And I poured myself some from this juice jug, the rest is for you guys.” Fernando explains as he hands Joanna the items.

She takes them and puts them on a nearby shelf area, “Oh, thank you very much. We were not expecting this...”

“Don’t worry about it. Just take and enjoy.” Fernando tells her.

“Well, thanks again!” Joanna says.

[This section can be removed if needed…]

Fernando then walks around, but does not find Hondo around. This makes his choice harder to do but do it he must. With 6 remaining sandwiches he heads to Hondo’s camper and knocks hard on the door.

The door opens with Val looking like she is guarding the gates of hell herself. It is met an eviler look from Fernando.

“What do you want?” Val scowls at him.

Fernando reaches over with the food his arms to her. “I bought lunch for everyone, and I do not care if you were busy cooking in there. Now take it and make peace with the world. I’m sure the girls are hungry.”

“I don't need your help taking care of the girls. I managed to survive without you men until now.” Val spews out at him.

“Do not start with me, woman. What I did to put you together can be undone with a wave of a hand.” Fernando tells her, “But I have this feeling that you do not care. So let me tell you this – the one thing they did not cut out from you was your heart. You better go in there and think about what is going on because despite what happened to you, Hondo and I took this group to look for you, chasing false leads, fighting to the death with those who got in our way looking for you, and even losing one of our own to find you. Yes Val – a person, James, was killed looking for you. It almost became two as even Hondo, your husband, took a bullet from Grey Lady looking for you as well. And when we went to where we were told you would be, we found the blimp crashed and burning on the ground. Take that to your grave because everybody needs help. Even me, and I have your husband at my right side to give me that help when I need it without asking. I do not care if what we do is not good enough, but it is the best we have and if you do not like it, you do not have to eat it. Now I’ll be in my camper. You can send Macey ‘home’ so we can eat what I bought for the group. But as for this arguing, I do not want to hear it. See you later and enjoy what we have.” He then turns and walks way but not in the direction of his camper.

Val stands there for the moment in what was said and what had to be heard. His words seems to replay in her head, people got hurt and died looking for her. Her own husband, who she blamed in not doing anything, got shot by the one person holding her hostage. They arrive at the place she was held it and found it wrecked and burning. Part of her wants to find fault in being one step behind the situation and not catching up. But most of her is finding how much they tried to rescue her and how close they were in doing so. There is no fault there to have or point out. After a few moments she puts the sandwiches and items given to her onto the dining table. She then calls out to Macey and tells her to go to Fernando’s camper.

-- To Be Continued... --

« Last Edit: Apr 12^th, 2021, 8:40pm by Hondo I. Sackett »

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Fernando YaBB Administrator NY City Posts: 2380 Gender:	Re: After Chaos Reply #2711 - Apr 12^th, 2021, 11:03pm (Great addition/edit)
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Hondo I. Sackett

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Re: After Chaos
Reply #2712 - Apr 12^th, 2021, 11:54pm

Ruth Chased Ichigo down as she ran out of the camper. She gave spoke a few words to Hondo quickly in passing, but did not envy what he was walking into.

"Ichigo wait!" Ruth called out.

Ichigo stopped but kept her back to Ruth.

"Ichigo, I'm sorry. That was unfair of Valentine to say, but ." Ruth said but was cut short.

Ichigo spun angrily on her feet, tears of sadness, anger, and embarrassment in her eyes.

"But nothing! That witch had no call!" Ichigo said angrily

"She's been through hell, you know as much as we do, and we all know there is more to it. It wasn't right of her but, she's not well." Ruth said

"I don't care! I deserve more respect than that!" Ichigo pouted.

Ruth sighed, "Ichigo, I'm trying to be nice and help, but you haven't done much to deserve respect from us. Actually you've done nothing to deserve respect. You forget, we all saw your handiwork in fight town and got a taste of your attitude when you came into our camp uninvited like you owned not only the place but us as well. Fernando still took you in after all that, and we respected that. He and Hondo have helped all of us one way or another, as has Valentine. You, though, you've barely helped, and when you did Fernando forced you to. You've caused issues more than once, gone between stuck up and scared little girl like someone with extreme bi-polar disorder. Then, on top of that, you called Maggie names as if she's less than you. She is wessen but she is not less, and if Fernando heard what you called her, he'd wash your mouth out with soap! Now, I'm sorry Valentine said those things to you, but that doesn't excuse you."

Ichigo got angrier and started full on crying

"You all hate me and want me dead!" She bawled as she ran back to Fernando's camper.

Ruth sighed and hung her head. It was only then he heard Valentine yelling at Tonya and Hondo. She looked up to see Tonya running away from camp and shortly after Hondo following, shaking his head in frustration, as he followed not far behind Tonya as Valentine stormed back to the camper. Ruth shook her head and headed back to her camper. As she approached, Joanna was standing in the doorway looking toward where the commotions had all came from.

"What's the ruckus?" Joanna asked

"You don't want to know." Ruth said

"That bad?" Joanna asked

Ruth nodded, "I think we may have to take back over meals, tonight at least. I'm not sure how we are going to pull off lunch at this point."

"I thought Valentine was taking lunch and we were just doing sides for supper? What happened?" Joanna queried.

"I don't know if its a relapse, or she's just realizing all that happened, or what, but she jut had a meltdown and I'm not sure that it's over." Ruth said.

"I thought I heard that small blond woman yelling?" Joanna said.

"Ichigo? Yeah. She was being .... herself." Ruth said.

Joanna raised an eyebrow, "A condescending bitch?"

Ruth shrugged, "It's o cover for a weak, scared person, but.... yeah. She called Maggie a ..."

Ruth looked around, then leaned forward and whispered in Joanna's ear. Joana pulled back with wide eyes.

"She didn't!" Joanna exclaimed.

"Unfortunately so. That doesn't leave us, understand. She said some other things too, and made Maggie cry. Valentine lost her cool and reamed her out. I tried to talk to Ichigo, but she wasn't up for it. I just saw Hondo and Tonya get their asses handed to them by Valentine too, so we're going to have to hold it together for all of us." Ruth said.

Joanna shook her head and shrugged, "Oh well, we've done it before. I'd like to complain but after all we've been through ..."

Ruth smiled, "I feel the same. I need to go check on Valentine and the others, but if you could get the girls and get started early, that would be good."

"They are out watching the boy's play, but I'll round them up." Joanna said.

Ruth nodded,"Thanks"

As Joanna headed off to collect the younger ones Ruth headed back to a place that usually had been the welcoming center of camp, but now felt as if the door to that camper was the gates of Tartarus themselves. As she headed back she saw Fernando head off with Marvin and Karl towards town. She envied them. She had heard this town was a dangerous pit of thieves and cutthroats. Yes, Fernando and the others were descending into a den of vipers and she envied them.

As she entered the camper, she found Maggie staring at the table, Valentine chopping vegetable with a cold, far away, almost scared look on her face, and the others who were "helping" trying to look busy but were accomplishing almost nothing. Macey and Zoey were not in sight, so she suspected that they had retreated to the loft for their own safety. Ruth went up to Valentine cautiously, and cleared her throat. But Valentine did not acknowledge her presence at all. The other in the room, except for Maggie, watched Ruth and Valentine with side long glances.

"Val?" Ruth said

"hmm." Valentine grunted.

"Valentine, look at me." Ruth said firmly.

Valentine half turned her head towards her, her eye's though looked down.

"Val, this isn't like you." Ruth said

"You don't know me. Not sure anyone here does... Maggie maybe, but not the rest of you.... Not even my own husband. Startin' to think no one cares 'bout me either, just what I can do for them." She half muttered.

"That's not fair of you to say. You are better than this yelling at people and pity party you're having. " Ruth said

Valentine's eye's snapped to Ruth finally, and the lost look was replaced with one of anger.

"Who are you to say what's fair?! I was the one tortured and taken apart! You have no clue who I am or what I've gone through!" Valentine growled.

"That's because you won't tell us! All we know is you were hurt, and the only person who knows and you say you trust helped hurt you!" Ruth exclaimed

"She saved me!! Where were the rest of you?!?" Valentine snarled.

"Trying to find your ungrateful ass! You know what we all endured? What Hondo and Fernando went through and ..." Ruth started to point at Molly, but she shook her head at Ruth so she stopped.

"All I hear about is what you all went through! I'm tired of it!" Valentine snapped.

Ruth sighed again, "Valentine.... I'm sorry for what happened to you, but the women who helped save me, my sister, and my cousins isn't the one I see in front of me. We all miss her and want her back. We'd all help if she let us."

Valentine stared back at the floor without saying anything.

Ruth turned to Molly who looked like she was trying to head things up but was looking lost.

"Molly, My campers a bit smaller, but we can take the meal prep over there." Ruth said

"We're fine here." Valentine murmured.

"Obviously you are not." Ruth replied before turning back to Molly.

"We can take care of the main course for supper as well." Ruth said.

"We might have to do an early supper and hand out snacks. Lunch is late and it's not even half done now." Molly said.

"Ok, then, ladies, lets get things moved." Ruth said.

"I'll help you move stuff then I'd better come back." Molly said nodding towards Valentine.

Ruth nodded. and started helping the few that remained gather stuff up. After they left Valentine and Maggie sat in silence for several minutes.

After several uncomfortably quiet minutes Maggie spoke up.

"Valentine.... They are right." She said in almost a whisper.

"Right?" Valentine asked softly without looking up.

"I... I hurt you. I know what happened because I... I helped." She said in a broken whisper.

Valentine shook her head, "No, you were forced.... You had no choice."

Maggie sighed, "I had a choice. Death is still a choice. they would have killed me, yes... hell they almost did. They had me strapped to a bed and were going to transplant some of you into me and see what happened. If... if it wasn't for the emergency... if it wasn't for the threat of your husband and Fernando getting too close..."

"Wait, what? They moved me because of them?" Valentine said.

"Yes, they knew they would find us, even as well hidden as we were. Those two scared the boogie men. If it wasn't for that we'd both be lab rats still, I'd probably be dead and in specimen jars. They gave me a chance, a window of opportunity. I did what our captors ordered as I didn't want to die. So I made a choice. I might have got you out, but you asked me to take a chance and help you just get a message out so they could come and I chose not to. I'm no good. I barely saved you. If it hadn't been for those cowboy's we'd be dead. No one has ever needed me, cause I'm worthless. That Ichigo is a mean person, but she right. I'm a dirty, worthless, half trash-panda, science-experiment-gone-wrong whore." Maggie said meekly.

Valentine's head snapped up, "Don't say that! You are good! You saved me! I need you!!"

Maggie sighed, "I wish that was true."

About then Hondo entered the camper with Molly on his heels.

"Val." He said quietly but firmly.

"You change your mind?" She asked flatly.

" 'bout?" He asked.

" 'bout Maggie stayin'." She said.

"I think we need to talk 'bout it." He replied.

"No. Yes or we have nothin' to talk 'bout." She replied.

Hondo nodded, "Alright, then I guess I'll be sleepin' in the Bronco until you decide to actually talk to me."

He turned to Molly quickly before leaving, "You stayin' 'round?"

"I'll keep an eye on her." Molly replied softly.

Hondo nodded, "Thanks."

After Hondo left, Molly sat down on the couch. Nothing was said between them. Molly stared at Valentine and Maggie. Valentine stared at the floor blankly and Maggie stared sadly at the table. their silence was broken only by a knock at the door. Valentine looked up and Molly who just shrugged. Valentine returned her shrug with a scowl and got up to answer the door. Upon opening the door she found Fernando standing there, of which she figured he was there to plead Hondo's case. Val gave him a look like she was guarding the gates of hell herself. It was met an eviler look from Fernando.

“What do you want?” Val scowls at him.

Fernando reaches over with the food his arms to her. “I bought lunch for everyone, and I do not care if you were busy cooking in there. Now take it and make peace with the world. I’m sure the girls are hungry.”

“I don't need your help taking care of the girls. I managed to survive without you men until now.” Val spews out at him.

“Do not start with me, woman. What I did to put you together can be undone with a wave of a hand.” Fernando tells her, “But I have this feeling that you do not care. So let me tell you this – the one thing they did not cut out from you was your heart. You better go in there and think about what is going on because despite what happened to you, Hondo and I took this group to look for you, chasing false leads, fighting to the death with those who got in our way looking for you, and even losing one of our own to find you. Yes Val – a person, James, was killed looking for you. It almost became two as even Hondo, your husband, took a bullet from Grey Lady looking for you as well. And when we went to where we were told you would be, we found the blimp crashed and burning on the ground. Take that to your grave because everybody needs help. Even me, and I have your husband at my right side to give me that help when I need it without asking. I do not care if what we do is not good enough, but it is the best we have and if you do not like it, you do not have to eat it. Now I’ll be in my camper. You can send Macey ‘home’ so we can eat what I bought for the group. But as for this arguing, I do not want to hear it. See you later and enjoy what we have.” He then turns and walks way but not in the direction of his camper.

Val stands there for the moment in what was said and what had to be heard. His words seems to replay in her head, people got hurt and died looking for her. Her own husband, who she blamed in not doing anything, got shot by the one person holding her hostage. They arrive at the place she was held it and found it wrecked and burning. Part of her wants to find fault in being one step behind the situation and not catching up. But most of her is finding how much they tried to rescue her and how close they were in doing so. There is no fault there to have or point out. After a few moments she puts the sandwiches and items given to her onto the dining table. She then calls out to Macey and tells her to go to Fernando’s camper.

After Macey left, Zoey sat down to eat with Molly, though she ate halfheartedly as she was feeling sad about Valentine being upset. Maggie didn't eat but continued to stare at the ceiling. Valentine looked at them all for a moment before turning towards the lift.

"I have a headache. I'm goin' to lie down. Don't bother me for anyone." She said flatly, leaving her sandwich sit on the counter for Molly to put away with the other uneaten food.

Valentine walked into the bedroom and took off her boot and stripped down to her Bra and panties. She stared at herself in the mirror for several minutes, feeling for scars or missing parts, but found nothing. She even seemed to be missing some scars she had gotten when she was younger. After a bit she sat down n the bed, Hondo's, Fernando's, Ruth's, and Maggie's words ran through her head. she clenched her fists in anger and slammed a fist into the side table, cracking the top and her hand in the process. She she lifted her hurt hand and stared at it for a moment as she clenched and unclenched her fist, taking in the pain of every motion. after a moment it just felt numb and she let her arm drop to her side. A tear betrayed her face and after a few more moment she laid face down into her pillows and sobbed.

When Hondo left the camper he walked off to where he had left Tonya, but found the area empty. He looked around a bit and found a trailer through the taller grass that showed where she had gone. She had gone alone as there was no newer print in the area, nor newly bent and crushed grass, but her path seemed to make a bee-line towards the local bazaar. The place he had told her not to go alone. He sighed and muttered to himself. Valentine was having a melt down and had crawled up both their asses, but he had thought Tonya would have been more obedient than this. He wished he had his shotgun too, but he had his revolver and return to camp would just lose him time. He hoped Fernando might still be in town, as they had not crossed paths yet, but he was not sure. He sighed once more and started off towards town.he limped slightly as he walked and muttered about his knee hurting, though he only half processed it. He wasn't feeling right but he had too much to do to worry about it now.

To be continued....

Well the cowboy, like the red man, you had to leave your land
You can't raise your stock and plant your crop in the gumbo and the sand
Greed disguised as progress has put us to the test
They won't be glad until we're gone from our home out in the west
It's sad to see those good old days replaced with greed and doubt
Soon we'll leave the country, the campfire has gone out
Bid 'em all adieu, you can't turn the world about
The cowboy left the country, the campfire has gone out

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Hondo I. Sackett

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Re: After Chaos
Reply #2713 - Apr 14^th, 2021, 12:11am

Tonya walked toward the bazaar slowly. A little voice in her head told her she should not go, like Hondo wanted, but Valentine's words replayed so loudly in her mind that she just could not think straight. She loved them both, and Hondo was being the father to her she had craved for so long, so disobedience was the furthest thing from her mind. Her mind just was not processing her actions as going against Hondo, but more so as trying to escape the hurt the words that pounded in her head brought her.

As she walked she thought. She wanted to cry some more, but she would not let herself. She had been here before, after a fashion. She had not felt love in a long time, not like she had felt from Hondo, Valentine, and even Fernando to a point, but she had felt like crying a lot in the past. It was not the first time she had been hurt or felt used and cast aside. But as a slave, and a wessen to boot, weakness could get you dead, and crying was seen as weakness. So to stay looking strong you got angry. Angry was something she knew and had been for so long it was hard to remember a time before she was angry. When the anger stopped, that time was clear as a bell. It was not the moment she met Hondo, but it was shortly after. Her anger started to dissolve the moment he came walking out of the woods holding Zoey in his arms and was almost a distant memory after he asked her to be his daughter.

It was not that being his daughter was fading from her mind or heart, but old habits die hard and her anger was coming back as if by reflex. As the noise of the bazaar hit her, she was feeling the full on cold anger she was used to again. It almost felt empowering, but some voice in her did not like seeing it back, though the voice was small and quiet at the moment.

The bazaar was much like she expected. It was loud, dirty, and rough. It fed her anger and quieted the voices in her head. The place was a mix of people of different races, businessmen mixed with hookers and farmers, wessens of all kinds, freemen, slaves, slave sellers, thieves, murderers, and self-appointed lawmen all packed in, pushing and bustling, each ones business more important than anyone elses. It was chaos, it was madness, it was the experience called the bazaar.

As she walked she saw sellers of food, craftsmen, artisans, and whores plying their trades, junk sellers, junk buyers alike. Some people sold new items, some antiques, and some junk they called "priceless" antiques. Many sellers were wessen, some free and others trusted slaves selling for their masters. There were people there who looked like they could buy and sell the whole town several times over and poor, beaten down beggars just looking for a coin to buy food, or a scrap of bread to tame the aching emptiness in their bellies.

As she past one food stall in particular a sight caught her attention and she moved in closer to hear the voices better. A dirty little wessen girl, Eisbiber she thought but she was so dirty and skinny, stood in front of a big man at a food stall. The poor little thing barely had any clothes on, what she did have were torn and thread-bare. She had no shoes, her hair was matted with dirt, and arm was bent as if it had been broken and not set properly. She held out her hands pleadingly before the big man as he shouted and pointed his finger away. As Tonya got closer she could hear what was going on.

"Please, I'm so hungry! Just a piece of bread, please mister!" The little girl begged.

"I've told you before, no money no food! Now get out of here!" He said as he kicked at her.

She fell down trying to avoid his heavy boot, and she just sat there in the dirt and filth, seeming out of will to fight for life much further. a small timid looking woamn came out from behind the booth and knelt down beside the girl. She appeared to be half wessen maybe, part Indole Gentile, but it was hard to tell. She had a bruise on her face that looked to be pretty new, and was missing her pinky on her right hand and pinky and ring finger on her left. As she knelt beside the girl she looked up at the man with with pleading eyes.

"Let her have my bread, please master. I can go without." She said meekly.

He raised his hand as if to hit her, "Why you insolent bitch!"

He stopped short as she flinched and raised her arm to protect herself. He lowered his arm with a huff.

"If you're so eager to give up your food you can just not eat today. No get back to work before I cut off that thumb and make your left arm completely usless. I'd have to sell you as a street whore then. You're not a good enough #$@! to keep with only one usable hand!" He said chuckling evil as if he'd told some joke.

She nodded and scrambled to her feet.

"I'm sorry master." she said meekly.

She went back behind the stand as the big man stood over the little girl.

"Now, you git going and I don't want to see you again until you get hair in your crotch. Then maybe if you're a good enough #$@! I'll feed out. This one will be worn out by then anyway!" He said with a gaff as he nodded to his slave.

He chuckled to himself and turned back to his stand, not waiting for the little girl to get up. Tonya stepped forward about then and helped the little girl up. She then turned grabbed some bread from the stand and handed it to the little girl. The girls eye's brightened and a smile came to her face.

"Th..th..thank you." She stuttered meekly.

Before Tonya could reply a strong hand grabbed her arm and spun her around.

"Got you, thieving wessen scum!" The store owner bellowed.

Tonya glanced back over her should at where the little girl had been but she had disappeared in the crowd. She turned back to the man, who was half lifting her off the feet by her arm, as he was as tall as Hondo, if not a bit taller, though she doubted he was stronger as much of his mass she was sure was fat. She glared and growled at him.

"I'm not a thief! I had every intention of paying. Just was not going to let an innocent one starve while you wallow in excess!" she hissed

"Got some fire in you. Not seen one so furry in a long time. Bet you're a real goer in under the sheets." He said as a leering grin played across his fat face.

"I'd not do you the favor dead drunk!" She spat.

He jerked her so hard her shoulder popped, then dropped her to the ground.

"If you don't have the money to pay you'll do as I say or I'll turn you over to the slavers. There's a particularly nasty one that likes to... alter his slaves before selling them. He does it himself without pain killers. I think he'd even let me watch if I asked!" He said with a grin and a laugh.

Tonya scrambled to her feet angrily and spoke with a snarl,"Just tell me what I owe you for the bread, you pig!"

"Price of my bread is $5, for your kind it's $20, because you took it and gave it away before paying I'd have charged you $50, but because of that pig comment its $500 or I sell your ass!" He snarled back.

Tonya angrily stuck her hand in her pocket and her heart jumped into her throat. Her pocket was empty. Hondo had given her some gold coins in case of emergencies, but she had emptied her pockets into her vest, which she had taken off before starting to help with lunch. Her vest was hanging in camper still which left her penniless. She tried to force a confident smile as she spoke almost shakily.

"You wouldn't take my word that I could get you double in an hour, would you?" She asked

The big man smiled a big ugly grin and chuckled, "Oh how I hoped you'd say something like that. Now, the question is, do I sell you or #$@! you first then sell you?!"

Tonya spun on her heals and took off running. She didn't realize how badly he had popped her shoulder until then. As she ran the man bellowed loudly for all to hear

"Thief!! Stop that Fuchsbau! She's a thief! 3 gold piece reward for that thief!" He bellowed.

At that moment a want-to-be self-appointed lawman, dressed in black leather stepped out in the street in front of her. The crowd split with screams and gasps, and Tonya skidded to a stop and turned to try to run down an alley. As she turned something hit her shoulder blade with a dull thump, that left her shoulder feeling as if it were on fire. She reached back with her left hand and felt a knife sticking out of her shoulder. She half stumbled and looked behind her to see the man dressed in leather hot on her tail. She pushed herself, trying to get more speed out of her legs, but another dull thump, and a burning pain in the back of her thigh sent her sprawling face first into the dirt. She tried to move, tried to get up, but as she started to rise a knee slammed into her back and knocked her back, face-first, into the dirt. She struggled to free herself but the knee dug deeper into her back.

"Stop squirming, filth!" A voice hissed.

"Let me go! I'm innocent!" She pleaded.

"None of you wessens are innocent. You're all filth. I'd slit your throat now and take the hide in for the wessen bounty at Fort Denver, if it wasn't that your hide is worth more alive at the moment!" He hissed.

After a moment she settled down and was yanked to her feet. She tried to pull away but her bad arm was twisted up behind her back.

"Fight me and I'll yank that arm, and twist that knife until you pass out!" He hissed.

She stopped fighting as the pain was too much at the moment and the man was too strong, stronger than a human his size should be. She was marched back to the vendor in quick order, her left and should throbbing with every move. As they approached the big man at the stand he was grinning smugly at her. He frowned a bit as he saw the blood running down her shoulder and leg.

"Did you have to poke her full of holes? I don't want to get blood on me when I #$@! her!... Well, not like that anyway." He said in a condescending tone.

The "lawman" just stared at the vendor blankly.

"I don't care what you do with this filth. Just have her fixed if you're gonna #$@! her. Don't need more of their kind around." The man said flatly.

"I'll keep that in mind. Now, I expect you want paid. Just a moment." The big man said as he turned and walked behind his stall and grabbed a couple items.

He came back out with four gold pieces, some hand cuffs, and a leather collar that had been modified to have eight spikes on the inside connected to four old dog shock collar packs.

"Cuff and collar the bitch and I'll give you an extra gold piece." The big man said to the "lawman".

The "lawman" nodded and took the money, pocketed it then took the cuffs and collar and put them on Tonya.

"I'd have collared this filth for free." he said coldly.

"I'll remember that for next time." The big man said with a grin.

The "lawman" merely squinted at him for a moment before finishing his task. Once done he pulled the knife out of her leg and shoulder, and let her go.

"She's your dog now." He said.

Tonya turned and tried to run but a hot blue fire jumped out of the collar causing her eye's to roll back into he head and her body to hit the ground in a fit of spasms. It stopped for a moment and she tried to catch her breath but the pain his her again and sent her body into spasms again. Just as she started to lose consciousness it stopped and left her panting, shaking, and sweating on the ground.

The big man laughed at her, "Ha, ha, ha! That never gets old! Now, you'll do what I say, bitch or I'll turn up the power on it! You'd better save your strength or you won't survive my friend poking around inside of you."

About then a loud 'THWACK' sound was heard and the big man fell to his knees with a scream. Tonya couldn't see what was happening as her eyes were out of focus and filled with dirt and tears, but it sounded as if someone had hit the big man with a baseball bat or the like. As she looked up and blinked, trying to focus, she saw a gang of wessens standing off to one side. the crowd had parted for them and the roar of voices had fallen to a dull murmur. In the front of the gang of wessens a dark haired fox wessen, possibly a Vulpesmyrca, stood tall, right behind the big man. He was holding a black baseball bat in his right hand, thumping it menacingly like in his left. The "lawman" started to draw a throwing knife but one of the other wessen pulled out a .410 shotgun loaded with a slug and shot the "lawman" in the left shoulder. He dropped the knife and grabbed is injured shoulder, scowling at the wessen mob. The dark haired fox wessen clicked his tough and shook his head.

"Ah, señor, Bringing a knife to a gun fight? Not very savvy, señor." He said.

The "lawman" growled, spun on his heals and ran into the crowd. A couple of wessen started to give chase but the dark haired wessen whistled and shook his head.

"Not today, amigos. We will get him later. We have other matters to deal with." He said

Tonya tried to ease herself up, but she hurt all over and was too weak to with the handcuffs on. The dark haired wessen reached down and picked her up as if she weighed almost nothing. She stumbled and swayed on her feet but he held her gently, but firmly to keep her upright. As she looked at him he was maybe a little shorter than herself but he had seemed like a giant as he had stood over her a moment ago, and still somehow seemed like a giant among men and wessen alike. Many of his group were far bigger than him, and even Fernando and Hondo would make him look like a dwarf, but he had the attitude of a giant, and it showed.

He smiled gently at her as he held her upright as she regained her senses.

"The ground is no place for a beautiful señorita like yourself." He said in a strong soothing voice.

He snapped his fingers and two female wessen rushed forward, one took the collar off her, and the other picked the lock on her handcuffs. Tonya swayed a bit but was starting to stabilize a bit. Her eyes locked on his, they were a dark green and they seemed to pull her in. He smiled softly at her.

"I am sorry we did not get here sooner to keep this humiliation from happening." He said

"Who... who are you?" She asked weakly.

"My apologies, bonita. I am Hector De la Cruz, unofficial leader of os animais. We are a league of wessen who are tired of being treated like animales and banded together to fight for all wessen to have good lives." He replied

"That sounds like a nice idea. Thank you, Mr. De la Cruz." She replied

"That is Hector to you, bonita." he replied.

"Bonita?" she asked.

"Ah, forgive me. It means pretty one, in Spanish." He replied.

She looked down at the ground, and embarrassed smile crept across her face.

"I'm not pretty. I'm a dirty, mess at the moment, and unlike you I have the shame ..." She said quietly

"Your pink hair? It's no shame. It's beautiful, its unique, its you. You are pretty.... and you could use a bath, some medical care, and some rest. Allow me." He said

She squeaked slightly as he swept her off her feet. As he held her he turned to the big man who lay on the ground. He looked up at Hector with pleading eyes.

"Please, Mister, Have pity." The big man pleaded.

"Like you had on her? or the little girl? or the woman you call your slave?" Hector asked coldly.

"I'm sorry... I"ll make up for it, I promise! Please have mercy!" He begged.

Hector looked at Tonya, "What do you think, bonita?"

Tonya sighed, "Let him go. He's not worth it."

Hector nodded then turned to the man and spoke coldly, "She is your saving angel. Be gone from this town before nightfall or I'll end you myself."

"Thank you, kind sir. You'll not regret it!" The big man said as he crawled over to the stand and pulled himself to his feet.

Hector turned away and carried Tonya to a cart and gently placed her in it.

He turned to one of the larger wessens close to him and nodded at the wagon. He nodded back and started pulling the cart with Tonya in it back to the wessen district of town. She wanted to protest but she was in pain and tired.

as they pulled off Hector hung back a bit, and pulled a couple other wessens back. As soon as they others were out of earshot he spoke lowly to them.

"Follow this asshole out of town. Once he's out of the towns's sight, kill him, throw him in a ditch and bring his wares back for the group." he said in a low tone.

They nodded and silently moved off into the shadows to watch an wait.

Tonya did not know when it happened but she soon passed out. She half woke up as two wessen women stripped her bare, shaved her fur around her wounds so they could clean them and sew them up, and then they cleaned her up. they gave her some medicine to drink and it wasn't much longer until things went dark again.

Hondo followed her tracks to the edge of the Bazaar and lost it there. The place was bustling with people of all types, from the wealthy, to the down and dirty. Hondo shook his head. He was not sure how he would find her here, but hopefully he'd get lucky this time and be worrying about nothing. He stopped and chatted with a few of the vendors but as soon as he asked about a pink haired fuchsbau they would clam up and not be interested in talking, a couple even told him to leave in no uncertain terms. After about forty minutes of searching hit hit upon his first lead. A group of old coots were drinking beer, smoking pipes, swapping stories, and playing cards not far from the main beer tent in the bazaar. He decided to stop in for a beer and listen for any gossip. the guys at the bar in the tent were tight lipped so he wandered over to where the old men were shooting the shit. after a bit one of them took notice of him and spoke up.

"Want ta sit in fer a hand, sonny?" He asked.

"No thanks, old timer. Just wanted a quick beer." Hondo replied.

"What's the hurry? Goin' to a fire or gotta man to kill?" He said with a straight face.

Hondo raised an eyebrow which caused him to start laughing as did the others.

"Heh, heh, lighten up, sonny. Life's too short to be so serious." he said

Hondo chuckled lightly, "Sorry, just got business to attend to an' no one seems to give me the information I need."

"Information? What you up to?" The old man asked.

"Lookin' for someone. Someone I care 'bout and swore to protect, but they decided not to listen to me an' wandered off. Might not be anythin' wrong but everyone I ask 'bout her clams up or gets hostile. Just want to make sure she's alright." He said

"She? ah, a love interest, eh?" the old man said with a grin.

"More or a daughter, you could say." Hondo said seriously.

The old man frowned, " I see. Had a daughter once." He shook his head, "She was so young when she died. I'd have traded everythin' to save her. Lost myself for a while after. Who ya lookin' for. Might not be able to help directly but might know how ta open the right doors for ya."

Hondo nodded, "I'd appreciate it. Lookin' for a young woman, 16 years old, looks a bit older, bright pink hair."

"Fuchebau?" one of the others asked warily.

Hondo nodded again, "That would be the one."

A couple of the old men just shook their head and turned away, some of the others murmured incoherently. The first one held up his hand to the other.

"He has a right to know." He said

"Quiet, you old fool! If they find out..." Another started to say.

"If they find out, what? They kill me? I'm an old man. I don't have much longer as is. I'd rather not rack up any more regrets before I die!" he said.

"Know what?" Hondo asked firmly.

The old man sighed, "You missed a hell of a ruckus here, 'bout an eighty to ninety minutes ago. There was a jerk of a vendors down the way, hates wessens an' he's a pig. Had a run in with a fuchbau with pink hair."

"Where is she?!" Hondo asked more firmly.

"Let me just say I'm sure she's alright now. one of those wanna-be lawmen put a couple pig-stickers in her, and that bastard had some fun with a shock collar on her, but Os Animais saved her." He said.

"Os Animais? Who are they and where is she, old timer?!" He asked with a growl.

"Now, don't get your hackles up, sonny! Os Animais is a group of wessens. Some call them vigilantes, some call them thugs, they call themselves freedom fighters. They look after wessen injustices... sometimes. We think there is more goin' on, but we don't know. If they have her, though, she's safe for now. She's in Wessen Town, rumored to be under the care of De la Cruz." He said.

"Where is this Wessen Town?" Hondo asked coldly.

"It's on the northeast side of town, but you don't want to go there, son." the old man said.

"Why? I've saved wessens. Hell, I have more human enemies in this world 'cause I have helped wessens, my friend and I have. I adopted two wessen girls as my own daughters on top of that!" Hondo said angrily.

the old man shook his head, "It's commendable, I know. Hell, I got nothin' 'gainst them. Don't reckon they are any better or any worse than the rest of us, but those wessen think they are better, an' you are human. They don't care if you saved a million of them. You are inferior an' a a threat as a human. You go there, 'specially all het up you'll die there for sure. If they have yur girl she's safe, an' if she loves an' trusts you she'll be back. Just wait."

"I can't wait." Hondo replied.

One of the others sighed, "Oh hell. I might as well not have any new regrets either. Listen to this old fool, young man. He's an old fool, but he's not wrong. Now I happen to know that De la Cruz has an early supper at this one place at the end of town every weeknight. He's never missed when he's in town. The owner owes me a favor or two. How 'bout you. me, and this old fool go have us a tequila and wait for them. I'll have that bastard that owns the place put out a spotter to let us know when they are coming. I just need you to promise to keep your cool. If she's with him you can talk to her then, if not you might have a chance to approach him if he's in a good mood. He won't do aything to you there as long as you aren't rude."

Hondo sighed and nodded, "What time does he usually get there?"

To be continued....

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Hondo I. Sackett

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Behind you!

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Re: After Chaos
Reply #2714 - Apr 14^th, 2021, 11:02pm

Tonya woke slowly, her body felt stiff but there was softness all around her, and the faint smell of roses. She opened her eyes and found herself on a large, soft bed covered in a white down quilt. Their was sun spilling through the window beside her, which fell gently across the bed. A white, see through canopy covered the grand bed, and the soft feather pillows cradled her head just right. She did not remember when she was last so comfortable. For a moment she just lie there, enjoying the warmth and comfort until a thought crossed her mind which caused her to sit upright in the bed. Where was she? She put a hand to her head for a moment then eased herself back as she had sat up too fast and it had made her dizzy. She tried to think about where she might be but nothing came to her. She pulled the blanket's back again, in a second attempt to sit up and found herself in a white, almost see-through gown. As she looked at herself and wondered how she had gotten into the gown a sort of familiar, sultry Spanish accented voice spoke out.

"How are you feeling, bonita?" the voice called out.

Tonya pulled the blankets back over herself and stared at him wide eyed for a second or two as she processed.

"Who..? What...? where am I? And you? You're ... you're..." She stammered

"Hector De la Cruz, your savior, and once again at your service, bonita." He said with a bow and flourish.

She blinked a moment then nodded, "yes, I remember.... but where am I and.... and how did I get in this and here?!" She asked in an exited tone.

"Calm yourself. This is the guest room at my hacienda. You are my guest." He said soothingly.

"But ... but... this gown? My clothes!" she exclaimed.

"There is nothing to worry about, fair señorita. The nurses who took care of your wounds and cleaned you up dressed you and put you in bed. Do not worry, that were of the chosen evolved." Hector replied.

Tonya relaxed a bit but raised an eyebrow, "Chosen evolved?"

"Forgive me, bonita. I forget that some have been downtrodden by the humans for so long they do know understand. The chosen evolved are what the humans call wessen. We were chosen to be evolved, to be better than them. We are faster, stronger, have heightened senses, and when not injected with their poison, many of us will live much longer. The humans despise us for this and try to make us think we are less than we are, for we the chosen evolved should be running this world and the humans should be our slaves!" Hector replied with a fiery passion in his voice.

"Oh." Tonya said a bit surprised, "But... not all humans are bad."

Hector shook his head, "Tsk, tsk. My poor, downtrodden little fox. Some say they are our friends and some will even help us, but when it comes down to humans or the chosen evolved they will always choose the humans. But, enough about that. Do you have any family or friends who might be looking for you?"

"Papa and maybe a coupe others. Wait, how long have I been asleep?" he asked in a worried tone.

"A couple hours, I believe." he replied

She sat back up and looked around, "Papa will be worried! I... I need my clothes! I need to get back!"

Hector walked up to her and gently pushed her back, "Rest, Bonita. I can get your Papa and bring him here. Is there anyone else?"

Tonya nodded, " Yes, but you don't understand,"

"Mama? Sisters? Brothers?" hector asked

"Sister and Moma, but..." She said

"Why were you out alone in a town like this, then? Did you not know ow dangerous it was?" He asked, cutting her off.

Tonya nodded, "Moma and I had a fight today. I... Papa said not to go alone, but I was hurt and angry and..."

"Just needed some time and noise to keep your thoughts from being too loud, I understand. It was a foolish thing to do, but Hector has been there before. Now, where do I find your family?" Hector asked

"You don't understand... My sister is Klaustreich, I think..." She said before being cut off again.

"Ah I understand. You are adopted. A family, but not of blood. It is like that here with many of us." He said.

"Yeah, but.... Papa and Moma... they are human." She said, a touch of shame in her voice.

She heard the shame and it surprised her. She had not been ashamed of being adopted by humans before. Why was she now?

Hector nodded solemnly, "Ah.... I did not expect that. I see why you would be reluctant to say. Let me ask, was your fight with your... adopted human mother because you are not one of them?"

Tonya cocked her head and thought for a moment, "I.. I don't think so.... She was tortured recently and... it changed her somehow. She was yelling at papa and I tried to stop her. Told her we should talk as a family and she told me that I may be their adopted daughter but it didn't give me some magical family right to have a say in what was happening."

"Not tell me, do you think she would have said that if your were human, were actually their flesh and blood daughter?" Hector asked

"I... I don't know." Tonya said quietly.

"I believe you do know, bonita. It just hurts to admit. I too have been where you are. The humans will never accept us as one of them. You do not have to hate them, but you can not trust them. The only ones you can trust are your own kind, us, the chosen evolved." Hector said in a soothing voice.

There was something about his voice and his accent that soothed Tonya to her very core. She sighed and sat back in a half defeated means.

"Maybe you're right." Tonya said

Hector smiled, "That is not important now. What is important is for you to rest, and if you feel well enough, you can accompany me to dinner."

"What about papa?" She asked.

"You think he is actually worried?" He asked

Tonya nodded, "You don't know papa. If there are actually good humans in this world he is one of the best, better than you've seen before. He doesn't look at what you are. It only matters to him who you are."

Hector sighed, "Bonita, if I ever had wanted to believe that, you make me wish it was true. I am not sure that he would be welcome here with the chosen, or what the humans call wessen town, but after dinner I will send word to him that you are safe. For now, you are my guest and you should rest. You are to be my guest for as long as you wish, and I hope that is for a long time."

He smiled at her and his smile melted all of her fears away.

"I think I feel well enough to go to dinner." She said

He nodded, "Then, I will leave you for now. There is a bathroom over there. No baths as you have stitches, but a hot shower may feel nice. The wardrobe had many clothes for a beautiful woman such as you. Pick out whatever dress you like. I will come again for you in an hour and a half."

He bowed slightly to her, "Until later, my fair flower."

He then departed, but he did not just walk away. He left in such a style that left her watching him with awe until he had disappeared from sight. She lay back into the pillows for several minutes before forcing herself to get up. When she got up it was slow and shakily. She tried to stretch out the kinks. She looked around again to make sure she was alone before she pulled the gown off from over her head. there was a light breeze blowing through the window and it felt good as it blew across the light fur that covered her body. After a moment she forced herself to walk to the bathroom. She opened the windows in there, one being in the shower itself but it was in such a way that no one could see in, and the breeze felt great still. It was warm out but still cool enough to raise goosebumps over her whole body as she stood there. the shower was an older type, all brass plumbing, but it shown as if new. She turned the knobs and the water flowed out of the shower head, hitting her with a cold blast at first, which caused her to shiver, but it soon warmed. The now hot water soothed her sore body and the cool breeze kept her from getting too warm. A more perfect shower she had never had before. She stayed under the water much longer than planned, but it felt so good. She finally got out and dried off. The warmth from the shower had raised her temperature enough that the wind did not feel as cool as it had before, so she sat at the end of the bed and let the breeze dry her fur. once she was dry she combed her hair and went to the closet. She had only worn a skirt once, but never a dress and that was all there was in the wardrobe. She finally decided on a black and red dress, that went almost all the way to the floor but left her shoulders and much of her cleavage exposed, much more than anything she had worn before. She found a red shawl in a dresser in the room that seemed to math the red in the dress perfectly, as well as a red pair of shoes. She looked at herself in the mirror and hardly recognized the person she saw. For the first time she felt like a real lady, and she liked that feeling.

Not far away Hondo sat with two old codgers in a Mexican type cantina just a stones throw from wessen town. They sipped tequila and talked about bullshit mostly. To the casual on looker it was just a cowboy and a couple old timers shooting the shit over some alcohol, but it was much more than that. Ever person that entered was scrutinized and watched. A few random folks had been in and out but none of interest. The only suspicious ones were a three guys dressed in black. Two wore dusters and one worse a leather coat and hat. They all had pistols rifles, except the one in leather. He had one arm in a sling and carried a sawed off 12 gauge. Hondo caught a glimpse of what looked like a badge on at least one of them, but it did not matter too much. They were not wessen, and though they looked slightly menacing, they kept to themselves and were of no interest to him as long as they stayed that way. So for now he watched and waited.

Back at camp Valentine was finally waking up. she had cried herself asleep, but she was not sure how long ago that was though. She dressed and slowly came down from the loft. She found Maggie pretty well in the same place she left her and Molly was kicked back on the couch.

"Where is everyone?" She asked.

"No clue on Hondo or Tonya, not seen them since before you laid down. Macey came back but I sent her and Zoey to hang out with Ruth. Ruth said she'd watch them and handle supper." Molly said from under her hat.

"Well then, sounds like we aren't needed." Valentine said.

Maggie shrugged but said nothing.

Molly grunted, "hmm, I guess. Don't think you won any friends today anyway."

Valentine scowled, "They didn't endear themselves to me either. Now, if I'm not needed, I'm going to town. Tired of starin' at this camper. You two goin' or am I goin' alone?"

Molly sighed and stood up slowly.

"Come on, Mags. We'd better go with her since she seems to fall into shit wherever she goes and blames everyone else if they aren't there." Molly said in an annoyed tone.

"#$@! you!" Valentine said, "and where were you when I was bein' tortured?"

"Drinking booze, smokin' meth, and #$@!ing like there was no tomorrow, what else?" She said sarcastically.

Valentine scowled, "I don't need your sharp tongue! You comin' or stayin'?"

"I'll stay." Maggie said quietly.

"Oh no you don't! You're not leaving me with Polly Anna here! Get your tail up!" Molly said

Valentine's scowl deepened but she did not say anything. Maggie sighed but got up and pulled on a coat. Valentine strapped on a pistol and grabbed her shotgun and headed out the door, not looking to see if the other two were following or not. Molly hurried Maggie to follow Valentine and closed the door behind them.

"Hondo, you owe me one." Molly mutter under her breath as she drug Maggie along trying to catch up the the quickly retreating Valentine.

To be continued ...

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Fernando

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NY City

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Re: After Chaos
Reply #2715 - Apr 14^th, 2021, 11:33pm

After walking about to his camper Fernando stops at the side door. Macey comes from between the electric camper and the dub box trailer. He opens the door as she steps up to him. He points inside the bus and she goes inside. He follows in after her and closes the door behind him. Macey sits on the edge of the bench as Fernando step to the front passenger seat and searched for one of his small Yeasu radios.

As he searched, he starts to talk to Macey, “This is no punishment on you or Zoey, but until we adults can resolve on some issues, you two are not to play unless Hondo and I are together with you both. I hope this only lasts a short time.”

“This is because of the way Aunt Val was screaming at everyone earlier?” Macey asks.

“That has a lot to do with it, I will admit that but it is nothing against her, Hondo, Zoey or Tonya. It is something that has to be resolved before any peace and play time can be gotten again. We cannot be disrespectful to each other as individuals if we are going to stay as a group.” Fernando explains.

“What about bathroom and washing up?” Macey asks.

“We got a toilet in the Dub Box trailer behind us. As for washing up, I’ll ask around to see what I can do.” He explains.

“Oh. OK.” Macey replies.

Fernando finds his Yeasu VX-2 mini hand held radio and turns it on, it is at the proper frequencies for 2m and 73cm bands*. He calls on one and then the other, waiting for a response.

“Righteous Cowboy, this is the Medic calling for you. Come in Righteous Cowboy.” Fernando calls on the 73cm band first. With no immediate answer, he tries again two more times on the 73cm band. No answer from Hondo, thus he switches to2m band and tries there. “Righteous Cowboy, this is the Medic calling for you. Come in Righteous Cowboy.” Fernando calls on 2m. Again, no answer, even after a couple of tries. He switches back to 73cm and leaves the radio there.

“No answer from Uncle Hondo?” Macey asks.

“Afraid not.” Fernando replies. He goes into the glove box and pulls out his back up Yeasu VX-2 radio, setting it on the 73cm frequency band. He turns it on and puts it on the sink’s cover. “That radio is tied to this one on the same frequency I’m trying contact Hondo on. Do not call me unless it is an absolute emergency. Do answer if I call you. I will get Ruth to check up on you from time to time, and there is a sandwich and some sweet water drinks for you and Ichigo here on the counter. I do not know what it is – chicken, roast beast or mixed meat, just take it and eat it. That is all I have to give. When Ruth comes to check on you, she will knock 3 times. Look through the curtain before you open the door. I’m going out to look for Hondo.”

“How long it is going to take?” Macey asks.

“As long as it takes.” Fernando answers.

“Alright.” Macey replies.

“I’ll be back.” Fernando says before sliding over on the passenger seat to the passenger door. The door opens and he steps outside, closing and locking it. He then checks the side doors before leaving the camp area and walks to town. At the gate that encloses the parking area, Fernando looks around. Though there were several areas Hondo could have gone, the outdoor bazaar seems to the logical place to go to though it was a walk to get there if one takes the allotted paths. Since he sees many going through the tarmac where the blimps are parked, he decides to follow suit and take the tarmac as a shortcut to the bazaar.

It takes him half a minute to take the shortcut to get the bazaar. He looks around and sees many looking at him. He walks in and looks around. People and wessens from many different areas of work, areas and walks of life; sellers selling anything and everything from junk to fixable items to new items, food of many cuisines both raw and prepared. People are negotiating and buying, using old paper money, and various coins of various metals and values for various products and services- including the sexual kind. It reminds him of how Time Square and China Town. In the back of his mind he’s expecting from big idiot thug to walk up to him to sell him a counterfeit Rolex Watch.

He walks to an area with a few food vendors selling anything and everything from pastries to grilled meat on a stick. He then hears some loud voices at a food vendor selling bread, pastries and sandwiches. A couple of cowboy looking men with a dull plain brass star badge on their chest listen to what a large man in a dirty apron and t-shirt. The badges did not have a title on them – whether “Sheriff”, “Deputy”, “Ranger”, or “Marshal”. He looks like he was in several high school football games too many in his life time without a helmet.

“If it weren’t for that De La Cruz, I would have that pink-haired Fuchsbau!” The vendor says.

Fernando thinks to himself, “Pink Haired Fuchsbau? Hondo’s Tonya? Was here?” He steps up to the counter, getting in between the two Lawmen as he heads to the vendor.

One of the ‘officers’ puts his hand on Fernando’s shoulder, trying to pull him away, saying, “This is a lawful investigation you ar-ARGH!!!”

Fernando grabs the officer’s thumb and twists it and pins it to his forearm, making him howl in pain and fall to his knees. He looks at his friend, “Those ain’t real badges, so you’re either rent-a-cops, wanna-be bounty hunters, or little bratty bully kids pretending to play cops and robbers, which one is it?”

“We answer to no one, now let go of my partner before I take action.” The other threatens.

Fernando takes his wallet out and opens it with one hand, showing the highly ornamented shields of his EMT Badge and New York City Auxiliary Police, “Those a real badges and I have the power and authority to use them. And I’m not letting go of your friend until I get answers.” He then closes up and puts away his wallet. The ‘officer’ looks at him wide-eyed as if he met his supervisor and is about to be ripped a new asshole with the chewing out he is going to get.

The officer looks around and makes a quick hasty exit of the area. Fernando pulls on the arm he was holding, making it more painful for the thumb hold the officer was in. He pins against the display case and removes the officer’s handcuffs and cuffs him, looping the handcuffs behind the belt.

Fernando tells him, “You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you. But any information I need, you will cooperate and say what I want to hear. Do you understand that asshole?!”

The officer nods nervously.

“Now get on the floor.” Fernando tells him. The officer does as he says, and Fernando puts his foot on his shoulders before he turns to the vendor. “Now for you. As you were saying about the pink haired Fuchsbau: what she did, what happened to her and where did she go?”

“I ain’t answering to the likes of you, I never seen you in my entire life.” The large vendor man says.

Fernando reaches over and grabs him by his neck, pulling him partly over counter. He then switches hands, grabbing a fist full of hair from the back as top of his head was tinning out and balding and not much to grab there.

“I have a vested interest in that fox-wessen. Now the right answer will give you another day to live, the wrong answer will see this place burn while you sleep in your bed. Which one are you going to give?” Fernando tells him.

“Alright! Alright! I’ll Tell You, Just Let Me Go!” The vendor pleads.

“I’ll let you go when you tell me what I want to know.” Fernando tells him.

He then hears the sound of a hammer being pulled back by his ear.

“He does not have to tell you anything. Now let him go and get off my man.” A gruff old voice says behind him.

Fernando shifts his eyes, seeing the run-away officer to his left has returned with some back up behind him. He thinks quickly. Few actions are required that he can take. He steps back, stepping off the officer on the ground, leans back and moves quickly, flaying his arm in a wide fast arc knocking gun from the hand of the one behind him, and continues onward of down and over – catching him in his groin. He hears a loud gasp and then a body crumpling onto the ground. He seems to accelerate in movement as his right leg lifts up and swings to the left, catching the run-away officer across his jaw with the steel toe of his boot, then catches himself to stand up with his back to the vendor, but facing two more ‘officers.’ His right arm raises a balled fist and smashes against the officer directly in front of him, making him fall back unconscious onto his friend. The force of the blow makes them fall back together. Fernando steps over to the two, turns to face the vendor and steps on the arm of the conscious one.

“Now, I want my answers or I’m burning this place tonight.” Fernando tells the vendor as he draws his gun to him.

“Alright! Alright! She left with De La Cruz!” The vendor lets out.

“Who The #$@! Is De La Cruz?!” Fernando asks loudly.

“He’s a Fuchsbau Wessen, he leads a vigilante gang of wessens, against humans who harm other wessens.” An old man, another vendor from across the path says as he gets close to Fernando and the fallen officers.

“And why would pink hair leave with him?” Fernando asks.

“Why? He rescued her, from this vendor and these officers.” The old man says.

“What do you mean by that?” Fernando asks.

“What is your interest in her? You know her? Is she... ‘hunted?’” The old man asks.

“I know her familiarly, she is my niece. Whether you know it or not, wessens were once humans until the scourge of Lab town kidnapped people and changed them into wessens with some evil medicine. I and a few friends are looking for a cure. She and no other can be cured if she is not found. So what did this bastage did to my niece?!” Fernando tells him.

“A cure? You mean they can be changed back?” The old man says. He adds, “But they say they are the ‘chosen ones,’ chosen to be evolved. I do not think they want a cure.” The old man explains.

“Where is he?” Fernando asks.

The old man points, to the direction of the runways, “In that direction, past the runway and the service roads, in Wessen town. You will not be welcomed there.”

“If I am not welcomed, you better hope that the sun does not rise from the middle of Wessen town, because I will move Heaven and Earth to defend my family.” Fernando tells him. He then turns to vendor over the counter, “As for you, if you believe in god, you better hope I come back in a better state of emotions.”

Fernando puts away his firearm and starts walking away towards the runway.

Back at the camp...

Ruth picks up Macey and Zoey and takes them to her camper shortly after Fernando left. She does so to make sure that the girls has some sort of adult supervision while Fernando and Hondo are out. For the time being, the girls are in the Dub Box trailer behind her camper where it is set up as a play area for the boys.

- To Be Continued... -

« Last Edit: Apr 15^th, 2021, 1:57am by Fernando »

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Hondo I. Sackett

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Behind you!

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Re: After Chaos
Reply #2716 - Apr 15^th, 2021, 10:37pm

Valentine did not know that both Hondo and Fernando had gone from the camp, nor that Tonya was missing, but had she known it was unclear whether she would care or not. Something had snapped inside her head, and it blocked her, the true Valentine, from acting. She could feel herself deep inside but whatever had taken over her blocked her heart and soul from actually being used. Whether is was an effect of some drug used on her, some group of alien spirits messing with her mind, or her mind just snapping from fatigue as the reality of everything hit her was unclear. The fact remained that she was broken and not herself, but it was a fact she could not admit to herself.

Valentine walked with a scowl on her face, marching towards what appeared to be a flea market of sorts off one of the old taxi-ways. She did not look around but kept her eyes fixed straight forward, as if she was walking with intent.

Maggie, being a little woman, struggled to keep up with the pace Valentine was setting. She glanced up occasionally to gauge if she needed to speed up or not, but mostly kept her eyes pointed down. She knew something was wrong with Valentine, and an overwhelming wave of guilt swept over her. If she had only taken a chance and contacted the men like she was asked to. She blamed herself. Valentine sort of clung to her, but she knew it was not for the right reason. She wanted her to be well so she could ask for forgiveness and throw herself at Hondo's feet for punishment or mercy. If he killed or tortured her, like she knew she deserved, it would at least make her feel more at peace with herself. As it was she almost wished she was dead. She trotted behind Valentine, hoping maybe she would get a chance to actually put her life on the line and earn the praise Valentine was currently giving her.

Molly took up the rear of the group. Her eyes were squinted and her head was on a swivel. She had been mad at Hondo at first. She still could not help but feel that he was partially responsible for Jame's death, but he did not deserve this. He had fought to get Valentine back with a passion she had never seen before. She could not help but wonder if James had the same passions that Hondo did that he might still be alive. She almost had to admit she was falling for Hondo a bit, but she knew his heart was Valentine's alone. She she would watch her for him, and put her life on the line to make sure he did not feel the loss she currently felt. Another thought played in the back of her mind, she would also be there in case it all went wrong and he needed someone to be there for him; she would be there for him.

As they got closer to the flea market they could better see what was being sold. There were some small booths with junk and goods but more so there were vehicles, farm equipment, planes, blimps, dirigibles, tanks, guns, armor, and people selling services to fix of build whatever you wanted, for the right amount of money that is.

They wandered through the vendors, looking as they walked. Molly bought a canvas bag on a rebuilt Alice frame, a mare's leg, a couple boxes of ammo, a 20 gauge double barrel shotgun pistol, and some body armor. Molly tried to be nice and engage Maggie, but she was lost in thought. Molly did buy her a small pistol, a canvas shoulder bag, a hat, and old army coat, and some new boots, as her current ones looked like hell.

Valentine looked at things but her eye's kept going back to the plans and such. She missed her old bi-wing. She had not been able to fly it in a while as Hondo had talked her into rebuilding the engine and they had to wait on some parts to get machined. She had thought it was fine, even if the engine sputtered and was weaker than it once was. She scowled at the thought. She'd have been flying it before they were drug here if it was not for him! It was probably his fault they were here too! She wandered over and looked over the equipment. She was more so looking at planes until a custom made dirigible caught her eye. It looked like an old sailing ship, but seemed of newer construction. As she walked up to it an older gal walked out and met her.

"She's somethin', ain't she?" The old woman asked

"Looks too heavy to fly." Valentine commented.

"It's decievin', I know, but its newer construction. Built her myself. Took years to get the parts. She's aluminum framed. The wood is a special weather resistant, fire resistant variety, an' its only two inches thick, backed by Kevlar layered with carbon-fiber. She'll withstand most artillery, she's faster than most, an' she's equipped with gadget that most folks don't even know exist." The woman said.

"So whats wrong with it?" Valentine asked dryly.

The old woman sighed, "Right to the rat killin' I see. Well, the fact is my husband was the electronics wizard. I have no clue how to repair the gadgets on her an' half of them are down. The other half on the fritz. I was the mechanic between us too, but my arthritis has gotten so bad I have trouble holdin' a wrench. She runs but not well. My husband an' I built her to travel the world together. Without him, I've lost interest. Besides, I've got grandchildren I've not seen an' one is sick. I need the money so I can go see them and help them before I die. I hate to sell her, but she needs someone better an' I'm needed elsewhere.

Valentine nodded and stared at the ship for a minute before speaking, "How 'bout a tour while I think?"

"Would be my pleasure. This way." the old woman said with a smile as she motioned to the gang-plank.

Hondo sat nursing a drink as he and the old men talked. His mind was on Tonya, but it stayed to Valentine at times too. Had he wronged her so badly that he did deserve her wrath? And why had Tonya gone off? Did she not trust him or listen to him anymore?

As he was deep in thought one of the waiters came and whispered in the one old mans ear. He nodded solemnly then turned to the bartender.

"Hombre! Another round!" He said loudly.

he then turned to hondo and whispered, "They were just seen leavin' wessen town. should be here 15 minutes or so."

Hondo nodded and downed the last of his drink. He hoped Tonya was alright. He did not know if he could take two of his ladies being messed up.

to be continued .... (will do Tonya's part tomorrow. Calling it a night early tonight. Will get Tonya to the restaurant then wait for Fernando)

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Hondo I. Sackett

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Behind you!

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Re: After Chaos
Reply #2717 - Apr 16^th, 2021, 10:36pm

Tonya stood in front of the mirror making last minute adjustments to her hair and clothes. She had never had desires for such things before, nor worn such things before, but she found herself half liking looking like this. It was as if someone else was staring back. If it was not for the pink hair and light red fur she almost thought she might look pretty. She frowned after a moment, as she was sure she would never be pretty nor anything other than a freak. Still, there was something about Hector, the way he smiled, the way he looked at her, the way he talked to her that made her feel pretty despite how she looked. Hondo had told her several times that she was beautiful, but there was something about how Hector spoke that made her truly believe someone could see her as pretty, whether she saw herself that way or not.

As she stood there thinking a voice called out and brought her out of her thoughts.

"A true vision of beauty, yes?" The sultry Spanish accented voice said.

Tonya spun around quickly, as the voice surprised her. A slight gasp left her lips as she she turned.

"Oh! Hector. I... I'm sorry. I was lost in thought. I've never worn anything like this before." She said

Hector bowed slightly, a light smile played across his lips and his hands were behind his back. He wore grey tailored slacks and a grey Spanish-styled vest, a white frilled shirt, and around his waste was a red sash with a pistol tucked into it.

"Is it to your tastes, then?" He asked

"It's very lovely! I wish I did it justice." She replied.

"No, Bonita. It is not lovely. It is you who are lovely. The gown only appears lovely as your beauty is reflected off of it." He said with a smile.

He pulled his hands from behind his back and produced a red rose. He held it up, broke off part of the stem, then held it up and pointed to her hair.

"May I?" He asked

"Hmm?" She looked at him quizzically for a moment then it hit her what he wanted. "Oh! Sure!"

She tilted her head down a bit as he placed the flower in her hair, tucked in close to her left ear. She looked back up at him and he gave her a dashing smile.

"Ah, even the beauty of the this rose is dimmed by your natural beauty." He said

Tonya looked down at the floor and smiled in embarrassment.

"You don't mean that. I'm a freak even among wessen." She replied with a sad note in her voice.

Hector frowned and an angry fire shown in his eyes, "NO! I will have no such talk come from you!"

Tonya took a step back as his tone surprised her, and it shown in her face. He softened his look and his tone.

"Forgive me, bonita. It just burns my heart to see you disparage against yourself. You only see yourself through a looking glass tainted by the words of the inferior humans!" He replied with passion but not as aggressive as before.

Tonya looked down, "But other wessens have said..."

Hector cut her off, "They too are blinded by the humans prejudice against us. Many of the chosen, like you, have been trapped in the human's world and made to look at yourself and other of the chosen evolved through the eyes of the humans. Here, among the chosen you are perfection, you are a queen!"

He moved in close to here and looked down into her eyes. She found his gaze tantalizing. He moved in and spoke in a low, passionate tones in her eye. The sound of his voice made chills run down her spine and the feel of his hot breath on her neck made her skin tingle.

"You, bonita, have the form of the very goddess of our people." He whispered.

She shook slightly and responded in a quiet and shaky voice, "I appreciate the thought but I ... even if it wasn't for my fur and shame, I have many scares... I was made to fight in the ring.... I'm far from a goddess."

"No!" He said softly but firmly, "The humans have a god who bares scares from helping them, and them killing him. These scars," He said as he ran a finger along one on her arm that could be seen even through her fur, " These represent the suffering of our people, of the chosen. Your fur, your pink hair, your scars, all of it go into what makes you beautiful and what makes you the very representation of our people."

A deeper chill ran down her spine and caused her to pull away from him and turn away in fear of feelings that she did not understand, of which were taking her over.

Hector sighed and bowed slightly, "I am sorry, bonita. I did not mean to make you uncomfortable."

She turned back to him, "No! it's not that! I ... I just."

A million thoughts went through her head, and none of them made sense. Her head felt like it was going to explode. She did not want to offend him and have him send her away, but she was scared of her own feelings. She felt like running away in part and felt like she was locked up. Then out of no where when she thought she'd go crazy from her own conflicted, she stepped forward and kissed him.

He stepped back with a surprised look and she looked at him part scared, part embarrassed, and part confused.

"I am flattered, bonita, but.." he started to say before being cut off by a babbling teenage.

"I...I.. I'm sorry... I thought you wanted me too... I mean ... I don't know what... I..." She stammered

He stepped forward and put a finger to her lips.

"It is alright, pretty one. I confess I have wanted a kiss from the time I first laid eyes on you, but I would not take something from a lady like you in private like this as I do not want those of small minds to blemish your honor with gossip of what might have happened." He said.

She sighed, "I'm sorry."

"Do not be sorry. I was honored that you deemed me worthy to entrust with your kiss. Now, we should head out to supper. Do you feel strong enough to walk?" He asked

She nodded, "Yes, I'm fine. Are you taking me back to my papa after supper?"

"If you wish. You know you are welcome to stay here too. I would enjoy your company if you wish to stay. I must admit I have never met a woman that I have found so enchanting or intoxicating. It is as if you we were made to be together." he said, his eye's flashing with a sensual, dangerous light.

Tonya swallowed hard. She wanted to go back to Hondo and Zoey, but she still felt hurt from Valentine's words. And what if Hector was right? What if she only saw herself as she did because of humans and what if things went bad, would Hondo ditch her over other humans?

She smiled shyly, "That is kind of you to say. I... I should go back, but I do thank you for your offer. I would like to see you again though before we go."

He nodded, "Maybe, if you do not stay, I will go with you. But for now, our supper awaits."

He offered his arm, "May I have the honor and privilege to escort you, fair señorita?"

She smiled and took his arm, "Yes you may, kind sir."

With that they left the room and descended to the streets of wessen town. As they walked they talked and the more they talked the more she trusted him, the more she fell for him, and the more she questioned if Hondo and the other supposedly good humans were lying to her. As she looked about the street she saw fairly nice houses, but more so she did not see any wessens begging in the streets, none fighting or hiding. They all seemed happy and free. It seemed like a wessen paradise.

They soon left town, of which the gates were guarded by four guards, at least four were seen but sh felt there were more around somewhere. On the other side of the gate everything seemed dirty and dismal, nothing like the clean warmth of wessen town. Up the path ahead a small Spanish looking building set, with tables outside and a large sign that said 'Hacienda Restaurante'. They could have walked more quickly and been there sooner, but for the moment she was enjoying taking her time and talking with the dark haired wessen man, and she did not wish for it all to end anytime sooner than needed.

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Fernando

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NY City

Posts: 2380
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Re: After Chaos
Reply #2718 - Apr 17^th, 2021, 12:50am

As Fernando approaches the border of bazaar and the aircraft area, a dirty little wessen girl, an Eisbiber, who is so dirty and skinny with barely any clothes on, what she did have were torn and thread-bare approaches him from behind calling for him, “Excuse me mister...” Fernando turns around to see she had no shoes, her hair was matted with dirt, and arm was bent as if it had been broken and not set properly. She held out her hands pleadingly, begging for something, that something being food. “Could you get me something to eat?”

Fernando gets on one knee. He puts a hand behind onto her back and pulls her towards him and then slowly picks up her arm with both hands.

“What happened to you arm?” He asks.

“It broke and got like that.” The little girl explains, embarrassed at the situation she was in. He then tugs at her clothing slightly, examining its condition before she jumps back away from him and says, “I’ll let you see and touch my Woo-Ha if you get me something to eat.”

The sound of her desperation echoes in mind. How cruel can the world be to even let the youngest and most innocent of fall into such a disgraceful level of depravity?

“No, that won’t be necessary.” He says to the girl. He then turns slightly to show off his arm patch, “Look, little girl – I am a doctor, part of a rescue group helping everyone out there to get better. Some are coming with us to a place in Texas but we will be here for a few days. You understand that?”

She nods slightly, but asks anyway, “You do not want to see and touch my Woo-Ha?”

“No. But let me ask, you got friends or family like you, like this, who needs help?” He asks.

She nods slightly, but asks further, “Why do you want to see and touch my Woo-Ha? Am I ugly?”

“No... Uhm... What’s your name?” He says wanting to explain but suddenly asks.

“My name?” She asks.

“Your name, what people - your friends and family calls you. What your momma and poppa calls you?” He explains.

She looks down on the floor before answering and what she said was disturbing, “I have no momma or poppa. No family, no friends.”

“What about your name?” He asks.

She gets quiet at this point.

He thinks for a moment, “You must sleep somewhere even if you sleep in the streets, who do you sleep with – what do they call you?”

She does not want to answer.

“OK. Then let me ask, are they little ones like you, or bigger than you, or grown-ups?” He asks.

She looks up at him slightly and nods.

“Little ones like you?” He asks.

She nods slowly.

“Bigger older but still little?” He asks.

She nods some more.

“Grown ups?” He asks.

This time she shakes her head as to say no.

“What about bigger older but not grown up?” He asks.

She nods, holding one finger up.

“OK. Let’s get you something to eat and let’s get you some clothes and washed up before I go looking for my friend.” He says.

She looks up at him, almost in disbelief in what she is hearing. Even worst, when he takes her hand and takes her back to the bazaar. Just mess with the man, Fernando goes to the vendor he had by the hair. He tells her, “Point to what you want.”

“Hey! We Do Not Server Her Kind!” The vendor yells at him.

The little girl hides behind Fernando, but Fernando reaches over to the vendor and grabs him by his neck once again. This time the vendor was ready and slaps a shock collar about Fernando’s neck and presses button he had in his hand.

50,000 volts crackle and spark about the collar and through Fernando’s body but it does not faze him. After several seconds, the vendor lets go of the button and stands there in awe.

Fernando just snarls at him with his eyes glowing bright red behind his dark glasses. “Now You’re Going To Find Out How I Beaten The Lich, But Unlike Him, You Are Going To Live To Feel His Pain For The Rest Of Your Days!”

News of Lich’s demise in fight was getting to the area with many not believing it.

The vendor gets thrown over the counter and pinned on the floor under Fernando’s foot like the officer. He takes his other foot and kicks the vendor across his face with enough force not to knock him out but to make him feel the pain. A couple of kicks to the ribs, Fernando reaches and feels about the shock collar, finding the mag-clip around the back and undoes it, pulling it off his neck. He then puts it on vendor’s neck, lifting him up and propping him against his counter. He slaps him a couple of times.

“You Listen To Me, Mother#$@!er! Wessens Are People Too – Humans Who’s Homes And Families Were Purges And Then Taken To A Lab Facility And Turned Into What They Are By Force! So No Matter What Your Petty Little Mind Believes, They Are Humans Like You And Me! They Are Not To Be Disrespected! They Ask You For Help, You Give Them Help! You Treat Them Like Any Other Human And They Will Respect You Just The Same! Now Get Back Into Your Cage And Give This Little Girl The Service She Deserves Or Else. I’ll Be Paying For It!” Fernando drags him to his service entrance and was about to shove him through the door. But before he throws the vendor through the door, Fernando tells him in the coldest of terms “Do anything that will poison her food or make her sick, and I will kill you.”

The vendor nervously nods before Fernando shove him through the door. Fernando goes back to the little girl. He tells her, “Tell him what you want to eat.”

The little girl puts her palms on the glass of the display case, looking at all the good things to eat in there. She then points to a small cup cake with icing on it, “I want that one, Mister...”

“Then you shall have it.” Fernando replies. He then turns to the vendor and points to the cupcake, “That one.”

The vendor slowly takes the cupcake from the display counter and puts it on top of the display case.

Fernando asks, “How much.”

“5 dollars...” The vendor says nervously.

“That is highway robbery.” Fernando begins. He then throws in, “How much does Pink Hair owes you?”

“Eh?” The vendor replies.

“The Pink Haired Fuchsbau Wessen that was here earlier. There would not be a commotion unless she owes you; if she said she would have come back to pay you, it would have been me coming with her to pay you. So how much she owes you?” Fernando explains.

“A loaf of bead... 10 dollars.” The vendor says nervously.

“15 dollars total then. Though it is price gouging and highway robbery, I’ll pay it.” Fernando tells him. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a 25 silver dollar coin from his pocket before grabbing the vendor by his hair and shows the coin to his face. He then slowly inserts the coin into the vendor’s mouth. “Now swallow it.”

Nervously, the vendor just as he was told, swallowing the 25 dollar coin, nearly choking on it as he swallows. Fernando lets him go. He takes the shock collar and control from him and pockets it.

“Keep the change and consider all debts owed as paid in full.” Fernando tells the vendor. He takes the cupcake and gives it to the little Wessen girl. Together they walk out of the area. Fernando twists the crystal on his came a slight bit, making them walk faster through time than it seemed possible, though to the little girl, it was a normal pace. Once at the same spot near the runway, Fernando gets on one knee to talk to the girl.

“I have to go to Wessen town and rescue my niece. But tomorrow morning, if you go to where the large area where trucks and cars park in, look for a white box van with a red cross on it. It is my box van and where I sleep. I will give you some clothes and see about sixing your arm too though it might hurt when I do it.” He explains.

“Can’t you do that now?” The little girl asks.

“I’m sorry I cannot. I have to find and rescue my niece first, the Pink Haired Fuchsbau Wessen. I hear she was taken to Wessen Town.” Fernando explains. He adds, “If you go there, ask the sheep or goat wessens for ‘Mister Fernando.’ That is me and they will take you to me. If I am not there, they will tell you that I am not there and you ask them if you can wait. Also ask if they can give you a bit of food too from Misses Ruth. They will help you out until I return from rescuing my niece.” Fernando explains. He throws in, “See you tomorrow in the morning.”

The little girl pounces on him and holds him tightly for the moment. She then lets him go. They both nod at each other before he starts to walk away. She takes the cupcake he gave her and begins eating it. By the time she eats half of it, Fernando seems to fade into the distance though he had teleported himself closer to Wessen town at the other end of the runway. The little girl looks at the cupcake and decides to drop it on the floor. She then runs towards town but ducks behind a building and crawls into a sewer grating, saying to herself “My friend needs help...”

Fernando stops at a block of a few buildings, noticing that the majority of them have Spanish Writing on their signs. He sees one that his senses alert him too “Hacienda Restaurante.” He walks inside and looks about, finding Hondo sitting with a much older man and a couple empty beer bottles. He walks to them, yelling out, “What The #$@! Is That Smell? It Smells Like That Dead Lich In The Ring From Nights Ago!”

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Fernando

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Re: After Chaos
Reply #2719 - Apr 17^th, 2021, 2:37am

“My friend, he needs help! We need to help him!” The little girl says to a group of 20 of so around her, varying in age from barely past toddler to a couple of teenagers there.

“Now hold up Lily (short for Lilith). Who is this friend and why should we help him?” One of the teens asks her.

“He went to Wessen Town looking for his niece, a Pink Haired Fuchsbau Wessen De La Cruz took to Wessen Town!” Lily explains.

“So? De La Cruz takes who he wants, and anybody wanting it back, it will be a Wessen on Wessen fight. Besides, we are not allowed to go back there, remember De La Cruz kicked us out because we did not met his needs, would not steal for the fun of it, hurt others because they are there. We take and fight now because we have too in order to survive.” The older teen tells her.

“You do not understand! My friend... he is not a Wessen… He is Human but his niece is a Wessen!” Lily tries to explain.

“Let me get this straight – he a human but his niece is a Wessen? Impossible!” The older teen says.

“Yes – possible!” Lily replies back, throwing in “He stated how we were made – In Lab Town! How we used to be human, how we still are human! He said that if I go see him tomorrow at his vehicle, that he would help me with clothes, food and my arm!”

“Impossible! Only a doctor can fix your arm, and no doctor here is going to fix a wessen’s arm!” The older teen replies back loudly.

“He said he would, and he went to Wessen town to get his niece and said he would help me tomorrow.” Lily says.

Another younger teen approaches Lily, “Tell us, how did he look like?”

“Look like?” Lily asks.

“What was he wearing?” The younger teen asks.

“He had a small black hat, a black smooth shiny jacket with a orange thing on his arm – with 2 snakes on a stick on it, and, uhm… he has black thing covering his eyes.” Lily explains.

“2 snakes on a stick says he’s a doctor.” The older teen says.

“Black thing covering his eyes? You mean like goggles?” The younger teen asks.

“No, not goggles.” Lily says, holding her hands in a ‘letter C’ to the side of her eyes.

“A mask then?” The younger teen asks.

“Uhm... yeah – a mask!” Lily replies.

Another child, a preteen steps up to them, holding up some papers that she had, one of them was the fight poster at Fight Town, with Hondo, James and Fernando on one side with the Lich, Hamburger Mel the Butcher and Al the Arsonist on the other. Lily sees the poster and points at Fernando, “THAT IS HIM!!!”

The others look at the poster, not grabbing, knowing that it would rip if it did. Another brings up a news paper showing Fernando pinning down the Lich with inserts photos of the others who were dragged out of the ring dead. The few that can read, reads. “It says that’s the Time Walker!”

“You cannot believe everything they put on paper! You know that Lily!” The older teen says.

“If that is the Time Walker, why is he here?” The younger teen asks.

“To save his niece – aren’t you listening?” Lily lets out.

“How about we go and investigate? Only investigate – see what is going on. Watch the fight, not be part of it.” The preen teen says.

They discuss it to themselves for a while.

“Alright, alright... Get your fire sticks and tough jackets, we’re going to roll up on them.” The younger Teen says.

Those with firearms go gets them, though it is a small .22 rifle or bb-gun.

Many of them get their bicycles, some with an attached car in the back for those who do not know how to ride yet.

The majority put on their leather jackets, some with metal drink tabs woven with wire on them. They go through the tunnels under the city and ride their bikes out of a larger exit, and make their way of a group of 20 bikes or more with a minimum or two riders on it, all hauling ass along the side of the runway to a place they are not allowed to go to alone: Wessen Town. They would arrive there seeing several of De La Cruz’s men outside the door of the “Hacienda Restaurante.” Staying outside of their view, they look at what is going on.

The body of a large bull Wessen, a Taureus-Armenta, flies out of the doorway and those outside of the restaurant run inside it. The kid biker gang decide to roll up to the restaurant’s door to see what is going on, several of them grabbing their ‘firesticks’ and prepare them for action. Looking at the large bull Wessen, he was unconscious but still breathing. They were in awe at this.

“Who could win a fight against Big Willie?” One of the wessen kids asks.

“The Time Walker – who else?!” The preteen says.

They look at Big Willie for a while before gun fire is heard, making them scatter for a safe location to hide in, with those with fire arms having them aimed at the restaurant’s door way.

(This is the fight that is happening inside as per the point of view from the kids on the outside, they do not know what is going on in the inside...)

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