dearlyinfected

[dearlyinfected]

☣Slowly did she shake her head,☣"No, I don't. Daddy loves me and Mommy very much and everyone says how smart he is and how great his research is. So that means that Daddy isn't bad, right?"☣A small smile on her face even with the horrors that were happening around them, it was as if she found a little ray of sunshine through all the doubt she had. But then her face stilled, slowly forming into fear, as even she could hear the sound of feet dragging and voices moaning in whatever infected seemed to feel. It seemed that they were not alone in this space, but they would be okay, right? 

She wanted to peek or at least say something, but a look at Daryl's face told her that now was not the time. If Sherry wanted to be of help to this man, then she would have to be still and quiet until he said otherwise. After a few moments of waiting, the sounds had disappeared, they had somehow gotten through it without having to actually deal with the creatures. Obviously seeing that this was no longer a place to stay, and Sherry being considerably rested, the two of them once more set off to find an exit.

Now we time-skip to who knows how long it's been, hours maybe, and it seems they still haven't found a way out, either because of a wrong turn or because of too many infected. But they wouldn't give up, Sherry because she believed in Daryl, and Daryl because he didn't want to see anything happen to her. It was a certain point in their journey that they let their guard down. That proved to be fatal.☣

"Daddy?"was all Sherry's voice could get out before a mutated fiend who probably was once her father, snatched her and injected her with something. She was so confused that she couldn't even scream. Why was this happening to her?

☣Operation: Sherry Birkin☣

He vented a breath past flared nostrils, his lips drawn into a stern line. His silence spoke volumes; whether a figment of his own sleep or otherwise, it unearthed old demons. Foes formed in light of his own trepidation like ghosts looming at his shoulder. Death had reached for the echo of every step he took towards survival, dogging his wake in the hopes that one day, he may slip and submit to the waiting Hell. He wasn’t ready, and that reluctance to fold to inevitability was what fueled his pace from its grasp.

Meanwhile, the pint-sized Sherry Birkin he held in tow was firing off questions in contemplative whispers while they roamed the desolation in search of a safe exit. He would let fly a bolt here and there should they encounter a straggler or two and make certain to recycle the ammo, carving a path through as little resistance as possible; avoid the brunt to minimise casualties. After all, one was harmless given you were armed— a crowd would prove overpowering. Tucking himself just around a corner for a breather, bringing her into his side, Daryl shouldered his crossbow and preceded his answer with an impassive stare.

          ➶} "don’t know ‘im none.                         some people do dumb things wit’ th’bes’ intentions.                                                                               sometimes it ain’t their fault.”

          ➶} "—-you think y’r dad’s a bad person?"

[dearlyinfected]

☣Even though she was young, she could tell that the man who was helping her right now had gone through a lot. Sherry wondered if he was used to situations like this, well if he was then it could help out a lot.

Nodding, she followed his lead, or rather, made sure to hold onto his hand tightly as they started to make their move. It was important to be stealthy but it was also important to watch where they were going. One wrong move and they would be trapped, there was only so much ammo that he could have brought with him. During one of their breaks, because she was still small and needed to catch her breath, Sherry started to talk about her father.☣

"You know Mister, I heard that this might be Daddy's fault... I know that he and Mommy are working for uhm... government people and Daddy's a really smart person. They were having him research viruses, that's why Daddy and Mommy can never play with me, but I understand. I can keep myself busy, but I get worried sometimes. I have a bad feeling about it... do you think this is Daddy's fault? Do you think he's a bad guy?"

☣Her eyes seemed to search for answers in his. Whatever he said, she would most likely take as truth.

☣Operation: Sherry Birkin☣

It was all reminiscent a situation he knew all too well: a child entrusting her safety to an unknown, gloom harrowing the horizon and that familiar pessimism nagging his resolve. It whispered words dense in venom coating to poison his will, bring it down to nothing but a smoldering pile of a hope once was. He could hear it, as if it were at his shoulder—

                                          You couldn’t save her. This will be no different.

Darkness flooded his sight, a lingering blink sure enough banishing its influence and sobering his derailed train of thought. His jaw drew taut, mouth tightening to a chapped line and his convictions were renewed. Chastising his waning composure, the younger Dixon focused wholly on the situation at hand and the girl prevalent to its Hell. This wasn’t who he had known, whom he had swapped vague retrospections and shots of tequila with— she was a kid; diminutive and scant maturity. Just a child saddled with an unfortunate future. He rued the life torn from her grip, a once possibility now corrupted by human mistake into nothing but a pipe dream. 

The tense in her grasp drew his attention once more, and he met her gaze with those same narrowed hues of greying blue. The emotion had collected in that colour, barely an aspect seeping to contort his practiced indifference. For her sake, he would cling to it. There was no room for panic to further exacerbate the situation. But it dawned on him— was he dreaming an unfamiliarity? What was all this? It wasn’t any recollection of his own, that much was certain.

          ➶} "… anywhere but here."                            he mumbled his reassurance, pondering along similar lines.

Daryl inspected their current surroundings for his next plan of action, resilient in the intent of escaping this hole unscathed.

[dearlyinfected]

☣Sherry was still so confused, she was after all, too young to truly understand what was happening here. Even when she grew up, she wouldn't remember or understand much of the events to transpire in this place. All she knew was that there were bad people(?) chasing her, chasing them. Were they after her? No they couldn't be, all she had ever done was be a good girl.

But then the people who came to find her got separated, was that her fault? Had she called the bad people to come? No, she was quiet, as quiet as a mouse, so then why was this all happening? Her little hand squeezed the adult who had managed to get her out of the situation. A small nod of her head to his words even though it was far from the truth.

She must be quiet, she must be good. Mommy and Daddy would praise her good work, she would be able to see them after this, wouldn't she? As if looking for an answer to her unsaid question, she looked up at the man, he seemed to know what he was doing. But something was different about him, as if he wasn't supposed to be here. Then again, this place wasn't where anyone should be.☣

"Where are we going to go now?"☣She whispered, how were they going to get out. As far as she could tell, they were trapped. But he would find a way to get them out, right? For whatever reason, Sherry did feel as if she could trust him. Trust that they would make it out together.

☣Operation: Sherry Birkin☣

The stench of rot stagnated the precinct’s hallways, corridors thick with groans empty a tone; a hollow drone littering the silence as their shuffles fought to take them nowhere amidst the herd of corpses. Just another workplace left barren but the disease-ridden that scavenged in the epidemic’s wake. They sought living flesh to appease the only function they had left: the need to feed. What wasn’t a shambling echo of conscience, was left in pieces painting an office floor red in entrails, gnawed into mulch by the hunger driving these things in their brain-dead stupor. Shadows of what was weighed heavy on the living that remained to wander its aftermath— same shit, different setting.

Daryl Dixon, thrown from one nightmare to another, and forced to swallow the details given the situation’s severity. Under pressure did he fall back into what felt normal behaviour considering the circumstances, shouldering his crossbow and allied with a pair of strangers. He opted for a wordless approach, maintaining a level head even when faced with this sudden change. Only when they happened upon another— a small girl hunkered down where the dead had failed to reach— did he learn their names. 

—-I’m Claire Redfield, these are my partners: Leon Kennedy and Daryl Dixon.

How they knew his breezed right beyond his understanding, earning the subtlest of glowers on his part. Apathy carved a mask of his features, and he was numb to the confusion brought about by this turn of events, surveying each room and corner of the complex while they weaved throughout its halls. Shots fired and desperation exerting their vocables when disaster struck, they were forced to divide on account of the unforeseen, and he fled alongside the girl; weapon brandished in one hand, hers clutched in the other. Once establishing a moment of pause, Daryl swiped a palm abroad the sweat glossing his face, slow to face a younger Sherry Birkin— the identity of whom had just now sparked recognition.

          ➶} "….. you alrigh’?"

[dearlyinfected]

                                                         【I’m a soldier】               These shoulders hold ↑up↑ so much,                                                               They won’t budge I’ll never fall or fold up                                                           【I’m a soldier】               Even if my collar bones crush or crumble                                                                        I will never slip or stumble.                         Willing to stick out my neck for respect if it meant life or death.                                                     Never live to regret what I said.

[dearlyinfected]

☣Operation: Sherry Birkin☣

wingedleather

☣Dark. Cold. Silence. No, not completely silent. There was the sound of slow footsteps, the sound of groaning, the sound of them coming. She had been so young, but so many things were happening. Her father, a researcher, was doing as he always did which was his work. Sherry didn't quite know what it was, viruses, was what she heard. It seemed to be the usual though, both her parents would be away doing work and she would be left to her own devices. Not that she minded, she understood very well that they were busy. Sherry was a very good girl.

Then one night something different happened. Something went wrong. Nothing would ever be the same after that. Suddenly there were infected everywhere, she was only a small child, what was she to do, where was she to go, was she going to die here? But then saviors came, they came for her, two... no... three of them?☣

"Sherry Birkin? Don't worry, you'll be safe with us. See, I'm Claire Redfield, these are my partners: Leon Kennedy and Daryl Dixon. We're going to get you out of here."

☣She only nodded silently, could she really trust in them to get her our of this place? Even if she did get out, what was she supposed to do? They were stuck inside of this building with no apparent way out... they were going to have to make one.

"Daddy? Mommy?"☣she had managed to ask, quietly though, since they were still on their way to get out. The three adults seemed to be silent, and gave a slight shake of their heads. They didn't know, of course not, adults never seemed to know what she wanted from them.

But it was too late to think too much on it. A swarm of infected arrived to them, forcing the group to split apart. And it seemed the one who managed to be stuck with her, was the one who wasn't originally meant to be here. What will you do, Survivor of Another Distopia?

[dearlyinfected]

☣A small tilt of her head as she thinks on something he said.☣"So you're saying that you would be interested me if these were different circumstances?"

☣A smile as she sees his expression.☣"In any case, I heard that when you go back, you lose your memories, then again... I get the feeling I'll be here for quite some time."☣The mun will hold onto your muse dearly.

"Hey. Maybe on my world you’d be ‘girlfriend material’. But considering any of us could be sent back whenever, I wouldn’t say trying to get into a relationship like that would be the smart thing to do in this place. I’ve dealt with enough emotional bullshit without tacking that onto it."

[dearlyinfected]

☣Another laugh at his embarrassment, sorry Ragna.☣"Yes, yes, I know that I'm not in your range of girlfriend material."

"Well, it’s good t’know somebody gets some amusement out of my misery. And that was just a slip of words. It’s not like I think you’d actually, y’know…" He trailed off before picking it back up with, "Shut up."

[dearlyinfected]

☣She couldn't help but laugh a little at his reaction. Yes, he was much more friendlier now than he was when she first met him. In the end, he was still just a kid that got easily embarrassed.☣

"You're the one that put it that way in the first place, just repeating your words."

He canted his head to one side, like a kid being scolded. “Yeah, yeah. Like I haven’t heard that before. But I don’t feel like giving any asshole who talks shit the satisfaction of seeing my back. At least not till they’re on the ground.” Then he paused for a second, a slight tint of red on his cheeks.

"Y-you don’t have to put it like that, y’know. Jeez. I thought we were just gonna hang out and watch movies or whatever."

[dearlyinfected]

"You know, it might do you some good to lay off the violence a little bit. Just because people start fights with you doesn't mean you have to stoop to their level, but I'm sure you've heard that lecture a thousand times before. And of course I was worried about you, you still owe me a date, remember?"

"Uh… yeah. I’ll be fine. Just been busy as shit. Trying to keep myself busy. Might’ve gotten roughed up a few times but… I don’t really think that matters too much. Sector oo3 is dangerous, but they’re just a bunch of little bitches so…" He trails off, humming quietly for a second. "Why? Were you worried about me or something?"

[dearlyinfected]

"I'd say you look better than when I last saw you...but it's the opposite actually, are you okay, Ragna?"

"Holy shit, I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck. Cleanin’ up the streets is a pain in the ass."

[dearlyinfected]

☣Really, with her work among other things, you wouldn't have actually expected Sherry to go out often to drink. Which she actually didn't, but that didn't mean she wouldn't be able to hold her own for this contest. But her companion did prove right in that she didn't really feel much of anything for their first drink. With a shrug she had of course ordered more, the bartender seemed to give her a look, probably doubting she'd be able to drink a lot. She took this as a challenge.

If Daryl had been watching her, he would have seen that she had already downed at least 5 or 6, she had too much of a competitive spirit sometimes.

He hollered for another round, nudging his barren glass the span of the counter where it lurched to a halt at the bartender’s palm. A downcast gaze held its stare with a glossed tabletop and he worked a nail against it, scratching for nothing but something to busy his hands. The next round was swift in its bestowal and he downed it without a second thought.

Daryl peered aside for her progress, brows reaching for a mussed hairline.

[dearlyinfected]

bc friendship is swapping war stories about the zombie apocalypse over drinks

[dearlyinfected]

Well, she's probably met up yet another weirdo in this city. Then again, Sherry was beginning to think that everyone here was weird, just on different levels. At least this guy would probably never be as strange as that other man she met that talked about sinners and stuff.

"It is. Err..." This guy seemed to be a little willful, only taking things a certain way and that way was whatever served him the best. Sherry didn't even have to know him to guess that much.

"I mean it can grow longer, it's just that having long hair usually means it makes it easier for things to grab you."

To believe that the elusive mage would start up conversation based upon the appearance of another was nigh impractical, but considering his known unpredictability, the mischievous youth could have very well had an ulterior motive. For now, it remained unseen if any, instead opting to continue normally as he quirked a brow.

"Is that so? Or is it that your hair refuses to grow? It’s okay - I promise I won’t tell anyone if that’s the case!"

Again, taking his word with a grain of salt would be the best decision. His curiosity caused boyish behavior to surface, overtaking his commentary with a hint of jovial glee. 

[dearlyinfected]

While she couldn't say that she drank a lot, surprisingly, she was someone who could hold her own when it came to drinks. Maybe it had something to do with the mutation within her, maybe it didn't, either way she was ready for this.

"Hm...you're right, it's like nothing."

He was a steady poison to the jovial atmosphere of the place. Hollowing were the thoughts that came to mind and, after setting forth an order for two and plucking the tiny glass from the counter-top, he banished it all in one fluid swig, draining the contents with ease. Tequila: it barely tickled his throat on its way down.

          ➶} “… Ain’t got no bite.”

[dearlyinfected]

"Kingdom?"

It was Sherry's turn to be a bit confused herself. But she guessed it just had to do with how different the places they came from were.

"Well, I suppose you could call it that. Right, there's been a lot of running in my life too." Risen, infected, some difference, they were both creepy icky sort of not alive things. "But you're right, we should just make the most of our life here!"

Sherry smiled as well, this was the chance for her to do all the things she couldn't do before. It was great if you didn't think about how she was abducted by weird people.

                                                                   ”Government?”             Noire asks completely side glancing the other and looking upon the floor to decipher what this could mean. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t but the term itself had wrought much contemplation before she found herself speaking again.                                                                   ”Do you mean your kingdom?                                                                     I-I can relate to this myself.                                                                    There was a time where I could                                                                    not even fathom… Picking up                                                                    such a hobby. I’d been running                                                                    for most of my life. And yet,                                                                    here even if I am running too                                                                    from the scary people who call                                                                    themselves scientists… Well.                                                                    Lets forget the past for now,                                                                    we’re here now and we can                                                                    only try to make the best of it!”             A smile adorns her lips which had been frantic from trembling as she spoke.  Yet she eagerly stated each word with brimming optimism, something of which was a rare occurrence to the archer. However, her friends had given her hope and as they marched to destroy Grima the archer felt nothing but possibilities at her back.

[dearlyinfected]

"Til we drop."

Not like she didn't understand, between the two of them, they've definitely seen some shit. Their worlds had both gone through horrible things, they've probably witnessed thousands of lives die, whether it be because of infected or other people, they've seen it. And even if she didn't have the same experience as her companion, the shit she's been through was enough for her to want to drink a lot too.

It's just that she had more self-control than that, but hey, a drinking contest with a friend was a different matter.

Bottoms up, the night was just beginning.

Contemplation was a scratch to his chin and the rub of his finger across a chapped upper lip, indecision jostling his head. He clung to the hope alcohol would abate the mounting sentiment now his most recent enemy these past few days and sleepless nights. He had scant reason to trust his roommates, few to zero words exchanged between the three, thus less to drop his guard. It was wearing and tearing at him, tugging the fine threads that strung him to a whole.

          ➶} “…—-‘Til we drop.”

Drink to forget— drink until you’re nothing but a mass of regret and self-loathing shouldered by the poor sonnuva bitch who decided it was a good idea to rock up alongside you.

                                                                  Poor thing.

[dearlyinfected]

These two people who came from very similar but also very different situations and worlds, could possible become a very good duo. Sherry had lived a good part of her childhood by herself, but had never let her hate her parents or anyone else. Then when she was found by Claire and Leon, they became her best friends and showed her the world, or at least until the scientists got a hold of her. While she really didn't want to live an an actual guinea pig, she did it in hopes of helping the world. At least here, she wouldn't be subject to that kind of testing... hopefully.

All she wanted now, since she didn't have to worry about painful experiments or having to save the world, was to enjoy life and make friends. Things she didn't really have the time for before.

Taking a seat next to him, she was the one to break the silence. "So, drink til we drop or first one to a certain number?"

It was an unspoken kind of understanding the two shared, or some vague definition of it otherwise. His life wasn’t to be placed in anyone’s hands just yet— this was still a mine field of unknowns. Daryl was tired of playing guinea pig to some pricks thinking a lab coat appoints them God. That feeling of isolation— that all he had or needed was himself— looming at his shoulder once again. He knew he couldn’t fall back into that line of behaviour.

For what good it would do in the long run, Sherry had eased its descent, for which he could never truly convey his gratitude.

Hoisting himself into a seat at the bar, he lowered his crossbow to the floor by its strap and awaited her to follow suit.