⚕️ . ˚ ◝ –––––– ❛ john rhees. ❜
John likes dogs. Figures he’d be a poor sort if he didn’t—but maybe he was biased. Dogs bring out the best in a lot of folks and sometimes even the worst, show a man a dog and get a far better idea of what kind of person he is. Better insight into his worth than any kind of handshake that’s for sure. As he leans down to hold out his free hand, easy smile in place he almost holds back his laughter. Almost. But it tumbles free anyway, fumbling and uncertain in its own way—it’s been a long while since he’s felt a genuine need or even want to laugh.
He doesn’t know he’s holding his breath until she accepts his invitation. A great weight from his shoulders, he doesn’t think he’d force her in any way to accept his offer, but he knows he’d have an awful hard time walking away and leaving her to her (their) own devices after that debacle. As he lets out the breath, his hand lays over his chest with a heavy sense of relief “For a mo’ there I was a bit worried ya’ were gonna reject the offer,” his smile turns a little more tame, a little more cautious.
But, he perks right back up at the mention of camp. Another camp. More people. We are not alone. Already he’s crunching the numbers, mentally writing and re-writing the words he’ll say to those still waiting for any kind of news back at the library somewhere behind him. He knows it’s foolish to hope that everyone within finds someone that they’re looking for but…
Well, he’d never been very good at hoping for anything but the best when it came to those he cared about. And how funny was that, to admit that he cared about these people. You do have a heart John, it’s not just an organ that occasionally burns when you eat too much take-out. “Well,” he starts, hands slipping inside his pockets as he rocks back in place “We’ve scavenged our fair share o’ tea leaves and bags that you’re more than welcome tuh’ but I can’t say we got a reliable source of hot water outside o’ boiling it over an open flame–no generator to speak of outside o’ a portable one we picked up and it don’t power much. ‘Sides it takes gasoline but…I think maybe I can convince the people to spare it for a nice cup–after all, you’re bringin’ us some mighty fine news Ms.Genevieve.”
They didn’t get much good news these days–even the scavenge and scouting trips that went well didn’t provide near the same kind of high as good news of days long gone. “What’s yer poison?” he asks as he sweeps his arm towards the library in a gesture for her to follow him as he turns to walk “And don’t worry–we ain’t keepin’ track o’ things such as fees–systems been down for too damn long and ain’t much reprieve from the mad world these days…least we can do is offer a helping hand in the form of fiction, ma’am.”
robocop is invigorated from the run and the man’s laughter only serves to excite him further, causing him to produce an excited play bow at the man’s feet before shoving his nose into his outstretched hand. the leash tugs at neve’s belt and she laughs, making to sturdy her grip on the leash. “he’s one of those dogs that gets all riled up after a run or a dog park visit and bolts around the house before passing out,” she explains, an apology on the back of her tongue. her firm grip on the leash seems to simmer him down a little, but she’s grateful that he is more excited than afraid now that they’re out of danger.
neve regards him with a discerning gaze as her speaks, letting her lips draw into an easy smirk and raising a thick brow. “you thought i’d be eager to get back out there for another lap?” patting robocop on the head, she continued, swallowing roughly and letting her gaze fall on the gate again. “you just ... you have to be careful these days, you know? i mean you always did, but it’s different now. different stakes.” neve hopes she doesn’t have to say more than that. so far, the folks of the bergan mercy camp had--to her knowledge--avoided exposure to people who might mean them harm. after years in the emergency room, neve channing knows humanity--for all its good and bad. and bad people are better at surviving, she thinks, than are good.
the reaction to her admission of being a part of a camp does not go unnoticed and neve wonders if the library--as far away from most of the other camps--knows how many other survivors there are. “we’ve been using an alcohol camping stove or two for heating food and water.” it’s a pain in the ass and she feels a bit sheepish about not having figured out the generator situation in the hospital. “we have several of them, if you find you’re in need of one. or there might be some if you could find an outdoors store.” it was small information, but it beat building a campfire if that’s what they were stuck doing. “i don’t want to put you out.” she replied to the offer. unless someone was already building a fire, it seemed a shame to waste the resources on a stranger, but she couldn’t deny that she would appreciate a warm drink.
“just neve is fine, thank you.” she replies, always one to forgo formalities. perhaps it was worth noting that she lead her camp, but she doesn’t bring that up either. john seems a good enough sort, but she still doesn’t know him and it’s good to be cautious. until she can get to know him and his camp better, she’s sure she’ll keep most of the information to herself unless he asks. she follows as he gestures for her to and robocop trots eagerly at her side.
“oh, whatever you have the most of!” neve offers, a quick response. “i love a good japanese green tea, but i’m not picky. i’ve been drinking nothing but instant coffee for weeks.” a hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows? now that is a drink she truly misses as childish as it seems. on breakfast dates after work, when everyone was ordering mimosas and bloody marys, she’s the one who ordered the most ridiculous hard hot chocolate she could think of. it’s little things like hot chocolate and pancakes that she wishes she could have again. there’s comfort in something warm and sweet. “i would really love to read something more meaty than a damn travel magazine.” she chuckles at they approach the entrance. “i can only read about eating pasta and drinking wine in italy so many times before i want to throw the damn thing out of the window.”
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