@ofoccasus​.

“Hey, charmer.” Jesus says after approaching the man, then laughing to himself. He couldn’t help it. He was grateful that Javi had been so willing to move to the Hilltop after many were captured by the Saviors. It felt like things were getting more and more difficult, with Carl gone now, too. “I need to ask a favor. I promise you’ll get something in return, I just don’t know what, yet.” He pauses, almost pondering for a moment. “Have you met Siddiq yet?”

Javier looked at Jesus as he approached, a warm smile settling upon his face. There was a lot going on, certainly none of it worthy of a smile, but he allowed himself a few moments of rest every now and then. “I prefer Prince Charming, actually.” he joked lightly, then nodded to show he was willing to help Jesus with whatever he needed. Javier felt like he owed him one, anyway. “Who? I mean... no, I don’t think I have.”

“hey, ed,” maggie smiles over at him, a loyal member of the hilltop colony. she trusted him, kal and jesus more than anyone else in hilltop, and that was saying a lot considering before it’d only been her trusting her daughter. “you doin’ okay?” and this was just like her, too - worrying about her people before she even thought about herself. it was who she’d always been. “what do they got ya doin’ today?”

@ofoccasus

Eduardo tilted his head to see who was talking to him, though he could’ve guessed based on her voice alone. It was nice to feel like he wasn’t alone, and Maggie and Kal did just that. “Hey.” he greeted her in return, nodding to say he was fine without actually having say it. It was easier to nod than lie to her out loud. “Same old... stuff. Clearing the fence. Hoping someday they’ll let me help out in the garden.”

it almost felt like a relief to be around someone who did still laugh in his presence. even if it was a somewhat failed attempt. people walked around him like they were on egg shells. he didn’t blame them. most of them had seen what he was like after lori. it was enough to give anyone reason to worry and to tread carefully. he didn’t want them worried. that’s why he distanced himself. probably didn’t seem like the logical thing to do but he was doing what he thought was right. they shouldn’t be worrying about him. he wanted them to worry about each other. not him. 

rick somewhat walked with her. making sure he was clear of everyone or at least trying. there were people everywhere. “nah, nah.” shaking it off. “i’m fine. save it for the others.” rather them have it than himself. “listen,” his eyes checking the place. negan had eyes and ears everywhere. “dunno’ if you heard but they’re saying it’s oceanside that did this.” standing quite close, trying to prevent people from over hearing. “negans gonna’ be heading there soon. taking aaron ‘cause he thinks he has some connection with these people.” a brief pause. “need you to keep quiet ‘bout your time there.” last thing he wanted was tara out there with negan too. “alright? least just for now.”

Tara owed Oceanside a lot, Cyndie specifically. She couldn’t describe how she was feeling if she tried. It showed on her face, in the way she stared at nothing in particular with a far off look in her eyes every now and again. It happened whenever her mind wandered, considering all the terrible things that could happen because of her. Had she told Rick about Oceanside sooner, perhaps they would’ve been ready to join them sooner. If Oceanside was there when they were captured, the extra protection could’ve saved them. Or, had Tara never told Rick, they would still be in the exact same position but with Oceanside safe. Tara hoped things went okay for them, and for Aaron. She felt guilty that he had to be there to handle whatever happened. She felt like it should’ve been her. Especially since Aaron was still in mourning (she didn’t care that she still was as well). "I’ll keep my head down.” she assured him, finally. She meant it, for the most part. She would keep quiet, unless speaking up would save someone else somehow. Regardless, she wasn’t sure it would matter. It was possible that Natalia or the thers would bring up her name anyway. “Do you think...” Tara paused, pressing her lips together briefly. “We know how Negan punished them before... do you think that-" Tara didn’t even know what she was trying to ask. What she was looking for was reassurance that they’d be alright, but the reality was that they probably wouldn’t be.

“i wouldn’t be opposed to help when it comes to finding all this stuff, but i don’t think it’s wise for either of us to go after him. not when he’s got a gun that may or may not be loaded.” she bit down on her bottom lip. “if they haven’t assigned you to a job, i could use the help. if you don’t mind, that is.” she offered the girl a small smile. “i’m hero,”

Typically, Tara was all for helping others. But, this woman was a Savior. She was the enemy. Tara set her jaw, and shook her head. “Sorry, I’ve got a job to do.” The ‘sorry’ was vacant. She didn’t exactly want to disarm her people and leave them helpless again. “Supposed to be taking it easy, anyway.”