[log] and behind door number one... [semi-closed]

[sageprincess]

Characters: Zelda, Link, Max, Lea, Clayton, Clementine, and whoever these poor schmucks might hail on the network.
Location E10 (Building 50) + D11 (Building 58)
Date: Day 013, day
Summary: Using a key on a locked door is just common sense, right?
Warnings: Possible aggression and panic on the part of said poor schmucks.

(I've divided this log up into two parts to hopefully ease threading. Also if those on the door team want to make network posts about their shenanigans, just make sure to put NETWORK somewhere in the subject line! Anyone is free to answer threads marked as such, of course; hence why this log is 'semi'-closed.)

Comments

[sageprincess]

[Where Clayton decides subtlety is the best course of action, Zelda, for once in her life, chooses to be direct. As the group approaches the pair, Zelda tucks away her tablet - she can't exactly do the same with the hockey stick, but it is lowered into a more relaxed position after getting Clayton's attention.

It's hard not to feel the tension in the group, and Zelda turns her head to speak back over her shoulder.]

At ease, everyone. Clayton is the reason we have an idea of where to go.

[Well. Max figured it out separately, but. She turns back to Clayton, a light smile on her face. Looks like he managed to keep that promise from the first day after all.]

Curiosity is a powerful force, it seems. [As is the promise of food, which is why the four of them ended up in the same sports shed anyway.] We should not linger here too long, on the chance the key does not work, but a few moments to warm up a bit should be fine, I think.

[promises_to_keep]

[Lea recognizes Clayton as soon as he sees him: he's got a pretty distinct look. He lowers the 2x4 he's carrying and comes up behind Zelda, giving Clayton a genial wave. He wouldn't mind taking a short break to warm up a little, even if the houses aren't all that much warmer than it is outside. He's still got some food from his trip to the school, which he's willing to share if the need arises, but he's been trying to save as much as possible, since they don't know where their next meal might come from.]

Hey, Clayton, nice to meet you in person. How's it been holding down the fort here?

[feralone]

[Max never made it quite that far. He stopped a few yards away from the building as the others crowded together in greeting. When the offer and acceptance to go inside was made he grunted impatiently and turned to scan the horizon, a deep resonating hum coming from his throat as a prelude to the words he was about to speak.]

I'll keep watch out here.

[The reality was that Max didn't want to go inside. It wasn't that he mistrusted any of them but he didn't have any reason to trust any of them. Hell, he didn't even trust himself sometimes. It may have been cold but a brief moment of warmth wasn't going to make much of a difference once they started moving again either. So he opted to stay outside and, as he said, keep watch. It beat pretending to be social any day in his book.]

[neverbitten]

[Clementine keeps quiet, but also seems to blindly ignore Clayton's signal to stay back pretty soon, coming out from behind him and eyeing the others curiously. It is partly her not wanting to appear like a frightened little kid. But... well, it's also her being fairly certain that if anyone of them isn't entirely friendly, Clayton would probably not be too good at defending himself. Sorry Clayton.

It doesn't look like anyone is planning on knocking them out and taking their backpacks though, so she at least shows the courtesy of lowering her hammer.]

I guess a bigger group can be safer.

[In her experience, anyway.]

[tapferkeit]

[ Despite having looked for something for her, Link doesn't react to Clem beyond his initial wariness. After all, they'd only communicated over text. They had no reason to know each other yet.

At Zelda's words, Link drops any wariness he had had and dips his head in a nod to them all. Max continues to be aloof and wary, and he glances in his direction too, still slightly on edge from his behaviour. It just seemed so weird to him that someone wouldn't calm down in Zelda's presence - it was hard for him to shake the idea that she had all the answers. ]

I'll look on the roof, [ He says, looking up there. ] See if there's any more tracks. [ That was Clayton's thing, right? When they'd first spoke? ]

[dr_unconscious]

[Weapons are being lowered and things seem to be easing up considerably now that they're all together, which is more than enough of an improvement to get Clayton to relax, too. There's no protest from him as Clem circles around to the front for a better look, as he's far too busy giving everyone a quiet once-over to pay her much mind.]

[Max, on closer inspection, he recognizes--that stern voice is unmistakable. Clayton supposes he isn't too surprised that he wants to stay away from the crowd as well. Max doesn't strike him as the social type, and based on that knife now pretty clearly stuck to his chest, he's not in the business of making friends. But obviously he's done well enough with the others so far, so there must be some trust between them to keep him around. A guard, then. Clayton can respect that.]

[Link, Clayton doesn't recognize at all, and in fact might not have even made the connection between his request to look at the roof and his message if Zelda hadn't already described him in past correspondences. He's almost a mirror of her--not necessarily in appearance (although the distinctly pointed ears are interesting), but definitely in action. He sticks close to her, stays armed as long as she does, waves alongside her...they must know each other well. They certainly seem to be the most comfortable together, anyway. Which means, if he's willing to leave Zelda alone to investigate the roof, Clayton's earned his trust. He nods in approval of Link's request and gestures to the door behind him so he can pass.]

[Zelda herself...well, Clayton is hardly surprised that she manages to command so much attention. A natural leader, as her royal position would suggest. He's not entirely sure how many of the others know about that, though, so the idea of greeting her like a proper princess is stifled in favor of, once again, taking the subtle route. Clayton offers her a deep bow of his head to show his respect.]

Ma'am. [Then he steps aside to clear the door properly.] After you. Jus' need t' make sure my socks 're dry 'fore we leave. Won't be long.

[It might seem at first like he's ignoring Lea, but as soon as the path is open for Zelda to go inside, he's loping around behind her to grab Lea in a half-hug, complete with a toothy grin and a lot of enthusiastic back-patting.]

Hey yerself! [a rough laugh, here, warm and congenial like he's meeting an old friend] Doin' fine, no thanks t' you. Wasn't expectin' you so soon! Ain't hardly prepared!

[sageprincess]

[Clementine gets a light smile from Zelda in an attempt to reassure that they all mean well, and she even manages to mask the majority of the concern she has over someone so young being stuck in these dangerous circumstances. Maybe in a different situation, where staying back would actually be a safer option, she would suggest it for her as the rest of the group checks out the locked door. But leaving anyone to fend for themselves here may as well be just as dangerous as venturing into unknown territory.

The fact she's a worrier is revealed regardless when Link suggests looking at the roof, however. Her smile turns into a look of concern directed at the boy, voice lowering to a clearly more personal tone.]

Be careful.

[Her concern doesn't quite dissipate until she's passed Clayton, the bow of his head being subtle, but still enough to make her anxious about what the others might think. He's not falling over himself with formalities, though, and she is the only woman of age here - perhaps she can play it off as him being chivalrous, that's all. The enthusiastic greeting he gives Lea is distracting enough, as well.]