Derp Tank

Walter: Thanks for helping us all the way here, Claire. <:)

Harry: Yeah. I don't think we would have all made it without you.

Rick: ^^

Claire: I could say the same for all of you. Thank you. :)

Mia: Aww--okay, you get a hug. *hugs Claire*

Claire: ! *doesn't quite know how to react to this*

Mia: COME ON GUYS, GROUP HUG.

Key: *snickers, and joins in the hug*

Harry: ^^; *He also hugs*

Walter: *HUG*

Rick: *Joins in with a massive bear-hug*

Claire: ! <:) *hugs them back*

*after a few moments, they all let go*

Harry: So we'll see you later?

Walter: Hopefully?

Rick: Yeah? :D

Claire: Definitely. :)

Mia: Wonderful. ^^

Key: :D

Walter: Well, if anyone's bored, I can always play Red Hands with them. <:P

Rick: Hah.

Harry: ...

Mia: Eheh... *holds up her still-bandaged hand* No thanks. ^^;

Key: I'll pass. ^^;

Claire: ...

Walter: Hah, okay.

Rick: ... This is taking a while. :/

Harry: Mh. It is. >__>

Mia: *is still a bit nervous*

Key: *twiddles her thumbs*

Claire: ...

*Later*

Doctor: Comes back. You all may leave, except for you two. *points at Rick and Mia*

Walter: What?? D8>

Rick: What did we do? :/

Harry: D:

Mia: D8?!

Key: But they aren't infected... D:>

Claire: :/ ...

Doctor: We just need to test them a little more. Please come with me NOW or you two will be shot.

Rick: ... So much for hospitality. >:( *Follows the doctor*

Harry: D: ??

Walter: D8>

Mia: *hesitates* D8 ...

Claire: Just go. You'll be fine. <:/

Mia: *gives Walter a scared look before following after Rick, staying close to the older man*

Key: D:>

Harry: ... What are they going to do to them...? D:>

Walter: Test them, he said. D8

Claire: ...

Key: ...Th-They're going to be fine, right? D:>

Harry: They should be. They're not infected.

Walter: Right. D8>

Claire: *waits* ...

Key: *also waits, still slightly worried* <:( ...

Later

Rick: *Walks back with Mia* We're fine!

Harry: :D

Walter: *RELIEVED*

Mia: *goes to hug Walter, also rather relieved, and with a new set of bandages*

Key: Does that mean we can go now? <:D

Claire: I would assume so.

*They immediately leave*

Gilder: *Waits for Claire and the others* :)

Harry: So where do we stay?

Gilder: There's an apartment complexes. Staff Sergeant Orello can show you to it.

Walter: Yay. :D

Claire: *smiles a bit* Thanks again, for bringing us back here. I owe you. *to the others* Right this way. *goes ahead*

Key: :D! *follows her*

Mia: :D *does the same*

Gilder: *Salutes to Claire*

Walter, Rick, and Harry: *Follow Claire*

Claire: *returns the salute. it's a short walk to the apartment complex* Here we are. The receptionist at the front desk will help you find a room.

Mia: You're not coming with us? <:/

Claire: *shakes her head* I'm afraid I owe my higher-ups a report. I'm sure I'll see you around, though.

Key: I hope so. :(

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Soldier: *Shakes his head* ... We're stuck, apparently.

Soldiers: ...

Harry: D:> ...

Rick: D: ...

Walter: D:> ...

Claire: D: ... *sighs, disappointed*

Key: <:( ...

Mia: D:> ...

Walter: You're people have to get it at SOME point...

Soldier: We aren't the scientists involved. We don't know why nothing works.

Another Soldier: I overheard one talk about how the infection is constantly changing.

Harry and Rick: D8

Claire: !

Mia: Well, THAT'S problematic... D:>

Key: D:> ...

Harry: ... So... There won't BE a cure...

Soldiers: ...

Rick: Now don't say that! There's always that chance!

Walter: <:(

Mia: They just haven't made a breakthrough yet, that's all. <:(

Claire: *regrets asking about it* ...

Key: <:( ...

Harry: *Forces a pained smile* ... It's alright to wait, I guess. At least we're going to be safe now.

Rick: Yes. :D

Walter: ...

Claire: ...

Key: *squeezes Harry's hand*

Mia: <:/ ...

Harry: *Just keeps smiling* ...

Walter: <:/ ...

Rick: <:( ...

Soldier in the front seat: We're almost at the safe zone.

Mia and Key: !

Claire: ...

Harry: *Wonders what it will look like*

Walter: *Is a bit excited*

Rick: :/

Key: *is just eager to be somewhere safe*

Mia: *is also excited*

Claire: ...

*They arrive in the Safe Zone, driving through what sounds like massive metal gates and parking near some other armored trucks. The group gets out, and the first noticeable thing is the massive wall separating them from the outside world. Inside the Safe Zone, white from falling snow, is a city. A titanic city with buildings seemingly untouched by the hell outside*

Harry: ... Wow.

Walter: :D

Rick: Huh. City.

Gilder: If you all will please follow Private Keensly, he'll escort you to the CEDA Science and Health Center to be checked for any signs of infection. *He eyes Mia and Rick*

Keensly: Follow me. *Heads over to the building*

Everyone: :/ *Follows*

Mia: *doesn't like the look that soldier gave her. she stays close to Walter* ...

Key: <:/ ...

Claire: ...

*They head over to the CEDA building and are sent into a smallish room to be tested*

Doctor: *Wears a gas mask around them* If everyone will please spit into these little dishes, that will be great. *Hands them the petri dishes marked with a number on the bottom*

Everyone: ... *Does so*

Mia: *is a little nervous. she's pretty sure she isn't infected, but the looks she's gotten from some of the soldiers make her slightly uncomfortable*

Key: ...

Claire: ...

*There is a long wait when the doctor leaves the room*

Harry: ...

Walter: It'll be alright. None of us are infected.

Rick: ...

Mia: *nods, still a little nervous*

Key: *waits patiently* ...

Claire: ...

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Harry: Boomer! *Shoots it before it gets close*

Rick: Good job.

Harry: Thanks. :)

Walter: *Slashes the commons*

Claire: --!! WAIT-- *shoots a running common* Does anyone else hear a truck??

Mia: ...! YEAH!

Key: ???

Rick: I don't.

Walter: That's because you're OLD.

Rick: Hey! >:/

Harry: No, I hear it too. Where's it coming from? :/

Claire: ... This way. Come on! *hurries down the street, shooting infected as she goes*

Key: *follows her without hesitation--if it's a chance to get out of here sooner, she will gladly take it*

Mia: ! *shoots Walter an excited grin before following Claire*

Walter: *Returns the grin before running with Mia and Claire, trying to ignore the pain in his chest*

Harry: ! *Follows*

Rick: *Does the same*

Truck: *Parks near them*

Soldiers: *Come out and point their guns at them*

Sergeant: *Comes out last* WAIT! Lower your guns, men! *Approaches the group and looks at Claire* Sergeant Orello?

Claire: *smiles a bit under her gas mask, recognizing the man's voice* That's Staff Sergeant to you, Sergeant Gilder. You won't believe how happy we are to see you.

Key: *is relieved that they apparently know each other*

Mia: :D!

Gilder: What are you doing out here, STAFF Sergeant Orello? With these people?

Harry: "These" people? D:/

Walter: Don't shoot us. D:

Rick: :/

Claire: My search squad was wiped out by a Tank. They--*motions to the others*--saved my life.

Key: *nods vigorously* D:

Mia: 8I

Gilder: Well, they can come along, but they still need to be tested for any sign of the infection. You all can sit in the back with the other soldiers. *He climbs into the drivers seat*

Soldiers: *Escort everyone into the back*

Rick: Never been in an armored truck before. :/

Harry: :/

Walter: I have, but not an American one.

Mia: Huh.

Claire: *sits quietly, glancing around at the others in the truck*

Key: *stays close to Harry*

Harry: *Puts his arm around Key*

Walter: *Sits, feeling uncomfortable with all the soldiers staring at them*

Rick: :/

Soldiers: *Stare*

Key: *leans against him a little bit* ...

Mia: *presses her arm against Walter's* ...

Claire: *silently stares back at them*

One Soldier: *To Claire* ... We thought you were dead, Ma'am. Sergeant Gilder might not seem like the kind of man, but he got a little upset when you didn't come back.

Harry: *Stays close to Key*

Walter: Huh.

Rick: :/

Claire: ... *nods* Glad to hear I was missed. The others weren't so lucky though. Did we lose anyone else while I was gone?

Mia: <:/

Key: ...

Another Soldier: Private Johnson, Silver, and Hamelton. They were good soldiers.

Soldiers: ...

Harry: :/

Rick: :/

Walter: :/

Claire: *nods again* ...

Key: ... <:/

Mia: ...

Soldier: ... This fight against the infected civilians is slowly taking its toll.

Soldiers: ...

Rick: <:(

Walter: <:/

Harry: ...

Claire: ...Any word on the cure?

Key: !

Mia: ...

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Walter: Ahah. <:D

Rick: Just don't fall and you'll be fine!

Harry: *Same as Key*

Mia: *helps him back over to the table*

Key: *sort of dozes off there*

Claire: ....

Walter: *Is wobbly* ... Yaayy. <:D

Rick: ^^;

Harry: *Stays there with Key* <3

Mia: *helps him sit down* Oof.

Claire: ...

Key: *snoozes*

Walter: Thank you. ^^;

Rick: :D

Harry: <3

Mia: Anytime. <:P

Key: *snoozed*

Claire: ...

Walter: Hopefully I'll be able to run again -- And soon. <:P

Rick: I bet you will, Walt. :)

Harry: <3

Mia: *kisses his cheek* you just need a day or two. :)

Key: *snoozes*

Claire: ....

Walter: I hope so -- I'm already sick of this place. <:P

Rick: ^^;

Harry: <3

Claire: I think we all are.

Mia: Ugh, yeah.

Key: *sleeps*

Walter: Shoe stores always smell weird.

Rick: I like the smell of shoe stores. Rubbery.

Harry: <3

Mia: Honestly, even if I was into shoes, I would still be sick of this place. :I

Claire: Heh.

Key: *sleeps*

Rick: Rubbery ~

Walter: Gross.

Harry: <3

Mia: Nyuh. XP

Claire: ...

Key: *asleep*

Rick: *Huffs*

Walter: *Looks around*

Harry: <3

Key: *is asleep*

Claire: *is back to looking out the window*

Mia: ?

*A few days later, Walter is able to run again. The group is ready to go*

Harry: *Is less insanely happy than before, though he certainly is cheerier than he once was* Alright, let's get the hell outta here!

Rick: Yes. :D

Walter: :D

Claire: *making sure that everyone's ready, she unbars the door and lets the others out*

*they go*

Key: *walks alongside Harry, enjoying the more stable shift in his mood. it was nice to see a bit more optimism from him*

Harry: *Shoots at the zombies, though no longer does so out of vengeance for Todd*

Walter: *Is happy to see Harry improved as he is while Walter slices zombies*

Rick: *Shoots the hell out of everything*

Mia: *wonders how much longer she has to wear those bandages as she shoots infected*

Claire: *wonders how much longer it'll take them to finally get to the safe zone...*

Key: *fights with renewed vigor, just wanting all this to be over with*

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Harry: *Rubs Key's back as they kiss*

Walter: I can try walking again, yeah. XP

Rick: Good luck!

Key: *moans a little bit as he does so, still kissing him*

Mia: Alrighty, whenever you're ready. :P

Claire: ...

Walter: Well, I'm ready right now. <:P

Rick: *Watches Walter and Mia*

Harry: *Keeps rubbing Key's back and kissing her*

Mia: Then let's go! XP *takes a small step forward*

Key: *thoroughly enjoys this, continuing to kiss him*

Claire: ...

Walter: *Follows Mia with a tiny step of his own*

Rick: Keep going!

Harry: *Makes out with Key*

Mia: :D *takes another step*

Key: *makes out with Harry, practically sitting in his lap at this point*

Claire: ...

Walter: *Able to achieve another step* :D

Rick: Yes, good!

Harry: *Making out with Key*

Mia: ^^ *takes another step, and another*

Claire: ...

Key: *making out with Harry*

Walter: I think I can walk. ^^

Rick: ... With Mia's support, sure. XD;

Harry: *Making out with Key*

Mia: Wanna try without me?

Claire: ...

Key: *making out with Harry*

Walter: ... Uhh... Sure. Let's give it a go. <:P

Rick: That's the spirit! ^^

Harry: *Making out with Key*

Mia: *slowly lets go of him*

Claire: ...

Key: *making out with Harry*

Walter: *Wobbles a bit, but manages to walk on his own for a few steps* <:D

Rick: :D

Harry: *Stops kissing Key, panting and out of breath*

Mia: *stays close just in case* Yay! :D

Claire: ...

Key: *pants heavily, and laughs a bit out of embarrassment*

Walter: I did it! XD

Rick: *Applauds Walter*

Harry: *Laughs with Key*

Mia: *also applauds him* C:

Key: *her face flushes red, and she nuzzles into harry's neck to hide it*

Claire: ...

Walter: Heheh. XD

Rick: Now walk back to the table.

Walter: Heh. <:D

Harry: *Combs his fingers through her hair, grinning*

Mia: *rolls her eyes, then puts her arm around him again* No worries, I got you. :P

Claire: ...

Key: *just stays there, cuddled up and nuzzled against him*

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Harry: What's with the face? ^^;

Rick: Hahaha...

Walter: <:P

Key: You're being silly. >:c

Mia: Pfft...

Claire: ...

Harry: I'm not allowed to be silly? <:D

Rick: Pfft...

Walter: XD;

Key: You're being TOO silly. >:c

Mia: *snickers, finding the situation rather amusing*

Claire: :I

Harry: But Key, I NEVER get to be silly. ^^;

Rick: *Also snickers*

Walter: XD

Key: >:c ... *holds the serious expression until she can't anymore, and it's soon replaced with a grin* pff... okay, fine, be silly.

Mia: XD;

Claire: *rolls her eyes*

Harry: Yaaay ~ XD

Rick: Well, you tried. XD;

Walter: Pffft...

Key: *quickly* but not TOO silly. >:c

Mia: yeah, i don't think that's gonna work. :P

Claire: ...

Harry: What if we cuddled? Would that make you feel better? <:P

Rick: *Laughs*

Walter: Sounds like he's got the right idea. XP

Key: ...Cuddling is nice.

Claire: XP

Mia: c:

Harry: Yes ~ *He then cuddles with Key while sitting*

Walter: Aw. It has a happy ending. XD

Rick: XP

Key: *sticks her tongue out at Rick, then snuggles back*

Mia: Awwwwwww. <3

Claire: *snorts*

Harry: *Nuzzles Key, very happy*

Rick: XD

Walter: XP

Key: *nuzzles him back, also happy*

Mia: X)

Claire: ...

Harry: *Cuddles with Key* <3

Rick and Walter: XP

Key: *kisses him* <3

Mia: c:

Claire: *looks out the safehouse window* ...

Harry: *Kisses Key back*

Walter: ^^

Rick: *Sits* :P

Key: *continues to kiss him, rubbing his back* <3

Mia: *to Walter* So, you gonna stand there, or do you wanna lay down again? <:P

Claire: ...

Walter: I've laid down ENOUGH. >:P

Harry: *Enjoys this and keeps kissing Key*

Rick: Ho hum.

Mia: Okay, okay. :P Do you wanna try WALKING, then?

Key: *pauses to breathe, then goes right back to making out with Harry*

Claire: ...

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Walter: *Carefully gets off and stands, using Mia's shoulder for support* ... This feels MUCH better...

Harry: Good.

Rick: :D

Key: :D

Mia: *puts an arm around him to help keep him steady* You LOOK a lot better too. C:

Claire: :)

Mia: *kisses his cheek* <3

Key: ^^

Claire: Hopefully this means we'll be able to get going soon.

Walter: Hopefully, yeah.

Harry: YAY!

Rick: Has he been acting like this because of his pills, or...?

Claire: I'm pretty sure it's the pills.

Key: ^^;

Mia: IIIIIt's... different. <:P

Harry: It's not like I can't hear you ~ XP

Rick: <:D ...

Walter: I'm sure he'll be fine later.

Mia: What, does it wear off or something? :I

Claire: >__>

Key: ^^;

Walter: Well, his body's sure to get used to it and let it settle. Soon they'll work properly, I bet.

Harry: Haha, but this is fun ~

Rick: Harry, you are drunk.

Key: XI

Mia: ...How soon is soon? o__o

Claire: A day or two, I think.

Harry: *Grins. He pulls Key into a one-armed hug* <3

Rick: ... I kinda like him like this. XD

Walter: ^^;

Mia: Tone it down a LITTLE bit, and THEN we're good. :P

Key: ^^ *hugs him back, with both arms* <3

Claire: :)

Harry: *wraps his other arm around her to make it a full hug* Ahaha! I feel happy. X3

Rick: XP

Walter: I have to agree with Mia, he's a BIIIIT creepy like this. <:P

Key: Happy is good. ^^; *nuzzles him*

Mia: Tooold you.

Claire: :P

Happy: I feel happier than I've ever been in my LIFE! X3

Walter: Like deliriously happy?

Harry: Yeah! Like that! XD

Rick: XD;

Key: *puts her hands on either side of his face and turns him to look at her* Hey, tone it down. *kisses him* Don't wanna startle the zombies, right? :P

Mia: :P

Claire: ...

Harry: But I can't tone it down! I feel way too good! X3

Rick: Hah, you gotta learn to, kid. ^^;

Walter: ^^;;;

Key: Just take a deep breath. <:P

Mia: ^^;

Claire: ...

Harry: *Does* X3

Rick: Nope. Didn't work.

Walter: Ahah. :/

Key: *huffs, and pouts at him* >:c

Mia: .__.

Claire: ...

up

Walter: ... Well. Better than expected. ^^

Harry: XD

Rick: :D

Rick: Smile, damnit. >:/

Harry: :/

Walter: *Laughs a little*

Key: Okay okay! *forces a grin*

Mia: *snickers*

Claire: *rolls her eyes*

Rick: Oh blah, you call that a smile? Claire! You smile too! Everybody should smile!

Harry: >__>;

Walter: *Trying not to laugh too much, as a little laugh was enough to make his chest burn*

Claire: *snorts*

Key: pff...

Mia: *grins* Aww, you guys are lame. Even Walter's smiling!

Walter: Eheh. <:D

Harry: XC

Rick: Listen to Mia! She knows what she's talking about!

Mia: C:

Claire: *is now purposely trying to hold back a smile*

Mia: AH. AH, CLAIRE, I SAW THAT. Don't hold baaaaaaack~

Key: pfff... *ends up laughing a bit at this*

Rick: Eyy! There we go! Claire, you and Harry the only ones left! Join us!

Harry: XC ...

Walter: <:P

Claire: Not if you keep asking like that. :I

Mia: Awww... pleeeeease?

Key: X)

Rick: You'll feel better. :P

Harry: XC ...

Rick: Key, get Harry to smile.

Walter: XP

Key: :I ...

Mia: Go ooooon. c:

Claire: *smirks*

Rick: AHAHAHA! YOU SMILED, CLAIRE! WE WIN!

Harry: :/

Walter: XD

Claire: You still haven't gotten Harry to smile. :P

Mia: *stares intently at Harry* ... SMILE. O____O

Key: pff... *nuzzles Harry* He doesn't have to smile if he doesn't want to~

Harry: *Smiles a little at Key*

Rick: AHA! I wiiin ~

Walter: XP

Key: *grins, then kisses his cheek* <3

Claire: That was cheating. :P

Mia: It's a smile, no? XP

Harry: This was a game I was never playing.

Rick: Sure. XP

Walter: XD

Claire: *rolls her eyes yet again*

Mia: :P

*a few days later*

Mia: *is helping Walter off the table*

Claire: *is watching them carefully*

Key: ...

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Walter: ... You shouldn't be doing this for me... You're ALSO recovering...

Harry: <:/

Rick: <:(

Mia: I'm a lot better off than you are right now. It's okay.

Key: <:c

Claire: ...

Walter: *Gives her a sad look*

Rick: Think of it this way, Walter -- Soon enough we'll be in the Safe Zone. Then we'll never have to take care of each other again. <:P

Harry: ...

Mia: Not like this, anyway. Hopefully. <:P

Key: Mhmm. :)

Claire: ...

Walter: *The sad look turns into a small, sad smile*

Rick: There ARE doctors there, right Claire?

Harry: ...

Claire: Of course. You'll be well taken care of.

Mia: *smiles back at him* That's nice to hear...

Key: :)

Rick: The Safe Zone sounds like quite the haven.

Walter: ... Bet it is...

Harry: ... :)

Claire: If humanity's going to wait out a worldwide infection, they may as well be comfortable by doing so.

Key: Heheh.

Mia: :)

Rick: ... If only there was a CURE, though.

Harry: ... Let's not bring that subject up.

Walter: ...

Claire: ...They're working on it.

Mia: <:/

Key: ...

Rick: Are they?

Harry: ...

Walter: ...

Claire: ... *nods*

Mia: ...

Key: ...

Rick: Well THAT'S good news. <:P

Harry and Walter: ...

Claire: Mhmm.

Mia: ... <:/

Key: ...

Rick: What's with the sad tones and faces? Scientists are working on a cure! We should be happy about this!


Harry: :/

Walter: ... Yaay.

Mia: *laughs a little at Walter's reaction* Yay indeed...

Key: *sighs*

Claire: ...

Rick: Key, smile for me. :/

Harry: ...

Walter: ... Heh.

Key: ... *pushes the corners of her mouth up with her fingers, resulting in a goofy fake smile*

Mia: ...pfft. That's not a SMILE... Smile for REAL!

Claire: ...

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