(Untitled)

[bodymyblood]

Why come back here again, is the question McKinley has for himself. It is not, after all, exactly his scene(But then again, church socials are hard to come by these days. And it remains the only way that he knows of to remain in contact with certain individuals

Comments

[cheng_hu]

"Evening," Daniel says, pausing alongside the table.

It's dim, sure. But it's early evening, yet. And McKinley still stands out.

[bodymyblood]

He's ... more or less accepted it, really.

Still, there's always wishful thinking!

McKinley smiles up at Daniel a little uncertainly-- as he recalls, their last conversation did not end particularly well.

"Daniel. Good evening."

[cheng_hu]

Awkward! But he soldiers on. This won't be nearly as awkward as dinner with Anna was.

"Father. I'm sorry our last conversation ended so... abruptly."

He won't make excuses for Anna; she wouldn't thank him for it. And some of what she said was correct.

[bodymyblood]

McKinley shakes his head.

"Oh-- no," he says quickly. A wry smile. "As I recall, the abruptness of the ending was more or less my doing."

[cheng_hu]

"Well. Partly. Do you mind if I sit?"

[bodymyblood]

McKinley doesn't frown, or tense, but he's not quite so comfortable as he'd like to pretend he is, perhaps.

"Not at all."

[cheng_hu]

Daniel does. McKinley isn't obviously uncomfortable, but. Best to tread lightly, anyway.

"How are you?"

He wonders where McKinley has been staying. It's not likely the shelter.

[bodymyblood]

He smiles a little at that, as if he's been reminded of an inside joke.

"Oh, I'm all right," he says with a gentle shrug. "What about you? Is the year off to a good start?"

[cheng_hu]

"For the most part." There was that little problem in the mall. The fact that he doesn't consider zombie attacks something to talk about is...

It's something, anyway.

"I'm thinking of taking a longer trip out of the city. Anything you've been looking for?"

[bodymyblood]

McKinley frowns curiously.

"Out of the city? Where are you planning to go?"

He might know the area.

[cheng_hu]

"I don't have a specific destination, yet. I plan on doing some scouting. I'm trying to put together an up to date map. Places to resupply, safe areas, roads that are impassable now. Scrounging, too."

He absently tugs on the bandana tied around his neck. "Anything useful in bulk, if I can carry it."

[bodymyblood]

The frown is still there, though now it's more thoughtful than curious.

"I may be able to help in that respect, actually-- or at least, I've spent much of the past few years in the areas around the city. Mostly rural, very isolated."

The idea of the sort of map that Daniel's suggesting is intriguing, to say the least.

"... You're not planning to leave anytime in the immediate future, are you?"

[cheng_hu]

"That would be a very big help, actually."

He raises an eyebrow at the question. "No. Not in the winter."

Daniel is pretty sure he's here for the long haul, but having to head out is always going to be a possibility.

[bodymyblood]

McKinley smiles ruefully.

"Ah. Good. I was going to say, it didn't seem very fair to the roads to try testing them for accessibility now."

[cheng_hu]

"There isn't that much snow out there, Father."

Daniel shakes his head and smiles.

"I mostly meant obstacles that people traveling on foot- or horse- can't get around. Unless a mechanic shows up with a recipe for bio-fuel, anyone who scrounges for gasoline will eventually be out of luck."

[bodymyblood]

"That's true," he murmurs. A glance up, a smile. "Though according to some, that was bound to happen anyway."

Maybe zombies have a future as the next bio-fuel? Obviously something keeps those corpses going and going and going.

"... You know, I'd forgotten you have a horse," he says, sounding surprised at himself.