Chilly Boulder, Wednesday Afternoon

[godilovedthis]

Well, their Fandom was phasing with a new one and while Kathy couldn't remember how long it would take before theirs overtook this one and destroyed it nor how many times this had already happened in the past (though the flickers were lingering longer now than they'd been this morning, so odds were high the process was a quick one), she knew to

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[soniaroadsqueen]

Ringo didn't usually interrupt a run through town once she got going. And she certainly didn't slam through doors at breakneck speeds to barrel straight toward someone aiming for a sort of tackle-hug. But, to be fair, she hadn't had anyone come back from the dead for her yet, either.

"Kathy!"

If she'd been in less of a hurry, she might have noticed some of the not-so-subtle things that were "off" about her senpai, but she was in a hurry. She wanted to be hugging Kathy as soon as possible.

[godilovedthis]

"I--whoa, what--fuck!"

Instinct had Kathy moving before conscious thought could process the blur of motion coming at her. Usually, that meant DANGER INCOMING, which meant that getting the fuck out of the way trumped whatever pain she might feel and damage she might do. She could worry about that kind of thing later, when she was able to be pleased that she had a later.

She dove out of the chair and tucked herself into a roll, then bounced up onto her feet. Her cry of pain didn't stop her from yanking out her knife, her eyes darting around for the best way out. Maybe she could lead the creature behind the counter and make her getaway while it was busy with the cashier...

[soniaroadsqueen]

Ringo hadn't really been ready for a dodge. That, more than even the knife that suddenly appeared in Kathy's hand, pulled her up short. She spun, bouncing off the wall to kill her momentum, and stood absolutely still. Her eyes were wide, staring at Kathy in hurt and betrayal, neither of which she could manage to force down.

"I." What was she supposed to say to a reaction like that?

She swallowed. "I'm sorry."

After forcing herself to take a couple of deep breaths, she rubbed at her eyes with the back of her arm and turned toward the door again.

[godilovedthis]

Well, Kathy hadn't been expecting a tackle, either! Most of the survivors of their Fandom knew better than to make fast movements toward someone.

"I...Ringo?" Kathy asked, peering at her, blinking almost like she couldn't believe it. "Ringo?"

And then she abruptly sat down on the ground, her legs protesting mightily the activity of a few moments before.

[soniaroadsqueen]

Seeing Kathy recognize her actually had Ringo straightening slightly, and starting to smile, but then Kathy's legs gave out and Ringo was rushing over again.

"Are you okay?" Ringo asked, eyes wide with worry, dropping to skid on her knees to stop beside Kathy. She came up short, hesitating to reach for another hug.

Of course that was a stupid question. A really stupid question. Kathy must have been fighting zombies for, like, seven or eight months! No way was she okay.

[godilovedthis]

"I'm dealing," she said, struggling to push herself back up. Then Ringo's arms were wrapping around her and she froze for a moment before tentatively returning the hug like she barely remembered how. "I'm used to it."

[soniaroadsqueen]

Ringo had started with a tight hug, but Kathy's hesitation had her relaxing her grip. "When, um, when did you get back?" She suspected the answer was "just now", since she hadn't seen or heard anything to suggest otherwise.

And Ringo couldn't easily imagine Kathy arriving without making waves.

[godilovedthis]

Well, it helped when she was literally thrust into this reality from her own.

"Back?" Kathy's brow creased and she shook her head. "I only just arrived. How could I be coming back?"

[soniaroadsqueen]

Kathy's evident confusion was enough to trigger Ringo's own. And that, in turn, was enough for her to really look at Kathy.

She licked her lips carefully, not quite letting go of the hug even as she was pulled a little away for a better view. "You, um, didn't just come back from LA, did you?"

[godilovedthis]

"LA?" Kathy barked a laugh that was held very little amusement in it. "I haven't been in LA in..." She honestly didn't know how long. "Years, I think? Not since I left med school."

[soniaroadsqueen]

Med school? Ringo's eyes narrowed.

Kathy did look older. And not just "barely lived through a zombie apocalypse" older. Like, actually older.

It had Ringo finally dropping her hug and leaning back. "Oh."

Of course not. Kathy was dead. Her Kathy was dead, at least.

She tried not to let the disappointment show on her face. Not just that it wasn't what she'd hoped, but for letting herself hope even though she knew it was impossible. But Ringo had never been good at hiding her feelings.

[godilovedthis]

"Not who you were hoping, huh?" Kathy asked. "That's something you'll need to get used to. Most people won't. Not after what's coming. I'm sorry."

She didn't sound sorry, though. She sounded...hard. Because she was now. Especially compared to how soft this incarnation of Fandom people were.

[soniaroadsqueen]

Yeah, Ringo noticed that hardness. It was, honestly, sadly familiar.

"After what's coming?" she repeated softly.

[godilovedthis]

"The monsters," Kathy said. "The twisted ones and the hollowed. The reasons I'm here. Don't you see, Ringo? My Fandom is coming. And soon yours will no longer exist."

[soniaroadsqueen]

Ringo's eyes went wide. "Are you sure? Maybe, um, maybe you're just here, and the bad stuff won't follow you?"

Yeah.

Sure, Ringo.

[godilovedthis]

Kathy snorted. "And maybe Santa will come with presents for all the good girls and boys," she said. She pushed herself up and went back to her table. "They're already here. I've seen them. Just flickering in and out now, like an eyeblink, but they'll be here for longer, soon."