OPEN - Dining hall camp out

[my_freeze_ray]

[The Dining hall looks more or less the same as it always does, only it's obvious that the evacuation is well under way. Inmates and wardens are spread through the room, some preparing defenses, others being somewhat less proactive, but all of them are gathered around the room. All waiting for news of what's happening, and how they're expected to

Comments

[naughtbutlife]

Exhausted to the point of collapsing, Angelica stumbled into the dining hall with the rest of her companions. She had put a bullet in the brain of Edward Sexby, when he needed no further insult upon his character and definitely not a shot in his poor head. And she was sad, for it meant her husband had fallen victim to the crisis and would not be of help to anyone. Angelica did not know if the borg-creatures suffered, but for the sake of the man she knew Sexby to be she hoped not.

She caught her breath beside Sergeant Howie, slowly unwrapping the scarf from about her neck. He passed the knife to her and she took it, returning it to its place upon her belt. He had not needed to use it.

"Thank you."

[naughtbutlife]

Angelica had to give herself a small moment to mull over the answer. She shook her head, glancing over her shoulder to Sergeant Howie. "No, sir, that was not my husband."

With a sigh she leaned upon the wall, her legs feeling weak. "There was nothing of my husband in that creature I killed." And that was truly the real loss. Everyone seemed terribly panicked, and Angelica was not sure if she should join them. She frowned, and hung her head slightly.

[naughtbutlife]

"They are probably all like Sexby now," Angelica replied, removing her husband's hat from her head. She placed it to her breast for a moment, in thought, then gently sat herself on to the floor. She began to remove her gloves and her pistols, setting them on to the space beside her. "I will not be optimistic and hope for any fate better than that of Sexby's for them. Though I wish no harm on the others."

She frowned, and began to reload the pistols. "I might pray with you. Would God step in to save him, I wonder?"

[naughtbutlife]

Angelica stopped in the middle of packing a ball down into the barrel of her gun, staring at the handle with fright. What did he mean, if Sexby did not come back? Slowly, she turned her head to meet his gaze, and had to swallow down the urge either cry out or throw a pistol across the room.

"Sexby's soul..." she repeated softly, then Angelica shook her head. "Sir, Sexby's soul has been in the hands of the Lord God since he stepped foot on this earth. He is a good man, I do not pray for him. His deeds speak louder than most prayers."

[naughtbutlife]

Angelica frowned, a little overcome. She knew that if she cried at this point no one would find fault in her, but she did not want people seeing her so weak. It was not for Sexby that she would weep. It had just been a terrible day. "I find no comfort in that. It should be life that matter, not eternal life."

She squinted her eyes and looked up at Sergeant Howie. Angelica found him to be a good man. "I would not lose another person. I would not hear eternal life as a reason to let men die."

[naughtbutlife]

But what if God was a tyrant, like all men? Either way, Angelica did not want to take comfort in the word of God. At certain times in her life it felt as though the Almighty had stopped listening, and she hoped this was not one of those cases. Angelica picked up her pistols and slung them in their holsters over her shoulder, tucking her gloves under the sash at her waist. "God rewarded me with three murdered husbands, sir. Forgive my pessimism. I did not mean to offend, not when you have been so kind to me."

She nodded towards the doors of the dining hall. "I shall sit watch at the portals, should you find yourself in need of me. Fare you well, Sargeant. May your generous prayers protect us all."

[naughtbutlife]

She inclined her head, "Mistress Sexby, if you would. I shall come and find you or Sam should the need arise. In the meantime...sit, Sergeant. Rest your weary bones." Angelica regarded him with a very soft smile.

She then turned, nodding ever-so-slightly. "Not bravery, sir. Just as my husband would wish. To end things in blood." Angelica headed towards one of the doors of the dining hall, offering to sit and keep watch for others. She continued to load her pistols, uneasiness seeping into her.