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

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Libby, Dru, maybe Sam, and whoever else wants to jump in!

[thatlibbychick]

She was still holding Drusilla's hand as she stumbled into the dining hall, breathing heavily and wide-eyed. She couldn't believe what she'd just done. By the end, she wasn't even sure if he was alive or dead, just that his blood was all over the floor and she needed to keep Dru's safety her top priority. So they'd run all the way to the little camp, her handgun's rounds exhausted.

Looking out at some of those present, she announced it.

"Angel," she blurted. "He's one of them. He's..."

She dropped the unloaded handgun on the floor, followed by the rifle and backpack, and just stared straight ahead. She didn't know what to do.

[deathly_dru]

Drusilla might be reduced in power, but was still dangerous. Especially when the scent of blood was in the air.

And even more when there was genuine fear.

She was staring straight ahead, one hand locked with that of her warden's, while the other seemed to be opening and closing in rapid succession. It was difficult to tell whether she was in shock or simply being her normal self.

"London Bridge is fallin' down,
Fallin' down, fallin' down...
London Bridge is fallin' down,
My fair lady..."

She was refusing to let go of Libby's hand, though. The grip wasn't tight, just... Unwilling to be removed. Refusing to be dislodged.

"Take a key an' lock 'er up,
Lock 'er up, lock 'er up...
Take a key an' lock 'er up,
My fair lady..."

[bythe_books]

Sam was frustrated, to say the least, that Libby had insisted on running off alone. As she entered the dining hall, he stood up to approach her, ready to give her a piece of his mind, but when he saw the state she was in, he realised now wasn't the time for a lecture.

...

But it was time to pick up those weapons before somebody less trustworthy tried to snatch them up. He picked up the rifle and slung it over his shoulder, then the handgun, which he checked to make sure the safety was on, before sticking it in the waist of his trousers, where it would be covered by his jacket.

All in all, gathering up the guns had taken a few seconds. He put a tentative hand on Libby's shoulder, afraid to startle her with more contact. "What happened? Are the two've you alright?"

[thatlibbychick]

Libby looked from the hand upon her to Sam's face. Her mouth was working, opening and closing, as she tried to speak, but no sound came out. She cleared her throat and blinked rapidly.

"I got to her room just fine," she said quietly. "But after Dru opened her door, Angel came, and..."

She held her hands out, palms up, and stared down at them. They were shaking.

"It wasn't him, and you'll have to reload that handgun," she said simply.

I have far too many replies and active characters!

[deathly_dru]

"You live in dreams," spoke the vampiress at Detective. Head tilting, seeming unsure. Either her psychic intuition did not register as a 'power' or she was simply remembering things detected from another time. Either way, her expression was blank and she cast a look around the room. Had Angel's fate upset her or pacified her? Or had no effect? Was she, instead, more influenced by the situation, in general?

"Like weeds..." She mused, remembering her prophecy of before. "There's fates what'll keep with some for always, after this..."

I understand your pain!

[bythe_books]

Sam took Libby's shaking hand, gently, and gave her a reassuring squeeze. "That's fine. I just wanted to get it off the floor, away from..." He cast a quick look around the dining hall, then returned his attention to her. "It's okay now. I'm glad he didn't get a chance to hurt you."

Then, at Drusilla's words, he paled a little, letting his hold on Libby's hand go slack for a moment. "How did you--" He listened to her next words, then nodded his head reluctantly, clearly ill at east. "The... trauma, I imagine... won't be easy to let go of, for anybody, once this is over."

*sits in the corner with her two characters*

[thatlibbychick]

"I don't know if he's alive or dead," she said, clutching tightly at Sam's hand. "There was blood, everywhere...I shot my best friend and her father. I knew I might have to use the gun, I just didn't...I didn't know, what it would be like for me afterward."

She turned to look at Dru. She wasn't able to cry; tears just wouldn't come. "I'm so sorry, Drusilla, but I would do anything...I'd become a monster, if it was the only way to keep you safe. I did what I had to."

At least they're given enough equal attention! :)

[deathly_dru]

Quick as a flash, Drusilla seemed to rear up, straightening spine. Like someone had just retuned her mental television set and allowed a picture to come through. She changed from looking through what surrounded her, to flicking gaze between the two of them. Her hand still refusing to leave the mortal woman's. Internally, she was thinking. Coming to conclusions. Making decisions.

Many underestimated Drusilla. They assumed she was some kind of vampiric butterfly, only a danger because others acted foolishly around her. But her mind worked on many different levels, all at the same time. At certain times, like these, she could come swiftly into purpose with an almost deadly sense of clarity. Had she been turned while still mentally balanced, this was a brief glimpse into that alternative reality.

"He'll come back," she said, not missing a beat. "We've things to do, buttons to sew..." Then, with an almost malevolant smile: "I shouldn't think Angelus is too pleased, in the slightest... Might think different, when all's said and done.

[bythe_books]

Sam wanted to say that this was why he didn't want her running off alone in the first place, but decided against it. He just held her hand and tried to offer what comfort he could.

"It wasn't really him, Libby. You've got to remember that; what you shot wasn't Angel," he said. He supposed this was the sort of thing he was jaded to by now; he'd shot men in the line of duty before, and he wasn't too shaken by it-- at least, not while the adrenaline had still been coursing through him

[thatlibbychick]

She closed her eyes as Dru placed her lips to her forehead. Drusilla was there, she was okay...she hadn't put her life on the line, hadn't shot Angel for no reason. It hadn't been just to protect herself. She had something to fight for.

"I know, I do, I just..." She trailed off, knowing she didn't need to explain how she felt. "Both of you...thank you. Thank you so much." She squeezed both of their hands.

"If you don't mind, Sam, water would be wonderful." She thought about asking for crackers, to settle her stomach if she got sick over this, but she didn't think she would this time. She didn't feel nauseous, just felt numb and cold. Then she realized what Sam was concerned about, and decided to set him at ease. "Let me add to that: plenty of water, a muffin...an empty glass, a cloth napkin, strong unflavored liquor and a clean, sharp knife. I can provide for her." The liquor and napkin would serve as antiseptic and bandage, respectively. She looked to Dru. "Are you hungry now, hon?"

[deathly_dru]

Nutrition seemed to come in a variety of forms. Most of the vampires' food seemed to appear and vanish on demand; glass and all. Drusilla was not going to pass up such an offer, although did warn, "Only if it's as you want..." For physical weakness was not the best of traits to start exhibiting now.

The policeman could be heard to make his announcement then. The vampiress looking up and, as it ended, murmering something about how this was 'just like the war', inferring something about the underground train stations of London. Presumably, about how they had acted like bomb shelters.