lucetilogs | There'll be trouble when the kidz come out

There'll be trouble when the kidz come out

Who: All remaining draftees
What: Zombies! Zombies! Zombies!
When: The 29th to 31st
Where: Vaskoth
Summary: Please read here for event information
Rating: B for BRRAAAIIIINSSSS

On the 29th, the Malnosso announce over the radios that the power cap will be lifted to a full 100%. Carol broadcasts a message.

On the 30th, the Malnosso declare Vaskoth completely lost. Those with radio access will discover that the enclosure is to be bombed.

On the 31st, survivors will have one last chance to evacuate or try to find the cure. 3PM is do or die.

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Rogue did her best not to stare at Pepper as though she'd suddenly sprouted three heads. "That doesn't have anythin' ta do with this."

With a sinking feeling, Rogue began to realize she'd made a mistake. She stood to her feet. "Look, that's not somethin' you hafta worry about, all right? No one needs ta know anything about what goes on inside my head. I thought tellin' you a bit would help here, but I guess I screwed up. So just - try an' get some rest, okay?"

"No, wait." In the opposite of Rogue had told her to do, Pepper tried to sit up. Her muscles ached at the sudden movement, but she winced and did it anyway. She didn't want Rogue to walk out, not like this.

"You didn't screw up. I did." Pepper looked toward the door, making sure it was still closed, that Tony wasn't there to hear what she was about to say. "It's my fault this happened, and Tony--" Pepper swallowed, struggling to keep her voice steady. "Tony's suffering because of it. He's in so much pain, and I can't do anything to stop it."

She wasn't even strong enough to let him leave, so he wouldn't have to see it.

"I just wanted--I don't know. I wasn't thinking right. I'm sorry."

Rogue did, in fact wait. And she listened very intently to what Pepper had to say. And then she met the other woman's eyes straight on, placing one hand on her hip, and a certain direct intensity flavored both her gaze and her tone, "Pepper, we're in the middle of a gawddamned Zombie Apocalypse. If ya think this is your fault, you haven't seen enough horror movies."

She took a breath and settled her weight back on her far foot, the intensity easing off somewhat, "Don't make me hafta fix that when we get out."

Pepper knew Rogue was wrong, and that it wasn’t just a matter of numbers. Pepper had had the chance to leave, or the chance to shoot, and she’d made the wrong choice each time. But the cycle of blame that ran constantly through her mind was bad enough restricted to her thoughts. She didn’t want to argue with Rogue about all the mistakes she’d made.

Especially so soon after having made another one.

It helped when the woman issued her threat—and within it, a promise. When they get out, not if. That easy confidence that there would be a positive end for both of them spoke volumes, particularly considering the source.

“I really don’t think I’ll be up for horror movies after this.” Not after being forced to live through one. “Could you threaten me with something a bit more uplifting?”

"It's not a threat if ya want it ta happen," she tucked a strand of escaping hair behind her ear.

She sat back down again, however, and sought Pepper's eyes. "I know you're not gonna believe me now. Ya might not even believe me later. But I want ya ta think about what I'm sayin', 'cause you know I wouldn't spare ya if it weren't true. It's a Zombie Apocalypse. Stuff like this happens. Ya can't blame yourself without blamin' all of it."

And that meant blaming Tony. And blaming Steve and Bucky and whoever was holding Steve who didn't hold them, and the person who brought in the plague, heck, and Rogue because she wasn't there either, she was out with Tony who should have been here, if you were throwing stones.

The faintest hint of a grin played over Pepper’s mouth—not that it could be seen under the respirator, but maybe it showed in her eyes.  “How does it go?  You can’t blame a girl for trying, right?”

But Rogue didn’t leave like she had so wanted to do moments before.  Maybe it was a good sign, or maybe she would go after she said what she needed to.  Either way, Pepper listened, because Rogue had just paid her the same courtesy.  And she couldn’t say Rogue was wrong about the fact that Pepper didn’t believe her.  Not when the wounds were still fresh, both hers and those of the people she cared for.

Yet Rogue wouldn’t spare her if Pepper deserved the blame; she was certain of it, and that added extra weight to her words.  Pepper waited until the other woman finished, then focused her gaze on some random spot on the bed sheet as she committed the sentiment to memory.

“I’ll think about it.”  It was the best Pepper could promise then, and all Rogue had asked for.  But not until later, when everything in her didn’t have to be devoted to fighting against the virus raging through her system.

"Thank you," Rogue said quietly. She glanced at the clock, and then back at Pepper. "I've got a few more minutes 'fore I hafta take my next shift. Why don't ya lay back down, close your eyes, and... I'll sing a bit, if ya like."

That Pepper definitely didn't expect, especially since Rogue had been reluctant to talk about her skills the first time Pepper heard her sing. She almost made a joke about how bad she must look--but the words would lose their humor in light of their truth.

So instead she laid back down, making herself as comfortable as was possible. "I'd like that. Thank you."

And so in a full-throated, slightly hoarse voice, Rogue began to sing. She was tired, and it certainly wasn't her best performance, but she made her way through a fairly innocuous jazz and Garbage songs.

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There'll be trouble when the kidz come out

29th

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29th

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29th

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29th

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29th