She finally could breathe again. Her victory had been just around the corner but Al had to come first - it was the right thing to do. And now she needed to do...whatever else it was she needed to do. Help others? Try to scrape what she could and get the hell out of there herself? Was it possible?
She'd figure that part out when she came to it.
Keeping her hand in the pocket filled with her remaining Casino Coins (she wasn't about to let a single one escape), she moved through the crowd, debating where she should go for her next chance at coins. Should she try a booth? Should she go back to the slots? What about Bingo - would Bingo be a safe bet, so to speak?
Without realizing (or looking) to where she was going, the chubby woman ran smack into the backside of a stranger, sending the faint sound of jingle as her light pocket rattled.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" She blurted out automatically, raising one hand to ensure the other person wasn't hurt. That's the last thing she wanted on her conscience - another person hurt because of her. Sheesh.
OOC
Character's name: Lola Malcom Character's faction: Prison Character's journal link:[x] Character's survival stats: [X] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MY CHARACTER 5'2, chubby, teased-bleach blonde hair. Black leggings, leopard print top. She's fairly outgoing but under present circumstances, probably very curt (and alarmed, naturally). Typically clever, though has never had to adjust to circumstances quite as these.
Xaki
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2015 8:51 pm
The good doctor, in the middle of finishing a game, automatically reached out to steady the older woman. "I'm sorry about that." He offered with a polite smile, his build easily blocking any others from hitting them and forcing them to walk around-
Even though he wasn't at fault, he still apologized. "I hope I haven't injured you?" Observant eyes looked upon her collar, her value -- she was probably the same as him then. On a hunch, he asked, "You wouldn't happen to be one of those who recently entered the playing field, have you?" If she wasn't, then it would simply pass. If she was, then Shouichi imagined he would be getting acquainted with another faction, as she certainly wasn't from apartments -- he would have recognized her if she had.
She was startled by the politeness of the stranger, Lola giving him a peculiar look as he assisted her from falling. With how dire everyone's situation was, she was sure that he would have been rude or curt with her, instead of friendly and almost, well, welcoming.
He even apologized! For her transgression!
"I-I...the playing field?" She stared at him blankly. "I'm from..the prisons, if that's what you're asking."
Lola could feel her cheeks flush as she realized what she'd just said. "I mean," she stammered, backtracking, "I came from the prison, but I don't belong in the prisons. My husband, I was visiting him...when the...outbreak happened."
Her voice trailed off and she shifted from one foot to the other, anxiously. Man, had she really messed THAT up. Time to start again.
Laughing it off, she offered a hand. "I'm sorry, all this...collar stuff has just gotten me a bit riled up. I'm Lola. Lola Malcom."
She noticed the collar around his neck - a whopping 140 - and realized she must be talking to some high and mighty individual, to be worth that much dough. That'd be a tough spot to get out of!
OOC
Character's name: Lola Malcom Character's faction: Prison Character's journal link:[x] Character's survival stats: [X] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MY CHARACTER 5'2, chubby woman with bleached-blonde teased hair. Black leggings, leopard print top. She's fairly outgoing but under present circumstances, probably very curt. Typically somewhat clever, though has never had to adjust to a situation quite like this one before.
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2015 9:17 pm
His lips quirked in something resembling an amused smile, watching the poor woman stammer. "It's all right even if you were. To be honest, even those from the prisons don't hold a candle to those outside." Like those undying, or those who played with people's lives in this particular casino. "It might have been luck indeed to have each other." For Lola to find a faction that she was safe with, instead of being by herself when the outbreak was at its worst. Though Sho couldn't imagine the terror that was going on between the two of them at their current circumstances, when all he had was himself to worry about.
"I'm Dr. Sho." He introduced himself, taking her hand. He followed her gaze to his ccollar, his own fingers fingering the restraint. Pulling it away -- just slightly -- he let his gaze come back to meet Lola. "... Indeed." He sympathized with her shocked glance. "Well, if I'm gonna be worth something, I should go all out, shouldn't I?" Not that he could really help it.. but anxiety, nervousness, and anger wouldn't help their situation.
And there was something... just a glimpse under the demeanor, that he might enjoy the challenge. Although for heavens sake, it certainly didn't look like it. He was polite, well-mannered, and dedicated to helping people after all.
"A doctor? You really must be worth a fair deal to your group, then!"
They didn't have a doctor at the prisons, as odd as that sounded. That seemed quite unfair, really. "You know, if we make it out of here, you should come hang with these prison folks of mine. Big, brawny guys - pull a lot of weight, carry a lot of muscle. Good for protection against the...uh, lesser alives out there, if you know what I mean."
She grinned, one hand falling to her hip. There wasn't much time left to chatter, but by God, she'd crack a joke or two before she went out. It was growing clearer and clearer with each passing hour that she would more than likely not make it out of this place, so she'd make the most of whatever situation she found herself in. Including talking with smarmy, fancy sounding doctors.
"So, Doc, almost finished with your collecting? I'd spare you a coin or two, but I'm more or less out of them myself. Bad luck at the Blackjack tables, it seems."
Xaki
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2015 9:36 pm
"Haha, sounds fun!" He laughed, imagining the sight of the big and brawny people. They were an asset indeed. "We don't have too much of those at the apartments. Lots of regular folks, along with young and elderly people." They were all right, as far as assets went. Not particularly a hindrance, but they weren't a big bonus either. Apartments were overall well-rounded.
Pulling up a chair on the side for Lola to sit on, Sho leaned casually against a slot machine not in use. A bit of conversation wouldn't hurt after all, and the old lady was amusing. Unlike the other few he met, who were plain out acrid or crazy in personality. Sho was looking at you, crazy cat lady who gave out weird nicknames. At the mention of his coins, "I'm afraid that I'm not even half-way there yet." He let a regretful smile pass, his expectations wavering at whether or not he would really be able to save himself. But he didn't reveal that to the older lady, since frankly, she has enough on her place.
Instead of her coins, her thought was enough. "Please don't bother. I'd rather you save yourself than save a stranger." He refused her offer; even if he could make the conscious decision to sacrifice somebody else if it would save the world, he couldn't let anybody else make the decision to sacrifice themselves for him. It would always be his choice to make, and he wouldn't accept anything that indicated otherwise. "But I suppose I should try that table later." As long as he didn't expend too much..
"You should! After all, what do you have to lose?"
Her smile wavered, the answer, although unspoken, was far too obvious. Both of them had far too much at stake to be losing at seemingly normal casino games. So much to win in so little time.
Suddenly, the casino lit up with sounds and light - bright advertisements rolled across their moving screens. CONGRATULATIONS NOAH, YOU'VE WON 1,000 COINS! it screamed in gaudy white color.
"Whoever he is, Noah's one lucky b*****d."
Her voice sounded salty. Probably because she was. Leave it to a stranger to win a life-saving opportunity, while she scraped for coins off of the ground around the slot machines. Go figure, right?
"Alright then, Doc, I'll let you get back to your games. We can't all be as lucky as Noah, mm?" Her finger twirled around towards the sign before tossing the gentleman doctor a quick wave. With that, she was back on her trail, on the adventure for coins because time was running out for all of them, minute by minute.
