01 ☣ voice

[vaccination]

Bullshit is showing up here with everything on me but my comic books. All those Savage Starlight issues, gone. Just like that. Fuck you too, Initiative.

[A pause. Ellie's never really addressed a group of people. Technology is crazy. Okay, there was a point to this whole thing.]

... anyway, guess I just wanted to say thanks to the people that helped me out when I got here. I found who I was looking for, so. Didn't wanna leave anyone with a cliffhanger.

Comments

[beardedflannel]

Sure. Don't be countin' on that beer, though.

[vaccination]

Yeah? And why not?

[beardedflannel]

[ Bubbles form and the pancakes are flipped, pressed down into the pan. Ellie gets a sideways look. ]

Alcohol ain't for kids.

[vaccination]

[While that might have gotten an eyeroll and a retort on another day, she just smiles to herself.]

Have it your way.

[Pancakes make anyone agreeable.]

[beardedflannel]

[ Wait until he actually finds her syrup to try with them.

Well that was easy, no argument, no protesting, no I CAN HANDLE IT, JOEL. This is good, very good. ]

Don't you worry. I would.

[ If his shorty had anything to do with it, should anyone even suggest Ellie having some alcohol. ]

[vaccination]

[She makes it easy for him, sometimes.]

Did you like fast food?

[beardedflannel]

Yes and no.

A trip to McDonald's was all fine and dandy every once in a while, until it hit you that one of them Happy Meals and a large order of a Big Mac and fries to go for one night could cost just as much as a week's worth of dinner.

[vaccination]

You might as well be speaking a foreign language.

[beardedflannel]

Looks like I just did.

[vaccination]

You're sort of like an alien, talking about all these strange things. It's like you're from outer space.

[beardedflannel]

Last I checked, kiddo, I was from years before your time. Reckon it had to do with somethin' called the prehistoric years.

[vaccination]

Right. You're a fossil. You reckon if there are any museums that might want you?

[beardedflannel]

I'm surprised there ain't any around now that've asked me to be apart of their collection. Honest.

[vaccination]

Pfft, shut up. You're not being honest.

[She laughs, shaking her head. He's so lame.]

As much as I like talking about how old you are, can we eat now?

[beardedflannel]

Yeah yeah. Go on.

[ He nods off to the rickety table where they all usually share their meals. His plate is set down but he doesn't sit when she does. ]

[vaccination]

[Ellie's eager to sit and eat, grabbing her fork as she sits. She has a basic grasp of table manners, at least, and stops herself from cutting into her food when she sees Joel isn't seated.]

Hey. Sit, let's eat.

[beardedflannel]

You start without me.

[ Waves her off, already turning to head towards his room. ]

[vaccination]

[She taps the side of her plate with her fork, considering, then shrugs. Whatever. Maybe he has to change or use the bathroom. Ellie's hungry, so she starts digging in.]

[beardedflannel]

[ It takes him a moment to return but when he does, in his hands is a stack of something. Once he reaches the table that stack is set down right next to her. And then, without another word, Joel goes to take his seat and begin eating. ]

[vaccination]

[Ellie looks up from her plate, eyebrow lifting. She remembers to swallow her food before pointing her fork at the stack. Slowly, tentatively.]

Joel. What is that?

[beardedflannel]

You tell me.

[ He doesn't look up from his plate, cuts up his pancakes with his fork, shovels a piece into his mouth to chew. Omnomnom. ]

[vaccination]

You're kidding me.

Are you fucking kidding me?

[She doesn't dare touch them yet, but she's staring at Joel like how DARE he be so calm about this?]

[beardedflannel]

This look like the face of a man who kids around?

[ Now he looks up from his plate. His expression is pretty line-face right now. Calm. Nonchalant. No fucks given. ]

[vaccination]

[Unbelievable. Ellie's all smiles and pleasant disbelief as she grabs the stack and quickly flips through them, checking the covers, counting to make sure they're all there.]

You had them this whole time!

[beardedflannel]

Found 'em in my pack a while ago.

[ These pancakes sure are good... ]