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

[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... ]

[vaccination]

You're the worst.

[But she's still laughing... and has totally forgotten about her pancakes in favor of the comics.]

[beardedflannel]

How about you put the comics down, finish your dinner. [ He gestures with his fork, talks with his mouth partially full. ]

You can finish them after you're done. They ain't goin' anywhere.

[vaccination]

[She gently nudges his shin with her foot under the table before putting the comics aside.]

Thanks.

[He probably doesn't know how much they mean to her, but that's alright.]

[beardedflannel]

[ Joel grunts and grumbles something; it's probably something along the lines of don't mention it, but pancakes clearly are the top priority. Until he's returning the nudge under the table a few moments later while keeping his focus on his plate.

And then glances over at her. ]

[vaccination]

[He'll see her smiling and shoving some pancake into her mouth. She's happy in this moment, without a care in the world.]