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Post by Rick Grimes on Oct 29, 2016 22:44:42 GMT
Nights like this didn’t happen very often. The town was quiet and not even the groans of walkers could be heard outside the walls. It was rare to find Rick inside his home before the sun set. Usually he’d be the last one strolling up the streets after parameter check, but tonight Sasha had taken his shift so that he could get some rest. He’d objected at first but, when he’d mistaken a bird in the distance for someone climbing over the wall, he knew she had a point. He was no good to anyone wandering around half asleep. So with his tail firmly between his legs, he climbed the stairs into his home and settled in for the night.
It was odd being the first one in. Carl was off with Enid and Michonne was helping Maggie go through Deanna’s things at the Monroe’s. The silence was deafening and more than once he got out of the bed to check that everything was okay outside. He was afraid that he’d fall asleep and miss something important.
Like what? A squirrel running up a tree?
Since they’d gotten rid of the hundreds of slain walkers on the streets and patched the walls, nothing out of the ordinary had happened. The town had fallen back into a routine and one day blended effortlessly into the next. Things flowed like they were supposed to. He liked to think it was because he was such a good leader, but truly it was because his people knew what chaos was now. They knew that if they didn’t live and work together this community could be taken away. They’d already come close to losing everything only two months ago which was why he worried so much. His thoughts fluttered around in his head as he planned for the next day. They needed ammo. That meant another supply run. The garden Maggie started wasn’t taking root and food was running low. The new walls weren’t being built fast enough either. The list went on and on. Rick tossed and he turned, finally settling on his back. His blue eyes stared up at the ceiling fan and he watched it spin until his eyes crossed. This wasn’t going to work. There was no sleep to be had if his mind kept racing like this. Sliding from the bed, he slipped out of his bedroom and walked barefoot down the hall, descending the stairs into the living room. Fresh air was what he needed--that and something to do. Sitting around like this was driving him crazy.
Rick settled down on the steps on the front porch and leaned his back against the railing. In the distance he could hear crickets beginning to chirp. That wasn’t a sound he’d heard in a long time. Or perhaps this was the first time he’d stopped to actually listen.
He stared, for a moment, at the moon shining just over the top of a distant tree. Nights like this didn’t happen very often and when they did he really wished he had someone to pass the time with.
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Post by Daryl Dixon on Oct 29, 2016 23:41:07 GMT
Daryl's face lit up briefly from the spark of the lighter in his hands. Lighting his cigarette he inhaled then exhaled slowly,watching the smoke coil in the brisk night air. Hse usually didn't smoke, but sometimes it took his stress away. Daryl felt there was a lot on his plate, having to go out on supply runs, constantly returning empty handed. He felt that things were just going to get harder to find after the world went to shit and things stopped being made. What Daryl would do for some strawberries. The small red fruit stayed on his mind while he flicked the ash off of the end on his cigarette then returning it to his mouth. Keeping it held in the corner of his mouth he picked up his knife again and continued to widdle away at a piece of wood. He was making wooden animal figurines for Judith. Daryl smirked to himself. It was funny how he cared so much for the little human when before everything happened with the virus, he wouldn't have bothered at all with kids. She had really grown on everyone over the past year of her life. Especially Beth who seemed to always have charge over Judith. Yet Daryl knew she wasn't complaining.
Daryl looked the small wooden figure over. Looked enough like a bear. He put it into his pack along with the others he had completed. Then Daryl stood up and threw his spent cigarette onto the ground, stepping on it to extinguish it. Didn't want Alexandria burning down after everything it had been through. Daryl almost chuckled at the thought of it. Now that would be something. Alexandria had survived a horde of the dead only to be burned to the ground because he had forgotten to snuff his smoke.
Picking up his pack he slung it over his shoulder. Without thinking about it he started walking to where Beth lived with Maggie and Glenn, thinking Judith would probably be with her so he could deliver the toys he made. Like Santa in October. The thought slightly pained him since he had never experienced Christmas to it's full extent. Perhaps the community could start some new tradition for the holiday? Now he was getting too sappy. Snapping away from his thoughts he continued down the street, passing by the larger houses. Some could be seen with their lights still on. He wondered to himself maybe Beth had already gone to sleep and he should turn around and wait until the morning. He was about to when he noticed Rick out on his porch. Daryl frowned, he thought Rick was on patrol. Although if anyone needed a night off it was Rick Grimes. Weighing the option, Daryl decided to walk over.
Coming closer he noticed Rick deep in thought. He knew a lot weighed on the mind of the groups appointed leader and protector, so maybe Daryl could help him lighten the load. However Daryl knew that an attempt could be made, yet it probably wouldn't solve anything. Rick oddly thrived off of worry, therefore he seemed to involve himself in any situation that needed fixing.
"Hey."
Daryl stopped a few feet from where Rick sat on his front porch. He didn't fell welcome until he was invited.
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Post by Rick Grimes on Oct 30, 2016 0:32:15 GMT
Rick was jerked out of his thoughts at the sound of Daryl’s voice close by. He blinked back the sleepy haze that had slowly begun to cloud his eyes and pushed away from the banister. He rubbed his eyes and offered a soft smile.
“Hey.” He looked behind Daryl half expecting to see someone else. It wasn’t like Daryl to come over, especially not in the evening. He scratched an itch on the side of his nose and then gestured for the other man to sit or not. He knew Daryl didn’t linger for very long and when he did it was because he was hurt and hiding the fact or he wanted to discuss something with him. Either way, he could use the company even if it was short lived.
“Need something?” Rick eased back into the stair railing and rested his head against the wood. He crossed his arms over his chest, mentally kicking himself for only wearing a tee shirt and sweat pants. He wondered how he must look sitting there in the dark alone. In the past he was sure everyone would think he was planning something-- a way to overthrow the community or a way to get people to do what he wanted. Now he wasn’t sure how he looked; tired possibly. And he was. He could feel a strain in everyone muscle of his legs. The dull ache in his back slowed him down more than he cared to admit. His age was catching up with him and that bothered him quite a bit. You’d think he’d lived eighty years in this world instead of thirty-nine. His body sure did feel like it.
Daryl didn’t look too hot himself. Rick’s gaze brushed over the man’s face and then drifted to the bag hanging loosely over Daryl’s shoulder. He raised a curious brow. Anything could be in there. Squirrels were his first thought. That or rabbits. Daryl didn’t smell like he’d been hunting though. The smell of animal blood was hard to miss.
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Post by Daryl Dixon on Oct 30, 2016 18:33:02 GMT
A second after he spoke he completely regretted it. Part of him wished he could back out of the conversation that was ahead. Although, Daryl also sensed something about Rick that perhaps Rick just needed someone to talk to. And wasn't that normal? Two grown men sitting on the porch, talking. All that was missing was a six pack of beer in Daryl's hand. The though almost brought a smile to his face, wouldn't that have been something. Yet he had no beer, and Daryl was the type to not sit on the front porch and chat. But the world was different, perhaps he could be different too.
He hesitated approaching any further until Rick motioned for him to come over. Coming over to the front steps he stepped up on the first step but instead of sitting down he leaned back against the stair hand-railing and crossed his arms over his chest, not making eyes contact with Rick for several seconds until Rick asked him if he needed something. Most would have been offended by the question, scoffing something like they couldn't just come over to hang out, or of the like. But not Daryl. He knew Rick usually didn't want to beat about the bush, instead getting to the point, and so did Daryl. Although Daryl hadn't stopped by because he needed something. So he searched within himself for an answer to give Rick. "I wanted to talk to you about going out again, you know to see if there are any survivors nearby. Aaron mentioned he had heard commotion on watch on the South wall the other night." Daryl looked at Rick for only a couple seconds before turning away to look out at the neighborhood. "He figures it may be worth checking in to."
Daryl shifted his weight on his legs. It hadn't been the reason for bothering Rick, Daryl didn't want to admit that he had wanted to stop to make sure Rick was ok. There was a lot weighing on his shoulders, Daryl knew, but he hoped Rick knew he had help. However, the statement was true and Aaron had been bugging Daryl to ask Rick about going out. Daryl realized Ricks gave fall on the bag he had with him and Daryl realized he had completely forgotten about the toys he made for Judith. Adverting his gaze he looked back out again at the street and asked, " Is Judith here?" He hesitated for a second before admitting his weak spot to Rick. "I made her some things. Well who knows she may not like them..." he trailed off. Judith would be asleep even if she was with Rick tonight. Now every inch of Daryl wished he would have just waited until the morning to give Judith her gifts. Hell he could have waited for her birthday which was coming up. Daryl thought it was overwhelming how much their group had been through the past year. So much loss, sadness disappointment. Yet there was also a lot of relief, and happiness in spots which had seemed impossible to find happiness in.
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Post by Rick Grimes on Nov 1, 2016 17:03:06 GMT
Rick listened to Daryl with his focus on a leaf tumbling across the pavement of the street in front of the house. His jaw tensed at the suggestion as he thought about a dozen things that could go wrong if they went out there and brought people in again. The wolves had found them because of Daryl and Aaron's time out there. Many of their people died needlessly due to one mistake on Aaron's part. He'd led them straight to Alexandria and waved a red flag by the front gates. The thought of doing that again rubbed him the wrong way, but he knew new people were needed. If Deanna hadn't brought them in this place wouldn't have last another month. She'd taken a chance on them. Trust was a hard thing to give, especially after everything they'd been through.
Rick gazed up at the other man, but didn't speak right away. After a few seconds he spoke, his gaze locked on a squirrel jumping across a tree branch in the distance. "If you think it's a good idea I'll let you make that call." He stretched out his right leg a bit and cocked his head to the side. Sighing resolutely, he continued. "But I'm...I'm not ready to bring anyone in. We just got back on our feet and pushing it now?" He shook his head and took a deep breath in. "Like I said, it's your call. We'll handle it if things go sideways." Tossing doubt in Daryl’s direction wasn’t something he liked to do. He trusted the man and knew he'd never do anything to put the group in harm's way. But Daryl's optimism was grating at times. He sometimes wondered if Daryl pushed so hard for things because he thought he was expected to. As if he thought if he went against the group they'd push him out. He was a part of this family and nothing the other man could do would make Rick force him to leave.
The subject of his daughter forced Rick out of his brooding thoughts and he smirked. "Nah, she's with Olivia." The woman had volunteered to keep her so that he would catch up on his sleep. Much good that did. His gaze drifted back to the bag and then rested back on Daryl's face. The man was always full of surprises. Rick pushed up and stood. Dusting off his sweat pants, he gazed out at the community one final time before stepping back toward the front door.
"Judith likes everything. Especially if it comes from you." He had to admit that Judith did seem to have a sweet spot for Daryl. He supposed it had something to do with their time at the prison. Right after she’d been born Daryl had taken care of her like she was his own. Daryl had been there when he couldn’t be and Judith had grown attached. Rick had never quite thanked Daryl for stepping up like that for him. He wasn’t sure if there were words. He’d never been good with words anyway.
“Come in and show me. I’ll be the judge.” He smiled and stepped inside. The warmth of the house enveloped him like a cozy blanket and he felt a chill creep all over his body. That was definitely the last time he went outside without a jacket on.
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Post by Daryl Dixon on Nov 2, 2016 0:46:34 GMT
Daryl could tell that Rick wasn't too into the idea of going out to find more survivors. Daryl got it, he knew why Rick was opposed to the idea, he just thought that if people needed help and they were able to supply them with a safe place, shouldn't it be worth trying to find them? ¥et aryl sensed the doubt in his voice. Daryl knew things were tough, there was a lot to do to rebuild after the horde came through. Yet he was still positive that no matter what they would pull through, it was something he was almost just used to by now. But Daryl should know better than to fall into that fairytale trap. "Yeah, I dun know." he muttered under his breath and grabbed a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it. Blowing the smoke out away from Rick's house. A nervous tick.
He listened to Rick speak about Judith. So she hadn't been home, and Daryl had been wrong to assume that she was with Beth too. Two strikes. But Daryl smiled a little at Ricks words. He took it as a compliment that lil ass kicker had some sort of baby crush on him. Him, Daryl, the rurly-burly redneck. There was something about Judith's smile that made him want to keep fighting, but he figured she may just do that to everyone that she came into contact with. Children really were their future. Yet any child growing up in a life like this, well it sure beat being raised in a normal world getting beat all the time. Taking another draw of his cigarette as he watched Rick walk towards his front door. Hearing his invite Daryl hesitated for a second but Rick's bach was already turned to him and he was walking inside.
Dropping his cigarette to the ground and stomping it out he muttered under his breath, " Ah, what the hell, why not.". He then followed Rick inside. He wondered if Carl was home, or Michonne. Daryl always felt uneasy confined one on one with another person. Yet he followed Rick into is kitchen and upon driving he walked to one side of the kitchen island, putting it in between he and Rick and put his bag up on the counter top. "They're nothing too perfect..." he trailed off doubting his own skills of carpentry. But he pulled out five hand sized figurines and laid them out for Rick to see.
"They're only animals I've seen hunting. I tried to make a cow or those other animals that are in that one song about that farmer, but it looked like a Walker itself had taken a bite out of it.". Daryl had carved a bear, squirrel, rabbit, falcon, and a deer. The deer had had antlers, but he snapped them off thinking that they would have been too sharp for Judith. Something that reminded him that it was probably good that he never had to take full charge of the baby because he would probably had thought it was ok to teach her how to use his crossbow as a game or something because he thought it was normal.
"Since her birthday is coming up I figured Beth could wrap them with some of that paper she found awhile back." Normal men, just having a normal conversation.
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Post by Rick Grimes on Nov 3, 2016 17:30:49 GMT
Rick slid down onto one of the fancy bar stools and watched with silent amusement as Daryl dug into his bag and placed the wooden animals in front of him. He chuckled softly as, one by one, the entire extent of a Georgian forest was put on display. A bear, a rabbit, a deer. And of course there was a squirrel. You couldn't leave out the squirrel. Rick reached out and took up the deer, rubbing his fingers along the body to feel how smooth it was.
“You made these?” He leaned in and took a closer look at the rabbit. It had a round tail too. He was impressed. He’d seen Daryl do some amazing things, but carving forest animals for his daughter to play with was possibly at the top of the list. Rick didn’t show his emotions very much. Usually anger mostly. Of course he wouldn’t start today, but a pang of something…burrowed deep in his stomach. He hadn’t felt that in a very long time. He placed the animals down on the counter top and peered up at this friend. Getting Beth to wrap up the toys sounded good to him. He was sure Judith would be surprised either way.
“Thank you.”
Rick leaned his elbow onto the table and rested his cheek against his palm. A mischievous grin curved the corner of his lips. He knew Daryl hated small talk and he avoided conversations like this at every turn. He couldn’t say he blamed the man. Shane used to pull him into conversations about women back in the day and he always ended up admitting to something he either hadn’t done or had done and was embarrassed about. Those conversations had brought them closer. He wasn’t too sure of that tactic would work on Daryl, but a part of him was too amused not to try. He cleared his throat.
“So, you and Beth.”
Rick picked up the falcon and spun it between his fingers. He watched Daryl for a reaction. He only assumed something was stirring between the two of them. He had no real proof, but the doe eyed way Beth stared up at the other man had recently caught his attention. It could mean nothing or it could mean everything. He wondered where this conversation would lead.
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Post by Daryl Dixon on Nov 4, 2016 1:01:32 GMT
Daryl heard Rick’s question. He heard a hint of disbelief, yet it wasn’t the kind of disbelief one would have thinking someone wasn’t telling the truth, more so that Rick just had never guessed Daryl would have done something like this. Yet he had. Daryl almost chuckled with Rick out of amusement. He had been a different person before the virus, still anti social as hell, but he had had a soft spot. Something that was hidden now by Walkers and the whole world falling into chaos. Alexandria had kind of brought that side of him out again. Merle had used to kick his ass for displaying this side, but that was just an older brother kind of thing to do. Waddling and wood carving had been a self taught skill Daryl had come across in his younger years, when he would go out into the the woods to avoid being at home.
He watched Rick pick up the figurines and then he heard it, gratitude coming from Rick. It wasn’t the run of the mill thank you that was said because you had to, it actually was genuine and that meant a lot coming from Rick. Daryl suddenly felt proud of himself, a smile pulling at the corner of his mouth and mentally he gave himself a pat on the back.
Daryl had been caught up in this small moment of glory, that Rick’s next question hit him blindsided. It took him a moment to process what it was Rick was asking from him. In all honesty he wasn’t sure what kind of answer to give him either. Daryl shelled back up again.
”Beth?” Daryl had a feeling that this conversation was turning into one of those conversations about women. Something he had never really had. Sure there was one summer when Merle had been home from JV Daryl had had a crush on some Senior and he was just a Freshman in high school. Daryl grimaced at the thought of the advice Merle had given him. His brother was probably rolling over in his grave from laughter right about now.
Daryl looked down at the granite counter top and pretend there was something on it that he had to rub off with is finger. ”What about it?” He was still trying to figure out exactly where Rick was going with this conversation. Beth? His mind was racing.
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Post by Rick Grimes on Nov 4, 2016 13:03:20 GMT
Rick twirled the falcon once by its wings and then set it on the counter. He shifted in his chair. This had been a bad idea. "I heard from someone on watch that you went outside the gates together. That's all." He didn't miss the nervous way Daryl focused on the counter, nor the way his shoulders seemed to tense and square up. Obviously this was a part of Daryl that he didn't want to discuss. He didn't want to push too much and besides; it may be nothing. Beth went outside Alexandria a lot on supply runs these days. Maybe they went on a run. He hadn’t seen Daryl much that day so he wasn’t sure if they brought anything back or not. Rick stood and reached across the counter, grabbing an apple. It was one of the few fruits they had to eat. With the weather getting colder he was sure they wouldn’t see another one of these for a while. He took a hardy bite out of it, scrunching up his face at the raw sweetness of it. Michonne loved apples so he kept them in the house for her. “Anything happen?” He asked, turning the conversation toward safer territory. He held the apple out toward Daryl as a peace offering. If his entire body didn’t ache so much after the long, tiring day he'd had, he could forget that they were living in a community walled off from the dead. He could forget everything that had happened to them in this moment. It just seemed too…normal. Two friends chatting in a chef’s kitchen with baby toys displayed on the counter. Something about it did seem right though. Or as right as it could given how awkward they both were in situations like this. Tag: Daryl Dixon
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Post by Daryl Dixon on Nov 5, 2016 0:43:49 GMT
Daryl cleared his throat. Yeah he and Beth had gone for a walk earlier that day, it had been a little hectic when they had decided to chase after a wild pig they had found in the forest and Beth ended up twisting her ankle, almost being bitten by a Walker. His gut still wrenched at what had happened. However he would never tell rick about the slight mishap. Although it would probably be brought to his attention eventually, yet Daryl hoped Rick would still believe in is capabilities to take care of himself while outside Alexandria’s walls. Yet at this point in time, he felt he didn’t need to go into those details.
”Yeah we found a wild pig. You can expect some bacon in the morning. Daryl had had to go back and retrieve the slain pig after Carrying Beth back to the infirmary to get her ankle wrapped. Thankfully it hadn’t been found by Walkers in the time it took. ”Beth did twist her ankle though.” He couldn’t hide his concern for her on his face in that moment. Rick’s apple offer however distracted him enough that as quick as it had come it vanished.
”Thanks.” He instinctively took out his knife and began to carve up the apple. It was strange, Rick’s question got him thinking about Beth. Sure he liked her, she was apart of their family, but part of him realized he had a growing soft spot for her ever since staying at that funeral home they had discovered after the fall of the Prison. He took a bite of the piece he had carved from the apple. ”This is good.” he managed to mumble slightly. He looked at Rick and figured fair was fair and decided to tease him back a little. ”You look like hell by the way.” He said blatantly and looked down at the apple, taking a bite of another piece and looking up at Rick with a slight smirk on his face.
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