Joe's Story

"I apologize. That's the best i could do. It becomes extremely difficult to do such things when you've known someone for a while. Body language is best for observing at a distance someone who don't particularly know, or your knowledge of them could skew observations and judgements."

Rita watched him with her head slightly tilted and her eyes flicking between his. He had got her spot on. She smirked. "You're so damn polite, Matthew." She swung her feet up onto the table, embracing her willingness to intimidate, but also because it was comfy, and flicked a small chip of wood from the table with her knife. "You shun't apologise so much."

Before she could dig her knife into the table for another go at carving out the hole, it was snatched from behind. Rita cursed under her breath and rose slowly to her feet, knowing that in this place, it would be stupid to attack her. Joe would kill whoever it was, if Rita didn't first. Concentrate, Rita, you idiot. Don't bloody act like you want to be killed. She tightened her jaw and fisted her hands, her back still facing the thief, but she knew they wouldn't hurt her, at least without first seeing her face. Effing newbie, thinks he can prove he's stronger than me?

She whirled around, her plaits flying and arm raised. She'd had enough practise on the streets to know how to block someone wielding a knife with her eyes closed. Their arms collided and the knife spun to the ground, but Rita wasn't done. She twisted, sure her pigtails would whip his face, and elbowed him hard in the stomach. She wasn't stronger than most men, but she was fairly strong, and with the element of surprise (she doubted he'd expected her to attack to so quickly) she could easily bring him down. With a final stamp on his toes, she twisted back round to face him.

She almost laughed.

Instead of an embarrassed newbie, she found a red-faced, out of breath Joe. She smirked, knowing that Joe wouldn't mind the wrath of her reflexes, he'd deserved it. "Maybe you should find your own knife next time."

"I just wanted to get your attention," he replied and Rita snorted; he'd got that alright. "And point out," he glanced at Matthew, "there's nowt wrong with apologisin' too much." He picked up Rita's knife and handed it to her, handle first. She took it and sat down opposite Matthew, ready for a lecture. Joe's lectures weren't long, but they were boring. "You should learn from 'im instead of tryin' to bring 'im down to your level." Joe glanced at Matthew, trying to measure his reactions.

Something was happening, finally. The couples conversation was broken up by an old guy. It was the guy who had let him into The Base, he seemed like a nice guy. Too nice and old to survive out here alone. Figures that he would be the person to overlook a place like this. The girl didn't seem to like her knife being taken and so she flipped and elbowed him in the stomach. Something that no one of his age could take, but it seemed like he could. Maybe this Joe, wasn't as vulnerable as Zer0 had first thought.

After their little scrap the girl sat down and listened to what he had to say. They seemed to have a good understanding of each other, since he hadn't gotten angry at her. Perhaps she was his daughter? It wouldn't of surprised him since he did look about the right age to have a daughter like her. Zer0 wasn't sure but he didn't care all that much either. They were just more people in this world that he had no reason to care for. If they can prove that they should matter to him then they would, but for now they hadn't even met.

Time for that to change. Zer0 stud up pushing the last piece of bread through his mask. He glanced over at the group as they spoke and begun to walk over slowly. Once he stood by them he spoke, "Hello." Not exactly a social king his speech was slow and tended to be short. Without invitation he sat down next to the younger man and waited to see what they would ask him. Many questions had been thrown at Zer0, mainly whilst he was walking down the dark streets of the Inside, also mostly about his mask, so he was ready to give answers. It's true some of them would be lies but they seemed to keep people happy and of his back. Once there questions where out of the way it would be time for him to do the questioning.

Rita rolled her eyes. "Alright, Joe. Whatever: I'm sorry." Joe smiled and Rita turned away. Joe was one of the few people she trusted round here. They had an easy relationship: they respected each other, trusted each other and understood each other. Joe didn't know Rita's complete history, but he knew more than anyone else probably ever would. He'd been the one that had found her and taken her in. Back then, there were very few people at the base and it was a lot smaller than it was now. They didn't have the animals for a start. "You smell like chicken crap," Rita said and Joe chuckled.

"Lovely as always, Rita." He put a plate with a fried egg and bread down on the table. He took a mouthful. "I've got a friend on the edge of the city," he said and Rita folded her arms. She was Joe's spokesman and trader and general navigator of the streets. He knew her history and he knew she could survive out there and get things done. "He'd got a few bits that we could really do with here. Extras pillows, duct tape that kind of thing." Rita nodded and tucked her knife into her belt. She was about to respond, when the masked guy stalked over.

Rita stared at him and that creepy mask. She hadn't seen him approach anyone since he got here, let alone speak. She glanced at Matthew wondering if he had something to do with it, but he didn't seem to have an answer. "Hello." A voice came from behind the mask. Without another word he sat down beside Matthew. Under the table, Rita took out her knife.

Joe swallowed his food and, for a second, no one said a word. But then Joe swallowed his mouthful and held out his large, rough hands. "Nice to see you again. This is Rita and Ash." Rita clenched her jaw, noticing that Joe had called Matthew by another name, and narrowed her eyes. Before any more pleasantries could be exchanged, she cut in. They needed to get a few things out of the way before they could be civil; she didn't trust guys that felt the need to hide their identity.

"Why do you wear a mask?" She ignored Joe's eye rolling; she already knew he didn't always approve of her say it straight attitude.

Rita pursed her lips and rolled her knife between her fingers. If this guy thought a happy comment about her knife would make her put it away he had another think coming, besides, she didn't like him avoiding the question. Trust wasn't easy to get round these parts, let alone if you chose to wear a creepy mask. Maybe it was some kind of statement? But all it did was draw attention to him, or maybe that was the point. "Sorry about 'er," Joe said, shoving another mouthful of food in. "Rita's suspicious of everyone, just takes some time for 'er to get settl'd with newbs." Rita scowled and kicked Joe under the table. If he felt it, he didn't react.

"What's your name, then?" She kept her eyes on the two holes in the man's mask and, without waiting for a reply, said, "And why'd you wear the mask?" She ran the tip of her knife under her fairly stubby fingernails, cleaning out the grime.

Matthew was quiet as he waited for Rita to speak. He had wondered if she would be offended since he got something wrong, or perhaps shrug him off like most others did. However, her reaction pleasantly surprised him and he chuckled lightly. "Is that a bad thing?" he asked, keeping his very slight smile. Matthew didn't give a bright smile much, the brightest smile having been when he was accepted into The Base. Since then however, simple, tiny smiles - Nothing too cheery. "Ah, i see." he said, wondering if he really did apologize a lot. "I'm sor- ... I'll try to work on that." he added with a nervous chuckle.

He had been just about to speak again when Joe grabbed the knife out of Rita's hand, causing an automatic reaction from Rita. He had been expecting it after being in The Base for a few months. Rita's reflexes were clearly a fighter's reflexes. He felt almost like he should perhaps stop Rita, but knew that Joe wouldn't be upset about her reaction - It was only to be expected after all. He smiled lightly when they began to sleep. simply staying quiet as not to interrupt their conversation. However, at the advice Joe gave Rita, he looked down at the ground and shook his head, as if to say it wasn't necessary. Rita was a tough one, and he was sure that it would do nothing but aid her in this kind of environment.

When Rita began to speak, he remained quiet, listening to Joe closely. Matthew looked up to Joe to be honest. He was certainly older and had the strength to keep a base like this, and in these times he was still kind enough to let people into his safe zone. It was wonderful, really. He also had quite the web of connections around the inside. When the newcomer approached them and spoke a quiet hello, he smiled and nodded in greeting to him, although kept his suspicions. However, he flinched, noticing how Rita narrowed her eyes and clenched her jaw when Joe called him Ash. Keeping his voice down, he spoke to her. "I spared you the pleasantries, i didn't want to waste time. Matthew works fine with me, Ash is just what i'm still used to my nickname being. I apologize." he said, tone very sincere.

However, at the newcomer's reply to Rita, he frowned. "Forgive us if we withhold our enthusiasm. We are more inclined to hear names and attach it to a face rather than possibly an alias attached onto an arts and crafts project." he said. He didn't mean to come off rudely, it was well known that Matthew was very cautious around newcomers - He wouldn't challenge them or be violent, but he'd be very untrusting for at the very least a day or so after. Matthew felt The Base to be his home, and the other people their barely less than family, so he wanted to make sure nothing could harm his home or new, almost family. "Also forgive us if we do not find your overwhelming confidence charming in these parts and times." he finished quietly, looked down at his hands once more. Slowly, he tilted his head up just high even to send him a sideglance. As Rita asked his name, he added afterwards. "What do you call yourself?" It could be noted that Matthew didn't ask for his name, or ask his name - But rather asked what he called himself. He knew there was no sense in asking about the mask, knowing the man would answer as little as possible.

"This ones smart." Zer0 commented as he pointed his thumb towards Matthew. "Zero is what I go by, I have no reason to tell you my name. This mask..." Zer0 paused as if to taunt them. "I got this mask from a stupid gang who decided they wanted to take my knife." Zer0 looked at Rita and although she couldn't see it he smirked. He had avoided the question again, he didn't really want to tell them the answer. He hoped that Joe would tell them to lay off asking as it was his own business but he wasn't too sure if he would.

They seemed like good people they just needed to stop asking so many questions and maybe they could get along. Zer0 was knew that there was no point in showing anyone his face or telling them his 'real' name. He was no longer John Adams, and so no one should know him by that name. He was Zer0 and everyone knew him by that. All of John Adams friends and family were now dead anyway.

"I spared you the pleasantries, I didn't want to waste time. Matthew works fine with me, Ash is just what I'm still used to my nickname being. I apologize." Rita ignored Mat- Ash's - response. She wasn't fussed that he hadn't corrected her, it was just the guy with the creepy mask that was doing her head in. When he finally got round to explaining the mask, he barely answered the question. She hadn't asked where the mask had come from, but why it was on his face. She pursed her lips.

"Zero," Rita repeated, wondering where the name had come from, but fed up of asking questions he wasn't going to answer. She didn't trust him and she was sure he knew it. She folded her arms, keeping the knife in her hand. "Nice to meet you," she said with a forced smile, making it obvious that their meeting was anything but nice. Zero did look muscular though and, if the story was true about the gang (whatever the rest of it was), he seemed like a decent fighter too. Might be useful.

They sat in silence for a second before Joe found something to break the tension. "Don't know 'ow much of this place you've 'ad a chance to see yet, but we've all sorts here. If you're planning on staying, we do expect you to lend a 'and here an' there." Rita glanced at Ash while Joe was talking, if she hadn't got such a disliking to Zero, she would've agreed with the comment he made about him. Ma- Ash, did seem smart and he talked strange too. Rita grew up on a rough estate where if you talked like that, you wouldn't survive a week. She was surprised he'd made it three years on the inside talking so... posh. But then again, there must be other people round here that talk strange. Joe's was nothing if not multicultural - well, as multicultural as they come. "We have chickens and cows, to keep the meals bearable when they ain't much food about. There's a big greenhouse out back, so if you're into plants an' stuff you could lend a hand there." Rita smirked, not imagining Zero as an into-plants kind of guy. "We need help cooking, cleaning, keeping guard. Whatever you think you'd be best at."

Rita was quickly bored of Joe's job listings and her mind wandered to his proposition to her. Being around a while had it's good points, at least she didn't have to clean or cook or feed chickens. While the Base gave her a safe place to sleep and decent meals, she was a street girl and had been brought up around the very gangs that now run the Inside. That's why Joe trusted her to go on his little expeditions and now she'd been doing it so long, she knew what stuff was always in demand and what stuff she rarely needed to scrounge of people. She'd always half wondered if Joe only took her on because he needed someone to run errands for him now he was getting old, that and she was a girl in need of a decent meal.

"How about, I go with her?" Zer0 questioned Joe as he leaned forward onto the table, his eyes moving towards Rita. "I he-overheard you talking about some things you need picked up." Zer0 felt like this would be a good way to get on the good side of the overseer and the tough girl. She may need some help carrying all that stuff anyway. You can only carry so many pillows at once.

I seemed that Zer0 wasn't going to get anyone to trust him with taking of his mask, or at least telling them why he wears it. These people just didn't seem to want to take a risk in the unknown. It would be much easier for him if they did however. Maybe, it was just a case of spending time with them, then they may trust him or he might have to save their lives or something stupid like that. Whatever he had to do, he needed trust in this place otherwise he wouldn't be able to stay here for long.

Rita's eyes went wide. "No. No, it ain't gonna happen." Rita pressed her hands against the table, trying to emphasise her point. "I don't need some guy in a mask slowing me down. Besides, you'll just draw attention to us and that is precisely what I avoid." She swallowed, but kept her eyes cutting into Zero's mask.

"Rita," Joe warned, not looking up from his plate. Rita swallowed. "Do us a favour and get off yur high horse." She looked at Joe now, with a scowl tight on her lips. He was like a dad to her - not like her real dad, but a father-figure all the same - but sometimes he could be a real pain. "I know you could do it on yur own," he said with a glance at Ash and Zero, like he was saying it just to keep her happy. Her scowl deepened. "But I think it's 'bout time you let someone else share the work. You'd get more done after all."

She narrowed her eyes, knowing from the tone of Joe's voice she wasn't going to win this. Besides, Joe wouldn't let her argue much more. She growled, letting her frustration known. "Whatever. Just not with him." She nodded to Zero, knowing full well he could hear her. She didn't like his mask; she couldn't bring herself to trust him, least until she knew for sure he wasn't going to corner her and kill her or rape her.

"Zero is strong. And 'e'll..." he stopped himself before saying, take care of you, knowing better than anyone that Rita could take care of herself and wouldn't take kindly for someone saying otherwise. "'e'll watch your back. Even you don't have eyes in the back of ur 'ed." Rita pursed her lips, knowing she had lost, but not ready to admit it.

"You know I don't trust newbs, Joe. Especially when they've got something to hide." She didn't want to be alone with Zero, especially on the streets where he could easily say someone else hurt her. She sighed, searching for ideas - an idea at least. "Ma- Ash will come with me." Rita looked at Joe, but Joe looked at Ash. Joe didn't mind Ash going, but he might mind. Joe gave them safety and it wasn't a habit of his to force them back out onto the streets.

Matthew stayed quiet, watching them as they had their verbal conflict. While he listened, his mind whirred, thinking of all the possible stories behind the man who confirmed his suspicions of an alias. Perhaps he was a gang member in search of food, which is why he seemed to jump at the opportunity to gain their trust. That would certainly explain plenty of things for him. Perhaps he was simply another man in search of a short term stay and some good meals before moving on? He forced himself to stay logical, but many crazy ideas came to his mind - And all because of that mask.

When Zero offered to accompany Rita, Matthew's eyes narrowed a bit, untrusting and cautious. However, he felt almost bad being so cold. Perhaps he'd see for himself and take this... Zero fellow out of the base with him as he did some recon, check out how the gangs have been moving, any differences inside, and those kinds of things. He was quiet and stealthy, so it was one thing Matthew was good at at. Then he'd see if he could trust Zero or not, it would be a simple kind of test. Hearing his name, he looked up to Rita, catching the phrase just after involving him joining her on her supply run. Matthew seemed to think for a moment, but nodded and stood.

"Alright. One we get back and get everything moved into The Base, i think i'll take Zero here for some recon - See what he's good for." He said, but he gave Zero a cautious glance with something else, another message behind his maya blue eyes. This is your one chance, don't try anything[. "I gotta see if there are any changes out there anyway, more eyes the better." he suggested, his tone open to counter-ideas.

Joe and Rita looked at Matthew, almost surprised he'd agreed. Rita wasn't known for people wanting to hang out with her for any length of time. It was Joe who spoke first. "Okay. 'Ed down to the beach and they'll be a guy waitin' for you. Or 'e might just leave the stuff an' get out of there. He's not one to take risks." Rita knew the routine anyway, she'd done a few beach pick-ups for Joe in the last few months. She looked at Joe, checking there was nothing else and stood up, bracing her hands on the table.

"I'll take you, on the conditions neither of you wander off, think you can boss me around, or worse," she looked at Zero, still not ready to trust him. "If you decide to take a walk of track, I'm not gonna wait. We go to the beach, pick up supplies and come back. And just in case any of you feel inclined to break the conditions," she slammed the knife into the table and heard the wood crack. Joe sighed and muttered something about having to find tables out there if she didn't stop destroying them. Rita ignored him and looked at the eye holes in Zero's mask. Of course, she was talking to Ash too, but Zero was the suspicious one. She pulled the knife out, tucked it into her belt and marched out the room, not checking if the others were following. She couldn't be doing with stragglers or being slowed down, so if they weren't behind her she was leaving without them, no matter what Joe said.

It seemed like Rita still didn't trust Zer0, not enough to be alone with him anyway. Ash however was quite the opposite, even suggesting that they did some recon together. At least he wanted to trust him, Rita didn't even seem to want that. Anyway, the plan was there, Zer0 would go with both of them to get some supplies from the beach. Sounded easy enough since Zer0 knew where the beach was anyway, not that he had any doubt in Rita. She seemed like she had been spending more time out there than in the Base.

Zer0 got up and followed behind Rita and slightly behind Ash. As they walked through the Base to get to the exit Zer0 quickly departed to take his crowbar out of his pack, that he had left where he was sitting last night. Once he had retrieved his weapon he caught up to the group and continued to move. "I know you wont trust me until I show you my face but below this mask isn't my face. That is not me any more, nor do I want it to be." He said once he had noticed that the area was empty of people, as they were all eating breakfast. They would properly pas it of as bullshit but at least Zer0 had explained why he wouldn't take the mask off. It was his identity, with out it he would be John Adams which was not someone he wanted to be.

Matthew was quiet, listening for what Joe told them to do. Of course, it was like every supply run - Straight there, straight back, don't dally, be quick, and don't be stupid. He had been on a supply run not too long ago, but certainly didn't like going out on his own. He was just glad he seemed to have some sort of gift for sneaking about and moving without being seen, or he was sure he would've been in big trouble. As Rita began to speak once more, Matthew raised his eyes from the ground to her, not even having noticed how his eyes had flicked down to his feet. He nodded understandingly as she spoke, looking over at Zer0 occasionally.

Matthew stood, ready to leave for the supply run after checking his pocket for the items he carried with his at all times; A lighter, a switchblade, and a fresh piece of bread wrapped in the cleanest newspaper he could find lying about. "Understood," he said as he followed Rita, keeping up to his pace. A quick glance at the table and he wondered if there was spare wood for him to maybe make a table. Sapphire eyes then settled on Zero, still not trusting him completely, even if he wished he could. "Like promises from a serpent, even a Siren's song is sweet." he said in reply to Zero's comment, meaning that Matthew was wary that his attempt to explain could be false as likely as it was true - Except, in Matthew's fancy talk. However, once they left safety, Matthew's lips pursed tightly together and it was clear that it was unlikely that another sound would escape him.