R1 DEADLAND

[lockdownmods]

[it’s strange, for the people who were already dead, the shift in scenery is sudden and complete. For those who have just arrived? It’s like you’re back where you left?

How strange.

But if you ever need her, you can always reach out to the guardian of this place.]

LOCATIONS
Note: locations lag a week behind the living counterparts

Comments

[donotlick]

[ Hank smiles. The memory is bright—things are happy. He's in a pretty nice looking pet store, puppies lined up around him. Hank is weak to dogs, always has been, but he's especially excited for this one.

Cole is gonna love this, he thinks to himself. Sure, Cole is just barely able to walk, but if he's lonely what could be better than a pet? Hank, who looks pretty different from how he does now, if you manage to catch his reflection, bends down and goes over each and every breed they have. Pomeranians, poodles, retrievers... he briefly considers a beagle until he spots the most adorable puppy he's seen in his while life: a Saint Bernard.

That one. That one for sure. What's his name? He asks the shop attendant, who shakes her head like the name is stupid. "Sumo," she says.

Sumo. Hank smiles. Cole is gonna flip. ]

[throwabookatit]

[ The first thing that passes through Rebecca's mind is that the memory is so warm. It's strange, but it's her first instinct, the first thought that pops into her head. All the barking, the feelings...

It doesn't feel like something Hank's described before, in a strange way. That, and the little mixes of it, Cole, it all spins together and she can place when this is- what this is before, even before the little puppy comes into play.

Still, it doesn't feel sad. That's the thing of it, even with the knowledge of what will be, it just feels warm, and happy, and...light. ]

...Ohh, he really...really was an adorable little thing at that size.

[donotlick]

[ Few things in Hank's life hadn't been tainted with regrets or sorrow, following Cole's death. Sumo was one of them. Hank is happy to get the opportunity to share it, and even the joy he'd felt thinking about Cole back then can't be hampered by the days that would follow, years later.

Sumo was just a tiny, fluffy baby with humongous paws and a big heart. Hank can't stop smiling when he thinks about him. ]

Yep. Told you, didn't I? He was a big ol' fluff ball.

[throwabookatit]

Seeing him makes me rethink...maybe a large dog would be good too.

[ Rebecca smiles softly, remembering their last conversation before his death. A dog... Yes, whatever type... If the others could somehow find a way to use these people's technology to save them.

A dog sounds wonderful, after all of this. ]

Thank you...for sharing him with me.

[donotlick]

They start off small, don't let him fool you.

[ That was a nice conversation, wasn't it? Hank smirks, sharing up more memories of Sumo at his full size. All 160 pounds of him. ]

It's no problem. I wanted you to see something nice -- despite all my shit, I've still got good memories rolling around in here.

[throwabookatit]

[ So that's what he looks like... Wow, really a big dog. ]

...I suppose that's what, uh...coping is, isn't it? Having all of that horrible stuff, but, being able to sort out the positive.

[donotlick]

[ he's SO big. just a very good, large boy. ]

Yeah, I guess it is, huh? Shit, no one's ever accused me of coping before.

[throwabookatit]

Get used to it, buster, 'cause that sure seems like what you're doing.

[donotlick]

[ Hank laughs. This is actually super surprising to him?? ]

Well, fuck. Who'd've thought.