Thread: Ruin And Rebirth (Mech Pilot and darkangel76)

The sky was just beginning to brighten, but it was thick with clouds as the haze from 'June Gloom' clung to the air and rolled in over the waves as they washed in upon the sandy shoreline of what once had been a friendly beach teeming with people, with laughter, with... life. But not any longer. No. Life as it once had been had long ago left the beaches of San Diego and as Cordy walked along the shores in complete solitude, she couldn't help but wonder... What had it been like before? Cordelia Harris often wondered such things as she took her walks each morning. They were becoming quite the daily ritual of hers, these walks. Something to help her focus and keep her spirits lifted when there was so much 'darkness' surrounding her and her people everywhere they turned. Yet still, every day, the sun rose overhead and lifethe little that was left after the massive destruction, the... nearly complete annihilationas they knew it, went on. Of course, Cordy often met a bit of resistance before each walk. Rick often times trying to put a stop to it, telling her how dangerous it was, reminding her of all the possibilities of what could happen if she ventured out alone and unprotected. But that was why she carried the knife. She wasn't the best at wielding it, more she knew how to stab and cut and that was it. But it made Rick happier to know she had the damned thing at least. If only she knew how to use it properly... but she wouldn't let on about that worry. It would only make the worry and apprehension the man had even worse than it already was. And on this day of days she'd finally broken him down, gotten him to agree to let her go ... Cordy walked along the beach in silence, nothing but the sound of the crashing waves filling her ears. There were no more birds or other sounds of life any longer, though she'd heard stories, tales told around the fires at night about how it had been in generations pasta curious time indeed. She wondered if it could ever be 'fixed' somehow or if everything truly was... lost. The thought that things like that, such simple pleasures, could be plucked away and snuffed out without a care made her insides twist, her heart hurt. It was beyond agonizing and oh how horrifying to think that such creatures existed who just didn't care! It truly was beyond her grasp of reasoning! But unfortunately, they did. These being did in fact exist and they wreaked havoc on the planet, leaving it the chaotic, yet desolate mess it had now become. A barren, nearly lifeless ball. Cordy! Came a shout. It was Rick's voice. Cordy recognized it instantly, her head turning toward the sound of it. Just then the wind blew and she shivered, her hands moving to rub at her arms to stave off the sudden chill that crawled along her pale skin. Though it was June, the month was always unusually cold, the sky overcast and pearly gray. Coming! Cordy called out in reply. She reached a hand up to tuck a stray blonde lock behind an ear as the wind continued to blow. Cordy knew Rick and the others were probably getting ready to leave soon so that they could head north up to Mission Valley. They were starting to get low on water and a small town had sprung up in the area monopolizing the freshwater that was present there. Luckily, the people there were decent enough folk and usually willing to trade for their water. But they were still a suspicious lot and paranoid, then she couldn't blame them. They owned water after all. Owned water... who'd have thought...? As Cordy made her way back to her town and away from the beach, she saw Rick's silhouette become more pronounced. Larger. The man was definitely a force to be reckoned with and she still found it hard to believe she'd managed to convince him to let her come along. Can't believe I'm allowing this bullshit, Rick said to Cordy as she approached. Cordy just smiled sheepishly as she ran her fingers through her hair. She then nervously brought her hands to her jean-clad thighs and rubbed them a bit. Guess I was persuasive, she said. More like a pesky brat, Rick corrected. Cordy pouted a little through a smile. Mmm... maybe, but you wouldn't have me any other way. Rick just shook his head, his sandy hair blowing a bit in the breeze. That's debatable, he laughed. Cordy pouted harder and stuffed her hands in her pockets. Well, we'll have to continue that argument once we get back then since everyone is waiting on us, she said with a grin. Such a brat! Rick stated. Got your knife? Cordy nodded and pointed to the knife sheathed on her hip. Good. You might want to grab a coat though. I know it's spring, but you know June. Rick gave Cordy a wink as he handed her a jacket he'd already had on hand for her, having thought ahead. Cordy blushed a bit and smiled. She reached out and took the light brown jacket and slipped it on over her shoulders to cover up the pale pink cami tank she wore. She knew Rick was right. The wind she'd felt blowing moments ago on the beach had been proof enough. Ass, she mumbled, her lips turned upward in a smile. Brat, Rick stated. Let's go. At that, Cordy followed Rick back to where everyone was waiting so that they could head on out to Mission Valley and get the water that they all so desperately needed.