For Services Rendered [Jesse]

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

The base camp outside the tomb has grown with each of Jesse's visits, the people there carefully packing each relic, carting the day's haul to somewhere in the Nexus every evening. Better cameras have been procured, a whole portable photo studio's worth of lights, tripods, high-grade lenses.

Today, when Jesse arrives, Schön waits beside a number of polished sandalwood boxes, some large, some small. "Good morning," the thin man calls with a smile. "At last, I've something to reward your patience: the pieces you requested are in."

Comments

[notalldead]

Both of the men nod. That's exactly it. Jesse puts his hands on his hips, scoffing.

"Aw, y'all know you don't gotta do that! I mean, yeah, I appreciate it. But like the man says; love conquers all! Now you two git outta here. Just pile up the stuff in my place an' I'll be sortin' through it and showin' it to the rest when I get home."

Boxes in tow, the pair leave again, back towards the Nexus portal. Jesse is all grins. "Still ain't over it. Two o' my Rotten hitchin' up. S'great. Like-..." His smile falters a little. "Like we're still people..."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"And why should you be anything else?"

[notalldead]

"Cuz of the undeath. Cuz so many folks don't see us as anythin' different than what's chewin' up our world all mindless an' hungry. That we're just-...Just walkin' corpses. Rather than people with a sickness. A real bad sickness that we want cured."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Schön tsks in disapproval. "A superficial trifle. The more fools, they, not to see past it."

[notalldead]

Jesse sniffs and tugs at the lapels of his new duster. Trying to shake of that brief moment of melancholy. "Can't blame 'em either, of course. Like I said, 'bout 90% of our world is overrun with critters what look like us. Real nasty zed problem. And I ain't gonna lie, a lot's changed for us too, bein' undead now." He shrugs.

"I guess what I'm tryna say is thanks for-...You know. For that too. Treatin' us kind and like anyone else."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"As far as I'm concerned," he replies, "you are like anyone else. And you are welcome."

[notalldead]

"Goes a long way with us. If you need anythin' you think me or my Rotten can provide, you just give a holler and we'll come runnin', y'hear?" He offers his hand for one last shake.

"Me, I better be gettin' back to the homestead and gettin' all yer gifts squared up. Gonna be some soldiers real happy to see those pins especially. An' I'll be givin' 'em all the instructions on magical things like you told me."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"I shan't forget," Schön promises, shaking Jesse's hand again. "Farewell, and may your tools serve you well."