au this, au that

[demisms]

the alternate universe meme

• comment with your character.
• respond to others
• "i don't think we're in kansas anymore, toto" — just what it says in the tin, cast canon aside and create your own adventures. need some inspiration?
• write starters or whatever it is we do here
• have a grand ol' time

Comments

Rick Grimes | The Walking Dead.

[ringleadering]

[notanotherdeadgirl]

( hello would you like a beth at all and any preferences for anything? c:)

[ringleadering]

[ i would absolutely love a beth!! there are so many options for aus. did you want to stay in twd realm of things and shift it around or something completely different? ]

[notanotherdeadgirl]

( I'm honestly not fussy (which is the worst answer since it doesn't help us choose, haha). if you want there to be zombies, let there be zombies \o/ )

[ringleadering]

[ I saw this au once where they were dealing with aliens rather than zombies and I think that could be really interesting? OR if you've seen the 100. All the world ending things. OR if something modern/world hasn't ended, I think it could be amazing if maybe something like Beth is the choir teacher for Judith? ]

[notanotherdeadgirl]

( oh man I love the second and third options a lot - would you be up for doing both? for the third, maybe Beth could be Judith's kindergarten teacher instead? and perhaps he's late picking her up one day because of work (maybe a really bad day)? I love the 100 as well so it'd be a lot of fun if we did something in that world, maybe with Rick as the leader (as always) and Beth in Abby's role of medical help? )

[ringleadering]

[ I love the idea of both options! Do you want to combine them or do them as two separate things? If we combine them it could be something like Beth works in medical like Abby and also teaches. Either could be the younger kids and keep Judith small OR Carl could take a bit of Clarke's role and he's working as an assistant to Beth? That could have them encountering each other a lot. Either or. Whichever you'd rather have her dealing with - younger Judith or unruly Carl. Then Rick could slide in slightly with Kane's role? Being the council/leader and when they crash onto the ground, he could eventually become Chancellor? BUT if you'd rather them be two separate things that works for me too. ]

[notanotherdeadgirl]

( combining could work! and I kinda like the idea of unruly Carl more than Judith since it's more trouble for Beth, haha. the only scenarios I can really think of is Beth beating herself up over not being able to save someone or saving Carl's life after he's done something stupid and Rick thanking her? the separate kindergarten teacher idea I had was that Beth sings and plays the guitar in a bar and Rick catches her one night and they get talking the same day Rick has a bad day at work/is late picking up Judith. let me know your thoughts though, I'm just happy at the prospect of playing with a Rick because he's one of my fave characters ♥ )

[ringleadering]

[ I actually like both ideas! We could do the 100 one and she's the Abbyish role and he's the Kane-ish role. And Carl could be working as her assistant and yes that works for me! I really like the kindergarten teacher one too. We could do both?? We could each do one maybe? I'm excited to write with Beth! I love her. ]

[notanotherdeadgirl]

( it sounds like you'd be better at writing the 100 au and I could write the other? I can write my starter in response to your first tag :) )

the 100 au!

[ringleadering]

[ Hands pressed against the table in the Council chambers, Rick let out a deep sigh. His hand lifted slowly to rub over his face before he dropped it again with a weary sigh. How did he wind up with the current task at hand? Did the Chancellor really expect him to decide who to float and who to not with all those involved in the raid? The sickness lingering through the ark made people desperate and most had only stolen medicine for their children. How could they -

Shaking his head, Rick left the chambers for the time being to head to med bay to endure his check up. The Chancellor wanted everyone on the Council to get a clean bill of health and if they didn't - well -

Moving into the area, Rick looked around for Beth but instead found a sheepish looking Carl. ]

Don't tell me. You're in trouble again?

[ Rick let out a deep sigh, again running a hand over his face. ]

Y'better not be involved in this medicine theft. We haven't found the root cause yet, Carl. We cannot have everyone breakin' the rules and making things a worse panic.

[notanotherdeadgirl]

[ It was a particularly stressful time on the ark. A sickness has spread that everyone was panicking about to the point of stealing medicine. She understood why people had done it but at the same time she was furious - what if it wasn't the right drugs for them? What if it made them worse? Beth and the rest of the medical team still needed to carry out more tests to determine the best cure.

She wishes her dad were still around to help - about six months ago he'd passed away in his sleep, probably the best death she could have asked for him after his health had been deteriorating for months, but she missed him everyday. She'd learnt as much as she could from him - she'd spent her entire life on the ark learning about medicine from him - but she underestimates how good she is. She feels like her dad would have come up with solutions quicker.

She's just finishing checking on a patient when she hears Rick's voice from across the room, looking tired and sounding frustrated with Carl. She feels she ought to intervene before they cause a scene by arguing - it wouldn't be the first time Carl bit back at his father. He's at that age and ever since Lori died... well, he doesn't make it easy for Rick. ]

I caught him before he did anythin' stupid. [ She says by Rick's side with a look expressing how lucky Carl is that it was her and not someone less forgiving. ] Enid's sick. [ She mentions as though that will explain everything to Rick - and it does. She's never heard Carl call Enid his girlfriend but they both know how much he cares for her and how close they are, more than friends. ]

Like I told you, Carl, you need to bring Enid here so she we can monitor her and give her proper medical attention. You and anyone else tryin' to play doctor could do more harm than good. [ She says that in hope of Carl knowing anyone who might be involved in the raid. Maybe he could convince them to give back the medicine they took. ] We're doing everything we can.

[ringleadering]

[ The desperation positively hung in the air, putting them all on edge and while Rick understood, it didn't make things any easier. In fact, it made his current task more difficult but the Chancellor had his mind made up and claimed they needed to make an example out of the thieves. The rest of the Council agreed and the vote had been fifteen to one; a sort of odds not even Rick knew how to go up against. With a clenching heart, he resigned himself to the task, not wanting some of the others to deal with it, especially not Shane. The man happened to be his best friend but it didn't stop the glint in his eyes or the resentment rolling around between them because of what happened with Lori.

He failed to change the Council's mind regarding her as well but thankfully they allowed him Judith rather than lock her up in the Sky Box. She hadn't asked for any of it and most were against sentencing a baby, at least. They all had some form of humanity left it seemed. The sentencing left him at odds with Carl as well, shown now by the glaring and biting comments. ]

Thank you, I appreciate it. [ He offered her a tiny smile, his eyes returning to his son's face. ] If Beth said she can help, ya gotta get Enid here. You should have let me know, Carl. You know I would have done somethin'.

[ Since Enid's parents died, Rick had taken it upon himself to look out for her but again he hadn't been able to save her from the Council and they sentenced her to the Sky Box. Perhaps, her illness would allow the Council to review her case and allow for someone to adopt her. Surely, someone wanted a child? ]

[ Carl threw his hands up, trying to push past them up but Rick managed to grab onto his arm to prevent him. ] Gettin' yourself into trouble won't help Enid and we gotta get you checked if ya been around her. [ Rick motioned for Carl to sit and wait for Beth to check him, promising to do everything he could for Enid. The snide comments he received in response caused a deepening frown. ]

Chancellor wants me checked over. Got to with the whole Council. Any idea yet on what's causin' it? Nobody's died yet, right?

[notanotherdeadgirl]

[ Beth shook her head at Carl disapprovingly - she couldn't believe the way he spoke to Rick sometimes. It was disrespectful but perhaps she was comparing her relationship with her father too much, where she never really spoke out of turn with him. Carl could be very hot-headed sometimes. ]

Nobody's gonna die. [ She sounds sure of herself when she says that - she has to be. She has to be confident she can save everyone because if she starts to doubt herself, if she gets scared, she'll make a mistake and it could cost someone's life. ]

I gotta theory but you ain't gonna like it. [ Beth leads him by his arm over to sit on a bed for his checkup slightly away from Carl, out of his earshot. She keeps her voice low. ] I think someone's responsible for this, maybe even a group of people. There's been rumors floatin' about people wantin' to overthrow the Chancellor. I've found traces of harmful chemicals in people's bodies - that's what's made them sick. Maybe they've done this to try and make him look bad? Like he's lost control and can't take care of his people? What if whoever's responsible for the chemical poisoning was part of the medicine theft as well, or started the idea at least, to create even more chaos?

[ She pulls out her scrunchie, her long blonde locks falling out of her ponytail. She hasn't had a moment to breathe all day - this is an opportunity for her while running her fingers through her hair. ] How did the meeting with the Council go?

[ringleadering]

[ While Rick wished things were different with Carl, he understood the attitude at the moment with the loss of his mother and how it happened, then coupled with the tension of Enid being sick. He wanted to repair things but it would take time, something he really hoped all of them had more of. Things were more than a little tense lately, after all.

Situating himself on the bed, Rick's eyes narrowed considerably as Beth explained her theory on things. Out of all the options, no one thought to consider this being orchestrated by someone. Sadly, it didn't shock Rick because the Chancellor had alienated plenty of people lately with his out of control policies. Rick did what he could to reign things in but he could only do so much before he stepped out of bounds and found himself floated. ]

Everyone was thinkin' it was a flu of some kind. Didn't really make sense when it never happened before now. We've always been careful and the air in the Ark is filtered. [ He let out a tiny sigh. ] I'll look into it. Any idea where it coulda originated? Might help me narrow down who's responsible for all of this. [ There were a few theories roaming around in his mind but he didn't want to jump too quickly to conclusions when things were tense enough. ]

[ He let out yet another sigh, this time followed by a shake of his head. ] Not good. Things are gonna happen this comin' week and it ain't gonna - things ain't gonna be peaceful anytime soon. You watch out for yourself, alright? Don't stay in here too late and never by yourself. Got a feelin' this thievery is only the beginnin' of what's to come. It's gonna get a lot worse before it gets better, can promise you that.

[ If only he could come up with another way. ] They wanna float half the thieves of the medicine. Got a list and everythin'. I got to go over it tonight and decide what to do. It's gotta be an example, least that's what the Chancellor said. Won't help anythin'. Tried talkin' to him but he wouldn't listen and the Council outvoted me.

[notanotherdeadgirl]

The food from the canteen could'a been tampered with so anyone who has access to that? All signs point to the chemical bein' swallowed willingly. No one I've spoken to was forced to take anythin' against their will.

[ Beth nods when Rick tells her to be careful. She likes the way he speaks to her - he doesn't make her feel like she can't take care of herself. She's had weapon training from Rick because she wanted to be able to defend herself, even if they were meant to be safe on the Ark. Clearly it wasn't safe anymore. More and more fights were breaking out lately.

She can't quite believe her ears when Rick reveals floating as the Chancellor's solution - then again, why is she surprised? It's his solution to everything. Beth looks like it's taking all the strength she has to stay where she is and not march over to the Chancellor's chambers and slap him. ]

He's only makin' you do it 'cause he thinks he won't have to live with the guilt if he leaves the job to someone else. [ She shakes her head, unable to believe the Council would make a decision like this. ] He's doin' everything to play into the hands of the people who want us to turn against each other. It's not like they stole alcohol or guns... [ She could almost understand if it were either of those things, but it was medicine. ] This is gonna kick off a rebellion.

[ And Rick? He was going to be hated for doing what he was told. Because arguing could get himself floated and that couldn't happen - no matter how great the cause - when he had children who needed him. She looks at him with pity for what he has to do. ]

My dad would never have agreed to this. [ Things were so much better when Hershel was in charge. She didn't just miss him for herself, but for the people on the Ark. ] This ain't livin'. [ It hasn't been ever since Hershel died and the new Chancellor took over. ]

[ringleadering]

[ Poisoned food made a lot of sense with the progression of the spread and the fact no one had died from the illness, making it really seem like more of a warning than an example. What the Chancellor wanted to do made it much more of an example and one playing right into the hands of those behind the poisoning. It would prove all their undoubtedly ranting speeches to their groups true. Giving all of them the fuel and drive to fight and take down those in charge. He would be included in this if he did the task at hand.

How could he put so many to death? ]

Food tampering narrows down the list. Thank ya, Beth. [ Rick leaned forward to squeeze her shoulder gently, offering a very faint smile. There hadn't been a lot to smile about lately, sadly enough. ]

I agree. Since it was medicine and not anythin' dangerous, it's only gonna expand their cause. Floating people ain't gonna do anythin' but cause more of this division. [ The different sectors of the Ark had been tense lately but now things were even more apparent. The so-called privileged were a target to those who felt less than. ]

I miss your dad everyday. He would have known just what to do and would have kept everyone calm.

[ With a sad sigh, he looked at Beth for a moment. ] What else can we do? This rebellion isn't gonna go away. Can't really go up against the Council. They'd float me without blinkin' an eye. [ For once, he really did feel at a loss for where to turn and what course of action to go with. ]

I hope this works!

[notanotherdeadgirl]

[ Beth hasn't always wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. She fell into the job after college, gaining some experience through a friend of her dad's firstly as a teaching assistant. She's always been great with kids so it was almost expected of her to become a teacher. She likes her job. The kids she looks after are great.

She has a favorite - she knows she shouldn't but she does. Judith. She's sweet and smart and everything Beth would want in a daughter. Judith's mother unfortunately passed away - some kind of car accident - but Beth had met her father, the Sheriff, smiling at him whenever he came to pick Judith up, sometimes sharing a few good comments about Judith to him. She didn't know him personally but he seemed like an honorable man; she'd heard many good things he'd done to keep their town safe.

Truth be told, Beth has always wanted to be a songwriter. She's not sure she has the right aura to make it as a musician herself - she enjoys playing music and once a week on an evening at one of the local bars she performs at their acoustic night, but she'd really like to a make a career out of more talented people than herself singing her songs. Whenever she's not teaching, she's writing songs - of which she sometimes performs at the bar when she's feeling brave enough to sing her own stuff. She almost gave up singing when her dad died after being sick - she felt too sad to ever pick up a guitar again, felt like smashing it instead - but her dad always liked it when she sang, so she kept at it. She's so glad she continued because music makes her feel alive. She'd be a very different person without it. Her soul can't quit it.

It's the end of another school day and all the kids are being picked up. One by one parents come and go, the classroom becoming more and more empty, until only one girl is left. Judith. Almost ten minutes pass since Judith should have been picked up but there's no sign of Mr. Grimes. She thinks it must be something work-related to have held him up. She should probably call the authorities but she doesn't want to get him in trouble - there must be a reasonable explanation behind him being late. So she sits and waits with Judith, reading a book with her to keep her amused.

She glances at the clock after twenty minutes has passed - now she's definitely worried. Had something happened to him? She has his cellphone number in case of an emergency and tries calling it. She looks down into Judith's beautiful eyes and prays Mr. Grimes is okay. ]

this is perfect! if i should change anything, let me know.

[ringleadering]

[ When it came time for career paths, no one in Rick's life felt at all surprised with the turn to law enforcement. Not only did he grow up in it but Rick had a natural air for leadership and inspiring things in others. A dangerous path to take but one Rick worked tirelessly for and gave nearly everything he had. Nearly because he reserved the best parts of himself for his kids, who were his entire world, especially after the accident that took the life of Lori and nearly with Carl. With only an eye lost and some broken bones, Carl had been called a miracle and some days Rick knew he took the overprotective role too strongly but could anyone blame him? He also took on too much.

Today being a case and point.

But in his defense, the call in should have taken a mere twenty minutes or so to check out before returning to the station to call it a day. If only he knew the shit storm waiting for him and the beginning of a new terror to rock the otherwise rather sleepy town. The gang of thugs were apparently called the 'saviors' and when Rick arrived, he walked into the fray of a shoot out. By the time back up arrived, he had gotten clipped and forced into medical to have it taken care of.

This made him so late to pick up Judith, something that never happened because he took all the fatherly duties very seriously. Stumbling into the classroom, Rick looked a fright with cuts all over his face, a bandaged shoulder and a swollen hip. All in a day's work, right? ]

I am so sorry 'bout this. Got held up with a situation. Seems we've got a new problem in town and while we put a dent in things, got a feelin' it's only the beginning of what's to come. I won't be late again. Just didn't expect - look at me - rattling on when you probably wanna get outta here.

[ He walked over to Judy to scoop her up, ignoring the wince he made by the action. Judy wrapped her arms around his neck and he leaned down carefully to grab for her princess jasmine backpack. ] Did Princess Judy live up to her title today?

[notanotherdeadgirl]

[ Beth almost doesn't recognize Rick at first. The cuts on his face that look like they've made by glass are enough to make her gasp as she stands to greet him, taking in his wounded appearance. ]

It's okay, Mr. Grimes. [ She doesn't want him to think she sees him as a bad parent simply for being late to pick Judith up one time. He works exceptionally hard as a single parent, probably to provide his children with a good future, that much is obvious from the way he looks now, worse for wear. ]

She's been an angel as always. [ She smiles - extra time with Judith is nothing to complain about. She doesn't pry further into what trouble he's encountered, he's probably said too much as it is, though she imagines whatever's happened will be on TV later. ]

...You're bleedin'. [ Beth notices one of the cuts on his cheek, probably treated earlier but bleeding again, blood trickling down his face. Judith looks upset and confused by the sight of it. ] Hold on, I'll get the first aid kit.

[ She doesn't take no for an answer, hurrying to a cupboard where the kit is. Opening it up, she gets out a gauze swab and holds it gently to his face. ] Ain't your daddy brave, Judith? [ She nods in Rick's arms, comforted by Beth making the blood disappear. ]

[ringleadering]

[ Beth's gasp caused a small chuckle because it reminded him so much on how Lori would react every time he arrived home from a day on the job. Back then, she tried to convince him time and time again to take the desk job afforded to the Sheriff and to let the others dart into harms way but he had never been able to. Even now, he refused to send anyone else to do what he wouldn't do, although, he did spend a little less time in the field than he did. Today being a vast exception, especially considering how routine it should have been. If he had sent some less experienced, well, he didn't even want to consider what would have happened. ]

That's my girl. [ Rick tickled at Judith's stomach to make her giggle in delight, her arms tightening around his neck. Since Lori's passing, Judith had become a little clingier to him but the therapist claimed he shouldn't worry over it and things would even out eventually. Carl, on the other hand, proved a tougher card to deal with and all the therapy in the world wouldn't change it. In some ways, he knew Carl blamed himself for the accident because they had been rushing and late to one of his games. No matter how many times Rick told him otherwise, Carl just wouldn't listen to reason.

Eyes jerking up, Rick let out a tiny sigh. Still bleeding. Damn Saviors. ]

You don't got- [ The words cut off when he noticed the look on Beth's face, undoubtedly the one she used with the unruly kids when she needed to. ] Don't you worry, Judy, daddy took care of all the villain's today. [ She understood him being a superhero far better than she grasped the concept of Sheriff's and Deputy's. ]

Tonight, the guy's from the station are headin' out to this bar on the outskirts of town, you interested in that at all? Could buy you a drink and thank ya for today. Carol is gonna watch Judy and Carl. He and Sophia have a project they're wokin' on together anyway. She said I needed to - [ He cut himself off with a sheepish look. ] Or could come round to dinner some night this comin' week?

[ He needed to do something to thank her and show her he didn't take her kindness for granted. She helped to bring back Judith's smile and it meant the entire world to him. ]

[notanotherdeadgirl]

Me and a bunch of police officers? [ She tries to imagine what that would like, sitting in a bar amongst all of them and she almost wants to laugh at how much they'd look like her bodyguards. ] Sounds safe for me.

[ And then she thinks more about the location Rick said. It's a small town and there's only really one bar on the outskirts and it's the one she plays at. She suddenly considers putting him off going, lying about how much the bar sucks and suggesting another they should go to instead. But Beth knows the owner - Daryl, grumpy but a sweetheart at heart - and she knows he'd appreciate the business, especially if they became regulars. ]

If it's the bar I'm thinkin' of, I already made plans to be there tonight, so I guess I'll see you there and we can talk about dinner then. [ She belatedly realizes that maybe it was an offer of a drink or dinner, not both, and suddenly she's embarrassed. ] I mean, we don't have to dinner. You really don't owe me anything...

But I've got this friend who's performin' at the bar tonight and you've gotta promise you won't laugh at her, no matter how bad she is, okay? [ She doesn't think Rick is the type of person to do that, but she's suddenly very nervous about singing in front of him later.

She finally takes the swab away from Rick's face when it stops bleeding, but he needs a band-aid. She picks up a few that all have different prints on them, holding them up for Judith to choose. ] How 'bout you choose a band-aid for your daddy, Judy?

[ringleadering]

[ With a soft chuckle, he tried to otherwise stay still for Beth to clean off the wound. He appreciate the thoughtfulness but he could have taken care of it in the car on the way home. Carl would likely already be there and he wanted to see him before he headed over to Carol's. ] They ain't too bad. They'll behave. Mostly. [ He knew without a doubt Shane wouldn't and neither would Andrea. They were always riling up one another and leaving the rest of them to clean up the messes but sometimes getting there could be a hysterical story. ]

Course we can talk 'bout dinner. I'd like that. So would Judy. Isn't that right, princess? [ Judith giggled and nodded her head because it would have to mean more story time. ]

[ The insistence made Rick smirk because he knew Beth had to be the friend with how she carried on about it. ] Can promise ya, won't laugh. But I'm sure if they're lettin' your friend perform, she can't be that bad. Heard the owner don't put up with shit.

[ Judith eyed the band-aids carefully but, of course, settled on the bright pink one, making Rick laugh. ] I sure am gonna be pretty now, aren't I? [ He looked at Beth for a moment. ] You'll have to let me know if you're allergic to anythin'. Don't need any judgements from your sister. You can tell me tonight, if there's time. Might be listenin' real close to this performin' goin' on.

[notanotherdeadgirl]

[ Beth raises an eyebrow at "mostly". He must work with some interesting people. She looked forward to meeting them and hopefully they wouldn't boo her off the stage. ]

The owner's an ass. [ She says very matter-of-factly but in a tone that suggests she's also fond of who she's talking about. ] But he likes my-- [ Oh god, she just blew it - not that Rick believed it was her friend performing in the first place. ] Her music. [ She corrects herself, her cheeks almost as pink as Rick's band-aid.

She mimes an "I'm sorry" to Rick for allowing the pink one to be an option for Judith - Beth should have known she'd choose that one. She sticks the band-aid carefully over the cut, her fingers soft despite how rough they should be from all her guitar-playing. ] If Nelly can pull it off, so can you. [ It occurs to her Rick might not know who Nelly is... ] He's this rapper who always wore a band-aid on his face. He never wore a pink one though... You know what they say, though - real men wear pink. You gonna wear that tonight?

[ Beth groans at the mention of her sister. She loves Maggie but she's glad she moved out and got her own place. ] Trust me, she's too caught up in wedding stuff to care about me dying of food poisoning. [ Every day she asked if Beth had a date to her wedding yet and it was driving her nuts. Why wasn't she allowed to go solo? She didn't have to bring a plus one. ] Can't believe it's in a month's time...

Anyway, I should get goin' and get ready for tonight. [ Maybe even practice some more. She reaches for Judith's hand and curtseys for her. ] Bye, Princess Judy. [ She meets Rick's eyes. ] I guess I'll see you later, Mr. Grimes?

[ringleadering]

Look forward to meetin' him and listening to your friend's music. What kinda music is usually played? [ While he kept from saying 'does she play', they both knew from the smirk on his face he knew exactly about who would play the music later. He found it impressive Beth not only taught but also knew how to play and sing. So, he imagined anyway. In the very least, she could sing. ]

[ He tried to not sigh dramatically if only for Judith's benefit over having to wear a pink band-aid. He made the same show when they had to 'dress up' for tea parties and princess time. All the things he honestly cherished because he knew sooner rather than later Judith would be off running around with her friends like Carl and not having any real time for her old man. ] I actually know who he is. Carl listens to 'im. Is that what your friend is gonna play tonight? [ He couldn't stop the chuckle that fell from his lips at the thought. ]

She couldn't have found a better man. Glenn is one of a kind. [ He met the man during a robbery gone wrong and Glenn had managed to help him out of the situation he found himself in. Since then, they had become fast friends and Glenn delivered more than enough pizzas to his house. ] Are they botherin' you 'bout havin' a date to the wedding? Glenn keeps askin' me 'bout it. Like it's a crime to go by yourself.

[ Fond smile filling his face, he nodded his head, waiting for Beth to walk out before he did the same, Judy gesturing all about story time and how she wanted a baby elephant.

The drive home didn't take too long and while Rick did feel a little tired, he wanted nothing more than to have an actual night out. For the past year or so, he had done nothing but go to work and take care of the kids. Far too pained over the loss of Lori and the guilt of Carl to make much of an effort with his own life and needs. Tonight, though, he planned on kicking back somewhat. He didn't know how to relax very well but he did know how to drink a few beers and play some pool. Plus, he'd have the pleasure of hearing some live music.

Twenty or so minutes later, Rick had the kids situated at Carol's and he moved around quickly to get ready. The honk of a horn making him move even faster to not keep them waiting. Morgan already had Shane and Andrea in the car, both remarking for him to get his ass into gear. Morgan would be the designated driver for the evening, all of them crashing at his place afterwards.

When they arrived, Rick walked in first, the others in tow. His eyes moved around the place trying to locate Beth but he didn't see her yet so he headed to the bar to order drinks for everyone. The others would be there soon and he looked forward to all of them unwinding. The day had been an awful one and they all needed some relief from it. ]

Three beers and a whiskey neat.