Travis nodded, "Sorry about your loss." He blew some smoke away, "You got a name, friend?"

The slime no longer had magnetic properties, interestingly enough. It must've been something the corrupted could control, if it knew how to. If a smart got that ability, it would be rather potent with the ability to suddenly disarm people of guns, or pull armored people to their deaths. Luckily, it was just a normal corrupted.

"The name's Pilate. My boy over here is Turner." The older man motioned to the younger man with him. Turner didn't react to his introduction, as he was busy watching the area ahead of them as they walked. "And would y'all mind gracing us with your names?"

“I’m Marie, and this is John,” the scientist said, putting away her things before indicating her traveling companion.

“Thomas. And my little sister, Taylor,” the teen chimed in. Taylor waved sheepishly.

"Nice to meet ya' all, you're gonna love it in Veida. Biggest village you'll ever see." Pilate told them, clearly proud of living in Veida. "We can actually grow food now, so we're not at risk of mass starvation if we don't find some edible corrupted."

(Anyone got anything else to say, questions or whatever else, or shall we TS?)

(Ts is good)

The group was led to what did indeed look like a large village. Or, at least, as best you can tell from this side of the stone wall. The fact that they had time to set up a huge stone wall around this city speaks to how long it has been here, the fact that it is still standing speaks to their security, and the fact that they actually bothered to build one speaks to their confidence in not needing to flee at the drop of a hat. What's even more noticeable is that the area is clean. The dirt is dirt, the grass is green, and the stone is gray rather than an infected mixture of purple, green and gray. It stands out like a sore thumb among the dark and horrible ground you walk on still.

"That's it right there, ol' Veida. An actual city, instead of a village on the move." Pilate informed them.

"Thomas! Thomas! The grass, it's green!" Taylor said excitedly, pulling on his hand. Thomas followed after his sister, eyes a bit wide as he took it all in. "This is incredible," He mumbled.

Marie raised her eyebrows. Incredible... "How long has it been here?" She looked over.

John readjusted the Bren on his back as his eyes scanned the village.

"Just checking." Travis said, examining the height of the walls, "Alright then. Can you take us in? I'd kill for a drink."

"Of course, just give me a moment to speak to the guards and get you all in. Doubt you'll find much of a drink though, we ain't got that much barley to spare." Pilate headed forward to the metal doors of the stone wall, which didn't appear to have any way to see past them until a slot near eye-level slid open. Pilate and whoever was on the other side started conversing as Turner stayed where he was, looking around.

Travis shrugged in disappointment and awaited entry into the settlement. He scanned the walls, incapable of spotting any immediate faults. Secure indeed. "Is this where we go our separate ways, then?" He said out loud, but indirectly.