jack "hug me and i will poison you" benjamin (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
cicatrize) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
maskormenacelogs2015-10-08 07:15 pm
cicatrize) wrote in maskormenacelogs2015-10-08 07:15 pm
[OPEN]
WHO: Jack Benjamin and YOU!
WHERE: Around Maurtia Falls and Heropa
WHEN: Month of October
WHAT: Shopping, snooping around government buildings, beach, and a general catch-all for any other meet ups people want to do. Also using it as a catch-all yolo.
WARNINGS: Language? That's about it.
[A] MAURTIA FALLS; EXPLORATION/SHOPPING
[ Maurtia Falls, Jack decides, is honest in a way that he likes. Not like Shiloh, that wants to think having God's Chosen resided in their tax dollar rich palace makes the rest of the city as shining and flawless as the concept of divine favor is, and ignores all that goes on in the shadows and behind closed doors. Just leeching. He doesn't stick out as an imPort, but a few manage to catch it. A few that, after seeing the casual shrug Jack had shot them and their obviously shady dealings, decided to smile and toss him a wink in appreciation for minding his own damn business. Aw. What congenial people. Jack can be found wandering the streets, mostly minding himself, stepping into shops, blowing the stipend he'd been issued from the government upon entry on shiny things, but maybe also exploring that underground side of things.
It's a part of city life he could never really get too close to at home - not like this, without a hood pulled up or a car with dark tinted windows and the cover of deep night. He's curious. Just curious. For now. ]
[B] HEROPA; SNOOPING IN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS/LIBRARY
[ okay so first of all - who the shit is the president of the united states and when the fuck did nations become coorporations? that's what you get presidents from, right? heads of cooporations? CEOs? since when did capitalism slam it's way through to the top of government and who allowed it?
someone like william cross, probably. so, honestly, it isn't that surprising. jack, being from a world that hasn't even breathed the word 'democracy', yet held most of the modernizations in culture and economics as this one, is spending a lot of his time in both the library at heropa and the actual government buildings he can use his 'assistant for imPort public relations' pass to get into. he can be found searching around for materials to catch himself up on his new sovereign's way of ruling, or perhaps at whatever central help desk he can find at either place, giving a coy tilt of his head and spark of charm to the man or woman trying to assist him. ]
What, no pamphlets, cute little fact cards? Democracy For Dummies? [ which is fucking insulting but a large part of what too up the nonfiction informative section of the collection. jack sighs, and mutters lower, as he glances out towards the building at large, turning his head away from the man/woman at the help desk. ] Democracy for Monarchs?
[C] HEROPA; BEACH YO
[ and, of course, jack's not going his first week on vacation without hitting the ridiculously lovely beaches on the Florida coast. that's just criminal. shiloh was always so grey and dull and cold half the year, and heading to the beach at all, as crown prince to the globe's most influential nation, meant a few million cameras in his face.
here, all it means is the occasional passerby blocking his sun, and probably some sunburns (have you seen him? he is pale as the moon ok). jack's not likely to be doing a whole hell of a lot on the beach - lying out, maybe reading, probably texting, probably drinking, definitely turning red on his shoulders and neck - but his imPort tattoo will be visible enough for anyone to spot, and any beach balls that come bouncing his way will be giving a casual swat back from whence they came, with a hand waved in dismissal at whatever apologies might follow them. splashing or sand getting kicked on his person, however, will be less kindly met. ]
[D] WILDCARD;
[[ idk, hit me, bros. if there was an idea you had that wouldn't fit into any of these, feel free to slap a prompt in the comments, or shoot me a pp at![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
wuzzafuzzle, or a pm to this journal /o/
[[ooc; PS, Jack's powers include Charm Speak, so if I could get you guys to check out his permissions page for that, that'd be badass. Thanks! ]]
WHERE: Around Maurtia Falls and Heropa
WHEN: Month of October
WHAT: Shopping, snooping around government buildings, beach, and a general catch-all for any other meet ups people want to do. Also using it as a catch-all yolo.
WARNINGS: Language? That's about it.
[A] MAURTIA FALLS; EXPLORATION/SHOPPING
[ Maurtia Falls, Jack decides, is honest in a way that he likes. Not like Shiloh, that wants to think having God's Chosen resided in their tax dollar rich palace makes the rest of the city as shining and flawless as the concept of divine favor is, and ignores all that goes on in the shadows and behind closed doors. Just leeching. He doesn't stick out as an imPort, but a few manage to catch it. A few that, after seeing the casual shrug Jack had shot them and their obviously shady dealings, decided to smile and toss him a wink in appreciation for minding his own damn business. Aw. What congenial people. Jack can be found wandering the streets, mostly minding himself, stepping into shops, blowing the stipend he'd been issued from the government upon entry on shiny things, but maybe also exploring that underground side of things.
It's a part of city life he could never really get too close to at home - not like this, without a hood pulled up or a car with dark tinted windows and the cover of deep night. He's curious. Just curious. For now. ]
[B] HEROPA; SNOOPING IN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS/LIBRARY
[ okay so first of all - who the shit is the president of the united states and when the fuck did nations become coorporations? that's what you get presidents from, right? heads of cooporations? CEOs? since when did capitalism slam it's way through to the top of government and who allowed it?
someone like william cross, probably. so, honestly, it isn't that surprising. jack, being from a world that hasn't even breathed the word 'democracy', yet held most of the modernizations in culture and economics as this one, is spending a lot of his time in both the library at heropa and the actual government buildings he can use his 'assistant for imPort public relations' pass to get into. he can be found searching around for materials to catch himself up on his new sovereign's way of ruling, or perhaps at whatever central help desk he can find at either place, giving a coy tilt of his head and spark of charm to the man or woman trying to assist him. ]
What, no pamphlets, cute little fact cards? Democracy For Dummies? [ which is fucking insulting but a large part of what too up the nonfiction informative section of the collection. jack sighs, and mutters lower, as he glances out towards the building at large, turning his head away from the man/woman at the help desk. ] Democracy for Monarchs?
[C] HEROPA; BEACH YO
[ and, of course, jack's not going his first week on vacation without hitting the ridiculously lovely beaches on the Florida coast. that's just criminal. shiloh was always so grey and dull and cold half the year, and heading to the beach at all, as crown prince to the globe's most influential nation, meant a few million cameras in his face.
here, all it means is the occasional passerby blocking his sun, and probably some sunburns (have you seen him? he is pale as the moon ok). jack's not likely to be doing a whole hell of a lot on the beach - lying out, maybe reading, probably texting, probably drinking, definitely turning red on his shoulders and neck - but his imPort tattoo will be visible enough for anyone to spot, and any beach balls that come bouncing his way will be giving a casual swat back from whence they came, with a hand waved in dismissal at whatever apologies might follow them. splashing or sand getting kicked on his person, however, will be less kindly met. ]
[D] WILDCARD;
[[ idk, hit me, bros. if there was an idea you had that wouldn't fit into any of these, feel free to slap a prompt in the comments, or shoot me a pp at
[[ooc; PS, Jack's powers include Charm Speak, so if I could get you guys to check out his permissions page for that, that'd be badass. Thanks! ]]
[Beach Boys and Girls]
Winry does, and Zoey charges after it - leaping directly over you, Mr. Benjamin.]
Oops! Sorry! Zoey! Come here.
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No harm, no foul.
[ he holds up a placating hand with a lazy half-smile. ] My fault for roadblocking the tennis ball.
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Winry rolls her eyes at the display. Her dog's a flirt.]
It's my fault. I should've thrown th eball more toward the ocean.
[Boba whines at Winry's side but quietly. He wants to play, too.]
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oh. ball. throw the ball. yeah, okay, he can do that. picking it up, jack sits himself more straight from where he'd been lounging on the sand, and lobs it a good distance down the beach. ]
Really, I don't mind. What are their names?
[ and jack finds that he... actually doesn't mind. normally, he's wound so tight, the tiniest annoyance makes his temper flare, and this conversation would be made up of jack lying through his teeth while playing at pleasant. but this is a kind of life he didn't have back home. relaxing on a beach, chatting with strangers that are exactly that - strangers - and dogs running around in the sand. it's nice. ]
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[Winry beams, because she loves her dog, and her friend's dog, and she's pleased this young man didn't take offense when both she and Zoey made a mistake.]
The black and white one is Zoey. And she's coming back. [Fair warning, Zoey's fast, and she's barreling along the beach with her sandy, soggy ball in her mouth.]
This one [The multi-colored, half-grown puppy, obviously another Border Collie] is Boba. He's not as well-trained as Zoey.
[Winry gives Boba a scrub of his head.] Ahh...I mean, he doesn't obey me as well. He pays more attention to his owner.
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She's fast. Have you ever tried any kind of sport competition with her? [ like canine agility, that sort of thing. ]
He seems to be doing well for the moment. [ meaning Boba. ] I only ever worked with bomb dogs - the seemed almost like people in how well they were trained.
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I...I don't know what you mean. Like sheep herding? She could do that. This kind of dogs is all the farmers use back in my world use to herd their sheep. I almost grew up with these dogs there.
[Her smile is just a little crooked.]
Except my dog back home isn't a herd dog.
[Winry rubs Boba's head again. He's lolling his tongue, watching the ball Zoey has.] He's a good boy but he's not as trustworth as Zoey is for me.
[??]
Bomb dogs?
Beach;
After spending way too much time in the water, he wades out and looks for a place to sit.
He doesn't recognize the guy, but he figures it won't hurt to meet someone new.]
Hey, mind if I join ya?
[He runs a hand through his hair, trying to look a little more presentable. At least as much as he can soaking wet and not completely dressed.]
crying, i'm so sorry
jack hadn't actually been paying much attention to the ocean itself (jack, that defeats the purpose of being at the beach), instead on his phone, pouring over the network, all the FAQs and recent press debacles, and doesn't glance up until there's a shadow cast across him. once his chin tilts up to meet the question, there's a moment of still pause. jack's thankfully 1) wearing sunglasses that conceal where his eyes roam and 2) had 25 years worth of training in looking unaffected by anything in his surroundings, so it really only looks like he's having a senior moment, rather than experiencing an internal crisis over checking out half naked dudes while in public. right. okay. ]
Be my guest. [ is what he tells him after a moment, stretching to hold out the unused towel jack had sitting next to him in the sand. eggsy seems to need that more than him. ]
Forget the floaties and other essentials at home? [ aka, actual swim shorts, bro? ]
this is perfect
Eggsy grins as he takes the towel, quickly wiping himself down before flopping down beside the guy, draping the towel around his shoulders.]
Thanks, bruv. I'm Eggsy.
[His grin widens at that, half smirk and half playful, and he sticks his hand out to be shaken before resting back on his palms and stretching his legs out.
Floates, pfft.]
Nah, didn't really plan on swimmin', yeah? Just sorta came by and couldn't help myself. Was hopin' nobody'd be offended I'm not dressed proper.
:'3 bless
You're welcome. I wasn't using it anyway.
[ despite being at the beach, jack never actually had any intention of going into the water. maybe wading around, but the 'playing in the waves' idea hadn't really appealed to him since he grew past 10 anyway. reaching out, he gives a firm shake to the hand offered, friendly enough smile on his lips. ] Jack.
[ just... jumped right in because it seemed fun? that's what it sounds like, and jack chuckles a moment, and shrugs. ]
I doubt there's anyone offended. And if so, they didn't have the balls to alert any authorities, so more freedom to you.
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[Eggsy tilts his head back, truly enjoying the warmth.]
Not much sun where m'from. No water like this either.
[He realizes he's making London sound like some bloody awful place, and he is actually quite attached to it. Eggsy shrugs at himself, then looks back towards Jack.]
They ain't the smallest briefs, so it's not too scandalous. [Or he wouldn't have attempted it with all these people about.] Anyways, you live here your whole life or you just show up one day?
after sundown in Maurtia Falls, some night after 10/9 idk
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That's why he's entirely shameless and is probably pissing people off in the vegetable section. Whoops. Toby's got the cart and, as Dorian walks back towards the cart, rudely brushing past and slightly jostling Jack with his elbow in the process, he can't help but give Toby a grin. ]
I vote we go the liquor store after this, [ said with a smile. As he puts the bag of tomatoes in the cart, Dorian can't help but lean over to Toby and give him a quick kiss on the lips. Dorian looks like he's in cloud nine right now ]
weeps into hands, i'm so sorry
jack's wiping around, about ready to beam someone with the artichoke he's been holding on to for nearly a full minute, opens his mouth to say something impossibly rude, but his voice dies abruptly in his throat.
David. That's David. David fucking Shepherd.
But that's not just David, that's David Shepherd, having just brushed right past him, kissing another man, in the middle of a populated grocery store. They're still moving away from him, and the artichoke has slipped from his hand onto the floor, as he gapes at their backs. he's in shock, not sure what to think of it, how to make sense of it, but his tendency for mood swings seems to take over the reaction part for him. his body lurches forward, covering the distance with a few long strides, and grips David's (not-David's) bicep, jerking him around to face him. ]
David, you fucking liar. [ he seethes, out, teeth bared, but his head is shaking, lips almost pulling into a smile at how hilariously appropriate this is. ] I actually believed you. Me. I actually thought you came to Shiloh wide-eyed and innocent and painfully, stupidly good, but you hid better than I ever could. And my sister?
[ he barks a laugh, something abrupt and completely devoid of actual humor. all this time - the relationship with michelle, the seemingly innocent love for her, playing it off like it had absolutely nothing to do with the crown, and here he is, kissing a man with no thought of Michelle whatsoever. he'd played them. it had to be. ] It's honestly kind of perfect. You know, I'd give you kudos if I didn't feel like ripping your head off your shoulders right now.
[ even in this, creating a farce to hide behind, david still managed to beat him. ]
no, never be sorry, this is great, bwahahaha
Suddenly, there's a hand seizing his arm in a tight grip, and it quickly yanks Toby back.]
Get off me—!
[Startled, he stares in wide-eyed shock at a completely unfamiliar face, someone confrontational and angry for... things. Toby knows absolutely nothing about what this man is talking about.]
Wh-What? You must have me mistaken for someone else, I don't know what you're talking about!
i am also in the never be sorry camp
Because really, what is he talking about. Shiloh, his sister, hiding, what? Dorian has absolutely no context for anything Jack's saying, all he knows is he's just about ready to haul off and hit this man for yanking and yelling at Toby like that. Toby's reacting to this with confusion, Dorian's reacting with sheer anger. ]
Back off, [ Dorian simply responds, scowl on his face as he glares at Jack. His fists are still clenched and he still looks downright pissed off. ]
:'| bless you guys
[ makes sense. so what were the family? the mother, the brothers? jack's starting to wonder, maybe the plot to frame david as a traitor worked so well because it wasn't actually that far from reality. after all, it's true - it was an absurd series of unlikley events that brought david to court. he hears the boytoy speak up, feels the rage roll off of him, but jack's made a career out of dismissing people. a comment is cast dorian's direction, offhand, like a sidenote. ]
Stay out of it, flavor of the week. [ that's all the regard dorian gets, not so much as a glance shot his direction, jack's eyes still settled hard on David-Not-David's face. He's always had such difficulty believing in anything past what he could see. ]
Dad figured it out, didn't he. That's why he went tyrannical levels of batshit on you? [ how much had he ended up stupidly, blindly, foolishly helping him. standing up in the trial, spilling the truth about the framing, knowing he was facing execution just to clear david's name. lord, it's pathetic, looking back on it now, and that boils under his skin, in his blood, viciousness seeping into his tone. somewhere underneath, hurt, but jack's always been so good at covering hurt with fury. ] I was ready to die for you, you conniving little prick. You're worse than any of us were.
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[Yes, Toby has met a lot of people, much like Dorian has. That's what happens in over one hundred—well, in Toby's case, nearly three hundred—years, even after spending several lifetimes alone. He's met people, plenty of them. He has skeletons in his closet, too. But none of them involve... whatever this stranger is talking about. And it's hard to know where to begin protesting when someone unloads baggage Toby has no recollection of or any connection to, for that matter.]
I don't know who you think I am, or expect me to be, but I'm telling you. I'm not that person, this... David, is he? I'm not him, I know nothing about him or whatever he has to do with your family, I don't even know you.
[Dorian's already prepared to fight, and as a trio of imPorts having this argument, they're attracting quite a bit of attention. At least Toby has the presence of mind to realize they don't know what this fellow can do, or how dangerous he might be. Toby swallows his nervousness, attempts to maintain composure and be reasonable.]
Look, can we at least take this outside, please?
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Dorian is definitely prepared to fight and is ready to just haul off and smack Jack in the middle of the grocery store. How dare he. How dare this stupid little boy come her and start spouting nonsense about his Toby. And how dare he accuse Dorian of being something someone can just toss away! He doesn't care about why this guy thinks Toby's someone else, he doesn't care about the thought that this means there's someone else who looks eerily like Toby, he just wants to haul off and punch this man. A part of him wants to retort 'why, whatever he wants to say, he can say here', but then he looks over at Toby, who's desperately trying to keep some sort of control. If Toby wants to take it outside, he'll gladly take it outside.
After all, if need be, he can punch this person inside or outside. ]
If you honestly believe Toby's some sort of farm boy, then you're dumber than you look. But yeah, I am perfectly fine taking this outside.
[ Toby's smart enough to realize they don't know what the fellow can do. Dorian's bullheaded enough to pretty much just be mentally stuck on 'this guy deserves to be punched.' ]
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[ Jack does, actually, glance towards Dorian now, brows raised with a look that's near amused. he hums, mock-contemplative for a moment, and then shrugs, shaking his head. ]
No, I like it here, let's stay.
[ He's not worried about a fight. Maybe he should be, given this place is full of people with absurd powers, and if David's here, he must be an imPort. Maybe he was granted super strength, or maybe his new boyfriend was, and what combat experience Jack has from the military won't mean shit, but it's Jack. He broke up with his boyfriend in Shiloh, and promptly went to pick a fight in which he screamed at a man to hit him. Taking damage isn't something he's in the emotional state to worry about right now. Apparently, being caught on grocery store cameras isn't either. Then again, if someone's going to throw the first punch here, it won't be him. So that'll look good for him as well. ]
If I'm so gravely mistaken, then let's hear it. Who are you, really, and where's your proof of it?
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Wait, Dorian—it's fine. [His tone says he'll brook no argument, though it's absolutely ridiculous Toby has to deal with any of this at all.
He swallows, his free hand going to his back pocket as he glares hard at the other man.]
I don't know who you are, or who you think you are, and why I have anything to prove to you. But I'm Tobias Matthews.
[Once his wallet is out, he shoots a quick glance at Dorian to make sure he doesn't do anything, then lowers his other hand to flip through the wallet. As he does so, he adds,]
Does your David have a reflection? Can his likeness be captured? Look around us, at the mirrors or anything else like them. I don't show up in any of them, and the same goes for my I.D.
[With that, he moves present his old work card to the stranger.
His new employment as a phone sex operator doesn't have a physical ID.He then glances back at Dorian before caressing his face and trying to calm him down.]no subject
Those quick glances, Toby putting his hand out, just trying to get between Dorian and Jack is doing wonders for keeping Dorian from flying off the handle. And when Toby mentions his lack of reflection, his inability to be photographed, that scowl of Dorian's takes on a darkly smug tone. Because really, what were the odds that this David person didn't have a reflection at all? Near minimal, Dorian knew that much. Toby was right and this new annoyance looked like a fool.
Dorian finally relaxes a bit when Toby turns back to him, his hand caressing Dorian's face. And then it's like letting the air out of a balloon. Dorian relaxes, his fists unclench, he visibly deflates a bit. Just a touch from Toby is enough to make him calm down a little bit. ]
If that doesn't convince him, there is another way, [ Dorian adds in, under his breath, said more to Toby than to Jack. And, as Dorian brings a hand up to his throat to undo the top button of his shirt, exposing more of his neck, it's obvious what 'other way' Dorian is thinking about. There's a little part of Dorian that's thinking that Toby nomming on his neck will definitely get them banned from the grocery store, but the majority of his thoughts are still dedicated to proving Jack Benjamin wrong. ]
i spent way too long looking at chris egan's chest for this but i'm okay with it tbh
And how do I know that's an ability you were born with and not something the Porter granted you? [ that's the big issue right there, and as toby's holding up his ID, Jack reaches straight passed it, towards the hand holding it, to yank down his sleeve. There it is. ImPort tattoo. Lifting up his own arm, Jack's pushing his coat sleeve up to show the same - ImPort, Registered. ] There's plenty I can do now that I couldn't do at home. If the alternative has anything to do with a power, save it. It's not good enough.
[ for one, he couldn't do Charm Speak despite how well he could mimic it on false charm alone, and he sure as hell couldn't shapeshift. which makes him wonder if this is something along the lines of shapeshifting - but it looking like David is giving a shapeshifter such issue, why not just change back? and where would he have seen david to begin with to know how to mimic him? for jack, he has to be aware of every tiny little feature to get an immitation completely spot on--
Oh. That's a thing. ]
But here's food for thought. If I don't know you, why is it I can tell you without looking -- [ jack reaches up a hand, pointing at the side of Toby's throat, though not touching, at one prominent mark, surrounded by a couple lighter ones, making a circling sort of motion with his index finger. ] You have a pattern of moles that starts here.
Then goes here [ his finger actually touches to the man's chest, directly over this pattern, or, close to it, at least. ] here, and here. You've worn v-necks around me before. I'm closeted, not dead.
[ of course he fucking looked. maybe longer than he should have, but we're not here to talk about his mixed feelings on david shepherd and the appeal of his skin. it also didn't help that david was looming over him, with a hand on his shoulder, the entire ride on the humvee until his father's helicopter touched down. all jack had to stare at out of his one good eye was the half unbuttoned shirt he had on. ]
i did that too! i love looking for prominent marks like beauty marks and things XD
When the stranger takes his arm instead of the ID, Toby is quick to pull away after his imPort tattoo is revealed. Then, he mentions marks on Toby's neck and chest; how is it possible that this stranger's David is so similar and has the same exact marks? The idea that someone else than Dorian seems so familiar with Toby's body is disturbing, but still Toby worries about the alternative.]
Dorian Gray here knows me from my world, knows me far more intimately than anyone else ever will. What he can say goes far beyond the physical.
[Hopefully that will stroke Dorian's ego. Toby is determined to remain Dorian's heart's desire, no matter what. He'll quash the notion that anyone else is, has been, or can ever be more familiar with him than Dorian.]
I don't suppose someone completely like him is in your world, too? Someone you've obviously looked at, perhaps even wanted to touch but never could. [There's some measure of vitriol in his tone as he continues.] I don't know that you'll take either of our words over your opinion, but Dorian knows that I'm exactly as I had been back in our home world. The alternative would reveal that much, and certainly he'll revel in it as much as I will, but.
[Though Toby himself loves Dorian and his blood, the idea of feeding in front of this stranger, in front of so many others... He doesn't think he can do it. His voice is low when he continues, and his words are directed to both Dorian and the stranger.]
Not if we stay here.
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It does stroke his ego. Dorian looks over at Toby, giving him a small loving smile as the other man continues. He's looking at Toby like Toby's the world as he continues talking. Because yeah, they do know each other in a strictly intimate sense. But there's just so much more than just sex with these two, and he's just so happy that Toby's comfortable enough with it that he's telling a practical stranger. ]
Really, it'd just be easier if you'd simply believe him, [ Dorian added in, looking over at Jack. Because it's just now occurring to him that Toby might not want to feed in front of this stranger, this guy he doesn't really know (even though Dorian knows they both would love it.) ] Why would David lie to you anyway? If he's someone you care about, surely he'd have given up on the charade by now, wouldn't he?
[ a small pause before, ] As for the second method, there's a small copse of trees behind the store. I doubt we'd be disturbed there.
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[ let it not be sad that jack was ever a romantic. Like, ever. At all. Just doesn't happen. He's never even seen his parent be actually romantic for the sake of romance. That sneer grows ever more with the suggestion that jack wants David in a physical way, or even emotional. Maybe, if David were just some boy in a club, sure, but David single handedly dismantled his life. He'd thought, before his uncle went batshit after the coup, that David was the best of all of them, for a time. Wanted to live up to the noble image David had of him, actually be that man, but... Well, then David brought not only tanks to Shiloh, but he brought back Silas, and that's something Jack can never forgive him for. ]
I'm not nearly desperate or pathetic enough to covet David. Even if he weren't the sole responsible party for near every difficulty in my life, I still wouldn't. [ probably. Probably to the last one. But he wouldn't be David if he weren't so obnoxiously good in a way that nulled every excuse jack had not to be. Well, if that really was David. If this one standing in front of him is telling the truth. Though, as he thinks of it, this isn't the first time it's happened to him. Three people on his network post mistook him for 'Bucky Barnes', and when jack looked up the network history for the tag, the man wasn't only similar - he was identical. Something Jack hasn't really come to terms with yet, or decided how to feel about it. Strange, to look at your face and see someone else behind it. It would be, well, hilariously appropriate for Jack to have to stare at a David that isn't David during all his time here. Maybe God followed him from Shiloh after all. The lines of Jack's expression harden, eyes cold as they pass over Dorian and Toby both, considering them and the arguments they offer. His tone comes out low, hollowed, something changed in it. ]
Everyone in Shiloh lies, and I don't "care" about David. [ not in the sense Dorian's meaning. They aren't allies, they aren't even friends. Jack swallows, remembers standing in front of his father and near begging for execution. David just stood there, stoic, watching. And when they dragged him away to a fate far worse, he hadn't even flinched. ] The last time I saw him, he'd delivered me straight into a death sentence after I called him a friend.
[ cold eyes slide to Toby again, as if checking one last time for something telling behind his eyes. ] If David knew what's best for him, he'd stay hidden.
[ a beat passes, and eventually, jack nods, assenting. ]
Fine. Let's see it. [ off he goes, marching for the store exit ]
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If there's anything the stranger might catch behind Toby's eyes, it's deadness. Because Toby has been undead over two-hundred sixty years, and had permanently put himself to rest thirty years ago. At least, it seemed like he was completely done for, but Dorian had made a contract to bring back his heart's desire. As such, Toby has returned, but not truly to life. No, he probably would never be alive in that sense, never again.
He doesn't bother commenting on the stranger's words, saves his breath rather than arguing about who David is or what the stranger's relationship is with him. Instead, Toby simply files the information away, not knowing if he'll learn anything more than that. He undoubtedly sees the man's bitterness at some sort of betrayal, but there's more to that relationship than meets the eye. Maybe David is someone like Ivar. But that's hardly any of Toby's business, and he doesn't care so long as the man leaves him and Dorian in peace.
So he takes Dorian's hand and gives it a squeeze before also heading to exit the grocery.]
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What matters is that they get this sorted out.
As Toby squeezes his hand, Dorian can't help but give the other man a small, comforting smile. He knows this is stupid. They both know this is stupid. But they'll plow through this bullshit and they'll sort everything out. It's got to be that way, after all.
He sets the basket down as the three head out of the store, Dorian glaring daggers at the back of Jack's head. Because really, this is all ridiculous. This isn't David, he doesn't know why this man would think Toby's David, and he's just too damn stubborn to accept the truth.
As they exit and leave the store, Dorian's free hand goes up to his neck as he starts to fumble with buttons, attempting to undo the top few, getting this out of the way now so they could simply go ahead and prove this annoyance wrong. ]
Jack & Ronan & Birdfriend, this log is now also a catch all
aside from the nightmarish bird screeching happening down one (1) dark alley to the left. jack seriously considers not looking into it, because that's just asking to be grossly murdered. however, there's also some banging going on, and sounds of scuffling. pass by and ignore it, possibly letting someone be murdered? or risk also being murdered and check it out? well, he didn't look into a conceal and carry license upon coming into this world for nothing. here we go.
a fucking nightmare bird-person. that's what it is. he'd been hoping there was something a little less literally what it sounded like, but no. that's it. something out of a horror film, trying to rip a teenager to shreds. and, even as it's line of sight passes over jack, doesn't seem at all interested in him - just the kid. he could still back out of this, pretend he never saw it. ...and know he let this kid die.
fuck. ]
Get down! [ is all Jack's shouting before he's pulling the pistol out from the shoulder holster hidden under his suit jacket. he's a war veteran in a world full of people with ridiculously destructive superpowers. of course he carries a fucking gun with him. and it a pretty good shot with it, as he fires off several rounds at the bird-thing. lord, it's ugly. ]
i love catchalls.
[Gunfire.]
[It's stupid exhaustion and adrenaline that makes Ronan expect to see someone familiar standing where Jack is. For one, the guy with the gun is just too short to be anyone Ronan expects. No, it's a stranger. Ronan yells,] Fucking run!
[But the bird is already barreling toward him, screaming with its mouthless face. The bullets did damage-- there's blood pouring from shallow wounds-- but not enough, evidently, to really do anything but scar. Ronan is trying to move fast, to get between the monster and the man, but he's not fast enough.]
catchalls are my favorite
now is not the time to be thinking about that, because this bird freak is charging at him. well fuck. it's at least being hit, and bleeding. the words 'bastard child of a bird and a man' filter into his mind as it draws closer, jack firing several more rounds into it as he backs up, and the realization that this is the thing Gansey had been warning about comes to mind. fuck.
jerking back a last couple steps, jack reaches out for a nearby trashcan, tosses it down between the two of them, and kicks it to roll towards the bird thing, hoping to at least distract if not trip it up, before he runs towards the other kid, rather than away. ] You run, moron! You have a tire iron!
[ jack's already in this, he isn't going anywhere, though he is frantically trying to pull his phone from his pocket to at least call the police. maybe scare the thing off. ]
no subject
It's afraid of fucking tire irons, asshole!
[Thank you, O savior. Ronan continues to run toward Jack, and when he gets there, he stands before him protectively. Ronan is over six feet tall. He's doing okay in the protection department.]
I got this. Fucking run.
Asher & Jack & The Gym Gay
not to say he's constantly eyeing up every man that passes by for a quickie in the locker rooms (though, lbr, he's not going to say no to it), but there's a certain level of freeing spirit in the fact he can. mostly, Jack's just concerned about working out. spends time on treadmills, swims some, and finds himself at the strength training equipment often enough. having the physical wear on his body helps in the way that starting fights in bars when he's feeling particularly shitty about life would - not quite the same, but a better alternative, at least. eventually, jack's hanging out on whatever the hell you call this thing, quietly counting sets off in his head, when some guy definitely worth an elevator eye or two is... checking himself out in the mirror.
like, aggressively checking himself out.
despite jack's taking the time to check out the dude's ass in those gym shorts himself, there's also a small smirk pulling at his lips for the man's antics. you do you, dude. sure. why not. ]
no subject
To be fair, the services they offer are pretty damn great.]
Ch'yeaaaaaaaah.
[The ex-fratboy seems sufficiently satisfied with his front, hair and arms especially, so he turns around to inspect his rear. Unfortunately, he's still so focused on his appearance, he fails to notice Jack at all. The next few words he utters are even more regrettable:]
Oh my god. Is one cheek bigger than the other? This is bulldonks, yo.
no subject
and this dude is definitely fun to watch, not only for the eye candy aspect of it, but because jack's really not sure if he's being completely serious, or if his personality is actually this ridiculous.
but sure, whatever. he'll take it. and actually calls out from the machine he's just ended a set on, answering the question he's pretty sure brodude here was only asking himself and the mirror. ]
Hard to tell. Give it a flex and let's see.
[ is he joking? maybe. possibly not. the world may never know. (but do it, asher) ]
no subject
Apparently not-]
Whoa.
Is that my inner dude?
[Conscience, the voice inside one's head, etc etc.-]
Why does he sound so different?
[wut has he been smokin
Then, nervously, as if he's taking the voice seriously:]
You really think I should?