Skeleton City // Canon

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[this whole thing could have gone better, really. he thought that maybe they'd finally have something for him, now that they're taking things seriously. now that their lives so depend on it. but no, they just filled him up with the same old stuff and waited while he groggily fumbled around, nearing, reaching for, and spectacularly avoiding death.

it wasn't until they burned him alive that they really started being afraid of him. he wonders if they're going to tell the whole world. maybe they'll finally know about him, and then a new game will begin.

but there, chained up to the wall, he's not really in the mood for games. not in the mood for the man they're sending in.]

Comments

[hatesblindjokes]

[and he sure as hell isn't in the mood to be their either, but a job's a job, and this guy could be real trouble. he'll at least admit he's curious, though he'd rather not have to do this under the eyes of the Chief, those scientists, all those guards.]

All right, sunshine. We're gonna have a talk.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[he doesn't move. just hangs there, completely still.]

[hatesblindjokes]

...

[but if he ain't gonna talk, it's not exactly gonna be easy work. he looks at the Chief, who nods at him. that's not the answer he was looking for, so he sighs. he tries again.]

Look asshole, I know you can hear me. The sooner you start cooperating, the sooner I can get the fuck out of here, and the sooner you can go back to... hangin' there, or whatever shit you've got going.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[this time he at least glances, tilting his head sluggishly in Vincent's direction.]

[hatesblindjokes]

[okay, maybe now they can start going somewhere.

unfortunately, Vincent's never been so good with words. he really is the worst person for this job. this time, at least, his lack of words is in part because he can't seem to put his finger on something.]

...So I guess we'll start easy. These guys find you tearing up lizardmen down in the 6th. You could have ripped those guys to pieces, easy. If burning doesn't kill you, pretty sure bullets ain't an issue either.

So what's the deal? Why sit around here like someone's kicked puppy?

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[he narrows his eyes, but stays silent.]

[hatesblindjokes]

We're gonna run out of theories pretty fast. You thinkin' of waiting until they're used to you? Then, what... gut them in their sleep or something? You lookin' for something? Information, maybe?

[and then, after a moment of thought.] A free ride?

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[there's no change in his expression.]

[hatesblindjokes]

[this guy's frustrating. Vincent's almost starting to doubt that he can actually talk, or even understand what he's saying.]

Or am I just gonna get another "reformed monster" story? Saw the error of your ways, refuse to harm human beings, seeking repentance and all that shhh...

[hatesblindjokes]

[and then it hits him like a boxing blow to the side of the head.]

You're not--

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[he shifts his head, more decided, cutting Vincent off. from there he glares, wary and subtly seething, at the Chief and the scientists who're peering in on their conversation.]

[hatesblindjokes]

[he looks, a little startled, between this thing and the people in the window. the chief looks back, confused as to why he's stopping. the scientists are visibly nervous.]

Hey... [said to no one in particular.] Hey, here's a crazy idea.

[and then he stops and moves back towards the door.]

How 'bout you guys... not stand around this door for a while? Go make sandwiches or something.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[and that actually actively catches his attention--he's distracted from his purposeful glaring by the proposal and cranes his head to look curiously back. the action drags their onlookers eyes into following, though the chief's already frowning as she tries to figure out what Vincent is up to.]

[hatesblindjokes]

[the next night, at around 5am (when there's the lightest shift), Vincent unceremoniously shoves the door back into the room, and steps in.]

Hey.

[he just kicks the heavy door closed with his boot, the sound reverberating through the walls, before he walks right on up to the creature hunched up by the corner.]

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[said creature does not appreciate this, looking up in surprise as the walls shutter and then scrambling away from the approaching figure. the action seems inhuman, especially how he slouches and practically walks on four legs.

he's also not afraid to bare his sharp, pointed teeth and growl at him, like a dog getting ready to bite.]

[hatesblindjokes]

Hey, it's all right. You aren't in trouble or nothin'.

[and then he just plops down on the floor, fairly harmless.]

Figured I'd try talking to you again, is all.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[the growling tapers off and the tension starts to ease out of his shoulders--he glances towards the windows, though, as if half-expecting someone to be there.]

[hatesblindjokes]

No tricks. [he settles against the wall, crossing his arms.] Can't think straight with all those guys staring in at me anyway.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[and there really isn't anyone there, so he eases up and sits back a bit, tilting his head at this weird guy...]

They just let you in here?

[hatesblindjokes]

Nah, I got tricks.

[he flicks a couple cards--ones he'd been fumbling to keep a hold of since he first opened the door onto the floor between them. one i.d. slides to just a couple feet away from the other.]

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[he reaches out for it--tapping it with a nail first, then with his finger, like someone quickly checking to see if something is too hot. then he scrapes it up and flips it around at the ends of his fingertips, holding it up above his head to look.]

[hatesblindjokes]

[he, on the other hand, isn't really paying attention.]

These guys don't check dates too close. Most of 'em are just waiting for their shift to be over. Not strictly legal, but whatever.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[having read it, he smells it next. then he lifts his head, sniffing at the air. a moment later, he skitters over to Vincent and sniffs at the air around his face, frowning.]

Are you drunk?

[hatesblindjokes]

... It's kind of a hobby.

[he moves to push the creature's face away.]

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[he dodges out of the way of that hand, backing up again... but when the danger of having his face touched goes away, he extends his arm to hand the card back to Vincent.]

Discharged for misconduct.