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]

[and despite their protests, Vincent is insistent about it.]

He's not gonna do anything. He's strung up to the wall, for crying out loud.

[and then, slowly, hesitantly, one of them leaves to get permission from the chief. she, after a moment of consideration, lets them go, and the door closes on the cell, sealing it.]

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[with the door closed and the guards leaving to go join the others, his attention shifts towards following the newly-moving people along their path.]

[hatesblindjokes]

[he steps closer, lowering his voice.]

Now the room's all sealed up. So long as you don't talk to loud--

[birdsbirdsbirds]

They won't hear.

[muttered low and easy to miss, and his eyes flicker towards the shocked reaction from just outside the window.]

I know.

[hatesblindjokes]

[unfortunately, Vincent is right there with the rest of them. more fortunately, he seems to be the only one pleased with it.]

You son of a bitch! You can talk.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[but he is apparently not much the talking type, since he just shoots Vincent a look of, 'yeah, so what now?']

[hatesblindjokes]

And see, now I gotta admit that I'm getting really fuckin' confused.

[his voice softens again.]

Figured something was off when I walked in here. You got the looks, you got the piss-poor attitude, but you don't smell like a monster at all.

So what the fuck are you doing in here?

[birdsbirdsbirds]

I'm dangerous. [he curls his fingers absently, chains clanking against the wall.] Think they'd just let me walk out on my word?

[hatesblindjokes]

...Guess not. [this guy has a good point.] Since you seem to have spooked half the staff into thinkin' you're hiding under their beds at night.

But there's gotta be... I mean, shit, these guys ain't the high branch of the military. You could cut 'em a deal, humor 'em for a couple of weeks. If you're not a monster, you could be--

[birdsbirdsbirds]

Valuable? Some new creature to gawk at?

[his stare turns sharp, his lips thinning in a silent rage as he stops looking at anything in particular. he's already done with this conversation.]

I will give them nothing. I am not their tool, I am not their test subject.

[hatesblindjokes]

[it's frightening, listening to the venom in those words. he glances up towards the glass, at the people he so adamantly hates, then back towards the creature.]

Then they'll ship you off to the capitol. And those guys'll do a lot worse.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[the creature looks away.]

There's nothing for you here, brab'ja. Don't waste your time.