video | username: NAILS | sometime after powers go all cray

[nichocolatine]

[ oh hey alastair. 'sup. how's your day going? probably loads better than badou's, if the sudden video broadcast of what has to be the saddest image to grace this freaky network is of any indication. he's on the ground somewhere outside, probably deep into the island's forests from the look of all the dirt and greenery, but it's kinda hard to focus on the setting when you factor in the rest of him.

real talk? he ain't looking so good. bruised, beaten, and bleeding, he looks like he got into a fight with a demon-possessed blender and, not only did he lose, but that blender pretty much made him its bitch.

speaking of — son of a bitch that hurt. and not just in one area, either, it was one of those great "all over even where the sun don't shine" kinda pains and it's a wonder he hasn't cried or died from it already. he looks on the verge of it though, both of those, probably gonna be at the same time but for now, for the blessed moment of now, he manages to keep it together. ]

So, uh. s'There a doctor in the house?

[ help, he's fallen and he can't get up.

he's moving, at least, if the stilted way he tries to wiggle a hand into one of his pockets can even be counted as "moving." it takes him far too long, with a lot of guttural muttering, but eventually he manages to fish out a single cigarette. this he shakily lifts up to his mouth, which unfortunately bobs precariously since he can't seem to stop talking. ]

Preferably one that ain't gotta wave a wand at me, f'you catch my drift, I'm thinking I reached my """"magic"""" quota for the day, thanks. [ bitter? who? him? ] Just a head's up — if walk in on a blue tattooed thing wandering 'round looking like he might wanna murder ya, SPOILERS he's gonna wanna murder ya so, y'know, don't.

[ shaky hands bring up a lighter, and the flame comes dangerously close to his nose as he tries to light the cigarette hanging from his lips. ]

Sonuvabitch made me waste an entire magazine on him too, where the hell am I gonna get more of that 'round here, huh—

[ he cuts off suddenly, watching in horror as the cigarette falls from his mouth, landing uselessly beside his head. it seems the last of his strength leaves him in that moment, his hands also falling uselessly to his sides.

he draws in a deep, shaky breath, staring up blanking into the sky. for a second, just silence.

and then, in a glorious wail— ]

I FUCKING HATE IT HEEEEEEERE!

Comments

[nichocolatine]

[ wow?? that's rude why does everyone automatically think this is his fault?

(because it kind of sort of partly is. shhh.) ]

Who knows? [ badou's got a pretty good idea, but he's also pretty sure he ain't even got half the story. ]

Maybe he got a thing against redheads...

[strikingtwice]

[Well at least he's not so badly hurt that he can't make light of the situation. Meallan doesn't know him well but that's generally a good sign, right?]

I'll have to keep an eye out in that case.

Have you managed to find a healer?

[nichocolatine]

[ ginger solidarity :'| ]

So far I've managed to find Diddly and Squat.

[ so: no. ]

[strikingtwice]

Did you need a hand getting to a safer place? You don't look like you can move particularly well.

[And if there really is someone out there aiming to attack people as he says... Surely all because he's been hurt once doesn't mean he's safe from it happening again.]

[nichocolatine]

I can move, it just hurts like a motherfucker.

[ that is to say, yes, yes he would like some help please.

sorry for your delicate elf ears.... ]

[strikingtwice]

Better to get somewhere safer in that case. Whereabouts are you? I'll get there as quickly as I can.

[Assuming he can figure out where that is anyway.]

[nichocolatine]

[ badou's shoulders lift in a rather hapless gesture. the jewelry, at least, shows a scenery similar to the one meallan himself had broadcasted not too long ago. ]

It's.. green?

[ the most helpful, it is him. ]

[strikingtwice]

Fortunately for you, I know a bit about tracking in the wilderness. I think I recognise where you are, more or less, so it shouldn't take me too long to reach you.

[Especially since he'll be moving quickly to try and reach him on the off chance that whatever attacked him wants to try again.]

In the meantime... if you don't mind my asking, but what were you doing before you were attacked? Anything that might have gotten attention?

[nichocolatine]

[ why does everyone keep blaming him for this......... ]

I wasn't doing shit. Was wandering along, minding my own business, y'know?

[ technically a lie. he saw shit starting to happening and it pretty much set off his spider-senses. so he went to check it out, to see if it was a dangerous as he had a feeling it would be and, lo and behold.

don't misunderstand — he didn't seek it out for a thrill. but he had his guns on him, and he knew some people here didn't.

most of the time, back home, a gun was more than enough. ]

Guess I walked in on his territory or something. He asked for help, so I thought to help him.

[ ...

with bullets. ]

[strikingtwice]

[WOW DEFENSIVE MUCH BADOU]

I was more worried that something in particular might have set him off. Loud noises or sudden movements, things like that.

[Because on the off chance that he's still nearby, Meallan would rather not cause this to happen all over again.]

Wait, he asked you for help? To get you off-guard?

[nichocolatine]

[ IT'S NOT BEING DEFENSIVE IF IT'S TRUE? ]

Who the hell knows — I seemed to walk in on him in the middle of things. Alls I know was — I hear some dude in pain and shit, I go and check it out, this .. guy??? is standing there looking like he's about to pull a volcano and explode himself, and then he's shouting for help so I'm standing there thinking, well shit I guess I should and now look at me.

[strikingtwice]

He needed help and he attacked you?

[Odd but not unusual he supposes, but Meallan realises he's close now and drops the amulet, looking around and noting the signs of others having passed through the area, of combat, and following it to where the other man is waiting.]

There you are. Creators, you're a sight. Do you think you can walk with help?

[Because he's only got one arm so carrying is going to be a bit difficult.]

[nichocolatine]

[ badou's expression is rather somber by the time meallan gets to him. even when the other redhead draws closer, badou's eye remains staring blankly up at the sky. ]

It was a very specific kinda help, [ he explains, after a few moments of silence. whether or not he heard meallan's other words is left dubious; his mind is clearly stuck on something else. ]

[strikingtwice]

[The mood has shifted it seems, and Meallan advances slowly, keeping a cautious eye on their surroundings just to be safe but his attention largely focused on the other redhead.]

I think I have an idea of where this might be going. [His voice is lower, keeping this just between them and Meallan pauses for a second before he drops down to crouch next to the other man.]

Whatever happened, I know you would have tried to do as much as you could.

[nichocolatine]

[ badou finally acknowledges meallan's presence, at least in that his gaze flickers over to the other. ]

Do ya?

[ his lips twist into a wry grin. it almost looks like a grimace. ]

That's a lotta faith in somebody you just met, buddy.

[strikingtwice]

Is it really? [Meallan gives him a faint smile and shrugs his good arm.]

Perhaps, but I don't mind. I'd rather trust people I just met and risk getting hurt than distrust them and risk driving away a friend.

Some of my closest friends were people others wouldn't have trusted long enough to get to know them.

[nichocolatine]

[ badou's expression crinkles a bit at that; some weird mix of amusement and concern. ]

...pain must not mean much to ya, then.

[ none too subtly, his gaze shifts to the other redhead's missing arm. or maybe not. ]

You'da probably like this guy then. [ his tone grows light once more, letting his eye fall shut. ] He seems real untrustworthy. Pretty sure he don't even trust himself.

[strikingtwice]

[He tenses just a little and shifts to tuck his left arm further back.]

Sometimes the people who don't trust themselves seem more trustworthy, don't they? [He asks, forcing lightness into his voice.]

Who would you rather trust, someone who tells you not to or someone who insists that they're the most trustworthy person you'll ever meet?

[nichocolatine]

[ neither, he wants to say, because life has taught him you can really only trust yourself.

but he stays quiet, because he'd probably be lying. ]

...dunno.

[ he smiles then, but the gesture doesn't quite reach his eye. ]

Should I trust you?

[strikingtwice]

[Conversely, Meallan does give Badou a bright, genuine smile, more earnest than the forced lightness he'd had moments before.]

That's something you might have to decide yourself I think. [He says with an amused laugh.]

Perhaps after we've known each other for a little while you can tell me how you decided.

[nichocolatine]

[ badou's lips thin, but the grin remains. from this angle, it looks a lot like a grimace, but his expression smooths out eventually.

how do you trust a man who says neither to trust him or not, he'd ask. but he has a feeling that wouldn't get them anywhere either. ]

If we still know each other after a while, then you should already know.

[strikingtwice]

Then I hope that we end up knowing each other for a very long time.

[nichocolatine]

[ .....................das p gay, yo. ]

You must get beat up a lot, dont'cha.

[ so soft, so smol, so pure. ]

[strikingtwice]

[wow rude his feelings are pansexual thnk u very much.]

[He's just going to give Badou an amused look and raise an eyebrow pointedly.]

Which of us is bleeding, again?

[nichocolatine]

This doesn't count. [ sniff. ] I didn't even get the chance to annoy him before he went all psycho on me, so there.