29. » spam + text

[tolaywaste]

spam } barge, day 1

[He died. He was alone. He was in the dark. There was not much air because the heat of his passage strangled it out, and then there was nothing, because his head was cut off by . . . something. Some monster.]

[Some man.]

[Marsh.]

[He remembers the way his body tried to keep breathing, even though it absolutely couldn't. And he remembers waking up, as alone in life-after-death as he was in death. More alone. Erik is gone. Charles is gone.]

[He trembles when no one is around, feeling hemmed in by the airless levels and the close quarters. But when people are nearby, he acts bigger than he is, a cornered animal reminding other animals that he is still more dangerous than them. Look at him sideways, stand too close to him, and he'll lash out with his fists or his powers. There's madness in his eyes and a scar on his neck, and he is alone, alone, alone.]

text } end day 1

Fuck loyalty. Nobody's loyal.

spam } port, remainder

[Now it's too open. He is practically agoraphobic after the close quarters of the broken-down Barge; it's too bright out here, and the people look at him with suspicion as he looks at them with fear and aggression.]

[It won't be long before he tries to pick a fight with someone he shouldn't on the ground, but before that his fear will get the best of him. He'll stick close to the few people he still knows and trusts. Everyone else will be attacked, no questions asked - maybe a couple answered.]


( ooc; text refers to this; alex's backstory here. encounter him anywhere, let me know how much damage you're cool with your character incurring. return tags coming from letslip. )

Comments

[ Spam ]

[letslip]

[It works. Not for long, but for now, it works. He anchors himself in Ben's eyes and Ben's faith and for the next five, ten minutes, he'll be able to breathe.]

[He exhales, his chest rising and falling, cooling, and he smiles again, sweet as an innocent, even if he's anything but that. Part of him still doubts that Ben will stay with him, but he'll put that part away for now, pretend it isn't around so that Ben will keep looking at him like that.]

[His fingers curl, tightening in his friend's shirt, his eyes sharp and insistent.]

I'll be a good soldier. I'll do what needs to be done.

[Look how good I can be, he wants to shout, but makes himself stand still at attention, dusting his fingerprints over the collar of Ben's shirt.]

[ Spam ]

[warisart]

I know.

[For once - not here, but other places - there is a softness about Ben that meets the desperation in Alex without relenting or persisting. He can be still, solid and secure, and he will be here until he is not. Alex doubts him, he knows, but Ben is unwavering in his faith. He will be here until the Admiral no longer wishes him to be.

He will be perfect, so that does not come to pass. He will be loyal, he will be true, strong enough and good enough. His fingers press for a moment more firmly against Alex's chest, a five-point constellation of affection and approval, and then he steps back but not away.

He steps back carefully, so Alex's grip in his shirt will draw him along with him.]

We have made port. We should do reconnaissance, and gather supplies. Will you come with me, Alex?

[ Spam ]

[letslip]

[And Alex does follow, his steps in perfect sync, his approach as flawless in form as Ben's retreat. His movements are a mirror of his friend's, and that, he thinks, is as it should be. He stays close enough that he can watch the tiny, sharp movements of Ben's eyes, the twitches of his lips.]

I'll come with you.

[He is very close, his eyes very wide, mouth twisted in the beginnings of a sharp laugh. He is unstable, but all of a sudden so happy, so thrilled.]

[Ben did this. Ben made him this way. He ought to believe.]

[Maybe someday.]

I'll come with you and do what needs to be done. In this place, with these people. With you.