#12 i think

[rank1]

Passengers: Travis Touchdown, Theo Crawford, ❤️ Alina ❤️, etc
Location: Hallway somewhere between dorms and inmate bathrooms.
Date: Thurs, Apr 7, day after Another Border simulation ends.
Summary: Theo takes a swing at Travis, Alina intervenes.
Warnings: Travis will not exercise restraint against the teen squad. :'(



Travis is generally pretty opposed to the keyboard warrior shit. If your complaint merits whining on the internet but not going out and dealing with whatever bullshit is in your way, then it's not a very serious complaint, right? It's always seemed that way to him, anyway. The fuck is the point of complaining when it won't change anything?

Real feelings, the serious shit, the stuff that makes you want to grind your teeth so bad you crack a molar, the crap that keeps you awake at night counting how many cars zoom up and down the street just to think of anything else... it's a lot. And there's not really any words for that, is there? Not for him.

It's easier to live in the moment. Worry about the bad shit that's happening now, which is nothing. So what's a few flippant comments on the network, tapped out between catnaps and daydreams?

Theo having an issue with it doesn't even occur to him. If it did, he'd imagine himself stretching out an arm, putting a finger on the kid's forehead and keeping him at arm's length just like that, cartoon style. Look at the kid's pinwheeling arms. Look at those gnashing teeth, the perpetual scowl.

As is, here's Travis, wandering out of the dorm to head to the shitter, yawning as he drags on his good ol' FUCK RACISM hoodie over his bare chest and his boxers. Bare feet on the cool flooring. Man, this place could use a carpet or two. Just a little more homey...

Comments

[sanctus_dei]

[Theo, for his part, just has so much anger and nowhere to go with it, nowhere to channel it. He's also getting mightily tired of getting needled by Travis every time he opens his mouth, or at least that's the way Theo sees it. All that anger and paranoia tends to build up, only making him feel further victimized by this place. Even if the bully doesn't see himself as such and doesn't spare you a second thought any time you're not right in his immediate line of sight.

Speaking of, Theo turns the hall coming back from the bathrooms at the same time Travis was headed that way. All of that boiling resentment couldn't be doused by a quick shower, and to be confronted by Travis while it was all still fresh on his mind makes Theo hit the end of his rope. He was so sick of this guy, of everything and everyone on the Peregrine. Travis just gets to be the target for today instead of random property around the ship.

Which is why Theo stops, glowering, and whips a bottle of shampoo at Travis from across the hall with a surprising amount of ferocity from the little guy. Almost like he had a big, athletic older brother to teach him how to throw like that. It's on target, but it's still just a bottle. Theo says nothing. He doesn't know what Travis is going to do in retaliation, of anything, but he doesn't care.]

[rank1]

[Assault via shampoo bottle is new. Wholly unpainful for a guy who has had a fist through his chest and regularly does dumb shit on motorbikes and concrete, but you know, still surprising when Peregrine 'n' Shoulders bounces off your shoulder.

Travis stops in his tracks and looks at the bottle skidding across the floor on the rebound. Then he looks at Theo with a deeper furrow to his brow.]

Hey klutz, you got real fucking lucky, because if that hit me in the nuts I would have to cut yours off.

[His tone says: what is this grade school shit?]

[sanctus_dei]

[Surprise, the temperamental teenager is totally starting some grade school shit.]

Guess I need to work on my fucking aim, then.

[He holds his ground, fists balled and shoulders tense.]

[rank1]

[Travis takes a few swift steps to scoop up the bottle, and he returns to Theo to thrust it in his direction. Take it.]

You wanna start shit? Then do it like you mean it, and not like some shitty kid throwing a tantrum.

[sanctus_dei]

[Theo absolutely does not trust this. His eyes quickly dart back and forth a few times between Travis's face and the bottle.

He knows Travis can and will completely wreck him. But he ceased caring about his own health and safety long before he ever got to the Peregrine.

As fast as he can manage, he darts forward to grab that bottle and immediately whip it right back at Travis's face. To hell with a crotch shot, this would be way more satisfying.]

[rank1]

[Travis knows a shitty forward attack when he sees one, so he ducks immediately, and as he drops, he extends a leg and pivots to sweep Theo's legs out from under him.]

[sanctus_dei]

[That works like a charm, and Theo hits the ground with an annoyed grunt. He tries not to let it slow him down too much - he doesn't have much else going for himself in the athletics department, but he's quick. That's about all, though.

Theo scrambles to his feet and attempts to tackle Travis before he can fully stand back up.

Hey, at least Theo's staying to fight, and not running away.]

[rank1]

[Kid's small, untrained, unprepared to do anything but rush in like a bull. Travis takes Theo to the core like it's a bear hug rather than a tackle, even if it's one that forces him to slide a foot back to brace himself. Fucking teenagers, man. He grunts as he grapples with Theo and then shoves him off.]

No monologue about how you've had enough? No villain speech?

[Last warning.]

[sanctus_dei]

[He really does seem like the type for a nice villain monologue, but Theo opts out. Instead, his response is to knee Travis in the gut as hard as he can, punctuated with a wordless growl.]

[rank1]

Alright, punk, you asked for it.

[Angry or not, an untrained kid who seems like he'd barely clock one hundred lbs soaking wet ain't much against a man who has made a career out of murder. Travis sees it coming a mile away and catches that knee with one hand, and with Theo's balance trapped in his grip, he punches Theo in the eye with a powerful right hook. No holding back, now.]

[sanctus_dei]

[Theo hits the floor, yelling out in pain from the hit. He follows that out with a loud "FUCK!", more upset at his own ineffectiveness than the pain, for the moment.

Surprisingly, he's not done yet. Adrenaline will keep him moving for now. He lurches to his feet, anger practically radiating from him. He doesn't know how to hit this guy and it's only making him madder.

Clear thinking isn't happening now anyway, and Theo rushes at Travis again. He wants to hit him in the stomach this time. Someone somewhere along the line taught this kid how to throw a punch, but not anything else that goes along with it.]

[rank1]

[You know what, Theo's determination to keep going does register in Travis' mind; that kind of tenaciousness means something. Always does.

Not enough to stop or go easy on him, but. You know.

While Theo picks himself up, Travis waits, confident that he can just bat the kid away with every rush, and this time is no different. It's too obvious, too head-on. Travis just sidesteps this time, and when Theo passes within reach, he gives the kid a hard shove on the ass with his foot so he'll go careening into the wall.]

[sanctus_dei]

[Theo hits the wall, and while it's not graceful, he stays on his feet. He whips around and pushes off the wall, now charging in elbow-first at that face.

Just one hit. He's got to.]

[rank1]

[Again with the front and centre attacks. Travis decides to let it come close, but just barely; he ducks his head out of the way at the last second, and Theo's elbow glances off the corner of his aviators. Jostled but hardly fazed, Travis moves into the offensive, stepping right into the follow-through, seizing Theo's arm –– one at the wrist, one at the forearm. He twists.

One hard push and the shoulder will dislocate.

Travis does it, smooth and relaxed, forcing Theo right to the ground.

Without skipping a beat:]

You got spirit. Train for a while, then come back and try again.

[sanctus_dei]

No--! [Time to panic. Theo can tell what's coming, and although he thinks it's going to be even worse than what Travis actually does, it's no comfort. There's nothing to him, so Travis has no trouble at all. With a yelp, Theo collapses in a heap as he's pushed down.

He makes a vain attempt at struggling, but this hurts way too much. He's not going anywhere.]

You fucking prick--

[solmate]

[ Alina's minding her own business, and if anyone asked she would deny that she's lost even if that's obviously the truth. Echoing through the halls, she hears the telltale signs of a fight, something she knows well having been on the wrong end of a few fights. She peeks her head around the corner, automatically jumping in. ]

Oi-! Hey!

[ Do Wardens have have a a stun pistol? Yes. Is it Alina's first instinct to grab for that? No. In fact, her first instinct is to curl her fists, adopting the fighting style of a cat about to be dropped in water than anything sophisticated. She dashes into the fray, shouldering in front of Theo. Arcs of light follow her swinging hands. She thrusts her hands forward to Travis's eyes, flashing a bright burst of light.

The blindness should be temporary. Hopefully. ]

[rank1]

[A girl’s voice. The hell is with this place and teenagers, anyway? He turns to look.]

Relax, the stupid kid—

[He knows a fighting stance when he sees one, but the light in her hands is like nothing he’s ever seen before, and that stops him short. How does anyone prepare for that, anyway? He puts his hands up but it’s not enough, there’s just a flash and then there’s nothing.

He blinks like it might do something, and he staggers a step forward, hands outstretched. He grabs at her.]

What the fuck did you do?

[sanctus_dei]

[From his spot on the ground, Theo doesn't see the flash. Just the unfamiliar warden rushing in past him. He's about to protest her involvement through gritted teeth, when he hears Travis's question.

With considerable effort, Theo rolls over onto his back, gripping his shoulder tightly. He pushes himself along out of the way with his feet, trying to get to the wall so he can help himself up.

Let her think this was all Travis.]

this is what i get for not tracking the thread and closing the tab

[solmate]

[ Ah shit. She probably shouldn't have done that, she realizes belatedly when Travis grabs at her. ]

I'm a warden. [ She blurts it out without much authority. She puffs up, not unlike a feral cat raising their hackles to look bigger and she tries again with less panic. ] I'm a warden and you'll stand down.

[ It's now that she remembers the stun gun at her waist, fumbling for it and then shoving it into Travis' stomach. ]

Stand down or I'll leave you here to bumble around blindly.

[ Her tone is firm, and lost as soon as she twists her head to mouth at Theo Are you okay?. Like, obviously not but she still wants to ask. ]

[rank1]

[Travis is fully prepared to keep going at her until he feels something hard pressed into his gut, and even that just barely stops him –– what, she's gonna stun him?]

Stand down? Fuck you, this asshole jumped me. Not my fault he writes cheques he can't cash.

[He grabs her by the wrist to shove her hand away from him. If he gets shot in the process, so be it, he's not really concerned about risk.]

[sanctus_dei]

[Most of Theo's attention is on getting to his feet using the wall and his other arm, which is taking considerable effort. He manages to not make any noise, other than his pained breathing.

His eyes flit back and forth between Alina and Travis, and he gives her the barest of nods. When Travis makes a grab at Alina, Theo starts taking a few steps back while she's distracted. He wants to get out of here, though he doesn't know where he's going to go yet.]

[solmate]

[ She didn't want to stun him but now she literally has no choice. She panics, squeezing her eyes shut and squeezing the trigger to stun Travis so she can scramble away. She lunges for Theo's arm which... probably also isn't very comfortable considering his shoulder dislocation. ]

Come on. [ She hisses, dragging Theo with her. Does she know where the medbay is? Vaguely. But that hasn't stopped her yet. ]

[rank1]

[Travis drops like a sack of potatoes. Goodnight, Travis!]

[sanctus_dei]

No--! [Theo's attempt to get the hell out of dodge is thwarted, as he's not getting too far in this shape. Alina reaching out to touch him is just as distressing as the pain that follows it for him. Almost. Holy Hell does this hurt.

He stumbles along after Alina and pleads with her in a cracked voice that would be highly uncharacteristic to anyone else.]

Oh dear God, please let go--

[It's very rare he uses the magic word.]

[solmate]

[ It takes another fraction of a second to process that she is hurting Theo. Frantically: ] Sorry, sorry—! We need to get you to the medic.

[ She lets go, but her arms hover around Theo, shepherding him with a bit of panicked urgency, but she cannot keep up the facade that she actually knows where she's going for long. ]

Do you... know how to get to the medic?

[sanctus_dei]

N-No, I... [He shambles along with her, but as much as he doesn't want to go to the infirmary, he doesn't really have a choice. He nods at her question.]

I know this stupid place like the back of my hand. You should... probably do something about Travis. I'm f-- I'll be fine.

[Anything to get away from a warden.]

[solmate]

What? No! No, I'm not leaving you after you just got attacked.

[ And Travis will be fine. He's still breathing, she thinks. (She takes a quick look over her shoulder to make sure that's the case.) ]

Just... let me take you there, in case any of his friends are around.

[sanctus_dei]

I've been through worse. [Sort of.] And I don't think Travis has friends. None of us are friends. [Theo certainly sees it that way.

He gives in to accepting help, though. He gives a nod in the direction of the infirmary, and winces. Shouldn't move his neck so much right now.]

This way, if yer gonna insist. [But he'll start off towards it whether Alina follows him or not.]

[solmate]

I meant friend in the loose sense...

[ But it's fine, she's mostly muttering to herself as she follows closely. ]

What was his problem anyway?

[sanctus_dei]

Fucking what isn't. That asshole is always starting shit with me, and I'm sick of it. Thinks he's king of the inmates or somethin'.

[Theo stops for a moment, bracing himself on the wall with his good arm. He needs a second to catch his breath and refocus. He's also wondering something.]

... Who are you, anyway.

[solmate]

I'm—

[ And this is a strangely more difficult question than she's used to. There's no pretense or ceremony around who she is anymore. She's slipped back into the obscurity of shadows again. ]

Alina. Just Alina. I'm new here. [ She fidgets, pausing while she waits for him to move whenever he can again. ] Are you sure you don't want a hand?

[sanctus_dei]

Please-- Don't touch me.

[He's had enough of that today already, and he knows he's only going to get more of it in the Infirmary.]

It's not far, and he just-- I think he only dislocated it. I won't die or anything.

[Except it made everything in his upper body hurt. Walking, breathing, moving. Theo turns to Alina, looking her over for a moment before moving forward again. She couldn't have been much older than he was, if she was at all.]

Aren't you glad ya took this job?

[solmate]

Something like that...

[ She mutters again, shuffling back from him. She'll keep a comfortable distance between them. She understands wanting to do it yourself, even if it annoys her. Not that this would change her own ill-advised attempts at it down the line. ]

What's your name?

[sanctus_dei]

Same shit, different day here.

[For a moment, he almost gives her a different name. But there was no point to that. It's not like there are a lot of stick-thin teenage redheads among the inmates, she'd figure it out fast.]

Theo.

[Thankfully for him, the Infirmary isn't very far, and Claire is already working inside. Lovely, he now has to explain what happened to a second warden. They'll all know what happened soon enough. He stops in front of the door.]

Here. This is it. You should probably... I dunno. Drag Travis back by his fuckin' ankles or something. He's heavy as hell.