2019-03-29 Pest Control (debrief)

2019-03-29 Pest Control (debrief)
Sydney, Hoxton, Dragan, Josh, Wolf, Dallas

[18:37:48] <Sydney> ((Alright, so how many gangsters are left at this point?))
[18:39:25] <Dallas> *Difficult to say who's still standing. No one called out their kills, so now you gotta go through and look and see who's still breathing. The guy by the car hasn't moved, and the one out on the balcony--the one caught smoking outside--has lost a lot of blood. It's dripped off the edge. Either dead, or unconscious.*
[18:43:40] <Sydney> *Sydney cautiously sweeps the first room, checking the bodies.*
[18:46:06] <Hoxton> *Hox carefully inches forward, checking the rooms but heads for the smoker guy. He's gonna check if he is dead or still breathing.*
[18:46:59] <Dallas> *The room is a mess. Torn up fluff and detritus from the mattresses and pillows all shot up. Bulletholes across the back wall. One of the gangbangers lies staring up at the ceiling, shot dead in the forehead. Another's collapsed face down halfway into the bathroom. No sign of life. Faint coughing and spluttering--Bones choking to death on his own blood behind cover.*
[18:47:37] <Dallas> *The smoker is still warm, but has no pulse.*
[18:47:46] <Sydney> *Sydney fires a single shot at Bones to expedite the process.*
[18:48:09] <Dallas> *Count them out loud, boys and girls.*
[18:48:15] <Dallas> *Communicate with your teammates.*
[18:48:25] <Sydney> Three down in here.
[18:48:28] <Hoxton> He's gone. Anyone left, fellas? What's the situation inside?
[18:49:38] <Hoxton> Still need to account for two more. I'll check the rooms. *Hox goes to check the other rooms where they had been hiding out in. Carefully, his pistol drawn.*
[18:50:05] <Sydney> *Sydney moves to follow.*
[18:50:15] <Dallas> *Count carefully. One is dead down by the cars. One more on the balcony, three in the first room on the right. Josh said six.*
[18:51:20] <Sydney> *Any of the ones down match Josh's description for his friend?*
[18:51:37] <Hoxton> One left. We got five down. *He turns to Sydney* Careful, might try to ambush us.
[18:53:04] <Hoxton> I think Dragan got some. Didnt see where though. *He carefully moves to check the other rooms. Peering in before moving inside.*
[18:53:11] <Dallas> *The other rooms look surprisingly clean except for the ruffled bedstuff. Couple lines of coke done up where the Kia driver and her friend were. If they were selling, there was product here, but it's not out in the open. Backpacks sitting in the corner. If it weren't for the guns, you could think these were students on a field trip. No sign of the last guy, but there's a draft coming from the back of the shot up room.*
[18:54:43] <Dallas> *The one out on the balcony. Wearing a hoodie, but he's blond. What shirt peeks out from the bottom of his hoodie is striped.*
[18:55:18] <Dallas> *It took him a long time to bleed out.*
[18:56:42] <Hoxton> *Hox tenses up a little as he feels the draft. He motions for Sydney, then pointing at the shot up room.* Ya feel that? *He carefully moves inside. Maybe that guy has been booking it out of the window or summat.*
[18:57:50] <Dallas> *Stepping over the dead body in the doorway--the window's pushed open, curtains moving in the draft. Smear of blood on the windowsill where he touched it. He got away.*
[18:59:17] <Sydney> *Upon seeing the window, Sydney cries out,* Fucking hell! *She rushes to the sill, trying to get a look on the back side of the motel. Any sign of him?*
[19:00:44] <Dallas> *Nothing. Judging by the blood smear, he was probably hurt. Can't have gone far.*
[19:01:28] <Hoxton> *Hox moves quietly, not commenting on the possible getaway. He moves to Sydney.* Lemme check on him. Doubt he's far away. *and he heads out of the room, heading to the spot under motel.*
[19:02:05] <Dallas> *You guys really wanna chase this guy down? You sure about that?*
[19:02:36] <Josh> ((THE OMINOUS DM WORDS: ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO DO THAT?))
[19:03:33] <Hoxton> *Well. The guy's hurt and it doesnt matter really if he gets away. The message was delivered plain as fucking day. He sighs, looking at the bled out guy. THen turns to say.* Fook 'im. Doesnt matter. Pick ya arbiter up and let's haul arse, lassie!
[19:05:04] <Hoxton> And maybe...*He looks at the drugs and guns. They could loot the shite. He heads back into the room with the drugs, looking around quickly. Anything lying around looking interesting? Notebooks, laptops or summat?*
[19:05:29] <Sydney> *Sydney's cursing up a storm under her breath, so wrapped up in her failure that she doesn't even think to look for loot. She heads outside, picking up the pieces she can find of her Arbiter.*
[19:08:15] <Dallas> *Phone on the nightstand. Cracked screen, but it switches on fine. There's a gun laid out next to it. Must've been Tony's. Nothing else of note, though a charger's laid out for a laptop that isn't in this room. Look for it? Search the backpacks? The Arbiter's toast. Front blown open like a flower. It's not gonna fire anything anytime soon.*
[19:08:19] <Dallas> *Sound of sirens in the distance.*
[19:08:51] <Sydney> *She knows it's a lost cause, she's just trying not to leave too much evidence.*
[19:09:38] <Sydney> *Though still ringing a little, her ears prick up when she detects sirens.* We got pigs incoming!
[19:09:43] <Sydney> Time to go!
[19:10:41] <Dragan> *Dragan had gone back into the shot up room to see if there was anything of value, but he stops and leaves when he hears Sydney call out.*
[19:10:41] <Hoxton> *Hox grabs the phone, this time turning it off. Bain can look through that thing. Hox hurries out of the room, briefly glancing at the others till he hears the sirens. *he sprints down the stairs, hurrying towards Sydney.* Gotcha! Let's go, fellas! *he looks at the arbiter.* Christ....maybe Gage can fix it up for ya again! *And he runs for the van.*
[19:12:14] <Sydney> *Sydney takes what parts she already managed to salvage, and runs for the van.*
[19:12:53] <Sydney> *Once inside, she growls in a low, dangerous, and entirely humorless tone,* I swear to fucking Christ, if Gage wasn't already a paraplegic, I'd make him one.
[19:14:34] <Dallas> *Dragan--if you're willing to dirty your hands and loot the dead, Thenardier-style, you come up with another phone. Laptop must be in this chaos somewhere, but after the room got turned upside down, it's almost impossible to find. Twitch sits impatiently waiting for them in the van, and once they're all in, he floors it and races out of there.*
[19:15:55] <Sydney> *Unusually, Sydney is one of the first to take her mask off this time. She's visibly shaken, her face flushed. After rubbing her face for a little, she mutters, a weak smile forming on her face,* Thank fuck it was just flashbangs and not frag grenades, yeah? That would've been a real fuckin' disaster.
[19:16:40] <Hoxton> *Hox is breathing hard, taking out the phone he found* I got this....turned it off this time huh? Maybe Bain finds somethin interestin in there. *He leans back then, taking off his mask and looks rather pale. He laughs humorlessly*
[19:17:45] <Sydney> *Sydney digs around for a water bottle and takes a swig.* ...Christ. I coulda lost my fucking hands.
[19:18:31] <Dragan> I found another one. *He shows hox the phone he found. He takes his mask off and gets a good a look at it for the first time. Jesus, that's terrifying*
[19:19:28] <Hoxton> Next time go for something reliable. *He sounds harsher than he intended. Shaken as well.* Huh. Ya too? Well...hope there's summat of value in em. I'd switch it off for now. ...Speakin from experience.
[19:20:19] <Sydney> *Sydney flips Hoxton the bird with a shaking hand.*
[19:21:12] <Hoxton> *He looks at her.* ....Glad nothin worse happened. Jesus. *He sighs, leaning his head against the cool window.* We gotta let the kid know.
[19:21:21] <Dallas> *Speaking of the kid--*
[19:21:44] <Sydney> I can tell 'im, if you want. I don't give a shit.
[19:24:03] <Hoxton> *Hox looks at her.* Go ahead. Don't rip his head off though. Christ... I need a bloody drink.
[19:24:27] <Sydney> Nah, I'm savin' all the good vitriol for Gage.
[19:25:25] <Dallas> *The van pulls up outside the warehouse. Maybe they made a pit stop to grab food on the way back, as is tradition. Dallas hasn't said much of anything--just checked in with everyone to make sure no one's hurt. But he insisted on dealing with the Josh issue before they can call it a night. Not gonna sit with the kid another night.*
[19:23:36] <Josh> *Josh is still curled up where he's been chained. He's dozed off again. He looks pretty peaceful, honestly. Looks can be deceiving.*
[19:26:26] <Sydney> One question though before I break the news. We gonna off the kid or let 'im go?
[19:26:58] <Dallas> *Dallas looks over.* What difference does it make in how you deliver the news?
[19:27:08] <Hoxton> Let him go. He hasnt seen our faces, he wanted out. He is out now.
[19:28:11] <Hoxton> *Hox turns to Dallas and sighs.* Right. Just let this get done.
[19:28:20] <Sydney> *Sydney looks at Dallas, blinks, then shrugs. She glances back at Hoxton and nods, grabbing her mask and putting it on again.*
[19:28:32] <Dallas> *Dallas insists.* What difference does it make, Sydney? Answer the question.
[19:29:15] <Sydney> If he's dying, I get to be real mean about it and it don't matter. I'll be nice.
[19:29:29] <Hoxton> *Hox masks up as well, looking up at them. Quiet.*
[19:30:10] <Dallas> *A short humorless breath of a laugh from behind the snarling gorilla mask.* If neither of you can keep it from getting personal, I'll do it.
[19:30:53] <Sydney> *Sydney lifts her hands up, shaking her head.* Go for it, mate.
[19:32:08] <Hoxton> *Hox looks up.* I'll do it. I'll tell him.
[19:32:26] <Dallas> *Dallas looks between them, nods to the door.*
[19:34:05] <Hoxton> *Hox gets up, heading out of the van, making sure his mask sits right. He heads for the warehouse, turning on the light if there is any and checks up on Josh.* Kid. Cornsnake. Wake up.
[19:34:24] <Sydney> *Sydney picks up her gear and heads out. Jesus christ, way to fuck everything up. She heads to the back room, laying out the pieces of the Arbiter she managed to recover.*
[19:36:32] <Josh> *He stirs, blinks awake* Huh-whoah! *He scrambles up, yanks his wrist, remembers there's rope there, and winches.* Uh-
[19:39:02] <Josh> *He blinks, just stares wordlessly at Hox. Throat bobs.*
[19:39:36] <Dallas> *Dallas hasn't come in. He's probably outside, smoking.*
[19:39:36] <Sydney> *Once it's laid out on the table, she starts tracing the edges of the cracked open barrel, blankly staring at it.*
[19:41:00] <Hoxton> *Hox kneels down, unblinking Mandrill mask.* Listen up. Your friends save one are dead. One got away. What happens to you, is all on you. You can make it outta here alive. Dont do anythin that gets us in trouble. Ya can get outta this business like ya said, ya understand?
[19:45:32] <Josh> *He stares and stares, and finally gives a small, jerky nod.* Got it. *His voice is hoarse. Raspy.* Won't- *winces* cause any trouble, sir. *He rubs at his throat, sags slightly, staring blankly at the ground.*
[19:47:58] <Hoxton> And if anyone asks, whoever tries to set up shop in the Mendoza turf's gonna regret it. Ya got it? If we get wind ya cause us any trouble....welll. Ya know how it goes. *He straightens himself, goes to fetch him a water bottle.* There.
[19:51:33] <Josh> *He takes it, looks at it for a second, then opens it, guzzles it down. Waits five seconds. Flash of disappointment across his face.* Don't think I'm going back to Florida, but- I-I'll keep it in mind. His gaze fixes on the water bottle label. Beat* Why not- *a finger across his throat* now?
[19:52:39] <Dragan> *Dragan had been out by the van having a smoke, once done he masks up and heads into the warehouse. He looks at the ruins of the arbiter and shakes his head* Jesus that was a price of shit.
[19:53:55] <Sydney> I can't fucking believe how much I paid for something that literally blew up in my hands. Fuck's sake.
[19:54:21] <Hoxton> Ya a fuckin strange kid. Lemme tell ya that. *he eyes him* Does it matter? I dont lie. So better think about how to haul arse into summat proper.
[19:55:29] <Sydney> *She slams a fist on the table.* Fucking hell. This was supposed to be an easy fucking job.
[19:56:58] <Wolf> *Wolf's stood by the doorframe, quietly watching the conversation between Sydney and Dragan. Not making his presence known just yet.*
[19:59:46] <Dragan> *Dragan almost wants to go on a tangent about why they should stop buying weapons from gage and start buying from the Butcher. He sighs, not really knowing what to say*
[20:00:18] <Sydney> ((No he should say that Syd'd totally go for it))
[20:00:32] <Josh> *Josh hesitates, then gives another jerky nod. He's watching Hox closely suddenly, every time he thinks the man's not looking directly at him. Hard to read his expression. Sits, patient, waiting for his bond to be removed.*
[20:02:01] <Hoxton> *Hox moves to stand up. Hard to tell if he is looking at him. He walks out however, out of sight and looking for Dallas. And sighing. Christ...that kid. Something is wrong with the kid.*
[20:02:53] <Sydney> *Sydney sighs, rubbing her forehead. She turns towards Dragan.* Thanks for having my back earlier. You're good with that shotgun.
[20:03:02] <Sydney> *She doesn't appear to have noticed Wolf yet.*
[20:03:10] <Dallas> *Dallas is just outside. Leaned against the wall by the door, gorilla mask pushed up, smoking. At Hox's approach, he perks up, says* So. How'd it go?
[20:03:25] <Josh> *Josh sits there because NOBODY REMEMBERED TO UNTIE HIM*
[20:05:31] <Josh> ((works by me but he is tied up to a pipe by his wrist.))
[20:06:14] <Dallas> *NO, YOU KNOW WHAT THAT'S COOL. I'm paranoid Josh might try and attack Hox and get him to shoot him, so this is fine.*
[20:06:32] <Dragan> *He nods* Thanks. *He thinks for a moment.* Yknow, I've worked with the Butcher for a long time, She's very....careful with quality control, yknow. *He hasn't noticed wolf yet either*
[20:06:34] <Hoxton> Ya know what. The kid's fuckin weird. Just....took it. *he pushes the mask up, getting himself a smoke as well.* Asked me why I didnt just off him there.
[20:06:56] <Josh> ((rofl. yeah Dallas leashed him to a pipe last time. I dunno how tight but I'm assuming he doesn't have the use of one hand.))
[20:07:30] <Hoxton> *And he wont untie their hostage without at least telling the boss of the crew. A couple minutes more or less, he cant care about that.*
[20:07:56] <Sydney> *That gets a smile out of Sydney.* Is she? Good to know. I haveta say I'm not too thrilled with my current supplier.
[20:10:13] <Dallas> *Dallas lights Hox's smoke for him, says* Oh yeah? He's gonna be fucked after this, that's for goddamn sure. You saw the look on his face. I'd honestly been hoping he was high when we first snagged him. *beat* Think he's gonna make a move when we untie him?
[20:10:54] <Wolf> *Wolf shifts a little bit.* 's justifiable, honestly.
[20:13:07] <Sydney> *Sydney turns.* Oh, hey, didn't see ya there. *She gives Wolf a carefully calculated nod.*
[20:14:10] <Wolf> *He doesn't move.* Yeah, yeah.
[20:14:57] <Hoxton> Thanks. *He takes a drag, exhaling the smoke like a lazy dragon.* I think he's fucked already. Or...more than he already is. *A pause* Yeah. Hope he'd be high. *He takes another drag, leaning against the wall next to him.* Doubt it. Or....fuckin hell. Dunno but the way he was almost disappointed when I didnt ...y'know. Doubt he'd hurt us...if anything he'd want us to hurt him.
[20:17:05] <Dallas> *Dallas nods, says nothing. After a moment, he puts out his cigarette and slips the gorilla mask back down, motioning for Hox to follow him as he heads back inside to Josh.*
[20:17:11] <Sydney> *Sydney glances sideways at Dragan, choosing her words carefully. She's actually glad he's here; she knows things can't get too deep while he's present. She looks back to Wolf.* Never got a chance to ask ya about it, but it's not like you to favor the non-lethal route. I'da thought for sure you'd woulda had my back when we were planning this shit.
[20:18:31] <Wolf> ... *He sighs, looking down, hesitating.* .. Just, didn't feel right. I don't know.
[20:19:22] <Hoxton> *Hox takes the last drag, puts the smoke out and slips his mask back on proper, following Dallas. Looking a little less tense now.*
[20:21:01] <Sydney> *Sydney eyes Wolf up and down.* Hope you haven't lost your edge, mate.
[20:22:20] <Josh> *Josh kicks a bottle of yellow liquid out of sight and returns to the half-curled position he was sitting in before, eyeing the two out of the corner of his eye.*
[20:22:44] <Wolf> *He looks away.* I don't wanna talk about it.
[20:24:04] <Dallas> *Dallas comes over to him. Pulls up a chair to where it scrapes unpleasantly on the bare concrete floor, sits down. And he says* We're gonna let you go in a couple hours. I don't wanna see you back here in DC, understand? Got any family elsewhere? Somewhere you can stay?
[20:24:41] <Sydney> *Sydney pauses for a moment, frowning.* ...Well, if you do, just let me know. No need to be a stranger.
[20:25:32] <Josh> *He thinks, then shakes his head.* Just, Miami. Don't think I wanna show my face back there. *Not making eye contact, no sir. No. None. Staring at the floor.*
[20:27:01] <Hoxton> *Hox steps next to Dallas, arms crossed and watching the kid behind his mask. Miami huh?*
[20:27:29] <Dallas> *Dallas exchanges a quick look with Hox, shakes his head. Not good.* Whaddaya gonna do when you're free? Where are you gonna go?
[20:28:19] <Hoxton> *Hox catches the look, sharing the sentiment.* Think sharp, lad. If there's any place ya can go.
[20:30:02] <Josh> *He looks up at them. Narrows his eyes.* How come you care?
[20:34:13] <Dallas> *Dallas doesn't tell the truth. That as he gets older, the shadows come closer to nipping on his heels, and when he looks at these kids, it's Hox ten years ago that he sees.* You come up with a plan--figure out where you wanna go, and I'll give you enough to make the trip and then some. But you gotta have a plan.
[20:36:31] <Hoxton> *Hox almost says "We dont." but he holds back, wisely so probably. He looks at  Dallas, then nods. Hard to tell if he is surprised or not behind the fierce mandrill mask.*
[20:36:52] <Sydney> ((Sydney's gonna corner Wolf someday soon and they're going to need to have a Talk))
[20:37:42] <Hoxton> *But truth is...he feels for the guy. Even though he's a weird one. There was enough death on this day. And now ...it feels twisted right to offer at least some sort of absolution.*
[20:39:08] <Dallas> *How fucked is it, though? Blast through a person's life like a hurricane, destroy everything they've ever known, then offer them a pittance like they're meant to be grateful you didn't kill them too. Foundation of jokering, but this is skirting the morally obscene.*
[20:39:52] <Dallas> *If it sounds familiar, it's 'cause he's doing it to you too, Jim.*
[20:40:10] <Sydney> ((OOF))
[20:41:10] <Josh> *The kid stares at him. Confusion shifts into bewilderment, maybe fear. Settles back on his knees. Stares. Silent. There's that oddness to his eyes. A slow churn of way too much emotion, enough to confuse a soul, locked behind glassy sheen. Doesn't even move. Doesn't speak. Deer in the headlights, much? His lips move, shape a word. Looks like vodka, maybe. Doesn't seem to be directed at them. He's gone completely tense, doesn't seem to be seeing them anymore.*
[20:43:09] <Dallas> *He can't handle it. Dallas looks over at Hox.* This kid's not going anywhere. If we're dropping him off, we'd better make it a block away from the nearest hospital.
[20:43:38] <Josh> ((that's probably smart!))
[20:47:07] <Dallas> *While he's at it, he grabs hold of Josh's free wrist, puts a hand to his neck to take his pulse.*
[20:47:46] <Josh> *Going a million miles, and hard.*
[20:47:53] <Hoxton> *Hox desperately tries to find something. To say something. But he's never been a man of good words, or smart words. He stares at the boy, looking alarmed.* Yeah. Fuck's sake is he alright? Looks like he's havin a seizure!
[20:49:29] <Josh> *His breath matches the pulse. Short, fast, racking in his lungs. Like a dog panting.*
[20:50:08] <Dallas> *Dallas doesn't miss a beat.* He's going into shock. All right, let's get him outta here. *He unties the kid's wrist, tries pulling him to his feet. To Hox* C'mon, help me.
[20:51:08] <Sydney> ((...*Dallas gets shot trying to get the kid to the hospital and a lone millenial cries out, Harambe, no!!!!* ))
[20:51:17] <Dallas> ((OH MY GOD.))
[20:51:35] <Hoxton> ((....That took me a moment to connect. Oh my god.))
[20:51:46] <Sydney> ((:D))
[20:52:39] <Josh> ((FUCK))
[20:53:05] <Hoxton> *Hox nods, moves to help him to get the kid onto his feet.* Shit! *He puts an arm around his neck, hauling the kid up on one side.* We drop him off by the emergency room?
[20:55:34] <Josh> *It's not hard to haul him around. He struggles, he's lucid enough to flinch and fight at skin contact, but he was never strong in the first place, and in the midst of whatever the fuck this is? Barely token, even if it is a wild animal's struggles.*
[20:55:43] <Sydney> *Hearing the commotion in the other room, Sydney dons her mask and peeks out.* Everything alright?
[20:56:03] <Dallas> Got it in one. Twitch, change of plans--we need you to get us to the nearest hospital. *With Hox's help, Dallas half carries, half drags Josh to the back of the van and loads him in, completely ignoring his thrashing. Probably just dumped on the floor like a sack of potatoes. He digs around for a blanket, wraps him up.*
[20:57:27] <Josh> *The pressure from the blanket seems to help some. He's sweating by now, but the blanket at least stills him. Burrito Josh on the floor of the car. The hitching breath sounds a little like sobs.*
[20:58:22] <Dallas> *Dallas hasn't really got the presence of mind to answer Sydney, just saying to Josh* It's gonna be fine, we're getting you to a hospital. Try and stay calm.
[20:58:22] <Sydney> *As they leave without a word to their teammates, Sydney watches them go.* ...Guess it's fine then, they'd say something if they needed help, right?
[20:59:26] <Hoxton> *Hox helps Dallas loading the guy up, even though getting slapped against the mask a couple of times. But he just grunts, making sure the guy is loaded in and enters the van, kneeling next to him and helping him to get wrapped up.* What are we gonna do? Just leave him there? *His voice is quiet as not to upset him more. He fumbles around, finding some stale soda. Sorry, not the best but sugar, right? He opens the bottle, offers it.*
[21:00:21] <Sydney> ...Yeah, it's totally fine. They probably just decided to kill him after all. *Sydney shrugs, takes off her mask, and goes back to cleaning her gear.*
[21:00:39] <Josh> *Well, he's well past calm by now, but he'd thank you for the sentiment if he were anywhere near aware. His eyes lock on the soda. Stares at it. Stares at the hand offering it. Processes. Then opens his mouth, it's a question more than a answer, barely a parting of the lips.*
[21:01:36] <Dallas> *Dallas shuts the doors, yells for Twitch to get a move on. Once they're down the street and opening, he says to Hox* Yeah, that's kind of the plan. They'll know what to do with him.
[21:02:44] <Dragan> Wouldn't it make more sense to kill him here? *he sighs* It doesn't matter.
[21:03:02] <Hoxton> *Hox moves to put the bottle to his mouth, helping him to drink.* Right. *When he's done, he scrambles up to a proper seat, exhaling.* Right. Right I think....he's not gettin worse, is he?
[21:03:37] <Sydney> Right? I really don't get why they're so worked up about keeping him alive. The kid's a dead kid walking, since his buddy got away to no doubt tell the tale.
[21:04:02] <Sydney> They'll be coming for him, mark my words.
[21:05:16] <Dragan> That kid's gonna be dead in a week, probably sooner.
[21:06:05] <Dallas> *Dallas stays where he's sitting on the floor of the van, catching his breath. He lies* He'll be fine. Good thing we didn't go with the original plan. Might've had an existential crisis while hitchhiking, died of exposure out in the middle of nowhere.
[21:06:17] <Sydney> Yeah. We at least woulda been quick about it. Cartels? Cartels are fuckin renowned for their cruelty. Ever heard of a Colombian necktie?
[21:07:40] <Dragan> *He shakes his head* no, what is it?
[21:09:52] <Sydney> *A wicked gleam enters Sydney's eyes. She turns to Dragan, lifting her chin and tracing a line down her voicebox and neck.* Ya cut through the muscles right here, pull the tongue right through, and wrap it round their neck.
[21:12:30] <Dragan> *He's visibly disgusted by the thought of that.* Fuck, I knew cartels where cruel but.....shit
[21:12:32] <Hoxton> Chrissakes. Or just...bought some more drugs....*Hox fishes around for another bottle. Just plain water this time and offers it Dallas.* He'll be alright. *He does not sound too sure though but it's more because of the whole day and now this.* He's got a chance now. If he takes it up....it's not our responsibility anymore. we make sure he doesnt die on the way but that's.....we cant do much more.
[21:13:36] <Josh> *Kid's silent. Curled in a burrito bundle on the floor of the van, staring quietly into space. Maybe listening. Maybe not hearing. His breath is shaky, doesn't seem as close to hyperventilation anymore.*
[21:14:45] <Sydney> Right? This kid doesn't stand a fucking chance.
[21:16:29] <Dallas> *Dallas nods, tipping his mask back to drink before passing the bottle back. Pushes the mask back down, then the snarling gorilla says* What the hell are we doing, huh? Fifteen years ago, I wouldn't have given a fuck whether this kid lived or died. Put a bag over his head and make him walk down a service road till someone picks him up. I'm getting too old for this shit.
[21:16:34] <Dragan> It would much easier to kill him too, I don't understand man
[21:20:46] <Sydney> *Sydney pauses, thinking for a moment.* They don't like having the actual blood on their hands. They prefer turning their backs on the shattered lives they leave in their wake. If they don't see the suffering, it never happened, yeah?
[21:23:37] <Hoxton> *Hox is quiet but there is the faintest chuckle behind the mandrill mask.* What's my excuse then? Gettin old huh. *he turns to look at the guy* Maybe I've grown the fook up. *Beat* Back then...I might not have given a shit either. The weak get behind bars or die. But it aint that simple. Or it's never been simple but I ignored it.
[21:28:22] <Dallas> *Dallas is quiet for a long moment. At length, he admits in a low voice* Retirement scares me shitless, kid. Y'know Anubis? Jackal headed god of death? *Then he seems to quickly abandon that train of thought, saying instead* Thanks. I appreciate you coming with me.
[21:29:22] <Sydney> I at least have the balls to look at what I've done and finish what I start.
[21:35:17] <Dragan> *Dragan nods. He might've been a dirty cop, but he was never delusional. He's always been honest with himself about who he is*
[21:36:26] <Hoxton> No rest for the wicked, huh? *He sits, hands clasped together on his knees. Not looking at anything in particular.* I cant imagine myself doin anythin else. But...cant see me doin nothin at some point. Fuck's sake. Retirement doesnt sound fun at all if ya ask me. *He pauses, looking up.* Anubis? Yeah, aint he the one...death god? Bringin souls to be judged. Go on. *He pauses then, the strained voice a little softer.* Appreciate ya as well. We are a team, y'know?
[21:39:04] <Dallas> *Dallas nods. Beat.* Guess people like us aren't meant to grow old. Doesn't work out. *Twitch calls out from the front, says they're getting close. He seems reluctant to get too close and asks if it's fine that he stops here, two blocks away.*
[21:40:41] <Hoxton> *Hox looks up, then at Dallas.* What do we do. Carry 'im closer? Call an ambulance and get outta there?
[21:42:05] <Dallas> Did he have a phone on him when we picked him up?
[21:42:35] <Dallas> *But Dallas is already pulling his own phone out, ready to make the call.*
[21:43:53] <Hoxton> Think so, but it's still at the warehoues, if anythin. *he looks at the guy.* I can pat him down real quick.
[21:46:25] <Dallas> *Dallas shakes his head, dialing 911 on his own phone. When this is over, he's switching SIMs early. Won't be a problem. He doesn't say anything, just leaves the line open, then motions for Hox to help him carry Josh out to the curb.*
[21:48:49] <Hoxton> *Hox nods. He's always admired this about Dallas. The calm collectedness. How he almost effortlessly finds a way in a massive shitshow like today was. He's glad he is having him watching his back. He grunts a little as he helps carrying the boy, but doesnt complain. Even making sure they dont drop the boy too hard.*
[21:51:56] <Dallas> *With that Josh burrito laid out on the curb, Dallas motions Hox back to the van and ends the call. Not a look back, and Twitch drives them outta there.*
[21:55:30] <Hoxton> *Hox gets back into the van. Closing the doors and flopping down on his seat. He thanks Twitch for the quick drive and finally shoves his mask back a bit. Better.* Right. That's...thanks, mate. I think this goddamn night warrants a drink later, huh?
[21:56:35] <Josh> *Left on the curb, hopefully, he's rescued soon, brought inside to warmth and care. Maybe he'll have a shot at surviving this.*
[21:59:29] <Dallas> *He is. Not long before paramedics arrive, load him up on a stretcher, and get him to emergency. It'll be a long while before the cops put the pieces together and come to talk to him. At least one night's peace and quiet in a warm clean hospital bed.*
[22:00:16] <Dallas> *Meanwhile, back in the van, Dallas finally tugs the gorilla mask off.* You're goddamn right. Pick the others up, call it a night.
[22:05:27] <Hoxton> Sounds like bloody music in my ears, mate. *He is quiet a little, tugging the mask off in the van, now feeling less....crowded and oppressive than before.* And the thing...ya said. About us not growin old...Good we are still young huh? We'll figure summat out. Nothin get's the thought juices flowin like a good glass of booze.
[22:07:28] <Dallas> *Dallas cracks a smile.* Good glass of booze. How could I refuse such an offer? Count me in.
[22:07:52] <Dallas> *A message arrives from Hector the next morning, delivered by Bain. A simple recording. "I understand you've dealt with my lingering cockroach problem. You have my thanks. Your payment will be waiting in the usual place. I may have work for you again in the future. We'll be in touch."*
[22:07:59] <Dallas> *PEST CONTROL: SUCCESS.*

[22:18:41] <Wolf> *It's a while after that first conversation, and Wolf's out by the front of the warehouse, having a smoke, staring off into space.*
[22:20:33] <Sydney> *Sydney eventually finds her way out there, the same intention in mind. She glances around, and upon seeing no one else around, she walks up to Wolf.* Hey, quick question.
[22:20:42] <Sydney> What the fuck, mate?
[22:22:09] <Wolf> *He immediately looks at the floor, his voice quiet.* ... I- I had a nightmare. And, and in that nightmare, I- *pause* I shot myself, and- *he takes a deep breath, deciding to skip over some details,* and then, i woke up, and it just, hit me-
[22:22:40] <Wolf> I- I don't deserve to be alive. But, the people I've- killed, some- some of them did.
[22:22:47] <Wolf> Yet I'm the one who gets to live.
[22:23:58] <Wolf> And I just- *He closes his eyes,* Ever since that night I, I just can't. *His voice cracks, covering his face.* I-I don't know what the fuck is wrong with me-
[22:24:08] <Sydney> *Sydney gets a look a bit like a deer in headlights.* Hey, slow down a sec. Whoa.
[22:24:36] <Wolf> I- I'm sorry-
[22:25:23] <Sydney> *Another wary glance around, then Sydney mutters,* Fuck it. *And pulls him into a tight hug.*
[22:26:27] <Wolf> Wh- *He squeaks a bit at the embrace, but he doesn't pull away.* I'm sorry-
[22:27:33] <Sydney> It's okay. This is just the way of things. Can't change what you've done.
[22:28:02] <Wolf> .... i don't know what to do.
[22:32:03] <Sydney> *She gives him a tight squeeze and a pat, then releases him from the hug.* I ain't exactly the best source of life advice, mate. *She frowns, rewinding his words a little.* A dream got you this fucked up?
[22:33:42] <Wolf> *He looks a little embarassed for just a moment.* It- It felt- It felt so real, though. And- the voices, they said stuff, stuff so personal, they- they've never been that real before.
[22:36:20] <Sydney> *Sydney nods, a concerned, but also slightly patronizing look on her face.* What exactly happened during it?
[22:38:15] <Wolf> The- The safehouse was burning, and we were trapped inside it. And- when we'd gotten into the basement, that was when the voices- when the voices started talking, and I just- I couldn't take it-
[22:46:34] <Sydney> *Sydney reaches forwards, lightly grasping one of Wolf's hands. All caution has been abandoned; at this point, Sydney is just desperate for any sort of human contact.* Yeah?
[22:48:34] <Wolf> *Again, hesitation, but he grabs her other hand, continuing.* .. I couldn't take it. I grabbed my shotgun, and I shot myself, and then- *For a long moment, he pauses. No, he'll spare her that.* and then I woke up.
[22:50:14] <Sydney> ...What exactly was being said? How did it fuck with your head so badly?
[22:54:42] <Wolf> They- *He turns away, closing his eyes again,* They said- they said you didn't love me, that nobody did and nobody ever will. And I- I've been living in denial, and- and that it's really better to not live at all than to live like the fucking freak I am. *He takes a breath.* That- that's basically what they said.

2019-03-30

[17:37:56] <Sydney> Hey. Hey. *She lets go of his hand, reaching up to gently angle his face back towards her.* That's not true, okay?
[17:38:10] <Sydney> *Sydney's mind is running a million miles a second. She doesn't want to fuck this up?no, to be more accurate, fuck him  up?but at the same time she's not really comfortable with actually saying it. She hates the idea of love. She doesn't really understand it, and doesn't feel like it has ever applied to how she's ever felt about another person.*
[17:38:44] <Sydney> *At the same time, though, she doesn't know how else to say how she feels about him without an hour-long lecture with diagrams that she doesn't even fully understand herself. In the end, she reasons, it's what he needs to hear right now. And it's the closest she's ever gotten to feeling anything like it. So she takes the plunge. Even if she ends up regretting it later, it's worth it for now. So she takes a deep breath.* I love you.
[17:41:04] <Wolf> *For a long, long moment, Wolf doesn't respond, even react, then, he cracks the faintest smile, moving to conceal tears he can't seem to stop.* ... n-nobody's ever said that to me before. *He looks back up at her, smiling again, brighter.* b-but i love you too-
[17:44:53] <Sydney> I know. I know. *Smiling, she lets her hand drop, but then she hesitates.* There's just one thing I want you to think about. I'm also a 'fucking freak' who's killed a whole bunch of people who you could argue deserved to live a lot more than I do. If I can be loved, so can you. So let's just try'n kill that double standard right there. M'kay?
[17:46:18] <Wolf> Yeah... *He nods, looking at the floor again.* ....... I wanna tell you something.
[17:52:32] <Sydney> *Sydney also looks down, but just for a moment. She sighs heavily.* Got anything to do with why you triggered the alarm at the jewelry store?
[17:54:24] <Wolf> W-Well, that's- another thing, but- if you wanna know- *Wolf takes a small box out of his pocket, opening it to reveal- the rings. He immediately goes into a spheel.* D-Don't misinterpet it, I'm not proposing, I just- I knew you liked them and they were behind the glass-
[18:02:33] <Sydney> Well, it's good that you're not proposing, cuz I'd say no. Marriage being an institution of the patriarchy and all. *She nevertheless plucks the box from his fingers, examining the rings more closely.* Hmm. Might do some art with 'em though if the inspiration strikes me. *She closes the box, looking back to Wolf.* I'd say something about doing something dumb that almost wrecked the heist, but then again I just brought an untested weapon into the field and it literally blew up in my face, so I ain't gonna judge you for that one.
[18:02:41] <Sydney> *She pauses, shakes her head.* So what was the original thing?
[18:03:50] <Wolf> *Another long beat, his voice is quiet.* .. I don't think I was ever married.
[18:05:52] <Sydney> *Sydney blinks. And then blinks again. Her face contorts into an expression not unlike O_o.* You fuckin wot, mate?
[18:06:55] <Wolf> *He looks away, laughing quietly.* I wasn't married. I'm not entirely sure my wife even existed. I think I just made her up 'cuz I was lonely.
[18:07:42] <LilacClorceta> ((That's some levels of self-deception there, holy shit.))
[18:08:29] <Wolf> ((uwu))
[18:16:45] <Sydney> Christ, mate. That's...that's... fuck me. *She turns away, closing her eyes and rubbing her forehead.* That's fucking crazy, and that's coming from fucking me. *She sighs heavily, then looks back up to Wolf.* My parents dragged me to therapy and treatment programs from the moment I started being...well...me, and they were trying to get me institutionalized before I ran away for good. None of it ever stuck to me, but just... you need professional fucking help, mate. *Her tone isn't insulting, or condescending, it's legitimately concerned.*
[18:17:26] <Sydney> I'm sure Bain's got someone who can be trusted not to go to the cops or summat.
[18:21:52] <Wolf> I- I know- *He nods, not even the slightest hint of disagreement.* .. Thank you for- for just- e-existing? L-Like, nobody else would listen to me here, they'd just- just think I'm crazy-
[18:32:39] <Sydney> Yeah, well I'm crazy too. Got diagnosed and everything. I'll never be normal, and I'm at peace with it. But you? *She points.* That's a different kind of crazy, and you're suffering because of it. I can't fix it meself. But I can help.
[18:33:17] <Wolf> I know, I- Just, thank you.
[18:37:43] <Sydney> *She nods, then says with absolute confidence,* She'll be right.

03-28 15:57:49 <Dallas> ((You know what was a solution you guys didn't think of?))
03-28 15:57:54 <Dallas> ((Calling the cops on their drug deals.))
03-28 15:58:01 <Hoxton> ((.....Oh my fucking god.))
03-28 15:58:52 <Dallas> ((If you look up "lots of people coming and going from a motel room" you'll find news stories about drug busts.))
03-28 15:58:59 <Hoxton> ((AND they had spycam footage of the deals.))
03-28 15:59:32 <Dallas> ((Wouldn't have mattered. Product was there, evidence of sales. Cops watch the place for a night, then they raid the place.))
03-28 16:00:23 <Dallas> ((But yeah, there were multiple ways to deal with them, including posing as the cooks they're looking for and laying out an ambush.))
03-28 16:01:01 <Dallas> ((Or--since they can be expected to sample the product, poisoning the shit and giving it to them.))
03-28 16:02:52 <Dallas> ((Go ask Hector for a bag of meth.))
03-28 16:03:00 <Dallas> ((While you're at it, talk to his cooks.))