So, that was sorta good. Bishes inside were chilling, Tonya was pretty sure, or at least not in any kinda way to and try to put down her ass. That was good, probably. What was even better was the fact that none of the voices sounded like any of the people she really spoke to, no Camila, no Lucas, no nothing like that, so it all should've been good. Not even Darla from badminton. Just a bunch of random-ass hoes gathered up in here.
That meant everything was goin' good, or at least it was supposed to. If she didn't really know nobody here, meant she didn't have to pack up and leave just like that, could instead try to find out something or whatever, if they were idiots or not or something. Briefly, she considered shouting again, brandishing the machete and bursting in like she owned the place, but she breathed. Tonya took a few more steps, until she was smack-dab facing the door.
"Well, hokay then! I'ma go slide on through."
The fire in the veins was extinguished once more. Had to be cool, right? Be angry, 'course, keep everything going, make it back, make it home, but there was a thin line between that and being stupid. Besides, if they already backing down? That meant that if shit started, she'd be the one to do so. Just like, not yet. One woman couldn't raise a child, and a mofo wasn't gonna survive this whole thing alone.
With her machete-free hand, Tonya pushed the door just a smidgen more open, before sliding through with as much grace as possible. That was, not a lot, but enough to avoid falling on her ass as she started addressing whoever was there, voice just a little higher, a little more fake bish to it than usual. Hostess voice.
"I promise, I promise, really, no shanking. We good?"
This was not good, but it was okay. She'd be good. Someday.
They're Magically Delicious!
Open, Day 1
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Somersault
- Posts: 312
- Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2018 8:56 am
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Jan de Witt
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2019 2:19 pm
As if in concert, the various new entrants now fully revealed themselves. The new girl moved closer to him, presumably for reasons of safety. At that thought, Theo chuckled quietly despite his nervousness. He doubted she would be as tense if she knew that his "rifle" was more of a bludgeon than a firearm.
Another result of her movement was allowing him to read the name written on her bag, Mercy Ames. As he was doing so, the side door opened slightly, revealing another boy who Mercy quickly recognized as Parker, someone else he didn't know. Theo couldn't see very much of him, but he hoped that Mercy's greeting would convince him to move into a more obviously visible position. The constant sense of paranoia was beginning to wear on his nerves, and when the shouting girl outside finally entered, armed with a machete, he fidgeted nervously.
He tried to smile appeasingly, but in his anxiety all he could do was contort his face oddly, so he stopped. He slowly raised the rifle towards her, his arms shaking as he did so. "P-please drop your knife. I-it doesn't have to be far away, but you did just threaten everyone here."
He took a deep breath. "Just a gesture of courtesy, please." Somewhat belatedly, he realized that he had no backup plan if anyone chose to call his bluff.
Another result of her movement was allowing him to read the name written on her bag, Mercy Ames. As he was doing so, the side door opened slightly, revealing another boy who Mercy quickly recognized as Parker, someone else he didn't know. Theo couldn't see very much of him, but he hoped that Mercy's greeting would convince him to move into a more obviously visible position. The constant sense of paranoia was beginning to wear on his nerves, and when the shouting girl outside finally entered, armed with a machete, he fidgeted nervously.
He tried to smile appeasingly, but in his anxiety all he could do was contort his face oddly, so he stopped. He slowly raised the rifle towards her, his arms shaking as he did so. "P-please drop your knife. I-it doesn't have to be far away, but you did just threaten everyone here."
He took a deep breath. "Just a gesture of courtesy, please." Somewhat belatedly, he realized that he had no backup plan if anyone chose to call his bluff.
Oof. Mercy was freaking. That woulda made Ramsey feel better if not for the fact that his legs were jerking a bit, too. He really could've just invited two murderers inside and gave them easy pickings. But Theo had that rifle thing, so at least that would help discourage any hijinks from ensuing.
First was the side room. Parker, one of those gamer boogeymen. Mercy seemed to know him though, so maybe he was pretty chill. That's all Ramsey really needed at this moment.
The girl on the other side of the front door made a grander entrance, with machete in hand and worringly possibly empty promises of no shankings. She wasn't really waving that thing around like she owned the place, but still Ramsey felt threatened enough to throw his palms at her while backing up further into the marshmallow pile on the floor.
Theo raised his rifle at the newcomer who Ramsey still couldn't quite place the name of (badminton girl? Something with a T?) along with asking for her to drop her weapon. "Woah, woah, woah!" Ramsey called to him, gesturing with one of his hands to lower his gun. "Let's not start killing each other right off the bat, 'k?" Then he turned to the new girl, lowering his hands back down to a neutral position. "Yeah, we're good. But yeah... you mind setting that big ass knife down, for all our sakes?"
First was the side room. Parker, one of those gamer boogeymen. Mercy seemed to know him though, so maybe he was pretty chill. That's all Ramsey really needed at this moment.
The girl on the other side of the front door made a grander entrance, with machete in hand and worringly possibly empty promises of no shankings. She wasn't really waving that thing around like she owned the place, but still Ramsey felt threatened enough to throw his palms at her while backing up further into the marshmallow pile on the floor.
Theo raised his rifle at the newcomer who Ramsey still couldn't quite place the name of (badminton girl? Something with a T?) along with asking for her to drop her weapon. "Woah, woah, woah!" Ramsey called to him, gesturing with one of his hands to lower his gun. "Let's not start killing each other right off the bat, 'k?" Then he turned to the new girl, lowering his hands back down to a neutral position. "Yeah, we're good. But yeah... you mind setting that big ass knife down, for all our sakes?"
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Frozen Smoke
- Posts: 533
- Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2018 3:50 pm
- Location: Where I need to be
Despite Mercy's assertions, it seemed trouble was eager to find them, regardless of their intentions.
The three in the room were facing away from him, towards the girl at the door, who was in the process of having the only firearm in the room pointed at her. Her speech was high pitched, forced, there was tension in her face as her eyes seemed to scan the room. Her white canvas shoes were scuffed and muddied already. He wondered for a moment where she'd been, before his eyes moved back to focus on the man with the gun.
He was short, shorter than him, even. And pressed up against one of the walls, clutching something in his hands that looked distinctly odd. It was white, and looked decidedly unwieldy, it's shape seeming thick even in the dim light. As he got a better look at it he noticed that his trigger finger was resting on precisely nothing. Just hovering around where the trigger would have been if it was a real rifle. He opened his mouth to question the situation for a fraction of a second, before deciding better of it. It was, after all, effectively neutralising the only other real weapon in the room.
His eyes tracked over to the other two for a moment, watching them as they spoke. Mercy recognised him, and that was enough to earn him the benefit of doubt from the others, and the taller boy was trying to just calm the group down from atop his throne of mallow. The situation was tense. There were too many unknown people here, and too many weapons for anyone to be comfortable, if someone didn't back down this was going to end in a fight.
He took a step further into the room, leaving the door open behind him, and leaned forwards, dropping his axe on the floor. A dull thud rang out as the metal slapped into the rotting carpet of the floor, hopefully enough to attract Tonya's attention away from the gun, before he reached a foot forwards and kicked it behind him. It slid poorly along the fabric, the head barely sliding into the next room. Hopefully the gesture was enough.
He raised his hands to about shoulder height, opening them to show that they were empty, as he made eye contact with the unknown girl.
"See, no weapons." he said, simply.
The three in the room were facing away from him, towards the girl at the door, who was in the process of having the only firearm in the room pointed at her. Her speech was high pitched, forced, there was tension in her face as her eyes seemed to scan the room. Her white canvas shoes were scuffed and muddied already. He wondered for a moment where she'd been, before his eyes moved back to focus on the man with the gun.
He was short, shorter than him, even. And pressed up against one of the walls, clutching something in his hands that looked distinctly odd. It was white, and looked decidedly unwieldy, it's shape seeming thick even in the dim light. As he got a better look at it he noticed that his trigger finger was resting on precisely nothing. Just hovering around where the trigger would have been if it was a real rifle. He opened his mouth to question the situation for a fraction of a second, before deciding better of it. It was, after all, effectively neutralising the only other real weapon in the room.
His eyes tracked over to the other two for a moment, watching them as they spoke. Mercy recognised him, and that was enough to earn him the benefit of doubt from the others, and the taller boy was trying to just calm the group down from atop his throne of mallow. The situation was tense. There were too many unknown people here, and too many weapons for anyone to be comfortable, if someone didn't back down this was going to end in a fight.
He took a step further into the room, leaving the door open behind him, and leaned forwards, dropping his axe on the floor. A dull thud rang out as the metal slapped into the rotting carpet of the floor, hopefully enough to attract Tonya's attention away from the gun, before he reached a foot forwards and kicked it behind him. It slid poorly along the fabric, the head barely sliding into the next room. Hopefully the gesture was enough.
He raised his hands to about shoulder height, opening them to show that they were empty, as he made eye contact with the unknown girl.
"See, no weapons." he said, simply.
Criticism or thoughts on my writing are welcome and appreciated - always looking to improve! Feel free to poke me on Discord or via PM.
Mercy was doing her level best to just follow the action in the room - such as it was - with her eyes instead of letting her head swing back and forth like a cartoon. In reality, it probably just made her look twitchy.
Parker dropped his weapon. Maybe Tonya would do the same? If she was smart, at least, she wouldn't come charging in with Theo pointing that gun-
Mercy's eyes fell on the gun again in tandem with that thought.
That was. Oh.
After a delay of several seconds to process what exactly she was seeing, Mercy burst into laughter again, louder, fuller, and near-hysterical. She'd seen those before. That was a drill rifle. The cheer squad didn't use them, but the dance team did. It was just a hunk of wood. Theo was holding everyone up with a hunk of wood.
"Sorry," she gasped, doubling over with tears in her eyes that she wasn't even sure were from mirth or terror or just the sheer absurdity of everything. "Sorry, just, oh God. Gimme a sec. I think I'm going to puke." The words tumbled out of her mouth as they came to mind, and she couldn't stop them even if she wanted to.
Parker dropped his weapon. Maybe Tonya would do the same? If she was smart, at least, she wouldn't come charging in with Theo pointing that gun-
Mercy's eyes fell on the gun again in tandem with that thought.
That was. Oh.
After a delay of several seconds to process what exactly she was seeing, Mercy burst into laughter again, louder, fuller, and near-hysterical. She'd seen those before. That was a drill rifle. The cheer squad didn't use them, but the dance team did. It was just a hunk of wood. Theo was holding everyone up with a hunk of wood.
"Sorry," she gasped, doubling over with tears in her eyes that she wasn't even sure were from mirth or terror or just the sheer absurdity of everything. "Sorry, just, oh God. Gimme a sec. I think I'm going to puke." The words tumbled out of her mouth as they came to mind, and she couldn't stop them even if she wanted to.
"Art enriches the community, Steve, no less than a pulsing fire hose, or a fireman beating down a blazing door. So what if we're drawing a nude man? So what if all we ever draw is a nude man, or the same nude man over and over in all sorts of provocative positions? Context, not content! Process, not subject! Don't be so gauche, Steve, it's beneath you."
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Somersault
- Posts: 312
- Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2018 8:56 am
Now, it wasn't that Tonya was pissed-
Actually, fuck that shit. It was entirely because Tonya was pissed, and she was pissed for all the right reasons, because Dennis The Menace was getting up in her face with a gun, a dude was shouting at her to drop the only thing she had to protect herself with, another dude was making eyes at her, and uh, what was that? Tiny twig of a girl starting to laugh as if she lost her fucking mind?
Who the fuck were they? Like, literally, 'cause there was no way she was gonna go sifting 'round her own brain to figure out who the fuck these people were, but also like, who the fuck were they to turn their shit on her? She said she wasn't gonna shank anybody, but they sure as hell seemed to think that she just told them she was gonna murder puppies or something.
She was ready to go do it, start now, on that rampage rolling down like the sin wagon itself, prove that she was going to do it, all that, all there, rage forming into one arrow pointing straight at all the rest, when she turned her face to see what exactly that girl found so funny. She gripped her machete even tighter, took a look. Stared down the long gun of a little white boy.
"The fuck?"
It slipped out, more as reflex than anything else, when Tonya saw that the heat he had was the kind that could get burnt up into cinders. The kind that definitely wouldn't be able to put a bullet in her face. The hell he was tryna pull, she did not know, and she wasn't in any mood to speak to him.
Still, she let the machete drop from her hands, clacking onto the ground right next to her. Still close enough that she could up and grab it and make sure that she wasn't going home in a body bag, no no no, but still dropped so they wouldn't see her as a threat. Or, like, more of a threat than they already did, 'cause they evidently thought she was here to start something. Bitches.
She looked at them all, eyes narrowed, as always, just like old times. "So, fine, sorry 'bout that," words tossed out like candy, although her voice was slightly calmer now, mac and cheese left to cool for just a few minutes longer. "But, see? I dropped it. All of it."
Tonya took a deep breath again, tried to make things chill, make sure that none of these other people lost their shit- anymore than they already had, at least.
"This is the second time I've been held at gunpoint in like two hours, okay? Shit stresses a mother's heart out."
Eyes on the prize. Everything for her. Anything for her.
Actually, fuck that shit. It was entirely because Tonya was pissed, and she was pissed for all the right reasons, because Dennis The Menace was getting up in her face with a gun, a dude was shouting at her to drop the only thing she had to protect herself with, another dude was making eyes at her, and uh, what was that? Tiny twig of a girl starting to laugh as if she lost her fucking mind?
Who the fuck were they? Like, literally, 'cause there was no way she was gonna go sifting 'round her own brain to figure out who the fuck these people were, but also like, who the fuck were they to turn their shit on her? She said she wasn't gonna shank anybody, but they sure as hell seemed to think that she just told them she was gonna murder puppies or something.
She was ready to go do it, start now, on that rampage rolling down like the sin wagon itself, prove that she was going to do it, all that, all there, rage forming into one arrow pointing straight at all the rest, when she turned her face to see what exactly that girl found so funny. She gripped her machete even tighter, took a look. Stared down the long gun of a little white boy.
"The fuck?"
It slipped out, more as reflex than anything else, when Tonya saw that the heat he had was the kind that could get burnt up into cinders. The kind that definitely wouldn't be able to put a bullet in her face. The hell he was tryna pull, she did not know, and she wasn't in any mood to speak to him.
Still, she let the machete drop from her hands, clacking onto the ground right next to her. Still close enough that she could up and grab it and make sure that she wasn't going home in a body bag, no no no, but still dropped so they wouldn't see her as a threat. Or, like, more of a threat than they already did, 'cause they evidently thought she was here to start something. Bitches.
She looked at them all, eyes narrowed, as always, just like old times. "So, fine, sorry 'bout that," words tossed out like candy, although her voice was slightly calmer now, mac and cheese left to cool for just a few minutes longer. "But, see? I dropped it. All of it."
Tonya took a deep breath again, tried to make things chill, make sure that none of these other people lost their shit- anymore than they already had, at least.
"This is the second time I've been held at gunpoint in like two hours, okay? Shit stresses a mother's heart out."
Eyes on the prize. Everything for her. Anything for her.
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Jan de Witt
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2019 2:19 pm
While Theo waited for the response to his admittedly somewhat aggressive move, his thoughts were again interrupted, this time by Mercy's unsettlingly full-throated and vigorous laughter. He was about to ask about the cause of her levity before he followed her gaze and realized exactly what she was laughing at. His "rifle" and its not-immediately-visible lack of key parts seemed less convincing by the minute: he would have to be more cautious with it in the future. Worriedly, he looked back at the others, hoping that no one else was inclined to pay such close attention.
As Parker and then the new girl dropped their weapons, Theo exhaled audibly. His worries appeared unfounded, and he calmed slightly. Stowing the rifle out of sight once more, he turned back to the new girl, waving his hands in the air apologetically. "Sorry about that, it's just been really stressful here, what with everyone suddenly coming in like this."
He opened his bag to take out a water bottle, sipping a small amount as he talked. "Uh, and just to clear up any confusion, would people mind giving their names?"
As Parker and then the new girl dropped their weapons, Theo exhaled audibly. His worries appeared unfounded, and he calmed slightly. Stowing the rifle out of sight once more, he turned back to the new girl, waving his hands in the air apologetically. "Sorry about that, it's just been really stressful here, what with everyone suddenly coming in like this."
He opened his bag to take out a water bottle, sipping a small amount as he talked. "Uh, and just to clear up any confusion, would people mind giving their names?"
Parker dropped something and kicked it away, probably his weapon. At least he was sensible.
All of a sudden Mercy looked at the gun and started up in a laughing fit, like she was boutta bust a gut from a real knee slapper. Ramsey said, "You good?" with a confused look on his face before turning back to the machete lady. She joined in with a "what the fuck?" look at the gun after Mercy's outburst. Ramsey took another look at the rifle, but he couldn't see what the fucking joke was. Clearly there was something up, but regardless the new newcomer complied and dropped the machete.
Great. Now everyone was chill. Theo asked for a role call. That was fine with Ramsey; they needed a better ice breaker than a Mexican standoff.
"Ramsey," he introduced himself. In one swift motion he pulled the marshmallow bag back towards himself and opened the top, his hands spreading the opening far enough to scoop a hand in.
"Anyone want one?" he asked, shoveling out a handful and throwing it in his mouth himself.
All of a sudden Mercy looked at the gun and started up in a laughing fit, like she was boutta bust a gut from a real knee slapper. Ramsey said, "You good?" with a confused look on his face before turning back to the machete lady. She joined in with a "what the fuck?" look at the gun after Mercy's outburst. Ramsey took another look at the rifle, but he couldn't see what the fucking joke was. Clearly there was something up, but regardless the new newcomer complied and dropped the machete.
Great. Now everyone was chill. Theo asked for a role call. That was fine with Ramsey; they needed a better ice breaker than a Mexican standoff.
"Ramsey," he introduced himself. In one swift motion he pulled the marshmallow bag back towards himself and opened the top, his hands spreading the opening far enough to scoop a hand in.
"Anyone want one?" he asked, shoveling out a handful and throwing it in his mouth himself.
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Frozen Smoke
- Posts: 533
- Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2018 3:50 pm
- Location: Where I need to be
"Sure."
Parker reached out with one hand, taking one of the offered marshmallows from the top of the pile, away from the boy he now knew as Ramsey's sticky fingers. He gestured briefly to the group with that hand, waving it in his own general direction, the subject of attention for the moment as he spoke.
"Parker, by the way." he answered, politely, before putting the treat into his mouth and letting his arm drop to his side slowly. The tension in the room had faded, thankfully, although seemingly more from the non-sequitur of Mercy's outburst of laughter than his own attempt. His jaw worked, slowly breaking down the sugary-puff into smaller chunks, as he focused his attention on the last person in the room he didn't know.
She sure had a tale to tell. The second time, a mother's heart, all things that caught his attention as she spoke. As he thought back, he could remember talk of someone being pregnant, probably the kind of thing he'd laughed at. You had to be pretty stupid to get yourself knocked up in a world where Chattanooga CARES existed. Maybe she was that person. Seemed like the kind of person who'd do something dumb and end up getting a gun pointed at them, and given how she'd entered this particular fray, but it seemed prudent to check her story. He swallowed the mush in his mouth.
"Who else pointed a gun at you? Anyone we need to worry about?" he asked, trying his best to sound concerned, as he softened his expression a little.
Basics were easy to lie about. Details were where people tripped up, or forgot.
Parker reached out with one hand, taking one of the offered marshmallows from the top of the pile, away from the boy he now knew as Ramsey's sticky fingers. He gestured briefly to the group with that hand, waving it in his own general direction, the subject of attention for the moment as he spoke.
"Parker, by the way." he answered, politely, before putting the treat into his mouth and letting his arm drop to his side slowly. The tension in the room had faded, thankfully, although seemingly more from the non-sequitur of Mercy's outburst of laughter than his own attempt. His jaw worked, slowly breaking down the sugary-puff into smaller chunks, as he focused his attention on the last person in the room he didn't know.
She sure had a tale to tell. The second time, a mother's heart, all things that caught his attention as she spoke. As he thought back, he could remember talk of someone being pregnant, probably the kind of thing he'd laughed at. You had to be pretty stupid to get yourself knocked up in a world where Chattanooga CARES existed. Maybe she was that person. Seemed like the kind of person who'd do something dumb and end up getting a gun pointed at them, and given how she'd entered this particular fray, but it seemed prudent to check her story. He swallowed the mush in his mouth.
"Who else pointed a gun at you? Anyone we need to worry about?" he asked, trying his best to sound concerned, as he softened his expression a little.
Basics were easy to lie about. Details were where people tripped up, or forgot.
Criticism or thoughts on my writing are welcome and appreciated - always looking to improve! Feel free to poke me on Discord or via PM.
Still wheezing, only half-listening to the conversation continuing on around her, Mercy crouched down. She grabbed her ankles, neatly folding herself into a fetal position while still technically standing. Eyes darting around the inside of the church, she caught glimpses of things that she hadn't taken notice of before. The splintered beam from the ceiling. The mold on the cushions.
The noose.
Mercy hid her face in her knees.
"I'm good," she said to Ramsey, voice muffled. Ask a silly question, get a silly, obvious lie in answer. "And it's Mercy. And I don't want a marshmallow right now."
The sheer ridiculousness of it all almost made her start laughing again, but she bit her lower lip hard to stave it off. Some part of her worried that if she didn't get hold of herself now, it'd all slip away from her irretrievably, and she'd just be laying on the church floor laughing until she stopped breathing.
The noose.
Mercy hid her face in her knees.
"I'm good," she said to Ramsey, voice muffled. Ask a silly question, get a silly, obvious lie in answer. "And it's Mercy. And I don't want a marshmallow right now."
The sheer ridiculousness of it all almost made her start laughing again, but she bit her lower lip hard to stave it off. Some part of her worried that if she didn't get hold of herself now, it'd all slip away from her irretrievably, and she'd just be laying on the church floor laughing until she stopped breathing.
"Art enriches the community, Steve, no less than a pulsing fire hose, or a fireman beating down a blazing door. So what if we're drawing a nude man? So what if all we ever draw is a nude man, or the same nude man over and over in all sorts of provocative positions? Context, not content! Process, not subject! Don't be so gauche, Steve, it's beneath you."
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Somersault
- Posts: 312
- Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2018 8:56 am
People were saying their names now, as if this was some kinda backyard cookout and not the beginning of the end of their lives. The politeness just made her tenser, a spring ready to coil, but she still replied, said her piece, voice back at it's natural pitch.
"It's Tonya, and no, I ain't having a marshmallow."
If there was one thing she knew for certain, it was that she was out of place here. Wasn't a feeling she wasn't used to, no no no, stares in the hallway always ended up that way or something or other, but it was still disheartening when white boy #2, Peter or whatever, decided that it was his time to go interrogate her. Usually, she would've just gave him the finger and left, said something 'bout his face or whatever seemed sorta witty, but she had a feeling that course of action wouldn't go over real nice.
Instead, she pursed her lips and locked eyes with him, almost daring him to go ask whether he thought she was lying. Ask him to be a man and come out and say that he thought she was a lying bitch. Her words, weren't exactly that, no, 'cause that'd be stupid, again, but the words were still tinged with something much more sour than the food in his mouth.
"So, y'all really wanna know?" Tonya started, ready for anything. "It was Tanisha, who thought I was gonna pull some shit just 'cause i was trying to help a crying girl get up on her ass. I shout at her, bish, get up or you'll get killed by some psycho, and then that bitch walks in with a shotgun and tells me to leave."
Was the truth, after all. No need to tell them that she'd waved the machete in front of the girl's face, because there was no need to give them any more rope to hang her with.
Her voice softened, if only slightly. They just didn't get it.
"So, that's why I'm here now. Happy?"
Twig girl (Marcy?) seemed way too happy about the whole thing, but Tonya was just gonna pretend she wasn't on the ground losing her mind. Had to focus on her own ass first.
"It's Tonya, and no, I ain't having a marshmallow."
If there was one thing she knew for certain, it was that she was out of place here. Wasn't a feeling she wasn't used to, no no no, stares in the hallway always ended up that way or something or other, but it was still disheartening when white boy #2, Peter or whatever, decided that it was his time to go interrogate her. Usually, she would've just gave him the finger and left, said something 'bout his face or whatever seemed sorta witty, but she had a feeling that course of action wouldn't go over real nice.
Instead, she pursed her lips and locked eyes with him, almost daring him to go ask whether he thought she was lying. Ask him to be a man and come out and say that he thought she was a lying bitch. Her words, weren't exactly that, no, 'cause that'd be stupid, again, but the words were still tinged with something much more sour than the food in his mouth.
"So, y'all really wanna know?" Tonya started, ready for anything. "It was Tanisha, who thought I was gonna pull some shit just 'cause i was trying to help a crying girl get up on her ass. I shout at her, bish, get up or you'll get killed by some psycho, and then that bitch walks in with a shotgun and tells me to leave."
Was the truth, after all. No need to tell them that she'd waved the machete in front of the girl's face, because there was no need to give them any more rope to hang her with.
Her voice softened, if only slightly. They just didn't get it.
"So, that's why I'm here now. Happy?"
Twig girl (Marcy?) seemed way too happy about the whole thing, but Tonya was just gonna pretend she wasn't on the ground losing her mind. Had to focus on her own ass first.
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Jan de Witt
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2019 2:19 pm
Theo eagerly reached out for a marshmallow when offered, and he chewed on it pensively as he listened for people's names. As each one called out their names, he tried to listen closely to what was being said, while trying to ignore Mercy's distracting giggles. He frowned slightly at her and hoped she got the hint.
When Parker asked a question of his own, he took a curious look at Parker. He was apparently ... worried? Did he maybe know the other girl, or was it just a concern? He looked back at the girl, and was puzzled by the lack of relief on her expression. Surely she should be reassured by the fact that others were worried about her situation, even if there was probably some self-interest in it?
His sympathy drained away as Tonya, as she called herself, told her story. Apparently, she thought that violently rousing people who were clearly distressed was an appropriate course of action, so her approach to entering the temple appeared to be business as usual. He looked at her challengingly. "I see. Do you regularly announce yourself so aggressively? It's not exactly the most reassuring thing in the world to hear, you know."
When Parker asked a question of his own, he took a curious look at Parker. He was apparently ... worried? Did he maybe know the other girl, or was it just a concern? He looked back at the girl, and was puzzled by the lack of relief on her expression. Surely she should be reassured by the fact that others were worried about her situation, even if there was probably some self-interest in it?
His sympathy drained away as Tonya, as she called herself, told her story. Apparently, she thought that violently rousing people who were clearly distressed was an appropriate course of action, so her approach to entering the temple appeared to be business as usual. He looked at her challengingly. "I see. Do you regularly announce yourself so aggressively? It's not exactly the most reassuring thing in the world to hear, you know."
To Ramsey's surprise only the boys picked from his pot of gold, and even then it was just one measly marshmallow each. Suit themselves; that just meant more for Ramsey himself to go into a diabetic shock over.
He snatched another glob and shoveled that shit in. Boy, his jaw was gonna get a workout today!
He just silently chewed and chewed while listening to the conversation unfold around Tonya's possibly tall tale.
His jaw nearly dropped with the marshmallow ball at the name she threw out along with her implied companion. He managed to swallow it before hounding Tonya and talking over Theo, his words speeding at a mile a minute.
"W-wait, Tanisha? Where was this? Who was the other girl? Was there anyone else? Was it Angie? Ya know black hair, brown eyes, about this tall? Yellow sweatshirt? Jeans?"
He snatched another glob and shoveled that shit in. Boy, his jaw was gonna get a workout today!
He just silently chewed and chewed while listening to the conversation unfold around Tonya's possibly tall tale.
His jaw nearly dropped with the marshmallow ball at the name she threw out along with her implied companion. He managed to swallow it before hounding Tonya and talking over Theo, his words speeding at a mile a minute.
"W-wait, Tanisha? Where was this? Who was the other girl? Was there anyone else? Was it Angie? Ya know black hair, brown eyes, about this tall? Yellow sweatshirt? Jeans?"
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Frozen Smoke
- Posts: 533
- Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2018 3:50 pm
- Location: Where I need to be
Parker listened cautiously to what Tonya - at least that was the name he was going to use for now - had to say. Apparently this was not the first time she'd decided to run up to people shouting and got a gun pointed at her, and advice to do the opposite of that rested on his tongue for a moment, before he thought better of it. After all, if getting a gun pointed at you didn't teach you that, he doubted a few words of wisdom would.
Parker reached into the back pocket of his jeans, deciding that his time was better spent studying the map that was given to them as everyone continued their introductions, unfolding it halfway in front of him and trying to pinpoint where they were in relation to everything. A peer at the fabric, faded, faceless angel that hung on the wall behind them tipped him off to the fact that this was the Temple. It was a shame the map was so cartoony, more like a themepark map than a genuine piece of cartography, but it worked at least.
Looking down at the map hid the smirk that creeped across his face as Theo suggested what he hadn't to the girl. He wasn't entirely sure what he was looking for among the list of nearby locations. It wasn't like the Terrorists were likely to point out anything that was of particular use to them, but maybe there'd be some place that seemed specifically defensible, in the way this place certainly didn't with it's windows and many doors.
He looked back up, over the paper to the rest of the group, as the discussion continued. Something in particular clicked, as his eyes flicked from person to person, taking in the details he'd not had the focus to previously. Everyone apart from him and Tonya was, to some extent, empty handed. It wasn't like the fake rifle was exactly made for hitting people, and he doubted it'd do much damage, which mean that three of the five had nothing to defend themselves with. If he wanted to ingratiate himself to the group, that would probably be the first, and most important thing he could change.
Now, where on the island would he find something that could be turned into a weapon. His brow furrowed a little as he looked harder at the map, as if doing so would cause new options to pop out of the vast blankness that covered it.
Parker reached into the back pocket of his jeans, deciding that his time was better spent studying the map that was given to them as everyone continued their introductions, unfolding it halfway in front of him and trying to pinpoint where they were in relation to everything. A peer at the fabric, faded, faceless angel that hung on the wall behind them tipped him off to the fact that this was the Temple. It was a shame the map was so cartoony, more like a themepark map than a genuine piece of cartography, but it worked at least.
Looking down at the map hid the smirk that creeped across his face as Theo suggested what he hadn't to the girl. He wasn't entirely sure what he was looking for among the list of nearby locations. It wasn't like the Terrorists were likely to point out anything that was of particular use to them, but maybe there'd be some place that seemed specifically defensible, in the way this place certainly didn't with it's windows and many doors.
He looked back up, over the paper to the rest of the group, as the discussion continued. Something in particular clicked, as his eyes flicked from person to person, taking in the details he'd not had the focus to previously. Everyone apart from him and Tonya was, to some extent, empty handed. It wasn't like the fake rifle was exactly made for hitting people, and he doubted it'd do much damage, which mean that three of the five had nothing to defend themselves with. If he wanted to ingratiate himself to the group, that would probably be the first, and most important thing he could change.
Now, where on the island would he find something that could be turned into a weapon. His brow furrowed a little as he looked harder at the map, as if doing so would cause new options to pop out of the vast blankness that covered it.
Criticism or thoughts on my writing are welcome and appreciated - always looking to improve! Feel free to poke me on Discord or via PM.
"Don't," Mercy snapped at Theo from where her face was still pressed into her knees. "Leave her alone. We're not fighting, remember?" It didn't come out very authoritative, given her position huddled up on the ground between everyone. Also, Theo had a fake gun, which he wasn't even holding anymore, and Tonya had a very real blade. If he ticked her off enough to take a swing at him, there wasn't a lot that any of the rest of them could do.
That thought didn't exactly incentivize Mercy to return to communicating like a normal person instead of staying in the fetal position, but she at least lifted her head to frown up at Theo. At least Ramsey didn't follow it up with anything else that could be taken as aggressive.
Angie, right. She'd complimented Mercy's outfit a few times when they saw each other in the halls or in class. Seemed like a sweetheart, but Mercy didn't know her well.
Ramsey's sister was going to die, and he'd have to hear about it, or vice-versa.
Digging her fingers into her legs hard to keep her hands from visibly shaking, Mercy ran through a gamut of emotions and settled on the one which seemed least likely to make her freak out further. She was suddenly absurdly grateful that she was an only child.
"This sucks," she mumbled under the waves of words the others said, not really expecting anyone to answer except maybe to tell her that she was stating the obvious.
That thought didn't exactly incentivize Mercy to return to communicating like a normal person instead of staying in the fetal position, but she at least lifted her head to frown up at Theo. At least Ramsey didn't follow it up with anything else that could be taken as aggressive.
Angie, right. She'd complimented Mercy's outfit a few times when they saw each other in the halls or in class. Seemed like a sweetheart, but Mercy didn't know her well.
Ramsey's sister was going to die, and he'd have to hear about it, or vice-versa.
Digging her fingers into her legs hard to keep her hands from visibly shaking, Mercy ran through a gamut of emotions and settled on the one which seemed least likely to make her freak out further. She was suddenly absurdly grateful that she was an only child.
"This sucks," she mumbled under the waves of words the others said, not really expecting anyone to answer except maybe to tell her that she was stating the obvious.
"Art enriches the community, Steve, no less than a pulsing fire hose, or a fireman beating down a blazing door. So what if we're drawing a nude man? So what if all we ever draw is a nude man, or the same nude man over and over in all sorts of provocative positions? Context, not content! Process, not subject! Don't be so gauche, Steve, it's beneath you."