sixthiterationlogs | [ CLOSED ] i made my peace, i'm one with the war

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[ CLOSED ] i made my peace, i'm one with the war

WHO: Ty, Jake, Kira, Bobo
WHERE: Bunker, Various Places
WHEN: Middle of October
OPEN TO: Jake + Kira + Bobo
WARNINGS: TBA

[ For Kira: I’ll Be in My Bunk(er) ]

Call it having a healthy dose of caution for once, but Ty had kept most of his exploring to the villages and the surrounding areas, as if he drew back to the bunker he’d somehow end up regretting it. While it was the most likely place to have answers, the place creeped him out more than he cared to admit. Still, there didn’t seem to be many clues anywhere else, so he took one of the knives from the communal storeroom with him, wishing he had something more substantial, before heading over.

He was still dripping from when he had to swim to the column from the dock, but it was admittedly better than a seven hour hike, drawing the blanket he had kept in his backpack for just this, he dried off his face and hands before entering the bunker, knife within easy reach.

He poked around the storage and break areas, but anything useful had long since been picked clean. Avoiding the room where he’d come out of a tube, he paused when he heard footsteps nearby. His hand went to where the knife was tucked at his side, his voice collected and careful when he called out.

“Hello?”

[ For Jake: There are no Obstacles in Friendship ]

Call it professional curiosity or Ty looking for a distraction and perhaps a way to get his adrenaline fix in this place, but the zoom seeds had been calling his name for a while. He was just glad that he had someone who was willing to test it out with him, and everything was more fun if there was a bit of friendly competition thrown in the mix.

“So,” Ty said, crouching down so he could draw a crude of the area with a stick into the dirt, “we’ll do a loop around both villages, and whoever gets back here first wins. Once we got a handle on it, I think we can expand the arena into the forest. What do you think?” He tipped his gaze up to look at Jake, grinning slightly.

[ For Bobo: Are You Feeling Froggy?]

"Hey, we meet again!" Ty waved jovially as he spotted a familiar hulking figure. Ty was pretty sure he had only seen him out and about in the forest, and he was a bit concerned that perhaps the guy was living out here somewhere, or in a cave, instead of the warm Inn or one of the available houses. And even though he had somehow managed to keep getting distracted from asking the guy's name, he still viewed him rather fondly. The guy was a little strange, to be sure, but perhaps that was more on Ty than anything on him. He just wasn't used to the man's delivery and mannerisms, not yet anyway.

He hefted his pack that he had been filling with tubers a bit higher up onto his shoulder, heading towards the mountain man curiously. It always seemed like he was doing something new and practical.

"What's on your agenda today? You need help?" Ty might as well have a string on his back that when pulled, spouted off that phrase.

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Though normally easy going and laid back, Ty had a fierce competitive side. Mostly it had been beaten out of him after having to compete with someone like Delilah, for who most things came effortlessly, or with the people he had trained with who had for the most part, been hardened from the military or law enforcement. But with the zoom seeds and the fact that Jake was more a tech guy, it might level the playing field.

Normally, Ty would just bet money or bragging rights, but since the first was nonexistent and useless and the second didn't seem good enough, he paused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"We could do something like chores," He paused, grinning, "or the loser has to do something completely humiliating. What do you think?"

Jake is a tech guy, but he's also special forces. He may not be the athlete many in his unit are, but he figures he can handle this and prove himself. Though his words might not prove that.

"I humiliate myself on a regular basis, so let's go with the chores. Less likely to end up serenading some girl and probably passing out," he says, grinning though and not seeming the least bit bothered by the possibility. We both have a new house. You got a fireplace? I was thinking I wanted to clean mine out before it got cold. Who knows if they work."

"Seriously?" Ty asked with a small laugh, but he wasn't going to press it. He was probably the wrong person to talk about serenades, usually finding them romantic instead of humiliating, though he was sure Kira and a few people he had dated would disagree with him.

"Though sure, if I lose, I'll clean out your fireplace. If I win, the roof needs some repairing." Which Ty had been putting off until last, honestly, because it seemed like the biggest pain.

And since their wagers had been set, he set the stick down and dusted off his hands before he took out the zoom seed he'd been safekeeping in his pocket.

"Ready?"

"Don't look at me like that. I am so bad about these things, and I'll end up rambling and it'll be ugly."

At least he knows that about himself, and he's willing to take the chance.

"Oh. I think I can actually do that. Fixed my sister's gutters and all for her," he says, which likely will mean that no matter what, he'll do it for Ty.

Pulling out the seed, Jake nods. This is dumb of them, and he kind of loves it. Even if he isn't entirely clear on the after effects of these things.

"Set," he says with a grin.

"Just know we're coming back to this, because that sounds suspiciously like stories I should be hearing." Ty teased, but he'd let it go for now. There were bigger things afoot, and he raised his zoom seed to clunk against Jake's as if they were expensive wine glasses and not seeds he had to spend a good chunk of time wrestling out of their shell.

"Go!" He popped his into his mouth, crunched a few times, and then took off sprinting. He had been hoping it was instantaneous, but it seemed like he was running a normal speed and then -woah.

"Later. When we're sitting in front of a roaring fire in the snow," he teases, grinning at that. Though he does have some stories. Touching his to Ty's, nodding as he pops it in his mouth, chewing. The flavor isn't bad, and he's enjoying it before he starts to run.

And then the world is a blur. It's like being in a car and it's madness, and it's amazing.

He let's out a holler, loving how crazy it is, and forgetting how deadly it could be.

The long winding path that Ty had outlined in the dirt would have taken hours, easy, regularly. He found himself having to stop just to make sure he hadn't passed landmarks, or just to catch his breath from whooping so much. It was crazy, exhilarating, and a little terrifying. Just the right mix to get him hooked, and he didn't know why people weren't using this more often.

By the time he made it back to the marked area, he was breathless, not from exertion really, still keyed up. "Best two of three?" He asked, catching his breath, grin a bit wild and reckless.

It should feel wrong, and weird, and yet it feels amazing. Effortless speed, moving as fast as a car as he raved through the lands of the village. Excitement coursing through him as he ran, trying to push himself as hard and as fast as he can. Sometimes overtaking Ty, other times falling behind, before racing into the clearing where they'd began.

Laughing, feeling as if he should be winded and yet finding it's mostly that he practically swallowed air as he ran.

"Yes! God, yes," he says, voice high and excited, and utterly ready to do this again. New path or the same?

Ty couldn't help but laugh at Jake's infectious enthusiasm, so closely mirrored to his own it was difficult to tell which one of them was having more fun. He'd all but forgotten about the competition, instead holding out the stick to Jake so he could make the route this time.

"How are you rounding those corners so well? I swear I can only go in a straight line. I've almost ran into so many trees."

Who is letting these children do this unsupervised? Where are the adults?

"An utter lack of fear, and a lot of running from bullies when I was a kid," he admits, laughing as he says it though it speaks of a sad childhood in many ways. "Also, lean into it. You stay too rigid and you fall off course."

He chuckles again though. "At least, that's how it feels. I might be wrong though, but I only tripped once and I did catch myself."

Even as he speaks, he's routing a course. Up and through the North village, away from people more and then down along the water. He glances at Ty and smirks. "You do swim, right? I mean, in case you fall in?"

"Add that to the list of things we need to talk about," Ty said, grinning despite the terrible subject matter, because it didn't seem like it bothered Jake anymore. "And right, I'll try that then. Like riding a motorcycle."

He waved him off at the insinuation that he couldn't swim, scoffing. He leaned in to watch Jake route the course, committing it to memory. "One, I'm not going to fall in because I haven't tripped yet." Just almost ran into trees, but who was keeping track? "Two, I can definitely swim. Do you think the seeds effects still work in the water?"

"Neither is that exciting. Well, one led to the army so maybe a bit exciting." Because much as he's had his bumps and issues with the military, it brought him to the Losers, so it's the best thing in his life.

"Exactly. Like that. With about as much road rash if we screw up."

Which should be also frightening but really wasn't. Kind of an I'm going to live forever mentality.

That gives Jake pause though, glancing to Ty. "There's only one way to find out," he notes, his grin wide and kind of dangerous in a dorky kind of a way.

"I feel like you sell yourself short quite a bit. What we're doing now is exciting, so how would finding out how you got to this point not be exciting?" Plus, Jake was one of the few people who didn't seem to mind talking about his home world, an admittedly touchy topic even when people weren't thrown into a gloomy town and forced to survive or die.

"Don't worry, I'll patch us up if it comes to it. And there's enough marijuana around here I'm sure none of us will feel any pain." Ty said cheerfully, letting out a laugh at Jake's expression. "Race you there, then!"

Except he was already running because victory favored the bold.

Until this place, the friends he is making here and the insanity of the things they're doing like this, all of Jake's happiness in life came from his unit and the Army. Even with the horrible things. So when Ty puts it like that, he can't help but smile and nod.

"You got it. Later."

Laughing though at that, figuring he's right. They would heal most anything that happens. Or believe that.

And then Ty was gone.

"Cheat!"

Laughing as he takes off, racing after him.

'Later' seemed to be the motto of this place, where anything negative or things Ty didn't want to touch upon could be set aside and dealt with. It was easier to have fun in this place rather than letting the crushing nature of his thoughts weigh down on him.

As soon as he saw water, he skidded to a halt, a bit unsuccessful. He was knee deep in water before he slowed fully, immediately booking it back to shore, yelping.

"Cold, cold, cold! On second thought, maybe the swimming can wait."

For a moment being behind was a good thing, Jake realizes as he sees Ty turn around. Skidding to a halt, feet digging furrows in the turf, kicking up grass and bits of grass as the ringing in his ears from the speeding wind subsides enough he can understand those words.

Then he laughs, unable to help himself at that reaction. "You sure. I mean, if you can swim fast..."

And yet he's not getting near the water, is he?

"You're more than welcome to it! Be my guest!" Shivering slightly, Ty debated the merits of running to dry off and potentially making it worse. Well, since he was already wet...

Helpfully he splashed a bit of water towards Jake, grinning. "Here, let me help you out."

Jake shrieks, dancing back and away from the water. The result is several blinding twirls that leave him dizzy and gripping at a tree. "Okay, bad choice," he groans, even if he's still wearing a lopsided grin.

"So technically you got farther." Because Jake stopped before he went into the water. "Do you win this one then?"

"You okay?" He asked, torn between laughing at the display and being concerned, getting out of the water carefully so not to splash more water around.

"I'll take that win, which makes us even for now." Ty said with a small grin, crossing his arms over his chest. "How long is this stuff supposed to last, anyway? Should we leave it at a draw or do you think we still have enough time to go through your course?"

"It's cold, and I made myself dizzy," he admits, looking sheepish at how dumb he's acting. His adrenaline is pumping though, a bit wild in actions as he experiences so much for the first time.

"Well, a draw means we don't risk it shutting off mid run and ending up hurting ourselves," he says, as if this isn't going to end in so much pain when the seeds wear off, but he's not thinking about that. "Also, then it's a tie and I don't lose."

"Then this is a good place to stop, I think." Ty made his way over to him, carefully slow, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "But don't think this is the last of it."

Then, with a small grin because it's too easy, "So this humiliation thing you were talking about earlier. Should I be concerned for you as a friend?"

"The last until we figure out something else to try." Because honestly, they will risk their lives again for the fun of it. They both know it.

"Wait, what?" He pauses, considering that and then shrugs, looking away, glad the exertion hid the flushing. "That was units before the Losers. Tech guys don't get a lot of respect from some people."

As if he isn't actually special forces.

"You learn to live with hazing. It went away when Clay picked me up for his unit."

Ty clapped a hand onto Jake's shoulder with a grin, because good, a guy who got it.

"I'm sorry man." Ty said sincerely, because no one should get used to hazing or being disrespected. He could see why Jake would make an easy target, considering he seemed to let everything roll off of him, but it was disappointing to hear. "Tell me about Clay. What was he like?"

He smiles then, easily able to dismiss things he's just never dealt with. It's easier that way, and he knows he's not ready to try and cope with it all. Maybe not ever.

"He's our Colonel. Bad ass, smart, willing to go in where angels fear to tread and lead us out," he says, smiling fondly as he thinks about him. "He took in a lot of real fucked up cases and made us a unit," he says, the smile fading a bit. "Even if one of them apparently turned on him, but that's... apparently not happened to me yet."

"He sounds like a great guy." Ty offered up, frowning at the thought of someone betraying someone that Jake obviously held in such high regard. "Who did that to him?"

He doubted it was Jake, and he was sure if it was Cougar, Jake would have been more torn up about it. But Ty figured just in case any of these people showed up, it was a good idea to keep an eye on them.

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killorder - 2018-12-10 04:08 (UTC) - Expand

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