Duo Maxwell (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
scupper) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
kyouyasangels_inc2014-01-26 06:16 am
scupper) wrote in kyouyasangels_inc2014-01-26 06:16 am
space balls but with less legal balls
[It's not that he's exactly reckless or particularly careless. The fact of the matter is Duo's luck really fucking sucks. Which is why he was marooned on a shuttle with zero thruster power, his Gundam long gone, the colonies nowhere in sight and communications silent as the grave (how very ironic for the god of death himself, lifeless, endless space stretched out in front of him with a carpet full of stars).
That is until he struck a spot of luck- that ended up not being very lucky at all. A ship, a battle ship to be exact, rescued him and promptly seized him for questioning and the like.
It goes without saying that questioning is the universal language for "beat the shit out of Duo until he sings or makes a quip and passes out" out here in space. Which is where we find our braided hero in a startlingly familiar setting:
A darkened room, handcuffed to a chair with bruises zinging and stinging up and down his ribs and across his face. He wrenches his wrists against the cuffs to no avail; they merely rattle against the chair and give little. Well, he's had worse.]
Maaaan, this sucks. Hospitality sure ain't what it used to be in the colonies. Guess I can't blame 'em but a little grub would be nice.
That is until he struck a spot of luck- that ended up not being very lucky at all. A ship, a battle ship to be exact, rescued him and promptly seized him for questioning and the like.
It goes without saying that questioning is the universal language for "beat the shit out of Duo until he sings or makes a quip and passes out" out here in space. Which is where we find our braided hero in a startlingly familiar setting:
A darkened room, handcuffed to a chair with bruises zinging and stinging up and down his ribs and across his face. He wrenches his wrists against the cuffs to no avail; they merely rattle against the chair and give little. Well, he's had worse.]
Maaaan, this sucks. Hospitality sure ain't what it used to be in the colonies. Guess I can't blame 'em but a little grub would be nice.
i sho'l hope this ain't dooky
Nah, she’s just surprised is all. Surprised Galactica crew would go to all this trouble over a kid, but when she remembers the attitudes of some of the pilots she’s gotten she can easily understand. But really, how much of a threat could he really be?
But Kara can only ignore the stiffening of her own spine for so long, and finally she nods once, curtly, to the guards on either side to her before she pushes down the handle and breezes into the room, head held high, smirk in position in three, two-- as she turns toward the boy (all in time to hear the tail end of his whining).
The guards slam the door shut behind her and she tosses the clipboard onto the metal table with a loud clatter, resting one hand on top of her sidearm at her right hip. She makes a gesture in the direction of the window and a light comes on over the top of the boy’s head, shining down bright, casting some of Kara in luminance but mostly throwing more shadows over her features.
She takes her sweet time taking in the sight of this bruised and battered kid, trying not to be doubtful of his guilt. If Kara Thrace had learned one thing from this whole Cylon war experience, it’s to never trust Cylons. They’ll utilize even the smallest of children--obviously, she thinks with a bitter taste at the back of her throat--to seek the ends to their means. He’s no different. If he’s a Cylon then he’s the enemy, plain and simple.]
Well, well. Looks like we got ourselves a little Junior League of toasters now, huh?
Tough luck, kid. Up here you don’t get a say in room service-- [she cocks her head, smirk widening as she recalled the long plait at the back of his head] --or hair stylists.
[So down she sits in the chair across the table from him, folding her fingers together and leaning forward on her elbows.]
Tell me. Do the big baddies recruit straight outta kindergarten now? Or are you some special child prodigy they couldn’t wait to program? Newest model we don't know about?
no its wondrous is what it is
But since this is Duo "Kick My Ass" Maxwell, instead of using those shitty acting tactics the Gundam pilots have, he just furrows his eyebrows at her, mouth pulled into a pout.]
Dunno why I'd need one, my do's awesome. It looks cool and the girls seem to love it. Speaking of toast, can't ya spare some for a growing boy?
[He shrugs one shoulder, winces as something in there definitely protests, lets the pain wash over him, stalls while he decides how much he should lie.]
I dunno what you mean by programming and Doomed Vessel central isn't exactly the best modeling agency, but I'm just a guy on my last leg of luck, is all. I haven't been recruited for anything aside from a crappy field trip gone wrong.
[Which is true since technically he planned to steal from the Proff and his men before all the Deathscythe stuff! So he didn't lie, stuck to his motto. Good job, Duo, good job. He widens his eyes, imploring puppy dog eyes. But he has a feeling it isn't going to work so easily, this woman and her crew are gunning for all suspicious ships and once again his luck is just dandy.]
Kara is the biggest ass
She smirks and sits back in the chair, folding arms over her chest.]
Hate to break it to you, but your ‘do’ ain’t gonna do much more than attract a prince charming, Rapunzel. We’re not too fond of toast here onboard my ship, but sounds to me like they love it on yours.
[She leans forward, hands folded again, smirk as deadly as her firearm twisting her lips.] Tell me more about it, and maybe I can scrounge up some kinda scrap for the puppy. I don’t buy all that bull about your luck. Maybe they did in the Colonies, but this is a different time, different place, kid. [She has no idea, she just assumed he meant the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, her Colonies, but oh, Kara…]
You see, I’ve met lots of poor frakkers on their last leg of luck
some more literally than othersso maybe you should tell me why I should believe you. Enlighten me. [Sneer of the lips goes here--] Really.Oh, and make it quick. I’ve gotta train some nuggets to teach ‘em how to blow all your little friends to bits so you know, the sooner the better. I’m sure your tummy’s growling too, huh?
her ass is rather juicy, yeah (winces as i see how much i wrote)
Nah, Maleficent, no one's coming for me.
[They're more the punch you and leave you types. Duo cares about his comrades but they're also not the type to draw straws and spread the bait around a little ohhh nooo, it's always Duo. His eyebrows raise with apparent puzzlement. Alright, so she and the rest of this lot are beyond high strung, no surprise here, but. They're looking for something. Something Duo doesn't have and he's starting to think it isn't his Gundam.]
They're partial to noodles too? Look, I told you what happened. I was out with my class and ran into some trouble, got stranded, lived off rations for awhile, which I don't gotta tell you really sucks ass, and here I am. I don't know what else you want me to say.
[He sighs and the look in his eyes is extremely weary and bare, too much for a brat of 15 who should be off snapping bra straps and shit.]
You should believe me 'cause it's the truth. If you guys're into the business of blowing up innocent spacers then I guess you've got your day job covered.
[Nuggets...train...blow up....motherfuck she's a pilot isn't she. If not then someone in the control room of this big ass thing. And a trusted one at that. Be on your best behavior, D-boy~]
Hook me up to a lie detector or whatever the hell you've gotta do to prove I'm telling the truth. I didn't plan on ending up here and I don't plan on staying. So the sooner your friendly crew clears this up the sooner you can stop ragging on my hair and I'll be outta yours. Okay, lady? My tummy's kinda sore, to be honest.
poots.......leng..th...
She rolls her shoulders back, hoping she pulls off the ‘captain-ly, authoritatively readjusting in MY frakkin’ throne, excuse you’ act, as she pulls herself out of the threat of a flood of other, more unpleasant, memories, refocusing on the task at hand. She cocks her head, feigning concern, eyebrows furrowed.]
No one’s coming for you, really? Isn’t that a little pessimistic for someone your age?
[She frowns a little; could it be--no. No, she thinks, pushing the thought down along with the bile at the base of her throat. He’s not even close to her (not to be confused with Her) age, but still ever since, ever since there’s the possibility she might have a--
--if they’d been telling the truth, if the scar on her abdomen really is a testament to--
Just talk, a voice in the back of her mind nags, then you’ll get to eat, how hard is that??; she chokes it back with a bite to the inside of her cheek.]
All you can think about is food. Boring. No wonder you’re hungry if you were on rations, I guess. I know enough about the Cylons to know they program you to need food. I don’t get it, why bother?
[Blowing up innocent--
if you guys’re into the business of--
The words ring loud and clear in Kara’s ears and she doesn’t feel the thought recognition form before she hears her hand slam down, palm flat and fingers splayed, fingers that have danced along ivory and contrasting ebony alike, across muscled backs and countless star charts and dipped in paint and that are itching to be around Duo Maxwell’s throat. When she speaks her voice is tight, carefully measured and thus somehow much deadlier than the usual smirky, sarcastic banter.
She leans forward, on both hands now, eyes blazing, like the angel of God that He spoke of, only angrier.]
They really brainwashed you good, didn’t they? You wanna know what I know? I know that if you were a colonist you sure as hell wouldn’t dare speak those words.
My crew’ve more guts than you’ll have in your entire being, little boy. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to test me first.
honks your tit
Lotta kids these days are jaded, I'm just facing the facts. Sometimes you've just gotta go out on your own.
[Well that's not...always true. Sure, the five of them started out all alone but they keep gravitating toward each other, like it's destiny or some shit even he doesn't believe. And even when one of them strays from the path, the others are right there at their backs, ready to smack 'em a new one. There was no way they knew he was here, what he was doing, they were separated but...]
You know how us whipper snappers are. We're fixated on food. Obsessed. Forget the Oedipus crap, this is some real legendary hunger.
[Her next words give him considerable pause. What the fuck's a Cylon??? Is that some sort of new mobile suit doll? A new organization out of the about 5 that already exist and twist and stab each other and die and are reborn? Even an idiot could tell it'd be useless to ask this woman with the mad eyes about it.
Aside from that pretty bland strategy he doesn't have time to come up with anything else, the sharp thud of Kara's hand slamming down makes him flinch, drags all other thoughts out of his head, violet eyes unable to look away from the fire in hers.
He gulps, a shiver racing down his spine and the hairs on the back of his neck stand at attention. It's abundantly clear just how very fucking much he doesn't want to mess with this woman, how very pulsating and raw this nerve of hers is, and how very much he just shoved his foot down his mouth so far its in his pancreas.]
I am a colonist but you're right, sorry, my bad. Their lives are precious. They're meant to be protected. All they wanted was to live in peace, not be drawn into this war. [Of all the words to choose, guts, luck, one theme drives home; a bubble of hysteria threatens to rise to the surface, winding between his bruised chest...it's like he can't escape it, huh. His mouth twists painfully.]
Right again, boss! I'm a coward. I run and hide but I never tell a lie. That's the Duo Maxwell way. I don't wanna test you even on a good day which this isn't. Let's just start again, shall we? But without the beat down cause I'm bout ready to take that outta my resume.
Re: honks your tit
His apology comes at the end of a statement that comes out so fluidly she’s tempted to believe him--but is he a colonist? She hasn’t heard a word of Cylons using kids, not like this, shooting them out into space?, but she knows that doesn’t mean jack shit when it comes down to it. She grabs the clipboard again (not as gracefully as a certain clipboard boner, mind) and flips through the few sheets, eyes scanning rapidly (almost as rapidly as one of those single scarlet eyes, sliding back and forth but oh yes, as organic as she - the memory of that smell would remind her of that fact forever). But her eyes catch on the word where it does, in a single mention in the middle of a paragraph describing his vessel - who the frak wrote this mess? - state a mention of the Colonies from him.
She sits back down, tossing the clipboard back onto the table with only slightly softer clatter. And his words about being jaded were true, of course, gods, she had been jaded well before fifteen, but it is so easy to detach prisoner from human (or Cylon?? Maybe even half-Cylon? the question still races through her mind, leaves a bad aftertaste in the back of her throat). She gestures to one of the guards, who brings in a tray of food. How familiar this scene is to her, but with such a different subject. She has him set it down in front of the kid, watching his face carefully, wondering if she’s taking the wrong approach. But--]
I’m not sure how much of your sweet-talking I believe, but I like what I hear. And you’re right. Rations suck.
[How very different from the Kara of the interrogation that steals her breath away when she remembers it; not that she’s being lenient. Ever since Kacey, kids just don’t piss her off as much anymore. And, aw frak, an injured one at that… but that’s exactly what they want, isn’t it? Preying on this bullshit, on me, even after all this time, even after I know the truth.
She straightens her shoulders, drawing on the strength of the steely-eyed Viper jock within, Captain Kara Thrace, best damn pilot the Colonial Fleet’s ever seen, to bring herself back to the situation at hand. She’s just offering the carrot instead of the stick this time, is all. Hoping some gratefulness will get him to talk. She puts out her hand, palm up, and in it the guard places a key.
She stands again and walks to the chair he’s in and unlocks the handcuffs, tucking them in her belt and shoving the key in her pocket. With a curt nod, she dismisses the guard again to stand outside the door that closes with the characteristic heavy slam, but she stays leaning close - she can’t lose that steel edge to her to give him any openings in her armor; if he’s a Cylon or Cylon agent and she lets it get by, Laura Roslin would be all too pleased to throw her out the airlock.]
Go on and eat, french fry. Just remember, it’s rude to talk with your mouth full. It’ll give you plenty of time to choose your words carefully.
Sadly we don't have room for cowards on Galactica but I'm sure we can find some use for your sorry ass.
no subject
In seconds his body freezes and he's eye to eye with a tray of edibles just for him. He's silent, letting this woman's voice wash over him for all of about five seconds before the biggest grin breaks out on his face, one of those 100 watt ones, all sorts of pleased (and that's dangerous) and aimed right at Kara]
Thanks a lot, lady! Maybe you're alright afterall. I'll use my good manners just for you.
[Then he proceeds to tuck in with gusto! This doesn't mean he trusts her, definitely has Getting The Fuck Outta Here at the top of his list of things to do, but she isn't half bad. Maybe. She's not stupid, god no, and understands the logic that yes, give prisoner a little crumb and it'll go a long way. There are some commanders and leaders that will callously brush that off and pound answers out of people with no thought to humanity at all. And he can dig the fact that this lady isn't taking that approach. She's right, though, the food is not only amazing warm fuel in his belly but a great stall tactic! He's decided to be as vague as possible but not act dumb to all.
So he'll damn near lick the tray and at the mention of use on this thing, he chews, swallows, then manages to reply without spraying too many crumbs]
I hope I've got a say in avoidin' being thrown ass first out an airlock, with my usefulness bein' up in the air and all. I'm good with my hands and I'm a fast learner. Plus who wouldn't want to look at this smiling face when they've had a long shift?
[He grins, framing his face with one hand.
I can also pilot just about anything, I'm good with firearms, have been labeled a terrorist and call myself the God of Death. When do I start work that won't have you thinking I'm tinkering with your operations here? Yeah, that'd go down great. He continues to stuff his face, and in between bites, asks:]
So what now?
no subject
Obviously they didn’t teach you any manners in the Colonies. [She walks back to her chair, settles in nicely, and leans in.] And speaking of...which one used to claim you? The more I deal with you the more I’m not so sure you’re a Gemenon brat after all. Not spouting enough religion and the gods and blah, blah, blah. [As if she’s not the one with figures of Aphrodite and Artemis she prays to sometimes. Nope. Not her, you must have the wrong Kara Thrace.]
[She cocks an eyebrow at the way he eats, all sudden energy and Way Too Much Enthusiasm for somebody who was beaten up not even hours before. She tries to not place too much stock in it, tries to get the picture of him doing the same thing, remembering his words, “When you’re starving, anything tastes good.” Yeah, well, maybe he’s onto something, or maybe the kid’s just a typical fifteen-year-old boy. Something in her gut tells her otherwise, though.
But damn if he doesn’t know how to work the charming grin. Ugh, kids, she thinks with a grunt.]
Good with your hands and a fast learner, huh? Those skills sure didn’t keep your ass from getting captured, so what am I s’posed to do with that? Maybe Chief’s got a job for ya. Here I was, all hopeful and optimistic you’d have a little more to offer than that.
[She sizes him up and down, trying to figure out just what she wants to do with him, what approach to take, and so on. He doesn’t seem to be responding to the beat-downs, obviously, but she isn’t afraid to do a little persuading with her fists, either, 15-year-old or not.]
this might be poop.....but i also kinda like? idk
[He grins at her words, offers her a smart little salute. She's a tough one, that's for sure. He'd pegged her rank about right, anyhow; not quite disciplined and honed and hard (yet the understanding and possibility of empathy) enough of a Commander rank or that of an Admiral. She's well respected and one of the top of her rank. The word Gemenon means shit to him but when she asks about his colony there's a split second of a flinch, barely readable beneath his jaded, cracked mouth (in spirit and flesh split and smeared with blood). He hadn't gotten that question lately.
(Just WHO ARE YOU and WHO ARE YOU WORKING FOR and WHAT ARE YOU FIGHTING FOR? The hard hitting questions but he hit right the fuck back, with either a slice of Deathscythe's blade or the crack of gunfire) Should he break his motto and lie? It'd be simple to connect the dots, connect his name to the church but...but it's a lie. But on the other hand she hasn't mentioned anything about Gundams yet or the Alliance...and there's really no reason to trust this woman or her crew that beat and damn near tortured him to get information but. But-]
I'm from L2. I did more running than bein' claimed, really. [His mouth slants with edges of broken glass and clingy ghosts.] God? The only god we can rely on nowadays is the God of Death.
[Him. And just like that, providing nothing else, he goes right back to his meal. He works the fork in his mouth for a couple of seconds, mulling over divulging more info and finally decides:]
I'm a mechanic, a damn good one, but I highly doubt you'll let me prove it. No biggie, it's smart. [He shrugs those slim shoulders; he got caught because he got sloppy, out there in the dark and empty silence of space, too much time to think, too much time isolated. Stealth is normally his forte. Instead he says-]
Figured it'd be better to get caught and possibly get a meal than starve and die out there alone. Chief? Hey, I've got a lot to offer! Good cheer, quick hands, plenty of pep. You just haven't hit the right high notes yet. [He winces and actually chuckles hollowly] Phrasing.
nooo yours wasnt poop! don't make me poop ON u
L-two? That some kinda joke? I’m not feeling too funny today, kiddo, so let’s cut the crap and get to it. I’m only gonna ask you one more time. Which colony are you from?
[And yet...and yet even as the words leave her mouth, something about the ease with which he talks about his running habits makes her wonder…
No way. It’s a trick just like the rest of it, probably. She knows it all ends when someone lets their guard down. But then he makes her laugh, all with a slight roll of her eyes - she feels vaguely put on edge by the God talk, the worm of suspicion burrowing deeper in her mind but covers up her bristling with laughter.]
Oh gods, don’t tell me you’re one of those My Triumphs, My Mistakes Baltar ‘one true God’ nutty buddies. Heard it all before. [Yeah, from a Cylon too… a twisted voice in her head spits.]
Yup, you got one thing right at least. I’m not lettin’ you within an inch of my Viper, though I’m oh so curious as to whether or not you’re a, uh, [smirk] man of your word or not. [then she laughs] They'd have you for a snack in that hangar.
Let's get this straight now and for all. I don't need YOU to tell me how smart it is. Like I haven't dealt with this for too frakking long. I know your types. A slash in the wrong hose, bomb planted in the engines where nobody would check, same old song.
Nah, I'm thinking the brig's a good place to test your good cheer, if I can't work some of that enthusiasm outta you.
no subject
That doesn't sound right. What's she getting at?? Sticking to his motto sure does bring a lot of pain and suffering and bullshit to Death's Doorstep doesn't it.
His brows furrow.] I wouldn't wanna test out your bruise-y sense of humor on a good day, lad- Cap'n, trust me. I'm from L2. Recently held by the balls thanks to some pretty nasty guys gunning for "peace". [Yes, with a grim thinning of his mouth, he includes the air quotes. Shovels the last dregs of food into his mouth to buy him some time.]
We're all kinda nuts, really. I dunno about putting my triumphs and mistakes in with the rest of the nuts but sure, there are lotsa gods and beliefs and stuff. But in the end Death is the one that calls the shots.
[Peace, war, allies, enemies, justice- it's all washed away and all made equal (equal to shit, maybe) when you're looking a Gundam in the eye. There's nothing left except the feelings people leave behind.]
S'fine with me, I know people're anal and protective over their machines. [He knows plenty of people like that, one Perfect Soldier in Spandex in particular] You guys might haveta fatten me up a bit before you take a bite. And I tend to nibble back a little.
[His shoulders rise and he barely flinches with the movement this time, the grating of bruises to the bone and something not quite connecting right, sets his fork down in order to lift his hands palms up in defense.
Maaaan, these times we live in. Can't even make a comment about safety procedures without someone crawling up your ass. Well, he can't blame her, again. And...she isn't wrong. He's done exactly as she's described countless times; it's his specialty afterall.]
Alright, alright, you're the boss, boss. Just givin' credit where it's due. I've got no motive or means to do that, you'll see.
[He balks, shoulders slumping in dismay. Oy, he's gonna feel that in the morning.]
Don't suppose a nice comfy cot's waiting for me, huh. Enthusiasm? Nah, I'm totally chill, I can put on that gloomy teenage crap, no need to break a sweat over lil ol' me.
[Well as long as his oxygen isn't cut off in there and he's left to suffocate.....should be fun]