001 ♦ Jesse Finch ♦ Audio

[rigging]

So I've got three guesses as to what this is right now. [ The voice that comes through the communicator is quiet and calm. The undertone to this voice, however, is not at all -- there's a hint of panic and a whole lot of anger underneath. ] One, I traveled back in time to land in some Twilight Zone-Silent Hill bullshit. Two, I've finally cracked and I've gone insane, which, y'know, could be worse, my brain coulda put me in somewhere much more terrifying than a room with a camera -- or three, I'm dreaming. [ Which is what he's afraid of. There's a beat, and then the sound of a lighter being flicked on, a cigarette being lit. ]

Watch, m'just talking to myself. I don't even know if anybody's out there. [ It's been an hour and he hasn't seen anybody yet, after all, though to be fair he hasn't gone very far. He's waiting. Come get him, nightmare. He's not scared of you. ]

Comments

[rigging]

Now that sounds like an offer. Unless you're an axe murderer. Then I'll just pretend it wasn't.

[gloryisbullshit]

Well, you threaten to voodooize me, so maybe you can leave your inner shaman at the door and I'll leave my scarred psyche at home. Sound fair?

[rigging]

Aw, I can't just voodooize you a little? C'mon. Just one needle poke. [ He jokes, he jokes! Timey wimey shenanigans are a go. ] But fine. Where m'I going, then?

TIME SHENANS, YEAH [->action]

[gloryisbullshit]

Well, witchdoc, let's start where you are...

[Party gives some easy instructions (he's getting a little too comfortable with the layout, it's starting to feel small), and he'll be waiting at the bar, watching the door. See, he's done some reasonable snooping, so he won't be completely shocked to see a familiar face, but that doesn't mean he's not nervous. He watches the door like a predator.]

[akshun]

[rigging]

[ That's a little unfair, isn't it? Jesse has no idea what he's about to see, but he didn't show up unprepared. Paranoid might as well be Jesse's middle name, and with all that's happened to him, he feels like he has good reason to be. The pipe he found isn't exactly easy to hide, but it serves its purpose. Protection. Just in case.

Jesse heads to the bar, peeking inside, calling out. ] Oi, this the right place?

[gloryisbullshit]

[He's just gonna get stared at for a moment. Party takes a deep breath, then, and whistles for his attention.] You the right guy? Probs, since I keep hearing ignorant questions, wow.

[rigging]

[ Wow, rude. Jesse is going to say something, but. Y'know. There's a small issue he has to handle first. He's pretty glad he brought that pipe, actually, and he immediately scowls, grip tightening. ]

Christ. So that Kenzi chick was right. [ That's a pretty ridiculous similarity, right there. Except for the red. ]

[gloryisbullshit]

[Oh he smiles.] She talkin about me too?

[rigging]

[ And Jesse's scowl gets deeper. ] No. She just said there's clones runnin' round, and m'seeing that.

[gloryisbullshit]

Ooh. [He feigns a shiver, shoulders hunching up around his ears, brow furrowing dramatically.] And what're you gonna do? Is that what the metal's for? C'mere, witchy, just come sit.

[rigging]

No, I just ain't stupid enough t'come to a meet a complete stranger without some way t'protect myself. [ Jesse snarks, rolling his eyes. But he does, he goes to settle, sitting on one of the barstools and eyeing Party warily. ] Jesus, this is weird.

[gloryisbullshit]

I don't think so. [Except he does, but whatever. He scoots an inch-full tumbler in Jesse's direction, giving the other man a look at least as wary.

[A sniff after the long pause, and he picks up his own glass.] What's wrong with Howard's Kool-Aid?

[rigging]

[ That glass gets some eyeing too. He picks up the glass and swills the liquid inside around once or twice before sniffing at it. And then he gives Party a sharp look. ]

Ain't really your business, now is it?

[gloryisbullshit]

What, it's K's business but not mine? [A gesture for Jesse's glass.] Look, I'll fuckin trade, Wesley, it's not a trick, just booze. Look, this one's safe, let's trade.

[rigging]

Nuh-uh. You could have an immunity t'iocane powder, and I'd never know. [ He wrinkles his nose as he sets the drink down. ] It ain't her business either. I barely know either of you.

[gloryisbullshit]

So you're cool with letting strangers walk into danger?

[rigging]

There ain't any danger. [ Jesse says, opting for pulling his cigarettes, lighter, and own flask out. ] It ain't happened for him yet, so m'doing preventative work.

I ain't giving someone whose name I don't even know ammo against my boyfriend, danger or no.

[gloryisbullshit]

[Well, that doesn't make him too happy. So Party bristles, smiles sharply.] Boyfriend? So he's a little fag, huh?

[rigging]

[ Huh. Well, that's a thing. Jesse pauses in lighting his cigarette, staring at Party, almost incredulous. ] Excuse me?

whoops i accidentally

[gloryisbullshit]

I said-- [Ahem, excuse, ahemhrrm.] --I didn't know he was cockwhore.

omFG

[rigging]

[ Wow, so did you want that punch in the face, Party? I think you did. Here, congratulations, one free punch to the eye, and it's got weight and practice behind it. ]

[gloryisbullshit]

[Seriously, he was just getting out the formal "punch in the face" request card. It's not like it's a surprise, except for that Ghoul Jesse, Jesse's actually got some kinda hit! He doesn't go down, because he's not a pussybitch, but the blow rocks him back. Party is quick though: he rebounds easily with one elbow jabbing at Jesse's gut, the heel of his other palm rushing for his temple to rattle him, knock him against the bar counter.]

[rigging]

[ Jesse's no stranger to fighting for the sake of fighting, but honestly, he has no idea if it's just because this dick needed someone to punch, or he had a reason behind it. After the day he's had so far, Jesse's not really complaining; the fact that Party rocks back is satisfactory for Jesse, and he relishes the hit in return, even if it knocks the wind out of him.

He's knocked against the counter, sure, but enough fights and you learn how to recover fast. He shoves off from the counter and turns quickly, aims one solid hit with his fist to distract and a kick to the stomach to attempt to knock Party off balance. ]

[gloryisbullshit]

[Ah, but he dodges, he dodges the swing! The kick catches his hip, but it's conse-fucking-quential. Look, when he's not drunk, he's actually pretty competent at this shit, and he's not drunk at all yet. So good timing! Party laughs loudly and hello this is a knife (surprise knife!) biting serrated underneath Jesse's chin and a knee digging pretty uncomfortably between his legs (surprise castration!). Party Poison leans to bend Jesse back over the bar.] Shh, settle down! Settle down, boy, hush, hush!

[rigging]

[ Oh. Oh, yeah, that's -- not a good position for Jesse to be in. He goes still instantly, actually -- looks pretty frightened for a second, just a flash. Party's got him stuck, and there is nothing Jesse hates more than being trapped. But then he's furious, because he let himself get caught. Should've been expecting a knife. Fuck.

Jesse doesn't say anything, just gives Party a glare that could curdle milk, breathing a bit hard, wishing he was running on more sleep, on less stress. The fury burns in his chest and his veins - not settled, just still. ]