nomans_land | Somewhere between July and December

Somewhere between July and December

1.
[ It wasn't the fastest car he'd ever driven, but it made better time than the old man's shitty station wagon had, and it was definitely faster than walking across the desert. None of the maps he'd found tucked under the seat had Hopeland on them, which was worrisome as all hell, but on one of the maps there was an orphanage marked, just off of a city called December.

The ghost he'd talked to on that mountaintop had told him he'd die in December, but that ghost had also ruined his last cigarette, so fuck that guy. If he died, he died, but first, he was going to make sure Miss Melanie and the kids were okay.

The sedan hums its way across the desert, kicking up a dust cloud that can be seen for miles. ]

2.
[ With a shudder and a hard jolt, the car comes screeching to a halt, the dash going dead as the engine seizes up. Wolfwood swears, punches the dash, then swears again when the solid dash nearly breaks his hand for his trouble. He'd managed to get the car hotwired, but apparently cars in this messed up version of Noman's were more different from the ones he knew than he'd realized. Is it out of oil? Out of charge? Not like he can do anything about it, whatever the problem.

Please ignore the man in black, standing next to a very dead car in the middle of absolute nowhere and screaming at the sky. It's therapeutic profanity, and it really is helping. ]

3.
[ Sunburned and exhausted, Wolfwood crests the hill and finally, there before him, sees the building that his map identifies as the December Orphanage. Even from a distance it's clear that the chaos that's affected the rest of the planet hit here, too -- there's clear bullet holes in at least one side of the building, walls that have collapsed, and the whole place seems as deserted as everywhere else he's been.

But he's here now, so he might as well have a look around.

He really wishes he still had his Punisher, though. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Yeah it is. Those lights, they aren't just a glider, or a balloon. There's something big out there in the rain, something too big to be flying.

He won't lie -- it's a little frightening. ]

Okay, just for the record?

[ A twist of his wrist, and the Punisher in his hand powers up. It's completely silent, but there's the faintest buzz of electronics when it's awake and ready, like putting his hand on the rubbery outside of a live wire. The sleet's entirely gone to hail at this point, tiny -- and some not to tiny -- chunks of ice falling out of the sky and spattering all around them, and god it's cold. He's never been this cold.

What an awesome adventure this is turning out to be! He wouldn't have missed it for the world. ]

This was a stupid fucking idea.

[ Here it comes. Hold on to something! ]

[he at least has long enough to hiss through teeth clenched so hard it hurts--]

THIS WAS YOUR STUPID FUCKING IDEA!

[but this is worse than watching the Ark fly around, worse than waiting for Vash to finish the fight with Knives, either to a triumphant win or death for all humanity-- he's here in the eye of the storm, and Wolfwood is here, but not his.

and he will do anything to make sure he's safe. even to the detriment of his own life]

This is gonna be bad.

[he braces himself, Doublefangs held aloft and ready, but he doesn't open fire just yet]

[ It's probably gonna be bad. ]

Yeah, but you know what?

[ He can almost see it now, although the shape doesn't make any sense. It looks like a worm, like one of the grand worms that can swallow a whole caravan, only it's glowing. It's glowing like a plant, glowing like that idiot Stampede did when he'd finally decided to show them all his real face. A plant-worm? Is such a thing even possible? ]

We got to make this stupid fucking decision all on our own.

[ The Eye didn't command it, Knives didn't will it from on high, it wasn't even a gentle request from Spikey. Nobody made them come up here. They've got the freedom to make their own stupid choices and man, doesn't that make it all worth while? ]

[Livio sighs. it is what it is, with them. it's always like this, it's his life. what was he thinking, thinking maybe things could go back to normal? frankly, that's on him, for being so stupid.

but there's also something...something that feels right about standing with Wolfwood, weapons drawn towards a common foe. it's something that could have been, once, if things had been different.

there's a pit in his heart about it.]

Yippie. Shoot when you see the white's of it's eyes or whatever.

[ Something in Livio's tone doesn't sound right. Wolfwood can't identify it, but he sounds... upset? Enough so that he puts the monster worm in the sky on hold for just a moment, turning to the man who would have been his little brother in another lifetime, a worried frown visible even in the dim, rained-out night. ]

Hey, Livio, you--

[ But that's all the time he gets for that question, because just ahead of the worm comes a gravity wave stronger than anything he's ever experienced. It's how the thing flies, pushing energy against energy to cancel out the pull of the planet against its giant bulk. Beneath their feet the building groans ominously... and then there's nothing beneath their feet as the gravity wave catches them up and they float into the air.

Wolfwood has never sworn so much in his life. ]

What the fuck?! Do we shoot it?

[ Isn't that always the answer? ]

SHOOT IT!!!

[this is-- he isn't sure, he's not the smart one, but it's certainly at the top of the weird list that's happened to him-- plant-shaped friends or not-

and even as he shouts, he opens fire, not worried about the landing they might not nail in time, he's using the gravity wave to try and flip up, and up, eyes on their foe but keeping Wolfwood behind him]

[ The landing? Who's even thinking about the landing right now, they're floating under a fuckoff big flying plant worm in an ice storm!

Livio shouts shoot it and Wolfwood doesn't need to hear that twice! Unfortunately, out of all the training he went through in the Eye, all the scenarios he practiced fighting in, not once did anyone ever think to teach him how to fight in null gravity. Why would they have?

So Wolfwood swings Punisher around, aims, and fires, and the recoil from the shots send him immediately spinning around, every bullet going wildly off course as he spins backwards in a nauseating backflip. Every shot misses the beast above him, and he stops shooting as soon as he starts to spin -- hopefully all those bullets went off into the air somewhere? Buddy, you okay over there? ]

Shit!

[he's not doing great! Livio, too, had been sent spinning around, his bullets raining down everywhere, maybe a few have hit their target but jeez...this isn't great]

Now what the hell are we supposed to do??

[if they can-- swim? fly? up that way, maybe they'd be able to get on top of it, but its still far off and they're floundering]

Any brilliant ideas, boss?

I'm workin' on it!

[ The worm, unphased, continues its leisurely flight overhead, its underbelly glowing like Julai at night. Wolfwood, extremely fucking phased, spins slowly at an offcenter angle, craning his neck to keep the worm in sight at all times.

Okay. Okay. Bullets will certainly hurt worms -- he's shot them before, although the laser always worked better -- but he can't shoot more than a single round without drifting off and losing his target. So he gets one shot, is that how this is gonna work? One bullet won't do anything unless the big bastard's got a hole in it's armor underneath... and he's sure not seeing any gaping holes in all that glow. How can he kill something that big with one shot?

...Oh, and then he remembers. Two clicks on Punisher's gear selects the ordnance he wants, and he doesn't even bother swinging it back up over his shoulder, instead just angling his whole body to point the short end at the worm.

You're gonna love this bit, pal! ]

Fire in the hole!

[ A little squeeze, and the rocket blasts free, hitting the storm worm in the belly dead on. The thing bellows loud enough to shatter the windows in the orphanage below, and veers off to the left, twisting that enormous bulk and diving into the first patch of free sand it can find. The gravity effects, the hail, the rain... all that will vanish with it once it finds the safety of the deep sands.

Wolfwood doesn't see any of this happen. Wolfwood's sent spinning backwards by the recoil of the rocket, and flies out of range of the worm's antigrav field into the muddy darkness beyond. ]

[oh-- OH!

well that was-- not something he loved, per se, but it certainly changed the tide! the shockwave sends him spinning and vaulting, he can't even think just yet whether this thing landed alive or not--

and Wolfwood, when he can peel his eyes open to look for his not-brother, is going through it too--]

Wolfwood!

[all he can do is hold on to his weapons and hope for the best once it stops

and it does in an instant]

[ Good luck with that landing, Livio! Falling out of the sky suddenly is no joke -- just ask Wolfwood.

Now, maybe the worm survived that blast, and maybe it didn't -- only time will tell. As for Wolfwood? Well, there's no response to Livio's call. But he certainly survived! The mud is soft, and he's tough, so he's definitely still alive down there.

He may have broken his leg, but that's nothing a vial can't cure! If only he had one. ]

Here!

[ His voice is tight with pain, and not a little frustration. Of all the stupid injuries! Now he's a frozen muddy mess, and his lower leg is bent in a way it's not supposed to? God dammit ]

I'm here. You okay?

[his heart, for a moment, is as heavy as a comet, as heavy as the ships falling from the sky 100 years ago, to ashes-- he can't hear Wolfwood, can't see him--

but then-- there he is-- his voice--

the landing--

was bad. let's not even talk about how badly he's hurt. it's bad. his voice screams this fact, but the relief is so palpable]

I'm fine! Where-- are you sure you're good?

Yeah, it's just my leg.

[ It was an unlucky fall, that's all. The mud's soft enough that he's hardly even bruised -- he just landed wrong, his foot caught...

Look, he's certainly had worse! He just needs a hand getting up, if you don't mind. ]

If you're thinkin' it's a good time for the i told you so's, I'm warning you now I'm not gonna listen. [ And maybe a hand inside? Just until he can splint it up. ] Is it dead? Did you see?

I'll tell you eventually...when you forget about it.

[he can't actually get up!

he's sort of

impaled. AGAIN can you believe it??]

You better not hit me for it either. [a groan] I've no idea...I know it landed. We're not in the air, so it's gotta at least be passed out.

[ With the worm gone underground -- dead or alive, guess they'll find out later -- the rain is clearing, and Wolfwood can finally see more of what's around him.

And what he sees makes his blood run cold. ]

Livio!

[ Oh look, he can get up after all! Punisher makes for a crappy crutch, but it's better than nothing! The long bar of Punisher slips and slides in the flood waters and mud, but he finds a rhythm soon enough, using the giant gun to drag himself to Livio's side.

Fuck his broken leg! This... god, Livio, don't you fucking dare die! ]

You're gonna be okay. [ How, he doesn't know, but don't think he won't move heaven and hell to make it happen, buddy. His hands are shaking as he reaches for Livio -- how's he even going to get the man free? ] Oh shit oh shit oh shit it's okay. It'll be okay.

[Wolfwood's leg looks real bad, but at least he's up and moving, and from where he's lying prone on the ground, he doesn't...think he sees bone sticking out? that's. reassuring.

speaking of, Livio lifts a hand as if to wave off the OBVIOUS concern]

I know. I'm gonna be just fine. I need you to pull this out, though.

[he coughs wetly, clears his throat, but his voice is very calm]

Otherwise it'll heal in me. I'll be alright.

[ No, his leg definitely bends a way it shouldn't at about the mid-calf point, but there's no visible bones or even any blood. As far as breaks go, it's a minor one.

Unlike Livio's broken insides! Look, Wolfwood's trained for this kind of thing, but this is different. This is Livio. If they were out fighting somewhere and everyone had a pocket full of vials he wouldn't think twice about an injury like this, but the idea of losing Livio again has shorted out his brain. He's not nearly as calm as Livio is right now. ]

Pull it...? [ Grab the thing coated in Livio's blood and pull it through his body? Sure. Sure, that sounds great, what could go wrong? ] Livio, I don't...

[ But it's not like there's any other help coming, is there? ]

Fuck. Fuck, okay. Okay.

[ He braces himself on his good leg, and wraps his hands around the protrusion. He doesn't want to do this! ]

If you die on me I'm gonna fucking kill you.

[in case you were wondering? the pain is immense. the blood tastes too familiar dribbling between his teeth-- but like always, he tries to work through the pain, try to grasp on to that pinprick of calm (but not serenity) to keep things. Calm.

he takes a deep breath, then laughs]

Think that'll ruin all your hard work, but alright. Just do it. It'll be fine, once it's out.

[it's gonna be bad.]

If I pass out, don't freak. That's normal.

[ He's got a whole jagged fucking thing stuck through his guts! Of course it hurts! And it's just going to hurt more when Wolfwood pulls it out. ]

If you don't want me to freak, don't give me reason to!

[ He said he heals. He said he heals like the other Livio doe-- did. Wolfwood watched that healing happen himself, bullet holes closing right up, no serum required. Maybe this Livio's the same.

He better fucking be the same. ]

On three, buddy, hold on. Ready? Three!

[ He yanks with everything he's got, pulling straight up and out. If the thing comes free and Livio doesn't heal up and stop bleeding in three goddamn seconds, Wolfwood's stuffing his own shirt in the wound and dragging Livio back into the orphanage. So heal quick, okay?

Okay? ]

[he doesn't really have much say in that-- Livio will do his best! Even when Wolfwood tugs the debris out of him, that sickening sound of it, he grits his teeth, clawing to keep consciousness

it's a close call-- his eyes begin to roll back in his head, and he whimpers--]

Nico--

[but it's when the darkness creeps in that the healing begins]

[ Oh you absolute son of a bitch he's gonna get you for that.

The healing better goddamn begin! Wolfwood throws the chunk of trash away, wipes his bloody hands on his jacket, and waits for a miracle. Heal, you bastard. ]

You're not dyin' from a toothpick, you damn crybaby. Snap out of it!

[ Please heal. ]

[it's more like a tragedy than a miracle when his skin begins to knit back together--more like smoke curling into the air, but where's the fire? back in hell, probably.

the familiar nickname has his eyelids fluttering, his throat swallowing back a lump]

'm fine.

[ A miracle, hard earned. He never doubted for a second. ]

You're damn right.

[ He really can heal from anything, can't he? Not even a bullet in his head would stop him.

Wolfwood holds out a blood-smeared hand, to help Livio to his feet. If he accepts, then as soon as he stands he's getting pulled into a hug, no fucking arguments. Sorry not sorry. ]

You fucking dumbass.

[nothing'll remain of this wound, just the psychological damage! no worries there. he sighs loudly, lugs expanding again now that there isn't anything metal in his stomach, ironing all his other organs out--

and takes Wolfwood's hand, hauling himself up with a groan]

Same to you.

[ He threatened a hug and he's gonna deliver. It's a great clinging bear hug of a hug, too -- no manly back slapping here, no. He fucking missed you, you stupid sonovabitch. ]

That's what you get for listening to me. [ Going up on the roof after the storm worm was a terrible idea! Don't listen to him when he has terrible ideas! ] The hell were you thinking?

[ No, he's not letting go. This hug is making up for lost time. ]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject