keepcruising | 2 Drunks In a Mad Max

2 Drunks In a Mad Max

[ The Waverider had crash-landed hard, but that hadn't been the worst part. A few days in a dessert isn't so bad from inside a mostly-functioning time ship. It's the fact that Mick and Constantine are sent out for ten minutes to check an anomaly and when they get back, the whole stinking ship is just gone.

It's hot and the sun is blinding and all Mick's got to show for the trouble is a dusty little radio device they'd found in the sand hooked up to some kind of solar-power.

Mick huffs angrily and flops back into the hot sand. ]

Well I hope this stupid thing was worth it, 'cause if they don't come back soon we're gonna have to eat it.

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[ It's just one thing after another, isn't it? They can never get a bleeding break. The sand is awful, even without the wind, cause it somehow gets into everything at a moment's notice. The anomaly was strange, though, it didn't just show up on Gideon's radar, no it was crawling up his spine and setting his teeth on edge.

Like an itch one just can't reach. He's tempted to shrug out of his coat but he knows exposing himself to the elements isn't going to be for the best. ]

I hate to break it to you, mate, but we're going to need to find some sort of shelter well before that lot finds us. Getting dark, temperature is going to drop pretty sharply and I'm a bit attached to parts of me that might freeze and drop off, yeah?

[ Never mind needing food and water. Mostly water. He's got his pendulum, he can work that bit out but shelter---shelter they need first. ]

[ Mick grunts, because he knows Constantine is right, but that doesn't mean he wants to say it. He hates the cold and he's already kind of hungry, so this is pretty much a nightmare scenario for him. He's just glad he'd worn his jacket and gloves because he'll need them later.

He pushes himself back up and grabs the device they'd found. ]

You wanna pick a direction?

[ Because they can't see anything useful in any of them. Probably, he figures, they should go in a different direction than the one they'd just come from, but they hadn't even gone that far. ]

[ He's not trying to be a smart ass or smarter than anyone in the moment. He's just trying not to get very, very dead. He flips up his coat collar against the sun, squinting in one direction as he rummages through his pockets, digging out his pendulum. ]

I'm thinking anywhere that isn't in the direction that makes me feel like my stomach is doing flips is best for now. [ Indicated by a nod in said direction. ] This place has an awful feel to it. Magic gone wrong in the worst kind of way.

[ He mutters an incantation and the pendulum swings in a circle wildly before settling and brightening with a glow that briefly matches his eyes, even with the sun beating overhead. ]

That way. Water at least. Maybe some shelter.

[ With a nod, Mick moves to head in the pointed direction. He knows when to be difficult and right now isn't it. Constantine's sure to find water better than he can if he can just pull out a magic trick and it's one of those times when Mick's more concerned with staying alive than making any sort of point.

Things between them have been alright enough, anyway. ]

Maybe even food?

[ Brows raised in question because that's his biggest priority, but then he remembers something and crams his hand into his pocket to fish out half a sandwich wrapped in a napkin. Not much food for two grown men, but he's made it on less. ]

Well, I got dinner. You can get the next meal.

[ Let it be said for all the stubborn single-mindedness between them, they know when not to be twits to each other. The direction they head in eases that feeling clawing at him and he keeps on toward the direction he's being guided. ]

Well, most places that have water are liable to attract animals. Don't know if we're lucky enough to have picked up on a town. Though, considering the state of where we are, that might be for the best.

[ He casts an amused look over his shoulder at that. ]

Deal, mate. Hopefully something better than some poor sand-dwelling creature.

[ Mick's survived on rats and worse back after Snart had marooned him and the Time Dicks had taken their sweet time picking him up, so he'll make do with what he can. At least now, they can probably cook whatever they find.

As they move, he sticks pretty close. He's not trying to stay on top of the man, but they still don't know what to expect. For all he knows, this is the world from Dune and a giant sandworm is going to jump up and try to eat them, so Mick wants to stay alert and able to protect them both if need be.

Neither of them are helpless, but they're better off together between Mick's muscle and John's magic. ]

Who knows if there are any towns left. Radio hasn't pick up more than static since we found it.

[ He's got the volume knob turned down low and humming under his arm just in case it picks anything up, but as the sun goes down he can't imagine this thing will hold much of a charge through the night. ]

[ There's a story he's still only managed to get bits and bobs of. What he has doesn't sit well with him. Sour taste and all, foul business.

They've dealt with worse and their dynamic is ever-shifting. Not in a bad way but it is a far cry from where they started. ]

There's something at least---[ The sun is getting lower but he sees a glint off metal in the distance and dust rising. Coming up fast but not a storm. He slows a bit, pendulum still glowing. ]

Hey now, got something coming along here.

[ Mick's eyes narrow and he reaches for his the flame gun strapped to his hip at the same time that he takes the quick steps needed to put himself between John and the rising dust. It doesn't matter what they're capable of. Mick's more intimidating and he knows it. ]

Put that crap away and stay behind me.

[ His gun is trailed on the movement now. Whoever they are, they're going to know that they haven't found easy picking here. It's definitely some kind of vehicle from what he can tell and he won't let them press that advantage, either. ]

[ John knows when to admit that he's a bit outclassed. Given as they don't know what exactly is coming, he'll defer to the big man who has done this kind of song and dance more than once, it seems. Nevermind the size of the bollocks to immediately decide to take on whatever is on the way. ]

No argument here.

[ He tucks the pendulum away and steps back behind the other man. As the vehicles roll-up, a large battered jeep and a few motorcycles that look worse for wear, never mind the look of the riders.

A small waif of a thing in ragged clothing points in John's direction with a muttered that one. ]

Magic without the permission of the one who owns it is forbidden in these parts. This one picked up on it. [ Meaning the young lady, John supposes. ] What cause was there for it?

[ They are armed but nothing has been drawn out against them. ]

[ Mick keeps his gun up and trained on the people in front of them. The nice thing about shooting flames is that accuracy isn't really a huge factor in its effectiveness, especially when there's a gas tank involved in the target. If Mick hits the jeep, he's pretty sure it'll go up like the Fourth of July. There's an itch in him to just do it once that thought crosses his mind. Been a while. ]

The Hell're you talkin' about? You callin' us theives?

[ More often than not, Mick finds that the rules he learned in prison work just about everywhere else in some way or another. You don't let people take a fucking inch from you. You don't let anyone think for a second that you're worth the trouble of picking on and if anyone tries, you send a message before the next guy tries. ]

'Cause I'd be real careful how you talk to me and mine.

[ They seem to look at his gun with concern. Good. ]

Control your own bitch and I'll control mine.

[ John's pride and ego are a hell of a thing but he knows when not to push. He knows when to play along. Mick is taking point on this particular con and considering that they are outnumbered and who knows what "firepower" they might have physically (or magically with that little one there) he isn't trying to push for an altercation.

He drops his gaze away from the one talking, slowly allowing his posture to shift and slouch and curl a little in on himself. Not so much of a shift to be noticeable as a ruse but enough to blend in. ]

We were asking what cause there was for the use of such magic. As is allowed.

[ But someone else makes note of how cleanly and neatly they are dressed and that seems to make them more nervous. Whispers of must be powerful and so on from some others that aren't immediately next to the one man talking. He glares to quiet it. ]

[ Mick raises an eyebrow. This is fucking stupid. John barely used any magic, too. If this is the reaction magic gets them, they're better off not using it unless something's going to kill them, because Mick's pretty sure he doesn't want to find himself in whatever prison exists in this wasteland. Or maybe they just get killed and there isn't one. ]

We're looking for water. Is that a fucking crime here?

[ No admission that they've used magic because Mick isn't stupid, despite the assumptions people often make about him. ]

Do you assholes own the water, too? 'Cause then we're really gonna have a problem.

[ His finger twitches where it rests against the trigger. There's a part of him just looking for an excuse, but he knows arson might not be the best way to greet the place they're stuck until the stupid Waverider comes back.

One of the others gets out and approaches for a better look. Mick doesn't miss a beat and taps the trigger, effectively sending a quick burst of fire near the guy's feet. ]

You want to rethink that move.

[ Before the ringleader can speak, the one coming for a better look raises his hands in surrender, stopping and speaks instead: ]

Dowsing is allowed but you must be from beyond the barrier to need it. The town is just over that rise.

[ The one seems annoyed the other had first addressed them. He glares and hisses out a question as to what he's doing. You know not to taunt those who cross the threshold! Ah, so there is a barrier of sorts.

Their ways are not ours---!

No, they aren't! And we aren't meant to question, only assist. You know this. He allows this one to use magic to help, then he has his reasons. Then to Mick. ]

Our patrol takes us further out, but if you follow the route you were on, it'll bring you to the town. They'll look after you there.

[ Sara would thank them. Mick isn't Sara. He grunts and nods, lowering the gun just enough to say that he's not planning to shoot again if they back the fuck off.

Instead, the first thing he actually says is to John: ]

We'll head that way.

[ Prison rules. Everything sends a message. Mick is telling them plainly where his priorities lie and it's not with bothering with them.

He doesn't put the gun away as he starts to move, not quite giving them his back so he can keep an eye and making sure he stays between the group and John.

The group keeps their eyes on Mick and he knows he would feel the eyes if he was stupid enough to look away, but he isn't and none of them seem to make any quick moves that require a reaction. ]

[ Even John knows, given the little bit of information they've gotten so far, that thanking them wouldn't go over so well. They seem to think they are some well-to-do types from a place that is apparently top tier on the ugly business side of things. More so than all this.

Best to play into it. So when Mick says what he does, John doesn't speak, but he does nod, keeping his eyes lowered as he moves to go in that direction. It's bloody difficult to not look back at the others but they seem to have earned the right to be left alone, even if they are watched warily as more distance is put between them.

Eventually, they get into their vehicles, start them up, and roar away from them back the way Mick and John originally came from. ]

[ Once they're out of sight, Mick finally loosens up a little. ]

No tricks until we figure out what the hell that was.

[ No magic is what he means, of course. Not that he thinks John's dumb enough to not agree, but some things need to be voiced. ]

And no splitting up in that town.

[ Mick's trust is hard-won by few. His default is to not trust new people, but this is already so suspicious he double doesn't trust them. Whatever is going on here, they're not safe if they can be found that easily from such a little thing like finding water. Who knows what they'd do if they knew what else John could do? ]

[ It's only when Mick does that John follows suit, blowing out a breath. ]

Yeah, I got that much, big man. Looks like I'm playing second fiddle to you.

[ Which he could obviously handle. His mouth works and he shakes his head. ]

Wasn't planning on it. I barely did anything there and they've got their knickers in a twist.

[ Well there's one thing he can appreciate about John: Unlike a lot of the other Legends, Mick can trust him to not be a completely suicidal idiot. Less babysitting for him. Some of them need constant supervision or they'll find some bullet to step in front of for a complete stranger, but the two of them are pretty good at surviving all things considered.

As they walk, Mick slips off his gloves and shoves them into his pockets. He's used to looking like the sloppy one on the team, but if they're fancy enough to stick out here, maybe he'd be better off not hiding his scars under worn leather. ]

Get rid of that stupid tie, too. Your clothes are too bright.

[ Not completely. He's not the sort to actively seek a way to top himself, least not with altruistic intentions factored in. If there are other questionable ways to go about it, he can't promise he won't go walking face-first into it.

John tugs at the knot of his already loose tie and drags it over his head. It musses his hair a bit but he doesn't bother to smooth it down. Mick's right, they already draw too much attention and that's uncomfortable to think on. ]

Don't even think about me ditching the coat.

[ He'd work a glamour but considering dowsing grabbed enough unwanted attention, he's not trying to get them killed well before the rest of the team shows. Once they get in the town limits, it's easy enough to find a spot to stay. John gets his fair share of looks but he defers to Mick taking point. ]

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2 Drunks In a Mad Max

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