2 Drunks In a Mad Max

[torridness]

[ 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.

Comments

[torridness]

[ 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.

[oldhound]

[ 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.

[torridness]

[ 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. ]

[oldhound]

[ 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. ]

[torridness]

[ 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? ]

[oldhound]

[ 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.

[torridness]

[ 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.

[oldhound]

[ 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. ]