video • un: el rey

[shabby]

[ The video opens on a man's face, a little too close up for a few seconds. Then he pulls the arm with the communicator back, lengthening the shot and showing vegetation behind him. He's in the atrium, currently sitting on a low hanging tree branch. ]

Hello, alien-abducted internet peoples.

[ He says it cheerfully, with a smile and a wave. For a man who comes from a world without shit like this, he's unperturbed. Possibly because he thinks it's a drug-induced hallucination. ]

How are you today? [ He gestures off to the side. ] This is crazy, no? Outer space and shit. It's like a movie.

[ The image shakes a little as he starts digging through his pants pocket. Eventually, he pulls out a joint and, remembering that he's in the middle of talking to people, asks; ]

Hey, does anybody have a lighter?

Comments

[shabby]

[ That makes him grin. ]

I bet there are. Maybe we're firecrackers, eh? Maybe this ship and these little aliens won't know what hit them.

[ And maybe Vaas will find some explosives now and blow some shit up. That would be fun! ]

[shabby]

Um, yes? Maybe? I don't know. Some people went to the moon once, before I was born. And there's this satellite thing or some space station, I don't know. It's up there and people go there sometimes. I don't know why.

[ The news is not so clear about stuff like this on his island. Then again, technology's pretty dicey there. ]

Are you an astronaut? I have never met an astronaut.

[taggingwomprats]

[ Well that probably means that they don't have hyperdrive. Talk about backwards. And that's coming from the space equivalent of a backwater yokel! ]

An astronaut? I wouldn't call myself that... A pilot, sure. But not really an astronaut.

[ He clicks his tongue. ]

Fighter pilot, I guess. But I do a lot more than that.

[doxing]

I'm always in the market for new friends.

(yeah, apparently she's on the same wavelength. especially when weed is mentioned. she can't remember the last time she smoked a blunt, likely the herb provided by that radical los muertos group. not that long ago, but enough to make it appealing.)

Good heavens! Are you offering me... The Drugs? (put on her best-worst rich white girl accent, hand on her chest as if she's offended at the very idea, playful.)

[dudebro]

[ Yeah no kidding ): ]

me to dude. me to.

[dudebro]

[ The only indication that Jason isn't as okay with Vaas invading his space is the way his lip curls slightly as he moves closer. He still smells like Rook, like the jungle and Jason's eyes still flash with that intensity. There's a little voice inside of his head that tells him to stab Vaas in the throat, dig in the blade until the blood runs warm over his skin. Then he'd know he was dead, no question. That voice sounds like Citra, like Grant, like everyone he's ever known and like no one at all. It's the jungle. It's California. It's everything and nothing. His fingers twitch like he might do something, but in the end he remains deathly still.

He glares at Vaas when he finally steps back enough. He wants to rip out Vaas' jugular with his teeth. But, he doesn't. Of course he doesn't. Because he isn't a psychotic fucking hot mess. ]

You know what's frustrating? [ Jason throws his arms out wide then brings them back in to gesture at Vaas. ] You, dude. Fuckin'—oh my God.

[ Jason runs his fingers through his hair, causing it to stick up wildly all over the place. He begins to pace a little, not unlike a caged tiger about to strike. ]

You expect me to believe that you knew that night and that's why you– [ he uses air quotes, ] "let me go?" [ He points to his own temple but looks at Vaas. ] You're insane!

[ He steps back up to Vaas, leaning down enough so they're eye to eye and snarls in a low tone; ] I'll take myself down if I can take you with me, Vaas.

Action

[yokunaru]

[Surprisingly, it doesn't take too long for him to locate a lighter. Once it's tucked into his pocket, Yuuri heads for the atrium, keeping an eye out for the man.]

...Vaas? [He pauses in front of him uncertainly.]

[yokunaru]

[He isn't sure what other comfort he can offer him.]

Um..I'm Yuuri Katsuki. It sounds like you just got here, too, so...if you need some help finding your way around, you can look for me.

[dudebro]

[ To be fair, Jason wouldn't really know how to accept comfort. It's not really something that happens. ]

cool
i'll keep it mind
jason, btw
c u around

[ Wait... There's a pun here with the name thing. Sorry. ]

lol yu
c yu around
fuck i luv it.

[juniberries]

We had similar substances, yes. But it was either for medicinal purposes or...responsible recreation depending on the substance.

And even still, it was not something we'd encourage during space travel.

[shabby]

[ Jason is extremely frustrating. He acts so fucking stupid, but he isn't. Vaas knows that he isn't. He's seen glimmers of the man Jason can be hidden beneath the layers of California, wealth, and America. Unearthing him is a monumental struggle, however.

Like this is proving to be.

How many times does he need to see the proof of what Vaas is telling him before he believes it? He's never lied to Jason, yet Jason never believes him. But Citra, that lying bitch, can tell him anything and he believes it.

Vaas grinds his teeth together, but his anger isn't directed at Jason being in his personal space. It's because Jason's such a motherfucking stubborn bitch about the most obvious things. ]

That would be a waste, Jason. [ He says it flatly, matter-of-factly, without so much as a flinch backward. ] But if that's what you want... [ Shrugging, Vaas reaches for the gun at his hip, draws it, and holding it by the barrel, offers the grip to Jason. ] Go ahead and shoot us, Jason. Or shoot me and see how long I stay "dead."

[ He gestures with the gun. ]

Remember how many times you should have died. The jungle. The cenote. The helicopter. The rocket launcher. The bullets. [ He leans closer. ] I knew you when I saw you, Jason. There aren't coincidences on Rook.

[dudebro]

[ He can't believe Vaas. Not yet. He's not ready to. Everything that happened on Rook is still too fresh in his mind to accept anything that Vaas says at face value. Even if, deep down, Jason knows he's likely telling the truth. It fucking sucks. He just can't do it, he can't accept all the death, all the explosions, all the bad shit that happened. That voice in the back of his mind that he ignores pretty well—usually—will be waiting for him, telling him Vaas was right all along. Telling him that even though he's a useless and stupid white boy, that he was made to tear through the underbrush of Rook like he was borne of the earth itself. That he gets his life-force from the lush greenery, the very tigers that chase him, the sharks that attack when he swims in the waters. In spite of growing up in the concrete jungle of California, his heart and home are in Rook.

He's so not fucking ready for that.

So, he protests it now. Without a moment of hesitation he snatches the gun from Vaas' hand and grips it tight. He keeps his voice low still, threatening as he can make it. ( Which, ultimately, is probably useless against Vaas who doesn't seem to be scared of fucking anything. ) Jason leans in even closer, close enough the tips of their noses bump when he talks and his words are spit out like venom. ]

Maybe it is what I want—my last act as a hero. Taking down an asshole who thinks he's the kingpin now.

[ Quick as a snake strike, Jason shoves the barrel of the gun against Vaas' cheek beneath his eye as he tips his head to the side. His mouth his right beside Vaas' ear, lips brushing against him as if he means to kiss that promise into his very skin. As he speaks, he drags the gun up until it's at Vaas' temple. If he pulls the trigger, they're both going. ( Jason doesn't even think that he wouldn't ever have done this before, doesn't imagine that it's the tatau changing him to be the man he's supposed to be. This feels natural, it feels like the air he needs to fucking breathe. Nevermind it smells like tobacco and fruit. ) ]

Remember, amigo, I'm not afraid. [ He shoves the gun against Vaas again, digging it into his skin and jostling both of their heads. ] Next time it's for keeps.

[yokunaru]

[That draws a shake of the head from him, though Jason doesn't see it.]

See you

[shabby]

[ Vaas isn't afraid of Jason. He knows what Jason is, whether Jason wants to believe it or not, and he knows what he can do if he stops being a pussy and embraces who he is. But fear is like a fairy tale to him now. A story for children. He's been in the jungle at night. He's faced down the tiger. He's witnessed the savagery of mankind. There isn't anything to fear anymore.

Jason shoves the gun against his face and Vaas simply rolls his head, pressing against the muzzle so that he can keep his eyes on him. That isn't impossible when Jason leans like he does, but the intention is there. I'm not afraid of you.

A wide, wild smile curves his mouth when he feels Jason's against his ear. This show of power is good. It's a step in the right direction, but he doesn't think Jason has taken it to heart yet. Doesn't think he really believes it. ]

I'm not afraid either, Jason.

[ Ignoring the gun like it isn't even there, Vaas lifts his hands and twists, catching either side of Jason's head between his hands and rearing back so that he can look him in the eyes. There's something a little like pride in his voice when he speaks. ]

You have been reborn. [ Leaning forward, he presses a kiss to the center of Jason's forehead, a light brush of lips like a benediction, then leans back and drops his hands. ] And when you embrace what you are, Jason, you will be magnificent.

[shabby]

[ That just makes him laugh. He's heard people who talk like that. Usually they tried to buy him off before he killed them. ]

Sure. Not the best drugs. Sorry. Those are back on my island. But I have some marijuana that's pretty good. I can share.

[shabby]

Why? What's wrong with getting high in space?

[shabby]

[ The problem with Vaas is that his mind is rarely still and it's been long enough since he asked about the lighter that he's forgotten about it. Which is why, when he hears his name, he sits up fast from where he's now lounging in the grass. ]

Yes? That's me. [ He eyes Yuuri warily. ] You are not a little green man. [ Observant, this one. ] That makes you human, no?

[juniberries]

It may endanger fellow crew members? Open flames and smoke are a potential hazard? Just to name a few?

[plus maybe she has a stick up her ass!! who knows!!!]

[shabby]

A fighter pilot in space?

[ He's never heard of such a thing. ]

What do you fight in space? [ He perks up a little. ] Aliens?

[shabby]

There are no crew members here. There's nobody but me. I won't set anything on fire.

[ Yet.

He would help her with that stick but she has already said no. He respects a lady's decision. Unless he's killing her or selling her into slavery. But that's just business. ]

[sensive]

[ Aliens. But they're all aliens, aren't they? ]

Is that what you're hoping for? A fight?

[taggingwomprats]

Mostly the Empire. Sometimes aliens, I guess, but most of them are on our side. Empire's not exactly fond of non-humans...

[ Sorry to disappoint, Vaas. ]

It's a bit of a long story.

[juniberries]

[buddy she'll kick your ass if you tried either of those things.]

There are crew members all over the ship. You are not alone on this vessel even if you are in a room by yourself.

But...good luck finding a lighter, I suppose. If we hear of an explosion a few ticks down the line we'll know who's to blame.

[shabby]

[ Nah, this isn't Rook. There's no point and nobody's making him sell people anymore. ]

Hermana, if you hear explosions, they're definitely gonna be me.

[ Because explosions are fun. ]

[shabby]

Maybe? I don't know. This is my first time in space. I'm not sure what to expect except for aliena. And that's been a letdown.