RESTING, WANDERING, BUT ALWAYS LOOKING

[whatalovelyday]

CLOSED TO HILLINGDON HOUSE

[Lying outside by the waters, he rests his hands over his bare chest – fingers lightly scratching at the tattoo of an engine that he has etched into his skin. He had gone out earlier in search of answers, of whispers, of where the other War Boys are, but came up with nothing. Nux isn't sure how he fits in with the other hunters; they were not raised on the same beliefs as he was, but they were still human. They still wanted to make a world safe for humans and that is more than enough for nonbelievers.

It isn't that he's lounging. Though, he does like to give the impression that is what he is doing. It is honestly that he has quite winded. Nux does what he can to build his strength up enough to move about, but sometimes, it does get the better of him. At least, the war paint that he still coats his skin in covers up how pale that he is actually getting.]

All I need to do is find the others, or find the one who did it. That's all.

[An easy task, he tells himself. He will be given great treasures in the afterlife once he has completed either goal. He takes a breath in and slowly turns his head to look toward the house. Nothing like his kind. It'll be all right. He'll protect them. Keep 'em safe any hunter would.

Already, he thinks that he can hear the war drums.]

OPEN: WANDERING THE STREETS

[His pants make an almost jiggling noise as he walks. It'd probably be better if it was bells, but it is mostly due to spare chains and bullets that he keeps in his pockets. Nux has become aware in the two years that he has lived out in the world that people do not like how he looks. His saved head and painted white skin tends to make them back away from him. But that's the point, isn't it? Humans are safe and hunters hunt. They're supposed to be frightening like guard dogs.

Or so he thinks.

At the moment, it isn't as serious as that. He's looking for his brothers as always, but he can't do that on an empty stomach. Nux isn't sure how long he has been wandering the alleys, and streets, but night has already fallen. He runs his hands along the glass of where there is some baked goods. But the lights are off given the indication that it's closed.]

Maybe should pop over to some store? How long do they stay open, anyway? [He is asking no one but is already starting to try to walk to find the fabled open shop in the middle of the night.]

Comments

Wandering the streets

[detectiveofthewest]

"Depends. I mean, it is a city, so some of 'em are open pretty late, but -- whoa!" Heiji had apparently started talking before he'd bothered to turn around to see the speaker.

"Uh. Sorry, you just surprised me a little. Whatcha lookin' for, a bite to eat?"

[whatalovelyday]

Nux still had his hands against the glass, staring at the various pastries and the like. He thinks -- as he dragged his hands away from the window -- most will probably be thrown out tomorrow, won't they? Should he got back tomorrow when they'd be a little cheaper?

"Hm?" He didn't expect someone to else be out, let alone speak to him willingly. Norms don't do that, do they? Or they stop after they get a good look at him. "Yes, just need a bit of a tip off for the night. It's going to be a long one." But he smiled, happy about the idea that he would be wandering around the dark.

[detectiveofthewest]

"Well... I got a late-night diner I like to go to sometimes, and it's near here. You want, we could pay it a visit." From the way Nux was eyeing those pastries, Heiji could certainly believe he was out for a snack.

"They got the best cherry pie in London -- in my opinion, of course."

[whatalovelyday]

"Do you intend to walk down there?" Nux seemed all right with the idea of going down to the diner. He was already headed towards one of the parked cars on the street. His eyes lifted up to scan the area to see if there was anyone that was planning on a late night ride.

"You should ride instead!" Norms were too easy of targets. What hunter would he be if he let them die? He was digging through his pockets once more to find the necessary items to unlock the car. Then the fun would come in hot-wiring it to drive it down to the diner.

[detectiveofthewest]

"What, you wanna drive? I mean, I guess we could -- " Wait. What was that. What was Nux digging for? Because those didn't sound like just car keys jingling about in there...

Wandering

[chosetofight]

[Wanda doesn't have anywhere to go. She hasn't gone to find a hotel, hasn't wanted to do that. It's easier on the streets, to be one of the invisible vagrants. When she hears the sound, she follows it, slipping down an alley to take a look out onto the street.

Shaved head. Chains. Very pale.

There are a lot of possibilities. But one word is ruled out immediately. Afraid. This one's bold, confident. He'd hide otherwise. So she emerges from the alley, hands up.

She doesn't look 'conventional' herself. Red leather jacket, somewhat tight clothes, lots of rings and necklaces, heavy eye make-up. Typical 'goth,' as far as most are concerned. But, still, she's never really cared about being subtle. He speaks, and she keeps her distance. So she wouldn't startle him too much.]

I know a couple twenty-four hour places around here.

[She isn't a Londoner. Or even form the UK. Her accent is closer to being Russian.]

I'll show you if you'll buy me a sandwich and a drink.

[whatalovelyday]

[Ah, as close to his people as Norms could get. He is human. He cannot tell if someone is supernatural or not without them doing something first. Nux straightens as he pushes himself off and away from the display window. The hunter can hear his stomach growling, churning, and wonders if it is loud enough for others to hear.

He lightly scratches his neck, avoiding where the two lumps are.] A sandwich and a drink. [Nux repeats as he digs through his pockets -- bullets, bullets, silver bullets, ah, his change pocket. Let's see. With his other hand, he scratches underneath his sunken eye.] How much is that?

Can we share a sandwich?

[chosetofight]

You buy the drinks, I'll buy the sandwiches?

[She doesn't have a lot of money to spare, but she has some. Enough to give someone a bit of food in order to get some company. Maybe get some information. She's new to town, and talking with the locals never hurts. Especially the kind who are out this late.

They always know something. They're the ones who see everything.]

[whatalovelyday]

You're not from here, yeah?

[It is an odd segway as he drops his hands out of his pockets. He makes a small gesture to his throat.] Words don't sound from 'round here. Close, though.

[He leans forward to stare at her for a time. Tilting his head from side-to-side, like some bird, he weighs her because no matter what shape that they take -- it doesn't mean that they can't kill you, right?]

You buy the sandwiches. [Because if she is going to cause trouble, it's best to stay around her than not around her, yeah? And if she isn't, then, well, it isn't good for a young woman dressed like that to be out. That just is like bait, isn't it? No, it isn't bait if they're just walking. Then, what is it? Not fair, is what it is. Not fair and it's his duty to protect and kill those around her. Yeah? Yeah.]

[chosetofight]

Sokovia. Near Russia.

[It's simple enough to admit, and she even smiles a little as she mentions her homeland. It's a distant memory, now. It feels like a century. It might as well be.

She walks over to him, her hands slipping into her pockets.

She's done this before. The strange associations made in the middle of the night. If he really is just hungry, he can tell her a lot for a meal, probably. Food's more persuasive than money with the right audience. And if he's going to try and hurt her? Well. Then he'll get more than he bargained for.]

Just got into town. I'm not staying long.

h. house

[crystalmethod]

[Trevor's been rearranging his trailer. Or rather he's been stealing pieces of scrap metal from various dumpsters and junkyards and is now hauling it around back and forth like some kind of oversized ant on a mission. Some of it's just been transported via truck, but but right now, he's got a piece of chain-link fence he's just walking around with. Because he found it on his morning stroll.

That's when he sees a familiar skinhead. His newest hire. Trevor stomps up to him, pausing with his mud-splattered boots right by Nux's head like he wants to kick him.]

Stop talking to yourself. Unless you're trying to advertise to everyone that you're in therapy.

["Hello, employee."]

[whatalovelyday]

Boss!

[Already, he is scrambling up to stand. He brushes himself off, because it isn't that great to stand before one's employer covered in dirt and the like, but all he succeeds in doing in rubbing the mud further into his skin.]

Don't need that. People say it sometimes, but -- [What Trevor says sometimes and it doesn't mean what he's saying.] Right. Thinkin' out loud. Got lots of things to think 'bout. But if you don't think I should be talking, then I guess I won't.

[crystalmethod]

Uhh, yeah. You shouldn't be talking. Help your boss out, for fuck's sake.

[He completely ignores everything Nux has just said, shoving the chain-link fence at Nux and forcing him to hold onto it. Then he adjusts his aviator shades, giving the kid a somewhat disgusted look as he stares at him.]

What have you been doing all day? Nothing productive, I'm guessing? Did you play in a sewer or something?

[Just a bunch of rapid-fire, rude questions as he starts walking the direction he was going, knowing that Nux will follow him and carry his precious fence.]

[whatalovelyday]

[Staring down at what he is now holding, he shifts it between his hands before looking up at Trevor. He does a bit of a jump walk as his boss is already starting to walk away from him when he's still processing what has been shoved into his arms and where he's supposed to be going with it -- which he hopes is after him.]

Been out lookin', scoutin'. Thinking I saw or heard somethin', but there weren't nothing. [Nux makes a bit of a face as he turns to look outward as if he could see the exact thing that was causing him not to be able to complete his search.] But been doin' a lot. Just not a lot of this work.

[crystalmethod]

[Trevor rolls his eyes, unseen with his back to Nux like that. Typical junkie. Nux is reminding him a whole lot of the Wade he left back in Sandy Shores: young, impressionable, stupid and addicted to a drug. Not that Trevor knows that Nux is completely sober or anything. Making assumptions is just his jam.]

Sooo you're reaffirming what I just said. You did nothing productive. Well, thank your lucky goddamn stars, 'cause now you get to do work. For your job. Also commonly known as "work".

[At least temporarily. Trevor continues on, whipping out his phone and plinking around on it.]

Wandering

[emotioneater]

[Nux gets a stare from Cooper when he passes by. Is this what the kids are doing to themselves these days? Not that he knows what passes for fashion. He stopped giving a fuck about what he looked like at some point in 1973. And what the heck is that jangling sound he keeps hearing? Cooper doesn't quite catch the words that he says, but he gcan guess from the way he's looking at the food in the window/]

Y'know, they say talking to yourself is the first sign of madness.

[whatalovelyday]

What's the second sign?

[He lightly punches the glass before pushing himself away from the sight of food. Nux does have a smile on his face, though, like it is a joke. Talking to himself -- talking to himself 'cause there's no more of his own. Not many people want to talk to him and his thoughts, but he does have lots and they get kind of full.

He shrugs his shoulders as he realizes that doesn't make much sense.] How many signs are there? Lots?

[emotioneater]

Let me see...

[He ticks them off one by one on his fingers, hoping that smile on the kid's face is a friendly one.]

Talking to yourself, becoming paranoid, hallucinating people 'n things that aren't really there, losing a grip on reality, and finally retreating into your own little world. Those are the big 'uns.

[He pauses and considers what he's just said.]

Shit. Maybe I've gone mad and never realized it.

[whatalovelyday]

Ya do all of that, do ya?

[He shakes his head to look back at the closed bakery.] Just do the talking. There's lots to talk about, to remember, to make sure that it ain't forgotten 'cause if it is, it'll all be for naught.

[emotioneater]

Nah. Just the talking 'n paranoia. But it's only paranoia if they really aren't out to get you.

[He blinks in surprise at Nux's words. They're deeper than what he'd expect to find from someone who looks like a ghoulish skinhead.]

Very philosophical of you. It's important to remember the past. Those who forget tend to make the same mistakes.

oh good a Hillingdon bro

[eyeforaneye]

[ He's come outside for a breath of fresh air -- dealing with an influx of supply requests from other clan members makes him even more antisocial than usual -- and spots Nux almost immediately. Sasuke's seen him around, sure, but actually networking with people of his own volition is a work in progress. ]

The 'others'?

[whatalovelyday]

The War Boys.

Those look a bit like me. Hunters. [He lightly points towards the other member of the clan. It ain't like his clan -- they wouldn't let anything save humans in. Humans saving and hunting for humans. Seems odd to let just anyone in just 'cause they wanna hunt.] Those that shall taste the glory and immortality offered to us after the Hunt!

[The burst of energy dies as he does not try to get up from where he is. Resting his hands over his chest, he lets out a small sigh. Tired.]

[eyeforaneye]

...

[ It actually inspires him to hunch down closer, making a point to stay out of arm's reach. Just in case. ] Immortality, huh. There isn't any immortality in this life save for wraiths who forget how to take the last steps in their journeys. You sober?

[whatalovelyday]

Sober? [His mind fills in what the other hunter is asking him.] Don't drink. Not really. The alcohol sticks to my throat. Closes it up sometimes. Hard enough time breathin' as is it is without makin' it worse.

But there is immortality for us hunters. It's waiting.

[eyeforaneye]

I wasn't suspecting alcohol. [ I mean if we're going to go for hard truths here. ]

Just for hunters? Maybe you should forget that for a moment and tell me if you need any help. You don't look so good.