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Date & Time: Night of the 26th -- day of the 27th
Location: various places around the island!!
Characters: Big Boss & Will Laurence
Summary: Leaving town and exploring the ~~sea~~ island to see what they can see ~~see see~~.
Warnings: ANIMAL DEATH AND MANCHILD BICKERING AND PROBABLY VIOLENCE

[ Laurence is still... not sure how to feel about cars. Really, very not sure. He can admit that the sleek black metal body of the thing is pleasant to look upon, yes-- sort of like a very, very small Temeraire. But it's wholly unlike anything he's seen before, and he's quite sure he doesn't approve of the speed of their travel. In fact, he hasn't released this convenient bar placed in the door next to him even once, since they've started.

Eyes straight on the road ahead of them (but not so firmly placed that he's failed to notice how the buildings creep further and further into disrepair and abandon, the further out they go), Laurence steels himself to speak again. He hasn't found his voice often, not since the car passed 30 MPH. ]

I think it entirely possible that at these speeds, vital information may well be passed by.

[ He's not sure it's true, precisely, because... well, what vital information? But it's definitely worth mentioning, if it will in any way slow their pace. ]

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[ ... And he isn't even driving very fast, at least not for his standards. Because he'd actually wanted to be a little considerate, assuming that someone like Laurence wouldn't be used to the speed of modern travel. Maybe that's part of the reason he'd picked this car, an older model, though that could bite him in the ass later if it's prone to breaking down. He's not exactly been trained how to fix cars... or fix anything, really, except guns and very minor injuries, and even then his techniques aren't always perfect.

Nor is his driving. Even if there were any traffic regulations, he probably wouldn't adhere to them, and so his driving isn't very... safe. And feels like it.]

I'm paying attention.

[He doubts they'll find any 'vital information' here - not to say they'd have to go through every single house, so it's a wiser idea to just investigate those that might stick out - landmarks or town halls for example. Maybe there are people out here that'll tell them something new.

But actually, he's just glad to be getting away - even if this is sort of risky; Jack doesn't even have any clue where he's driving, though he tries to memorize the way back just in case. And if they are really that important, sooner or later they'll come looking for them anyway... probably. That's the assumption, anyhow.]

I'm more interested in the border, anyway. If we'll find anything there. [Maybe a wall - maybe guards - if this is an exile...] Could be dangerous.

[He just gives Laurence a look, as if he wants to remind him that he can still change his mind. There's a reason he loaded all of his weapons into the car before leaving... weapons, though not nearly enough supplies.]

[ Laurence glances over in time to catch that look, and only just manages not to take offense. Offering a way out of something purportedly dangerous, unspoken or no, is only a few steps shy of an accusation of cowardice. It's only his association thus far with the man that soothes the instinctive reaction. Snake is, after all, more like than nearly anyone else Laurence had known at home to speak his mind.

He turns his eyes frontwards again, grimly. ]

I had not intended to suggest inattention. [ Though how Snake can be driving so fast and be looking terribly close at anything, Laurence doesn't even want to think about. He takes a breath, adding: ] Although I do find myself in mind of a request, if you should be so willing as to indulge me.

[He gives a snort, and can very well imagine which implications the other man must have gotten out of that, though maybe that's just Jack's own weird way of showing mild worry. More often than not, he prefers to do things on his own, unless he's very acquainted with his partner's skills and knows they won't slow him down.

It occurs to him that he should show him how to use a gun. That's something he files away for later; but a soon sort of later. It's important.

Eye on the street. Or well, what's left of it. Hard to make sure to stay on something that's barely there.

But he doesn't need to hear out the request to know what it is about.]

If I drive any slower, it'll take days. [Now the real question is if the fuel will even last that long. Fortunately, he's good at improvising.]

Unless you want to take your time and admire the view... not quite what I had in mind.

[Not much to admire here, anyway. He gives a very wry smile; sudden adjustment is often necessary and it's better to do it like this than to be gentle. That's how he learned it.]

The sooner you get used to it, the better. Try to relax; I know what I'm doing.

[Not really, but hey.]

[ "I know what I'm doing." Laurence isn't sure he's ever heard a phrase that strikes less confidence. But of course he never would dream of questioning another man's competence that hadn't clearly earned it, and even then it would never be a direct accusation. And Snake, for all Laurence's unease, has not gotten them killed yet. ]

I thank you for your consideration, but I fear you mistake my meaning.

[ He glances skywards, checking their direction briefly by the sun (what can be seen of it through lowly scudding clouds), and running a few mental course calculations, with London as their starting point. They aren't far from the site of the location he has in mind, by his reckoning. ]

I am fully aware of the use in taking advantage of any resources available to us, including great speeds. I should never think of stunting our progress for anything as secondary as one man's use of slower speeds. Although I must stoop to admit that my request is of a similarly personal nature, if you will abide it.

[Big Boss heaves a heavy sigh, after listening to all of that patiently while still managing to somehow not crash into some rubble (it's a small miracle). However, he's slowing down a little bit now - emphasis on little, mostly so he can focus better on conversation. He's perfectly capable of multitasking, but he knows that his priorities are and when.]

... You don't have to beat around the bush, then, [He drawls. Yeah, in fact, he prefers it when people are more direct, and somehow he can't help but feel like Laurence needs at least twice as many words - even sentences - to explain an issue than he does.] Just say what you want to say.

[And now he's really curious as to what that mysterious personal request might be.

Though he sort of suspects the man to try and word in the most convoluted manner possible that he really needs to take a piss.]

[ Well. He is coming to the point. He takes a half a second to wonder if all Americans are so impatient, or it's a trait exclusive to Snake. But he forgoes any retort to that nature, if only because clearly the two of them would simply have to agree to disagree, in the end. ]

My father's estate is not far from here. [ He risks a glance to the side (have they slowed down? It seems it), and nods to himself at the truth of it. It's even almost on their way. ] Was, I should say. It would not be a large detour.

[ He knows full well that the home he grew up in won't be there. No, that's ridiculous to expect. But there's a morbid curiosity demanding he see what is there. ]

[The answer doesn't come immediately - that wasn't quite what he'd expected, but he could have probably figured when someone's such a model of an Englishman.]

... Of course.

[But he doubts it'd be easy to find the place now... everything must look completely different. It's been over a thousand years, after all.]

If you can describe the way. To be frank, I have no clue where we are right now.

[At least he's honest about that. And slows down enough that Laurence can really take a good look at the scenery now.]

[ He glances around him again, paying more attention to the lay of the land than the buildings on it. It's strange, how foreign his home looks now. But nonetheless, he manages to recognize gentle swells of land, the occasional dips of valleys.

It's easier to focus on that, however, than dwell on having asked. It's an unsightly thing, for a grown man to want to go home again. And if he must see it, he's perfectly aware that it would have made a better chore to go about alone. ...Still, alone he would not have had a car. ]

It is due west of here. [ He's sure of that much, at least. ] Is this car able to leave the roads?

[Yes, well. Clearly there have to be driving lessons at some point, so Laurence doesn't have to rely on his roommate whenever he feels homesick. Though Jack honestly doesn't mind the detour... but he makes a mental note to check how much fuel this car got left.]

Should be, but it's not exactly an off road vehicle. Which means I'll have to slow down. [He doesn't feel as annoyed as he sounds. It'll be a bumpy ride all the same...]

Hope it's not too far, at least.

[He stops, determining which direction would be 'West' by checking the time and the sun. Might not be overly accurate, but the general direction should be about right.

So he turns the wheel, hits the gas pedal and leaves the road.]

[ Off road vehicle? Then there are cars that can leave the roads. That's worth remembering. And then-- oh, Lord, and he'd thought it was distressing before they'd left the road. He clutches all the more tightly at that bar on the door, looking grim. ]

If I am gauging the location correctly, I should say it is a distance of no more than eight kilometers, as the dragon flies.

[ He forces himself to sit forward in his seat, paying particular attention to the geography now. There-- yes, he recognizes that hill, there. It's weighted down by crumbling buildings and what he's been told are electric wires, but he knows it nonetheless. They're on course.

After a short pause, he adds: ] I thank you for your indulgence. I had been wondering for some time what I might find there.

[It's actually quite of funny, watching him from the corner of his eye again, trying to hide his discomfort even though it's terribly obvious. At least Jack refrains from commenting on it further, no one likes to have that sort of stuff pointed out over and over again.]

Dragons? That's some figure of speech. [He'd almost say it sounds somewhat unusual for his time, but he can't really judge. Eight kilometers... should be about 5 miles, not too far, but it'll still take a while because he can't just drive straight through unless he wants to risk completely ruining the car. He'd really prefer a horse or at least a bike....]

No need to thank me, but you could have told me earlier. Might've taken another road and our ride would be a little more comfortable now.

[He can understand being curious... he supposes. Though he doesn't think that if they were in Hawaii right now instead, he'd want to return to that relocation camp.]

[ He takes the criticism with a nod, because there's really no other way to. It is his fault for not speaking sooner, if he would speak at all. Half-formed plans and spontaneous adaptations, which any commander worth anything knows are at times necessary, are best avoided, when possible.

So instead he risks a glance over, curiously. ]

Is it gone out of use in your time? [ Odd. It's a damned useful phrase, Laurence would have thought. ]

Maybe. I've never heard it before.

[Or it's just some British thing. But it seems so insignificant that he really doesn't think about it further. However he does think back to some pretty... weird adventures he's had on Isla del Monstruo - Monster Island - after having been lured there by a talking cat.

It'd make for some story; but that, too, is probably irrelevant in the long run. It seems a lot less weird than most of the things he's encountered here so far, that's for sure.]

You sure this is the right way?

[Because the landscape just keeps on looking worse and worse, and he has to lower the speed even further - those tires...]

I am.

[ He's braver with the slowing speeds, and relaxes visibly as he keeps an eye to their bearings. He gives a few additional directions now and then, small corrections as they come to some hill or another. None of the creeks or lakes he remembers are properly placed, and there are a few he's sure are new, but the land at least doesn't lie.

Eventually, as a particular heap of rubble comes into sight, he nods. ]

Here. If you will oblige me by stopping, I will not be long.

[And stop the car he does, turning down the engine after it has slowly come to a halt. Surveying the surroundings quickly, it seems pretty desolate... but so does most of the island they've seen so far (aside from the city). It'd be surprising to meet any people out here that aren't just crazy.

But that's the thing. Even if there aren't any people, there could be wildlife... or unstable constructions. A lot of things and factors to consider, and he frowns quietly to himself.]

No, I'll come along. Unless, [and here he inserts a small, meaningful pause,] you consider this a very personal matter and would prefer to be by yourself.

[ He's distracted almost even before he swings himself out of the car, already trying to reconcile his memory of the place with the current reality of it. It takes him a second to hear Snake, but he blinks himself out of his thoughts to glance over once he does.

A personal matter? Perhaps. He ought to take up that out. But then, he's not entirely sure he wants to spend more time here than strictly necessary, to satisfy his own curiosity, and company along will certainly hurry him. He shakes his head. ]

You are welcome, of course. I am sorry to say you are not likely to find very much of interest here, however.

[ And he starts forward, into the rubble. It looks a little like it had turned into a group of much smaller houses, instead of the enormous mansion he'd expected. There's very little to see that looks at all personalized or memorable, and most of the structures are broken down to their barest foundations, at most. For Laurence's part, he surveys it all with a grim, serious air— even more so than usual. If there's any sense of being let down, disappointed, or saddened, it's definitely not showing through. ]

[He doesn't reply to that, grabbing his rifle from the back instead and opening the door to climb out of the care to accompany the other man. Though he'll probably keep some distance - he just wants to have him in his field of vision, because who knows what could happen out here, and he doesn't really wants to suffer from a guilty conscience later for dragging Laurence along in the first place, and then allowing him to wander off.

(There could be dragons out here, too. Who knows?)

So Jack tags along behind Laurence, taking in the scenery... it's nothing he hasn't seen before (having grown up on battlefields), but still not particularly appealing. If one of these placed belonged to Laurence's father before, there sure isn't much left of it now.]

...Nh.

[Laurence would have been right in saying that there's nothing much of interest here...but maybe he'll find something.

And now it's him wandering him off, though not too far.]

[ It doesn't take him long. He walks slowly to, as near as he can tell, the center of the ruins, is silent with his head bowed for a minute at most, and seems to be content with that. There's less slow reverence to his movements when he turns to head back again. Whatever ritual that was is done and fulfilled, and he's every inch brisk and professional again.

He slows near the car, looking over to Snake again. ]

I am ready at your leisure.

[Oh, he's not in the car - but sitting on some pile of rubble near the car, and the first thing he does when he hears Laurence approach and then speak is to raise a hand without even looking at him - a sudden sort of 'stop' gesture.

Apparently, he has found something. Usually when he's out about and bored, he'll just start looking for interesting traces, harass animals or both. It's definitely both right now.

Maybe it's a small miracle there are still any animals at all. After signaling Laurence not so subtly to be quiet, Jack lifts and aims his rifle again at something in the distance - though it's hard to see at what exactly. Some patch of grass swaying in the wind; but he has a trained enough eye to recognize that it's not exactly just swaying.

The second something small and dark emerges out of the grass, he pulls the trigger and the gun discharges loudly - and again, and another time - and each time a shriek of pain can be heard, too.

Then he lowers the rifle again.]

Hrrngh.

[Hey Laurence, were you still waiting for some sort of response? Well, for now, he's going to check out those squirrels first. Or whatever it is he just murdered.]

[ There is no sign more universal than "stop and be silent", and Laurence knows well it's rarely given without good cause. So he pauses, holding his tongue, and looks to see what it is Snake might be staring after.

He blinks at the shot, more surprised by the multiple rounds than anything else, and eyes the rifle. Clearly he has to look into these updated guns, they seem to have advanced quite a lot. ]

I beg your pardon. I had not realized you were hunting.

[ Study of the rifle concluded, he peers instead after... whatever dead things those are. ] What have you hit?

[That's a rather good question, actually. He'd assumed squirrels or rats, but on closer inspection... they're looking more like ferrets. But without his survival guide, he won't be able to tell for sure.]

Eh... Can't say. Looks edible, though.

['Edible' only meaning that they probably aren't venomous. He pokes and examines the three dead, bloody things for a bit before wrapping a hand around their necks to carry them back to the car.]

That was quick, wasn't it? I take it you didn't find what you were looking for.

[ He peers over, curious, and looks a little surprised when the creatures come into sight. ]

Polecats. [ uh. okay. he guesses there are weirder things to eat... ] I cannot speak for their flavor, although nor can I imagine there is anything to be lost of a meal of them... [ if you're weird.

A little more seriously: ] I only wanted to see the area, and anything it might have become. There was not very much to spend my attention on.

Polecats? .... Don't look much like cats to me.

[Not that that'd stop him from eating them, anyway... unless they were cute. For now, he's just glad that they've found something. Sure, he would have preferred some deer... but if you've lived more in the wild than civilized places, you stopped being picky at some point.

And he's not exactly gonna force Laurence to eat some. Guy can eat grass and leaves for all he cares.

He opens the driver's door, climbs in, and carelessly tosses the polecats onto the backseat. The rifle, however, he handles a little more delicately.]

You wanted to see the area, despite knowing that it'd look like this? I mean, what did you expect? Everything has gone to hell.

[Now get back into the car - he's not subtle about wanting to continue on their merry way.]

[ oh my god, Snake, you can't do that!!! Laurence doesn't even know anything about cars, but he's pretty damn sure you'll ruin the upholstery if you let dead animals bleed all over it. He manages not to shoot over a look, but purses his lips and pulls open one of the back doors. He'd prefer oilcloths, but as there aren't any in sight, this super convenient blanket he's just dug up from the back will have to work instead.

When he's satisfied that no furniture is being ruined, he climbs back into the passenger seat. ]

I can admit that I hoped for familiarity, however foolishly. As to what I expected, however... I do not leave disappointed.

[ ... Honestly who cares about the upholstery of some random CAR THEY JUST STOLE ANYWAY? (This man, apparently.) He watches Laurence do his thing a little - baffled, but does

not

comment on it.

Though it's not because he can't think of anything to say. The real question is if any criticism applied to these situations will have much effect, or be anything but pointless. Before Mr Captain is even done, Jack heaves a drawn out sigh, turning his head again, and begins to rub his temple.]

That's... good to know.

[He starts up the engine. It takes a few tries - this is a pretty old car, after all. And aside from the moderately clean upholstery, it looks like it.]

I'll continue driving northeast, then. If we haven't reached the coast by sundown, we'll set up camp for the night.

Edited 2012-02-25 19:36 (UTC)

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oh no page not found 8[

thanks for the note, totally did not see your tag :'| /tracks the post now

it's like some crazy roulette, WILL I REPLY TO THE COMMENT OR THE ENTRY??

FOR ME TOO depending if I'm replying straight from mail or not...

oh my god can you pick icons from your email...

nope but I tend to just click on "reply" instead of going back to the post, hurr

oh i thought you were using some secret magics :c

i wish! :(

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