lieutenantantichrist | [3] Video/Action for Violet City

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[3] Video/Action for Violet City

[The camera is pointed at a Munna sitting on a picnic table. It stares back with serene, unblinking eyes.]

[It turns to show Blake, who has strain showing around his eyes and does not look real fucking happy.]

I have this aardvark piggy bank thing and it doesn't make any sense.

Whenever I let the damn thing out, it keeps floating off and then coming back in the middle of the night and chewing on my head. It's-- [his eyes avoid looking directly into the screen] It's goddamn weird.

[There's something else, but he can't go announcing it. The last thing he needs is people thinking he's a nut.]

Does anybody know anything about these things? The phone doesn't say much useful- [he breaks off and shouts offscreen] Hey! Get out of there!

[The phone is tossed down on the table. Sideways, the screen shows the Munna diving into Blake's backpack where it's sitting on the bench. Cheerfully ignoring Blake swearing at it and trying to grab it, it scatters things all over the place with its stubby legs until it finds what it was looking for. It floats up with a spoon floating in front of its face.]

[It stares straight at Blake as the spoon bends at a ninety-degree angle.]

[Blake growls at it] And stop doing that!

[The spoon unbends itself.]

[Blake crosses his arms and nods firmly.] That's better.

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[If it's going to freak out Norman, Blake might warm to the thing a little.]

[For once there's not much fight in Blake's voice.] Didn't think so. You're not that kind of asshole.

[It would've been nice to be able to blame him.]

[That sort of situation brings out the worst in people, but Blake's used to it (and pretty bad to start with).]

[~~Oh, like when some dick is telling a crazy guy he can't kill the Antichrist with a gun and practically daring him to give it a try? That kind of nerve-wracking experience?~~]

[The Munna doesn't mind. She likes attention, especially from people whose brains smell interesting. She makes a friendly lowing noise.]

[It's kind of funny to see Jayden holding the thing like a bomb.]

We're not stuck as partners here, Norman. But the point is the kid. You're looking out for him, and he thinks I'm a psycho murderer. Doesn't work out. There's no way to convince him I'm not gonna hurt him, and believe it or not, terrifying an eleven-year-old isn't my idea of fuckin' fun. As soon as my team's tough enough, I'm getting out of here and putting some miles between us.

[Steve backs off courteously. She doesn't mean to alarm the pretty bird.]

I know. We're not on duty anymore.

[Hey, hey! Norman ain't scared of no pig. It caught him by surprise, that's all. He gently settles the flowery-pig down next to Chipotle and Steve. Come to think of it, he never really did get a chance to formerly greet the (infamous) starter. He reaches over to scratch behind her ears.]

Shaun is training for his Zephyr Badge. As soon as he gets it, we'll leave first.

[He smirks dryly and pauses the scratches.]

I hear Goldenrod is a lot bigger of a city than what we've seen. Maybe bigger than Philadelphia.

Yeah. What crime do they even have here, stampeding the electric sheep?

[A moment after it's set down, the Munna begins to float up and away. Blake grabs it and sticks it securely under his arm] I said quit doing that.

[Steve remembers him as the man who comforted the little boy. That and scratching her eats are both immediate ways to win her over. she leans into the scratch contentedly. What a nice man.]

[Blake gives her an annoyed look. Traitor.]

He said you already got one of those. [If Blake cared about this crap, he'd be irritated that Jayden was that far ahead of him.] Are you gonna go flying around on giant birds now?

[Steve grumbles and headbutts Norman's hand when he stops scratching. She didn't say he was done.]

That right? I was starting to think a couple houses painted the same color was as close to a city as this place got.

The only time I needed to fly on a bird was to pick up Shaun. I'd rather not do it again.

[Maybe if he were ten-years old again, sure. He'd be young and dumb enough to hop on an overgrown bird made of clouds. Being an adult though sort of steals the fun and excitement away from the whole experience. Like the fact that you could end up paralyzed at any given moment if your bird goofs up just once. Norman would opt towards riding his fire horse thank you very much.]

Besides I don't think my Torchic is up for the task.

[The fire chicken looks up at Norman with as of much of an indignant look a chic could possibly make. The Torchic hates it when they call him little (or implies to). It's enough to ruffle his feathers.

It catches Norman off-guard when the Snubbull headbutts against his hand. He glances down at the little grumbling dog. The girl really does like the attention huh? Looks like her and Blake aren't too different from each other. Alright he'll give in and scratch her ears some more.]

Who knows? Maybe it's just another town with a few more houses in between. At least it's something to look forward too.

You seriously flew on one of these things. [Blake can't tell whether or not Jayden is screwing with him.]

[Personally, Blake wouldn't trust any of these things not to think it would be fun to drop him in a volcano. Do they have volcanoes around here? Probably.]

[Oh, a fire horse, that's much more sane and reliable.]

[Blake looks at the little orange chicken.] That bird couldn't carry a twig.

[The Munna squirms around under Blake's arm. He sets her down on the table and gives her a firm look.] Stay, Mark Wahlberg.

[He keeps an eye on it. Weird little thing floats off as much as the turnip. For the moment, it sticks around and turns its dark pink eyes on Jayden.]

[If Jayden listens, in his head he might hear a small, tentative]

(hello)

[Blake's looking up at the big Chinese-style tower that looms over the town]

Weird-ass city planning they got around here.

Yeah. Unless you have a clear road and a bike, flying on a bird is the fastest to get around here. I didn't have a lot options so Albert let me borrow his Altaria to get to Cherrygrove.

[Oh no you didn't, Mister Blake! Chipotle stands on its' two little chicken feet and starts chirping angrily at Blake. This Torchic can peck the living daylights out of the Lieutenant if he wanted to!

Norman could calm Chipotle down if he isn't distracted by the sudden 'Hello' he can hear in his head.]

-?

[He pauses.]

Did you hear that?

Bike or bird. Sure, that makes sense.

[Steve Buscemi sighs in contentment and leans into the scratches. She already likes this man. Alvin told her he was looking after the little boy. She doesn't understand why her master keeps growling at such a nice person, besides that he growls at everyone.]

[Blake glares at the bird] What's your problem? I'm not taking any shit from a McNugget.

[At the question, Blake's attention turns to Jayden and the Munna gazing at him]

[cautiously] Hear what?

[The Munna sends another questing thought]

(pitterpatter like the fog comes in
desert sea and sky inside
are your dreams sour? spicy? sweet?)

[Hey Blake has been through it and so has Norman. They both damn well know this world is ass-backwards when it comes to technological advances. It makes all the sense in the world. Bike or bird. Take your pick, Player 2.

Those pleasant head scratches soon come to halt once more when Norman hears the voice again. Blake had to hear it this time. The agent looks up at Blake in confusion, ignoring the angry chirps from Chipotle. The Torchic is dead set on going up to this guy's face and giving him a piece of his mind. He doesn't even know what a McNugget is.]

That. It said something again.

Shut up, bird.

[Blake definitely heard that. The weird thoughts that weren't his, but Jayden heard it too. His shoulders sag in relief.]

Christ, I thought I was fucking losing it.

[The Munna rolls onto its side, paddling its stubby legs]

(a friend?)

[Carter responds without thinking] Nah, just an asshole.

[there's the feeling of a bright spark of happiness]

(oh oh! talks back!)

That's where the voice is coming from?

[His eyes turns down to the Munna as it rolls on its' side.]

I just asked you two seconds ago if you could hear that.

[Meanwhile down on the ground, Chipotle is having a chickenfit again. The Torchic starts to march swiftly towards Blake and begins pecking at his feet.]

Yeah, this little Hieronymus Bosch bastard.

[Blake pokes it. It squeaks.]

[He gives Jayden a baleful look.] I wasn't gonna admit it until I was sure. The last thing I need is you going around telling people I'm a nutjob.

Ow! Fucking bird! [That little beak is sharper than it looks. It jabs right through his shoe.]

[Immediately, Steve is alerted. She jumps over to snap and growl at the Torchic. He may be sullen and angry, but he is her trainer.]

Don't worry. That message doesn't need to come from my mouth.

[OOPS! Did he press 'x' to sarcasm again? Ohh, he totally did. My bad Blake.]

[Oh no. Chipotle is havin' a chickenfit again. He knew Chipotle was padding over to Blake but he didn't think the fire chicken would peck him.]

Chipotle! Leave Blake alone.

[What? No. This person is talking smack about his height. No way Chipotle is going to let him get away with that. Even if that big, dumb Snubbull is growling at him. He can take her on! You ain't stopping him from making more noise, Steve Buscemi.]

Fuck you.

[Just like old times.]

[he growls at the animals] Both of you cut it out.

[But the bird is pecking her person! Steve stands protectively in front of Blake. She towers over the little Torchic. However, she believes they can resolve this like reasonable Pokemon.]

Chipotle? What do you call the other ones, McDonald's and Taco Bell?

[While Blake's trying to deal with what a giant dork Norman is, the Munna, who is watching with quiet interest, makes a small burping noise]

[Suddenly, just for an instant, everybody close by gets a feeling of being trapped in cold water.]

Not this name shit again Blake! Give it a break already. You don't even know which chipotle I'm talking about.

[Dammit is Chipotle still barkin' at Steve?

YEP! ~~Fuck the police!~~ Chipotle isn't done until Chipotle let's the world known that he is a Torchic to be reckoned with.

Just as he is about to go in to give Blake another pecking, his little body feels a cold sensation riding straight up its' little spine and instantly backs off.]

Augh!

[Norman's body flinches.]

You're right, it doesn't matter what you call it. It doesn't listen to you anyway.

[Get your damn chicken under control, Norman.]

[Not that Steve's any better. She's growling and chiding the Torchic for bad manners. You're not supposed to attack trainers, everyone knows that.]

[Then she quiets and shivers.]

[Blake looks disturbed, but, tellingly, not surprised. He shoots a hunted glance at Norman.]

Tell me you felt that.

[The Munna floats up and hovers a few inches above the table]

(bitter dream)

[No surprise these two could find some common ground to argue but everything comes into an eerie halt after that short yet strange sensation Norman felt.]

I...

[For a second he looks lost, his eyes divert to his left and then his right until they focus on Blake again.]

I felt something.

[He rolls his shoulder.]

But I don't know what.

[Steve huddles by Blake's leg and wraps her stubby arms around herself. Blake's hand rests on her head and his fingers idly run over the short pink fur.]

[warily, waiting for Jayden to laugh in his face or call him crazy] Something cold.

Like... [he looks away, not wanting to finish it, but he doesn't really have a choice.]

...rain.

Yeah. Yeah that's it.

[The Torchic retreats back to Norman. Little Chipotle has no idea what to do with himself. This is one of the few times where an outside force can completely shut the bird up.]

[Norman on the other hand doesn't look too good. The agent breaks out in a cold sweat as his stomach is starting to turn on him. He shakes his head to knock off the ill-feeling lingering inside.]

Wait. If we both felt the same thing then does that-?

[He eyes the Munna in front of him.]

Yeah. It's gotta be coming from that.

[Carter rubs his head. He doesn't look that great either, pale and shaken. But it could be worse. At least this shit's not coming from inside his own head. He never thought he'd be glad to have Jayden around.]

[he looks down at his hands and mutter] It's been doing that almost as long as I've been in the city. That's why I usually keep it locked up in one of those ball things. I'd get rid of it if it weren't useful in a fight.

Shit, it almost makes that crap out eating dreams sound plausible.

[The Munna catches the word eat. She could use a snack. It's not as good as dreams, but sometimes when people are awake she can get a taste. She floats over and nibbles on the back of Norman's head.]

[No. Bad Munna. We do not snack on the dreams of FBI agents. But it's too late for Norman as he can feel an odd sensation on the back of his head. Like there is an invisible hand massaging his brain.

And for what? A small glimpse of the planet Mars being overrun by tiny blue tanks? It's gross. Don't touch it.

Norman winces. Unsure if he should grab the Munna again.]

Is it always this friendly?

[The Munna sighs happily and keeps gnawing]

(salty, bright sour, see through the blue)

Yeah, it does that to everybody. Keep waking up to it stuck to my head.

Heh. [Blake looks weakly amused. Seeing something give Jayden crap cheers him up a little.] It likes you. Want it?

[It can hold its own in a fight, but he can catch something else that can do that while staying out of his brain.]

[Screw it. The little guy isn't doing any harm. Let the Munna do its' Munna thing. As long as it doesn't start eating his brain bit by bit. I know Blake doesn't have one but still- there are much tastier options. ]

Thanks but my hands are full.

[Right on cue emerges Alvin from Norman's coat like a baby kangaroo. The bug-eyed look on the Patrat makes him look like a deer under the headlights.

What is his life? He doesn't know.]

Edited 2013-03-11 02:47 (UTC)

[Hey Blake's brain is fucking delicious. ...wait, no.]

[Mark is happy right there. It's not as good as dreams, but Norman's mind is fizzy, like Pop Rocks.]

[Blake sighs and clasps his hands loosely between his knees.] I don't trust it. You think these things can be evil?

[On edge as he is, he jumps half out of his skin when the little chipmunk thing bursts out of nowhere. Steve hops back a step.]

Is "giant creepy eyes" a fucking subspecies of these things?

[Yep. It's pretty fizzy up there. Like a thousand of tiny bubbles floating around his cranium.

Watch it there, Mark. Too much fizz and you'll be bloated for the rest of the day.]

Oh, I'm sorry. This too much for you? I thought you street cops were thicker than that. I didn't think you'd get so paranoid.

[Y'know, he kind of likes this. Norman can stand proudly in front of Blake like a deranged man with a floating pig suckling at his head and a chipmunk sticking out from his coat.]

You mean the same way "small pink critters" are a subspecies? Yeah, I guess we're not too far off from each other.

Great. I've got a psychic jackass, and you've got a rat with rabies.

[Norman's hair is going to be stuck in some odd directions after this.]

Why don't you fuck off, Norman? Christ, you being an asshole, that has to be the one fuckin' constant thing in the universe. It's not paranoid when there's a pig in your head talking about drowning.

[Blake should've known he wouldn't be any help. At the same time, in a weird way, it is kind of reassuring that one thing hasn't changed.]

[Steve approaches Alvin curiously. It's the nice Patrat she spoke to on the phone.]

[3] Video/Action for Violet City

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