capeandcowllogs | (no subject)

WHO: Ladd and you?!?
WHERE: A shady bar somewhere in the City.
WHEN: Late evening on the 29th.
WARNINGS: High chance of bad language and mentions of extreme violence.
SUMMARY: Ladd's been killed more times than he wants. He's decided to fight back. Now he just needs a plan.
FORMAT: Quick to start, but tagger's choice!

[In the smelly old bar, Ladd sits alone in a booth seat. He ignores all of the people around him, his face tight and concentrated, staring intently at the drink in his hand. He's trying to avoid many public places: a public broadcast of his death at the lips of Ivy certainly did nothing to boost his ego. He's actually trying to remain incognito, a rare sight indeed, with a baseball cap lowered down on his face and dressed in a shirt and shorts.

He seems almost angry, but he remains completely motionless. Deep in thought, Ladd is trying to figure out his next move. He needs to do something big, something messy, something that will remind him of what he used to be before he got to the City. He needs something exciting.

His knuckles twitch. If you're prepared to talk to him, don't expect a friendly response.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[A wild Spike appears, sliding onto the stool next to Ladd. He orders a Whiskey straight and glances around. Pretty disinterestedly tbh. But then he sees the other man's outfit and he just has to say something.] If you were going for subtle, you might've put on trousers. It's bloody freezing out there. [Take it from the man who had no body temperature and wore this same coat in the summer.]

[He glares up at the stranger, preparing to ignore whatever he said. That was until he actually saw the man sitting next to him. He responds, although trying to make it clear he doesn't appreciate the company.]

I don't think dyed hair is subtle either, pal.

The difference is, I'm not going for subtle. [He could tell when someone was trying to hide.]

[He looks the other man up and down quickly. He certainly doesn't recognise the face from anywhere, but then again, he never pays much attention to the network.]

The difference is that I don't give a shit.

Ooooh. Someone's a big man. [Spike shrugs one shoulder.] Was trying to do you a favor really. You stand out more than a Fyarl demon at this bar, mate.

[Ladd is starting to figure out that this guy isn't going to stop speaking for a while.]

That depends what a Fyarl demon is supposed to be, because I'm pretty sure I ain't one of those.

Big, spiny bastards. [Expect lots of hand gestures, Ladd.] About all they do is grunt. Not much for brains, I'm afraid.

You sure know how to make a flattering comparison, don't you?

It's a gift.

[And then, as if by magic, his face cracks into a smile. Not necessarily one for Spike's benefit, but a change of tact never hurt anyone.]

You've got a big mouth, you know that? I thought sitting here, looking threatening would mean most of these guys would leave me the fuck alone, but here you are! You're either dumb as a brick shithouse, or you're just awfully daring. It's been a while since I met a man like that, and I end up killing most of them, but I guess we'll see where this conversation goes next.

What a coincidence, I've killed a lot of annoying people too.

Really? Then I guess I can't take you by surprise, you being an expert in it and all. Don't take that as a threat, anyway, since I haven't decided whether I want to even drag my ass off this seat, but I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt.

[He takes a gulp of his drink.]

Now, you've got me talking! Looks like you really made me open up. I feel so refreshed already! I just need a topic of conversation, and I'm sure you'll be wanting me to shut up. What's your name then?

[What a weirdo, but Spike just shrugs - mentally calibrating if this guy was really a threat or not as he took a swig of drink.] Spike.

Spike?

[He takes a moment to mull the name over.]

Believe it or not, I've heard dumber. You ever meet someone called Jacuzzi? I'm still pretty damn sure no one names their kid Jacuzzi, but I'm no expert. The name's Ladd Russo, by the way! Feel free to call me whatever you want, so long as it ain't the name of that demon thing you were talking about earlier.

Alright, Jacuzzi.

You're a funny man, ain't you? Now, don't go thinking I'm offended, because I'm not! It makes conversation that much more interesting if I'm talking to someone who has one of those quick wits. You ever thought about writing plays? They'd sell out. That's just some advice, take it if you want.

[Spike blinks at that.] Always been more of a poetry guy. [It's so deadpan who knows if it's true!!!!! (But it is)]

Poetry, huh?

[He sniggers a little as he continues to drink.]

I don't think I've ever written much more than a dirty limerick, but I guess you must be a more sensitive soul.

Oh yeah, sloshy all the way to the bitter middle. [Whatever that means]