capeandcowllogs | (no subject)

WHO: X-23 and OPEN.
WHERE: In the streets, on patrol.
WHEN: Four AM, Saturday morning.
WARNINGS: Snikt and snakt. X-23 almost chopping someone to pieces.
SUMMARY: X-23 isn't feeling so great, and so takes things a little too far while on patrol.
FORMAT: tl;dr paragraphs to start, and then quicklog. Unless you really want paragraphs!

*

X-23 doesn't get frustrated. She wasn't designed to become stressed or angry or upset, and as such, won't let things escalate, until everything's out of control; or so the theory goes, at least.

Right now, she's simply focused on the mission that's been laid out for her. That's what she's telling herself. She's gripping the collar of a target's shirt, and with another blow to the jaw, he stumbles back, hitting the wall of the alleyway as he slumps to the ground. Reaching out, he makes a desperate grab for the gun that's already been fired once, and somehow manages to wrap a hand around it. X-23 quickly takes care of that, though; claws snapping out, she slices the barrel of the gun in two, probably severing a fair few fingers in the process.

When he howls out in pain, she raises her fist, and pushes her claws clean through him, right at the joint of his shoulder. She's still striking him with her free fist and right knee when she realises that he's already unconscious, and probably has been for a while. She freezes instantly, mind oddly clouded over, like she doesn't know what's just happened; letting out a heavy breath, she quickly pulls her claws out but doesn't retract them, and places two fingers against his throat.

Although it's weak, there's definitely a pulse. X-23 swallows the lump in her throat, relieved. It's not because she sees something wrong with handling criminals in this way (in her mind, doing so would be a lot more efficient), but because she has direct orders not to kill. Leaving the man slumped where he is, X-23 wanders out of the alley, in the hope of finding a nearby payphone, or somebody who can help.

She digs a bullet out of her side with one claw as she goes, light-headed for all of a second, before the wound closes.

[ ooc; so I can't really ICly ignore the fact that X-23 has no concept of her own emotions, and thus deals with things by a) self-harming, which should be evident enough to anyone who spends any real amount of time with her, and b) flipping out while on patrol. Any help will be appreciated, whether it's a healer or somebody with a mobile phone, and people to shout at her/start a fight with her/lecture her are fine too. Anything goes! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Shouldn't have got shot. Almost failed the mission.

Oh, sweetie, you- [ Rikki stops herself, trying to figure out what Steve would say. ] Hey. You didn't fail, okay? And I'm really glad you healed. No, you shouldn't have got shot, but that's not your fault, X.

Yes. Failed. Had direct orders not to kill.

Edited 2010-01-24 01:32 (UTC)

[ Rikki pieces together what X-23 has been saying- she's hard to understand sometimes, especially when she only uses verbs. But it's not incomprehensible. Rikki frowns when it clicks. ] First of all, the siren was still on. The EMTs still think he has a chance.

Why'd you hurt him so bad? What happened?

Armed robbery. Had to be stopped.

[ Rikki nods. ] I get that. Trust me, I do. Did he resist getting taken in? Cause I know that happens sometimes and you have to hurt people worse than you want to.

No. He apologised.

If he'd apologized, then why- [ Rikki trails off, for the first time realizing how messed up whatever situation X-23 came from really is. ] Jesus. I understand how you can get caught up in it. But you really- is this the first time patrolling you've hurt someone this bad?

No.

Edited 2010-01-24 02:16 (UTC)

[ Rikki really doesn't know how to deal with this- X-23 is just a kid. But she was fooling herself if she ever believed that X-23 is anywhere near normal. She doesn't even have a name, for God's sake. ]

Okay. I know you like- that you need to be useful. And I'm sure you've helped a lot of people. And that's great. But we're not here to hurt criminals. We're about keeping the peace and protecting innocent people. If you're having problems crossing that line, maybe you should take a break from patrolling. Especially if you've been getting shot at. Even if you're okay, that can really shake a person up.

Haven't eliminated any targets since arriving. Been following orders. Will try harder. Won't fail again.

I'm not worried about the targets, X. [ Rikki sits down next to her. ] I'm worried about you.

[ X-23's posture is more like a disappointed child's instead of a miniature adult's, for once. ] It's gonna be okay. [ She tilts her head. ] Do you want a hug?

Edited 2010-01-24 02:43 (UTC)

[ Rikki takes X-23's silence as consent, and she leans over to give her a one-armed hug. ] Sorry [ she says, ] I know I'm not being much help.

It's fine.

[ Encouraged by X-23 leaning against her, Rikki tightens the hug a bit, smiling just slightly. ]

Okay.

Tired,

Edited 2010-01-24 03:08 (UTC)

'M not surprised. It is pretty late. We can stay here for awhile. Catch our breaths. [ Rikki rubs X-23's shoulder, attempting to comfort her. ]

Alright. Thank you.

[ she smiles at X-23 ] Anytime.