[log] God Must Hate Me [closed]

[rubikscomplex]

Characters: House, the Joker, Luna, and Quark
Location Building 58
Date: Day 139/140
Summary: House really wasn't expecting the Joker to leave downtown... It's a heartfelt reunion! And maybe some decryption on the side.
Warnings: The Joker is his own warning, as is House. Will add specifics if/when they come up!

[The building is a simple single-story house, the snow weighs uneasily on it, and it creaks and groans under the strain at the best of times. It's very dark, and only the kitchen and living room are intact. The kitchen has a back door. Two snowmen have been built outside. A message has been written on the wall in blue ink: "Don't wreck the snowmen! That's super mean!" "ALPHONSE ELRIC, MAMI TOMOE, FREYA CRESCENT, GREED, EDWARD ELRIC, STEPHANIE BROWN, DAY FORTY ONE, TRAVELLING EAST." has been carved into one of the walls. The following has been written on the wall in blue pen: "This is Building 95 97 on the composite map. Contact @CaptSteveRogers for details." Underneath this is a fairly accurate map showing the house in relation to the school and buildings 29, 35, 35, 37, 40, 41, 47, 48, 50, 53. House 34 is labeled "Medical assistance; hot, clean water. Contact Dr. Epps @claytonator". The school is labeled "School. Food available in cafeteria; DO NOT STAY HERE OVERNIGHT." The shed is labeled "Shed".]

Comments

[averytinyparticle]

[There's a deliberate pause as Quark debates speaking. He's being fully blocked by two adults...but, well, at least the Joker isn't trying to lunge at him right now. And it would be really awkward if nobody said anything, wouldn't it? So, without moving from behind the wall of human bodies he's being shielded by, he speaks up.]

How can we play Monopoly without all the pieces?

[He has always been precocious.]

[brokethefirst]

Quark, please don't-- [It's a bit broken in tone, between the flash of anger that she spots from House and her own rising fear. Think, think, what would Tenmyouji do--

Tenmyouji would be mostly snark and rage. Not something she can bring herself to mimic. But she does reach back to make sure she has a good grasp on the boy's uninjured hand.]

[rubikscomplex]

[House can't say anything, but internally, he's rolling his eyes at the boy. If he's going to be precocious, he can at least ask the question in a mocking tone.

After a moment contemplating how to deal with this situation, House decides the best option is to get the Joker to focus on him. Or Luna. Luna's boring, though. He pulls his harmonica out of his pocket, and starts to play.]

[harlequinofhate]

[The Joker looks at House as he starts to play, then at Luna.

Finally, his gaze settles on Quark. They want him to focus his attention on anything other than the boy, it could hardly be more obvious.]

Guess having a board would help.

Why don't we play I Spy instead?

I spy with my little eye something that is white.

[averytinyparticle]

Please don't say snow.

[A bit better with the mocking tone that time, we can only hope. Quark frowns, looking from Luna to House. Okay, so he gets it, he shouldn't be talking to this guy. It's not like he wants to distress either of them, especially not Luna...but what else is he gonna do? Hide in a cupboard and cry?]

[harlequinofhate]

No. Me.

[Joker's eyes never leave Quark as he gestures towards his own face.]

Your turn!

[rubikscomplex]

[House leaves off playing. It's clearly not doing anything to distract the Joker, and why would it? He's doing exactly what House would be doing if he wanted to piss someone off: Focus on the thing they don't want you to focus on. Well, talk is just talk. Talk is fine.

But it's making his insides clench uncomfortably with dread.]

[averytinyparticle]

[Quark tries really hard not to smile. But...it was a little funny. He looks down to try and hide it when his lips curve upwards, and pretend maybe like he's not playing along. But...his eyes look around him until they land on something they like.]

I spy with my little eye...something...orange.

[harlequinofhate]

Hm...

[Joker's eyes ferret about the room.]

Could it be our mutual friend Moona?

[averytinyparticle]

[As soon as Joker guesses the correct answer, he feels guilty. He shouldn't have put attention on her that way. But, well, no going back now.]

Yeah. I think Miss Luna's hair is really pretty.

[But enough of that. Quark looks back up at the Joker. Maybe everyone wants to take attention off of him, but Quark would rather not put that burden on anyone else.]

Your turn again!

[rubikscomplex]

[House is just watching still, entirely on edge. Joker's moods change on a dime, as he's discovered to his terror. One minute bantering, the next threatening with a mallet or an iron poker. He doesn't actually know what to do here, apart from waiting out the Joker's interest.

There's a loud click, signalling lockdown. Now they're really stuck here together for the night.]

[harlequinofhate]

I spy with my little eye something that seems nervous.

[He looks at House.]

Whatsamatter, Doc? Scared of a few locked doors?

[brokethefirst]

[The click of the lock gets a flinch from Luna, moreso than the use of her hair as a center of attention, intensifying at Joker's comment. Nowhere to go until morning, so little room to maneuver...

With a stiff exhale, she's hestitantly lowering herself to the ground, still in front of Quark, bags sliding off her arms with a weak thud against the floor.]

...Thank you, Quark. I... like it, too. [It's a quiet and stiff remark, her eyes turning back to the Joker.] Jack, you have better things to do than mock, don't you?

[harlequinofhate]

No.

[Joker drops his chin into his palm and smirks lazily.]

I really don't.

[rubikscomplex]

[House puts on a show of relaxing and rolling his eyes at the Joker before offering a noncommittal shrug. He's incredibly nervous, but he's also a very good actor when it comes to pretending indifference.]

[averytinyparticle]

[Quark watches this all play out in silence.]

So was that a serious question, or is it still your turn? You kind of answered it for me.

[brokethefirst]

We could always say the turn was wasted, couldn't we? He didn't really give you a chance to guess.

[She's carefully rummaging through the top of her backpack while she speaks, pulling out a box of teabags with a glance up at House.]

[harlequinofhate]

Rude.

Fine, then.

[Joker points at Luna with the fireplace poker.]

Your turn, honey.

[brokethefirst]

[Would this be their first encounter, she might have stumbled all over herself at the request. As it stands, though she's still stiff as a board when he points a sharp object at her, she keeps her lips tight, exhaling through the nose before giving a quick glance around the room.]

I spy something blue.

[rubikscomplex]

[House glances around for something blue. There's his hat or his jacket, but he really hopes she's not looking at him. He's trying to avoid actually playing, though, and it's the Joker who should be guessing. He'll just watch for now, still attempting something like nonchalance and boredom.]

[harlequinofhate]

Your dress? Or you?

[He lowers the poker.]

'Cause you're looking a little blue, wanna talk about it?

[brokethefirst]

I'm afraid that isn't how the game works, is it?

[She offers a smile that doesn't reach her eyes.]

No, it isn't my dress or myself.

[averytinyparticle]

[Because the Joker mentioned her dress, Quark is now looking her over with a critical eye. Not the dress, but...]

What about the bird in your necklace?

[brokethefirst]

[That, on the other hand, earns a more genuine quirk of her lips, her fingertips playing against the edge of the birdcage necklace hanging around her neck.]

It's a good guess. But no, that isn't it, either.