[log] The Hills Have Eyes [closed-ish]

[jumpthegun]

Characters: Watson, Charles, Davesprite, Bucky, Zell, Sora, Kunsel, Homura, and Quark
Location Building 235 (Aquarium) and Building 130 (Pharmacy)
Date: Day 162 - 164
Summary: Eyes appear all around, static and paranoia return, friends arrive with fire, hopefully no one is getting attacked. Later, Bucky, Quark, and John discover evidence of Fiona's murder.
Warnings: References to character death.

[The aquarium has the feel of a small-town tourist attraction, the sort built to give people just stopping to fuel up on petrol a reason to stay for an hour or two. There are various aquariums inside that, according to plaques beside them, once showcased various Alaskan fish; they're empty now. The whole atmosphere is kind of eerie, with the water casting rippling patterns on the walls, ceilings, and floors, but there's hot water in the sinks for anyone who wants it.

What's probably unwanted by everyone is the eyes. They're on the walls, drawn in the frost on the windows, they're on the ceilings, and the static crawls its way over walls and people. The sense of being watched, of being followed, is strong.]

Comments

[jumpthegun]

The closet. Sorry. She's gay. Homosexual. [Which term will you understand, Bucky?] She was married to another dame named Clara. I liked her. She was nice - very sweet.

[advanced]

[That definitely pulls his focus, surprise painted clearly across his face. He's from a time where that sort of thing was still literally a crime, though he's seen an awful lot in between to mellow him on that kind of subject.

Married to another woman. Well. Wasn't that something?

He has no idea what to say to that, so he just nods awkwardly.]

Sorry it didn't work out.

[That was a strange thing to say. Moving on.]

The world has changed a lot since I was last dating anyone.

[jumpthegun]

Harry walked out on her. She can be a wanker sometimes--even gave me the smartphone Clara bought her as a present.

[He sighs.]

Like I said, we don't get on. But as much as the world changes, it stays the same. People fall in love, they get married, divorced. Had a few gals I thought might work out. Didn't end up that way. [Thank you, Sherlock Holmes.] But there are other people out there--men, women, whatever you like.

[advanced]

[Poor bastard. Seems like he really doesn't have much luck - a dead best friend, an alcoholic sister who he doesn't get on with.]

I don't think I'm going to be stepping out with anyone for a while.

[Or ever. He has other things to worry about. It's so absurd it makes him half smile, until a burst of static has him flinching back again.]

[jumpthegun]

Mm... still something to think about. If you see anyone you like. Meet anyone you like. Some bloke once told me our time here is short. Might as well reach for what happiness you can while you can.

[So it's a rephrase of what Bucky had told him, but he hopes beyond the static and the eyes that his own words echoed back at him can help him remember that these things happened. This moment is not every moment.]

[advanced]

[It does.

It's a strange anchor, another person echoing words back at him. They're not nearly as strong as 'til the end of the line', but they're definitely at least slightly meaningful. He grasps it with his full focus.]

What about you and Fiona?

[jumpthegun]

I think she's trading hats with Alfie. [One of the more bizarre euphemisms, but he's pretty sure about it. About them... kissing. Maybe doing other things. He tries not to think about it much.] Just to pass the time. I'm trying to move on from that, but at least I have her as a friend, still. And if there's someone else I find here, of course I'll try with them, instead.

[advanced]

[He nods in understanding and maybe slight sympathy. But then, this might be a good thing, John is more likely to move on with his affections if the object of them is obviously taken.]

Plenty of fish under the ice.

[Isn't that what he said before?]

[jumpthegun]

Frozen fishsticks here, more like. [His laugh is rueful.] I'll get on with things, Buck. Wish I were gay sometimes. It'd give me a wider pool. Too many blokes in Norfinbury. Not enough dames.

[advanced]

[He blinks in total surprise, eyebrows rising into his hairline. What does he even say to that?]

The guys here are hardly lookers.

[jumpthegun]

[And how does he respond to that?]

Some clean up better than others, I reckon. Mr. Stark's handsome, Clint... Duster, Kunsel, Zack, Haurchefant... [He finds himself actually considering, and decides maybe he shouldn't.] Y'know. There are more than a few.

[advanced]

[That's not how he expected John to respond, that's for certain. It's getting a bit uncomfortable now, and so he just shrugs awkwardly.]

I haven't really looked the closely.

[jumpthegun]

I haven't been looking closely! [It might be more apparent that he's starting to blush, except his bruising covers it. Thank god. John waves a hand.]

Girls are nice. I need to meet more of the ones here. It'd be nice to meet them. Yeah.

[advanced]

Yeah, a pretty dame used to help a lot.

[He thinks he understands.]

All powder and lipstick, gets you away from the war.

[Or the snowy horrorscape, in this case.]

[jumpthegun]

Mm... someone who's not dealing with the war. It's nice, reminds you there are other parts of life.

[advanced]

[A burst of static completely takes John out until his last word, and Bucky is on his feet in a heartbeat.

This isn't working and he's not going to tell John to get away again, he doesn't listen. But Bucky can be the one to get away and John can't follow with his leg in that condition, especially not now he's down on the ground.

So he starts to stride away. Sorry, John, tonight is not a good night.]

[jumpthegun]

Bucky! [But Bucky's right. Getting up and chasing after the other man isn't exactly easy. John breathes out an irritated sigh and looks around.

He really wishes he hadn't.

There are more eyes than ever, and they're staring at him, watching him. He's the only person really here in this room. Why wouldn't they be?

John closes his own eyes and rests his head back against the wall, counting down from 60. Another minute passed. Another minute survived. Another minute. Just one more and something might change.]