concoursec | On the prowl

Entry tags:

On the prowl

Characters: Thatch, Namur, Ace, and Espio
Location: Beyond Balamb and anywhere they can sneak into
Rating: PG-13 for cursing and more
Open/Closed/Finished: Closed
Summary: Kidnap Chameleon, stick him in a car, drive him round the countryside and go to all the bars!

"Remember men," Thatch murmured into the walkie talkie, one of which he had procured from Grell, the other for Marco. He was sure they would understand, they were men on a mission-- a mission of debauchery. Anyway, petty borrowing was alright so long as it was returned.

"When you see Target: Pink, don't give him a chance to even blink. Just pick him up in passing and keep on going. If you can cast stop, do that, if not, do what you can. As of now..."

He looked around carefully before murmuring.

"Yellow Section, clear."

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Namur rolled his eyes at Thatch's voice in the walkie talkie. "Still think he's jus' goin' t' be a stick in the mud. This ain't really his thing."

Still, he shifted his head from side to side, tasting the air. "He ain't in Blue Section. Checkin' the dojo next."

Ace laughed only to get an evil eye from the librarian. He was smart enough to wait till he was outside before replying to the walkie talkie. He was ever so happy Grell had given him one. Though he doubt she had this in mind when she lent it too him.

"Come in Ringleader, this is Matchstick, Library's clear, has anyone checked the roof? We all seem to have a thing for high places when we're being avoidant, over." He replied. He was absolutely loving this stuff.

"Sounds like your area of expertise, Matchstick. I don't think Teenage King will be up to it." Codenames were worth it just for that one alone. "I'll move into the Green Section, then." The grounds, in other words. He checked around for a few minutes, but there didn't seem to be signs of any kind except for a few squirrels and a dozing bird.

He was just about to leave when he spotted a flash of pink in the tree. Was that--? Yes it was. Thatch grinned.

"Target spotted." He murmured. "Convene at Blue Minuet. Make sure she's fired up and ready to go." He turned the walkie talkie off, stuffing it, and his hands, into his pockets before pacing up to Espio and peering up at him innocently.

"Good evening, Sweetheart. Have any thrilling plans for tonight?"

It wasn't clear at first if Espio was ignoring him or just absorbed in the book he was reading, but after a moment he glanced down. Hm?

"Did you say something?"

"I said, do you have any exciting plans for the evening?" He was trying to be clever and debonair, idiot. Pay attention. Having to repeat himself tarnished the image somewhat.

"No. Just reading." He turned his attention back to his book, apparently deciding to leave it at that.

"Well I think you can afford a little vacation. So why not just stop" ah, nothing like a properly timed and well-executed stop spell. He watched it overtake the chameleon and grinned. "What it is you're doing and come with me." He finished the sentence only for the principal of the thing, plucked Espio from the tree and carried him in one arm as he headed for the garage, whistling cheerfully.

Blue Minuet- or Li'l Blue, depending on who was talking- was definitely fired up and ready to go, engine purring as she idled. Namur leaned against the driver's side door with his arms crossed, waiting for the Guest of Honor to arrive.

"Took y' long 'nuff," he said as Thatch, and by extension, Espio, drew near. He opened the door to the back seat so they could just hop in, then slipped into the driver's seat through the open window. "How much longer's he goin' t' be stuck like that?"

Ace was sitting in the front seat waiting anxiously for Thatch and Espio to arrive.

"'Til we Esuna him probably," Thatch said, sticking Espio in the back seat before climbing in himself. Stuck in the backseat of his own car. What a travesty but worth it. He put on his own shades since they were, in fact, cruising, and looked to Ace.

"We need to get you some, Freckles. And a pair for our charming bachelor friend." Have a noogie, Espio. "Let's book it, Nam-chan." Or drive at a reasonable speed. Once they were fast enough and far enough away from the garden, he would turn Espio back.

The engine revved, and Namur squeeled the tires against the pavement just a little, to set the mood. What's a kidnapping without the smell of burning rubber while the culprits abscond? Lame, that's what it would be. And probably an actual kidnapping. But this was neither.

They cruised through town with the windows down, radio loud, then Namur rolled up the windows as they picked up speed in the countryside between villages.

Ace laughed as Namur sped out. He was new to this automobile thing still, but he had to admit it was awesome. He relaxed in his seat watching the town pass them by and enjoying the breeze.

Once the windows were rolled up he turned around to look at Thatch and Espio. "Think we can unstop him now?"

"Sounds good. Be prepared for the worst, mates." And to that end, he carefully took Espio's book, marking the page but not wanting a ragey chameleon damaging his hair, his car or his friends. Or trying to at any rate. Then he cast 'Esuna' and carefully leaned back.

Espio, predictably, responded to being unfrozen by aiming a kick towards whatever part of Thatch he could reach in his current position. "What the hell are you three playing at?! Take me home!!"

"Sorry, Smolt," Namur shifted into a higher gear, letting the car float over the paved highway. "Li'l Blue needs a bit a air, y' see, an' she's decided t' take us all for a ride. I'd turn her 'round if I could, but I don't know that she'd ever forgive me."

"It will be fun Espio. Come on, be a sport yeah?" Ace gave him the famous Portgas charming smile, known far and wide to work wonders even on stuck up marines.

"We wanted to celebrate your engagement to Toby the right way and to spend some time with you. We're taking you on an adventure!"

"Exactly what they said," Thatch said, ignoring the kicks as he leaned back against the seat. He loved them both forever for this. "After all, what's the harm? Some friends, a milk shake or two. Don't worry, we'll carry you home if you start to stagger."

"Milkshake?" Espio questioned, looking a little suspicious. He had noticed that these guys had a thing for offering him milkshake, and he had yet to work out why - milkshakes weren't exactly a favourite of his, and he was sure milkshakes wouldn't normally come up in the context they were aiming for... or lead to staggering, for that matter.

He crossed his arms and glared at Thatch, apparently having decided he was the leader in all this. "So basically, you're dragging me out just because you felt like it? I was fine where I was!"

"Ain't y' fine hangin' with us for a night, too?" Namur glanced into the back seat via the rearview mirror. There aren't many lights along the highway in the countryside, so he lifts his shades and props them in his hair. "Give us a chance, man."

"We're dragging you out as you call it because you need interaction with things other then trees and books. Also it's to celebrate! And it would be pretty damn silly to celebrate without the person we're celebrating! We'll have some drinks, do some dancing, socialize and lots of other things." Ace grinned as he ignored the glares Espio was giving. He was a member of the family now and as such would not be left out of brotherly bonding events!

"Exactly what they said, short cute and pink. Ontop of which, we're not planning to go him until one or all of us is thoroughly drunk so prepare yourself for a night of debauchery you've never imagined." That or watch Ace and Thatch get crazy smashed while Namur sighed quietly in the background. But as long as someone had fun.

"Whaaat." That was clearly intended to come off as a flat 'what', but sounded more like an indignant whine. "Are you serious? You stopped me for that?!"

He reached for the handle of the car door. He wasn't exactly in a rush, and expected to be stopped, but it would teach everyone here the important lesson that yes, he was dumb enough to jump out of a moving vehicle.

Oh no he didn't. Thatch was well used to nakama being reckless and stupid and Espio being just as idiotic only help endear him. Besides which, Thatch's arms were longer. He reached over the space and pulled the Chameleon into said arms holding him tight.

"There is no escape from our love. Accept it, you little pink bastard," he said happily, if with a somewhat maniacal tone.

Well, if Espio was whining it was probably a good sign. Did the doors just click locked? I think they did. Namur chuckled, almost as maniacally as Thatch sounded. "Shit, makes me think a ol' Stinkfeather. Tried runnin, too. Only he bailed int' like, this bird nest made a literal shit an' garbage an' the birds weren't happy 'bout it either. Chased him right back int' the sea an' he got caught in a fishin' net 'n' I had t' cut him out. Dirtiest damn net I ever set my teeth t'. An' he reeked for days. Dumbass."

Ace just laughed. He'd heard that story before. Never had a chance to meet the man but that was probably for the best. He shook his head at Espio as he wiggled in Thatch's arms.

"Careful there, Espio. He likes it when they wiggle."

Espio immediately halted in his wriggling, and just gave Ace a pleading look of horror. Help.

Now why the hell did he say a thing like that? Damnit, Ace. Thatch was tempted to kick the back of his seat but as things were it would just make everything a thousand times worse. Oh, and of course Espio took him seriously. Naturally. Damn chameleon.

Fine.

He plunked Espio back in his seat and turned to glare out the car window. If that little bastard wanted to escape he was welcome to all the bruises and broken bones he got from trying.

Namur reached over and slugged Ace's arm. "Everyone likes it when they wiggle. 'S the whole damn point, ain't it?"

Ace was giggling at first, at least until Namur punched him. He was lucky the door was locked and the car was pretty tough because he went sailing into it hard.

"Fuck Namur THAT HURT!" Ace rubbed his bicep and huffed at his older brother. "Try that shit again and I'll burn your hand off." But after a few moments it was like nothing happened.

"Didn't hit y' that hard," Namur snorted. "Since when's a shitty half-assed punch like that 'nuf t' get y' flamin'?"

Espio, frowning now that he'd been plonked to the side and Thatch had gone moody again (geez, he just reacted to Ace's words before his thoughts kicked in, what was wrong with that?) sighed, and shuffled a little towards the corner, lifting his feet up onto the seat and hugging his knees.

"When you're done..."

Ace hadn't been expecting it and as such hadn't braced himself properly so he was pretty much tossed around the car like a sock puppet. Instead of commenting he just stuck out his tongue and then smirked. "Next time I'll punch you and see how you like it. I only told the truth, it was no reason to hit me."

He turned around looking at Espio. "I didn't mean to freak you out. It was just a joke really. And Thatch..stop being all moody or I'll come back there and tickle you till you smile."

Thatch was fine with all of it up til the last part when he reflexively pulled his arms closer to himself.

"You better not tickle me. I will kick your ass, Ace, don't you dare." There was no way in hell he was going to be tickled. Not here. Not when he was the cool one taking everyone out for a night on the town. And if Ace thought otherwise he had another thing coming.

Namur pushed Ace's shoulder this time, out of principle.

"Sorry, Smolt," he said, ignoring Thatch acting like a frikkin' girl and glancing at Espio in the rearview mirror. "Y' got somethin' t' say?"

"Yeah. I think these two need an adult."

He adjusted his position so he was a little less huddled up in the corner.

"Where are we going, again? How long's it gonna take?"

"Hell if I'd know," Namur shrugged. "I'm jus' drivin'."

"I am an adult...I don't need an extra one. And I think we'll be there in like 20 minutes." Ace mused with a slight frown even as he returned Namur's shove, without looking at him.

Then he turned his glance to Thatch. And he totally agreed Namur. Thatch was acting like a woman. A moody one at that.

"Did Grell confiscate your man card or something? Since when did you become such a melodramatic push over?" He asked his long time friend and somewhat mentor.

Now he was tempted to be the one to crawl out of the car. He should have known Espio would be like this... but whatever, that was a given. Ace's words stung though. Since when-- Yeah since when, he fucking wondered.

He was just-- he wasn't even going to say anything. Not even kick the back of his seat. He was just going to ignore every one of these bastards until they got there, get horribly wasted and then-- then something. Hell if he knew. Hopefully he wouldn't be able to think much past the horribly wasted part. Because at that point, who gave a damn?

"Oi." Espio glanced over at Thatch. "The car doesn't need two people sulking for no good reason. Get back to your 'wah, oh my god don't tickle me, eeeeeek!!' or whatever it was." His lips twitched into a slight smirk, at least a little amused, but it didn't last very long.

Still ignoring.

"Jus' cuz Thatch's in the back seat don't mean it ain't still his car." Namur pointed at Ace. "I'mma chuck y' out the door if y' don't shut yer damn mouth. The hell y' think yer sayin', the both a y'? Top shit in Garden's me, y' all hear? Don't let me catch y' bein' shits t' no one."

Ace just shrugged raised an eyebrow at Namur and sat back in his seat like he was supposed too. He was quiet the rest of the way there. He didn;t think he was being out of line at all. He was simply calling Thatch on his bullshit. It was alright, he could wait till they were alone to try and really get to the bottom of the older mans issues.

"Turn left up here Namur. The bars on the right at the end of the road." Ace said.

"I'm just impressed there's people in this family who can drive," Espio remarked, after sitting silently for a few minutes. "You know. Other than me. I still don't know how Marco managed to pass that class... maybe they decided it was safer to get him out of it."

And Grell... he had no idea if she could drive or not, but she never seemed to show interest in it.

"I prefer flying though. Seriously, if I get a chance to show you the Ragnarok... okay, so it's not my ship, but my ship doesn't look anything like a dragon."

He got to his knees to look out of the window better. Yeah, he had no idea where they were.

Edited 2013-09-10 02:03 (UTC)

He stirred a bit at Esipio's voice, looking askance at the chameleon. Marco had taken driving? He was surprised the man wasn't a nervous wreck inside. He'd have to ask him about it later.

"Takes a bit to get used to driving, mate. Nam-chan here took to it like a fishman to a dive bar." He leaned up and pinched Namur's cheek. They were getting close to the bar but-- he reached over and wrapped a hand against Ace's forehead, playfully pushing his head back against the seat, an apology and forgiveness in one.

"I usually prefer flying by glitter turkey, but I wouldn't mind coming up in the air with you a few times."

Edited 2013-09-10 02:53 (UTC)

Ace grinned brightly at Thatch and like that everything was forgiven and forgotten. Boys, right? He turned, nodding at Espio. "You said you would take me flying one day. I'm gonna hold you to it. I wanna see if it's anything at all like flying on Marco."

"And class? You have to take a class to drive a car?" Ace had never heard of anything like that before. Then again, they didn't have cars in his world as far as he knew.

"Shit, Ace," Namur turned where indicated, and slipped the whale of a car neatly into a parking space off to the side of the bar. "Make y' take a class for everythin' 'round Garden. How t' swim. How t' cook. How t' wear yer damn clothes, even." He chuckled. Garden Code was the worst class by far and Ace would have to take it sometime in the next year. Namur did not envy him.

"A'ight, everyone out. If yer goin' t' get s' damn sloshed y' puke, do it inside or on the ground. Y' splash Li'l Blue an' I'll end y'."

Of course they had a lot of classes for basic things and fair was fair. If they had to indoctrinate kids from an impressionable age into military service, might as well teach them how to wash their damn clothes in the deal. He got out of the car and stretched, working the kink out of his neck before grinning at Namur's words.

"You are a Fishman among Fishmen," he said, wrapping an arm around Namur's shoulders and planting a smooch on his head. He lead them toward the bar, keeping a close eye on Espio unless the guy decided to scarper. It was a ramshackle kind of place. A kind of bar that all the Marines except for the really annoying (and fun ones) would avoid. No dark and dangerous criminals but people that looked too shifty to leave alone but too much like a stringbean to bother to arrest.

The air was filled with a haze of blue cigar smoke, smelled chiefly of beer and the kind of food that gave you heartburn, as well as waitresses that liked to feel the breeze.

"Don't drink the water," he murmured out of the side of his mouth--before pausing at the eternal question, side glancing Namur. Bar or table? A booth was out of the question but the other seating choices were a bit on the nonexistant side.

Edited 2013-09-10 04:57 (UTC)

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On the prowl

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