Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
Alright I think I've got a handle on this. I'm going to start the recovery from here, and try to keep replies separated by message and then type out my reply.
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Realistic or Modern Creepypasta Roleplay (Hunni and Keeper)
- Thread starter Keeperoftheghosts
- Start date
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- Tags
- creepypasta horror oc
Hunni
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
A tired breath left Brian’s lips, the van rumbled along the rocky path below them. How long had it been since the drive started? An hour? Two? Five? It felt like an eternity with the way their scenery never seemed to change: trees looming over the beaten path, headlights from passing cars blinding them for a moment before disappearing behind them, and a tension that could’ve been cut with a knife. It wasn’t that he hated any of them—he just… wished there were more competent people to work with in their line of work. But sadly, that just isn’t something that could be achieved with the kind of people he worked with. Aside from Tim, of course. But the others in the van with them were a completely different story. With his arms crossed in front of his chest, he did his best to focus on any potential dangers that they’d meet on the drive to that town, a bit worried after hearing about what exactly it was they were dealing with.
And Toby was feeling the same way. His fingers intertwined with one another in a shitty attempt to calm his beating heart. His gloved palms rubbed against one another, creating a quiet, yet irritating noise that echoed throughout the van. But it was the only way he could think of to soothe himself in such a cramped space fill with such a heavy air around them and—
He let out a slow, shaky breath to steady his breathing, a warmth escaping his lips as he lowered his head in defeat. It would only be a few more hours, maybe minutes if he’s lucky, until they reached the town they were assigned. God, why did it have to be him to join this group assignment? Why not Helen? Or Eyeless Jack? Or Laughing Jack? He was so used to working alone, or at least with someone that didn’t mind him and the way he usually acted. Which he knew would be a lot to handle for the others.
But Vera didn’t seem to mind the tension. Especially since she was fast asleep. Her arms were crossed in front of her chest, her body leaning into the window, bumping and jumping every once in a while with the way the van drove down the road. Thankfully, it wasn’t enough for her to wake up. With however long it had been since they started their journey, she planned on spending as much time not interacting with anyone despite the needed team effort. But that time would come when it came, and to her, a car ride wasn’t the time for it at all. Soft snores came from her person as she slept, the hood of her jacket blocking out anything around her—especially the sound of Toby’s hands rubbing against each other.
And Toby was feeling the same way. His fingers intertwined with one another in a shitty attempt to calm his beating heart. His gloved palms rubbed against one another, creating a quiet, yet irritating noise that echoed throughout the van. But it was the only way he could think of to soothe himself in such a cramped space fill with such a heavy air around them and—
He let out a slow, shaky breath to steady his breathing, a warmth escaping his lips as he lowered his head in defeat. It would only be a few more hours, maybe minutes if he’s lucky, until they reached the town they were assigned. God, why did it have to be him to join this group assignment? Why not Helen? Or Eyeless Jack? Or Laughing Jack? He was so used to working alone, or at least with someone that didn’t mind him and the way he usually acted. Which he knew would be a lot to handle for the others.
But Vera didn’t seem to mind the tension. Especially since she was fast asleep. Her arms were crossed in front of her chest, her body leaning into the window, bumping and jumping every once in a while with the way the van drove down the road. Thankfully, it wasn’t enough for her to wake up. With however long it had been since they started their journey, she planned on spending as much time not interacting with anyone despite the needed team effort. But that time would come when it came, and to her, a car ride wasn’t the time for it at all. Soft snores came from her person as she slept, the hood of her jacket blocking out anything around her—especially the sound of Toby’s hands rubbing against each other.
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
Tim glanced over at Brian with the corner of his eye, one look from anyone that knew him could tell two things; he was done with this mission before it even began, and he was in desperate need for a cigarette. Why his master had sent the others with him and Brian he failed to understand. His fingers tapped against the steering wheel as he looked for a gas station. This was easily something the two of them could handle alone, likely even better then with the extra people and the undetermined variables they brought. With Toby and Jeff he at least knew what to expect. Vera was an enigma though and that made him very, very uncomfortable. He would make it work though, failure was not an option, he had both himself to protect and more importantly Brian. He shover the memories of that cursed fateful day from the forefront of his mind. That was the past, this was the present, and he needed to focus on present problems.
Crow was rather calm about the whole thing, or better put, lacking any type of emotion regard to it at all. On the outside at the very least, her face kept in a mask of complete emotional apathy as she thumbed through the pages of her textbook stopping every now and then to take notes in her well worn notebook. On the inside her stomach churned with her own anxiety, she rarely if ever left the base, and even then scarcely on a mission. She was a chemist, a specialist not a killer...she thought at least, the gaps in her memories and the wiggle of doubt of control sometimes made her question exactly that. Her left hand absent-mindedly reached up tracing the silver outline of the heart locket she was never seen without. The guilt of what her creations would be used for was already too heavy. She had no particular opinion of her companions outside her strong distaste of Jeff, but none the less could not wait for the mission to end so she might return to the comforts of her garden and lab.
Jeff was in the back stretched out the best he could with his feet resting on the chair of the poor passenger in front of him, Toby.
"Can you fucking stop?" He snapped at the fellow killer. He really didn't have any patience for this, he had better things to do, more fun things to do. Now he had to deal with being hounded by five fucking people when he could be out getting drunk. So he had no qualms taking it out on the others around him.
Crow was rather calm about the whole thing, or better put, lacking any type of emotion regard to it at all. On the outside at the very least, her face kept in a mask of complete emotional apathy as she thumbed through the pages of her textbook stopping every now and then to take notes in her well worn notebook. On the inside her stomach churned with her own anxiety, she rarely if ever left the base, and even then scarcely on a mission. She was a chemist, a specialist not a killer...she thought at least, the gaps in her memories and the wiggle of doubt of control sometimes made her question exactly that. Her left hand absent-mindedly reached up tracing the silver outline of the heart locket she was never seen without. The guilt of what her creations would be used for was already too heavy. She had no particular opinion of her companions outside her strong distaste of Jeff, but none the less could not wait for the mission to end so she might return to the comforts of her garden and lab.
Jeff was in the back stretched out the best he could with his feet resting on the chair of the poor passenger in front of him, Toby.
"Can you fucking stop?" He snapped at the fellow killer. He really didn't have any patience for this, he had better things to do, more fun things to do. Now he had to deal with being hounded by five fucking people when he could be out getting drunk. So he had no qualms taking it out on the others around him.
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
Minutes passed as they continued down the road, and an itch started to form in Brian with how desperately he wanted to step out and get away from the others. He never saw himself as an introvert, but the longer he sat there, the more he wanted to leave. His eyes, heavy from exhaustion, watched as their environment only grew darker. And darker. And darker. Like it was taunting them. Would they just be stuck in a loop in the shadows forever, never getting to their destination?
But after hearing Jeff’s loud complaint from the back seats, his eyes snapped open. He’d just been falling asleep. Thank fuck.
Sure it was still dark, but not as impending when he shut his eyes for a moment. There was actually a light, just a few feet ahead of them. A neon sign that read ‘Gas’, the letters flickering as it struggled to stay alive. It was like his wish was heard.
“Gas station ahead,” he mumbled quietly, his arms unraveling from himself as he rubbed his tired eyes.
With a flinch, Toby’s head whipped to the side, only to be met with the sight of the other killer’s shoes. Exhibit A, Jeff; one of the many people Toby knew he would have problems with during that trip. And the thought of not knowing how long their assignment was only made him more uneasy.
“S- Sorry.”
His voice was quiet, cracking from the pressure he was already feeling as his hands clasped onto one another, stopping himself from making any other noises. Which was virtually impossible with the anxiety that was building up in him. The sound of gloves rubbing on one another was replaced with the sound of his joints cracking, first his knuckles—crack.. crack.. crack—in such a way, one would think he was methodically popping bubble wrap he snuck into the car. His head was turned away, staring out the window and seeing the same flashing lights Brian saw.
Despite the increased volume, Vera was still asleep, her body lax in her seat. If she was awake, maybe she would have defended Toby. Emphasis on maybe. It doesn’t take much for her to enter conflict, which may cause some trouble for the group. Especially since she didn't have a great rapport with anyone. Well, it wasn’t like she held a conversation with anyone in that vehicle before—other than a civil greeting here and there, but she, just like everyone else, was an… outcast of sorts. Just wanting to be left alone, yet forced into this damned job with the rest of them.
But after hearing Jeff’s loud complaint from the back seats, his eyes snapped open. He’d just been falling asleep. Thank fuck.
Sure it was still dark, but not as impending when he shut his eyes for a moment. There was actually a light, just a few feet ahead of them. A neon sign that read ‘Gas’, the letters flickering as it struggled to stay alive. It was like his wish was heard.
“Gas station ahead,” he mumbled quietly, his arms unraveling from himself as he rubbed his tired eyes.
With a flinch, Toby’s head whipped to the side, only to be met with the sight of the other killer’s shoes. Exhibit A, Jeff; one of the many people Toby knew he would have problems with during that trip. And the thought of not knowing how long their assignment was only made him more uneasy.
“S- Sorry.”
His voice was quiet, cracking from the pressure he was already feeling as his hands clasped onto one another, stopping himself from making any other noises. Which was virtually impossible with the anxiety that was building up in him. The sound of gloves rubbing on one another was replaced with the sound of his joints cracking, first his knuckles—crack.. crack.. crack—in such a way, one would think he was methodically popping bubble wrap he snuck into the car. His head was turned away, staring out the window and seeing the same flashing lights Brian saw.
Despite the increased volume, Vera was still asleep, her body lax in her seat. If she was awake, maybe she would have defended Toby. Emphasis on maybe. It doesn’t take much for her to enter conflict, which may cause some trouble for the group. Especially since she didn't have a great rapport with anyone. Well, it wasn’t like she held a conversation with anyone in that vehicle before—other than a civil greeting here and there, but she, just like everyone else, was an… outcast of sorts. Just wanting to be left alone, yet forced into this damned job with the rest of them.
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
Tim gave Brian a thankful nod turning on the blankets and pulling the car over into the parking lot shifting it into park by one of the gas pumps his fingers twitching in the anticipation of a cigarette.
"Alright ground rules, everybody get your asses back to the car within 20 minutes. Do your business grab whatever you need to grab and get back. No killing or stealing, we don't need the cops on our asses this early in the journey. " He directed the last part through the rear view with a harsh glare at Jeff. Letting our a sigh realizing that Vera was still asleep and he'd have to repeat the whole schpeele.
With that he got out of the car letting out a groan as his boot made contact with a dirty puddle splashing the bottom of his jeans. An oddly fitting metaphor for the whole situation he mused stepping to Brian's side of the car to light a cigarette, he would wait for the others to hop out before starting to fill the gas tank.
Crow cringed at the new sound shooting Jeff a glare over her shoulder.
"...Don't mind that dolt, he's trying to pick a fight. " She muttered to Toby, in a matter of fact tone. It was less in defense of Toby and more so a matter of principle. Besides she really did not want to deal with Jeff being an ass the entire time. Over the past two years since her joining, she had came to learn that anyone under the faceless man's thumb was unpredictable at best. She personally did not want to witness anyone of the others pushed to snapping. It would likely lead to blood.
She quickly closed her textbook dogearing the page and grabbing her backpack hurrying towards the gas station looking forward to the few moments of silent that it would bring. Maybe she should purchase some ear plugs
Jeff sneered at Toby purposefully climbing out before him and sending a kick at Vera to wake her up counting it as his good deed for the day. Heh good dead for the day, now that was a funny thought. He snickered to himself walking leisurely towards the gas station flashing the cashier his disturbing smile as he went straight towards the alcohol section of the gas station.
"Alright ground rules, everybody get your asses back to the car within 20 minutes. Do your business grab whatever you need to grab and get back. No killing or stealing, we don't need the cops on our asses this early in the journey. " He directed the last part through the rear view with a harsh glare at Jeff. Letting our a sigh realizing that Vera was still asleep and he'd have to repeat the whole schpeele.
With that he got out of the car letting out a groan as his boot made contact with a dirty puddle splashing the bottom of his jeans. An oddly fitting metaphor for the whole situation he mused stepping to Brian's side of the car to light a cigarette, he would wait for the others to hop out before starting to fill the gas tank.
Crow cringed at the new sound shooting Jeff a glare over her shoulder.
"...Don't mind that dolt, he's trying to pick a fight. " She muttered to Toby, in a matter of fact tone. It was less in defense of Toby and more so a matter of principle. Besides she really did not want to deal with Jeff being an ass the entire time. Over the past two years since her joining, she had came to learn that anyone under the faceless man's thumb was unpredictable at best. She personally did not want to witness anyone of the others pushed to snapping. It would likely lead to blood.
She quickly closed her textbook dogearing the page and grabbing her backpack hurrying towards the gas station looking forward to the few moments of silent that it would bring. Maybe she should purchase some ear plugs
Jeff sneered at Toby purposefully climbing out before him and sending a kick at Vera to wake her up counting it as his good deed for the day. Heh good dead for the day, now that was a funny thought. He snickered to himself walking leisurely towards the gas station flashing the cashier his disturbing smile as he went straight towards the alcohol section of the gas station.
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
A sharp inhale came from Vera as she was rudely awoken by Jeff. A pain emitted from her side as she looked for the perpetrator, only to watch Jeff walk into the gas station, leaving her and Toby in the van. With a hand on her side, and an irate expression on her face, the woman did her best to not yell after him.
“Oh, that piece of—”
Like her body was moving on its own, she climbed out of the van as well, leaving Toby to leave last as she headed straight to the gas station, not noticing the poor cashier who had seen that disgusting smile from Jeff. She was too determined to beat his ass for being… well… such an ass.
What a bunch of kids.
That’s what Brian thought as he stepped out of the van, shutting the door behind him as his gaze followed Vera as she went after Jeff. He knew he should say something; call out to her and remind her to be nice like some parent to their child, but she was too far and he just didn’t seem to care. Digging his feet into the gravel, the man let out a soft sigh with his arms crossed in front of his chest, his head tilting to the side to watch Toby finally get out of the van as well.
“Keep an eye on them,” he called out to Toby, not really giving him room to question his demands.
Toby should’ve expected it as he stood by the two older men, his hand slamming the door shut a bit too harshly. Is he ever going to catch a break? Probably not…
With a weak nod, he didn’t even look up at Brian as he started to drag his feet along the ground, kicking a rock to the side and letting it skip once or twice before he made his way to follow the others. His hands grabbed onto the hem of his jacket, tugging and rubbing at the material, mentally preparing himself for the worst in yet another confined space with them.
“Oh, that piece of—”
Like her body was moving on its own, she climbed out of the van as well, leaving Toby to leave last as she headed straight to the gas station, not noticing the poor cashier who had seen that disgusting smile from Jeff. She was too determined to beat his ass for being… well… such an ass.
What a bunch of kids.
That’s what Brian thought as he stepped out of the van, shutting the door behind him as his gaze followed Vera as she went after Jeff. He knew he should say something; call out to her and remind her to be nice like some parent to their child, but she was too far and he just didn’t seem to care. Digging his feet into the gravel, the man let out a soft sigh with his arms crossed in front of his chest, his head tilting to the side to watch Toby finally get out of the van as well.
“Keep an eye on them,” he called out to Toby, not really giving him room to question his demands.
Toby should’ve expected it as he stood by the two older men, his hand slamming the door shut a bit too harshly. Is he ever going to catch a break? Probably not…
With a weak nod, he didn’t even look up at Brian as he started to drag his feet along the ground, kicking a rock to the side and letting it skip once or twice before he made his way to follow the others. His hands grabbed onto the hem of his jacket, tugging and rubbing at the material, mentally preparing himself for the worst in yet another confined space with them.
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
Jeff was already picking up a six pack of beers his back turned to her. He was whistling obnoxiously to himself kicking the door closed as he spun around noticing Vera and shooting her a smug smirk.
"Got a problem sweet cheeks?" He mocked moving past her to the chip aisle, taking his own sick joy from the fact that he managed to rile her up. It was always oh so amusing to him to see just how quickly the others allowed him to get under their skin. Sue him he was bored and the threw stuck in the middle and back with him were easy targets.
Crow glanced over from where she was grabbing plastic waters a quiet sigh slipping from her lips. No, no, no. Come on, hadn't either of them listened to Tim's warning? She just wanted to grab some water and snacks, maybe a book on local flora and be out. Now they were going to fight and be obnoxious and she really did not want to deal with that.
"...Vera! Umm could you come over here for a second?" She called out approaching the women her voice tired and quiet but just loud enough to be heard. What was she doing? Why wasn't she leaving this alone. She wanted to be left alone, why was she getting involved was avoiding a fight really worth the interaction? Yes probably, dealing with bickering and being scolded by Tim would just be even worse.
Tim sighed blowing out smoke closing his eyes feeling the pinching headache between them vanish with the simple action.
"Damn idiots." He cursed kicking a rock with the toe of his boot. He asked one thing, one thing and they act like wild animals. Of course with Jeff it was expected but this really just confirmed that he would have to babysit Vera as well.
"I could really use a good old shot of whiskey." He groaned offering a cigarette to his partner and long time friend. Why the help did Slenderman send them with them? Toby at the least made sense.
"Got a problem sweet cheeks?" He mocked moving past her to the chip aisle, taking his own sick joy from the fact that he managed to rile her up. It was always oh so amusing to him to see just how quickly the others allowed him to get under their skin. Sue him he was bored and the threw stuck in the middle and back with him were easy targets.
Crow glanced over from where she was grabbing plastic waters a quiet sigh slipping from her lips. No, no, no. Come on, hadn't either of them listened to Tim's warning? She just wanted to grab some water and snacks, maybe a book on local flora and be out. Now they were going to fight and be obnoxious and she really did not want to deal with that.
"...Vera! Umm could you come over here for a second?" She called out approaching the women her voice tired and quiet but just loud enough to be heard. What was she doing? Why wasn't she leaving this alone. She wanted to be left alone, why was she getting involved was avoiding a fight really worth the interaction? Yes probably, dealing with bickering and being scolded by Tim would just be even worse.
Tim sighed blowing out smoke closing his eyes feeling the pinching headache between them vanish with the simple action.
"Damn idiots." He cursed kicking a rock with the toe of his boot. He asked one thing, one thing and they act like wild animals. Of course with Jeff it was expected but this really just confirmed that he would have to babysit Vera as well.
"I could really use a good old shot of whiskey." He groaned offering a cigarette to his partner and long time friend. Why the help did Slenderman send them with them? Toby at the least made sense.
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
Right as she was about to swing a fist at Jeff’s already fucked up face as revenge, the sound of Crow speaking up snapped her back to reality. She had been so blinded by rage—and for such a menial reason—that she almost forgot they weren’t alone. Her gaze moved towards the cashier, seeing the way he looked back down at the counter, seemingly ignoring what was going on between them. That, or maybe calling the cops already. Her nose twitched at the thought, knowing she’d get her ass handed to her by Tim or Brian, if not both, if they weren’t careful. If she wasn’t careful. It was the most basic rule, and to think that she of all people would break it so soon? Well, maybe it wasn’t all unbelievable. But in her mind, she had told herself she had to be better than Jeff at the very least. Because no one could be worse than him.. Right?
Looking back at Crow, the hardened expression on her face disappeared for a moment, the sound of the door opening with a soft ding ringing throughout the building as Toby finally entered what would’ve been a fight.
“...fine,” she replied to the other woman quietly, shooting Jeff a glare before heading over to Crow, passing Toby and bumping his shoulder with her own.
But he didn’t seem to care as he walked past the two women, his focus on Jeff. Even if Toby hated Jeff for being such an ass to everyone that isn’t his own reflection, he knew he had to keep an eye on him like how Brian instructed. But why? Didn’t the others have at least the capacity to realize that what they were about to do was wrong? Apparently not if Toby was being forced to make sure nothing happened.
Carefully approaching Jeff like some sort of wild animal, the man looking through the aisles, his hands in his hoodie’s pockets as he pretended to be as casual as he could. Though it only made him look a bit more awkward than he intended… But at least Vera was calm for the most part. He just needed to make sure Jeff would get back to the others without causing as much trouble as he already did. And maybe getting a snack for himself. With how long they’d been driving, he was surprised he wasn’t starving already. Usually, he’d slip a small bag of chips or some candies in his pocket and leave, but he, just like Vera, didn’t want his ass handed to him for not following very basic rules.
Brian looked to the side, seeing Tim’s offer of a cigarette and gladly taking it. With it now between his lips and his hands shoved into his pockets to find a lighter, his attention was drawn back to the four who were trapped in that building with the poor cashier. From outside, he could see the distress in the cashier’s body language, seeing him shaking in fear and keeping as still as he could like one of the four would pounce at him at any given chance. It made him laugh a little, finally pulling out a lighter from his back pocket.
“I could go for that too,” he mused, igniting the lighter once, twice, three times before bringing it up to his cigarette, his other hand blocking the slight wind from blowing out his light like a candle, “Ya think there’ll be a good bar in town? Y’know… not just ta drink, but to get information from?”
Another soft laugh left his lips as he shoved his lighter back into his pocket. Of course they wouldn’t just be drinking, that wasn’t why they were there, but a man could dream.
Looking back at Crow, the hardened expression on her face disappeared for a moment, the sound of the door opening with a soft ding ringing throughout the building as Toby finally entered what would’ve been a fight.
“...fine,” she replied to the other woman quietly, shooting Jeff a glare before heading over to Crow, passing Toby and bumping his shoulder with her own.
But he didn’t seem to care as he walked past the two women, his focus on Jeff. Even if Toby hated Jeff for being such an ass to everyone that isn’t his own reflection, he knew he had to keep an eye on him like how Brian instructed. But why? Didn’t the others have at least the capacity to realize that what they were about to do was wrong? Apparently not if Toby was being forced to make sure nothing happened.
Carefully approaching Jeff like some sort of wild animal, the man looking through the aisles, his hands in his hoodie’s pockets as he pretended to be as casual as he could. Though it only made him look a bit more awkward than he intended… But at least Vera was calm for the most part. He just needed to make sure Jeff would get back to the others without causing as much trouble as he already did. And maybe getting a snack for himself. With how long they’d been driving, he was surprised he wasn’t starving already. Usually, he’d slip a small bag of chips or some candies in his pocket and leave, but he, just like Vera, didn’t want his ass handed to him for not following very basic rules.
Brian looked to the side, seeing Tim’s offer of a cigarette and gladly taking it. With it now between his lips and his hands shoved into his pockets to find a lighter, his attention was drawn back to the four who were trapped in that building with the poor cashier. From outside, he could see the distress in the cashier’s body language, seeing him shaking in fear and keeping as still as he could like one of the four would pounce at him at any given chance. It made him laugh a little, finally pulling out a lighter from his back pocket.
“I could go for that too,” he mused, igniting the lighter once, twice, three times before bringing it up to his cigarette, his other hand blocking the slight wind from blowing out his light like a candle, “Ya think there’ll be a good bar in town? Y’know… not just ta drink, but to get information from?”
Another soft laugh left his lips as he shoved his lighter back into his pocket. Of course they wouldn’t just be drinking, that wasn’t why they were there, but a man could dream.
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
Crow let out a relieved sigh tightening her grip on her locket.
"I ummm...realized that my flow starts this week and was going to purchase some and figured since it's just going to be me and you dealing with that sort of thing...ummm any preference on pads or tampons?" She asked awkwardly shifting on her feet glancing at her black and white Hightops. That was a convincing enough reason right? And technically true , although she did have required products. It would be a good thing to note though if the mission went on long enough. Oh goodness this was awkward.
"Cuz umm you know...ummm...I already have ibuprofen and a hotpad though." She should shut up the words coming from her mouth spilled out so unbelievably clunky catching in her throat along the way.
How long had it been since she had a proper conversation with someone else?
Jeff sneered at Toby grabbing a party sized bag of BBQ chips heading towards the check out counter.
"Need something or just going to stand there?" He mocked. This was too fun, Toby was his usual target for a reason. He shouldered his way past him shooting Vera a wicked grin as he stalked over to the counter slamming the chips and 6 pack on the counter leering down at the clerk
"I'm ready to check out. " He grinned not caring if Toby was following him or not. He took great joy in the obvious fear and discomfort of the man. Maybe this whole trip wouldn't be too boring after all.
Tim chuckled darkly, just drinking now that was a novel concept wasn't it?
"Don't know about a good bar, but a bar most certainly. Any fucking place with a population in the double digits has a bar. " He said taking a puff of his cigarette moving to fill up the gas tank with his free hand.
He would deal with the others later if they were misbehaving, right now he was going to try and enjoy the false sense of normality that the quiet moments with his best friend brought.
"Dirty, neat, who gives a fuck so long as it provides alchol." He chuckled glancing back towards the station.
The wind in his hair and the scent of smoke just felt right, a more foolish man might say nostalgic, a time after the hospital and before Alex.
"I ummm...realized that my flow starts this week and was going to purchase some and figured since it's just going to be me and you dealing with that sort of thing...ummm any preference on pads or tampons?" She asked awkwardly shifting on her feet glancing at her black and white Hightops. That was a convincing enough reason right? And technically true , although she did have required products. It would be a good thing to note though if the mission went on long enough. Oh goodness this was awkward.
"Cuz umm you know...ummm...I already have ibuprofen and a hotpad though." She should shut up the words coming from her mouth spilled out so unbelievably clunky catching in her throat along the way.
How long had it been since she had a proper conversation with someone else?
Jeff sneered at Toby grabbing a party sized bag of BBQ chips heading towards the check out counter.
"Need something or just going to stand there?" He mocked. This was too fun, Toby was his usual target for a reason. He shouldered his way past him shooting Vera a wicked grin as he stalked over to the counter slamming the chips and 6 pack on the counter leering down at the clerk
"I'm ready to check out. " He grinned not caring if Toby was following him or not. He took great joy in the obvious fear and discomfort of the man. Maybe this whole trip wouldn't be too boring after all.
Tim chuckled darkly, just drinking now that was a novel concept wasn't it?
"Don't know about a good bar, but a bar most certainly. Any fucking place with a population in the double digits has a bar. " He said taking a puff of his cigarette moving to fill up the gas tank with his free hand.
He would deal with the others later if they were misbehaving, right now he was going to try and enjoy the false sense of normality that the quiet moments with his best friend brought.
"Dirty, neat, who gives a fuck so long as it provides alchol." He chuckled glancing back towards the station.
The wind in his hair and the scent of smoke just felt right, a more foolish man might say nostalgic, a time after the hospital and before Alex.
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
Just observing her, Vera thought that Crow…
God, what did she think? All the woman knew was that she seemed a bit awkward around the others and always had her nose in some sort of book or touching her locket; like how she was now. To Vera, she was just someone to watch out for. Not for any malicious reasons or because she thought she would die in the hands of Crow—though knowing how the others were, it was a high possibility—but to keep on her good side. If she was going to be working with them for what would seem like a few days, Vera had to have a good reputation with at least one person. And with those two being the only women on the trip, as Crow had so lovingly put it, she thought, ‘Why the hell not?
“Uh,” she mused, thinking over her mildly awkward question as she tried to remember her own cycle, “...uhm, pads, I guess… I mean, I don’t really mind which one.”
Was this how things usually go? Was this a normal conversation between coworkers? Vera wouldn’t know.
And Toby had no idea either. While he was keeping an eye on Jeff and watching him continue to scare the kid behind the cash register, he couldn’t help but overhear Crow’s and Vera’s conversation. It felt… almost perverted to him to be overhearing them. To him, it felt taboo. How could they talk about it so casually? And be so open about it? And does that mean he and the others would have to deal with…
His teenage-like brain stopped wandering down that path for a moment, his gaze moving off the two women as he started walking through the aisles again to avoid hearing more into their conversation and to avoid being in arms length of Jeff. But his gaze never stopped trailing back to him at the register, watching as the cashier’s shaky hand held a barcode scanner towards his two items. But he wasn’t one to judge. If he didn’t know Jeff, he’d also be shaking at the sight of his face.
A gentle hum left Brian’s lips as he brought a hand up to his cigarette, inhaling slowly before pulling the cancer stick from his lips, continuing to watch the building. He wasn’t one to fully trust Toby’s ability to wrangle the others, so he kept watch, seeing the way Toby lined up a few feet away from the pale-faced killer.
“Sounds like we know what we’re doing once we get there,” he replied half-jokingly, exhaling the smoke from his lips as he finally felt a sense of relaxation, one that he knew would disappear in a blink of an eye, “And maybe if we’re lucky enough, we can get what we came for and leave in the next few hours.”
As if that would happen. Knowing their luck, they’d probably be killed as soon as they entered town. And the thought just made Brian chuckle softly.
“Well, maybe we could deal with that tomorrow,” he mumbled quietly, placing his cigarette back between his lips, “wouldn’t wanna go into things without a plan.”
God, what did she think? All the woman knew was that she seemed a bit awkward around the others and always had her nose in some sort of book or touching her locket; like how she was now. To Vera, she was just someone to watch out for. Not for any malicious reasons or because she thought she would die in the hands of Crow—though knowing how the others were, it was a high possibility—but to keep on her good side. If she was going to be working with them for what would seem like a few days, Vera had to have a good reputation with at least one person. And with those two being the only women on the trip, as Crow had so lovingly put it, she thought, ‘Why the hell not?
“Uh,” she mused, thinking over her mildly awkward question as she tried to remember her own cycle, “...uhm, pads, I guess… I mean, I don’t really mind which one.”
Was this how things usually go? Was this a normal conversation between coworkers? Vera wouldn’t know.
And Toby had no idea either. While he was keeping an eye on Jeff and watching him continue to scare the kid behind the cash register, he couldn’t help but overhear Crow’s and Vera’s conversation. It felt… almost perverted to him to be overhearing them. To him, it felt taboo. How could they talk about it so casually? And be so open about it? And does that mean he and the others would have to deal with…
His teenage-like brain stopped wandering down that path for a moment, his gaze moving off the two women as he started walking through the aisles again to avoid hearing more into their conversation and to avoid being in arms length of Jeff. But his gaze never stopped trailing back to him at the register, watching as the cashier’s shaky hand held a barcode scanner towards his two items. But he wasn’t one to judge. If he didn’t know Jeff, he’d also be shaking at the sight of his face.
A gentle hum left Brian’s lips as he brought a hand up to his cigarette, inhaling slowly before pulling the cancer stick from his lips, continuing to watch the building. He wasn’t one to fully trust Toby’s ability to wrangle the others, so he kept watch, seeing the way Toby lined up a few feet away from the pale-faced killer.
“Sounds like we know what we’re doing once we get there,” he replied half-jokingly, exhaling the smoke from his lips as he finally felt a sense of relaxation, one that he knew would disappear in a blink of an eye, “And maybe if we’re lucky enough, we can get what we came for and leave in the next few hours.”
As if that would happen. Knowing their luck, they’d probably be killed as soon as they entered town. And the thought just made Brian chuckle softly.
“Well, maybe we could deal with that tomorrow,” he mumbled quietly, placing his cigarette back between his lips, “wouldn’t wanna go into things without a plan.”
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
Crow nodded giving an awkward thumbs up and forced smile. The socially awkward young woman not knowing what to do now just quickly grabbed a bag of pads that she technically did not need, it was too late to say that though. Why, why, why hadn't she just minded her own business? If there was a God it would be great if he could show a little mercy and just strike her down right now? Now that was likely.
"Ummm.... coolio...that's umm... yeah....thanks. That's....all." She said shuffling her feet waiting for her to leave, hopefully she'll have calmed down by now.
She glanced around the station completely oblivious to the fact that Toby had heard them, frowning noticing the cashiers distress. Her own days in customer service watching the shop for her mom came to mind with a pang of sympathy that she quickly squashed down. That was not an emotion she could afford in this life.
She glanced back to Vera the honey brown of her eyes shifting from her to her hightops in back. She would leave now right? She really didn't want to speak to people more then she had to. Plus she thought she spotted a field guide to the local plants and wildflowers when she came and she really just wanted to go through that.
Jeff watched the cashier his horrible disfigured smile still adorning his face.
"I'll take that double bagged." He said his grin widening as he slammed an uncounted wad of cash down on the counter. He fully intended to drag this interaction out, letting the cashier determine whether or not it was enough. He glanced back at Toby sticking his tongue out not really giving a fuck what the two others were going on about. He was many things but embarrassed hearing about bodily functions was not one of then. He did take great amusement from Toby's obvious embarrassment however and filed it away as another thing he can use against him later.
"Or actually never mind leave it out...no actually two separate bags double bagged each." He settled on.
Tim stepped back over to Brian letting the car fill up.
"No...going in without a plan would be unwise...especially with...well those four. " He agreed jerking his head back to the gas station letting out a sigh seeing Jeff. He was going to strangle that man mark his word.
"Good old glass of whiskey and eaves dropping on the locals, sounds like a good use of time. Think the other four can be trusted at the motel by themselves?" He said before laughing at his own joke, of course not. Crow would probably be fine by herself, the others...Jeff? Unlikely, the pale freak had a special talent in causing fights.
"The fucking asshole." He grumbled out taking another huff of his cigarette just watching the smoke going up into the night sky.
This would actually be pretty nice if it was just him and Brian. Fuck, even just the two of them and Toby would be tolerable. He glanced at his phone, still 15 minutes left of their break. He stretched out cracking his back.
"...What was the Operator thinking?" He muttered quietly, not daring to question his master above a whisper, even when it was just him and Brian.
"Ummm.... coolio...that's umm... yeah....thanks. That's....all." She said shuffling her feet waiting for her to leave, hopefully she'll have calmed down by now.
She glanced around the station completely oblivious to the fact that Toby had heard them, frowning noticing the cashiers distress. Her own days in customer service watching the shop for her mom came to mind with a pang of sympathy that she quickly squashed down. That was not an emotion she could afford in this life.
She glanced back to Vera the honey brown of her eyes shifting from her to her hightops in back. She would leave now right? She really didn't want to speak to people more then she had to. Plus she thought she spotted a field guide to the local plants and wildflowers when she came and she really just wanted to go through that.
Jeff watched the cashier his horrible disfigured smile still adorning his face.
"I'll take that double bagged." He said his grin widening as he slammed an uncounted wad of cash down on the counter. He fully intended to drag this interaction out, letting the cashier determine whether or not it was enough. He glanced back at Toby sticking his tongue out not really giving a fuck what the two others were going on about. He was many things but embarrassed hearing about bodily functions was not one of then. He did take great amusement from Toby's obvious embarrassment however and filed it away as another thing he can use against him later.
"Or actually never mind leave it out...no actually two separate bags double bagged each." He settled on.
Tim stepped back over to Brian letting the car fill up.
"No...going in without a plan would be unwise...especially with...well those four. " He agreed jerking his head back to the gas station letting out a sigh seeing Jeff. He was going to strangle that man mark his word.
"Good old glass of whiskey and eaves dropping on the locals, sounds like a good use of time. Think the other four can be trusted at the motel by themselves?" He said before laughing at his own joke, of course not. Crow would probably be fine by herself, the others...Jeff? Unlikely, the pale freak had a special talent in causing fights.
"The fucking asshole." He grumbled out taking another huff of his cigarette just watching the smoke going up into the night sky.
This would actually be pretty nice if it was just him and Brian. Fuck, even just the two of them and Toby would be tolerable. He glanced at his phone, still 15 minutes left of their break. He stretched out cracking his back.
"...What was the Operator thinking?" He muttered quietly, not daring to question his master above a whisper, even when it was just him and Brian.
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
Feeling the tension in the air, Vera gave Crow a small nod, her eyes moving off the shorter woman to take herself away from the awkwardness. But it was a bit difficult as they stood there like there was nowhere else to go. It was like they were trapped in that spot until something happened. So to make it less difficult for the both of them, she inhaled sharply, stuffing her hands in her pockets as she looked back at Crow.
“I’ll pay you back when we get to town.”
And without another word, turned her head and walked away.
God. She hated every moment of that. Maybe she shouldn’t try to be nice for the rest of the trip if all that was going to happen was unpleasant conversation after unpleasant conversation. But as she walked through the aisles, looking at and picking up anything that interested her, she couldn’t help but let her mind wander: what would it be like to converse with the others? Would it be better? Worse? A soft scoff left her lips as she grabbed a pack of gum, walking over to Toby and sliding it into his hand.
“I’ll pay you back too.”
Again, left with no room to argue, Toby sighed as he watched Vera walk out the store and start wandering around. Just how difficult were they going to be? His question was answered as soon as he heard Jeff asking the cashier for such… not impossible, but tiresome requests. He watched the poor kid begin to bag Jeff’s things like how he wanted, trying not to show the fear or irritation he had for the pale faced man.
“C- Could- Could you go—” he cleared his throat, “—go easier on him?”
He didn’t expect Jeff to listen, or even hear what he said. He just felt like he should’ve said something to him. And even if it might backfire on him in the future, or in a few seconds, he didn’t seem to care. He wasn’t incapable of handling things by himself. Sometimes.
A soft grunt left Brian, almost agreeing with Tim’s question as he crossed his arms in front of his chest, a finger tapping at his arm.
“Well, if they get themselves killed, then we’ll have one less person to worry about.”
Even though he meant it as a joke, a gust of wind passing by, nearly killing the embers from the end of his cigarette, made it seem like an omen. And it made him shudder. Not from the cold, but the idea of seeing one of his companions getting killed. Sure, he could barely tolerate them, but the thought of seeing them killed in front of his eyes was… not something he wanted to see. Near death experiences were common, but never easy to deal with. Skill was something they all needed, but they couldn’t only depend on it when luck was a factor too.
“Guess we can only hope this goes smoothly.”
Then another gust of wind hit them.
“I’ll pay you back when we get to town.”
And without another word, turned her head and walked away.
God. She hated every moment of that. Maybe she shouldn’t try to be nice for the rest of the trip if all that was going to happen was unpleasant conversation after unpleasant conversation. But as she walked through the aisles, looking at and picking up anything that interested her, she couldn’t help but let her mind wander: what would it be like to converse with the others? Would it be better? Worse? A soft scoff left her lips as she grabbed a pack of gum, walking over to Toby and sliding it into his hand.
“I’ll pay you back too.”
Again, left with no room to argue, Toby sighed as he watched Vera walk out the store and start wandering around. Just how difficult were they going to be? His question was answered as soon as he heard Jeff asking the cashier for such… not impossible, but tiresome requests. He watched the poor kid begin to bag Jeff’s things like how he wanted, trying not to show the fear or irritation he had for the pale faced man.
“C- Could- Could you go—” he cleared his throat, “—go easier on him?”
He didn’t expect Jeff to listen, or even hear what he said. He just felt like he should’ve said something to him. And even if it might backfire on him in the future, or in a few seconds, he didn’t seem to care. He wasn’t incapable of handling things by himself. Sometimes.
A soft grunt left Brian, almost agreeing with Tim’s question as he crossed his arms in front of his chest, a finger tapping at his arm.
“Well, if they get themselves killed, then we’ll have one less person to worry about.”
Even though he meant it as a joke, a gust of wind passing by, nearly killing the embers from the end of his cigarette, made it seem like an omen. And it made him shudder. Not from the cold, but the idea of seeing one of his companions getting killed. Sure, he could barely tolerate them, but the thought of seeing them killed in front of his eyes was… not something he wanted to see. Near death experiences were common, but never easy to deal with. Skill was something they all needed, but they couldn’t only depend on it when luck was a factor too.
“Guess we can only hope this goes smoothly.”
Then another gust of wind hit them.
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
Jeff turned towards Toby, waiting until the cashier had already bagged the items to respond.
"Oh my bad, I suppose I should change it again then? Wonderful point Tics, hes right. Put it all in one bag." He said in a mockingly sweet voice. Oh so now he thought he could act all big and tough huh? He would have thought it cute. But it really wasn't. Sure Toby probably was on the same level as him in terms of fighting ability, but he was one of the Operators dogs ,which automatically lowered any respect he had for the younger man. To make it even worse he was Tim and Brian's dog as well. It was kind of pathetic.He didn't hate him per say, but he was an easy target, and well what was the saying about miserable people.
"Oh, there no need..." died on her lips as Vera walked away leaving her with the security of quiet and her own company once more.
Crow let out a sigh of relief grabbing a bag of highchews and heading over to where she had spotted the book. Well that certainly could have gone better. But what did she expect even back then before the incident she had been a know it all at best and just flat out socially useless at the worst. That added with the knowledge that any of these people could kill her and would if she got on their bad side weighed heavy on her mind. The scar on her shoulder just an inch above her heart from year one server as grim evidence of this.
She grabbed the book stopping eyeing a squiggle fidget for a moment and grabbing it. It should help keep things quiet at least. She filed in line behind Toby in time to hear him tell Jeff off and his response. Oh please not this again. She glowered at Jeff, he was really the only one that she could confidently say she out right disliked.
"Heh, when has hope ever done us any good?" He asked kicking a puddle as he pulled out the pump, looking up at the sound of the door opening and spotted Vera. Hopefully that means that Toby managed to keep her and Jeff from causing to much of a ruckus. He flicked the butt of his used up cigarette away from the car pulling out a new one to light up and jerking his head in her direction to Brian.
"Besides if they were going to get themselves killed the boss wouldn't have taken any of them in the first place. We both know he doesn't choose useless people." He muttered to him crossing back to Brian's side.
There went his few moments of normalcy, now back to dealing with this fucking madhouse.
"Oh my bad, I suppose I should change it again then? Wonderful point Tics, hes right. Put it all in one bag." He said in a mockingly sweet voice. Oh so now he thought he could act all big and tough huh? He would have thought it cute. But it really wasn't. Sure Toby probably was on the same level as him in terms of fighting ability, but he was one of the Operators dogs ,which automatically lowered any respect he had for the younger man. To make it even worse he was Tim and Brian's dog as well. It was kind of pathetic.He didn't hate him per say, but he was an easy target, and well what was the saying about miserable people.
"Oh, there no need..." died on her lips as Vera walked away leaving her with the security of quiet and her own company once more.
Crow let out a sigh of relief grabbing a bag of highchews and heading over to where she had spotted the book. Well that certainly could have gone better. But what did she expect even back then before the incident she had been a know it all at best and just flat out socially useless at the worst. That added with the knowledge that any of these people could kill her and would if she got on their bad side weighed heavy on her mind. The scar on her shoulder just an inch above her heart from year one server as grim evidence of this.
She grabbed the book stopping eyeing a squiggle fidget for a moment and grabbing it. It should help keep things quiet at least. She filed in line behind Toby in time to hear him tell Jeff off and his response. Oh please not this again. She glowered at Jeff, he was really the only one that she could confidently say she out right disliked.
"Heh, when has hope ever done us any good?" He asked kicking a puddle as he pulled out the pump, looking up at the sound of the door opening and spotted Vera. Hopefully that means that Toby managed to keep her and Jeff from causing to much of a ruckus. He flicked the butt of his used up cigarette away from the car pulling out a new one to light up and jerking his head in her direction to Brian.
"Besides if they were going to get themselves killed the boss wouldn't have taken any of them in the first place. We both know he doesn't choose useless people." He muttered to him crossing back to Brian's side.
There went his few moments of normalcy, now back to dealing with this fucking madhouse.
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
As Jeff said those words, the sound of plastic bags crumpling together filled the air, the kid behind the counter clearly frustrated by the man’s demands. Toby frowned as he watched him reluctantly take Jeff’s bag of chips out before shoving it into the bag with the beer then pushed it towards him. He didn’t even say ‘thanks’ to the cash, seeing the kid thumb through the bills and counting it.
Toby should’ve seen it coming, but for some reason, Jeff always kept him on his toes. And he couldn’t decide if that was a good thing or not. He grit his teeth, trying not to give Jeff the reaction he wanted as he approached the counter, not caring if Jeff was still standing there. Hell, he pushed Jeff’s bag of goodies to the side as he placed his bag of trail mix and Vera’s pack of gum on the counter.
“J- J- Just these,” he muttered, keeping his head low to avoid Jeff at all costs.
The corner of Brian’s lips twitched as he watched Vera exit the store, his shoulders dropping in disappointment after looking forward for a few more minutes of calm.
“Guess you’re right,” he mused, pulling the cigarette from his lips again as he let out a puff of smoke, his attention drawing back towards the building to make sure the others weren’t doing anything stupid. He feared if he looked away for a moment, something might happen. And he didn’t want to miss it. Totally not because he would find it a little funny…
Clearing his throat to avoid those thoughts, he looked back over at Tim, placing what was left of his cigarette between his lips.
“How much longer ‘till we get to town?” It was clear he was getting antsy.
The woman shuddered at the feeling of the cold air hitting her face, instantly reaching back and grabbing her hood before putting it on. She grabbed the strings of her hoodie and tugged them down, not wanting any winds blowing it off her. With her arms wrapped around her body in a protective blanket, Vera headed towards the other two quietly, only to pass by them and not give them the time of day as she approached the path they took to get there. She peered down to her left, then to her right, then to the left again like she was going to cross the street. But with the way the trees seemed to get thicker the further she looked across the street, she decided it was safer under the blinding lights of the gas station. There were no signs of life other than them, and it was kind of eerie. But it was kind of nice too, in a weird way. At least they were safe for now.
Toby should’ve seen it coming, but for some reason, Jeff always kept him on his toes. And he couldn’t decide if that was a good thing or not. He grit his teeth, trying not to give Jeff the reaction he wanted as he approached the counter, not caring if Jeff was still standing there. Hell, he pushed Jeff’s bag of goodies to the side as he placed his bag of trail mix and Vera’s pack of gum on the counter.
“J- J- Just these,” he muttered, keeping his head low to avoid Jeff at all costs.
The corner of Brian’s lips twitched as he watched Vera exit the store, his shoulders dropping in disappointment after looking forward for a few more minutes of calm.
“Guess you’re right,” he mused, pulling the cigarette from his lips again as he let out a puff of smoke, his attention drawing back towards the building to make sure the others weren’t doing anything stupid. He feared if he looked away for a moment, something might happen. And he didn’t want to miss it. Totally not because he would find it a little funny…
Clearing his throat to avoid those thoughts, he looked back over at Tim, placing what was left of his cigarette between his lips.
“How much longer ‘till we get to town?” It was clear he was getting antsy.
The woman shuddered at the feeling of the cold air hitting her face, instantly reaching back and grabbing her hood before putting it on. She grabbed the strings of her hoodie and tugged them down, not wanting any winds blowing it off her. With her arms wrapped around her body in a protective blanket, Vera headed towards the other two quietly, only to pass by them and not give them the time of day as she approached the path they took to get there. She peered down to her left, then to her right, then to the left again like she was going to cross the street. But with the way the trees seemed to get thicker the further she looked across the street, she decided it was safer under the blinding lights of the gas station. There were no signs of life other than them, and it was kind of eerie. But it was kind of nice too, in a weird way. At least they were safe for now.
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
Jeff smugly grabbed the bags shouldering past Toby and Crow opening a can from the six pack as he headed out the door. Downing it within seconds. Finally alcohol. He probably had a problem, did he care? Fuck no. He walked over to the car crumpling the empty can and half-heartedly tossing it into the trash sparing it barely a glance as it hit the edge with a hollow tink. He jerked his head at the two men leaning against the car suddenly very tired of everything, the minor thrill of emotions brought about from picking on Toby and the cashier numbing away to the emptiness and boredom that prevailed the lives of many that walked the path. Sure the others were Slenders dogs, but was he much better? He cracked open another can holding the six pack out to the others.
"Want one?" He asked taking upon a half hearted mocking tone.
Tim glanced over to Brian, shrugging and grabbing a can opening it with his thumb and pointer as he held the lit cigarette between his lips. He took the smoke out exhaling and switching it out for the cold liquid. His eyes trailed over to Vera to make sure she wasn't getting into trouble or worse trying to run and lowered the can.
"Bout an hour or two." He replied to Brian after a moment glancing up to the night sky. At least Jeff seemed somewhat willing to behave for the moment. He'd appreciate that while he could, there was no predicting when it would change.
An hour or two and then the mission really began. What about this weird cult town and their book had the Boss decide to send this many he couldn't quite wrap his mind around. It was excessive at best. Or perhaps there was something he wasn't seeing...was it expected for one of them to die?
Crow glared at Jeff watching him go until he left the store. Before shifting to look for some sort of tip jar for the poor cashier. Upon spotting one she went through her own cash and subtly tucked a 20 in there. She shifted back to her place in line taking the opportunity to observe Toby. He seemed, like a decent person? As decent as one could get in this life she supposed. He was pretty anxious if she was understanding it correctly? Reading people wasn't exactly her strong suit. But he seemed okay, more empathetic then the others at the least based on his behavior towards the cashier. She wasn't looking for friends per say, she wasn't here of her own will and she didn't need friends any way. But knowing who she needed to be on tiptoes around was vital for survival. Both her own and her family's. Plus, he didn't seem to be the brightest, if she started to develop blank spots of the mission in her memory, she might be able to pull off getting information from him to fill them in without tipping anyone off.
"Want one?" He asked taking upon a half hearted mocking tone.
Tim glanced over to Brian, shrugging and grabbing a can opening it with his thumb and pointer as he held the lit cigarette between his lips. He took the smoke out exhaling and switching it out for the cold liquid. His eyes trailed over to Vera to make sure she wasn't getting into trouble or worse trying to run and lowered the can.
"Bout an hour or two." He replied to Brian after a moment glancing up to the night sky. At least Jeff seemed somewhat willing to behave for the moment. He'd appreciate that while he could, there was no predicting when it would change.
An hour or two and then the mission really began. What about this weird cult town and their book had the Boss decide to send this many he couldn't quite wrap his mind around. It was excessive at best. Or perhaps there was something he wasn't seeing...was it expected for one of them to die?
Crow glared at Jeff watching him go until he left the store. Before shifting to look for some sort of tip jar for the poor cashier. Upon spotting one she went through her own cash and subtly tucked a 20 in there. She shifted back to her place in line taking the opportunity to observe Toby. He seemed, like a decent person? As decent as one could get in this life she supposed. He was pretty anxious if she was understanding it correctly? Reading people wasn't exactly her strong suit. But he seemed okay, more empathetic then the others at the least based on his behavior towards the cashier. She wasn't looking for friends per say, she wasn't here of her own will and she didn't need friends any way. But knowing who she needed to be on tiptoes around was vital for survival. Both her own and her family's. Plus, he didn't seem to be the brightest, if she started to develop blank spots of the mission in her memory, she might be able to pull off getting information from him to fill them in without tipping anyone off.
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
The interaction cashier had with Toby went much smoother than Jeff’s. Which made the cashier much happier when Toby didn’t ask for his things to be bagged or unbagged a thousand times over. Though the kid still looked tired of it all, there was a small smile of appreciation as Toby left the counter with his things without much hassle.
And Toby felt a wave of relief as well as he saw Jeff was back with the more capable of the group, his shoulders dropping as he opened the bag of trail mix, the pack of gum Vera demanded asked for tucked in his pocket. The store was mostly silent now, aside from the low hum of the air conditioner in some dark corner and the shuffling of Toby’s beaten up Converse along the tile floors. Tilting his head down, he grabbed the face mask covering the lower half of his face, trying his best to hide the ugly, self made wound he was too lazy to cover up with a bandage from the unused cameras pointing down at the entrance. With a soft ding, Toby left, but not before looking back at Crow to assure himself that she’d be fine.
Brain looked over at Jeff as he came over, cocking an eyebrow up at his sudden sense of charity. But he didn’t question it if it meant free alcohol. So he took a can as well, cracking it open before pulling the last of his cigarette from his lips, flicking it to the ground and crushing it under the heel of his boot. With a quiet ‘thanks’ to the pale faced man, he took a much needed sip of the cheap beer as his gaze moved over to Tim.
“Less than I expected…”
And he sounded happy with that fact. Only an hour or two left of being confined in a car with them, only to be confined in a town for who knows how long they’ll be there. The thought made him shake his head, taking another sip of his beer as he watched Toby slowly make his way over to them.
A tired yawn left her lips as she leaned away from the road, looking back at the door after hearing the quiet murmurs of their conversation about… whatever they were talking about. She didn’t care. Something about how long until they get to the town? Eugh. She couldn’t wait to get back and deal with things on her own. Hell, she believed she could’ve handled this on her own. What was it… a cult? Some book? Or whatever? Yeah, it would’ve been done the same day she arrived.
And as she continued that fantasy in her mind, she saw Toby walking over, a smile on her lips as she happily approached him.
“Gum.”
Not even a second after, he gave her the pack, her instantly opening it and popping a spearmint stick in her mouth around the same time Toby popped another M&M into his. And in that moment, their little group kind of looked normal—minus the obvious scars.
And Toby felt a wave of relief as well as he saw Jeff was back with the more capable of the group, his shoulders dropping as he opened the bag of trail mix, the pack of gum Vera demanded asked for tucked in his pocket. The store was mostly silent now, aside from the low hum of the air conditioner in some dark corner and the shuffling of Toby’s beaten up Converse along the tile floors. Tilting his head down, he grabbed the face mask covering the lower half of his face, trying his best to hide the ugly, self made wound he was too lazy to cover up with a bandage from the unused cameras pointing down at the entrance. With a soft ding, Toby left, but not before looking back at Crow to assure himself that she’d be fine.
Brain looked over at Jeff as he came over, cocking an eyebrow up at his sudden sense of charity. But he didn’t question it if it meant free alcohol. So he took a can as well, cracking it open before pulling the last of his cigarette from his lips, flicking it to the ground and crushing it under the heel of his boot. With a quiet ‘thanks’ to the pale faced man, he took a much needed sip of the cheap beer as his gaze moved over to Tim.
“Less than I expected…”
And he sounded happy with that fact. Only an hour or two left of being confined in a car with them, only to be confined in a town for who knows how long they’ll be there. The thought made him shake his head, taking another sip of his beer as he watched Toby slowly make his way over to them.
A tired yawn left her lips as she leaned away from the road, looking back at the door after hearing the quiet murmurs of their conversation about… whatever they were talking about. She didn’t care. Something about how long until they get to the town? Eugh. She couldn’t wait to get back and deal with things on her own. Hell, she believed she could’ve handled this on her own. What was it… a cult? Some book? Or whatever? Yeah, it would’ve been done the same day she arrived.
And as she continued that fantasy in her mind, she saw Toby walking over, a smile on her lips as she happily approached him.
“Gum.”
Not even a second after, he gave her the pack, her instantly opening it and popping a spearmint stick in her mouth around the same time Toby popped another M&M into his. And in that moment, their little group kind of looked normal—minus the obvious scars.
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
Haunted keeperoftheghosts
Crow silently set her items down awkwardly glancing around at anywhere but the cashier
"...Sorry about all that...umm no need to bag." She muttered running her fingers up through her bangs as she ducked her head. Staring down at the counter. She didn't need to hide her face per say, she didn't really have that many recognizable features besides the chemical burns that adorned her hands and arms from experiments gone wrong. Those however were easily covered by her fingerless gloves and the long sleeves of her black hooded jacket. If anything it was a long engrained habit from happier times. She glanced over at Toby with the sound of the bell dinging before turning back to counting out the cash. She set it down but didn't put the rest back in case it wasn't enough and tugged down her beanie over her ears. Why the hell was she even here?
"Thank fuck for that." Jeff muttered taking a drink from his can and setting the pack behind him. He glanced over to where Vera and Toby were rolling his eyes. Since when had the two of them been friends? He turned back to the two men he was drinking with watching them waiting for the alcohol to kick in and bring the familiar buzz back to his brain.
"So then Masky, Hoodie, what's then plan when we get there." He drawled out, a poor attempt even for him. He sighed finishing the can and crushing it. This whole thing was fucking useless.
Tim glanced over at Jeff giving giving him an unamused glare flicking some of the embers of his lit cigarette at him. It was a low jab.
"Well Jeffrey, Brian and I were planning on doing recon." He said switching into the icy tone that more belonged to the Operator's loyal dog than Tim. He had worked with Jeff long enough to know that the man was barely more than pathetic drunkard trying to ruin the few good things the others around him had. He glanced over at Brian as he placed the cigarette to his lips again only to remove it and blow the smoke at the pale man's face. Petty? Yes. Well deserved ? Most likely. He looked over at Toby and Vera once more making sure that the two of them weren't getting up to anything. What had his life come to?
Crow silently set her items down awkwardly glancing around at anywhere but the cashier
"...Sorry about all that...umm no need to bag." She muttered running her fingers up through her bangs as she ducked her head. Staring down at the counter. She didn't need to hide her face per say, she didn't really have that many recognizable features besides the chemical burns that adorned her hands and arms from experiments gone wrong. Those however were easily covered by her fingerless gloves and the long sleeves of her black hooded jacket. If anything it was a long engrained habit from happier times. She glanced over at Toby with the sound of the bell dinging before turning back to counting out the cash. She set it down but didn't put the rest back in case it wasn't enough and tugged down her beanie over her ears. Why the hell was she even here?
"Thank fuck for that." Jeff muttered taking a drink from his can and setting the pack behind him. He glanced over to where Vera and Toby were rolling his eyes. Since when had the two of them been friends? He turned back to the two men he was drinking with watching them waiting for the alcohol to kick in and bring the familiar buzz back to his brain.
"So then Masky, Hoodie, what's then plan when we get there." He drawled out, a poor attempt even for him. He sighed finishing the can and crushing it. This whole thing was fucking useless.
Tim glanced over at Jeff giving giving him an unamused glare flicking some of the embers of his lit cigarette at him. It was a low jab.
"Well Jeffrey, Brian and I were planning on doing recon." He said switching into the icy tone that more belonged to the Operator's loyal dog than Tim. He had worked with Jeff long enough to know that the man was barely more than pathetic drunkard trying to ruin the few good things the others around him had. He glanced over at Brian as he placed the cigarette to his lips again only to remove it and blow the smoke at the pale man's face. Petty? Yes. Well deserved ? Most likely. He looked over at Toby and Vera once more making sure that the two of them weren't getting up to anything. What had his life come to?
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
With a small, thankful nod, the cashier rang up her things and took the cash. As he counted the cash, he didn’t seem to care that it was about a dollar off.
“You’re good,” he muttered softly, looking back up at Crow with a faint smile as he put the cash into the register.
Shaking his head, Brian shot Jeff a glare as he took his can of beer down from his lips. It was clear he wasn’t amused by Jeff’s antics, trying so hard not to throw his precious can at the pale faced freak man. Instead, he crossed his arms, tapping the side of his nearly empty can to his side. Maybe he and Tim should’ve argued with the Operator just this once about bringing Jeff with them.
“Don’t think about even tagging along,” he added, “we don’t wanna risk getting kicked out of town because of your ugly mug.”
His eyes moved off him for a moment, just to look at the other three as he uncrossed his arm to chug the rest of his beer. Maybe he should at least be a bit nicer—but to Jeff? Of all people? Maybe not. Letting out a satisfied sigh, Brian brought the can away from his lips again, his nose scrunching up at the taste. He crushed the newly empty can with one hand, keeping a hold of the aluminum. Just in case he had to throw it at something, because you never know when it comes to them.
Toby rolled his eyes as he watched Vera happily chew on her gum, walking past her and stood by the others just to be part of the conversation. He listened on to what they said, a clear frown on his lips at the mention of a recon. Of course it was a good idea to do it so soon to get it over with, but would they be able to? Were the townspeople nice? Or were they the kind of people to raise pitchforks at those who didn’t live there? He shuddered at the latter, popping a raisin in his mouth as he tried not to let his food spill out from his open wound.
“And- And what do the rest of- of us do?” He grumbled softly, gripping his bag of snacks tightly, “W- We can’t just… sss-sit around and do—” his wrist twisted, “—nothing.”
Despite how anxious he was at first, he fully believed in wanting to get the job done as a team.
Overhearing their conversation, Vera tilted her head towards them, constantly chewing on her gum.
“I vote for doing nothing.”
And as quickly as she inserted herself into their conversation, she got herself out of it too, like she wasn’t keen on hearing any of their arguments. And she wasn’t, as she started to walk away, her hands tucked into her hoodie pocket. She dragged her shoes into the gravel-like road below, finding herself back at the road like she would see something. Maybe a deer—deer were prevalent in that area, right? Ah, she wouldn’t know. She’d been asleep during the entire drive. As she wondered about what animals or other sad people who’d be passing by that area, she found herself walking along the edge of the gas station, her focus on anything but the mission at hand
“You’re good,” he muttered softly, looking back up at Crow with a faint smile as he put the cash into the register.
Shaking his head, Brian shot Jeff a glare as he took his can of beer down from his lips. It was clear he wasn’t amused by Jeff’s antics, trying so hard not to throw his precious can at the pale faced freak man. Instead, he crossed his arms, tapping the side of his nearly empty can to his side. Maybe he and Tim should’ve argued with the Operator just this once about bringing Jeff with them.
“Don’t think about even tagging along,” he added, “we don’t wanna risk getting kicked out of town because of your ugly mug.”
His eyes moved off him for a moment, just to look at the other three as he uncrossed his arm to chug the rest of his beer. Maybe he should at least be a bit nicer—but to Jeff? Of all people? Maybe not. Letting out a satisfied sigh, Brian brought the can away from his lips again, his nose scrunching up at the taste. He crushed the newly empty can with one hand, keeping a hold of the aluminum. Just in case he had to throw it at something, because you never know when it comes to them.
Toby rolled his eyes as he watched Vera happily chew on her gum, walking past her and stood by the others just to be part of the conversation. He listened on to what they said, a clear frown on his lips at the mention of a recon. Of course it was a good idea to do it so soon to get it over with, but would they be able to? Were the townspeople nice? Or were they the kind of people to raise pitchforks at those who didn’t live there? He shuddered at the latter, popping a raisin in his mouth as he tried not to let his food spill out from his open wound.
“And- And what do the rest of- of us do?” He grumbled softly, gripping his bag of snacks tightly, “W- We can’t just… sss-sit around and do—” his wrist twisted, “—nothing.”
Despite how anxious he was at first, he fully believed in wanting to get the job done as a team.
Overhearing their conversation, Vera tilted her head towards them, constantly chewing on her gum.
“I vote for doing nothing.”
And as quickly as she inserted herself into their conversation, she got herself out of it too, like she wasn’t keen on hearing any of their arguments. And she wasn’t, as she started to walk away, her hands tucked into her hoodie pocket. She dragged her shoes into the gravel-like road below, finding herself back at the road like she would see something. Maybe a deer—deer were prevalent in that area, right? Ah, she wouldn’t know. She’d been asleep during the entire drive. As she wondered about what animals or other sad people who’d be passing by that area, she found herself walking along the edge of the gas station, her focus on anything but the mission at hand
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
Crow gave the cashier a small smile back with a nod in acknowledgement to his words she grabbed her items and hurried out of the station stopping once she was outside. Looking around she spotted the main group and started to make her way over to them stopping midstep upon noticing the trailmix. While her nut allergy technically wasn't airborn she'd still rather not risk the anaphylactic shock on her first mission with other people (to her memory). So she changed courses walking over to join Vera simply because it was too dark to go searching for plants and she didn't feel like climbing back into the van. She approached matching her pace a few feet to her left and didn't say anything. What was there to say? Nice weather we're having? Small talk was pointless anyway, just jabber to fill the void for those uncomfortable sitting with their own thoughts. There was comfort in the dark and it's blanket of silence, and well she was never really one for stepping outside her comfort zone. She glanced over at Vera out of the corner of her eye though, just simply observing her.
Tim rolled his eyes before turning suddenly to cough. Damn smokers lungs, before turning back to his little crew of misfits. Sure why not call them that, make things sound cozy eh?
"Well, you certainly won't be doing nothing, can't be waisting time can we? You can start with checking us in to the motel our insider arranged for us, then work on learning the layout of the town. Places to hide and avoid the usual. Between the four of you that shouldn't be too hard. Toby you'll be in charge." He added the last bit in glancing at the youngest of the four at the car with a nod. Toby was...maybe reliable was the wrong word but the one he trusted most with it behind Brian. He didn't know enough about Vera to make any character judgements besides the fact that she seemed to be a bit of a hothead based on what he saw of her interactions with Jeff. Crow was, while not a Greenie, relatively inexperienced out in the field, acting more as a supplier and poisoner then a proper proxy. And Jeff...well he was Jeff. That left Toby, and he at the very least would act as an extension of him. He better at least. Of course Brian would be preferable, but the two had plans involving whiskey.
Jeff let out a scoff. Right doing nothing was too good to be true. Why exactly was he being dragged into proxy B.S? One look from Tim told him better then to argue against that though. He cracked open his third can not bothering to offer the remaining 6th to Toby. Kid was like 20 anyway, wouldn't want to draw unwanted attention and legal troubles. Like Tim said. Too slow, too sad. He was no longer feeling generous.
"Why the fuck are you leaving Toby-boy in charge? I've been in this game far longer then he has." He pointed out. Ahh there was the alcohol hitting his system. Seriously though, if they were going to treat him like a proxy then they might as well have the respect to leave him in charge....maybe. Did he even actually care? Probably not, but Toby?
Tim rolled his eyes before turning suddenly to cough. Damn smokers lungs, before turning back to his little crew of misfits. Sure why not call them that, make things sound cozy eh?
"Well, you certainly won't be doing nothing, can't be waisting time can we? You can start with checking us in to the motel our insider arranged for us, then work on learning the layout of the town. Places to hide and avoid the usual. Between the four of you that shouldn't be too hard. Toby you'll be in charge." He added the last bit in glancing at the youngest of the four at the car with a nod. Toby was...maybe reliable was the wrong word but the one he trusted most with it behind Brian. He didn't know enough about Vera to make any character judgements besides the fact that she seemed to be a bit of a hothead based on what he saw of her interactions with Jeff. Crow was, while not a Greenie, relatively inexperienced out in the field, acting more as a supplier and poisoner then a proper proxy. And Jeff...well he was Jeff. That left Toby, and he at the very least would act as an extension of him. He better at least. Of course Brian would be preferable, but the two had plans involving whiskey.
Jeff let out a scoff. Right doing nothing was too good to be true. Why exactly was he being dragged into proxy B.S? One look from Tim told him better then to argue against that though. He cracked open his third can not bothering to offer the remaining 6th to Toby. Kid was like 20 anyway, wouldn't want to draw unwanted attention and legal troubles. Like Tim said. Too slow, too sad. He was no longer feeling generous.
"Why the fuck are you leaving Toby-boy in charge? I've been in this game far longer then he has." He pointed out. Ahh there was the alcohol hitting his system. Seriously though, if they were going to treat him like a proxy then they might as well have the respect to leave him in charge....maybe. Did he even actually care? Probably not, but Toby?
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
She hadn’t noticed Crow carefully walking alongside her until the sound of her footsteps doubled, her eyes shifting to the side to see her looking back. Odd. Why didn’t she stay with the others? Too rowdy? Vera understood. Letting her gaze move off the other woman, she stared back into the darkness. And for a while, they just walked in silence, the sound of the others chattering and the leaves rustling filling the air. It was nice for a few seconds, just doing nothing. But for some damn reason, she couldn’t keep her mouth shut.
“You hate this as much as I do?”
She spoke like she was talking to someone far ahead of her, but her head turned to look at Crow. There wasn’t a clear sign of friendliness on her face, not a smile or a glint of interest in her eyes. It was like she was forcing herself to speak to her. It wasn’t like they were close friends or anything like that. They were barely acquaintances; coworkers at most.
“I- I’m- I’m sorry, what?”
Toby crushed the bag of trailmix in his hand, staring at Tim in disbelief. Him? In charge? No fucking way. He wasn’t excited at all. Did Tim really think it would be wise to put Toby in charge of the other three? Absolutely not, right? And after hearing Jeff’s complaint, he couldn’t help but feel the same way—for the first time, actually agreeing with him. His gaze moved between the two older proxies like they would give him an answer to his internal dilemma, as if they weren’t the ones that basically put this responsibility on him. Maybe he would have agreed to this if he was working with people who would listen to him. But with what they had… Toby felt his muscles tense, his head jerking towards his shoulder.
Brian rolled his eyes after seeing Toby’s tic, sensing just how nervous the kid was.
“I think it’s better to let that job be for someone who knows what they’re doing.”
Which kind of felt untrue now with the way Toby was, well…
“Just get it done and we won’t have any problems.”
Problems with the town or problems with him and Tim, it was up for interpretation. And one seemed worse than the other. Getting off the van, Brian dropped his arms to let them hang by his sides. Then he reached for Toby, patting his arm to soothe him. But it only got Toby more tense as Brian headed towards a nearby trash can.
“At least you won’t be sitting around at the motel doing nothing,” he tried sounding genuine, a smile on his face as he tossed his can away, “You’ll have fun.”
It sounded more like a threat than anything.
“You hate this as much as I do?”
She spoke like she was talking to someone far ahead of her, but her head turned to look at Crow. There wasn’t a clear sign of friendliness on her face, not a smile or a glint of interest in her eyes. It was like she was forcing herself to speak to her. It wasn’t like they were close friends or anything like that. They were barely acquaintances; coworkers at most.
“I- I’m- I’m sorry, what?”
Toby crushed the bag of trailmix in his hand, staring at Tim in disbelief. Him? In charge? No fucking way. He wasn’t excited at all. Did Tim really think it would be wise to put Toby in charge of the other three? Absolutely not, right? And after hearing Jeff’s complaint, he couldn’t help but feel the same way—for the first time, actually agreeing with him. His gaze moved between the two older proxies like they would give him an answer to his internal dilemma, as if they weren’t the ones that basically put this responsibility on him. Maybe he would have agreed to this if he was working with people who would listen to him. But with what they had… Toby felt his muscles tense, his head jerking towards his shoulder.
Brian rolled his eyes after seeing Toby’s tic, sensing just how nervous the kid was.
“I think it’s better to let that job be for someone who knows what they’re doing.”
Which kind of felt untrue now with the way Toby was, well…
“Just get it done and we won’t have any problems.”
Problems with the town or problems with him and Tim, it was up for interpretation. And one seemed worse than the other. Getting off the van, Brian dropped his arms to let them hang by his sides. Then he reached for Toby, patting his arm to soothe him. But it only got Toby more tense as Brian headed towards a nearby trash can.
“At least you won’t be sitting around at the motel doing nothing,” he tried sounding genuine, a smile on his face as he tossed his can away, “You’ll have fun.”
It sounded more like a threat than anything.
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
Crow glanced at her taken off guard for a second blinking. Was this a trick question? It seemed like it could be. If she answered yes then it could come across like she hated being around her, but if she answered no then it might sound like she was saying 'oh golly gee yes! I love killing.' Yeah that would go over great. Maybe she was overreacting, it was a simple question, right? Yeah probably.
"...Ummm....yeah...I...probably? ....Sorry I'm kind of bad with people...." She said rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. Well that was obvious. Painfully so.
"...It's ummm....pretty miserable huh?" She asked glancing back over at the older woman. She cringed that could be taken the wrong way.
"Not, that you're miserable or miserable to be around or anything! Just umm the situation as a whole." Wow, real eloquent Aki, real eloquent.
Jeff snorted at Toby's reaction.
"Again, I've been in this business far longer then him, fuck even longer then you two, I know what I'm fucking doing. " he protested. He wasn't going to deny the possibility of him causing problems however. Of course sitting around and doing nothing wasn't an option. What were any of them expecting. It still was a fucking proxies job so why the two assholes were lumping him in with it was starting to piss him off
"Speaking of which, isn't it a proxies job, scouting like that. " He pointed out, twisting the tab of the can until it ripped off completely. He tossed it to the side carelessy, sucking the nick of blood of his thumb from the edge of the raw metal.
Tim pinched his forehead shooting Jeff a glare.
"Well now, it's also a Jeff job. Toby is in charge, I trust that he won't fuck things up too much." He said his voice low and cold. It was less of a vote of confidence and more of a threat. To both of the men present. He didn't really fully trust that Toby wouldn't screw it up, but again he was unfortunately the best option. He glanced away from the pale killer over to Brian and back to Toby.
"Brian's right, think of it as...and opportunity to make new friends. You haven't really interacted with the other two that much. Who knows maybe you all have a secret horseback riding hobby or something." He smiled flicking the butt of his cigarette at Jeff and pulling out his lighter and a new one. It wasn't likely but could do the kid some good. At the very least it would get him out of his comfort zone and his and Brian's hair.
"...Ummm....yeah...I...probably? ....Sorry I'm kind of bad with people...." She said rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. Well that was obvious. Painfully so.
"...It's ummm....pretty miserable huh?" She asked glancing back over at the older woman. She cringed that could be taken the wrong way.
"Not, that you're miserable or miserable to be around or anything! Just umm the situation as a whole." Wow, real eloquent Aki, real eloquent.
Jeff snorted at Toby's reaction.
"Again, I've been in this business far longer then him, fuck even longer then you two, I know what I'm fucking doing. " he protested. He wasn't going to deny the possibility of him causing problems however. Of course sitting around and doing nothing wasn't an option. What were any of them expecting. It still was a fucking proxies job so why the two assholes were lumping him in with it was starting to piss him off
"Speaking of which, isn't it a proxies job, scouting like that. " He pointed out, twisting the tab of the can until it ripped off completely. He tossed it to the side carelessy, sucking the nick of blood of his thumb from the edge of the raw metal.
Tim pinched his forehead shooting Jeff a glare.
"Well now, it's also a Jeff job. Toby is in charge, I trust that he won't fuck things up too much." He said his voice low and cold. It was less of a vote of confidence and more of a threat. To both of the men present. He didn't really fully trust that Toby wouldn't screw it up, but again he was unfortunately the best option. He glanced away from the pale killer over to Brian and back to Toby.
"Brian's right, think of it as...and opportunity to make new friends. You haven't really interacted with the other two that much. Who knows maybe you all have a secret horseback riding hobby or something." He smiled flicking the butt of his cigarette at Jeff and pulling out his lighter and a new one. It wasn't likely but could do the kid some good. At the very least it would get him out of his comfort zone and his and Brian's hair.
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
Staring down at her after hearing her response, she couldn’t stop the twitch of the corner of her lips as she tried so hard to suppress a smile. Snorting, Vera turned away as she took her hands out her pocket and pulled her hood off, her hair much messier now. This was their second conversation and it was just as awkward as their first. It was kind of endearing, in a strange way.
“Nah, I get it,” she replied, trying to tame the tangled mess, “I hated the idea of havin’ ta work with them–”
Her gaze moved towards the others, watching them talk—or more like argue with one another. An amused huff left her as she turned back to Crow, a little less unemotional now. The smile seemed more genuine, maybe because no one was talking her ear off like the other two were. Looking back towards the unknown path they were following around the gas station, the woman tugged at the knots in her hair, trying to find a way to continue their conversation.
“But you seem pretty cool,” she settled on adding with a soft laugh, “despite how miserable things are.”
“F- F- Friends?” Toby repeated, exasperated at the idea.
He didn’t need friends. Why would he even try to make friends? Sure, maybe he could see an acquaintanceship with Crow and Vera after everything was said and done. But he wholeheartedly believed it wouldn’t go further than that. It was like asking a turtle to learn how to fly. What would they even bond about? Could a bond even form? But while he would love to sit and argue with the two older proxies about how ridiculous their ask was, he knew he had no choice on the matter. He had to tolerate it, like how they had been tolerating him for… who knows how long, really. Basically forever. Toby loosened his grip on the bag of trailmix, reluctantly shoving it into his jacket’s pocket to free it from his fist. And just like he never grew up from his teenage years, he muttered something under his breath—something about how stupid the whole ordeal was—before sighing.
“...fine.”
Walking back to them, Brian couldn’t stop the grin forming on his lips. Sure, Toby’s agreement was out of reluctance, but at least he didn’t put up a fight. He could remember a time Toby did try that on them—and oh, boy did it go… not too well. So with another hearty slap of his hand on Toby’s back, the older man flashed him a smile.
“You’ll have a great time,” he continued to assure him.
But the real problem was with Jeff. He knew how he would act out of their sight, and it worried him a little. He didn’t want any dead bodies caused by him only a few hours in. So he looked over at the pale faced killer, trying to give him a sweet grin—only to look a bit more menacing than intended.
“I’m sure if you all work together, then you wouldn’t have to spend the entire night doin’ your job.”
“Nah, I get it,” she replied, trying to tame the tangled mess, “I hated the idea of havin’ ta work with them–”
Her gaze moved towards the others, watching them talk—or more like argue with one another. An amused huff left her as she turned back to Crow, a little less unemotional now. The smile seemed more genuine, maybe because no one was talking her ear off like the other two were. Looking back towards the unknown path they were following around the gas station, the woman tugged at the knots in her hair, trying to find a way to continue their conversation.
“But you seem pretty cool,” she settled on adding with a soft laugh, “despite how miserable things are.”
“F- F- Friends?” Toby repeated, exasperated at the idea.
He didn’t need friends. Why would he even try to make friends? Sure, maybe he could see an acquaintanceship with Crow and Vera after everything was said and done. But he wholeheartedly believed it wouldn’t go further than that. It was like asking a turtle to learn how to fly. What would they even bond about? Could a bond even form? But while he would love to sit and argue with the two older proxies about how ridiculous their ask was, he knew he had no choice on the matter. He had to tolerate it, like how they had been tolerating him for… who knows how long, really. Basically forever. Toby loosened his grip on the bag of trailmix, reluctantly shoving it into his jacket’s pocket to free it from his fist. And just like he never grew up from his teenage years, he muttered something under his breath—something about how stupid the whole ordeal was—before sighing.
“...fine.”
Walking back to them, Brian couldn’t stop the grin forming on his lips. Sure, Toby’s agreement was out of reluctance, but at least he didn’t put up a fight. He could remember a time Toby did try that on them—and oh, boy did it go… not too well. So with another hearty slap of his hand on Toby’s back, the older man flashed him a smile.
“You’ll have a great time,” he continued to assure him.
But the real problem was with Jeff. He knew how he would act out of their sight, and it worried him a little. He didn’t want any dead bodies caused by him only a few hours in. So he looked over at the pale faced killer, trying to give him a sweet grin—only to look a bit more menacing than intended.
“I’m sure if you all work together, then you wouldn’t have to spend the entire night doin’ your job.”
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
Crow glanced over at her cheeks warming up slightly in embarrassment from both the compliment and the call back to her verbal blunder.
"Ah...umm thanks...you're pretty cool yourself...and I can hardly blame you...we're an odd crowd aren't we?" She asked softly following her gaze over to the other four. At least she didn't seem to mind her difficulties with conversation. She was putting effort in...that meant she actually wanted to continue it, right? She took a breath, charisma, yeah she had this.
"...Anyway...any idea what he sent you on this miserable little road trip?" She asked trying for a casual tone as she glanced back at her. There, now that sounded like a normal human sentence...well maybe not normal but improved at the least. Plus getting data always helped make her feel a little more secure.
Jeff decided to save himself some words and resorted to a single finger gesture to give to Brian. Please he could get it done in two hours by himself tops, and then go get drunk at the bar after. Fuck him for implying otherwise. Plus anyone with even a semifunctioning singular eye could see that the young man was not thrilled about it.
"Why are you making him do it when he clearly doesn't want to." He pointed out. He definitely was not defending him by any means but he would take Brian or Tim over Toby's blundering incompetence any day. This really was just a problem of their own making wasn't it?
"Besides everyone knows that you just want to go drinking and it's less about the information. " He pointed out crushing Tim's cigarette butt beneath his foot.
Tim barely glanced at Jeff, deciding he had better things to do then take the man's obvious bait. He successfully lit the cigarette and offered one over to "Atta boy Toby. And Brian's right, little bit of team work and you all will probably have some time to kick back before we get back even." He chose to ignore the muttering about the stupidity of the task. It was just them and he was feeling nice. He would get it done. He didn't have much of a choice. If any of them started causing trouble though, that would be a good way to ruin the mood. Speaking of which. He glanced over to where Vera and Crow where making sure that the two of them weren't getting into a fight or up to other shenanigans while away from the group. They seemed to be behaving at least. Good.
"Ah...umm thanks...you're pretty cool yourself...and I can hardly blame you...we're an odd crowd aren't we?" She asked softly following her gaze over to the other four. At least she didn't seem to mind her difficulties with conversation. She was putting effort in...that meant she actually wanted to continue it, right? She took a breath, charisma, yeah she had this.
"...Anyway...any idea what he sent you on this miserable little road trip?" She asked trying for a casual tone as she glanced back at her. There, now that sounded like a normal human sentence...well maybe not normal but improved at the least. Plus getting data always helped make her feel a little more secure.
Jeff decided to save himself some words and resorted to a single finger gesture to give to Brian. Please he could get it done in two hours by himself tops, and then go get drunk at the bar after. Fuck him for implying otherwise. Plus anyone with even a semifunctioning singular eye could see that the young man was not thrilled about it.
"Why are you making him do it when he clearly doesn't want to." He pointed out. He definitely was not defending him by any means but he would take Brian or Tim over Toby's blundering incompetence any day. This really was just a problem of their own making wasn't it?
"Besides everyone knows that you just want to go drinking and it's less about the information. " He pointed out crushing Tim's cigarette butt beneath his foot.
Tim barely glanced at Jeff, deciding he had better things to do then take the man's obvious bait. He successfully lit the cigarette and offered one over to "Atta boy Toby. And Brian's right, little bit of team work and you all will probably have some time to kick back before we get back even." He chose to ignore the muttering about the stupidity of the task. It was just them and he was feeling nice. He would get it done. He didn't have much of a choice. If any of them started causing trouble though, that would be a good way to ruin the mood. Speaking of which. He glanced over to where Vera and Crow where making sure that the two of them weren't getting into a fight or up to other shenanigans while away from the group. They seemed to be behaving at least. Good.
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
Vera seemed taken aback by her question. Because honestly, she wasn’t sure of the answer. As she continued to comb her fingers through her hair, she looked back over at the four, seeing Tim looking over at them. And it made her flash him a grin to show that they were, indeed, behaving. Well, for now, at least. As the woman let out a soft hum in thought, chewing on her gum for a moment before shrugging, looking back at the younger woman.
“I guess to get used ta workin’ with other people?” She mused, letting her hands drop back down into her jacket pockets, “I mean, I’ve barely started workin’ for him… He might be tryna test me or sum’...”
She didn’t seem so keen on following those orders, but she would have to if she wanted to stay alive. Or at least have some sort of protection.
Toby decided on following Tim in ignoring Jeff, giving the other two a faint frown at their continuous mention of teamwork and the task and… God, he just wanted to lay in bed and sleep. A hand reached up to the side of his neck, rubbing at his skin to soothe himself. In his mind, he was already trying to formulate a plan—or more like getting himself ready to do all the work while making sure nothing bad happened to anyone else. Jeff’’s been a lost cause, so all he could do was hope the other two would listen to his instructions. And when his eyes shifted off the ground to look at the other two, seeing how they were getting along better than how he and Jeff would, he felt a bit better about his plan.
Brian rolled his eyes at Jeff’s act of defiance with that stupid finger, getting closer to the car and leaning his back against it. With his arms crossed in front of his chest, he looked at them all, like he was seeing them for the first time. And he couldn’t stop himself from letting his nose twitch, anticipating the worst.
“Well,” he spoke out, also ignoring Jeff’s semi-true words, “we should get goin’ then, hm? We got a good plan in our hands and we can’t let it go to waste.”
Without another word, he got off the car again, getting closer to the passenger’s side and opening the door. Maybe he was just excited at the prospect of more alcohol.
“I guess to get used ta workin’ with other people?” She mused, letting her hands drop back down into her jacket pockets, “I mean, I’ve barely started workin’ for him… He might be tryna test me or sum’...”
She didn’t seem so keen on following those orders, but she would have to if she wanted to stay alive. Or at least have some sort of protection.
Toby decided on following Tim in ignoring Jeff, giving the other two a faint frown at their continuous mention of teamwork and the task and… God, he just wanted to lay in bed and sleep. A hand reached up to the side of his neck, rubbing at his skin to soothe himself. In his mind, he was already trying to formulate a plan—or more like getting himself ready to do all the work while making sure nothing bad happened to anyone else. Jeff’’s been a lost cause, so all he could do was hope the other two would listen to his instructions. And when his eyes shifted off the ground to look at the other two, seeing how they were getting along better than how he and Jeff would, he felt a bit better about his plan.
Brian rolled his eyes at Jeff’s act of defiance with that stupid finger, getting closer to the car and leaning his back against it. With his arms crossed in front of his chest, he looked at them all, like he was seeing them for the first time. And he couldn’t stop himself from letting his nose twitch, anticipating the worst.
“Well,” he spoke out, also ignoring Jeff’s semi-true words, “we should get goin’ then, hm? We got a good plan in our hands and we can’t let it go to waste.”
Without another word, he got off the car again, getting closer to the passenger’s side and opening the door. Maybe he was just excited at the prospect of more alcohol.
Keeperoftheghosts
Haunted
Crow didn't say anything for a moment carefully thinking through her response. A test? It was a possibility certainly, was this a test for all of them then? If so were they all being tested on the same thing? What was she being tested on then? Her loyalty? To see how she would handle receiving orders or field work? If it was a test...then who was grading them? She glanced back skeptically looking over her shoulder to the four bickering men. It would probably be Tim and Brian then? Right? They were the Tallman's favorites. She thought at least.
"That's...certainly a possibility, " She agreed, keeping her tone an easy neutral "....Especially if he plans to make you work with others often." It wouldn't explain why she was there but at the very least why the sheer numbers.
"...I guess ummm that would depend .... what ....exactly is it that you do?" She cringed, and she had been doing so well. Obviously killing....well maybe not obviously...there could be more to her duties kind of like Jack...not the obnoxious one. She turned her head away from the others and glanced back over to her. Information, information was key, if she could get more from her and then the others then she could figure out what actually was going on here. That brought safety.
Jeff huffed picking up his remaining can of beer tossing the empty two into the trash can and pulled open the side door of the car harshly. It violently slid open coming to a sudden stop with a sharp clack. He hopped in clambering to his previous spot in the back and kicking his feet up onto the seat in front of him effectively daring who ever did end up taking the seat to challenge him. He was kind of pissed that the others weren't listening to his valid critique. What did he expect though, Brian and Tim were practically impossible to pit against each other and Toby was well Toby.
"That's...certainly a possibility, " She agreed, keeping her tone an easy neutral "....Especially if he plans to make you work with others often." It wouldn't explain why she was there but at the very least why the sheer numbers.
"...I guess ummm that would depend .... what ....exactly is it that you do?" She cringed, and she had been doing so well. Obviously killing....well maybe not obviously...there could be more to her duties kind of like Jack...not the obnoxious one. She turned her head away from the others and glanced back over to her. Information, information was key, if she could get more from her and then the others then she could figure out what actually was going on here. That brought safety.
Jeff huffed picking up his remaining can of beer tossing the empty two into the trash can and pulled open the side door of the car harshly. It violently slid open coming to a sudden stop with a sharp clack. He hopped in clambering to his previous spot in the back and kicking his feet up onto the seat in front of him effectively daring who ever did end up taking the seat to challenge him. He was kind of pissed that the others weren't listening to his valid critique. What did he expect though, Brian and Tim were practically impossible to pit against each other and Toby was well Toby.
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