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GW - Lone Wolf and Pilot - chapter 2 scene 1
Okay I know the previous post was chapter 1 scene 1 but I decided actually there were two scenes in it and it could stand as a chapter. >_>
I thought I had posted this scene at some point since it's been written for a while, but I can't find it. So here it is? (again?? idk.) Am now prodding at the following scene. Plz motivate me, I'm being swallowed alive by Homestuck and as much fun as it is, that sort of selfish behavior from one's fandoms is just not on. >:(
This one's roughly 1 600 words long.
Duo'd been expecting flimsy affairs, just four wood-or-steel supports at the corners and see-through slats on the sides; but the bunk beds in the dorm looked more like what you'd find in a spaceship, save for standing in rows instead of being bolted to the walls. The lower bunks were close to the ground, almost entirely enclosed save for half a side left open and an aeration grate at the foot, like the lack of gravity might turn out to be a concern in the middle of the night. The upper bunks had no "ceiling", as it were, so if Duo sat up in one he'd be visible from mid-chest up, but it was still more cover than he'd expected, and enabled him to just roll over the guardrail from three different sides for ease of escape.
He jumped off the ladder and peered inside the lower bunk. It was noticeably wider than the top one, and the thin mattress stood barely calf-high. "Huh. Wolf cave, huh?"
"Most of the wolves like to pile up together in the middle of the room, but..." Wufei shrugged, eyed Killer, who was investigating the carpet over there, ears tilted back doubtfully. "Most also like their space from time to time. If it's really necessary you can use one of the attached rooms over there, but it has to stay for emergency use. They also serve as whelping rooms or for wolves recuperating after an injury, so there needs to be at least two free at all times."
Duo nodded, tried not to let his brow furrow. He'd chosen the farthest unoccupied bunk, tucked all the way in the far corner -- they were on the first floor so the window would work as an emergency exit, and Duo could probably even use it as an emergency entry point, though getting Killer in through there would require more work than strictly necessary for a building they weren't supposed to infiltrate. He wasn't sure it'd be distance enough.
"Over there is the rec room, a couple of smaller offices in case you need to work without distractions -- you have your own laptop?"
"Mmh." It was in his backpack, which was getting heavy, even though Duo was traveling with the bare minimum. He dumped it in the locker at the head of the bed and pocketed the key.
"Some of the men share the lower bunks with their brothers. Cramped, but..."
Duo snorted. "We used to share cardboard boxes. It'll do fine."
Wufei shifted his weight minutely, a flicker of embarrassment that Duo guessed at more than he truly read on his stone face.
"So which one is your bunk?"
"Maxwell, I'm an officer." Faint smirk. "I rate a single."
Duo grimaced at him. "I'm not calling you sir, that'd be way too fucking weird."
Wufei shrugged. For me too/abnormal/I'd think you're mocking me.
Duo grinned a big unrepentant grin. Probably would be!
From the way Wufei's eyebrow arched and then quirked in mock-irritation, this one had gone through as planned. Awesome. (Killer wasn't even paying attention, which made him wonder once again how it even worked between wolfbrothers, if their wolves weren't actively relaying shit.)
Also it made him hope a little bit that maybe he and Wufei could become real buddies. Fellow Gundam pilots was a pretty tight bond already, but not always a comfortable one.
"Okay, good! I know where to sleep and where to find food and all those fun curfew hours and other regulations." He parked his butt on a convenient rung and crossed his arms, stared at Wufei who still stood at the foot of the bed like he had nothing better to do with his day than hang out. "Awesome. Totally something I couldn't have figured out from a couple flyers, too. Now tell me about that other shoe you're waiting to drop on me, yeah?"
Wufei gave him a slow blink, and then a dry snort. "I'd forgotten you could be quite that pessimistic."
Didn't deny it, though. Duo quirked an eyebrow. "Fair warning, buddy. Tell me you're just staying to socialize -- during work hours -- and I'll laugh my ass off at you. Might give myself a hernia."
"It's nothing so dire, I just figured you'd prefer hearing it from me than from the drill instructor in two days. First there's the uniform regulations--"
"I'm not cutting my goddamn braid."
An unimpressed, ironic look. "Has my own ponytail suddenly become invisible? No, shut up about how tight it is and that you thought my skull was just painted that color, I've heard it all before."
Duo obediently closed his mouth. He pinched his lips, too, else he'd probably start laughing. Now which suicidal idiot had said it in Wufei's earshot? Even Duo had never dared to go that far.
(Urgh, he hoped he hadn't accidentally telepathed that at him.)
"Preventers was funded by three women, two of which have long hair. It was never even in the regs. I don't see you going on assignment with your hair loose anyway, so it won't be a problem. No, it's about Killer."
At the other end of the room, nose in a bunk that most certainly did not belong to him, Killer rotated his ear in their direction. Keep out of there or they'll probably bite you, Duo sent, knowing better than to bother trying to get a wolf to understand 'don't do it to them if you wouldn't like them doing it to you'.
"What about the Furmeister?"
"He looks like he was dragged backward through a hedge," Wufei threw bluntly. "And he's dusty. I don't know your old grooming habits, Maxwell, but he needs a wash, and he most certainly needs a brushing."
Duo's cheeks started burning.
The next second Killer was trotting back to him, head low and pointing forward, looking like he was about to revoke Wufei's tentative 'non-edible' status. For a second Duo hadn't been able to help remembering being eight year old in borrowed clothes and being told he smelled. Killer hadn't liked it much better back then; Father had to lock him in the cellar for the next week as Duo went back to school, or half-grown, awkward cub or not, there would have been an incident in the school yard. (Another incident, that was.)
Wordlessly, Duo held out his hand; Killer veered around Wufei at the last second and ambled to him, though he kept watching Wufei from the corner of his eye even as he wound himself around Duo. Scritching behind his ear, Duo had to admit Wufei was right. Killer looked half-wild. Hell, even wild wolves were better groomed, because they didn't taste like motor oil and could do it themselves. ("Gutter trash, smelly, piggy, you stink like a sewer.")
"A weekly brushing is part of regulations," Wufei continued as if he hadn't noticed, even though there was no way he hadn't; "more if he sheds a lot. Washing is only supposed to be when they get themselves dirty, I'll spare you the lesson on fur and natural oils. The supermarket on the next block sells wolf shampoo, in case you're low, but if you need a specific brand you'll have to ask our vet."
Whenever Duo washed Killer it was always with the harshest soap, because nothing else would get the gasoline stains out.
Bam! A slap of ozone and burning wires to the nose.
... What?
No! Bad puppy stop.
What?!
Not a 'shittiest brother'! Mine. Mine, so best.
Duo chuckled faintly and wrinkled a velvety ear between his fingers. "Okay, okay. Well then! Sorry buddy, I know you liked the moon rock dust, but it's gonna have to go."
Killer tilted his head at him in confusion. Duo chuckled and ruffled his ears, making him grumble and nip his hand. Then he felt like he could look up.
Thing was, Duo knew Wufei was being considerate, in his way, because if it hadn't been him saying it, it would have been the drill instructor, and likely in front of the other recruits. Still mortifying, mind.
"Glen will show him the best car washes," Wufei said, perfectly deadpan. Duo sputtered.
"Oh god, don't tell me he really does, I thought you were kidding."
"He's been known to try. Sadly, there are often actual cars in the way." Wufei allowed himself a tiny, barely there smile. Duo cackled. "Mostly he likes to bite at the jets of water."
"Cute. Killer just bitches me out when I get any in his ears. Or up his nose. Or anywhere on him, actually. Alright then, let's go get wet! Urr, only I'm not sure where to find towels and crap. Should probably buy my own, huh."
"I'll lend you some for today." Wufei took a step back, curled his hand in invitation to follow. Duo gave Killer a pat and went to catch up. "When you're done you should go to Requisitions and get your uniform and Killer's new tags, you won't have time to go before they close."
"Okay, that works. Guess I'll go shopping afterwards then."
"Oh, no," Wufei said, all silky and immediately raising a dozen alarm flags in Duo's head. "Your colleagues are waiting to meet you."
Duo had to stop on the doorstep and give his emergency exit window a longing look, hands clenched on both sides of the doorway only halfway for the purpose of melodrama. "Oh good lord. Think that ship that took us down is still docked?"
Wufei snorted at him. "Don't make me get Glenfiddich to sit on you. He weighs approximately the same as a Leo. You'd come out very streamlined."
Old whisky and deer on snow sits on you, I bite, Killer assured him cheerfully, and headbutted him in the back, popping him through the doorway like a cork. Only a little flat.
I thought I had posted this scene at some point since it's been written for a while, but I can't find it. So here it is? (again?? idk.) Am now prodding at the following scene. Plz motivate me, I'm being swallowed alive by Homestuck and as much fun as it is, that sort of selfish behavior from one's fandoms is just not on. >:(
This one's roughly 1 600 words long.
Duo doesn't want to join the Preventers, thankyouverymuch. Preserving the peace is all well and good but he likes answering to no one but himself, and like hell he wants to buddy up to people he and Killer used to stand against, back during the war.
Only the Preventers have a pack, and his brother-wolf doesn't, never has, deserves to, and maybe a junkyard dog isn't all a warrior wolf should be.
Duo'd been expecting flimsy affairs, just four wood-or-steel supports at the corners and see-through slats on the sides; but the bunk beds in the dorm looked more like what you'd find in a spaceship, save for standing in rows instead of being bolted to the walls. The lower bunks were close to the ground, almost entirely enclosed save for half a side left open and an aeration grate at the foot, like the lack of gravity might turn out to be a concern in the middle of the night. The upper bunks had no "ceiling", as it were, so if Duo sat up in one he'd be visible from mid-chest up, but it was still more cover than he'd expected, and enabled him to just roll over the guardrail from three different sides for ease of escape.
He jumped off the ladder and peered inside the lower bunk. It was noticeably wider than the top one, and the thin mattress stood barely calf-high. "Huh. Wolf cave, huh?"
"Most of the wolves like to pile up together in the middle of the room, but..." Wufei shrugged, eyed Killer, who was investigating the carpet over there, ears tilted back doubtfully. "Most also like their space from time to time. If it's really necessary you can use one of the attached rooms over there, but it has to stay for emergency use. They also serve as whelping rooms or for wolves recuperating after an injury, so there needs to be at least two free at all times."
Duo nodded, tried not to let his brow furrow. He'd chosen the farthest unoccupied bunk, tucked all the way in the far corner -- they were on the first floor so the window would work as an emergency exit, and Duo could probably even use it as an emergency entry point, though getting Killer in through there would require more work than strictly necessary for a building they weren't supposed to infiltrate. He wasn't sure it'd be distance enough.
"Over there is the rec room, a couple of smaller offices in case you need to work without distractions -- you have your own laptop?"
"Mmh." It was in his backpack, which was getting heavy, even though Duo was traveling with the bare minimum. He dumped it in the locker at the head of the bed and pocketed the key.
"Some of the men share the lower bunks with their brothers. Cramped, but..."
Duo snorted. "We used to share cardboard boxes. It'll do fine."
Wufei shifted his weight minutely, a flicker of embarrassment that Duo guessed at more than he truly read on his stone face.
"So which one is your bunk?"
"Maxwell, I'm an officer." Faint smirk. "I rate a single."
Duo grimaced at him. "I'm not calling you sir, that'd be way too fucking weird."
Wufei shrugged. For me too/abnormal/I'd think you're mocking me.
Duo grinned a big unrepentant grin. Probably would be!
From the way Wufei's eyebrow arched and then quirked in mock-irritation, this one had gone through as planned. Awesome. (Killer wasn't even paying attention, which made him wonder once again how it even worked between wolfbrothers, if their wolves weren't actively relaying shit.)
Also it made him hope a little bit that maybe he and Wufei could become real buddies. Fellow Gundam pilots was a pretty tight bond already, but not always a comfortable one.
"Okay, good! I know where to sleep and where to find food and all those fun curfew hours and other regulations." He parked his butt on a convenient rung and crossed his arms, stared at Wufei who still stood at the foot of the bed like he had nothing better to do with his day than hang out. "Awesome. Totally something I couldn't have figured out from a couple flyers, too. Now tell me about that other shoe you're waiting to drop on me, yeah?"
Wufei gave him a slow blink, and then a dry snort. "I'd forgotten you could be quite that pessimistic."
Didn't deny it, though. Duo quirked an eyebrow. "Fair warning, buddy. Tell me you're just staying to socialize -- during work hours -- and I'll laugh my ass off at you. Might give myself a hernia."
"It's nothing so dire, I just figured you'd prefer hearing it from me than from the drill instructor in two days. First there's the uniform regulations--"
"I'm not cutting my goddamn braid."
An unimpressed, ironic look. "Has my own ponytail suddenly become invisible? No, shut up about how tight it is and that you thought my skull was just painted that color, I've heard it all before."
Duo obediently closed his mouth. He pinched his lips, too, else he'd probably start laughing. Now which suicidal idiot had said it in Wufei's earshot? Even Duo had never dared to go that far.
(Urgh, he hoped he hadn't accidentally telepathed that at him.)
"Preventers was funded by three women, two of which have long hair. It was never even in the regs. I don't see you going on assignment with your hair loose anyway, so it won't be a problem. No, it's about Killer."
At the other end of the room, nose in a bunk that most certainly did not belong to him, Killer rotated his ear in their direction. Keep out of there or they'll probably bite you, Duo sent, knowing better than to bother trying to get a wolf to understand 'don't do it to them if you wouldn't like them doing it to you'.
"What about the Furmeister?"
"He looks like he was dragged backward through a hedge," Wufei threw bluntly. "And he's dusty. I don't know your old grooming habits, Maxwell, but he needs a wash, and he most certainly needs a brushing."
Duo's cheeks started burning.
The next second Killer was trotting back to him, head low and pointing forward, looking like he was about to revoke Wufei's tentative 'non-edible' status. For a second Duo hadn't been able to help remembering being eight year old in borrowed clothes and being told he smelled. Killer hadn't liked it much better back then; Father had to lock him in the cellar for the next week as Duo went back to school, or half-grown, awkward cub or not, there would have been an incident in the school yard. (Another incident, that was.)
Wordlessly, Duo held out his hand; Killer veered around Wufei at the last second and ambled to him, though he kept watching Wufei from the corner of his eye even as he wound himself around Duo. Scritching behind his ear, Duo had to admit Wufei was right. Killer looked half-wild. Hell, even wild wolves were better groomed, because they didn't taste like motor oil and could do it themselves. ("Gutter trash, smelly, piggy, you stink like a sewer.")
"A weekly brushing is part of regulations," Wufei continued as if he hadn't noticed, even though there was no way he hadn't; "more if he sheds a lot. Washing is only supposed to be when they get themselves dirty, I'll spare you the lesson on fur and natural oils. The supermarket on the next block sells wolf shampoo, in case you're low, but if you need a specific brand you'll have to ask our vet."
Whenever Duo washed Killer it was always with the harshest soap, because nothing else would get the gasoline stains out.
Bam! A slap of ozone and burning wires to the nose.
... What?
No! Bad puppy stop.
What?!
Not a 'shittiest brother'! Mine. Mine, so best.
Duo chuckled faintly and wrinkled a velvety ear between his fingers. "Okay, okay. Well then! Sorry buddy, I know you liked the moon rock dust, but it's gonna have to go."
Killer tilted his head at him in confusion. Duo chuckled and ruffled his ears, making him grumble and nip his hand. Then he felt like he could look up.
Thing was, Duo knew Wufei was being considerate, in his way, because if it hadn't been him saying it, it would have been the drill instructor, and likely in front of the other recruits. Still mortifying, mind.
"Glen will show him the best car washes," Wufei said, perfectly deadpan. Duo sputtered.
"Oh god, don't tell me he really does, I thought you were kidding."
"He's been known to try. Sadly, there are often actual cars in the way." Wufei allowed himself a tiny, barely there smile. Duo cackled. "Mostly he likes to bite at the jets of water."
"Cute. Killer just bitches me out when I get any in his ears. Or up his nose. Or anywhere on him, actually. Alright then, let's go get wet! Urr, only I'm not sure where to find towels and crap. Should probably buy my own, huh."
"I'll lend you some for today." Wufei took a step back, curled his hand in invitation to follow. Duo gave Killer a pat and went to catch up. "When you're done you should go to Requisitions and get your uniform and Killer's new tags, you won't have time to go before they close."
"Okay, that works. Guess I'll go shopping afterwards then."
"Oh, no," Wufei said, all silky and immediately raising a dozen alarm flags in Duo's head. "Your colleagues are waiting to meet you."
Duo had to stop on the doorstep and give his emergency exit window a longing look, hands clenched on both sides of the doorway only halfway for the purpose of melodrama. "Oh good lord. Think that ship that took us down is still docked?"
Wufei snorted at him. "Don't make me get Glenfiddich to sit on you. He weighs approximately the same as a Leo. You'd come out very streamlined."
Old whisky and deer on snow sits on you, I bite, Killer assured him cheerfully, and headbutted him in the back, popping him through the doorway like a cork. Only a little flat.
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Wufei and Duo being friends is yayyy~ let's hope I can write it well. XD;
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Shows what Killer thinks about Duo's bonestructure. Or his bodysweight, I'm not sure. But it's really sweet how Killer is protective of him, and how Wufei's a bit protective too, in that at least he's trying on account of how they were pack-not-friends-Pilot bonded before, almost like he kind of wants a real friendship here too.
It must have been lonely for him. Duo seems like a big part of the Pilot-glue in-canon. For all Wufei's indignation, I imagine he grew on him.
Anyway! You wanted help to prod the following scene, so I figured I would throw a few questions at you. See if I could help even a little.
The first is pretty easy. Is the next scene the bath-scene, or meeting the pack? ...though maybe Killer rebuking the bath scene and running into the pack would be entertaining, but that would produce a wet Duo to go with it. That wouldn't be very professional at all.
(Duo in uniform. I can't wait to see.)
If it's meeting the pack, then dynamics change depending on conditions..
I'm sure you've already figured out if they're a pre-existing pack or a bunch of green recruits like Duo. (Alright, new recruits. Duo has clearly been blowing things up for an incredibly long time.) If they've pre-existing, or at least if they've already met each other and Duo&Killer are last minute additions, they might well be more focused on the newcomers because they've already met each other.
I don't know why Wufei would throw Duo in that though, if he could get out of it. Because if they're all meeting each other for the first time, Duo doesn't have to face a whole mess of them, and gets a little more one-on-one. If only to keep from what happened up in the offices from happening here.
...Also, they're probably going to notice Duo/Killer have the bunk waaay over there, as far away from them all as possible, right? Eventually. Though they might be too polite to ask about it, at first.
I wonder what the Drill Sarg. is going to be like. I imagine s/he'll be a hardass, and you'll play them like a boss.
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Alas the bath scene, while funny, would have been mostly filler. Let us just assume that Killer does not enjoy being washed AT ALL and that he outweighs Duo by several times Duo's body weight. :X
I'm halfway through the meeting scene, and yeah, they've mostly met each other before -- Preventers has existed for a couple years now so there are people who have known each other that long, and the newbies here for the training session have been around at least one week. They like to let the wolves mingle some and get to know each other before starting training.
Wufei is only trying to get Duo to meet them a couple at a time, but wolves are pretty hard to herd. >__>;; especially when they can telepath at each other all about the new stranger. They're pretty well socialized so that doesn't prompt an instant HUNT AND KILL IT reaction but ... yeah.
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...except that they are Officers. So maybe not...
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>:DDDD
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(He made the Eve war better, anyway, but maybe that's just me.)
I don't know if Duo would be annoyed because Wufei is there (doesn't trust him?) or if he'd be privately pleased to have backup. With Duo it's hard to tell.
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I think Fei will bring glen for the meet and greet if only to let one of the wolves there already know Killer. Im assuming Killer and Glen have already met
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Uh yeah, glen and killer met last chapter at the airport. >_>;
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I get such a kick out of reading their interactions. Everything’s full of at least two or three meanings, even body language. And lmao at Killer at the end XD I love him so very much, his protective tendencies with Duo. Both of them need socialization very badly. Duo’s just as ‘half-wild’ as Killer, even if he doesn’t realize it.
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