Genius Asshole

       ━ ♞ What seems to be a LAUGH reverberates from the front of their throat - it’s less recognizable as a sign of happiness, the sound resembling a series of ecstatic CLICKS. That - unfortunately - was the closest thing anyone would get from THEM regarding joy. It was HUMOROUS to see such a stupid creature roll back, and from their own ATTACK !! Had they been granted the opportunity, Arc would have gladly taken a photo to savor the moment. 

       ━ ♞ Arc couldn’t suppress a SNEER, the Nal tilting their HEAD up ever so slightly to look DOWN upon the other. ❝ Who’s the bitch now ?? ❞ It was a PATHETIC sight - the curse the other had ushered made the experience all the more enjoyable. A small sigh left parted lips, the Nal stepping forward once more. A kick to the SKULL would end the other rather easily - the metal for DRONES was likely far more durable than the fragile EGG they called a cranium. 

       ━ ♞ But, then again… 

       ━ ♞ ❝ How many more of you are there in this vicinity? ❞ A technical question, Arc leaning down to GAZE at the downed creature. A quick slaughter would be a good way to relieve the bits of ANGER still flickering around in their system. Unfortunately, that could always give rise to the RELEASE of their location, which would mean more HUMANS - potentially, GALRA or even the MORI… 

       ━ ♞ A BODY being mysteriously discovered, seemingly torn to PIECES… That would raise questions. They clicked their tongue against the roof of their mouth, coming out of the moment of dull thought to raise a foot above the human’s BACK.  ❝ Do you know it WELL enough to guide me? ❞ They had no problem with going ALONE, their ship couldn’t have been too far off… But very rarely did they get the opportunity to keep something entertaining around for long. 

       ━ ♞ What’s the worst that could happen? 

     Was that a laugh he was hearing? Of course he’d get laughed at. Especially with the way he’d just gotten kicked off his feet, and rolled from his back onto his stomach from the impact. Yeah, of course that’d be funny to someone who isn’t himself.

     Who’s the bitch now.

     Of course, his insult comes back to bite him in the ass. Man, they sure did like using that word didn’t they. Not that he can do anything about it right now. Not in his current situation at hand. His chest felt winded still, air still hard to inhale and regulate. But that’s just what that kick was meant to do, right? Knock him over and wind him.

     How many more are in the vicinity? He’s not sure. A shake of his head is given but it’s probably not registered. Karey can’t speak when he can’t even breathe right but he’ll probably be made to open his mouth sooner or later.

     Sand tastes disgusting.

“Eh?”

     Does he know the surroundings well enough to guide them? He’s not sure why he’d want to, but he’s certain if he says no he might die. And that’s something he doesn’t want to do. A wheeze is made, followed by a wince as he presses up with his hands off the ground, a cough being made from the exertion.

“Like hell I’d guide you.”

[   Complaint after complaint after complaint. This poor guy doesn’t seem like he has anything he enjoys in life. Matt made a face at that. Karey even stuck himself in the last place someone like him would want to be in. Did he do it all on purpose?

“Still, I’m not holding you down and forcing you to talk with me am I? It’s completely up to you to stick around.” Matt shifted and pushed off the threshold to straighten back up, “Just like it was your choice to bring up the topic of aliens, again, just now.” ]

“Tch,”

     A click of his tongue is made, fingers crinkling the paper in his hand. Great, he’ll have to smooth that out later. But this guy...he’s so different from himself. Why had he gone to him for the homework help? Because there was no one else for him to go to. 

     Yet he can’t even focus on the homework any more. His brain is rattled from the previous comments made to him, his own thoughts as well.

[   There it is, the nerve was struck hard and with precision it seems. Matt made a knowing smirk, satisfied that he got to see the other falter, even if it was just a moment. To make him stop and think.

“There’s nothing stopping you from walking away from the conversation anytime you want, you know.” ]

“Well if you actually helped me, I wouldn’t have to leave, now would I.”

     There’s a grumble in his throat, hand laying back in his lap nearly crumpling the paper between his fingers. He hated that the other was right and Karey was busy boggling his mind for reasons of why he stayed in the Garrison. There are plenty of other tech schools that could teach him about engineering and yet...

     Man, fuck this guy for rattling his brain.

         ━ ♞ Had they never EXPERIENCED a punch to the face, it might have hurt more than it did. Had Arc never felt forceful CONTACT between a fist and their skull, they might have YELLED from the utter impact. Unfortunately, they HAD felt it before - a million times, possibly more. They had felt the connection in the blank white training room that soon became painted in the TINT of their blood ; They had bore witness to pain DAILY, kicks becoming ENGRAVED in their memory. 

         ━ ♞ PAIN had long since become a part of them, just as their ANGER had. 

         ━ ♞ They took a short step BACK from the connection, shaking their head to rid themselves of the momentary tingle. Their skin FLUSHED red for a brief moment - then blue - then green - then GRAY, the natural color. It was an ODD experience, feeling an actual hit being delivered. It was almost NOSTALGIC  ( wasn’t that sad? ) . 

         ━ ♞ They STEADIED their balance once more, rubbing their cheek. Humans didn’t hit NEARLY as hard as fellow members of their SPECIES, but what else could be expected? At the very least, they hadn’t more to expect from the wound aside from a loose tooth, maybe a BRUISE over time. No scar… Tsk. Arc popped their neck SIDE to SIDE, that predatory smile returning once more. It was almost a PLAYFUL look that the alien gave the attempted fighter. 

         ━ ♞  ❝ You TRIED. Points for effort. ❞ Their leg lifted once again, BALANCING on the threaded ivory of their claws.  ❝  MY turn, BITCH. ❞  They pushed off the ground with a small thump - had they possessed a TAIL, they would have used it then to simply whip off the ground. Their MUTATION forbid such an action. They couldn’t help a GRIN, swinging their leg to KICK at the other’s abdomen. Not hard enough to KILL - killing something so entertaining would be pointless - but good enough to HOPEFULLY leave a good mark. 

     Disappointing, he thinks. The hit connected but...there seemed to be no reaction of sorts. And it makes him feel like he’d wasted his hit on something so useless. Something that doesn’t really elicit a reaction like he’d been hoping more. And that’s where he remembers that this being is an alien, not human. Of course they would react differently from being punched in the face.

     His gaze watches them step back, his own feet taking him backwards to put some bit of distance between them. How the hell did they not get hurt by a punch like that? Are they some kind of durable? Just unfazed by something like a punch to the face?

“Tried,”

     He mutters the word back to himself and his gaze shifts from the taller’s face to where their leg is lifted once again. That kick is gonna come, he knows it. And he attempts to brace himself once again, back straight and chest puffed out. The words “My turn” reverberate in his ears as Karey awaits the impact and his eyes close.

     Almost as if he’s scared of the impact.

     And he feels it, their foot hitting against his middle. Knocking the wind out of him as he’s sent backwards and he hits the ground. Back lands first before he’s rolling over, stomach pressed against the ground with a loud wheeze being made. God that hurt. God that really hurt. 

[   He shook his head and brought his arms up to cross over his chest. It’s not the first time Matt had to deal with people like this. By now the need to lecture them about ‘the universe is too vast for one singular intelligent, habitable planet!’ was null.

“If you’re so opposed to discoveries and potential new life beyond Earth itself, why did you join the Garrison?” Matt paused long enough to push his glasses up,”It’s not like your only choice to put your talents to use- you could’ve looked at other, more favorable opportunities- but no, instead you hopped on board and risk possibly get launched into space where you could, 50-50 now, have a run in with aliens. Seems a little…. you know.”

“Tch,”

     He doesn’t even want to give the other an answer right now. And more or less because he was right. But it’s not as if Karey really wanted to be here. Sure it helped him with his engineering, learning out to hook up certain parts together, how wire things properly but...his entrance was a fluke and he figured he might as well make the best of it. 

     But he could’ve dropped out as easily as he went in. That’s basically what Matt was saying.

“So what if you’re right,”

     He practically snaps, teeth clicking together,

    Humans, disgusting little creatures.

The order was simple, and easy to execute. However, this boy seemed shaken by simply looking at him…maybe he could have fun with that. He began walking closer to the child, one of his claws extending into whips that trailed behind him, plasma scorching the ground below them. A smile came to his face, showing off his monster like teeth.

  “Come here little cretin, let me get a good look at you.”

     Come here.

     Let me get a good look at you.

     No thanks. Karey’s not about to let himself get caught by this freak. He finds the strength in him to take steps backwards where the other steps forwards. Even if his legs want to give out from underneath his body. Make him topple over onto his backside and skitter away like prey running from a predator.

     He can’t believe he feels that way. He never feels that way and yet...

“No,”

     The first word he speaks after staying silent in his backwards steps,

meme

“Never’s about the worst thing I could hear,”

     Everything is done to keep a shake out of his voice. Blue eyes focus up on the intimidating figure before him, which in his mind really looked more like someone in a fursuit. Convince yourself, Karey. 

     That’s all he is. 

     But even with the thought, the shaking in his knees doesn’t stop, the way his fingers clench into his palms doesn’t ease.

"That's a very engaging and valid point you made. How could I possibly argue that 'absolute truth'?" Matt had to retrain himself from chuckling and shifted his weight to lean up against the doorway of his room.

“Don’t you mock me,”

     A snort leaves flared nostrils, blue eyes going back to focusing on the sheet of paper in his hand. He’d only wanted to homework help, not some sort of snark coming from this guy. But...that’s a Holt for you, isn’t it.

“I’m serious, aliens don’t exist. And if they do, prove it then.”

meme

“That right there,”

     There’s a sheer look of disbelief on his face at the first part, before it twists into one of disgust. What was he supposed to expect from this alien? Not much, he thinks to himself as eyebrow twitches and his teeth grit against each other.

meme

“Are you kidding me.”

     There’s a snort that comes from the cadet, eyes squinting and brow furrowing at the words spoken to him. Now, he knows Matt is a good student. Smart like he is in other aspects but when it came to the topic of space...and the mention of aliens, did he really just brush of the fact he’d stated.

      ━ ♞ PAWS? Oh - Oh that was an INSULT that got not only their blood boiling, but their cheeks. In a seemingly fluid shift, the tints of GRAY present on their upper cheeks shifted to that of a boiling red. Was this THING trying to be funny? Was it trying to be TOUGH? As HILARIOUS as that might have been, it was also MORE than simply INFURIATING. They were a WARRIOR, a killer who’d taken HUNDREDS if not THOUSANDS of lives - 

      ━ ♞ And this WASTE OF SPACE - 

      ━ ♞ This INSOLENT CHILD - 

      ━ ♞ Had the NERVE - the AUDACITY - to not only insult them, but call their CLAWS paws, whatever the FUCK those were !! Arc hissed under their breath, eyes locking on the SHORT-STACK in front of them. Like a mule about to KICK, one leg rose - their balance, however, did not FALTER. Though they were large, they were capable enough of remaining on ONE LEG for a time. Dirt drifted off of their lifted left leg, the claws on their TOES curling with the slightest movement. 

      ━ ♞ They had FULL INTENTION of kicking the bastard as HARD as they could. 

      ━ ♞ Arc bristled for a moment, almost HESITATING in kicking the utter bastard. It wouldn’t be HARD - they doubted it would take more than a few sharp jabs to rupture whatever FRAGILE organs it held within his stomach. If they could AIM right, ONE was all it would take, with any luck. Their breath hitched in the middle of their throat, a smug idea coming to mind. 

      ━ ♞ ❝ Tell you WHAT. Since you’re obviously the dumbest member of your species to ever GRACE this worthless planet’s soil, you can HIT me first. Anywhere - punch, kick, bite, whatever. ❞ They spoke as though it was on the same level as a GAME, although there was still anger riding the waves of their words. They’d been beaten day after day for YEARS until they took a stand for themselves - there was no FEAR that one single hit from such a puny example of a ‘HUMAN’ could do anymore than bruise them. 

     ━ ♞ ❝ I’m giving you a FREE SHOT, boy. Don’t waste it. ❞ Abstract boredom made its way into their voice, the NAL absentmindedly inspecting their claws.  ❝  Any CYCLE now - or WHATEVER you call cycles on this planet.❞     

     Oh. Had he struck a nerve? That’s what it appeared to look like and Karey couldn’t feel more smug about it. Was having their hands called paws really that bothering to them? So much so that their face brightens from that gray to a hot red? It’s like they were boiling over, and Karey wanted to laugh.

     How’d it feel being on the other end of the stick, he thinks.

     Blue eyes cast down for a brief moment when he spies movement. And that movement was the lift of a leg. Had they planned to kick him? If they’d planned that, they should’ve just done it already and he tenses his body up. Straightens his back and puffs out his chest in hopes that the kick is delivered and yet...it never comes. 

“Eh?”

     The sound leaves him when he hears words spoken to him. Hit them? Is that what they were getting at, why they had hesitated in delivering that hit they’d prepared for? All to tell him that he could get ONE hit in, a free shot. Well, it must be his lucky day. Fingers stop gripping his palm, uncurling just so he can press the knuckles of one hand into the other and grip hard at the back of said hand,

“So you’re giving me a freebie? Hah, your worst mistake yet, fucker,”

"Ahhh... I see the fuck-up fairy has visited us again.."

"I don't know what your problem is, but I'll bet it's hard to pronounce."

"How about never? Is never good for you?"

"I see you've set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public."

"I'm really easy to get along with once you people learn to worship me."

"I'll try being nicer if you'll try being smarter."

"I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message.."

"I don't work here. I'm a consultant."

"It sounds like English, but I can't understand a word you're saying."

"I can see your point, but I still think you're full of shit."

"I like you. You remind me of me when I was young and stupid."

"You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers."

"I have plenty of talent and vision. I just don't give a damn."

"I'm already visualizing the duct tape over your mouth."

"I will always cherish the initial misconceptions I had about you."

"Thank you. We're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view."

"The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist."

"Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental."

"What am I? Flypaper for freaks!?"

"I'm not being rude. You're just insignificant."

"It's a thankless job, but I've got a lot of Karma to burn off."

"Yes, I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial."

"No, my powers can only be used for good."

"You sound reasonable... Time to up the medication."

       ━ ♞ There was a moment when - for lack of a better word - Arc was near IMPRESSED by the sheer levels of dumbassery drifting off of the worthless being. It was an ANGRY kind of impressed, the kind a KILLER might have shown upon discovering that their PREY had escaped. It should have been HARD to muster such stupidity into one SOLID form - yet this idiot had somehow managed to do just that. He must have gotten DROPPED ON THE HEAD frequently if he could remain stupidly BRAVE while confronting them of all things. 

       ━ ♞ ❝ I don’t know what a ‘BITCH’ is, the most common word for that on my planet would be - What’s your name again ?? ❞ A petty ATTEMPT at a snap, the Nal glaring down at the MEAT-BAG. Were they being immature? In one way, SURE. Did they intend to stop? No. Arc was known for MANY things - violence, TREASON, MURDER - but STOPPING was never one of them.  

       ━ ♞ The MORI took one step forward, their clawed fingers ready to RIP into the other’s sore excuse for a throat. One more LIFE wouldn’t effect their conscience so much - it would just be another DROP in the sea. Nonetheless, Arc peered down at the OTHER, lips curling further back to reveal the rows of jagged teeth that filled their jaws the way ROCKS might have filled a MINE.

       ━ ♞ They made a POINT to dig their heels into the ground, feeling the SOFT soil between pointed toes. Keeping themselves GROUNDED wasn’t truly necessary in this situation - it was UNLIKELY in their mind that the idiot would have managed to fully lift them. That didn’t stop them from flicking their forked TONGUE in and out, a gesture of warning to any conscience NAL.  

       ━ ♞ ❝ What would you PREFER, idiot, ❞ Their voice betrayed the seriousness of their stature with a hint of AMUSEMENT in their words.  ❝ Should I break your SPINE or your LEGS first ?? ❞ It didn’t matter WHAT his response was - they had already made up their mind – 

       ━ ♞ Frighten the HELL out of him first, prove their own worth, then END him like a boot would end an ANT.

     This was a day not going well for him. First, he meets an alien. Then he gets threatened. Now, he’s being insulted with his own insult and that boils his blood further. He’s sure the other thinks of him as a dumbass, an idiot for even bothering with keeping up some kind of tough guy charade but Karey doesn’t back down from anything. Not even a threat, insult or straight up fight.

     Of course he should’ve known that he wouldn’t know Earth insults. He should’ve known but what do you get when you mix a person who has no use for the unknown and someone who is the unknown? Not a good mix is what. It was a petty attempt, immature he thinks but Karey’s being that way too, spitting out insults where he can.

“Don’t you take another step forward,”

     Bandaged fingers clench tighter against his palms. He’s boiling, face so red that the flush practically covers the bandaid and the patch on his face. There’s possibly a threat of a vein bursting from how irate the young cadet is but he could give less of a shit about that. Right now, his entire focus was on keeping this thing away from what it wanted. Not on the fact he could possibly die.

“I’d prefer to knock your teeth in,”

     A growl in his throat, teeth gritting hard that he’s sure they’d chip if he dug them any harder against each other. Tongue clicks against the roof of his mouth,