ranger | agent

                      “Eat my star spangled shorts!” 

               Code of Conduct | Dossier | Alternates | Associates | Threadtracker

“Jeez…” A deep, stressful sigh left Rob as he gently shook his head. Then another sigh just like the first followed right after it when he looked upon his son, his worry growing. Just who and what was this boy getting involved with these days? And why him? Why did it always have to be his boy?

Unsurprisingly, the universe still couldn’t provide him with an answer.

“…I’ll call you the second I see or hear anything.” Rob tilted his head slightly. “Dennis?” When the boy looked up at him, Rob tried to offer a gentle and encouraging smile. “Is there anything else you’d like to say to Agent Fowler? Anything at all that might help?”

The sincerity of his father’s plea made Dennis’ heart feel heavy and he nearly cracked when he glanced back in Fowler’s direction from the sheer guilt of having to lie to such a plea. When his eyes focused on the cube again though, he set his jaw and grumbled out, “No.”

The sense that Dennis wasn’t telling the entire truth still remained, but if the kid wasn’t willing to talk there wasn’t much he could do in order to get him to do so. “Keep the cube, alright kid? Heh, I have plenty of them in the drawer.”

DEFENSIVENESS: arms crossed on chest // crossing legs // fist-like gestures // pointing index finger // karate chops // stiffening of shoulders // tense posture // curling of lip // baring of teeth

REFLECTIVE: hand-to-face gestures // head tilted // stroking chin  // peering over glasses // taking glasses off — cleaning // putting  earpiece of glasses in mouth // pipe smoker gestures // putting hand to  the bridge of the nose // pursed lips // knitted brows

SUSPICION: arms crossed // sideways glance // touching or rubbing nose // rubbing eyes // hands resting on weapon // brows raising // lips pressing into a thin line // strict, unwavering eye contact // wrinkling of nose

OPENNESS & COOPERATION: open hands // upper body in sprinters position // sitting on the edge of a chair // hand-to-face gestures // unbuttoned coat // tilted head // slacked shoulders // droopy posture // feet pointed outward // palms flat and facing outward

CONFIDENCE: hands behind back // hands on lapels of coat // steepled hands // baring teeth in a grin // rolling shoulders // tipping head back but maintaining eye contact // chest puffed up/shoulders back // arms folded just above navel

INSECURITY & ANXIETY: chewing pen or pencil // rubbing thumb over opposite thumb // biting fingernails // hands in pockets // elbow bent/closed gestures // clearing throat // “whew” sound // picking or pinching flesh // fidgeting in chair // hand covering mouth whilst speaking // poor eye contact // tugging at pants whilst seated // jingling money in pockets // tugging at ear // perspiring hands // playing with hair // swaying // playing with pointer/marker // smacking lips // sighing // rocking on balls of feet // flexing fingers sporadically

FRUSTRATION: short breaths // “tsk” sounds // tightly-clenched hands // fist-like gestures // pointing index finger // running hand through hair // rubbing back of neck // snarling // revealing teeth/grimacing // sharp-eyed glowers with notable tension in the brows // shoulders back, head up - defensive posturing // clenching of jaw/grinding teeth // nostrils flaring // heavy exhales

“It isn’t?” Rob frowned, both in worry and in thought, then lowered his head slightly as he began to think. Not long after, he looked back up at Agent Fowler and deepened his frown. “This isn’t the same guy who attacked the grocery mart, is it?” He asked, already heartbroken and even more worried than he was before because deep down he knew the answer already.

Meanwhile, Dennis kept his gaze, focus, and fingers locked on the rubik’s cube. As long as he didn’t talk, as long as he didn’t say anything or look at anybody, then Fowler couldn’t press him for answers. He gave the vague details that he wanted to and did his best to protect Oron. That was enough, wasn’t it?

“I’m afraid not, no. One of our agents had a run in with the individual that matches the description we’ve gotten from Dennis and other sources. He was able to de-escalate the situation, but his encounter is what triggered us to investigate the other reports on a deeper level, and connect them.”

He watched Dennis out of the corner of his eye, gauging for any sort of recognition or reaction as he spoke with his father. While he wasn’t giving him any other answers, the nagging feeling at the back of his mind was determined in conviction that he was hiding something.

soft fresh green

Nice breeze, bare feet and freshly cut grass. Your love is a lighthearted hope for the future. It's protecting your eyes from the sun but enjoying the light rays still, it's laying on the grass and feeling it tickle your neck. You look to the side and they look back at you, full of hope and plans too. You plan together and laugh all day and your sunburn will feel like them. Your love is delicate, hesitant. A well curated binder full of collages for a future you can't be sure will come, but you keep going, you keep planning, you keep squinting at the sun and smiling, and running your hands through the grass so it will smell better. You keep holding onto the bright sky even as the sunsets, even as the starry night stares back. But you keep on holding, you keep on dreaming, you close your eyes and feel the sun on your skin and convince yourself that the sunburn is good, it's something to hold on to, just makes it linger a bit longer. Your love is a lighthearted hope for the future. It's sweet and wonderful and it keeps love alive, makes the world a better place. You run your hands through the grass, clench your fingers tighter and keep making plans. And I can only thank you and hope I can learn to love like you someday.

Dennis looked up, his attention naturally drawn toward Agent Fowler’s movements. The second he met the older man’s eyes though he knew he was going to be pressed for more, so he diverted his gaze back to the rubik’s cube in an attempt to further avoid the agent. It didn’t work, of course, but the invisible barrier he was putting up between them was a comforting thought none the less.

As Dennis shrugged once again, Rob sighed and pulled his hand back into his own space, folding it over the other in his lap. “I don’t have any home security systems set up, but maybe someone else in the neighborhood does?” He was trying to help; smiling and being as pleasant as he could be in the moment. “I could set up a meeting with the Home Owners Association and ask anyone with information to come forward to you, if you’d like.”

His gaze never left Dennis, even as his eyes diverted away from his and back down to the fidget toy he had given him. The kid was hiding something, what he didn’t know, but whatever it was that was going on, what he told them wasn’t the entire truth, he just knew it.

Looking up and back at Rob, he gave him a nod. “I would appreciate that, Doctor. Unfortunately this isn’t the only incident that we currently have on record, so the more information we can get the better,” Glancing back at Dennis for a brief moment to see if he reacted.

Silence was the only reply Dennis had to give for a while, even after he snatched up the rubik’s cube and started focusing most of his nervous energy onto it. It wouldn’t be until his teeth started hurting though that he’d realize he was clenching his jaw too tightly and being a little too quiet for the moment.

“Dennis,” Rob laid a gentle hand on the boy’s shoulder, frowning with worry but speaking with a soft, encouraging tone, “What the guy look like?”

He shrugged, clenching his jaw once again as he struggled to think of a way to accurately describe the Ironclad suit without completely selling out Oron in the process as well. Everybody’s stories had to line up for Dennis’ to be believable, but he didn’t want to get Oron into trouble either. So, lies had to be sprinkled in somewhere, but where?

“I didn’t– I only saw the suit. The guy– He never stepped out of it the whole time he was there. He was just in his suit and it was dark colored, with red lights, and blue tentacles coming out of its head.”

Fowler could tell that he wasn’t telling him everything, it was clear as day to him. Leaning forward, his hands folded in front of him, he looked right at Dennis, the expression on his face clearly indicating that he was going to continue to go after the truth.

And there it was - the dreadful opening line that kicked off the interrogation.

Dennis shifted in his chair, feeling uncomfortable all of a sudden; like he needed to get out of the room and be anywhere else besides here, even though he was more or less trapped to the location. He took a deep breath in, then slowly let it out as he dropped his arm down over his lap and wrung his hands together while his leg continued to bounce at break neck speeds. “It– There was.. some guy in a mech suit, and he said he was looking for Achim. But… he went crazy or something, I dunno, and just, started attacking everything before he finally flew off after I yelled at him.”

A guy in a mech suit? That sounded an awful lot like the man that his second had reported in an encounter with. Still, no need to jump to conclusions it was the same person, perhaps it wasn’t and there were two crazy people running around like that. If that was the case, and they had a breech in the multiverse letting people in from the same universe like that, it would likely cause an all hands on deck situation. “Can you describe this man to me?”

the dog

whether it’s the way you bare your teeth when backed in a corner, your loyalty, or your tendency to act on instinct, your reoccurring theme is the dog. like mitski said “i get mean when im nervous, like a bad dog” or how halsey said “i won’t smile but i’ll show you my teeth” even when migos said “dance with my dogs in the night time” the essence of the dog runs through you. you’re tough and a quick draw on the outside, but if we got down to it we’d see you’re acting the only way you’ve ever known how. it doesn’t make you bad, survival is natural, your loyalty and determination is commendable. i don’t blame you for the way you act when your back is against a wall, but please remember to not bite the hand that feeds.

The suggestion got Rob to scoff good naturedly. “I actually wouldn’t mind that right about now. June could probably go for a night off too.” Dennis gave rolled his eyes in disgust, but Rob paid little mind to his son’s reaction, mistaking the look on his face as more of the boy’s general anxiety and uncomfortableness with the interview than anything serious or noteworthy. A hushed thank you was murmured to Agent Wong though as she brought their water in, and all focus was then turned towards Agent Fowler.

Dennis gave a tight shrug as his initial response, rubbing at the back of his arm and feeling the stitches woven into his skin before he silently lifted his arm up so Fowler could see the new injury; Nothing grizzly, but nothing pleasant either. “It’s fine.” The classic, dismissive response was muttered once again.

Rob gave Agent Fowler a tired, knowing look, clearly disagreeing with the assessment but not wanting to make a scene about it either.

Such was the way with teenagers, he had come to find out. Everything was fine, nothing was wrong, etc. It paid if you could read between the lines with them. “Certainly not as bad as I’ve seen with you, Dennis. I’m glad you’re alright.” He was genuine in his response, though he even couldn’t help a trickle of concern to fill his voice.

“In your own words, tell me what happened alright? As much detail as possible so that we can see about making sure that this doesn’t happen again.”

Dennis took a deep breath in and through his sigh replied, “Fine,” before shuffling further into the office, seeing little point in delaying the interview any longer. Since confessing to his father that the attack on the neighborhood was Achim related, the man insisted on documenting things with Agent Fowler to maintain and update their records against the mad man, despite Dennis’ protests and desire to do anything but that. There was layers to this that he didn’t want to admit, let alone come close to, and as upset as he was with Oron for causing so much harm - both to himself and his neighbors - he didn’t want to sell the man out to the authorities.

But the chance to keep things quiet and to himself had long since passed now, taken away by the actions of others, leaving Dennis in the hot seat - figuratively and literally.

His leg started bouncing almost immediately after he sat down and the pace that he had set increased when Rob finally joined the room, settling next to Dennis. “Agent Fowler.” The doctor offered a tense, but friendly enough smile. “I’d say it’s a pleasure seeing you again, but it seems to be nothing but unpleasantries that bring us together.”

He had a feeling that the fine was only to placate him into not prying too far, and not that it was true. That was alright, he wouldn’t pry too far into that line of questioning but would rather focus on the task at hand. “Doctor Wenny,” His tone was as it always was, deep but polite, though his next bit was said with a bit of mirth as well. “It does seem that way doesn’t? We’ll have to get a karaoke night going or something.”

Momentarily, Agent Wong ducked into the office with two glasses of water, setting them down at the table that would be between the two guest chairs in front of the desk before giving them both a nod and heading back outside, closing the door behind her in order to give the three of them privacy.

At least there was no mistaking if Rob had taken his son to the right place or not. Even though he had been here before, after Dennis’ back had been filleted by Achim, that little nugget of doubt that liked to question if he was in the right building or not remained prevalent in his head until he saw the painted banner on the far wall. Sometimes multiple facilities shared a single unit, which made it very confusing on which entrance he was expected to use in order to reach one or the other. That, and he could never seem to wrap his head around this Autobot, government stuff; Not as much as he would like, anyway.

“Ah! Hello.” Rob offered a friendly smile as he accepted and shook Agent Wong’s hand, motioning for Dennis to start heading down the hall with the other. “Water would be nice; Two! For me and him.” He gestured to his son before he broke off from Agent Wong to hurriedly catch up with Dennis.

Thankfully Dennis’ memory of the place was a bit better than his father’s, so once he was in the hallway he knew exactly where he needed to go and marched straight for Fowler’s office. When he found the door he was looking, he rapped two knuckles against it before opening the door and poking his face in through the threshold to gets eyes on Fowler. Chances of him not being there were slim, since he was waiting for them and an entire meeting had been arranged for this, but still the kid hoped he was gone so he could attempt making up excuses for him and his dad to leave.

The agent watched them peel off until she was certain of where it was they were heading, and broke off to do as she had stated she would and get the both of them some water. The boss could take care of things from here, she was sure.

Dennis had certainly been correct as well in assuming that Fowler was there, for there he was sitting at his desk. His office was as neat and tidy as it always was, filing cabinets behind the large mahogany desk, the area devoid of most person effects save a very nice singular house plant sitting on the desk nearest to his computer monitor, which was stationed off to the corner of the desk so that he could freely look ahead during meetings such as this one.

“Come in, Dennis. How are you doing?”