Θάνατος

“ Cool! Most people say no. ” She smiled brightly at Lucas, pausing to watch him as he climbed, and to make sure he didn’t fall. He seemed capable enough, though, and so she continued moving up another branch. 

“ Climbing trees! Enjoying the day. Couldn’t let it go to waste, right? What are you doing out here? ” 

"What am I doing out here- well, I, uh. Got bored, to be honest.” It was a shrug, the lie slipping out easy, Lucas a man of no tells. 

“Ended up taking a walk ‘cause I was feeling restless, ‘n it.. turned out to be a pretty good day.”

“Good shit.” Lana replied, her neck falling backwards as the high began to electrify and rush through her body. Every nerve felt like it was overly sensitive, the slightest touch sending chills down her spine. “Do the pills, do the pills!” She encouraged, probably the worst role model anyone could ever be around.

But, Lucas didn’t seem like he was any better, so her conscience was clear.

“Depends. Sometimes, clients. But, most of the time, there’s this guy down by the railroad tracks, and he just has the best shit. You can tell him Lana sent you. He’ll know who I am.”

“Coke just has such a good rush. Heroin’s for bedtime.”

“This guy down by the railroad tracks?” Lucas’ laugh rang bright, but he reached for the pills regardless, his insides itching for more. Once there was no way back but through puking his guts out, Lucas spoke up again, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.

“If I was forced to live without these cheekbones, I know I’d want someone to pay,” she cracked a smile, never one to play modest when it came to her looks. They had gotten her this far, always one of the most important weapons in her arsenal; there wasn’t much that could lure a man faster than the fluttering eyelashes of a pretty girl and Mercy was more aware of that than she could hide.

She had been off putting those wiles––as well as her knives––to use, but the wicked needed rest as much as the innocent, and Mercy had no desire to relinquish her beauty sleep.

“I’ve been out. Having fun,” she offered. The kill was really a need for her, now, but ‘fun’ was as appropriate a word as any. “I just never look like shit. I’m gifted that way. You, on the other hand,” she laughed, “Look like you need me to put you to bed.”

“Well, I’m not gonna say no if you’re offering,” Lucas said, his smile all cat – though he knew better than to think Mercy was a canary.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in. You look like shit.”

“Well, not everyone can look as good as you do, Mercy.”

“Should I sue the world for not giving me cheekbones like yours, is that what you’re gettin’ at?” Something like a baritone laughter followed his question, Lucas cocking his head to the side as he looked at his fellow Soldier. He did look like shit – the lack of sleep had started taking its toll on him, and he could feel the need for it slowly gnawing at his insides. 

He’d scrubbed the blood off his face, his hands, his throat, could still smell soap, and underneath that, iron––– but the itch wouldn’t leave. It had kept him company for years, like the marrow in his bones.

“ Yeah… ” Queenie’s attention remained focused on the ceiling, her tone distant as her mind began to wander to the information she’d gotten for him and the inconvenience of his new living arrangements. At least he was back. At least she knew he was a man of action, that there was some sort of plan. Every fiber itched for the opportunity to make a dent in the Government, in anything. Anything was better than thinking. Violence had become her most efficient medicine.

Her lips parted, curved upward as a laugh came forth, “ And that’s why I can’t imagine him living with the rest of that lot. But rules are rules. So be it. ” She shrugged, sitting back up to comb her fingers through semi-tangled blonde locks. “ There’s this new underground spot. We can always check it out. If it’s worth shit, then maybe we can make ourselves a little friend. I’m feelin’ antsy. ”

“Eh. He’ll be in good company. Not the only Soldier there. Bunch’a old-timers; he’s grown up with a lot of ‘em.” 

It was a shrug – he wasn’t too worried about Judas’ new life among the Killjoys, and it wasn’t just out of a general lack of interest that he felt that way. He didn’t think the change of scenery would make a real dent in Judas’ habit of tiresome work, or how said work revolved around rebellion.

“A friend, huh?” That got his attention, perhaps moreso than the mention of the underground spot. He didn’t want to waste away. He’d already spent months in a haze, powder in his nostrils, booze on his breath – maybe it was time to get himself in line again, if only to reign in a couple of his vices.

“ What? ” She pulled herself up on the lowest branch, using her arms to twist her body around so she could take a seat on it, her face lighting up when she noticed who was talking to her. “ Saw boy! I’m not anything. I’m just… me. ”

“ No… not except hanging it up. I still have it though. You wanna climb up? ”

Aw. High on life.

“Yup,” Lucas said, and in three quick steps, he was at the bottom of the tree, spidery fingers searching for grips on the trunk. 

As awful as it sounds, Lana found herself amused and even impressed with the dark haired man who was putting down that awful tasting jungle juice as if it weren’t a potent drink. “Here.” She pushed a few pills in his direction, moving a few back for herself, before cutting a few lines of the white powder, rolling up a piece of paper and snorting one for herself. “Shit.” She closed her eyes, popping the pills back, before rolling a different paper for him. It was still gross to share what went in someone’s nose. “What’s your usual? Heroin? Coke? This shit is good. Pure.”

“Coke,” Lucas said, slipping the offered paper out of her hand. It was.. nice, he supposed, that she’d give him a brand new one, but in truth, he doubted he would have so much as blinked if she handed him the one she’d used herself. Having standards when he spent a good deal of his time shit-faced.. well, the more he had in his system, the easier it was to forget he’d ever had any standards at all.

Lucas leaned forward to snort a stripe, swiping his thumb over his cupid’s bow after. “Shit,” he muttered, a couple of hard sniffs hidden behind the palm of his hand as he laughed, the sound of it low and delighted.

“Rooster fetish. Because, you’d rather it be a rooster than a dick. I’m curious of the things you find pleasurable about roosters.”

“I do love me a big fat cock.” Though, she laughed, personally enjoying the pun itself before the laughter focused on his ‘innocent’ face. “Aw, darling, don’t pout. No one need be sad around me.” She smirked, nodding her head as he also exaggerated her name, “Perfect. Excellent pronounciation. And for that, I’ll give you a treat.” She handed her cup to the Soldier.

“It’s that jungle juice mixture they used to do a long time ago. Just every kind of alcohol. And, I’ve taken..” She looked over at the table, “Some.. coke and E. Two of the best to mix together, if you ask me.”

“Want some?”

There was no hesitation when she offered him the plastic cup, Lucas taking a good swig of his treat. It burned going down, but he didn’t wince, the Soldier more than a little used to the awful taste. “Coke ‘n E?” He’d already had something he didn’t know the name of. Had already had plenty to drink.

“ How come I never noticed this before? It’s beautiful! ”

“ I’m gonna climb it. ”

“I want some of whatever you’re on,” Lucas called out, watching as the brunette began to climb–

“Saw girl!”

“Like a dick cock.” Lana breathed out, her eyes closing as she soaked in the high, unaware that she had even begun to laugh as well. The sound was choppy, a bit sarcastic, as she almost always was, even while laughing. 

“Personally, I prefer dick cock as opposed to birds, but if you’d like me to make my hallucinations a little more.. PG-13, I’m happy to do so.” She teased, arching a brow, “So tell me more about your rooster fetish.”

“Laaaaaannnnnaaaa.” She over exaggerated every sound in her name, rolling her eyes, tsking at the male for having forgotten. “Rude. I’m not the type of person anyone forgets, Lucas.”

“My fetish?”

“Roosters.. who doesn’t love ‘em? Those big fat cocks.” His lips pulled up into a devious smile, Lucas more than a little pleased with his pun. As Lana tutted at him, he pursed his mouth, lips drawing close for a pout; the Soldier all puppy-eyes as he looked at her. “Alright then, Laaaaaannnnaaaaa, I’ll do my best to remember.” They both began with an L. Should be easy enough, shouldn’t it?