band-aids don't fix bullet holes.

          Covered eyes darted hungry and feral between the sanguineous puddle and the fear on their captive’s face. It was almost too good to be true, something that had him smiling again. Though, this was only to be a minor victory, a little pleasure. Nothing would compare to having his true enemies under his boots just like this. Squirming, begging silently for reprieve… but first, he had to deal with the business of it all. Eugh. Something inside of him despised the logistics, the organization. He blamed the Allen genetics on his suppressed downfall. “No one has to do anything. I’m not the one at fault here. I’m only causing the chaos the world needs right now. If anything… You might as well call me one of the heroes~”

          Getting down onto one knee, one hand shoots out to grab Rodger’s chin and force it to look in his golden eyes, the other hand wrenching the goggles off of them. “Don’t I look like a hero, little rat? Like the savior of all mankind?? Bringing these poor metas to salvation, to their true state?? They will be ruthless in my honor, and we’ll take out t́͡h̶e̵͘ ̧sp̀e̡̛e͜͝d̨st͜e͘r̸͢ ̷͠sc̷͢͠u̧͝m ̶o̸̕f̵̡͝ ͞th̶̡e̴̛ ̷ea̧r̡͝t̵h̀͢ ̢ơ̷̛n͟c̕e ͞ą̕͞ņ̷d͡ f͘ó̵r͟ ą̴͜a̡̨͟a͏̶̴̀͠ą͢͠a͏à̷̸̸͡a̵̕͢a͏̴́a̶̧̧͠à̶͘͠͝à͟͢͝ĺļ̧!̶̡͟͏͡!̵͢ ” Inches away now, Thad caught himself post-monologue and felt… very drained. The fun was somehow lost the minute he’d caught himself drowning in the fear-filled eyes of a man who refused to fight back. Where was the chase? With a lengthy grumble, he slammed the man’s head onto the ground, getting back up onhis feet without much of a second thought. “Ravager,” he called to the blank wall in front of him, addressing the man under his employ behind. “If you’d please enlighten our friend further on the policies of snitching.”

Grant continues to dig the heel of his boot into the stab wound on their captive’s hand. He twists his foot a bit, getting some enjoyment out of how the man shouts out in pain — feeling the bones crushing as he applies some more pressure. This was like a punishment for thinking that it would be acceptable to speak such a thing. “You’re not a hero.” The stranger under their feet dares to respond with just before Thad got down on one knee. Grant has pulled his foot back at this point, admiring the damage and then allowing a scowl to form on his face. It isn’t seen really with the mask covering his expression, but oh if Rodger could see it, might be even more terrified.

His body doesn’t flinch while their captive is slammed into the ground, knowing for sure that his nose was broken by the blood dripping out of the nostrils and the way it had been bent.  Grant steps forward when Thad calls for him while gesturing to the blank wall before them. “It would be my pleasure.” He begins bending with his knees to pull their snitch up by the hair. “Please you don’t have to do this.”  

“I just like to help and love everyone, everyone deserves love. 

[????] ok good! i thought i really missed something there! [????] yeah, i kinda don’t think a regular stapler would go through a car! [????] but then if they’d tried nailing it instead, i think they would’ve been in even more trouble [????] i’m actually sorry i missed seeing this whole event! it must’ve been pretty awesome! [????] don’t worry, i’m not going to try that anytime soon! i don’t need to get noticed by the cops if i can help it!

[ OUTGOING → UNKNOWN ]  you didn’t miss anything, the uprising of people using the top of their cars as chairs hasn’t happened yet. 😜

[ OUTGOING → UNKNOWN ]  at least they tried, but didn’t work out for them too well.

[ OUTGOING → UNKNOWN ]  haha like using a nail gun? imagine? that would really do some damage to almost anything. which also brings the potential to accidentally hurt someone else too.

[ OUTGOING → UNKNOWN ]  next time i see someone about to do something crazy i’ll call you so you can come see the action. 😉

In moments like this, Rictor felt alive. It was something that typically couldn’t be said for the rest of the time. Most days, he was numb and miserable and he barely felt as if his heart was beating at all, but times like this? Moments that brought him shoulder-to-shoulder with a near-stranger, a man holding a knife to another man’s stomach in a threat that could become realized with a twitch of the wrist? It was like the air was light and warm and Rictor could breathe. The man was clearly afraid of Grant, and Rictor couldn’t help but grin. If he knew what he could do, he’d be afraid of Rictor, too. The smile faded, of course, when the man went on, because he wasn’t here to have fun. He was here to find a missing girl, and this interrogation was spelling trouble already. The walls of the bar creaked, and Rictor slammed his fist against the table in a way that left the ground shaking. “You sold her,” he hissed, low and dangerous.  “You sold your own fucking daughter. Don’t pretend for a second that you did that for her. Who paid you?”

It could be so easy for Grant to slip his knife deep into the man’s stomach, let him bleed out right here with an audience not suspecting a thing. He would have to make sure the man stays silent, but with how jumpy his behavior has been so far that doesn’t seem very likely. Grant remembers studying various techniques for taking out your target. ‘ALWAYS MAKE SURE THEY KNOW IT WAS YOU.’ Although that isn’t the way his work needed to be done now. He had to be careful, knowing that even HE could get in trouble despite being registered. “You’re a piece of shot selling your own daughter. If we didn’t need to get information out of you then I’d gut you right where you’re sitting.” Grant whispers while leaning in closer while they interrogate him. He was just as angry, children should be left out of such horrible things. “It was a scientist! They said that they were working on this treatment that could help her control her powers better! It’s only a trial though ...” Grant pushes the knife against his stomach again, threatening to stab him for real this time. “What’s his name?” “Doctor Smyth.” He leans back and looks over at Rictor to see what he wants to do with that confession.

Honestly he didn’t mean to creep out the people he was talking to, but he had learned how to tune it out.  “I meant yes I can, even if I’m not near. But see my hearing is super and I can hear the whole ton of voices, but if you need to say something I’ll listen. I try to tune out everyone voice so I can have some quiet, like right now its just you and I that I hear.  Also thank you for that about hoping to find a way to be happy.

SEND “⚡️” AND A QUESTION AND MY MUSE WILL BE FORCED TO ANSWER HONESTLY

Clark listened and smiled at the other young man.  “Yea I guess that’s true, just want to be happy.  “Thank you I hope I do to, and any time you need a listening ear I can hear you anytime

[text] I feel like you’re pretending I didn’t bail you out of jail last night for trying to staple a cushion to the top of their car so you had a “comfy place to sit” – @ravagemcnt

[????] you know, if i wasn’t 97.5 percent sure that i wasn’t in jail last night, i would have totally believed you [????] i can’t believe someone other than me would try that! [????] or do people sit on cars a lot these days?

[ OUTGOING → UNKNOWN ]  you know i don’t see many people sitting on cars 🤔

[ OUTGOING → UNKNOWN ]  there was no way an ordinary stapler would do the trick though so their plan was doomed from the start

          Thad always liked to watch his matches from afar. Sure, he would introduce the crowd to the playing space, but in the blink of an eye he’d be gone, up in the rafters, in a box with a glass panel so he could sit back and enjoy the rush he got from crimson staining the square without much disturbance. It was thrilling, this not so secret pleasure that drove him insane. The thirst for violence in his no-doubt twisted mind. If he couldn’t cause much himself without the press at his heels, then he was going to let the rest of the populace do it for him. Who said he never did anything good for the world? They should all be thanking him, praising him, for giving them an outlet for catharsis of super-human proportions.

          His concentration was broken catching motion in the crowd. A familiar uniform registered in his metallic eyes and almost in an instant joy was gone. Had there been someone sneaking around already?? Sprock it all, what did he have to do to get some goddamn privacy in this house???? In his frustration, he let out a very glitch-warped screech, and he was on his feet again, weaving expertly through the happy throngs ready to pay up for the same pleasure of blood, reaching the doors and throwing them open, a green sparking silhouette on the momentary bright background he’d just crawled from.

           The weapon lodged in the floor, in a hand, has him holding back that familiar urge again, to rip and tear at that oh-so-fresh wound, to rend the rat’s hand asunder to no surgical avail. Hands twitched absently at his sides, making him cross them as the doors fell shut behind him, glaring neon daggers at their new ‘friend’. “So.” He began, walking up to the poor sod’s head and folding over, getting near eye to eye to address the man. “You’re one of my r̕at̷̀s҉̷̸. Scum who think they can waltz right in here and take down my operaa̡a̵a͏ąa̛͝á͢ą͟͡aaation from the inside.”

This isn’t a situation Grant was pleased about being in, having started to gather himself a somewhat normal life, but maybe men like him aren’t meant for such simple lives. There was a special delight that comes from violence, which is why being Ravager is something that comes so easily. He knew how to shoot a gun better than most people in this city, but always preferred to make the pain be felt slowly with his sword or a knife. He could have done more damage, roughed him up a little, but then Thad would miss the show. Grant has enhanced hearing, which makes him hear that screech.

Rodger has no idea what he has been messing with.

Grant looks up through his mask when the doors are shutting behind the speedster who joined their interrogation. His arms cross over his chest watching as the fool looks between the two of them frightened, settling on staring at Grant although there wouldn’t be many expressions visible through the Ravager suit.  “Why do you keep looking at me like I’m going to be your savior? He’s talking to you.” Grant reaches out to pull his knife out of his hand quickly, and watching the blood come pouring out which is paired with a scream. “What the fuck is wrong with you people?” He tries to get up, and Grant just stands up to press his boot down on his wounded hand, digging his heel into it. “Talk.”

She nodded, but didn’t say anything else. Deception was a delicate art. To catch her prey, she had to pretend her focus was elsewhere. She reached across the table, took his hands in h er own. “You’re an angel,” she breathed, letting her eyes go wide and her lip to tremble. She gripped his hands as if he were the one thing keeping her anchored to the earth. He was invested, that much was clear. But this was only the first step in keeping him on the hook. 

“I can’t tell you what it means to me,” she continued, ducking her head. Tears could be so bothersome to keep up, but she was a professional. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long.” She took a breath, then looked back up at him. “His routine is always the same, but he doesn’t stay alone,” she warned him. “There are men with him. Always. They work in shifts, and he’s never unguarded.” She bit her lip. “Maybe we can bring your father with us. He can help with the extras.”

An angel isn’t exactly what most people would describe him, except maybe his mother, but Adeline was biased. Some might even think of him being the opposite — Ravager isn’t afraid of making a mess out of things. “I do my part, and I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty to make things happen.” Grant is quite proud of it actually, especially when seeing how much his work can mean to someone. It would mean a lot to this woman who was holding his hands, giving the other palm a gentle squeeze.

“I could handle taking out a few guards quietly without my dad, but also make them hurt while they take their last breath. It’s what they deserve for protecting the man you want gone.” It came too easily to Grant, being a mercenary.  He would have to learn their routines, strike after they change shifts, and calculate the amount of time he would have to take out the target. “Nobody will miss any of them.”

“I guess sometimes superman wants to have a calm life, and not go everywhere. Maybe just a companion?  Also hey you will work it out as you can, sometime things take time

While Grant doesn’t do any fighting, he works for Thad too doing other tasks for him. Often the man will stick around to keep an eye on the crowd while watching the fights be played out. Tonight was no exception, enjoying the show since he can’t seem to find anyone acting suspicious. Grant pulls himself away from the wall his body was leaning against, approaching Olivia after pushing through the people lingering around for some reason or another. “Another win.” His hands clapping loudly for her with a GRIN on his face. “Congratulations, I’m sure our boss is thrilled.”

Smiling at the guy he had to agree,  Yea it isn’t that good right now.  Why aren’t you doing so great ?” he asked him . “I’m just feeling a little a lone and tired of whats going on around yet

All of his studying has led Grant to the unfortunate soul trying to crawl his way to the door. He pulls a dagger out from where it has been hidden — and it lands in his hand to pin him to the floor.  “You forced me to do this the hard way.“ Grant kneels down, looking the other man in the eye. “What was your name again?”

“Rodger. I’m not saying anything to you! You’re a psychopath!”

“Well, RODGER. I don’t think that was very nice. If you think I’m terrifying, just wait until my employer gets here. This wouldn’t have to be dragged out if you’d just tell me what you’re planning.” Grant knew it would be any second now, having notified Thad about having the rat locked up in the back.  

Anger, his stepmother told him once, was a fire. It would keep you warm for a time, but if you didn’t control it, it would burn you out, leave behind nothing but ash and smoke. You are burning, she had told him once when he’d come in with bruised knuckles, his cousin crying behind him and nursing a broken nose. You are burning away, and I don’t know how to stop you. Rictor remembered the way his heart was still pounding, remembered how every beat screamed You can’t, you can’t, you can’t. His anger was not a fire that could be doused or controlled. It was hungry. Right now, it was especially starved. He leaned in to the man, teeth bared like an animal seconds away from ripping out the throat of its prey. “You’re goddamn right I am,” he hissed. “Here’s the good news — I don’t have to touch you to make you hurt.” He’d let the man infer what he wanted from that, let him believe that Ric would allow Grant to do the dirty work or let him understand that Rictor had abilities that made him capable of killing someone without lifting a finger. “Here’s the better news — there’s an easy way. Your daughter. You tell me what you’ve done to her, and maybe I don’t kill you right here and now.”

The knife is inching close to the man, the tip of his blade pressed against his stomach as a warning that Grant was very serious about his part of the threat. This was more fun than he has gotten to have lately, and it seems that his new friend here has similar interests in such methods. There was a menacing grin on his face as Rictor said that he wouldn’t need to touch him, seeing the way this man turned his gaze on Grant with fear in his expression.   Which rightfully so with a knife pressed to his gut. His head tilting while listening to the ultimatum. He decides to give him some motivation, pressing the knife against him just enough to cut into his shirt, and the blade pressing against flesh now. “Okay! Okay, just get this guy away from me.” Which makes Grant laugh. “You scared of me? Good, now talk.” He raises an eyebrow while waiting, a little impatient maybe. “They paid me to do it. They said they could help her!” Blood dripping down the knife — only a few drops as he made the smallest wound. His gaze looks over at Rictor to see what he thought about it.

Clark smiled at him and laughed “Oh no you’re find its nice to have someone come and chat with. How are you doing? I been having a thoughtful night, wha brings you up here

Clark wonder around the sky at night, at he looked at the bright stars.   He always liked going out of earth and to other planets. But he had missed getting to grow up on his own planet.  Just being in space right now had helped him realize that he missed a lot of things, and one of them was as he was realizing it was that he was lonely. He had friends, he had his cousin , but all he wanted was just someone like a companion. Flying back down to earth, he went and sat on the logo of the Daily Planet, in his uniform so no one else noticed.   As his hearing heard the door of the roof open,  he wonder who it was that found Superman up here.   He hadn’t really done any fighting today, it just was one of those days where one of his enemies hadn’t even come out which was odd.