wickedchouette | (no subject)

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[When the car radiator overheats for the third time in a week, Alfie takes it as a sign that it's finally time for more than just another quick tune-up.

They're in a deserted area, which is both good and bad. On the one hand, most of the dangerous gangs are still in urban areas, the way they had been before the world had gone to shit. Out here in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by miles and miles of fields with only the occasional small copse of trees, they're not likely to run into anyone at all, much less anyone dangerous. But on the other hand, if they do come across anyone, there won't be anywhere to run to or hide. Alfie, as always, has his pistol tucked into his coat pocket, and they have more weapons stashed away in the trunk. But they're a small group - no match for the bigger gangs with armored trucks and heavy artillery. If they meet one of those, they'll be slaughtered.

With his sleeves rolled up and the hood of the car open, he leans in with his tools, carefully tinkering away. He can't afford to make a mistake here - replacement parts are rare and precious. When he hears footsteps behind him, he doesn't dare look away from his work as he says sharply:]

Stay back. You don't want hot steam to the face.

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Dunno.

[He carefully unscrews a bolt.]

Depends. I think I can get it done in an hour, but that's an hour we were gonna need for travel.

Edited 2016-06-23 02:14 (UTC)

It'll be getting dark. [ Royce says folding his arms and looking up at the sky. ] Hate driving in the dark. Are the headlights working, or did those go out too?

Left one finally cut out. On the map, there's a parts store thirty miles up ahead - might see if it hasn't been totally ransacked.

[As long as it isn't out of the way from where they decide to head for the day, of course - they don't have the gas to spare for detours.]

How do you feel about sleeping out here?

[ His expression might tell Alfie how he feels about that far before he even speaks, if Alfie looks at him. Whether he does or not, his tone also reflects his dislike for the idea. ]

No. [ That's not the correct way to answer that, Royce. ]

[Alfie isn't wild about it, either - it's too open and unprotected. But...]

Yeah. But I don't wanna hit something on the road in the dark that I can't see, and rip open a tire.

And someone could come by and shoot out our tires. [ This whole area is making Royce anxious. There aren't any shadows to duck into in the middle of nowhere like this. ] This is bad either way.

[If somebody would spend the bullets to shoot out their tires, they'd have a reason for it, and it wouldn't be a good one. But Alfie keeps those thoughts to himself - it's nothing Royce wouldn't already know. Still squinting down at the radiator, he shakes his head.]

Yeah. Look, mate, give me half an hour. We'll talk then.

[ Royce sighs, kneading at his forehead. Okay. Okay, let Alfie work. He can do that. This time, though, he climbs on top of the car, nimble and silent and without rocking it at all, sitting on the roof to get a better view of the surrounding area. He doesn't need to chatter to fill the silence, and he knows Alfie won't appreciate it, so he enjoys the quiet for what it is.

Mercy, on the other hand, does not like it. Which is why when she wakes up, she immediately crawls out of the car to make sure that Alfie is still there.

Maybe she runs around the car and skids to a stop when she sees him. Pauses with a quiet little oh, relief on her face, and then folds her arms, unintentionally mirroring her father. Her version is a little more vulnerable. ]

Edited 2016-06-23 03:04 (UTC)

Careful, it's dangerous.

[He switches one wrench out for another, smaller one, giving her a glance as he does so.]

Doing all right, Mercy? Sleep well?

[ She scoots a little closer, but she knows to follow directions, so she is careful. ] I slept okay. [ Sniff. ] Sorry, I thought you and Dad were gone.

Your dad's up on the roof. And I--

[He taps the wrench lightly against the radiator casing.]

-- am fixing up the car. Where would we go?

I don't know. Maybe you got kidnapped. [ Because she knows they wouldn't just leave her. ]

If I get kidnapped, I will yell out so you won't have to wonder where I went off to. That's fair, innit?

That's fair. [ And a relief. Mercy glances up to find Royce staring down at her. He smiles a little, softer, and she smiles back almost reluctantly, before peering at what Alfie is doing. ]

Could you teach me how to do that?

Back up. Don't get too close.

[You're making him a little nervous, Mercy.]

Yeah, I could. Not now, but when it's in better working order. You should know how to fix a car.

[It'll be a good skill to have, if she ever ends up on her own. His stomach twists at the thought, but it's always a possibility in this world.]

Mercy. [ Royce says sharply, and Mercy jumps about ten feet and scoots back away from where she was getting too close. She puts her hands behind her back guiltily. ]

Sorry. [ She says, frowning. ] But okay. You be careful too, you know, if it's that dangerous!

I'll be all right.

[He winks at her, gives the screw a few more twists to tighten it, and... done. Ish. It'll probably hold up until he can raid a store for replacement parts, anyway.

Wiping his greasy hands on his pants, he finally turns to Mercy.]

Let's all three of us have a talk about what to do next, eh?

[ Royce takes the chance to jump down, landing behind Mercy. He scoops her up, and covers her mouth when she shriek-giggles, anticipating the loud noise. She looks at him with a guilty grin, and Royce just raises his eyebrows at her.

A beat, and then she squirms so she can sit on his shoulders. The both of them are climbers, it's terrible. ]

Does it drive? [ Royce asks, letting Mercy settle. ]

Yeah. But look at the sky.

[It's starting to darken already.]

We're not gonna get far. Certainly not far enough to find better cover.

You could let me drive. [ It's half a joke, half not. He gestures at his eyes. ] I see much better in the dark than you.

[ Mercy pinches him. ] Don't be mean.

It's an option, innit. But when it gets too dark for even you to see, will you stop?

[Because that's what Alfie is worried about - Royce stubbornly pushing on, even when he shouldn't.]

I'd prefer not to ruin the only useful thing we have left, so yes, I'd stop. [ Annoyed, Royce shifts Mercy on his shoulders. ] Have any other options? I'm open to whatever plan that isn't going to end with us dead.

[ Mercy sinks down a little, frowning. ]

No better ones. What do you think, Mercy? Should we let your dad drive a bit?

[ Aw, Alfie, Mercy looks pleased at being included. She thinks about it, and then, resting her head on top of Royce's, answers: ] For a little bit. I can see just as well as he can, you know. I can tell you when it gets too dark, if you want.

[ Betrayed! By his own daughter! ]

I would appreciate the second lookout. Yes.

[He turns to shut the hood of the car.]

Off we go, then?