wanted a serious title but i'm wondering which of them is shrek and which is donkey (we know)

[brokeassgoing]

Continued from all this beauty

[He's had a pretty hard time stumbling around after his injury...but that doesn't really stop him. Whiny as he is, Badou had too much to do. Sure, he'd stayed mostly at home these past few days, but he's been very busy. No laying around, no unconsciousness for too long.

He's been developing the film he'd taken during the last job, carefully cultivated in the darkness of his nasty little bathroom, the chemicals would sting his nose if he wasn't used to this already.

So it's no surprise he's been so focused he's forgotten to do some stuff around the place, lately. And will probably not notice a new visitor in the form of his little old man buddy, either.]

Comments

[brokeassgoing]

[Badou thinks he's going with the more normal of the siblings. and though he offers Vanya a sheepish grin, the first during this entire thing, he still feels anxious. the plan is solid, from what they know.

and that's the problem.]

We're not gonna say Go Team Hargreeves either, are we?

[private_npcs]

Don't give them any ideas.

[ Allison mutters as she still recalls, Diego's Team Zero nonsense. Thus she shoos Badou toward the door as she's feeling anxious herself. She just wants her brother back as he's been at the mercy of the Handler for far too long now.

Once they are out in the back alley, every piles into the two cars and head out for their designation. Luther looks just as anxious as Allison and Badou, but he tries his best to be a good leader. ]

Once Klaus and Ben do the recon, things are probably going to move pretty fast. And we won't really know what shape Five is going to be in when we get him out. So no one can hesitate.

If I see that bitch that took him, she is going to regret, she ever touched him.

[brokeassgoing]

[oh, well...he always knew they were serious business but they are Really serious business. welp. better stay on their good side.

Badou settles in, or tries to. his stomach roils with that anxiety...what if he's really hurt or he's already--

he shakes his head.]

Yeah. Ditto that.

[private_npcs]

Yeah, I think we are all in agreement on that.

[ Luther agrees, his grip tightening on the wheel. He really doesn't want to think about what this crazy woman has been doing to his brother this entire time. Instinctively his foot steps just a little harder onto the gas pedal as the sooner they get there, the sooner they can save Five.

The ride to the warehouse is a relatively quiet ride as neither Luther or Allison are feeling conversational. Thus the tension is fairly thick by the time they arrive. ]

[brokeassgoing]

[god, it's awkward and it's tense. maybe he should have insisted in going with the others...but then again Diego wouldn't have been what you'd call a party, either...

a sigh. he's doing that a lot. just to fill the silence.]

[private_npcs]

You sigh any harder and you're going to pass out from lack of oxygen.

[ Allison notes, clearly they are all tense, but Badou doesn't seem use to silence. Luther and Klaus have both mentioned to her that they feel like maybe Five's adopted this kid as a younger brother. She knows Five doesn't trust anyone easily, so it's huge that he chose to protect this guy. ]

One of these days I would love to hear the story of how you and Five met.

[ She states even though she's pretty sure Five probably wouldn't tell her and that knowledge saddens her. Five's still so closed off and she's not sure he won't be even worse once they save him. ]

[brokeassgoing]

Maybe I'm hoping when I wake up this'll all be over. Or a dream. [he chuckles a little to himself, his gaze flickering to her now.

the story of how they met...how much of a story is it, really?]

It's not exciting, I'll tell ya that. Surprising, right?

[private_npcs]

[ Allison shrugs as she's not sure what his definition of 'not exciting' is. The guy is friends with someone who is mentally older than his physical body. So he'd have to have experienced some crazy stuff to take Five in stride. ]

I guess. Though you must have seen some crazy stuff to end up befriending an old man trapped in a teenage body. That's not exactly a normal occurrence.

[brokeassgoing]

No...not at all normal. But that's kinda my life too. So I guess I'm used to it. Same with you guys, huh?

[his kind of normal is nowhere near as crazy as the Hargreeves, though. genetic engineering and all that aside. underground unknown, government unknown.]

[private_npcs]

[ Luther smiles as he glances over to Allison. There's definitely some unspoken words between them on the subject of Badou, before Allison averts her gaze back to the road.]

Basically. Our lives have been the furthest thing from normal. We're here.

[ Luther announces as they pull in behind Diego's car as they parked just hidden from the sight of the warehouse. ]

[brokeassgoing]

[yeah he can definitely see there's a Look between them...but he ignores it.

there are more important things, once again. his stomach does a summersault at the sight of this location. as sketchy and unassuming as he'd thought. perfect for shady business like this away from the woman's 'work'.]

What a party spot.

[private_npcs]

No kidding.

[ Allison mutters in agreement as she gets out of the car. Luther follows suit and they are immediately greeted by Klaus, Diego, Vanya and ghostly image of Ben. ]

Now that the gang's all here, it looks like it time for Ben and I to do our part.

Just be careful, you two.

We will, sis. You can count on us...well you can count on me.

[ Klaus frowns at Ben and gives him a 'hey' but Diego cuts him off. ]

We'll be waiting for your signal.

Right, you guys be ready.

[ Klaus nods, gesturing for Ben to follow him. Ben seemingly vanishes as the pair walk away. ]

Once they give us the sign for the number of guys present. Badou and I will take the front and you and Allison can take the back. While Vanya creates the distraction.

[brokeassgoing]

[that's all sure....weird. the ghost thing. he doesn't want to touch that with a 10 foot pole...again, one more Hargreeves thing.

Badou settles in to listening to Luther's orders. this plan is as good as any, and he's got plenty of ammo. speaking of, he gives one of his guns a cursory glance.]

Sounds good.

[private_npcs]

[ Diego looks on as Klaus moves toward the warehouse, while only partly listening to Luther's orders. Vanya gives his arm a squeeze, he merely looks at her and gives her a nod. ]

Right, we should take our positions then.

[ Diego suggests since he doesn't trust himself not to start a fight with how on edge he is feeling. Allison glances over to Luther gives him a nod before heading toward the back of the warehouse with Diego. ]

Be careful, you two.

[ Vanya tells them in a low voice, then she turns her attention back to the warehouse to await the sign from Klaus and Ben. Luther gestures for Badou to follow him toward the front area of the warehouse.]

We should take our positions too.

[brokeassgoing]

[a sharp nod at Luther, he trots after him, his gaze flickering around them to take in every exit, every possible area where new enemies could jump out to ambush them.

it's quiet, so far. quiet, until there's a chill in the air. is that ben? is klaus going to follow? Badou rubs his arm with his free hand, gun clutched tight in his palm.]

[private_npcs]

[ Luther glances up noting the clouds gathering in the sky. He knows exactly what is causing it. And while he's still on edge waiting for Klaus' signal, there's a small comfort in knowing for once everyone is united and they got a plan. ]

Vanya's preparing for when the signal comes. Her powers can affect the weather when she's building them up.

[ He whispers, giving Badou the short explanation, while he keeps his eyes peeled on what is going on around them. ]

[brokeassgoing]

She can affect the weather too? I thought things just exploded...

[from what the others made it sound like. that's...chilling. badum tss.]

[private_npcs]

Honestly we don't know the full extent of Vanya's powers. Our father suppressed them with medication and had Allison rumor her when we were just four years old. But as far as we know, she can channel sound, amplify it and direct it as she needs. Which means affecting the weather and causing explosions among other things.

[ Luther explains as best he can. He's still worried over Vanya's powers, but he has to trust that the training she's been doing has helped. ]

[brokeassgoing]

[he what]

He what??? What a scumbag... [a glance] All offence. Jeez..well, long as she's using it for stuff like this. The important stuff.

[private_npcs]

Yeah, he wasn't exactly father of the year.

[ Luther sighs as the subject of his father is still a sore one even for him. But he can't think about Reginald right now, not while Five is in danger. ]

[brokeassgoing]

Mmm...you guys turned out alright. Probably.

[introducing Luther to the Manly Feelings hour. during all this.]

[private_npcs]

Thanks, I think.

[ Luther manages to look a bit amused by that, but he quickly turns his attention back to the warehouse. Suddenly a ghost materializes in front of them. ]

There's only two guards and they are split between the two entry points. The Handler is holding your brother toward the middle of the warehouse. So you should move quickly when you enter or else she may kill him before you reach him.

Vanya.

[ Luther quietly calls out, though he knows that Klaus was meant to send messengers to all their positions. However even as he calls out, the skies darken more dramatically, only lighting up with flashes of lightening and crashes of thunder. The ground rumbles with tremors beneath them as the warehouse starts to shake as if hit with an earthquake. Luther gestures for Badou to follow as that's their cue to storm the front.]

[brokeassgoing]

[welp, spooky. spookier still is the way the ground moves beneath them, trembles and if he didn't know any better writhes beneath their feet, fueling their trajectory even more.

but he follows, oh he follows, because the bullets start to fly the second Luther kicks the door in, quite literally, he's pretty sure it hits a guy, and Badou does not stop firing until he sees the whites of no one's eyes]

[private_npcs]

[ Luther manages to grab Badou's hand with the gun once he sees the one guy go down. ]

Woah man, you got him. We don't need any stray bullets hitting Five, Diego or Allison, okay? Save the rest in case we see the Handler.

[ He tells him as looks around and then heads for the path that looks like it will lead them toward the center of the warehouse. The Building is still shaking enough that dust and light debris starts raining down on them. Though Luther makes sure that Badou is still near enough that he can cover him in case the building really does go down.

Thankfully within minutes they make it toward the center of the warehouse. Luther stops in his tracks at seeing Five suspended in the air, dangling from a heavy duty chains, completely unconscious. Though with the amount of blood covering his face and chest, it is hard to know if he is just passed out. ]

Five!

[ He calls out, quickly moving toward him as Diego and Allison come into the area from the other opposite side. Allison immediately covers her mouth to hold in her gasp. ]

Is he...?

[ Diego asks as Luther reaches out to grab the chain holding Five with one hand, while his other hand moves to check for a pulse at Five's neck. ]

He's still alive.

[ He replies with a relieved sigh as he goes to tug on the chain to break it. ]

[brokeassgoing]

[he does stop, not looking happy about it despite knowing Luther is right. taking orders, considering others' health....is a tough thing for a guy who's partner is practically an unkillable zombie.

finding Five is just....a relief and a screeching halt of any joy at once. is he even alive?? even once Luther checks his pulse and confirms he's still breathing, he looks awful. worse than a corpse.]

That bitch.... [he hisses with renewed ire. and if Vanya sees him any time soon, from what Badou knows he wouldn't blame her for leveling the entire place]