(no subject)

[swords-love-me.livejournal.com]

Time: July 5 2000, late afternoon
Place: The Manor Gardens and inward…
Status: Public - Complete
Summary: War arrives in spectacular style



She brought the jet up suddenly out of its spiralling dive, and held it level as the engines kicked back in. She liked the thrill of it, but what was the fun of driving a fighter jet straight into the ground if it wasn’t an enemy pilot’s fighter in the middle of a dogfight?

She flew on, playing hop the hedges and watching the sheep scatter at the noise of the engines. Shame it wasn’t one of the old ones from the good old days of WW2. Those were fun times: proper dog fighting, dancing the other pilot round so the sun was in his eyes and you could shoot him down. You still took damage yourself, though, but if you couldn’t get the altitude on the way home, then clipping the horns on cows with the propeller blades was never a bad thing in her eyes. Still, this machine was a beauty, and the machine guns under each wing had far more firepower than the ones they had sixty years ago. She was, once again, glad she’d remembered the airbase in Lower Tadfield: she’d been getting tired of walking places or hitching lifts and she hadn’t been able to resist a flight in one of these. Fortunately, the weaponry she’d picked up on her travels, keeping an eye on her war zones, had created enough of a diversion while she’d been busy taking off.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the Manor. Bringing the jet hard round left towards it, the engines started to shake and judder. “Oh, Hellfire!” she swore, jiggling the throttle franticly. Realising it was no use, she straightened the flight path out and hit the undercarriage release, then slammed the nose down. The jet was, by this stage, barely above the ground, so it touched down immediately and careered across the Manor lawns.

Pulling back on the brake lever, War barely had time to notice an “artistic” stone carving in the Manor grounds coming up in front of the wheel when the jet slammed to a stop and she was catapulted out of the cockpit window. For a split second, at the top of the arc of her trajectory, she felt as if she were hanging in the air. It was long enough, however, for her to see the tiny basement window down at ground level. Everything else on this part of the house was stone. She didn’t even take the time to think: she piked and jack-knifed as she fell, her arms out in front like a diver, and plunged in through the window. As she went through, she flung her arms back and landed on the floor in a smooth shoulder roll. Thankful that there hadn’t been anything in the way, she leapt onto her feet.

Picking glass splinters out of her hair, she looked around the room. It was empty, apart from the shards of glass on the floor and the big, metal, padlocked cupboards lining the wall. Big, metal, padlocked cupboards… she gazed round at them thoughtfully, then pivoted on her left foot, bringing her right leg up to deliver a powerful kick to one of the doors. It stayed encouragingly firm, but sounded empty. She smiled grimly: the perfect place to store those spare nukes she’d shoved under her bed the last time she’d popped back to this place.

She turned to look at the door. Speculatively, she tried the handle: as she’d suspected, it was locked. “Oh, too bad,” she murmured to herself in amusement. She took one step back, then rocked on her ankle. Suddenly, she was in the air kicking at the door with both feet. As it flew open, she threw herself backwards, catching herself on her hands and flipping back onto her feet. She took one look at the broken, splintered door frame and walked on out.

Smoothing her red leather jacket down over her hips with one hand, the other holding a gun ready, War located the nearest staircase. She took a look up the stairs [1] and, as it was all clear, went on up. She let the gun fall to rest at her waist on its strap, and headed straight for the bar.

She pushed open the door and surveyed the room.

“Hello gents,” she said. “Who’s up for a drink?”



[1] Through the gun sight, because you could never be sure it wouldn’t be needed.

Comments

[dangeroushabits.livejournal.com]

John turned and smiled from his usual spot across the room, waving the stunning redhead over. Curiously, he liked War, in spite of the fact that they'd been introduced by way of a right cross (http://community.livejournal.com/neutral_omens/22111.html#cutid1) during a power outage. Hadn't quite got up the nerve to ask her out, in part because he wasn't sure if anthropomorphic personifications of violence were into that whole dating thing, and in part because he was in no hurry to experience another concussion. But maybe one of these days.

"Busy day at work?" he inquired as he noted the glimmer of tiny glass fragments still sparkling here and there in her hair. Well, that might explain the very loud crashing sound and the tremor that had run through the Manor a few minutes before, setting the glasses above the bar swaying and pinging. He'd assumed Newt was responsible, but since nobody had coming running through in a panic and the air wasn't filled with smoke or screams or anything of the sort, he couldn't be arsed to investigate.

[swords-love-me.livejournal.com]

War saw John's gesture and the smile on his face, and walked over to him. She didn't notice that the corner of her mouth was twitching up as if to smile as she approached. She'd been hoping John might be there: she couldn't think of many drinking companions better than a man who took a punch from her as well as he had. Shame they hadn't had chance for more chats over shot glasses, but with the world as it was, what was War to do?

"Not too bad," she said. "You know, I get a hint of these Liberian dissidents massing, and the government enlisting (http://lists.peacelink.it/afrinews/msg00168.html), and I think to myself, "Scarlett, girl, there's fighting going on, and you aren't there? Get moving!" So, it's been a fair trip." She grinned. "Plus, I got myself a whole lot of new pretties, not to mention the beauty for the trip home. Did you see her?"

[dangeroushabits.livejournal.com]

"Nah. Think I might've heard her though." John grinned back and kicked the opposite chair out invitingly. "So were you aiming for the Manor or did it just look like a good target of opportunity?"

[swords-love-me.livejournal.com]

"Nah. Think I might've heard her though."
"Now why doesn't that surprise me?" she said, and laughed.

She dropped into the chair he'd moved out and leant back, stretching out her limbs then pulling her fingers through her hair to shake it out again, then straightened.

"I was planning a bit more of a tour round, put her through her paces, see how much she could give me, but I thought I'd drop a few of my new toys off before I did. You ever been in a cockpit of a plane doing loops with grenades bouncing off the control desk?"

[dangeroushabits.livejournal.com]

"Can't say I have. Sounds like more fun that some of the shit I have done, though," John said, enjoying the banter, even if it was somewhat bizarre banter. He hadn't got to just sit around and talk with a pretty lady in some time. "What are you drinking? This round's on me."

[swords-love-me.livejournal.com]

"Then I'll take a Bunnahabhain, if we've got it?"

Flexing her fingers, she stretched again, and cricked her neck to either side. She looked him straight in the eye, unblinkingly, and the corner of her mouth twitched again. It was nice to have someone to have a relaxed conversation with, given most of the guests and staff in this place, with some exceptions, seemed to be at least a bit nervous around her. This one was different

[dangeroushabits.livejournal.com]

John smiled back at her, aware that he was being subtly tested and not particularly bothered by it. He was one of very few humans on Earth who could honestly say he'd seen scarier things than War, and he enjoyed a certain degree of immunity from most supernatural influences by virtue of a combination of genetic disposition, luck and repeated exposure.

Well, that, and if he were being honest, dangerous things just plain turned him on*. It would undoubtedly get him killed one day, but it could be a hell of a lot of fun in the meantime.

"I'll check. I know they have Glenlivet," he said, standing and wandering up to the bar to find out.

---

*As long as they stayed the hell out of his head.

[entropyoptimism.livejournal.com]

Destruction yawned and wandered downstairs. He'd spent an enjoyable week sleeping off a hangover, and now felt he was ready to embark upon another one. As he entered the bar, cheerfully ignoring the remaining twinge in his temples (probably the forty-third shot of tequila had been overkill) when he spied a familiar head of bright red hair sitting at a table.

"Well, well, well..." he chuckled, approaching it. "If it isn't everybody's favourite scarlet woman! How'v you been? I haven't seen you since - what was it, Halloween?"

[swords-love-me.livejournal.com]

"Destruction!" She gestured to a nearby chair with her blood red nails. "You're trying to block out our snowball war (http://community.livejournal.com/neutral_omens/38771.html#cutid1) back in December, then? Last thing I remember, you were on the ground eating snow..."

She chuckled. "Y'know, reminded me of the times soldiers got stuck out in the open and melted down snow to get water just to stay alive. Doesn't happen so much these days though - everyone's playing with the big toys now - so I get to add to the collection. Speaking of which, have you seen the Manor grounds? I'd have thought it'd be right up your street. It was a fun day today..." she concluded, with a grin.

[entropyoptimism.livejournal.com]

Destruction groaned and rubbed his head again. "That was a strategic attempt to undermine the fort! Besides," he grinned, "I got to jump-tackle an angel. How many anthropomorphic personifications can say that?"

He sprawled in a chair beside her. "Did the grounds survive?"

[dangeroushabits.livejournal.com]

Having spotted Destruction's entrance, John came back with a Glenlivet and two Bunnahabhains--he didn't know the big guy's drinking preferences, but anybody who didn't appreciate fine Scottish whiskey could go order his own pisswater as far as he was concerned.

"Just so you know," he said, setting a glass in front of each personification and nodding to Destruction in greeting, "I'm fine with you two blowing up the rest of the Manor, provided none of my friends are in it at the time, but if you destroy the bar we're going to have issues."

[swords-love-me.livejournal.com]

"Excellent. I like this place more with each whiskey I discover in stock!" War tasted it, and grinned. "Good year, too, by the taste of it."

Settling back in her chair, she said "You know I'm only up for destruction when it's in a good cause. My definition of a good cause, of course." Her eyes danced at the memory of the flight home. She was sure angel - or demon - wings couldn't give such a good ride. "General destruction is more the field of our friend here."

"Besides, d'you really think I'd blow up the bar? I thought you knew me better than that."

[dangeroushabits.livejournal.com]

"I haven't made it this far by assuming, darlin'," John said, pulling up another chair and slouching into it. He raised his glass slightly to the others. "Cheers. Manor's been pretty quiet lately. I'm guessing that's about to change..."

[swords-love-me.livejournal.com]

War's admiration for Constantine crept up another tiny notch. She liked his mindset - and his fondness for Scottish whiskey.

"Guess it will," she said, eyes dancing. "Or at least, it had better - or I might just get bored." She flexed her fingers. "I've had a stint of running round the world, so maybe it's time for a stint here. Like I say, though, I hope things liven up - or I might have to make them..."

[entropyoptimism.livejournal.com]

"Now, now." Destruction admonished. "Strictly retired, me. Not that I'm opposed to some, eh, livening up," he grinned, raising his glass. "Cheers!"

Downing half his whiskey, he added, "You're the fellow with the wings last Halloween, aren't you? Constantine."

[dangeroushabits.livejournal.com]

John winced at the memory and tossed back the whiskey. "Yeah, that was me. Still got that caricature you did for me somewhere." I think?

[swords-love-me.livejournal.com]

"Retired? You mean you found someone to pay you?" She shook her head. "I must be missing a trick."

She picked up her glass and took a sip, then swirled the whiskey as she spoke. "Retired doesn't mean you can't do any recreational activities, now does it?" she said, thinking to herself, It's wicked but that's why it's fun. And it's got to be worth a try...

[entropyoptimism.livejournal.com]

Destruction glanced at John. Of course it wouldn't do to go into detail with a human around, and again he didn't want to set War off - last time this topic had come up she'd been quite volatile.

"Ah, yes." He coughed. "We must finish that talk, Scarlett. I believe last time it was interrupted by... pie (http://community.livejournal.com/neutral_omens/28810.html?thread=342666#t342666)."

[swords-love-me.livejournal.com]

"Interrupted by pie... Oh. Yeah. I remember now." She scowled at Destruction, recollecting exactly why it was that she'd been so busy recently. "You know, maybe we should continue that conversation. It was starting to get interesting - until you changed the subject, talking about jobs." There was a distinct hint of menace in her voice.

"Well, I'm not working here now, so I'd have thought we'd be able to find time to..thrash out opinions?"

[dangeroushabits.livejournal.com]

John, sensing the escalation in tension, sat very quiet in his chair and kept his gaze firmly fixed on his drink, hoping whatever sort of professional disagreement or lover's spat or whatever it was the two personifications were having would blow over quickly without undo damage to the surroundings (himself included.) Flirting with danger was one thing, but getting caught in the middle between two primal incarnations of violence was a bit much even for him to swallow.

[entropyoptimism.livejournal.com]

Destruction raised an eyebrow and said "If you wish." in his best "not with the human present!" voice. He was sure the man had had contact with supernatural beings before (the wings, for one thing) but perhaps the details of Endless/Horseperson interaction were best kept private.

[swords-love-me.livejournal.com]

[[ooc: started new thread below]]

[swords-love-me.livejournal.com]

War noticed the rather stern tone of voice, and raised an eyebrow in return. She sighed. Since when had propriety been supposed to get in the way of battles and warfare? Still, she supposed Destruction was right. If they got into that discussion here they might - her she paused, looking meditatively into the last few drops of her whiskey - end up destroying the bar. Which in her view, at least, would not be a good thing. There was a good reason soldiers in the trenches had whiskey rations[1].

"Another time, then," she said. "You can count on it."

With that, she turned back towards John and asked, "What are your plans for the next few hours then - a few more drinks?"


[1] She couldn't remember exactly what it was, but she'd long ago tucked to the back of her mind the idea that it was supposed to help keep them alive in some way, dealing with shock or something, and preferred to dwell on the idea that it got them drunk enough to go over the top and make themselves cannon fodder.

[dangeroushabits.livejournal.com]

John shrugged. "Prob'ly. Unless something more entertaining comes along." Or I'm forced to flee for my life, he amended privately.

[swords-love-me.livejournal.com]

Although she was making an effort not to treat Destruction to a demonstration of how...persuasive...she could be when she was trying to win an argument, War couldn't help clicking her fingernails together in a somewhat menacing fashion.

"Fair enough. I might stick around here for a bit too."

As she said this, she reflected that nothing was likely to beat her stunt flying and aerial display earlier that afternoon, then said, "I doubt I could think of much else to do this evening that would be more entertaining than the trip back here, after all."

[dangeroushabits.livejournal.com]

"Heh, I imagine." John frowned slightly as another thought occurred to him. "Er. The plane's safe there, yeah? I mean we've not got jet fuel leaking all over the joint, or anything, have we?"

[swords-love-me.livejournal.com]

War looked sharply at him. "I'm pretty sure there isn't."

On the other hand, she thought, maybe it wouldn't be a bad iea to check. After all, if the Manor were to catch fire, she had enough nukes in her room to level...well, most of the Earth, probably, with a rather large hole where Lower Tadfield used to be. And if it were to destroy the whole of the Earth, and all the people on it, she might find herself a little bit redundant...

She stood up abruptly, knocking her chair over backwards, and said, as a parting shot over her shoulder as she turned towards the door, "Though thinking about it, maybe it's best to check."

War tugged her jacket smooth and strode out of the bar.

[entropyoptimism.livejournal.com]

Destruction shrugged and took another drink. "That could have been awkward." He commented. "Women, eh?"

[dangeroushabits.livejournal.com]

"Can't live with 'em, can't outflank 'em?" John chuckled, secretly rather relieved.

[entropyoptimism.livejournal.com]

"Well, not exactly." Destruction grinned mysteriously. "Now, how's about some more whiskey?"