Bathtub and neon tetra | Vinzent + Viper + Jack | Desert Island Car

Roadie 🪶Jack

Viper You never know. Might wanna stop nosey guys from stealing his stuff if they decide to drink it!”

“Well! Guess we’ll just hafta wait an’ see how good a job he did.” Hard to tell if Jack didn’t really consider it a possibility or just didn’t think it would pose a threat to him. Sure didn’t seem worried either way.

Vinzent Mayer “Fine. I’m not gonna explain everything. But uh yeah. I hated this highschool.

That was precisely how far Jack got listening before zoning out. Wow, fun school times, ooh, ahh, blah blah…

Vinzent Mayer If I could go back in time and beat him senseless as a revenge… I would.”

Oh okay that was more interesting.

“Ha! Careful whatcha wish for. Just might get the chance.” Not to turn back time, per se—haha, boy, if the Train could allow that… No, he wasn’t going down that hole right now.

He chose to eye the tape instead. Not that it had much monetary value—well, he was pretty sure he’d seen a black market for these, but in… better condition—but because it was generally much more satisfying to worry about physical goods than the deep emotional history of whatever. Cleaner.

“Whatcha gonna do with that? Figure you wouldn’t want it fallin’ into the wrong hands…”

Viper

“Hey, it’s chill, my man.” Viper nodded at his first comment about not explaning everything. She hadn’t asked, but she was always glad to listen. Listening took little effort whatsoever.

“…Man. That’s f-cked.” A good ol’ corruption story, eh? “…I’d support ya. Honestly? If time travel was, like, a thing. Yeah. That’d be good.” Viper nods along, but more importantly she listens. Man… Vinzent was angry. And he had a perfect right to be. Truly, everything about the situation was terrible and she couldn’t imagine being in it one bit.

“Well… I’m glad you’re still around. And… that he’s gone. You should get some peace now, and that’s great!” Viper tilted her head to the side, “…Do you want a hug, though…?” She’s offering everyone hugs. But really? Hugs cured a lot!!

Roadie 🪶Jack “Whatcha gonna do with that? Figure you wouldn’t want it fallin’ into the wrong hands…”

Wait a second. Jack’s trying to get his hands on that tape.

“Why do you want it?! Like, super no offense, but, I’d be like, a waaaaay better person to give it to.”

Vinzent Mayer

Roadie 🪶Jack That was precisely how far Jack got listening before zoning out. Wow, fun school times, ooh, ahh, blah blah…

Viper

Vinzent was a little confused at what the heck Jack was talking about. A good job at what. He was glad that Jack said nothing though. Good, stay zoned out, Vinzent was talking to Viper. She at least was receptive. And Vinzent really appreciated her support.

Viper “…I’d support ya. Honestly? If time travel was, like, a thing. Yeah. That’d be good.”

“Thank you, yeah, I really appreciate it…”

Only then did he conclude that Jack had attention again? Where… Oh. That chance.

“Perhaps.”

Viper “Well… I’m glad you’re still around. And… that he’s gone. You should get some peace now, and that’s great!” Viper tilted her head to the side, “…Do you want a hug, though…?” She’s offering everyone hugs. But really? Hugs cured a lot!!

“Yeah, I’m glad too. I will. And sure! I don’t mind.” Just as Vinzent was about to accept the hug-

…

Jack was also eyeing the tape. Hm. Nope. Vinzent wasn’t sure that he’d want to keep the tape to himself, but like heck he’d give it to Jack, of all people! Then Viper interjected. Oh boy. Should Vinzent take it and break it himself? Or will it be funny to see Jack just fail at it potentially? Honestly, Vinzent would rather have the tape be destroyed than it being handed to anyone, but. Viper wasn’t a bad option. Frankly much better than the wanderer. But if it gets destroyed mid fight… Well that’ll be one he’ll spectate instead of participating. Decisions… Perhaps Vinzent should step back and watch. But maybe to the other two, it looked like he might have considered destroying it.

Roadie 🪶Jack

Viper “…Do you want a hug, though…?”

Jack did snort a little—ah, so she was one of those people. Ah well. As long as it wasn’t him she was fussing over, he guessed it didn’t matter much. He gazed down at the VHS(?) tape on the sand instead.

Viper “Why do you want it?!

“I dunno, blackmail?” He laughed. “I’m sure I can come up with somethin’, somewhere.”

Viper Like, super no offense, but, I’d be like, a waaaaay better person to give it to.”

“Ah, but if you give it to somebody else—” He did a little flourish with his wrist, the tape in hand. Wh. When had he even picked that up. “—I’ll just take it. Ends the same way, huh?”

He wasn’t exactly holding it white-knuckled—more in a taunting way than anything. Someone could probably swipe it back if they timed it right.

Viper

Sorry, Vinzent, you’ll get your hug at some point. Viper almost puffs up like an angry cat as Jack starts tauntingly waving it around. Hoo, boy, he’s earned the Wrath now. But him tauntingly waving it at Vinzent… it gave her the perfect opportunity.

Viper followed it with her eyes, and moved closer slowly. Jack was distracted enough. She waited patiently, until it was juuust in reach, before striking, like a snake, and grabbing it from his grip.

“I’ll be taking that!” Stuffing it into her coat as soon as it was safely in her grip, the smugness on her face is unmatched.

“…See? I can manage to sneak up on you well enough and steal something!” She puffed, “Just try and get it back. Nyeeeh.” She stuck her tongue out at him. Sorry for her too, Vinzent…

Roadie 🪶Jack

Jack blinked at the sudden absence of the tape. H… Had he actually had it in the first place? Maybe not. Okay. That was normal and fine.

Viper “…See? I can manage to sneak up on you well enough and steal something!” She puffed, “Just try and get it back. Nyeeeh.”

Oh wait so Viper took it. Okay. Unless she was talking to the other guy just then? Uh—You know what, enough thinking.

“Get it back how? Not like I can really sneak up on ya in the circumstances…”

He did step a little closer to Viper, menacingly. He was actually the biggest one here for hecking once, and he was gonna take advantage of it. …However one did that. How do you tall.

Vinzent Mayer

Blackmail. Really, now? It shouldn’t surprise Vinzent that Jack doesn’t seem to have an ounce of sympathy nor empathy for anyone, but wow, his morals hit rock bottom, didn’t it? The real question is, when did it hit rock bottom, and what happened that led up to it.

He was double-guessing on letting anyone getting the tape, because ideally. Destruction was perfect, but…

Sh*t. Jack already got ahold of it?! Of course Jack wants Vinzent to take it back, knowing that the artist will probably fail at it… Honestly, the artist was a fast runner, but his dexterity for grabbing things? It was debatable, sometimes he’d manage, the other times he wouldn’t. And with a sleight of hand like Jack? Vinzent doesn’t think he stands a chance, honestly.

And… Viper got it back. Vinzent was clearly not happy, but does he really wants to get in a fight again? No. Absolutely not.

His only hope right now is finding the time to either snatch the tape back without being involved too much and destroy it or have one of them accidentally destroy it. Now that’d be the best outcome in this situation. But he won’t count on just that. Anything can happen, so he’ll observe for now. Don’t stress, just wait and perhaps, he’ll have his chance.

Viper

Roadie 🪶Jack “Get it back how? Not like I can really sneak up on ya in the circumstances…”

“Yeah, ’cause you’re like, a total lame-o coward?” The step forward is met with her own, and she narrows her eyes, brows furrowing. Perhaps having Abel to run to if she gets hurt isn’t doing her any favors. He did offer to take Dexter out, so she figured the same logic could apply to Jack. Little did she know… Abel paid Melvin to stop Jack from being… well… Jack.

“I ain’t scared of you! Just ’cause you’re like, a little bit taller than me!” You can practically hear the Grrr! Bark bark! vibes in her voice. “If you wanna fight me for it, like, go! Ahead!” …Viper NO.

“What’s it gonna be, man?” …Viper likes Jack. But, he has annoyed her enough to warrant this dramaticism.

Roadie 🪶Jack

Viper “Yeah, ’cause you’re like, a total lame-o coward?”

Jack wasn’t sure how that was supposed to keep him from sneaking up on someone, so he just laughed. Yes, And?

Vinzent Mayer Yes, he has clearly gotten in fights, but as for intimidation? Height was not in his favor. ✨

Viper “I ain’t scared of you! Just ’cause you’re like, a little bit taller than me!”

His look soured slightly—Be Tall mission failed, apparently—but c’mon! He had some weight on her, too! Probably! He’d like to think so!! But that would’ve been a pretty sad response. He dropped his voice instead.

“Oh, there’s much better reasons to be scared ’a me.”

Viper “If you wanna fight me for it, like, go! Ahead!”

Well, if that’s where this was going, that worked for him!

Viper “What’s it gonna be, man?”

In lieu of a reply, he just cackled in glee and lunged, shoving her into the tree trunk with a solid enough impact to dislodge a coconut. He startled when it thumped to the sand. Yeah, good job looking like a cool edgyman.

Vinzent Mayer

Jack being menancing didn’t exactly work. Yes, he has clearly gotten in fights, but as for intimidation? Height was not in his favor. ✨

That said, Vinzent wasn’t stupid. His own frame was smaller compared to Jack’s build, and Vinzent knew he himself was still physically weak. So, to knowingly pick a fight with a guy like Jack? A Very Bad Idea™.

Then Viper spoke. And an invitation to fight her to Jack. Which meant that Vinzent was definitely going to stay away and observe right now. It looks like it’s about to start.

The moment the tape looks available to take back, he’ll jump at this opportunity. But not at this moment.

Viper

Viper hit the tree hard and coughed, wincing at the impact. That was gonna bruise… But she wasn’t quite out for the count. Instead, she spat in his face. Literally.

“I still ain’t scared of ya!” Viper hissed through grit teeth, before twisting enough to try and bite his hand, her own hand aiming straight for Jack’s face, right in the nose. “I’ve fought for my life and f-cking survived! You ain’t got sh-t.”

Rational thought went out the window when she declared war on Jack, and she doesn’t quite understand why she’s suddenly fighting for sport like this- but hey, no hard feelings… she hoped. Maybe. Eventually.

Roadie 🪶Jack

Huh, not often did Jack literally have people spitting on him, just figuratively. An exciting little plot twist, or something. Mostly just vaguely gross.But now wasn’t exactly the time to wipe it off.

The bite didn’t connect, but it did get him to release his grip. Just in time to grab Viper’s wrist mid-motion. He whistled and sidestepped her punch, tugging her arm just enough to test her balance.

Viper “I’ve fought for my life and f-cking survived! You ain’t got sh-t.”

“Oh—Well!” he said overly brightly. “I wouldn’t know anything about what that’s like! Ya got me there!”

And now he was preoccupied trying to quash the laughter that kept bubbling up. Not doing the most fantastic job of it.

Vinzent Mayer

Okay Jack.

Vinzent wasn’t scared but he was quite wary. Who knows what this man was capable of? At watching Jack lunging at Viper, the artist winced slightly. He was glad he was not in Viper’s stead.

That said Jack’s reaction post-lunging was bordering on silly. Like… How.

Viper’s response wasn’t better, but as if Vinzent will step in.

He’s not risking a potential bruise, or multiple, thank you very much! : D

Where was the tape now…? Was it still within either of their possessions? The artist genuinely wanted it to be broken, so hopefully one of them will do a blunder and f-ck the tape up in some way, if not… Well, he’ll still wait for it.

Viper

Sorry Jack for that vaguely gross experience!!!! …Or, well, I’m sorry. Viper isn’t.

Well, her attempt at biting him didn’t connect, sure, but it got him to release her enough that… oh. Before her punch connected, he grabbed it. Viper was seething. Why was Jack just so casual and too bright about the situation? UGH. SO LAME.

She stumbled a little, but ultimately kept on her feet, taking a moment to crack her knuckles- one hurting more than the other, and her neck. Waiting for the right moment, she charged him. Using her full weight, she slammed against him, aiming to pay him back for slamming her against the tree.

YEAH! Take that, JACK.

Vinzent Mayer

In the meantime, Vinzent was still watching this whole nonsense of a fight unfolding.

It all started out with his own trauma tape, now… It’s simply just. A fight for the sake of a fight. Where the hell did the tape go? Did it fall yet?

Observant as he might, he couldn’t tell if the tape was still on either person or somewhere.

… Might as well spectate this circus. While doing his best to not get too close to either.

Honestly, it’s not his problem that they’re fighting. It’s kind of his problem that one of them still has the tape. Just break it for f*ck’s sake!

Roadie 🪶Jack

Between the fighting for her life comment and the seething, Jack was too busy trying not to laugh too hard at Viper to pull off another fancy sidestep. She slammed into him hard—he probably would have lost his balance if he adjusted a moment later than he did. So instead of sprawling in the sand, he was simply in pain. Fine by him.

And that move kept her well within socking range, so he followed up with a punch to the gut. Better than her poor concussed head, at least (not that he had any idea about that, or would be overly concerned if he did).

Vinzent Mayer It’s kind of his problem that one of them still has the tape. Just break it for f*ck’s sake!

If nothing else, at least neither of them seemed to be protecting it! If they remembered it at all by this point. If Viper hadn’t busted it with her last move, it would still only be a matter of time… probably.

Viper

With the punch to the gut, there’s a loud crunch, and as Viper winces, in a bit more pain than she expected to be from just a punch, a sharp hiss escaping her as shards of plastic start falling from the bottom of her coat.

“Ow- owowowow-” Viper clutches at her stomach, plastic pieces sticking through the fabric of her coat, inside and out. When she brings her hand away, there’s a little bit of blood, but nothing too alarming.

…She’d kinda forgotten about the tape. Fishing into her pocket, Viper finds herself pulling out nothing but shards of plastic and tearing reels of film.

“Awwww, man… now nobody can get it.”

Roadie 🪶Jack

(cw mild hand trauma)

Jack was pretty sure that wasn’t what broken ribs sounded like, but even with scrapes forming on the backs of his fingers, he didn’t have any other ideas.

Viper “Ow- owowowow-”

He pulled back, eyeing Viper warily in case this was a luring tactic. Definitely something he woulda pulled, after all. But she didn’t lunge or throw any weapons, and the wound didn’t seem to be spurting, so he fell back into something more neutral. He eyed the scratches that damaged his skin easier than his glove. Not much damage, but…

Viper “Awwww, man… now nobody can get it.”

It visibly took him a second to process. Strange object, sharp, whatever that slick-looking stuff—OH. The tape. The specific thing they had literally been fighting over. Yes. He knew that.

“Ah, shame.”

He clearly wasn’t as broken up as the tape casing was, one eye still on Viper as he checked one of his pockets. Presumably the fight was over, if they’d both stepped back and there was no object to it anymore, but you never knew. She might still want revenge. He beat her pretty bad, after all. Probably. She was bleeding more, at least. …Also probably

Vinzent Mayer … He still won’t say anything until he’s adressed to.

He looked over his shoulder as he retrieved a glass jar of… some kind of green-brown sludge.

“Weren’t hopin’ to fight the winner, were ya?”

Vinzent Mayer

Vinzent heard the crunch, right there, and part of him was… Worried for Viper’s well-being. Come on now.

But part of him had hope. … And it was working in his favor despite Viper’s injury. Oh thank f*ck.

Vinzent let out a breath of relief at the sight of the broken tape, a breath that he didn’t know he’s been holding in for a while.

Now he’s sure. Unless they talk about it, there won’t be a full solid context for people to see. It’s destroyed.

Of course, he was unhappy at the implication of Viper’s words (really, why?), but his relief won over this sour feeling.

… He still won’t say anything until he’s adressed to.

Viper

The tape may have been lost, but the fight wasn’t over. Viper…clearly didn’t know when to quit. Maybe she just wanted to be beaten enough that she could cry to Abel and get him to do what she couldn’t- which was apparently, beat Jack.

She thinks first of just giving up and letting sleeping dogs lie, but Viper was no quitter. If there was one thing that was a constant, it was her stubbornness. Jack was practically asking to be hit, obviously. That smug face.

…Keeping her cover, she waits, and waits, until he picks up the sludge jar, before she lunges for him, and hits him. Whilst her punch connects with his back, it’s…pathetic. Her face reddened as even she admitted that was Terrible.

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