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

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.

Vinzent Mayer

Hoping to fight the winner.

…

FIGHT????

Has Jack lost it?

“No?! Absolutely not!”

This is just getting ridiculous. That said, the jar got his attention.

“What. Is. That.”

And of course Viper won’t quit. While Vinzent was close to tell her to stop it as it’s getting really ridiculous, he was rather concerned with what the heck was Jack carrying too. What is wrong with these two…?

Roadie 🪶Jack

Vinzent Mayer “No?! Absolutely not!”

Jack cackled. As if there had been any question—but he appreciated a good response.

Vinzent Mayer “What. Is. That.”

“Oh, y’know, extract of Himalayan cave goat liver, little fennel for flavor. Extremely poisonous. Want some?”

He kept talking straight through Viper’s… attack. Attack-ish movement thing. He turned around, eyebrow raised, and scanned her sheepish look.

“…”

He bonked her on the crown with the butt of the jar. At least it was with an equal amount of non-force.

“What was that, a pat on the back for good sportsmanship?”

Viper

Roadie 🪶Jack “What was that, a pat on the back for good sportsmanship?”

Viper winces at the little bonk on the head- it’s more out of surprise, than actual pain, because it doesn’t hurt. If she were a cat she’d have her ears pinned and a growl coming from her mouth, because the Look she gives Jack as he prods fun at her attempt at a hit.

“Grrrr….NO!” Flipping her hair somewhat dramatically, she clenches her fists at her sides.

“Why do you have that stupid-ass jar of slop anyway? Like, what a WEIRDO!” Get him Viper. Best insult ever. “Ughhhh. You’re annoying.” …She’s amazing at insulting people, she really is. “Why the f-ck are you carrying around a jar of poison anyway? Like, someone should take that. There’s like, no way we’re all gonna let you just, like, have that?”

Vinzent Mayer

Roadie 🪶Jack “Oh, y’know, extract of Himalayan cave goat liver, little fennel for flavor. Extremely poisonous. Want some?”

“Absolutely not!” He said, cheerfully. And Viper asked a very pertinent question.

“Why do you need a jar of poison anyway? Since when do you even have it?!”

While the fight has thankfully been over (for now?), Jack continues to worry Vinzent. Is it really poison or is it just so people will keep their hands off it? Knowing Jack? Hard to tell, but it’s not impossible that it’s really poisonous content.

It should be taken away from Jack, Vinzent agrees.

Roadie 🪶Jack

Vinzent Mayer “Absolutely not!”

Jack snorted. Run with the bit till it breaks, worked for him.

Viper “Grrrr….NO!”

Oh, she’s riled.

“Oh, got it! Pat on the back for bad sportsmanship.”

Viper “Why the f-ck are you carrying around a jar of poison anyway?

Vinzent Mayer “Why do you need a jar of poison anyway? Since when do you even have it?!”

“Oh, just ’cause it’s expensive, yeah? You ever fought a Himalayan sea goat? Just gettin’ there’s bad enough, but…” He shook his head. Clearly not a thing to be trifled with.

Viper Like, someone should take that. There’s like, no way we’re all gonna let you just, like, have that?”

His free hand bore a knife so swiftly you couldn’t tell where it came from. And it was decidedly a dagger, rather than any knife with legitimate purposes. He ensured he was far enough back to point it right at Viper’s throat without posing immediate danger of injury. Unless she just walked straight into it, which would be her problem, not his.

“It’s mine.”

…He seemed a bit less lighthearted about this than the tape, huh.

Viper

“Whoa-!” Viper is… more than surprised by the sudden introduction of the knife into the equation, but her defiant stare told him that she still wasn’t going to be scared of him. Yeah, perhaps she was a bit too stubborn sometimes.

“Why are you so mad about your stupid jar?! Himalayan sea goats aren’t even real! I don’t get it? Do you just like being a freak?” …Clearly so! Viper glared down at the knife, and back up at him as if daring him to actually do it. “Jeez, you’re like, such a tryhard. You think you’re such a badass.”

…He was a bit of a badass sometimes, but try getting her to admit that out loud!

She makes no step either direction, and just stares him down, gaze narrowed and challenging. …Oh, Viper, when will you learn?

Roadie 🪶Jack

Viper Himalayan sea goats aren’t even real!

“Well, not anymore! Went extinct ‘bout… eight and a half years ago? So you can see why ‘s so valuable now.”

Vinzent Mayer Are you just making up sh*t on the spot?”

“Duh?”

Viper “Jeez, you’re like, such a tryhard. You think you’re such a badass.”

Jack sulked very slightly but didn’t let his guard or dagger down.

“You tryin’ to get stabbed?” It was really starting to feel like that, at least.

“Don’t gotta threaten to rob me, y’know. You coulda just asked nicely. I can be a good sport.”

Vinzent Mayer

“H-Himalayan sea goat? What. Are you just making up sh*t on the spot?”

But considering how long Jack claimed he has been stuck in the train? It… Was possible, but unlikely. Who knows. Still, Vinzent kept his distance, while watching out for Viper’s well being.

At the sight of Jack’s knife, or well dagger in actuality, Vinzent froze. Ah, man. This is messed up. Please don’t. The threat clearly made him uneasy, especially since it was real.

Viper had a point, and that was Jack was indeed a freak. There was no other proven explanation for that.

… That said, he’s whispering, in Viper’s direction, regardless of whenever she hears it or not.

“… Please stop. You’re hurt already.”

Especially since Jack looked really serious.

Viper

Vinzent Mayer “… Please stop. You’re hurt already.”

Whether Viper hears Vinzent’s plea or not is moot, because it easily falls on her very selective hearing. She was too cocky, too stubborn, too… stupid, for her own good, because she’s still eyeing that jar. It needs to be taken out of his possession, especially if he’s not BS’ing about it being at least kinda poisonous.

“I ain’t just threatnin’.” She mutters, “You wouldn’t’a given it to me even if I begged on my hands an’ knees, ya know that as well as I do!” Viper huffed, her eyes following the stupid jar.

…She knows she should give up. She should consider her own safety. Let someone else deal with Jack. But oh, it’s so tempting when he’s holding it in what she hopes is a swipe-able position.

She realises way too late, when she’s already lunged for it, that it wasn’t at all achievable. F-ck.

Roadie 🪶Jack

Viper “I ain’t just threatnin’.” She mutters, “You wouldn’t’a given it to me even if I begged on my hands an’ knees, ya know that as well as I do!”

“I meant askin’ nicely to get stabbed.” Because that was a completely normal thing to want, apparently.

But she still wasn’t over the sludge, huh? Even if it wasn’t real goat juice. He turned the jar in his hand, tracking her gaze. Definitely wasn’t over it.

“What good’d it do ya, anyway? Don’t even know what—“

Viper lunged. Jack turned with her, snatching the jar back to his chest and driving his blade into her inner forearm. A little something to make snatching-slash-gripping harder without risking too many major vascular anythings.

In theory.

He cast a wary glance back at Vinzent, in case this was gonna be a tag team effort, but Viper still had most of his attention.

“You done now?”

Vinzent Mayer

Oh Vinzent did not like that much more. But if he butts in, it’ll just be a problem for everyone, himself included.

He did feel like Jack is clearly inviting Viper for another fight, and honestly, the artist was so tired of this bullsh-t. Should he walk away…? But… Was it going to be a good idea? Intervening isn’t any better, after all. But if Jack sees him leaving, what would he say? And Vinzent wouldn’t be able to try to assist Viper in taking care of injuries eventually… But it didn’t seem like she was receptive to that yet.

As Vinzent watched this unfold once more, a tired sigh escaped. He wondered to himself what did he do to deserve to be thrown in this situation with these two at all. Vinzent would rather do anything but spectate this circus.

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