fifth shot; video/action

[willpunchfaces]

[Francis has been having a really hard time of it lately. not only is the ship the same as ever (ie: it sucks), but his dad's gone, too. not his dad dad, since he's never actually been on the ship, but it's hard not to project onto every Clint Barton he happens to meet, and Ults Clint is gone. whisked back to wherever he came from, where Francis doesn't exist

the kid doesn't take loss easy, no matter what he'd like others to believe, and this one he's taking particularly hard

so he went hunting. grabbed his gear, made his way into the lab and started killing every rat he could find. which isn't hard to do, since there appears to be a never-ending supply of them, and Francis only had so many arrows

which is where you come in, TQ. because Francis is currently pretty beat up and fending off a few rats with the one arrow he has left. it's the only reason he even turned his device on. he isn't one to ask for help, but he also doesn't want to die, so]

Could use a hand here.

[and the feed cuts]

Comments

Voice

[testgasm]

[Do you hear that, Francis?

That is the sound of sweet, sweet satisfaction.

It sounds like a slow clap.]

video;

[willpunchfaces]

[screw your voice only Wheats, you are getting the full brunt of Francis' face]

Yeah. Not helping.

[testgasm]

See, I would, except I'm busy. Got--doing important things, over here. Looks like you'll just have to puzzle this one out on your own, sorry.

[willpunchfaces]

[Francis would be angry, but there's something comforting about Wheatley leaving him to die. it's like everything's right with the world, or something]

You just wait til I do.

[testgasm]

Oh, I"m sure you will. No rush, take your time.

[ex_question191]

Are you — [ his voice goes high ] Are you in the labs? Dude!

[ yes, stiles, because he totally looks like he has time to clarify. ]

[willpunchfaces]

[ohmygosh Stiles]

No, I took a stroll. What do you think?

[ex_question191]

What the hell! That place is freaking dangerous!

[ and again with the duh. and it's not like he's never placed himself in a dumb situation like that before. ]

[willpunchfaces]

[Francis is currently trying to keep a rat from biting off his face, but he manages to give Stiles a :| look]

I didn't notice.

[ex_question191]

I just mean —

[ ughhh no he's bad at this. stiles rubs the back of his neck. ]

Is someone coming to help you? I mean, don't ask me, I'd be zero help.

video;

[puppydogeyes]

You went down there alone?

[But her tone makes it less of a question and more of a what the hell did you think you were doing.]

video;

[willpunchfaces]

[oh hey there boss]

It wasn't a problem when I got here.

video;

[puppydogeyes]

They're rats. They swarm.

video;

[willpunchfaces]

I still could have handled it. [he's indignant, but it's only because he knows he's wrong]

video;

[puppydogeyes]

This is handling it?

[Getting in a position to have to ask the network openly for help. she's not impressed.]

You got someone coming?

video;

[inebriety]

[Thanks Francis, you're just the thing Tony needs to pull himself out of his spiraling depression. The view is a flurry of movement as Tony rushes down, the gleam of red and gold, the hum of machines and glimpses of Tony's panicked face. He's taking everything he's got.]

Dammit, kid! I'm headed there right now, try and stay alive until then.

[Anthony's tracking Francis' exact position which is why he doesn't bother asking for details on where in the genetics labs he was.]

video;

[willpunchfaces]

[Francis, even in a pickle, has some pride, and he almost tells Tony he doesn't need his help, but it dies in his throat. not because he doesn't want to say it, but because Tony reminds him of Clint and if he says anything right at that moment he's going to crack

so instead he just grunts something out, stabbing a rat and shaking it off his arrow while he gets himself under control]

I always stay alive.

[wow that wasn't bitter or anything oops]

video;

[inebriety]

[Tony falters briefly because he thought that too once. He'd tried to face his impending death with a brave face only to have it taken away from him while he watched others die instead.

His footsteps and the sounds of Francis fighting seem too loud in the moment that follows.]

You'd better. [He shoves down every memory it brings up and ignores it like he's always done.] Life is a gift even if longevity seems like a curse sometimes.

video;

[willpunchfaces]

Like you would know, right? It must be so har- ah crap!

[a lucky rat just happened to make it through and scratch the device out of his hand while he fends off another, so for now, all Tony gets to see his Francis' calf and the swarm of rats mingling around him in the dark]

video; 1/2

[inebriety]

[Yes Tony does know. In fact, he's realised the hypocrisy of him saying those words when he'd been contemplating if life on board this ship was even worth living. He's going to try and take his own advice.

When the comm gets swiped off, Tony panics and pushes himself to run faster.]

Francis! Keep talking to me. I'm nearly there.

action; 2/2

[inebriety]

[Meanwhile Tony has slipped his repulsor gun on and has Anthony prepare the wasps for combat. He keeps checking the comms device every few seconds as he waits impatiently for the lift to take him to the labs.

Once the door opens, he's rushing through.]

Francis?!

[He's got no idea where he is but he's hoping there will be enough signs of a struggle to make this easier.]

voice;

[onsilksheets]

Have you got a bloody death wish?!

[it hurts that he's gone and as much as Bela wants to stay away from this, she can't let anything happen to him because he didn't deserve it.]

You need me to come there?

voice;

[willpunchfaces]

[unlike Wheatley, Francis answers Bela with voice only, because he isn't sure he can look at her]

You wouldn't understand, okay?

voice;

[onsilksheets]

I do actually. You're pissed and hurt and you want to take your anger out on the rats. It's all right to be angry because god knows I am and I wish that things were different. [That Clint was here and not back home.]

But this isn't the right way to go about it, Francis. Risking your life like this? You shouldn't be.

voice;

[willpunchfaces]

[she's right, of course. every single thing. but he's lost more and more people here and it's too much like home and this is all he knows to do. he's supposed to be able to handle it. he's supposed to be able to kill the bad monsters and protect the people

he doesn't know what else to do]

Being angry doesn't change anything. At least this is something I can do.