[04: video] - I know you said he's just a dog astray

[emptynight]

[The impact with the ground triggers the PCD's on button and the video flicks on. The camera has landed against a rock or something, giving it a skewed view of the sky, of skeletal trees and grey clouds. There's movement though, against the trees. A familiar figure, usually careless and flippant, with a pet name and some irritating compliment on his lips. This time, however, Thomas looked focused, and he moves with lean, predatory grace as the cavalry saber in his hands gleams silver. He's moving between the stand of anemic trees, sparring against invisible opponents, practicing or reliving some old encounter, every so often the saber biting through a tree limb to send it to the ground.

The feed continues in this vein for a few minutes, before a sweep of silver above the PCD sends a skeletal tree branch falling on top of the PCD, obscuring its view once more.]

Comments

private

[jackedthename.livejournal.com]

Need a sparring partner?

private

[emptynight]

[It takes a few minutes for Thomas to find where the question was coming from, where the PCD has fallen. The tree limb moves away, and it's probably a hint just how little he feels like his usual self that the question doesn't get much innuendo from Thomas. He just gives Jack a curt smile.]

Only if you want a workout.

private

[jackedthename.livejournal.com]

Depends on the workout. Guns or ...well, more fun guns?

[emptynight]

[That makes Thomas laugh, amused despite himself before he raises the saber to Jack in an insolent little salute] How about something a little more old-fashioned.

[jackedthename.livejournal.com]

Swords, then? I'll take it, though I can't promise I'll be terribly good.

[emptynight]

[With a grin, Thomas gestures to the multitude of tree limbs that have already succumbed to the saber.] There's always practice swords, darling. Don't let the whole stick look fool you.

[jackedthename.livejournal.com]

Right, see you soon then, handsome.

[thelonegenin]

Are there like-- invisible people here too?

[emptynight]

[It takes a few more minutes before Thomas realizes where the PCD is, and how to unbury it from the tree limbs he's hacked onto it. When he appears on the screen again, he looks disheveled, but not winded or particularly tired.]

I was just practicing, but now you've got me looking over my shoulder, kid.

[thelonegenin]

[He waits-- or at least, yells until the PCD is found, blinking at the face of the man he'd seen earlier.]

Hey! Stuff jumps out from anywhere right!?

[emptynight]

[That makes him laugh, even as Thomas glances over his shoulder.]

Always when you lease suspect it. But I'll take it as long as there aren't any more flaming arrows.

[thelonegenin]

[The laughter makes him smile-- albeit with a tinge of uncertainty. Too many people have been laughing at his expense here.]

Flamin' arrows?

[emptynight]

[Don't worry, he laughs at everyone. It's part of his irritating personality charm.]

They're a pain in the ass to dodge. And you never forget the smell of burning hair.

[video]

[doestheickyjobs.livejournal.com]

[Smirking and watching for several minutes before he bothers to speak.]

Not bad!

[emptynight]

[The PCD turns on again, and Thomas runs a hand casually through his hair before peering back at the video with a smirk.]

Of course not. Being bad gets you killed.

[doestheickyjobs.livejournal.com]

Oh, it does. But that doesn't seem to stop people. [A brief laugh.]

Got a name, sword guy? I'm Axel.

[emptynight]

It stops them sooner or later, just depends on how long you're willing to wait. [He chuckles in agreement.]

Call me Thomas, Red.

[doestheickyjobs.livejournal.com]

[Oh, he likes your sense of humor.] Well! I can't argue with that.

-- and that's Axel. Got it memorized, Thomas?

[emptynight]

[he smirks at that reaction.]

Got it the first time, sweetheart. Just because you ask so nicely doesn't mean I have to say yes.

[Video]

[harmoniousstorm.livejournal.com]

Sparring against real people tends to help.

[emptynight]

[Thomas lowers the saber and picks up the fallen PCD with an easy smirk.]

Usually does. You offering, sweetheart?

[harmoniousstorm.livejournal.com]

[...Sweetheart? Now that is a first. Nicest name he's ever been called. Weird. But then again, this guy had weird written all over him.]

And if I am?

[emptynight]

[Thomas gives the screen a jaunty salute with the saber.]

Then I'd say put your money where your mouth is, darling.

[harmoniousstorm.livejournal.com]

[Another pet name. Weeiiiirrddd.]

Gladly. Just tell me where you are and I'll be there.

[Of course, he isn't gonna use a sword. Not his style.]

[emptynight]

[Thomas grins, and sends his current coordinates on the PCD. Well, kind of current. It's about a hundred feet away from where he'll be in about five minutes, so he can watch for the approach.]

Well aren't we eager. Don't keep me waiting, darling.