No Safety Beyond the Walls [Damian]

[Redd Russo]

Redd sighed and stepped away from his workbench. This battery was dead for sure, he realized. It was an inevitability, when he was using scavenged supplies that were who knows how old. Oh, what he wouldn’t have given for the Keepers to drop him a fresh new battery for the Fulsi. Two of his three windmills were still charging batteries for work to be done, though. They would just have to better ration their energy until he could find a replacement for the dead battery. “I’m sure I could use it for something though..” He mused to himself, and put the useless thing in the corner where he stored all the other bits and things that he said he’d eventually find a purpose for. “Paperweight maybe,” he chuckled, looking over to the corner for some sort of approving laugh. Devin was out, it appeared. Her bed, or rather hammock, which hung across from his cot, was empty. He looked to his bed next, where his cat Gadget snoozed, oblivious to him. Redd groaned and ran a hand through his tangled wavy hair, hand snagging on knots as he tried. He really had to stop talking to the empty room. “I need ta get out more,” he groaned, taking a seat on his bunk next to the cat, who hissed indignantly at being jostled by the bed shifting beneath his fat body. “Oh, what d’you got to complain about?”

[Damian Russo]

There was a longing to be in the company of someone he cared about that drove Damian to head on over to see Redd. To be in charge of a bunch of people who did not do their best aggravated him so much. At heart Damian was a perfectionist and he felt many of the Fulsi Scouts lacked a desire to do their work properly. Even though the long haired man did not like getting up at the crack of dawn he still took his part seriously as a ring member of the Fulsi. There was a snitch he hired to report back to him in secrecy about how each group performed their duties. The fact that the snitch was a literal rat Shifter was the sole reason Damian even bothered to consider her as a candidate to perform the task. Every single time any of them slacked off in the report back to him Damian would punish them by doing 100 laps around one of the biggest buildings in the Fulsi. The Scouts had to learn their lesson one way or another. Stepping up his pace Damian began to practically run toward the building Redd lived in. When reaching the building's door he almost ripped it right off the hinges as his excitement rose to see his brother. Inside the building always looked like a dump from how old it really was. Damian wanted to sprint to the basement to see Redd as soon as possible, but after collapsing through a floor with his ex-lover that killed the desire to walk quickly in any way possible. When the long haired man reached the entrance to the basement Damian overheard his brother saying about needing to get out more. 'Perfect,' he thought to himself with a cheesy grin on his face. A creaking noise echoed through the hall when he opened the latch to the basement. Small thuds hit the wooden planks as Damian walked down a few steps. The Head of Border Patrol made sure to close the latch to the basement behind him as he slowly made his way down the stairs. "Did somebody say they needed to get out more," he questioned with an excited tone. "Hello, my dear brother. Did you miss me?" he said while walking toward Redd and stopping a few feet away from him. Damian crossed his arms with a smirk and leaned to his side resting his weight onto his hip. "It's a beautiful day outside. Do you even remember what the sun looks like? I'd be happy to re-introduce you." ------------------ OOC - I FINALLY DID THE THING

[Redd Russo]

Redd jumped at the sudden creaking of the basement hatch. The cat jumped up and scrambled beneath his bed for dear life, not likely to come out again any time soon. Redd didn’t notice and only watched the doorway expectantly, his breath caught in his throat as he hoped for a flash of fiery red hair to catch his eye. His smile only faded for a moment when he realized that it wasn’t Devin coming down the stairs, but quickly lit up again when he realized it was his little brother. Redd leapt up off the bed and trapped Damian in a crushing hug. “I did miss ya!” He exclaimed, reaching up one arm to ruffle his brother’s hair. No matter how old they got, Redd still thought of Damian as someone he had to protect; though to be fair, Damian had been doing most of the protecting since they’d gotten to the Menagerie. “I think that sounds like a good idea,” Redd agreed, eager to see some sunlight. He only briefly considered the amount of work he had left to do, but easily brushed it off for once. There would always be time to work more, but he hardly ever got to spend time with Damian, who was often so busy with his scouts. Redd grabbed a small bag of supplies, just enough water and such for an outing, and followed Damian up out of the basement. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d left just to enjoy the outdoors, so it seemed it really was long overdue.

[Damian Russo]

A sense of calmness and excitement washed over Damian that he had not felt in a long time. At the moment Redd was the only person left in his life that would be there for him when he needed someone. Everyone else either moved on, were too far away, or six feet under if they were lucky enough to even get a burial. With one arm over Redd's shoulder Damian held Redd against him as they made their way out the door of the building into the sunlight. "See what you've been missing? The great outdoors, buildings falling apart, nobody really talking to each other. Isn't the Fulsi great?" One thing Damian loved was to tease his older brother every single chance he got. Not too many things were fun for the Fulsi Head of Border Patrol so he made sure to take advantage of the opportunity. Removing his arm around Redd's shoulders as they continued their stroll through the Gospel Complex, Damian, decided to intertwine his arm along side with Redd's while slightly walking with a pip to his step. "I'm not being a Grumpy Pony as some people like to call me today. Make sure to smile to the imaginary camera while we document this rare occasion. I believe in you, brother," he said as whimsical as possible. Everything just felt so amazing to him it was as if he accidentally took ecstasy when he wasn't looking. "Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, where do you want to walk to? We can look at buildings, go to the mall to window shop, or we can watch Ira hobble around doing farm stuff for kicks. The choice is yours, Pookie." Damian gave Redd a quick peck on the cheek to try to humiliate him while other people were watching and staring at them as if they both had two heads. Damian thought with all the weird stuff that happens in the dome that nothing would affect the Shifters as something so silly. 'Oh well,' he thought to himself. Other people judging him were the least of his worries since everything was up from here!

[Redd Russo]

“Oh yeah, a real gem, this place,” Redd laughed, stumbling as Damian pulled him in close. He didn’t mind the inconvenience of having to walk half-crooked; some part of him realized he was desperate for the comforting touch of another person. Strange, when for so long, touch of any kind had made his skin crawl. But being in the dome had changed things. No experience here was easy, and even though life on the outside hadn’t been a walk in the park, it was nothing compared to what the keepers threw at them. Sometimes it was nice to have a reassuring hug. Redd was smiling ear-to-ear even as Damian let him go again. He straightened up, or as much as he normally did, and walked calmly next to his enthusiastic brother. “Oh, don’t you worry none,” Redd replied, “I’m sure there are plenty of real cameras documenting the occasion.” It was a bittersweet jest, as even though it was spoken playfully, they both knew it to be true. Sometimes Redd could forget that they were living under a microscope, but those occasions were rare. More often he was wondering what sort of data he was providing, wondering what it might be used for. It was a little unnerving to know they were always being watched; he didn’t particularly mind, but the thought was always there. “Hmm well, I guess we can go to the mall. I’ve scavenged most everything there, but ya never know what might be still lyin’ around,” Redd answered. He groaned and pushed Damian away for the kiss on the cheek, knowing that was the exaggerated reaction his brother was looking for. He shook his head and chuckled, wondering what had gotten into his usually more subdued brother. Damian had been sorta gloomy for a while now… a..grumpy pony, he supposed. Redd couldn’t blame him, with so much happening to him. Maybe Damian was finally rounding a corner and would be back to his old self.. though even his old self wasn’t usually this giddy. Whatever was up with him, Redd guessed it was good.

[Damian Russo]

The idea of going to the mall was such a weird thing to imagine doing even though he was the one that impulsively suggested it. Outside the dome Damian never got a chance to go to the mall or even do anything with his older brother, especially his oldest. Damian knew his older brother was somewhere in the Menagerie since Redd told him about it awhile back. Deep down there was a mixed feeling between resentment and jealousy over the fact his oldest brother, Hector, was chosen to be adopted instead of Redd and himself. At the end of the day Damian still hoped that Hector was still okay. "Guess we'll be heading to the mall then. At least we're not too poor to buy anything since money doesn't exist here. We're all poor," he responded with a stupid grin on his face. To continuously be annoying Damian held onto Redd's hand to dramatically swing their arms back and forth as if they were Hansel and Gretel off to the candy house only for about ten seconds before letting Redd go. A question popped into Damian's head that he never had the privacy to ask so he wanted to use the perfect opportunity to do so while it arose. "By the way, how's it goin' with that red head that pops by every once in awhile? Do you know anything about her past or are you just planning to hit it and quit it?" Every time Damian saw her she reminded him of someone he knew that he just couldn't put his finger on. Interrogating his older brother felt like the best way to get what he wanted out of him. "She's pretty cute. Guess she enjoys the company of introverted men that hide away in basements with a cat that does not seem to like its master's younger brother," he jokingly said. Their journey onward felt like it was taking forever. Normally it would irritate Damian due to his lack of patience to pretty much everything. This time it did not phase him due to the fact he got to spend time with one of the most important people in his life. Despite the bonding time with his older brother something kept bothering him as they got closer to their destination. Just a gut feeling something not good was coming their way. Damian tried to shoo the thoughts away since he believed it was simply paranoia sinking in from leaving the Gospel Complex which became home. "What do you hope to find at the mall," he questioned to try to distract himself from pessimistic nonsense. ---------------------- OOC: Errmahgawd. Finally posted for you!

[Redd Russo]

“That’s true, I can afford anything I want!” Redd laughed, “But there ain’t that great a selection; unless you’re shoppin for broken glass and suspicious mold,” he added. They walked on for a bit, Redd tolerating his brother’s manic arm-swinging with ease. It was difficult to irritate him, especially because he’d spent such little time with his brother as of late. He was difficult to rattle too, but Damian’s next question caught him off guard and Redd was taken aback, his breath catching in his throat so he ended up coughing awkwardly. “Uhh, er yeah, Devin,” he answered a little nervously. Redd was a very private person about his feelings, and especially didn’t talk about things like how one might ‘hit it and quit it’. And he would never! Could never! He cared about her too much. Redd felt his cheeks flush red at the thought. “Aha, nah we’re just… great friends, y’know? We work together sometimes and I reckon she’s smarter than me. It’s amazing to see her solve a problem that stumped me for days, just in a blink of an eye…” He trailed off a little, realizing he was starting to ramble about Devin. Was it obvious he cared so much? That he wanted more? Redd wondered for a moment how Damian would feel if he and Devin got together, knowing that she was Casey’s sister; he cringed at the thought, but at the same time couldn’t lessen his feelings. Guilt nagged at him as he hoped that Damian just wouldn’t find out -- and of course he was smart enough to know better, but the alternative was nerve-wracking. The subject change was more than welcome, and Redd let out a small sigh of relief. “Well, any metal scraps really—“ He let out a scream as he was suddenly knocked backward. Pain shot through his arm and his mind was swimming in confusion and panic. Redd’s other hand flew to his shoulder as he stumbled back a few steps, and found the wooden shaft of an arrow lodged in his flesh, much too close to his heart for comfort. Redd tried to push past the initial shock of being attacked and looked around frantically for their attackers. His heart began racing and he tried not to panic, but his breaths started coming in shaky gasps as he saw the blood begin to seep from his wound and stain his shirt. He wasn’t a fighter! He didn’t know what to do in these situations. Damian was always the one who could fight, not him! Redd couldn’t even remember the training he’d gotten when he had first gotten here. He struggled to get a grasp on his breathing, but to no avail. Three armed strangers stepped out of the alley in front of them. One man was holding a bow and nocking another arrow, while a lithe wild-looking girl with a knife grinned at them. The third man was holding a bat. Redd hadn’t seen any of them before, so he could only assume they were from another ring or rogues. He glanced at Damian desperately, as if begging him for instructions. For the first time in a long time, Redd didn’t have a plan.

[Damian Russo]

What was supposed to be a fun trip quickly took a devastating turn when the sound of a swift high pitched object raced past Damian's ear. Turning back to look toward Redd his eyes widened in shock and horror seeing an arrow impaling his brother. Against his will Damian's hands began to shake out of fear as well as an overwhelming rage rising to the surface. For so long he tried to keep that surpressed to try to be a better person and even be happier in some way. Red blood staining his brother's shirt became the key to unlocking the rage he tried to hide. Now reaching his arms out to try to balance Redd he hoped to comfort him to ease the panic clearly on his brother's face. "Redd, you are going to be fine. Try to fight if you can, but I'll make sure you leave here with no more injuries." Out of the three people standing in front of him the only person Damian could focus on was the one with the bow and arrow. That was his target and nobody was going to stop Damian from harming him. Without thinking of anything else Damian sprinted forward shifting into a Gypsy Vanner to gain quick speed before giving the man a chance to lift up his bow to aim at him. As he got in front of his target he reared up using his heavy body to put the pressure of his hooves directly onto the guy's shoulders forcing him down to the ground with all his weight causing them to completely shatter which released a horrifying scream of agony from Damian's prey. Damian shifted back into his human form so he could smash the man's head into the ground with is bare hands for pure satisfaction of getting revenge. This was not the smartest choice since he completely forgot about the man with the bat. Luckily for Damian the man was dumb enough to swing the bat hitting his rib cage instead of his head. Adrenaline rushed through his veins which lessened the pain of his ribs breaking for the most part. When the man pulled his arms back to swing again Damian decided to go for a more painful approach by kicking him right between the legs. A high pitched squeal came from the man causing him to double over which led Damian to uppercut him sending the guy flying back with a loud thud on the ground.

[Redd Russo]

Redd nodded weakly as Damian reassured him; It would be alright, Damian was here. He could fight, as long as Redd could hold one of them off long enough for Damian to get to the others, maybe they’d have a chance. He watched as Damian went for the man with the bow and shifted. He turned away just before his brother brought his full weight down on the attacker, but he still heard the sickening sound of bone shattering and the man’s blood-curdling scream. Redd felt his stomach flip at the noise and he hunched over in response. ‘Get it together, get it together!’ he begged himself. This was no time to spiral into a full-blown panic attack. Redd grasped the shaft of the arrow, took a moment to brace himself, and then pulled as hard as he could. His scream ripped through the air, but the bolt of pain that lanced through him jolted him from his panic-spiral with a quick shot of adrenaline. He threw down the arrow and turned to the battle just in time to see the wild-girl approaching him. The girl’s wicked grin sent a chill down his spine. She taunted him, twirling her blade in her grasp. Redd took a step back and tried to think. Thinking was his strong suit! There had to be a way out, if he could just find it. His eyes left his opponent for only a quick moment to look around for something, anything to defend himself with. It was slim pickings, but he suddenly lunged for the arrow again and snatched it up, hoping that it was better than nothing. The wild-girl took that as her cue to attack, and she let out a vicious screech as she lunged at him. Redd raised the arrow to strike, but she was too quick. She was on him in a moment, her knife plunging deep into his gut as she knocked him to the ground in one swift attack. He cried out as he hit the hard, broken asphalt, chunks of stone digging into his back, nearly as sharp as the wicked girl’s knife. The arrow fell from his hand again as he was frozen in fear and agony. She twisted the knife and laughed, savoring his cries as he writhed beneath her. “Damian!” Redd screamed for his brother, his voice hoarse and cracked. The wicked girl pulled the knife from him and plunged it in again, this time in his side. His scream was weaker than before, and he felt his strength waning as the blood poured from his body. He pushed at his attacker with what power he had left, but she only laughed again, a sharp and grating noise that made his head spin. Before long, Redd’s arms were easily swatted away, and fell to his sides. With no more fun to be had, the wicked girl pulled the knife from Redd again, this time only eliciting a quiet groan. He was fading quickly it seemed. She sighed and placed her blade on his neck. “Disappointing,” was all she said. ooc; ;( why do we do these plots

[Damian Russo]

Through the tunnel vision of his rage Damian got out of his own head to hear his brother cry out for help. 'One, two, thr... DAMMIT!' Due to not paying attention the Fulsi Head of Border Patrol realized the small girl moved past him since he was so focused on the man with the bow and arrow. Fully turning around Damian witnessed the girl stab the knife she possessed not once, but twice into Redd. Panic engulfed Damian burning up his body in a way that made him feel powerless. He refused to let any emotion slow him down. Not even realizing it he was already running as fast as he could with his switchblade in his right hand toward his endangered brother. "No, no, no, no," he continuously said under his breath. Seeing the blade go to his brother's neck sped up the pace while still muttering 'no' to himself. Damian watched how close the girl's blade hovered over Redd's neck as he approached the situation. Right as he got behind her the wild girl said, 'Goodbye.' "NOOOOOO," he yelled at the top of his lungs. The girl tried to turn around, but it was too late for her. In an instant he pulled the girl by her hair in front of himself shoving the blade as deep as possible into her back. Over and over again he plunged the knife into her causing blood to completely drench a good portion of his shirt. Still holding onto her hair he threw the girl as hard as he could to the side where she landed a few yards away. Before the impact of the ground the girl was already dead. The two men from earlier escaped knowing they wouldn't be able to see another day if they stayed. Damian dropped to his knees next to his brother with tears running down his face while his whole body shook dramatically. With one arm Damian picked up Redd by the top of his back and the other pulling his brother as close to his own chest as possible. Hysterical crying echoed throughout the area around himself and his brother. "Please, don't go! I need you! Pleeease," he barely managed to mutter. "Remember when we were kids? We always said we would be together no matter what. Don't leave me alone again!" Damian held his brother a bit tighter into his chest while rocking back and forth with tears he felt were never going to stop as the agonizing feeling of losing the person he loved most approached. "I love you so much. Don't go..."

[Redd Russo]

All he could make out now was the shadow looming over him. His arms and legs felt numb, and a fleeting thought drifted through his mind; was this real? It seemed only a moment later that the shadow was gone, replaced by the blinding white of the sun. Redd hadn’t seen it move, but it was gone now. He turned his head, something that seemed to take a century, and saw the wild girl lying a few feet away in a pool of blood. His thought his eyes had drooped closed for just a brief moment, but when he opened them again, Damian was holding him. He looked so upset, Redd thought, and he tried to lift a hand to comfort his brother; it didn’t move. His whole body felt numb and cold, except for his wounds, which burned with a fire he’d never felt before. It wasn’t pain per-se, because the pain had left with the creeping numbness, but Redd didn’t know what it was, only that it was an intense warmth that for the moment, kept him from slipping into unconsciousness. “Together,” Redd echoed Damian quietly, managing a weak smile. “No matter what,” he added, tears stinging at his eyes. If this was to be the end, he needed Damian to know that he wouldn’t be alone; Redd truly believed that. He had to, because if there was nothing after this place… the thought that he was perched on the edge of the abyss was too frightening. The effort to speak had left his breath shallow and ragged now. He felt so tired, like if he could just close his eyes for a moment…Despite the fire burning him up, begging him to stay awake, Redd gave in to the coaxing embrace of unconsciousness.

[Damian Russo]

A sense of relief broke through the agony when Damian heard his brother speak to him. "You're gonna pull through." Just the reaffirmation of knowing that Redd was still here and had a fighting chance if he Damian did something about it gave him the courage to calm himself down to get his thoughts together. Closing his eyes he took a few deep breaths to center himself better. It became clear to him that crying was not going to save his brother's life. Damian knew he needed to be productive and get the hell out of where they were and head back to the Medical Tents for help. "I got you, Redd." Still holding one hand under his brother's back Damian used his other hand under Redd's knees to cradle him into his arms. Slowly Damian began to stand up to go finally go get help. A stabbing pain hammered through his rib cages and Damian almost forgot the guy hit him with the bat. "Doesn't matter how much it hurts. Just go," he commanded out loud to himself. Damian wanted to have his brother lay on his back while being in his Gypsy Vanner form, but he knew it was too unreliable since it would be easy to fall off that way. 'Gonna have to take the longer way,' he thought to himself. Every breath and every step forward started to hurt more and more. "I won't let you down." Despite the ongoing pain Damian began to make his steps become faster and faster till he managed to actually start running back to where the Medical Tents were located. Just as before when nothing was going to stop him from attacking the guy with the bow and arrow, nothing was going to stop him from making it on time to save his brother's life.

[Damian Russo]

THE END!