Interceptors - Setting up shop (IC)

[blink]

Nadia sighed to herself wondering how tensions had gotten to this point already. Actually, what they needed was to get out into the thick of it. Nothing either bonded or broke a team quicker than live fire. Of course, she hoped that it would be bonded rather than broke, but that was going to be up to each of them. All Star had enough pride for the whole team which seemed to rub Jack especially hard. As Nadia saw it, having a camera hound like All Star on the team meant that there was more chance that she could go about her business without people noticing her. The only downside was what it would do to the team in the process.

She caught up to Marcus as he followed Kris and Jack to the machine shop. Grabbing his arm to hold him back a moment she said, "Da. Is team. Team not thinking of All Star as stupid... unless is going to try and prove by causing of fights with team. Are needing each other, even if jabbing with words. Is um... what is phrase... butting of heads. Am sure that city is thanking for destruction of robot, even if show was being put on. Is another medal for display case, no?"

Shifting in front of him she looked up into his green eyes; she could see the wounded pride and anger boiling underneath, "remember pride of others too... calling of courage is spreading seeds of doubt on team. Blink is trusting of Marcus and Jack with life, can give nothing more."

[quotemyname]

Colt had remained silent through the exchange on purpose. His eyes hand never left the pair. Any other day he would have moved to preempt any fight that might break out, but he needed to see if it would come to that on its own first or not. Colt was relieved to see Kristian move to diffuse the situation. It didn't work well with his attempted analysis, but at least there would be no fight.

When the team moved out of the garage to go explore the new workshop, Colt had followed. He had been about to open his mouth to All-Star finally, when Nadia beat him to the punch.

After her speech, he decided to add his two cents. He looked at All-Star, "She's right," then turned to face Jack, "Both y'all. Reckon' we outta make a "no fightin'" rule'r somethin'. Y'all can't be at each other's throats. It'll only get someone hurt. 'er worse."

Colt stopped walking. "Reckon the work shop'll wait. Both y'all should stop an' shake hands're somethin'. Here's how I see it. Jack shouldn'ta flipped out an' said what'e said. But ya gotta admit, All-Star, yer libel ta get someone hurt if'n ya keep fightin' the way ya do. An' what happens when it IS a civilian. Regardless a' what other's'd think, could you live wit' that?"

[Gizmo]

Although his expression remained impassive, Jack seethed at All-Star's rebuke. His palm itched for a sword and he had to stop himself from reflexively pulling in the energy around him to form a blade. Courage? The meathead wanted to talk courage? How about hitting the streets every night despite broken bones and crisscrossing scars, all on the off chance you could make your neighbourhood a tiny bit safer? How about facing down villains you knew you couldn't beat, just to buy others time to escape? As far as Jack was concerned, the invulnerable showboat had never had to show real courage in his life. It was an insult the swashbuckler wasn't likely to forget any time soon.

The only thing that stayed his hand was a stubborn refusal to sink to what he perceived Marcus' level. He'd tried to walk away, to postpone a confrontation, while the larger man had been petulant and demanding. In Jack's mind he had firmly held the moral high ground, and he wasn't about to give it up now. The best way to stick it to All-Star, he decided, was to be the bigger man. Conflict resolution through petty revenge, he mused darkly.

Outwardly, Jack offered the others a tight-lipped smile. "Hey, I'm letting it go. It was an accident, right? It's not Sparky's fault if he's still learning to control all those powers. I'm sure he's doing his best." He gave Marcus a slight nod. "And, hey, he's not totally wrong; we'll probably find ourselves in plenty of situations were what we really need is a blunt tool. And this is the guy for the job, amirite?" He held out a hand to the bigger man. "We cool?" His tone subtly toed the line between sincerity and exaggeration.

[ex3lev3n]

Kris took a deep breath though his nose, held it for a moment, and let it out slowly through his mouth. He waited for Marcus to take Jack's hand, a cease-fire of sorts, though he knew the peace wouldn't last. There was a clash of personality between the two, a difference of what they thought made a hero. Their earlier exchange left a bitter taste in his mouth, though he thought better than to stoke the flames.

[Heritage]

"Reckon the work shop'll wait. Both y'all should stop an' shake hands're somethin'. Here's how I see it. Jack shouldn'ta flipped out an' said what'e said. But ya gotta admit, All-Star, yer libel ta get someone hurt if'n ya keep fightin' the way ya do. An' what happens when it IS a civilian. Regardless a' what other's'd think, could you live wit' that?"

Grim chose to remain quiet at times like this, for a number of reasons, mostly because the last thing the situation needed was her big mouth. Also witnessing fights like this reminded her of the volitile shouting matches her parents used to get into, her dad loud and belowing, her mom cooly venomous unless she got really mad, and then it was like staring into the sun; little Lynn Epstein would lock up, mute and shaking, watching events unfold before her as an almost out-of-body experience.

Luckily it seemed like it wouldn't get that far; she liked the way Colt was trying to handle it, but also wondered if Jack and All-Star should be teamed up on missions together in the future. She moved to Colt's side and laced her fingers into his, offering her non-verbal support.

[Warmonger]

All-Star Bristled. "What? He started with me!" What was this? Everyone was gonna take his side cause he was some sort of smooth talker? "Are we cool?" the question was hot with frustration. He clenched his teeth. If they thought they were gonna make this his fault... he looked around. He saw his teammates' faces. The nervous glances, the apprehension. He could feel his anger coiled around his chest, squeezing his lungs. He let out a long ragged breath. He realized his jaw was clenched tight enough for his teeth to grind. He took another second to let his breath out again. He blinked. "Pfft Fine," he said grudgingly. He shook Jack's hand but didn't look at him.

[quotemyname]

I know he started it, but if'n y'all don't make nice, I'ma gon finish it! Colt was very thankful sometimes that his thoughts stayed in his head where they belonged.

He glanced down at Grim, a look of gratitude on his face for her silent support. He squeezed her hand as he looked back up at the group, thankful that the two had decided to make up.

"Good. Now what'a y'all say we go look at them new toys Kristian got?

[ex3lev3n]

In an attempt to add a little levity to the situation, Kristian remarked before continuing down the corridor, "If you ladies are done holding hands over there, follow me."

Not too far off from the garage he stopped the group in front of an unmarked door. "Right through here. Watch your step, the light won't turn on until I enter," he said as he opened the door, hinting at some of the modifications he had made to the empty storage room. He waited until the group entered before walking in behind them and closed the door.

[Heritage]

"Right through here. Watch your step, the light won't turn on until I enter,"

Grim giggled. "Boy, someone sure likes to be melodramatic."

She would more than likely have no problem seeing any changes he'd made even with the lights out, due to her uncanny eyes, but out of respect she kept her peepers closed and held on to Colt's hand. For a bizarre moment, she had a flashback to childhood, remembering the first time her father took her to a spookhouse for Halloween, her small hand tightly clenching his own.

Despite herself, Grim begins humming the Twilight Zone theme ;)

[quotemyname]

"Hey now, knock that off," Colt teased Grim as he followed her through the doorway. "Dang workshop wasn't meant ta be spooky like yer makin' it."

Colt couldn't see in the darkness, and as he walked next to Grim he held his other hand out in front of him to ensure he didn't run into anything. "Reckon ya always end up findin' things with yer shins at'a time like this."