riverviewlogs | ( open ) wear your bruises

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( open ) wear your bruises

who: James T. Kirk & YOU!
what: Butterfly Effect AU, in which Jim is 13 years old; good luck everyone.
when: June 13th to 24th
where: All over the Quarantine, and outside the city walls.
warnings: mayhem, insanity, probably rude and inappropriate behavior, dangerous stunts, stealing— I mean borrowing, what have you. he's a tiny devil, pretty much.

I ▹ LET'S TAKE SOME CANDY

[ To James T. Kirk, this is just another perfectly normal day.

Another perfectly normal day of being stuck in some random city on a moon he's never even heard of, but as far as he's aware, he's been here for months now, so not much is new anymore. Granted, a few people have been acting weirder than usual, but he doesn't pay it all that much mind. He just goes on with his days doing pretty much the same he's been doing so far: whatever he wants, obviously.

Because here, there's no Frank to yell at him, no mom to come from months out in space to try and tell him what he can or can't do. There's no school either (or maybe there is; he's just never bothered to go), and most of the adults can't really keep an eye on him.

Besides, he's almost fourteen. What are they gonna do, send him to his room? Yeah, screw that.

Anyway, today's been peaceful enough, and surprisingly, he's been behaving so far. Strolling through the parks and paying more attention to dogs than he does people, he sits down reading a book on some more secluded corner by a tree, or he gets himself a wrapped sandwich and an ice cream and calls that his lunch.

As he's making his way back to the communal housing, though, he comes by a very colorful and attractive candy shop, and stepping closer, he looks over the various sweets on offer. He has no more money on him, though. Which is a stupid thing to begin with— who even cares about money anymore, what an ancient system.

So really, he's just enlightening the store clerk to a new and modern way of living when he grabs one of the huge lollipops and takes off running, hearing the guy yell 'hey!' behind him, but not coming after him. Anyone else is free to stop him, though. Or take a lollipop too and join him on his great escape. ]

II ▹ LET'S STEAL A CAR

[ It's not difficult for someone like Jim to get easily bored. As many things as he can find to do around here, it gets tiring when most adults try to talk him out of more ~dangerous~ stuff, and Jim sometimes gets frustrated at being denied so much. A little pissed, too.

He's in one of those moods when he comes across this beauty. There are a few people around at first, so he acts perfectly innocently as he walks around the car, and only when the street's a little more deserted does he hop into the driver seat. Now, he's never really hotwired an old car before, but he knows how to do it in theory, so he ducks underneath the steering wheel, effectively hiding himself from view while he fumbles with the wiring, taking a little longer than in those old movies but ultimately succeeding in turning the engine on.

He sits back up, victorious grin on his face. ] Alright! [ Now someone should come join him for a joyride. ]

III ▹ LET'S JUMP OFF CLIFFS

[ Another point of interest for Jim is the wilderness just beyond the city walls. Not because he thinks it's beautiful, mind (even if it kind of is), but because going out there on hikes is fun and exciting, and he might be a little too eager to run into any creatures too. He's managed to find a stun gun back at the apartment, so evidently he's completely safe. He thinks so, anyway.

So while out there in the jungle, maybe he'll be stupid enough to try to do rock climbing; or he'll be idiotic enough to try and hop over a narrow chasm, from one steep rock to the other. He might even be insane enough to make fumbling noises, trying to scare some wild animal he finds out there, only for that to come back and bite him in the ass when said animal turns around and charges towards him.

Either way, he's probably gonna need some help here. ]

IV ▹ LET'S DO WHATEVER

[ Think of another prompt? Feel free to toss it at me! ]

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I guess.. it's just so old - where's the navigation screens or touch controls? [ She's used to a much higher standard of vehicle, apparently - or just one that's a little more technologically advanced. All in all it's not bad to treat her to one with knobs and an engine that revs - though she may get a little too used to it, by the time she gets back to her world she might have a totally different view of her usual form of transport.

She watches the people around, some watching with a bit of amusement, others looking a bit concerned and narrowing their eyes to see if any adults are around. ]

Re-L. [ Then she turns back out to look around, back to Jim - ]

I'd go, if I were you. That guy is coming over.

There aren't any. [ Jim says that with an utterly delighted grin. Look, not that those aren't helpful, and Jim likes a fancy and fast modern car as much as anyone else, but it can't possibly compare to the thrill of driving a beauty like this, full horse power thrumming away and practically roaring underneath him.

He glances over when she mentions someone approaching, face tensing in brief panic. Okay, they've been spotted. ]

Yep, time to go!

[ Also he doesn't even have his seatbelt on yet, but— whatever, that can wait. He revs up the car instead, kicking it into first gear and driving off down the street with sudden acceleration, too fast for anyone to be able to catch up to them or stop them. ]

That's just weird... [ She's yet to see why it's a good thing to be without them, though this little ride around might be all the convincing that Re-L needs. Hell, the cars in Romdeau didn't even make noise like a real engine, so who knew, she might fall in love with it for that reason alone. However, for the moment she's tumbling in to the seat with a hearty laugh as they ride away from the one adult who'd tried to approach them.. now flanked by a good few adults who just realized they'd stolen a car. Re-L makes no motion to put a seat belt across her lap, or... do much of anything, really, other than watch the scenery roll by as they roll along.

Her hair blows in the slight breeze curving around the windshield, but she doesn't do much more than move it out of her face when it obstructs her view. ]

So.. where are you taking this?

[ Most people probably find navigation screens useful, but personally Jim just thinks they're a machine trying to tell him what to do and where to go. He doesn't need that. He can and will take this ride anywhere he wants to, as fast as he feels like it. Probably just an expression of the kind of freedom he wishes he had back home— just up and leave and go wherever. Anywhere that's not fields and farms and the lingering ghost of his father, looming over every corner and piece of furniture in their farm house.

And Frank, obviously. God knows what Jim would like to do to that asshole, but... anyway. He doesn't have to put up with him here.

His laugh matches hers, especially amused by the shocked and bewildered looks they get from the people around them, and then they're driving too fast for him to notice much of anything on people's faces. ]

Anywhere. Doesn't matter, does it? [ Realistically speaking, though, probably somewhere to the outskirts of the city, where they're less likely to be chased after or stopped. ] Do you wanna go anywhere?

[ Re-L's all too used to machines telling her what to do and where to do - it's essentially every fellow citizen's daily life if they rely on their autoreiv. She's a bit too young to not rely on Iggy for some things, admittedly, but listening to a car give directions isn't exactly the bossiest thing a machine has ever said to her. She turns away from Jim for a moment to put her arms on the car door, resting her chin on top of her hands and letting her hair blow in the wind as they move.

This is nice, actually. Even if she doesn't know the boy from anywhere, and doesn't know where they're going. Unplanned adventure, for once. ]

Well, I was thinking you might not want to leave it somewhere someone can catch you. [ As if she wasn't an accomplice in all of this too, riding with him. Details. Re-L turns back to him as Jim asks her if there's anywhere she wants to go, thinking for a moment before her shoulders shrug upwards. ]

I can't think of anywhere, really. I don't know this place and without Iggy mapping it out... [ That's a bit of a pout, there. But she'll be alright. ] There's not any autoreiv facilities here, are there? Where Iggy might be?

Yeah, sure. Thought about that much, at least. [ He also doesn't want to accidentally hurt anyone. He may be a reckless and hotheaded thrill seeker, but he would have issues with innocent people getting injured because of his little adventures.

They make it at least down the street, then he turns towards a wider, longer avenue that should lead them farther away from the city center. It's a start. Too bad there are no roads beyond the wall, because that would've been pretty awesome.

He glances briefly at her, not taking the eyes off the road for too long. ] What's an autoreiv?

Well, you know. I thought I'd check. [ There are practical matters to think about despite their little joy ride here, after all. She's nothing is not a realist, even as a little child that should probably be focused on playing with dolls or something less productive than considering where they're ditching the car. Riding around like this is nice, at least, the wind in her hair a bit of a new sensation, the freedom of it all is... more than a little satisfying. She's never been without an assigned baby sitter, never had her own free will in this way previous to this ride with Jim and this experience in general. It makes her think that, maybe, she needs to stick around with him and get a taste of all this while she can.

it may not be a bad idea, at the very least.

His question rouses her out of her thoughts, though, and for a moment she seems a bit surprised that he's asking. ]

They're.. mmn.. robots. Iggy helps to take care of me, makes me food and makes sure I get to all of my lessons, that kind of thing... [ And, how could she forget : ] He's my friend, too.

[ Jim's a bit more impetuous and thoughtless than that, but even he knows better than to ditch the car where they'd easily be caught. For what it's worth, this time around he's not actually planning on driving the car off a cliff, so that's a start. Seems like such a waste, too— and he doesn't have anything against the owners of this particular car, not like he did against Frank. ]

Huh. [ Jim purses his lips, keeping their speed relatively slow so they don't attract too much attention their way. No one seems to be chasing after them so far, at least. ] Doesn't ring any bells, sorry. We don't have that where I come from. You can ask around and see if anyone's heard about it? But your friend's probably not here at all.

[ A quick glance as he looks at her in silence for a few seconds. ] Don't you have anyone else here with you? Someone to get you food or a place to sleep— stuff like that?

[ It seems odd that no one's chasing after them, to her. But then again, Romdeau dome was so much more regulated and full of rules and decorum than this place. On one hand, she feels a bit more free. On the other... it's weird. She's not used to the breadth and depth of what she was allowed here, and while taking advantage of it is clearly happening in this little joy ride with Jim... a part of her wonders when the other foot is going to drop, so to speak. When they'd have someone coming down on them for doing something like this.

They pass by another person who either doesn't notice or doesn't care, and for a moment her brow crease, wondering what the hell was going on in this place and how it wasn't falling apart around them. ]

No one's heard anything about it when I ask. But then... what's Iggy doing without me? [ Probably lost and frantic, considering the implications of an autoreiv losing it's master, but sh tries not to dwell on that too much. ]

Hm? No. I got some candy from a girl named Iris.. but .. I woke up in an apartment so I guess I might go back there for the night. It seems nice enough. Smaller than my house, though. [ She shrugs, seemingly not too panicked about it. But then can't stop the question - ]

Do you?

[ A stroke of luck, probably. Authorities likely have been notified at this point but they've had a nice window of time to put some distance between them, and now they're speeding down streets and avenues, not a lot of people seem to pay too close attention to the fact that it's a kid behind the wheel.

They're leaving tall buildings and crowded streets anyway, headed out to a more suburban area, beyond which there are mostly empty warehouses and lots. No one should bother them there, and it's also a good spot to ditch the car. ]

Well, he's probably... [ He starts, then realizes that what he was gonna say would just worry her and probably make her panic. ] I'm sure he's fine. He's got other people with him, right? He'll be fine.

[ He applies the same sentiment to his own mother. He doubts Frank would care one way other the other. To him it's probably a joyous occasion, not having to hover and constantly worry about Jim touching his things. ]

Yeah, I've got someone. A friend of mine. He's old, but he's cool. We're in the same apartment. [ It goes a little beyond Jim how a girl who can't even go by without her personal robot is expected to walk around and look after herself here. The thought has him pressing his lips a moment before he offers. ] You should come back with me. Our place isn't that huge either, but you can stay there. Bones cooks and lets me watch all the movies I want, it's really nice.

I don't know... I don't recognize anyone around here... [ Though, really, she's still a fair amount more calm than most young girls would be about being in a new place with very few familiar faces around. Some seemed oddly, vaguely familiar for some reason she can't place, but she doesn't linger on that long. Her grandfather and Daedalus would probably be frantic in looking for her, but all Donov did was lecture and Daedalus .. well, she might miss him if given some time away from his lessons and hovering. Maybe. ]

He'll be worried about me, though. I don't think I've ever spent more than a night away from Iggy before... [ She still wasn't sure the reason why he'd gone away that time, either, but it had been oddly lonely. ]

Oh really? How'd you meet him? [ She's been plenty capable of conning food and candy out of people so far in her adventures in Riverview - she'd find a way somehow. Even if it was seeking out Iris and asking to stay with her or something like that. Re-L debates Jim's offer for a spare few moments, probably debating if she had any better alternatives or options at the moment, which she doesn't - ]

Bones? That's a weird name... is he strange? [ #priorities ]

[ Jim is seriously surprised she's not crying for her mommy or daddy right now, for what it's worth. Weirdly enough, it makes him like Re-L a bit more. Most kids his age are so whiny about everything. Jim misbehaves, yes, a lot actually, but good luck getting a single word of complaint out of him. He just bottles it in and lets it fester and instead lets it all out in rather explosive and dangerous ways. ]

No point in worrying about it, yourself. And you never know— if he's looking for you, he might find his way here, too. [ And then she won't be alone. Well, granted, she's not alone now either, but even Jim knows it's not the same as having someone she knows she can trust and rely on. ]

Well, that's... kinda complicated. He's a friend of mine when I grow up. But I showed up here younger than he remembers me. [ Not that it has stopped the doctor from keeping him around and looking after him. Jim might suck at expressing his emotions, but he really is very grateful for that.

The question has him snorting in amusement, though, and he grins at her. ] No. He's a little grumpy but it's all for show. He's a doctor, so... I think that's why I call him that? It's a nickname I give him when I'm older. Anyway, he's chill, and he looks out for me.

[ Well, part of that is that she doesn't have a parental set in the traditional form. There's her grandfather, Daedalus, and Iggy - two of which weren't even around as much as the autoreiv, who in a way was more friendly than fatherly. Which.. was why her concern circled around him so much and not her doctor and family. Either way, there's certainly no crying being done here. She's too tough for that.

Or just trained not to, but, details. ]

I hope so... Grandfather would punish him for losing me if he ever knew... [ And that'd mean going without Iggy again for a few days while his programming was checked over and - she doesn't really want that at all. Thankfully further discussion about the fate of her autoreiv is stopped as Jim explains about Bones and how they know one another, her brows raising in that way that says she doesn't believe a damn word coming out of his mouth, if she's honest, but she's going to do with it for now. If only because it meant staying in the same place and hoping Iggy would somehow find his way to her. ]

That... sounds a bit like you're telling me a story. [ Honest to a fault, even as a child. Some things don't change with time. ]

But... I don't really have another option right now, so.. I'm sticking with you, for now.

Well, I am telling you a story.

[ Doesn't mean it's a lie, though. And this is hardly the kind of thing it'd be worth lying about, all things considered. But then... well, maybe Jim just takes more easily to the idea of differing time points, or non-linear timelines. He seems to like to play stupid at school, but that doesn't mean he is. ]

Cool. [ He grins at her, nodding. ] I'll make sure to let Bones know. Once... we're headed back, I mean.

[ Bones would go mad if he knew Jim had just stolen a car and went on a joyride with his new friend, so best not to call him while they're out here. ]

[ There's one of those looks, Jim, that had this been the normal, adult, Re-L, would've probably had a bit more impact. There's just something about a baby face lacking in sharp make-up and a bit of a jaded glint behind the eyes that makes her a little less domineering looking. Not that adult Jim would've been put off, either. It's one of those withering glances that says she knows, honestly she does, just...

Their entire situation right now is more than a little strange. She'd feel better if she at least had Iggy around to help her reach things and offer a little guidance. ]

Don't want him to know about the car? [ Re-L is perceptive enough for that, at least, offering up next : ] Don't worry, that's our little secret. Grandfather would lecture me for ten years straight if he knew.

[ Predictably, Jim isn't especially fazed by the look, and if anything he looks almost pleased with himself, what with the smile he shoots her way. Somehow he looks even more like a cheeky little bastard as a kid. ]

Don't think there's any reason for him to find out. [ Unless, you know... they get either found out or actually caught. Which still might happen, at this point. ] Thanks, anyway. He's nicer when he's not scolding me.

[ Not that Bones usually does that. If anything he looks especially reluctant to treat Jim like he's his kid in any way. ]

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( open ) wear your bruises

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