A Cat Stuck In A Tree

[Arson Anthem]

She won't be content in the city, Poison, you know that better than I do. She'll be patrolling soon enough. As soon as the pills are enough to make her accept the idea of hunting us. *I run a hand through my hair* I'm sorry, Poison. I'd have brought her back if I could, I swear. But it's Retro. *I laugh, but there's no humor in my voice* No one can make her do anything she doesn't want to.

Anyway... *I can feel myself starting to get overwhelmed again, and push it down, starting down the aisle before Poison can reply. I'll go check on Red, or something.*

[Max Griffiths]

*I'm surprised, but don't show it. Red nods when I glance at her, though, and I remember how they took care of her when she was injured the last time. If they're offering, I'll take them up on it. I nod, standing and following the purple-haired killjoy backstage. His twin walks just behind me, and I'm sure if I looked back I'd see his hand on his gun.*

*The room we find looks like it used to be a makeup room for the theater; it's one of the few rooms that isn't full of boxes and supplies, and the two long walls are lined with counters, mirrors, and lights. Half the lights don't work and half the mirrors are broken, but otherwise the room is in fairly good shape. There are even some stools left. I sit on one of the stools, facing the far wall, which doesn't have a mirror. I'd be concerned about being in such a confined space, but I can't summon the energy. I think my fever's worse, and I can tell I reopened something on my back when I lifted Red.*

[petroleumblaster]

*As soon as we jet backstage Jump hands me his backpack. I roll my eyes a bit in exasperation. How can I get to my gun if I'm rummaging through med supplies and assisting? Jump is already in doc mode, however, so there is no stopping him*

*Jump goes through the usual checkup procedure at first: eyes, mouth, etc... and suddenly turns to me...*

[Poison Shot]

*Arson looked nervous as she left, like she as as afraid as I was that Retro would possibly lose herself again like the few times before. It's not a difficult task to remind her about us, her family, once the pills are kept from her. However it is very difficult to keep her from patrolling and attacking people in the zones. Even as a killjoy she was a rowdy one*

I wonder where the rest of our family has gone. CQ is off in mexico trying to stabilize those units, but Panda? Sug? IA? Hell even the kid Bandit I always wanted to sock in the face.

[jumpstart]

PB, would you go get that orange juice for Max? You need the water and sugar, Max. I'll need you to eat some solid food later as well, but for now you'll be much more comfortable with the procedure if you're properly hydrated.

*PB initially protests, but I insist and practically have to shove him out of the room. I really don't think Max will do anything and he looks like he's about to pass out. I hate to see my patients suffer. I start to cut off what remains of his jacket and shirt, carefully separating fabric from skin where the blood has glued to two together*

Max...if you want to ask me anything about Red... now's the time...

[Max Griffiths]

*I turn slightly, not sure I heard him right. I glance at the door, then back at the killjoy. If he really is willing to tell me...* What happened to her? How did she get in that condition? Where did you find her?

[jumpstart]

*I keep cutting* We found her deep in the basement of the tower, held captive by a middle-aged scientist and an AI. There seemed to be some altercation right before we arrived the AI was choking Red... it was all so surreal. The AI dropped her and she was only half-alive when I got to her. She has these, I don't know, mauling marks on her and bruises. She is also severely malnourished, as I'm sure you noticed. You could use with some food too, you know, especially if you expect to take care of Red. Her healing rate has also slowed in the time she's been with us. I think they were trying out medications on her, but I can't be sure.

Red is very resilient, you know? She WANTS to live more than most people I've met *I shake my head* It's amazing. Any of us would protect Red, especially Arson.

I'm going to start cleaning the wound, ok?

[Max Griffiths]

*I don't hear anything after his first sentence. The middle-aged scientist can only be Manson. Manson had Red... which means Wilson signed her over. I stand up abruptly, oblivious to the medic's scissors. My wheeled stool skids away across the dirty linoleum, and I turn for the door with my fists clenched, trying to ignore the vertigo* I'll kill him!

[petroleumblaster]

*When I come back in with the orange juice as quickly as I can. Evidently I wasn't quick enough. I come in to see Max storming towards the door, muttering about killing someone. Jump is chasing after him. Oh brother* Jump! Out of the way! *I yell, gun drawn. The plastic bottle fill of oj bounces along the floor. I knew I should have stayed* Don't move, Max.

[jumpstart]

PB! No! *I grab Max's arm, forcing him to stop* Look, Max, it's no use running off into the desert and getting yourself killed. The important thing is Red is safe for now and she needs you. *I glance at PB as I keep talking* Revenge can wait. It's time to heal.

[Max Griffiths]

*I react automatically; the killjoy with the gun is too close, and it's a simple thing to twist his wrist sideways. I grab the gun as he drops it and turn it towards the killjoy holding my arm. How dare he try to stop me? But the quick motion was too much for me and the dizziness catches up - completely normal dizziness this time, unlike the side effects of the electroshock. I close my eyes briefly, trying to orient myself. A medic, that's what the man is. If I threaten him, or any of the others, I'll just end up either back in the desert or dead. I set the gun on the nearest counter, raising my hand to show the men I'm unarmed. The medic looks shaken, but I sit down when he pulls me back over to the stool. He's right. Now's not the time. But still, when I think about Red being under Manson's control it's everything I can do not to smash something.* Get on with it. *The words are almost a growl and I don't even consider apologizing for my actions, but I don't care what the killjoys think. Especially not right now.*

[jumpstart]

*PB looks stunned by the quick turn around of events. I squeeze his shoulder and go back to Max. Actually, I'm amazed by the self control he is exhibiting, based on his initial reaction. I don't comment on the scars as I carefully clean the large burned area that's cracked and bleeding still in places. I know it must hurt like hell, but Max doesn't say anything. He visibly relaxes when I'm done wrapping the major wound. I make him drink some orange juice before I start on the smaller ones. He barely has patience for these and gets up as soon as I am done*

Max, I really think you should rest now! *I call after him*
*
*PB gives me a quick hug before we head back out to the main area. I really have to find somewhere that Red, Max, and Moon, preferably, can lay down*

[Max Griffiths]

*I ignore the medic's comment, starting down the hallway back to the main theater. Along the way I pass a battered-looking costume rack, and after a few seconds of flipping through the hangers I find a plain white button-down shirt among an assortment of formalwear. I put it on as I continue out. My intent was to check on Red, but I see one of the female killjoys talking to her so I lean against a wall some distance off. With my weight on my left shoulder it doesn't strain my back too much, but I'd still appreciate some pills right about now. And not those expired pain pills that are all the killjoys seem to have, either.*

*I keep myself occupied by watching Red; watching how she moves, how she responds to whatever it is the killjoy's saying. However deteriorated she might be physically, she seems happy enough... I wonder if she wants to stay with the killjoys. Then I wonder where I fit in that scenario. I don't like the thought, so I turn my mind to other things.*

[redhavoc]

*I'm falling asleep in the theater seat when Arson comes to sit by me. For a while she doesn't say anything and it's kind of nice to just be warm and safe and not hurt too bad. I can hear the other killjoys introducing each other. I know there's a few still that I haven't met and I wonder what they are like*

*I grip my notbook tighter and carefully lean on Arson's shoulder, thinking about the differences between people like Max and Retro*

[Moonlight Revenge]

*I stand still after following Arson and just look around*... Arson, I guess that I will get back to the van... you can call me if you needed any help.
*smiles and walks away* see you later, guys