2018.07.06: The Beating

From City of Hope MUSH
Jump to navigation Jump to search


The Beating
Lleu trespasses on Dragomir's possession of Faith and gets the shit beat out of him for it. Yet, something is discovered about Donnachaidh.
IC Date Fri Jul 6th, 2018
IC Time 15:00:57 2018, PDT.
Players Lleutrim, Faith, Dragomir
Location Hangar off of Hwy 52.
Spheres Mortal, Mortal+, Shifter


(OOC: Here we join the scene already in progress, taking a break from welding and discussing work on a motorcycle build. Lleu and Faith are crashed on a hammock to cool off and look for a movie to watch when Dragomir arrives...)

He might like to get his boots off too but Lleu's not about to make Faith sit back up and loose the moment. Instead he relaxes. The remote is laid on his chest and he skims his fingers over her pale golden hair, to caress the side of her face. But only the once. "Let me see if I can find that Serenity movie. It's probably on Netflicks."

With the pillows piled up behind them Donnachaidh can see the laptop. The tip of his tongue sticks out as Lleu tries to figure out how to use the controller. Guess who's not the most technologically inclined? "How do you work this damn thing anyway? My laptop doesn't have a remote."

The Hangar is off the 52, right near the edge of the forest, and two cop cars are parked in front of it. Indeed it's hot as hell.. the blower fans do little to help with the heat. The pair are both sweating, with Faith laying in the hammock in front of Lleu, her legs draped over his - it's a pose you might see at any park or back yard, no more so romantic than siblings crowded into sparse furniture. At least that's true for Faith. She's made herself quiet comfortable without any regard for LLeutrim's thoughts on the matter. "Slide you finger over it till you feel the bump at the top, about in the middle, then press hard. You might have to wiggle it a little." These are the words Dragomir can hear from behind the large canvas tied up between steel racks, a makeshift wall for the living space.

Fortunately Lleutrim hasn't seen how Dragomir gets around just yet, but Faith certainly has. They would not have heard a door open, or even footsteps - no smell, in fact the best indication of Dragomir's presence would be that very unnerving hair at the back of the neck feeling when he comes walking around the large canvas tied up between the steel racks. The large Russian's nostrils flare slightly, sniffing the air as he emerges. His head tips to the side slightly when he sees the two, sharp blue eyes studying intently for just a quiet moment.

Nope they aren't naked and Lleu's hand most certainly isn't down between Faith's ... never mind. Instead, the former Marine turned Cop is staring at a laptop computer and aiming a remote at it like a taser out of Star Trek and trying to get the damn thing to work. Indeed he is sprawled on her hammock but he's fully clothed and still has his boots on, his own legs dangling over the side with one arm up behind his head. Pillows help.

The screen on the laptop finally switches over to Netflix and Donnachaidh starts to search for a particular film title when he suddenly freezes, listening very intently. That prickly feeling. Before he might react, Dragomir is there, pushing the canvas out of the way. Lleu sits up suddenly, firmly but gently making Faith stop laying her head on his shoulder. He's wearing blue jeans with a USMC T-shirt with some quote about Honor.

Eye contact is made. Donnachaidh gets up from the hammock and lays the remote aside, "Dragomir."

Dragomir's arrival draws a smile from Faith that lights up her expression, from the dimple in her chin, to the way she completely ignores the way her smile makes the scar curl, it's obvious she's delighted to see him. She doesn't even seem particularly surprised by his sudden and silent arrival. She's dressed in BDUs and a white tank, the athletic bra on underneath it probably more than a little visible because of all the sweating, but altogether quite modest indeed. She squawks when her own pillow is suddenly removed, and her head bounces off the taunt ropes of the hammock, and she's flopping inelegantly to sit up. "What the fuck Lleu? It's just Dragomir.. not a cartel hit squad.."

Dragomir continues to approach, not straight but circling around the hammock slightly as he looks about. He could probably say something, maybe even try to calm things down - but he doesn't. In fact, the way he walks around is almost more like a wolf stalking prey than casual. "Were you expecting a cartel hit squad?" he asks, as though he has no idea what that is, but there is a certain edge to his voice, like he wouldn't mind finding out.

Lleutrim remains standing and merely watchful. Probably every hair on the back of his neck is prickled. A glance to Faith, then back to Dragomir, "No, of course not. I was expecting to watch a movie." Which probably won't happen now, "If you need me to step out, if you have private business to discuss, I can go work on the motorcycle." Dragomir's stalking is observed but this time Donnachaidh isn't quite as tensed up to see the Russian as their first meeting. "We had also been discussing you."

The young woman rises to her feet, and one might expect she would intercede - but there's something about the situation that has her light humor rather suddenly squelched. She reaches over to gently shut the laptop and pick it up from the table as she says to no one in particular, "I think I should go shut off the gas main." Aside from the hammock and the small table, the rear two thirds of the building are fairly empty, leaving a concrete slab roughly 80 feet wide, stretching back another 120 feet, with 18 foot ceilings.. giving the voices an echoing quality when the fans cut out for a moment. One might come to a rapid realization there's also no where to actually hide back here. That needs to be fixed.

Dragomir lifts his gloved hand slightly, motioning for Lleutrim to come closer. The man continues to walk around, slow-paced and watches as Faith begins to head off to do what she is going to do. "I told you I would not make an exception for you Lleutrim. I would hold you to that standard. You accept that fact, yes?"

Donnachaidh is wary but he steps closer and eyes Dragomir right back. "Yes." His nostrils flare ever so slightly, "You didn't say we couldn't still be friends. Faith left a box on my porch full of motorcycle parts. I brought them over to work on the bike but it was too hot. So she suggested we watch a movie and wait for it to cool off." Lleu's brows furrow, "That is hardly a breach of what you stipulated."

Walking away from the pair of them, but still within eye-sight of the pair, Faith sets the laptop down on a workbench that is ample distance away from any potential blast zone. She then does as she said she was going to do, and sets to shutting down the gas main with a casual twist of the bright red valve on the wall of the shop. "I didn't even hold his hand Sir," offers the young woman in an attempt to be helpful - from a distance. She's keeping her distance from the pair for the moment.

Dragomir continues to slowly circle and says, "My name, is Dragomir Nicholas Mihailovich. Amongst those that we consider Family.. I am considered a judge. It is often my role to sense the measure of one's character.. the right, the wrong. Because of this Lleutrim, my perception of this world must be very black and white." He displays his palms once more. "I told you, that you may be friends.. but if you wished a physical relationship with Faith, that you would have to earn that." He growls very slightly and says, "I do not recall giving you permission to touch her. Have you earned that right, or did you take it because I was not present?"

No doubt he's not liking this being circled crap. A step back will keep Dragomir from getting around behind him. Lleu puts his hands to his hips, his mouth a slash. He looks very unamused. "I'm getting rather tired of your shit, Mihalovich." The tone is flat. "You don't dictate what I may or may not do. Maybe you have some authority over /Faith/ because she wants it that way, but you don't tell me what to do. She's perfectly capable of deciding for herself if she wants to flop onto a hammock where I sat down."

Yep, his own hackles are up. Donnachaidh's also getting angry, "So go fuck yourself and go away." He drops his hands, poised and ready, watching Dragomir closely.

A hand raises to push her shirt up over her face and mop off the sweat - if it was hot in here already, the temperature just rose from intolerable to edge of the inferno with Lleutrim's statement. Faith doesn't say anything this time. She settles her hands loosely at her sides and leans back into the wall near the blower controls. After a moment's thought. she reaches over and turns up the fans a couple notches. A little louder, but at least there will be some air.

Dragomir's nostrils flare slightly, drawing in the scent and he nods his head, "Start with your full name.. wear it with pride. Tell me who you are, and why I should respect you. If you have no name, then you have no respect." He continues to circle the man, goading him perhaps and says, "You have no loyalty but to yourself. Perhaps that seems like a strength in your mind, independence. Your world is finite, so you believe that I should not dictate your actions. I am not here to council or lead you boy, I told you.. I am a judge. I will decide whether you are worthy, or whether you are not. That is my role." he closes the circle in a bit tighter near to the Marine when his guard starts to lift. "I asked you a question. Have you earned what you have taken, or are you a thief. Answer it, but first tell me who you are, if you wish my respect."

A muscle in Lleu's jaw ticks once. Donnachaidh's turn to step into Dragomir's personal space, right into the space Dragomir was about to walk in his circling. A challenge. "I have loyalties, I have oaths I uphold. And you better be damned glad that I do." He also doesn't have to answer any questions! "I haven't taken liberties. I also do not recognize your authority to judge me." A slight lift of his chin though no lowering of his readiness for violence, "I am Lleutrim Robert Donnachaidh, former United States Marine Corps Captain, honorably discharged, Patrol Officer, Prospect Police Department."

This is said only if not interrupted with some kind of attack while he's speaking - which is exactly what Donnachaidh is expecting.

Dragomir shifts, and moves very quickly with a hook of his foot to sweep Lleutrim off his feet when he starts 'talking' before saying who he is. The gesture is decisive, quick, simple and he's back to position and moving to circle him again once more. There's no arrogance or show of zeal in it, it was a reaction to an action - cold and brutal. "If you wish respect.. you will -begin- with your name. You will stand and speak it with pride.. and then I will respect your words. Without a name, you have no voice. Without a voice, you have no respect. Without respect, you are just a child. Stand up." He continues to move, watching the Marine.

That was /exactly/ what Lleu was expecting - get him to talk and attack before he's said what was demanded. Classic tactic he was anticipating and yet it does him no good at all. Dragomir is so fucking fast, it's like lighting struck! Donnachaidh finds himself hitting the floor, close to 220 lbs of bone and meat. He rolls with it and is back on his feet almost at once but stays crouched down. He looks pissed and ... isn't this familiar? Like Basic training. "Lleutrim Robert Donnachaidh." His breathing is a bit more rapid, his heart rate faster but not racing. "What is this, a hazing?" It's his turn to go after Dragomir, not waiting for an answer. He stays low and goes for the other man's legs to try and take him down!

The alacrity in Dragomir's movements is astonishing, clearly a man who has some intense martial arts training or Mr. Miyagi shit going on. The blue eyes watch the well-trained Marine move, and he seems to have a preternatural advantage or something. As Lleutrim goes for the sweep, Dragomir drops down his arm and catches his leg by the calf muscle. Then his other hand comes in quick, a short close-quarters strike as his palm hits the man's sternum hard enough to break a rib against an average person. "Hazing?" perhaps he is not familiar with the terminology or the reference. A glance is given towards Faith before he turns to look back towards Lleutrim once more and continues to circle. "Better. Now answer my question Lleutrim Robert Donnachaidh. Did you receive my permission, or did you underestimate me?"

When Dragomir looks toward her, Faith is pushing up off the wall of the hangar with a furrowed brow. She's not saying anything, but there's clearly an awareness of something hinky - and it's not settling well with her god dammit!

Lleu is about to hit Drago's legs and then he's /not/ there! A hand on his leg somehow flips his entire body over so that as he hits the floor on his shoulder, something a LOT harder hits his chest! It knocks the air clean out of him and leaves Donnachaidh stunned. Officer he was trained, but not as a Special Forces op, no. It leaves Lleu attempting to gasp for air and roll over, reduced to trying to drag himself away from a followup kick that really /would/ break his ribs. When he can get any breath, Lleu rasps, "Jesus."

No wasting time though. When he's able to get to his feet, then he's back up and eyeing Dragomir with a new caution. "I guess I misunderstood." 'Asshole' isn't said but is implied in his tone. They're just getting warmed up! No spitting teeth yet. Lleu steps back in and tries a jab for Dragomir's face!

Dragomir watches as Lleutrim moves to get up, hearing the words. "You guess?.. because you are unsure, or because you are uncommitted to your words?" he sees the jab coming in, and drops his forehead hard against the man's knuckles in a block, still not raising his hands. The blue eyes watching him intently, as he says, "You claim to be a man of conviction, and dedication.. you rattle off a service jacket and rank to me, and yet you are guessing whether you misunderstood or not. What don't you understand Lleutrim Robert Donnachaidh?" and he moves to sweep the man again.

He is trying to keep moving, stay light on his feet, but not quite like a boxer. Lleu has had some mixed martial arts training. The block of his jab with Dragomir's forehead surprises the hell out of him and the shock of it he can feel up the length of his arm. It leaves his knuckles stinging but not split.

This time he sees the sweep or reacts instinctively. Almost Lleu avoids it, leaping back - yet not /quite/ fast enough! Dragomir snags his ankle and Donnachaidh hits the floor again! This time on his ass. A smoother roll and he's back up on his feet, but the former Marine is breathing harder. Likely his chest aches.

"It was a turn of phrase. You really take things literally, don't you?" If the Russian doesn't come at him at once, Lleu circles him and gets a little breath back, "I didn't understand that /touching/ Faith once to skim /hair/ out of her face was /forbidden/."

Dragomir nods and says, "I explained this to you Lleutrim Robert Donnachaidh. I am a judge. My world is very black and white. This is what is expected of me. This is how I serve. I accept your clarification as a failure on my behalf to explain my stance in detail." He even pauses for a moment, and lowers his head to bow towards Lleutrim as though there was a consolence of guilt on his part. "I will be more clear this time."

When he moves forward this time, it is with a sudden flurry of attacks that he starts to close on the man as he speaks, "When I said you must earn the right to have a physical relationship with Faith.." he lunges with short quick strikes, ".. I meant if you touch her without earning it first, I'd hurt you till you gained my permission."

Lleu is paying real close attention to the Russian now, both listening and watchful. He licks his lips, breathing still up but not ragged. The movement sets him to lunging forward himself to try to block and counter attack. Lleu's struck, causing him to bare his teeth, and struck again taking a hit to his face that opens up a gash along the upper outer edge of his left orbital socket.

It staggers him back. For an instant, Lleutrim's gaze is glassy, unfocused. Gone. Out on his feet. For a second or so he's an easy target if Drago wants to drop him. If not, the moment passes and the former Marine shakes it off. Outclassed but damn him if he's giving up, yet!

Something like a snarl escapes him and he makes a jab from down low for Drago's solar plexus, keeping his elbows in close to his body. More a Boxer's stance, anger taking over for common sense.

Dragomir frowns when the man doesn't seem to realize when he's been beat. He doesn't take the 'easy finish', or knock him down when he's dazed. Instead he waits to see what he's going to do. When the Marine comes at him again, he nods and says, "Humility will be your hardest lesson, Lleutrim Robert Donnachaidh." and he moves easily to the side, catches the man by the back of his jeans and shoulder and uses his own momentum to send him hurling across the room and floor on his face. It wasn't a kind throw, it wasn't into something soft.. it was meant to put him out.

Then he turns to look towards Faith and lifts a hand to point towards her, "You should know better Faith." as if this was all a lesson for her as well. He reaches into his pocket, and takes out some Gaia's Breath and motions to hold it out for her, "Tend his wounds with normal first aid and this. Be cautious for when he wakes up. You will watch him for signs of change. Do you understand me?" he growls lowly.

The attack doesn't go well. Yes, he should have conceded as he's hard pressed to even still be on his feet. But Lleu's temper is up! Things have been making frustrated and more angry than is usual. Besides, Donnachaidh doesn't like to give up!

If he makes any contact at all with Drago with his fist, it's grazing at best. The next thing he knows Lleu's being thrown through the air - and there's a wall. It's a spectacular crash against the hangar's metal siding. Lleu lies in a heap where he fell and he's not moving, but he is breathing.

Faith steps away from the wall and approaches Dragomir, without looking after the trounced Officer Donnachaidh. There will be time enough for that in a few minutes. She accepts the offering in her open palm but she's tilting her head with a slight frown. "It wasn't sexual Eye-of-the-Storm-Rhya." The honorary title given in full deference to the half moon Silverfang. "I will ask, when the moon is settled, for another lesson in etiquette, Sir. Thank you." Her fingers curl around the Gaia's Breath and she adds, "He's been having the dreams. He mentioned them. irritability. hypersensitive to threats."

Dragomir walks over towards Faith, lifting up his hand to pinch her chin and pull her towards him and slightly up onto her toes to look into her eyes. "Keep your distance, be safe. When it happens, it will be fast.. and brutal. You, hide. No heroics, no stupidity, none Faith. He will be brutal and reckless." he growls lowly as he looks at her, obviously protective of his kinfolk. Nostrils flare slightly, "You stink of him." he growls slightly, and pushes her away then. "Nice place." did he really just finish that, with a compliment of her now home?! Yep, that's Drago for you.

When Faith comes to him, Lleu's lying on his left side. There's a little blood at his left brow where Dragomir hit him, more on his face where he took a cut to his hairline from hitting the steel siding. Scalp wounds bleed like a son of a bitch though it's not serious.

Frozen peas. Iodine. Super stinky medicinal paste. "Great.. he's leaking." Faith! You're such a cold hearted bitch. She uses the paste first to seal up the seeping wound, then takes her shirt off to clean up the gore. She's really just practical like that. There's not going to be any holes after this is finished, so she's making sure the evidence of holes is vanquished before she actually rouses him. That'll take a hot minute. It also means she's going to cut off his shirt and burn it too. Once she's stabilized the man and staged the scene to look like he hit flat into the wall for the KO, she'll put on a fresh shirt, and then use the Gaia's breathe. If he's still out cold, she'll crack a smelling salts under his nose without any further ado. "Come on Sleeping Beauty, time to wake the fuck up."

Dragomir watches impasively, considering the area and pondering, "It is important that you remember the Veil." he watches while Faith performs the first aid and he considers the man. "Well done Faith." the simple praise for how well she tends to the man's wounds, and how she uses the Gaia's Breath. "He will probably have questions.. you don't have answers for him. This part he goes through naive." He tips his head to the side to watch, considering the application and nods approvingly. "Do whatever is necessary to keep him out of trouble, attention, or around large groups of people."

"I'll put him on the SWAT and Gang Unit Training team with me. He'll feel like I'm baby sitting him and he'll be mad at me, but he'll be safe, Sir." Faith is dutiful in her efforts, and her attention to the instructions of her mentor. "And when the time comes, I will hide. Who will I need to contact?"

Dragomir offers, "Felicity, or Brooke.. you have both numbers right? Call them immediately, and they will contact me immediately. Send them a picture of wherever you are, and I will be there."

Donnachaidh is starting to rouse. The Gaia's Breath brings him around. The first thing he does is push himself back and up, startled. Fight or flight still in his brain - but only for a second. He sits there, blinks, focusing on Faith. A hand is lifted to rub over his face, "What?" Then he can see Dragomir standing there. The two of them speaking about something. Stiffly, Lleu moves to get himself back to his feet but he's got to put a hand out to the wall to steady himself. After this ass kicking he's probably going to remember the lesson.