Heading Into The Storm

[doubled_speed]

WHO: Tommy Shepherd, Twin Roses Crew (or , OTA anyone heading into the Storm
WHERE: In the Storm
WHAT: Tommy can't help but be a hero; Seeing people who aren't there; Finally collapsing in a cave to wait out the storm.
WHEN: During the Storm
WARNINGS: References to the death of a teammate who was only a teen, possible discussion of his family history.

Storm Watch | Open to Twin Roses Crew or a ship heading into the storm

Agrii need you.

That had been all Tommy had needed to hear to know he was going into the storm. He'd stayed silent on the bridge while the thing had been talking, and once it was done he was gone to the dorms. Tommy stripped the pillow from his bed and then immediately started stuffing what clothes he had in there, as well as other items. Things that will help him get through the storm.

And then he heads to the cargo hold and waits by the hatch.

"You going?" he asks whoever comes close. "To the storm? I mean, that's why we're here. The sooner we fix this shit, the sooner we go home."

And later, once he's bummed a ride on another ship heading into the storm, he has a similar enough question as he waits in their cargo hold.

"You ready for this? It's not going to be easy."


Storm Warning | Anyone in the Storm

This, it turned out, was a bad idea. Tommy hadn't gotten too far into the storm before it happened. Before he could feel the weakness, draining his energy. It almost makes him sick, makes him keel over. He's had this sensation before. The way the 'juvie' he'd been in had devices all over to suppress his powers, radiating the power outwards when he wasn't in the cuffs. There's no strength, no energy, no speed. And he hates it. But he's not a coward, and he keeps moving, at a normal person's pace.

But what stops him are the people. A flash of lightning, a peal of thunder, and there he is. Vision.

"Pops!" Tommy shouts. The Agrii said he was gone, but clearly he wasn't, he was right there. Tommy runs, as fast as any other human, and he can't get there. Can't MAKE IT. No matter how fast he runs, now matter how much he reaches out, he can't catch up. Another strike and there's a voice nearby.

"Speed?"

Cassie. Tommy turns and spins and Vision is gone but there she is, on the ground, crumpled up in pain. Again he's running, and this time he closes the distance. Or nearly does. It's so hard to see, the winds and the water so hard to deal with. But the ground's uneven, and he doesn't see it coming. A crack there and Tommy's foot gets caught and he falls, his hand outstretched. But she isn't there, and the pain is there, so much pain. His ankle is... Tommy just curls up and holds his ankle because it hurts so much.


Storm Shelter

He doesn't even remember getting to the cave. Maybe someone carried him here, maybe he crawled here on the what he now realizes is broken ankle. Or maybe only sprained. But definitely hurt and the pain has Tommy curling up well away from the mouth of the cave. He can't heal as fast, and his bones are clearly weaker than they normally are. But mostly he's just curled up on himself, trying to stay warm despite his soaked through clothing.

He's a coward. He should have been out there, trying to find answers, and instead...

You're a useless boy, you deserve to die out here.

Tommy shudders against the memory of one of the things he'd seen in the storm. And he'd run away as fast as he could. For a given definition of run, since he couldn't get to his feet. But he'd crawled away and the next thing he remembered, he was here.

"I... wanna go home," he whispers, shivering. "I just want to go home to my stupid shitty apartment and my stupid shitty job and all the food I can buy and my favorite blanket. I just... I can't take this anymore."

He's a coward, and he hates it.

Comments

[doubled_speed]

The storm was strong enough that it was probably going to cause them problems. But he offers his arm. Just help him up. And then they might manage things properly.

"I fell. The ground was uneven and I couldn't... I didn't react fast enough."

[wearingthestars]

It takes a bit of maneuvering, but Billy tries to bear the brunt of Tommy's weight as they work their way to getting him up, taking a moment to be sure he's properly supported so they can keep any weight off his injured foot. This is definitely not best practice, but they don't have much choice here.

"It's okay- people fall. I can fix it. Once my powers are- once they're back. You'll be fine."

[doubled_speed]

At the very least, Billy's a good height for it.

"I don't fall," Tommy protests. But at least... he's not alone in how his body is failing him right now. And he hates it. "I feel so weak."

[wearingthestars]

"...I know," Billy acknowledges. He can't exactly imagine what it's like to be in Tommy's exact, but he has some idea of how it feels to be powerless.

"You're not weak, you're just...human." For the moment.

[doubled_speed]

"I don't want to be human. Being a mutant is all I have," he groans and he rolls onto his stomach to get his good leg under him. That will make it easier to stand.

[wearingthestars]

Billy keeps a hand on him to help steady and offer support where he can, and he nods understandingly.

"I know. We'll...I'm sure when we get back, we'll be back to normal."

[doubled_speed]

"I'll still have a broken ankle. Won't be able to run."

But with Billy's help he gets up on one leg, the injured one held behind him.

[wearingthestars]

"Literal magic brother. I can fix it." Probably. Maybe. He's not sure actually. Back home no problem. But he still says it as though it's a certainty.

"Okay, we'll go slow. Let's try a few steps, see how it feels," he encourages, shifting to better support Tommy's weight.

[doubled_speed]

Certainty isn't something he much knows how to deal with. Because this is an uncertain world and uncertain time.

Steps? You kidding? Tommy has to hop. There is NO WAY he can handle putting actual weight on it.

[wearingthestars]

Well steps sounds kinder. And this is definitely going to be slow going, but at least it's something. Billy nods encouragingly, moving slowly.

"Have you ever broken anything before? Or sprained anything?"

[doubled_speed]

The winds are harsh, the rain horrid. But there you are.

"Not since I was a child. Pre-mutation."

And never anything like this.

[wearingthestars]

"I sprained my wrist once. Fell off my bike." It's idle conversation, but he hopes it might distract at least a little from the pain. "My pant leg got caught up in the chain and I got all tangled up. Lost a tooth."

[doubled_speed]

"I've never had a bike," Tommy mumbles, trying to find his balance with Billy. He's so terrible at being centered.

[wearingthestars]

"No?" Right. Billy generally doesn't press about Tommy's home life, but he knows enough to understand why. "...I can get us some," he promises, "You'll be doing laps around me in no time."

[doubled_speed]

"I don't want a fucking bike. If my feet aren't on the ground it doesn't matter," Tommy says, hopping along and trying not to let the wind blow him over.

[wearingthestars]

"...Kay. No bike," Billy echoes softly, trying to brace them against the wind, squinting through the rain.

He doesn't know if this is the right way. Or the right thing to be doing.

[doubled_speed]

Tommy doesn't care. He needs to keep going. Just keep going. Don't stop moving. Never stop.

"I saw Pops in the storm. He's out there."

[wearingthestars]

Billy frowns faintly, looking to Tommy and then to the distance. "...I couldn't detect him before," he notes gently. But maybe if this storm is affecting them like it is it kept him from being able to?

[doubled_speed]

"Not good," Tommy groans, his body aches. "You gotta find him. Wanda needs him."

Tommy needs him too. He already misses the man.

[wearingthestars]

"I have to take care of you first," Billy argues softly. IF Vision's out there, he's an Avenger. He should be able to wait it out a little longer. He hopes.

"I think I see something over there. Maybe it's a building, or...rock face? We might be able to find a place to get out of the rain. Just a little further."

[doubled_speed]

"Yeah. Further. Just a bit," Tommy agrees, and his voice is laced with pain. He had forgotten how bad it was to get really hurt.

[wearingthestars]

Billy tries to slow them, looking anxiously to scan Tommy's face. "You need a break?" he asks, worried about pushing him too far.

[doubled_speed]

"Going into shock," he says, knowing it. "Rain isn't helping."

[wearingthestars]

"Shit- Um...okay." Billy tries to think back to his first aid training, knowing that's not good. Under different circumstances that would be immediate cause to stop, but instead he tries to hurry them, taking more of Tommy's weight and trying to gain him more distances with each hop.

"We'll get you out of the rain and you can rest. I'm sorry, Tommy- just- just a little further and you can rest, I promise."

[doubled_speed]

"Rest sounds good," Tommy agrees, shivering against his brother. He wants to pass out. Needs to. Doesn't dare.

Just keep moving the finish line billy. That's all he needs.