SWIM INSIDE THE SOLAR SEAS [open]

[kamikaze]

▶ WHO: Nux + OTA, will match style
▶ DATE: directly after getting rewards
▶ WARNINGS: probably none
▶ SUMMARY: Nux got a flamethrower. He's using it immediately.

a) "BURN SOME OF THOSE FUCKERS"

There's a god. There's some kind of god, must be, since they left him a gift. It's as dangerous as it looks when he lifts it, stands on top of a lone vehicle not far outside the compound and sets fire to a small approaching horde. Those aren't real people. Not real heroes, not ones he could talk to and learn from. Target practice. Ain't got feelings so Nux doesn't hold back as he blasts small infernos their way. Makes him think of Coma-Doof but this fire-gun is even bigger, even stronger! It's a rush he hasn't experienced since his first few days in this mysterious land.

No more Immortan to die for and grovel under but Nux knows nothing but the cult he was raised by. So he screams a chant, one he'd heard plenty of times on the Fury Road as the Wagon led the charge:

"Roasting flame, scorch the earth, sky and wind alike! Immolate! Immolate!"

Whoever might approach this loud, somewhat blinding scene best do so cautiously - no telling what a War Boy pumped full of adrenaline and handling a deadly weapon might do on reflex.

b) PREFERRING THE LESSER PSYCHO

At some point there's no more fuel left. Atop a bed he sits and it's the most comfortable bed he's ever known. Soft and warm and safe. This is the one he was shown by Silent Bullet Man and he's curled around the flamethrower like a snake with limbs as he counts his scrap. A raided television set rests up by the pillow and he's sorting the parts pulled out of it for the tenth time over, piling like pieces together and making a note of how many he has. He'll forget soon enough, so he has to do this often.

Periodically Nux coughs, ugly croaking noises that wrack his chest. Then he'll scratch the lumps on his neck. It's their fault. Always Larry and Barry's fault, making him sound sickly. They're even chewier when he's been active like today, but it's fine since he's calm now. Calm and sitting and counting. Nothing he can't deal with, even if his hacking's loud enough to bark out through the open door and into the hallways. If not that, the acrid smell of burnt metal’s strong enough to fill the air just the same.

Comments

[kamikaze]

"-- We are!" It's a joyous shout, oblivious to the idea of terror in the face of Being Dead - for it's a glorious thing! To be accepted beyond the gates! Even if this supposed Valhalla isn't anything like what he imagined, it's so different and little miracles keep happening that it must be true. His brain can't comprehend any other sort of explanation.

"If you don't remember, it must've been something magnificent and unexpected!" Those were the best kinds of suicides. Reaffirming this, he now steps closer, unable to tell when to back off someone. When not to touch. No, he's touchy-feely, so he reaches out to try to grab for Cole's shoulder in an effort to console as he chants.

[byheart]

"No," is soft and desperate, a plea for anything to start making sense—and at the same time, he disappears. No scuffle, no puff of smoke, just nothing there for Nux's hand to find. Nothing at all nearby but the abandoned site, the exhausted car, the evening air getting chillier by the minute.

But he hasn't been made to forget Cole, not just now, and though it might seem like he's alone now, he isn't. Won't be. He can't be here right now, but he can't leave him here, either.

What a mess.

[kamikaze]

His fingers curl into-- nothing. Just sort of hang there and then sag, a stupid look crossing his face as he stares at a space that was occupied just a couple seconds ago. How-- ? Nux crushes his fingertips into his palm like he's trying to feel if something's still there. It's not, and the most raw, excruciating confusion ever experienced is dug between a furrowed brow.

How-- ?!

"Oy-- !" Nux bleats at the air, like someone's trying to prank him. Like that'll bring Cole back.

[byheart]

Nope. Sorry, kiddo. Cole has made himself entirely overlookable and out of the way—he's not far at all, but not near the tent, or in the car, where a person would be most likely to search for someone hidden.

How can he prove they're alive if he doesn't know? But they are—they must be. Everyone he's met (though they haven't all met him) has felt just as vital as anyone he knew before. But how can he show someone who can't feel it? Won't see it? A great tower looms over his thoughts; a pale monolith of memory in the distance, flickering. No, no no no, not like that, never like that, never again.

He's rocking where he sits, digging his fingernails into his knees. People can be hurt here, people can die. There are no other people where they are, none besides Nux. They have to get back behind the wall—then he'll see.

[kamikaze]

Nothing comes when he shouts, so he turns to checking the car. Over, under, inside. Nothing there either but his precious new weapon, not even squished under the seats.

Nux steps out again. Kicks at the fire pit like maybe something's underground for just one second before he realizes that's a dumb idea, so he goes for the tent. Gets on his hands and knees and crawls into it, looking around-- not much to look at. It's one empty, dust-stained space, save a dull green sleeping bag curled into one corner. Fascinated by this, in such good condition, he scoots over and opens it up. Like a slit-open bloodbag! Minus the heat and the guts and spilling fluids. Nux examines the dirty gray plaid of the inside, somewhat marveling over the pattern and how pristinely it's been preserved.

Yet, Cole is not here either.