[ 002 ] [ Commentlog ]

[dontgiveafock]

[He'd been there for hours, back torn open from the flogging received and body a mass of agony. Joe was aware that he wasn't the worst dealt that day, but it didn't mean his pain wasn't still on the extreme. He knew he should probably sleep, that the coming days would be busy, but for the moment, the man was content to stare blankly at the ground

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[drinkuntilidie]

[After his little talk with Alex, Kevas returns to the stocks again this time with a bag in hand. Kevas can't heal him, but he can give the guy some water and food. It's the least Nel would have done and the most Kevas can do.

Kevas drops the bag next to Joe, kneeling down in front of him. He takes out a bottle of water and unscrews it before tilting it towards Joe.]

Drink up.

[dontgiveafock]

[Without argument, Joe drinks, sips small and steady.]

Dunno why yer wastin' y'time, Kevas.

[drinkuntilidie]

[Kevas lets him drink until he's had his fill.]

Mon if joo start bawlin' at me like Sollux I'm gonna sock joo in da jaw.

[He sets the bottle down and this time pulls out a loaf of bread from the bag. Just like with the water he offers it up to Joe after breaking off a smaller piece.]

[dontgiveafock]

The kid's tough fer goin' through what he did. Young, so let 'im have his bawlin'.

[He eyes the bread and is about to turn the offer down when his stomach gives a growl. So much for protesting. Joe eats what he is given. When he's done, he looks to Kevas.]

Thanks.

[drinkuntilidie]

Da liddle mon be t'inkin' he be oldah den he be and be knowin' den he does.

[Which worries Kevas to no end. How many more times is he going to find that brat up here and not be able to do a damn thing about.

Kevas sets the bread down and sticks around. Joe might be done now but he'll be wanting more later.]

Be da least I can do fuh gettin' jah into dis mess.

[dontgiveafock]

[He shakes his head.]

You heard the queen bitch. This ain't the first time I've been in trouble. Even without the lot of ye, I had a fair idea somethin' was goin' on. You wouldn't have been able to stop me if y'tried.

[Joe sighs and looks to Kevas.]

You lot've got to stop climbin' the fence.

[Or there will be more like Nel.]

[drinkuntilidie]

Still, shouldah just gone on my own. Wouldah saved so many so much pain.

[This is the entire reason he works alone. No risk to anyone else. He always survives.

Kevas shakes his head.]

Not gonna happen. I protect my friends and I damn sure protect my family.

[Except when he completely and utterly fails.]

Don't mattah if it be da gods demselves aftah dem, I'll fight fuh dem till dis body stops breddin'.

[dontgiveafock]

Climbin' the fence ain't gonna get you anywhere. More are gonna die and it's fockin' pointless!

[A hint of emotion creeps into his voice. Joe is pleading.]

I'm askin' you, brother. Please don't be climbin' the fence while the Headsman is around. Did any of y'pay attention to Sollux when you lot were all throwing yourself at the axe?

[drinkuntilidie]

And joo expect me to just stand dere and watch dem get beaten? Don't fuckin' care what dat liddle mon be sayin' he be a liddle mon! He ain't be desuhvin' dat.

[Kevas goes silent and looks away.]

Maybe, but if I be endin' up on dat side of da fence den I be takin' my shot at it.

[dontgiveafock]

This kid was screamin' at you all to stop. You were hurtin' him more in trying to save him than in standin' idle.

[He's angry, but doing a moderate job in keeping it in check. Joe settles for a frown and a slightly harder tone.]

I told Nel to stop. She refused.

[drinkuntilidie]

[Joe's angry? Everything about this is pissing Kevas off. Joe's preaching, his inability to save Sollux or Nel, all of it, but he keeps his tone in check.]

What kinda fuckin' place beats a liddle mon like dat?

[Kevas honestly doesn't expect an answer. Punishments back on the Elegante were annoyances at most. This is outright torture, from people who are supposedly saving them no less.]

Yeah. So I noticed.

[dontgiveafock]

[Joe doesn't answer that right away. He can't really say.]

The place yer stuck in, Kevas. All of us.

[That said, the fight leaves him. Joe slouches a little.]

Thank you for the bread and water.

[drinkuntilidie]

Maybe I can't save him from it, but I can damn sure try to keep dat from happenin' to him again.

[Kevas just grunts, feeling all kinds of miserable at the moment.]

Joo gonna need anytin' else?

[dontgiveafock]

[Joe shakes his head. He doesn't want to fight, especially right now.]

Good plan. I'll do what I can to help. M'good fer now.

[drinkuntilidie]

Yeah.

[Neither does Kevas, not with this migraine.]

I'll be back later with more.

[And he leaves.]