[SCENE] Tigre, Wellington and and Matt in "Tigers Don't Eat Skunks"
WELLINGTON: *A guard walks past the cells, unlocking them one at a time, releasing the prisoners from their cells so that they can head to the exercise yard for their mandatory fresh air and exercise. The hall is mostly empty by the time the lone guard reaches the end of the block. He unlocks Matt's cell, then moves to Wellington's, turning the key and springing the bolt. Wellington pushes the door open as soon as he's able and steps into the hall. He watches the guard for just a short moment as he approaches the final cell (Tigre's,), gives Matt a brief exasperated glare, then starts walking down the emptied hall towards the required destination.*
MATT: *Steps out of his own cell as Wellington does, raising an eyebrow at the glare, but he doesn't say anything. Matt waits a moment, allowing the other man to get ahead of him aways, before he follows towards the yard. He isn't in any mood to chat.*
TIGRE: *Before even stepping out of his cell, Tigre has his eye on Wellington, keeping him marked. At the back of the line, he makes slow wide steps while he follows the small man in blue, smirking down at him. He doesn't say anything yet, knowing his presence will be felt.*
WELLINGTON: *Turns the corner into a long stretching corridor, walking at a forced even pace, knowing Engarde is right behind him and feeling a tension in his shoulders that he attributes to old suspicions and fears. Belatedly, he realizes that what is unsettling him the most is the quiet. He couldn't ever remember Matt being that silent, and it makes him nervous, though he can't recall doing anything to anger Matt lately. He stops moving for a moment to look behind him at Matt, but his focus quickly drifts to the distant orange blur that is steadily growing closer and more distinct.*
TIGRE: *Keeps smirking at Wellington. When he sees Wellington look at him, he flashes a pleased grin, showing off his sharp canines. Keeping his pace steady, he catches up to Wellington and comes up right next to him.*
WELLINGTON: *watches Tigre approach, his eyes getting wider the nearer the man gets; and when Tigre comes close, Wellington's limbs lock up stiffly, but he doesn't move from the spot.* Wh.... you..! *glances further down the empty hallway* ...Look, you're trying to get to the yard, right? Well go, I'm not in your way.
MATT: *Frowns as Tigre brushes past him, crossing his arms across his chest. He watches Tigre catch up to Wellington in the hallway, slowing to a stop behind them. He remains silent for the time being.*
TIGRE: *Looks straight ahead as Wellington sputters at him, playing it casual.* *ignoring what Wellington said* How many?
WELLINGTON: ............... *stares at the big man* What?
TIGRE: *grinning* How many fights has youse been in, skunk? And I don't mean the slap-happy girly kinds that break a nail or two.
WELLINGTON: *cringes at the distasteful nickname* ...Fights? Excuse me? Who do you think you're talking to? Someone with as much class as me doesn't need to engage in mindless violence to prove his superiority.
TIGRE: *snerks* Dis generation's a joke, I swears. Back when I was growin' up on de streets, men proved they was men by throwin' punches, not by curlin' their hairs or makin' themselves smell like girly fruits.
WELLINGTON: I don't have to prove anything to you. Go be obnoxious somewhere else. *turns and starts walking down the hall again*
MATT: *Continues to remain silent behind them, trying to be as casual as possible. He can hear their conversation, but he doesn't acknowledge anything they say.*
TIGRE: *swiftly grabs Wellington's shoulder with one hand, the other in his pocket*
WELLINGTON: *stiffens at the forceful halt, glancing at the big hand* ...... *grimaces and looks back at Tigre, both apprehensive and irritated* Would you mind keeping your meaty hands to yourself? I just had this jacket cleaned.
TIGRE: *still grabbing Wellington's shoulder but now speaking with an overly friendly tone* Now, now... *pushes Wellington forwards, forcing him to speed up* Keep walkin'. We's due for a face-to-face chat.
MATT: *Sees Tigre grab Wellington's shoulder and then force the smaller man to speed up as they continued down the hallway. He adjusts his speed to them, managing to keep the same amount of distance between them as he had before, but now he is watching them both very intently. He doesn't want to miss anything either of them say or do.*
WELLINGTON: What-- *stumbles a little* What are you doing?? *resists, pulling sideways against Tigre's grip*
TIGRE: *digging his fingers harder into Wellington's shoulder, looking straight ahead* I said keep walkin'. *He pushes him faster towards the exercise yard.*
WELLINGTON: *winces, bitterly going along with it so he doesn't trip* Fine, I'm walking! Now let go of me!
TIGRE: Just shaddup. *Once the two are outside, he pushes Wellington towards a roofed area with dirty-looking picnic tables, darkened by the shade. He finally lets him go here, roughly shoving him onto one of the benches.*
MATT: *Has been following the entire time and now he stands a small distance away from Tigre.*
WELLINGTON: Oof! *grimaces and rubs his back where it hit against the edge of the picnic table* What... what is wrong with you?! What makes you think you're allowed to push me around like that?! I want nothing to do with your nonsensical roughhousing. *stands up to leave*
TIGRE: *simply returns his hand to Wellington's shoulder and glares straight at him -- eyes shadowed over, teeth bared, and a vein popping in his temple. He speaks with much more anger this time, and although his voice isn't raised too much so as not to attract attention, it is fierce and full of bite as he commands:* ...Sit down.
WELLINGTON: *feels like he's swallowed his tongue for a moment, looking at Tigre with his gray eyes widening a bit* ... *falls back to the bench, sitting stiffly and looking away from Tigre (but not in Matt's direction either; he doesn't know that Matt is there yet)*
TIGRE: *sits down on the other side of the table and rests his elbows on its surface, lacing his fingers together as he leans in* *smirks* There. Ain't dis better? Talkin' face-to-face instead'a hidin' behind a computer screen or cell bars. I like dis sorta meetin', don't you'?
WELLINGTON: *sits stiffly, still mainly looking off to the side, though he risks a couple quick looks in Tigre's directions* This... isn't necessary.
TIGRE: *calm but more firm* This is a private conversation. You' hear?
WELLINGTON: ..... *tugs at one end of his scarf* I can hear you just fine. I don't want to, but I can.
TIGRE: I was talkin' to biker boy here.
WELLINGTON: *blinks, looks around until he sees Matt* ....
MATT: *Pretends he didn't hear Tigre as he stares off in the opposite direction of the yard.*
WELLINGTON: .... *bites the inside of his lip while he looks at Matt, then hesitantly looks back at Tigre*
TIGRE: Hmph. *raises his chin a little to speak above his hands, and talks as if he's discussing business* So, Richard Wellington. I sees you' got a pretty big mouth on you'. Online and off. Why youse gotta be like that, huh?
WELLINGTON: *flips his hair out of his face* I don't know what you're talking about.
TIGRE: You' see? There it is again. Actin' like some big shot when youse is nothin'.
WELLINGTON: *stiffens his shoulders* ..."Nothing"?? *clenches his teeth a bit* ..... I ... where do you get the nerve? What could possibly inspire you to think I'm NOTHING? What I amount to is far more than every inmate in this penitentiary combined!
TIGRE: *bored* Uh-huh. Yeah. Whatever you' say, skunk. *puts his clasped hands down on the table* What were you', huh? I seen lame guys like you' linin' up at my office door all de time. Youse all look de same to me.
WELLINGTON: Ghh... *pulls frustratedly at his scarf* I was... I was wealthy, sophisticated, upper-class, important!
TIGRE: I'm hearin' words, but they ain't tellin' me nothin'. Tell me what you' did that made youse so important.
WELLINGTON: *Glowers at him, grabbing the edge of the table and tightening his fingers against it. He glances over at Matt again, then resumes glaring at Tigre.* I... I was born with status, okay?! My refinement comes naturally to someone like me!
TIGRE: *glowers back and suddenly speaks in a more threatening tone* Answer my question.
WELLINGTON: *sneers* I didn't do anything that you need to know about.
TIGRE: HAH! Thought so. *grins* Youse really WAS a nobody.
WELLINGTON: *glares even more spitefully* You're wrong! You don't know anything!
TIGRE: *laughs derisively* Youse is a real piece'a work, you' know dat, Richard Wellington?! You' know how many of youse I've brought down in my days?! You ain't nothin' but zilch, an' you still act like youse is on top.
WELLINGTON: *mutters* ....I don't have to take this. *eyes him contemptibly* Are you done yet?
TIGRE: *grins with amusement* What, dat's all? C'mon, skunk. Ain't youse gonna defend yourself? Defend your pride? Or is it all wiltin' away like a liddle daffydill at de end'a spring 'cause youse is stuck in dis tinhole?
WELLINGTON: *flinches, his breath tightening with anger* What would a repulsive man like you know about pride?!
TIGRE: *still amused* Alls I know is that I brought down a whole lot of it. Mauled 'em. Tore 'em into pieces. Ruinin' liddle weasels like you'... it was my hobby.
WELLINGTON: ....... *sits back, looking a bit nauseated* ...Well, find a new hobby. You're not going to tear me up. *grimaces and looks to the side*
TIGRE: *putting his hands in his pocket* 'Cause youse is already torn like a wet tissue.
WELLINGTON: ...What?? What makes you say that?!
TIGRE: *looks down and snickers, fangs glistening as they catch some light* Likes I said. I've dealt with types like youse before, an' I can tell when dey's broke, see? *looks back at Wellington with a condescending smile* It's your eyes, chump. They's of a dead man.
WELLINGTON: ............... *looks down bitterly* You've stopped making sense. ...I don't think you ever were making sense.
TIGRE: Whatevers. Stripes was right. Youse ain't worth a lick'a my time. *the bemused look on his face becomes a scowl* Now get outta my sight, small fry, before I changes my mind.
WELLINGTON: .... *brushes his bang back and stood up* I can't depart from your suffocating presence soon enough. *looks over in Matt's direction, just to see if he's going to move*
TIGRE: *gets up and looms over Wellington for a beat before walking off, guffawing with derision*
MATT: *Watches Tigre stride off before he glances to Wellington. He isn't quite sure what to say.* ...I bet he reeked up close, huh, dude?
WELLINGTON: ....... *sits back down*
MATT: ...What? Did he hurt you or something?
WELLINGTON: *forcefully stiffens his muscles until his shoulders stop quivering* ...No.
MATT: *Can't help but smirk.* I told you he wouldn't, didn't I?
WELLINGTON: *looks up at Matt* You're talking again.
MATT: *His smirk disappears.* ...So?
WELLINGTON: The silence was getting weird... *rubs the end of his scarf between his fingers*
MATT: Weird? I-... *Shrugs.* I just wanted to rub it in your face that I was right. I knew the circus freak wouldn't dare do anything.
WELLINGTON: *snorts and leans his cheek against his hand, looking ahead at nothing* So that's why you stuck around, then?
MATT: *Smirks again.* What other reason would I have? I had to make sure the freak knew his place and he obviously does.
WELLINGTON: Hm. You were so quiet, I didn't even know you were there most of the time.
MATT: Have I really been talking nonstop to the point where it amazes you that I can keep quiet that well?
WELLINGTON: *shrugs vaguely* I'm just curious as to why you went silent.
MATT: *Glances away.* I just have nothing to say or anyone to say things to.
WELLINGTON: *nods as if he understands* I don't know though... how this would have turned out if you weren't there.
MATT: *Is surprised by what he hears, but his expression doesn’t change.* Well...*Looks back to Wellington.* Matt Engarde doesn't go back on his word. *Pauses.* I'm just across the hall if you ever do need help, dude.
WELLINGTON: *looks back at Matt for a moment, then looks away again, his expression tired* ...Why would you say something like that?
MATT: Because you always go and piss off the biggest dude in the place.
WELLINGTON: *frowns* That's not-... *turns away so his shoulder is to Matt* ...It's because you think you own me, isn't it? *says the word with a bitter emphasis* Why else would you bother?
MATT: Chill, dude. *Smiles.* You really need to learn to loosen up a bit. You need another orange?
WELLINGTON: .... *runs his fingers through his hair, frustrated by Matt's evasiveness* When are you going to tell me what you're up to? I hate surprises.
MATT: *Decides to ignore the question.* You hate surprises? Dude, everyone loves surprises.
WELLINGTON: *drops his shoulders after a moment, sighing quietly and bringing his hand back to his cheek* ...Look, you don't have to keep this up. I don't know what you're trying to accomplish by pretending to be nice to me... if it's part of some scheme, then just get it over with.
MATT: *Raises an eyebrow.* A scheme?
WELLINGTON: Yes. A plot of some sort. Something to amuse yourself with while you "put up with" me.
MATT: No offense or anything, dude, but if I was going to plot and scheme, it wouldn't be against you. I really have better things to do and I don't think you are much of a threat anyway.
WELLINGTON: Hm. *stands up and brushes the grime of the bench off of himself* I suppose your motives don't matter anyways. *still not looking at Matt* ...I guess you want me to thank you, so.......... thanks.
MATT: *Grinning, he shrugs.* No problem, dude.
WELLINGTON: *straightens his loosened scarf* I can't see the clock. How much longer are we stuck out here?
MATT: *Glances to the large clock outside.* Wow, I guess we wasted a lot of time. We are almost done out here.
WELLINGTON: *looks passively over at Matt* I guess I should head back then. *Looks around uselessly to see if Tigre is anywhere nearby, but doesn't identify the man out of anyone in the vicinity. After a moment of regarding Matt quietly, he starts walking towards the block entrance instead.*
MATT: *Watches after Wellington, still standing in the same spot, a little peeved he wasted his entire time in the exercise yard standing around.*