06. [Taxon Forest; Accidental Visual] Burning down the House.

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

If anyone is paying attention to tablet transmissions, they may see a shirtless Casey exerting himself with intense physical labor. He's hacking at a tree with a fire axe and with a vehemence which is not exactly pleasant to watch. Behind him, in the background and slightly off to the side is what looks like a pile of debris, stacked into a makeshift bonfire.

There may be some noticeable bits of furniture in that pile, don't ask him how he dragged them there.

There may also be evidence that he's been drinking heavily. Probably because at some point he pauses to take a swig from a half empty bottle of Johnnie Walker, black label.

Message at your own peril.

Comments

[ voice ]

[skort]

[ peril? she laughs in the face of peril. ]

... Casey? Is that a sofa?

[ voice ]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

Yeah. So? It's just stuff I took from Dorm Central.

[ voice ]

[skort]

But... why are you burning it?

[visual]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

Casey switches to visual and gives her a drunken sort of grin.

"Burning or blowing up. I haven't decided yet. But you see, I figured I'd want a decent pile of stuff so that my pal here..."

He bends down and holds up what suspiciously looks like a rudimentary four foot construction of a giant hamster effigy made out of plywood and permanent marker and various other materials.

"...could have a good send off."

[ voice ]

[skort]

... that is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. Can I blow it up with you?

[ visual]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

"Sure. The more the merrier." He picks up his bottle of whiskey again and takes another gulp. "On two conditions. You have to bring crap to add to the pile. And B.Y.O.B."

[voice]

[numbersnfigures.livejournal.com]

Uh... what are you doing, exactly?

[Visual]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

Stupid tablets turning on when you don't want them to. Casey pauses and lowers the axe for a moment.

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm chopping a tree down."

[Visual]

[numbersnfigures.livejournal.com]

Spencer raised his eyebrows.

"Perhaps the more appropriate question is why? Are you trying to build some sort of dwelling or gather fire wood? I believe those things are provided for you..."

[Visual]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

"Nope. Neither. I'm actually doing something I never thought I'd do. Thumbing my nose at the established system of government. Huh. Never saw myself as an anarchist."

He chuckles to himself and kicks at the small tree, it falls over and he starts to haul it towards his 'bonfire'.

[ Visual ]

[gotcouplings.livejournal.com]

And a giggling Kaylee he gets (seriously, Taxon needs more shirtless men).

"Not that I mind it, but are you purposely transmittin' your shirtless drunken self 'round the city?"

[ Visual ]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

He pauses and wipes some sweat from his eye and then squints at the tablet. It's the girl they threw the party for. The one who likes fancy drinks. He smirks, and shrugs.

"Wasn't my intention, no. Damned hamsters. Well, as long as it doesn't offend you, I guess I'll keep on swinging."

[ Visual ]

[gotcouplings.livejournal.com]

In response, Kaylee settles her elbow on the table and her chin in her hand, and continues watching in a most manner that would probably be considered shameless to most. "Not offended in the least. Please, swing on."

[ Visual ]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

He makes a few more chops at the tree and then pushes it over, the muscles on his back bunching while he exerts himself. Then he looks back at the tablet.

"Maybe you should get some popcorn to go with that drool."

Yeah, he's not actually used to people checking him out like that. Not that he's ashamed of his looks, he knows he's in great shape for his age. People tend to put on the flab once they reach forty. Not him. He's gotta stay sharp for his job.

[ Visual ]

[gotcouplings.livejournal.com]

You can't really blame the girl. It's not like she's gotten anywhere with anyone in the last ten months. Her taking some enjoyment in the show isn't gonna hurt anyone, except that it's like watching an older Jayne prance around and Mal would never approve, but still.

"Don't flatter yourself that much," she laughs. "Just 'cause it's nice to look at don't mean it's popcorn-worthy."

[ voice ]

[stacked]

Dude, who pissed in your Cheerios?

[ faith lehane: the best ever at sympathy. ]

[ voice ]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

Who do you think? Same as who pissed in yours.

[ voice ]

[stacked]

...Want some help?

[ voice ]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

Said the offer was open, didn't I? Get your ass over here. But make sure you bring something big and flammable. Also? More booze. And some girl scout cookies.

[ voice ]

[stacked]

You pass out, I'm leaving your huge ass face down in the forest.

[ ...actually she'd lug him home, but she can't admit that. ]

[ voice ]

[tothelibrary.livejournal.com]

Because alcohol and fire? Totally the best combo in all the land.

...Don't piss them off with a forest fire, last time someone did something like that we had to deal with a visit from our rodent overlords.

[ voice ]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

Couldn't have said it better myself, Summers. [Yeah, he's being sarcastic, and it amuses him that she's being the responsible one.] In case you haven't realized it, that's the plan, pissing them off. Not that I'm aiming to cause a forest fire, though.

[He does have his limits.]

What happened last time?

[ voice ]

[tothelibrary.livejournal.com]

...Dawn. Dawn. It's even less syllables, Drunkerton. Dawwwwwwwwwwwn. [ but dawn is pretty sure the day casey actually uses her real name, something might be wrong, so. less actual protest, more rote. it's the principle of the thing. ] And you're totally right, making the people who control our lives mad is a genius plan. No way at all it could backfire, right?

[ casey is not the only sarcastic one here. ]

They showed up to yell at us and limit bomb-making supplies.

[ voice ]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

Dawn, Summer. They're both nouns. Who the hell names their kid Buffy, though. What's that even short for?

[He really is being a drunkerton right now, Dawn, you nailed it.]

I wasn't pretending to be a genius, genius, I just need to blow off some steam. Sure it could backfire. Everything could backfire. People leave and I should just shut up and soldier on like I always do. Because that's me, Major John Casey.

[If she could see him now, he'd be giving a mocking salute.]

If they show up? I'll be ready for them. I'll do some yelling right on back. Kick their ass and see how they like them apples.

[Uhh...still with the drunkenness.]

[ voice ]

[tothelibrary.livejournal.com]

One is my name. The other one is a last name I got from Hank the Amazing Disappearing Secretary Banger, so I usually go by my actual name. Which would be, as always, Dawn.

...Also it's not short for anything, it's just her name.

[ good thing dawn has experience with drunkertons. ]

As much as I appreciate the namecheck to my geekdom, the point stands. Don't get drastic, or we all suffer blowback. Plus you could die in a literal fire, which would suck.

...Everyone leaves. For the record. But that doesn't make it any easier, or less... booze and fire inducing.

[ she has to laugh a little at that. ]

Take pictures? Violence against giant, kidnapping fuzzy rodents is always funny.