(no subject)

[bprd_agent_red]

Red has not been back to the bureau yet. Why? Why should he?

He'd much rather hang out here in Milliways. And besides, something creepy is going down, and isn't that his area of expertise?

So he's here.

He couldn't sleep (bad dreams, Rasputin, Chaos Gods, fire, father), so he's outside getting some air and looking around.

Something is definitely not quite right out here, and Hellboy doesn't like the look of that fog, or the strange symbol he's found carved into the trunk of a tree on the edge of the woods.

Lighting a cigar, his cough on the first exhale has him eying the stogie in annoyance.

"Cheap ass, Manning."

Another puff turns into a coughing fit, and he extinguishes the cigar in disgust, and heads inside for a beer instead.



[ooc: slow and steady is I, but I'll try and keep up. Catch him inside or outside.]

Comments

[a1enzo]

Enzo, nursing a Cocoa, recognizes the look on Hellboy's face.

"You've been feeling it too, huh?"

[bprd_agent_red]

Red's ordered a big mug of beer and a plate piled high with Pizza Rolls, but he's only nursing the one, and picking at the other.

Looking over at Enzo, Red starts to give his usual bravado, then frowns and gives a short headshake instead.

"Just tired. You?"

[a1enzo]

"Same. Bad dreams." He's man enough to admit it, so there. "Plus my Guardian code's acting up, even if the symbols weren't a tip-off."

[bprd_agent_red]

Red avoids a denial by skipping over the comment.

"Symbols, yeah. I found one out back. Didn't recognize it, but it ain't good."

[a1enzo]

"They're all over. There's one in the treefort, one in the infirmary, they're on some of the tables, Mark even doodled them in his notes. It looks like it's just from an advanced math character set or something, but my spellcheck utility really doesn't like it."

[bprd_agent_red]

Red's gaze sharpens.

"Who's Mark?"

[ever_lovin]

Inside, at Bar, is another big guy having his own coughing problems, though he's not smoking currently. He is working on a super-sized hot toddy and looks very exhausted, like he hasn't been getting good sleep or something.

[bprd_agent_red]

The coughing is starting to really irritate him. He doesn't get sick, ever, so what the hell gives?

He's also used to long and weird hours, so he doesn't know why he feels so exhausted for missing some sleep.

The beer isn't helping, so he gives it back and orders again.

"Bar, gimme a case of Red Bull."

With practiced ease he pops the top on the first with a stone finger, and starts to chug that.

[ever_lovin]

"That how ya keep yer rosey complexion?" Ben says having noticed Red and his order.

[bprd_agent_red]

Red tilts his head, finishing off the can before he lowers it to regard Ben.

"Yeah, keeps me pretty."

[ever_lovin]

"I usually go fer naps myself," Ben quips tiredly. "You been outside?"

Okay, stupid question since Red just came form outside but it's better than asking if weird stuff has him freaked out too right?

[bprd_agent_red]

"How's that working out for you?" It's only a small knock, Red is actually curious, because Ben looks about as tired as Red feels.

"Yeah, I was out there for a bit."

[cutting_edgex23]

"I can tell him," X says, from somewhere upwind.

(X's time with Logan has taught her well.)

"If I see him."

Beat.

"You are okay?"

With all of the people who seem to be unwell, lately, it is difficult to be certain.

[bprd_agent_red]

Red turns his head towards the sound of her voice, covering his mouth for another cough.

When he sees her, he tilts his head.

"What?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"Or her," X says, after frowning for a second.

"Manning."

Beat.

"You do not smell sick."

[bprd_agent_red]

"Oh." His expression lights a bit at the thought.

"You should."

It would be fun to watch.

That light dims and forms a partial scowl.

"I'm not. I don't get sick."

[cutting_edgex23]

"I will," X says, very seriously.

It's kind of like a promise.

But she's still frowning.

"And you have smoked. Before."

Beat.

"You have been in the fog, too?"

[bprd_agent_red]

"Since I was a babe," he quips. Which isn't strictly true, but it's been a long time.

"Yeah. Something not right out there, I was checking it out."

[dont_turn_around]

[bprd_agent_red]

Something in the fog catches his attention, and his eyes narrow on the distance.

"Hey!"

Leaving the Bureau in a huff like he did means he doesn't have his gun, but that doesn't mean he's unarmed. He's got a hard stone right and he knows how to throw it.

Maybe it's just another patron out for a stroll, but that icy chill running down his back makes Red doubt that.

[walking_napalm]

Liz slips into the bar wearing a hat and coat, bag thrown over her shoulder, and she threads her way through tables and chairs with an ease born of practice. Once she hits the bar, she sets down the to-go cup of coffee that she's been carrying, perches on a stool, and starts digging a small stack of Polaroids out of her bag.

[bprd_agent_red]

He sees her and hesitates a moment before moving over to her.

"Hey."

[walking_napalm]

"Hey," Liz tosses lightly over her shoulder. She glances over at him and her smile dips a little bit at the corners, eyebrows furrowing faintly as she takes him in.

"What's up?"

[bprd_agent_red]

He reaches for one of the pictures, picking it up by the bottom of the Polaroid.

"Not sure yet. Something's up here, though."

[walking_napalm]

The photo he picked up is a grainy close-up shot of the counter at the little takeout place down the road from the Bureau that some of the agents frequent when they can't take the cafeteria's coffee anymore. There's a hand in the shot, pushing a cup of coffee (the cup that Liz currently has) across the counter.

Liz frowns, turning to fully face him. "What's going on?"