On Wednesdays We Wear Pink

[cherry1]

Raven kneaded her hand into her leg, as she continued to work on how to implement the plans of fortifying the walls of Arkadia. They would need stronger foundations, maybe if they could just use…goddamit. Standing, she sighed again in frustration. The pain was getting worse and there was nothing she could do about it. Or at least nothing she would do about it. Distracting herself with work usually helped but today that just didn’t cut it. Leaving her workspace, she took a walk, heading to the perimeter of Arkadia to clear her head and maybe give her a better idea of what she was working with.

She ended up in a small secluded spot of the wall, a hard thing to come by, and inspected the craftsmanship. Perhaps they could use wiring to create a better skeletal foundation? No that was stupid, it would only interfere with their attempts to expand. What if they just welded the… “DAMN IT!” Sitting on a rock she stared daggers at her bum leg, removing her brace to just let it breath. As if that would help. This was getting ridiculous. Her work was all she had left, and Raven was not about to let this damn thing take that away from her too. Burying her head in her arms she tried to take deep breaths and ignore the pain. It was something Abby had mentioned, and it helped sometimes, though she’d never admit it. Only now it didn’t seem to be doing the trick. Throwing her brace to the ground Raven let out another groan of frustration, pausing only when she heard the sound of someone approaching. Great, what now?


Tag: Jacques Roux

[Jacques Roux]

Swallow your pride down.

Suck my cockiness. Lick my persuasion. Eat my poison.

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Defiance was something that always seemed to come about as a result of something else. Defiance was a way to deal with grief, oppression and unjust actions. But there was a fine line between that which was sensible, and that which wasn't. Some things just simply can't be changed nor helped in life, and to express such over an issue that you cannot impact shows very little reason and much more angst. That was a lesson that Jacques was still coming to learn himself. There was a sense of outrage and unwavering aggression built up for years over the loss of his mother, especially having never met her. But despite all of his hatred toward what had happened, being angry about it would only prolong his dissatisfied feeling. Sometimes life deals cards that might not be the best, but there's always a way through and always a way past it and a future after it. Perhaps the same could be said about bum legs...

Jacques had been wearing a triumphant grin around camp lately, especially having taken to research the location of the lake Octavia and the others had reported her attack occurring at. For months now, he'd been exploring on his own, having private excursions in search of safe aquaculture grounds. Not that anything was truly safe on the Ground, but some bodies of water and its flora and fauna were more peaceful than others. It was simply about diligence. And having not been much on patience, if there was one thing Jacques was persistent about, it was reconvening with the only memory he had of his mother. And ever since the events at Mount Weather, he'd been able to do just that on a near daily basis. Not that Jacques venturing out without a weapon or gun of any sort was something Bellamy was thrilled about, but what Bellamy didn't know? Wouldn't hurt him.

With an apple in hand, he brought it to his dimpled features to take yet another bite from it before giving it a small toss up into the air and catching it back within the same palm. It was rare that Jacques was complacent, but today was one of those days. Peace, after his morning swim, and then.. some very loud cursing to take him into the turn of daytime.

Jacques quirked a brow, turning his gaze toward the direction where it had come from. The voice certainly sounded familiar. Curiosity got the better of the boy, his trek taking him closer in, until the unknown broke way to reveal a very flustered, very angsty Raven. And here lately with what had happened to her leg? It was no secret that she was having a hard time dealing with it, not to anyone in Arkadia. An especially rare act for the notorious Aquaboy of the Ark, he found himself concerned, or at the very least intrigued. "You know," he paused to take another bite from the ripe fruit within his hand, cheek swelling as he chewed quietly. "You should try and keep it down." He was wearing that same classic, half-crooked grin he was known for bearing so often. "Some of us have virgin ears.." His smile stretched further, either palm lifting with apple still in tow to mime covering his own ears. He was trying his best to take her mind off of it, or at least impose an effort to make her smile.

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TAG: cherry1 WORDS: 571
NOTES: Okay, so something Jacques is nice. Maybe.

[cherry1]

She was in one of her more bitter moods today. So really it wasn’t her fault that he just happened to be in the wrong place at the really wrong time. “Yeah, well I don’t remember that being my problem,” she snapped at the boy. Recognising him as that pretty delinquent with the silly name. Jean? Jacques? Something like that. Not that she really cared. Certainly not enough to actually ask. Raven just really wasn't in the mood for company. Much less company that had just witnessed her little outburst moments ago. She knew what happened to her leg and how she was dealing with it was no secret, but she was dealing with it. And besides it was no one’s damn business how she went about that.

Sighing and cursing herself for having a conscience, she felt the familiar twinges of something akin to guilt. He was just trying to help, maybe take her mind off things. Raven just didn’t always take too kindly to people observing her vulnerability. This leg made her feel weak enough as it is, she didn’t need more people understanding just how weak it really made her. All she had left was that fragile illusion of some semblance of strength. But every day something ate away at it like a disease. How much longer could she last until it completely shattered? “Do you need something, kid?” she asked a little less snappy this time, overcompensating for her earlier bitter words. As she unconsciously kneaded her fist into her hip again, the pain a little less severe now with the unexpected distraction. He probably wasn’t that much younger than her, but Raven would really use anything to assert control or power. Even words.


Tag: Jacques Roux

[Jacques Roux]

Swallow your pride down.

Suck my cockiness. Lick my persuasion. Eat my poison.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Jacques didn’t really seem to take much noticeable offense to her snarky or snappy remarks. Whether that was because it simply didn’t get to him, or because he didn’t really care enough to let it wasn’t entirely discernible. Still cool as he was upon first arrival, the only indication he offered in response was an aloof quietness that was coupled with his palm lifting that green orb to his mouth once more. Another bite. More chewing. Though in his own quiet way, he was silently letting her bask in her guilt for quipping at him. He sadistically found enjoyment in her feeling bad and she should have! Jacques was only trying to offer help, and in his mind if she was going to bite the hand that tried to feed her, then she’d only end up drowning in her own venom. Plus, Jacques was never this quiet when someone had a smart aleck comment to shoot off at him. But, he also knew first hand what it was like to have trouble coming to terms with issues that were outside of one’s control. He also knew what it was like to be alone in your own emotions because pushing everyone away was just.. easier. Lucky for them both, Jacques never enjoyed anything easy.

After the small beat came to pass and she spoke again to break the silence asking if he needed anything (in a much kinder tone as well), Jacques took her follow-up as an unspoken means of an apology. That was good enough for him. Moving over toward her, he didn’t hesitate to ask before walking right up and making himself a seat down beside her. Still not eager to reply, he instead swung his legs idly back and forth from the rise at which his seat offered his shorter stature. The boy took another bite of his apple while idly glancing around at the nearby scenery. Seconds seemed like minutes as he took his time on chewing this bite, just as he had the ones before it. He shook his head while speaking casually, “No. But you do.” He purposefully didn’t pull his stare to look at her leg while mentioning it, instead still glancing around while taking another bite from the fruit.

“So, I think the better question is…” It wasn’t until this very moment that he even turned to look upon her. His lips showed no smile or expressive feature at all. His eyes, on the other hand, were gleaming with mischievousness. “Do you?”

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TAG: cherry1 WORDS: 419

NOTES: My headcanon totally made symbolism with Raven, Jacques, and his apple in this post. Eve, the serpent, and the apple.

[cherry1]

The cocky expression on his face was really starting to irritate her. Who did this kid think he was? And what...did he think he was doing just sitting next to her, like he owned the place. If she’d known her question would invite this blatant disregard for some personal space she would have just sent him packing or never have said anything at all. Don’t even get her started on that goddamn apple. No one in the history of Earth needed that long to bite and chew an apple. It was insufferable.

“What? Need something from you? HA!” As if. There was nothing he could do for her. Unless he was suggesting… no there was no way this absolute stranger was could be that forward and that stupid. And besides she really wasn’t in the mood. “Actually as a matter of fact I do,” she said, a little smirk playing on her lips. “If you take…one more ridiculously drawn out bite of that apple…I’m going to take a bite out of you.” She paused to let the threat sink in, leaning in closer, her breath on his neck invading some of his personal space for a change. “And not the kinky kind.” Leaning back again, the smirk returned to her features. “The I’m going to beat your ass kind.”

It was perhaps a little silly, making hollow threats considering her current physical state. But it felt so damn good. Like she was her old self again. Like Raven could actually follow through if she wanted to. “So if you don’t mind…kid,” she said with a raised eyebrow, because she didn’t know his name and a little because she wanted to irritate him too. It was an obvious hint. But if she really thought about it, Raven was kind of, just a little, enjoying his presence. It was a fun distraction, giving out idle threats to random strangers. She should do this more often.

Tag: Jacques Roux

[Jacques Roux]

Swallow your pride down.

Suck my cockiness. Lick my persuasion. Eat my poison.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Once more with the snark, Raven's rampage continued. And alas, just as before, Jacques remained ever cool. If nothing else, he knew it was irking her that he was acting as nonchalantly as he was. It was like her to pass off his offer of her needing assistance. Afterall, she paraded around Arkadia like she was the most independent and badass of bitches to reign the Ground since the arrival of the Arkers. And maybe she was, Jacques wasn’t discrediting her of that potential, but even the mightiest of lions often times needed the aid of mice.

The kid was notorious amongst his peers for having been the ‘Aquaboy’ of the Ark. When kids committed crimes that were out of the ordinary, information spread fast and rumors spread faster. He had contaminated a month’s worth of the Ark’s water supply, sure. But he had also been the first to swim, and one of the only ones capable of doing so here on the Ground amongst their crew. That was a potential asset, and a potential asset that he felt Raven just might need. Water had brilliant healing capabilities, and aquatherapy was not uncommon amongst those who had roamed Earth before them -- at least, that’s what research had shown.

After she offered vicious threat in regards to his apple munching, Jacques finally turned to look back upon her. The corner of his lips curled upward into a smug grin, taking a beat of a moment to stare her over after. She was cute when she was barking. “Lucky for both of us, you’re not my type.” He was strongly hinting at his preference toward men. And with that, while his eyes were locked dead within her own, he brought that same fruit to his maw before sinking pearlescent canines into its juicy core. Another bite, and this one he purposefully chewed without ever breaking their stare.

After swallowing the confinements of his latest snack, Jacques kicked one ankle to over-cross his other, swinging them idly to and fro. “You know, I understand your hesitation on trusting me..” He casually shrugged a shoulder. “I’m young. I’m trouble. I’m loads of fun.” He turned toward her with a cocky smirk, “And let’s face it, I’m the prettiest thing here.” A playful wink followed suit. “But I also know how to keep a secret.” He nodded toward her with a dip of his head, taking another bite from the fruit. This time he was talking with a mouthful, “And I just might be able to help you get back on your feet.” The boy offered a slurp, before choking the rest of the apple down. Another beat passed, awkwardly glancing down toward her bad leg. “Well, foot.” Sure, he was an asshole, but he was at least lovable -- or at least he certainly thought he was. “So you can beat my ass,” he quoted her previous threat before pointing a judgmental finger in her direction. “You promised, remember?”

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TAG: cherry1 WORDS: 483

[cherry1]

Her expression quickly changed from a smirk to a scowl. There he was again. Taking another ridiculous bite out of that damn apple. There was no way it tasted as good as he made it out to be. And not his type? Raven was everyone’s type. And she damn well knew it. Unless he preferred men. But even then she still didn’t doubt her abilities to be the exception. Lucky for him he wasn’t her type either. Too pretty, she thought bitterly. Raven rolled her eyes at his annoying and albeit successful attempt at trying to irritate her with the apple. Playing it off like it didn’t really bother her. Although she was just about five seconds away from just knocking it out of his hands like a petulant child. While usually she wouldn’t do that sort of thing, right now Raven wasn’t quite sure she was above such a childish display of irritation.

He was way too casual, too comfortable for her liking. But she couldn’t help the short chuckle that escaped her at his cocky remarks. It was almost endearing…almost. More entertaining than anything. She even gave a sarcastic laugh at his joke about the foot. If she thought about it, Raven couldn't really remember the last time she'd just sat for a moment and laughed with someone, let alone a stranger, a way too arrogant for his own good stranger, but still. It was a rare occurrence for her these days. But she wasn't deluded, Raven understood the restrictions reality actually forced, as much as she wanted to change them. She couldn't. “Help me how? Huh? There’s nothing you could do for me that I haven’t already tried.” That wasn’t really the whole truth. But she still didn’t trust him enough to accept help. “You’re pretty, sure. Funny…maybe? But a miracle worker? I don’t think so.” All the talk about her leg making her aware of the pain again, forced her to hiss as she kneaded her hand into her hip once more. “As tempting as it would be to actually kick your ass, because god knows you need it, I’m going to have to pass," she said through gritted teeth. Trying and failing to hide just how much the damn leg was affecting her.

Tag: Jacques Roux

[Jacques Roux]

Swallow your pride down.

Suck my cockiness. Lick my persuasion. Eat my poison.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

The boy took a final bite of his apple, chewing its contents just as slowly as before. Only this time, it was to buy him time to take a slow look around, in an effort to ensure that there was no potential eavesdropper within listening distance. He idly twirled the now barren fruit core in his palm, before tossing it back over his shoulder to let it fall into compost territory. He thought for a moment to himself, almost cautious as to whether or not he should tell her. The boy wasn’t exactly trying to go against Abby and her doctor’s orders (whatever those may have been) for Raven. Hell, he wasn’t even sure if what he was proposing would be deemed as ‘fine’ in the eyes of the Chancellor. Probably not. But either way, it didn’t stop Jacques from partaking on a consistent basis. And it was certainly a private outing and affair that he had shared with no one up until this point. The idea of offering someone to tag along, or worse, the idea of if she told.

Maybe he’d sound crazy. After all, Arkers didn’t swim. They didn’t know how. Or at least.. That was the common knowledge. But there were always case exceptions. “Aquatherapy,” he mentioned softly in an almost whispered tone. When he spoke, his gaze wasn’t to her, but instead fixated on the camp around them with cautious hesitation.

“Aquatic therapy refers to treatments and exercises performed in water for relaxation, fitness, physical rehabilitation and other therapeutic benefit.” He sounded textbook. Misleading as it may have been, Jacques was quite knowledgeable in his trade. He could hardly shoot a gun. But he knew aquatics like the back of his hand. “From what I know, Dr. Abby is a medical specialist -- not a rehabilitationist.” His feet swung slowly still, voice still rolling free in soft waves.

“You wouldn’t go to an engineer to do a mechanics job, would you?” He ticked a brow, making a correlation between something she might have been more familiar with.

Another beat passed before he turned to look to her, “Raven. Do you know what I landed in Lockup for?”

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TAG: cherry1 WORDS: 362

[cherry1]

Aquatherapy? She scoffed at the suggestion. He must be kidding. Though she had to hand it to him, it was definitely a new one. Raven just sat there a bemused look on her face as he went on to explain all the benefits of the treatment. She could almost laugh at his sudden change in demeanour sounding like a damn professor all of a sudden. It was disconcerting. The more he spoke the more it started to dawn on her. No one on the ark liked water or knew how to swim, except for that waterboy she'd vaguely heard about. The boy who’d been stupid enough to contaminate about a month’s supply of water for a stupid swimming lesson. No way did that kid survive this whole time without her knowing about it. But as he spoke Raven did the math. He would’ve still been under 18 when the dropship was sent to the ground. And when she’d arrived, getting to know the other delinquents hadn’t exactly been a priority between trying to build bombs and keeping everyone alive.

Theoretically it was possible. This kid could be him. Against her better judgement the prospect definitely intrigued her. “You’re that waterboy aren’t you? The jackass that lost us like a months’ supply of water so he could play little mermaid.” A story Finn had told her when they were children and one she’d never admit to anyone else about liking. “You know what kid, why the hell not? I could use a distraction.” And he definitely fit the bill. “And hey, if it doesn’t work, what’s the harm in getting a little wet?” She said with a very suggestive wink, just to catch him off guard. “I’m in.” She said, her voice low, offering him her hand to shake on it, before leaning close and whispering into his ear. “But if you try anything funny, or I drown out there…I’ll kill you with my bare hands.” And that was a promise. 

Tag: Jacques Roux