Junkyard, after workshops Wednesday

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Tyler leaned against a tree in a clearing on the edge of the junkyard, fingering the fireworks in his pockets a little nervously as he waited for River.

He had dragged over a beaten, overstuffed chair and rimmed the clearing with rocks. He even remembered swim goggles.

After all, safety does come first.

[OOC: Mostly for River, but open if anyone else has a reason to be in the junkyard.]

Comments

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

The junkyard looked exciting. She really should recommend it to Kaylee.

Noticing Tyler, River walked up to him, a wid grin on her face. "Hello," she said. Then she saw the armchair. "Perfect."

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Tyler nodded. "Hi. The chair should really burn up, if we do this right."

He put his hands behind his back. "Pick a hand."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River picked his left hand.

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Tyler brought out a tightly rolled strip of firecrackers (http://www.fireworks.com/fireworks_gallery/photo.asp?pid=44). "Usually I make my own, but I didn't have time," he half-apologized. "Drape these over the arms of the chair. Keep all the fuses braided together, and -- you aren't carrying a lighter or anything, are you?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River admired the firecrackers. "No, no lighter. I have matches though."

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

"That's fine." Tyler said, half-smiling -- he had to admire a girl who came prepared. "But when we light these, they're going to go pretty fast. So don't play with the matches while you're working with this stuff unless you want to end up in the clinic."

While he talked, he began nestling M-98s (http://www.fireworks.com/fireworks_gallery/photo.asp?pid=878) throughout the cushion and back of the chair. They had all been connected to one big fuse and looked a little like Christmas lights.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Won't play," River assued him. She arranged the firecrackers nicely over the chair. "Tell me when it's ready to go."

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Tyler handed River a set of goggles. "See the rocks? Put these on and go stand past them," he told her.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River followed his advice, stretching to see over the rocks. "You're coming here too?" she called to Tyler. She didn't want him to blow his fingers off.

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

"In a second," Tyler called. He moved swiftly, and with a greace born of purpose and confidence.

Strapping on his own goggles, he lit the fuse on River's firecrackers, then took several running steps back and threw a lit M-98 at the chair.

He made it behind the rocks just as all of the fireworks caught, and the chair was swiftly reduced to flaming rubble. Occasional booms shook the earth as bits of cushion exploded.

He turned to River with his eyes shining as he waited for a reaction.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River jumped cheerfully every time there was a boom, grinning widely. She didn't know why, but there was something strangely satisfying about this. When the fire had subsided she gave Tyler a big hug. "That was brilliant!"

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Tyler hugged her back, feeling the warmth in her slender frame. He felt at peace. "And no one got hurt," he said, almost to himself. "So you liked that?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Of course," River said. She took his hand and dragged him over to what remained of the armchair. There she picked up a charred wooden piece and threw it to thw ground, then jumped on it, crushing it into little pieces. The other armchair remains met a similar fate, until no signs of it were still visible.

It felt good somehow.

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Tyler blinked. He stomped on a few chunks himself -- making sure to get any smouldering bits -- then he said exactly what was in his mind.

"I think you are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River truly blushed. She could feel herself change colour. She then raised herself on tiptoe and kissed Tyler lightly.

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Tyler was surprised, and froze for a moment. Then he remembered how the whole thing worked and kissed her back, also lightly, before pulling away. "That was nice."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Thank you," River said, not being specific about whether she meant the kiss or the blowing up of the armchair. "I enjoyed this."

[fandomtroopers]

There was a small squad of troopers inside the junkyard as usual guarding something no one else knew about. The noise of the firecrackers startled them, but it took a moment for them to look through the rumble before they found where it was coming from.

The sergant in charge looked around in confusion from the rubble to two teenagers. "What's the meaning of this?"

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Tyler clenched his fists, incredibly confused by the sudden turn the day had taken.

"Hi, um, officer. I was just ... disposing of this .... chair."

[fandomtroopers]

The trooper looked scpetically at what was left of the chair. "This was your chair? What was wrong with it?" Yes, he did consider that a valid question.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

Attempting to help out, River replied: "It ate people."

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

"It, um-- yes."

Attempting to look serious, Tyler grabbed for River's hand. "Let's run?" he half-whispered, and took off, trying to drag her along.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

This seemed like a good idea. River's mind had begun to give her impulses that suggested beating up the whole troop. And possibly blowing them up afterwards. That would have been crazy, however. Sometimes her mind scared her. She followed Tyler.

[fandomtroopers]

"Chairs don't eat people. Do they, Sarge?" One of the troopers asked when Tyler made a run for it. He moved to run after Tyler.

"Just chase them out of the junkyard," The sergeant ordered. After all they were just kids and getting chased that far would be enough of a scare.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

In River's mind the troopers in front of her turned to Alliance soldiers. Then they switched and became reavers, very briefly, before going back to being Alliance soldiers. She stared at them, eyes wide.

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

[OOC: Moving us here (http://community.livejournal.com/fandomtownies/922860.html?thread=36257260#t36257260), unless you want to play with the troopers a little more.]

Outside the junkyard

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

By the time he was a safe distance from the junkyard, Tyler's lungs burned from exertion and excitement. "I have got to stop having dates end with the police arriving," he blurted, giving River a sidelong glance. "You okay?"

Re: Outside the junkyard

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Ok," River said, but she was pale and looked frightened. They had escaped the Alliance soldiers, but they would be back. "They're evil."

Re: Outside the junkyard

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

"I think they're just doing their jobs," Tyler said doubtfully, keepingan ear out, heart still racing. "They quit following us, anyhow."

He looked at River skeptically. "You look really scared."

Re: Outside the junkyard

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

She stared at her feet. "They want to take me back and hurt me," she mumbled. "They hurt me."

Re: Outside the junkyard

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Anger rose in Tyler at the thought of anyone hurting River, and he was very aware of the handful of extra firecrackers he had. Could throw them, he thought.

But then he realized they hadn't touched her, and he would have noticed. Unless you blacked out again.

He swallowed. "They just wanted us to leave. I think. Do you mean now, back there, they hurt you?"

Re: Outside the junkyard

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

She shook her head. "No. Before. Before I came here. They pretend they're good, but they hurt people." She looked up at him. "It's a secret."

She wondered if that protection spell Giles had promised her would work.

Re: Outside the junkyard

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

"Oh," Tyler said. His hand snaked out to grasp hers. "I know about secrets. And -" And he took a moment to savor the irony of him saying this - "I would do everything I could to make sure they didn't hurt you again. Promise."

Re: Outside the junkyard

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

She pressed his hand back and managed a smile. "Thank you, Tyler." She was still trembling.

((OOC: Bedtime for me. I can continue tomorrow if you want.))

Re: Outside the junkyard

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Tyler noticed her tremble and worried and wondered what had happened. "Let's get you back to campus."

He planned to hold on to her very tightly as they walked toward the school.

[OOC: We can call this a wrap or pick it up tomorrow, either works for me.]

Re: Outside the junkyard

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River just nodded. She really felt like hiding under her bed right now.

((ooc: We could have them meet up later?))

Re: Outside the junkyard

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Tyler carefully made his way back to school, not sure what to say.

[OOC: Works though I'll probably be slow today due to work. Lunch?>]</small

Re: Outside the junkyard

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

((ooc: I'm at work too, but SP works fine :) ))

Re: Outside the junkyard

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

[OOC: I stuck him here. (http://community.livejournal.com/fandomhigh/912429.html?thread=45818157#t45818157) Let me know if thatdoesn't work and we'll ... do something else.]

Another part of the junkyard...

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

John was trying to give himself a hand, or at least make one, from junk parts. It wasn't easy. He couldn't even remember why he started this damn thing as he sighed and put a few more parts in the arm sling.

He dropped into a crouch at the sound of ...gunfire? Firecrackers? A jaunt up a small pile of dead refridgerators let him scan the scene.