Challenge

[Roderic]

I didn't spent as much time here as I used to. A couple times a week at best, because I hunted bigger game now. And did this with Dom. The abandoned sewers have been our usual place-and maybe that's what spurned the current series of events. I learned at a quick age that you can't poke a bear and not expect it to do something back at you. Or maybe, the timing was just a fluke-but I'm of the mindset, and always have been, that things don't happen for no reason.

It could have been there for days. Unlikely since I had just been in these parts two nights ago-but who knew? I could have missed it while looking for some game. A storm front must be coming-I could smell it in the air as I moved around the wooded area. Plus the piece of paper that was stuck to a tree with a dagger in it, rustled; gaining my attention, was a dead give away that something was coming. A cold front, or a storm.

I yanked the paper off the bark on the trunk it was stuck to and shone the flashlight I snagged from the side pocket of my pants on it. I snorted, then started to crumble the paper up, but stopped. Instead, I folded it neatly into fours and stuffed it in my back pocket. 'Property of the DoC's my ***.' I'll play. And I'll play hard. I, along with five others didn't obliterate a couple of camps filled with Paladin's just to hand my woods over. **** that. **** them.

There was work to do, and planning to be done. First thing was first though...Dom needed to understand the potential risk for my fight. And what that meant. I was prepared for anything, but was she?

[Dominique]

Dominique sat on the shop stool and curled her feet under the footrest. Ric went over what had him pulling out a piece of paper. Unfolding it and briefly reading what there was to make out of it ultimately left HOPE and LESS returning it back to it’s folded state. The welder’s mask that was perched on the top of her head was pulled free and set down on the work table next to her. It had been awhile, perhaps too long. She had been unusually quiet opting to immerse herself in work and whatever else it was that she did but didn’t necessarily talk about. A brief roll of the chair had her arriving in front of him and she popped up from the seat.

“You aren’t going in alone.” Her face said it was a fact as she fixed her dark eyes on his. The folded paper flipped out in offering between her fingers. “We know that. I won’t ever be the type sitting around counting my lucky stars that I am in one piece and waiting by the phone to hear how it turned out for you. If it involves you then it already involves me.”

Dominique hardly needed an invitation. As soon as someone decided they wanted to put up a notice of intent to take something that wasn’t theirs to begin with from Cubby it was as good as asking for her to get ready to go to war. With that she nodded as she shifted mental gears. It had been a while since she had been in a fight. Yes, it had been too long.

"So, do whatever it is you need to do and I will be ready." Nothing else needed to be said as far as she was concerned.

[Roderic]

The note said everything that needed to be said. Dom was a smart cookie, so there wasn't really any need for words. She could put two and two together and come up with a nice solid four. Everything she said wasn't unexpected and probably true. My next plan of action was going to be to call Doc and let him know what I came across. Jules too. River, but hadn't seen her in a while. Doubt I'd be seeing her any time soon. Or ever. I smirked remembering how things played out. Hadn't expected her to be in my apartment, let alone by bedroom, but she learned real quick that if I put my mind, or attention on something, it was staying there until I found something else to occupy it.

"I'm aware." I said flatly, the paper going to the side pocket again. I was aware her stance on a lot of things; from the vows we made. Dom hadn't signed up to play 'housewife,' when we took the jump to eternity. "But..." I raise both my hands, because **** raising one. I had a solid point she needed to hear before she jumped into something that didn't pertain her. "This," I pat the side of my leg where the paper rested at. "Happened long before this--us, came around. In theory, this is not your fight. And it is not expected to be your fight." I nodded my head, then moved away from the stool she sat on, giving a second nod as I move to the door frame. "The outcome is uncertain. That was what I wanted you to be aware of. Also, I plan to meet up with them tomorrow on the hunting grounds. With Doc, if he's around. And Jules. Maybe River." I include, but find it unlikely. "Probably not." I don't like holding onto false hopes, or any hope. "You are welcomed to join, but prior actions does not bind, or obligate you to them, or me, just because we are bound."

[Dominique]

Dominique gave what Ric was saying the thought it deserved. Not that she bought into any of it but because he was expressing it and for the little he did so he would hold her attention. Once he was finished telling her what she already knew she gave him a nod. HOPE and LESS were carrying the weight of canvas weapon bags as she moved around. Each one was lifted up and set down on the surface of the work bench next to her hip. When he went quiet she spoke up.

“You forget something.” She felt it only fair to point out. He needed to hear it. “Everything is uncertain. Balls of steel and bad *** backhand doesn’t change that. Your odds improve but in the end you walking out that door and what happens next is still uncertain.” The sounds of the zipper being pulled found it’s audience while they were both still there to hear it. “I am going. Whatever was going on before this is mine when it involves you now. No flowers, no poetry, no ********. I don’t need an invitation to cover your back or take a bullet for you.” Once she made her way to where he was standing HOPE flattened at his chest and rested briefly before retreating as she continued to walk towards the wall outfitted with a state of the art safe that covered the majority of the space. It was close to impenetrable and for good reason. “Same goes for Doc and he knows it.”

The series of codes and locks were short work for LESS as the inked fingers moved quickly clearing the three part system. If there was anything else to talk about Ric would be the one to speak up. She was already preparing to suit up and pack what was needed. The worst case scenarios didn’t register any alarm or inspire reservation with her. Then again they never had. She found herself in the darkest of shadows held back numerous times because she lost her fair share of battles against insane odds. A slight curl formed at the corner of her mouth. It was her insurmountable pride that had her coming back for more even when she didn’t have a chance in hell of pulling it off. Oh, and a lot of luck. She was one lucky *****. Vegas should be grateful she settled where she did.

[Roderic]

I look away from what I was doing when Dom says I forgot something. I look at the weapons I'm starting to pack....the main sword I use is missing, but I hadn't forgotten it. It couldn't fit in the bag I was planning on taking with me for the fight. Plus, it didn't belong in a bag. I was proud of the sword Dom made me a while ago. Her guns looked pretty solid too, but what the **** did I know about guns? Just how to pull a trigger on most, at best. "Yea?" I ask as she approaches me, giving me her two cents on things.

Her two cents are worth a lot more than two cents, but I don't let Dom know this. Was she right? Was everything uncertain? Maybe not. Not if I planned things early enough. Then again, she might be right. I have no numbers to crunch in terms of how big their team is. What time this is going to go down. I hope it's a solid time. On the hour is best. Maybe ten after. Something solid and normal. Depths between trees or shrubs. How the wind was being carried. things like that. Dom was accurate. There was a lot of uncertainties.

"Understood." I nod my head, then go for my phone. Doc was needing a text and so was Jules.

Text: Doc, Julby.

From: Ric

Message: Got trouble with the hunting grounds. Need to take care of some stuff with some Disciples. Anyone down for helping me and Dom with it? Thinking tomorrow.

I hit send and set the phone down to finish packing, glancing over to Dom to see what she was thinking about taking.