Hannah Ryers (hryers) wrote in destructionisle, @ 2019-06-07 22:56:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | !complete, !june ac, !thread, jd stevenson |
Who: Hannah and JD
What: Work
When: Morning, Friday June 7, 2019
Where: Assignment Room - Military Base
Rating: Lowish - mild violence
Status: Complete
Routine was important to JD. It was something that started almost twenty years beforehand when he had joined the Army and even now he still needed that structure in his life. While most hours of the day were planned out - exercise, meals, work and recreation - there was also some flexibility for when unexpected events popped up. He had done his workout for the morning, showered at the base, before putting on his immaculately pressed uniform and was now on his way to the Assignment Room to double check which sector he’d be patrolling today, always good to make sure before getting his rifle from the armory and heading out.
--
Hannah thought it was asinine that she had to check the Assignment Room every morning. Her assignment was always the same, always. Keep an eye on the web traffic to make sure no one was getting information in or out of the island. Almost every day of the last two years of her life had been the same, sitting in the control room surrounded by screens and data, her ability taking over to constantly monitor. And when she wasn’t in that little room, she was just somewhere else, doing the same thing on laptops and cell phones. Once in a while there was something more specific to look for, but even then it was boring in her opinion.
Heading there now, Hannah had her headphones in, listening to music as she stared at the floor. She hated being here, among so many guards, more than half of her either wanted to kiss her or kill her. It was daily torture, so she did her best to keep her head down and avoid trouble. Rounding the corner, she accidentally bumped into a guard twice her size. “Bitch! Watch where you’re going!” A meaty hand shot out, shoving her back into the wall hard as he moved past her.
Wincing, Hannah rubbed at her shoulder where she’d been pushed. She stayed pressed up against the wall, watching the man retreat and deciding to just stay out of everyone’s way for a few minutes. Taking a deep breath, she stared at the floor and yanked out her earbuds. She should be paying better attention.
--
He had missed the actual altercation, but the same gruff guard stormed past him, almost running into JD as he wasn’t looking where he was going and muttering under his breath about something. Not that it was easy to miss seeing JD with his large frame and wide shoulders, but still somehow this guard managed to not see him and didn’t even bother to apologize. A quick side step avoided a collision and shaking his head to himself JD continued towards the Assignment Room.
Turning the corner he noticed a brunette lady standing against the wall, what was her name? Something Ryers. And she looked a bit shaken by something, he knew that look and that feeling all too well. Stepping closer he spoke softly. “Ms Ryers, are you alright?”
--
When the second, even larger man approached, Hannah cowered. She would have melted right into the floor if she could have. But when he spoke, the words surprised her. Warily, she nodded. “Uh… yeah. Fine.”
Standing a little taller now, she tried to shake it off. One of these days, Hannah knew she was going to snap. But it wouldn’t be today. The daily threats and harassment were bad enough, she didn’t want to be embarrassed and mocked too.
—
He was well aware what the residents thought of the guards, that most of them were afraid and seeing people cower away from him was pretty much the norm even though he had never touched any of them in anger, he wasn’t that kind of person. JD ignored the other guards, what they thought was amusing banter but really their comments were often sexist and the view of bigots.
Although he knew that she was not really ‘fine’ JD didn’t say anything about it, he didn’t want to cause some sort of argument especially here in the base. “Are you sure? Can I escort you somewhere?” He asked.
—
If it was only comments, Hannah might not be so skittish. But in her two years on the island, the comments had quickly escalated and in more than one instance she found herself in compromising or threatening positions. It didn’t seem to feel any easier to deal with, even though she knew she should expect it by now.
Raking her fingers back through her mess of curls, Hannah shrugged. “Yeah.. no choice but to be fine around here. I was just going to check my assignment for the day. But it rarely changes.”
--
Maybe it was his time in the Army, seeing how different things were in the Middle East and the injustice against the innocent people who were caught up in the war but whatever it was everyone on the island was human and they deserved decency and respect, even if the other guards seemed to get away with harassing residents JD wasn’t about to and if he saw it he’d tell the other guard as such. One of the many reasons that ninety five percent of the time he only worked with Ian, his friend and another of the few guards who were decent and nice towards everyone.
“I’m going that way, I’ll escort you.” He smiled, though he had an idea of where he and Ian would be patrolling and what time he always preferred to double check incase something had changed since the day before. Plus if anyone made any snide comments he could tell them off on it, not that a lot of people talked back at JD
--
Taking a deep breath, Hannah pushed herself off the wall and just shrugged. Even if she’d declined, he’d already said he was going the same way so that would just be awkward. She glanced up and down the hall warily, then motioned for him to take the lead. “Thanks...:”
--
JD walked down the hall, still feeling the presence of Hannah walking behind him so at least he knew she was following without the need to look around and check. As they walked along another guard saw them and he could see the sneer starting to appear on the other man’s face, before anything was said JD’s eyes narrowed and his shoulders squared, the guard seemed to think twice when he saw JD and just scampered by with his head downturned slightly. “I’m sorry that this place is a haven for asshole.” Their behavior did affect them all, they were tainted by the same brush because of the actions of a few. “We’re not all bad, I promise.”
--
“Not yet, anyway.” Hannah hadn’t met that many nice guards in her time on the island, but the few who had been decent to her either changed their tune quickly, or didn’t last long. The bleeding hearts attracted too much attention and tended to be shipped off the island or wherever they sent people who knew too much and weren’t mutants. So Hannah kept to herself for the most part and tried to just get from one day to the next. It was all beginning to wear on her though. But, it was better than Riken.
“I’m sorry that you get a bad rap, but… well, I think you get it.” As they neared the assignment room, Hannah shut up fast. It was bad enough in the halls and the barracks, but whenever she was around the higher ups, she knew they’d rather not have to deal with her ‘kind.’
--
He knew the risks he was taking, both in his manner towards the residents and also with the smuggling ring that both he and Ian ran, that if they were found out it didn’t bode well for either of them which was one of the many reasons it was kept hush-hush until a level of trust could be established and even then they only would only deal with a few others who acted as go-betweens.
“Yeah I do. Appearances to keep up and all of that.” JD shrugged a shoulder as they neared the assignment room. Still, the threats weren’t about to stop him from treating the residents with respect they deserved. “But please, do let me know if anyone is more of an asshole than the others, no one should have to put up with that.”
--
Hannah stopped beside him before they entered the room. She looked up to him, studying him curiously before just shrugging in defeat. “I’m no one so... yeah.” Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself to walk into the room. “Keeping the assholes in line is a full time job, you’ve got better things to do. I’ll survive. Until they decide I won’t.”
--
“Okay. Well look after yourself ma’am.” JD said as he pushed open the door for her, nothing would stop him from showing his manners, at least his momma raised him right in that regard - treat all women with respect.
--
Hannah nodded in response, hiding a smirk. She always looked after herself, no one else was going to. Moving into the room, Hannah went to check on her assignment for the day. But her name wasn’t on the board, there wasn’t anything there for her. Confused, she waited on the short like to do an in person confirmation. When she made it to the front, a tall man in a black suit entered the room, immediately escorting her out. Hannah went along warily, shooting a worried glance to the man who had been nice to her.