Marina Scherbatskaya (scherbatskaya) wrote in remains_rpg, @ 2016-05-16 12:32:00 |
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Entry tags: | # 2019 [05] may, hazel dolan, marina scherbatskaya, viktor scherbatsky |
Who: Bunny, Marina and Vic
Where: Dog Park
What: home, home on the range~ these three amigos do a little farming and ranching to distract themselves from the news
When: [slightly backdated] May 4th, afternoon
When this all started, Marina really had no idea what the fuck she was doing. She’d always been a city girl and the idea of being involved in the process of growing food or raising animals, it just wasn’t something she ever thought she would do. But these last few months out here had become a kind of therapy, and super fucking informative under Bunny’s watchful eye. Marina was glad they had someone like her at the Dog Park to help with these things because if it was left in Marina’s hands, they’d be fucked. On a day as shitty as today, being out here was doing her a lot of good being out here moving shit around rather than sitting in the RV with idle hands. Vic’s form approaching them was easy to spot, and after finishing breaking up the bale of hay she was working on, she wiped her hands on her jeans and began walking towards him. “What are you doing here, dorogoy?” She called out once he was close enough that Marina was sure he could hear her. "Chapel just let out," Vic replied, leaning down to kiss her once he was close enough. Then, once the two of them had walked over to where Bunny stood, intently focused on the one of the heifers rather than the newlyweds, he added, "Figured I'd make do on my word and come on by to see about that bull. Not exactly sure what he needs seeing about, but." He shrugged; he was as clueless as Marina was about this sort of thing, but Bunny always seemed to value the help. "Plus I got some news to update y'all about." Looking up, sunny smile fixed firmly in place, Bunny brushed a stray lock of hair from her face with the back of one hand. “We can always use more hands for carrying water. What news?” "After the fucking mess that was this morning we gotta keep going, you know?" Bunny was living with Bishop, so Vic felt safe to assume she knew what he was referring to. He returned her smile as best as he could, uncertainty and all. "So we've moved Bishop up to President and me up to Vice." Given the fact that Bode and Vic were two of the highest-ranked officers, it wasn't much of a surprise to hear they'd been put into the topmost positions, but Bunny’s face still lit up like it was Christmas morning. “Congratulations!” she said. “I can't think of anyone more deserving than the two of you.” Marina knew that one of the current officers would have to step up and take charge now that Rodeo had abandoned ship. With all the doubts Vic had been voicing about his ability to do his job and protect the Dog Park, she was simultaneously surprised but not surprised at all for him to be the new second in command. He cared too much to not be one of the people making sure this place kept going. Leaning up to kiss Vic on the cheek, she moved an arm around his waist and patted him on the chest, over his heart. “You’ll do well, dorogoy. Both you and Bishop.” "Thank you," he said, his smile feeling a bit less forced now. How could it not after that kind of warm welcome from the both of them? After just the space of two heartbeats, during which she felt a sudden, keen pang for Bode and the loss of Teagan, Bunny turned her attention to Marina. “And I guess that makes you practically First Lady of the camp now too.” Marina’s nose scrunched at the thought, not even sure what being 'First Lady' would entail. “I guess that’s one way of seeing it,” she said, trying to be diplomatic, but mostly just continued to frown. The way she saw it, this wasn’t a position any of them wanted to be in, but it was, well, sweet of Bunny to see the silver lining in everything. "She kinda has a point," Vic admitted, sending a fond look in Marina's direction. It was weird to think about it, since Noa had occupied the highest ranking Old Lady position for as long as they'd been in a group together, but technically with his promotion Marina would now outrank Noa. Even more so now that she was getting set to prospect into the Hellhounds. "Better get used to it." Bunny glanced in Marina’s direction, picking up on the fact that the other woman wasn’t exactly comfortable with the notion of holding that particular sort of authority in the camp. “At least you won’t be having to host brunches and card parties, like the Capitol women. Could be worse.” “Just as soon as we grow some cucumbers, then I’ll make us all have a tea party,” Marina joked. The thing was, even though everything was so completely different than Los Nahuales -- the fact that they were an actual family here at the Dog Park -- being on the arm of one of the most important men in camp felt like a case of deja vu. She was working so hard to separate herself from her old life only to fall back into the same position here. Maybe it was just her lot in life to have this kind of power, but at least now she could use it for good rather than evil. Quick as a wink and then it was gone, an impish expression danced across Bunny’s face. It was a completely natural, and refreshingly carefree, moment. “Well, it just so happens I am trying to grow a patch in the greenhouse. As soon as any come in, you’ll be the first to know.” "Tea party, huh?" It wasn't the weirdest request Vic had heard throughout his time in the Dog Park, and the thought of actual fresh vegetables coming out of their greenhouse wasn't anything to laugh at. "You let us know when they come in. But I don't wanna not make good on my promise of helping out, though." He hadn't come by to gossip, after all, and the morning's events meant he was ready for some time to himself with his thoughts. It was easy to pick out the buckets of water that Bunny had mentioned, so after pressing a kiss to Marina's forehead he started to walk in their direction, intent on feeding the animals to the best of his ability. After watching Vic’s retreating back as he carried the buckets over to the animals’ water tank, Bunny returned to her own work of scooping some of the feed into the trough. “You two seem to be settling into married life pretty well,” she observed. One of the heifers, overeager, tried to stick her nose into the grain and Bunny pushed it away. “Now, you just got to wait one minute. I’m almost done.” Marina moved towards Bunny, helping her keep the trough clear for Bunny to finish filling it. She reached out a hand, rubbing the nose of the cow and nodded. “Feels a lot like our life before but now we wear rings,” she said with a slight laugh before adding, somewhat randomly, “Their noses are a lot softer than I ever thought they’d be. Never been so close to animals besides dogs and cats before being here at the Dog Park.” “Your hearts were already connected, and that’s the important thing,” Bunny replied, giving Marina a brief smile. As happy as she was for the pair of them, it was mighty hard to look at Vic and Marina without feeling the sting of her own loss. It was better to keep busy, to chase thoughts of Nate away with good, hard work. Dumping the rest of the feed into the trough, Bunny stepped up beside the other woman and let the cow snuffle at her upturned palm. “Hmm, I guess so,” Marina said, mouth pursing as she continued to look at Bunny. It didn’t occur to her until that moment that the woman was missing the person her heart was connected to, or whatever sentimental shit she’d said, and seeing Marina and Vic together probably felt like a slap to the face. With a glance at Vic, she noted that it was something she’d have to be more mindful of. “You ought to feel a horse’s nose, if you ever get the chance. Smooth as velvet.” Growing up with a coop of chickens out back behind the house and livestock in every neighbor’s field, it was hard to imagine life any different. Even the idea felt lonely. “And you take to the animals like a natural. Go ahead and let them at it; I think we’ve made them wait long enough.” “Velvet, huh?” Marina asked, giving the cow’s nose one more rub before pulling back her hand and letting the hungry giant attend to its meal. “I like it more than I ever thought I would. The animals are easier to deal with than people most of the time.” Bunny nodded, lingering for a moment to watch as the cows ate and listen to the comfortingly familiar noises they made. There weren't enough animals in Austin anymore, thanks to the gas. Dogs and cats were plentiful at the park, but this kind of open land should have had wildlife too. “They’re simpler, in their outlook on the world and how they relate to us. Whatever we do when we’re away from their enclosure doesn't bother them a bit, just as long as we keep bringing food. I’m not even sure they noticed the difference, or maybe they just didn't mind, when we took over on their care. I know the chickens didn't.” “Would be nice if things could be simple again,” Marina said, her eyes fixed on the cows. Fat chance of that happening though. So long as people rose from the dead and tried to eat other people. And so long as Austin was controlled by some psychopath who clearly had it in for them. The deck was really stacked against them. But at least there were still some things to enjoy, even if it was something as unexpected as these cows. Turning away at last so they could go on to the next task, Bunny added, “Do you think Vic would mind bringing over a bale of hay when he's done carrying water?” Smirking, Marina said, “I think that Vic’s new title be damned, you’re the boss out here. Just tell him what you need and I’m sure he’ll have no problem doing it. And if he gives you lip, I happen to know where he sleeps.” Marina’s comment elicited a laugh from Bunny and, the matter settled, she drew to a halt and waved to get Vic’s attention. “We’re just stepping in with the chickens for a few minutes,” she called to him. “When you’re finished there, the cows need a bale of hay too.” Considering it usually took both women to transport the bales, she didn’t feel too bad about taking advantage of the fact that Vic was helping today. "All right," Vic called back, waving back to the two women as he turned to do as they'd asked, putting aside the buckets and heading over to the hay. With that taken care of, Bunny unlatched the door to the coop and entered. It was noticeably warmer inside, with the not exactly pleasant scent of chicken excrement in the air, and she made a note to ask Bode whether one of the prospects might lend a hand in cleaning out the building. A few of the chickens clucked in response to their entrance, but most seemed unperturbed. “Go on and open the hatch to the run, Marina. Let’s give the hens a chance to stretch their legs a bit. I’ll start checking for eggs.” As she approached the first nesting box, Bunny switched topics, circling back to something Marina had mentioned earlier. “By simple again, do you mean the way things were before the uprising, or something else?” With the hatch open, Marina turned to face Bunny again and rested her hands on her hips. What did she mean? Had her life ever actually been simple? That was a definite no. With a sigh and a shake of her head, she said, “Fuck if I know. My life’s always been kind of messed up but it was a little less complicated before the geeks, I guess.” Before this fucked up world turned the person she thought she knew better than herself into a person she thought wasn’t worthy of living on this planet. Though Bunny didn’t know exactly what Marina’s life was like before, she sensed it was not the easy kind. Her own hadn’t been all peaches and cream, but there was more good than bad in it and a kind of innocence too, both of which had been blessings. “I had fewer worries -- or different ones, anyway. Maybe it was simpler, in that respect.” As she spoke, Bunny plucked the eggs, some with the shells still warm from the hens setting on them, out of the nests one by one. She’d forgotten to grab a basket on the way in and soon enough her hands were beginning to fill. Turning, she reached over to pass a few to Marina. “But I never would have met Vic if all this shit hadn’t happened,” Marina mused out loud. If ever there was a bright spot in this living hell, it was him and the shot of having a sense of family. Turning the egg over in her hand, she marveled how the chickens could create these out of what seemed like nothing. Quietly, eyes still fixed on the eggs, she said, “I’m sorry about Nate, you know. Can’t help but wonder if we’ll ever stop losing people. Guess it just means we need to fight harder to keep what we have.” The coop suddenly felt too small and far too hot. Bunny glanced down at the fragile eggs in her arms, her placid expression wavering at the mention of her fiancé’s name. Condolences ought to be getting easier to handle as time passed, not harder, but each one was sharp as being pricked by a needle and pushed her toward something she wasn't quite ready to admit yet. “Thank you, Marina.” It took a moment for her to fold her fears away and manage anything beyond that. But then Bunny nodded and continued, her voice soft but resolute. “Nate’s not lost. Even if it happens that he doesn't come back, I’ll always have him with me. And I'll always keep fighting.” Marina just gave Bunny a nod, all of the comforting words already said, though after another moment of silence cleared her throat and said, “That’s all of the eggs, right? Should we go find Vic? Make sure the bull hasn’t gotten the best of him?” “Yes, that’s all of them,” Bunny replied, with a nod. It had been nice to have this moment out of sight, where she and Marina could have even a brief, heartfelt exchange, but she was more than ready to get out the enclosed coop and back into the sunlight. “Let’s go see how he’s holding up.” |