002 - The Mummy in the Stairwell

[beltbucklerebel]

[The journal picked up a low groan as Booth sank onto Brennan’s couch. It wasn’t a happy sound.

A few seconds later, it’s followed by another sigh as Brennan joins him.]

You should not have done that.

[His scowl might not be visible, without the journal close enough to record it, but it can be heard clearly in his voice]

Hey, I would have been just fine if it would just have fit around the damn corner. [his voice dropped to something that was very nearly sulking] Besides. I thought you’d like it.

It was... a very nice gesture, Booth. But you are well aware that your back is not in the condition to perform such overexerting maneuvers.

I can maneuver as well as the next guy, thank you very much. Better, even. I just...need a minute. [he paused, before grudgingly adding] and maybe an ice pack.

It would be preferable if you would get on your back instead. I believe I can fix it if you just let me.

[neither of them were fully aware that the journal, open on the coffee table in front of them, had managed to capture that little exchange.]

((ooc: Blue is Brennan, black is Booth. If you want only one of them, feel free to specify. Otherwise, you might get responses from both. If you live in Building Four, there’s a good chance you might see a masked mummy in a glass case stuck in the stairwell between floors three and four. Property of Room #18 is carefully written on a piece of paper taped onto the glass. ...It’ll be moved later.))

Comments

[action]

[truthin_bones]

[She waits at him to respond. When he doesn't, she just rolls her eyes a little at him.]

I have been successful at assisting with your back before.

[action]

[beltbucklerebel]

Yeah, and you were also successful at getting me stuck off duty on Vicodin for a week. [...okay, so that wasn't entirely fair. But still]

I'm not sure I should be gambling on a 50/50 chance.

[action]

[truthin_bones]

[Her eyebrows raise at the accusation. The Vicodin hadn't just been the result of her attempt to crack his back.]

This isn't the same methodology. I want to try Thai massage this time. It combines deep tissue with acupressure. It's a very effective method.

[action]

[beltbucklerebel]

[his eyes widen with something akin to alarm] The needle thing? No way. I'll stick with ice, thanks.

[action]

[truthin_bones]

Acupressure, Booth. Not acupuncture. There are absolutely no needles involved.

[action]

[beltbucklerebel]

If it's so effective, how come you didn't use this last time?

[Action]

[deadpoet]

[Sometime in the evening, when Booth is out to do whatever it is he might need to do, he comes across a figure in black. One who immediately lunges at him and throws a punch at him with all the force reserved for someone with a vampire constitution.]

About time you showed up, you self-righteous ponce. I've a mind to--

[Spike stopped when he realized that there hadn't been an Angel-worthy counter attack yet.]

... Angel?

[Action]

[beltbucklerebel]

[tough or not, he was only human. The blow sends him staggering backwards, and it's all he can do to keep his feet, especially when his back twinges at the sudden, jarring motion.

But, caught off guard or not, he's a soldier. He doesn't shout. And he ignores the protest in his muscles as he brings one hand up to guard his face, while the other struck out at his attacker.

Too slow for a vampire, and nowhere near as strong, but then, he doesn't actually know what he's up against.]

[Action]

[deadpoet]

[Spike's able to dodge the blow. It's a good one, but it's dark, he's fast, and he has every advantage. But he doesn't strike back again, at least.]

What, you don't have anything to say for yourself?

[Action]

[beltbucklerebel]

To say for myself?

[His voice is caught somewhere between anger and astonishment Nothing about this is making sense.]

The hell?! You punched me.

[no further assault seems to be coming, though, so he falls back into a defensive stance, as he looks over the other man. The look he gives him certainly isn't pleasant...especially since he can already feel his eye beginning to swell.]

[Action]

[deadpoet]

Well, you- [Spike jabbed a finger towards the man's chest.] -went and got us all sent to hell. Nice work with that, by the way. Really stuck it to them, didn't we?

Re: [Action]

[beltbucklerebel]

[he can only guess that this man meant Luceti...after all, it was a pretty fitting description, as far as Booth was concerned. But that still didn't make sense of any of this.

He knocked that hand aside, his expression twisted into a scowl] I don't know what you've been smoking, buddy, but I had nothing to do with this. And, for the record? There's no we.

[brokethefourthwall]

[One good mummy deserves another, so the two of you can have this bright pink pony wrapped in toilet paper wandering slowly down the hall. Balancing on her back hooves, she waves her front legs menacingly.]

Ooooooh. Booooooooh~!

[truthin_bones]

[The bright pink pony isn't noticed until Brennan leaves her apartment to check on the mummy in the stairwell. It's the clip-clop of hooves on the hallway that caught her attention first.

Well. Okay then.]

Can I help you?

[voice]

[all7seas]

[Jack is just popcorning this, really.]

Oi! Temperance! Give him the old Singaporean Squirrel Dodger! He'll like it, trust me.

[voice]

[truthin_bones]

I... do not know what that is.

[action]

[beltbucklerebel]

[he groaned. Not this guy again]

...Where the hell did you come from?

[action]

[all7seas]

Captain Jack Sparrow, lad -- you might remember me.



Sex therapist.

[Oh dear God no.]

Entirely voluntary.

[voice] ....we are voice, right?

[truthin_bones]

...you failed to mention that last time we talked.

[voice] ....we are voice, right?

[beltbucklerebel]

And you can go back to failing to mention any time now. We're not-

We're just partners!

[voice]

[thedicearecast]

[At least it's not the worst thing Amelia's heard.

But still.]

You're broadcasting.

[voice]

[beltbucklerebel]

I think we figured that out.

[the response is more wry than angry. As far as overheard conversations went, this wasn't even close to questionable.

...at least, if you knew the context. Which it hasn't occurred to him that no one actually does.]

[voice]

[truthin_bones]

I do not see what the big deal is.

Re: [voice]

[thedicearecast]

...Not everyone is interested in what you're sharing. In fact, a lot of people probably don't want to hear it. Including me.

[voice]

[beltbucklerebel]

Woah, hey...

[his tone was conciliatory, verbally holding hands up between them before Brennan could protest or Amelia could get any more irritated]

How about we blame these Malnosso idiots for making the damned books open whenever they please and call it a day.

[he's not really in a laughing mood...not with his back hurting, but he's friendly enough as he continues. The little bit he's talked to Amelia, he's rather liked her] Though a bit of sympathy wouldn't hurt. A man tries to do his partner a favor and this is the thanks he gets.