005: [Video]

[alpha_squad_leader]

[Victor isn't a happy lizard right now. He looks tired and annoyed but he offers a wave to the camera before he starts talking.]

The rationing is bad enough but on top of that, my boss seems like he's trying to be as irritable as Wolverine usually is. All this mold that showed up is getting on my nerves too. Cleaning it up at work and the coming home to clean it up here is just too much. [He shakes his head.] Add in the cracks showing up all over the place and this annoying fog that's been showing up for the past few nights and I'm ready to get out of here.

Is there anyone out there that's got some extra room and wouldn't mind if Santo and I crashed with them for awhile? [He's worried about Santo and his big rocky self.] At least until whatever is going on stops?

Comments

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[alpha_squad_leader]

We got through rationing on Utopia, we'll get through it here.

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[zerotoawesome]

Yeah... But on Utopia we had Iceman for clean water and Namor to punch dolphins for dinner.

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[alpha_squad_leader]

Namor would punch you if you suggested he punch a dolphin. And we can fish here just fine. We've got Atlanteans around too. And some kind of ocean demi-god.

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[zerotoawesome]

Please, like Namor could even handle someone like me. And I'll bet you ten dollars he's punched a dolphin before, and over something stupid like it disrespected his authority.

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[alpha_squad_leader]

Santo, Namor would pound you into gravel. [He rolls his eyes.] Punching a dolphin in the past does not me he wouldn't punch you before he punched another one.

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[zerotoawesome]

Not if I used the dolphin as a shield. The point is that even on Utopia, we still ate better than we are now.

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[alpha_squad_leader]

No using helpless sea mammals as shields! [And a punch for Santo.] Barely.

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[zerotoawesome]

What if it was an evil sea mammal? [He sighs at the punch.] My point is that it's harder here, and they might get worse... So let be responsible and manly for once by taking care of you.

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[alpha_squad_leader]

Then you should be fighting it instead of trying to hide behind it. [No, he won't question evil sea mammals. He's read about some of Namor's bad guys in the X-men's files.] If they get worse, we'll pull through and...[Victor pauses a moment before punching Santo again. He is not going to let Santo treat him like a wife or girlfriend.] We'll take care of each other.

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[zerotoawesome]

What if I'm not hiding behind it? I'm totally holding it so that Namor can beat up on it. [Yeah, he already forgot why they're talking about sea mammals.] I don't need to be taken care of, dude. Nothing hurts me. [That's a lie, and he knows Vic knows it. Oh, and he would have said boyfriend. He's seen not-so-little-Victor. Nothing girly about his best friend.]

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[alpha_squad_leader]

You'd be getting punched too for being in Namor's way. [He shoots Santo another look.] Santo, don't. We've both lost too many friends to act like that so just don't.

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[zerotoawesome]

[Santo intentionally avoids Victor's glare this time. He knew it was coming, and he didn't want that right now.] That's why I have to, Vic... And that's why I don't care what you say, I'm going to look out for you. So just deal with it this one time, okay?

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[alpha_squad_leader]

Only if you deal with the fact that I'm going to be looking out for you too.

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[zerotoawesome]

[He frowns a little but then just sighs.] Okay...

But only you, okay? I don't need the whole turtle thinking I need help. You're the exception.

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[alpha_squad_leader]

And you don't go telling anyone either, alright?

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[zerotoawesome]

I won't, dude. I promise. [But instead of just leaving it there and letting it be sweet, Santo just has to nudge Vic's should lightly.] Though most of them probably know already.

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[alpha_squad_leader]

I think you've got that backwards, Santo.

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[zerotoawesome]

Nah, I'm pretty sure I got it right the first time. You'd be so lost without me here.

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[alpha_squad_leader]

Sorry, Santo. Everyone knows I'm the one taking care of your rocky butt. [He nudges Santo, teasing him.

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[zerotoawesome]

Yeah, yeah, keep talking and I'll take care of your butt here and now...

[Pause.]

... That didn't come out right.

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[alpha_squad_leader]

[Victor just laughs, punching Santo again and starting to jog.]

It's just not your day, is it?

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[zerotoawesome]

[Santo jogs after him, not having a hard time keeping up as long as Victor doesn't sprint.]

Keep it up, Victor, and it could be yours... And that was intentional.

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[alpha_squad_leader]

Whatever you want to tell yourself, Santo.

[He's just teasing as he leads the way to the suite they'll be staying in while in the Water Sector.]

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[zerotoawesome]

I love you too, Victor.

[He's teasing as well, eventually pulling his best friend into a one-armed bear hug.]

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[alpha_squad_leader]

Yeah, yeah. I love you too.

[He yelps when pulled into the hug and flails a little before giving up and just letting Santo carry him.]