cause I'll start another fight; [closed]

[letmelive]

[bendytimed a bit, it wouldn't have taken her QUITE this long to get to the bottom of things, orz]

It didn't really take Claire that much detective work to figure out who on her narrow list of people aware of Steve's unique condition were responsible for the boy's current unfortunate state. Her gut instinct of who was responsible had only been verified by a quick check of Stacy's records, and that was really all she needed, for the moment. She'd make plans to figure out how to deal with the AI later (something involving a brick of C4, perhaps) but for now, she needed to have a word with Lex Luthor.

She didn't know much about the man, but she knew enough to know he'd more or less taken up the bar in the crew lounge as his own, so she headed directly there, intent to wait him out of she had to. When she spotted that very distinctive bald head she quickened her pace, her right hand balling up without her even thinking on it.

"Luthor!" The second Lex turned to his name, he'd find himself getting a square crack in the jaw by one angry Redfield.

Comments

[imperious_lex]

Lex crashed to the ground with a thud, and Stacy kindly informed Claire that she had gotten one violation for her actions. Lex glared back at her from the ground, until he realized just who he was glaring at.

The Acting Captain's "wife." Dispatching her would be... problematic. He'd have to tread softly for the moment.

He wiped a small bit of blood from the corner of his mouth, and got to his feet.

"You'll have to excuse me, Mrs. Kennedy," he drawled out in an almost businesslike tone, "I have so many things going on right now that you'll have to tell me what it was I did that earned that."

[letmelive]

The way she stood with her hand still clenched in a fist made it obvious she didn't particularly care she'd just gotten a violation. She'd expected it, and in her opinion, it was completely worth it.

Her gaze burned as Lex climbed to his feet, and his businesslike tone did all the more to fan the flame. She didn't even bother correcting his calling her Mrs. Kennedy.

"Steve Burnside? Ring any bells? Maybe of the siccing murderous AI on a poor kid who can't help what he is variety?"

[imperious_lex]

He looked genuinely confused for a moment. It's a look he's practiced so often it practically looked natural.

"...who?"

[letmelive]

"Oh don't patronize me," she snapped, taking a step closer to him. She'd strike him again if she didn't know Stacy would probably bring out the tentacles if she got physical any further.

"You gave GLaDOS permission to fuck with Steve. Stacy keeps records of that kind of thing." Irritating that she couldn't do anything about it, but that was practically another matter. "He's a scared kid, who has trouble trusting people as it is, and because of what you did, he's back at square one."

[imperious_lex]

Lex still looked confused, then looked thoughtful

"So... let me see if I have this straight. GLaDOS-- An AI that no one has been able to control and has been randomly grabbing and fucking with crew members for some time now-- apparently grabbed and messed with this 'Steve' person, who I barely even know, and that's assuming I ever met him; and supposedly did so with my permission despite the fact that a) it doesn't even need my permission to begin with and b) I have no rank, official or otherwise, so I likely don't have the authority to authorize it to do anything anyway... and your only 'proof' such that it is, is from a series of records that are frequently altered at will by said uncontrollable AI."

Lex is just going to give you a minute to think about that, Claire.

[letmelive]

If Lex were trying to get Claire to doubt herself, he was trying to work his magic on the wrong girl.

"I also have a list of everyone who happened to be on board when Steve was attacked, in addition to a list of the only people who were aware that there was something wrong with Steve. You met him when the Nightmare King attacked." She stepped right up to him, having to tilt her head up because he was a little taller than her, but that hardly mattered.

"I know you did it. I don't know why, and I don't really care. But I'm going to make it very clear to you, that if you even think about messing with him again, you're going to have a whole lot more to worry about than just a sore jaw." Breathing in space was hard, what with the lack of air, and all.

[imperious_lex]

There was a flash of recognition when she mentioned the Nightmare King.

"Ooh, young mister Simple Plan. Red hair, bleeds fire, is kind of an annoying little whiny twat of a teenager? Is that who you're talking about?" He almost looked amused now. And somewhat smug, despite having been punched in the face a few minutes ago.

"You really think I'd waste my time trying to hurt him? The poor kid probably sits in a dark room and cuts himself every day. I'm capable of a lot of things, but attacking him would be like kicking a puppy after its been run over by a car. Really, there's no point." Not that it would be bad, or wrong, or any of that. Just pointless.

...unless you already knew Steve was capable of far more.

[letmelive]

Honestly, Claire is immovable. She knows Lex did it, whether or not he admits to it. Though his rather crass description of Steve as a cutter gets a bit of a twitch in the jaw from her, she manages to keep from socking Lex in the mouth, again.

"Maybe, but that doesn't change the fact that you did it."

[imperious_lex]

"Save for the fact that I didn't." Lex was the first to back away, turning to the bar to pour himself a glass of brandy. He didn't bother to offer her one, she wouldn't be staying long.

"And let's face it, if you could prove I did it, I'd likely be in the brig, where so many others would love for me to be, and having this conversation with your boyfriend, or with someone who had what passes like actual authority around here. Instead I'm standing here chatting with the Acting Captain's personal fuck-toy."

Yes, he said it. Out loud. And gave Claire a rather unimpressed look as he did. He has been threatened by the best, after all, this was clearly amateur.

"Now, if you're done being righteously indignant and making idle threats to stop me from doing something that's beneath me to do to begin with, then I don't think we have any further business."

You're dismissed, Ms. Redfield.

[letmelive]

She likely would've left Lex alone after the initial punch, but he had to run his mouth. Her patience was already worn thin by his arrogance, but that pretty much just snapped it. She advanced on him again, shoving him hard into the closest wall and pinning her forearm up against his throat. The combat knife she always kept on her came out of its holster, and while she hardly intended to use it, she held it like one wrong move from him would end bloody. Stacy was warning her off, but she ignored the AI, for the moment.

"Let me make one thing very clear. I may be Kennedy's girlfriend, but I don't answer to him, or anyone else on this ship. And if you hurt, or threaten anyone I care about? I'm fully willing to deal with the consequences from chucking you out an airlock." She backed off then, one more violation on the pile, but before Stacy could restrain her.

"And I don't make threats. I make promises." And if he had nothing further to add, now she really would take her leave. On her own terms.

[imperious_lex]

Interesting reaction. Looks like she was easy to provoke. Seems like Mr. Kennedy did have a weak link.

"Like I said," he said slowly, taking a moment to adjust his shirt and tie. He must always look pristine, and if she was expecting him to cower, she would have been better off cutting off his ear. Flashing a sharp would only get you so far if you didn't use it.

"If you're done, then we have nothing further to discuss."

[letmelive]

"I've got my eye on you," she replied, backing away towards the door of the lounge. Once she was almost there, she slid her knife back into its holster.

"Keep that in mind." And with that she turned, and headed out the door.