singillatim | open / radio killed the penmanship star

Entry tags:

open / radio killed the penmanship star

Who: Cornelius Hickey & OPEN
What: futzing with the radio, dog times, hot springs
When: throughout the month of August
Where: Milton

Content Warnings: nudity in the hot springs, will add as needed

morse code / ota
Hickey occasionally is smart. He doesn't exactly know what Morse code is, but he knows that this radio Marra gave him can only send dots and dashes. Obviously there must be some kind of language or code used, simply because it would be remarkably useless to communicate with otherwise. So, might as well do some poking around, see if there's anything useful or any code books in any outposts—Lakeside has the hydrodam, that might be useful. It takes him a while but he finds what he's looking for: a basic guide to Morse code.

Anybody who's got one of the shortwave radios that Marra gave out will soon hear a message repeated, a few times a night, as Hickey tries out his new toy (and also, more importantly, just tries to get more fluent in Morse code):

THIS IS HICKEY. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

wolf mode / ota
Every now and then, Hickey just has to cut loose and enjoy some time as a wolf. It's easier, after all. He likes Billy, he likes his human friends, and honestly it's gotten so much easier here now that certain people have died and/or vanished. But every now and then, when he's focused too much on Morse code or worried about their provisions for the winter or stuck on some boring human concern, he just takes a moment to forget all that.

Sometimes he hunts. Hickey as a wolf is small, with reddish gray fur, and a wirey build. Anybody in the wolf pack is invited—hell, there are times when Hickey goes up to his mates directly and just bluntly asks if they want to hunt this evening. There are times when Hickey can be found out in the woods, squirrel in his mouth, looking up at anybody with a 'what are you going to do about it?' sort of expression. And there are times, few and far between, when Hickey just plays. He romps in the snow, digging down with his paws, shoving his snout in before leaping and bouncing all over the place.

hot springs / ota
Hickey doesn't usually take clothes along when he's in wolf mode. He's destroyed a few too many shirts via shifting and honestly, it's a pain in the ass to get dressed in the cold. He'll go out in the afternoon then come back home at night, happy and tired, slipping through the town when most people are asleep and nobody can bother him (and, just as importantly, he can shift back into a person close to home).

So that means when Hickey decides to take a break from being a wolf and just soak in the hot springs for a moment or two, he does it buckass naked. Dick out, limbs sprawled, just absolutely enjoying his moment of relaxation.

Sorry anybody who's coming into the hot springs and who wants to relax themselves, there's a naked man lying next to the hot springs, feet in the water, back resting on one of the rocks slightly warmed by the temperature, sunning himself like a lizard. Hickey does not want to move right now.

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"Fuck you, she's one of my guys," Hickey retorts. But based on the bright smile on his face and the teasing tone in his words, he's not super serious about that 'fuck you.' It's just the sort of things that friends say to each other, no malice in there.

That being said, Hickey is absolutely one of Chloe's guys.

"Nah, she's one of my best mates here. Keeps my head on straight, you know? Far too many people here aren't practical, so it's nice to have one who is."

Konstantin, who is still learning how to Make Real Friendships, is only delighted by the easy sort of comradery, and laughs just as easily: a sound that echoes loud and boisterous in the cavern.

"I know what you mean. She's one of my favourite people to call a friend." There's a visible warmth in his eyes and smile alike; it's clear he has just as high an opinion of the woman. "I think I might have lost my mind a long time ago in this place if she hadn't been around."

Lately, there's been an odd fear rising that he might lose her. The Old Bear's protectiveness is one factor, but there's also the fact that he has recently lost one of his closest people here. Mourning Svetlana has been... very difficult.

"You're either Hickey or Gibson," he continues though, smiling as he waits to learn which one. He has yet to properly meet either of them, but they've come up often in his chats with her.

"Hickey," he says, with a little nod. It's odd to be so close to someone that a friend of theirs knows who you must be, solely based on what your name is. Hickey never really had anything like that back home, he never had that sort of closeness where other people talk about you. Closest thing he had to that was the expedition and even then, there were thousands of other factors coloring that closeness before 'friendship.'

It's...nice. Odd, but nice.

"You're one up on me with that," he lightly teases, keeping the mood light and easy. "I've seen you around, but I don't know your name. Mind giving me an introduction?"

"Konstantin Veshnyakov, but call me Kostya! Everyone does," he beams. It's not exactly true that everyone does, and introducing himself can be a strange thing, even now — culturally, the differences are always a bit significant. Vasiliy would still be cringing to hear Konstantin give his diminutive out so easily, but the cosmonaut finds it a way to connect more quickly with the people here. His extroverted ass likes being buddy-buddy with people any way that he can... so he's matching that light-hearted energy as easy as anything.

"It's good to properly meet you. You're one of our original citizens, right? The ones who've been around since the start."

"I am, yeah," Hickey says, with a nod. "Coming up...shit, it's close to two years now."

Two years. So much time and yet barely any at all. It's odd thinking about how much he's changed in two years. What would the Cornelius Hickey of two years ago think of him now? Yeah, he's settled a bit. He'd probably be annoyed that Hickey is relatively content with his lot in life.

But that power...Cornelius Hickey from two years ago would understand. Cornelius Hickey from two years ago would be jealous.

"Got to say, never expected half the things that happened here to happen to someone like me. This place can be ridiculous at times."

"Thinking about it, I'm looking at my own two year mark soon enough," Konstantin realises. It is a strange awareness to have, that he's been a prisoner of this place for multiple years now.

Konstantin slowly moves one leg up and down in the water, adjusting to the temperature of it as he watches the other man, and then there's an almost wry smile.

"People turning into wolves, sparking fire from their fingertips, healing others with just a touch.... It all is pretty fantastical. Apparently I've been given the strength of that bastard bear that terrorised us all for a while."

Beat, before he continues— "Some of the people in this place don't seem very forgiving about these little 'gifts' of ours and what they can do, so I've hesitated to tell too many, though."

At Konstantin's worry, as he mentions how hesitant he is about telling others about their gift, Hickey scoffs.

"Fuck 'em. Anybody who doesn't like this, anybody wanting to disparage one of us for being blessed like this? They can get fucked. I'm not going to turn my nose up at any advantage this place gives us." Hickey shrugs. When he speaks next, it's with the certainty of someone set in his convictions.

"Survival's nasty work sometimes. And sometimes you'll do things that others won't enjoy, that their morals might disparage. But it's worth it."

People like Chloe, like that Gray prick, sure their gifts might be unconventional. The Darkwalker's influence might not be what others want. But it's still beneficial to one's survival, plain and simple. And for Hickey, that matters most.

In truth, Konstantin's been more worried about his alien parasite reveal than the actual powers one, but it all aligns — the concept of having something wrong with you that's out of your control. Something potentially dangerous. A thing like that can label a person in a bad way, and... while he's certainly willing to take some necessary risks, that's one he's yet to truly let loose.

But hearing Hickey talk about the "gifts" the way he does is refreshing. Konstantin doesn't attempt to hide the smile on his face as he listens, something both relieved and pleased.

"I have to say I agree wholeheartedly with you about that." Konstantin tries to maintain a squeaky-clean image on the surface, but he'll do what it takes to survive, things that he's been called a monster for in the past, before he ever arrived to this place. "What good are morals if you, and the people you love, are dead?"

Morals won't keep anyone alive, or safe. Not really. What does that is action. And Konstantin can see why Chloe would put her trust in this man. She understands this concept, too. Speaking of—

"I saw what happened when Dorian spoke to the town about his latest... gift. There's a lot of hypocrisy in this community."

Hypocrisy. Hickey lets out a little chuckle before pointing out, "Mate, it's cowardice. Plain and simple. They'll talk big but they won't actually do anything. Were you here when we had that town meeting? The Darkwalker messed with everyone's mind and some of us ended up killing others. There was a meeting, all of us who murdered were put on trial."

Hickey pauses for a moment, just for emphasis, before continuing, "Do you know what happened? Nothing. Lots of talk, but no results. And I was one of the people accused. Certain people would be chomping at the bit to take me down. But nothing happened."

He lets out a low little chuckle, giving Konstantin a little nod. "Don't worry about you and yours. They'll yell at Dorian, they'll condemn, but they won't take action."

"I've heard of a few of these little town meetings and the trials, but I never attended them myself, until now." He cocks a side-smile halfway amused and sarcastic; he doesn't think too highly of these meetings.

As he listens, he starts peeling off his own jacket and then shirt, not shy in the least to start stripping down in front of someone he only just properly met. His days in the military and then with the cosmonauts exposed him to plenty of comrade on comrade nudity, okay. We're all brothers here and whatnot...

"I believe you, honestly. I've heard much the same. It's just.. there is one person I'm worried about, among the rest. Someone who seems to be a bit of a loose canon. That Rorschach fellow. He threatened to kill Dorian, and I can't help thinking he might mean it. He's attacked me before, and others. What do you make of him?"

Hickey's clearly in the know about things, and Konstantin wants to hear what he has to say.

Rorschach. Hickey grimaces, snarl on his face as he points out, "Fuck that man. I'm one of the ones he tried to attack. He tried to start something with me, in my own home. It didn't work, though - Billy set him on fire."

Which honestly, Hickey is so proud of. Yeah, it was an accident, but who cares? Get his ass, Billy. It's obvious from his tone that he loathes Rorschach and would be more than happy if the man died.

There's a pause, though, as Hickey takes a moment before continuing,

"He's scared, though. Scared of things he doesn't know how to deal with. He didn't know that Billy and I were together when he came to attack us. When he saw us, obviously sleeping with the other, he didn't know what to do. And I think it's that fear, that hesitation, that gave Billy a moment or two more to deal with him."

His eyes are on Konstantin as he talks. Something like this, a situation with one man just casually stripping in front of another (because Hickey is also used to casual nudity, there's really nowhere to hide if you're changing clothes on a ship), things like this would kill that man.

Konstantin slips his pants down next, nudging them into a pile off to the side, and then come the underwear. He's bold as ever — and if there is any flicker of discomfort, it's only due to the fact that his body is a source of horror these days. But that horror is internal; on the surface he's fine. Everything's fine. He smiles good-naturedly and then eases into the hot spring, slow and careful, breathing out as he settles against the opposite wall from the other man and listens to him speak.

"Chloe told me about that." There's a displeased frown, and he shakes his head. "He's attacked me before, too. I don't think he likes Russians." Beat, before adding— "And clearly men who live with other men. Guess I'm guilty of that too."

He isn't outright confirming that he's with a man, but... he isn't hiding it as much as he once would have tried to, either. Maybe the way he smiles a little bit after betrays it, warm and knowing. But it lasts only a moment before the worry is creeping back in, and his brow furrows.

"For him to attack you in your own home like that, though... Fuck. That's why I'm worried about him going after Dorian. And... others, who might share his affliction." He pauses, not wanting to out Chloe, unsure if Hickey knows about the Darkwalker thing she's got going on yet.

Hickey frowns for a moment, thinking as he continues to soak. That is a valid possibility. Rorschach could never leave well enough alone. Man like him, that's a blight on the community. Someone who would only do what they want, damn the consequences.

And yet....

"The problem with this place is if he does go after others, nobody will do anything about it. Someone like that should have been killed ages ago, but people here are so hesitant to do what's needs to be done." Hickey gives Konstantin a cavalier little shrug before pointing out, "Wouldn't mind doing the deed myself, but I've only just built back my reputation. In a place like this, it matters more than most realize."

Konstantin knows some of the town gossip about Hickey — knows it about most of the residents here. It's interesting to hear the man come outright and say that someone like Rorschach should be killed, even that he'd do the deed himself. Most people wouldn't openly admit to such things. Most people might be appalled to hear them voiced right out loud.

Konstantin, instead, smiles, not looking bothered by the admission in the least. What he's thinking is, once again, that it's no wonder Chloe's made connection with this guy. What he's thinking is that Hickey's smart. "You're not wrong there. A reputation can be more important for survival than any gift, power, or leg up this place gives us." He knows that all too damn well. It's part of why he protects his own so fiercely.

"I'm keeping an eye on him. Sometimes I even think I might be getting through to him. But if he does try to hurt Dorian, or anyone else I care about — and it sounds like you and I care about some of the same people — he knows he'll have an active enemy in me. I made sure to warn him on that." He tips his head to Hickey from across the hot spring, smiling a little too brightly for the subject matter.

"If things get bad enough, maybe some of us can work together to take care of the problem. Discreetly, of course."

Is he threatening to help kill Rorschach if they have to... Look, he truly doesn't want to resort to that and his own relationship with the guy is admittedly complicated, but the thing is that Konstantin would if it's a matter of protecting his loved ones. As long as the blood doesn't end up directly visible on his hands. That's the thing that made Tanya call him a monster back home. And he's ultimately okay with that.

Most people wouldn’t admit to murder out loud. But also, most people didn’t almost get stabbed by Rorschach in their fucking house. As far as Hickey’s concerned, he has every right to express his anger, annoyance, and absolute loathing of the man. Really, he’d be doing everyone a favor if he killed Rorschach. And honestly, Hickey’s certain that more than a few people here would treat that whole mess with quiet acceptance.

But there’s Billy. And even if he trashes his reputation by association, he doesn’t want to trash Billy’s. At least, not before talking about it with the man first.

It’s good to know that Konstantin is on the same page. Because if Rorschach wants to go after that Gray bloke, he’ll want to go after Chloe. And Hickey’s keeping her safe no matter what. So he gives Kostya a little nod of acknowledgement…which turns into a little smirk of a smile at the mention of a discreet way of taking care of the problem.

Well. Man’s more canny than he thought.

“I won’t say no to something like that,” Hickey says, with a little shrug. “Hell, I’d even help. Because you’re right. We’ve no idea what this place is like. We’ve no clue what could happen. Things could get even worse. And if they do…sensible to act, yeah?”

Edited 2025-10-20 15:22 (UTC)

Hickey does have every right to express those things, with everything he's been put through from the guy. And Konstantin feels unexpectedly refreshed, to talk to someone like that, someone who doesn't try to sugarcoat it or pretend there's another better solution. Sometimes the best solution is getting rid of a problem. Konstantin, who has lived his entire life under the spotlight, who has to be careful what he does and what he says, knows there's times he wanted to be free the way this man before him is.

But he has his moments. He'll always be careful never to cross a certain line, but... he will do the things that he has to do. He'll let people die to protect his loved ones, and he'll kill a threat to those loved ones himself if he has to. He knows that. It's how he survived as long as he did back in that research lab.

So it's good to make allies with others here who are on the same page, others who not only want to protect mutual friends, but would actually do whatever it takes to make that happen. Konstantin smiles again, dragging a hand through the water, relaxed now that it's clear the creature isn't going to have a fit here. Probably the warmth is relaxing to it too.

"Sensible's a good word for it," he agrees. "I'm glad to hear you're on the same page, but not surprised. Sounds like you've had the right idea from the start. I'll keep an eye out, let you know if I see anything worrisome from him."

It’s good to hear that Konstantin is on his side, that someone else has sense in this damn place. Hickey realized right from the moment that their first town meeting ended, when after all the talk and all the posturing, nobody did anything, that Milton was the sort of place where no one would rock the boat. On the one hand, that’s good—saved his ass during that town meeting and Hickey will be the first to admit it. On the other hand, sometimes decisive action needs to be taken. And if that decisive action is a little murder? Easy enough to accomplish.

Hickey is also relaxing in the hot springs, though he can feel his fingers getting a little pruney. He can still stay and talk, though, enjoying the sensation of the warmth of the cave. As Hickey pushes himself out of the water, there’s the briefest glimpse of his bare ass, marred with scars and signs of the lash, a punishment that healed then opened up a bit thanks to the scurvy then healed again. That glimpse is only bare, though. In an act of deliberate nonchalance, Hickey adjusts his position so that he’s sitting on one of the rocks, facing Kostya, feet dangling in the water.

Granted, dick’s out, but Hickey doesn’t seem to be particularly shameful about it. Sometimes you talk about murdering a guy and you’re both naked, this is normal!

“I’ll keep an eye out as well,” Hickey nods. There’s a moment before he points out, light smirk on his face, “Though you’re more likely to hear directly from him than I am. I’ll pay attention to any gossip, but it’s not like Rorschach and I actually talk.”

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open / radio killed the penmanship star

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