The Fragile

"Where must we go... we who wander this Wasteland in search of our better selves?" Independent roleplay blog for Cheedo the Fragile from Mad Max: Fury Road. Information located in the links.

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[Had the busiest weekend ever, but I will get to replies tomorrow once I’ve finished work!]

[prettiestcaptain]

[offragility-blog]

Now that was a dilemma.

For a moment the War Boy looked perhaps confused and a little lost. What his god preferred should matter above all else. If he called the woman Fragile that should be her name. However just because she was a wife, untouchable, didn’t mean that she was suddenly no longer a person herself. It was a strange feeling and he didn’t like it, didn’t like the thoughts and confusion it provided, but it was only a moment that passed before he finally spoke again.

“Cheedo.” A decision there… if that was the name she preferred, because it was hers, he would use it for her.

Whether or not they met again after this - and it was entirely when one considered just how short a half-life the War Boys often had - he’d not forget to refer her as that at the very least. Maybe it counted for something. Probably not.

Either way as they traveled along Rook moved to stretch, trying to ease back away the tension in his shoulders and back in the process, and ignoring the all too familiar ache such a movement left behind. He wasn’t dead yet and pain was an all too familiar companion through the entirety of his half-life anyway.

“Like the bird.” He almost half-heartedly added the moment he heard his name fall from Cheedo’s lips, a quirk of what could almost be called a smile crossing his lips. “M’lancer’s called Magpie.”They were quite the pair and the names were almost a comical coincidence.

“Where ya from?” A pause even as he eased around a corner, making certain she was still with him and not trying to pursue the earlier idea of running off. “Down Below? Elsewhere?” While the question was a little forced it wasn’t because of her; words didn’t exactly come easily to the driver so to try to allow a conversation to continue took him some work.

She hadn’t expected that. Cheedo had assumed that any War Boy would automatically name her Fragile upon learning that the Immortan had chosen it. But no, this one had decided against it, calling her by her birth name. There was a surge of warmth within her then, a small smile involuntarily gracing her lips as she glancing downwards.

“Did you choose the names on purpose then?”

If both he and his lancer were named after birds, perhaps they had chosen them together. If it was a pure coincidence, however, that would be beautiful too. One of life’s odd little things. They were things that Cheedo adored hearing about.

“I’m from the Citadel.”

That was when she looked up at him again, eyeing his expression. The girl had never left the Citadel, finding comfort inside it. The thought of venturing beyond the line filled her with a sick dread that she couldn’t shake.

“What about you? Where were you from before you came here?”

[offragility-blog]

To that, he fell silent for some time, head hung as he concentrated on his breathing. War Boys like him were a dime a dozen, as the old saying went. Common as sand. But someone like Capable? Unique beyond measure. Well, maybe one of five, but while he certainly understood why The Immortan treasured them so, Capable was by far… something else entirely.

“I’ve never met anyone like her,” He managed quietly, brows knitting. “I don’t… She could have…” She could very well have killed him right then and there when she found him. He wouldn’t have put up a fight. Could have ended it all right then and there and he would have accepted it. Expected it. But she didn’t. She had quieted him with soft words and softer touches and whispering ofanother way.

“She said I could help. And I will. I want to. I said I belong to the Rig now, I meant it.” His eyes locked on his boot again, emotion crawling across his face, just barely bottled. “Until my last breath, I’m your’s. Repay this debt.”

His expression was extremely difficult to read, no matter how much Cheedo tried. Eyes focused on his own, she listened to his words, not realising just how much of an impact her older sister had had on the War Boy. Capable truly was something, Cheedo knew, as she had also offered solace and comfort to the wives in turn.

There was a silence after he’d finished talking, a silence which the girl didn’t know how to fill. She’d resented this War Boy, wanted him gone, which changed to reluctant tolerance, to a slight respect. And now she was finding that she was starting to like him somehow, against all odds. Maybe it was the way he spoke about Capable, or maybe Cheedo was starting to truly see him as Nux.

With a slight hesitation, she reached towards him, placing her hand on his arm as an act of comfort. Her smile returned, softer now, directed towards her companion.

“If you’re with us for good now, that means you’re part of our family, right?”

The gentle smile turned swiftly into a grin, eyes lighting up as her voice raised ever so slightly.

“Family means that we look after eachother. That’s just the way it is. You don’t have to think of it as a debt.”

[offragility-blog]

How long had Cheedo been with them? Long enough that Angharad noticed a hint of disquiet on that sweet face. She took careful steps over to the bed, sat on the edge. One hand ran its way through those black locks.

“Just walking the little shield around a bit. Gets all grumpy when it’s time to sleep. Hopefully it’ll get used to that. Not that it’ll matter too much when it’s born.”

She prattled for a moment, tamping down on her lips before they said something that wouldn’t be good for Cheedo’s ears such as the thing inside her being like Joe because it won’t sleep at night. That it felt entitled to other people’s sleeping hours like Joe.

“What about you, darling? Can’t sleep?”

At the sudden touch, Cheedo relaxed against her, suddenly much calmer. Angharad had that effect on the sisters, she had noticed. Perhaps it was because she was the eldest, the leader. There was a certain sense of safety that she carried.

“Will it stay with us in here?”

Cheedo could hardly imagine a baby in the Bio-Dome, yet where else would it go? She was certain that the Immortan himself wouldn’t take up full-time fatherly care. Boy or girl, the child had to stay, didn’t they?

Shaking her head at the question, her exhausted expression must have said it all.

“Its hard to get to sleep. I just.. keep having thoughts.”

[offragility-blog]

His mouth twisted at the thought of what the Immortan called her. Then he nearly laughed at the second name. Cheedo. Cassander remembered when he could found a bag of the genetically modified snack called something similar. He shook his head, knowing she wouldn’t understand if he did try to explain. Cassander opened up the engine hood and cleared out some things when he replied, “I’ll go with the later of the two options. People who are brave enough to venture out into the wasteland shouldn’t be termed fragile.” He smirked from underneath the hood, holding it up with one hand and checking the spark plugs while he was there. Some of these War Boys made him almost sad with how well they took care of their engines. He sighed, propping up the hood and giving a good look at his surroundings before he went to search the cab. Thankfully he found a wrench- broken, yet still usable for what he needed it for. He swore under his breath when he didn’t find any water for the radiator knowing he’d have to use his canteen water. Cassander offered her the canteen, letting her drink before he used what remained for the radiator. “That’s the last of it. Hopefully we’ll find your sisters soon. Do they have water with them?” If they were just going to the Green Place, he could load up what he could on water and see how far the gas got him… though he still really know where he was going either. He fixed a loose bolt here and there and shut the lid once more. Cassander glanced over at her for a moment, head to the side finally taking her in when he wasn’t close to heat stroke or death. He frowned heavily at the sight. She can’t be more than a teenager… His eyes dipped to her stomach, hair bristling at the thought of what the Immortan had done to her. His teeth clinched at the briefest flicker of idea and he shook his head suddenly, “Don’t worry, long as you’re with me you won’t go back to that bastard.” He whispered, a promise in his voice. It turned bitter at the thought of the Immortan. “Strange how the good people tend to die and the truly damned somehow keep wasting our oxygen.”

Brave. Cheedo couldn’t recall a time when anybody had used that word to describe her. She wasn’t the bravest person in the world, as her sisters had far more courage in them, but she liked to think that she held a little of it inside her, even if it was only a fraction.

“You never told me your name.”

As he offered her the water, she accepted eagerly, gulping down as much as she could, yet still leaving quite a bit for the man. It wouldn’t be fair to steal it all from him, no matter how dehydrated she felt. There would be plenty of water for them in the Green Place.

“They have water,” she nodded, remembering the beautiful feeling of the hosepipe on her skin after leaving the sandstorm. It was fresh enough to drink from too, and the girl only hoped that it was still functional when they arrived. “Took some of it from the aqua cola. Its clean, honest.”

Then, as he fiddled around some more with the car, Cheedo took the opportunity to scan the horizon, dark hues fixed on the vast landscape before them. Sand. So much of it. It seemed to never end out here.

“Hm?”

She looked back at him, not catching his words at first. Then, finally registering the meaning, Cheedo offered him a grateful smile, hair falling into her eyes as she ducked her head for a moment. The final sentence caused a surge of thoughts to run through her head, one of them making it past her lips.

“Do you think he’s going to die?”

[offragility-blog]

“He went to Vahalla.” Fixit added, shrugging his better shoulder. “So now I’m shopbound- at least, until I can find another Driver wants me.”

“Valhalla,” the girl repeated, feeling the taste of the word on her lips. She’d heard it spoken about before, although not in great detail. If anything, she usually avoided the subject of it. But now she was more curious than ever

“What is Valhalla?”

[tmorrows]

Your faves are problematic: the five wives

Angharad:

Hangs out the side of moving war rigs

Will encourage you to rebel against authority

Capable:

Way too trusting of random sad warboys

Most likely to be the overbearing mom friend

Toast:

Will make sex jokes about your guns

Often salty

Dag:

Has very little chill

Will give Furiosa bolt cutters so she can beat you up

Cheedo:

Nothing

She is a literal ray of sunshine

[spacecarols]

requested by mversefunhouse.

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tagged by: @sxaelida

name: cheedo. nickname(s):  fragile. age: fourteen. species: human.

P E R S O N A L .

morality: lawful / neutral / chaotic / good / grey / evil religious belief: none. sin:  lust / greed / gluttony / sloth / pride / envy / wrath. virtue: chastity / charity / diligence / humility / kindness / patience / justice. primary goals in life: to survive in any way she can. languages known: english, a little french. secrets: she has always been prone to nightmares, ever since she was little. savvies: singing, acting, persuasion, manipulation.

P H Y S I C A L .

build; slender / scrawny / bony / fit / athletic / curvy / herculean / babyfat / pudgy / obese /other height: 5′3′’. weight: 115 lbs. scars/birthmarks: none. abilities/powers: she has mastered the art of manipulating others to get her own way, although she will only do it to people she doesn’t care about. restrictions: lacks physical strength, finds it difficult to know who to trust.

F A V O U R I T E S .

favourite food: strawberries. favourite drink: water. favourite pizza topping: (modern) peppers and mushrooms. favourite colour: orange and ice blue. favourite music genre: (modern) indie/ feel-good. favourite book genre: (modern) fantasy. favourite movie genre: (modern) fantasy/ anything Disney. favourite season: spring. favourite curse word: any new word the Dag comes up with when she’s angry. favourite scent: freshly washed sheets.

F U N  S T U F F .

bottom or top: tbd. loud burper or soft burper: soft. sings in the shower: yes / no. likes bad puns: depends.

tagging: @nuxtheuncrackable @ohdeargodnotyouagain @rockingthewasteland @blackfeatherdriver and anyone else who wants to!

[offragility-blog]

“Driver went Witnessed.” Fixit explained, not quite meeting her gaze. “Got tossed off, mediocre-like.” He made a face. Some part of him wished he’d followed Cap, even if it had been an evident last minute decision.

Although Cheedo wasn’t completely sure what it meant, she had a pretty solid idea. The life of the War Boys was something that she couldn’t get to grips with, their devoted fascination with death. How she wished she could understand it, just for a moment.

“He’s dead?”

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Iv raised her head slightly, then grinned, shaking her head. - No. But maybe there is something that you want? I am a traveling trader. Perhaps, my magic pockets have things, that wants your soul?

Cheedo merely raised a brow, although she would be lying if she said the woman hadn’t caught her interest then. She could tell her that she had everything in the world that she needed, but that would also be far from the truth. So, in turn, she simply asked a question.

“What have you got?”

[offragility-blog]

Then what was the problem?

A part of the War Boy wanted to ask that. A part of him wanted to know in order to quell the confusion that her outburst had caused. It lingered on his tongue for a moment before he swallowed it away. Surely there was something he was missing, but unlike the young woman he no longer knew of what it was like to have a life that was free.

It was better to allow it to die. Rook certainly wasn’t angry at her for it, merely a little perplexed still, but this… this was a better change. “Ya think that?” Could it really be true? Had the Immortan noticed him? “That’s shine. Last raid went really good. Mebbie he heard.”

He was realistic to know that nothing would come of it anyway, even if he had somehow by some absolute miracle impressed their great leader.

The sick weren’t made into Imperators. No exceptions.

Either way there was an ease to his movements now, especially considering it seemed as if the moment of tension had subsided. “Cheedo.” Just a repeat to remember and then… oh, there was more. “Fragile.” A pause. “Do you like one better?”

“M’Rook.”

Cheedo. Fragile. She knew which one she preferred, although she’d never had the discussion with anyone. She hated the fact that, above all other qualities, her new husband had decided that her most redeeming one was her fragility. Perhaps it was a compliment, but it was hard to tell when her own sister had been named Splendid.

“Cheedo. But he prefers Fragile.”

Chewing on her lower lip, the girl sighed, before forcing a tight smile. It didn’t matter too much. Whether he called her Cheedo or Fragile, they’d probably never speak again after this anyway. That was life.

At the mention of his name, she was mildly surprised. It was hard to imagine the War Boys even having identities, never mind names.

“Rook.”

A pause to take it in.

“Nice to meet you.”

[offragility-blog]

While her suspicion was something completely and utterly understandable it was a suspicion ultimately rather misplaced. Arcade was of no viable threat to anyone unless they placed themselves as a threat to him or anyone he cared for. Honestly he’d probably collapse laughing at the sheer thought he’d be the downfall of the Citadel.

No no, it’d take far more than a man with medical capabilities and a wickedly sharp tongue to bring down the place.

“Because I do.” A pause. “Care, I mean. There’s not a lot of places left out there in the wasteland for people who genuinely want to help others.” And for a moment there was an almost sad edge to that half-smile, a weariness that flickered through his gaze that had nothing to do with actual physical tiredness.

Although he shifted his weight just to resettle himself to a stance a little more comfortable he still kept himself posed as a non-threat. There was no tension to disrupt his calmness, no hasty grab for any weaponry, nothing to indicate that he meant to attack and maim and harm anyone else within the Citadel. “While I’m more of a researcher than a doctor I have had medical training and would consider myself competent. I’m certainly not the best - nice though the thought might be let’s be realistic here - but I do know what I’m doing. For the most part.”

You win some you lose some. Not everyone was able to be saved no matter the medical skill of the person tending to them.

It was something difficult all must learn at some point.

Cheedo was still new to her role in co-ruling the Citadel, but she’d fitted in far more quickly than she’d expected. Like her sisters, Furiosa, and the Vuvalini, the girl only wanted what was best for the people. A competant doctor would certainly help everyone, especially with the disease that seemed to hang over them like an ominous death cloud.

“You’ll have to speak to Furiosa.”

Because she couldn’t just hire him on the spot. Furiosa was the one who could see through those who approached, who decided if they were worthy of keeping around. If this man was truly as harmless as he claimed to be, then it should be no problem for him.

“What do you want in return then?”

[offragility-blog]

Spared for something great. Nux felt his stomach twist and his mates tighten on his throat, breathing in slow and careful. It would have been better if he had died with his car. At least the world would have still made sense.

“How could she miss me?” He finally snorted, “She’s only known me a few days. Half them I was trying to kill her Imperator. And doing an unimpressive job of it at that.”

“What does that matter? Wouldn’t you miss her?”

She regretted the words instantly, wondering if perhaps he wouldn’t miss her at all. If he didn’t feel anything negative when his own brothers died, what about Capable? No doubt she’d grieve for Nux. It was obvious that she’d developed some sort of bond with him.

“She cares about you. You should be flattered.”

[offragility-blog]

A tip of the head signaled his consent. It wasn’t like him not to trust people. In fact, he banks on people constantly. Did this often times get him in trouble? It did … but more often than not, it’d gotten him out of tight spots constantly. Take the pirates for example. Here’s this twelve year old boy desperately wanting to hitch a ride with them due to his sister being kidnapped, surely not something anyone would do out of common intuition.

In the end, the band rogues’d proved that they really weren’t such bad people after all… as they’d helped Link all the way until the very end. And that was two, maybe three years ago or so. Needless to say, the winds of fortune … always blew at his back.

 ‘    Bartertown, it is.     ’   Verbally acceding to guidance she proffered, the youth forced a smile as his tired eyes cruised atop the vast land. East, it was. Soon, he’d begin to walk. Walk in that general direction, embracing the hope that the girl would tag along beside him as well. And as for the guards, they didn’t phase him … much; not in this condition.     ‘    Your friends.     ’    He muttered against the dip of his collarbone.    ‘     Where’d they go?  They didn’t jus’ … leave you out ‘ere on your own, did they?     ’

Feet followed instinctively, keeping up with the boy as he started ahead. It didn’t seem quite so bad out here now that she had somebody with her. Even if she wasn’t completely sure whether or not she should trust them. Still, there wasn’t any other choice at this point, so she was going to have to deal with the consequences if needed.

“No, they..”

She pondered his question, trying to think of the right way to put it. How did one even start to explain their situation?

“We were trying to find somewhere. The Green Place, if it even exists. Apparently things still grow there, trees and grass and fruit.”

Things that were only myths to Cheedo, having only ever known sand and rubble. The feel of grass beneath her feet was something she could only dream about.

[offragility-blog]

He saw another image cross in front of his eyes for a moment and he shook his head to clear it before it impeded his vision. The sand storm was coming closer and he swallowed hard, knowing that it was going to be one hell of a ride. “Put the shawl around your face, try not to breath in the sand.” He told her, picking up his own to wrap around his face, only leaving his eyes glaring out. He paused mid-wrap at her question, pausing to look sideways at her. For a moment he considered telling her some sort of half-truth, or perhaps simply a lie. Cassander sighed softly, looking away from her. He had been lying… running, for far too long. It hadn’t made him any wiser as the years went on and he spoke quietly over the roar of the engine and the many War Boys behind them still. “Some immortals do not where the medals of their sins as they stand over thousands of the unfortunate.” He remarked with a brief glance in his mirror that was just barely hanging on; honestly he was just quoting a book with his response. But it fit better than telling her straight out that he was there before the wars, that he had fought in many of them, that he was far older than he looked. At her explanations he chewed the inside of his cheek in thought. Furiosa…That named sounded very familiar… yet he couldn’t place the name in his mind. He immediately felt a bit of warmth for the woman he hadn’t met; it took a lot for someone to betray a cause. Let alone her being the rank of Imperator under the Immortan. She must have been truly one hell of a woman to rescue the wives and herself from his clutches. He immediately frowned at the idea of the man being there. A spy? A wanderer? He figured that when he returned  this girl to her adoptive sisters he would find the answer to that. Cassander glanced in his mirror again as they entered the storm. His eyes narrowed at the winds and he could see shapes and objects in the yellow whirlwind. They rode hard, and the truck around them shook and the bolts rattled. Hell, the wheel nearly broke off in his hands only for him to brace one foot against the dash to keep a better steering position. The War Boys caught up, but their open cockpits proved to their disadvantage soon enough they were exiting the storm with no one behind them. He took off the shawl, slowing them to a stop to help clear out the muffler of sand and the tailpipe as well before they had a real problem. He slid out of the seat onto the ground with a grunt, “What’s your name?”

For a moment, Cheedo just sat in silence, wondering if she’d heard him correctly. Immortal. No, she couldn’t have, it just wasn’t possible. But her mind was already swimming with so much nonsense, so many thoughts, that she decided to put that one thought away for a while. Until they were out of the storm, at least.

She couldn’t have heard him right.

Putting the shawl over her face, she breathed in, remembering the last storm that she had passed through, only mere days ago. This one would be no different, she was sure, and so she shut her eyes tightly, sliding down her seat to block it out.

It was the sound of the car door opening that arose her from her thoughts, the shawl coming off soon after. How quiet it was without her sisters, she realised. No bickering or conversing in the back seat. God, how she missed them more than ever.

Following her companion, she squinted upon seeing the sunlight again, the answer to his question following soon after.

“The Immortan calls me Fragile. The others call me Cheedo.”