#agent lavender

[rnainframe]

nigel in glasses, the time turnover boys, bioshock

[stop-pressing-e]

Word Prompt #17

Suggested by @mythhearts

Rifle

Pyro has never touched the weapon since the first world war. No, he would never touch it again after he lost half of his face. He would never use it afterwards and would rather prefer over the flamethrower than the sniper rifle. He even passed the profession of sniper to Raven knowing they will need someone to go long-range. He knows she no professional in sniping but he taught her well as so did her husband did when he was in the war as well.

Besides, he was give the name Pyromaniac from a certain person when he first took that job offer from Mr. Vachel years ago. His years as a sniper are long gone.

“Pyro, you have a minute?” One of the agents, Agent Lavender, came up to him. “It depends on your question, Lavender.” Pyro said, tilting his head at her. “What is it?”

“We got a few newbies-in-training for sniping and Dr. Lydia told me that you were a sniper. We need someone to teach them.” Hands were clasped together and the agent stood on her toes, hoping that Pyro will accept her request. It felt like a long pause when waiting for his answer until he bluntly told her his answer.

“No.”

“What, why?”

“I’m not interested in picking up that weapon again. I’m done sniping.” Pyro huffed, shaking his head. “Ask Raven to teach them.” “But I want an expert.” “And I will reject that request, Agent Lavender.” He snapped then let out a sharp gasp and then a sigh. “Sorry for the outburst, but I can’t do it. I’m sorry.” Without waiting another response from the agent, he left her be.

Because of that, he was starting to have flashbacks. All the explosions, the screaming, the bodies, the gunshots. The gunshots...

“Fire!” Bang

Pyro felt his chest tightened. The sound was loud in his ears. He grabbed his chest and leaned against the wall for support. His grip on Clovis has loosened so he can attempt to block out the noises. All he was when he was drafted into the French army was just a soldier. Just a soldier who trained and fought for his country.

And a sniper fell back just as Jacque ran past him. His left eye was gone and life has depleted from his body.

“Sniper!” Someone yelled and Jacque hid behind a tree to avoid getting shot. His breathing shook and he could feel his heart pounding against his chest, matching the sounds of guns going off and bodies falling.

“Shoot!” One of the men who hid with him yelled as he fired his rifle. “We’re in the middle of a war here!” War, he was right. They were in the middle of war and Jacque is a soldier to the French army. He was drafted into this madness because of own his father listening to that damn psychiatrist’s suggestion because of that one fateful night that changed it all.

“Private I said shoot!” So Jacque did and fired his rifle. He missed a few of them and shot down one before forcing to retreat behind the tree. The other soldier ran for the abandoned farmhouse but the enemy sniper shot him down. Jacque suppressed a gasp. He pulled Clovis out from the makeshift pouch he made for him to sit in and hugged him.

“Oh Clovis what should I do? The training are all gone from my head and I’m so scared.” Clovis was a toy so he cannot give Jacque any supportive words or anything to calm down. “I don’t want to die. I don’t want to make Lucas sad if I die on this day on this battlefield.” He could hear someone screaming in pain and a body fall. “Please help me, Clovis. Give me something to do here!”

‘Pick it up...’

Brown eyes gazed onto the sniper rifle in the dead sniper’s arms. “What...?”

‘Pick it up...’

“My apologies, monsieur.” Jacque whispered, removing the rifle from the corpse’s grasp and picked it up. He checked the chamber and the magazine and saw that it was still loaded. He inspected the sniper’s pouch and saw the ammunition he didn’t get a chance to use. Looking at the rifle and then to Clovis, he kissed his little head and tucked him away safely.

Time felt so slow to him as he came out from his hiding spot and stood in position. Lifting the rifle up, he aimed for the same sniper that killed the soldier and more. He breathed in, held his breath to steady himself and keep calm, a keen eye focusing on the sniper, his finger over the trigger, breathed out,

‘Fire...’

The enemy sniper fell backwards. Jacque pulled the bolt back to release the empty bullet and pushed the bolt back in as a fresh bullet slid in. He targeted for another enemy soldier and fired again. Over and over, he has took down as many men he can shoot with the sniper rifle and to save his platoon from a potential death.

He thought he was going to die in the opening but he survived when there was no more enemy to shoot.

“Private where did you learn how to shoot like that?” The surviving Captain asked him once he found out who their sniper was in their victory. Jacque clutched the toy soldier in his hands before he looked up. “I used to go out hunting and snipe as a past time hobby.”

“And what’s your name?”

“Pyro...”

A shaky gasp was let out as he was snapped out from those flashback and slowly looked into the eyes of Jack Daniels. Jack looked concerned at his lover’s current state and knew what was happening.

“Come on...I’m taking you home.” He helped Pyro stand up properly and picked up Clovis. “Breathe Jacque. Breathe slowly in and out. Come on, I’ll get Agent Leonard to drive us back. He owes me a favor.”

“Merci Jack...” Pyro murmured, resting his forehead on Jack’s shoulder as he was led out of the building and back home.

He was no longer the well-known sniper who was ranked Lieutenant with decorative medals and for having over 300 kills all those years ago. He has set that weapon down and picked up a new one. He is now a mercenary and an arsonist from a team no one knows but only through whispers.

[tart-heart]

China Glaze - Agent Lavender

Alright, I didn't think I'd be able to pull off this color but it really works with tan skin. It looks a lot better in the summer time, than let's say a few months ago.

China Glaze has a beautiful selection of color and I may be the only one who thinks this but I seriously hate their formula. It's gloppy. All the polishes I've bought take about three coats to get its true color. I can't tell if it's the brush or if it's just the formula in general, but it leaves a streak if you're not careful. I find myself piling on more coats to cover the streakiness. Really?