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NCQ — Season I: Favors for Favors

@Mcmolly I summon you to the Google Doc whenever you're on! :D

Who Can Post Last?

lllllaaaaast? _o/

NCQ — Season I: Favors for Favors

PERCY

MESS HALL, NEW ANCHORAGE

---

This isn’t awful. Percy thought for probably the umpteenth time that week as he sat, wincing slightly. Sure, his legs hurt and it felt like his arms were wet noodles, but he had to admit that the dopamine running through his body sure felt nice. Having Ana kind of gave him the excuse to let himself go for eight years. He wasn’t obese or completely unable to do a damn thing, of course, but Rebecca said it herself - he was kinda fat. He told himself that he didn’t give a damn, but he was lying to himself. That first day of training, he was so aware of how his body looked, it was hard to focus on actually following directions. When he used to keep in better shape, he always did it alone - exercising in a group was totally foreign and awful at first. The days following were much easier though, with much thanks to both Rebecca and Jingo’s assurance that nobody gave a shit.. It was nice to feel like he was getting somewhere, honestly. He was still hesitant about the all the tests - especially the ultimatum - but he had, give-or-take, twenty days to do it and he was confident he could manage. Mostly. He could always completely fail and have his daughter get taken away and forced to become a pilot.

I just had to go there, didn’t I?

Percy covered his face with his hands, letting out a breath. He lowered his hands slightly to look at his daughter, who was eating and was totally unaware of his inner monologue. Their eyes met for a moment and she smiled at him before going right back into eating.

He wouldn’t let himself fail - not because his job would be in jeopardy, or because some higher-up told him to, but because he wasn’t going to let his baby girl get forced into doing the same shit. He’s not a coward. He’s not completely clueless or stupid. He’s smart. How else would his daughter be so smart? She was too smart to sign off her life to being a soldier. There were so many other, safer, less awful things she could be. She could be a doctor, or a teacher, a scientist - something better. She deserved better.

“Dad!”

Percy jumped when Ana spoke up.

“You’re like.. staring at me. Is something in my teeth?” she bared her teeth so he father could look.

Percy actually checked before responding, “No, I’m just.. I’m thinking, hon. Didn’t mean to stare.” the pilot smiled, and Ana smiled back, devouring the last few forkfuls of food on her tray.

“Me ‘n Vera are gonna go do something,” Ana said as she stacked Percy’s tray on top of hers and lead the way to the rack of used trays on the countertop.

“Oh?” Percy had a gut feeling that they were going to get into trouble.

“Yeah, it- It’s nothing bad. It’s just.. A thing,” Ana was on tip-toe, trying to get the trays in an empty slot - Percy took them just as she almost had it to do it for her.

“What kinda thing?”

“J-just a thing,” Ana tried to explain, very obviously avoiding the question. She grinned the way that all parents knew meant trouble. Percy’s pleasant voice took on a more serious tone, “Ana.”

“Dad, it-it’s, just..” Ana looked around like she was afraid of getting heard - or maybe trying to find someone. Percy couldn’t really tell. He did know it was kinda cute, though. “It’s secret. It’s like… It’s a girls only thing! No boys allowed!” The little girl grinned, but she looked more like she was being interrogated and lying than giddy about some girls-only club.

Percy let it go, though. It was more than likely nothing bad. He sighed, then ruffled up his girl’s hair. “Have fun, then - don't get into any trouble.”

NCQ — Season I: Favors for Favors

PERCY

MESS HALL/BARRACKS, NEW ANCHORAGE

---

Percy’s jaw hurt from having his teeth clenched so tightly. This whole day has just thoroughly fucked with his head. First it was that stupid fucking table, then it was Graham using his wife like that’s going to affect him, then it was seeing Agatha and Stein conquer the test he thought impossible, then finally it was this blonde prick in his stupid suit. He wasn’t sure how much more of this he could take in a day. He was so close to snapping at the next person that spoke to him. So. Very. Close.

But he couldn’t. He’s better than that. He’s not an emotional coward like everyone is trying to paint him as. He’s not the one that’s poking and prodding at the guy with the kid, everyone else is. And he's the one being prodded and poked at! He didn’t need five different people telling him he was an absolute wuss of a man, a fuck-up of a father, and an inadequate husband, but he sure got it today! He didn’t need ANYONE else to tell him just how AWFUL he was, cause he’s been doing it all by himself. He didn't need the fucking help.

“Are you mad?”

“What d’you think?” Percy hissed through grit teeth. It took him a moment to realize what he just said, and to who.

“I’d be mad too,” Ana replied, not seeming to care about her father’s tone of voice. Percy knew better, though - she was speaking in the tone of voice she’d use if she was getting scolded, almost like she’s asking a question more than stating something.

Percy exhaled, trying to get his nervous energy out so he can speak properly and not sound like he’s going to murder his own child. ”Are you done eating?”

Ana nodded, sliding her tray over to Percy’s. The pilot stacked the two used trays on the counter where they could be picked up to be cleaned, then walked with his child back to their shared room, Percy unlocking the door with a simple tap-tap-flick on his datatool. Ana walked in first and hopped onto the bed, turning to face her father, “Hey, Dad, will y-”

He was sat down in the floor, knees up to his chest, shoulders shaking from what Ana assumed to be him sobbing.

“D.. Dad? Dad, what ha- You were fine just a second ago!” Ana shot back up to run over to her father. She’s only seen him like this a couple times, but it wasn’t this bad. “W-what-”

“I-I’m fine, Ana, I-I’m.. I’m f-fine!” Percy managed to choke, forcing himself to smile. Ana wasn’t stupid, though - she could easily see through it. Her dad was never that good at hiding it. Not to her, at least. Plus, he still had tears going down his face - kinda hard to fake happiness when you’re sobbing like that.

“I wanna help, Dad.”

“Ana, n-no, you can’t-”

“Is it cause today’s just been awful? I mean, I’d totally agree. Graham was being mean, and then Mr. Kalfox was a dick, then-”

Percy snorted, his sobbing turning into a little fit of giggles before he said, his voice still husky, “You c-can’t say that, Ana.”

“Well he is. Graham’s a dick, Ingram’s a dick - a lot of people here are all dicks!”

“Ana!” Percy had a genuine smile on his face now, but he had a little bit of that look he’d get whenever she was pushing her luck.

Ana laughed with her father for a minute before sitting down with him. “Are you done being sad yet?” she asked, looking up at her dad’s face.

The pilot sighed, “Sorta? I dunno…” Percy wiped his face, inhaling shakily before he continued, “I told you not to worry about me.”

“How can I not worry when you’re fine one minute, and then all sad n’ stuff the next?”

“It’s adult stuff, Ana. You don’t need to-”

“-Is everything you worry about just over my head or something?” Ana didn’t really mean to be getting irritable - especially with her dad - but that excuse was starting to get really stupid and waaayy over-used. “You’re always saying that, and you're also always saying that,” she put on a much deeper voice, meant to impersonate her father, “‘oh Ana you’re so smart’ and ‘oh you’re so mature for your age’ and ‘bla bla bla bla’,”

“I don’t sound like that,” Percy commented.

“Whatever,” Ana mumbled before continuing, “I mean, I wanna know. I wanna help. You help me all the time-”

“-because it’s-”

“-It’s the adult’s job, I knooowww!” Ana was exasperated at this point. Are dads always so difficult?! “But I wanna help, Dad. I don’t like seeing you all upset and sad and stuff. It makes me sad and upset.. and stuff.”

Percy actually stayed quiet for a minute, adjusting how he was sitting so he wasn’t in such an uncomfortable position on the floor. Did she actually convince him to tell her? Or was he thinking about it? If it was either one that’d be great!

“Ana, I.. I don’t think you need to worry about all the stuff I do. Alright? I-it’s not healthy. I don’t want you to be like me. You’re so much like your mother, a-and-”

“So it’s about Mom?”

Ana could see Percy bite the inside of his lip. “Well?”

“I don’t want you to be like me, Ana. I don’t want you to be scared. I don’t want you to feel inadequate-”

“Inade-what?”

“I don’t want you to feel like you’re a failure,” Percy reiterated, “I don’t want you to be like me, or feel like I do. Ever. I want you to be like you, Ana. You’re great. You’re such a good person. You’re beautiful, you’re outgoing, you’re funny, you’re smart, you’re brave, you’re-”

“So are you,” Ana countered, “You’re pretty and outgoing and funny and smart and brave too! How else would I be all those things?”

The two shared a long look at each other for a moment. It almost felt a little too long, really. Ana thought she might've said something wrong, but before she could try to fix whatever she thought was wrong, Percy pulled her close and hugged her tight. Ana could feel him starting to cry again. "D-Dad, wait, I-"

“I love you, Ana. I love you so much.”

Ana made herself more comfortable in her father’s embrace before she replied, “I love you too, Dad.”

Who Can Post Last?

LAST! \o/

Camp RP, anyone?

I think I might be into this. :P

NCQ — Season I: Favors for Favors

@Dynamo Frokane I'm not too great at summaries but I'll try XD

A lot of the pilots have met each other by now, Graham took the pilots to the hangar to show them their ultimate test, gave them a 30-day period to pass a firearms exam, a psych exam, and an obstacle course (plus the ultimate test of climbing into an NC with their own two hands), and everyone is generally kinda like "AAAAAAAHHH."

sorry the summary is so bad hopefully someone else is a little better at it

Go through the Alphabet before someone posts a My Little Pony Picture

Y...

would I do this?!!?!!?!?!!

NCQ — Season I: Favors for Favors

PERCY and INGRAM

MESS HALL, NEW ANCHORAGE

---

Percy wasn't sure how late he was, but he knew he was at least a couple minutes late. He clutched Ana's hand tight in his as he walked to the mess hall, making note that Stein was quickly walking away from a table with a new face; well, back of the head, at least— along with the older woman from earlier.

They were tag-teaming me earlier.. wonder what happened.

Before he could really put too much brain power into imagining what might've happened, he felt his daughter tugging on his hand. "Daaadd, c'monn.. I'm hungryyy."

"I know, I know," Percy said, still looking at the blonde man.

He wasn't sure if he wanted to stay away or go up and meet him; that is until his daughter complained again. He snapped out of his thoughts and got her a tray, walking with her until Percy decided to just convieniently sit close enough to the table this new person was sitting at. He watched the blonde man just to see if he could catch a glimpse of his face, or hear his name, his reason for being there, if he was just visiting, anything. It was better than going up and asking him, at least that was Percy's train of thought.

"Dad?"

Percy gave his attention to his child, unable to speak because of the simple fact he had food in his mouth.

"You're being kinda weird," Ana said as she got another forkful in her mouth. She swallowed before speaking again, "Why are you staring at the guy in the suit? Do you think he's cute or something?"

The pilot almost choked when she said that last part, his voice going into a quick whisper. "No. Ana, you can't— don't ask stuff like that out loud,"

Ana was about to chime in with another comment, but the man in question let out an audible chuckle as he put his fork down on his tray. “Your daughter is very forward. What can I help you with?”

"I'm so sorry. I-it's nothing, really-"

"Dad thinks you're cute," Ana insisted.

"I do not- I-I mean, no offense- you're not like-" he stopped himself right there. Before Ingram could respond, Percy continue, "Who are you exactly?"

“Ingram Kalfox. A pleasure.” His eyes moved from the adult pilot to his daughter.

Percy noted that glance to his kid - it seemed harmless enough, but still. It didn't.. feel right, and he couldn't really place why. Percy opened his mouth to speak, but Ana spoke first, "Kalfox is Stein's last name, isn't it? Are you her dad or something?"

“I am her father, yes.” He chuckled, nodding to the question.

"So she's not a robot?" Percy didn't exactly mean to say that out loud, but the way he delivered it made it out like he was just joking. Thank God.

“I assure you that I procreated, just as you did.”

"Procreated?" Ana looked to her dad curiously, going to ask what it was, but Percy just shook his head in the way Ana recognized as 'not right now,' which really meant 'not in a million years.'

Before Ingram could scar his daughter with the description of how children are made, Percy spoke, "So what brings you to New Anchorage?"

“There was a job opening and I was currently unemployed due to some… complications in Seattle. Pretty simple, really. I had no idea that this was where my daughter ended up, but I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised considering the state of independents these days.”

"You didn't know she was here?" Percy asked incredulously. He glanced over to his own child, pulling her a little closer. He always knew where Ana is. How could a parent function without knowing where their baby was? It wouldn't matter if Ana was eight or eighty-eight, he'd want to know where she was.

Ana scooted her tray over to where Percy had dragged her so she could continue to eat.

“Her career choice is a very mobile one, and I suppose you can say that our relationship is… distant. She has been certainly useful in the choices she has made; as was expected.”

The more he talked to Ingram, the less Percy liked him. He seemed alright at first glance, but now he wasn't so sure. Especially after that "useful" comment. His expression definitely showed his disdain in that moment, too. He kept his arm around Ana's shoulders as if he was afraid she'd just fly away and never return. The child could tell something was wrong, but she simply continued to eat.

"What do you mean by useful, exactly?"

“Ah, right; you’re not from the megacities. He paused for a minute as he took a drink of water. “My daughter, Anastasia, was always a talented young girl; she was always good at logical games such as puzzles, chess, and the like so when it was discovered that she tested positive for neural compatibility it wasn't too much of a surprise. It became a great thing for both of us; she found herself doing something she was not only talented at, but also something she enjoyed— and for myself I became quite proud of her achievements even though we were now so separate when before we were never apart.”

Ana looked up to her father, that last bit in particular making her feel.. something. She wasn't sure what. She knew it didn't feel very nice, and she wanted to just leave. Something about it just didn't feel right. Maybe it was the tone of his voice mixed with the words.

Percy, too, felt something - fear. He didn't really want to think that eventually he and his kid would become that distant. He rubbed his hands together nervously, trying to think of how to respond to that, but he really wasn't sure for a few moments. The pilot cleared his throat before he spoke, "But what did you mean by useful, Mr. Kalfox? That's not how someone would refer to their kid... unless megacities really are that different?"

“Not so. That’s how you wouldn’t refer to your kid. Remember that we come from very different upbringings.. The megacities are indeed that different. As for what I meant, the Volkov Corporation was very happy with the success of their “Little Dragon” and rewarded me and her for it. I never asked for it, nor she, but it was a product of our environment - it was a matter of fact. But then again, life in New Anchorage isn't all that great and perfect either, is it, Percy?” Ingram looked to the pilot's wedding rings, as if he telegraphed the point of what he meant without saying it before returning his glance to Percy's face.

At that, Percy started to mess with the rings on his hand. Is everyone going to point them out or what? "It's just a fashion statement," the pilot said, "screw the government and all." His delivery of that statement failed to convince and he knew it. He didn't even look like the kind of guy to rebel like that, with his flaming red hair and freckles.

“Heh. Ironic how you are working for New Anchorage's government, then. But I suppose many of us sacrifice our ideals and principles for money” Ingram commented before returning to his food.

"Well I'm on good terms with my child, but.. I guess people make sacrifices for money, huh?" Percy quickly retorted, a bit more direct than Ingram was. He was getting pissed off and he knew it - again, he said something that he didn't really intend on letting out.

“Indeed. Anyway, this discourse has been ​fascinating​, but I really should make better use of my free time. Cheers.” Ingram stated as he stood up with his empty tray of food before discarding it. He made a slight wave at the two as he left the Mess Hall.

NCQ — Season I: Favors for Favors

@Lonewolf685 I FUCKIN HATE YOU OMFG

GRAHAHHH