[Logic dictates that this is true. But how dare! Sure, they didn't physically train them in the lab, only psychically, but he's capable. He survived in the Upside Down for seven years. He might not tear through the whole obstacle course, but he could make it through, like--
[He follows, stopping beside Alec. Beyond them is the obstacle course -- a long stretch of "track" to get a running start, followed by a metal array of monkey bars, followed by a big wooden wall with a rope over which they are expected to climb.
I'm not even going to bother detailing the rest because let's be real. Henry won't make it past that.
BUT HE THINKS HE PROBABLY WILL, and he says lightly-]
Fine. Ready?
[Giving them a moment, then-] Three... two... one [ha]... go.
[And they're off. Henry's long legs equal long strides, and at least he starts off... well. Motivated. How's Alec going to fare?]
[ The thing about magical muscle is that it doesn't do you much good without having real muscle to back it up. After all, Enhancement magic takes what's already there and makes it better harder, faster, stronger.
So Alec is fine. There's a moment at the start where Henry outpaces him thanks to being 87% limb, but it doesn't take Alec long to realize that this is definitely going to be a sprint rather than a marathon. He steps on the proverbial gas, shoots past, and takes the first two obstacles with an ease born of many, many years of practice. It's nostalgic, in its way. He can practically hear ol' Sarge barking orders at him from the sidelines.
When he gets to the top of the wall, that's where he stops, turning to look at how Henry's doing. How is Henry doing? ]
[How dare Alec tease him with a moment in which he thinks he’s actually going to fare decently well? That his long-limbed blessing actually provides him with a chance of keeping up with him? Well, those hopes are banished the moment the other man rushes forward, outpacing him as though Henry were only walking, and—
Shit.
All right. Alec is definitely in better shape than him, but Henry holds steadfast to the illusion that he can at least get through this with no issue on his part. When he reaches the monkey bars, he’s only a little winded from the sprint — but when he grasps at them (his experience with these are so, so limited), and gravity pulls the rest of his weight down, his arms begin to hate him.
Like, really hate him.
He does not have the upper body strength for this. Bar by bar, his muscles strain and call him out for this betrayal. When Alec turns to look at him—is he already there at the top of that wall?—Henry is just short of halfway through, and every bit of progression is a struggle.
He can practically feel Alec’s gaze on him. Through gritted teeth:]
[ Oh, but the shit-eating grin is there, on his face and in his tone. There's something sort of charming about watching Henry, poor poor Henry, struggle his way through out of some misguided attempt to conserve his pride.
Alec takes a seat on the top of the wall, feet dangling and elbows resting on his knees. ]
I said... [The adamant tone he's trying to take is lessened by how winded he sounds.] Shut... up. This body-
[He can't see the look on Alec's face, but he can hear that tone clearly, and imagines him sitting there, looking smug. Probably resting his elbows on his knees or something.
Henry keeps an iron stare fixed on the bars, neck craned up as he takes them one at a time. Pure stubbornness and unbending pride somehow push him through it, though he is slow, and not very graceful, and he "skips" the last two at the end by simply letting go a little early.
His arms are on fire. What was he saying?]
This body is- [Trying to catch his breath.] -human. And weak.
[ He just sits there, smug king of smugness at the top of his mountain, watching Henry struggle through. He really did make it almost to the end of the monkey bars. He's impressed. And strangely endeared. ]
I've heard it before, Henry. What are you gonna do if that's the body you stay stuck with, huh?
[Despite the fact that he nearly DIED on the monkey bars, and that Alec is being snarky, the words and his grin are still... disarming. Damn it. Henry pushes that blooming warmth aside; he'll pass it off as just too much exercise.]
At least I'd be strong.
[Speaking of, he grasps hold of the rope and... Ugh. He has to climb this? How did Alec get up there so fast?]
[It's basically a half-hearted aside, without even thinking, because that great effort left him with making no vertical progress and even more jello-like arms.
Use the footholds.
...There are footholds?
Looks down, finds one, catches the toe of his shoe against a foothold and rises up just a little.]
And he's not dignifying that with a response, seeking footholds and slowly, oh-so wretchedly slowly, pulling himself up one by one. His arms are going to be sore until endgame.
But this man is nothing but motivated, to the point where it's a character flaw, and so he drags himself just high enough to reach out with one arm and fling it over the top of the wall, hooking himself against it and clinging on for dear life.
[ He'll save Henry the blow to his pride that might occur by offering him a hand up. Instead he just watches him labor his way to the top, grinning all the while. ]
Do what? We've still got like 90% of the course to go.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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...Is what he should say, but his pride flares just a wee bit that look.]
And what's that supposed to mean, exactly?
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[ har har a D&D joke ]
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A disbelieving scoff! Are you calling him a skinny nerd?]
I have my powers. And my other form's strength might surprise you. Besides... [Cuts a glance at the obstacle course.] I bet I could keep up with you.
[Words to be carved onto his tombstone.]
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I think you might want to reconsider that stance.
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Maybe not beat you, but keep up. [Clarifying, as if that makes it more possible.]
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[ Henry you GREW UP IN A LAB. Alec grew up in a mercenary troupe. They are not the same. ]
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Half, maybe.
Probably.
SETS HIS BAG DOWN.]
Then put it to the test.
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[ He shrugs out of his jacket and hoodie, stepping over to what appears to be the starting area. He casts Henry a sideways glance. ]
I'll even let you count us down.
[ :) ]
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I'm not even going to bother detailing the rest because let's be real. Henry won't make it past that.
BUT HE THINKS HE PROBABLY WILL, and he says lightly-]
Fine. Ready?
[Giving them a moment, then-] Three... two... one [ha]... go.
[And they're off. Henry's long legs equal long strides, and at least he starts off... well. Motivated. How's Alec going to fare?]
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harder, faster, stronger.So Alec is fine. There's a moment at the start where Henry outpaces him thanks to being 87% limb, but it doesn't take Alec long to realize that this is definitely going to be a sprint rather than a marathon. He steps on the proverbial gas, shoots past, and takes the first two obstacles with an ease born of many, many years of practice. It's nostalgic, in its way. He can practically hear ol' Sarge barking orders at him from the sidelines.
When he gets to the top of the wall, that's where he stops, turning to look at how Henry's doing. How is Henry doing? ]
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Shit.
All right. Alec is definitely in better shape than him, but Henry holds steadfast to the illusion that he can at least get through this with no issue on his part. When he reaches the monkey bars, he’s only a little winded from the sprint — but when he grasps at them (his experience with these are so, so limited), and gravity pulls the rest of his weight down, his arms begin to hate him.
Like, really hate him.
He does not have the upper body strength for this. Bar by bar, his muscles strain and call him out for this betrayal. When Alec turns to look at him—is he already there at the top of that wall?—Henry is just short of halfway through, and every bit of progression is a struggle.
He can practically feel Alec’s gaze on him. Through gritted teeth:]
Shut up.
[HE DIDN’T EVEN SAY ANYTHING YET]
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[ Oh, but the shit-eating grin is there, on his face and in his tone. There's something sort of charming about watching Henry, poor poor Henry, struggle his way through out of some misguided attempt to conserve his pride.
Alec takes a seat on the top of the wall, feet dangling and elbows resting on his knees. ]
Guessing they skipped arm day at the lab.
[ Ah, there it is. ]
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I said... [The adamant tone he's trying to take is lessened by how winded he sounds.] Shut... up. This body-
[He can't see the look on Alec's face, but he can hear that tone clearly, and imagines him sitting there, looking smug. Probably resting his elbows on his knees or something.
Henry keeps an iron stare fixed on the bars, neck craned up as he takes them one at a time. Pure stubbornness and unbending pride somehow push him through it, though he is slow, and not very graceful, and he "skips" the last two at the end by simply letting go a little early.
His arms are on fire. What was he saying?]
This body is- [Trying to catch his breath.] -human. And weak.
[The usual excuse.]
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I've heard it before, Henry. What are you gonna do if that's the body you stay stuck with, huh?
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At least now he can walk to said wall, looking up at Alec. He’s still catching his breath, face tinged a little pink from the exertion.
Sarcasm alert:]
Maybe I’ll visit that other dimension again, let it change me back. What do you think of that?
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[ A grin. ]
What a shame that would be.
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At least I'd be strong.
[Speaking of, he grasps hold of the rope and... Ugh. He has to climb this? How did Alec get up there so fast?]
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Alec watches him take up the rope. Apparently he's still determined. Cute. ]
Awful hard to hold onto monkey bars when you're made of slime and one of your hands is a giant claw. Just saying.
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Grips the rope tight, tries to heft himself up-]
I’m not made—
[PULLS, scuffling at the wall with the soles of his shoes. This is really a sorry sight. What have you reduced Vecna to. WITH GREAT EFFORT:]
-of slime!
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[ One might even say... squelchy.
As an aside: ]
Use the footholds.
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Everything... there is slimy.
[It's basically a half-hearted aside, without even thinking, because that great effort left him with making no vertical progress and even more jello-like arms.
Use the footholds.
...There are footholds?
Looks down, finds one, catches the toe of his shoe against a foothold and rises up just a little.]
You couldn't have said so before?
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I figured you would have seen them.
1/2
And he's not dignifying that with a response, seeking footholds and slowly, oh-so wretchedly slowly, pulling himself up one by one. His arms are going to be sore until endgame.
But this man is nothing but motivated, to the point where it's a character flaw, and so he drags himself just high enough to reach out with one arm and fling it over the top of the wall, hooking himself against it and clinging on for dear life.
Out of breath once more.]
2/2
I told you... I could do it.
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Do what? We've still got like 90% of the course to go.
[ Motions to... everything behind him. ]
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