Marksmanship

Expansion 18 - Too Idiotic

-Willow's POV-

Within the room I was in, I began to pace back and forth. I was actually surprised since the room was quite fancy. I don't even think this Striker wanted to place us in a prison. Still hated his guts and that didn't change anything.

I look to Ruby and she looks at me.

"You alright..?" I asked.

She scoffed, "What does it look like? My father is out there by himself and we're stuck in here with Striker. What the hell do you think?"

I sighed. "I mean... I'm sure we can negotiate."

"Those people don't know a thing about negotiating!" shouted Ruby. "I can't believe I actually believed my father..."

"What do you mean?" I concerned.

Ruby sighed, "He told me a story about my mom and him... how they met. They started off by yelling at each other. Absolutely hating each other's guts."

"What are you talking abou- Oh... wait," I realized. "Wait you came this way because you thought... that we-"

"I don't fucking know!" cried Ruby. "I'm just so stupid..."

"Ruby-" I was about to say something when suddenly Striker came in. "Get the hell away from us!" I spoke, approaching him and ready to beat him.

He put his hand up in a respective manner. "No need. Listen... I want you both to sit down."

I listened, sitting down at the couch near the fire. I looked to Ruby, expecting for her to sit down as well, of course, she disobeyed.

"I'm aware this is your home," spoke the Striker.

"Save it, Striker. Don't try to make us feel guilty you son of a-" Ruby was soon interrupted.

"Please... My name is Jackson. I came here to... build... build a town on this land."

"You're gonna take this place for yourself?" I sighed. He was just so inconsiderate.

"You don't understand," he sighed. Then, the Striker looked to the fire. "I was young, actually. I lived- emphasize lived- with my family. We were happy... you know. We provided for ourselves. We loved one another with so much care. One day, this... this gang came at us. Seemed to be a part of the government. Said we were there illegally. Of course at the time I didn't understand but... the point was that our home was taken away. We were all separated. From there I sat alone on the streets, far from my family. I knew that someday, there would be a kid just like me, living with people spitting by your hands and staring at your like some rat. I vowed to myself... to never let anyone feel like that. Which was why I'm doing this. This land will soon be a town. A community for anyone to come. No one deserves that, no matter what they've done."

Ruby scoffed, "Why are you telling us this? To make us feel guilty?"

"I want you to realize how selfless this deed is." Jackson got up and went for a briefcase. He opened it up as cash was inside. "Take it all. One million. All in cash. You all can live your lives somewhere else, anywhere without these conditions of the rotten and old forest. You can find a new home!"

About to take the offer, I was going to speak but Ruby spoke first.

"We are not taking any of this! This is our home and do not think you can come in and steal it! We are not. Leaving," shouted Ruby, looking to me. She knew that from my expression I was tempted to say yes to the deal.

Striker shrugged his shoulders. "I'm sorry to say this, but then we'll need to be taking it. We're sorry we couldn't come to terms."

"Alright we'll give it up!" I shouted. In the corner of my eye, I saw Ruby turn her head right to me with a quick and sudden jolt.

"Willow?!" she cried. I looked to her, sighed, then back at Striker.

Striker smiled, "Well, at least one of you are on board."

"We'll take the offer. We'll get out of your hair. We'll start someplace new," I spoke.

-

-Ruby's POV-

I stared at Willow with complete anger and betrayal. What was he thinking?! This was the home my father and I have had for years, as my father has had it for thousands and thousands of years. Why give it all up now?

I continued glaring at him. I was so ready to beat him up.

Willow was about to grab the suitcase but my leg reacted and went up, kicking the case down as all the money poured out.

"RUBY?!" cried Aventurine. I shrugged at him.

"We are not taking your offer, Striker. Go back to where you came from," I demanded.

"You want a war?" he chuckled. "Why there's not many of you..."

"Doesn't matter. We won't stop fighting."

Striker nodded, "Alrighty then... Step out of my office. Go back to your home... But warning, you will not be calling it that by the end of tomorrow."

I glared at him, walking out and wanting to leave Willow too. How stupid could he be?

-

The two of us make it out as the night was still above us. I go in and punch him so hard, he falls to the ground to all fours.

Willow panted loudly. "What the hell was that for?!" he cried, looking up at me from the ground.

"How fucking idiotic are you?!" I shouted. "To think my father and I would be willing to give this place up for some cash!"

"We might as well start someplace new!"

"You're that weak? To surrender to foreign invaders? Just like that, huh?"

Willow sighed, "I was just making it easier for us."

"This isn't about the easy way, Aventurine. We will take a stand for what we love and what we believe in. You coming along? We do not need you. My father and I can handle ourselves. So good bye. I no longer give shits," I scoffed, marching on back to my house.

God, and to think I could have ever had feelings for that dumbass. Guess I was idiotic too.