Mirror, mirror on the wall... (V.Verax)

[Zachary LaRousse]

The acrid smell of sweat permeated Zac and Horus’ living quarters. As much as Zac would like to believe (or insist) that he’s a cut above the male species, meta or not, he still perspires. And while he doesn’t perspire more than the usual, working out for an hour or so is enough to make the common room feel so stuffy and immensely humid. (The airconditioning can only do so little; this is why he opted to work out on the common room and not inside his private room). Lucky for Horus he’s not around to suffer through the disgusting ordeal.

The sudden increase of exercise stems from Zac’s epiphany a few days back: he’s going fat (apparently one of his ‘ab grooves’ have grown soft, which send the boy panicking to get back in shape). He would’ve used the gym facilities, but he had failed to get hold of Jude or Kamini. And no way was he sneaking out again (he’s still reeling in from his encounter with Mr. Romanov a few days ago; while it was enjoyable ok, he’d rather not have a repeat performance just yet). As there are no visible gyms in Pilot Ridge (or none that would fit Zac’s taste) and his private jet privileges still on hold (hence the inability to fly a personal trainer, complete with the equipment he needs, to the quaint town), Zac just had to buy all the equipment he can find in the local mall (all of them are small equipment to beat; Hammel deems treadmills and other large machines too big for a student’s allotted space in the dormitory. Apprenly they have no idea Zac had used the free rooms in his dorm as an extended closet) and set up his own little gym in his room.

Not really caring if his sweaty back would stain the couch, Zac carelessly flopped himself onto the said furniture, tired from his non-stop cycle of push-ups, crunches and others. He grinned widely as he saw what he perceives as progress. “Who’s the fat boy now?” he asked, laughing as he gave his slimy side a light pinch.

[Vincent Verax]

Since learning about Horus' little secret, Vincent had rerouted a bit of his time to dropping by to check on his sleepy friend. Generally it was for cuddles, raiding his fridge, watching idiotic cartoons, or getting Horus to dare him to do stupid things. For the most part, he tried to avoid Zac when he came to visit. They were totally incompatible people due to their oversize egos and generally their confrontations ended in a fight. (Physical or verbal.)

Bursting into the dorm, Vincent was assaulted with a rather unpleasant smell. "Eeewwww... who ripped ass 'n here?" He groaned, waving his hand in front of his face. Much to Vin's dismay, it wasn't Horus who he saw sitting on the couch. He wrinkled up his nose and shot a glare at Zac, snorting at his question to no one. "Ch'... y'are." Oh no, not this. Vincent looked Zac over, then smirked and lifted up his shirt to show off his abs.

"I fuckin' win." He ran his hand over his stomach, proud of his hard work, then started glancing around the door. "An' where th'fuck is Horus? Y'didn't like... kill 'em with y'reek, didja?" Letting his shirt drop, Vincent crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall. "Seriously, dude, open a fuckin' window, it's rank up 'n here."

[Zachary LaRousse]

Of the so-called Idiot Brigade, Zac hates Verax the most. Horus and Ember, he says, he can take; he actually consider the two pretty normal. Sam he just doesn't like because he’s a pyrokinetic and a lousy one to beat (he has some kind of aversion to fire manipulators, don’t ask me why). Verax, on the other hand, Zac can’t think of anything positive about. Vincent is, in Zac’s words “arrogant, conceited, vain and extremely stupid” (kind of like looking in the mirror if you ask me). As such, he avoids confrontation with the goth boy to the best of his ability. Like two electrons spinning in the same direction, they just won’t mix.

That’s why Zac was surprised when he heard the goth boy suddenly speak behind him, even going as far as answer his supposedly rhetorical question. Maybe it was the general stuffiness of the room, or just the fact that Zac was too tired to notice, that Vincent's entry slipped him. If Zac had known he was coming, he would’ve walked out of the dorm already, sweat and all. It’s all too late now apparently.

“In what universe Verax? In what universe?” he asked with a chuckle, rolling his eyes as he stood up and glared at Verax. He walked up to the goth and took a quick glance at his prized possession. He must admit, Verax was ripped, but not enough to tell him off. In Zac’s eyes, he was still the better one. “My abs of steel beat your flabby chunk of blubber any day,” he smirked, running his hand over his stomach then poking Verax’s chest.

As much as Zac would like to deny it, it was indeed stuffy in the room. And it was his fault. But he wasn’t going to be the one to open the windows, not one bit. “Too girly to take my manly essence Verax?” he said, taunting Vincent, “If you can’t take it, leave. Whoever invited you here anyway?”

[Vincent Verax]

Any other day, Vincent would have likely left after discovering that Horus wasn't home, but then again he didn't often walk in on his perhaps least-favorite person in the midst of a rhetorical question. And Vincent wouldn't be Vincent if he didn't take the time to brag about himself to anyone and everyone within earshot, whether they wanted to hear it or not.

The goth boy easily met Zac's glare with one of his own, his chin tilted upwards in his "I'm-better-than-you" manner. Vin was egotistical on his own, but there was just something about being in the same room with another self-absorbed jackass guy that really made Vin want to prove that he was indeed better at something. Whether he proves that he really is stronger than Zac or just loves himself more, it doesn't matter, so long as he comes out on top in the end.

"In this universe, duuuuhhh!" Have I mentioned before that Vin is not the master of comebacks? If not... I don't think I need to. He just proved my point for me. Glancing down at Zac's stomach, Vinnie uncrossed his arms to jab the other boy in his abs. "It's like pokin' a marshmallow, I think ya been eatin' too many Twinkies." Yes, he was exaggerating, and please raise your hand if you weren't expecting it. Yeah, that's what I thought.

Vincent wrinkled up his nose and made a face. "Ugh, I don' wanna be anywhere near y'man essence." I'll let you guess what Vincent is thinking of, because I'm not gunna be the one to say it. "An' don' be jealous 'cause I'd totally look better 'n a skirt than you." I'm pretty sure that's not where Zac was going with that statement, but Vincent is not a smart one. Grunting, Vinnie just shrugged. "I was lookin' f'Horus, but y'probably sat on 'im and he disappeared in y'fat rolls." Oh Vincent.

[Zachary LaRousse]

On any other day, any close encounter with Verax would likely be turned down almost immediately. He’d either turn the other way, lock himself up in his room or simply ignore the goth boy’s jabs. A small voice at the back of his head usually reminds him that Verax is just as obnoxious as him, only slightly less when it comes to mental capability, so a head-on confrontation with the boy will bring about no good, for both of them. Unfortunately, the smell of sweat and the overall feeling of tiredness has turned that little voice off (or simply set it to mute) as Zac was now intent on making his unwanted visitor go down on his knees and profess that he is indeed inferior to the Hammel prince.

Zac laughed ever sarcastically at Vincent’s comeback. He wasn’t expecting an extremely witty one, but he wasn’t expecting something as low at that either. It seems Zachie’s set his bar a little too high for Vinnie after all these years. “Twinkies? People actually eat those things? Yuck. Don’t give me your unhealthy vices Vinnie.” Zac had never actually eaten a Twinkie all his life. In fact, he’s never seen one before. He’s just heard about them from here and there but he never really had the impulse to buy one for himself. “Really Vinxie? Have you tried poking these babies already? I already poked yours and they were incredibly soft,” he smirked, facing the goth once more, taunting the kid and poking his sides, “I urge you to try and feel these for yourself. I know you want to.”

“Why would I care about Horus? He’s probably snoozing somewhere around the grounds, fantasizing about his boytoy,” he said rolling his eyes. It wasn’t really that smart of a comeback too, but Zac was still reeling in from that skirt statement that he was quite at a loss for words. He was blank. Nothing he could possibly say could top Verax’s statement. Then it hit him. “You’d look better in a skirt? Seriously? I’d like to test that theory out,” he smirked, giving Vincent a wink (that says “wait-there-I-have-a-mighty-plan-you’ll-never-get-out-of”) before retreating promptly to one of the supposedly empty rooms.

A few seconds later Zac went out and dragged two racks of female clothing behind him, complete with accessories and shoes arranged neatly in baskets below it. “Prove it,” he eyed Verax, smirk permanently plastered on the mimic’s face.

[Vincent Verax]

Vincent will go down on his knees for several reasons, but none of them include professing Zac's superiority. You perverts out there can snerk all you want, because they do include what you're thinking of, but that's beside the point. The chances of Vincent actually admitting out loud that Zac is better than him are simply non-existent. Even if Zac does manage to prove himself, Vin is simply incapable of admitting defeat.

Still, it's worth a lot of laughs for the both of us.

"Ya felt like a Twinkie." Vin scoffed, rubbing his hand over his own stomach as if apologizing to it for Zachary's jabs. "All squishy an' full-a stuff." Vincent's ever so eloquent. Staring at Zac blankly for a moment, his face slowly worked itself into an accusatory glare. "Hey! I gotta boyfrien', I ain' gunna b'feelin' ya up, no matter how much y'beg for it." Once again, I highly doubt that's where Zac was going, but Vincent never listens to me anyways.

He had been feeling extra protective of his droopy buddy lately, so Zac's stabs at Horus were not well received. "At least he's got one, ain' no one gunna sleep with yer stinky ass. Not even 'f ya paid 'em." He seemed pretty proud of that remark, drawing himself up to his full height (which wasn't very intimidating at all, he was only about 5' 8", but his boots gave him a few more inches.) and crossing his arms over his chest.

Vinnie might have caught Zachie off guard with his skirt comment, but the other boy's retaliation had Vin staring in vapid amazement at the racks of clothes. All sorts of questions popped into his tiny little brain, but the biggest one was why Zac had racks of girl's clothes in his dorm. "Th'fuck, dude? Y'go out crossdressin' on th'weekends or somethin'?" Uncrossing his arm, he walked over and began examining the clothes.

But then there was a challenge and Vincent can never ever under any circumstances turn down a challenge. It's one of the reasons why he ends up injured so often. "You are so fuckin' on, LaDouche." What a charming nickname, Vincent, now please shut your mouth and start dressing like a woman.

[Zachary LaRousse]

“Exactly my point,” said Zac as he approached Vincent, sly stare and dirty smirk plastered on his face, then circled the goth boy like what a lion does to its prey. “What do you think he’ll feel if he finds out that his beloved boytoy drools buckets upon buckets whenever he sees Zachary LaRousse?” He ran a finger across Vincent’s chest as he spoke, never once breaking eye contact. “Poor Moenster.” Not that Zac is close enough to MoeMoe that he can start a casual conversation, much less tell him about his boyfriend’s alleged promiscuity or give him such a nickname. (And I highly doubt Vinnie drools whenever Zac is around). Then again, Zac would not be Zac if he doesn’t twist and bend stuff to fit his perfectly absurd universe. And besides, teasing the Verax is proving to be an exciting endeavor (at least for us), given how out-of-this-worl his replies are. “Don’t deny it Vince-y, I can read your mind like an open book,” he teased, his finger stopping at Vincent’s chest then brushing up to his neck, ending with a light tap on the boy’s nose bridge.

“Au contraire dear Vincent. I’m only single now because I chose to be. You see, to lock this body to only one individual would be a grave sin. The rest of the world just won’t take it lightly,” he chuckled. Zac believes he’s God’s greatest gift to womankind (and perhaps the occasional mankind). That he just have to stay and enjoy being single as thousands upon thousands will weep if ever he becomes unavailable. Or that’s what he’s telling himself ever since he broke up with his latest girlfriend a good two years ago. He leaned closer, his cheek a mere horse’s hair from Vincent’s. “I can easily get whoever I want. And yes Vincent, that includes you,” he whispered, adding a rather sinister chuckle at the end.

Vincent’s surprise was very much apparent in his face. Zac loved how the goth boy was derailed. And he thought his challenge was fruitless, he told himself, praising himself inwardly for a successful ‘sneak attack’. He simply laughed off Vincent’s question. He doubts he’d be able to convince the goth boy that such clothes are reserved for those unguarded moments when Zac forgets about a special day for his girl. Not that he needed such clothes lately, but hey, one can never be too prepared. And apparently this is one of those days.

“Why so surprised Vinnie, doesn’t MoeMoe let you crossdress at times? So that he’ll be the man and you the woman?” Not that he cared about Vincent’s personal life anyway. He scrambled through the dresses until he found one that somehow fits his ‘taste’, a black (evening) dress with a cape-like train, glitters and laces[/url]. Sophisticated but sexy, he thought. He couldn’t help but laugh that he’s putting so much thought at what he’d wear. It’s not like he’d care if Vincent did look better in a skirt. Zac always gets what he wants and what he wants right now is for Vincent to kneel before him (for all said and unsaid reasons).

He promptly took off his gym shorts, revealing his camouflage-inspired boxer briefs. Apparently changing privately is out of the question for the boy. He’s in the comfort of his room anyway, baring his butt is definitely a non-issue. It’s not like somebody will just pounce on him or something, right? “Hey Verax, are you just gonna watch me strip or what?” he teased.[/font]

[Vincent Verax]

Vincent promptly laughed directly in Zac's face when the other boy accused him of drooling. The only drooling he was involved in was over pizza... or Moe in a dangerously short skirt. Zachie will just have to continue deluding himself. "Psh, I'ma sooner barf all over y'ugly face 'f I gotta smell yer rank-ass breath anymore." And once again, the moment that Vincent opens his mouth, my face gets acquainted with my palm.

Zac's touch was, for the most part, ignored. At least until the touch to his nose, which made Vinnie go cross-eyed and retort with "Y'the one who can't keep y'hands off-a me." Truly, this is going to be a never-ending feud. Both of these boys are stubborn and madly in love with themselves, they won't give in until they die, and even then, I imagine would have "Dead and STILL hotter than Zachary LaRousse" engraved on his tombstone. Don't believe me? You obviously don't know Vincent that well.

For a brief moment, Vincent seemed to weigh the possibility that Zachary may just have been telling the truth. After all, he was sure there were quite a few people out there disappointed that he was now off the market. (The only one I can think of is Fifi, but I don't think she counts.) That all went to hell the moment that Zac said he could have him, if he wanted. Vincent snorted. "I'd rather stick m'dick 'n a wood chipper than in you." One, OW, and two, no one in their right mind is going to let Vinnie anywhere near a wood chipper.

Returning his attention to the racks of clothes, the goth boy made his choices. Of course, he stuck with his normal fashion: leather. Bonus: his boots would look great with it. He sneered at the dress that Zac had picked out, but what really got his attention was when the other boy started to strip right in front of him. He stared at the mimic for a while before erupting in another fit of laughter. "Maaan, y'wearing girl's panties too, huh? Ch'real men don' wear nothin'. Careful y'don' start feelin' all... inadequate." Vincent chuckled. Yes, this means exactly what you think it means. There is nothing on under those tight leather pants.

With that, Vincent peeled off his t-shirt and flung it at Zac.

[Zachary LaRousse]

Lucky for Zac, he somehow got to his senses. Sure, he’s still not over Verax being so sure that he’s incredibly better than the prince, but he figured using his normal retorts on the kid never bring anything good. He just old himself that he kid’s brain can be found in his dick and since he’s wearing such tight pants, his brain is incredibly squeezed that really he can’t think straight. Maybe he should really go up to the pixie boy and tell him to buy his boyfriend some looser pants. It’ll help the whole world, he says.

Truth be told, he was hoping for anything other than cross dressing, but the goth boy clearly posed him a challenge and backing out from it would be disastrous. He’s sure he won’t hear the end of it from the goth boy if ever that happens. And besides, he was confident in his ability to rock any piece of clothing. He didn’t spend endless nights sore and tired from constant workouts for nothing after all. If girls can wear boyfriend clothes, who’s stopping guys from doing the same right? “Oh yes Vincent, it is me who can’t keep my hands off you really,” he said with an ever sarcastic and mocking tone, “How’d you find me out? Am I that obvious? Every night I have wet dreams that I’m licking every inch of your body.” He gave VinVin a lusty stare, complete with the tongue-on-the-side-of-his-lips gesture, then quickly changed it to a more mocking gaze and even rolled his eyes. Hopefully Verax would understand he’s mocking him. Hopefully.

“As if I’d let that filthy rod of yours into me,” Zac snorted, “I’d rather die than have me probed and poked by that extremely unimpressive appendage. Lucky you it was Moenster’s first time that’s why he’s so satisfied.” Sorry MoeMoe, but apparently news of your escapade with VinVin the night after the dance somehow spread. Zac isn’t really going to use such piece of information, as he sees Moe as a sweet individual wrongly done by fate as he’s apparently with the ever-so-brilliant goth kid, but the image of him being plowed by the goth boy was too much to bear that he just had to have a decent comeback. “I would’ve cut it out and burn it at the school furnace, but I figured it’ll just grow back so why bother.”

Zac had never once gone commando. He had thoughts of it when he was a young and adventurous kid, but free balling had never been his thing. The thought of his stuff hanging precariously under his jeans was much too dangerous for him. Like what he said earlier, not everyone can regrow lost parts. “Inaqeduate? Are you hearing yourself properly Verax?” he asked as he removed the shirt that had found its way into Zac’s face, “You think I’ll be jealous of you being all bush and no dick? I hardly think so. Betcha’ my pinky’s even longer than your precious plaything.” He even showed Vincent his pinky to prove his point. “And Vinnie, if you want to see the guns I’m hiding under these ‘girl panties’, you simply have to ask. I’d be happy to show you God’s greatest gift to all mankind.”

And like the real mature kid that he is, Zac stripped out of his boxer briefs and threw them into Vincent’s face. So much for being decent.

[Vincent Verax]

It was hardly unusual for people to be thrown off base when Vincent speaks. With his complete lack of respect or shame, there's no telling what will come out of his mouth next. All you can do is assume it's going to be awful and brace yourself for the worst.

For Zac's information, Vincent's brain is indeed kept in his dick, but even if he were to wear looser pants, it would remain there. It's terrible, but unchangeable.

Drawing his face into what could only be described as a grimace, Vincent made a few gagging noises. "Ugh, fuck dude, don' say shit like that. I don' want y'filthy ass mouth anywhere near me." Zac's facial expressions only served the purpose of making Vin gag more at the thought of being involved with Zachie in ways that didn't involve him giving Zac a black eye or broken bones. He shook his head violently, as if doing so would remove the horrible, disgusting images that Zac had just put in his mind.

"Y'couldn' even handle all 'f me, fugface." Someone should take away his right to come up with insulting nicknames, he just sucks at it. But Zac had just committed the cardinal sin: insulting Vincent's manhood. Now, for the record, Vincent loves his manbits. He loves them so much that he marvels at his crotch every morning in the mirror. He loves his manparts so much that he even deemed them worthy of jewelry. Yes, that means exactly what you think it does and no, before you guess, it's not a prince albert. It's an ampallang. Let's see how Zac deals with that, shall we?

"'m pretty sure y'couldn' even compare t'the awesomeness I keep 'n my pants, bitch." Said Vincent confidently as he pulled his feet out of his boots and unzipped his pants. It was at that point that Zac's underwear came flying at him and in a rather pathetic and girlish fashion he flailed his arms at them while shouting obscenities that they could likely hear three dorms down. He wanted nothing to do with Zachie's manpanties.

He didn't even get to revel in his (supposed) genital superiority, so bothered was he by the close proximity of Zac's underwear. He sidestepped them, then put a grand distance between where he stood with the leather dress still in hand and where the briefs lay on the floor. But showing off his dick is what he does best, so after composing himself, he peeled off his pants, then stood bare-ass naked with his arms crossed over his chest and his nose up in the air. "Beat that y'pansy."

[Zachary LaRousse]

Zac actually regrets telling Vincent initially that he has had wet dreams about the goth since forever. He figures it would’ve been a witty retort, but since he sees Vincent dumber than an ant, he fears it would just boost the goth boy’s ego more. And the last thing he (or any one of them for that matter) needs right now is an ego boost. Lucky for him Vincent’s reaction is a totally unexpected yet extremely satisfying one that Zac now sees his bluff as a success and even considers giving it a part two. Now that he knows what makes Vincent squirm, he’ll keep on pressing it until the goth boy surrenders to him and his greatness. “You do know that such words make me sad Vinnie-poo,” he said, giving him a puppy look, “I bet you my skillful tongue can reach places not even you or Moenster know you have.” His stomach churned and his breakfast almost went back to his throat as he said those words, but if it means having Vincent wave the white flag at him, it’s worth it.

“I could handle anyone Vincent,” he chuckled, not realizing that he’s calling himself a manwhore by that statement, “The question is, can you handle me?” It was a rather weak retort, and Zac would’ve added something more to it if he wasn’t distracted by Vinnie’s comical reaction to his flying manpanties. “My, allergic to underwear, are we?”

Zac is definitely not prepared to see another man’s genitals today. He’s only seen another guy’s penis once before, that was when he walked into and interrupted his ward Cedric and his then-boyfriend Stephen (Cage) doing what they do best. He was 12 and was just entering puberty, so seeing a grown man’s junk really made him feel inadequate. Then again, five years have passed and he’s sure he’s grown much now, probably even better than Stephen. While he isn’t one to marvel at the beauty of his dick in the mirror every morning, he does praise himself about his genital superiority (Vin’s words, not his) from time to time.

He put his dress on the table and walked ever so cocky towards Vincent, eager to match his taunting gaze with his. He gave the guy a quick head-to-toe and, being the great Zachary that he is, gave Vincent a rather unsatisfied look. “That’s it? That’s the stuff you’re so proud off? My you’re nothing compared to-what the hell?!” It took him two seconds for Verax’s piercing to fully enter his system. When it did, Zac’s face almost turn green in disgust, his hands instinctively covering his mouth to prevent any backflow of his most recent meal.

For all his cocky attitude, Zac is squeamish against piercings. He’s only got two, on his ears, and he’s not planning on getting more. He never liked too much holes, may it be guys or girls. He never liked how it looked, and the pain that comes along with getting one (same goes for tattoos). It’s not too much to say that Zac found Verax’s penile jewelry extremely painful. He could just imagine how it would feel if it was he who got one. “You are one insane man Verax,” desperately trying to keep his eye away from Verax’s crotch, “So when d’you get that? After you discovered your powers?” Zac hopes he’d answer after he manifested his powers, because he doesn’t know how his stomach can take it if Vincent tells him he got it before he discovered he’s a meta.