exsilium | (no subject)

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[Jack appears on the network. It looks as if he isn't aware he's being filmed at first; he glances around him nervously, his eyes darting from place to place.]

So-- right. You guys don't got no newsies, yeah? But I'm grown outta that business anyway, so I figure, I'll do somethin' else anyway.

[And now he focuses on the camera. His eyes are a little sunken in; his cheekbones jut out sharply from his face. The entire effect is unpleasant; he looks like he hasn't slept or eaten in quite some time. Carefully, each movement deliberate, he takes a cigarette out of his pocket; his gaze focuses on that as he speaks.]

I draw pictures. Real good, if I do say so myself. Do paints, too. You want your picture done? You want your wall painted? Maybe you're in theater, you want some sets done, or maybe you want somebody to put a, a, a mural on your wall. If it's somethin' to do with art, I can do it. I don't give a damn what it is. I'll paint you and your stupid girlfriend if you want, 's long as you pay me. Name's Jack Kelly.

[He nods sharply, once, and lights up the cigarette.]

An' in personal business, a couple thin's: this gun's good an' all, but I'm in the knives business, meself. Anybody sellin' any good blades? I don't mean no stores, all right, I ain't lookin' for no directions to no weapons shops. I'm talkin' about the good stuff, the stuff you get on the streets. I don't got much money yet, but like I said, I got a few skills I can exchange.

An' speakin' o' them: I hear I got some roommates. Miss, uh, Galadriel and some guy named Guy? Well, I ain't gonna be in at all. Not for sleepin', anyway. So don't trouble yourself with that, when you don't see me come in.

[A deliberate pause. He exhales a lungful of smoke and watches it drift upwards before adding:]

Asano Rin. I got a bone to pick with you, and I think you know why.

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Sure, why not. Look, I'll sit with you, how about that?

( She shrugs. Hey, sure! She'll just add - )

If you are, then no necking! But yeah, sure, that's fine. I just like the company!

( 99% motivation for everything she does right there. )

I got a girl, don't you worry. So where are you?

( She brightens up considerably at that. Collette smiles, more at an inward joke than anything else. )

I'll be in the lobby at the Housing complex before long, but I can roll on out to the Courtyard, since you don't seem to be so pleased with the whole apartment thing.

Got it in one. I'll just sit here an' smoke til then, how about that?

Works for me! See ya soon!

( She waggles her fingers at the screen before reaching out to turn it off. Collette leaves it propped up on the desk, going about getting herself ready for rolling out into the rain again.

Definitely sticking with the powered chair, she tells herself. All told, getting herself ready and out there takes a little more than a half hour. If she'd needed speed, she would have morphed, but meetings with potential friends (or interesting people, if not friends) didn't qualify as necessitating that speed.

Collette makes it out to the Courtyard, a colorful lap rug over her legs and a great big green umbrella attached to the back of her chair. It offers decent coverage, up high enough she can see around its edges looking up and around at anything but what stood immediately overhead.

When she catches sight of Jack, she waves with the hand not manipulating the wheelchair's controls. )

How'd the smoking go! I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long.

I smoked through two-- but then again, it was pretty sweet, so don't worry about it.

[He studies the wheelchair with an interested eye; the only ones he's ever seen are the rusty old things provided by the asylum. It's nice, sleek and quite quick, and he nods appreciatively.

He's soaking wet, of course, but that's all right. At least his hair isn't so greasy anymore.]

You want one?

( She waves a hand in front of her face, a smile and a shake of her head being most of her refusal. )

No thanks. Don't need anything extra in my lungs!

( Collette's used to others smoking, though the smell has never really endeared itself to her. She nods her head to the right. )

There's a nice cafe a few blocks that way. They make good soups. If you're not hungry, I think soup might be what I want on a day like this.

( She grins at her joke: every day is like this in Exsilium. Sunshine is the myth of the past! )

Soup it is.

[He pushes his hands in his pockets, flicks his hair out of his eyes, and begins walking next to her.]

What sort you like best?

( Small movements of her hand and fingers keeps her speed at his own walking pace. )

Depends. What day of the week is it? Saturday? Lentil's are good for Saturdays.

Which is?

( He gets a curious glance. )

You've never heard of lentils? It's sort of a kind of bean. Tastes yummy! Got a bit of a kick.

Lady, I'm Irish. If it ain't potatoes or bread, I probably ain't heard o' it. Maybe I'll try some o' yours, though.

Sure, if you want! Might be too spicy for you, but hey, you said you know bread...

( Oh man -- she grins. )

You're really Irish! I should introduce you to Simmaeri sometime. She sings. She was also a dinosaur once!

[His eyebrows raise, but he manages to say dryly:]

Born that way, or she just changes?

Born a dinosaur, I think! Not sure how she changed, but it was probably magic.

( She nods. )

Around here, most the time stuff like that is magic or a curse. We turn right over there! It's the fourth store down.

Yeah, I heard.

[He sighs as they turn the corner.]

How often they happen?

Um... how often does what happen?

( She doesn't follow what he's asking. )

Magic. Curses. Dinosaurs gettin' turned into people.

What? That... basically never happens? I mean, maybe some people were cursed back home, but the only really weird stuff happened when the Transport pads went wonky, and they fixed those errors. Magic is kind of hard to say. Loki probably uses his magic most often out of anyone, and he's kind of a mean trickster.

[He shrugs again, sharply.]

I'll stay outta his way, then. I just wanna know what shit I gotta do to not get caught up in crap.

[With a vague sort of air he holds the door to the shop open.]

Ladies first an' all.

He mostly isn't down this way. Which is better for everyone, from what his brother said.

( She smiles, dismissing the topic of Loki, if not how it almost seemed to make Jack tense. Other worlds... sure must be something hellacious at times. )

Woah, you see one around here?

( She makes a show of looking around, wide eyed, before laughing and aiming herself inside with a breezy: )

Thanks!

( Soon after calling a hello to the person behind the counter. )

[He follows her a little shyly, sticking by her chair nervously, shying away from anyone else. They're set up at a table in back, which he's grateful for; it's a little less crowded there. He's suddenly, painfully aware of the difference between them-- of her neat and precise appearance versus his own filthy (and bloody) rags.

Oh, well.]

I'll pay. If you like.

( Collette finishes arranging the extra chair out of the way, something begun by the person who'd lead them back before being waved off by the teen herself. She glances toward Jack, flashing him a smile. )

Hey, I'm the girl who's been here for a while! If it makes you feel okay, then sure, but I've got the money for this. ( She winks. ) Company's more than enough. I just usually have to bribe people out with food in the first place!

( It's usually been a very effective plan. She takes the chance to regard him now with open curiosity. He doesn't want anything to do with the apartments... hmm. )

There's free showers at the training center. If you're ever interested. We all had to use them when the complex got hit by a spaceship and was under heavy construction for a week.

( She reaches out to pick up the pepper shaker. )

Huh! These are new.

[He scowls a little despite himself, glancing away.]

Sorry. I, uh. I usually keep cleaner then this.