exsilium | (no subject)

[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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That's an unusual request for patrons of the arts.

I'm a clever one. And one who knows how to handle himself.

Clearly.

[She gives him a considering look.]

Are you all right? Most artists I've met have been scraping by for a bed to call their own, not turning down a free one.

Course I'm all right. I got a free bed and some money, all just cuz they like me so much they want me to fight. This is the high point o' me life.

Who're you?

If you say so.

I'm Maria. I've been here about two months now.

How's it been?

That depends on the day. But I've been in a war before; it's no worse here, and in some ways better.

How's it better, then?

Not everything they ask us to do would risk our lives. Several weeks ago, we were sent to another time and place to act as petty vandals, little more. And there are fewer of the negative excesses one tends to see where soldiers gather.

Small blessin's. What time and place were it?

Some place called Australia. I don't recall the year—sometime in the past, but still far ahead of the time I came from.

What year are you from? I'm 1899, meself.

You're a bit ahead of me. I'm from 1191.