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.

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Mine right now. You could get to meet Vanadi.

Sorry, is that a threat or a warnin' or a hint for me to get excited?

[He stretches as they slip out of the elevator-- though he chuckles when he catches sight of what floor they're on.]

You're on here too? We're neighbors. Or hallmates. Or somethin'.

Floor seven? [A pause.] Good. You can sleep on my floor if you can't handle the apartment now.

Anyway, Vanadi's nice. Be nice, okay?

When've you ever known me to not be nice? I can be nice. Don't look at me like I pick fights, all right, I can be a real nice guy.

[All said with a mocking air, of course! But he really does intend to be-- well, sweet. If he can. Maybe.]

How are you this cheerful when the last thing you remember is dying by fire?

Cuz I don't let meself think about it! Now stop bringin' it up and start tellin' me what you're gonna serve me for dinner.

[He gives her a bright smile, only slightly edged.]

[A pause, as she quiets, face casting guilty a bit. That was meaner than she should have been.]

How about some soup? Bread? [Pause.] How did you even know to ask for me?

Anythin' light. Bread's good.

[He sighs as they finally reach her complex door.]

Cuz you're the only one I remember. Your name, your face . . . I remember all our friends, all the . . . people there, but you're the only one I remember with, you know. Clarity.

[A dead pause. She stares at him, her expression so mixed. Dead horror, sorrow.]

It's not like that for me. I remember all of them now.

[He glances over at her-- and now he just looks tired, the manic cheer gone from his expression.]

I dunno which is better.

It used to be like that for both of us in the Port. [Hollowly. She raises her shoulders, staring at the floor; releases tension and looks up, hyperextending her neck. She knows which one she thinks is better.]

... Jack, I'm so sorry.

[But immediately he shakes his head.]

Don't. Don't-- not right now. Please. Let's just-- let's just go and eat somethin' and you can talk to me, and we'll be cheerful, and it'll be okay. Just for today. Please.

All right. [She nearly whispers. She wants to scream, kind of, but what he wants takes priority - he's fresh out.] What do you want to talk about?

Anythin'.

[He pushes a hand through his hair and wearily takes a seat.]

What do you do now? What're your interests?

I train a lot. There's lots of movies and books you can find on your communicator... I wait to go on missions. I explore the city here. It's huge, and it's not all that bad to be here... especially, there's a lot of relaxed time between missions.

Does that sound fun?

. . . yeah. It do.

[He glances up at her face once, uncertainly, before reaching over to grab her hand.]

You-- you happy here?

[She gives that hand a squeeze.]

More than I've been anywhere else.

[Not quite entirely true, perhaps. But it's a feeling of rightfulness of place, not always evident, but there like banked coals.]

Let's get you some food, huh?

Yeah.

[And somewhere in his chest, a little knot of tension loosens. Jack rubs at the back of his head and stands, following her into the kitchen. There's a sink there, and with a small smile he turns on the hot water.]

Chri-ist. And here I thought I missed me coffee most o' all, but no. Hot water--

[Surprisingly carefully he begins washing his hands and face, splashing at his greasy hair.]

Why don't you go take a shower? I'll get things ready for you. I think we even have coffee around here...

No shit? Thanks, Rin.

[He gives her a grin, pleased and a little shy, and heads off to her bathroom. It's a quick shower-- just something to ease his muscles and get the grease out of his hair-- but he spends a bit of time scrubbing his clothes too. It means he comes out with rather damp clothes (although not soaking wet; he knows enough to pat them dry, at least).]

Christ, but that felt good. Although now I smell like girly shampoo, but, uh, at least I'm clean, right?

[She's got soup warming on the stove and, as promised, coffee bubbling in a coffee pot, a thin stream splashing down into the pot below. She glances over her shoulder and smiles slightly.]

Much better... besides you looking like a ghost. [But that'll get better when he is out a little more, and gains some weight back. She pads over to take a seat at the kitchen table.]

Have you made any new friends here?

Ashraf is pretty interestin', I like him.

[He sits across from her, rubbing at his hair to dry it a bit.]

Uh-- what else-- oh, I got a job drawin' some portraits for this guy Conner.

He's nice. He works at the clinic. I think he's trustworthy. I don't know Connor... though you know, if you don't want to take a job you don't have to. [Just said idly. She actually mostly expects he'll want to take a job.]

Yeah, I know. But-- I dunno-- I like bein' busy. And it's fun, bein' paid to draw. Almost like bein' paid to eat or somethin'.

It'll be good for you if you're busy. And it can be a while between missions sometimes. It's a good idea.

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allucinator - 2013-06-09 04:12 (UTC) - Expand

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