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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[She grins at him.]

Never heard that one before.

Tell me you think I'm clever.

[He tilts his head.]

So what's your power, then?

The cleverest newsboy on any corner in Manhattan.

[She says that wryly at least, even if the next question makes her roll her eyes.]

And my power is useless. I fly.

No shit?

[He grins.]

That ain't useless-- aw, come on, that's amazin'!

[He downs his second shot-- and now it's starting to hit him, enough that some of his words are slurring.]

Not when you get motion-sick and hate heights.

[She lifts her eyebrows and takes a deeper drink from her glass.]

Maybe it's your purpose in life to-- to overcome your fears.

[She bursts out laughing, the sound genuine.]

If I have a purpose, I really hope it's something of a little more consequence than that.

Maybe it's both. You can have more'n one purpose! Purposes. And one of them is bein' a damn good flier.

Well, fears aside, nothing's going to save me from vomiting on everything.

Also part of your power. Ain't nobody said you had to catch criminals the, the normal way.

[She raises her eyebrows: Seriously, drunk man?]

I have enough of a reputation as it is. So there's no one at all with abilities where you're from?

[You started it. Jack shakes his head.]

Naaaah. All ordinary. All normal. 'S a lot easier.

How are you adjusting to here, then?

[He shrugs and gestures for another whiskey. Her questions bring up thoughts of Edelweiss, yeah, of those he left behind (who died)-- but it's so much easier to push that away.]

I-- um-- I knew people. Like that. Who did shit like that.

[...Interesting.]

I thought you said no one had abilities.

[A long drink of cranberry juice; another face pulled.]

Yeah, but there was a world inbetween. So.

[Her hand steals up to cup her chin. A world in between...She deliberately - she thinks - guesses wrong to keep him talking.]

You mean like...heaven? Do you mean you died?

Noooo, don't be stupid--

[His third drink arrives, and once again Jack downs it in one go.]

Not heaven. Not near heaven. Just-- a place in between home an' here. 'Nother world.

Okay, no more of those.

[He's the right degree of drunk; one more and he'll be too much drunk.]

My wallet can only take so much. So...Okay, tell me more about this world.

Mmmno.

[He says that dreamily and waves his hand for another.]

I'm-- mm. I'm not makin' you pay for all o' these. Don't be stupid. Just the first one.

[She drains the last of hers, then stands up.]

Well, I need more of mine, so let me at least get it for you. Will you at least switch to beer? It's better for keeping you from getting a hangover. "Liquor before beer, you're in the clear." All that.

Edited 2013-06-03 05:58 (UTC)

[He throws her an annoyed look.]

I'd rather deal with a hangover. Maybe after this whiskey.

[She plasters a great big grin on her face.]

Oh, come on. I'll give you a kiss on the cheek if you switch.

Temptin', but no. I'm lookin' to get real drunk, thanks.

[She sits up.]

Well, I'm not. And it's sort of rude to get way more drunk than your drinking companion. I'm trying to keep up, but it's going to be awkward for me.

[She tilts her head to the side.]

Be a gentleman. Slow down.