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

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.

Thanks.

[He gives her a little grin.]

'S free for friends, you know.

Then maybe I'll ask you sometime. [A little pause.] It's been a long time since I did anything like that...

Then gimmie somethin' good to make up for lost time, yeah?

You mean you want a picture?