Handsome Jack - Hero of Pandora (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
thedifferencebetween) wrote2018-06-07 12:35 pm
thedifferencebetween) wrote2018-06-07 12:35 pm
[He said to call, but Mafuyu has something she wants to show him that she can't through a phone call, so she just leaves a message. Multiple messages, in fact, not even several minutes apart, each containing a single line of text, until she receives some sort of response.]
r u busy?
got somthing 2 show you!!!!!
hey hey we need to talk
its suuuuuu~per xciting news!
come on dont ignore me
pic up your damn phone
oh yeah btw this is Mafuyu <3
r u busy?
got somthing 2 show you!!!!!
hey hey we need to talk
its suuuuuu~per xciting news!
come on dont ignore me
pic up your damn phone
oh yeah btw this is Mafuyu <3
[Jack simply treats the 'gears as ECHO recorders and the connected network as the ECHOnet. A private communication? Those he'll use the video function for.]
[At least once the most recent mangled text comes in and he realizes that his lackey won't stop trying to get him to answer. The background when he finally flips his 'gear on in response appears to be outside. Some kind of garden of some sort.]
Oh my god, what is it?
[At least once the most recent mangled text comes in and he realizes that his lackey won't stop trying to get him to answer. The background when he finally flips his 'gear on in response appears to be outside. Some kind of garden of some sort.]
Oh my god, what is it?
Time to tell me your story. I'm not about to be left in the dark now that people from your world showed up.
[read: I have been stalking the network]
[read: I have been stalking the network]
It's a pretty long one! I mean, I love telling it, but I figured I'd warn you. Give you a chance for a potty break, get a snack.
[He's really not surprised. Or bothered, he's used to having his good name dragged through the mud by bandits and fallen enemies he should have killed but let live.]
By the way, one of those people hates me over a bunch of bullshit. Remember we were talking about how nothing'll get you screwed quicker than someone with a cause....?
[Granted that cause was 'bloody revenge', but still.]
[He's really not surprised. Or bothered, he's used to having his good name dragged through the mud by bandits and fallen enemies he should have killed but let live.]
By the way, one of those people hates me over a bunch of bullshit. Remember we were talking about how nothing'll get you screwed quicker than someone with a cause....?
[Granted that cause was 'bloody revenge', but still.]
[ The minute Rhys wakes up, he wants to go right back to sleep.
Usually Rhys didn't get sick unless it was some kind of ultimate, horrible superbug. Helios was pretty good about keeping things sanitary; it was Pandora that was the killer. When Rhys comes to, his head is pounding and he feels awful. He's got aches and pains and oh god, his belly hurts. He tastes eggs, though. Why does he taste eggs?
Yup, Rhys has a hangover. He's had a lot worse, but he's had a lot better, too.
What even happened? Jack came late last night, they talked (argued?) and then things got a little hazy. The party wasn't like a party he would have in college. There honestly wasn't any reason to get slammed and sneak off with your buddy, so why did it happen here?
He sits up with a groan, rubbing his eyes with the hell of his palms. He's on a couch. In someone's house. Rhys can still taste eggs. And there's Meowths...everywhere. He's so tempted to just lie back down and sleep for a while, because his head feels awful and his whole being feels like that, to be honest.
So that's what he does.
Rhys wakes some time later to a pillow (or what he hopes is a pillow) soaked with drool. Okay, that's not disgusting. He feels a little better, which is good! With him actually feeling like a regular human comes the fact that yeah, Rhys has no idea where he is. Which is kind of not good.
He'll get to his feet and stretch, rotating the shoulder where his metal arm is attached. ]
Uhh...hello?
Usually Rhys didn't get sick unless it was some kind of ultimate, horrible superbug. Helios was pretty good about keeping things sanitary; it was Pandora that was the killer. When Rhys comes to, his head is pounding and he feels awful. He's got aches and pains and oh god, his belly hurts. He tastes eggs, though. Why does he taste eggs?
Yup, Rhys has a hangover. He's had a lot worse, but he's had a lot better, too.
What even happened? Jack came late last night, they talked (argued?) and then things got a little hazy. The party wasn't like a party he would have in college. There honestly wasn't any reason to get slammed and sneak off with your buddy, so why did it happen here?
He sits up with a groan, rubbing his eyes with the hell of his palms. He's on a couch. In someone's house. Rhys can still taste eggs. And there's Meowths...everywhere. He's so tempted to just lie back down and sleep for a while, because his head feels awful and his whole being feels like that, to be honest.
So that's what he does.
Rhys wakes some time later to a pillow (or what he hopes is a pillow) soaked with drool. Okay, that's not disgusting. He feels a little better, which is good! With him actually feeling like a regular human comes the fact that yeah, Rhys has no idea where he is. Which is kind of not good.
He'll get to his feet and stretch, rotating the shoulder where his metal arm is attached. ]
Uhh...hello?
[It's a nice house. The couch Rhys wakes up on is black leather. There aren't any personal effects visible, but it's a tastefully decorated place. There's a tiered tabletop waterfall on the black lacquered coffee table.]
[There are Meowth in abundance. Meowth sporting yellow collars with circular gold nametags bearing a single 'H'. The color scheme skews heavily to black and yellow.]
[No one answers Rhys' call. Jack had attempted to rouse him earlier, given up, called Athena, and ended up stuck with a comatose idiot on his couch.]
[Which pales in comparison to the visage of his daughter. A visage that doesn't talk, but is fully corporeal. Enough that he can hold her and stroke her hair and feel the weight of her in his arms. He doesn't know why, he doesn't know what, but he also doesn't give a good god damn. He's holed up in his bedroom, mask off, attempting on and off to communicate with his 'daughter'.]
[There are Meowth in abundance. Meowth sporting yellow collars with circular gold nametags bearing a single 'H'. The color scheme skews heavily to black and yellow.]
[No one answers Rhys' call. Jack had attempted to rouse him earlier, given up, called Athena, and ended up stuck with a comatose idiot on his couch.]
[Which pales in comparison to the visage of his daughter. A visage that doesn't talk, but is fully corporeal. Enough that he can hold her and stroke her hair and feel the weight of her in his arms. He doesn't know why, he doesn't know what, but he also doesn't give a good god damn. He's holed up in his bedroom, mask off, attempting on and off to communicate with his 'daughter'.]
[Tim's been dreading getting in contact with Jack again. The festival had been... unpleasant and that sure hadn't helped, but even without that...
He still hasn't told Jack he's not going to Goldenrod. And he could just never tell Jack, just let him find out on his own and never talk to him again. But would that really work? No, it'd probably just piss him off a whole lot and land Tim on his shitlist. And Jack's shitlist is absolutely not a place he wants to be. No way.
Still, how's he supposed to break the news?
"Hey Jack, I know you said you wanted me in Goldenrod, but I decided I don't want to go, ha ha okay talk to you later."
"So funny story, I got really lost and ended up halfway across the world by accident, don't think I'm gonna make it to you."
"Oh, wait, you wanted me to go to Goldenrod? See, I misunderstood and went away from Goldenrod, isn't that hilarious?"
...yeah, no. He's going to need a better excuse than that. But what?
...]
So... I ran into Athena.
[God, there's no way this will work, but it's all he's got.]
He still hasn't told Jack he's not going to Goldenrod. And he could just never tell Jack, just let him find out on his own and never talk to him again. But would that really work? No, it'd probably just piss him off a whole lot and land Tim on his shitlist. And Jack's shitlist is absolutely not a place he wants to be. No way.
Still, how's he supposed to break the news?
"Hey Jack, I know you said you wanted me in Goldenrod, but I decided I don't want to go, ha ha okay talk to you later."
"So funny story, I got really lost and ended up halfway across the world by accident, don't think I'm gonna make it to you."
"Oh, wait, you wanted me to go to Goldenrod? See, I misunderstood and went away from Goldenrod, isn't that hilarious?"
...yeah, no. He's going to need a better excuse than that. But what?
...]
So... I ran into Athena.
[God, there's no way this will work, but it's all he's got.]
The next words I read better be either 'and we had a nice chat and she's not gonna be a problem' or 'I kicked her in the shin for you'.
[ It's been some time since Rhys hung up the private call with Jack, but he can't stop looking at his 'gear. His head is spinning, his heart is still hammering away in his chest. This man is unpredictable, totally insane. Why can't Jack just leave him alone?
Rhys is more than sure he's made it obvious that he wants to kill contact. He's only told Jack how many times now? But he kept badgering, saying something about "toughening a person up" and "helping to make a backbone". Rhys has been through so much in the past week (on Pandora, anyway) that he could have like, three backbones if he wanted. He traveled halfway across the planet, fought against skags and rakks alike. He destroyed goddamn Helios. And he killed a Jack that...wasn't Jack? Was Jack? That still confuses him. The more he thinks about it, the more he doesn't feel good.
It's so hard when your ex-hero is constantly badgering you, offering "help" and assistance and guidance, and letting you borrow his clothes for chrissake. Handsome Jack had been Rhys' role model for ages, and how he was seeing what he was truly like. He didn't like it.
After a while, he stands up and makes for the hotel room's window, resting his head against the cold pane. Rhys can't deal with this anymore. He's tired, so tired. ]
Rhys is more than sure he's made it obvious that he wants to kill contact. He's only told Jack how many times now? But he kept badgering, saying something about "toughening a person up" and "helping to make a backbone". Rhys has been through so much in the past week (on Pandora, anyway) that he could have like, three backbones if he wanted. He traveled halfway across the planet, fought against skags and rakks alike. He destroyed goddamn Helios. And he killed a Jack that...wasn't Jack? Was Jack? That still confuses him. The more he thinks about it, the more he doesn't feel good.
It's so hard when your ex-hero is constantly badgering you, offering "help" and assistance and guidance, and letting you borrow his clothes for chrissake. Handsome Jack had been Rhys' role model for ages, and how he was seeing what he was truly like. He didn't like it.
After a while, he stands up and makes for the hotel room's window, resting his head against the cold pane. Rhys can't deal with this anymore. He's tired, so tired. ]
[There's a sense of water, rushing through his hands. He can try and try and grasp it and pull it tight, but it just slips out of his grasp. Handsome Jack is not happy. His own body double was playing dangerous games with him. He's not getting answers from people he ought to be.]
[And then there's Rhys.]
[It's both fortuitous and a pity that the former Hyperion employee remained where he was. Ecruteak is the one place that Jack can travel to in minutes. And it doesn't take much to charm Rhys' room number out of the night desk clerk.]
[Jack slips inside the room silently. There's Rhys, his back to the door, absorbed in the view or some deep thoughts. Who does this kid think he is? He thinks he can play on the same level as Jack, thinks he's strong enough to say 'no'. It's about time he learned differently.]
[Without warning, Jack grabs Rhys from behind and clamps a large hand over his mouth.]
Did you really think I'd just go away, after you talked to me like that?
[And then there's Rhys.]
[It's both fortuitous and a pity that the former Hyperion employee remained where he was. Ecruteak is the one place that Jack can travel to in minutes. And it doesn't take much to charm Rhys' room number out of the night desk clerk.]
[Jack slips inside the room silently. There's Rhys, his back to the door, absorbed in the view or some deep thoughts. Who does this kid think he is? He thinks he can play on the same level as Jack, thinks he's strong enough to say 'no'. It's about time he learned differently.]
[Without warning, Jack grabs Rhys from behind and clamps a large hand over his mouth.]
Did you really think I'd just go away, after you talked to me like that?
FINALLY i can reply to this right if you want me to fix/redo anything let me know!
atlasrising
- 2016-09-02 01:01 (UTC) - Expand[Manaka calls Jack before she has even left the Pokémon Center. If he has a place in town, she doesn't want to walk all the way back to the base only to find out that she needs to turn around and go out again.
Whether he picks up or lets her call go to voicemail, her message is delivered without preamble.]
Where are you right now? There's something I want to give you!
Whether he picks up or lets her call go to voicemail, her message is delivered without preamble.]
Where are you right now? There's something I want to give you!
[Jack is indeed at his house in Goldenrod. He's also a great deal of painkillers. And not in the mood to deal with anyone beyond Rhys at the moment.]
[But then he sees who's actually trying to call him. And listens to the message. Oh. That's sweet. Manaka wants to give him something. She's a good girl.]
Hey, sweetheart.
[Jack's voice is rough and a little slurred when he returns the call. He doesn't sound like himself.]
That's...that's so nice. You're a nice kid, 'naka. 'M at home, but today...it is not a good day. Got...got some stuff going on. Asshole making some trouble for me. Won't friggin leave me alone. Had to...had to get involved. Needed any excuse to come after me...
[But then he sees who's actually trying to call him. And listens to the message. Oh. That's sweet. Manaka wants to give him something. She's a good girl.]
Hey, sweetheart.
[Jack's voice is rough and a little slurred when he returns the call. He doesn't sound like himself.]
That's...that's so nice. You're a nice kid, 'naka. 'M at home, but today...it is not a good day. Got...got some stuff going on. Asshole making some trouble for me. Won't friggin leave me alone. Had to...had to get involved. Needed any excuse to come after me...
[ ... So, when Jack checks his mail for his greeting card business, he'll find... this. There's nothing to identify who sent it or from where. It's just a simple package with a really freaking terrifying mask inside.
Happy Bloody Harvest, Jack! ]
Happy Bloody Harvest, Jack! ]
[ Up to Jack's house he goes. Again. Unknown to Athena and company. Again.
Rhys hasn't avoided Jack, per se. He's been thinking about an offer that was made not too long ago, because considering recent events, he's not sure he's happy with where he's at. 'Where he's at' meaning with Athena and the crew of Vault Hunters, living in Ecruteak. After getting half strangled to death, things have been...complicated.
This isn't the first time Rhys has visited Jack without everyone knowing. As far as he can tell, nobody is aware that this is happening. If Athena knew, she would throw a fit. Especially with what's all been happening with Not-Jack, which Rhys still doesn't know how to comprehend. Yeah, the part where Jack told him it was "just business"? He's not buying that. That was a horrible, dick move.
Yet here Rhys is, knocking on his door.
Jack has tried to kill him as an AI, but none of that counts since it wasn't the actual Handsome Jack. There's too many different things, too many personality changes. Whoever made Holo-Jack messed up, bad. But the real Jack has hurt him here, hence the strangling thing. He did it to Rhys so hard he ended up passing out and woke with bruises around his neck for at least a solid week.
Rhys feels like Athena doesn't care about him, though. She's off with Not-Jack and Krieg, and Janey. Vaughn's gone. Fi's gone. There's literally nobody around that Rhys can call a friend aside from Walter and Korra. And Jack. ]
Jack? You home?
Rhys hasn't avoided Jack, per se. He's been thinking about an offer that was made not too long ago, because considering recent events, he's not sure he's happy with where he's at. 'Where he's at' meaning with Athena and the crew of Vault Hunters, living in Ecruteak. After getting half strangled to death, things have been...complicated.
This isn't the first time Rhys has visited Jack without everyone knowing. As far as he can tell, nobody is aware that this is happening. If Athena knew, she would throw a fit. Especially with what's all been happening with Not-Jack, which Rhys still doesn't know how to comprehend. Yeah, the part where Jack told him it was "just business"? He's not buying that. That was a horrible, dick move.
Yet here Rhys is, knocking on his door.
Jack has tried to kill him as an AI, but none of that counts since it wasn't the actual Handsome Jack. There's too many different things, too many personality changes. Whoever made Holo-Jack messed up, bad. But the real Jack has hurt him here, hence the strangling thing. He did it to Rhys so hard he ended up passing out and woke with bruises around his neck for at least a solid week.
Rhys feels like Athena doesn't care about him, though. She's off with Not-Jack and Krieg, and Janey. Vaughn's gone. Fi's gone. There's literally nobody around that Rhys can call a friend aside from Walter and Korra. And Jack. ]
Jack? You home?
[Well, well, well.]
[What is this? Jack hasn't called Rhys. The kid's here all on his own. Now that's something. Jack's home, and he gets up to answer the door. He's looking a lot better than he has been, though still minus the mask. He's even dressing in actual clothes, not just sweats. He's got his classic Hyperion sweater on, and a pair of black jeans.]
[He opens the door and leans casually in the frame, a cup of coffee in his hand.]
Yeah, I'm home. Heya, cupcake, what brings you calling?
[Doom Boner is at Jack's feet, wiggling with excitement (to the extent a sphere on legs can wiggle) and howling at seeing a friend.]
[What is this? Jack hasn't called Rhys. The kid's here all on his own. Now that's something. Jack's home, and he gets up to answer the door. He's looking a lot better than he has been, though still minus the mask. He's even dressing in actual clothes, not just sweats. He's got his classic Hyperion sweater on, and a pair of black jeans.]
[He opens the door and leans casually in the frame, a cup of coffee in his hand.]
Yeah, I'm home. Heya, cupcake, what brings you calling?
[Doom Boner is at Jack's feet, wiggling with excitement (to the extent a sphere on legs can wiggle) and howling at seeing a friend.]
Hey there, Jack. Sorry I've been out of touch- I'm not saying that someone in skull-themed gangwear broke my Pokegear, but that's actually exactly what happened. But hey, at least it was exciting, right?
Anyway, I know we couldn't meet up, but I got you something anyway. Let me know your address, and you'll get your not-so-much-a-surprise gift.
Hope you're doing alright. Dee out.
Anyway, I know we couldn't meet up, but I got you something anyway. Let me know your address, and you'll get your not-so-much-a-surprise gift.
Hope you're doing alright. Dee out.
Don't even worry about it, babe, I haven't exactly been Mr. Social myself. Got out for the all the fun, though! What a bunch of buckets of hair those assholes were, huh?
[But he's glad to hear from her. He doesn't know if this is actually gonna go anywhere beyond the extremely casual, but he likes her. She's fun and she's smart and it's easy to talk to her.]
And, uh...eh, kinda got into a scuffle and my mask got...well, to be blunt, a crazy lady ripped it off my face. So...probably woulda canceled on ya anyway, I was going through some weird stuff. Actually not even at home right now, my special girl wanted to take a trip.
By which I mean the fourteen year old girl I've started looking after. We're heading to that farm, gonna buy her a pony. And my own pony, 'cause fire unicorns are freaking awesome.
So yeah, yeah, it's been a month!
[But he's glad to hear from her. He doesn't know if this is actually gonna go anywhere beyond the extremely casual, but he likes her. She's fun and she's smart and it's easy to talk to her.]
And, uh...eh, kinda got into a scuffle and my mask got...well, to be blunt, a crazy lady ripped it off my face. So...probably woulda canceled on ya anyway, I was going through some weird stuff. Actually not even at home right now, my special girl wanted to take a trip.
By which I mean the fourteen year old girl I've started looking after. We're heading to that farm, gonna buy her a pony. And my own pony, 'cause fire unicorns are freaking awesome.
So yeah, yeah, it's been a month!
[The next time Jack checks his gear, he'll find an interesting video waiting for him. The image is centered on the slender upper torso and face of one Marian Hawke. Her head is cast back, lips parted just enough to let out sharp breaths and soft groans. Her body rocks up and down, and yes, so to do her breasts. A hand, a masculine one, reaches out, squeezing a breast just enough to elicit a groan from the raven-haired woman.]
[Then the video loops back and begins again.]
[Then the video loops back and begins again.]
[Left on the doorknob of Jack's room is a yellow and black omamori, tied with a yellow string. A note is attached.]
Happy New Years, Jack! I can't properly use my witchcraft in this place, but I wanted to make this for you anyway. It's supposed to bring good luck. I hope you like it!
- Manaka
Happy New Years, Jack! I can't properly use my witchcraft in this place, but I wanted to make this for you anyway. It's supposed to bring good luck. I hope you like it!
- Manaka
Hello, this is Jill Valentine. First time using the private messaging feature so I'm not quite sure if it tells you who is messaging you.
Anyway, don't know too many people and you seem like a guy in the know. So, to get to my roundabout point, you wouldn't happen to know if there are any good doctors around? Preferably discreet.
Consider it a favor; I always return mine.
Anyway, don't know too many people and you seem like a guy in the know. So, to get to my roundabout point, you wouldn't happen to know if there are any good doctors around? Preferably discreet.
Consider it a favor; I always return mine.
Got a guy here in Goldenrod, doesn't ask questions. Kinda sketch, but knows what he's doing. And keeps his mouth shut.
Don't go to the Center or anything. Opposite of discreet. And they keep all kinds of detailed records.
Don't go to the Center or anything. Opposite of discreet. And they keep all kinds of detailed records.
[A rapping of an Oricorio’s beak at a nearby door, window, tree or rock might alert Jack to the fact that he had a visitor. Clutched in the beak of the creature is a pink, heart-shaped piece of paper. Opening it up would reveal a handwritten note and adorned with a Houndour sticker.]
Don’t play too Ruff -- Angel ଘ(à©*ˊᵕˋ)à©*
[Beneath the playful letter is a more serious one.]
Jack Dad,
First off, I want to thank you for the gifts you sent me. The chocolates are absolutely delicious (and I promise not to eat them all at once).
Secondly, I want to say that
I am still very
Thank you for being so pati
You're my Dad. I have to remember that. We have good memories and those are important to me. Maybe we can make new good memories someday soon.
All the best,
Angel
Don’t play too Ruff -- Angel ଘ(à©*ˊᵕˋ)à©*
[Beneath the playful letter is a more serious one.]
First off, I want to thank you for the gifts you sent me. The chocolates are absolutely delicious (and I promise not to eat them all at once).
You're my Dad. I have to remember that. We have good memories and those are important to me. Maybe we can make new good memories someday soon.
All the best,
Angel
[Their first big Job is coming up and Jack is...not thrilled. He's been thinking about tattling but he's afraid that his friends might get hurt if they try to do too much too soon so that has left Jack a frazzled mess.]
[He can be seen in the communal laundry room ironing out the bland bland bland suit he's chosen for Prom. He's ironing a hole into one sleeve.]
[He can be seen in the communal laundry room ironing out the bland bland bland suit he's chosen for Prom. He's ironing a hole into one sleeve.]
What the hell is that thing, and what grave did you steal it out of?
[With Big Plans happening soon, Handsome Jack's been around the base more. The base that, in his opinion, needed some major renovations and decor change.]
[Plus he likes to keep an eye on the other Rockets. For various reasons. Especially the ones he thinks of as 'his people'. Which really isn't that much when he thinks about. What, he's got his boyfriend, his kind of adopted daughter thing, and The Oldest Man In The Universe. Nutballs.]
[It's that last one he's particular looking for. And when he finds him...seriously, why is he burning a terrible suit on base?]
Do not tell me that's yours.
[With Big Plans happening soon, Handsome Jack's been around the base more. The base that, in his opinion, needed some major renovations and decor change.]
[Plus he likes to keep an eye on the other Rockets. For various reasons. Especially the ones he thinks of as 'his people'. Which really isn't that much when he thinks about. What, he's got his boyfriend, his kind of adopted daughter thing, and The Oldest Man In The Universe. Nutballs.]
[It's that last one he's particular looking for. And when he finds him...seriously, why is he burning a terrible suit on base?]
Do not tell me that's yours.
hey pops. hvnt seen u in awhl. hwz ur heart? stil alive? x
type like a real person, please,
sweetheart.
you know damn well my heart is fine. just been busy, my wife showed up.
sweetheart.
you know damn well my heart is fine. just been busy, my wife showed up.
[so if Felix wants to talk to Jack he could just fucking. walk over to him. but that would imply a level of caring.
and he's trying real hard not to imply anything of the sort.]
did u know i've almost been here a fucking year now
what the hell
and he's trying real hard not to imply anything of the sort.]
did u know i've almost been here a fucking year now
what the hell
ha, yeah, that shit sneaks up on ya.
i'be been here over a year, hot stuff. i've had two friggin birthdays here.
i suppose you want some kind of 'holy shit i've been stuck in this hell for a year' present.
i'be been here over a year, hot stuff. i've had two friggin birthdays here.
i suppose you want some kind of 'holy shit i've been stuck in this hell for a year' present.
hey pops. how u bin?
[She heard your gf disappeared.]
[She heard your gf disappeared.]
not so hot, sweetheart.
my 3some's down to a 2some. not quite as fun.
[And it came at a shitty time, too. He's not doing so hot after that little adventure in the woods, reliving shit like that.]
[It also doesn't fail to dawn on him that it's Diana who's checking up on him.]
how bout you?
my 3some's down to a 2some. not quite as fun.
[And it came at a shitty time, too. He's not doing so hot after that little adventure in the woods, reliving shit like that.]
[It also doesn't fail to dawn on him that it's Diana who's checking up on him.]
how bout you?
[This place is... Well, it's very different from anything you can find in the bright world filled with Pokemon. And it's not because there's no cute creatures running around, although there aren't. It's not because it looks different either, because it does.
No. The real difference is the scent of death.
It's probably a startling difference, going from the forest into what was clearly a battlefield. There's metal buildings, some with smoke coming off them, but it's all quiet. And what isn't metal is made of dark, cold rock, often splattered with blood. There are corpses everywhere. Mainly of people wearing power armor. But there are a few scattered ones of... something else.
And sitting -- hiding -- behind a rock is someone wearing orange and gray power armor.
It's not what he wore during the war. The type is the same, but the colors are wrong. It's not UNSC standard at all. But it's a dream and Felix associates himself with these colors too much. There's no way he would be wearing beige and green.]
Shit, shit, shit, shit...
[The panicked muttering is... very different from his usual confidence.]
No. The real difference is the scent of death.
It's probably a startling difference, going from the forest into what was clearly a battlefield. There's metal buildings, some with smoke coming off them, but it's all quiet. And what isn't metal is made of dark, cold rock, often splattered with blood. There are corpses everywhere. Mainly of people wearing power armor. But there are a few scattered ones of... something else.
And sitting -- hiding -- behind a rock is someone wearing orange and gray power armor.
It's not what he wore during the war. The type is the same, but the colors are wrong. It's not UNSC standard at all. But it's a dream and Felix associates himself with these colors too much. There's no way he would be wearing beige and green.]
Shit, shit, shit, shit...
[The panicked muttering is... very different from his usual confidence.]
...the hell is this?
[Bloody battlefields aren't exactly a strange sight in Jack's subconscious, but usually he's standing over them all triumphant with Taylor Swift clinging to him. And this isn't one of his battlefields, he doesn't even know where this planet is.]
[Plus, Felix is here. Or so Jack assumes, because why else would some dude in friggin orange space armor be hanging out in Jack's dream? Literally can only be Felix. Probably. Or some weird subconscious manifestation of the other guy, Jack's still not sure how this whole thing works. Plus, it sounds like him.]
This one definitely isn't mine. So...why are you pissing yourself behind a rock, pumpkinbutt?
[Since it looks like whatever the hell happened here is over and done with. The corpses and pieces of...whatever are a pretty obvious clue, as far as Jack's concerned.]
[Bloody battlefields aren't exactly a strange sight in Jack's subconscious, but usually he's standing over them all triumphant with Taylor Swift clinging to him. And this isn't one of his battlefields, he doesn't even know where this planet is.]
[Plus, Felix is here. Or so Jack assumes, because why else would some dude in friggin orange space armor be hanging out in Jack's dream? Literally can only be Felix. Probably. Or some weird subconscious manifestation of the other guy, Jack's still not sure how this whole thing works. Plus, it sounds like him.]
This one definitely isn't mine. So...why are you pissing yourself behind a rock, pumpkinbutt?
[Since it looks like whatever the hell happened here is over and done with. The corpses and pieces of...whatever are a pretty obvious clue, as far as Jack's concerned.]
pretends to know shit about halo and just picks a random battle
moneylogues
- 2017-11-22 03:13 (UTC) - Expandwell its less YOU and more what you can DO normally, but i'm gonna guess youre not in the mood to argue semantics
what happened? you wanna come home? thats up in blackthorn these days.
you can get away from the bustle for a bit just chill out. its just me and felix and sometimes diana at the house.
what happened? you wanna come home? thats up in blackthorn these days.
you can get away from the bustle for a bit just chill out. its just me and felix and sometimes diana at the house.
Um. Hi, dad.
I... didn't want to make a big deal out of this, but...
I am heading back to Goldenrod for a few days.
I have a warp here now, so I can come back soon.
Will you teach me to ski when I do?seriously? already? angel this is the first time in over a year i've had you home and it's hardly been any time at all. i know i know you just wanna go for a few days, but...
is this about diana?
is this about diana?
heya pops. i miss you. hows things back home? x
miss you too, princess. it's just me and felix rattling around this big ass place, sucks.
[Jack is on the receiving end of a small parcel, which contains a photograph in a simple, pretty silver frame. The photo in question is one Jinx took of Diana and Gaia during their first 4th Wall, so Gaia is an under one infant.]
Happy V-Day Pops! Luv D xx
[Oh, there's also a clock.]
Oh, and Happy Anniversary.
Happy V-Day Pops! Luv D xx
[Oh, there's also a clock.]
Oh, and Happy Anniversary.
[Jack! You've got more gifts! It's two adorable, soft Furfrou pups and a ball of grey fur that appears to be a Poochyena.]
These are yours now. Call 'em whatever you want. Apart from one of the fluffy ones. That one's called Fifi Jr. Pass it onto Fifi for me. No, he can't change it. Love you. D x
[Are these presents of love? Vengeance for spoiling her fun? Or just because she needs to pawn them off on someone? Hope your house is ready for the destruction of three, newly hatched puppies!]
These are yours now. Call 'em whatever you want. Apart from one of the fluffy ones. That one's called Fifi Jr. Pass it onto Fifi for me. No, he can't change it. Love you. D x
[Are these presents of love? Vengeance for spoiling her fun? Or just because she needs to pawn them off on someone? Hope your house is ready for the destruction of three, newly hatched puppies!]
holy shit, when did felix and me become that cliche of the married dudes with dogs?
i'll be sure to give him his, though, and tell him its from you.
i'll be sure to give him his, though, and tell him its from you.
[It took a little longer than expected, but Newt's found himself in Cherrygrove. He promptly checks himself into a hotel and collapses onto the bed, his new Espurr immediately curling up on his back and falling asleep. His Tynamo, whose name is also still up in the air because Newt Can't Make Simple Decisions To Save His Life, lies down on a pillow and falls asleep within minutes.
Once he's had a little time to actually rest from three straight days of walking because hoo boy were his legs not ready for that, Newt remembers his conversation with Jack. He'd get up and go grab up his PokeGear, but that's in his bag on the floor, and there's a psychic cat on his back, and instead of standing he sort of. Wriggles on the bed until he's juuuuust close enough to stretch his arm out and pull the bag closer. The Espurr doesn't wake up, thankfully.
It's only when Newt actually opens his PokeGear and looks at the message screen that he grimaces. God, what does he even say? "Hey, complete stranger I talked to once like 4 days ago, here's my exact location, come find me so we can get drunk! Dont like, kill me in my sleep or something!"
Ah, whatever. Fuck it. Newt starts typing.]
hey handsome
wait no that sent too early fuck
i wasnt just calling you handsome
i MEAN
U ARE HANDSOME. BECAUSE THATS. UR NAME
AND U ARE ATTRACTIVE
WHICH IS AN OBJECTIVE FACT
I JUST WANTED 2 SAY IM IN CHERRYGROVE AND U TOLD ME TO TELL U WHEN I GOT HERE OK COOL
Once he's had a little time to actually rest from three straight days of walking because hoo boy were his legs not ready for that, Newt remembers his conversation with Jack. He'd get up and go grab up his PokeGear, but that's in his bag on the floor, and there's a psychic cat on his back, and instead of standing he sort of. Wriggles on the bed until he's juuuuust close enough to stretch his arm out and pull the bag closer. The Espurr doesn't wake up, thankfully.
It's only when Newt actually opens his PokeGear and looks at the message screen that he grimaces. God, what does he even say? "Hey, complete stranger I talked to once like 4 days ago, here's my exact location, come find me so we can get drunk! Dont like, kill me in my sleep or something!"
Ah, whatever. Fuck it. Newt starts typing.]
hey handsome
wait no that sent too early fuck
i wasnt just calling you handsome
i MEAN
U ARE HANDSOME. BECAUSE THATS. UR NAME
AND U ARE ATTRACTIVE
WHICH IS AN OBJECTIVE FACT
I JUST WANTED 2 SAY IM IN CHERRYGROVE AND U TOLD ME TO TELL U WHEN I GOT HERE OK COOL
[Luckily for Newt, Jack is far more interested in actual company in the vicinity of his own age than random murder at the moment. Plus the whole murder thing doesn't work here, so he's kind of given it up. Though not for lack of trying over the years...]
[He's also laughing his ass off at the message that pops up.
wow do they have txting where u come from or r u just really this bad at it?
or r u really bad at flirting?
i no i can b an overwhelming presence and evrything but what is happening here? its like a stroke in word form.
lemme fix that 4 u. 'hey dude i'm in cherrygrove, meet u at the bar'. there.
and i will.
meet u at the bar i mean.
[He's also laughing his ass off at the message that pops up.
wow do they have txting where u come from or r u just really this bad at it?
or r u really bad at flirting?
i no i can b an overwhelming presence and evrything but what is happening here? its like a stroke in word form.
lemme fix that 4 u. 'hey dude i'm in cherrygrove, meet u at the bar'. there.
and i will.
meet u at the bar i mean.
[Hey. Hope you wanted a drunk text at 4 in the morning. Coz you're getting one.]
wer u tryin 2 push drugs on Ji?
nt kl. vry nt kl pop
wer u tryin 2 push drugs on Ji?
nt kl. vry nt kl pop
says my probably drunk teen who's got a kid of her own in the middle of the nite.
u know booze is a drug, rite? it's liquid drugs.
u know booze is a drug, rite? it's liquid drugs.
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