thedifferencebetween

[He's still in the clear. And, god, for a moment Tim honestly considers going against what he told Athena. He really does consider just giving up, just heading to Goldenrod, just playing it safe and keeping his head down. Just doing whatever Jack tells him.

Maybe it would be easier.

...Not like his life is ever easy nowadays.]

I can imagine. But uh.

I don't know, I get the feeling she's only gonna become more of a problem. If she's gathering people, I mean. Since there's more people from Pandora popping up here and all. Some of whom are seeming pretty dangerous.

So I had this crazy thought? Maybe it might be useful if someone could keep an eye on her?

You know. From close by.

I like your initiative, #2, but no. I need you here more than I need you keeping eyes on Athena. I've got eyes all over, don't worry. Don't end things badly, though. Could be useful in the future, if she thinks she's got a hook in you.

[Goddammit, he had a feeling that's what the answer would be. Now he just... has to figure out how much he can push this?]

Right. Yeah.

I just figured since she trusts me a lot, that'd be useful. I mean, Athena doesn't really trust most people. Plus, I already know her kinda well so that helps too.

Not trying to argue or anything! It's just that I'm not sure how well she'll take it if I go to you?

Probably not well. But she's not gonna take it out on YOU. And she can't get to me. I'm not without my resources here. By any means. Trust me, I'm well protected. If you're really worried, I can send you a friggin bodyguard.

It's more that I'm worried it'll fuck up the trust I've got here and then we can't use that for anything. Seems like a waste of something that could be really useful.

...Wait, you got bodyguards available? Seriously?

[Geez, how many people does Jack have working for him already?]

Rhys went home with me last week and she took HIM back, I don't think you gotta worry. I got some guys.

How many is some?

I mean, geez, you must work fast...

Enough for now. You know I do. I have plans, #2, I'm not letting any vault hunters screw them up this time.

[Well, now he's even more nervous about going against Jack. This is just great.

Can't things ever go his way? Just once?]

Big plans. Yeah. Wouldn't expect anything else.

Athena actually talked about that a little. About vault hunters screwing up your plans, that is. She mentioned some... things.

[Is there a delicate way of broaching the whole death thing?]

Yeah. I dunno what she told you, but she doesn't have any idea what really happened. And if she tried to tell you I'm dead, that's bullshit. It was close, but it takes a lot more than that to get rid of ME.

Right. I'm sure there's a biased perspective going on.

[Except the one with the biased perspective is Jack. Definitely Jack.]

She did tell me that, yeah. I mean, something like that's a little hard to believe anyway, but... What, she was just lying then?

Less lying, more passing along misinformation. Lilith's been telling everyone she killed me. She WISHES she'd killed me. But I know she got to Athena.

So how'd she convince people of that?

"I killed Handsome Jack" doesn't seem like an easy sell.

Well, I'm guessing my not exactly being AROUND after she ALMOST killed me probably has something to do with it... And then some idiot crashed Helios, I guess, so that's gotta help.

Wait.

What?

I'm guessing you don't really know Rhys yet, do you? Count yourself lucky. Yeah. He stuck Nakayama's stupid AI program in his head and went nuts on Helios, I guess? I dunno, he wasn't making much sense when he was trying to explain. But long confusing story short, he killed the main power and now our friggin home's gone. He also stole my shirt, so I'm...really not thrilled with him right now.

I know of him, sure. But I haven't really talked to the guy...

[Athena's informed him about a lot of this already. But that's not really important.

...Also what the hell, Jack, what's up with your priorities.]

Well. Fuck.

...Your shirt. Seriously?

Do yourself a favor, don't bother. Guy's a walking pain in the ass under a gorgeous head of hair. I mean, he's got balls, I'll give him that. When he can find'em. But jeezus.... Exactly. Yeah, I let him wear it home and haven't seen it since. Starting to regret my generosity.

Uh. Okay. Interesting choice of words.

[Jack are you sure you actually hate this guy?]

...Should I even ask what he was doing at your place?

Well, he DOES have great hair, I gotta give him that. Sleeping over, obviously. Ran into him after you at the festival.

[And he'd been dead drunk and barely able to stand, but let #2 take that however he wants. Maybe it'll cause Rhys some extra grief.]

[...Oh. Oh wow, okay. This is already more than he wants to know, nevermind.

Yikes.]

Right... obviously. Sure, I getcha.

...Gonna be honest, kinda surprised you didn't just kill him. Because of Helios and all.

Like I said, it was a long story. Helios can be rebuilt. It didn't even take THAT long the first time. Honestly, I'm more pissed at him for lying to me. But he does this thing where I'm all set to punish him and then...I dunno. He just keeps TALKING and I get distracted and it's like dogs, you know? If I don't rub his nose in it when it happens, he's not gonna learn.

[There's a pause before Tim sends another message. A very noticeable pause.]

I'm just gonna take your word for it and not think about that too much.

No offense.

Not blaming you. It's friggin weird to think about. How can Helios be GONE? I don't like thinking about it, either. But hey, at least I get another shot!

[Sure, that's what he meant, Jack.]

Yeah.

[This conversation is... ugh. Well, any conversation with Jack is ugh, really. But he does have an actual purpose here and he's just not getting it out.

Alright. Time for Plan B.]

I mean, after everything that's happened on that station it's pretty weird to think of it being taken down like that. After it survived all that business with the Lost Legion and the Eye and anyway I don't think I'm gonna make it to Goldenrod, but yeah damn, weird.

[NAILED IT.]

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