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[thedifferencebetween]

Handsome Jack here! I'm way too busy being awesome to answer the phone, but tell me why you're calling and if you're important enough, your people will hear from my people.

Comments

[secondhandsome]

[...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.

[thedifferencebetween]

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.

[secondhandsome]

[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.

[thedifferencebetween]

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!

[secondhandsome]

[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.]

[thedifferencebetween]

...You wanna try that again, cupcake? Cause I think your autotype function or something got away from you there.

I know you MEANT to type 'I'll be in Goldenrod soon'.

[secondhandsome]

[This was a bad idea, this was such a bad idea, just the absolute worst, oh god.]



I'm sorry.

[thedifferencebetween]

The only thing you better be sorry for is even THINKING of not doing what you've been told.

I'm not in any mood for this shit. And I'm warning you now, #2, I'm looking for ANY excuse to work out some of my...recent frustrations.

You keep that in mind before you answer again.

[secondhandsome]

[Yeah, there's the response he'd been dreading. It's only text on a screen, Jack's not actually there, but the threat gets to him anyway. He's very glad Jack can't see him, though, because Tim's poker face isn't great. He's sure that he must've gone pale at this reply.

He begins typing out his response. Erasing what he writes. Trying again.]

I'm really sorry sir it won't happen ag

You're right I didn't mean t

Ignore all of that, I'll be there soon.

[He erases it all, doesn't send any of it. Tim just takes a deep breath. Athena said she'll protect him. She'll stop Jack if he tries anything. He can threaten Tim all he likes, but he can't... he can't do anything.

For a while, he just sits there with his Gear. He still hasn't replied.

And it doesn't seem like he's going to.]

[thedifferencebetween]

[Jack gives it time. When no response follows the simple apology, his jaw clenches and he exhales heavily.]

Right.

Got the message loud and clear.

You know, I thought you were smarter than this. But okay. It's cool.

I haven't gotten to re-train any employees lately. I could use the workout. And you clearly need the reminder.

But I dunno. MAYBE you'll get off lucky, if you show up before one of my guys drags you to Goldenrod.

Maybe.</big