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 Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 9:43 pm
Jerry's mind was in a daze after the meeting with H. Having the cafeteria open again, complete with proper coffee and meals that didn't come in bags had made a big difference at least.
He had shaved again at Sasha's request. It had been good for him, at least trying to keep up appearances when his heart wasn't in it. Too many things buzzing. It almost felt like the insanity again, threatening to overload him, but Roar's quiet consulting had helped keep him straight without being drowned out by the buzz of whispers.
His guitar leaned against the table beside him as he poked at his egg sandwich, and finally just resolved to sip at his coffee.
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Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 10:27 pm
When asked to associate a name with the word 'Warm' or 'Compassionate', Petra was probably the farthest from anyone's mind. She was certainly not one of those social butterflies with a million friends, one of those people who could just randomly start talking to someone and make them feel like they were suddenly, inexplicably close. It was no secret that when it came to human interaction, things never really seemed to add up for the moon hunter. In fact, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that a conversation with her probably left most feeling less connected with her than before. And with her absence the recent months, even with her own peers, whom had grown close and bonded over tough times and near-death experiences, now more than ever it was painfully clear that even among the Phoenixes, she was somewhat of an outcast. But if there was one thing that she had always been sure about, it was that Jerry was different. Robert might have been the one who re-stole her heart in the end, but when the world was nothing more than a bunch of gas masks and the will to survive, he was the first one she had cared about. When she had not even blinked at killing someone, or cared in the least at how all of Zeta had called her a traitor for teaming up with the Alphas, she had wanted to keep him safe. And while she loved all the Phoenixes, and would even now gladly give her life for any one of them, she still considered him to probably be her closest friend.
And she was literally ashamed to say she had no idea what was going on in Jerry's life.
Petra recognized the guitar before she recognized the sun hunter, it had been that long. Clutching her own cup of coffee, she had almost walked right by him without even paying him a second glance, distracted herself by the going-ons of being a hunter. It was the guitar which really lead her to look twice, perhaps because it was so quintessentially Jerry to carry around a musical instrument, but there was no denying that before she even looked at the form sitting quietly at the table alone, she was thinking about him. Slowing her step, the moon trainee paused for a second a few feet away, her eyes lowered to her warped reflection in the coffee cup, her mind wandering for a few breaths before she turned around for another look, half expecting to see someone else, some other hunter she didn't know who happened to enjoy the guitar. Except... it wasn't. It was him, and for the first time in a very, very long time for her, Petra was glad to start a conversation. Crossing the distance between them in a few short strides, she stood just next to him, not yet taking a seat.
"Jerry."
It wasn't a question -- he looked different, but there was no denying who it was. And there was, undoubtedly, happiness in her normally-cold tone. Unfortunately, that didn't make her interpersonal skills any better.
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Interesting Conversationalist
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Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 11:04 pm
He flinched at the sudden call of his name, nearly knocking his coffee onto his jumpsuit mid-sip. "P-petra?" He carefully guided the hot liquid back to the table before glancing up at her with surprise. He hadn't seen her... since the beginning of the recent away-from-home mission. She looked as well now as then, at least, and after the initial jump his expression softened into a welcome smile. "I... I haven't seen you since... it's b-been a while since we ah... how.. .how have you been?" He scooted down the bench to give her room if she wanted, and motioned, "Um... you want to join me?"
Petra. He hadn't... forgotten about her, Robert spoke of her frequently. And reminded him frequently that they were in the room next door via loud moans and thumping of headboards.
There was that one night Killzone had given his two cents through the wall to the couple as well, much to Jerry's embarrassment.
He almost missed the white noise of it.
He cleared his throat, tucking his unruly hair behind his ear, wishing he had showered that morning. There had been a lot on his mind.
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Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 11:15 am
"I was assigned a long-term mission," she replied with a nod, a touch of regret lacing her eyes. She had been gone a long time. Long enough, apparently, that her voice was enough to nearly cause him to spill his coffee. Watching him gingerly place his cup back on the cafeteria table, Petra flicked her attention from the cup back up to her friend's warm expression. The moon hunter didn't fail to notice his skittish demeanor. Jerry had always been a little nervous, especially under certain circumstances (see: Robert threatening him,) but seeing him now, after such a long period of absence, he seemed more so. The stutter to his voice, not atypical during their conversations together before, seemed... different, and for a moment she wondered if perhaps there had been too much time between them. She found this thought to be especially painful, surprisingly so for one who normally did not crave interpersonal relations. His smile, however, was encouraging, and upon the invitation she hesitated only a half a second before seating herself next to him, setting her own coffee cup on the table in front of her.
"Thank you," she replied, offering the slightest of smiles back. Again, her eyes were drawn to the nervous gestures, watching him tuck his hair behind his ear. Cocking her head a little to the side, she lifted an eyebrow quizzically, looking over his person with interest. "Are you growing your hair out?"
Well, that was probably the most awkward thing she could have thought to say.
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Interesting Conversationalist
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Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 11:21 am
Jerry flushed behind his scars, a finger nervously tapping a rhythm on the table top, "Ah... y-yeah, ahahaha... it's... I haven't been... keeping up with it, really. And um." He glanced over his shoulder conspiratorially, the blush remaining as he debated explaining just *why*... but if no one had noticed, then that was for the best. He wouldn't draw attention to it. He had enough worries on his back to begin with. "Um. Candace trimmed it months and months ago but... well. We've had... higher priorities." And Candace wasn't quite as readily available anymore. "Your hair dye is growing out," He pointed out with a weak smile. "I like seeing your natural color."
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Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 11:39 am
The puzzled expression on the moon hunter's expression deepened as Jerry glanced over his shoulder, and she leaned her body to one side a little to peer around him, trying to get a glimpse of what he might be looking for. When it appeared that there wasn't anything specific he was looking at, or rather, what he was looking out for wasn't lurking there behind him, she restraightened, allowing her features to even out again. She wouldn't pry, or at least not here, anyway. Perhaps later, somewhere where he might feel more comfortable and safe, she might do a little questioning. Petra almost asked him right then and there whether he was alright, but in the end decided against it, not wanting to upset him anymore than he seemed to be. Instead, she tilted her body attentively towards him as he continued, already making mental notes of things to ask at a later date.
"Thank you," she replied, offering him a little smile to his compliment. "And yes... I can see why that would be problematic," she added as he mentioned Candace, recalling how she'd noticed the mist hunter kissing Dr. H pre-mission. It had been a particularly bewildering incident for her, although she'd mostly kept out of their business. Since he had mentioned it, however, she didn't refrain from continuing now, adding to her previous statement. "I'm sure your friend would be happy to assist you. Sasha, I believe?" Pausing for a moment, she tilted her eyes up thoughtfully, considering whether she'd gotten the name right before returning them to him. "Unless of course you prefer it long. Upon which case I believe you should leave it. It looks... suitable, for you. Especially in your new coat." Her smile deepening a little mischievously, Petra let her eyes lower to the Intermediate hunter coat. "Congratulations on your promotion."
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Interesting Conversationalist
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Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 11:57 am
The flush remained firm, as he scratched at the back of his head, glancing down bashfully at the tattered remains of his Intermediate Coat. Rips, tears, angry-insect holes, blood stains... "Ah... th-thanks! Wow... it's... it's really been a long time, hasn't it? I was promoted around Christmas, hahahaha. What sort of away mission was it? Was everything alright? It wasn't... wasn't like our er.... recent away mission was it?" The look of bashfulness was replaced with a look of concern.
"Sasha um..." Again the red returned and he took a quick sip of coffee to buy him a moment, "She... she's been... m-making sure I shave regularly at least? Ahahaha... I... I should ask her. If she... prefers long or short." Shorter took less maintenance but...
The longer covered his stress-and-genetics-thinning temples. Or so he hoped.
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Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 12:11 pm
If the tattered coat disturbed her, Petra didn't show it, genuinely looking impressed. Such was the life of a hunter, their job was not for the faint of heart, nor was it for those who couldn't tolerate a little danger. And, in many cases, injury. It was only the latter which truly concerned her, the blood stains indicating that he had possibly been injured since receiving his promotion, but a quick look-over assured her he seemed mostly fine. He had all his limbs, at any rate. Her surprisingly beaming smile, however, faded slightly as he once again mentioned how long it had been, a hint of regret lacing her gaze. "A very long time..." she agreed, her eyes sliding down to her own cup.
For a second, she drifted off into her own thoughts again, attention momentarily sidetracked before the sun hunter's words brought her back, and Petra glanced up, blinking a little. "Hm? What wasn't?" she asked, looking a little bewildered again, having completely missed the question he'd asked. Which suited her just fine, in the end. The conversation turned to a more pleasant topic, namely Sasha, and her mood lifted a little.
"Clever girl," she replied, smiling a little again, clearly amused by the blush which had once again reclaimed Jerry's face. It wasn't hard to tell there was something there, although what specifically, Petra couldn't have said. She wasn't very good at that sort of thing. "She seems sweet."
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Interesting Conversationalist
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Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 12:16 pm
"Oh, she is, terribly so. Too sweet for this place," His expression softened, and once again he debated his sandwich. "She... she reminds me of me a little bit. When um. I first got here anyway. In a good way I mean! I just... This List thing," He shook his head, rubbing his face irritably, "It's been upsetting her. I don't know why, I mean, Bix seemed livid. I'm just... curious, I guess. I just hope she's alright, whatever we end up finding out."
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Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 12:28 pm
"I remember," she agreed, giving him a slow, encouraging nod. He'd been naive, then, more so than she had. He was one of the few people she had ever thought never deserved the curse of seeing what they saw, and certainly never deserved to end up in the hellish nightmare they knew as Deus. The nod, however, slowed to a stop as soon as he mentioned 'the list,' and her expression immediately puzzled again, eyebrows furrowing in bewilderment. "List?" She questioned, genuinely confused as to what he was referring to. Whatever it was, it seemed worth asking about -- if it was upsetting hunters, it was at least worth asking. Worst came to worst, it was something trivial, and she gained nothing from the knowledge.
"What do you mean?"
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Interesting Conversationalist
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Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 1:21 pm
He shifted, rocking a moment habitually before stopping himself, "We were... clearing the Insanity creatures out of the labs- or, some people were and backup was called for so I came to help but... but they found... this piece of paper with... with a bunch of our names on it. Some people we don't know but... but it said 'Hunter Breeding Program'," He snorted, "There's... probably a piece of paper with your name on it somewhere too, I bet. Nothing... nothing really... I mean..." His bit his lip, glancing up at her with growing concern, "My name was on it. So was Sasha's, and Bix's. We tried to talk to... to the Doctor about it," He said the name with a bit of venom, eyes dropping down to his coffee again, "You know how he is."
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Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 8:44 pm
Concern laced her gaze for a moment as Jerry began to rock for a moment, reaching automatically to breach the distance between them with one hand, resting it on his shoulder. It was an unusual gesture for her, and even she seemed realize it, her hand twitching a second later, as if she might withdraw it. But when the sun hunter began to recount the increasingly disturbing event, she forgot all about the unusual contact between them, her expression growing increasingly dark. Hunter breeding program? Even without an explanation, it wasn't hard to determine what that likely entailed. And the more she thought about it, the more her veins went to ice. It was chilling, how much it would make sense. How they knew how to find them. Not only that, how they knew how to find them at the most... opportune moments. Her midnight blue eyes flicked to his for a second when he said there was likely a piece of paper with her own name on it.
Was it possible that their entire lives... nay, their entire existence... had been orchestrated?
Reaching down to take a sip of coffee, the moon hunter's eyebrows furrowed a little, watching him over the rim of her cup. He seemed to be growing more concerned as well, but this time she did nothing to comfort him -- in this instance, it would have been irresponsible. In this matter, the concern was potentially necessary. Petra's entire body bristled a little with the mention of The Good Doctor, dislike evident in her own demeanor.
"Yes."
She did know how he was. Not as intimately as some, but enough to be sure that he was a manipulative a*****e.
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Interesting Conversationalist
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Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 9:03 pm
"I just..." He sighed, rubbing his eyes under his glasses, "I mean... It's.. it's probably silly. But.. I just thought maybe if I could see a picture of them..." He trailed off, shaking the thought from his mind.
"Any-anyway, um." He coughed, forcing himself to smile over to her again, although it trembled at the edges, "There's nothing really we can do about it. If anything... the... the things we learned... you um... you... you do know about the.." he swallowed, voice dipping down, "The thing about... about female hunters, right?" His voice shook, and not just because of the questionable subject matter. "If... if that's the case, it all makes sense for them to... to keep track."
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Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 9:36 pm
His smile was not met by one of her own this time. The gears in her mind were grinding, considering this new disturbing thought. Although in the end he was right -- it didn't matter. Although the possibility of breeding for the sake of the genetic factor allowing them to see the creatures seemed horrific, in the end there was no denying it served a greater purpose. The hunters needed those who could see what they were fighting, to protect all of humanity from the clutches of demons all too real. She relaxed marginally for half a second before finally offering him a belated half-smile.
A half smile which completely vanished as he continued. There was only one thing she could think of that he might be referring to, and she hadn't thought about it consciously since Robert had told her. Oh sure, it had been in the back of her mind, always kindling that cold fire of anger which kept her waking up at six in the morning to go to the gym to beat the s**t out of a punching bag. But since then, neither she nor Robert had mentioned it, tiptoeing around the inevitable fact.
Her body going completely rigid, Petra sat up shock-straight, her eyebrows lifting a little in surprise. It looked like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over her head, she was so startled, and for a brief instant, all her walls crumbled, and her eyes were a gateway to her soul, displaying all the heartache, all the uncertainty and fear she had bottled away so neatly. For that second, Jerry unexpectedly got a brief look of who she had been before all this, the sensitive, shy, fragile individual who had wanted nothing more than to be an architect and design beautiful buildings. It was all gone a moment later, veiled by the icy sheen she'd so masterfully crafted around the little glass bottles, but the pain remained present in her face, unable to mask it so quickly. Turning her eyes away, the moon hunter let them lose focus, forcing an almost disinterested expression.
"... yes."
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Interesting Conversationalist
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Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 9:52 pm
He sighed, staring down into his mug, "Yeah..." Chewing his lip a moment he glanced up, "Look at me gabbing away. How... how have you been? Things... things still um. Going well with Robert, I expect?"
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