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 Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 9:02 pm
The mumbling itself gave him pause. His shoulders were tense, his posture stiff, his teeth closing in. Closing his eye briefly again, Jack took a deep breath and sighed before opening them both, forcing himself to relax. He didn't want Chel scared, just aware.
"I'm not mad," he repeated, for both of their sakes. "Not at you anyway. Worried, I guess is a better word. I don't know what kind of person she is now, but if it's anything like before--" Christ, this was stupid. He made a small face and tried again. "My s**t's your s**t now, but I don't want you drowning in it."
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Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 9:09 pm
< He is. >
Mad?
< Isn't it obvious? >
"Yer not my only reason t'fight her," Chel admitted. She was quiet, softer than Chel's usual tones. "She said Nevada died by a zombie. Just one."
That, and a small seed of jealousy that would always remain in the back of her head. Why did people flock to Stormy so willingly- what was it about the small girl that made people like Lex openly declare war? More importantly- why wasn't that something she could possess too?
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Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 9:14 pm
He was quiet for a moment. Nevada had always been an odd topic for them, and his small turbulence of a mood didn't make things any better. But the need to fight to get answers--that much he understood very well.
He slipped his hand under his bowl and began to pick it up, telegraphing on purpose so that he could change course either way: towards her, or towards the dish washer. "Wanna talk about it?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 9:24 pm
Jack could have done any movement in that moment and Chel wouldn't have noticed. Her one good eye was focused elsewhere and she had a thumbnail clenched between two teeth.
"Wasn't why I fought her. Just happened." Funny how even years later, Nevada still stung. Why the ******** had Stormy been privvy to her final moments and not-
< You? >
"b***h kept askin' questions. Wouldn't shut the ******** up."
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Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 9:28 pm
Jack pulled his stool closer and sat back down, scoffing. "Could ******** navel gaze over spilled milk like it was the end of the universe," he agreed.
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Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 9:30 pm
"What does that mean?" she asked in a tone that somehow made the question a glum one.
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Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 9:38 pm
"Not shutting the ******** up and asking fake deep questions." He put on what he thought was a scholarly tone and pushed his glasses up, in an attempt to cheer her up. "Is the meaning of life 42? What's your life worth if you always suck at everything? Why are we heeeere?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 9:41 pm
Chel did crack a smile. "That does sound like her yeah." She reached for her glass of water and took a long sip before putting the glass back down.
"M'sorry. Fer makin' you carry me and s**t." And for so much more.
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Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 9:47 pm
He leaned in and gave her a nudge with his shoulder. "I get off to that, remember? You handle dinner next time, though."
With a glance at her ice pack, he asked, "Need a fresh one?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 9:50 pm
She shook her head in denial of his offer. The bruise was already an icy numb and she could get one later if need be.
"How do I ..." She bit the thumbnail again before redacting it. "How do I not start s**t with her?" Or Caelius or any number of people.
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Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 9:55 pm
"Block her, I guess? I only go on Twitter occasionally, so." Jack shrugged. "Probably not the best person to ask right now. Next time I see her, I'm giving her a black eye, minimum."
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Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 9:56 pm
"Jack!" she finally looked up, somewhat alarmed by his declaration. "You're not serious are you?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 10:00 pm
"What? She's goddamn annoying, and I'm not letting her do s**t like that to you unscathed."
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Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2016 1:03 am
"C'mooon," Chel murmured, reaching over to clutch his hand and hold it against her chin. "I was the one who called th'fight. Was fair game to ******** me up. Woulda done the same t'her."
And for a moment there was a genuine look of concern. "Don't make my dumb choice worse man. Yer already rubbin' it in an' s**t."
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Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2016 7:13 am
And he knew it was irrational to continue that line of thought, but then, why shouldn't he? Didn't he, didn't they deserve to treat her however they wanted? Whatever group of moronic or uninformed followers might get amassed? Maybe punishment was worth seeing the fear in her eyes again.
But he blinked and the bitterness seemed to dissipate just enough to give him perspective again. With Chel looking at him like that, it was harder to maintain that it was worth fighting on her behalf. (Though he failed to see how such loyalty was considered rubbing it in.) "Alright," Jack eventually said. "I'll stay out of it this time."
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