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Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 12:00 am
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
Chester stood before him, neon green eyes looking back at the worried hunter. "I'll be fine. I want to meet her in person." Jake glanced at the tech, who indicated that his 3 hours was ticking down. "But-"
A hand touched his arm softly, and Jake looked to see darkened fingers, the tips glowing the same neon green as the pair of eyes giving him a pleading look. "Jake. Please." The death hunter pulled his lips into a tight frown.
"... I'm more worried you'll freak her out." Chester blinked, tail flickering behind him, and tilted his head. "It's fine. I'm sure she's seen worse. Besides, she's still recovering. I don't think she'd try attacking me." Jake still wasn't convinced.
"Please." He sighed, and turned his head. "... fine."
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Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 12:48 am
It was amazing how fast one could accumulate stuff. Sherry sighed, folding another pair of shorts before dropping them into the basket. She had at least twice as much clothing as she'd shown up with. "At least it's not as much as had in my apartment." Even with 'so much' this whole move wasn't going to take more than a few trips, with help, anyway. Just had to clean out the wardrobe, strip the bed, and cart up the box of desk supplies. Most of her shirts and the boxes under her bed had already been carted off. "We should finish far before it's time to return that golem,' she muttered. Which was good. They'd been at this only an hour, but Sherry was already a little tired. The folks in the infirmary had assured her she was fine, and more or less healed, but she was tired after that week of forced rest. Maybe letting Armagnac out to help with the move hadn't been the best idea. "At least the hole's closed up." Small victories.
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Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 1:43 pm
He didn't think it would have been so hard to try convincing Jake it was fine, and even after the hunter agreed, he tried to talk Chester out of it. Regardless, this was something he needed- no, wanted to do, and after everything he had put the poor girl through, it was probably best not to agitate her further.
It hadn't taken him long to find the room, and he paused for a moment, flicked his tail, and knocked.
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Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 2:12 pm
"Hm?" Sherry wasn't expecting company, and Armagnac wouldn't have knocked if it were her returning from her latest trip. But someone had clearly knocked on her door. Okay, then. With a small sigh, Sherry stopped what she was doing and headed on over to open the door. She really didn't have time for anything but moving right now. "Ch-Chester?" She blinked in surprised at the golem standing in the hall. She knew Jake had him back, and she was glad for that, but she'd not expected to see him again, ever, really.
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Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 4:59 pm
Chester was about to knock again when the door opened, and he blinked, staring back at the equally-bewildered hunter.
"U-um, Sherry, was it?" If she knew his name, then it meant she and Jake had been talking, and she knew what had happened, more or less. "... Can I come in?"
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Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 5:09 pm
Sherry closed her eyes for a moment, sighing again. Confirming her name? "You don't remember me either," she whispered. It took some effort to push away her disappointment, but she did.
"Sure," she said, looking at the weapon and putting on a friendly smile. "Come on in." She stepped aside, and gestured to the room. It seemed half empty, she was moving out after all, and she had been alone. "What can I do for you?"
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Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 5:46 pm
He felt bad not remembering, but he couldn't lie to her. And so, at her response, he lowered his head, shaking it. Though, at least, it seemed she was at least letting him come in.
Following behind her, he stepped into the room, and blinked. Packing? Oh, right, now that they weren't trainees anymore, they got to get a bigger room on the second floor. Too bad Jake wasn't as diligent. He hadn't even started packing yet.
"Oh, um..." Was this a good time? "I was... wondering if we could talk."
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Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 5:56 pm
"Well, it's good to see you again." Another smile.
Moving back toward the wardrobe, she continued pulling things out of it, dropping them into the basket. "What would you like to talk about?" She could guess, but she'd rather know for sure. Assumptions got her no where.
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Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 6:14 pm
He could see this was a tender topic, and he only stood behind her, wondering how best to touch upon it as he was watching her continue to pack.
"I... wanted to thank you for looking our for Jake. I know he can be rather difficult, and yet, you stayed by his side when he really needed someone. I know that doesn't excuse how he's treated you recently, and I know you probably don't want to hear this from me, but I wanted to thank you on his behalf also."
"If possible... I'd like to return the favour. And Jake also. He promised to tell you the truth, and he won't back out of it. I know it doesn't seem it, but he cares about you, quite a lot. He wanted to wait until you were better before telling you because he didn't want to agitate you further while your injuries were recovering, but if you don't want to hear it, he said that was ok too. He just wanted to give you a proper explanation, and... I suppose, sincerely apologize."
It probably didn't help that Jake was nowhere in sight when he said this.
"At the very least, let us help you pack? I know your wounds are still healing, and I'd rather you not overexert yourself."
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Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 8:08 pm
Sherry smiled again, even if he couldn't see it. None of it was Chester's fault, he didn't need to see her sad, or hear her bitter. "You're welcome." She couldn't help sounding a little tired, though. It certainly didn't help that her chest felt so tight.
"But there's no favor to return. I didn't do any of it in exchange for anything else. I helped Jake because I liked helping Jake." She shrugged. "I don't even expect him to tell me anything at this point, let alone help me with anything." With another sigh she turned to look Chester in the eye. "Didn't want to agitate me while recovering? Instead he left me to worry about him, and he didn't even bother to do more than a minimal check on me after a pumpkin tossed me around. I don't..." This time her sigh seemed more defeated than anything. "You say he cares... but I've seen him once since he dragged me out of that hell-hole. He would have dragged anyone out, I'm not special. I'm just...useful."
She wasn't going to let herself cry. "Armagnac's helping. So you don't need to. I can't ask you to."
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Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 9:24 pm
It broke his heart to see her like this, and against his better judgement, he took a step forward, wrapped his arms around Sherry and gave her a hug. It probably would have been more comforting had he been a little taller, but as it were, it seemed more like he was the one wanting the hug.
"I know you don't, but he wants to. And, that meeting..." It was hard to say. He remembered the time the island had been hit with JOY, and Jake had succumbed to it pretty easily, so it wasn't too much of a surprise when the tension and emotions seemed to affect him more than it did others. God forbid what would happen if that boy ever got his hands on alcohol.
"Um, don't take it personally. He was... kind of out of it. But he's ok now. And don't say that. You mean a lot to him, more than you give yourself credit for. He just... has an odd way of showing it."
Pulling back, he held Sherry's arms, his gaze holding hers, almost pleading. "And you don't need to ask. I WANT to help. But there is something I want to ask, and I know it's a lot to ask for after everything, but please, give Jake another chance."
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Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 10:00 pm
The hug was a small comfort. It wasn't Chester's fault that she didn't find it super helpful. All the time she'd spent in the infirmary had allowed her to think, and when Jake didn't bother to check on her after the pumpkin, too, well- "No he doesn't." She shook her head. "I'm pretty stupid, but I'm not blind. He doesn't want to tell me anything, and he doesn't care. I'm only as important as I am useful. Which is fine. He's welcome to ask for my assistance as he needs it, but I'm tired of empty promises and lies." In a way, she was glad it was Chester there. She didn't think she could have told Jake any of how she felt.
"I just," the sighs stopped her from crying. "Another chance at what? Another couple months of lies? More getting nearly killed-- that's not fair." She nearly laughed. "All the missions are like that. But why do I have to give him another chance? I don't recall taking his chance off the table, but it's pretty obvious he doesn't want one. He hasn't even bothered to come visit me."
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Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 11:00 pm
Chester stayed silent, gaze cast downward. After what seemed like several minutes had passed, he finally lifted his head, giving her an apologetic smile. "I'm the one who asked him not to come. I told him I wanted to talk to you first. He was against the idea, but I pleaded with him. There were some things I wanted to make sure of first."
He rubbed his arm self-conciously, eyes turned to a corner of the room. It seemed as if he was lost in thought, but then he turned his attention back to her, a frown on his lips now.
"You say he's just full of empty promises and lies, and while I am grateful you've kept him safe in my stead, this is where I have to disagree with you. For all his faults and short-comings, breaking promises isn't one of them. He takes them seriously, and wouldn't make them if he had doubts on fulfilling them. Even then, he would do his very best, and should he fall short, I know he's tried. And his lies..."
Chester turned away, unable to look at her. "They're not meant to harm. You don't know, but Jake's been hurt in the past. Physically, and emotionally. Someone he cared a lot about was killed, and he constantly blames himself for it, even now. He puts up a guard, pushing others away so they won't know, so they won't get hurt, and so that he doesn't get hurt too. But then you came along, and broke down that wall. You showed him what it meant to trust again. To hope. He was happy about this, yet afraid. Afraid that you'd endure the same fate if you were to stay by his side. And so he tried to push you away, to keep you safe, to protect himself. But still you pursued, to the point he couldn't bear it anymore. He wanted to protect you, yet he wanted to be by your side, but his past continued to torment him. After a year of this, he's finally learned to put it behind, to start anew."
He turned his head once more, locking gazes with her, his expression seeming hard and cold. "I've already told you more than I should. This was what he wanted to tell you, personally, but I wanted to make sure it wouldn't be in vain. You say he's never cared about you, but I ask you this. Was he not the one who saved you from getting killed by that horseman, and the one who dressed your wounds and carried you back? Even when we were reunited, his thoughts were on you, desperately seeking, pleading for help to find you. Even before all this, though I can't remember, were there not incidences when he showed concern over your welfare? Just because he hasn't stopped by immediately after you were taken to the infirmary, you automatically assume he doesn't care at all?"
Chester was backing away now, tail raised, to the point of bristling.
"I came to make sure you felt the same way about him as I thought, but it seems... I was wrong."
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Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 11:47 pm
Sherry had once been amazed at how much words could hurt. Once. She knew before this, but they still stung. They picked at wounds in heart that had not yet healed, brought fresh pain to old scars. She shook her head, packing forgotten. "You know as much about what I feel as I do about what he does."
The fact that she was a crier made her mad, and she wiped a tear away because it was annoying. "I've heard some of his story, you told me and he told me. He told me the night he asked for a second chance. But then he forgot me. All of me. I remember my hands covered in his blood and he doesn't even know I was there. But you know what he did after that? He kissed me and said we could try the dating thing again, like before. I was happy. Stupid little me, since it was all a lie. He told me it was." Anger was evident in her voice. Damn safe emotion. "He only kissed me to gain info and get you back. He was going to toss me away afterwards. I still don't know if I should be happy or sad he wouldn't sleep with me."
A small laugh escaped her lips. "You can't tell me he wouldn't have helped anyone else in my situation. He's not the type to leave people behind. I don't assume he doesn't care beyond needing my help, Chester. I was in the infirmary for a week. A week. No visits, no texts. Hell, I thought he might have been executed until I'd asked someone about him. And then the first thing I hear from him is that he needs me somewhere because he needs a partner for something. I've never once rejected him, you know. But you're here and he's not."
She was tired. Tired and crying didn't go well together. "But that's not even the problem. I'm not sitting here waiting for him to come to me to see if he wants me. I'm giving him his space, Chester. He told me... He told me he can't be happy with me." She smiled again, and shrugged. "I want him to be happy. I know he's been hurt, so I just...figured I'd be here if he needed me. I don't know what to believe from him. He doesn't act like he cares, and it hurts. It hurts deep, deep down. But I still care. I still love him. So I'm here when he needs me." Another shrug. She was repeating herself. Stupid.
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 12:00 am
"And you never once considered that that lie might have been a lie also?" He didn't even bat an eyelash.
As Sherry continued, he stayed silent, choosing not to speak until he was done. He made no move to attempt comforting her again, but his espresso on softened, giving her a somewhat exasperated look. "Jake is a lot of things, and I daresay he can be a complete idiot at times, but he's not a bad guy most might make him out to be. He's willing to amend things, and he told me that if you wished never to see him again, he would honour that request. But I know he wants to see you at least one last time if anything. If you let me, I'll ask him to come right now. If not... I'll take my leave."
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