(no subject)
Who: Jack Ryan (kindly_done) and Augustus Sinclair (worldentire)
Where: Hallway-->Outside-->Seaside-->Back in
When: Today, not long before Sinclair's first entry.
Rating: PG for drug talk.
Summary: Sinclair follows Jack with the intent of securing his trust for his own ends, and they end up commiserating. For a while.
the Story:
mylemonlies: So, Jack is going to be wandering the halls of the Mansion, wrench tucked securely in his belt, exploring: a corner here, a closet there, occasionally ducking back to avoid being seen by a stranger, even if they are for the most part harmless. One never knows. He hasn't seen a splicer--or a Frank Fontaine--yet, but he hears that anyone can end up here. No harm in being careful.
He's a young man, on the tall side, with brown hair of the short back-and-sides variety, and a certain tension in the way he moves.
(12:18:36 AM) frozenfoxfirex: He's been trailing this particular man for well on a day or two now - who can tell time in a place outside it? - and he can tell, simply from watching, three things: 1) The man's desperately wary of people; 2) He's extremely careful at all times; 3) He's itchy. Briefly Sinclair wonders if he's been shooting up, lighting a cigarette from down the hall, and decides he doesn't care. He decides to step out into the hallway as the man gets closer, leaning against the wall. "Hello there, sport," he chimes happily, playing with his lighter. Now that he could properly see Jack, he could tell it was the man he was looking for. "Lookin' for someone?"
(12:22:40 AM) mylemonlies: Jack jumps very nearly out of his skin and whirls on Sinclair, right hand on the wrench in his belt. For a moment his eyes are wild, showing white all around, and then they cool and harden. His mouth is a flat line, his gaze steady.
His voice doesn't match. It's a little hoarse, a little hesitant. He sounds...shy.
"No."
(12:24:37 AM) frozenfoxfirex: Sinclair reponds with a half-smile, continuing to play with his lighter. "Please don't brain me. I've already died once, and, I've gotta say, it wasn't fun the first time." He pauses, as if looking Jack over. "I feel like I've seen you before," he starts, knowing full well who was standing in front of him. "Tell me, son: you ever been to a place named Rapture?"
(12:26:13 AM) mylemonlies: Jack's ears move a little as the muscles of his jaw clench. Rapture. Not a name he expected--or hoped--to hear again from anyone but Tennenbaum. His left hand flexes a little, but he doesn't call up a plasmid.
"What about Rapture?" he says through his teeth.
(12:28:26 AM) frozenfoxfirex: He nods in response; slow, but knowing. That sounded about right. Sinclair notices him flinch and wonders idly if he should have brought some form of defense with him. "Just wonderin'. Cool down," he says in a friendly but quieter tone, putting his hands up. "I'm not here t'bring you news of somethin' horrible. I just thought it'd be nice t'meet someone who... well, who knows what you've been through."
(12:29:35 AM) mylemonlies: "You're from Rapture?"
His eyes run over Sinclair, quick and darting, looking for signs of splicing--perhaps a little strange considering that the track marks on his left arm would suggest that he's spliced a fair bit himself.
(12:31:49 AM) frozenfoxfirex: More nodding, this time a little quicker. "Mmhm. I was there from the start, son, and well after you left." Sinclair runs a hand over his slicked black hair, pulling the cigarette from his lips and letting out an almost shaky breath. It was hard to think about Rapture, but he refused to show the hesitation - had to look calm, collected, smooth. It was better for business, see. "Really took the old girl by storm."
(12:33:38 AM) mylemonlies: His eyes narrow.
"Who?"
He remembers Atlas-Fontaine, the faint scars along the jawline, the seamless accent. Even a chinaman for a while, he'd said. This could be him again.
(12:35:06 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Who what, exactly, son?" Sinclair paused, replacing the cigarette to his lips. He had to remember to get a holder. "My name, y'mean?"
(12:36:25 AM) mylemonlies: "Yeah, your name," Jack growled.
(12:37:42 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Augustus Sinclair. Esquire." Sinclair put out a hand in a friendly gesture, the other quickly flipping the lighter through his fingers. "I know yours already. Jack, right?"
(12:38:45 AM) mylemonlies: Cautiously, very cautiously, Jack took the older man's hand, the other drifting back toward the wrench--just in case.
"Know me, huh? How do I know you're not Fontaine?"
(12:42:24 AM) frozenfoxfirex: Sinclair snorted. "You'll just have t'trust me. I've been around a lot, son. I've got the skill Fontaine wish he had, in droves. Besides," -and here he threw in a quick, wicked sort of smile- "Fontaine hated me. I'm one of the few men he couldn't kill."
(12:43:43 AM) mylemonlies: "That sounds like the sort of thing he'd say, to throw me off."
The whole idea of Fontaine gives him a headache, and he squints a little.
(12:44:53 AM) frozenfoxfirex: Another snort. "Well, tell me. Is there somethin' I can say or do t'change your mind? Because from where I'm standin', pretty much anything out of my mouth could be a trick, if you think I'm Fontaine."
(12:46:35 AM) mylemonlies: "No," he admits with a shrug, "not yet. But I think if you were him...you'd want me to trust you more."
(12:47:38 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Ha!" He couldn't help himself. "So, you're tellin' me that, upon meetin' the first man from Rapture since I left that damned city, I'm not supposed t'try and get you t'trust me? I trust you, pretty thoroughly. Does that make me Fontaine, too?"
(12:49:23 AM) mylemonlies: "Fontaine never trusted me," Jack said flatly.
(12:50:49 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Well, then, there you go, kid." Sinclair leans back, pulling the smoke from his lips again and cocking his head slightly. "That's a good first step. What else?"
(12:51:31 AM) mylemonlies: "Why do you, though? Just because I...I'm from Rapture. No one there is trustworthy."
Except maybe Brigid.
(12:53:43 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "That's true enough," Sinclair replied thoughtfully, looking up as reminiscing. "I guess it's because you're the only one in Rapture who didn't have somethin' t'gain. She was beautiful for a while, yknow, Rapture. Problem was, though, it was a city full'a men with everythin' t'gain and nothin' stoppin' 'em from doin' it however they damn well pleased."
(12:56:32 AM) mylemonlies: "I don't remember how it used to look at all." He shakes his head. "Or anything much, before the plane. I guess I wouldn't know."
(1:00:15 AM) frozenfoxfirex: A short nod. "That'd be Fontaine's mumbo-jumbo, screwin' with your head. I think it's better that way, t'not mourn Rapture. Certainly makes everythin' easier." Sinclair paused, shrugging. "Anyways, doesn't matter now, I guess. Now that we're both out. Two'a the only survivors around, I'd wager."
(1:01:08 AM) mylemonlies: "How do you know all that? Even Ryan didn't know all that."
Which was sort of the point, yes.
(1:03:38 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Well, I was smarter than Ryan, for starters." Sinclair grinned. "I knew Tenenbaum and Suchong. I have my ways. Not t'mention, once you cleaned everyone out, it was pretty easy t'slide through the city like a ghost, pickin' through everythin' left behind. Rapture had a lot'a secrets, son, just waitin' for someone t'ask the right questions."
(1:06:26 AM) mylemonlies: "She's never mentioned you."
One hand tapped agitatedly along the seam of his slacks; Jack was still nervous.
(1:07:53 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "'Course she wouldn't. It was just my money she used, not my ideas. 'Sides, why would she? I didn't have anythin' directly involved with your situations. Didn't want t'bog you down, I imagine."
(1:10:28 AM) mylemonlies: "...Dunno. Seems like she doesn't have anybody to talk to, then." He shrugged, not in dismissal but as if his shirt was chafing him.
"Sinclair, right? I've seen the name. Something about the Vita-Chamber?"
(1:42:11 AM) mylemonlies: "...Dunno. Seems like she doesn't have anybody to talk to, then." He shrugged, not in dismissal but as if his shirt was chafing him.
"Sinclair, right? I've seen the name. Something about the Vita-Chamber?"
(1:43:51 AM) frozenfoxfirex: Well, well, well. That was a blast from the past. "Good call, son," Sinclair grinned. "I had a series'a businesses throughout Rapture. Damn near owned half the city. What I didn't own, Fontaine did, and what he didn't, Ryan did." He shrugged. "You could'a named any one'a the businesses just now and you'd likely have gotten it dead on."
(1:44:46 AM) mylemonlies: "Well...I guess you've saved my life a couple times then, in a way."
(1:45:17 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Glad t'do it. It was about time someone cleared those two blowhards outta their roosts, but I can't say you left the rest of us with a decent alternative."
(1:47:14 AM) mylemonlies: At this point, he might have asked what happened after he escaped, but he doesn't want to know. It's hard to think even this much about Rapture.
"...you said you were dead."
That's a pretty poor alternative indeed.
(1:48:13 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "I-.." He pauses, and purses his lips ever so slightly, before grinning uneasily. ".... Yeah. I am. Though, bein' in a place like this'll make you wonder..."
(1:51:07 AM) mylemonlies: "It could be...some kind of afterlife, I guess. That would mean I died in my sleep. But most everyone seems to think you just appear here and no time passes."
(1:52:31 AM) frozenfoxfirex: He shrugs. "No idea, son. It's hard t'think about it, honestly. I ... try t'ignore it, personally." Sinclair stops himself from bristling, tries to avoid showing any sign of just how much it does bother him, considering his last day on Earth. "I'm sure there's someone somewhere who's got some idea."
(1:54:09 AM) mylemonlies: "Only people who've been here longer, so far. At least it doesn't seem dangerous."
Unconsciously, he responds to Sinclair's discomfort, his own shoulders tensing. His eyes begin to dart again, checking corners and doorways.
(1:56:04 AM) frozenfoxfirex: That odd pull nags at him again and he lights another cigarette, offering it to Jack. "Well, I'm not one t'question it. My last few minutes in Rapture were less than comfortable, and I'm just grateful my lastin' reward wasn't bein' trapped in that hell for eternity. I wouldn't call it ideal, but it's better than-" bein' a Big Daddy. "-that."
(1:58:19 AM) mylemonlies: "That?" Jack inquires cautiously, taking a drag from the offered cigarette. "...no, never mind. It's not bad here. The rooms are comfortable, and there's enough to eat."
(1:59:29 AM) frozenfoxfirex: Thank God he said never mind, Sinclair thinks ruefully, grinning again. "Yeah, 'spose so. A fella gets mighty antsy in a place where everythin's free, though." He pauses, and flashes Jack another wicked little smile. "So. Still think I'm Fontaine?"
(2:00:26 AM) mylemonlies: "I guess not."
He pauses, then adds, "if you turn out to be, I'll cave your head in."
(2:04:46 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Fair enough." Sinclair smiles genuinely. "I'd do the same thing, t'be honest, and I'm not a violent man."
(2:05:55 AM) mylemonlies: "...then I guess we're in agreement."
It's a little strange to him.
(2:06:41 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Good t'know we've got somethin' in common." He pauses, then nods at Jack's arm. "So, you're a Splicer. Still shootin' EVE?"
(2:07:53 AM) mylemonlies: He clenches his fist, the muscles of his forearm rippling under the skin. He opens his mouth to deny--he's not one of them--but it's true, isn't it?
"Two days ago, last."
(2:09:46 AM) frozenfoxfirex: A nod. Looks about right. "I'm assumin' you've been usin' the closets around here t'get it. I had more than just a small hand in the Plasmid technology, but I never Spliced." Even though I'm havin' these goddamned hunger pangs. "I can answer anythin', I guess. Far from an expert but it's better than Fontaine."
(2:11:07 AM) mylemonlies: "Yeah, the closets. There were--have you ever heard of grays, mister Sinclair?"
(2:12:05 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Can't say I have." He's cautious not to show surprise, painting a mask of slight interest instead.
(2:13:08 AM) mylemonlies: "According to the others, they come from...from..."
Jack reddens a little. It sound silly, now that he has to say it aloud.
"Space. They had huge heads and eyes, and...well, I thought they might be Splicers."
(1:07:18 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "...Space, huh." Sinclair snorts, shakes his head. "Ain't that somethin'. And what've these 'grays' got t'do with anythin', beyond soundin' damn suspect?"
(1:08:37 AM) mylemonlies: "I don't know. Apparently things just appear here at times. The others had trouble too, but they didn't seem exactly surprised."
(1:10:21 AM) frozenfoxfirex: Weird. Gonna have to look into that. "Huh. Sounds about right." He sighs. "Guess we'll have t'watch ourselves, then." A quick grin.
(1:10:42 AM) mylemonlies: Jack does not smile in return.
"We, huh?"
(1:11:37 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Mmmhm. I don't doubt you're gettin' lonely in a place like this, son. I don't mind keepin' you company if you don't mind havin' it."
(1:12:26 AM) mylemonlies: "I...haven't decided."
He is pretending that the relief at meeting someone who understands is not as huge as it actually is.
(1:14:27 AM) frozenfoxfirex: Slowly, Sinclair nods, letting himself show a little disappointment, though he's confident it won't take long before Jack's singing his tunes. "Alright. Whatever you feel comfortable with. I'd hate t'rush you." He stops himself from adding a small sniff, and prides himself on his acting. Still got it.
(1:16:10 AM) mylemonlies: "I was going to have another look around outside."
Long, long pause.
"You could come."
(1:18:34 AM) frozenfoxfirex: He shows some carefully measured but seemingly uncontrolled excitement, as if he is so grateful that Jack wants him around. Make him think the balance is in his favor, early on, see. Then, he recomposes himself, and smiles wide. "I'd - yeah! Of course!"
(1:19:35 AM) mylemonlies: Jack lifts an eyebrow a little at that--he can't imagine that he's quite that much of a desirable companion.
"All...right then."
(1:20:15 AM) frozenfoxfirex: He reels it in a bit more, acting slightly embarrassed at his apparent slip. Too easy. "Heh.. Lead the way, son."
(1:23:33 AM) mylemonlies: Jack will lead him outside, always moving in a particular way, making sure that he sees around any blind curves before whatever might be behind them can see him. But of course there's nothing dangerous here.
"I've been there--" he indicates the checkerboard hills, "But not the woods, or the other side."
(1:26:20 AM) frozenfoxfirex: Sinclair nods, having followed him easily enough. Now that he didn't have to hide, it was even easier. He noted Jack's hand twitching ever so slightly, and wondered how much he'd give for all new Plasmids. He'd have to see if he could swing it from the closets or something. "What're up in the hills?" he asks, jogging slightly to come up right beside Jack.
(1:27:12 AM) mylemonlies: "Not a thing. I hear the same about the woods."
(1:28:21 AM) frozenfoxfirex: More nodding. "Sounds about right. Let's go that way, then." Sinclair motions towards "the other way", even though he can almost feel the surf at his ankles.
(1:29:02 AM) mylemonlies: "...sure," Jack says, with a strange reluctance, "why not. See what's over there."
(1:32:06 AM) frozenfoxfirex: Sinclair waits for Jack to start moving before following him, feeling the same strange reluctance. He can just barely remember the feel of the water rushing over him as he finished bleeding out, listening to the bombs finish going off.... He shivers silently, feeling oddly cold, and takes a calming pull off of his cigarette.
(1:33:31 AM) mylemonlies: I don't think either of them will actually be surprised to find the sea there waiting for them, running up and down along the sand, strangely empty of shorebirds. There's nothing to hear here but its roaring.
Jack stops dead.
(1:35:03 AM) frozenfoxfirex: Sinclair stops dead behind him, unable to swallow another shiver. He takes a low, shaky breath, and puts on an unintentionally weak half-grin. "Well, would you look at that?" he murmurs, unable to raise his voice much more. "Somethin' for everyone, I s'pose."
(1:36:30 AM) mylemonlies: Jack can hardly hear Sinclair over the rushing sound--but is it from the sea, or in his head? He's breathing rather shallowly.
"...not for me."
(1:37:07 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "I don't blame you," Sinclair almost whispers, swallowing hard. "Can't say I enjoy it much, either."
(1:37:42 AM) mylemonlies: "Maybe the woods after all."
But he can't seem to turn away.
(1:38:30 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "..Yeah.." There're the echoes of Lamb's voice, and the screaming Splicers, and the pain of the needles.. Sinclair puts a hand on Jack's shoulder, just barely, as if to help him break the spell. "Let's get outta here."
(1:39:58 AM) mylemonlies: He flinches, and when he turns to look at Sinclair, his eyes are blank. Then he blinks a few times and comes back to himself, turns, and starts walking.
"Or maybe just a couple beers."
Or something harder.
(1:41:19 AM) frozenfoxfirex: The half-grin reappears, a little stronger than before. "Sounds good t'me. I could use a good brandy." Or six. Jack looks like he feels - blank, but scared, in an odd little way. "Your place, or mine?"
(1:43:14 AM) mylemonlies: "Same thing now. Whatever you ask for comes out of the kitchen. If it's brandy you want, you'll get it on a silver tray in one of those fancy little glasses."
(1:44:53 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Heh. Sounds good t'me. Anythin', at this point, really." He has to shake off the feeling of absolute desolation, the creeping sense of blankness threatening to swallow him. It's ... disconcerting, at best. "I'll have t'make a note not t'go too far over there from now on."
(1:46:50 AM) mylemonlies: "Yeah," Jack agrees, though there's a niggling sensation in him that suggests he'll be back here again and again, to test it. To test himself against it.
"I guess we really are trapped."
(1:51:51 AM) frozenfoxfirex: For a long time, Sinclair stays silent. He can feel himself getting dangerously close to relating to the poor bastard, and somehow he's not sure it bothers him. It would've, years ago. A life ago. "... I guess we are," he replies, not sure what to say, his voice quieter than he means again.
(1:53:17 AM) mylemonlies: "They say no time passes, so if you've got anyone, they won't--"
Wait, he forgot.
"...oh, I'm sorry."
(1:55:16 AM) frozenfoxfirex: The tiniest smile. It's genuine, but it's sad. "..Don't worry about it, son. I'm... just tryin' not t'think about it, honestly."
(1:57:52 AM) mylemonlies: Jack looks at him for a long moment, then nods.
"I miss the girls."
(2:01:00 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Girls?" He has to clear his throat to stop his voice from shaking.
(2:02:38 AM) mylemonlies: "The girls I took from...from Rapture."
He looks pained. He'd meant to change the subject and give the older man a break, but it didn't seem to have worked.
(2:03:49 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Ohh. You're talkin' Tenenbaum's girls." He nods, raising an eyebrow. "How many'd you save?"
(2:04:22 AM) mylemonlies: "Five stay with me. Tennenbaum has more."
(2:05:22 AM) frozenfoxfirex: More nodding. Sounds about right. That bat never could let'em go. "Sounds real sweet. At least they'll be waitin' for you when you get back."
(2:05:36 AM) mylemonlies: "...I hope."
(2:07:28 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "I'm sure they will be." He offers a small smile. He wasn't a big family man, so this wasn't necessarily his forte. "None the wiser, I bet."
(2:08:24 AM) mylemonlies: "And even if it didn't work that way, Tennenbaum will look out for them."
But just talking about them has softened the lines of his face.
(2:10:24 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Livin' with her?" He wasn't sure why he was surprised. "That's real sweet. Nice little family y'got there."
(2:10:37 AM) mylemonlies: "No, but she comes by...often."
(2:11:09 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Ah, I see. She was always real attached t'those girls."
(2:12:39 AM) mylemonlies: "She's real intent on making up for it all."
(2:13:57 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Most of us are. Well, were." He shrugged. He didn't want to think about his penance again. More than once in a day was too much. "No one I knew was survivin' when I ... left."
(2:15:09 AM) mylemonlies: "Had to get out fast. But if I'd known there were sane people left..."
(2:16:20 AM) frozenfoxfirex: Sinclair waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it, kid. It's understandable you left when y'did. Anyone would've."
(2:17:58 AM) mylemonlies: "Didn't have a single clear thought in my head. First couple days on the surface were...bad."
(2:19:07 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "I can imagine so. Once ADAM has you..." Sinclair grimaces, despite himself. "Fontaine knew what he was doin'."
(2:22:22 AM) mylemonlies: "Come to that...I gotta stop shooting EVE. Damn closets make it too easy."
(2:23:20 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Well, the body's not supposed t'just give it up, but you're a bit different, from what I understand."
(2:24:07 AM) mylemonlies: "Oh, just a bit." A sarcastic little bark of a laugh.
(2:24:32 PM) frozenfoxfirex: Sinclair rolls his eyes, careful not to let Jack see him. He looks back around. "I doubt you'll ever be able t'let it go. You're just lucky enough not t'change for it."
(2:26:38 PM) mylemonlies: "...well, Brigid wouldn't approve."
(2:30:36 PM) frozenfoxfirex: "Wouldn't approve of what, exactly? Tryin' t'survive?" He pauses, then shrugs. "I s'pose you won't have t'shoot it, once you're back home. Can't really, I'd imagine. I can't see the issue with doin' it here. Who says it'll be any different when you do get back?"
(2:31:17 PM) mylemonlies: "Nothing, just...the withdrawals are nasty, that's all."
(2:32:03 PM) frozenfoxfirex: "You can stave it off with things, y'know. Doesn't quite give ya what you need, especially if you start usin' it, but it takes the edge off." God, how he wishes he didn't know that.
(2:32:48 PM) mylemonlies: His eyebrows lift.
"I thought you said you never spliced..."
(2:33:28 PM) frozenfoxfirex: "I never did." He pauses, purses his lips slightly. "...Not of my own volition."
(2:33:59 PM) mylemonlies: "...Well, shit."
(2:36:24 PM) frozenfoxfirex: A forced little half-smile. "I'm sure you've noticed. Cigarettes, coffee. Anythin' with caffiene in it, really."
(2:39:13 PM) mylemonlies: "Good thing there's no shortage."
(2:41:14 PM) frozenfoxfirex: "Here, maybe," Sinclair murmured bitterly under his breath, pulling out another cigarette. He offers one to Jack. "At least you won't be sufferin' here. I'd say keep on it, just for the sake'a sanity."
(2:43:51 PM) mylemonlies: Jack forgets himself and lights his cigarette with the glowing tip of a finger. He snaps the plasmid back off and shoves his hand into his pocket without ever noticing he's done it.
"We'll see."
Pause.
"Youre from...after I left, right? Did they come up with any...any new plasmids?"
There's a certain leanness about him now, a hunger.
(2:48:07 PM) frozenfoxfirex: It's very, very lucky he doesn't grin right out, because noticing that little slip was just about his entire day. "Yessah," he lies. There were advanced versions, of course, and he was confident he could pull a new Plasmid out of the ether here - all for his new junkie friend. Sinclair could almost taste his desperation. "For both questions. I'm sure I can swing some Plasmids outta this place, if you're interested."
(2:52:05 PM) mylemonlies: "...I don't know about that," Jack says, regretting that he'd ever asked. "How, uh...how about that drink?"
(2:53:33 PM) frozenfoxfirex: The tiniest of smirks, as innocent as you please. "Sounds good, son." He pauses, takes a puff of his cigarette. "I think you and I are gonna get along swimmingly."
Where: Hallway-->Outside-->Seaside-->Back in
When: Today, not long before Sinclair's first entry.
Rating: PG for drug talk.
Summary: Sinclair follows Jack with the intent of securing his trust for his own ends, and they end up commiserating. For a while.
the Story:
mylemonlies: So, Jack is going to be wandering the halls of the Mansion, wrench tucked securely in his belt, exploring: a corner here, a closet there, occasionally ducking back to avoid being seen by a stranger, even if they are for the most part harmless. One never knows. He hasn't seen a splicer--or a Frank Fontaine--yet, but he hears that anyone can end up here. No harm in being careful.
He's a young man, on the tall side, with brown hair of the short back-and-sides variety, and a certain tension in the way he moves.
(12:18:36 AM) frozenfoxfirex: He's been trailing this particular man for well on a day or two now - who can tell time in a place outside it? - and he can tell, simply from watching, three things: 1) The man's desperately wary of people; 2) He's extremely careful at all times; 3) He's itchy. Briefly Sinclair wonders if he's been shooting up, lighting a cigarette from down the hall, and decides he doesn't care. He decides to step out into the hallway as the man gets closer, leaning against the wall. "Hello there, sport," he chimes happily, playing with his lighter. Now that he could properly see Jack, he could tell it was the man he was looking for. "Lookin' for someone?"
(12:22:40 AM) mylemonlies: Jack jumps very nearly out of his skin and whirls on Sinclair, right hand on the wrench in his belt. For a moment his eyes are wild, showing white all around, and then they cool and harden. His mouth is a flat line, his gaze steady.
His voice doesn't match. It's a little hoarse, a little hesitant. He sounds...shy.
"No."
(12:24:37 AM) frozenfoxfirex: Sinclair reponds with a half-smile, continuing to play with his lighter. "Please don't brain me. I've already died once, and, I've gotta say, it wasn't fun the first time." He pauses, as if looking Jack over. "I feel like I've seen you before," he starts, knowing full well who was standing in front of him. "Tell me, son: you ever been to a place named Rapture?"
(12:26:13 AM) mylemonlies: Jack's ears move a little as the muscles of his jaw clench. Rapture. Not a name he expected--or hoped--to hear again from anyone but Tennenbaum. His left hand flexes a little, but he doesn't call up a plasmid.
"What about Rapture?" he says through his teeth.
(12:28:26 AM) frozenfoxfirex: He nods in response; slow, but knowing. That sounded about right. Sinclair notices him flinch and wonders idly if he should have brought some form of defense with him. "Just wonderin'. Cool down," he says in a friendly but quieter tone, putting his hands up. "I'm not here t'bring you news of somethin' horrible. I just thought it'd be nice t'meet someone who... well, who knows what you've been through."
(12:29:35 AM) mylemonlies: "You're from Rapture?"
His eyes run over Sinclair, quick and darting, looking for signs of splicing--perhaps a little strange considering that the track marks on his left arm would suggest that he's spliced a fair bit himself.
(12:31:49 AM) frozenfoxfirex: More nodding, this time a little quicker. "Mmhm. I was there from the start, son, and well after you left." Sinclair runs a hand over his slicked black hair, pulling the cigarette from his lips and letting out an almost shaky breath. It was hard to think about Rapture, but he refused to show the hesitation - had to look calm, collected, smooth. It was better for business, see. "Really took the old girl by storm."
(12:33:38 AM) mylemonlies: His eyes narrow.
"Who?"
He remembers Atlas-Fontaine, the faint scars along the jawline, the seamless accent. Even a chinaman for a while, he'd said. This could be him again.
(12:35:06 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Who what, exactly, son?" Sinclair paused, replacing the cigarette to his lips. He had to remember to get a holder. "My name, y'mean?"
(12:36:25 AM) mylemonlies: "Yeah, your name," Jack growled.
(12:37:42 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Augustus Sinclair. Esquire." Sinclair put out a hand in a friendly gesture, the other quickly flipping the lighter through his fingers. "I know yours already. Jack, right?"
(12:38:45 AM) mylemonlies: Cautiously, very cautiously, Jack took the older man's hand, the other drifting back toward the wrench--just in case.
"Know me, huh? How do I know you're not Fontaine?"
(12:42:24 AM) frozenfoxfirex: Sinclair snorted. "You'll just have t'trust me. I've been around a lot, son. I've got the skill Fontaine wish he had, in droves. Besides," -and here he threw in a quick, wicked sort of smile- "Fontaine hated me. I'm one of the few men he couldn't kill."
(12:43:43 AM) mylemonlies: "That sounds like the sort of thing he'd say, to throw me off."
The whole idea of Fontaine gives him a headache, and he squints a little.
(12:44:53 AM) frozenfoxfirex: Another snort. "Well, tell me. Is there somethin' I can say or do t'change your mind? Because from where I'm standin', pretty much anything out of my mouth could be a trick, if you think I'm Fontaine."
(12:46:35 AM) mylemonlies: "No," he admits with a shrug, "not yet. But I think if you were him...you'd want me to trust you more."
(12:47:38 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Ha!" He couldn't help himself. "So, you're tellin' me that, upon meetin' the first man from Rapture since I left that damned city, I'm not supposed t'try and get you t'trust me? I trust you, pretty thoroughly. Does that make me Fontaine, too?"
(12:49:23 AM) mylemonlies: "Fontaine never trusted me," Jack said flatly.
(12:50:49 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Well, then, there you go, kid." Sinclair leans back, pulling the smoke from his lips again and cocking his head slightly. "That's a good first step. What else?"
(12:51:31 AM) mylemonlies: "Why do you, though? Just because I...I'm from Rapture. No one there is trustworthy."
Except maybe Brigid.
(12:53:43 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "That's true enough," Sinclair replied thoughtfully, looking up as reminiscing. "I guess it's because you're the only one in Rapture who didn't have somethin' t'gain. She was beautiful for a while, yknow, Rapture. Problem was, though, it was a city full'a men with everythin' t'gain and nothin' stoppin' 'em from doin' it however they damn well pleased."
(12:56:32 AM) mylemonlies: "I don't remember how it used to look at all." He shakes his head. "Or anything much, before the plane. I guess I wouldn't know."
(1:00:15 AM) frozenfoxfirex: A short nod. "That'd be Fontaine's mumbo-jumbo, screwin' with your head. I think it's better that way, t'not mourn Rapture. Certainly makes everythin' easier." Sinclair paused, shrugging. "Anyways, doesn't matter now, I guess. Now that we're both out. Two'a the only survivors around, I'd wager."
(1:01:08 AM) mylemonlies: "How do you know all that? Even Ryan didn't know all that."
Which was sort of the point, yes.
(1:03:38 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Well, I was smarter than Ryan, for starters." Sinclair grinned. "I knew Tenenbaum and Suchong. I have my ways. Not t'mention, once you cleaned everyone out, it was pretty easy t'slide through the city like a ghost, pickin' through everythin' left behind. Rapture had a lot'a secrets, son, just waitin' for someone t'ask the right questions."
(1:06:26 AM) mylemonlies: "She's never mentioned you."
One hand tapped agitatedly along the seam of his slacks; Jack was still nervous.
(1:07:53 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "'Course she wouldn't. It was just my money she used, not my ideas. 'Sides, why would she? I didn't have anythin' directly involved with your situations. Didn't want t'bog you down, I imagine."
(1:10:28 AM) mylemonlies: "...Dunno. Seems like she doesn't have anybody to talk to, then." He shrugged, not in dismissal but as if his shirt was chafing him.
"Sinclair, right? I've seen the name. Something about the Vita-Chamber?"
(1:42:11 AM) mylemonlies: "...Dunno. Seems like she doesn't have anybody to talk to, then." He shrugged, not in dismissal but as if his shirt was chafing him.
"Sinclair, right? I've seen the name. Something about the Vita-Chamber?"
(1:43:51 AM) frozenfoxfirex: Well, well, well. That was a blast from the past. "Good call, son," Sinclair grinned. "I had a series'a businesses throughout Rapture. Damn near owned half the city. What I didn't own, Fontaine did, and what he didn't, Ryan did." He shrugged. "You could'a named any one'a the businesses just now and you'd likely have gotten it dead on."
(1:44:46 AM) mylemonlies: "Well...I guess you've saved my life a couple times then, in a way."
(1:45:17 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Glad t'do it. It was about time someone cleared those two blowhards outta their roosts, but I can't say you left the rest of us with a decent alternative."
(1:47:14 AM) mylemonlies: At this point, he might have asked what happened after he escaped, but he doesn't want to know. It's hard to think even this much about Rapture.
"...you said you were dead."
That's a pretty poor alternative indeed.
(1:48:13 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "I-.." He pauses, and purses his lips ever so slightly, before grinning uneasily. ".... Yeah. I am. Though, bein' in a place like this'll make you wonder..."
(1:51:07 AM) mylemonlies: "It could be...some kind of afterlife, I guess. That would mean I died in my sleep. But most everyone seems to think you just appear here and no time passes."
(1:52:31 AM) frozenfoxfirex: He shrugs. "No idea, son. It's hard t'think about it, honestly. I ... try t'ignore it, personally." Sinclair stops himself from bristling, tries to avoid showing any sign of just how much it does bother him, considering his last day on Earth. "I'm sure there's someone somewhere who's got some idea."
(1:54:09 AM) mylemonlies: "Only people who've been here longer, so far. At least it doesn't seem dangerous."
Unconsciously, he responds to Sinclair's discomfort, his own shoulders tensing. His eyes begin to dart again, checking corners and doorways.
(1:56:04 AM) frozenfoxfirex: That odd pull nags at him again and he lights another cigarette, offering it to Jack. "Well, I'm not one t'question it. My last few minutes in Rapture were less than comfortable, and I'm just grateful my lastin' reward wasn't bein' trapped in that hell for eternity. I wouldn't call it ideal, but it's better than-" bein' a Big Daddy. "-that."
(1:58:19 AM) mylemonlies: "That?" Jack inquires cautiously, taking a drag from the offered cigarette. "...no, never mind. It's not bad here. The rooms are comfortable, and there's enough to eat."
(1:59:29 AM) frozenfoxfirex: Thank God he said never mind, Sinclair thinks ruefully, grinning again. "Yeah, 'spose so. A fella gets mighty antsy in a place where everythin's free, though." He pauses, and flashes Jack another wicked little smile. "So. Still think I'm Fontaine?"
(2:00:26 AM) mylemonlies: "I guess not."
He pauses, then adds, "if you turn out to be, I'll cave your head in."
(2:04:46 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Fair enough." Sinclair smiles genuinely. "I'd do the same thing, t'be honest, and I'm not a violent man."
(2:05:55 AM) mylemonlies: "...then I guess we're in agreement."
It's a little strange to him.
(2:06:41 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Good t'know we've got somethin' in common." He pauses, then nods at Jack's arm. "So, you're a Splicer. Still shootin' EVE?"
(2:07:53 AM) mylemonlies: He clenches his fist, the muscles of his forearm rippling under the skin. He opens his mouth to deny--he's not one of them--but it's true, isn't it?
"Two days ago, last."
(2:09:46 AM) frozenfoxfirex: A nod. Looks about right. "I'm assumin' you've been usin' the closets around here t'get it. I had more than just a small hand in the Plasmid technology, but I never Spliced." Even though I'm havin' these goddamned hunger pangs. "I can answer anythin', I guess. Far from an expert but it's better than Fontaine."
(2:11:07 AM) mylemonlies: "Yeah, the closets. There were--have you ever heard of grays, mister Sinclair?"
(2:12:05 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Can't say I have." He's cautious not to show surprise, painting a mask of slight interest instead.
(2:13:08 AM) mylemonlies: "According to the others, they come from...from..."
Jack reddens a little. It sound silly, now that he has to say it aloud.
"Space. They had huge heads and eyes, and...well, I thought they might be Splicers."
(1:07:18 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "...Space, huh." Sinclair snorts, shakes his head. "Ain't that somethin'. And what've these 'grays' got t'do with anythin', beyond soundin' damn suspect?"
(1:08:37 AM) mylemonlies: "I don't know. Apparently things just appear here at times. The others had trouble too, but they didn't seem exactly surprised."
(1:10:21 AM) frozenfoxfirex: Weird. Gonna have to look into that. "Huh. Sounds about right." He sighs. "Guess we'll have t'watch ourselves, then." A quick grin.
(1:10:42 AM) mylemonlies: Jack does not smile in return.
"We, huh?"
(1:11:37 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Mmmhm. I don't doubt you're gettin' lonely in a place like this, son. I don't mind keepin' you company if you don't mind havin' it."
(1:12:26 AM) mylemonlies: "I...haven't decided."
He is pretending that the relief at meeting someone who understands is not as huge as it actually is.
(1:14:27 AM) frozenfoxfirex: Slowly, Sinclair nods, letting himself show a little disappointment, though he's confident it won't take long before Jack's singing his tunes. "Alright. Whatever you feel comfortable with. I'd hate t'rush you." He stops himself from adding a small sniff, and prides himself on his acting. Still got it.
(1:16:10 AM) mylemonlies: "I was going to have another look around outside."
Long, long pause.
"You could come."
(1:18:34 AM) frozenfoxfirex: He shows some carefully measured but seemingly uncontrolled excitement, as if he is so grateful that Jack wants him around. Make him think the balance is in his favor, early on, see. Then, he recomposes himself, and smiles wide. "I'd - yeah! Of course!"
(1:19:35 AM) mylemonlies: Jack lifts an eyebrow a little at that--he can't imagine that he's quite that much of a desirable companion.
"All...right then."
(1:20:15 AM) frozenfoxfirex: He reels it in a bit more, acting slightly embarrassed at his apparent slip. Too easy. "Heh.. Lead the way, son."
(1:23:33 AM) mylemonlies: Jack will lead him outside, always moving in a particular way, making sure that he sees around any blind curves before whatever might be behind them can see him. But of course there's nothing dangerous here.
"I've been there--" he indicates the checkerboard hills, "But not the woods, or the other side."
(1:26:20 AM) frozenfoxfirex: Sinclair nods, having followed him easily enough. Now that he didn't have to hide, it was even easier. He noted Jack's hand twitching ever so slightly, and wondered how much he'd give for all new Plasmids. He'd have to see if he could swing it from the closets or something. "What're up in the hills?" he asks, jogging slightly to come up right beside Jack.
(1:27:12 AM) mylemonlies: "Not a thing. I hear the same about the woods."
(1:28:21 AM) frozenfoxfirex: More nodding. "Sounds about right. Let's go that way, then." Sinclair motions towards "the other way", even though he can almost feel the surf at his ankles.
(1:29:02 AM) mylemonlies: "...sure," Jack says, with a strange reluctance, "why not. See what's over there."
(1:32:06 AM) frozenfoxfirex: Sinclair waits for Jack to start moving before following him, feeling the same strange reluctance. He can just barely remember the feel of the water rushing over him as he finished bleeding out, listening to the bombs finish going off.... He shivers silently, feeling oddly cold, and takes a calming pull off of his cigarette.
(1:33:31 AM) mylemonlies: I don't think either of them will actually be surprised to find the sea there waiting for them, running up and down along the sand, strangely empty of shorebirds. There's nothing to hear here but its roaring.
Jack stops dead.
(1:35:03 AM) frozenfoxfirex: Sinclair stops dead behind him, unable to swallow another shiver. He takes a low, shaky breath, and puts on an unintentionally weak half-grin. "Well, would you look at that?" he murmurs, unable to raise his voice much more. "Somethin' for everyone, I s'pose."
(1:36:30 AM) mylemonlies: Jack can hardly hear Sinclair over the rushing sound--but is it from the sea, or in his head? He's breathing rather shallowly.
"...not for me."
(1:37:07 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "I don't blame you," Sinclair almost whispers, swallowing hard. "Can't say I enjoy it much, either."
(1:37:42 AM) mylemonlies: "Maybe the woods after all."
But he can't seem to turn away.
(1:38:30 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "..Yeah.." There're the echoes of Lamb's voice, and the screaming Splicers, and the pain of the needles.. Sinclair puts a hand on Jack's shoulder, just barely, as if to help him break the spell. "Let's get outta here."
(1:39:58 AM) mylemonlies: He flinches, and when he turns to look at Sinclair, his eyes are blank. Then he blinks a few times and comes back to himself, turns, and starts walking.
"Or maybe just a couple beers."
Or something harder.
(1:41:19 AM) frozenfoxfirex: The half-grin reappears, a little stronger than before. "Sounds good t'me. I could use a good brandy." Or six. Jack looks like he feels - blank, but scared, in an odd little way. "Your place, or mine?"
(1:43:14 AM) mylemonlies: "Same thing now. Whatever you ask for comes out of the kitchen. If it's brandy you want, you'll get it on a silver tray in one of those fancy little glasses."
(1:44:53 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Heh. Sounds good t'me. Anythin', at this point, really." He has to shake off the feeling of absolute desolation, the creeping sense of blankness threatening to swallow him. It's ... disconcerting, at best. "I'll have t'make a note not t'go too far over there from now on."
(1:46:50 AM) mylemonlies: "Yeah," Jack agrees, though there's a niggling sensation in him that suggests he'll be back here again and again, to test it. To test himself against it.
"I guess we really are trapped."
(1:51:51 AM) frozenfoxfirex: For a long time, Sinclair stays silent. He can feel himself getting dangerously close to relating to the poor bastard, and somehow he's not sure it bothers him. It would've, years ago. A life ago. "... I guess we are," he replies, not sure what to say, his voice quieter than he means again.
(1:53:17 AM) mylemonlies: "They say no time passes, so if you've got anyone, they won't--"
Wait, he forgot.
"...oh, I'm sorry."
(1:55:16 AM) frozenfoxfirex: The tiniest smile. It's genuine, but it's sad. "..Don't worry about it, son. I'm... just tryin' not t'think about it, honestly."
(1:57:52 AM) mylemonlies: Jack looks at him for a long moment, then nods.
"I miss the girls."
(2:01:00 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Girls?" He has to clear his throat to stop his voice from shaking.
(2:02:38 AM) mylemonlies: "The girls I took from...from Rapture."
He looks pained. He'd meant to change the subject and give the older man a break, but it didn't seem to have worked.
(2:03:49 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Ohh. You're talkin' Tenenbaum's girls." He nods, raising an eyebrow. "How many'd you save?"
(2:04:22 AM) mylemonlies: "Five stay with me. Tennenbaum has more."
(2:05:22 AM) frozenfoxfirex: More nodding. Sounds about right. That bat never could let'em go. "Sounds real sweet. At least they'll be waitin' for you when you get back."
(2:05:36 AM) mylemonlies: "...I hope."
(2:07:28 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "I'm sure they will be." He offers a small smile. He wasn't a big family man, so this wasn't necessarily his forte. "None the wiser, I bet."
(2:08:24 AM) mylemonlies: "And even if it didn't work that way, Tennenbaum will look out for them."
But just talking about them has softened the lines of his face.
(2:10:24 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Livin' with her?" He wasn't sure why he was surprised. "That's real sweet. Nice little family y'got there."
(2:10:37 AM) mylemonlies: "No, but she comes by...often."
(2:11:09 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Ah, I see. She was always real attached t'those girls."
(2:12:39 AM) mylemonlies: "She's real intent on making up for it all."
(2:13:57 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Most of us are. Well, were." He shrugged. He didn't want to think about his penance again. More than once in a day was too much. "No one I knew was survivin' when I ... left."
(2:15:09 AM) mylemonlies: "Had to get out fast. But if I'd known there were sane people left..."
(2:16:20 AM) frozenfoxfirex: Sinclair waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it, kid. It's understandable you left when y'did. Anyone would've."
(2:17:58 AM) mylemonlies: "Didn't have a single clear thought in my head. First couple days on the surface were...bad."
(2:19:07 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "I can imagine so. Once ADAM has you..." Sinclair grimaces, despite himself. "Fontaine knew what he was doin'."
(2:22:22 AM) mylemonlies: "Come to that...I gotta stop shooting EVE. Damn closets make it too easy."
(2:23:20 AM) frozenfoxfirex: "Well, the body's not supposed t'just give it up, but you're a bit different, from what I understand."
(2:24:07 AM) mylemonlies: "Oh, just a bit." A sarcastic little bark of a laugh.
(2:24:32 PM) frozenfoxfirex: Sinclair rolls his eyes, careful not to let Jack see him. He looks back around. "I doubt you'll ever be able t'let it go. You're just lucky enough not t'change for it."
(2:26:38 PM) mylemonlies: "...well, Brigid wouldn't approve."
(2:30:36 PM) frozenfoxfirex: "Wouldn't approve of what, exactly? Tryin' t'survive?" He pauses, then shrugs. "I s'pose you won't have t'shoot it, once you're back home. Can't really, I'd imagine. I can't see the issue with doin' it here. Who says it'll be any different when you do get back?"
(2:31:17 PM) mylemonlies: "Nothing, just...the withdrawals are nasty, that's all."
(2:32:03 PM) frozenfoxfirex: "You can stave it off with things, y'know. Doesn't quite give ya what you need, especially if you start usin' it, but it takes the edge off." God, how he wishes he didn't know that.
(2:32:48 PM) mylemonlies: His eyebrows lift.
"I thought you said you never spliced..."
(2:33:28 PM) frozenfoxfirex: "I never did." He pauses, purses his lips slightly. "...Not of my own volition."
(2:33:59 PM) mylemonlies: "...Well, shit."
(2:36:24 PM) frozenfoxfirex: A forced little half-smile. "I'm sure you've noticed. Cigarettes, coffee. Anythin' with caffiene in it, really."
(2:39:13 PM) mylemonlies: "Good thing there's no shortage."
(2:41:14 PM) frozenfoxfirex: "Here, maybe," Sinclair murmured bitterly under his breath, pulling out another cigarette. He offers one to Jack. "At least you won't be sufferin' here. I'd say keep on it, just for the sake'a sanity."
(2:43:51 PM) mylemonlies: Jack forgets himself and lights his cigarette with the glowing tip of a finger. He snaps the plasmid back off and shoves his hand into his pocket without ever noticing he's done it.
"We'll see."
Pause.
"Youre from...after I left, right? Did they come up with any...any new plasmids?"
There's a certain leanness about him now, a hunger.
(2:48:07 PM) frozenfoxfirex: It's very, very lucky he doesn't grin right out, because noticing that little slip was just about his entire day. "Yessah," he lies. There were advanced versions, of course, and he was confident he could pull a new Plasmid out of the ether here - all for his new junkie friend. Sinclair could almost taste his desperation. "For both questions. I'm sure I can swing some Plasmids outta this place, if you're interested."
(2:52:05 PM) mylemonlies: "...I don't know about that," Jack says, regretting that he'd ever asked. "How, uh...how about that drink?"
(2:53:33 PM) frozenfoxfirex: The tiniest of smirks, as innocent as you please. "Sounds good, son." He pauses, takes a puff of his cigarette. "I think you and I are gonna get along swimmingly."