[31: video] so much for these youthful eyes to see, so much for peace and tranquility

[kindly_done]

[There's a small gathering here by the door, but that hasn't stopped Jack from getting right up next to it, his shoulder pressed against the wood. It is from this rather odd position that he decides to make his first real transmission since the fear event.]

Does anyone know where this goes?

[Locked to Elaine; difficult hack]Maybe we should have

Comments

1/2

[angel_junk]

[ The reply starts with Bhamba opening a video feed, curious about who wants to talk to him privately... ]

2/2

[angel_junk]

[ ...and shuts off when he realises the answer. ]

[locked again]

[kindly_done]

[Frustrated, flushed, and upset, Jack punches in another message, because he is nothing if not tenacious.]

Dr. Bhamba, wait. I just--I'm sorry. It was an accident. I'm so sorry.

[He settles back against the door, sucking his teeth, knowing how weak it sounds, how little it stands up against the harsh reality of having killed his friend. With a distressed little huff through his nose, he turns the feed off.]

[locked]

[angel_junk]

I...

I don't even know what I'm supposed to yell at you in a situation like that.

[ When he says it this time his tone contains neither anger nor humour, only resignation. ]

[locked]

[kindly_done]

It was an accident. You scared me. I didn't mean to.

[It sounds so hollow, but he can't seem to be able to do anything but repeat these things again, his voice wavering a little more each time.]

[locked]

[angel_junk]

[ Bhamba doesn't end the transmission. Yet.

He bites his lip and remains silent.

As far as interpersonal relationships go this entire situation is way, way over his head. ]

[locked]

[kindly_done]

[Wonder of wonders, Jack is actually distressed enough to tear himself away from the door, for privacy; he's not keen on that mess of people seeing him so close to tears. He stays in the room, but moves to an out-of-the-way wall.]

I didn't know it was you.

[locked]

[angel_junk]

[ The narration may risk repeating itself, but Bhamba has no idea how to deal with this.

So he simply opts to... not deal with this. ]

Ah... I am a little busy in the lab right now, Jack.

We can talk another time.

[ Very little effort goes into making this sound like a believable excuse.

Much effort goes into switching the transmission off and putting down the communication device. ]

[kindly_done]

You're lying! You won't talk to me!

[Unfortunately the line is very dead.]

[angel_junk]

[ You mean dead like a person who got beat over the head with a wrench?

Buuurn.

...But yes, yes it is.

And Bhamba being busy in his lab does in fact translate to nothing but him sitting in Amy's room, petting the crocodile gloomily. ]

[kindly_done]

[It turns out that Jack isn't quite as discontented with his life as he thought. It turns out that Bhamba is more important than the door.

A few minutes later, he's knocking at the door to the lab. Coming from the guy that recently bashed your head in with a wrench, this may be less than reassuring.]

And one more for the road~

[angel_junk]

[ Bhamba doesn't even hear the knock.

The only reason he ventures out of Amy's room is to fetch her a juicy reward chicken for keeping him company.

When he hears the knock and sees Jack only moments later he realises that he isn't just unsure of what to say, he's afraid. ]

I told you I was busy.

[kindly_done]

[Jack tips his forehead against the door, closing his eyes.]

Please? I'm not armed.

[angel_junk]

I find that hard to believe.

[kindly_done]

I swear! [He holds up empty hands, and there's nothing in his belt. Not that physical weapons are the only ones he has.]

[angel_junk]

[ ...which is exactly what Bhamba is thinking of when he continues staring at him like that. ]

Those are the ones.