103rd Mission [Open Commentlog]

[shadesofeco]

[Today, Jak's feeling grumpy.

Maybe it's the realization that two years had already passed since he had been snatched from his life and pulled onto this stupid boat.

Maybe it's the memories and sadness dredged up from the remembrance ceremony for his deceased mother a few days ago

Comments

[solittleeffort]

[Maia's not in as much of a mood as she normally is. She's still working on trying to force back the memories and feelings that were brought back up when she last ventured to the top deck...but so far, antagonizing people, getting drunk with Jinx, and spending time with Harley have worked as decent distractions.

...For the time being, anyway.

Maia's decided to wander into the forest, though. She's been itching for some fresh air - and while she supposes there's no real way for her to get any of that inside a boat, the illusion of fresh air will be just as good. It only takes a few minutes of walking inside the forest before she senses the presence of Dark Eco - and it's about another minute before she finds Jak training.

Maia just watches in silence for a little while. It's interesting to observe someone so full of Dark Eco. Really, she's never known anyone else like that, save for Gol and herself. However, Maia's silence can only last so long before she decides to pipe up.]

I hope I'm not interrupting anything too important.

[shadesofeco]

[Sitting cross-legged in the forest, Jak has his eyes closed and his hands resting on his knees. His boots have been kicked off, and his shirt's crumpled beside them, leaving him in nothing more than a pair of sweatpants with the Seal of Mar hung around his neck on a leather thong.

He's damp from sweat from working out, and his face is tense with concentration, brow furrowed and twitching now and again. Every few seconds, a bolt of Dark Eco snaps out from his skin and skitters along the ground, the grass around him blackened in places.

When he finally notices Maia, the Dark Eco crackles around him momentarily with his frustration, then seeps back inside as he cracks his eyes open and glares at her.]

You are.

[solittleeffort]

Oh? What a pity. [Not really.]

Although I will applaud you on actually trying to keep yourself under control. [She and Gol spent a good portion of their time meditating, too. It was a good way to become more aware of what was flowing through their veins, and also served as a decent distraction from the pain.]

Tell me, how has that been working out for you?

[shadesofeco]

[Yeah whatever. Jak picks up his t-shirt and wipes his neck and chest with it. There are still smears of oil and grease from working on the car on his arms and hands, and one across his nose and cheek that he hasn't noticed yet.]

I'm still alive.

[solittleeffort]

And how long do you think that will last?

[Maia just folds her arms and fixes Jak with an odd look - she sounds genuinely curious.

Maia loves Dark Eco - it's a part of her. It has helped to make her who she is...but that doesn't change the fact that if one doesn't know what to do, it'll destroy them from the inside out. And sometimes, it does, anyway.]

[shadesofeco]

Longer than you.

[Getting to his feet, Jak grabs his shirt and boots with one hand and makes a move for the door.]

Excuse me.

[solittleeffort]

[Maia just sighs before she grins at Jak.] Do you really want to repeat what happened the last time we met?

[You know exactly what she means by that.]

While I know that I certainly enjoyed it, I am not sure you would care to experience it, again - I only wish to talk, after all.

[shadesofeco]

[Narrowing his eyes, a flicker of Dark Eco crackles between the fingers of Jak's free hand before he reins it back in.]

Fine. I'm listening.

[solittleeffort]

[Maia doesn't miss that crackle. In fact, it just makes her grin even wider - you don't want to take her on just yet, Jak. Fighting a giant robot is a very different from fighting a fellow Eco Freak.]

I'd like to know how you normally go about trying to keep the Dark Eco under control...aside from what I've just observed, of course. [If she's going to be your teacher - and she is, whether you want her to be or not - then she needs to find out what you already know, first.]

I also need to know what happens to you when you lose control.

[shadesofeco]

[Jak folds his arms, boots hanging by one hip.

He stares at Maia for a moment, then finally decides to tell her.]

Dark Eco's not the only thing I've got inside me.

[solittleeffort]

Oh? And what would that be?

[Maia can sense it. It stinks (reaching far beyond the odour of sweat), it has her feeling slightly dizzy, and definitely a bit nauseous. She just doesn't know what "it" is.]

[shadesofeco]

[Jak smirks just slightly.]

Light Eco.

[solittleeffort]

[Maia can only sigh and roll her eyes. Light Eco doesn't exist - she's not stupid, Jak.]

Amusing. Now, if you could actually answer my question? I'll even let you ask something in return.

[Nothing wrong with a bit of leverage, after all.]

[shadesofeco]

You asked, I answered.

[Jak nods his head to her.]

What were you and Gol really trying to do?

[solittleeffort]

You didn't tell me what happens when you lose control.

[Still, Maia sighs and folds her arms over her chest. Fine. If she's going to gain his trust, she'll just have to move at his pace. Patience, and so on.]

To gain a better understanding of how Dark Eco works. To see if it would create other people like us.

[She gives Jak a half-hearted shrug.] Creation through destruction, I suppose.

[Is she being honest? It's hard to tell, really.]

[shadesofeco]

Dark Eco kills. It doesn't create, it destroys.

[If anyone knows this, it's Jak.

He drops his shirt and boots and gestures angrily with his hands.]

What did you think would happen?