16 [accidental video]

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[OOC: V, feel free to stick that scene we talked about with Sinclayah here, I'm getting the feeling that this might be one of those weeks where I never see you. Everyone else is welcome too, natch.][Jack was just about to do something or other with his communicator--in fact, he accidentally hit the button to start the feed before he was ready, and

Comments

[action] hahaha yyyyeah. Especially this weekend. x_x I'll be on on Sunday though?

[worldentire]

[After showing up in the hedge maze's pool (he wasn't aware there was a pool IN the maze) with nothing but a faulty communicator, his grimy Daddy suit and a pistol, and being trapped in the maze for three straight days, Sinclair was not happy. He was even less happy when he came back to his room to find it missing some very important things and the smell of burnt paper was still lingering. Disgruntled, he changed out of the blood-stained suit into his normal pleated pants and white shirt, and turned to inspect the pistol - and suddenly it all came crashing back to him. Jack

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Probably be what? [He can't think of a damn thing beyond honest.] I honestly don't know. Maybe a Splicer.

[He fixes Jack with a "son. Come on now" sort of look.] A man needs more than just food and a bed t'keep himself sane.

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...I don't know. Shy, maybe.

[He blinks, and his eyes grow distant again.]

I need my children.

[What can I say, he's feeling depressed.]

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[He sighs.]

I know, son. I know. But there's not much we can do about that for now. [He actually looks sympathetic - truly sympathetic - for a moment. It's clear he's worried.]

You could spend time with one'a the young ones still around.

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Being able to hear Cindy breathing helped me sleep at night. I can't get more than an hour at a stretch, now. It's been days.

[He nods. He knows Sinclair is trying to help, and as hopeless as he feels, he doesn't want to put his friend off.]

I was looking for Elaine during the event. Might be able to find her now.

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[He nods.] I found you all right. Sounds like everyone's bein' able t'find everyone again.

[And then he pauses, and he frowns.]

..Have you tried lookin' in the closet...?

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In the closet? For Cindy? Yeah, actually. A lot of closets.

[He drops his eyes and gestures to the space where her bed was.]

I think she's really gone for good. The mansion's eating her things, see? She had a bed there, and crayons underneath. Now there's nothing.

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[That hadn't been what he meant, and he shakes his head slightly when Jack looks away. He sighs.]

You've always gotta find a way t'survive, Jack. This is no different. [He knows Jack won't necessarily like those terms, but he's got to get the man out of this hole.] Don't give up. I know it's hurtin' but... Can't let yourself disappear.

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I'm not giving up!

[At least if he is, he hasn't noticed. It's rather easy to slide into a rut without being properly aware of it. At least there's some semblance of life in his eyes, even if it's indignant.]

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You'd better not, son. [He's grinning on the inside. Let's jump a little life into you.] Because all I'm seein' right now is a man who's already given up.

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[He ducks back into the bathroom to wipe his face, having realized he's dripping on the floor. When he comes back out, he's changed clothes as well.]

What's that supposed to mean?

[If Sinclair's trying to irritate him, it's working.]

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That means you're actin' down, son, and more down than you should be. You're not lettin' anythin' beyond sadness touch you, and that's the surest way t'go down in flames. [He shrugs.] I'm a little worried for it but if you'd rather be that way...

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More--

[He squares his shoulders, glowering at Sinclair, reddening.]

More down than I should be?

[He begins to enumerate on his fingers, his voice sharp and biting.]

After I got the living shit beaten out of me by a kid who looked like he was twelve and lost my fighting arm for god knows how long, after I had to kill my best friend, and then lost the little girl I was responsible for--

I think I can be a little down if I goddamn well want to be!

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It's not a little down. [He pauses, replaces the cigarette holder in his teeth and holds his hands up. When he talks, it's seamlessly around the holder.] Listen, son, you're mishearin' me. You're more than entitled to bein' hurt. I'm not sayin' you're not.

But if you go too far down this path, like you're tryin' t'do? You won't come back. You've got t'come back.

[For just a second, he looks more than just worried, he looks somewhat scared. But the look passes over his face for only a second, though it still seems to lay behind his eyes.]

Jack, I'm not sure I know how t'get you out've there unless you let me. You're goin' t'lose somethin' if you're not careful.

...And I can't let you do that. Not after..

[He shakes his head and takes the holder in his hand again, sighing out the smoke.]

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I'm not going down any path.

[But he sounds a little scared. Is he? Is it really that easy to get lost. And as Sinclair finishes his speech, Jack can't seem to meet his eyes.]

Okay. Fine. Just tell me one thing.

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[He stares at Jack wearily for a moment, then nods.]

What's that, son?