03 ▌action around splenda

[creepinginmy]

[It's night time. Very much past many of Splendor's resident's sleeping hours, in fact. One man has been wandering the less crowded streets with sweat on his forehead and under his eyes. His hair is dirty, his clothes are disarranged, old, ripped in places. He looks like he's been walking for hours, either trying to go somewhere to get away from

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[aut_augur]

[Jast is always wandering around the city, looking for ways to keep himself busy. When he stops sticking his nose into other people's business, he becomes rather acutely aware of how small a bubble of space Splendor is and his feathers begin to ruffle. He doesn't allow it, much.

He recognizes Jack and his monster, the thick tarry thing that roils inside of his dead skin. It makes Jast distinctly uncomfortable, but... it's all the more reason he should care. He approaches Jack quietly, the man is talking to himself and so Jast lays his hand lightly on his shoulder. He is only just slightly taller than Jack, it is easy to look into his face.]

Jack?

[creepinginmy]

[Cerbos can smell Jast's presence moments before the hand is placed on Jack's shoulder but makes no mention to him, not in the middle of his ranting. Part of it is to deliver a tiny bit of revenge on Jack for the startle is causes, part of it is because he doesn't want to give the man time to run before the monster gets any ideas.

Jack whips his head around jumps away from Jast, wide eyes growing into something graver, darker. He pulls his jacket back into place over his shoulder, nervous, unpleasantly surprised. His exhale trembles a little before he speaks.]

What are you doing here?

[aut_augur]

[His eyes widen slightly at the way the man jerks, but he supposes that is not terribly surprising. Jack is obviously rather incensed, in some way.

He inclines his head quietly, a little shy, but he knows he is not anywhere he shouldn't be.]

Walking. Hello.

[creepinginmy]

[Jack rubs his eyes, running his fingers through his hair. He remembers Jast's kindness and shyness, which only makes this slightly harder for him.]

This isn't a good time.

[mongoosegrin]

[they are followed from a distance.]

[creepinginmy]

[Jack is still rambling and gesturing with his hands, directing his anxiety and anger at the invisible monster. There are another few minutes of this before he suddenly goes quiet and stops.

He turns his head, trying to focus on the silhouettes in the darkness.]

Who's there?

[mongoosegrin]

[ain't no one here but us ominous foliage shadows, bro. branches sway and so does he; but he'd have done that regardless because stealth is for sissies.

...except for the moment, because it's freaking this piece of garbage out, huh. aw yiss.

how you say...no answer?]

[creepinginmy]

[Jack moves slowly, watchful and paranoid. He waits for a while longer before getting back on his way, picking up his pace.]

[howkickassiam]

[ It's late, but York takes to wandering at weird hours, too, just to stop boredom. It's not the island he's used to, and it's not home, and everything just gets boring after a while, which makes it harder to sleep.

When he sees the guy wandering, though, he pauses, not quite sure what to make of him. ]

--Hey, you okay?

[creepinginmy]

[He's anything but graceful when he comes to a stop, staring right into the other man's eyes. Jack swallows, tense, irritated, nervous and impatient. His fingers are curling and uncurling inside his jacket's pockets.]

That isn't any of your business, is it.

[howkickassiam]

[ raiiising his eyebrows, lifting his hands up. ]

Just a concerned question, didn't mean anything by it.

[creepinginmy]

Go offer your concern to someone who needs it, then.

[keeps_strange]

Can't do what?

[it's an amiable enough query, made by a young man enjoying the night as he relaxes on a bench by the path. sure, he's heard the guy muttering about the place as he approaches, but raki's seen- and heard- stranger things in his time. someone speaking to their own thoughts was only mildly concerning.]

[creepinginmy]

[He stops suddenly, whipping his head in Raki's direction. He looks even more exhausted than he did in the beginning. He's been running into one stressful encounter after the other and Cerbos has been taking over more times than Jack is meant to endure. The man looks like a complete mess.]

What? [there's a beat. His hand rests against his head with a frown. He looks like he's going to lose his balance and collapse at any minute.

He repeats, quieter--] What...?

[keeps_strange]

[well, okay, that's a little more worrying! getting to his feet carefully, raki frowns and takes a cautious step forward.]

Whoa-- hey, man, you don't look so good. Come and sit down for a bit?

[creepinginmy]

[Jack gathers enough concentration to lift his hand. He doesn't want the stranger to come any closer.]

I'm fine. [He isn't.] Who are you?