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[daemonized]

ARDYN IZUNIA

Ardyn Izunia. Professor of law. Lord of law. Liege of law. The one grading your papers. Leave a message.

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Comments

[hjack69]

Yeah. [ Jack raps his fingertips on the counter, expression... not pained, exactly, but colored with the faintest tinge of helplessness. Tight in the mouth, eyes low. ] The other day, I tried to choke out Tony Carter because he threatened to call my grandma. I didn't even think about it. I just did it. I wanted him to be afraid of me. I'm not like that, you know I'm not like that.

I'm not like that. But sometimes it feels like I'm not just me anymore.

[ There's a breaking point, and Jack slams his hand onto the counter and turns, heading back to his liquor cabinet. ]

It's bullshit. This is all bullshit.

[daemonized]

[Jack's outburst is nearly enough to startle him, but the only thing that betrays this is the way a hand curls into a fist, nails pressing into skin. He stops leaning against the counter, straightening to his full height, watching the back of Jack's head as he moves to the cabinet.

He's frowning now. He can't pretend that this isn't as alarming as it is, not anymore. It was obviously enough bother Jack, more than he was initially letting on. It's worrisome, not only for his sake, but for the sake of everyone else experiencing these unwanted memories.

But what does one say in this situation? What does one do? There it is again, that feeling of uselessness that he hates so much, blossoming in his chest. He wants to help, but he has no power to. Retrospec pulls their strings from afar, tugging and twisting at their individuality. At their sense of self.

So, what then? He'll offer moral support? How pathetically laughable.]

...No, you're not like that. I do know you. You're not cruel for the sake of being cruel.

[A beat.] Is there anything I can do for you? [In the end, it's all he can offer.]

[hjack69]

...Yeah, I'm not.

[ He sounds genuinely relieved to hear it, kneeled in front of the cabinet, and seems to lose interest in it entirely. He'd rather press his forehead to the cool wood instead, with a loud, ungentle thud. ]

Yeah. [ And he's moving again, quicker, turning to push himself to his feet and stroll back. There's a mild energy to his movements that wasn't there before, voice louder like he's trying to convince either Ardyn or himself that everything is fine. ] Let's go somewhere. Let's do something. Doesn't have to be drinking. Hell, we can go scarf shopping for all I care, let's just do something.

[daemonized]

[If even a modicum of relief is all he can offer with his words, then he'll latch onto it -- in fact, Ardyn extends his hands outward, a grandiose gesture as Jack moves closer to him, as if to say, "Well, of course."]

Scarf shopping? [It may be a joke and it sounds inane. And yet, because of that, it's perfect for this situation. Something ridiculous to help get Jack's mind off of it. His expression changes to match, turning into something almost tongue-in-cheek.]

Now there's a suggestion. I'm sure I could find at least five patterns that would suit you. And you'd be obligated to purchase at least one of them.

[Yes, he will literally take you scarf shopping, Jack.]