40th Sphere (backdated to Saturday morning after the event)

[got_blitzed]

[Jecht wakes up with a gasp safe and sound in his own bed - well, the one he's been calling his own for the past couple of months, at least.  For some reason, Yuugi isn't there passed out drunk next to him like she usually is, but that isn't the first thing on his mind.  Growling and rubbing at where he'd been stabbed in the neck the night previous, he throws off the covers and storms downstairs to use the phone.]

"Banika Conchita.  Dunno who the hell she is, but she fuckin' stabbed me in the goddamn throat and killed me in that stupid hotel last night.  Figured the rest of you'd wanna know there's one more psycho murdering bitch runnin' around this town.  And if you're listenin' too - you're dead next time I see you.  Eye for an eye.  I'm sick of this bullshit."

[Jecht slams down the phone, wandering toward the door.  He's intercepted by Yuugi's drone, who is already awake and cheerfully fixing breakfast.  Grumbling angrily, he picks the phone back up and dials out again.]

"Oh yeah.  Yuugi's droned too, for anyone who gives a shit about that.  Anybody needs me, I'll be on the beach."

[He doesn't wait for responses to the second call, heading straight outside to swim and relax on his makeshift beach.  It's Labor Day weekend, after all, so it's more or less getting to be his last chance to do stuff like this before the weather starts to get cold again.  After a short time, the postman comes by to drop off a package, tipping his hat and grinning.  Jecht doesn't trust it, but he figures everything else that's arrived this way has been fine, so he eventually decides to just open it.  Out of the long and bulky package, he draws a pretty badass looking greatsword.  After grinning and taking a few practice swings, he plunges it into the sand next to his lawn chair.]

"Well, 'least I got somethin' back for my trouble."

((OOC: Please let me know whether you're responding to the phone stuff or the action stuff when you reply.  For anyone who wants to talk to him about Yuugi, they can respond in person at the action part since he hung up right away after announcing that.))

Comments

[child-abuser.livejournal.com]

Never met her before last night. Her name's Banika Conchita. Little bit shorter than me, red hair, kinda uppity. Really not much to tell. I don't even know where she lives.

[thelittlecanary.livejournal.com]

[Tries to picture his description of this woman.] ...I can't say that I've ever met her before. [And chances are she never will, if Jecht has anything to say about it. She goes quiet, pursing her lips and hugging her knees.] ...Do you know someone named Mukuro?

[child-abuser.livejournal.com]

Well if you see her, just stay the hell away. Don't need anything like that happenin' to you too, okay? Mukuro, though... nope, don't think I know that name. Why?

[thelittlecanary.livejournal.com]

Alright, I'll be careful. [And she pauses yet again, wondering exactly how she's going to describe Mukuro to Jecht without worrying him.] I've spoken with him over the phone a couple of times. I...think he could use some help. [UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE YEAR]

[child-abuser.livejournal.com]

[Jecht raises an eyebrow.]

"What kinda help?"

[thelittlecanary.livejournal.com]

He...isn't right in the head. [Well, now that she brought it up, it'd be stupid of her to tell him half-truths.] He threatened to kill me, and himself. He's also the one who kidnapped a young girl a few weeks ago.

[child-abuser.livejournal.com]

"He what."

[Sits up, gritting his teeth angrily. No. No fucking way is that happening. Not after he just got stabbed himself. No one is going to fuck with his summoner.]

"Where's this kid live? I'll beat some sense into him."

[thelittlecanary.livejournal.com]

Jecht, wait! [She doesn't even know how she's going to present her plan without further angering him, so she flounders, lips pressed together in a thin line.] ...

[child-abuser.livejournal.com]

Wait? For what? 'Till he makes good on his threat to kill you? 'Cause if what happened to me last night is any clue, he might do just that.

[thelittlecanary.livejournal.com]

[Tries to prepare herself for his reaction, already wincing slightly.] We agreed to meet. I think I may be able to talk some sense into him.

[child-abuser.livejournal.com]

[Jecht's eye twitches as he scowls, balling his hands into fists.]

"No way."

[thelittlecanary.livejournal.com]

[She was afraid of this, but his anger was as inevitable as her determination to save Mukuro from himself. So she persists, steeling herself.] But what if I can help him??

[child-abuser.livejournal.com]

And what if he just murders you.

[thelittlecanary.livejournal.com]

....I was hoping...you would come with me.

[child-abuser.livejournal.com]

[Jecht is silent for a few moments, mulling that one over.]

"...You're really serious about this, aren't you? Don't you care if he tries to kill you too?"

[thelittlecanary.livejournal.com]

[She nods her head, looking him directly in the eye.] Yes. But I'm not the only one in danger if he goes on like this.

[child-abuser.livejournal.com]

And what exactly are you gonna do to stop him? You really think a bunch of pretty words are gonna stop a cold-blooded killer?

[thelittlecanary.livejournal.com]

I think he needs to learn to trust others.

[child-abuser.livejournal.com]

So how's that your problem?

[thelittlecanary.livejournal.com]

[Can't fight back a smile when she speaks. You can thank Zidane for this gem, Jecht.] You don't need a reason to help people.

[child-abuser.livejournal.com]

[Jecht frowns deeply - less so out of worry this time and more because that sounds like the kind of stuff he'd say to Braska and Auron while they were traveling along on the Pilgrimage. Sure, it would have been easier to let certain things go, but at the cost of human lives? No way. It's something Jecht would never abide by, and he always dragged the others along for the ride. As much as he hates to admit it, Garnet's got him backed against the wall with this one.]

"...Fine. Go ahead and try. But if you get even the tiniest feeling that he's about to pull some shit, you run, okay? Don't try to talk, don't try to fight back. Just run. 'Cause that's where your job ends and your Guardian's job begins."

[Stares directly into her eyes, speaking every word slowly and seriously so there's no mistake about any of it. He is not joking around here.]

"You clear on that?"

[thelittlecanary.livejournal.com]

[Garnet's smile fades at his frown, and she remains silent, gauging his expression and his lack of a response as a sign that, although he isn't on board completely, he hasn't shot her idea down, and she's grateful that he's that considerate so far.

But then comes his actual reaction, and it's her turn to be stunned. She had nearly expected him to shun her entirely, the way he had the day she sacrificed her arm. Her good intentions made her reckless, that much she understood, but for her there was no resisting the call to help others. She's grateful that he'll be good on his oath to protect her, even though she's walking into the lion's den again.

The slightest smile quirks the corners of her lips, and she nods once to show that she agrees to his terms, throwing her arms around his shoulders in a gentle hug.] Thank you for understanding, Jecht.

[child-abuser.livejournal.com]

[Hugs her back tightly, the way a father would hug his precious only daughter.]

"Don't make me regret it."

[thelittlecanary.livejournal.com]

[Surprised by the strength of his hug, since Jecht is hardly an affectionate man.] I promise I'll be careful.

[child-abuser.livejournal.com]

[Nods slowly, sighing.]

"Good. I'll hold you to that."