day seven - sakyou labuff

[heroizes]

[ Jack is actually en route to go find Rhys and break the news to him, but as he heads towards the tech lab, his attention is briefly caught by seeing Sakyou. He pauses, and though he considers continuing on without stopping, there is a part of him that remembers in that moment that this is dangerous. Jack isn't painting a target on his back quite like the other two, but... It's still there. For the most part, he's content with that, but when he sees Sakyou, he's at least reminded that he likes the kid. Sympathsizes, even.

When he's reminded of that, his hesitation dissipates pretty quickly.

Jack starts to approach, and he raises a hand lightly in greeting. ]

Heyyy, Sakyou, what up. Got a sec? Something I wanna chat about real quick.

Comments

[modissty]

[For all of the dire things that have been happening lately, Sakyou still has the softness in him to offer genuine smiles to the people he likes. Jack gets one of those when he turns around, and he nods a little to return the greeting.]

Ah - of course, yes. I was just going to the commissary... Would you like to speak in my room, though?

[Considering it's ALMOST EMPTY.]

[heroizes]

[ Jack's smile actually grows a little more when Sakyou gives him one. He's a guy that thrives on positive reinforcement, so someone actually smiling back at him makes him feel a little happier, actually. He's a simple guy, when it comes down to it. Leave him alone.

Though at the question, the brighter smile does fade fairly quickly as Jack looks thoughtful. ]

Thaaat depends. Maybe? You think anyone's gonna be in there?

[ He realizes that probably makes this sound pretty important, which it is, but he doesn't want Sakyou to feel like this is too ominous, so he waves a hand dismissively. ]

I mean, it's better if no one overhears, that's why, but it's not like crazy important that we're alone-alone.

[modissty]

[TRULY A SIMPLE DUDE... but hey, Sakyou's not here to judge.]

Well... I don't share my room with anyone other than Miss Ava now, so the chances are fairly high that no one will be there.

[He's not about to usher Jack over if e doesn't think it's a Super Important Matter, but since the option is there...]

[heroizes]

Well- Nah, nah, we can just walk and talk.

[ Jack waves a hand again, but he takes a step forward in the direction of the commissary, as if encouraging Sakyou to continue on. For that, he'll let Sakyou lead the way, since he'll just keep pace. ]

Found out something about, well, leaving, and I figured I'd pass it along to you. You're a good dude, so I'd like to see you able to leave.

[modissty]

[And lead the way he does! Kinda. He doesn't take a huge lead, if only because that would make looking back at Jack while talking a little awkward, and of course he's the kind of polite dude who tries to maintain contact even when chatting while on the move.

The topic du jour has him arching a brow, though.]

Do you mean that you've found some sort of exit...?

[heroizes]

Yeah, you could say that. In a sense, anyways.

[ Jack gives a glance to make sure they're alone, and once he's sure they are, he sighs and shakes his head. ]

It's not good news, though. Not world-ending, but grim. And I'm telling you because, one, I'm hoping that you'll be a part of it, and two, if I'm super duper honest here, figuring this out might've put a target on my back, so. Letting the people I like know about it, since, y'know, I want you to get outta here.

[ This is a pretty ominous lead-in, and really, Jack would like to place a hand on Sakyou's shoulder to stress how serious this is, but that might catch any onlooker's attention, so he just ducks his head lightly as he continues. ]

Only five people are leaving this place. All the rest? They've gotta die.

[modissty]

[WELL THAT'S. First off, he's suddenly very glad that he isn't the volatile-reactive sort, considering his only reaction to that pretty startling factaroo is a brief hiccup in his steps and a look of surprise.]

You— ...Are you certain that whatever you found that from was a reliable source of information?

[Because he's just assuming it came from Judy and his ass doesn't trust Judy.]

Moreover - if you've painted a target on your back, what steps have you taken to counteract that? It can't just be left as it is.

[heroizes]

Might've. Keyword there, because I'm like ninety percent sure I've got it taken care of, but the ten percent of doubt is why I'm telling you. [ Not that he'd been considering it before about two minutes ago... ] Liz knows about it too, so if things go south, you can trust her.

[ Jack nods, then shoves his hands in his pockets as he cracks a small smile. ]

But, yeah, it's reliable. Did some digging around and found it, buuut I'm not super inclined to tell many people. Which, granted, that probably makes me a selfish asshole, but if it's five, I'm going to protect my people first.

[ Though that phrasing does immediately strike him as odd, so he adds quickly: ] Well, figure of speech, but you get what I mean. It's like the torture thing. Gotta be practical, and that means I'm not causing a friggin' riot and messing up my chances.

[modissty]

[GOD... EXHAUSTING. Jack is a menace and Sakyou is still pretty concerned, because 10% is a lot?? And he sounds like he's been involved in some sketchy things, so Sakyou thinks his concern is pretty dang reasonable, honestly.]

Elizabeth? I see... [Kind of funny considering she was the one telling him to TRUST NO ONE earlier.

The rest of that isn't entirely surprising, either way, though he listens carefully and his expression shifts into something a little harder to read. He can't blame Jack for doing this and he can't say he wouldn't have done the same if their positions were reversed. In the end, one needs to care for themselves - he wouldn't have killed Diva if he didn't believe that.]

...Thank you, in that case. For telling me. Even if you say it's a matter of practicality, you've given me a better chance at survival by doing so, even-- at the cost of others. I appreciate it, since I have something that I need to do before I die.

[His head dips a little, and if they were in private he probably would have delivered a full bow. For now, that's about as close as he can come while still skirting attention.]

[heroizes]

[ Jack glances at Sakyou briefly, though his own smile turns to one that's cocky, if a bit apparently put on. He doesn't have any doubts about doing this or who he's told, because it's what he feels is necessary. Still, even though he may not doubt it, he can't ignore the people that he's essentially condemning to die by being so selective. At least, not yet he can't. ]

Yeah, I can relate. Same for me, since, I mean, wouldn't be such a secretive dick about it otherwise.

[ He shrugs, then reaches up to rub at the back of his neck ]

Just, uh, y'know, don't go tellin' anyone. That will kinda ruin things. Since, man, I dunno about you, but part of why I'm lik "yeah, no" to the idea of sharing this are the super violence happy idiots we've got. Which, sure, you like violence? You do you. But. Don't want them to be getting any incentive to actually act on their weird, murderous impulses.

[modissty]

[At least they're running on the same lines of understanding... Even if it's a bit of a bitter pill, Sakyou's used to doing unsavory things for the ultimate end result. This is just... an extension of that.

As Jack continues talking, though, he nods.]

I understand. The only person that I would have told is already dead, so I can promise that I won't say a word.

[rest in pieces kei.]

Are we the only ones who know, then? No one who may act on the impulse to kill is aware of this...?

[heroizes]

Nah, I mean, I said you can trust Liz 'cause I told her. Told Rhys too, but that one is probably pretty obvious. I feel, like, weirdly responsibly for that guy, so felt like I had to.

[ Of course, in Rhys's case, that's not completely true. He'd heard it from Rhys in the first place, but explaining that meant more questions that Jack wanted to answer. He didn't exactly trust anyone to leave Rhys to him, and as it turns out, their concerns are well-founded. Maybe you should have told them, Jack... ]

So... Kinda picked most of the spots. Don't have anyone particular in mind for number five, so I guess I'll leave that one to chance? I dunno. Didn't want to think too hard on it.

[modissty]

[Giving Jack a look... He broke your nose, Jack??]

...He does seem a little lonely, I suppose. [All by himself with that robot arm.] So I'm certain he's grateful to you, as well.

[For now, Sakyou will just live with the TOTALLY WRONG IMPRESSION that Rhys is just a poor bean who is probably innocent because Jack trusts him and Sakyou trusts Jack.]

Mm, that might be for the better, in any case. ...I don't suppose you'd be inclined to explain your sources for this, either? [A brief pause, and then:] Rather - I'd like to confirm that you aren't one of their number. If you aren't, I'll take you at your word and that's all I need to know.

[Mostly because as long as he survives, he's cool with it either way.]

[heroizes]

[ He returns that Look with a somewhat sheepish one, since he knows. Or, he thinks he does. The problem is, even though Rhys is pretty obviously a mess, Rhys also gives Jack something that he's both very weak to and pretty desperately craves, and that's attention and validation. It's an honestly terrible combination, and in that sense, day eight should be no surprise at all...

But Jack smiles quickly enough at the comment, and it's a genuine, fairly warm one. He already has a little narrative in mind here, which is also part of this upcoming problem, but at least it helps with that image of sweet, innocent Jack instead of selfish, egotistic Jack. ]

Ha, yeah, you got it in one. He's weird and lonely, but harmless. Like, weirdest part here is that he's not the first guy that's unreasonably obsessed with me, but, hey. Just means I've got experience dealing with it. Besides, he's not a bad guy.

[ famous last words ]

[ He shakes his head lightly ]

Would if I could, but you'll have to trust me on it. Which, uh, realize that's kinda a lot to ask, given the circumstances and your concern here. But, hey, if it helps? That number isn't random. That's how many of the staff there are, right? So, yeah, if I was one of 'em, wouldn't be to my advantage to be screwing my own people.

[modissty]

[THIS IS A TERRIBLE COMBINATION. THEY'RE A MATCH MADE IN HELL.]

As long as he doesn't break your nose again.

[Because then Sakyou will have to re-set it and no one wants that, probably!! But he seems to accept that well enough, since it's not like he's seen anything of Rhys outside of "broke Jack's nose because he was hysteric" and "got hysteric and threw up in trial". Just a lot of hysteria in general. He seems too flaily to be a murderer?? HAHA, OOPS.]

True enough... Well. If that's the case, then - I don't have much other choice but to trust you, but I think I would do so anyway. You've been straightforward up to this point, so I'd like to think that this is a continuation of that honesty.