[Audio]

[thedifferencebetween]

[Jack's voice is very tight and very low. The clenching of his jaw is practically audible. He's struggling hard to keep control of himself, but it's not easy. Because he's been going through his daily routine, doing all those things Handsome Jack does, and today...something isn't quite right. Something important.]

[Something that has Jack focusing on one thing and one thing only.]


Why can't I get through to my daughter's 'gear?

[As if he doesn't know. As if he hasn't seen dozens of these updates himself. But still. This is him, this stuff doesn't happen to him. Things are always different for him!]

Comments

[Video] no worries!

[thedifferencebetween]

You try, then. Or...don't, it doesn't really matter, does it?

Of course it friggin doesn't.

[Video]

[keep_surviving]

Er, okay.

[Diana pulls a face that indicates she would back up if this weren't a screen call.]

Maybe I should just leave you alone for a bit.

[Video]

[thedifferencebetween]

Look I'm not a fucking idiot.

[It's a clear sign of how lost in emotion Jack is, that he actually uses 'fuck' outside of the bedroom.]

Yeah, sure, 'cause that's clearly what I need right now.

[Video]

[keep_surviving]

I never said you were.

[She scowls and appears to settle herself in a seat.]

Well, shit, sorry for thinking you needed space. And for not really feeling like being your emotional punching bag but whatever, fuck me, right?

Alright, hit me. What do you need right now? Because I'm a dumbass who doesn't know shit.

[It's fine, she can be the one who takes the abuse. Be the stand in again.]

[Video]

[thedifferencebetween]

That isn't what I meant. I meant that we all know damn well what it means when someone's 'gear is offline. It doesn't matter if you try, or the psycho tries, or anybody else tries.

My daughter is gone. Which means my daughter is dead. So maybe, just maybe, I need some support and compassion from what's left of my family! I know your whole deal is edgy, cold badass but for fuck's sake, Diana, now's not the time.

[Video]

[keep_surviving]

Well, I'm sorry. I didn't feel like coming on here and telling you stuff you know and has you pissed when you're glaring daggers down the screen.

[She knows from a past threat it's not like she's exempt from any rampage he might go on.

Diana averts her gaze for a moment, jaw setting uncomfortably at the idea of dead daughters back home.]

... I'm sorry. I don't know what to do.

[The last time he lost someone she went over but she's not sure the face of some teenage surrogate 'daughter' would do anything but upset him further if she went to see him now.]

[Video]

[thedifferencebetween]

Obviously I'm pissed off, I'm hurting! A lot!

[Jack sighs, shoulders slumping.]

...yeah, who the hell does?

[Even Jack doesn't really know what to do. He didn't have too much time to deal with it. He'd ended up here within a week or so, and then Angel had shown up. This time... he's just angry and sad and without a target for it.]

It's just not fucking fair.

[Video]

[keep_surviving]

Yeah... I know... Nothing's fair.

[She begins to bite at her fingers, one of her bad habits.]

This place makes you forget for a bit. That's the worst part.

[She's still not sure what she could do, or even what she should do.]

... Should I... Is there something I can do?

[Video]

[thedifferencebetween]

It's that, what do they call it. False sense of security.

I really don't know, kiddo. Look, I get the context and all is probably weird for you for a bunch of reasons. Felix has got this one. I'm obviously worse off than I think, 'cause that asshole's actually making an effort on his own.

Re: [Video]

[keep_surviving]

But I want to do something.

[Video]

[thedifferencebetween]

Ah, you're a good kid.

....you know what you can do for me? That isn't even gonna involve any uncomfortable emotion sharing shit or anything.

I want an electric sheep.

I know, I know, it sounds super weird right now. But...I got my reasons.

[Mainly, Angel had loved them.]

[Video]

[keep_surviving]

A sheep?

[She's seen a couple of those before. Not really something any of her friends seemed to have but she'd recognize it if she saw it.]

Alright. The one yellow one or the pink one?

[Video]

[thedifferencebetween]

Did I stutter?

Sheep. Electric. Baa baa zap.

Uh...yellow, I guess? They're...ya know. Sheep sized. Woolly. Little blue faces and black and yellow cones on the side of their head.

[Video]

[keep_surviving]

[She doesn't rise to that. Just nods.]

Ok. I'll get one. I'll find it and send it over.

...Am I really sorry about Angel.

[Video]

[thedifferencebetween]

Thanks.

For both of it. It's...

Yeah.

Thanks.

[Jack realizes, painfully, that he can't remember anyone ever offering him condolences before. Not the first time it happened.]