( OPEN! )

[atlasrising]

Who: Rhys and YOU!
Where: Goldenrod, Ecruteak, out and about
When: Now
Summary: Rhys isn't having a good day. Or night. Or anything.
Rating: PG-13 for violence mention, I guess?


( ecruteak )

[ Ecruteak has a nice little place to stay when you're traveling. It's no five star hotel or whatever, but it's not dinky or anything, either. Clean rooms, nice sheets, a cozy little place for your Pokemon to relax if they need it. Thankfully, Loader and Money Shot are over there and not near Rhys' room right now.

Wander through the door, and yeah, it's unlocked. Is that smart? In his case, it really wasn't.

The rooms there aren't extravagant- there's a bed and a desk and a little table, useful if you're trying to plan your way around and you have a map. So the unconscious body just lying there on the ground might be the first thing you see. Handsome Jack gave him a surprise visit, and it wasn't pretty.

There's no bloodstains or anything, so that's good. The one thing that might stick out if you're gonna poke or prod his body or whatever is the line of bruising that goes all the way around his throat. Kind of looks like a hand, doesn't it? ]

( goldenrod )

[ Rhys doesn't want to be here right now for a number of reasons. But getting out sounds really good right now, to be honest. There's so much going on and he just needs a breather. Some alone time without his Pokemon, because he really doesn't want them to see what state he's in right now.

But there's shopping to be done, and embarrassing clothes to be bought.

He doesn't want to be around because one, these bruises around his neck stick out like a sore thumb. People notice, people stare. He's been trying especially hard to keep away from people he knows, because they'll ask. What's he supposed to say if they see? There's no excuse for having an entire hand bruised on your skin. It's obvious.

Plus, Handsome Jack lives around here. Given his situation right now, that gives him enough anxiety it makes him feel a little sick to his stomach.

He's got to shop for Loader and Money Shot, but he's also on the hunt for some clothes. Something...turtleneckey. That's perfect for hiding neck bruises, right? People at work wore them all the time, but for different reasons. Usually when you were strangled back home, you died and stayed dead.

Not like Rhys died anyway; Jack didn't give him that mercy.

He'll be in the department store, trying to find clothes. And definitely not playing attention to who's around him. ]

Comments

goldenrod;

[cardboard_boss]

[Snake was also being immersed in the many stores and counters of the Goldenrod department store, browsing and taking it all in. The place was massive. It reminded him back on Mother Base of one of the many departments that were built on the metal structure on the sea. This was like being in one of the hangars.]

Rhys? You shopping for clothes too, huh? This place is massive.

[Snake offered the guy a nod, as he was looking through some interesting looking bandannas.]

[atlasrising]

H-hu-wha? [ Oh hey, that was the guy who was in a coma for a while, right? Holy hell, man. ]

Yeah, yeah. Just, uh. Something like a jacket? I guess? [ He's not going to go right up to him and be like 'look at my neck man look what happened!'. That would be weird. Also kind of cringy, because how much stuff did Snake go through compared to Rhys? ]

You see...anything good?

[cardboard_boss]

I've seen some bandannas that I quite like.

[He fumbled through the clothes stand rather awkwardly, since he wasn't used to clothes shopping. At all. He picked out a black bandanna and tried it on, careful to slip it on past his shrapnel horn.]

What do you think?

[atlasrising]

[ Rhys just...kind of forgets the bruises around his neck as he looks up when Snake calls. He certainly looks manly, to be honest. Maybe if Rhys looked that scary, Jack wouldn't pick so many fights with him.

He nods his approval. ] Looks...kind of intimidating. You going for that look?

[cardboard_boss]

See this face? Would you say it was already intimidating?

[He pointed to the shrapnel horn protruding from his skull. Also the scars. Yeah, he was a pretty intimidating guy.]

Actually wanted the bandanna because it looks decent.

[atlasrising]

[ Cool moves, Rhys. Cool moves. ]

W-Well, uh. I, I mean it's more intimidating than you are now? That's, that's supposed to be a compliment. Not a lot of guys can look intimidating without looking really awkward. You don't at all though! It's, uh, it, it looks pretty natural!

[ He clears his throat. ] The bandana looks pretty decent, though. Unless you wanted one decorated with pikachu's and pokeballs.

[cardboard_boss]

I'm not about to go around scaring people. That's not me.

[He couldn't help looking like this. Inside, he is a caring guy.]

You can get your stuff customised?

Goldenrod

[11121_assumption]

Walter hadn't worn new clothes in years. Orphans don't get to choose what they wear and ghosts didn't get to change after death. But he did need something to cover his neck. Funnily enough, Rhys wasn't the only person to get choked yesterday and Walter had bruises of own to hide. The raincoat covered them up slightly but they still peeked from his collar. Along with him wearing said raincoat when it was still warm, he knew people were looking at him and whispering.

Spotting Rhys and recognising him, he observed him for a little bit before noticing the bruises. He froze. Who would attack Rhys? What had happened? He walked over to him. "Rhys."

[atlasrising]

[ Hey he knows that voice. Rhys turns to see Walter coming, and offers him a little smile. ] Hey.

[ The raincoat is...kind of weird. But then again when he was in Pandora, he saw bandits wearing like, three layers of armor in the desert. So honestly, he's not going to judge or anything. ] 'S been a while, buddy! [ Oh god, his voice is so hoarse. He clears his throat, which in turn brings tears to his eyes. He's such a wreck. ]

What's, what's going on?

[11121_assumption]

"I'm looking for something new to wear. But I haven't shopped for clothes in a long time." Even as a student he hadn't given much thought to what he wore. He wouldn't think much of it now, but he - didn't want Rhys to feel alone. Which was a strange feeling and not one he was familiar with.

He lifted a hand and quietly tugged at his collar, revealing his own bruises - the deep cresents Henry had dug into his skin, before backing off to grab a brick to try and attack him with instead. Growing up as he had, comforting words were beyond Walter; he simply didn't know any. But distractions were all they had, what few they could get.

"I think I saw something suitable over there." He turned, looking down towards an aisle of jumpers, shirts and so on.

[atlasrising]

Rhys feels bad when he sees Walter just...wandering around, almost like he didn't know what to do. He heard of people on Pandora who "weren't allowed" to leave their houses because of Hyperion- was this guy kind of the same? Being repressed by someoneto the point you didn't know how to function? Jesus, did he feel bad.

He feels worse when Walter pulls down his shirt, and he sees bruises. A hand wanders to his own throat. Yeah, he knows how that feels.

Suddenly, the shirt doesn't seem as important anymore. "...You wanna go somewhere else for a second? Just sit down for a bit?"

[11121_assumption]

Rhys had no idea...but then, neither did Walter. He had no idea his upbringing was so abnormal and wrong. He wasn't sure why Rhys would want to sit for a bit - well he understood that. But he wasn't sure why he was invited along as well. He hesitated and then nodded.

Pulling his collar back up, Walter thought back. He had been wandering around the store for a little bit now, lost in thought. "There was seating upstairs. I don't think it will be very crowded."

[atlasrising]

"Good. I'm not up to dealing with crowds today." People are staring more at Walter than Rhys now, and it's not sitting well with him. At all.

He walks over and pulls him gently over to an escalator, waiting until they were about halfway up before he asks. There was enough people looking at them both like they were weird, let alone them looking at them after hearing their conversations. Man, is he happy he left Loader in his ball. "Are you okay?"

[Ecruteak]

[kissmyaspis]

[It isn't long before Rhys might pick up on the stomping of boots just outside his door. If he doesn't notice the sound, then, well... it's kind of hard to not notice the way the door slams open, revealing one irritated Athena. She isn't huffing about in a rage, thankfully, but her entire posture - like a coiled spring ready to snap - just screams anger.]

What. Happened.

[In one hastily bandaged hand is Athena's 'gear, clutched so tight it's a wonder she hasn't broken the device yet. Just moments before, a certain other man under Jack's control contacted her, and she wasted no time after hanging up on him, heading straight for Rhys's room.]

[atlasrising]

[ Thank god Rhys came to right when Athena came in!

Literally everything about her screams MAD right now. Her entire existence is just...rage. Rhys hasn't known her for too long or anything, but when Athena is mad, she's absolutely terrifying. He's not sure whether she's mad just because she's seeing him stumble around pretending to be normal and not semi-conscience, or mad just because she's Athena.

When in doubt, play it stupid, right? ] Dun', dun' know whatchur talkin' 'bout.

[ He doesn't sound like he's totally with it and his throat is hoarse to hell. Duh, Rhys. Seriously. ]

Jus' blacked out? Kinda'appens.

[kissmyaspis]

[If Athena was a little less pissed, she would've rolled her eyes at that. But no, she's just... really not in the mood for that, so she just folds her arms across her chest, eyes nearly glaring a hole straight through Rhys.]

Don't play stupid, I know something happened. [She holds up her 'gear, still clenched tightly.] The doppleganger- [hoo... boy, the way she hisses that is kind of weird, considering how friendly (in Athena's definition of the word at least) she was with Tim prior...] - told me that Jack did something to you, and that I should check in.

So, I'm going to say this again: what happened?

[atlasrising]

[ Through the fog he can just see Athena glaring absolute daggers at him, and Rhys lowers his gaze. This reminds him of a mom scolding her kids, and when they try to say something to justify their actions they're just given the look instead. Lying about what happened isn't going to do shit.

Alright, fine.

Thanks Tim. ]

Jack came. Fast traveled. [ Rhys tries to get up and stand, but oh, that's a bad idea. Halfway up he's hit with a dizzy spell, so he gently lowers himself to the ground and props himself up on the flattest surface he can find. ] He was mad at me.

[kissmyaspis]

Shit, that's right... thanks to the festival, Jack can fast-travel to Ecruteak now. That... isn't too bad. There's still plenty of cities Jack can't visit, even with Tim on his side now. And... ugh, it feels so wrong to just avoid him. Athena doesn't just run from enemies like this. But...

... Hold on.]

He attacked you alone, and you're still here?

[It should probably be a bit insulting that Athena sounds impressed and a tad shocked that Rhys didn't die...]

[atlasrising]

[ He nods, which is a dumb idea. Rhys swallows.

There's an idea as to why Jack did what he did. They say that when you die here, you don't really die. It's like a New-U station: you experience the death, you disappear, you go to that Center all nice and untouched where you rest for a day and then you're out. No scratches, no bruises. Nothing.

Jack wouldn't like that. He would be bored by the idea of someone coming back to lie with no scratches or anything, other than memories. There wasn't any true way to implant fear in someone when they made it out scotch free. Maybe Rhys never really saw Handsome Jack in person (except for like, once), but he can remember Vasquez talking about how he had been punched every time they met. No reason, just because. ]

Dying would be too easy. He wanted me to live through it.

[ He'll point to his neck, where there's just...bruises. Finger shaped bruises. ]

goldenrod

[secondhandsome]

[Clothes shopping isn't something that ever really held Tim's interest before, but now that his options are kinda limited to "something Jack might wear" it's way worse. There's gonna be a lot of bright freaking yellow in his wardrobe and it's giving him a headache.

Everything about being here is giving him a headache.

He's just going through the assortment of awful yellow shirts when he sees Rhys. They hadn't really talked, but they did both travel with Athena before he went and fucked that up. The bruises are hard to ignore. So that's what Jack had gone with, huh? Shit.

Maybe the smarter move would be to ignore him, but... he's right there, so fuck it, let's walk over to the guy.]

Uh...

Hey?

[atlasrising]

[ Rhys knew Athena had been absolutely livid when Tim left. Like, beyond pissed.

He hadn't been, though. It was so, so hard to just toss Jack away when you had your loyalties planted. It had to have been worse, because he actually saw Handsome Jack in person. What Rhys had talked to for about a week or so hadn't been anything more than an AI. The closest he ever got to Jack in the flesh and blood (other than now) was being spat on in the hallways. Literally spat on.

Turning his back on AI Jack hadn't been easy, but that was because Rhys had seen him as a hero for years. Having a guy stuck in your head, praising everything you did and promising power, only to have him want you as a meat suit the next moment in sucked. But Tim actually had to work with Jack, and talked with Jack, and did anything Jack asked. His connections were so much deeper.

Rhys is still a little surprised to see Tim in the shopping center though. He tries to clear his throat because he sounds absolutely awful, and attempts to smile. Attempts. ]

Hey. Long time no see, right?

[secondhandsome]

Uh, yeah... Yeah.

[This is really awkward. For many reasons. Even having this conversation almost feels like he's doing something wrong and that's ridiculous, but everything he's doing lately seems to be the wrong thing.

Maybe he should just stop worrying so much. Easier said than done...]

So um. Are you... okay? [...] Okay, I mean, stupid question, obviously not. But I mean, like, relatively speaking?

[atlasrising]

[ Relatively speaking.

He knows that Tim knows. Tim was the one who alerted Athena to what happened, after all. He's probably seen the bruises and everything by now. Jack had to have told him about what happened, go figure. Anything to intimidate the guy who's following you, right?

...Is he okay, though.

Athena would probably yell at him for being truthful around Tim. She wasn't the happiest with him right now, and he could kind of understand. Kind of. They were both from Hyperion, though. There was something different about interacting with Jack. Rhys could understand this. ] No. Not really.

[secondhandsome]

[More honest than he was expecting. Then again, an encounter like that with Jack... You can't really brush that off. So maybe he should've expected that.]

Right. Kinda figured as much. Jack's... not really the holding back type.

[Captain Obvious over here, but... a part of him is still shocked Jack seriously went to Ecruteak. He just went there, hurt Rhys, Athena never even knew he was there until Tim told her... Damn.]

...So why the hell are you here? I mean, of all cities...

[atlasrising]

He's not. [ Rhys is honestly just happy they're stuck here where there's no chance of being vented into space. He has a sinking feeling that if they were at home on Helios, he'd be out floating around in space. Well, if Jack was alive and everything then. And if Helios was still floating around, and not a flaming heap on Pandora.

He knows that Jack is in Goldenrod somewhere. Being here right now is...probably really, really stupid. But it's the only place where he can find a shirt that can cover up the damage Jack did. ] I need a shirt, and there wasn't any place in Ecruteak that had shirts that covered it up. At least nothing that didn't look creepy. [ It was all ghost shirts and stuff. Weird. ]

I kind of have an idea where he lives anyway, so I'm fine if I just avoid there.

[ That probably sounds really awkward! Well. ]