victory_road | Closed Log

Entry tags:

Closed Log

Who: Handsome Jack, Angel, Athena, Janey Springs
Where: Ecruteak
When: October 3rd
Summary: An uncomfortable reunion.
Rating: PG-13 for language, potential mentions of child abuse.

[Here it is. Finally. Jack's been doing everything he can to fill the time between when Angel said she'd meet with him and it actually happening.]

[This whole thing has been hell. She's been fighting him tooth and nail every inch of the way and he's just so friggin tired of it. But whatever, they're gonna have a nice dinner. Even if Springers is tagging along. Angel's been here at least a month now, and he's finally going to see her. That's what matters. And she'll see that she's been ridiculous!]

[So he's waiting outside the restaurant, dressed down in just his Hyperion sweater, jeans, and a leather jacket. Yeah, maybe he's dressing like he used to in the older days for a little bit of a reason, but he figures it can't hurt.]

[He's got Doom Boner at his feet and a little box in his pocket. He hadn't planned on getting Angel a gift, but he'd seen the little charm at the department store and it made him think of her, so he had.]

[Now he's just waiting. And trying not to jitter in place because even if she's put him through hell, he's over the frickin' moon at the thought of seeing her.]

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[Angel, for her part, didn't change her appearance much at all. She still wore the dress she had arrived with, the one she had seen on several trainers that called themselves "Ladies." She saw no need to dress up. Even if she had, a bout of nausea, likely from the fear of her father, wracked her for the hours prior to her visit with him. There had been no time for any of it.]

[Part of her wanted to stay behind, let Janey and Athena show up and make quick work of him. Her whole point of this meeting was to get Jack out of her hair, but she knew he would be unsatisfied when he saw Athena walk into the building. But maybe, and this was her naive hope speaking again, Jack would take it as a sign to leave Angel alone.]

[And then there was the ever-pressing thought that, deep down, Angel wanted see him. Despite every negative interaction between the two of them, she still held out hope.]

[That hope only grew when she saw him standing there. From the shoulders down, he looked normal. He looked almost like he used to, back before the thick of her torture began. Back when she could at least lie to herself about who he was and what he was doing to her.]

[But Athena's presence behind her kept her rooted to the ground. Jack wasn't going to take well to her appearing there, and she didn't want to be within arms reach once the storm began. Instead she took only a small step forward, waving limply.]

[In contrast to Angel, who made an effort to look nice for this meeting, Athena is clad in her normal attire, and yes, that includes the armor. She's sure that, should things escalate to that point, nothing Jack could throw at them would require her to wear her armor... but it's more of a statement than an actual attempt at protection. It's clear that she's serious, that she's settled firmly into the role of bodyguard that Angel asked her to be.

It shows she's not messing around here.

Without the nerves that Angel is feeling, Athena can see things more clearly, and it doesn't take her long to spot Jack just outside the restaurant. She quickens her step ever so slightly, so that instead of following behind Angel next to Janey, she's standing next to her. The better for the girl to feel her presence.]

He's outside... good. Even more people to avoid making a scene in front of.

[She'd rather him make a scene, show everyone just how unstable he can be... but that would be bad for Angel. And that's something she needs to avoid tonight.]

[There she is. God, she looks beautiful. Seeing her like this, on the street, standing on her own two feet and wearing a pretty dress...]

[He doesn't even notice her honor guard at first. It hits him hard, actually seeing her. He smiles, feeling all weird and kind of nervous and giddy. He almost thought she wasn't gonna show up. He wouldn't have put it past her, after what she's already done.]

[But she's here....]

[And while she'd brought Springs, like they'd talked about...there was Athena. What the hell? They'd had a whole conversation about this. Springs. Not Athena. Jack had been very, very clear that he didn't want the gladiator witnessing their reunion.]

[And she was here anyway.]

[Muscles tighten in Jack's face and he loops Doom Boner's leash around his hand and squeezes and worries at the bright yellow nylon. Why is Athena here? Is Angel trying to piss him off? Is she testing him? Oh...she really was his little girl. She's also the last person he ever expected to be embroiled in a battle of power plays with, but apparently this is where they are.]

[Okay. Fine. He had promised Angel a nice evening, it's gonna be one nice god damned evening. Athena and all. And even the woman's presence doesn't squash the giddy joy of being able to see his daughter and spend real time with her. And Athena being here isn't gonna goad him into anything else.]

[He shakes his head as he approaches, ignoring Athena entirely and giving a brief nod to Springs. It's Angel he's focused on.]

Holy crap, look at you, sweetheart. You...you look great. Uh...little surprised, thought we had a plan set. Guess I didn't get the memo. Good thing I didn't make reservations...

[He can't keep a hint of bitterness creeping into his voice at the end, but he just stays focused on Angel. He offers her a smile, the rare kind that touches his eyes. Because even if the one person he'd specifically not wanted here is here....so is Angel.]

Whatever. You uh, you really want her here, huh? Okay. I'm not gonna agrue. It's just really good to see you, Angel.

[Aw, crap. He's having way more feelings than he's really comfortable with Athena seeing.]

[Pleasant as he seemed, Angel had become adept at reading Jack over the years. She could see how he toyed with the leash. She noticed the shake of his head.]

[The only thing that threw her was the smile. She was used to the tight-lipped, mirthless smiles. She was familiar with the "Princess, it's okay" smiles with a gaze focused somewhere miles away.]

[But this... this was almost okay.]

I do. [Angel cast a glance back at Athena, frowning the second Jack couldn't see her face. The sight of the warrior, dressed for combat and obviously ready to spring to her defense reassured her. She gave a small nod to the gladiator, and a tiny smile to Janey, before turning back to Jack.] She is my condition. If you want me here, and if you want any amount of hope that we can be amicable toward one another, you will cooperate.

[Her speech done, Angel was quickly distracted by Doom Bob. He was larger than she expected, to a point where she was almost concerned. But that concern went away the second she knelt down to scratch between his ears and beneath his chin. At least there would be one good thing coming from this evening.]

Hello, my friend. It is wonderful to finally meet you.

And know that this is entirely what she wanted. I had no hand in convincing her to do this.

[Athena doesn't so much as blink when Jack stares her down. She can't be intimidated or sweet-talked like so many of his other victims, and even though her biggest weakness is standing only a few feet away from her, she's safe in the knowledge that Jack doesn't know this.

So yeah, no threat. He's as far from a threat as he can possibly get here.]

Sweetheart, I already said I'm not gonna argue. You want her here that bad, she's here. I won't even make her pay for her own dinner.

[He doesn't like it one bit, but...]

[He can turn this to his advantage. He can be cool. Show them they've got nothing to worry about. Not that Athena should be worrying about this anyway, it's none of her business. It's theirs.]

[And he has to admit, he's kinda proud of Angel. This is one hell of a strategic move, surprising him and forcing his hand like this. It's something he'd do. He wishes she wasn't demonstrating her vast talents on him, but still. He'll be on his best behavior, not give them anything they can try and twist around on him, and everything'll be fine. He's got this.]

[The fat Houndour is in heaven. D.B lolls out his tongue and rolls over onto his back, wiggling as much as his rotund form and folds of flesh would allow. Hello new friend!]

I kinda would appreciate a minute or two of a little distance, to say hello properly.

[He crouches down to unhook D.B's leash, but also to lower his voice and speak directly to Angel as privately as he can. He's continuing to just ignore Athena like she isn't there.]

Or at least fair warning if I'm gonna get shot down for a hug in front of somebody who delights in mocking me already. 'Cause I tried to go out of my way to avoid that possibility. And I would like to give you a hug.

[The last time he had...well. It doesn't matter anymore, cause that's been undone. She's fine. She's healthy, she's alive, she's fine. And he can erase that god awful feel of holding her lifeless body. If his daughter grants his request for a hug.]

[Why the hell does this have to be such an ordeal, that he's gotta make sure it's okay and ask permission to hug his own kid?]

[As distracted as Angel was by Doom Bob, she didn't quite catch Jack moving around. It wasn't until she noticed his hand on the pup's collar that she realized the mistake her obliviousness had created.

Startled, Angel tumbled backward, landing on her backside with a thud. Instinct told her to scramble back and away from him, to hide behind the women. It was easy to face him when he was more than an arms-length away. But from this proximity, his hands could be around her throat in an instant.]

No, no I'd rather not... [Angel slunk backward, bringing herself to her feet as she did. Once upright, she did what she could to compose herself, mostly so that she didn't stumble straight into her guardians. Knowing them, they would already be on edge.]

[Terrified as she was, she didn't want her excursion to end just yet. Nothing Jack had done had been particularly malevolent. Thus far, it had only been Angel sabotaging herself. She could at least give him the benefit of the doubt, right?]

[But with all that in mind, Angel still weak. She balled her hands into fists and held them at her side, hoping no one would notice the quiver in them.]

Why don't we go inside? I... would very much like to sit down.

[Athena's faced down all manner of men and beasts, fought against hordes of vault guardians and battled against Vault Monsters so big her team needed to use a giant robot to fight it. Seeing Jack itching to strangle something - probably her - doesn't even get her to blink. She does react when Angel stumbles back, though, taking a step forward and reaching a hand out to steady her. She doesn't help her up, because if Angel wants to stay in control she needs to show that she's strong, but there's no chance in the girl toppling over at least.

God, and Athena thought she was bad at reading people outside of a battle situation... she doesn't get how Jack can just sweep all of this under the rug and pretend that this is something normal.]

Good idea. There's no point in standing outside all night.

[The look that flickers over Jack's face when Angel stumbles back like that is one of confused hurt. He takes a step back and raises his open hands. It hurts him both that she's so scared and that Athena is the one moving to comfort her.]

Hey, okay, okay, just...thought I'd ask... Angel... I really meant what I said. I just want us to have a nice time. I...

[And this is why he didn't want other people here. He has things he wants to say to Angel, but damned if he'll say them in front of Athena. But he's gotten the impression he needs to explain that he'd never lift his hand to her like that. With all the uncomfortable reasons that come along with it.]

[He gets she's not happy about what she went through. And in some way, he understands. It sucked. He knows how much it sucked. But it was a necessity, and for something bigger than either of them. He didn't do it because he wanted to, or it made him happy to keep her locked away like he had. And the eridium thing... sirens used eridium to boost their powers all the time! He really hadn't thought it would do what it did. What was he supposed to do after the fact?]

[But none of that means he'd ever hit her, or anything like that. Yell and scream and lose his temper, sure. He's got a temper, he knows that. But he'd rather shoot his own foot than contemplate the idea of being physically authoritative with his daughter. And he's thinking she honestly doesn't realize that.]

[How had things gotten so screwed up between them?]

Uh, yeah, come on, let's get a table. Uh, good selection here, I dunno what everybody likes but they should have ya covered. Order whatever, business is doing great.

[Athena's hand against her was odd. It wasn't quite comforting so much as a reminder. She could be strong. She was no assassin, no woman of Athena or Janey's caliber. Both of them had fought their own battles -- now it was time for Angel to fight her own.]

[Angel rose, perhaps a little unsteady, but confident all the same. The fear lingered, and Angel would have to hope she didn't need to open her mouth at all. Best as she was doing to keep herself straightened out, she knew her shaking voice would betray her calm facade.]

[Angel stepped forward, the faithful mareep right at her heels. It was a promise that, no matter what, her back wouldn't be entirely unprotected. And that was, of course, begging the question that Jack could do anything before Athena could stop him.]

[Angel mentally shook the thoughts from her head. She was getting ahead of herself again, working herself up right after she had managed to calm herself down. She was protected, and she could let that be enough.]

[All the same, she breathed a sigh of relief when her hand reached the door to the building, pushing it inward. Almost immediately, she pushed her back against the door, holding it open and doing what she could to make it look as casual as possible.]

[As soon as she could, she cast a glance toward Athena. Her few seconds of bravery were fading fast, and she was hoping that by locking eyes with the woman, she could sap just a few more seconds of strength, enough to push herself to a seat like she had to reach her very vantage point.]

[Athena isn't really good at the whole big, motivational speech thing. She prefers to just yell until whatever she's trying to get through to someone sticks, and hey, it worked. Fiona and Sasha are on the road to being damn fine Vault Hunters because f her training! But the two situations are completely different, and even Athena could tell that yelling would do the opposite of helping Angel.

So when Angel meets her eyes, Athena doesn't look away, doesn't soften her expression at all. Her whole composure could come right out of a Crimson Lance recruitment poster, hard and inspiring as she needs to be. And when they step inside together, Athena just gives her a small nod, voice low enough that Jack probably wouldn't be able to hear it over the din of the restaurant's crowd.]

So far, so good. You've still got control here.

[She hasn't caved yet, which is more than certain other people can claim. That means she's doing good!]

[Jack takes care of everything, stepping a bit ahead of the women for his own sake as well as Angel's. This...this is not going how he expected and he doesn't get it. He's on his best behavior. He didn't pitch a fit over Athena. He backed off when Angel freaked out. He knows he's doing everything right, and still....]

[The little group is seated, preliminaries seen to. Jack's puppy settles itself under his chair with a familiar ease that speaks volumes.]

[Athena's presence makes this awkward dinner even more awkward than it had to be. Once seated, he remembers Angel's comments about alcohol and doesn't bother ordering the customary bottle of table wine he usually orders when taking people out.]

So...Anybody caught any cool new Pokemon lately?

[Considering the best conversation he and Angel had managed was about Pokemon, Jack felt it a safe topic of conversation.]

Oh! Speaking of Pokemon...here.

[He remembers the charm bracelet with the mareep charm in his pocket. He takes out the box and slides it across the table toward Angel.]

Made me think of you. Don't...don't read anything into it, I just thought you'd like it.

[Uneasy as she felt sitting down, once she was settled in, it became easier to relax. With both women on either side of her, she knew she was protected. It left it easy for her to relax, for her shoulders to loosen and her brows to unfurrow]

[She even felt well enough to respond to his question, eager to distract herself by talking about her new sentret. However, his second question quickly silenced her.]

[Angel stared at the box somewhat uneasily, unsure of what to expect. Hesitantly, as if she expected something to jump out of it, she opened the box, nearly smiling at the sight of the mareep. While she didn't trust the gesture wholly (Jack's assurances be damned), she still gave him a pleased sort of smile]

[Like hell she was going to forget her manners in a place like this]

I appreciate it, thank you.

[Athena stays silent this time, but she's still watching everything like a hawk. Her eyes even linger on the charm, and though her face is completely blank, beneath that mask, she's suspicious. Oh sure, a present, an attempt to show that he's totally a nice guy... right.

Call her paranoid, but she's not buying any of this as just some completely selfless gesture. But she'll keep that to herself for now, even though it's obvious how she feels about this right now. Angel's handling it all pretty well so far, so there's no need for her to step in just yet.]

[Jack nods in response, not wanting to make a big deal out of the gift. It's not a big deal.]

[The presence of the other women is really making this difficult. It's not like they're doing anything, and he can appreciate that, but they're here. And can listen to everything they say, and that's what the problem is.]

Look, I know I've lost my temper, and I know...I probably haven't handled our conversations so great, but....you know.

[He's got a temper, and she has really been giving it to him since she got here.]

But I wanna fix things, sweetheart. I do. 'Cause this sucks. We're not supposed to need friggin' armed guards to go out to dinner. Which is not me saying that they shouldn't be here, it's me saying that it sucks that this is where we're at.

[It's a very heavily edited and condensed version of what he wants to say, but there's some things that just aren't to be discussed in mixed company.]

[And there it was. Angel did what she could to keep her expression even, despite the fact that her heart began to pound in her throat. Beneath the table, her fingers clutched at her knees, while she struggled to keep her expression flat. It wouldn't do to either her nerve or her temper here. She had to maintain some semblance of control]

You act as if I want to do this. [Angel kept her words short and clipped, but her gaze was harsh. She glanced toward the women sitting beside her, before turning back to Jack.] At some point, we must accept the decisions we have made.

[Angel glanced down at the menu before her, pretending to read, even though the words didn't make sense to her. She kept her voice strong, but on the inside, she was quaking. She cast another glance at Athena and Janey, before swallowing hard]

[Change the subject she urged herself mentally. Anything to get away from the terror clawing at her innards.]

You asked about pokemon, did you not? Did I tell you I caught a sentret? I have yet to give him a name, but I quite enjoy his company.

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