Post by Piper Galloway on Mar 12, 2016 17:59:08 GMT -6
Piper wasn't sure why Jack McCarthy had called her at 3 o'clock in the morning or what he was babbling about when she picked up. The only thing she was certain of was that it did not seem like her new found new found friend was in a very good place at the moment. She'd not even managed to get in a 'hello' before a cavalcade of words came spilling out through the mic of her phone. She blinked a few times, pulling the phone from her ear and staring a the screen in bewilderment before the call ended as abruptly as it had started.
The silence that settled over her modest bedroom was disconcerting, to say the least. Piper didn't know what had just happened or what, exactly, she was supposed to do about it. A strange, almost disconnected feeling washed over her as she slipped out of bed and crossed the room to her dresser and set about getting dressed. It felt almost as though she was watching herself move, rather than consciously pulling the shirt over her head. Within a few, short minutes, Piper was creeping out of the apartment building and heading off into the dark night.
Getting to the Academy wasn't difficult, neither was finding her way into and up through the dorms. Piper found the right room and quickly slipped inside. As expected the common area of the dorm was empty leaving Piper free to cross over the carpeted floor to Jack's door. She paused, exhaling slowly before she reached up and softly knocked. "Jack?" She whispered. "Jack, are you there?"
Post by Jack McCarthy on Mar 13, 2016 13:44:58 GMT -6
No, No Jack was currently not sleeping. Even though it was rather late to say the very least. Why would he sleep. He had a very important night ahead of him, he had it all figured out and it only took a few days without sleep, bottles of booze (Which just happened to be scattered all over her room) to figure it out.
Of course. Of course. Why didn’t think of it before
He could just TAKE the money, almost everyone in the school was rich. He was probably one of the poorest people around here. He could just sneak into someone’s room and then he can go to Africa and then he could somehow find where Onnie lives, turn up and make everything all better.
Of course, a perfect plan it had to work it just had too
Which is why Jack was currently packing his bags at three in the morning, he HAD to. Every moment he spent NOT in Africa was a moment Onnie got further away from him, the closer some very handsome African prince makes his move…
...The closer Onnie begins to forget about him
Which is why Jack inwardly cursed when he heard a knock on his door, damn it he couldn’t afford any distractions “NO!” He called out loudly before not realizing his mistake “I’m not here. I don’t know where I am or what kind of plane of existence I’m currently on,. But I’m not here. I’m at the pudding store buying pudding. GO THERE”
Last Edit: Mar 13, 2016 13:46:54 GMT -6 by Jack McCarthy
Post by Piper Galloway on Mar 13, 2016 14:13:25 GMT -6
Piper paused, listening to the commotion coming from inside the dorm room. Her brow furrowed as she leaned closer to the door and pressed her ear against the wood. A frown touched her features when a crash from the other side of the door caused her to flinch and pull back. Her lips parted as she went to reply to the frazzled voice that erupted from the room. She rarely knew how to respond to most people anyway and the haggard, rough nature of Jack's response had rendered her speechless.
"Um, J-Jack?" She said again after a short pause where she could gather her thoughts. They weren't deep by any means and Piper was still concerned that she had no idea what she was supposed to do. "It's me, Piper." She went to knock again, her knuckles rapping lightly against the wood before testing the doorknob. Frowning again upon finding it unlocked, Piper sighed and carefully opened the door just a crack before peeking in. "Jack, what's wrong?" She asked, touch of worry creeping into her voice. "You're starting to scare me."
Last Edit: Mar 13, 2016 14:16:13 GMT -6 by Piper Galloway
Post by Jack McCarthy on Mar 13, 2016 16:24:59 GMT -6
“Okokthis sgoingtoworkgottagetonaflighttodayonnieonnieonniei’mcomingforonniegoingtogetherbackhavetogetherbacjackconstantlymutteredtohimsefl” in a loud unsettled voice almost like he was in some kind of trance, as he frantically and as slovenly as humanly possible just began to chuck in random clothes into his suitcase not caring what the clothes actually were just that he was filling a bag that he could carry to the airport, it really didn’t matter to him at all, Onnie’s parents were rich or something they’ll have clothes Jack could the most important thing was to actually get to Africa. That was all that mattered.
Jack frown momentarily at the voice of Piper trying to place the name in his befuddled and clearly over tired self “Piper? Piper Piper Piper” he repeated over and over again frantically running his hands through his hair tryting to place the name, it took him awhile to eventually figre out that she knew the person “Oh no, everything is great. Everything is fanstaic I couldn’t possibly be more cotented and happy if I tried he shouted out unable to keep the slight crack his voice away “Oh don’t be scarred you should be so unbeilably happy. I’m going to africa. Surprise! Are you surpriesed? Also on a unrelated note do you have any money I can borrow?”
Post by Piper Galloway on Mar 14, 2016 0:49:08 GMT -6
Piper slipped into the room and carefully shut the door behind her, lest Jack's ranting and raving caused more commotion in the dark, somewhat quiet dorm. She almost immediately regretted the move, though, as Jack was flailing about, moving here and there with seemingly no rhyme or reason. She could scarcely understand a thing that was coming from his mouth and, if she had to be honest, it was starting to frighten her more than a little bit.
"Jack." She said, her tone still low. She pressed her small frame back against the door as she watched Jack do whatever it was he was doing. Carefully she managed to piece together at least a small portion of what was going on. There was the open suitcase with the clothes tossed haphazardly at it. Only a handful of the articles Jack sent the way of his luggage had actually found their way inside, though. Slowly, crystal blue eyes shifted from the bag to the spastic Irishman who was going a mile a minute. "Jack." She repeated the name, a faint trace of fright beginning to creep into her voice. "W-why are you going to Africa?"
Post by Jack McCarthy on Mar 14, 2016 2:07:42 GMT -6
Piper like anyone else who had full capacity of the eyes in their head, would be able to see that Jack was not in a good state of mind, his eyes were bloodshot, his face was pale his eyes were twitchy and paranoid, his hands were shaking, and there was a scruffy beard making it well down its chin. He looked like the living embodiment of the walking dead, a zombie shuffling through clothes not even aware that Piper was here.
His head snapped up hard once Piper spoke up regarding her with wild tired eyes like a lion might do ,once he finds someone sneaking into his cage, for one instant his eyes drifted to the bat in the corner, proped up pride of place against the wall but seemed to decide against it before continuing with her frutile task “Why? Why? Why? Why can’t I go to Africa? Why not? Do I not look like I fit in? I could TOTALLY go to africa! I mean, I hav no money, I know nothing about Africa and I haven’t slept in days, but you know whaT? THAT'S WHY IT'S AN ADVENTURE! That’s why I’m doing this an adventure! I got it all figured out, I’m just going to be a hobo in Africa and I’m going to travel the rails playing a banjo going from town to town solving mysteries
Post by Piper Galloway on Mar 14, 2016 2:28:53 GMT -6
Piper watched Jack with a look of true fright. It wasn't out of fear for her own personal safety rather she was concerned for her new friend's condition. He hadn't looked great during their initial meeting, to be sure, but he certainly didn't look this awful. She flattened herself against the door, eyes wide as Jack went on his tirade. She hesitated and strongly considered making a hasty escape. He was looking at her like a wild animal and it came to mind that she probably shouldn't be here.
But Piper didn't leave. She didn't fling open the door and go running for the hills even though her mind screamed for her to do so. Her eyes stayed up, locked on Jack with concern shining brightly in the glimmering, azure pools. Carefully she pushed forward, her stride slow, steady and certain. Gliding smoothly across the room she approached Jack, stepping directly up to him. "Jack." She said, her voice soft. She reached out, one hand coming up to splay across his chest while the fingertips of the other came to rest gently against his lips to quiet him. "Stop." Her tone was firm but still barely above a hushed whisper as her eyes searched his gaze. "Please calm down."
Post by Jack McCarthy on Mar 14, 2016 3:00:12 GMT -6
Normally, Jack’s mind felt like it was traveling a million miles a second the best of times, but now. It felt like it was in danger of shattering into every speed record known to mankind, his brain was spinning and twirling in his head at light speed it felt like, it rubbed against his skull until it became hot and eventually caused his entire head to explode into a million pieces like a scene pulled out of Scanners…..
So no, Jack wasn’t exactly in the best shape.
He continues to pack and mutter to himself just assuming that Piper was leaving so you can imagine her surprise when Piper encroached into his personal space, before he had a chance to pull her off, he felt the gentle warm touch of her hand against his chest and his vision insistently locked on Piper’s vibrate eyes, he actually did stop for a moment, this was the closest thing to warmth he ever felt since Onnie left, it was hard not to stop and stare back, His brown bloodshot eyes meeting her vast glittering pools, staring up at him….yeah it did have a calming influences.
...but then the mental image of Onnie forced itself to the forefront of his mind…
He pulled back for a moment the spell broken he shook his head back and forward continuing his task “I CAN’T” he said with a groan “I can’t stop, I can’t waste time. Every second I waste, Onnie is in Africa alone, every moment I’m not there with her the more I lose her and I CAN'T lose her. I just CAN’T. I won't...
Post by Piper Galloway on Mar 14, 2016 3:08:29 GMT -6
In an instant all the pieces fell into place. She hadn't known what it was that had been bothering Jack so much but the moment he slowed his pace just enough to speak coherent words it all became painfully obvious. Piper stepped back when Jack pulled away, her eyes dropping to the floor as a frown touched her features. There was no hiding the heartache in her face as she lifted her gaze once more. She studied him for a long moment, letting his words resonate through her mind. She contemplated her response carefully before her lips parted and she spoke.
"Jack." His name escaped in that soft, almost hushed whisper that Piper always used. Her tone was gentle and almost affectionate, though the words contained a certain strength and weight as she activated her power. "I can't begin to imagine what you're going through but you know you can't make a decision like this when you're so upset." She then gave him a warm smile and moved to sit at the edge of his bed. "Why don't you come here. Sit down." She patted the bed beside her. "Talk to me. Tell me everything. You'll feel better, I promise."
Post by Jack McCarthy on Mar 14, 2016 3:23:41 GMT -6
Damn it, he was missing a shoe! He was ALMOST packed, almost done. But his fecking shoe he could have sworn was JUST here was missing, Jack had a theory that some kind of goblin lived under his bed and just stole his shit when he needed them most….Ahhh, come on it had to be around here somewhere “Come on come on he said in a frantic whisper” before he rounded on Piper again “WHAT?! What are you still doing here...can you no-”
Jack stopped. Jack listened.
A weight seemed to come off his body as he did so, his eyes never leaving Piper’s his eyes flickered back and forward to his hastily stuffed case and back to Piper almost in an internal debate…..before he gently walked over beside Piper and sat down resting his head on his knees and he did so staring at the ground
He didn’t say anything for a moment, the silence hung heavy in the room until eventually…..
“My Girlfriend left me…” he said in a more calm voice then he was speaking before hand, his palm gently rubbing his eye “She went back to Africa….that’s where she’s from...I can’t lose her Piper...I have to save this...I know I can save this….I just need to go there, I can make this work. I just can't give up the best thing that happened to me..."
Post by Piper Galloway on Mar 14, 2016 3:49:21 GMT -6
Piper took in a long, slow breath and nodded as Jack finally seemed to listen and settle down. She listened, taking in every cut wrenching word that tumbled from Jack's lips. She'd never had any sort of romantic connection of her own to speak of but she didn't need the personal experience to be able to feel the weight of Jack's plight tugging at her heartstrings. She did smile, though, as he sat next to her.
"At what cost?" She asked curiously. Even though they were both sitting Jack still towered over her diminutive frame when he sat upright. She made sure to keep a fair amount of space between them, though. She wasn't quite ready to get cozy with someone who was obviously a little on the volatile side of things. "You can't make a decision like this." She was almost pleading with Jack now. "Look at yourself." She reached out and rested a comforting hand upon his back. She'd allowed her power to fade and was now simply speaking to him without its influence. "How long has it been since you'd gotten a good night's sleep?"
Post by Jack McCarthy on Mar 14, 2016 4:06:42 GMT -6
Jack wasn’t saying much which was quite a comedown from where he was at a few seconds ago, but he did twist his head in the direction of Piper’s face his ear resting on his knee as he looked up at Piper with bloodshot drunken tired eyes just absorbing her words like it was a sponge ….He didn’t answer the question….but he pondered it…...and even though he certainly didn’t want to admit it….maybe Piper had a point, life decisions really shouldn’t be made anywhere near three in the morning….slightly drunk.
Jack looked down at himself at his appearance with a blank expression never one to take any pride in his appearance whatsoever, but maybe objectively speaking……
Jack flinched a little at the arm on her back, not used to the physical contact these days but not exactly shaking it off
Post by Piper Galloway on Mar 14, 2016 4:21:43 GMT -6
Piper nearly let out a squeak of surprise at Jack's answer. She wasn't expecting to hear something so startling. Judging by the way he was acting and the bloodshot look in his eyes she didn't doubt for a moment that he wasn't exaggerating and that, alone, was more than enough to alarm her. She gently began to start rubbing Jack's back, smiling down to him as he at least seemed to be slowing down and regaining his senses for the time being.
"Here." She pulled away only so she could round the bed and clear off the suitcase that had been sitting upon it and any errant clothing that remained behind. "Why don't you lay down?" She offered, straightening out the blankets that were haphazardly bunched up on his bed and pulling up one corner. In spite of her small frame and almost childlike gleam in her eyes her actions were surprisingly maternal in nature. She patted at the bed once more, urging him to take up her offer. "I'll stay until you fall asleep, if you like." She said before her eyes lit up with an idea, though she was uncertain if would be something she should present. "I... I could read to you..." Her voice wavered and she trailed off toward the end. A frown touched her features as she reached into her pants pocket and sheepishly withdrew her phone. "Um. I have a few e-books here." She held the phone up for emphasis. "Just so it's not so quiet?"
Post by Jack McCarthy on Mar 14, 2016 4:43:59 GMT -6
Now, that Jack was sitting down the sheer weight of tiredness was gently pressing against him for the last little while he was going off the adrenaline purely but now? It was slowly starting to fade and her tiredness was starting to come back with a vengeance, even though it was nothing he could handle….During his cancer days he was used to staying up for days on end, so he was confidence he could keep awake as long as he wanted to.
...Even though it wasn’t helping that she was rubbing her back.
Jack raised an eyebrow a little at the offer, finding it somewhat...surprising, not that he didn’t appreciate,the offer, and speaking as someone whose spent his entire childhood sleeping rough he couldn’t pretend it wasn’t attractive….but the old stubbornness started raising it’s old head and to Jack? The exercise sounded strangely intimate
Jack raised his head and wearily rubbed his eyes with a stifled yawn “Yeah….ummm….Thanks...I guess. I know that sounds bad but I don’t even feel all that tired, So I don’t think I need story time yet…. I’ll just walk around till I collapse. I’m used to it
Post by Piper Galloway on Mar 14, 2016 5:05:45 GMT -6
Piper frowned in disappointment. She wasn't surprised one bit to find Jack so stubborn even when his obvious exhaustion was laid out for anyone to see. She gave a little huff, sighed, then set about straightening up the blankets on his bed anyway. It was an almost nervous reaction to his response. She knew he wasn't telling the truth, she could see the sleep threatening just behind his bloodshot eyes but she also wasn't all that sure how well Jack would react to being called out on his shenanigans. At least if she busied herself for a few moments it would give her a bit of time to regroup and gather her thoughts.
"I really think you should reconsider." She said finally, standing up straight to admire her work on his bed. "I bet if you laid down you'd be asleep before you know it." Piper turned her gaze back to Jack now. Her blue eyes were pleading now, there was no hiding it. Something stuck in the back of her mind and she sighed before dropping her eyes to look at the floor. "I didn't mean to come in here and start acting like your mum." She admitted. "I guess you didn't call me on purpose but I was worried. And now that I'm here..." She trailed off a bit and dared to glance back up to Jack but for just a moment. "I'm worried about you." Although she was tempted to use her power, Piper refrained for the time being. "If..." She took in a breath before finishing her thought. "If you lay down for a few, I'll leave you alone. Promise."