Well, there it is. The surprise of the century. Sure, Melvin had been firmly in the camp that Jack was involved in some part of this from the outset, and it should have been vindicating to be at least partially right about something for once.
That feeling never comes, though. The confession brings little relief - there’s something just off enough about it that he can’t quite place that makes the annoying tightness in his throat worse. Jack’s efforts to seem flippant about the whole thing weren’t helping either. This has to be over soon, there’s been too much happening, it’s impossible to focus on just one thing, but does he even care enough at this point? It’s not worth it–
Viper Fenna bore the brunt of her anger whereas Jack received an almost pitying gaze.
Viper …Ya haven’t killed anyone before, have ya?
Hold that thought a moment.
Despite how easy it was to get a rise out of him, Melvin had developed a habit of just letting shit slide. Actually bothering to respond instead of just stewing on it when something didn’t seem fair, or right, or whatever, wasn’t worth the effort. It never changed anything, so what was the point of trying?
… But watching Viper crawl over here right in front of him (and worse, Fenna) to speak so gently to Jack as if he wasn’t equally guilty, as if he had given anything even resembling a good reason why, was beyond infuriating. And sure, maybe he was kind of pathetic. Nothing coming from him was ever gonna matter or get through to her, but seeing this so soon after she’d been tearing into Fenna the way she had… well, how was he supposed to let that go? How courteous of Viper to come close enough that he doesn’t have to shout over anyone else to get right at her.
“What the HELL is your problem?! He gets a pass, but Fenna’s suddenly the worst bitch in the world?! You got so fucking mad at her that you swing at whoever gets in your way–” a sweeping gesture in poor sweet Haruka’s general direction, “– but now you suddenly care about feelings when it’s the asshole who STABBED YOU?”
It doesn’t make sense. There were two killers and Jack was the one Viper seemed to take any pity on. Melvin’s never been very good at any shape of math, but that just doesn’t add up. The only form of communication Viper understood seemed to be violence, huh? Well, fine, she’s close enough that just this once maybe he’ll sink to her level.
…
Literally. Sheesh, he’s not gonna swing at her or anything. Despite the severely heightened emotional state, it’s just not his style. Sorry, fight club fans, it’s not happening. But the situation does, perhaps, warrant getting a little in her face about the way she’s been acting.
“You don’t get to pull this shit with Jack after what you did to Fenna and Haruka. You think she ever hurt anyone like that before? Say you’re sorry and get the hell back over there before you piss anyone else off.”
It’s a very vague and hollow threat. Even taking it this far was a monumental effort on his part, and he’s running out of steam pretty quick. What’s he gonna do if she doesn’t listen? Probably nothing, that’s what. This sucks, man.
