Just a Friendly Little Talk! | Jack + Abel | Segway Car

Abel Lazarus

Abel didn’t think looking for Jack was a Good idea- but it wasn’t… The worst idea he’s Had. Jack won’t have his knives right now so. He’s fine. Unfortunately he can’t do Exactly what he planned because he Also doesn’t have his knife- but hey. They put weapon stores in malls sometimes, right? He could get Jack’s advice.

Ignoring that he’s got way more injuries added on suddenly- he rolls around looking for him- and once he finds him and notices Heck. He’s a Cop he decides to keep more distance than he would have otherwise. Close enough to speak! Far enough he has a head start if he needs to roll.

“Jack!” He’s not being quiet. A bad idea usually but hey! He’s not good at thinking right now, clearly. “I’ll pay you when I get my wallet back if you give me some knife advice.” He’s going right for it!

And luckily it’s not like Jack will remember this later in case someone else dies to a knife.

“I need to sharpen a blade. Maybe… Get a new one if there’s some here.” AND he’s admitting to a cop he plans to steal! Good thing this is Jack.

Roadie 🪶Jack

Jack didn’t have his knives right now, but he at least had a butter knife! Not that he needed it for a plate full of hummus, but it was something. If plastic counted as something. Be a better weapon if he just snapped it in half. Not that he really needed one of those right now. Eating was more important. Won’t heal right if you don’t eat. ~~Won’t heal right if you don’t rest, either, but he’d just ignore that part.~~

Abel Lazarus “Jack!”

His head snapped to that direction, and another searing pain went around his neck. He gripped the edge of the food court table for support as his vision flared white briefly. Okay, maybe the broken plastic knife wasn’t such a bad idea. Just something to have close at hand if he got jumped like this. He’d have to puzzle that out once his thoughts unscrambled again.

Abel Lazarus “I’ll pay you when I get my wallet back if you give me some knife advice.”

He took a long sip of his water as he waited for this guy to explain. This guy being, uh… Little harder to recognize anybody with their faces covered up. Maybe the voice should’ve been easier to pin down, but it just wasn’t happening right now. Not that important. The “I’ll pay you” part was always more important.

Abel Lazarus “I need to sharpen a blade. Maybe… Get a new one if there’s some here.”

…Oh, he hadn’t thought of that. Probably worth looking. But right now they were talking money. Right.

“So your offer’s to pay me… eventually. Not too trustworthy a type a’ payment.” He dragged a cheap pita slice across his plate, then slurped the hummus off it like a spoon. Well, better than waiting for him to nibble his way through the whole thing. “But ‘d be willin’ to negotiate.”

“Lessee… I’ll take the future cash, yes, but ’s far as a sensible down payment…”

Wait wait wait, this was the rich guy, wasn’t it? One of those superior types. Ohohoho.

“Denizens won’t cover your food ‘spenses with your position, yeah? I wanna watch ya break down an’ steal somethin’ to eat.” He stretched an arm out towards the Denizens somehow enjoying their meals without any mouths. “Take your pick! Anybody but me.”

He leaned back a touch.

“Or you plannin’ on not eatin’ anything this whole car?”

Abel Lazarus

Roadie 🪶Jack Won’t heal right if you don’t rest, either, but he’d just ignore that part.

Haha. 🤝

Roadie 🪶Jack “Lessee… I’ll take the future cash, yes, but ’s far as a sensible down payment…”

Roadie 🪶Jack “Denizens won’t cover your food ‘spenses with your position, yeah? I wanna watch ya break down an’ steal somethin’ to eat.” He stretched an arm out towards the Denizens somehow enjoying their meals without any mouths. “Take your pick! Anybody but me.”

A down payment would have been fine. He could have given him Something, surely- he’s been stealing things all day!

But. Stealing more? Okay. Stealing….. from someone directly.

He feels less good about that. To be fair- the denizens here don’t. Like being Near him- but. Still. Stealing their food directly…

Okay he doesn’t feel good about any of this. Quite frankly he’s Really not enjoying it he just doesn’t have a choice! Sure he could indulge less but when will he get a chance for any of this stuff again??? UGH.

He is. Hungry.

Fine. Jack wins! Is that what he wants? Abel gives him a look that doesn’t really register with the mask- but he looks around at the people around. Who has their food in front of them untouched… and something he’d willingly Eat. Hm. Ah! There. He spots someone with a salad and a coffee and they’re just sitting down- so it’s not touched! That would be a Great meal.

Even if the face of that ball is making him feel judged.

Most of the balls go away when he comes near- but it does seem he’s picked. The one and Only denizen who Will Not run away in fear. The ensuing tussle leads to Abel finally having to ball- as it does turn out hitting a ball is an effective way to steal their food! Except. You know. Jack did have to watch him try his best to take it and really not do great prior to the hit. Haha…

The denizen does end up running But Abel really doesn’t feel accomplished having to roll back over to Jack like this. Pure shame. Absolute loss.

He sits on a bench away from Jack but still close enough to talk. His food ends up just put behind him.

“There.” He folds his arms and waits for Jack to Finally! Offer SOMETHING. Please : (

Roadie 🪶Jack

Jack was expecting a protest from Mr. I’m So Superior Being Killed By Me Would Be A Special Honor, but off he went. He briefly glanced across the food counters to see if he could grab some popcorn for this, but alas. He’d just nibble on the pita as he watched a whole show here. Had to make an effort to keep from inadvertently spitting anything out when the snickers hit. Wouldn’t dare waste food, but boy was this good TV.

What, but Abel was just gonna leave the salad sitting there? C’mon now.

“ ’ppreciate the show! But what, all that trouble and you’re not even gonna eat it?”

“ ’d be happy to finish it for ya if you’re not up to it, but at least take a couple bites.”

“See how ya like the taste. ‘s a little different from any food ya had the option to buy like some kinda decent human bein’, yeah?”

Abel Lazarus

Roadie 🪶Jack Mr. I’m So Superior Being Killed By Me Would Be A Special Honor,

Hey he said killing him would be a stupid idea because of the real world consequences- not that he’d honor people by killing them. Quite frankly he does not believe that.

Roadie 🪶Jack “See how ya like the taste. ‘s a little different from any food ya had the option to buy like some kinda decent human bein’, yeah?”

Abel’s face sours. “You know, with how hard you tried to get my money for bs reasons- I’d figure you’d jump to Actually be able to get some.” He doesn’t want to eat the salad now. Even if he is hungry. He feels… Bad now. Worse!

Just don’t mention stealing is a sin and he probably won’t have a breakdown about it, though.

… Abel does have half a thought to just throw the salad in Jack’s face but he…

He’s not in the right place to get into another fight. And as Annoyed as he is- He’s guilty Far More than Angry.

“Seems you don’t really want it that Badly.” It seems he won’t eat it. Not right now. Abel for your Own Sake- Don’t decide to Not Eat this car Because Of This. Maybe you should bargain for your wallet back, hm? Ask someone to-

Oh yeah you’re definitely not in good enough graces with any of the cops to just ask them to get you food, huh? Considering I’ve mentally timed this Before the Vinzent talk.

“I don’t know what Weird power trip you’re getting from this but I’m not playing. Do you want money or Not?” He grabs the salad and puts in in front of Jack before regaining his distance. Should Jack just decide to chase him… Well at least the segway doesn’t have a low stamina meter like he does, right?

Roadie 🪶Jack

Abel Lazarus “You know, with how hard you tried to get my money for bs reasons- I’d figure you’d jump to Actually be able to get some.”

“Oh, I’m able to anytime I want. No fun doin’ nothing but lifting, though.”

Abel Lazarus “I don’t know what Weird power trip you’re getting from this but I’m not playing. Do you want money or Not?”

“Sheesh, y’act like ’m not allowed to have any fun in life! But fiiiine, yes, I want the money—”

Abel Lazarus He grabs the salad and puts in in front of Jack before regaining his distance.

His free food instinct immediately gutpunched him into yoinking that closer to him in a more defensible position. His now.

What was he doing? Uh.

Attempting to nonchalantly nudge the salad bowl aside a bit—so much for egging the guy into eating it, huh?—he resumed slowly dragging a pita across his hummus.

“So… Knife. Don’t got yours on ya, I guess?”

“Woulda made the salad fight a whole lot shorter.”

Abel Lazarus

Roadie 🪶Jack “Woulda made the salad fight a whole lot shorter.”

He gives a disapproving look but still answers, “no it’s not with me.” He crosses his arms for a moment. “There’s probably a store around with knives in it though. Unless you’ve gone too far to the light side to agree to stealing.” Don’t point out his hypocrisy about being okay with stealing things as long as they’re not directly in someone’s possession. I don’t want to deal with that ensuing breakdown where he ends up begging Plart for his money back so he can pay for things.

Or do. Could be amusing for Jack to watch.

“I’ll give you 100 once I have my wallet back- unless you’d prefer one of my rings. It’ll sell for a lot but I don’t assume you get many chances to sell jewelry since you’re stuck here.” Something something Lazarus gold boast something something! Great glad we had that talk again.

This does confirm he believes fully that Jack isn’t getting off this train- but he figures he’ll ask Jack one tiny little question! Just a little one. “… have you seen what happens when people hit zero, by the way?” He just… wants to know if a death through that hurts. His own number isn’t very high- not. Compared to Jack especially- he just…

Is curious. And Jack would be the only person to know. Might as well try.

Roadie 🪶Jack

Abel Lazarus “There’s probably a store around with knives in it though. Unless you’ve gone too far to the light side to agree to stealing.”

“You honestly think an officer of the law would approve of stealing?” Jack tried to sound as offended as possible, but he was already laughing by the end. “Pretty sure I saw a kitchen store at least? Might be a place to start.” Unless, of course, he hadn’t actually seen one. Equal odds, more or less.

Abel Lazarus “I’ll give you 100 once I have my wallet back- unless you’d prefer one of my rings. It’ll sell for a lot but I don’t assume you get many chances to sell jewelry since you’re stuck here.”

“How ’bout both?” Of course he would.

Abel Lazarus “… have you seen what happens when people hit zero, by the way?”

“Heard ’bout it plenty, but only seen it once. If you’re interested in details, I’m gonna hafta ask you for a little extra, though…”

Only upon agreement—to whatever extent, really, as long as it was more money—did he continue.

“So. Not like I gotta worry ’bout it much, but. Different Denizens got different ideas. Some of ’em’re clueless. But general consensus is, when your number hits zero, the Train sends ya home. Time I saw it, guy got his own little exit door outta nothing—seemed like it was connected to him, kinda. Only worked for him, a’ course. But he stepped through, and…”

“…last I saw, the exit was attached to this… Magic tunnel? Tornado? Thing. Stretched out into the wasteland, could just see the guy’s silhouette up ’till it vanished into the clouds.”

“So, ‘d he get sent home from there? Just, uh, black hole-twisted up and killed? Who knows. This killin’ thing’s the most organized solution I’ve seen. Whether it works or not, well. Not like I gotta home to go back to, anyway. Sounds like your problem, not mine.”

Abel Lazarus

Roadie 🪶Jack “How ’bout both?” Of course he would.

Yeah. Sure. He’s got so many rings it’s hardly a big deal as far as he’s concerned. He’s. Not really missing any of them.

Roadie 🪶Jack I’m gonna hafta ask you for a little extra, though…”

UGH. Fine. Abel wants the info. Sure. He nods.

Roadie 🪶Jack the Train sends ya home.

The way Abel perks up is… Very noticeable. Home? He could go home? He could see his uncle again? The cats? Work? Hell. The rest of his family too?

Roadie 🪶Jack Just, uh, black hole-twisted up and killed? Who knows. This killin’ thing’s the most organized solution I’ve seen.

This… dampens his response. He shrinks just a bit- but.

… he’d still end up at home? Even if he’s dead probably? Some door leading into the void sounds like a staircase to heaven type deal and honestly.

…

Maybe that’s worth it more than the cat wants them to believe. At least it’s… control? Over what happens? It’s home either way. He doubts the cat bothers taking your dead body home and he just fixates hard on Home. He could Go Home.

Unfortunately he hasn’t been keeping an eye on his number changes- so he doesn’t… quite know what makes the number change. He’s… possibly got more questions for Jack. For later! Maybe.

“I see.” He… looks happier. Like. Weird for Jack to see I’m sure.

Roadie 🪶Jack Not like I gotta home to go back to, anyway. Sounds like your problem, not mine.”

Yeah. Sounds about right with that tape Abel saw- but. It does mean Jack isn’t much of a threat in game. What reason does he have to try and go home? Sad for him.

Abel stands. “Where is the store you saw? Unless you’d wait to finish your salad first but then I’ll need you to answer more questions.” Like how do you make your number go down? Actually he’s going to ask that soon regardless. He’s got A Drive now. Home.

He Could go Home.

Roadie 🪶Jack

Abel Lazarus The way Abel perks up is… Very noticeable. Home? He could go home?

Ahaha. Even Jack didn’t manage to overlook that one. The look of a guy with something to live for. Maybe Jack would’ve been envious if he’d had the energy. For now, it was just kinda funny. Haha, imagine having personal investment in something. What a loser, right?

Abel Lazarus He… looks happier. Like. Weird for Jack to see I’m sure.

Very weird, especially since Jack was technically responsible. He was just gonna ignore it! The standard.

Abel Lazarus “Where is the store you saw? Unless you’d wait to finish your salad first but then I’ll need you to answer more questions.”

“Gonna hafta ask me a few questions? What is this, a suspect interrogation?” Not that he’d ever been caught for one of those. Naturally.

“Not sure ’xactly, though, wasn’t payin’ it too much attention. But I can eat an’ run no problem.”

He picked up the salad bowl and the plate of hummus and took about two steps before seeing his Segway. His look soured. Taking a fluid sort of substance and loose leaves onto that bucking beast was not a good strategy unless he wanted to waste good food.

“ ’r maybe not.” He plopped back down and took a piece of pita. There was still a lot left before he even got to the salad, but good luck getting him to eat any faster.

Abel Lazarus

Roadie 🪶Jack “Gonna hafta ask me a few questions? What is this, a suspect interrogation?”

“Clearly not, you’re the cop here. Technically it would only count if you’re quizzing me.” He… spins on the Segway? Oh god he is happy. Sit down Abel don’t do Segway tricks that’s lame.

Roadie 🪶Jack “ ’r maybe not.”

This deflates Abel a little but he does sit back down. It’s only temporary, though! He just has to let Jack eat ~~and ignore how hungry he is.~~ He can wait! He’s patient! Because now he gets to ask about things.

And really, maybe a boy just wants to see his basically dad, yeah? That matters a lot more than the knife mission right now. Way more.

“Fine. I assume you can talk and eat at least- what lowers numbers? We know killing at least raises them- but do you just… have to do the opposite of what raises it?” He’s tapping his leg. Thinking. Why didn’t he realize Jack was an untapped resource before? Maybe he’s lying sure- but.

It doesn’t really seem like he has anything going for him if he does lie. What reason would he have to do so? He doesn’t seem that spiteful.

Probably.

Roadie 🪶Jack

Abel Lazarus “Clearly not, you’re the cop here. Technically it would only count if you’re quizzing me.”

Jack was the what.

…Right! He knew that. That was why he was wearing these weird clothes with too-tiny pockets. But they could worry about that later.

“Sure, pop quiz.” He needed a second to pull enough consciousness together to come up with something. “How much total’s in your wallet right now?”

Abel Lazarus He… spins on the Segway?

Oh, showing off your Segway superiority huh? Right in front of his salad? Jack couldn’t figure out whether he was supposed to be weirded out still or slighted, so he decided he was just hungry. Humnis.

Abel Lazarus “Fine. I assume you can talk and eat at least-

“Dunno, I’d hate t’ lose any food playin’ it risky like that…” But yes, he could. Just… cautiously.

Abel Lazarus what lowers numbers? We know killing at least raises them- but do you just… have to do the opposite of what raises it?”

“Ehhh. Usually get some wishy-washy namby-pamby crap ‘bout bein’ a better person ‘r facin’ your whatever.” He waved the hand that wasn’t holding any pita. “Easiest t’ just go for trial an’ error, see if ‘s worth doin’ whatever gets it down. Usually isn’t.”

“ ‘f I had to guess for you, though… Seem like ya take yourself awful serious, yeah?” Though Abel was smiling more than usual(?) right now, but Jack was still ignoring that part anyway. “Bet makin’ a fool a’ yourself in public might do it. Little bit, anyway.”

Abel Lazarus

Roadie 🪶Jack “How much total’s in your wallet right now?”

He gives Jack a Look. He DOES know the answer but he isn’t really Excited to try and Answer that question for Jack. Sorry buddy. You will make a nice chunk of change out of this, though. Don’t worry about that at least.

Roadie 🪶Jack “Easiest t’ just go for trial an’ error, see if ‘s worth doin’ whatever gets it down. Usually isn’t.”

Hm.

Roadie 🪶Jack “Bet makin’ a fool a’ yourself in public might do it. Little bit, anyway.”

Huh.

Abel looks at Jack for a long moment before looking at his lap. He flexes his hands against the fabric for a moment before looking at Jack again.

Now this isn’t something most people would consider making themselves a fool but. Abel is himself.

“Your… neck. Ice will help with the pain. If it’s. Hurting.” From experience but this isn’t the very embarrassing part to him.

“… it’s worst the first time, usually I think. It’s only happened to me once but.” But he’s. Attempting something right? “…”

He can’t look at Jack while he truly bites the bullet and Goes for this. “… I don’t think you deserved that. Neither of us did.” Now maybe he doesn’t fully mean that on his half- but. This is something! He feels sufficiently embarrassed trying to connect to Jack of all people. About. That.

And maybe Jack won’t appreciate it but. It won’t matter right? It feels better to say a little and it might help him in the long run. If anything Jack is an easy tester. Abel doesn’t expect him to react well- which takes the pressure off it.

Roadie 🪶Jack

Abel Lazarus He gives Jack a Look.

“What? Just doin’ my job.”

Abel Lazarus Abel looks at Jack for a long moment before looking at his lap. He flexes his hands against the fabric for a moment before looking at Jack again.

Jack was metaphorically rubbing his greedy little hands together. Do it, do something stupid. How low can he get the little rich boy to go in one day?

Abel Lazarus “Your… neck. Ice will help with the pain. If it’s. Hurting.”

Uh. What.

…Did he look like he was in pain? Ugh. If there was anything he should’ve been any good at, it was smothering that down. Surely he’d had plenty of practice. Not a lot of people worth hiding it from these days, but…

His train of thought fizzled out along with about half his visual capacity. He winced and dug his nails into the back of his hand. Stay awake. Couldn’t’a been more than, what, six days now? Just how weak was he, all of a sudden? One stupid burn shouldn’t have done that much. One stupid murder. One stupid tape…

Someone was talking, right? Where was he right now? Hhh.

Abel Lazarus “… it’s worst the first time, usually I think. It’s only happened to me once but.”

Biting down on the inside of his lip, he tried to piece the context back together.

“What, a burn? ’r a neck injury.” He didn’t think to actually look at Abel’s neck for signs of anything.

“Sure not my first.”

Abel Lazarus “… I don’t think you deserved that. Neither of us did.”

“……………..”

None of those words made any sense. What, Abel didn’t deserve to watch that? Or was there something else in this conversation he’d already lost track of? The first part sure didn’t make any sense, unless he meant Jack surviving it. Which, eh, story of his life, right there.

His breathing seemed out of sync somehow. Whoever was doing it. He was—He…

He quietly went to snap the plastic knife in half with his hands. What were they talking about? Focus on something, he could still… Maybe without… Maybe.

“…Not wrong, but… Wouldn’t wanna… mess with the circulation. ’s not bleeding, so. Better to heal.”

“I can handle a little pain.” His eyes were even duller than usual.

Abel Lazarus

Roadie 🪶Jack “What, a burn? ’r a neck injury.” He didn’t think to actually look at Abel’s neck for signs of anything.

Abel isn’t really even registering that Jack’s Also burned. There’s something else far more… at the forefront of what he’s thinking of.

“The whip. Though- I guess I was recently strangled too.” He. Makes a Weird sort of… laugh? At that? If Jack does look now, though- he’ll see that Abel’s throat likely has some sort of bruising around it peaking over the turtleneck of the silly robber outfit. Turns out getting strangled by someone intending to Kill you probably Bruises you, huh? At least I’m assuming.

“… I don’t think people realize how much they hurt when someone’s really trying to hurt you with one.” He isn’t. Really going to keep going with that topic though. It’s not comfortable for him either. Regardless of their shared experience there- Abel did agree to his punishment. Part of him worries that if he admitted to that, Jack might hit him with something he Couldn’t currently handle- and then where would he be?

Roadie 🪶Jack “I can handle a little pain.” His eyes were even duller than usual.

Maybe that’s true. Hasn’t Abel said the same? Turns out being insistent Tylenol is a gateway drug often puts you in a spot to make the same claim over and over. Whether he’s hurting himself or being hurt or just… hurting. Abel isn’t nearly as scar covered as Jack- not when most of his injuries have been concentrated- but even then this short time on the train must be getting him closer.

It’s something to think about.

Not yet, though. Not. Completely.

He’s already pushing himself out of any sort of comfort zone.

“… it’s a good thing you don’t need a knife for hummus.”

Well hopefully that was enough for something. For a start of something. Progress or… whatever.

“So. Why do you like knives so much?” Knowing Jack that probably is a loaded question but hey it’s probably one he can lie about and he and Abel can both pretend this weird emotional moment didn’t happen.

Roadie 🪶Jack

Abel Lazarus “The whip.

“Ahh.” Jack nodded, taking a second to down his next tiny bite of pita. “Burn’s more severe than the lash, though. Woulda been nice to ease the swellin’, but.” He shrugged. Medicine, man.

Abel Lazarus Though- I guess I was recently strangled too.”

“No kiddin’? Person, ’r you just walk into some pull cords wrong?”

He still didn’t actually look to see the bruising. What did he care? Nothing he could do for it now, and he wouldn’t have, anyway. Already getting paid for something else, so not much room for benefit. Or what, would helping’ve made Abel like him? Pretty sure the guy voted to kill him, or something. Little late for that.

Abel Lazarus “… I don’t think people realize how much they hurt when someone’s really trying to hurt you with one.”

Yeah, there was definitely a story there. One he didn’t really care enough about to hear… and wouldn’t be able to keep up with, either. At least not right now.

Still a little woozy, he dragged the broken plastic across the side of his exposed forearm like some sudden fasciotomy. But even with a slightly sharper edge, it didn’t leave any damage beyond a white line. He stared, flexing his fingers to watch it shift. Hard to tell if this was helping.

Abel Lazarus “… it’s a good thing you don’t need a knife for hummus.”

“T’… spread it, maybe.” He was clearly not in condition to use his context clues right now, so he’d just respond to the base statement. And eat some hummus.

Abel Lazarus “So. Why do you like knives so much?”

Oh, a question. Uh. Probably should’ve been simple. If he could think.

“Easy t’ get your hands on, easy t’ control.” Sure beat some other weapons he could name.

Stomach twisting, he scored a couple more sad little lines on his arm. This was not speeding up his eating pace.

Abel Lazarus

Roadie 🪶Jack “Burn’s more severe than the lash, though. Woulda been nice to ease the swellin’, but.”

While Abel isn’t… Much one for recommending medicine for others- He does cognitively know that most people don’t tend to have similar hang ups about such things. He gives Jack Two (2) Tylenol. In case he would take them. Should help with swelling. And count as a nice deed! Is his number going down? Who knows. He’s not going to check right now. “There’s a pharmacy.”

Roadie 🪶Jack Or what, would helping’ve made Abel like him? Pretty sure the guy voted to kill him, or something. Little late for that.

Actually! It would have made Abel like him. Saving his life definitely gives you like a heavy bonus of some kind. What a world it would be to have Abel Like Jack, huh? He’d be FAR more insufferable! Not just for the purposes of trying to go home. “Person.” Is what he offers for the question, though.

Roadie 🪶Jack Stomach twisting, he scored a couple more sad little lines on his arm. This was not speeding up his eating pace.

Hm. Yeah Abel is Really starting to notice Jack acting… Weird. To the best of his ability to describe it at least- He isn’t really the best for dealing with anything like that, though. So.

He looks at the lines Jack is giving himself and… Yikes. Jack is super not okay isn’t he? ~~(You think?)~~ Hm.

… Distraction didn’t seem to work…? He isn’t really sure what to do.

…

“Jack. Are you Okay?” Clap for him everyone. This is, indeed, his best. Short of. Offering Jack a stuffed bunny to cuddle.

Roadie 🪶Jack

Jack watched the Tylenol extraction process, then stared down at the pills another moment with raised eyebrows. Finally he scoff-laughed.

“Cute.”

He didn’t touch them, though he seemed more dismissive than wary.

Abel Lazarus “There’s a pharmacy.”

Now that was a little more worthwhile. Not that… most of it would be useful to him, but worth a raid. He’d make a mental note that may or may not survive the hostile whirling vortex of his mind.

Abel Lazarus “Person.”

“Ha! Rough bein’ a criminal, huh?” Back on that smug train, apparently.

Abel Lazarus “Jack. Are you Okay?”

He paused, blinking. What did he do now?

He looked back down at his arm. …Yeah. Okay. He’d come back enough to remember this was not really something you did in front of other people~~, which was why he’d been more covert about it in the trial, right?~~. Not like he’d drawn blood, though, so he wasn’t sure why it’d be concerning. Not like anything’d get infected here.

“Yeah. Just wondering ’f ’d be any good on people. ’pparently not so much.”

He put the plastic knife down and resumed eating, like even his excuse was remotely normal.

Abel Lazarus

Roadie 🪶Jack He didn’t touch them, though he seemed more dismissive than wary.

Oh Good. Something Abel can agree to.

Roadie 🪶Jack “Yeah. Just wondering ’f ’d be any good on people. ’pparently not so much.”

… Uh huh. Now listen. Abel can definitely tell Jack probably didn’t think that thing would cut anyone- At least not without a LOT of force- So he… Doesn’t really believe that.

He also. Doesn’t really care to push him on it. Pushing Jack is a Bad Idea and even beyond that they aren’t friends. Jack is lucky if Abel doesn’t still dislike him by the end of this.

Or. Well. Maybe Jack would think it was unlucky to still be liked by Abel? Who knows. Probably not even Jack at this rate.

Abel just. Looks at him. For a Long Moment.

“Uh huh.” He can’t lie well enough to let it go in any other way. Instead he changes the topic.

“Are there repercussions for you stealing as a cop?” Something. Anything. Just to pass the time until Jack is done eating and he can stop dealing with………….

What ever those vibes are.

Take a Nap, Jack!

Roadie 🪶Jack

Pushing Jack was a bad idea on some days more than others. Today? Who could guess!

Abel Lazarus “Are there repercussions for you stealing as a cop?”

…Had he stolen yet? Probably. Uh. This was one of those days you could just about see the buffering wheel in his eyes. At least he could “eat thoughtfully,” or something. Looked slightly more acceptable than simply eating everything he touched at the pace of a guinea pig just because.

“Not if ya play it right.” Both true and vague! Well done.

Abel Lazarus

Roadie 🪶Jack “Not if ya play it right.” Both true and vague! Well done.

Intriguing. Well! Abel doesn’t have anymore questions and Jack is…………..

Unstable at BEST.

Which Abel is- frankly? Unequipped to help with. Sorry Jack He’s just gonna go quiet and watch you eat because what else can he do now? Maybe if he watches him intensely enough he’ll eat faster because he thinks his food is threatened. Come on Jack. Abel wants his knife. Come on.

He leans on his hand and watches Jack.