sunday evening, week 0

[killerfang]

[ after a bit of trial and error, Jaffar has finally found Nino! Success!

Unfortunately, he's also found a bunch of other things: namely, the fact that everyone and possibly everything on this island is about to start trying to kill each other. Even before he'd learned that, he'd found out that Nino's roommate might have wanted to kill her, anyway. All of this is absolutely unacceptable. What's worse, for one of the first times in his life, Jaffar is utterly helpless to do anything about it. There is nowhere he can run and take her; they're trapped on this island with no boats or pegasi or anything remotely useful. And he can't fight, either. The two men - morphs, like Sonia, he thinks they are - are essentially invulnerable.

Which means all that he can do right now is keep Nino close to him and protect her with everything he has. That's always his priority, regardless of the situation, but right now, it's more important than ever. On Sunday evening, he returns to his hut with her in tow. ]

... You.

[ referring to Jack, presumably. ]

Comments

[dramatist]

[It's the island's favorite couple, Jaffar and Nino! Jack, who's sitting on his bed trying to sharpen a stick (too thin to actually hurt anyone with, so presumably for fishing) with a rock, looks up once they walk in.]

Oh— [YOU FOUND EACH OTHER he says but not because aki botched the timelines it's fine it's fine.

Anyway, with some measure of concern:] Is everything alright with you two?

[You know, outside of the whole, like. Everything. Just, the everything of this situation and the whole murder thing and the robots and all.]

[learnings]

[THEY SURE FOUND EACH OTHER and Nino is just peering around Jaffar--until she realizes that his roommate is Jack, and then she's beaming.]

Jack! It's you again! Look, I found Jaffar! He's okay!

[So yeah, that's...about the same as usual.

She might be compartmentalizing the murder bit, it's fine.]

[killerfang]

[ one of the many wild Jacks on the island, yes. Jaffar steps aside to let Nino pass through, distracted from his question by her apparent recognition of his roommate. He blinks. ]

You know each other?

[ this will make things easier, probably... ]

[dramatist]

[Don't worry Nino, he won't rip his own arm off--]

I did end up running into her eventually, while she was looking for you, but we couldn't find you after. [vague handwavey thread nonsense AND THEN, to Nino:] How's your nose feeling?

[He sacrificed his meme shirt for this so IT BETTER BE OKAY.]

[learnings]

I'm fine! Don't worry, everything's just fine!

[That's progress, at least.

And then she beams at Jaffar.]

I'm glad that your roommate is someone nice, Jaffar! This way, we can all be friends!

[Ah yes, friendship.]

[killerfang]

[ right, ripping your arm off is gil's job

he glances between the two of them, seeming to relax at least a little bit. He's not so sure about being friends with Jack, but he's glad that Nino could be friends with him. ]

... [ he nods at Nino, then looks back to Jack. ] Nino is going to stay here with me.

[dramatist]

[Look leave him and his one arm alone.]

I'm glad! [And it looks like Nino hasn't received any new injuries since then(??) so that's all well and good...

Jack's also perfectly fine with extra roommates, but--]

Did something happen...?

[learnings]

[Her roommate is psycho.]

Um... I don't think my roommate likes me very much, so... Jaffar said I could stay with him!

Is that okay with you?

[Like.

She'll ask, she's polite.]

[killerfang]

[ he could have asked but "no" is not a viable answer, okay!!

Nino essentially covered it, so Jaffar doesn't add anything, merely watching Jack and waiting for a response. He's afraid that staying with Laura might put Nino in danger. ]

[dramatist]

[Gosh, guys, as if he'd ever turn down helping out someone in a tough situation.]

Oh, my. I see... [How could anyone not like Nino: The Mystery.] Of course it's alright! Here--

[Staring to pick up the things scattered about on his bed so he can vacate it! BED FOR NINO.]

Do you need help moving anything from your room? I'd guess not, but...

[learnings]

Oh, no, I have my--

[... Wait, Jack, what are you doing???]

I-isn't that your bed? You don't have to give it up for me!

[STOP THIS.]

W-wait!

[killerfang]

[ IT TRULY IS THE GREATEST MYSTERY. Jaffar met Laura briefly while he was on his own yesterday, though, and she seemed wholly unpleasant in many ways, so he can believe she might not get along with her.

He watches Jack start moving stuff off his bed, and he's not about to complain, because Nino clearly deserves it more!!! Then she starts complaining, though, and he feels like he should be good and step in. ]

... It's fine. She can use mine.

[dramatist]

[WOW JAFFAR good to know he's at the bottom of the bed food chain here.]

Please, it's my pleasure. Guests should be treated well! [EVEN SWEATY ISLAND GUESTS.] Besides, the two of you may not fit very comfortably in one bed, don't you think?

[Like Nino is small but Jaffar is only outranked in height by sea vikings and demon dogs...]

[learnings]

[.... Yeah, Nino's just.

Pausing.

Contemplating sharing a bed with Jaffar.

(It sounds kind of nice and reassuring?

But also that's like. Really embarrassing, and she's flushing a little as she looks at the ground sheepishly but doesn't say no.)]

[killerfang]

[ NOTHING EMBARRASSING EVEN CROSSES HIS MIND... i'm sorry nino ]

... If it's a problem... I will sleep on the ground.

[ he's done that like a million times before, it's not a big deal. ]

[dramatist]

[These two......... are a real idiot pair.]

I don't think that would be comfortable.

[JAFFAR YOU'RE TOO BIG FOR THE FLOOR NAP.]

[learnings]

[Yeah, no, Nino's not buying it.]

No, Jaffar, you can't sleep on the ground! You have to have a bed!

[SO THERE.]

[killerfang]

[ gears turning... ]

... Then just sleep in mine. You're not big.

[ BEING COMFORTABLE DOESN'T MATTER, I AM A CORPSE.txt ]

[dramatist]

[THEY FIGURED IT OUT... Jack briefly contemplates suggesting just bringing Nino's bed in here since it's not like they're wanting for space with all this Nothing they have, but he eventually decides against it. This shit is hilarious.]

Are you certain neither of you just want to take mine?

[learnings]

No, Jack, you have to sleep in your own bed!

[HMPH!!!

And then, to Jaffar, face a little red--]

Um... T...together?

[And before she can chicken out:]

... Okay! Let's just...let's sleep like that.

[killerfang]

[ DON'T LAUGH AT THEM, JACK, THEY'RE JUST SOME TEEN NERDS

he still doesn't really understand why her face is red - well, he does, but does she actually think he'd try anything?? he can't believe that -- but he just nods at her in response, seeming satisfied enough with these arrangements. Then he glances over at Jack, giving him a serious look. ]

... I'm in your debt. If you have need of me for something...

[dramatist]

[GOD NINO fine he'll keep his bed!!

Also he's gonna laugh at these teen nerds until he dies, probably.

As far as the very serious look and statement goes, he just raises a hand politely, laughing just a little.]

Please, it's no extra trouble. The very least we can do is make sure that no one has to worry about the people they're supposed to be sleeping near, right?

[HAHA wouldn't that be tragic if someone just learned they were rooming with a mass murderer.]

[learnings]

[At least he has some quality entertainment right there in front of him.]

Um... me too! I think I owe you a lot too, so...if there's ever anything I can do, let me know, okay?

[killerfang]

[ surprise jack, jaffar is also a mass murderer, and on top of that, they're fresh out of a gigantic, bloody war...... IT'S COOL.

it is a relief that Jack is okay with this. Still, his concerns about Laura haven't disappeared, and it's all because of what the fake man said earlier about their "partners." He can't rest easy knowing Nino's life is entirely out of her - and his - hands. The assassin's impassive face tightens as he moves to sit on one end of his bed. After a couple of seconds, he glances up at Jack once again, seeming to consider something. ]

... You will live. So long as you do not hurt Nino...

[ it's a roundabout way of saying he'll protect Jack. He has no affection for the man, but Jaffar can't protect Nino from the others if he's dead... ]

[dramatist]

[THIS IS VERY TRUE. Also wow Nino get with the times and become a mass murderer already so you can join the club??

Also lord, the difference between these two. At least they're both sincere in their own ways...]

I can't think of anything, Miss Nino, but thank you. And I can at least promise that this room will be a safe place! I don't intend to do anyone harm. Oh - and you can share what I find for meals, if you'd like.

[Gesturing to a pile of leaves on his side of their sparse hut, which has a few gutted and smoked fish just chillin out there. He feels like Jaffar is probably a pretty self-sufficient dude, though.]

[learnings]

[They're both stupidly sincere... and this is pleasantish?? Jaffar is like... making friends.

Ish.

So Nino's pleased.]

...Oh! Us too! I mean--we'll bring what we find too and we can all share!

Meals are a lot better when you can eat them with someone else, wouldn't you say? [So yeah Jack is like...permanent third wheel now.]

[killerfang]

[ he nods, apparently satisfied with this arrangement for now. even if it's not perfect, it has to be better than leaving Nino with that weird smelly woman, right?!

The mention of meals does remind him of another problem, though. ]

... We need to secure drinking water.

[dramatist]

[Is this really Jaffar making friends, that is so sad...

But he'll nod!! Nino's got it right.]

I agree! What's that old saying, food tastes better with company? [Something like that, who knows, his old man brain can't retain all this information.

THAT'S... a good point, though.]

Ah. ...Boiling the water in the clearing might work, right? Or the hot springs?

[Or the ocean?? Just boil the ocean. Boil everything for safety, it'll be fine.]

[learnings]

[... Yeah, Nino's got no idea--she just tilts her head thoughtfully.]

I think those are the only water sources we've found, right...?

[Don't boil the entire ocean, Jack.]

We'll have to give it a try!

[killerfang]

[ he pauses for a second, then nods. Boiling the ocean won't work but?? The other ideas are okay. ]

... We need a pot.

[ onto problem #2 ]

[dramatist]

[LET HIM BOIL THE ENTIRE OCEAN DAMMIT.]

...I don't believe I've seen any cookware here. Would one of the pails on the beach work?

[Maybe they can find a lone metal one amidst all the rinkydink plastic...]

[learnings]

[... why are they like this.]

... Do you think anyone else has some?