week 1 investigation

[killerfang]

[ one doesn't get the moniker "angel of death" without seeing some pretty grotesque scenes; Jaffar was never the type of assassin to commit such deeds, but he's dealt with plenty of unsavory characters that do, especially when he was carrying out the Black Fang's original vigilante work. It's unpleasant, but the unpleasantness simply slides off of him like rainwater on a tin roof. If he ever felt anything about human death and cruelty, he certainly doesn't now.

But Nino is different from him. She's seen the horrors of war - but the horror of what one deranged individual can do to another is an entirely different beast. As night begins to set upon the beach after the day's trials, he's quick to come to her, silently coming up behind her and gently placing a hand on her shoulder. ]

Nino...

[ he could ask if she's all right, but he has a feeling he knows already. ]

Comments

[learnings]

[She is definitely Not Alright.

Nino hasn't really been alright for awhile, not since the gruesome and grisly scene started; it helps, a little, that she wasn't the one hunting for limbs, of course, but... not enough.

She's aware, of course, what people can do to one another.

She knows. It's impossible to be part of the Black Fang and not know, to have known Sonia and what she did and not know. But...

it's different like this. She feels sick, but also strangely distant, as if seeing things from far, far away--and then Jaffar's hand is on her shoulder, and she starts a little, coming back to herself.]

Jaffar...

[A slow breath in, and out.

And then she crumbles, turning to bury her face against him, breath hitching as she does. She's not crying--not yet--but there's definite unsteadiness to her words.]

Why...was it so cruel...?

[killerfang]

[ this is what he was expecting - and, for once, he seems to have been prepared for it. He's sturdy for her to fall on, and his arms wrap around her little shoulders with less hesitation than usual. He knows she'll cry, because she's gentle and good, and this is exactly the sort of thing she never would have been exposed to in a just world.

But the world's never been just for anyone - and especially not for the two of them. Jaffar watches her, eyes half-lidded, and, for once, his voice is not completely devoid of emotions - he sounds apologetic. Maybe a little bit guilty. He wishes he could shield her from everything. ]

... In a man's heart... there is evil. When he is cornered, especially... [ that's really the only explanation he can give. It's why the Black Fang was created at all: to stomp out that evil, even if Nergal would have used him to change it. ] You shouldn't have had to see something like that. I'm sorry.

[learnings]

[She definitely doesn't want to hear Jaffar apologize; she shakes her head quickly against his chest, though in response, her hands just curl into the fabric of his clothing, even as she shakily breathes.

He's there--solid, sturdy and real. She feels safe like this, in Jaffar's arms, secure in the knowledge that nothing will happen to the two of them.

They've been through too much together to be taken down by something like this. But still...that young woman had been kind, and she was...treated so brutally.

So her thoughts, oddly, are in the same general direction as Jaffar's.]

... Lloyd...and Linus... [A sniffle, because it's still hard to talk about them, even all this time later.] They would have stopped the person who did this. That...was what they did on missions.

[She understands it better than she ever did before, in this context.]

... I wish someone would stop them.

[killerfang]

[ the fact that the wounds are still so fresh is the reason that he didn't mention them - but when she brings them up herself, he nods in agreement. Those two had been good men, even if they'd simply become more victims of his master in the end. He hadn't understood that at the time, but after spending time with her, hearing her tales of them, he thinks he might now. The fact that they're lying in the ground while someone like him is still drawing breath and holding Nino in his arms now is proof that there's no justice in life, he thinks. ]

...

[ she wishes someone would stop them, and Jaffar wants nothing more than to grant any wish she has. It would be incredibly dangerous to try. A year ago, he would have focused solely on survival; even now, he'd throw everyone else on the island away if it meant he could save Nino. But... if Nino wants to help them... The two of them are already trapped. They may as well struggle against the bars while they can. ]

Then... I will stop them.

[ he's a Fang, too, after all. and when he feels her hands trembling against him like this, he automatically wants to do anything in his power to make them calm again. ]

[learnings]

Jaffar...

[It's pretty obvious that she wasn't expecting that response. Her eyes widen a little, and she looks up at him, blinking. But... there's something so relieving about it.

If Jaffar says so...then she can trust in that. She knows that Jaffar can do it. If anyone--Jaffar can find a way. And that he wants to do this--for her and for everyone--it makes her happy.

Slowly, she shifts to rest her cheek against his chest, sighing softly.]

... Thank you. I...We're the only Black Fang here left that can fix this. It's... it's our job!

[Technically they're both ex-Fang but who cares about technicalities.]

So...thank you. I think this is really important.

[killerfang]

[ he nods in response, happy to see her mood brighten even just a little - not that it really shows on his face. Still, she might be able to recognize that slight softening of his features at this point. If he'd been wavering in his decision, seeing her strengthen his resolve makes him decide resolutely to try and fix things.

That resolve would be tested at the trial, but it's because of her that he'll decide to get involved at all. ]

I do not know how long it will take. But I will try. I don't like... seeing you sad.

[learnings]

[Jaffar is absolutely sweet--and it makes her feel warm and happy. Nino hums softly to herself, and feels better as well. This entire situation may feel all too difficult...

But it's okay.

They're together, and...]

We can do it. Together!

[They are the Black Fang, after all. It's time for Justice.

Either way, she's relaxing a fair bit against him, eyes fluttering half-shut now that she's not tense and unhappy.]

...Thank you, Jaffar. I'm really...really happy.