cradleproject | WEEK FIVE

WEEK FIVE

the pygmalion. . .

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CAPTAIN'S LOG:
WEEK (5)

monday - thursday

(33) survivors

It had been merely a week since the last trial, but you find yourself faced with a new week on The Pygmalion. When you awaken, you will find the handcuff around your wrist gone. The robot in the cafeteria has prepared another breakfast of various foods.

(OOC: Please submit your murder proposals by 9 PM EST Tuesday.)
taken list
profiles
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setting
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ENTER COMMAND_

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[ Jack doesn't even shoot Rhys an annoyed glance when he's bumped into, which is sign enough that this is actually something that Jack is taking quite seriously. For many people, that would be a surprise, since at least on a surface level, Jack doesn't quite seem the family man. Yet Rhys has already seen this side of Jack before... Unfortunately, that's unbeknownst to Jack himself.

He misses Rhys snapping that picture (very luckily, since Jack would not have taken well to it), but he does look Rhys's way when he clears his throat. His stare is fairly intense in that way that makes Jack so frightening, but it actually softens when Rhys compliments Angel. He looks back at her again, then pulls back his hand to cross his arms pretty tightly. ]

Yeah, she-- She gets that from her mother. Smile's mine, though.

[ For a moment, he really does sound like a proud father, though the bitterness of having the photo here does dampen that effect. There's a moment of silence between them, but Jack speaks up again with a lower tone. ]

I don't like it, Rhys. This... This is getting way too personal.

[ rhys tucks his hands into his pockets, hunching in on himself a little because he's -- he's scared of this, he doesn't like it. this is pushing in a little too much on what he knows vs what jack knows he knows and he's... not sure how quite to deal with it.

in a soft, fond voice, with his eyes on jack -- ]

Yeah, I can tell.

[ he doesn't mean for it to come out like that and he feels embarrassed for a moment, gut twisting as he looks down to the floor and sighs. he drags a hand over his face before moving his hands to fold over his chest this time, much too fidgety about this. ]

It... is, isn't it? I mean, how much could she possibly know about us? Everything? That... that doesn't make any sense.

[ Jack glances towards Rhys at that fondness, but thankfully for Rhys's dignity, Jack is still too upset to actually make fun of it. So Rhys was obsessed with him and saying gay stuff. Must be a day that ends in 'y' at this point. ]

Got a few ideas. None of them good. Since, y'know, AIs gotta get their information somewhere. More than an actual person. [ jack says, ignoring the fact that he might as well be talking about himself here ] So someone else, they got her this info. That-- That is a problem. That's the person I'm gonna kill.

[ Though as he says this, he looks at Rhys more, and he sees those nervous, anxious movements. There's a pause like he'll let Rhys respond to what he'd said first, but he interrupts before Rhys would get the chance. ]

Why're you so fidget-y, cupcake?

[ At the very least "because you're scary when you're this intense" is a fair answer that Jack would accept. ]

[ look, you leave him alone, jack. he just has a lot of feelings and sometimes it comes out even when he doesn't want it to. it sucks but whatever.

instead, he listens to jack's explanation and that weirdly makes a lot of sense to him. when rhys plugged him into helios, jack had tons of information at his fingertips in an instant. he just... needed someone to plug him in first. so, in a way, they're looking for the rhys of this situation. that's... that's just great. ugh.

rhys is silent for a moment, considering the situation and where they land in this before with a little bit of a sigh -- ]

Yeah... I hope you do.

[ if there's one thing he can trust jack to do, it's to kill someone. he's honestly glad that this whole situation plays on jack's narcissism just enough to make him do ... while not the right thing, something enough to change things. rhys hopes he can stick around to do his best to guide jack the right way, talk through his weird logic so jack can see that helping everyone, that not killing everyone, it'll help even him. rhys is... pretty sure he's the only one who could do that here.

... that's why it's even more important he keeps atlas a secret.

jack's voice breaks him of his thoughts and he meets his eyes, a little surprised. right uh. he has been pretty fidget-y today and he realizes he should've stopped that earlier. rhys lifts a hand and rubs at his eyes, trying to figure out what to say so jack doesn't look further, doesn't poke and prod. he knows what he should say, what he should make jack think but it's so -- so off, compared to who he is now. just another thing he has to hide. ]

I don't... like this. The whole murdering people for no good reason thing, having your personal secrets just shoved in your face for entertainment. Like, what if she does more than giving you a picture of your daughter? What if -- I don't know. [ he pauses and this is going to make him kind of sick to say but. well. ] I don't want her to hurt you more. Or Fiona. Or... anyone else, I guess, but I don't know what to do to help.

[ he's going to throw up, he thinks. ]

[ It's clear to see that the answer is a good enough one to calm Jack's suspicions right away, since he visibly relaxes. His expression doesn't look any softer for it, since of course he agrees. He'd said as much. But as Rhys keeps talking, Jack glances his way as he listens seriously, though there's definitely no suspicion by the time Rhys is done. So, he's bought it, clearly. Even so, there's a pause as Jack thinks something over, and that's not at all clear.

So it'll probably come as a surprise when Jack reaches out to place a hand on Rhys's shoulder. It's an encouraging gesture, and he even gives Rhys's shoulder a slight squeeze as he speaks. ]

Kiddo, she's not gonna hurt me. Or-- Okay, can't promise anyone else here, because that's kinda outta my hands, but... Listen, if there's anyone that's gonna figure this out, it's me. And you're gonna help.

[ He draws his hand back as he crosses his arms, though it's followed with a shrug. His smile here is gentler, but confident. It's that side of Jack that probably makes Rhys all the sicker, because it's easy to see in this sort of smile just why people believed in Jack so much. There's something about Jack saying "it'll be okay" that makes you believe that it truly would be. ]

I mean- [ He starts to laugh, and that too is that sort of uncomfortable encouragement with what Rhys knows and Jack doesn't. ] You're my man, Rhys! Mmmmmay not have a bright idea yet, but! We've gotten out of some deeper shit before. This? No problem. Just, y'know. Still working on that finding the way out part. But you and me, we'll figure it out. We've managed so far.

[ this is one of those moments where rhys is again, in conflict. on one hand, he has an intense need to see jack burn for what he's done to rhys, to stay far, far away from him and never give the guy the satisfaction of having a drop of happiness. jack is vile, he's destroyed too many lives and done too many terrible things for rhys to forgive him of it and --

and honestly, rhys knows himself to know that that's not really his problem here. jack hurt rhys by trying to kill him and rhys can't forgive him for that betrayal. they were friends, they were partners, and jack still thinks they are and rhys... can't really stomach it.

but on the other hand, there's the side of rhys that just wants to go back to that point. the point where jack still looked at him with pride and confided in him everything he trusted rhys enough with. the jack that rhys needs right now, that's going to... somehow figure out a way out of here for them and if not for everyone else in the ship, at least rhys can convince him to take fiona and rhys with him. he's pretty sure about that part at least.

so, he listens to jack speak, expression growing a little more downcast as jack continues. he knows it's supposed to comfort but -- but everything about this just twists rhys up inside and makes his stomach churn uncomfortable. he raises a hand to run it through his hair, sighing as he looks to the ground. ]

You're right, you're right. It's fine -- she's. Not going to hurt you, and you're going to figure out a way out and. It'll... be fine.

[ he hesitates for a moment, eyebrows furrowing and hands balling at his sides before he just... sort of goes for it. jack's suddenly going to get a pretty firm hug from rhys with pressing his face into jack's shoulder to mumble, in a sort of vocal acceptance of his current emotional conflict. ]

I really missed you, Jack.

[ Jack's eyebrow raises as he watches Rhys's reaction here, because of course there's no context for him to understand where it's coming from. These are the kind of golden words of inspiration that are supposed to inspire people! Granted, he's not good at that whole "believe in yourself" shtick, but when it comes to inspiring people through his own skill? He kicks ass at that. So seeing how Rhys almost deflates at his words is a bit odd, but luckily not so odd that Jack thinks further on it.

Though it does help that Rhys does something that Jack truly doesn't expect.

It'll be easy for Rhys to feel how much Jack tenses up in that hug. His muscles contract sharply as if he were expecting to have to defend himself, but it's almost more like a flinch with how they relax quickly enough. He's shocked enough that even though he processes what happens enough to relax, it takes a bit longer for him to think through it. He hadn't said anything that inspiring, he thought, and also not really... deserving of a hug. Even Rhys's elaboration doesn't help with his confusion here. ]

Uh—

[ What... the hell does he do here. He's super not sure? He's definitely not returning the hug, that is a definite, because that would be super gay. And would also involve understanding where this was coming from. Which he sure does not. So instead of addressing that, he just plays it off with a rude joke, as always. ]

At least take me out to dinner first, pumpkin. Damn. [ He considers adding more here, a good "you don't need to suck my dick" comment, but refrains. Jack still doesn't really reciprocate the gesture, but he also doesn't push Rhys away just yet. ]

Well-- Okay. Kinda weird, since I haven't been gone, so far as I remember, but blah blah timelines blah. But. Hey, I get the kind of void that not having Handy J in your life would leave! So, yeah, glad to be back, so far as you're concerned, babe.

Edited 2016-08-07 02:33 (UTC)

[ rhys knew he wouldn't reciprocate because that's just the type of guy jack is, just the type of relationship they have. still, he feels better for doing it, seeming to shake off the weird twist in his gut when he pulls away from jack and grins sheepishly in response. he's also, of course, embarrassed for his overreaction and can't quite meet jack's eyes, but instead tucks his hands into his pockets and kicks at the floor in a sort of dismissive movement. ]

Yeah, timelines. Didn't really... not want you in my life, actually but you know how weird things get on Pandora. Been trying to get you back since.

[ which. sounds weird and gayer than he really actually wanted it to sound, but it was just sort of coming out before he could stop it so he gives a shake of his head and heads for another direction. one without blatant lies too (seriously, rhys? been trying to get you back since? he's such a fucking idiot.) right, just -- let go of that topic. don't dig yourself deeper. something else, something else. ]

... You know you just called yourself a handjob, right?

[ Wow. This is getting really gay.

Jack can't help but think that to himself as he crosses his arms when Rhys withdraws. He watches Rhys's movements in that way that's mostly judgemental, but at least slightly fond. For some reason, Rhys's stupidity is kind of endearing, or something.

However. His lack of filter is not nearly as hilarious as Jack's because as soon as Rhys makes that comment, Jack's jaw hangs open for a moment. He looks truly shocked and offended, because he very genuinely and very stupidly did not realize this until this very moment. It's like he's having some kind of horrible realization.

Jack groans and ends up covering his face with his hand after a moment, since he needs to recover. It's a long, drawn out groan, as if he's truly exasperated by this. ]

Ohhhhhhhh my god, I totally did not. That's-- God. That's so stupid? I would never. Ugh. You ruined the nickname, asshole!

[ Though an observant eye might notice something truly terrible (so far as Jack is concerned). His mask is unchanged, naturally, but Jack's ears may look just a little redder. ]

[ jack's freak out is definitely enough to defuse the tension. is that tension because of rhys' secrets or because it was getting really gay? who knows. but there's one thing for certain here and it's that this is hilarious.

rhys actually cracks a smile now when jack covers his face and it widens because oh my god, this is the greatest thing ever? he's so. delighted. he's so damn delighted. ]

Dude, what's with your face?

[ and this is when their severe lack of personal space gets in the way because rhys just steps closer and grabs at jack's wrist to tug his hand off his face and oh my god. ]

-- Oh my god. I knew it, I knew it. You're blushing. Which... uh, looks a little weird with the mask? I thought it moved with your face -- nevermind. Still, Jack, you're blushing right now? That's so cute. You're blushing because you called yourself a handjob, oh my god.

[ he's still holding onto jack's wrist for the record and also got a little carried away (obviously) by how stupid this whole thing got. self-awareness will come back to him eventually. ]

[ Eventually? What a joke. I think you meant to type immediately, because as soon as Rhys grabs Jack's wrist, he seizes up with an expression that's pretty furious. It's at least not murderous, since there are many shades of Jack's anger, but he is definitely unhappy. And he's only getting unhappier as Rhys doesn't know when to quit or shut his mouth. Rhys at least manages to say his piece, but this is largely because Jack is so furiously flustered that he just kind of shuts down for a second there.

However, Rhys will get to live out many dreams today. Remember when you said you were jealous of the relationship Jack had with Vasquez, Rhys? You're moving up today.

As soon as Rhys says "handjob," Jack's fist curls up, and a sharp and fast punch to Rhys's face follows right to Rhys's nose. It at least doesn't break, but that's probably entirely out of luck more than a lack of trying here. ]

[ there is literally no way for rhys to expect this turn of events! honestly, he really didn't think he was that close to getting punched in the face, so he just sort of staggers back and lifts a hand up to his nose before pulling it back. silver metal comes back dripping in blood and he lets out a strangled, distraught noise as he goes back to holding his nose. ]

Jack, you...!

[ have the most crushed looking expression ever, jack. look at this face! this sad, bleeding, punched in the face face! you just fucking killed a puppy is what you did. there's the logical part of rhys that knows he should have entirely expected this. of course jack was going to punch him in the face, rhys was calling him adorable? that was disgusting.

but then there's the emotional part of rhys that feels very, very hurt by this and doesn't really know how to deal with it. why would jack punch him? HIM? rhys, who did nothing wrong at all? :'( ]

That was my nose!

[ of course, it comes out nasally and upset because he's definitely tearing up here now as the blood spills through his fingers and down his arm. he lifts his free hand to wipe at his eyes as he stumbles back because oh my god, you hurt his feelings. you really, really hurt his feelings now, jack, and he feels so dumb for expecting differently. it takes all his strength to say what he says next and he lets out a choked sob during it as he spits out -- ]

You -- you jerk.

[ abloo abloo. he's definitely crying now because what the hell, jack?? and he's going to stomp off with choked sobs so he can go deal with this in the medbay.

WAY TO RUIN THE MOMENT, JACK. ]

[ At least there are two of them that absolutely don't expect the events that unfold here, even though they're entirely predictable. After all, Jack may love a well-timed, hilarious punch to someone's face, since that might as well be a hobby of his, but in this particular case, he had truly just lost his temper and punched without even really thinking. That's not to say Jack looks shocked or apologetic when Rhys steps away with blood dripping from his nose, but he doesn't say as much as he could to mock him, which is... pretty good for Jack, all things considered. ]

Yeah, dumbass, it was.

[ Jack scoffs, but this gets more dramatic than he's expecting, since watching Rhys actually tear up gets his expression to twist up into an almost confused disgust, but before he can say anything else, there Rhys goes.

He's left kind of standing there, wondering what the fuck just happened, but he ends up just reaching up with his hands to pull at his face in an exaggeratedly frustrated way. ]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh my god.

[ He groans that out in frustration, but of course he doesn't follow Rhys. That would mean he like, cared. Instead, Jack just shakes his head and leaves, since he'll leave Rhys to go patch himself up on his own. ]

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WEEK FIVE

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ok but what if i tag this one back too

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