thejkdefense: (5)

[personal profile] thejkdefense 2022-03-18 03:54 am (UTC)(link)
[Now that's a very good question. Where to go? An open area where there's room to maneuver? A more enclosed one, where one can take a more defensive stance?

.......

No reason to go on the offensive right now, better to be defensive, in case he's right and they're both targets instead of a killer and a victim. Enclosed area it'll be]


The cafe. I assume nobody will want to go for a drink right before getting locked for the night, so it should be empty.

[Also it has a lot of tables and a counter to dive behind of, and an espresso machine to throw onto someone if the need arises. This should work!]
Edited 2022-03-18 03:54 (UTC)
thejkdefense: (49)

[personal profile] thejkdefense 2022-03-18 04:23 am (UTC)(link)
Many things, many times.

[It's easy to be honest with her, really]

Contractors are in theory always forced to stay rational and never deviate from the most effective plans, but that doesn't mean there's no such thing as being afraid. Being in this realm has proven to be more unsettling than I expected it would be. I haven't lowered my guard in more than a month straight. I suppose something good from being what I am is that I can't fall apart.

[And for good reason he has kept his guard up! First all the monsters and clowns and zombies, then everything that seemed to be made to lure them into a long-term stay, then the CYOAs, then the murders...there's no moment to rest, especially for someone so used to always staying alert to any sign of danger.

As expected, when they arrive to the cafe they don't see anyone. If there's anybody here after all, they're probably out of sight]


I would say it's far more admirable you have managed to keep your cool even after all this time.

[Malik's transformation definitely was the moment he began to feel things were above his paygrade! That others, who aren't like him and therefore have normal emotional responses, still can keep their head up is something to admire]
thejkdefense: (27)

[personal profile] thejkdefense 2022-03-18 04:55 am (UTC)(link)
I guess it's not 100% clear. Having powers and in theory always using rational thinking sets us apart -- that's what a lot of people say. It's not all that understood yet. Either way, I don't really care about labels.

[Many aware of Contractors' existence say they're monsters, and he knows some Contractors do think of themselves as superior to humans, even asking November 'why he works for humans' instead of joining them to establish a future for Contractors. His own boss -- the guy he killed before his own death -- was working in a conspiracy to eliminate all Contractors at once. But to November whether Contractors are still human or not gets a big ol' 'who cares', although he does take pride in being a Contractor]

I think it is admirable. If you manage to survive tonight I'm confident you'll be alright no matter what.

[...it's strange, the bittersweet feeling he doesn't even know how to describe, and which can be felt in the vibes now. He does like Hot Pants quite a bit, so the thought he may have to kill her tonight does bother him, and it bothers him a lot. He will do it if it becomes necessary, but he really doesn't want to, at all]

How strong do you want your coffee? The espresso machine isn't as difficult as it looks at first glance.
thejkdefense: (45)

[personal profile] thejkdefense 2022-03-18 05:40 am (UTC)(link)
[Before long in front of her there's a cup of strong and black coffee just as she wanted. For himself he gets one as strong as the machine can give him]

There you go. I'm no barista, but it should be good. Let's make the best of this night.

[Were this any other week perhaps his nonchalant attitude would be convincing enough, but with this week's effect, it's glaringly obvious every minute that passes gets him more and more alarmed. Nobody is coming, nobody is trying to get in touch with him for whatever reason, and although it's possible they're not the only ones awake, nobody else seems to be getting involved. Bad signs, all that. At least he still feels in complete control of his own head, nothing feels different.

He keeps making conversation about anything that comes to mind, but tries to notice any change in Hot Pants, as if she would snap at any moment and try to bludgeon him with a table. Even now, even after all signs that seemingly point as them being the only two involved, part of him hopes he's mistaken]
thejkdefense: (24)

[personal profile] thejkdefense 2022-03-18 06:13 am (UTC)(link)
[A character once monologued: "It's common knowledge that Contractors act rationally regardless of what kind of situation they're in. They're able to remain calm and collected while devising a sensible solution. Is it because they know no fear? No, Contractors can get scared shitless, just like anyone else. The only difference is that they don't act on their emotions."

If he knew about that monologue he'd agree completely, that's for sure. That he can continue acting like normal despite the increasing alarm really says a lot about how he's such an effective person. Only someone experienced as him could stay so composed despite how he feels]


Hm?

[November nods. In a way it's true, because of that they shouldn't be too worried, but still...]

I think we both hardly can be called anything else, yes.
thejkdefense: (13)

[personal profile] thejkdefense 2022-03-18 02:43 pm (UTC)(link)
It's going to be difficult for both of us, for many reasons.

[They both have made many powerful enemies in their worlds, and the circumstances are full of hardships. It's likely as soon as they return their lives won't be the same anymore. When you think about it like that...]

We're prolonging the inevitable.

[Which he's fine with, all things considered, but it'd be silly to deny that yeah, they won't be okay]
thejkdefense: (39)

[personal profile] thejkdefense 2022-03-18 03:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[That definitely is what it sounds like. Hot Pants has resigned herself to what probably will happen tonight. Is this like giving up? Some may see it that way, he supposes.]

The sentiment is reciprocated, Hot Pants. It has been quite fortunate to meet you.

[It has been good to have someone to relate to, and who in turn understands better than most the circumstances he has been in. He's not glad any confrontation will have to be against her, but in a way it feels appropriate, he thinks]

You're right, we know what has to be done. Neither of us will back down from anything that needs to happen tonight.

[Slowly, November stands up]

No way you'll sit there and meekly accept death. How do you want this to happen?
Edited 2022-03-18 15:22 (UTC)
thejkdefense: (36)

[personal profile] thejkdefense 2022-03-18 04:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Of course.

[November's emotions change immediately. They had always been there, albeit somewhat muted, but as soon as Hot Pants worded her wish for a challenge all emotions just...disappeared, shunted away to guarantee he keeps a clear mind. Time to be cold as ice.

Quick, devise a good plan. Consider the possibility she'll die, consider the possibility he'll die. Immediate action, alternate plans, contingencies, it all began assembling while he took the empty cups and saucers, moving them further down the counter and out of the way]


A cafe is hardly an appropriate location for this. While I doubt either of us would flee, we should have it be both an open area, yet also make it impossible to run away from. The rooftop is a good location.

[Many ideas get discarded. Message someone to inform them he's fighting Hot Pants? Absolutely not, that'd point at him once he survives. He needs to be subtle. Use Thought Seed gumball, leave behind a hint to point at the greenhouse, aim to kill Hot Pants as quickly as possible. Yes, this is a sensible plan, he decides]
thejkdefense: (44)

[personal profile] thejkdefense 2022-03-18 05:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Of course. You deserve nothing less.

[Time to completely obliterate Hot Pants. Plans are set, he has determined how to handle this.

With the excuse of tidying things up a little to avoid calling attention to the cafe in case someone came before everyone else woke up, he chewed the Thought Seed gumball while ordering everything. The cups they used were left untouched, too, hiding his cigarette carton full of leaves. It all seems pretty natural, he judges]


This should guarantee there will be no interruptions. Nobody should figure out something will happen tonight.

[Satisfied, November goes to the entrance, ready to go to their final destination]

Let's go.
thejkdefense: (32)

[personal profile] thejkdefense 2022-03-19 02:20 am (UTC)(link)
Certainly not.

[It's curious -- last time he felt fear was because he was facing one of the bloodiest, most dangerous Contractors in history, even though she had lost her powers, his fear based on the possibility she had gotten them back. It led to him killing her as soon as he got his sights on her. Tonight he felt fear for similar yet somewhat different reasons. With him depowered, Hot Pants is probably on his same level, he's sure, but also he fears what she may be capable of doing under the influence of the refraction. This is going to get so ugly, he knows it. Now he's completely emotionless, ready for the tough task at hand...but he can't deny a while ago he was dreading this all pretty badly.

Perhaps that dread is why as soon as they arrive to the rooftop in the elevator, once Hot Pants exits the elevator, November presses the button to the first floor and leaps out before the doors close, the elevator descending. As he said: getting out of here is not an option.

November faces her, a hand in his pocket touching the purple gumball he decided would be his lethal weapon, and nodded]


Shall we, Hot Pants?

[Having said that, November made a move like he was going to run straight at her, but instead swiftly changed directions to run towards the greenhouse. All he needs is some time to chew that gumball! Once he's sure he has the psychic damage effect ready, he can reach and kill her instantly!

By the time he crossed the open doorway of the greenhouse he had already popped the gumball into his mouth. He just needed to buy a minute max to thoroughly chew it, that was all he'd need!]
Edited 2022-03-19 02:21 (UTC)