unrecked | estelle

[She freezes, looking down the barrel of the gun. It takes a moment to find the presence of mind to move... but she doesn't leave. Instead, she faces him directly.]

... Tell me what's wrong.

[His grip and the point of his arm are steadier than anything. But it looks like he's struggling to figure out whether he wants to put his finger on the trigger or not.]

Nothing's wrong! [His voice pitches. He can't keep the anger out of it, and he sounds pretty unhinged.] I said to get out of here! What're you still standing around for?!

You want to die?!

No. I want to help you.

[She takes a slow, cautious step forward.]

I think you were right about this place. Let's leave, okay?

[Her step forward makes him jerk back like a defensive animal, but he thankfully doesn't do anything with the gun except hold it.

Fortunately, doing this jostles the black butterflies which have settled on his shoulders, causing them to flap unsteadily away. He seems... a bit surprised by the immediate dispersing of the anger built inside him. His feelings clear.

He drops the gun so quickly to start putting it back in the holster, and he doesn't waste any time darting for Estelle.] We have to go. [He reaches out to try to grab her by the upper arm.]

Now.

[So it was the butterflies. She had a feeling -- what else could it be? There's a look of relief when he lowers the gun.

She doesn't stop him when he grabs her arm.]

Yes, let's.

[She'll hurry with him, through the garden, back out to the hallway. Once outside...]

... Are you okay now?

[Gogogogogo.

He releases her arm once they break out of the garden, and he stops walking so he can glare back at it while trying to level his composure.]

What the fuck was that…

[It’s funny because nothing like this ever happened in Jason’s previous game. He seems to refocus and glance at Estelle.]

—Yeah. I’m good. […] Sorry.

[She smiles at him, relieved.]

I'm just glad you were able to come back.

No kidding.

[Imagine if he did not come back, and he had a gun. Speaking of, he looks back at Estelle again.]

Why didn't you run? You should have run when I started telling you to go. There's no reason for you to try to be a hero.

I'm sorry.

I was scared, but I was more scared of what would happen if I left you like that...

Caring about people here will get you in trouble.

[Why is he such a cynic to this very nice girl who took the time to deal with his stupid traumatized ass? Awful.]

Don't go back in there unless you go with someone else, and don't let them touch the butterflies. Honestly, I'd avoid that room altogether. It was fucking with my emotions.

[There's a faint smile at that warning.]

Some things are worth the trouble.

You're right, though... I'll be careful. That must have felt terrible.

[DON'T JUST SMILE AT HIS WARNING. And don't say sappy stuff. He does not like that he cannot be grumpy or an asshole to this girl as a deflection because she continues to be nice.]

It wasn't great, no. So don't go in there. [Butterfly garden already on Jason's hit list.] And don't mess around with all the doors in that one hallway.

They're just as bad.

[She nods.] I already made that mistake with a few of them... I'll make sure to stay away.

You be careful too, okay? ... Jason, right?

[Great. She's already gone in some. But, like, who else here hasn't probably? He is not sure why he is surprised by this based on her profile quote. But he is.]

Yeah. Estellise?

Yes! But that's kind of long, so you can call me Estelle for short, if you want.

You think more than two syllables is too hard for me?

[He's finally probably joking again.]

Estelle then. Where you headed? I'm walking you there so you don't try to do anything stupid.

No, I just...! [Her eyes widen, and she looks genuinely worried that she offended him.]

...Um, back to my room... Cassiopeia North wing, room 21.

[He seems amused, but waves his hand dismissively.]

Yeah. You're, like, a door down from me and Gautier. The princeling is your suitemate, right? He's alright.

Yes, Rupert! He's really nice! I think we have a lot in common, too.

Do you get along with your suitemate?

Hitting it off from the start, huh? [Cute.] Sylvain?

We get along okay. He's clean at least.

Hehe. That's good! He seems like a really nice person.

Yeah, but you better watch out. I think he likes the ladies. He’ll try to sweet-talk you. Don’t let him win.

[He lifts a hand and gestures for Estelle to go first. Lead the way!!

While he shoots a glare back at the butterfly room.]

He's a philanderer, right? Don't worry -- I'll be careful.

[She goes ahead and leads the way.]

[This makes him bark a laugh. She is stupid in the nice way, but he maybe didn't give her enough credit.]

Yeah. Don't go into that weird butterfly room with him. It might be bad.

I won't, of course! [She grins a little.] In fact, I think I'd like to stay away from that place, as a rule going forward.

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unrecked - 2022-06-12 13:08 (UTC) - Expand