FOREVER AND ALWAYS
ACT I PART II
Lord English
== Jake : Wake up
Jake wakes up freshly, as if the headache that has never happened. He jumped off the bed and looked at the alarm clock that was on his bedside table. It is 20:00 on the clock, and it seemed that he had fallen asleep or drugged asleep for quite a number of hours. He looked around for a silver coated rabbit but it is nowhere to be seen. The only thing you saw is Dirk's chum handle, but that's not important! Now Jake's gotten a bit worried. Where could that metal machine that Dirk has made had gone? He felt a lump form in his throat as the thought of the rabbit messing and tearing his house down would take ages to clean up.
Goddammit Dirk.
He whipped his cellphone out, and searched frantically for Dirk's pesterchum handle, and started a conversation with him.
golgothasTerror [GT] began pestering timaeusTestified [TT]
GT: Dirk Strider!
GT: I seem to be in need of your assistance.
TT: Oh?
TT: The Great English is in need of my assistance?
GT: Oh quit that, would you!
GT: Your rabbit contraption had gone missing!
GT: I am absolutely TERRIFIED to know of what its doing!
TT: Don't worry English, he's hiding. He won't do shit to your house if that's what you are worried about.
GT: Oh thank god.
GT: *heaves a sigh of relief*
GT: Hows the bar?
TT: It's fine. Don't worry about it and rest.
GT: Not like that!
GT: I mean... The contracts, you know?
GT: The Bar will collapse without souls to feed on, Dirk.
TT: I got it.
TT: I'll make as many contracts as you want if that's what makes you happy.
GT: Oh uh...
GT: ...Thanks, i guess.
GT: Be a sport and tell Roxy and Jane ill drop by soon later, alright?
TT: Of course.
GT: So urm.
GT: See you around.
golgothasTerror [GT] ceased pestering timaeusTestified [TT]
Jake slips his cellphone in his back pocket, and breathes deeply. Conversations with Dirk is just so weird for him, but he hopes he get used to it though. He used his hand to run through his hair, before remembering the embarrassing moment the two shared a few hours ago. Jake could feel his cheeks burn and shakes his head frantically. He should forget about it soon, because it doesn't mean anything, right? Nevertheless, even with Dirk's assurance of the rabbit not rampaging somewhere in his house, he still wanted to check anyway. Jake could feel someone's eyes burning on his back and he quickly swung around to find... Nothing. It was his imagination, or so he thought. After a long time of searching for a robotic rabbit, he eventually decided to heed Dirk's advice of resting, because the other time that Jake did not listen to his advice, he almost fell on the floor face first. He closed his eyes again, and instantly fell asleep.
== Dirk : Work
Dirk was tending to the counter, and was talking to one of females sitting in front of him. It was his job, to serve customers, and to form contracts with them. He didn't like the job that he was entrusted to, but he didn't particularly hate it either.
"It's just so frustrating, you know! That bitch stole everything, my job, my future boyfriend, my life...! I wish she could just... Disappear!" The female gripped onto the wine glass tightly. Dirk could sense the anger and irritation in her voice, and he knew what he had to do. The Contract. He had to make a Contract.
"Well, what if i told you, i could make all your problems disappear? And all that takes, is a small price to pay..." Dirk leaned forward and placed his hand to where the female's hand was, earning a gasp from her. She paused for a moment before nodding her head, knowing what she went gone into. She knew what was going to happen even without asking, and there was no turning back. She had just formed a contract with Dirk. She hated that person so much that she wanted her dead, for her problems to go away. She then suddenly collapsed onto the bar table, just when her friend had returned from the restroom. Her friend shook her body frantically, not know what had happened between the two.
"She's horribly drunk. Bring her home for tonight, bad things happen when the night draws near." Dirk pointed out, and removes the female's hand from the wine glass just to clean it. The friend nodded and carried the female away quickly without hesitation. It was weird how she didn't even question Dirk about this, but he didn't care either way.
Dirk breathes deeply as he knows he had to get rid of the problem. He could feel the female's soul still lingering around the bar, and he knew that the friend that carried the female away was the problem. He moved his hand to his pocket to check if the pocket knife that was forcefully taken from Jake was still there, before following the two females to outside of the bar. It was his luck that they were going out through an alley, which makes it easier for Dirk anyway, not that he mind. He slides the knife to his hand, and stealthily walks towards them. He made a mental note to not kill the client as well, because sometimes he would tend to get a little carried away.
The female's friend's head suddenly swung back, but she could see nothing. She breathed deeply, before continuing to walk forward. Dirk was all up against the wall, camouflaged in the dark shadows, and that was when he strikes. He ran towards the woman, the noise from his footsteps causing her to turn around, and all shes sees was white. The female's blood stained his red suit, but no one could tell if he had murdered anyone due to the blood blending in with his clothing.
"That was quick. The first contract made by Dirk Strider, finished in a flash. Well done, you are truly an assassin of the night." Jane steps out of the darkness, and looks at the sleeping woman on the floor.
"I assume you need help with bringing the woman home? But take care of the bar and Roxy if you please, she can be quite the drunken idiot sometimes, her." Jane leans over and carries the woman in her arms.
"Don't worry, I will take care of Roxy." Dirk takes out a handkerchief and wipes the blood from the blade.
"Just remember to keep the body in the back, Jake will handle everything."
Dirk nodded in response, before dragging the body to the back of the bar. The blood, of course, would leave a massive blood trail, but when it dries up, it will disappear due to the bar's magic. He dusted his clothes before leaving the room to find... Jake English in a stunning black and green suit.
He pushes through the giant doors and flashes a big smile while doing his signature pose, 'Double pistols and a wink'. Many customers would swoon over him, especially the ladies, which makes his job a whole lot easier for gathering souls. Halfway through waving to the ladies, Jake found himself staring into the blonde's eyes, that is, if he had any under those triangular shades of his. Jake coughed awkwardly as he found himself walking on his own, as if he was held by puppet strings, moving slowly towards Dirk. Jake smiles nervously while fidgeting with his fingers.
"G-Greetings, Strider! Fancy seeing you here!" Jake literally wanted to slap himself right now. Of course Dirk would be here! He works here! Stupid stupid stupid!
"Don't need to be nervous around me, English. It's not the first time we have met each other." Dirk pushed his shades up to his nose.
"W-Well, yes. But i'm just not used to us, talking normally, you know! After the drugging and you know. Whatever it is, let's put it behind us! We should work professionally, and not mix private life with work life, yes?" Jake started blabbering whatever things that comes to his mind. Why is he so nervous? It must be because of the incident! Goddammit.
"Of course. By the way, Jane said something about 'Jake will handle everything about the body at the back'." Dirk says, using his thumb to point at the backdoor.
Jake looks behind Dirk and realizes what he was talking about. He nods, before pulling Dirk along to the back, closing the door behind them. Jake inspects the dead body carefully before clapping his hands together in delight.
"Oh thank god— the body is still fresh. That means the soul would be better too, Dirk." Jake says, he took out some gloves from a box and wore them. He hates to get his hands dirty in all that blood.
"Oh and, urm... If you don't want to look, it's absolutely okay. I hate doing this more than anything in the world." Jake swallows hard, while wiggling his gloved fingers. He looked as if he was about to perform a complicated surgery.
Dirk gave a nod, which signaled Jake to continue whatever he's doing to the woman. Jake took a deep breath, before pushing his fingers through the woman's chest. Squishing sounds could be heard as blood spurts out of the female like fireworks, and splatters all over Jake's suit. He pulls out something that resembles a heart, and stick his tongue out in disgust. He then squeezes the heart tightly until it pops, blood going everywhere once again. After awhile, Jake opens his hands to find a floating, blue, soul-like flame, fluttering in his fingers. Jake turns around to look at Dirk, but the expression on his face remains the same, which made Jake wonder if Dirk ever shows any other expressions and emotions at all.
"Alright, Strider! Now i'm going to eat, i hope you don't mind." Jake whispered, before raising his hand that contained the flame, and devouring the helpless soul in a flash. Dirk looked at Jake in shock, not knowing what just happened, but Jake chuckles as he wipes his lips that had a few stains of blood with his sleeve.
"Yeah, how do I put it..." Jake scratches his head for awhile, before speaking again. "—I have to eat Souls for the bar to continue being here."
"Eat...Souls?" Dirk asked curiously, examining Jake just to make sure if he's okay. He is fine.
"That is correct, Strider. I am like the vessel of Memoria, and if i were to perish, it would perish along with me."
"What? So you're saying—"
"Indeed, old chap! You could say that Memoria and I, are one!" Jake smiles cheerfully, giving a big thumbs up to Dirk. Dirk had a strange dumbfounded-like look on his face, which Jake tries to catch Dirk's attention by waving a hand in front of his face. "Oh dear, you don't have to put too much thought in it! It's fine, I'm fine."
"Alright. I hear you."
"Hmm? Shall we return to work now? I'm itching to use these fine guns for ages!" Jake pats the holsters hidden by his hips, and winks, along with his hands forming a gun and pretending to shoot Dirk. Dirk just chuckles, and subconsciously brushes his cheek, and spoke with a low voice, "Yeah, i know." Dirk, in history, might have the smallest smile in the world.
"O-Oh, i uh... Ookay..." Jake stutters, losing his normal composure. He pulls back from Dirk's hand, and continues, "I don't, quite, understand what's going on..."
Jake quickly snaps out of it and regains his composure, pulling Dirk along to the bar outside. It was still noisy outside, with all the music and people partying all around, and Roxy is having fun chatting with Calliope, continuously sipping on the wine she's holding as always. For some unknown reason, Dirk and Jake found themselves on the dance floor, all squeezed in between the dancers. Jake was shoved by one of them, but thankfully Dirk was there to catch him, and which Jake found himself in the situation where he was all up against Dirk's chest again.
"Can't get enough of me, don't you?" Dirk smirks, and his hands somehow found his way around Jake's waist again.
"Oh, quit it, Strider." Jake tries to push Dirk away, but he kept being pushed back by the dancers. After awhile, he simply just gave up, and just decided to enjoy himself around the comfort of Dirk Strider.
"How about a dance? That is, if you can even dance." Dirk gave a smug grin, which made Jake a little pissed.
"Hey! I can dance! I'll have you know i sweep women off their feet every time i'm on the dance floor!" Dirk raises a brow at Jake's outburst, he didn't know Jake even had it in him.
"But, i must say i prefer dancing to classical music, because i can't dance to this well..." Jake blushes, while scratching his neck nervously again. Dirk actually noticed this habit of his, which Dirk found pretty fucking adorable.
AR?
AR: You don't even need to fucking tell me, i basically you, you know.
Well, thank you very much, asshole.
AR: It's my fucking pleasure.
The music suddenly changes, and almost all of the people starting booing due to the change of atmosphere. Jake then starts to tremble in your arms, and as you look at his face, you see the worried look in his eyes.
"HEY FUCKERS, IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, FUCKK OFFFFFF!" Roxy shouts, completely oblivious to her surroundings. She was drunk, so Calliope tries to calm her down. Many people flipped her off before leaving the bar, but they didn't know what hit them after they left. You swear could see the grin in Calliope's face.
"May I have this dance?" Dirk stretches his hand out to Jake politely.
"This is stupid..."
There was a few seconds of pause.
"Oh, what the heck." Jake grabs onto Dirk's hand tightly, and he follows Dirk's movements closely. He guesses he was dancing to the female's role of dance. Jake could hear whistles and cheering from the Trollians, but mostly, it came from Roxy. Jake's face began to flush red the louder the cheering got. Jake was dancing with Dirk, spinning all around, and with Dirk's hand still at his waist. The dance floor was completely empty, so it was just the both of them dancing to the beat.
"Jake." Dirk breathes as he leans forward to Jake's ear, causing him to shudder. Was it the first time Dirk had called him by his name?
"Y-yes, Strider?"
"Dirk." Dirk corrected, a slight frown appeared on his face. He thought calling Jake by his name would make Jake call him by his, too, but it seemed to him that he had to spell it out to him instead.
"Y-yes Dirk?"
"Have we ever..." Before Jake could hear the end of that sentence, Dirk clears his throat and changes the subject.
"Have you ever danced with a male before?"
"Oh, heavens no! This is my first time." Jake could have sworn Dirk flinch a little at his answer. Have he said something wrong?
"How... Interesting." Dirk replies, before coming to a stop, which Jake got confused about. Dirk places their foreheads together, before whispering, "This is my... first time too."
"It is? How... peculiar. Looks to me like Strider isn't as cool as he is that i thought!"
"Oh yeah? Catch up with me then," Dirk grins widely, which Jake admits he gotten a little scared by. With a hand around Jake's waist, and the other holding Jake's hand, Dirk moves quickly, bringing Jake along through every step of the way.
"H-Hold up Dirk! I can't catch up with yo—" Dirk holds Jake's waist tightly before lifting him off the floor, spinning around.
"Am i cool now Jake?"
"Yes! YES! You are cool! Oh i swear if you drop m—"
"I'll never let you fall."
"Are you sure, because I'M. SLIPPING. OFF!"
"Relax, i'm a Strider to my words."
"Oh, HAHA, very funny Strider!"
Dirk finally stops after awhile, and lets Jake back onto his feet. An applause emerges from the crowds, and Jake found himself blushing even harder. He had never danced to classical music before, usually due to the bar always playing disco music for people to groove to. Jake hurries to the counter, switching places with Roxy, earning a groan from her. She wanted to continue talking with Calliope, but she still walked off, finding contractors to work with. Dirk went to the DJ tables, and made some sick beats for people who found their way to Memoria. Jane, who came back only about an hour later, went to sit with the Trollians to find out more about the 'secret plan' that they had been talking about for ages.
Life in Memoria was exactly the same, but with Dirk in it. There was more machines that moved around Memoria, ensuring no one were to start a bar fight and to protect the Memoria family. Twice as many contracts were made ever since Dirk has been working for them, and Jake had been twice as cheerful than before.
Roxy had started dating Jane, and Jane... Well she doesn't want to hear what Jake and Dirk has to say about the both of them. She seems fine by herself, as least from what Jake could gather. Jake and Dirk were a pair working together, each time Jake forms a contract, Dirk would be out killing and getting rid of the problem himself, and always brings the bodies back to the bar for Jake to consume the souls in the body. The soulless bodies would be thrown in the incinerator or given to the Trollians if they ever needed any. The Trollians needed the bodies for unknown reasons that Jake doesn't want to know, and doesn't complain about. As long as Memoria is okay, he's okay.
Spending time with Dirk were probably one of Jake's happiest moments of his life, as he had never enjoyed as much as Roxy and Jane could give him. Roxy and Jane were always together, and he always felt like a third wheel hanging out with the both of them.
The Trollians were fun to be with too, and of course, who could ever forget about teasing Karkat of his relationship with Gamzee. Karkat would always scream at the top of his lungs about how they are not 'cute' together while Gamzee would laugh and honk every now and then. Vriska, on the other hand, would try to mind control Gamzee and kiss Karkat, which was extremely hilarious as Karkat tries to free himself from Gamzee, but they end up doing it anyway.
== Jake : Return Home!
Jake returns home, and spent a good five minutes in the shower. Once he leaves his bathroom, he noticed that his phone had been buzzing out of control and caught it before it fell over the table. He looked at the screen and found out that there has been about a few messages from Dirk.
timaeusTestified [TT] began pestering golgothasTerror [GT]
TT: Jake
TT: I'm outside your house right now.
TT: Open up.
GT: Dirk?! What in the heavens are you doing here?
TT: I'll tell you once you open up.
GT: Alright alright
GT: ill buzz you in.
timaeusTestified [TT] ceased pestering golgothasTerror [GT]
Jake runs and opens the door to let Dirk in, but Dirk kept staring at somewhere that isn't his face for some reason, and that's when he realized... He was half naked. In front of Dirk. And all he had was a bath towel around his waist. He blushes tenfold, before shoving his keys to Dirk's hands and rushes to his bedroom to change.
Once Jake was done, he leaves the room to find Dirk sitting on his couch. His keys were on the table, great. He sits himself down next to him, and asks curiously, "So, what brings you here, Dirk? Hopefully not a second drug attempt i assume?"
"As much as i want to drug you again, i'm not feeling it today. I left my home."
"Why? Aren't you living with your brother?"
"Bro, Dave, had brought his boyfriend John home again." Dirk groans as he brushes through his hair.
"What's wrong with that? You guys can watch a couple of movies if you ask me!" Jake exclaimed excitedly, as he expressed his love for films and many more.
"Well, from what i collect, after watching those movies, they usually dive into a heated amount of intense lovemaking. Thanks to that i recently just found out that the walls are seriously paper thin."
"O-Oh my! ...So you seek shelter from my home?" Jake had a tint of pink on his cheeks, it was the first time he ever heard two boys jump into bed together.
"Yes."
"That's alright old chap! Your buddy Jake understands! Take my bedroom, i have an extra mattress to sleep in." Jake jumped up from the sofa and runs to find his old mattress that was kept in his storage room. He pulls the mattress all the way to his bedroom, and once he was done, he was shocked by the sudden presence of Dirk standing behind him.
"W-Whoa! D-Dirk, you scared me!"
"Just wanted to check out your bedroom, relax." Dirk laughs, before sticking his head in the room and looking around.
The place was definitely not tidy, there was weaponry found everywhere and ingrown plants that somehow found their way to his bedroom. Posters were pin up on the walls, and not a space were left uncovered by his magnificent movie posters. Dirk is going to tinker with that no-good rabbit to clean up the mess in Jake's room for sure.
Jake gently pushes Dirk out of the room and brought him back to the living room. He had not eaten real food yet, and souls are not going to replenish his hunger at all. Jake enters the kitchen to get some food.
== Dirk : Stare at Jake's extremely short pants.
Jake was wearing a really short pair of khaki pants today, and damn, you would tap that any day. Dirk picks up the remote that was left on the sofa and just went through all of Jake's movies, picked one at random. Jake peeks his head out of the kitchen to ask whether Dirk wanted anything to eat.
"Dirk, do you want some— uhm... how do you know how to operate my television?" Jake asks curiously.
Someone brought him that television with really complicated controls, but he couldn't put his finger to had gave it to him. He usually doesn't think too much about it though. He remembers when Roxy and Jane came over to watch some movies but they couldn't figure out how to use it. He laughs silently at the thought.
"Jake. It's a television. I know how it works." Dirk says sarcastically, while turning his head to face Jake.
"Roxy and Jane knows how too! But they couldn't figure out the controls at first."
"I just happened to major in Engineering. A few strange looking buttons isn't going to scare me. Looks like there's more things for you to find out about me, don't you think?"
"Oh golly! I didn't know that! Ah, well... Would you like some popcorn?"
Dirk nods as he watches Jake disappear into the kitchen. Jake then comes back in no time and brings back some butter popcorn for Dirk, and some fish and chips for himself. Halfway through the movie, Dirk's arm magically found its way around Jake's shoulder, which caused Jake to tense a little. After awhile, Jake then finally relaxes himself, and leans back onto Dirk's arm.
To be honest, Dirk wasn't paying attention to the movie at all. All the attention was placed on the boy that was laying on his arm, who gets so excited if his favorite characters appeared on the television- going 'oh golly!', 'That's my favorite character!' or 'The good part is coming!'.
Moments later, Jake suddenly spoke up. "Hey Dirk?"
"What's up?" Dirk replied, arching a brow. There's something about Jake's tone that seemed a little off.
"Do you like your brother?"
"I won't say i hate him, but i don't like him either. Its always fun to dump a bunch of smuppets on him though." Dirk laughs as he watches Jake get confused by the new term that he had never heard of before.
"I'm sorry, Smu... Smuppets?" The foreign word left a weird aftertaste in Jake's mouth, but he knew he should get used to it as Smuppets seemed to be a hobby of Dirk's.
"Yes, Smuppets. Made them all myself, they are like my children. People like Dave won't appreciate these kinds of things."
"Haha! I would love to meet Dave and his, boyfriend, and maybe we could be great chums!"
Dirk could only smile at the enthusiasm of Jake's.
A few movies later, Jake fell asleep on Dirk's arm, collapsed out of exhaustion from work. Dirk carries the sleeping Jake into the bedroom, and gently placed him down on the bed. He pulls the covers up to Jake's neck before making himself comfortable on the mattress below.
== Dirk : Sleep
It wasn't long till it was Dirk's turn to fall into deep slumber.
== Jake : Wake up
Jake wakes up to feel something strange around him. Opening his eyes slowly, he found himself being wrapped by two hands that doesn't seem that it would let go anytime soon. Turns out the pair of hands belonged to Dirk himself!
"Urg... Dirk..." Jake groans, as a sudden pain shot up from his neck. He opens his eyes again reluctantly to finally realize that he had fallen off his bed, and landed in Dirk's.
"...Dirk, wake up..." Jake groans again, this time he tries to lift Dirk's arms off him, but to no avail. It only made Dirk hug Jake tighter, which Jake felt that he was about to explode.
"..Ack! D-Dirk! Dirk! You're killing me! You're—" Dirk had an iron grip around Jake, and it didn't feel as comfortable as before.
Dirk was jolted awake by the sound of Jake's voice, and immediately loosens his grip around Jake's.
"...Sorry, i don't know what has gotten over me." Dirk apologizes, before pulling Jake off him and sitting up.
"Don't you worry old chap—" Jake coughs as he continues, "—Someone like me, I'll be fine."
Dirk runs his hands through his hair as he sighs. He stands up, and walks off quietly without breathing a word. How peculiar. Jake follows shortly after, after changing to his casual clothing. His nose immediately catches a smell of wheat, eggs and a hint of butter and honey. He walks to where the mysterious, heavenly smell was coming from, the kitchen.
"Oh my, what grub are you cooking up right now, Mr Strider?"
"Pancakes."
Jake couldn't help but grin, who knew someone like Dirk could cook?
"You, Dirk, can make pancakes? I feel like i'm getting to know you better!" Jake could have sworn that he saw Dirk flinch the minute he finished his sentence. He easily shrugs it off.
"...'Course."
Dirk slides the pancakes onto Jake's plate and his, before pouring the maple syrup afterwards. Jake could feel his mouth watering, which he made sure not to drool all over the food and the table. Jake grabs the nearby utensils and popped the pancakes in his mouth. He could feel himself smiling to himself and putting pancakes after pancakes into his mouth until he finally cleared his plate. Dirk, who was sitting right across him was smirking to himself as he continues to stare at Jake through his opaque shades.
"So.. Care to tell me how you knew Roxy and Jane?" Jake says while grabbing a nearby handkerchief to wipe his mouth clean.
"Them? We just met, that's all."
"You mean you guys just... clicked, right away? I mean, those two should have known better." Jake asked, getting a little bit suspicious. Jane and Roxy were always careful not to make friends too easily, just in case anyone have seen them murder anyone.
"Are you thinking that i might have pulled some strings with them?"
"Not really, i would want to have a little faith in someone like you." Jake smiles, before taking his plate to the sink to wash it. It was quiet after that, no one would start talking.
Both males, after clearing their plates, sat silently on the couch. Thankfully for Jake, his phone started ringing. It was Roxy.
gutsyGumshoe [GG] began pestering golgothasTerror [GT]
GG: Jake!
GT: Oh hey there Jane!
GG: I have something important to report.
GG: Its English.
GT: Why yes, im English.
GT: *Double pistols and a wink*
GG: No! Not you English, I'm talking about Lord English!
GT: Lord English? Wasnt he sealed away by the Trollians centuries ago?
GG: They did, but he's gone.
GG: It seems that he might have escaped his cage that the Trollians kept him captive in.
GG: This is bad. Real bad.
GT: What are you worried about, my dear Jane?
GG: ...
GG: Its you i'm worried about, you idiot!
GG: What if...
GG: I don't want the same incident to repeat again.
GT: The same incident?
GT: My apologies, I dont think i quite understand...
GG: Oh!
GG: Argh, Forget it.
GG: Like you would know what i'm talking about.
GG: But honestly speaking...
GG: I can't quite put my finger on it...
GT: Whatever is troubling you right now?
GG: Hm, never mind.
GG: I'm pretty sure it isn't that important to know about.
GG: Anyway, come to Memoria now.
GG: I am sure Karkat would love to speak to you.
GT: Oh golly, i do feel the love already!
GG: sfaaaaaaaajoiiiii FUCK YOU JAKE. I HATE YOU.
GT: Why, Mr Karkat sir, i love you too.
GG: I SWEAR IF I GET MY HANDS ON YOdsakasddddddddd
GG: Sorry about that, Gamzee is currently restraining Karkat now.
GG: If he ever lays his hands on my phone, i'll make sure Vriska mind controls Gamzee more than she ever should.
GG: I'll see you later, along with Strider, i assume?
GT: Wait,
GT: What?
GG: I heard about Dave and John.
GT: Oh.
GT: haha.
GT: Yes, ill arrive with Strider.
GG: Good.
gutsyGumshoe [GG] ceased pestering golgothasTerror [GT]
When Jake looks up from his cell, he didn't realize Dirk had his arm around his neck again. He breathes deeply, before speaking, "Dirk, we need to go to Memoria."
"Hm, Okay."
"... You're not asking me why we should go?"
"Nope, I'm sure i'll know when we get there."
"Alright then. Get dressed, we shall be heading to Memoria right now.
Dirk nods as he changes into his usual work suit, along with Jake. They both get into Dirk's jeep, which the way to the bar was very awkwardly quiet. Jake could not stop fidgeting from his seat, which is probably because of his adventurous spirit, which is the strange condition that he has- not being able could not sit still.
"Jake."
"O-Oh! What is it, Dirk?" Jake jolted a little from Dirk's sudden speech, and wanted to literally slap himself for his stupidity.
"Are you nervous around me?"
'Of course i'm nervous, you nitwit!' Was what Jake wanted to say but he held his tongue.
"No way! I'm in tiptop shape, thank you very much!" Now Jake wanted to kill himself! It sounded as if the words that came out of his mouth were sprinkled with lies.
"Don't lie to me, English." The tone in Dirk's voice scared Jake, but he tries not to show it.
"I'm telling the truth!"
Dirk stops the jeep. He places an arm on the steering wheel, and the other by his side. He looks at Jake and the both stared at each other other. Loud honks could be heard from behind them as the jeep was parked right in the middle of the road.
"Are you mad, Strider? Start the jeep! Start the jeep!" Jake couldn't persuade Dirk to drive again and decided to take matters into his own hands. He immediately reached out for the wheel but was stopped by Dirk's hand. How did Dirk move that fast?
"Are you answering me or not?" Jake stared worryingly into Dirk's eyes... or shades.
"Yes! Yes! I'll answer your question, ALL your questions! Just start the friggin' jeep already!" Jake exclaims, in which in return Dirk starts the jeep and drives.
"...I'm... I don't know, I just feel a little weird with you, i guess." Jake breathes.
"Not like with Roxy or Jane?" Dirk asks. Jake could hear the loud gripping sound from Dirk's gloved hands.
"Oh not dear Roxy or Jane! They're fine ladies... Not that i'm interested in them or anything."
'Shit, that didn't come out right.' Jake thought to himself.
"Oh, I'm not gay or anything! Not that i hate homosexuals in the first place or you know... fuck, you must think i'm weird now."
"Nah, its fine. I won't judge you based on your hatred to the homo people."
"Dag nab it Strider! I don't hate homosexuals!" Jake shouted angrily, and earned a chuckle from Dirk.
"Right, English, Right. Anyway, it seems we have arrived." Dirk says as he leaves the car, followed by Jake.
== Jane : Wait for Jake and Dirk
Jane was walking back and forth, waiting for the two to meet her. She was getting more nervous by the minute, as the thought of Lord English destroying the world and— and what?
"Howdy Jane! I've brought Strider." Jake bursts through the doors, doing his signature move again to all the women in the bar, but not to the men, of course.
"Are you sure you don't hate homosexuals?"
"Holy mackerel fuck, Dirk! Shut the frig up would you!"
"God, finally! I've been waiting. Get your arses over here so i can talk to you guys." Jane gestures them to the sofa right at the corner where no one is at.
"Sure thing, bucko!" Jake and Dirk follows to where Jane is and sits themselves down.
"What is it that's in your mind, Jane?"
"Well you see Karkat over there?" Jane points to the gray skinned troll with dark eye-bags under his eyes as she continues, "He's been studying about Lord English's whereabouts, and he wants our cooperation."
"What? We're just bartenders!"
"Apparently he knows we aren't just any set of bartenders, Jake."
"Touché, well what are we waiting for? Get him here, Jane."
Jane nods before standing up and walking off to Karkat, who was talking to Terezi, the red glasses troll girl. She had a thick black lipstick on, and her horns were short, but they are sharp, unlike Karkat's short, nubby ones. Jane only need a few seconds to get Karkat over to where Jake was, that's, how efficient Jane was.
"Hey Fuckass, about fucking time." Karkat barked, rather loudly, actually.
Jane watched closely as the two exchanged greetings in a peculiar way. She had a hidden knife by her thigh if she had ever needed to use it, on Karkat even.
"Well hello there ol' chum! I assume you know who i am?" Jake smiles as Karkat gave a look of disgust that could kill many kittens.
"Of course i know who you are. Who do you think i am, a fucking retard?"
"Good Gravy! Your vocabulary is simply... colourful, i must say."
"Holy fucking god, would you shut the fuck up for a second," Karkat growls beforing continuing, "Alright fuckass, listen up because i'm not going to repeat twice."
Jake looks up at Karkat awkwardly from his seat.
"As you might have heard from Jane already, Lord English has escaped our prison. And of course, we do not require your assistance at all. As a matter of fact, we don't ne—" Before Karkat could continue his arrogant declaration of how much they wouldn't be of help even if Jake decides not to go along with his plan, Terezi comes running to Karkat and wraps her hands around his nubby horns, pulling on them to earn a yelp from the troll male.
"Oh i hope you're not talking loads of rubbish again Karkat." Terezi giggles crazily as she tugged on the horn a little harder.
"HOLY FUCK, TEREZI, REMOVE YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF MY HORNS THIS INSTANT." Karkat struggles to keep Terezi off his horns but failed miserably.
Jane couldn't help but let out a giggle, which Roxy immediately peeked her head out of the counter and ran towards her girlfriend.
"Hey hey gals and boys, cuz here's Roxxxxxxxxxy! Thank you, Thank youu!" Roxy swung an arm around Jane's neck, and giving everyone a look of 'She's mine, so don't get attracted to my girlfriend anytime now.'.
"Holy SHUCKS BUSTER, you scared me!" Jane whispers, shaking her shoulder as a sign of telling Roxy, 'Remove the arm, god.'
"Oh whatchu' talkin' about Janey dearust? Ain't got nuthin' to hide." Roxy giggles, with a hint of tipsiness in her voice.
"Oh god, shut up Roxy."
"You like it, Janey!"
"Hey Roxy, what brings you here?" Jake coughs loudly, and asks.
"HELLO, I'M RIGHT HERE, OR HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN LIKE A BUNCH OF ASSFUCKS YOU ARE?" Karkat growls loudly, but got ignored by Roxy.
"Oh nuthin, just wuntin' to spend a little quuuuuuuuuality time with Janey here. Sooo, i hope you guys dun actuaaally mind if i borruw her for a minsute? Okay thanks!" Roxy laughs before pulling Jane along with her, godspeed.
== Jake : Talk to Karkat
"Oh—" Before Jake could continue his sentence, Roxy was already gone. "—Sure..."
"So what were we on about before we were so, politely interrupted?" Jake laughs, Karkat was not very happy.
"Have you finally fucking decided to give me some attention, fuckface?"
"Woah calm down Karkat, how about some of our famous cocktails, i call this Noli mei oblivisci..." Jake pulls out a cocktail from who knows where and passes it to Karkat. Karkat stares at the strange purple looking drink for awhile, and went like fuck it, and downs the drink within seconds.
"Cheese and fucking crackers, man! Are you okay?" Jake stands up and shakes the troll frantically. The troll seemed to not be in a drunken state...yet.
"Fucking yeah i'm okay! You think i can't handle a drink?" Karkat grinned arrogantly, not knowing what kind of misadventures awaits him soon.
"No, you don't understand, that drink is really—"
Karkat collapses to the ground with a loud thud, earning a snort from Terezi. Jake squats down and tries to wake Karkat, but it seemed that he was out cold.
"Damn Jake, what's in that power drink? I smell grape and a hint of... Woah, what the heck Jake, the alcohol content in that is hella high, doncha think?" Terezi pinches her nose in disgust.
"Well my apologies for not knowing that Karkat would drink it all in one go!"
"I'll just go inform Gamzee about Karkat, Jake." Dirk says coolly before walking off to fetch a messy haired troll.
"Oh please do!"
"Its kind of funny how Karkat is dead drunk... Want to draw on his face, Jake? I have crayons! Reeeeeeeeeed crayons!" Terezi almost went to pull out her box of crayons but Jake managed to stop her in time.
"Oh no thanks, Terezi. I um, i'll try to get him off the ground..." Jake grabs Karkat's arm and puts it around his own neck, pulling him to the couch behind them.
It wasn't long until Gamzee comes rushing over, honking non-stop and shaking Karkat's unconscious body. It didn't take much convincing for Gamzee to take Karkat home either, so the bar had two trolls that was missing in action, not that Jake would mind anyway. Now what? Karkat was supposed to talk about Lord English and Jake messed even that up.
"Hey."
Jake shoots his head to where the voice was coming from, which was, from Dirk.
"Oh yes, how may i help a chum?" Jake smiles widely, but his eyebrows gave it away. Jake felt kind of sad, even though there was nothing to be sad about at all.
"Are you alright?" Dirk asks, his shades sliding down just a little, but not enough to reveal his eyes.
"O-Of course i am! Why would you think otherwise?"
"Because its you, thats why. Tell me whats wrong, Jake."
Jake was a little taken aback by Dirk's answer, but shot back, "Nothing's wrong! Nothing is wrong at all! Perhaps it might be you who had gone bonkers, don't you think so?"
Dirk cocks a brow, and sighs deeply. He stretches a hand out and pulls Jake to a corner where no one could see them. He pulls Jake close, and whispers in his ear. "Why don't you ever tell me how you feel?"
Jake shudders at the hot breath that came from Dirk's mouth, his hands turning to putty within seconds, which he then tries to grip tightly onto Dirk's shirt. "Why...?"
"Don't you trust me?"
"What are you saying? I only known you for practically two days!" Jake exclaimed loudly, but Dirk replied back sadly, "But yet it feels like we have met for a long time... Don't you?"
What is Dirk saying? Why is he so sad? Jake couldn't understand why, but his head started to pound shortly after. He collapses onto the ground, and his vision start to blur. All he remembers was a voice repeating his name, over and over.
Jake! Look at me, don't close your eyes.
Jake!
P...lease wake up.
D...on't le...ve me a...i...