Soaring
First Arc: Act Nine
Jak pushed his hands into the clear forest waters. A splash, forced back by his hands, hit his face causing droplets of water to run down his cheeks. The cool waters sent shivers and goosebumps up his arms; it was a relaxing change from the humid airs in the city. After being submerged in the water, Jak wrapped his fingers around the fabric that floated on the surface. He pushed the denim deeper into the water and with both hands began to rub the fabric together. This was one thing he never saw himself doing, washing a woman's clothes. After a moment of scrubbing the brown-colored denim together, he lifted the pants from the river. As his hands hit the air, he felt the cold wind breeze over his wet hands. He pulled his hands apart, and looked to see if the mud stain had cleared. He frowned at the sight of lingering mud stains. With a loud splash, he dunked his hands and jeans back into the water.
"Are you done yet?"
Jak glanced upward to see no one. Only a large rock stood between himself and Kat. The young female and stripped of her clothes, save for her underwear, and waited for Jak to finish cleaning her soiled garments. He could only guess how what her body language was by the tone of her small voice. Her voice sounded strained; perhaps the chilly winds had finally gotten the better of her. Jak felt his eyes move to the top of the boulder to see her red tube-top. The small article of clothing was just waiting to be worn but was still drying in the afternoon sunlight.
Thank goodness Daxter was on watch at the forest's entrance.
"Where did you learn to wash clothes?"
Jak was distracted by the sound of Kat's voice and paused for a moment. So she was going to 'lighten' the situation by asking questions, was she? Well, two could play at that game. Jak resumed cleaning her clothes, his hands rubbing the cloth together. The splashing sounds his hands made filled the air.
"You learn a lot of things when you're a prisoner." He finally answered in a cold tone. "No one's there to wash your clothes."
XoXoX
Kat choked back her words. Perhaps her innocent questioning had taken a stressful downturn. The last thing she wanted to do was remind him of his prison days. Yes, she had heard certain things about Jak; some rumors, some from Torn. Kat wasn't sure she wanted to continue the conversation if it were going to anger him. It wouldn't be in her best interest to put herself in harm's way. And still, she felt a strange urge to dig deeper. To know more, to listen to his soothing voice, anything to keep his attention.
"I'm surprised you don't know how to wash clothes."
She jumped at the sound of his voice. She slouched over and wrapped her arms tighter around her body. Standing in the cold in her underwear, not only was it embarrassing but it also left her very venerable. It was also very unladylike! Kat shook her head from side to side, Jak had just spoken to her and true, it wasn't exactly a question but it would be rude to ignore him.
"I uh…" Kat hesitated for a moment, "Just never learned how."
"Did Jam do it for you then?"
Kat felt her eyes snap open. Jam. She hadn't heard that name in awhile. Kat found herself looking down at the floor, her arms still hugged over her chest. She began to slowly move both her arms, in a stroking motion, over her upper arms. How could she say anything now? With a question such as that? A question she couldn't quite answer yet.
"Yes."
"Jam," His voice carried in the cool breeze. "Where is she?"
Kat bit down on her lip; she knew that question was headed her way. She had to assume the question would be asked, eventually. Anyone sane would have asked. But…how could she answer? She knew the truth; Torn knew the truth, so why did Jak need to know? Why couldn't he keep his mouth shut and just 'go with the flow'? Why was he so insistent? He shouldn't be interested in the lest. Unless…
"I'd like to ask you the same question! What happened to all the Eco?"
"Around." Kat cleared her throat after speaking.
"Hmm."
A hum, that wasn't a good sign. Kat gulped to herself and shut her eyes. She had to let the moment pass without letting any important information leak from her lips. She couldn't be that stupid, naïve or brainless. She had a mission to complete after all and she wasn't about to let a handsome face get in her way. Not his charming smile, his beautiful blue eyes, his comforting voice…
"I'm done."
Kat flinched, hard. She jerked her head to one side to see Jak's arm sticking out from behind the boulder. Her brown cropped pants lay in his hand. Kat was quick to snatch the pair of pants from Jak's wet hands. She had to get dressed fast, she didn't want to spend another second in her delicates. She turned to face the large rock that was once behind her and with one small leap, reached to the top and grabbed her tube-top. She was swift while slipping her top on and pulling it over her stomach. She then moved to her pants.
"You're not going to wear wet pants, are you?"
Jak's voice caused Kat to pause, her left leg already inserted in her wet jeans. "I'd rather wear wet pants then none at all." She called out to Jak.
"You'll catch a cold."
Kat shrugged her shoulders and began to slip her right leg into her pants. The cool fabric against her bare skin caused her to shiver. She then bent down to touch the waist of her pants. She was quick to pull her wet pants over her legs. The denim gave her problems as it stuck to her skin while she pulled. After a moment or two of struggle, she buttoned and zipped up her jeans. Finally, clean clothes; wet but clean nonetheless.
XoXoX
Jak watched as the image of Kat appeared from behind the boulder. As she approached, he gave both hands a firm shake, allowing the water on his hands to drip off. Not feeling satisfied with how dry the shake had made his hands, he began to wipe his hands on his shirt.
He turned to face the flowing river, his eyes fixated on his own reflection. What had he become? Why did it have to be this way? When his life had been so perfect before. He had little to no worries and now? It was all so confusing. What was he? His ears had heard it all before. Freak. He was a freak. He had been tainted with the very essence of Dark Eco. It had changed him and whether that be for the better or worse, he would never know. He had never felt hate the way he had for the Baron. The anger, anguish, and pain had consumed his whole being and changed him. Could he ever be 'normal' again?
The crunching sound of the fresh grass caught him off guard. He peered over his shoulder to see Kat standing behind him. She knelt down onto a single leg and dropped to the ground. Taking her seat, she lifted her head toward the sky and began to smell the fresh air around her. That wasn't a bad idea, Jak had to admit. Without a second thought, Jak also took a seat on the crisp grass below him.
The couple sat back-to-back in silence, only the sounds of the forest echoed through their ears. Jak allowed his eyes to slowly shut and began to breathe through his nose. The woodsy scent of the damp tree bark caused him to release a relaxed sigh. Just as he began to settle in, he felt the warmth of Kat's back leaning against him. He turned his nose to one side and looked over his shoulder. He could see the side of her face; he could see that she had both eyes shut and nose in the air. Her black, furry ears began to give small twitches as the cool breeze passed by them.
A warm hand landed on top of his own. Jak shifted his eyes downward to his hand, which laid on the green grass, to see that she had placed her delicate hand on his. Jak was quick to narrow his eyes at the sight he was witnessing. She was touching him? Her warm, pale hand stayed on his without so much of a twitch. Kat continued to sit, her back against Jak, with her eyes shut and smelling the air. Could she be so caught up with the relaxing scenery that she forgot who she was with? He wouldn't put it passed her. Jak let his eyes bounce back up to see Kat with a smile on her face. What could she be smiling about? Could the forest really bring her so much happiness? Perhaps she had an unseen connection with the forest that she kept hidden. There it was, another one of her many mysteries.
"They say you're a monster."
Jak felt his brow twitch. He quickly allowed his eyes to focus back on the river before him. His hands then began to grip at the grass below him. That word: monster. It held so many meanings. Did he fall under that title? Was he really what the rumors had titled him? A monster, a murder, a freak. He was different, there was no doubt about that and still…did that make him a monster?
"But I feel safe with you."
Jak's eyes snapped open. He felt his back stiffen and mouth drop open an inch or two. He felt the urge to whirl around and face her but resisted. He couldn't scare her off, she appeared so sensitive. He allowed his grip on the grass to loosen, and his palms fell open on the ground. She felt safe with him? Why was it so hard to believe?
"What did he tell you?" He asked in a low voice, without a single attempt to face her.
"Torn?"
"Yes." He gave a quick response.
"He told me that the Baron did horrible things to you." Kat's voice fell her lips with a gentle tone. "He told me to be careful around you and to never let my guard down."
His cheek twitched. So Torn was giving her orders to be wary of him. Why did this anger him? Why did the idea of Torn interfering with his affairs strike such a nerve? It had to be that strange urge to compete with him, that invisible link they shared. Didn't Torn know that he could control himself? He wasn't a crazed homicidal maniac, not the person the Krimzon Guard made him out to be.
"But I can't help feeling…like I can trust you." Her voice broke Jak from his thoughts.
Jak turned and looked over his shoulder. He saw that Kat was in the same position, seated with her eyes shut and a smile on her face. So she was being truthful? It was about time. Jak felt his heart in his chest begin to slam away. Was he excited? Nervous? Probably a little of both, it was a mixture of emotions he wasn't used to. She was a unique one, shy and reserve but soft-spoken and sincere when she needed to be. That shell she was kept in needed to be broken, and he was just the right person to do it. He wanted to see her beyond her shell, outspoken and wild. The person he knew she could be.
He opened his mouth; ready to reply to her pervious comment with a snapping sound alerted him. He was quick to jerk toward the east to see what could have made the sound. As he looked he saw a figure standing beside a tree. Jak's eyes traveled up, beginning at the figure's legs, to see who it was. The face was all too familiar.
"Having fun?" Torn asked as a smirk spread across his face.
Jak felt his muscles tense. He was quick to shoot Torn a piercing glare, only to see that Torn's eyes were fixated on something else. He followed the direction of Torn's sights to see that he was looking right at Kat's hand, the hand that was placed on his. Jak returned his glare to Torn, who was smiling. What was with that shit-eating grin? Was he amused by this sight?
"Torn!"
Jak's ears twitched. He looked over his shoulder and watched as Kat lifted herself from her seat. Her hand left his, the warmth of her body still lingering on him. She jolted from the ground and rushed toward the older man. Jak felt his eyes glued to his throbbing hand. Had her touch made that much of an impression on him? It was a simple symbol of affection that he had not felt in years.
"You two need to save your energy." Torn spoke, his eyes switching from Kat to Jak. "I have a mission for you both."
Jak moved himself from the floor and stood up straight. He then began to dust off his pants, before facing Torn. Jak looked to see Torn and Kat greeting one another. What was it about this couple that Jak despised so much? He allowed his eyebrows to fall downward on his forehead, creating a fierce glare. Just before he could open his mouth to speak, a familiar creature appeared on Torn's left shoulder. Daxter popped up, his trademark smile on his furry face.
"THAT took longer than it had too!" Daxter exclaimed. "What was taking you two so long?" Daxter took a leap and landed on the grass below Torn. "Torn here isn't getting any younger!"
"We just got caught up in something." Jak answered, shooting a smile in Daxter's direction.
"I'm tired…and cold." Kat whimpered and wrapped her arms over her chest.
Torn gave the younger female a confused gaze. "Why are your pants wet?"
"Long story." Jak answered for Kat, one hand held up to chest-level.
"Come on then," Torn replied with a jerk of his arm. "Let's head back. The sooner," He turned and shot Jak an angry stare. "The better."
Kat gave Torn a small nod before turning her back to him. She then began to walk out of the forest, her arms still hugging her body. It wasn't long before the image of her walking fell out of sight. Once out of hearing range, Jak turned to Torn and snorted. He had a lot of nerve, 'checking in' on them. He wasn't a child, not anymore.
"He told me to be careful around you and to never let my guard down."
And, of course, there was always that.
Daxter jumped from the floor and landed on Jak's shoulder. Jak made the effort to stand taller, chest pushed out, before walking passed Torn. The two men stared at one another as Jak passed. It was if small strings of electricity were caught between the two. The tension could be cut with a knife. Jak wouldn't let Torn get the best of him, not yet.
Act End.
