chapter word count: 534
noir heart: one hundred and thirteen
"I think it's time I left."
It's abrupt and rude, naturally - though Elsa cares about that as little as she cares about practically everything else in the world - but as soon as Nicholas' explanation drew to a close, the burning compulsion to see Jack had become unbearable.
It's all so clear. The darkness that follows him. The reason Rapunzel divorced him. The difference between his roguish, charming smirk in the photograph and the weary yet angry man in the interview room. She darts to her feet whilst nearly dropping the tankard in her haste to get it on the floor, and practically rushes toward the living room door.
Then, she freezes. There's something missing - isn't she supposed to say something? Perhaps a customary...that's it. She turns. He's still sat. "Thank you for the hot chocolate, Nicholas, and for the information. I think I understand, now."
He watches her carefully, and the very act temporarily roots her to the spot. He wants to say something, she can tell. A burning question, or maybe a statement; one that she has no time for yet feels compelled to stay and answer.
"Elsa, I know what Jack called you."
She lifts her chin. He doesn't even need to say the words for her to know what they are - malignant narcissist sociopath. He rises from his couch with far more grace, speed and elegance than she expects of a man his size, and moves to stand a few feet away from her. Still, her eyes do not deviate from his - it's all intimidation. Instinctively, her mind weighs her options, which are either to escape or attempt to kill him, if the situation arises that his intentions are deadly. He is large, and his strength far exceeds hers, but with the proper position and leverage she could theoretically strangle him.
It would be a thrill and technically self-defense - but she made a silent promise on her roof.
"I was watching your affect throughout talk, and I am not sure that is what you are." His hand rises to delve inside that huge beard and scratch his cheek, before he shrugs. "Of course, psychopaths and sociopaths are masters at deceit and faking body language, and making people see what they want them to see. I could be wrong, but in case I am not, and you are not what he says you are…"
Nicholas sighs, and his face falls to one of worry and concern. His black eyebrows climb to his hair. "Jack is very fragile. He is one bad day away from either committing suicide, or becoming the very thing he hunts. Please, whatever your intentions, do not hurt him," he says, shaking his head imploringly, "do not be that bad day."
Elsa lets a breath through her nose, and a warm, reassuring smile climbs her face. One fuelled by resolve. "I don't know for sure what I am. Believe me when I say, however, that there are only three people in this world I care about : myself, my sister, and Jack. Four, if you count my brother-in-law. The rest of the world, Nicholas, can burn."
special thanks to: doomstone, hornedgoddess, oninoko, jpbake, heartonfire and waguneru for the reviews!