Jacks was lying face up on the ground, his head pounded, and his heart raced from excitement. He sat up, still pained from the powerful punch that Francis delivered to his chest. He grunted, and looked down at his body, even through his hardplate, that blow did major damage. Other than that he seemed to be fine, he got up slowly, and shakily, and began walking, or more of limping, over to Francis.
Jacks put a hand on his hip to lean on, and looked up at her, gasping for breath.
"Is *GASP* This *GASP* W-what *GASP* I have to." Jacks said, unable to speak properly from his likely dented ribcage.
Francis sighed, and placed a hand on his shoulder, giving a sympathetic frown.
"Yes, Jacks, it is, I need to teach you how to be strong, how to protect yourself and others, because if you can't, there is no point in you carrying the title of Knight…." She spoke softly, with care, but remorse as well, like a parent lecturing a small child after being grounded.
Her white needle thin pupil grew to be the size of a normal eye.
"But, how do you *GASP*, expect me to keep this *GASP* up, my back and shoulders are *COUGH COUGH* destroyed, and I think you broke some *COUGH* Rrrribs." Jacks started to control the gasping and coughing, but it was still frequent.
"That's the point, I don't. You need to be brave Jacks, true bravery is knowing when you're weak, and scared, and pushing on anyways. When I first met you, in that field with the Sin, you proved to be, well, a giant pussy, but today, oooho today you proved that one hundred percent false." Jacks still stood there holding his chest.
"Today, you showed me that you can fight through pain by simply willing it away. Today, you showed me that you can figure out what must be done, and you WILL, get it done. Today, you stared me, someone eight hundred times stronger than you, in the face in a duel, and you fought with torn muscles, AND STILL MANAGED TO GET ME TO THE GROUND!" She started shaking Jacks all around, causing him to grunt in pain.
"I am amazed at what you've shown me today, well done Jacks!" She lightly punched him in the arm.
"Gee, thanks." He rolled his eyes, being sarcastic.
"You get to rest for now, but don't think that you aren't training once your muscles come back stronger." She spoke down at him.
"*Chuckle* Yes ma'am. Jacks joked."
There was an aura of happiness throughout the room. Jacks felt good on the inside, in his soul, even though his outside, his body, hurt like all hell. Francis was glad to see that this guy, this weak, little bitch, as she would put it, to be one of the most determined people she'd ever met in her life.
Jacks walked back to his room, this time Francis carrying the giant luggage like it was nothing. He still had that shit-eating grin on his face. Not a word was said on the way back, none needed to be. Just like back in that field with the rat, they felt a connection here, something that drew their souls together, slowly stitching their destinies together. Jacks looked up at the dull, flickering fluorescent lights above them, one after another passing overhead in a straight line like soldiers marching into combat together. He looked down at the floor tiles, each symmetrical and identical running in diagonal patterns down the hallway. He then looked at the bear beside him. The way she was, very flamboyant in nature, always changing to suit the need around them. She could change her very being for the people around her in a split second. The first two, Jacks could read, they were in a set pattern, never ceasing to follow their direct set of order. Francis, however, Jacks could never put a finger on what she would do next, the first moment she was a drill sergeant, the next she's Dr. Phill? Her behavior continued to throw Jacks into a state of confusion, or maybe even…. Worry.
Jacks waved to Francis as she walked into the equipment room, the red glow still emanating from it's interior, and he continued without his big grin. He was now deep in thought about Francis.
(What's with her, I can't seem to pinpoint her style, I can tell her general attitude, but not her likeness….) Jacks continued with many thoughts and ideas on the hows and whys, looking down at the floor while he walked so the light would not distract him. Jacks came across that familiar white door and opened it to reveal his room, completely clean with fresh sheets and blankets. Jacks' grin came back in a low, lustful smile.
"Thank you Mr. Karves!" Jacks said before throwing himself onto the bed and almost falling asleep.
That is, if a presence didn't disturb him. Jacks turned over in the fluffy white sheets to reveal a familiar furry red snout staring about three inches from his face.
"Well hello there :3, it's a bit early to be sleeping." The snout said, with the most lyrically soft voice he could summon.
"FOXY!" Jacks shouted as he threw his arms up in fear, causing his sore muscles to send a jolt of pain through him. He groaned and slowly lowered his arms down.
They both sat up, and foxy inspected Jacks, it was no secret that he was in pain.
"Damn Jackson, what happened to you?!" Foxy shouted, with great concern in his voice. Jacks chuckled to himself.
"Jackson? What? Are we not friends anymore?" Jacks tried to lighten Fawkes' concern by playing it off in a joke, it seemed to work.
Foxy grinned with the left side of his mouth, and put a hand on Jacks' head to mess with his hair.
"Sorry, Jacks, now what's wrong?" Foxy still tried to get an answer out of him, Jacks was reluctant.
"Just ask Francis, she'll tell you." Jacks did not feel like telling Foxy the story of his brutalization today. Jacks got a glint in his eye before turning back to Foxy with a smile.
"So did you get the Sin?" Jacks asked. Foxy sighed and shook his head, symbolizing that he did not, in fact, get the Sin.
So, back to not just being about Jacks and Francis XD, next chapter will be completely epicly long, so get ready for freddy!