Black Box 6 [Action post. Around 3:00 am, December 17, 2010. Cranky birthday boy is cranky]

[efinkymraenilef]

[Jake had woken up only about thirty minutes ago around 2:30 am, his head pounding and his mouth dry. Turned out drinking nothing but coffee and energy drink concoctions dehydrated you, who knew? He had taken some pain medicine, but his headache hadn't diminished. He drank some water and decided a walk around the hallways of the Hyperion would be best. He was 24 today, 24th anniversary of his birth, 24th year of living. And the mark of 24 years of pretty much nothing but shit, at least to him.

Ever since he came to the digital world his life had been turned upside down and shaken like a rag doll. First he found a shop for himself, that was good. Pulled off two somewhere successful heists, not bad there. Then, the day after Thanksgiving it all goes to shit. His partner betrays him first then his shop gets blown up.

And now, here he was, wondering the halls of the Hyperion, sleeping on the couch belonging to someone who knew pretty much nothing about him. She was helping him get on his feet and even bought him a brand new garage and lot, gave him a very trustworthy employee, and asked for nothing in return. He'd be lying to himself if he didn't say he was starting to have feelings for the Vocaloid. She was beautiful, smart, kind, and talented. When he looked at her...he saw perfection. But it was something he couldn't have, she had a fiance. She was going to get married and already had a kid with him...more or less.

All of this was so confusing to him. Why was he even still here? He had his shop, why not up and leave, get rid of the confusion? Because he couldn't. He didn't want to disappoint her. She thought he was a good person. Him? Good? The thought startled him and didn't sit too well with him. He wasn't good, period. He was a bad Kat, a SWAT Kat. He wasn't good in any sense of the word...but she thought he was. And that meant something to him. He had to try and live up to that...for her.

He continues to walk down the hallways, lost in his headache and his thoughts. It would be real easy for him to bump into pretty much anyone this fine early early morning.]

Comments

[onisensei.livejournal.com]

[Hey how about you run smack into the rock hard frame of that guy that's totally getting married to the girl you like? And while we're at it how about he spills a bowl of cereal on you when you bump him]

Oof. Sorry dude didn't see ya there.

[efinkymraenilef.livejournal.com]

[Jake cries out as the cold milk runs down his fur, obviously not happy. He looks up at Onizuka with a look that is simply not amused by this turn of events. He just sighs though, it's not like he can do anything against the great teacher/father.]

It was my bad...should have been watching where I was going.

[His voice comes out a bit more harsh than he wanted it too, but this was not helping his headache.]

[onisensei.livejournal.com]

No harm no foul dude. I'll just get some more cereal.

[He plucks a marshmellow from his ear and pops it into his mouth.]

Whatchoo doing up so early anyway?

[efinkymraenilef.livejournal.com]

[Jake's ears instantly go down as Onizuka's fingers touches the tip of one of them. With them down, the excessive scaring on both ears are easily visible. He hates having his ears touched, but he won't say anything. He keeps his face serious but not unkind. This mas was letting him stay in his apartment after all.]

I woke up with a headache about half an hour ago. What are you doing up so early?

[onisensei.livejournal.com]

Hungry. *Offers empty bowl as if this is all the proof he needs*

You know what's the cure for a headache? A stiff drink!

[efinkymraenilef.livejournal.com]

[Jake is about to argue with the fact Onizuka was eating cereal in a hallway at 3:00 in the morning...but he figures that would get him nowhere. A drink, on the other hand, sounds good.]

Sure...why not. A drink sounds good.

[onisensei.livejournal.com]

Thatta boy!

[Big arm around the catman's shoulders]

We'll hook you up and you'll have a nice relaxing sleep.

[efinkymraenilef.livejournal.com]

[The arm around him wasn't exactly welcome, but he doesn't shrug it off. He'd drink enough to help numb the pain in his head, but he doubted he'd sleep. He slept all day yesterday after all.]

Thanks. A drink does sound good right now.

[Around 4:00, action]

[gatekeymaster.livejournal.com]

Okay, okay... Come on, Gato, put your back into it!

I don't have a back!

Then put your gears into it! And keep it down, I don't wanna wake anyone! This needs to be a surprise!

[Lucca and Gato are pushing a MASSIVE, wrapped item on an industrial dolly into the Hyperion's lobby]

Aw man, who knew an armory-loaded intelligent work bench could be so heavy...?

Re: [Around 4:00, action]

[efinkymraenilef.livejournal.com]

[Jake walks into the lobby, still a bit damp from the cereal being spilled on him. He looks over to too Lucca and Gato brining in something...quite huge. He stops and tilts his head. Why was it wrapped?]

Need any help with that?

Re: [Around 4:00, action]

[gatekeymaster.livejournal.com]

AHHHHH! YOU'RE AWAKE!

[Lucca lets go of the handles on dolly, and Gato flails as it keeps rolling]

Mistress Lucca! Mistress Lucca!

[You ever seen a Hagurumon try to stop a rolling cart?]

EEK!

[Lucca scrambles to grab the dolly, and she whirls on Jake]

What are you doing awake?! You're going to ruin the surprise!

Re: [Around 4:00, action]

[efinkymraenilef.livejournal.com]

[He blinks a few times before speaking. The sight before him was both funny and confusing.]

Um...I slept all day yesterday and had a headache. So I just got done having a drink and I'm on a walk. If you want I could leave?

Re: [Around 4:00, action]

[gatekeymaster.livejournal.com]

HOW CAN YOU LEAVE NOW?! YOU'VE SEEN THIS GIANT GIFT!!

[Lucca stomps her foot, and seemingly forgets about not wanting to wake people.]

REALLY NOW!

Re: [Around 4:00, action]

[efinkymraenilef.livejournal.com]

[In reality Jake doesn't care of Lucca wakes people. Its the fact she seems quite angry he walked in on this surprise that he's concerned about.]

Um...I don't know what's in it.

Wait...

Why are you giving me a gift anyway?

Re: [Around 4:00, action]

[gatekeymaster.livejournal.com]

[Poor Jake. Lucca isn't angry, she just has very bizarre ways of expressing her fondness for people. Just ask poor Crono.]

Tut! The whole suprise was supposed to be you walking out of your place and almost tripping over this GIANT SURPRISE GIFT OF DOOM!

And don't you know, Mr. Clawson? It's your birthday! People get gifts on their birthday! And since you've had a rough time of things, I figured you deserved something good!

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Since it's your special daaaaaaaay, your silver points go up by two!

... STILL need to fix that quirk in your programming, Gato...

What, I can't be generous?

[Lucca sighs, and locks the dolly in place so it doesn't roll off]

Jake, Jake, come 'ere, since the surprise is totally not gonna happen now, it's your DUTY to open it in front of me...

Re: [Around 4:00, action]

[efinkymraenilef.livejournal.com]

[Jake stands there and listens, truly listens. He likes sentiment and the reasoning. Hell, this is one of the nicest things anyone has done for him...but there is one problem.]

Who told you today was my birthday?

Re: [Around 4:00, action]

[gatekeymaster.livejournal.com]

Huh...?

[She's completely oblivious that this could be a problem]

Your partner, Vanity? She said your birthday was coming up. We talked the other day.

Re: [Around 4:00, action]

[efinkymraenilef.livejournal.com]

[Jake knows he should have known. He sighs and nods before walking towards the present.]

I should have known she would pull something like this. Alright I'll open it.

[He begins to tear off the wrapping paper, his eyes glowing once he had it completely off.]

...Wow. You...did you make this for me?

Re: [Around 4:00, action] [1/2]

[gatekeymaster.livejournal.com]

From scratch!

[She's breaming proudly, and immediately she scrambles forward.]

Here, lemme show you what it can do!

[She jabs at a few buttons, opening several drawers and compartments on the table]

Room for any tool you can think of, electric outlets for the power tools, aaaaaaand...

[She presses the big red button on the front of the unit. The workbench rattles a bit, and two missile launchers emerge from the sides and telescope up above the main unit.]

Some counter-measures for next time you're attacked! Dumbfire and IR smart missiles, chaff and flare launchers, AND backup power in case anyone decides to cut your power! ... You'll need a few car batteries for that, though.

So what do you think???

[Lucca slaps her hand down on the workbench in emphasis, and immediately, one of the missiles launches. It crashes out of a window and sails off into the Neon City skyline, before crashing into a building several miles away with a loud explosion]

Re: [Around 4:00, action] [2/2]

[gatekeymaster.livejournal.com]

[Lucca stares at the window, and runs to it to look out. She watches the path of the missile, and cringes when it hits the building in the distance. She turns to look back at Jake sheepishly]

... Okay, I might need to make some tweaks for shock resistance to the controls...

Re: [Around 4:00, action] [2/2]

[efinkymraenilef.livejournal.com]

[Jake actually smiles as he sees the rocket fly off and explode. It's nice to know not only does it work, but that explosion was nice too. He'd have to pay Lorne for the window damage though. Oh well.]

Only a few minor tweaks. Thank you. This is one rad gift.

[He smiles at Lucca, a genuinely happy smile.]