nexus_crossings | Manhattan's Diamond King

Manhattan's Diamond King

Jack had been wandering the streets on a night watch with Diamond. The people of the Party and their Ministry of Truth goons were getting bold. It made Jack antsy and he wasn’t sleeping. It was weird sometimes how he went days and weeks here and there without sleeping. No one knew how he could do it.

The scenery had changed oddly when he turned a corner, Diamond at his side whining. He reached down and patted the white mutt that went with him everywhere. Straightening, Halloween Jack shifted the automatic weapon slung over one shoulder that stood in stark contrast to his feminine clothing including spike heeled black boots and gaudy diamond bracelets and earrings. He came very close to shooting the hologram when it startled him by appearing on his blind side. He’d seen something like this before but couldn’t remember where. He listened to it all the while wondering why the guy was in the weird get up. It looked enough like a military uniform to make him suspicious of the Nexus.

Walking on he kept looking up at the building corners, the trees, anywhere something could be hung. Though the gun was back in a resting position, he remained jumpy and jittery.. one part drugs and one part nerves. Diamond was watching the people coming out into the plaza. Normal morning traffic of shops opening.

Jack narrowed his eye at the people and eventually asks. “There aren’t any cameras or drones here?”

He is confused as hell about what is going on. The dog sat at his feet, looking up expectantly at her one eyes master. In the back of his mind there is a lingering worry that this is some Party trap or that he had been caught again and this was something in his own mind.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"You are a person. You're Jack."

Hiroki doesn't back away. He welcomes the touch, but isn't doing anything.

"Shsh. I'll protect you, Jack. Please, lemme introduce you to Ziggy. Might help."

Hiroki sounds upset, but caring and resolved.

"Jack is just something I made up because I didn't have any...." Jack didn't have the words for when he escaped and realized there was nothing left of his memories and very little of his personality.

"I don't need to be protected." Jack slips his arms around Hiroki's chest and presses into his body. He doesn't say anything to the introduction because it only adds to his confusion over whatever os going on.

"Alright, Jack."

Hiroki puts his right arm on his shoulder.

"Let's go that bar."

One think that will become instantly apparent, as the contact becomes closer, is that Jack is so much thinner than Ziggy, emaciated like someone starved for a long time. Jack leans in farther, sort of reluctant to let go.

"I'd prefer food to drink. I've got plenty of booze at home." Jack comments as he rests his head on Hiroki's shoulder. He can imagine why this other person likes him so much. He feels good to be next to.

"You're right. There are probably no proper dinners at this bar. Let's go to a good restaurant. Food's on me, buddy," the clone says softly, with affection.

Hiroki pats Jack, the way one would a younger brother who's crying on one's shoulder.

"I know a good one. We're going, okay? Just don't kiss me. Wouldn't want any misunderstandings."

He gently tugs Jack. Let's go.

Jack is still very confused but then, maybe this is a situation of food now and then he owes him in the future. That thought relaxes Jack a little until Hiroki says more. Then the confusion rushes back.

"You're not very worldly are you" Jack asks as he is tugged sideways from where he was comfortably resting. This whole interaction has left him unsure about what this person is after.

"Nah, I'm just a very dumb clone who was born yesterday," he replies with a grin. "Go on, laugh at me. I'm sure I'm a good joke. It might even make you feel better."

"Now, follow me."

And he begins to walk, leading Halloween Jack to a good restaurant.

Ziggy, save us, Hiroki thinks, desperately.

"You don't seem to understand the rules on how others survive." Jack just shook his head and followed along with Diamond in tow.

Ziggy heard but it would take him time to pinpoint where to go.

"That's alright, I'm dead, anyway."

"You don't seem very dead to me." Jack comments. "I'd know. Our streets are littered with them."

"Thanks, you're a dear."

He then winces at what Jack says next.

"And you're hot." Jack smiles broadly. The violence of his own world doesn't effect him too much. He's partially desensitized.

Hiroki stops and stares at Jack, wide-eyed. His right arm's trembling.

Ziggy, please, I've just met your clone and he says I'm hot. Need help.

Why is he thinking towards Ziggy? Surely Ziggy won't hear him anyway. Wait. Wait, he might. He just might. Atlas. Pilot. Quintessence. Connection.

Hiroki resumes walking towards the restaurant. He pats Jack's head like one would a child, ruffles his hair playfully.

Jack leans into the touch as they walk. It may be what was given to a child but he still likes it.

After a moment Ziggy reaches out, quiet in Hiroki's mind because of distance. Where are you?

Of course Hiroki doesn't back away. He enjoys closeness. He enjoys the touch.

He pictures the place excatly for Ziggy.

We're going to the restaurant. The poor guy, he's practically skin and bones!

He's a prostitute, Hiroki adds after a moment, so that Ziggy doesn't misunderstand poor Jack's behaviour. All of the clone's thoughts and feelings on Jack are platonic and brimming with compassion.

Jack leans in closer because it feels like his closeness is welcome.

He gets a mental message from Ziggy that he's on his way.

Jack meanwhile looks to his new companion. "What kind of resturant?"

It's the same restaurant to which Ziggy had taken Hiroki. Hiroki describes it to Jack cheerfully, with details.

Jack gets visibly excited. "I don't remember having sushi ever."

One of the only good things about the loss of his memory was that everything was new again.

Ziggy is waiting for them at the restaurant at a table with seating for three. He smiles when he sees Hiroki but his already pale skin pales farther when he sees Jack. He hadn't expected to see someone who looked this much like him. He thought maybe Hiroki was exaggerating.

Jack stops dead in his tracks too and stares at the person standing from the table.

"Maybe you've never had it. Today can be your first time! Isn't that great?"

Upon going into the restaurant, Hiroki Shirogane, who's on high alert, immediately sees Ziggy. Relief floods him. He gazes at Ziggy adoringly and with gratitude, and hope.

So much tension leaves him, it must be palpable. It's like just after a battle.

He gently pats Jack on the shoulder reassuringly.

"Jack, meet Ziggy Stardust, my beloved. Ziggy, meet Halloween Jack, a refugee."

Ziggy has sake already at the table and, knowing what Hiromi likes, has already ordered food but it hasn't arrived yet.

He smiles and gives Hiroki a hug and a quick kiss before turning to the newcomer who is still startled. Ziggy gives Jack and open and overly friendly hug which takes away Jack's tension.

However, Ziggy's mind is focused on Hiroki. Where did you find him? He's half Anthean like I am. I can feel it. I didn't think there were any others like me. Maybe??

Ziggy trails off as Jack pulls away. He slips into the booth, Jack on one side and motioning for Hiroki to come to the other. Ziggy is busy telling Jack about the food but his mind is still wide open to Hiroki to hold a mental conversation. Ziggy is startled, confused, concerned and doesn't know how to handle this particularly.

The clone flops down at the table, then rests his head on it, groaning quietly.

So tired. So utterly tired.

Of quiznaking course he is half-Anthean, Princess! What'd I tell you?! Trust me! Met'im in Nexus. Thinks I bought'im to quiznak him. Help me, Ziggy Stardust, you're my only hope.

Ziggy feels the tiredness and smiles, a hand stroking Hiroki's back. "Why don't you lay down in the booth and rest until the food gets here. You can use my leg for a pillow.."

Already though, Ziggy is funneling energy to Hiroki. Zkggy can't help the little giggle that escapes.

If I were a prostitute I'd want a strong, kind and incredibly handsome and sexy man to buy me too. I can't blame him. Ziggy teases but he's serious about the compliments.

Ziggy turns to Jack who is asking if Hiroki is ok and Ziggy just off-hands that he has been working a lot and probably just tired.

Go ahead and lay down. I'll take care of Jack. You need to rest.

Hiroki's absolutely grateful to his boyfriend as he takes his suggestion and does just that, lying down. Ziggy's truly his saviour.

Have I ever told you how quiznaking beautiful you are, Love? The most beautiful. There's no one like you. Thank you.

Oh, he remembers exactly every time he has, in detail, naturally. That's not the point.

He lies down. He trusts Ziggy with Jack. Ziggy's Quintessence, as always, feels simply divine.

And you are too handsome to resist. Ziggy sends back with affection then settles in to stroking Hiroki's hair, shoulder and side while he talks to Jack.

They both drink and Jack fills Ziggy in about his Earth. It's horrifying to Ziggy to hear about the cameras, the patrols, the fact that enjoying life is not legal. He gets some details about what happened to his mind and soon Ziggy has Jack leaning against his side with arms wrapped around him and Hiroki laying in his lap. He really doesn't want this to feel vaguely erotic but it does.

After another moment, Ziggy comes back to Hiroki's mind more directly. I can't tell genetically, but I don't think he's me.. close? Maybe MaryLou was pregnant and Tommy didn't know? That would explain the half Anthean part at least. I'd have to have my mom look to know and do genetic tests. His mind has a lot of damage. I'm not sure I should tell him he's part alien yet.

No, you.

As Ziggy strokes his hair, Hiroki moans with pleasure.

He listens groggily as Ziggy and Jack talk. Good. This is necessary.

No, don't tell him yet! It'll be too big of a shock, you can't imagine.

"Mhm..."

Is it possible he's-------- he's a clone? Of yours? That's my gut instinct. What do you think, Ziggy? Am I wrong?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject