Overall, Jacky had been to Grand Chokmah a few times in the past to visit. But ever since Yuan had wound up in the hospital, first for miasma poisoning and then for his attempted suicide, Jacky had come more frequently. Not so much since he had awoken, though. Yuan had made it painfully clear that he wanted little to do with her or Kratos. Not that it stopped her from contacting him when she could, but she had the distinctive effort to keep a physical distance.

There were so many factors that made the need for physical distance for Yuan necessary. He had been recovering still, naturally, and too many visitors too often would disturb his recovery. Before any of this the three had not been on good terms to start with either. And that letter... it explained so much to her.

Jacky was still unsure of what to make of that letter. And Kratos and her had never discussed it. Yuan's safety and his health were top priority, though she never had the chance to see him anymore. It worried her. If she didn't know that Yuan had others he would allow to care for him, even if he verbally refused, then she would have been more worried. As it was, she had merely resigned herself to her fate, allowing Yuan the space he desired while keeping in contact still so he could not claim that she didn't try as he had done.

As much as Yuan liked to say that Jacky didn't care for him he couldn't have been more wrong. She cared for him too much, sometimes. She had started fights with Kratos on his behalf in the past. And though she would never say it, it hurt her more than anything the way Yuan denied her. She felt insignificant and that she made no difference to the people she cared for most. And it caused her to have insecurities. She constantly worried that she never did enough for Kratos or Shuraiya now as well. She couldn't survive another event like Yuan's.

Arriving at the hospital was simple, especially now that Peony had helped her to gain access to Yuan's room. But she didn't enter cheerfully as she normally would. Instead, she knocked carefully. She couldn't be herself around Yuan at the moment. It would only upset him and ruin everything again. She would have to settle for restraining herself.

"Yuan?" She called to him softly, praying he hadn't changed his mind.

[Locked to Yuan]

I would like to apologize for my behavior previously. I reacted badly to my emotions and said many things I should not have to you.

... I feel I must also apologize for everything else that has occured. Not just my abandonment of you but....

It has become clear to me that my presence in your world, in both yours and Kratos' lives, has been the cause of much of your troubles. I had never meant for this... for either of you. I... I'm sorry, Yuan.

This is all my fault.

[Locked to Shuraiya]

... Brother? Have things returned to normal for you as well, now?

[Locked to Kratos]

Have I told you how happy I am to have you back?

[Private || Hackable to people she's close to (ie. Kratos, Shuraiya, Ten, and Nabooru)]

... I'm not much of a person lately. I do little to aid my friends and only cause more trouble than necessary...

[/Private]

Kratos, if we still plan on sailing down the Mississippi this season I believe I should make preparations in my world. It is not necessary for you to come, Jim and Higgins have agreed to helping me, and we should be ready soon so it might be easiest if you wait here for us.

Kratos and I are going to be taking a trip down the Mississippi of my world should anyone care to join us. I am sure the ship will have plentiful room for guests, and I plan to charge people of my world for passage as well so you shall not be the only guests. I will provide more information once I have obtained a boat.



Also... the wings are finally off. I miss them...

Yuan had slowly been recovering sine the goddess had visited, and Jacky had been keeping an eye on him to make sure things were well. Of course, the past few days she could do little being a dog. But she was back to normal now, which meant it was time to pay Yuan a visit again. Not that he didn't visit him enough, but he was getting better now and she liked to check in on him. He was even awake at some points.

Kratos was with her today as well. A conjoined visit to check on their friend. Jacky was holding his hand as she pulled him down the familiar hallways to Yuan's room, somewhat in a hurry now that she was human again. 

When they reached the room Jacky did not hesitate to enter. She hoped Yuan would be awake this time. It made her feel a lot better knowing that he was starting to wake up.

....

Something isn't right with Yuan, is it? I mean... more than the physical injuries he obtained in the battle.

He doesn't seem to be getting any better... he seems worse. There are markings that cover him... I saw them before but I thought that the doctors would treat it and they would be gone by now. I also noticed his wings before... they are not the same as last I saw them.

What is happening to Yuan? One of you has to know what's wrong with him... why isn't he getting any better?!

		I will marry Yuan.
		After a wild honeymoon, We will settle down in meltokio in our fabulous Mansion.
		We will have 2 kid(s) together.
		Our family will zoom around in a orange motorcycle.
		I will spend my days as a captain, and live happily ever after.

Now, that's a little random... What's a motorcycle?

Okay! I'll stop trying to find you...

Still... does this mean you can't even talk to me anymore? Yuan... I don't know what's going an with you anymore... and I'll stop asking if you want me to, but you've become one of my closest friends and I really care about you. I don't want to cut you out of my life...

I'll stop asking personal questions and pestering you and all that... just... please stop ignoring us...

Today... today was bad. So wrong... everything just went wrong.

I don't know what to do. I'm so lost.

Between Yuan, Kratos, Mithos... I'm going insane.

I need to help Yuan and Kratos... I can't watch them hurt like this anymore! I'm losing my mind just sitting here.

And I will kill Mithos. He will not touch Yuan and Kratos so long as I live. Even if I do have to die for them, its better than them dying... Anything is better than the two of them..



Strange enough... I don't regret anything.

owww.... such a headache... and i keep throwing up. now i remember why i swore never to drink again... sorry millie, i wont do it again, promise!

ugh... i cant believe the way i acted last night... sorry everyone! yuan... you too, if i annoyed you too much or something. i have a question for you, though... do you still have any aspirin from the last time you got drunk? i'd... i'd ask kaye.... but....

todays not a good day...

....

This weather is horrible. I planned the escape for tomorrow night.... that isn't going to work out. The day after tomorrow is when we leave now...

I have to do something to occupy the time, though. Hughie's asked for the story of my baby... Jesse.... Obviously not my baby... but still.

I think I'll tell it for the girls....

[Private]
I.... I said horrible things to Yuan last night... I didn't mean any of them, though.... I was just so angry... and so afraid.... I don't think I'll ever be able to make it up to him...

Yuan.... you...

I... I can't believe you...

[Locked from Kratos and Yuan]
I'm so conflicted... I can't think straight. My mind is in turmoil. 

I didn't think I could ever actually feel like this....

Jacky had had it up to here with Yuan's constant complaining and griping about other people and leaving him alone and Kratos and everything else Yuan griped about. He was wearing on her nerves so thoroughly that she was pushed past her limits this time. Before she had merely contemplated the idea of shoving Yuan and Kratos into a closet and letting them work out their problems. Now, though, the idea seemed more appealing, both for her stress levels and hopefully Yuan and Kratos' relationship. Once she figured out where Kratos and Yuan were, though, and contacted Kaye, it was easy to find them and follow through with her plan.

Jacky only planned to be gone for a few hours, just long enough to keep the boys in a closet and let them talk. She left Clarissa in charge, but the girls seemed to be doing fine. Carrying on with work and their lessons. Kaye was there quickly and they were gone in a second to the base. Kaye looked over at Jacky with a very bored look. "You're lucky you pay me well. Contact me when you're ready to return, and I swear to god if he attacks me again I'll kill him," Kaye said, referring to Yuan. Jacky nodded and thanked her.

Now all the girl had to do was find Kratos and Yuan and somehow lock them in a closet. A simple sounding goal that would probably be very difficult.

YUAN!

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!

We are nowhere near done with this conversation!

Jacky had had about enough of Yuan over the past few days. Her normal philosophy was to never give up, and she wasn't about to give up, but she needed to get away from the Base. The only other place she could think of was Triet, where Kratos was staying. Yuan had told her which direction to go. From there she would figure it out. She made sure she traveled light. Only her clothes, her violin, and the shiv on her hip. From what Yuan had told her she would most likely need the weapon. She just hoped she hadn't forgotten how to use it properly.

Once outside the base Jacky realized why Yuan had mentioned the heat. It was bad. Not entirely unbearable, but not what she had been expecting. Still, Jacky decided to go on. She just needed some time to herself. That was the only reason she hadn't waited for Kratos to get her. That and the fact that Yuan banned him from it.

Jacky trekked through the sand in what she could gather was southwest. In all honesty she wasn't one hundred percent sure she was heading in the right direction. She'd find somewhere eventually, it was whether or not she found Triet that had her distracted. She didn't even know what Triet looked like. She'd probably have to ask around. She wondered what sort of reaction she'd get. She didn't look like people from this world, not her attire anyways. She was still dressed in the clothes she had gotten from future Earth. She preferred jeans and a t-shirt she'd decided.

After traveling for what felt like hours, or maybe it wasn't that long after all, Jacky had to stop to rest. All she knew was that the Base was now out of sight. She was alone in the Triet Desert with no idea what to expect. So far she hadn't seen anything, but that was always subject to change. And then, as if to prove that thought correct, Jacky heard a sound not far from where she rested. She was alert immediately. Was it a monster? It was a very high possibility.

Jacky ducked behind a sand dune and pressed her back against it. She drew her shiv and held it in an attack position. It felt good to hold her shiv again. It was like a part of her, and it was a memory of who she used to be. Jacky had little time to think before she saw them. Three monsters, or she assumed they were monsters. They looked like scorpions, and one like a snake, but they were much much too large. Jacky felt a sense of fear grip her momentarily. Maybe she couldn't handle herself after all... She shook the thought from her mind. Now was definitely not the time to doubt herself.

At first the creatures didn't seem to notice her, Jacky was relieved that they seemed to be moving on. She looked above her to watch them retreat. Two scorpions were leaving, their backs to her. Jacky breathed a sigh of relief until she heard a hiss from behind her. The snake. She had forgotten the snake. She turned just in time to see it poise itself and strike. She quickly dropped and rolled out of the way, but the snake recovered before she could attack it back. And now the scorpions' attentions had been grabbed by the fight behind them.

Jacky found three large monsters surrounding her. This was worse than she had hoped. She hated to admit it, but Yuan was right. Still, she wasn't going down without a fight. Jacky drew her blade back and made a swift swipe at the snake, the easier of the three it seemed. The snake drew back quickly but Jacky's shiv struck it at its tip. She turned to see the scorpions behind her, trying not to forget them, when she saw one tail whip out at her before she could react. The side of her shirt ripped open and a searing pain shot through Jacky's body. She fought the urge to yell but fell to her knees. Her hand quickly moved to the wound and pulled back dripping with blood. She cursed under her breath but quickly looked up. The monsters were preparing to strike their weakened prey again. This was not good.

Jacky held her shiv out, preparing for the next attack.

KRATOS AND YUAN! WHAT THE BLOODY HELL HAPPENED?!

All I know is I couldn't leave my damn room because someone told the men I wasn't allowed near the base entrance!