The Fox, the Wolf, and the Lamb

[Riki]

Joachim was not certain whether he was completely correct, but Jaq did not seem to like being near Adonis' corpse. Actually, as he was looking at the pile of towels that formed due to Jaq, he realized that his observation was quite true. Jaq was... being mad, in some way. He watched her for a bit, putting his bag on, before he took some steps towards her.

"Why are you so... erratic?"

Joachim was not sure why she would be. She ordered the kills, didn't she? She should be completely content with putting some simple towels over the corpse she indirectly caused.

His eyes widened when another interpretation appeared in his head. Could it be that she truly felt just as much insecurities as he did? Did she really feel regret. Or guilt? Joachim dislikes, possibly feared this possibility. He needed her to be strong, to be stable, to be determined. Of course he knew that Jaq was troubled by the whole situation, but now... he felt worse about it, began shaking.

"Are you feeling bad about Adonis?"

[umop-ap!sdn†]

Was she feeling bad? It was a good question. She was certainly feeling uneasy, but defining the feeling as good or bad seemed to simple. The feeling was more grey to her. Mostly because she didn't want to deal with it, and therefor refused to define it. She probably felt bad about it, but for now she didn't have time for remorse. There was one feeling that seemed to dominate all others right now.

"I'm scared, Joachim."

She stopped laying the towels and moved back inside. She scooped the gun off the couch and slung her bag over her shoulder. It was time to go. This place had housed too many nightmares, and seemed to have a very negative effect on her psyche. A change in scenery might have some uplifting effect, surely anywhere was better than here. Jaq cleared her throat as she stepped outside and back around Adonis's body.

"I can't stay here. Let's go back to the living site."

((Jaquilyn Locke continued in ...And Home Before Dark)

[Riki]

Scared?

Joachim was feeling ambivalent about that answer. It was not the dreaded 'yes', but still... there was no comfort coming from her words. Nonetheless, as Joachim watched Jaq preparing to leave, some calmness returned to Joachim. Actually, no. Calm was not the right word for what Joachim was feeling. Perhaps it would have been more fitting to call it... Joachim being stable for the moment.

Eventually, he fetched his own things and went after Jaq, only to stop at the door in order to look back at the crimson-stained bunch of towels.

What exactly was the nature of his negative feelings? If he truly felt guilt, why did he continue his ways? Was it because...

"Let's go, Jaq. Stay close."

...he enjoyed it?

[Joachim Lovelace, continued in ...And Home Before Dark]