Chapter Text
Jacks went completely willingly, if anything he was happy to have some privacy, he felt the weight of tiredness had swallowed all of his energy. The cell was one of the more comfortable ones he had been in, it was a decent size and had both a toilet and a bed. Once he had been thrown into the cell but the palace guards, he pounced onto the bed intending to sleep the rest of the night away. He settled on his back, closed his eyes and slightly jolted when he wasn’t met with immediate darkness. Instead, his mind had envisioned two huge grey eyes staring into his. His heart skipped a beat, his body broke out in a cold sweat. He shot up in his bed searching his cell, there was nothing there but damp stone. It appeared that he had succumbed to delirium already. He hoped that it would have taken at least a few months but admitted defeat after he began hearing things. The sound of Evangeline’s bright laughter drifted into his ears. For a while he floated away like a balloon, soaring high through the sky, but also empty inside. He had to free himself and pop the balloon before the pressure did.
“She’s gone now. Just, move on.” He ordered himself out loud.
It still made no difference because once he closed his eyes the visions returned but in more detail. It was a memory this time, of her twirling in that dress Lala had given her. He recalled the pink, violet and blue gems that glittered like stars, however their brightness never held a flame to her smile which always lit up every room. She had looked world ending, ruinous in that dress, that slit on her leg had tempted him all night and her hair begged to be let loose. He wishes that he would have pulled her closer that night, sat next to her during the dinner and had climbed into bed when he found Evangeline lying there, clutching his shirt.
He woke himself up again when he realised he had already gone back on his words to move on. He finally admitted to himself it wouldn’t be easy to let go so suddenly, so he would have to come up with a new plan. After an hour of debating, with himself, he had concluded that for the rest of the night he was free to think of Evangeline as often as he would like, but once morning came he would have to push all thoughts of her away, for good. Easy. He had decided that he should revisit each of his memories of his Evangeline beginning with the day they met.
In the Church he did not see her as a person of much interest, he had seen many broken hearts wander into his Church so he did not remember their conversation in much detail. It was only after she had drank from Poison’s goblet, sacrificing herself for the benefit of her selfish lover, he had realised that she was like no other. He did remember how quickly he left after her sacrifice, something about the stubborn girl being suspended in time like that had unsettled him. So, he busied himself with his scheming and plots to take back Tella. However, later that night, his mind began to wonder about the stone girl and whether that boy had saved her, as she predicted.
He had set off with an apple in hand, towards the gazebo where the wedding between Luc and her stepsister had been held. While he knew that this girl was foolish in her beliefs, he could not help but also feel a sliver of hope that her doomed love would somehow prevail. However this hope shortly died, leaving behind a weight on his chest, after he saw her, still frozen in place. His urges demanded that he use this opportunity to take a closer look at her, given that she would never know he was there.
However stepping closer had been a grave mistake, immediately he was bewitched by her striking beauty. He had cursed himself for not earlier noting how the shape of her lips formed a perfect Cupid’s bow or how her cheeks were shaped like two perfectly round apples he desperately wanted to eat. He was then abruptly stunned when he realised the resemblance her almond-shaped eyes and her delicate pointed nose created. In his eyes, she looked like some innocent, (and rather breathtaking) fox! This shook him to his core, due to his painful history with foxes. His body however, must not have cared, because he felt his hands burning and begging to be cooled on her smooth cheek, but he restrained himself as he could not lose focus of what he undoubtedly desired, his true love of course. He knew that no woman, no matter how attractive or good natured or intriguing, should ever compare to his true love.
Right?
Slightly shaken, he had left the garden just as swiftly as he had arrived, leaving Evangeline behind him.
He only now wishes that he had sat there with her all night, or better yet, drank from the goblet himself. However, there was now going back now. He has made his bed now he must lie in it.
He replays every interaction with Evangeline he could remember in as much detail as possible until the sun rises and lights up the desolate dungeon. He paces restlessly, if he is to spend another minute in there he will surely die of boredom, or end up driven into insanity by his own harrowing thoughts. It was time to get some much needed fresh air.
It was simple enough. He called over the guard that stood by his cell and used his powers to force a deep hatred for Legend. Then convinced him, needing only his charm, that he should let him straight out of the cell in spite of his newfound enemy. While he may no longer care as deeply as he once did for Tella, his contempt for the ‘Carnival King’ (as he liked to think of him) has remained unchanged. The soldier eagerly agreed to let Jacks out and cover for him out of some sort of ‘revenge’.
Once he had managed to sneak his way out of the castle he decided to take a carriage into the Satine Quarter, look around until something peaked his interest. Summer was drawing to a close which Jacks could tell by the cool breeze that mussed his hair. He looked around every street, every alley, and every store window for what felt like hours, but nothing seemed to stand out.
The only thing that seemed to stand out was a ‘Curiosity Shop’. It made him think of a girl who would have loved a shop as the name did suggest that the two had some similarities. He was about to walk in, when he spotted the closed sign.
It was like an alarm had woken him from a peaceful dream, he remembered the deal he had made with himself and how he could no longer think of his past. He swiftly distanced himself from the shop, hoping to avoid any more… interruptions.
He pulled a deep blue apple out of thin air and bit into it, out of frustration. If only he could return to his study in the North and read to occupy his mind. A light suddenly flickered to life in his mind when he realised that’s exactly what he needs, to buy a book. Immediately, he began to scour every bookshelf in Valenda but quickly found that no bookshop had what he was looking for. Jacks wanted a story that was centuries old, that possessed some of the magic that can be found all around in the North. He let out a sigh in the small bookstore that had only appeared intriguing after being once gin disappointed. He had failed to notice the small old woman standing behind him, who appeared intrigued by his weary expressions.
“Did you want help looking for something?” She asked
Startled, Jacks whipped around and finally spotted the woman standing there peering up at him through enormous glasses, shaped like a wide smile.
”Sorry, I’m sure I’ll be fine thank you.” He turned on his heel, ready to leave her in the aisle.
“If you’re looking for a special kind of bookshop, I may know a place.” She called after him. Jacks, being desperate, turned back around to hear her out.
“It’s well hidden so most won’t find it, but it’s only two streets over. Right at the end of the second alley.” She said using her fingers to point in the directions he needed to take. The hope that had rushed through him from when he began his search returned.
“Thank you.” He gave a genuine smile, which the woman returned, and tore out of the shop.
He followed the woman’s directions exactly and was led to… a dead end. She wouldn’t have lied to him so blatantly. Would she? Although, this only makes him feel a little humbled, as this feels eerily similar to a trick he may have played on a stranger. Defeated he moved to turn back, but stopped when movement unexpectedly caught his eye. He squinted and realised the bricks were shifting before his very eyes and revealed the bookstore that lie behind it. It seemed so homely he believed that someone may live there.
The roof was triangular and slated in red tiles, while the house was white in colour but contrasted with the dark brown support beams that held it upright. The windows were barred but appeared inviting instead of restrictive. They made symmetrical diamond designs that hid the inside, making it feel all the more intriguing.
Eagerly, he rushed in, the bell that hung over the red, wooden door bellowed his arrival. After taking one look at the shelves surrounding him, he could feel in his bones that he has found the magic he’s been chasing. He heard, presumably the owner, slide down a ladder and walk towards the door to greet him, but he was too anxious to search the bookshelves. He may have even let out a low snicker when he spotted the dusty shelf, containing his long awaited prize. He even got out one of his golden victory apples, as this was definitely deserved, he took a big bite as his eyes began to scan the titles. He was so distracted by his victory he almost ignored the finger that tapped his shoulder.
“Hi I’m Evangeline! I work here and I noticed you were in quite a hurry. were you looking for anything in particular?” She innocently questioned. His body violently froze and swiftly turned 180° the second he had heard her name.
His eyes could not register what he was seeing. Well they couldn’t completely register her, he was still blinded by spots in his vision. He couldn’t respond due to his panic and now the piece of apple that is now wedged in his throat. He urgently spun back around with a cough and had to drive his fist into his stomach a few times to stop his endless hacking. He took an extra second to regain his composure, but remained just as awestruck. He was falling head first, backwards into her eyes, her wide brown eyes that were pouring into his own.
“Are you alright?” She asked in worry, but there was an unmistakable note of hoarseness.
“Sorry I, um… choked.” He replied a little out of breath, he was not at all sure how he should respond to her. Apart of him urged him to run for the door and get out of there before he could once again break her, but the other part of him argued that it would be rude to leave so soon. His eyes searched her perfect face, she had the same round checks, the same bewitching eyes, the same silky pink hair and the same cherry tinted lip, that were just as tempting.
She cleared her throat “I see that you are looking at our dustiest books. Almost no one reaches for those anymore. Are you looking for one in particular?” She says in an attempt to fill the uncomfortable silence. Jacks realises how odd he must appear, staring at a ‘stranger’ in such hunger. He looked towards the books so he could try and diffuse the awkwardness of the moment.
“No, I was just taking a look when something more interesting caught my eye.” Before the word ‘No’ left escaped his lips he had already caved and finally allowed his eyes to take her in. After managing to regain control of himself, he was able to respond in his usual flirty manner.
Her cheeks did turn a little pink at that, but it was no where near as deep as he wishes they would turn. “Maybe I could help you choose?” She was looking at him as though he could be a knight in shining armour, which carried the sobering reminder that he was the completely opposite.
“No I’d rather look alone, but thank you.” He coolly responded. His arms were having to be pulled back by his own will from flying around her waist while his chest pulled itself tight, feeling empty without her face pressed against it.
He heard something within him crack a little when her expression fell at the abrupt rejection. “Oh, okay. I wouldn’t want to bother you, so I’ll just be at the till if you find anything.” Just as quickly as she came, she left him standing in the empty aisle. He tried to return to his previous triumph but was too distracted by the dryness of his throat and the thundering of his heart.
He grabbed a random book that seemed to look fine and made his way towards the checkout, armouring himself for their next conversation. He noticed that she wasn’t wearing clothes that were similar to the ones she had worn in the North. She now wore a much more casual green dress. It had a loose skirt from the hips down while form fitting around her waist and chest, it had a low neckline with sleeves that were far too baggy for her arms, and fell off her shoulders. She stood there reading a book, she appeared like a lush and magical forest, with her rosy hair representing the sky fading into the night. She perked her head up when he came to the counter, waiting for him to hand over the book.
“I’m sorry but I have to ask, are you the girl who saved that wedding party?” He needed to leave, but apart of him longed to stay just a little longer.
“Yes, but it was not as courageous as the papers may lead you to believe. I guess it must have been a slow week for the Whisper Gazette or something.” She shrugged, her words were far too modest. He had been there when she sacrificed herself, and in all of Jacks’ years, her act of selflessness had been one of the most courageous he had ever seen. She had only proven her bravery time and time again afterwards.
“I think you need to take more pride in yourself Little Fox.” That is the exact reason he should have left, because he says stupid, reckless things around her. He did not mean to fall back into that habit, but it was too late to retract it now. He hid his slight lapse in judgment behind a charming smile. This made her cheeks warm again and her eyes drop down to the hemming her dress while her hands began fixing nonexistent creases.
“So do you have a name or do you just like to walk around bookshops complimenting all the girls for fun?” She asked in a way that felt like a dare. However she still refused to make eye contact
“I’m Archer, and no I don’t usually compliment girls in bookshops but i thought that I’d make an exception.” He ended with a wink and another wolfish grin.
“If I could just see what you’re holding I can check you out.” She says, retreating back to her shyness.
“You don’t need any kind of permission. Feel free to check me out whenever you please” He fires back. This time she lets out a small giggle and Jacks is overcome with a calmness, as though he had been drowning for days but can finally take a soothing breath.
With every intention of ending their small coversation he gives her the money but once again he physically, cannot force himself to leave. The two remain frozen in place by the others gaze, not daring to move in fear of ending this moment. Jacks dedicates every second to memorising a different feature’s he hopes to never forget while Evangeline just takes him in, slightly overwhelmed by the undeniable force hovering over the countertop. They simply allow time to pass them by, like a cooling breeze on a warm day.
“I feel like I know you from somewhere but I just can’t place you.” She mutters, squinting at him. This snaps Jacks out of the spell that steals all rational thoughts.
“That’s strange, I get that a lot shockingly.” He attempts to play it off but knows that it is time for him to finally leave. He turns and heads for the door, regret pounding into the floor with every step.
“Hope to see you back soon, Archer!” She calls after him.
If only she knew how much he wishes she truly meant that