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Even after the mission to bust the Mountain Lion Gang was completed successfully, Seth just couldn’t get a certain rat Thiren out of his head.
It’s not that he thought Jane Doe was a cold-blooded criminal who’s not what she seems. Well, maybe he thinks all of that, except the cold-blooded part. Jane was silver tongued and mischievous, but Seth had seen first hand how she had good in her.
She didn’t let that runaway gang member die, she hadn’t let Seth die. And maybe that was just because of whatever arrangement she had made with PubSec, but it had to count for something… right?
Or perhaps, Seth was foolish for believing there’s good in everybody.
…
Seth hasn’t seen Jane around the precinct for a while. It makes sense, she doesn’t work for PubSec exclusively, after all. But the cat Thiren can’t help but look for her every corner he turns. He can’t help but keep an eye out for a jade green bomber jacket, tattered stockings or a magenta shock of hair.
Truth be told, he’s not fully convinced that PubSec should be so trusting of her. As much as he’d like to believe she’s a good person, some things just don’t add up.
She’s a ‘criminal behaviour specialist’, or so she said. But where did she learn criminal behaviour from ? Her little gangster act seemed a little too convincing… And why does she use an obvious fake name like Jane Doe? It feels like she’s leaving hints, but no one but Seth can see them.
He wants to figure her out, needs to get to the bottom of the mysterious lady ( figuratively, of course…) Maybe it’s irrational and self indulgent, but he needs to do it, for his peace of mind.
He’s pondering this on one late night shift as he heads out the back of the PubSec building for some fresh air, when he’s met with the sight of a very familiar figure.
“Jane Doe?” he can’t help but ask, even if it’s stupid- she’s right there, after all.
The rat Thiren gives a little smile, flicking ash from a cigarette pinched between two of her well manicured fingers.
“Why, if it isn’t Officer Lowell,” she says, regarding him thoughtfully, “Long time no see.”
Seth tried not to seem too distrustful. “What are you doing here?”
Jane chuckles. “Can’t I be here, officer? New Eridu is as much my city as it is yours… maybe even more.”
The officer truly wishes he could understand what goes on in Jane’s mind. He wishes she could answer his questions straight, instead of replying with inquiries of her own.
He watches as the rat Thiren takes a long drag of her cigarette.
“You shouldn’t smoke. It’ll slow you down in combat,” he says, unable to help himself from dispensing what he sees as helpful knowledge. This habit of his made him very unpopular back in the police academy.
But Jane doesn’t seem to take offense. Instead, she smiles sharply and replies easily, “Ah, is that so? I’ll try not to, then. Thank you for your wisdom, officer~”
Seth isn’t stupid, he can tell she’s mocking him. But he doesn’t really have the energy to argue. He’s running on three hours of sleep and way too much coffee as it is.
So instead, he blurts out the question that’s been messing with him ever since the last case Jane had helped work on.
“Jane Doe, what’s your deal?”
Jane smirks. “My deal? Well.. it’s definitely not buy one get one.”
Seth furrows his brows. I guess even women like her can make bad jokes sometimes…
“I mean,” he takes a deep breath, smelling the strong scent of cigarettes that still lingers in the air, “you’re a mystery to me. An enigma, even. I know you aren’t who you say you are, and I’m gonna find out who you really are one day.”
Jane stares at him, amusement and mischief dancing in her icy turquoise eyes. She thinks carefully about what to say before responding.
“I’m not as mysterious as you make me out to be, officer,” she says, eyes not leaving him once.
Seth’s ear twitches as he processes what she’s saying.
“Huh?”
“I mean,” Jane chuckles, pushing off the wall and standing in front of Seth, “I’ve just picked up a lot of things. A part time job here, a small commission there. When you get to be as well versed in so many things like me, you gain a lot of friends. And a lot more enemies.”
The cat Thiren doesn’t quite understand at first, frowning, deep in thought as he tries to make sense of the woman in front of him.
“You’re smart, officer. I’m sure you understand. Sometimes, less is more,” Jane says, and in a flash, she’s gone.
Seth only gets it after a few days, after a good night’s rest.
Maybe.. it’s not about having bad things to hide from good people, but about giving oneself the power to choose what information people get…
That’s just what he thinks, though. Jane may trust him to understand, but Seth believes only Jane Doe can understand herself fully. Seth will just focus on himself, for now.