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A group of unusual people all gathered in one space for another unusual chain of events. Everyone brought their own findings to the table and shared their own narratives but it all boiled down to one thing— another bioterrorism horror is brewing in the shadows.
Essentially just another day in Jill Valentine's fucked up life.
Everybody had something to say and a solution to propose but nothing definitive ever gets discussed as there's always some rebuttal.
All the virus talk made Jill's head spin and made her space out of the conversation. She had no clue how she even managed to survive this long but it really never got easy. Everyday felt like a battle of its own.
The air in the room was almost suffocating and it was turning into a very heated discussion. Luckily, Claire was able to cut the tension and suggest a small break for everyone to compose theirselves. Once everyone came into a silent agreement, Jill made a run for the exit.
As soon as she shut the door, Jill rested her back on to the wall and began to reach for something in her pant's pockets. She took out a small box and was about to open it until the door suddenly moved. She hastily shoved down the box back into her pocket and slightly lost her balance as she abruptly stood up straight.
When a strong yet familiar aroma greeted her, Jill's senses came to a calm. "Oh, Wong, just you."
She relaxed herself back on the wall and finally took out the content of her secret box. She held a single cigarette on her fingers as her other hand search for the lighter she supposedly tucked into one of her other pockets.
Ada spared a glance at Jill before turning her back to check something on her phone. "Don't mind being seen by me?" she asked out into the open but it was obvious who the question was for.
Vagueness was Ada's thing so Jill opted to answer in a similar fashion. "Anyone else would probably be excessively concerned. If it was one of the Redfields, I'd certainly be hearing a lecture. Chambers would probably give me a rundown on why smoking is bad for my health. And Kennedy?"
The mention of the surname got Ada's attention as she finally look at Jill's way.
"Well, I guess he knows to keep his mouth shut. Like a code of confidentiality between an alcoholic and a smoker."
Ada let out a small chuckle at the remark. Noticing Jill's struggle to fish something out of her clothes, she put her phone away and decided to speak up.
"Need a light?"
Jill stopped her pointless search and looked up at Ada who had a strange smile on. She found the initiative unusual but responded with an approving hum eitherway.
Ada took out a lighter from her purse and placed its flame near to the cigarette that Jill placed on her lips.
“This evening sure is eventful.”
She looked at the object in Jill's mouth but her tone didn't carry judgement at all, it was something else that Jill couldn't really decipher. Shock? Amusement? She'd probably never know, it was the norm when it comes to Ada.
"Well, we all have our own bad habits.” Jill says, slightly muffled by what’s placed on her lips. She didn't feel the need to explain herself and she doubts Ada even cares for an explanation. It was simple to leave it as that.
Jill took a slow sip of the cigarette, letting the tobacco into her system and get the relief she very much needed. She then puffs out the smoke in the direction away from her unexpected companion— just simple smoker’s etiquette. She could still feel a curious gaze on her so after another puff, she took out the cigarette from her lips and held it in the onlooker's direction.
“Want some?“
Ada raised her brow at the sudden suggestion but was quick to follow without further complaints. She leaned down to the cigarette that rested on Jill's fingers, suprising the other woman.
Jill shortly felt the softness of Ada's lips as it slightly brushes over her finger while she took a short and careful sip of the cigarette. She was somewhat stunned at the sudden intimacy of the moment.
However, that was cut short as Ada gagged and wheezed loudly to the side, discomfort very evident in her body language. For once, Jill could finally read her.
"Don’t like it?” she jokingly asks, amused by the unusual expressiveness from the hardened mercenary. She was facing away but Jill could see there's a slight redness in her ear.
“Too strong for my taste," Ada says as she played it cool, acting as if it's totally not her first time inhaling tobacco.
Jill let out some small laugh as she hovers the cigarette back towards herself, immediately noticing a red smudge on where Ada's lips were.
"Huh, your lipstick left a stain," Jill comments on it before placing the cigarette back on her own lips, placing it just near the said spot.
Letting out one final cough, Ada cleared her throat and replied back with her signature sly tone of voice, “Well, I always liked leaving a mark."
Ada recomposed herself before making her way back to the door. As her hand reach for the handle, she took a quick glimpse back at Jill, noticing the placement of the cigarette. She then rushed back inside when a small smile came on involuntarily which she'd rather not let anyone see.
Now left to her own, it was suddenly too quiet for comfort. Jill decided it was time to get back in and so she let out one last puff. She lifted her back from the wall and firmly stepped on the cigarette butt that she dropped on the muddy ground.
When she stepped inside, she was surprised to see someone's back seemingly waiting on her.
Ada glanced her way and their eyes met. There was a certain glint in her eyes as she walks her way towards Jill. The other simply stood in place, eager to know what the lady in red had in mind.
Ada rested a hand on Jill's back and leaned in closer to her ear. Thanks to close proximity, she was able to quickly notice that Ada must have reapplied her perfume.
The acrid odor of the tobacco mixed with the soft yet spicy scent of tonka beans.
“To get rid of the lingering smell,” Ada whispered as her free hand placed a bottle of perfume into Jill's hold. Ada slowly withdrawed from Jill's back, letting her hand slide a bit on her arm.
The ghost of Ada's touch made Jill shiver a bit. To distract herself from the feeling, she glanced down at the scarlet bottle that rests in her palm but somehow even the packaging itself screamed Ada Wong. She looked back up at Ada, her eyes unintentionally drifting towards her lips, suddenly recalling how it felt earlier. With her senses suddenly on overdrive, Jill could only swalllow down the uneasiness that's creeping on her.
Taking notice of her troubled state, a small smirk graced Ada's lips as she steps a little closer, just enough for just Jill to hear.
“Don't worry, your secret’s safe with me~” she says in a hushed voice before heading back to join the others.
The sound of her heels echoed in Jill's ears as she stares at the perfume bottle in her hand. After a while, she removed the cap and began spraying a generous amount on herself, letting that sweet and spicy scent fill her nostrils.
Great, now I smell like her...
She looked back at the spot at where Ada stood and recalled the words that came out of those distracting lips. A small secret now connects the two.
Sigh...
If only Ada knew she was nervous for a different reason.