#〈 T.L.: 2006-2009 → Brainwashed 〉

[agentvalentine]

"Jill, you really went out of your way to get Excella to leave me be so I could finish some time sensitive reports, so I want to give you something as a reward."

From his desk drawer, he opens it and flicks around a few pens and paper clips until he finds what he was looking for. And hands her a white rook.

"Here, this is for you. Why not ... take it to your cell and display it somewhere nice, hm?"

A reward. Like a pet being fed treats after obeying a command. There’s no describing the resentment and disgust that fill her chest as she watches him open the drawer and take out the rook, as he offers it to her.

I don’t want it, she wants to say. What the hell am I supposed to do with this?

I only did that because you told me to. It wasn’t out of the kindness of my heart. It wasn’t for you.

None of that comes out of her mouth, though.

Instead, Jill takes the rook from him, stares at it momentarily in silence before she murmurs, “Thank you.” She stuffs the rook in her pocket, wishing her body would allow her to throw it away later, instead she knows she’ll do exactly as he told her to. Take it to her cell and display it somewhere on her nightstand or dresser. “Is there…” She wishes she could shove it down his throat so he would choke on it. “Is there… anything else I can do for you?”

[agentvalentine]

v;tricell era Kira brushes a brainwashed Jill's hair.

Jill just sits there quietly. The hair brushing makes her feel incredibly sleepy, but she can’t sleep. And not just because she doesn’t want to, but because her body won’t allow her. Because it rarely listens to her anymore. If it did, she would have kicked Kira off her and bolted for the window to her right. Even something that’s supposed to be relaxing feels like torture in this place.