#Friendly Friend from the Dark(Darck/darckcarnival)

[oathofpromises]

❛ you remembered? ❜ (for ashley~ )

Ashley sighed, taking a moment to glance out the window. It had been a few months since she was rescued by Leon. Everyone seemed to be returning to a somewhat normal life, but a part of her still had nightmares. It was all too scary and real..the very thought of something else like that cult could kidnap her shook the girl's very soul.

Slowly, she raised her hands, there were moments Ashley was clearly not in control of her own body back then, yet even after the parasite was removed, it still felt like something was eating away at her heart. Guilt. Too many innocent people had died to bring her back, and sometimes the blonde wondered if it was really worth it. What exactly did she do for this world besides burden all those around her. It had always been that way ever since she was a little girl. All people wanted to see her as was the presidents daughter. It's why she never really had any actual friends. Mostly people who tried to befriend her with the hope it would raise their own popularity.

"I doubt I would even still be here if that voice didn't call out to my when I was locked in the church. I had almost given up on being saved, considering everyone else those villagers had taken ended up dead. They told me that someone was coming..to keep hope. I wish I could thank them properly..they didn't even know me, yet they still reached out.."

The blonde voice trailed off, as her entire room was encased in darkness. She had yet to get up from her spot and turn on the lights, but for some reason the girl found a sense of comfort in this atmosphere. Which probably anyone else that heard her say such a thing would be concerned.

"I wish...i could move on from that time, but, so much has remained imprinted...i wish I could forget it, but, If I am being honest, it wasn't all bad. I got to meet Leon and that voice. They both saved me even though it endangered their very lives."

The blonde could vividly recall how gentle the voice was that reached out to her. There was a sense of worry there, but it surprised the girl how the other could remain so calm. How did the voice know Leon was coming to her aid? Could it be they knew the agent too? There were so many question the young woman yearned to ask, but it felt like the only one that could answer them was the voice that called out to her from the darkness. Ashley remembered, she didn't know the other's face, but she still kept the first time they spoke close to her heart.

[oathofpromises]

Upon rumors and whispers of shit going down on an island, Alcatraz-

"Nope. No way. I don't do water Jill, I don't do places surrounded by water. Not anymore. Shit gets me fucked up..."

"..."

"Okay maybe I'll go if all of you guys go BUT ONLY THEN-"

How many months had it been since Jill’s return from Kijuju, too many, it felt like. To make matters worse, it was one lab test after another. Which probably seemed normal given what she had endured over the past couple months. At first, the woman figured it was all a part of the B.S.A.A’s way of making sure she was able to return to active duty. However, it seemed more than that, especially with what Darck and Chris had told her had occurred during her time away.

The organization was corrupted, something the brown haired woman had felt for a bit. Although, deep down, a part of her wished it wasn’t true. That same feeling of betrayal looming around the corner. It was beginning to become quite a pattern with their lives. It wasn’t too long after she was permitted to return, the first mission to land in her lap was investigating Alcatraz.

“Darck, I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t think it was important. If you really don’t want to go, I do understand, but I need someone I trust on this. Sure, Chris and Leon will both be there, but the more people we know personally there, the better this will turn out.” Jill had that serious gaze in her eyes. Leaning against the desk, as she slid the folder of mission briefing over to her best friend.

“I can’t help but shake that the B.S.A.A. has become more corrupt over the years. I missed a lot in the time I was away..”

Jill glanced to the side, as she bites her bottom lip. It was a nervous habit, one she had been trying to break for years. Although, the agent hardly did it around anyone that wasn’t those closest to her. Glancing back up, there seemed to be a distant look in Jill eyes.

“I need to do this, Darck..too many people have suffered because of me.“

There it was, the woman’s reason for taking on this mission. Jill still blamed herself for Wesker producing an even stronger virus. The memories that slowly came back to her didn’t help either. How she forced innocent people to turn into monsters. The very thing she fought so hard to prevent, and Wesker knew it would hurt her more than anything. It shattered her soul, and all the woman wanted was to tell someone about all these emotions. However, it was never in the brunettes way of putting any burden on someone else, but it was getting to be too much for her to carry alone.

"Darck..do you have anything you wish you could confide in someone else? The things you try so hard to stay away from, but something else keeps coming back?"

[oathofpromises]

Jill knew Darck didn't blame her for the things that happened after Raccoon city, or even Africa. No one did..except herself. No matter how many people close to the woman said none of it was her doing, the agent couldn't help but feel responsible. The trauma she had experienced since this all began slowly had eaten away at her heart, until it felt like even sleep wouldn't heal the pain she felt.

"Chris and you both say it's not my fault but Darck..you know me. I did what I thought was right,,and I don't regret any of it, but I can still hear their screams at night. I hardly eat..sleep. It feels like everything has gotten to me, until now all I see is their faces. The people who I injected the virus into." The woman hand slowly clenched into a fist, as she looked away. The folder sitting on the table between the two of them. It seemed selfish to ask Darck to join her on this mission, especially since the other had also been through a lot, even if she wasn't aware of everything her friend had been forced to endure.

"Darck..is it bad I still saw some good in Wesker. Even if the rational part of my mind knows he made me suffer greatly after the fateful stormy night in the mansion. He wanted me to feel pain...I was one of the few that had stopped his plans before, but there were glimpses of the captain I used to know. Maybe I am being silly..."

Jill wanted to hate Wesker for what he had done to her and those she cared about. However, there was always that tiny part that wanted to see the good in him, even if he had betrayed, used her for his own ends. It might not make sense to those who only had seen the cruel side to the ex S.T.A.R.S captain. Taking a breath, the agent stood up from her seat, as her the scar on her chest could be seen underneath her tank top and leather jacket.

"Darck..this is a mission I need to do..even if it kills me. I can't stand by anymore and feel..helpless. Ever since I returned from Africa, the BSAA ran tests on my body..so much so that I could hardly stand it. Now I know...how Sherry must've felt going through all of that. I want to do what is right, but sometimes I question if I even know what that is anymore. Too many people I trusted have stabbed me in the back..used me for their own gain, and I am tired. I know you would never judge me..just as I would never with you. I am just...I tried going to shooting range the other day and ran into Chris. The conversation went as well as expected..he was worried. All of us are just upset at how things have been handled. The BSAA was supposed to be an organization that protected others, and yet..seeing the shady things they've done..it makes me question if there will ever be a group that isn't corrupted."

Jill glanced out the window, almost as if she was afraid that someone unsavory would be listening in on their talk. A lot over the years had made the woman more paranoid. Even her shooting seemed slightly off since being allowed to return to active duty. It reminded her too much of when they were younger and how she hesitated to shoot. The fear that creeped into her heart back then seemed to return so quickly.

"I haven't talked about that time in Africa with anyone..not even Chris yet. I can tell he blames himself for what happened to me too. It isn't at all..funny, right. I can tell others not to blame themselves for things out of their control, but me, I just...I feel it pressing against my heart. This overwhelming guilt."

Continued from here with @darckcarnival

[oathofpromises]

Starter for: @darckcarnival

Jill trembled. She'd forgotten her jacket one day, and it had to rain. The young woman dashed into her apartment, clutching the food bag. She barely had time to adequately make anything, especially with the ongoing investigation. As a result, quick meals were her best source of nutrients. 

The cop took a step back and placed the paper bag on the strewn table. Jill exhaled a sigh. She desperately needed to clean the kitchen. It was disorganized and unkempt. Fortunately, no one ever came over to her house, so she saw no reason to be concerned about such insignificant tasks. 

"Fucking Irons, stupid bastard." mumbled Jill as she looked up at the bulletin board covered in Umbrella-related clues. All of this was done on their own time, as their boss and even the government refused to assist the S.T.A.R.S members in their investigation of the company's mystery. It vexed her how much they all had gone through at the Spencer Mansion. Even today, none of it feels real, but it is. That was the first of many incidents to follow, and no one took it seriously except those present. How much more evidence did they have to find before it was enough to prove that Umbrella wasn’t to be trusted? 

Running a hand through her hair, the woman reached up and touched a photo. It was the S.T.A.R.S team members, including herself, smiling. How times were so much simpler back then, well at least life didn’t feel like a living hell. Would they ever know true peace, or be doomed to repeat this endless cycle of greed and violence? She sat down on the bed, staring down at the current pile of documents. Anyone else would probably see it as a chaotic mess, but Jill saw it as puzzle pieces. 

“It never gets any easier,” whispered the woman, as she glanced out towards the city. She had noticed a change started to happen within Raccoon City. Part of her tried to push away the truth, but maybe that was exactly the thing she needed to hear right now. Any hint to further this case, but maybe she was simply too exhausted. 

Not even the sleeping medicine the doctors had prescribed seemed to be doing much. Jill didn’t even take the amount she was supposed to either, just enough to pass any tests the station might give. After all, this was their idea to put all the current members involved in the mansion incident on a daily regimen. She hated the stuff, and they were forcing her to take a bunch. Everything from sleeping aids to anxiety.

“Maybe if I lay down for a bit, that will help clear my head.” groaning, she let herself fall back. However, the silence was quickly met when the typewriter close by started to type.

[oathofpromises]

There was a small gift left for Rose, on her bedroom bed. Just a small box when she got back. Inside of it was a hair clip, with a rose engraving on it, some brand new gloves in case she gets cold, or needs the covering for other reasons, a new notebook with a pen set, as well as a brand new switch knife, with a walnut handle. A note inside read: 'Hey kid, know I've been in and out, but still thinking of you. Wanted to leave you something. ~ Darck'

Rose smiled, as she took off her hat and placed the rose engraved pin into her blonde locks. It shined very beautifully in the moonlight and reminded the young girl so much of Darck, uncle Lee and her dad. It had been getting colder out recently, so the gloves definitely were appreciated. The thing that stopped her was the notebook. She hardly told anyone that she had picked up writing and sketching things, like her dad had. It was something she loved doing. There was a day, the teenager had stumbled upon one of her father’s old notebooks. In it was the day-to-day life when Rose was just a baby. Along with some sketches of her, too. 

The girl placed the notebook down before she skillfully moved the switch bladed around her fingers with ease. Most kids her age enjoyed things like clothes or video games. Rose she tended to appreciate the sentimental value behind the objects given to her. Especially dealing with everything she had on the daily. Sometimes, it felt like the government only saw her as a weapon. The minute she even remotely stepped out of line, they would try to end her. Shaking her head, Rose felt a tear almost fall down her face. This reminded her too much of how those who did care about her were always forced to sacrifice so much for the world. Even her uncle Leon, who tried so hard to escape from that life, kept getting dragged back in. 

It was sweet that Darck managed to find time to bring her these presents, the girl wasn’t stupid. She knew full well the dangers that laid within the work the woman did every day, but despite all that, she still found time to bring Rose gifts or even spend time with her. Which, meant the world to Rose considering she hardly had any friends around her age. Most kids at her school tended to bully her, even to this day, Rose can recall how often Chris would march down there and demand that something be done. He was such a fatherly figure towards her. Protective, even if sometimes it didn’t always seem that way. 

“I wonder if Darck is okay..last time I saw her she had some fresh injuries and looked beyond exhausted. I hope her group isn’t working too hard, but knowing her, they probably are. If my dad was here, he would probably try to convince her to have a break. Seems like so long ago that Darck was helping me sneak out to spend time outside the military base. She wanted me to experience normal things..not feel like a caged animal.” The last part came out like a whisper. It was hard remembering the time she was ripped away from her own mother. Rose hadn’t seen Mia in years, and it was clear that it was taking a lot out of the young girl. 

She had so many questions, like why did they seize her away, but over years it became clear they didn’t want Mia Winters to have a daughter with that much power. Instead, they wanted to use Rose like some secret weapon. It made having any normalize very difficult when all they expected was her to use powers, that she considered a curse. Rose looked down, as a white vein like aura appeared across her body. It was becoming harder each day to control them. Which was why the young girl wished for nothing more than to rid herself of such things. Closing her eyes, she breathed in and out. Trying to find some way to anchor herself, since Darck, Leon and Chris weren’t around to help her right now. Which sucked when Rose could feel her powers start to stir anytime she got angry or stressed. The girl didn’t want the government to use her like a weapon. She just wanted a normal life... 

“I wonder..is this how Darck felt...she hasn’t told me much but, it feels like she can relate to some of stuff I am going through. The fact that people try and use us as some sort of tool. I hate this..” Rose reached up, her hand resting against her chest. This wasn’t the life she expected, and so much of her wanted nothing more than to escape from this place. To find her mother and be a regular family, but at least Darck and others made it easier to carry the weight of these emotions. 

Fingers reached down, as Rose started to dial Darck number, she knew it might be selfish to ask but right now she needed someone to be here beside her. To help sort through all these emotions and maybe give each other a break from the things weighing so heavily on their hearts. A lot had happened since the last time the two had spoken to each other. Rose had faced many fears, been forced to confront things she wanted to run from. It was a lot, but maybe Darck could help answer some things. 

[oathofpromises]

Here comes a Brunette short stack of a woman. Right up too Valentine. And just, grabs her, lifts, and immediately carries over one shoulder like a sack of potatos. Walking off. "We're getting you food."

Jill was trying to finish some paperwork, when suddenly she felt her body be lifted into the air. It was embarrassing at times how small she was, let alone that others could pick her up so easily. The woman sighed, as she turned her head to see the culprit. 

“Darck, I told you before that I’m fine. I actually cooked myself a good meal.” 

Would the other believe her? It wasn’t a lie. She had actually taken the time to make herself something. Normally, the agent would’ve just ordered  in. It was easier, and gave her more time to work on cases. Maybe Jill was married to her work. It felt like that way sometimes, and it didn’t help, some often teased her about it. Wiggling, the woman tried to escape from Darck’s hold, but to no avail. 

“Damn it, you and that strength of yours. I’m guessing you are not going to put me down?”