Tainted Balance

Strange Behavior

Jordan had finally ended up at Tucker's dojo. He felt a little sick, most likely because of the taint tendril. At least, that's what he thought. He sent a quick message to Tucker via his communicator and after a few minuets or so, the door swung open to reveal a smiling Tucker.

"Hey man! How're you doing?"

"Eh.. So-so. Did you see the thing outside yet?" He gestured towards the general direction of the Taint statue. Tucker nodded, stepping aside to let Jordan in.

"Yeah, I was wondering what that was about. Do you know anything?"

"Only a little. Apparently it's because of Ianite's anger towards the town and the King."

Tucker's eyes widen. "Whoa seriously? Ianite did made that? Geez, remind me to never make her angry, yeah?" Jordan laughed and nodded.

"But she didn't do it purposefully, at least, I don't think so. Martha said it was caused by her subconscious acting up or..something like that. I wasn't paying much attention to be honest."

"Well, it's something I guess. Better than knowing nothing at all, right?"

"I guess so. What've you been up to? Have any more incredible blood magic to show me?"

Tucker rolled his eyes playfully and shook his head. "Can't say that I do. Sorry to disappoint."

Jordan was about to answer when his vision went somewhat distorted and purple. He felt..strange. In a good way, like when he first saw the Taint statue. He heard himself speak in a warped and harsh tone. "Oh that's fine Tucker. In used to you being a fucking disappointment anyways."

"Wh-what?" Tucker asked, sounding hurt and looking it too.

The purple haze left Jordan's vision and he slapped a hand over his mouth and looked at Tucker apologetically. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry Tucker! I-I don't know what came over me.."

Tucker shrugged and waved a hand, dismissing his apology. "N-nah man. It's fine.. Just, just didn't expect you to say something like that you know? Haha.." He rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled awkwardly.

The purple haze returned again and he spoke out against his will. "What? You didn't expect poor, innocent Jordan to tell you the truth? That's you're an absolutely pathetic disappointment?" He felt himself step forward as Tucker stepped back. This continued until Tucker's back was against the wall.

"J-Jordan come on man... This isn't funny.. You're starting to hurt my feelings man."

"Aw, boo fucking hoo! Poor you. Do you want some cheese for all that whine?"

Tucker blinked for a second, shocked before glaring and shoving Jordan off of him, causing the purple haze to vanish almost immediately. Jordan fell to the ground and held his now aching head.

"What the hell is your problem, Jordan?!"

Jordan looked up at Tucker and shrugged weakly, his signature glasses sliding down his face slightly to reveal blue eyes that had gained a slight purple tint to them, becoming a shade or so darker. "I..I really don't know.."

Tucker's glare softened slightly and he sighed. "Look," he started, offering a hand to Jordan, who gladly took and and stood up. "Something's obviously wrong with you. Why don't you go back to your house and take it easy for a while? Get some rest or something."

"Yeah.. Yeah that sounds nice. I guess I'll go now.. Sorry about.. Everything." He looked down guilty. Why did he say that? Tucker was one of his closest friends, hell they were practically brothers! He'd never say anything like that normally.. Maybe Tucker was right? Maybe he just needed to rest?

"It's.. It's cool Jordan. You're having an off day, I get that. No harm done ok? Just go take it easy. You seem like you need it."

He nodded and waved before stepping outside and shutting the door gently behind him. 'So much for hanging out with Tucker..' He thought to himself bitterly. 'Though, it's not like it's his fault. I've got no one to blame but myself..' He sighed and shook his head, clearing his mind of the previous couple minuets. 'Gotta stop thinking about it..'

"Hey! Sparklypants!" A familiar voice called out to him. There was only one person who called him that.

"Oh, hey Tom.." He said, less enthusiastically than normal. On an average day, he'd eagerly greet his best friend and ask if they could hang out. But after what happened..he didn't want to risk the same thing happening to Tom. Speaking of which, Tom tilted his head curiously.

"You seem kinda upset man. What's wrong?"

He waved a hand dismissing Tom's concern. "It's nothing really. I'm just kinda tired today. Not really up for anything, you know?"

Tom pouted, and the sight made Jordan feel guilty, despite him blushing slightly. He'd be lying if he said he didn't have a sort of crush on Tom. He had since they were still in Mianite.

"Aw! But I had a really fun plan for us today!"

"Sorry Tom. I'm just not in the mood, you know?"

"I guess.. You sure you don't wanna come?"

The purple haze was back again. 'No! Not now!'
He tried to keep himself from replying but the haze's control seemed to overpower his will.

"God, were you always this fucking /clingy?/ I mean, damn Tom. This is just pathetic."

Tom blinked for a second, processing what he'd just said before seeming to deflate. He looked hurt and it made the guilt Jordan felt ten times worse.

"Clingy..? I.. I didn't mean to-"

"To what? Bother me? Well, too fuckin' late Tom! You've already done that! Hell, bothering me is probably the only thing you can do right anyways.."

Tom looked down and rubbed his arm awkwardly. "O-oh.. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to annoy you or anything."

The haze had vanished again and Jordan blinked before rushing over and laying a comforting hand on Tom's shoulder. "No! You have nothing to be sorry for! I'm the one who should be sorry. I've.. I've been feeling kinda off today and I've been acting kind of like a.. Well, a dick because of it. You're not annoying, I'm just grumpy. I'm really sorry Tom."

Tom perked up slightly and looked at Jordan. "So..I'm not annoying you?"

"Of course not! You're my best friend!"

Tom smiled at this and nodded. "Oh good! For a second there I thought you actually hated me or something! Well, I guess I won't keep you any longer. You go sleep or something, yeah? We can go on that adventure tomorrow or whenever you feel up to it, sound good?"

Jordan nodded and waved as he began to walk into town. He passed by the Taint statue and he could've sworn he'd heard someone call his name, but when he looked around there was no one. 'Damn..maybe I really do need to sleep..' He ignored it and continued his walk to his house, waving and saying hello to the villagers he'd pass. He unlocked the door to his house and shut it behind him. He locked it and made his way up the stairs to his room. He sighed and slipped his shoes off, setting them by the bed. He laid down, getting under the covers and placing his sunglasses onto the small desk beside his bed. He shut his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

((Woo! Chapter 2 is complete! This thing took me around 40 something minuets to write so I hope the effort was worth it :D But anyways. I hope you all enjoyed and I will see all you people in the next chapter! Later!))