STRINGS

❝Aren't you sweet.❞　Jane cooed in return, reciprocating Jonathan's feelings.　❝Nobody compares to you either.~❞　Not that Jane had many people in her life who she didn't want to actively kill. Even less whose company she found genuine enjoyment in. Of those very precious few, Jonathan tops the list.　❝How are Zachary and Emra anyway?❞　She'd ask, her tone curious.

❝Heh, good one. Same here.❞

Jane's head turned from the left to the right, allowing her black eyes to follow the jovial spirit as he hovered around her. She was smiling all the while. There's never another soul who can bring her heart and mind so much tranquility by simply existing.

❝We should catch up. It's been so long. I've missed your company.❞

Atounding, how often Jane turned a blind eye to the Puppeteer's... less than savory activities. One could almost label her a hypocrite or a fool for allowing him into her heart knowing his reputation. Yet he had shown her time after time that he meant no ill will toward her despite having ample opportunity to. He had given her trust not easily given.

Jane couldn't change what he was at his core... but she resolved to give back the trust that he was stripped of in life, if only to make him happy and safeguard that warm but rare smile he wore so well.

❝I see,❞　she murmured softly.　❝You look well.❞　As well as a vengeful spirit could be.

Jane's head was quick to perk up at the sound of her name on a familiar tongue. She would turn to look for the source of the call. Heavens, how long had it been since she'd last heard that voice? Too long, she thought as she slid her dark sunglasses down the bridge of her nose to reveal a pair of curious black orbs. Sure enough, there the Puppeteer hovered not too far away as if he'd just manifested in place. She pushed her glasses back up. Her eyes weren't playing tricks on her...

A smile crept upon her black lips so naturally. It always delighted Jane to see her favorite phantom.　❝Hello~❞　she greeted in a warm, smooth-as-silk tone reserved only for him. Jane strode forward and stopped in front of the Puppeteer. Then angled her head to look up at him.　❝It's been a while,❞　she said before adding:　❝How've you been, my golden lariat?❞